/ . . nes 1) OPE Per eT+ ave Reeey PSISIATS ES ves ee ee ae eee 8 ere eo rete neti at : “wee =# a Pp: «ewe te tog 0's OOM me. HISTORY EDGECOMBE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA BY J. Ketty TurNER and Jno. L. BripceErs, Jr. RALEIGH Epwarps & BROUGHTON PRINTING Co, 1920 TO THE MAKERS OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY HISTORY Copyrricrt 1920 —PAST AND PRESENT— J. KELLY TURNER WHETHER UPON THE FIELD OF BATTLE; IN THE HALLS OF STATE; OR THE HUMBLE HOME; THIS VOLUME IS AFFCTIONATELY INSCRIBED. CONTENTS Cuapter I ORIGIN AND SETTLEMENT Immigrants from Virginia—Early Indian troubles—Town Creek settled 1720—Tar River expedition 1722—Economic con- ditions of settlers—Precinct established—Political controversy 1733-1742—Period of immigration—Commercial expansion— Halifax town 1744—Erection of new counties—Tarboro incor- porated—Account of Spanish War and incidents. Cuapter II CoLONIAL GOVERNMENT English policy—Precinct courts—Oyer and Terminer courts— Courts of Justice—Superior Court in Enfield—Political rep- resentation contested—Function of local courts—Quit rent con- troversy—Taxation—Riot and rebellion—Corbin seized—Mar- tin visits Tarboro—Political significance—War of Regulation —Tyron’s appéal ‘to the people—County representation. Cuapter IIT REVOLUTION Pre-Revolutionary controversies—War preparations—Leaders and response to the cause—Troops in the revolution—Members in the Provincial Congress—Military organizations—Tempo- rary government—War incidents in Tarboro—Tory uprisings —Martin plans negro insurrection—Economic conditions— Power of imprisonment suspended—Deserters in Edgecombe —Battles of Swift and Fishing Creeks—Wilmington aided— Close of hostilities. Cuaptrer LV Po.irics AFTER THE REVOLUTION General Washington’s visit—Rise of parties—Edgecombe and Federal convention—Delegates to the Continental Congress— County courts organized—County government—Inferior courts and Quarter Sessions—Convention of 1835—Organization of parties—Henry Clay’s visit 1845—Political effect—Political leaders—Whig agitation—Democratic controversy—War with Mexico—Hdgecombe volunteers—Military leaders—Coalition of parties—Southern Rights movement—Campaign of 1860. CxapTER V Indian slaves—Indentured servants—Negro slavery—Economic importance—Inducement for importation—Law concerning slavery—Local regulations—Law affecting servants—Patrol system and its purpose—Hiring days—Method of punishment State vs. Will—Value of slaves—Social life—Religious life— Cause of religious indifference—Slavery and politics. Cuapter VI Wak BETWEEN THE STATES Political convention of 1861—Awakening of public sentiment— Leaders of secession movement—Response to the call for troops —Edgecombe Guards at Bethel—Military muster—Military leaders—Edgecombe in earnest—Internal conditions—Federal troops in Tarboro—Battle Daniel School house—Destruction of Tarboro threatened—Contributions to the Confederacy—Con- ditions in 1865. Cuarter VII and VIII RECONSTRUCTION Economic conditions—Federal regime—Activities of republican party—Frauds in county government—Political organizations —Negro activities—Outrages committed—Retaliation—County government resumed—Suspension of Quarter Session of Court and Pleas—Political controversies—Free negro problem—Mu- nicipal politics—Democratic victory—Resumption of law and order—Leaders in reconstruction. Cuapter IX Po.itics Since 1880 Democratic control over court system—Republican struggle in politics—Political campaigns—Rise of populist party—Political leaders—Fusion of parties—Party controversies—Campaigns of 1892 to 1898—-Edgecombe in the war with Spain—Campaigns of 1900—Political significance—Economic conditions. CuapTer X AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIES AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT Agriculture—Early methods of farming—Tobacco culture— Introduction of marling and composting—Cattle raising— Method of Stock farming—Manufacturing—Erection of banks —Commercial activities—Early road improvement—Plank roads—Stages—Water navigation—Railroads—Modern meth- ods of industries. s Cuarrer XI EDUCATION Early education—Period of opposition—Clergymen schoolmas- ters—HEffects of the revolution—Rise of academies—Leaders in educational movement—State aid for free schools—Free educa- tion for paupers—County appropriations—Free school contro- versy—Movement for common schools—Consolidation of school districts—Educational promoters—Modern education—System of conducting schools. Cuaptrrer XII Baptists Origin and controversies to 1782—Expansion after the revolu- tion—Dissensions over church organization—Rise of the Mis- sion Baptist—Character and services of Joshua Lawrence— Dissensions over church organization concluded—Rise of negro churches. Cuapter XIII EPISCOPAL English church and early governors—Edgecombe parish erected—Early controversies—Religious conditions—Church government—Edgecombe parish divided and political contro- versy—Glebe lands and effect on the activities of the early clergymen—St. Mary’s parish divided—Period of decay—At- tempts at religious revival—Conventions 1790 to 1794 and 1819 —Calvary church 1833—Period of expansion—Present condi- tions. Cuaprer XIV PRESBYTERIANS AND SONS OF TEMPERANCE Early conditions—Itinerant ministers during the colonial period—Activities of lay members—First church organized— Home missionary plans—Sunday school activities—Leaders in church work—Layman’s movement—Controversy with Bap- tists—Period of expansion—New church in Tarboro. Cuaprer XV METHODISTS An account of the early Methodists and their religious convic- tions—Joseph Pilmoor’s services—Methodist controversies— Activities of James O’Kelly—Results of Whitefield’s teachings —Division of Carolina Circuit—Account of Asbury’s visits— Revivals during the colonial period—Pastorate of Dr. Doub— Period of expansion—Camp-meetings—Negro missions—Sketch of Associate Reform Methodists—Account of Ellis meeting- house, McKendree church, Swift Creek Mission, Temperance Hall, and other churches—Conditions to 1900. 387 INTRODUCTION This work was begun several years ago, while Mr. Turner was a student at Trinity College. It has been completed with the co- operation of Mr. Bridgers, after interruption due to the World War. Certain features of their labors deserve mention. The careers of individuals and the description of notable events are subordinated to the treatment of movements, industrial, eco- nomic and political. The dominating theme is the environment and activity of the average man as involved in organs of govern- ment, labor systems,. religion, education, economic life, and political affairs. For information and data the authors have util- ized a wide range of material, manuscript records, laws, news- papers, biographies, histories and unwritten traditions. The work is, I believe, a wider and more varied presentation of the life of the people than is conceived in our county and local histories. A varied feature of the work is its information regarding that vital but neglected period of local history, the years between the Revolution and the Civil War. There came to maturity institu- tions and forces which originated in early days. How often are these years of development glossed over in our local histories for the benefit of the tumult and the shouting of martial times! For these reasons I feel that the authors deserve recognition and commendation for a meritorious as well as a patriotic work. W. K. Boyp. Trinity College. Dec. 12th, 1919. PREFACE This volume was undertaken by reason of a deep appreciation for the county of Edgecombe and her worthy history. We never realized the force of Job’s utterance, “Oh that mine enemy would write a book,” until well into the work. Locating and interpret- ing ancient and musty records, running down hazy traditions, whose origin is well nigh lost to memory and attempting to verify them, has been no easy task. How often have we wished that we had left the search to that uncertain somebody else. However, out of loyalty to our native county, we have not hesitated or turned back. The people of Edgecombe are intelligent, law abiding, indus- trious, resourceful, and progressive; but they are marked by one bar sinister, a most serious fault, that they have not properly appreciated their county, themselves, and the efforts of individual leaders. But they will grow, develop, and broaden with the process of time, and in so doing will stand foremost in all that makes and marks a most notable and worthy people. We have labored faithfully to record Edgecombe’s past. Doubt- less we have made mistakes and errors; but we say to those who would eriticize, “Do not tell us of our errors and mistakes, but report them to the next one who will be so bold as to undertake to write a history of Edgecombe. Pictures of many men, which deserve to be inserted, are not, because after earnest and diligent effort copies could not be pro- cured. This history is put forth, trusting that it may be received in the spirit that impelled us to write it. Grateful acknowledgments are hereby made for the assistance given by Dr. L. R. Wilson, Chapel Hill; J. P. Breedlove, Libra- rian of Trinity College, Durham, N. C.; A. T. Walston, R. H. Gatlin, Frank Powell, Miss Sarah Norfleet, Rev. B. E. Brown, Mrs. T. W. Thrash, late J. B. Bradley, H. S. Bunn, Tarboro, N. C., and R. D. W. Connor, Raleigh, N. C. Especially indebted are we to Dr. W. K. Boyd, Department of History, Trinity Col- lege, of Durham, N. ©., for helpful criticisms and inspiration while writing these pages. J. Kerry Turner, December 12, 1919. Joun L. Bringrrs, Jr. B c oO o et j aa * a Ly BLATIE al thf 3 AV Sear of the ty, ZR on) y Indian War tr 712 mm MAP SHOWING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF EDGECOMBE 7“. CAROLINA! 4 PASBCINCTS 1663 - 1729 PRECINCT CHAPTER I* OrIGIN AND SETTLEMENT Many years before the appearance of civilized man in the new world, even ere the daring eye of the brave mariner wandered across the waters of the Atlantic, the forests of the Albemarle section in North Carolina were traversed by roving savages. Whence the aborigines came has never been discovered, and their origin will in all probability remain an enigma as long as time shall last. On the upper waters of Tar River dwelt the Tusca- roras and the Cotechneys, the most numerous and warlike of the North Oarolina Indians, who roamed the forests and fished the streams at will. Torhunte, an Indian town, situated on the River Tar, was occupied by these tribes_until the year 1712. This village and Tosneoc,! about twelve miles from _ the present town of Tarboro, were the gathering places for the Tuscarora tribe. Here they assembled to plan their wars, and reassembled again after the conflict to divide their spoils and captives. Tt was late in the fall of 1656 that a small scouting party left the northern confines of Virginia and settled in the northeastern part of the Albemarle section. The settlements, which were then continuous until the beginning of the eighteenth century, was arrested by a sudden outbreak of Indians. However, tem- porary peace about 1710 plac w desires among the settlers to —@pen_ up new locations and netrate deeper into this unex- plored region. At this time the early expansion from Albemarle began. The Tuscaroras on the west, although still a strong and brave tribe, were not infriendly in their disposition. — Their hunt- ing grounds that lay on the Neuse, Roanoke, and Tar Rivers had not been encroached upon, and_ they gave_ every indication _of enjoying a free trade with the whites, who supplied them with the commodities they most desired. The migration was slow. A few young men, more energetic and with a more restless disposition than their neighbors, deter- mined to seek new lands in a more fertile country. There were probably only fifteen or twenty men who came from Nansemond *Do not read this book unless you have read the preface. 1'Tosneoc was also a principal Indian village and gets its name from the Tar- paco River, which later became Tar River. 14 History or Epexcomsr County by way of the wilderness to the frontie with no provision or equipment, exce nition, to supply their needs. querors, nor as outcasts. In the latter part of the e Virginia; the freeman enjoy representative government. r of the Albemarle section, pt a rifle and a bag of ammu- These men did not come as con- ighteenth century peace reigned in ed more or less religious liberty, and No oppression from religious creeds or political dogmas that hampered the settlers in later periods induced the party to leave their peaceful homes. daring, hardened, and sturd of adventure, and defied the Among the ear The men were y Virginians, nourished in the love dangers lurking in a primeval forest. ly settlers were men who bore the names of Battle and Jarvis, who came in peace, and purchased lands from the Indian King and became staunch friends of the natives. This small band soon discovered, however, that their early purchases did not carry them beyond the limits of Virginia, and the rents im- posed by the Virginia colony pushed them further westward, across the Roanoke. Men of freedom-loving natures and with desires for a freer life than the civilization of Virginia offered, they pene- trated deeper in the wilderness to avoid the tithes levied by the Virginia government. The Governor of Virginia resented the situation of the settlers in Albemarle, and while the movement was in progress, sent in- structions to make the rents more onerous upon the settlers who had purchased lands and received deeds from the Indians. The Governor accordingly required all who had secured lands to take out patents fr patents wer om him and pay the customary tribute. Many e issued, but the more restless e ward to the Roanoke and Tar. lement moved on west- By 1720 the shores of the Chowan were well occupied, while the-Pamlico was_inhabitedforty. miles above Bath Town, almost touching the bounds of what is now Edgecombe County In the meantime the dissensions in the colony of the century involved the Indians, w or the other of the politic the Indians to believe that in the meantime, was a per rapid growth of the w of the Pamlico and at the opening ho took part with one side al contestants. Shrewd politicians led the new Governor, Hyde, who arrived son to be distrusted by them, while the hites in the south along the water courses Neuse created fear among them lest they 15 Origin AND SETTLEMENT k ; i Pr sir old hunting should be forced back and finally driven from ~ fe) 2 cal ps ; i rove pe Not 1n Vain. e tears , the Indians proved to grounds. The fears held by t a i! Indi s of ignoble rer ans by the schemes of ig The influence exerted over the Indians by eesti tte vat mr men brought destruction upon the heads of a . cn vada ; } stroving E § dered throughout the land at their leisure, ee °9 ees ‘ ; =] “Tey 7es sonfini » inhabitants themse the temporary settlers, confining the ce epthagonay ett their forts Industry of every kind was checke : te i seas savages ; checking the settlements tion and terror of the savages, thus ¢ : g i 5 aE 2combe. region that afterwards became Edgecor vas prob- Another cause that retarded permanent ERO V a o = c i. ror : ee 21r e was one ably the method of living by the people. cae ife Neda be sat | ive f > the reports sati ( re full credence to wie dik: cae led that the men avoided by the e arly explorers, it must be concluded that the : e 2 ; + 7 7 2, a aws \ i i ‘ inconveniences. Lé inv ysical labor and every task involving phys : superna iae: aborious and made imy rere very laborious provi Says some of the men we . apes Asse in their way, but that this character could not be apy — | id : j sasure away fro , eral. The indication of enjoyment and pleasure a va caren ett | omini ave ; o incentive settled lands of the Old Dominion gave them no ype pti 1 2 ce i sre was no section in the , i ivi Possibly there was physical activity. ; ee tnga™ erp an where a subsistence suitable to the majority of the saree Ps . i i rtile ¢ ry which ¢ - be so easily procured than in this fertile yee “peligrnt ani Sai EK rincipal e yymen as the wards became Edgecombe. The principal 4g = sank yak t Shas i ri rgzes and cattle. 1e f of hunting, fishing, rearing horses ¢ ee covered with nutritious grasses were the home gue 3 no eve yr encourages any : ric vas not developed « cattle. Agriculture was 1 eS Se : he living conditions o ss form. Indeed, the living rT es Same plane with that of the savage—both being r a A oi alee > industrious sex, eat meat without bread. Women were the more ms abate 7 ; ee i : suppliec making all the cloth and keeping the householc pI articles of wear. : 1 the dislike ; i i 7 s an¢ » dis ; The tre il ease of the fast increasing whites ¢ ou nae lo in the breast of the savage for their civilization engendered a hate in the ee spense of massé a that found satisfaction only at the —— i ee murder. The untrammeled plains and forests aad : rns yar rou ; , of the red man in times of peace and war. nfomg Sethi morial he had roamed the hills unconscious 0 tt : ng whee “3 3 .< Pla we > the pale faces across the seas. An Indian uprising a vibe defe i sent women ¢ i 33 Ss rs; innocent against the defenseless settlers; unis you uirsty savag icti i ahawk of the blooc ) fell vietims to the slashing tomaha 16 History or Epercomsr Country Many people fled, leaving their rude huts to be consumed by the flames, and returned to Virginia, whence they came. A fort of protection was hurriedly built at Reading’s plantation-on Tar River about 1720. The remaining whites gathered here to repel the attack and to protect their lives. The Tuscaroras and the the fort at an untimely Cotechney Indians combined to storm ians had been considerably weak- hour. In the meantime the Ind ened because of a lack of provisions. The onslaught was made, however, but was successfully repulsed by the defenders of the fort. The leaders of the colonists, assisted by John Moore, who remained at Fort Reading for a month with his army, negotiated with Tom Blount, the Indian chief of the Tusearoras, for peace. Before the truce had expired for the negotiation, and before the Indians could recuperate from their long period of hunger, Colonel Moore was aided by a new army. The struggle against the whites then became futile, and the majority of the Tusca- roras departed from this section to New York, after Torhunte had been destroyed by Colonel John Barnwell in 1712. King Blount and his people were given a reservation between Tar and Neuse Rivers, They remained here until the second migration of whites to Edgecombe in 1732, and then were removed to Roanoke River at the request of the Indians themselves. The Indian war, although destructive and depressing, resulted in great benefit for the future welfare of the settlers. The weak- lings were frightened by the warfare of the Indians and returned to Virginia. This made way for the migration of the better type of industrious settle upon the Tar, Ro When the Lords Proprietors outlined their policy for the colony of Carolina, they established four counties, Albemarle, Bath, Clarendon, and one in the south. Albemarle, the vast territory between Weldon and Ourrituck, was later divided into six pre- cints. Chowan,1 one of the largest, contained all the territory south of the Virginia line and north of Albemarle Sound, extend- ing westward to the extreme limits of the colony. peas Gar 1 Colonial Recor¢ rs from Virginia, who sought the fertile lands anoke, and Neuse Rivers, and their tributaries. a is, Vol. ITI, pp. XIII, says: Albemarle was divided into six pre cincts, Chowan, Perquimans, Currituck, Pasquotank, Bertie, and Edgecombe. This is probably an error in copying from the original laws. Edgecombe could not have been an original precinct, since in 1732 a request was made to erect Edgecombe Precinct, ) iT 17 OricIn AND SETTLEMENT By 1722 settlements in this vast territory west of the Chowan had ‘extended so far that it was necessary for a new precinct to be established. This new precinct was called Bertie, and con- tained all the territory west of the Chowan River. A few years after the Indian troubles a new group of ens were led ‘across the borders of Virginia into the more western parts of the newly erected precinct. This second tide of immigration was mostly of the highest type of manhood of Virginia. The law of primogeniture, then bend forced in that colony, gave to the oldest son the sole eames right and compelled the younger males of the family to cast thei lot away from home or become clergymen. Many of ered hag men were of a roving disposition and were imbued with - ac venturous spirit. The church did not appeal to eg . a = fession, and they cast their lot on the more epee Boe: “ Although the majority of the early settlers were of t of , bad there were also many of the servant class, who same after having Served the time of their indenture. They were anxious to i farms of their own and live an independent life apart from — former masters. Many others came also who had no other desire than to get out of the borders of the Old Dominion. Just as the first permanent settlement in the colony began at the mouths of the rivers, the interior settlement of this section began at the mouths of the creeks, expanding as the era ag Indians were driven toward the frontier. The =m of wre Creek marked the beginning of the settlement in 1720. ite ae later the present vicinity of Tarboro was settled by a sma Sati of young Virginians. Here the land was heap icp =a A fertile in the low grounds of Fishing and Swift Creeks xa ig River. Rippling brooks made frequent water esr pe sin an excellent pasturage for the settlers’ sattle. M e settlers” countered many hardships in establishing homes in this i The Indians, although conquered and weakened by ag wats Were not satisfied with the daily encroachment upon their ern They were, however, gradually driven southward towar< 4 colony of Bath across from Contentnea, as the settlement ae gressed. Here they erected forts after their crude ee oer lived in safety until besieged and annihilated by the rapidly in creasing colonists. 2 18 History or Epgecompen Country The western part of Bertie Precinct increased rapidly in pop- ulation, making progress both in civilization and importance. By 1728 there were twenty families on Tar River alone. Among the freeholders here in 1723 were James Thigpen, Thomas Elliott, Paul Palmer, James Anderson, Francis Branch, Samuel Spruill, James Long, Thomas Hawkins, William Burgis, William Arren- ton. Some of these families still have representatives among the county’s citizens, while the counties of Halifax and Nash, when cut off, carried some of these settlers, and their descendants also live in those counties. Paul Palmer was one of the strongest Baptist preachers of his time and created a strong religious senti- ment among the colonists. Settlers were also locating on both sides of the river. Primi- tive methods for building were adopted, while the forests yielded an abundant supply of tar, pitch, turpentine, staves, and raw products for export. The influx of whites became still greater as the Virginia lands lost their fertility through continuous cultiva- tion of tobacco. The slow running rivers and creeks in the precinct attracted many eager seekers for rich soil. Crude houses were also built of logs to furnish shelter until permanent settlement could be made. The logs were notched and were probably put together in the same fashion as many remote country homes were in the nineteenth century. Between the logs, split poles chinked with mud were securely fashioned. The chim- neys for the most part were wood, the foundation and body being built up to the funnel with split sticks daubed inside and out with sticky clay to protect from excessive heat. The inside of the fireplace was covered with mud in the same manner, and measured from five to six feet in length and two feet in depth. Lumber was sawed by hand before the erection of saw mills.1 In 1730 the first mills made their appearance and gave the settlers more con- venience in home building. The houses were usually covered with cypress boards, three feet long by one broad. These were attached to the rafters by the use of pegs, while the doors were supported by wooden hinges. Wooden locks were also employed to secure the door and protect against night prowlers. The houses were hardly ever larger than 25x 15 feet, one room sufficing for a sleeping and cooking apart- ment for the entire family. “aw mille were driven by water power, and finally horses were employed. LORD EDGECOMBE OrieiIn AND SETTLEMENT 19 The constant increase in population was not without political bearing. A demand was created for representation in the law- making body of the province. Consequently when the Assembly met in Edenton, May 6, 1732, as called by Governor Burrington, the people residing on Tar River and the south side of the Roanoke River presented a petition to the Governor and his Council requesting that a new precinct be erected, giving them the same privileges that the other precincts enjoyed. The Gov- ernor and Council acted favorably toward the petition, and or- dered the precinct of Bertie and the district on the south side of Roanoke River to appoint commissioners to measure the bounds which were to make a new precinct called Edgecombe. The newly erected precinct was named in honor of Richard First, Baron of Edgecombe, of the manorial House of England. He was born in 1680 and died in 1758. He received his education at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became very prominent in Eng- lish polities. For several years he was a follower of Sir Robert Walpole, and attended to his interests. He was elevated to a peer- age in. 1742, one year after Edgecombe Precinct was confirmed. He was also Lord of the Treasury. The boundary extended from the south side of Roanoke to the north of Canocanora Creek to Blount’s Old Town on Tar River, including the territory of the present County of Martin and the upper part of Pitt. The dividing line extended between Neuse and Tar Rivers, embracing all the area to the northeast branch of the Cape Fear River, touching the present vicinity of Mt. Olive in Wayne County. In October of the same year the inhabitants on the south side of Maratock River, which was not annexed to Edgecombe Pre- cinet from Bertie by the Governor and Council, presented a peti- tion that they also might be added to Edgecombe. The territory from Hawkins Line at Rainbow Banks! to Blount’s Old Town on Tar River and the land direct up Roanoke River to the boun- dary line of Edgecombe Precinct, accordingly was added to Edge- combe. By the annexation of this additional territory, the bounds of the precinct were greatly extended. The entire territory lying between Roanoke and Neuse River west of Tarboro vicinity and northeast of the Cape Fear River became a part of Edgecombe. *In the vicinity of Hamilton, Halifax County. 20 History or Epcrecomsr County Virginia marked the boundary line on th the Roanoke crosses the border of North tending westward without limits. tending from the present vill again, touching Merry O This scope of vast territory, contained more than sey Burrington was aware wrote the age other precincts, The Assembly met early in the spring of 1733 at Edenton which time the erection of Edgecombe w Council. At the same session Gov Captain John Spier and O citizens, as Justices of the ment. The confirmation by the Council of Governor tion, declaring Edgecombe ough Martin, a distance of about , Edgecombe was bounded by 1e line between Edgecombe ex- age of Robersonville to Walston- burg and thence to the northeast C The western boundary followed th in Johnston County, taking in the site Clayton. At Clayton the boundary ape Fear, touching Mt. Olive. e Neuse River through Selma of the present town of extended to the Cape Fear aks, then followed Haw River, includ- ing the present counties of Orange and Caswell, a dist about one hundred and fifty miles. ance of covering so many square miles, enteen of our modern counties. Governor of this immense stretch of land when he nts in London that the precinct of Edgecombe was a large territory, and he hoped to see it soon divided into several , at as confirmed by the ernor Burrington appointed aptain William Whitehead, two worthy Peace for the precinct. These two men were among the earliest settlers, and were with trustworthy and honorable positions in the county afterwards honored govern- Burrington’s ac- § a precinct, aroused the animosity of prominent officials in the colony. Nathan Rice and John Ashe and began a hostile movement especially questioned the action, against the Governor. Mr. Rice we as a Commissioner from Eng- land, and, like Mr. Ashe, was also a high official in the Governor’s Council when the roy two men had other politic: his policies. Many controversies h Burrington previous to this time al government was first established. These al grievances against the Governor and ad been waged by them against The objections to the new e north, beginning where Carolina colony and ex- The boundary on the east of tdgecombe Precinct followed the Roanoke southward thr the present counties of Halifax and eighty-five miles. On the south Beaufort and Craven Counties, t] ) Origin AND SETTLEMENT precinct of Edgecombe were to the effect that og rie a = lowed the procedure of a former administration wage ions: fri precincts to aid him in future elections.1 These charges, greatly exaggerated, contained an element of truth. se Personal differences and _ political eT CN alge OT! embittered when Burrington cast Mr. Ashe into prison for a eae offense. While this matter was in progress, agp cate me temper drew him into personal antagonism with C see Sgeme Little and other officials. Numerous letters, claiming swe tion of Edgecombe unconstitutional, and that a ener ayaa equal representation of the people, were addressed to the by Ashe and Rice. serps Me SE During the latter part of April, 1733, these a = = wrote their reasons for the objection to he action of the re ee and Council. They claimed that the cong ole nena s _ destructive to the existing constitution of the wach be ae powers were “separate and distinct,” for the ate 0 Rag pin by the Upper House, thereby adding more ware cna ad lb “td House, would cause said Lower House to be a ” Piatt i se Upper House and subject to its dictation. They also i g eae the erection of the precinct was illegal in that it was done wi royal instruction and royal license. oy ae Governor Burrington met these objections by eying yeni “ people on the south side of Roanoke and Tar Riv ~" aga ° be erected in a precinct called Edgecombe. He claimes rat was not a new practice for the Governor and aarti si precincts, and that the people living in the nai Sg ec tory were enjoying personal liberty and property righ 5 Be tn It is very probable that malice and the desire - 77 a aed sause for the support of the privileges of the Lower oq we . Ashe and Rice to create the sentiment in opposition. No protest against the erection of precincts had ever been made prior Me ~ time. Bertie had been formed in 1722 from Chowan, and other precincts in Albemarle had also been made counties with local gov- ernment by the Governor and his Council. This fact gives con- clusive evidence that other reasons, in addition to those of patriot- 4 New H i several 1 New Hanover had been erected a precinct by the former pecs oh In se : “the fir . ivisi ve the part of the Governo i i ati hese divisions was on 8 ‘ cases the first action in relation to t ecg and Council, whose proceedings were afterwards approved and confirmed by Leg ' i g 5 rmed. lature. Onslow was laid off in 1733 and later confi 22 History or Epercomsr County ism, actuated these two men in their contention. very strange that the Governor was in Constitution by a method which which had not given the Upper House undue power. At the fall meeting of the Assembly Governor Burrington re- fused to sit in conference when the matter was d troversy being so acute, at length after the Gove that the precinct should be “ascertained” biennial election the precinct could retu the Assembly. The bound were fixed by Governor Burrington in 1732. In the meantime, in 1732, Governor Burrington appointed Colonel Henry Gaston, Major James Milliken, Dr. James Thomp- son, Captain John Pratt, John Alston, Dr. John Bryant, John Hardy, James Spier, Francis Elleby, William K and Edward Young as Justices of the Peace, w hold a precinct court on the third Tuesday in the months of August, November, February, and May of every year. This was the first court ordered to be held in the precinct, and indicated the fixed intentions of the Governor. Several of these justices had been members of Legislature and the court from Bertie Precinct, but were inhabitants of Edgecombe before and after the division in 1732. When the additional land was annexed to Edgecombe in October of the same year, one more Justice, Captain William Whitehead, was appointed by the Governor. ane, John Pope, ith instructions to The appointment of justices and the confirmation of the of Governor Burrington by the Upper House, however, w sufficient to give Edgecombe the privileges of the other In consequence of much conflict existing be and the officials, the matter was del action as not precincts. tween the Governor ayed until 1734. The bill was then introduced again in the Assembly. It w as confirmed in the Upper House. The citizens, in order to encourage the passage of the bill, sent an earnest appeal to the Assembly, cessful in influencing the Legislature to v ing the Governor’s action. and were suc- ote upon the bill, favor- The bill came up again late in the meeting with the petition of the people, and p assed the second time with amendments. It was indeed danger of subverting the had always been practiced, and ebated, the con- The Upper House discussed the matter rnor had left the Assembly, and voted in order that in the next rm members to serve in ary lines determined were the same that 23 Origin AND SETTLEMENT , Assembl] In the fall of the same year the Governor met beg” = rsd 7 ; mice i He had previously written to the © : for the last time. e rev en, aes permission to return home, claiming to be 1 anc P es i i as 10 x being in the colony without his salary. The bill _ pega ird time for confirmation, and was about to be ac a ' ee iel Johnston, interfered. the arrival of a new Governor, Gabriel Johns 7 i i antagon- Governor Burrington had made a compromise with ig ia i n agree- ists—compliments were returned on both sides, an = poe i i as ment was made between the two factions in order to = : : iti cinct. e tempe ; ‘izens and to the prec of helpfulness to the citi tapes of the Governor subsiding caused a more harmonious feeling affect the Assembly. ee i i sion On November 13th Gabriel Johnston published his nore? 0 | i il. This ¢ ur- as Governor on the Cape Fear in open Council. This close x i ? inistration. rington’s adminis ant i I liately after Governor Johnston arrived nec ae mmediate er Gove — ys Hey resumed. Onslow and Bladen, two new precincts, were - ore : bly, but Edgecombe was not considered until three ae ee i ed as a precinct by the As- years later, when it was also designated as a prec , : sembly. e i y yas bei spresented in the As- In the meantime Edgecombe was being rep : ae mbly and was exercising the political rights of an ig 2 mea 1733 i ain William White- inc 733 two representatives, Captain f srecinet. In 1733 two rey ; if hie ri sr, were sent to the Assembly. Other head, and Dr. David Hopper, eon ee ee ae i ecinet were recognized officially. Henry Gast men in the precinct were rye re casa ears kpc A 1 ember yernor’s ; ap as a member of the Gove ' Fe ip » most important events, having influence Governor. One of the most 1mp ‘ Babar i rove s§ exposec lirectly upon the cause of the entire controversy, es I when E a i recinct of Albemarle I ser ts as a precinct of / y idgee e asserted her righ inc eae Ono tec. slecates, Mr. William Whitehead, County in 1734 and sent five delegates, san ; < inny, David Hopper, and John Milliken John Spier, Bar Maguinny, Dav , Aion gg on to the Assembly. This explains to some extent why Mess ms : . - i in Bs Ke y, were adverse and Rice, who were from a precinct in Bath County, were at : i é ) B ein. to the euiition of new precincts. Bath County at this time being ares ars, where as pre- so sparsely settled was allowed only two members, where as ] pa “aN Te, is ¢ f gave cinets of Albemarle County was allowed five. This a ge es ’ ati 0 Albemarle. the additional power through representation to A f * . ; 2antime The economic conditions of the precinct were in the mea Nie i Ple ati Ww > se influencing the policy of the Assembly. lantations were 8 od 24 History or Epercomsrt Country cheap; those which contained houses, barns, pastures, and cultivated lands sold for pistoles. The explanation for such che to the fact that the people were in search of new land for their hogs and cattle. This condition was very favorable to ne who could always Possess convenient and alread for less money than the buildin orchards, gardens, about thirty or forty apness of land is attributed wcomers y cultivated farms gs generally cost. g air as ‘ $ . flee jiluam Kinc ’ reached Edgecombe. Marmaduke Norfleet, on rece auaet , y : r ichar as , s, Joseph Howe, R Sam Sessums, Edward Jones, Yooroee Suggs. Robert 1; “ill n Watson, Josiah Jones, George Suggs, : Elias Fort, Williar é * EAE ER he UE Hines, Andrew Irwin, and Richard Sess ni 1 and civic rights : : ohtical and civic rights achidied great honor by defending Sak oe 1 also received é J 28 . ° , f aiso rece of their ies came into the precinct, bought anc . v7? Ss end ee *Now Roanoke River. 26 History or Epercomsr County by grant much land. During the meeting of the Assembly for this year over fifty thousand acres of land were distributed among the settlers. The increase of settlers and the more litical recognition and freedom influence the Assembly. Mr. Milliken had presented a request for the people to the Assembly in 1735 to recognize Edgecombe as a pre- einct. A bill was accordingly drawn up, but no action was taken by the Assembly. The policy of delay was practiced for over eight years, with a bill oscillating from one House to without permanent action. debate and served urgent demand for po- d the speedy action by another The bill was merely an object for as an issue for technical warfare and intrigue between the two political divisions of the Assembly. The discus- sion was carried on with a partisan spirit. The Lower House, under the charter of the proprietary period, claimed a prerogative to erect precincts; consequently, the action of the Governor was still strongly contested. In the meanwhile Edgecombe, from 1732 to 1741, was governed by the authority of Bertie Precinct.1 All the jurymen from the precinct of Edgecombe w with Bertie’s members, and her civil and er in the Bertie courts. ere selected iminal cases were tried Quit rents for lands in Edgecombe were also collected in Bertie Precinct. The climax and end to the controversy ¢ Lower House refused to ame in 1741. The admit members from Edgecombe until the right to admit representatives was investigated. was referred to the Crown, who claimed that the matter was up to the Governor and his Council. The precinct in the meantime had extended its frontier and was thickly settled. men, like Thomas Norfleet, were coming from V. ing land on Maratock River. Who w a situation like this, the Governor or a few people with antagonis- tic principles? Herein lay the basis for political power, the whole cause of the controversy. The original precincts of Albe- marle had exercised the right of sending fiy Legislature, while the new precincts were allowed only two. The Albemarle County was the center of opposition to the Crown and the Governor’s policies. The new precincts did not have the The issue Many prominent irginia, and buy- as to guide the expansion in e members to the 1 Edgecombe’s jurymen for Supreme Court were liste d with Bertie’s, and her taxes were also collected with Bertie’s taxes until 1739, 27 Origin AND SETTLEMENT ‘urned to reputation of opposing the Governor; pest tear re _ si them in order to accomplish his political ambition. e rk bm made clear to the Governor, and in 1741, when the ma laid before him, he ordered the county of Edgecombe to be con- firmed. A new era dawned upon the history of Epon thle confirmation by the Governor and his Council. it ee in industry and commerce was introduced. Thomas ote oe Owen, Henry Holmes, Will Owens, made sa apPe ee the county, bringing large waren? of Fetal ai om i m in order to secure land.* « , pie peices John Pope brought six white servants, Thomas ee owned sixteen slaves, and others possessed a large ny 0 oe ants and slaves with which to cultivate the fertile fie wi Hi culture became the greatest industry with a landed aristocracy springing up around the old settlements, ite eat The actual settling of this new section and the sh east of new undertakings were no easy tasks. Much labor es nae to the violent heat of the sun, sometimes with scanty a caiit occasional deer or bear or raccoon—were the rig Sa i pre fronted the early settlers. Many of these itt Bi a sg =. pi designing hand of cunning savages. Long ot stead ea tiers, lasting for days without necessary comforts, caus suffering from fatigue and hunger. : a ale The condition of the early frontier explains vr er4hy = were concerned about their political and personal bi 6a one fact that their labor be not in van ane ipa 2 nth iit sane. rights not be infringed upon by any diperimminasing a dealiae lations of the Crown or Governor became ee re , q sale s8 interest. To this end the settlers wrote a rigid rid tie eb 1b y the Johnston in 1741. The laws of grants = ye To Se con- Governor to subsist for only two years, without ne ‘hts scien venience of the settlers. Another controversy lea 62 also over settling of land and issuing land Sagan ee es in- policy had just begun to affect the economic se wot td habitants. Land had been refused to ast % a a Pr rie- garding the policy stated in the instructions of the Lords Prop . er the right to 1 According to law each slave brought into the colony gave the maste claim a grant of land free. History or Epvercomsr County tors. The settlers claimed that if the ] as well as the Virginia land they had the land, and for a longer period than the time of two years, stipu- lated by Johnston. In this case quit rents became payable in other commodities than that of tobacco. discriminations in the levying the settlement was made by and did not raise tobacco right to request more Moreover, there were certain and collection of quit rents, When the Swiss in required to pay four shillings while those already in tl the precinct they were per one hundred acres of land, 1e precinct and those settling in the first to pay only two shillings, and the agents traveled from house to house localities were required King’s in collecting same. Governor Johnston repudiated tl and a protest by the settlers resulted laws were shameful cheat their masters. 1e old method when he came, . He alleged that the existing , and that the settlers were The settlers replied to his sla ments that if such be true, they should be counted fools, rather than cheats, for settling on insecure foundations. Governor charged the settlers with refusir He furthermore King. attempting to nderous state- In return the 1g to pay their quit rents. requested them to depart from the land of the The controversy increased with bitter rancor. Unpleasant epi- thets were exchanged on both sides, And when the Governor issued a proclamation between 1738 and 1741 commanding the settlers to pay quit rents in sterling money or bills instead of commodities as formerly, the actual clash resulted. The Governor was requested by the people to withdraw his proclamation. He refused, claiming inefficiency in the prev In the meantime a bill to collect rents at certain localities had been rejected by the Lower House. The places of payment of rents were entirely too few, and the method of collecting had proved so vastly different from those methods in Virginia and those formerly used in the c On October 7, 1736, the inhabitants compl before because of illegal revenues. The collectors h lands by grant fr ious laws. olony, that a reform was necessary. ained more bitterly than methods employed in collecting the ad compelled the people who held their om the Lords Proprietors to carry their quit rents to specified places, many of which were selected to suit the convenience of the collectors rather than the people. custom had been The former to collect the quit rents at the inhabitants’ re- 29 Origin AND SETTLEMENT E i s were charged by the col- spective plantations. Extortionate fees were pre by ce me ' | ve iti advance their ow er- mci who used their political office to adv = . t - pide nay: . f 108 f ineres sevenfold, anc The fees were increased se sonal greed. The fees a Te a were hindered from coming to the appointed places ; ; ; “+ pPa WTA OF A xtra. an increase of eightfold with extravagant fees extr: F ase - i ve s rents hav- The bill providing for the collection of the variou tangent ] . , ” « 7 sre us Bs 1 ajected, the people were secure, and were J] ~ pra i te tionate proceedings of the Crown. i ains » extortionate pri g: ; rotest against the e nie pr in 1 to the Board of Trade in England for Governor Johnston appealed to the , alte i) instructions. The Governor receiving no instructions, “a - instructions. | ee etl? vised the Crown that unless the old laws were mien Psu bn na y li > Pty. or i j 7 have very little authority, a aad majesty would he " asa een ety a ecial care of themselves, irrespective of eC vere taking especial care 0 ree TS ea He also requested a company of patie sh inant rer ye better condition of affairs. ’ > sure a be ’ a order to insure ¢ troops to be sent in I i i enforce his will and plans > eV tly intended to enfc he Governor evidentl; : es b ‘in Ision, if necessary. In 1737 there came an i eh ne wee PONS » General Court a fe the troops which he had requested. At a Gene te o ih | yas imprisoned for insulting a mar- at year a man was imprison Edenton of that year « Epa ee lie al . i The 2 in Edgecombe under: F > court. The people i : shal during the cou e pe HE BH =supetelon Sekde was non-payment of quit rents. They rose “ : eae , ‘i : Ci ri arts rebellion, lred, cursing the King with hearts full o eS nbagptgt 1 wi se of rescuing one of their and approached Edenton with the purpose s g ey eer ; ; + 7, , q. re) fellow sufferers. So completely agitated were these Pape Fis ie M + , q a at = ive serning quit rents thé ad received concerning the treatment they had ! a ae oe solved to be oppressed no further. At the same 6 nen ta agi smand rents ened cruel usage to any person who came to demanc F i e in future. The quit rent controversy subsided when the Spanish oh es out in 1739. Governor Johnston was ih aaa e pion troops he could in 1740 to defend the sein pea ic Edgecombe and Bertie furnished three ho se ae y men each, while the Governor said he cou = we tal aiid it had been possible to negotiate bills of a apie se zs oe were intended to act under General eee gig aan og tine, some few being dispatched on that sel haggak ee oe She expedition failed, and they sailed for Jamai a, : e , et troops had gathered. The losses here were “aes ; ap Ae Sie of co-operation between the army and navy. Some o » trod 30 I E History or EpercomBr County n ir i Indi C nee battles in the West Indies, where fever broke out amon é i q Onl & bese and nine out of ten became victims of this diseasé ny eee = . c% ie 1 number of these troops returned to the county etore the termination ¢ rar in 17 we on of the war in 17: 8,1 a law was enacted directing stices . i = g the Justices of the Peace in the precinct to erect stor® ouse; : 7e @ odities j es to recelve commodities in payment of quit rents, Thé Justices of the Pe i : ste os sabia! gi? also authorized to levy a poll tax @ i. ses of co om the commodities stored in the Later this same warehouse pa ee ee pos, a eccie / W ae-anoyed to Marmaduke Kimbrough’ ; ~~ ait of Maratock River, the distance to Mr. Pratt’s be ing too far for the inhabitants of North Edgecombe By this new law the people were obliged to pay the expenses of Rr men sped the taxes for the King. Moreover, while the legalitf _ a act may be admitted, it did not grant justice to the people as a whole, orely oppressed, because the families amount of land were required to pay mor@ ith a large amount of land. pa lhe first ware TI 1€ poor were g who had only a small than a small family w Happily for all concerned Gover nor Johnston was not able {0 d been in operation for only a short Basle opt agtnoeel Borat instructions that it had beet Mitel cies os kare fs: is bit of information was sadly ee alee eh 2 Sasa who had labored incessantly to securé hk ae oe ee: " The decision was altogether in conflict icrraesn hy : ernor’s views. Specie payments were abandoned. = Pe Moa ridin in commodities at their market valué - OF payment was on the plantation. The relief camé ‘ ; ‘ ane opportune time for the people, and gave them a greatel incentive for industria] activity. The production of t the relaxation of thi enforce his views. The law had } time when the Governor ar and naval stores was introduced after Sue nee 8 law.2? In 1734 a large supply of tar fot ° Aad been secured from the section of Bertie and Edge combe. Th ric ae - price became so low, however, between 1735 and 7,» ‘he production ceased. Governor Johnston claimed that the cause f; i Poss, cause for such low prices was due to the fact that thé I opie made large fires in their kilns the lightwood along with the t = Se ale *In 1739 all ® Naval store ducted on a ver. forcing the coarse juices of ar in order to get a larger quantity: Precincts by an act of Assembly became counties, S were produced ‘ 7 very early a * rs a a Y small scale. ly in the precinct, the industries being cot’ Origin AND SETTLEMENT 31 The tar producers claimed, on the other hand, that in order to make a better quality the old bounty of ten shillings per} barrel It is not known whether the additional pre- Tar making, however, never ceased entirely. should be allowed. mium was given. The vast pine forests were filled with lightwood, being the heart of resinous pines after the body of the fallen tree had decayed many years before, and the business of making tar engaged a good per cent of the population. There were also many new saw mills being erected, bricks were burned, and much progress was made in comfortable and respectable living, as well as in profitable com- merce. Special seasons of the year, planting time, harvest, the winter and summer, were recognized, and became of high impor- tance to the agricultural population. Frequently the occasions were observed and celebrated with some sort of festivity, such as log rolling and ceremonies involving symbols and physical courage. In 1744 the entire section of Edgecombe was turned over to Lord Granville as a part of his share of the colony. The people then became subject to his power, in that they owed him rents and advancements for settlement of the land.2 The Earl of Granville did not display a profound interest in the development of the county. His primary concern was to collect rents, intro- duce settlers, and to increase his profits by larger agricultural trade and industries. However, the currency in the colony was at this time rated so low that the people were reluctant to pay very much revenue for the land. The earl’s rents became greatly in arrears. Matters became unsatisfactory on every side. In the meantime, for the benefit of a great number of soldiers and seamen, who were discharged from the service of the King because of peaceful conditions, quit rents in 1740 were remitted for ten years, and thereafter the rate was to be one shilling for This same offer was extended also to men of every fifty acres. In 1744 a number of people, in- trades, builders, and farmers. duced by these encouragements, immigrated to the northern part of Edgecombe County. A hundred acres of land was purchased from James Leslie by the various merchants in the county in order to build a town. The motives for building the town was to Se ty *The Crown in order to stimulate the production of naval stores had been giving a bounty. * The Earl of Granville had refused to sell his share in the Colony when the Lords Proprietors released their rights to the Crown in 1729. 82 History or EpercomBr County foster a commercial relation between the counties and people On the south side of the Roanoke River was a healthful and cot venient location. Good water facilities and resources for a largl commerce were made possible by this stream. The trade of thi county was fast growing in importance by means of the steady it crease of people. The Roanoke was improved and made navigable Trade became more effective by reason of large numbers of prom inent merchants locating at this place. The Assembly in 1744 granted the r was already under construction. Halifax, presum ight to erect the town whidl The village was giv ably in honor of Lord Halifax, who was a mem ber of the Board of Trade in London. Thomas Barker, Alexandet McCulloch, John Gibson, Richard Browning, and Robert Jones, Jr., were appointed trustees to supervise the buildin the lots, and to direct the affairs of the tow Four acres were reserved for a central mainder was cut up into lots. These lots were purchased by the citizens at forty shillings each with the obligation to build houses of certain dimensions which were specified by the trustees. The town had a prodigious growth from the beginning, but it was checked in its expansion for about five years on outbreak of smallpox. en the namé gs, laying of n until its completion. market place; the re account of aD Halifax town immediately became the activities, By 1752 the litt] traders and merchants. markets, the interior locat center of commercial e village was a scene of hustling Although it was the center for local ion of the town and county made for- eign trade very unsatisfactory. The Roanoke was only navigable to a certain distance. Moreover, the difficulty of shipping was great on account of the frequent low water. The county raised large quantities of tobacco, but it was generally carried to Suffolk or Norfolk, Virgini o England. In these ports the tobacco was inspected by officers appointed for that purpose. The best was selected; the remainder was burned. The farmers were paid just what the Virginia merchant saw fit to give. Cattle raising was also conducted in a simil stock was taken to Virginia and slaughtered. The cattle raiser only received pay for the net meat, while the hide, tallow, livers, and remnants were appropriated by the Virginia merch The a, for shipment t ar fashion. The ant. rit K 33 0 Oric IN AND SETTLEMENT Thev were slaughtered in Vir- same was true in regard to hogs. They were sla g ee same was meinen sweetness inia, salted in Virginia, exported from Virginia, ¢ ginia, s¢ g Mihi ial growth, Halifax became the ( i commercial gre ’ i Parallel with the « y ad iaena ife i r, The town became of socis > in the county. woe nucleus of social life wae et POT i lace for the merchant class, the trader, and the ae oe tra is typical English borough. an} all of whom settled around this typice g ' cali Sal } mera 4 erate € p lso became laree land and slave owners, and op rea Pr a pe nth ay atte ut lived « lantati ear the town. Few of the men married, plantations nes ; self- ence. sedentary life of luxury and self-indulg € attoes 1 rr rie Ww j a e ea S O€ ntermar od ith Ww hi se women, W hile 1r 1é€ ear l est ind mule ‘ Many free negroes I r t re was recog ize 1 so id | restr al a ge ing A exogamy i 1 i 4 yas no 7 202 nizec ocl1a straint aga Ss 7) y ‘ oun 8 a : Ww h M th ri ig place for a socia j ifax yas e gathering } ll soc ] i ces alifax as t : to avoid incest. H se + Bp: a a nA i 1 lulge d 1 n by he landed aristoc racy, suc as ’ he s Op aco # E gf ig iS} € } x shase and card parties. 1 e condue ed in Inglish Ss yl 35 the fox cnase, . . = zi es st es >) B ,. re class means i sti =] afforde d he men of the leisu a ns “ hes e social pas imes ¢ of occupation. iddle the eighteenth i f tobacco about the middle of the eig rae , lands were opened up. The old i ands were ; 7 was so extensive that new lanc century was so exten pe »P Pasian il for some time had been fast losing its fertility. x 4 sw ede: tdg be was recognized by the As in 1746, five years after Edgecombe we Si ; Ri vd ales Virginians Tar River had : sembly, the first settlement of Virginians on te belbonbre . J? 4 ™ ne P sa expanded that Edgecombe had to be divided. Se oe rt ‘ sause ; , the county became very difficult to- handle i Sgt Fae > CO a , . $i: Ret ae y settlers had to travel in order to reach the p many settlers S were Stonehouse t held. The territory from the mouth of § courts wer aid. " S$ R acros . river to the strip Creek on Roanoke River, and thence across “ r aaa Neuse Rivers, which was the dividing of land between Tar and Neuse re tet i aaa TE e ee E nties, wa 3 , i raven and Edgecombe Cou line between Craven anc is who'wacidie | » called Granville. } a 3 »w county to be ca : the bounds of the new ¢ » rae Naki ville, who owned the € was named in honor of Earl of Granville, who ov as ng territory of Edgecombe. i 1758, the southern part of Edgecombe A few years later, In 1/00, at ei HH and Johnston Counties was cut off and Dobbs Ly Ww med ed i yer Ss. named in honor of Governor Dobb bide: pene yi i 7as é iterest arte é agriculture was of vital 11 The system of trade and agricult E al 1e8 “he large the formation of Granville and Johnston Counties. T arg 3 35 ¢ AND SETTLEMENT RIGIN AND DE he a Pe O History or Epercomsr Cor NTY ividi i vas fixed be- The dividing line was sie ey arish of St. Mary’s. tween the parish of Edgecombe and the paris Vy y ack sd J >) i Pr lg .combe chec KE -. ar ation of Halifax County from Edge 1e€ se pé rat district west of Little River was cut off, leaving area in the bounds of Edgecombe. still coming in the county. a much smaller In the meantime, settlers were The result of this was a more rapid The process of forming and shaping of industries. i y respects. O° f ; 7 many respet relfar 1e county in ., the progress and welfare of tl ” rh r are was no boroug Tobacco was not t f Halifax being in the area cut off, there was own of Halifaz § planted in such quantities as before. Better roads, fences, and bridges were constructed to aid in better commerce, were opened up by taxation and sw. cultivation. Waterways amps drained and put into Good roads had been Supported by Governor Bur- rington, but he was unsuccessful in getting any action during his administration. Places of inspection were established in all im- portant places in the county to insure e onvenience to the farmer. Warehouses for the in spection of tobacco, turpentine, shingles, hemp, flax, pork, beef, flour, indigo, tar, pitch, ete., were estab- lished at William Williams’ on Kehukee Creek, Howell’s Ferry on Tar River, and on Fishing Creek. Agriculture was conducted on a far more intensive scale than when the vast fie lds were ac- cessible, e places near Mr. illiam William’s requested an increase in their salaries as inspectors. In 1754 an Indian uprising in the county affected the progress of the commercial life. When Governor Dobbs came over from England he found the Indian war in progress. The affairs of the colony generally were in a deplorable condition. He called for the militia, and Edgecombe responded, reporting 1,317 men. On Roanoke River in Bertie and Edgecombe there were still a hun- dred warriors of the Tuscaroras and about two hundred women and children. [pn Granville County on the west there were the Saporas with only fourteen men and fourteen women. The long struggle with the Indians terminated after about seve nteen mur- ders and ten or twelve ¢ aptives being carried away. In 1758 the greatest check to progress came when Halifax, the town and commercia] center, was cut off from Edgecombe by a division of the county. Considerable inconvenience prevented the inhabitants from attending the courts and many other public meetings because of the large extent of territory. Consequently, a petition was made to the Assembly in 1758 for a separate whic O carry OI tr id > | her rT sine | 2 re ye li ay x ith I h on ade are remalne no cé slg 8 € ; £ I ( | - 11e ee 2S oO org Ly ad activities 1n any by rganize ac C igs and I C ing bla e@ to slic m tr 8S, ” f ror E TeTV l tat } was a distine organization ot b isiness om. uvery p antation as ¢ ; ) s itself. To make matters worse, Edgecombe and social life in itself. To me if j for > capital. alifax, its former cap 5 1 } ts were to be held at Halifax, its “if Superior Courts we f CREE. pose 7 aw county ¢ This would only help the new county expense of Edgecombe. Wee Og eRe sili ry 5A > € i, y fh p f 20ple of Edgeco ; : ae Nhe maseheniy aes Pi : ; for a new capita : ing 1 ediate plans or ¢ ) i i formulating immedia Ve acted wisely in formule g ’ isda uk ae “ ; year e coun 758 > same yeal th a ee Oe tee 7 Tl Spell James Anderson, J, chants, Thomas 5 , dé an > seven merchants, * x ti was formed, seve Telfair. Peter Mitchell, Robert Big Aquila Suggs, Edward Telfair, 5 the village, Tarr 3ur- , i w ‘ se at tne age, : re se 1erchandise ¢ m5 John Watson were selling iy seit Gikees Bhi ; . . September 23d, Joseph Howell, let age f Tarboro now stands, sold to 1 i there ywn oO f ing on Tar River, where the tc yrence Toole, Elisha Battle, and i ila Suggs, Lawrence ) James Moir, Aquila Suggs, , for 2,000 “ftw acres of land for 2, Benjamin Hunt, one hundred and fifty acres ret, ie enjamin unt, ¢ . “ovince of North Carolina. pounds proclamation money of the pro Cis ei ys side ar th . bee as = sinks ae ae E land were appointed S > lan a Ww purchased the ra The same year the men who A bond of 2,000 by the Asiemnti y as trustees to lay off a town. as to Mr. Howell aes oi stees as security Mr. aA Sd , the trustees as se 8 ; : ‘ SOW Ls Hi natn : he laying off of the village. for the construction of buildings and the la; ' Mr. Howell’s fis gis ; where Mr. The land was cut up into lots, except the lot w pe toca : ee d and fifty acres, which dwelling stood, a small graveyard a J wks’ Conia: et, : ; j own. be used as a common for the benefit of the tow Ree od as ac no eR eee sioners were to have rights to all the profits for I reagan £ sre U i. rustees were ay +t. year, and at the end of that time the trustees e _ a b ’ to f e Pp opert 1n y f T I ansfer ring r aTTt Vy D " ent or one penny ie) tra y =) ths , ae % of lease was the possession of the Commissioners. This deed é See * Called Halifax in honor of Lord Halifax. 36 History or Epercomse County recognized by the court in Tarboro and was attested by James Hall, the clerk, on September 24, 1760, The Commissioners began the work of surveying, laying off the streets seventy feet in width, and sold the lots to the inhabi- tants with one-half acre to each lot. The “common” was laid off and consisted of the land beginning where the City Hall now stands. In order to cover the expenses of the pledged amount of 2,000 pounds, the Commissioners took up subscriptions for the common at £2 proclamation money for each lot. The money received was paid over to Mr. Howell for all the lots composing the fifty acres except twelve lots which were used for the erection of public buildings. On November 30th the town was constituted and called Tar- borough by the Governor and his Council. The town, situated at the head of navigation on the Tar River, fifty miles from Wash- ington, receives its name from this beautiful stream. A tradition of Tar River, although spurious is very interesting. The word Tar is a corruption of Tau. A tribe of Indians inhabiting the Roanoke (probably the Tuscarora) was visited every year by an epidemic which carried off large numbers of their tribe. They determined to migrate in search of a more healthful location, and accordingly fixed their residence on this river, which stream on account of its superior advantages to health they named Tau, signifying, in Indian language, health. By an easy substitution of the letter (r) for (u), aided by the circumstance that tar was the principal product on the river and an article of export from Edgecombe County, the name was easily changed to the present name Tar from the ancient and simple word Tau. There was much interesting dispute among the settlers as to the original name of the river. Following the controversy, in more modern times the name was first spelled Tau, and then Tar. The name of the town was subject to the same change as that of the river whenever the contest was applied. About 1855 an old in- habitant of Tarboro believed Tauboro to be the original name of the town. He said that in the year 1812 a delegation from the Tuscarora tribe of Indians, who formerly occupied this section of THE fe ® Rene ~ rt} ~ STREET © sSTrrmeerec +— oe STREET BA $8 FY m a * N et ANOREW ST ug 120 comMmong commong TOWN OF TARBORO AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY 41953 LAID OFF IN 1760 OrIGIN AND SETTLEMENT 37 the county, visited Tarboro. One of the oldest, on being told the name of the river was Tar, shook his head. Then he was told by some persons that they thought the right name was Tau, and he immediately said: “That is it, a beautiful river.” An Englishman, Mr. Sabin, sent an original map of North ‘arolina to J. CO. Hoyt, of Buncombe County, several years ago, which spells the town Tarrburg, and indicates the opinion of those who have been confused and have insisted upon the abo- riginal authority of the name Tar River, and the somewhat re- proachful suggestion that the petty avocation of making tar on the river originated the name, and accordingly attempted to sub- stitute the name Tar for several years. The name is found in- scribed on this map as Tarr, with a double (r). No doubt but that the advocates of the name Tau were justified in their conten- tions, since Hawks, in his History of North Carolina, supported and published this as being his view. Dr. Hawks formed the English derivation from a syllable of an Indian word, which he claimed to have been the Indian name of the River Tarpaco and now known as Tar River. Dr. Hawks was correct in his guess, but from its present form of name Tar is more closely accurate, and will in all probability be spelled forever as it is now spelled. The town at the time of its formation was bounded on the north by what is now Wilson Street,! running east and west; on the west by Hendrix Creek, running north and south; on the south by St. John Street; and on the east by the New Street, running west and parallel with the present Albemarle Avenue, and the avenue from Hendrix Creek. The spacious grounds left for the common was dedicated to the public for parks and amusements by the Commissioners. Oaks, which have since grown into large trees, were cultivated, giving a very comfortable as well as ornamental appearance. Today the common bears the impressive stamp of antiquity, with spread- ing limbs of gigantic branches of trees. r , ; Tarboro immediately became the center for trade. Merchants began to build up a commercial relation with the neighboring centers, and a medium of exchange was declared for the settlers 1 Named in honor of Louis D. Wilson. Origin AND SETTLEMENT History or Epcrcomsr Country and the Virginia ports. Tar River had an outlet to the ocean only through Ocracoke, and here the shoals and sand bars made navigation impossible except for small crafts. count of dangerous obstruc navigation by water w Michael Cotaunch, Jr. Blake Baker Insurance on ac Jamas pctreg a tions and shoals was so high that Richard nv " : ; Andrew Little as very impracticable. Consequently, all Robert Hardy . goods, salt, and merchandise were brought from Petersburg and William Mace Norfolk over land by pack mules. Whiskey and brandies were Jacob Carter made, and traded for the manufactured goods from England which Thomas Harrison were left at these ports for dis tribution among the colonists. irwin ‘Pool The follow . . , : John Agar ing 1s a list of the purchasers of the town lots in Tarboro fror ee : j John Frost m the Commissioners’ Book 1760, which remained in Henry Irwin the possession of Elisha Battle until his death: John Gathings William Haywood Joseph Cotten Lawrence Tool eee John Gilchrist Thomas Barnes ol Nicholas Long James Moir Sarah Cotaunch John Scott owe John Goodloe Benjamin Hart James Gibson Joseph Summer ca Susanah Mead Thomas Lenoir Timothy Nicholson The Reverend Thomas Burgess Samuel Johnson James Casy (Attorney) a Walley Chauncy Robert aa William Kinchen William Souther Batt Peterson William Foreman Robert Palmore Joseph Turson Rob Goodloe Joseph Cotten, Jr. om James Williamson Joseph Moore ae Michael Cotaunchrist John Watsman ey Joseph Harrell Com. in care of Willi illi ; John Parris McCulloh ce James Braswell Thomas Mills Jacob Jones Egland Haigwood John Balmore John Tanner Peter Johnson Geraldus Tool an Lucy Belcher aa John Whitaker Dudley Whitakers Ae John Durien West Duck Thomas Goodson Elisha Battle John Linsey History or Epercomse County Edward Fanning ... Joseph Harrell ..... Lots CHAPTER II se YY wesenuin — wa Po “TOS CoLONIAL GOVERNMENT AND FOLITICS The inhabitants of Edgecombe in the colonial period were sub- ject to a dual government, that of the Province of North Carolina, and that of the local courts. The study of the local court system is a good index to the people’s conception of justice and affords a better understanding of the people’s history than any other institution. The method by which the people are governed deter- mines in a large measure what the people really are; a bad govern- ment makes a discontented people, and a sound government makes a content and peaceful population. There was no institution which came so near touching the just and necessary need of all the people as that of the courts; securing a fair and impartial administration of justice to both the offended and the offender. There are, however, two distinct facts one should realize in the study of local government. In the first place the territory in the colonial period was transitory and rapidly undergoing changes ; consequently, the court system naturally became flexible and was remodeled to meet the demands of the expanding settlement. In the second place the local court system was merely a transplanting of the old English customs upon new soil and as such it was not entirely fitted for conditions in the new world. The inhabitants of the county prior to 1732 had acquired con- siderable property according to the grants of the words Proprie- tors; consequently, it was necessary to construct a suitable form of local government to insure the right of property holding. The springing up of a small land-holding class, determined not only the economic and social welfare, but the political life of the people as well. The local government was naturally influenced by the territorial system, and as the county progressed the small landed class obtained a predominance in the political affairs. The principal and, perhaps, the earliest organ of local county government was that of the Precinct Court. This court came Into existence in the colony about 1670, and bore a very close re- semblance to the English common law parish of the eighteenth century. It was the chief judicial body in Bertie County when Edgecombe was formed. It was, therefore, only a matter of 41 42 History or Epcrcomsr County erecting a new governmental machinery for the new precinct. The first act in the creation of a new court was to appoint Jus- tices of the Peace to organize a Precinct Court. This Governor Burrington did in 1733, selecting Colonel Henry Gaston, Major James Millikin; Dr. James Thompson, Captain John Pratt, John Alston, Dr. John Bryant, John Hardy, James Speir, Francis Elleby, William Kane, John Pope, and Edward Young to consti- tute the judicial body.1 These men were ordered by the Governor to hold a Precinct Court on the third Tuesday in the months of August, November, February, and May. This system was based on the English system of Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. At the next meeting of the Assembly in October more territory was added to Edgecombe, and two more justices, Captain William Whitehead and Captain John Speir, were appointed. The appointment of justices being in May, 1733, it was August following that the first court was held in the precinct. The exact location for the meeting of this session of the court is not known. It is probable that the justices met at Reading’s plantation on Tar River. It was customary for the courts to assemble at various plantations in the precinct until the first court house was built at Enfield in 1744. According to the usual custom one of the jus- tices was denominated thairman, and with the consent of the remaining justices he presided over the court, which was sup- posed to meet quarterly. The power of the justices varied from time to time, according to the change of the general law; consequently, it is difficult to be explicit. However, certain powers, such as building roads and bridges, were taken from the General Court of the Province when the Precinet Court was formed. In addition to judicial powers the individual justices were granted specified authorities outside of the court. Among these was the power to marry eligible couples; provided that there was no clergymen in the parish. In 1733, when.the court was first established, it had power to try all criminal cases over fifty pounds in which the penalty did not affect life or limb; to hold orphan courts, appoint guardians, take securities, and to dispose of civil disputes not involving over a hundred pounds nor less than fifty. There was one limitation 1The fundamental constitution provided that the Governor should appoint jus” tices of the peace to hold court upon the erection of a new precinct. CotonraAL GOVERNMENT AND Potirics 43 notable in this court in judicial power. No case could be heard twice in the same court under any pretense. Should a case be tried and undecided, it became necessary to buy an appeal and pay a price from five to fifty pounds to the Lords Proprietors.” The variation in the price was due to the severity of the crime. Capital cases were usually charged the maximum price and the petty cases the minimum. The results of this law are very obvious. The restriction placed upon the Precinct Courts was at the insti- gation of the Lords Proprietors and enabled them to collect addi- tional revenue. The appeal cases went to the General Court of the Province for disposal. There were also many civil powers this court possessed. Thus the court might take probate of wills, receive entry of land, when there were no disputes, and supervise the administration of sarod The latter was demonstrated in a case which occurred in 1758. Abram Ricks, a citizen, thought himself to be fatally = and petitioned the court for a supervisor of his estate. John Cowell was accordingly appointed and duly sworn by the court to draw up and oversee the execution of Mr. Ricks’ will. This court furthermore supervised the general management of civil affairs in the county—opening roads, building bridges, and appointing overseers for the public highways of the precinct. it also appointed constables, issued permits for building mills, in- dustrial enterprises, and administered licenses for ministerial work. These functions of the court are illustrated by a note- worthy case occurring in 1761. The first non-conformist preacher legalized in Eastern Carolina, Jonathan Thomas, was granted a license from Edgecombe County Court. Mr. Thomas produced an ordination in writing, signed by John Moore and George Gra- ham, leaders of the Baptist Society, qualifying him to preach according to the tenets of that church. The court, according to its power, administered the oath of allegience and issued a permit for Mr. Thomas to preach in the Province of North Carolina. The Precinct Court also exercised power in shaping the early social and mercantile activities of the people. One of the many characteristics the people inherited from England and English life was the fondness for entertainment. Places of amusement found their way into this section early in the eighteenth century. teaches * Appeal could be made from this court to the Superior Court. 44 History or Epercomse County The weary and solitary traveler was not by any means a lonely person in passing through Edgecombe. A mug of ale, served by a gentle maiden, was one of the chief assets of the Colonial Ordinary, and according to the grants issued by the Precinct Court from 1745 to 1767 Edgecombe was fairly well represented. During the year 1761 five licenses were granted for houses of entertainment alone.1 The commands of the Precinct Court were executed by the Provost Marshal,? an officer corresponding to the sheriff of today: The marshal acted as a deputy to the Provost Marshal of the General Court of the Province of North Carolina, and performed almost the same duties for the Precinct Court as the latter did for the General Court. That is to say, he summoned jurymen in person or by messenger, kept the jail, held elections for burgesses, served writs in civil and criminal cases, arrested criminals and collected public taxes.3 The first Provost Marshal or sheriff of Edgecombe was Thomas Kearney, appointed in 1739. He was accountable to no one but the Governor, received his instructions from him, and in many respects became a hired tool to promote the Governor’s political ambition. That much corruption resulted from this system we shall hereafter observe. This method was made more odious by the fact that the sheriff’s term of office was not definitely fixed. He might be continued in office after his appointment by the Governor, provided he gave good behavior, for an indefinite num- ber of years. The office of sheriff was the highest subsidiary position con- nected with the court, the administering of justice and the preven- tion of crime in the county. This being true the obligation of office and penalty for violation of oath was more severe. In addi- tion of having to take a solemn and binding oath to execute the duties of office agreeable to law, he was heavily bonded against accepting any pecuniary offers of bribes, to show leniency of the law in dealing with prisoners or jurymen; and after 1739 he was * Permits were granted Thomas Merritt, James Braswell, Geralders O’Brien and Thomas Griffin to run ordinaries. * Title changed to sheriff in 1738. * The collection of taxes was the most important duty of the sheriff. He was pro vided with a list of all taxables in the county—white males over sixteen years of age; mulattoes of both sexes above twelve years of age, and slaves over twelye—and from this list the! provisional or public tax was collected. 45 7 > ah Pal) CortontaL GovERNMENT AND POoLirics In rear consecutively. not permitted to serve more than one year consecutivel e s. ri ‘ s usu sl e€ ys e rr eholder, case o dea h l > sl er t was us ally succe »ded b; som re | 8 mr issi y unty fi 5 Y ste 1e term. VO was co 1issioned 2 , he coun . court to comple te t i ssurance of faith in the exe- Bond for acceptance and as an assurance of good faitl cution of his duties was made to the Justices of the Peace of the county. Since the most important duty of the sheriff was the collection of taxes, and as a safeguard against personal use of the funds was necessary, he was required to give an additional bond. The sheriff was, moreover, allowed three per cent commission hie all moneys collected, in addition to his regular commission for other duties, Whenever a sheriff was succeeded in office the taxes in the arrears were usually collected by his successor. However, the sheriff in office when the arrears were extant was liable for them until the General Assembly voted the county court the sal thority to relieve the deposed sheriff. Upon his release - office ‘and the obligations subsequent thereto, the sheriff ae 23 dered to make out a detailed report of all taxes in arrears and turn This regulati vas well illus- Same over to the county court. This re gulation was \¥ trated in the relief of Abram Jones, who was sheriff of eign: combe from 1757 to 1765. During the year 1765 he mae wee, seded in office, and although he was empowered by law to a taxes after his surrender of authority, he was prevented ee doing 80 on account of an accident. Accordingly, he petitionec for a relief, which was granted by the county court. In addition to stipulated fees and percentage for the collection i ed stated sums for maintaining the of taxes, the sheriff was allowed stated sums 9 ; In ease of an execution of a prison and caring for its inmates. hind i In 1766 Samuel Ruffin was prisoner he was also paid an extra fee. swale illings, ¢ our pence 4 - allowed one pound, seventeen shillings, and four } =i Thomas Merritt, the prisoning and executing a negro criminal. 4 f jailer, was also paid sixteen shillings and eight pence bn ee fee for attending the same negro during his period of confinement. The sheriff of the county was allowed assistance in the form of constables appointed by the county court to help him in hs nace tion of his duties, The appointment of constables was Foren y made without the consent of those appointed. This worked obv his hardships on those who were unwilling to serve in this “ee This unpleasantness resulted from the custom of imposing a 6 2 fifty shillings on any constable who refused to qualify and take an Rtas © 46 History or Epexcompr County oath following his appointment. Frequently also constables were committed to prison until a warrant of release was sworn out by Justices of the Peace of the county. This regulation no doubt caused undue embarrassment to those who were engaged in com- mercial and industria] activities. Later the law compelling a con- stable so appointed by the county court was restricted to those who could not show a oe . }4 x sufficient cause for refusing and neglecting to serve the wishes of the court The constable, ] ike the sheriff, was required to take an oath ad- ministered by the Justices of the Peace of the county. As a com- pensation for his services, the constable was exempted from the provincial, county, and parish taxes, working on the roads, and all other financial impositions of the local government. The duties of the constable, as may be inferred from the salaries paid, wer not numerous nor very severe. They were called upon to give assistance at stated intery als and during the sickness of the sherifi- also had a clerk appointed by the Clerk of whose duties corresponded to those of the ral Court. He acted in the capacity of both and register of deeds. He, therefore, issued marriage licenses and recorded deeds of trust, and made entries of local court proceedings. He was also obligated to take special care of the transcript or book of laws established by the Assem- bly of the Province, It was a part of his duty to keep the book of laws open upon the court room table during the sitting of the court for the perusal by such members as desired information: When requested by any of the members of the court, the clerk was required to read the laws furnishing information upon the case being considered. Upon a refusal to act in conjunction with his constituents, the clerk was subject to a fine of five pounds. ourt procedure was somewhat similar to that of the Superior Court today—that is, a bill of indictment was pre sented to the grand jury, and if the ey sufficient a true bill was returned. to the petit jury by the justices for decision. There is, however; one notable exception. There were no lawyers at the county court to prosecute or to defend criminals. Locke, the author of the Fundamental] Constitution, had made it a little less than scandal for a lawyer to enter public life for the sake of pecuniary The Precinct Court the General Court, Clerk of the Gene clerk of the court The regular ¢ idence of the charges “a The case was then presente 1 + > TICS 47 CotontaL GovERNMENT AND Po rirics ges a, Se oer employ gain. The results were that no victim of the me pea ts defense. This threw a prisoner sot sn ASSIS = $A men in the own testimony. It was not, therefore, unusual fo poet Se ordinary vocations of life to be skilled in ne a aa of the law in order to defend themselves or —_— : en pose ity. Although this law was repealed in heat ehe ii ep in colonial Edgecombe continued to study Pit " pad A in the nineteenth century. John Norfleet was ic Se well skilled in the minor points of law as a practicing ¢ om & The Under the royal administration a few eM BT Priside a ree pre egret ee et ‘whieh that year the Assembly of North Carolns bon il aa Gta changed the precincts into counties, and a tite Sit into county courts. The ep eR sence purport as for- however, remained for some ie eaten some minor changes rly. is well, however, to no RENE ocal ae in order to understand the legal powers vested in lo i . roce 1 of oD the Revi 1ti¢ € 1¢ a J ( 5 ernmen pr 10 I =] R ) I I 3 1 c proce re : itil after 1746, when the the county court was not perfected until afte ; 1 a law ‘ : ‘ 1. oa , n passed a le county court was reorganized. The Assembly the os PAY for the better establishment of the Se hee of the : ° . s 9 vear 7 the Jus at that they should be held four times a year ? by ; ; ‘ithek to three, Peace “This same law restricted the number of ju: i + suildne é e S sé é : ae 3 Th se three jus s which constituted a legal judicial body. bap above forty heard and decided cases where the aa 1 o heard petty a Pig 3. They als é i shillings and not more than twenty i re ‘ of the peace, and cases, assaults, batteries, trespasses, breaches forgery and per- Bete AD ys sales ‘forior cases, forgery £ various other misdemeanors of inferior cases, ger) TREE Reraye: Sueoptad, the Inferior Court of 1 : "AR é , court became the x d Thus in 1746 the county cou ae lt ’ os : > fourth Tuesday Pleas and Quarter Sessions, meeting on the _ ee, me : This court became eC ; Se gust. This cou : January, April, July, and Augus f erimes when the punishment of records and had recognizance of crimes tsi di gts the ~ Stearns . en ae ife or limb. J 8 did not extend to the point of enn no ei annually, indepen- ‘ ‘ rere allowed a salary « ally, the officers of the court were allo , + risdicti _ syiatice als f urisdiction dent of the fees of their office. Each Lenses eny a i os twenty when not it court over any litigated account not exceeding 7 ee 1 court over an: 2 y é arter 3 jesignated as the Inferior Court and Quarte *The county court after 1746 was desig Sessions, 48 History or Epagucompr County ke ae : ae ~qpt pounds. He could, if in his Judgment it seemed advisable, grat . “ ne o.2- é an appeal to a higher court. After 1746 the admonition to tb : ee ‘ siinones The various officers in the county was made more stringent. rl justices were obligated not to ae ah show partiality in dealing wit criminals, nor to be : : ; : of un accomplice to any quarrel in which the might be tried. They ea “ibe were also charged not to receive a bri or gift, 2 : : Me Sah D nor accept any compensation from outside parties. I order to effect the letter of the placed upon any justice wl law a fine of twenty pounds wa 10 entered office without his oath bein The duties of the jnstiog Among other services they were intruste properly administered and signed. also were increased. . . en 6 a a es with the care of the poor and the supervision of parish revenu m ; : ‘i 1¢e The constable and his duties also became more important. Lik . fa rve the sheriff he was compelled to take an oath that he would set the King and cause the pe Ps 19 ace to be preserved according to h power. He was, moreover in fights, those who rode mitted riots and disorder a sort of deputy, cor and w , charged to arrest all persons caugh* armed offensively, and any who com 8 in the county. The constable becam® responding to the deputy sheriff of todays . ace as supposed to have apprehended all violators of the pea in the King’s name, 7 - ; an The departure from the old precinct system also marked 4 other radical change in the county court. The prosecuting ata ney became an official of considerable importance. Prior to 174 very little significance was attached to a lawyer. In 1757 Ede? combe had its first prosecuting attorney, when Robert Jones pr sented and prosecuted, as a deputy of the Attorney General ? the Province, all cases for the Crown. ished in the office by James Cary, in the King’s name all offenders of the County Court. attorney every four y custom was consistent]; can Revolution. Mr. Jones was admo™ who charged him to proseculé coming within the jurisdictio” It was the custom to elect the prosecutiné ears by the Justices of the Peace. Th y followed until the opening of the Amer¥ The Inferior Cour cured civil powe for the distrie before t, by the act of General Assembly, 1746, 7 ts which had been vested in the Superior Ca t of Edgecombe. It was, however, two years ia the newly granted prerogatives were executed in spirit ™ : " ae 2 ° ec well as in form. Committees and commissions were appoint } 49 CoLoNIAL GovERNMENT AND POLITICS among the Inferior Courts to control and supervise internal im- 1 civic welfare of the provements, and to promote the genera been county. Contracts were also issued by the county ve mess as who were appointed by the County Court, for aaanee U1 i peter road construction. In this manner Culpepper’s Bridge W ~ ret in 1757. The contract was issued to Joseph Bridgers, he a the lowest bidder. Several similar constructions were mn - under this commission—Raeford’s Bridge, and also a bridge ov " Town Creek near Wright’s plantation. Among the ee men who served on this commission was Aquilla Suggs, sr Ruffin, and Benjamin Bunn. The sheriff of the county eae - e chairman of the commission for public instruction and ~ = treasurer in addition to his other duties. He paid all the bills sd building bridges, roads, and the erection of public nea i the report of the commission for a building o fee Bridge the sheriff was ordered by the County Court to nad et Bridgers the sum of forty-seven pounds, the amount . € a in the contract. The Inferior Court also exercised t Bigs : determine disputes relating to estates and to make division o property. This court, moreover, appointed inspectors of tobacco at the various warehouses in the county for the purpose of adage and preventing illegal weights. In 1754 Thomas Spell i Na pointed inspector at Tarboro, and Solomon Williams at _ mg Neck. Later, in 1757, the court appointed George Goo ai a spector at Tar River warehouse and Barnaby Whenny, wie seph Howell at Howell’s and Kehukee warehouses, pastel In the meantime Berry Heavill, the inspector for the ware : at Halifax, died and Daniel Selbank was appointed eee ‘eg that place. The sale and exportation of tobacco at this ie a ing one of the greatest industries in the county, it Wee paar for the court to exercise a supervision over the various ware- houses. The wareheouses, moreover, were the property of ei county; consequently, demanded the superintendence of me County Courts. The Inferior Court also had civil power in addi- tion to criminal and economic functions. Constables who, for any reasons, failed to do their duty according to the law Mpc removed by this court. During a proceeding of court in 1 William Turner, for some petty violation of his oath, was re- 4 50 History or Epgrcomper County moved by the court, and Robert Tucker was pl Still another instance of this kind occurred | Joseph Blake, another constable, lost his local position in the cour! house circle and was supplanted by John Jones, who afterward! became sheriff. aced in his stead ater in 1759, whe? During the year 1758 a very important political event occurred: Halifax County was cut off and cre ated from Edgecombe. Thé citizens of both counties met for the last time in joint session of court, and in December adjourned with formal agreements of dissolution. The Halifax element was to meet the next court ses sion, which was supposed to convene at Halifax town; while thé Edgecombe citizens were to repair for mond’s Old Field on Tyrancocoa Creek. naturally resulted from the separation, considerable importance. the next session at Red A few domestic quarrels but only one is of any In February, 1758, an urgent demand was made for an increas? in taxes in order to meet the growing expenses for that year’ Halifax and Edgecombe, although it was understood that they were to be separated, were considered as one in matters of local government and taxation; consequently, the citizens of Halifa% were subject to the increase of four shillings on all taxables which had been levied by the County Court. Halifax, however, was cut off from Edgecombe before the taxes could be collected. Whe? the sheriff called on those members from Halifax who were liable: many refused to pay, and a controversy resulted. various disputes arose between the sheriffs of the t over their respective boundaries. Moreove!; wo countie The sheriff of Halifax claimed that the line began from the head of Coneto Oreek and ran t? Fishing Creek near Michael Dorman’s plantation. He claimed also that the sheriff of Edgecombe overreached his bounds and went into Halifax County to collect taxes. Both of these accusa tions were disputed by the sheriff of Edgecombe County, and # deadlock ensued. In order to avert any embitterness and to re agreement, Edgecombe, the mother county, ach an harmoniov acting through hel court, ordered a commission to be appointed composed of Job? Royal and Thomas Wills to meet a similar commission froW Halifax to settle the dispute of taxes and to mark out the dividing line as near as might be conformable to the act of the AssemblY a - > r T=] CotontaL GovERNMENT AND Po.iTics for dividing the Parish of Edgecombe. After some desultory Conversation an agreement was reached whereby the citizens of Halifax were to pay those taxes which were in the arrears when the county was formed and the dividing line between the two counties was to be Fishing Creek. ; The jury system of the County Court constitutes a very a esting phase of local government. Unlike the method of se Present day, only six men were selected for the grand jury wa six for the petit jury. In 1757 Thomas Hall, Wallace Jones, Richard Whitaker, John Deceece, William Jones, and Thomas Williams constituted the grand jury and James Sane, James King, John Alsbon, Nathan Barnes, Stephen Weaver, and William W “9 made up thé petit jury. The jurymen, acting with the three soa tices who constituted the judicial bench, frequently determined Matters of a civil nature without the regular court trial. In — the above-mentioned jurymen and John Hardy, James Speir, ~ Thomas Hall, the three justices of the court, met together Pi Selected a guardian for Henry Cavenah, the orphan of Charles Cavenah, Henry was at the time of lawful age, but was consid- ered incapable of conducting the management of his estate. He came into court and chose Nathan Cavenah, his brother, as or Suardian, and appealed to the jurymen and justices to eaarare his appointment. Nathan was accordingly selected and placed under a two hundred pound bond by the court. The officials of the court also exercised the function of qualify- ing and administering the oath to militia officers. : W ene Barnes, who was the first officer of the militia in Edgecombe County, was qualified at the court in 1757. His rank clap Specified, but from the enumeration of his duties it 18 to be sup- Posed his rank was that of a captain. Dreery Harrington = in like manner sworn and appointed as a military officer at the Session of the County Court in 1758. This court also established rates for produce and ingrehaniiee: Ih 1759 the price for West Indian rum was fixed at ten shillings per gallon; county brandy, eight shillings per gallon ; punch, gin, Whiskey with sugar, sugar per quart, and lime juice sold for a fixed Price of four shillings. Hot dinners with wheat bread, small beer and cider could be secured at a stipulated price of one shilling, A supper or breakfast, hot, could not be sold for over 52 History or Epercomsr County one shilling. Lodging for a night with one occupant in a bed cost the lodger by the regulation of the court only one shilling and when there were two occupants in a single bed the price was twenty pence. County cider usually sold for six pence per quart. English beer one shillin & per bottle, and various other beverages had their pric es for sale regulated by the county courts. The Inferior Court fur thermore made provision for religious worship. The first refer ence concerning religious matters was made in the form of a petition in 1759 by John Thomas and others of the profession of Ana-Baptist. It seems that a Society of Baptists had constructed a meeting house, and a division in the society had occasioned a dispute over the legal owners; conse quently, John Thomas, the leader of the Ana-Baptist element pe- titioned for a claim to the meeting house which had been cov- structed under his supervision. The church had been built of Mr. 8. Thomas’ land, near Jonathon Thomas’, according to 4 grant issued by the Parliament of Great Britain. Mr. Thomas was one of the active leaders of the dissenting element and had forcefully closed the doors of the church to the services of thé Baptist Society. There is no record of the court’s disposition i? the matter, and so far as known it was never decided or its legal owners identified. Tt is very probable since it is known that there was a very strong sentiment by the Established Church against the dissenting element, and that the various members who made uP the local judicial body were inclined toward the Established Church, that no Society i" r ist action was ever taken in order that the Baptis might not retain its meeting house. In addition to the County Court there was the court of magis” trates or a court of single justice which was provided for in the royal period by an act of 1741. This court had jurisdiction i? civil cases which did not extend to cases involving more tha? forty shillings. The magistr also given a these was th whom the tr ceries.” ate in the court of one justice was power to exercise other magisterial rights; among at of inquiring of the “goodmen of the precinct bY uth may be known to detecting trespasses and sor The magistrates were appointed by the Governor with the approbation of his Council, and were allowed a fee for ald cases coming under their judgment. The executive officer of thé court was the constable, who was appointed by the Precin¢! CotonraL GovERNMENT AND POLITICS : table in Court, and enjoyed powers similar to those i pict ere: aren the English court of one justice. The constable, itil a regular a list of the taxables for the use of the vag poe conjunction vestry was formed in the county. He acted a af 1 cmc with the sheriff of the county and summoned men ciesens ae jury. The magistrate’s court, like the case! the Provinics) sheriff and clerk appointed by the Maren m f the County whose duties corresponded with the similar offices 0 C % Court. i ave court. Its There was also another local tribunal, the slave i ig slaves in order to chief functions were to give a speedy trial to sle sual for the slave save extra cost to their masters. It was not unusual for f his slave ‘ ‘ ecount of his slé a siderable loss on a se roa end ae ing the session of court to meet. being confined in prison awaiting the I ite of the Peace and The slave court was composed of three Justices Pare tino ; é i ee h s three freeholders, who must be owners of “ oh he senior Oree tree 8, ; 1: lesignated by the seni ally convened at some convenient place ¢ a ted cording to J e es — ected ac 5 ae > slave was condu : Justice, where the trial of the There was one difference, the regulation of the Precinct Court. e rt, the > regulatio ; Court and the slave court, however, between the Precinct Court ¢ . > facts in the latter having no jury and the court determining the slave court the ERS aw. In the sl case as well as administering the ! 4 . , could avail him- slave could produce evidence in his behalf, — court, after hear- , é self of any assistance offered by his owner. 1he tenia according Fa dina : F n ce ing the case, if guilt was established, passed ; se ave dae cid we, 5 ‘ a6 ner cor é to the discretion of its members, imposing elt poral punishment, or both. ine the price and It was the duty of the court also to pocsectand when a slave J a nL n 7 a slé@ 2 age of slaves when such was in dispute. sa ae the court fixed was accidently shot and premeditatedly mur¢ Ctaiiad the deed. jt ; ne y the one co 5 : t 6 W was to be paid by ‘ he price which was gst ‘1 of the slave court occurred in A good example of this function o ray from his owner 1765. A slave of William Mace had run xs re 2a oatxiad to nape athts Tar 11S Was C2 ? and was hiding on Fishing Creek. W rie hs in sbeabl and to . | a rseer - ste Mr. Mace, and he deputized his ove £ ishi is the overseer yay egro n accomplishing this t e se, ture the runaway neg . I " to ; 7 sary for the slave court killed the negro, and it became 2g vos that the overseer ascertain the value of the dead slave 1n or might pay the damage done. 54 History or EpercomBer County One of the chief functions of the gs] the relations of the slave to his the slave’s freedom. Slaves meritorious service for the St ave court was to determine master, especially in regard to were frequently emancipated for ate and their master. In case a slave was granted his freedom it became necessary to get a permit from that emancipation of the slave was of the proper authorities. There is one gecombe County where liberty for patriotic the slave court signifying given at the consent notable case in Ed a slave was granted his service. During the American Revolution a negro, Ned Griffin, belonging to Walter Kitchin, of Edge- combe, was promised his liberty on soldier in the Continental lina for twelve months. freedom and beg: condition that he serve as a Army of the Province of North Caro- The slave accepted the condition of his in to serve in 1782. In 1784 the court issued a permit liberating Ned accord ing to the terms agreed upon. One of the first local administrative organizations in Edge- combe County, and also one which appears to have frequently overlooked colonial government, purely temporary in been most and misunderstood by students of the was the Parish Court. This court was the county, and was intended to serve the parish and vestry in promoting religious activities. In the meantime, however, through the absence of the court of one jus- tice the Parish Court vas given considerable civil authority and became a prominent factor in local affairs until the County Court was reorganized in 1746. The parish was not created in the precinct until it was fairly well settled, and then it was without uniformity and never well established. There were no local divisions such as the plantation, township, and districts at this time; consequently, there was no central place of operation for the Parish Court. Efforts were made and were partially successful to form a permanent admin- istrative body, the sole civic functions of which were to care for the sick, poor, and to assess local tax rates. A church warder was appointed in 1735 to raise money by poll tax not exceeding five shillings in currency on each tithable for these purposes. It 18 very noticeable, however, that Edgecombe County had very few paupers at this time; the rich and fertile soils afforded ample means of securing not only a livelihood, but of accumulating wealth. The greatest incumbrance upon the people was the ex- 55 vi >OLITICS OVERNMENT AND POLIT CotonrAL GOVERNMENT nificant until 1744 . caine til at being insig ; ae penses of the clergymen, and th % and of little conse- 3 : TEATS the actual services of the parish were limi a ‘vised the care : iat the Parish Court supervise d the cz It is true, however, tk Court, at ishme f the County s ; ae, 1e establishment 0 ne et ee eosaes d with officers appointed > Parish Court the chure 1 of the precinct, which time this function was entrust , exiatence of the that court. In the early existence of for the use : oi o sasures for sige > om ny ~ovided weights and meé 2 aver.” The warden provided rge book of common prayer. ge be together with one “fair and la i es es ho a ase ap” apne gee a county government. ‘ the Parish Court was the part The most important phase of the Pé = Oe i that it played in connection with the po J ‘ _ 20r- sought to obtain co 1 an opportunity for much ¢ r “ans. This c ition presente ‘id iets The means. This condit ] was not entirely exempt. as ruption, from which Edgecombe é struggle finally was one of preponderance ‘ ae ee In order to understand why the pk ano itl 8 of North Carolina. In the onstable, and jurymen, Those not directly ap- politics in the county it is necessary i power of the Governor of the ps ager first place the county officers, the sheriff, ¢ were largely appointed by the Governor. st 3 ig EA EM pointed by him were selected by officials w KS the Governor in office by ‘the executive himself ; aoracatye a4 oN aalisient reality wah the central figure and pena ee a court house activities of the people. The paca “There was no redress for ring which became seria SEO discontent never be- ' ‘ ; ¥§ or grievances. ou aa se- wrong; no appeal for g her authorities was almost use came effective and a resort to hig forecast what the results less. With this state of affairs one can sae lership of some , a 7 > lead 5 7 would be when the Parish Court, under the History ¢ RY 5) or Epexcomsr County mn, sought to interfere also obviously in And umprove the administr® ous 1possi ble during the early contr” olitical factions for the local The personal int tude in count Moir to the erests of the Governor and the parish’s atti Y politi aang were made plain in a letter by Rev. Mr reflections upon the Poca ee ee made bite court System in the ¢ Sreraor and his actions in reeard to thé sonal feelin AS Rina It is very difficult to toaiiil the per’ = Governor Dobbs were ee in the report. Both Mr “Moll ny : . re eit ‘ * 1m effecting a harmonious ‘hea oreaiy: ocal affairs. t his si . aan side might be placed in the best possible er churchmen wrote to the R ue vernor D p i ; : situation in the sian mn action in adjusting the political ) very arbitrary and i é intolerable. He claimed also ‘ that Dobbs hs Francis Corbin, very 8 had treated the Earl of Granville’s agent; Secretary of f unconscienti very creditably in col Oe Ey: and that Corbin had acted lectin i eco: aot g the various rents entrusted with him- ht igi. waren Governor Dobbs sought means, legally ae ’ ep Mr i pda pla affairs ws in a because of his interference it ° vo 4dgecom ) . 8 realized it was heoeineaii be County. When Governor e to accomplish his design through ic i In the meantimé Edgecombe to refuse t0 ‘cal € was unsuccessful. The Governor - power and caused the parish in Edge- very unfair manner. d by Dobbs — of the two precedi : ) n r. Moir would iplbdideca thei si mn Ree from looking too I ny — taxes to Edgecor a t been collected by reg > county courts, acting be or eference to the new In doing this the acted unjustly by say ed > “a years upon the parish they expected In order to keep the appearance of vartial, the officers gave the money3 nbe, although the taxes at that time ason of the stringent opposition of conjunction with Dobbs who had ly appointed parish. of the political m ated in Following th showed I The Operation ther demonstr achine in t] 1e county ws ys race ty was fur an > mi e “eg maneuver of Dobbs and his fol- Settlement of Mr. Moir in Edgecombe 57 CortontaL GovERNMENT AND POLITICS parish instead of Halifax parish, as Governor Dobbs intended, Dobbs caused the county to be divided in like manner as that of the parish. This was done in order to give Dobbs the oppor- tunity of appointing a new sheriff in Edgecombe who could man- age the election of the vestries. The result of this is obvious. The sheriff, acting as a tool of the Governor, decided the election against Mr. Moir, and attempted to displace him from the super- intendence of Edgecombe parish. Mr. Moir, however, defeated the Governor upon his own ground, and brought up a point of law which the Governor had entirely ignored. There had been, as a result to the long and continuous Opposition to the parish, no vestry in the county for several years; consequently, there had been no church warden. This being the g to the law, for the sheriff to hurch wardens and to supervise at the Governor was defeated e which had been tem- case, it was impossible, accordin take parish money except from ¢ the parish affairs. Thus it is seen th and the parish gained considerable prestig porarily lost during the controversy. In August, 1761, following the church and court episode, Mr. Moir writes that the county is in a great confusion. Whether he has reference to the moral or political conditions, it can only be inferred from a suggestion that he makes in his letter. It is very likely that both the moral and politi val affairs were in a deplor- able condition, for he intimates that many citizens who had labored for a regular minister and support from the courts had The inexplicable state of affairs in Edge- despaired of success nd it is evident that the misun- combe was observable by many, a derstanding between Dobbs and th The General Assembly of the Province was then in se many hoped that something would be done for the more effec Although many accusations by Mr. iggerated, they were not wholly list in Edgecombe County nesty and many protests at Mr. Moir was on the e solicitations of e leading men still subsisted. ssion, and tive administration of justice. Moir and his sympathizers were ex¢ unfounded. The officers on the civil showed very little regard for common ho were made against them—so much so, th verge of leaving, but remained because of th neighboring vestries. all the appointees for political It must have been evident that Current and judicial positions in Edgecombe were not good. History or Epercomsr County letters in 1760 to the Secretary at London stated numer tions to the bad appointments of the Gover making positions corrupt. the General Assembly of tl sharply censured for i Some of these protests 1e Province, appointing bad officials in the ernor Dobbs, however, did and repeated the offense objectionable characters ; supported him in |] ported not heed the rebukes that |} by putting in the ind other ring leader is previous contentions, their intentions of leaving the unsatisfactory situation and the condition of the ¢ The corrupt officials in prior to this time. others had Peace by re ourts. Edgecombe was no infrequent thing As early as as 1739 Colonel Whitehead and been removed from the position of Justice of the ason of unpardonable negligence and corrupt methods in the execution of the duties of their office. The church and the courts in the county were very ¢ lated in 1763; therefore those policies of affe ? ? affected the other. losely re- cting one frequently e usually referred to determined largely the Especially was this true which was supposed to support the In the days when there was no separa- ate one may expect difficulties and conflict- Such was the case in Edgecombe County. As usual the minister was the central figure on one side and the Matters of religion wer the court, and the attitude of the courts conduct and effectiveness of the in regard to the revenue, church and its activities, tion of church and St ing issues to arise. church, political leaders on the other. With all due respects to Mr. Moir lusiastie for him into many unpleasé al judicial powers. conflict with two of the Chief informed tl in this late day, he was entl the church. This led affecting the loc: the revenue belonging to ant controversies He became involved in Justices in North Carolina, and 1em in person how grossly they acted in the suits insti- tuted for the reeovery of Edgecombe parish taxes from sheriffs who had squandered them upon personal needs, Mr. Moir, moreover, | tivities of the people, a long aid spiritual hands upon the and with scorching wor corruption of the civil] officers. was good, but not permissible in officials. political ac- ds denounced the The moral intent of Mr. Moir the estimation of the political The stern churchman did himself a permanent injury ous objec- nor, and how they were came back to and Governor Dobbs was county. Gov- 1e received, commission of the peace 8 of the mob who had Many citizens re- county by reason of the 59 vd > TTCS IMENT AND POoLiTics CotontaL GOVERNMENT ANI i release of : : ffected the reles When he denounced the leader of a mob who =o bbs. Dobbs had Francis Corbin, to the delight of Governor BOWES: peace in a s ’ he ys Ee y oO . re 7) Previously made the captain a gengeomn a this and should d a ave recognizec “ Edgecombe. Mr. Moir should h d ra station. Mr. Moir, have treated the officer with respect due , : . nmission because however refused to acknowledge the COO gta candidate for , nee rae > captain was a Ci : : : : 1763 the cay Moir of his corrupt nature. In Seed be, and Mr. Mo : . inal Hdgecombe, ¢ : - 3urgesses 1n E 5 ‘ > had election to the House of Bur; : ; The candidate hé ‘ eS sing his election. the : ; conducted the campaign opposing ti ind, as Mr. Moir put it, . rarno?r’, action, é ee the support of the Governor - = his a ” In Mr. Moir’s “even the Old Huzzah himself was on ea a he pointed out the . andidate . ies » against the canc : 5 iets €xtensive lecturing tour agé , ee and, in his o : rality of the candidate, 2 ? aes Corruptness and immorality : : m colors.” The result we Words, “painted the scoundrel in his ae =e broadened the breach ‘ aint s broadene the leiden election never came off. This itics aders i yers, ¢ ne political le bet tk ‘nister and his followers, and the fy ween the ministe and their supporters. bitter, Mr. Moir was warned to orsy grew more bitter, Mr. “¢ As the controversy grew m é ageing ; str - since there we h Cease inspecting vestry accounts; sie ap gr eet E> | : sen collected b; y -y revenues had been Pb wardens the vestry revenu ae Violation of the law of the province. N arent ee law, disregarded the warning — i ee led to for a settlement of t yer é eale : se 3 dignati The courts were app ) me Se an g nvolved in Controversy; consequently, they became 2 pase 8 Matters The courts having no sg eer ir a a decision in favor of the church. Short a a i county, ¢ m stry was formed in the : Permanent vestry was : . an end. difficulties were temporarily at an n additior rts was a ge e Rie I I e late Jé é n ral or app ] iti 0 he ocal cour ts here 2 ; : ae t, V hick =) se e Ss ervision Over h > ir ts of » W i 1 exercis ed a g neral me I _ e Z ‘ ge compe Halifa an G any i e 1e8. I r more the n fi e€ > i é rill Coun . . ? E ! : = . tS] e 1 a precinct, and until the , < dge mbe as d clarec « ait : 2 weg d aft . E 0 , . . a "ne ‘ clnet t was i rat e udicis l f I 10ns f gov- eci 2 Cour yas in ope ation, - d ka “iis : i a a I ig he | 218 ative a l executive, W = ct ao rent und es yecially € eg sl ; ; x ) : b y this Cc ourt hrough he Chief J ustice ss te “ de a fe W excep ions fr om 1 732 0 1 ( 15 Edgec m i a . 1n ey ® I , ] G vernor Th Cr ywn a ppoin C - > o a 0 . e ¢ te 1 the ( I vernor un. 1 To rule over the people. the Governor selected his own officers to rule over the p 7 retreats *Known as Superior Court. 60 History or Epercomsr Country a large extent, there pointed by the Governor and cond to his judgment and order. Thi Construction of roads ; before the Precinct Court We In order to do this commissioners were appointed to carry out the will of the court. In 1745 a commission for Edgecombe was appointed, composed of Seth Pilkinton, George Moy, Sr., William Mace, John Burney, and James Barrow to construct a highway and lay off roads throug f the county. Civil] officers, moreover, of various kinds were appointed by the Gove ith the consent of his Council. When it became nec angers to be ap- pointed in 1766 to appraise and ascertain stray horses in the county, it was the Governor who was vested with power to select men for this purpose. From June 7 to August 7, 1775, Governor Dobbs granted forty-five civil] commissions for Ed gecombe County alone. fore, the officials of the general court were ap- ucted judicial affairs according § court enacted all laws h the upper part o ror, w essary for r Frequently in exere » the Governor made known his wishes neral Court, which carried out his bidding. The General Court became the Superior Court in 1762. The change took place when the Governor appointed jus- tices to hold a circuit or district court for the counties cut off from Albemarle, After the change from the General to the Superior Court considerable power was given to the local courts in the county. The Superior Court, however, retained the higher authority and overruled cases fr rts, The Superior Court civil matters in the to the courts of t] other to the courts livery. The and only om the local coy also retained cert district. It was similar 1e King’s Bench, Common of the Oyer Terminer and General Gaol De- Superior Court’s jurisdiction was very extensive, very important cases, involving considerable money and punishment, could be appealed from this court to th and Council, e Governor The jurisdiction by way of appeal was limited to cases of appeal from Inferior Courts, where and in those cases only sums of money of certain amount were involved, under the jur The court exere as to collec ain specified powers over on the one hand Pleas, and on the A very inter esting case came Superior Court in 1767, isdiction of the ing a writ of scire faci ised the power of issu- ¢ money in another colony. 61 In rICS JovVERNMENT AND Po.iric CoLontAL GOVERN} +, had been sued by pme Jose vell, of Edgecombe County, 8 he ae i, cn of pcre naneste tine 2 oor fc. Merrith had judgment = aie mre “ges io, . ie a ack we “iad it was found that Merrith Mere the - sher iff f the le ssen. the orecin = 6 pr cinct in order 10 SS ] He & = : : ii 1d responsible for all fine i) impos od I ail- count y was ne a6 28 e upon th ose f il g to serve fr om the county. > r manage c ired to own or mM 5 All d jurors in the county were ereired had to own or f gran . i i ll petit jurors € and, while all petit | - Peer five hundred acres of land, instructions issue control two hundred acres. One of the ae of the Province Governor Burrington when he assumed wee: f freemen unless f North Carolina was to restrict the voting o re-inforced of N arolina was ATE was re- th se ft holders. In 1734 this ee eage RE y were freeholders. - admit freemen ey were shnston, who refused to admit Fee Aabeliity by Governor Johns on, hei te for members of the Asse ; » zast their vote ie at least six not freeholders to cas : > > precinct at les Shihan the had been inhabitants of the 3 fifty acres of land. ’ » € sae é * month sd possessed a freehold of at 7 rs must have had the 1 Ss VENUnever a Vv. yr S x E 7 these circumstances the one Ne fore he would be Vv er these ; s befor : ] oe ssion at least three months be and in his posses allowed to vote. ‘ justi e is : inistration of justice O f the essential needs for the acta ut an aaa e ess a r 5 i ; Prior to 1742 Edgecombe County Se Sa 4 court house. . Justices § - nt place for holding courts, the just hed! ai Glee. ie fara : sii different plantations convent 2 Assembly of the € to time o x >» General Ass 5 ; sata In 1741 the G By a Ing the eourt session. = stices of the Peac eat. passed a law permitting the aad g per poll for two — adi one shillin po i ax not exceeding ¢ : oe aa Co lay a tax no ild a court house, prison, ei to iy ee in order to build a pl baie ds pe Ts on every tax cre shes , Stocks for the county Accordingly, na 8 od same over to the a ee Soe turne f , anc : 5 ~— 1s purpose natruction “OF the mo 1e taxes for th : sonstructi sbi _s Peace, who superintended the ¢ ‘ t Enfield, Justices of the Peace, house was built at E Public building. The first court house ior Court. At the le bui . erior C : Primarily for the exclusive use of the oe by the local county con leti however, a petition was made sions at the court npletion, ’ > geass os cou os that they might also hold their se Irts 18 ) , house in Enfield. i combe was very At this time the area of the precinct of eo ee exte ae for this reason it was to the Xa an aH eae ; age t the Superior Court and the pt genera y na ee to , in Edgecombe ices of the Peace in , bly empowered the Justices o free use of the prison. h The General 5 ce here. They were also given ) Old their sessions of cou . 64 History or Epexcomsr County erected and remain at the most convenient place. Beyond the frontier of what is now Granville County the land was very sparsely settled ; consequently, there w a8 No very urgent need for a place for holding court. On the other hand, Edgecombe County was fast being settled and a small urban population was growing in various sections of this district. The Assembly, realizing the necessity for a court house in a central and thickly populated dis- trict, wisely selected Edgecombe ag one of the thre venient locations. Enfield, being the most central place in tl house and prison were accordingly construc field was made the county seat of E of the county € most con- 1e district, the court ted at this place. En- dgecombe, and all the courts were accordingly held here, only temporary, for in 1758 Halifax County y selected as a more convenient location for th Court ; consequently, the citizens of Northai those in northern Edgecombe petitioned tl the Superior Court and j This, however, was vas formed and was e holding of Superior upton, Granville, and ne Assembly to move ail for this district from Enfield to Halifax.1 Complaints, moreover, were made that Enfield afforded no conveniences for the people attending court at that place. Ac- commodation and convey: ance also were not obtainable at Enfield. The Assembly of the province acted favorably and the court house and prison were accordingly moved to Halifax Town in Halifax County. Trustees were appointed to remove all the records and existing property and to erect the propriation of 134 pounds, 9 necessary buildings. An ap- shillings, and 4 pence was m paid over to the trustees to complete the e« buildings, ade and onstruction of the public also levied on all taxable per- counties in order to help fin An additional tax was sons in the three of the buildings, Edgecombe County made an involuntary sur judicial power in 1758 when Halifax County w being located in Halifax, ¢ ance the construction render of her as formed. Enfield onsequently it would be impracticable to continue to hold her sessions of court at that place. At this time there was also a commercial rivalry existing between the two counties, and Tarboro was growing as a commercial competitor with Halifax Town. Tt became necessary, therefore, to find some suitable and convenient place in Edgecombe County to hold court. 1 Enfield was hardly a village at this time. It never bec after the Revolution. ame incorporated until 65 a r 7 T AN ITICS CoLton1taL GovERNMENT AND Por nee ouse It was probably in 1758 or the year after ee to t Edgecombe County was permanently moved Oc key Swamp. édmond’s Old Field on Tyrancoea, er reo ‘ a ea with he building was presumably of logs, chinked owe en ets ig mud and making a very crude structure. It cou. * % seine 4 Very permanent building, for there was no specia Pie as aa Made to construct a court house at this place. In fact, 1 ted It stave uncertainties that the court house eee iad tie ses- is known, however, and there is conclusive DNear es) f Pateiicies Sion of court for 1760 was held in the vicinity ih ae Creek. The report of the grand jury ae returnec ee A Rts Old Field during this year. The ees of. this Barnes, and among others who served at the ce * PRS “ourt were John Calhoon, James Braswell, = aa iD i scat James Hogans. Fortunately, also, thete 5. Henie Among the Proceedings aed .et Redmand's Olt Field reper cavoleed some Civil cases disposed of was that of a land rege t ne. The prop- of Edgecombe’s most prominent citizens at that . : ae “ty of John P. Dew was divided by the County as by John to his will. Acting on the special committee, gg en ie oy laywood? Aquilla Suggs, and mane eter | edecadet: ®ace, to divide the estate among the heirs gibestins Ho ans. ing to law, were James Smith, Drew Smith, and Sats a ean he records indicate also that at this time ROE epi C4 church Who afterwards became very prominent in re y ath as a affairs, repaired to Redmond’s Old Field to take an os / ‘ resided Justice of the Peace. It is supposed that Mr. Battle p OVer + fo R he few remaining sessions of court at this yrs aa ok Shae It may be inferred.from that fact that the ey oy : eople Mond’s Old Field was not substantially built, and aor. ng It in the county contemplated another site from re eae the is Very difficult to reach any definite conclusion as = sayy S€ssiong of court were held between 1760 and 1764. I es mean- “eports of any court session during these font tag yi hae: mB .n Petition was sent to the General Assembly . sts the tants of the county that they might be permitted to m Pee 1 ti Pather 9 *John H liam 4lifax i Edgecombe. f Exum Lewis. noted Revolutionary ag enn a meg Pee: of 2alities 5 y Individuals, one must begin in the loca : : ty in each Stee in the count} ‘splayed, Tn almost every State, and tate diffe Was direct Colonies, ett uated by » while they had many things in common, has thy a rent Motives in taking a stand in the aiken a. same period. me all the motives appear spontaneously estore ; sie of condi- While the actual cause of the Revolution grew New England tions and measures affecting more directly ae ‘ operation in “Olonies, there were also some important forces re ig prominent other Colonies which actuated them in taking a uae began, Part in the rebelli These causes in TE fig cmanta 2 2 might be said, from the time Edgecombe ieee! ‘ source of 18 precingt along with all the others was ee" Adan Picas wNenUE to the Proprietors and of the mA t 2—for the use Who °Ccupied the land had to pay so much quit ren and Cultivation of the territory occupied. Sngland during this tke a 8reat many of the other pohieies $ pays execution of Petiod there was no regularity or Kmnrera tes ae up land sey law, and the people were unmolested m oe ) it rents was a ms, Cultivating it. The earliest overseer of _ ba as ey Mr, Rutherford, who had married the late Governor aa 5 side vag “omewhat indolent and ext ravagant in - seit sound and Permitted the people to manage affairs to sul : is inac- ‘ : : account of his in *mplaints were directed against him on accou 1 e dis Proprietors. is ti 782) under the Lor¢ an “ONtrol of the Colony was at this time (17 i f the For several years the sheriff 0: inet gnenificance of the term is not known. Precingt di cling and was owe er cent of all rents collectec I t ts ci i i s allowed 5 ¢ 74 History or Epercompr County tivity. Quit rents became greatly in arrears with no one t0 supervise a regular collection for the Lords Proprietors. The arrears from 1732 to 1735 had heavily accumulated. In 1735 over 400,000 acres of land were held by only 67 men who were not owners of the land in fee simple. Of the 67 tenants the entire amount of quit rent paid for the privilege of using the land for two and one-half to five years was only a few hundred pence. When one considers the amount that should have been collected according to law, it is calculated a deficit of several hundred pounds. Finally, Mr. Rutherford lost his position, but not until matters had drifted into a deplorable state of affairs, The result from failure to collect the quit rents, especially in Edgecombe, which at this time was one of the most thickly settled sections of the Province, was that government officials— judges, councilmen, and Governor—were behind in their salaries.* George Nicholas,2 one of the resident judges in the district of idgecombe wrote Governor Dobbs in 1755 that his salary of 20 pounds was always in arrears, and the same could not be paid until the quit rents were collected. He also complained that the circuit of Edgecombe compelled him to ride two hundred miles twice a year before he could secure his salary, which was payable out of the quit rent money. Naturally, when the Governor’s salary depended on the collec- tion of rents, the officials sought to execute the measures which would guarantee them their pay. The controversy began with Governor Burrington, but reached no permanent head because of his limited stay in the Province. Governor Johnston, his suc- cessor, began the rent quarrel immediately after his arrival. New measures were enacted, the number of places for collecting the rents were diminished, the inhabitants were treated as tenants of the Crown, and revenues were to be paid in specie instead of in kind as was the former method. In the meantime many of the inhabitants had purchased and owned lands in fee simple. Consequently, those who were not so fortunate were grievously handicapped by being subject to the arbitrary treatment of the agents. The tenants refused to pay 1 Officials were paid with quit rent money. ? Judge Nicholas was allowed £20 annually as Circuit Court judge for Edge combe. bith Carolina. of As f » Vet fe + 17345 ECEIVED, the ¢42 424 Day of 7 R. 4h ae CS POLE . : eee — ¢ OFA? Za a " nf oi pay reg ; CL worewc lf Oise y ; the Sum of £7 “reve Ari 5 RL bt Aicen « to the Crown, being for 4 ref cee Year's Quit-Rent, duc to aed t vor ing tor 4 Aes “ > ae PO Zo aa the eects Ninth Day of September laft, for ew. sp. Acres of Land, holden by and {cituate in , W3, - * fia I fay receized, for the Ufe of bis Maje/t, Nl Y YY, “lett Per xKrtan VFA ~ Ie Made dente ars 2 Atle OT PP Ye ber WBMES. es ra J” eat gorse? he ez Y : a at tM ie tht ad Cask js a fae Maden y % Zz Commoneny fo byor Piigrate fp wag he hawk 4 . 2 —i rr 5 J yeee fe PUcle send 4 \ y Z her eee’ P 247 — z A g ‘ [ Aactef jew te Af go OF REVOLUTION thej lelr rents unless Cord bor : provided with more convenient places, and, ac- “Roe . their interpretation, convenient places were the neigh- — in which the rents accrued. They also requested that + Should be collected in kind at a fixed price. € set ay - this conflict of opinion citing the officials ee Whee ec to a rebellion in 1735. The people refused os = officials —— overtures were made by the authorities ant = just how 7a their attitude. It is not an easy matter if ste for a This the trouble would have extended if it had not been F ange of policy on the part of the Crown. to noggin it had been a matter of serious consideration be 1729 th Apes the Crown should take over the colony. 4n € question was decided affirmatively. Although this Settle, . : am d the quit rent trouble temporarily in Edgecombe, 1t caused l as transfer of the and fro be Seen os é ra to numerous uprisings and open host uthority, e rious economic one to the settlers by the m the Proprietors to the Crown. It ultimately led, as will ilities to the Crown's Whe : : Pro x6 the Earl of Granville consented, with the other Lords aes nea “pig 1729, to surrender to the Crown the sovereignty =~ = plteam of North Carolina, he reserved to himself all the of ui to one-eighth part of the Province. os = This tis © at this time included all of the Granville _— territory. a in many hardships on those residing in ve Ureg eR waturally, Granville would create more wees eer been “sap —— compulsion in the collection of ane t Pei — that all Xe Since it was his main source of revenue, a gots Modities ay must be paid in gold or silver, and a _ 2 ing on Ch v spect eng the rents were to be paid at Outlaw's _ of Bagec owan River, about 90 miles from the ——e bounc ae Chastate and 300 miles from the frontier. This causec without = on the people, who every year had to make the jour - ‘Wee 7, trails, through forests infested with Indians ie? Wag very li Casts. There were also other difficulties, tor Kc Urally ke ittle specie im the colony at this time, and this law nat- ov pt the Province entirely drained of gold or silver. More- er, j > Msteac > ‘ et hap = i Se d of having a resident among them to collect the rents, € inhabj ring ante were allowed 10 per cent of the amount paid for rents whenever Same to the regular place for collection—Edenton or Outlaw Landing. 76 History or Epercomsr Country as was the case during the proprietary period, agents from Eng- land were sent over by Granville to take charge of his lands. In addition to this a gross unfairness to the inhabitants came about through a controversy between Granville and the Crown. It was Granville’s policy to rent land to various tenants, charging them a fee for issuing the land grant, and then a quit rent for the privilege of using the land for cultivation. The consequences were that an immense revenue from Edgecombe County, instead of going into the King’s treasury, went into the private funds of the Earl of Granville. This constituted a serious loss to the Crown, and an increased burden on the people, since it caused the Crown’s officials to impose additional fees and taxes upon them in order to compensate the officials for their services in the Province. In a short time Granville’s district was looked upon as a sepa- rate part of the Province, and a warm jealousy grew up between this section and the King’s domain in the matter of colonial rep- resentation. This friction was not satisfactorily adjusted until the opening of hostilities in 1775. In the meantime additional trouble arose over Earl Granville’s neglect of his North Carolina possessions. Instead of supervising his estate personally and providing against grievances, which necessarily arose, he placed agents, many of whom were unfit for the position over the people. These agents by unscrupulous means carried on extortions until it became unbearable. These agents, especially Francis Corbin and B radley, in their practices of fraud induced several persons to make entries for the same piece of land, charging each a fee. In 1752 Corbin and Thomas Childs increased their intolerable oppression by declaring patents void, which had been issued by their predecessors, in order to col- lect more fees. When the fraud was detected the agents refused to return the money. In this manner huge sums were collected and appropriated by the agents. Moreover, exhorbitant fees were charged extra in all land grants for Granville’s lands; the amounts above which they were required to turn over to the Earl of Gran- ville were retained by these agents. It has been estimated that in collecting the taxes imposed for revenue to meet the expenses of the Indian Wars and the fees imposed by the various agents amounted to $10 on each head of a family in the Granville district. REVOLUTION 7 is indifference Th 1759 the Earl of Granville further showed his sr me the welfare of ‘his territory, Py to t ’ . 1 . Ov 7es. anc 4 he people’s grievances, at bin.? Meet turning his lands over to Thomas Childs and Francis pede Childs was made auditor and exercised much influence over yaaa Granville himself. The fraud by which these men were to wn Very rich in a short time was disclosed in a letter during tus Period, _ Mr. Childs was to return to England, leaving his emer “ charge of Colonel Innes on the Cape Fear during his eernoes 0 his visit to England he was to represent the conditions “4 be Colonists in Granville’s district to the Earl, while Corbin w ae 4ct upon the information sent him as to the movements * 7 fraudulent scheme. In the meantime, Innes was to wd a a etween, being kept ignorant of the intrigue, art ee “nual salary for journeying to Edenton at stipu * crept *eetiive fees, fines, and to issue deeds for lands imposed by} hi : is se ell, having issued While ir land Childs worked his scheme well, a yiand Unilds i : hem ated specified power to arl Granville in the esteem and 0 his own name a notice in which he deleg himself as auditor and representative of E Granville district, He succeeded in acquiring much te favor from Lord Granville by informing the Earl =e erg nr ad collected considerable money, and that Lord Granvi ° all the fees himself and granted only fixed salaries aot om aks Childs did this in order to show that the profits of the ~ 7 Were lessened and that Colonel Innes (in office vireo a es Tanville’s knowledge and at the instigation of sage sagen Pay him, Childs, the agent’s regular allowance. nus © . 4 a or the neces- “andidly admitted to Earl Granville that he was under t Sity of | 1 in order to pay : , i o the Ear = Mopping the money remitted to id planned self. The design worked effectively as Childs aan a and justified hee pnd hin colleague Corbin in their robbe - i the estimation of Lord Granville. Colonel Innes, innocent thoug ® Was, bore the brunt of the blame. . . ranville in In th indle and hypocrisy, Lord Granvi 1€ ¢ » swindle and hy} J? : ourse of the Childs to turn s, 1n '$ complete ignorance and stupidity, paptener? Wheatly was ®ut Innes. This was accordingly done, and a Mr. Wheatly : : iti yas a 4ppointed in his place, the requirements for the position Ww cs ’ + i bs’ * Corbin was a member of the Governor’s Council during Dobbs’ Ohilds served as Attorney General. administration, and 78 History or Epegecomper County bond of £1000, and Childs was instructed by Lord Granville t0 force Corbin to sign bonds to Lord Gr anville to execute his trust: Childs was furthermore instructe d to send over a list or schedule of fees which were to be posted in the district, in order that the people might know the amount they were required to pay as rents and land grants, Childs, however, in his adroit and cunning manner arranged with Corbin to get the bond and to keep it with- out its being properly signed and filed. The list of fees were never sent, nor were remittances of any importance made to Lord Granville. Childs continued his defaleations by making it appear that the fault was with the men he had appointed, thus clearing Corbin, who was his secret agent and growing richer with him at the expense of the inhabitants. Mr. Wheatly was accordingly turned out as had been his prede- cessor, Colonel Innes. Mr. Childs immediately transferred the bogus bond to Mr. Bodeley, another agent, after making about a premium for the place. Mr. Bode- 1 the machinations of Childs and Corbin. He was instructed by Childs to call Corbin to a strict ac- countability. At the same time he directed Corbin not to account with Bodeley until he returned to the colony from England. £2,000 by charging this agent ley became an accomplice it Childs straightway began a movement to return to the gold mine he had laid and to re ap some of the rewards of his ignoble scheme. He instructed Corbin to exert his possible to create a party against the Governor and his admirers: Corbin was also to create a division among the agents so that g Lord Granville would be under the necessity of the colony to adjust his affairs. influence as far as sending him to There could be but one result from this se cret and dishonest diplomacy. The suffering of the people caused by this corruption checked the final execution of the well-laid plots. The colonists complained and groaned under the oppression of wicked and de- signing men until relief could be had only by violent resistance. In order to check the injustice of the agents and to obtain re- dress, requests were addressed to Earl Granville by the inhabi- tants of Edgecombe. This effort proved futile, however, since engrossed with his personal matters, and the colonial legislature was unable to take action in the matter because the Earl Granville was too much ’8 possessions were beyond its jurisdiction. REVOLUTION 4 z ve - the people The trouble drifted into an intolerable RET to a in- a rag an = ’ came desperate. The Attorney General was ri best course Ss ate. . . i > best © se formation in 1758. They demanded advice as to the to pursue. The Attorney General suggested that a see aut ‘© cither the Earl Granville or the legislature to consi their grievances. It was not advisable to send sor aero 25, Tanville, since he ignored the first one, and on 1 cd A ancin- 1758, the inhabitants presented a petition to the Co - 8 aaah ly through William Williams, the arsenate rei equine ®ombe County. A special committee was ri ie veins sum- nto the action of the Granville agents. pscagpe itted to the Toned and examined, and a detailed report was ra d ed against sembly showing that true complaints a Reet the legis- MB Amante Wa anc fever, was or could be taken D) Mars, ba tet oe more through fear than by ths i ‘Oo present his books and accounts for public inspection. i : assumed i , “ent trouble ass The agitation abated temporarily, th me nine mrerciee a ® less Violent form, and redress was looked forw ; wade a “aged Citizens. The abatement did not last, h * : aCe less apparent. Prievances were reopened when resentment became ap] i 7as : "0 f chief, and we orbin had in the meantime assumed the tor = “4 rah i is 8 : ates. sp b Sowing fat upon the extortions of his re me age 6 >» by playing s fi able that he sought to elude the people by playl ate ale ; g i $10 is responsib y: i “i preve I ression of his r J ntl the impre PC : she rable political influence. I at thic 4: : , ide : this time was a man of consi anville, he was Addition to being chief representative for pen :. et: glazing 2 ® member of the General Assembly. In 1750 Ae was Most active part in colonial legislation. ’ ait * us 8 1 et ca F op » Lowever re ul zed that Corbin was the aire ae and ook dr astic measures € 0 : aust t the renewal of their oppression, ould be 8ainst him when it became evident that no een astioks Offered by the Colonial Assembly. In January, 1705 ; of “ae able number of people from Edgecombe went cs ae z Rear Edenton, seized him during the night = meee forced nfield, where the agent had an office at the time. : - | = pene '0 give 9 heavy bond for his appearance at the spring —s ae Superior Court, and to refund all unjust fees sed uprising People. Tp order to check the timely but mpeeeen habitants Corbin signed an article in which he agreed with the inh¢ 80 History or Epercomse County to refund to every person the monies he had taken from the™ through his deputies. y He further agreed to remove any deputy) surveyor against whom objections were made, and to appoint only one person of good character in the county to take entre and to survey lands. The people were also permitted to examine the entry books and to appoint committees to adjust the claims to lands where two or more made a settlement on the same terri tory. In the meantime Bodeley, Corbin’s principal subordinate had also been captured and was required to submit to the same procedure as his superior.1 The feeling against Corbin : ° ¢ his subsided, but against those of bi subordinates, who were not required to give bond, became moré acute. The people’s feelings were so worked up that almost beset pardonable actions are charged to them. During the time Corbi? was in the custody of the people a Mr. Haywood, one of his sub ordinates, returned home from Virginia, where he had fled, and he died suddenly. The inhabitants, spread abroad to lead th and dug up his rem thinking this was a rumor em from the pursuit, went to his grave ains to see if the report was true. The government officials, in the sideration for, and mor inhabitants of Edgee ney Gener meantime, through their co al support to the Granville agents, set the ombe against them. Robert Jones, the Attor al, lost his influence over the people by reason of bjs unjust treatment of their case, and considerable odium was e%~ pressed against him. The people had given Mr. Jones a fee to ap” pear for them in court and to present their petition to the Ger eral Assembly. In the meantime it was reported that Corbin had offered him a larger fee not to carry out his contr for him. The rumor gained credence to let him appear in the General local courts. act and to appeat t and the people vowed n0 Assembly nor to plead in the It is not known whether the . aS charges against Jones were true or not. The people, however, prepared to avenge them- selves when he appeared in the district to attend court. The extreme severity addressed by the General Assembly to the Governor in May; 1759. The summary of the address was to the effect that severa! people within Lord Granville’s district had conspired to do pe! sonal injury to the officials. A request was made also to quell of the trouble was shown in a memorla 1This uprising ig known as the Enfield Riot in North Carolina history. 81 REVOLUTION ‘ £25 ? A reward of © Noters and to restore order in the county. 1 the trouble "as also offered for any detection of those who caused t ‘ "nd upon conviction an additional fee would » ee 3 required Governor Dobbs, however, was reluctant in eee wi an ‘lp to quell the rebellion. In the first place, he neg a pre- Satisfied to let the trouble continue, since it would dit ? his pos- “xt to raise an issue of Granville’s inability to in ie who S8sions, This was one of the main policies of se pap Cinna. hey Striving to bring Edgecombe under the contro! 0 1 Mr Moir, haps if it had not been for the action of Sour d silent the Parish clergyman, Governor Dobbs would have Dobbe and Mr. ‘2 the Matter. Previous to this episode Governor Vo rish court Moir had carried on a bitted controversy over eh addressed “Ystem in the county; consequently, wh re er 1ation, claim- ® letter to the Secretary at London asia He | A pant into the 78 that Corbin acted unjustly, Dobbs was er ceaeaagitl fray, although it was contrary to his interest. 1 sae obtained Stated, in order to create more feeling against i : conditions; : “ommittes to report to the General aan ed a ublicly backed but his efforts proved ineffectual, and that Corbin p the Collector in the county. 3 1 the effect in a The Controversy between Dobbs and Moir hac ies slight degree which the former had hoped for in a sy uarrel that the disputes and riots which grew = -, i Parise pve him ample pretensions to object to this part 0 ~ retained by private ownership. sbiection to the obbs, however, was duty bound to offer sane ~ aE Wlessness of the people, and accordingly issuec id WEEE “ausing Some of the rioters to be arrested. nee ‘i ld, but were ~'PPOsed leaders were arrested and put in jail at En ‘Himself led immediately released by their comrades. Corbin poms? the Matter of prosecution, but was later warned by sete oatat ad Secretely guided the entire affair, that if he pursuec oe deeds ‘00 fa he would be the one to suffer, since he ec — a : artner Which he could not justify. Childs, after having led his p Ber: crime, did not support him further. : till believ- : Although the Governor was a friend of the are ; ebellious in the hope that the people would continue their r attit itizens. ude, the Assembly being the avowed enemy of the ¢ 6 82 History or Epercomsr County "3 om Pressure, therefore, was brought upon Dobbs, and he was ¢ pelled to continue an open effort to suppress the rebellion, at ye same time giving a secret support to the people’s opposition b the government. Many of the people did not understand his a tion and thus in their misconception became opposed to the G0 ernor. ey This apparent stand of the Governor caused feeling to run x against English rule. Moreover, at this time action was taken le prevent freedom of speech and liberty of the press. The peoP were not allowed to write letters and pamphlets to agitate rel for their grievances, In 1764 Lewis Griffin was arrested and tri¢ for speaking against the King, but by r of the people, who shar of the witnesses, eason of the sympathié ed his opinions, was not convicted. oF William Bakerman, during the trial ae 1at the prisoner was engaged in a quarrel “a one of the citizens, and that Will O’Quinn, a constable, ye manded him to keep the King’s peace, and that Griffin replie® “God damn the King’s peace, and y Early in 1766 a letter was writte the Wilmington paper i Griffin, swore tl] ou, too.” 4 a “o and addressed * nin Tarboro and addres Mf é ag tbe n which the actual conditions and J 1 : 1 were clearly stated. The general to . . 4 b4 1e8”" atement created considerable ee a movement was started to Suppress — } q 3 W inst the parties in Wilmin8 Threats were made against the parties The ton who had published the letter as a public document. ee Pte Y : oa effect of this was instantaneous, for the people were then dep! of the only means of making their grievances known. The change of fee grievances of the county of the letter and its st among the officials and information. ths tbe ling in Edgecombe was natural, due to progress of the economic trouble ; and the attitude of the officiat emand for redress of their grievances. Alaa represented the King in the colony, and was a bitter enemy of the people in Edgecombe, he became secretly 4 friend for personal ends and was forced to take a stand aa’ them. It was, therefore, well nigh impossible that these aie could Progress, work out an economic policy, without pole and civil liberty. Their domestic life and economic salva conflicted with the policy and development of government as Pa posed by the laws of England. Progress generally cost a strugs 4 The first phase of the struggle in Edgecombe was an opposit10 toward their d the Governor 83 ReEvoLutTion ate ann : ille. The second phas ¥ the individual to the agent of Granville. Th The " $d yovernor. Wag the Opposition of the people to the British G ray present in these self ests and impulses were ever prese ‘ties were largely agricultural people, but these qualities og sali eveloped because they had not had enough stimulus ir activity prior to the beginning of the Pertere’- pas The Condition of Edgecombe County was that of an 1n ° rest against i ini : Se Fie nterest age “ntaining his personal rights, opinions, and 1 5 National auth 5 vide i his conditio ority, interests, and oppression. In t action bec ; ‘ > elti- ame voluntary, and it was for this Seven soot re- 7ens of Edgecombe took part in the ae t for better Straints were disregarded, and the citizens cast their lo Or fop Worse, sale iin nD all revolutions there are two parties—the pou who “ONservatives, From the first there were some in pre Almost were against armed opposition to the King of bape ter i redress ‘ rever, was in favor of taking nite we : throughout 8 grievances. The moderates remained so c “pes of the con- eA ) sre were two types < € from ’75 to ’82. There were the the People’ the Strugg] 4 : anianoud. Dart. 12 Servative element which played no inconspicuous } Volution. eral ras in a state of gen In the Meantime the entire colony was in a § Unrest ? ‘eilite : 1e war of reg . 4nd uprisings, In the western counties = of the people. ation Was having its greatest effect upon the minds - + avarcised bY spirit exercised bj © react " ‘ and the spir ‘ ’ _ of the western trouble ¢ ond: copulate Clals w °US upheay as instrumental in creating 2 stage the con- al of the people in Granville’s wamasewta Colonel Fan- was going on in Orange County between aye Edge- and the inhabitants over rents and rebrig tim ? lr ollie COmbe Was given a new spirit of rebellion and interna ve ae New fuel Was added to the flames, which were eater Ae 5S: high, and the rise of the insurgents in central ai ction Prompted the inhabitants to begin a more staunch oppos ° ‘dge- The y that the Superior Court ended its session ae Combe district thirty men from the county (while the mene ein Session) went to Halifax to rescue one eet os peas AIgecombe County, who had been put in inosine to the fees imposed upon him. Oneal had been trans . . st to , a é The party, in their attem] alifax Jail for safe keeping. The party, 1 da 84 History or Epcrcomsre Country rescue their fellow-citizen, were repulsed by some armed citizens and a few troops who were stationed there. One of the party was shot and taken prisoner, another had his horse killed, and several suffered minor wounds. The officials of the Crown were temporarily successful in check- ing the riot, but conditions remained bad for the payment of taxes and the resumption of good government. Attempts were made in the county to overcome the officials who persisted in what the people termed “impartial discrimination in their rights.” Discontent became more apparent as the grievances of the people grew more burdensome. Laws were generally disobeyed; the jails were weak and badly kept, and the constables were frequently the friends of the people. Consequently no adequate means were available for retaining and punishing those who resisted the power of the Crown’s officials. In the meantime the notice of the Stamp Act issued by the Parliament of England was received in the county. Many who were at variance with the rioters became a champion of theil cause. Open remonstrances were made against the legality of the act of Great Britain. The stamp master in Edgecombe was forced to take an oath at the court house not to have anything to do with stamps. The uprisings in other parts of the colony gave the local citizens an incentive for more opposition. The agitation reached a climax, the struggle was on, the flames were bursting everywhere with no restraint to be offered. The Stamp Act excitement was well under way when Governor Tryon came to the colony to suc- ceed Dobbs, who died March 28, 1765. The rebellion against the Stamp Act added much fuel to the flames. Edgecombe was, of all the counties, most adequately prepared to offer opposition and rebellion to the measures of Great Britain. However, singular it may appear that the interior counties should maintain a staunch opposition against the revenue bill, it is nevertheless certain that such was the general attitude. Chief Justice Hasell made a tour of the interior counties immediately after the act was passed by Parliament, and reported to the Governor that among all the in- habitants of the interior and border counties, he did not find oné who supported the measure. That this was the state of affairs is indeed remarkable, for there were no restraints on trade and commerce to arouse the anger of the people as there was on the 85 RervoLuTiIon ¢ Cape Fear. The most probable explanation of the bitter and timely rejection of the right of England to enforce the law, was the background of the whole period in which the people had to be Subject to unlawful means of taxation. In March, 1765, a protest was lodged against the proceedings of Parliament, and the Sons of Liberty, an organization formed MN the Cape Fear for opposing the Stamp Act, was organized in Edgecombe, Immediately after the organization was formed the lerk of the County Court was forced to swear that he would Not receive any stamped paper or distribute any stamps In the County, The RES was fast being laid upon which the Citizens Were to stand nine years later. The spirit of rebellion Was fast culminating in an aggressive action which was destined Rot to be settled until the close of the year 1783. Early conditions show conclusively that resistance, which had then reached the point of a common cause, was due to Seid oe 4nd it was this alone which moved all the agitation. It 1s clearly “Monstrated that where force was resorted to grievances had been Prolonged by the agents and mercenaries of England, who had me Considered the welfare of their dependents. The records show ‘so that when the occasion required, the citizens of Edgecombe Wer : : : ne ir wrongs. In the © not slow in using violence to redress their wrongs. i : . ag isla- ficulties which had already taken place—rent troubles, legis aaa wee > exercised Ve discriminations, riots, and heavy taxations—they exercise “ , yo — and forbearance. However, 1n all of the oe +3 4 ar’ realize caused the conflicts the people were fully prepar ed to rea ; , at © nature of their unrest, and to resist the encroachments o reat Britain, "is clear at this time that the people were considering organ- “~ Tesistance to the procedure of the British Government. John ‘8yWo0d, the colonel and commissioner in charge of the military Sade Edgecombe, was requested to make a return of all forces imager bis command. In April, 1765, Colonel Haywood accord- wey *eported that he had 14 companies with 1,317 am emer ta Officers, ready for military duty. At this time preparations = under way. There were no arms at this time in the county, Si Shortly afterwards considerable stores were sent to rane : ae. There were no Indians in the county, and no suspecte comee against the State than have been already mentioned. 86 History or Epercomse County After Colonel Haywood’s report a new muster was made, and 200 more men were added, the companies were increased and more equally divided. It became apparent in 1774 that general opposition was going to be made, especially in North Carolina. The conflict between the Governor and the General Assembly gave rise to a new spirit. The rebellious attitude of the colonists everywhere showed plainly the uselessness of further attempts at a peaceful understanding. In the spring of 1774 John Harvey, speaker of the Assembly, is- sued circulars, headed by his name, in every county for the election of Representatives to the First Provincial Congress to be held, August 25th, in Newbern. A most singular thing in Edgecombe’s history happened when the county failed to elect delegates to form the first Revolutionary Congress in North Carolina. The fear of openly opposing Great Britain was so great that placidity exceeded the fervor which moved the people in 1758 and 1760. In the meantime, however, internal conditions created a radical change in the country, and the minds of the people were disturbed in a different way the following year. The first convention proposed the foundations upon which the new government in North Carolina was to be based. A committee of five was elected for each county to execute the orders of the Congress, and to act as a committee of correspondence. Although Edgecombe had failed to send representatives to the Congress, it was not ignored in the propaganda for the new cause. Elisha Battle, William Haywood, Duncan Lemon, Henry Irwin, and Nathaniel Boddie were elected as the Edgecombe committee to discharge the duties imposed by the Congress. During the fall of 1774 the local committee convened the freeholders in Edge- combe, and a committee of safety was appointed, with Elisha Battle as its head. He was selected as one of the committee to propose certain rules and regulations for the government of the local people. E. Gray, from Edgecombe, was also appointed dis- trict committeeman on the committee of privileges and elections. The following year many changes were made in the preparation for war in the county. Edgecombe, casting off her shame of the previous year, sent five representatives, William Haywood, Elisha Battle, Duncan Lemon, Henry Irwin, and Nathaniel Boddie, to the Provincial Congress. REVOLUTION In the meantime Josiah Martin appeared in the colony as Governor to succeed Tryon, who had gone to New York. In 1772 he became very anxious to reform the colony, and in order to do ny he looked suspiciously upon Edgecombe, the seat of unrest and ‘X8urrection, as the principal place to start. He wisely set about '0 formulate a method (unlike Governor Dobbs’) to purchase Lord Granville’s right to the territory under a legal bill of sale. It happened at the time that the lands were for sale at a price of 9,000 pounds. As a purely commercial transaction the purchase Would have been a profitable one. In 1766 the quit rents amounted '0 over 6,000 pounds proclamation money, and with the reopening of the land office which had been closed for five years (1766-1772), ‘nd adjustment of the unhappy and deplorable conditions, causing those who had settled upon the land during the five years the land Office was closed to pay the required fee, the yield of revenue Would have been lucrative indeed. It was estimated by Governor Martin at the time that the amount would early reach 12,000 Pounds. It is not, however, to be presumed that conditions would oe been made any better by the transfer of the territory to the Town, Two notable occurrences prevented Governor Martin from ef- Seting his design. In the first place, the laxity of the agents in Collecting the rents, and the refusal of the inhabitants to yield ‘ny further monies until their grievances were redressed, made it Practically impossible to hope for any co-operation on the part of those who oceupied the land. In the second place, a large num- ber of settlers and land squatters had occupied unsettled lands when the land office was closed, and the administration was 1n ® chaotic condition. Naturally they claimed all rights to the land Which was so easily possessed, and they also naturally re- Sented the payment of rents. Strange to say, although it may seem contradictory, for these *easons Governor Martin, supported by the Assembly, urged the King to purchase the Granville territory. The fact that the con- titions in the county were such as described, caused considerable Seussion and debate as to the advisability of purchasing the ands. The matter was deferred because of the deliberations. When the policy of Martin was being considered in England, affairs in the Granville district grew worse. In 1773 Earl Gran- History or Epercompre Country ville by some unaccountable means finally awoke to the actual conditions which existed, and for the first time sought to effect an adjustment. He proposed to make Governor Martin his chief agent, hoping thereby to restore his source of revenue and to effect a harmonious feeling among the people. Governor Martin submitted the matter to Lord Hillsboro in order to receive per- mission to execute this office along with his other duties. Before a decision could be reached another stage was set for a historical change. Meanwhile forces were operating which decided the question for all concerned. That this policy affected the American colonies as a whole, overshadowed the purely local conditions, and Great Britain found herself involved in a war with her chil- dren across the sea. The questions for which the people had con- stantly and consistently labored were to be decided by a general uprising and armed resistance, not only to the agents of the Eng- lish who lorded it over them, but to the central head of the English Government as well. Many conservatives held a decided view in favor of the colo- nists, and others—the royalists—were partial to the authority of Great Britain. In the first group were many men like Elisha Battle, Jonathan Thomas, William Horn, John Thomas, Willie O’Brien, and others. These men fought in the Revolution, but were not so enthusiastic over the open breach with so great a power as England was at that time. Acting in a religious capacity, these men wrote a letter to Governor Martin in 1772 commending him on his policies and his attributing to the people a desire for a sound religious and civil liberty. The influence of such promi- nent men upon the feverish spirit of the people cannot be over estimated. Cool, level-headed though these men were, it took only a few months to convince them of their error and to convert them to the Revolutionary cause. After all was done that was left for them to do, they acquiesced and assumed their share of the burden for political independence. The second type of conservatives, however, were more to be considered. They were as enthusiastic on one side as the colo- nists were on the other. Indeed, the principal trouble that local colonists had to contend with grew out of the conflict with the loyalists. The internal struggle began early in 1775, when the whole American continent was ablaze with momentous agitations RevoLvurion 89 an : " : . xe d d Teprisals. Joshua Bertley, a Tory with no little celebrity, sey . ror i “rted the common cause of the people, and endeavored to in- et their minds against the American measures of liberty. He Ueceed §tagoy areste ed in unifying several followers, who created a political usm to the policies of the Revolutionists. Bertley was ; ed by the aid of the militia, and was tried for the charge. ume between midnight and day the agitator paid the pen- : for his loyalty to England. He left, however, several ardent "ends who advocated his principles to a conclusion as will here- Some alty f oe observed. Among the Episcopalians, especially the ‘er and older planters, the Loyalists predominated. These be [ei tbougt antagonistic to the citizens at that time, oo see honest ed upon with more consideration. They were bray 2 =o enjo =? who were in all probability proud of thetr views, fron: a free empire to which they belonged, and who had 20 . late desire to shirk the burden of maintaining it. The — from Edgecombe ended their declining days, after nn exile Pye goods and property confis cated, in sid — rag istory has not carefully recorded their REN — that Gace a defeated cause. But it can be recognize at county ®y were among some of the best and ablest men wr 1e as thar E that they contended for a principle as sacred to them i or which the greater number fought. Perhaps, also, the of ep remained passive for a long time during the early — hast. “topegaas because they thought the people who too oP ti “aes no idea of independence. They were merely shines 635. tion fp 8s their grievances and not to form a permanent separa- i the English Government. to tap evolution having begun = earnest, it became wer there ws military inventory. When the trouble began in sh ‘re approximately 2,000 taxables in the county of military Measures were soon inaugurated to gather together all lable Possip] forces to prevent Loyalists uprising, and to repel any l The movement which undertook this task was Safety, with Elisha Battle as its head. Men of Xperience were very scarce, although all were good ad expert riflemen. Although military tactics were unknown, several of the citizens had seen service in Several military officers held commissions in 90 History or Epercomsr Country the county, having been appointed many years before the poss” bilities of war were ever considered. Alexander McOullogh w® appointed colonel of Edgecombe militia when Dobbs came ” North Carolina in 1764. William Barnes was made a captain 1757, William Haywood colonel of the regiment of Edgecomb? in 1761, and Jacob Whitehead lieutenant-colonel at the same tim® These men, however, were incapable of active service, and wet® to a considerable degree, inefficient because of old age and Jack of proper training. The Council of Safety, therefore, began its recruiting under very adverse conditions. The first provision made by North Carolina toward utilizi®® military force for the Revolution was to organize minute me? and militia. Edgecombe, according to her population and are was required to raise two companies of 50 men each of minute men to serve for six months. They were not required to re-enlist after this term expired. The battle of Moore’s Creek was the tim? Ah Y ; fi Sdpic poids eo for mustering out. A. ee 4 ANG, i JZ Qrtl tu adse as sy ¥ a x 7as I, é In addition to two companies of minute men, Edgecombe W* : fag ey ‘Ro 9 fe ’ Vi Wha Foes -, Ja. Lilo ¢ td tbe Ae tose 2azt, $i also to assist in raising a brigade of militia. The militia W™ 5 2 f+ 4 4/* ’ Y SAy 4 made up of me ° ars : J A, art Seay. hey g I nen from 16 to 60 years of age. a4 ag ie pes ek SP j gee: go. kde , Loaltl and an election was held in the county to select members fro™ iy Oy Edgecombe. Accordingly, in August, 1775, Robert Bignal, HentJ . helaved i ; i Irwin, Duncan Lemon, Thomas Hunter, and Thomas Harmon” ei Hall were elected. In April, 1776, William Haywood, Elish* Battle, and Nathaniel Boddie were also elected. These men P™™ sented to the Congress a true state of affairs in Edgecombe, and requested that action be taken to make the military situation sult able for defense of the county. In September, 1775, Congress i mediately appointed field officers for the minute men in Ed8” combe County. William Haywood was made colonel, Sherwo” Haywood lieutenant-colonel, Joseph Moore first major, and Hen?) Horn second major. In June, 1776, Congress appointed Gresha” Coffield captain, Spenser Watts lieutenant, and Francis Park? ensign to co-operate with Mr. Battle in military activities in the county. These men formed the first battalion and acted a8 !” officers as designated above. In 1767 Catawba camp had been established on Fishing Creek for military headquarters for eastern North Carolina. This ™™ In the meantime the Second Provincial Congress was called: THIS +. RECOMMENDATION AGREED TO 47TH JANUARY, 1787, IN HOUSE OF COMMONS BY ORDER OF JOHN B. ASHE REvoLUTION 91 one as a precaution against possible Indian troubles, which had “ot in the past been infrequent. In June of that year the Gov- “hor, accompanied by various military officers under the com- Mand of Alexander Moses, of Edgecombe, visited the various lodian tribes and met here to report. This camp had been par- Yally kept in a state of repair and promised to be useful as well a ©onvenient place for mobilization of troops. Under the Ount b regularly instituted military organization in the Y field officers were elected, and commissions were issued Y the Provincial Congress. Subordinate officers were electd by * County commissioners. The Council of Safety exercised the authority of calling out the militia in an emergency when the “hgress was not in session. The first field officers of the Regular q Grand Army—Colonel William Haywood, Lieutenant Colonel et wood Haywood, Major James Moore, and Second Major “nty Horne—were elected in 1775. In 1776 the militia system "8 Teorganized because of the inactivity of the officers. Edge- wee list was changed completely. Exum Lewis succeeded ane oo aa as colonel ; ee win re pense *) Jonas Johnson major, and Thomas Hunter seconc jo . the same time the Continental regiments were organized in Pil Carolina, and James Blount and Henry I. inns a ed Captains in the Second Regiment. After the discharge o thi P : . - “egiment, Captain Toole was appointed lieutenant-colonel of ®* Fifth Regiment. @ The rganization of troops began with much enthusiasm, and — were immediately appointed to take command of sing “Us companies. In the meantime, William Williams was ae adjutant in the spring of 1776 by Congress. He Lies re- ied to send 400 weights of shot to Colonel Irwin in Tarboro Uefense and use by Edgecombe’s militia. Large quantities of aa itions were collected also at Tarboro for the use of the army W; of Colonel Irwin. Much of these provisions were sent to tng ington to ration Edgecombe troops, who were there at that Nor, defending the town from the Loyalists and the British. On pried 28, 1776, Green Bell was appointed captain by Con- S, John Bryant, Jr., lieutenant, and Theophilus Coleman sec- ond }; . lieutenant. From these officers and men in Edgecombe the 92 History or Epercomsr County Halifax Brigade was organized in 1776. The captain of the brigade was James Gray, James Brown acted as lieutenant, 2? Joseph Creel as ensign. Several men from Edgecombe acquired fame for their milita™ services during the struggle in behalf of the American caus? Among these were Henry Irwin Toole. He was among the first to accept a commission in the regular army. He took charge ? a company and marched to Virginia to defend that State agains! the British at the beginning of the Revolution. This illustrio™ patriot took part in the battle near Norfolk, and later won laurels for his name in the struggle at Brandywine. When the compa”! which he commanded had served its time of enlistment and w4 disbanded, Captain Toole returned to Tarboro, where he resume his profession as a merchant. He lived to represent his county in the Provincial Congress andgtp see the happy termination of th® cause for which he fought. ' Prior to 1780 no fighting with the British occurred in the county, but the citizens took a conspicuous part in accomplishiP& a successful military campaign. Perhaps the most notable, % at least one among the most prominent characters who supporte® the Revolutionary cause in the county, was Colonel Jonas Job™ son. An industrious farmer, without the rudiments of learniD& he proved to be a patriot with zeal and power. He took co™ mand of a regiment in 1776, and found against the Tories al Moore’s Creek. After engaging in several encounters, he retur?@ home and became a delegate to the Provincial Convention unl 1779. This year marked the beginning of his career as a militat) leader. He assumed command of a regiment and went to South Carolina to defend that State against the British in 1780-8 Later he returned to his native State and engaged the Tories 4% British under Tarleton at the battles of Slone and Guilford Court House. , Just as the county was making extensive preparation for the struggle, an incident occurred which excited deep resentment : the minds of the people. Governor Martin, just before his flight from the colony, issued a proclamation by which freedom W” t s . jthot 1Mr. Toole was also among the first members of the Assembly that met with the sanction of royal authority and in open opposition to the Crown. ¢ t REVOLUTION 93 Otte : : a pe f Ted to all slaves who took up arms against their masters. Be Ore Dae ae orean- : Y damage could be done, however, the armed and organ lze Te . tare eder a ; militia calmed the dissatisfied slaves and restored order "ong them, eantime the Loyalist activity began in earnest, and ised considerable trouble for those who opposed Great Early in 1776 an attempt was made to raise a Loyalist € county. The Loyalists, however, were without the of securing sufficient arms and organization, and before ould muster together a force, the troops in the county suc- eedeg ; ¢ rape ie ; m, led in defeating them and arresting the leaders of the move- ent, ? Meang they c A * 4 al er of Te nother attempted uprising occurred late in the winter 1 : "8, when the disgruntled and disaffected element in the county ii Signs of Toryism. There were many malcontents concerned, ri Yarious efforts were made to inflame the minds of the people > ag the action of the Continental Congress. The was was Pg ™Mportance since the success of the military forees de- a on the support it gained from Congress and the —— © People behind this legislative body. Colonel Shepparc * Notice for the militia to arrest the instigators and to anti-American feeling. Colonel Jonas Johnson aw militiamen and by his bravery and pronounced spersed the band of Tories and restored order in the (dition to noble and brave leaders, Edgecombe sent many = re Support the common cause. In 1777 the pre wee Out of the county, while the Loyalists were completely * Subjection, This enabled the Edgecombe troops to leave “unty to defend other sections of the country. Some were Sms # Pennsylvania to be placed under General anne 2 bite “hay in the battles of Princeton and Se oe ah 7 3 2 i ’ . » this battle ‘peg struggle at Germantown, = a he a a 1e heroic and noble patriot, Henry Irwin, fell de u Pon the battlefield. Th +: ; Ne this battle Edgecombe lost a son of noble worth. His body “vered With the soil of another State, but his heroic deeds the Sent er s 94 History or Epercomse County and character are a product of Edgecombe County. Over his remains at Germantown a marble has been erected bearing th* inscription : In honor to the Brave Hic jacet in pace. Colonel Henry Irwin, of North Carolina Captain Turner Adjutant Lucas and six soldiers, Killed in the Battle of Germantown, One cause, one grave. J. F. W.t Colonel Irwin left three sons and several daughters. Two of his sons died without issue; the third left a son and two grand daughters. One of his daughters married in Halifax, leaving oP? son, Thomas Burgess, who died without marrying. Anothet daughter married Governor Stokes, and their daughter married Wm. B. Lewis, of Tennessee, Auditor of the Treasury of th? United States. Her daughter married Alphonso Pageot, at oD? time envoy from France to the United States. The sister of Colonel Irwin married Lawrence Toole, whos? son, grandson, and great grandson inherited the name of Hen! Irwin Toole, all distinguished for ability, influence, and pop™ larity in Edgecombe. James W. Clark married a daughter of H. I. Toole, the first. The name of William Haywood, of this county, appears among the men of 1776. It is to be regretted that so little is known of his birth, services, and death. The records prove that in variov® offices, both civil and military, he was a true patriot and useful citizen. He was a member of the Committee of Safety for th? Halifax district, 1775, a member of the State Congress at Halifa* (April, 1776),/and also of the State Convention which met 2 same place in November, 1776, which formed the State ConstitU tion. He was one of the committee which framed that historica! document. He was elected one of the Counsellors of State, thé first ever elected in the State (December, 1776). 1The thanks of the State and the gratitude of every friend of Edgecmobe are due to Mr. Watson, ‘‘author of the Annuals of Philadelphia,” for his generous 2” patriotic gift to the memory of the heroic dead. He was a son of Wilson and a soP of Edgecombe at the time of the inscription. ReEvo.vurTion 95 William Haywood was the uncle of the noted and distinguished Haywood, a jurist and writer in this State and Tennessee. a the father of John Haywood, Treasurer of the State from a 1827, after whom Haywood County is named ; ann of the i Stephen, and William H. Haywood, Sr., of Raleigh, , -atter being the father of Wm. H. Haywood, Jr., Senator in ge from 1843 to 1846. William Haywood was the son of . Haywood, an Englishman, who came from the Barbadoes to qneenme County and settled not far from the present Walnut Hq and Dunbar bridge across Tar River, and here William *YWood was born. The family subsequently moved to Wake County. d — military operations in the county, as in almost every other r Y In the colony, were carried out by the energetic minority. °re were many who first enlisted in the fervor of the moment, oe ‘don on reflection decided that they did not care to be sepa- t m from their families or farms. Naturally enhoqneet meant Nias would be compelled to fight anywhere C engreg de- - N Colonel Jonas Johnson, in a letter to Governor Caswell, eo eter 2, 1778, shows the situation very plainly, He the ‘a plain his grief when he wrote that he had sent to Caswell °OmMmissions of Captain Davis and Ensign Gray, the former Pease of infirmity and the latter for cowardice. This left the ee without any captain. Lieutenant Lee, who was » fer, and who accepted the office when Davis resigned, “ted the company without any commission. Colonel Johnson, men ver, reported the resignation of many of the officers and “dha pleaded for some method to restore the men to the €s of the country. oac® ~ harem department was in estacllent order in 1778, Pound; Johnson having just furnished Captain Lee with 934 ag of beef, 21 barrels of meal. The spirits of the men was — health good, and they were ready to encounter any the ba. But Colonel Johnson deplored the fact that many of etach Captains would not go with them. At this time another Ment was being drafted by Colonel Johnson in the county q 0 ; ; © put into the regular army as soon as possible. © task and importance of provisioning the troops of the try as fast as they could be mustered was no small item. Edge- Coun 96 History or Epercomse County combe in this respect, however, showed remarkable power of of- ganization and ability. In 1779 Edward Hall was appointed as commissioner. From the fall of that year to January, 1781, he sent the troops from Edgecombe 100 barrels of pork, 25 bushels of salt, an article essentially necessary and scare at that time, and a considerable quantity of meal. By 1781 provisions became 4 matter of no little importance. There was scarcely any food i the west that could be furnished to the troops. Along the borders of the counties of Nash, Johnston, Pitt, and Edgecombe were numerous ringleaders who had harbored deserters from thé armies and had signed articles of association or enlistment whereby they had obligated themselves to prevent the militia from being drafted. This was the beginning of a lawlessness which required a military force to suppress and restore civil authority. In the meantime the County Court had been virtually sus pended. The Granville district was under martial law. The economic stress and the lawlessness of many of the inhabitants placed in the hands of the military authorities full power of regulating the county affairs. Elisha Battle, as the dominant figure of the Council of Safety, acted with a committee appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to try all cases of criminal! action and sedition in the county. The people generally obeyed the mandates of a self-created power—termed a committee— which absorbed all authority, both civil and military. Indeed, orders were complied with more readily than they were before the courts were suspended. None sought to evade the military regulations except the Tories. A body of this element entrenched themselves in the southwest part of the county, and a considerable number in the northeast for the ostensible purpose of showiDS open resistance. However, all their designs were frustrated with- out any bloodshed. There were also at this time several Scotch merchants residing in the county. They openly expressed them selves as remaining loyal to the British Government, and wer forced to leave Edgecombe, according to the law of the military tribunal. At this time unscrupulous means were resorted to by designin§ men to pass worthless money upon the citizens in the county: The problem of financing the troops and all military activities 1? ReEvo.urion 97 vit Caotng had been turned over to William Haywood, of Addition. e County. Th 1776 he issued $500,000 in currency in At the is the one million which had been previously emitted. td Da me unscrupulous schemes were formed by David Smith i Sty Guin to perpetrate frauds upon the people at large. 1e gang began to pass counterfeit money, and they were August of that year. A $5.00 bill was discovered on ‘ey rson after several futile attempts to dispose of it, and @ sam up for prosecution before Mr. Battle. In November of Nettle © year (1776) Daniel Guin, at the instigation of Solomon Copes, and James Bognor was convicted in like a I i a proved to be Tories and were leagued with several the “ay © at that time conspired to slay the principal leaders of Officers >a cause in Edgecombe before leaving with British Smith Xs mete recruiting in the county. Moreover, Guin and Were ested with several others in sympathy with the British, from ag on the line of Edgecombe to prevent the military alting men from the King’s army, and also those who were ting to remain neutral. These men were making strenuous ‘0 associate this element with the English troops. Ith is *ppened at this time that Colonel Henry Irwin was in or T arolin,, Sonvalescing from a wound he had received in the South ing . he His health had prevented him from attend- +. aX previous to the departure of the militia, which had ad Py here, to assist the Continental army in New Jersey Orieg Ea wana: He became aware of the conspiracy of the Ty nd wrote Governor Caswell apprising him of the situation. Great preentime about 30 or 40 adherents to the authority of Smbled aa attempted to storm Tarboro. Colonel Irwin as- Wige ay aut 25 men to oppose them. He, by his bravery and : ership, disarmed the entire band and compelled them to “Thapg of allegiance to the State, and to promise to support 6 “ge the independent government against Great Britain. * orilmage, a man of considerable influence and wealth, and t ag leader of the Tories, was arrested and exiled from the The tion a 7 and jollowing year the Provincial Congress passed a confica- t, depriving the Tories of their property and compelling 98 History or Epexrcomse County them to take the oath of allegiance. The severity of the act, how- ever, caused much opposition, and it was never put into force in its entirety. Many who refused to take the oath were permitted to remain in the county, but were deprived of the rights of citi zenship. In 1778 the suppressed courts were again reopened, and the wheels of civil authority began to grind out justice through the proper channel. The sheriff of the county again made his ap- pearance at the regular sessions of Superior Court and discharged his duties according to procedure of law before the beginning of the Revolution. The county previous to this time had not bee? infested with any invasion by the British, but now the trend of the military movements of the British was southward, and Edge combe was destined to witness the scene of bloodshed and unhappy suffering on her own soil. Lord Cornwallis made his approach to Edgecombe after the battle of Guilford Court House by way of the Cape Fear. The resources of the county had been greatly diminished in both me? and supplies by sending aid to South Carolina when that State was invaded in 1780-81. Joshua Potts, who was then comm15 sioner in Edgecombe for the army, had sent on May 1st, just about eight days before Tarleton reached the county, 3,000 pounds of bacon and much flour to Colonel Briton near Salisbury. Of the six North Carolina battalions and the thousand North Carolin State militia that surrendered at Charleston, more than 700 wer from Edgecombe County. Also much salt, flour, and meat had been sent to support these troops in the campaign in South Jaro- lina and also to Pennsylvania. The people throughout the sectio? of the State were soon to realize the results of their unselfishnes* Late in April, 1781, Lord Cornwallis deserted his camp at Cross Creek and prepared to march towards the Roanoke. He had with him about 1,500 men, composing a small detachment of royal artillery with four cannons, several battalions and a brigade 7 guards. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with 180 dragoons, an? Halmington’s guard of Loyalists, was sent ahead of the army a scout. They reached Tar River, near the mouth of Town Creek: early in May. The approach of the British gave the remaini”8 Loyalists in the county renewed courage for resistance and up” rising. The appearance of the British and the obvious rise of th? REvoLvutTiIon Tories necessitated the sending away of the valuable papers of a at Tarboro and the records of the court house. attack * 1e Vicinity botame aicaid to sleep at night for cage of «oa and capture. Several Tories from Martin and Craven ; €s visit lVer, their ch ists, ed the county while Tarleton was camping on Tar They proceeded to the house of Benjamin Vichous, one of : lef leaders, who assisted in organizing a body of Loyal- 7 oped iramodiataly joined the British forces, taking 21 head is. : uich they collected for the British army. : 2 , eal rebellion the twenty years which preceded tl roluti it “Sete : i ihe a which preceded the Revolution, slg the stage for a reign of terror. The. apreoge guard action i pee reached Edgecombe about May 5th. His first Provisi, as to order the inhabitants to collect large quantities of Sas In order to overawe the scat- county had experienced and passed through sev- ita cer enabled him to secure a retreat for his Peck a, Som Loyalists. He pushed forward toward Fishing and Ge rng another effort to secure large supplies of flour Upon vo the amy. He decided, in order to effect his designs, Make a. vg the county abundantly supplied with provisions, to Was ohn march against Halifax, where a store of provisions ny in ke “S at Halifax Greene that eping for the American troops. General Summer at the time, and on May 6, 1781, he wrote General Intkiy 0 om intended to evacuate Halifax and move to Warren : reenville, taking all stores with him. “ao meantime large forces of militia were ap ensiong from Counties 4. sections of Edgecombe, Pitt, and Northampton Upon aa = the British. Tarlteon learned this and decided Halifax st mee action. Word of this reached the inhabitants of Meet 4 and Edgecombe and the militia was urged forward to C he British at Swift Creek. The two forces met at Swift Teek 5 i : : Run May 7th. Most of the American troops were inexperi- Need F; and badly disorganized, and were forced to withdraw to lsh} hing Creek, milit: Here another engagement took place; again the la and 5 citizens were unsuccessful in checking Tarleton’s Loyalists. The road was open to Halifax, and the ched forward, reaching Halifax town on May 9th. dr *8oons and 100 History or Epercomse County Meanwhile Cornwallis was still on Tar River, encamped oD Crowell’s Plantation. He hesitated to venture forward to the Roanoke, not having heard from General Phillips as to the condi- tions in Virginia. He wrote Tarleton to remain in Halifax until he heard from Phillips. If, however, Tarleton did not hear from him in two or three days he was to rejoin Cornwallis at Cob’ mill near Roanoke River. On May 8th, Cornwallis wrote General Phillips in order to ascertain his plans and to make arrangements to join him on James River. He then sent a messenger to Tarleton to meet him at Fashing Creek and march with him to Virginia- The evacuation of the British from Edgecombe and Halifax re- lieved the minds of the people considerably and enabled the militia to reorganize and check the Loyalists who did not march with Cornwallis. These two skirmishes on Swift and Fishing Creek were the first and last appearance of the main army of the British in Edgecombe. The presence of the British in the county, however, had a detri- mental effect in two ways. It created much unrest among the Tories who remained, and the provisions were considerably de- creased by waste and use by a part of the British troops. Als at this time money was getting to be a very necessary asset to the American cause. There was practically no specie money, not only in Edgecombe County, but in the entire State, while paper money was depreciated. Various means were devised to secure specie t° finance the militia which the State put upon the battleground. I» July, 1781, two months after the British had departed, Robert Bignall was appointed by Governor Burke to collect monies i? the county to support the cause of the Revolution, but his com mission was a failure. But if the inhabitants did not have money: they possessed the next thing to actual cash—tobacco. A ware- house was constructed in Tarboro where the commodity was both borrowed and purchased. Certificates were given for the amount of the price which was agreed upon the quantity purchased: In order to offset the hardships upon those who held the certifi- cates, the paper was exempted from taxation and bore interest at 1Dr. Battle in his article on Edgecombe County (N. O. U. Maz. 2 p., 1860-61) says that Edgecombe was never the scene of battle. The information he needed at the time he wrote, 1812, was not available; consequently his statement. ReEvo.urion 101 tate of six per cent per annum. The certificates were redem- Able on the first day of December, 1783, in specie or its value in nate currency. In like manner in order to procure arms and aaitions several citizens loaned their tobacco on the same terms by ae a sold their tobacco to the State. A book was kept tig se ignall of all persons who sold or loaned their commodi- compensation was made according to the quantity de- Posited in the warehouse. ‘In order also to secure additional TOO , : ° : : i“ Ps for the service of the Revolution, power of imprisonment as a] lib So suspended. Persons who were in prisons were set at erty 328 ‘ : ie to defend the State and to further the Revolutionary cause. Nn, cs . . : er this method and by general conscription, the county sent 100 mo» ‘ ates : More men to assist Wilmington in 1781-82, after the greater Part of ¢ : furni he men of military age had been placed in active service. ports of the militia for May 6, 1782, show that Edgecombe hi shed one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, ten cap- Ins ? _» ten lieutenants, ten ensigns, and 650 non-commissioned Officers and privates that year alone. ree the county was prompt in providing military sup- ai, a for a successful effort for independence, it was et Sig disgrace caused by desertion. Surely an the Revolu- that rng Bes wena types made up the population, it is no surprise ttrugel. — arm would fail qarstg the most trying period of the “Ty es : e closing of the year 1782 - the beginning of 1783 iii tive time which tried men’s souls. Tn Edgecombe clothes islons were scarce, all resources well nigh exhausted, orn threadbare, shoes not available, and pressure weighed po hie the troops from every angle. Just on the verge of success, leh nat ; : of f fou Wea Pe fn "Y stragglers deserted the post of duty, leaving the more faith- Se to bear the brunt of trial and to reap the reward of those Ralph = not. The names of Daniel Rogers, George Browning, lickers, and a few others from Edgecombe cannot claim a hor bequeath to posterity any commendable deeds for Sertion from the military post at Kinston in August, 1782. urally was a surprise to those who fought for the right T . . > at the time when victory was to come to those who Sht and suffered with unyielding fortitude, a few careworn and any tha: 102 History or Epercomse County The economic and military conditions in the county ag@!” brought about an uprising of the Loyalists, which proved to be their final undoing. The Loyalists who still embraced a good po tion of the civilian population, by schemes and artifices, disaffect™ a number of the troops who were under command of Colon® Henry Hart. These troops were citizens of Edgecombe, and had been raised to take part in the final resistance to British rw@ Much discomfort existed among them because of the scarcity % food and clothing. And were depressed, for dark clouds portend ing defeat were still hanging over the whole American army. The Loyalists took advantage of the situation and succeeded in entici®8 Daniel Stringer and others from the American army. Thes? deserters not only abandoned the cause of liberty, but enlisted a the British army. Late in 1782, however, Stringer, with seveT more of his comrades, suffered a compunction of conscience a repented. Stringer petitioned Governor Burke for a pardon, #”* after having taken an oath of allegiance and promising to rejol? the State troops, he returned to Tarboro and served under Colon? Hart until the close of the Revolution. The attitude toward the remaining Loyalists in the country W™ rapidly undergoing a radical change as a result of their machi?™ tions. The patience of the patriots was fast being exhaust under the strain of economic and military pressure. Those 7 maining in Tarboro were dispersed abroad, many going : Canada; others departed for England. The English Church W® completely demoralized and suspended all church functions unt the beginning of the nineteenth century. In spite of the many reproaches and acts of ostracism, a few remained. They, howeve were deprived by law of their rights as citizens. They were dis qualified to enter suit against citizens, to vote, or to retain thet property. e ; ; ? d Following thé Revolution the County of Edgecombe assu™® gs y g' oe ns new life, Tarboro gave evidence of becoming a place of co quence. Fine peach orchards were set and increasing crop’ ° tobacco were cultivated throughout the county. However, the es” was still sparsely settled at the head of Tar River. The West ¥* gradually extending its frontier and Edgecombe for a hund?@ miles gave some signs of new habitations. ReEvo.vurion 103 ae local interest and participation of Edgecombe in the Revo- oS engi 9 Tarboro in 1787-88. During this year the General the As Y met in Tarboro for its first time. During the sitting of tWeen eae an act was passed declaring the treaty of peace be- Part of ray States and the King of Great Britain to be a again + @ law of the land. The courts of law and equity were ‘lisha “mia to have jurisdiction in all causes and questions. tapiq f ey was elected chairman, and he presided over the Of the i heated debates of the fundamental rules and provisions Onstit aie State government. The adoption and ratification of the Pittieg was followed by the first appearance of political on decided lines, the discussion of which follows. CHAPTER IV Pouttics Arrer tur Revoiution The era of politics in Edgecombe and the beginning of the phase of public life, which was destined to make the county the scene of many hot campaigns and enthusiastic gatherings, commenced with the legislation in 1783. Many differences of opinions as to the policies affecting the State and nation were prevalent. During the Revolution parties sprang into being which favored and op- posed the policies adopted against Great Britain. Two classes of men—whig and tories—lived in the county. The whigs, which constituted a majority, sought by legislative means to overpowe? the tories, and to some extent were successful. In 1778 about sixty-three tories were compelled to take the State oath of alle giance, before allowed to remain in the county.1 One of the early laws affecting the tory element was the confis- cation acts. Considerable attention was given to this issue, and the tories had some sympathizers in the county. Many were con- nected with them by kindred ties and mutual feeling. With this background it is interesting to know how Edgecombe would sup- port the law of confiscation. A bill concerning lands which had been confiscated by the State passed in the House of Commons; and was subsequently received by the Senate. In May, 1783 Elisha Battle, senator from Edgecombe, refused to support the bill and voted against its passage. Four years later the session of the General Assembly was held in Tarboro. Party differences) which were buried in oblivion in 1776, were reawakened whe? State and national issues came to the fore in 1787. Etheldred Philips, one of the representatives from the county, became a” active supporter of the tory cause. The patriotic spirit, which was then predominate, actuated him to be mild in his support, however, and the matter of determining the disposition of Loyalist property, elicited a stand against confiscating lands, unless a trial by jury was given. This stand by Battle and Philips caused 1° little interest in local politics, and had influence on the attitadeé these men took in 1788. 1 James Langston was district officer. James Milner and William Taping refused to take oath and were driven from the State. 104 Pouritics Arrer THE REVOLUTION 105 In the meantime it became evident, both from indications iu Congress and in the State, that the advocates for different meas- ures were fast arranging themselves into two distinct parties. he conflict of war was soon to be forgotten in the bitter struggle political supremacy. It was apparent that the one great issue Which was to elicit party lines was to be that of ratifying the Con- Stitution. The legislature called a convention to meet at Hills- ro July, 1788. Curiously enough it was soon known that one of the Most prominent leaders in North Carolina—Willie Jones Was to oppose the adoption of the new Constitution. Many others = the State were moved with a similar spirit. It was the begin- Ung of parties; party intrigues, and alliances in North Carolina. ‘mes Iredell, one of the political giants of this time, became a Sttong advocate for a strong Federal Government, while Willie Jones, Timothy Bloodworth, and David Caldwell for the repub- lean spirit. Meanwhile local sentiment in Edgecombe was shaping the minds at the people for participation in the pending struggle. The elec- Hons for delegates to the convention was held in April, resulting i the defeat of the Federal element. In this election the Revolu- Honary spirit had not entirely disappeared, and it was natural that men of the conservative type should have the honor of repre- “eting the county in the first State convention. Edgecombe clected Elisha Battle, Robert Digges, Etheldred Gray, William Port, and Bythel Bell. Elisha Battle was a man of considerable ability, wise, and an ardent Republican. He was a survival of the Revolutionary struggle, who still kept intact his wisdom, counsel, 4nd his usual fairness in political controversy. The other dele- Sates were also of the Republican tendency. The delegates met with the convention in Hillsboro, July 25, "ig The principal object was to deliberate and determine a plan 4 Federal Government. Battle was placed on the committee . draw up rules of decorum. Gray was placed on the committee elections. During the procedure of the convention James Ire- dell, 4 strong Federalist, proposed a series of amendments to the nstitution, whereby certain power was to be delegated to Con- 8tess, which would strengthen the Federal Government. This Proposal strengthened the existing party lines, and the Edgecombe elegation, true to the principles of Republicanism, cast its votes 106 History or Epercomse County solidly in the negative and with the majority. The convention, while the majority wanted ratification, neither ratified nor re- jected the Constitution proposed for the government of the United States. It is obvious, according to the Edgecombe vote, that Republican tendencies were predominate in the county. Later evidences sub- stantiate this statement. This did not mean, however, that the county or its delegates were adverse to ratifying the Constitution, but that objection was voiced to the Federal amendment proposed by Iredell. In the meantime the people of Edgecombe addressed a letter of grievance to Governor Samuel Johnson, in which they claimed they suffered by the decision of the late convention. They accord- ingly recommended another convention. The following year 4 convention was called to meet in Fayetteville on the 3d of No vember. Edgecombe sent Etheldred Gray, Jeremiah Hilliard, Etheldred Philips, William Fort, and Thomas Blount. Only tw? of the previous delegates were returned. Thomas Blount was per- haps the most able man in the delegation. He was a man of the Revolutionary school, having enlisted as an ensign, at the age of seventeen. He was taken prisoner during the war; sent to Eng- land, and returned after the cessation of hostilities. At the time of the convention he was a merchant in Tarboro, and later becamé one of the earliest Republican congressmen from this district. After the convention was called to order and the preliminaries were dispensed with, it resolved itself into a committee of the whole convention. Immediately amendments were proposed by the Federalists to be laid before Congress. When the vote was called Phillips, Blount, and Hilliard voted negatively. Gray and Fort were either not present or refused to vote. The majority desiring ratification, but preferring ratification without amendments, thé question of concurring with the convention was placed on motion, and Philips, Blount, Hilliard, and Fort voted affirmatively. Gray failed to vote. This decided tendency of Republicanism was prevalent in the county on all issues affecting national and State policies. I» 1790, just before the question of refunding the State debts incurred during the Revolution, and the rise of the National Bank, Presi dent Washington, for political reasons, planned a journey through THOMAS BLOUNT Pouirics Arrer THE REVOLUTION 107 the Southern States. In 1791 he turned his attention southward, and in March he began his tour, arriving in North Carolina in April, ‘ He Visited Halifax on April 16th, and started for Tarboro on ° Morning of the 18th. He was met at Roanoke River by Olonel Ashe, representative of the district, who escorted him to atboro.1 General Washington was welcomed with a warm hos- nai being saluted with a single piece of artillery, and cordially ttained at the “beautiful residence overlooking Tar River, 7 °nging at the time to Major Reading Blount. No man possessed "ape acumen in observing the political sentiments of the people the General Washington, and with tact and ingenuity he sought People’s opinion of the political issues of the day. It is not to be inferred that because party beginning were evi- dent in the State and county, in 1788, the county was organized at ap into a political machine with definite platforms and issues. “thing could be further from correct. Indeed legislators, sheriffs, “nd other officers were elected in the same old way, with nothing "re than minor local issues to determine a difference in candi- tes for several years. os November, 1790, the first political boundaries were estab- nis €d in North Carolina. The State was divided into five divi- “8 for a more effective means of electing Representatives to tr States Congress and other political positions. Edgecombe, lik “ight other eastern counties, formed the Roanoke division, and ® the other districts were allowed one representative to Con- re, eligible after being a resident of one of the counties from i i elected for at least one year. The procedure of the election litical of comment in order to understand something of the a din machinery of that day. The sheriff of each county in the Ne was the returning officer; constituted the political boss _ Considerable power and authority. It was the duty of the R “Tiffon the first day of February to repair to Tarboro to count ® Votes cast in order to determine which candidate had received © greatest number. Separate and special means were devised for those in the militia 0 ; ; ; ny — oe during elections. In 1800 a special law was enacted giv ion. ; Mileg resident Washington took noon-day meal with one Slaughter, about fourteen from Tarboro. 108 History or Epercomsr County ing Edgecombe the privilege to muster at the home of Josep! Pender and James Phillips for separate elections. It appeal however, that this law was ignored by the field officers in th? county, who desired to muster, as formerly, at Tarboro. Thé legislature passed an amendment forbidding a muster at Tarbor in order to make the demands to muster at Pender’s and Phillip® more emphatic and mandatory. The results of this law afforded much convenience to the inhabitants of the county. The residen® of Pender gave Captain Eason, Todd, Robbins, Wood, and Ruth an opportunity to register and vote their men in the western pal! of the county without having to proceed some forty miles to Tat boro. Moreover the distance from Tarboro offered a good reas0? for the citizens of Northern {dgecombe to petition for a separa election. Phillips’ residence was accordingly designated as a plat® for mustering and Daniel Ross, Jeremiah Hillard, David Copfield; Sherwood Savage, and Elias Bryant were elected as a committe to supervise the elections. The sheriff or his deputies attended the election on the evenilé before and received all the votes from those eligible for suffrag® He opened the ballot at Tarboro on the evening of Friday afte! the second Thursday in August, in order to ascertain the candi dates receiving the majority of votes. Precautionary measuré were employed to prevent one citizen from voting twice, once at Northern Edgecombe and again at Tarboro. A fine of ten pounds was enacted as the penalty for detected parties, and the sheriff wi not allowed to count the votes until all suffrages were taken. Al ballots from Pender’s and Phillips’ were carried to Tarboro in # sealed box until all the districts voted. The seal was broken J? the presence of the inspectors, sealed again until the election # Tarboro. The Congressional election 1793 was full of excitement and thrilling episodes. John B. Ashe, of Halifax, had the first hon of representing this district in Congress, but with the new electio? he was succeeded by Thomas Blount, of Edgecombe. There wa an entire change in the delegation, and a rapid departure of thé policies which caused the obvious election of a new candidate The anti-Federalists were rapidly assuming new power both 1 Congress and the State legislature. State politics and the legisl® ‘TION 9 Poxirics Arrer THE REVOLUTION L( ture } but : ad previous to this time been comparatively conservative, 'n 1794 Edgecombe substituted John Leigh, an astute poli- and reputed parliamentarian of Republican principles. : Served as chairman of the House for several sessions, begin- se from 1795, at which time there arose an increasing bitterness Ween the Federals and the Republicans over the interpretation of the Federal Constitution, and the foreign policy of the Ameri- yoy Government. The State generally witnessed an exasperating fect at the decline (although not defeat) of the Republicans in ; They resented without avail the encroachments of the Fed- *rals in qi. @ disregarding the agreements laid down in the Federal mp act, The powers were limited, but the Federal leaders were anne unlimited powers in accomplishing policies of State, both in a and pending war with France. There was a warm seg 'e fall election. sigh was defeated for Legislature by Jolone] iets tion. John = igh w ; i ap og the athan Mayo, a man of inf uence an i yeni by of much force, and campaigning, Thomas Blount was Successful and remained in Congress. deralism lost its influence in national affairs, until the elec- Ray Jefferson in 1801. It began a downward pace which culmi- Sta in failure owing to the loss of its principal leader, A lexander sattton, in 1806. North Carolina was Republican, with every *arrying the banner of Jefferson and Democracy. Every Sut t] ? almost, in North Jarolina, was occupied by a eee lls Ww in SWeet W the ar Fe 4s too much of a happy state to be permanent. nd memorable for history, and too full of satiety for ease. ith the retirement of Jefferson in 1809, Mr. Madison assumed Presidency, inheriting the foreign complications which were fi being settled. He was possessed with soorepebareti Thi. utions, which caused him to rely upon his party supporters. ~ Save the Federalists an opportunity to get new breath and L op In the revival of party spirit in 1809 Edgecombe ame the scene for a warm campaign, so much so that Blount, the son of Jacob Blount, was born May 10, 1759. After the 3 ‘ ‘ 7 Ts - - ntered ‘nto a partnership with his brother, John Gray Blount, of Wash wf ’» and ran a branch store at Tarboro. These brothers conducted a large Thomas Blount died in Washington City in 1812, ® and Shipping business. Congressional member of Congress at the time, was buried in the 110 History or Epercomsr Country the Congressional election resulted in the election of Willis Aston, who though not an avowed Federalist, leaned toward that faith. From other sections of the State out and out Federalists were elected. An important political issue affecting Edgecombe County at this time was being agitated in North Carolina courts. Ear! Jranville heirs were attempting, through the Supreme Court of the United States, to lay valid claims to the property held by Earl Granville prior to the Revolution. To permit their claims would involve rights to land which were held by citizens of Edge- combe and other eastern counties, which had been cut off from Edgecombe since 1755. North Carolina courts had previously decided that the claims were invalid. The county was secured from further trouble and embarrassment by the death of FranciS Key, counsel for the British heirs. Edgecombe politicians resented further inquiries in the matter, when the issue became one of national debate. Lined up with Edgecombe representatives in the State legislature were the representatives from Halifax, Granville, Nash, Johnston, and Pitt counties. The matter reached a success ful conclusion, however, in 1809, when the suit was dismissed through the want of bond to push the case. The Federalists in the county were still weak when the year 1811 found North Carolina on the verge of assisting in the war of 1812. Not all Republicans thought that the nation was in favor of war, and Edgecombe especially was lukewarm as repre- sented by Thomas Blount. The following year a bitter campaign was conducted among the candidates for Congress. Mr, Blount, who was deceased, was succeeded by Willis Alston, Jr., of Halifax. About this time there appeared a figure which was destined to make the annals of Edgecombe history glitter with political fervor. A man with a purpose in view, and with a career to make, came to the forefront in politics and war. Louis D. Wilson loved Edgecombe with a loyal love, and although he possessed no classical education nor a genius, he became a figure of value to the public welfare. At each session of the legislature to which he was elected he was becoming more familiar and effective as a politician and legislator. The life of Wilson presents both a saddened and brilliant glare upon the archives of Edgecombe’s political history d Poxitics Arrer THE REVOLUTION EVA His first prominent appearance upon the political arena was in 1827, Democracy in Edgecombe had gained a foothold, which stew stronger and stronger as this political genius grew In power. The thirteenth district, of which Edgecombe was a part, put bo Wo candidates for presidential elector—William Clark, of Pitt, ‘nd Louis D. Wilson, of Edgecombe. They agreed upon no elec- Honeering, and it is doubtful if the records of the national and State elections could furnish a parallel. Frauds, corruption, and Tibery existed in all parts of the country. A militia company, under Captain White, remained at Beach Swamps during the election, | _ The county, however, by the time of the election, was decidedly favor of Jackson. The newspapers sounded the trumpet of Adams buying the presidential chair from Clay, by giving the latter the office of Secretary of State. The circulation of pamph- lets throughout the county to this effect injured Adams, and de- ‘teased the number of votes for him. A freeman in his broken English wrote a letter to the Tarboro Free Press, October 27, 1827, that Clay and Adams ought to be tied together, and cast ‘nto the Chesapeake Bay. Strange to say this man voiced the Pinions also of the majority of negro voters, who thought Jack- ‘on should be the next President, because he would round out Some of the “big folks” at Washington, and let them know what it Was to “fool with the free men of the country.” The returns of the election showed seventy-nine votes for Jack- Son and only three for Adams. This return was immediately pro- tested and submitted to the editor of the United States Telegraph '0 solve, The announcement that all Jackson voters, after the Yotes Were counted, would be given plenty to eat and drink de- “ded the majority. fe Immediately after Jackson’s election two political issues _be- “ame prominent, one of which has lasted to the present day. The tst of these was that of the tariff. Edgecombe County today .*8 @ survival of the old theory advanced during Jackson’s admin- ‘stration. Before Jackson was inaugurated, several journals in the eastern counties held him up to the people as an advo sate of the Policy of protection, but they had remained totally silent as "egarded Adams’ opinion on the same subject. The editor of the Larboro Free Press, in voicing the sentiments of the citizens of ‘gecombe, sent out a declaration of their opinions. They were 112 History or Epercomsre Country in favor of a judicious examination of the revision of the tariff, and in so far as it embraced the design of fostering, protecting, and preserving within themselves the means of national defense and independence, particularly in a state of war, they supported it: The condition of the times—burden of the Revolution and War of 1812,1 the issue of bonds and internal improvements—demanded a careful and judicious tariff to pay off the national debt, and to afford a means of defense on which the safety of the country and the liberty of the people depended. The eastern people, however; never favored direct taxation to pay this great national debt, and it has always been a known fact that they desire protection on other resources than their own. This opinion was expressed by a public meeting on September 17, 1827. The citizens gathered at James Bridgers, where a vote was taken against the tariff, one hundred and twenty-seven against and none in favor of the measure. - unty, for the citizens of Edgecombe, Green, and Wayne coun tie ; : , "| sal elec- fi ‘to express their sentiments in regard to the presidential elec 10n, avens protect you.” rei Approximately 250 people were present ; William Speight 'S elected chairman and Thomas Speight, secretary. A com- Uittee Was appointed consisting of Thomas Speight, Dr. Blake ittle, Benjamin Miller, Patrick S. Comwell, and Will Little to meer resolutions for the consideration of the meeting. A better , ight can be obtained as to the condition and nature of the issue Y the following preamble this committee submitted : ‘Tt is the undoubted birthright of every American citizen to press publicly his opinion both of public men and measures. order, however, to give time and energy to this most important npepular prerogative, it should be resorted to only in eases. Cheah it resolved, therefore, that we, the free people of Edge- ®, Wayne, and Greene, will use our utmost execution to pro- > the election of General Jackson to the presidential chair.” 'S resolution was the voice of the meeting, as was, and now is, © custom. Great political symbols were made as toasts, begin- ting with General Washington, the Father of the — ae nat; Uding with General Jackson, sitting at the helm of the "gage tonal ship, with Commodore Porter for his pilot and J. C. “llhoun, first mate. It is Worthy of notice that the Edgecombe citizens did not vary “ay - rules of politicians in this meeting. A moral issue whe ape ed as a plank in abolishment of corruption, and - mora Port of a protection of the “Fair Sex.” The Adams, Clay, and * the political intriguers, were to be hurled from their seats st recollected only for their “catalogue of crimes.” Igecombe politicians were very much against internal im- "Svements, One of the campaign slogans was: “Internal im- ro 4 ent by Congress at a wrong place, a wrong time and by ng men,” 114 History or Epeecomsr Country By 1830 States rights theory was very strongly lodged in the minds of the Edgecombe Democrats. The movement was m0F? popularly supported when it became known that James Iredell declined to be re-elected to the United States Senate. Edg& combe politicians began to consider the man who was next bes fitted to uphold the political end of the government. TheY favored and supported Jackson’s administration. A circular 4& cree in the form of advertisement was issued for one who would manfully and ably defend the glorious cause in which the frien™ of “States Rights” were engaged. They wanted a man who had identified himself with the cause of Jackson and his reform. 1° this end the name of General Speight, of the Newbern districs received the prompt approval of the majority of the Democrats 14 Edgecombe. With the close of the contest of 1828 between Adams and Jack son, the bank bill became an issue of absorbing interest to th? Edgecombe politicians. The Adams party believed in internal improvements, expansion of the Constitution and high protectiv® tariff. These policies, however, died an easy and gradual death under the astute plans of Jackson. The themes of Jefferson were once more resorted to in the co? flict, and the split of the two wings of the Republican party fol- lowed. Edgecombe supported Jackson in the fight until towat the close of the second administration. The question and controversy over the banks demanded the fits! consideration of the people after Jackson’s inauguration. Ip Jackson’s first speech he had intimated that the banks as they were constituted were unconstitutional. This proved to be a mere b& ginning of a long struggle, and one which Edgecombe had a co siderable share. In the State Legislature in 1811 Edgecombe had lifted her voice against the rechartering of the bank when the bi! was before the State Assembly. But by 1816 the sentime?! changed, and Clark, of Edgecombe, voted, with a considerable me jority, in favor of rechartering the bank a second time. In tb instance, however, the Republicans supported, and the Federalis opposed the measure. Without any hesitancy of speech, Jacks0” openly declared he opposed further expansion of the bank bY t GOA ae ae x ) Irth ying + Jeabergy A hen. our Je berg frre ast ed f Sip Sf tsa tie fillihu teleacy 20 i Z ae Pye of 3 tay Abrdn t. £ Save Tae Tom 3 Vat bien Jay Larnit Init ad 4 st, 71 1 fiw 7 / Mf thiteiary fe (abulge* ELE Lhtuns of felbormy 0 and J bes lameatig OTF — a 77 2 A. 4 Aa / Fe oy , P $ reps nha Te A umAes fps 2 Ae. é ; oh ky Uiat Gg : 4 hen. Ee lear. 6% 5 Jrran ety Per 6 ry (. fated) 20 t far Seen teburn VA y hd gi) lket ” ~ ep A hae feat, s c/ Aiy hfr vid Souchingsn'! beth Je 7“ , Z A avtbahinny 4 tarnin ag 4 Pade, ftacn! 4 alle fe" june, f Fame Jet 3 lite ace om Inter AL he L- * gxemgaag 7 Max es hg aad , eae 4 Pa i Jf Vand, a fe Pravet. / . ‘ “id JArutand fhe « 7 f | fun tla dony 4S Aur, dnggvrtary * “St Fela tr no At pastors tRAaA, r, 17 q 4 Guat tindlg & deline Jom fawch Aa. bbe dl. b Anttune boy baperd bral. Vely ¢ Se 4) oa Arnage atin “a Leh he fal th, f 4 sm VA cA Ac Nac hin Aitanr/nent? uth bacon ~ oA. pete fad) bia mate thninllang monn Poxirics Arrer THE REevoLUTION ; 115 *anting charters or otherwise. Where would Edgecombe a T Voice? Follow political creeds or yield to economic interest Tn 1899 the State bank question was taken before the General “embly of North Carolina. For the time being the policies of Tackson were ignored and party prejudice eliminated. As a con- ndence of this and much other agitation it was rejected by the *timons in the March session of 1829. Moreover, much conflict "P08 from the appointment of a committee to investigate. This “Ommittee was invested with power to examine persons and to “tertain the exact conditions of the bank. It was soon discovered that two parties existed among the members of the committee, those Who desired to present the banks in the worst light possible ae those who sought to palliate their conduct in handling the Taneja) affairs of the State. The result was an agreement could wot be obtained on a single report. Each party, therefore, made “Ss own report; one describing the banks in the darkest colors, ~ the other palliating any offense and act of the banking institu- 10, Sever eject Court and t from lnvitj Th a 1 days after the reports were made and the bill had been ed, the Grand Jury at the March Term of the Superior of Edgecombe discharged their duties as Grand Jurors, ok in consideration the presentments made by the committee Wayne and Duplin counties. The jury expressed its opinion "8 the attention of the citizens to the pecuniary embarrass- Mt of the people, the conditions of the banks, and recommended ra Session of the General Assembly of the State ve = = Sag into their exclusive jurisdiction. The excuse wren a - i ity of the Grand Jury was evidenced by the results and at *S of the two above-named counties. im © subject in itself, excluding the political side, was of vital inet ee? to the people. Edgecombe was an infant in pene fin, “tutions and her industries were just beginning to become o “neial value, A few of the more unbiased and thoughtful a Dle knew something of the wishes and interests of the county pnerall - It cannot, Shares: be said that the jurors attempted eir power, in expressing the opinion given to them by Nor did they discuss the question of expending or lity of the establishment of the bank in the State, nor to abuse th the People, “Ustitutions History or Epgrcomse Country did they go into an agreement in order to show the causes whieh had produced the derangement of the currency at that time; but the people were, they asserted, greatly indebted to the banks, 2?* that the banks had contributed largely in the production of the present state of affairs. Edgecombe honestly believed that the people were greatly ine debted to the banks and needed them for business purpose. How ever, as to actual conditions of the debt and the resources of the people to meet it, they said: “To the different banks of the State, the people owe at least five diiton % . : t million dollars the whole debt due from the institutions do 2° bad anks exceed four hundred thousand dollars.” This view of the b would seem to anticipate a closing up of all banking interest: But such is not the time impression, for nearly six years remaine to complete the process of demonstration of finances. The time had been in the county when some of the people considered it ® credit to owe the bank; they then considered it less than no credit. The people, however, instead of being in the debt of banks, were also indebted to each other. It became a question of owing ap individual or owing a bank, some people will be in debt, and by, sacrifice of property, in some instances, cannot be avoided. It s the natural consequence of trade and business relations, and ss constitutional act can prevent it. The situation then resolv into this: The people desired legislature to compel the banks % extend to their indebtors every indulgence which their situatio”™®” might demand. Naturally this would work hardships on the ba? or at least would not we workable business policy, because they would be forced to exercise forebearance in their collections, er cept interest during the summer and fall months. Then, to0 ; is easy to see why the people were unanimously in favor of tbe view of Grand Jurors. In the meantime local politics was being waged in the count) between the Republicans and Jackson followers. Followi?? Jackson’s election, Major James W. Clark was appointed clerk “0 Jackson Electoral College of North Carolina. He had bee? ‘ ativ® member of both branches of the State Legislature, Represent lem in Congress and principal delegate to the Senate. He was * . *,° . . . 1" tined to run a political race with some of his colleagues i b native county. Pourrics ArrerR THE REVOLUTION 117 Thomas H. Hall, who had been elected congressman, was still in ohgress at Washington under the sign of Democracy. The year 81 promised to be a heated campaign for him. There had ap- ine on the scene a young man of conside rable ability and hess of mind. This person was no less than Joseph R. Loyd. ig practically a self-made man and a lawyer of no little “ae eg Through his courtesy of manner, and his kindness and a attitude toward the people, he had acquired much influence iF ® county. The time for campaign of 1831 came on and J. R. °yd threw his hat in the political ring. He had already been a pntber of the State Legislature in 1821, being elected because of ” Popularity. Consequently there being no opposition from the “deralists, Loyd began the race, with Dr. Hall, who was also a “publican, as a candidate for Congress. It is not enough to say Yd was a promising candidate. He was a strong opponent, and ‘a knew it. Francis Dancy, of Tarboro, was tee api hel er of Dr. Hall, and being somewhat alarmed over ’ 1e ~~ ea of Loyd’s influence issued a circular June 30, : $i ; Said that Loyd in 1821 had voted, while representing : vg Stanle In the legislature, in favor of a bill introduced by e ae from Saag would decrease the jurisdiction of a single aan to re 0.00 to $20.00. This issue was considered very agen ia Th, “ol and equally injurious to the interests of the lawyers. 5: as done, Dancy claimed, in order to benefit the lawyers. Sine | p or this accusation was made investigations show that Dancy wae error and that no such bill was introduced. Stanley sg trig] Beeetnoduse a bill entitled a bill to preserve the gory but < Jury, where the amount in controversy exeopded $20.00, 8 did not reduce or purport to reduce the jurisdiction of a Ustic, : : Stice of the Peace. This bill provided for an appeal in all Casag f $20.00. Seems that most of Loyd’s opposition came from Washington, *re he was not so well known as Dr. Hall. Claims came from ey (Warter that Loyd was also a Federalist and supported the the = of Adams. It is to Dr. Hall’s credit that he carried on diq eI with Loyd in a clean and above board manner. He ia the justice to declare publicly that he was a Republican 0od for the principles of Jefferson and Jackson. Tom the decision of a justice when the amount exceeded 118 History or Epcrcomse County Dr. Hall, however, had a decided advantage on account of his varied experience in Congress and his splendid record there. It was certain that Dr. Hall’s election would be secured, because of his vote to repeal the twenty-fifth section of the Judiciary Act ip 1820. The opposition he had grew out of his voting in favor of this repeal, and on his opposition to the internal improvement then in vogue throughout the county. Toward the close of thé canvass on the 25th, the election was almost wholly abandoned, and the interest and the internal improvement question was pre sented to the people for their approval or rejection. The score against Loyd, therefore, was decidedly in his disfavoF and since he had no tangible plank in his campaign platform b® was defeated. In the meantime Jackson’s second campaign was in its forma tive state and political wheels began to turn for national results One result of Edgecombe’s activities could always be depended upon. The political pot always boiled out crowds of follower® It had been no trouble to create interest in a political campaig®- Early in May, 1832, pursuant to a public notice the followers of Jackson began to rally around the Democratic banner. The citi zens of Edgecombe met in the court house of Tarboro to expres their opinion of the re-election of persons to fill the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States, and to appoint delegates to represent the county in the convention held in Colo rado on the 18th of January, 1832. Resolutions were adopted as were thought to meet the approba- tion of the majority of the citizens of Edgecombe and contributed to the union of party feelings. There was at this time a tide i? the affairs of the nation as well as in those of individuals, which was serving to disregard a national unity. The political tide wa then moving with a rapid current and without men to demand the rights and interests of her people. Edgecombe, as all thé South, would become like a ship on the ocean a wreck, surrender- ing its privilege and anticipation of future prosperity. The people felt this, they knew it, because a dissolution of the Unio? had been echoed again and again, not only in the United States, and the individual states, but in almost every county. It remained to be seen by party elections whether the prophecy of the time$ would be fulfilled. This then was the one great issue before thé Pourrics Arrer THE REVOLUTION 119 “oters of Edgecombe when they met at this meeting. In the safety Of the interests, the people were willing to safely confide in General ackson’s integrity and patriotism. The question of the Vice- ‘ resident alone remained to be settled, Jackson’s elected by some, * versus,” the people said, “endeavor to re-elect for the Vice- Tesident a statesman, distinguished for talents, political honesty og other indispensible requisites for that responsible station.” “ah Were two prominent names before the people—Barbour, of tginia, and Martin Van Buren, of New York. Between these r individuals the people had to make a choice; and in the re- Shai was undivided not only their present interest but their th ‘ure destiny. If Van Buren should be elected he would be at ® threshold of his ambitions, he would then in all probability become President to the exclusion of many distinguished citizens. es Buren had no identity with the citizens of Edgecombe, he had MSisted to oppress them by advocating and voting for the tariff . 1828, In this respect he had scattered no blessings in the Patriotic regions of the South. oa Contrast to Van Buren, Barbour claims were indisputable N © people. He was the pride of Virginia; consequently of : orth Carolina, and especially Edgecombe. The results of the meeting Was a support of Jackson and Barbour. The people _ that Jackson himself was in the harness with Van Buren, ; Were desirous to elect him. ws The question of State rights again became prominent in the s'Paign, and Jackson’s alliance with Van Buren was the gy cipall cause of the publicity which the movement abquites: a to say an element in Edgecombe adhered to Van Buren Views eorted the policies he advocated even 1n defiance of the at * ° the more extreme southerners. A convention was called Sa in 1832 and Joseph R. Loyd was nto ees the Oe aamgge 38 unnecessary to g° re the . — ae : ‘ion. Loyd remained quiet during the debate unti ! nag from Granville County stated the grounds on which thig Sie pretensions to Vice-President were founded. During Wit oe Loyd was awakened a with all sage y ag 4 7a an Pinion ee fi -4 as make, he set forth his ene — - - 8 fellow-citizens at home, upon the political issue 120 History or Epercomse County Lloyd began by saying that North Carolina came into tb Union cautiously; she was one of the last to adopt the Constitu- tion, and would be one of the last to desert the Union. “Tbe people of this State and county,” he said, “are not prepared t? go into extremities.” This was the first meeting which had bee? called to express the feelings on the critical state of the county: The people preferred this opportunity of voing to settle the co” fusion, because it could be done in a mild and constructive manne!: They preferred to do it by showing that they would advance 1° man to office whose opinions were adverse to the interests of thé Southern States. Lloyd could not have expressed his feelings 0? this subject better than by voting in favor of Barbour in prefer- ence to Van Buren. In doing so he exerted his influence to put down a man who had supported the tariff system. The main point of the whole campaign was to do away with the party’s powe! until the national debt was paid. At the same hour that the convention was being addressed bY Lloyd, a Van Buren meeting was held in Edgecombe where all the Van Buren followers gathered with Barbour’s supporters: The meeting was addressed by several speakers, after which res lutions approbatory of Phillip P. Barbour were offered and thé ayes and noes taken. It soon became apparent that the friend$ of Barbour would be unsuccessful in passing the resolutions, and they offered a polite invitation to the Van Buren men to retire: They contended that the meeting was an anti-Van Buren meeting) and that the Van Buren men had no authority to be there. Thé Van Buren men submissively retired, leaving behind the Barbou! men and neutrals. After the anti-Van Buren meeting adjourned, the Van Bure? men reassembled in the court house. The meeting was addressed by Louis D. Wilson, R. R. Hines, and Moses Baker. The Va? Buren faction remained unanimous with the anti-Van Buren fac tion, however, on the President, but expressed the highest confi- dence in Martin P. Van Buren as a politician of true Democrati¢ principals. In the meantime the Whig element made its first appearance i? the county. The Whigs constituted the party which became op~ posed to Jackson in 1834. Mature men who favored Adams as # general rule also allied themselves with the Whig party. Th? Pouitics ArreR THE REVOLUTION 121 “ntry of this party into politics at Edgecombe came after the de- *at of Van Buren followers. They took the issue of opposition to soot ogressive movements as a platform upon which to solicit ‘gnition from their fellow-citizens. The first opposition made “a any of these movements was the fight they lodged against ailroads and theology. ica Whigs in advocating their freedom as an issue for polities Yed the progress of industry in so far as lay in their power. higery of the county, in its enlightened democracy with sleep- a Vigilance, retarded the movement of all internal improvements ine ore every attempt to carry out any project that tended to ase taxation. An issue of this nature was sure to find several the staat supporters in Edgecombe, for it is plainly evident that . © Politicians had always fought against any system which would ea gag For this reason vehement poison ea “4 es POS , Va) Taq gq € o” ra n A. ~ Gnroling, ‘The fact aloo that the Whigs opposed. theological *chools shows that de 0 velarity of dhaes “mnoweianenit was one of ve cardinal fo 8 i ie iueléel l he arty in its adoption of the nal principles which actuated the party 1n 1ts ado} platform. Bote ceca ones Am of theol ‘eal. ssh oie re . sak s t the General ‘renee eological schools. It was addressed to the Ge on that's ae the State of North Carolina. It was very easy 9 see in th; a gious creed of a partisan became mixed a Pa on tembie °Pposition. Two petitions were before the — f 3 thoi, at the session 1833 for incorportion of two theologica ‘s. The Whigs and sectarian writers claimed that the incor- cia same would be an abuse of power, and the end of such F a. “ subversion of the rights of both ibe and Cimon rate es ai — the w riter asserted, wt we fea : s as incorporate theologicl schools, and might ‘i reislat on the doctrine of religion or on the ordinances or right uties of religion, as on the ministry of religion. The could q at gives the one, gives the other, or the same power that © that could do the other, for nothing stood nearer related an ae More connected with religion than that of the ministry, for Without it, ob would there have been a state of religion? It was Vj : ‘ous that the Whigs had an argument, and the legislature had 122 History or Epercomse County no precedent to act upon; the law producing religion in a technical sense. Would not the theological schools produce religious laws in the end? This was the issue laid before the legislature by the Whigs. The strife became bitter with a theological discussi0o? among various politicians and the church people of the county. It finally culminated into a church and State affair, and was instru mental in getting many from the Whig party and church. The Whigs secured the public sentiment primarily from the results of taxation in case the schools were incorporated. A writer, com menting later on this subject and the progress in the county, said: “Tt’s the priests’ hope to get dominion over the public mind and command of the purses of our people by means of theological schools incorporations. The Whigs of Edgecombe hesitate n0t to investigate the designs and dangers which he concealed undef their speeches, beginning of authority, plunder and put the people of the legislature on their guard.” The quick rallying around the Whig banner-and the oppositio?® of the Republicans, changed the tone of politics in the county, and caused a support to be given to the national Democratic candidate- The increase of votes for the Whig party in Edgecombe greW firm in the year 1834, when Democratic votes totaled 1,395 votes for candidates to Congress, and 1,320 votes for Dr. Hall in 1836. Mr. Pettigrew, the Whig candidate, received 75 votes. Dr. Hall, the election previous to this, had received only 1,091 votes and with no opposition. In spite of this overwhelming vote for Dr. Hall in 1836, Mr. Pettigrew was elected to represent this dis- trict in Congress. This clearly indicates the spontaneous rise of Whig influence in the eastern counties of the State. In additio® to this the anti-Jackson element in Edgecombe, which had openly declared for the Whig party, had grown considerably stronge? and the district gave seven anti-Jackson members to the General Assembly, whereas the Jackson party gave only eleven. In 1836 when the split finally culminated between the Jackso? and Van Buren element, the Whigs were given additional strength. In spite of the fact that Edgecombe gave the largest Van Bure? majority of any county in the State—1,175 votes—the Whig partY had gained more than 30 per cent more votes than in the previous local election. The Democrats had lost more than 255 votes sinc? Pouirics Arrrr THE REVOLUTION 123 beg 1835. The ancient party, however, remained firm, con- dai, » and unshaken in her principles and unbroken in her CTacy, ia pt Sllowing year more enthusiasm existed in county than in rious history. The Democratic party saw, with jealous eye, ® rapid encroachment upon the virgin soil of democracy by the The Whig convention met in Washington, sites for the hile sti on the ith of April, 1837. Josiah Collens, of W ashington, hominated for the Whig candidate for Congress. The for- ie of the Whig machinery elicited recognition and immediate i hy the part of the Democrats. The next day a large meet- 8 held at Captain W. Y. Bullock’s in Edgecombe. he following is an extract of the Democratic fight versus the Hg from the Tarboro Free Press: , ty the 8th day of April, 1837, Robert Barnes was called to the min pm David G. Baker, Esq., was appointed SECTOTaF yy” Benja- Ba ‘mg ines, Thomas Si Bullock, Dr. J. J. Daniels, and David G. of the ‘saa appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive «, entiments of the meeting. tits having retired a short time the oe reported the by Dy My resolutions, which, on motion of B. R. Hines, were read - J.J. Daniels, who advocated them in a strenuous but brief agg and was followed by B. R. Hines, who also advocated tT adoption : “War ‘ogether Onditio the mo kEASs, The people have the constitutional right to assemble for the purpose of taking into consideration the political n of our country, and to consult each other, as to the mode tights. propitious for the perpetuation of our liberties and ‘a Bers, Whereas, a time has arrived the most momentous that certain existed since the organization of our Government, which and i. calls loudly for a full expression of opinion individually “te €ctively. We, a portion of the Democratic eltizens of With rt County, N. O., who have met together in conformity followin, rights, do think it essentially requisite to adopt the Hs & resolutions: *solved, That we believe that efforts are making by the advo- of modern Whigism and vicious fanaticism, to upset our "ated Constitution and our sacred Union; and that it becomes a : ey. piss 88 lovers of liberty and advocates of those patriotic principles Cates Vene Ug 124 History or Epercomsre County so nobly achieved to us by our ancestors, to scorn all attempts of that kind, and use all exertions in our power to prevent such a sad satastrophe. “Resolved, That we believe it to be essentially necessary to the sause of democracy and liberty, to present an undivided front 12 support of a Democratic candidate to represent this Congressional district No. 3, or else our cause so pure and so sacred must be defeated. “Resolved, That the long experience of the Honorable Thom4® H. Hall, as well as his firm, able, independent. and consistent course, so often verified in the national legislature, entitle him t our confidence and should ensure him the support of the Dem cratic party throughout the district. “Resolved, That we feel disposed to support him in preferen®® to any other individual in the district, and earnestly request the Democratic party to unite with us in a cause so noble and 8° essentially requisite for the cause of liberty and the Constitutio™ “Resolved, That our reluctance to give him up for any othe? individual induces us to positively give him our undivided sup” port, should we not obviously see that our cause of democracy must be defeated by so doing. ‘Resolved, That his claims to the office are undoubted, and ju’ tice to our cause as well as his consistent and able course heret fore so ably manifested, forbid us doing otherwise than puttin him in nomination.” The above preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted- A. committee of four individuals was appointed to infor™ Dr. Hall of his nomination and request him to say whether or 00 he would serve the people if elected, or whether the nominati0o? met with his acceptance. In the meantime disagreements arose over the advisability of running Dr. Hall as the Republican candidate for Senat® Dr. Hall acted with decorum in the matter, and not wishing t? impair the influence and strength of the party by causing a split wrote the Tarboro Free Press, May 18, 1837, that since his naw? had been placed before the district as a candidate for office, he found that many respectable members of the party would hav@ preferred some other. Naturally Dr. Hall saw that the unity of feeling would not exist and that this desirable effect must be Po.irics AFTER THE REVOLUTION Prevalent if the Republicans were to defeat the Whigs. Dr. Hall “cordingly withdrew his name in a most gentlemanly manner, ind that without engendering any degree of ill will toward the Party and all concerned. This is one of the marked greatnesses of the man, who for more than a decade so faithfully represented Igecombe in Congress, and in other important civil and political Capacities. pith After Dr. Hall’s withdrawal only one prospective candidate re- ained, namely, Louis D. Wilson. Wilson was then gaining Pong in the opinion of the people, and his influence was . Sing an impression upon the district as well. He was well in '§ prime and almost in the zenith of his political power. He “d been the choice of the people in 1835, with Phesanton Suggs ° Tepresent Edgecombe in the convention of that year. He took “9g active part in amending the Constituion in the respect of ae free negroes and mulattoes under forty years of age to °te for members of the Senate and Congress. With his political Nsight and his acquisition of thought and action he gained many “W supporters in this campaign. ang cident Van Buren inherited from Jackson a great trouble © less problem in the dying struggle of the United States ‘nk. In the contest beween the Whigs and Democrats this be- Ca 4 A ‘ : re the absorbing issue. That the public weal and the interests ° the man suff y unsuspecting and innocent people should have to Atte: sad q in the intense struggle for political supremacy is one of those Oa Saag handed down to posterity. The Whigs, in order to a: the foothold already gained by the weakening of the Dem- Perc, party, made the opposition to the National Bank their Sd theme. It seems amazing at this day that men with such Wty and foresight like Henry Clay and Daniel Webster 8ho ee : pay have lent their power and influence to aid in the disastrous “Aeme, Bea Presents a gloomy spectacle to witness old Edgecombe in the r 5 v : Minas, of political incubacy; struggling for party rights, yet Under : - —_ - the people. However, the misty pages pboear® the — Stain of triumphancy, and the end of the campaign told ae of democracy again instilled in the minds of many, and ‘88ery maintaining her meager hold. Louis D. Wilson secured History or Eparcomse County 1,167 votes versus Edward Stanley’s 78 in the county. At the same time, however, there appeared a restlessness prevalent among the voters in the county. There was an urgent need to have # mutual understanding with prospective legislation to change repeal the county law electing clerks for the County and SuperioF Courts, sheriffs and constable. The old systems were considered more convenient—that is, the appointment of such officers as were named by the courts. The promise of party spoils, however invit- ing, was never successful in persuading the people or politiciaD$ of the practicability of such a scheme. Amid the bitter controversy of the Whigs and Democrats over the bank and the tariff, the “hideous spectre,” of even a more dreadful issue was continually appearing to the front. The que’ tion of slavery, which many had hoped was forever settled i2 1920, was fast being revived by the Whigs, and far from solution: The unfurling of the Republican banner in 1839 was a movement beguiled by the deceptive pretext of Federalism under a moder? Whig garb. An alliance between the Federalists and Whigs gav@ the new party control over county politics in 1839 and 1840. idward Stanley, Whig, had represented the district in Congres$ for three successive years. - In addition local politics was gradu- ally passing from the Democrats to the Whigs. To add further to the complication and embarrassment of the Democratic party a farmer’s ticket came out in 1840. This caused an additional decline of the Democratic party. There were accordingly thre@ tickets. The Democrats, who supported R. M. Sanders for Gov- ernor; Louis D. Wilson, Senate; William S. Baker and Joshua Barnes, House of Congress, and M. Petway for Sheriff. The farmers’ ticket supported the same candidates for President and Vice-President, Governor, Sheriff, but ran W. L. Kennedy for Senate. The Federal Whigs of course supported Tyler, Harrison; and Edward Stanley, of Beaufort, for Senate. The canvass for the campaign began with what promised to be a rampant contest. The fervor elicited some witty and appropri- ate remarks and writings on the issues of the day. One cottoD victim who received reverses from an emotional as well as financial Ponitics ArrerR THE REVOLUTION 127 Onsiderat; . : : Ja deration, contributed a poem to be used against the Whigs. ls w : ‘ 4 ; 8 well worth quoting as an index to the issues then prevalent: “Nought but these plagues of dreadful destruction, Distract us with fears of woeful reduction. Corn groans beneath the oppression of bugs, Harrison swaggers with ‘hard cider’ in mugs; Indians are cutting the throats of the whites. Northern men brawling for ‘nigger’ men’s rights. Congress bullying and butchering each other, Honest men claiming the rogue for their brother ; Banks buying up every freeman they can, (Undermining the Republican Van) ; Grinding all men who’re disposed to be free— Such is the history of the time that be.” of 2? Democrats fought bravely, but unsuccessfully, in defense ; their policies. The Whigs in the national contest won the which they had struggled so faithfully to obtain. In aged to = however, the Democrats were successful and man- Bate +, elect Charles G. Hunter, of Edgecombe, ~ Democrat dele- Court. Sed convention at Baltimore, H. T. Clark as clerk of State L liam 8. Baker and Joshua Barnes as Representative to £00 ag eenere, William Petway as Sheriff, and Louis D. bike Whig ‘ €nator, and polled 1,379 votes for Van Buren versus 135 otes for Harrison. cone 4° fall of 1841, after the apparent Whig victory in Edge- Seratig = Demoe rats rallied back to their own colors. The wR a Stag met after the election and appointed another Ciples Sa to get up resolutions, defending the Democratic ae Court ie the county’s integrity. The meeting was held at the and ote November 23, 1841. J. O. Knight acted as chariman *eoch te Howard, secretary. T. R. Purnell outlined in a them +... e artifices and deceptions as the Democratic party saw patel by the Whigs during the me victory. He pro- of abus; the Whig party “dead, dead, dead. Moreover charges The De ng public confidence was charges to the Whig leaders. People perrene party depended upon the sober thoughts of the 0 the county to cause them to rally back to the support Mocratic principles as taught by Jefferson, Jackson, and 128 History or Epercomsn County Van Buren. The Whigs had secured their ends in the bank que’ tion inasmuch as the President had failed to veto their measure: For this act the Edgecombe Democrats were not slow in acknowl edging their appreciation. The party did not, as was charged against them, guard money more excessively than the Republi- vans had. They at least got more credit by the paper money party than they actually wanted. The death of Harrison, April 4 1841, and the succession to the presidency by John Tyler, 2” ardent Democrat, caused great consternation to the Whigs and much rejoicing to the Democrats. A more prospective futur loomed up for local democracy, and the campaign for 1841 fF the election of Congressman was one of interest. Never did De™ ocrats seem actuated by a more resolute and determined spirit- The boastings, the taunts, the sneers of their opponents only 4P” peared to have a tendency to make them adhere more unflinching]Y to the men of their choice and the Republican doctrine they adv eated. This determination and the preparation made to offset the Whigs caused a prominent Whig voter to declare that thé Democrats would only receive the support of the State of New Hampshire and the County of Edgecombe. The Republicans of Edgecombe and Nash gave a public dinne™ at Nolley’s X Roads in Edgecombe, 15th of October. Several prominent speakers were present and some rank Republican do trines were promulgated. John P. Pitt, then an active politicia™ presided over the gathering, and George Howard acted as sect tary. H. T. Clark, Ralph E. McNair, Harman Ward, Robt. D. Hart, and Charles G. Hunter were appointed to draft resolutio™® expressive of the sentiment of those present. The committee having retired, the meeting was addressed at some length by J. J. Pippen, touching the merits of the respecti¥® candidates for the presidency; urging the necessity of vigilan©® and exertion on the part of the democracy, “to counteract the efforts of our opponents; inducing their neighbors to attend the polls.” The committee returned, whereupon H. T. Clark, in behalf of the committee, reported the following preamble and resolutio?® prefacing the same with appropriate remarks. The resolutio?® were read collectively and separately, and unanimously adopted “Wnuerreas, The zeal and unexampled effort now made by the opposition to thwart the operations of the Government, to oppoe? Pouitics Arrer THE ReEvoLuTION 129 aden of the Republican party by perverting its doctrines, es ne facts, and raising a public clamor by the most With . malicious denunciations of men and measures connected efforts A present administration, call for renewed and vigorous . » Of the democracy to sustain themselves and the precious Pring; Aeiples handed down to them by the forefathers. aed That a committee of twelve be appointed by the Bary oe to be a committee of vigilance, who shall take the neces- Senne “ps to promote the cause of the Democratic party, and 4 full vote at the polls, and to distribute such papers and Cy Ments as may tend to advance our cause. bin telved, That we have confidence in the Republican doc- in: of the present administration, and think the welfare ta; Prosperity of the county depend upon their successful “Intenance, mig eed, That we view with much alarm and concern, the et p, Whigism and abolitionism at the North; while our pres- a stands pledged to vote any interference with our Tigon * “nstitutions from the fanatic abolitionists. General Har- have pu °minously silent on it and the Whig party at the North shoulg Sh such a course on this subject that no southern man Tust them with power. gpl “solved, That we feel grateful for the firm and manly stand 88SIM 6, : th med by northern democracy in favor of southern rights and e ‘ Jor . i ; : 5 b istitution, and while we sympathize with those who have een . 8 : ‘ j éafhe at { 4erificed for their course on this subject, we feel indignant W in Poastings of southern Whigs for the success of northern 8 who iG are avowed abolitionists. iad That the independent treasury bill, delivering us '8 the Poly alliance of corporations and the money power, Of the G . Interpretation of the Constitution and the true policy be the *overnment as marked out by our forefathers, and should "Neompromising creed of the Democratic party.” Th tt ining of this campaign marked a sad omen which was UPportin ~ until 1847. The strategy exercised by the Whigs in to be ‘te i. I. Toole, a Democrat in principle, caused suspicion ** upon him, and he was doomed to suffer for honest 130 History or Epcrcomse County principles. This is not the first time a man was defeated by thé wrong kind of support and at the hands of superfluous flattery: Moreover, Toole became involved in an opposition with his personal friend, H. S. Clark. The convention placed Clark ip order of nomination and under this condition nothing remained but for Toole to run as an independent candidate or withdra¥ with a loss of prestige. The Whigs were elated over the defeat of Toole in the convention, because he had been their greatest f0® In the election previous to this he had secured 841 votes in th? county versus that of 80 for Stanley, the Whig candidate. 1 order to celebrate their feelings a cannon was fired in front of the market square in Tarboro when the news reached the street from the closed doors of the convention hall. The result was b@ ran as a mere choice of the people. The Tarboro people felt und obligations to support the nominee of the convention, and, #* usual with political organizations, began to hurl its invectiv® toward Toole, and painting Clark up in brilliant colors. Both men were equal in character and ability. However, one was * victim of circumstances and the other a supporter of political machinery. Toole was so severely abused by the Democrats, although a De™ ocrat himself, that he ordered his paper sent directly to hie instead of his home, in order that his family might not be paiD® at the abuse against him. An article had appeared in the 74” boro Press, signed “A. B.,” in which Toole was defended of Ws principles and why the Whigs were supporting him. Georg? Howard, then editor of the Tarboro Free Press, commented wm as mild a form as his position would admit and gave cause fot further correspondence upon the issue. Accordingly a promine?! writer in Tarboro, in making use of the opportunity to haras? Toole further, wrote a scathing rejoinder. He thought that Howard had missed the mark in attributing the authorship ° “A. B.” in the paper to a Whig in Tarboro. The writer the? declared that there were certain earmaks about the communi?” tion, as well as twenty-three editorials in the same paper, whie were strong features of a certain gentleman in Tarboro who calls himself a Democrat (meaning Toole). x ° Pe a é The writer proceeded further to show, in a ridiculous light, th workings of the new-fangled coalition. It was indeed queer the Pourrics ArreR THE REVOLUTION 191 wil shoud have been supported by the Whigs when a omer" with € two parties being so abused to each other. And probably Present limitations of insight to the mistakes made by the 7g involved, one should not be too harsh toward either oppo- Ph a eceent. Toole’s followers at any rate were ee With ‘ere corporal’s guard (which later proved otherwise), vielng «ch other in their efforts to promote the cause of the great cml “Toole shaking hands with Federalism,” boned i te of ignominious regret. Federalism defending Toole was hoe cause for suspicion of any man claiming calcite ance i This was of course an unnatural alliance; and eo y tens ¥ he time was, and it came to pass soon after this herd a Misa realized by Toole himself, that H. I. Toole would have ed such an alliance, when his ardent spirit for democracy Woy 4 ‘ : ld have suffered the keenest mortification, ere he would have Permitted bis uC pport from men whose principles he detested. Toole, We Yer, was not willing to remain in his embarrassing position. a 8 be supported by Whigs and to suffer the reno 5 oe one for which he had fought wad loved, to be ian Oar. the race and withdrew. Richard S. Donnell, ) sition ie became the W hig nominee for tae sabe in mia did hot : ark, after Toole’s withdrawal. In eat anion Ya in g a ay the ungentlemanly part. He immediately a aes fos the er to Toole that he also, in order to secure the jedi race 6 waceens of the Democratic party, would withdraw rom the 2 certain proposals, namely, that some other individual be Sela, : i am or agreed upon, and that both he and Toole support such Mdividual. him : He Self in the eyes of his supporters for the seat in Congress. © ae é ©ordingly wrote Clark, May 5th, and informed him that Ce hj sia > | PR 4 ‘ P ‘ t ® his Withdrawal he had advised with his friends, and he nor by the sidered the harmony of the Democratic party endangered “heer conditions of things—both claimed to be Democrats be) if either were elected (and it was certain that one would si » & Democrat would be secured. In this event Toole recon- “nal dere date 7 his withdrawal, and proposed to Clark both run as can¢ i- There remained nothing else to do, and the race began. History or Epgrecomss County Immediately after his declaration that he was again in the field a dialogue between a Town Whig and a Country Democrats which was supposed to have taken place at X Roads Meetin8 House, was published in the Tarboro Press. The words “town” and “country” were used profusely to convey a supposed idea that the town was superior over the country, and the counttY man was to beat in the conversation. This was to cast reflectiO® upon Toole. The dialogue is as follows: Whig (with a hat full of Toole’s circulars, all copied from the North State Whig): Good morning, Squire. How do ye do today? Democrat: Thank you, tolerable—how’s it with yourself ? Whig: Joster so so. Well, Squire, who do you go for, fo Congress ? Democrat: I go for the nominee of the convention. Whig: You do? Why he’s a Whig, “as good a Whig as J want.” Democrat: He is? Well, why don’t you go for him? Yo profess to be a Whig. Whig: I would go for him, but “I have pledged myself to go for Toole.” Democrat: You have? Then I “pledge myself to go for the nominee.” ; “It is needless to say that the Whig (Coon) was fairly ‘treed, and didn’t say anything more.” The results of the election demonstrated that Toole had 2% lost favor entirely in the people’s estimation. His contribution the policies of the Democratic party even though clothed (as some Democrats declared) in a Whig garb was remembered in the m9" stringent and undue crisis of his political career. These ideals cherished by the voters in the county were manifested on the d@¥ of the election. Edgecombe gave Toole the majority of votes, but the other counties went against him. Because of the split among al parties only 52 votes were necessary to a choice, and Toole lack only eight. Had Beaufort County gone for him he would hav? won; but by skillful jockeying her vote was secured for Clark by a majority of one. Pouitics. AFTER THE REVOLUTION 133 Tn the meantime Whiggery had continued to gain in power and in numbers. The Federal Whig convention in Raleigh, in April, 1842, gave Edgecombe another opportunity for display of “merical increase. R. H. Battle, Dr. L. J. Dortch, C. C. Battle, -D, Battle, and William A. Pone were sent from the county as Edgecombe representatives. Edgecombe, however, grew less and “ads sympathy with one of the principal Whig leaders, Stanley, m the district. They charged him with corruption, allowing him- “elf $53.00 too much in expenditures and voting for the tariff. is true that Congress in 1842 passed a high tariff law, based cing Passed on the assumption of protecting the manufacturers. Edward Stanley was the only member from North Carolina, Whig ye Democrat, who voted for the measure. Naturally this did not sPPeal to North Carolina and Edgecombe. The poor men of Tgecombe were then paying upon the necessities of life the high tax imposed by the Whig party. Stanley went to Stantonburg, August, 1843, on an electioneering tour. While there he was at- acked in a speech by William Norflet, who laid charges against 0 for his political ‘association with abolitionists, his support of high tariff, and protection. ‘These charges were laid as a basis the election of 1844, and constituted the unfurling of the Political events until the outbreak of the War between the States. ith the admission of Clay in the political ring the issues of ‘ty and tariff became revived and dominated politically for twenty years. It is a darkened and gloomy phase of political ‘story, but none the less one worthy for complete understanding. No Phase of history is more interesting than to observe the move- “Seg of politicians; the unraveling of forces which later clashed of a9 for political dominion. Politics was the one excitement a day, and actuated men to impulses as blinding and mis- the te as they were noble and spectacular. In the gathering g Clouds of conflict dwindling of parties is seen, and alliances and fy; : ¥ ce d ; 5 d friendship destroyed. In their place is found the rise of new Parties : sl av. » New alliances, and new entanglements. Teliminary to the campaign of 1844 the Whigs and Demo- Tats, as ; s thas es aad wae \ °y; Moreover, began forming organizations for the campaign. An me 26, Fite ea *gular Democratic Association was organized in the Fifteenth Disty: < ; Strict, with May Cherry as president and John F. Speight, their custom was, began having meetings and barbecues. 134 History oF EparcomBe County secretary; both from Edgecombe.. A preamble was immediately formed; whereas, the democracy of Edgecombe did proclaim its unaltered attachment to the principles of the Democratic creed- With this firm determination, promise was made to do battle in the November election to defeat Clay and the combined force of Federalism. At this time Clay himself was carrying on a pompous parade through the State, and was securing great acclamations- He visited the “State” of Edgecombe, as he termed it, in his introductory remarks. The Democrats sought to play a trick upo? him. The cars stopped at Joyners Depot, where a crowd, entirely Democratic, assembled to hear him. After the cars began to move off Clay stood on the platform and shouted at the top of his voice: “Go on, gentlemen, you are engaged in a noble cause and must triumph.” In a few moments the party was out of sight, and the crowd made the atmosphere ring with laughter because of the blunder of the Whig candidate. At this meeting Toole was appointed to canvass the Fifteenth District as elector for Polk. The names of R. R. Bridges and James S. Battle were also recommended as suitable persons t? represent the county in the House of Congress. Wilson wa’ favored for the Senate, Petway for sheriff, and Hoke for Governo? In the meantime the Whigs were not sitting idly by. A Whig central convention was organized and confidential circular letters were issued, threatening a revolution if Polk and Dallas weré elected. This letter was signed by Richard Hines (a member of Congress from Edgecombe, 1827), and other prominent men. It fell into the hands of the Democrats and was published in the Tarboro Free Press as threat to upset the unity of the State Great exactions were employed to remove the obvious insult cast upon the country, and pleas were issued to resent the lofty crest flashing eye, and shake of “Coondum” with a real vote for Polk and Dallas. The Whig convention denounced Edgecombe with special em- phasis, intimating she would give a thousand illegal votes in the approaching election. This marked the first fall of Whig powe* in the county, and showed an approaching sign of weakness. Fol lowing these declarations the Whigs recommended the appoint ment of various Whigs to be stationed at the polls to prevent stuffed ballot. This naturally aroused the indignation of the Poxrrics Arrer THE REVOLUTION 135 “erg and they prepared to rebuke the assailants of their a oa Though Edgecombe has been. often calumniated for Wticles consistency and unanimity in irresponsible newspaper The omg now for the first time found responsible endorsers. tn 0 def igs having some 8,000 majority in the State could rea- n this only by a fraud and forgery in the Democratic party. and it “ae it was considered to be without redress or remedy, “ep uld be done with impunity, such being the prospects of racy. con lt tdaessed the people in Tarboro immediately after this ‘Fini: 8y and gave the origin of the parties in the county. Risin ‘ a Harris replied in a Whig discourse, but was hissed iseues v4 : e Democrats. Later, newspaper battles began and the Ny oth parties were made plain. The tariff issue was again assaze Harris stated that goods were cheaper since the romise , the tariff act of 1842 than they were during the com- teas act when duties were at a minimum rate. This Toole 1cted, ea Democratic party in Edgecombe has ever been opposed to NCE the sh protection, and have always stood pledged to re- Aaa vad to a revenue standard to meet the expense of the rer eS economically administered. Consequently they were £ystem of ged to any particular bill, but were opposed to the Sh ape and specific duties of 1846, as deceptive and hi in their operations. * lg practically the argument of the party. Assisting eet, HL e petanigntion of Democratic ideals were John Nor- Harvey, a Elias Carr, W. M. Norfleet, and William T. could vin ho could stand such a Democratic charge, and who The “Seman with a conqueror over so many brilliant enemies ? Pition of oo creed embraced, as has been intimated, a sepa- ad taxes e Government from the banks, opposition to old tariff €Xpengeg andy such as were laid for revenue and the necessary Publig ay the Government ; opposition to any distribution of ankrupt oe opposition to all repudiation of honest debts by the aws of the general Government or by the State Legisla- Ure in : : ge expenditures, and a firm belief in states rights. Ih fie Emin of the fifty-seventh anniversary of American Rdence a huge mass of citizens of Edgecombe met in speak- History or Eparcomsr County ing and feasting. Several toasts were made on the occasi0™, which emphasized the growing importance of the States rights issue. James W. Clark presided over the meeting after just hav ing resigned the office as first clerk of the navy. There was much wrangling over his act by the Whigs, as a resignation was so rare in that day of rotation. But Clark resigned, as he stated, not for political purposes, but had resigned from motives purely of # private nature. Dr. Hall being indisposed was absent, but sent the followiD$ toast of Edgecombe’s stand in politics: “The sovereignty of th@ states, the sovereignty of the people, who compose the states— having never alienated they still retain it. The powers of Con gress and State Legislature, being only delegated are of necessitY subdivided and not sovereign power.” It appears also that while there were States rights men, theré were also men who were anxious for the union and its safety: The question of the Union had been often discussed prior to th1§ date. George Howard, however, at the same meeting and fol lowing Dr. Hall’s toast, offered the following sentiment: “Liberty —who will part with it? Union—who can calculate its value? May the people of this United States never be called upon t® choose between them.” Little did he know that in 1861 he would assist in destroying the Union temporarily, and less still in th? trying days of 1866-1880 assist in its perpetuation. The election of 1844 came off quietly considering the feverish eampaign which had been waged. The county gave a majority of 1,377 votes for Polk as President, an increase in Democratic vote® of 85; and 13 more votes than had been previously given in th? county. L. D. Wilson was elected to Senate, Joshua Barnes and R. R. Bridges to House of Commons. W. D. Petway was elected sheriff, and the county gave 1,410 votes for Hoke as Governo versus 718 for, Graham, the Whig candidate. The Democrat®) therefore, received the first complete victory for several years: With the triumph of Polk and Dallas, and the defeat of Henry Clay, much rejoicing was witnessed and experienced in the county: Immediately after the campaign and election of 1844, the field of politics became open for the election of congressman. Arring~ ton, of Nash, and Toole, of Edgecombe, became the successfu! nominees for the election. The citizens on Fishing Oreek wer iE N LOUIS D. WILSON Pourrics Arter THE RevoLuTion 137 Notable Wh: ‘ : Pro le W higs, and greatly opposed Toole, hating him, as the e , : . ; ° 4 ” aa Wh; Press told it, worse than the “Devil did holy water. The . 88 Were demoralized by the recent election and did not know ouch candic ‘dmitted it, a - and ough "8 and indi late to support. Arrington was weak and his friends Toole had considerable talents for doing them dam- t not to be placed where he could cause an unrelent- a. ctive warfare upon them. Both being Deemocrats, Candidaye serine had to be made between the two, since no W hig ay ey Was available. Consequently they took the lesser of the and supported Arrington, who was accordingly elected. gy meantime party politics became seen cig bork: with the Combe - war with Mexico. In this realm of activities Edge- from oa no inconspicuous part. The center of the history ate L Until 1848 clung around one noble and amiable char- Combe _— D. Wilson. His name should instill in every Edge- to his on, the noble attribute which actuated this unselfish man Th Patriotic duty. prone ening of 1846 were days of preparation for the fast “Onflict odie with Mexico. Before the spring had gone the thejp ‘eta €gun on the Rio Grande, and volunteers were offering lees to the Federal Government. Edgecombe, for some to offer its services for the war. Louis D. Wil- of ity member of the Senate at this time. Feeling the askance Wilson and that day’s touch of shame for his native county, With ey a scene which is unparalleled in local history. With ig "ing grace and touching dignity this venerable man, Wel] Owing locks, rose and addressed the Senate with a fare- fellow. 68s. He asked for permission to visit his county and The rene, and there awaken them to duty and consciousness. Seorton in the Senate was the most thrilling and effective. him S : * y 3 a parade August 16th, with the determination to break the a dea to pieces. This they did, saying Colonel Paine’s horse was fe The colonel was angry and went to see Colonel Hantranch, of t poy’ Virginia regulars. The colonel laughed it off and said the : fe will do such things as that. The next night the men went 4 ’ : : ep the horse’s carcass. Oolonel Paine had a guard of eight m aD 18 be around it and when the men came Paine came out of his tent hailed them. They all turned and ran toward their quart? Paine fired and wounded two men; one belonging to Edgeco™ Company A, who was mortally wounded in the body. m : ms . : , this lhe officers of the regiment had threatened to resign before t ate ; 3 wire ,olec affair, because Colonel Paine was very fractious and sadly né gle : dete the ne gt ful of his duties. After this affair took place they were mined that Paine should leave or they would. The officers 19. regiment wrote him a polite note, requesting him to res? ms vs ; ;eU" Colonel Paine went to see General Wool and told him that me ou tenants Pender and Singletary were the cause of all the tr he t Pender and Singletary were subsequently discharged from — | army by order of General Wool. These two men went to Monter® es. whe? Pender left, Paine ordered an election in the company and Ad ; tant Buck was elected captain and Robert S. Pitt seco” lieutenant. to see General Taylor with hopes of being reinstated. ain 5” 3 1 him, since General Wool said he could not doubt one so zealov® " the work as Colonel Paine. General Taylor refused on the gree that General Wool must have been well informed of the £4 Pender appealed to the Secretary of War for redress. P ogi Pender could not secure an investigation of the charges 4 In the meantime the surgeon of the North Carolina 1 issued a certificate, signifying that Pender was not on duty the time of ‘the disturbance in the camp, nor on duty the day ee ceding; he being indisposed. It was also certified by seve" officers in the camp that Pender did not draw up the paper sent to Colonel Paine, which requested the resig? The commanding officers, General Wool and Colonel Paine, ; R - 1 ever, persistently ignored the regulation of the army, which every man must have a trial by a court-martial. Poxirics Arter THE REVOLUTION 149 Tl tary SUbop, fact that Paine was not a military man, nor versed in mili- “egulation, explains why he disregarded the law affecting g dinate officers and enlisted men. ~vainatd had the same evidence that Pender had, and on his © visited the President of the United States; was rein- 8 ‘shi received $125.00 for arrears due him. He was returned at the ooh jom his regiment and company on October 26, idl m™ . Ue time with Pender. “lr return, however, was of short duration, for soon after Ende ee oe haq Was restored he was overtaken by the dreadful fever which : taken So Satill, 0 by ; : by the two Edgecombe companies, a large number of S oo rata ape wong ae ee arey by Capte ‘ > Seconc leecombe, ag ij Spies by pee tgs ae “ ns oa placed where it could be easily obtained bj . Captain Roberts, of the Wayne Company, had resigned 8 time and brought back Pender’s body with him. Snel Louis D. Wilson was stricken by disease on the Ist of » 1847, while on his march upon the city of Mexico. In ‘ar ended with many noble sons left upon the fields of Y disease or bullets. The citizens of Edgecombe gath- leome her returning troops. The volunteers "Az0s, July 5, 1848, and arrived at Old Point Comfort, Dginj mithvil July 23d. Part of the regiment was discharged at "ile, ; at Jo the ele many others. His remains were escorted out of A dinner was given to the men as they came back, y sad ing Wednesday, August 17th. The banner * an, a bag more than a year ago was returned neat an In the ue os by dishonor or stain. . eat} a the defeat of Clay and his followers was the ‘Ome itt] a the Whig party. The year 1848, however, caused The a - reviving, but his election was due to military fame. *xation of Texas was now closed and a dear price paid fo rt he greed of * Fe 7 “ age nevive Aut Nore 5 more area. The bank question was to reviv The task of conserving the power which had been ac- gan ‘ip 4 thing Whiggery was unable to do. Their influence the W : Weaken. In North Carolina and Edgecombe especially, of hey 8 force did not bring prominence, for it was not the genus durin, People. The State was merely held to the Whig alliance 8 the decade in which the real interests of the South seemed 150 History or Epercomsr Country to be represented by the Democratic party. Not until the pro!” nent followers caught the spirit of nationalism, which in the = ceeding decade came into a violent conflict with the spirit of Joc individualism upon which the South relied, was Whigs’? threatened. After the removal of the bugbear of Texas, the North Caroli®® Whig leaders believed the opportunity had come for regaining their lost strength, for welding the whole Whig party into unity: To this end they supported the policy of protective tariff. Te issue, however, failed to satisfy the national policy, and it looked as if the entire institution would be demoralized. In the meantime the question of slavery in the new territorl®? disturbed the peace of the Taylor administration. Souther members were divided, and some portions of the South were gro ing warm. Debates were held all over the country, and issue? were being formed for and against that institution. The ant bellum Edgecombe was an entirely normal community so far * the play of the political forces was concerned. The negro-slav® plantation system created and maintained a large and speci# vested interest, differentiated from and in more or less chrow? conflict with the local farming interest, and also the manufactur ing and commercial interest in the western counties. But pol ticians and political interests must have bedfellows. The Edg®’ combe planters were always a minority of the voting populati” —almost all large planters consequently there was a large ot to only a few planters, and for the purpose of securing their ” terests they were oftentimes obliged to find and retain allies f home and in other counties in order to decry the too sharp defi tion of real issues. More often, also, they must be chary; se political shibboliths had turned out, for them, to be wolves we sheep’s clothing. It is due to this fact that the wave of Jeffersonian democracy? and the democracy of Jackson successively, had put the conser tives of Edgecombe (the planters and other allies) on the “ fensive. Neither of these movements gave heed to nor consider? the fact that southern industry and society were exceptional’ constructed upon a peculiar basis and each in turn threate2® danger to the fabric. Pourtics Arrer tHE REvoLuTION 151 mine Pring of 1850 still found the country in the throes of a facilita upheaval. The death of Mr. Calhoun, in a a lard a the pacification reached by the fall of a big “ \s ad .. more, a New York Whig, successor to General Taylor, ® wisdom and foresight to ignore many of the prejudices in the country between the Whig and Republican Wag leg further compromise was made when the Here writ a i Pidden in the District of Columbia and the fugitive pre and HN passed. The northern people were exasperated at this, “came evident that party splits would soon occur. %y he champions of the established regime had to rally to its Port against each of these waves, and to use for their purpose Such RL : the ‘eans as were found at hand. Hence a diffusion of parties— Jackson’s. There came a strong tendency for the * to turn to democracy, except those possessed with a social oo Be ciousness, generally known as the squires. eae cen The ee to a man joined the Whigs throughout the coun y; al] sds lem of Federal powers—now consuming the ng . Sideg of “¢lans—exhausted the patience of the extremists on bo ; Upon the Issue and drove them into a coalition so uncongenia Westions of constructive policy as to require the constant eo ‘ rt San Aaa tla of the country’ 0 alented politicians to secure its Pre trys mos e Pp “ervation. | : T a Southern Whigs in the county were all states rights men. “4 n A . . Y Were cotton planters pure and simple, and joined the Whig ay from aoling. the Ja. SPonsib] a sense of outrage at the threat made to coerce South Clay, it will be remembered, was at its head against Kson faction; but it was Calhoun who was chiefly re- © for the course of action by the Southern Whigs—“The h Union, it must be preserved.” This proved distasteful Bdge, Edgecombe Whigs, whose interest lay with the South. a Sante took slavery as a matter of course, seemingly, and that With ¢ secede from the Union at ite pleasure. sf ky 7 2AGa > g 7 tered os men and Tyler leading the bbs pie 3%. poli Republi. 0 an alliance with Webster, Clay, sn 1e Na “ ay Saag as a choice between two evils. For several it ” COalition and not a union. The basis of the amity within the Seems to have been an agreement, partly implied and 152 History or Epercomse County partly expressed. This was a great advantage over the De™™ cratic party. This was due to the fact that they had no comme? platform. The Democratic party was compelled to take a erate compromise position, because the party must be sati in all sections of the country; whereas, the Whigs in the Sout took the ultra southern ground and could abuse the Democré traitors to the South for not going as far as they did, and rts 28 , the you "a North, vice versa. The Whigs were not concerned about what could prove on their northern allies. They did not profess think alike, and they could give up the northern Whigs freely) even if they involved the northern Democrats. In the end they : : mes e became pro-slavery Whigs, supporting all measures affecting th general interest to the section in which they lived. Nearly all fdgecombe Whigs were anxious not only to safeguard southe™® control over southern affairs, but to preserve the “Union of the fathers.” In 1850 Henry Toole Clark, son of Major James W. Clarls a member of Congress in 1815, was elected to the State Legis!” ture from Edgecombe. It had become obvious, however, at the time that Whiggery was declining, and with the compromise $ 1850 it was a self-evident fact. H. T. Clark had inherited mU¢ of the influence formerly possessed by Dr. Hall, Toole, and L. D: Wilson, and assisted by R. R. Bridgers and others made the county the stronghold of North Carolina democracy. Several incidents happened to hasten the death of the whis party before the opening conflict of the Civil War. In thes? Edgecombe County was no less affected than the South at la Be The Edgecombe Whigs, as has been pointed out, were state? rights men. They were for the South and for their native count and its interests. But with the appearance of new party prey ciples, the “Free Soil” wing, the “Wilmot Proviso,” and the Job? Brown raid at Harper’s Ferry, the party knew that it could no retain their.old principles under the governments of Whiggets’ Providence was more than kind to this party, and gave to the” an opportunity to hide their consciences behind a name of «Know Nothing.” This party was conceived in Massachusetts in 1953 and was obligated to slavery by an oathbound brotherhood. it was late in the year 1854 before the Know Nothing moveme? Pouirics Arrer THE RevoLUTION eo bounds of Edgecombe. Some few Whigs embraced ise eee organizing @ party in Edgecombe, but later 1t was Yered to their regret. the pe 4, 1854, the opportune moment had oe and Orgenized organization appeared in the county. A group 0 — rp themselves under several names. It was known as the “Sa Squad of those renowned Invincibles.” They —_ ®tonishme exciting the amusements of the Remectate and - eee the children and Aeakien Gorgeous pincer Westin, their heads, and a Know Nothing gaze or nod mae — lation oo the origin of the party or company. eee organ- Dvineib| -arboro soon became recognized as the renee te, ald Th €s,” as an ironical designation of the former W higs. i” Nothing party, however, as far ue Edgecombe was Clecteg oe was destined to be shortlived. In 1854 the Democ - and onlgen candidates, H. T. Clark se Senate, Joshua eae the “ately Williams for the House of Representatives, and a ‘: 4 offices were filled by Democratic candidates. — she cobweb of Know SS Scictieg kd : nands of not only the Democrats, u ¥ se: . ; ieense to ’ “ eountry as well. The Baptist churches too the Selves eet raicate several of its members who allied rat Xpelleq ch -cotdecesamase It became a matter of choice with t "3 fe loa: ether they preferred their Know N othingism to ans reuoced ad of the more pious and thoughtfully wre “dition t “i party and were reinstated in their vapinget 4 Noved th 0 this some had a compunction of oonsctence W ue Party, 7 to withdraw from the party and join the Demoe a Space of sg converts were made to democracy _ the xe vepective Siheceay Southern men W ith - sout “a hie tatage Deii party principles, were beginning to arrange them nding conflict over slavery. The following is to the editor of the Tarboro paper by a man who Party . mocrat but had been enticed away to the Know Nothing « I io; ? Rind ea 4 society last March (1855) court at Nashville com- And Called Know Nothings. It was by persuasion that I did it. how T Ounty moet am compelled with a sense of duty to myself and e day of election will soon approach when every free- 154 History or Epercomse County man of North Carolina should vote for whom he pleases without being sworn to support any political society. And as I have not time nor inclination to attend their meetings any more, I take this method to write to you, hoping you will give it space in your excellent paper, which I think will meet the eye of some member of that council, and I hope they will grant me a dismissal accord" ing to their promise, and erase my name off their book foreve™ Mr. Editor, I am a Democrat, and expect to vote that ticket next election. And I hope I never shall be caught in another such scrape as that. Mr. Editor, we intend to elect Dr. Shaw in this district. I do not think Colonel Paine can be elected by th Whig-Know Nothing-American Society, with all the Democrat? they can deceive.” Signed, Henry B. S. Pitt. The election of James Buchanan to the presidency was a post ponement of what seemed at that time evident for four more years. Many hearts gave breath to relief when news reached sags four corners of the American nation. There was a large majorit¥ in North Carolina legislative halls to back up the national adm" istration. H. T. Clark was again sent to represent the “old Stat? of Edgecombe.” The year 1858 dawned upon the State with one enjoyment ye peace and prosperity. But dark clouds were continuing to cove? the political sky. The development of the Dred Scott case and es decision of the United States Supreme Court was deeply resent? by the Republican party. Fresh injury and indignation openee the wound of slavery for the conception of an awful conflict. B Edgecombe, quietness and patience actuated the citizens. Ther? were few Republicans and not much opposition. General Bragé had served his allotted time and become ineligible for reélectio”” The Democrats met in a convention at Salisbury to elect his gue" cessor. William H. Holden, of Wake County, who had bee? 5 Whig, but then an ardent Democrat of the Calhoun schoo ¢ thought to be the man for the nomination. The Democrat mitted his ability, but disliked his radical policies, and b afraid of him awarded the nomination to J. W. Ellis, of Rows That same year the late George Howard, of Tarboro, was elect one of the three new judges for the Superior Court. Edgecom)? lent full support to the nominee of the convention and gavé i overwhelming Democratic majority in his favor. ein$ JUDGE GEORGE HOWARD Pourrics ArrER THE REVOLUTION 155 The year 1860 had arrived and all parties hesitated on the 2a ®t of doubt and duty. The companions of Clay, Calhoun, Sounty hori}, Suglass could no longer stop the trend of history, and this Y, with the entire South, was thrown into one of the most that le internal struggles history has ever recorded. ae in th Memorable year the bickerings of the Democrats Ragen selves became silenced under the strain. The Know Nothing ¢ dy of the General Association of North Carolina met in a eee agreed to abandon Know Nothingism, substituted por sein for a party name, and determined upon a eat . fal] = democracy in both State and national elections or the Wi *’ection. Edgecombe sent two delegates to a convention In ibe ‘ngton. The condition essential to the growth of the party, tie with the principles of the old one, was the —e = for we agitation in national politics. No rival party 7 a Nae while it was necessary to defend ae admis a ‘ io opponents. Hence John Brown’s fanatical raid a a gle Ferry. The verge of the war between the states Nes beay d, and although it presents a saddening chronicle - mus eta Place in the annual of the county’s history. The slave issue, Ver, deserves a discussion, since it is currently accepted as One of the Causes of the war. CHAPTER V SLAVERY s- Slavery existed in Edgecombe County from its earliest 4a) 7 : ae Before the grant of the Carolina charter to the Lord Proprieto™” pared The ; | ea settlers came from Virginia into Albemarle section, and it. is Te ; ne : p sonable to believe that the first African slaves were brought } were by them on their migration. The African slaves, however, e not the only type of slavery in Edgecombe County. There wel ; TM! ale Indian slaves, who had become so on account of crime, or of s@ ; d ; R aa sarly by some of their own race as captives taken in war. The ear? colonial records tell us how the Indians were carried up Tar River and worked as captives in the turpentine industry. There was yet a third class of bondsmen, the unfortunate clas? of whites who had been indentured in England, and sold by the masters into the colony. Many such servants were apprenticed by the courts of the Province, or had been kidnapped in Englant . é op brought over and sold, or, according to Parliament, had es e to t transported to the colony and sold for a term of years ' c highest bidder. It is practically impossible to ascertain the e*® date when this sort of servitude came to Edgecombe, but there 4 3 : ° . 7 - 0 several instances of its existence. When the Reverend Geors «2a Whitfield made his tour of Eastern North Carolina, vise i . ' ; : - ad colonial records relate that St. Mary’s Parish of Edgecombe h 4 aD ré Edgecombe County, he had with him a white servant. several of these servants to support, because of infirmities ‘ . * ia 0 old age. The law regarding the indentured servants provided release of such servants having a good behavior and fruitfe! service. It is obvious that there must have been instances ” which masters gave freedom to their servants before their tim? expired, although it is impossible, through lack of preserved ree pe ords, to recite any cases. From the evidence of the reports 3 et St. Mary’s Parish one concludes that in times past such a syst of servitude was extensive. The system of negro slavery had practically the same origi! the indentured system; that is, the slaves were brought into | colony by masters from Virginia and elsewhere. A farmer sett hve , 28 (3) 156 SLAVERY i ete County usually brought one or two slaves with Rither ¢ € would buy about that number as soon as he wea able. ~the ae natural increase or from importation from Virginia arly = sgl which is the more probable, because 1t 18 known as 8 1665 that slaves were brought to Albemarle setlement fy Om wn ‘ z ° tae To there was from the first an increase the ber of slaves, a a new plantation without negroes was EP a Point, it task, and, although there is rare information on dius ot ie evident that the importation was considerable. * 4 in the se 1ow many came or under what circumstances they liv ec tion aa but when the later movements of immigra- tury op irginia came about the middle of the eighteenth a ors little earlier, and filled up the counties 0 this as Halifax, and Northampton, it was inevitable that + igration ceased.1 “Sala Burrington and his Council had passed a law giving Which martlore the right to take the advantage of the ances an. — immigrant fifty acres of land for each oem me Urrin . pia. It is embodied in the instruction to Gov ernor those ‘9 = ns H380; in those to Governor Dobbs in 1784, and in that he k overnor Tryon in 1735. Goreepas Johnson said in psd &¢ ared ny of no such instruction. The leaders of the a NOt to fon at such had been the custom. It was finally ee ed Lo appec si the old law, but how long this was enforced oF ®eouns +a Several persons proved their rights to land . a ee ently the number of slaves that first came through This 9 ae vee considerable.” . Slowly ‘ge in its earliest history increased in population very of ‘las consequently it is impossible to estimate the mune ee Se the first twenty-five years of the existence of slavery. “S hot until the “Cultivation Act,” a law of England, which e t 5 ‘ : erg he means and the price of labor very high and the arti- “TS an, Which tw Mad d laborers scarce in comparison to the number of planters, Was repealed in 1775, that slaves were numbered on a : i ino ero of slavery importation from abroad ceased, and the steadiness b John Al 8¢ indicates that it was due entirely to births. : <3 ght ton had 19 slaves, John Pope 6 white servants, while Elisha Battle : Bdecco nations and brought 10 slaves from Virginia as late as 1785: tbe was originally a part of Bertie County. 58 History or Epercomsr Country clear basis. Up to the passing of this act, about 1730, it appea™ from old records that colonists did not buy slaves directly from Africa. In 1730, when Governor Burrington was asked to report on the conditions of the Royal African Company in North Car lina, he replied that up to that year the trade had been small. This proves that foreign importation did not flourish, and the planters were suffering because the natural increase was not suf ficient. Governor Burrington added that under the existing ©” dition the colonists had been “under the necessity of buying the refuse, refractory and distempered negroes brought from othet governments,” whereas it would, he did not doubt, be an easy matter to sell a shipload of good negroes in almost any part of the province. ts ie : . t [he conditions of importation may be seen from the fact th# ° - Py sé in 1754 only nineteen negroes were entered in the custom how ; at Bath, and that the average number brought into Beaufort - the preceding seven years was sixteen. It is likely, however, th# an additional number were brought in without paying duty, sine? the custom houses were very loosely kept. Under these conditions and that of the English Cultivation Act, the planters were unable to do their work efficiently. They scarcely did one-third of the work in a day that the Europea” did in Europe, and then the laborer’s wages was from two to thre® four, and five shillings a day. Under these circumstances the planters were not able to go on with improvements in buildin’ and clearing lands unless they could purchase two or three negro®? therefore the people appealed to the Governor for a relaxation ° the Cultivation law. This law was an act of England granting , hundred acres of land to settlers, who were under obligation # cultivate at least six acres. Burning off stumps, ete., was 2° considered cultivation. This was done in order to prevent spec!” lation by the settlers. The relaxation of the law was granted by England about 1775. This relaxing of the law gave rise to a new immigration, ee from 1775 to the Civil War we find a record of a steady flow ° negroes into Edgecombe County. In 1709 the Reverend James Adam, a missionary of the Church of England, wrote from an adjoining precinct that there we 1,332 souls in the county, of whom 211 were negroes. About 02° SLAVERY of the whole population must have been blacks. In 1754, ‘five years later, the first census was taken. The clerks of gem counties, by instruction, made a return “a gee of ble. all the taxables in their respective counties. uf , Acks reported was 624, and the whites were 1,160. This ap increase over the year 1709 of 413 slaves and a few wisi Ato of the increase being two to one in favor of the negroes. There Ww. ‘ a8 some dispute as to the accuracy of this census, since ey Dobbs pronounced it defective. The people, or Rot “htirang back their taxables and negroes. wis ir or Correos been great, for a year later he himself ordere = . Ly return of the total number of negro taxables, an e *t returned was proved to be the same as in 1754. it ny another census was made in the same way in — og Siig that there were about 1,091 negro taxables, -_ an OVep i: Showing an increase of about 167 negroes and eo ea nid Cease 9 Preceding year. It must have been evident t pp = that }; of the hegroes was from births, since Dobbs in 1 : said it few people had come in bringing slaves since the French an, ‘ " {Indian wars. This sudden change and growth of the white this "rp may be attributed to a heavy mig ration of pie: . Sete] “me of Edgecombe’s history. Families were coming © the fertile bottoms of Fishing and Swift Creeks. Elisha > With several more prominent men, same to Edgecombe on 1750 and 1760, and bought 1,212 acres of land from es ‘nders and settled with his family. Ria” °ensus made in 1766 gives both white and ee pan Without fre being no distinction between white and blac a Year, “ Regatg of ascertaining the exact number of oye eo nr dec); t is to be noted, however, that there was a regi me e at Population in both races.2 In 1767 both slaves and i ad decreased in number. There were 1,060 slaves and 1,200 White ‘axables, making a decrease of 29 slaves and over ie *ensug ; This was due to the fact that in 1757, a year after - inde n 1756 was taken, Halifax County was formed as an pendent county from Edgecombe. This county, as can be lq “Tan yj ak dian : i ble deere, Ville County was ¢ el Sdgecombe in 1747, making a considerab Ase Y was cut off from Edgec 2n, the orig inal numbe iT per. ® to formati on of Halifax County, 17! 160 History or Eparecomsr Country - : a of seen from maps, included several slave-holders in the bottoms Fishing Creek. There must have been a heavy increase of slave® considering the population Halifax took from Edgecombe whe? the two counties were divided. In 1790 there was a notable increase of slaves and a normal number of whites. There were in the county 1,260 heads ° families. Of the entire families only 481 owned slaves, and onl¥ twenty-seven families owned twenty or more slaves. Four me? owned a considerable number, Edward Hall 86, Absolom Bento? 40, Lewis Ervin 36, and Josiah Fort 86. Seventy-five familie owned less than 20 and over 10, and g hundred families owne® less than 10 and over 2. Ninety-nine owned 2, while seventy-n0° ee 3 i ° 18 families owned only one slave. The entire white populatio? here reported for the first time. There were 3,152 slaves gi 6,933 whites, an increase of 2,092 slaves. Since we have n0 ye count of the entire white population prior to this census, n0 de nite comparison can be given, but it will be a safe estimate “ say it was a ration of three to one. It was during this great . crease also that Nash County was formed from Edgecombe, * ing with it a liberal portion of her population. the In 1800 there was a decrease of 417 whites compared with i tet census of 1790, and an increase of 753 slaves. It is to be 29 that the year 1800 marks the general trend that made Edg® combe a slave county and finally marked her as being one of tbe great black counties of the South. Never again does the cons bring the total population of whites up to the number of plack* There never were many free negroes in the county. For the ye 1800, when the first returns giving the number of free negroe were made, there were only 106, a small number as compared wit the slaves. In 1860 there were only 389 free negroes. In 1830 the white and black pouplations were almost equal. yi 1840 a sudden leap, as if some mighty forces had shot servit¥®” ° p e ice to the forefront, ran the number of slaves to 15,708, or over t’ j 10 as many slaves as there were white. There is only one solut he ne for this great rise—cotton, which was the largest crop of t eastern counties, had a sudden boom when the new inventio? 9 the cotton gin came to be used. It is nothing but right to say the" in the early days of the county the most earnest men looked upor slavery as an evil that would in time disappear; but with thé SLAVERY 161 ® great a the gin, Edgecombe, as nature so placed mee —— ike, we of the cotton industry. It was then seew ra “ al that slavery was a “natural institution, the asd nd tore that could exist between the whites and the blacks, Sether with the entire South, Edgecombe began to force “ye Parties to assume a positive and uncompromising defense Slavery, nh 185 : ‘ . ‘ bee °0 the tide again changes, the number of slaves declines, lan a the men of Edgecombe began to go West in search of new > “arrying their slaves with them. It is noticeable that the of negroes in Tarboro were made between 1845 and of which indicates a tendency to purchase negroes for of ¢ ast census before the liberation of the slaves, that there were 10,108 negroes in bondage and 389 free ne te = a population of 6,789 whites. Slaves had increased n tbe 0 in number and the whites had decreased nearly 1,500 TS since 1850. ca, the official returns, and therefore constitute the only _ “Owing with any degree of certainty how many negroes “re in the county. Unsatisfactory as they may be, they Cless indicate a tendency which is not wholly uninstructive “ly, a system which brought Edgecombe ultimately into a ri then immediately after the Civil War, a negro regime. , ie naeraing slavery is varied and extensive. New con- . landed new changes in the law to protect slavery in its Law never succeeds unless it corresponds to the par- Ot be na . of the age in which it exists; consequently one need laws in ‘prised at the alarming number or the absurdity of the then th; ate Past. They had a particular purpose and function know a Smnilar laws today would not have. It is necessary to Dasseq . x beginning, however, that most laws about slaves were Th d ara the master and not the slave. ‘ sy to the laws of the Province, there were local regu- of these Ww . by the County Court of Edgecombe. The earliest being 9 “a Pui 1741. It declared that “no person whatsoever, ‘ito x "istlan or of Christian parentage—imported or brought Year» P¥ecinet—shonld be deemed a servant for any term of Unles 4 ly €88 by indenture or agreement. The court records at 162 History or EpaecomsBe County ake? vas advantage of by the dependent classes. Soon after this law ° Tarboro show one example by which this law was actually t “77: arolis passed, Samuel Williams, who must have been of low Eng! F real? e y% descent, bound himself to George Patterson for ninety-nin a obe as a servant without permission to leave his master, and to all the commands given to him, for food and clothing. According to the same law, if the servants binding then thus should become disobedient or unruly, they might be before a Justice of the Peace and sentenced to not more