FLASHES OF Duplin’s History and Government Duplin’s outstanding events during the two hundred years leading up to the Bicentennial of our Freedom, and reminders of those brave Patriots, who gave unstintingly of their courage, valor, and devotion for our American Freedom. Edited By Fatson WELLS McGowEen and Pear, Canapy McGowEen 1971 KENANSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Copyright 1971 Faison Wells McGowen and Pearl Canady McGowen The purpose of this book is to illuminate thousands of flashes across the voluminous pages of Duplin’s rich history and its local government. Printed in the United States of America by Edwards & Broughton Co., Raleigh, North Carolina THE EDITORS FAISON WELLS McGOWEN Faison Wells McGowen was born July 20, 1903. He is the son of the late Thomas James and Julia Robert (Stokes) McGowen. He attended the public schools of Duplin County, James Sprunt Insti- tute (and received J. S. I. Scholarship Medal in 1918), Grove Institute, King’s Business College, and the Institute of Government of the Uni- versity of North Carolina. He has a Commercial Diploma and Certificates in County Administration, and the Fundamentals of Property Tax Listing and Assessing. In 1932 he married Miss Pearl Cynthia Canady of Hope Mills, N. C. He is a Baptist and has served as Sunday School Superintendent (at Johnson and Kenansville Churches) for a total of more than thirty-five years. He has been chairman of the Board of Deacons for more than thirty years. He served as moderator of the Eastern Baptist Association for fifteen years. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 13, A.F.&A.M., and a member of Wilmington Consistory. In 1957 he received the Service Award from the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. He is a Member of the Order of the Eastern Star and has served four terms as Worthy Patron. He is a Woodman of the World; a member of the Jr. O.U.A.M., and Past Councilor of Warsaw Council; a member and past president of Warsaw Rotary Club; and was a former member of Kenansville Lion’s Club. He served as Deputy Sheriff-Treasurer (1924-1928), and as County Accountant and Tax Supervisor (1929-1968). He is a past president of North Carolina Association of County Ac- countants; past president of North Carolina Association of Assessing Officers; past State Chairman of International Association of Assessing Officers; Member of National Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers; member and Secretary of North Carolina Committee for Study of Public School Finance (1957-1958); Chairman of Duplin County Democratic Executive Committee for 29 years; received Service Award from the N. C. State Democratic Executive Committee (1965) ; county chairman of Civil Defense during World War II; member of Duplin County Industrial and Agricultural Council; Secretary of Duplin General Hospital Board of Trustees; Official Spokesman for County iii 2ELIOR Hospital Building Program (1968-1970); Trustee Emeritus of Duplin General Hospital; Secretary of Liberty Hall Historical Commission; member of Board of Trustees of James Sprunt; Member James Sprunt Institute Alumni Association; member and past treasurer of Duplin County Historical Society; Founding Associate of the National Histori- cal Society; Member North Carolina Literary and Historical Association; Member of Board of Commissioners of Neuse River Regional Planning and Development Council; Service Award from N. C. Association of County Commissioners (1962) ; Outstanding County Official Award by N. C. Association of County Commissioners (1963) ; Certificate of Service From State Association of County Accountants (1965); Service and Leadership Award from N. C. Association of County Accountants (1967). He is a member of the International Platform Association. He is listed in these: Who’s Who in American Politics; Dictionary of International Biog- raphy (also received a Certificate of Merit from Dictionary of Inter- national Biography, London, England) ; Personalities of the South (and received an award plaque in 1970 in recognition of past achievements and outstanding service to community and state by Editorial Board of Personalities of the South); The National Register of Prominent Ameri- cans and International Notables. The first building at James Sprunt Institute was dedicated in 1970, and was named the Faison Wells McGowen Building in his honor. PEARL CANADY McGOWEN Pearl Canady McGowen is the daughter of the late David Murphy Canady and Martha (McNeill) Canady of Hope Mills, N. C. In 1932 she married Faison Wells McGowen of Kenansville, N. C. Mrs. McGowen received her diploma from Grays Creek High School in Cumberland County, her B.A. Degree from Meredith College, and her M.A. Degree from East Carolina College (now East Carolina Uni- versity). She did other graduate work at James Sprunt Institute and at U.N.C. in Chapel Hill. Mrs. McGowen has taught High School English in Robeson, Bladen, Cumberland, and Duplin counties. As part of her school duties, she has coached girls’ basketball teams. One of her teams (Linden in Cumber- land County) won the County and State District Tournaments for three successive years (1930, 1931, 1932). During her career she has coached many outstanding high school plays. Mrs. McGowen enjoyed coaching debating teams. Two of her teams placed second in the state debating contest. For more than twenty years she has sponsored National Beta Club Chapters in high schools (B. F. Grady, Kenansville, and James Kenan). She has sponsored high school year books in three schools (B. F. Grady, Kenansville, James Kenan), and high school papers in two schools (Linden and Kenansville). For many years she sponsored senior Edu- cational Tours to Washington, D. C., and to New York City and the World’s Fair. (B. F. Grady, Kenansville, and James Kenan.) Mrs. McGowen is a life member of the National Education Association and regular member of the Duplin County Unit of the N.C.E.A. She has served as president of the Duplin County Unit of N.C.E.A. She is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Honor So- ciety for teachers and has served as president of her chapter, Alpha Eta. (Alpha Eta comprises Duplin and Sampson counties.) Mrs. McGowen has been active in the Kenansville Woman’s Club. (She served as secretary and as president.) She is a charter member of the Duplin County Historical Society. (She is now serving as vice-president of that organization.) She also served as Costume Supervisor and was a member of the cast of char- acters in the Duplin Story, a musical drama presented in 1949 and 1950, celebrating Duplin County’s Bicentennial. Mrs. McGowen is a charter member of Kenansville Chapter No. 215, Order of the Eastern Star, and has served as Martha, secretary, Asso- ciate Matron and as Worthy Matron of the chapter. She has served as District Deputy Grand Matron and as Grand Martha, and as a Grand Representative. For two years she served as Supreme Deputy of the Rainbows in North and South Carolina. She is a member of the Kenansville. Baptist Church and has served as Church Clerk, B.Y.P.U. Director, and teacher of the Young People’s and Adult Ladies’ Classes. (Prior to her marriage she served as Southern Regional Director of B.Y.P.U. in North Carolina.) DEDICATION This book is fittingly dedicated to the loving memory of Julia Robert Stokes McGowen, known to her friends as “Frosty.” This gracious lady was born near Kenansville June 13, 1873, the daughter of Robert James Stokes and Julia A. Churchill Stokes. She died November 25, 1963. She received her formal education at Kenansville Female Seminary where she learned the fundamentals and grace that fitted her for a wife, mother, and teacher. Under the teachings of Mr. Dick Millard, she be- came skilled in imparting the lessons of life and scholarship to those entrusted to her wise counsel. (She taught school at Green Pond, about three miles north of Kenansville; at the Barbecue School, near Magnolia; and at the Peirce School at Peirceville, on Turkey Branch west of Warsaw.) When she was a young lady, she became an excellent marksman with a pistol, a hobby that might have seemed foreign to her gentle nature. She married Thomas James McGowen. They had two children, Faison Wells McGowen and Effie McGowen Boyette. The real quality of this elegant woman was found in her devotion to the highest ideals. In her quiet and queenly nature she fulfilled her life’s compulsion to become the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.”—Proverbs 31:28. THE Epirors FOREWORD The editors have endeavored to compile and edit some legislative documents, excerpts from Colonial and State records, resolutions, reports, newspaper articles, etc., which depict Flashes of Duplin County’s History and Government. Some of these documents have been copied in full. Others have been quoted partially to give relevant parts. Capitalization, spelling, and punctuation have been used as in the originals. We express our sincere appreciation to the following for their fine Cooperation and helpfulness: John Alexander McMahon, Chapel Hill, N. C.; James H. Blackmore, Wake Forest, N. C.; Mrs. Virginia Souther- land Marshall, Wilmington, N. C.; Marse Grant, Editor and Business Manager of the Biblical Recorder; Ike F. Riddick, Publisher of the Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel; H. L. Oswald, Publisher The Wallace Enterprise, and The Warsaw-Faison News; Thad Eure, Secretary of State; Department of Archives and History; W. C. Blackmore, Burgaw, N. C.; State Library; University of North Carolina Library; Duplin County Dorothy Wightman Library; County Officials and their assistants; all of those persons who have furnished biographical sketches, and all others who have supplied various and sundry items. We are most thankful to Dr. W. Dallas Herring for the country drawing, and his cooperation; and also to President Dixon Hall and the James Sprunt Library staff for their help. The other drawings are the work of Richard C. Baxley of Raleigh. To him we are very grateful. We sincerely thank Mrs. Mary Anne Jenkins for the typing. Over the years hundreds of students from all over the State have requested information about Duplin County. This compilation will be a partial answer to such requests in the future. The editors sincerely hope that others will be encouraged and inspired to write a complete history of the county. Faison W. McGowen Peart C. McGowen Editors. Kenansville, North Carolina December 15, 1970. TABLE OF CONTENTS The Editors Dedication Chapter E; 2 3. 6. Duplin County and Its Boundaries Location, Climate, Water Supply, and Vegetation The Carolina Charter; A Brief Description of Carolina—1666__ Duplin County Seventeenth County in N. C. 25 . The State of North Carolina . Historical Glimpses—Colonial and Early American Duplin—Lord Dupplin’s Namesake 28; Evolution of Duplin County as a Political Subdivision of North Carolina and its Early Inhabitants 29; An Act Re-establishing Duplin County 34; Number in Militia and Number of Taxable Persons in County in 1755 36; Deed—Henry McCullock to Thomas Kenan 36; Return of the List of Taxables, 1765 38; Doctor William Houston appointed Stamp Distributor for North Carolina 38; Doctor Houston’s Resignation 39; News Story concerning Dr. Houston’s Resigna- tion 39; Letter from Governor Tryon to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury 40; Letter from Dr. Houston to Governor Tryon 41; Letter from Governor Tryon To Governor Bull 42; A List of Capt. William Burney’s Company 42; A list of Duplin Troops 43; Early History 43; Proceedings of the Safety Committee at Wilmington 45; The War of the Revolution 45; John Grady of Albertson Township killed at Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge 46; Extract of a Letter from Bragadier James Moore to the Honorable Cornelius Harnett 46; Ordinances of Convention, 1776 49; General John Ashe to Governor Caswell, 1770 49; Colonel James Kenan to Governor Caswell, June 6, 1778 50; Colonel James Kenan to Governor Caswell, July 1, 1778 50; State Money 51; Letter From Capt. Robert Raiford 52; General Alex Lillington to Governor R. Caswell 53; Colonel James Kenan to Governor Caswell 53; Extract from Return of the Men in Camp Sept. 5, 1780 54; Letter to Colonel James Kenan, October 8, 1780 54; Message from the Commons, January 31, 1781 55; Message from the Governor to the Senate 56; Proceedings of A General Court Marshal 56; General Cornwallis to Major General Phillips 57; Excerpts from the Dickson Letters 58; Captain George Doherty to General Sumner 61; Major Molton to Governor Burke 62; Colonel Kenan to Governor Burke, July 6, 1781 62; Colonel James Kenan to Governor Burke, July 15, 1781 63; General Wm. Caswell to Governor Burke 63; The Battle of Rockfish 64; To Governor Burke From Colonel James Kenan 65; Peace—Nov. 30, 1782 65; Colonel James Kenan Elected Brigadier General 65; James Gillespie to Governor Caswell 66; Gov- ernor Caswell to James Gillespie 66; Town of Sarecto 67; Land Grant to Thomas Kenan 69 Glimpses of Colonial and Early Churches in Duplin Oldest Presbyterian Settlement in The State 71; Grove Presbyterian xi 22 Chapter Church 71; St. Gabriel Parish 75; Wells Chapel Baptist Church 76; Rockfish Presbyterian Church 79; h L Bear Marsh Baptist Church 80; Methodists 84; Nahunga Baptist Church 84; Church Camp Meetings 87; Faison Presbyterian Church 88 - Indian Burial Mounds . Historical Markers in Duplin - Glimpses of Public Schools Old or Extinct Schools 115; Partial List of tl s i 4 ae wee tek ist of the Most Prominent Teach thool Law, 1839 116; Beginni f Publi in 116; Number of chi i in, 1882. a Total L ildren in Duplin, 1882, and Total Allowances for all Schools 118; List of Private Schools in Duplin in 1890 119; List_ of Private Schools in Duplin in 1891 119; School Fund Disbursed by County Treasurer, Year Ending June 30, 1899 119; Private ; chool 1900 120; Excerpts from T sfiloteter tametl s B. Aycock 121; R. W. Millard, Educator 122: S Districts 1909 123; History of Lane "School ee B. F. Grady High School mone uplin Teachers Dedication 129; Schools in The Flourishing 20's 141; Special Tax Districts, 1929 143; School Attend 1929- 1969 144; Inventory of Schack” Tg Sreantt - Property 146; School Expenditures— County Funds 146; James Kenan Tigers 1960, State Champs 147; All- American High School Football Athlete 150; The O. P. Johnson Duplin County Public Schools Administration Building 150; Kenan Memorial Auditorium 151; Nomina ti d Electi s Ro er bl lag ion an ection of the Members of the County - More Historical Glimpses County Agricultural Society an . Glimpses of The Great War, 1861-1865: The Duplin Rifles 210; Confederat Letter From a Conf Factory d Fair 198; Hard Times in the mid 1800’s 209 e Greys 217; The Chaplain Service 232; f Destruction in Duplin—Sword e and Freight House at Warsaw 235; Returns and Assessments on Property, 1864 (Two Assessments) 236; More Letters from Confederate Soldiers 239; Oath of Allegiance to United States of America (By Prisoners) 241; The Strength of Brotherhood 241: Destitute Con- ditions after the Civil War 242; ; The Old Hate 243 . News Items—1874, Glimpses of Life in Duplin the Latter Part of the Nineteenth Century 245 . The Earthquake in 1886 Page Chapter 24. 25. 26. 27. James Sprunt Institute (Old and New) Total Solar Eclipses in Duplin Glimpses of Country Life in Duplin the First Part of the Twentieth Century More Historical Glimpses New Courthouse Dedicated—1913, and Presentation of Portrait of Colonel Thomas S. Kenan 321; More Portraits Presented 333; A Charge to the Grand Jury 338 - Glimpses of The Great Depression - The Duplin Story Advertising the Duplin Story 366; Background and Synopsis of This Historical Play 368; Characters in the Duplin Story 375; Rare Tapestry and Art Exhibit 382; Antique Display Committee 382; A Miracle In A Corn Field 384; Distinguished Guests at Pageant 386; Thanks for Duplin’s Bicentennial Celebration 387; Editorial—The Duplin Story 388; 1950 Performances 389; As Heard in the Dressing Rooms 395; As Heard Back Stage During the Pageant 396; Sam Byrd Speaks 397; That Let-Down Feeling 398; What The Pageant Meant To People - Duplin General Hospital - Profiles of Some of Duplin’s Outstanding Citizens General James Kenan 405; James Gillespie 406; Charles Hooks 406; Thomas Kenan 407; General Stephen Miller 407; Owen R. Kenan 407; Dr. James Menzies Sprunt 408; Colonel William Anderson Allen 408; Captain William James Houston 409; Benjamin Franklin Grady 409; John Nicholas Stallings 410; John Dickson Stanford 410; Colonel Thomas Stephen Kenan 411; A. R. (Abe) Middleton 411; Dr. John Miller Faison 412; Mary Lyde Hicks Williams 412; Luther Addison Beasley 413; Robert Vivian Wells 416; Rivers Dunn Johnson 417; Dr. John Daniel Robinson 417; Albert Timothy Outlaw 418; Henry Leonidas Stevens, Jr. 419; John Willard Hoffler 422; Gordon Kennedy Middleton 422; Charles Fisher Carroll 423; Herman Ward Taylor 424; Bettie Hall Williams 426; Robert Myron Carr 427; Helen Brooks Boney 427; Dr. Guy Vernon Gooding 428; Owen Pearlie Johnson 429; Lewellyn Williams Robinson 429; LeRoy Gaston Simmons 430; Dr. James H. Blackmore 431; William Dallas Herring 432; Hugh Stewart Johnson, Jr. 432; David Newton Henderson 433; Christine Whaley Williams Davis 435; Lauren Ralph Sharpe 436; Myra Winifred Townson Wells 437; James Millard Smith 438; General William M. Buck 438 - More Historical Glimpses James Kenan Chapter U.D.C. 440; Public Roads 444; Lanefield Com- munity Fair 447; The Town of Faison 448; Strawberry Festival 450; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s visit to Wallace 450; Stevens Sworn In As Resident Judge of Sixth District 452; Magnolia—Flowers and Bulbs 453; John Ivey Thomas Chapter U.D.C. 453; Round-up of Hazel and Her Fury 456; Our Praise to the Men Who Dealt With Hazel 456; Hazel and The Pioneer Spirit 458; Duplin Man Chosen North Carolina’s First “Man of the Year In Education” 458; Veterans’ Day—Successor to Armistice Day in Warsaw 460; Faison Fruits and Vegetables Known for High Quality 461; Future Farmers of America and Future Home- makers of America 462; Duplin Courthouse Annex 463; Duplin’s Newly Renovated Courtroom 463; Judge Stevens, Emergency Judge 465; Duplin County Fair at Beulaville 465; Poultry Jubilee—World’s Largest Frying Pan 467; The D. A. R. and the Jubilee 468; Wallace’s Diamond Jubilee 469; Kenansville Firemen Winner—$750 Prize 477; Duplin Paralyzed by xiii Chapter Snow and Ice 478; Plaque to Miss Dorothy Wightman 479; Resolution of Appreciation for Miss Wightman’s Gift to the County Library 479; Duplin’s Five County Commissioner Districts 480; Duplin County Histori- cal Society 482; Faison Man First Duplin Astronaut 483; Famous Native Visits her Home Town 483; The Thelma Dingus Bryant Library in Wallace 485; Judge Henry L. Stevens, Jr. Honored by American Legion 487; Heritage Design Service—new Industry in Rose Hill 488; Beulaville Girl Wins “Miss Duplin” Title—1969 489; Legend of the Country Squire 491; Special Watershed Election 493; Local Option Additional Sales Tax Election 495; SENCland Awards In Duplin, 1969 495; Agricultural Growth in Duplin 495; History of Extension Homemakers Club Work in Duplin 497; Tribute to Mrs. Henry Middleton 499; Industrial Develop- ment 499; President of Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association 502; Art By Dr. Dallas Herring 504; Editorial Salute to the Boy Scouts in Duplin County 504; Tar Heel Fine Arts Society 504; Dr. Robinson, South’s “Optometrist of the Year” 505 33. More Facts Relating to Duplin County Roster of Attorneys 507; Citizens Serving on Committees of the State Democratic Party 507; Citizens Serving on Committees of the State Re- publican Party 508; Citizens Currently Serving on Governmental Boards and Committees 508; Physicians, Dentists, Optometrists, and Chiroprac- tors Registered 509; Population 511; Total Valuation All Property Listed and Assessed for County-wide Taxation 512; Bonded Indebtedness 512; Revenues and Expenditures of Other Than School Funds For Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1969 513; Local Government Cost Lower 514; 74% of Public Funds For Schools 514; Agricultural Income 515; General Elec- tion Abstract of Votes, November 5, 1968 517; Payrolls—$22 Millions in 1969 517; More Spent in Duplin for Home Improvements 518; Social Security in Duplin 519; Duplin County Workers Retiring Earlier 520; Duplin County’s Estimated Income—from Sale of Farm Products and Government Payments 521; Nearly One Hundred Thousand in Scholar- ships Awarded James Kenan Graduates 521; Veterans In Service 523; Banks and Building and Loan Associations in Duplin 523; Revelation Singers Big Success 524 34. GOVERNMENT IN DUPLIN COUNTY Preface 526; County Thanks to The Institu sembly 531; Members Government—Historical Background 526; Editors’ te of Government 530; Members of Colonial As- of Constitutional Conventions 531; Provincial Con- gress 531; Council of State 532; State Assembly—Senators and Representa- tives 532; Clerks of Superior Court of Law and Equity 534; Clerks and Masters in Equity 534; Clerk Inferior Court 534; County Treasurers 534; Board of County Commissioners 535; County Attorney 539; Clerk to the Board of Commissioners 539; County Finances 540; Tax Supervisor 541; Tax Collector 542; County Accountant 543; Sheriff 544; Coroner 545; Register of Deeds 547; The Courts 548; Clerk of Superior Court 549; District Court 550; Social Services (Public Welfare) 551; County Board of Education and Supts. 554 ¢ ; Public Health 557; Mental Health Program 559; County Library 559; County Jail 560; Electrical Inspector 560; Agricultural Extension 561; Rural Fire Protection 562; Civil Defense 563; Veterans Service Office 564; Alcoholic Beverage Control Stores 565; Elections 565; Conclusion 568 Page INTRODUCTIONS We are, each of us, a part of our past. Whether or not we want to acknowledge it, or even to think of it in these tumultuous times, the truth inevitably will out. The subconscious reveals our heritage in many subtle ways. Our idioms and our mannerisms betray us—even our Coming and our going—some of us as though we were still stepping across the wide lowland furrows, heading for home and the bright fireside at the end of a long winter’s day. Who am I? What inscrutable forces combined to make me the kind of person I am? For all who no longer want to avoid these inevitable questions, this book about our past is a mirror to the present and, we may hope, a preview of the years to come. It is the values that it upholds, as much as the people and the events it portrays, which will endear it to everyone who cherishes what has been achieved in this land of liberty—especially this small part of it which for so many in other parts of America is still home. No one can really measure the vast impression which the culture and the commitment of the people of “Old Duplin” have made as their descendants joined other pioneers moving south and west. Perhaps it is not so important to measure it as it is simply to be aware of it and to understand and accept it—and always to believe in it, come what may. Faison and Pearl McGowen have put together a treasure of incalculable value to everyone who can say with feeling that this too is “my own, my native land.” —Datias HERRING. FLasHes or Dupuin’s History AND GOVERNMENT makes the men and women of the past live and move and talk again. It is at once a fertile field for the student, for the researcher, and for pleasure reading. The book reveals that Duplin County has a glorious history. FLASHES OF Dupuin’s History AND GOVERNMENT is a monumental work well done. In editing this book, Mr. McGowen has spent years in diligent research, with his wife assisting, and as a result, they offer to lovers of history a most valuable book. It is the first full history to be written of Duplin County. No man who has taken up his pen in the last half century is so well qualified to edit such a book. Dixon S. Hat. Duplin County Courthouse and Annex Mr. and Mrs. Faison Wells McGowen The Editors Mrs. Julia Robert Stokes McGowen SS ere ie ee cee 1 e DUPLIN COUNTY AND ITS BOUNDARIES LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA—1749 At a General Assembly, held at New Bern, the Seventeenth day of March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Nine. Gabriel Johnston, Esq., Governor. Cuapter I. An Act for Erecting the Upper Part of New-Hanover County into a County and Parish, by the Name of Duplin County, and St. Gabriel Parish, and for appointing a Place for building a Court-house, Prison and Stocks, in the said County. I. Whereas the County of New-Hanover has now become so very extensive, that many of the Inhabitants thereof live very remote from the Place where the Court of the said County is held, whereby a great many Difficulties and Hardships arise to the upper Inhabitants thereof, not only in attending their Ordinary Business in the said Court, but also by being compelled to serve as Jurymen, and often Times as Evi- dences, at the said Court; For Remedy Whereof, II. We pray that it may be Enacted, And be it Enacted by his Excel- lency Gabriel Johnston, Esq., Governor, by and with the Advice and Consent of his Majesty’s Council, and General Assembly of this Province, and by the Authority of the same, That New-Hanover County be divided by a Line, beginning at the Mouth of Rock-Fish Creek, on the North- East River of Cape-Fear, running East to Onslow County, and Westward, (wwe zal bya Straight Line from the Mouth of the said Creek, to the Upper Forks WANNA Ht of Black River, where Cohecry and the Six Runs meet, thence up Cohecry to the Head thereof; and that the Upper part of the said County be erected into a County, by the name of Duplin County, and St. Gabriel Parish: And that the said County and Parish shall enjoy all the Privileges and Advantages that any other County and Parish in this Province now holds or enjoys. III. And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That the Courts of the said County shall be held on the Second Tuesdays in January, April, July, and October. MNT js F n ~ ¢ yj cI = al z 2 IV. And be it further Enacted, That the Justices of the said County, or the Majority of them, shall hold their first Court at the House of William McRee, at Goshen, and then and there nominate and appoint a certain Place for building a Courthouse, Prison, and Stocks, at the most proper Place in the said County; and shall further divide the said County into Districts and appoint Commissioners of the Roads for the same; and shall also make such Orders and Rules for erecting the said Buildings, and running the dividing Line aforesaid, at the proper and equal Expence of the Inhabitants of the same, by a Poll-Tax, not exceed- ing One Shilling Proclamation Money, per year, for the Three Years, and no longer. V. And be it further Enacted, That Mr. John Sampson, and Capt. Henry Hyrne, be, and are hereby appointed and authorized Commis- sioners; and are hereby impowered and directed to run the said Dividing Line between the Counties of New-Hanover and Duplin. VI. And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That William McRee, Jun., be, and is hereby appointed Sheriff of the said County, until the Time by Law prescribed for appointing Sheriffs for the several Counties in this Province, and shall be vested with all the Powers and Authorities any other Sheriff or Sheriffs in this Province is and are vested with. And to the End that no Action begun in New- Hanover County, be defeated by the Division aforesaid. VII. Bt it Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid That Where any Action is already commenced in the said Court of New-Hanover County, and that the Parties or Evidences shall be Inhabitants of the County of Duplin, all subsequent Process against such Parties or Evidences, shall be directed to be executed by the Sheriff of New-Hanover County: Any Law, Usage, or Custom, to the contrary, VIII. And be it further Enacted, by Mr. John Sampson, Mr. William McRee, Brice, Mr. William Houston, Mr. Jose Mr. Anthony Cox, Mr. Mark Phillips, Mr. John Turner, Mr. Thomas Suggs, and Mr. Charles Gavin, be, and are hereby appointed Vestrymen of St. Gabriel Parish aforesaid, until the General Election of Vestrymen, according to law; and that the said Vestrymen shall be summoned by the Sheriff of the said County of Duplin, to meet at the Place appointed by this Act where the Court is to be held, and qualify themselves as a Vestry, and proceed to Parish Business. IX. And be it further Enacted, That all Public, County, and Parish Levies now due from many of the said Inhabitants of the said County of Duplin, shall be collected by the Sheriff of New-Hanover County, and accounted for in the same Manner as if this Act had not been made. notwithstanding. the Authority aforesaid, That Mr. George Meares, Mr. Francis ph Williams, Mr. John Herring, 2 X. And be it further Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That the said County of Duplin be, and is hereby obliged to send Jurors to the Courts of Assize, Oyer, and Terminer, and General Gaol Delivery, to be held at Wilmington, in like Manner as the Counties of Bladen and Onslow. (SR, Vol. XXIII, Page 342.) - . . The caption of the law establishing Duplin County is dated March 17, 1749, S. R. XXIII, 342. The journals of the General As- sembly, however, indicate a different date for the formation of the county. The General Assembly met March 28, 1750. C. R. IV, 1051. On April 2, 1750, “Mr. Sampson and McLewain brought up a bill for erecting the upper part of New-Hanover County into a County, and parish, by the and Parish of and for appointing a place for building a Court House. In the Lower House read the first time, and passed.” C. R. IV, 1054. On April 3, 1750, the bill was read the second time and passed with amendments. C. R. 1056. On April (4), 1750, the record reads as follows: “In the Lower House read the third time and passed. Ordered to be engrossed.” C. R. IV, 1057. On April 9, 1756, the governor gave his assent to “The Bill to divide the upper part of New-Hanover County into a County and Parish COP OOR: IV, 1064. (Formation of N. C. Counties, By Corbitt, Page 91.) LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA—1766 CuapTer XXVII An Act for ascertaining the Boundary Lines between the Counties of New Hanover and Duplin. I. Whereas desputes daily arise between the Inhabitants of New Han- over and Duplin, by reason of the boundary line not being sufficiently ascertained: II. Be it therefore Enacted, by the Governor, Council and Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that the Honorable John Sampson, Esq., John Ashe, Felix Kenan, and Alexander Lillington, Esquires, are hereby appointed commissioners for running out the dividing Line Be- tween the said counties of Duplin and New Hanover; which said com- missioners, or any three of them, shall meet on some time within six months after the passing of this act, and shall run and lay off the bounda- ties between the said counties, in the following manner, to-wit, That Rock Fish Creek shall be the boundary, from the mouth thereof to where Doctor’s Creek branches from the same; then up Doctor’s Creek one mile above the house of Mr. George Maires; thence running a direct 3 line to the Corner made by Arthur McCoy on South River; and the said line when run, shall forever after be deemed the Boundary Line between the said counties of New Hanover and Duplin. (SR, Vol. XXIII, Page 686.) AN ACT FOR ADDING PART OF THE COUNTY OF DUPLIN TO JOHNSTON I. Whereas the upper part of Duplin County is very extensive in length, which renders it burthensome to the inhabitants of Johnston and Cumberland Counties, by reason of the said County of Duplin run- ning up twenty miles between Johnston and Cumberland counties, not more than three miles wide, which obstructs the making of roads and keeping them in repair, much to the injury of the inhabitants of the aforesaid counties and damage of travellers: Il. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Caro- lina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That all that part of Duplin County above Dismal Creek be added to the County of Johnston, and that it be divided by said creek, beginning at the mouth of the creek, Cumberland County line, thence running up the meanders of the said creek and East course to Johnston County Line; and that from and after the passing of this Act, that all that part of Duplin County above said creek be annexed to, and made part of the County of John- ston, and the inhabitants thereof shall be subject and liable to the same Rules, Orders, Taxes, and Privileges, as any other of the inhabitants of the County of Johnston. (State Records of North Carolina, by Walter Clark, Vol. XXIV, Chap. XXXIII, 1777.) LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA—1784. CuHapTeR LXXV. An Act for dividing Duplin County. I. Whereas by reason of the large extent of said county, it is greatly inconvenient for the inhabitants to attend the courts and other public duties by law required; II. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this Act the said county of Duplin shall be divided into two distinct counties by a line beginning on the line that divides Duplin from New Hanover county where the main road crosses Bultail, a branch of Rockfish creek; and running thence a straight line to the lower bridge on Stewart’s creek, from thence a direct line to Goshen swamp at the mouth of Young’s swamp, thence due-north to 4 the Wayne line; and all that part of the said county of Duplin which lies west of the above line, shall be established into a separate and dis- tinct county by the name of Sampson. III. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Joseph Dickson, William Dickson, David Dodd, Edward Dickson and William Taylor, or a majority of them, be and they are hereby appointed com- missioners to run and lay off the said dividing line between the said County of Duplin and Sampson, and the same shall be recorded in the Courts of said counties. IV. And for the due administration of justice, Be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That justices of the peace shall be nominated and Commissioned, and courts shall be held in the said county of Samp- Son in the same manner and with the same jurisdiction as justices in other courts have and exercise, and that the courts of the said county of Sampson shall be held on the third Monday of June, September, December and March in every year; and the courts of the said county of Duplin shall be held by the justices thereof on the third Mondays of January, April, July and October in each and every year. V. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Thomas Hooks, John Whitehead, William Hubbard, Robert Southerland, Daniel Teachey, John Lanier, Edward Dickson and Daniel Hicks, or a majority of them, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners for fixing On the most centrical and convenient place in Duplin county for build- ing a court house, prison and stocks, and for purchasing a quantity of land not exceeding five acres at such place and for the use and benefit of said county; and when the said place is fixed upon, and the said lands purchased, the said commissioners or a majority of them shall, and they are hereby impowered to contract with workmen for building and finishing thereat a court house, prison and stocks, and to take a deed or mesne conveyance for said land for the use of the county. VI. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any of the said commissioners appointed by this Act die, remove or refuse to act, it shall and may be lawful for the remaining commissioners to appoint another person in his stead, who shall and may use and exercise the same power and authority as the commissioners appointed by this Act. VII. And as it will be a considerable time before the said buildings can be completed, Be it Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the first court to be held for the county of Sampson shall be held at the house of James Myhand, and the justices when met and formed a court, shall either continue to hold their subsequent courts at the said house until the court house shall be built, or shall have power to adjourn to 5 any place more convenient in the said county, they having first duly qualified themselves by the oaths prescribed by law in such cases, and the said justices being so qualified, are hereby declared during their continuance in office, as well within their county courts as without, to have the same powers and authorities, and to be subject to the same forfeitures and penalties as justices of the peace in this State are liable to. VIII. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Richard Herring, Thomas Thornton, John Fort, John Owens, John Hol- ley, Jonathan Parker, and Thomas Ivey, be, and they or a majority of them are hereby appointed commissioners to fix on a centrical and convenient place to erect the public buildings in the said county of Sampson, and purchase five acres of land, and take a deed for the same as is directed for the county of Duplin, and to agree with a workman to build a court house, prison and stocks for the use of the said county of Sampson. IX. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the first court of the said county of Duplin shall be held at the public store of James James’s, and the justices thereof may when met either con- tinue to hold the courts there or adjourn to a more convenient place as they may judge best, and have, hold and exercise all the powers and authorities that county courts in this State hold or enjoy; and that all causes, pleas and suits, and every species of controversy and litigation whatsoever now in the county court of Duplin, shall continue and be finally determined in the court of the said county of Duplin. X. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That a tax of one shilling specie be laid on every hundred pounds taxable property, and a tax of one shilling on every poll within the said counties of Duplin and Sampson who do not possess one hundred pounds taxable property for two years, for the purpose of defraying the expenses and purchasing said lands, erecting the public buildings thereon, and reimbursing the said commissioners what reasonable expences they may be at in the premises, which said taxes shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes are, and shall be paid into the hands of the commissioners for building the court house, &. for the counties of Duplin and Sampson, the collector or collectors first deducting his or their commissions for the trouble of collecting and paying the same to the commissioners; in case there shall remain any surplus after defraying the expences afore- said, the same shall be applied by the county courts towards defraying the contingent charges of the same. XI. And be it further Enacted by the authority, That the said com- missioners shall from time to time when called on by their county court 6 account for the monies by them received for the purposes aforesaid; and when the buildings shall be completed and other expences paid, their said county courts on settlement with them may make a reasonable allowance for their trouble and expence, and apply the surplus if any as before directed. XII. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That noth- ing herein contained shall be construed to stop or hinder the sheriff °r collectors of Duplin, as the same stood undivided, to make distress for fees or other dues which may be owing from the inhabitants of said County at the time of passing this Act, in the same manner as if it had never been made. XIII. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said County of Sampson shall be and remain part of the district of Wilmington, and shall furnish four freeholders to attend the superior Court as Jurors at Wilmington aforesaid; and the said county of Duplin shall after the passing of this Act nominate and appoint four jurymen to attend the said superior court of Wilmington. (State Records, Vol. XXIV, Pages 642-644.) Because of the uncertainty of the existence of the true boundary be- tween Duplin and Wayne counties, an act was passed in 1831 authorizing the establishment of said line. - - . That the said line shall commence at a pine stump near the house of John Elliot, it being the dividing corner between the counties of Sampson, Wayne and Duplin... . (Formation of North Carolina Counties, Corbitt, Page 225.) DUPLIN’S EASTERN BOUNDARY The eastern boundary of Duplin County has been tacitly located and acted upon for many years, but there is no official record of its location, other than the acts of the public officials of the two counties, in assuming Control y I p to a certain line, and land owners taking deeds calling for and along that line as the county line. To understand this, it will be necessary to give the early boundaries of Onslow County which was established in 1734, Revised statutes, Vol. 2, page 152, already mentioned above, “that a precinct be erected at New River, by the name of Onslow » that the said precinct be bounded to the northward by White- oak River, from the mouth to the head thereof and to the southward by a creek that comes out of the sound and comes across New River road, called the Bay Pond or Beasleys Creek.” The last mentioned boundary is a small stream just south of Holly Ridge on the road from Jacksonville to Wilmington. Just west of the highway and railroad at P recinct 7 this point, the water in that stream is at a standstill part of the year, and still further west flows westward in an ever widening stream into the Holly Shelter Pocosin. Nothing is said about the western boundary of Onslow County in that act, and we hear no mention of the western boundary line of Onslow until the year 1749, when Duplin embracing the territory of Sampson is cut off by Legislative enactment from New Hanover County, and the southern boundary of Duplin is there defined by a line beginning on the North East River, opposite the mouth of Rockfish Creek and running thence eastward to the Onslow County line, no distance being given and in fact the western boundary line of Onslow had never been located and was unknown. The head of Whiteoak River, called for as the end of the Northern boundary of Onslow, is south of Comfort in Jones County, and a straight line from that point to where the Boney pond or Beasley Creek enters Holly Shelter Pocosin or to where the water is at a standstill in said stream would be considerable in the boundary. However, the line has been acted upon for many years by both Duplin and Onslow and there is no dispute about the same, except between Pender and Onslow and claimants under the Allison grant in Onslow County and the State Board of Education which owns large tracts of swamp land in Pender County, under the James Caraway Grant. (Court Minutes, Book 42, Pages 76 and 77.) REPORT OF THE RESURVEY OF THE WAYNE-DUPLIN, WAYNE- LENOIR COUNTY LINES, ELLIS PRESTON LUPTON, BERNHARDT A. WALDENMAIER, MERIWETHER LEWIS, SURVEYORS, JULY 11, 1930. To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Wayne, Duplin and Lenoir Counties; Greetings: We, Ellis Preston Lupton, Bernhardt A. Waldenmaier, and Meriwether Lewis, having been appointed as surveyors by your honorable board, and each of us having qualified before a Justice of Peace of our respec- tive Counties, did, without partiality or prejudice, re-run the dividing lines between Wayne and Duplin Counties, and between Wayne and Lenoir Counties, in exact accordance with the recorded survey of June 12, 1834, and in accordance with all the well known land marks along each line. In order to re-establish the Common Corner between Wayne, Duplin and Lenoir Counties, we found it necessary to reproduce the line from the head of Sandy Run Branch, Northeastward, to an intersection with the Duplin, Lenoir line from a point near Rouse’s Mill, in a North west- 8 wardly direction, and in accordance with the recorded survey of 1823. For a more complete information regarding the latter line you are respectfully referred to a report prepared by B. A. Waldenmaier, and Meriwether Lewis, entitled “The Retracing the Duplin, Lenoir County Line.” The lines were run in the following order: From the head of Sandy Run Branch through the old Barwick house, near Drummersville, to its corner in a field now owned by Sam Hines. The true bearing of this line was determined by an observation on Polaris at Elongation, and was found to be, North 69 degrees, 24.92 Minutes east. The magnetic declination was found to be 3 degrees and 29 minutes West, making the magnetic bearing of this line, North 72 degrees, 53.92 Minutes east, and its length was found to be 15,884.6 ft. For a more complete description of this line and the obstacles en- countered thereon, you are respectfully referred to the map attached hereto, and made a part of this report. In Conclusion, we respectfully call your attention to the fact that in the beginning, and near the end of this line we encountered two objects which have been regarded for several generations as being on the County line. One of these points, the head of Sandy Run Branch, is described in the report of 1834. The other point is the old Barwick house, which has been recognized for several generations by the older residents of that section as being on the County line. Your surveyors next proceeded to investigate the existence of the stake which had been described by the report of 1834 as being in Alfred Flowers’ field. Our investigation led us to a Mr. John Flowers of Mt. Olive, N. C., who stated that he cleared the land adjacent to this field, and that he had inherited the land from his father, who in turn had inherited it from Alfred Flowers. Mr. John Flowers further stated that in breaking this land he had turned out the original stake as set by the Commissioners in 1834, and realizing the importance of the Point, had immediately driven down a large cart axle at the very point where this stake had been plowed out. We proceeded further down the line at a point between Burke Bar- field and Clyde Flowers. We found the stump of an old long leaf yellow Pine, which according to the reports of the older residents had shown the fore and aft chops of the original survey. Your surveyors then ran a line joining these two irrefutable points. This line was found to have a magnetic bearing of South 74 degrees, and 43 Minutes east. The report of 1834 gave this line of South 80 degrees East. The mean declination of the Magnetic Needle was found 9 to be 3 degrees and 12 Minutes west, and the mean declination of the Magnetic Needle for 1834 was found from the bulletin issued by the Department of Commerce entitled “A Magnetic Survey of North Caro- lina,” to be 2 degrees and 5 Minutes east making a total of 5 degrees and 17 Minutes. In simpler words, the bearing of the line joining these two irrefutable points was found to be essentially as the bearing reported in the report of 1834, The report of 1834 called for a Corner Pine at the head of Thunder Swamp Poquosin. We found that Messrs. Jim and Jess Albritton had cleared and drained this Poquosin some twenty-five years ago, and conse- quently we found no corner in evidence, so we proceeded to re-establish a corner by running a line from a Black Gum on the run of the North- east Cape Fear river, just above the mouth of Calf Pasture Branch. This point had been definitely described as above in the report of 1834, By applying the correction of 5 degrees and 17 Minutes to the North, 56 degrees east, given in the report of 1834, we ran North 61 degrees and 17 Minutes east to an intersection with the first line. This line intersected the old Elmore house now owned by W. B. and Roy Jones of Wallace, N. C., and we found by inquiry of the older residents that for several generations this old house had been considered on the County line. This line also intersected the house of Major Graham, colored, and Cleveland Grimes, colored, in the suburbs of Mt. Olive, and came to an intersection on a very slight ridge on Messrs. Jim and Jess Albrit- ton’s field, and from the position of this intersection it was agreed by all disinterested observers that it came at a point which agreed very closely with the description given in the report of 1834. This line was 11,922 ft. long. For a more complete description of these two lines you are respectfully referred to the map attached hereto, and made a part hereof. This completed the re-running of the line between Duplin and Wayne County. Your surveyors marked their line at each Corner, and at each point where it crossed a public road by means of reinforced concrete monu- ments triangular in cross section, and 4 ft. long, set solidly in the ground about three feet, and marked on top with the letters “W” and “D” for Wayne and Duplin Counties. Your surveyors next proceeded to investigate the line dividing Wayne and Lenoir Counties. They found that an act of Legislature dated in 1779 called for the division to be a due North line. They began the survey at the corner as established by them and previously described in this report, and ran 10 a north line corrected for the difference in declination from 1779 to 1930, which was seven degrees. They, therefore, ran North 7 degrees East to the Neuse River. Just north of the Neuse River they encountered a Water Oak which had been recognized for several generations as being a point on the County line. For complete data on the obstacles encountered on this survey you are respectfully referred to the map attached hereto and made a part hereof. This line was also marked by concrete monuments triangular in cross section similar to the ones previously described except with the letters “L” and “W” for Lenoir and Wayne engraved on the top thereof. Attached hereto you will please find a list of property owners along the line, and the amount of acreage lying in each County. Respectfully Submitted: B. A. Waldenmaier, Duplin County Surveyor Ellis P. Lupton, Wayne County Surveyor Meriwether Lewis, Lenoir County Surveyor The authority to retrace the Duplin-Lenoir County line was given to B. A. Waldenhaier for Duplin County by an order from the Duplin County Board of County Commissioners, dated Monday, February the 3rd, 1930. A similar order was given Meriwether Lewis by the Lenoir County Board of County Commissioners, dated Monday, March the 3rd, 1930. Qualifications: Having received the order the two Surveyors—Commissioners Named, were each qualified before a Justice of the Peace of his respective county, and each swore to weigh the evidence which might be brought to his attention, to do equal and impartial justice to all parties concerned according to their several rights and according to law, and each swore also to do the work to the best of his knowledge and belief. Agreement As To Procedure: Your surveyors met and agreed to retrace the line under the following plan: That in along the boundary line as originally run Natural objects are Controlling Calls; artificial objects second in importance; course third; and distance fourth. Where there is still doubt or uncertainty, that rule should be adapted most consistent with the intent of the origi- nal Commissioners. Data on The Legal Line: Upon investigation Your surveyors found the following data on the line in question: 1. This line was ordered run by an Act of Legislature dated December 24th, 1819. (See Volume 11—Laws of North Carolina Page 1503— printed by J. Gales of Raleigh in 1821). This Act appointed two Com- missioners from each County to lay off and mark the line and provided further that the said Commissioners were to report the result of their work to the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions when completed. 2. The report of the Commissioners was returned to the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Duplin County during the January session of 1824, and the Court ordered this report recorded. (See North Carolina Historical Commission Records). Agreeable to an act of the General Assembly passed in the year of 1819 appointing Daniel Glisson, Edward Alberson, Job Leary, and Joel Hines Commissioners to lay off and survey and mark the county line between Duplin and Lenoir. We, Edward Alberson of the County of Duplin and Joel Hines & Job Leary of the County of Lenoir three of the Commissioners with Samuel Davis County Surveyor of Duplin and Stephen Herring Surveyor of Lenoir with Thomas Fleetwood Hardy & Calvin Davis of Duplin County & John Leary, Wm. Hines & Alford Ellis of the County of Lenoir Chain Carriers and Markers did on the 13th day of Nov., 1823 convene at a pine the corner of Wayne & Proceed to run and mark the lines agree- able to the above plan as follows viz: South sixty East 1350 poles to some small pines near Croom’s old road, thence South 25 East Crossing the road at the Mile post # 6 810 poles to a lightwood stump on the ridge between Matthew’s Branch Pond and Trent, then South 5 East 1780 poles to a stooping pine on the Beaverdam of Tuckyeho, then South 42 East 400 poles to the Corner of Jones, which line we have marked with three chops: Given under our hands and seals this 5th day of January, 1824. Edw. Alberson (SEAL) Joel Hines (SEAL) J. Leary (SEAL) A true copy as taken from the original. Now on file in this office. R. V. Wells, C.S.C_ of Duplin County 3. This report was discovered in the old files of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Duplin County on March 20th, 1930 by your sur- 12 veyors. No record of its having ever been previously recorded was found. It was then entered on the records of the Division of Lands Book “A” Duplin County by Mr. R. V. Wells, Clerk of Superior Court of Duplin County. Your surveyors found it necessary to make two trips to Raleigh to investigate the records in the office of the Secretary of State and of the North Carolina Historical Commission to trace this valuable docu- ment to its final discovery. Your surveyors upon investigation were unable to locate in the records of Lenoir County any information relative to the running of this line. This is probably due to the burning of all of the County records about 1877. Your surveyors feel that it would be fitting and proper at this point to commend the efforts made by Mr. L. A. Beasley, Mr. H. D. Williams, Dr. A. R. Newsome and Mr. R. V. Wells who materially assisted them to discover the original document. Location of Natural and Artificial Objects on The Line: Your surveyors next proceeded to view the line in an attempt to locate as many valid natural objects and artificial objects as possible. They found the following: 1. That the graveyard on the old Hardy Place was located as being just in Lenoir County and as Thomas Fleetwood Hardy was in the origi- nal crew of surveyors they accepted this point as valid. 2. An old post oak on the Hardy plantation was marked and while it is now down and destroyed several creditable persons vouched for its former location. This was accepted as valid. 3. A marked pine tree on the road near the old Rouse Mill was shown and the chops therein were uncovered and found to be about seventy-five years old. A pine stump vouched for as having shown the original side line chops when split into rails over twenty years ago was viewed and checked closely with the first marked pine. These were accepted as valid. 4. An old chopped pine now down located on the Burn Coat Road on Paul Outlaw’s plantation was vouched for by several Creditable per- sons and was accepted as valid. 5. A pine stump on the ridge between Matthews Branch Pond and The head of Trent River was shown and vouched for by several Credit- able persons as being a corner in the line and this was accepted as valid. 6. An iron axle on the old New Bern Road on the Isaac Stroud place was vouched for by Creditable persons as having replaced a post set by Job Leary, one of the original Commissioners and this was accepted as valid. 13 7. A pine stump on the road to Mince Howard’s was shown and another point fifty yards east on the same road was shown. It was ac- cepted that the line must be near this point. 8. A pine stump in the old Deer Glade on the L. Harvey & Son tract of land was shown by the former owner who had known this point for forty-five years as the Jones-Duplin-Lenoir County Corner. This stump showed the chops entering, leaving, and entering from the Jones-Lenoir side. This person’s knowledge of the point was vouched for by three very crediable persons and this point was accepted. Several other points were also viewed—for example, the line as sup- posed to pass The Smith plantation. One point which your surveyors reserved judgment upon was a certain well fork in the rear of T. A. Turner’s store in the town of Pink Hill. They found later that if they had accepted this point they would have had to reject it as it would not conform to other and more reliable infor- mation. The same is true of an old pine stump shown by T. A. Turner on road near old Tam road on the edge of the Town of Pink Hill, west of the line as run. As yet your surveyors had not discovered the Duplin-Wayne-Lenoir Corner. They found that many persons differed in opinion in respect to this corner and that this corner had been in question in Court a short time before. Your surveyors decided then to replace this point by intersecting the Duplin-Wayne Line with the Duplin-Lenoir Line. In this way they were concurred with by the Wayne Board of Commissioners. They accord- ingly located two unrefutable points on the Duplin-Wayne line—one on the plantation of John Will Outlaw, the other on the old Alex Barwick plantation. These points define a line and this is intersected with the Duplin-Lenoir Line for the beginning corner of this survey. Method of Survey: Your surveyors used a “K” and “E” one Minute transit which they kept in perfect adjustment. They also used a one hundred foot steel tape as a measuring instrument. They proceeded to work according to the plans of procedure used by Mr. George Syme (Senior Highway Engineer of the N. C. State High- way Commission) on the boundary survey recently made by him between North and South Carolina, and they refer you to his report for more complete details. Your surveyors connected two known points on each line of the County Line by a precise traverse and computed the direct line that would con- nect these two points. This direct line was then run very carefully. 14 Your surveyors assumed the geographical coordinates of Drummers- ville to be latitude 35 degrees 17 minutes North, longitude 77 degrees 50 minutes west. They then computed the azimuth of Polaris at elonga- tion for March 31st, 1930, and at the time of elongation made a series of observations which determined the true or astronomical bearing of the lines of the survey. The computed intersection angles of the connected line of the County Line were found to check the actual measured angle to less than one quarter of a minute in each case. The distance computed from corner to corner of the County Line traverse checked to the measured distance to an average of one in twelve thousand five hundred, (or considerable less than one half of a foot for each Mile Measured). The bearings of the lines returned to you by your suryeyors vary from the bearings as recorded by the original surveyors by an average of one degree 38 minutes of declination from the true North. The lines returned to you by your surveyors in each case, excepting one, pass through two bonafide points on the original survey. In No Case Could the line have been shifted Materially at one point and not have disturbed one or more perfectly acceptable points. In all Cases your surveyors have found the people along the line anxious to help and only too happy to cooperate with them. Plat: Your surveyors have prepared a plat of their work showing the true bearings of the lines they have run and much other descriptive Matter. Since this plat is self explanatory they have incorporated it into and as a part of this report in lieu of a detailed verbal description. Marking The Line: Your surveyors caused to be made twenty-six reinforced Concrete Monuments thirty-six inches long, triangular in shape and wider at the base than at the top. These Monuments have been placed at points where the several roads Cut the line and at the several corners. The location of these Monuments is clearly shown on the accompanying plat. They have caused every tree within reach of the Act along the line to be marked with three chops. Property Owners Along The Line: Your surveyors have prepared a list of all property owners along the line and have attempted to approximate the acreage lying in each County. 15 This list is appended hereto as an appendix to this report and will be found in Appendix “A.” Personnel of Surveying Party: Your surveyors wish to report the following personnel of the survey: Duplin County: B. A. Waldenmaier, Engineer-Surveyor, J. E. Waters, J. N. Waters, B. A. Waters, E. L. Waters, and J. G. Southerland. Lenoir County: Meriwether Lewis, Engineer-Surveyor, Frank Crary, Garland Waller, James C. Yates, Clarence Davis. Addenda: (The situation around Pink Hill) After your surveyors had completed the survey as herein before de- scribed there appeared some dissatisfaction to it among the Citizens of the town of Pink Hill. A delegation from Pink Hill was granted a hearing before a joint meeting of the County Commissioners of Duplin and Lenoir Counties on February 9th, 1931, at Kenansville, N. C., at which Meeting the joint decision of the County Commissioners was that Duplin County should cede to Lenoir County a strip of land, beginning at the point which the City limits of Pink Hill Cut the County line on the North and running from thence at right angles to the County line a sufficient distance to allow a line parallel to the County line to be tangent to the City limits, said line to run south far enough to intersect a line running west at right angles from the southern intersection of the County line with the City limits. Your surveyors proceeded to the field and in accordance with the above instructions placed a Monument on the County line S. 1 deg. 57.28 Min. E. 18341.0 ft. from the monument near the head of Trent River and Mathews Branch, and running from thence S. 88 deg. 02.72 Min. W-501.4 ft. to another Monument; thence S. 1 deg. 57.28 Min. E. 2492.9 ft. to another Monument; thence N. 88 deg. 02.72 Min. E. 501.4 ft. to Monument on the County line which is 20833.9 ft. measured S 1 deg. 57.28 Min. E. from the Monument near the head of Trent River and Mathews Branch. The area of the land so ceded is 28.8 acres. Conclusion: Your surveyors feel that they have discharged their Commission as well as could be expected after an elapse of one hundred and seven years and respectfully ask that you accept their report and discharge them. Very Respectfully, B. A. Waldenmaier, Surveyor Meriwether Lewis, Surveyor. Duplin County Board of Commissioners I. J. Sandlin, Chairman G. A. Outlaw G. D. Bennett (LS) Attest: Lawrence Southerland, Clerk Board County Commissioners See Minute Record # 9, regular Meeting of August 4, 1930. Approved: Lenoir County Board of Commissioners W. H. Howell, Chairman J. R. Fields J. F. Skinner J. N. Jones J. D. Brothers Attest: C. W. Pridgen Register of Deeds, Lenoir Co., N. C. (Duplin County Public Registry, Book 356, Pages 276-278; 285-290.) AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE COUNTY LINE BETWEEN DUPLIN AND SAMPSON COUNTIES AS THAT SHOWN ON THE OFFICIAL MAPS OF THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1961. WHEREAS, there has been dispute as to the location of the boundary line between Duplin and Sampson Counties, and confusion as to the exact location of said boundary has resulted in difficulty in determining matters of jurisdiction, venue, and in governmental affairs; and WHEREAS, the County Commissioners of the Counties of Duplin and Sampson have agreed upon the location of the boundary line separating the two counties, and the agreed location has met with the general ap- proval of the residents of the areas of each county affected: Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. That the county line between Duplin and Sampson Counties is hereby established upon the location shown on maps of the State Highway Commission issued prior to January 1, 1961. Section 2. That the location of the county line dividing the two said Counties on the county road maps issued since January 1, 1961, be 17 disregarded, and that the true location be as the same is shown upon maps issued prior to the January 1, 1961, issue of the said county road maps. Section 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed. Section 4. This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification. In the General Assembl day of March, 1963. (Session Laws of North Carolina, 1963, Chapter 35.) y read three times and ratified, this the 12th LOCATION, DRAINAGE, CLIMATE, WATER ° SUPPLY AND VEGETATION Duplin County lies entirely within the Coastal Plain. The poet ern part of the County is in the Middle Coastal Plain; the Southern and Eastern parts are in the lower Coastal Plain or flatwoods. The lowest elevation in the County is 20 feet at the point where the Northeast Cape Fear River flows out. The highest reported elevation is 167 feet at Bowden. The greater part of the County is drained by the Northeast Cape Fear River and its tributaries. The main tributaries of this river are: Doctors Creek, Maxwell Swamp, Muddy Creek, Limestone Creek, Grove a and Goshen Swamp. A small area in the Western part near Warsaw and Baltic is drained by Stewarts Creek and by Turkey Swamp. CLIMATE The Atlantic Ocean and other bodies of water tend to reduce daily and seasonal changes in temperatures in Duplin County. Precipitation and temperature are uniform throughout the sage? The summers are long and commonly have short periods of very hot weather. The weather is generally humid. The average frost-free period is from April 9 to November 1. Short droughts occasionally injure crops and interfere with transplant- ing. Snow is very unusual and rarely remains on the ground for more than 24 hours. Ice storms occasionally damage trees and communication and power lines. WATER SUPPLY There are many streams in Duplin County, but some of the wre Ones flow only acon weather. Most of the larger streams flow — wide areas of bottom land that are swampy and covered by water ote of the time. Goshen Swamp and Northeast Cape Fear River have severa channels through which water flows most of the time. All of the oe in the county flow slowly and often overflow surrounding lands. In Some of the smaller streams, ponds have been built for the production of fish and for irrigation. Streams in the county are silted because of Soil erosion on the uplands. 19 Well water is available throughout the County from wells that are mostly 25 feet or less in depth. Flowing wells in the swamps and on uplands provide a good supply of water. Many flowing wells in the Southern part of the county are less than 100 feet deep, but on the up- land many are 200 feet deep or more. VEGETATION The uplands of Duplin County were covered originally by growths of oak, hickory, dogwood, wild grape, persimmon, and a mixture of pine and shrubs. All of the original timber has been cut. At the present time, only second and third growth trees are in the county, and most of these are young and small. The trees are cut as soon as they are large enough for saw logs. Much of the present stand is being cut for pulpwood. There are three forest types in Duplin County. The loblolly pine- hardwood forest type is the most extensive. It is widely distributed because trees of this type have restocked abandoned fields and cutover areas formerly in long leaf pine. The bottom land-hardwoods forest type is next in extent in the county and it occurs along all major streams. The largest areas of this type are along the Northeast Cape Fear River and along Goshen Swamp, and they range from 14 mile to 2 miles, in width. The pond pine-hardwood type is next in extent. It occurs in the Southeastern part of the county in Angola Bay and in small bays in other parts of the county. Angola Bay and the swampland have not been cleared for cultivation and are all in forest. All land now in cultivation was covered originally by the loblolly pine-hardwood forest type. In the Southeastern corner of the County, however, there is a small area of forest that more nearly resembles the long-leaf pine type. Many kinds of shrubs grow in most forest areas. Angola Bay and some swamps and lesser bays contain more than 20 species of bog-type shrubs. The only native grasses are probably the wire grass of the forests and broomsedge. Most other grasses growing in the County were imported from other areas. In the savanna-like areas of the Northeastern parts of the county, orchids, venus-flytrap, pitcherplant, trumpetplant, grasses and sedges are growing wild. (USDA Soil Survey, March 1959, Page 2.) 20 The plants named in the last paragraph are also found in the Southern and Southeastern parts of the county. VENUS-FLY-TRAP The Venus-fly-trap belongs to a peculiar group of plants, part of oy food consists of animals, especially insects. It is one of the most remark- able of insect trapping plants, being found only in certain sandy re near Wilmington, N. C. The leaf blade is constructed so as to ite like a steel trap, the two halves snapping together and the mache bristles interlocking like the teeth of a trap. This trap is sprung by sensitive hairs, like feelers, that are developed on the leaf surfaces. When one of these is touched by a small flying or hovering insect, the trap snaps shut, and the insect is caught. In all of these cases a digestive fluid is excreted and the food material utilized. (The New International Encyclopedia, Volume IV, Dodd, Mead & Co. a THE CAROLINA CHARTER On March 24th of 1663, King Charles II at his court in Westminster issued this document to eight of the supporters who, a few years earlier, had provided him crucial backing in his successful struggle to regain the English throne. Under the terms of the grant the eight Lords Pro- prietors became the owners of an immense area extending southward from Virginia to Florida (then a Spanish possession) and from the Atlantic to the “South seas” or Pacific Ocean. Although the Carolina Charter was granted by Charles II to his eight friends in settlement of political and, perhaps, other indebtedness, it is nevertheless an indispen- sable link in the chain of records beginning with Magna Carta that establishes and preserves our political liberties down to the present. In the Carolina Charter are found, for example, guarantees of the representative form of government which characterizes our way of life. The Lords Proprietors were required to make (and) enact under their seals . . . any laws whatsoever, either pertaining to the public state of the said Province or to the private utility of particular persons, according to their best discretion, of and with the advice, assent and approbation of the freemen of the said Province, or the greater part of them, or of their delegates or deputies, whom for enacting the said laws when and as often as need shall require. We will that (the Lords Proprietors) shall from time to time assemble in such manner and form as to them shall seem best. The original document from which these words are taken was acquired for the State of North Carolina by a group of public spirited citizens who purchased it from a British antiquarian bookseller in 1949. The venerable four-page parchment is on display in the Hall of History in Raleigh, encased in a modern fireproof safe so constructed that each page can be examined without damaging it. Each year many thousands of visitors, including entire classes of school boys and girls, view the document. It is worth noting that only six other states possess their colonial charters today. . . . Since the actual granting of the Carolina Charter occurred in England, 22 there is not available in North Carolina a locale specifically associated with the year 1663 as is Jamestown for 1607 or Plymouth Rock for 1620. Moreover, the tempo of activity in the colony immediately follow- ing the issuance of the Charter was slow; it was not until October, 1664, that the first colonial official, William Drummond, was appointed “gov- ernor and Commander in chief” of Albemarle County, one of the three regions into which the colony was divided by the Lords Proprietors. During these early years settlements were confined chiefly to the coastal region. It is estimated that by 1700 the total population of the colony did not exceed 5,000 with perhaps half this number in a small area ad- joining Albemarle Sound. By 1763, however, the colony’s population had grown to approximately 200,000 and settlement had extended west- ward to the Blue Ridge mountains. (From The Carolina Charter, Tercentenary Commission pamphlet.) A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE OF CAROLINA, ON THE COASTS OF FLORIDA; AND MORE PARTICULARLY OF A NEW PLANTATION BEGUN BY THE ENGLISH AT CAPE FEARE, ON THAT RIVER, NOW BY THEM CALLED CHARLES RIVER, THE 29th OF MAY, 1664. WHEREIN IS SET FORTH THE HEALTHFULLNESS OF THE AIR, THE FERTILITY OF THE EARTH AND WATERS, AND THE GREAT PLEASURE AND PROFIT WILL ACCRUE TO THOSE THAT SHALL GO THITHER TO ENJOY THE SAME. ALSO DIRECTIONS AND ADVICE TO SUCH AS SHALL GO THITHER, WHETHER ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR TO SERVE UNDER ANOTHER. TOGETHER WITH A MOST ACURATE MAP OF THE WHOLE PROVINCE, LONDON: PRINTED FOR ROBERT HORNE, IN THE FIRST COURT OF GRESHAM COLLEGE, NEAR BISHOPSGATE STREET. 1666. A. Brief Description of the Province of Carolina, &c. Carolina is a fair and spacious province on the continent of America, so called in honor of his sacred majesty that now is, Charles the Second, whom God preserve; and his majesty has been pleased to grant the same to certain honorable persons, who in order to the speedy planting of the Same, have granted divers privileges and advantages to such as shall transport themselves and servants in convenient time. There is seated in this province two colonies already: One on the Tiver Roanoak (now called Albemarle River), and borders on Vir- ginia; the other at Cape Feare, two degrees more southerly; of which follows a more particular description. This province of Carolina is situate on the main continent of America, between the degrees of 30 and 36, and hath on the north, the south 23 part of Virginia; on the south is bounded by the 30th degree of latitude, not yet fully discovered; on the east is Mare Atlanticum, part of the great ocean; and on the west the wealthy South sea is its confines. The particular description of Cape Feare. In the midst of this fertile province, in the latitude of 34 degrees, there is a colony of English seated, who landed there 29th. May, Anno 1664, and are in all about eight hundred persons, who have overcome all the difficulties that at- tend the first attempts, and have cleared the way for those that come after, who will find good houses to be in whilst their own are in building; good forts to secure them from their enemies; and many things brought from other parts there, increasing to their no small advanage. The chief of the privileges are as follows: First there is full and free liberty of conscience granted to all, so that no man is to be molested or called in question for matters of religious concern; but every one to be obedient to the civil government worshipping God after their own way. * Secondly. There is freedom from custom for all wine, silk, raisins, currants, oil, olives, and almonds, that shall be raised in the province for seven years, after four tons of any of those commodities shall be imported in one bottom. Thirdly. Every free man and free woman that transport themselves and servants by the 25th of March next, being 1667, shall have for him- self, wife, children, and men-servants, for each, one hundred acres of land for him and his heirs forever, and for every woman-servant and slave fifty acres, paying at most % d. per acre per annum, in lieu of all demands, to the lords proprietors: Provided always that every man be armed with a good musket, full bore, ten pounds of powder, and twenty pounds of bullet, and six months’ provision for all, to serve them whilst they raise provision in that country. Fourthly. Every man servant at the expiration of their time is to have of the country a hundred acres of land to him and his heirs forever, paying only % d. per acre per annum, and the women fifty acres of land on the same conditions: their masters also are to allow them two suits of apparel, and tools such as he is best able to work with, according to the custom of the country. Fifthly. They are to have a governor and council appointed from among themselves, to see the laws of Assembly put in due execution; but the governor is to rule but three years, and then learn to obey; also he hath no power to lay any tax, or make or abrogate any law, without the consent of the Colony in their Assembly. Sixthly. They are to choose annually from among themselves a certain 24 number of men according to their divisions, which constitute the General Assembly, with the governor and his council, and have the sole power of making laws, and laying taxes for the common good when need shall require. These are the chief and fundamental privileges, but the right honorable lords proprietors have promised (and it is their interest So to do) to be ready to grant what other privileges may be found advantageous to the good of the colony. (Colonial Records, Vol. I, Pages 155-157.) DUPLIN WAS SEVENTEENTH COUNTY ESTABLISHED IN NORTH CAROLINA In 1663 Albemarle County was organized. In 1670 Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans were or- ganized out of Albemarle County. In 1696 Bath County was organized. In 1705 these counties were organized out of Bath County: Beaufort County (called Pamptecough before 1712); Craven County (called Archdale before 1712) ; and Hyde County (called Wickham before 1712). In 1722 Bertie County was organized out of Chowan, and Carteret County was organized out of Craven. In 1729 New Hanover County was organized out of Craven, and Tyrrell County was organized out of Chowan, Currituck, Bertie, and Pasquotank. In 1734 Bladen and Onslow Counties were organized out of New Hanover. In 1741 Northampton County was organized out of Bertie. In 1749 Duplin County was organized out of New Hanover. (Thus Duplin is the seventeenth county in North Carolina.) 4. THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina, often called the “Tar Heel state,” was the scene of the first attempt to colonize America by English-speaking people. Under a charter granted to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth, a colony was begun in the 1580’s on Roanoke Island. This settlement, however, was unsuccessful and later became known as “The Lost Colony.” The first permanent settlement was made about 1650 by immigrants from Virginia. In 1663 Charles II granted to eight Lords Proprietors a charter for the territory lying “within six and thirty degrees of the northery latitude, and to the west as far as the south seas, and so south- erly as far as the River St. Mattias, which bordereth upon the coast of Florida, and within one and thirty degrees of northern latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south seas aforesaid; . . .” and the colony was called Carolina. In 1665 another charter was granted to these noblemen. This charter extended the limits of Carolina so that the northern line was 36 degrees and 30 minutes north latitude, and the southern line was 29 degrees north latitude, and both of these lines extended westward to the South Seas. In 1669 John Locke wrote the Fundamental Constitutions as a model for government of Carolina. The Lords Proprietors adopted these con- stitutions and directed the governor to put into operation as much of them as was feasible. In 1670 there were four precincts (changed to counties in 1739): Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, and Currituck. Carolina on December 7, 1710, was divided into North Carolina and South Carolina; and Edward Hyde, on May 12, 1712, became the first governor of North Carolina. In 1729 seven of the eight Lords Proprietors sold their interest in Carolina to the Crown and North Carolina became a royal colony. George Burrington was the first royal governor. Richard Everard, the last proprietary governor, served until Burrington was appointed. North Carolina, on April 12, 1776, authorized her delegates in the Continental Congress to vote for independence, and on December 18, 1776, adopted a constitution. Richard Caswell became the first governor under this constitution. On November 21, 1789, the state adopted the United States Constitution, being the twelfth state to enter the Federal 26 Union. North Carolina, in 1788, had rejected the Constitution on the grounds that certain amendments were vital and necessary to a free people. North Carolina seceded from the Union May 20, 1861, and was readmitted to the union in July, 1868. A new State Constitution was adopted in 1868. There has not been a new constitution since 1868, but numerous amendments have been added. (V6 Manual, 1965.) GLIMPSES OF DUPLIN COUNTY’S COLONIAL * AND EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY DUPLIN IS LORD DUPPLIN’S NAMESAKE Many people in the State and County hold the mistaken belief that Duplin County received its name from the Irish city Dublin. To support this theory is the fact that many of the early colonists came from Ireland, at least via Ireland. Further, the close relation between the letters “b” and “p” would seem to lend strength to this supposition. But Duplin received its name from a certain English nobleman, George Hay, Viscount Dupplin, the eldest son of the sixth Earl of Kinnoull. In 1710 Dupplin was elected to Parliament for Fowey, Corn- wall, and later served as a telleer of the exchequer. In the following year he was created Baron Hay of Pedwardine, Herefordshire, one of twelve peers specially created by the tory administration of Harley and St. John to secure a majority in the House of Lords on the question of the Utrecht treaty. The Peace of Utrecht is the general designation for a series of treaties formed in Utrecht, Netherlands, bringing to a close the War of Spanish Succession. It was at this date that England’s immense commercial development began. Dupplin was arrested in 1715 when the Jacobite rebellion broke out in Scotland. He was suspected of favoring the Pretender and was im- prisoned along with Lord Lansdowne and the Earl of Jersey. Subse- quently he was released on bail. The death of his father in 1719 made him Earl of Kinnoull. In the years that followed he inherited from other relatives baronies in Stratheven, Perthshire, Stirlingshire and Argyli- shire in Scotland. PRESBYTERIANS After Kinnoull had spent several years in Constantinople as Brittish ambassador, he became involved with the Scottish ecclesiastical courts in a matter concerned with the choice of a pastor for Madderty Parish, Perthshire. Kinnoull had chosen, since he had the right to “presentation,” one George Blaikie for the pastor of the Perthshire parish. But Blaikie was so objectionable to the Scotchmen that Presbytery refused to induct him as their pastor. When the matter was brought before a commission of 28 the General Assembly, Kinnoull was asked to waive his right of presen- tation, but he refused to do this on the ground that he might weaken “the right of patronages, and of all those to whom they do belong.” The case was ably argued on behalf of the parishioners by Robert Hawley, weaver, and John Gray, mason. The commission of the General Assembly instructed the Presbytery to induct Blaike as pastor in Mad- derty, but while the case was still unsolved Blaikie accepted a call in America, where he became pastor of a Presbyterian church. TITLES Lord Duplin married Lady Abigail, daughter of Robert Harley, first Earl of Oxford. By her he had four sons and six daughters. Thomas, his eldest son became Earl of Kinnoull in 1758, and he died at the age of 77 in old Dupplin Castle in Perthshire. Of the numerous titles borne by Lord Dupplin none are in existence at the present of any importance. And so old Dupplin remains the chiefest of his memorials. Davidson, N. C., October 26, 1936. (In Old Duplin, By Dallas Herring.) EVOLUTION OF DUPLIN COUNTY AS A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF NORTH CAROLINA AND ITS EARLY INHABITANTS When Duplin was set up in 1749, as set forth in the Colonial Records, the County Justices were directed to hold Court at the house of William McRee at Goshen. William McRee lived on a tract of land on Highway Number 11, approaching Goshen Swamp from Kenansville, and then called Woodwards Chase, at what was then called the Goshen Settle- ment, on what is now known as the Mclver tract of the Miller land. He lies buried in the little clump of trees across the branch east of the W. W. Miller cemetery. His will dated 1751, describes his home place, 500 acres granted to him as being in “Goshen Settlement.” The majority of the inhabitants were then communicants of the Church of England, the religion established by the laws of England, and the act provided for Saint Gabriels Parish, and appointed the vestrymen, whose business it was among other things to look after the poor and inci- dentally the spiritual affairs of the inhabitants. Court was held at the house of William McRee on Goshen till the year 1751, when the Justices, whose duty it was to hold the County Court and to provide public buildings, procured the necessary land, and erected a courthouse, stocks and prison bounds, at “The Old Courthouse” three miles west of Warsaw, on the road leading from Wilmington to Goldsboro, where the public road from Warsaw intersected the same, near the present residence and 29 on the farm of L. C. Carlton and near the home of Duplin County’s then most distinguished and wealthiest citizen, civic and military leader, General James Kenan, whose residence was west of Turkey Swamp at the identical spot where the residence of J. F. Faison is now located. This was the courthouse for the territory now embraced in both Duplin and Sampson Counties, and it was ideally located, and it remained the county seat until after the revolution, when the General Assembly at Hillsboro, on the 19th of April, 1784, passed an act to divide Duplin County into two parts, by a line beginning on the Pender County line, where the main road crosses Bull Tail, a branch of Rockfish, which is a few miles east of Harrell Store, in Sampson County, and running thence a straight line to the lower bridge across Stewart’s Creek, which is about 6 miles west of Magnolia, and thence a straight line to Goshen Swamp at the mouth of Youngs Swamp, thence due north to the Wayne County line, and further providing that all that part of Duplin County on the west side of that line should be erected into a county to be called Sampson County. The act provided that justices of the county should proceed to erect a new courthouse, prison and stocks, and for the levying of one shilling specie on each hundred pounds of taxable property for two years, which was a tax rate of about 5 cents on the hundred dollars of property. It was also provided by the act that the first court should be held at the store of James James, on his plantation, and this is located where the road to Magnolia intersects Highway Number 40, at the County Home. The court was held as directed, called the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sections, on the 18th day of October, 1784, the Justices present being William Houston, Sr., Col. James Kenan, Col. Thomas Routledge, Esquires; a solicitor or States Attorney, Plunkett Ballard was appointed, and the Court proceeded to function by ordering deeds probated and transacting other County business. (See Minutes of the County Court of Duplin County now in possession of the North Carolina Historical Commission at Raleigh, also see for a full account, the Historical Sketch read by L. A. Beasley at the opening of the New Courthouse in Kenansville at the February Term, 1913, page 203, where the two acts of General Assembly, 1749 and 1784, with reference to formation of Duplin County are copied in full.) The record shows the next Court was held at the House of James Pearsall on April 18th, 1785, the three Justices present being Thomas Routledge, Joseph Dickson, and Joseph Thomas Rhodes. On Tuesday, three more Justices came in, to wit: Kedar Bryan, Charles Ward, and James Gillespie. James Pearsall’s resi- dence was near the present residence of our Register of Deeds, A. T. Outlaw, which was on the road leading out to the residence of another of Duplin’s most distinguished citizens and Revolutionary heroes, Thomas 30 Routledge, whose house was not far from the Routledge Graveyard, and at whose house Major James H. Craig, the British Commander stationed at Wilmington, encamped in July 1781, on his march to Newbern after routing Col. James Kenan and his raw recruits at Rockfish Bridge, just east of Wallace on his journey of intimidation, burning and pillaging, in a vain effort to intimidate the patriots of Duplin County. By July 18th, 1785, a courthouse had been constructed near the site of the present building, and the six justices named above were on hand for Court in the new building. The first case disposed of was that of William McLam vs Joseph Laiton when Joseph Godwin and John Bryan, sureties for defendant, being a poor debtor, surrendered him to the Court, and they were discharged, and he, because he could not pay a civil debt, was put in the custody of the Sheriff, and in Jail, which was located near the courthouse and the spring and was perhaps allowed prison bounds, that 1S, to come out of the jail and sit inside certain lines fixed by the court, from which he could not 80, except under heavy penalty, , until someone took pity on him or death released him. We have indeed made progress from prison bounds for failure to pay debts, balls and chains, ear pruning, slitting, branding irons and crude execu the unfortunate man and setting fire to same. Minutes of the Court, tions by piling around (See first volume of in Historical Commission at Raleigh. ) The old Courthouse was remodeled in 1848 and in 191] was torn down and replaced by the present structure, at a cost of about $30,000, a modern, fireproof, up-to-date structure which will serve the County and its needs for many years to come. William Dickson, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1740, and came with his father to Duplin County in 1745, a leading citizen and patriot, and Clerk of the County Court for many years, wrote a sketch of Duplin County in 1810, which has been edited by Dr. A. R. Newsome, Secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, with copious footnotes and is published in North Carolina Historical Review, Vol. 5, page 429. He says that Duplin County was settled about the year 1736, by emigrants from Northern Ireland, and Dutch (he meant Germans) from Switzerland. Henry McCulloch, Esquire, of London, in 1735, procured a grant from George II for 72,000 acres of land, lying between the Black river and the North East Cape Fear, and he induced these people to come in and settle on this land, which he and his agents conveyed to them by numerous deeds, which appear of record in the Registry of Sampson County (and now in Duplin County). Kenansville is on this land, and the eastern boundary of the tract crosses Grove Swamp sville. The Gradys are typical of the Irish settlers Swiss or German settlers of this period. The Kenans, 31 the Moriseys and the Torranses also came to Duplin from Northern Ireland, but with the McCulloch settlers. . . . With the Dicksons and Pearsalls from Pennsylvania, the Hollingsworths from Maryland, the Mat- thews, the Parkers and others from Southeastern Virginia, the English from Lower Cape Fear, and French from Newbern and other Settlers, the population of the county began. The first settlements were at Sarecta, which McCulloch gave as his American address; at Goshen, on the McIver tract, where William McRee lived, and the Court was first held, which in his will be called Goshen Settlement; at the Grove, near Routledge Graveyard, at Kenansville, where many of the early notables of Duplin County lie sleeping. It was in this settlement that Dickson says was the first Presbyterian congrega- tion in the county. Both he and his brother Alexander Dickson, the philanthropist, are buried there. A typical emigrant was Jacon Wells, direct ancestor of our Clerk of the Court, R. V. Wells. He and his ancestors lived near Basle, Switzerland, the home of the International Bank, established since the World War, a city of 200,000 inhabitants at present, in the land of the lakes, the beautiful Alps, and the legend of William Tell. In after years he often spoke of Basle, and its surpassing beauty, saying that he had been there many times. This sturdy pioneer, armed with his German Bible and sublime and abiding faith in the New World, with his parents and brothers set sail from Newcastle on the Tyne, England, and landed at Newbern in 1710, and in early manhood, he married, and pushed up in the interior of the wilds of Carolina, settling about two miles west of Magnolia, on lands purchased a few years ago from his direct descendants by J. F. Croom. There is a large branch crossing the Lisbon Road, running through the land, called Yoakey Branch, a corruption of German sound for Jacobs Branch, but called in the Grants issued to him as appears from the records of the grants in Secretary of States office, Jacob Wells Branch. At the date of his settlement there, the nearest settlements to him were those at Sarecta, Goshen, the Grove, and one in Rockfish township, near the Ephraim Powers Mill, which he patronized. Other pioneer families have a like history. In 1786, a tract of 100 acres of land on the east side of the North East River was laid out on the lands of Dr. William Houston, and in- corporated into a town, the earliest town charter in the county, and among the early charters of the state. Pretentious maps of lots were drawn by skillfill engineers, on parchment, and these showed lots num- bered, streets and squares, and all known as the town of Sarecta. He was the same William Houston known years before as the King’s Stamp Master for North Carolina, who sought to land the hated British stamps 32 imposed by a tyrannical King George III, at Wilmington, and who was forced by the irate patriots to seek safety on a war vessel in the river. He lived at Saretca, and his Doctor’s shop was located on the spot where the A. A. Quinn residence now stands. Many persons bought lots as the records will show, but the town failed to materialize. The oldest town in Duplin is Kenansville, which was known by the name of Duplin Court House from the time of the location of the court house there in 1784 until it was laid out about 1818, and it was incoporated as Kenansville, named in honor of Hon. Thomas S. Kenan who repre- sented the district in Congress from 1805 to 1811, and later became resident of Selma, Ala. Magnolia is located on the farm given by David Carlton to his daughter Tabitha Strickland, and when the Wilmington and Raleigh railroad, chartered in 1833, was constructed through that farm, and completed about 5 years later, the trains stopped there at what was known as Stricklands Depot, where the Lisbon Road crossed the same, now on Main Street. It was incorporated in 1855 as Stricklands- ville, and later the name was changed to Magnolia, in honor of Miss Maggie Monk, the beautiful daughter of J. B. B. Monk, a leading citizen at that time. Warsaw was incorporated also in 1855, and owed its origin gton & Raleigh railroad. It was known before as Mooresville; one of its earliest residents was a merchant, Thaddeus Love, who came there from Wilmington about 1839, whom his friends and neighbors called Thaddeus of Warsaw, and hence the name of the town, when chartered. porated school in the county dates back to 1785, the Grove Academy (older than the State University) where Latin and Greek were taught, and where many prominent men received their training, including Vice President W. R. King, formerly of Sampson, but later of Alabama. The first graded school incorporated and established by law, with a special tax feature was at Magnolia (Laws of 1883, Chap. 415, entitled an act to establish a graded school at Magnolia, Duplin County). Election for school and special tax was held on the first Monday in May, 1883, and the school began in 1884. Dr. J. N. Stallings and his daughters, Miss Irene and Miss Bettie. composed the first faculty. They were teachers of rare ability and skill, with visions of what a teacher should be, far ahead of most that was then offered. This school functioned until 1889, when its charter was repealed. It was in this school the writer entered in the year 1884, a little red-headed, backwoods, country boy, with previous haphazard training in hit-and-miss three months a year country schools, and the knowledge that a fourth grader would now spurn. It was in the same school, four years later, that he was able to complete the com- 33 mon school course then offered, and to gain some knowledge of Greek and Latin under another gifted and able teacher, Professor J. G. Stokes. This enabled him to enter college, and ultimately secure a degree. Many others began their education in that institution. Among the youngest was Hon. J. K. Hamblin, a prominent lawyer of Union, S. C., and Speaker of the House in that state; F. M. Sawyer, a skillful architect and brilliant cartoonist, who was one of the first graduates of State College, and now a resident of California; Mrs. S. B. Hunter of Magnolia, nee Miss Alice Croom, a talented musician, who took a course at the New England Conservatory of Music. The first graded school with a special tax feature to be established in recent years in the county was at Warsaw in 1906. H. L. Stevens, who was chairman of the Committee for many years, was instrumental in securing the same and was responsible for its signal success. Other towns followed suit, and we now have large and commodious buildings in all the towns, with splendid schools. The three best buildings are at Kenansville, Chinquapin, and B. F. Grady School. The school at Beula- ville is now the largest rural school in the state. All have chemical and scientific equipment, surpassing that in any college in the State forty years ago. This sketch was prepared at the request of Judge Henry Alexander Grady, one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State, and resident of the sixth Judicial District, living at Clinton, Duplin being in this District. His father, Hon. Benjamin Franklin Grady, is a native son of Duplin, of whom the county is justly proud. He was County Superin- tendent of Schools in Duplin in 1889, when the writer began to teach in the country schools. He was afterwards Congressman from this dis- trict. He was a profound scholar, historian, scientist, mathematician, and astronomer, and the most learned man Eastern North Carolina has ever produced, and to his gifted son, the Judge, this sketch is dedicated. Kenansville, N. C. July 24, 1933. Signed L. A. Beasley County Historian (Court Minutes, Book 42, Pages 77-80.) AN ACT FOR RE-ESTABLISHING SEVERAL COUNTIES AND TOWNS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES I. Whereas, his Majesty, by his Orders in his Privy Council, dated the Eighth Day of April, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Four, did repeal, declare void, and of none Effect, Twelve Acts passed at Sundry Times in this Province; which Acts are intituled, as follows, viz: . . 34 An Act for erecting the upper Part of New Hanover County into a County and Parish, by the Names of Duplin County, and St. Gabriel’s Parish, and for appointing a Place for building a Court House, Prison and Stocks, in the said County, Passed in the Year 1749... . II. And whereas his Majesty, taking into his Royal Consideration the Humble Representation of the Assembly of this Province, setting forth that many Inconveniences, with respect to the future Settlement of this Province might arise from the Repeal of the said Acts; his Majesty has ously pleased by an instruction from their Excellencies the ices to the Governor of this Province dated the First Day of July, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five, to authorize and direct the said Governor to give his Assent to any Acts which shall be passed by the Council and Assembly of this Province, for re-establishing the several Towns, Precincts, an recited Acts of Assembly, shall, and re-established into Counties and Town Names by which each Division, Precinct or District at the Time of repealing the aforesaid Acts, was known an said Counties shall be limited and bounde Limits heretofore known and reputed to be they are hereby declared to be s, by the several and respective d denominated; and each of the d according to the Bounds and sia the Bounds and Limits thereof. - Provided always, That nothing herein contained shall be construed deemed, or taken, to alter or derogate from the Right and Royal Pre- ae of his Majesty, his Heirs or Successors, of granting Letters of neorporation to the said Counties and Towns; of ordering, appointing and directing the Election of a Member or Members, to represent dicen in Assembly; and of granting Markets and Fairs to be kept and held in them respectively: But that the said Right and Prerogative may and shall, at all Times hereafter be exercised therein by his said Majesty his Heirs or Successors, in as full and ample Manner, to all Intents aud Purposes whatsoever, as if this Act had never been made. IV. And be it further Enacted, That all Deeds and Conveyances for the conveying of any Lands, Lots, or Tenements, in either of the Counties or Towns aforesaid, to any Person or Persons whatsoever, either to the Use of the Public, or to their own Use, in Consequence of any or either of the said Acts of Assembly so repealed as aforesaid, shall and are 35 hereby declared to be good and valid in Law; and shall enure and take effect as fully, to the benefit of the Grantees, their Heirs and Assigns, and all others concerned, as if the same Acts had never been repealed. . . . (Laws of North Carolina, 1756, Chapter IX, Page 445.) j A List of the Militia and Taxable Persons in Duplin County for the Year 1755: Militia 340 Taxable: Whites 460 Blacks 168 Total 628 (Colonial Records, Vol. V, Page 575.) DEED—HENRY McCULLOCH TO THOMAS KENNAN NORTH CAROLINA Duplin County, January One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty nine 1759. This Indenture made the thirty first day Of August in the thirty Seventh year of the Reign Of Our Sovereign Lord George the second By the grace Of God of Great Britain France And Ireland, King Defender Of the Faith & Between Henry McCulloch Esquire Of Turnham green in the County Of Middlesex in the Kingdom of England, On the One part, And Thomas Kennan in Duplin County in the province Of North Carolina Of the Other Part. WHEREAS HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY King George the second by a grant Dated the third Day of March Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred And forty Five 1745, gave And granted to Henry McCulloch a tract of land Containing Seventy One thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Acres of land upon the Branches Of the North East Branch of Cape Fear River and also upon Black River and the Branches thereof, with all rights and Privileges of hunting, hawking, fishing and Fowling with all Woods Waters and Rivers with all proffits commodities Or Ac- creditaments to the same belonging or appertaining to Him the said Henry McCulloch, His heirs and assigns Forever in its full and simple manner. As of the man or of east Greenwick, Nevertheless, subject to several Conditions And Restrictions as By relation being thereunto Had, may more fully appear. Now this Indenture witnesseth as well for And in consideration Of the sum Of Fifty pounds to me in Hand paid and also for And in consideration of the Rents Covenants, Provisos And Agree- ments herein mentioned And contained By and On the part of Thomas Kennan his Heirs and assigns the said HENRY McCULLOCH HATH GIVEN GRANTED Bargained sold and confirmed and By these presents 36 do give grant Bargain sell and Confirm to the said Thomas Kennan his Heirs and assigns Forever, all that piece and Parcel of land lying and being in the County of Duplin in the province Of North Carolina in America, on the North side of Turkey Branch, being part Of a tract Of land, Belonging to Henry McCulloch Esquire, Containing Seventy One thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Acres, 71,160. Beginning at a White Oak on Turkey Branch Running North 40, West l6nf Poles to a pine, said McCulloch Corner, thence with his line North 75 Kast 140 poles to a red Oak thence with his Other line North 20, East, 132 poles to a white Oak, thence North 75 East 44 poles to a lightwood Stake in a Pond, thence South 40, West 242 poles to a Water Oak, On Turkey Branch and with the same, to the Beginning and Containing in the whole, THREE Hundred and thirty Eight Acres, Of land all which premises are more particularly Described, and set forth in the map of Plan thereof. Hereunto annexed with all right And privileges of Hunting Hawking fishing and Fowling with all Woods Waters and Rivers With all proffits Commodities or Acreditaments, to the same Belonging or Appertaining to him the said Thomas Kennan, his Heirs and assigns forever. Except in Case that any mines shall be found on the said lands One Half of all Gold And silver Ore, and of all Other mines and minerals Whatsoever, be Reserved for the use Of the said Henry McCulloch his Heirs and assigns Forever, and the said Thomas Kennan for himself his heirs and assigns and forever of them doth Hereby Consent promise And agree to and with the said Henry McCulloch his heirs and assigns that within Six months of the date of these presents they shall Register the said grant of Con- veyance Or An Authentic Transcript thereof, together with all annexes. Survey in the Deputy Auditor’s Office in North Carolina And also allow Tennants for the Payment of Quit Rents to his Majesty or to his investor after the rate of three shillings, sterling, or four shillings proclamation money for every hundred acres and according to that proportion for Any less Quantity making together thirteen shillings and seven pence. But in case therein grant or an authentic copy of this conveyance, and the said allotments is now made. On adv in the Deputy Auditor’s Office or that that Quit Rents are in arrears more than twelve months from the time due, the said Thomas Kennan his heirs and assigns shall be liable to pay to the said Henry McCulloch his Heirs or assigns Double Quit Rents for the time so Elapsed. When Registering this Conveyance, allowing for the Payment of the Quit Rents Aforesaid or for any omission or neglect which may Happen, in not paying the Quit Rents Yearly to his majesty’s receiver in North Carolina and it is also Covenanted And agreed that if the said 37 ACNHNR S } ar @ Thomas Kennan his Heirs or assigns Hold any more lands than they are entitled to by this Conveyance they shall forfeit said Surplus lands and pay Double quit rents during the time it has been in their possession. IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE ABOVE MENTIONED parties Have hereunto set their Hands and Seals. Henry McCulloch (SEAL) By Alexander McCulloch (SEAL) Be it Remembered by Virtue Of a letter Of Attorney under the Hand and seal of the said Henry McCulloch to Alexander McCulloch duly Registered in the Secretary’s Office, did in the name of the said Henry McCulloch sign and subscribe the grant. And then sealed and Delivered the Same As his the said Henry McCulloch Act and Deed in the presence Of us who have hereunto Subscribed Our names as witnesses. Felix Kenean Jos Lafar THE WITHIN DEED FROM HENRY McCULLOCH By Alexander McCulloch to Thomas Kenan, Containing Three Hundred And thirty Eight Acres of land was proven in Court the Fourteenth day of October One thousand seven Hundred and Fifty Eight 1758. By the Oath of Felix Kenan And Ordered to be Registered Hereunto John Dickson Clerk of Our said County of Duplin this 13th Day of October 1758. John Dickson, Clerk of Court (DEED: Henry McCulloch to Thomas Kenan, Book 3, Page 1.) The return of the Lists of Taxables for the year 1765 in the Province of North Carolina: DUPLIN COUNTY: White Men Taxables 848 Blacks and Mullattors Male & Female 130 Total Number in County 978 (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 145.) DOCTOR WILLIAM HOUSTON AND THE STAMP ACT The following is a genuine Copy of the letter to Doctor William Hous- ton, appointing him Stamp Distributor for this Province. Stamp-Office London, July 11th 1765. Sir: I am ordered by the Commissioners, to acquaint you, the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury, have been pleased to appoint 38 you to be Distributor of Stamps for North Carolina: you are therefore on Receipt hereof to write to this Board to propose two responsible Persons in England to be bound with you, in the Penalty of Two Thou- sand Pounds. As this Duty takes place on the first of November next, and no Stamps can be sent you, until your Bond is executed, you are desired to be as expeditious as possible. I am your humble servant JAMES BRETTELL, Secretary. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 130.) On the 16th November, 1765, Dr. William Houston, the recently ap- pointed Stamp Master, who happened to be in town on that day, was taken to the court-house in Wilmington and forced to resign his office, and to promise, in writing, not to receive any stamped paper nor to officiate in any means as Stamp Master or distributor of the stamps within the province of North Carolina, directly or indirectly. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page VI.) ; Copy of Mr. Wm. Houston’s Resignation of his Office of Stamp Distribu- tor for the Province of North Carolina. I do hereby promise that I never will receive any stampt paper which may arrive from Europe in consequence of any Act lately passed in the Parliament of Great Britain nor officiate in any means as stamp Master or Distributor of the Stamps within the Province of North Caro- lina either directly or indirectly and I do hereby notify all the Inhabi- i jesty’s province of North Carolina notwithstanding my having received information my being appointed to the said stamp office not to apply hereafter for any stampt paper or to distribute the same until such time as it will be agreeable to the Inhabitants of this Province: Hereby declaring that I do execute these presents of my own free Will and Accord without any Equivocation or mental Reservation whatsoever. In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my Hand this 16th Day of November 1765. Wm. Houston. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 131.) FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA GAZETTE (WILMINGTON) NOVEMBER 20, 1765. . .. On Saturday the 16th of this inst. William Houston Esq., Distribu- tor of Stamps for this Province, came to this town; upon which three or four Hundred People immediately gathered together, with drums beating and Colours flying, & repaired to the House the said Stamp- Officer put up at, & insisted upon knowing Whether he intended to execute his said Office, or not. He told them, “He should be very sorry 39 to execute any office disagreeable to the People of the Province.” But they, not content with such a Declaration, carried him into the Court- House, where he signed a Resignation satisfactory to the Whole. We hear from Newbern, that the Inhabitants of that Place, try’d, condemn’d, hang’d, and burn’d Doctor William Houston, .in effigy, during the Sitting of their Superior Court. Mr. Houston, however, thinks that there was too much of the Star-Chamber Conduct made use of, in condemning him unheard; especially. As he had never solicited the Office; nor had he then heard he was appointed Stamp-Officer. . . . At Cross Creek, tis said, they hang’d his Effigy and M. Carter’s together, (he who murder’d his Wife;) nor have they spar’d him even in Duplin, the County where he lives. (Colonial Records, Vol. VII, Page 124.) Dr. Houston’s assertion that he was appointed Stamp Master with- out his knowledge seems by no means improbable, when it is remembered, .that Franklin, and other Provincial Agents in London, had at one time so little hope of the repeal of the Stamp Act that they recommended their friends for positions under it. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Pages IX & X.) (Tryon’s Letter Book) Letter from Governor Tryon, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Brunswick 5th April 1766 I was honored with your Lordships Commands on the 25th of March last by the favor of Mr. Lownde’s letter of the 14th September 1765 requiring me to give my assistance to the Distributor of the Stamps in the execution of his office. Some Stamps for this province arrived here from Virginia the 28th of November last in the Diligence Sloop of War: but as Mr. Houston, Distributor of the Stamps, was obliged publickly to resign his office in the Court House of Wilmington on the 16th of the same month, a copy of which I enclose, I desired Capt. Phipps to keep the Stamps on board the Diligence. They were lately removed into his Majesty’s Sloop the Viper, Capt. Lobb, Commander, the Diligence having sailed for England. My endeavors, my Lords, to promote the circulation of the Stamps in this province have been accompanied with my warmest zeal, as I flatter my self the letter I wrote on that subject to Mr. Conway one of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State will testify. The ill success that has attended this discharge of my duty, has given me real concern; since the riotous Assembly of men in Wil- mington, and Brunswick on the 19th 20th and 2lst of February last, there has been no disturbances in this province, the ports have never been shut and entries and clearances are made in the form that was practiced before the Stamp Act was appointed by Parliament to take effect; I continue in my opinion that these Southern provinces will regulate their further conduct, agreeable to the measures that are adopted by the more formidable Colonies to the northward. I am, My Lords, &c. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 195.) Letter from Dr. Houston (Stamp Agent) to Governor Tryon. Soracte 21st April 1766 May it please your Excellency Sir: Before this comes to hand you will be partly informed of the Trans- actions at Wilmington on Tuesday the 15th inst. I make bold to acquaint you of a part which is to be depended upon, that the Sons of Liberty never got into their hands. ’Tis a letter that Mr. Brettel Secretary to the Commissioners dated from the Stamp Office Lincolns Inn London 13th of September 1765, which is in my Possession what was took from me was the packet containing my Commission and my Deputation Instructions with a Bond ready filled up to be executed before your Excellency. In Obedience to which I should have done myself the honor to have waited on your Excellency and as affairs stand at present its impossible for me to comply by the Information the Letter gives; Those Ships are not yet arrived on Board of which the Stamps are for this Province under my care and when they arrive can I possibly take Possession until the people are convinced when that is I am ready on notice. But for me who by the nature of my Commission am hated, abhor’d detested. No friend to consult or assist, Even those that would or could have not courage to do, is a great Hardship. I beg and hope your Excellency will not expose this letter but after perusal commit it to the Flames. Necessity which make me open my want of a Friendly advice I think Mr. John Moses De Rosset would not refuse your excellency a Copy of a Bond, Instructions and Commission which is lodged in his hands I most humbly desire your Excellencys Pardon for writing to you in this manner, my only hope is your Excel- lencys Generous and Human Disposition for unfortunate Persons, of which ] hardly know what I do. Having Experienced the Mode of Base Persons in this Part of the World detaining of letters and even destroying them make me send this by my son William who is going to Philadelphia with a small venture of his Own. I am with the greatest duty & Wm. HOUSTON P. S. No Gilt Paper or I would have wrote upon it. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 198.) (From Tryon’s Letter Book.) Letter from Governor Tryon to Governor Bull Brunswick 17th June 1766 I am to acknowledge the favor of your letter giving me the intelligence of the repeal of the Stamp Act, as also your letter delivered me by Lord Hope. It is with pleasure I congratulate you on the above event. I trust the generosity and benevolence of his Majesty and his Parliament in their late conduct to the British Colonies, will engrave such grateful impressions on the minds of the Americans, as neither ambition, prejudice of education, or time will ever be able to efface. Their interest under their different circumstances are certainly mutual, and reciprocal. I have received by way of New York dispatches from the Secretary of State notifying the repeal of the Stamp Act, &. I have inclosed the dispatches to the Governors of the Southern provinces, to Mr. Barons a packet directed to Lord Charles Montagu makes me imagine his Lord- ship may be arrived at his government. I am Sir &c. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, Page 221.) A LIST OF CAPT. WILLIAM BURNEY’S COMPANY Joshua Putnell. Benjamin Allen. Michael Moss. William King. Charles Taylor. George Williams. Jesse King. William Taylor. William Cannon. Starkey Bell. John May. John May. Benjamin Cory. Archibald Addams. Peter Moss. William McGowen. John Hardee. Pearson Toten. Capt. Wm. Burney. James Brooks, Lt. Flish Cox. Norlen Mills, Jun’r. Norlen Mills, Sen’r. Andrew Hardey. Daniel Willson. Rich’d Albritton. James Handcock. Alex’d Danield. Issac Buck. Will’m Travis. Isaac Mills. Sampson Slaughter. Wm. Slaughter. Ezechiah McAfee. John Stocks, Jun’r, William Williams. David Williams. Simon Burney. William Handcock. Harry Smith. Samuel Knight. Moses Strawhorne. John Avary. Thomas Smith. Stewart Gorden. Robert Hardey. Isa’h Hardey. Lemuel Simmons. 42 John Stocks, Sen’r. Lemuel Cherry. David Mills. Freid Mills. Isaac Stocks. Isaac Brooks. John Brooks. Samuel Cannon. John Cannon. Thomas Hardey. Thomas Grager. John Haddick. George McGowen. Thomas English. John Mills, Sen’r. Thomas Albritton. Isaac Nobels. Margaret Tanner. John Simpson. John Mills, Jun’r. John Robinson. Isaac Hardey. Thomas Tuton. Joseph Stevens. James Quartermuss. Abraham Adams. (State Records of North Carolina, Clark, Vol. XXII, page 415.) NORTH CAROLINA: A List of the Duplin Troop, Viz,: Frederick Gregg, Capt. Saml. Gavin. Antony Miller. John Dickson, Leut. Edwd. Matchet. Antony Cook. Samuel McRae, Corup. John Moore. Peter Frederick. John Miller, Quarter Wm. McCann. James Mears. Master. Hugh McCann. Isaac C. Daniel Thos. Kenan, Manual Lozier. Frederick A. Daniel Wm. Wright. Jere Holdon. Ebulan Cook. Archd, Houston. Patrick Fitsmooris. Izac (?) Savidge. Zebulon Hollinsworth James Cookes. Robert Knowls. Felix Keenan. James Cook. John Goss (?) Abraham Moulton. Jos. Ken. John Matchet. James Ratliff. Wm. Leacock. Richard Miller. Chas. Gavin. George Miller. John Cook, Senr. Mosses Tiller. (—Clark, Walter, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXII, Page 330.) Early History The early history of Duplin proves that, “in the days that tried men’s souls” she was true to the principles of liberty. Her delegates to the first general meeting of the Deputies of the in- habitants of this colony at Newbern, 25th August, 1774, were Thomas Gray, Thomas Hicks, James Kenan and William Dickson. The delegates at Newbern, 3d April, 1775, were Thomas Gray and Thomas Hicks. Delegates at Hillsboro, 21st August, 1775, James Kenan, William Dickson, Thomas Gray, Richard Clinton and Thomas Hicks. The delegates to Halifax, 12th November, 1776, which formed our Constitution, James Kenan, Thomas Gray, William Dickson, William Taylor and James Gillaspie. The field officers for Duplin, appointed by the Provincial Congress, 4th April, 1776, at Halifax, for Duplin County, were Thomas Rutledge, Colonel; James Moore, First Major; Robert Dickson, Second Major. THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND ABJURATION, adopted with signers’ names in Duplin, from the Original, on file in the Clerk’s office of Duplin. I am indebted to the politeness of Thomas J. Morisey, Esq. (sent to me in 1844), for this ancient document, thus preserving the name of those in whose breasts glowed the true spirit of liberty. By Act of Assembly passed at Newbern, the 15th of November, 1777. a & B., do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will be 43 faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, to the powers and authorities which are or may be established for the govern- ment thereof, not inconsistent with the Constitution. And I do solemnly and sincerely declare, that I do believe in my conscience, that neither the King of Great Britain, nor the Parliament thereof, jointly with the said king or separately, or any foreign prince, person, state, or potentate, have or ought to have any right or title to the dominion or sovereignty of this State, or to any part of the government thereof. And I do renounce, refuse, and abjure any allegiance or obedience to them, or any of them, or to any person or persons put in authority by or under them, or any of them. And I will do my utmost endeavors to disclose and make known to the legislative or executive powers of the said State, all treasons and traitorous conspiracies and attempts whatsoever, which I shall know to be made or intended against the said State. And I do faithfully promise that I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend the independence of the said State, against him the said king and all other persons what- soever. And all of these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear, according to these express words by me spoken, and ac- cording to the plain common sense and understanding of the same words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation what- soever. And I do make this acknowledgment, abjuration, renunciation and promise, heartily, willingly, and truly, so help me God. Henry Cannon John Molton Michael Kenan Samuel Houston J. Rand Robert Dickson James Sampson John Wright George Smith Thomas Routledge James Kenan Alexander Gray Richard Herring William Taylor Darcy Fowler Joseph Dicks William Ball Richard Clinton Thomas R. J. P. Ballard J. Spiller Edward Toole James Lockart Fleet Cooper Hon. Thomas ‘Kenan was a native of this County, from whose family the County Town takes its name. He represented Duplin in 1804 in the Senate, and from 1805 to 1811 he was a member of Congress. He removed to Alabama, and was a member of Assembly in that State for many years. He died near Selma, Alabama, 22d October, 1843, in the seventy-third year of his age. Felix Kenan, who was Sheriff of Duplin in 1776, was brought before the bar of the Congress for his Tory principles. Hon. Charles Hooks, from this County, was a member of the House of Commons in 1802, 1803 and 1804, and in the Senate in 1810-11, and in Congress in 1816 to 1817 and 1819 to 1825. He removed to Alabama, where he recently died. (Historical Sketches of North Carolina (1584-1851) By John H. Wheeler, Pages 138-139.) William Dickson 44, Proceedings of the Safety Committee at Wilmington. MONDAY, March 6th 1775. 3 o'clock, the committee met according to adjournment. Present: Cornelius Harnett, Chairman; Francis Clayton, Deputy Chairman. John Robeson, Samuel Swann, A. Lillington, George Moore, Sampson Moseley, Wm. Jones, L. C., John Colvin, Samuel Marshall, Wm. Jones, W. T., Thos. Bloodworth, Archibald M’Lahe, John Ancrum, James Walker, James Wright, Timothy Bloodworth, Samuel Collier, John Hol- lingsworth, Joel Parish, John DeVane, George Merrick, Wm. Hooper, James Moore, Frederick Jones. Mr. James Kenan, Chairman of the Duplin committee, pursuant to a letter from this committee at their last meeting attended. Resolved, That all the members of the committee now present go in a body and wait on all Housekeepers in Town, with the Association before mentioned, and request their signing it, or declare their reasons for refusing, that such Enemies to their Country may be set forth to public view and treated with the contempt they merit. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all dances private as well as public, are contrary to the spirit of the 8th Article in the Association of the Continental Congress, and that as such they should be discouraged, and that all persons concerned in any dances for the future should be properly stigmatized. Mr. Harnett desired the opinion of the Committee respecting a Negro fellow he bought in Rhode Island (a Native of that Place,) in the Month of October last, whom he designed to have brought with him to this Province, but the said Negro ran away at the time of his sailing from Rhode Island. The question was put whether Mr. Harnett may import the said Negro from Rhode Island. Resolved, Unanimously, That Mr. Harnett may import the said Negro from Rhode Island, and it is the opinion of this Committee that under the above circumstances, such importation will not be any infringement of the Article of the Resolves of the General Congress. Ordered, that Mr. Grant, Messenger to this Committee, be paid for his attendance on the committee, 10 days (including to-morrow) at the rates of 8s. per day. The Committee then adjourned till 9 o’clock to-morrow morning. (Clark, Walter, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 1X, Page 1150.) The “War of the Revolution” began in 1775. ... Until this time the colonies in America were subject to the King of 45 England. The country was settled by his subjects; and it was considered right, therefore, that he should govern it. This, the colonists were willing he should do, so long as his laws were just and good. They had come from England, and they loved the English people and they respected the King, who was then George III. But neither the King, nor the people in England, loved the Americans as much. They were at that time jealous of them. They feared that at some future time the Americans would become rich and powerful, and wish to separate from them. The Americans were, indeed, prospering. They now amounted to more than three millions of people. The statesman in England said, they were growing too fast; they would soon become proud and _ independent. Something must be done to keep them in check. At length, it was resolved to tax the Americans. This would take away their money and keep them poor. The first tax was imposed in 1764. In that year, it was ordered that the Americans should pay a ‘certain sum on all the sugar, indigo, coffee, etc., which should be taken from England to use in America. In 1765, the English Parliament went still farther, and passed an act, called the “Stamp Act;” that is a duty, or tax, on every piece of paper used for notes, deeds, wills, etc. It was called the “Stamp Act,” because each piece of paper had a stamp upon it, representing a crown. This Act was very odious to the Americans. They thought it unjust; and they resolved not to submit to it. (The United States—For Children, Liberty Hall Library.) JOHN GRADY KILLED AT BATTLE OF MOORE’S CREEK BRIDGE The only man killed at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, on the American side, was private John Grady, and a monument stands today upon the Battlefield in commemoration of his heroism. Members of this family have participated actively in every War since the United States Government was created; in the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the War Between the States, the Spanish-American War, and the great World War of 1918. They have filled important positions in the State, and have at all times shown themselves worthy of trust. (John Grady 1710-1787 of Dobbs and Duplin, dated 7-1-30 by Benjamin Grady, Page 11) Extract of a letter from Brigadier James Moore, in the Continental Service, to the Honourable Cornelius Harnett, Esq. President the Provincial Council, North Carolina, dated Wilmington, March 2, 1776. On the earliest intelligence that the tories were collecting and em- 46 bodying at Cross Creek, which I received on the 9th day of February I proceeded to take possession of Rockfish-bridge, within seven allen of Cross Creek, which I considered as an important post. This I ef- fected on the 15th, with my own regiment, five pieces of artillery and a part of the Bladen militia; but as our numbers were by no means equal to that of the tories, I thought it most advisable to entrench and fortify that pass, and wait for a reinforcement. By the 9th I was joined by Col. Lillington with one hundred and fifty of the Wilmington minute- of the Duplin militia, and Col. Ash with pi of the volunteer independent yagers, making our number en in the whole about 1100; and from the best information I was able to procure, the tory army, under command of General McDonald amounted to about 14 or 1500. On the 20th they marched within four miles of us, and sent in, by a flag a manifesto and letter from the G another letter, and my answer, y until Col. Martin and Col. were on their march, and determined to ay of truce, the Governor’s proclamation, eneral, copies of which, together with ou have enclosed. I then waited only Thackston, who I had certain intelligence should get near enough to cut off their retreat ail myself of the first favorable opportunity “ ver, contrary to my expectations, I learnt on the n express to Col. Caswell, who was on hi . . . ‘ 7 7 march to join us with about 800 men, and directed him to return and Spee tin of Corbert’s Ferry over Black River, and by every means rs Asse oan harass, and distress, them in their march; at eae eo Col. Martin and Col. Thackston to take pos- hye Ss “reek, in order to prevent their return that way. Col. ston and Col. Ash I ordered, by a forced march, to endeavor, = possible, to reinforce Col. Caswell; but if that could not be affected . take possession of Moore’s Creek Bridge, whilst I proceeded back with e remainder of our army to cross the North West at Elizabeth Town, Pe either to meet them on their way to Corbert’s Ferry, or fall in seir rear and surround them there. On the twenty-third I crossed the Pe express from Col. Caswell, informing that the Tories had raised a at, which had been sunk in Black River, about five miles above him py ae erecting a bridge, had passed it with their whole army. I shin etermined, as the last expedient, to proceed immediately in boats down 47 the North West river, to Dollison’s landing, about sixty miles, and take possession of Moore’s Creek Bridge, about ten miles from them, at the same time acquainting Col. Caswell of my intentions, and recommending him to retreat to Moore’s Creek Bridge, if possible, but if not, to follow on in the rear. The next day by four o’clock we arrived at Dollison’s landing, but we could not possibly march that night for want of horses for the artillery; I dispatched an express to Moore’s Creek Bridge to learn the situation of affairs there, and was informed that Col. Lilling- ton, who had the day before taken his stand at the bridge, was that after noon reinforced by Colonel Caswell and that they had raised a small breast work, and destroyed a part of the Bridge. The next morning, the 27th, at break of day, an alarm gun was fired, immediately after which, scarcely leaving our people a moment to prepare, the Tory army, with Capt. McLeod at their head, made their attack on Col. Caswell and Col. Lillington, and finding a small entrenchment next to the Bridge, on our side empty, concluded that our people had abandoned their post, and in the most furious manner advanced within thirty paces of our breastworks and artillery, where they met a very proper reception. Captain McLeod and Captain Campbell fell within a few paces of the breastwork, the former of whom received upwards of twenty balls through his body, and in a very few minutes their whole army was put to flight, and most shamefully abandoned their General, who was next day taken prisoner. The loss of the enemy in this action, from the best accounts we have been able to learn, is about thirty killed, and wounded; but as numbers of them must have fallen in the creek, besides many more that were carried off, I suppose their loss may be estimated about seventy. We had only two wounded, one of which died to-day. This Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you, has happily terminated a very dangerous insurrection, and will, I trust, put an effectual check to Toryism in this country. The situation of affairs at this place made it necessary for me to return here, which, at the special request of the committee, I did last night with my regiment. The large requisitions made by the men-of-war, who now lie just before the town, gave the inhabitants reason to ap- prehend everything that could be suffered from their disappointed vengeance, however the committee have spiritedly determined rather to suffer the worst of human evils than afford them any supplies at all, and I have no doubt we shall be able to prevent them from doing any great injury. In order to lessen as much as possible the expence incurred by this expedition, I some time ago directed Col. Martin to disband all the troops under his command, except 1000, including the regulars, and 48 with those to secure the persons and estates of the insurgents, subject to your further orders. And then to proceed to this place, unless otherwise directed. However, as I do not think the service just now requires such a number of men in arms, I shall immediately direct him to disband all except the regulars, and with those to remain in and about Cross Creek until further orders. (Clark, Walter, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XI, pages 283-284.) ORDINANCES OF CONVENTION, 1776 An Ordinance for appointing Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, and Constables for the several Counties of this State, for erecting County Courts for the purposes of holding Sessions of the Peace and putting into execution the laws relative to Orphans, Guardians and highways until provisions shall be made by the General Assembly of this State for the same. . . . John Sampson, William Houston, Thomas Rutledge Richard Clinton, James Kenan, William Ball, William Dixon Thomas Hix, Robert Dickson, Richard Herring, William Taylor, me James Lockhart, Esquires for the County of Duplin; .. . (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXIII, Page 993.) GEN. JOHN ASHE TO GOV. CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) WILMINGTON, 28th July, 1777. jaa a July, 1777 Since writing your Excellency yesterday, I came to this place in order to send off my dispatches to the several Cols. of this district. On my arrival I found several Scotch Tories and others from Cross Creek and Bladen and learn from what they have told to their Friends in this town that the Insurgents you mention beyond a doubt intend to come down to this place, and under the same pretense that they give for their journey to Cross Creek, vis, salt. I find so many of the inhabitants here dis- affected, and such a number of Tories from the other Counties here, and others dropping in by two or three at a time, occasions me to sus- pect they intend seizing the magasine by surprise. I have therefore (as I do not think it safe to trust a matter of such importance to the State to too small a guard) ordered by the whole of the well-affected part of the militia of this County on duty, but do not believe they will exceed three hundred. I have sent orders to Col. Robeson of Bladen to embody his Regiment immediately, and make his draughts, and in case he finds they leave Cross Creek, to march the whole of them against them, and to annoy and impede their marches by breaking down the bridges, and skirmishing with them at every difficult pass, in order to retard their 49 march, and give me time to collect as many of the Brigade as possible. I have sent similar orders to Col. Kenan of Duplin, should they take that route, and have dispatched orders to the several other Col’s. of this district to hold themselves in readiness, Mr. Edward Ingraham, a warrant Capt. of the Washington, privateer, who was just setting off when I came to town, with several letters of recommendation from Gentlemen of this place to your Excellency, I thought proper to stop on this oc- casion. He sends his letters pr bearer hereof, I make no doubt your Excellency will give ’em all due credit, and likewise prevail on Capt. Vance to tarry at this important crisis. I shall punctually inform your Exellency of every intelligence of importance I may receive. I am Sir with due esteem and respect, Your Excellency’s most obed’t & very hum., JOHN ASHE. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XI, Page 546.) COL. JAMES KENAN TO GOV. CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) DUPLIN, June 6th, 1778. Sir: The volunteers and Drafts for this County have elected Theophilus Williams their Captain, in consequence of which he waits on your Ex- cellency for a Commission, at the same time is somewhat doubtful of his appointment being incompatible with his commission as Lieutenant in the regular service. I shall be much obliged to your Excellency to inform me by Mr. Williams if there being any probability of money being got for the men in a short time. I am sir with due respect your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant. JAMES KENAN. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XIII, Page 148.) COL. JAS. KENAN TO GOV. CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) DUPLIN July 1st 1778. SIR: The clothing and other things are ready for the Soldiers belonging to this county. They embody to-morrow at the same time declare they will not march until the bounty is paid them. I hope it is arrived by this, and your Excellency will direct me the most speedy way to receive it for them, as I wish them not to be detained here. If your Excellency has 50 received any late news from the No’ward shall be much obliged to you to favor me with it by Mr. Amis. I am Sir, your mo. ob. & very hume, servt. JAS. KENAN. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XIII, Page 183.) STATE MONEY . .. II. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and by the authority of the same, That Eight Hun- dred and Fifty Thousand Pounds be emitted on the Faith and Credit of this State, in Bills of the following denominations, that is to say, two thousand five hundred of one hundred dollars, five thousand bills of fifty Dollars, three thousand one hundred and twenty-five of forty Dollars, ten thousand of twenty-five Dollars, twelve thousand five hundred of twenty Dollars, fifty thousand of Ten Dollars, fifty thousand of five Dollars, twelve thousand five hundred of four Dollars, twenty five thousand of two Dollars, fifty thousand of one Dollar, one hundred thousand of Half a Dollar, one hundred thousand of one fourth of a Dollar; one hundred thousand of One Eighth of a Dollar, and two hun- dred thousand of one Sixteenth of a Dollar; that the same be printed in a printing press and that Henry Rhodes, Henry Horn, Jun., Nathan Bryan, Jeremiah Frazier, James Saunders, and George Alexander, be Commissioners to superintend and number the same; that James Kenan, John Lillington, James Williams, Thomas Satterwhite, Jesse Cobb, Ben- jamin Exum, William Sharp, James Kerr, Orcondates Davis, Benjamin Hawkins, Thomas Harvey and Joseph Jones, be commissioners to receive the same when printed and numbered, to sign the same and to pay it into the hands of the Public Treasurers. III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the general form of the bills hereby emitted shall be as follows, to-wit: “State of North Carolina.” “This Bill entitles the Bearer to receive___ Spanish milled Dollars or the value thereof in Gold or Silver, agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed at Hillsborough the eighth day of August, 1778.” And such Bill shall be impressed and printed both in the face and teverse thereof, on the edges as well as the Body thereof, with divers letters, Marks, Devices, and Words which may be difficult of imitation, and which in the opinion of the Superintendents of the Press, may most effectually secure the same from attempts to counterfeit. IV. And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, that every dollar of the emission aforesaid shall be held and deemed equal to eight 51 shillings proclamation Money, and shall pass current at the same, and be a lawful Tender in all Payments and Contracts within this State, any Law, Custom or Usage to the contrary nothwithstanding. V. And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Super- intendents shall to each set of signers deliver a sum not exceeding ten thousand pounds at one time taking a receipt for the numbers from the lowest to the highest inclusive, and shall deliver no more to the same set of signers until a receipt shall be produced from some one of the Public Treasurers for the same numbers duly signed. VI. And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, that every Commissioner appointed by this act to superintend and number and to sign and pay the said bills of credit to the Public Treasurers shall take an oath well and truly to execute the duties and discharge the trusts by this act required and each and every Commissioner shall enter into Bond with the Governor with sufficient security to be by him approved in the sum of twenty thousand pounds for the due performance of the duties . and trusts by this act required. . . . (Laws of N. C. — 1778, Chapter 1, SR, Volume XXIV, Pages 184-187.) By Favor of Capt. Williams. Camp Duplin Court House Aug. 31st, 1778 rhe Your favor of the 23rd Instat favored by Captain Williams came to hand this morning and was exceedingly glad to have orders from you. The men have been embodied here a considerable time and have had no Orders. Only once from Colo. Davis, who has been detained from Camp occasioned by Sickness, I have However not failed to make him acquainted with the troops, by returns, the Men has been pretty constant in camp til lately, some have furlough who are daily expected in. I have this Morning dispatches off to Bladen, Cumberland & Hanover to give Notice to the several Cols. that we intend Marching off immediately, So as if they have rec’d any Money it may be distributed to the Levies from their own County. The Hanover comp’y is not supplied with Cloaths, tho’ they are now ready which I have sent down for this Morning and am in hopes we shall be ready in ten days from this and makes no Doubt but the Men will March off without Much trouble. The Cumberland Company has never Joined here, I wrote the Commanding Officer of that Detachment to march off within ten days, from this date to Halifax & mentioned if the men would not proceed to make Weekly returns either to you Or the Commanding officer of this District. You will Inclosed receive a return of the 3 Comp’ys now in Campt which is but small & am 52 sorry for it but hopes before ten days is past we shall make a better appearance. This will be delivered you by Captain Williams who can personally tell you the situation of the troops here more to your Satisfaction than I can by letter, to whom the further intelligence shall refer. The Discrip- tive list of Bladen and Cumberland I returned to Col. Davis & expects it will cause me a ride to his house, for which is about 45 miles. You’l see by the return that a Great part of the Men Never Joined. I am Colo. Withe respect Your Most Obt. Servt. ROBERT RAIFORD, Capt. (State Records Vol. XIII, Pages 472-73.) GENL. ALEX LILLINGTON TO GOV. R. CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) South Carolina, Boundary January 10th, 1780. Please Your Excellency. Sir: After many difficulties, I have got what Troops have come up over the line on the 6th Instant, which are on their march for Charles Town. Agreeably to your Excellency’s orders I have enclosed a general return of the Men, and shall esteem it a favor done me if your Excellency will at any time be pleased to let me hear from you. You will see, Sir, by the return how backward the cols have been in turning out their Men and providing for them. The Duplin men have at this time neither Cart, pot or any other necessary for marching. I am, Sir, your Excellency’s Mo. ob. Servt. ALEX LILLINGTON. (Walter Clark, State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Page 317.) COL. JAMES KENAN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) Duplin, March 19th, 1780. DEAR SIR: I received your favor of the 16th Inst. It gives me real pleasure to find that my taking the Command of the Militia to South Carolina meets your Excellency’s apposition, and be assured, Sir, I shall do everything belonging to my duty that can be expected from an undisciplined officer. I am exceedingly happy to find that I am commanded by General Cas- well, whose abilities will do honor to the officers and men under his command. I have sent a wagon for the muskets, Bayonets, &c., according to your 53 request. Please to send one Cartridge Box and Bayonet properly in fix, as it will be a pattern for us to have the others done in the same way. It will be necessary to have a few pounds of powder to clean the inside of the Guns, besides what I have. I am in great want of a Marquee or some kind of Shelter from the weather. I have sent a Cart to Wilmington for Tents for the men. My Militia comes in very slow. A number, I am told, swear they will not go; those I will send after and bring in, if possible. A list of the whole men drafted I enclose you; there are five or six that are discharged, not being able to do any duty whatsoever. Should your Excellency have received any news that you are at large to communicate, please to let me know it. I have the honor to be your Excellency’s Mo. ob. & very humbl. Servt. JAMES KENAN. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Pages 358, 359.) Extract from_a General Return of the men now in Camp under the command of Genl. Harrington at Forks Creek near Cross Creek, Sept 5th, 1780: Capt. Deveaun, Duplin: Lieutenants Deserters 0 Captains Totally 44 Capt. Page, Duplin: Fit for Duty 23 Deserters Dead 0 Totally Sick 5 Fit for Duty Absent with Leave 10 Dead Waggoners 1 Sick Drummers 0 Absent With Leave Sergeants 1 Waggoners Surgeons 1 Sergeants Ensigns 1 Captains (State Records of N. C., Vol. XV, page 73.) Sunday, 8th October, 1780. Ordered that the Following be made out and sent Colonel James Kenan, Duplin: Sir: As the Army at this place stand in great need of Provisions at present, particularly Cattle, the Board of War addresses this subject to you, that you will please to call on the County Commissioners for provision Sup- plies, if there is one appointed by the Justices of your County, for all the Cattle he hath on Hand, and that he have them immediately drove to this post, If there is none appointed, have five Justices summoned by the Sheriff to appoint one; and, agreeable to the Directions of the Act of Assembly in that case, he must, without delay, purchase or impress Provisions, and grant Certificates for the same until the Collection of the Specific Tax takes place. We flatter ourselves that you have or will accept this appointment; from your known zeal and Activity in the service of your own County, Wednesday, 31st January, 1781. Received from the Commons the following Message: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: We herewith send you a message from His Excellency accompanied by a letter from Colonel Kenan of Duplin we propose referring to a joint Committee, and have o the Governor, County, which nm our part ap- pointed Messrs. Starkey, Gillispie and Herndon, a Committee. The Message and Letter above referred to being read, Resolved, that James Kenan, Esquire, be appointed Colonel Commandant of the Militia in the District of Wilmington, in’ the absence of Brigadier General Lillington, with all the power to call out the Militia of that District as occasion may require, which are by law vested in the Brigadier General when present. Resolved, that His Excellency the Governor, be directed to order to be raised immediately such and so many of the militia of the districts of Newbern and Wilmington as shall appear to him to be convenient and necessary to repel the Enemy lately arrived in Cape Fear River, and to take such other measures as he shall deem conducive to the defence and safety of the State. Ordered that the foregoing Resolve with the following Message be sent the Committee for concurrence. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: This House have received the Message of yours proposing that the His Excellency the Governor together with the Letter enan be referred to a joint Committee, with which we do not concur, but propose that the Resolve herewith sent you, relative to the subject matter thereof, be immediately adopted. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVII, Pages 649-650.) Received from His Excellency the Governor the following Message (1-31-1781) : Gentlemen: You will receive herewith a Letter just come to my hand from Colonel Kenan, of Duplin County, giving an account of the arrival of a British fleet at Cape Fear. For my own part I have no doubt of the truth of this account, and in my opinion no time should be lost in proceeding for the immediate defence of that part of the State; and should it be the sense of the General Assembly to enable me to act in my proper Character, by removing the obstructions that have been put in my way, I could wish this was done as speedily as possible, that I might be enabled to act. I wish to proceed down the Country immediately, unless the General Assembly think it necessary I should stay a day or two longer. A. NASH (Clark, Walter, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVII, Page 732.) 5 Thursday, February Ist, 1781. Received from the Commons the following Message: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: We return the Resolve of your House appointing Mr. James Kenan, Esq., Colonel Commandant of the Militia, &.. in the district of Wil- mington, &c., concurred with. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVII, Page 659.) PROCEEDINGS OF A GENL. COURT MARSHAL HELD FOR THE TRIAL OF MAJOR DENNIS Head Quarters Mulberry Plantation, Camp near Beaufords Bridge, 24 March, 1781. In consequence of an order of the day for a Genl. Court Martial to sit for the Tryal of Major Dennis, charged with Mutiny, disobedience of orders and desertion; the Court met at ten o'clock. COL. KENAN, President, COL. ALFRED MOORE, Judge Advocate. (Members) Col. Young Major Campbell Lt. Col. Bloodworth Captain Dickinson Lt. Col. Leonard Captain Battle Lt. Col. Grant _Captain Whitehead Major Andrews Captain Alburton Major Tradwell Captain Larkins The whole Court being duly sworn, Major Dennis was Introduced, and the Crime with which he was charged, read to him; he acknowledged he had acted contrary to Genl. Lillington’s order, but denied his being guilty of mutiny or desertion, whereupon the Witnesses were Introduced and sworn and examined, both by the Court and Major Dennis, the Prisoner. The Court, after mature deliberation, are of the opinion that Major Dennis is guilty of Disobedience of Orders and Desertion, and do therefore Sentence him to be Cashiered, & request that the Governor recommend it to the Assembly that Major Dennis may be rendered incapable of holding any office of Honour or trust or profit in the State. JAS. KENAN, Col. Presdt., ALFRED MOORE, Judge Advocate. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Pages 431, 432.) GEN. CORNWALLIS TO MAJ. GEN. PHILLIPS Wilmington, 24th April, 1781. Dear Phillips: My situation here is very distressing. Greene took the advantage of my being obliged to come to this place, and has marched to South Caro- lina. My expresses to Lord Rawdon on my leaving Cross Creek warning him of the possibility of such a Movement have all failed. Mountaineers & Militia have poured into the back part of that province, and I much fear that Lord Rawdon’s posts will be so distant from each other and his Troops so scattered as to put him in the greatest danger of being beat in detail, and the worst consequences may happen to most of the Troops out of Charlestown. By a direct Move towards Camden I cannot get time enough to relieve Lord Rawdon, and should he have fallen, my Army would be exposed to the utmost danger from the great rivers | should have to pass, the exhausted state of the Country, the Numerous Militia, the almost universal spirit of revolt which prevails in South Carolina, and the strength of Greene’s Army, whose Continentals alone are at Charlestown, there being nothing at present to apprehend for that post. I shall therefore March immediately up the Country..by Duplin Court. House, pointing towards Hillsborough, in hopes to withdraw Green; if that should not succeed, I should be much tempted to try to form a junction with you. The Attempt is exceedingly hazardous, and many unforseen difficulties may render it totally impracticable, so that you must not take any steps that may expose your Army to the danger of being ruined. I shall March to the lowest ford of the Roanoke, which I am informed is about 20 Miles above Taylor’s Ferry. Send every possible intelligence to me by the Cypher I enclose, and make every Movement in your power to facilitate our Meeting, which must be some- 57 where near Petersburg, with safety to your Army. I mention the lowest ford because in a hostile Country Ferries cannot be depended upon. But if I should decide upon the measure of endeavoring to come to you, I shall endeavor to surprise the boats at some of the ferries from Halifax upwards. I am, dear Phillips, Most faithfully yrs. CORNWALLIS. (State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVII, Page 1019.) THE DICKSON LETTERS First Letter (1783) . . . Having thus brought the war to our door, I shall now give you some account of its operation here and how much it affects us and our families. About the 25th of January, 1781, Maj. Craig arrived in the Cape Fear River, landed at Wilmington with about 450 veteran — with which he garrisoned the town and detached a party up the Nort East River to the great bridge about 12 miles above the town, and then demolished the bridge, seized and burned some public store ships and their contents which had been run up the river for safety, and also destroyed some private property and returned to the town, and Major Craig immediately fortified the garrison. The militia of three counties were then immediately ordered down to take post at the great bridge, and that pass was fortified by us in order to prevent the enemy from making excursions into the country. We had been there about three weeks with about 700 militia when Major Craig marched out upon us in the night with his main force and some field pieces, surprised and dispursed our piquet guard and displayed his artillery across the river upon our dirt works, but without any effect. The enemy, finding their attempt entirely fruitless, after staying and viewing us across the river for two days, returned in the night to Wilmington. About two weeks after this we received intelligence from Guilford County in the upper part of the State that a general engagement had ensued between Lord Cornwallis and General Greene; there the conflict was long and obstinate and the victory had been in favor of the Americans had it not been for mis- conduct of the North Carolina militia, who broke and left our part of the line exposed, which the enemy seeing, and being about to make use of the advantage, General Greene ordered a retreat and brought off the whole without any confusion. The enemy remained upon the ground. General Greene finding his troops still in high spirits and not so much diminished as might be expected, made all the necessary preparations to attack the enemy the next day, but was disappointed by Cornwallis precipitately decamping in the night; he carried off some of his wounded 58 geons whom he recommended to the compassion and humanity of the American general. Cornwallis made his retreat good to Wilmington and General Greene, after pursuing him two days without any prospect of coming up with him, turned his course and marched into South Carolina, where | Cornwallis arrived at Wilmington, and, General Greene being gone to South Carolina, seemed to strike terror on our militia then at their post. General Lillington, who then commanded the post at the great bridge, ordered our retreat from that to Kinston on the Neuse River, about 30 miles above Newbern, where, on the 28th of April, he dis- charged all the militia except one company to guard the artillery and stores. The militia thus discharged, we had not the name of an army in North Carolina. Every man was now to look to himself. The next day after being discharged we returned home. Cornwallis’ army was then in the middle of our county, encamped at my brother Robt. Dick- son’s plantation. The whole cou i shall leave him for the present. to the mercy of merciless enemies. kind of stock were driven off from taken for the supply of the army and no compensation given, houses plundered and robbed, chests, trunks, etc., broke, women and children’s clothes, etc., as well as men’s wearing apparel and every kind of house- hold furniture taken away. The outrages were committed mostly by a train of loyal refugees, as they termed themselves, whose business it was to follow the camps and under the protection of the army enrich themselves on the plunder they took from the distressed inhabitants who were not able to defend it. We were also distressed by another swarm of beings (not better than harpies). These were women who followed the army in the character of officers’ and soldiers’ wives. They the inhabitants to be more insolent than ally mounted on the best horses and side ed in the finest and best clothes that could be taken f; ts as the army marched through the country. Our family are all obnoxious to the enemy, although none of the brothers except myself have actually taken arms and joined the army. I will now give you some account of how we all fared while the enemy were in our neighborhood. My brother Robert had left his place and removed his family and property. The enemy encamped one day and night at his plantation and destroyed some of his stock which he had not got off. The same day my brother Joseph was surprised in his own house by the dragoons, but being determined would not surrender, fled Horses, cattle and sheep and every every plantation, corn and forage rom 59 into a thicket or swamp, and altho pursued made good his escape. ahs enemy plundered his house, took all his corn, his horse and his wife’s clothes, side-saddle, etc. The same day another party went to my brother James’ house, and, not finding him at home, plundered his house of everything they could find in it, took off two of his slaves and all his corn, etc., and compelled his wife and a neighbor woman, who was there, to deliver them the rings off their fingers and the buckles off their shoes. The same day my sister’s husband, William McGowen, was found driving some stock out of their way; he was made a prisoner and after being some time under guard was compelled to pilot their Light Horse to his own and several of his neighbors’ houses where they took all the corn and forage, all the horses and cattle, etc., they could get. The night following they detained him under guard and went and plundered his house of everything they found in it worth carrying away, broke every lock, ransacked every chest pupa took away all the bedding, etc., all the apparel, even the baby’s clothes, stripped the rings off my sisters fingers and the shoes and buckles off her feet, choked the children to make them confess if their father had not hid his money, and to tell where it was, etc., and many of the neighbors were treated in the same brutish manner. The day following the army encamped near my house. Sundry portions of their Light Horse called on my house, and notwithstanding I was not at home, they went away peaceably and took nothing from me, which I thought very strange, for sundry of my neighbors were plundered of almost everything they had. The enemy being destined for Virginia, made but a very short stay in our neighborhood, but immediately after they were gone came on our greatest troubles; for the Loyalists, or as we term them Tories, began to assemble and hold councils in every part of the State, and thinking the country already conquered, because the enemy had gone through us without being checked, they were audacious enough to apprehend and take several of our principal leading men prisoners and carry them down to Wilmington and deliver them to the guards. There were numbers of our good citizens thus betrayed, perished on board prison-ship and in their power. This so alarmed the inhabitants that none of us dared to sleep in our houses or beds at night for fear of being surprised by those blood-suckers and carried off to certain destruction. In the meantime the Governor of the State, and several others of the first character, were surprised in this manner, by some who had been personally acquainted with him, and carried and delivered to the guards in Wilmington, not- withstanding the attempt of sundry parties of the were to rescue him. Matters being thus in confusion, there was no subordination amongst men; but every proprietor or leading man raised and commanded his 60 : j . Colonel Kenan’s militia had not made a stand more than ten days when Major Craig marched his main force, with field pieces, defeated and drove us out of our works, and made some of our men prisoners (here I narrowly escaped being taken or cut down by the the dragoons). The enemy stayed several days in Duplin County (this being the first week in August, 1781). The Royalists gathered together very fast and we were now re- duced again to the utmost extremity. The enemy were now more cruel to the distressed inhabitants than Cornwallis’ army had been before. Some men collected and formed a little flying the enemys lines and made frequent sallies on their fled from their homes and kept out of the enem marched from Duplin to Newbern, plundered t public stores, and then immediately marched secure the garrison. camp and moved near rear flanks while others y’s reach. Major Craig he town, destroyed the back to Wilmington to revenged on the Loyalists, our neighbors or hazard all; accordingly we collected about eighty lighthorsemen and equipped them as well as we could; marched straight into the neighbor- hood where the Tories were embodied, surprised them, they fled, our not in this action nor hole season of the war). I never received a wound but one, which was a shot through by right ree narrow escapes when I was in danger of being killed or taken. . bia (The Dickson Letters: Author Col. William Dickson » compiled and edited by James O, Carr, Esq., Duplin County Library Files.) CAPT GEORGE DOHERTY TO GENERAL SUMNER Duplin, June 22, 1781 Sir: I embrace the opportunity of Col. Kenan’s going to the Assembly to inform you, that the tumults in this part of the Country cause of the drafts & everything relative thereto being ( & more out of order here than in any other part of the State. We have has been the I suppose) later, 61 at present some little respite from the cursed Tories, but cannot say they are entirely subdued; the draft was made in Duplin, but the more than the half of them have been among the Tories or so disaffected that they will not appear; the number that we ought to have here is about 70 men, & there is not above 24 yet appeared, & about 20 from Onslow. The men have been so harrassed by being kept in arms, that hithereto they could not attend to providing the clohting required by law, & without clothing the troops cannot march as not one among them has got a second change, & some have hardly dudds to cover them. The Col. has used all possible means to urge the classes to cloath their Soldiers, & whenever each of them gets even part I shall march with the few we have. If any opportunity offers from your Camp towards Wake I should be glad to hear from you; if it is directed to the care of Col. Kenan he will forward it to yr. Hum. Servt., GEORGE DOHERTY. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Page 490.) MAJOR MOLTON TO GOVERNOR BURKE DUPLIN COURT HOUSE June 29th, 1781 Sir: a This Minute I received the Inclosed Letters from Genl. Lillington; Since the last Dispatches was sent, I have no Accts. to Communicate, but what the Inclosed Contains. I have issued the Necessary Orders for Raising all the forces I can Speedily get into the Field, & Complying with the General’s Orders with as little loss of time as I can. I have the Honour to be yr. Excellencys Most Obedt. Hum. Servt. Abrahm Molton, Majr. Comdt. His Excellency Governor. Burke. (State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Page 499.) COL. KENAN TO GOVERNOR BURKE Duplin, July 6th, 1781. mars From the Best information we are able to get there is about two hundred & fifty foot and forty light horse of the British that is up the river at Rutherfords Mill they say to take Duplin and Onslow Counties, and drive off the Stock. Genl. Lillington had Call’d upon this County for all the men that can be raised to march to the rich land Chapple in 62 Onslow County about one Hundred foot has marched and we have fifty more ready to march. I hope Your Excellency will order assistance to this part of the County other wise Good people here will be under the ecessity of Giving up in order to Save their property if possible but is will be the last Step taken. We keep about 50 light horse near their lines to watch their Movements. I am with the Greatest respect Your Excellency’s most obt. Servt. (Walter Clark, State Records of North, Vol. XV, Page 514.) COL. JAS. KENAN TO GOVERNOR BURKE July 15, 1781 JAS. KENAN. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XV, Page 535.) GENERAL WM. CASWELL TO GOV. BURKE New Bern, July 31st, 1781. wer to inclose your Excellency a I am happy to have it in my po wallis, which I should have been mentioned in the forged pass, one J. D. Wilson says (after his packet was found) that he is a Lieut. in the 82nd Regt. and was ordered to at this place, and that the Major would shortly move ho is at Rock Fish bridge, informs that Col. Murphy from Pee Dee, Cumberland and Bladen, fell in with Hector hursday afternoon, that i remain of my Brigade with him and a few of the Militia from Duplin. Major Griffin arrived in Camp a few days past; he says that the Drafts from Nash are entitled to a Discharge about the 4th of Augu. and that the Return which I made to Your Excellency which was made to me by Capt. Hall of the same County is wrong. Shall thank your Excellency for orders respecting them as I think I cannot Discharge them sooner than my Return unless I receive your Orders for it. I was informed that the Assembly had ordered a Draught of___.Men from this District and come here to see the Resolve. Am now informed by a Member that the order for a Draught must come from Your Excellency, as the Assembly did not Determine that there should be one. Should these Troops from Nash County be Discharged, shall have no men in the Field. Should Major Craig move out shall raise what men I can arm, but fear it will be very few as Arms are very Scarce, and Grain more so, as there is little or none between Tar River and Cape Fear. Part of a letter from Lieut. Gov. Bee to a friend of his dated the 18th of June at Philadelphia says That Congress in consequence of a request from the King of France had elected Plenipotentiary and properly instructed them to be ready to act for us at the Grand Congress at Vienna, which is Mr. John Adams, Doctor Franklin, Mr. Jay, Col. Henry Laurens and Governor Jefferson or any two of them or more for this purpose. I hope that Peace will be the event of their negotiations, Doctor Franklin is authorized to pro- pose an exchange of Genl. Burgoyne for Mr. Laurens; and addition of ships and men have arrived at Boston to join the French Force already here, and before this reaches you New York will be invested. Their Garrison there is very small at present and they must keep their Fleets in Harbour to protect them in which case the French Fleet can strike a blow else where, or they must recall a great part of their Troops from the Southward and leave that Country open to us again. Should your Excellency send orders to me please direct them to me at Kingston where I shall be until I receive your orders. I am with the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s most obedt. Servt. WM. CASWELL. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXII, Pages 553-554.) THE BATTLE OF ROCKFISH (SKIRMISH IN DUPLIN) Col. Kenan to Governor Burke Duplin, August 2nd, 1781 Sir: I imbodied all the Militia I could in this County to the Amount of about 150 men & was reinforced by Genl. Caswell with about 180 and 64 took past at a place Called rockfish. The British this day Came against me and the Militia again after a few rounds Broak, and it was out of my power and all my Officers to rally them. They have all Dispersed. Before the men Broak we lost none, But the light horse pursued and I am afraid have Taken about 20 or 30 men. I Cannot Give You a full acct. But the Bearer Capt. James who was in the Action Can inform your Excellency of any Particular. He acted with Becoming Bravery during the whole action. I am now Convinced this County with several others will be Overrun with the British & Tories. Your Excellency will Excuse as I cannot Give a more full accot. I am Sir Your very Humbl. St; (SR, Vol. XV, Page 593.) JAS. KENAN. TO GOV. BURKE FROM COL. JAS. KENAN (From Executive Letter Book) HALIFAX, MARCH 28th, 1782: SIR: I have this moment received a letter from General Lillington informing me that the Tories on Wacamaw River are embodied to the number of five hundred, a copy of which I send you. I am, Sir Yr. Mo. ob. Hum. Serv’t., JAS. KENAN. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVI, Page 251.) On the Nineteenth of October, 1781, the great “battle of Yorktown” was fought. - . « In this battle, Lord Cornwallis commanded the British. General Washington commanded the Americans. Everything was now at stake. If the Americans could prove victorious in this battle, they might be free and independent. They were victorious. They had the joy to see seven thousand British soldiers lay down their arms, and Lord Cornwallis surrender his sword to General Washington. This was a great triumph for the Americans, and spread joy throughout all the land. . . . Peace was made November 30, 1782. (The United States—For Children, Liberty Hall Library.) Wednesday, 28 December, 1785. This House now proceeded agreeable to the message of yesterday, to ballot, which being ended, Mr. Payne and Mr. Brown, appointed on the 65 part of this House to superintend the balloting, returned and reported as followeth, vizt.: That James Kenan, Esquire, was elected Brigadier General of the District of Wilmington. (Walter Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XX, Page 103.) MR. JAMES GILLISPIE TO GOV. CASWELL (From Executive Letter Book) Dear Sir: Duplin, Jany. 14th, 1786. On my arrival home I immediately wrote to Mr. Bloodworth respecting the time of his going to Congress, as I wished him to assist me in pro- curing paper for the new money, but am sorry to find that he is not Certain as to the time of his going, this disappointment being entirely unexepected I am at a loss to know how to Act. I fear the only alternative is to go myself, as I dread very much the Getting a person I can rely on. This being an arduous task at this season of the year I wish Your Ex- cellency’s advice in the matter, as I assure you I am at a loss to know what sum will be adequate to this Service in Case I can find a person [can rely on to undertake the Business. Some are of opinion the best way is by Portsmouth and from there to the head of Elk by water. Your Excellency being well Acquainted with the different ways will much oblige me to recommend what you may judge the most Expeditious. If you have any dispatches to send North’dly I shall call at Kinston or direct whoever I may send on, if I am so lucky as to find a person to my liking. In the mean time I shall be much Obliged to your Excellency for such a recommendation as you may approve either generally or to such of your Asquaintances at Philadelphia as you may think most likely to forward me in this Business, as I assure you I regret the delay that must inevitably ensue. Please to mention if Mr. Blount is returned, and the prospect of his going to Congress. With the Greatest respect, I am your Excellency’s Most obt., James Gillispie, I purpose setting out in about 6 days. (State Records, Vol. 18, Page 502 and 503.) GOV. CASWELL TO JAMES GILLISPIE (From Executive Letter Book) Dear Sir: Kingston, 15th Jany., 1786 Your favor of yesterday I have now before me. I am sorry Mr. Blood- worth is not likely to go in time to procure the paper for the Currency, 66 and I am fearful you will not be able to get a person on whom you can rely to effect thi s business as you know the utmost attention must be paid to making no more of the paper than is necessary, and whoever gets the paper must see to that; nay, he ought to see that the apparatus should be either immediately destroyed or the parts so broken and dis- but in my judgment it ought t At this Season of the year a passage from Portsmouth to the head of the Bay will be uncertain and precarious on account of the Ice. If I was going myself I should proceed by the Western side of the h d f th Bay, the Rout of which from hence takes as follows: ait ad To Halifax 90 Miles, To Alexandria 40 Miles Petersburg 75 Georgetown 15 Richmond 25 Baltimore 40 Hanover Co. House 20 Susquehannah 30 Bowling Green 35 Christiana Philadelphia Mr. Blount is not returned that I have heard of, nor have I a syllable from him since I left New Bern, lt you go yourself I shall be glad to see you here on your way. My dispatches shall be made out to about the time you propose setting out; if you do not go, please to let the person who does, call on me. % am uneasy that we have no prospect of being represented in Congress Shortly, I am, dear Sir, your mo. ob. Servt., R. CASWELL. (State Records, Vol. 18, Pages 504 and 505.) AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A TOWN ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE NORTHEAST OF CAPE FEAR RIVER, IN DUPLIN COUNTY Whereas a town has been laid off on the lands of Dr. William Houston, and a considerable number of lots sold by the proprietor, and the pur- 67 chasers of these lots are desirous that the town should be established by legislative authority: I. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That one hundred acres of land lying on the east side of the north-east branch of the Cape Fear River, in Duplin county, lately sold by Doctor William Houston for laying off a town and town commons, agreeable to a plan laid down by commissioners chosen for that purpose be and the same is hereby established into a town by the name of Sarecto. II. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the passing of this Act, Charles Ward, John Hill, James Outlaw, Samuel Houston, David Murdough, George Miller and John Matchet, be, and they and every of them hereby constituted commissioners for the further designing, building and improving the said town; and they shall stand seized of an indefeasible estate in fee simple of and in the residue of the said one hundred acres of land that remain undisposed of, to and for the purposes hereby expressed and declared, except such lots as the proprietor hath made choice of, which is hereby reserved to his proper use and behoof, and his heirs and assigns forever; and the said commissioners or a majority of them, shall make and execute deeds to such respective persons, as have and shall become purchasers of any lot or lots in the said town that hath or may be sold by the proprietor afore- said, at the cost and charges of the grantee or grantees, which lot or lots by virtue of such conveyance, shall be held to such purchaser or purchasers in fee simple to his, her or their heirs and assigns forever. III. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all monies that shall arise from the disposal of the lots of the said town by the commissioners, shall be received by them or their successors, and after deducting their reasonable charges and expenses, the same shall be paid by them to the said proprietor, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns. And for the continuing the succession of the said commissioners: IV. Be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in case of death, refusal to Act or removal out of the county of any of the said commissioners, the survivor or a majority of them shall assemble, and hereby are authorized to nominate and appoint, by instrument in writing under their hands, some other person being an inhabitant and freeholder in the said county, in room of him dead, refusing to act or removed out of the county, which said commissioner or commissioners so ap- pointed shall have and exercise all the same powers and authorities in all matters herein contained, as the person or persons in whose room and stead he or they was so appointed, had and exercised. Provided always, 68 That nothing in this Act contained shall be construed as to obviate any Shep compact or agreement entered into by the commissioners ately chosen for regulating the said town, all which regulations, restric- tions and agreements are hereby declared good and valid in law... . (Passed Jan. 6, 1787.) (Walter Clark, State Records of N. C., Vol. XXIV, Page 846.) said Thomas Kenan a Tract of land ¢ . . . . ee taining Six hundred and thirty five Acres, lying and being in the County of Duplin, Beginning at a pine James and John Torrence’s Corner small Branch of Turkey run then North seventy West one sail d thirty poles to a stake and pine then his line North one hundred ‘ad ene poles to a stake and pine in S. Stanford’s line, then his line North forty five West two hundred and twenty poles a a pine in his line near the road then South thirty five West sixty poles to a pine, then South one hundred and thirty poles to a pine, then South Seiieg five two poles to a gum Joseph Osborn’s Corner, then his line rr annexed doth appear, together with all Words, Mines, Waters ; > inerals, Hereditaments, and Appurtenances to the said land or appertaining: TO HOLD to the said Thomas Kenan his Assigns forever: Yielding and paying to us such or otherwise, as our General Assembly from tir belonging Heirs and Sums of Money, yearly, me to time may direct: PROVIDED ALWAYS, That the said Grantee shall cause this Grant to be registered in the Register’s Office of our said County of Duplin bi twelve Months from the date hereof, other wise the same shall € void. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these our letters to be made Patent, and our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS, JAMES TURNER, Esquire, our Governor, Captain-General, and Com- 69 mander in Chief, at RALEIGH, the 16th Day of December in the twenty seventh of our Independence and in the Year of Our Lord one thousand i two. ss SIGNED: G.? ?????2??7?2? BY COMMAND, WILL WHITE, SECY. 6 GLIMPSES OF COLONIAL AND EARLY © CHURCHES IN DUPLIN OLDEST PRESBYTERIAN SETTLEMENT IN THE STATE - . . The settlement of Presbyterians in Duplin county is probably the large settlement of that denomination in the State. About the year 1736, or perhaps 1737, one Henry McCulloch induced a colony of Presbyterians from the province of Ulster, in Ireland, to settle in Duplin county, North Carolina, on lands he had obtained from his majesty, George II. The descendants of these emig rants are found in Duplin, New Hanover, and Sampson counties—the f amily names indicating their origin. The Grove congregation, whose place of worship is about three miles southeast of Duplin court-house, traces its origin to the church formed from this, the oldest Presbyterian settlement in the State, whose principal place of worship was at first called Goshen. (C.R., Vol. V, Page 1199.) GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In the early years of the settlement of Duplin County, the Synod of New York and the Synod of Philadelphia were the highest organized government of the Presbyterian Church in America. Some individual Presbyterians were in North Carolina before 1700, but none were organized into congregations. John Brickell said in 1731 that “after Quakers, Presbyterians come next in numbers” and were chiefly “settled in and about the River Neus.” Scot Highlanders and Scot-Irish settlers in this section gave impetus to the Presbyterian movement though neither had ministers in the early years of settlement. Most of the early Presbyterians of Duplin came to North Carolina in 1736 as a part of a group persuaded by Henry McCulloch, a London merchant, to occupy the wide forests. McCulloch’s grant was for 72,000 acres of land between the North East Branch of the Cape Fear River and the Black River. His settlers, Irish and Scot-Irish from Ulster, Ireland, were the first large settlement of Presbyterians in North Caro- lina. The main settlements of the McCulloch colonists were (a) near Sarecta, on the Northeast River; (b) at Goshen, now on NC # 11, seven miles 71 northeast of Kenansville; (c) and at Golden Grove, now on NC # 24 at the Routledge Cemetery just east of Kenansville. Later, more settlers came from northern Ireland, the northern American colonies, the lower Cape Fear Valley, and from other settlements in North Carolina. It has been said that wherever they went, Presbyterians built schools and churches with as much certainty as their log homes. Evidence seems to show that the early settlers of Golden Grove were religious and held meetings of public worship for many years without a pastor. In 1740, the Synod of Philadelphia sent William Robinson, a mis- sionary, to North Carolina. Since the Presbyterian settlements in Duplin were oldest and none others at that time had much strength, it is prob- able that Robinson visited here. Hanover Presbytery was organized in 1755 by the Synods of New York and Philadelphia. It included Virginia, the Carolinas, and “all points west and south.” At this time, there were eleven Presbyterian churches in North Carolina. Hugh McAden, who made a missionary tour of North Carolina in 1755-1756, recorded few organized churches, many worshipping assem- blies, and no settled ministers. After preaching in the Welsh Tract, in present Pender County, McAden rode to the home of William Dickson, then Clerk of Court in Duplin, near Golden Grove. He preached “to a considerable congregation, most of whom were Irish” on March 18, 1756. The worshippers, first referred to as the Grove congregation, built their meeting house in the heart of the settlement but had no title for it until years later when McCulloch gave a deed for one acre on the south side of the Grove swamp, near the bridge, whereon the meeting- house now stands. (The afore mentioned William Dickson was a witness to the McCulloch deed and very active in the affairs of Grove Church.) McAden returned to Duplin County in 1757 as the first regular pastor of Grove Church as well as ministering to a church in the Welsh Tract. He bought a home near the Golden Grove settlement and there several of his children were born. After being with Grove Church for about ten years, he went to Caswell County, believing the climate of Duplin un- favorable to his health. For a period of twenty-five years afterward, Grove Church had no pastor. The congregation was served only by the precarious and desul- tory labors of occasional missionaries and was dwindling away. During this period, Orange Presbytery was organized (in 1770) to include ap- proximately the present state of North Carolina. There were at this time thirty-five Presbyterian churches in North Carolina with approximately two thousand members. The Synod of the Carolinas was organized in 72 7T20 ° “3 1788 with twenty-five ministers and forty-six Presbyterian churches in North Carolina. Bs John Robinson, second regular pastor, revived Grove Church in 1794. € purchased a home near the settlement called “Goose Pond” and lived ded Robinson was said to be a man of great activity personal courage, with dignity and courtesy, and an able preacher. He founded a church near Fayetteville after leaving Grove Church. Samuel Stanford extended his labors to ake include a greater part of ray He married a young woman of the Kenansville area and made S home about two miles south of Kenansville on the Wilmington Road Moderator of the Carolinas Synod in 1810, he became the first Modera- tor of the newly formed Fayetteville Presbytery in 1812. (There were twenty-nine ministers, seventy-seven Presbyterian churches thousand members in Fayetteville Presbytery at this time. ) Stanford was well-educated and cond : ted bien :said dha. des Pgs nducted a classical school. It has and four j s in Duplin. Willi senate é es in Duplin. William n wrote in 1810 that “tho Mr. Stanford is esteemed as a very eins character and an able preacher of the Gospel, his Church, tho the most ancient in the county, increases very slowly. near the Court House. have joined them bu The number of Communicants in t ascertained but may be estim over.” ot yet a meeting House of their own, he county of Duplin are not ac ated at about one hundred, perhaps some In 1811, the location of Grove Church was moved to a hill just west of Kenansville near the Grove Academy. “ Assistant to Mr. Stanford for the last three years of his service to ith was Alexander Mclver. Old Union and Shiloh churches were ‘So served by Mclver for the next six years until his death at age thirty- id Malcolm Campbell Connoly lived near old Union Church during his “Fvice to Shiloh and Grove Churches for ten years. He became a mis- sionary << to Texas in 1850 and there organized churches and taught O ° i ne of Duplin’s most famous educators and pastors was Rev. James i pee ae Sprunt, D.D., who served Grove Church from 1851 until his 26 Qc ae 4 1 } In 1884. After arriving in North Carolina in 1840 from his native Scotland, Dr. Sprunt taught in classical schools at Hallsville and Rich- 73 lands. From 1845-1860, he was in charge of Grove Academy and was also associated with the Kenansville Seminary. The house now known as the Old Presbyterian Manse was the home of Dr. Sprunt and his family. Built for them in 1858, the house and gardens were always a showplace. The grounds originally contained twenty-one acres, planted in an “Old Southern” fashion with terraced gardens, small ponds stocked with goldfish, and other picturesque orna- mentations. (Later the house and several acres of the grounds came under the ownership of Grove Church and was used as a residence for ministers. ) During Dr. Sprunt’s pastorate, the location of Grove Church was moved to its present site. In September, 1849, the minutes of the Ses- sion read that a committee was appointed to see congregation about the building of a new church and its location. Nothing more is noted concerning the matter until March 1855, when the minutes read “new church being constructed. Old building undergoing repairs for an acad- emy. Unadvisable to have a sacrament (Communion) this spring.” The deed to the present site is dated May 12, 1857, and the land was donated by Owen R. Kenan. After the Civil War, the members of the Grove congregation could not support a minister’s salary. As well as retaining his pastorate, Dr. Sprunt served as Register of Deeds in Duplin County to augment his income. A wall plaque in the Sanctuary commemorates Dr. Sprunt. Grove Church has been served by dedicated ministers, well-educated, who gave to the early community a worthy example. . .. The impact of the Civil War was met by Grove Church on Novem- ber 4, 1860. A “day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer with reference to the present solemn crisis in our national affairs; and that the members of this church assemble on said day (tomorow) to engage in special supplication for the favor of God upon the nation, the prosperity, and the perpetuity of our institution (the principles of Christianity). As yet, attempts to unite the branches of the Presbyterian Church have been unsuccessful. Grove Presbyterian Church has long served its surrounding com- munity. The walls of this ancient structure have watched as the com- munity was being built in a nation where freedom of worship is a precept of government. Inside these walls is the House of God. “T was glad when they said unto me— Let us go into the house of the Lord.” “Whosoever thou art that entereth this church, remember it is the House of God; be reverent, thoughtful and prayerful; and leave not 74 without a be prayer to God for thyself, for those who minister, for those © worship here, and for all men everywhere.” ( Octgijaty aie 3 By Miss Sharon Stroud. Lael with full documentation is on file in the Duplin County Dorothy Wightman SAINT GABRIEL PARISH ae star ihe County of Duplin was Established and the Inhabitants Gam re Numerous, Most of the People and then the Principal a rs in the County Professed themselves to be Members of the Piscopal or Established Church of England, and Readers were ap- a 2 ae the eyes Service &c. on every Sunday at different roughout the County and a Tax laid b them. About the year 1760 or soon after the Revd. ba seth 5 invited by the Vestry to become the Pastor of the Church of St. Gabriel Parish in Duplin County, which he accepted, and was acco ducted. He was a man Possessin te ai: g some Talent Preached Extempore and Popular, His places for Preaching were at Individuals Houses, there being no of a Preacher of the Gospel, could not, or did not Refute, County, and upon the Vestry paying he consented to leave the Parish. - Millar left the Parish when the Revd. we : and became the Parochial Minister. Mr. 8s was an English man; came over to this Country under the Lettentie of Governor Tryon, and through his influence Succeeded to € appointment, he was of a very different Character from his Predeces- sor; he was Sober, Grave, not addicted to any Vice, He occupied the Same Circuitous appointed places for Preaching as his Predecessor he was Considered to be of weak Intellect, but a good Reader, Read all his Sermons, which he brought in Manuscript from England. He Continued in the Parish till the Revolution, when finding his annual salary was dis- vontinued, he disappeared without dismissal or formally takeing leave. bs Preacher of the Regular Episcopal Church of England has, since mare ever visited this Country. It cannot with propriety be said that Re- Pi flourished or the Morals of the People were improved under the ronage or Pastoral care of either of the Parochial Preachers. At ye there are very few Persons in this County who Profess themselves embers of the Episcopal Established Church. Those who are disposed 75 to be Religious and Supporte a Religious Character, have joined them- selves either to the Presbyterian or Baptist, or Methodist Churches. (The Dickson Letters.) DUPLIN COUNTY ST. GABRIEL PARISH NORTH CAROLINA Ist August 1769. REVEREND SIR, I have been appointed Rector of this Parish Seven Months: it is so extensive that I have eight different places to preach at, on eight dif- ferent Sundays. My parishioners behave with great attention and de- votion during Divine Service. I have christened one hundred and thirty in all, including women and children. About sixteen Marriages, and ten burials have been here since my arrival. As the people under my care appear to be so desirous of instruction, I hope (thro’ the divine blessing on my endeavors) they will both know and perform their duty to God and their neighbour; and thereby become useful members of Society, happy to themselves here, and eternally so hereafter—Many of the In- habitants under my care, who can read, and would be glad to join with me in the divine service of the Church, are so poor (as I have been in- formed) that they cannot purchase common Prayer Books: They would be obliged to the Society if they would send them some, with any other books they shall think proper; to whom my most respectful compliments, and please to accept the same from, Reverend Sir, Yours &c HOBART BRIGGS (Colonial Records, Vol. VII, Pages 63 & 64.) WELLS CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH Historical Summary of Wells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church by Mrs. J. H. Booth: Samuel, Goerge, Jacob, and Isaac Newton were four brothers that came to this section about 1755. Samuel Newton was a great spiritual leader organizing this church and at the same time working with another group of baptized believers in Brunswick County. Wells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was among the first Mission- ary Baptist Churches in this area and was organized in 1756, with Samuel Newton as pastor. He continued until his death during the Revolutionary War. The Church was originally called “Bull Tail Meeting House,” probably named for nearby Bull Tail Creek. Elder William Cooper was the second pastor of Bull Tail Meeting House. Mission work was going strong at that time under his leadership. Elder William Wells was called in 1802 as pastor of Bull Tail Meeting 76 House and was ordained to the Baptist Ministry. He continued the mis- 10n, work of this church in organizing churches in the neighboring com- munities, and also by training young men in the service of the Lord. D . aa . . se his last thirteen years of service here, there were six men or- ained to the Gospel Ministry. Maa =. 1825, Brother Swinson applied for dismission of that anch of the church at Concord. The Church agreed to dismiss the members that composed that branch of the church with the exception of Elder William Wells, who was to continue pastor of the Church at Bull Tail. Saturday before the second Sunday in July, 1835, it was voted unani- bi to change the name of this church from Bull Tail to Wells Chapel. wo months later Brother William Wells departed this life. Wells Chapel was named for Elder William Wells. oe fee ara George Fennell was called to the pastoral wai pel Missionary Baptist Church and continued as pastor David Wells was a native of Duplin County, N. C. He married Mar Newton, a daughter of Enoch Newton who was a son of Isaac ae obrathar of Samuel Newton, the founder of Bull Tail Baptist Church. mac sage moved his membership from Concord February, 1827. He var ig img in 1833. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry a ae a 5) 1837 and 1853. He served as pastor January, 1854- arts a = a religious leader most of his life. He helped in every Fagen 5 rom 1853 until his death Nov. 20, 1863. August, 1863, - M. Kennedy, pastor, assisted by Elder David Wells, held a revival for nine days resulting in 75 Sept., 185 Hie Ww ee taken to either repair or build a new church. build and were Bd iy ee ey age i ri ae Soe : Civil War came on, so the work was stopped. ic sii be that a deed to the church property could not be found, mg Ne Wells gave the church a deed. Work was resumed after, the ny rye main body of the present building was dedicated the second Sund 9 July, 1868. The old Church building was given to the ertces a |e mered it to Harrell’s Store, N. C. They called it Keitthern Chapel The Negro members were given letters of dismission at the same fee (This church was repaired and remodeled not many years ago.) r baptisms. _It is reported that two houses of worship were erected on the old Site just across the highway from the present site. The first Mission in. He ary Society that we have any record of was organized 77 Wells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church has been instrumental in con- stituting other churches in its history. In 1833 The First Baptist Church at Wilmington was constituted and a member of Bull Tail, Alfred Alder- man, was one of the leading men in this organization. In 1833 there were 93 members dismissed in order to constitute a church at Moore’s Creek. Sept-, 1884, some members were dismissed to form a church at Wil- THE FOUNDING AND HISTORY OF ROCKFISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Beas oe Robinson was the first Presbyterian Minister who chureh: Aik ort Carolina. He was sent as a Missionary from the Nias ‘Haina _ visit thes Presbyterian settlements in North Caro- 43. Ty ‘ean North Carolina in the winter of 1742 and ville Nace ug t he visited this section and the section around Kenans- ’ 1 Carolina. lard, N. C. There were 36 members dismissed to constitute a church B etwe 745 ae en 1743 and 1756 there was no regular minister working with at Siloam. All. the records of Moore’s Creek Baptist Church from 1980 baal Hie Constegations In 1756 Rev. Hugh McAden visited these two sec- were destroyed by fire, as related by Brother Johnny Pope of Atkin- Feng z Missionary, making personal visits from house to house. In son, N. C. teche ontgh (56, he preached somewhere in this vicinity, which is believed Rev. W. B. Oliver accepted a call to this church, May 1884, directly This ots : That was when the Congregation called him as their pastor. out of Wake Forest College. In July, 1884, Rev. David Wells Herring Rockfih: ; : original Rockfish Congregation, and the beginning of assisted in a revival resulting in 43 converts. September of the same March, moray McAden — se pos esis Missionary in the state, fn year Brother Oliver resigned to attend the Seminary. ps Ri tat — united with this congregation in calling McAden Rev. C. C. Newton was pastor for seven years and later he went to these ties oe . rie a to his home in Pennsylvania after receiving Africa as a missionary. His son, Rev. Carey Newton, was a missionary Bations. The mterre hips po it ao ye of padeadice 8 4° Chia: es stle ordained him in 1757. In 17 C = aed 2 Presbytery, and on July 18, 1759, Rev. McAden about 40 years. ts nuk a is credentials on Rockfish at the Meeting of Presbytery. It and Mary—were missionaries in China. Rockfish pst a where the Meeting was held. This indicates that the The following members were ordained to the Gospel Ministry: Wil- church at dak oe rm tig as 1756. It was also an organized liam Wells, Sept. 1802; Jesse Rogers, April 1822; Hiram Stallings, for about 10-fidlccal th ee ri mee shame: peg ngiae July 1823; George Fennell, July 1823; David Rogers, Jan. 1826; G. W. work. He jg fea te ye to Caswell County and finished his Hufham, Jan. 1833; William J. Finley, July 1834; David Wells between For a long time ie heap Saya a 0 oS 1837 and 1853; R. J. Hall, Mar. 1919; Ralph A. Herring, July 1923. 1. wai: setebd cuits he fines ee cee pastor. There may have been others that were ordained we have no record from Orange tic 1 dit 8 6 5 7 5 4 9 1 8 8 9 6 5 3 0 1 1 4 4 7 4 9 6 4 2 1 6 6 5 8 3 0 7 5 6 10 4 8 8 6 Wm. Salmon Michial Wilkins Rading Stokes John Taylor John Deaver Demsey Taylor Samuel Bowdin Peter Parker Thomas Bennett John Durell Joel Samer Joseph Vick John Kornegay Lewis Jones Samuel Tanner Anthony Jones Jesse Sevinson Andrew Ward Lewis Herring John Vick Jonathan Parker Wm. Wilkerson James Sollus Joshua Chaimbers John Wilkins Buckner Killibrue Wm. Bennett Samuel Bennett Elif Taylor Edward Harris Catharine Taylor Parker Bowdin Peter Watkins Ezekiel Tunnage Wm. Duncan Isaac Duncan Reubin Johnston Daniel Hicks Hardy Reaves Adam Reaves Mark Rogers Samuel Ratliff Hugh McCann Wm. McCann John Gilman Felix Federeck Richard Chason James Floyd 4 6 4 6 6 7 6 3 8 8 6 4 4 5 z 6 7 4 5 4 8 8 5 8 3 5 | 3 3 3 5 5 3 2 5 3 13 11 10 De Ce NOAA Isaac James Daniel Murrow Luke Bowser Wm. Hall Daniel Coock Ezekial Allen Wm. Allen Henry Jones Jesse Jorge Hardy Parker Emanuel Bowser Benjamin Fussell Nicholas Bryan Thomas Cummings Lewis Hedgeman John Cook Mary Cook Walter Bryan John Boney James Knowls John Blanton Joseph Williams Aron Williams Lewis Newton John Green Elisha Bowan Thomas Cook John Knowls Thomas Green Isaac Newton Nathan Edwards John Waters Aron Brown David Alderman Robert Wallice Frederick Wills David Tucker Simon Wood Jacob Mathews James Smith David Davis Benjamin Thompson John Duff Michial Ezzell Reuben Ezzell Benjamin Ezzell Simon Revenback John Young Se = CPP NF OUON WA We Ww BAIA K eH UMN Bw a] — SRHRESAOWAOO Ae OSS Ae eS Sao John Brown Joseph Williams David Hall Ezekiel Mathews Lott Green John Wilson Joshua Blake John Mathews Joseph Wilson Hugh Boney Amos Shufield Charles Merett Arthur Mathews Stephen Williams Robert Knowls Byrd Williams Nathan Coock John Williams Frederick Williams Taylor Holiway John Gauff, Sr. David Singleton Elias James Ambrose Ensor Wm. Murphrey Dan Bowan John Cook James Blanton John Daniel Hardy Holms Key Holms Aron Daniel Wm. Burnham John Hunt Michial Kennard Moses Dickson Wm. Taylor Thomas Bradley Luke Ward Wm. Harris Edmund Duncan Lewis Bezzell John Gauff Wm. Bezzell Arthur Bezzell Willis Cherry Isaac Ducan Robert Byrd — = Dae OSAASE ABRAMS SHO DK HEBD BH Oe eS oO OHSS =) _ _ OwPFwntntOUuUnrAIFNAH YN Number Number Number Number Names of Heads of In Slaves Names of Heads of In Slaves Names of Heads of In Slaves Names of Heads of In Slaves Families Family Families Family Families Family Families Family William Branch William Newton Burwell Mobley John Ivey Benjamin Lenear Jesse Lenear James Murson John Wood John Haise Joseph Serins Elisha Woodward James Murrow John McGee Renatus Land Lydia Castul Samuel Ward Stephen Hancock Wn. Farrior James Ellis Daniel Hines Wm. Flowers Nathan Fountain Jo. Myrell Wm. Halso Mary Bachelor John Lenear Abraham Cannon Mary Dobbson James Haws Thomas Shetton Elizabeth Shuffield James Johnston Christopher Mashbourn Lewis Shoulders Ezekiel Sanders Isaac Baker Wm. Harp Epharam Garisson Daniel Rains Calop Quinn Enoch Simpson James Winders Heck Millar Jonathan Pee John Craford Stephen Halso Jesse Lenear Henry Brinson 7 3 4 2 3 6 7 5 6 8 5 5 7 9 8 3 4 ti 7 6 % 5 1 0 5 4 1 3 3 5 9 6 8 3 1 3 4 5 6 5 2 8 4 4 9 8 5 8 Wm. Hollingsworth Abraham Andrews James Wallace Wm. Collins Jacob Wallace Robert Tuelling Henry Newkirk Wm. James Timothy Bryan Brittain Powell Robert Merett Elius Sutton Hardy Powell Mary Bland Wm. Wells Jonathan Willise Hardy Gitstraf Shadock Statlings James Cook Isaac Hall Wm. Filman David Hennesey Joseph Beyen Josiah Leigh Wm. Bland Meshack Statlings Mary Hill Joshua Blanton Wm. Harwell John Coock John Rawlings Abraham Newton Jacob Newton Reubin Rogers Wm. Sweetman John Mathews Barbara Dickson Paul Martin Joseph Ward Mary Jones David Walker Thomas Taylor Richard Bradley Ephram Shuffield Joseph Serews Isaac Spence Nicholas Bowan George Kornaagy NADP ah ePuaNFOONOCUWNeH OHS RK BANWOANWOKH BOK BUNANRPWOAADAA LOCA BS Dred Branch Jacob Kornegay Roby Durele Sarah Chandler Jonathan Peas Wm. Rogers Mary Cannon Wm. Dickson James Dickson Anthony Millar Daniel Southerland Thomas Norment John Hill Silas Page John Gibbs Christopher Simplor John Walker Adam Plat Henry Stocks Joshua Newell Thomas Phelps Richard Cooper George Rouse Henry Allen Samuel Jones Mikajah Pearce Phil Southerland Wm. McGeer Wm. McCann Samuel Sanderland John Rigsby Charles Grimes George Cooper James Carr John Stuckey Joseph Mettes John Johnston Owen O’Daniel Auston Moore Wm. Gauff David Williams Susanna Facon Uriah Blanchard Wm. Best Edward Dickson Charles James Richard Mares John Walker -_ — Nwounonwe Ber Bw Ow aAnvwoi NNnAkRANAAA — OAannowvo hk Pag weunwSovowona Nathaniel Walker Mary Struts Moses Cox Matthew Edwards Christan Williams John Umphreys Syvea Williams Edward Houston Dr. Wm. Houston Joseph Smith George Millar Griffith Houston Jesse Jones Joseph Serews James Hubbard Ivey Smith John Southerland Shadrack Sowell Thomas Toomer Henry Fountain Lydia Manner Robert Cattle Amis Parker Margerit Pickett Sarah Batts Joal Pagit James Pagit Cornelar Pagit Joab Thigpen James Pickett Wm. Thomas Abigal Parker John Parker Isaac Thomas Stephen Williams Jeremiah Williams Jacob Williams Anne Henderson Wm. Hubbard George Morisey, Esq. Daniel Teachey Thomas Tonans James Kenan Peter Young Joseph Hodgeson Calop Ostean John Balley Wm. Pickett NACOMNAIORE EH BPOBNKEANAIANAAW ANNOUMNOPNYOAATND PePUWwWUNENwWNhNHuUkUNN Names of Heads of Families Wm. Pickett, Sr. Reuben Meaks Thomas Sholders Wm. Burton James Evans Benj’n Lenear Robert Cool Wm. Batchelor Edward Jones Stephen Martinal Francis Whaley Jeptha Medford Number In Family aAnNPaBeAONI WON 12 Slaves Names of Heads of Families John Thigpin John Thomas Edward Bracher James Whaley Samuel Whaley Wm. Whaley Stephen Millar James Chambers Jeridiah Bass (No Totals Given) Added Totals (State Records, Vol. XXVI, Pages 501-514, incl.) Number In Slaves Family 10 4 3 11 10 HISTORICAL MARKERS IN DUPLIN COUNTY 11. BATTLE OF ROCKFISH “The British under Major Craig defeated the North Carolina Militia, Aug. 2, 1781, 300 yards S.E.” This Marker stands where State Highway No. 11 crosses the old Wil- mington road near the Rockfish Creek Bridge (in Duplin County). JAMES KENAN “Revolutionary leader, Member Provincial Congresses, Conventions 1788-89; Militia Brigadier General; Trustee of University. Grave 2 mi. N.” This marker is located between Warsaw and Clinton near Baltic on State Highway No. 24. GROVE CHURCH “Presbyterian. First Church founded by Scotch-Irish who settled here about 1736.” This Marker is located at Grove Church in the Town of Kenansville on Highways No. 24 and 50. HUGH McADEN “Presbyterian Preacher of Note and Founder of Churches. Once lived Nearby. He later moved to Caswell County where he was buried, LSE? This Marker is near McAden’s home site about one mile east of Kenans- ville on State Highway No. 24. WILLIAM HOUSTON “Stamp Master For North Carolina, 1765. Resigned During Demon- stration In Wilmington Against the Stamp Act. A physician at Sarecta, 4 miles E.” This Marker stands where the Sarecta road enters State Highway No. 11, about two miles North of Kenansville. 113 THOS. 0. LARKIN “Was U. S. Consul at Monterey, Cal., 1844-1848. ‘ Played part in Winning California for the United States. Home, 1825-29, was Nearby.” This Marker is on highway No. 41, between the Old Boney Mill and Wallace. a ae CONFEDERATE ARMS FACTORY “Stood here. Made bowie knives, sabor-bayonets, and other small arms. Destroyed by Federal Cavalry, July 4, 1863.” A State highway historical Marker stands on the site in the Western edge of Kenansville on Highway No. 11. SAMSON L. FAISON “Brigadier General, U. §, Army, in World War I. Decorated for helping break the Hindenburgh Line. His birthplace is 350 yards North- west.” This Marker is on U. S. Highway No. 117 in the Town of Faison. > » with such salaries to the Masters j e them to instruct at low prices, and all useful learn- ing shall be duly encouraged, and promoted, in one or more universities.” In January 1839 the General Assembly passed its first statewide public school law. Under this law those counties voting for schools in August of that year were to levy a tax of $20 for each school district, to be supplemented by twice this amount from the State Literary Fund— the first state and local appropriation for public schools in the history of North Carolina. On this foundation of state years, » paid by the and local support, growing through the our public school system has been built, As time went on, the number of grades in the “common schools” increased to seven; by the turn of the century the graded schools had ten grades; by 1920 the graded schools had eleven grades; and by 194] the graded schools had twelve grades. The school term lengthened to four months in the Constitution of 1868, to six months by Constitutional amendment in 1918, to eight months by legislative enactment in 1931, to nine months by legislative enactment in 1943. Our public school system has grown immensely in the past 70 years— sparked by the leadership of Governor Charles Brantley Aycock. OLD OR EXTINCT SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA The accurate historian, Rey. J. 1D. Hufham, brothers England ; informs me that two » John and Joseph Elliott, both Yale men, came from New n the closing years of the past century and became the pioneers of higher education in the region between the Neuse and the Cape Fear. 115 Fourth district in neighborhood of John E. Hussey; with Gregory Thomas, John Bostic and Jesse Brown, Jr. as committeemen. Fifth district in neighborhood of Henry Sandlin; and Henry Sandlin, Drew Hall and Thomas P. Hall as committeemen. Sixth district in neighborhood of Joseph T. R. Miller; with Joseph T. R. Miller, William H. Rhodes and James L. Smith as committeemen. Seventh district in neighborhood of Jones Smith; with Dr. James H. Jarman, William Williams and John Smith as committeemen. Eighth district in neighborhood of William Grady; with Sherwood Grady, James P. Davis and Daniel H. Simmons as committeemen. Ninth district in neighborhood of Bryan K. Outlaw; with William Outlaw, Bryan K. Outlaw and Edward Outlaw, Sr., as committeemen. Tenth district in neighborhood of James Winders; with Giles T. Loftin, James Sullivan and James Winders as committeemen. Eleventh district in neighborhood of John Carr; with Dr. James G. Dickson, Benjamin Oliver and John Carr as committeemen. Twelfth district in neighborhood of George W. Glisson; with Harget Joseph Elliott—Lenoir Kornegay, William Herring and Mark Keithley as committeemen. John Ghost Elliott—Sampson and Thirteenth district in neighborhood of Calvin J. Dickson; with James hers Beginning 1825-50: ° Gillespie, Levi Swinson and Calvin Dickson as committeemen. Rev. James Sprunt, D. D Fourteenth district in neighborhood of Bryan W. Herring; with Elias (Public Documents, Session 1901, ; Faison, James Hicks and Joseph B. Hurst as committeemen. Fifteenth district in neighborhood of Dr. Buckner L. Hill; with C. D. EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN OF 1839 Hill, William W. Faison and John Shine as committeemen. Vote on School Law: Sixteenth district in neighborhood of Alfred Guy; with A. T. Stanford, Duplin, 371 for, 141 against Daniel Newton and Alfred Guy as committeemen. —from Raleig : (Public Educ II, Page 910.) ; Duplin County. my, Duplin County. Teac ’ h Register, Aug. 24, 1830, Seventeenth district in neighborhood of James K. Hill; with J. K. Hill, ation in North Carolina—q Documentary History 1790-1840, Coon Vol. Daniel Swinson and B. Williams as committeemen. Fighteenth district in the neighborhood of Jonathan Gore; with John Blanchard, John Pollock and Patrick Ezzell as committeemen. Nineteenth district in neighborhood of James Patterson; with Rolin Best, John Frederick and Michael Boyette as committeemen. Twentieth district in neighborhood of Joseph Groves, Sr.; with Jacob Wells, William Wells and Jacob Taylor as committeemen. Twenty-first district in neighborhood of Stephen Williams; with James K. Williams, Zack Williams and John Peterson as committeemen. Twenty-second district in neighborhood of Solomon Turner; with Wright Boney, Boney Wells and William Usher as committeemen. Twenty-third district in neighborhood of Wimbrick Boney; with Wells Boney, Hiram Murray and Henry Teachey as committeemen. Twenty-fourth district in neighborhood of Alfred Ward; with Alfred Ward, Stephen Williams and John W. Boney as committeemen. HW? Twenty-fifth district in neighborhood of James Mallard; with John Mallard, Joseph Brooks and John Powell as committeemen. Twenty-sixth district in neighborhood of John Whitehead; with John Whitehead, James Maxwell and John Dobson as committeemen. Twenty-seventh district in neighborhood of John D. Carroll; with John D. Carroll, William Carr and Osborn Carr as committeemen. Twenty-eighth district in neighborhood of Grove church; with James Carroll, Henry Moore and John Forlaw as committeemen. Twenty-ninth district in neighborhood of Dark Branch; with George E. Houston, William D. Pearsall and Richard Miller as committeemen. Thirtieth district in neighborhood of Beaverdam church; with Thomas Stanford, William Swinson and John Swinson as committeemen. All of which is respectfully submitted, July 21st, 1840. A. MAXWELL D. JONES J. E. HUSSEY JAMES G. STOKES O. R. KENAN JOSEPH T. RHODES DAVID SLOAN A. J. GRADY, C. McMILLAN COMMISSIONERS (Duplin County Court Minutes 1840-1843, on file with State Department of Archives and History.) The Court met in April, 1841, with the following named members present, to wit: Benjamin F. Grady, Chairman, Cornelius McMillan, Nicholas Hall, Thomas Stanford and Jesse Swinson. A majority of the Justices being present, it was ordered that a Board of Superinten- dents of Schools be appointed consisting of the following named persons, to wit: John E. Hussey, Archibald Maxwell, David Sloan, Atlas J. Grady, Joseph T. Rhodes, Benjamin Lanier, Daniel Jones, Cornelius McMillan and James G. Stokes. Capt. David Sloan was made Chairman of the board and gave bond in the sum of $2500, with Owen R. Kenan and Halstead Bourden as bondsmen. The first school tax was levied in Jan- uary, 1841, at the rate of five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation of property and ten cents on the poll. (Court Minutes.) SCHOOL CENSUS 1882 In 1882 there were in the County: White Children 3489 Colored Children 2711 Total Allowances for all the Schools in 1882 amounted to $8,260.76. LIST OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN DUPLIN IN 1890 SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL ENROLLMENT Faison High School, Faison John S. Hill 65 Warsaw High School, Warsaw F. L. Merritt 155 Clement’s School, Duplin Roads S. W. Clement 48 Seminary, Kenansville R. W. Millard 25 Kenansville Male and Female ; Academy A. McArthur 45 Grady’s Industrial School, Albertson B. F. Grady, Jr. 8 Kenansville Summer School W. M. Shaw & B. F. Grady, Jr. q Kenansville Normal School Hiram Brown : 21 (Public Documents, Session 1891, No. 3). LIST OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN DUPLIN COUNTY, 1891 : Principal or Name Location President Enrollment Race Faison High School Faison John S. Hill 65 Warsaw High School Warsaw F. L. Merritt 155 Seminary Kenansville R. W. Millard 25 Kenansville M & F W. M. Shaw and Academy Kenansville Jos. A. McArthur 45 Grady’s Industrial School Albertson B. F. Grady, Jr. 8 Kenansville Summer W. M. Shaw and School Kenansville B. F. Grady 30 Kenansville Normal School Kenansville Hiram Brown 21 (Public Documents, 1891, Document No. 3, Page 94.) SCHOOL FUND DISBURSED BY COUNTY TREASURER FOR SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1899 Duplin County Teachers of White Schools $4,489.00 Teachers of Colored Schools 2,229.57 School Houses & Sites (White) 1,282.40 School Houses & Sites (Colored) 800.57 County Superintendent 298.50 Treasurer’s Commission 183.43 Mileage & Per Diem Board of Education 66.11 (Public Documents, Session 1901, Vol. I, Document No. 9, Page 268.) Out of appropriation of $100,000 to Public Schools in the State, given to Duplin County Jan. 1900, $1,168.28. PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES IN DUPLIN COUNTY FOR 1900 Attendance Clement Institute D. L. McBryde, Wallace 40 Warsaw High School Miss Stella Middleton, Warsaw 50 James Sprunt Institute Rev. Mr. Lancaster, Kenansville Grady School Henry A. Grady, Turkey 35 (Public Documents, Session 1901, Vol. I, Document No. 9, Page 133.) CONDITION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS REPORTED BY COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT Wallace, N. C. July 26, 1900. Hon. C. H. Mebane: Dear Sir:—At your request I will try to set before you the condition of educational affairs in Duplin County. In the first place, we have very few well-equipped teachers. For some reason, there has not been an Institute held in the County for several years, and consequently the teachers have had no opportunity for professional training. In the second place, the pay of teachers is so little that many of the best teach- ers have quit the business. I know of one good teacher who gets only $13 per month and boards herself. In the third place, we have very poor school houses, badly located, and many without suitable seatings and desks. These are a few of the evils under which we are laboring and the cause of all the trouble is the ignorance of the people and consequent want of interest in education. I would suggest a few changes in the School Law: First, make the holding of Institutes obligatory; second, fix the minimum as well as the maximum salary of teachers; third, raise the fee for private examination at least $2 in order to induce the teachers to attend the public examina- tions; fourth, require the people to build and equip the school houses themselves. Lastly, compulsory education is surely bound to come before the children of our beloved State are educated. I hope you will excuse these crude remarks, as I am very much pressed for time this morning. Yours truly, S. W. Clement, County Superintendent. (Document 9, 1901.) FROM THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES B. AYCOCK, GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA—1901 “On a hundred platforms, to half the voters of the State, in the late campaign, I pledged the State its strength, its heart, its wealth, to uni- versal education. I promised the illiterate poor man, bound to a life of toil and struggle and poverty, that life should be brighter for his boy and girl than it had been for him and the partner of his sorrows and joys. I pledged the wealth of the State to the education of his children. Men of wealth, representatives of great corporations, applauded eagerly my declaration. I then realized that the strong desire which dominated me for the uplifting of the whole people moved not only my heart, but was likewise the hope and aspiration of those upon whom fortune had smiled. I had loved the North Carolina people before that time, but I never knew, and appreciated the best qualities of many of our citizens until I saw the owners of many thousands as eager for the education of the whole people as I was myself. Then I knew that the hope and task before us, . . . was not an impossible one. We are prospering as never before—our wealth increases, our industries multiply, our com- merce extends, and among the owners of this wealth, this multiplying industry, this extending commerce, I have found no man who is unwilling to make the State stronger and better by liberal aid to the cause of education. “Gentlemen of the General Assembly, you will not have aught to fear when you make ample provision for the education of the whole people. Rich and poor alike are bound by promise and necessity to approve your utmost efforts in this direction. . . . “Appropriations alone can not remove illiteracy from our State. With the appropriations must come also an increased interest in this cause, which shall not cease until every child can read and write. The preach- ers, the teachers, the newspapers, and the mothers of North Carolina must be unceasing in their efforts to arouse the indifferent and compel by the force of public opinion the attendance of every child upon the schools. . . . This is, therefore, the opportune moment for a revival of educational interest throughout the length and breadth of the State. We shall not accomplish this work in a day, nor can it be done by many speeches. It is a work of years: to be done day by day, with a full realization of its importance and with that anxious interest on our part which will stimulate the careless and will make all our people eager to attain the end which we seek. Our statesmen have always favored the education of the masses, but heretofore interest in the matter has not approached universality; henceforth, in every home there will be the knowledge that no child can attain the true dignity of citizenship without learning at least to read and write. . . . “Our government is founded upon intelligence and virtue. We shall provide for intelligence by a system of schools which is designed to reach every citizen. . . . “We have a great State, rich in noble manhood, richer still in her high-minded womanhood; a State with countless treasures awaiting seekers; with riches in her fields and woods, streams and sounds, hills and mountains, sufficient to satisfy our dreams of wealth; with a frugal and indutrious population ready to toil just awakening fully to the possi- bilities before them. All that we need ‘to complete the Circle of our felicities’ is peace. Let hatred and bitterness and strife cease from among us. Let law everywhere reign supreme. The highest test of a great people is obedience to law, and a consequent ability to administer justice.” (Public Documents—Session 1901, Vol. I.) The editors’ father and father-in-law was with a large group of Duplin Citizens, who met Honorable Charles B. Aycock in Clinton, and escorted him to Duplin to speak in his educational campaign for Governor of North Carolina. R. W. MILLARD, EDUCATOR In the opinion of the writer, who spent her first school day and a part of several years in his school room in the Kenansville Seminary, the ability of R. W. Millard as an educator has never been surpassed in Duplin County. Richard Washington Millard, son of Felix Bell Millard and Sallie Osborn Millard, was born near Clinton, N. C., May 18, 1830, He went to a country school until he was about 16 years of age, then was taught by Prof. Ghost Elliott, a great educator who lived in Clinton. He taught school in Portsmouth, Va., during the war. After this was closed, he and Prof. Webster, of Canada, taught the Franklin Military School near Mt. Olive. During that time he was married to Miss Julia Fryar, of Faison, and their two oldest children, Clara and Annie, were born there. From there they moved to Kenansville and at the age of 30 he and Prof. Webster bought the Seminary and taught together till Prof. Webster sold his interest to Mr. Millard and returned to Canada. Mr. Millard taught until he sold the seminary to Wilmington Presbytery to be en- larged and known as James Sprunt Institute, and he was appointed 122 County Superintendent of Public Instruction. In 1896 he had a stroke of Paralysis and had to give up his work. In Kenansville three other children were born—Octavius, Sallie, and Junius. Junius died when three weeks old. Clara, the oldest daughter, who married Wentworth Faison, died in Faison December 24, 1918. Annie married W. H. Gilbert and died in Wilmington, December 29, 1929. Sallie married John Rickman and died in Asheville October 16, 1935, while visiting relatives. Octavius married Miss Macy Williams, of Kenansville, and they live in Oklahoma City. Mr. Millard joined the Baptist church of Turkey in Sampson County when a young man and moved his membership to Kenansville where he was a loyal member till the Master called him home March 14, 1902. Rev. John D. Larkins conducted his funeral at the home and he was buried in the family cemetery on the home lot. Mrs. Millard died at the home of Mrs. Gilbert in Wilmington. Mr. Larkins conducted her funeral in Kenansville, and she was buried beside her husband. Mr. Millard taught the old time pay school, teaching from “A, B, C” to highest methods and never turned any away for lack of money to pay tuition, but his Heavenly reward must be great and hundreds of his pupils have had cause for deepest gratitude for the part he had in molding their lives. He was unexcelled in his ministering to the sick. He was a great teacher and a great man. (Sketch prepared by Miss Macy Cox.) P Re Rate per $100 sal Tz aa 7 : Local Tax Districts When Voted Property Valuation Wallace Aug. 1903 $ 30 Teachey’s Sept. 1905 30 Magnolia Aug. 1905 30 Rockfish ; Oct. 1903 30 Rose Hill, No. 1 Dec. 1905 30 Lanefield, No. 2 May 1906 30 Warsaw, No. 1 Mar. 1906 30 Beulaville May 1906 5 Calypso Feb. 1907 30 Rockfish, No. 2 May 1907 30 Faison, No. 6 Feb. 1908 30 (Public Documents, Session 1909, Document 3, Page 169.) Total Schoolhouses 1906-07: Duplin 113 — Total Value $28,055.00 HISTORY OF LANEFIELD SCHOOL (This true story, written in 1925 or 1926, is about Lanefield soon after the Civil War ended. Here is the picture of a war torn, poverty stricken community struggling to make better educational opportunities for their 123 children—a better tomorrow for posterity. This story is characteristic of other communities in Duplin County during the difficult, post war years.) Nearly sixty years ago in this community a little group of men who were interested in educating their children began to discuss ways and means for starting a school. Those were not days of much money, for the effects of the Civil War were still very evident. Nor were there taxes to be spent for such things. The truth is that the taxes of those days would not have gone far toward providing either buildings or teachers even had they been available. Proof of this may be readily seen by examining an old tax receipt found recently in the neighborhood. It shows that one of this group of men who founded Lanefield was expected to pay the munificent sum of $.87 on a farm of nearly a hundred acres! But if money was cheap, so were teachers and lumber; and _ these men were in dead earnest about a school. If we have heard aright, the leaders among them were Mr. H. B. Bowden, Mr. J. L. Carlton, Mr. A. W. Carlton, Mr. W. H. Winders, Mr. Ankrum Boyette, Mr. Absalom Phillips, Mr. George Middleton, Mr. D. J. Middleton, Rev. W. M. Ken- nedy, and Mr. Clem Gillespie. A small plot of land part of the present site, was given by Mr. Winders, and the name of the school was called Lanefield for the very simple reason that a Mr. Lane once had a house and fields hard by the building in which we meet today. As we cleaned the new grounds this spring it has been interesting to find traces of old corn rows that evidently belonged once to these same fields. Then a house was started, a simple enough affair to be sure, but like most buildings of that day it was made strong and sturdy. Today parts of that building are still in the framework of the house we are vacating. But the time came when school must be opened and the building was not quite completed. So, for a few months the little group of pupils and their teacher, Mr. James K. Smith, found temporary quarters in the upstairs of the house now occupied by Mr. R. S. Moore. On the first roll we understand, were the names of Mrs. J. A. Powell, Mrs. P. G. Wilson, Mrs. Laura McClammy, Mr. F. G. Middleton, Mr. Tom Kelly, Mr. Carson Carlton and Mrs. L. Middleton, who, so far as we know, are the only living students of that eventful first year. If we could see the school of that day now it would probably be hard for us to realize that this is the same school, grown up a bit. There were no lead pencils and tablets—what use when a slate could be used over and over and then handed down to a younger member of the family? Who of us old enough to remember the day of slates is willing to part with the memory of proud ownership of a new slate, its edges 124 bound with red wool string, not to mention the pencil with the starry flag around it? Even partial payments were possible if one wrote small figures and took care not to rub off the other side! Nor were there reports to make out, or grades to pass or state courses to follow. An old student told us that one year when the supply of text books ran low the pupils faithfully spent the hours absorbing the dictionary, word by word! Those were the days of “readin’ and writin’ and ’rithmetic” plus the inevitable Blue Back Speller, some history and geography. And we doubt not that to many a pupil in the words of an old Lanefield student describing a similar school, these branches of knowledge were often “taught to the tune of a hickory stick.” Moral persuasion and psycho- logical methods of teaching were not so much in evidence then as now. Apropos of the Blue Back Speller another delightful tale comes down to us from those early days. There was a certain small boy to whom the teacher gave out the word “incomprehensibility.” We pass over the wonder that any small boy should be expected to know the nineteen letters in a word seldom used, but those were the days when spelling was a fine art. For some moments the small boy wore a puzzled expres- sion, then with the light finally breaking over his face he blurted out, “Why, Dr. Handy, I thought that were reading.” We read with pride the list of teachers, most of whom have been men and women of college training, and practically every one of whom was not only of service in the school but also in the church and community life generally. They were, so far as we have been able to gather: Mr. J. K. Smith, Mr. O. P. Middleton (1868 or 70), Mr. J. L. Davis (1874), Mr. D. B. Nicholson (1875 or 1876), Miss Roella Davis (now Mrs Tur- ner), Mr. J. W. Davis, Dr. S. W. Handy, Mr. Asa Alderman, Mr. D. S. Koonce, Mr. D. S. Kennedy, Miss Annie Moore, Mr. J. H. Gillespie, Mr. J. G. Stokes, Mr. G. G. Quinn, Miss Josephine Ward, Miss Bevvie Kennedy (now Mrs. B. Middleton), Miss Ella May Stokes (now Mrs. Rufus Daniel Bennett), Mr. R. B. White, Mr. Robert Pridgen, Miss Margaret Carlton, Mr. B. W. Allen, Miss Emma Middleton, Miss Carrie Powell (now Mrs. Peele), Miss Lizzie Moore, Miss Florence Boyette (later Mrs. Dr. Hawes), Miss Bowden Loftin, Miss Gertrude Chitty (now Mrs. Griffin), Miss Margaret Kennedy (now Mrs. Brown), Miss Mary Parker (now Mrs. Outland), Miss Minnie Middleton (now Mrs. Anderson), Miss Nell Chambers, Miss Lucy Middleton (now Mrs. Pal- mer), Miss Lucy Herring, Miss Myra Hunter (now Mrs. Carlton), Miss Lassiter (now Mrs. Ward), Miss Annie Carroll (now Mrs. Claude Best), Miss Mary White Carroll (now Mrs. Ledbetter), Miss Mattie Herring (Mrs. John Daly), Miss Carrie Chadwick (now Mrs. John Middleton), Miss Macy Jones (Mrs. Loyd Thomas), Miss Alda Howard (Mrs. Far- 125 rior Koonce), Miss Christine Pridgen, Miss Annie May Boyette (Mrs. Quinn), Miss Alice Teague, Miss Corneva Bass, Miss Bessie Barden, Miss Alieze Lefferts, Miss Leitha Fulford, and Miss Lena Chadwick. It is interesting to note that the first time we had two teachers was during the session taught by Mr. D. S. Kennedy and Miss Margaret Carlton, and that the three teacher order of the day came in 1919 with Misses Teague, Bass and Barden. The honor for the longest term of service goes to Miss Margaret Carlton who gave thirteen lucky years to the children who were so fortunate as to to be her pupils. For many years the salaries of these teachers were paid, not from the treasury of Duplin County, but from the pockets of that same group of men who founded and nourished the school. Even when the four months term of public school was later provided, the Lanefield Com- munity still paid tuition for the pupils that they might have an extra two months each year. Doubtless from this very interest shown by our fathers and grandfathers came the desire for higher training which has sent thirty or more of our very own boys and girls to colleges and universities. In this fact we must confess we feel a real pride today. Mention should be made also of the faithful service rendered by a long list of interested committeemen, but we have been unable to learn all their names. We feel very sure that much of the progress of the school has been due to them. Time went on. The building grew too small and so first one end and then the other was torn out and enlarged. Another step was the addition of music lessons. These also were paid for by the patrons. For some- time an old-fashioned square piano, placed in the church, was used for lessons and practice. Interest was all the keener when occasionally gypsies camped on the grounds and music students were zealously guarded during practice hours by some of the older boys lest they be kidnapped! About twenty years ago a music room was added to the building, money and labor being again furnished by the community. Scientists tell us that men who have made a study of trees can tell their age by the rings within the bark. Some more aspiring than others claim that even the more severe winters can be reckoned by the the thickness or thinness of the layers between the rings. But one wonders if there is any scientist, wise or unwise, who can look at a fallen tree and tell us what winds have sung in its branches or can tell the snow that has bent its limbs or the hail that has stung its leaves. The same kind of thing is true of any institution. We can count the rings today and say that Lanefield is nearly sixty, but we cannot count her dif_i- culties or her achievements in so simple a fashion. Is there any way of measuring hours of weariness and discouragement that all teachers 126 feel at times? Is there any scale for testing the amount of joy that came from knocking the ball so far into the gallberry bushes that a Powell and a Boyette and a Carlton all made a home run before it could be found? Has anyone invented an instrument fine enough to estimate the thrills of Hail Over, and Steal-a-Beer, of Stick Frog and Shinny? And do you remember the good old days of King William when the bell rang before you could “go to the East, go to the West and choose the one that you love best?” And the spring—how about that? There were mysterious mud puppies to be dug out, green frogs to chase, the gluey clay that passed for soap, not to mention the sensational minutes when some poor unfortunate took an unexpected swim. And the water ? Was there ever any sweeter or clearer or cooler? Is there anyone here who can calculate the genuine value of moss playhouses, syrup in a hole in the side of a biscuit, or the tantalizing flavor of that juicy yellow pear that used to come to school in somebody else’s basket? If there is, we are waiting to be convinced that the time has come when all country schools have had their day and wholesale consolidation is not only inevitable but the panacea for all our educational problems. These same scientists who are wise in tree lore tell us that there comes a time when every tree is ripe and needs to give way for a new one. The same is true of Lanefield today. The old tree is to be cut down, but like good foresters, we plant today a shoot from the same old tree. Lanefield, we believe, under modern methods of pruning and care, will grow into a more vigorous tree, but we hope the old spirit of co-operation and community pride will still add grace and sweetness to her life. (By Mrs. Minnie Middleton (Anderson) Hussey—Mrs. Minnie Middleton Anderson served as missionary to China. Mrs. Minnie Middleton (Anderson) Hussey was Librarian at Woman’s College at Greensboro, N. C., until she retired in 1957. From files of Duplin County Board of Education.) EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES IN DUPLIN About the year 1880, there seems to have been an awakening, and new interest infused into school life of the county. Things began to look up. About this time, we find the first record of a county superin- tendent in the person of Mr. B. F. Grady, who from records, shows long term of faithful service, and under whose supervision the cause prospered. Following in the order named, these gentlemen, all educated christian teachers, respectively filled the office of county superintendent, Viz: W. M. Shaw, R. W. Millard, S. W. Clement, and D. S. Kennedy. covering a period of thirty years, and the work continued to grow, as new methods were introduced, and new environments were thrown around the people. The necessity of public education was now fastening itself upon the minds of the people, and like every other great wave of prog- 127 ress and reform, began to sweep over the land, and nothing since has been able to retard its movement. CONTINUED GROWTH At the close of the year 1911—the school population of Duplin County had grown from 3700 to 5500 white and colored. The public school fund had grown from $8,260. in 1882 to $34,000. in 1911... . PRESENT FINANCIAL STATUS School teaching to the average mind is quite prosaic often times not very attractive, and a matter about which, people are not much con- cerned, but when we point to the fact that the tax payers of this county, the past year, dug up from some where nearly a quarter million dollars, against $34,000 collected and expended in 1883, it looks like we are “going some.” This is true, nevertheless. Our schools are well fi- nanced. . .. This sketch would not be complete unless we say something about the new movement, consolidation of schools. This idea is new in North Carolina, not so however, in many other Eastern and Western sections. Not more than six months ago the writer began to talk consolidation, and to our surprise and great delight, interest was quickly aroused, and grew so rapidly, that upon reflection, especially upon the financial side of this question, we had to content ourselves by consolidating only two points in the county, at present. Others will follow, in quick succession, when encouraged. It is one bright hope for the rural child. The one- teacher school has served its purpose well indeed, in many instances, but it has seen its best days. In this day of motor vehicles and good roads, consolidation has right of way, and nothing will stop it. True it is a costly proposition, but we can’t estimate, or measure, the value of the child’s intellect in dollars and cents. . . . (By M. H. Wooten, County Superintendent—The Duplin Record, Dec. 1921. Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Vestal.) DUPLIN TEACHERS—1921 Holding Certificates: Mabele Alderman, Magnolia, N. C.; Mary Tor- rans, Warsaw, N. C.; Ethel Kilpatrick, Rose Hill, N. C.; Thelma Norris, Wallace, N. C.; Tippie Summerlin, Kenansville, N. C.; Francis Mercer, Beulaville, N. C.; Ruth A. Torrans, Warsaw, N. C.; Mary Nicholson, Kenansville, N. C.; Marie Carter, Wallace, N. C.; Nora Mercer, Halls- ville, N. C.; Myrtle Dixon, Rose Hill, N. C.; Nannie Lee James, Beula- ville, N. C.; Ernestine Whaley, Kenansville, N. C.; Alda Sandlin, Beula- ville, N. C.; Mrs. G. W. Lanier, Beulaville, N. C.; Mable Sandlin, Halls- 128 ville, N. C.; Richard Pickett, Beulaville, N. C.; Mamie Herring, Seven Springs, N. C.; Kathleen Rodgers, Rose Hill, N. C.; Carrie Casey, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Leone Best, Warsaw, N. C.; Myrtle Burch, Kenansville, N. C.; Mrs. Paul D. Parker, Beulaville, N. C.; H. R. Geddie, Rose Hill, N. C.; Estelle Kennedy, Hallsville, N. C.; Ida Mae Sanderson, Beula- ville, N. C.; Audrey Farrior, Rose Hill, N. C.; Newton E. Graham, Shiloh, N. C.; Mrs. F. N. Barden, Magnolia, N. C.; Mrs. Larry Sandlin, Beulaville, N. C.; Phoebe Jones, Beulaville, N. C.; Clarissa Grady, Kenansville, N. C.; M. Louise Pridgen, Warsaw, N. C.; Josie Lou Hamil- ton, Magnolia, N. C.; Floy Quinn, Kenansville, N. C.; Lizzie Davis, Kenansville, N. C.; Nellie Chestnutt, Magnolia, N. C.; Adell Thomas, Beulaville, N. C.; Christine M. Pridgen, Warsaw, N. C.; Katherine McLean, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Nora Blackmore, Warsaw, N. C.; Edgar Pollock, Warsaw, N. C.; Nellie Dixon, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Lila Swinson, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Nealie Kilpatrick, Rose Hill, N. C.; Lonnie Jones, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Carrie Jones, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Lora L. Wilson, Mt. Olive, N. C.; Mary Lou Wallace, Rose Halk: NieG: ScuooL NoTE No teacher is allowed to teach in public schools, unless such teacher has attended Summer School, in past two years. All excuses for non- attendance rests with State Board of Education. Don’t ask any other authority to excuse you. (The Duplin Record, issue of December 1921—copy furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis V. Vestal, Kenansville, N. C.) B. F. GRADY HIGH SCHOOL DEDICATION Mr. Superintendent, Ladies and Gentlemen: In Joel Chandler Harris’ classic tales of Uncle Remus, there is a story of a certain rabbit that had been caught by a fox, who was quite anxious to punish him because of an ancient grudge that existed between the two families. While he was meditating upon the character of the punish- ment, the rabbit said to him: “Bre’r Fox, I know I am gwiner be pun- ished; but for de Good Lord’s sake, don’t throw me into any brier patch. I can stand anything but that.” Whereupon, the fox immediately cast him into a thicket of thorns, and stood by to see him torn and mangled; but the rabbit jumped out of the bushes, laughed in great glee, and exclaimed, “Lordy Massy, Bre’r Fox, here is where I was bred and borned.” Standing here in the presence of many with whom I played as a child, almost in sight of the old Homestead where my ancestors lived, died and are buried, and where I spent the major part of my youth, from 129 forty to fifty years ago, I am almost overcome with many emotions; but the deepest and most abiding of them all lies in that feeling of security and satisfaction which comes to every man when he returns to his own people—those who are connected with him by blood, and those ties of tender association which have ever knitted and bound me to that com- munity which for many generations past has been known as “Chocolate.” I am more than glad to return once again, and to mingle with you good people, who have ever been my friends since the days of my earliest recollection. I have read somewhere in history that when William the Conqueror saw old age creeping upon him, after he had passed the meridian of life—he was seized with an irresistible desire to return to the home of his fathers, and to spend the remaining years of his life amidst the scenes of his childhood. The historian remarks that such emotions are com- mon to all men, and that statement is corroborated by my own experi- ence, by my own affection for the old home, and a desire to return to the places that I knew best when I was a barefoot boy. It was here in this community, up and down the hills of the North East River, that I romped and played with many of you who, now, like myself, are “frosted with the snows of many winters”; when I knew nothing of the cares and responsibilities of life, or dreamed of the burdens that come to all of us when the mysteries of youth have been swept away by the sober knowledge of truth. For youth is filled with many mysteries. The fallacies and superstitions that surrounded us in those old days—many of them have passed into the shadow land of memory. The old haunted houses that we used to shun have been torn down; the lonely graveyard, with its strange, unearthly noises, has been cleared up, the cobwebs have been swept away, and the ghosts of the olden times have passed into oblivion—thrust aside by the less poetic, but practical demonstration of truth. Dreamland has become peopled with strange realities, the whisperings of spirits have now become the sighing of the pines, and the things we feared in years gone by have become more friendly, more kindly, because now we see and understand. And so I have come back, after these more than forty years, to mingle with my childhood friends, and to join with you in doing honor to my father, for whom this building is named, which, by accident or design, stands upon the first tract of land that was ever owned by the Grady family in Duplin County; for it is a fact that the land upon which we now stand was patented by William Grady, about 1754, and this William was the ancestor of all the Gradys in North Carolina, as well as the greater part of the Outlaws, the Kornegays, the Maxwells, the Simmonses, 130 and many of the Herrings. This record carries us through seven genera- Hons, and began as best we know, about the year 1690. My own mem- ory covers only about 50 years of that period, for it was just fifty years ago that my father came to Duplin County with his family, and settled on the land where his father and his grandfather lived and died. I could tell you many stories of the things that happened in “Choco- late” when I was a boy. Some would be comic, some tragic, but what- ever their nature may have been, they are all hallowed by the flight of time, and form now but a blessed memory to those who participated in them. I could tell you about “Gat” Kornegay and his brother George, and of Albert Grady and Zeb, and my brother Cleburne: How we used to meet down at the bridge, where Tom Smith kept store and Taylor Beatty ran the turpentine still on the bank of the river; and how we used to leap into the water when the freshets came and race with the current in its mad rush for the sea. I looked down that old road tod and I thought of the hundreds of times that I had traveled it, carrying butter and eggs and chickens to market; and I can remember how old man Smith used to count the eggs, holding three at a time in his fingers That old road has taken its place in the realm of memories. sadey of the things that I knew in those days ruthless hand of progress. Like many » it has been thrust aside by the I could tell you how we used to hunt *possums we used to sleep in the swamp at night, of the strange noises that we used to hear yard in the field. And then I can remem Mrs. Howard’s and at Mr. and ’coons, and how after the hunt was over, and when we passed the old grave- ber how we used to gather at Ford’s and at cousin John Grady’s, aybreak, and then walk home in time for breakfast. My memory takes me back to “Jock” Grady and Kate Ford, and Walter Smith and Gordon. They were much youn ger then than they are now; and how they could dance is beyond description! And then there was “Shook” Ford with his guitar, while Craven Grady and his brother Howell played the fiddles. There were no violins in those days; they were just plain fiddles; but no Paganini has ever surpassed the magic of Craven’s bow, nor could Ole Bull compete with the melody of Howell’s matchless second. When those three opened up with Snow Bird on the Ash Bank, Nancy Johnson, or Old Zip Coon, not a foot could resist the temptation to pat in unison, though its owner may have been too timid to lead a partner out on the floor. I could tell you how we used to gather at the old Davis Mill, and how Gene Ford used to turn a somersault into the pier-head from the top of the mill house; and how we used to play pranks upon unsuspect- ing victims who had not yet learned how to swim; and I could tell you 131 how the “gang” used to gather on Sundays and break in such unsophisti- cated bull yearlings as happened to stray within the confines of our mimic empire. It was a sad day for these wandering gentlemen when they tried to pass down the old cedar lane from Uncle Daniel Simmons’ towards Kornegay’s Bridge. I could tell you how I used to go out to Mr. Hugh Maxwell’s on Saturday nights and spend Sunday with Warren and Reddin and Bob. Those visits always filled me with delight, for the Maxwell boys always kept a supply of spy-glasses, magnets, prisms and scientific toys, and they had the first bicycle that was ever seen in Duplin County—one of the old Pope kind that had a large wheel in front and a small wheel in the rear. Its greatest value lay in the field of acrobatics, and espe- cially in teaching its rider how to land on his feet when turning a somersault. Mr. Maxwell kept the Post Office, called Reseca, while a few miles away cousin John Grady was Post Master at Albertson. Our old friend, Kinsey Jones, brought the mail from Kenansville twice a week. “Tock” was the real Post Master at Albertson, for his father never had anything to do with the mail. I could tell you a great many things about “Jock” that you people have never heard of. “Jock” was a gentle- man of much distinction in those days. He was a regular customer of J. Lynn, a merchant of New York City, and always carried on hand a supply of watches, mouth organs, jews harps, and brass finger rings, which were the admiration and envy of the younger generation for miles around. “Jock” kept one of J. Lynn’s catalogs on hand, and we used to sit around the fire at night, while waiting for the mail to come, and figure out what we would order if we only had the money. My greatest ambition in those days was to accumulate as much as seventy five cents at one time, so I could order a “Wilcox Breech Loading Target Bow Gun” from our friend, J. Lynn. I can see that gun now as it was pic- tured in the catalog. It was a wonderful thing; but my ambition was never gratified. I was never able to accumulate so much money at one time; but I am going to New York some time and take “Jock” with me, and we are going to see J. Lynn and get him to show us one of those guns. If it is at all like it was advertised, I am going to buy one and bring it home with me. I could tell you how my brothers and myself used to walk down to our uncle Stephen’s on Saturday afternoons and go fishing with Lon and Robert; and then how we used to gather around the old square piano at night and sing “Tenting” and “The Vacant Chair” and other songs that all of us knew so well. And then we would sometimes have a dance, and Kate and Lula and Myrtie and Lilla would all join in the revelry, while uncle Stephen would play “Mississippi Sawyer” on the family 132 fiddle. I could also tell you how uncle Stephen used to “cuss.” It was a delight to hear him at his best, for there was no man in the com- munity who could match him in real classic swearing. é, But now I must tell of a tragedy. There were many of them back in those days; but this one beats them all. It happened when I went after the mail. It was about a mile and a half from our home to cousin John’s and the path led through an old pine thicket, a very lonely place, where old aunt ’Lize Jarman had seen a ha’nt way back in days gone by. I know she saw it for she told me all about it. My father used to take the Goldsboro Messenger, the Congressional Record, and several other periodicals, and he usually received about half a bushel of letters in each mail. Old man Kinsey Jones usually arrived at Albertson around 8:00 at night, and after “Jock” had opened and distributed the mail I had to go home with my burden, straight through that pine thicket. Many a night as I passed by the old ditch bridge, back of where Julie and Nancy Grady lived, have I heard that ha’nt walking in the bushes, and heard him scream like a banshee. On such occasions I would scatter Messengers, Congressional Records and letters for about a mile in my frantic efforts to reach home before that ghost got me. I can certify to the fact that I always outran him; but he was a fearful apparition, with a voice like a screetch owl, that made my heart flutter like a leaf in the wind. There is one more tragedy that I must tell you about, and that is how I used to break up newground in the swamp, over next to Uncle Daniel Simmons’ place. We used a coulter, and old Buck had to pull it through reed roots about six inches thick. He would do his level best for awhile, and then the yellow flies and gnats would cover him, and he would start for the branch that separated us from uncle Daniel. I would tug with all my might, but I really do not believe that there is any power on earth that could have kept old Buck out of those bushes. It was under such circumstances that I first took the name of the Lord in vain; and so, in that respect, at least, it was a tragedy. My memory also goes back to old Sutton’s Branch School House, where I used to go to school to Mr. Joe Maxwell, and where I used to play Town Ball and Three Hole Cat with Robert Simmons, Ashley Jones, Gat Kornegay, Lonnie Smith, Craven Taylor, Bertie Powell and Crocket Lee’s boys. It was there, in that old School House, that my father began his educational work in Duplin County; and this brings me to the real subject of my address. Your very capable Superintendent, Mr. Siske, and my friends, L. A. Beasley, W. J, Grady and Robert G. Maxwell, have asked me to come 133 here today and speak in behalf of my father, as the representative of his family, and in appreciation of this splendid memorial which you have erected to his memory. The fact that you have named this school for my father is very gratifying to his children and to his many friends in North Carolina; and, in behalf of his family, I wish to thank those who have been so kind to his memory, who have recognized his services in this community, and who have thought it worth while to immortalize him, so far as stone and brick and mortar are capable of immortality. My friends, you will understand the embarrassment that comes to me at this time, and how difficult it is for me to speak in eulogy of my own father, or to attempt to interpret his life as an educator of the common people. Whatever of praise he deserves should be left to others. As for myself, I shall tell you the simple story of his life, a story in which many of you are interested, for I take it as true that the majority of you are related to him, that you are of the same race to which he be- longed and that the Irish pride in you will swell with my own in the knowledge that we are all honored by this happy occasion. The story ig as follows: WILLIAM GRADY came into Bertie County about the year 1690 from Donegal County in North Ireland. He was a Protestant, and married Ann Barfield, a daughter of Richard Barfield of Virginia. His son, JOHN GRADY, married MARY WHITFIELD, a daughter of Wil- liam Whitfield and Elizabeth Goodman, the latter being a native also of Ireland. John Grady settled near the present residence of William G. Kornegay in 1730. He was the father of eleven children, to wit: Mary, William, John, Charity, Anne, Alexander, Louis, Elizabeth, Margaret, Frederick, and a daughter whose name I do not know, but who married William Laws. His daughter, Elizabeth, married JAMES OUTLAW, the ancestor of practically every Outlaw in Duplin County. His son, ALEX- ANDER GRADY, known as “BUD,” married NANCY THOMAS of Maryland, and was the father of 10 children, to wit: Henry, Alexander Il, John T., Mary Ann, Thomas, Charity, Charlotte, who married Wil- liam Grady, her first cousin; Mary, who married her cousin Frederick Grady; Catherine, who married William Kornegay; and Winifred, who married her cousin John Moore Grady. From these children of Alex- ander Grady are descended many of the Gradys and Kornegays of this community. And this includes the children of Repsy Maxwell and Hugh Maxwell, Dr. J. F. Maxwell, James H. Maxwell, Jos. C. Maxwell, Warren Maxwell, Guilbert N. Maxwell, Redin Maxwell and Robert Goodman Maxwell, who married a direct descendant of Frederick Grady, son of John, and also of James Outlaw. I refer to my cousin Cholly Maxwell, who is a daughter of William Outlaw, who was a son of William Outlaw, 134 Sr., son of James, and who married Charity, of Cholly Grady, a daughter of Frederick, the son of John Grady. ALEXANDER GRADY II, son of Alexander I, married Charity Out- law, daughter of James, and was the father of 11 children, to wit: Outlaw Grady, Alexander Grady III, Henry Grady, Goodman Grady, Hatch Whitfield Grady, Elizabeth, Putsy, Nancy, Repsy who married Hugh Maxwell, Dr. James Monroe Grady, and Mary Grady—most of whom died of the smallpox in the winter of 1854. His daughter Eliza- beth married her cousin Timothy Grady, and was the mother of Charles C. Grady, the father of Mrs. William Gaston Kornegay. HENRY GRADY, son of Alexander I, married Elizabeth Outlaw, a sister of his brother Alexander’s wife, and he was the father of Alex- ander Outlaw Grady, Eliza Anne Grady, who married Daniel Hargett Sim- mons, the ancestory of all the Simmons family in Duplin County; Susan Grady, who married Abraham Kornegay, grandmother of Gaston, George, Stephen, Alice and Repsy Kornegay; Bryan Whitfield Grady, the father of Julia and Nancy Grady; Pussy Grady, who married John Jackson; Letty Grady, who married James P. White; Harriet, who married Sherwood Grady; Benjamin Franklin Grady; Atlas Jones Grady; Stephen Miller Grady, the father of Leonidas, Robert, Lula, Myrtie, Lilla and Kate; Patrick Henry Grady who died young, and Alexander Torrans Grady, the only son of his last wife, who was Elizabeth Whitfield. FREDERICK GRADY, son of old John, was the ancestor of all the Grady family of Lenoir County. He was the father of Durham Grady, Elisha Grady, Whitfield Grady, and ten other children. JOHN GRADY, a son of old John, married a Moore, and was the father of Williams, Frederick II, John and Arthur Grady; and this Williams married Charlotte, the daughter of Alexander Grady I, and was the father of Sherwood Grady, Ahaz Grady, John Grady, Winfrey Grady, and several daughters. My grandfather, ALEXANDER OUTLAW GRADY, married Nancy Sloan, daughter of GIBSON SLOAN and RACHEL BRYAN, his wife, who was a daughter of KEDAR BRYAN, a descendant of William Bryan and Alice Needham, who came to America sometime about 1690. My father was named for his uncle, Benjamin Franklin Grady, Sr., who was Clerk of the Court of Duplin County for a number of years, and who died in Texas many years ago at the home of my uncle, Romulus M. S. Grady. It will be seen from what I have said that my father was related in blood to all the Gradys, most of the Outlaws, Kornegays, Simmonses, and Maxwells in Duplin County. He was proud of that relationship, and no man was more loyal to his people than he. 135 I shall now tell you the story of his life, as it has already been told by another, and you will pardon me for borrowing that which modesty forbids me to utter. Benjamin Franklin Grady was born near Hallsville, Duplin County, on his father’s farm, October 10th, 1831. His ancestors came from Ireland and settled in Duplin County in the fork of North East River and Burncoat Creek in 1739, having moved to that place from Bertie County where they first located about 1690. His mother was Nancy Sloan, daughter of Gibson Sloan and Rachel Bryan; and this Rachel was a daughter of Kedar Bryan and Rachel Whitfield; so that there was mingled in his veins the blood of the Whitfields, the Bryans, the Outlaws, the Sloans, the Needhams and the Thomases of Maryland. His mother called him Franklin. When he was about seven years of age his father moved from his birthplace to the old home in Albertson Township, where his father and grandfather lived and died; and it was there on the farm that Franklin Grady was reared, and where he worked in the fields with his father’s slaves until he was old enough to attend a preparatory school at Kenans- ville. His early training was in the Old Field school, and under his father, who was a man of wide information, though not a graduate of any institution of learning. He was prepared for college by Rev. James Sprunt, a Scotch Presbyterian, who had immigrated to this County prior to 1850. He entered the University in 1855 and graduated with highest honors in 1857. Among his class-mates were Col. Thomas S. Kenan, Judge A. C. Avery, Major Robert Binham, Dr. Daniel Mcl. Graham, Captain John Dugger, Hon. John Graham, and various others who have been prominent in the political and educational life of North Carolina. After his graduation he returned to Kenansville where he assisted his old preceptor for about a year when he was elected Professor of Mathe- matics and Natural Sciences at Austin College, then located at Huntsville, Texas. He held this position until the spring of 1862, when he volun- teered as a private in a Cavalry Company, which was soon dismounted, and he served the balance of war as Orderly Sergeant of the Infantry. He was twice offered the Captaincy of his Company, but refused, stating at that time that he preferred to carry a gun. On January 11th, 1862, his entire command was captured at Arkansas Post and sent to Camp Butler, Ohio, as prisoners of war. In April following he was exchanged and sent to Tullahome, Tennessee, where he became a member of Grand- bury’s Brigade, Cleburne’s Division, Hardee’s Army Corps. Mr. Grady participated in many battles—notably those of Franklin, Tenn., Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, and Atlanta. He was twice wounded at the Battle of Franklin—once in the hand and once in the face. Those who 136 knew him will recall the deep scar in the outer angle of his right eye—- a faithful reminder of that scene of carnage, where every officer in Gen- eral Cleburne’s Division was killed, above the rank of Lieutenant, in- cluding both Generals Cleburne and Grandbury. Mr. Grady developed into an expert marksman, and was often detailed to duty as a sharpshooter. It was on such an occasion that he witnessed the death of General Leonidas Polk, one of the bravest of Confederate Generals—a man who had resigned as Bishop of the Episcopal Church that he might fight for his native land. On the day before Bentonsville, Mr. Grady was taken to Peace Institute in Raleigh, which was then used as a Hospital. The War closed while he was delirious with fever, and when he regained consciousness both Lee and Johnston had laid down their arms to the invader. Without money, ragged, and still suffering from the effects of fever, he wandered back to “Chocolate,” the home of his fathers, where he saw his father die of a broken heart; saw the family servants scattered, the farm in ruins, credit destroyed, and his own people in actual want. Two of his brothers had been killed in the War—one at Dristoe Station and one at Snicker’s Gap, while the remaining brother had lost the use of a hand. He saw that it was necessary to build up a New South on the ruins of the past. Teaching was his chosen profession, and he believed that in the education of the people lay the salvation of the country. He established a school near the present town of White Hall, afterwards moving to Clinton, where, with the assistance of Prof. Murdoch McLeod, he founded the Clinton Male Academy. In 1875 his health failed and he moved to the farm of Dr. Henry A. Bizzell, his wife’s father, near Clinton, and in 1878 to his own farm in Albertson Township, Duplin County. The life of a farmer in those days was uneventful. Its drudgery was irksome to the restless mind of the teacher. Gathering about him a few young men who were unable to attend college, he conducted a private school in his own home for several years. Here it was that the poor boy, almost without price, was enabled to gratify a thirst for knowledge, to sit at the feet of a master, who was as happy to impart as the boy was to receive knowledge. Among those who attended this private school were Robert C. Maxwell, John P. McNeill, Evander McN. Carr, Leonidas V. Grady, Mrs. Ed. Grady of Seven Springs, Caleb D. Bradhem of New- bern and others who have gone out into the world, fired with the inspira- Hon that entered their souls in the humble home of B. F. Grady. In addition to this private school he founded a Sunday School at old Sutton’s Branch School House, the association of which were among his fondest recollections. Here he taught Music, the Bible, Mathematics, 137 Classical Literature, and the Sciences. Pope’s Essay on Man and Scott’s Lady of the Lake became familiar learning to the people in that com- munity. Globes, charts, crucibles, and diagrams became a part of the regular program, along with history, both sacred and profane. To B. F. Grady all knowledge was sacred, and there was no department of learning that he did not touch in some way in that old school house by Sutton’s Branch. In 1881 Mr. Grady was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for Duplin County, which position he held until March 4th, 1891, when he took his seat in the Federal Congress at Washington City. He was fitted both by education and birth for the duties of that office. During his administration the teachers were required to attain to a higher stand- ard than ever before in the history of the County. He visited the schools often, and in the summer months conducted Institutes at Kenansville and also at the Court Houses in neighboring Counties, where many of the leading educators of the State were invited to participate as lecturers and teachers. He was by nature a teacher of men. He sought to arouse in the pupil a spirit of inquiry, believing that all culture came primarily from individual effort, stimulated and directed by proper suggestion. Wherever he went, and with whomsoever he associated, his giant intellect left an indelible impression. His mind was omnivorous, his memory almost infallible, while his reasoning powers seemed to be with- out limit. There are few fields of thought that he had not traversed. He was equally at home with Goethe, the poet, or with Spencer, the philosopher and naturalist. In the realm of mathematics he had no superior, in history few equals, while in the Classics he was at perfect ease, whether it was Latin, French or Greek. To those who knew him best his memory of things was proverbial; he seemed to have forgotten how to forget; his mind was a storehouse of knowledge, a treasure of facts, so arranged and simplified as to take on the aspect of an Encyclopoedia. Such was the impression that prevailed among those who knew him best. I would like to close this story of my father by quoting from one of his most ardent admirers, my friend for many years, Hon. Lauchlin A. Bethune of Clinton. In one of his moods for fine writing he said this of my father: “Benjamin Franklin Grady was an outstanding exception to the general rule affecting those who are named for great personages. A name-sake of the great patriot, statesman and philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, he too was all of these as was very definitely known by those who understood him. He came of a race of which patriots are made, a race which struggled through centuries of defeat, only to come into its own within the last decade. His patriotism was of that exalted type 138 which consists in the love of one’s own country, without hatred of any other; of a willingness to perform all the duties which a loyal citizen owes to his Country, and to make for it any needed sacrifice, gladly and Without the hope of reward. “The private life of this quiet and unobtrusive man had about it the calm dignity of the philosopher, and the modesty of virtue. It was like @ majestic river in a world of babbling brooks, and one saw rather than heard its noiseless current, that had about it the silence of depth, and flowed as gently as the waters of Afton. “B. F. Grady was a studious man both by habit and inheritance, be- coming a ripe scholar and profound thinker. Education did as much for him as it could for any man of his day, and his mind became a vast storehouse of knowledge. Young men have been scholars, but no young man was ever a real philosopher. There is an ageing process which comes with experience. Mr. Grady underwent that process, care- fully and deliberately, and was able to suppress those tendencies to revo- lution that run as a rule in the minds of advanced thinkers. He learned to accept the Universe as he found it, and his creed might be found in the lines of Alexander Pope, where he declares that— ‘In spite of faith, in erring reason’s spite. One truth is clear—whatever is, Is Right.’ “As a statesman B. F, Grady was of that exalted type which puts public interest above all thought of self. A democrat of democrats, he believed in the people and their right to govern themselves; but he knew as all students of history soon learn, that government may be safer at times in the hands of the educated few, than in those of an ignorant and misguided many. He knew that even with self governing people the law at times can become tyrannical, and that the oA vila ag often in that direction where the people become indifferent, and permit privilege and corruption to gain the ascendancy. And so, while a firm believer in democracy, Mr. Grady ever held to the idea that only in an educated electorate was it possible to establish a government of absolute justice. That is why he gave his life to educational pursuits. “Mr. Grady was easily approached. He had a kind word for every- body. He had a keen sense of the ridiculous, and, as is usually the case with men of that kind, was lenient towards the absurdities and inconsis- tencies of others. He was prodigal in his habits. The material things of this life held little attraction for him. Without love of money or property the simpilcity of his life and conduct was a source of wonderment to his: friends. He was affectionate to his family, and loyal to his friends. He delighted in the companionship of children, between whom and 139 himself there was a perfect bond of sympathy in the carelessness with which he viewed the material things of this world.” I am glad indeed that my father was able to merit such commendation at the hands of his friends, and I am happy to repeat these things to the people that he cared for the most, and among whom he spent the most useful period of his life. He wrote many articles for the Press; but the finest things that he has contributed to the literature of the South are his two books dealing with secession and the conflict between the Federal and Confederate Governments. The Case of the South Against The North, and The South’s Burden. My father died March 6th, 1914, and is buried in the Cemetery at Clinton. On his tomb is the simple inscription—“Benjamin Franklin Grady, Soldier, Statesman, Philosopher.” And now, once again thanking the good people of this community, the Board of Education, the Board of Commissioners, and all who have contributed in any way towards the erection of this building for the distinguished honor that they have conferred upon my father and his family, and harking back to Chocolate as I knew it forty and fifty years ago, I repeat that I am always happy to return to these scenes and to mingle with my boyhood friends and companions. I love to come back to the old home, and I wish to close my remarks with the beautiful apostrophe of Sir Walter Scott to his native land: “Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned, From wandering on a foreign strand! If such there breathe, go hark him well; For him no minstrel raptures swell; High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim; Despite these titles, power and pelf, The wretch all centered in himself, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust, from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.” (Address of Judge Henry A. Grady at the Dedication of the B. F. Grady High School, September Ist, 1928, and on file in the office of the County Board of Education of Duplin County.) MORE ABOUT SCHOOLS “The flourishing ’20’s became the boom years of our school system. The State’s equalization fund which has grown only from $100,000 in 1901 to $836,000 in 1921, grew to $6,500,000 in 1929. In 1921 also a State teacher’s salary schedule was adopted which, according to Dr. Allen, fixed salaries at from three to four times the average paid before that time. The State also established building loan funds to aid the counties in constructing buildings necessary for the operation of the six months term. During this period also many new special charter and special taxing districts were ereated, and the consolidated rural school came into its own. “During these years, the State, the County and local districts were all investing more and more money in popular education. The money of the local units was spent only because the voters desired that it be spent. The State’s money was spent, not with the idea that either the Constitution or the voters expressly required it, but because of recog- nition of the fact that the State did have some obligation to help the counties, and particularly the poorer counties, to bear the educational burden placed upon them by the Constitution. The counties, then, still bore the brunt of compulsory tax levying. “When the Legislature of 1931 convened, the prosperity of the ’20’s had vanished and recession was well under way. County tax collections were already in such condition that, in many instances, it was obviously impossible for them to collect their part of the six months school reve- nue. The Legislature thereupon assumed for the State the burden of supporting the Constitutional term. This was the first legislative recog- nition of any duty on the part of the State to support the schools by virtue of a direct obligation resting on the State, rather than merely to attempt to equalize the burden as between counties. “Vocational Education began coming to the school with Federal Aid by the 1920’s; Vocational Rehabilitation by the 1930’s; Free Textbooks were authorized in 1937; the Teachers and State Employees’ Retirement System was authorized in 1941; Free School Lunches came in with Federal Aid in the 1940's.” (See Background Material for The State School Finance Commission, By Dr. Albert Coates, Director.) The citizens of the state adopted an amendment to the State Constitu- tion in 1942 which provided for a State Board of Education of thirteen members, Ten of these members are appointed by the Governor with Joint approval of the two houses of the General Assembly for staggered terms of office. Three others are the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Treasurer, and the Lieutenant Governor. Under the present Constitution, this Board has the responsibility for the general supervision and administration of the free public school system and of the educational funds provided for the support thereof. The Constitution authorized the election of a State Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve as a member of the Executive Department of Government to perform such duties “as shall be prescribed by law.” The General Assembly is the source of all school law which effects public education. The Legislature provides the machinery for the opera- tion of the schools and the funds for the support of Education. The will of the people is expressed through Constitutional provisions, through popular election of a State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and through an elected General Assembly. Theefact that a large percentage of the funds for education is provided by the State and Federal government results in a high degree of centrali- zation of authority for most of the phases of school policy. The fact that the State Board has generally remained a policy body has been a very fortunate circumstance. This means that local boards of education have retained a maximum of autonomy. The County Board of education is subject to a clearly defined set of statutes with respect to the use of State and Local funds, curriculum decisions, personnel problems, buildings and equipment, and other edu- cational functions. The County Board of Education is a policy making body within the county. It determines, within the framework of State legislation, the programs of education for its constituents. It is responsible for budget making and the supervision of State funds. The County Board of Edu- cation is fiscally dependent upon other taxing authorities for funds. The major responsibility of the school is classified as instructional service. This calls for various types of teaching and learning activities to meet the needs of all kinds of children from all types of environments and responding to a variety of economic needs. The program of our schools must go beyond the traditional reading, writing, and arithmetic instruction. A wider offering demands a more highly trained staff and more effective teaching. Tools with which to work are the essential right of every worker. The range of instructional materials increases with new developments in daily life, and these are subject to the same cost jn- crease as other items. Libraries and books are the tools of education. The evaluation of the work of pupils through tests and experiments costs money but brings about dividends. Money spent in a better in- structional program is a genuine investment. 142 A second heavy local cost is that for buildings and grounds. Adequacy, flexibility, utility, and economy are desirable goals for physical facilities. The third area is financial support at all levels. The local unit has an obligation to build upon whatever base the State may establish. It is very important to recognize the fact that the level of state support now set up does not provide an adequate program. Minimum standards of instruction can not be maintained without some local support. In Duplin a few years ago the County Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners decided to look forward to a pay-as- you-go program for new school construction. Following a study of our school system by the citizens of the county under the Kellog Program, the consolidation fever broke out and our high schools were consolidated. For several years additional funds were also included in the Capital Outlay School Fund for necessary buildings; thereby constructing new buildings from current taxes. The greater part of principal bond maturities for several years were refunded, so that a like amount of additional funds could be included in the Capital Outlay School Fund Budget, annually. When you enter these buildings today, it gives you a good feeling to know that they are paid for. The tax payers are not having to pay out large sums of money in interest on borrowed money for their construction. Dr. W. D. Herring has said: “Education is costly. There is nothing more expensive than education, except ignorance. Yet the dividends from education are the greatest known from any investment.” . SPECIAL SCHOOL TAX DISTRICTS AND OTHER SPECIAL TAX DISTRICTS IN DUPLIN — 1929 Special 1929 Special 1929 School Tax School Tax Districts Rate Districts Rate Beulaville $ .30 Kenansville 25 Calypso 25 Magnolia 30 Charity 15 Maysville 05 Chinquapin 25 Page-Harvel 25 Cobbs 05 Rose Hill 30 Corinth 25 Teachey 30 Faison 25 Wallace 25 B. F, Grady 25 Warsaw 25 OTHER SPECIAL TAX DISTRICTS — 1929 Districts 1929 Tax Rate Districts 1929 Tax Rate Island Creek Road $ .10 Magnolia Road 05 €nansville Railroad Aid 05 Warsaw Road 10 (Minute Book 9, pages 375 and 394.) DUPLIN COUNTY Average Attendance RECORD OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Township District High NEGRO SCHOOLS: Total School Elem. Average Attendance Townshi District High Hall 39 39 V1 HI TE SCH OOLS: Total School Elem. Sandy Crossway 52 52 Rock Albertson B. F. Grady 508 99 409 ss tig “Mine 48 48 Searls Field 50 50 Pisendae 13 13 Cypress Creek Pin Hook 34 34 Pomel p } = Cypress Creek Church 21 21 Rose Hill Rose Hill 132 132 Chinquapin 432 334 Case 34 34 : Springfield 12 12 Smith Pink Hill 60 60 Faison Faison 286 216 Salem 30 30 Calypso : 322 259 Sarecta 32 32 oa e fs Warsaw Warsaw 408 78 330 uinn If Island Creek Wallace 509 391 ee sah = 2 Rg OO Charity 92 9 ae Teachey 168 118 Total—Negro 2975 156 2819 Kenansville Kenansville 260 194 Wh: a Cedar Fork 36 236 Totals—White & Negro 8057 1125 6932 : Beulaville 465 365 Norris 13 13 a ‘nid = RECORD OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 56 Conmee Same 26 26 AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE ' ; 46 Rous Coma “ey 30 +0 1938-39 1948-49 1958-59 1968-69 Page-Harvell 64 50 High Elem. High Elem. High Elem. High Elem. Rose Hill Rose Hill 323 210 + ee y W. 144 529 156 605 204 487 367 Smith Bay Pond 48 48 . F, y N. 36 ©6234 oz Bi Warsaw Warsaw 539 421 237 186 Wolfscrape Cobbs : 108 108 130 517 158 593 207. 525 504 Summerlin 98 98 T ae. 127 62° .©252 320 1917 Goodson 55 55 om Murray N. 56 Long Ridge 46 46 Deep Bottom N. 61 Mayesville 47 47 Faison W. 63 258 81 236 195 187 $$$ Faison N. 73 203 88 250 448 298 Totals—White Calypso W. 100 340 102 330 277 347 Calypso N, 256 159 North Duplin W NEGRO SCHOOLS: Wallop tplin W. Albertson Doris aaace W. 192 530 168 553 733 801 Wall Cypress Creek Chinquapin ee 69 182 0 328 477 353° Charity Tom Murray Riv, Deep Bottom snbark N. 3 Isla Faison Faison L rd Creek N. 75 itt] Railroad Te ogy N. = on 9 Wallace-Rose Hill W. K 7 Crow-Goshen Kenansville W. 344 en : Glisson Branch Facvieg N. ~ Island Creek b tease: Croned Zion N. 65 hristian ape Chistes as Island Creek Stanfongheed N. 3 Brice Beulaville Ww Little Creek East Duplin’ Teachey_ Beulaville N 9% Kenansville Kenansville Potter’s Hill A Limestone Beulaville Mag: li Hallsville Mame 256 agnoli Magnolia Magnolia Frederick N. 24 29 Frederick Hal] N. 1938-39 1948-49 1958-59 1968-69 DISTRICTS High Elem. High Elem. High Elem. High Elem. Sandy Crossway N. 19 C. Vann N. at Iron Mine N. 50 46 Friendship N. 22 Pearsall N. 24 Rose Hill W. 120 291 103 340 338 Rose Hill #2 N. 65 148 100 433 548 Warsaw W. 188 413 123 493 547 Warsaw N. 95 344 96 436 258 583 James Kenan W. 319 Totals——White 1315 4260 1220 4532 1614 4391 Totals—Negro 486 2596 608 2912 934 3357 Totals—White & Negro 1801 6856 1828 7444 2548 7748 2851 6918 (Audit Reports: 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969 from Principal’s Final Reports.) *C. W. Dobbins +Chinquapin Elementary {Douglas §E. E. Smith ‘ DUPLIN COUNTY INVENTORY OF SCHOOL PROPERTY Furniture Dates Buildings and Fixtures Land Total 6-30-29 $ 738,075.00 $ 74,425.00 $35,350.00 $ 847,850.00 6-30-39 570,850.00 78,095.00 34,350.00 683,295.00 6-30-49 1,247,025.00 143,500.00 38,150.00 1,428,675.00 6-30-59 4,593,000.00 388,100.00 48,900.00 5,030,000.00 6-30-69 8,223,300.00 1,110,600.00 70,800.00 9,740,650.00 (Audit reports: 1929, 1939, 1949, 1959, and 1969.) BOARD OF EDUCATION—COUNTY OF DUPLIN KENANSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA EXPENDITURES—COUNTY FUNDS (C. E. F.: C. 0. F. AND DEBT SERVICE) (ALL FUNDS THAT WENT THROUGH COUNTY NOT INCLUDING FEDERAL ESEA AND STATE FUNDS) Current Capital Debt Fiscal Expense Outlay Service Period Fund Fund Fund Total 1956-57 257,594.79 258,846.36 9,752.60 526,193.75 1957-58 264,202.60 366,139.85 9,952.79 640,295.24 1958-59 273,871.93 300,641.32 9,703.58 584,216.83 1959-60 327,540.14 300,894.97 9,857.47 638,292.58 1960-61 326,585.38 156,533.71 12,797.13 495,916.22 1961-62 368,384.57 331,451.59 16,875.17 716,711.33 1962-63 359,409.69 485,988.69 20,381.76 865,780.14 1963-64 381,431.45 415,783.14 19,930.78 817,145.37 1964-65 365,029.15 390,289.80 17,524.88 772,843.83 1965-66 499,450.85 417,502.20 17,554.14 934,507.19 1966-67 629,279.59 488,192.73 27,881.58 1,145,353.90 1967-68 616,376,28 440,833.82 26,489.64 1,083,699.74 146 : Current Capital Debt Fiscal Expense Outlay Service Period Fund Fund Fund Total 1968-69 669,133.95 133,271.05* 18,867.49 821,272.49 Totals 5,338,290.37 4,486,369.23 217,569.01 10,042,228.61 * Capital Outlay School Fund unexpended budget balance 6-30-69 $166,598.14. (From County Audit Reports.) tate Funds expended through the State Treasurer for public schools in Duplin County for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969—$3,047,771.25. (From County Superintendent’s Office) Federal E.S.E.A. Funds expended through the County Treasury for public schools in Duplin County for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969—$975,219.50. (Audit Report) JAMES KENAN TIGERS 1960 STATE CHAMPS! From Trenton to Morganton—and from all the other towns where fans had the pleasure of seeing so great a team play—came the resound- ing praise of 1960’s State Champions, the James Kenan Tigers. . . FOOTBALL — 1960 — SCHEDULE 24 Jones Central (AA) 19 Massey Hill (AAA) 13 Erwin (AA) 25 Richlands* 13 Wallace-Rose Hill (AA) 37 Burgaw* 31 Roseboro-Salemburg (AA) 13 North Duplin* 20 Mt. Olive* 20 Beulaville* 13 Rohanen (at Rockingham) 19 Ayden (at Goldsboro) 19 Benvenue (at Kinston) 13 N. C. School for Deaf (at Morganton) LINEUP LE—Colon Quinn (co-captain) LT—Mickey Askew LG—Mac McNeill (co-captain) C—Johnny Pat Harmon RG—Bobby Best RT—Virgil Lanier RE—Allen Wahab QB—Jimmy Dixon LH—Jimmy Benton RH—Pepsi Merritt FB—Danny Batts Defensive Specialists: Shannon Brown, Senior Tackle Charles Lockamy, Senior End Billy Knowles, Soph Guard Bobby Phillips, Junior Linebacker Allen Fountain, Soph Tackle * - Conference games + - Home games — - Broke fifteen game winning streak by Redskins x - First time Tigers had beaten Bulldogs in football in 18 years. Throughout the entire week of November 26, the main topic of con- yersation in this area was the big trip to Morganton for the Class A State Championship game with the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD). The team was ushered out of Warsaw with a giant send-off, sponsored by our friends, the fans. After arriving at Morganton, the players received many telegrams from well-wishers who found it impossible to make the trip. Backed by this moral support, James Kenan went into the game with spirits high. The game itself was evenly played throughout. The first half ended 6-6, but the Tigers forged ahead with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Batts pounded across for the score, and then cracked over for the payoff point-after-touchdown. On the following kickoff, Bear halfback Mike Triplette scooped up the bound ball, and raced eighty-eight yards for the touchdown which pulled the Bears to within one point of a tie. That one point never materialized, however, as the impregnable Tiger defense stopped the extra point to sew up the win for the Class A State Football Cham- pionship! At the final gun the field was immediately flooded with jubilant Tiger fans. Girls fought their way to that certain boy who had, in their eyes, made the greatest contribution of all. Parents, brothers, and sisters engulfed their favorite in hugs and endless words of praise. Coaches Taylor, Helton, and Lewis shook hundreds of hands in those ten or fifteen minutes. But, to the victors—not the mamas, papas and girl friend—belong the spoils, and co-captains Mac McNeill and Colon Quinn, along with the coaches, were presented with the trophy. Thus, our Tigers became official holders of the 1960 State Class A Football Championship! 148 The championship team rolled up 215 points during the regular sea- Son to set a new ten-game scoring record. They added sixty-four more to that total during the playoffs, to finish with a sum of 279 points. They averaged 19.9 ppg, and held a 202-point margin over their op- ponents, who scored 76 in all. In registering five shutouts, this team Scored 46 touchdowns, but was able to convert successfully after only fifteen of these. . . Our defensive unit yielded twelve touchdowns. However, only four of these were scored by rushing, and two are accredited to a kickoff return and a run with a fumble. Hubert “Pepsi” Merritt led Tiger scoring in “That Wonderful Year,” as he scored eleven touchdowns and accounted for six extra points for a total of 72 points. Battering-ram fullback Danny Batts churned across enemy goal lines eleven times also, but had just two conversions for & second-place total of 68. Co-captain Colon Quinn snared six scoring tosses, added two TD’s on runs with intercepted passes, and converted Once for 49 points. Bob Phillips, part-time offensive halfback, scored four touchdowns for 24 points. Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Dixon, in launching what already must be termed as a brilliant high school football career, rushed for three touchdowns and five extra points for a total of 23 points. This very successful football campaign brought many honors to Coach Bill Taylor and his “Tiger Terribles.” Coach Taylor received the “Coach of the Year” award from the East Central Conference. In addition to this, he was chosen Assistant Coach to Wilson’s Paul Marklin for the 1961 East-West High School All-Star football game, held annually at Greensboro, in Senior High Stadium. Eight Tigers were chosen as part of the ’60 East Central All-Con- ference squad. Those chosen were: fullback Danny Batts, guard Bobby Best, defensive tackle Shannon Brown, tackle Virgil Lanier, guards Mac McNeill and Colon Quinn, halfback Pepsi Merritt, and quarterback Jimmy Dixon. For their outstanding work both offensively and defensively, Colon Quinn and Bobby Best were selected to the 1960 All-East Class A High School Football Team. The selection was made by the sports staff of the “ws and Observer in Raleigh. By vote among the players, Colon was neve as co-captain of the dream-team. Colon was chosen by this same ©ard of sportswriters to be a member of the All-East team, including rs classifications. This is an achievement seldom achieved by a Class A ayer, As a coach of the East team, Coach Taylor was able to pick two 149 of his players to be on the squad. He picked Colon, who had already been chosen by the News and Observer, and Mac McNeill, who went in Bobby Best’s place. During the one week of practice, Mac nailed down a starting line- backer position, and Colon was named kickoff man. Both boys played appreciably in the East’s 15-13 loss. J. P. Harmon was Principal of James Kenan High School in 1960. (The First Half-Decade of James Kenan Football, by: Bill Rollins.) DUPLIN COUNTY’S ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE Jimmie Jerome is the first All-American High School Football Athlete in Duplin County. He attended Wallace-Rose Hill High School in 1969-70. RESOLUTION NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY Resolved, That the Duplin County Board of Education express its sincere appreciation and thanks to Mr. O. P. Johnson, County Superintendent of Schools of Duplin County, since 1935. Those of us who have the longest association with him, and those who have joined us later, know that the Duplin County Public School System, as it is today, is the outcome of his leadership. With vision, courage and ability, he has always encouraged the training of youth for usefulness to themselves and others. Resolved, That the new Public Schools Administration Office Building be named: “THE O. P. JOHNSON DUPLIN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING,” in his honor. This Board delights to do Mr. Johnson this honor, and extends to him earnest wishes for a continuing long and useful life in public edu- cation. This the 21 day of April, 1966. DUPLIN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION D. D. BLANCHARD, CHAIRMAN RUSSELL BROCK, MEMBER W. O. ALBERTSON, MEMBER E. E. ROGERS, MEMBER J. F. STRICKLAND, MEMBER (Minutes of County Board of Education, 4-21-66.) KENANS GIVE $100,000 FOR COMPLETION OF KENAN MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Kenan Memorial Auditorium is to be finished, furnished, and up-dated in every way. This announcement was made on Friday night at the James Kenan Graduation Exercises by Thomas S. Kenan, III, of Dur- ham, who stated that the Trustees of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charit- able Trust were giving $100,000 for this job. Mr. Kenan presented to 0. P. Johnson, Superintendent of Schools, a check for $50,000 and the promise of a second check for the same amount in January of 1967. He read to the audience a letter from the Trustees of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charitable Trust to the Duplin County Board of Education. Part of the letter read, “In your presentation dated November 9, 1965, you list as your most important need and number one requirement funds to complete Kenan Memorial Auditorium. The Trustees of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charitable Trust are pleased to approve a grant of $100,000 for completion of Kenan Memorial Auditorium at Kenansville, North Carolina. This grant will be paid in two installments of $50,000 each. We are pleased to hand you herewith check of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York in the amount of $50,000 in full payment of the first installment. The second and final installment of this grant will be paid in January, 1967.” : Mr. Kenan stated that the late Mr. William Rand Kenan, Jr., was interested in Duplin County, Kenansville, and its people, and that under Article Nine Residuary Trust of his Will, Mr. Kenan expressed the hope and wish that income be used by his trustees primarily for edu- Cational purposes. Kenan Memorial Auditorium has never been completed. It is used for many county-wide events for both schools and civic groups for Various types of entertainment. The county basketball tournament is held there each year, as are school exhibits. County Wide 4-H and Home Demonstration Clubs hold annual events in the auditorium. Mr. Kenan stated that bleachers would be removed and chairs would be added. Air conditioning will be installed and the rest rooms and showers will be tiled. The lobby will be refinished with terrazzo floors. A silent heating system will be installed so that the auditorium may be used for cultural as well as athletic programs. It is understood that the entire front of the building will be updated. Kenan Memorial Auditorium was started in 1949 with a grant of $20,000 from William Rand Kenan, Jr., Mrs. Jessie Kenan Wise and Mrs. Sarah Kenan. This family made an additional contribution each year until the building was in its present condition, all in all a total of sixty or seventy thousand dollars. After the Kenans had given the original grant, the county added $25,000. From the proceeds of the Duplin Story in 1949 an additional $10,000 was added, and $10,000 was raised from public subscriptions. With the present gift of $100,000, the Kenan Memorial Auditorium will be made comfortable, beautiful and adequate for sports and also for stage shows as the lighting equipment will be fixed so as to give proper stage lighting. Many activities which have had to pass Duplin by because of lack of space and proper facilities now may be held in the auditorium. Mr. Tom Kenan, III, expressed his pleasure at being with the James Kenan graduating class at their commencement program. He further stated that he and the late William Rand Kenan, Jr., and other mem- bers of the Kenan family had a great interest in and love for Duplin County and their original home, Kenansville. (Duplin Times — Progress Sentinel, June 2, 1966.) Mr. William Rand Kenan, Jr., Mrs. Sarah G. Kenan, and Mrs. Emily Kenan Wise contributed on the bleachers at James Kenan High School. The 1950 Centralian, Kenansville High School Annual, was dedicated to the Kenan family. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS An Act to provide for the nomination and election of the members of The Board of Education of Duplin County. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. The Board of Education of Duplin County shall continue to exist and to consist of five members. Each member of the Duplin County Board of Education shall continue to hold his office on said board until his term of office shall expire and until his successor is nominated and elected and inducted into office as hereinafter provided. Sec. 2. In the year immediately preceding the expiration of any six- year term of office of a member of the Board of Education of Duplin County his successor shall be nominated and elected in the primary and general election and the member so elected shall qualify and take office on the first Monday in April of the year following the election of said member of said board of education. The procedure herein provided shall be followed irrespective of the number of terms expiring and the number of vacancies on the board of education to be filled. Any member or 152 members elected to office on said board of education shall serve for term of six years each and until the successor of each member is elected and inducted into office. Sec. 3. The primary and general election of the member or members of the Board of Education of Duplin County shall be conducted in all Tespects in accordance with the primary and general election laws applicable to county offices and as provided in Chapter 163 of the Gen- eral Statutes as amended. Each candidate of a political party shall file notice of candidacy as required by the Primary laws and shall pay a filing fee of five dollars ($5.00). Sec. 4. In case of any vacancy on said board of education before expiration of term of office by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, change of residence or for any other reason, then the county €xecutive committee of the political party of the member causing the vacancy shall appoint some eligible person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term... . (Chapter 1046, Session Laws 1967.) SOME OLD POEMS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION “Teachers labor to lead eager youth to know: Deep within his Nature is a wondrous World Broader than that we gaze on, and informed With a diviner beauty, And that above them both, High Priest and King, Youth stands supreme to choose and to combine, And build from that within him, and without, New forms of life, with Meaning of his own.” —Author Unknown “The teacher lives forever. On and on, Through all the generations he shall preach The beautiful evangel—on and on Till our poor race has passed the tortuous years That lie fore-reaching the Millennium, And far into that broad and open sea He shall sail singing still the songs he taught To the world’s youth and sing them o’er and o’er To lapping waters till the thousand leagues Are overpast, and Argosy and Crew Ride at their port.” —Author Unknown 1 3. EARLY ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS Angel Academy: Mentioned in Duplin County Public Registry Book 3 A, Page 149. Bethel Academy: Deed dated Dec. 23, 1843, John Oliver to Bethel Academy, Book 23, Page 415. Dunn-Faison Academy: Oct. 17, 1842, Deed: Book 1-5-10-14-15, Page 445. Elhanan School and Camp Ground—1904: Deed: Book 84, Page 367. Trustees: D. H. Murphy, O. W. Rouse, W. L. Bryan, George W. Gaylor, and Henry Farrior. Faison High School (For Boys) under direction of Wilmington Presby- tery—Noy. 12, 1901. Trustees: B. B. Witherington, James M. Faison, I. L. Faison, A. F. Johnson, W. M. Cummings, R. M. Williams, D. P. McGeachey, L. P. Best, S. H. Isler and Dr. W. L. Smith. Deed: Book 67, Page 555. Faison Industrial School—1904: Trustees: H. C. Wright, N. Moore, S. C. Carroll, R. A. Spiers, Peter Johnson, A. R. Middleton, D. A. Wil- liams, and I. S. Moore. Deed: Book 84, Page 427. Faison Male Academy: Charter Pr. 1905, Chap. 317. Female Seminary (In Kenansville)—1861: Needham W. Herring to Trustees: O. Carr, James Dickson, Dickson Mallard, James E. Hall, Rob- ert B. Carr, James B. Carr, James M. Sprunt, Owen R. Kenan, Isaac B. Kelly, C. W. Graham and Willie E. Hall. Deed: Book 23, Page 599. Also, William Farrior to Trustees of Female Seminary. Deed: Book 27, Page 599. Friendship Academy—Sept. 29, 1841, Daniel Swinson and wife to Friendship Academy and School Committee, Deed: Book 1, 5, 10, 14, 15, Page 352. Franklin Military Institute—Located East of Faison. Operated by Captain Claude B. Denson. Goshen Academy—1814 “TEACHER WANTED. The Goshen Academy in Duplin County, is in want of a Teacher. A person competent to teach the Languages and Sciences, of good char- 154 acter, will meet with immediate employment, on application to D. Wright, Esq. A permanent salary of $500 will be given, or the profits of the Academy which have heretofore produced a considerably large sum. June 11, 1819.” —Raleigh Register, June 18, 1819. (N. C. Schools and Academies, by Coon.) Green Academy: Located three miles North of Faison, founded by John Elliott, a Yale man from New England. Major Hiram W. Husted also taught in this school. (Public Documents, Session 1901, Vol. I, Document No. 9.) Grove Academy—60 acres, Deed: Book 111, Page 43. (See Chapter on Grove Academy.) Industrial Training and Educational School (Incorporated) Pr. 1909, C. 266; Pr. 1911, C. 298; Pr. 1919, C. 34; Body corporate and politic: H.C. Wright, A. R. Middleton, D. A. Williams, Peter Johnson, G. R. Raynor, Rev. N. Moore, R. A. Speers, Rev. J. N. McKnight, J. R. Coel, S. S. Stevens and J. C. Herring. James Sprunt Institute, a High School in the Town of Kenansville, 1897. Trustees: Peter McIntire, James Sprunt, B. F. Hall, Oscar Pearsall, A. F. Johnson, J. D. Currie, I. V. Lancaster, James W. Blount and Henry Farrior. Wilmington Presbytery has agreed to control and manage said school in the interest of education, and has elected the above Board of Trustees for such control and Management. Deeds: Book 56, Page 341; Book 102, Pages 132, 133 and 134. (See Chapter on James Sprunt Institute.) Kenansville Seminary—1856, Deed: Book 23, Page 599. Deed to R. W. Millard and Nathan B. Webster, Book 25, Page 39; Webster Insti- tute, Book 25, Page 455. La Place Academy—1861, Trustees: Isham Southerland and Alex S. Davis, Deed: Book 23, Page 539. Magnolia Male Academy, Corp—1858, Deed: Book 23, Page 68. Hannah Moore Academy (Female Institution)—April 14, 1837, Trust- ees: Jeremiah Pearsall, John Oliver, William D. Pearsall, Thomas Hill, Harold Blackmore, Harper Williams, Edward Hill, Stephen Miller, Richard Miller and James M. Larkins. Deed: Book 9, Page 6. HANNAH MOORE ACADEMY IN 1837—This institution is now in Successful operation under the direction of Miss L. E. Clarke, aided by Miss M. McDuffee, both of which ladies are eminently qualified for the stations which they fill; and from the very satisfactory manner, (both to parents and pupils) in which they conduct the school, the Trustees feel well warranted in recommending it to the public patronage. 155 Tuesday the 19th inst. is the closing day of the present session, when there will be a vacation till Monday 15th of Jan. next, at which time it is hoped that the young ladies for the next session will be in attendance. By order, J. Pearsall, Secretary. —Wilmington Advertiser, December 22, 1837. (N. C. Schools and Academies, by Coon.) Oak Grove Academy—1888, Trustees: L. C. Carlton, J. R. Wilson and R. F. Best, Deed: Book 47, Page 143. The Peirce School—‘“Peirce School was at Peirceville. Peirceville was the name of the Thomas Buckner Peirce plantation adjoining the Isaac Franklin Blackmore plantation on Turkey Swamp about three miles west of Warsaw. “This school was attended by the Peirces, the Blackmores, and the children of the workers in the crate factory. “Teachers were paid by Mr. T. B. Peirce. They were carried to school by horse and buggy. Teachers and students carried lunches. “The Peirce school was a long, large unpainted building with single desks and seats made in the Peirce factory. There was a large stove in one corner. “The toilets were in the woods, the boys’ toilet on one side of the building and the girls’ toilet on the other. “We were taught the phonics system. “On Friday afternoons the literary society met. Students exhibited their ability in recitations, speeches, dialogues, etc. “For misbehaving we often had to stand in the corner to do our studying. “Each year at Christmas there was a large holly tree with small candles and ornaments. Every student received a bag of fruit, nuts, etc., filled from the store at Peirceville.” (Excerpts from letter of Mrs. Anna Peirce Stafford, Washington, D. C.) Sandhills (Deed to Naber Hood), Sept. 18, 1862, Deed: Book 32, Page 13. “Sutton’s Academy (5 miles South of Mt. Olive), Principal: Miss Corrine Barnes, enrollment in 1892, 14.” (Public Document 3, Session 1893, Page 67.) Teachey High and Graded School District, Trustees: H. S. Wells, C. J. Carr, J. T. Turner, J. D. Mallard and E. G. Forlaw. Deeds: Book 163, Page 427; Book 270, Page 291. Establishment: Pr. Laws 1911, C. 437. Warsaw High School—1855, Deed: Book 21, Page 469. 156 Warsaw High and Graded District—Establishment: Pr. 1909, C. 248; Charter amended Pr. 1911, C. 201; Pr. 1925, C. 142. Washington Female Academy—1848. “The Trustees of this Institu- tion have the pleasure to inform the public that they have engaged the services of Miss Ann T. Parker, a lady of high refinement and attain- ments, as an instructress; and that the first session of this Seminary will commence on Monday 16th October next. From the superior qualifi- cations of Miss Parker—the general satisfaction she has heretofore given as an Instructress in Hannah Moore Academy, Trenton Female Seminary, and in New Berne; and from the healthy location of this Institution, the Trustees flatter themselves that the school will meet with a liberal patron- age. The Institution is situated in the North Eastern part of Duplin Co., one mile North East of Outlaw Bridge. Board can be had in the neighbor- hood, at $5 per month. PRICE OF TUITION PER SESSION OF FIVE MONTHS. Spelling, Reading and Writing $ 6.00 Arithmetic, English Grammar and Geography 8.00 Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy and Minerology 12.00 French and Italian languages, Mathematics, &c 12.00 Embroidery and Needle work 10.00 Drawing and Painting 12.00 Trustees, JOSEPH W. OUTLAW, GEORGE OUTLAW, JAMES OUTLAW, BRYAN K. OUTLAW, GRADY OUTLAW, Duplin County, 26th Sept., 1848. Music, Session of five months, $20.00.” (Copy of hand bill) Williams Academy—1825—Near Cooper’s Mill. 1 4. GROVE ACADEMY AN ACT TO ERECT AND ESTABLISH AN ACADEMY IN THE COUNTY OF DUPLIN Whereas the establishing an academy in the said county for the educa- tion of youth will be attended with great advantages to the State in general, and the county of Duplin in particular: I. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That Thomas Routledge, James Kenan, Joseph Dickson, Thomas Gray, William Dickson, David Dodd, John James, Israel Bordeaux and James Gillespie, Esquires, be and they are hereby constituted and appointed trustees, with full power and authority to receive into their hands and possession, all monies and other property which have been or hereafter may be subscribed for the purpose of erecting an academy on the lands lately purchased of Nicholas Hunter in said county, by name of Grove Academy; and the said trustees and their successors shall be able and capable in law to ask for and demand, receive and possess of the several subscribers, all sums by them respectively subscribed, and in case of refusal of any of them to pay the same, to sue for and recover by action of debt or otherwise, in the name of the trustees, the sum which such person so refusing shall have subscribed, in any jurisdiction having cognizance thereof; and the monies when collected and received, to be applied by the said trustees or a majority of them towards paying for the lands already contracted for, and erecting thereon a suitable and convenient house, to contract with and employ a tutor or tutors, and to perform every act or thing that they or a majority of them shall think necessary and expedient for the advancement of the said academy and the promotion of learning therein. II. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the trustees herein before-mentioned, shall previous to the entering on the execution of the trust reposed by this Act, give bond to the court of the county, payable to the chairman and his successor, in the sum of one thousand pounds, specie, with condition, that they shall well and faithfully account for and apply all gifts, donations, bequests, and monies 158 which they may receive of and by virtue of this Act for the purposes aforesaid. Ill. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any of the trustees by this Act appointed, shall die, refuse to act or move away, that he cannot attend the duties of this appointment, the remaining trustees may appoint another in his stead, who shall exercise the same powers as trustees appointed by this Act; and when met to- gether within the said county shall have power and authority to elect and constitute one or more tutor or tutors, and a treasurer, and also to make and ordain such rules and regulations, not repugnant to the laws of this State, for the well ordering of the students, their morals, studies and academical exercises as to them shall seem meet; and to give certifi- cates to such students as shall leave said academy, certifying their literary merit, in general they shall or may do all such things as are usually done by other bodies corporate and politic, or such as may be necessary for the promotion of learning and virtue; and the said trustees or a majority of them are hereby empowered, and shall have lawful authority to remove the tutor or tutors, treasurer or any of them if they shall find it necessary, and on the death, resignation or refusal to Act of any of them, to appoint and elect others in the stead of those displaced, dead, or refusing to act. IV. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the trustees by this Act appointed, or a majority of them, and their suc- cessors, shall meet annually on the First Friday of March in each and every year, or at any other time they may find more convenient, and elect a proper person out of their own body to preside for the term of One year, who may convene the trustees at any time he may find it necessary. Provided always, That he shall give ten days previous notice of such meetings, and that the president and treasurer shall be chosen on the said first Friday of March unless in cases of unavoidable acci- dents, V. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the treasurer of the said board of trustees, shall enter into bond with sufii- cient security to the trustees, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed to him by this Act, and that all monies and chattels that shall be in his hands at the expiration of his office, shall be imme- diately paid into the hands of the succeeding treasurer; and every trea- Surer shall receive all monies, donations, gifts, bequests, and charities that may belong or accrue to said academy during his office, and at the expiration thereof shall account with the trustees or a majority of them for the same, and on refusal to neglect to pay and deliver as afore- said, the same mode of recovering may be had against him as is or may 159 be provided for the recovery of money from sheriffs or other public officers. (Passed December 29, 1785.) (The State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXIV, Page 752, Chapter XXX.) GROVE ACADEMY IN 1786 At our last session of the Assembly in this State we got an act passed for establishing an academy for the education of youth in the Grove neighborhood in this county. This school is fixed in the heart of the Presbyterian settlement where our family all live and we have a con- siderable share in conducting it. We have purchased a piece of ground pleasantly situated for the purpose, on which we are now building a house, which we expect will be finished about twelve months hence. Last October I received your very affectionate letter of the 21st April last which was sent me by Rev. Alexander Patrick who soon after made me a visit and tarried some days with me, in which time I contracted a small acquaintance with him. I heartily thank you for the recom- mendation you gave me in his favor. ... Mr. Patrick immediately on coming into this country got possession of one of the late Mr. Colvill’s plantations on the N. West River and some of his slaves; the plantation he has rented out and the negroes he has hired for wages, which rent and hire he tells me amount to about one hundred and thirty pounds per annum. About Christmas he came down to our neighborhood at the Grove where we made him up a small school of fourteen or fifteen boys which is the first attempt that has ever been made to teach the languages in this part of the country. This little school will be about as good as forty or fifty pounds sterling to him. Those now under his tuition are intended to be removed to the academy when opened, when it is probable Mr. Patrick may be employed as a teacher if he is ap- proved of; the school is in the same place where the academy is fixed. Mr. Patrick lives with my brother Joseph and has a convenient room and bed to himself... . Duplin County, 24th Feb., 1786. Wm. Dickson. —From Carr’s Dickson Letters, pp. 29 et seq. GROVE ACADEMY IN 1787 . . » Our Grove Academy (as it is styled by the Legislature) is not in a more flourishing condition than when I wrote you last (altho’ yet short of our expectations or of what you wish it to be), the house is now finished, the school was removed into it last week, there are yet but twenty-five students under a master who teaches only the Latin and English Grammar and the Latin and Greek languages. We have 160 no other fund for the support of it but the fees of the students and the benevolence of public spirited gentlemen, which have as yet appeared to be very low. I wish I could with propriety give you a description of it more to your satisfaction. The Genius of the people of this part of the country is not adapted to the study of learning and science. The most desirable object that people here have in view are interest and Pleasure, but I flatter myself that that period will soon arrive when an emulation will take place amongst the youth (who are of most dis- cernment) to aspire to the attainment of that which in the end will be most permanent and profitable, and that this infant institution (altho’ far inferior to that erected at Strabane, or indeed almost any other), through the exertions of some who are concerned in it, may yet become Profitable and rise to repute. . . . November 30, 1787. Wm. Dickson. —From Carr’s Dickson Letters, pp. 34 and 35. GROVE ACADEMY ANNOUNCEMENT, 1840 This institution, located in a healthy region of country, one mile from the village of Kenansville, is now in operation, under the superin- tendence of the subscriber. Its design is to fit young men for college, ©r to prepare them for the ordinary walks of life. TERMS Reading, writing & spelling, with Parley’s geography, & Emer- Son’s Ist. pt. arithmetic, per session English grammar, geography, history, arithmetic, composition &. declamation Natural, moral and intellectual philosophy, chemistry, astron- omy, algebra, and geometry, per session Greek & Latin with any of the above There is an apparatus attached to the school. Book-keeping will be taught at an extra charge of $5 to the regular Scholars, N. B.—Board may be obtained in respectable families at $6 per month. Geo. W. Johnson. (Weekly Chronicle (Wilmington), May 27, 1840.) AN ACT TO REVIVE AND REINCORPORATE Whereas, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, the General Assembly of North Carolina duly incorporated and estab- lished the “Grove Academy” at Kenansville, North Carolina, for the 161 purpose of promoting learning, the charter for which is embodied in chapter thirty of “Martin’s Collection of Statutes’; and whereas, the original charter has never been repealed or amended, and is insufficient for modern purposes; and whereas, the patrons and friends thereof are desirous of obtaining a more efficient and suitable charter for said institution of learning: Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: That the said chapter thirty of “Martin’s Collection of Statutes” be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows: SECTION 1. That Thomas S. Kenan, D. L. Farrior, S. O. Middleton, Frank Thompson, D. L. Carlton, Henry Farrior, J. G. Murphy and J. O. Carr, and such others as may be associated with them, be and they are hereby created a body corporate under the name of “The Grove Academy,” and by such name may sue and be sued, have a common seal, adopt such by-laws and regulations as may be necessary for its government, and may have and enjoy all rights, privileges and franchises pertaining to corporations. SEC. 2. That the said “Grove Academy” shall have power and author- ity to establish and operate a school or schools for educational and training purposes, to hold and possess real estate or other property, to receive donations and gifts, to issue certificates of scholarship and efh- ciency to its students, and to do such other things as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this act; and the said corporation shall have an existence of thirty years. . (Chapter 285, Pr. 1905, An Act to Revive and Reincorporate the “Grove Academy” at Kenansville, North Carolina.) GROVE ACADEMY KENANSVILLE, N. C. TRUSTEES W. R. Newbury Magnolia, N. Hon. H. D. Williams Kenansville, R. W. Herring Wilmington, C. J. Southerland Kenansville, Joseph Rouse Rose Hill, Henry Farrior Kenansville, W. B. Cooper Wilmington, A. J. Johnson Clear Run, Pree ese = HHMMo hy Oa Horace Stewart, B. S., Principal 162 CALENDAR 1909 August 31—Fall Term begins; Entrance examinations. November 25—Holiday. December 21—Fall term ends; Holidays begin. 1910 January 4—Holidays end; Spring term begins. April 26—Spring term ends. April 24-26—Commencement. DESCRIPTION OF KENANSVILLE. There is no village in North Carolina east of the mountains that com- Pares in beauty and picturesqueness with Kenansville, the county seat of Duplin. It is situated upon a rolling, undulating elevation superior in ¢very respect to any other place in Eastern North Carolina. Its drain- “ge is natural and perfect; its trees are beautiful and symmetrical; its moral surroundings are unsurpassed; its culture and refinement are not excelled anywhere. Its genial atmosphere, its salubrious climate, its healthful surroundings and its location seven miles from the railroad— where it is neither disturbed by the hum of factory nor the immoral Influence usually prevalent in such towns, make it an ideal spot for study and for the attainment of those graces and accomplishments which veiiaie producing refinement and in building character. Unique in its rds and rich in colonial history, the little town stands out pre- eminently as a place of interest and antiquity. “ mes summer and winter resort it offers superior advantages, especially Se who seek rest and quiet instead of the rush and bustle of gaver Places, sd Pen spring, with the capacity of more than a gallon per minute, Pise es the little village with a hundred times the amount of pure water PP y needed, and every summer brings rest-seekers here, who go 'Y much benefitted. The surrounding country offers great sport for Tail shooting, and Northerners often spend the winters here. DISCIPLINE ieee with us is more than the outward conformity to a set of pie co rules. We have only one iron-clad rule and that is “Do right € a gentleman.” Ordinarily this is sufficient, but that we may be ae clearly understood, certain regulations have been adopted which © strictly enforced. These we consider none too strong, since our 163 main object is the development of manhood, and any student unwilling to conform to them need not apply for entrance. No pupil will be allowed to play cards, use any intoxicating drinks or tobacco, or indulge in the use of profane language. As a necessary requirement for the health of students, daily exercise is required; and no student, unless he is sick or physically unable, will be excused. All students, unless otherwise excused, are required to spend two hours each evening in the study hall, under the direction of a member of the Faculty, and all lights must be out and rooms dark at 10:30 each night. This insures regularity of habit and an abundance of sleep, without which the best results can not be obtained. No student will be allowed to leave the Academy grounds without permission, and loaf- ing on the streets will not be permitted on any condition. The students are required to attend the Sunday morning services at one of the churches of the town. ATHLETICS Our aim in athletics is not to train professionals but to develop all- round men. We hold that to secure the best results intellectually the body must be sound and vigorous. Daily exercise is therefore required of all students. Aside from this gymnasium work, ample opportunity is given for tennis and baseball. We hold that gymnasium exercise, in that it develops all the muscles and gives uniform & symmetrical development, is far superior to the monotonous humdrum of the military drill, which practically all boys find more or less distasteful. Many small schools have adopted military tactics solely for the sake of advertisement. We feel that what we turn out is our best advertisement, and knowing from experience and obser- vation that a boy cannot get the best exercise when encumbered with military paraphernalia, and that if exercise would be profitable it must be pleasant also, we have adopted the gymnasium work because we believe that it will give the desired result. Wuat Eacu Boy SHoutp Brine Each student should bring a Bible with good print, six napkins, two clothes-bags, towels and bed-clothes for single bed, together with a pillow. All linen and articles of clothing should be marked with full name. ReLicious EXERCISES Attendance at church services each Sunday morning is required of every student, and at devotional exercises each morning of the school week. The Y. M. C. A., which is conducted by the boys themselves, pro- 164 motes spirituality and encourages Christian leadership. Every boy is urged to be an active member. BoarDING DEPARTMENT The Boarding department is conducted by an experienced matron who looks diligently after every need and endeavors to make everything comfortable and homelike. The table is largely supplied from the farms of the adjoining sections. Every effort is made to give the boys the best and most wholesome food. REPORTS At the end of each quarter reports on the students’ work in the differ- ent classes will be sent to parents, who will thus keep in close touch with their sons’ work. They will be able to co-operate with the teachers in admonishing or encouraging, as the case may require, so that the best Tesults may be realized. Examinations on each study are held at the end of each term, and those failing to make an average of sixty-five in any case will be required to take such a study over. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS At the outset, the F aculty of the school wish it to be understood that YS expecting to practice vicious habits will not be matriculated. No student under the age of twelve, except under certain conditions and in special cases, will be allowed to enter. At the beginning of each year entrance examinations will be held in order to classify new stu- dents correctly. Candidates for admission must be prepared in Arithmetic (through ©ommon and decimal fractions) , Geography, Spelling, Reading, Writing, and Grammar. Candidates for any one of the upper classes must stand an examination on the work of the next lower class, or give satisfactory Certificate of the same work done in other schools. bo TERMS The regular charge for tuition, board, heating, and lighting is $140.00 Per year, one-half payable when the student enters, the other half payable at the beginning of the spring term. The dues must be settled at the above times unless special arrangements are made with the principal. EXAMINATIONS b Four regular examinations will be given during the year. They will © held at the middle and end of the fall and spring terms. 165 GRADUATION A student who completes the course of study as outlined in this cata- logue, will be given a diploma of graduation. ABSENCES Parents are urged not to ask for the absence of their sons from school during the session. When a holiday lasts for only one day there is not time for the student to go home without seriously affecting his work. . . . No reduction will be made for absences, except in case of protracted illness, and then only when the student has been unable to complete the term’s work. In all cases the student is expected to make up the work missed. .. . COURSES OF STUDY Classical Course Latin-Scientific course First Year This course included French or This course included 3 years of German—3 years, with Latin and Greek with Latin and English. English. e COURSES BY DEPARTMENTS Latin This course covers four years and is based on the work required for admission into the Sophomore class of the Southern Colleges. Textbooks: Bennett’s Foundations of Latin. Scudder—Gradatim. Rolf & Dennison—Junior Latin Book. Bennett—Latin Grammar. Cicero’s Orations. Vergil’s Aeneid Composition Greek Textbooks: White’s first Greek book Xenophon’s Anabasis Lysia’s select orations Plato Apology and Crito Greek prose composition English Textbooks: Buehler—Grammar Irving—Sketch book. Southern poets Reed and Kellogg—Higher lessions in English Julius Caesar Vision of Sir Launfal Webster’s first Bunker Hill Oration Lockwood & Emerson—Rhetoric Selections from Milton Macaulay’s life of Johnson Merchant of Venice English poetry and theme writing Selections from Tennyson, Burns, Shakespeare Parallel reading. History The course in History covers the entire four years. De Garmo says, “Tt is in history that the young first learn to regard the present as the last attained stage of a mighty evolution, and thereby acquire reverence for the vicarious sacrifices of the past, regard for the civil liberties of the present, and a sense of responsibility for the civil welfare of coming 8enerations.” . . . Textbooks: West—Ancient World Myer—Mediaeval and modern Wrong—British Nation. Hart—Essentials of American History North Carolina History Mathematics Colaw & Elwood—Advanced arithmetic. Sanford—Elements of Algebra Milne—High School Algebra Wentworth—Plane Geometry Wentworth—Solid geometry Wentworth—Plane Trigonometry. Science (only one year) Tarr—New Physical geography. French Chardenal—Complete French course Rollin—French reader. Laboulaye—Contes bleues. Selections from French authors. German Textbooks: Collar—Eysenbach Joynes—Meissner—Grammar German reader Gluck Auf. L’Arrabiata—Heyse Storm—Immensee Bible In this age of skepticism, when even the heads of some of our Uni- versities are presenting views that border on atheism, it is of the utmost importance that our Southern schools and colleges should teach the plain truth of the Bible, and should try to implant these truths so deeply in the minds of the students that no creeds or “isms” shall be able to uproot them. . . . The aims of this course are: to give the students a general knowledge of Bible history; to enable them to interpret the Scripture correctly; and to create in them the desire to know the truth which shall make them free. Business Course Music and Elocution According to arrangements made with the authorities of James Sprunt Institute, those students in the Academy desiring to take Vocal or Instru- mental Music, or Elocution can get the very best instruction under the teachers of these departments at this excellent institution. (Bulletin of Grove Academy—1909.) 1 5. ST. JOHN’S LODGE NO. 13, A.F. AND A.M. DUPLIN ST. JOHN’S LODGE, NO. 13, the original Masonic Lodge in Duplin County, was instituted June 25, 1791, about three and one-half years after the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was organized. The lodge was formed at Duplin Old Court House near the Sampson and Duplin County line and near the home of General James Kenan, who was the first Master. A constitution was drawn and the original signers were Well-known men of that time, to wit: General James Kenan, W.M.; Colonel Charles Ward, S.W.; Patrick Newton, J.W.; Colonel Thomas Routledge, Sr., Treasurer; George Morrisey, Secretary; John Armstrong, Tyler. The members were Captain Michael Molton, Edward Harris, Daniel Harris, John Beck, John Mcllleoinea, and Thomas Routledge, Jr. Within the next few years the reports on membership included the names of many others who were men of high character and prominence of that time, and among them were the following: Nathan Fryar, Daniel Glisson, Claborn Ivey, Thomas Kenan, William Higgins, John Linton, Nathaniel McCanne, Samuel Houston, William Wilkinson, Abraham Molton, Holden McGee, Thomas Finley, Thomas Wright, Owen O’Daniel, Loami Stevens, David Slocumb, Thomas Ivey, John Barfield, John Hurst, Stephen Beck, Rigdon Bryan, David Murdock, George P. Linton, Thomas J. Kinnear, William Wilkinson, Jr., Meschek Stallings, Shadrack Stallings, James Pheobus, George McDonald, James K. Hill, John Wilkinson, O. L. Kelly, William J. Price, David Wright, William Beck, and others. General James Kenan was the Master from 1791 until 1800 when Thomas Wright became Master. Thomas Wright was S.W. of St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, Wilmington, N. C, in 1789, and a Past Master of said Lodge (a legitimate offspring of the Grand Lodge of England). In 1807 General Joseph T. Rhodes made report for the Lodge to the Grand Lodge. The Lodge became dormant about 1824. Warren Lodge, No. 101, Kenansville, N. C., was instituted Dec. 21, 1831, with James Kenan Hill, W.M.; O. L. Kelly, S.W.; Williams Cooper, JW. ; William J. Price, Secretary; John Wilkinson, Treasurer; A. G. 169 Hill, S.D.; Samuel Stanford, J.D.; Wm. H. Hansley, Tyler. Other members included Samuel Houston, James Lawson, William H. Hurst, Thomas J. Kinnear, Hogan Hunter, John E. Hussey, John Farrior, Nicholas Hill, William K. Frederick, L. C. Stanford, A. G. Stanford, Lawton Houston, O. L. Kelly, R. L. Stanly, Charles H. Cooper, Thomas J. Kenan, N. Hale, and J. L. Linton. At a meeting held Jan. 7, 1831, William Cooper was allowed the sum of twenty-five dollars for the purpose of procuring a charter. The following members of St. John’s Lodge, No. 13, became members of Warren Lodge, No. 101; Thomas J. Kinnear, Samuel Houston, John Linton, Thomas Kenan, John Hurst, Thomas Routledge, Jr., James K. Hill, Owen O’Daniel, O. L. Kelly, William J. Price, and probably others. At a meeting held May 26, 1831, a committee consisting of John Wilkinson, O. L. Kelly and Hogan Hunter was appointed to select some suitable place to locate the Lodge. At this meeting Brother A. G. Hill presented the Lodge with a Holy Bible as a token of his esteem for the Lodge and his respect for Masonry. On June 24, 1831, a motion was passed ordering that the upper part of Brother Hogan Hunter’s house be so altered as to make a suitable place for a Lodge. The following committee was appointed to make the necessary alterations: Thomas J. Kinnear, Williams Cooper and Samuel Stanford. On November 12, 1831, a bill was ordered paid for altering the Lodge room. Brother J. E. Hussey served as Grand Marshal in 1834, as Grand Sentinel in 1835, and as Grand Sword Bearer in 1836. Brother James Kenan Hill served as Grand Marshal in 1835 and again in 1836. The Lodge funcitoned until about 1840, when it became dormant. Some members of Warren Lodge, No. 101, were instrumental in or- ganizing old Belmont Lodge in the Bowden-Faison section. Union Chapter, No. 17, of York Rite Masons, and later Corinthian Chapter, No. 43, of York Rite Masons, both were organized in Kenans- ville and functioned well for a long time with a large membership. On May 1, 1852, Warren Lodge, No. 101, was reorganized with the following officers: G. W. Wallace, W.M.; O. R. Kenan, S.W.; Henry Grimes, Jr., J.W.; J. H. Judge, S.D.; D. C. Maxwell, J.D.; Joseph Carr, Treasurer; William Farrior, Secretary; N. J. Farrior, Tyler. O. R. Kenan, Joseph Carr, Henry Grimes and William Farrior were appointed a committee to draft by-laws and rules of order for the government of the Lodge. The Lodge was rechartered December 9, 1852. From report of Warren Lodge, No. 101, 1852, it is noted that the 170 report is headed “General Returns from Warren Lodge, No. 101, Ancient York Masons.” On Feb. 10, 1855, a resolution was introduced providing that the Master of the Lodge be authorized to subscribe for and in behalf of this Lodge one hundred dollars to the Female Seminary to be built in Kenansville and the Treasurer be instructed to pay the same out of Lodge funds. This resolution was passed and adopted on March 10. At the meeting held July 10, 1858, Brother William B. Middleton was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of building a new Lodge building. On Jan. 8, 1859, the following resolution was adopted: “Resolved that Thomas S. Watson be allowed from the evidence he has produced of his having been entered, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by Lodge, No. 97, Edinburgh, Scotland, to be entered, passed and raised in this lodge without paying the initiation fee and be allowed membership by paying three dollars.” May 7, 1859, a motion was made and passed that Martha Hammond Abernathy be sent to school at the expense of the Lodge for one session. Our present Lodge building was erected in 1860, and the dedication was set for Dec. 27, 1860. At a meeting held Aug. 8, 1863, the following committee, William A. Allen, William Farrior, and Kedar Bryan offered this resolution: “Where- as, the Masonic Fraternity, and particularly the members of Warren Lodge, No. 101, have heard that their Brother William J. Houston, Cap- tain of Company I, 9th Regiment, N. C. T. (Ist N. C. Cavalry) was killed in the late battle near Ashby’s Gap, and whereas, the members of said Lodge feel that it is due to the gallant and distinguished service of their late brother, that they should express their high appreciation of the noble qualities of head and heart of the deceased, Therefore Resolved, That this lodge, in the death of Captain Houston, has lost one of its brightest ornaments, the Masonic Fraternity one of its most distinguished members, the people at large one of their most gifted citizens and suc- cessful legislators, and the service of the Confederate States, one of its bravest, most devoted and gallant officers. “Resolved, that in common with our fellow citizens, we deplore the loss of our distinguished brother and friend and will ever cherish a fond Tecollection of his noble qualities as the perfect gentleman, and hereby tender to his afflicted wife and family our heartfelt condolence in this their severe trial. “Resolved, that the members of this Lodge will wear the usual badge of Masonic mourning for thirty days in memory of our deceased brother. “Resolved, that the Secretary of this Lodge be requested to furnish 171 a copy of these resolutions for publication to the W. ilmingion Journal, and also a copy to the afflicted wife and family of the deceased. The Raleigh Register and Fayetteville Observer will please copy and send bill to the Wilmington Journal office.” On Mar. 12, 1864, a motion was made and carried that all monies in the hands of the Secretary and Treasurer belonging to the Lodge be funded in four per cent bonds of the Confederate States. Furney G. Simmons, father of United States Senator Furnifold M. Simmons, who was living here at that time, was initiated in the Lodge Mar. 29, 1864. On Sept. 10, 1864, a committee consisting of William A. Allen, Wil- liam Farrior, and G. W. Lamb, offered this resolution: “Whereas we have heard with pain and regret that our young and esteemed brother, George Cooper, a gallant and patriotic soldier of Co. A, 43rd Regiment, N. C. T., and a beloved and respected member of this lodge, departed this life on the 27th day of May, last, in General Hospital No. 3, Richmond, Va., from the effects of a wound received in a skirmish with the enemy on the 24th, of the same month near Hanover Junction. Therefore, Be it Resolved, That in the death of our brother, this lodge has lost another of its patriotic and devoted members, a companionable and pleasant associate, masonry an ardent friend, the community in which he lived an enlightened and generous-hearted citizen, and the country one of its best soldiers, cut off in the full vigor and bloom of manhood, full of life and the prospect of bright and happy days before him, sealing his devo- tion to the cause of republican government with his life’s blood. “Resolved, that we tender to the deceased’s family our warmest sympa- thy and condolence in their said bereavement. Their great consolation should be that he died in the full discharge of patriotic duty, nobly battling for the right of his country. “Resolved, that as a testimony of our high regard and esteem for our departed brother the members of this Lodge be requested to wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. “Resolved, that these proceedings be spread upon the records of this Lodge and communicated by the Secretary to the bereaved family of the deceased and a copy of the same be furnished to the Wilmington Journal with the request that they be published.” On Dec. 27, 1864, “Bro. H. Grimes presented his bill for expenses as delegate to the Grand Lodge amounting to $162.50 ordered to be paid” (Confederate Money). At a meeting on May 13, 1865, “The petition of Bro. J. Q. McGowan asking admission as member of this Lodge—being a member in good 172 Standing in Stonewall Jackson Military Lodge, No. 13, Georgia, pro- ceeded to ballot and he was duly elected a member of this Lodge.” On July 7, 1866, a committee composed of T. S. Kenan, T. S. Watson and W. B. Middleton, offered this resolution: “Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God, by the interposition of His all-wise Providence, to remove from us our friend and brother, Captain Edward Southerland, a member of this Lodge, who died the 30th of September, 1865. “Therefore, Be it Resolved, that in the untimely death of our brother, We recognize the Power of Him, in whose hands alone are the issues of life and death; And while we bow with humble submission to His decree, we shall ever cherish in our hearts those sentiments of esteem and friendship, with which the life and character of our deceased brother have impressed us. “Resolved, That in his premature death, our fraternity has been bereft of a truly devoted member, and our country, in defense of which, he has so often, and so bravely periled his life, as one of its truest soldiers, has lost a citizen, whose career of usefulness had comparatively just begun, and whose prospects for long and happy life were so flattering. “Resolved, That we tender our warmest sympathies to the relations and friends of our deceased brother—and that we wear the usual badge of mourning in respect to his memory.” On Sept. 7, 1867, “A petition from Bros. J. J. Ward, W. N. Ellsworth, James W. Boney, D. T. McMillan, J. C. McMillan, J. E. Fussell, John W. Peterson, Jos. Sells, E. T. Pigford, and J. J. McMillan asking this Lodge to recommend their petition to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of North Carolina for a dispensation to open and hold a Lodge at Teachey’s Depot—this Lodge having satisfied itself of the efficiency of the officers named in said petition, do recommend to the said Most Worshipful Grand Master to grant their prayer of the petition.” On Dec. 19, 1871, at the request of the family the Lodge conducted a Masonic funeral for Thos. J. Kinnear, a non affiliate. The Lodge was deeded to Brother W. B. Middleton in 1873 due to fact that the members were not able to pay debt on the building. In 1873 there were seventy-four members of Warren Lodge, No. 101. The Lodge was purchased from Brother W. B. Middleton in 1875. During 1882 the Lodge became dormant again. In 1897 the following made application to the Grand Lodge for the restoration of the Charter of Warren Lodge, No. 101: Isaac B. Kelly, Albert F, Williams, James M. Archer, Jas. W. Blount, S. O. Middleton, T. M. Lee, B. C. Bowden, Henry C. Moore, D. J. Middleton, L. Hussey, J. D. Stanford and J. D. Southerland. 173 On May 3, 1897, Walter E. Moore, Grand Master, issued dispensation restoring to Warren Lodge, No. 101, its Charter, jewells, books, furniture and all property to which it was entitled at the same time of forfeiture of Charter. By virtue of the foregoing dispensation the brethren therein named met in their hall in Kenansville on the 2lst day of May, 1897, and organized by electing the following officers: T. M. Lee, W.M.; James W. Blount, S.W.; J. D. Southerland, J.W.; S. O. Middleton, Treasurer; A. F. Williams, Secretary. The Worshipful Master then appointed the following officers, viz.: James M. Archer, S.D.; I. B. Kelly, J.D.; B. C. Bowden, Tyler. At a special communication of the Lodge Dec. 16, 1897, the following visiting brethren were present; C. B. Aycock (later Governor of North Carolina) ; I. G. Lee, and A. J. Harvell from Wayne Lodge, No. 112, Goldsboro; H. E. Faison, Hiram Lodge, No. 98, Clinton; and J. C. McMillan of Rehoboth Lodge, No. 279, Rosehill. Aug. 21, 1903, the Lodge donated $15.00 to Warsaw Lodge. (This was just after the organization of the Warsaw Lodge.) Members who demitted to form Warsaw Lodge were: H. G. Owens, E. J. Hill, S. A. Strickland, D. E. Best, J. A. Powell, H. S. Boyette, J. F. Bell and S. R. Bowden. On Nov. 21, 1911, the following resolution was adopted: “Resolved, that permission is hereby given Rehoboth Lodge, No. 279, A.F. & A.M, at Teacheys, N. C., to move their Lodge to Rosehill, N. C.” Warren Lodge became dormant again in 1918, and was reorganized as Warren Lodge, No. 639, in December, 1919. On February 17, 1919, the Grand Lodge of N. C., met in Special Communication in Kenansville and instituted Warren Lodge, No. 639, and installed the officers. Grand Officers were as follows: M.W. Henry A. Grady, G.M.; R.W. J. E. Williams, D.G.M.; R.W. J. L. Nelson, S.G.W.; R.W. R. D. John- son, J.G.W.; RW. Geo. R. Ward, G. Treasurer; R.W. E. D. Williams, Grand Sec.; R.W. C. D. Chesnutt, Grand Chaplain; J. L. Nelson, Grand Lecturer; W. H. Williams, S.G. Deacon; W. G. Kornegay, J.G. Deacon; J. E. Westbrook, Grand Marshall; N. B. Grady, G. Sword Bearer; Rufus Stroud, G. Pursuivant; J. J. Bowden, G. Steward; S. R. Chesnutt, G. Steward; and W. D. Terry, Grand Tiler. All officers were serving pro tempore except the M.W. Grand Master and Grand Tiler. The officers of the new Lodge were: A. F. Williams, W.M.; H. D. Williams, S.W.; N. B. Grady, J.W.; M. F. Westbrook, Treasurer; J. J. Bowden, Secretary; W. G. Kornegay, S.D.; C. D. Chesnutt, J.D.; W. F. Smith and S. R. Chesnutt, Stewards; Henry W. Dail, Tiler. 174 A district meeting was held with our Lodge Oct. 26, 1926, with District Deputy Grand Master L. Southerland, of Wallace, presiding. ; During the Masonic year 1922-23 permission was given Beulaville Lodge to get a Charter. The Ninth District meeting was held with our Lodge Dec. 3, 1931, which was presided over by one of our members, Brother D. M. Jolly, D.D.G.M. After Brother Jolly’s death in 1932, Brother James E. Jerritt Was appointed to fill out his unexpired term as District Deputy Grand Master, and served another term the next year. At the Grand Lodge meeting in 1932 our old number, 101, was re- Stored to us. Representatives to the Grand Lodge this year were: G. V. Gooding, J. L. Williams and F. W. McGowen. During the year 1931-32, mainly through the efforts of our Worshipful Master, Dr. G. V. Gooding and Brother James J. Bowden (former Register of Deeds and Tax Collector of Duplin County), the Lodge repurchased the old Lodge Hall from the heirs of Brother S. O. Middleton, who had come into possession of it. The building was renovated and Tepaired and the Lodge entered into a new era of progress. Those con- tributing to the fund with which to repurchase and renovate the building Were as follows: G. K. Aldridge, J. E. Jerritt, W. E. Belanga, D. F. McGowen, S. L. Ferrell, I. C. Burch, G. V. Gooding, J. O. Stokes, F. W. McGowen, A. R. Chesnutt, D. S. Williamson, J. B. Wallace, F. J. Baars, J. W. Shaffer, J. L. Williams, J. J. Bowden, C. E. Quinn, L. D. Dail, S. B. Hunter. The lower floor of the building was let to the Woman’s Club to be used for a Community building. In 1933 Victory Lodge, No. 642, Pink Hill, N. C., with permission of the Grand Lodge, consolidated with Warren Lodge, No. 101, the officers of Warren Lodge, No. 101, remaining as the officers of the con- Solidated Lodge. The following members were received from Victory Lodge: J. F. Tyndall, B. B. Holder, O. A. Gardner, W. R. Gooding, F. D. Gooding, W. J. Grady, R. P. Holt, S. W. Harper, W. G. Kornegay, Thad Kornegay, Alvin Kornegay, H. D. Maxwell, Magnus Outlaw, Marvin Simmons, John Ivey Smith, Albert Smith, G. A. Stroud, M. W. Sutton, J. M. Turner, J. A. Worley, and John F. Southerland. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1933 in Asheville, our old records were restored to us. Representatives at the Grand Lodge were: G. V. Gooding, J. L. Williams and G. K. Aldridge. In 1935 the Lodge again resumed the practice of serving dinners once ® month before the First Thursday night meetings. This has continued, and has been deemed beneficial in helping to create and hold interest. Our annual Ladies’ Night and installation of Officers is the First 175 Thursday in January. The annual picnic is held the First Thursday afternoon in September each year at Maxwell’s Mill. During 1935 the following members of Warsaw Lodge, No. 522 (which had become dormant), became members of our Lodge: R. D. Johnson, R. E. L. Wheelis, B. C. Sheffield, W. E. Hines, Dr. J. M. Williams, John M. Pierce, R. W. Blackmore, A. Brooks, A. L. Humphrey, R. E. Wall, W. E. Taylor, W. A. Blanchard, B. C. Siske, and M. H. Hodges. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1936, our old name and number, ST. JOHN’S LODGE, NO.13, was restored to us with all of its rights and privileges. The representatives at the Grand Lodge were: G. V. Gooding, W. R. Gooding, J. M. Brock, A. T. Outlaw, R. D. Johnson, A. J. Blanton, and F. W. McGowen. A district meeting was held here July 30, 1936, H. MeN. Johnson, District Deputy Grand Master, presiding. ‘ In 1937 the Lodge sponsored the organization of an Eastern Star Chapter, and Kenansville Chapter, No. 215, was organized with twenty- five members. The Chapter is progressing steadily, having attained the honor of being a Gold Star Chapter for the past two years. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1938, our Lodge had the honor of exemplifying the Third Degree. The Lodge received special commendation from the Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers and others present. Brother Percy C. Stott, Assistant Grand Lecturer, coached the Degree Team, which was com- posed of the following: A. J. Blanton, W.M.; I. C. Burch, S.W.; G. M. Honeycutt, J.W.; J. M. Brock, S.D.; R. C. Wells, J.D.; A. Q. Brinson and J. O. Smith, Stewards; E. C. Newton, Tiler; H. D. Maxwell, Jr., Dempsey Smith, Earl Smith, A. J. Dickson, O. P. Johnson, C. H. Walker, E. A. Howton, L. L. Rogers, P. E. Shoulars, Paul Williams, Jasper Tyndall, W. R. Gooding, J. H. Byrd, Alvin Kornegay. F. W. McGowen gave the lecture. Dr. G. V. Gooding served as a member of the Oxford Orphanage Committee in 1935 and in 1936, having been appointed by the Grand Lodge. Our Lodge contributes liberally to the Oxford Orphanage and en- tertains the Singing Class annually. F. W. McGowen served as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1938 and in 1939, by appointment of the Grand Lodge. In 1940 Twenty-five Year Continuous Service Membership Certifi- cates were presented by Past Master, J. E. Jerritt, to the following: R. G. Maxwell, W. A. Westbrook, J. L. Williams, R. W. Blackmore, Rivers D. Johnson, H. D. Maxwell, Sr., W. R. Gooding, Henry W. Dail, 176 Dr. J. M. Williams, S. B. Hunter, and S. W. Harper. During 1940 mainly through the efforts of the Master, G. M. Honey- Cutt, thirty-seven pictures of Past Masters were secured and placed on the walls of the Lodge. On January 2, 1941, the Master, J. M. Brock, appointed the following 8eneral committee to arrange for our Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, June 25, 1941: J. M. Brock, R. C. Wells, A. Q. Brinson, G. V. Gooding, J. E. Jerritt, F. W. McGowen, W. R. Gooding, O. P. Johnson, E. W. Sadler and D. Y. Hollingsworth. This committee arranged the follow- ing program: - SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 1941, 8:00 P. M. KENANSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Masonic Sermon by Rev. C. K. PROCTOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 25, 1941, 4:30 P. M. SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF ST. JOHN’S LODGE, No. 13, SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 8:00 P. M. KENANSVILLE SCHOOL GYMNASIUM BANQUET Address by Governor J. Melville Broughton Our Lodge metings are well attended and we have a large, active membership. As in the past, the membership includes those of the com- munity who are actively associated with the progress of the country. As we wear the badge of our Order, we can sing with the Poet Laureate of the Craft: “There’s mony a badge that’s unco braw, Wi’ ribbon, lace and tape on, Let Kings and Princes wear them a,’ Gie me the Master’s apron!” {History of ST. JOHN’S LODGE, NO. 13, A.F. & A.M., Kenansville, North Carolina, 791-194), SESQUI-CENTENNIAL, June 25, 1941.) 1 6. THE DICKSON CHARITY FUND The Dickson Charity Fund is from money left by Colonel Alexander Dickson under his Will for a free school or schools for the benefit of the poor of Duplin County. Colonel Alexander Dickson was a brother of Colonel William Dickson. Colonel Alexander Dickson was buried in the Routledge Cemetery east of the Town of Kenansville. ‘ FROM ALEXANDER DICKSON’S WILL . . + “The remaining part of my estate consisting of Harris Cottle, Hogs & Sheep, Household and kitchen furniture, and Plantation Tools of every description and all kinds of crops and Produce are to be sold in the same way as my other Property & the Money arising from the said sales are to be collected by my executors when due as soon as may be. Should there be any Money, Bonds, Notes, or amounts on hand at the time of my death, my executors are to account for them, and after paying out all expenditures, that may have accrued heretofore, or may hereafter accrue, the net proceeds are then to be kept and put by my executors to the use of a Free-school, or schools for the benefit of the Poor of Duplin County.” Executors named in will: John Dickson (nephew), son of his brother Robert Dickson, deceased, living at Blockers Ferry, Cumberland County, and Joseph McGowen (nephew), son of William McGowen, deceased. The will was dated: June 19, 1813. Witnesses to the Will were: Stephen Graham and William Mallard. (Duplin County, Clerk of Court’s Office—Record of Wills “A,” Pages 95, 96, and 97.) The Audit Report of the County Board of Education for the year end- ing June 30, 1927, states: “We understand that this fund was originally $10,000.00, while we were able to locate $7,688.55 of Assets.” It is understood that with the Court’s permission about $1,500.00 of the original amount of the fund was used for a monument at the grave of Colonel Alexander Dickson. The County Board of Education and the Board of County Commis- sioners serve as joint-trustees of the fund. 178 For years and years the money was loaned, and the interest received Was deposited in the public school fund. About twenty-five years ago the trustees of the fund decided to add the interest collected on investments of the fund to the principal thereof, and to make loans from the fund to worthy college students to assist with their education. The loans have to be secured, and are payable beginning twelve months after the student finishes college. The interest Tate on these loans has been four per centum per annum payable at maturity, The trustees in setting up the fund for loans to worthy college students felt that all elementary and high school students would have the oppor- tunity to graduate from high school in the public schools of the county. The annual Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, Showed the following assets and Liabilities for the Dickson Charity Fund: Assets—Cash $1,486.66, Certificates of deposit $6,300.00, other inyest- ments $5,000.00, Total $12,786.66; Liabilities: Fund Balance $12,786.66. (County Audit Report June 30, 1969.) 1 a: LIBERTY HALL The Motto of Liberty Hall was and still is: “He who enters this open gate, never comes too early, and never stays too late.” Liberty Hall, the ancestral home of the Kenans, located in Kenans- ville, has been given to the County of Duplin. The house and several acres of land plus $5,000 to start organizing lans has been donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Kenan of Durham. he transfer by deed was made to the Duplin County Commissioners and the Duplin County Board of Education about a month ago. The Sarah Graham Kenan Foundation has contributed the bulk of the funds to restore the home to its original beauty and to maintain it. Tentative plans are to make of the home a Museum and Library. The original furniture is to be restored and it is to be decorated as it was in the period 1800-1840. The grounds are to be restored as they were in Colonial times. Liberty Hall and the Kenan Family have been tied with the history of Duplin County and Kenansville since the middle of the 18th century. The town of Kenansville was named for the family. The home has not been occupied for many years. It was owned for the past many years by Col. Owen Kenan until his death in Wil- mington in 1964. At that time the ownership went to Thomas S. Kenan, III, Owen G. Kenan, and James G. Kenan, III, from whom Frank H. Kenan purchased the property. (Col. Owen Kenan was the last living survivor of the Lusitania ship disaster.) Liberty Hall was the scene of the fabulous wedding of Mary Lily Kenan to Henry Morrison Flagler in August of 1901. The Hall is steeped with history of the Kenan family who have been noted for their interest in their native state and in particular, education. The philanthropist, Frank H. Kenan, said, “I have given the home where Mary Lily Kenan and Henry M. Flagler were married to the county to use in the manner in which they desire to preserve it.” COMMITTEE NAMED A committee has been named to work with Mr. Tom S. Kenan III on plans to restore Liberty Hall to be used as a library and museum. The committee is Mrs. Rachel Witherinton Stroud of Faison, Mrs. 180 Henry L. Stevens, Jr., of Warsaw, R. Vivian Wells of Kenansville, Honor- able Howard H. Hubbard of Clinton, and Mrs. Ruth Atkins Jones of Clinton. Working with this committee will be O. P. Johnson, Superin- tendent of Schools and F. W. McGowen, County Auditor. The committee has been asked to meet on Thursday morning with Mr. Tom S. Kenan who will represent the Kenan family on the com- Mission. At this meeting plans will be made and work will begin soon. RESOLUTION ADOPTED The following resolution was adopted by the Board of County Com- Missioners and the Board of Education on Monday, January 4: Whereas, Honorable Frank H. Kenan has deeded to Duplin County and the Board of Education of Duplin County two tracts of land in the Town of Kenansville as described by Deed recorded in Book 600, Page 574, of the Public Registry of Duplin County; and Whereas, Liberty Hall is located on the first tract mentioned in said deed and was given as a museum, library or for similar purpose, and the second tract was given for a park or playground purposes, and in Preserving the historical significance of Liberty Hall; and Whereas, Liberty Hall has been the birthplace and home of many Prominent members of the Kenan family, from which family the Town of Kenansville takes its name, and which is a landmark of great historical interest as the property of one of the early families and settlers of Duplin County; and Whereas, Honorable Frank H. Kenan desires to restore Liberty Hall, making it into a museum, and to endow it so as to preserve it as a memorial to the Kenan family; now Therefore, Be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Duplin County and the Board of Education of Duplin County in joint meeting = Monday, January 4, 1965, that the sincere appreciation and thanks & both boards is hereby expressed to Honorable Frank H. Kenan for this gift and for his interest in restoring Liberty Hall. Putting it back into its original state for a museum as he has indicated will make it * most fitting and lasting memorial to the Kenan family, one of the most Prominent families of Duplin. We can vision this as one of the out- Standing historical attractions of Eastern America. Be it Further Resolved, that in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Kenan the Liberty Hall Historical Commission is hereby created, and the following persons are appointed as members of said commission: Thomas S. Kenan, III R. Vivian Wells Mrs. Rachel Witherinton Stroud O. P. Johnson Mrs. Henry L. Stevens, Jr. Judge Howard H. Hubbard Mrs. Ruth Atkins Jones 181 It is recommended that the commission meet at an early date and organize. Be it Further Resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners; a copy spread upon the minutes of the Board of Education of Duplin County, and a copy mailed to Honorable Frank H. Kenan as a testimonial of the sincere appreciation and thanks of both boards. This the 4 day of January, 1965. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF DUPLIN COUNTY (s) J. W. Hoffler, Chairman. ATTEST: (s) Christine W. Williams, Clerk. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DUPLIN COUNTY (s) William F. Dail, Chair- man. ATTEST: O. P. Johnson, Secretary. (Duplin Times, 1-14-65.) * The first Liberty Hall was built by Thomas Stephen Kenan in the late 1730’s. The home was located on what was called the Turkey Branch Plantation near the present town of Turkey, N. C. Thomas Kenan was the first Kenan to come to this country and he sailed from Ireland in 1736 and landed in Wilmington, N. C., that same year. Thomas Kenan lived on this plantation until his death in 1766. His wife, Elizabeth Johnson Kenan, continued to live at the old place until her death in 1789, at which time it passed to their son James Kenan, and it was this son who named the home Liberty Hall due to the many political meet- ings and gatherings that took place there during this period of American History. General James Kenan took an active part in civic and military affairs of Duplin County. He was a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1773 and 1774 and of the Provincial Congress in 1774, 1775 and 1776; Chairman of the Duplin Safety Committee and the Wilmington Committee. He was a member of the North Carolina State Senate for nine consecutive terms; a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1788 and 1789, and was one of the original Trustees of The Uni- versity of North Carolina. He was also Chairman of the Committee of the Whole on Ratification of the United States Constitution. This first Liberty Hall was furnished with many pieces brought over from England and also contained several American pieces and in par- ticular a few choice North Carolina pieces. This home burned to the ground prior to 1800, however many of the furnishings were saved. General Kenan died in 1810 and is buried on what was the Turkey Branch Plantation. His son, Thomas S. Kenan, II, had a large plantation called Lochlin located several miles east of Wallace, N. C., and there was a handsome home on this property; however, it too was destroyed by fire. 182 In the late 1700’s Thomas S. Kenan built the present Liberty Hall in Kenansville. In 1833 he and his wife, the former Mary Rand of Raleigh and their two youngest children moved to Selma, Alabama, where he died in 1860. Owen Rand Kenan, son of Thomas and Mary Kenan moved into Liberty Hall when his father moved to Selma. He called the home Liberty Hall after his great grandfather’s home in Turkey. Owen Kenan made some structural changes in the home by attaching the old kitchen on the rear of the house and by adding two porches on the north and south side of the house. Owen Kenan married Sarah Rebecca Graham and they had four children: James Graham Kenan, William Rand Kenan, Annie D. Kenan, and Thomas S. Kenan. Owen Kenan was made a Major during the War Between the States, and Liberty Hall escaped harm though Northern Troops were in the immediate area. Maj. Owen Kenan died in 1887 and Liberty Hall was left to his un- Married daughter, Annie D. Kenan, who continued to live there during her lifetime. At her death she left the old place to her niece, Mary Lily Kenan, who had married Henry Morrison Flagler in 1901 in Liberty Hall. This wedding was certainly the most significant social event to take place in Duplin County. Henry M. Flagler had founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller and later set out to develop the East coast of Florida and in doing so he became the largest property Owner in Florida. This wedding attracted international attention and well known people from various parts of the country attended. The wedding party and 8uests arrived at Magnolia, N. C., via private train and then proceeded to Kenansville in horse drawn carriages, The marriage vows were said in the parlor at Liberty Hall in the presence of the bride’s immediate family consisting of her parents, her sister, Sarah Graham Kenan and Jessie Kenan Wise, and her brother, William R. Kenan, Jr. Mrs, Flagler deeded Liberty Hall to her first cousin, Col. Owen Hill €nan. Col. Kenan visited the old place frequently until his death in 1964 at which time he left the place to his three great nephews, Tom, Owen, and James Kenan. In 1965 Mr. Frank H. Kenan, a nephew, bought the property and deeded it to the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners of . uplin County to be used as a museum. In 1965 the Liberty Hall Restora- Hon Commission was formed and plans for restoring the mansion were formulated. The restoration of Liberty Hall has been a long drawn out affair ut with the outstanding cooperation and work done by Mr. William Sney, A. I. A., of Wilmington as consulting architect, and by Mr. Robert Herring of Rose Hill, contractor, the restoration became a reality. b 183 The interior work of Liberty Hall was under the personal supervision of John E. Winters of New York City, and the fabrics and wall papers were created from early documents by the well known New York firm of Brunchwig and Fils under the personal direction of Mrs. Roger Brunchwig. The furnishings in Liberty Hall are identified by markers. Some of the pieces were from the original Liberty Hall and others were acquired as time went on. The Restoration Commission is especially indebted to the Kenan family for several important loans, to Mr. and Mrs. George E. London of Raleigh for the loan of many beautiful early North Caro- lina pieces, and to Mr. John Kalmar for the loan of some important North Carolina pieces. The Restoration Commission has tried to re-create Liberty Hall as it looked just prior to the Civil War. The periods of furniture will start from 1736 and run up to 1850. The decorative items will also vary much in dates. The plan of Liberty Hall denotes strength and order. There is a large T shaped hall on the first and second floor. As one enters Liberty Hall through the main entrance, he sees the parlor on the left and the living room on the right. Both of these rooms are formal in treatment. Directly opposite the front door is the formal winter dining room. To the left of this room is the Library and office where the master of the home carried out his business. To the right of the winter dining room is the larger summer dining room, which is the only major room that contains no fireplace. The pantry opens off this room and then the kitchen is approached through a covered breezeway. The wine cellar is directly below the kitchen and the pantry. On the second floor there are four bedrooms, all connecting to a spacious hall. All wood used in construction is heart pine with the exception of the main stair rail which is of Walnut. (By Thomas S. Kenan, III.) LIBERTY HALL OFFICIALLY OPENED Kenans Were Honored at Luncheon “Not for destruction, but for preservation,” pronounced Mrs. Dan K. Moore, summing up Saturday’s celebration officially opening Kenans- ville’s proud new showplace, Liberty Hall. Guest speaker at a community luncheon honoring the Kenan family held at Kenan Memorial Auditorium, the North Carolina Governor’s wife declared it was pleasant in the present time of war to come to a place of quiet peace 184 Liberty Hall, an historic ante bellum mansion, was renovated by the Kenan family and given to Duplin County. “The Kenans, who immigrated to America about 1736, were one of the greatest families ever to come to North Carolina,” Mrs. Moore said. “Truly this family has helped build the United States and more im- Portant to us, North Carolina. They have frequently led and never hesitated to follow. The Kenans have always shared with their fellow man.” Mrs. Moore expressed appreciation to Thomas S. Kenan III of Dur- ham, N. C., chairman of the Liberty Hall Restoration Commission, and to his family for their gift. Thomas Kenan had shown an interest in the preservation not only of his ancestral home, but also of the Executive Mansion at Raleigh, she said. : “For more than 200 years, the Kenan family has taken its place m North Carolina in religious, educational, medical, and legal fields, and it will continue its role of leadership,” said Judge Howard Hubbard, Judge of the Superior Court. During two centuries, Kenans had con- tributed continuously to the growth of this country. “The Kenan family has a strong strain of blood and brains,” Judge Hubbard said, “and I am old-fashioned enough to believe that good blood has told and will tell.” “Liberty Hall will be a source of pride, pleasure and education to the people of the community and to all who visit it,” Judge Hubbard Concluded. Identifying himself as the brother of the oldest living Kenan and the father of the youngest (his 13-month-old daughter Lisa), Frank H. Kenan of Durham thanked the ladies of Kenansville for the delicious luncheon they prepared. “As you go through Liberty Hall, you will get a good idea of Southern hospitality, which is known the world over,” he said. “We have an Interest in things of beauty and an appreciation for them.” “Tt is heartwarming to see the number of people who came to the opening and we hope will all return frequently to Liberty Hall,” Thomas S. Kenan III said. He expressed his thanks to: his father, Frank H. Kenan; to the Sarah Graham Kenan Foundation; to the Flagler Foundation, founded by Mrs. Jessie Kenan Wise and represented at the luncheon by Lawrence Lewis, Jr., of Richmond; to the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, represented by Trustee John L. Gray, Jr., of Connecticut; architect William Boney of Wilmington; contractor Robert B. Herring of Rose Hill; Brunschwig and Fils, represented by Mrs. Murray Douglas of New York; John E. Winters of New York, Interior consultant; Mr. and Mrs. 185 John N. Kalmar of Faison, who loaned furnishings; and to members of the Liberty Hall Restoration Commission, especially vice-chairman O. P. Johnson and secretary F. W. McGowen. “It has been a labor of love for us and we’ve enjoyed every moment of it,” declared Mr. Johnson, chairman of the luncheon meeting. Vance B. Gavin, senior member of the Duplin County Bar Association, presented a watch to Thomas Kenan, as a token of community appre- ciation for his efforts in presenting Liberty Hall to Kenansville. “While Kenansville had no keys to the city to give, Mr. Kenan, always remember you have the key to our hearts,” Mr. Gavin said. Grace before the meal was spoken by Rev. Lauren R. Sharpe, pastor of the Kenansville Baptist Church. During the luncheon, the ghost of Thomas Kenan, the first of the family to settle in this area, delivered a humorous sketch of the Kenan history. He was played by Tony Rivenbark of Warsaw, a student at Wilmington College. Afterwards Mrs. Moore cut a scarlet ribbon across Liberty Hall’s entrance porch and prayer was given by Bishop Thomas Wright of Wilmington. The Kenan family members and their special guests toured the mansion, filling it with laughter and chatter as they reminisced among themselves and admired the elegant furnishings. Flowers throughout the house were contributed and arranged by the Warsaw Garden Club. Boy Scouts from the Kenansville Troop No. 50 directed traffic at the house and at the Memorial Auditorium. The Warsaw Garden Club also provided floral decorations for the head table at the luncheon. Their unusual arrangements of ripe straw- berries and yellow rosebuds set in berry boxes drew admiring com- ments. Convenors for the luncheon were O. P. Johnson and F. W. McGowen, with Mrs. Mae Spicer, Duplin’s extension home economist agent, in charge of the menu. Kenan family members and their special guests numbered 300 and another 200 townspeople sat down to the meal. The townspeople contributed 30 baked hams, 125 fried chickens, 1,500 hot biscuits (of the Southern take-two-and-eat-them-while-they’re- hot style), 50 pies, 30 cakes, four bushels of candied sweet potatoes, 500 deviled eggs, 100 quarts of string beans and butter beans, peach pickles, beet pickles, cucumber pickles, tea, coffee, and milk. (Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, May 16, 1968.) KENAN-FLAGLER WEDDING AT LIBERTY HALL Miss Mary Lily Kenan was the daughter of Captain William Rand Kenan, a Confederate officer, and Mary Hargrave Kenan of Chapel Hill. 186 She attended Peace Institute in Raleigh, and was considered an ac- complished musician and singer. She had many friends. While visiting the Pembroke Jones family in St. Augustine, Florida, she met Henry Morrison Flagler. At seventy-one, Flagler had become a formidable figure in finance. He was one of the founders of the Standard Oil Company, and the Florida East Coast Railroad. His fortune at this time was estimated at One hundred and fifty million. Flagler was impressed by Miss Kenan, who was described as “grace- ful, charming, beautifully dressed, and elegant.” his second wife. After their courtship the marriage plans were announced. Liberty Hall, ancestral home of the Kenans, looked especially lovely that late August morning in 1901, as it awaited “the wedding.” Always a showplace, the house glowed from the work of plasterers, painters, decorators, and gardeners during the past two months. The house had been completely refurbished from roof to cellar under the direction of the owner, James Graham Kenan. Shutters were painted dark green. The house was given a coat of white paint. Inside, rose Chinese silk wall paper covered dining and drawing room walls; rare Aubosson and Savoronne rugs were placed on the floors. Large vases of roses were set in corners. The only items left untouched by the workmen had been the family heirlooms gathered over the decades by the first Kenan who came to America in 1736. The house was ready for what would later be described as the “most glittering occasion in Duplin County history,” the marriage of Mary Lily Kenan to multi-millionaire, Henry Morrison Flagler. Tn an upstairs bedroom the bride-to-be dressed slowly in her white chiffon gown. The ecru silk, trimmed in rare lace, delicate as a flower, had taken her seamstress months to create. Mary Lily at thirty-four was well traveled, educated, and talented— the intellectual and social equal to her fiancé. She was a descendant of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most Prominent families. From a window Mary Lily could see the guests arriving on the new Toad that Flagler had had constructed from Magnolia past the front of the house. He was divorced from His private railroad car, “The Rambler,” had traveled from New York to Wilmington the previous day, carrying dozens of friends and a fifteen-piece orchestra. 187 The train had made the fifty-five mile trip from Wilmington to Mag- nolia in one hour, adding more excitement to the festive atmosphere. The creaking and jingling of harness in the drive and also the tuning of instruments in the drawing room warned Mary Lily that guests were arriving. Many Duplin County residents had offered their coaches and horses for the transportation of guests from the train station. Mary Lily looked again into the mirror, and placed the veil of ancient lace, trimmed in orange blossoms, on her hair. Someone tapped on the door; she picked up her bouquet of white Orchids and Lillies of the Valley. After several minutes the orchestra played the wedding march as the bride descended the stairs, escorted by her father. Louise Wise, a niece, was the flower girl and the only attendant. ; Flagler looked impressive in his black Prince Albert coat and light colored trousers. In the background, the bride saw among friends and relatives, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Kenan, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Graham Kenan, and Mrs. Jessie Kenan Wise, brother and sisters to the bride. After the ceremony, a wedding breakfast consisting of turkey, ham, roast pork, caviar, cakes, ices, and champagne was served. The bride left her ancestral home that afternoon. She and her husband left from Magnolia for the Flagler summer estate on Long Island. En route the husband presented his bride with a necklace of oriental pearls worth five hundred dollars, and three million dollars in cash and bonds. Eight months after the wedding the couple moved into the new bridal home, “Whitehall,” at Palm Beach, Florida. It is a tremendous structure that cost two million, five hundred thousand dollars to build, and one and one-half million to furnish. Henry Morrison Flagler was the son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Caldwell) Flagler of near Hopewell, N. Y. He stands out as a significant figure in American history. He was the father of Miami. It had given very little promise of growth until the Standard Oil magnate touched it with his magic millions. For all his business insight, he possessed a strong sense of human values. He had already built hospitals, helped finance schools, built the magnificent memorial Church in St. Augustine, and contributed to many churches of all denominations before his interests focused on Miami. There he donated land and money for public school construction, land and money for Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presby- terian, and Roman Catholic churches, land for public buildings and parks, and helped settlers establish themselves. 188 (He died in May, 1913, leaving an estate valued at more than one hundred million dollars. The bulk of his fortune was left to his wife in a trusteeship which provided one hundred thousand dollars a year and the residence, “Whitehall” at Palm Beach, and Flagler’s New York City realty. After the trust expired and all other bequests were made, she was to inherit the balance of the vast estate. Properties included the entire East Coast Railway System, the hotels Ponce de Leon, Alcazar, Cardova, Continental, Royal Palm, Royal Poinciana, Breakers, and other stock in the Peninsula and Occidental Steamship Company, Stan- dard Oil, and other corporations, vast tracts of valuable Florida lands, many small manufacturing plants, and other enterprises.) (Today, the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, “Whitehall,” is open to the public daily except Mondays. But in the early 1900’s, only the socially elite received invitations to the stately functions there.) (The Star-News, May 1, 1966, and The Kenan Family by Alvaretta Kenan Register.) LIBERTY HALL RECEIVES DONATION Frank H. Kenan, who donated the Old Kenan home and grounds in Kenansville for a museum and library, has recently contributed $12,235.75 for acquisition of additional furnishings of the house. Several items of furniture have been added to Liberty Hall. These items have been selected to complement the fine old pieces that are original to the house. : Seven Hogarth engravings hang in the upstairs hall. Some beautiful and rare mirrors are located in strategic spots throughout the house. These are highly sophisticated examples. Other pieces are located where they were needed. : Even those guests who have already visited Liberty Hall will desire to revisit this restoration to view the many new additions. Liberty Hall has been restored with grants made by Frank H. Kenan, Sarah G. Kenan Foundation, Flagler Foundation, and the William Rand Kenan Charitable Trust. This is one of the nicest restorations in eastern America. It is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 A. M. to 4:30 P. M, Sunday 2:00 P. M. to 4:30 P. M. Closed on Monday. (Duplin Times Progress Sentinel, Sept. 3, 1970.) ORDEAL OF DR. KENAN ON LUSITANIA RECALLED At least one Wilmington resident will recall May 7 each year with 189 a shudder, because it was on May 7, 1915, that he was a victim of the German torpedoing of the HMS Lusitania. The passenger on the ill-fated vessel at that time was Dr. Owen Hill Kenan, philanthropist and retired medical doctor of 111 South Third Street. Dr. Kenan was one of the 1,959 persons on board the vessel as it sank off the coast of Ireland on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. Of the number of passengers and crew, 1,198 were drowned. After remaining as a patient for several weeks at a Queenstown hos- pital, Dr. Kenan went to Paris. He later entered the French army and fought with it until America’s entry into the conflict in 1917, then he entered the American army and served until the Armistice in 1918. Sister Recalls Disaster The retired physician was in Florida when this article was prepared and was not available for comment. However, his sister, Miss Emily H. Kenan, recalled this week that her brother had a hard time of it after being in the icy water, exposed for so long after the Lusitania was sunk. The luxury British liner, Lusitania, left New York at noon on the first of May, 1915, despite published notices of the German government that the ship would be attacked if she made the trip. By the 7th of May the Lusitania had entered what was called the “danger zone,” where the German submarines were lurking. At 2:10 p-m., when 10 to 15 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, the weather being clear and the sea smooth, the captain heard the call, “There is a torpedo coming sir,” given by the second officer. He looked to the starboard and saw a streak of foam in the wake of the German torpedo. Immediately afterwards the giant steamer was struck on the side somewhere between the third and fourth funnels. Vessel Not Armed The Lusitania, on being struck, took a heavy list to the starboard and in less than 20 minutes she sank in deep water. Eleven hundred and ninety-eight men, women and children were drowned. The German government said the Lusitania was equipped with masked guns, that she was supplied with trained gunners, with special ammuni- tion, but these statements were proved untrue. The ship was unarmed and she was transporting only innocent men and women with their children. The Lusitania was a turbine steamship built by John Brown and Com- 190 Pany of Clydebank, in 1907, for the Cunard Steamship Company. She Was built under Admiralty Survey and in accordance with the require- ments of that agency. Her length was 775 feet, her beam 88 feet, and her depth 60 feet 4 inches. Her tonnage was 30,395 gross and 12,611 net. Her engines were 68,000 h. p. and her speed 2412 to 25 knots. She had 23 double- ended and two single ended boilers situated in four boiler rooms. , . . (The Star-News, 5-3-53.) 1 8 FROM WARSAW TO CLINTON ON . THE PLANK ROAD When the Wilmington and Weldon railroad was completed in 1840, ‘Warsaw was a station and was known as Mooresville. The name was later changed to Warsaw, having been taken from the book Thaddeus of Warsaw which was being popularly read at that time. A post office was established here about this time to replace an earlier post office at the Old Duplin Courthouse. Mooresville had been a stop on the old ’ Fayetteville-New Bern stage road. In 1849, a stock company was char- tered by the State to build a plank road from Fayetteville to Warsaw by the way of Clinton. The plank road was completed in the 1850's and Plank Street in Warsaw is on the extension of this plank road which was begun in the direction of New Bern but was never completed. The toll gate in Warsaw was near the old Dr. Hussey home. . . . - - - In 1886, the Warsaw-Clinton branch of the Wilmington and Weldon railroad was built on the bed of the old plank road... . - + - The toll gate of the old plank road was located on Lisbon Street. The section of the plank road between Clinton and Fayetteville was never completed. . . . (By Claude H. Moore, from L. A. Beasley’s Scrapbook.) THE RAILROAD ... An issue of the old Wilmington News, dated August, 1838, carried the following story: “The Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad is now open to the depot at Mrs. Teacheys 42 miles north of Wilmington, and the cars will run regularly to that point. Within three weeks ten more miles will be thrown open to travelers. The bridge across Neuse River is ready for laying down the iron and every hour diminishes the dis- tance to be traveled over the stages.” . . . Another news report, dated February, 1839, is as follows: “We regret having been unable to attend the big celebration in Waynesboro on February 22, in connection with the completion of the railroad between Wilmington and Waynesboro. This is an important event and will mean much to the development of the State. Farmers near Waynesboro are now shipping their hogs and produce to Wilmington and the shipment is less than a day in transit.” Old Waynesboro here referred to was 192 ee O Kenansville O Beaulaville LIMESTONE ISLAND CREEK O Teacheys ; e Wallace in Oe ee ee , Duplin County 7 er fe . Richard Canady Baxley The Spring in Kenansville = x] 2 N i=] DB A oO Lord Dupplin’s : . Richard Canady Baxle) James Sprunt Institute (Old) oe Sey ae Country Scene in Duplin—By W. Old Farm Well Dallas Herring Going to Mill on the Horse and Cart Baxley Richard Canady Shoes y g) a 5 bo = Century First Part of Twentieth Hog Killing Time in Duplin- Duplin County’s Bi-Centennial ‘Celebration On the Neuse River just southwest of the present city of Goldsboro. By March, 1840, the railroad was fully completed all the way between Wilmington and Weldon. ... (Duplin Times, Sept. 16, 1949.) The Raleigh and Wilmington Railroad, from the Roanoke River to Wilmington, was incorporated in 1833. The company was organized in March, 1836. This work was commenced in October, 1836, and finished in March, 1840, at a cost of $1,500,000. Six hundred thousand were Subscribed in the stock by the State; and by act of 1840, the State en- dorsed the bonds of this company for $300,000, a part of which she has Paid. The repairs of the road in 1850, increased the cost to another million. Gen. McRae, President. (Historical Sketches of North Carolina From 1584 to 1851, By John H. Wheeler, Published in 1851, Page 136.) ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD The parent road of the Atlantic Coast Line, the Wilmington & Weldon, Was opened to traffic on March 9, 1840. At that time, the Wilmington & Weldon was the longest railroad in the world. It extended 161 miles from Wilmington, N. C., almost completely across the State of North Carolina, to Weldon, at the head of navigation on the Roanoke River and near the Virginia line. In 1840, there were 2,200 miles of railroads in the United States. In that year it became possible for passengers to reach Charleston, S. C., from New York by rail in 66 hours; from Baltimore, Md., in 42 hours; quicker than could be done by boat. EARLY RAILROADING Railroad travel in those days was at the rate of about 12 miles an hour, including stops. Railroads were not connected and passengers, ©n reaching the terminals, walked from one train to another. Although the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad dates its beginning to the Wilmington & Weldon, which was, for those days, part of a through System, the earliest in point of time of the more than 100 short discon- nected railroads which later became a part of the Atlantic Coast Line Was the short Petersburg Railroad chartered in 1830. This railroad ran 59 miles almost straight south from Petersburg, Va., to Weldon, N. C. Tt began operations over a part of the line in October, 1832. This railroad ran on tracks of yellow pine on top of which were attached iron straps, one half inch by two inches, and secured by cross Hes of white oak, 12 inches in diameter. 193 When the Wilmington & Weldon was opened, it was the first time a train of cars had been pulled continuously as far as 161 miles on a railroad. Bells were rung, 161 shots from cannons were fired, one for each mile of the line, and a barbecue was given for 550 persons. With the completion of the Wilmington & Weldon, an important north and south route was established. Passengers going north from Wilming- ton took the train at Weldon for Petersburg, over the Petersburg Rail- road. From Petersburg they took the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad to Richmond, a distance of 23 miles. Then at Richmond they again changed cars and took the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac to the North... . . . . On April 21, 1900, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company of South Carolina, the Wilmington & Weldon, the Norfolk & Carolina, and other railroads were sold to and merged into the Atlantic Coast [ine Railroad Company of Virginia, which then changed its name to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. (Mr. L. A. Beasley’s Scrapbook.) THE ATLANTIC AND CAROLINA RAILROAD The Atlantic & Carolina Railroad was chartered from Warsaw to Ken- ansville on March 30, 1914, the incorporators meeting and organizing the corporation at Bowden, N. C., on April 21, 1914. The incorporators were A. R. Turnbull and William J. Jones of Norfolk, Va.; T. A. Hefty, Bowden, N. C.; R. D. Johnson, Warsaw, N. C.; and H. D. Williams and L. A. Beasley, Kenansville, N. C. All present. A. R. Turnbull, President of Rowland Lumber Company, who furnished the money to build the railroad and owned the majority of the stock, was elected President of the Railroad, which position he held until his death. Wm. J. Jones was elected Secretary, the other six incorporators being made directors of the road. L. A. Beasley was elected General Counsel holding that position until the road was sold to the Atlas Plywood Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1931. Beasley was instrumental in getting the railroad organized, and with- out his efforts there probably would have never been rail service into Kenansville. He drew up and secured the charter; secured the rights of way, many of them taken in his own name; performed all legal ser- vices for the road; and got a special act through the legislature authoriz- ing an election in Kenansville Township for a $10,000 bond issue to aid in building the road. When held, this election was duly carried, no man in Kenansville or in the eastern part of the Township voting against the bond issue. There were very few adverse ballots cast at all. In that day there were no improved roads in Duplin County, all roads 194, being worked by hand with local overseers. The road to Magnolia was So sandy that for most of the time it took two hours for making the trip with a team, and the roads to Warsaw were so crooked and sandy that few Model T’s growled along in low gear thru the sand and mud. The haulers of freight plodded along with light loads drawn by mules and oxen. The nearest hard surface road of any length was probably the famous Shenandoah Valley Pike from Staunton Northward in Vir- Sinia. (This was the road over which General Stonewall Jackson’s men rolled locomotives in the War between the States.) One prominent Duplin farmer, Andrew J. Pickett, was heard to remark that during the first year of the railroad, he saved enough in freight cost to pay his entire extra tax caused by the bond issue. Hundreds of car loads of fertilizer and other freight were hauled each year, and hundreds of passengers Carried. In the peak of this service the passenger fares amounted to as much as $4,000 and freight returns to as much as $10,000 annually. The Passenger service between Warsaw and Kenansville was twice daily, and for a great part of the time the United States Mail was carried over the road. This sketch of Kenansville railroad history would be incomplete without & word about Captain J. E. Jerritt who has been connected with the Atlantic & Carolina since its first trains began to run over its tracks. He and his father were near neighbors of Mr. Turnbull who brought them south when he came, putting the younger Jerritt in charge of perating the road, handling the office work as well as acting as con- ductor for many years. He continued to act as General Manager of the Toad as long as Mr. Turnbull lived, continuing in the same capacity after . was sold to Atlas Plywood Corporation. One of the county’s leading Citizens recently said, “Mr. Jerritt is the most popular and beloved man in Kenansville, and liked by all who know him. He is praised by his Wide circle of friends and railroad acquaintances of the larger roads as & most capable and efficient railroad operator, and a splendid citizen.” Mr. Turnbull was a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one of the finest, most affable, and ablest of men who ever came from the North to cast his lot with the South. He owned and managed a million dollar lumber company, and worked until he died in 1926 in Norfolk, Va. (L.A. Beasley’s Scrapbook.) 1 9. TOWNS OF DUPLIN COUNTY Beulaville was first known as Snatchet. Charter: Pr. igio, ©, o7ee Pr. 1925, C. 16. Present Officials (1969) : Leon Lanier, Mayor; Commis- sioners: Joe Edwards, Roland Edwards, Grady Mercer, Jr., Ricky Lynn Thomas, Mervin Whaley; Town Clerk: Mrs. J. W. Smith. Bowdens. Charter: Pr. 1911, C. 155 (not now functioning as a town.) * Calypso. Charter: Pr. 1913, C. 264, Pr. 1915, C. 298. Present Officials (1969): B. C. Albritton, Mayor; Commissioners: Norwood Barfield, M. J. Lambert, Jr., Cecil Langley, E. B. Sutton, James Wolf; Town Clerk: Glanton Barwick. Faison was first known as Faison Depot, a village that sprang up about 1833. Charter: Pr. 1872, C. 125; Amended Pr. 1901, C. 324, Pr. 1923, C. 235. Present Officials (1969): J. E. Andrews, Jr., Mayor; Commissioners: Curtis C. Cates, L. D. Groome, L. S. Guy, Jr., William Igoe, Charles E. Sauls; Town Clerk: Mrs. Hazel Kelly. Kenansville was laid out in 1818. It was named for General James Kenan, and is in the Golden Grove Settlement. Charter: Laws of N. 2G; from 1805 to 1816, C. XXXIV, Session 1850-51, C. CCCXVIII, Session 1852, C. CCVIII, Session 1858, C. 216, Session 1879, C. 73, Session 1899, C. 174, Session 1905, C. 2. Present Officials (1969): Dixon Hall, Mayor; Commissioners: William P, Fennell, John Hall, Leo Jackson, Philip Kretsch, Lauren Sharpe; Town Clerk: Preston Holmes. Magnolia was first known as Stricklandsville. Charter: Re-enacted Pr. 1869, C. LXXVII, Pr. 1905, C. 174. Present Officials (1969) : Dr. Corbett L. Quinn, Mayor; Commissioners: Fred Archer, H. Melvin Pope, James A. Powell, Charlie J. Thomas, Millard Williams; Town Clerk: Mrs. N. T. Pickett. Rose Hill was first known as Rosehill, and since 1961, Rose Hill. Charter: Pr. 1901, C. 67, Pr. 1903, C. 284, Pr. 1905, C. 400, Pr. 1909, C. 81. Present Officials (1969): Ben Harrell, Mayor; Commissioners: Clarence Brown, Samuel H. Carr, Felton Rackley, Dennis Ramsey, Merritt Watson; Town Clerk: C. T. Fussell, Jr. Teacheys: Charter: Pr. 1903, C. 199, Pr. 1905, C. 173, Pr. 1919, C. 148, C. 253, Session Laws of 1957. Present Officials (1969): Mrs. 196 J. Ramsey, Mayor; Commissioners: George Brown, James Henderson, Ray MacMillan, Dan Norris, Herbert Tucker; Town Clerk: Mrs. Lois Henderson, Wallace was first known as Duplin Roads. Charter: Pr. 1899, C. 211, Corporate limits Pr. 1931, C. 120. Present Officials (1969): T. J. Baker, Mayor; Commissioners: Harry Carlton, Charles C. Farrior, Steve W. Gowan, Thomas Covington Townsend, James E. Wells; Town Clerk: Luther Powell. Warsaw was laid out in 1838. It was originally called Duplin Depot, changed to Mooresville, and then to Warsaw. Charter: Pr. 1861, C. 179, Pr. 1885, C. 91, Pr. 1899, C. 250, Pr. 1909, C. 197, Pr. 1911, C. 364, Pr. 1915, C. 228, Pr. 1917, C. 100, Pr. Ex. 1920, C. 77. Present Officials (1969) : J. Ed Strickland, Mayor; Commissioners: Cecil Bostic, Dr. Mett Ausley, W. E. Foster, Larry P. McCullen, W. C. Tew; Town Clerk: Alfred Earl Herring. Albertson and Chinquapin are unincorporated communities with Post Offices, Some of the other unincorporated communities in the County are as follows: Baltic, Beautancus, Cabin, Carlton, Cedar Fork, Charity, Con- Cord, Cypress Creek, Duplin Fork, Fountain, Friendship, Hallsville, Hadley, Herrings Crossroads, Kornegay, Leon, Lyman, Maready, Out- laws Bridge, Pin Hook, Potters Hill, Quinns Store, Red Hill, Register, Sarecta, Scotts Store, Sloan, Summerlin, and Tin City. 20. MORE HISTORICAL GLIMPSES THE DUPLIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Organized April 23, 1854 Miss Macy Cox, 84-year-old Magnolia civic and religious leader, has always manifested a great deal of interest in the history of this section. She found the original manuscript of the records of the organization and the early years of the Duplin County Agricultural Society some years ago among the many books in her possession. The manuscript includes a wealth of old Duplin family names and Miss Cox has worked long and hard to have this book published so that all Duplinites and others interested in the history of this section may have access to it. ORGANIZATION A portion of the citizens of Duplin County, North Carolina, taking into consideration the imperfect system of culture and other agricultural and domestic pursuits in this county, have assembled at the courthouse in the town of Kenansville on the 23rd day of April, A. D. 1854, and after consultation and reflection conclude to associate together for the purpose of improvement within our borders and which association shall be known as the Duplin Agricultural Society and for the proper regula- tions of the said Society, we adopt the following as our Constitution. CONSTITUTION Article 1—Resolved that our association shall be known and styled as the Duplin Agricultural Society and that every respectable citizen shall be allowed to participate with us who shall comply with the By-Laws and regulations of this society. Article 2—Resolved to have a president, two vice presidents, one cor- responding and one secondary secretary and a treasurer who shall be elected annually by ballot as the officers of this society and in all meetings of the society the president (when present) shall preside unless he requests one of the vice presidents to do so who shall discharge the duties of the chair and to the president or the vice presidents all com- plaints shall be made against the society or any of its members. 198 Article 3—Resolved to hold quarterly meetings of the society at the Courthouse in Kenansville on the first Saturday of every County Court Month and more often if deemed advisable for the transaction of any business. Any twelve members of the society shall constitute a quorum for said purpose. Resolved that the following By-Laws shall form a part of the above Constitution and shall be observed by the members of the society. By-Laws Every member shall subscribe and pay over to the treasurer the sum of one dollar to entitle him to membership and shall also contribute annually the sum of one dollar to defray the expenses of the society... . Resolved that there shall be annual exhibition at Fairs of this society held at such time and place as shall be agreed upon in meeting and such exhibitions shall be conducted according to directions of the officers of the society. ' Resolved that whenever another change is proposed in the foregoing Constitution or By-Laws notice shall be given in meeting of said pro- Posed change three months previous to the making of said alteration. ELECTION OF OFFICERS After the above Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, the society Proceeded to the election of officers for the year 1854. Jeremiah Pearsall was elected president, Owen R. Kenan and James Dickson vice presidents, Stephen M. Grady, corresponding secretary, Issac B. Kelly secondary Secretary and D. Needham W. Herring, treasurer. Roti oF MEMBERS The following are the names of the members of the society which is Copied as they were signed to the paper that started by Jeremiah Pearsall ©n the 17th of October, 1853: Isaac B. Kelly, Jesse Swinson, John Bennette, Harper Williams, Unoh Herring, James G. Stokes, Owen R. Kenan, David Southerland, John I. McGowen, William W. Miller, Stephen M. Grady, Clarborne J. Oates, Alfred Houston, Holsted Bowden, William J. Kornegay, John B. Hupy, David Williams, Curtis C. Oates, John C. Mallard, James Pearsall, Henry C. Kornegay, N. W. Herring, George W. Middleton, James Dickson. William B. Middleton, C. McMillan, Bryan W. Herring, Lebb Mid- dleton, John A. Bryan, Jere Pearsall, David J. Southerland, Gibson Carr, William B. Southerland, David Reid, Grady Outlaw, James B. Curt, John W. Gilliespie, James R. Hurst, Edward Pearsall, Robert J. Pearsall, Stokes Wells, Henry E. Rhodes, George L. Best, E. J. Middleton, Thomas 199 Hall, Briant Smith, Jr., Joseph W. James, James E. Ward, James Hall, James G. Branch, Howell Best, John W. Boney, John J. Whitehead, James H. Jerman. James M. Grady, Hugh Maxwell, Robert D. Sloan, N. B. Whitfield, C. J. Houston, John D. Abernathy, Jesse P. Jordan, Henry H. Hodges, Stephen Herring, Benj. F. Cobb, Edward W. Houston, I. J. Sprunt, Thos. J. Carr, J. T. R. Miller, Almon Holmes, Henry James, Osborne Carr, Alesie A. Grady, Major J. Taylor, Stephen M. Henry, Dickson Mallard, A. G. Mosely, John D. Carroll, William D. Pearsall, Joel Lofton, William W. Farrior, Blaney Williams, Stephen Graham, William R. Ward, John M. Chartin. Boney Wells, Jr., Henry R. Kornegay, William L. Johnson, James Alderman, William Farrior, D. C. Moore, John Smith, Thomas Hill, Francis Williams, William E. Hill, Alfred Hollingsworth, Isaac W. West, J. D. Carr, John Dobson, A. T. Stanford, C. W. Graham, Alsa Southerland, Patrick Merritt, William J. Houston, Albert R. Hicks, David F. Chambers, John Carr, James W. Blount, Isaac Brown. SEVENTH ANNUAL DUPLIN FAIR — NOVEMBER, 1860 On Thursday and Friday the 15th and 16th days of November, 1860, the seventh annual fair of the Duplin Agricultural Society was held at the fair grounds near Kenansville. The weather being very favorable, a larger assembly was collected than was known on a previous occasion. The fair was a complete success. R. H. Cowan of Wilmington delivered a most excellent address, who was introduced to the vast crowd assembled by William E. Hill, Esqr., after which the reports of the different committees on premiums were read from the stand by Maj. O. R. Kenan which were as follows: PREMIUMS Best acre of Up Sano Corn (79% bushels) —G. Boney—$4.00. Second best acre—(66 bushels)—John Carr—$2.00. Third best acre— (5814 bushels) —J. R. Ezzell—$1.00. Best acre wheat—(24 1/10 bushels) E. Pearsall—$2.00. Best acre cotton—(1800 bushels) —J. T. Shine—$4.00. Best bale cotton—C. D. Hill—$3.00. Best sample Seco Corn—Daniel K. Kornegay—.25. Second best— Robert H. Farlow—Diploma. Third best—Daniel T. Boney—Diploma. Also fine samples of Seco Corn were exhibited by J. G. Kelly, O. R. Kenan, David Green, S. A. Merriman, David J. Middleton, Stephen Herring, Henry J. Johnston and Benjamin Oliver. 200 Best sample wheat—Daniel Kornegay—.25. Second best sample wheat— Edward Pearsall—Diploma. Best sample rye—J. B. Kelly—.25. Second best sample— D. J. Mid- dleton—Diploma. Fine samples were exhibited by J. B. Kelly and Jeremiah Pearsall, Best sample oats—J. C. Mallard—.25. Best sample field peas—Daniel K. Kornegay—.25. Best sample cotton—Benjamin Oliver—.25. Best sample potatoes—Stephen Herring—.25. Second best sample— William B. Middleton—Diploma. Third best sample—J. B. Kelly— Diploma. Fine specimen were also exhibited by H. J. Johnston and B. Oliver. Best specimen turnips—David M. Pearsall—.25. Second best—J. B. Oliver—95, Third best—J. Callalland—Diploma. Also fine specimen Were exhibted by D. K. Kornegay, James Garrason, Jeremiah Pearsall, J. B: Carroll, John H. Pearsall, George M. Clamma, H. Bowden, D. Mal- Pe William E. Hill and Thomas Hall. 2 €st specimen beets—George A. McClammy—.20. Best vie oe pumpkins—Thomas Hall—.25. Second best—O. R. Kenan—Diploma. Best specimen squash—David Brown—.25. Best specimen Japanese Pu Melon—S. Gillespie—.25. Best specimen watermelon—John Q. McGowen—.25. Best specimen collards—Jeremiah Pearsall—.25. Best specimen peanuts—George A. McClammy—.25. Best specimen fruit treese—R. W. Middleton—.25. Best specimen apples—Dickson Mallard—.25. Second best—Jere Pear- sall—Diploma. Other fine specimen were also exhibited by H. Bowden, Benjamin Oliver and Maj. Lizzie Pearsall. Best specimen dried apples—Mrs. H. Bowden—.25. Second best— Mrs. Linda Carr—Diploma. Third best—Mrs. C. D. Hill—Diploma. Fourth best—Mrs, Stephen Herring—Diploma. PROVISIONS Best bacon hams—George W. Middleton—$5.00. Second best—H. Bow- den $4.00, Third best—John Green—$3.00. Fourth best—Edward Pear- Sall—_$2.00. Fifth best—Benjamin Oliver—$1.00. Other fine ni GN Were also exhibited by Jere Pearsall, John Q. McGowen, J. J. Whitehead, L.A, Merriman and William N. Williams which were considered highly Meritorious, Best lot pickled pork—Mrs. Linda Carr—$3.00. Second best lot—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—$2.00, Third best lot—Mrs. George A. McCammy—$1.00. 201 Other fine specimen were exhibited by Mrs. John A. Bryan, Mrs. Linda Carr, G. W. Middleton, W. W. Whitehead and John Carr. Best specimen butter—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—$1.00. Second best—Abner M. Faison—.50. Third best—Thomas Hall—.25. Fourth best—David M. Pearsall—Diploma. Best specimen corn meal—H. Bowden—$1.00. Second best— William B. Middleton. Best specimen soap—Mrs. G. W. Middleton—$1.00. Second best—J. B. Kelly—Diploma. Third best—John A. Bryan—Diploma. Best specimen candles—Mrs. R. S. Stanly—.50. Other specimen of candles were exhibited by Mrs. W. Middleton, Mrs. J. B. Kelly and Mrs. Stephen Herring. Best specimen starch—Mrs. D. J. Middleton—.25. Second best—Mrs. John A. Bryan—.25. Best crab apples—Mrs. J. M. Sprunt—.50. Best quince preserves—Mrs. W. W. Whitehead—.50. Best cherry preserves—Mrs. Thomas Hall—.50. Best apples preserves—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. John Green—.50. Best peach preserves—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—.50. Third best—Mrs. J. M. Sprunt—Diploma. Best watermelon—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—$1.00. Second best— Mrs. Thomas Hall—.50. Good specimen were also exhibited by Miss Nancy Cobb and Mrs. Daniel K. Kornegay. Best citron—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. G. W. Mid- dleton—.50. Third best—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—Diploma. Best pears—Mrs. J. M. Sprunt—$1.00. Second best—Miss Lizzie Pearsall—.50. Best apple jelly—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—.50. Second best—Mrs. David M. Pearsall—.25. Fine specimen were also exhibited by Mrs. Dickson Mallard, Mrs. J. B. Kelly, Mrs. D. A. Moore and Miss Nancy Cobb. Best grape jelly—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—.50. Second best—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.25. Third best—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—Diploma. Best quince jelly—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Best peach jelly—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Best persimmon jelly—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Best brandy peaches—Mrs. John J. Whitehead—.50. Second best— Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.25. Good specimen were also exhibited by Mrs. R. J. Pearsall and Mrs. W. W. Whitehead. Best brandy whartelberries—Stephen Herring—Diploma. Best sweet pickles—Miss Alma Faison—.50. Second best—Mrs. John A. Bryan—.25. Third best—Mrs. Thomas Hall—Diploma. 202 Best black berry wine—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Second best—Mrs. G. W. Middleton—.25. Third best—Mrs. J. B. Cobb—Diploma. Best wild grape wine—R. M. Middleton—.50. Second best—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—.25. Third best—Mrs. G. W. Middleton—Diploma. Best strawberry wine—Mrs. B. Oliver—.50. Best scuppernong wine—Mrs, D. M. Pearsall—.50. Second best— Mrs. James B. Carr—.25. Good specimen were also exhibited by Mrs. R. J. Pearsall and R. M. Middleton. Best tomato wine—Mrs. Jere Pearsall—.50. Best cider wine—James B. Carr—Diploma. Second best— Mrs. Jere Pearsall—.50. Best cider—Mrs. H. Bowden—Diploma. Best raspberry cordial—Mrs. N. W. Herring—.50. Best sugar cane syrup—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Best raspberry vinegar—Mrs. J. B, Cobb—Diploma. Best cider vinegar—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—Diploma. Best sour pickles—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. Jere Pearsall.50, Third best—Miss Lizzie Pearsall—.25. Best pound cake—Mrs. C. D. Hill—.50. Second best—Miss Kate Kelly —:25. Third best—Mrs. H. Bowden—Diploma. jelly cake—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—.50. gold and silver cake—Mrs. D. K. Kornegay—.50. sponge cake—Mrs. D. K. Kornegay—.50. silver cake—Mrs. W. W. Faison—.50. marble cake—Mrs. W. W. Faison—.50. fruit cake—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—Diploma. citron pie—Mrs. G. W. Middleton—.50. potato pie—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Second best—Mrs. H. Bow- den—.95, Best homemade candy—Miss Kate Kelly—.50. Best corn bread—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. ua Best corn pound cake—Mrs. S. B. Winden—.50. Second best—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—Dip] ° y—Diploma, Best biscuits—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—.50. Second Best—Mrs. H. Bowden arene Ee Best potato rolls—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—.50. Best sugar cake—Mrs. H. Bowden—.50. HovusEHOLD FABRICS Best vest pattern—Mrs, J. W. Outlaw—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. Stephen Herring—.50. Fine patterns were also exhibited by Mrs. P. G. Cook and Mrs. J. W. Outlaw. They received diplomas. 203 Best coat pattern—Mrs. Stephen Herring—$2.00. Second best—Mrs. H. J. Johnston—$1.00. Third best—Mrs, Solomon Hall—.50. Fine speci- men were also exhibited by Mrs. Daniel Bowden, Mrs. John Green, Mrs. John A. Bryan and B. Oliver. They each received a diploma. Best pants pattern—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—$2.00. Second best—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—$1.00. Third best—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—.50. Other fine patterns were also exhibited by Miss Nancy Cobb, Mrs. Stephen Herring, Mrs. John A. Bryan, Mrs. B. Oliver, Mrs. J. W. Outlaw, Mrs. Martha Frederick and Mrs. D. J. Middleton. They each received a diploma. Best made pants—Mrs. D. A. Moore—.50. Best N. C. Casimine—J. B. Kelly—$2.00. Best carpeting (homemade)—Mrs. Thomas Hall—$1.00. Best checks—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—.50. , Best ladies’ homemade robes—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—.50. Two other fine patterns by Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—Diploma. Best dress pattern—Mrs. Dolly Edwards—$1.00. Second best—Mrs. Martha Frederick—.50. Other fine patterns were exhibited by Mrs. Stephen Herring, Mrs. R. S. Stanly and Mrs. John Green. They each received a diploma. Best wool socks—Mrs. B. Oliver—.50. Second best—Mrs. B. Oliver— Diploma. Best wire grass hat—G. W. Middleton—.50. Best bed quilt—Miss Dolly Moore—$4.00. Second best—Miss Eliza Southerland—$3.00. Third best—Miss Ann KE. Kenan—$2.00. Fourth best—Mrs. Eliza Southerland—$1.00. F ifth best— Mrs. T. W. Boney—.50. A white quilt—Miss Sarah Hawes—$1.00. A silk quilt composed of 3474 pieces—Mrs. D. W. Jones— $1.00. Other very handsome quilts by Mrs. T. W. Boney, Mrs. Jere Pearsall, Mrs. H. B. Hurst, Mrs. Daniel T. Boney, Mrs. J. W. Outlaw and Miss Ann E. Kenan. They each received a diploma. Best woolen counterpane—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—$2.00. Second best— D. K. Kornegay—$1.00. Third best—Mrs. D. A. Moore—Diploma. Fourth best—Mrs. James Kornegay—Diploma. Other very handsome counter- panes were exhibited by Mrs. D. A. Moore, Mrs. John A. Bryan, Mrs. Daniel Bowden, Miss Mary Southerland, Miss Eliza Southerland, Mrs. Solomon Hall, 2 by Miss Martha Frederick, 2 by Mrs. C. B. McGowen and Miss Martendale. They each received a diploma. Best cotton knit counterpane—Mrs. D. W. J ones—$2.00. Second best— Miss Emma F. Williams—$1.00. Best cotton woven counterpane—Mrs. A. M. Faison—$2.00. Second best—Mrs. John A. Bryan—$1.00. Third best—Mrs. Thomas Hall— Diploma. Fourth best—Mrs. J. W. Outlaw—Diploma. Other very hand- 204 Some counterpanes were exhibited by Mrs. Daniel Bowden, 2 by Miss Martha Frederick, 2 by Mrs. Abner Faison, Mrs. D. K. oath Mrs, J, C. Mallard, Mrs. J. W. Outlaw, Mrs. James Kornegay, Mrs. Solomon Hall and Miss Martendale. Best bed spread—Miss Martha Frederick—.50. Second best—Mrs. Daniel Bowden—.25. Best bed valance—Mrs. J. C. Mallard—Diploma. Handsome worked table cover—Miss May Spear—.50. Best pan otto- man covers—Mrs. D. M. Pearsall—.50. Second best—Miss May Spear— -25. Third best—Miss E. F. Williams—Diploma. Best sofa pillow—Miss Em. F. es yrs tata Best tid (thread) —Mrs. James E. Hall—.25. Best tidy (cotton) —Mrs. James E. Hall—.25. Second cae oh lissa Boney—Diploma. Third best—Miss Emma Pearsall—Dip oma. very handsome wonted tidy by Miss J. Stallon—Diploma. ot Best pincushion—Mrs. C. D. Hill—Diploma. Second best—Mrs. C. V. Devane—Dj loma. Best child’s embroidered dress—Mrs. C. D. Hill—$2.00. Second best— Miss Catherine Frederick—$1.00. Third best—Mrs. John D. Souther- land—pj loma. Best sie embroidered dress—Miss Nancy Cobb—$2.00. ; Best needle worked collar—Miss Lizzie Dickson—$2.00. rer best—Miss Nancy Cobb—$1.00. Third best—Mrs. D. M. Pearsall— Diploma. Fourth best—Miss Dolly Moore—Diploma. ; Best _jaconet embroidery—Miss Almera Faison—.50. Second est— Miss Cordena Faison—.25. Third best—Miss Alice Dickson—Diploma. Needle worked pantleletts—Miss Martha Frederick—.25. Ladies’ tape worked skirt—Miss Sue Beaman—.50. poe Needle worked cape—Miss Nancy Cobb—.50. Fine specimen o poe kinds of needle work were exhibited by Miss Mary Black, Mrs. io : Herring, Miss Fanny Jones, Mrs. Abner Faison, Mrs. T. B. Kelly, Mrs. Coe Devane, Miss Fanny Russell and Mrs. J. W. Outlaw. : ot Best tidies (zephyr work)—Miss C. Sprunt—.25. Second best—Mi ittie Farrior—Diploma. Best shawl ( zephyr) —Miss Eugenia Hussey—.25. Child’s embroidered sack—Miss Mary J. Newall—.50. i Best zephyr undersleeves—Miss Kate S. Kelly—.25. Second ae Miss Betty Middleton—Diploma. Third best—Miss Bettie Farrior—Di- ploma. Zephyr head dress—Bettie Middleton—.25. Zephyr necklace—Miss Ann Bryan—Diploma. Zephyr watch case—Bettie O. Pearsall—Diploma. 205 Zephyr Ottoman cover—Miss Vic. Dickson—Diploma. Ottoman—Mrs. R. J. Pearsall—Diploma. Infant’s bonnett—Mrs. A. T. Stanford—.50. Best crochet collar—Miss Mary S. Bortick—Diploma. Second best— Miss Lucy Pearsall—Diploma. Best lamp mats—Mrs. C. D. Hill—Diploma. Second best—Miss Me. E. Kenan—Diploma. Third best—Miss Mary A. Kenan—Diploma. Fourth best—Mrs. J. B. Kelly—Diploma. Fifth best—Miss Mary Bundy—Di- ploma. Shell box—Mrs. A. M. Faison—Diploma. Silk nite cap—Miss Virginia Beasley—Diploma. PAINTING AND FLOWERS » Best oil painting—Mrs. William B. Jones—$1.00. Best crayon drawing—Mrs. William B. Jones—$1.00. Best oriental—Miss Alice Dickson—Diploma. There were other paint- ings by Mrs. W. B. Jones and two paintings by Miss S. Miller. They received diplomas for these. Best vase of flowers—Miss C. Sprunt—$1.00. Second best—Miss Isa- bella Sprunt—Diploma. MANUFACTURES Best N. C. made buggy—Dibble & Brothers—$3.00. Second best— Dibble & Brothers—$1.00. Best rockaway buggy—Dibble & Brothers—Diploma. Mr. Dibble & Bros. and George A. Newell, Esqr., exhibited a number of fine carriages, rockaways and buggies of superior quality of Northern manufacture. Best 2-horse N. C. made coulter—Giles Clute—$2.00. Best N. C. made plow—P. T. Cook—$2.00. Second best—R. H. Far- low—$1.00. Third best—H. Bowden—.50. Best 2-horse plow (N. C.)—John C. Mallard—1.00. Best singletree (NC)—R. H. Farlow—.50. Best pair horse hames (NC)—R. H. Farlow—.50. Best pea dropper (NC)—George T. Bennett—$3.00. Best corn and cotton cultivator (NC)—George T. Bennett—$3.00. Best 4-horse wagon (NC)—William B. Middleton—$2.00. Best horse cart (NC)—R. H. Farlow—$2.00. Best ax helve—George W. Middleton—.25. Best N. C. amo leather—G, A. Newell—$1.00. Second best—G. W. Middleton—.50. Best wash machine—John A. Bryan—$3.00. 206 Best key basket—W. Dickson Carr—.50. Best pair N. C. boots—John P. Wallace—$1.00. Best set single buggy harness—George A. Newell—$2.00. Best drawing knife—Ephraim Boney—.50. Best round saw—Ephraim Boney—.25. Horses Best stallion—O. R. Kenan—$4.00. " Best brood mare—C. D. Hill—$4.00. Second best—Jere Pearsall— $3.00, Third best—John H. Carr—$2.00. Fourth best—Stephen Graham— $1.00. Fifth best—William B. Middleton—Diploma. Fine brood mares were also exhibited by R. B. Carr, D. aoe Dr ¢ Moore, D. J. Middleton, W. W. Whitehead, J. J. Whitehead, G. T. Lofton, Abner M. Faison and William E. Hill. CoLts Best ] year old colt—Ward Kornegay—$2.00. Second best—Everil Herring—$1.00. Best 2 year old colt—M. J. Faison—$2.00. Fine colts were also exhibited by R. B. Carr, D. C. Moore, J. C. Mal- lard, Abner M. Faison, Davis Cottle and R. K. Williams. Best mare and colt—D. C. Moore—$2.00. Best mule and colt—William E. Hill—$2.00. Best pair mules—E. J. Faison—$2.00. Second best—R. J. Pearsall— $1.00, Third best—D. C. Moore—Diploma. Best jack—D. C. Moore—$2.00. d William E Also fine mules were exhibited by George McClammy an illiam E. Hill. TRAVELING Horses Best pair carriage horses—E. H. Stanley—$2.00. Second best—Dr. R. W. Ward—$1.00. Fastest pair horses (time 2 min. 56 sec.)—J. P. Cobb—$2.00. . Best family horse—Dr. R. W. Ward—$2.00. Second best— C. Patrick— $1.00. Third best—W. W. Whitehead—Diploma. Best trotter under saddle (2 min. 54 sec.) —John Barden—$2.00. Best trotter in harness (2 minutes 56 seconds) —Edward on armen, i $2.00. Second best—(2 minutes 59 seconds)— John Barden—$1.00. Third best—(3 minutes 47 seconds) —W. W. Whitehead—.50. Best pacing horse (2 minutes 47 seconds)—S. S. Carroll—$2.00. Second best—(2 minutes 48 seconds) —George W. Lamb—$1.00. 207 CATTLE Best Devon bull—William A. Faison—$3.00. Second best—A. M. Faison—$2.00. Best Durham Bull—William E. Hill—$3.00. Second best— William B. Middleton—$2.00. Best graded bull—C. D. Hill—$3.00. Second best—William E. Hill— $2.00. Best Durham and Devon—D. K. Kornegay—$2.00. Best Durham bull yearling—A. M. Faison—$1.00. Best native bull and heifer—D. C. Moore—$2.00. Best native bull calf—J. B. Kelly—$1.00. Best Durham cow and calf—M. J. Faison—$3.00. Best Devon cow and calf—A. M. Faison—$3.00. Second best— D. K. Kornegay—$2.00. Third best—William A. Faison—$2.00. Best Devon cow and twin calves—M. J. Faison—$2.00. Best Devon heifer—William A. Faison—$2.00. Second best—A. M. Faison—$1.00. Best Aireshire heifer—William A. Faison—$2.00. Best Durham heifer—William A. Faison—$2.00. Second best—Wil- liam A. Faison—$2.00. Best native heifer—D. M. Pearsall—$2.00. Second best—D. C. Moore— $1.00. Best bull, cow and calf—M. J. Faison—$2.00. Best milch cow—D. K. Kornegay—$5.00. Second best— A. M. Faison— $4.00. Third best—D. C. Moore—$3.00. Fourth best—M. J. Faison— $2.00. Fifth best—William E. Hill—$1.00. Sixth best—M. J. Faison—.50. Seventh best—D. C. Moore—Diploma. Best yoke oxen—A. M. Faison—$3.00. Very fine cattle were also exhibited by David Brown, George W. Middleton, and William Dickson Carr. Hocs Best lot large hogs (6)—D. C. Moore—$3.00. Second best lot—(7)— William B. Middleton—$2.00. Third best—(17)—J. B. Kelly—$1.00. Pages lost here... . Best Shanghair chickens—Alfred Hollingsworth—.50. Second best— Alfred Hollingsworth—.50. Best English ducks—Thomas Hall—.50. Second best—Thomas Hall— 50. Best Bertham chickens—B. W. Stanford—.50. Second best—Alfred Hollingsworth—.25. Best pair Tuftid Russian Chicks—D. Mallard—.50. Four horned native sheep—J. C. McMillan—$1.00. (Pages lost here from original manuscript.) (Duplin County Agricultural Society Book on file with the County Board of ducation.) In 1860 there were 84 turpentine stills in the County. HARD TIMES IN THE MID 1800'S (As Told by Joe Wallace, grandson of Robert Wallace and son of Sheriff Bland Wallace) In the mid 1800’s Robert Wallace cut timber from his land and made tafts to carry barrels of turpentine down Northeast Cape Fear River to Wilmington. Two or more persons went along with each raft to look after it. At night they anchored the raft and cooked and ate. Robert Wallace went to Wilmington by horse and cart and was there when a raft arrived. On one occasion his son, Bland Wallace, was with him because he had been helping with the project and had been promised the cash from one barrel of turpentine. Robert and Bland walked by the side of the cart because they were not traveling on roads but on mere paths. The cart they took along to bring back any purchases they made in Wilmington. Bland’s barrel sold for the big sum of $14.00. While he was in Wilmington he went shopping. With that $14.00 he purchased a suit of clothes and a beaver hat. These were his first “store- bought” clothes. His mother had made all of his clothes prior to this time. With these fine new clothes, he was still wearing homemade shoes. He later said that when he got back to Pasture Branch he was a real Sport. When Bland was sixteen or seventeen years old he took an examina- tion and received his certificate to teach school. He taught at a school in Cypress Creek Township in a log building that needed repair. The wind whistled through the big holes between the logs. He was paid a salary of $5.00 per month. Later when Bland Wallace became sheriff of Duplin County he was Paid $300.00 per year. (Out of this he paid his deputy $5.00 per month and furnished him a horse to use on official duties.) (The Editors.) 2 : ® THE GREAT WAR 1861-1865 North Carolina seceded from the Union on May 20, 1861. THE DUPLIN RIFLES COMPANY C, 2d REGIMENT N. C. VOLUNTEERS The “Duplin Rifles” (organized at Kenansville in 1859) entered the army in April, 1861, as volunteers, under Thomas S. Kenan, Captain; Thomas S. Watson, First Lieutenant; William A. Allen and John W. Hinson, Second Lieutenants; and was immediately ordered into the Camp of Instruction at Raleigh. It was mustered in for six months, and as- signed to the lst Regiment of Volunteers under Col. D. H. Hill, but as this regiment had more companies than the number allowed by army regulations, the “Duplin Rifles’ and “Lumberton Guards” were taken out, and they, with eight other companies, formed the 2d Volunteers by electing Sol. Williams, Colonel; Edward Cantwell, Lieutenant-Colonel; and Augustus W. Burton, Major; the “Duplin Rifles” being Company C. The regiment was ordered to Virginia in May, 1861, and served in and around Norfolk, without incident, except at Seawell’s Point, where a detachment consisting of this and three other companies were sub- jected to repeated shellings from the long-ranged guns of the enemy. At the expiration of the term of service of the “Duplin Rifles” and “Lumber- ton Guards” they were mustered out, and the regiment supplied with other companies in their stead. Upon the return of the company to Duplin County, it was reorganized under a notice dated December 23, 1861, and under the officers whose names appear in the following roll of Company A, 43d N. C. Regiment, and its services tendered in March, 1862, to the authorities for the war. Many of its officers and men formed other companies in Duplin, and likewise entered the Confederate army for the war. ROLL OF COMPANY A, 43d N. C. INFANTRY Compiled from Muster-Roll and Memoranda by Sergeant B. F. Hall (This company was originally the “Duplin Rifles,’ Company C. 2d N. C. Volunteers, and, after the expiration of the term of service of the 210 latter, was reorganized and ordered to Raleigh and put in the 43d Regi- ment, which was at that time being formed.) Kenan, Thomas S., Captain, elected Lieutenant-Colonel March 25, 1862; promoted Colonel April 24, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg July 3, 1863; captured July 4 in ambulance train with other wounded men, and imprisoned on Johnson Island, Ohio; released on parole March 22, 1865, but never exchanged. Kenan, James G., First Lieutenant, promoted Captain March 25, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg July 1, 1863; captured in ambulance train July 4, 1863; imprisoned on Johnson Island, Ohio; released on parole March 22, 1865, but never exchanged. Carr, Robert B., Second Lieutenant, promoted First Lieutenant March 25, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg and captured in ambulance train July 4, 1863; died in hospital at Charleston, S. C., about the close of the war. Hinson, John W., Second Lieutenant, appointed Regimental Quarter- master April 22, 1862; elected Sheriff of Duplin, 1862, and resigned Commission in the army. Bostic, Thomas J., First Sergeant, promoted Second Lieutenant April 22, 1862; slightly wounded at Washington, N. C., April 27, at Bethesda Church May 30, and again at Winchester September 19, 1864; sur- rendered at Appomattox. Farrior, Stephen D., Second Sergeant, promoted to Second Lieutenant May 14, 1862; wounded at Cedar Creek October 19, 1864. Miller, Stephen H., Third Sergeant, killed at Hanover Junction May 24, 1864. Hall, Benjamin F., Fourth Sergeant, promoted First Sergeant; served in the field with the company during the whole war; engaged in all its battles except the Valley Campaign of 1864, during which he was disabled by sickness; was never wounded; surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. Brown, Hezekiah, Fifth Sergeant, promoted Sergeant-Major August 1, 1862; promoted Lieutenant Company C., March, 1863; surrendered at Appomattox. Carr, J oseph J., First Corporal, promoted Sergeant April 22, 1862; killed at Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864. Brown, Isaac, Second Corporal, lost right arm at Snicker’s Gap July 18, 1864, and subsequently discharged. Brown, John W., Third Corporal, captured at Gettysburg, July, 1863; released after the war. Carr, James O, Fourth Corporal, captured at Fisher’s Hill September 22, 1864; released after the war. Bass, William H., promoted Corporal April 22, 1862, to fill vacancy 211 caused by promotion of Corporal J. J. Carr; captured at fall of Rich- mond, Va.; released after the war. PRIVATES Barden, Robert W., died at Petersburg, Va., August 11, 1862. Bass, Lewis U., died in prison at Point Lookout, Md., March 7, 764. Bennett, Isaac, killed at Gettysburg July 3, 63. Blalock, William B., wounded in hand at Harper’s Ferry July 5, °64; surrendered at Appomattox. Bostic, Isaac, wounded and captured at Winchester, Va.; subsequently released; at home at close of the war on furlough. Bostic, John M., discharged October 1, ’62. Bradshaw, David W., disabled by wound in arm at Hanover Junction, Va., May 24, ’64, and discharged from service. Brinson, Edward F., Sr., discharged July 15, 62. Brinson, Edward F., Jr., captured at Hare’s Hill, Va., March 25, ’65; released after the war. Brinson, Jonas, killed at Charleston August 21, ’64. Brinson, William, wounded and captured at Gettysburg, July, ’63; ex- changed and returned to the army in April, ’64; surrendered at Ap- pomattox. Brown, James, wounded at Cold Harbor June 2, 64; captured at Hare’s Hill March 25, 65; released after the war. Brown, James D., wounded at Bachelor’s Creek February 1, 64; at Drewry’s Bluff May 16, 64, and Winchester September 19, 64; sur- rendered at Appomattox. Brown, Lafayette W., surrendered at Appomattox. Brown, Lewis U., discharged March 14, 63. Bryan, Benjamin B., wounded at Drewry’s Bluff May 16, ’64; captured at Fisher’s Hill, Va., September 22, ’64; released after the war. Bryan, William D., captured April 6, 65, on retreat from Petersburg; released after the war. Bryan, Wright W., captured April 2, ’65, at Petersburg; released after the war. Caffrey, Thomas, wounded at Plymouth April 19, 64, Winchester Sep- tember 19, 64; captured at Hare’s Hill March 25, ’65; released after the war. Carr, Marshall D., killed at Fisher’s Hill, Va., September 22, ’64. Carr, Joseph H., captured at Hare’s Hill March 25, ’65, released after the war. Carr, Joseph W., wounded at Snicker’s Gap July 18, ’64; disabled for 212 field duty; detailed on special duty; captured at fall of Richmond, Va.; released after the war. Carr, William D., killed at Petersburg April 2, ’65. Carlton, John W., killed at Bethesda Church, Va., May 30, ’64. Carroll, James G., died at Gordonsville, Va., November 9, *63. Carter, James A., captured at Hare’s Hill March 25, ’65, released after the war. Casey, Lemuel, died at Goldsboro, N. C., March ’63. Cavanaugh, John E., wounded at Hanover Junction May 24, and Snicker’s Gap July 18, 64; captured April 6 on retreat from Petersburg; re- leased after the war. Chambers, Alex., surrendered at Appomattox. Chambers, Richard A., killed (or captured) at Winchester, Va., Sep- tember 19, ’64. Cooper, George, wounded at Hanover Junction May 24 and died May 27, 64. Dail, Stephen B., wounded at Drewry’s Bluff May 16, ’64; captured at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 64; released after the war. Davis, Thomas E., surrendered at Appomattox. Edwards, Burwell, died at Goldsboro, N. C., January 29, ’63. Edwards, Edward, died at Goldsboro December 24, 62. Edwards, John H., died at Orange Court House, Va., January 1, 64. Edwards, John J., died at Wilmington, N. C., July 18, ’62. Edwards, Lemon R., killed at Snicker’s Gap, Va., July 18, ’64. Evans, Samuel B., captured April 6, 65, on retreat from Petersburg; released after the war. F arrior, John W., wounded and captured at Gettysburg; released June 26, ’65. Forlaw, Robert H., detailed as Quartermaster Sergeant; discharged June, 63. Fountain, Jere W., discharged January 12, *63. Futrall, Allen, captured April 2, 65, at Petersburg; released after the war. Futrall, David, captured April 2, ’65, at Petersburg; released after the war, Futrall, Nathan, wounded at Hanover Junction May 24, ’64, and died in J une, 64. Futrall, William, killed at Hanover Junction May 24, ’64. Grady, Leonidas C., discharged September 1, °62. Grady, Stephen H., wounded at Charleston, Va., August 21, ’64, and absent at close of the war. Grady, L. D. H., killed at Snicker’s Gap July 18, ’64. 213 Grady, Atlas J., died of disease in 64. Grady, Lewis J., surrendered at Appomattox. Grady, R. M. S., wounded near Washington City July 12, 64; surrend- ered at Appomattox. Grady, Thomas N., wounded at Hare’s Hill March 25, ’65; captured at fall of Richmond; released after the war. Grady, William, detailed as shoemaker in Quartermaster’s Department in Richmond in ’62. Grisham, Lewis R., detailed on special duty, March, ’65. Guy, Alex., wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, 64; surrendered at Ap- pomattox. Hodges, Buck L., sick at home at close of the war. Horne, William H., died at Petersburg Sept. 7, ’62. Horne, Jesse, surrendered at Appomattox. Halso, James G., wounded at Winchester September 19, 64; surrendered at Appomattox. Jarman, Samuel D., died in Richmond Nov. 21, 63. Jones, Amos, captured April 6, ’65, on retreat from Petersburg; released after the war. Jones, George W., wounded at Gaines’ Mill June 2, 64, and died a few days later. Jones, Stephen, died at Orange Court House December 21, ’63. Jones, Stephen L., discharged May, 62. Kenan, William R., left college at Chapel Hill and enlisted on December 13, 63, and, having been made Sergeant-Major of the regiment, was not entered on the company roll; promoted to Junior Second Lieu- tenant June 10, ’64, and placed in command of corps of sharpshooters from the left wing of the regiment; wounded at Charlestown, Va., August 22, ’64, and from about November 1, ’64, acted as Adjutant of the regiment; surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. Kornegay, A. S., wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, ’64, and died during the war. Kornegay, Benj. T., sick at home at close of the war. Kornegay, Dudley, captured April 6, ’65, on retreat from Petersburg, and died in prison at Point Lookout, Md. Kornegay, Hargett, wounded and captured at Gettysburg; subsequently exchanged and returned to the army; wounded at Bethesda Church May 30, ’64; surrendered at Appomattox. Lanier, Green L., killed at Bunker Hill, Va., September 3, *64. Lanier, Jacob S., wounded at Bunker Hill September 3, 64; captured at Winchester, Va., September 19, ’64; released after the war. 214 Loftin, Jason W., killed at Snicker’s Gap, Va., July 18, 64. Matthis, Kedar L., killed near Washington City July 12, °64. Maxwell, James D., died at Staunton, Va., July 18, ’63, from wounds received at Gettysburg July 3, ’63. McGowen, Henry J., died at Petersburg Aug. 10, 62. Mitchell, John, transferred to 57th N. C. Regiment March 24, *64. Mobley, George S., disabled by wounds received at Charlestown, Va., August 21, 64, and discharged. Murray, Robert F., discharged December 18, 63. Outlaw, James E., captured at Winchester, Va., September 19, °64; re- leased after the war. Outlaw, John E., wounded at Snicker’s Gap July 18, 64; wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, ’64, and captured; left leg amputated; released after the war. Outlaw, John H., killed at Snicker’s Gap July 18, 64. Outlaw, John J., killed at Gettysburg July 1, ’63. Padgett, George W., wounded at Bethesda Church, Va., May 30, ’64; died from effects of the wound after the war. Padgett, James L., killed at Gettysburg July 1, *63. Padgett, William A., captured; died in prison. Pate, William R., captured at Winchester, Va., September 19, *64; re- leased after the war. Pearce, George W., discharged, May 18, *62. Pearsall, Jere J., captured at Fisher’s Hill September 22, *64; subse- quently exchanged and returned to the army; surrendered at Appo- Mattox, Powell, David R., detailed on special duty in North Carolina. Quinn, Lewis J., wounded at Plymouth April 18, 64; killed at Charles- town, Va., August 21, ’64. Rich, Lewis J., wounded at Hanover Junction May 24, ’64; surrendered at Appomattox. Rogers, Calvin I., wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, 64; surrendered at Appomattox. Rogers, John B., died Jan. 29, 63, at Goldsboro, N. C. Rogers, William P. D., captured; died in prison. Sharpless, William J., killed at Gettysburg July 1, ’63. Simmons, Amos W., captured at Hare’s Hill March 25, 65; released after the war. Simmons, Frank A., promoted Sergeant May 14, 62; wounded at Bethesda Church May 30, 64; surrendered at Appomattox. Smith, Chauncey G., captured at Gettysburg July 3, ’63; released after the war. 215 Smith, John E., surrendered at Appomattox. Southerland, Ransom, at home on sick furlough at close of the war. Southerland, Robert J., promoted to Sergeant August 1, 62; captured at Gettysburg July 4, 63; released after the war. Stokes, William J., discharged September 9, ’63. Streets, Boney W., discharged May 12, 63. Strickland, Jere, wounded at Harper’s Ferry July 5, ’64; surrendered at Appomattox. Strickland, John W., detailed on special duty in North Carolina. Turner, Andrew J., died August 11, 62 at Petersburg. Turner, James B., wounded and captured at Fisher’s Hill September 22, 64; subsequently exchanged and returned to the army; at home on furlough at close of the war. Turner, John M., was with the company when the army withdrew from Malvern Hill, Va., in July, 62; has never been heard of since; sup- posed to have died from exhaustion during a night’s march. Wallace, Bland, disabled by wounds received at Gettysburg July 1, ’63, and discharged. Wallace, John R., transferred to 38th N. C. Regiment, and promoted to Sergeant-Major in November, ’64. Westbrook, Jesse E., captured near Washington City July 12, 64; re- leased after the war. Whaley, Maxwell, captured at Gettysburg; released June 24, ’65. Whaley, William, captured at Gettysburg July 3, 63; died in prison. Williams, Brozard, died of wounds received at Hare’s Hill March 25, ’65. Williford, John W., disabled by wounds received at Hanover Junction May 24, 64, and discharged. The following is a list of the members of the company who surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Va.: Thomas J. Bostic, William R. Kenan, Benjamin F. Hall, William B. Blalock, William N. Brinson, James D. Brown, LaFay- ette W. Brown, Alex. Chambers, Thomas E. Davis, Lewis J. Grady, R. M. S. Grady, Alex. Guy, James G. Halso, Jesse Horne, Hargett Kor- negay, Jere J. Pearsall, Lewis J. Rich, Calvin I. Rogers, John E. Smith, Jere Strickland, Frank A. Simmons. RECAPITULATION Commissioned and non-commissioned officers Privates enlisted at different times Total on roll during the war Of this number there were—killed and died of wounds, 25; died of 216 disease, 22; disabled by wounds, 10; discharges for disability, 12; trans- ferred to other companies or regiments, 5; on roll at close of the war, 56; number living at close of the war, 83. Of the fifty-six (56) on the roll at the close of the war, twenty-one (21) Surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox, and the remaining thirty-five (35) were either in prison or on parole, or on detail or furlough. There was not a deserter from the company during the entire war. (Sketch of The Duplin Rifles, Prepared in 1895 by Participants in its Movements.) HISTORY OF COMPANY E 20th N. C. REGIMENT CONFEDERATE GREYS INTRODUCTION This little sketch has been prepared by a committee of the survivors of Co. E, 20th N. C. Regiment, at the request of the survivors of the company. To B. B. Carr, mainly, is due the credit of its preparation. To his retentive memory and his unwearied efforts in obtaining information from members of the company and from other sources, is due the com- pleteness and correctness of this sketch. It is published with the desire to preserve to future generations a record, though incomplete, of the services of this company in defense of what they believed to be their rights. The lapse of time and the removal—by death, disability and capture— of so many members of the original company from the active scene of perations has prevented the obtaining of information as full as desired of the services of the company during the latter part of the war. J. B. OLIVER, E. F. HICKS, B. B. CARR, Committee. August 24, 1904, Among the first troops that offered their services to the Governor of the State of North Carolina, was a company composed largely of the Students of Franklin Military Institute, situated six miles east of Faison, of which institute C. B. Denson was the principal. This company was organized at Faison on the 16th day of April, 1861, and elected C. B. Denson, Captain; R. P. James, Ist Lieutenant; L. T. Hicks, 2nd Lieutenant; and L. W. Hodges, 3rd Lieutenant; and was called the “Confederate Greys.” 217 This company went in camp at Franklin Institute, and was quickly recruited to its full quota from the young men of the surrounding com- munity, and was drilled in a regular course of military tactics. During this time the ladies in the vicinity of Franklin and Faison with patriotic zeal labored in the school building early and late to equip the company with uniforms, underwear, blankets, and camp equipage without cost to the State, the funds to supply the same being donated by the citizens of the Franklin and Faison communities. The farmers of the communities furnished provisions to the soldiers in camp while they were being drilled and disciplined to the stern realities of the life of a soldier. About the first of May the Company received orders for active duty. Camp was struck and amid many sad farewells, tears and cheers, the company boarded the cars at Faison and was transported to Fort Johnston, Smithville, N. C., now known as Southport, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, below Wilmington, N. C. About the 20th day of June, 1861, this Company and other companies stationed at Fort Johnston and other points about the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and consisting of one company from Brunswick county, Two companies from Cabarrus county, three companies from Sampson county, and three companies from Columbus county, were organized into the 10th N. C. Regiment of Volunteers, afterwards changed into the 20th N. C. Regiment of State Troops. The field officers of this Regiment were Col. Alfred Iverson, former officer of the regular army of the U. S.; Lieutenant Col. Frank J. Faison, and Maj. Wm. H. Toon, Columbus Co. The “Confederate Greys” was known as Co. E after the Regimental organization. The company spent the first year of the war garrisoning different points from Wilmington to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. About the middle of June, 1862, the 20th N. C. Regiment, of which this company was a part, was ordered to Richmond, Va., and assigned to Gen. Garland’s Brigade of Gen. D. H. Hill’s division, and assisted Gen. Lee in forcing Gen. McClellan from the front of Richmond, and was ever afterwards a part of and following the fortunes of Gen. Lee’s army. During the first year of the war two members of the company, Geo. L. Kornegay and John K. Flowers, died from pneumonia. During the spring of 1862 the Confederate Congress passed the Con- script Act, retaining all the regiments then organized during the war, but discharging all the men over thirty-five years old after they had served an additional three months. There were five men only in this company entitled to discharge under this Act. The Seven Days Battle around Richmond was over before the ex- 218 Piration of their term of service, and it is sad to relate that only one, Marshall Branch, remained to claim his discharge. Of the others, Archibald Dail was in hospital in Richmond with a shattered knee, a wound received in battle at Cold Harbor, June 27, 1862, and for disability on account of this wound he was honorably discharged, and not on account of his age. Isaac Barfield, Theophilus Barfield and Riley Tew were all killed in battle at Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. The 20th Regiment arrived in Richmond from North Carolina on the 17th of June, 1862, and went into camp on the Charles City road in front of Richmond. ot The Regiment was engaged in a severe skirmish with the enemies pickets on this road, and Geo. F. Kornegay and John L. Tew of Co. E both received slight wounds in this skirmish. on On the morning of the 26th of June, 1862, Gen. D. H. Hill’s division, of which Co. E and the 20th Regiment was a part, broke camp on the Charles City road in the advance of Gen. Lee’s army against Gen. McClellan, which precipitated the Seven Days Battle around Richmond, and was engaged in the battle of Mechanicsville on the evening of the 26th of June. On the evening of the next day, the 27th of June, it was engaged in the battle of Cold Harbor. In this battle the 20th Regiment charged and captured a section of artillery that was supported by Gen. Sykes’ Regulars of the U. S. Army. Gen. Garland said the capture of those guns was the turning point of the battle, and gave the victory to the Conferedate forces. Co. E of the 20th Regiment lost heavily in this charge. Thomas M. McIntyre, James D. Winders, A. S. Parker and Marshall Flowers were killed on the battle field. Willis Cherry and Bryant Southerland died in hospital and John D. Shine and Cicero Rogers died after reaching home—all from wounds received in this charge. Thomas B. Wright lost an arm. Peter Davis lost part of his hand. Archie Dail had his knee shattered, Ivey Baker was badly wounded in the foot, and all were dis- charged on account of disability from wounds. The company in that battle sustained a permanent loss of twelve men. Eight or ten more were wounded, but recovered and returned to duty. Lieutenant Col. Frank J. Faison was killed in this battle, and Col. Alfred Iverson was slightly wounded. The company carried into this battle 60 men, and had a permanent loss of twelve men, one fifth of the entire number. This battle was on Friday evening. On the following Tuesday. Co. E with the balance of the Regiment, was engaged in the battle of Malvern Hill. Isaac Barfield, Theophlius Barfield, Riley Tew and E. J. Winders were killed in this battle, and James Whitfield died after reaching home 219 from wounds received. Thos. M. Faison and John H. Edwards were assigned to light duty from disability on account of wounds received in this battle, making a permanent loss of seven men to the company, about one fifth of those of the company present at the battle. In addition, six others were wounded but afterwards returned to duty. Co. E of the 20th Regiment, during what is known as the “seven days fight” around Richmond, Va., had 13 members killed or mortally wounded and 6 members permanently disabled, making a permanent loss of 19 men—over 30 per cent. of the number of the company engaged. The balance of the Regiment lost in about the same proportion. This company with the 20th Regiment was encamped near Richmond for several weeks after the seven days battle, and had a great deal of sickness from a very malignant type of camp fever. There were carried from the camp and battle field to the hospitals in Richmond sick from fever William Bason, Lewis Bradshaw, John H. Carr, William B. Cogdell, Robert Kornegay, Benjamin Philips, John A. Swinson, Frank Swinson and John Wright—all of whom died. In addition there were several in hospital sick from fever who eventually recovered and returned to duty. The company with the command broke camp at Richmond and marched to Manassas, arriving there just at the close of the second battle of Manassas. The command then crossed the Potomac river at Falling Waters, and was engaged in the battle at South Mountain in checking Gen. McClellan while Gen. Jackson was capturing Harper’s Ferry. This battle was on the 14th of September, 1862. In this battle John Davis was killed and David Wilson was wounded, and died from the effects of the wound after reaching home. On the 17th day of September, 1862, Co. E participated in the Battle of Sharpsburg. Several of its members were wounded in this battle, but all recovered and returned to duty. After the Battle of Sharpsburg, Gen. Lee’s army re-crossed the Potomac river and remained in camp in the valley of Virginia for some weeks. After a series of marches and maneuvers in which Co. E., and the 20th Regiment participated, Gen. Lee’s army and the Northern army finally faced each other in battle at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th, 1862. The company was present at this battle, but was not actively engaged, the command being held in reserve. The Regiment, however, sustained slight loss. After the Battle of Fredericksburg, Gen. Lee’s army went into winter quarters on the Rappahannock River, and remained comparatively quiet until the spring. During the winter the company lost two men from sickness, Needham Brock and Henry Galloway. The following is the muster roll of all those who had been, or were members of the company until this time, April, 1863: Captain, Denson, Claudius B., Duplin County. Elected Captain at organization of the company, April 16th, 1861. In April, 1862, transferred to Engineer Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Captain, Hicks, Lewis T., Duplin County. Elected 2nd Lieutenant of company at organization, April 16th, 1861. Elected Captain at re-organization, April, 1862. Captured at Gettysburg, July Ist, 1863. In prison at Johnson’s Island, Ohio. Paroled and re- turned to Richmond, March 1865. Chaplain, Sprunt, James M., D.D., born Perth, Scotland. January 14, 1818. Enlisted from Duplin County, N. C., April 16th, 1861. Served until near close of war, was paroled due to poor health. [st Lieutenant, James R. Pryor, Duplin County. Elected 1st Lieutenant at organization, April 16th, 1861. Appointed Adjt. of Regiment at organization, June 1861. Resigned, November, 1862. [st Lieutenant, Hicks, A. Doane, Duplin County. Elected 1st Lieutenant at re-organization, April, 1862. Slightly wounded at Chancellorsville, May, 1863. Captured at Gettyburg, July Ist. 1863. In prison at Johnson’s Island. Paroled and returned to Richmond, last of March, 1865. 2nd Lieutenant, Hodges, Lemuel W., Duplin County. Elected 2nd Lieutenant of Company at organization, April 16th, 1861. Resigned, July, 1861. Afterwards Collector of Tithes for the Con- federate Government. 2nd Lieutenant, Cogdell, Daniel A., Wayne County. Promoted July, 1861, to 2nd Lieutenant. April, 1862, Captain Co. D, 67th N. C. Regiment. Resigned afterwards. 2nd Lieutenant, Ireland, J. Frank, Sampson County. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, April, 1862. Appointed Adjt. of Regiment Oct. 1862. Promoted to Captain Co. D 20th N. C. Regiment, Oct. 1863. 2nd Lieutenant, Oliver, Joseph B., Duplin County. Promoted from Sergt. Maj. of 20th Regiment to 2nd Lieutenant Co. E, Oct. 1862. Captured at Gettysburg, July 1st, 1863. In prison at John- Son’s Island, Ohio. Paroled and returned to Richmond, Va., last of March, 1865. 2nd Lieutenant, Grimes, H., Duplin County. 221 Elected 2nd Lieutenant at re-organization, April, 1862. Resigned, October, 1862. Transferred to Pioneer corps. Sergeant, Baker, Henry, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured at South Mountain. Wounded at Gettysburg. Sergeant, Blalock, John H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured at Harper’s Ferry, July 4th, 1864. In prison until close of war. Sergeant, Broadhurst, Geo. W., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th. Discharged for disability, Jan. 1862. After- wards in Tithe Department. Sergeant, Carr, John H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, July, 1862. Sergeant, Carr, Benjamin B., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Wounded and captured at South Mountain. Wounded and captured at Gettysburg. Exchanged and placed on light duty in Com. Dept. Discharged on account of disability, February, 1865. Sergeant, Cogdell, Marion, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861, Died of wounds received at Gettysburg. Sergeant, Edwards, John H., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Malvern Hill. Placed on light duty in Quartermaster’s Department. Sergeant, Flowers, Marshall, Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Cold Harbor. Sergeant, Millard, Bryant J., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Captured at Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. In prison until close of war. Sergeant, Swinson, John A., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, July, 1862. Sergeant, Winders, Noah, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Wounded at Strawsburg. Captured at Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. In prison until close of war. Corporal, Cherry, Willis D., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital of wounds received at Cold Harbor. Corporal, Bennett, Richard, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Gettysburg. Corporal, Flowers, John K., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in May, 1862. 222 Corporal, Hill, Lewis H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured at Gettysburg. Exchanged. Cap- tured at Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. In prison until close of war. Corporal, Kornegay, Geo. F., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded in skirmish, June, 1862. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Captured at Gettysburg. In prison until close of war. Corporal, Parker, A. S., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Cold Harbor. Corporal, Wright, Thomas B., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Lost an arm at Cold Harbor. Discharged. Drummer, Millard, Kenan, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured Oct. 1864. In prison until close of war. PRIVATES: Baison, William, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital August, 1862 Barfield, Isaac, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Malvern Hill. Barfield, Theophilus, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Malvern Hill. Barfield, William, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Spottsylvania. Captured at Fort Steadman. In prison until close of war. Baker, Ivey, Greene County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Discharged. Baker, J esse, Greene County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Gettysburg. Bradshaw, Lewis J., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, August, 1862. Benton, William, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Color Sergeant, Aug. 1864. Killed at Straws- burg, Sept. 1864. Blalock, David, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Ensign of Regt. Killed May, 1864. Broadhurst, W. G., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred to Cavalry. Wounded in October, 1864. Broadhurst, David J., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Sergt.-Maj. Regt. Promoted March Ist, 1863, to Captain Co. K. Lost hand at Chancellorsville. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Broadhurst, Thomas W., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Sergt. Maj. Regt. Captured at Gettysburg. In prison until close of war. Brock, Needham, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died Nov. 1862. Brock, Chas., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Captured at Gettysburg. In prison until close of war. Brock, Jonah, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th. 1861. Killed at Winchester, Sept. 1864. Branch, Marshall, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged. Afterwards joined 68th Regi- ment, Branch, Reuben, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded and captured at Gettysburg. In prison until close of war. Burnham, John F., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured at Cold Harbor. Captured at Gettys- burg. Exchanged and returned to duty. Wounded at Wilderness, 1864. Byrd, Henry, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at the Wilderness, May, 1864. Carr, Robert D., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Sergt.-Maj. of Regt. from July, 1863. Wounded at Winchester, Sept. 1864. Killed at Fort Steadman, March 25,1865. Cherry, E. J., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Cowley, Stephen, Portsmouth, Va. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Promoted to assistant Adjt. Gen. to Gen. Quarles, Army of Tennessee. Killed at Franklin, Tenn., 1862. Cogdell, William B., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital 1862. Cogdell, John A., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Malvern Hill, Captured at Gettsyburg. In prison until close of war. Davis, Peter, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Discharged. Davis, John, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred to Co. A, of 20th Regt. Killed at South Mountain. Dail, Archie, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor and discharged. Afterwards served on Provost Guard in Goldsboro. Denson, Joseph E., Portsmouth, Va. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged for disability. Dobson, Daniel B., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Faison, Thos. M., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Placed on light duty in Q. M. Dept. Paroled at Appomattox. Flowers, Robt. B., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged. Galloway, Henry, Brunswick County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died Oct. 1862. Grant, Stafford, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Grant, Jackson, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Captured at Gettsyburg. In prison until close of war. Giddens, Lewis, Sampson County. ‘ Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred to band of Regiment, 1861. Hicks, E, Faison, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Wounded at Spottsylvania. Wounded at Winchester. Wounded at Strawsburg. Transferred to Co. C. 5th Cavalry. Hicks, John M., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged for disability. Hicks, John H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Promoted to Surgeon of Regt., 1862. Huggins, James H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. Pro- moted to Lieutenant of Co. I. Jan. 1863. Captured at Gettysburg. In prison at Johnson’s Island. Paroled and returned to Richmond last of March, 1865. Huggins, W. Henry, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Winchester. Placed on light duty in Q. M. Dept. Paroled at Appomattox. Ireland, James D., Sampson County. ; Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Gettysburg. Placed on light duty as Brigade Postmaster. Paroled at Appomattox. Jernigan, Geo., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Detailed on Corps Provost Guard. Cap- tured May, 1864. Died in prison. King, William B., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Promoted to Lieutenant, Co. I. Kellit, James, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Wounded at Chancellorsville and discharged. Kellit, John, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Wounded at Hatcher’s Run, Feb., 1865. Kornegay, Joseph H., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Gettysburg and placed on light duty in hospital in Petersburg. Kornegay, Robert, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died August, 1862. Lambert, Henry, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Cold Harbor. Lane, John B., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred to Regt. Hospital Corps. Lane, Jesse W., Sampson County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred to Regt. Band, 1861. Loftin, Major, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged. Afterwards served in cavalry. Martin, Giles, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Sharp shooting corps. Wounded and cap- tured at Gettysburg. Paroled and returned to duty. McIntyre, Thos. M., New Hanover County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Cold Harbor. The first member of the Company killed in battle. Outlaw, Alex., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded and captured at Gettysburg. Exchanged. Paroled and returned to Appomattox. Padgett, James M., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Malvern Hill. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Discharged for disability. Price, Dallas, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Gettysburg. Placed on light duty with Regt. hospital corps. Paroled at Appomattox. Phillips, Benjamin, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in Hospital, Sept., 1862. 226 Pollock, David, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Transferred as mechanic to Ordinance Dept., in Richmond. Rogers, Henry, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Rogers, Cicero, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died of wounds received at Cold Harbor. Shines, John D., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Ensign of Regt. Died of wounds received at Cold Harbor. Swinson, Erasmus, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged for disability. Afterwards served in 5th Cavalry. Swinson, B. Frank, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, 1862. Southerland, Bryant, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died of wounds received at Cold Harbor. Tew, Riley, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Malvern Hill. Tew, Ashley, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Gettysburg. Tew, John L., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded in skirmish, June, 1862. Wounded at Gettysburg. Exchanged. Placed on light duty in Conscript Depart- ment. Wallace, Geo, W., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Wounded at Chancellorsville. Wounded at the Wilderness, May, 1864. Wallace, Thos., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, April, 1863. Watkins, Jesse F., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Regt. hospital corps. Paroled at Appomattox. Williams, Geo. W., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Regimental hospital steward. Williams, Jesse P., Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Promoted in 1862 to Captain in 55th Regt. Resigned. In 1863 to Captain 68th Regt. Wilson, David, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died of wounds received at South Mountain. Winders, James D., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Cold Harbor. 227 Winders, Edward J., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Killed at Malvern Hill. Winders, William, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged for disability in 1863. Whitfield, James, Wayne County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died of wounds received at Malvern Hill. Wright, John, Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Died in hospital, July, 1862. Watson, John L., Duplin County. Enlisted April 16th, 1861. Discharged for disability, January, 1862.... The Company remained in camp near Fredericksburg until Gen. Hooker, Commander of the Federal Army, commenced his “On to Richmond” campaign by crossing the Rappahannock river near F redericksburg (1863). Gen. Rhodes then in command of the old Gen. D. H. Hill division, went in line of battle near Hamilton’s crossing and remained in front of the enemy for two days. Gen Hooker having in the mean- time thrown the bulk of his army across the Rappahannock on Gen. Lee’s left flank, Gen. Rhodes’ division (of which this company was part) was withdrawn and moved up towards Chancellorsville. The company par- ticipated in Jackson’s march to the rear of Hooker’s army, and was a part of the attacking forces on the evening of May 2nd and the morning of May 3rd. The company had in this battle ten or twelve wounded, but none killed, but James Padgett and James Killet were so badly wounded that they were discharged, and D. J. Broadhurst—then Captain of Co. K—lost his right hand. The company was next in the Gettysburg campaign and was a part of Gen. Rhodes’ division that drove Gen. Milroy’s forces from Berry- ville and Martinburg out of the valley. It then crossed the Potomac into Williamsport for the second time, the Brigade to which this com- pany belonged being the first to enter Maryland and also Pennsylvania, then back to Gettysburg and was engaged in the first day’s fight and lost four men, killed ie. Marion Cogdell, Richard Bennett, Jesse Baker and Ashley Tew. Wesley Campbell, James D. Ireland, Joseph H. Kornegay, Dallas Price, John L. Tew and B. B. Carr were so severely wounded that they were either discharged or placed on light duty. Giles Martin and Reuben Branch were also severely wounded, and every one of the thirty members of the company then present that went into the fight were either killed, wounded or captured except William Barfield and he went in with the sharp shooters and not with the regular lines. Only nine were captured unhurt. Capt. L. T. Hicks and Lieuts. A. D. Hicks and J. B. Oliver were captured and remained in prison until near the close 228 of the war, and the company was out of a commissioned officer until the close of the war. The 23rd, 20th, and 5th Regiments of Iverson’s Brigade in this battle were nearly all killed, wounded or captured. Of the 20th Regiment every officer, 24 being present, were killed, wounded or captured. So far as known, every officer, about 250 in the Rigiment, that went into line of battle were killed, wounded, or captured. Only sixteen men of the 20th Regiment, commanded by one Lieutenant, J. F. Ireland, marched away from Gettysburg. Lieutenant Ireland and a portion of these sixteen men reached Gettysburg after the first day’s fighting. The remainder were members of the skirmish corps who escaped. Iverson’s Brigade was uselessly sacrificed. Gen. Ewell, in his report Said, “The left of Iverson’s Brigade was thus exposed, but these gallant troops obstinately stood their ground until the greater part of three Tegiments (5th, 20th and 23rd) had fallen where they stood in line of battle. A few of them, being entirely surrounded, were taken prisoners. A few escaped.” Gen. Rhodes officially reported of Iverson’s Brigade: “His men fought and died like heroes. His dead lay in a distinctly marked line of battle. His left was overpowered and many of his men, being surrounded, were Captured.” The Brigade Commander, Gen. Alfred Iverson, did not go into the battle, and was relieved of his command. The next severe campaign was in May, 1864, at the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, and on in front of Gen. Grant’s army to the Second Cold Harbor ,_ one of the roughest campaigns that Gen. Lee’s army ever experienced. The Company lost in that campaign, David Blalock and Henry Byrd illed, and several wounded. The regiment of which this company was a part was highly spoken of for its action on May 15th, 1864, by Gen. Lee. This is what he said: gy tadauarters Army Northern Virginia, May 16, 1864. ir: : Yesterday evening the enemy penetrated a part of our line and planted Is colors upon the temporary breastworks erected by our troops. He Was immediately repulsed, and among the brave men who met him, the 20th North Carolina, under Col. T. F. Toon, of the brigade commanded by Gen. R. D. Johnson, captured his flag. It was brought to me by Major John S. Brooks of that Regiment who received his promotion for gallantry in the battle of Chancellorsville, with the request that it be Blven to Governor Vance. I take great pleasure in complying with the Wish of the gallant captors, and respectfully ask that it be granted, and 229 that these colors be presented to the State of North Carolina as another evidence of the valor and devotion that have made her name eminent in the armies of the Confederacy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. About the middle of June, 1864, Gen. Early was detached from Gen. Lee’s army, and sent on the famous Early and Sheridan Valley Cam- paign. The company was a part of Gen. Early’s troops that was at Harper’s Ferry on July 4, 1864, and captured and enjoyed the Federal’s Fourth of July dinner. From there across the Potomac at Williamsport into Maryland for the third time, and assisted in defeating Gen. Lew Wallace at Monocacy Bridge, then on towards Washington City near enough to see the dome of the capitol, thence back across the Potomac river into the valley, and participated in the battles of Winchester, Strawsburg, Cedar Mountain and other battles of that noted campaign. The company lost in that campaign, two men killed, William Benton (then ensign of Regiment) and Jonah Brock, besides several wounded and two or three captured. The company was a part of the “thin line” of North Carolina moving off in retreat that Gen. Bradley T. Johnson saw at Winchester on the 19th day of September, 1864, and went to its assistance. He gives a thrilling account of what he witnessed: “There was not a fence, nor a house, nor a bush, nor a tree to obscure the view. Away off, more than two miles, we could see the crest of the hill covered with thousands of Yankee cavalry, and five hundred yards in front of them was a thin grey line moving off in retreat, solidly and with perfect coolness and self possession. As soon as I got to realize what was going on, I quickened our gait and when within a mile broke into a gallop. The scene was as plain as day. A regiment of cavalry would deploy into line, their bugles would sound a charge, and they would swoop down on the thin grey line of North Carolinians. The instant the Yankee bugle would sound, North Carolina would halt, face to the rear rank, wait until the horses got within one hundred yards and then fire as deliberately and coolly as firing volleys on parade drill. The cavalry would break and scamper back and North Carolina would ‘about face’ and continue her march in retreat as solemnly, stubbornly and with as much dignity and discipline as if marching in review. But we got there just in time. Cavalry aids the Tar Heels. Certainly half a dozen charges had been made at the thin grey line in retreat, and each and every time the charging squadrons had been driven back, when the enemy sent his line with a rush at the Brigade of Tar Heels and 230 One squadron overlapped the infantry line and was just passing it as Wwe got up. In another minute they would have been behind the lines, sabering the men from the rear, while they were held by the fight in front; but we struck a headlong strain and went through the Yankees by the flank of North Carolina, and carried their adversaries back to the crest of the hill, back through the guns to their battery, clear back to the infantry lines. In a moment they were charging us in front and on both flanks and back we went in a hurry, but the thin grey line of old North Carolina was safe. They had gotten back to the rest of the infantry and formed a line at right angles to the pike west of Winchester.” About the time Gen. Early’s command left the valley to rejoin Gen. Lee at Petersburg, twelve men from Wayne County that had heretofore been exempt from military duty were sent to recruit the Company. They were John B. Bowden, James Grady, Geo. W. Kornegay, C. F. R. Kor- negay, John H. Loftin, John C. Price, Oliver Summerlin, Nergil Walker, James Williams, H. J. Williamson, Charles Denning and Addison Fields. : The Company lay in the trenches around Petersburg and was engaged m the battle of Harper’s Run on the Sth day of February 1865, and Sustained some loss from wounds. About all of the last named recruits Were engaged in that battle. In a short time the company with the balance of the Brigade was Sent to guard the Roanoke river, but was soon ordered back to Peters- burg to participate in the assault on Fort Steadman or Hare’s Hill on the 25th day of March, 1865. In this battle R. D. Carr was killed, (the last member of the company to be killed in line of battle) and nearly all the balance were captured, and what was left of the company followed the fortune of Gen. Lee’s army to the surrender at Appomattox. The parole list is: T. M. Faison, W. H. Huggins, J. D. Ireland, Alex. Outlaw, Dallas Price and Jesse F. Watkins. There were only nine guns in the regiment at Appomattox. Alex. Outlaw, of this county, had one of them. The balance of the parole list were detailed for light duty men from wounds. The total number of the original Company whose enlistment bears date of April 16th, 1861, was, officers and men €cruits received Feb., 1863 Recruits received Nov., 1864 Of this number were killed in battle or died of wounds Died of disease 231 Of the original company, 107 in number, 26 were killed or died of wounds; 14 died from disease, leaving 67 living at the close of the war. Of this 67, 15 were permanently disabled on account of wounds. 16 others were wounded and recovered from their wounds entirely, leaving 36 who passed through the war without receiving any wounds. Of this 36, 19 were men who, on account of being detailed for other duty, were not exposed to the dangers of battle, leaving only seventeen who passed through the entire war without a scratch. Of the entire company, re- cruits included, not one was ever punished by the decree of a court martial. None except the two Basknights deserted their colors. As a rule they all did their duty faithfully and uncomplainingly, offering their lives as a sacrifice to their country. So far as known, not a single one of the survivors has ever been prosecuted for any crime. The origi- nal company of 107 are now all dead. (Courtesy Mrs. Rachel Witherington Stroud.) The foregoing historical sketches of The Duplin Rifles and the Con- federate Greys are typical of other Duplin soldiers, and exemplifies the courage, valor, and bravery of our fighting men. THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE TWENTIETH REGIMENT James M. Sprunt, D.D., Presbyterian, Duplin County; born in Scot- land in 1818. Came to Wilmington in 1839, taught and preached in Duplin until 1861; Commissioned June, 1861, and served through 1862 and 1863. His friends in the army can never forget him. He walked hundreds and hundreds of miles. Perhaps no one ever saw him on a horse or in an ambulance during the war. The devout, scholarly man preached in his beloved Duplin, to the delight of the people, till the close of his long and useful life. He died in Kenansville, 6 December, 1894. (N. C. Regiments, vol. IV, page 608.) TuirtTy-EIGHTH REGIMENT Julian P. Faison, Missionary Baptist, Duplin County; Commissioned February, 1862; resigned 10 November, 1862; died at Harrell’s Store 1 July, 1890, having devoted the intervening years to the blessed work of preaching. (N. C. Regiments, vol. IV, page 613.) THE CHAPLAIN SERVICE N. C. Officers In Prison at Johnson’s Island 1864: Rank Regiment Home Lieutenant 43rd Magnolia Captain 20th Faison : Colonel 43rd Kenansville Captain 43rd Kenansville Lieutenant 28th Duplin County (NV. C. Regiments—Vol. IV, pages 706, 708, and 709.) N. C. Officers Prisoners Under Fire at Morris Island 7 Sept. to 21 Oct., 1864: First Lieutenant R. B. Carr, 43rd N. C., Magnolia. Sic oe Regiments, vol. IV, page 722.) FIFTY-FIRST N. C. REGIMENT, Company B Lieutenant W. R. Bell, promoted to Captain April 9, 1863; wounded at Cold Harbor May 31, 1864; arm amputated; retired November 4, 1864, to Invalid Corps; resigned March 5, 1865. (Confederate Records 5lst Regiment, Company B; N.C: a 1861.65, Vol. II, page 218; and copy of resignation in possession of family. Mr. Bell’s family advised that “he kept the yankees from ripping up the rail road tracks in Warsaw before going to Charleston. He served as Clerk of the Court in 1866-’68. LETTER FROM A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER Camp Near Petersburg, Va. July 30th, 1862 Mrs. L. Carr—Dear Mother, T seat myself again to let you know how we have been getting along since I wrote you last. Since then we have moved nearer Petersburg. Our camp is a very private place about a mile North East from the city. Can see the city from our camp. My health seems to be improving slowly; have had a very bad cold and cough. Had some sore throat. I thought I would be ready for duty this morning, but found out I was getting rather fat under my left jaw; would not be much surprised if T am getting the mumps. Our brigade has been moving one regiment at a time for several days. Don’t know where they went. They carried their baggage with them. This morning our regiment and the balance of the brigade got marching orders and were off by 7 o’clock. They left Some of the old guard and all that were unfit for duty. They carried nothing but their blankets and one or two days rations. I do not know where they are gone. They went toward Petersburg. Some one heard Col. Daniel tell the wagon master to carry the Wagons to Petersburg and take the City Point road. We suppose by that they are gone to City Point. It was reported in Petersburg this morning that the Yankees had landed at City Point and were cutting artillery roads towards the Weldon and Petersburg Rail Road, but there is nothing of it in this morning’s Express. We have several men that are quite sick at the hospital yet. They are J. R. Wallace, R. A. Chambers, J. B. Turner, Rbt. Barden and J. M. Bostick. Barden and Bostick were sent there yesterday. J. J.* started to Ral.t+ yesterday morning after conscripts. 28 are wanting to file out our company. A Lieutenant or Sergeant went from each com- pany in the brigade. John wrote to J. J.* I got his letter yesterday evening. He seems to be very much dissatisfied. I hope that he will come to our company with Joe if he cannot get a substitute. If he should come to our company he will stand as good chance to get a substitute here as he would at Raleigh. I would be very glad if I could have gone home and spent the time that I have been unfit for duty there. But there is no use in talking about it. We had orders one evening some time ago that no sick furloughs were to be granted. Mackt wrote to me that Uncle Osborn had sent us some shirts, but did not say how they were sent. We have inquired at the Rail Road and Express office and can’t find them at either. When anybody sends us anything they ought to write to us how and when they sent them. I sent $25 of my bounty home by Mr. Bass§. I want Mack to pay my Tax and Dr. Graham’s account and any other little account I may have. If my bacon and lard has not been sold you have it sold whenever you think best. Provisions of all kinds are very high here. Gov. price for bacon is 40c; market price for hams and lard is 75c. I have not drawn any clothing yet. Cap. Hinson|| went to Ral.t and got 500 uniforms for the regiment, but they have not come yet. I would be very glad if you would have us some woolen undershirts wove for this winter. It will be almost impossible to get any knit ones. J. H., J. J.** and myself want a pair each. J. H. said ask his father to have some wool spun and have some wove with ours. If you will get the warp we will pay for it and any other expense about it. We do not want them until the weather gets cooler. They will only be in our way now. . y Yours affectionately, W. D. Carr * J. J. was a Carr 7 Ral. was Raleigh = Mack was his farm supervisor § Bass was from Magnolia || Cap. Hinson lived in Kenansville; old residents there still call his home the Hinson Place. ** John James Carr, grand. (Duplin Times - Progress Sentinel, Oct. 30, 1969.) 234 SWORD FACTORY Report of Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S. Army, Commanding Department of North Carolina HDQRS. EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPT. OF N. C. New Berne, July 7, 1863. General: I have the honor to report that the cavalry, under command of Lieut. Col. George W. Lewis, consisting of about 640 men of the Third New York Cavalry, sent out by me on the 3rd of July, for the Purpose of destroying communications on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, have safely returned. The force left here on the morning of July 3, and reached Trenton that night; starting the next morning for Kenansville, via Comfort and Hallsville, driving in the enemy’s pickets, arriving at which place they Surprised a company of cavalry there, capturing their arms and equip- ments, some horses, and 6 prisoners. At this place an armory was destroyed which contained some mr Sabers and large quantities of saber bayonets, bowie knives, and ot z Small-arms, a steam-engine and implements for manufacturing oa Store-house full of implements and materials, a manufactory of knap- Sacks, and some commissary store-houses were burned. A large Con- federate flag and some cavalry guidons were also found. At 6 a.m. of the 5th of July, the force started for Warsaw, a station On the line of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. Finding no 7 there, the town was occupied, a portion of the force dismounted an put at work destroying the telegraph and railroad, using the plan of Colonel Haupt, whilst the remainder of the force were thrown out - Pickets, and kept mounted for defense. The rails were twisted, a y destroying the track for 2 miles, and the culverts destroyed for 2 miles More. The telegraph wire was destroyed for some 2 miles, the poles cut down, wire removed, etc. At Warsaw, two cars, a freight house full of confederate stores, some 4,000 barrels of rosin and turpentine, a safe said to contain a large amount of Confederate money, and some powder were burned and des- troyed. Three or four bags of mail were taken. An hour before the arrival of the cavalry at Warsaw, a train of four- teen empty cars had gone toward Wilmington for troops, and as there Was no doubt but that these were intended to re-enforce the four com- Panies of infantry and four pieces of artillery stationed at Magnolia Bridge, a station 10 miles below, and learning that the enemy were Concentrating some 7 miles above, at Rusk’s Bridge, and that (W. C.) Claiborne’s cavalry, 600 strong, were to arrive at Warsaw that day, 235 ee ee ee Colonel Lewis wisely decided to return, and started for Trenton that afternoon, at which place he arrived yesterday evening, driving and dispersing small forces of the enemy, guerrillas, all the way in. About 150 animals and 30 prisoners were taken, and about 100 men and 300 women and children, negroes, followed the cavalry into our lines. At this point (Trenton), General Heckman, with his command, was stationed, holding the bridge and roads, so as to cover the return of the cavalry. General Heckman’s advance had that day met the enemy’s advance from Kinston, at Free Bridge, and, after a short engagement repulsed them with a loss of 3 wounded on our side, one of whom, I regret to say, was Lieutenant-Colonel Chambers, of the Twenty-third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. I have the honor to be very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. FOSTER, Major-General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief. The sword factory at Kenansville was built and owned by Louis Froelich, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who went to London and built motors for the steamship, The Great Eastern. He then went to New York, and in 1861 came to North Carolina to manufacture swords. After the factory was burned, he moved to Enfield, North Carolina. Today I had a visit with his grandson, Louis Froelich, Jackson, North Carolina. The name is pronounced FRAYLY. Claude H. Moore, Littleton, North Carolina Returns and Assessments of Confederate Tax on Property, moneys and Credits (value of property to be assessed on the basis of the market value of the same, or similar property in the neighborhood where assessed in the year 1860, except land, slaves, cotton or tobacco purchased since 1st January, 1862, when they are to be assessed at the price paid.) Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864, and Amendments and Act “To raise money to increase the pay of Soldiers” Feb. 17, 1864— approved June 10, Totals for Duplin 1864—Totals for County Duplin County Land or other real property $ 1,228,419.00 $ 1,240,184.00 Slaves 4,357,050.00 4,411,650.00 Under Tax Act of 236 Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864— Totals for Duplin County Horses, Mules, Asses and jennets $ Cattle of the bovine species Sheep, goats and Swine Cotton and Wool Tobacco Corn Wheat Rye, oats, buckwheat, rice and all other kinds of grain Potatoes of all kinds, peas, ground peas, beans, and all other products of the farm, garden or orchard Flour, meal, sugar, molasses, bacon, lard, and all other 8toceries, goods, wares, or merchandise, spirituous liquors, wines, cider, vinegar, &e. Values of all household and kitchen furniture, agricultural tools and implements, and all tools of mechanics or others, musical instruments, and all articles of domestic use Carriages, Wagons, Carts, drays, and every species of vehicles On wheels All gold and silver wares and Plate, jewels, jewelry, and watches—10 per cent Books, maps, pictures, paintings, Statuary, and all other works of art Amount of all solvent Credits, bank bills, and all other paper issued as currency (exclusive of 237 150,879.00 49,027.00 31,530.00 10,721.00 5,644.00 47,286.00 539.00 443.00 5,459.00 36,098.00 126,093.00 43,262.00 15,056.00 9,696.00 Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864, and Amendments and Act “To raise money to increase the pay of Soldiers” approved June 10, 1864—Totals for Duplin County $ 120,758.00 49,606.00 31,805.00 10,751.00 5,644.00 47,534.00 548.00 444.00 5,488.00 36,555.00 127,948.00 43,683.00 15,266.00 10,231.00 a cae BS 2 ew Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864— Totals for Duplin non-interest bearing Confederate Treasury Notes) not employed in a registered business Value of all Articles of personal or mixed property not in terms included in any of the fore- going columns nor exempt from taxation Gross aggregate of amount to be taxed at 5 per cent Exemptions Net Amount liable to tax at 5 per cent All gold coin, gold dust, or gold bullion Silver coin or silver bullion value of Moneys held abroad, bills of exchange on foreign countries, promissory notes, rights, credits and securities payable in foreign countries Rate of Commutation gold coin Rate of Commutation silver coin Amount paid in gold coin Amount paid in silver coin Amount of tax on specie or foreign credits paid in Confederate States Treasury Notes Amount paid for Soldiers Fund Tax on specie and foreign credits payable in Confederate Treasury Notes of new issue at commutation rates Amount of tax on moneys, property and credits, other than tax on County Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864, and Amendments and Act “To raise money to increase the pay of Soldiers” approved June 10, 1864—Totals for Duplin County $ 727,105.00 57,768.00 6,927,684.00 10,400.00 6,917,284.00 1,965.50 2,052.00 3,513.05 Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864— Totals for Duplin Under Tax Act of Feb. 17, 1864, and Amendments and Act “To raise money to increase the pay of Soldiers” approved June 10, 1864—Totals for County Duplin County Specie, foreign credits and Soldiers Tax Fund tax, payable in bonds or currency Soldiers’ Fund Tax on moneys, Property and credits, payable in notes of new issue Aggregate paid in Bonds, &c. Aggregate Soldiers Fund Tax Aggregate payable in specie Deductions on account of abate- ment of taxes by district collector, and by reason of appeals: From aggregate amount paid in bonds, &e. From aggregate Soldiers Fund Tax From a ble i ecie ggregate payable in sp ; (1864 Duplin County Tax Scrolls on file with Co. Board of Education.) $ 347,389.30 69,477.06 350,902.45 70,180.49 OTHER LETTERS Bear Swamp, Duplin County, N. C., May 30th, 1865. Mr. R. w. & H. E. Blackmore Dear Brothers, I once more take the opportunity of writing you a few lines which leaves us all well. Truly hoping that this may reach safe and find you both well. I have no news of importance to write to you at this time. We have not heard from you since the 10th of March, and then Mr, James Kornegay came home and he said that you sent ® scrip of writing by him but he has lost it. We have wrote to you twice since that time but received no answer. So if you have wrote We never received your letter. We feel uneasy about your long absence, but hope that you will soon be liberated and sent home. We can hear of men returning from Elmira but none of them can tell anything about you. So if you ever receive this letter write immediately and direct Your letter to Daniel Bowden, Goldsboro, N. C. via of Newbern, N. C. as there is no regular post office this side of Goldsboro, and Mr. Bowden 239 P— ea a tne ES 2 ee ss would be more apt to get a letter from there than we would. We have understood that no prisoners get away now only them that takes the oath, and if that is what detains you Father and all of us advise you to take the oath and come home, as the South is subjugated and the Southerners cause is lost forever. So don’t stand back now about taking the oath. Write soon and write if you know what has become of Willis Thomp- son and I. J. Taylor. So, may the all-ruling Providence be with you and protect you from all danger and harm and guide you safe home is our prayers. Your ever truly affectionate brother, B. L. Blackmore (Courtesy W. C. Blackmore, Burgaw, N. C.) Elmira, N. Y. June 11, 1865 Brother, I write you a few lines this morning which leaves me in tolerable good health, but I am compelled to announce to you the death of my brother. He was taken sick with the chronic diarrhea March 1 and was confined to bed until June 5. About 4:00 o’clock P. M. he departed this life, poor fellow. He suffered a great deal but I am in hopes that his sufferment was in this world. Mother, I have written you a good many letters but I suppose you have not rec’d any of them. I have rec’d all of yours. It takes only about eight days for a letter to come to me when you write me. I can’t see why you do not get my letters. All the letters that you write come to me. The one that you wrote to Col. Moore came and he sent for me and I read the letter. There are orders here now to release all this camp and I think I will get out in the course of three or four weeks if I keep living and am able to travel, but it seems to me that I am born for hard luck. I expect I will be on the last load that leaves this place. You wrote to me to take the oath. I am ready to do that any time when they will let me take it and have been for some time. Mother, I have a notion of going to the State of Texas as my fortune has been so bad I think I will try a new country. They give a man transportation anywhere he wants to go, but if I live to get out of this place I reckon I will come by and give you a call. My fare here is very hard. I do not get anything to eat scarcely enough to sustain life, but with the help of God I will get out of this sometime. Yours truly, H. E. Blackmore (Courtesy W. C. Blackmore, Burgaw, N. C.) 240 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I, H. E. Blackmore, Private Co. “A”, 36 N. C., of the County of Duplin, State of North Carolina, do solemnly swear that I will support, Protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or laws of any State, Convention, or Legislature, to the contrary not- withstanding; and further, that I will faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by the laws of the United States; and | take this oath freely and voluntarily, without any mental reservation °r evasion whatever. H. E. BLACKMORE Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 7 day of July A. D. 1865, at Elmira, N. Y. J. R. LEWIS Col. 1 St. Reg. Company Depot The above-named has Florid complexion, Light hair, and Grey eyes; and is 6 feet __?__ inches high. (0. C. G. P. No. 6.) (Courtesy W. C. Blackmore, Burgaw, N. C.) THE STRENGTH OF BROTHERHOOD You will say that this story is really about the Civil War, not Masonry. ut underlying this episode is genuine respect for Masonry. Robert Bryan Carr, of Rose Hill, was a bachelor. He fought in the Civil War and was wounded and captured at Gettysburg. For a long rime he was a prisoner in New York. He wrote home to his brother, Gipson Sloan Carr, and described a Northern lady who was truly an ’ngel of mercy. She was very good to him and to the other Confed- €rate prisoners. This lady’s name was Mary Pedrick. Robert Bryan Carr knew that his brother, Gipson Sloan Carr, and wife, Bathsheba Carr, were expecting a new baby. So he wrote to them and said, “If your new baby is a girl, please name her Mary Pedrick.” The baby was a girl and Gipson Sloan Carr and wife Bathsheba named her Mary Pedrick. (By the way, this Mary Pedrick Carr was the mother of O. P. Johnson of Kenansville, former superintendent of Duplin County Schools.) Gipson Sloan Carr and family lived in a large house in the big field behind the present Claud Rivenbark home on Highway 11. The old oak ‘ree that shaded the house still stands in that field. It can be seen from rman Carr’s front porch. ae ES On the day that Bathsheba Mallard Carr was about to give birth to that baby girl, the Yankees were passing through that section and they were foraging for food. They were stealing hogs and chickens, taking meat from the smoke houses, taking corn and potatoes, etc. All this was quite upsetting to Bathsheba, the woman in labor. She sent her oldest step-daughter, sixteen-year-old Catherine, to tell the Yankees that if they took everything it would mean starvation for the family. (Bath- sheba’s husband, Gipson Sloan Carr, was away serving in the Home Guard at that time.) When Catherine went out to talk to the Yankees, the officer in charge said, “You’re a right pretty girl.” But the Yankees continued to forage for food anyway. Suddenly Bathsheba remembered that her husband, Gipson Sloan Carr, had told her that in case of real distress she should hang his Masonic apron where it could be seen. Bathsheba sent her stepdaughter, Catherine, to tie the apron to the post on the front porch where it could be seen by the Northern soldiers. Immediately the foraging and stealing ceased. The officer in charge of the Northern soldiers went inside the house and beheld the newborn baby about two minutes after it was born. He placed a guard of several men around the home to prevent any more pilfering. The guard stayed there and protected the family and their possessions until the Northern Army and also the stragglers had all passed by. Even an enemy had respect for brotherhood. Gipson Sloan Carr was the grandfather of Norman Carr and of O. P. Johnson. He was the father of Mary Pedrick, O. P. Johnson’s mother. Gipson Sloan Carr was born July 21, 1821, and died February 21, 1912. Mary Pedrick Carr was born on February 12, 1865, and died on July 8, 1924. Final terms of surrender were signed April 26, 1865. DESTITUTE CONDITIONS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR (As Told by Joe Wallace, son of Bland Wallace) When Mr. Bland Wallace (who later became sheriff of Duplin County) returned home as a Confederate veteran after being released from prison, he found destitute conditions—no livestock and very little food. Since he had been wounded, he was told that he would be given a horse if he would go to Mount Olive for him. He was told to take a bridle. He was lucky to find a bridle. With the bridle in his hand, he set out walking to Mount Olive. When he arrived there, he was given 242 @ horse that was sick and very poor. That lean horse was a discouraging Sight to Bland. He could not refuse the horse because he was in desperate need of him. Instead of riding back to his home at Pasture Branch (about nine miles south of Kenansville) as he had planned, he had to walk back home leading the horse. Never before did any horse get such treatment. He doctored the horse and put him on grass for several weeks. Finally he was ready to be worked again. Many commodities were very scarce after the Civil War. Salt was Not available. Nearly all the people in Pasture Branch Neighborhood Went without salt for more than a year. Most of them ate greens cooked Without salt or seasoning meat. Finally, Bland Wallace and three neigh- bors decided to go to the ocean and boil salt water to get salt. They filled their two carts with big iron pots and drove to the ocean. Roads Were very poor, but they finally reached the Atlantic Ocean. They built fires around the pots and boiled water for two weeks. On the way home & storm came up and some of the salt got wet. However, they arrived at home with a year’s supply of salt. (The Editors.) “For three generations, we have hated you, General Sherman. But we have been wrong, and I apologize. THE OLD HATE “Long before you ever came into North Carolina, your name was a terror to us; news of your march through Georgia and South Carolina had Preceded you. ‘Massa Harold’ (my great-grandfather) had expected you to have horns and hoofs; he must have been surprised when you be Peared on a neighboring plantation as an ordinary man of forty-five With a head of unruly red hair and a shaggy beard. “But your soldiers were hungry, and they scouted the country-side for food. That is why they came to our house. (No, it was not one of those story-book mansions with white columns; it was only a two-room log cabin. There had been better days for the family, but that is another Story.) On that morning in March of 1865 when your ‘bummers’ rode Up to our gate, ‘Ole Mammy’ (my great-grandmother, then a woman of forty-seven) was standing in the yard. Beside her stood a young woman = eighteen (Aunt Fed), a boy of nine (Uncle Richard), a little girl of — (Aunt Queen), and a Negro slave (‘Aunt Bessie’) who was not very bright. “Massa Harold’ and Frank (my grandfather, then aged thirteen) Were down in the swamp with an old horse and a cow. (Three older Sons had been taken prisoners at the fall of Fort Fisher just the month before.) 243 "eee ~~ see |: i i } i} a : a | t ; i | | 1 ii | ' | a | } J q ; | i} ! | | : | i | I I es “Your men found the cow; she would not be quiet and so ended in your pot. (She was dry anyhow.) Frank came up to the house and found your men digging in a ditch for a keg of gold which ‘Aunt Bessie’ had told them was buried there. (People still come and dig for that treasure, but ‘ther ain’t nare been one.’) Thanks for cleaning out the ditch. And we got the feathers picked up and the bed ticks sewed back together. Thus far, we were about even: you got the cow, and we kept the horse; you cleaned out the ditch and made us clean up the house. But the thing that made us mad was that pot of chicken stew. “Frank remembered it well. It was the last chicken they had. ‘Old Mammy’ had saved it for an emergency. When she heard that you were over on the Faison Plantation, she knew that that emergency had come. She had hoped her family would have had it eaten before you came, but it was still in the pot when she heard that dreaded cry, ‘Yankees, Yankees; the Yankees are coming.’ And everyone had to hurry to his place. At first your soldiers were nice enough, but after all that digging they were short on manners. They ransacked the house, and not finding the gold, they spied the small pot on the hearth. “Now, if your men had drawn up a chair and had said grace like Christians ought to do and had eaten the stew, it might have passed without being recorded. But no, your men were mad and poured out stew on the floor and then stepped on the pieces of chicken. This was too much for that hungry thirteen-year-old boy; he darted up from his stool with fire in his eyes. ‘God damn you, dirty rascals.’ ” (From “A Southerner’s Apology to General Sherman”, A Reticule by Dr. James H. Blackmore) . More than two thousand years ago Pericles, speaking of his Country- men who had fallen in a great war, said: “In all time to come, whenever there shall be speech of great deeds they shall be had in remembrance.” More truly than to the Athenian soldiery can these memorable words be applied to those North Carolinians who for four long years carried the fortunes of the Confederacy upon the points of their bayonets. (Walter Clark, N. C. Regiments 1861-65, Vol. I, Page X.) “And so should we, as true sons of Carolina, in the education of our children, teach them to ever refuse that savage lesson that ‘Might Makes Right.’ Teach them that Right lives in a thousand things; Its cradle is its martyr’s grave, Wherein it rests a while until The life that heroisms gave Revives again at God’s own will, And rights the wrong.” (N. C. Regiments, vol. I, Page 156, Clark.) 244, pr 2 . MORE GLIMPSES NEWS ITEMS—1874 —There are 14 stores in Warsaw, including dry goods, groceries, con- fectioneries, etc.; 2 turpentine distilleries, 1 shoe shop, 1 steam cotton gin, 1 hotel, 1 school, 1 church (Baptist), 1 lodge of Good Templars, 1 grange, and 1 Sabbath School. —There were shipped from Magnolia, October 21st to November 24th, 347 bales of cotton, 128 bbls. of spirits turpentime, 687 bbls. rosin, 184 bbls. tar and 6 car loads of lumber—all to Wilmington, except the lumber, which went to Washington, D. C. The following advertisement: On Hand. 25 bbls. Choice Liquors, 50 bbls. choice family flour, 5,000 lbs. prime bacon, besides a complete assortment of confectioneries (whole- sale or retail), cigars, tobacco, fruit, cakes, nuts, etc., etc., which I will sell at the lowest figures for cash. When I am not personally present, Mr. William T. Rivenbark will be most happy to wait upon customers. A liberal share of patronage is respectfully solicited. F. E. REGISTER, Magnolia, N. C. (The Duplin Record, Magnolia, N. C., November 27, 1874.) GLIMPSES OF LIFE IN DUPLIN THE LATTER PART OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY (From News Clippings Written by George Melvin Carr. These press clippings were preserved in his scrapbook, and reproduced without change by Mrs. Virginia Ellsworth Southerland Marshall. Written permission to use these news stories has been given by Mrs. Marshall.) DUPLIN COUNTY LETTER Wallace, Jan. 2, 1880. Editor of Messenger: Since you have no correspondent in these parts, I take it upon myself to pen a few lines to North Carolina’s best newspaper, which I hope will be perused with pleasure by your readers. 245 . —— a ~~ eee On Christmas eve a large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, esti- mated at two hundred from Pender, Duplin, Sampson, Bladen and Wayne, gathered at the new buildings of Duplin Road High School to join in the festivities of an entertainment, Festival and ball given by the pupils of the school and the neighboring ladies and gentlemen. Hon. J. D. Stanford and O. H. Allen, of Kenansville, did the occasion honor by a few eloquent and well-timed remarks. Then came the exhi- bition of dramas, charades, tableaux, etc., which were well acted by the different characters. After this entertainment the audience repaired to the festival room, where every kind of “goodies” were found and eaten by the crowd. After satisfying the inner man, the disciples of Terpsichore repaired to the ball-room where the fascinating dance was participated in till the wee sma’ hours 0’ morn. All seemed to enjoy themselves immensely and expressed themselves as highly entertained. The proceeds, about $85, was given our beloved teacher, Mr. Clement, as a Christmas present. No better, worthier and more efficient tutor ever lived than Prof. Samuel W. Clement. He has nearly completed his large and commodious school building and has ample accommodations for 75 boys. He designs must say that he never found a more accommodating set of people. The business part of the village is made up of about a dozen stores, two turpentine distilleries, one cotton gin, one steam mill, a pump fac- tory, a hotel, and one of the largest and most commodious warehouses on the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad. Trade is very good for the season. The community has had no rain, except a very light shower last Saturday, in nearly four weeks, and farmers are more or less despondent over their failing crops. The wheat crop is not much hurt as yet, but Spring oats will be a total failure without rain very soon, while corn and cotton are already injured by the drought to an alarming extent. Vegetables, fruits, and, in fact, everything needs rain. For the past week local travel over the Wilmington & Weldon Rail- road to Wilmington has been immense, owing to a one cent per mile excursion, given by the merchants of that place. I guess they got the idea from the Richmond merchants, who first adopted this plan of get- ting the country trade some two years ago, and a very good idea it is too. It is for the mutual benefit of both farmer and merchant. Our clever Sheriff—B. Wallace—boarded the cars here Tuesday morn- es to establish his excellent school on a military basis at an early date. All honor to him in his noble work, for he is truly our benefactor. MELVIN. ing with a new recruit for the Penitentiary—Joe Bennett, colored, who goes for two years for stealing a boat. The transportation of vegetables over the Atlantic Coast Line has become wonderfully great. Twenty-four car loads—seven thousand pack- Wallace, N. C., January 15, 1880. - . . A grand ball and festival took place at Duplin Road Seminary on the night of the 9th inst., which resulted in the realization of about $50 to be added to the building fund of the school. The new buildings which are under erection are as large and commodious as any country seminary in North Carolina. The main building is 75 by 35 feet, three stories high. On the lower floor are three spacious recitation rooms, while the upper stories contain dormitories sufficient to accommodate at least seventy-five pupils. Prof. Samuel W. Clements, the projector of this institution, is a graduate of the University and has an experience of twenty years... . G. M. C. DUPLIN COUNTY (Correspondence of The Raleigh News) Magnolia, N. C., May 28, 1880. Editor News:—Magnolia is a lively little village of about three hun- dred population, located on the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, forty- eight miles north of Wilmington. Of its inhabitants your correspondent 246 ages—from the South to the Northern markets, passed through this place in one day this week. Although this line charges from twenty to thirty-five cents more per box than the steamship lines, still shippers will patronize it, showing their appreciation of rapid transit and careful handling of freight. G. M. C. DUPLIN COUNTY NOTES (Correspondence of The Raleigh Times) Magnolia, N. C., July 7, 1880 . .. The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad is doing quite an extensive business at this place. From January Ist, until July 1st, 1879, there were shipped from this point 517 barrels of spirits turpentine, 1,434 barrels rosin, 156 bales cotton, 1,009 barrels tar. For the same time this year it foots up as follows: 736 barrels of spirits turpentine, 1,198 barrels rosin, 70 bales cotton, 564 barrels of tar. During this spring and sum- mer 140 packages of vegetables have gone from this place to Northern markets. There can be no doubt as to the capacity of the soil in this 247 county for producing vegetables of the finest quality, but this season has been remarkably unfavorable. Watermelons are coming in. Your correspondent ate a mess of green corn Sunday... . G.M.C THE ENTERTAINMENT AT KENANSVILLE Editor Messenger :—Grant me space in your valuable journal to notice the dramatic entertainment given at Kenansville on the evening of the 8th inst., by the young ladies and gentlemen of that village, for the purpose of raising funds to enclose the cemetery. The first play on the programme was a drama, entitled “The Results of a Harmless (?) Glass,” composed for this special occasion, by that rising young member of the bar, Mr. J. W. Powell. In its nature it was a tragi-comedy—consisting of seventeen characters, each of which was appropriately selected. Every part was acted almost with the ease and grace of a regular theatrical troupe. In fact we never saw it excelled by amateurs. We do not wish to be accused of discrimination, but we must doubly compliment and render laudation to Misses Emma Blount, Anna Stan- ford, Ella Blount and Tempe Betts; and Messrs. J. C. Cox, J. W. Powell and I. J. Kelly, for the worthy and extraordinary manner in which they acquitted themselves on the stage. We deem it the most appropriate piece that could have been played just at this epoch in the history of North Carolina politics when Prohi- bition is the common theme for conversation and argument. We thought the drama a very strong argument in favor of prohibition—but excuse this disgression, we are not discussing politics. The drama consumed about one hour and a quarter, when our clever Register of Deeds, H. C. Moore, favored the audience with “Down in a Coal Mine,” as an interlude, which was complimented very highly. Then came the second and last play—a most laughable comedy, en- titled, “Who’s to Win Him.” We must bestow unlimited praise on every actor for the excellent manner in which the entertainment was conducted. It was a complete success, and we are on the qui vive for its repetition. Owing to the inclemency of the weather many were no doubt deterred from attending. Some $30, clear of all expenses, were realized. They propose giving another entertainment Tuesday night of court week. G. M. C. NOTES FROM “LOWER DUPLIN” CHINQUAPIN, April 11, 1881. - . . Our genial and clever merchant, Mr. M. T. Horne, has just re- turned from Baltimore, where he purchased an extensive stock of spring 248 and summer goods; and the enterprising W. H. Sloan, Esq., than whom no man is more able to select what the people want must have, is daily increasing his stock. . . . G. M. C. A NORTHEAST FISH FRY CHINQUAPIN, May 3, 1881 Editor Messinger:—The time for picnics being at hand, and the good people of this remote portion of Duplin county not wishing to be considered backward in that respect, a large number of them convened on the banks of the Northeast river, two miles above here at Williams’s seine hole, on Friday last for the purpose of participating in that most pleasureable and gratifying type of all country picnics known as a fish- fry. Never having attended such a thing before, your correspondent hardly knew what was incorporated in the generic term—‘Fish-Fry,” but if the one under consideration can be taken as a symbol, it simply means a gathering together of entertaining ladies and gallant gents for the sole purpose of fishing, eating, dancing and being merry in general. Of course the chief diet was of a piscatory character but there was no lack- ing of other edibles. In fact the table fairly groaned under the weight of the luscious viands. To the lover of the terpsichorean art there was no deficiency, since a spacious platform had been constructed and excellent musicians em- ployed; and boat riding too contributed its share to the pleasure of the occasion. So enjoyable was everything that, not until old Sol, showing his menacing face just above the western horizon, threatened to leave us in darkness, did the pleasures of this ever memorable fish-fry terminate. Never tiring of a good thing, that clever old farmer, Mr. David Brock, extended the crowd a cordial invitation to dance at his house that night, which was accepted, and the “Wee sma’ hours 0’ morn” found us still tripping the light fantastic toe. In conclusion, I must say that these good people knew exactly how to make a fellow enjoy himself. G. M. C. DUPLIN RIFLES Editor Messenger:—On Monday evening, Dec. 26th, the above named organization gave a hop at the Masonic Hall, in Kenansville, which was hugely enjoyed by all the participants of the Terpsichorean art in at- 249 me Be me eee oe ee a ae ar tendance. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather a goodly number of the elite of Duplin’s fair sex put in, showing their appreciation of our military band. The boys all got credit given them for their urbanity and gallantry, but especially gallant and soldierly was our noble old captain; we must deem it a little hateful in him though for being an eye witness then laughing at the young corporal, who came so near running his car(r) off the track that the “ladies to the right” couldn’t tell for the life of them whether he was dancing or not. The light fantastic toe was shuffled till early in the morn, when many an aching heart wended its way homeward severely pierced by cupid’s cruel dart. Our company will give another hop anniversary day, which comes on the 19th of January. The boys all look forward with great anticipations to that gala day of our patriotic few. Till then adieu. G. M. CG. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DUPLIN RIFLES AT KENANSVILLE Editor Messenger :—Owing to the very inclement weather on the 19th inst., the anniversary of the Duplin Rifles—the program for the day was a failure, but it had but little if any effect on the ball for the evening. Barker’s Italian band from Wilmington was on hand at the proper time, and at seven and a half o’clock, sharp, “ball was put in motion,” at the seminary. A lovelier and more graceful cortege of young ladies could not have been gathered together had North Carolina been explored from Currituck to Cherokee; and as for the young men in attendance, it is a fact too well known to need mention, that the members of the Duplin Rifles are among the handsomest and most gallant boys in America (?) and at the ball they were joined by many others of the same kind from various quarters. Old Duplin and every county adjoining her were represented by their respective lovers of the giddy dance. The crowd was not too large though, but just large enough. The music was perfectly melodious, and many a foot kept time with its harmonious strains. About midnight the very sudden, but prepared for announcement that supper would be served in the next room, struck upon the tympanum of many a hungry dancer. Oh! and such a supper! The writer would like for the ladies of Kenans- ville to have the preparation of his wedding supper. The table was not filled with the worthless delicacies so frequently prepared for such oc- casions, but it was groaning, as it were, under its burden of edibles— luscious, bountiful and substantial. 250 After doing justice to the inner man, the musicians again struck up, and everything went on as merry as a marriage bell till about half past three in the morning, when we all reluctantly separated knowing that we all had enjoyed an occasion long to be remembered. G..M. C. RAILROAD MEETING IN DUPLIN Chinquapin, N. C., Feb. 25, °82. Editor Messenger:—Pursuant to previous notice, a goodly number of the citizens of Chinquapin and vicinity assembled here today for the purpose of considering the question of a railroad leading from Teachey’s depot on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad to some point in Onslow. On motion, Mr. Rhaford Lanier was called to the chair, and Mr. M. T. Horne requested to act as secretary. On further motion Major Owen Kenan and Mr. Robert Wallace were invited to seats with the chairman, and Geo. M. Carr requested to assist the secretary. Major Kenan stated the object of the meeting in a few well-timed remarks. At the request of the chair, Capt. J. C. McMillan, of Teacheys, ad- dressed the meeting, setting forth the great advantages of a railroad, and showing the great blessing it would be toward the education and prosperity of this little outside world. He stated the proposition of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company, which is to lay the track and furnish the rolling stock if the citizens along the line will grade and cross-tie the road. Much enthusiasm prevailed, and everybody is a “railroad man.” After they gave out a few subscription papers, the meeting adjourned, to meet again (at Chinquapin) Saturday, March 11th. Geo. M. Carr, Ass’t. Secretary RAILROAD MEETING AT CHINQUAPIN Chinquapin, March 11, ’82. Editor Messenger :—According to adjournment a large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends of the Teacheys’ and Onslow Railroad was held here today with Messrs. Rhaford Lanier and Robt. Wallace in the chair, and Messrs. M. T. Horne and Geo. M. Carr as secretaries. Eloquent and well timed addresses were delivered by Capt. J. C. Me- Millan, of Teacheys’, the earnest and persevering projector of the pro- 251 ee ee posed line, Dr. Duffy, Col. Taylor and Mr. Rodolph Duffy, of Onslow, and Rev. G. S. Mobley, of this vicinity: each urging, in the strongest terms, the necessity of an outlet from Onslow and this fertile, out-of- the-way country, and showing the feasibility and practicability of the proposed plans and the ability of the people to construct the road con- templated. A committee, consisting of Messrs. M. T. Horne, W. H. Sloan, J. S. Kenan, G. W. Bradham, G. W. Lamb, Rhaford Lanier and J. Andrews, was appointed to solicit subscriptions in the country surrounding this place, and report at the meeting to be held at Jacksonville Monday of Onslow court. The meeting then adjourned when the subscription of this immediate neighborhood was augmented to an amount aggregating nearly $5,000. It is certain that this will be largely increased by the energy of the soliciting committee, before the Jacksonville meeting. These people mean business in this very important measure, and are sanguine of its success. They seem to think that they have lived long enough “in the back-woods,” and intend to make themselves a wiser, better and wealthier people if the toot of a railroad engine will add anything in that direction. G. M. Carr, Assistant Secretary. DUPLIN DOINGS (From Our Own Correspondent) WALLACE, N. C., May 4th, 1882.—The spirit of improvement has reached this little “burg,” consequently the enterprising firm of Mallard & Houston, formerly of Deep Bottom, have just completed a new and neat store, and put in a heavy stock of general merchandise. Their debut adds much to the trade and appearance of the place. Dr. L. W. Robin- son has just about completed his new dwelling. Dr. D. McL. Graham is renovating his premises to some extent, and Prof. S. W. Clement. is finishing up his commodious school building. Messrs. G. Boney & Some are offering some very desirable lots for sale as may be seen by referring to the advertising columns of this paper. For health and general ad- vantages, Duplin Road cannot be surpassed in Eastern Carolina. Our genial and clever mercantile friend, L. L. Mallard, desiring to do like all men, concluded to take unto himself a wife. So at noon on Thursday April 27th, by mutual consent, Rev. Jas. M. Sprunt, D. D., united em one him and Miss Ella Blount, the amiable daughter of Dr. J. H. Blount of Kenansville. A very pleasant reception was given the bride and pace 252 and attendants at Mrs. Mary Mallard’s, in this place, that evening. May happiness shine upon this union. A social hop and May party was given by the young men of the vil- lage, at Clement’s Hall, Monday night. It passed off very pleasantly. The municipal election held here May Ist, resulted as follows: Mayor, W. J. Boney; Town Commissioners: Newkirk Southerland, J. E. Pig- ford, L. S. Mallard; City Marshall, W. A. Houston, (Ahem!) G. M. C. DUPLIN DOINGS (From our own Correspondent) KENANSVILLE, N. C., Aug. 3, 1882.—The soldiers’ reunion held here yesterday under the auspices of the surviving members of Houston’s cavalry company was well attended and a grand success in every par- ticular. The crowd was variously estimated at from 2,000 to 4,000. At about 11 o’clock Capt. Swift Galloway was introduced to the audience in a neat little speech by Mr. Powell of Clinton. The Captain was particularly happy and felicitous on the occasion and the oft repeated applauses showed that the same spirit prevailed among the audience. Col, Thos. R. Kenan was next presented by Mr. Hill of Duplin. The Colonel is always at home when he is with Duplin folks and there are few better speakers than he when fully warmed up before an appreciative and attentive audience. After the addresses, dinner was announced, and every body was “filled to the brim.” The ball at night was a decided success. The susceptible heart of your correspondent was completely “mashed.” G. M. C. THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN IN DUPLIN Wallace, Oct. 7, ’82. According to previous appointment, the candidates for the various county offices, and for seats in the next General Assembly, met in joint discussion for the first time at this place to-day. Mr. E. J. Hill, the democratic nominee for the Senate, led off in a happy little speech of thirty or forty minutes, in which he thoroughly defined and discussed the political issues of the day. His tirade against the so-called liberal movement was particularly good for a debutant in the political field, this being his first political speech. Judging from this effort, he will undoubtedly give his competitor enough of it before the fight is over. 253 ewan ee Mr. Hill was followed by Mr. J. C. McMillan, the well-known dis- organizer, whose principle object seems to be to defeat the democratic ticket and draw his pay as usual. He still claims to be a democrat, but in his harangue of nearly an hour we failed to see a single instance wherein he said one word in favor of a democrat or against a republican. He claims to stand on the “coalition anti-pro-hi-be-tion” platform and intends to fight it out on that line till his defeat. He failed to announce for what office he was running, but no doubt he is awaiting the action of the “rads” in Wayne. He is the same old “snake in the grass” and can fool nobody in Duplin. Mr. J. D. Stanford, our nominee for the lower branch of the Legis- lature, next followed in a speech of an hour, which made McMillan and his handful fairly squirm at the invincible truths manifested. Mr. J. D. Cavenaugh, who claims to belong to no party, but who desires to go to the Legislature in place of Mr. Stanford, next spoke briefly. He endorses the “Olomargarine” platform, and belongs to Mc- Millan’s branch of sore-headed democracy. Of course they will all go down to defeat together on the 7th day of November. Next, the candidates for the various county offices announced them- selves, and the crowd dispersed with a more united determination to roll up a rousing majority for the democratic nominees. GMC On Thursday October 19, at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. Jera Sandlin, near Hallsville, Duplin county, Mr. W. A. HOUSTON TO Miss LIZZIE A. SANDLIN. The attendants were J. B. Sandlin and Miss Mollie Houston; Gaston Houston and Miss Lucy Davis; W. P. Boney and Miss Cattie Sandlin; W. J. Wallace and Miss Frances Burton. Rev. W. M. Kennedy officiated. May they travel a lengthy journey on life’s pathway, ever remaining as happy as they now are. GMC DUPLIN COUNTY, November 28. . . . Mr. R. M. Middleton, of Warsaw township, in Duplin County, has made to the acre 2,250 pounds of sugar, and 120 gallons of molasses in one season; and Mr. William Brice, of Rock Fish township, in same county, on upland, by extreme fertilizing, has continuously for the past eight years, made to the acre from 1,000 to 1,200 gallons of molasses. During the month of May, 1881, Mr. A. H. Morris, of Teacheys, in this county, discovered in the woods what he thought to be a remedy for the cure of hog cholera, and after being thoroughly tested by the 254 farmers of this neighborhood for twelve months, and its virtue and suc- cess as a sure remedy for that dreadful malady being established beyond a doubt, he placed it upon the market, and has since shipped 2,500 packages to the Northern and Eastern States. He informs me that he has also handled and shipped to Northern markets during the present season 20,000 pounds of botanical roots, and 200,000 pounds of vanilla, familiarly known as dog tongue. ; Duplin is settled by an industrious, thrifty and enterprising population, but the most serious obstacle to the advancement of this section, as is too greatly the case all over North Carolina, is the want of a sufficient number of good schools, and the lack of enthusiasm in the people on the all important subject of education. The time is not far distant, however, I trust, when the people will be thoroughly awakened to a sense of their duty on this subject. G. M. C. THE TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE AT WARSAW WARSAW, N. C., July 21, ’83. Editor Messenger:—The joint Teachers’ Institute for the counties of Duplin and Sampson assembled in this place on Monday, the 16th inst.; the white teachers in the Warsaw High School building and the colored teachers in the colored school house. There were in attendance, during the week, 37 white teachers and 24 colored; about equally divided be- tween the two counties. The Institute (for whites) was called to order at 10 o’clock, by Super- intendent B. F. Grady of Duplin, who stated the object of the Institute and gave the teachers some very good advice. The residue of the day was spent in illustrating arithmetic, on which the methods are founded, and the best methods of teaching that branch. Simultaneously, Superintendent I. Royall, of Sampson, opened the colored Institute by impressing on his hearers the responsibility and necessary qualifications of teachers. P. W. Moore, (col.) gave, what he thought to be, the best methods of teaching the alphabet and arithmetic. On Tuesday morning, at the white division, Mr. Grady lectured on the study of Geography. He solicited the views of the different teachers on the subject, which proved very interesting and improving. During the evening session Mr. Royall lectured on Phonics and the word method. The diversity of opinions and peculiar views expressed on this branch proved very amusing as well as beneficial. At night a very interesting paper on the “Benefits of Popular En- 255 enn on ee “e lightenment” was read by Mr. B. F. Grady in the Baptist Church, to a large and appreciative audience. Mr. Royall had charge of the colored teachers during the forenoon and Mr. Grady during the afternoon. On Wednesday morning, Rev. W. M. Kennedy opened the white Insti- tute with prayer. Prof. T. R. Cooper, of Clinton then proceeded to lecture on English Grammar. His theme was a lengthy one which re- quires much forethought. He did the subject full justice, notwithstanding there was some difference of opinions on some points, as there always is on this particular branch of study. All the day being consumed, but about an hour, Mr. Grady devoted that to an explanation of the earth’s daily and yearly motions and astronomical geography. During the morning Mr. Grady instructed the colored teachers on Geography and Elementary Sounds and during the afternoon D. B. Nichol- son, Esq., gave to them the best method of teaching writing. At night C. B. Aycock, Esq., of Goldsboro, lectured in the Baptist church on “The Origin of the Rights of Property.” His discourse was highly entertaining and delivered in his usually felicitous style. On Thursday, Mr. Grady consumed the day at the white division on the subject of History. Messrs. Royall and Nicholson instructed the colored division on arithmetic, grammar and history. At night, Dr. Mathews of Kenansville, lectured to the whites on Physi- ology and Prof. Cooper, of Clinton, to the blacks on “The Duties of Intelligent Colored Men.” Friday and Saturday were devoted to the examination of applicants for certificates to teach public schools. E. W. Kerr, Esq., of Clinton, lectured Friday night on the “Responsi- bilities of Teachers.” We were unfortunate in not hearing the lectures of Thursday and Friday nights. By this Institute the teachers of Duplin and Sampson have been inspired to a higher ideal of scholarship and awakened to a longing for greater proficiency in conducting the studies of the school room; and to Superintendents Grady and Royall the people owe a heavy debt of gratitude for arousing their respective counties to the great educational movement of the State. G. M. C. DUPLIN COUNTY NOTES By our Special Correspondent. We are glad to note that the long contemplated graded school at Magnolia has at last opened, and under favorable auspices too. Rev. 256 J. N. Stallings and two of his daughters have charge of the school. Ninety-one pupils were registered the first day. This school will no doubt add new life to Magnolia and that vicinity. At Duplin Roads the passer-by can see the spirit of improvement gradually entwining itself in the hearts of the inhabitants. The Meth- odists have in course of erection at this place a house of worship, which will greatly adorn the village when completed. The Presbyterians are considering the expediency of building a new church also, in place of the old house known as Rock Fish, situated just outside the incor- porate limits of the village. Clement’s High School, we are more than pleased to note, is in a very prosperous condition. An extra term of Duplin Superior court will begin on Monday, the 18th inst. for the trial of civil cases only, Judge Shepherd presiding. It will no doubt be a long and interesting term, as we understand that there are a great many cases on the docket. .. . . . . When we think of Maj. W. L. Young’s recent discovery of phos- phate rock in Duplin, and what a great blessing and benefit the people of our native county can realize from it if they will only allow some capitalist to step in and utilize it for them, we grow enthusiastic. There is an unlimited amount of this fertilizer in parts of Duplin, and it would be worth millions if properly manufactured. Dr. Phillips says the com- mercial value of this rock is about $6.40 per ton, while Dr. Dabney says it would be worth $20.20 per ton if crushed and treated with sul- phuric acid. We hope to see measures put on foot at an early date to start a factory to utilize this cheap fertilizer which nature has so lavishly bestowed upon our section. Let the good work begin at once. It would not be out of place right here to suggest a mass meeting of the citizens of Duplin, for the purpose of discusing and ascertaining what part their county will take in the proposed State Exposition. If the working people of old Duplin will bestir themselves, they can make an exhibit which will do honor to themselves and their native county. This matter of phosphate rock in itself would be a big consideration. We have many of the essentials necessary for a glorious exhibit. It only needs the proper effort to insure success. Let our farmers come to the front and earnestly cooperate in this enterprise. G. M. C. DUPLIN COUNTY NOTES BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT . . . There is some talk of a new industry making its debut at Duplin Roads. A gentleman by the name of Westbrook, brother, we think, of the nurseryman at Wilson, proposes to start the culture of strawberries, 257 apples, grapes and other fruits, on a large scale, at that place, if the citizens show him the proper encouragement. It is said that straw- berries will ripen three weeks earlier at Duplin Roads than at Faison, which makes it a very desirable location for their culture. The name of the post office in this county, which, for a long time, has been known as Rock Fish, has been changed to Joe Ford, with Mr. Frank Register as post master. The change was made because there is a post office in Cumberland county, in this State, by the name of Rock Fish, which caused some confusion as to the proper delivery of the mails. Mr. A. H. Morris, the discoverer and manufacturer of “Morris’ Hog Cholera Cure,” informs us that at no distant date he will build a large and commodious laboratory at Teacheys, in which to put up his medi- cines. He contemplates making it 30 x 40 feet, two stories high, and add to its dimensions, as the growth of his business increases. . . G. M. C. KENANSVILLE, N. C. A Bit of History Concerning Duplin’s County Site, and the News of That Section in Brief KENANSVILLE, N. C., Feb. 23, ’°84.—Upon entering this little town, the stranger is immediately struck with the quiet and antiquated ap- pearance of things in general. In ante-bellum times Kenansville was one of the most flourishing and dashing little towns in North Carolina. She was especially noted for her fine schools. Many of the mothers and fathers of the rising generation received a practical education in the high schools of Kenansville, and they almost revererence the place now as something sacred, from the memory of the good times they had there in their youthful days. The place received its name from one of the most prominent and honored families of the county, a mem- ber of which Col. Thomas Kenan, now occupies the honored position of Attorney General of our State. In years past many different mem- bers of the same family have held positions of trust and honor within the gift of the public, as can be seen by reference to the annals of history. ... . . . Dr. Barker, the venerable and noted phrenologist, has been here during the week, lecturing at night and manipulating heads during the day. As to his feelings we have not ascertained to what degree he re- plenished his purse, but as a lecturer he is one among the most inter- esting we ever listened to; in fact the most interesting on the subject 258 of phrenology. We regret very much to have to announce that the child of Mr. Archie Black at this place, which was recently burned so terribly is still suffering intensely. May it soon recover. We understand from a citizen of Magnolia that their graded school at that place is rapidly increasing, both in numbers and popularity. There are now on the rolls between 110 and 120 pupils. Our informant says that the citizens generally are well pleased with the workings of the school, and that it will be a success. . . . G. M. C. NOTES BY THE WAYSIDE What Our Traveler Sees and Hears in His Rambles. . . . The largest and finest shad that we have seen this season, are being caught at present in the North-East River, in Duplin and Pender counties. We are informed that about a hundred were drawn one night last week, at what is known as “Landing’s seine hole,” near Chinquapin, in Duplin, which is very remarkable work for that high up the river. These North-East shad are said to be the finest in our State, and are still retailing for from sixty cents to one dollar per pair. DUPLIN ITEMS “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou heareth the sound thereof, &c.” flashes through our brain as we sit and listen to the first winds of March howling round our gables this morning. In the words of an old friend—‘“It is regular Pneumonia weather.” There is a good deal of sickness, too, scattered promiscuously over this county at present. Some of the physicians have about as much on their hands as they can well attend to. We regret very much to have to announce the death of Mr. Archie Black’s little child, which was, a few weeks ago, so seriously burned, and which, notwithstanding every attention that loving and tender hands could bestow upon it, suffered so intensely until relieved by the angel of death. Its fond parents have the sympathy of a host of friends in their sad bereavement. Notwithstanding the recent bad crops and consequent scarcity of “Hog and hominy,” the young folks will marry. On Tuesday evening before last, at the residence of the bride’s father, near Magnolia, Mr. Elhainer Sanderson, of Hallsville, was joined by the ties that make two hearts beat as one, to Miss Katie Forlaw, the beautiful and sweet daughter of Mr. David Forlaw. We wish them a long, happy and prosperous life. 259 nt oe ee a me et We notice that considerable trucking is being done near Magnolia this season. Large quantities of Irish potatoes have been put in in that locality, while in the vicinity of Duplin Roads they are cultivating beans mostly for the Northern markets. For several years Mr. W. T. Riven- bark, of Magnolia, has done a large and profitable business in the culti- vation of tube roses, the bulb of which he ships North. The sad announcement of the death of Col. William A. Allen has cast a gloom over his many friends in Duplin. So much has he done for the welfare of our county and so thoroughly has he identified him- self with the best interests of her people that there is hardly a man in Duplin but mourns his loss as he would that of a brother. Peace to the slumbers of that noble and good man. We understand that Gen. Gaston Lewis has opened a bed of the Duplin phosphate on the farm of Mr. I. W. Best, near Warsaw, from which he proposes to ship a large amount, about 60 tons, we think, to Dr. Hogg, at Castle Hayne, to be ground up in the latter’s mill, and distributed among the farmers to test its virtue as a fertilizer. If this much spoken of rock turns out to be of the superior quality that they all hold it is, there is a source of almost unbounded wealth to many of the property owners of Duplin. GMC DUPLIN COUNTY NOTES Inferior Court—Honor Paid to the Memory of Col. William A. Allen Kenansville, N. C., March 22, ’84. The spring term of Inferior court convened here Monday morning, with Justices Bowden, Moseley, and Carroll on the bench. D. B. Nicholson, Esq., delivered a very concise charge to the jury, which displayed much legal study. Of the twenty some odd cases on the docket all were disposed of but two, which were continued. There were three appeals to the Superior court. One negro was convicted of larceny and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of two years. Court adjourned on Friday. Speeches touching the life and career of our lamented friend were made by several members of the legal profession to every one of whom Col. Allen had extended a welcome and helping hand in their outset as lawyers. Truly, he was an honest, generous, Christian-hearted gentle- man and a practitioner of no ordinary ability. C.M.C WARSAW COMMENCEMENT The Closing Exercises of the Kennedy School WARSAW, N. C., May 16, ’84. The last two days have been gala days for Warsaw, there having been a large crowd in the village in 260 attendance upon the commencement exercises of the Warsaw High School, under the management of Messrs. W. M. and D. S. Kennedy and efficient assistants. The exercises were opened on Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock, by essays and declamations by the pupils of the school. In this department there was considerable competition between the diffeernt pupils, since the principals of the school had wisely offered two beautiful and admir- ably engraved golden medals—one for the best essay—the other for the best delivered declamation. The young ladies did exceedingly well in the reading of their respective essays, as did also the young men in the delivery of their declamations. They all did credit to themselves and honor to the school and its worthy tutors. The awarding of the two medals was left to two separate committees of strangers, the decisions of whom were to be announced the next morning after the annual ad- dress. At 10:30 o’clock Thursday morning the calisthenic drill by the female pupils of the school took place. This exercise was the most elaborate we ever saw of the kind, and was splendidly executed. This department is under the supervision of Miss Bevvie Kennedy. At 11:45 o’clock Rev. T. H. Pritchard, D.D., who had been selected and invited to deliver the annual address, was very gracefully introduced by Master Frank Penny, of Wilmington, a student of the school, and by the way, a boy of only sixteen summers. The subject of the Doctor’s discourse was “A History of the English Tongue,” which was a literary treat of the highest order, depicting much study and delivered in the Doctor’s usually happy and graceful manner. He occupied fifty minutes in its delivery, and everyone present felt himself doubly repaid for his time in listening to it. At the close of the address the principal of the school announced that the declaimer’s medal had been awarded to Joseph H. Gillespie, of Duplin. Thereupon it was delivered to him by W. L. Hill, Esq., of Duplin, in an encouraging little speech. The prin- cipal then announced that the essayist’s medal had been awarded to Miss Emma Jordan, of Wayne, which was presented to her very becom- ingly by John Bland, Esq., of Burgaw. At 3 o'clock p. m., J. H. Gil- lespie, the orator chosen by the young gentlemen’s literary society, was introduced, and, taking for his theme “Our Country,” entertained his audience for the space of twenty minutes, with as much ease and flow of patriotic sentiment as would have been expected of one much his senior in age. Then came the society debate, the query for the evening being “Resolved, That North Carolina is destined to become a com- mercial and manufacturing rather than an agricultural State.” The debaters on the affirmative side were R. J. Walker and S. A. Strickland; 261 eee eee on the negative side, S. S. Satchell, Jr., and W. L. Bell. This exercise was the most amusing and interesting feature of the whole commence- ment, especially the picture of the average North Carolina farmer, drawn by Mr. Walker. For an hour and a half the debaters entertained their audience. Some very good points were made on each side. At 8 o’clock, p. m., the exercises conducted by the Young Ladies’ Literary Society were opened by a salutatory by Miss Emma Jordan, of Wayne. Then followed recitations and musical performances by the different young ladies of the school. They all acquitted themselves nicely. The valedictory, which closed the exercises of the commencement, was delivered by Miss Annie Moore, of Duplin. Upon the close of the literary exercises the crowd was invited to participate in a reception which lasted till about midnight, and was greatly enjoyed by all present. Thus ended the spring term of one of the best high schools of Eastern North Caro- lina. G. M. C. The amount of whortleberries bought in the little village of Magnolia is simply wonderful. We are reliably informed that on Tuesday of last week one Magnolia merchant bought 59 bushels while on the same day another purchased 40 bushels, making a grand total of 99 bushels sold in that market in one day. The price paid for them was five cents per quart, aggregating for that day $158.40. Pretty good for the women and children. . . . G. M. C. DUPLIN DOINGS Scraps of Miscellaneous News from the “Great State of Duplin.” Notwithstanding the great dearth of news that now prevails through- out the land, greatly to the chagrin of newspaper reporters, generally, we have become the happy possessor of a few items from the “Great State of Duplin,” that may prove interesting to the readers of the Messenger. Crops, as a general thing, are looking tolerably well, although a good many of the farmers are complaining of “bad stands” and “too much rain.” One thing is evident from the present prospects, and that is that the yield will be much more satisfactory this year than it was last. The farmer that has old corn for sale at present is called “blessed.” We notice, with gratification, that the spirit of improvement continues 262 in the villages round about. At Duplin Roads Mr. D. H. Wallace is erecting a handsome residence, and work on the Methodist church is still progressing. At Rose Hill Mr. W. J. Wallace is putting up a very imposing looking store, which he contemplates filling with goods during the month of August. At Teacheys our old friend Augustus Morris has about completed his commodious laboratory, and so the ball continues to move. We have often heard that whiskey was a sure cure for a snake bite, but we had our doubts about its virtue, even in that respect, until two weeks ago we saw it fully exemplified. A little darkey at Duplin Roads, while hoeing corn, was bitten on the leg, just above the ankle, by what is known to some as the rattle snake pilot, and to others as the white oak snake. Whiskey was procured immediately, and enough of it poured into the boy to make him beastly drunk. The swelling and pain ceased, and the boy has experienced no trouble from the bite since. Duplin can boast of an apple-tree one hundred years old, and still prolific. It is on the plantation of our good friend, Mr. Dickson S. Register, in Rockfish township, and is of that variety known as the “rusty-coat,” which is a very eatable apple at first frost. Mr. Register tells us of men, who, if now living, would be between ninety and a hundred years of age, have told him that they ate fruit from this tree when mere school-boys, and that it then had the appearance of being an old tree. It has an abundance of apples on it this season, and we would suggest that he send specimens of them to the Fruit Fair, as a matter of curiosity, and also to the State Exposition. Talking about big “collards,” if Mrs. David H. Williams, of Rockfish township, has not got them, then we are no judge. She has one in her garden that measures eight feet across the top, one leaf of which is eight feet in circumference. It is not to say that she has only one of these huge fellows, for her garden is filled with them. She has cabbage ready headed that cannot be put in a half bushel measure. That is the way to cultivate a garden. On last Tuesday several men and boys went down to Rockfish creek, in the vicinity of Duplin Roads, to go in swimming. The creek being very full, none were so venturesome as to go in except Ben. Stallings, a negro man, about twenty-five years of age. Upon jumping in, it is supposed that he was seized with cramp, as he came up screaming for help; but before assistance could be rendered, he was drowned. His body was soon after recovered near the spot where he sank. . . . G. M. C. a on ee a me ‘ ‘ a A MODEL ORGANIZATION The “Maxwell Farmers’ Club”—Its Objects, Its Benefits, Its Success and Its First Anniversary. By invitation, your reporter, on Wednesday of last week, took occasion to attend the twelfth monthly meeting of what is known as the “Max- well Farmers’ Club,” an organization instituted some twelve months ago in Duplin county, by the farmers residing in the “Maxwell” neigh- borhood. The objects of the club seem to be the promotion of the agricultural and social interest of that particular community, the mutual benefits arising to its members in having the experience and advice of each other, pertaining to their common interests as farmers, and the meeting together, at least once a month, at some member’s house, to “eat, drink and be merry.” The meeting attended by us was held at the residence of Mr. Dickson S. Register than whom there is no more successful farmer in Duplin. In fact this club is composed of some of the most successful farmers and worthy citizens of the county. Some time after our arrival upon the scene of action, refreshment in the way of cider and wine flowed in sweet profusion, until dinner was announced—and such a dinner! Well, it was one of that kind of dinners that is calculated to make a fellow eat until his gluttonous propensities get the better of him. Suffice it to say that the table was abundantly supplied with every delicious edible to be procured on the farm or the farm-yard. After relieving the table of doubly our share of its superior burden, we had the pleasure of listening to a very practical address on farming, by Mr. William Mathews, one of Sampson county’s best farmers. Then, in a body, the club gave the farm of their brother and entertainer, Mr. Register, a close examination, which is their custom at each meeting. It being the first anniversary of the organization, the election of officers was in order. Mr. Joseph H. Carr was elected president and Mr. G. W. Carroll, secretary for the ensuing year. On motion, Geo. M. Carr was invited to prepare an article to be read before the body at its next meeting. The following premiums offered at a previous meeting, will show the reader the interest taken in the club and something of its import: Five dollars in cash to the member who makes the most seed-cotton on an acre. A bushel of corn from each member to the member raising the most corn upon one acre of upland. A bushel of potatoes from each member to the member raising the most sweet potatoes on a half acre of land. 264 A half bushel of rice from each member to the member raising the most rice on a half acre of upland. These premiums will tend to bring about a competition among the members which will be conducive of much good. These farmers’ clubs should be established in every farming community. The horny-handed tiller of the soil occupies the most important, the most honorable, the most independent and decidedly the happiest sphere of any class of men on the globe, and the one thing needful among them is thorough organization and co-operation in every particular. As a class they too generally allow themselves to be imposed upon by clap-traps and swindles of every conceivable variety. They need thorough organization against these things. At these club meetings they can discuss topics of interest common to them all. Let us have more Farmers’ clubs, and that speedily. G. M. C. DUPLIN AFFAIRS Small Talk From the Banner County of the State Crops are looking so fine throughout this county that everybody is greatly encouraged. We have heard farmers say that they would make two or three times as much this year as they did last. A week or so ago some miscreant entered the kitchen of Mr. G. Boney at Duplin Roads and stole therefrom a side of meat and some cooked victuals. He then entered the crib and appropriated a half bushel of corn. Quite a liberal thief. Mr. William Parker, a young man about 28 or 30 years of age, resid- ing near Rose Hill, died quite suddenly, one day last week. He was a hard working man and left a wife and several children to mourn his loss. The Teachers’ Institute for whites, opened at Duplin Roads on Mon- day, under the supervision of Superintendent Grady and Mr. Mclntyre of the Faison School. Next week will be devoted to the colored teachers at Kenansville, and the next to whites again at the latter place. At the recent State Convention J. D. Stanford, Esq., in a short speech before that august assembly, said that Duplin had never had but four straight out white radicals, and that two of them had been indicted for horse stealing, were defended by him at the bar, cleared of the charge upon some technicality, but neither has ever been the man to pay his lawyer’s fee. G. M. C. oF. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK IN DUPLIN “On August 31, 1886, Charleston suffered terribly from an earth- quake shock, the severest in the history of the United States. Seven- eights of the houses were rendered unfit for habitation, many persons were killed and property valued at over $8,000,000 was destroyed. The damage was quickly repaired. “An earthquake is a tremor or shaking of the ground produced by natural subterranean concussion, from tectonic, or volcanic causes. “Earthquakes travel through the ground as elastic waves. The rocks which constitute the outer zone of the earth, or the so-called crust, as well as the underlying layers, which are of uncertain nature, behave within certain limits like elastic media, transmitting vibrations in a manner similar to the air when set in motion by sound. Any jar or disturbance of equilibrium within the rock mass produces a series of waves of alternate tension and compression which advance by com- municating the motion from particle to particle. The vibrations may take place in the same direction as the disturbance is transmitted and are then called longitudinal waves, or they may occur at right angles to the direction of travel, when they are known as transverse waves. Both kinds are concerned in the propagation of an earthquake. The waves are of small amplitude—a mere fraction of an inch in the unfelt tremors, but possibly an inch or two in the very violent shocks. . . . The periods, or time consumed in a single vibrating, range from two or three seconds to about a half minute, as measured at a distance from the focus.” Me 4 ‘ane International Encyclopedia, Second Edition, Volume V, by Dodd, Mead 0. This earthquake shock was felt in Duplin County. Thomas James McGowen, father of one of the editors, told him the house began to shake, quiver, squeak, and rock back and forth. The members of the family were frightened. They went out into the yard until the shock was over. The fields had large cracks in them from the shock. The McGowen home, which was built in 1844, showed some damage from the shock. The braces to the corner posts and sills were fastened with lightwood pegs or pins. The earthquake shock had loosened these 266 pegs or pins. Some of the doors in the house have never closed properly since this tremor. A number of persons whose parents were living at the time of the shock still tell about what their parents told concerning this earthquake. Many people were said to have thought that this was the end of time, and expected to hear Gabriel blow the trumpet any time. In the summer of 1970, the editors spent a delightful afternoon with Mr. Ernest Middleton, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Carrie Middleton, near Warsaw. Mr. Middleton verified what the editors had already heard from their parents about the earthquake of 1886. He remembered the large cracks in the ground after the shock was over. Mr. Middleton also remembered that some stack chimneys were destroyed by the earthquake. (The Editors.) 2A. JAMES SPRUNT INSTITUTE CHARTER The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: SECTION 1. That the name of the institution of learning owned and controlled by the Presbytery of Wilmington, located at Kenansville, in the county of Duplin, in the State of North Carolina, and known at present as the James Sprunt Institute, shall be hereafter known as the same. And that the Rev. Peter McIntyre, Henry Farrior, Sr., Dr. J. W. Blount, B. F. Hall, W. L. Hill, Oscar Pearsall, S. O. Middleton, Thomas B. Pierce, S. B. Newton and others, as trustees thereof, and their asso- ciates and successors in office be and are hereby created and constituted a body corporate by the name and style of the “James Sprunt Institute,” and by that name shall sue and be sued in all the courts of the land, shall use a common seal and have power to make such rules, regulations and by-laws as the said trustees or their successors may deem best for the government and operation of the institution, not inconsistent with law, not contrary to the regulations of said Presbytery of Wilmington. SEC. 2. That said trustees or their successors are hereby authorized to elect a president, secretary, treasurer and superintendent, and pre- scribe the terms and services of their offices, and they are further authorized to elect or appoint such other officers, teachers and instructors as may in their judgment be necessary to serve the purposes and to carry out the objects of said institution of learning, and further, that they shall have full power and authority to establish any departments or schools of general and special instructions of study in said institution, and may issue any scholarship, certificate and diplomas, and confer any degree of merit and honor which they may determine upon, and to these ends may co-operate with other institutions of like character. SEC. 3. That the said corporation by its name and style aforesaid shall on behalf of the Presbytery of Wilmington have, hold, use and enjoy, succeed to all the estates, titles, properties and possessions now held and possessed by the institution of the same name, and all rights, titles, estates and property in and to the same is hereby vested both by law and in equity in the same, and further, the said corporation shall 268 have power to acquire, hold, receive, take and possess on behalf of said Presbytery of Wilmington all property, real, personal or mixed, dona- tions, gifts, devises and bequests, and to use and enjoy, alien, exchange, invest, convert and re-invest all of its property and assets in as full and ample manner as other institutions of the State similarly chartered, and in no greater degree. SEC. 4. That until further action by the said trustees above men- tioned the said Rev. Peter McIntyre, as president; Henry Farrior, Sr., as secretary; Dr. J. W. Blount, as treasurer; Professor W. M. Shaw, as superintendent; shall be and the same are hereby created as the respective officers of said institution. SEC. 5. That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firms, partnerships or corporations to retail, sell or manufacture any spirituous, vinous or malt liquors in any quantity whatever within two miles of this institution of learning, upon the penalty of being guilty of misde- meanor, and upon conviction thereof to be fined or imprisoned, within the discretion of the court. SEC. 6. That this act shall be in force from and after its ratification. In the General Assembly read three times, and ratified this the 11th day of March, A. D. 1901. (An Act to Incorporate the James Sprunt Institute of Duplin County, North Carolina, Pr. 1901, Chapter 370.) JAMES SPRUNT INSTITUTE GENERAL INFORMATION The James Sprunt Institute was established in 1896 by Mr. Henry Farrior and the late Dr. James W. Blount, of Kenansville, N. C. They conceived the idea of building and maintaining a school of collegiate grade for the promotion of Christian education for the girls of Wil- mington Presbytery, and especially for Duplin County, at a cost that would put such an education in reach of those of limited means, who could not avail themselves of the advantages of more expensive colleges. They purchased a nice site with good building and, in 1897, deeded the property to trustees for the use of Wilmington Presbytery. Other donations have since been made by patriotic gentlemen, and in 1901 the Institute was incorporated by the General Assembly of North Caro- lina and vested with authority to issue diplomas to those completing the prescribed courses. The Wilmington Presbytery elects ten trustees for the government of the school; the trustees choose their own officers and the faculty, and make semi-annual reports to the Presbytery, and the Presbytery has assumed responsibility for the work. IMPROVEMENTS. The Institute has recently purchased the Pearsall Property, containing fourteen acres, which is being greatly improved. 269 ee nn oe a ~ ceveener Yo 2 * Commodious dormitories will be erected in connection with the Pearsall Building and a large dining hall in the rear of the cottage, which will be connected with the two main buildings by a covered walk. With these improvements, which are hoped to be completed by September Ist, 1906, the Institute will be able to accommodate comfortably one hun- dred boarders. The grounds now comprise about eighteen acres of roll- ing land, abundantly supplied with trees and a spring of pure water, and laid out into an attractive park with walks, rustic seats and bridges. Every opportunity is afforded the girls for outdoor exercise and recreation without going out of the grounds. LOCATION. Kenansville is an attractive, beautiful country town about half-way between Wilmington and Goldsoboro and seven miles east of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It is easily accessible from either Warsaw or Magnolia, where conveyances can be had at a reasonable price. There is now in course of construction, under the direction of the United States Government, a sand-clay road from Kenansville to Magnolia, which will likely be completed during the year. This will add much to the convenience and pleasure of the drive, and the students will find no difficulty in reaching Kenansville from either point. The town is a typical one for the location of a female school, and the school is located in the most beautiful part of the town; the land is rolling and undulating; the drainage natural and perfect; the trees beautiful and symmetrical. The moral influences of the community are unsur- passed and vice and temptations almost unknown. It is an ideal spot for study and for the attainment of those graces and accomplishments which count in producing refinement and in building character. RELIGIOUS FEATURES. While the Institute is Presbyterian in its management, yet care is taken that the religious views of other denomi- nations are not interfered with. Religious services are required of every pupil—the daily duties of faculty and students are opened with religious exercises. All have to attend the Sunday morning Bible class and one of the Sunday schools in the village. However, each student is encour- aged to attend her own church and Sunday school, and this is done under the direction of one of the faculty, who is a member of the same church. LIBRARY AND LITERARY SOCIETIES. The Institute has a con- stantly increasing library, carefully selected. Thirty minutes of syste- matic reading is required daily of the students under the direction of the teacher of English and History, who gives special attention to the cultivation of a taste for literature and historical investigation on the 270 part of the indifferent pupil. The Literary Society, organized in Sep- tember, 1901, contributes to the social life and literary attainments of the students. It cultivates ease of manner and power of expression, while affording a knowledge of parliamentary law. The programs consist of recitations, readings, debates and music. HOME LIFE. Every effort is made to give the Institute the character of a Christian home; to establish cordial relations between teacher and pupil; to render the school life of each student attractive; and to culti- vate those graces of character which mark refined women. With this end in view, receptions, arranged by students and faculty, will be held in the parlors at stated intervals. The health and comfort of the girls are guarded and watched carefully by the trained nurse, under the general supervision of the Lady Principal, and it is the purpose of the school to give every girl such attention as to guarantee the best possible results. HEALTH OF THE GIRLS CARED FOR. The Institute has recently adopted a plan which insures the most perfect condition among the girls and reduces the danger from ill health in school to a minimum. The trustees have secured the services of a professional trained nurse of knowledge and experience, who resides in the buildings with the girls and will give her personal attention to every girl in school, directing what is necessary to be done in case of illness and when a physician shall be called. In addition to this, physical culture is taught in the school and all pupils are required to take it, and every thing is done to develop the girl’s physical strength as well as her mind and character. EXERCISE AND MANUAL TRAINING. Out-door and open-air exer- cise is encouraged and at least one hour daily is required of each pupil. Match games of tennis and other out-door sports are indulged in alter- nately. The recent acquisition of the Pearsall property has made it possible to offer the girls every opportunity for out-door sports without the necessity of leaving the school enclosure. OUR IDEAL. Our ideal for the James Sprunt Institute is not that of a high grade and expensive College; but to fill the gap existing between the public schools and such colleges; to furnish to a girl such an edu- cation as will equip her for the ordinary duties of life and prepare her to enter an advanced year in the higher colleges if she can pursue her work further; to teach her the duties of domestic life and the refine- ments of social intercourse with others; to enlighten her and inform her as to those matters which are necessary to be known in order to insure real happiness and usefulness and to make of her a true woman. 271 — a rm — re a a ee oe ee PERSONAL OUTFIT. Each girl is expected to furnish her own towels, napkins, blankets, two double sheets, one counterpane and one pillow, with cases, all of which must be marked with the full name of the owner. Also, an umbrella and over-shoes are necessary. HOLIDAY AND VISITING. The Institute has adopted Monday in- stead of Saturday as the weekly holiday and the results have been so satisfactory that this policy will be pursued in the future. After exer- cises are over Saturday afternoon the girls are free from their studies until Monday night, when they are all required to assemble for study hour and prepare their recitations for Tuesday. As a result we have five days of good work and avoid the proverbial bad lessons for Mon- day. Also, girls who live in the country in reach of the Institute can go home to their parents on Saturday afternoon and return Monday afternoon, having the unbroken Sunday at home. Visiting is allowed on Monday under proper restrictions, and fellowship with each other is encouraged among the girls. Permission to spend the night out of the buildings is discouraged and parents are earnestly requested to co- operate with us in obtaining the best results from their daughters’ work by not allowing them to go home or ask permission to visit their friends except in urgent cases. We find such permissions demoralizing upon the pupils and upon the discipline of the school. SCHOOL TERMS The school year consists of an eight months session, divided into quarters of two months each, as follows: First quarter begins Sept. 4, 1906, and ends Oct. 30, 1906. Second ” a Oct:30;/1906: "7! -9? Bes: 22, 1906. Third ” * Jan. 1, 1907, ” ” ‘Feb. 26, 1907. Fourth ” @ Peb?'265“190 70 0" Apr. 25, 1907. CONDITIONS OF ENTRANCE The conditions of entrance are that charges must be paid in advance at the beginning of each quarter; and all bills unless a special arrange- ment is made, must be paid for the first quarter in advance and there- after on or before the first day of each quarter. No pupils will be received in dormitories for less time than from date of entrance to end of term. Those leaving before the close of the term will be charged for board and tuition to the end of the term, unless compelled to leave on account of sickness and in accordance with the advice of the Physican or trained nurse of the Institute. All of our arrangements for teachers are made by the year. Our 272 accommodations are limited, and it is hardly fair to us to engage one of our rooms and not be willing to pay for it throughout the term, when we might have filled it with some one else. The justice of these regulations is evident. Not having room for all, we only desire students who are seeking an education. It will be re- membered that this is no money-making establishment; we give these opportunities at actual cost and claim that they are the best offered for the money in the State. We provide good appointments, home comforts, and a well-equipped faculty, large for the number of pupils, so that the girls are brought in close contact with the instructors. Hence, parents, not having access to good home schools, need not hesitate to send even very young daughters to the Institute. To maintain these advantageous conditions, it is absolutely necessary that payments be made when due. Pupils desiring to enter the higher classes must furnish by examina- tion, satisfactory evidence of proficiency in the preceding studies. We feel it of great importance that parents have their daughters in place on the FIRST DAY of the session. This means much to the pupil and to the Institute. EXPENSES FOR COLLEGE YEAR Heretofore the school has been endeavoring to furnish board at $8.00 per month; but with present prices we find it absolutely impossible to do so, and it has been raised to $9.00 per month. The necessary expenses required of each student for the entire College session, except for books, are as follows: Board, fuel, lights, laundry, &c Fontan site tie Morne sc Sse eco ec ee Rent for rooms, furniture, &c Medical fee Contingent fee Total for quarter, $30.00; for year $120.00 The medical fee and contingent fee are required of all boarders and in case of sickness, however long, physician and nurse are furnished without charge for their services. BOARDING DEPARTMENT The boarding department will be operated in the future by the Trustees and Faculty under the direction of an experienced matron and every 273 wn wt oe oe ow —- = effort will be made to furnish pure, wholesome food and to give our patrons value received for their money. A separate kitchen and dining room will be arranged for girls, who wish to furnish their own pro- visions and board themselves. By doing this they can utilize their pro- visions and avoid the payment of the $72.00 for board, and will have every other advantage that the other girls have with an expenditure of only $48.00 cash per year. MUSIC AND ELOCUTION Music and elocution are not required of any pupil; but this depart- ment of the work of the James Sprunt Institute has been provided for with exceptional care and is very efficient. The fees for this department are as follows: Piano lessons and rent of piano per year, $30.00; per quarter, $7.50. Voice lessons, including use of piano per year, $30.00; per quarter, $7.50 Violin per year, $24.00; per quarter, $6.00. per year, $20.00; per quarter, $5.00. Theoretical and Historical Music: First year, per year $ 3.00; per quarter, $ .75 Second year, per year 10.00; per quarter, 2.50 If a student in elocution wishes to make a specialty of it, more than the regular time will be given to her and an extra charge made. MEDALS The “Cordelia Whitehead Medal” has been established by Mr. Z. W. Whitehead of Wilmington, in memory of his mother, and is awarded to the girl who prepares the best graduating essay. COURSES OF STUDY PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT Miss Brown This department is under the charge of a well-trained preparatory teacher. Spelling, Dictation, Language, Reading, Number work, Nature study, Elementary Geography, History of the United States, Penman- ship, and Bible Lessons are taught. PRESCRIBED COURSE This course extends over a period of four years, and includes the following studies, according to the advancement of the pupil. 274 FIRST YEAR Arthmetic, Grammar, History of the United States, Latin, Physiology and Hygiene. SECOND YEAR Algebra begun, English History, Rhetoric, Latin, Physical Geography and Botany. THIRD YEAR Algebra finished, Geometry begun, Ancient History, Literature and Latin. FOURTH YEAR Geometry finished, Modern History, Elizabethan Era, Latin and Mod- ern languages. Entrance examinations are required. Diplomas are conferred upon pupils who successfully complete the four years’ course. MATHEMATICS Miss Loftin The purpose in this course is to give a thorough course in Mathe- matics through Arithmetic, Algebra, and plain and solid Geometry. All students entering the Sophomore, Junior or Senior Class will be required to pass an examination in the work of the preceding year before grad- uating and must be able to explain and solve correctly any ordinary problem in Arithmetic. Freshman Year—Arithmetic, Compound Quantities to percentage, by Colaw and Ellwood; Wentworth’s First Steps in Algebra. Sophomore Year—Arithmetic, by Colaw and Ellwood, continued; Went- worth’s New School Algebra. Junior Year—Algebra completed; Wentworth’s Plain Geometry. Senior Year—Solid Geometry; Review in Higher Mathematics. ENGLISH Miss Hicks The purpose of the course in English is three-fold: To cultivate a taste for good literature; to acquaint the student with the principles and rules of English grammar and composition, so as to insure readi- ness and accuracy in her use of language; and, finally, to prepare her to enter an advanced year at college. From the beginning strict attention is paid to the study of grammar, the classification, inflection and syntax of words. Master pieces of prose and poetry are studied each year and 275 this work is supplemented by a course in English composition and parallel reading, so that the student may become familiar with the spirit and forms of literature. Freshman Year—Grammar; Scott & Denny’s Composition; Rhetoric; Theme Writing; Study of Irving, Hawthorne and other prose writers of this country. Sophomore Year—L’Allegro and II’Penseroso, Carlyle’s Essays; Pris- oner of Chillon, Adonais, Eve of St. Agnes, Enoch Arden, Browning’s Saul, and other selections. Junior Year—Elementary Study of Shakespeare, including the leading plays such as Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, &. Original work is required, and papers must be pre- pared on the plot, thought, characters and story of the play. Senior Year—Tennyson’s In Memoriam, Maud, The Princess and Idyls of the King. An original essay is required of each senior in the course as a requisite for graduation, upon which much time and thought must be put during the year. HISTORY Miss Hicks The object of the course in History is to give the student a fund of historical knowledge which will be both useful to her in life and prepare her for future historical and literary work. Parallel reading on topics of interest connected with the subject under discussion is assigned from time to time and students are required to make written reports of their work, which are read in class. In connection with the historical work each student is required to make geographical maps in order to fix in her mind the location of the places under consideration. Freshman Year—Chambers’ History of the United States; Parallel reading; maps and written reports of work. Sophomore Year—Myers’ History of Greece and Rome; other work as above. Junior Year—Green’s Shorter History of the English People; other work as above; North Carolina History. Senior Year—Myers’ Modern and Mediaeval History; Review by topics of American History, using Hart’s Source Book; Parallel reading, maps, essays &c. LATIN Miss Barden The study of Latin is begun in the first year and covers the entire four years’ course. No preparation is required for entrance; but ac- curacy and thoroughness is required as the study proceeds; and if, 276 after graduation at the James Sprunt Institute, the student desires to pursue her course at college, her preparation will be complete so far as the Institute attempts to go. Freshman Year—Collar and Daniels’ Latin Grammar. Sophomore Year—Collar and Daniels’ Latin Grammar; Caesar begun; Bennett’s Grammar and Composition begun. Junior Year—Caesar; Bennett’s Grammar and Composition continued. Senior Year—Virgil, Cicero. MUSICAL DEPARTMENT Misses Henkel, Wright and Farrior The James Sprunt Institute spares no pains in endeavoring to make its Musical Department equal to any similar work in the country. The faculty is well equipped for the work and every subject is taught that is necessary for the student to know, including Piano, Violin, Voice, Physical Culture and Elocution, Theory and Harmony and Musical History. The regular course extends over four years and at the completion of the course a certificate of proficiency is issued to the student. If the stu- dent enters already advanced she can complete the course and receive her certificate in less time than the four years. Theory and Harmony and Musical History are required before a certificate is granted; but no student is required to take this course unless she desires a certificate. An extra charge is made for this course in case student elects to take it as it is expensive and not ordinarily required in the course of study. COURSE IN PIANO FIRST YEAR First Term—Mathew’s Graded Studies, Book I. Scales begun. Second Term—Mathew’s Studies, Book II. Scales continued. Easy Pieces. Easy duets. SECOND YEAR First Term—Mathew’s Studies, Book III. Cramer, Book I. Scales Continued. Selections from Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words.” Studies by Heller and Bertini and Czerny. Second Term—Mathew’s Studies, Book IV and V. Cramer, Book II. Scales continued Selections from Chopin, Haydn, Mozart. THIRD YEAR First Term—Mathew’s Studies, Books VI and VII. Scales continued. Moscheles, Op. 70, No. 1. Selections from Beethoven, Schumann; Schu- 277 .--.5 === SS bert and other standard composers. Piano Solos and Duos for two MEDALIST pianos. Cora Kornegay “Cordelia Whitehead Medal.” Second Term—Moscheles, Op. 70, Book II. Kullak’s Octave studies. Scales continued. Classic selections from modern composers. Myrtle Jones Kenansville, N. C. FOURTH YEAR Rey. C. G. Vardell Red Springs, N. C. First Term—Clementi’s Gradus ad Parnassum begun. Scales continued. Bach’s inventions and “Well Tempered Clavichord.” Hon. R. D. Gilmer Rabie Ree Second Term—Clementi’s Gradus ad Parnassum continued. Scales continued. Selections from Weber, Liszt, Craig, Tschaikowsky, Lesche- tizky, and other masters. STUDENTS’ ROLL 1905.-’06 Mt. Olive, N. THEORETICAL AND HISTORICAL MUSIC bo Se Spiel Only two years of theoretical and historical music will be given and Barre Ruth none N. this may be taken at any time the student is prepared for it. The course Beasley, Mildred----Kenansville, N. is not required except for those who desire a certificate of proficiency Colvin, om Meet, N in the music department; and no certificate will be awarded without Cooper, Libbie Kenansville, N. i i ‘ Cooper, Ella Kenansville, N. it. The course is as follows: Cooper, Delilah Kenaneville’ N. First Year—Theoretical facts—rudiments of music scale structure, Chambers, Margaret_Kenansville, N. both diatonic and chromatic, various forms of accent as regulated by Moet Serer reraet N the time signature musical vocabulary, graces of embellishments, inter- Farrior, Hettie Kenansville, N. : : Farri i vals. Notes on Music and History. Three dollars per year. Fevvise’ Soe com ie N. Second Year—A bass or simple melody to be harmonized in three Farrior, John A Kenansville, N. or four parts using chords up to and including the dominant seventh; is cal > sey pas Cadences, Analysis of Chords, Transposition, the elements of Form and Farrior, Kenneth_---Kenansville, N. Analysis. Crowest’s Story of the Art of Music. Ten dollars per year. Hab saa pant N Ferrill, Sallie Kenansville, N. VOICE A Ferrill, Lloyd Kenansville, N. ND, VIOLIN Henry, Etta Long Creek, N. Instruction in voice and violin is given to all students desiring it and Herring, Minnie 1, neville, N ena > . the fees for this will be found elsewhere in the Catalogue. This depart- Jones, Etta Pink Hill, N. ment has been a strong feature of concerts and commencement exercises, hay Somme My nes, enansville, N. and the James Sprunt Orchestra adds much to these occasions. In fact Jones, Kenansville, N. the department of music at the James Sprunt Institute is as good as that Jones, Kenansville, N. f SFE ee fi , > Johnson, Maye Tomahawk, N. of any institution of its class and the work is being broadened and ex- Kornegay, Cora Kenansville, N. tended every year. Rotwagey, Irene Kenansville, N. ornegay, Hattie Albertson, N. COMMENCEMENT 1906 Loftin, Sadie. Kenansville, N. a Loftin, Maria Kenansville, N. 2 GRADUATES Loftin, Martha Kenansville, N. Mary Colvin Atkinson, N. C. Loftin, Adrian Kenansville, N. Etta Jones Pink Hill, N. C. Loftin, Hilda Kenansville, N. Turner, May Kenansville, N. Cora Kornegay Kenansville, N. C. Loftin, Bettie Bowden, N. Williams, Pearl Kenansville, N. Edna Robinson Delta, N. C. McKay, Louine Folsom, N. C. Williams, Emily Clinton, N. Kate Sutton Calypso, N. C. Mallard, Ella Kenansville, N. C. Worley, Bessie Pink Hill, N. Kenansville, N. C. Mallard, Liston Kenansville, N. C. Weeks, Annie Rosindale, N. Jacksonville, N. C. (From Annual Catalogue, 1906-’07.) Moore, Katie Turkey, N. C. Murray, Maggie Magnolia, N. McLaurin, Inez___--- Kenansville, N. Newton, Catherine Magnolia, N. Newton, Mary Kenansville, N. Newton, Alton Kenansville, N. Newton, Katie Kenansville, N. Peirce, Sallie. Warsaw, N. Page, Kittie Page, Effie Petteway, Nannie--_Jacksonville, N. Pridgen, Mattie Warsaw, N. Pridgen, Christine Powell, Corrinne Quinn, Ella Chinquapin, N. Quinn, Gertrude Chinquapin, N. Quinn, Floy Kenansville, N. Quinn, Mat Kenansville, N. Robinson, Edna Royall, Madge. Kenansville, N. Royall, Christine__-_Kenansyville, N. Sutton, Kate Calypso, N. Shine, Pattie Faison, N. Shine, Lucy Kenansville, N. Shine, Georgia Kenansville, N. Shaw, Ruth Kenansville, N. Shaw, Rosa Lee Maysville, N. Smith, Katherine____Kenansville, N. Southerland, Susie___Kenansville, N. Southerland, Annie May Kenansville, N. Southerland, Lucy.__Kenansville, N. Southerland, Elbert__Kenansville, N. Southerland, Pattie__Kenansville, N. Southerland, Bettie._Kenansville, N. Thomas, Sue__..------Shallotte, N. Thomas, Dora Shallotte, N. Taylor, Nannie Mt. Olive, N. Thompson, Leah__---Jacksonville, N. Thompson, Louise---Jacksonville, N. Turner, Bertha Kenansville, N. v- nn on om MOM AAMAAAAANANANANA ANNAANNANHANOANHANANHANANMANAN mEPPAMAAAAAAAAAAAA ANAAAAAHAAAHHANH HAHAHA AAAAAHAAH 279 nt ee ee ee a a es ae GROVE INSTITUTE SUCCESSOR TO JAMES SPRUNT INSTITUTE During the year 1918 the Presbytery changed the name of the school, at the request of the Trustees, from James Sprunt Institute to Grove Institute. In choosing the new name they were guided in part by a desire to perpetuate the name and history of the old Grove Academy, a male school organized and chartered about the year 1786, and which continued its noble work until after the Civil War. The present girls’ school was a female Seminary under private ownership long before the Presbytery assumed charge in 1896. Thus the work of the two schools merged somewhat in our new name, has continued under one name or the other without interruption for about one hundred and thirty years. We hope to maintain and perpetuate the noble ideals and traditions of the past. (Grove Institute Catalog, 1922-1923.) GROVE INSTITUTE 1921 CLOSING EXERCISES GROVE INSTITUTE Kenansville, N. C. May 2lst, 22nd, 23rd, 24th Commencement Sermon, Sunday, 11. a.m. Presbyterian Church By Rev. George Mathis MARSHALS: Chief, Sadie Robeson Carol Williams Virginia Outlaw Helen Maultsby Nancy Sidbury PROGRAM, SATURDAY, 8 p. m. Frank-Lynes Priszonka Ella Quinn 280 Humoresque Nursery Rhymes Erena Williams, Polly Gavin, Margaret Jones Recitation—As Father Used to Make L’Avalanche S’cherze (a) Punchinello (b) Spring Flowers Consolation Sonata in C Major (a) Voices of Spring (b) Behrend Open Thy Lattice (b) Louis Gregh Alice Carter Reading—Mrs. McGloggerty on Roller Skates Zena May Gibson CLASS DAY EXERCISES, MONDAY 5 p. m. Address of Welcome Dorothy McDowell Senior Class Beulah Carr Annie L. Fisher Augusta Martin Audrey Alphin Celesti Weeks Constance Harrelson Beatrice Towsend PROGRAM, MONDAY, 8 p. m. Chorus—Gondolier Song everie (a) Caprice (b) A Whispered Vow By the School Engleman A Japanese Fantasy I Wonder Why. : Vivian Pittman Telewiiqeiebsintidd 2is5iis pete ciaeiamaeitids, atest ue Stroebbog Sara Anderson, Constance Harrelson, Myrtle Burch i We Ch. Strickland Syble Wagner PLAY—PATSY FROM DAKOTA (In Three Acts) CAST OF CHARACTERS Mrs. Leroy Madison—one of the Four Hundred I : Sadie Robeson Patricia Greyson—her niece just from the West Helen Maultsby 281 On ee nm —-— Mrs. Rebecca Repeter—Spending the Winter with Mrs. Madison Rachel Davis Mrs. Brandon Makepeace—who finds Mrs. Repeter “Difficult” Tiffany Rich Miss Virginia Carter—ready for any emergency Charlotte Evans Miss Ethelyn Astor—the pink of Fashion Carol Williams Countesse Duval—a Parisian visiting Miss Astor Lucile Johnson Louis Duval—her cousin, in business in America Thelma DeVane Miss Kurgus—a “Lady Reporter” Alice Carter Celestine—the Ideal Maid Bennie Sidbury Place—New York. Time—tThe Present. SYNOPSIS: Act I. Drawing Room of Mrs. Madison’s House. Patricia Greyson, born and reared in Dakota, having just lost her father, comes to New York to live with her aunt, a member of “the 400.” Patricia tries to get accustomed to the ways of New York Life. Act II. Tea Room in Miss Astor’s House, 2 months later. Patricia is quite changed, and is fitting into New York Social life. She thinks it no harm to monopolize Mr. Duval, who is supposed to be in love with Miss Astor, and thereby worries her aunt and other visiting ladies. Act II]. Same as in Act I. 2 years later. Everything happens wrong for everybody, except Patricia and Mr. Duval. They seem to be satisfied. PROGRAM, TUESDAY, 10:30 a m. Graduating Exercises Song by Choral Class—Roses Whistling Solo Syble Wagner Carmena—Wilson Augusta Martin Lucile Page Constance Harrelson Essay—The School of Life Syble Wagner Felice—Lieurance Constance Harrelson Delivery of Diplomas Awarding of Honors. Announcements Song by Choral Class—Humoresque Benediction GRADUATING CLASS: Audrey Alphin, Sara Anderson, Rosalyle Bonum, Lois Bordeaux, Myrtle Burch, Aniese Cromartie, Beulah Carr, Margaret Davis, Sallie Davis, Annie Louise Fisher, Zena May Gibson, Constance Harrelson, Thelma Jones, Dorothy McDowell, Faison McGowen, Augusta Martin, Mary Nicholson, Lucile Page, Cleora Quinn, Eleanor Robinson, Beatrice Townsend, Lucy Wells, Celestia Weeks, Syble Wagner. Concert By The Pupils at Grove Institute, Kenansville May 19th, 1923, at 8 o’clock Miss H. E. WOODRUFF, DIRECTOR PROGRAMME Piano Duett—“Qui Vive Galop” Misses Martha Bowden and Margaret Jones Piano Solo—“Star of Hope” Kennedy Song—“In Old Madrid” Trotere Mary Ellis Beasley Piano Solo—‘“In High Spirits” Sara Brown 282 Piano Solo—“Mazurba” Quartette—“Beauteous Night” Misses Bowden—Beasley—Craig—Bradshaw Piano Solo—“Serenade” Piano Solo—‘Bell Tones” Song—“Serenade” Piano Solo—“Con Amone” Piano Solo—“Tarantella” Margaret Jones Quartette Waltz—“The Students” 3 Misses Bowden—Beasley—Craig—Bradshaw Piano Solo—“Capricante” Martha Bowden CURRENT HISTORY JAMES SPRUNT INSTITUTE When a well-conceived idea is supported and implemented by an ener- getic and capable group of citizens, something important is sure to happen. This is the story of James Sprunt Institute near Kenansville. The idea was that the agricultural, business and industrial community of Duplin County needed trained technicians and skilled craftsmen and that high school graduates and working adults wanted the opportunity to develop these talents; accordingly, there should be a college-level institution to provide this training. Spearheaded by Dr. Dallas Herring, Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education, and O. P. Johnson, then Superintendent of the Public Schools in Duplin County, the first extension unit of the state’s rapidly growing system of industrial education centers was created in 1960 at Rose Hill and named the Duplin County Unit of the Golds- boro Industrial Education Center. Russell Swindell of the staff in Raleigh and Kenneth Marshall, then Director of the Goldsboro Industrial Edu- cation Center, started a program of instruction in Automobile Mechanics in an abondoned agricultural shop behind the Rose Hill Elementary School. Paul Johnson, Automobile Mechanics Instructor at the Bur- lington Industrial Education Center, selected the equipment for the shop and Leon Mobley and Laverne Pickett were employed as part-time instructors for an evening program to train automobile mechanics. Evening instruction for the poultry industry as well as other short- term courses in business and industrial trades such as electrical wiring were soon initiated. Practical Nurse Education was added in the fall of 1962 with the employment of a full-time instructor, Mrs. Susan Saunders. Graduating a class of 12 in July, 1963, the nursing graduates scored the highest 283 ee ar Sere tong 26 a OF in the state on the Licensed Practical Nursing Examination adminis- tered by the North Carolina State Board of Nursing. Not only was the class average the highest, but Mrs. Mary Murphy made the highest individual score that year. In the fall of 1963, soon after the passage of the Community College Act by the State General Assembly which absorbed the industrial edu- cation centers and created technical institutes and community colleges under the control of the North Carolina State Board of Education, Preston Raiford, Director of the Duplin Development Commission, real- ized the advantage of having a technical training facility in Duplin County as an asset in recruiting new industry to the county. Under Raiford’s leadership, a group of Duplin County citizens toured Wayne Technical Institute (formerly Goldsboro Industrial Education Center) in Goldsboro, North Carolina, returning home with plans for the develop- ment of a technical institute in Duplin County. On March 2, 1964, a delegation of twenty persons met with the Board of County Commissioners to express their interest in the establishment of an adult education program for Duplin County. Among the mem- bers of the delegation were: P. B. Raiford, Executive Director of the County Industrial Commission; C. W. Surratt, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Industrial Commission; and Garland P. King, Vice Chairman of the Industrial Commission. Members of the Educa- tion Committee of the Industrial Commission were present and included D. D. Blanchard, Chairman, Willard L. Westbrook, W. D. Thigpen, R. L. Pruitt, W. G. Britt, and Harvey Braddy. Reverend Lauren Sharpe, Mayor of Kenansville, and several interested citizens were among the group. This group urged the Board of Commissioners to purchase prop- erty that might be utilized as a technical institute. Meeting in joint session two weeks later, the Board of County Com- missioners and the Board of Education voted unanimously to expand the adult education program operating as a branch of the Wayne Technical Institute with the Duplin County branch to be re-named the James Sprunt Institute for the celebrated Civil War chaplain, educator, county official and Presbyterian minister. Dixon Hall was named Director of the school. Members of the Duplin County Commissioners included J. W. Hoffler, Chairman; Kenneth G. Grady; Murphy Simpson; Lott Kornegay; and J. B. Stroud. Members of the County Board of Education were: D. D. Blanchard, Chairman; Russell Brock; William F. Dail; E. E. Rogers; and James F. Strickland. On April 6, 1964, members of the two boards met again in joint session and named the following advisory committee to assist the Direc- tor in development of James Sprunt Institute: Frank Steed, Jr.; C. H. 284 Millard; Fred Graves; Elbert Davis; Mrs. Willard Westbrook; Jack Patterson; Ray Franklin Smith; Calvin Mercer; Arliss Albertson; Gor- don B. Thigpen; I. J. Sandlin, Jr.; Mrs. Agnes Ives; Rifton M. Raynor; Willis Batts; Mrs. Frank Blanchard; Lloyd McGowen; Freeman Marsh- burn; H. M. Price; David A. Chestnutt; and David John Kilpatrick. Lauren Sharpe was later appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Com- mittee. Campus Purchased In August of 1964, a 5l-acre tract of land was purchased 114 miles south of Kenansville on Highway 11 by the Duplin County Board of Education with an appropriation from the Duplin County Commissioners. Cost of the land purchased from Lloyd Ferrell was $18,000. An offer from the State to sell the prison property to the county for $30,462 for use by the school was turned down as being too expensive. The library building was moved to the campus and added to the tenant house already on the property to provide temporary administrative office space for the school until permanent facilities were completed and occupied in the fall of 1966. Teaching What People Want to Learn By this time, classes had been initiated in each one of the 13 town- ships of the county and some 500 part-time students were attending classes in vocational and technical education, adult basic education and the arts and humanities. In the fall of 1964, a program in Business Administration and Secretarial Science was added to the curricula. Busi- ness Administration and Secretarial Science were taught in the Kenans- ville Elementary School and a programmed learning laboratory was added with rented facilities, utilizing the C. E. Quinn Building in Kenans- ville. In January, 1965, a 20-member survey team was appointed by the Director to survey business and industry in the county to determine the demands by employers and students for occupational education. Members of the team, chaired by Dennis Ramsey of Ramsey Feed Com- pany in Rose Hill were: O. C. Blanchard, B & R Frozen Foods, Wallace; I. J. Sandlin, I. J. Sandlin General Merchandise, Beulaville; B. E. Bryan, President, Calypso Plywood Company, Inc., Calypso; Merritt O. Watson, Manager, Rose Hill Poultry Corporation, Rose Hill; James Albert Brady, Personnel Manager, J. P. Stevens Company, Wallace; H. M. Price, Southmont Manufacturing Company, Rose Hill; J. L. Nichols, President, Wallace Sewing Company, Wallace; Dr. Corbett L. Quinn, Magnolia; Dr. Glen Rasmussen, Kenansville; Dr. Mett Ausley, Warsaw; Wilma 285 = SSS ‘ On ee ee a —- Pate, Supervisor of Nurses, Duplin General Hospital; Ruth Grady, Edi- tor, Duplin Times, Kenansville; L. Vince Lowe, Branch Banking and Trust Company, Wallace; Milford Quinn, Quinn Wholesale Company, Warsaw; Dr. Oscar L. Redwine, Kenansville; Larry McCullen, Mack Oil Company, Warsaw; Vernon Reynolds, County Agriculture Agent, Kenans- ville; Leona Brown, Brown’s Beauty Shop, Kenansville; and Dallas Herring, Heritage Design Service, Rose Hill. Consultant for the team was Dr. Joseph Nerden of North Carolina State University. The survey results indicated a positive need for a community college in Duplin County. Of 752 businesses surveyed, some 80% responded and nearly 90% of the high school students responded to the survey. First Building In the spring of 1965, funds were appropriated by the Duplin County Board of Commissioners for the construction of a building. Herbert McKim of the firm, Ballard, McKim, and Sawyer Architects was em- ployed to design and supervise construction of the $265,000 plant. Funds were provided from the existing county tax structure without a tax increase or bond issue. The 22,000 square-foot building was com- pleted in the fall of 1966 and was equipped to house these educational programs: Practical Nurse Education, Drafting, Radio and Television Servicing, Commercial Art, Cosmetology, Agricultural Business, Poul- try and Livestock, Business Administration, Executive Secretarial, the library and administrative offices, and the student lounge area. Instruc- tional and administrative salaries, supplies, and equipment were pro- vided by State funds appropriated by the General Assembly with the able assistance of Representative Hugh Johnson and Senator Leroy Simmons. Trustees Appointed By the fall of 1967, it became apparent to the State leadership that James Sprunt Institute should become an independent institution separate from Wayne Technical Institute and an eight-member Board of Trustees was appointed to oversee the institute program. The four members ap- pointed by the County Board of Commissioners and their term of office were: J. Willard Hoffler, June 30, 1969; Hugh S. Johnson, June 30, 1971; A. P. Cates, June 30, 1973; and F. W. McGowan, June 30, 1975. The four members appointed by the Duplin County Board of Education and their initial term of office were: Leroy Simmons, June 30, 1971; James F. Strickland, 1973; Mrs. Edward L. Boyette, 1975; and O. P. Johnson, 1969. Charles H. Yelverton was appointed in July, 1969, to succeed QO. P. Johnson who resigned. Willard Hoffler was re-appointed 286 for an 8-year term in 1969. At the first meeting of the board in Sep- tember, 1967, James F. Strickland was elected Chairman and J. Willard Hoffler was elected Vice-Chairman. Second Building With the enrollment increasing at a rapid rate upon the completion of the first permanent home in the fall of 1966, it became apparent to the staff and President of James Sprunt Institute that another facility would be needed by the fall of 1970. A public meeting was held in the court- room of the courthouse to discuss long-range plans of the Institute with the people and members of the County Board of Commissioners, County Board of Education and the Duplin Development Commission in the spring of 1967. Within the next year, a plan for financing the second building was developed. The county would provide $106,000; the State would provide $108,000 in equipment; and the Economic Development Administration in Washington, D. C., a division of the United States Department of Commerce, agreed to match the State and county contri- bution with a $214,000 grant that was announced on April 6, 1968. Much assistance was provided by J. D. Foust of the State Department of Community Colleges in Raleigh; Charles Edwards of the Economic Development Administration; and the Honorable David N. Henderson, Congressman, Third District, from Wallace. Construction began in June, 1968, on the 18,000 square foot building that was completed in August of 1970. The new facility provided space to expand the educational programs in Commercial Art, Radio and Tele- vision Repair, and to house programs previously operated in temporary facilities. Automobile Mechanics was transferred from temporary facili- ties at B. F. Grady School. Welding was transferred from a student- constructed temporary facility on campus and the Building Trades pro- grams in Electrical Wiring, Carpentry, and Masonry were transferred from the Magnolia Elementary School campus. Taking the School to the People Permanent facilities are provided by the Duplin County Board of Education for off-campus centers that provide instruction in occupational education, literacy education for adults, general interest courses, and adult high school diploma programs. Two centers are in operation at Albertson and Chinquapin in former public school buildings. Advisory committees at each center raise funds for maintenance of the facilities and recommend to the Institute the courses to be taught at the center. Chairman of the Albertson Adult Education Center Advisory Com- mittee is Rodney Kornegay, while the Chairman of the Chinquapin Ad- 287 em me a ee ee visory Committee is Jerry Hatcher. A third center is to begin during the 1970-71 school year at Rose Hill with eventual “permanent” centers to be established in each one of the 13 townships. Supplementing the off-campus centers are borrowed facilities from business, industry, government, and civic organizations. The prison department provides four buildings for occupational education, literacy education, and an adult high school diploma program for inmates housed in the Duplin County Unit of the North Carolina Department of Cor- rection. National Spinning Company near Warsaw provides space in the plant for personnel who desire to complete their high school diploma or take general interest courses in a programmed materials laboratory staffed and equipped by the Institute. Each one of the 14 volunteer fire departments in the county provides space for fire fighting instruction and general interest courses requested by members of the community. In addition to this, the volunteer firemen have donated funds for the material cost of a fire tower on the James Sprunt Institute campus that was constructed by students enrolled in building trades programs. Ernest Taylor donated heavy equipment for the construction of a pond for draft water to accompany the Fire Service Training program on campus. Other facilities are provided upon request by churches, schools, and commercial institutions to enhance the Institute’s ability to “teach the people what they want to learn, when they want to learn, and where they want to learn.” Enrollment With an enrollment in excess of 600 full-time equivalent students during the 1969-70 school year, it is anticipated that by 1974 the school will house some 1000 full-time equivalent students in a variety of edu- cational programs. Occupational programs currently offered (1970-1971 school year) include Plumbing, Masonry, Carpentry, Electrical Installa- tion and Maintenance, Cosmetology, Mechanical Drafting, Fire Service, Welding, Automobile Mechanics, Practical Nurse Education, Radio and Television Repair, Commercial Art, Business Administration, Executive Secretarial, Library Assistant, Poultry and Livestock Technology and Agricultural Business. In addition to occupational education, a one-year transfer program is offered to students who desire to complete the fresh- man year and transfer as a sophomore to the upper levels of a college or university. Short-term courses are also available to the general adult populace on demand. Specialized training in Police Science, Fire Service 288 Training, New Industry Training, and other programs on request are available at a time and place convenient to the people. New programs to be added include: Registered Nursing, Automobile Body Repair, Machinists, Farm Machinery Repair, Diesel Mechanics, Electronic Data Processing, Accounting, Legal Secretarial, Medical Secre- tarial, and sophomore year of the college transfer program. The variety of educational programs from literacy education to sophis- ticated technologies that are dispersed throughout the Duplin County community enhance the school’s ability to put into practice the philoso- phy of North Carolina’s Community College Systems so eloquently stated by Dr. W. Dallas Herring, Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education, who says: “The only valid philosophy for North Carolina is the philosophy of total education; a belief in the incomparable worth of all human beings, whose claims upon the State are equal before the law and equal before the bar of public opinion; whose talents, (however great or however limited or however different from the traditional), the state needs and must develop to the fullest possible degree. That is why the doors to the institutions in North Carolina’s System of Community Colleges must never be closed to anyone of suitable age who can learn what they teach. We must take the people where they are and carry them as far as they can go within the assigned function of the system. If they cannot read, then we will simply teach them to read and make them proud of their achievement. If they did not finish high school but have a mind to do it, then we will offer them a high school education at a time and a place convenient to them and at a price within their reach. If their talent is technical or vocational, then we will simply offer them instruction, whatever the field, however complex or however simple, that will provide them with the knowledge and the skills they can sell in the marketplaces of our state, and thereby contribute to its scien- tific and industrial growth. If their needs are in the great tradition of liberal education, then we will simply provide them the instruction, extending through two years of standard college work, which will enable them to go on to the university or to senior college and on into life in numbers unheard of before in North Carolina. If their needs are for cultural advancement, intellectual growth or civic understanding, then we will simply make available to them the wisdom of the ages and the en- lightenment of our own times and help them on to maturity.” Buildings Dedicated Attorney General Robert A. Morgan was the keynote speaker for the 289 dedication of the two buildings on September 16, 1970, at the noon ceremonies attended by some 400 people. James F. Strickland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, made the dedicatory remarks and named the buildings in honor of a Faison Wells McGowen and William Dallas Herring. The first building to be com- pleted was named the McGowen Building and the newest facility was named the Herring Building. (By Dixon S. Hall, President.) James Sprunt Institute was accredited by the State Board of Educa- cation on December 3, 1970, under its new policy on accreditation. It was one of three technical institutes accredited at this time. 2 5 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE e VISIBLE IN DUPLIN COUNTY May 28, 1900 A major eclipse here was on May 28, 1900—70 years ago. Since there were no radios and televisions and very few newspapers at that time, most people in Duplin had no advance information about it. Conse- quently, many people were very frightened because they thought that the end of time had come. Mr. Thomas J. McGowen, father of one of the editors, told about the 1900 eclipse. He said that as the sky became dark, cows came to the barn as if it were night. Chickens went to the chicken house and got on the roost. Laborers working in the fields came to the house. People were deeply concerned over this unexpected Occurrence. There were some individuals whose eyes were permanently damaged by watching the sun during that eclipse in 1900. Total Solar Eclipse on March 7, 1970 This eclipse was no surprise to the people of Duplin. For several weeks the news media prepared us for the event. Capable people talked over radio and television and wrote articles informing us about what to expect and exactly when to expect it. They explained the procedure for watching the eclipse without injuring the eyes. On March 5, 1970, the Wallace Enterprise carried an article prepared by R. M. Helms, Professor of Physics at East Carolina University. Here We see some excerpts from this article: . “Bailey’s beads are perhaps the most spectacular view during total eclipse. Just as the moon covers, or uncovers the disc of the Sun there appears to be a thread of the Sun’s circumference and this thread has irregularly spaced beads as the Sun’s light passes through valleys between mountains at the Moon’s edge. Sometimes there will be a single brilliant bead, and the phenomenon is called the ‘diamond ring.’ Due to liberation of the angle of approach, the phenomenon of Bailey’s beads is different for various eclipses. For this eclipse, the beads will not be prominent at beginning of totality, but should be seen at the end of totality. 291 A te ee ee ang ae “Perhaps the most dramatic phenomenon of a total eclipse is the red flash, lasting only a second. This is the result of the Moon covering the Sun’s disk, but not the chromosphere. At that instant the brilliant red of hydrogen-alpha emission is seen. Presence of Bailey’s beads is detri- mental to the red flash. Helium was first discovered by study of the red flash spectrum in 1868, long before its discovery on Earth in Po es eee As people learned more about what to expect, they became more and more excited. Since Duplin County was in the path of the eclipse, Duplinites made special preparation for viewing. They also invited out- siders to join them in the watch. The Wallace Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and the Wallace Moose Lodge sponsored an observation station at the Wallace Municipal Airport. Among the hundreds of visitors, there were some from New Hampshire, Wyoming, Illinois, Maryland, Iowa, South Carolina, and other states. The Boy Scouts of Croatan District joined together to view the eclipse with an Observe-O-Rama Camporee at Wallace, across from the Airport. Warsaw was host to some scientists from Ohio and also a chartered bus load of students from Independence High School in Charlotte. During this weekend, many Duplin homes held open house to out- siders from Western North Carolina and from other states. At the editors’ home, a large group of children and grown-ups devised their own methods and observed the eclipse. They simply used two pieces of white paper held about a foot apart and facing the sun. The pieces of paper nearest the sun had a small hole in it. The eclipse showed through the hole and on the second piece of paper. The viewer stood with his back to the sun. The progress of the eclipse was visible. The total eclipse was along a path 85 to 100 miles wide. The center of totality passed near Wallace and Warsaw. The total solar eclipse occurred in the Wallace area at 1:31—30 P. M. EST. The duration of the totally eclipsed sun was 176 seconds. As the moon covered the sun, gray evening twilight appeared. The temperature dropped. When the sun was fully covered, darkness pre- vailed. Street lights automatically came on. (A farmer told us that his chickens went to roost and his pigs went to their beds as if it were night.) People traveling in cars turned on their lights. Some stars were visible. It was cold outside. As totality ended and the sun began to shine partially again, there was gray twilight and the temperature began to rise. Street lights went out. Some people observed the eclipse on television. It was wonderful to behold. During the two minutes and fifty-six seconds of total eclipse, bright 292 streamers were seen flowing out from the edge of the sun. They were the sun’s corona—flaming gas thousands of degrees hot and stretched out millions of miles into space. A young person observed the Eclipse at Warsaw in 1970 and wrote about it as follows: . . . “Like many others, I was excited over being in the path of the total solar eclipse. I got a large brown box and made a sunscope from which I could view the eclipse. I taped a sheet of white paper on one end of the inside of the box. This would serve as a screen. On the other end I taped a small piece of aluminum foil with a pinhole in the center of it. On the side of the box, I cut a hole large enough for me to put my head through. When it was almost time for the eclipse to occur, I went outside and stood with my back to the sun and the box over my head. From this position, I viewed the eclipse. “At first, a small white crescent appeared on the white piece of paper. This crescent gradually decreased in size until it finally disappeared. When this happened, I knew that totality had begun. I slipped the box off my head and turned to glance at the sun. “When I looked, I saw a large black ball, the moon, of course, with the sun’s bright corona surrounding it. This was truly a spectacular sight. In a few minutes, however, totality ended and I quickly slipped the box back on my head. Once again the white crescent appeared and grew larger and larger until the inside of the box was filled with a brilliant glare. The eclipse had ended. “Although many have studied the stars, and so many have stood in wonder and amazement viewing an eclipse, not one of us could cause such a phenomenon to happen. ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and earth.’ Genesis 1:1. ‘For by Him were all things created that are in heaven.’ Colossians 1:16a. ‘Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things.’ Isaiah 40:26a.” (By Betty Jo Page.) The next total eclipse of the sun here will be on April 8, 2024. Many of us will not be present on that date. Betty Joe Page and other Duplin County graduates of 1970 will probably view again God’s handiwork with awe and admiration. May they again lift up their eyes and “behold Him who hath created these things.” The Editors GLIMPSES OF COUNTRY LIFE IN 26 DUPLIN COUNTY DURING THE FIRST e PART OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (The names used in this section are fictitious; the incidents mentioned herein are true. ) Dickson was reared on a farm in Duplin County. Some of his earliest recollections are about Santa Claus, Christmas dinners, and geese! He thought the little goslings that were hatched out in the spring of the year were beautiful. Some of his most vivid recollections are about holding geese for his mother and his aunt to pick them. The old ganders were bad about biting when their feathers were being pulled out. (The feathers were used for making feather beds, pillows, and bolsters. ) Dickson liked watermelon. His dad always had a big patch, and usually had some ripe melons by July 4. When Dickson was small, he ran away from his mother and went to the watermelon patch, which was quite a distance from the house and beyond a corn field. He pulled a big melon from the vine, but he was too small to carry it. He began trying to roll it on the ground and soon gave out, sat down on the watermelon and started bawling aloud. His mother missed him and began looking for him in the field. She soon heard his woeful cries and found him sitting on the melon. She took the melon and carried it to the house, sliced it open and gave her little boy a piece of it. He thoroughly enjoyed it. A few years later Dickson could eat a half of a big melon, scrape the rind, and drink the juice. Dickson’s mother made delicious watermelon rind pickles and pre- serves. She canned these for the winter months. Dickson’s dad also grew cantaloupes. Dickson remembers going to Kenansville with his dad while the new courthouse was under construction in 1911-1912. He thought that the yellow bricks and pinkish mortar joints were simply beautiful. Dickson also remembers the “bone yard” just south of the Kenansville Baptist Church. On the “bone yard” horses and mules were tied to trees 294, and hitching posts while their owners attended court and looked after their business. : During court weeks a number of fish carts were parked on the “bone yard.” The owners sold fish. They cooked bread and dressed and cooked fish to sell to the people. (That was before Duplin County had sani- tarians. ) i Horse traders swapped horses and mules on the “bone yard. The people of Duplin County enjoyed getting together one day in August to celebrate the Old Soldiers’ Reunion. This was probably the greatest social event of the whole year. Each year an outstanding speaker addressed the crowd in the court- room. Band music was enjoyed before and after the speech. Then fol- lowed a delectable picnic lunch on a long table near the spring. There was a baseball game in the afternoon. Scattered about the grounds were lemonade stands. For five cents one could buy a good glass of cold lemonade. There was much conversation and fellowship. The old soldiers wore their gray uniforms. These men were cherished above all others present. Two or three thousand people usually attended the Old Soldiers’ Reunion. During the fall and winter months Dickson had to “tote” lightwood and oakwood from the woodpile in the back yard to the woodboxes in the kitchen, and in the living room and bedroom. Dickson’s mother had a small deep skillet in which she heated water in the fireplace every night with which to wash the children’s feet. The fire in the fireplace was punched and stirred with a metal fire poker that was made from an old sword, from which the handle had been cut off. Dickson’s father said that his father, who worked at the Arms F actory in Kenansville, secured this old sword there. Dickson enjoyed assisting his mother in getting up orders for a com- pany. A catalog containing numerous cooking utensils, dishes, household Supplies, etc., was shown to friends, neighbors and kinsmen, who were asked to place an order for items they needed from the catalog. His mother consolidated these orders and sent them to the company. For her services the company permitted her to select a set of dishes, a cut glass water set, a pitcher and bowl set, or other household items. The merchandise was shipped by freight to Dickson’s mother in a big 295 ~~ on non om ow een a Oe box, or in a big barrel. When it arrived it was unpacked and the items were delivered to the persons who had ordered them. They paid for the merchandise when it was delivered, and Dickson’s mother remitted to the company, retaining the merchandise which she had selected for her services. Dickson remembers that for getting up these orders he and his mother received two sets of china, various bowls and berry sets, a cut glass lemonade set, a washbowl and pitcher set, and other household items. ee Shopping in the early part of the twentieth century was not like shopping today. Travel by horse and buggy was rather slow. Nobody ran to town for a spool of thread. It was a well-planned, all-day trip. They carried a memorandum and spent hours at Margolis and Brooks’ Department Store and at L. P. Best’s Store, and others. Clothes for the whole season were purchased on that day because they would not go shopping again in several months. A little later on when people had cars, they went shopping about once a month. Those first cars would go fast—up to thirty-five miles per hour! The shopping tour was different from the trading tour. Farmers drove to near-by towns and villages for the purpose of trading. Dickson’s mother sent her husband to town on Saturdays with some chickens, eggs, butter, homemade syrup, honey, hams, etc., to pay for the staple groceries and for necessities on her memorandum. (This usually in- cluded cloth for bonnets and aprons, plow points, hoe handles, etc. ) If the commodities carried to the merchant amounted to more than the merchandise bought, then a due bill was given showing the amount of credit on the next trading trip. In those days, salesmen often came by and sold their wares. Fre- quently they spent the night. The Watkins Products salesman came by two or three times per year. He always managed to arrive at Dickson’s home late in the afternoon so that he could spend the night. He had a large covered wagon drawn by two big horses. These were taken out from the wagon, watered, put into stables, and fed fodder and corn. After a “company” supper was over, the family looked at the salesman’s products. The mother usually bought some flavoring extracts, black pepper, salve, etc. The next morning after a good breakfast of ham, eggs, grits, fried sweet potatoes, biscuits, and coffee, he was on his way. Dickson enjoyed taking a jug of fresh, cool water to his dad who was plowing crops down in the field. The refreshing water came from the old well in the yard. This well had a curb around it. Water was 296 drawn from the well in a bucket attached to a wooden hand pole that was fastened at the top to the long heavy well sweep. This sweep was pivoted to the top of a tall post. Dickson learned to plow while he was a small boy and thoroughly enjoyed breaking the fields in the spring of the year with a two-horse plow. He communed with nature as the plow turned the top soil over. He especially enjoyed siding the crops with a cotton plow with sweeps. There was never a dull moment as he guided the plow and observed the soil it pushed and turned over to cover up small weeds and grass and to put a small ridge to the growing crops. Many people living in Duplin County during the early 1900’s can well remember the first time they ever saw a car, an airplane, a radio or a television. When Dickson was very small, he knew nothing about any of these. What would it be like not to have cars, airplanes, radios, Or television today? : Dickson remembers when the first radio came to his community. Sev- eral families including Dickson’s family visited a neighbor who shad purchased a radio with ear phones. Dickson thought his time to listen would never come. What a thrill to hear voices coming through space from such a long distance. They were listening to Station KDKA. Some of the conveniences that we now have were unheard of during the first part of this century. We didn’t have freezers and we didn’t have refrigerators. Many bought a big block of ice and wrapped it in newspapers or in sawdust. Some used old-fashioned ice boxes. Most families did have ice cream freezers that they turned by hand. They froze the cream on Sunday morning, packed it with salt and extra ice, securely wrapped it, and went on to church. In the fall of the year, Dickson and his kinsmen and friends would get some big acorns, remove the acorn meat with a knife, get a small reed for a pipe stem, and smoke rabbit tobacco in the pipe. This was @ good smoke. Rabbit tobacco was a weed that grew wild on the farm. Sometimes a corn cob pipe was used. Also, in the fall of the year, Dickson and his friends would go to the woods and look for chinquapin bushes and trees. There were some of these bushes and trees on the farm. The nuts were gathered and Carried to the house. These were good to eat. Occasionally some of the nuts were boiled and strung with a needle and thread. Dickson enjoyed taking some chinquapins in his pockets to school. 297 ea — ee eee } ' ) | | + ee te eee ey —- # Dickson’s early recollections about school did not include school buses. He had to walk more than three miles to get to school. He carried his first grade reader in one hand and his little lunch bucket in the other. During the winter months when the days were shorter, Dickson would leave home before sunrise and return home after sunset. he did his homework by a lightwood and oak wood fire in and by an oil lamp. The school house was heated by a wood stove. The boys had to go into the near-by woods and cut the wood with an the school house. After supper the fireplace axe and bring it to The students drank water from a dipper or from their individual collapsible drinking cups. At recess and during most of the lunch hour, games. Bought playground equipment was unheard played baseball, hopscotch, marbles, etc. was riding the flying jenny! Dickson and the other boys cut down a pine tree on the school grounds, leaving the stump about five feet above the ground. Then they sawed around this stump about twelve inches from the top, and with an axe they split off the outside wood so as to form a spindle about 21% inches in diameter in the center of the stump. About twenty-five feet of the tree which had been sawed off was cut and trimmed. A large hole was bored in the middle of this log to fit the spindle left on the stump. Thus the flying jenny was ready for use. Several children could get on each end of the log and others would push it around and around, getting up considerable speed. This same contrivance has been called a flying mare, a merry-go-round, and a carrousel. Whatever it was called, it was real pleasure for school children! When Dickson reached the third grade, his parents sent him to another public school in the county seat. This was a one-teacher school taught by a very capable lady, Mrs. M. H. Wooten, the wife of the county superintendent. She taught students from the first grade through some high school subjects. Dickson had to walk to school in Kenansville. On one occasion after a flood, the footway across Grove Swamp was covered with water. Mr. McKoy Kennedy, who was squirrel hunting in Grove Swamp and was wearing hip boots, took Dickson on his back and carried him across the students played of. Boys and girls But the favorite of all sports the run of the swamp over the water-covered foot log. In the early days of this twentieth century, public schools ran for only four months. Dickson’s parents sent him for two additional months to a private school taught by Mrs. Susie Southerland Lee. When Dickson was in the fourth grade, his sister was old enough 298 to enter school. She was too small to walk to school. Their parents, wanting their children to get a good education, made arrangements for Dickson and his sister to attend James Sprunt Institute. The parents paid their tuition. Dickson and his sister traveled to James Sprunt by horse and buggy: Dickson carried corn and fodder which he fed the horse upon arrival each morning at Mr. Dave Hugh Wallace’s stables. Each afternoon Dickson hitched the horse to the buggy and he and his sister went home. This procedure continued until Dickson finished high school at James Sprunt Institute. His sister continued at James Sprunt. Corn has always been a main crop in Duplin County. Corn was stored in a large crib and was ground into meal for kitchen use, fed to chickens, horses, and hogs. Did you ever attend a oat shucking? Dickson did. In the fall of the year, a farmer who desired to have his corn shucked pulled his corn and hauled and dumped it into a pile in front of the corn crib door. He invited his neighbors (youngsters and oldsters) to come to help shuck corn. Two inducements were offered. First, a good supper was served to all present when all the corn had been shucked. Second, the person who found a red ear of corn while he was shucking corn could kiss anyone present. Many boys shucked corn fast looking for that red ear of corn! Poor Dickson complains that he never found a red ear. In the early twentieth century, farmers did not usually buy comm meal at the local stores. They carried corn to the water mill. Dickson’s father always loaded several bushels of shelled corn into a cart and sent him to Cooper’s Mill on Nahunga Swamp. Dickson started making these trips to the mill when he was only ten or twelve years old. Since it took a whole day to go to mill, get it ground, and to return home, Dickson’s father could accomplish much on the farm while Dickson Went to mill: The lad did not encounter congested traffic on the way. He drove to Cooper’s Mill which was operated by his kinsman, Mr. Abb Guy. Mr. Guy was very kind to him. He always unloaded the heavy bags of corn from the cart, measured it, and got his toll. (He was not at all like the miller in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.) Dickson told Mr. Guy which corn to grind as fine meal, as coarse meal, as grits, and as chicken feed. If you think Dickson’s trip to the mill was a difficult chore, you are Wrong. There was a small store in the mill house. Dickson feasted On Johnnie Cakes and cheese while he was waiting for the corn to be ground and loaded on the cart. There was one dreaded moment, how- 299 + wn nw. ea een ae a ever. Dickson had to drive by the old Patsy Williams home place in which there was a skeleton (formerly used by some medical students). He watched the sun sinking in the west and tried to whistle as he drove by the Williams house. When he arrived at home, his father unloaded the bags from the cart. Some of Dickson’s sweetest memories are about the trips to the mill and Johnnie Cakes and cheese. In those days, farmers always saved their fodder for feed for horses and cows. (Fodder pulling time came between the harvesting of tobacco and the grading of tobacco. Thus there was never a lull from strenuous, hard work.) The leaves were stripped from the corn stalks by hand and were tied with corn blades into small bundles. These ties were hung on corn stalks to be cured in the sun. When these small bundles were dry, they were tied into larger bundles and stacked around a stack pole in the field. In the fall and winter the fodder was hauled to the barn and used for feed. Dickson enjoyed helping his mother make big hominy in the early spring. They selected choice ears of corn, removed the best grains, and put them in strong lye water to soak. The corn swelled and the husks came off. They washed the corn many times and packed it in bowls. As they needed a mess of big hominy, they placed some of it in a big frying pan with ham gravy or with chicken gravy. Possibly nobody in Duplin still makes whole grain hominy (or Big Hominy), but this delect- able product can be bought in cans in most of the stores in Duplin County today. Duplin County people found many uses for corn shucks. Dickson’s mother used shucks to bottom chairs (homemade chairs or bought chairs that needed to have new seats). She was very profi- cient in the work. She selected the best inside shucks from big ears of corn and soaked them in warm water about five minutes. Then she removed them from the water and shredded into strips one-half to three-fourths of an inch wide and wrapped these strips in a towel. She rolled the pieces of shucks together, tacking the end of the first roll to the chair seat round, and continued to roll the shucks until the roll was a little more than one-fourth inch in diameter and long enough to go around the chair round on the opposite side. Then she continued back to the opposite seat round. This was continued until she had gone across the chair bottom. She then changed and fastened the roll of shucks to the chair round on the opposite side and continued to roll shucks, weaving the roll between the shuck rolls already inserted. This was continued until the chair bottom was finished. Shucks made nice and durable chair bottoms. 300 Dickson helped his mother make corn shuck scrubbing brooms. Better &rade corn shucks were selected. These were put in a bucket of water to soften. A board about two inches thick and about 18 inches long had holes bored in it about an inch apart. A handle was placed into a slanting hole in the middle of the board. The wet shucks were torn apart and inserted into the holes in the broom base with the butt end being left on top. This made a good scrubbing broom to use with home- made lye soap. Dickson’s mother made tufted corn shuck door mats. The shucks Were soaked a few minutes in water, then shredded into strips of width desired (about 4 inch). These strips were braided (as if braiding hair), using three strands, (3 strips — 1 strand). When the braid is Started, nine strips (3 strands) are tied together about one inch below the nubby end. About fifteen yards of the braided shucks are required to make a mat. The braid was sewed together with strong twine. Corn shuck mats are coming back in the latter part of the twentieth century. A field of corn gave people of that time many products: grits, meal, whole grain hominy; feed for chickens, cows, hogs, horses, etc.; fod- der; shucks for chair bottoms, scrubbing brooms, floor mats, etc. (There is a rumor about another use of corn.) Farming in Duplin County in the early 1900’s was in many respects different from farming today. ' In January the farmers prepared their tobacco seed beds by placing On the selected spot some fat lightwood, green pine, and green oak. They poured kerosene on these logs and struck a match. This heap burned for hours and killed grass seeds, insects, etc. After they had burned these logs, the farmer dug the bed and thoroughly pulverized the soil. Then he planted tobacco seed. Green logs were placed on all four sides of this rectangular seed bed. Tobacco cloth cover was at- tached to the logs with nails. This helped protect the young tobacco Plants. Inside the seed bed, next to the logs, the farmer usually planted cabbage seed and collard seed so that they also could be protected from the frosts, yal The last of April and the first part of May was tobacco setting time. The fertilizer was put out and the rows ridged. The farmer then cut off or packed down the places where the plants were to be set out. Plants Were pulled from the plant beds. The farmer used a wooden peg to make a hole for each plant. He dropped a plant into the hole and used the peg to press the dirt firmly around the roots. If the ground was dry, the farmer had to haul barrels of water from the branch with which 301 wee oe oe ow na to water the plants. (Several years later the hand transplanter displaced the peg; then the riding transplanter displaced the hand transplanter.) As the tobacco plants grew, the bud worms and horn worms endeavored to take over. Some people sprayed tobacco with Paris Green poison to kill the worms. (This method was not very effective because the poison often damaged the tobacco leaves.) Other people picked the worms off by hand and mashed them with their fingers! Imagine that. To- bacco was topped and suckered by hand. Sucker control came a little later. The growing tobacco had to be stirred and cultivated to keep down weeds and grass. Tobacco barning time was a busy time. Preparation for this was made in advance. The barns were checked inside and outside for needed re- pairs. The pack house was cleaned. Tobacco slides (or trucks) were checked and put in readiness. (During the previous winter, wood for curing had been cut in proper lengths and neatly placed near the barn ready for use.) From the time that the farmer started curing tobacco until he had finished grading and tying the last load of tobacco, he was in a rush. After the first barn was cured, the dry tobacco had to be re- moved from the barn—sometimes at very unusual hours. Dickson’s father often called him at 2:00 A. M. to help get the cured tobacco out of the barn before the hands arrived at 6:00 to start putting in tobacco. Dickson straddled the tier poles and handed the sticks of cured to- bacco to his mother who passed them on to Dickson’s dad, who piled them on the wagon. When the pile was high on the wagon, it was taken to the packhouse and neatly piled therein. About 6:00 the hands arrived. Four croppers and a driver for the tobacco slide (or truck) were off to the tobacco patch. A second truck arrived and the rat race was on. Truck after truck came to the barn, unloaded green tobacco, and returned to the fields. Work, work, work! In hot, sultry weather and in rainy, sticky, clammy weather they just kept on! When the first tobacco truck arrived at the barn, the handers and loopers were busy getting the tobacco looped on sticks. There were three loopers and six handers and another person to take the full sticks and pile them under the shelter (to be put on the tier poles in the barn later). The rush of hard work did not interefere with gossip. “Have you heard .. . ?” “I don’t know whether it is true or not, but. . . .” Late in the afternoon the croppers had finished and returned to the barn. Two of them climbed the tier poles and the others handed the sticks of green tobacco to them. These two placed the sticks the proper distance apart throughout the barn until the barn was full. A fire was 302 built in the furnace. The heat was kept low for about two days while the tobacco was coloring. Then heat was gradually moved up to 170 degrees and kept there until the leaf and stems were dried. Since they used wood for curing and had to watch the barn twenty- four hours a day, it was necessary for someone to stay at the barn at night to keep the fire going and to watch the thermometer. Under every tobacco barn there were bunks for the watchers to sleep on. Usually two fellows stayed at the barn at night. One watched the theremometer and kept the fire going while the other slept. Young people often en- joyed chicken suppers at the tobacco barn. Sometimes there were hints that chickens were “borrowed” from a neighbor’s chicken coop. More 8Ossip. In the day time Dickson always looked after the curing of the four barns of tobacco while the other members of the family and the hired help topped, suckered, and wormed tobacco. The cured tobacco that had been stored in the pack house was removed from the sticks and carefully graded. Every leaf was opened out and placed on a grading bench according to the grade in which it seemed to be. There were usually five grades. Then the stems of the separate 8rades were pressed together and tied into small bundles. Each day these were put on grading sticks and packed down in a pile. When a barn of tobacco had been graded and tied, it was ready to be carried to the auction market. In 1919 Dickson’s father carried a two-horse Wagon load of cured tobacco to the market in Warsaw and received an average of over one dollar per pound for it. Later, in the 1960’s, tobacco was taken off sticks, a few bad leaves thrown out, packed on sheets and sold untied. So much easier! Dickson helped his dad rive tobacco sticks on which green tobacco Was later looped to be hung on tier poles in the tobacco curing barn. Tobacco sticks were rived with the froe by using a wooden mallet to drive the froe into the cuts of pine logs that had been sawed the proper length for tobacco sticks. Some farmers in Duplin County grew asparagus. During December or January large four-furrow beds were plowed with a two-horse plow to cover the asparagus crowns. Then dirt from the middle of the rows Was piled on these beds with shovels so that the asparagus stalks would be longer. . It was a few minutes past midnight on the third Sunday in March when Dickson’s father called him to get out of bed. It was time to 80 to cut the asparagus. Dickson carried the lantern so that his father and mother could see to cut the asparagus stalks. When it was all cut, 303 ee eee ee ee ay it was carried to the well, washed, put in bunches, tied, and trimmed. These bunches were placed on wet water moss in homemade boxes. Then the cover slats were nailed on. The name and address of the grower and the name and address of the commission merchant to whom it was shipped were stamped with rubber stamps upon the boxes. These boxes were loaded on a wagon and taken to West’s Siding to be shipped. The company to whom the asparagus was shipped sold it and sent the pro- ceeds (less commission) to the grower. In late fall Dickson’s dad set out onions. In early spring these onions were pulled out of the ground by hand, carried to the packing shed, washed, tied into small bunches, and carried to the market. Many were dried and kept for home consumption. In the early part of this century almost every Duplin farm family grew sweet potatoes. These were dug after the first frost in the fall and banked in potato hills that were in the shape of a cone. Each hill con- tained about 30 bushels of potatoes. The “floor” or ground of this hill was covered with about eight inches of dry pine straw. The potatoes were carefully poured on the straw. Then dry pine straw was placed all over the bank of potatoes. A vent made of boards was placed at the peak of the pile of potatoes so that they could “breathe.” Then the entire potato hill was covered with dirt to protect the potatoes from the cold. Many farmers had eight or more big hills of top grade potatoes, two or three hills of inferior potatoes to be fed to the hogs, and one hill of small “seed” potatoes or potato slips which were kept in the bank until March and then planted or bedded. (This bed was covered with about three inches of soil. When the potato plants came up, and grew to be about a foot high, they were ready to be set out in rows for another crop.) Later the potato curing houses relieved our farmers of much hard work in making potato hills. Of the many ways to prepare potatoes for cooking, one time-consuming method was to grate the raw potatoes to make potato pudding. The pudding was delicious, but who likes to grate raw potatoes and snag every finger on the old grater? The editors of this book discovered that there was an easier way. Mash the baked (or boiled) potatoes, add brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Before pouring the pudding into the pan for baking, fold into it about two cups of All-Bran. The result? The taste of good old-fashioned grated potato pudding. Fool your friends. It works. 304 During the early 1900’s many Duplin farmers produced their st sweetening or syrup. They grew different varieties of cane. In the fa of the year, the fodder was stripped from the cane stalks and they were cut and piled near the cane mill. The cane mill mashed the juice from the stalks. This juice was then cooked in a huge pan with sections in it. Most farmers tried to have at least a fifty gallon barrel of homemade Syrup each year. Hog raising has always played an important part in the economy a Duplin County. In the early part of the twentieth century, nearly a farmers of Duplin raised more hogs than they could use at home. How- ever, they did keep much of the meat for home consumption. “ Hogs were always killed on the first or second day of a severely co Spell. : , 2 killing time was a pleasure and also a real chore. peas mother prepared in advance the food for the occasion. Dickson : . e Prepared a gallows by putting up strong forked posts upon a e placed a long heavy pole or log. ere were prepared on which to ha by their heel strings). Weis Sor oes ditch with a shovel. In this ditch he placed light- wood and oak wood. Then he put several big iron pots on the wood for hot water. A large scalding vat was placed near the pots. All of this was done the day before the hogs were killed. Can’t you imagine that the hogs had much curiosity as they watched from their pens all these preparations going on? (Let’s hope they did not understand it all. ie the next day the hogs in the pen were killed by a blow on the head with an axe or by a shot in the head with a 22 calibre rifle. (Sounds gruesome, doesn’t it? But it was quick; there was no suffering.) Then they were stuck in the neck in order that they might bleed. Next they Were carried to the scalding vat. Each hog was rolled over and over in the vat, scraped and washed until the skin was clean. Then each hog was hung on the gallows by means of the gambrels. Dickson’s father always opened up the hogs with a sharp butcher knife. The liver, lights, and heart were taken out and placed in a wood tub. The intestines were taken from the carcass, placed in pans and carried to a table. Here the fat was removed. Then the intestines were carried out to a hole that had been dug in the field and were emptied. The cases Were scraped and washed in warm water and put to soak over ess in strong salt water. The next morning they were washed and scoure with salt. Again they were put to soak in salt water. The cases were now Clean and very clear and were ready to be stuffed with sausage and 305 Oe ee ne me ee ay 9 pudding. Any cases not used for stuffing sausage and pudding were boiled, chopped up, and fried. This delectable dish was known as chitterlings. The carcasses were taken from the gallows and were carried to a table near the smokehouse. Here the hams, shoulders, sides, backbones, spareribs, and heads were cut out and spread on boards, in the smoke- house to cool overnight. (Remember that this was severely cold weather.) The next morning the meat was thoroughly salted, each piece being rubbed several times. The spare ribs and backbone were salted and packed in a barrel. Hams, shoulders, and sides were packed in a pile after being salted. In the latter part of the winter, the salt was washed from the hams, shoulders, and sides. Then they were rubbed with borax and black pepper and dried for a few days. After that the hams and shoulders were tied up in heavy paper bags and hung up in the smokehouse. The livers, etc., were trimmed out the first day and were soaked over- night in salt water in wood tubs. On the morning of the second day, the livers, lights, and hearts were cooked in a big pot until they were thoroughly done. "All of the fat from the hogs was cut up and this was cooked in big pots until the lard was done and put into large stone crocks. The small pieces of fat meat that were left after this cooking process were referred to as cracklings. Some people made crackling bread. Crackling bread was often used to give the pudding body and also a good taste. When the livers, etc., were well cooked, they were taken up and ground in a hand grinder. Pieces of crackling bread were added along with salt, and pods of red pepper and sage. This pudding was then stuffed into the cleaned cases. These stuffed cases of liver pudding were put into a huge pot of boiling water for a few minutes, then re- moved. The long cases of liver pudding were hung on big corn stalks, which were placed on wood beams in the smokehouse and left there to dry out. Dickson’s mother always canned some of this delicious liver pudding in fruit jars (covering the pudding with hot grease) to be used the next summer. Sausage was made by grinding the tenderloins and other good pieces of lean meat, home-grown red pepper, sage, and salt. This was stuffed into the small cleaned cases and the cases were hung in the smokehouse on large corn stalks to dry. Some of the sausage was canned for the summer. Souse meat was made by cooking the cleaned pig feet until the meat fell from the bones. The bones were removed. To this pig foot meat was added salt, and red pepper. Then this meat was packed in bowls 306 and left overnight to congeal. It was then ready to be served in om Some people preferred dipping these slices in apple cider vinegar. pias many hostesses cut these souse meat slices into small gee cubes, place a tooth pick on each cube, and serve as an hors d’oeuvre.) During this time Dickson’s father raised cows. He always kept ten or fifteen cows and yearlings. The stock had free range. They ran loose in the woods. The calves of those cows giving milk were kept in the barn stalls. This caused the cows to come to the barn late each after- When the cows were milked, the milk was strained into large milk pans and covered. These pans were placed in a milk house out under a shade tree. This milk house was built on four posts about five feet high. The “house” part of it was about three feet by three feet with a door in front. After the milk was stored in the milk house about a day, the cream Tose to the top. It was then skimmed off and churned into butter. The butter was packed into pound molds and stored in buckets hanging in the open well of water. In this way the butter was kept cool and fresh. When yearlings grew to proper size, they were sold for beef cattle Or were saved for milch cows. Many Duplin farmers kept bee hives. Dickson’s father had about fifty hives. It fell to Dickson’s lot to hive the bees when they swarmed in the springtime. What made the bees swarm? When there was a Population explosion in the bee hive, the queen bee became restless, and all workers became agitated. Then on a sunny day in the spring, Preferably in May, the queen rushed forth and a swarming, buzzing colony thronged out after her. Not far off, on some hanging bough of a tree, she settled; and all the swarm settled on her or on each other, hanging in a long thin bunch. This bunch ranged in size from a peck to a half bushel. When Dickson hived bees, he puffed on to the hive of bees some smoke from a smoker in order to calm the bees down. He took a pan and dipped it full of bees and placed the bees at the mouth of the new gum. He continued until he had carried to the new gum all of the bees in that hive. The bees always adopted the new gum and immediately set up housekeeping for the purpose of honeymaking. (Meanwhile the young bees left in the old hive continued to live there for a while. Before many weeks there was a swarming from the newer generation. Often there were three or four swarms in one season from one hive.) In the early twentieth century (before the time of the patented bee 307 gums) most bee gums in Duplin County were made from a hollow tree sawed in three to four foot lengths with a board nailed over the top and three or four small v-shaped openings cut out of one side of the bottom. This gum was then placed on a board. Another form of making bee gums was by nailing together four wide pieces of boards into a square or rectangular shape and putting a top on it and sawing out three or four v-shaped small openings from one of the boards at the bottom. This was placed on another board for a base. In the fall of the year, the farmers robbed the bees of their supply of honey. Taking honey from the old-fashioned bee gum was dangerous if the bees became belligerent. Thus a farmer usually invited several neighbors to help with this task. Night was the best time for the sur- prise attack on the bee gum. Dickson’s father had previously prepared sulphur matches by winding some cotton on the end of a small stick about a foot long, then dipping the cotton in some melted sulphur and letting it harden. Holes were dug in the earth about eight inches square just behind the bee gums from which they were going to take the honey. Two of the sulphur matches were placed in each of the holes. These were lighted and a bee gum was set over each hole. Dirt was pushed up around each gum. It took only a short while to kill the bees. Then the gums were carried to the yard and placed on a table. The sheets of honey were cut and removed from the gums. The white honey was placed in lard stands or in jars. Honey in the dark honeycomb was kept separately and was dripped to fill the stands with the clear honey. The neighbors who had come to help with the task had been told to bring along their families. When the work was done, everyone was served hot biscuits, butter, honey and drinks (coffee or lemonade). They all had a good time. Some enjoyed gossiping; some enjoyed courting, all enjoyed eating, and each family carried home several jars of honey. Sometimes there were as many as twenty or twenty-five people present. A “honeytaking” was truly a social event. Furthermore, beekeeping helped the economy of Duplin County. It was a profitable cash crop. Duplin County honey was sold as far away as New York City. Anyway, what was better than apple dumplings sweetened with honey? Some Duplin County farmers grew strawberries. During December and January, pine straw was raked in the woods, hauled to the field, and a roll of it was placed in the middles beside each row of strawberry plants. This straw was later carefully raked over the plants while they were in bloom to protect them during severely cold weather. Some 308 nights Dickson’s father would decide that it was not cold enough to Place straw on the strawberry plants. Then about midnight he would decide that it was getting colder. He would call everyone in the house to dress and go to the strawberry patch to rake the straw onto the plants. After breakfast when the sun was getting warmer, the family went Out and removed straw from the plants. When strawberries were ripe, many people were employed to pick the berries and place them in quart cups. Dickson’s dad picked up the full quarts of berries and carried them to the packing shed. Each time he picked up a quart of berries he gave the picker a little metal check with the grower’s initials cut upon it. (On Saturdays, the pickers cashed these metal checks at the packing shed.) The packers at the sheds looked through each quart of berries, re- moving trash and bad berries, and arranging them to look the best Possible. These quarts of berries were placed in crates on which was stamped with rubber stamps the name and address of the grower and also the name and address of the commission merchant to whom they Were being shipped. These crates were loaded on a wagon and taken to Warsaw for shipping. Berries were shipped to Richmond, Philadelphia, New York City, and many Northern markets. Dickson’s family enjoyed huckleberrying in the summertime. Most years there were many wild huckleberries in the woods on the farm. The big blues got ripe the last of June and the first of July. When the berries were really plentiful, they picked some for sale. Quite a few Were canned in jars for making pies in the winter. Huckleberry pies and dumplings were enjoyed almost daily during the huckleberry season. Nearly all Duplin farm families had grape vines—black grapes, white 8tapes, Concord grapes, Babson grapes—all kinds. A familiar phrase was “Come under my grape vine.” Grapes were canned to be used in 8tape pies during the year. Grapes were used in wine making. Of Course, the wine was used only for fruit cakes at Christmas time and for medicinal purposes! Fruit trees were abundant on farms and in the yards of those who lived in the small towns of Duplin. Apples, peaches, plums, and pears Were plentiful, Many Duplin County people dried fruits in the summer. Peaches and apples were cut and placed on a clean cloth out in the hot sun. The 309 heat of the hot sun and the air removed or reduced the moisture content. If there was any indication of rain, the fruits were quickly brought inside. Dried peaches and apples made delicious pies. Since apples were in abundance all over Duplin County; many fami- lies made their own cider. If a man did not have his own cider press, one of his neighbors did. Dickson and his father would harvest a cart load of apples in the fall of the year and take them to Dickson’s uncle’s house to be made into cider. The apples were washed, put into a large wood trough made from a big oak log, then mashed with a wooden maul. The apples were then put into the cider press and all the juice was squeezed out. For about a week this juice was delicious sweet cider. As it fermented, it became hard cider, and later vinegar. In the early 1900’s Dickson’s family always had a year-round garden. That garden had cabbage, collards, turnips, mustard, butter beans, string beans, (including gold wax beans), tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, corn (roasting ears), field peas, garden peas, radishes, bell pepper, hot pepper, onions, rhubarb, etc; and herbs including mint, sage, catnip and horse-radish. Just before frost in the fall, the hot red pepper was gathered and strung on long strings to cure out. This pepper was used for seasoning sausage, liver pudding, and fresh meats. Strings of red pepper in the kitchen and pantry were decorative. Since home freezers were not in existence, many vegetables and fruits were canned. Vegetable soup mixture and many vegetables and fruits were properly prepared, placed in jars, sealed, and placed on the ground in the tobacco barn when the barn was in high heat. These fruits and vegetables boiled in the jars. Many fruits and vegetables could not be “cooked” in the tobacco barn. Peach pickles, grape jellies, jams, etc., had to be done in the kitchen. All of this added up to a good live-at-home program. Dickson’s mother made sauerkraut every summer from the cabbage grown in her garden. The cabbage heads were brought to the old log kitchen. (This log kitchen was about twenty feet from the house and for about a hundred years had been used as a kitchen. When Dickson’s father married in 1902, he added to the dwelling house a dining room and kitchen with a very modern home comfort range! Then the old log kitchen became a utility room and storage room where wash pots, 310 wash tubs, wash boards, old spinning wheel, etc. were stored.) In the old log kitchen the cabbage heads were trimmed, washed, and quartered with a big sharp knife. A layer of quartered cabbage was packed in a big oak barrel and beaten down with a wooden maul. A layer of salt was added; then another layer of cabbage was added and beaten down— another layer of salt and another layer of cabbage—until the barrel was almost full. Some boards were placed over the cabbage and a large stone Was placed thereon to hold the cabbage down. Water was added until it Stood a few inches above the boards. A piece of white homespun was tied across the top of the barrel and some boards were placed over that. In the late fall and winter Dickson’s mother would uncover the sauer kraut barrel and take out a pan full of the sauer kraut. This was put in a tub full of water and left to soak about fifteen hours. The sauer- kraut was then washed and boiled in a pot until it was well done. It Was cut up and placed in a frying pan with some ham gravy and was Cooked some more. Some people ate sauerkraut with some hot pepper Vinegar poured over it. Sauerkraut was very good with corn bread or with baked sweet potatoes. Fishing was an enjoyable as well as a profitable sport during the early 1900’s. In the late spring and early summer, Dickson’s dad would in- Struct him to go to the branch and get some small fish (little perch) to be used as live bait. After lunch, Dickson and his dad went to Grove Swamp fishing. Within an hour they often caught four or five nice jack fish (not counting the really big ones that got away). The family enjoyed fresh fried fish for supper that evening. Most of the fishing in those days was done in local creeks and ponds. Dickson’s father had a seine. When the crops were laid by, some of the neighbors were invited to go seining. When they arrived at the creek, two persons took the seine and stretched it across the creek. Two or three Persons with hoes and sticks went down the stream, got into the water, beating and slashing with the hoes and sticks to drive the fish up stream. When they were near the seine, the person holding the staff of the Seine on the opposite side of the run of the creek quickly brought the Staff to the other side to surround the fish. Two people stayed behind the seine to hold the cork line to keep the fish from jumping out. Two People pulled the lead line on the bottom of the creek. Out came several Nice fish—jacks, pikes, trout, suckers, perch, and catfish. Then the seine Was moved on to the next hole. ' When it was time to go home, they had almost a bushel of fish in a burlap bag. 311 a ee we ene ay See eens a a o Upon arriving at the house, the fishermen placed the fish in piles— a pile for each man who had participated. They endeavored to make these piles of the same size or value. One person was asked to turn his back. Another person pointed to a pile of fish and asked, “Who will take this pile?” The man with his back turned answered, “Enoch New- ton.” “Who will take this one?” he asked. The man with his back turned answered, “John Doe.” This went on until all participants had received his share of the fish. This method of fishing was good sport. The method of dividing the fish was always interesting and absolutely fair. Many Duplin County people purchased salt herring fish in the spring of the year. Sometimes they cost only a penny per fish. In the fall they ate salt mullets. Salt fish were usually soaked overnight, then fried brown. These were very good with corn bread and sweet potatoes. As busy as people were during the first part of this century, they still took time out for hunting. They hunted animals for food, for hides to sell, and sometimes just for the pleasure of hunting. Dickson’s father hunted deer, squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, otter, mink, foxes, muskrats, birds, turkeys, etc. There were many wild turkeys. Dickson’s father killed three large wild turkeys from his turkey blind with one shot of the gun before breakfast one morning. On ion j i Dickson’s father and Hiram Phillips went hunting in Duplin County woods and killed enough turkeys to fill a flower barrel which they shipped to Wilmington by train. In the early twentieth century, people who did not care to eat coon or opossum would go hunting anyway for the sport of it. (They could always give their game to those who liked it.) It was fun to hear a dog barking as he chased his prey. The dog would chase a coon or an opossum up a tree, then he would put his front feet on the tree and bark. Dickson’s father used a flashlight to locate a coon perched high up in a tree. Dickson shot the coon and he came tumbling down. What a thrill! This unique accomplishment made Dickson feel quite grown up! His coon was placed in the bag with the others and the group started home. They got lost. After losing their sense of direction, they walked one way and then another for about an hour. Suddenly they came to the same tree where Dickson had killed his coon. They lighted a light- wood torch and stuck the lower end of it in the mud. Then they went a straight course to the edge of the swamp and finally got out of the woods, 312 This episode was a coon hunt, but it was more than that; it was an €xperience that is a valuable page in a lad’s book of memories—the joy of accomplishment and the joy of associating with Dad and the other grown men! Dickson’s father, like most others in the area, sold his original growth Pine timber to a lumber company early in the twentieth century. This timber was cut by the lumber company about 1916. The company built temporary logging railroads through the timber. The Pines were cut down with saws and the logs were sawed. The logs were hauled with log carts to the railroad tracks and loaded on log Cars with a skidder and then were on their way to the big mill to be Sawed into lumber. Dickson assisted his father in clearing some new ground. Trees were Cut down. The logs were piled into large heaps, set on fire, and burned. Stumps were dug out of the ground. Some were burned out. The land was plowed with a coulter. After they worked the land for a year or So, it became good tillable soil. In the early 1900’s Dickson’s father had a tar kiln. He dug a shallow Pit. Then he hauled from the woods by horse and cart some lightwood. This he heaped in a conical stack depressed at the center, covered it With earth, and fired it. The tar condensed and ran to the center of the pile. His father sold some of the tar and kept some of it to use as & medicine when some of his horses, cows, or hogs got hurt. Tn the early 1900’s many Duplin families made persimmon beer—a tasty, refreshing drink, which is not intoxicating. A farmer often used a clean, empty molasses barrel with a wooden faucet near the bottom. He removed (temporarily) the top of the barrel. In the barrel he placed the following: About a one-inch-thick layer of broom straw; a layer of green pine boughs; a peck of well baked yams (with peelings broken); a layer of brushed honey-locust pods (if available) ; a bushel or more of ripe persimmons. He covered these ingredients with water and placed the lid on top. Then he let it set for two or three weeks, tasting from time to time. (There was a very thin line between the time that the persimmon beer had reached the peak of its taste and the time it began to get an acid or vinegary taste.) Murphy Canady used the above recipe and prepared the persimmon beer at the proper time for it to be at its peak during Christmas week. 313 Dickson’s dad made composts during the fall and winter months. Dickson helped him rake and haul straw, leaves, decaying matter, stable manure, and rich soil from ditch banks. This was put in layers in a long pile with some acid phosphate and cotton seed meal and let to stand and decay until the spring. Then some of it was broadcast over fields that were to be tended and the remainder drilled in rows. This made good fertilizer. Many early twentieth century Duplinites believed in a scientific way of finding water underground. Did you ever hear of a divining rod or divining stick? Webster defines it as a rod, commonly of witch hazel with forked branches, used professionally as an aid in discovering water or metals under the ground. When Dickson’s father wanted to put down a new water pump or dig a new well, he asked his wife to help him find the best location where underground water was available. His wife was one of those persons in whose hands the divining stick would turn as she had much elec- tricity in her body. He would secure a small limb of persimmon, hickory, chinquapin, or hazel wood. (These woods were hard and good conduc- tors of electricity.) Dickson’s mother would take each end of the divining stick in her hands, gripping each end of the stick tightly with her hands, moving her arms closer together to form a bowlike curve of the stick. She then walked over the area where a new water pump or new well was desired. As she passed over underground water, the bow of the stick began to turn downward. When the underground water was plentiful the bow would turn even if the stick was being held tightly enough for the bark on the stick to crack and break. When the well was dug or the water pump put down on the spot where the bow turned, water was always found. The bow would not turn in Dickson’s father’s hands, possibly because he did not have enough electricity in his body. Is this superstition? Is it scientific fact? You be the judge. This is a quotation from the International Encyclopedia: “The divining rod is a forked branch, usually of hazel, sometimes of iron or even of brass and copper, by which minerals and water are alleged to have been discovered beneath the surface of the earth. The rod, when suspended by the two prongs, sometimes between the balls of the thumbs, is supposed to show by a decided inclination the spot under which the concealed mine or spring is situated. The divining rod seems to have been known in all times, ancient and modern. It is clearly described by both Cicero 314 and Tacitus, and an unbroken line of references to it can be traced from their days to this.” In the early 1900’s many fences were made of rails. Dickson’s father had his entire farm fenced with rails. Dickson helped his dad split rails for making fence. A nice pine tree was selected, cut down, and logs the length for the rails were sawed. A large iron wedge was driven into the log with a good heavy maul made from a dogwood tree and seasoned. Other wooden wedges made from dogwood or hickory trees and seasoned were driven into the log until it was split open. This was continued until the rails of the proper size were split out. Rails were used for making new fence and for re- Pairing old fence. In later years, about 1920, Dickson’s father replaced the rail fence with wire fence. Dickson’s mother made her own soap. She would fill one of the big black iron pots half full of water and build around this pot a hot fire with lightwood and oak wood. When the water was boiling, she would pour in two or three cans of lye. A little later she would add a quantity of meat skins, meat trimmings, and meat grease. These were stirred and boiled until all solids were eaten up by the lye. The soap was left in the pot until the next day to cool and congeal. Then his mother would use the big butcher knife to cut the soap into pieces. She placed these in boxes. This soap was used for washing clothes, washing dishes, scrub- bing floors, etc., but not for bathing. In the first part of the twentieth century, many Duplin people gath- ered and sold jerusalem oak seed in the fall of the year. Some made their Christmas money this way. On a day when the weather was dry, Dickson and his mother would break off the branches containing the Seed, pile them on a sheet, and rub or beat the seed out. They removed the trash and sold the seed by the pound to the local merchants. (The Seed were later used in the manufacture of medicine.) At present many of us carry to the shoe shop a pair of shoes that are worn through on the bottom. In the first part of this century, many Duplin County families half-soled their own shoes. At night after supper the father would get out the shoe stand. There were five different sizes of lasts that would meet the needs of the various members of the family. Let us say that there was a last for Pa, Ma, big brother, knee baby, and baby. The father would take from a paper sack the half-soles that he had purchased at a store for about fifteen cents for each pair of soles. He would take out a nickel box of shoe tacks. Then he would put the last on the stand, place the shoe on it, place the new half-sole on top of the old sole, and with a hammer he would tack the new half-sole on over the old one. If the new half-sole was too large for the shoe, he would use his good sharp pocket knife to trim it down to the right size. The cost of half-soling a pair of shoes was about twenty cents. Did you ever go to a quilting party? Quilting parties were quite a social event in the early twentieth century. In preparation for the party, the hostess prepared in advance a deli- cious dinner for the guests. She set up the quilting frames and tacked the quilt lining to the frames. Then she placed the carded bats of cotton (or of wool) over the quilt lining. Then she placed the lovely quilt top (which she had spent much time in making) over the cotton. (This quilt top was sometimes appliqued.) She basted and tacked the quilt top to the lining. Quilting is stitching or sewing together two layers of cloth with some padding (wool, cotton, or down) between them. When the guests arrived, they were given needles and thread. Then the quilting and the gossiping began! There was usually much conversation about quilt top patterns. There was the wagon wheel pattern, a tree pattern, a star pattern, etc. Women exchanged patterns in a friendly way, but they usually tried to surpass all their friends and neighbors in making unusual quilt tops. Some- times lovely designs were made from small pieces of cloth from the sewing basket. Dickson enjoyed observing his mother as she crocheted counterpanes, center pieces, bureau scarfs, etc. She also knitted counterpanes, socks, and gloves. She made tatting and embrodiered pillow cases, center pieces, scarfs and camisoles. In the early part of this century there were many home remedies used in Duplin County. They were not all based on superstitions. They were often helpful suggestions passed around from one to another. Some of these are listed below: For colds—catnip tea, sassafras tea, cherry bark tea, mint tea, hore- hound tea, ginger tea, hot toddy, etc.; greasy cloth on chest (hot cloth covered with Vicks Vaporub and oil made from pig feet). For cough or croup—a mixture of honey and vinegar; a few drops of kerosene oil on sugar; a few drops of spirits of turpentine on sugar. 316 For a tonic—rhubarb tea For dysentery—blackberry wine For sunburn—milk or sweet cream; vinegar and table salt For stings of wasps, bees, yellow jackets, or hornets—a part of a chew of tobacco or a part of a dip of snuff For sprains—a poltice of red clay and vinegar For sore or inflamed part of the body—a poltice made of a soft mix- ture of bread and flax seed For indigestion—baking soda For headache—camphor (made from camphor gum and alcohol) For rheumatism—mullen tea For seven-year itch—a hot wicky bath (a bath in hot water that has just been boiled with the wicky plant in it) Let us take a glimpse at church life in Duplin in the early part of the twentieth century. On Saturday before the first Sunday in each quarter, Dickson’s church held a Quarterly Conference. There was a Sermon followed by a business session, or conference. These meetings Were well attended. It was at church conferences that business was transacted. As late as the early twentieth century, some church mem- bers were tried in church conferences for dancing, gambling, adultery, etc., and were dismissed from the church roll. Dickson and his sister were baptized in a Baptismal pool at Johnson’s Church. A spring supplied the water for the pool. Candidates for bap- tism dressed in the Lanefield Schoolhouse which was near the pool. Most churches had revival meetings at least once a year—usually in the fall. On Sunday morning Dickson’s family rode to church in a buggy. His sister rode in the seat with his mother and father. Dickson stood on the rear axle of the buggy. He was pleased when his father purchased a saddle for him to ride a horse to church. At that time he was still too small to put his foot in the stirrup of the saddle and jump upon the horse. So he led the horse to a stump near the barn where he could Stand on the stump and reach the stirrup. Stock Law proved a hazard. There were gates between his home and the church. Near West’s Siding there was a Stock Law fence gate that had to be opened and closed every time anyone went through. Luckily, near that gate there was a stump on which he could get down from the saddle, open the gate, lead the horse through, close the gate, lead the horse to another stump, get back on the horse and be on his way. Dickson was proud to ride that horse! When his father bought a family car, Dickson still preferred that beautiful horse. 317 Church attendance was not only a religious event but also a social event. In those days people stood around in front of country churches for a half hour or more and talked about the weather, crops, sickness, etc. Friends invited others to go home with them and have dinner. Whole families went to have dinner with other families. If a family of nine invited a family of nine to dinner, the big table was set for the grown people. (No short cuts—paper plates, paper napkins, cook outs, etc.) After the grown people had finished, the table was prepared for the children. (Such a practice made children want to grow up fast!) In those days people were usually prepared to serve visitors a meal or a snack. Most housewives could get ready in a short time a delicious dinner consisting of fried chicken, old cured ham from the smoke house, sausage that had been hanging in the smoke house until it had cured, or sausage that had been canned in fruit jars in hot grease, canned vegetables, homemade whole grain hominy, dried fruits (apples and peaches). Dickson’s mother took pride in her cooking, especially her pound cakes and her “tea cakes.” She always served callers (especially chil- dren) some cake and lemonade. Christmas, a celebration of Christ’s birthday, has always had mean- ing. In the early 1900’s people made elaborate preparations for the event. The house was decorated with red and green paper garlands, bells, tinsel, and numerous ornaments. Holly, pine, and mistletoe were used throughout the house. There was a Christmas tree (holly or cedar) that had been carefully selected from the near-by woods. Nothing was more thrilling than to go out into the woods with an axe, a dog, and a gun to look for a Christmas tree! The greatest preparations were made in the kitchen. Before Christmas day, most families had cooked several cakes—a fruit cake, a pound cake, a walnut cake, an orange cake, and a cocoanut cake. A turkey was baked. A pork ham was cooked and set aside to cool. Children did hang up their stockings for Santa Claus just as they do now. Most children then were happy to get some fruits, nuts, and candy and just one toy for Christmas. What a thrill to get a doll, a little monkey, a toy horse, or a little red wagon from Santa Claus. Some times there were firecrackers. (They were legal then.) Dickson’s mother always exploded a big fire cracker before day on Christmas morning. Another tradition of hers was to make and serve syllabub on Christ- 318 mas morning. (Syllabub was a drink made by whipping in the churn Sweet cream and wine.) Relatives and friends came during Christmas day. Several ate dinner. Nobody had to have an invitation to eat with other families on Christ- mas day. It was a period of visitation and joy. On one occasion a four-year-old boy saw the Christmas dinner table loaded with food with a beautifully decorated cake in the center of the table. He asked, “Whose birthday is it?” There was a pause. Then one of the grown people said, “It is the birthday of Jesus.” The little boy said, “Why don’t we sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus?” They did, and since that time that family always sings “Happy Birth- day, dear Jesus” at all Christmas dinners. As a part of the social life during the early part of this century, many People went on excursions. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad used to Tun excursions to Wilmington on week ends. Dickson went with some kinsmen on one of these excursions. They went to Warsaw before day by horse and buggy, caught the excursion train to Wilmington, trans- ferred to a trolley car, and went on to Wrightsville Beach. What a Crowd of people. What fun! Since the day was cloudy, Dickson thought he would not get sun-burned. He stayed in the water all day. When he arrived at home, he was unable to go to bed at all because he had a solid blister all over his back, shoulders, and arms. That did it. Since that day he never stays in swimming more than twenty minutes at a time. One Sunday afternoon as Dickson was returning from a neighborhood Visit, he had an interesting experience with a horse. He was showing off. He had his feet out of the stirrups of the saddle and had even turned loose the reins when a wasp stung the horse on the neck. The horse gave a sudden plunge and was off on a run. Dickson tried to get his feet in the stirrups of the saddle but missed one foot. He fell off the saddle and was left hanging with one foot in a stirrup. That thirteen- year-old fellow took quite a speedy ride across a big field. He was not hurt; his time just had not come! Do not think that the early 1900’s was all work and no play. The xcursions, honeytakings, corn shuckings, the square dances, quilting parties, Sunday visitations, picnics, Old Soldiers Reunions, etc., consti- tuted a network of social activities. In the 1920’s the young people had a good time. The dresses were dis- 8tacefully (?) short—almost two inches above the knees! The oldsters 319 <> RRR meme — ne ate nia te re nine | + ne a shook their heads and said, “What’s this generation coming to?” And, to top it all, many Duplinites engaged in that ballroom dance called the Charleston. In this dance the knees were twisted in and out and the heels were swung sharply outward on each step. (Want any lessons? See Faison Smith and Margaret Williams. ) During the first part of the twentieth century, Duplin County farmers had a live-at-home program. Almost every family grew or raised enough to be almost entirely self-supporting. Not many things had to be bought. Slow transportation and bad roads kept people from traveling as much as they do now. Thus there was a live-at-home, stay-at-home program which caused the family to be a more solid unit. They learned co- operation and responsibility sharing. There was a togetherness that was commendable. Chores around the house or any difficult tasks that had to be done were done together. One Duplin family had seven family members: the father, the mother, four girls, and one boy. Their duties were performed like clock work. There was a definite schedule of work for each family member. Inhabitants of Duplin lived a busy, happy life during the first part of the Twentieth Century. The Editors. pie NEW COURTHOUSE DEDICATED—1913 A history of the public buildings of Duplin County must of necessity be in a large measure a history of the men who have been prominent in Public life as her officials. The writer does not mean by this that there will be any attempt in this meager article to give a history of all the famous sons of Duplin; the aim will be to give an outline of the relevant Points in our history, keeping well in sight the subject we are pursuing, with the hope that it may be instruction to our youth and helpful to the future historian when he shall write the complete history of our 8rand old county. The name Duplin was derived from Lord Dupplin and not from a cor- Tuption of Dublin, as some writers have erroneously asserted. At the date of this first permanent settlement made by Roger Green in 1653, little was known of the great territory in southeastern North Carolina, and it was not till after the Swiss Colony or Palatines of DeGraffenreid ©ame to New Bern in 1705, and the settlement on the Cape Fear that Colonists began to come into Duplin County. At that time it was a part of New Hanover County. After the Lords proprietors had ceded the Carolinas to the Crown, all of the part of North Carolina from Bruns- Wick to Carteret County was known as the County of Bath, and there was a precinct in Bath County called the precinct of New Hanover, in- cluding the present territory of New Hanover, Pender, Sampson and Duplin Counties. This precinct became a county with the same territory, the County of New Hanover, with the County seat at Newton, now Wilmington. While Duplin was still a part of New Hanover, and in the year 1726, the first settlement was made in Duplin County at Sarecta Hill, where @ town was later incorporated by the Legislature. These people were Sent over by Henry McCulloch, a rich man who lived in London and Who sent numbers of settlers to the new world, simply for the purpose of gain for himself. The Swiss colonists, after DeGraffenreid had sold ut to Gov. Pollock or Palatines having lost their land and even their Cooking utensils, many of them were forced to seek other homes and Shortly after 1730, many of them came to Duplin County and today 321 their descendants may be traced in Duplin County and among the oldest and most prominent people, those coming from the German side of the Alps bearing German names, and those coming from the French side of the Alps having French names, such as Simmons, Moore, Teachey, Kinsy, Miller, Farrior, Wells, Rouse, Croom, Kornegay, Mallard, and Quinn. Other settlers came from Maryland, Virginia, from Ireland and England direct from the settlement on the Cape Fear and a few from the Scotch settlement on the upper Cape Fear. By far the greatest number were sent over by Henry McCulloch who seemed to have the confidence of King Geo. II and the King’s Council. An ordinary man living in the New World, if he wanted a few acres of land, got it from the Governor, upon certain conditions. A man of McCulloch’s standing applied to the King direct and we find from the Colonial records, that on the 29th day of April, 1736, at the court at St. James, London, McCulloch filed before his Majesty, King George II, in Council, a petition, setting forth in most seductive terms the richness of the New World, the advantage that England would derive by allowing him to send people to America to make products that had theretofore cost England a great amount of money, and finally coming to the point by asking the King to grant to him two tracts of the said large quantities of uncultivated land; that is to say one tract of Seventy Two Thousand Acres, situated upon the North East Branch of Cape Fear River from the Second High Bluff up- wards or thereabouts and leading towards the point of Trent River on the East side, and on the West side towards the head of Black River, the other tract of Sixty Thousand Acres situated towards the North East, at or near a place there commonly called Hawfields, and lying between North East Branch of Cape Fear River and the head of the Neuse River. The tracts were granted to him in 1738, and the grants of the same may be seen in the office of the Secretary of State at Raleigh. One of them starting on the Black River, and running to a point just South of the Golden Grove Swamp, and thence northward across the same, and then along the edge of Goshen westward, etc. The old land titles call for Mr. McCulloch’s lines, like he was a great man in that day. Kenansville is situated upon one of those grants. McCulloch sent his people in, still in greater numbers to Sarecta together with the physician, Dr. William Houston. And in the last few years, Mr. Lee Albertson, who owned the land where the town of Sarecta was laid out in excavating accidently discovered in the ground the remains of the Doctor shop of Dr. Houston, containing the usual vials in an apothecary shop. McCulloch sold off land for what he could get and when North Carolina became independent what land he and his descendants had not 322 Sold was confiscated, and again made subject to grant, and for that reason we have many land grants in Duplin embraced in the area of the McCulloch Grants. By 1740, the territory had become so populous, and had so many business interests, and it was so far to Wilmington, the County Seat, that the people began to clamor for a New County. Time and again the legislature passed the bill for a New County but the King would Veto the measure, and it would fail but finally in 1749, they suc- Ceeded. . . . The Duplin County so formed embracing the present Counties of Duplin and Sampson under the name of Duplin County and the Com- missions under the act created a Court house about 3 miles West of Warsaw; where the Warsaw and Clinton public road crosses the public toad leading from Faison to Wilmington, known locally as the old Wilmington Road then famous in history, up which a part of Cornwallis’ army under command of Lieutenant Col. Tarleton of Cowpens fame marched towards Yorktown, and over which Mary Slocumb, wife of Capt. Ezekel Slocumb, took a midnight ride over to Moore’s Creek battle- Sround. In that Courthouse the records of Duplin were kept till 1784, and these records are now in the office of the Register of Deeds of Sampson County being Duplin County books. All instruments recorded in them being headed, North Carolina, Duplin County, and were re- corded by Duplin County men, Wm. Dickson, for instance being Clerk. The wonder is that when the County of Sampson was formed from Duplin, our officials did not attend to the matter of the records, and keep the records in the parent County where they belong. As it is, all records of Duplin County, prior to 1784, are in Sampson County. (Copies are now in Duplin County.) The County of Sampson was formed from Duplin in the year 1784. . . . The boundries of Duplin County as fixed by that Act have remained as there fixed for One Hundred and Twenty Eight years. The Commissioners named in the act were representative, and one might say patriotic men, many of whose descendants can now be traced: Southerland, Hicks, Dickson, Lanier, Whitehead, and Teachey. Many of them from the place where they decided to locate the Courthouse at Kenansville; and one must agree that they were not biased by any Personal interests when they made this decision, for Thomas Hooks and David Hicks lived in Faison Township. John Lanier lived below Chin- quapin in Cypress Creek township, but a few miles from the Pender Line. Daniel Teachey lived in the Southwest part of the county while Robert Southerland lived in Limestone Township on the road from Halls- 323 A ste mete: three rer eo meme oe = A ee a ae ac Ag eee ees OE a So éa@ ville to Muddy Creek. John Whitehead and Edward Dickson lived near Kenansville and William Hubbard lived in Smith’s Township where B. G. Williams now lives. The James James Store mentioned in the act was at the Crossroads near the present County Home, at that time the James James Plantation. The Court met there as directed by that act, as will appear from the Minutes of the Court, now in the Clerk’s office being transcribed in a parchment covered book processed in London, as the label on the inside shows, being as follows: W. A. Fielding, Notary Public, Stationer and Book Seller, Lumbond Street, London, England. The entry on the first page of the Minutes is as follows: At a meeting of a County Court of Pleas and Quarter Session held for the County of Duplin at the Cross Roads thereof at James James plantation, where he now lives, on Monday the 18th day of October, 1784, it being the third Monday of Said Month, present the worshipful, the Justices, Wm. Houston, Sr., Col. James Kenan, Col. Tho. Rutledge, Esques. Ordered that Mr. Plunkett Ballard be appointed State Attorney, and the next entry relates to deeds that were ordered probated and follows the usual routine of Court work, such as the Court had Jurisdiction to dispatch. The next term of the Court was held as follows: At a County Court begun and held for the County of Duplin, at the house of James Pearsall on the Third Monday of April, being the 18th day of Said Month, in the year 1785 present the Worshipful: Joseph Dickson, Joseph Thos. Rhodes, Esquires. The first business of the Court was to fine the Jurors for non- attendance as follows: Ordered that the following persons, to Wit: Thomas James, Edward Dickson, Arthur Stokes, John Carr, James Mills, William Rigsby, David Caraway, William Hooks, Thomas Hill, Richard Moore, William Newton, John Housman, William Nethercutt, James Bizzell, and John Sheffield, who were appointed Jurors to this Court and Summoned by the Sheriff, and did not attend, be fined, nisi etc. On Tuesday morn Justices came to sit, as the record shows to Wit: Kedar Bryan, Charles Ward, and James Gillespie. The next Court was held in the Court house being present as shown by the Minutes as follows: At a Court began and held for the County of Duplin at the Court house thereof on Monday the 18th day of July in the year of our Lord 1785, being the 3rd Monday of the Said Month, present the Worshipfuls, Thos. Rutlege, James Kenan, Joseph Dickson, Charles Ward, Keder Bryan, Joseph T. Rhodes, Esquires. . . . The Court passed on estates, deeds, etc., allowing the Tax Collectors for insolvents, etc. The tract of land on which the Commissioners located the Court 324 house in 1785, and on which the present structure is located, is described in a deed from James Pearsall to the Justices of Duplin recorded in Book 1, page 114, Register’s Office of Duplin County and dated Jan. 17th, 1785, being a square piece of land containing 4 acres and beginning on James Pearsall’s Spring Branch, 50 feet below the spring. The Court house is now situated on that square. James Pearsall owned 800 acres of land on this side of the Grove Swamp, and this lot was about the center of the tract. The Home of James Pearsall where the Court house was located just beyond the residence of Dr. O. J. Jones on the right 48 you go from the Court house and was for a long time the only home in the village. It may be inferred from the records that the Commissioners appointed to build the Court house completed this work in less than Six Months, for the records show that the July Term in 1785 was held in the Court House. That Court house Stood from the time of its erection in 1785 until the month of June, 1911, when it was torn down by the Board of Commissioners of Duplin County and the present fireproof and modern Structure was erected in its stead. The old Court house was 40 feet Square outside measurement and was originally erected two stories high, the lower portion being left open, and the upper story supported on Pillars; the stairway going up to the Court room from the outside. It was thus used till the year 1848, when Justices of County con- tracted with one Dudley, a contractor, to remodel and repair the Same. This was completed before 1852, by adding a third story to the same, and by filling in with brick between the supports under the Second Story, thus making rooms on the ground floor; and thus repaired, it was the Same Court house that we all know. The old Court House Stood for more than 125 years, a splendid Monument to the pluck, Patriotism and energy of our County in its youth, and was amply suf- ficient for our County comprising nearly 700 Square Miles of territory, and with a population as the Federal Census of 1790 shows of less than 700 heads of families. The Cotton gin of Eli Whitley had not been invented, and only enough was made for home use, and the seeds had to be removed by hand. There were no railroads, no steamboats, no telegraph lines, no telephones lines, no electrical devices, no post offices, and but few newspapers. The motion power on sea was wind, and on the land was the horse. The taxable property then was worth but a few thousand dollars. Now it is worth millions. The inhabitants then but a few hundred, and now the last Census, that of 1910, shows 25,442. The old Court house as we know it would seat in the Court room audi- torium, by actual Count, 55 persons. When it was first built, it was one of the best Court Houses in the state, but by the year 1911, the 325 ~~ ——new <2 ow ay other Counties in the State had made such rapid progress, and erected such fine courthouses, that it was said by almost every Superior Court Judge who came to hold our Court that we then had the poorest Court House in the State. Grand Jury after Grand Jury recommended that a new Court house be built. Judge after Judge advised that same course. As to how the new courthouse was built, that is not my province to relate, but it is here right in the exact spot where in 1785, Daniel Hicks, Thos. Hooks, and Daniel Teachey, three men on the Western Edge of Duplin County; William Hubbard, Robert Southerland and John Lanier, three men of the Eastern part of the County; and Edward Dickson and John Whithead, two men in the Center of the County, located the old Court house. A new, modern, up to date, fireproof structure, as fine as the best, as fine as in the State, as comfortable as need be with all the modern conveniences, an indisoluble bond, which will successfully resist all efforts to wreck the County for hundreds of years to come. We want no territory belonging to any of our sister counties and never will we permit anyone to take ours. February 17, 1913. L. A. Beasley. Mr. H. D. Williams was introduced by the Chairman and said, May it please Your Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen: In behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I take pleasure in presenting to the people of Duplin County and the Judiciary of the State this building. In doing so it is well to mention briefly the circumstances and conditions under which it has been constructed. But I shall not undertake to describe the house or to tell you of what it is built. It shows for itself better than I can explain to you. The Board of Com- missioners is content to say only that it is the most approved construction practised by leading architects of the time. A new Court House had been the crying need of the County for years but it remained for Messrs. D. J. Williams, Robert James, and W. J. Grady to supply. On February 6th, 1911, the Commissioners held a meeting with reference to the erection of a new Court House, and after deliberation adopted a resolution appointing Messrs. S. O. Middleton, Hallsville; Maury Ward, Rockfish; Thad Jones, Kenansville; M. F. Westbrook, Albertson; A. L. McGowan, Wallace; and George T. Sutton, Calypso, as an advisory Committee and ordered that they be notified and re- quested to attend on February 16th, 1911, to further consider the matter. Commissioners Minutes, Page 375 On February 16th, 1911, the advisory Committee, Mr. A. L. McGowan being absent, met the Commissioners in the old Court House. All Com- missioners were present. The whole matter was gone into fully, and each 326 of the advisory committee expressed himself in favor of a New Court House and advised that the Commissioners proceed. The Commissioners thereupon adopted a resolution declaring the neces- Sary steps toward building, should be at once taken and the Board re- quested Messrs. S. O. Middleton and Maury Ward to visit with them Some of the New Court houses of the State and to make report on March 7th, 1911. Commissioners Minutes, Page 376 The Board was again in Session on March 7th , 1911, and heard the report of the Committee, Messrs. Middleton and Ward and Com- missioner James who had visited and inspected the Court houses of Halifax and Sampson Counties. At this meeting the Board of Commis- Sioners ordered an advertisement inserted in the News and Observer, Raleigh, asking architects to submit plans for a building to cost not more than $30,000, and agreed to meet again on March, 23rd, 1911, to further Consider the Same. Minutes of Commissioners, Page 385 On March 23rd, all members of the Advisory Committee being present, the Board (All members being present) held a meeting in the old Court house and agreed to proceed with the Selection of a site for the new building and also plans and specifications for Same. It was ordered that a special meeting be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in April to discuss same with the taxpayers of the County. Minutes of Commissioners, Page 386 On April 4th, 1911, the Board was again in Session. There were many citizens present. Some opposed and Some approved the new build- ing. After a full and open discussion of the entire subject, the Board of Commissioners by a Majority Vote adopted a formal resolution for a New Court house and the issuance of bonds in the sum of $30,000 to Pay for Same, the building to be constructed on the site of the old Court House. At this Meeting Messrs. Wheeler and Stern, Architects of Char- lotte, N, C., were retained by the Board of Commissioners to perfect Plans and specifications and superintend its construction work. Minutes of Commissioners, Pages 398 and 399 At the regular monthly meeting on May Ist, the Board again adopted and ratified the resolution of April 4th and adopted the plans of the architects for the proposed New Building. An order was also entered directing that advertisement be made offering $30,000 Court House 327 bonds for sale to the highest bidder at 12 o’clock, Monday, June 5th, 1911, and also advertisement was ordered made for proposals for furnishing labor and material, and the erection of the new building in accordance with the plans. These were published in the Manufacturers Record of Baltimore and in the Eastern Carolina News. Minutes of Commissioners, Page 411 On June 5th, bids both for the bonds and construction of the building were opened. The bonds were awarded to Seasongood and Meyer, of Cincinatti, O., for $30,693 and the Contract for the New building was awarded to C. C. Tatherow and Company of Birmingham, Ala. at $31,169.00. The Contractors qualified and on Monday, June 12th, 1911, began removing the old building. Ground was broken for the new Structure within a few days. The New building is located on the exact spot where stood the old Court house measuring from its center. On the same day that the Contract for the New building was signed, the Board, by resolution, appointed Mr. L. A. Beasley to act with me jointly as the agents of the Board with full power. Minutes of Commissioners, Page 423 to 435 During the Month of June, differences arose between the Board of Commissioners and Seasongood and Meyer, with reference to the sale of the $30,000 bonds and it was finally determined to abandon negotia- tions with them on August 7th, 1911. (Minutes page 456) The award of the bonds to Seasongood and Meyer was cancelled and they were sold to E. H. Rollins and Son, of Boston, Mass. These bonds are for $1,000 each Numbering 1 to 30 inclusive, dated May Ist, 1911, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent per annum, interest payable semi-annually on November Ist and May Ist of each year. Both principal and interest is payable at the Banking House of E. H. Rollins & Son in New York City. These bonds are payable in installments as follows: $1,000 on the Ist day of May of each of the years, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, and 1923, and $3,000 on the last day of May in each year 1924 to 1931, inclusive, without option of prior settlement. They are Signed by D. J. Williams, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and Countersigned by James J. Bowden, Clerk, and Carry Coupons for the interest as it matures. Upon Signing the bonds they were delivered to J. O. Carr, Treasurer under a resolution of the board, and a draft for $30,893.67 was drawn on the purchaser and the same deposited with the Bank of Duplin at Wallace for Col- lection. It was paid promptly and the Money was kept on deposit with said Bank. 328 Minutes of Commissioners, Page 463 On Friday, November 17th, 1911, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. and A.M. held a special Comunication and with the usual Masonic formalities laid the Corner Stone. In it is deposited Numerous articles, Writings, books and newspapers which will interest those who in the distant future shall open and inspect its contents. Hon. R. N. Hackett, Grand Master of Wilksboro, N. C., two other Grand Lodge officers, Mr. R. H. Bradly of Raleigh and Mr. H. A. Grady of Clinton were present. The work of Construction was very slow and finally on December 2nd and 10th, 1912, orders were made by the Board of Commissioners, (Minutes pages 12-19) to which Contractors agreed, placing the whole Construction work in the hands of Mr. Fred Schcoon, an Engineer; and the Board of Commissioners furnished the necessary money to complete the job. On January 16th, 1913, the New building was accepted as a sub- Stantial compliance with the contract. (Minutes page 21). The sum of $882.90 was allowed for extra work not included in the original con- tract, the most of this being for Torrizo work on floors and steps. Full settlement was made with the Contractors and the sum of $313.02 was drawn from the Current County funds to make final payment. The exact Cost of the building is therefore, $30,000 in five per cent bonds as heretofore stated, and the Sum of $313.02 cash. This does not include the Compensation of the architects or any other Expense incident to the building nor does it include Furniture, etc. The Board of Commissioners believe that this is such a Court House as the people of the County are entitled to have and they Express the hope that it will stand for ages as an index finger pointing the way to our people where righteous justice can be administered in the interest in this, one of the oldest Counties of the State, now in its 164th year. To you, Judge Allen, one of her highly esteemed citizens, and through you to be the Courts of the State, and to all the people of the County, I present this magnificent structure. H. D. Williams, County Attorney Acceptance of the Court House by Judge Allen: The delivery of this building this day to the people of Duplin County, is an event of no unusual impart. It means a condition already begun that marks the intellectual and moral uplift of all her population. The manner in which these Servants have discharged their duty, is one that should be of general gratification to them and to the public. It is a service faithfully performed in every way. It has been built with an eye to the 329 best possible Structure for the least money. No such structure has been built for the Same money in my oppinion and I have seen all the Court houses in the State. There are few of them but what Some mistake has been made in some way, but it seems to me that none has been made as to this one. There is not the least appearance or charge of graft about it. These men, faithful servants, can hold up their hands and say, (as I once heard the great and much beloved Vance do), “Not one cent has ever stuck to these old hands.” The building is a specimen of beauty and durability and convenience. Duplin has long needed an Auditorium, not only for her Courts, but for the assembling together of her people in all public occasions, which occasions are increasing all the time. I can but believe that these faithful men acted wisely in selecting the same old location, and I say it with regard for any other Community that desires the preference in its favor. It was commendable in any place to want to be the County seat of Duplin, but any possible change would have resulted in great inconveniences to some parts of the County, and eventually in a division of the County, which would mean strife and expense, with likely no good results. As it is, the old land marks are preserved and the Bible tells us to “depart not from the ancient land marks.” The relationship between the people is retained. The individuality that marks a noble people still grows on. The spirit of communalism and selfishness had no place with these men in the work they have done, but rather the Spirit of Patriotism. In a few years the inconvenience that some complain of will be re- moved. The day is not far distant when good roads will be built in every part of the County, and automobiles will be as common as buggies, and then what now seems an inconvenience will be a pleasure. Why should this then not be what it is, beautiful and substantial? It is the ideal place for the administration of Justice. The building is a fine piece of architecture. What is architecture? It is the art of building according to principles, not merely by the ends the edifice is intended to serve, but by considera- tion of beauty and harmony. The time has come when we should study architecture especially. The end of architecture as an art is so to arrange the plain masses and enrichment of the structure as to impart to its interest beauty, grandeur, unity, and power. It is elevating and ennobling and necessitates the gift of imagination as well as technical skill. Like all other arts, it did not spring into existence at the early periods of Man’s existence. The origin of art is found in the endeavor of man to provide for his physical wants. Primitive Man first dwelt in caves, then in huts, tents, and then in houses. So that all men are concerned 330 in architecture and have at some time of their lives business with it. And as man became civilized and educated, it is the expression of natural life and character. All great nations have their magnificent specimens of architecture and a people may be judged by it. It tells the thought and taste of a people as nothing else does. They are the Expressions of the Mind of Manhood. The time has come for this expression to manifest itself in America, and it is being done throughout the country. Who does not admire our reat Capitol building at Washington, and that Library building there? The Spirit is coming down to counties and Duplin has determined to stand in line with others. What will be the result? Let us See. (1) being a beautiful structure it will promote the sense of beauty. “A thing of beauty is a Joy forever,” the poet has said. (2) It will promote & sense of good taste and harmony of custom. (3) It will promote a ne of grandeur and power. (4) It will tend to promote the home ife. Many a young man has left his home and gone into distant states never to return because the home was not attractive. Many a poor Woman has been driven to insanity or a life of shame when an attractive house with flowers and pictures and such beautiful surroundings as Could be produced with a little effort and expense would have saved her; many a little child has been dwarfed for the want of the little things around the home that would make him grow strong and happy. There is nothing more uplifting nor more to be admired than a happy family in a beautiful home. . It may take many years to see the full effect of this building but it will come to a people who are prepared for it and who have capacities that will respond to it. Who are these people? They are the descendants of the very best protestant blood of Europe. We have descendants of the French Huguenots, the descendants of the German Palatines driven from home by Catholic persecutions, who came first to New Bern under DeGraffenried, and after losing their homes by injustice, were taken farther out into the neighboring Counties and given the lands. We have 4 sprinkling of the Scotch who like the others were in search of religious liberty, Then we have the descendants of the Irish, who were prominent among the first settlers of the County. Then we have many of the descendants of a settlement that came down from Maryland on account of Catholic oppression, and added to them are scattering English. All of them seeking a land of liberty. No wonder then that whenever opportunities are open up to them they at once manifest the very best talent and character and became leaders, 331 ec er pa ~~ ag — et TEE IO a mm ee ame All praise to the commissioners who this day turn it over to them. Mr. J. O. Carr presented a portrait of Col. Thos. S. Kenan painted by Mrs. Marshall Williams of Faison and donated to the County by Mrs. Thomas S. Kenan. Mr. Carr Speaking as Follows: The illustrious ancestors of Col. Kenan have been associated with and helped to mold the political and social life of Duplin County during Colonial, Revolutionary, and present times. Col. Kenan graduated at Chapel Hill, began the practice of Law at Kenansville, moved to Wilson, and in less than one year, returned to Kenansville, formed a Company, and then followed the vicissitude of the War Between the States, 61 to °65. From Captain, he was soon pro- moted to Colonel. Under the administration of Governor Vance, he ably filled the office of Attorney General for Eight years. Afterwards he was selected as clerk of the Supreme Court. He was an honor and ornament to his native County, and he never ceased to love and cherish the friendship of his boyhood. The little I have done in historical re- search of Duplin County was through the suggestion and encouragement of Colonel Kenan. The needs and welfare of Duplin lay next to his heart. This handsome portrait is the work of Mrs. Marshall Williams, a native of Duplin. Mr. Henry E. Faison accepted the portrait on behalf of the Bar. In very feeling words he said: It is eminently fitting the first portrait to adorn the walls of this beautiful structure should be the likeness of Duplin’s favorite son, Colonel Thos. S. Kenan. His love for Duplin was well known and his influence was felt by many a young man. He ever held out a helping hand to an aspiring youth, but to a Duplin boy he gave both hands. Some men, when they leave home and meet with success, forget the faces and places—not so with Colonel Kenan, he seemed to have loved his com- rades and native places more and more as the years rolled by, and he bound his friends with hooks of steel. We are glad to have his noble features here in this magnificent Court House, to be an inspiration to our youth, to love and bring honor to Duplin. Gratefully, we accept this splendid portrait. Mr. E. J. Hill, and Mr. R. D. Johnson of Warsaw made brief addresses on the progress of the County. Attorneys present were H. D. Williams, L. A. Beasley, John A. Gavin, Jr., Thad Jones of Kenansville; R. D. Johnson and Jas E. Johnson of Warsaw; Geo. R. Ward of Wallace; Oscar B. Turner of Rose Hill; H. E. Faison and Col. John D. Carr of Clinton; James O. Carr of Wilmington, and Solicitor Henry E. Shaw of Kinston. Court officers—D. H. Wallace, Clerk; F. E. Wallace, Deputy Clerk; 332 G. G. Best, Sheriff; John S. Herring, Deputy Sheriff. Mr. H. D. Wil- liams moved that a Committee be appointed to report the proceedings to the Court and the Chairman appointed Mr. Williams and R. D. John- Son to report the same. Pursuant to a resolution of a Citizens Meeting held on the Ist day of the present Term of Court, we submit the foregoing report of Exer- Cises upon the dedication of the New Court House and respectfully move the same be spread upon the Minutes of this Court, This Feby. 22nd, 1913. H. D. Williams R. D. Johnson, Committee. It is ordered that the proceedings of this meeting above referred to be spread upon the Minutes of this Court upon pages set apart for that purpose. O. H. Allen, Judge (Court Minute Docket—Feb. 17, 1913, Pages 203-224.) PORTRAITS PRESENTED Exercises attending the presentation of the portraits of Col. ‘William A. Allen and Captain John D. Stanford to the County Commissioners of Duplin County to be hung upon the Court House walls on Monday, September Ist, 1913. On Monday of the Second week of the term of Duplin Superior Court ©ver which Judge Oliver H. Allen was presiding; at the hour of eleven 0’clock George R. Ward, Esq., moved that the Court adjourn until the hour of two-thirty o’clock to witness the exercises of the presentation of the portraits of Col. William A. Allen and Capt. John D. Stanford. The court took a recess until the hour above named. The exercises were held in the Courthouse and the meeting was called to order by H. D. Williams, Esq., who invited Col. John D. Kerr to preside over the meet- ing; R. D. Johnson, Esq., was named as Secretary and the Chairman Tecognized A. D. Ward, Esq., of New Bern (formerly of Duplin) who Presented the portrait of Col. Wm. A. Allen on behalf of his family Which was a gift of the family. Mr. Ward said: “Mr. Chairman, Mem- bers of the Board of County Commissioners, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is esteemed a great honor that I am commissioned by the family of the late Col. William A. Allen to present in this beautiful Temple of Justice his handsome oil portrait, painted by the distinguished Duplin Artist, Mrs, Mary Lyde Hicks Williams. Col. Allen was born of a good old family in Wake County, April 29th, 1825, and died in 1884. He Was educated at Wake Forest College in the class with his life long friend and later his law partner, the lamented Capt. W. J. Houston of 333 A eee ee ae em ag this county. He read law under the late Judges Nash and Bailey at Hillsboro. After which he taught school for awhile. He married Miss Maria G. Hicks of a distinguished Granville County family. From that union sprang the presiding Judge of this Court and an able associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. W. R. Allen, and Miss Elizabeth Allen of the faculty of Louisburg College, all of whom are present here today. Many of their fine grand-children are also present. Col. Allen represented Wake County in the House of Commons in 1852, removed to Duplin County in 1858 and became associated in the practice of law with Capt. W. J. Houston. He was a Breckinridge and Lane elector in 1860; was for several years County Solicitor; entered the Confed- erate Service as a Lieutenant of Volunteers under Col. Thomas S. Kenan and served six months, and when it disbanded came home and raised a company and was elected Lieutenant Colonel 51st N. C. Regiment and served till forced by ill health to resign, and upon his return home became Commander of a battalion of Home Guards. In 1865 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention that repealed the ordinance of Secession and was one of the immortal nine who refused to vote to repeal the ordinance, because the repealing ordinance declared that the ordinance of Secession was void and always had been void. He supported an amendment simply repealing the ordinance and upon its failure to pass, voted against the repealing ordinance. He was elected to the State Senate in 1868 but not allowed to serve because of political disabilities. He was elected again in 1870 and 1872 and was among the ablest of the body, serving each Session as Chairman of the J udiciary Committee. He drew the General Amnesty Act, which relieved former members of the Ku Klux Klan and others in Similar trouble from un- lawful acts of bodies of men from prosecution. He was reared and spent his early manhood at a time when the rush did not prevent thorough preparation, and in the prime of his manhood he was one of the chief actors in the time that tried men’s souls and developed men’s character. He stood the test and was put in the forefront to work out a new civili- zation. He was a thorough and conscientious Lawyer and advisor and left his impress for good on the State and particularly on his Section. This Section has developed no better Lawyer or truer man and his in- fluence for good cannot be overestimated. It is a great privilege to me to present this beautiful portrait.” Acceptance of Portrait By L. A. Beasley, Esq.: “Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is especially fitting that the first portraits to adorn the walls of our magnificent new court house include those who have done so much for the upbuilding of our Grand 334 Old County; and I esteem it quite an honor to be permitted to accept this portrait of Col. W. A. Allen on behalf of the Board of Commis- Sioners and the people of Duplin County, his friends and their descend. ants. These portraits will remain upon these walls, a reminder of Duplin s Glorious past, an incentive to her youth in the future, a tribute of respect and affection, a stimulus to renewed exertion. The County may Well feel proud of the record of Col. Wm. A. Allen, as a Lawyer, states- man and citizen, a man who gave the best part of his life to the upbuild- ing of the County of his adoption. His distinguished sons, Judge Oliver H. Allen and Associate Justice W. R. Allen, his daughter Miss Elizabeth Allen of the faculty of Louisburg College, three of his grand-daughters, Elizabeth and Dorothy Allen and Miss Martha Allen, and two of his 8tandsons, Matt H. and Connor M. Allen, both lawyers, are with us on this obcailion and we welcome them to this County, the home of their distinguished ancestors.” Mr. H. E. Faison of the Sampson Bar, presented the portrait of the late Capt. John D. Stanford, on behalf of the family, which was a gift of the family. Mr. Faison said: “Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I deem it quite an honor to be selected by the family and friends of Capt. John D. Stanford to Present his portrait in this presence to the Court House Authorities of Duplin County. Capt. John D. Stanford was in every sense a Duplin County product. He was born March 5, 1833, two and one-half miles South of Kenansville on the Wilmington Road, the oldest son of Alex- ander Torrans Stanford and his wife, Martha Washington Dickson. His 8randfather, Rev. Samuel Stanford, a native of Orange County, was a gallant Revolutionary soldier and fought in the battle of Camden and and the Cowpens against the bloody Tarleton. In the year 1790 after independence was secured he moved to Duplin County, was one of the Pioneers of Presbyterianism in this section and was for years the Pastor ©f Grove Church. In this connection it may not be out of place to recall the fact that he was the minister who united in marriage Miss Rachel iller, the grandmother of the artist who painted this portrait, to the Rev, Alexander McIver of Moore County. He married Miss Torrans Whose other sisters married Mr. Bryant, Mr. Kenan and Mr. Shine. Mr. John D. Stanford was prepared for college at the Grove Academy under Mr. Jas. M. Sprunt and finished his college education at the Columbia University in Washington City in the year 1854. He read law with Daniel Reid, Esq., at Kenansville, N. C., who occupied the Office now occupied by John A. Gavin, Jr., Esq., secured his county license in 1856 and his Superior Court license in 1857 and married Miss Alice A. Spicer of Onslow County in 1860. Under the English 335 A ee a ag gg om SP eS: Natoma ep rt an gem a 2 - System the practice of the law was divided up: one Lawyer was called the Barrister or Counsellor who prepared the pleadings and the evidence and got the case ready for trial; the other was known as the Advocate, who presented the case to the Court and jury. Our friend, Capt. Stan- ford, belonged to the latter class, and in this class he easily stood at the head. He was in every sense a great advocate. He knew the people of Duplin County better perhaps than any other man of his generation. In this forum and before a Duplin County jury, he was practically in- vincible. On the records of this court and the old County court are recorded the great and numerous victories he won over his brethern of the bar and from term to term as you read the Minutes of the court his great success as a jury Lawyer stands out. This sketch of Capt. Stanford would not be complete without some reference to his public life and the great service he rendered his State and County. As a mem- ber of the General Assembly, he served the people of the County almost continuously from the year 1858 until 1889, nearly a generation, and his record as a Legislator reflects great credit upon the people of his native county. For years he was an important member of the com- mittee that built up for the State its great charitable institutions, and his was the first voice raised in the Legislative halls to do some justice to the poor Confederate Soldier. - . » “He was at his best when he took the stump with a legislative journal under his arm and a linen coat on his back, shelling the woods for democracy. “He was happy in his style of oratory, easily exposed the fallacies of his opponent, with pleasant anecdote or compelling logic, readily capturing the crowd and putting his opponent to flight. The people of Duplin County believed in him, they gave him their political confidence, and he faithfully served them. He was Duplin County’s greatest Com- moner. In after years he quit the practice of the law, gave up politics and joined the Presbyterian Ministry, and like his grandfather pointed his fellow man the way of eternal life. In Church and state he was liberal in his views, firm in his convictions and just to his fellow man. The poor, weak and oppressed, had in him a great champion and no people ever had a greater advocate. Mr. Chairman, this portrait is presented in the name of his family and friends. It is a faithful like- ness of the great advocate at the Bar, this champion of the popular rights of the people of Duplin County. Let it in common with the others prove an incentive to the youth of Duplin County to inspire them to greater achievements and more patriotic endeavor.” H. D. Williams, Esq., accepting the portrait on behalf of Commis- sioners and the people of the County said: 336 “Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: The life and character of Capt. Stanford having been so well portrayed by Mr. Faison, I feel myself at a loss to supplement what he has so well said of him, who in the strictest Sense was the greatest Commoner Duplin has ever had. It was not my 80d fortune to know Capt. Stanford while at the bar, and my knowl- edge of his career as a practitioner has been gained from the older members, his family, friends and the records of this County. “Tt is said of him that the first case he ever had was when he de- fended a young man, the son of a widowed mother, acquitted him before the jury, and when he received his fee gave it back to the poor woman to buy provisions for herself and family. Such acts of kindness char- acterized him at the bar, and marked him early in life as a friend of the common people. As a jury lawyer he was without a peer in this County, and he reached the climax of his career in the defense of a murderer of this county in 1882 who everyone thought guilty until Stanford had spoken to the jury and his speech acquitted the criminal, and it was said by the late Judge McRae who was presiding at the trial that it was the best speech he ever heard in a court house in the defense of any man. The good that Capt. Stanford did for the county an never be overestimated, his was a life of devoted service both to ©ountry and to his God, and he ever rendered unto his fellowman his Just dues. In these distinguishing characteristics he was truly loved by all the people.” Mr. Judd Croom, one of Duplin’s oldest citizens, paid a beautiful ‘Tibute to the memory of Col. Allen as a soldier, in whose Company he Was Private, how his kindness to his men made him a favorite Com- mander in the Confederate Service and of his loyalty and devotion to the cause he so nobly espoused. Capt. Jack Andrews, an old and aged citizen, now nearing his 88th birthday, a life long friend of both Col. Allen and John D. Stanford Paid a tribute to them. His acquaintance with them which lasted so long as their friendship to him which was unbroken, and every kind, made the knowledge of their memory ripe with him, and that all too Soon he would join them out yonder in that great beyond to renew that friendship and that acquaintance here made on earth. At the conclusion of the exercises, the Chairman, Col. John D. Kerr, of the Sampson Bar, spoke of his acquaintance with the gentlemen whose Portraits have been here presented, and of their influence for good upon the morals of the county and the progress in the lives that had made for a better development of the County which was prompted by the teachings of these beloved brethern of the bar who have crossed over the river and now rest under the shade of the trees. 337 J. O. Carr, Esq., of the New Hanover Bar (formerly of Duplin) introduced the following resolution: Resolved: That the Secretary of this meeting keep an accurate copy of these exercises, and that the Minutes so kept, be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and that one copy be spread upon the minutes of this court and that a copy be furnished the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, to be spread upon the Minutes of that Board. The resolution was accordingly carried. In pursuance of the above resolution we have the honor to submit here- with a true copy of the proceedings and exercises held in the court house on Monday, September the Ist, 1913. John D. Kerr, R. D. Johnson, Chairman. Secretary. (Court Minutes, Book 6, Page 87.) CHARGE TO GRAND JURY And County Officials Et. al. by Henry A. Grady, Judge. Fall Term—1933. 2 Mr. Foreman, Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, County Officers, Ladies and Gentlemen: Several years ago Prof. Albert Coates of the University Law School, acting in co-operation with various other parties who were interested in Government, its history and functions, undertook to establish what they were pleased to call The Institute of Government; which is an as- sociation of public officers from the Governor of the State down to and including Township Constables, who meet at stated times for the dis- cussion of public problems, the interchange of ideas, and the promotion of good Government by intelligent co-operation. One of the primary objects of the Institute is the establishment of a School of Instruction at the University, where those who have been elected or appointed to office may receive reliable information in respect to their duties; infor- mation which will enable them to discharge those duties not only with efficiency and honesty, but with some degree of satisfaction to the people who have elevated them to positions of trust. As a kind of forerunner or adjunct to this Institute of Government, the several Judges of the Superior Court have been requested to deliver lectures from time to time to the officials of the several counties, and to invite to such lectures all those who have an interest in Government and the proper administration of the law. This program has caused me to invite to this meeting the several County officers, School Teachers, pupils in advanced grades, and such 338 others as may be concerned with civic righteousness, in popular edu- cation, and in common honesty. What I shall say will concern the origin of our State Government, the development of its official life, with cer- tain comments upon the duties which we, as officers, owe to the State, and to the people who have elected us. In the limited time at my disposal I cannot possibly go into detail, or do more than scratch the surface of Government, its development and evolution. However, I shall try to deal with some features of that development that are worth while, especially to those who are engaged in the administration of the law; and there is no better place to discuss those matters than in the presence of a Grand Jury. When we consider that government, as we understand the term, is the result of thousands of years of experience; that those habits and customs which crystalized into English law and English Institutions were in existence in Northern Germany for more than 1,000 years be- fore America was discovered, we can easily see that only the merest mention of some of them would be possible at this time. Much of our history is mythical, veiled in obscurity, or confused in the partisan legends of biased writers. The Story of Mankind, the so- called history of the human race, has been written by the dominant tribes, who were unwilling to tell the truth on themselves, or do justice to the vanquished. The weaklings, the conquered races have never lifted their voices in defense of their rights; or if so, the story was tabooed by those in authority and thrown into the waste-basket of obliv- ion. However, we do know that for the Fatherland of the English race we must look far away from England itself. In the fifth Century after Christ, the one Country which bore the name of England was what we now call Schleswich, a district in the heart of the peninsula which parts the Baltic from the Northern Seas. The dwellers in this district were One of those three tribes, all belonging to the low German branch of the Teutonic family, who, at the moment when history discovers them were bound together in a confederacy by the ties of a common blood and a common speech. To the North of the English lay the tribe of of the Jutes, whose name is still preserved in their District of Jute-land or Jutland. To the South of them the tribe of the Saxons wandered over the sand flates of Holstein, and along the Marshes of Frieslane and the Elbe River, although these people were all known to the Romans as Saxons, who touched them only on the South where the Saxons dwelt, the three tribes bore among themselves the name of Englishmen. And the name English is from the original word Angle. We know the three Sets of tribes as Anglo-Saxons. In the year 449, two brothers from Schleswich, Hengest and Horsa, 339 of England, bringing with them several ship-loads of soldiers. They gained easy access to the mainland, gave battle to the Britons, and Horsa was slain. He was buried beneath a large pile of Flint rock, and the place was called “Horsted” in his honor. Hengest and his army over-ran the Island, and established a Govern- ment of their own upon the ruins of old Britan. The completeness of the conquest is shown by the fact that they gave to the new Country not only their name but their language, their customs and their laws; and while the nomenclature of the law, both in England, and in America, is largely influenced by Latin and Norman French derivatives, the spoken word that we hear in everyday conversation is practically the same lan- guage used by our ancestors in Northern Germany, who drove the Celtic tribes out of Britan, or intermarried with them, or slaughtered them, so that their language has been lost, and their identity as a race in Eng- land destroyed. Our language is Anglo-Saxon, with some borrowings from the neighboring tribes; and the original Celtic tongue of old Britain has taken refuge in Wales, and some parts of Ireland and Scotland. These people seem to have had a genius for self government, for law and order. There was a virility about them, an aggressiveness and tenacity of purpose, which not only withstood the shock of the Norman Conquest in 1066, but was sufficient to transmit even to the generation in which we live, the laws, customs and Institutions which prevailed in Schleswich more than a Thousand Years before the discovery of America; for in personal appearance, in manners, customs and ideals, we are pretty much the same kind of people as those who landed at Ebbsfleet 1,340 years before the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Practically every white person living in this County is related by blood to these Anglo-Saxon invaders. We have in us a liberal admixture of Irish, French and High German; but the predominant strain is Anglo-Saxon. We should feel no shame in claiming kin with a race which has given to the World so many Philosophers, which has never been out-witted in diplomacy, and which has preserved intact, to all intents and purposes, the same form of government for more than ten centuries—longer than the life of any other Kingdom upon the face of the earth. All of which was due to their genius for government, their knowledge of human nature, and their ability to control themselves in times of stress. Knowledge is power. Ignorance is the greatest curse that government has to contend with, whether that government be Legislative, Executive or Judicial. The English settlers in North Carolina were unlettered; they were ignorant; the same was true of the Irish and German immi- grants; but they have succeeded in spite of this awful handicap. It is 340 the driving force within us, the Anglo-Saxon genius for self government, tempered by the imagination of the Irish and the sturdy qualities of the German, that has sufficed to overcome the handicap of ignorance and superstition; these are the things that have made us what we are here in North Carolina. If the result is bad, we can’t help it; for no man can choose his own ancestors. In the early days of this Commonwealth our forefathers had to rely upon the instinct rather than the culture of the citizens; and this was particularly true in respect to public officers. Corruption in office always has been, and always will be an ugly factor in popular government. This thing that we call Government is a human Institution; it is made up of common clay, just as common as the clay of the average man; it is no better and no worse than the men who compose it. However, it is my personal observation, and my honest belief that men usually want to do the right thing; and will do the right thing if left alone to do their own thinking. Ignorance, Superstition, and Religious Fanaticism are responsible for all of the Wars that have cursed the human race; and they are responsi- ble for 90 percent of the ills that we endure; and, I can say with perfect candor that the one word—IGNORANCE—is the father of the other two; for superstition and religious fanaticism are but the off-spring of Ignorance. Religious fanaticism placed in the first Constitution of this State a proviso that no one except a believer in the Protestant Christian religion could hold office in North Carolina. When Judge William Gas- ton, a Catholic, was elected to the Supreme Court Bench, his great learning, private virtues and nobility of soul were so outstanding that no man had the courage to deny him a seat on the Bench, although he was disqualified under the law. He took his seat, and no State in the Ameri- can Union ever had a wiser, nobler or juster judge. It is but proper to say that this proviso was struck out of the Constitution as soon as pos- sible. Our people were ashamed of themselves. Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury: I regret to say to you that people as a rule know very little about Government. They have never had an opportunity to learn much about public affairs. It is not taught in the public schools except in a most superficial manner. The very word Government has a fearful sound to many people. I can testify to that fact from my own personal experience. When I was a boy, over in “Chocolate,” in Albertson Township, sometimes my father would come back from Kenansville with some Judge of the Superior Court, or, maybe a Congressman, and they would sit by the fire at night and talk about the Constitution and Government in words so ponderous and fearful that I was afraid to go out to the well after a bucket of 341 water for fear one of those awful creatures would get me in the dark. After listening to them for several hours I came to the conclusion that the Constitution was something like the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, and that Government was some kind of a Banshee that got after little boys, and that, worst of all it was responsible for the Tariff and pensions for Yankee Soldiers. That was when I was a child. Since then I have come to know that the Constitution is nothing but an agreement, entered into by the people or their duly elected repre- sentatives, for the government of the State in one instance, and of the United States in the other. Mr. Hendryk Van Loon, the great Dutch Writer, who has become a citizen of the United States, says in one of his latest books, that the Constitution of the United States is as simple a document as was ever penned by men; and that its very simplicity is its most enduring quality. There is nothing holy or sacrosanct about a Constitution; it is neither intricate nor abstruse, save when intricate and abstruse interpretations are put upon it by designing politicians. Both the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of North Carolina, are just as simple as they should be; they are not absolutely permanent, for they can be altered, amended or repealed, to suit the shifting conditions of the times. In this discussion I am dealing only with the Constitution of the State. The people made it; and the people can unmake it. It is theirs to do with as they please. Government is the Constitution at work. We see it going on about us every day: this Court, the several offices of the County, the Public School System, road building, progress in the several departments of human conduct—all these things are contemplated by the Constitution. The Constitution is more or less stable; it may be changed, it is true, but not so easily as Government. It is provided in the Constitution that the Government of the State shall be changed every four years, and that the Government of the County shall be changed every two years. When Government becomes oppressive the people have a right to declare its unfitness at the ballot box. Frequent elections have proven to be the safety valve of popular liberty. Some of you gentlemen here in this Court room have been elected to office in this County. When you came before the Clerk to be qualified, you took a solemn oath that you would support the Constitution of the United States; that you would be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the Constitutional powers and authori- ties which are, or may be, established for the government thereof. For the time being, and until it is amended or altered in accordance with law, you are honor bound to support the Constitution of this State, and be faithful to the Government operating under it. It is well for every 342 public officer to remember that at all times. All of the offices now estab- lished in this State are sanctioned by the Constitution. I have promised to talk to you about the origin and development of the Government under which we live; and especially the origin and evolution of our system of laws. It must be remembered that the cus- toms and traditions of this State were borrowed almost in a body from the mother Country; and these customs were brought into England by the Anglo-Saxons in 449, as already stated. The earliest conception of Government among English speaking people was based upon independent communities—small territories where everybody in the community knew everybody else. Such system prevailed in Schleswich before the Anglo- Saxon invasion of England, and it is laid down in the Enactments of Alfred the Great of England as being a wise and beneficient rule; and upon this custom we have builded the idea of local self government here in North Carolina. Under this system the Kingdom was divided into Shires or Counties, each County being governed by an officer appointed by the King; Coun- ties were subdivided into Hundreds, corresponding to our Townships; and it was supposed in the Hundreds or Townships that every man in them was acquainted with every other man who resided within their boundaries. A recognized head of each Hundred was responsible to his immediate superior, and through him to the King. In this manner there was always some representative of the Government near at hand, to whom complaints might be made by the citizens, and through whom the citizens might seek a redress of grievances. Under such a system every man was easily accessible for all purposes of government, such as levying taxes, mustering in for military training, or the service of process from the Courts. The present Counties in England are almost identical in respect to their boundaries with the Shires laid out by Alfred the Great sometime prior to the year 901. The chief Judicial officer of a shire was called the Shire-reeve, which word has been corrupted into our word Sheriff. Ancient England with its Shires or Counties, its Hundreds or Townships, and its Tuns or Towns, each with its own governing body was very much like our own State. This plan of having small governmental districts in which all of the people were acquainted is of great advantage in any democratic or republican form of govern- ment. As a necessary result of this custom the people of England, who moved about very little, intermarried with their neighbors, and in the course of time all of the people who dwelt in any particular Hundred, or Township, would be related by blood; and often the entire population of such District would take as their family name, the name of the District in which they lived. In such manner did the names Lancaster, Whitaker, 343 Broadhurst, Blackmore, and many others arise, too numerous to mention. I will tell you something about family names a little later in this charge. When the Colony of North Carolina seceded from King George III of England, and set up a government of its own, there were very few changes in the habits and customs of the people. Before the Declaration of Independence we had a Governor, we had Courts, we had an Assembly of representatives which met at various places in the Colony; we had Sheriffs, Constables, Clerks and Justices of the Peace. In many instances these officers were allowed to retain their positions under the State, simply by taking an oath of allegiance. The people moved along in the same old ruts. In fact, people change very slowly in their habits and customs. Our habits are a part of us; just like our speech, our religion, and usually our politics; we inherited them from our ancestors. Even so pronounced an upheaval as the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, according to Froude, the Historian, failed to bring about any decided changes in the habits of the people. Many a rustic, living in the Hinterland of Great Britain went about his business in the usual manner. He probably never heard of William the Norman, or how Harold, the King, had been shot in the eye and killed at the battle of Hastings. In fact, he didn’t care much about it anyway. Here in North Carolina men went about their usual occupations, just as is if nothing had happened; they swapped their raw products for rum and molasses; they traded horses, some of them went to Church, some went to school, but not many; and the man in the Styx didn’t know or care who was running the Government of the State; whether it was Richard Caswell, the rebel Governor, or old George Guelph, the German King of England. In fact, people care very little about Government so long as it doesn’t interfere with their business. That one peculiarity of the people is largely responsible for the present control of our Govern- ments, State and National, by Multimillionaires, International Bankers and the Great Power and Tobacco Trusts. The people have gone to sleep and the Government has been taken over and plundered by the favored few. Many years ago some wise man said that “Eternal Vigilance is the price of Liberty.” That injunction is just as sound today as it was in 1776, or at any other time in the World’s history. I could dwell at some length on this subject; but must pass it along. Over in England, and here in America, when we were a Province, there were certain officials who made up the Government; when we cut loose from the Mother Country we kept the same system; and there has been no substantial change in it up to the present time. When I was in England several years ago, I could hardly tell the 344 difference between that Country and my own. They talked pretty much as we do; they wore clothes just as we do; they had the same manners and customs that we do, and, in fact, if I had not known better, I could well have supposed that I was in New York, Baltimore, or Raleigh, when I walked down the Streets of London. And so we people here are living pretty much under the same laws, the same customs, the same taatinw tions, that prevailed among our ancestors in England. We can’t get away from our inheritances; we cannot lose our ancestors. And so, Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen, as we are the creatures of habit, as we have inherited our habits and customs from England, and as all law is based upon custom, I will now discuss with you the origin of some of those customs and institutions which have crystalized in the form of law here in North Carolina. In the first place, the word office has a very significant meaning; like most of our law terms, it is derived from the Latin. Ob means before or against, and Facio means to do or perform some task. The Latin word is Officium, and it means to be faced with duty, or to stand before a task. Our ancestors remembered that meaning and whenever a new office was created they endeavored to name it according to the duties that it imposed upon the incumbent. The meaning of words is an interesting study as you will see from what I am going to say in respect to the several offices existing under our system of government. Let us begin with the word Constable. We all know what a Constable is; but what does the word mean? In ancient times horses were just as necessary in time of war as soldiers. Each soldier carried a heavy armour, weighing sometimes as much as seven or eight hundred pounds, and it required a strong, well trained horse to support him. In each Battalion or Legion there had to be a keeper of the horse, a man well trained, whose duty it was to feed them and keep them in proper shape for battle. He was a very important person, and he occupied pretty much the same position in those days that the Regimental Adjutant does at this time. The Latin word for Keeper is Comes, and the word for stable is stabulum; putting the two words together we have constabulum, and from this we take the word Constable. It simply means a keeper of the horse. It is rather peculiar that the word Marshal means the same thing, except that Marshal is Anglo-Saxon. This word was brought into England in 449 by Hengest and his fol- lowers. In that language Marah means a horse, and schal means a keeper; so that Marah-schal, or Marshal means a keeper of the horse— the same thing as Constable. The functions of this office have varied from time to time. When England changed from a strictly military to a civil form of government, when shot and powder took the place of spears and battle axes, horses 345 were no longer necessary to the common soldier; there was no further need for a Keeper of the Horse, or Constable. It happens that about this time the highways of England were in- fested with roving bands of robbers who preyed upon the traveling public to such an extent that the Government was compelled to patrol its roads. As these Constables were expert horsemen, they were as- signed to that duty; and so, in this way, the Keeper of the Horse became the Keeper of the Peace; and that is what he is in North Carolina—the Chief Peace Officer of his Township. Another word that the Normans brought into England is Coroner. It is from the Latin word, Corona, which means a crown, and refers to the King or Ruling Prince, who wore a crown. Coroner simply means a Crowner, that is, the King’s Man. In ancient times his duties were manifold. He had the immediate investigation of all murders, arsons, burglaries, robberies, rapes and other felonies which, at that time, were punishable by death. He held his commission direct from the King. This office under our system of Government has become practically useless. All of its functions may now be performed by a Justice of the Peace, sitting as a Committing Magistrate, but it is retained, so far as I can see, simply as a matter of custom. It is another proof of the fact that we are unable to get rid of our ancestors. The word Sheriff is pure Anglo-Saxon. He was the chief Judicial officer of the Shire or County. Shire is a variant of our word shear; and it means to cut off; so that a Shire was a piece of territory cut off from the balance of the Kingdom. Reeve means a ruler; and the Sheriff was originally the Chief Justice of County Court. He usually sat with two Barons, and the three made up what was called the Court Baron. In the course of time it became the custom for the chief Justice or Shire-reeve, to serve all writs issued by his Court. In performing these duties he took less interest in the sittings of the Court; and finally the custom became the law; he sat no longer as a Judge, but served only as a process officer of the Court. When North Carolina was established as a State, the Sheriffs who had represented the King were retained in office, if loyal to the State; but they had no judicial powers whatever. The office of Sheriff was in existence in England long before the Nor- man Conquest in 1066. The Norman Government was strictly military, and they had no such office as a Sheriff; and so this name was retained in use although a pure Saxon word. Furthermore, it was an office with which the people had long been familiar. It was close to them, and they probably refused to give up the name. It is just another case of custom ruling the law. After the Norman Conquest, the Courts as a matter of course, were controlled by them. Their Court language was Latin. Nobody was able to read and write in those days except the Priests, who were Roman Catholics. In fact it was considered disgraceful for a gentleman, a soldier or Knight, to have any literary training. Richard the Lion Hearted had to make his mark; he could neither read nor write. Even so late as the year 1513, Sir Walter Scott in his great Poem called Marmion, makes the Earl of Angus thank all the Saints that only one of his sons could read and write; and that son was a Bishop by the name of Gavin Douglass: It was very proper for a Bishop to read and write; but not so with gentlemen who lived by the sword. All Deeds were executed by means of a mark or sign. This was usually done by impressing the Seal on damp paper. This seal was usually attached to the Signet Ring of the Lord or gentlemen; and by this sign he was known among all other Lords and gentlemen. The Latin word for sign is Signum, and Sigillum means a little sign. From this word we have derived our word, seal; and that is why we say today that a man signs a deed; we ought to say “he subscribes his name” to the instrument; for in reality he does not sign it. This is the custom from which the use of seals arose. It is a useless custom and ought to be abolished. A man who can write his name needs no seal. In those days papers were written by Priests, as they were the only people who could write. The Latin word for priests is Clericus. The Clericus became the reporter of the Court; and in course of time the name was shortened into Clerk. In England they call it Clark; just as they say Darbey for Derby. The family name of Clark, which is found nearly everywhere today, simply means that some ancestor of the family was a Clericus or Clerk, who wrote Deeds and other documents for the community, and so naturally he was called Mr. Clerk or Mr. Clark, just as we say Mr. Sheriff or Mr. Justice. Such names are plentiful all over the world. Right here I might remark that family names were unknown prior to the 12th Century. Men had but one name originally, that which we call the Christian or personal name. In the course of time the popu- lation increased, and there were so many Johns, Jameses, Andrews, Wil- liamses, etc., that they had to be designated by family or local groups. This necessity arose especially under military law, and surnames were applied to the several families or groups in order that the individuals might be found in case of need. But even after this custom arose, it was only the landed gentry that were allowed to have surnames. It was considered a distinct honor to have a surname; and these names were 347 sometimes adopted by the family and became established by usage; or they were conferred upon the owner by special warrant from the King or Lord of the Manor. Family names in England, Scotland, and in some cases, in Ireland, were derived from the occupation, place of residence, or some peculiarity of the person, or in the habits of the person who took them. Or, sometimes the name of the father, the per- sonal name, was adopted with either a prefix or a suffix to indicate the relationship. The ordinary serf or common laborer, who was scarcely better than a slave, was not permitted to have a family name for many years after the custom was adopted by Nobility. Here in North Carolina we have a great many names which arose from occupations, such as Smith, Carpenter, Joyner, Brewer, Tanner, Webster, Cooper, Fisher, and many others too numerous to mention. There was a blacksmith in every community who made the nails, plow shares, horse shoes and other necessary implements of iron or steel. In the beginning of the Empire such men had no name other than that given them by their mother, which was John, or James, or Peter, perhaps. The community by common consent call him “John the Smith,” or “James the Smith,” and in the course of time the word the was dropped, and he was simply called John Smith or Jas. Smith or Peter Smith. This word is from the Anglo-Saxon tongue, and means one who strikes, or smites iron. The name is found in all European Countries—Not, of course as Smith, but some word in the native tongue which means the same thing—one who strikes or who works in iron. If the smith special- ized in gold, he was Goldsmith, if in silver, he was Silversmith. If he engaged in manufacturing horse-shoes, he took the name of Farrior, or Ferrior, which means one who works in iron. The Spanish name Farrar and the French name LeFevre, mean the same thing; they are all from the Latin word Ferrum, which means iron. Other names which are familiar to all of us, were derived from some peculiarity of the person, or from the color of one’s armor, or, perhaps of the skin, the eyes, or the hair. And so we have the family names of Brown, Black, Green, Blue and Redd. We also have the name Rouse, which means redheaded. Sometimes a name was taken from the locality in which the man lived; for instance, Broadhurst means a wide tract of woods; Whitehurst means a white forest; and the name Hurst means simply a forest or tract of woodland. Blackmore means a dark, boggy place; while the name Moore means a bog, or low meadow. We also have such common family names as Branch, Brooks, Bowers, Forrest, Hill, Lake, Lea, and Woods—all indicating the place of resi- dence of the person who first adopted the name. And then too, there are numerous names which seem to indicate some 348 resemblance or similarity to an animal or bird; such as Lyon, Bear, Fox, Wolf, Hogg, Eagle, Hawks, Sparrow, Crow and Byrd. I do not know it to be true, but I am of the opinion that the name Kornegay means Dark Grain. They came over here in 1710 with Baron De Graffenreid; they were Germans, and the German word K-o-rn means grain, such as wheat or barley; and the word Neger means dark. The name, therefore, may mean that the original person who adopted it was a farmer, and raised darkgrain. He was Kornneger. 88 I was reading sometime ago in one of our so-called Histories an ac- count of the Wells family of Duplin County. The author claimed that the name was a corruption of the French word Vallee, which means valley in our language. This is evidently a far-fetched and tip tad meaning, for Wells is a German name. The word Wells is an old Saxon word, from the verb wellan, which means to boil. Sheriff Williamson is of English stock. His name simply means a son of William. Albert Timothy Outlaw, your Register of Deeds, is of English blood. His ancestors came here from County Bedford in Eng- land. The name suggests its origin. When rival claimants were aspiring to the Throne of England, and one of them won out, very little mercy was shown to his opponents. He and his adherents were outlawed; that is, they were declared beyond, or out of the law. Sometimes a price was put on their heads. Naturally they were called Outlaws. The _ is variously spelled in England. It is Outlaw, Utlaw, Otlawe; and there are other spellings; but they all mean the same thing. McGowen is a Scotch name, and means the son of Smith; Gowen and Cowen and Gow, all mean smith in the celtic language. We have these names here in North Carolina. Bowden is a corruption of Booth-den, which means a Booth or dwelling place in aden. Bowman means an archer —one who shoots with bows and arrows. Wallace is Scotch, and means little Gaul, or a person of the Gallic race. It used to be spelled Gallois. We have in this County a name which is strangely mispronounced. I refer to the name Houston. It originated from a Welshman by the name of Hugh, who settled in England many years ago. He and his family founded a small village which they called Hugh’s tun, or Hugh’s town, for tun means town in the Saxon language. He and his descendants adopted the name of Hughstun. It was finally corrupted into H-o-u-s-t-o-n; but this is wrong, absolutely wrong. The name should be pronounced not House-ton. i oa Ba old family name in Duplin is Maxwell. It was originally Maccuswell. Long before the invasion of William the Norman a certain Scotsman by the name of Max, owned a large tract of land on the Tweed River. There was a valuable well or pool on the land, and the place 349 naturally took the name of Maccus’well. Maccus is the Latin form of Max. The name Maxwell as it is now spelled, was first assumed by Hubert Maccuswell about the year 1116. Coming to the local Bar of this County I will take the name Beasley. This word was originally Bees-lea, and means a meadow or lea, where bees were kept, or it probably means a keeper of bees. This latter mean- ing is the more probable. Williams is a Welsh name, and means the son of William. In Wales, when a family or surname was coined out of a Christian or personal name, they added an apostrophee and an s, thus putting the word in the possessive case. Thus William, the father, had a son named John. This son would be John William’s, or of William. The apostrophee was finally dropped and left the word as we now have it—Williams. Jones in Welsh means the son of John. Evans means the son of Evan; Mat- thews means the son of Matthew. We have a number of such Welsh names here in North Carolina. Gavin is pure Scotch and means a Battle-hawk, or falcon used to carry messages in time of War—just as we use Carrier pigeons today. Boney is probably from the French word Bonnet, which means a woolen cap, and may refer to the habit of the man in wearing a cap or hat of wool. Blanton, I take it, is also French; and, if so, it is from the two words Blanc, which means white or clean, and ton which means color or hue. If this is the derivation it simply means the White man, just as we have the name in English, Whitman, which was originally white-man. Ward is Norman French, and means a guard or warder. military title assumed by the keepers of Castles, Cordell is pure French and means one who handled the tow-line on a ship. It was a nautical term, and shows that the original ancestor was a sailor, whose duty it was to handle the tow-line. Johnson is English, and means a son of John; and John is from the Hebrew and means God hath been gracious. I am not advised as to whether or not Rivers’ people knew the meaning of that word when they named him. Stevens means the son of Stephen. It is Welsh. Stephen means a crown, and the name originated from the fact that the owner of the first surname lived on the crown or top of a hill. an occupation and needs no explanation. Carlton used to be Carrolton, and meant Carrols-town. Carroll means strong; and so the name Carlton really means the City of the Strong man. It was a Turner comes from Gresham is Anglo-Saxon and means Great House. It was originally Gross-ham. Gross means great, and ham means house or home. One other name I will mention and then proceed with the regular order of business. I refer to the name John. There is no other name in the whole world that has met with such universal favor as a baptismal or Christian name. It is found among all races, white, brown, yellow and black, who have, in any manner been influenced by the Old Testa- ment. This word is first mentioned in II Kings, Chapter 25 and the 23rd verse, in the form of J-o-h-a-n-a-n, which, in the Hebrew language means, God hath been gracious. It was the natural exclamation of the Hebrew mother when she was told that she had given birth to a man child. In ancient Rome the word was Johannes; in Modern Italy it is Giovanni; in Russia it is Ivan; in Wales it is Evan; in Scotland it is Tan (pro- nounced Ee-yon); in Germany it is Johann; in France it is Jean; in Spain it is Juan; in Holland it is Jan; and from this ancient Hebrew word we have also the surnames of Johnson, Jones, Evans, McEwwn, McCann, and various others too numerous to mention. The world is full of Johns whether God has been gracious or not. Now gentlemen, this short dissertation on the meaning of names has nothing whatever to do with the business of the Court; but it o an interesting study, and I feel that the time has not been wasted. I ave known several gentlemen who offered large sums of money for a certi- fied family tree that would connect them up with some well known character of the past. I must now return to my subject, which is the common law of England, and the origin and meaning of the offices that are provided for under our state Constitution. The next office that I will mention is that of Justice of the Peace. Justicia, in Latin means one who loves justice; and the root word is justus, our word just; so that a Justice of the Peace was a man who was just and honest in pre- serving the Peace of the Kingdom—a man who loved justice. He was appointed by the King because of his high character, and a sat in judgment upon his neighbors. It is a very fine word—this word Justice. Like the majority of law terms it came into England from Normandy with William the Conqueror. In the early days when the population was sparse the King went about the Country, and sat in Eanedae such places as suited him. He was the source of all power, and . judgment was final. He usually sat with his advisors within some walle enclosure. The Latin word for such place was Cortis, from which we derive our word Court. Inside of this Cortis or Court was the Hall, where the King and his advisers sat; and this place was called the 351 ee Oe Aula Regis, or Hall of the King; and so this Court was known for many years as The Aula Regis. But the common people referred to it as The Court. After the population increased and the business of the Courts became congested and the King was unable to handle it in per- son, he appointed certain officers to conduct these Courts for him. They were called Justiciars; and the Court was then called the Court of King’s Bench. These Justiciars rode their various circuits, held Court and administered justice as best they could; but the litigants had a right of appeal to the King. As time progressed, and business increased, these Justiciars found it impossible to dispose of the great accumulation of cases. These Justiciars were usually Churchmen, who were educated; they felt that some lesser tribunal should be established for the trial of petty causes; and that these tribunals should be presided over by a local man in each County of the Realm, authorizing him to try all petty misdemeanors, and certain civil matters which were considered too trivial to be brought before the Justiciars. He called the officers Justices of the Peace. The powers and privileges of this office were changed from time to time, to suit the needs of the hour. The number was increased, and finally each Hundred or Township had a local Justice who was known to all the people in that District, and this brought it home to the people in such a way that it became very popular as an Institution. Finally we find that several Justices were required to sit together, and to ride the circuit, with wider jurisdiction, and greater power. This Court was then known as the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, because they sat each Quarter at some designated place in the County. And they administered what was known as the Common Law of England. These Justices were not required to be educated—not in books, at least; but they had to be well informed as to the customs of the realm. Many people will inquire then, What is meant by the Common Law of England? It will be remembered that in the early days nobody could read and write except the priests, and their writings were mostly in Latin or Norman French. The King, the old Common Law Judges, the Sheriffs —none of these could read or write. The only officer of the Court who knew his letters was the Clericus, the Clerk. The Common Law was made up of certain rules of civil conduct, which derived their authority from long usage or custom, and which have immemorially been received and recognized by Judicial Tribunals. As the Common Law can be traced to no positive statute, its rules or principles are to be found only in the records of the Courts and in the reports of judicial decisions. In other words, the Common Law of England consisted of those rules of conduct, customs and traditions of the people, which had existed so 352 long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary; and this means that these customs had existed so long that no living man could remember when a different rule or custom prevailed. The Judges, while unlettered, were supposed to know the manners and customs of the people, and especially those customs which ran beyond the memory of man; and were, therefore, declared to be the law. When the Parliament in later years began to enact statutes, when men became educated, the laws so enacted were designated as the Written Law, or Lex Scripta, to distinguish them from the Common Law or Lex Non Scripta. Many of our statutes here in North Carolina are simply declarations by the General Assembly of what the Common Law formerly was. It has been declared by the Courts of this State many times that the Common Law of England prevails here, except where it has been expressly abrogated by statute. This instinctive veneration for custom, and the ancient Latin rule that Custom rules the Law (Mos legem regit, in the Latin phrase), is evident by the decisions of our Supreme Court in Kay-V-Menzies, 186 N. C. Report, at page 149, that “Where there is a well known custom, which obtains in a given trade or business, it is presumed that all persons engaged in such trade or business, where it prevails, con- tract with a view to such custom or usage, unless such presumption is excluded by the contract of the parties.” The Law of Negotiable Instruments, which makes up an entire Chap- ter in Our North Carolina Code, is simply a declaration by the Legis- lature of what the Common Law or Law Merchant was prior to its passage. The Law Merchant of England was not written; it was just a system of rules, accepted by the business men of England in reference to the obligation assumed by them as makers, endorsers or guarantors of negotiable instruments. This system became a part of the law of this State after the Revolution. The office of Register of Deeds was unknown in England. It is strictly an American Institution. It is found in practically all of the States. Sometimes it is called Recorder of Deeds, sometimes, Register, and at others, the duties are imposed upon the Clerk of the County Court or Prothonotary. The need of such an office has been recognized in England, and they are now imitating us in this respect. Our County Government is copied largely from the English Consti- tution. Prior to the Norman Conquest each County was governed by a Sheriff and an Alderman. These two, sitting together, performed those duties which are now discharged by the Board of Commissioners. In early days the duties of these gentlemen were performed by the old County Court. We have changed the name of the office; but the func- tions are the same. 353 Our Departmment of Education is strictly American in character; during Colonial days there was much prejudice against education; the priests of the Church of England were heartily despised by the average citizen, and they had a contempt for his learning. As time progressed and Independence came, men began to see that some sort of Educa- tion was essential. It was seen that the ignorant boy was unable to compete with the educated one. With this knowledge, the man in the Styx began to wake up; the public conscience was quickened, and the need of a common school education became a paramount issue with the people. There is no office in this State of more importance than that of Superintendent of Schools, or membership on the Board of Edu- cation. It ought to be a serious crime, indeed, it is a crime, for any man to rear in this state an unlettered family of children. A man may be ever so poor, which is no disgrace; but if he is educated, if he is enlightened, if his mind has been trained to think and to enjoy the lofty thoughts and ideas of the great men of the past, he will never be absolutely unhappy. The body may be at rest, but if the mind can travel, if it can reach out into the depths of space, if it can go sight-seeing down the highways of Science, Invention, Philosophy and Art; though its surroundings may be poor, such a mind can find contentment. Such a mind is not afraid. This is the object of education. It fits a man for this battle that we call Life; it establishes him in his own reputation; it gives him self confidence. He is no longer like the poor Incas of Peru, who fought the cut-throats from Spain with bows and arrows; and who went down in defeat before the deadly rifles of the enemy; such a man has a rifle of his own. I am willing always to take off my hat to an educated man. We have here in North Carolina a very fine system of public education. It is not perfect; but it is very good. It is our duty to encourage those who are engaged in that department of Government, to lend them a helping hand; and in the course of time we may be able to say to the balance of the World: This is our system— come and see it, for it is the best on Earth. And now, Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, I shall leave the subjects that I have discussed, and endeavor to aid you as best I can in the performance of your duties as Grand Jurors. The Grand Jury, as an institution, has existed over in England for something more than eight hundred years. The word Juror is a corruption of the old Latin word, coming to us through the Norman-French, Jureor, which means one who has been sworn. Just when the system of trial by Jury began is unknown. Even the greatest of English Historians admit that its origin is veiled in antiquity. Running through the old records of the Priests, we find at time some mention of the word Juror, and of 354 trials by free-holders; but all that we can say with any degree of as- surance is that the system was in vogue during the reign of King Henry II, which was from 1155 to 1189 A. D. In the beginning there was no difference between the Grand and Petty Jury. One body of men performed the functions both of a Grand Inquest, or Inquisitorial Body, and as a trial jury. It was not limited to 12 men, nor was a unanimous verdict required. If the Jury disagreed, others were called in and added to the body until so many as 12 were able to agree, and in this manner verdicts were rendered. When sitting as a Petty Jury it seems that it was customary for the Presiding Judge to ask questions in the trial of Civil Causes; and in the discussion that arose, 12 men would finally agree upon a verdict which was accepted by the Court. When sitting as a Grand Jury, or Grand Inquest as it is sometimes called, evidence was offered and the Jury simply declared whether or not it suspected the defendant of being guilty. If they did not suspect him, he was discharged. If they did suspect him, he was put upon trial; and upon trial the burden was on him to prove his innocence; for, after he had been suspected by the Grand Jury, he was presumed to be guilty. The accusee had an election of several methods of trial. First, he could demand the ordeal of Compurgation, which was a trial before several free-holders, drawn from the community where the ac- cused person lived, and who declared upon oath (Compurgation mean- ing a cleansing together) whether or not they believed him when he swore to his innocence. Their judgment as to his veracity was based upon their personal knowledge of the man. Their judgment was there- fore the judgment of his neighbors, of those who knew him; and it is said that Justice was usually administered in this way with surprising correctness. If the accused was afraid of his neighbors, he had another method of trial, known as the Ordeal of Water, another by fire; both of which were performed by the Priests. The accused was turned over to the Church; Solemn prayer was offered, the blastments of God were called down upon all who doubted the correctness of the decision; water was then heated to the boiling point, some small object was placed at the bottom of the tub, and the accused was required to reach for the object with naked hand. If his hand came out unscalded, he was pro- nounced innocent; if scalded, he was adjudged guilty. The ordeal of Fire was equally as silly. In this ceremony the accused was required to walk over a series of red hot irons, with bare feet. If he was innocent the Lord was supposed to come to his rescue and save him; but if the Lord failed to protect him, he came out with blistered 355 feet and with a death sentence staring him in the face. It is almost impossible for us to believe that such silly, monstrous and inhuman practices prevailed among our ancestors less than 800 years ago. One can easily imagine, and I have read in some books of recognized worth, how the right culprit bought his peace with the Priests, and how the poor man met his doom just as the poor man has always done in this wicked world where the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet these detestable rites were supposed to have Divine sanction. The poor people really believed that God entered into the ordeal and directed the result through his Priest craft. The abolition of such ordeals by an enlightened public opinion, and the establishment of trials by jury upon sworn testimony, speaks in thunder tones against the usurpation of any Governmental function by priests, prelates or any other ecclesias- tical bigot; and I am happy to know that here in North Carolina, and in the United States of America, there has been a complete separation of Church and State; and that in the administration of Government, the Ecclesiastics have no voice, other than admonitions from the pulpit. This is as it should be. The Church, like Government, is administered by human beings. If it is holy, it is so because holy men control it; but no man, or set of men, can be intrusted to interpret the will of God so long as the well being of the interpreter is at stake, or when such interpretation will put money into his pocket. Anathemas and Excommunication are things of the past; they no longer appeal to men of common sense; they carry no terrors to the sane, they put no fear in the righteous; for the world is rapidly coming to the conclusion that: “The honest, well intended man, Who tries to do the best he can, Need never fear the Church’s ban, Nor Hell’s damnation; For God will need no special plan, For his salvation.” The passage of time, the spread of knowledge, a quickened. public conscience, molded in large degree by the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount, have brought about many changes in the Jury System. To- day we have two separate and distinct bodies; one is the Grand Jury or Grand Inquest of the County, composed of 18 men; the other is the petty Jury, composed of 12 men. This system, like many others adopted by us, has proven to be the best that human ingenuity can fashion for the trial of causes, or for the investigation of public matters, where the State as a party is interested. While no merely human institution can be perfect, the Jury system is the best we know; and until our 356 Constitution is changed, it will be the only method by which causes can be determined in our Courts of Justice. Our forefathers fought for it, and we should be slow to change it. A Grand Jury is composed of 18 free-holders who reside in the County where the Court is being held. The duties and responsibilities of a Grand Jury are manifold; most of them are fixed by statute, but many of them are established by custom, just as custom established the com- mon law of Great Britain. Like all deliberative bodies it has a Chair- man, or Foreman, who presides at all meetings, and who is armed with certain powers and privileges that his fellows do not enjoy. He is the only member of the Grand Jury who can administer an oath; he is the only member who comes in direct contact with the Court; he is the only member who can grant excuses or leaves of absence to other members; he is the only member who has the right to bring into the Court a Bill of Indictment after it has been passed upon by his fellows; he is the lawful custodian of all papers sent to the Grand Jury, and he is responsible to the Court for all such documents. And so, Mr. Fore- man, and gentlemen, with these preliminary remarks upon the duties of the Foreman, I will now take up and discuss with you the duties of the entire panel. It requires the unanimous approval of 12 members of the Grand Jury when acting in any capacity. A bare majority is not sufficient. This being true, it would not be proper for the Foreman to excuse more than six members at one and the same time. The presence of twelve members is absolutely essential at all times. It has been my custom for several years past to make certain sug- gestions to Grand Juries, which, if followed, will enable them to transact business more hurriedly, and I shall make those suggestions to you at this time. The most important function of a Grand Jury is the finding of Bills of Indictment. All Bills are prepared by the Solicitor, or by some one under his direction; they are signed by him, and each Bill contains one or more charges against one or more persons. Each charge in a Bill of Indictment is called a Count, and there may be as many counts as the Solicitor sees fit to insert therein. Each Count is an ac- cusation, or information furnished to the State through the Grand Jury, upon which, when a True Bill is found, the party is put upon trial before the Judge and Petty Jury. The word /ndict is from the Latin word indictus, which means an accusation. Endorsed upon each bill you will find the names of the witnesses for the State, who are to be examined by you. No other witness can be interrogated by the Grand Jury unless his name be added to the Bill by the Solicitor. Neither is the Grand Jury at liberty to discuss any Bill of Indictment with any 357 person, or receive any information concerning the charge in the Bill, except from witnesses whose names appear upon it, or who are sent to you by the Court and Solicitor. This warning does not apply, how- ever, to matters of law or legal inference; because you are at liberty at any time to come before the Court for instruction upon matters of this kind. When a Bill of Indictment is sent to you for action, I suggest that you read it over in the presence of the entire Grand J ury; so that every member may know and understand the nature of the matters under investigation. The Foreman should then request the officer of the Grand Jury to call into the room all of those whose names appear upon the Bill. Then the Foreman should administer to them the oath, which is done in this way: Each witness must place his right hand upon the Bible, or New Testament, and the Foreman then says to them: “You and each of you do solemnly swear that the evidence given by you in this investigation shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God.” Each witness should then kiss the Book, else the oath would not be a binding one under the law. All of the witnesses, save one, should then be excused from the Grand Jury room, and you should examine them one at a time. Any member of the Grand Jury can conduct the examination; and the purpose of such examination should be to draw from the witness everything that he or she may know of and concerning the charges or counts in the Bill of Indictment. Each witness is compelled under the law to answer all questions asked him, unless such answer would tend to degrade or incriminate him. If a witness refuses to answer, he should be reported to the Presiding Judge who has the power to punish him for contempt. When you have finished the examination of those witnesses whose names appear upon the Bill, or as many of them as you may deem necessary, it then becomes your duty to inquire among yourselves, and determine whether you will return it a True Bill or Not a True Bill. Sometimes it happens that a Bill may be returned upon the examination of only one, or maybe two witnesses. If the Grand Jury is satisfied from a less number of witnesses than the whole, that it should be returned a True Bill, then it would be a useless waste of time to examine other witnesses. In determining such matters you should apply your own common sense and experience in life. If the evidence given in by the witness is sufficient to satisfy so many as 12 members of the Grand Jury, Ist. that a crime has been committed, such as is named in the Bill; and 2nd. That there are probable grounds for believing the accused guilty of the crime, then it should be returned a True Bill. Probable grounds, or probable cause simply means that 358 there is a strong suspicion of guilt; or, as we sometimes say, a state of facts is found to exist, which unexplained, would indicate guilt on the part of the accused. If the evidence is not sufficient to suggest guilt, then it should be returned Not a True Bill; and that would end the matter, certainly for the present Term of Court. As each witness is examined and excused, the law requires that a Cross mark be made opposite his name on the back of the Bill; and so you gentlemen will observe this rule. After the bill has been passed upon, it is brought into the Court room by the Foreman and laid on the Judge’s desk—delivered to him in person; and, as I have already stated, no other person is at liberty to bring a Bill into the Court room. If you should happen to pass upon any Bill that charges a person with a capital felony, such as Murder in the First Degree, Arson, Rape or Burglary in the First Degree, then the law requires that the entire Body of the Grand Jury accompany the Foreman into the Court Room when such Bill is returned; in all other cases, only the Foreman is re- quired to enter the Court Room when a Bill is returned. After you have finished all Bills of Indictment sent to you by the Solici- tor, then it becomes your duty to make a thorough examination into the affairs of the County. This examination is required by law, not only for the protection of the public, but for the satisfaction of the various officers who are in charge of the County’s Business. If they are giving to the people an honest and economical government, they are to be commended. If any one of them is false to his trust, he should be condemned. A public office is a public trust. That is an old adage; it is gray with age; but, in spite of its age, it is an eternal truth, and will never die. In making this investigation there is no privacy recognized by law. No public office is a private affair when the Grand Jury approaches. For the time being your powers are supreme; you may enter anywhere without knocking, provided you are entering upon public property. All records of the County are subject to examination by you; and you are the Guardians of its property. It is useless for me to say more to an intelligent Grand Jury in respect to these duties, where you act as an Inquisitorial body. All that I can say is, that you have a free hand, and no man can stay it. See that your officers are discharging their duties; see that your property is protected by Insurance, and in good repair; see that all Justices of the Peace have filed their returns as required by law. (Duplin County Court Minutes—Book 43, Pages 64-75.) eZ 8. THE GREAT DEPRESSION THE CRISIS AND CRASH The stock market soared in the early months of 1929. The Federal Reserve Board warned against making speculative loans. This Board increased the rediscount rate to five per cent in June, and to six per cent in August, 1929. The speculative fever continued. From and after June 1929, industrial production, commodity prices and employment continued on the downward trend. The stock market continued to boom; however, in September and October the market wavered, and on October 23 prices crumbled. During the next two weeks the market almost collapsed. It was during July 1932, that the market fell to the bottom. (See The National Experience (Second Edition), A Hist i The End of an Era, by John M. Blum, et my : seivry: eh cAbe Algiapt, Seten Mar. 2, 1931. Mr. J. O. Bowaman, County Superintendent Board of Education Kenansville, N. C. Dear Sir: Due to the inability to collect taxes and the inability to sell Revenue Anticipation Notes, which conditions are brought about by the general conditions over North Carolina, it will be impossible for the Board of County Commissioners of Duplin County to supply the necessary funds for operation of the extended terms of the several local school districts of Duplin County. The County will be able to supply only the funds as they are collected. Very truly yours, Board of County Commissioners of Duplin County By: I. J. Sandlin, Chairman. (Minute Book 9, Page 256.) Petition To the County Commissioners of Duplin County: The undersigned citizens and voters, men and women of Duplin County, hereby petition your honorable body to stand unflinchingly and 360 unfailingly in a financial way by our able representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives of North Carolina for their wonderful work and their wise stand on the School bill for relieving the present crushing tax burden on the homes and farms of North Carolina. We ask that resolutions be passed expressing our appreciation for their untiring fight in regard to tax reduction. Also let it be known to the General Assembly that the people of Duplin County will back their representatives no matter how long the Assembly stays in session. That a copy of this petition be sent to each of our representatives at Raleigh. (74 individuals and businesses signed the Petition.) (Minute Book 9, Page 262, Mar. 12, 1931.) Whereas, our able Representatives in the State Senate and House of Representatives are doing a wonderful work and have taken a wise stand on the School bill for relieving the present crushing tax burden on the homes and farms of North Carolina. And, whereas, we are desirous of expressing our appreciation for their untiring fight in regard to the tax reduction program; Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Duplin County: 1. That we express our appreciation to our Senator and Representative, and let it be known to the General Assembly of North Carolina that the people of Duplin County will back their Representatives no matter how long the Legislature stays in session. 2. That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this Board. 3. And that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to our Senator and our Representative. (Minute Book 9, Page 263, Mar. 12, 1931.) Resolution Whereas, the General Assembly has now been in session for more than 100 days, and the Representatives of Duplin County in the General Assembly have served for more than 40 days without compensation at a great loss and inconvenience to themselves and their business at home; And, whereas, the efforts of the said representatives have been to carry out the will of the people who elected them, to secure tax relief for the farmers and to give to the people of the State the public school system in the way and to the extent intended by the framers of the Constitution, that is, a six months term sponsored and paid for by the State, without resort to an advalorem tax; and, whereas, there is now danger from the opponents of foregoing plans and principles that school houses in many parts of agricultural North Carolina may be closed next fall for 361 want of funds as taxes cannot be collected from land to run the same, and it is necessary to the life of the agricultural classes that the repre- sentatives of Duplin County remain in attendance in said General As- sembly until the same may adjourn; Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Duplin County in special session, all being present, that Duplin County pay to Hon. R. D. Johnson, Senator, and Hon. D. M. Jolly, Member of the House, the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars each, out of the Treasury of Duplin County and from any funds the county may law- fully use to pay same, to defray a part of the expenses incurred by them for their extra time spent by them for board bills, etc. And it is so ordered. (Minute Book 9, Pages 263 and 264, Mar. 12, 1931.) AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES AND COUNTY AUDITOR OF DUPLIN COUNTY TO ISSUE CERTIFI- CATES OF INDEBTEDNESS TO TEACHERS. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. That the Board of Education of Duplin County, the Super- intendent of Public Instruction, and the County Auditor of said County, and/or any Board of School Committeemen of any Local Taxing School District of Duplin County, be and they are hereby fully authorized and empowered in their discretion to issue to the school teachers em- ployed in the public schools of said county for the six months term, and/or to any teachers employed in any Local Taxing School District for any extended term, certificates of indebtedness or warrants, drawn upon the Treasurer of Duplin County, in payment of salaries of the school teachers for any part of the six months term, or for any extended term. Sec. 2. That said certificates of indebtedness, or warrants or vouchers, shall be issued in such form as the Auditor of Duplin County may determine; that said certificates, vouchers or warrants shall state in their face that they are payable only out of current expense fund for school teachers salaries, or for any part of the six months term, and/or out of local school taxes levied in any district, if for the extended term; and shall only be payable by the Treasurer of Duplin County when the funds derived from said taxes from the current expense fund for teachers for the six months term, and/or only when the funds derived from said Local School taxes in any district are available for said purposes. Sec. 3. That when any of the said certificates of indebtedness, war- rants or vouchers herein authorized have been duly issued, they shall constitute the legal and valid obligations of Duplin County (if issued for any part of the six months term), and/or of any Local Taxing School 362 District of Duplin (if issued for any part of the extended term), and they shall be a direct charge against the proceeds of the current expense fund for the payment of school teachers for the six months term, and/or against the proceeds of the local taxes levied in any Local Taxing Dis- trict, for the present fiscal school year (one thousand nine hundred thirty, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one); and it shall be lawful for said certificates of indebtedness, warrants or vouchers to be issued in negotiable form, as the County Auditor of Duplin County may deter- mine. Sec. 4. That said certificates of indebtedness, warrants or vouchers authorized by this act shall only apply to the payment of salaries of school teachers, for the remaining unpaid portion for the six months term, and/or to all or any part of the salaries of school teachers in any Local Taxing School District for the extended school term, for the present school year (one thousand nine hundred thirty, one thousand nine hun- dred thirty-one). Sec. 5. That the Board of Commissioners may in their discretion re- lieve school teachers and other employees of Duplin County, from the penalties and interest accruing on taxes, where the County is indebted to said parties, the reduction to be made from the maturity of the obli- gation by the county. af Sec. 6. That all laws and parts of laws inconsistent with the provisions of this Act be and the same are hereby repealed. Sec. 7. That this act shall take effect upon its ratification if ratified subsequent to April first, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, and if ratified prior to April first, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, this act shall be in force from and after April first, one thousand nine hun- dred thirty-one. Ratified this the 7th day of April, A. D., 1931.” (Public-Local Laws 1931, Chapter 365.) The following joint resolution of the Board of County Commissioners and Board of Education dated February 18, 1932: Whereas, there are insufficient funds available at the present time for the operation of the extended term, 1931-32 school year in the several Special School Taxing Districts of Duplin County; And, Whereas, it is deemed desirable both from the standpoint of pupil progress and the organization and standardization of the schools of Duplin County, that said schools be operated for the period of the extended term; And, Whereas, the said Boards are unable to finance the said extended terms and by law the payment and financing of the said extended terms 363 in the several districts are obligations of the said Special Taxing Districts, and not of the said county ; Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Education of Duplin County and the Board of Commissioners of Duplin County in joint session assembled, that the Secretary of the Board of Education be and he is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Chair- man of the several said special school taxing districts and to the princi- pals of said schools, thus advising them that Duplin County will not be responsible for any expense or obligations incurred in the operation of the extended term in said districts, and that any obligations so in- curred for instructional services or other expenses will be payable only out of district funds as and when the taxes are collected for said district and available for said purpose. The teachers in the several schools who desire to see the standards of the said schools maintained are requested to execute the following agreement before entering upon the extended term: School District, Duplin County, has insufi- cient funds available at the present time for the operation of the ex- tended term of 1931-32 school year, and it being deemed desirable both from the standpoint of pupil progress and the organization and standard- ization of this school that said school should continue to operate for the period of the extended term as shown in the organization sheet for Duplin County for the above named school year. I hereby agree to teach in this school throughout the said extended term and to receive payment therefor as and when taxes are collected and/or funds are made available for said purpose in said district. This February ____, 1932. School District. That a copy of this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Education and on the minutes of the Board of Commissioners and that a copy be mailed to the principal of the several schools as herein- before set out.” (Minute Book 9, Page 431.) “In 1932 barbeque pigs were 5c per pound. Eggs sold for 5c a dozen. Three piece bed-room suites were advertised for sale at less than $40.00. Farm wages were 50c per day.” All but two banks in the county were forced to close their doors during the depression. (Over five thousand banks had failed in the nation during the past three years. ) The day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated, he 364 first summoned Congress into special session and then boldly issued re proclamation closing all banks in the country until the fierce financia gale had a chance to pass over, and then calmly sat down to the micro- phone to ask his fellow Americans to have faith and confidence in —s was transpiring. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was then established and was a real blessing. Banks reopened on a sound basis. (See Behind the Ballots—“The Birth of the New Deal,” by James A. Farley.) 29. THE DUPLIN STORY (1949) ADVERTISING THE DUPLIN STORY On last Sunday from 3:00 to 4:00 o’clock, Warsaw presented its chapter of the Duplin Story over Radio Station WRRZ—830 on your dials. John Sikes of Wallace, Secretary to the Wallace Associates, acted as Master of Ceremonies and produced an hour of good entertainment aimed at giving publicity to The Duplin Story, a pageant to be presented in Kenansville on September 22, 23, and 24 as a bi-centennial celebration of the founding of Duplin County. This story is being written by Sam Byrd, author, actor, playwright and producer, and a native of Mount Olive, N. C., now living in Charleston, S. C. Mr. Byrd appeared on the program Sunday and explained that The Duplin Story would be a two-act drama with eight scenes and that he was well along in its writing. He said that the natural bowl which has been selected for the building of the amphitheater was perfect and would afford spectators and actors alike a wonderful setting for the play. In commenting on the historical richness of Duplin County, Mr. Byrd said that there was no dearth of material, that the amount already on hand was so great that it took much time and study to select that best suited for use in the pageant. He also said that he felt sure that there was much of the historical background of Duplin which he did not yet have which should be con- sidered before he could finally complete his work. He requested those in possession of this material to send it to Mr. Gilbert Alphin, President Duplin County Historical Association, Kenansville, for transmission to him. The broadcast originated in the studios of WRRZ in Wallace and John Sikes introduced Mr. John Diefel, President of Wallace Associates, who welcomed the Warsaw participants and other distinguished guests and expressed Wallace’s gratitude at having them present. During the program The Five Sporting Tones—boys from the Warsaw High School, sang “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “Bones,” and “Gonna Lay Down My Burdens.” These boys deserve great credit for their singing. Pete Peterson, accompanied by Miss Nell Brookhouse, sang 366 “Take My Hand Precious Lord” and “Love Ye The Lord.” George Best presented a piano solo, “Heart and Soul.” Robert L. West, Judge of Duplin County Court and President of the Warsaw Rotary Club, spoke briefly and said that Warsaw was proud of the opportunity to have part in these Sunday broadcasts and to present today the Warsaw Chapter of the Duplin Story on the air, and that he was sure every other town in Duplin was equally glad to present its chapter. He said that he felt sure that the pageant to be presented in September would be long remembered by all who see it. Mrs. Robert L. West, President of Warsaw Business and Professional Women’s Club and of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, urged everyone to buy tickets now for the pageant and to help in every way possible to make the showing of the DUPLIN STORY a great success. Preston Wells, County Commissioner, came to the microphone to say that the County Commissioners were wholeheartedly behind those work- ing to have the pageant presented and that all the people in his section of the county were very enthusiastic about it and would support it fully. County Auditor, Faison W. McGowen, gave the following summary of the beginning and growth of the pageant idea: “Friends of the Radio Audience: This year being the two hundredth anniversary of the incor- poration of Duplin County, the Board of County Commissioners, know- ing of the County’s rich history, and being desirous of seeing our two hundredth birthday celebrated in a manner becoming to our glorious past, on November Ist, 1948, appointed a committee composed of mem- bers from all sections of the County to organize the Duplin County Historical Association. This Committee met on November 15, 1948, and named an executive committee. “The Executive Committee elected the following officers: G. E. Alphin, President; Mrs. John D. Robinson, Vice-President; Mrs. J. D. Sandlin, Jr., Secretary; M. F. Allen, Treasurer. “The Duplin County Historical Association was duly incorporated on November 29, 1948. The Association is sponsoring the DUPLIN STORY, a historical pageant being written and produced by the famous Sam Byrd. It will be given in an amphitheater in Kenansville on September 22, 23, and 24. Three to five hundred school children from all of the schools in the county will be included in the cast of characters. “Tickets were put on sale last week, and are being rapidly distributed throughout the county. All civic clubs and other organizations in the county will be selling tickets. “Much interest has been manifested, both locally and from outside the County. 367 “We cherish the magnificent history of Duplin, live and enjoy its present, and have implicit faith in the future of our county. Thank you.” Mr. G. E. Alphin, President of the Duplin County Historical Associa- tion, spoke and said in part: “First, I want to thank our friends from Warsaw for making this radio program possible, and thanks to all of you—everywhere—for the interest you have shown in the Duplin County bi-centennial celebration. It is very encouraging to have such wonder- ful co-operation and support from the people. Through these programs we hope to advertise Duplin County and the pageant to be given in September. “These Sunday broadcasts will continue for the next fourteen weeks with a different Duplin town or community presenting its local talent each Sunday. Next Sunday—March 13—at 3 o’clock over Station WRRZ —880 on your dials, the town of Magnolia will be on the air with a good show. Tune in, won’t you?” (Newspaper Story, March. 11, 1949.) BACKGROUND AND SYNOPSIS OF THIS HISTORICAL PLAY Something new, novel and highly entertaining in a modernized treat- ment of historical drama is promised when Sam Byrd’s The Duplin Story, a two-act historical play with music, is presented September 22, 23, and 24 in a scenic outdoor amphitheater at Kenansville in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Duplin County. North Carolina has long been nationally famous for its historical dramas through the attainment of Dr. Frederick H. Koch, Hatcher Hughes, Paul Green, and many others distinguished in the dramatic arts. Sam Byrd has written, is directing, and will act in his own play, and it now bids fair to mark another important milestone in Tar Heel dramatic history, which began, strangely enough, just 10 years after the establishment of Duplin County, when Thomas Godfrey, Jr., in 1759 completed at Wilmington The Prince of Parthia, a five-act tragedy, the first play written by an American to be produced professionally on the American stage. NATIVE Propucres PLAay Byrd is staking his reputation on his Duplin County production. Suc- cessful on Broadway in acting and producing plays and in the nation for his two books, he now wants to make good in his native section. He was born in nearby Mount Olive, and has come home from New York to put over successfully what he hopes will be the most significant achievement of his career so far. 368 Duplin citizens are so sure of it that they are devoting their time, energy, and money to help in every way possible. ' ; Every North Carolinian interested in Duplin County in particular and in North Carolina history in general, as well as outsiders and all persons in or out of the State who like dramatic entertainment, will be given a hearty welcome on the three gala nights, with Duplin’s assurance of wholesome and stirring entertainment. History 1s FIcTIONIZED It will not be the same kind of historical drama as Paul Green’s magnificent productions, The Lost Colony, and The Common Glory. Indeed, it will be far different from the usual history lesson or historical pageant. It is fictionized history, with actual characters called by name and true events in real places of which Duplin is justly proud, seen through the eyes of a homesick GI in London and from the viewpoint of two English children. This means that the audience will in a measure form an integral part of the dramatic sequence that Byrd has written graphically to be de- picted in strikingly moving and impressive form, with every-day con- versation, in action rather than monologue, pictures instead of words, human interest and humor more than tragedy or melodrama. An ideal locale was found for the open-air production when H. D. Williams offered use of a large field between his home and the com- munity school. This is being arranged appropriately and beautifully, with adequate stage and seats to accommodate 5,154 spectators. There will be nearby parking space for 500 cars, traffic to be directed by State Highway patrolmen. Cast to IncLuDE 500 Throngs of people are expected from a wide area to witness this unusual production, with its 500 actors headed by Byrd himself in the leading role. Various scenes are being handled by different schools of the county. Byrd, as the director, means to have the entire program move rapidly, without lags or delays, from beginning to end in two and a half hours. Besides the stage proper, there will be a side fountain. The action in 17 scenes of three minutes each will switch from the stage to the fountain, thus permitting quick changes of backdrops for the varied scenes under the overall background of the historic Duplin courthouse. Eight handsome drops for these scenes are being painted, 20 by 30 feet in size, by Corwin S. Rife, who obtained a leave of absence from 369 his duties as technical director of the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, S. C., in order to serve as technical director for The Duplin Story. Since 1946, Rife has been associated with the famous Dock Street Theatre. Formerly he was with the Kanawha Players in Charleston, W. Va.; the Kalamazoo Players; the Cain Park Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio; and the Nashville Community Theatre. Last summer he was guest cline. tor at the Colorado University School of the Theatre in Denver. Works 1n Courtroom While at Charleston, Rife designed and drew the plans for the vast amphitheater at Kennansville and is directing its construction. When he began in Kenansville the difficult task of painting the scenery, the Duplin County court room was found to be the only place large enough for his gigantic sketches, so the county authorities are permitting him to use that large hall. To prove the interest and cooperation of the county, Superior Court was held there recently, while in the rear of the auditorium Rife worked on a huge painting of the Battle of Rockfish. Microphones and amplifiers will carry the voices of the actors and accompanying sound effects clearly to the audience, even those on the back rows. For, this play will not have a narrator, as is so often the case with colossal pageants. The characters will speak their own lines. Just a year ago, on September 17, 1948, plans were started for the production as the central feature of the County Bi-Centennial Celebra- tion. Byrd was engaged for $2,500 to write the play around the history of his neighboring county. Since July 18 he and Rife have been at Kenansville, residing in the Presbyterian manse, one of the many archi- tectural gems for which the ancient village is far famed. Women Lenp Hanp With them there, assisting with detailed preparation, are Mrs. Rife and Pat Bolam, an English girl who is Byrd’s legal ward. Both will have parts in the play. Pat will be a “natural” in the role of Jennifer Carrington, who, with her brother, Tony Carrington, in the drama will inquire of Johnny Lambert, an American chief petty officer in London all about America. Byrd will play the part of Lambert. Mrs. Rife has appeared in musical comedies at the Cain Park Theatre in Cleveland and received theatrical training at the Cleveland Playhouse. She studied under Lila Robeson of the Metropolitan Opera. The first scene of the play opens in complete darkness. The night is September 22, 1949, and the place is a London park near the Houses of Parliament. The voice of a tobacco auctioneer is heard. Lights dim up to reveal a fountain with water playing from the top, an unlit street 370 lamp, and the Naval chief petty officer seated by the fountain, staring absently into space. Distant traffic noises may be heard beyond Lambert’s auctioneering chant. British commuters and shoppers pass by, all authentic types. Some of them glance curiously at the sailor, then hurry homeward. A newsboy advertises his papers. Then a girl of about 13 and her ten-year-old brother enter, the girl concentrating on the rhythmic strokes of her yo-yo, the lad suspiciously counting each stroke. They stop by the Chief and ask him questions. He says he is from “the most wonderful place in the world,” and its “Horn of Plenty,” Duplin County. Fryinc Pans Make Music Other puzzled questions follow, and Johnny tells them about Duplin’s “music in the air,” its name honoring a Scotch Lord, its hallowed early beginnings, its musical names of places and people, its democratic prac- tices, its colorful products, its prize cucumbers, its hush puppies, whose grease sizzling in frying pans makes music “like Beethoven’s,” and its luscious barbecue, which he describes as “what they serve in Heaven for Sunday dinner.” The opening tobacco field scene near Faison is regarded as one of the finest things of the kind ever portrayed in the nation. The unique chant of a tobacco auctioneer will lend realism and interest. The boy asks about American Indians. Johnny tells also about Henry McCulloch, who came up the North East Cape Fear River in 1755. In that scene the pioneer landowner is welcomed by costumed townspeople and children who dance for him in period clothes. Not like the customary battle scenes, the Battle of Rockfish is por- trayed. Johnny informs his young listeners about George Washington and the Revolutionary War, working up to the slavery question and States’ Rights, with the resultant War Between the States. He describes the Kenans for whom Kenansville was named and their fine mansion, “Liberty Hall,” with its several hundred slaves, its fine English fur- nishings and its hospitable motto: “He who enters this open gate never comes too early and never stays too late.” BATTLE DEPICTED The eighth scene changes to the stage, an open field “Somewhere in Duplin County,” on a Spring night during 1863, at the headquarters of Capt. James Kenan and the Duplin Rifles. From the distance on a rolling hillside the first campfire has been lighted, and troops are singing, “We’re Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground.” 371 A sentry brings to Captain Kenan a middle-aged Negro, recognized as Charlie Prince, a slave owned by a Duplin friend, who had been caught in a skirmish with the enemy. Humorously the Negro describes the fight, with a frank admission that “courage ain’t in my line, cookin’s my profeshun.” A loyal Negro woman slave brings the captain his supper, with late reports on his family’s health, while they hear the distant roar of cannon. His mother arrives, and as the captain kisses her goodbye, the camp- fire is extinguished, the troops “fall in,” with a wild Rebel yell, and march in front of their leader singing, “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Kenan mounts his horse and rides off with his men. Suddenly from the darkness there is a blinding flash, an explosion and the piercing wail of a Negro woman’s voice. A Story oF DEFEAT The closing scene of the first act transpires on an afternoon in June, 1865, at Liberty Hall. The Negro’s wail sets the key for a Negro chorus, whose voices rise in sorrowful chant from the direction of the terrifying explosion. The musicians file in pilgrimage fashion and turn to watch a procession of tattered Duplin Conferedates returning from the war. Colonel Tom Kenan tells his father, Major Owen Kenan: “The war has ended, Papa. We have buried our hatred in the beloved graves. . . . The hearts of my men are too full of sorrow, too full of honor for hatred. The guns have been stacked. Our duty is peace. We have come home to rebuild, to cultivate, to revive our industries, to raise patriots and Christians to take the places of those who are gone. “North Carolina and Duplin County have wept over their devoted sons. The sword has settled the quarrel. We are a united country now, Papa. May the blood of Dick Carr and all the others cement forever its bonds.” While he is talking, the choir and Negro chorus hum, “I Cannot Sing the Old Songs.” As he finishes, a voice from the chorus chants, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” The chorus, the choir and the people gathered in front of Liberty Hall sing, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” LIGHTER SIDE Act 2 begins with a lighter touch, a political barbecue in 1908 during the heated Taft-Bryan campaign, and Duplin’s participation with a Third Political Party. There are a brass band, a square dance, and political speeches replete with typical humor of that unique era. 372 Commencement exercises at James Sprunt Institute in Kenansville on May 10, 1910, are re-enacted, with the graduation address and some of the descendants taking the parts of their fathers and grandfathers. A later stage scene is in 1917 at the railroad station at Warsaw when World War I soldiers left to fight in the conflict “to make the world safe for Democracy.” The train comes in, with modern lighting effects. The name of one of the soldier characters is Charles R. Gavin, who in the real war was killed overseas on November 10, 1918, the day before the Armistice. The local American Legion Post is named for him. Rela- tives and friends have provided the playwright with actual descriptions, so that he and other characters in the drama may be depicted just as accurately as possible. Story INcLuDES PRESENT Day ERA To conclude the performance, there is an inspiring patriotic and religious scene about the American Flag, tracing the unity of England and the United States, and the principles for which the Star Spangled Banner has stood through the years and will continue to stand in the future. The background for this scene is unusually impressive. It portrays a beautiful stained glass window in a cathedral or church, representing Christ on a rainbow. The action is supposed to be on V-J Sunday in Duplin County during 1945. A minister delivers an inspirational address. The stained glass window was designed by Stephen Bridges and would grace any church. Bridges had an early ambition to be a designer for the stage. Most of his life, except for the war years, has been spent in stained glass shops. As a soldier, he made windows from beer bottle bottoms for a regimental chapel in New Guinea. He is now viewing medieval windows in France and England, and upon his return this month will be associated with the Rambusch Studios in New York. He is editor of the Stained Glass Quarterly, published by the Stained Glass Association of America. His windows are in an Archbishop’s pri- vate chapel, a Presbyterian seminary and a score of churches of different denominations. Has To BE SEEN In this brief review of The Duplin Story, not all the fine portions of the play can be mentioned. Nor should they be. Only a few to show the type of production which may be expected. To appreciate its worth and enjoy its entertainment’s value to the fullest extent, it must be seen. All residents, schools, officials and civic clubs of the county are co- Operating with the production. For instance, the Lions Club met to 373 build a picket fence. Other groups have accepted other assignments. Men through the region are growing beards for roles in the play. J. R. (Bob) Grady, editor of The Duplin Times, has been one of the chief spark plugs from the beginning. County Commissioners, headed by A. C. Hall of Wallace, as chairman, last fall appointed two or three citizens from each township to draft plans. HistoricaL Socrety ORCANIZED These township representatives met and organized the Duplin County Historical Society. Their officers are Gilbert E. Alphin, Jr., of Kenans- ville, president; Mrs. John D. Robinson of Wallace, vice-president; Mrs. J. D. Sandlin, Jr., of Beulaville, secretary; Mitchell F. Allen, Jr., of Kenansville, Treasurer; L. P. Wells of Route 2, Mount Olive, chairman of the finance committee, and G. E. Alphin, chairman of the executive committee. Some of them went to Washington recently to invite President Truman to see the play. Whether or not he comes, its success seems assured, judging from the wholehearted interest of the entire county. It is slated as a non-profit enterprise, but if there should happen to be profits, they will go toward the Kenan Memorial Auditorium, already under construction at Kenansville. The amphiteater is being rapidly cleared, parking space is being ar- ranged, the stage has been set, posters have been distributed, rehearsals of players and choirs are under way, and all other preliminary work is being elaborately and carefully planned. DEPENDS ON ENTHUSIASM “We have no money, no union, perhaps no talent, though we hope the play will develop talent that will take Duplin County to Broadway,” says Sam Byrd. “But we do have enthusiasm. Lots of enthusiasm. And enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. We'll put it over with our enthusiasm.” Speaking of his purpose in writing history so differently from the way it has usually been written, he declares, “The play is not a narra- tive, nor should it be retrospective. It is real action. A drama is history in the making. Most people don’t write a book or a drama or a history. They write about a book or about a drama or about an historical event. “History is more exciting in the making than in the reading, so I have written to portray history as it is being viewed or reviewed. The telling of history can be made just as interesting as at the time it oc- curred, if the listener is made to feel that he is a part of it.” 374 A PERSONAL STORY (By Sam Byrd) “Of course, under the surface, we want to call attention to the out- standing record Duplin County has written through its two centuries and to the real contributions it has made in every war in which our country has been engaged. But, more than that, we are endeavoring to depict the lives of its citizens, their every day bravery and their human interest affairs. “If I can just bring to the stage those heart-warming days, those days of struggle and hardship, mixed with laughter and gaity, when our forefathers built Duplin County, when the beginnings and develop- ment of Sarecta, Kenansville, Faison, Calypso, Warsaw, Magnolia, Rose Hill, Wallace, Beulaville, and all the places in between were laid, I will be satisfied. “And if I can re-enact the spirit of a pioneering people to show to those of the present generation why they should be proud of their county and their predecessors, if I can show to our neighbors some of the things that took place in the growth of Duplin County, I will feel that I have shown what took place in each and every county, in spirit at least, from the days long before the Revolution down until this present day. If I can just do this in some successful way, I think that our efforts this year will not have been in vain. “One of my chief aims is to make people like history, especially the story of their own region and of their own ancestors. If this, my new method of presenting history works well, and my friends here believe that it will, it will serve first to prove that history can be taught interestingly, not just a mere chronology of dates or a dull, dull naming of outstanding men, but a moving, living spirit of historical drama; and second, it should set a pattern and example for all other counties to follow, if they choose, for Duplin is typical of all areas and each and every county has a great background that should be studied and appreciated as a stimulus for even greater progress in the present and inspiration for future advance.” (By: Gertrude Carraway, Duplin Times, 9-16-49.) THE DUPLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. Presents THE DUPLIN STORY Characters in the Play (In Order of Their Appearance) A ey Mop atahel PER ee wn Seeks Bh Sam Byrd Oy T+ 2 Sgr ROAR RIL ZW. Franlle Two Girl Students____- Barbara Mitchell, Sally Newton 9 gage) OE Te ae TON Te: ae ee Stephen Williamson A Nurse Maid Frances Patterson it ShOwpite ses sei sit nis Sepp SE eee igh Pearl C. McGowen, H. E. Phillips Jennifer Carrington Patricia Bolam Tony Carrington Albert Outlaw, Jr. ee TE NE TE LENT, LORIE EIT PI O. P. Johnson wate eet iets Sces ee Dhnns itu qh ait ge anata ake Meee ee A. O. Williams Lowell Carr, Samuel Carr A Boy I Ae ak eal i John Videll James Molly Bright a BN Seren ema es lb en eins exes np ers ME Edith Hinnant Benty Metalivehcesd _wads_ use _iicis _aussiica alt. ba encil ad L. C. Prater Mr. Jarvis i a ic gc J. H. Dotson ely sree ests gS Si ng SE Se Faison Smith Dee Mien enn iprs iitntieat mu iailsn 3054. blind. cadiad. uals 2 H. M. Wells Mrs, Ann Houston Effie Outlaw Avebibele ‘THeaetea 2st ET a ee eae E. Morton Sills John Porter Mb Ra HOO y Se Jats ahaa Je gill | gigolo cht M. B. Holt teresa namntrtaaupusemumun ce Bessie Holt Herman Outlaw John D. Grady Po EIS LAE EID Sela nce Mt Franklin Quinn Catherine Stokes —BiUsceutats. B26 Scie at Joe es | Larry Harper Ethel Bell Trotter ape eet aha tb ea cs htt aa ded ~ ee ei WAY Gr SE: R. D. Harper fe SR. Ld es slats Eva Harper Eleanor Gay Herring Seok cee SUSE Suen aiide Sika oR, ees Melvin Williams Johnnie Williams Se meen Waren ter Maman SIRE IS rented een noe te Corwin Rife W. W. Hasty hi Meena te Liat, itaimane ociok, Ji tii ol, tei oa, Lt Jimmy Livesay Captain Thomas James Gabriel Boney An American Flagbearer Ollie Cook Major Griffen Gerald Southerland Robert Goldston co eh hn hei a Sg wee is eae cn 2 BE Ennis Ray Harrell Major Craig Henry C. Merritt Captain Gordon James F. Miller te Se ae Tt el CUA i che MM iE ME J. R. King Captain James Kenan Gerald Carr Charlie Prince Harding Powers Lec ag Akl Nl EA eS AMET Shit RR Bessie W. Carr Mrs. Owen Kenan Margaret Fussell UE iia itin etnies Sinker abet a tee ie Cee Romus Kornegay An Orderly itis Bl nae eas hic a yee ee Roscoe Jones Lieutenant Thomas J. Bostic Richard Bostic Lieutenant Robert P. Carr Albert C. Hall, Jr. A Soldier on Horseback McDonald Carr Two Soldiers Clarence Malpass, Graham Beasley A Soldier eisisieistapacscomin auasecmnee ee ee L. E. Pope 2 FUNG iv initenstqeniiiekensaenecartammiti cm L. G. Turner Gordon Wilson Dallas Jones, Jr. POE OO eos aba cl ak bite mien: 2 as el N. T. Pickett A Blind Soldier Clifton Chestnutt Martha tim ls Se tag ies eh CRS ara C. J. Guy RE am aR Ah a RE ok: Ri RABE Eo A. Q. Smith op hap, pg RE ET CATT TAREE RE Wendell Evans Herbert Lanier LaFayette Brown Howard Chestnutt A Young Confederate___- wage eet olamelarin Mime (ee eee ee ee ee Sees, Se i a Vie Staion eee Pope j e Herman Pippin Piet ae Si Willie Sprunt Newkirk Austin Baker Darwin Evans CORR TORR ae oe ee ee ST ae J. N. Horne Jesse Horne Lloyd cue Jack Smith Melvin Pope Sally Dortch Gertrude Pope Calvin Rogers Pearlie Lanier Stephen Gresham . ety Jone Willie Gresham Marion S. Bratcher Hiram Thomas William G. Jones, Jr. Henry Miller Arnold E. Thomas DaveeHagl Wy allaces 9.) si 6tvt Sc ee Gee ae oo Maree Rodolph Duffy ----Willie F. Miller J. J. Bowden Clinton E. Campbell James H. Carlton yee — Graham G. Best ansom Mercer C. M. Middleton Herman M. Henderson Sashes: shacsMaiaaltia, Aitcccnagitesilicidhed heaiialiose Staaten bila J. Roland Edwards Charles Vann_--.---------- Wm. Robert Mathews O W. Q James Miller Calvin Thomas Roland Thomas I. J. Sandlin Foy W. Jones, Jr. Marshall Bishop sicko ee frowns Satensenh Lemuel F. Brown (,. TROIS... tiem é: sig ae 2 Re Inf. raham, Mrs. W. B. ucy Hunter em Evans Avent, Co. G, 63rd Reg., N. C. Inf. Hodges, Mrs. Mills H. (Margaret Swinson) Erasmus W. Swinson, Co. E, 20th Reg., N. C. Inf. Holland, Mrs. R. T. (Ruby Roberts) Benjamin S. Best, ed ee etn Inf. Hunter, Henry W. va Hudson Charles C. adseda Co. H, 20th Reg., N. C. Inf. Jones, Mrs. Forest T. (Mary V. Grady) Chauncey C. Grady, Co. C, 27th Reg., N. C. Jones, Mrs. Stewart N. (Grace Dowdy Ginn) Nathan A. Dowdy, Co. F, 21st Reg., Inf. Kornegay, Mrs. C. G. (Hattie Louise Smith) J. H. Loftin, Co. E, 20th Reg., N. C. McGowan, Mrs. E. S. (Fannie Bryan) Alexander Chambers, Co. ~ ein cont N. C. Inf. , Mrs. W. E. (Annie E. Aman : — Randolph Dragon, Co. F, 6th Battallion, Armory Guard ore, Mrs. Claud (Eva Hunter Heard Evans Avent, Co. G, 63rd Reg., N. C. Cavalry Murray, Mrs. G. D. (Mamie Ann West) Joshua West, Co. B, 69th Reg., N. C. Inf. Middleton, Mrs. W. J., Sr. (Hattie Dobson) Thomas G. Dobson, Co. A, es Reg. Sg C. Cavalry Platt, Mrs. J. A. (Nancy Ida Grady Chauncey G. Grady, Co. C, 27th Reg., N. C. Porter, Mrs, J. A. (Estelle Ramsey) James Piner, Co. E, 30th Reg., N. C. Inf. 443 Potter, Mrs. Paul (Martha Gresham) S. A. Johnson, Co. D, 23rd Reg., Va. Rea, Mrs. J. K. (Hazel Cobb Summerlin) J. H. Summerlin, Co. F, Ist Reg., N. C. Artillery Reaves, Mrs. Charles E. (Stella Blackburn) William J. Merritt, Co. B, 51st Reg., Clingman’s Brigade Snyder, Mrs. A. Homer (Martha Kathleen Powell) Vann Jasper McArthur, Co. F, 20th Reg., N. C. Inf. Stevens, Mrs. Henry L., Jr. (Mildred Anderson Beasley) Seymour Anderson Johnson, Co. D, 23rd Reg., Va. Inf. Stevens, Mrs. Henry L., III (Vernelle Abernathy) John Alex. Stowe, Co. G, 12th Reg., N. C. Inf. Sutton, Mrs. Q. J. (Ida Mae West) Joshua J. West, Co. B, 1st Bat., N. C. Artillery Taylor, Mrs. W. E. (Eunice West) Joshua J. West, Co. B, Ist Bat., N. C. Artillery Wells, Mrs. Hugh M. (Louise Hunter) Robert Harvey Hunter, Co. H, 35th Reg., N. C. Inf. West, Mrs. Robert L. (Anne Pollock) Maj. Gen. Robert Frederick Hoke, Hoke’s Brigade, 33rd Reg., N. C. Inf. Womack, Miss Leonora Gordon Rufus Yancey Womack, Co. C, 3rd Reg., N. C. Cavalry (By courtesy of Committee: Mrs. H. L. Stevens, Jr., Mrs. J. W. Farrior; Mrs. Kathleen Snyder; Mrs. Mary Blackburn; Mrs. Paul Potter PUBLIC ROADS Did your father ever work the public roads? In all probability your father and grandfather did if they lived in a rural area. An Act to Provide For The Better Working of The Public Roads and Highways of the State Sec. 4. That all able bodied male persons of the county between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five years, except residents of incorporated cities and towns, shall work on the public roads of said county for four days (of nine hours each) in each and every year at such time and place and in such manner as may be designated by the road superintendent or township supervisors: provided, that the said superintendent or the supervisor in each township shall give to each person of his township who is subject to road duty at least three days’ notice by personal warning or by leaving a written notice at the home or residence of such person, specifying in such notice the time and place, when and where such work is to be performed, and also designating in such notice the tool or implement with which such person shall be required to work: Provided further, that in case of washout or other unexpected obstruc- tion to travel the three days’ notice shall not be necessary, and any person liable to road duty in the township in which such obstruction to travel may occur shall upon being properly summoned by said super- intendents or supervisor of roads, respond to such summons with reason- able promptness: Provided further, that any person may in lieu of work- ing four days on the public road pay on or before the first day of July, 444, eighteen hundred and ninety nine, and on or before the sa sae April of each year thereafter to the county treasurer or aoe Pp ° tendent the sum of two dollars, and it shall be the duty of sai ager : or road superintendent upon receipt of said money or any - — to issue to such person a receipt for the same, stating in such re + the amount and the year for which the same is paid. All ey ee to the said road superintendent as provided for in this act shall within fifteen days after being received by him be turned over to the gene treasurer and credited to the road fund of the township ther Ww wa the same was paid, and the same shall be expended in t mere ment of the roads in that township from which it was paid. e road superintendent fails to turn over to the county pepe aresd so collected within fifteen days he shall be guilty of a mis nyse Provided, that no person liable for road duty under ng a s . be required to work on the public roads outside of the srt ~ na road district in which he resides, the boundaries of the Toa istricts within each township to be fixed by the euamty commissioners. Sec. 5. That any person who shall, after being duly notified as es vided in section four of this act, fail to appear and work as require to do (after having failed to pay the sum of two dollars), or any — who shall appear as notified and fail or refuse to perform goo an reasonable labor as required by the said superintendent or yee shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall " fined not less than two nor more than five dollars or sentenced to wor on the public roads of the county for not less than ten nor more than days. _ 6. That proper implements and tools for use in working the pub- lic roads of the county as provided in section four of this act may be supplied by the county road superintendent and shall be paid for out of the road fund of the township in which the said implements or tools are to be used: Provided, that until the county road superintendent shall be able to supply the necessary implements and tools he may and he is hereby empowered to compel any and all persons working on the public roads of the county to provide themselves with such implements as are commonly used while working on said road as the superintendent or supervisor may designate in his notice or summons as being nepensary. Sec. 7. That on the first day of June, eighteen hundred and ninety- nine, and on the first day of April of each succeeding year, or oftener if required to do so by said superintendent of roads, the township yd visor of roads in each township of the county shall furnish through the county road superintendent to the treasurer of the county a complete list of the names of all persons liable for road duty in the township in 445 which he resides. Said treasurer of the county after receiving the above list of persons liable for road duty, shall check off the names of such persons as have paid the sum of two dollars as provided in section four of this act, and shall within fifteen days and as often thereafter as may be necessary furnish to the county road superintendent a correct revised list of all persons liable for road duty in each said township for the year. A list of such persons liable to road duty in each township who have during the year failed to work on the public roads after having been duly notified or to pay as provided for in section four of this act shall immediately be submitted by the county road superintendent or township supervisor to a justice of the peace in the township in which such persons reside, and it shall be the duty of said justice of the peace to immediately issue his warrant for such persons and proceed against them according to law: Provided, however, that the defaulting party may be prosecuted at any time and by any citizen of the county. ... (Chapter 581, Public Laws of North Carolina, Session 1899.) DUPLIN COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMISSION March 14, 1921, North Carolina, Duplin County Pursuant to an act entitled An Act to create a Highway Commission for Duplin County passed by the General Assembly of North Carolina at its session of 1921 and ratified on the 5th day of March 1921, the following named persons named in said act, as Highway Commissioners, to wit: L. H. Bradshaw, W. B. Martin, H. F. Peirce and L. A. Beasley, and the following named persons to wit: W. G. Kornegay, W. J. Middleton and E. R. Hicks, who now comprise the Board of County Commis- sioners of Duplin County, and who are ex-officio members of said High- way Commission as provided in said act, met in the Courthouse in Kenansville, North Carolina, on the 2nd, Monday in March 1921, the same being the 14th of said month. And, thereupon, the oath of office was duly administered and sub- scribed by the said L. H. Bradshaw, W. B. Martin, H. F. Peirce, L. A. Beasley, W. G. Kornegay, W. J. Middleton and E. R. Hicks... . Thereupon, on motion of W. J. Middleton, seconded by H. F. Peirce, L. A. Beasley was nominated as Chairman of said Highway Commission of Duplin County, and upon a vote being taken by the members, he was unanimously elected and took the chair. Thereupon by unanimous vote of the said Highway Commission Jas. J. Bowden was elected Secre- tary to said Commission. W. J. Middleton, H. F. Pierce, W. B. Martin, Jas. J. Bowden and M. McQueen were appointed a committee to go over the roads and IAG ascertain the property belonging to the county, amount of roads built, the amount money spent and the indebtedness outstanding, and to make a written report. March 9, 1925 The Board of Commissioners of Duplin County (successor to Duplin County Highway Commissioners) met in adjourned session in office present: G. B. D. Parker, Chairman, L. F. Byrd and at Kenansville, Albert Martin. Ordered that all road building, excepting maintenance be discon- tinued for the present. Pe (Minute Docket ao 1, Duplin County Road Commissioners, pages 1, 3, and 280.) LANEFIELD COMMUNITY FAIR LANEFIELD SCHOOL October 30, 1924 Lanefield is an essentially rural, agricultural community. Located in fertile Eastern North Carolina, she occupies first rank in the communi- ties of the Old North State. Her history is complete. Records of the first settlers, the first teacher of the school, and the steady progress , fully preserved. pee act cedauitty should have its own fair. Lanefield fulfills this requisite. With the exhibits before us for comparison, the fair becomes an altar for offerings that show us how we can improve our opportunities. Our fair proposes to leave out no one. The oldest with their relics of the past generations and the youngest in a “better babies contest all have their places at this fair. We are Lanefield born and were Lanefield bred and when we die we're Lanefield dead. Welcome to ALL. OFFICERS PRESIDENT 20 05 505 af deo ee H. H. CARLTON MIDDLETON VICE-PRESIDENT W. E. SECRETARY-TREASURER JAS. A. BOYETTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. i i Mi lton ton, W. E. Middleton, H. E. Pridgen, D. J. Middleton, D. L. Carlton, i 5 pamebe: Jas. A. Boyette, George Bennett, H. M. Woodard. GENERAL COMMITTEES. a —D,. J. Middleton, Chairman. Fon cad E. Pridgen, Chairman —W. E. Middleton, Chairman. ; eal ae D. Middleton, Chairman. Canned Goods and Pantry—Mrs. J. L. Carlton, Chairman. 447 Fancy Work—Miss Emma Middleton, Chairman. Better Babies Contest—Mrs. H. M. Middleton. Curios and Relics—Mrs. H. M. Middleton, Chairman. Flowers—Mrs. D. J. Middleton, Chairman. Arrangement—J. L. Carlton, Chairman. Finance—C. J. Davis, Chairman. School and Children Exhiibts—School Faculty. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. Competition is open to all. 2. Exhibits must be in place Wednesday night, except Livestock. All exhibits properly labeled. 3. The Secretary will issue entry tags and label your exhibit, 4. Booths and concessions for cold drink stands, etc., can be secured from the Secretary. 5. The first prize of an exhibit will receive a blue ribbon and second, a red ribbon. 6. Parking grounds will be provided free. Marshals will direct you where to park cars. 7. All exhibits must remain in place until six o’clock on Fair day. 8. No drunkenness or disorders of any sort will be tolerated. 9. Each Committee Chairman will be in charge of that class of exhibit and help place the exhibit on display. 10. Any exhibit of merit not mentioned in catalogue will receive a premium. 11. Judges will be furnished by State Department of Agriculture. PRIZE LIST 15 Blue and Red Ribbons 25 Blue and Red Ribbons 21 Blue and Red Ribbons 11 Blue and Red Ribbons 11 Blue and Red Ribbons 37 Blue and Red Ribbons SRBONIT OUD DOS coca eee ange a eran 12 Blue and Red Ribbons Fancy Work 44 Blue and Red Ribbons Flowers 21 Blue and Red Ribbons SSR eee a ee 6 Blue and Red Ribbons Also there will be amusements for which Prizes will be awarded. Batter, Babies! Content. 2444 ideo. cou. ee Tes 5 Blue and Red Ribbons (From Booklet on file in the office of the County Superintendent of Schools.) PAPER PRESENTED TO FAISON COMMUNITY LIBRARY BY JOHN SPRUNT HILL INTERESTING AND TIMELY STORY OF OUR NEIGHBORING TOWN, FAISON The land on which Faison is located was granted to Henry Faison by Henry Eustace McCulloch. This original deed, dated July 2, 1776, is now in the possession of I. L. Faison. Miss Winifred Faison owns the original miniature of Henry Faison. . . . The stagecoach was the means of transportation. The Wilmington and Goldsboro road ran down at the end of Main Street, parallel with our present highway. One of the relay stations for changing horses was out near the home of Mr. J. M. Bowden. Later the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was chartered and built. 448 The original railroad charter was from Wilmington to Raleigh, 1833, drawn by the engineer, Mr. Goldsborough of Baltimore, whose descen- dant is now in Congress. The road was practically a straight line from Wilmington to Raleigh which would have struck the old Faison Millpond, causing an immense tressling on the South side of Goshen. es This railroad talk was all in the air and Senator Calhoun made inquiry about this railroad, and when he heard it was to run from Wilmington to Raleigh, the State Capital, he said, “Why run it to a crossroad town like that? Why not head to Washington, D. C.? And call it the Atlantic Coast Line?” This advice, added to the adverse report of the engineer in regard to the trestle, made the crowd go to Raleigh, where the Legis- lature was then in Session (1835) and change the North end of the road to Weldon, which makes a bend at Faison where the road takes the direct course North to Weldon. ett A big celebration was given to Calhoun at Wilmington, and every body, including the engineer, was there. The chief engineer, Golds- borough, boarded with Mrs. Sallie Thompson Faison, and presented to her a pair of cut-glass vases which are still in possession of Miss Sallie Faison Hill... . . . . When the first sound of cannon came in the war of ’61-’65, the young men of the community volunteered for the defense of their country, forming Co. E. 20th N. C. Regiment, under Captain Denson. These men were largely from the students of Franklin Military Acad- emy, principals of which were Denson and Millard. Later, L. T. Hicks was appointed Captain and was greatly beloved by his men. General Francis P. Blair, retreating from Bentonville, camped on the plantation of Dr. H. W. Faison. The World War had its full quota from this town and surrounding country, filling the places of officers and brave men in the ranks. Briga- dier General Sampson Lane Faison said: “The hardest thing I ever did was to lead the sons of my schoolmates and neighbors into battle. I have been prepared for the awfulness of war and had the best of military training, but these young men, coming from the civil walks of life, knew not what danger was, but were the bravest of the brave and absolutely true to every duty.” It was he, commanding the 30th Division, who broke the Hindenburg lines. We find the sons of this little town in all sections of the business and professional world. The three Hill brothers in Durham: John Sprunt Hill, the youngest, actively engaged in the good roads movement through- out the State, his philanthrophy felt in many ways; “The Carolina Inn” at Chapel Hill, for instance, and the enlargement of our present school’s playground. 449 The Third Congressional District was ably represented by Dr. John M. Faison, who stood paramount in his medical profession, besides using every effort to benefit Faison, and particularly the farmer. . (By Miss Winifred Faison, printed in the Duplin Record, Warsaw, N. C. Feb. 18, 1926.) STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Six-Day Event Closed Saturday; Thousands In Attendance During Week. One of the best Strawberry Festivals ever staged in Wallace was brought to a close Saturday night following six gorgeous days of enter- tainment, which reached the climax on Friday when Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the First Lady of the Land, was the honor guest. Opening on Monday to a capacity house, the management left no stone unturned in an effort to furnish the very best in the entertainment line every night during the entire week, and the large number of people who were on hand each night was good evidence that they had been highly successful. With some added attractions on the program each night anyone attending could hardly find room to complain of a dull moment. The dances which were staged each night following the main program were usually clean and orderly as was the floor show sent here by the celebrated showman, George Hamid of New York. The Queen’s Ball which was staged following coronation exercises Friday night, was a very impressive affair as was the coronation itself which was witnessed by a record crowd. Taken as a whole, the Festival this year was by far the best ever staged in Wallace and Mayor Aubrey Harrell and his corps of assistants have received many words of praise for the excellent manner in which the affair was handled. While no definite announcement has been made as yet, it is practi- cally certain that Mayor Harrell and assistants will attempt to stage just such a high class Festival again next year. (The Wallace Enterprise, June 17, 1937.) CROWD ESTIMATED AT 10,000 GREETS MRS. ROOSEVELT ON HER VISIT HERE (WALLACE) First Lady Wins Warm Spot in Hearts of All With Whom She Came in Contact While Here. Receives Honor of Having New Strawberry Variety Named for Her. Bringing a message of hope and cheer at every public appearance in this section last Friday, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the First Lady 450 of the land, returned to Washington that night, leaving behind thou- sands of thrilled and delighted North Carolinians. Arriving in Wallace on the early morning train, Mrs. Roosevelt was escorted to the home of Dr. and Mrs. John D. Robinson for a brief stop before proceeding to the Coastal Plain Station where she and 100 others were the guests of the director in charge, Dr. Charles Deering, at an old fashioned North Carolina breakfast served at small tables on the lawn. Here she also received the honor of having a new variety of strawberry named for her. This variety, formerly known as No. 337, will now be called the Eleanor Roosevelt. From the station the party was driven to Penderlea Homesteads where a very interesting pageant entitled “From Settlement to Resettlement was presented by the homesteaders under the direction of Miss Margaret Valiant and Nick Ray of the Resettlement Administration. Here too the First Lady showed her metal when she participated in an old fash- ioned square dance which was put on by the homesteaders for her enter- tainment. In a brief talk to the several thousand who braved the stifling heat and swirling dust to witness the pageant and catch their first glimpse of the First Lady, she impressed her audience with her simple dignity and radiant personality as she preached the doctrine of co- operative effort. Returning to Wallace following an inspection tour of the homesteads project, Mrs. Roosevelt and party were guests of Dr. and Mrs. John D. Robinson at lunch, following which the First Lady made her appearance at the Strawberry Festival to be greeted by a crowd estimated to num- ber more than 10,000. Here she held her vast audience spellbound as she displayed her intimate knowledge of agricultural conditions. Here too, she preached the doctrine of cooperative effort and lauded the work that is being carried on to rehabilitate farm families who sank to the depths of despair during the depression, losing their all. She was given a thunderous ovation following her address which was broadcast over a nation-wide hook-up. Others appearing on the program with Mrs. Roosevelt were Governor Clyde R. Hoey, who introduced the First Lady; Ben Adams, who repre- sented Governor Olin D. Johnston of South Carolina; Senator Robert R. Reynolds; Miss Beatrice Cobb, National Democratic Committee- woman; General Manus McClosky, Commandant at Fort Bragg; Charles Johnson, State Treasurer; Henry L. Stevens, Jr., former National Com- mander of the American Legion; Mrs. John D. Robinson, the honor guest’s hostess; Mrs. Mae Thompson Evans of Washington, Assistant Director of the Woman’s Division of the Democratic National Executive Committee; Mrs. W. B. Murphy of Snow Hill, Vice-Chairman of the 451 State Democratic Executive Committee; Mrs. W. J. Jones of Pineland College; Dr. J. D. Robinson, host to Mrs. Roosevelt; and Mrs. E. L. McKee of Sylva, State Senator. (The Wallace Enterprise, June 17, 1937.) STEVENS SWORN IN AS RESIDENT JUDGE OF SIXTH DISTRICT Henry L. Stevens of Warsaw took the oath of office as Judge of the Sixth District Superior Court before the meeting of the Sixth District Bar Association in the Duplin County courthouse in Kenansville Mon- day morning with Judge Henry A. Grady of Clinton, retiring judge of the district, administering the oath in the presence of more than 500 relatives and friends. Following the induction into office of Stevens, the new resident judge administered the oath to Judge Grady, making the Clinton jurist an emergency judge of the Superior Court for life. Judge Grady retired from active service last November after spending 16 years on the bench... . (Wallace Enterprise, January 5, 1939, by Bloys W. Britt.) . . . Mrs. Henry L. Stevens, Jr., and Mrs. Henry L. Stevens, Sr., of Warsaw, both were present to see their husband and son inducted into his new office as presiding judge of the Sixth Judicial District and First Citizen of Warsaw and Duplin County. Mrs. H. L. Stevens, Jr., was first to congratulate her husband in his new official capacity, and she did it promptly without hesitancy, with a kiss. The tuberoses and white asters that were used for decorating the court room for the sixth district bar meeting and installation of judges in Kenansville on Monday came from the hot house of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Croom in Magnolia, and Mrs. Croom, assisted by Mrs. R. C. Wells and Mrs. F. W. McGowen decorated the court room. Long leaf pines were used with good effect for background and greenery. Food was taken care of by members of the Duplin bar, with County Judge A. J. Blanton, as chairman, and R. C. Wells, Vance Gavin, Walker Stevens, and J. T. Gresham on the committee. The meal served in the high school gymnasium was a credit to the lawyers, a regular man’s meal—barbecue, plenty of it, with all that goes with a barbecue meal. Bottled drinks were served before and during the meal, and hot coffee was also served at the table. In addition to the lawyers and their ladies, county officials, and their staffs in Kenansville, also the Board of County Commissioners, besides other notables throughout Duplin County were guests of the lawyers. . . . (L. A. Beasley’s Scrapbook.) MAGNOLIA Flowers and bulb-raising got its start in North Carolina around Mag- nolia. Not, as you might have thought, at Terra Ceia or Castle Hayne. Father of the industry in the State, according to Homer Taylor, Mag- nolia Town Commissioner, was John F. Croom. Other sources report that Mr. Croom wore a plug, or derby hat for 49 years and built a flourishing industry around Cannas, Tube Roses, Calladiums, and Elephant Ears. (Duplin Times, Sept. 16, 1949.) JOHN IVEY THOMAS CHAPTER U.D.C. Beulaville, N. C. The John Ivey Thomas Chapter No. 2172 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized in Beulaville, North Carolina, on June 20, 1951, with fourteen charter members. It was approved by Mrs. Hone L. Stevens, Jr., President of the North Carolina Division of the U.D.C. at that time. , After much research and many hours spent in preparing the lineage papers, charter members held their organizational meeting in the home of Mrs. Lou Belle Thomas Williams with Mrs. Henry L. Stevens, Jr., ina Division President. Se. was elected the first president of the Chapter, which was named in honor of her grandfather, John Ivey Thomas, who was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on May 31, 1864. His great grand-daughter, Mrs. Ida Smith Miller (now Mrs. Mike Hines) was elected recording secretary; Miss Ermie Sanderson, Registrar; Mrs. Gardner Edwards, Vice President; Mrs. Ashe Miller, Treasurer; Mrs. Ray Humphrey, Historian; Miss Lou Jackson (now Mrs. Gordon Ken- nedy), Recorder of Crosses; Miss Faye Quinn (now Mrs. Richard F. Williams), Chaplain; Miss Cornelia Quinn, Program Chairman; and Mrs. Ralph Miller, Year Book Chairman. This chapter has contributed several Southern books to the Beula- ville Elementary and High School libraries, and subscriptions to both libraries for the U.D.C. Magazine, annually. Several essay contests have been sponsored in the high school by the Chapter. Prizes were offered on the local level to the winners. Bobby Lanier was the first essay prize winner. He is a great grandson of John Ivey Thomas. Miss Jane Wilkins of the East Duplin High School worked very hard with the students, and under her capable leadership the chapter had three winners. Crosses of Military Service have been awarded by the Chapter to Comme? a toms Ragineen It Cleans inson, rs. yae le aZze. erson descendants of men wh i who served in the War Between the States. They Grandfather, William Sandlin are as follows: Fitzgerald Bostic, Gordon Kennedy, I. J. Sandlin, Jr. Company I, 9th 7 gre N. C. Cavalry ? be Carroll, Mrs. W. H. (Irene Sandlin), Charter Member Lloyd Hi : are a iram Thomas, Sr., Lloyd Hiram Thomas, Jr., William D. Thig- Grandfather, William Sandlin pen, and Macon Worth Smith. Company I, 9th Regiment, N. C. Cavalry Cottle, Mrs. Ralph (Angeleta Thomas) The Chapter h * tet p as been hostess to the District No. 9 Annual Meeting. Great-grandfather, John Ivey Thomas Three of its memb wie i mbers have served as District Officers: Mrs. Charles B. rn Nis. be ne adiniaat Brey? Charter Member Williams, Di . : » Director; Mrs. Russell Sanderson, Assistant Director; and Grandfather, Newton Francis Register Company I, 20th Regiment, N. C. Infantry rs. Gardner Edwards, Recording Secretary. Mrs. Williams also served Hamilton, Mrs. John F. (Effie Darden) tw i o years as chairman of the Text Book Committee of the North Caro- Grandfather, Joseph Hardy Darden lina Division of U.D.C. First Lt., one of the “Immortal Six Hundred” Hines, Mrs. Mike (Ida Smith Miller), Charter Member Great-grandfather, John Ivey Thomas The following have served as presidents of the Chapter: Company C, 51st Regiment, N. C. Infantry Houston, Mrs. Delmar (Okland Morton) M 3 “Ie oor Chas. B. Williams 1951-1953 Grandfather, Chester Kelly rs. Mike Hines 1953-1955 Company A, 30th Regiment, Ransom’s Brigade Stonewall Jackson’s Corps Mrs. rs. Gordon Kennedy 1955-1957 Jackson, Miss Mary, Charter Member Mrs. W. Ray Humphrey 1957-1959 Great-grandfather, Jesse Williams Mrs. Bill Carroll 1959-1 Company H, 66th Regiment, N. C. Infantry -1961 Kennedy, Mrs. Gordon (Lou Jackson), Charter Member Mrs. Russell Sanderson 1961-1963 Great-grandfather, Jesse Williams Company H, 66th Regiment, N. C. Infantry Mrs. Gardner Edwards 1963-1965 Leonard, Mrs. W. P. (Edna Earle Gresham) Mrs. Delmar Houston 1965-1966 Great-grandfather, Chester Kelly F Company A, 30th Regiment, Ransom’s Brigade a es Hamilton 1966-1969 seonere ae Corps vat SR yriest. Oumn Miller, Mrs. Ralph (Lucille Mercer), Charter M Q 1969- Grandfather, John Mercer he Company I, 9th Regiment, N. C. Cavalry Now serving with Mrs. Quinn are: Caine, Bart Cs (Javan Jarman) randfather, William Sandlin ee Mrs. John F. Hamilton eeeresy I, *: Regiment, N. C. Cavalry ecretar odes, Mrs. Cecil (Mary J Gresh i Mrs. Gordon Kennedy Great-grand father, Chester Kelly — Tr : easurer Mrs. Gardner Edwards vac’ ne ga Ransom’s Brigade onewall Jackson’s Corps Registrar hi 4 Mrs. Chas. B. Williams Sanderson, Miss Ermie, Charter Member tae Mrs. Russell Bostic Grandfather, George Howell Sanderson ecorder of Crosses Mrs. W. H. Carroll Company A, 30th Regiment, N. C. Infantry Chaplain : Thomas, Mrs. J. R. (Libby Miller) : Mrs. Clyde Brinson Great Uncle, John Richard Miller Yearbook Committee: Mrs. Russell Bostic Company I, 9th Regiment, N. C. Cavalry Mrs. Charles B vii: Thomas, Mrs. Jasper Duey (Callie Baker) 3 es B. Williams Grandfather, John James Whaley Mrs. Ray Thom Company B, 3rd Regiment, N. C. Infantry i as Willams, Mrs. Charles Beasley (Lou B. Thomas), Charter The Ch a sic: aa oe te gee by death, Mrs. Ash Miller. Several Sonmnie John Ivey Thomas sig ransferred. The present membership is 21. Company C Slat Fe N. C. Infantry Williams, Mrs. Richard F. (Faye Quinn), Charter Member Chapter Roster and Ancest Great-grandfather, Zenas Quinn hee: Company A, 36th Regiment, N. C. Infantry Bostic, Mrs. Russell (Doris Lani pcb atng Bey Jacob Wiliam fame seg tare ae ee mpany B, 3r egi , eG. w 'B, gimen C. Infantry Company B, 3rd Regiment, N. C. Infantry Bostic, Mrs. S. P. (Iris Fit ld Father, Richard Thomas Field (By Courtesy of Mrs. Lou Belle Williams.) 455 454, A ROUND-UP OF HAZEL AND HER FURY Kenansville—A midweek round-up of hurricane damage through Dup- lin County shows that the Duplin farmer has been the tragic loser. Practically 100 percent of tobacco barns in the county were damaged, damage extending from complete loss to lost foundations. Pack houses have been strewn across rural roads and fields. The Oliver Stokes home was damaged by a falling tree; the roof of the Service Motor Co. was ripped away; plate glass windows through the town were blown out. The local fire department, Highway Patrolman C. C. Hester, and many volunteers began work of clearing debris before the first blow had abated. Trees blocked Highway 24 in front of the old Kenan home. Within 45 minutes the workmen had cleared the highway for traffic. At 1 p.m., in the midst of a second blow, another tree fell in the same place, but was immediately removed. The new county hospital, nearing completion, suffered only one plate glass window and frame blown out. The firemen and volunteers un- crated an emergency generator stored at the hospital for future use and provided emergency water supply until the regular supply could be re- stored at 7:30 p.m. The county seat was without water supply for only three and one-half hours. At Warsaw, the death of Bill Taylor, Sr., saddened the community. Mr. Taylor was crushed fatally when the Hussey Tobacco Warehouse at Wallace collapsed. All personnel had been cleared out of the warehouse in anticipation of the cave-in, but Mr. Taylor was injured when he re- turned inside the building in an attempt to remove his automobile. Damage to buildings and merchandise has been estimated at $200,000 at Warsaw. The Quinn Wholesale Company building was virtually demolished. The football stadium is a complete loss. Wallace was the hardest hit of the Duplin towns. Hussey Warehouse No. 1 and Blanchard and Farrior Warehouses were leveled. Estimate of damage at Wallace has been placed at $250,000. The Masonic Lodge building and a majority of the homes and business establishments were damaged by trees, wind, flying glass and limbs. At Faison, the buildings of the Faison Auction Market were leveled. Roof of the Cates Pickle Plant was partially blown away. (By J. R. Grady, The Duplin Times, Oct. 21, 1954.) OUR HATS OFF TO THE MEN WHO DEALT WITH HAZEL Hurricane Hazel has wrought havoc in Duplin and all Southeastern Carolina. Property has been damaged or destroyed; one life in Duplin has been lost (and we send condolence to the family of Bill Taylor in 456 Warsaw). Nearly everyone in Duplin has been on edge. mre of beautiful trees in the county have been destroyed and many lovely oe no longer stand. Some trees fell on houses but most homes were ees nate. It seems the winds were with our homes. There hardly wi = — barn in the county that hasn’t been damaged, if not destroyed. : wit buildings have collapsed, including two tobacco warehouses — 4 large wholesale house. Roads have been blocked, power lines = : phones lines are down, radio and television sets have been = an many homes for a couple of days or more have had no = light, nor means of cooking; but, with it all, Duplin ean be thankful. : Suppose it had come a few weeks earlier when all pyar arns were at high heat, or even a little earlier when all the a to — ee standing in the field? Suppose Duplin had been on 4 rin ex as were Wrightsville, Carolina, Topsail, Morehead, and other coas 2 e are thankful! pie sacs cannot overlook the heroic men of the mae he and Light, the Tri-County and Four-County REA, and ns - a _ phone and Telegraph Company, who at the outset of Hazel brave = dangers to keep service going, and to restore it as peg as possible. Especially the Power Company men who pulled the swite - he oa lines fell, who faced the wind and rain, the elements in all their pas to see that no one was killed from fallen live wires. They then worke day and night, 24 and 48 hours in a stretch without sleep, to give us back our service. It was the men on the line, the employees, a the officials, who braved these dangers, and our hats are off to them! The destruction was so severe that hundreds of homes still do not have power and telephones; and naturally the members of each family think there is no reason why they should not have service when some others do. But let’s remember these men are only human and are going like wildfire even now Oct. 21—six days later (Hazel came Oct. 15) to get complete restoration of service. Duplin was lucky that no one was killed from falling electric wires and that we had no fires as a result of electric lines. So those of us who have not received complete service, power and telephone, let’s try to be patient and not criticize too much; for after all, it could have been worse and these fellows who climb the poles and handle hot wires are doing everything possible. Furthermore, let’s not forget our highway patrolmen and town officers who literally threw caution to the wind—who braved the best and _ worst of it patrolling the streets and highways on the lookout on “ee and possibly injured people and directing traffic to safety. . ey = the watch and did their duty like infantrymen on the front _ : e State Highway men who went to work when the first tree blocked a 457 road or street and even in the worst of it were sawing, pulling and dragging limbs and tree trunks from the highways so that most traffic could pass. As soon as Hazel passed, they swarmed like bees in lightning speed all over the county to clear highways temporarily to let traffic by and for days, maybe weeks to come, the highwaymen, men in the ranks, will be clearing our highways and bringing them back to normalcy. Also in every town with a fire department the firemen donned their coats and hats and patrolled the towns on the lookout for fires, aiding in clearing streets, carrying elderly people to safe places, etc. (In times like these we really know how great our people are!) (By J. R. Grady, The Duplin Times, Oct. 21, 1954.) HAZEL AND THE PIONEER SPIRIT Cooking became a major problem for the users of electric ranges. Neighbors with gas ranges helped out by allowing others to cook on their stoves. The old wood range, symbol of so much hard work (with the woodchopping, the fire-building and the removal of ashes) suddenly looked mighty good. For a number of families it spelled food. It was a familiar weekend sight to see the ladies walking to and fro with steaming pots. Families without grills and fireplaces really roughed it, and stirred up the gypsy in their souls while stirring the stew. People with old-fashioned water pumps and wells became vastly popu- lar. The men of the family were kept busy hauling water from wherever it could be found. At night, only flickering candles to read by. No movie, no radio, no TV. The family got acquainted again with the art of conversation, then went to bed early. It was so quiet that relaxing came easily. We never realized how much noise refrigerators, passing cars, distant juke- boxes, and people make. It was even quiet enough for thinking. (Duplin Times, June 24, 1954.) DUPLIN MAN CHOSEN NORTH CAROLINA’S FIRST “MAN OF THE YEAR IN EDUCATION” CHAPEL HILL, June 23—William Dallas Herring, Rose Hill busi- ness man, president of the Atlantic Coffin and Casket Co., chairman of the Duplin County Board of Education and called by many “the most effective speaker for public schools in North Carolina,” was recognized as North Carolina’s first “Man of the Year in Education” during the closing session of the annual North Carolina School Week program at the University of North Carolina tonight. Announcement of the first annual award winner was made during ceremonies in Carroll Hall by the Phi Delta Kappa honorary educational 458 fraternity. Nathaniel Shope, president of the fraternity, presented Her- i laque. ring with an engraved bronze plaque. — “sb “Mr. Herring’s selection came following months of concerted activity Meepeg: : in in which some 1,200 educators serving In every educational level i all sections of the State were solicited,” Shope said. cea we The selection was based on actual evidences of leadership, devotion to duty and the total effect of activities on providing better educational opportunities, he added. Herring has made an outst At the age of 23 he was electe the youngest mayor in the United States. for 11 years. Dap Piers izi Hill Civitan Club he served as its At Realizing the rundown con- anding record in all phases of civic life. d mayor of Rose Hill and was proclaimed He served in that position tion Committee chairman for several years. “ aga OR dition of Rose Hill School, Herring began “ig rae ers e te the school system when he headed a countywide drive for revaluation o ty to increase the school budget. : arin) i liek elected to the County Board of Education by the Democratic Executive Committee and upon taking oath of office was i lected Chairman of the Board. . drat al pest to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina School Board Association and was appointed by that Association to erve on the Committee to advise the State Board of Education in the s formation of a formula for distributing the second $25,000,000 of state for school construction. Be Eee Goat diligently and provided leadership to the Kellogg Project for the improvement of schools in Duplin County and was the chief influence in leadership of the people of Duplin to request that the high schools of the county be consolidated, and through his personal efforts consolidation is spreading to adjacent counties. In April, Herring, after being issued an invitation from the Citizens Commission for Public Schools, attended their national meeting in San Francisco, where he was chairman of discussion groups. He will repre- sent the North Carolina School Boards at a meeting to be held in Florida in the near future. Herring received his A.B. degree from Davidson College where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and other scholastic and fraternal organizations. In 1953 the English-Brown VFW Post of Rose Hill named him “Man of the Year,” an unusually high honor to be paid to a non-veteran. we was also named “Friend of the Schools” by the Duplin unit of the Nort Carolina Education Association. 459 He is active in the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church in Rose Hill both as a Sunday School teacher and elder. He is also a commissioner to the General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church. He also served as President of the “Men of the Church,” Wilmington Presbytery. While serving as mayor of Rose Hill the following municipal im- provements were made: installation of water and sewage facilities; Town Hall and Fire House erected; organization of Fire Department; street paving project; and he led citizens in purchase and improvements to the community building. (Duplin Times, June 24, 1954.) VETERANS’ DAY SUCCEEDS ARMISTICE DAY IN WARSAW Big Celebration is Planned; John D. Larkins Is Main Speaker; Big Parade; Beauty Contest Warsaw Legionnaires are planning a record community-wide obser- vance of America’s first Veterans’ Day on November 11. Highlighting the celebration will be a colorful parade which will include Military Units consisting of Company M of the NCNG which is in Warsaw, 1 Infantry Company from Fort Bragg and also a Military Band and Color Guard from Fort Bragg. Other Bands which will march in the parade are: Mount Olive High School Band, Granger High School Band and, last but not least, the Warsaw High School Band, which is newly organized and under a new director, Mr. Bodie. Many lovely and colorful floats are expected to be in the parade and the contestants in the Beauty Contest for Miss Post 127 for 1955 are also expected to be in the parade as usual. All businesses or organizations wishing to enter floats are asked to contact Mr. Woodrow Blackburn of Warsaw. State Senator John D. Larkins of Trenton will be the principal speaker. Announcement of the plans to make the first Veterans’ Day a note- worthy event in this community was made today by Mitchell Britt, Commander of the Charles R. Gavin Post No. 127 of the American Legion of Warsaw. At the same time Commander Britt issued an invi- tation to all local organizations, schools and churches to join actively to make the observance of the first annual Veterans’ Day a historic and stirringly patriotic occasion. By action of the 83rd Congress and at the request of the American Legion with the support of all other veterans’ organizations, Novem- ber 11 of each year has been set aside officially as Veterans’ Day. It was formerly observed as Armistice Day and Armistice Day has been observed in Warsaw for 33 years with Post 127 sponsoring the cele- bration. In re-designating November 11 as Veterans’ Day, the Congress urged that it be made an annual occasion throughout America for the 4.60 honoring of the veterans of all American wars. neo re ia promptly signed the bill and urged the first observance of Vetera y be made a memorable event throughout the land. ; “Let us make the first observance of Veterans’ Day in Warsaw " unforgettable demonstration of Americanism,” Commander Britt urge : “Make this first annual observance a measure of our community 6 P preciation of the gallant sacrifices of all American patriots who me for America from Valley Forge to Heartbreak Ridge in Korea. . us decorate our streets, fly the Stars and Stripes from every home an business place and join in a huge parade.” ; A football game between Clinton and Warsaw Junior Varsity teams will be played in the afternoon on November 11 at Warsaw a on the big dance and beauty contest at the high school gym that nig will make the celebration last all day and into the night. = ty togase val will be in Warsaw all the week from November 8 throug will offer varied entertainments all the week with on Saturday and good clean fun for all ages. (Duplin Times, Nov. 4, 1954.) FAISON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE KNOWN FOR HIGH QUALITY Faison, for many, many years, has been noted for its auction pro- a ’ ? ket. 5 Pe ibaa. eight firms decided to get together and organize what is known today as the Faison Fruit and Vegetable Exchange. Based on sales from the past few years, the Faison market is today North Carolina’s largest fresh vegetable auction market. Around May 25, the market opens each year and remains open until around August 1. Faison, located in the heart of the State’s rich agri- culture basin, has vegetables flowing to market early with string beans, peppers, cucumbers, egg plants, squash, okra and garden peas coming in for the major consideration. In addition to volume of baskets of fruits and vegetables being noted, there are around 21 buyers who work the market each year—giving the market a tremendous purchasing power and the high dollar for the farmer because of competition among the buyers. They come from Florida to Maine. Faison’s fame as a produce market started back in horse and buggy days. Bryant Martin, who served as mayor of Faison for several years, is said to be the father of the market. When he looked after it, it was i ippi Id be faster. located Railroad street so shipping cou nds le those who recall very well the days when the heart of 461 Faison’s business district was flooded with mules and wagons and “T” model Fords, bringing vegetables to market for sale. Today’s market is very modern. It has been moved from the heart of town to an “auction block” located about one mile from town on the Clinton highway. In addition to an auction shed, it has many grading and unloading platforms, a concession stand and paying office along with offices of the various owners of the market. The eight firms which see that the market grows and gives the farmer the most for his produce are C. D. Lee, R. D. Precythe, Southern Pro- duce Distributors by Joseph L. King and Harold Precythe; C. P. Ellis, George Joseph, Joseph H. Bryant, Blanchard Produce Co., and R. C. Clifton. For using the facilities at Faison, farmers are charged a small com- mission. This is used to keep up the market property and to pay for various essential functions. There is a government inspector on the lines throughout the selling season. Faison has gained fame in more than just selling and buying of the vegetables and fruits grown in the area. They are noted for the fine pack which is put up for shipping to northern markets. Each firm associated with the market has its own washing, grading, and waxing machines. This means that after the farmer has sold his product, it is given the finishing touch by purchasers in order that the areas’ reputation on northern markets will increase; thus, making it possible for the purchaser to give the farmer a high price. (Duplin Times, Nov. 10, 1955.) F.F.A. AND F.H.A. The Future Farmers of America and the Future Homemakers of America are organizations that help young people grow into better adults. These organizations operate on a local, state, and national level. Duplin County schools have very active chapters. Some students from each school have achieved success. Florrie Currie of the James Kenan Future Homemakers Chapter is one of the many outstanding Duplin leaders trained in F.H.A. work. She received her State Homemaker Degree which is the highest honor available in the state organization. She gave the main address at a Quad-County F.H.A. Rally. In 1959, Florrie Currie spoke at the Na- tional F.H.A. Convention in Chicago and also participated in a skit at that convention. Thomas Franklin Quinn of B. F. Grady High School won many honors in F.F.A. work. He was a delegate to the National F.F.A. Con- 462 ; or j he re- vention in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1944. At that Convention he ceived a National Honor, the American Farmer Degree. DUPLIN COURTHOUSE ANNEX The construction of the Courthouse Annex was necessary because of the overcrowded conditions of the main courthouse building. When it became evident five years ago that it must be done, — “ie started to put some money aside each year for the project an vor -p00e an all-out effort to collect back taxes. Through such a plan, the Cou house Annex has been paid for. : 3 The new building has offices of Clerk of Superior Court, with a very large vault; offices of Register of Deeds with a very large ar tid Tax Collector’s office, VA office, County Auditor’s office, an at ay facilities. On the second floor of the building are Judges’ Quarters, la library and attorneys’ conference rooms. The vaults in the old courthouse which were used by the Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds will be retained by these county agencies for storage of records. DERG § Plans a now for the courthouse to be renovated inside to give some of the offices still located in the main building more space. Accord- ing to Faison McGowen, County Auditor, this renovation will prob- in in March or April. aj —— plaque which stands for history on the Courthouse Annex reads: “Duplin County Courthouse Annex, Erected 1959. Duplin County Board of Commissioners: Lott Kornegay, chairman; and Com- Ri 26° st J. B. Stroud, J. W. Hoffler, Leon Brown and Kenneth G. Grady; Christine W. Williams, Clerk to the Board; F. W. McGowen, County Accountant; Winifred T. Wells, County Attorney; Godwin Build- ing Co. Inc., General Contractor and Leslie N. Boney, Architect, Wil- n. big ae knows where Duplin County is headed. The growth has been so rapid in recent years that few people care to venture a statement as to potential progress. But, whatever comes, the County and her sage are making room for more growth and expansion in the years that lie ahead. (The Duplin Times, 1960, By Paul Barwick.) CEREMONY OF APPRECIATION HELD IN NEWLY RENOVATED COURTROOM d in the newly renovated Duplin ‘ ; | An impressive ceremony was he ly County Courtroom to thank the Board of Commissioners, and F. W. 463 McGowen, County Auditor, for the wonderful job which has been done on the Courtroom. This ceremony was held on Monday morning. It was fitting that Judge Henry L. Stevens of Warsaw, a native of Duplin County, was presiding Judge of Superior Court, and he presided with his usual dignity and pomp. The Bar of 1913, the year of the dedication of the Courthouse, would have been proud to have witnessed the scene on Monday morning in the Courtroom of Duplin. To appreciate the beauty of the room, one needs to see a “before and after” picture. The Judge’s Bench, the bar rail and the jury box rail are of African mahogany and the walls behind the bar are panelled with African Mahogany panelling. The bar is carpeted, as is the Jury section. In the auditorium the theatre type folding chairs have been replaced by mahogany benches and the floor is tiled with vinyl tile. The color scheme blends in beaut- fully with the new furniture, panelling and carpeting. Louvered blinds have been ordered and are the only incomplete item in the Courtroom. Overhead are recessed lights, which give most effective lighting without glare. The lawyers tables, Clerk’s and Stenographers desk and chairs match the other furniture. In the morning exercises, Judge Stevens was seated at the bench. To his right were County Officials and members of the Bar. Seated on his left in the Jurors’ seats were the County Commissioners and the County Auditor. From his bench Judge Stevens welcomed the members of the Bar, County Officials, Board of County Commissioners and visi- tors, stating that the purpose of the ceremony is “to give thanks and sincere appreciation to the Board of County Commissioners and F. W. McGowen for bringing into being this magnificent Courtroom. In February of 1913 the Courthouse was dedicated, so this is a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Board of County Commissioners.” Judge Stevens then gave a brief history of the building of the Courthouse in 1913. (A complete proceeding of the ceremony of 1913 appears in another place in this issue of the paper. ) Each of the County Commissioners was recognized by the Judge, as was the County Auditor. Judge Stevens went on to say that Duplin County is now at the top of the “pile” both economically and agricul- turally. He further pointed out that the old courtroom had deteriorated, and through the farsightedness of the Commissioners, and with an eye for the comfort of the people in court, witnesses, jurors, grand jurors and members of the bar and all of the people of the county, this beauti- ful room with its beautiful appointments had been created. Judge Stevens concluded his talk with “On behalf of the Judges of the district, the members of court and County Judge, and for the people 464. issioners for who have to come here, we thank the Board of Commissi ” what has been done for us. (Duplin Times, August 30, 1962.) JUDGE STEVENS, NOW EMERGENCY JUDGE i da Judge Henry L. Stevens, Jr. of Warsaw was ee : a ae morning in Kenansville as an Emergency Judge of the — 2 ee of North Carolina. Judge Stevens’ retirement from oh vast pes of term as Judge of the Fourth Judicial District o Ao se became effective at midnight on the Slst day of ree sai Clerk of the Superior Court of Duplin County, + ibe we? sales at the ceremony before members of the Bar nosy pane ciao Stevens. In his opening statement, Wells este ? pap acc ore in the history of Duplin County that we have ha = ste NIE who was a resident of Duplin.” Wells re, = ae had known Judge Stevens for many your, . oer teat me Judge, and I have called him Henry. a eg had appointed the retiring resident Judge of Dup wats B. Gavin read the order which had been signed by r ; i iati he Judge in behalf d ressed his appreciation to t Tae ieee ‘ ae. of Duplin County for the many courtesies sal ¢ d thanked him for a job well done as Superior Court Judge. Bar a YR D. Johnson of Warsaw read the commission issued by orney R. D. s d expressed his thanks to Judge Stevens. ee te Sociable group, Wells gave the Oath of Office to Judge e- Stevens. After the impressive ceremony, Judge Stevens expressed peti a ‘ the folks who had come to witness the ceremony and ge ‘ . * # Pi this was the last step in his Judicial Career as the Emergency Judge appointment was for life. (Duplin Times, January 3, 1963.) FAIR OPENS WITH BIG CROWDS EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT AWARDS GIVEN Duplin County Fair at Beulaville opened with — on meri st i i yere prese night. Despite the cold and windy night, large crowds were p ee ae ax Wa oh 7 p. m. in front of the main gate i i a . mm. Opening ceremonies were he e . eremonies Geo e Cow an 1 ie] e uests of th fair Master of C rem 9 rg > ntr -_ d £ i h h off d words of congr atulations to the Beulav ille Jaycees f I who eac. ere ¢ j in launching the fair. ful job they had done in : eee Beulaville extended greetings to the crowd. Other 465 persons recognized were Mayor Melvin Cording of Wallace; the Chair- man of the Fair from the Beulaville Jaycees; the County Farm Agents and Home Demonstration Agents, who have helped make the fair such a success; Senator LeRoy Simmons; C. W. Surratt of Rose Hill; Preston Raiford, new Agricultural and Indu strial Director for Duplin County; Garland King, DPCA Secretary; Mrs. Christian Williams, Register of Deeds; and many, many others including FHA, 4-H representatives and Miss Merry Christmas of 1962. After the get-acquainted hour, groups toured the tents to enjoy the commercial, agricultural and other exhibits. The exhibits were judged on Tuesday. Commercial exhibits were not judged. Department exhibits in the tent with the Agricultural exhibits were judged for ribbons. One hundred and thirty exhibitors entered over 500 different articles including canned goods, arts and crafts, breads, cakes, candies, clothing, needlework, field crops, They were judged in the different c awarded individuals. Prizes awarded for the Educational Exhibits were as follows: horticulture and eggs. ategories and cash prizes were BLUE RIBBONS 1. Cedar Fork and Beulaville 4-H Clubs Louise Hunter in charge 2. Miller Home Demonstration Club Mrs. Flave Mercer in charge 3. Cabin Home Demonstration Club Mrs. Ray Thomas in charge 4. East Duplin Vocational Agricultural Dept 5. Negro 4-H, R. E. Wilkins, in charge 6. Cedar Fork Community Development Club George Cowan, in charge RED RIBBONS tabaci conde: Fi, ons oN eae 25.00 Mrs. David Rouse, in charge 2. East Duplin Vocational Home Ec. 3. Branch Community Development 4. Charity Home Ec WHITE RIBBON 1. Charity Vocational Agricultural Department (Duplin Times, Sept. 26, 1963.) POULTRY JUBILEE WORLD’S LARGEST FRYING PAN NEARS COMPLETION ROSE HILL—Fried chicken cooked in the sit ohn ai, Ba will be one of the many exciting events in store for Hill, October 19th. Carolina folks attending the Poultry Jubilee in Rose “A pag aes The frying pan, now under construction, will be aay etah psi This exceeds the largest known, located in eigen fp built by em- inches, It is being constructed of sheet steel in iP poultry firm, ployees of Ramsey Feed Company of Rose Hill, just for the occasion. 7 ill serve Plans now call for it to be heated by Bas siege ee the individual plates directly from the ieying..gmm ee yaiteageiaes major attraction, will be held at intervals by : ent. Visitors to shuttle service on trucks prepared especially for the ev i industry where the area may see firsthand the various phases of the in y : s now call for a trained personnel will explain each operation. Plan i will see the bird progress complete round trip where each passenger from an egg to the table. al Other bighighss planned for the day include a tag rap ese i il 4 p.m., when inni t 10 a.m., and lasting unti he gow: ‘. the First Annual Southeastern Western Style Dance 4 de ii :% ited to begin at 7 p.m. with trophies being presente ment is ctive winners. pf
    c thei firms are synonymous with the poultry growth, both chi neir S) keys, in North Carolina. - os de Jubilee is being sponsored by the sinc te ae “4 I f Co merce and interested business men of the area. Leo soni a chairman. Dennis Ramsey is planning for the seme a“ Fuseel Jr., has charge of the dinner plans, and Leo Jones is arrang Fussell, Jr., 467 for the entertainment. Cecil Rhodes is responsible for the advertisement of the event. (Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, Oct. 3, 1963.) THE D.A.R. AND THE JUBILEE A Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Town of Wallace would be incomplete without due credit to those who laid the firm foundation on which this section has flourished. One of the purposes of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution is “To perpetuate the spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence.” This section has a rich historical background. . . . Included in the woman’s club show of “Jubilee Treasures” will be a land grant on Maxwell Creek issued by King George II to Joseph Carr on the 3rd of May 1760 and registered in New Bern, N. C., in the same This belongs to Mrs. W. B. Jones, a D.A.R. member. Another member, Mrs. J. D. Robinson, has a similar grant from King George II and the land included a large part of that on which the Town of Wallace has been built. This grant was to William Boney, who with his wife, Dorothy James, built in 1800 the first home in what is now Wallace. When the local chapter of the D.A.R. was formed on October 15, 1958, its name, “The Battle of Rockfish,” was chosen by the chapter in commemoration of the Revolutionary: battle which was fought on the southern end of the Town of Wallace at Rockfish Creek. . . . The chapter has an 8 pound British cannon ball which was plowed up on the land that was an actual part of the battlefield at Rockfish, and some of the breast works still stand on land owned by the late Joe Johnson family. Citizens of this area do have a great heritage of which they are custo- dians and want to keep alive an appreciation of this. The members of the Battle of Rockfish Chapter, D.A.R., feel that “The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inherit- ance only to him who lives worthily of it.” Therefore, they strive to make a worthy contribution through activities carried on in accomplish- ing their objectives, which are, Historical, Educational and Patriotic. CHAPTER MEMBERS Names Rte Mrs. James S. Blair, Sr.* Mrs. Charles H. Hearn Miss Annie Catherine Bland Teachey Rose Hill Mrs. John W. Hoffler* Miss Homer M. Boney, Sr. Mrs. William B. Jones* Mrs. Charles V. Brooks, Jr. Mrs. Wayne Jordan Mrs. Finley R. Carr Miss Alice Mallard Mrs. Ferris I. Fancher Teachey Mrs. Samuel Mc Glasgow, Sr.* Miss Thelma Mallard Mrs. Charles F. Hawes Teachey Rose Hill Names rng + Mrs. Hayden C. Turner, Sr. Miss Jessie Moore Miss Kay Eugenia Weston Rose Hill Durham Mrs. Walter C. Moore Mrs. Edgar Wells Mrs. Daniel Norris Teachey rites Teachey Mrs. Steve Wilkins Mrs, Charles B. Penny* Rose Hill Mee Wan ey ee Miss Bennie Lou Williams rs. Warren H. Ri Mrs. Oscar F. Smith* * Charter ber f an sana Wallace, unless otherwise stated. REGENTS i land - Mrs. Jeremiah G. Souther ee eaateing Regent) 1960-1962 Mrs. James S. Blair, Sr. - Mrs. C. F. Hawes renee Mrs. Charles V. Brooks, Jr. Br. - Mrs. Hayden C. Turner, te Miss Thelma Mallard E HAPTER OFFICERS gett Miss Thelma Mallard ag Mrs. John W. Register wee Regents Mrs. Oscar F. Smith . fosteding Secretary: Mrs. ee . : yore r. praia Secretary: s. Charles B. Corresponding Secretary: pa reget ke Pew err Mrs, John W. Hoffler oo Mrs. Ferris I. Fancher Sy pains Mrs. James S. Blair, Sr. Librarian: CHAPTER GOOD CITIZENS - Linda Miller 1907.1968 Gloria Rivenbark Joyce Hamilton Barbara Finch Dorothy Mills pean Elizabeth Mattocks 1967-1968 1961-1962 Janice Newton 1967-1968 set 1968-1969 +a 1962-1963 zuoye Jone 1968-1969 Judy Reyno ites ean Brndy «19081970 Sharon Cre 1964- Theresa Carter lia Forlaw 1970-1971 ‘Mee. sa sue ae See also Wallace Enterprise 4-6-64.) WALLACE’S DIAMOND JUBILEE The Diamond Jubilee story begins earlier than remembered a vn than the first brick warehouse, earlier than the eens. a ~ rr earlier than the Clement School, why even earlier than when alled Duplin Roads. owe ied turn back the records of Duplin County to the years before the Civil War and the Revolution to view the first settlers establishing e Civi their homes é i e n nd of [ uplin County. It must have been between 1746 and the W ar for Independence that i i h-Irish d and third generation Americans of Swiss, German, wee ae ee "Risin descent moved into the mer 4 oo os oe oa at a i thers ha rs Hanover where their fa of New Bern and New 469 on new land. Wellses, Teacheys, Boneys, and Stallingses were the first to come. The county into which they came had originally been part of New Hanover, but in 1749 the county of Duplin was established because of the inconvenience of the size of the original New Hanover. The fore the patronage of Baron DeGraffenreid, a Swiss County; and also one Henry McCulloch to whom King George II had granted several large tracts of land in the Carolinas about 1736. The Old Red House Cemetery between Teacheys and Wallace marked the heart of the settlement in south Duplin. In the Revolutionary War a large majority of the people of this County were enthusiastic American patriots and played an important part from beginning to end. During the early part of 1] on his way to Yorktown. Craig, who was stationed » who came to Craven 781, Cornwallis had marched through Duplin Later in the year the British Major, James at Wilmington, ordered that the residents of Wallace where the Wilmingto the Militia was forced to retr patriots of the area and a m n road crosses Rockfish Creek. Though eat, their stand was an inspiration to the oral defeat for the British. Following the Revolution the area that would now approximate the town limits of Wallace was owned and farmed by William Boney. of this large tract of land was from the original grant of King Geor. already mentioned. The site of Boney’s home is on East Southe Street just east from the present location of the First National Bank. Part ge II rland With the settlers came their churches and by 1800 three denomina- tions had begun congregations in the area—the Ba ptists at Island Creek, the Methodists at Maxwell and Island Creek and the Presbyterians at Rockfish. Of these early settlers not all were farmers. Some as have been men- tioned were merchants, some soldiers, some ministers, and some served in civic duties as Justices of the County Courts. The community was first called Duplin Roads where the Wilmington 470 i d. to Raleigh dirt road crossed the a cur . F “wn -—_ ae i i that spa i the coming of the railroa th ster t = In 1a ee last spike on the Wilmington and —— pores ak Atlantic Coast Line, was driven. The new railroa > Ww wate sed beli ved the longest in the world, crosses the Wilmington- g en belie road at the point on which is now situated Wallace. ee hi Gai. The land for the railroad’s right-of-way was donate a lian Boney, but with the express stipulation that alcoholic be * = ~ Pi bored: should never be sold on the property. Thus it w ages in any . . ] . f Wil that although whisky was sold in practica ly every station rom ll- mingto t W eldon none was ever available for sale in Duplin Cross if n to > Ta ee came through, Gabriel Boney moved his store eu en the r i Duplin Cross Roads and i the North east River to | ig serie sc oe was probably the first retail concern in the 1s usin y y i i as town i a i upplied the are with those items such . Bone *s commiussar s ; si coffee. sugar salt and other things not produced on the far ns ( rude 2 > ] f } . ] W , ; I f' } — : i Ss the rincipal mone J il i t on river boats or tim er ra ts where it was distilled into to 1 ming on irits of turpentine and rosin. The barrels for shipping these products spirits of turp de by Newkirk Southerland in his copper shop located near the were made / present railroad station. the “iron horse” and ick up due to the presence of pe ae . Slowly but surely the small settlement started people gra i i y i t the pine T communit set am d i d soon there was a sizeable 0. £ owing an 1qas prey’ outbreak of the Civil War, Duplin Cross Roads was a bustling t the ‘ Se 25 iit he i d on in its vicinity; and as t i nd a lot of trading was carrie a — on and Reconstruction Days descended upon the ie Ss = the town was not overlooked by the ep 5 me , g é i own. irri ted in and about the erous stirring scenes were enac ' it oe list March 4, 1889, as the incorporation date of - 7 . . ss t < On this same day in Washington, D. C., Harrison was inaug own. s t rated as the 23rd President of the United States. i ania i eae As early as March 3, 1866, a post office was established in Dup Ss > ? ds. peor the post office department had ruled that the name port town be sliemael for convenience to a shorter cane The has od i Wallace, who was then pre ted in honor of Stephen D. ; hi sieod which had meant so much to the aang Ironically, er ee name of the railroad station was not changed until 1 The town was actually incorporated as Duplin Roads as early as 1872 471 under Chapter 47 of the Private Laws of the State for the purpose of identification only but was not granted powers to levy taxes nor perform such acts as normally are vested in a political sub-division. Again in 1889 a charter was granted giving Duplin Roads the power to perform such functions as are required of municipalities. But all re- quirements of the authority were not met, and no officials were named, nor those names forwarded to the state office, n tax levies reported. By 1899 a local concerted effort began to form on the part of citizens to bring loose ends together and a new revised charter conforming to all requirements was requested and the name of the incorporated town was to be Wallace. The first mayor who had also been the first postmaster was D. E. Boney. Members of the Council were Dr. B. R. Graham, J. D. Mallard, C. B. Johnson, G. H. Robinson, and N. H. Carter. During the days of the formation of the community into a town the great demand for educational advantages of the secti a private school operated by Samuel W. Clement. Mr. Clement with the help of his wife opened a school in Wallace or were proposed tax on was met by ictly at lights were installed. However, the current was weriapaiiariingeis f ’e h night. i 1 Nhe al age a the first automobile and Mr. George Ward i till and Mr. Bryant Colwell the first telephones. But, of course, if Agee itetidendtl the reliable horse you could water him in the troug ° . Store now stands. 1% ar aera 1902 financial growth led to the organization sr B k of Duplin And for entertainment there was the circus as well as ank o : the silent movies that came to town in 1936. ee There was civic interest among the citizens. In round. built two water tanks and stored them under g ior addenda pumped by hand into a tank on a ste the loped into a fine volunteer fire department. rgency water was é : at Wad Though not a very rapid deterrent to fings; i was rudiments of what has deve gn sores A ’s club, the Woman’s Betterment Association, was organi woman’s club, c 1908 with interest in civic betterment and a ie be reorganized in 1925 into the present Wallace Wo It was to y y i i le I or man ears there were no churches in the village as the peop: ; ; y y rospere attended th countr churches nearb . However, as the town p ip d > Ss. and with ew people moving in there was a nee r ] cal chu n d fo 0 rel 1€: i ized in 1884. In the same year the bs ET eae caval n from the membership of Rockfish ceask .te ‘1 1900 the Baptist met at Berea Church at Tin City when eae a to town and then in 1907 erected a brick church. The ee beet of the community organized Adoram Baptist Church e in 1874. Prior to that time he had taught in New Hanover County and at Kenansville. Born in Oxford, North Carolina, and educated at the University, he was a widely known educator whose influence made an indelible mark on Wallace and throughout the state. His school was a single room with boys sitting on one side and girls on the other. Mr. Clement sat at the front on a podium and stu- in 1867. dents were called to the front to recite. The need for medical care was first met by Dr. pong ag od aw ra . e wer He was aided in classroom discipline by help of a long stick with Dr. Lucian D. Robinson and Dr. D. McL. Graham ce which he tapped unruly students on the head or hands. Older students physicians cumpounded his own medicines and who disobeyed had to cut down pines, dig stumps and clear brush from the uncleared land where the Wallace school now stands. There are many professional and business men in this and other states, who helped clear this “new ground.” f the , 2 or = aes pe bio ifttle black bag. One of the favorite pastimes ispense f the child-eu Was sitting around the table and watching him roll pills. ts) ec es hese early years of the 20th century came to an abrupt end in 1917 when the United States entered World War I. Wallace and Duplin 7, ; 3 se hat was to end Later Mr. Clement was to become Superintendent of Schools in Wallace County saw many of its young men off to the “War that wa until his death in 1912. Eventually he gave to the community the private all wars.” : d te school facilities and property that he had developed, and there today By 1926 the people of Wallace recognized the need for an adequa stand the Wallace Elementary and Secondary School. fire department. i : Il called a meeting for the At the turn of the century the population of Wallace numbered 218. Accordingly, on Jan. 15, oot J. . hago sp Seip ay rd fs As the Victorian Era passed away, the first horseless carriages were purpose of organizing a fire “ag: can pag Moana pce seen and rumors were heard of lighter than air flight. drawn up and a department came Some of these new inventions began to be accepted and used by the chief. local citizens—first as luxuries and then as necessities. In 1910 electric 472 Equipment was immediately purchased. From this beginning has grown an adequate and efficient department. The Wallace Enterprise has served the community as a weekly news media since 1921. The two most important industries included the Camp Manufacturing Co., a box factory; and planing mill; and L. Southerland Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of strawberry crates and baskets. Produce of substantial quantity was also leaving the agricultural area. There were lettuce, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, corn, cotton and that crop of the future, tobacco—54 million pounds annually were being sold at this time. Wallace boasted three tobacco warehouses, three brick stores, and a brick garage housing the Ford Motor Co. But the main crop of Wallace in the roaring twenties and for years to come was strawberries. The strawberry industry in the Wallace area had a small beginning about 1880. At that time Gabriel Boney was in Baltimore to buy goods for his store when he was invited by a fellow merchant and farmer to visit his farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The friend was an enthusiast in strawberry culture and gave some plants to Mr. Boney who had them planted in his field just west of the present railroad station. Late in the 19th century John S. Westbrook and his son, who had previously grown berries for market in the Wilson and Faison areas, bought the Ellsworth farm and moved to Wallace because of the warmer climate. He believed that a large success in the berry market would come in a latitude far enough south to let the berries get to market after the Florida crops and before the crop further north. Coming to Wallace from Faison in 1901, they joined with W. J. and D. E. Boney, Milton Southerland, and Levi ana J. J. Wells as the pioneer growers and shippers in this area. Cooperating with them was Mr. W. F. Murphy. That the Westbrooks caused the original local growers to expand their strawberry industry is proved by the fact that the Boneys_pur- chased from Westbrook’s farm in Wilson in 1885 a heavier and more desirable berry for shipping. According to available records, the first shipment of local berries to Northern markets began in 1886, the Boneys consigning them to a commison house. Buyers first became interested around 1903, offering prices for berries as they were brought to the railway station. In 1928 the auction system came into being; and in that same year, the shipment of strawberries from Wallace was worth over a million pvsceg! In = day alone, 20,000 thirty-two quart crates in 103 refrigerator box ‘ hipped from Wallace. , F dita Pte that caught up the world in 1929 and lasted until the onset of World War II was vividly felt in Wallace. spi Panera closed and many businesses that had been the backbone o i moved. ea a under the leadership of Mayor J. A. ED ee = berry Festival was instituted. Begun at a rather low pe + magnon fortunes, the festival from the time it was first stage Shier the oaeik and its citizens and to make Wallace picts na ara Leading up to this time, town records list as its ae = oe overnment: D. L. Wells, A. J. Blanton, George R. Ward, ; i. _ R A. Parker, W. L. Byrd, Osborn Carr, P. J. range i ue ‘Dur ; 20’s Wallace became known as the Straw >, eae Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” noted rig ar in Wallace read “Sell your tobacco in Wallace, the trawb Market.” : Sed ; The highlight of the festival years came in 1937 ee ding guished cones attending the festival. It was on this occasio i llace. F. D. Roosevelt spent the day in Wa Even during the days when Wallace was most famous * wine berries, tobacco shared in the spotlight. In fact from the early yea i larger money crop. f the 20th century it was the larg mon : Tobacco was first grown in this section in the late 1800's. Jeff Lanier grew it in 1890 and shortly thereafter in 1893, Z. J. Blanchard planted presets was cured in log barns with a wood fire. The is not much different today though the familiar green barns process it gas. re often heated by vi and gas ‘ . The earli ct <10 t porte their crops to markets in Kinston est 51: 0Wers rans d } and Wilson by ox or mule cart. ; Then in 1895 the first market opened in Wallace in what was known as the old Bray building which was located between Main and Souther- land Streets on East Railroad. In 1914 the Old Duplin Warehouse was built across the railroad. The New Duplin was built on the foundation of this old building in 1938. In 1937 the Brick Warehouse had begun oa struck the tobacco warehouses in 1946, when the two large houses that were then operating in Wallace, the Brick and Hussey’s, were destroyed by fire. When the warehouses were rebuilt, they were constructed along high- way 117 north. Today, Wallace has four tobacco warehouses with a floor space of over 1,300,000 square feet. During the thirties, tobacco men hoped for an annual sale of 6,000,000 pounds. By 1952, 17,856,000 pounds were sold in Wallace in that year alone, and the town became known as “The Largest One-Sale Bright Leaf Tobacco Market in the World.” This is a title that the town proudly held for a number of years. In spite of the fact that the allotment for tobacco acreage has been cut in recent years, the local market still sold over 14,000,000 pounds of tobacco in 1963. Since the mid-century mark, Wallace has experienced rapid civic pro- motion and industrial growth. In 1952 the Carter Plant of J. P. Stevens & Co., Inc., was located in Wallace. The plant is part of the Synthetics Division of Stevens. The company continued to expand its operations in Wallace and has grown to almost double its size since construction. It is the major industry not only in Wallace but in Duplin County and now employs some 800. The population growth from 1,622 to 2,285 in the last 10 years is alone indicative of the industrial and mercantile growth of the town. Business which began in 1840 with one commissary has come to in- clude over 150 business concerns where everything for farm, industrial, and personal use can be acquired. These purchases can be financed through banks and savings and loan companies located in the town. Other businesses develop or repair what you already own. There are restaurants in which to eat and motels in which to sleep; theatres to entertain you and shoppes to beautify you. Not only the retail market but also the wholesale market is an active financial part of the economy. Under the leadership of Mayors J. W. Hoffer and M. G. Cording, the town has paved approximately 8 miles of streets since 1950, laid sidewalks, expanded its water and sewage system and seen its estimaicd real estate value increase from $4,500,000 to $10,500,000. In addition to the original 4 churches of the town, three protestant churches have been organized. There is a Roman Catholic Parish and a Jewish Congregation. Much of the development of the town was a cooperative effort of the white and colored citizens as they participated in the Finer Caro- lina program sponsored by Carolina Power and Light Co. during the *50’s. Wallace received several prizes including first in 1954. The activity new city hall, a 300,000 gallon water tank, of the program led to a Ww improved recreational, municipa hase of heavy equipmen Wa grit in the C. W. Dobbins Elementary School. Wallace looks to municipal and private development. A hil gail will be bead: in a building given by the Branch a ga ya ae Co. and the contract for the new sewage poate plant bie age be i ich has been expan 64. The airport which 4 $80, 000 ie equally by the federal and lore government will b : ighti t facilities. i ‘ect in April for lighting the presen i : “_ fa : epee sta Py the citizens were looking ita bags d oe also to their heritage. Plans were laid for the celebra vent tha 75th anniversary. The town’s 2,800 citizens began to at as i wear derbys. Elaborate Jubilee plans were made enlisting y izati surrounding areas. individuals as well as organizations of the town and g land- Crossroads had become a eS . d prospective for the future 1 and school facilities. Prize money t for the upkeep of the town A community . mark, and its growth over the past a are to be celebrated. (By Roxanna M. Atwood, Wallace Enterprise, April 6, 1964.) KENANSVILLE FIREMEN WINNER $750 PRIZE d first The Kenansville volunteer fire department has been awarde place priz of $750 in the efficiency contest for volunteer departments e of North Carolina having no paid firemen. Olive fire department won se Me por ‘sick for $250 at the same Morehead City meeting of and rec i i iati the North Carolina As- the North Carolina Firemen’s Association and eer Agents. e cnec. ; f : ‘ation of Insurance Agents at the final meeting o na Association © -tes a reg rnin State Firemen’s Association in Morehead City Thurs = The Kenansville Fire Department was in competition na 2 ays : . “8 1,000 fire departments from all sections of North Carolina. T e ‘amin of Maryland Fire Service Extension Department was judge for cond place in the contest the year-long program. Sagi The department was organized by the Town of Kenansville in August of 1953. The Rev. Lauren Sharpe was appointed fire chief and given authority to create the organization, train the personnel, and direct all its activities. In 1955 the department added ambulance service to its program. The second piece of apparatus was added in 1961 to meet insurance regulations. The Kenansville Fire Dept., Inc., was given a charter by the State of North Carolina in 1962, and the department became a part of the Duplin County Fire Department. The department moved into its new home in December of 1962 and instituted a level of efficiency and service that led to its being chosen “No. 1 in N. C.” The department operates under the same principles of administration as the more highly organized paid departments. The dedication of these 28 unselfish citizens has added much to the protection and honor of the section. Let us be proud of our local fire departments—they are worthy of all our support. These men are engaged in the tremendous task of saving lives and property. (Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, August 24, 1964.) DUPLIN PARALYZED BY SNOW AND ICE The snow and sleet which moved in on North Carolina and Duplin County on Tuesday afternoon and night paralyzed activities in the county. The condition was not helped any on Wednesday when a cold rain mixed with sleet fell all day and on Wednesday night more snow fell. Electric current was knocked out over the entire county and has been restored only in sections. Kenansville lights went out Wednesday morn- ing and as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday are still not on. Light poles and telephone poles are down everywhere. Telephones are working locally but long distance calls are out. It is impossible to get reports on other sections of the county. The service men from C. P. & L., Tri-County, Four-County, and Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company are to be highly commended for their untiring efforts to restore service as quickly as possible. The Highway Department had snow trucks moving about as soon as the snow started falling. Main highways have been passable in the county. Rural paved roads and unpaved roads are hazardous, but the highway department is still working unceasingly. Snow which fell about six inches deep throughout the county was then covered with ice and did much damage to trees and shrubbery. Large limbs have been ripped off trees and small trees are bent double. Jim Bunce, assistant Agricultural Agent, stated that pine trees which were bent double would tend to limp for the next year and, in his opinion, would never be straight. The ones bent slightly but not doubled would straighten up but would have a crook in them, and in trees for “saw logs” they will be damaged because of the crook. Shrubbery throughout the county has been damaged extensively. 478 i 1 € stated that he had recei ed reports of chicken house: Bune V Ss OI she ters caving in from the weight of the a (Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, Jan. 27, : LIBRARY PLAQUE n Lovin emor of 18s oroth ightman uplin Count warp 1948 - 1966 And i ife’s Savings In D Appreciation of the Bequest of Her Entire Life’s Saving: n Deep to Duplin County Library. DUPLIN COUNTY i DOROTHY WIGHTMAN LIBRARY. htman alnut with raised letters in Duplin County Dorothy Wig B laque on wi : ie Kenner, North Carolina.) RARY DUPLIN COUNTY DOROTHY WIGHTMAN LIB ; : ch C issioner J. B. Stroud introduced the following resolution, whic ommissi < Be was read: Resolved, That the are press its warmest appreciation and ae ecutor of the Estate of Miss Dorotl y ms County Library of $13,185.01, which was pro Will and Testament of Miss Wight: pee oe i i unassuming, a ee bens ag > gt people. She loved books, She lived for the ot ee d her life’s s«vings to the Library. Her personal re vere ih a quiet strength based on fineness of feeling terwover *""* Board of Commissioners of Duplin County ex- ks to Mr. H. E. Phillips, Ex- ightman, for the gift to the ded under the Last Library, charm was in peg ET good judgment, and wise counsel proved valuable to work of the Library, and she won the respect of all with whom she ked. ' ern That a suitable bronze plaque to her memory, be provided by the County and that the $13,185.01 be deposited, with eons. to be collected semi-annually, and to be expended on a ease i rary building to be named the “Duplin County Dorothy Wightman Li rary. Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the eee of the Board, a copy furnished to Mr. H. E. Phillips, Executor, to : attached to his final accounting of this estate and filed in the office o 479 the Clerk of Superior Court of Duplin County, of the county newspapers. Upon motion of Commissioner J. B. Stroud seconded by Commissioner J. W. Hoffler the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Commissioners E. E. Kelly, Chairman, J. B. Stroud, Leon Brown, J. W. Hoffler and Joseph A. Sutton Noes: None. (Commissioners Minute Book 30, Page 63.) and a copy sent to each AN ACT TO ALLOW THE VOTERS OF DUPLIN COUNTY TO EX- PRESS THEIR WILL AS TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS IN SAID COUNTY TO FIVE. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. That at the next general election, there shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Duplin County the question as to whether the members of the Board of County Commissioners of said county shall be increased from three to five members, and at said election those in favor of said increase shall vote a ballot on which are the words: “For increase in Members Board of Commissioners,” and those opposing said increase shall vote a ballot on which are the words: “Against Increase In Members Board Commissioners.” Section 2. That if at said election the majority of the votes cast are in favor of said increase, then the General Assembly next following said election shall put the same in operation by appropriate legislation, and the appointment of two additional members, whose terms shall end in the same manner to those now or hereafter elected. . . . (Public-Local Laws 1937, Chapter 180.) AN ACT TO INCREASE THE BOARD UF COMMISSIONERS OF DUPLIN COUNTY TO FIVE MEMBERS: PROVILiNc FOR DIS. TRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF Com. MISSIONERS SHALL BE ELECTED, AND FIXING THE SALARIES OF COMMISSIONERS OF DUPLIN COUNTY EFFECTIVE THE FIRST MONDAY IN DECEMBER ONE THOUSAND NINE HUN. DRED FORTY. Whereas, a majority of the voters of Duplin County at the general election on November eighth, one thousand nine hundred thirty-eight, under Chapter one hundred eighty, Public-Local Laws of one thousand nine hundred thirty-seven, approved increasing the Board of Commis- sioners of Duplin County to five members; Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: 480 . ' l Section 1. That the Board of Commissioners of Duplin — = be ieuuicad to five members, who shall be apportioned according districts as hereinafter provided. se ‘ als aoa Section 2. That said five commissioners shall be no b th li : . . i y Ss h T inafter pr ’ y € istricts from whence the come, a ere ovided either : : ma by primary or convention system as 4 ed by the voters of scribed by law, or by party designation and elect - lection. the county at large in the general e ai Section: 3. That the townships of the county shall be grouped 1 + eee i county com- foliowing manner and that each district shall nominate a y 5 i out: missioner as hereinbefore and hereinafter ah SEM > gi Se District Number One shall be composed 0 Townships. District Number Two shall Albertson, and Smith Townships. District Number Three shall be compose Creek Townships. be composed of Wolfscrape, Glisson, d of Limestone and Cypress fish Townships. District Number Five shall be composed of Kenansville Townships. : a Section 4. That those participating in the primary or convention, as a voters shall be restricted to the qualified vote of d dates and > ters e candl said district Provided, however, that any candidate from said distri ts shall b voted upon by the voters in the entire county in the general e Rose Hill, Magnolia, and : 5 . . f pra That the law increasing the Board of Commissioners 0 ec. 5. Duplin County shall aa eniag on the first Monday in December, i orty. a ae z ‘all an mn commissioner of Duplin County shall ii : F trees the five districts as hereinbefore set out by each Fi ri dies tely in the primary of one thousand nine hundred forty ae ak ctneeastiin system or by delegates composing, the canes, elected to hs -snvention of either party or by the plan of party o i i We see ganization prescribed by any pv\s%+«l party in accordance with la (Public-Local Laws 1939, Chapter 67.) Pursuant to Chapter two House Bill No. 8, ratified a . eee by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, the st rs / - Commissioners of Duplin County hereby finds as a fact tha ber i ow served by the present Board of Duplin County Com- a POA unequal, and whereas in order to correct this unequality, missione , 481 and in order to comply with the recent U. S. Court decisions on appor- tionment, the following resolution is hereby adopted: Be it resolved that the districts shall be composed as follows: District No. 1. shall be composed of Warsaw Township and Faison Precinct. District No. 2 shall be composed of Calypso Precinct, Wolfscrape, Glisson, Albertson and Smith Townships. District No. 3 shall be composed of Limestone and Cypress Creek Townships. District No. 4 shall be composed of Island Creek and Rockfish Townships. District No. 5 shall be composed of Rose Hill, Magnolia, and Kenansville Townships. Unexpired terms of incumbent commissioners shall not be affected by this redistricting. Commissioners terms expiring lst Monday in December, 1966, and thereafter in Districts 2, 3, and 4 shall be nominated and elected for four year terms—and commissioners terms expiring December 1, 1966, and thereafter shall be nominated and elected for four year terms. A copy of this Resolution shall be filed with the Register of Deeds for Duplin County, the Secretary of State and the County Board of Elections of Duplin County. Adopted this 21 day of February, 1966. (County Commissioners Minute Book 28, Page 526.) DUPLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Duplin County Historical Society was organized October 20, 1966. By the end of the first year there were approximately two hun- dred charter members. The first officers were: J. N. Kalmar, President; Claude Moore, First Vice-President; Mrs. J. B. Stroud, Second Vice- President (Faison) ; Mrs. Mary Carlton Blackburn, Secretary; and F. W. McGowen, Treasurer. Current officoxe are: Mrs. Wayne Jordan, President; Robert L. West Pxst Vice-President; Mrs. Faison W. McGowen, Second V*~ +resident; John A. Johnson, Secretary; Mrs, Ma»1— ous, Treasurer; Dixon S. Hall, Custodian: »-4 4#s- Unristine W. Davis, Chaplain. ‘A current project of the Duplin County Historical Society is the FAISON MAN FIRST DUPLIN ASTRONAUT There has been a real stir of excitement in the Faison area of Duplin County during the past week end as word has spread of a Faison native being named an astronaut. Dr. William E. Thornton, Jr., 38, formerly of Faison, was one of 11 new scientist-astronauts named Friday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “My telephone hasn’t stopped ringing,” said Dr. Thornton’s mother, Mrs. W. E. (Rosa) Thornton, 79, of Faison. “Friends have been calling to find out if it is true about Billy being named an astronaut and to offer their congratulations.” Dr. Thornton himself was one of the telephone callers to tell his mother of the news. “I’d rather have my place than the President’s,” he told her. Mrs. Thornton said that he also told her, “Don‘t worry.” The new astronaut’s father, W. E. Thornton, died in 1940, when his son “Billy” was 11 years old. Dr. Thornton, who was born on April 14, 1929, attended Faison schools, where he remembers Miss Elizabeth Hicks as one of his special teachers in high school. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, the former Jennifer Fowler of London, England, who was an exchange student at UNC, studying to become a doctor. He interned in San Antonio, Texas, having graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill on June 1, 1952. The Thorntons have two sons: Simon, 8, and James, 6. “The boys are coming on in his footsteps,” their grandmother said. “They both read everything they can find about airplanes and space- ships. My son has always been interested in flying. God was good to give him that mind.” Dr. Thornton has been engaged in aerospace medical research for the U. S. Air Force for some years. He received an award last year while at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, for outstanding re- search in the aerospace medical field. ie s~ presently in Los Angeles, but expects to be transferred xight away to the Space Cem. at Houston, Texas. (Warsaw-Faison News, Aug. 10, 1967.) FAMOUS NATIVE VISITS HOME TOWN beginning of a Duplin County Museum. Dr. Dallas Herring has given a log cabin to be used for this purpose. The Historical Society hopes to get the cabin moved to Kenansville, and to get it prepared for exhibits in the near future. The originator of finger painting, an internationally renowned per- sonality, paid her native town of Kenansville a visit last week. Miss Ruth Faison Shaw, a resident of Chapel Hill since 1959 and 483 ——— =a = rr rT EEE =a —~— a =e = Shaw. “Smearing is a natural movement and when a patient i what to make, we suggest circles, or segments of circles. of circles may be made by smearing the paint around and around on the paper with either the palm or the fingers.” an instructor in the Psychiatric division of Memorial Hospital, was accompanied on her visit by Mr. Claude H. Moore of Turkey. Miss Shaw was born in Kenansville, the daughter of the late Rev. William Shaw and Alberta Faison Shaw. Her father was pastor of Grove Presbyterian Church for ten years and also served as president of the original James Sprunt Institute. A 1906 graduate of James Sprunt, she taught music and later taught elementary children in Wilmington, North Carolina. She attended Pea- body in Baltimore, Columbia University, and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. During World War I Miss Shaw worked with the YMCA in France. She spent three years in Constantinople, and in 1922 founded Shaw School in Rome, Italy, which she directed for ten years. It was while Miss Shaw was in Rome that she discovered Finger Painting. Returning to New York, Miss Shaw established Shaw Studios and later restored a colonial house on Cape Cod. A renowned lecturer, she has lectured and given demonstrations in every state in the U. S. Immediately following World War II she spent ten years with Menninger’s Psychiatric Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. Finger painting has proven an expression for the emotionally dis- turbed through which psychiatrists discover the underlying cause of the mental illness. The accidental discovery was made after a little boy smeared the bath room walls with iodine. This smear inspired an idea instead of anger. Combining children’s natural desire to smear with harmless materials, water, mud color and paper, she created a new art, one which gives color and form to thoughts for which children often know no words, It is this free unhampered revelation of a person’s inner fantasies through his muscles which intrigues psychologists and has opened up almost inexhaustible potentialities and experimentation. In finger paint- ing unhampered by critioiom or suggestion, children and adults often present - secord of their emotional condition at the time they are r-~‘#e ing. It may be of the present or it may be ow+ + «cir past. It may not be necessarily beautiful +--+ + way Offer a clue to some deep-seated obsession» “Impressions of the past come out in finger painting,” says Mrs. s in doubt One group 484. One of the chief causes for disturbance is fear. With the aid of finger painting, fear can be eliminated to a large extent without danger of swinging to the opposite direction of bravado or bullying. A child may create the most horrible of monsters in finger paints, and then destroy it at will. As a form of artistic expression, finger painting is also taught to both adults and children. Miss Shaw and Mr. Moore visited many of the old landmarks in Kenansville and were given a conducted tour of James Sprunt Institute, now located on Highway 11 just south of Kenansville. She was highly pleased with the new school under the direction of Dixon Hill, Presi- dent, and Alfred Wells, Dean of Instruction. (Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, Oct. 26, 1967.) NEW $100,000 LIBRARY FOR TOWN OF WALLACE A new public library is being constructed in the Town of Wallace. The Thelma Dingus Bryant Library is a gift to the town from the Bryant and Dingus families in memory of Mrs. Thelma Dingus Bryant. It is being given by the late Mrs. Bryant’s husband, Joseph H. Bryant of Wallace; her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Bryant of Wallace; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Dingus of Durham. The new library is being constructed at a cost of over $100,000 including the land and the building. Located on West Main Street adjacent to the Edgerton Funeral Home and across from the Wallace Baptist Church, the imposing structure will be of Georgian design. It will be of masonry construction with exterior of colonial red brick with white trim and will contain some 5,000 square feet of floor space. The facility will be ultra modern in every respect and will have all of the very latest features of the most up-to-date library. The floor plan includes a main building with two wings. In addition to reading room, stacks for books and small area for book repairs, the {e-ility will include a conference or meeting room for use by the general public 10x se~erous events of interest; facilities for audio visual purposes, story hour for small Guitdeou, and Braille for the blind. There will be a kitchenette and a lounge. Members of the Bryant and Dingus families have devoted much time and thought to the selection of plans for the building and have worked closely with the members of the Library Building Committee and Li- brary Committee in completing preliminary arrangements so that con- struction could begin. 485 Members of the building committee are Wallace Mayor, T. J. Baker, Mrs. Winifred T. Wells, and Joseph H. Bryant. Serving on the regular library commitiee for the Town of Wallace are Milton Whaley, Francis Townsend, E. D. Edgerton, Mrs. A. J. Cavenaugh, Mrs. Hugh Morrison, and Joseph D. Bryant. Joseph H. Bryant has personally visited numerous new libraries in other sections of the state and out of state in order that he may be certain that the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library is of the latest design and contains all of the desired and necessary facilities to make it first rate. “The members of the Wallace Town Board of Commissioners join me in expressing appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Dingus, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Bryant, and Joseph H. Bryant for their generous gifts which have made it possible for the construction of the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library,” Mayor Baker asserted. The new library, when completed, will be one of the most beautiful and most modern facilities of its kind in Eastern North Carolina. Truly, the citizens of our town and surrounding area are grateful to these families for this facility, which can add much to our cultural way of life and to the beauty of our town. The Library Building Committee is supervising the construction of the building, along with the architects Ballard, Sawyer and McKim of Wilmington. . . . While the major portion of the cost of the library project is taken care of by the Bryant and Dingus family gifts, the Town of Wallace is making a contribution of approximately $7,000 towards the building. This money will be from local ABC funds... . The handsome library will be a fitting memorial to Mrs. Bryant, who, throughout her life, had a great love for books and a desire to con- tribute to the cultural growth of the Wallace community. As a child, Thelma was fascinated by books. During the early part of her young adult life, she was a school teacher, and later, her love for books was manifested through her interest and work as ber of the Book Club, which was organized on October 19 1999, lor the purpose of establishing a library for the T----. vt Wallace. Through the years, Mrs. Bryant »-+2 with pride the growth of the library, a devoted mem- which b-o«« when Book Club members donated 18 books in the fall of 1934 to officially establish the library. Other books were given by interested citizens. . . . Thelma Dingus Bryant was a lovely, on May 18, 1964, brought sadness to had been touched by warm-hearted woman. Her death the hearts of those whose lives her work with her clubs and her church. She 486 was held in high esteem by the citizens at large of the community. These friends join with the town fathers in expressing appreciation to mem- bers of the Bryant and Dingus families for their gifts that will make possible the construction of the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library. The asset that this facility will be to the cultural life of the community will be a lasting tribute to this fine citizen. (By Mrs. Sammie W. Carter, News Editor, Wallace Enterprise, Oct. 14, 1968.) JUDGE HENRY L. STEVENS, JR., HONORED BY AMERICAN LEGION A delegation of Legionnaires headed by State Commander E. E. (Bud) Thompson, Jr., of Wilmington, were in Warsaw Thursday of last week to honor Judge Henry L. Stevens, Jr., the only National Commander of the American Legion that North Carolina ever produced. Judge Stevens was recently chosen by the State Department of the Legion as one of the most outstanding men who has served his community, State and Nation in the half-century the Legion has been in existence. te Before the presentation, Judge Stevens entertained the following digni- taries with a luncheon at the Country Squire: R. C. Godwin, Past Na- tional Vice Commander, now serving in the State Legislature; Honorable Thad Eure, Secretary of State and a prominent Legionnaire; General Wiley Pickens, National Vice Commander; Marvin Burton, Past State Commander and State Director of Veterans Employment Service; Ben F. Halterman, Past State Commander; Colonel Robert L. West, Com- mander Charles R. Gavin Post 127, Warsaw; N. F. McColman, Past Commander, and William B. Boyette, Past Commander of the local post of the American Legion. Also present were Henry L. Stevens, III, and David L. Turner of Wilmington. After the luncheon, the Legionnaires returned to the Stevens home where R. C. Godwin, Past National Commander, assisted by Bud Thomp- son, State Commander, presented the American Legion Citation of Ap- preciation to Judge Stevens—“In recognition and sincere appreciation of outstanding service and assistance which has contributed to the ad- vancememt ~£ the American Legion programs and activity dedivatcd to God and Country.” At the same time, Past National Commanaer cr.-nc was awarded a Bronze Medallion for 50 years’ service to the American Legion. Judge Stevens was further cited for many of the programs now in existence for veterans that were started when he was National Com- mander of the Legion. One of his programs was the formation of a rehabilitation and employment program for veterans and disabled vet- erans. 487 -- “rr pee frame, which in turn becomes solid in a few hours. At the conclusion, State Secretary Thad Eure offered a prayer for Legionnaires and all Americans and presented the written prayer to Judge Stevens. State Commander Thompson said, “No greater North Carolinian has the American Legion had than Judge Stevens.” (Warsaw-Faison News, 9-18-69.) NEW INDUSTRY IN ROSE HILL Instant wall plaques and picture frames, decoupage, flocked fabric designs, hand printed wallpaper, magnetic car signs, antiqued jewel chests. These are some of the products of Heritage Design Service of Rose Hill. And there are others. The fascinating story is now told in print for the very first time. Creating designs that sell in Honolulu, Seattle, and Ontario, Canada, (to say nothing of Memphis, New York and New Orleans) is some- thing of an achievement in itself. Executing them in unique new ma- terials only months away from the inventor’s chemical laboratory is quite another. The firm holds patents of its own and is licensed to use those of others which enable it to execute chemical magic as it changes liquids into solids of an infinite variety of three dimensional forms. Rigid plastic sheets instantly become pliable in machinery built in the plant to assume another three dimensional rigid form at the push of a button or the pull of a lever. Electrostatic equipment creates magnetic fields causing rayon flock to travel upward in defiance of gravity to align itself vertically on three dimensional plastic shapes, making it look as though it were covered with a fine quality of plush or velvet, held permanently in place with transparent adhesive sprayed on the substrate. To make a uniquely decorated, hand-carved picture frame, workmen first run conventional wood molding through an electric molder, It is then mitered and joined in the usual way. After that a plastic sheet is heated aud pulled snugly down over the frame in a yaev-- 1 t Ps Mary Ellen Byrd—$950.00 Ist year, Western Carolina University Mary Margaret Dixon—$50.00. Miller-Motte Business College; 521 Edna Moselle Frederick—$1177.00 1st year, Fayetteville State Uni- versity ; Johnny Ray Glasper—$800.00 Ist year, Fayetteville State University ; Patricia Ann Hines—$1200.00 Ist year, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Charles Creason Ivey, III—$1500.00 Ist year, plus $500.00 Belk-Tyler Scholarship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Edith Ann King—$100.00 1st Annual Litchfield Patterson Huie Scholar- ship-Loan Fund to be used at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Patricia Lynn Kornegay—$6400.00 4 years, Katherine Reynolds Scho- larship, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Mary Ann Lowe—$850.00 Ist year, Grant-in-aid, Fayetteville State University ; Ronald Sylvester Monk—$900.00 Ist year, University of North Caro- lina at Chapel Hill; Ann Penelton Moore—$900.00 Ist year, Louisburg College; Cynthia Faye Moore—$1177.00 Ist year, Fayetteville State University ; Judy Kaye Moore—$1177.00 1st year, Fayetteville State University ; Pinkey Mora McArthur—$700.00 Ist year, Fayetteville State Uni- versity ; Rosetta McCalop—$900.00 Ist year, Fayetteville State University ; Dennis Edward Outlaw—$1039.00 Ist year, Fayetteville State Uni- versity ; Retha Outlaw—$1400.00 1st year, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Nancy Pearl Pope—$100.00 Scholarship, Warsaw Business and Pro- fessional Women’s Club for short Occupational course; Janice Evon Smith—$5200.00, 4 years, Presidential Scholarship, North Carolina A & T University; Henry Lawrence Sanderson, II1I—$4000.00, 4 years, Kenan Scholar- ship, U. N. C. at Chapel Hill; Bruce Nicholson Sampson—$1500.00 Ist year, University North Caro- lina at Chapel Hill. Principal J. P. Harmon pointed out, “Our scholarships given in 1970 total $82,030 if the recipients stay in college or university for four years. This makes well over a quarter of a million dollars for the thirteen years at James Kenan for Scholarships. I challenge any N. C. Public School on percentage basis of graduates to match this. “As we go into a comprehensive program of occupations, I hope that 522 i intai t the the high standard of academic study will be pesca og trades and occupations will maintain equally high standards. (Warsaw-Faison News, June 4, 1970.) VETERANS ADMINISTRATION There are 2,900 veterans in Duplin County and 531,0 Sai Carolina, according to Veterans Administration figures release hw These figures are based on American’s 27.3 million former bl - as of the beginning of 1970, according to W. R. Phillips, Direc the Winston-Salem VA Regional Office. According to the latest available figures, : and 71,000 North Carolina veterans were in service era—that is after August 4, 1964. World War II veterans make up the largest oe mat 1,700 from Duplin County and 283,000 from North Carolina. Some 230 Duplin County and 62,000 state veterans oo speeds service only between the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Era ary 1, 1955-August 4, 1964). Of 26,000 World War I veterans i Duplin County. Phillips pointed out that there are , Since some veterans served in more than one conflict. An estimated 66 of America’s 5,000 Spanish-American War live in North Carolina. (Dated: 8-24-70.) 00 in North some 270 Duplin County during the Vietnam f veterans with n North Carolina, 190 are from some duplications in these figures veterans AND DUPLIN COUNTY IS SERVED BY THE FOLLOWING BANKS BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS: Banks: Branch Banking and Trust Company: Faison, Magnolia, Wallace and Warsaw Southern Bank and Trust Company: Calypso and Warsaw Waccamaw Bank and Trust Company: ; Beulaville, Chinquapin, Kenansville and Rose Hill Building and Loan Associations: hak Wh Cooperative Savings and Loan Association: Wallace Home Federal Savings and Loan Association: Warsaw REVELATION SINGERS BIG SUCCESS The Revelation Singers were a big hit Monday night, November 16, as they performed for the annual Farm Bureau Convention at the Sir Walter Hotel in Raleigh. With seventy singers attending the convention, the Revelation Singers performed before a standing ovation crowd of two thousand. The singers are directed by Mr. J. W. Boyette, Jr., assisted by Mrs. Eva Kilpatrick. They were accompanied at the piano Monday night by Mrs. Betsy Sharpe of Kenansville. (The Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel, Nov. 19, 1970.) Members of the choir are : Mike Brown, President Clark Helton, Vice-President Laurie Gresham, Secretary Earl Hardy, Jr. Debra Brown Sandy Smith Janet Jones Lynn Dail Susan Craft Jo Carol Jones Janet Redwine Rosemary Brinson Melanie Brinson Mike Hasty Gloria Herring Debbie Heath Kay Britt Pat Costin Sharon Brown Debbie Frazelle Connie Register Mary Sanderson Jeanette Sanderson Ellen Sanderson Sandra Redwine Shirley Edwards Douglas Quinn Randy Rackley Tony Boyette John Kilpatrick Kem Hoffman Joan Best David “Spike” Edwards Bob Sills Laura Young Beverly Kilpatrick Nancy Kilpatrick Audrey Kilpatrick Stephen Kilpatrick Russell Tucker Marion Hardy Susan Murphy David Phillips Mary Lynn Johnson Kathy Helton Mary Allison Frazelle Greg Rackley Josef Ann Smith Chyerl Joyner Kathy Small Mary Best Johnson Karen Martin Vickie Boney Wylene Booth Linda Best Kenny Minshew Stephanie Swann Beverly Smith Pam Hall Libby Best Mary Lynne Lewis Linda Romanger Patsy Jones Elaine Ezzell Joy Hudson Mildred Simpson Chris Blanton Pamela Brown Samuel A. Brown Marcia Wilson Johnny Johnson Mike Shank Pam Moore Carol Sharpe Vivian Harris Lynn Booker Debbie Vernon Jenny Carlton Jeffra Flaitz Marion Sheffield Tanga West David Godbold Mike Smith Jim Outlaw Bubba Grant Johnny Booker Ray Romanger George Evans Danny Herring Debbie Evans Barbara Scott Paula Hunter Ashley Powell Jane Rhodes David Sheffield Mack Tucker Mrs. Dianne Judge 34, P UPLIN COUNTY'S GOVERNMENT PREFACE The Editors are most grateful to Mr. A. T. Outlaw, former Register of Deeds of Duplin County, for the Official Directory of Duplin County, which is dated July 1935, a copy of which he presented to Mr. Mc- Gowen with his compliments. This directory was most helpful in com- piling the lists of county officials. Our sincere gratitude goes to Mr. John Alexander McMahon for his brief explanation of County Government (published in 1964, while he was General Counsel of the N. C. Association of County Commissioners), its history, organization, and activities. Mr. McMahon has written Mr. McGowen the following statement: “You certainly have my permission to use any of my statements concerning county government.” We have adapted his work to actual practices in Duplin County’s government. We hereby express genuine thanks to the several county officials who have helped us get these facts about Duplin’s County Government. This section of the book is added with the hope that it will be useful to students of Civics and government as reference material. THE EDITORS. COUNTY GOVERNMENT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND “The functions performed by county government developed slowly from the time of the settlement of North Carolina by the English to the early 1900’s. By the latter date, the county’s most important functions were the maintenance of roads, the administration of a school system, the preservation of law and order, and the operation of the courts. Governed by a three to five member board of commissioners who spent perhaps a dozen days a year at the county’s business, the county was not adminis- tratively organized to handle the expansion of activity that began during the first part of the Twentieth Century. In seeking ways to administer this activity, the General Assembly had the school precedent to go by; schools were administered by a county school board which operated the schools on money raised by the board of county commissioners. The example was followed: a highway board was created to construct and maintain the roads; a board of elections was created to operate the election machinery; a board of health was created to protect the public health; a board of public welfare was created to administer expanding welfare programs; and other boards were created in other fields. The result of ‘government by boards’ was a completely decentralized opera- tion, with the board of county commissioners raising money, turning it over to an administrative board, and then losing control over its 526 a . expenditure. Little wonder that the need for fiscal reform became ap arent, p “A second stimulus to fiscal reform was the era of progress - the state embarked upon at the close of World War I. The ae demanded _ better roads, better schools, better health programs, welfare programs, agricultural development, and more services In wes fields. Combined with a willingness to pay more taxes for these servi was a demand for efficient expenditure of governmental funds. ‘ “The first real move for reform in county government ome a mM County commissioners themselves. Meeting in anna Sipser ing Rock in August, 1925, the North Carolina Association 0 — Commissioners requested Governor McLean _ to appoint a egg a to study county government and make pncistsavanae i 14-man provement. The Governor, acting on the request, —" Commission on County Government. : “The See Bi a careful study of county ye eg sh om the state, examining some of the best governed and some of the = Soverned counties. It determined that the greatest reform was a cal in fiscal management and discovered that the same Ao in fis management occurred in those counties in need of fiscal reform. : i of “The General Assembly of 1927 enacted several mes phe a legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Comm County Government: (1) An Act To Provide Improved Methods of County Government, of which (a) authorized the adoption of the county manager form Sovernment; (b) established the County Government AmieeT mission; etc. ‘ (2) A a Finance Act, which provided for the issuance of bonds, bond anticipation notes, and tax anticipation notes. ided for the (3) The County Fiscal Control Act, which (a) provi oe ie 8 adoption. ofan annadl budget and (b) provided that expenditu limited to amounts appropriated in the budget. i int “The County Fiscal Control Act required that each county appoin con : i to be the the principal agen Pian gts al affairs of the Com- a county accountant. ? he. fi of the board of commissioners in conducting the - enditures county, keeping a record of all transactions, ee re = ? i irs. and informing the board as to the county’s financial a . wegen “Three factors made the local governmental debt cere ring in the early thirties: (1) the issuance of bonds before * dules, and large had been haphazard with little thought to maturity 5 ea fow years; Payments of principal were to fall re Mypage ts of principal, (2) inadequate provision had been made for paymen 527 specifically with regard to maintenance of sinking funds to pay term bonds; and (3) the depression, with the resultant decline in property valuations, made what would have been a heavy burden in good times an intolerable burden under depressed conditions. Defaults in payment of principal and interest were the inevitable result. Duplin never de- faulted because we did some refunding; however, Duplin bonds sold on the market below 50 in the early thirties. Duplin’s bonded indebted- ness at this time was approximately three million dollars. “The General Assembly of 1931 was concerned with the plight of local government. To relieve the financial burden of local units, it vested control over 45,000 miles of county roads in the State Highway and Public Works Commission and placed the bulk of the burden for financing operating expenses of public schools on the State treasury. This resulted in cutting the property tax bill. “But more was needed if local governments were to recover, for more than 50% of local property taxes was needed to pay principal and interest on bonds and notes outstanding. It was obvious that close control was needed over the incurring of further debt and in meeting default situations. The trend toward state centralization in the fields of roads and schools suggested additional centralization in the field of local governmental finance. “In 1931 the local Government Commission was created by the Local Government Act. “Some of the duties of the Commission are: (1) The approval of all bonds and notes proposed to be issued by any local unit. In deciding upon approval or disapproval, the Com- mission considers statements of financial condition of the unit, the necessity for the improvement to be financed by the bonds or notes, outstanding debt, sinking fund condition, percentage of taxes collected, budgetary control measures in existence in the unit, tax rate, increase in tax rate to meet debt service on the proposed bonds, and any other information which it desires. (2) Bonds or notes approved by the Commission, or bonds or notes authorized by a vote of the people are sold by the Commission at its office in Raleigh. Notice of date of same is given, bids are opened in public, and bonds or notes are sold to the highest bidder. “There can be little doubt that the Commission has kept debt from being incurred that would have been incurred in its absence, particularly in the face of depression demands for new and increased local services in the 1930’s and the tempting offers of federal subsidization of local projects. (3) Safe-guarding of local funds. All current funds, sinking funds, 528 and bond proceeds of local units must be safeguarded, and the Director and the Commission must see that this is done. The Director is to prevent co-mingling of public and private funds by local officials. “Each officer having charge of any funds of a unit must . them in the depository or depositories designated by the governing body under the provisions of the County and Municipal Fiscal Control = Before making any deposit, the officer having charge of the funds must require that they be secured in one of two ways: : (1) If the amount on deposit exceeds the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the officer must require the depository to secure such excess by a surety bond or bonds alg By a surety company or companies authorized to do business in a" Carolina. The form of the surety bonds is to be approved by the Local Government Commission in an amount sufficient to protect the i issi i in i iscretion excess deposit. The Commission may at any time im its d require an additional bond from such depository oT depositories. I have mentioned the (2) Instead of a surety bond or bonds as ; tha depository or depositories may secure the excess over the amount } todian such securities sured by the FDIC by lodging with the proper cus as are made eligible for investment of sinking funds, nee hens or notes of the United States, bonds of the State of we aro -_ bonds or notes of the unit and bonds or notes of North Carolina counties, it i nt cities, towns and school districts with approval of the Local Governme h excess. The proper ged may be th Treasurer, the Federal Reserve Bank, or any bank which has ni approved by the Local Government Commission. The custodian - hold the securities for the beneflt of the unit and subject to the order of the governing body. “The Commission obtains a semi-annual government, covering information on population, rates, tax collections, revenues, debts, and defaults. 5 ay “Complete records on the debt of each local unit are kept in t e Commission’s offices. Each year, at the time when budgets are being Prepared in the local units, a notice of all principal and interest falling due within the ensuing fiscal year is sent to the local 1 report from each local assessed vaulation, tax governments. Aupit CONTRACTS local unit proposing to employ certified dit the books of the unit must notify The Director or his representative, body concerning the “The governing body of any public accountants or auditors to au the Director of Local Government. must advise with the members of the governing 529 scope of the audit and furnish them with information for their guidance in drawing up a proper audit contract. All audit contracts must be in writing, must include all the terms and conditions of the work, and must have the approval of the Director of Local Government endorsed thereon, The Director must approve all bills for auditing service before the bills are paid.” Duplin County is required by Special Act to have annual audits by competent auditors. “Every officer remitting funds to a paying agent for payment of bond and note principal and interest must report such remission to the Direc- tor of Local Government upon forms provided by him.” (See The North Carolina Local Government Commission by John Alexander Mce- Mahon.) The Editors’ Thanks To THE INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL The Institute of Government has been, now is, and will continue to be, to all public officials in Duplin County, and the State of North Carolina, in the words of its founder and director, Dr. Albert Coates, “worth its weight in gold.” Director John L. Sanders and the staff members of the Institute of Government are rendering most valuable service to public officials through training schools, guidebooks, legislative services, publications, etc. Dean Pound of the Harvard Law School has said of the Institute of Government and these editors concur: “I doubt whether anything which has taken place in connection with American Government in the present century is as significant as the movement for planned, intelligent official and administrative co-operation which began some years ago in North Carolina, and has now taken on enduring form in the Institute of Government. “If we are to avoid centralization under the conditions of today, WE MUST LEARN CO-OPERATION. . . . “North Carolina has taken the lead in organizing this spirit of co- operation. “ - . - What seems to me particularly significant in the North Caro- lina Movement is that it is a voluntary movement. . . . “To rely on the enlightened free action of officials, rather than a system of command from above in a centralized administrative system, is in accord with the characteristic policy of English-speaking peoples. “It is in accord with the spirit in which our political institutions were conceived. It is evolutionary, not revolutionary, and does not involve 530 the institutional waste which too often accompanies significant changes in government.” —Roscoe Pound, Dean of the Harvard Law School—1935. (From The Story of the Institute of Government—7-1-44,) Thank you, Dr. Coates! Thank you, Director Sanders! Thank you, Assistant Directors! COLONIAL ASSEMBLY 1749-1760 Doctor William Houston, Captain Francis Brice, our county’s first representatives in Assembly 1760 Andrew Thompson, William McGee 1761 William Houston, John Sampson 1762 (Apr.) Joseph Williams, John Dickson 1762 (Nov.) Joseph Williams, Felix Kenan 1764-1765 Joseph Williams, Felix Kenan 1766-1768 Joseph Williams, Felix Kenan 1769 William Dickson, Felix Kenan 1770-1771 William Dickson, Thomas Gray 1773 (Jan.) James Kenan, Thomas Gray 1773-1774 James Kenan, Thomas Gray 1775 Thomas Hicks, Thomas Gray CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS James Gillespie, Charles Ward, James Kenan, Francis Oliver, William Dickson James Pearsall, James Gillespie, Robert Dickson, Levin Watkins, James Kenan Jeremiah Pearsall, John E. Hussey William J. Houston, Joseph T. Rhodes, James Dickson David B. Nicholson (died during the session), William A. Allen, Jeremiah Pearsall J. W. Peterson, Samuel Highsmith (negro) John N. Stallings, William Farrior PROVINCIAL CONGRESS At Newbern in August, 1774 At Newbern in April, 1775 At Hillsboro in August, 1775 William Dickson, James Kenan Thomas Gray, Thomas Hicks William Dickson, James Kenan, Thomas Gray, Richard Clinton, Thomas Hicks a ee ee oe At Halifax in April, 1776 At Halifax in November, 1776 William Dickson, Thomas Gray William Dickson, James Kenan, James Gillespie, Thomas Gray, William Taylor COUNCIL OF STATE Colonial: Colonel John Sampson State: Colonel William Taylor State: General James Kenan State: Captain James Gillespie December 8, April 18, January 19, November 29, STATE ASSEMBLY Senate James Kenan James Kenan James Kenan Richard Clinton James Kenan James Kenan James Kenan (Apr.) Richard Clinton (Oct.) James Gillespie James Gillespie James Gillespie James Kenan James Kenan James Gillespie James Kenan James Kenan James Gillespie James Kenan Levin Watkins Levin Watkins Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rrodes Levin Watkins Levin Watkins Levin Watkins Levin Watkins Levin Watkins Thomas Kenan Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rhodes Joseph T. Rhodes Charles Hooks Charles Hooks Stephen Miller Joseph Gillespie Joseph Gillespie Joseph Gillespie Daniel Glisson Daniel Glisson Daniel Glisson Daniel Glisson Daniel Glisson House of Commons-Representatives Richard Clinton, Robert Dickson Richard Clinton, Thomas Hicks Richard Clinton, James Gillespie Joseph Dickson, James Gillespie Thomas Hicks, John Molton David Dodd, James Gillespie Richard Clinton, James Gillespie Thomas Gray, James Gillespie Thomas Gray, Robert Dickson Joseph T. Rhodes, Robert Dickson Joseph T. Rhodes, Robert Dickson Joseph T. Rhodes, Joseph Dickson Charles Ward, Robert Dickson William Beck, Robert Dickson Shadarack Stallings, Joseph Dickson Joseph T. Rhodes, James Pearsall Shadarack Stallings, William Beck Joseph T. Rhodes, James Pearsall Joseph T. Rhodes, Daniel Glisson James Middleton, William Dickson James Middleton, Daniel Glisson Joseph Dickson, Daniel Glisson Shadarack Stallings, Thomas Kenan Daniel Glisson, Thomas Kenan Daniel Glisson, Charles Hooks Shadarack Stallings, Charles Hooks Daniel Glisson, Charles Hooks Daniel Glisson, Charles Hooks Hugh McCanne, Charles Hooks Hugh McCanne, Daniel Glisson Andrew MclIntire, Daniel Glisson Andrew McIntire, Daniel Glisson Andrew MclIntire, Daniel Glisson David Wright, Daniel Glisson David Wright, Daniel Glisson David Wright, Daniel Glisson David Wright, John Beck David Wright, John Beck David Wright, Basil Kornegay David Wright, John E. Hussey John Pearsall, John E. Hussey John Pearsall, John E. Hussey John Pearsall, John E. Hussey John Pearsall, Stephen Graham Daniel Love Kenan, John Watkins 532 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1838 1840 1842 1844 1846 1848 1850 1852 1854 1856 1858 1860 1862 1864 1865 1866 1868 1869 1870 1872 1874 1876 1879 1881 1883 1885 1887 1889 1891 1893 1895 1897 1899 1901 1903 1905 1907 1909 1911 1913 1915 1917 1919 1921 Senate Daniel Love Kenan Daniel Glisson Jeremiah Pearsall Jeremiah Pearsall John E. Hussey Stephen Miller Andrew Hurst Stephen Miller Stephen Miller Stephen Miller Stephen Miller John E. Hussey John E. Hussey John E. Hussey John E. Hussey John E. Hussey James Kenan Hill James Kenan Hill Austin Swinson James Kenan Hill James Kenan Hill Stephen Graham Bryan Whitfield Herring Bryan Whitfield Herring Bryan Whitfield Herring William James Houston William James Houston James Dickson James Dickson William R. Ward John Dickson Stanford Isaac B. Kelly William A. Allen J. G. Scott (Onslow) William A. Allen William A. Allen John Dickson Stanford John Dickson Stanford John A. Bryan A. M. Faison E. J., Hill E. J. Hill John A. Bryan Abner Robinson John A. Bryan (Another Co.) (Another Co.) Robert G. Maxwell I. F. Hill (Another Co.) A. D. Hicks (Another Co.) Thomas Perrett (Another Co.) Rivers D. Johnson (Another Co.) Rivers D. Johnson (Another Co.) Dr. Ransom L. Carr (Another Co.) State Assembly House of Commons-Representatives Andrew Hurst, John Watkins James Middleton Nixon, Archibald Maxwell Stephen Miller, William Kenan Frederick James Middleton Nixon, Stephen Miller Benjamin Best, Stephen Miller Benjamin Best, Jr., William Kenan Frederick Daniel Glisson, Joseph Gillespie William Wright, Joseph Gillespie William Wright, John Farrior William Wright, William Kenan Frederick William Wright, Joseph Gillespie Alexander Outlaw Grady, Joseph Gillespie Alexander Outlaw Grady, Joseph Gillespie James Kenan Hill, Owen R. Kenan James Kenan Hill, Owen R. Kenan James Hall Jarman, Owen R. Kenan James Hall Jarman, Hampton Sullivan James Gillespie Dickson, Hampton Sullivan James Gillespie Dickson, Isaac B. Kelly James Gillespie Dickson, Isaac B, Kelly James P. Davis, Isaac B. Kelly James Gillespie Dickson, Isaac B. Kelly Nicholas P. Matthis, Isaac B. Kelly David Reid, William E. Hill Needham Bryan Whitfield William James Houston Bryan Southerland, William R. Ward John Dickson Stanford, William R. Ward John Dickson Stanford, James G. Branch John Dickson Stanford, L. W. Hodges A. M. Faison, Zack Smith Thomas S. Kenan, A. M. Smith (?) Thomas S. Kenan, Zack Smith N. E. Armstrong, Isaac B. Kelly N. E. Armstrong, J. C. McMillan John Dickson Stanford, N. E. Armstrong John Dickson Stanford, Jackson K. Outlaw W. B. Wells, A. G. Moseley James G. Kenan, A. G. Moseley A. S. Colwell, G. W. Lamb D. B. Nicholson, J. E. Pigford John Dickson Stanford John Dickson Stanford John David Southerland John R. Miller, Sr. David John Middleton Alfred Decatur Ward Frank M. Keathley Maury Ward James O. Carr DeLeon Carlton DeLeon Carlton Hampton D. Williams Hampton D. Williams John A. Gavin, Jr. Dr. Ransom L. Carr W. Stokes Boney Dr. Ransom L. Carr George R. Ward Stacy R. Chesnutt Edward J. Hill 533 1923 1925 1927 1929 1931 1933 1935 1937 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1951 1953 1955 State Assembly Senate House of Commons-Representatives Rivers D. Johnson Dr. J. H. Newbury (Dr. R. L. Carr served in extra session 1924) (Another Co.) George R. Ward Rivers D. Johnson George R. Ward (Another Co.) Dr. Ransom L. Carr Rivers D. Johnson Daniel M. Jolly (Another Co.) Hampton D. Williams Rivers D. Johnson Dr. Ransom L. Carr C. E. Quinn George R. Ward C. E. Quinn C. E. Quinn Rivers D. Johnson C. E. Quinn C. E. Quinn Rivers D. Johnson Lewis W. Outlaw Lewis W. Outlaw Rivers D. Johnson R. M. Carr Robert M. Carr Mitchell Britt Robert M. Carr 1956-1957 Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1815- Grady Mercer Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. LeRoy G. Simmons Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. LeRoy G. Simmons Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. Hugh S. Johnson, Jr. CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT OF LAW AND EQUITY (The names shown are all that could be found) ? James Hall, March 4 1818-1826 Thomas Molton 1827-1840 Jeremiah Pearsall 1841-1844 William Farrior 1845-1851 Hampton Sullivan 1852-1853 Stephen Graham 1854-1855 Edward P. Routledge 1856-1857 LaFayette Hussey 1858-1865 Henry R. Kornegay 1866- ? ? -1815 ? = Alsa J. Brown CLERK AND MASTER IN EQUITY (The names shown are all that could be found) 1826-1828 Joseph D. Pearsall 1829-1830 George Miller 1831-1832 William W. Miller 1833-1858 William D. Pearsall 1859-1868 Jeremiah Pearsall CLERK INFERIOR COURT 1881-1885 Thomas M. Moore COUNTY TREASURER (The names shown are all that could be found) 1868-1877 John A. McArthur 1878-1884 Benjamin C. Bowden 1884- Bland Wallace, July to December 1885-1892 John R. Wells 1911-1914 Jacob O. Carr 1915-1916 Jones R. Smith (At other times the sheriff served also as treasurer) 534 Joseph McGowen resigned and James Hall appointed pro tem -1825 Joseph Gillespie resigned BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Chairman T. McMillan . McMillan . McMillan . McMillan . McMillan . McMillan - McMillan . McMillan SS Se Cet ee See oS. T. McMillan George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward George W. Ward Dr. Matthew Moore Dr. Matthew Moore . M. Keathley . M. Keathley . Keathley . Keathley . Keathley Keathley M . M. Keathley M M. William H. Winders I. F. Hill I. F. Hill F. M. Keathley J. T. Wilkins Peter H. Kornegay Peter H. Kornegay Organized 1868 Members John E. Fussell, D. T. Best C. D. Hill, John W. Peterson John E. Fussell, D. T. Best C. D. Hill, John W. Peterson Alsa J. Brown, R. M. S. Grady C. D. Hill, John W. Peterson Alsa J. Brown, R. M. S. Grady Joel Loftin, B. N. Williams Jacob Smith, D. J. Middleton Joel Loftin, George W. Lamb Jacob Smith, D. J. Middleton Joel Loftin, George W. Lamb Jacob Smith, D. J. Middleton Joel Loftin, George W. Lamb Jacob Smith, D. J. Middleton Joel Loftin, George W. Lamb Jacob Smith, D. J. Middleton Joel Loftin, George W. Lamb B. B. Carr, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, F. M. Keathley B. B. Carr, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, F. M. Keathley B. B. Carr, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington B. B. Carr, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington Dr. Matthew Moore, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington Dr. Matthew Moore, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington Dr. Matthew Moore, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington Dr. Matthew Moore, E. T. Pigford E. W. Farrior, Benajah Witherington William Sandlin, E. T. Pigford, David S. Williams, Benajah Witherington William Sandlin, E. T. Pigford, David S, Williams, Benajah Witherington William Sandlin, M. T. Horne David S. Williams, Henry J. Faison William Sandlin, William H. Winders David S. Williams, M. T. Horne Dr. Matthew Moore, David S. Williams Dr. Matthew Moore, David S. Williams S. B. Newton, William H. Winders S. B. Newton, William H. Winders S. B. Newton, William H. Winders I. F. Hill, H. B. Boney F. M. Keathley S. B. Newton William H. Winders, H. B. Boney J. W. Gresham, Henry C. Moore J. W. Gresham, Henry C. Moore Daniel H. Garner, J. T. Wilkins B. L. Blackmore, J. T. Wilkins B. L. Blackmore, Joseph F. Wallace Jacob O. Carr, John L. James Jacob O. Carr, John L. James Chairman W. R. Newbury W. R. Newbury Jacob O. Carr Jacob O. Carr M. F. Westbrook M. F. Westbrook M. F. Westbrook M. F. Westbrook Dr. John M. Faison Dr. John M. Faison D. J. Williams D. J. Williams W. J. Grady W. Grady W. G. Kornegay W. G. Kornegay W. G. Kornegay W. G. Kornegay W. G. Kornegay W. G. Kornegay W W. G. Kornegay W. F. Murphy W G. G. Le L. G. I. I J J Js G G. G G G. G. . G. Kornegay G. F F. Murphy B. D. Parker B. D. Parker F. Byrd F. Byrd G. Best J. Sandlin . J. Sandlin I. J. Sandlin Dr. John D. Robinson Dr. John D. Robinson Dr. John D. Robinson Dr. John D. Robinson J. L. Miller J. L. Miller J. L. Miller S. R. Chesnutt John R. Croom John R. Croom John R. Croom John R. Croom L. P. Wells L. P. Wells G. D. Bennett G. D. Bennett A. C. Hall L. P. Wells Members Jacob O. Carr, John L. James Jacob O. Carr, John L. James M. F. Westbrook, M. W. Brown M. F. Westbrook, M. W. Brown Jacob O. Carr, M. W. Brown Jacob O. Carr, M. W. Brown Dr. John M. Faison, John S. Cavenaugh Dr. John M. Faison, John S. Cavenaugh B. F. Williams, D. J. Williams B. F. Williams, D. J. Williams W. J. Grady, Robert James W. J. Grady, Robert James Williams, Robert James Williams, Robert James Pickett, W. J. Middleton Pickett, W. J. Middleton . Williams, W. J. Middleton . Williams, W. J. Middleton . Williams, W. J. Middleton . Williams, W. J. Middleton Hicks, W. J. Middleton Hicks, W. J. Middleton Cavenaugh, W. J. Middleton Cavenaugh, W. J. Middleton Byrd, Albert Martin Byrd, Albert Martin . Sandlin, Albert Martin . Sandlin, Albert Martin Sandlin, G. A. Outlaw G. D. Bennett, G. A. Outlaw G. D. Bennett, G. A. Outlaw G. D. Bennett, G. A. Outlaw Fred J. Baars, J. L. Miller Fred J. Baars, J. L. Miller Fred J. Baars, J. L. Miller Fred J. Baars, J. L. Miller John R. Croom, S. R. Chesnutt John R. Croom, S. R. Chesnutt John R. Croom, S. R. Chesnutt John R. Croom, I. J. Sandlin . Bennett, S. R. Chesnutt . Hall, Tyson Lanier . Bennett, S. R. Chesnutt . Hall, Tyson Lanier . Bennett, S. R. Chesnutt . Hall, Tyson Lanier . Bennett, S. R. Chesnutt . Hall, Tyson Lanier D. Bennett, Arthur Whitfield eA Hall, Tyson Lanier D. Bitneniets Arthur Whitfield . C. Hall, Tyson Lanier P. Wells, Acther Whitfield A. C. Hall, Tyson Lanier L. P. Wells, Arthur Whitfield A. C. Hall, Tyson Lanier L. P. Wells, Arthur Kennedy G. D. Bennett, Dallas Jones Arthur Kennedy, A. C. Hall A. P. Cates, Dallas Jones OF SSPE > Pe mmooooS Soo Do EP Pi mms PE POPOPOPOParO Chairman Members L. P. Wells Arthur Kennedy, A. C. Hall A. P. Cates, Dallas Jones Dallas Jones Leon Brown, A. C. Hall A. P. Cates, E. E. Kelly Dallas Jones Leon Brown, A. C. Hall A. P. Cates, E. E. Kelly A. P. Cates Dallas Jones, A. C. Hall E. E. Kelly, Leon Brown A. C. Hall E. E. Kelly, Leon Brown Lott Kornegay, J. B. Stroud E. E. Kelly A. C. Hall, Leon Brown J. B. Stroud, Lott Kornegay Leon Brown E. E. Kelly, J. W. Hoffler J. B. Stroud, Lott Kornegay Lott Kornegay J. B. Stroud, Leon Brown J. W. Hofiler, Kenneth G. Grady J. B. Stroud Lott Kornegay, Leon Brown J. W. Hoffler, Kenneth G. Grady J. W. Hoffler Leon Brown, Lott Kornegay J. B. Stroud, Kenneth G. Grady Kenneth G. Grady J. W. Hoffler, Leon Brown J. B. Stroud, Lott Kornegay Kenneth G. Grady J. B. Stroud, Lott Kornegay J. W. Hoffler, Murphy Simpson J. W. Hoffler Kenneth G, Grady, Murphy Simpson, Lott Kornegay, J. B. Stroud J. W. Hoffler J. B. Stroud, Kenneth G. Grady Murphy Simpson, Joseph A. Sutton J. W. Hoffler, J. B. Stroud, Kenneth G. Grady, Joseph A. Sutton E. E. Kelly J. B. Stroud, J. W. Hoffler Joseph A. Sutton, Leon Brown Joseph A. Sutton E. E. Kelly, Leon Brown J. W. Hoffler, J. B. Stroud J. W. Hoffler Joseph A. Sutton, D. J. Fussell, Sr. E. E. Kelly, Leon Brown Leon Brown Joseph A. Sutton, J. W. Hoffler D. J. Fussell, Sr., E. E. Kelly Murphy J. Simpson BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS From the early colonial days until 1868, each county was governed by justices of the peace. This was the traditional form of English county government, brought from the Mother Country by the first set- tlers. The justices, appointed by the Governor, met four times a year at the county courthouse to manage the affairs of the county. They levied taxes, built the courthouse and jail, cared for the sick and the poor, built roads, and held court to settle disputes and punish those who broke the law. Under the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the board of county commissioners replaced the justices of the peace as the governing board of the county. The board of county commissioners meets on the first and third Mondays of each month and at other times when the business of the county requires it. The board chooses one of its members as chairman. The chairman presides at board meetings, often represents the board at public functions, and performs many other duties on behalf of the board. The most important single function of the board of county commis- sioners is the control over the finances of the county. The board must adopt an annual budget, which makes appropriations for the various county activities and provides revenue to meet the appropriations. Pub- lic schools, public welfare, and public health activities receive the largest appropriations, and in each case money is available from the state and federal governments to help meet the expenditures. Appropriations from local funds are met mostly from taxes levied on the real and personal property within the county. The board of county commissioners does not have complete authority over the finances of the county, for the state legislature requires that certain things be done. The board must appropriate sufficient funds to build and maintain necessary school buildings. It must appropriate sufficient funds to care for the poor and the sick. It must appropriate sufficient funds to provide for the operation of the offices of the register of deeds and the sheriff. And it must appropriate sufficient funds to conduct elections and to handle county funds. The board does, however, have some discretion in deciding how much money to raise for these activities beyond the bare minimum. In addition, the board is responsi- ble for building and maintaining a courthouse and other county build- ings to house the various departments. The board of county commissioners does have complete authority over the finances of other activities. It can decide whether the activities will be carried on at all, and if carried on how much money will be ap- propriated. These activities include the public health program, the agri- cultural extension program, libraries, hospitals, an airport, the veterans service office, electrical inspection, civil defense, rural fire protection, and others. Many of these activities are administered by independent boards and elective officials. This is the case with the county board of education, the county board of public welfare, the county board of health, the county board of elections, the register of deeds, the sheriff, and others. These boards and officials are independent of the board of county com- missioners, and they receive their instructions from laws passed by the General Assembly. The commissioners may, however, demand reports and criticize their actions, and the commissioners have some power 538 over the appropriations beyond the minimum support required by law. As a result, the activities are dependent on good cooperation between the independent boards and officials and the board of county commis- sioners. Prior to 1931, the board of county commissioners had extensive responsibility for construction and repair of county roads, but in that year these responsibilities were transferred to the State Highway Com- mission. The Highway Commission today has final authority in all road matters, and the board of county commissioners serves in an ad- visory role only. COUNTY ATTORNEYS (List not available prior to these dates.) 1910-1914 H. D. Williams 1914-1922 L. A. Beasley 1922-1924 D. M. Jolly 1924-1928 John A. Gavin 1928-1934 R. D. Johnson 1934-1936 E. Walker Stevens 1936-1938 Henry L. Stevens, Jr. 1938-1946 E. Walker Stevens 1946-1948 Vance B. Gavin 1948-1950 H. E. Phillips 1950-1954 Vance B. Gavin 1954- Mrs. Winifred T. Wells COUNTY ATTORNEY The board of county commissioners appoints a county attorney. The county attorney serves as the legal advisor to the board and other county officers, advising them in accordance with the constitution and statutes what they may do and how they may proceed. The attorney also represents the board in any law suits brought by or against the county. In addition to his general duties as legal advisor, a county attorney may have specific responsibilities: He is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Old Age Assistance and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled lien law. And he may be responsible for taking action against persons required by law to support indigent relatives who may become welfare recipients in the absence of the required support. Special tax attorneys are appointed by the Board of Commissioners for the foreclosure of tax liens against real property for non payment of taxes. CLERKS TO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Prior to July 1967 the Register of Deeds served as Clerk to the Board. 1967-1968 Faison W. McGowen 1968- Russell E. Tucker CLERK TO THE BOARD From 1868 to 1955, the register of deeds was required by law to serve ex-officio as clerk to the board of county commissioners. In the latter year, the law was amended to provide that the board of county commissioners might appoint any officer or employee of the county to serve as clerk at the will of the board. Since July 1967 the County Accountant has served as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners. It is the duty of the clerk to attend all meetings of the board and record the proceedings in a minute book. In addition, the clerk is the official source of information about actions of the board; and the min- utes, contracts and other documents presented to or considered by the board must be kept available for examination by any person. An index to the minutes is maintained. COUNTY FINANCES The most important single duty of the board of county commissioners is the adoption of the annual budget. The budget makes appropriations to finance the various county activities, and it provides for the levying of taxes and the raising of other revenues to meet the appropriations. In the spring of each year, each department prepares a statement of its financial needs for the fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending one year later on June 30. These departmental statements are required to be submitted to the county accountant, who is in turn required to prepare a tentative budget for submission to the board of county com- missioners. The board may increase or decrease the budget request of each department, although it is required by law to make adequate pro- visions for public schools and public welfare, for elections, and for the offices of the register of deeds and sheriff. After the board has determined what total appropriations will be, it must raise revenues to meet appropriations. The biggest single source of revenue comes from the state and federal governments, as aid to public schools, public welfare, public health, and other activities. The next biggest source comes from the property tax levied on real and personal property within the county. Poll taxes, license taxes, fines and forfeitures, fees, and other miscellaneous revenues make up the balance. One additional source of funds is extremely important: the proceeds of the sale of bonds. From time to time, the board may find it neces- sary to spend larger sums of money than can be raised from current taxes. In such a case, it may sell bonds, repaying the principal and interest over a period of years. Twice with the approval of the voters, County Hospital Bonds have been issued. 540 TAX SUPERVISORS Years Supervisors 1925-1928 George S. Heyward 1929-1968 Faison W. McGowen 1968- Joseph B. Wallace Office Personnel (1969) Margaret E. Williams Lila Mae Teachey Iona Kempie Smith TAX SUPERVISOR The board of county commissioners appoints a tax supervisor in July of odd-numbered years, to serve for a two-year term. In Duplin County the Tax Supervisor also serves as Veterans Service Officer. The tax supervisor is responsible for the listing and assessing of prop- erty for purposes of real and personal property taxation. In December of each year, the tax supervisor, with the approval of the board of county commissioners, appoints list takers for each township. Every person owning property must appear before the list taker in his town- ship in January, and give the list taker an itemized list of all real and personal property that he owns. The list taker, with the help of the taxpayer, determines a value for each item of personal property, attempt- ing to place on each item a value equal to comparable property owned and listed by other taxpayers. Real property generally retains the value placed on it at the time of the last eight year countywide evaluation of all real property; in case of improvements to real property or in excep- tional circumstances involving change in value, however, the entire property is reassessed by the tax supervisor. Every eight years all real property is revalued, with the help of expert property appraisers. No matter who places a value on his property, every taxpayer has the right to appeal any decision as to value to the board of county com- missioners as a Board of Equalization and Review. The board hears these appeals in April, May and June of each year. Property is appraised at its market value taking into consideration factors set out in the law. The Board of Commissioners determines the assessment ratio annually. Duplin’s established assessment ratio in 1969 was 50%. After all property has been listed and assessed, the total taxable value of all property is computed and certified by the tax supervisor to the board of county commissioners. The board uses this total in preparing its budget, and it determines a tax rate sufficient to meet approved appropriations. After this rate has been determined by the board, the tax supervisor computes the amount of tax due from 541 ————— ee — oO ee ee or ee oe a PS ey each taxpayer, based on the real and personal property he owns. Tax bills are then prepared and mailed to the taxpayers of the county. TAX COLLECTORS Prior to 1925 the Sheriff collected County Taxes. 1925-1930 James J. Bowden 1930-1933 Township Tax Collectors: Warsaw Township________________ H. D. Farrior Faison Township M. McD. Williams Wolfscrape Township Jno. B. Dail (1930) Adrian Dail (1931) Zollie Kornegay (1930) Fred Outlaw (1931) Glisson Township Albertson Township Smith Township Weils Thomas (1930) J. B. Sandlin (1931) Limestone Township______________ J. B. Sandlin Cypress Creek Township__________ R. H. Ma Island Creek Township Rockfish Township Rose Hill Township____._________ J. L. Bradshaw (1930) J. L. Williams (1931) I. L. Hawes (1932) Marvin Bradshaw J. L. Williams (1932) _J. L. Williams Isaac N. Henderson Gilbert E. Alphin Harry Phillips John A. Johnson S. Leland Grady Magnolia Township Kenansville Township 1933-1947 1947-1955 1955-1962 1962-1970 1970- CURRENT OFFICE PERSONNEL (1969) Linda C. Batts Edith Byrd Kornegay Dorothy M. Byrd TAX COLLECTOR Until 1925 the Sheriff was responsible for the collection of taxes in Duplin. A County Tax Collector served from 1925-1930. Then Town- ship Tax Collectors were appointed. Beginning in 1933 a County Tax Collector was appointed. 542 Taxes are paid to the Tax Collector at a discount during the months of June, July, August, September, and October. They are payable at par in November, December, and January. If not paid by February 1, an interest penalty of 1% is imposed during February and 2% during March, and thereafter 44% per month additional is added until the taxes are paid. If taxes are not paid, the taxpayers real and personal property may be seized and sold by the tax collector, and the proceeds applied to the taxes; or if the taxpayer is employed, his employer may be forced to withhold earnings to pay the taxes. The tax collector's only duty is that of collecting taxes. He is ap- pointed by the Board of Commissioners. COUNTY ACCOUNTANT Horace Stewart (Part-time auditor) George S. Heyward Faison W. McGowen Russell E. Tucker Prior to 1925 1925-1928 1929-1968 1968- CURRENT OFFICE PERSONNEL (1969) Doris N. Sitterson Judy W. Burley COUNTY ACCOUNTANT The board of county commissioners is required to appoint a county accountant to serve at the will of the board. The county accountant is the budget and accounting officer of the county. The county accountant plays a part in the budget preparation process, receiving and reviewing budget requests from each department, and providing the county com- missioners with such information as they think necessary. The county accountant is also responsible for seeing that adequate and accurate records are kept of all receipts and disbursements of county money. After the board of county commissioners adopts the budget, it is the responsibility of the county accountants to see that no money is spent except in accordance with the budget. To this end, the county account- ant must review and approve each contract committing the county to spend money, certifying on the contract itself that there is a sufficient appropriation to cover the moneys to be paid under the contract. In addition, the county accountant must approve every expenditure of funds, certifying on each check paying out county money that there is a sufficient appropriation to cover the amount of the check. The county 543 accountant is specifically prohibited from approving any contract or check if the board of county commissioners has not appropriated suffi- cient funds to cover it. Periodically, the county accountant must examine the accounts of all officers handling money to see that all county funds have been paid over to the county. And he must make regular financial reports to the board of county commissioners, advising the board of the financial condition of the county and calling attention to any improper attempts to spend county funds. The County accountant supervises the purchasing of supplies and materials, Banks of the county serve as official depositories. There is no County Treasurer. SHERIFFS Years Sheriffs Years Sheriffs 1749-1753 William McRee, Jr. 1822-1825 John E. Hussey 1754-1758 Joseph Williams 1826-1833 James Kenan Hill 1759 John Walker 1834-1838 Thomas J. Kinneair 1760-1761 Felix Kenan 1839-1844 John E. Hussey 1762-1766 James Kenan 1845-1852 Edward E. Hussey 1767-1768 Owen Kenan 1853-1857 John D. Abernethy 1769-1776 Felix Kenan 1858-1862 Thomas J. Carr 1777-1778 John Molton 1863-1868 John W. Hinson 1779-1780 Thomas Routledge 1869-1882 Bland Wallace 1781-1783 Theophilus Williams 1883-1884 William M. Hurst 1784 James Pearsall 1885-1894 James G. Kenan 1785-1786 James Kenan 1895-1898 Daniel Moore 1787-1789 James Pearsall 1899-1908 Leonidas Middleton 1790-1793 Daniel Glisson 1909-1919 Graham G. Best 1794-1798 Thomas Wright 1920-1924 Charles M. Ingram 1799-1803 Hugh McCanne 1925-1946 David S. Williamson 1804-1807 James Hall 1946-1952 Ralph J. Jones 1808-1811 Daniel Love Kenan 1952-1962 Ralph Miller 1812-1816 Daniel Glisson 1962- T. Elwood Revelle 1817-1821 Andrew Hurst DEPUTY SHERIFFS (CURRENT) S. C. Dempsey Eure Graham Chestnutt Rodney Smith Thigpen Jack Albertson Alfred E. Basden Lewis Glenn Jernigan C. Irvin Outlaw Ennis Elton Proctor George F. Williams Ellis G. Baker SHERIFF The office of the sheriff is the oldest office in the county government. Historians state that the sheriff came into being in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The English settlers brought the office with 544, them to America, and made the sheriff the chief county law enforce- ment officer in the counties of North Carolina, just as he had been in the counties of England. The North Carolina Constitution requires a sheriff to be elected by the people in each county to serve for four years. The election takes place at the general election in non-presidential years. In case of a vacancy, the board of county commisioners appoints a new sheriff to serve the unexpired term. The sheriff, as the chief law enforcement officer of the county, protects life and property, enforces the laws, and arrests violators. While cities and towns often have their own police forces to enforce the laws within the corporate limits, the sheriff is as responsible for preserving the peace inside town as outside; nevertheless, as a practical matter, most of the sheriff’s law enforcement activity takes place in areas outside cities and towns. The sheriff is also the chief ministerial officer of the superior court, and may perform similar duties for other courts in the county. He summons jurors and witnesses to appear in court, opens and closes the sessions of the court, conducts prisoners to and from the courtroom, and maintains order in the court. In his work for the courts, he acts inside as well as outside of cities and towns, and truly operates on a county-wide basis. The sheriff is responsible for the operation of the county jail. Per- sons accused of crimes and unable to post a bond to guarantee their appearance in court are held in jail pending their trial; and persons sentenced to prison are held in jail until they are transferred to the correctional institution in which they are to serve their sentences. A few persons serve their sentences in the county jail itself; persons sen- tenced to short periods of less than 30 days, and persons actually sen- tenced to the county jail to work around the jail and the courthouse. To assist him in the discharge of his duties, the sheriff may appoint deputy sheriffs. The County furnishes the sheriff and his deputies automobiles for use in their work. It also provides deputies with uniforms so that they will be rocognized wherever they go. CORONERS (From Election Records) : Years Coroners 1916-1924 W. Frank Smith 1924-1932 D. H. Bridgers 1932-1934 W. E. Hines 545 oo ee ee ee oe (From Bonds and Oaths Records) : Years Coroners 1934-1938 Carl Smith 1954-1958 Garland Kennedy 1938-1946 Ralph J. Jones 1958-1967 H. B. McNeill 1946-1951 C. B. Sitterson 1967-1969 R. H. Best, Jr. 1951-1954 Gurman P. Powell 1969- Herman H. Quinn CORONER Whenever it appears that the deceased probably came to his death by the criminal act or default of some person, the coroner shall go to the place where the body of such deceased person is and make a careful investigation and inquiry as to when and by what means such deceased person came to his death and the name of the deceased, if to be found out, together with all the material circumstances attending his death, and shall make a complete record of such personal investigation. The coroner does not summon a jury if he shall be satisfied from his per- sonal investigation that the death of the said deceased was from natural causes, or that no person is blamable in any respect in connection with such death, and shall so find and make such finding in writing as a part of his report, giving the reason for such finding; unless an affidavit be filed with the coroner indicating blame in connection with the death of the deceased. A written report of said investigation shall be filed by the coroner with the medical examiner and the Solicitor of the superior court. If it appears that the deceased was slain, or came to his death in such manner as to indicate any person or persons guilty of the crime in con- nection with the said death, then the said inquiry shall ascertain who was guilty, either as principal or accessory, or otherwise, if known; and the cause and manner of his death. Whenever in such investigations, whether preliminary or before his jury, it shall appear to the coroner or to the jury that any person or persons are culpable in the matter of such death, he shall forthwith issue his warrant for such persons and cause the same to be brought before him and the inquiry shall proceed as in the case of preliminary hear- ings before justices of the peace, and in case it appears to the said coroner and the jury that such persons are probably guilty of any crime in connection with the death of the deceased then the said coro- ner shall commit such persons to jail, if it appears that such persons are probably guilty of a capital crime, and in case it appears that such persons are not probably guilty of a capital crime, but are probably guilty of a lesser crime, then such coroner is to have the power and authority to fix bail for such person or persons. All such persons as are found probably guilty in such hearing shall be delivered to the 546 keeper of the common jail for such county by the sheriff or such other officer as may perform his duties at such hearings and committed to jail unless such person have been allowed and given the bail fixed by such coroner. If at any time there is no person properly qualified to act as sheriff in any county, the coroner of such county is required to execute all process and in all other things to act as sheriff, until some person is appointed sheriff in said county. (See G.S. 152-7 (1), (2), (3), (4), and 152-8.) REGISTERS OF DEEDS Years Registers Years Registers 1749-1752 John Sampson 1865-1880 James M. Sprunt 1753-1762 John Dickson 1881-1890 Henry C. Moore 1763-1765 James Sampson 1891-1892 Thad Jones, Jr. 1766-1772 Thomas Blake 1893-1894 Luther B. Carr 1773-1783 Richard Clinton 1895-1898 Thad Jones, Jr. 1784-1811 James Dickson 1899-1902 B. F. Pearsall 1812-1832 Thomas Routledge 1903-1906 Chauncey S. Carr 1833-1840 Nicholas Routledge 1907-1924 James J. Bowden 1841-1848 George Smith 1925-1932 Lawrence Southerland 1849-1854 Alex. T. Stanford 1932-1952 Albert T. Outlaw 1855-1863 Thomas J. Kenneair 1952- Mrs. Christine W. 1864- W. W. Whitehead Williams Davis CURRENT OFFICE PERSONNEL Ruth S. Herring Julia Hinson Judith B. Smith Jennell Kirgy Patricia R. Williams Annette T. Tyndall REGISTER OF DEEDS The recording of instruments involving title to property is one of the oldest county activities. Like law enforcement and the administration of justice through the courts, this service has been performed by county officials for hundreds of years. One of the reasons for building a county courthouse is to provide a proper and safe repository for deeds and other instruments affecting property. The register of deeds is elected by the people of the county for a four-year term. If a vacancy occurs in the office, the board of county commissioners appoints a successor for the unexpired term. It is the duty of the register to record instruments delivered to him for registration. All real estate deeds, plats and maps, deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, conditional sale agreements, and other personal property instruments are to be recorded or filed and indexed. In years gone by, these deeds and instruments were copied into a record book, first by hand and then by typewriter. Today deeds and instru- 547 ments offered for recording are photographed and the photographic copy is bound into the record book. Because these records are so im- portant, they are kept in vaults in the courthouse. All real property documents are on microfilm and stored with the Department of Archives and History. In addition to the deeds and instruments referred to in the preceding paragraph, other papers are recorded and indexed. Included in these categories are claims of the federal government against persons owing federal taxes, certificates of incorporation, and discharge certificates of persons who have served in the armed forces. Cancellations of mortgages, involving both real and personal property, and cancellations of other claims previously recorded are entered on the recorded copies of the mortgages and claims. The register of deeds assists the public in finding records in which they are interested, and makes certified copies of deeds, instruments, and other papers upon request. He is also responsible for issuing marriage licenses. He may not, however, issue a marriage license if either party is under 18 years of age, unless that party has the written consent of a parent or guardian. The register is also required to record and index marriage licenses, as well as birth and death certificates. The register of deeds determines whether deeds and other instru- ments to be recorded have been properly acknowledged before a person authorized to take such acknowledgements. The register of deeds ad- ministers oaths of office to other officials and to those appointed. A record of Notaries Public is kept. A record of the jury list is kept by the Register of Deeds. Like the sheriff and the clerk of superior court, the register may appoint assistants and deputies to act for him and in his absence. The assistants and deputies in the office are paid a salary fixed by the board of county commissioners. Persons offering deeds and other instruments for recording, or other- wise using the services of the register of deeds, are charged fees for the services. These fees are paid into the county treasury and meet a substantial portion of the current operating expenses of the office. THE COURTS From the time when the counties were first created, both in England and America, they have played an important part in the administration of justice. There has always been a court with county-wide jurisdiction to try major cases, like our superior court today. 548 SUPERIOR CouRT The chief court in Duplin County is the superior court. Duplin is in the Fourth Judicial District. The solicitor serves as the prosecuting attorney in criminal cases in the superior court. The solicitor is elected by the people of the district for a four-year term. Duplin is in the Sixth Solicitorial District. The superior court tries all major cases, both criminal and civil. It also hears appeals from the lower courts and from administrative boards and commissions when directed to do so by law. Many cases involve a jury trial. It is the responsibility of the County Jury Commission to prepare a jury list every two years. The list must include persons of good character in the county over twenty-one years of age, of all races and of both sexes. A grand jury examines accusations against persons charged with crime, to determine if such persons shall be tried in the superior court. The salaries of superior court judges and solicitors are paid by the state. Generally speaking, the other costs of court are paid by the losing party. CLERKS OF COURT (Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions) Years Clerks Years Clerks 1749-1750 Robert McRee 1834-1845 James Dickson 1751-1762 John Dickson 1846-1851 James H. Jarman 1763-1776 James Sampson 1852-1853 Benj. F. Grady, Sr. 1777-1819 William Dickson 1854-1864 John J. Whitehead 1820-1832 James Pearsall 1865 Jno. D. Southerland 1833 John Watkins 1866-1868 Walter R. Bell (Superior Court) Years Clerks Years Clerks 1869-1882 Jno. D. Southerland 1903-1917 David H. Wallace 1883-1890 R. C. Broadhurst 1918 William T. Wallace 1891-1898 John A. Gavin 1918-1970 Robt. Vivian Wells 1899-1902 Herbert Smith 1970- John Anderson Johnson CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT The clerk of superior court is elected for four years. As in the case of the sheriff, the election takes place at the general election in non- presidential years. When a vacancy occurs, the superior court judge of the district appoints a person to fill the unexpired term. The clerk of superior court has many duties. First of all he is a judicial officer. As such, he may decide many procedural questions in cases pending in superior court, and he may enter judgment in certain cases. He hears and decides cases concerning the estates of deceased 549 oe or ee persons, mental incompetents, and minors, including the appointment of executors, administrators, guardians, and trustees, and including the supervision of the sale of property in which incompetents and minors have an interest. He hears and decides cases involving the sanity of persons and restoration to sanity, and the commitment of mental patients and inebriates to mental hospitals. The clerk keeps a record of all pro- ceedings which take place while the superior court and district court are in session, and he keeps the court records, issues processes, records and indexes judgments, and prepares the court calendars. The clerk appoints his own assistants and deputies. The clerk, deputies and assistants are paid by the State in accordance with personnel salary schedule. Fees are collected for the services performed by the clerk. GENERAL COUNTY COURT (Organized June, 1928): Years Judges Years Judges 1928-1931 Henry L. Stevens, Jr. 1946-1950 Robert L. West 1931-1932 Daniel M. Jolly 1950-1954 H. E. Phillips 1932-1940 A. J. Blanton 1954-1958 Grady Mercer 1940-1946 H. E. Phillips 1958-1960 David N. Henderson 1960-1969 Russell J. Lanier DISTRICT COURT—FOURTH DISTRICT (Began Dec. 1968) : 1969. Russell J. Lanier GENERAL COUNTY COURT: Years Solicitors Years Solicitors 1928-1934 Norwood B. Boney 1946-1954 Grady Mercer 1934-1936 E. J. Johnson 1954-1958 David N. Henderson George R. Ward 1958-1960 Russell J. Lanier 1936-1946 Robert L. West 1960-1969 William E. Craft DISTRICT COURT: 1969 Kenneth Turner DISTRICT COURT There has always been a need for courts to try minor criminal and civil cases of such nature that a full trial in superior court is not necessary. The lower court system has been revised as a result of a constitutional amendment approved by the people of North Carolina in 1962. The lower courts created in the past have fallen into three categories: The courts of the justices of the peace, the recorder-type courts, and the domestic relations courts. The justices of the peace were elected or appointed to hear minor criminal and civil cases. The constitutional amendment approved in 1962 required the General Assembly to establish a uniform district court system to try all cases below the jurisdiction of the superior court. Sampson, Duplin, Onslow, and Jones counties are in our District. District court must be held in 550 at least one location in each county. District judges are elected for a term of four years. Magistrates are officers of the district court and are appointed by the resident superior court judge from nominations made by the clerk of the superior court. SUPERINTENDENTS OR DIRECTORS SOCIAL SERVICES (Public Welfare) (Full-Time) Dates Served 10-29-32 to 9-27-48 Mrs. Inez C. Boney, Superintendent 8-1-48 to 11-1-49 Mrs. Juliette M. Highsmith, Acting Supt. 11-1-49 to 3-1-51 Miss Doris Rouse, Acting Supt. 1-51 to 3-1-57 Mrs. Thelma Dail Taylor, Superintendent 1-57 to 8-15-57 Mrs. Grace Vann, Acting Supt. 15-57 to 2-1-67 Mrs. Thelma Dail Taylor, Director 1-67 to Mrs. Millie Ivey Brown, Acting Director 5. 3- 8- 2. DUPLIN COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES Leon Brown, Chairman S. W. Gowan W. G. Sullivan (From Plaque in County Social Services Office.) (Prior to 1932 Horace Stewart served as part-time Superintendent of Public Welfare and the Superintendent of Schools was also ex-officio Superintendent of Public Wel- fare for a few years.) CURRENT OFFICE PERSONNEL Joyce A. Raynor Cynthia W. Kennedy Carolyn V. Dixon Raphael Carlton Martha Sue Taylor Billie Fay Quinn Lois W. Jones Janelle O. Pridgen Lillie S. Smith Clara Casteen Bettie Jean Howard Esteen O. Quinn Peggy Murphy Ezzia Boney Bryant Jodie T. Strickland Deanna Ennis Judge Linda Scott Cox Mertie B. Matthews Janie Strickland Boone SOCIAL SERVICES (PUBLIC WELFARE) Provisions have been made for the care of the poor and the sick practically from the time the first colonist settled in North Carolina. In the colonial period, the very limited aid available came through the church. After statehood and the separation of church and state in 1776, the care of the poor and sick became a governmental responsibility and was made the duty of the county government. Although the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 recognized the responsibility of “a civilized and Christian state” toward its less fortu- nate citizens, social service activites were very limited until well into the Twentieth Century. The earliest activities consisted of erecting “county homes” to house the homeless, sick, afflicted, and poor; finding employ- ment for those out of work; providing limited relief for those unable to work; and “binding out” poor children as apprentices. The care of 551 the poor in early days never involved spending much money, for it was believed that poverty was the result of moral weakness. In 1917, the General Assembly enacted broad legislation providing for a public welfare program in every county, and soon thereafter important services, financed from state and county funds, were inaugurated. The onslaught of the depression in the 1930’s forced a rapid expan- sion of public welfare activities. With leadership and financial aid from the United States Congress, new programs were developed for needy old people no longer able to take care of themselves; for needy chil- dren deprived of the care and support of one or both parents; for needy blind; and for needy disabled persons unable to work and sup- port themselves. Procedures were developed for providing monthly cash grants for these persons, with the federal government bearing the largest portion of the grants and assisting in the cost of the administra- tion of the programs. In North Carolina, the state and county govern- ments were made jointly responsible for providing money to match federal funds. These federal-state-county cooperative programs, however, did not meet the entire problem of financial need. From time to time, persons physically capable of supporting themselves lost their jobs and needed temporary support. Others, barely able to support themselves, often found themselves unable to pay for needed hospitalization or medical care. And quite often, children without parents or other relatives capable of taking care of them had to be placed in boarding homes at public expense. The federal government left these responsibilities to the states, and in North Carolina the counties bear the main financial responsi- bility. Public social services are not limited to financial aid. The county social services department places children in foster homes, handles adop- tions, and renders other assistance to handicapped children and children in unfortunate circumstances; issues child labor certificates; advises on vocational rehabilitation services; refers and provides transportation to medical clinics; supervises all public homes for the aged; serves as pro- bation officer to Juvenile Court; helps with placements in maternity homes; works with neglected children; and supervises distribution of surplus food commodities. While these are the most important non- financial services, many other services are performed. In many cases, the timely rendering of a non-financial service can help an individual or family attain or regain financial independence, and so avoid need for financial assistance. Duplin’s County Home was closed in January, 1943. This question is often asked: Why is a large public welfare program 502 needed in prosperous times? Even in prosperous times, many families live in marginal financial circumstances. The loss of a job, death or disability of the breadwinner, or other family catastrophe leaves the family with no resources to meet the situation. Moreover, the growth of the aged population, with the longer life span, the ever increasing number of children, and the general inflation have all contributed to rising welfare costs. Even so, social service programs in North Carolina have fewer recipients, lower average payments, and lower per capita expenditures than are found in similar states. The administration of Social Services programs in each county is the responsibility of the county board of social services. This board usually consists of three members serving three-year overlapping terms. One of the members is appointed by the board of county commissioners, one is appointed by the State Board of Social Services, and the third member is appointed by the other two. The board in turn appoints a Director of Social Services. The appointee must be a person qualified by training and experience for the position, and a person who has passed the state-wide merit examination. The social services board can dismiss the director only for misconduct or inefficiency. The director appoints other department personnel. Like the director, these people must have qualified by pasing a state-wide merit examina- tion. The county social services board and the board of county com- missioners jointly determine the number and salary of welfare department personnel. Salaries are set in accordance with a state-wide plan that fixes minimum and maximum salaries depending on training, experience, and work performed. The director may dismiss an employee only for misconduct or inefficiency. The social services board prepares the annual budget with the help of the director. The budget must be approved by the board of county commissioners and then by the State Board of Social Services. The state board sees that the budget is large enough to provide adequate social service. APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE Needy persons make application for financial assistance to the social services department. Following the application, a visit is made to the home of the applicant, and a full investigation is made to determine the extent of need. In determining need, careful consideration is given to the requirements essential to decent and healthful living, the number of persons dependent on the applicant, and the special requirements of the applicant and his dependents. In addition, careful and realistic consideration is given to all resources available to the applicant. Re- 553 sources include cash income, food produced, support from relatives, and property including land and automobiles which could be sold to provide money for support. The assistance grant is determined in the light of requirements and resources. For example, a family of four might be entitled to receive $25 per week, plus the cost of shelter up to $50 per month, less any income or support from relatives. The grant approved by the social services department is reviewed by the social services board, the board of county commissioners, and the State Board of Social Services. There is a Medical Assistance program providing in-patient and out- patient medical care, prescriptions, dental care and glasses for the needy. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SUPERINTENDENTS Members County Board of Education (Prior to 1881 Examiners were appointed) ag Ward, Chmn., B. Witherington, M. Moore, E. T. Pigford, E. W. arrior Geo. W. Ward, Chmn., B. Witherington, M. More, E. T. Pigford, E. W. Farrior apa W. Ward, Chmn., B. Witherington, M. Moore, E. T. Pigford, E. W. arrior M. Moore, Chmn., William Sandlin, David S. Williams, B. Witherington, E. T. Pigford Stephen M. Grady, Chmn., Chauncey S. Carr, David S. Kennedy Stephen M. Grady, Chmn., Chauncey S. Carr, David S. Kennedy S. M. Grady, Chmn., C. I. Carr, R. W. Millard S. M. Grady, Chmn., C. I. Carr, R. W. Millard S. M. Grady, Chmn., C. I. Carr, R. W. Millard R. W. Millard, Maury Ward, S. M. Grady, Chmn. R. W. Millard, Maury Ward, S. M. Grady, Chmn. R. W. Millard, W. B. Southerland, S. M. Grady, Chmn. R. W. Millard, W. B. Southerland, S. M. Grady, Chmn. I. F. Hill, Chmn., H. C. Moore, J. W. Gresham, W. H. Winders, J. T. Wilkins I. F. Hill, Chmn., H. C. Moore, J W. Gresham, D. H. Garner, J. T. Wilkins F. M. Keathly, Chmn., James Wilkins, Buckner L. Blackmore J. C. McMillan, R. W. Blackmore, T. M. Cooper W. H. Grady, Chmn., O. P. Middleton, W. B. Southerland W. H. Grady, Chmn., O. P. Middleton, W. B. Southerland W. H. Grady, Chmn., O. P. Middleton, W. B. Southerland W. H. Grady, Chmn., O. P. Middleton, W. B. Southerland W. B. Southerland, Chmn., 0. P. Middleton, Daniel C. Potter W. B. Southerland, Chmn., O. P. Middleton, Daniel C. Potter W. B. Southerland, Chmn., W. D. Loftin, Daniel C. Potter W. B. Southerland, Chmn., W. D. Loftin, Daniel C. Potter W. B. Southerland, Chmn., W. D. Loftin, Daniel C. Potter W. B. Southerland, Chmn., W. D. Loftin, D. L. Carlton W. B. Southerland, Chmn., L. A. Beasley, M. F. Westbrook L. A. Beasley, Chmn., W. R. Newberry, M. F. Westbrook W. R. Newberry, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook W. R. Newberry, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook W. R. Newberry, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook 554 Members County Board of Education Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, M. F. Westbrook Lon Middleton, Chmn., A. L. McGowen, W. J. Grady Lon Middleton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady Lon Middleton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady . Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady H. Carlton, Chmn., Mrs. D. Stokes Williams, W. J. Grady J. Grady, Chmn., Robert M. Carr, J. G. Bostic . J. Grady, Chmn., Robert M. Carr, J. G. Bostic J. Grady, Chmn., Robert M. Carr, J. G. Bostic J. Grady, Chmn., Robert M. Carr, J. G. Bostic . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, J. G. Bostic . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, J. G. Bostic . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams . Carr, Chmn., A. P. Cates, Chesley Williams D. Herring, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, Chesley Williams D. Herring, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, Chesley Williams D. 44S SR PRE M M M M M M M M M M M M Herring, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail D. Herring, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail P. Cates, Chmn., Jerry O. Smith, William F. Dail J. O. Smith, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, W. F. Dail, D. D. Blanchard J. O. Smith, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, W. F. Dail, D. D. Blanchard W. F, Dail, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, E. E. Rogers, D. D. Blanchard W. F. Dail, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, E. E. Rogers, D. D. Blanchard D. D. Blanchard, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, E. E. Rogers, James Albertson D, D. Blanchard, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, E. E. Rogers, W. O. Albertson D. D. Blanchard, Chmn., Russell Brock, James F. Strickland, E. EF. Rogers, Dr. E. L. Boyette D, D. Blanchard, Chmn., Russell Brock, Dr. E. L. Boyette, E. E. Rogers, James F. Strickland Russell Brock, Chmn., Graham A. Phillips, Dr. E. L. Boyette, E. E. Rogers, James F. Strickland PPPPppaadar rrr rrr RRR 555 County SupPERINTENDENTS OF Pusiic INSTRUCTION Years Superintendents Years Superintendents 1881-1886 B. F. Grady, Jr. 1911-1924 M. H. Wooten 1887-1892 W. M. Shaw 1925-1928 B. C. Siske 1893-1894 C. G. Wells 1929-1934 J. O. Bowman 1895-1897 Thad Jones, Jr. 1935-1968 1898- R. W. Millard (6-30-68) O. P. Johnson 1899-1907 S. W. Clement 1968- C. H. Yelverton 1908-1910 D. S. Kennedy Present Office Employees (1969) D. B. Teachey, Assistant Superintendent R. L. Roy, Assistant Superintendent Occupational Education Mary E. Browder, Administrative Assistant Jean G. Frazelle, Bookkeeper Carolyn W. Bowden, Purchasing Clerk Jessie F. Murphy, Bookkeeper Margaret King, Cafeteria Clerk Steve Mallard, Attendance Counselor Jean C. Stephens, Secretary-Receptionist Thelma Swinson, General Supervisor Annie Mae Kenion, General Supervisor Magdalene Stancil, General Supervisor Louise W. Mitchell, Supervisor of Special Education Velma Murphy, Speech Therapist Nancy A. Williamson, Speech Therapist Nannie M. Barfield, Speech Therapist Emma K. Farrior, Speech Therapist Rebecca Judge, ESEA School Nurse Maxine Kelly, ESEA School Nurse Matilda Culipher, ESEA School Nurse Martha Williams, ESEA School Nurse Mary Pierce, ESEA School Nurse Stella W. Wells, School Foods Service Supervisor Floryda Carlton, Reading Supervisor Virginia P. Quinn, Library Supervisor Emily M. Carr, ESEA Secretary Sallie C. Ingram, ESEA Director PUBLIC SCHOOLS From the beginning of the public school system in North Carolina around 1840 until the early 1930’s, financial support for the public schools came primarily from county property taxes. Some state support was available but it was supplementary in nature. This original alloca- tion of financial responsibility was changed in 1933, when the state assumed major responsibility for financing the operation of the public schools. Today, the state assumes primary responsibility for providing funds to meet the minimum salary schedule for the people who supervise, operate, and teach in the public school system. The State Board of Education exercises general supervision over the allocation of state and federal funds to the administrative units, determines the qualifications and the state salary schedule for teachers, and supplies basal textbooks. 556 The County is responsible for building and maintaining school build- ing. Fines and forfeitures collected in the administration of criminal law must be used to maintain, repair, and insure school buildings, and the county levies taxes to augment some of the basic state allocations for current expenses. In Duplin there is one county-wide school district. The County board of education elects a superintendent of schools for its administrative unit quadrennially. The board of education is required to provide an adequate school system within the administrative unit. Its ability to do so will in part depend upon appropriations made by the board of county commissioners. The board of education is required to prepare an annual budget for the expenditure of county funds. The budget is to be reviewed and approved by the board of county commissioners. In case of disagree- ment between a board of education and the board of county com- missioners, an arbitration procedure is provided. Final decision in the arbitration procedure rests with the clerk of the superior court, but either board may appeal the clerk’s decision to the superior court. Back in the middle of the Nineteenth Century, the public schools were open for only a few months during the year, and there were only a few grades taught. Today the public school curriculum consists of 180 days of instruction annually for each of twelve grades. A standard course of study has been established by the State Board of Education for the first eight grades, and the high school curriculum requires the successful completion of eighteen standard units for graduation. HEALTH OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS: (County Health Department was Organized July 2, 1934.) Year 1934 Dr. C. H. White 1935-1939 Dr. R. L. Carr 1939-1940 Dr. H. C. Wysong 7-1-40 Dr. B. B. McGuire 8-1-40 to 9-1-41 Dr. B. M. Drake 12-7-42 Dr. John A. Lineberry 6-4-45 Dr. C. H. Woodburn 5-31-51 Dr. G. V. Gooding 6-30-69 Dr. John F. Powers Dr. John F. Powers (Acting) CURRENT PERSONNEL: Mary Lee Sykes Helen Ballard Mildred W. LaCoe Sarah B. Hodges Joe Lee Costin Donie Outlaw Ruby C. Kornegay Eloise K. Ryder Maurice E. Holmes 557 PUBLIC HEALTH The County Board of Health is composed of the chairman of the board of county commissioners, the mayor of the county-seat town, the superintendent of schools, plus a physician, a dentist, a pharmacist, and a public-spirited citizen elected by the first three members. The board of health adopts rules and regulations to protect the public health of the county in accordance with the policies of the State Board of Health. The board appoints a licensed physician as health director. The person must be experienced in public health work and must have passed a state-wide qualifying examination. The board of health can dismiss the director only for misconduct or inefficiency. The health director in turn appoints the other department personnel; he may ap- point only those who have qualified by passing a state-wide examina- tion, and he can dismiss them only for misconduct or inefficiency. The health director is responsible for the administration of the public health program in the county under the rules, regulations, and policies set by the county board of health. The health director prepares the annual budget, subject to the ap- proval of the county board of health, and submits it to the board of county commissioners. The board of county commissioners is not re- quired to maintain a health department or to appropriate funds. But if the board wishes to obtain state and federal funds, it must agree to meet the appropriation requirements established by the State Board of Health, and it must enter into an annual contract with the state board agreeing to appropriate necessary funds. Pusuic Heat Activities A number of public health activities are carried on. Perhaps the oldest in point of time is the control of communicable diseases, because the earliest health laws had to do with communicable disease control. This activity is perhaps the broadest activity in a health department, because all members of the department are involved. Moreover, the effectiveness of control over the years is best illustrated by the fact that many diseases, which were once the dread of every community, are virtually unknown today. The environmental sanitation program is closely akin to communicable disease control, because sanitary facilities prevent the spread of com- municable disease. The program involves the inspection of dairies, meat, meat markets, poultry processing plants, and abattoirs, hotels, boarding homes, tourist homes and camps, colleges, schools, restaurants, jails, and other places where good sanitation practices are necessary; and private wells and septic tanks, 558 The public health nursing program is carried on by public health nurses. Major emphasis is placed on teaching good health practices to individuals, families, and the community. These nurses help to secure early medical diagnosis and treatment for the sick; teach members of a family to care for sick relatives; render special care to expectant mothers, infants, and children; and participate in all aspects of the public health program. The health department conducts a clinic program in cooperation with practicing physicians and public and private agencies. These may in- clude a maternity clinic, a children’s clinic, an immunizaton program, an orthopedic clinic, a tuberculosis clinic, a venereal disease clinic, a cancer detection and diagnostic clinic, an asthma clinic, a clinic for food handlers, and a general diagnostic clinic. The County Health Department carries on a vital statistics program, maintaining records of births and deaths. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM Duplin County began a Mental Health Program with Onslow County in 1969. The General Assembly of 1963 expanded state aid for these programs, and it created a State Department of Mental Health with responsibility both for institutional care and for providing assistance to the local programs. This department, and boards of county com- missioners in counties desiring to operate a mental program, cooperate in financing and administering mental health clinics. The local mental health clinics offer diagnosis and treatment for emo- tionally disturbed people and those discharged from state mental hos- pitals. In addition they offer consultative and educational services to individuals and agencies as a means of developing improved mental health. Mrs. Ruth B. Wells is Administrative Assistant. COUNTY LIBRARIANS (Full time) 1947-1966 Miss Dorothy Wightman 1966- Mrs. Ethel S. Kelly (Acting) CURRENT PERSONNEL (1969) Sylvia D. Mclver COUNTY LIBRARY The operation and the support of libraries, hospitals, and airports, though apparently unrelated, are closely related financially. The North Carolina Constitution prohibits the use of tax funds for “non-necessary 559 expenses,” except with the approval of the voters. The Supreme Court of North Carolina has held that expenditures for libraries, hospitals, and airports fall into the category of “non-necessary expenses.” There- fore, a tax levied for any of these purposes must be approved by the voters in a special election called for the purpose, or the support must come from non-tax funds. The Duplin County Library was an out-growth of the Kenansville Library. The library is governed by a board of trustees. This board is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners on a staggered term basis. The county assists in defraying the costs of current operation with non-tax revenues. State and Federal funds are available for the library on a limited basis. A bookmobile distributes books throughout the county. The library contains 27,979 volumes. The annual circulation in the county for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, was 21,399 volumes. One full-time assistant helps the county librarian. The bookmobile serves the libraries at Faison, Rose Hill, Wallace and Warsaw. It makes eleven community stops, and seven home stops. COUNTY JAIL The board of county commissioners of each county is required to build and maintain a county jail. The jail is generally used to hold persons awaiting trial, and to hold persons serving short sentences of less than thirty days. The sheriff is responsible for actual jail opera- tion. He must see that persons held in jail are well treated and receive adequate meals, and he is responsible for injuries done to prisoners by himself or by his deputies. The sheriff is also responsible for taking prisoners to court and transporting them to prison if convicted. Prisoners convicted of serious crimes are sent to Central Prison in Raleigh. Others are sent to various prison camps throughout the state. ELECTRICAL INSPECTION Electrical installations, properly installed, give reasonably safe and economical service. If improperly installed, however, they give poor service and are hazardous to life and property. Just how hazardous can be seen from the fact that misuse of electricity is one of the main causes of fire, and causes more dollar loss than any other type of fire hazard. The board of county commissioners appoints an electrical inspector to make inspections in the county. The inspector checks all electrical installations, to make certain that they have been made in conformity with state laws and with the requirements of the board of county com- 560 missioners governing wiring installations and materials. If an installa- tion is approved, the inspector issues a certificate of inspection, one copy of which goes to the electric power company which will supply electricity to the installation. If the installation is not approved, the in- spector gives the reason for the rejection. He may disconnect any appliance, or order the discontinuance of service to any electrical instal- lation found to be dangerous to life or property because the equipment is defective or because the installation has been defectively installed. Electric current is not provided until the defect is remedied and until the installation is safe. i No person may serve as electrical inspector unless he is familiar with approved methods of electrical construction. A prospective inspector must pass the qualifying examination held by the North Carolina In- surance Department and based on the National Electrical Code. An inspector visits each public school periodically, and checks all electrical wiring in the school to be certain it is safe. At the same time, he checks the school to be sure that there are no other fire hazards which might endanger the school and its pupils. All county buildings are inspected semi-annually. DUPLIN COUNTY EXTENSION CHAIRMEN (County Farm Agents) Years 1914-1917 D. J. Middleton 1-1-18 to 3-1922 F. N. McDowell 4-1-22 to 7-15-36 Larry L. McLendon 8-20-36 to 12-30-38 W. D. Reynolds 1-1-39 to 10-15-44 G. E. Jones 10-15-44 to 7-31-52 Lacy F. Weeks 8-1-52 to Vernon H. Reynolds Home Economics Agents in Duplin County—1917-1969 Years Years Miss Lucy Cobb 1944 Miss Hilda Clontz : 1919 Miss Helen Thomas 1944 Mary Virginia English 1923 Miss Ruth Eborn 1947 Miss Alta Ly Lawson 1928 Miss Carolyn Garrison 1951 Betty Grey Melvin 1933 Mrs. Pratt Covington McSwain 1952 Mrs. Pauline S. Johnson 1935 Mrs. Jamye Martin Layton 1953- Mrs. Mae (Hager) Spicer 1938 Miss Hattie Pearl Mallard 1956- Mrs. Lois G. Britt 1941 Miss Marie Dawson 1956 Mrs. Jean G. Huie 1941 Miss Norma Lee Tyndall 1962 Miss Beth Slocum (First Assistant) 1964- Miss Joan Walters 1942 Miss Rachel L. Hurst CURRENT OFFICE PERSONNEL Marion C. Griffin Snodie B. Wilson Kathryn H. Rich Riddick E. Wilkins Selena E. Bryant Emily G. Malpass Robert Wayne Swain 561 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION A prosperous nation depends on an adequate supply of food. An adequate supply of food depends in large part on a productive farm population. And in turn a productive farm population needs up-to-date knowledge both of crops and of nature’s hazards—insects, drought floods, storms, and the like. Agricultural extension work, as farm and home demonstration is now called, has in North Carolina been a joint undertaking of the United States Department of Agriculture, representing the Federal government, and North Carolina State University, representing the state government. In turn, agricultural extension work at the county level is a joint under- taking of North Carolina State University, working through the Agri- cultural Extension Service at the university, and the board of county commissioners. 9 Agricultural extension work today is composed of four main pro- grams. The major activity is the income production program under which the agricultural agents work directly with farmers in the im- provement of agricultural practices. The home demonstration program, carried on by the home economics agents, involves the teaching of sound home economics theories and practices to women. The 4-H Club work is carried on by both agricultural and home economics agents, and includes the instruction of youth in agriculture, home economics, and citizenship responsibilities. The community development program encourages individuals in rural communities to cooperate in community betterment activities. These activities are carried on in Duplin by agricultural agents and assistant agricultural agents, home economics agents and assistant home economics agents, and clerical people. These people must be qualified by education, training, and experience for their work. They are ap- pointed jointly by the board of county commissioners and the Agri- cultural Extension Service at North Carolina State University. Their compensation, like their appointment, is also a joint matter between the board and the Service. These people work under the supervision of the Service, and in addition they are responsible to the board of county commissioners and must carry out their duties so as to deserve the continued support of the board. RURAL FIRE PROTECTION Fire protection in rural areas is a relatively new activity. The development of thickly settled areas outside of cities and towns, re- 562 placing sparsely populated farm land, has made some form of fire pro- tection in rural areas almost as necessary as it is inside cities and towns. The board of county commissioners makes a monthly payment to rural fire departments which meet requirements for equipment and training. Organized rural fire districts are being formed. Insured property in the district is entitled to a fire insurance rate reduction, because of the protection provided. In addition, the district participates in the pro- ceeds of the Firemen’s Relief Fund, and the firemen themselves are protected by workmen’s compensation insurance. In the districts formed, this provides protection not only for private property in the unincorporated areas of the county, but it anne protection as well for the county-owned property and the public schools situated in all parts of the county. . Duplin County cooperates with the North Carolina Department o Conservation and Development in a forest fire prevention program. The county and the department share expenses, with the county paying its portion to the state to help meet the salary and expenses of the county forester assigned to the county. The forester is primarily responsible for preventing and extinguishing forest fires and for enforcing all laws designed to protect forests from fire. CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTORS (Full time) Years 1962-1966 Ralph M. Cottle 1966-1970 Stephen M. Williamson 1970- Hiram Brinson CIVIL DEFENSE Civil defense is another new county activity which has developed since World War II. It has become necessary because of the possi- bilities of sudden enemy action, which in minutes could devastate large areas. It is responsible for preparing for and carrying out all emer- gency functions aimed at preventing, minimizing, and repairing injury and damage resulting from enemy attack, with the exception of those functions for which the military forces of the United States are pri- marily responsible. , Civil defense in North Carolina is headed by a State Director of of Civil Defense, appointed by the Governor. The State Director co- 563 ordinates the activities of all civil defense organizations in the state, and cooperates with civil defense agencies of the federal government and other states. The county and towns are authorized to establish a local organization for civil defense. The organization has a director, appointed by the governing body, who is responsible for the administration and operation of the organization. The county civil defense organization prepares plans for use in an emer- gency arising out of an enemy attack. The plans are based on the possi- bility that the enemy will use nuclear weapons, and they include procedures for air raid warnings, procedures for evacuation, procedures in case the area is contaminated by radio-active fallout, procedures in case the enemy attack prevents support to the county from other areas which have themselves been devastated, and rescue operations. Because the civil defense organization is prepared to carry out emer- gency functions to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage caused by enemy action, it is natural to call on the organization for similar activities in other emergencies. Civil defense is called on for help in hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and fires; and county civil de- fense organization is ready to assist in these emergencies as well as in the case of enemy attack. Since March, 1968, the County Civil Defense Director has also been Director of the County Ambulance Service. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS (Authorized by SL 1945, C. 688) Year 1946-1952 Joseph B. Wallace 1952-1953 Irvin E. Rivenbark 1953- Joseph B. Wallace VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE The veterans service office is part of a nationwide network of centers providing information to veterans. The veterans service program de- veloped following World War II to assist veterans, their families, and their dependents in processing, presenting, and establishing claims and obtaining benefits to which they are entitled under federal, state, and local laws. More specifically, the veterans service program provides information on benefits to disabled veterans, including compensation, pensions, vo- cational rehabilitation, hospitalization, death pensions for survivors, and other benefits. It supplies information on educational benefits, including 564 college education, technical training, and apprenticeship training. It advises veterans on their preference in obtaining jobs in government, particularly in connection with civil service and merit system examina- tions. It advises veterans on procedures for obtaining loans for buying or building homes and businesses. And it answers questions about government insurance, delinquent tax liability arising before or during periods of military service, re-employment rights, unemployment com- pensation, rights to government hospitalization, educational benefits for children, and other benefits under state and federal laws and regulations. The North Carolina Veterans Commission provides the county veter- ans service officer with up-to-date information on claims and benefits. The state also participates in the cost of the county veterans service office, providing up to $1,000 to help finance the county program. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL STORES Faison, Kenansville, Wallace, and Warsaw have alcoholic beverage control stores. These stores were approved by elections in each of these towns. They are operated by Town A.B.C. Boards. Thirty-five per cent of the profits are paid into the General Fund of the county, plus an additional ten per cent, which is set up for agricultural drainage. Fifty-five per cent of the profits accrue to the towns. ELECTIONS In North Carolina, all citizens may register and vote if they meet the following qualifications: (1) They must be 21 years of age. (2) They must have resided in North Carolina for one year and in their precinct for 30 days. (3) They must be able to read and write. (4) They must be neither a lunatic nor an idiot. (5) They must never have been convicted of a felony, or if con- victed, they must have been restored to citizenship following their conviction. Every qualified voter is eligible to hold office, except for (1) those who do not believe in God, and (2) those who have been convicted of a felony or of corruption or malpractice in office, unless they have been restored to citizenship following their conviction. The election machinery in North Carolina is under the general super- vision of the State Board of Elections. The board is composed of five members, appointed by the Governor for four-year terms. The law provides that no more than three members may be of the same political 565 niente t.4e oo. party, so traditionally the board is composed of three members of the majority Democratic Party and two members of the minority Republican Party. The State Board of Elections prepares rules and regulations for the conduct of elections, tabulates election returns, and declares the results in all national, state, and district elections involving more than one county. In February of even-numbered years, the State Board of Elections appoints a county board of elections in each county to serve for two years. The county board is composed of three members and, like the state board, must have minority party representation; so county boards are regularly composed of two Democrats and one Republican. The state chairman of each political party may recommend three persons in each county for appointment, and the State Board of Elections must appoint the county board from the names thus recommended. The county board of elections divides the county into election pre- cincts. These precincts are so arranged that they are geographically convenient to all voters in the county. Moreover, precincts are usually kept small enough so that persons in the precinct can vote expeditiously on days of election. The county board of elections appoints a registrar and two judges of elections in each precinct. For primary elections involving only one party, the registrar and judges will be members of the political party holding the primary, but for general elections and primary elections involving more than one party, the county board of elections may not appoint more than one judge from the same political party as that of the registrar. Traditionally, the registrar is a Democrat, and for general elections and two-party primaries, there is one Democratic judge and one Republican judge. The registrar with the two judges conducts the elections, counts the votes, and certifies the results to the county board of elections. The county board of elections, in turn, canvasses the vote in the county and certifies the results to the State Board of Elections. All election officials, regardless of party, are required to conduct all elections in a fair and impartial manner. Persons wishing to run for state or district offices must file with the State Board of Elections, and persons wishing to run for county or township offices must file with the county board of elections. They must be qualified to vote, registered in the precinct where they live, and registered as a member of the political party whose nomination they seek; and they must pay a flat filing fee plus 1% of the annual salary of the office sought in some instances. When more persons of one political party file for a particular office than can be elected to that office, they must compete in a primary election to determine who will 566 be nominated by the party. Primaries for state, district, county and township offices are held on the first Saturday in May of even-numbered years. If a candidate fails to receive a majority in the first primary, a second primary may be called by the runner-up and held on the fourth Saturday after the first primary. Democratic and Republican nominees for national, state, district, county, and township offices compete in the general election held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS In order to vote, a person must register prior to election day. Regis- tration provides a means whereby a person’s qualifications to vote can be determined in advance of the rush of election day, with the result that on election day a person who is registered is presumed to be eligible to vote. Any registered voter may be challenged and his name removed from the registration book if he is not qualified to vote. Duplin County has installed a new permanent, loose-leaf registration system, to make voting procedures quicker and hence more convenient, as well as to eliminate the inconvenience to the voters of periodic re-registrations. With this system, a person may register at any time up to three weeks before an election, and once registered he is eligible to vote in all succeeding elections until he moves out of his precinct. He may, however, vote only in the primaries of the political party with which he is affiliated, though he may change party affiliation up until three weeks before the primary. A voter shall register at the county board of elections office. Following the registration of a voter, a permanent registration card is filled out. Prior to elections, the registration cards of all voters are arranged in registration books in alphabetical order, making the deter- mination of registration a quick and easy matter on election day. All registration cards are usually checked periodically against death certifi- cates and other sources of information, and the cards of deceased per- sons, persons who have moved out of the county, and persons who have not voted in recent years are removed from the registration books. WHO MAY VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT? Primary Elections: Only members of the Armed Forces and their spouses who make proper application for a ballot. 567 General Elections: All qualified absent persons who make proper application to their respective County Board of Elections. Special County-wide Bond Elections: All qualified absent persons who make proper application to their respective County Board of Elections. (Voters Handbook—Brock.) CURRENT MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS Claude L. Hepler, Chairman O. E. Bradshaw, Secretary Sam J. Waller Mrs. Carley A. Gibson, Executive Secretary. REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR 18 YEAR OLDS Registration of 18, 19, and 20 year olds who meet other requirements for voting commenced today (Monday), according to the Duplin County Board of Elections. The election office in Kenansville will be working under a directive from the State Board of Elections, which outlines strict procedures for the registration. The procedures are as follows: The United States Supreme Court has ruled that all states must allow persons 18-20 years of age, who are otherwise qualified, to register and vote in National elections only. This means that North Carolina will commence registration of those persons 18-20 years of age who are otherwise qualified under our state require- ments to register. All other prerequisites must still be met—the only change is the minimum age. The first election in which the 18-20 year olds will be eligible to vote will be the 1972 election for President, Vice President, U. S. Senate, and Congress only. (The Warsaw-Faison News—Jan. 7, 1971.) CONCLUSION County government in Duplin County is ever-changing. In the last few years the county has been called upon to provide an increasing number of services, with new departments and offices created to perform them. At the same time, the traditional county departments have been called upon to expand their services with new employees added to per- form them. In 1931 a county responsibility was transferred to the state, when the State Highway Commission was made responsible for constructing and maintaining all county roads. 568 County government is a flexible unit of government. It has been ready and is always ready to assume new burdens, when citizens and taxpayers demand additional services. And it is ready to relinquish activities when citizens and taxpayers conclude that these services can be better financed and operated by some other level of government. Within the past few years voters of the County have approved levying special taxes for Industrial Development, and for Watersheds; and also, approved the additional one cent Local Option Sales Tax. These were approved because of the existing needs, and are examples of the flexi- bility of county government when citizens and tax payers want additional services. THE TORCH OF CHALLENGE “Progress or perish seems to be a principle of life. The thesis of Arnold Toynbee’s monumental Study of History is that every civilization of history has been the result of man’s response to a challenge. —Bitt G. WEst History records that our forefathers met the challenge. May We con- tinue to be inspired to take the Torch of Challenge and hold it high! nl AD i tae Nola r JOYNER HA 310372 0001 0887 2 F262.D77 M3 Flashes of Duplin’s histor REN DATE DUE REMINDER Please do not remove this date due slip.