USA > North Carolina > Lincoln County > The history of Lincoln County, North Carolina a series of newspaper articles published in 1935 in the Lincoln County News > Part 4
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terian Chuch. The Lutherans sub- sequently built a White Haven three miles north on the same highway. Rev. Miller attended the Episcopal Convention, held in Ra- leigh, April 28th, 1821. His object was to connect himself fully with the Episcopal Church, to which he really belonged. As there was no Episcopal diocese at the time of his ordination in the state, he felt it his duty to form a temporary connection with the Lutheran Church, was admitted a member of the Lutheran North Carolina Synod at its organization in 1803, and labored for her welfare twen- ty-seven years, until 1821, when he severed that connection, and was ordained to deacon's and priest's orders in the Episcopal ministry. Mr. Miller likewise at- tended the Lutheran North Caro- lina Synod in 1821, and from its minutes the following is quoted: The president now reported that the Rev. R. J. Miller, who had la-
still belonged to the Episcopal Church. But as the said Church had now reorganized itself (in this State)) he has united himself with it, and thus disconnected himself from our Synod, as was allowed him at his ordination by our min- ity to administer the sacraments. isters. Rev. Miller then made a short address before the Synod and the congregation then assem- bled in which he distinctly ex- plained his position, so that no one should be able to say that he had apostatized from our Synod, since he had been ordained by our ministerium as a minister of the Episcopal Church. He then prom- ised that he would still aid and stand by us as much as lay in his power. With this explanation the whole matter was well understood by the entire assembly, and was deemed perfectly satisfactory.
Over
church, and also have formed a vestry: We the subscribers having been urged by the pressing call from the said church to ordain a minister for the good of their chil- dren, and for the enjoyment of ye gospel ordinances among them, from us, the ministers of the Lu- theran Church in North Carolina, have solemnly ordained," etc., "ac- cording to ye infallible word of God, administer ye sacraments, and to have ye care of souls; he always being obliged to obey ye rules, ordinances and customs of ye Christian Society, called ye Protestant Episcopal Church in America," etc. This White Haven was situated near the Catawba, on
Whereupon it was resolved that that the president tender to Rev. Miller our sincere thanks, in the name of the Synod, for the faith- ful services he had hitherto ren- dered our church. This was im- mediately done in a feeling man- ner." Mr. Miller died in 1833. One of the last acts of his ministry was to marry in that year Col. Michael Hoke and Miss Frances Burton, daughter of Judge Robert H. Bur- ton. The marriage took place at Beattie's Ford. A carriage was sent to bring Mr. Miller from Burke to solemnize it. Some time after marriage Colonel and Mrs. Hoke were confirmed. One of their sons is the distinguished Confed- the opposite side of the great lerate General, Robert F. Hoke. highway from Castanea Presby-
(To Be Continued)
History Lincoln County (WRITTEN BY THE LATE A. NIXON)
INSTALLMENT NO. 14
Col. W. L. Saunders, eminent authority, pays the State a tribute (Col. Records, IV, Pref. Notes), that applies to Lincoln County: "Remembering the route that General Lee Took when he went into Pennsylvania on the memor. able Gettysburg campaign, it will be seen that very many of the North Carolina boys, both of Ger- man and Scotch-Irish descent, in following their great leader, visit- ed the home of their ancestors, and went thither by the very route by which they came away. To Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania, North Carolina owes more to her population than to any other part of the known world, and surely there was nev- er a better population than they and their descendants-never bet- ter citizens, and certainly never better soldiers."
As the waters of the Catawba, that have its eastern border, and the South Fork, flows
that through its center, united as they left old Lincoln in their onward sweep to form the Great Catawba, so have the settlers on the Ca. tawba and the South Fork merg- ed into a Scotch-Irish-German people, preserving the virtues, and mayhap the weaknesses, of a no- ble ancestry. These settlements will be noticed separately.
The Scotch-Irish Side
Early in the eighteenth century the Scotch-Irish emigrated Pennsylvania, and from thence some came direct, while others, and their descendants settled in Virginia before coming to this sec -- tion. A few of these settlers may have been of other nationalities, but a careful writer has referred to this part of the country as "one of the areas of North Carolina, dominated by the sturdy Scotch- Irish strain; where the thistle and and the shamrock were planted to- ward the close of the eighteenth century; were they throve and flourished, and unaided produced results marvelous for the place and time. The Scotch gumption and Irish ardor, finely blended, was the patrimony - of this sec- tion."
""No useless coffin enclosed his breast,
Nor in sheet nor in shroud they wound him."
The site of his lone grave in the depth of the wildwood is yet pointed out, situate near the old log fort where Jacob Forney first settled.
Among the settlers on this side occur the names, Allen, Anderson, Armstrong, Baldridge, Ballard, Barkley, Barnett, Beal, Bell, Beat- ty, Black, Bradshaw, Brevard, Bryant, Cherry, Childers, Cooper, Cox, Daily, Davis, Derr, Duncan, Edwards, Graham, Hunter, Hutch- inson, Jetton, Johnston, Kelly, Kincaid, King, Knox, Little, Long, Lowe, Lucky, Lynch, McAlister, McGaul, McCombs, McConnell,
McCormick, McIntosh, McLean, McMinn, Nixon, Proctor, Regan, Reid, Robinson, Shelton, Stacy, Thompson, Wilkinson, and Womack; while in the western Wingate, part, are found, Alexander, Bax- ter, Blackburn, Cobb, Goodson, Henderson, Hill, McBee, McCaslin, Potts, Ramsey, Williamson, Wil- son, and others.
The first pale face to set foot on the soil of Lincoln was the bold pioneer, John Beatty. One of his land grants bears date July 17th, 1749. He settled on the west bank of the Catawba. The shoal at this point, over which the river tum- bles with a gentle murmur, forms a splendid ford. It was at this ford John Beatty crossed, and it yet bears his name, Beattie's Ford. As the soil of Lincoln at Beattie's Ford felt the primal tread of An- gle-Saxon, Beattie's Ford deserv- edly figures largely in the recital.
The old pioneer, John Beatty, located his home above the ford, in the shade of the illside, over- looking the beautiful Catawba. Near by gurgled a limpid spring, its waters trickling off in a sparkling brooklet to the river. John Beatty had two sons, Thom- as and Abel, and one daughter, Mary, the wife, of Matthew Arm- strong. It is always interesting to hear the last words of the depart-
over
On the early maps the Great Catawba marked the tribual divi- sion between the Catawba and the Cherokees. East of the river dwelt the Catawbas, once a num- erous and powerful people. This nation "writ its name in water," the Catawba embalms it and it will be perpetuated while its ma- jestic waters flow.
"To where the Atlantic lifts her voice to pour A song of praise upon the sound- ing shore."
As the white settlements ex- tended, the Cherokees receded to- ward the setting sun, and occupied the peaks of the Blue Ridge. Rov- ing bands raided the settlements. One of the Beatty's went into the range in search of his cattle. He was discovered and pursued by the Indians. When within a mile of home he concealed himself in the hollow of a large chestnut tree. The bark of his little dog disclos- ed his hiding place and cost him his scalp and his life. The old chestnut disappeared long since, but the place where it stood is yet well known.
Jacob Forney and two of his neighbors were attacked by a band of Cherokees. One of them, Richards, was wounde dand scalp- ed. Forney, though shot at many times by the Indians, reached his log fort in safety. The neighbors buried poor Richards where he fell.
ed. John Beatty's will bears date 5th January, 1774. In this he giv- es to Margaret Beatty certain items of personality and his home- stead to Williatm Beatty. These were his grandchildren, the chil- dren of Thomas Beatty. Marked traits of his character are appar- ent in this document. A short quo- tation will exhibit his love for rec- titude and obedience, and desire to keep his homestead in the line of his own blood; "And if ye above named Margaret or William Beatty or either of them does mis- behave or be disobedient when come to ye years of maturity, either going against their parents will in the contract of marriage or any way remarkable otherwise, that legatee is liable to ye loss of his part of this legacy, and to be given to ye other, the offending person entirely cut off at their parents discretion, or those that it may please to have the guardian and care over the above-mention- ed persons William and Margaret Beatty. And further I do not al- low the said lands that is left to ye above named William Beatty to be ever sold or disposed of by any means or person whatsoever, but to firmly remain and continue in the line and lawful heirs of the above named William Beatty's body and to continue in that name as long as there is a male heir on the face of the earth, and after for the lack of a male heir to ye nighest female, heir."
(To Be Continued)
History Lincoln County (WRITTEN BY THE LA TE A. NIXON)
INSTALLMENT NO. 15
Thomas Beatty died in 1787, leaving three, sons, John, Thomas and William. The inventory of his estate exhibits in minute detail the entire possessions of a well-to- do man of pioneer period. A few items ranging between his broad acres and a fine-tooth comb will indicate the extent and variety of his possessions: "944 acres land, ten negroes, seventeen hors- of es, sixty-six cattle, eighteen hogs, thirteen sheep, thirty-four geese, five ducks, lot poultry, five pewter dishes, sixteen pewter plates, twenty-four pewter spoons, one pewter basin, one pewter tankard, one crook and two pot hooks, one dutch oven, and griddle and fry- ing pan, one dough trough, one chest, two spinning wheels, and one big wheel, three pair cards, cotton, wool, and tow, one check reel, one weaving loom, twenty- three spools, for spooling cotton, five reeds for weaving, nine sick- les, one foot adze, one thorne hack, one hackel, two iron wedges, two bleeding lances, one hair sift- er, two riddles, three gimlets, thir-
teen bushels flax seed, six bushels, , to his attention, interested others
buckwheat, one slide, two bells, and collars, 750 clapboard nails, four pair half worn horse shoes, one redding comb, one fine-tooth comb, three coats and one great coat, two jackets, one pair buck- skin breeches, one pair trousers, three hats and two linen shirts," constitutes about one-fourth of
the articles enumerated.
In the pioneer stage every man was his own carpenter, and the women knew how to card, spin; weave, and sew. The men wore lin . en shirts and buckskin breeches; the women, arrayed in their own handiwork, were beautiful in the eyes of the forester. The patri- mony of the son was broad acres; the dowry of the daughter. was a horse and saddle, cow and calf, spinning wheel and check reel. The Young men were gallant, and the young maids charming. The young men learned the art of horseman- ship not only in the chase, but by the constant habit of traveling on horseback, and every woman was an expert horse-rider. The horse sometimes served as a tandem, the men riding in front, the wo- men behind; and if trustworthy tradition is given credence the young men sometimes augmented the pleasure of this system of equestrianism by making their steeds caper, thereby frightening their innocent companions into a firm embrace to retain their posi- tions.
church was erected and additions to the former church lands made by conveyances from Robert H. Burton, W. S. Simonton, and Mary King to "John D .Graham, D. M. Forney, and John Knox, trustees." This is the conventional structure of that period with its gallery and large pulpit.
From the first settlement this was a place of worship. The head- stones date back to 1776. Dr. Humphrey Hunter, a native of Ire- land, and soldier in the Revolu- tion, was pastor from 1796 to 1804. Next came Rev. Henry N. Pharr. He was succeeded by Pat- rick Sparrow. Mr. Sparrow's fath- er was potter in Vesuvius furnace. When lads the future Governor Graham was hard put to it to keep pace with Patrick, and the mem- bers of the Governor's family as- cribed some of his success to this auspicious rivalry in the old field schools. General Graham thus having the lad's aptitude brought
with him in giving Patrick an edu- cation. When he became pastor of Unity an old negro servant of General Graham's expressed her surprise at his rise of fortune, by exclaiming that the boy who ate ash cakes with her children had become her master's preacher. Mr. Sparrow was the first professor of languages at Davidson College, and afterwards President of Hampden-Sydney. The present pastor is Rev. C. H. Little, des- cended from a pioneer family.
About the year 1790 Maj. John Davidson, with his sons-in-law, Maj. Joseph Graham and Capt. Alexander Brevard, crossed from the Mecklenburg side into Lincoln, and with Gen. Peter Forney en- gaged in the manufacture of iron. These were all Revolutionary sol- diers. The beginning of the nine- teenth century witnessed civiliza- tion progress with leaps and bounds. Then followed years of plenty. The virgin soil brought fourth bountifully. Herds of cat- tle and droves of swine ranged at large unrestrained by any stock law. Deer, turkey, wild geese and duck abounded. The Catawba was filled with shad, trout, and red horse. A trackless wilderness had been transformed into a moving, | populous community. Instead of
Most of the early Scotch-Irish were Presbyterians, and the reli- gious center was Beattie's meet- ing house. This place of worship was established by the pioneer, John Beatty, one mile west of Beattie's Ford. The meeting house stood on a level plat of ground in a beautiful grove of oak and hick- ory near a spring. Beattie's meet- ing house was built of logs. In 1808, it was decided to erect a more commodious edifice, and plat of several acres was conveyed for the purpose by James Little to "James Connor, Alexander Bre- vard, John Reid and Joseph Gra- ham, trustees." The kirk is named in the deed, Unity. In 1883 another
the wigwam, was the homestead dwelling. Instead of the Indian war-whoop, was to be heard the furnace blast breathing forth ac- tual and potential energy, and the stroke of the great trip hammer at the mighty forge as it beat the heart throbs of commercial ac- tivity. They were years of peace and growth, of marriage and home building, of quiet domestic happi- ness.
The different grants to the Beatty's approximate three thou- sand acres. William and John Beatty sold to John Fullenwider, and early iron master; and Thom- as Beatty to Alfred M. Burton.
(To Be Continued)
History Lincoln County (WRITTEN BY THE LATE A. NIXON)
INSTALLMENT NO. 16
Mr. Fullenwider divided his purchase between his sons-in-law, Alfred M. and Robert H. Burton; they settled on their splendid esta- tes and became potent influences in the community. Alfred Burton settled above the ford, the old John Beatty house constituting one wing of the residence he erected. Robert H. Built a spaci- ous mansion below the ford. They were learned lawyers and elegant gentlemen. Their dust reposes in Unity graveyard, beside that of their kinsman, Hutchings G. Bur- ton, once Governor of the State. Robert H. Burton, filled the office of Superior Court Judge. After Judge Burton's death his home- stead was purchased by Col. John H. Wheeler, the genial historian. Colonel Wheeler filled the office of State Treasurer and many posi- tions of trust, but is best known for his great work, "Wheeler's history of North Carolina." This he compiled at Beattie's Ford, de- voting to it about ten year's time. The preface bears date, "Ellango- wan, Beattie's Ford, N. C., 1st July, 1851."
Three brothers-Charles, James and Henry Conner-from Antrim, perior Court Judge, and Attorney- Ireland, settled near Beattie's Ford. James was a captain in the Revolution. Henry, the youngest, patriot soldier, located near Cowan's Ford. Colonel Wheeler sold out at Beatty's Ford to Ma- jor Henry W. Connor, the son of Charles. Major Connor derived his title for service under General Graham in the campaign against the Creek Indians. He was a man of great popularity and represent- ed his district in Congress twenty- three years. His homestead was identical with Judge Burton's.
Skilled physicians of sweet memory are William B. McLean and Robert A. McLean, father and son. The elder was a son of Dr. William McLean, a continental surgeon, resident in the forks of the Catawba.
Jacob Forney first settled the creek near the present town of Denver, the scene of his Indian troubles. This farm passed to a son, Capt, Abraham Forney, a sol- dier of the Revolution, and yet be- longs to his descendants. Gen. Pe- ter Forney, son of the pioneer,
son of Gen. Peter Forney, receiv- ed his title in the war of 1812, also served as Senator from Lincoln County, and member of Congress. He erected a palatial residence, modeled after a house at the na- tional capital. The site chosen is an eminence between creeks, where Jacob Forney lived when the British quartered on him. This picturesque old mansion, with its long white columns, surrounded by a grove of original oaks, yet retains the charms of its ancient architecture. Major Forney sold to Alexander F. Gaston, a son of Judge Gaston. It next passed to James Anderson, and is now own- ed by Mrs. W. E. Hall, Henry Y. Webb, Bartlett Shipp, William Johnston, C. L. Hunter, and Chris- tian Reinhardt married daughters of Gen. Peter Forney. Henry Y. Webb was a lawyer and represent- ed Lincoln County in the House of Commons. Bartlett Shipp was a lawyer, a member of the Legisla- ture, and of the constitutional con- vention of 1835. His son, William M. Shipp was a member of the House of Commons, Senator, Su- General of the State. W. P. By- num married Eliza, daughter of Bartlett Shipp, and settled on the Henry Y. Webb homestead. He was an eminent lawyer, Colonel in the Confederate Army, Solicitor, of his district ,and Justice of the Supreme Court. His son, William S. Bynum, was a Confederate sol- dier and Episcopal clergyman.
William Johnston, a physician, married Nancy Forney, and locat- ed at Mt. Welcome, General For- ney's homestead. His five sons were gallant Confederate soldiers. William H., Robert D., and James F., entered the service in the Beat- tie's Ford Rifles, which was mus- tered into service as Company K., 23d Regiment; William H. and James F., won captain's commis- sions while Robert D., by promo- tion became a distinquished Briga- dier General; Joseph F., late Gov- ernor of Alabama and now United States Senator from that State, was Captain of Company A, 12th Regiment; Bartlett S. Johnson served in the Confederate States Navy, Dr. William Johnston was a
was a patriot soldier, member of the House, Senate and Congress. As presidential elector, he voted for Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Jackson. He erected a forge at his home and Madison furnace on Leeper's Creek that after- wards owned by J. W. Derr. He obtained possession of valuable ore beds, and commenced building his iron works in 1787, and record- ed that he produced hammered iron in his forge 26th August, 1788.
son of Col. James Johnston, a soldier of the Revolution, one of the heroes of King's Muntain, the first Senator from Lincoln, and leder at Unity. When Gaston County was set up from Lincoln, Colonel Johnston's homestead on the Catawba fell in Gaston Coun- ty. Dr. C. L. Hunter was a scient- ist and historian. He was the son of Rev. Humphrey Hunter, a sol- dier in the Revolution. Mary, daughter of Gen. Peter Forney, married Christian Reinhardt, a
Maj. Daniel M. Forney, eldest) planter, and they migrated west. (To Be Continued)
Wall ve ILL charge j wansuury.
History Lincoln C_unty (WRITTEN BY THE LATE A. NIXON)
INSTALLMENT NO. 17
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Joseph Graham attained the rank of Major in the Revolution and his title as general in 1814, when commissioner Brigadier- General, and sent in command of North Carolina troops to aid Gen. eral Jackson in the Creek War .. To his narratives of the battles of Ramsour's Mill, King's Mountain and Cowan's Ford is largely due the preservation of the Revolu- tionary history of this section. John D. Graham, his eldest son, retiring from Vesuvius furnace, erected a brick residence on the Catawba below Beattie's Ford, now' the home of his son, Clay Graham. James was a lawyer and politician, representing his dis- trict in Congress sixteen years. William A., the general's youngest son ,read law and located at Hills- boro for the practice of his pro- fession. He was twice Governor, United States Secretary of the Navy, and Confederate States Senator, and candidate for Vice- President on the Scott . Ticket. Pure and spotless in private life, a learned lawyer, a ripe scholar, a statesman of ability and clear judgment, he is esteemed by many as the greatest man produced by the State of North Carolina. Wil- liam A. Graham, son of the Gover- nor, Major and Assistant Adjutant General, historian and author, the present Commissioner of Agricul- ture, resides at Forest Home, the ancestral homestead.
Robert Hall Morrison, D.D., the first President of Davidson Col- lege, an eminent divine, was the honored pastor of Unity for forty years. He married Mary, daughter of Gen. Graham. Cottage Home, his homestead, is intimately associat- ed with the Confederacy, for it was there that J. P. Irwin, Lieut. Gen. D. H. Hill, Lieut. Gen. Stone- wall Jackson, Brig-Gen. Rufus Barringer, Maj. A. C. Avery, and Col. John E. Brown, respectively married Harriet, Isabella, Anna, Eugenia, Susan, and Laura, daughters of Dr. Morrison. His sons were Maj. William W. Mor- rison, Joseph G. Morrison, A.D.C., on General Jackson's staff, Rob- ert H. Morrison, A.D.C., to Gen- eral Barringer and General Hill. His youngest son, Alfred J. Mor- rison, was a lawyer, politician, and Presbyterian minister.
was afterwards built. Vesuvius furnace passed into the hands of J. M. Smith, a man who by his own initiative and endeavor rose to position and influence and left a name distinquished for good sense, kindness of heart, and bus- iness tact. He built Stonewall fur- nace on Anderson Creek.
On the post road between Beat- tie's Ford and Vesuvius furnace are the Catawba Springs, a fam- ous resort in ante-bellum days. This was formerly Reed's Springs, owned by Capt. John Reed, a sol- dier of the Revolution and Senator from Lincoln County. Valuable factors of this community are the Asbury's and Mundy's, descend- ants of Rev. Daniel Asbury and Rev. Jeremiah Mundy, pioneer Methodist ministers. Rev. Daniel Asbury, when a youth, was taken by a band of Shawnee Indians, carried to the far northwest and held in captivity five years. In 1791 he established in Lincoln County the first Methodist church west of the Catawba River. Rev. Jeremiah Mundy was a native of Virginia and located in Lincoln County in 1799. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War three years and a minister for thirty- five years.
As one thinks of the old country 'squire who settled disputes be- tween his neighbors, of the kind- hearted physician, and the "lords of the manor" it seems "there were giants in those days." But life was not all serious; it had its great sunshiny side. They were apt at repartee, fond of innocent jokes, and in social intercourse, peals of laughter went the merry round; for, has not the wisest of men said, "there is a time to laugh ?" And, alas, in those haly- con days, they loved not the flag- on to excess, but indulged a morn- ing horn to ward off the rising vapors, and the invitation to sam- ple the liquid contents of the side- board was a mark of hospitality. The sweet women, the embodiment of all that is true, charming and good, raised high the standard of social purity. The blushing bride became the uncrowned queen of the home, around which the hus- band entwined the noblest affec- tions of his heart. In this genial clime the pioneers found a fertile
Alexander Brevard early receiv-
ed a captain's commission in the | Confederate Army.
He built Mount Tirzah and Rehoboth Fur- naces. Captain Brevard's home- stead passed to his son, Robert A. Brevard, then to his grandson, Alexander F. Brevard, and upon his death to Brevard McDowell, a great grandson. Captain Brevard and General Graham were honor- ed elders at Unity, but were bur- ied in a private cemetery of their selection where Machpelah church
land, undulating with hills and vales, chequered with creeks and rills, and bountifully supplied with springs. One mile west of Beat- tie's Ford, and flowing for some distance parellel with the river, is a large branch. On this they found a maritime city, with streets of water through meadows green, the habitation of the beaver. This animal had felled trees, builded a great dam ponding the waters over many acres, so it was called Beaver Dam Branch.
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