USA > North Carolina > North Carolina historical and genealogical record > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
" por;
63
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
deliberation I would recommend that Thomas Espey, Valentine Mauney, the Number of Delegates for Each Nicholas Friday. County should not be less than tive.
"Captain Coburn's company : I am with Great Respect Gentlemen James Coburn, Robert Alexander.
your most Obd't Servant, "SAMUEL JOHNSON."
"Captain Hardin's Company : Joseph Harden, Benjamin Harden, On receipt of this letter the Try- Davis Whitesides.
"Captain Hambright's Company:
on fresholders, or committee of saf- ety, met. No date or place is shown Frederick Hambright, James Logan. "Captain Hampton's Company:
on the proceedings of the commit- tee. The Minutes of the meeting fol- Andrew Hampton, John Morris, George Russell.
low:
"Pursuant to the aforesaid letter, "At an election for delegates to Charles McLean, John Robinson,
attend at a Provincial Convention John Barber.
to be held at Hillsborough on the Twentieth Day of August next; It William Graham, James
McAfee, appears by the polls that John Wal- Perrygreen Mackness.
ker, Joseph Harden, and William Graham, Robert Frederick Hambright, Esquires, were the candidates that had the great- John est number of votes. A General George Black.
"Captain Aaron Moore's Company: Walker, Joseph Beeman,
"Captain Baird's Company: An- voice for William Kennan, Esquire. "Committee adjourned till August drew Neel, James Baird, William Pat- 14th, 1775."
(C. R. Vol. 10, pp. 88-89.)
The Committee of safety formally organized in July. The pro- ceedings of the meeting held at the Abraham Kuykendall. William Thom- ason, Robert McMinn.
court house follow:
"North Carolina "Tryon County "Committee of Safety, Tryon "Organization
County, Proceedings
"At a meeting of the freehold- The proceedings follow:
"Met according to adjournment court house of the said county on the (August 14, 1775). Present: John twenty-sixth of July, one thousand Walker, Chairman; Thomas Beaty, seven hundred and seventy-five; in David Jenkins, Jacob Forney, Thom- order to select a committee for said es Espey, Valentine Mauney, James county :
Coburn, Robert. Alexander, Joseph "The following persons were Harden, Benjamin Harden, Freder- chosen; to wit: ick Hambright. James Logan. An- " For Captain Beaty's company: drew Hampton, John Morris, Charles Thomas Beaty. David Jenkins, James McLean, John Robinson, William Johnson, Jacob Forney.
Graham, James McAfee, George "Captain Carpenter's company: Paris, John Beeman, George Black,
terson.
"Captain Mckinney's Company: was John Mckinney, Jonas Bedford.
"Captain Kuykendall's Company:
"Adjourned to meet 'August 14, 1775."
(C. R. Vol. 10. p. 120.)
A second meeting of this commit- tee was held on August 14, 1775.
ers of the county of Tryon, at the
"Captain Barber's Company :
"Captain Mackness' Company :
"Captain Paris' Company: George
Alexander and Paris, Ambrose Mills.
.
64
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
Ardrew Neel, James Baird, and clare it necessary; and this engage- Davis Whitesides. who took the ment we will continue in and hold sac .. necessary oaths for their qualifica- red till a reconciliation shall tak. tions.
place between Great Britain and "Andrew Neel was July elected America on Constitutional principles clerk of the Committee. which we most ardent y desire And "Resolved, That Colonel Charles we do firmly agree to hold all such McLean serve as Deputy chairman p.rsons inimical to the liberties of in the absence of Col. Walker. America who shall refuse to subscribe
"Resolved, That each company to this association."
elect three members of Committee for this county who on a debate, are each man to have his vote.
be signed by the Inhabitants Tryon County, Viz: "An Association."
(Signed) "John Walker, Charles McLean, Andrew Neel, Thomas, Beatty, James Coburn, Frederick
"Pesolved. That this Association Hambright, Andrew Hampton. Ben- of jamin Hardin, George Paris, William Graham, Robert Alexander, David Jenkins, Thomas Espey, Perrygreen
"The unprecedented, barbarious Mackness (Magness), James McAfee and bloody actions committed by the Willian Thompson, Jacob Forney, British troops on our American Davis Whitesides, John Beeman. brethern near Boston. on the 19th John Morris, Joseph Hardin, Joba of April and 20th of Way. last, to- Robinson, Valentine Mauney, G.org gether with the hostile operations Black. Jas. Logan, Jas. Baird, Chris- and traitorous designs now carry- tian Carpenter, Abel Beatty, Joab ing on by the tools of ministerial Turner, Jonathan Price, Jan es Miller vengeance and despotism for the John Delinger, Peter Sides, Wil- subjugating of all British America, liam Whitesides, George Dellinger, suggest to us the painful necessity Samuel Carpenter, Jacob Mooney, of having recourse to arms for the Jr., John Wells, Jacob Costner, Ro- preservation of those rights and bert Hulclip, James Buchanan, Moses liberties which the principles of our Moore, Joseph Kuykendall, Adam constitution and the Laws of God, Simms,
Richard Waffer. Samuel Nature and Nations have made it Smith. Joseph Neel, Samuel Loftin." our duty to defend.
We therefore, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of Try- on county, do hereby faithfully unite ourselves under the most sacred ties of religion, honor and love to our country, firmly to resist force by force, in defense of our natural free- dom and constitutional rights against all invasions; and at the same time do solemnly engage to take up arms and risk our lives, and fortunes, in maintaining the freedom of our coun- try whenever the wisdom and coun- sel of the Continental Congress or our Provincial Convention shall de-
(Author's note: In the above list of names, as they appear in the Colonial Records, William Thompson or Thomason, appears as "Thomson;" Samuel Carpen- ter as "Barbender;" John Robin- son as "Robison;" Jacob Costner as "Cortner," and Samuel Loftin as "Loftree." On the monument erected on the site of old Tryon court house the name of James MeEntire also appears. The au- thority for placing this name on the monument is unknown. Jones, in his "Defence of North Caro- lina." pp. 181-2, gives a list of
-
----
-
---
-
65
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
the Association signers, 4S in number, which are as given in the above list, except the name of Robert Alexander is omit- ted. and Robert Keandey substi- tuted instead. The Association and the names of the signers, as given by Jones, was copied from a manuscript found among the papers of Hon. William Graham, of Rutherfordton. The Graham manuscript was first published May 11, 1833 in The North Car- olina Spectator and Western Advertiser, a weekly newspaper printed at Rutherfordton.)
"Resolved, nem. con That we will continue to profess al loyalty and attachment to our Sovreign Lord King George the Third, His Crown and Dignity, so long as he secures to us those rights and liberties which the principles of our Constitution require.
that they make such order thereo as to them shall stem proper.
"Resolved, That Mr. Daniel Me- Kissick do make application to the Council of Safety of Charles Town for five hundred weight ef gun pow- der, six hundred weight lead and six hundred gun flints to be distributed under the discreation of this Com- mitt.e when it shall be judged neces- sary.
"Resolved, That we do recom mend to the Captains of the several com- . panies in this regiment to call to- gether their men in order to collect what money they can conveniently to provide powder and lead. und that they make due return of what money is received to the Committee at next me:ting,
"Resolved, that this committee meet at the court house of this county on the 14th day of Septem- ber next, there to deliberate on such matters as shall be recommended by
"(Signed by) "John Walker, Chairman."
"Resolved, that we do impower our Provincial Convention.
every captain or other officer in their respective companies to raise a sufficient force in order to detain (C. R. 10. pp 161-164.)
and secure all powder and lead that It may be proper to point out here may be removing, or about to be that the "companies" referred to removed out of the county, and that above were not militia companies, but they do prevent any of such powder divisions of the county, correspond- and lend from being sold or disposed ing to the minor political divisions of of for private uses; but to be under townships of today. The old English the direction of this committee until form of county government was in the delegates shall return from the a large measure transmitted to the Provincial Convention; Provided new world, and in North Carolina nevertheless that this resolution is the colonial system of county gov- not meant to hinder any persons in- ernment was followed closely until habitants of other counties from the adoption of the state constitution carrying powder and lead through of 1868. It will be noted that Tryon this county to their respective abodes, county had thirteen "companies" or unless there is just cause to suspect townships. Each of these minor divi- that they intend such powder and sions had a "captain" whose duties lead for injurious purposes; then were varied such as assistnig in list- and in such case notice is to be giv- ing taxes and collecting taxes: acted en to the committee (of Safety) of in a capacity of peace officer, and the county in which person resides, frequently a justice of the peace,
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
and was head of the militia system fend the colony. (Ashe. Vol. 1, p. in his district 182.)
Third Provincial Congress. The District Committee of Safety The Third Provincial Congress, was composed of a president and met in Hillsboro August 20, 1775. twelve members in each distric -. This meeting was distinguished by chosen by the delegates in each dis- a larger representation from the trict. These Committees were counties. Tryon county was repre- meet quarterly in the principal town- sented by John Walker. Robert Alex- of the district and were authorized ander, Joseph Hardin, William Gra- to receive information, censure and ham, Frederick Hambright and Wil- punish delinquents; and with the Pre- liam Kernon. all destined to take un vincial Council had supervising active part in the events which fol- power over the Town and County lowed. (N. C. Manual 1913.) These Committees. delegates "were strong and mighty, The County and Town Committees leaders speaking the patriotic sen- of Safety were appointed by timents of the west. The northern the freeholders of each county, counties and the eastern as well as twenty-one members for the county the Cape Fear section, sent their and seven for each of the smaller most trusted and experi.nced men. towns. These Committees were to Such gathering of great North Car- appoint by ballot out of their mem- olinians, forceful and determined, bers, seven persons to act as a com- had never before assembled to take mittee of secrecy, intelligence and counsel of their liberties ... Indeed, correspondence, who were to corres- all the giants of that generation gath- pond with the Provincial Council, the ered there to secure and maintain Committee of Safety (District), an I the freedom of their country." (Ashe. Vol. 1, p. 475.) The Royal
others to take up and examine all suspected persons and to exercise 3 governor had fled from the state and general and particular care over the no form of government existed, oth interests of the people. This Commi :- er than the tentative plan of Com. tee was the forerunner of the Jus- mittess of Safety promulgated at the tice of the Peace county government, first session After due consideration and later the County Commissioner it was decided to vest the civil gov- form, but their duties necessarialy ernment in a Provincial Council for covered a large territory, in order to the whole state, a district Committee meet the exigencies of the troubled of Safety for each district, and coun- days of the Revolution. With them ty and town committees of Safety for rested the real executive power of the each county and town.
state; promptly and summarily did
The Provincial Council was com- they exercise their powers. They held a posed of one chosen by the whole strict police and rigid censorship over Congress, who was Governor, and their respective counties, and did not two persons from each of the six dis- hesitate to put in jail. or to the whip- tricts, chosen by the delegates there- ping-post, all persons convicted of of. They were to meet quarterly and disrespectful language toward the had power to call out militia, reject cause of America. They executed all or suspend officers, fill vacancies, orders of the Continental Congress. and, in fact, do all things that were the Provincial Council and the Dis- ~ covary to se ure, protect and de- trict Committees of Safety. They
1
3
67
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
had a test oath to which all persons
William Clover, John Whitley. Amos had to subscribe, which was para- Love, Thomas White, James Shep- mount to the oath of allegiance to herd, William Dent, Jr., George the English crown. (Jones' Defense Dougherty and Adam Hampton. of N. C.)
Second Lieutenants: Will.am Cald- For practical purposes the province well, Davil Craig. John Madaris, was divided into six military districts Pleasant Henderson, Christopher for military and government con- Gooding. Willis Pope. Benjamin Pike Veniences. Military officers were ap- Thomas Armstrong, Micajah Lewis, pointed for each district. as well as James Starrat. Andrew Armstrong. the district committees of safety.
the Sixth, or Salisbur: District.
John Walker. Jr.
Ensigns: Thomas MeClure, Joseph included the counties of Tryon, An- Patton, John Morphis, Thomas Grant. son, Rowan, Mecklenburg. Surry,
Richard Singletary, John Hopson, Guilford, Burke, WEkes, Montgom- Reuben Grant, Denny Porterfield, try. Richmond, Sullivan, and Wash- Jantes Coots, William Meredith, Alex- ington. The latter two are now a ander Nelson, Joshua Hadley, Adam part of the state of Tennessee. (S. McFadden. (Schenck's N. C. pp. 21- R. Vol. 15. p. 377.)
25.)
On September 9, 1775 the Conven- This convention made their last tion authorized the enrollment of one app.al for rights as British subjects. battalion of ten companies of fifty Authority was granted for issuance men in each district. For the dis- by the state of $125,000 in currency. trict of Salisbury Thomas Wade was using the Spanish milled dollars as appointed colonel: Adlai Osborne, a standard, and a tax of two shil- lieutenant-colonel, and Joseph Har- lings per year was laid to redeemn din, of Tryon, major. (C. R. Vol. this issuance of money. Laws gov- 10, p. 204). These were known as erning magistrates and elections were Minute Men. They were to be raised passed, and the Convention resolv- and trained for fourteen days, and ed that North Carolina should pay were to mest every two weeks in its full proportionate share of main- their respective counties for drill taining the Continental troops.
and instruction. Each Minute Man
On September 1, 1775, the Conven- was allowed a bounty of twenty-five tion authorized raising two regiments shillings. The names of the officers of Continental Soldiers (500 men cf. the ten companies of Minute Men to a regiment) and field officers were ordered raised in the Salisbury dis- appointed. Among the officers of trict are worthy of particular notice, the first regiment from Tryon coun- as they were called into active ser- ty appears the name of John Walker vice out of the state in the Contin- (C. R. Vol. 10, p. 188). There were ental line. They were:
perhaps other Tryon county men
Captains: Robert Smith. William who served at some time as officers T. Cole. Thomas Haines, Jesse Saun- in these regiments.
ders, William Ward, George Mitch-
Independent companies organized (fl, Austin Council, Joseph Phillips, in the various counties were disband- John Nelson, John Baptista Ashe, ed and the militia more closely or- and James Cook. ganized and field officers appointed
First Lieutenants: William Brown- for each county. Those appointed for Seid, James Carr, Thomas Pickett. Tryon county were William Graham.
3
68
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
colonel; Charles McLean, lieutenant- next, there to deliberate on such colonel; Thomas Bart.y, major; and matters as shall be judged necessary. Frederick Hambright. second major, "CHARLES MeLEAN."
(C. R Vol. 10, p. 206.)
September-December, 1775.
The Committee met again in Oc- In the interim between the Third tober, according to the above ad- and Fourth Provincial Congresses journment. The minutes of that ses- the Provincial Council took charge of sion follow: affairs and the Congress was relegat- "24th October, 1775. "Met according to adjournment. "They proceeded and chose Wm. measures, but such was demanded Graham, Esq., Chairman. ed to the background. The Provin- cial Council was arbitrary in its by the . xigencies of the time (Pam- "Present: John Walker, Andrew phlet "The Provincial Council and Neil. James Baird, George Paris, Committee of Safety in N. C.").
The Tryon county Committee met on September 14th. Their proceed- ings follow :
"14 September. 1775
"Met According to adjournment
"Present: Charles McLean, Chair-
man; Thomas Espey. Fetty Maunev, row morning at 8 o'clock.
Frederick Hambright, George Rus -- sel, John Morris, Robo. SIc Minn,
"Met according to adjournment. "Present, William Graham, chair- Abraham Kuykendall, John Robinson, man; Robert Parks, James Coburn, John Berber, George Black, James John Earle, Geo. Paris, John Scott, Logan, James McAfe :. Andrew Neal. John De linger, Nicholas Friday, An- Andrew Hampton, William Thomason, drew Hampton and Alexander Gilli- Nicholas Friday. Benj. Harden, Per- Iand. rygreen Mackness.
"Test."
"We the subscribers professing our
"Whereas, Capt. Andrew Hamp -- ton a member of the Committee of allegiance to the King and acknowl- this county hath made application edging the Constitutional Executive to this Committee for liberty to ap- Power of government, do solemnly ply to the council of Safety
at profess, Testify ard Declare, that Charles Town for what gun powder, we do absolutely believe, that neith- lead and flints can be purchased for er the parliament of Great Britain the sum of eight pounds seventeen nor any member or Constituent shillings and six pence, Proc. money branch thereof hath a right to im- of North Carolina. pose Taxes upon these colonies to "We ther. fore recommend that regulate the Internal police thereof the said Capt. Hampton or such per- and that all attempts by fraud or son as he shall entrust may receive force to establish and exercise such the said ammunition as lives on the claim and power are violations of Frontiers of this County and much the peace and security of the people, exposed to the insults of the savages. and ought to be resisted to the ut-
"Resolved, that this committee ad- most. and the people of this pro -. journ and meet at the court house vince singly and collectively are on the Fourth Tuesday of October bound by the Acts and Resolutions
-
(C. R Vol. 10. p. 247 )
Joh: Morris, Andrew Hampton, members of the old committee; and Alexand r Gilliland, John Dellinger, Robert Armstrong, Robert Parks. John Scott, Jr., and John Earle, members of the new committee.
"Committee adjourned til tomor-
69
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
A
Monument marking site of old Tryon county court house, situated equidistant from Bessemer City and Cherryville, on State Highway No. 274. The bronze tablet on the north side reads:
Home of Christian Mauney Pioneer and Patriarch, 1770 Site of Tryon Court House 1774 to 1783 Camp of Lord Cornwallis and British Army January 23, 1781 Erected by Descendants of Christian Mauney and Their Friends 1919, W. A. Mauney, Chm.
also the name of James McEntire, placed on the tablet for some reason ) "Tablet contributed by Col. Froder. ick Hambright Chapter, D. A. R. 1919."
of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, because in both they are freely represented by persons chosen by themselves, and we do solemnly and sincerely promise and engage under the Sanction of Vir- tue, Home and the Sacred Love of Liberty of our Country, to main- tain and support all and every the Acts, Resolutions and Regulations of the said Continental and Provin- cial Congresses to the utmost of our power and abilities. In testi -- mony we have hereunto set cur hands the 25th day of October, A. D., 1775.
"WILLIAM GRAHAM, Chairman."
"John Dellinger, John Morris, Da- vid Jenkins. James Logan, Wm. Gil- bert, John Earle, Robert Parks, Alexander Gilliland, John Scott, James Coburn, Andrew Hampton. Robert Alexander, Robert Porter, Joseph Hardin, John Mckinney, Thomas Townsend, John Ashley, William Yancey, Frederick Ham- bright, Francis Armstrong, James Baird, Robert Armstrong, William Moore, Nicholas Walton, Jonathan Potts, George Potts."
"Resolved by this committee that any two members thereof upon ap- plication made under Oath. to them of any person or persons who is The bronze plate on the south side reads: "Here in August 1775 was formulated and signed the Tryon Declaration of Rights and Indepen- dence from British Tyranny. The fol- Debtor is about to abscond, remove or otherwise to defraud his creditors of his debt, may grant a certificate of the same to the clerk of the county, who is hereby directed to proceed in the usual forms of law lowing were signers:" (here follows against such debtor. the names of the forty-eight signers, "Resolved, That Debts Recover-
.
70
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
able before Magistrates be under the The Provincial Council, in that month same restrictions as the above Re- raised two more battalions of Minute Men in the Salisbury District and solve.
"Resolved, That when an abscond- appointed Griffith Rutherford colonel.
and
ing Debtor or Debtors hath left any John Phifer lieutenant-colonel
goods in the county behind him on John Paisly major of the First Bat- application of his or their creditor talion, and Thomas Polk, colonel, to any two of the Committee as Adam Alexander, lieutenant-colonel aforesaid on oath to the amount of and Charles McLean major of the his or their debt, the said Two shall second battalion.
grant an order to such person as they
Early in December, friends of lib- shall depute for that purpose to erty in South Carolina called on west- seize the goods to the amount of ern North Carolina for aid in sup- the said debt and deliver them into pressing the Scovellite Tories, who the possession of the said creditor had intercepted a train of supplies or creditors, who shall give bond being sent to placate the Indians. and Security to the said committee Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Mar- to deliver or otherwise to be ac -- tin, of the Second Continental Regi- countable for the same when called ment, who had in the Salisbury dis- for in Law or otherwise.
trict two companies of Continentais, "Resolved by this committee, and one of the First Regiment, Capt. it is hereby Recommended to all George Davidson, and the other of the good people of this county not the Second Regiment, Capt. John to construe the Association to Break Armstrong, proposed to march to off all Dealings or Commerce with their assistance. He was joined by such persons who refuse to subscribe two hundred men from Rowan, un- the same, so as to extend to any der Col. Rutherford, 300 from Acts of Inhumanity or Coerce them Mecklenburg, under Col. Polk, and by famine, such as refusing to grind 100 from Tryon. under Colonel Neal. at mills, or refusing them the neces- (S. R. Vol. 23, p. 975.) saries of life.
This detachment of 700 men unit- "John Price came into the com- ed with a similar South Carolina de- mittee and made oath that he is tachment, surprised the Scovellite credibly informed that Benj. Kuy- Tories on December 22, and took 400 kendall his debtor is about to re- of them prisoners. The weather dur- move himself out of this county. It ing this short but eventful campaign was therefore ordered. that the was so inclement and stormy, with Clerk of the Court issue a Writ such heavy snows, that it is known against the body of the said debtor to history as "The Snow Campaign." so as to hold him to bail.
"Committee Adjourned till the
fourth Tuesday of January Next. "WILLIAM GRAHAM, Chairman."
(Ashe, Vol. 1, p. 488).
January to April, 1776.
The Committee of Safety in Try- on continued to function, and was (C. R. Vol. 10, pp. 296-98.) virtually a dictator in the county. In December, 1775, excitement The proceedings of the committee was rife throughout North Carolina. meeting held in January follows: Washington had begun the siege of "At a Committee Heid for the Boston, and the nature of events County of Tryon on the Fourth portended a life and death struggle. Tuesday of January A. D. 1776.
..
71
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
"Present: William Graham, Chair- man.
"Present: William Graham, chair- man, and Andrew Hampton, Geo. "Pursuant to a Resolve of the Pro- Paris, Robert Parks, Roht. Alexander, vincial Congress the Following Per- Robt. Porter, Alexander Gilliland. sons were chosen as a Committee for John McKinney. John Ashley, Thomas this County who are to serve as Townsend. Wm. Yancey, Frederick such till the third Tuesday of Oto- Hambright, Joseph Harden.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.