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HISTORY OF PENDER COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HISTORY
of
PENDER COUNTY

NorTH CaroLina

BY

MATTIE BLOODWORTH

 

Mattie Bloodworth

1947
THE DIETZ PRINTING COMPANY

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

 
  

 

CopyricHT, 1947, By Mattie BLoopworTH

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I DEDICATE THIS BooK
TO THE Memory oF My FarHer
ROBERT N. BLOODWORTH
WHO WAS CLOSELY ALLIED WITH PENDER County,
SOCIALLY AS WELL AS POLITICALLY.

To my coop FrieNps
Mrs. Exizazeru Lucas, Soricrror Cuirron L. Moore,
Gerorce F. Lucas, Joun T. WELLS
AND SUPERINTENDENT TI. T. Murpuy
WHO INSPIRED ME TO COMPLETE
THIS WORK.
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oa PARE BOA GiB. i:

HAVE undertaken to give some historical data
of this section of North Carolina and principally
Pender County.

In doing so, I have compiled this data in order to
bring to the minds of the younger generations of our
County some of the happenings that took place prior
to the War Between the States—since that time—and
for future reference relative to our County of Pender.

Pender is considered one of the most historic
Counties in the State. I have not gone into extensive
detail relative to occurrences or personalities, but have
merely aimed to give some concise, authentic infor-
mation that I have gathered from time to time.

MATTIE BLooDWorRTH.

 
 

1 eae rcemmee

 

papsatens sooner ms

ameren:

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

CONTENTS

  
  
 
 
 

  
 

 
  
 
   
    

 

  

Page

De diCat On ae ee PACU SENOS, is ONTO S etsa ren eae a Ss iii

Preface a teen ee eres. Aa Sct ee eens | Speer

BOreword ence oe, ea en ee heen ie Wu eae ahaha Ue xiii

Pender County and Legislative Enactment................ I

HIRST] COMMISSIONERS: BLEGIED) .n terse nici eso aes esate ee pert tie 2

First (Court HELD IN COUNTY............00.... 3

OFFICERS OF COUNTY....... 3

Tue ELEcTION HELD FoR COUNTY SEAT 5

County NAMED 6

POPULATION 7

BOUNDRY: poietic cant are a eS eee ee eee ate TE Ronee ees 8

IDRATNIAGE ree arn een test ints Stags hr icra wie een RE Cte Meg ake 8

OUIMATE Riera nyc etter eel tava Nera re tensa hee tani ts 9

ROI ain oae an sc dnnEpsrmoddde sau ounop awa ncAusA doe 9

AGRICULTURE Se ctsne fat rsiters Arava e aie Ray av eal tons eee Nos 10

FORESTS 12

TOWNSHIPS .. 13

OFFICIALS OF PENDER COUNTY, PAST AND PRESENT.............. 14
LEGISLATORS AND SENATORS REPRESENTING PENDER COUNTY SINCE

LTS GREADION GLO 7:5 acre cincrrae sactete Baar techie) arose cyarahs ess ty 16

PENDER ICoUNTY CouRT HOUSE AND -JAIL..........00..2....25; 20

BURGAW, so reny Pi coerce Man niatake ateee eictonc toot ne eral e a EM etn 22

COUN DY: EXTENSION) WORK sists octet t pe tei tacit acy ees ant er Lise) 26

FIERA NSPORTATION Da Stor oleate se lesigietnernsatelexe orbs cise aioe Rote 28

Early History 30

Tue WELCH TRACT.. 30

HARGYAISETILERS 22 ost Ata oe eee iT ME Rea Mh eee 31

TMMIGRANTS apse hatce rd sere tyy Seber Te sn teeta stereos oh abode eee i Agi a 33

INDIANS} rans ctet 2 Yoyacche tes seeps sen SIL aerate ake LMR et tee ee NE 34.

PIRATES——BLACKBEARD sincteryeiciosereesdite Seales eet eee ats ap aes 36

MOSELEY.SEVALL freemen te ort eee cl eaten ore 37

SWANNAIPOIN TAs earemiere isa ee cise wate ea 38

IWEBLIAMieSe pASE Ee prsrtee ote oy trrae ay tin eta 39

SRHES NE CRatrtannytericicle state as sige ake ei 40

SLoop PoInT PLANTATION... ; 41

LILLINGTON HALL ......... 43

44

46

49

51

LETTER FROM RICHARD CASWELL TO PRESIDENT HARNETT. 52

AN INTERESTING EPISODE 52

53

56

WOMEN/SEMONUMENT ros: chor civics om a sictetes ec cu ean at 57

Patriot CAMP 62

Tory ADVANCE 62

 

 
   
   
  

Contents

 
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  

EXECUTIVE ORDER...
RIVERS Wace pace hia eae erie SOAONA ES DOA TAH soa 64.
OricIn oF NAME Cape Fear..... :
Tue Norru-Easr Cape Fear RIver.. §
PENDER County HEALTH DEPARTMENT...... 67

  

 

   
   

 

   

   
 

THE WELFARE Work 68
Board of Education and Pender County Schools......... 70
(SUPERINTENDENTS 7°
EpucaTionaL ADVANTAGES ‘ 70
PENDER ‘County SCHOOLS i 70
Burcaw Wuite ScHoor 73
St. JosePH’s ScHooL, St. HELENA 75
Brier History or BurcAw Necro Hicu ScHooL 77
‘THE PENDER County Necro TRAINING SCHOOL. 79
Villages and Communities .. 82
ATKINSON 82
® St. HELENA.... 83
HAMSTEAD °........ 9 5 85°
WATHA oa, e Neon uae 86
CANETUCK ia coer na ees 86
Rocky Pompe i Glad csi ena nts asada 87
BANNERMAN’S BripceE ComMUNITY Bin ras 89
BANNERMAN!S (BRIDGE: 3 sie) aunty ete treo ET aay ah go
Smitu’s BripcE and Croom’s BRIDGE COMMUNITIES 92
‘SHELTER NECK ComMMUNITY 93
Six Forks COMMUNITY............... 94.
IMIAPLR SHIR osieaat spe ou enced Ault 95
SCOUTS ME TUTE pane ere 96
Litiincton or Lonc Creek 97
Tue Bic SAVANNAH oR Witp FLower GARDEN 98
Tue CoasraL Pian Sration IOI
INVERSHIEL 52 tN CR enter Mi cate os 103
BLUEBERRY FARM OF HAROLD HUNTINGDON... 105
THE BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY..:.............-.. 106
PENDERLEA HOMESTEADS............................. 107
CurRIE AND Point: Caswett ComMUNITIES 109
Clubs, Civic and Fraternal Organizations... 4... 110
Woman’s ‘CLUB ............... 110 ;
LEGION -POST yw Senet a aun ay aN II
| THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY... III
| KiNG SoLomon’s Lopce 112

EASTERN STAR............. 116
Burcaw Lions ‘Cius.

The War Between the States and the Reconstruction
Period and Names of Some of the Men Who Took

r-

 

 

‘Rey. D. B, Back...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Contents

Names OF MEMBERS OF COMPANY K, 3RD INFANTRY ORGANIZED

ATAGIXe HORKS 4H DENDERGICOUNDYpstnecnarecte tees eme ana nea |
List oF MEN WOUNDED AND DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY........
LETTER WRITTEN 40 YEARS AFTER SURRENDER................%
RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD..........
CapTaIn Ropert Moria MCINTYRE. .

     
   
 
 

Churches of the County and How Organized............

PRESBYTERTANISMbactsieeyetstos it asthe tein ere veteran te Ne eee

OLD VCHURCHES cielo isi rte Ee JIRA SA RO ARAMA COE OUOM
HOPEWELL PRESBYTERIAN (CHURCH EevedekelsAopels) avout reictstlacl toe
Mount WILLIAMS PRESBYTERIAN ‘CHURCH......20.0..--.00ceceee
BuRGAW PRESBYTERIAN 'CHURCH...............

Burcaw MeEruopist CHURCH. .
ST. MARY's' EPISCOPAL, (CHURCH: 1.020 sto ies euler las, Pee
MAcepoNnIA METHODIST CHURCH....
Burcaw Baptist CHURCH..............

 

Men who have passed on 1o the Great Beyond but who
have recognition in the different lines of work which
LIVEN SONG DINEGAGCOMLDIISHE dire eee Segre tt

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  

Dr. PENDER PORTER.
HINTON JAMES...
WILL OF JOHN JAMES
Dr. SAMUEL SOLOMON SATCHWELL
First PRESIDENT OF STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BOARD or HEALTH
Dr. Hanson Finta Murpyy
Rey. SAMUEL HENRY BELL..
Pau DEEMS SATCHWELL....
Dr. JoHN GERALD MurPHY.................
Reel BRYAN A Nesta neste ee tee ee

Dr. Georce F. Lucas.
Joun T. BLanp, SR D
Joun Tuomas BLAND, JR..........--:....
Dr. Rosert Harriss BRADFORD
Dr. WALTER Cotton MurpHy

Some of Pender’s Sons who have Achieved Success .....

THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE Moore’s CREEK ALDERMANS To NORTH
CAROUINAG CITIZEN SHIPS atin ache ete tote tae a eae EO a

ix
Page

123
127-
129
130
132
133
133
135
135

137
137
1138
1139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147

152
152
152
153
154
155
157
158

160
161
162
163
164.
165
166
167
167
168
170
170

173

174
  

CHAaARLEs Mitts

JOHN J. Best...

Tuomas LeRoy

NEGRO VETERANS

CuarLtes Marion Jounson.
GEORGE FRANKLIN Lucas
HUMPHREY BROTHERS

Mrs. Sera L. Smiru Reale ee
DR AROBERT Ny WILLIAMS voit ahs oir me ee are as
Dr. WiLLIAM Ivey Tavzor, SR
/ WILLIAM ALEXANDER BROWN..........
Robert Gravy JouNnson
Joun S. Coins
Davin H. Bianp
Dr. Fritz Expert
Dr. W. J. B. Orr

THURMAN Tate Murpuy..
JAMEs V, WuitFIELp

HERBERT JAMES HERRING...
Georce L. Pappison
Gipson JAMEs...

 

Wortp War II VETERANS (Wuirr)...
Younc Women oF PENDER IN SERVICE
Our NEGRO FRiENps...,

Contents

GALLOWAY, Rie eli) eh Oe lg aerate pte oe ae

 

 

  
  
 
 
 

DERE eco ais

 

 

  

 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

190
191
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
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198
199

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216

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229

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  
  
 
  
  
  
    
   
    
 

= iGb-O bel bs dR AG LO INS.

   
 

Page

6

MonuMENT To GENERAL PONE eae ee ‘
SCENE CN BEAN OMAN STE a a a iy hee a ee ie
PENDER County CourT HOUSE AND JAIL......-..-+----++--++--- 2
JAtL, COMMUNITY AND RECREATION MOEN TER typ hs tefsisee os retets Wolat tool elste 54
THE OLp PENpER County Court House BUILT IN 1865.....+ seteeees zs
Tue First CirizENs BANK AND TRUST COMPANY.........--2+-+-20+5 oy
Business Houses OF HUMPHREY IBROTEIERS . suss cravat carat vere si tel charter oe lerai cs
HARRELL’ DEPARTMENT STORE... .--- +0 -eeecesec eset terete erect i

Ders Druc STORE AND FARRIOR’S DEPARTMENT STORE...........-.---

FREMONT STREET BEFORE PAVING—OLD TowN WELL............-.-+++ s
FREMONT“STREETU-AETER JPAVING + (ot hk ce as ete y lett pas sais ewe :

THEATER, Chronicle, OFFICE AND FRIENDLY CAFE..............0-0005 2
THE OLD ‘ALEXANDER LILLINGTON HOME............--.-+eeceeecr sree 43
(Moore’s ‘CREEK RECONSTRUCTED BRIDGE.......-----+-seeeeeeveeeeece’ 50
ENTRANCE TO Moore’s CREEK NATIONAL MILITARY PARK.............- 51
MONUMENT) TO S}OHNG GRAD acinar re reiterate heen tas 57
Monument To Mary ‘SLOCUMB AND THE HEROIC WOMEN OF THE LOWER :
GAPE REAR ing natn gna vere ee tons aot Sata TMU Se aa aa a cata tera ns Papeete ober ve ts 5
Monument To Hon. JAMES FULTON iIMOORE................0. 0000 eeee A
INORTHAPAST GAPE PEARMRIVER stirs sere cri caches sole oeeis tele on csioeine er cte 7
FEHEZ BURGAWAIELIGH « SCHOOL sutra reset techies che arate oe wereistatsveiecarors is
VENUSUELY CRRAP Ar eek ete me ee ee Ry reratuad ia niae EegN Meme eT oe

COASTAL MP LATINA STATIONARY Yercgtinr sce teael we tnote lead Deter mrs, nis tet etatan stele r Mr cle] olarele

Grazinc on Bur CLoveR AND OATS IN DECEMBER...............+-+-- 104.
ScENE IN PAcKING SHED, J. A. MuRPHY’s BLUEBERRY FARM..........- 106
BURGAWo PRESBYTERIAN|AGHURCH = cicteiie size iemitericisies ciciotes isi etecnere 142
BURGAW. “METHODIST CHURCH aye stat cts tarsin nie G8 fale edd ere ey testo easletei eee 144
SAINT IMIARY’S “EPISCOPAL CHURCH ==. titel cisisisie sais sistas sicle aeiy ieee ie ap
BURGAWAIBAPTISTAGHURCHA Rhee eit os noe Ota TOE Ee ees 14
sDWO/OF. \BURGAW SHLOVELYELOMESitts -cintn oiciiste cides stressors siete ete 150
ONE OF THE OLDEST HOMES IN PENDER ‘COUNTY............... PAT els I51
Hucn ‘MACRAE OF INVERSHIEL FARM, PROMOTER OF PENDER COUNTY ne
Farm LAnps ae
ROY ROWE yt tetas 5
Live Oak TREE -
Tue Home-Cominc Day oy

Tue Nortu CAroLina FLAG
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oy FAO ROE. W.O RED a

ENDER COUNTY, entirely agricultural, is the
fifth largest County in the State, with countless

acres of swamps and bays which are proving valu-
able assets as game preserves and also suitable soils
for the growing of blueberries commercially. While
more than ninety percent of its area is still undevelop-
ed, it is generally recognized that Pender County has
a large surplus of fine land for agricultural purposes.

We can also be proud of the excellent management
of the County, which has never shown a deficit, and
for years we have met our obligations promptly every
thirty days.

Honor should go to whom honor is due: Thus, to
our County Auditor, George F. Lucas, and our County
Commissioners, who have steered this ship of the
County for the past fifteen years or more in a most
creditable and satisfactory manner, we pay this tribute.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Ef EOL ISTE ING LET SITS: ROE NINE 8

   

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SVR KEL PAYS

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CTC ) SSN EF 2

PENDER CouUNTY

Cra LLE settlement of the Lower Cape Fear was
made in 1725, and the County of New Hanover

County was formed out of the Mother County, New
Hanover. This is its origin.

The white inhabitants of what is now Pender, believing
that a new county, excluding Wilmington, might be formed
and successfully governed, gained the support of the sub-
stantial citizens of the section and boldly set out to accom-
plish this end. But not until the third attempt before as
many State Legislatures did success finally crown the effort.

The first real active movement took place at a mass
meeting held lat Long Creek Village in 1873. Petitions were
drawn up and circulated throughout the district to be segre-
gated for the new county, and a legislative committee
appointed to take the necessary steps in the premises. This
committee consisted of Dr. Hanson Murphy, Dr. S. S.
Satchwell, Dr. Elisha Porter, Mr. R. Beverly Frazier and
Mr. R. K. Bryan, who represented the different districts.

The General Assembly at that time was Democratic and
favorably inclined to the movement. There was but weak
Opposition. Under the title “An Act to establish a new
County by the name of Pender,” the bill of but twenty-one
lines of type passed and was ratified February 16, 1875.
It reads as follows:

“The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: That all
that part of the County of New Hanover included within the follow-
ing bounds, to wit: Beginning at Rich’s Inlet on the Atlantic Ocean,

  
  

 
2 History of Pender County, North Carolina

up the channel of that inlet, to the mouth of F oy’s Creek, down said
Creek to the Fork thereof, thence to the Junction of Old House
Branch with Island Creek, down said Creek to the Northeast
Branch of the Cape Fear River, down that River to the mouth of
Fishing Creek, thence to the Junction of Black River with the
Northwest Branch of the Cape Fear, up that branch to the Bladen
County Line, and all that portion of New Hanover lying north of
the said line, is hereby created into a separate and distinct County
by the name of Pender.

“That the County Seat of said County shall be located at some
point on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, now the Atlantic
Coast Line Railway Company. ‘

“This Act shall be in full force from and after its ratification,
February 16, 1875.

“State of North Carolina, Office of the Secretary of State, Raleigh,
North Carolina, February 20, 1875.

“Wn. Howerton,
“Secretary of State.”

BS * 7

Section 2 of this Act reads:

“An election shall be held in the County on the third Thursday
in April, 1875, A.D., for the purpose of electing a Clerk of the
Superior Court, Sheriff, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Surveyor,
Five Commissioners and a Coroner, who, after having qualified,
shall file bonds, as required by law. At the same time a township
Board of Trustees shall be elected in each of the Townships in the
County as they now exist—Caswell north and south, Columbia,

Union, Lincoln, Holly, Rocky Point, Grant.”

Section 8 reads:

“The first meeting of the Commissioners shall be held at Rocky
Point on the sth Thursday, April 29, 1875, for the purpose of
taking oath of office.”

The Commissioners elected were: W. H. French, C. H.
Manning, A. V. Horrell, Daniel Shaw, and Miles Arm-
strong (Negro). This Board qualified before J. G. Wagner,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County B

Justice of the Peace of New Hanover Gountya4.@s, El:
Manning was called upon to act as temporary Chairman.

On May 1 the Board of County Commissioners met to
Teceive the bonds according to law. At the same time the
Commissioners proceeded to vote on the location of the
Superior Court, to be held on the second Monday in July,
1875. South Washington (now Watha) was chosen, and
the first court held in the new County of Pender convened
at that selected County seat on July 12, 1875, presided over
by His Honor Judge A. H. McKoy, of Clinton, with Mr.
W. S. Norment as Solicitor. The next session was held on
the third Monday in December of the same year, the Judge
of the Fourth Judicial District again presiding.

The Grand Jury was composed of the following citizens:
William Burney, Virgil Carr (Negro), John W. James,
Kinchen Bowen, Nelson King, William J. Brown, James W.
Colvin, William Nixon, James Deal, Payton Page, Wiley
Moore, B. T. Bloodworth, T. K. Wells, Anthony Wells
(Negro), Isaac Ennett, L. C. Powers, John E. Picket and
B. C. Larkins.

The Petit Jury was composed of the following citizens:
Benj. Hendricks, Amos Flynn, L. N. Bowden, D. R. Riven-
bark, Amos Atkinson, J. B. Croom, M. G. Chadwick, A. J.
Huffham, S. H. Everett, Fred Jordan, M. C. Collins, S. D.
Sherman, C. M. Taylor and W. B. Henry.

OFFICERS OF THE COUNTY

On the third Thursday in April, A.D. 1875, an election
was held at Rocky Point for the purpose of selecting the
ofhcers of Pender County.

The first Clerk of the Court elected was C. M. Galloway;
Register of Deeds, C. W. Manning; Sheriff, A. V. Horrell;
Tax Collector, James McPherson; Treasurer, John A.
Jones. Alfred Lloyd (Negro) was elected the First Repre-
sentative to the Legislature from the new County of Pender.

 

 
 

4 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Section 19, of the Act reads as follows:

“When a permanent seat of Justice shall be determined upon,
according to the provisions of section twenty of this act, the County
Commissioners shall proceed at once to procure by donation, or
purchase, not less than ten or more than two hundred acres of land
within one mile of the selected point, which land shall be conveyed
to the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and his successors in
office, forever, for the use of said County, and, further, they shall
take such action as may be necessary to have said land laid off in lots
and streets of such size and width as they may deem right and proper
in said town, which shall be called Cowan and shall be the seat of
Justice of said County; and after designating such of said lots as
shall be kept for public purpose, the said County Commissioners,
after thirty days public notice made in such manner as they may
deem best, shall expose lots, or such of them as they think should be
sold, to public sale at auction or such credit as they may deem proper,
with interest from date, payable to the Chairman of the County
Commissioners of said County, who shall hold the same subject to

the order of the Board, provided he shall require security on said
bonds.”

Section 21 reads:

“After a location for a permanent seat of Justice shall have been
selected and a Site procured for a location of the County Court
House, it shall be unlawful for any person to sell any spirituous
liquors within three miles of said location, and any person violating
the provision of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor and a
fine of $50 or thirty days’ imprisonment imposed.”’

Section 22 reads:

4

“That this act shall be in force from and after its ratification and

all laws and clauses of laws inconsistent with its provisions are
hereby repealed.

“In General Assembly read three times and ratified this 8th day

of March 1875. “J. L. Ropinson

“Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 5

“R. F. ARMFIELD,

“PRESIDENT OF SENATE,
“State or NortH CaroLina, OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE

“Ra eicH, March oth. 1875.

“I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original

act on file in this office.
“Wittiam H. Howerron,

“Secretary of State.”

The Act of the General Assembly provided that the
People living in Pender County should hold an election and
decide at what point on the Railroad the County seat should
be fixed.

Jim Heaton, the Carpet Bag Clerk of the Superior Court
of New Hanover County and leader of hosts fagainst the
new creation, having been badly beaten in his efforts to
defeat it, determined to do all he could to bring dissatis-
faction to the fruition of the measure by putting the County
site at an undesirable place. He and his henchmen deter-
mined on South Washington, now Watha, as the proper
place to-be chosen and harrangued the voters in Pender to
do their bit to make this place their political center. Heaton
succeeded. For about two years the Courts and County
business was transacted there and the old two-story wooden
building owned by a Mr. Rivenbark, which was used as

‘offices and Court House, still stands.

When the election was held for County Seat and the vote
counted, Burgaw received 1,144 votes, South Washington
(now Watha) 1,124, Rocky Point, 225, Leesburg (now
Willard) 126, Asheton 91, Lillington (now Long Creek
Village) 72, and Point Caswell 1.

It is also understood that twenty years prior to this act
of the Legislature, there was an effort to create the County
of Lillington, embracing the same territory, but the General
Assembly left it to the vote of the people, whether the act
should be ratified or not, and the movement was defeated.
ES ERE RRR IA 28 OE WAL ALAR VR TTT IRIN NA PO PORE EIEN ROTTED

6 History of Pender County, North Carolina

County Named

The County of Pender was named for General William
Dorsey Pender of the Confederate States Army, who was
made a Brigadier General in the Civil War in 1864.

General Pender received the last order ever given by
“Stonewall” Jackson. “You must hold your ground,” he
cried as he was being carried off after having been seriously
wounded ‘by North Carolina troops whom he had posted to
guard a road with strict orders to fire on any person who
appeared on that road. Stonewall Jackson was killed by his
own men who mistook him for a Yankee.

 

MONUMENT TO GENERAL PENDER

The unveiling of this Confederate Monument took place on Wednesday,
May 27, 1914. Judge Walter Clark of Raleigh delivered the dedicatory
address. This memorial was given by the Pender County Chapter, Daughters

of the Confederacy, in honor of General Pender and our Pender ‘County
Confederate soldiers.

Pender County was named for General William Dorsey Pender, Dr. Elisha
Porter, a Confederate Veteran of Rocky Point having the honor of naming

the ‘County for the General under whom he fought during the War Between
the States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County fl

General Pender was notified on the field of Battle by
President Davis of his promotion to Major General for
most distinguished gallantry.

When the Act of the Legislature ratifying the formation
of the new County was completed, the Committee fostering
the ratification gave Dr. Elisha Porter of Rocky Point the
privilege of naming the County. As Dr. Porter had been in
the regiment of North Carolina soldiers commanded by
General Pender, he gave the new County the name of
Pender. On this same date there was born to Dr. and Mrs.
Porter a son and he was named Pender Porter.

In commemoration of General Pender the United Daugh-
ters of the Confederacy of Burgaw jointly with the County,
erected a monument—a Confederate Soldier—a replica of
the General—which stands at the intersection of Wright and
Fremont Streets.

The plaque on the lower pedestal of the monument was
given by the son of General Pender who had it made in Italy
and it is an exact counterpart of the General as he appeared
in life,

Population
Populationte ss eee 17,810 (1940 Census)
Winite sa G8 el ay ae ern O;T1G
Negro meer heen er ee TOT
Horeiontborn gage e es ain 100
AN 5. ace ene wei 857 square miles

County Seat—Burgaw.

Highways—U. S. No. 17, 117, 421. State No. 53, 602, 401.

Railways—The Atlantic Coast Line R.R.

Waterway—Atlantic Coastal Inland Waterway—Govern-
ment owned. ; :

Principal Towns—Burgaw, Atkinson, Rocky Point, Willard,
Watha, Currie, Scotts Hill, Hiampstead, Maple Hill,
St. Helena, Six Forks Community and Penderlea Farms.
 

8 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Pender County is one of the larger counties of the State,
containing 857 square miles or 548,480 acres. The elevation
of the County varies from sea level to about 65 feet. The
surface consists of level and very gently rolling land, with
dominantly flat, broad upland areas, some of which are
locally termed ‘“‘Savannahs,” bays and pocosins.

Boundary

Pender County has a seashore line of about fifteen miles
of beautiful beach and is bounded on the north by Duplin
County, on the west by Sampson and Bladen Counties and
on the south by Columbus, Brunswick and New Hlanover
Counties and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and Onslow
County.

Pender County thas a gradual slope to the south and
southeast. The highest elevations are in the northwest. At
Atkinson the elevation is 63 feet above sea level, Willard,
51 feet. The southwest slope of Angola Bay is from one to
three feet to the mile, the elevation being 32 feet on the
northern boundary of the County and 16 feet near Croom’s

' Bridge.

Its position above sea level is most favorable for general
farming.

Drainage

The County is drained southward by the waters of the
north-east Cape Fear River. Holly Shelter Pocosin occu-
pies a large part of the southeastern section and from it flow
numerous creeks into the above-mentioned river, while others
flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. In the central portion
and in a larger part of this great Pocosin, which contains
about one ‘hundred Square miles, are considerable tracts of
white oak flats, cane brake and swamps with their charac-
teristic growths and soils. ;

In the northeastern section lies the half of another similar

 

 

Pender County 9

Pocosin nearly as large, called Angola Bay, and in the center
of the western half of the County is a third but smaller
Swamp of the same general character. sa

The ee side of the County, for the breadth of six to
eight miles, belongs to the region of the upland piny woods
—the principal growth being long leaf pine, with an under-
growth of oaks, hickory, dogwood, ete. and a sandy soil.

Along the streams are generally alluvial belts or swamps
and oak flats which lare the corn lands of the County.

A savannah known as ‘‘the Big Savannah,” of several
Square miles, is found in the upper end of the County which
merges northward into a barren pocosin of still greater
extent.

Climate

The climate of Pender County is mild and the soil is well
adapted to any crop that one cares to grow, and we have
diversified crops grown within its boundary.

The climate of Pender, which borders the seacoast, is
more favorable for agriculture than that of the near-by
interior counties.

There is an annual mean temperature of 63° with ex-
tremes from 5° to 103°, while the annual rainfall averages
51.5 inches with a precipitation of about 84 inches during
the wettest year, and about 35 inches during the driest year
recorded. The snow falls are very light and usually of short
duration. ;

The average date of the first killing frost in the autumn
is November 15, and of the last in the spring, March 27th.

Soils

The soils of Pender County are derived from the ma-
terials which were brought down from the Piedmont and
Appalachian regions and deposited while this section was
 

10 History of Pender County, North Carolina

beneath the sea. Since its emergence weathering erosions
‘and drainage have resulted in the formation of three impor:
tant soil series—Norfolk, Portsmouth and Parkwood soils.
The topography of Pender is generally uniform and lies
wholly within the Coastal Plain Region of North Carolina.
Twenty-three soils are mapped in Pender. The soils of the
Coastal region are generally clay, silt and sand, with a
predominance of these characteristics here and there. The
most extensive and important soil series are the Norfolk and
Portsmouth. The Parkwood series is also prominent, but
the types constituting it occupy a comparatively small total
area.

It is said that the main distinguishing feature of the
Parkwood series is the underlying limestone and marl ma-
terials which influence the subsoils of these types. Marl and
limestone rock underlies the County between Lane’s Ferry
and Rocky Point.

In the western part of the County is found the far famed
black lands, sometimes called the “Wonder Lands.” The
largest area of muck lands, coming from the decay of vege-
table matter, occupy Angola and Holly Shelter Bay.

_ Agriculture

Perhaps no county in North Carolina has a greater
diversification of crops than Pender County.

In addition to the staple crops, many truck crops are
grown which bring in money at a season of the year when
it is most needed by the farmers.

The first crops grown in this region were corn, sweet
potatoes, peas and some wheat, oats, and the peanut. A
little rice was grown and some few farmers still grow it for
their own use but never on an extensive scale as at one time
in New Hanover County and further south where they main-
tained rice fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Pender County II

Cotton has been the staple crop and was grown quite
extensively until the boll weevil made its appearance. Corn
is grown in all parts of the County and has a larger total
acreage than any other crop.

 

SCENE IN BEAN MARKET

Tobacco is grown to a greater extent than in the early
years of the County, with the acreage increasing from year

to year.
Strawberries have been among the main truck crops of

small fruits and are grown practically all over the County
as well as the blueberry, which is being cultivated more
extensively from year ito year land is one of the ‘best money

makers ‘for the farmers.
Lettuce is an important crop for early shipment, as well as
 

1 History of Pender County, North Carolina

the string bean which is an abundant crop throughout this
section. Burgaw being considered the largest bean market
in ‘the world.

According to the Census Bureau of the Department of
Commerce, many men have returned to farming during the
last five years. This important agricultural development is
evidenced by a Jarge gain in number of farms in this County
—2,508 reported in 1935 as compared with 1,984 on April
I, 1930.

In Pender we thave many natural resources. While they
do not and are not calculated to produce great wealth they
do bring in small incomes. Among the most valued asset in
an agricultural way are the marl beds referred to which
underlie about five thousand acres of land around Rocky
Point.

Forests

About eighty percent of Pender County’s acreage abounds
in forests of short leaf, loblolly and long leaf pine, several
different kinds of oak, black gum and sweet gum, dogwood,
birch, maple, ash, walnut, hickory nut, cypress and sycamore.
It is estimated that the standing timber amounts to I §0,000,-
000 feet. A large part of the County was forested with
long leaf pine and the production of naval stores became an
important factor when turpentining was begun about 1868
and continued on a large scale until about 1885 attaining its
highest development about 1875.

The rosin industry was also important and following the
turpentine and rosin industries, lumbering began to assume
some importance. In the region of the North-East River,
logs were rafted and are still rafted down this river into
other streams to Wilmington where they are sawed into all
kinds ‘and grades of lumber.

These occupations have always been rather profitable as
the cheapness of land has permitted large individual hold-
ings, but since forest fires have been so prevalent and the

 

 

Pender County 1133

trees of ‘all kinds have been used for commercial purposes,
the turpentine and tar business has been pretty much ao
doned, except in a few sections where the turpentine trees
have been left for this purpose and have also been replaced
by replanting.
The pulp ont business throughout the County has some-
what reduced the timber acreage.
The hunting facilities are great as the forests abound in
all kinds of game, such as deer, squirrel, fox, wild turkeys,
bear and many other wild animals, also many kinds of birds.
There are several hunting lodges scattered over the County
and many ‘hunting preserves are owned by people lat a dis-
tance who come down for this sport once or twice a year.

Townships

When the Townships of Pender County were first
formed and named after the war, the Republicans were in
power and the Townships were named after prominent
Republicans. For instance: Burgaw Township was named
after Governor Holden and called Holden.

Topsail Township was named after General Grant.

Long Creek Township was named for President Lincoln
and called Lincoln. :

These names proved distasteful to the Democrats after
they came into power and they changed them to their present
names:

Burgaw Township was called after the town which was
named for the Tribe of Indians who inhabited this section.

Canetuck Township a section of the County that produces
Cane Grass.

Caswell Township was called after General Caswell of
Revolutionary fame. :

Columbia Township—The Gem of the Ocean.

Grady Township after the only Whig John Grady who
fell in the battle of Moore’s Creek 1776.
14 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Holly Township was called after the Creek Holly Shelter,
which derived its name during Revolutionary times when
their soldiers camped under holly trees where they found
shelter.

Long Creek Township took its name from the Long
Creek.

Rock Point Township, which embraced all lands east of
the railroad to the river, was called Rocky Point.

Topsail Township took its name from Topsail Sound.

Officials of Pender County—Past and Present

Sheriffs

A. V. Horrell Republican 1875 to 1876
A. H. Paddison Democrat Dec. 1876 to 1880
A. €. Ward Democrat 1880 to 1886
E. M. Johnson Republican 1886 to 1888
K. F. Powers Democrat 1888 to 1902
W. W. Alderman Democrat 1902 to 1910
W. R. Atkinson Democrat 1910 to 1916
R. T. Murray Democrat 1916 to 1922
A. W. King Democrat 1922 to 1928
J. T. Brown Democrat 1928 to 1944
Clerks of Court

C. M. Galloway Republican” 1875 to 1882
W. T. Bannerman Democrat 1882 to 1898
J. B. Moore Republican 1898 to 1912
W. W. Larkins Democrat 1912 to 1918
J. F. Johnson Democrat 1918 to 1930
S. V. Bowen Democrat 1930 to 1934
J. T. Wells Democrat 1934 to 1935

J. I. Moore (Unexpired term J. T. Wells) 1935 to 1942
Josh James (D. Murphy unexpired term

Josh James) 1942
DeVane Murphy 1944.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 15

Registers of Deeds

CAE in 1875

iy a ee : Republican 1876 to 1882
A. E. Taylor Republican 1882 to 1898
J. P. Stringfield Democrat 1898 to 1900
J. B. Black Democrat 1900 to 1903
W. M. Hand (Unexpired time J. B. Black) 1903 to 1906
F. T. Croom Democrat 1906 to 1908
R. I. Durham Democrat 1908 to 1914
J. B. Davis Democrat 1914 to 1922

Clarence Carr Democrat 1922 to 1924
Rena Scott filled unexpired term Clarence Carr

D. H. Marshburn Democrat 1924 to 1934
Hugh Walker Democrat 1934 to 1945

County Commissioners, 1945

Kenneth Pigford, Chairman, J. F. Bradshaw, Albert Page.

County Attorney—Leon Corbett

Tax Collector—Roy Bradshaw

Clerk—Mrs. Calla Bordeaux

County Auditor—George F. Lucas

Constable and Deputy Sherif—Raymond Bell, Sr.
Coroner—Harvey Blake

Recorder’s Court of Pender County

Clifton L. Moore Judge 1931 to 1936

John J. Best Solicitor 1931 to 1936
Claude McCullen Judge 1936 to 1939
Leon H. Corbett Solicitor 1936 to 1939
Claude McCullen Judge 1940 to 1942
John J. Best Solicitor 1940 to 1942
Leon Corbett Judge 1942 to 1943
John J. Best Solicitor 1942 to 1943

Judge McCullen was called into the Army October 1942,
16 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Leon H. Corbett being appointed to fill out the unexpired
term.

J. J. Best, being appointed Special Assistant Federai
Attorney, resigned as Solicitor and Mr. Sanderson of
Wallace was appointed to fill his place until I. S. Bowen was
made Judge in 1944 with Leon H. Corbett ias Solicitor.

Justice of the Peace—A. C. Blake
Pender County Bar Association

Clifton L. Moore, District Solicitor
Leon H. Corbett Wyatt Blake Claude E. McCullen
I. S. Bowen JeRBest Philip E. Lucas

Town Council

W. C. Myers, Mayor Willie George, Sr.
O. G. Ferrell, Clerk W. C. Dicksey

T. J. Bradshaw Jep Casey

D. O. Matthews

Legislators and Senators Representing Pender
County Since Its Creation, 1875

Twelfth District

LEGISLATORS PARTY SENATORS
1876 Year
H. Alfred Lloyd, Negro (R) W.H. Moore, New Han.
1879
T. J. Armstrong (D) RK. Bryan, Jr. ¢D)
1881
W. E. Cowan (R) H.E. Scott (R)
1883
R. B. Frazier (D) H.E. Scott, New Hanover
1885

J. T. Bland (D) W. H. Chadbourn, N. H.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 17

1887

R. M. Croom (CR @= Re swockeyaNem tte (CR)
1889

Ren@e Johnson (D) Fred. B. Rice, N. Hanover
18o1

R. C. Johnson (D) J. D. Bellamy, New Hian.

Ninth District

1893

Ree Johnson (D) T. J. Armstrong

1895

R. M. Croom (R) A. H. Paddison (D), Pen.

District changed, Duplin, Pender, Wayne

1897

Gibson James (D) Hz. L. Grant, Wayne

1899

Gibson James (D) Frank A. Daniels, Wayne
Igor

J. R. Bannerman (D) Joe T. Foy (D), Pender

Changed to Tenth District

1903

Joe T. Foy . (D) A. D. Hicks (D), Duplin
1905

E. A. Hawes, Ji. (D) J. F. Moore (D), Pender
1907

T. H. Wells (D) Thomas Perrett (D), Dup.
Tgo0g

Joe T. Foy (D) EA: Hawes, Jr. (D) Pen.
I9Q1r
W. W. Alderman (D)  R.D. Johnson (D), Duplin

Changed to Ninth District

1913 ;
Joe T. Foy (D) E. A. Hawes, Jr., Pender

 
 

 

18 History of Pender County, North Carolina

1915

J. B. Scott
1917

J. B. Scott
1919

Jeff D. Hocutt
1921

Leslie N. Johnson
1923

W. H. Lewis
1925

C. D. Murphy
1927

J. T. Wells
1929

J. T. Wells
1931

R. G. Johnson
1933

R. G. Johnson
1935

R. G. Johnson
1937

J. J. Best
1939

A. H. Davis
1941

Charles McGowen

1943
Roy Rowe

1945
Vivian Whitfield

(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(D)

(D)

(D)

(D)

(D)

R. D. Johnson, Duplin

J. H. Burnett, Pender”
Dr. R. L. Carr, Duplin
W. A. Brown, Pender
Emmett Bellamy, N. Han.
L. N. Johnson, Pender

R. D. Johnson, Duplin Co.
R. G. Johnson, Pender
W. B. Campbell, N. Han.
W. A. Brown, Pender

R. D. Johnson, Duplin

Roy Rowe, Pender
J. D. Johnson, Jr., Sampson

Emmett Bellamy, N. Hian.

Roy Rowe, Pender
J. D. Johnson, Jr., Duplin

J. E. L. Wade, New Han.

Row Rowe, Pender
Henry L. Vann, Sampson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County

PENDER County Court House AND JAIL. ERECTED DURING 1935 AND 1936.
DEDICATED NOVEMBER 6, 1936.

Jatt, ComMMUNITy AND RECREATION CENTER IN DISTANCE,

 

19

 

 
 

 

 

Tue OLd PeNDER County Court House BuILT IN 1885. DisMANTLED 1935.

Pender County Court House
Pender County Jail :

In March, 1878 the County Commissioners accepted from
the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company, (now the
Atlantic Coast Line Railway) fifty acres of land for a
town site.

On July 4th, 1885 the corner-stone of the first Court.

House and Jail were laid and built during that year. Each
of the old buildings have been dismantled and torn down
and new modern structures stand on the same sites on which
the first buildings were erected.

Prior to the building of the jail in 1885 there was an old
wooden building of one or more rooms known as the “‘cala-
boose” which stood across the railroad. After Burgaw was

voted the most central point at which to have the County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 21

 

Burcaw Boasts OF 11s BANKING BUSINESS

The First Citizens Bank and Trust Company was organized and began
business here in December 1934 with deposits around $400,000.44 Since its
organization the Bank has increased its earnings to $1,500,000.00, and a
Steady increased earning, from year to year.

Seat, the Court House used was an old two-story wooden
building which had long been used as a store and a school
room, but it became necessary to use the same for offices
and a court room. This building was on the corner where
the bank now stands. In 1935 the Commissioners decided
to build a larger and more commodious Court House, so the
One, built in 1885, was dismantled and on November 6,
1936 the laying of the corner-stone for the new building,
and one year later, November 7, 1937 the dedication of the
new building took place with a most elaborate program and
many notables attending.

Our present jail is operated by the Sheriff who takes care
of the offenders of the law. The lower part of the jail is
furnished by the encumbent and while the rooms are small
they are quite habitable.
 

 

Business Houses or Humpurey Bros., HARRELS DEPARTMENT STORE,

Burgaw

Burgaw, the County seat of Pender County, is situated
near the center of the County and is the principal town.
Burgaw thas a population of about 1,500 inhabitants. The
town was called Cowan from an old family who had lived
in this section for many years and who owned a large
portion of land in this section.

When Burgaw was voted upon as the most central point,
the permanent location for the Court House was designated

to be in the center of plot bordering Fremont and Wright

streets, where the present Court House now stands.

The town site was given by the Wilmington and Weldon
Railroad Company, now the Atlantic Coast Line. Burgaw
was a flag station at that time and for many years afterward,
though a post office was maintained here in 1858. The town
was named by the Donors after a tribe of Indians called
the Burghaws, who inhabited the eastern part of the County
and also lived along the North-East Cape Fear River below.

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 23

 

Dees DruG STORE AND FARRIORS DEPARTMENT STORE.

Rocky Point. The railroad which was first called the Wil-
mington and Raleigh Road, was changed to the Wilmington
and Weldon, then to the Atlantic Coast Line, which was
built through here in 1835 and °36.:

The Town Charter was granted by the General Assembly
in 1879 according to Private Laws, Chapter 23. The
Charter was amended in 1887 as to general provision which
Was amended again by Private Laws in 1907 as to town
limits. Amended in 1909 as to streets and sidewalks,
amended again in 1913 as to beverages, streets and side-
walks. Amended in 1937 as to Town limits, constituting two
square miles instead of two miles square, north, south, east
and west. After the creation of the County, and Burgaw
made the County seat, some few farmers built homes and
moved their families here, even though they continued to
grow crops and farm as heretofore on their plantations, as
many of them do ‘at the present time.

There was no place of worship there at that time and no
public school. A committee of citizens,got together and
PT PITRE ND TENS PSOE AD OT PME TSE RIN TRE IRI A TORI ASOT HP Pee ee

 

 

24 History of Pender County, North Carolina

 

FREMONT STREET BEFORE PAVING AND OLD Town WELL.

erected a two-story building, calling it the Academy, which
was placed at the intersection of Fremont and Cowen Streets
and later moved onto a lot. This house at that time was
used for church services, Sunday School, dances or any
public gathering when school was not in session. The length
of a term of school at that time was around three to four
months at the longest, the patrons paying tuition for their
children.

The people who moved into this section at that time were
not an illiterate class but mostly a fine type, rather well
educated, good substantial people, and this was considered
a Christian community when people remembered the Sabbath
day to keep it holy.

At that time there was ian old wooden two-story structure
which had been used as a store. This was converted into
the Court House, using the rooms down-stairs for offices and
the upper room for the convening of Court. This building
stood where the Bank now stands and was used as the House
of Justice until 1885 when the corner-stone was laid for the
first Court House. This was wrecked and torn down in

sence tnie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 25

FREMONT STREET

1935, and where the present Court House now stands, we
find one of the handsomest in the State, which was dedicated
November 7th, 1937.

The town thas grown quite slowly but substantially with
the majority of the residents owning their homes. The town
is well laid out in a most systematic manner and is one of
the prettiest little towns in the State, its beauty being en-
hanced by its majestic shade trees and the handsome Court
House Park. Too, Burgaw is in the midst of one of the
most productive farming sections of eastern North Carolina
and the railroad and bus facilities are equal to any section,
all produce being shipped direct to northern markets.

The business district consists of number of retail and
wholesale business houses which are creditably maintained.

The town is systematically and conveniently laid out with
wide streets running north and south, east and west. Those
running north and south or parallel with the railroad are
as follows: McCullen, Johnson, Smith, McRae, Dickinson,
Wright, Walker, Cowan, Moore. East and west: Williams,
 

SSE IENTEN RAS MOTEL TRAE IRINA HEIN EIS, SRP LAB PIM EUS BAA PONT RRA OP HNN PLC Bet I

26 History of Pender County, North Carolina

 

THEATER, Chronicle OFFICE AND FRIENDLY CAFE

Hayes, Satchwell, Fremont, Wilmington, Bridgers, Ashe,
Wallace, Drane.

Burgaw has an up-to-date theater owned and operated
by one of Pender’s most progressive sons, Roy Rowe.

The amusement company which furnishes equipment for

around six or seven counties has its offices here in Burgaw
under the management of M. N. Bostic.

County Extension Work

The County Extension Farm Work was organized and
began operating in Pender County in the year 1914. The
Agents are as follows: -

Julhy nO, tio Ill Mes soo seco obese. G. H. Highsmith
Fall 1917 to early Spring 1920............ R. T. Melvin
Late Fall 1921 and early Winter 1922...... J. R. Powell
Ble wamorths inst 20 rend ne eat Te W. L. Swan
Late Summer 1922 to December 1925...... C. M. James
TO DE MOELG ibe scree ees tance cane Ro Rei ee W. H. Robbins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pender County 27

WOKS toy 4} NOMI. 5 ¢o0c04euscceees uae Coie Morgan
WOE IMO IIH G5 bo'soG SooudbuoN obo or R. R. Rich

The Extension Work in Pender County, as planned, has
been a beneficial factor in the success and life of the average
farmer, instilling ideas and helps which have greatly bene-
fited every section of the County.

There have been organized nine Four-H Clubs or five
hundred and sixty members who have been taught gardening,
poultry and live stock production and how to develop their
own bodies as to health. These Clubs ire located in the
High Schools at Hampstead, Burgaw, Long Creek, Atkin-
son, Penderlea, also Maple Hill and Rocky Point, and
their motto is ‘the development of hands, head, thealth and
heart.” These clubs have neighborhood leaders to iassist in
the development of different projects desired and under-
taken. Every summer these boys and girls enjoy one week
of different kinds of recreation at some popular camp.

In connection with the Extension work, new dairies are
being built throughout the County, Penderlea having six,
Van Eden four, St. Helena eight with an average of twenty
cows to the dairy, all milk going into the war effort. Also
there are other dairies scattered over the County.

The Pender County Swine Growers Association of Pender
County under the supervision of the Extension Work con-
sists of the principal farmers of the County and the follow-
ing officers constitute the Board of Directors:

[eseReeBradshawaees vse rie as oe President
RolandeBiatsonesrn eee ee Vice-President
A. A. McLendon...... Secretary and Treasurer

Emma Bryan. . Assistant Secretary and Treasurer

RigRee hi chicos sea giin senteee gc arn) Adviser

DIRECTORS

J. H. McMillan E. T. Batson
J. W. Rivenbark
 

 

28 History of Pender County, North Carolina

In 1938 the Swine Growers Association shipped 6,003
hogs with a net income of $96,000.00 which was distributed
among our farmers, not taking into consideration hogs which
have been used by independent concerns, such as sausage
plants, which use around 6,000 hogs, and for home con-
sumption, aside from the number that were shipped inde-
pendently to Northern markets.

In 1941 there were 579 hogs @ $15.67, making a total
of $9,073.30, and in 1942 up to November 1st, 1,427 hogs
@ $27.52, making total of $38,278.47, distributed to the
farmers of the County by the Swine Growers Association,
which does not handle all hogs raised in the County.

In 1943 there were 2,886 hogs sold, totaling $83,344.10
distributed, making a grand total for the past six years of
$291,820.70. It is understood that this year (1944) there
will be an increase in the number of hogs notwithstanding
competition with outside influences.

In 1944 there were 2,405 hogs shipped through the
Pender County Swine Growers Association, which totaled
the amount of $69,336.91 received by the farmers of the
County. :

Transportation

The Transportation facilities of Pender County are very
good. Three branches of the Atlantic Coast Line Railway
from Wilmington cross the County. The Wilmington and
Norfolk Branch extends through the center of the County,
the Wilmington and New Bern branch parallels the coast
in a northeasterly direction tand the Yadkin Division crosses
the western section of the County in a northwesterly direc-
tion. Solid Express trains and Refrigerator trains are ope-
rated during the trucking season.

Burgaw, Rocky Point, Watha and Willard are within

eighteen to twenty-four hours of New York and nearer to
other good markets.

 

 

 

Pender County 29

We also have established bus routes on all highways,
north, south, east and west, as Pender County is traversed
in every direction with well kept highways, all maintained
by the State Highway and Public Works Commission.

The Cape Fear, Black, North-East Cape Fear, Rivers
and some of the larger creeks are navigable and considerable
timber and freight have been transported on these waters.

On the Eastern boundary of Pender is the Atlantic
Coastal Inland Waterway owned by the U. S. Government,
which is used for transportation by small cnaft.

The Railroads and navigable streams afford ample facili-
ties for the transportation of all products.

Burgaw and the other towns afford good markets for all
truck crops and farm products of every kind. Practically
all of the truck crops are shipped to Northern markets,
mainly New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore,
Washington and to the New England States.

The Burgaw Airport Commission was organized on Tues-
day, June 20th, 1944, with Senator Roy Rowe, Chairman,
J. R. Lewis, Secretary and Treasurer. Members: We AP.
Bradshaw, E. N. Pearsall, C. F. Mallard, Leon Corbett as
Consulting Attorney. The Air port was inspected and open-
ed for business Wednesday, October 11th, 1944.

RS EF TT OT

 
 

 

 

Ear Ly History

   

<<] N Monday, October 12th, 1663, according to
vf wey historical records, a boat named The Adventure
ee, ‘| came to anchor a second time in what was called
Site! “The Cape Fear Roads. The explorers proceeded
to examine lands along the rivers. Their main river was our
North-East Cape Fear. Along this river they named Turkey
Quarter, Rocky Point and Stag Park—names that have been
perpetuated to this day.
According to historical records a Spaniard by the name of
Verroyzani landed on what is now Pender County soil.
When Hilton was sent out by Sir John Yeamans to ex-
plore the shores of this North American Continent, he
discovered the mouth of the Cape Fear River and entered it.
On ascending the river as far as the junction of its two main
branches, now known as the North-East and North-West
branches, he too selected the North-East branch as the most

inviting for more extended explorations.

The Welsh Tract

A few years prior to 1725 New Hanover County (which
is now Pender) remained in a dormant state because the
Lord’s Proprietors forbade any settlement on the Cape Fear
River. During that year (1725) a tract of land was laid out
for the Welsh settlers which comprised the lands lying be-
tween Rockfish Creek on the north, to the northeast Cape
Fear River, on the east down where the road crosses the
river going into New Hanover, that section of land east of
the Railroad. According to Foote’s Sketches of North Caro-

 

Early History 31

lina, this settlement along the North-East River was com-
Posed first of Welch emigrants, but after ia short time other
families were located on the tract and there were associated
families enough to form a congregation sufficiently Jarge to
invite the services of a minister.

Among the Welch settlers were three brothers by name
of Bloodworth—James, Timothy and Thomas—a patriotic
trio of Welchmen with less than no love for the English, for
the very good reason they represented the original people
of the British Isles, whose ancestor, Julius Cxsar, fought in
the conquest of Gaul, their fatherland.

John James, the father of Hinton James, was also a
Welchman and lived on what is now Highway No. 117, near
Washington Creek.

Also the name of this tract probably arose from the
settlement therein of the colony of Welch farmers who
came to North Carolina in 1730 to secure cheap lands in
this newly opened area. This group included young Mere-
dith, joint founder with Franklin of the Saturday Evening
Post, and two of whose letters describing the Carolina
Territory were published by Franklin in the Post in 1731
and created considerable interest in New England, resulting
in attracting to the Eastern Cape Fear area many worthy
settlers from the older colonies. Significant of the correct-
ness of this surmise is the present existence of the name
Meredith, though pronounced with the accent on the middle
syllable. This name is still found in the Chinquapin area
of Duplin County.

Early Settlers

The territory which comprises Pender County was the
scene of some of the earliest settlements in this section of
North Carolina and the primary cause of this early settle-
ment was not religious freedom, as most North Carolinians
will tell you, but:for the search of “good bottom lands.”’

 
 

 

32 History of Pender County, North Carolina

The rich alluvial ‘bottom lands of Pender were most
alluring to the Englishmen seeking homes in America, offer-
ing as they did a soil of well-nigh exhautless fertility, timber
of the finest quality, and easy access by water to the sea.

England at that time was about the only market the
Colonists had for their products. The rivers were the great
highways, both for travel and commerce. After this section
began to be visited and settlements made by emigrants from
Europe, and other provinces as heretofore mentioned,
among the earliest places that attracted attention was Stag
Park, the highest point reached along the North-East River.
According to tradition the explorers on reaching that point
saw a herd of deer on a handsome bluff which overlooked
the stream, standing among a magnificent park of forest
trees. They gazed with startled amazement at this sight and
called it Stag Park which name has been retained to this day.

Stag Park was first located or patented by George Bur-
rington, then Governor of the Province of North Carolina.
After having disgraced himself in America, Burrington re-
turned to England and, having contracted {a debt to a Mr.
Strudwick, for which he mortgaged Stag Park estate of
10,000 acres, Mr. Strudwick sent his son ‘from England to
look after his property thus acquired in this country. Stag
Park was sold about the year 1817 for division and wis
purchased iby Ezekiel Lane, Esquire. Ezekiel Lane became
the owner of Stag Park some years after the Revolution and
his daughter was married to the Reverend Jesse P. Jordan,
a Methodist minister from whom members of the present
Jordan family of Stag Park are descended. It is said that
Burrington returned to this country and died, and is buried
in Stag Park under a large oak tree. This is not authentic
but according to rumor.

Everywhere on the eastern and western branches of the
Cape Fear River were men of fortune, related by blood or
connected by marriage, whose settlement extended almost as
far as Fayetteville. General ease and prosperity was highly

 

Early History Be

favorable to the cultivation of polite literature and to the
development of talent of a certain kind—the kind of man-
ners which tended to awaken a spirit of improvement, that
pervaded the whole community.

Every family possessed a collection of the best English
authors; besides there were public libraries in Wilmington
and Long Creek Village, known at that time as Lillington,
as it was called in Revolutionary days. Wit and humor,
music and poetry were drawn into action in social and com-
Mercial intercourse. Conversation was cultivated to 1a high
degree. The point of honor was understood and recognized
and the slightest approach to indignity resented. In the
exercise of colloquial talent the ladies participated and
heightened the pleasure. Then they were not, as now, in-
structed at all in the rudiments of knowledge, but they
derived this from reading and imbibed it from association
with eminent persons of the opposite sex. Observation and
association with the learned were a development of taste,
elegance and_ refinement. They had softness, sentiment,
grace, intelligence—every quality which in the female sex
Gan inspire and exalt the enthusiasm of romantic passion.

The manners and customs of the Cape Fear and the
North-East Branch of the Cape Fear Rivers at that period
Were most favorable. Hospitality carried to an extreme and
an excessive fondness for convivilality were the characteristics
of those days. Festive entertainments, balls, every species of
amusement, which song and dance could afford, were in-
dulged. The neighing courser and the echoing horn, the
Sports of the turf and pleasurers of the chase were alter-
nately the objects of eager pursuit.

Immigrants °

Many immigrants came from Virginia about the time of
the Revolution and immediately afterwards, most of them
settling in the western part of the County.

 

 

RUT

SSS

 
 

34 History of Pender County, North Carolina

There was also quite a sprinkling of immigrants from
Ireland and Scotland after the independence of the State had
been established. It was an army of these newly arrived
Scotch Loyalists, making an effort to assist the Royal Gov-
ernor Martin at Wilmington, that was defeated by the
Patriots at Moore’s Creek Bridge in 1776.

This victory practically eliminated the Tory element as a
factor in the war, so far as the southeastern part of the

State was concerned.

Indians

Something over three hundred years ago this section was
inhabited only by a race of wild and savage men whom we
call Indians. They were tall and straight, black hair and
copper colored. They lived chiefly by hunting and fishing
and were clothed in skins of the wild animals they had slain
or in coarse cloth made of platted grass. They were sepa-
rated into tribes, each tribe with a different name, and each
with a chief or king of its own and each living apart in its
own village or huts. These huts—wigwams, jas they called
them—were made of poles and branches of trees covered
with bark or with skins. Inside the ground was covered
with skins or rude mats. The language these red men spoke,
though different in the tribes, was so similar that they could
understand each other. They had no tools or weapons or
utensils made of metal of any sort. Their weapons were

‘bows and arrows and small stone hatchets which they called

tomahawks. Their arrows were made of flint and plenty of
them are still found in our woods where the Indians had
their camps. They ‘had no way of cultivating the ground
except by scratching the surface with rude wooden hoes, and
the ground was cleared by burning the grass and wherever
this was done, the women and children grew corn, potatoes
and beans and whenever they wanted to fell a tree to make

a boat, or a bowl, or mortar of any kind they burned the tree.

 

 

 

 

Early History 35

at the roots or near the ground. Some of them had stone
Mortars and rude pots made of clay in which they cooked
their pounded corn and called it hominy. The Indian men
usually left all kinds of work, except that of hunting, to the
women, and they say that all ignorant savages have this sort
of pride and despise honest labor. They think it degrading
toa man. Their chief business was fighting or preplaring for
war_and their greatest happiness was in torturing or killing
their enemies. They were extremely treacherous, stealthy
and cruel in their way of making war. They had no idea of
Pity or mercy. They possessed a rude religion and believed
‘na God whom they called the Great Spirit, and were brave
and patient in suffering. They would always keep a promise
and remember a kindness. The principal tribes that dwelt in
North Carolina, when settled by the white people, were the
Tuscaroras, the Cawtabas and the Cherokees, who lived in
the mountains and do not appear in our early history. The
Cawtabas dwelt in the middie section and were less savage
While the Tuscaroras lived in the eastern section of North
Carolina and were more numerous and, being more warlike,
Save the white people a great deal of trouble. There were
Several small tribes, the Meherrins, the Enoes and Corees.
: The eastern and western portion of Pender County was
inhabited by Indians. Dr. Bricknell who wrote the Natural
History of North Carolina in 1731 said, “The Saponas lived
On the west branch of the Cape Fear River.”

The Burghaw Indians occupied Hungry Neck, now known
as the Oaks Plantation between the Bay and North-East
River Swamp and owned bby the Miller family, of whom
W. W. Miller of Rocky Point was a member. Also Mul-
berry Plantation which joins the Oaks and belonged to the

Scarborough family.
All kinds of Indian spears and skeletons of Indians who

Were very large in stature were unearthed when the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad Company trestle was being excavated
Near the ten-mile post on the North-East River.
 

36 History of Pender County, North Carolina

A number of Indian mounds ‘hiave been found in Pender
and in Duplin Counties. On the old Johnson estate near
Island Creek was an Indian graveyard and also just above
Bannerman’s Bridge is to be found one of considerable size,
and all through this section many farmers have ploughed up
spears of different sizes. There are still in Pender a number
of descendants of the red man.

The Indian name Burghaw means Mud Hole but when
the Hole is dry full of dust.

Pirates —Blackbeard

From 1690 to 1720 the entire coast from Maine to Cuba
was infested with bold and bloody buccaneers. They roamed
the seas as Lords of the Deep and committed their depreda-
tions with impunity; for there was no force adequate to the
task of coping with them.

In the early history of the Colony, more than fifty years
prior to the Revolution, the lonely sound along the coast of
the present boundaries of Pender County was the rendezvous
of many pirates. Piracy at that time being a popular game
with the desperate criminal element as “‘hijacking”’ is today
among our bootleggers.

Topsail Sound and the entrance of the Cape Fear River

‘according to tradition were the main headquarters along this

coast for this reckless and exciting business. Piracy: against
the ships of the Spaniards, then our close neighbors in
Florida, Mexico, Cuba and Central America was rampant.
Quite a few able but disappointed men engaged in this life
of dangerous outlawry. The most noted pirate of this period
was Blackbeard, a cruel bloodthirsty villain, according to
historical accounts. He did not confine himself in his das-
tardly crimes to attacks upon Spianish vessels or merchant-,
men, ‘but every vessel of whatever flag was his prey, and he
inflicted terrible damage up and down the coast for a great
distance. When he made a capture he would kill the men

 

 

Early History Sie

and enslave the women and would pick out the most beauti-
ful among them for his own pleasure. If a woman displeased
him in any way, off would go her head. Tradition ‘has it
that thirteen rebellious and unaccommodating ladies lost
their charming heads lat Blackbead’s guillotine. Much pirate
treasures are supposed to have been hidden away in the
neighborhood of Topsail Inlet, somewhere along the lonely
beaches, hammocks or sandhills and all along the Atlantic
Coast where the pirates operated. Blackbeard was finally
captured and hanged by the Colonial Government of Viur-
ginia and the cruel crime of piracy camé to an end.

During the years 1936 and 1937 some geologists in mak-
ing tests along the coast of Pender, thought they had located
either ‘a pirate ship or other buried treasures, Gold being
indicated by the instrument. So sure were they of their
findings, a fund was started by some northern capitalists and
around $50,000 was expended in excavating but which did
not result in any findings other than sand, shells, etc.

Moseley Hall

According to Wheeler's History of North Carolina,
Edward Moseley was Surveyor General of the Province and
his triumph ovér the Virginia Commissioners gave him a
great reputation.

He took up large tracts of land and about the year 1735
moved to the Rocky Point section bringing his family and
fortune and settled on la plantation a ‘few miles from the
Rocky Point depot.

He brought with him his library of valuable books which
was a very superior collection of volume after volume of
English and Latin, including standard works of that era,
histories, travel, poetry, fiction, and French translations of
the most celebrated ‘authors.

It is said that in this section one found culture and refine-
ment that was unsurpassed elsewhere in America.
 

 

 

 

38 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Edward Moseley, in conjunction with Speaker Swann, a
distinguished lawyer, compiled the first revisal.of the Laws
of the Province of North Carolina (called “the Yellow
Jacket’ from the color of the binding), which was the first
book printed in the Province of North Carolina.

It is also said that many of the books of Rocky Point
libraries appear to have been collected at Lillington Hall
and the collection embracing books of Edward Moseley,

printed before 1700, has been placed in the State Library
in Raleigh.

Old Moseley Hail has changed hands many times and was
owned many years by the Sidbury family of whom Miss
Fannie Sidbury of Burgaw was a descendant.

Swann Point

Not far west of the Oaks was Swann Point, the home of
John Swann, called “Lawyer John,” which was also one of
the finest residences on Rocky Point.

A short distance to the northwest of Swann Point was
Spring Gardens, the home of Frederick Jones, E'sq., a promi-
nent planter. Near it was Mount Gallant, owned by Col.
John Pugh Williams, who was colonel of the 9th Regiment,
Continental Line.

Not far from this home was Pleasant Hall, the residence

of William Davis, Esq., who also owned a place on Turkey
Creek, called Bloom Hill, in 1809.

The Merrick family originally occupied the lands across
the North-East River, where a large plantation was devel-
oped and where they owned many slaves. The Merricks
were public-spirited citizens. The Creek by that name in
that vicinity derived its name from the Merrick family. The
old home stood near the highway ‘for many years and it is
said that the brick with which its chimneys were built were
brought from England, the year cut into the brick of the

 

Early History 39

chimney—1761—is presumably the date when the chimney
was built.

The Vats was first located by Col. Maurice Moore, one
of the earliest pioneers of the Cape Fear section. The lands
of this location were very rich land continued in the Moore
family for many generations. George Moore had a patent
for 5,000 acres of land which was known as Moorefield, or
Mooretown, as it is now called. This land is located on the
North-East Cape Fear River and it is here, | am told, that
the Moore family had their burying ground and a number
of vaults were to be found here in which their dead were

placed.
William S. Ashe

In 1845 William $. Ashe moved to Rocky Point, coming
there from Wilmington. The house in which he lived for
several years was built by Dr. Mc. Ree and is still standing.

In 1854 he was made President of the Wilmington and
Raleigh Railroad and as long as he made this his residence
the trains stopped there daily for his accommodation.

It is interesting to know that the material used in this
building was all hand-sawed and pegs were used for nails
with most unusual heavy doors and a type of plastering that
was used during that period. In front of this old house
stands a very large old water oak tree near the well, which
is considered one of the oldest trees in this immediate sec-
tion, its companion having been cut down several years ago.

At one time this point was called Ashton, though in later
years Ashton was placed about a mile to the north of that
site.

Mr. William S. Ashe was the Father of Captain Samuel
Ashe who resided in Raleigh until his death a few years ago,
but whose early life was spent in Pender until he went to
college.

The Ashe family was closely allied with Pender County
and this section from early Revolutionary times.
 

 

 

40 History of Pender County, North Carolina
The Neck

In ascending the North-East Cape Fear River about six
miles north of Rocky Point on the west side of the river was
a plantation called the Neck, the residence of Governor
Samuel Ashe. :

It will ‘be interesting to many of our Pender County
people who cherish the history of Pender, to know that one
of the greatest statesmen of Revolutionary times was reared
and died in Pender. Governor Ashe is buried in the old
Ashe family burying ground on the old estate of the Ashe
family and now owned by Edward T. Batson.

When Samuel Ashe was nine years old his parents died in
Brunswick County and he (and his sister came to Rocky Point
and were reared there by their uncle and aunt. He married
and lived near Rocky Point at intervals all of his life on the
plantation called The Neck. He was educated at Harvard
University and was one of the thirteen members of the
Council that governed North Carolina at the ‘beginning of
the Revolutionary War.

He was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
the State, continuing in thiat office until 1795; then serving
as Governor of North Carolina for three terms. Governor
Ashe died on his plantation in 1813.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Edward
Buncombe Chapter of Asheville, unveiled a marker in March
1936 to the memory of Samuel Ashe 1785-1913.—Distin-
guished North Carolinian, Governor, Statesman and Jurist
in whose hhonor the City of Asheville was named and also

Ashe County.

On the 19th of September 1944 the North Carolina Ship-
building Company launched its twenty-ninth ship, named for
Governor Samuel Ashe of Revolutionary fame.

An historical marker was erected to the memory of
Governor Samuel Ashe on Highway No. 117 about three
miles south of Burgaw — Governor 1795-98, President

 

y-

 

 

 

Early History 41

Council of Safety 1776, one of first three State Judges.
Grave three miles east, on U. S. Route No. 117.

Sloop Point Plantation

One of the most interesting old homesteads in Pender
County is the home place of Misses Eleanor and Joanne
MacMillan, of Sloop Point, daughters of the late Dr.
Dougald MacMillan, who, after retiring from medical prac-
tice in Wilmington, spent the remaining years of his life at
his Sloop Point Plantation. aye :

Sloop Point takes its name from the Sloop building an
water transportation of the early settlers. This point wes
the only mainland harbor between the Cape Fear and New
River inlets. From the records it appears that this house
was built in 1728, of pure heart pine, hand-hewn, mortised
and pegged. The brick work is laid in Flemish bond and
ballast stones, which were used in the ships as ballast while
en route to America from England—brick being brought to
America for many of the old Colonial homes throughout the
country. The rooms are plastered and wainscoted with tall
mantels, two of which are paneled to the ceiling. Each room
has handsome mouldings, the hall being square and the
rooms have an air of dignity and repose, that indefinable
spirit that pervades old homes of aristocracy and antiquity.

The original brass bell which hangs on the outside of lan
upper story window is still intact and its cord hangs from
the ceiling in the upper bedroom, where it hung years and
years ago, and where the master of the house pulled this
bell-cord to summon his slaves to do his bidding. It is said
that many of the old mahogany pieces which ‘adorn the
home have never been outside of the house since they were
placed there and they stand serenely in their accustomed
places. Unfortunately, the entrance has been altered and the
the roof lifted, otherwise only a few minor changes have
taken place. Time has taken its toll of the outhouses, though
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42 History of Pender County, North Carolina

the smokehouse, which was the store house for salt, that was
manufactured during the early days, and only one of the
slave quarters remain. The Confederate Government ope-
rated salt works at Sloop Point Shipyard and the old salt
pans are still in evidence, though rusty and dismantled, one
can readily understand the method used in making salt which
was taken from the waters of the Sound and ocean.

The old home faces the Sound and is only a few hundred
yards from the Inland Waterway and is built of the heaviest
timbers, well calculated to withstand any of the severe north-
easters that prevail on the coast at intervals throughout the
fall and winter months. The house is built high off the
ground with a basement, one story, and what is called a
jump, with immense brick chimneys at each end of the
building, and the house is air-conditioned from the front
porch, the fresh air circulating through the bedrooms of the
upper story. The chimneys are built of brick ‘brought from
England and on the south end the chimney measures sixteen
feet at the base, which thas a door cut through it at the side,
where one can enter or leave the house from a little portico
with high steps leading to the ground below. This chimney
has always been a curiosity and for what purpose it was
arranged in this manner, except for quick exit or entrance,
no ane seems to know.

It was on this plantation that the U. S. Government in
1864 maintained a Signal Service Station, which connected
Wilmington with New River Station, the wires came down
the beach, crossing the Sound at Sloop Point Shipyard to the
Station, thence to Wilmington down the County Road.

This property was first owned by Samuel Ashe, who sold
it to George Merrick, after which Louis Whitfield came in
possession and willed it to his youngest daughter Rachel
(Mrs. William Wright) early in the nineteenth century.

It is said that during the ownership of George Merrick,
who owned and built a home a few miles east of Lane’s
Ferry, in 1761, he also built a road direct from this property

 

 

 

Early History 43

to his summer home, Sloop Point Plantation, and some parts
of this old road are still in use.

Lillington Hall

Descending the North-East River from Stag Park stood
Lillington Hall on the east side of the river. The mansion
was a quaint old structure of ante bellum or Revolutionary
date and standing alone, there was no house that approached
it in size or appearance in that wild region. It would seem
like a singular selection for a gentleman to have made for a

 

Tre OLp ALEXANDER LiLLiIncTon Home

Lillington of Revolutionary fame,
Ferry and about 7 miles east
built in 1734 and burned

The Old Home of General Alexander :
on the North-East Cape Fear River near Lane’s
of Rocky Point, Pender County. This house was

several years ago. A x :
The two magnolia trees are still standing and the larger of the two is

immense, measuring a spread of ninety-five feet, and is a picture of beauty
when in bloom. The old cemetery which is located back of the house, where
the General and his family were buried, also has a very large magnolia tree.

reuidence just on the border of the great Holly Shelter
Pocosin and across the North-East River about five miles
 

 

44 History of Pender County, North Carolina

from Rocky Point. In those days stock raising was much
attended to and here immense tracts of land which were
unoccupied furnished rich pasturage and fine range.

Lillington Hall, like many of the old land-marks, was
burned several years ago, and all other homes of this kind
have passed away, though the magnolia trees are still stand-
ing in the yard near where the old home stood, and also in
the cemetery where General Lillington and most’ of the
Lillington family were buried.

The Lillingtons came from England and founded Lilling-
ton Hall, canaling a large area of fertile land. They brought
their indentured servants with them, bought Negro slaves
and lived a life of patriarchal simplicity on their broad and
fertile acres during the Colonial period.

General Lillington and his sons were in sympathy with
the Colonies in their struggle for independence and both
General Lillington and his son rendered distinguished mili-
tary service in this patriotic cause.

There was quite a library of rare old English books—
which would be highly prized at this day—unsurpassed by
those of any of the inhabitants of the upper Cape Fear or
North-East River. I have understood that many of these
old books were placed in the State Library at Raleigh.

Alexander Lillington

Alexander Lillington was a man the people of North
Carolina should never forget, for the is associated with one
of the brightest pages of their history.

His grandfather, Major Alexander Lillington, emigrated
from the Barbadoes to the County of Albemarle, but ‘at
what precise time it is not known. He was early distinguish-
ed, however, in the history of the Colony.

The oldest public record in the State is the commission
which was issued the 3rd of December, 1679, to George
Durant, Alexander Lillington, Ralph Fletcher and Caleb

 

 

 

 

 

Early History 45

Calloway, to hold the Precincts Courts of Berkley ee
Upon the departure of Governor Ludwell, in 1693, i e
administration of ‘affairs in Albemarle fell upon him o aj.
Lillington) as Deputy Governor. His grandson was le ae
orphan at an early age, and when Edward Moseley, who

i i ister gr ear
had married his father’s sister, emigrated to the Cape Fear,

about the year 1727, young Lillington went with pe He
was early known as an active and leading Whig, aD ue a
prominent and influential member of the Wilmington om-
mittee. Though he served during the war with SSE
and attained to the rank of Brigadier General, yet his fame
principally rests upon the Battle of Moore’s rls :
The importance of this battle has never been re
appreciated, and was never fully demonstrated ese re
delivery of the interesting lecture of President Swain soe
the Historical Society of the University of North Canes
in 1853. Without the remotest intention of detracting en
the well-earned fame of General Caswell, I must say that 1
traditions of the people among whom the battle was fought
are to be believed, General Lillington has never yet received
due praise for his part in that day’s work. These traditions
agree mainly with Jones’ account of the battle; and they say
that he bore by far the hardest brunt of the fight, while he
has only been permitted to wear the smallest share of the
o ‘Vv. ;
oS aie he was commander-in-chief or not, he certainly
had the post of danger and of honor in the front of the
battle and leading the daring charge across the bridge. He
bore himself like a skillful iand gallant officer while fighting
ik n soldier.
ee honor enough for all and all should have
shared it alike. It was most unjust that his name was alto-
gether omitted in the vote of thanks which was afterward
passed by the Provincial Congress at Halifax. It has been
said that he never complained of this. It is true he never
complained, because he was a patriot and not a soldier of
 

 

46 History of Pender County, North Carolina

fortune; because he fought for the freedom of his country
and not for his personal renown.

The silver crescent which he wore upon his hat that day,
bore the inscribed words, which were his cry of battle, his
prayer by night iand his hope always. “Liberty or Death.”

Extract from the address by Hon. George Davis before
two Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina.

“General Alexander Lillington, who came to reside on the North
East Cape Fear River at the same time, and was connected with the
Moseleys, Ashes and Swanns, was an ardent Whig and patriot, and,
taking up arms early in the Revolution, distinguished himself as a
bold and sagacious leader. On the attempt of the Scotch settlers to
move on Wilmington for the purpose of co-operating with the British
forces intending to invade and subjugate North Carolina, General
Lillington speedily organized the militia of New Hanover and part
of Duplin Counties—Pender at that time being a part of New
Hanover, as well as Sampson at that time being comprised in Duplin
—marched rapidly in the direction from which the enemy approached
and selecting a position on Moore’s Creek, where it was crossed by a
bridge, threw up entrenchments and on the arrival of Gen. Caswell,
the superior in command, he approved Lillington’s plans and arrange-
ments. The result of the battle is well known and its success was

mainly attributed to Lillington’s prompt movement and_ skillful
arrangements.”

_ The entrenchments are still intact, though not as pro-
nounced as when the battle was fought at Moore’s Creek

Battle Ground Park.

Will of Alexander Lillington

“In the name of God, Amen.—I, Alexander Lillington, of the
County of New Hanover in the State of North Carolina. Gentle-
men:—Considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being at
the time of a perfect sound disposing mind, I hereby do make, ordain,
constitute and appoint this to be and contain my last will and testa-
ment, revoking all other and former wills by me heretofore made in

 

 

Early History 47

issuance and form following—First.—I desire to be decently buried
in a Christian-like manner according to the Church of England. :

“Tt is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid with
honour, as soon as the money can be raised out of the labor of my
negroes. ge

“Ttem.—I give, devise and bequeath to my son John Lillington a
negro boy called Peter, the son of Sue, to him, his heirs and assigns
forever. Et

“Item.—I give devise and bequeath to my son George Lillington,
my negro man Jupiter and Peter which was left him by his Aunt
Dalrymple, to him his heirs and assigns forever

“Ttem.—To my daughter Sarah Lillington I give and bequeath a
negro girl named Nancy, the daughter of Nann, also a negro woman
called Judith with her four children named Pat, Cupid, Toney and
Harry which negro woman Judith and her increase was left to her
by her Aunt Dalrymple, to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

“Ttem.—I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Lillington, a
negro girl called Peggy, the daughter of Nann, also a negro girl
named Phoebe, the daughter of Bess, and a negro woman called
Judith and her two children, a girl called Lucy and a boy seven and
an infant, to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

“Ttem.—It is my further will and desire that after the before
bequeathed negroes are taken out of my stock of slaves, the remainder
of them shall be equally and jointly divided between my before
mentioned children John, George, Sarah and Mary, to share and
share alike as they shall attain the age of 21 years old or the day of
marriage, whichever may first happen to them, their heirs and assigns
forever. :

“Ttem.—I give and bequeath to my daughters Sarah and Beay
Lillington all my china to be equally divided between them, to share
and share alike, their heirs and assigns forever. :

“Ttem.—I give and bequeath to my son John Lillington my writ-
ing desk to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

“Ttem.—I give and bequeath to my four children, John, George,
Sarah and Mary Lillington my household furniture, not before
bequeathed, to be equally divided and to share and share alike.

“Ttem.—It is my will and desire that my daughter Mary Lilling-
ton have two silver salvers out of my household furniture before it
be divided, to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

 
 

 

48 History of Pender County, North Carolina

“TItem.—It is my particular will and desire that my mulatto
woman named Hannah, the daughter of old Pegg, may be set free
from the servitude after my decease as she is not looked on in the
light of a slave or the property of anyone of my children.

“Item.—I give and bequeath to my son John Lillington all and
every part and parcel of the tract of land containing 640 acres
whereon I now live, called Arthurs and a tract of 640 acres of land
I purchased of Mr. Samuel Ashe whereon the saw mill stands and a
tract of 50 or 60 acres patented by myself between my home planta-
tion and the land I bought of James Moseley, to him his heirs and
assigns forever.

“Item.—I give and bequeath to my son George Lillington all
that tract and parcel of land I bought of James Moseley containing
1,800 acres including the Great Island to him, his heirs and assigns
forever.

“It is also my will and desire that all my lands wheresoever to be
found not heretofore bequeathed may be equally divided between my
two sons John and George Lillington to share and share alike.

“Ttem.—It is my will and desire that my daughters Sarah and
Mary Lillington during a single life do live with my Son John and
that they are by this will entitled to one half of my dwelling house,
which half they may think proper to choose, also one half of my out
houses they may have occasion or use for them and the liberty and
use of one half of the cleared lands ‘bequeathed to my son John, they
to have the preference of whichever part they may choose to work
their negroes on, also the use and privileges of all my lands the same
as my Son John during their single life, they paying no rent for the
use of the said houses and lands and in case either of my said daugh-
ters Sarah or Mary should die or marry, it is my will and desire that
all rights and title given to them to my dwelling house, plantation
and lands given to my son John may cease.

“Item.—I give and bequeath to my children, John, George, Sarah
and Mary Lillington, all my stock of horses, cattle, and sheep, also
my plantation tools and all other of my personal property or estate
whatsoever and wheresoever it may be found that is not herein before
bequeathed to be divided among my said children to share and share
alike, to their heirs and assigns forever.

“It is my particular request and desire that my Son John do take
upon himself the Guardianship of his brother George and that he

 

 

 

Early History 49

have him properly educated and brought up in the best manner he
can and that the expenses arising therefrom be paid out of the labors
of my negroes and it is further, my particular desire that my said
Son John Lillington be very careful of his two sisters such as becomes
the affection of a brother toward them.

“T do hereby nominate and appoint my Kinsmen Samuel Ashe,
Samuel Watters, Samuel Swann and my Son John ‘Lillington Execu-
tors of this my last will and testament.

“T have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twentieth day of
December, in the year of our Lord 1779.

“Signed. ALEXANDER LILLINGTON

“Tn the presence of
Charles Jewkes
Jonathan Dunbibun.”

Moore’s Creek National Military Park

(United States Department of the Interior)

Scene of a memorable battle between North ‘Carolina Whigs and Tories,
in 1776, which resulted in Patriot control of the colony and hastened the
movement for independence.

The battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, February 27, 1776,
was a complete victory for the Whigs or Patriots over the
Loyalist or Tory element of the population of North Caro-
lina, and, as a result, the colony remained in the possession
of the Patriots until the British invasion of 1780-81. The
Whigs in the Carolinas, where there was a greater propor-
tion of Tories than in most of the other colonies, were
greatly encouraged by the overwhelming defeat of the Scotch
Loyalists at Moore’s Creek. The battle, moreover, helped
influence Southern delegates to the Continental ‘Congress to
sien the Declaration of Independence and also contributed
in a general way to the advancement of the Revolutionary
cause in the South.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 History of Pender County, North Carolina Early History 51

HisroricAL BACKGROUND

 

The growth of North Carolina from a few coastal settle-
ments to a large and populous Royal Colony brought in its
wake several disturbances. The schism between East and
West brought about by the dominance of the colony by the
eastern, though by 1770 less populous, counties resulted in a
violent encounter between the two sections at Alamance
Creek in 1771. There, while the so-called “Regulators”
were defeated, the breach was widened, and the defeated
Westerners were under parole to the king through the
royal governor.

Some elements among the settlers had not, by 1775, been
amalgamated into the general populace. Chief of these was
a large number 6f Scotch Highlanders.

 

 

ENTRANCE TO THE PARK

Moore’s Creek Battle van |

The first conflict of arms after the military organization
of the State of North Carolina occurred in this County, |
Pender (then New Hanover), at Moore’s Creek on the i}
27th of February, 1776, this being the greatest historical |
event of the Revolutionary battles of that period. |

.The Royal Governor Martin had taken refuge on board a |
ship-of-war on the Cape Fear River, and General Clinton
with a large force appeared to reinstate him. The Governor,
working upon the loyalty of the Scottish population on Cross Wil |
Creek (now Fayetteville), had persuaded them to rise and © |
form a junction with General Clinton. He thad sent a com- HH
mission to the chief of the clan of MacDonald, as Brigadier-
General, and they had assembled in strong force and march-

RECONSTRUCTED BRIDGE, LOOKING EASTWARD TOWARD WHIG CAMP ed toward the Cape Fear. On the 27th of February, 1776,

The bridge flooring was removed by the Whigs and the girders greased they met, at Moore’s Creek in Pender County, Colonels

to make crossing difficult. Caswell and Lillington, with an inferior force. A severe

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

52 History of Pender County, North Carolina

conflict ensued and the Royalists were routed, their General
MacDonald taken prisoner and many killed and wounded.
It was most fortunate at this time. Had the Loyalists ettect-
ed a junction with Clinton they would have over-run the
whole country, dispersed the friends of liberty and encour-
aged its enemies.

A letter from Richard Caswell to Mr. President Harnett:

“February 29, 1776.

“Sir:—I have the pleasure to acquaint you that an engagement with
the Tories at Widow Moore’s Creek Bridge on the 27th current.
Our army was about one thousand strong, consisting of the Newbern
Battalion of Minute Men, the militia from Craven, Johnston, Dobbs
and Wake and a detachment of the Wilmington Battalion of
Minute Men which we found encamped at Moore’s Creek the night
before the battle under the command of Colonel Lillington. The
Tories by common report, were three thousand; but General Mac-
Donald, whom we have prisoner, says there were about fifteen or
sixteen hundred; he was unwell that day and not in the battle.
Captain McLeod, who seemed to be the principal Commander, and
Captain John Campbell are among the slain.

“Colonel Moore arrived at our Camp a few hours after the en-
gagement was over. His troops came up that evening and are now
encamped on the ground where the battle was fought and Colonel
Martin is at or near Cross Creek with a large body of men. These

 

‘I presume will be sufficient to put a stop to any attempt of the Tories

to embody again.”

It is said John Grady was the only Whig that lost his life
in this battle, and in the Moore’s Creek Battle Ground Park
is erected a monument to his memory ‘as well as to the
generals who were in the battle at that point—Caswell,
Lillington and Moore.

—Wheeler’s History.

x Ok O*

An interesting episode took place after the battle. Two
of Pender County’s men were privates in the 3rd North
Carolina Regiment under Col. James Moore. These two

 

 

 

 

Early History 53

young men, neighbors from the Watha District, Abram
Newkirk and Young Ben Lanier were fighting side by side
and standing near their commander. He saw them both fire
at the same time at the British officer Macleod and saw
him fall. Their commander after the smoke of battle had
cleared faway, told them they must run a foot race and
whichever won the race should have the honor of killing the
British officer and fall heir to his watch. Abram Newkirk
won the race. In years afterward the watch was given to
one of the family connection by name of Rhodes. A cannon
ball weighing twenty-four pounds was brought from the
battlefield by Abraham Newkirk and is in possession of his
grandson. His sword, which measures nearly four feet and
is of old steel with a bone handle, is still in the family and
held as a valuable heirloom.

Moore’s Creek Battle Ground Park

Of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge the best extant
narrative is to be found in Volume I of the History of
North Carolina, by R. D. W. Connor, published in 1919.

There are three National Memorials wholly in North
Carolina, and we are proud to record that one of these is in
Pender County.

This Park is the only one within a radius of one hundred
and eighty (180) miles.

The name of the Park is “Moore’s Creek National Mili-
tary Park,” and it is under the supervision of the National
Park Service.

The Battle Ground first contained three acres which was
sold for taxes and was bought by Bruce Williams. He under-
took to give the property to the State and accepted one
dollar in money to make the deed valid during the Governor-
ship of Daniel Russell. At that time the State set aside
certain amount to take care of this site.

The Park now contains thirty acres of land which is so

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

54 History of Pender County, North Carolina

situated as to include all types of land to be found in Pender
County, including sand hill, bay, swamp and running stream.
Due to its situation, one can find all kinds of oak trees,
besides a wide variety of other kinds, five kinds of insect-
eating plants, a number of orchids and the prickly pear, and
a dry plant.

It is the fifth oldest National Military Park in order of
creation and it is the only Revolutionary War Park in the
South that has in it the complete breastworks that were used
in battle. .

It was a State Park from 1898 until 1926, when it was
taken over by the Federal Government and the first monu-
ment in the park dates ‘back to 1857, and has been the rally-
ing ground of patriotic North Carolinians for more than
thirty-five years.

In 1829 Martin, in his History of North Carolina, gave
a short narrative. In 1934 Jones, in his Defence of the
Revolutionary History of North Carolina, gave a lengthy
summary of officers who fought in the battle and of the
conflict itself. In 1851 Wheeler, in his History of North
Carolina, gave a short narrative and recounts more especial-
ly the story of Ellett’s account of Mary Slocumb. In 1853
Swain gave a lecture on the campaign in 1776, a lengthy
summary of the background of the battle, which was includ-
ed in a volume on Revolutionary History of North Carolina
by Hawks, Swain & Graham.

These, and other narratives, led to publication, in 1856,
of a news article which fired the enthusiasm of local citizens
and under the leadership of the citizens of Long Creek
Village a celebration was held that year on the 8oth anniver-
sary of the battle. At that time it was proposed to erect a
shaft marking the site. In 1857 the corner-stone was placed
to the monument which was later completed. The panic of
1857 and the war of 1861-65 obscured the site until, in
1876, when a Centennial was held. A flag-pole, reputed to
have been erected at that time, still stands within the Park.

  

 

 

Early History 55

In 1897 the Legislature of North Carolina passed an act
authorizing the purchase of twenty acres to be used as a
park area, under management of the Moore’s Creek Monu-
mental Association, which was incorporated for the purpose.
This association was organized in 1899 and purchased ten
acres more, including the breastworks, and erected a small
pavilion as @ meeting place. This pavilion was burned in
1919. (Annual celebrations were held with ‘but few excep-
tions until 1934, at which time they were discontinued for
lack of support.) In 1907 the Federal Congress appropri-
ated $5,000 to the improvement of the Park area. The State
had, from the beginning, made small annual ‘appropriations
for maintenance. This was spent in placing two blocks of
granite under the old monument and an enclosure about it
for its preservation; erecting a monument to the Heroic
women of the Lower Cape Fear; erecting several pavilions
and utility buildings in the Park; and increasing the Park
area to thirty acres. In 1909 a monument was erected to the
Tories who fell in the battle. In 1911 a monument was
erected marking the site of the old Wilmington and Fayette-
Stage Road.

That the earliest name of Moore’s Creek was ‘““The
Widow Moore’s Creek” and it was known by that name
in 1743 or before. The exact widow has never been
determined.

The earliest known land grant on the creek was to John
Ashe in 1743, to the tract of land on the west side of the
creek and opposite the present park area.

The land on the west side was owned by Samuel Ashe
(later Governor) in 1776. The land immediately north of
the present park boundary was owned by Benjamin Stone in
1776. The Park area itself was the “King’s Land” in 1776
and legally belonged to King George III of England on the
day of the battle. The earliest land title to the tract was to
John Jones in 1791, fifteen years after the battle, from the
State of North Carolina. The tract, so far as is now known,
 

 

 

 

 

 

56 History of Pender County, North Carolina

never belonged to a Moore, though the Benjamin Stone
tract was held by Captain James Moore (grandfather of
George J. and James F. Moore) and by his son John Fred
from 1805 to 1872.

The “Borough” was laid out in 1798 by Hardy Parker,
Sr., and hhis son of the same name as “Parkersborough.”
They sold the tract in 1799 and moved off, the name
“Parker” leaving with them.

The old road was here in 1743 and at the time of the
battle was neither “Stage Road” nor “Nigger Head Road”
but merely “the Black River Road.”

Monuments of Moore’s Creek National Park

The face:

In commemoration of the Battle
Of Moore’s Creek Bridge fought
here 27th February, 1776.
The First Victory gained by the
American Arms in the war of
the Revolution.

Here lies the remains of Private
John Grady, of Duplin County,
who fell bravely fighting for his
Country, — The First martyr in
the cause of Freedom in North
Carolina, and the only Whig killed
in this battle.

Front side:

Back side:

Lillington,
Caswell.

The corner-stone to this monument was laid in 1857,
funds raised by popular subscription. Monument placed
sometime between 1860 and 1876 without recorded program
yet found.

Original monument repaired and granite base and frame

 

 

Early History 57

 

MonuMENT TO JOHN GraApy. VIEW TOWARDS Moore’s CREEK BRIDGE
OLp CANNON.

added in 1907 by funds provided by Congressional legis-
lation. Cost of repairs about $1,000.

Women’s MONUMENT

The face of monument:
To the honored memory
To the Heroic Women
Of the lower Cape Fear
During the American
Revolution 1775 - 1781.
Reverse side: i
Most honored of the names
. recorded by the Historic
Association, is that of
Mary Slocumb,
Wife of Lieutenant Slocumb,
Riding alone at night
Sixty five miles to succor the
wounded on this battlefield.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

58 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Her heroism and self sacrifice Back:
place her high on the pages of This monument
History and should awake in was erected ‘by the
successive generations, true Moore’s Creek
Patriotism and love of Country, Monumental Association
Virtutes majorum filie conservant. in the year 1907.

This monument, a likeness of a woman posing “Remem-
” .
brance,” cost about $2,000 furnished by Congressional
appropriation.

 

‘MonuMENT To Mary SLocumB AND THE Heroic WoMEN OF THE
Lower Cape FEAR.

 

 

 

 

Early History 59
- Tory MONUMENT
Here fell
Captain McLeod, Captain Campbell
and

About fifty Highland Scots
Loyalists, who, with splendid
courage, assaulted with
claymores the American
intrenchments, they were
heroes who did their
duty as they saw it and
are worthy of this tribute
from the descendants of the
The equally Brave men
Whom they fought.
Peace to their
Ashes.

Erected by
The Moore’s Creek Monumental
Association

1909.

Above the inscription is engraved a thistle, Scotch na-
tional emblem. This monument was unveiled by Miss Annie

Lucas.

Srace RoAp MONUMENT

Old Wilmington and Fayetteville Stage Road

Route taken by British and Tory Army from

Cross Creek to join Lord Cornwallis and

Clinton at Wilmington. They were defeated

in the Battle of this place, $50 were captured
as Prisoners of war February 27, 1776.

This monument was erected by the Moore’s Creek
Monumental Association in 1911.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60 History of Pender County, North Carolina

James Futton Moore MonuMENT
Feb. 14, 1852-July 11, 1912

 

MoNnvuMENT To Hon. James FULTON Moore, First PRESIDENT OF THE

Moore’s Creek BATTLE GRrounpD AssocIATION.

Face of monument:
On this field the
Americans won their first
Decisive victory over
the British allies
and through the efforts of
Hon. James Fulton Moore

 

 

Early History 61

_ First, President of the
Moore’s Creek Battle Ground

Association

It has become a National
Rallying ground for loyal
Revolutionary Descendants
And in high appreciation of
his ‘services for 14 years this
shaft is erected to his memory.

In 1929, when the remains of the Slocumbs were re-
interred at the Park, the markers to their graves were
brought along. They were placed on either side of the walk
directly in front of the Women’s Monument.

In
Memory OF A

: COL. EZEKIEL SLOCUMB

A PaTRiOT OF THE REVOLUTION,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
JuLy 47H, 1840
AGED 80 YEARS AND 46 DAYS

In
MeEMory OF
POLLY SLOCUMB
WIFE OF EZEKIEL SLOCUMB
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
Marcu 6, 1836
AGED 76 YEARS AND 24 DAYS.

BripG—E MONUMENT

BatT_Le or Moore's CrEEK BRIDGE
FEBRUARY 27, 1776

Here sTooD THE BRIDGE OF
REVOLUTIONARY FAME WHERE 1,000
PATRIOTS UNDER CoLs. RICHARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

62 History of Pender County, North Carolina

CASWELL AND ALEXANDER LILLINGTON
DEFEATED 1,600 LOYALISTS LED BY
Captain McLeop. Caprain JAMES
Moore COMMANDED AEL PATRIOTS WHO
EMBODIED TO OPPOSE THE LOYALISTS
UNDER Bric. GEN. Donatp MacDonatp.

THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED IN 1931 BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

TWO WOODEN TABLETS ARE TO BE ERECTED WHICH WILL SERVE
AS MARKERS TO BE PLACED NEAR THE ORIGINAL ROAD ANI) ONE
NEAR THE POINT WHERE IT ENTERS THE PATRIOT CAMP AND THE
OTHER NEAR THE BRIDGE. THIS IS DONE UNDER THE AUTHORITY
OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

Patrior CAMP

HERE, ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 26, 1776 ENCAMPED ABOUT
1,000 PATRIOTS, CONSISTING OF THE NEW BERN BarraALION OF
Minute MEN anp Miritia From Craven, Dosps, JOHNSTON AND
Wake COUNTIES UNDER THE COMMAND OF COLONEL RICHARD
CASWELL, AND ABOUT 150 OF THE WILMINGTON BATTALION OF
Minute MEN uNpDER CoLoNEL ALEXANDER LILLINGTON. CASWELL
HAD FIRST CAMPED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREAM BUT
DURING THE NIGHT HAD CROSSED TO THIS SIDE, LEAVING HIS CAMP
FIRES BURNING TO DECEIVE THE Tories. AT THE SAME TIME
LILLINGTON WITHDREW FROM A BREAST-WORKS NEAR THE BRIDGE.
‘THE TorIES ATTACKED THIS CAMP ABOUT DAYBREAK THE FOLLOW-
ING MORNING, FEBRUARY 27, 1776.

Tory ADVANCE

FROM THEIR CAMP SIX MILES NORTHWEST, THE ‘Tortrs ADVANCED

TOWARD THE BRIDGE AT THIS POINT, ARRIVING HERE BEFORE ©

DAYBREAK FEBRUARY 27, 1776. Lep By Caprain Donatp McLerop
AND CapTaIN JOHN CAMPBELL, A PARTY OF PICKED BROADSWORDS-
MEN CROSSED THE STREAM ON THE BRIDGE GIRDLES, THE FLOOR OF
THE BRIDGE HAVING BEEN REMOVED AND THE GIRDLES GREASED DUR-
ING THE NIGHT BY THE Patriots. THIS PARTY WAS PRACTICALLY
ANNIHILATED BY GUNFIRE WHEN WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE OF
THE PATRIOT CAMP.

 

 

 

Early History 63

Executive Order

In 1912, on the death of James F. Moore, first President
of the Association, a monument was erected to his memory.
George J. Moore was then elected President and continued
in office until 1936.

In 1926, through the efforts of Hon. Charles L. Aber-
nathey, Congressman for this District and the National
Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the
area was transferred by Congressional action to the Federal
Government under the ‘administration of the War Depart-
ment and designated officially as Moore’s Creek National
Military Park.

In 1929 the remains of Ezekiel and Mary Slocumb were
re-interred from Mount Olive, where they were originally
buried.

In 1931 a monument was erected at the site of the old
bridge. Since that time the bridge has been restored to the
same condition las it last existed, except for the floor.

In 1933, by executive order, the area was transferred to
the Department of the Interior and placed under the super-
vision of the National Park Service.

In 1935, Mr. Moore was retired from the service because
of age and a Park Ranger-Historian appointed to serve as
Superintendent.

This was done in order to provide for research concerning
the history of the park and to provide for increased publicity.

Markers placed through the Park designate the route to
the different interesting points and monuments.

Every year on Flag Day the Stamp Defiance Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution of Wilmington
make a pilgrimage to the battlefield.

A regular program is carried out with pledge of allegiance
to the flag and reciting the American Creed, also lan address
is delivered by some notable.
 

 

 

 

 

 

64 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Rivers

As heretofore said, the rivers of this section’ were the
highways and means of transportation during the Revolu-
tionary days, prior to that time, and for many years since.

There is not la more beautiful stream in North Carolina,
than our North-East Cape Fear River. We realize this calm
river will go on forever in its peaceful tranquility and
generation after generation will also enjoy its beauty and the
lovely shadows which hallow its waters lat sunset. Its banks
in some places are very high and the trees that droop over
with the different kinds of foliage and gray moss make it
quite picturesque. This river is navigable for many miles
and abounds in many kinds of the finny tribe.

We also have Black River on the west of the County
boundary and there are also several large creeks.

The North-East River enters the Cape Fear River from
the east at Wilmington. It has a total of 130 miles, 70 miles
in a straight line and has been under improvement since
1890, the clearing of the natural channel for small steamers
and boats to Hallsville 88 miles above its mouth. At present
8 feet can be carried to Rocky Point landing, 35 miles from
its mouth, 5 feet to Smith’s Bridge, 52 miles up, and 3 feet
to Croom’s Bridge, 8 miles further at all stages.

The North East River enters the County near the middle
of the northern boundary and flows in a general southerly
direction across the County to the New Hanover County
line and thence westerly along this line for a short distance,
turning south from the County.

The Black River follows a southeasterly course across the
western end of the County, joining the Cape Fear just before
the border of County is reached. Practically all of the area
to the east is drained by the North-East Cape Fear River
and by its tributaries, including Rock Fish, Burgaw, Angola,
Moore's Creek, Holly Shelter, Shaken, Merritts and Hiarri-

son’s Creeks.

 

 

 

Early History 65

To the west of the Atlantic Coast Line Railway the Cape
Fear and Black Rivers, together with Long Creek, Moore’s
Creek, Colvin’s Creek, Riley’s Creek, Sills and Sawyer’s
Creeks, furnish the drainage outlets for that section of the
County.

Origin of Name Cape Fear

The origin of the name Cape Fear, and its confusion in
some of our early maps with Cape Fear, led many years ago
to a discussion by the Historical and Scientific Society of
Wilmington of which Mr. James Sprunt was the Secretary.

As far back las the first voyage under White, in 1597, it
was called the Cape Fear, and in all narratives and by other
navigators coming down through the years, the original
spelling has been preserved.

In pursuing that inquiry, our attention must be directed
to the Cape alone and not to the River. Looking then to the
Cape for the idea and River of its name, we find ‘that it is
the southernmost point of Smith’s Island—a naked, bleak
elbow of sand jutting far out into the ocean. Immediately
in its front are the Frying Pan Shoals, pushing out still
further twenty miles to sea. : ;

Together they stand for warning and for woe. There it
stands today, bleak and threatening, and pitiless as it stood
three hundred years ago when Greenville and White came
nigh unto death upon its sands, and there it will stand bleak
and threatening and pitiless until the earth and the sea shall

give up their dead.

As its nature, so its name is now, always has been, and
always will be, The Cape Fear.

Our North-East Cape Fear and Black River in the west-
ern part of the County ‘are both tributaries of the Cape
Fear River.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66 History of Pender County, North Carolina
The North-East Cape Fear River

Flowing peacefully along in its quiet way,

The North-East River has had an unexcelled day

Since its invasion. Years have elapsed—tfar too soon.

When Indian braves canoed by the light of the beautiful moon.

Its tranquil waters, as it glides at ease, gives voice,

To a sentiment unexpressed, though often quite choice.

Its picturesque banks, its symmetrical trees with gray moss which
unfold,

Presents a picture of peacefulness that can never grow old.

Do we wonder why the English came over and settled along,
Our beautiful North-East with its placid waters and its forest strong? ©

’Twas a land of beauty, of promise and so peaceful there,
On the Banks of our Beautiful North-East Cape Fear.

The Pioneer days brought to the North East Cape Fear wealth
and renown.

From far away England and the Big London Town.

The Scotch and the Irish, too, they settled on the Black in the West

Thinking of course, which is characteristic, theirs the best.

Red sails at sunset, nor the waters of Minnetonka can never compete.
With shadows at sunset on our North-East an inspiring retreat.
We think of the many, the pleasures derived who have lived on

its Bank
Men of note, Governors, and men of the highest military rank.

Whenever we pass by and look at its unruffled calm,
Its grandeur, its sereneness, its quietude, a balm—

A solace for the weary—a study for the heart

That the Maker of Man’s Glory was a Master of Art.

Now this beautiful old River is ‘mostly deserted,

Times have greatly changed and business mostly diverted,
But it flows and flows and it flows gently along
Always mindful of its duty amid the passing throng.

 

 

 

Early History 67

Time does not change nor age its waters mar,
While wending its way across the Bar;

But like time and tide which wait for no man,

Will mingle its waters and pass on to another land.

February 1940. Martie BLoopwortTH.

 

4

   

Tue Nortu-East CAPE FEAR RIVER

Pender County Health Department

Public health work in Pender County was organized in
January, 1941 with the formation of the Onslow-Pender
District Health Department under the direction of Dr. H.
W. Stevens.

The Health Department accomplishes a year-round pro-
gram of County-wide immunization clinics offered free to
the people of the County. School children tare examined and
each child immunized to smallpox, diphtheria and typhoid
fever with free local clinics ‘for other diseases held about in
the County. Also pulmonary tuberculosis cases, suspects, and
 

 

 

 

 

68 History of Pender County, North Carolina

family contacts, are examined weekly at fleuroscopic clinics.

Other duties include the inspection of all schools, cafés,
meat markets, dairies and abattoirs; also the testing of all
water supplies, etc.

This department works in codperation and conjunction
with the Local Board of Health and the North Carolina
State Board of Health.

Members of the Pender County Board of Health are
K. D. Pigford, Chairman; T. T. Murphy, Secretary; Dr.
R. J. Williams, Dr. W. H. Young, Dr. Colin Shaw, and
Mr. W. R. Harrell.

Excluding those whose work is confined to Onslow Coun-
ty, the present personnel consists of H. W. Stevens, M. D.,
Health Officer; Mrs. Mary Stokes Wilson, Miss Alice
Peterson, Public Health Nurses, and Mr. John V. William-
son, Sanitarian.

The first Superintendent of Health of Pender County was
Dr. William Thomas Ennett, in 1886.

The Welfare Work

In 1932 President Hoover started or inaugurated the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation, a program for relief
for those whose income was not sufficient to properly feed
and clothe their families. On this program only one member
of a family was supposed or allowed to work but if the
budgeting deficiency was not met with by the person work-
ing, other members of the family were allowed to work on
this program at 50 cents per day.

The E. R. A. evolved from this Reconstruction Finance
Corporation and continued through 1935. At the expiration
of this organization, a relief fund was turned over to Mrs.
W. T. Bost, at that time President of the State Board of
Charities or ‘Commissioner of Public Welfare, for the ex-
plicit purpose of organizing or setting up full-time Welfare
Departments in the forty counties of North Carolina where

 

 

 

 

 

Early History 69

full time Welfare Departments did not exist. This fund was
matched by the Counties and full-time superintendents of
Welfare were employed. Pender County was the first of
these forty counties to establish a Welfare Department and
on June 1oth, 1936, Miss Viola Scott accepted the work of
the County land was the first Superintendent of Public Wel-
fare of Pender.

In connection with this work, Social Security came into
effect June, 1937 and is handled through this office, having
three separate programs which constitute aid to dependents,
old age assistance and aid to the blind.

Miss Scott resigned this ofice November 1940 to accept
other work, now being affiliated with the Blind Commission
of North Carolina. Miss Mary Cox (now Mrs. Ed. Bat-
son) became President and resigned in 1943. Miss Ruth
Patterson of Durham accepted the work, coming here with
very fine references.
 

 

 

 

 

a eee eh

BoarbD oF EDUCATION AND
PENDER CountTy SCHOOLS

Superintendents

5h F1E Board of Education of Pender County was
formed in 1875 with the Board of Commis-
Saye] Sloners composing the Board of Education who
aie = were W. H. French, Miles Armstrong, H. F.
Murphy and B. P. Currie, Clerk. At this meeting B. P.
Currie was appointed County Examiner as well as clerk to
the Board of County Commissioners.

Reverend J. S. Black was later in the year appointed
County Examiner land all teachers who applied for schools
were given a test or examination as to their ability or edu-
cation sufficient to teach. Rey. J. S. Black held this office
until 1880 when Rev. A. L. Phillips acted as Examiner
until J. F. Moore was elected in 1885. Mr. Moore held
office until 1892 at which time J. T. Bland was appointed.
J. P. Stringfield was Clerk to the Board of Education from
1895 to 1897 when the office of County Examiner was
abolished on the first Monday in June 1897 and T. H. W.
McIntyre was made Secretary to the Board of Education
and Supervisor of the County Schools, until 1901 Reverend
L. P. McGeachey was appointed and served until 1903.
T. T. Murphy was elected at that time and served until
1906, resigning to finish college—the Reverénd Charles H
Utley filling his place until 1909. T. T. Murphy was te
elected and has been Superintendent of the Pender County
Schools for the past thirty-five years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Education and Pender County Schools ‘71

The present Board of Education, 1944, consists oie ID). Ife
Farrior, Chairman; Chas. R. Rogers, T. J. Henry, apoadbes
Murphy, Superintendent. T. E. Bowen, Office Secretary,
A. H. Davis, Superintendent Transportation.

Educational Advantages

With the great increase of educational advantages and
opportunities in recent years; with the splendid development
of hard-surfaced highways and maintenance of our County
roads by the Highway Commission, and the modern means
of transportation generally, Pender County thas slowly but
surely forged ahead. If its development has not been as
rapid as many of us have desired, let us hope that as we
progress with our share. of prosperity, that Pender County
may soon witness lan era of activity and enterprise and
achievement which the natural resources of this fertile area

may well justify.

Pender County Schools

Prior to the formation of Pender County in 1875, and
for many years since that time, the schools of Pender were
like most of the school facilities in other rural districts—
most inadequate—this being an agricultural County, sparsely
settled with a large area and a comparatively poor County
financially.

To compare the schools of the present day with the

schools of forty years ago, one dan hardly conceive of the
marvelous change which has developed our Co-Operative
School System. Although conditions are yet far from ideal,
the great campaign waged for education since 1900 has
borne fruit in every section of the County. Conditions satis-
factory even ten years ago, are no longer tolerated.

The old building in the Burgaw District known as the
 

 

 

72 History of Pender County, North Carolina

“Academy” was the only two-story and two-room building
of any description in the County about 1880, except the
Normal and Industrial Colored School of Burgaw. The old
house and school grounds were valued at $500. In the
Atkinson district, the schoolhouse was valued lat $50. These
are fair illustrations of the school houses in the largest and
the smallest districts of the County.

 

Tue Burcaw HicH ScHoo.

Burgaw has one of the largest high school structures in
the State. The architectural design is of Georgian Colonial
style and ‘beauty. This building is well tarranged and well
equipped with all modern educational facilities, libraries,
gymnasium, agricultural building, cafeteria and a well ar-
ranged play-ground with forty or more school buses which
serve the County schools and are quartered on the grounds
during the school term and throughout the summer.

The school has a corps of teachers consisting of about
twenty-three in number.

The schools of the County employ around 150 teachers
for the nine months’ school term.

 

 

 

 

 

‘Board of Education and Pender County Schools 73
The Burgaw White School

During the year 1878 a school committee was appointed
for the purpose of erecting a building which was to be used
for schools as well as for holding the different church ser-
vices, and Sunday School tas there was not a building in
Burgaw suitable for this purpose. In fact this building after
completion was used for all entertainments and public
gatherings, dances, etc.

According to old records a committee was appointed and
their recommendations were lapproved by Daniel Shaw,
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Instead
of erecting this building on the lot which was designated for
this purpose by the donor, The Wilmington and Weldon
Railroad Company at that time, now the Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad Company, the Committee built it at the intersection
of Cowan and Fremont Streets, facing the Railroad.
After the town began to grow and another Committee was
appointed, the Academy was moved to Walker Street, back
of the Presbyterian Church, on the lot now owned and
where the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas stands, the chil-
dren using the Court House square as their playground.
Later this building was sold under the hammer for $125.00,
being bought by Dr. Bradford. The lot previously set apart
for the school was awarded J. T. Bland for services
rendered.

Prior to the erection of the Academy, private schools
were taught and many of the buildings used, the pupils sat
on anything convenient, a box, a backless chair or a poor
uncomfortable makeshift in the form of a home-made desk.
At that time there were no globes, maps or apparatus of fany
kind for the successful teaching of school subjects, especially
in this new County and there was very little appropriation
for supplies of any kind and no efforts were made to make
the school rooms in any way attractive. Under such condi-
tions, the enrollment and attendance was small and the
 

 

74 Flistory of Pender County, North Carolina

school buildings that were in existence were little used or
appreciated.

The report of the County Superintendent of Schools for
July, 1902 showed that the length of the Public School term
for the white race that year was forty-eight days or not quite
two and half months. The average length of term in 1912
for schools that did not receive any special tax or extra funds
was eighty days or four months. This was an increase of
two-thirds or thirty-two days over a period of nearly ten
years.

In 1908 the School Committee, of which C. E. McCullen
was chairman and who continued in that capacity until his
death in 1938, voted to erect a brick veneered building.
This building was used until the consolidation of the schools
of the County, when it was necessary to erect a larger and
more modern equipped school building. The Committee
selected and bought the present site. The old building was
moved to the Negro School grounds, which is located on
the same street but at the northern extremity of the town.
The White School unit being located at the Southern ex-
tremity of Wright Street.

In 1912 the value of the school property was around.
$30,365.00. The approximate value on June 30, 1938 of
equipment and buildings was $400,000.00 which shows what
has been done toward education in Pender County.

The forward step in education in Pender County came
after a prolonged session of our Legislature in 1931, when
the responsibility for financing the school system was taken
off the Board of Education and the Board of County Com-
missioners and placed on the State by Legislative enactment.
Notwithstanding this was done, considerable progress had
been made within the past forty years, still there is so much
work yet to be done that we have scarcely started.

Many of our patrons are beginning to realize as never
before that the best investment they can make is the time
and money they put into the brains of their children.

   

 

 

<LDLDLDE DZ

Board of Education and Pender County Schools 75

The first principal in the old Academy was R. N. Blood-
worth. He was succeeded by the following teachers from
year to year:.Miss Rachel Wright, Archie Black, Stedman
Black, James. F.-Moore, Misses Bettie and Ethel Herring,
Rey. G. W. McMillan, Rev. D. P. McGeachey, Miss Smith,
George Farnell, Milton McIntosh, J. G. Stokes, B. T.
Cooper, J. E. ‘Crutchfield, Pat Williams, E. M. Highsmith,
Lee Carlton, David Bland, Lazina Moore, C. O. Fisher,
A. C. Hall, K. D. Brown, and E. M. eS a Principal

of the Burgaw High School.

St. Joseph’s School
i St. Helena

To plunge into the history of St. Joseph’s School with no
word of introduction concerning the religious and secular
history of our country in the pioneer days would leave the
reader with a vague sense of dissatisfaction due to his in-
ability to appreciate just how and why the private school
came into being.

Catholics are not opposed to public schools. Together
with all other Christian denominations, Catholics believe
that a human being has body and soul. For a complete train-
ing the pupil’s spiritual faculties must also be developed.
Catholics therefore are only opposed to the system in our
public schools by which religion is excluded. In opposing
godless education, Catholics show patriotism and love of
our country. Let us see if this is true. Washington, the
Father of our Country, said, “Let us with caution indulge
the supposition that morality can be maintained without reli-
gion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined
education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experi-
ence both forbid us to expect that national morality oan
prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”—Farewell Ad-
dress. The Constitution of the United States knows nothing
of the present public school system. The public school is not

EI EE —————————————
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

76 History of Pender County, North Carolina

established by Federal statute; was not founded and main-
tained by our colonial and early American forefathers; was
not attended or even seen by a single American who signed
the Declaration of Independence, fought in the Revolution,
or drew up the Constitution. In fact the first public school
began in 1937 where it traces its history to Horace Mann,
who then became Secretary to the Massachusetts Board of
Education. [t therefore remains a historical fact that the
early education of the United States was in the hands of the
various denominational Protestant groups and the Catholic
Church. The first universities and colleges, schools and
private tutorships were organized by the churches or reli-
gious men.

St. Joseph’s School therefore prides itself on being the
only religious elementary school in Pender County. Besides
the subjects taught in other schools, the children are trained
in morals and ethical principles with Christianity as a guide.
There are four university graduate teachers making teach-
ing not only their vocation but also their avocation, who
teach and train the children. Admission to this school is
open to all white children, irrespective of creed. However,
in order to retain the high prestige which it enjoys, admis-
sion is denied to the mentally afflicted, the incorrigible, and
those talented below mediocrity. A child once leaving this
school for a public school will never be re-admitted.

Construction on this school was begun on July 22, 1920,
when concrete blocks were made by the pastor Rev. Charles
Kneussels. The exterior was finished under Father Kneus-
sels, but lacking funds and the death of the pastor, prevented
the completion of the school until the coming of the Francis-
can Fathers on May 31, 1936. At an expenditure of nearly
ten thousand dollars the school was ready for occupancy in
September of the same year. Together with the $15,000
spent by Father Kneussels this school cost $25,000.

At present the Superintendent of this school is the Very

 

Br aa

 

Board of Education and Pender County Schools 77
Reverend Maurice Imhoff, D.D. The Principal is Sister M.

Geraldine, assisted by three other Franciscan Sisters.

A Brief History of the Burgaw Negro
High School

The Burgaw Negro High School was organized by the
Executive Board of the Middle District Association in
October, 1896. é

The site of the present campus was selected Iby a Com-
mittee composed of the late Rev. E. J. Bell, K. M. Gavins

and Rey. I. M. Powers in 1895.
A Board of Directors was selected to erect and manage
the proposed institution—namely: the late Rev. W. M. De-

. Vane, R. Royal, J. L. Fennell, I. M. Powers, E. J. Bell,

G. L. Smith, and K. M. Gavins.

The original purpose of the school was for the training of
ministers only. It was given the name of the Burgaw Insti-
tute, with Dr. A. L. Sumner of Salisbury, N. C. as its first
teacher and Professor Wesley Jones assistant. The work
was carried on in a one-room county school house, adjacent
to the present school site and in Mount Pisgah Baptist
Church, which was then a frame building.

After the erection of the ‘administration building, the
Rey. W. M. DeVane erected a two-story frame building in
1901. Prof. J. A. Fennell was elected by the Board of
Directors as the first Principal under the codperation of the
Board of Education of Pender County, and the Board of
Directors of the Middle District Association. After teaching
three years, Prof. Fennell resigned to take a position in the
City of Winston-Salem. Prof. P. J. Viann was then chosen,
who served two years and resigned. Prof. J. A. Fennell was
re-elected and asked to return. He accepted and took up
the principalship, served for five years, and died.

Prof. L. H. Powell of Lumberton, N. C. was then elected
as principal. He served three years and resigned. The
 

 

78 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Board of Deacons then tasked President Charles F. Mer-
serve of Shaw University to recommend aman. Prof. C. F.
Pope, then a teacher in Shaw University, was recommended
and accepted the position.

Professor Pope served the school thirty years with Mrs.
C. F. Pope, his wife, as Matron, up to the time of ther death.

The founders of the school were as follows: Rev. W. M.
DeVane, E. J. Bell, R. Royal, I. M. Powers, George L.
Smith, G. W. Carr, Elijah Tate, R. C. Murray, J. M.
Jenkins, G. W. Davis, David DeVane, Richard Stringfield,
Wesley Jones, Rev. Hayes Peterson and Dr. W. H. Moore.

Rey. Peterson is the only living member who founded
this school.

When Prof. Pope became Principal of this school in 1914

it was then called the Burgaw Normal and Industrial School. -

At that time the highest grade was the 6th and the enrol-
ment was about 150. There were five teachers including
Prof. Pope, Lizzie B. Pope, Rosalie Jolly, Mamie Moore
Seott and Grizell Russell Hubbard. The length of the
school term (1914-1915) was then only six months, but the
teachers gave their services free and ran the school eight
months that year. At that time—r1914 and 1915—there
were only four and half acres of land and two buildings in
which there were only four classrooms and no auditorium.
The main building was destroyed by fire and since that time
they have a school campus of six and a half acres and eight
buildings in all, and one a substantial brick building. Before
the County put on buses there were a number of boarding
students and now the school has several buses that transport
around ia hundred students daily. The present enrolment is:
high school students 185, elementary 366, with a total of
521. The present number of teachers, 11. This school was
put on the list of accredited thigh schools in 1924. The name
of the school was then changed from the Burgaw Normal
and Industrial to the present name, The Burgaw Colored
High School. Since 1920 500 have graduated. During the

 

 

Board of Education and Pender County Schools 79

past twenty-four years students have been enrolled from
many sections of the State.

The Pender County Negro ‘Training School

After a lapse of five years without a public school, the
patrons of Rocky Point became interested in having a public
school for their children. This was made possible through
the efforts of Mrs. Sujette L. Smith, Jeanes Supervisor.

The Patrons gave $400.00 for the first school building
which consisted of four rooms. This contribution was supple-
mented by the Rosenwald Fund and the County.

This school opened in the winter of 1917-18. The enrol-
ment ranged from 218 in the first grade to seven in the
seventh grade. It opened with the Rev. D. B. Mdodana as
Principal and his wife as teacher. The enrolment was so
heavy that another teacher, Mrs. Hattie V. Gattison, had
to be added the second week and another the third week—
Miss Margaret Mosely.

It was learned that the school could qualify as a County
Training School if it had more land. Since the school did
not own the amount of land needed for qualification, $1,250
worth of land was purchased through the efforts of Mr.
George Cannady, Winslow Nixon and David Bryant Wood.
This included land for the Principal’s House.

Their purchase was rewarded by the Pender County
Training School being established at Rocky Point.

Classes were still being held in the original four-room
structure and a moonlight school was held and helped to
reduce the illiteracy in the community.

Mr. D. L. Gore, a prominent merchant of Wilmington,
N. C., delivered a commencement address and was so im-
pressed with the good work being done that he gave the
school ‘a deed for ten acres of land on November 28, 1923.

During the fourth year the teaching staff was increased to
five, although the original structure was not enlarged.

 
 

|

 

 

80 History of Pender County, North Carolina

The actual work of the Training School was begun with
the introduction of the teaching of vocational agriculture
and home economics. The school term was six months.

The next year the faculty was increased to eight teachers.
Prof. §.:C. Anderson came from Hampton Institute as the
agriculture teacher. At this time vocational agriculture was
something new in North Carolina and the people knew very
little about it. Prof. Anderson had a very hard time trying
to get the work started. The farmers in the community
were against such training in the school and sent petitions to
the principal asking him not to send their children to the
agriculture classes. They frankly said that they could teach
their children how to farm at home.

Prof. Anderson had no classroom in which to instruct his
classes but he was determined not to fail and therefore held
his classes on the outside of the building under a big pine tree
during that school year. Vocational agriculture was started
in the third grade and continued through the sixth grade.

Rey. Mdodana resumed his responsibilities as a preacher
at the end of the fourth year of the school.

T. T. Ringer became the principal of the school in 1922.
A full-time home economics teacher was employed at this
time and in the spring Prof. Anderson with a group of farm-
ers, together with wagons and log carts, went in the waods,
sawed logs, hauled them to a nearby sawmill, cut lumber and
put it on the school ground. Prof. Anderson took the boys
during the summer ‘and built a two-room agriculture building.

After this was done the farmers realized that vocational
agriculture was going to improve their community and they
supported it 100%.

The patrons through a community rally raised $1,035 for
a dormitory. This was later lost in a bank failure.

Introduction of buses in 1926 appreciably brought up the
enrollment and attendance. The same year a high school
building was added. The teaching staff had now reached
eleven. The enrolment was 349 students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Education and Pender County Schools 81

The school showed much progress in the next two years.
In 1928 the school became an accredited high school. In ~
1929 the Mooretown School was consolidated with this
school. The enrolment at this time was 369 students.

In 1931, T. T. Ringer, the principal died and Prof.
Anderson, the agriculture teacher, finished the term as
principal.

A new and more spacious agriculture building was con-
structed during the summer of 1938. The enrolment of the
school was 396 students and a faculty of eleven teachers.

John T. Daniel, a graduate of A. and T. College became
the new principal in 1931. The total enrolment of the school
was 396 students and a faculty of thirteen teachers.

During the past few years the school has made much
progress physically. In 1932 the Anderson Building was
erected. It housed two of the primary grades, and in 1935
the Ashton School was consolidated with this school. Also
in the year 1938 Murphy Hall was erected and is used by
the High School department.

The school now has an enrolment of 602 students, a
faculty of twenty-one teachers and a housing plant of eight
buildings including the principal’s home.

Dr. Pender Porter of New York and Rocky Point, in
making his will, left this school around $3,000 to be used in
the advancement of education and manual training, which is
one of the principle factors of this school.
 

 

 

 

VILLAGES and COMMUNITIES

|
Atkinson

Fayetteville to Wilmington, across the western
part of Pender County, to establish the most
| [ae feasible route to build a railroad, or extend the
i line of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad from the
seacoast to the mountains, a distance of 350 miles, the
Southern extension being completed in 1882, at which time a
logal railroad station was built and established in Atkinson
iii on the lot given by W. H. Lewis, who owned considerable
\| holdings in that section.
In 1883 the town of Atkinson was laid out on the lands
Ai of W. H. Lewis, consisting of 50 acres employed in the
location of this site. At that time the town was called Lewis,
| in consequence of Mr. Lewis’ giving of his time and efforts
toward the building up of this section. After the town was
incorporated Mr. Lewis being at that time Chairman of the
Wil Town Board, renamed the town Atkinson, the name being in
commemoration of an engineer named Atkinson who was
one of the main factors in the completion of this road.
Hi In 1888 a school building was erected and a successful
school was operated. In this school unit was a dormitory
for boys and one for girls and pupils from every section of
the County went there for schooling, until fire destroyed all
the buildings which was a heavy loss to the town and the
community at large.

In 1925 the County erected the present school unit which
ii} is apparently complete and a very satisfactory school has

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 83

been conducted with a corps of very fine teachers for a
number of years.

Atkinson thas three churches which were ‘built in the
earlier days of the town on the lots designated or donated
by Mr. Lewis. They are the Baptist, Presbyterian and
Episcopal churches.

In the years that have passed and at the present time
Atkinson is in the midst of a fine farming section where lots
of produce and all kinds of truck are made and shipped.
In this vicinity there are a number of blueberry farms, listed
with the North Carolina Blueberry Association.

Many families of culture ‘and refinement reside in the
town and vicinity of Atkinson, one of whom we all feel
proud—M rs. Mary Colvin Murphy of Washington, D. C.,
who was reared in Atkinson. After marrying Dr. W. B.
Murphy they moved to Snow Hill, N. C., where they resided
until sometime after the death of Dr. Murphy.

Representatives of many of the old families who continue
to live in that vicinity are the Colvin family, Simpson, Shaw,
Moore, Murphy, Hawes, Keith, Lewis, Peterson, Walker,
Corbett, Beard, Pridgen, and many others not familiar.

We also find two very fine physicians—Drs. G. C. Beard
and Colin Shaw, who practice their profession throughout
that section of the County.

St. Helena

The history of St. Helena is unique in the State of North
Carolina. Its inception betokens more of the early pioneer
days of our country thian an epoch of this century.

It is the first of several agricultural colonies developed
for immigrants by Hugh Mac Rae, Wilmington real estate
promoter.

This section was originally a virginal undeveloped wood-
land. In the spring of 1906 the first seven Italians arrived;
in the fall of the same year eight Italian families settled
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

84 History of Pender County, North Carolina

here. By 1909 the colony had over forty families, or at least
one hundred and fifty people, directly from Italy. Clearing
of the woods, grape growing, and farming were their main
occupations. In the year 1914 all of the Italians, except one
family, moved ‘away from St. Helena. In the spring of 1915
came twelve families of refugees from Belgium. There were
about seventy-five Belgians in this group. Not having been
reared as farmers they departed from St. Helena the same
year, only one Belgian family remained. In the year 1916
there arrived eight Hungiarian families. In 1918 twelve
Slovak and six Serbian families arrived. All of the Serbians
and Slovaks moved away, except one Slovak family. In 1918
there came eighteen families, mainly Ukranians, Austrian-
Galicians, and Russians. It is this mixed group, combined
with the very few families of the first settlers, that are now
the citizens of St. Helena.

The farmers of St. Helena, after years of experience,
concluded that in unity there is strength. Not having an
organization of their own they joined the Wilmington Truck
Growers’ Association as a branch in 1917. They remained
affiliated with Wilmington until 1921 when they felt strong
enough to form an organization of their own. Thus was
organized the “St. Helena Truck Growers,” which flourished
until 1932 when, because of dissension, this union divided
into one branch which retained the original name, and an-
other which called itself ‘‘Indepndent Truck Growers
Association.” These two separate societies continued till
1937 when they again reunited under the name of the
United Truck Growers Association.

. The officers of this organization in the year 1942 are:
John Spizak, President; Nestor Boruch, Secretary; Alex
DeBaylo, Treasurer.

The purpose of this orgianization among the St. Helena
farmers is codperation, advice and consultation and a seek-
ing of fair prices for their commodities.

 

 

Villages and Communities 85

Besides the above organizations, many of the St. Helena
farmers belong to the National Farm Bureau Association.

Hampstead

The Community of Hampstead, located on U. S. Coastal
Highway No. 17 about eighteen miles north of Wilmington,
consists of a number of attractive residences and several
stores and eating places. Also located at Hampstead is a
large peanut cleaning plant owned and operated by J. W.
Howard. There are also several fish and oyster houses that
ship these products of the Sound and ocean to the different
sections of the State and points outside of the State. This
enterprise is well located for this purpose, being only a very
short distance to the Sound, the Inland Waterway and the
ocean.

The land through and around Hampstead as well as all
along the coast is well adapted to peanuts and produces this
ground nut in very large quantities, as well as the water-
melon, canteloupe and truck crops generally and is also well
adapted to bulbous crops.

Just a few miles west of Hampstead is a large blueberry
farm of about fifty acres, which is most profitable, the land
in that section being well adapted to growing of this berry.

One of Pender’s high schools is located at Hampstead
and is quite a credit to that vicinity. Churches of several
denominiations dot this community and all along the coast
many of the old settlers of Revolutionary days built homes
and lived throughout this section and it is a very interesting
part of the County.

It was in this section and all along the coast that many of
the old families during the War Between the States made
fand sold salt from the waters of the Sound and ocean, the
salt selling as high as $50 per bushel.

Many of these old salt pans are still scattered in evidence
at some of the old homes.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86 History of Render County, North Carolina
Watha

Watha, a little town on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad,
was formerly located on Wiashington Creek, near the river
and known as old South Washington and was connected with
Wilmington and Goldsboro ‘by stage-coach. When the rail-
road was built, around 1836, it was moved to the present
site and still went by the name of South Washington. Later,
as there was also another town named Washington in the
State, which caused the mails to ‘be missent, its name was
changed to Watha.

‘The upper part of the County was more of a settlement
than Burgaw forty years after the building of the Wilming-
ton & Weldon Railroad, so much so that Watha was made
the temporary County seat of Pender for about one year
and the first Superior Court held in the County was in van
old building owned by Mr. Edward Rivenbark.

Watha bid fair at one time to be the leading town of the
County but the loss of its manufacturing plants paralized
business to a very great extent. During its boom four
churches were erected and still stand—Methodist, Baptist,
Holiness and Catholic, which stand as marks of her citizens’
loyalty to a Supreme Being.

Watha is and has been the home of some of Pender’s
interesting citizens and among them, while not a native-born,
‘but who came to this section to teach and married, ‘adopting
Watha as her home, is the genial and progressive-spirited
citizen, Mrs. Maggie Lee. ‘““Mrs. Maggie,” as she is aftec-
tionately known since her residence here, has been the pre-
vailing spirit of inspiration in that section and a charitable
benefactress to this community and the surrounding country.

Canetuck

The section of the County comprising Canetuck is located
between the western branch of the Coast Line Railroad,

 

Villages and Communities $7

several miles beyond Currie, and the western branch of the
Cape Fear River, the historic Black River. ’

Here we find some of the richest soil for farming pur-
poses in the County. It is the so-called “Black Lands,” that
seem to be very productive.

In this community we find the Keith, Marshall and Prid-
gen families, and many other families who have resided in
this section for years past.

Through good authority, it is said that Canetuck Town-
ship has always been the first township or section to pay
its taxes annually and before any other township.

It is said that the first time the name Canetuck appeared
in public, was when two Negroes, many years ago, went out
hunting and they caught so much wild game, they were
unable to carry it to their homes or destination; so they
decided to stop at a ford across Buckle Swamp. It seems the
swamp was covered in cane, and in order to secure their
game they cut lots of the cane and would tuck the smaller
game down in the mud with the cane until they could get
their team to haul it back, and tradition thas it that this
section has continued the name of ‘“‘Canetuck’’ since that

event.

Rocky Point

Rocky Point, nine miles south of Burgaw, is a small com-
munity of several hundred people, some of whom farm,
operate mercantile businesses, and many of the younger
generation commute between here and Wilmington where
they work mostly with the Coast Line Railroad Company
and other companies.

Many years ago during Revolutionary times, and since
that time, Rocky Point was the residence of many Colonial
families. ‘Col. Maurice Moore, Speaker Swann, Speaker
Moseley, Capt. William Ashe, Alexander Lillington, John
Swann, George Moore, John Porter, Colonel! Jones, Colonel

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Merritt, the Lanes, and many other gentlemen of influence.

It was the center from which had radiated the influence
that directed popular movements, and the residences of other
active leaders. There is no doubt but that their plans were
considered and the proceedings agreed upon that involved
the united action of all the neighboring counties.

Rocky Point has always been famous for its wonderfully
fertile soil, growing bountiful crops each year without the
aid or use of much fertilizer. Within a radius of five miles
there are las many as five thousand acres of marl sub-soil
land that will last as long-as time itself.

In r1880-1-2 the French Brothers operated the ‘rock
quarries and marl beds on their property called Excelsior
Plantation, known at that time as the only place where this
kind of fertilizer was made from the chalk marl deposits.
At that time the State chemists recommended it most highly.

The Rock that filled the new inlet below Wilmington,
when the channel of the Cape Fear was deepened, came
from Rocky Point section on the North East Cape Fear
River and, when completed in 1875, was called ‘The
Rocks.”

At the Vats the river makes a sudden bend iand a promi-
nent point of rocks juts out into the river. It was here the
explorers ate their dinner on a table rock, when on their
expedition.

The name Rocky Point was given to that portion of the
County lying west of the North East River as far as the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, taking its name from the
rocky point, or bend in the river.

Rocky Point has an Elementary School, which has been
under the supervision of Mrs. R. W. Southerland for a
number of years, in a most satisfactory manner, and her un-
tiring efforts to build up and maintain this school, together
with her civic pride, has gained for her much credit for her
ability to accomplish her mission along educational lines.

Also located at Rocky Point is the Pender County Negro

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 89

Training School, which is one among the most creditable
schools in the County.
Rocky Point has several churches which are all quite

active.
Rocky Point thas been the home of the present families

for many years. The Armstrong, Brown, Durham, Spark-
man, Pearsall, Casteen, Porter, Rhodes, Westbrook, Futch,
Hayes, Sidbury, Batts, and the family of Dr. R. J. Williams
and the Bloodworths, who have lived in the vicinity of
Recky Point since Revolutionary times.

Bannerman’s Bridge Community

For many years this section of Pender was one of the
most interesting sections of the County and a community of
refined, interesting people.

From Revolutionary times and for many years after the
War Between the States, the North East Cape Fear River
was their means of transportation and a regular schedule of
runs between Wilmington and Croom’s Bridge was carried
on for years until many of the old families moved away to
other communities and business generally became stagnant.

The Bannermans, Players, Williams, Armstrongs and
James families were pioneers of that section, the Humphrey
family coming in years later.

Stoney Brook was the home of the Williams (R. T.)
family and only one member of that family lives in the same
house in which she was born.

Hickory Hill was owned by David Williams, a captain in
the Confederate Army, who was killed around Richmond,
in battle, in 1864.

Bear Garden, another old estate, was the home of a mem-
ber of the Player family.

Adjacent to Bannerman’s Bridge is Blake’s Bridge. This
bridge was named for this family living in and around this
section. There were a number of families who composed
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

go History of Pender County, North Carolina

this community but have long since moved away to other
sections quite remote. There were the Andersons, Blakes,
Meeks, and many other families, all reaching toward Maple
Hill, another community of interesting people. Practically
all of the property in and around this immediate section be-
longs to the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company.

Bannerman’s Bridge

When the second bridge at Bannerman’s was built in
1860, the following lines, descriptive and commemorative of
the celebration on the occasion of opening the bridge over
the North East River in Holly Shelter District (which was
then ia part of New Hanover, now Pender County), on
July 19, 1860, were written by C. Rowe:

We here will attempt by solicitation,
With outline descriptive to give,

Of our late Muser-field celebration,
That it may in memory live.

The bright morning arose, our prospects to cheer,
But the day was rather too warm;

Yet, people like insects, for that did not care,
And took sunny weather to swarm.

When first we arrived at the place for the fair,
On the bright North East River Bank,

We noticed a crowd was gathering there,
Of nearly all ages and rank.

A stage was prepared near the foot of the bridge,
For speakers at pleasure to talk,

It commanded a valley, likewise the ridge,
Where people at leisure could walk.

We saw some militia parading the bridge,
With music of fiddles and flute;

And soon they were seen promenading the bridge,
And gave a firing salute.

 

Villages and Communities

Then they came to a halt, some moments to rest,
Re-loading in order complete ;

So that at the close of each speaker’s address
The firing again should repeat.

Next thing the order of the day was proclaimed,
In a voice justly commended.

By a marshal whom a committee had named,
To tell us what was intended.

The Theme of the day was “Growing Improvement,”
Which all of the speakers sustained ;

The people all seemed well pleased at the moment,
And no one was heard to complain.

The first on the stand was a reverend friend,
(Rey. Duncan B. Black)
To whom all were willing to hark;
The speech he delivered all did commend,
In each and every remark.

The second in order was a grave looking youth,
(J. Kit Rowe)
He spoke with much zeal in the cause;
All his remarks seemed well based on the truth,
For which he received much applause.

An illiterate friend now came to the cause,
But soon his eulogy ended ;

For the people got up such game and such noise,
Soon from the stage he descended.

By this time we all saw a rich table spread,
Beneath some green hickory trees,

From which nearly six hundred people were fed,
As they came like so many bees.

Then, farther along, a counter bench stood,
Beneath a beautiful shade,

Where the thirsty might come, as many as would,
And drink of the cool lemonade.

 

gt

 
 

 

 

 

 

92 History of Pender County, North Carolina

A love for improvement seemed cherished that day
The wood-land looked pleasant and green;

While old opposition seemed perished away,
And nothing but friendship was seen.

The ladies that came to grace the occasion,
Like stars in the middle of the night;
Their beauty adorned the whole celebration

And gave us a feast of delight.

The beauty of some who were present that day,
Shone out with a luster so bright,

Like the rays of the sun if gazed at too long
Was deeply impressed on the sight.

The longer I try a description to give,
The harder I find it to do,

I'll leave it to some one, that may if they will
And bid the vain trial adieu.

Smith’s Bridge and Croom’s Bridge

Communities

For years prior to the War Between the States communi-
ties were settled by families whose ancestors had plowed,
planted and reaped their tharvests of farm produce, lived
well and, like all communities, there have been marked
changes as the years have passed.

Both of thése River Bridges took their names from some
of the old ‘families who resided in that community. The
Croom family resided at Croom’s Bridge for years and
years, as well as the Rowe family who have owned acres and
acres of land in that section and some of their descendants
continue to live in that community.

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 93

Shelter Neck Community

It was in this vicinity of Croom’s Bridge, a short distance
also from Smith’s Bridge, that in 1905 a school was estab-
lished by the Unitarians from Boston, Massachusetts, who
came to North Carolina for the purpose of extending that
wing of the Liberal or Unitarian Church in the South.
Various sections of western North Carolina were visited
and contact made for the purpose of disseminating Uni-
tarianism.

The most outstanding school of the group was at Shelter
Neck, Pender County, located near the North East Cape
Fear River about one-half mile from Croom’s Bridge. In
this locality there was no public school at that time and
many families lived within a radius of a few miles of the
school.

Here, at Shelter Neck, the Unitarians, headed by such
men of note as Edward Everett Hale, Charles W. Elliott
and other Boston ministers, writers and educators, financed
the new school. The Reverend W. S. Key, an Englishman
by birth, was sent to the school as minister, educator and
special worker.

There was so much done in the way of social and edu-
cational work thiat little or no attention was directed to the
task of spreading Unitarianism: Unlike most Missionary
enterprises the Unitarians found that common necessities of
life, better living conditions, and general work for higher
standards of education, came before the spreading of religi-
ous dogmas.

Accordingly, Rev. Mr. Key was accepted in the County
as a man with a great heart for all the people. He exerted
a stimulus to fight harder for schools, colleges, and particu-
larly the practical arts, such as domestic science, manual
training for the school boys, ete.

This school was active for almost twenty-five years at
Shelter Neck, from 1905 to 1928. There was a day school
 

 

 

 

94. History of Pender County, North Carolina

for the neighborhood children and many walked for three
miles to attend classes each day. There were also provisions
for boarding school children, who, at little or no cost to
themselves or their ‘families, were given opportunities of an
education. Aside from the usual school courses, elocution,
public speaking, music, vocational training, and domestic
science, as well as other courses, were given.

Through the years and ages to come, the effect and in-
fluence of the work done by this group of people will be a
lasting monument, not only to Dr. Key, who has passed on
to his reward, but talso to Mrs. Peterson, a most refined
well-educated woman, who was among the greatest of this
organization. By her untiring efforts and marked ability,
she wielded an influence that has been, and will continue to
be, a lasting factor among the people of these communities.

Six Forks Community

The Six Forks Community has been a thriving community
for many, many years. The Murray family, and what is
called Murray Town, was settled by some of the oldest
settlers of this community, reaching back to Revolutionary
days, coming direct ‘from Scotland where they lived from
generation to generation along the river front and in and
around Six Forks. Mount Aetna, where the Chapel Church
now stands, was the home of James Moore, whose descend-
ants are scattered throughout the country.

The Northeast Academy was located in this vicinity iand
most of the children of that age went to school there as they
had all well educated men who were teachers. Rev. Stedman
Black and Mr. Archibald Black taught there for several
years, as well as others, and pupils from every near by
section attended this school.

It was also the home of the older family of Sanders, of
whom Louis Sanders was the father of a number of chil-
dren. He was a man of great piety. He was the father of

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 95

Dr. R. T. Sanders, who practiced medicine in this section
and moved to Burgiaw later in life, where he practiced his
profession. Some members of this family continue to live at
Six Forks.

During the war it is said, when the soldiers of the North
were going through from place to place, leaving desolation
behind, a belligerent daughter, by name of Sarah Sanders,
was admonished by her father to pray. She replied, “Oh,
dast the dom yankess to hell, pappy, I jest can’t pray.” It
was here at Six Forks that Co. K. was organized at the
Northeast Academy, under David Williams who was made
Captain and left Burgaw for the front, having been notified
to assemble at Garysburg. In May, ’61 they began to report
to the officer in charge of the camp.

Maple Hill

Maple Hill, in the extreme eastern section of Pender
County, with its broad open spaces, is quite an agricultural
center and a community of fine farmers who are known for
their delectable ham meats,. turkeys, etc.

Maple Hill is said to be named for the number of maple
trees, or a large maple tree that stood on a hill either in or
adjacent to the community.

This community hias been the home of the James family
for many, many years, their ancestors originally coming
from Wales during Colonial times. Now the family, like
many others, is scattered all over, but the elder member,
Mr. Gibson James, represented the County in the Legis-
lature two consecutive terms and was also a member of the
Board of County Commissioners for several years. Joshua
James, son of Gibson James, resigned as Clerk of the
Superior Court in Pender.to volunteer for the army.

Maple Hill has furnished many patriotic citizens both in
 

 

 

 

 

 

96 History of Pender County, North Carolina

the War Between the States, the First World War, as well
tas World War II.

Kinchen F. Powers was Sheriff of Pender County for one
term and Ben Wooten Court Crier for a number of years,
where many of his family have resided for years as well as
the Laniers, Raynors, and many other farmers; some of its
farmers marketing as many as five thousand turkeys in a
season.

Scott’s Hill

Scott’s Hill is the community settlement just over the New
Hanover County line on Route No. 30—the New Bern
Highway—and where have lived and died many people of
note and refinement.

It was the old home of the Bryan family who came to this
section around 1870 and whose older heads hiave passed out
of the picture. It has been the home of the Foy family for
many years, some of the younger generation still continuing
to live there. The elder Joe T. Foy represented the County
in the Legislature for three consecutive terms and was con-
nected with the County management in its earlier history as
County Commissioner and also with the Board of Education.

The Shepherd family of this section, of whom Dr. Joe T.
Shepherd of Wilmington is an offspring, as well as the
Nixons, Sidburys, Kings and many others resided here.

There are several old attractive homes in this vicinity and
several old churches, and all along through that section are
places of historic interest.

It was just a short distance out of Scott’s Hill that, accord-
ing to tradition, Washington and his party stopped and ate
their lunch under an old water oak tree. For this reason the
Daughters of the American Revolution of the Stamp De-
fiance Chapter thave placed a stone to mark this historic spot.

The McClammy family was one of the distinguished fami-
lies of this section of whom Mr. Herbert McClammy, one
of Wilmington’s able lawyers, was a Pender County son.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 97

Lillington or Long Creek

The dawn of the Nineteenth Century found the present
site of the Community of Lillington an uninhabited wilder-
ness, nothing broke its silence save the chirp of the merry
birds, the bark of the squirrel, or the howl of the wolf, heard
in those days. The present main street was but a new road
and is today highway No. 60, and fresh at that time were
the tomahawks that trimmed it out. There was a rough
passage at this place at the time of the Battle of Moore’s
Creek, February 27, 1776, ‘but not what could be dalled an
open public road for general travel. There was no bridge
across Long Creek but a ferry was kept for the convenience
of those who might pass this way in gig or chariot. The old
post that held the chain or grapevine of. the ferryman of
that day may be seen at the end of the footway beyond the
bridge. But one house was here at that time—just an ordi-
nary log-cabin, so common in those days. It stood on the
corner near the bridge and was built by Jack Walker. Soon
another house was built by James Portervine on the spot
where the old John A. Jones dwelling house stood. The
third thouse built in Lillington was ta small one opposite
James Portervine, across the road, and at one time held the
town bell when occupied by W. T. Newell. This locality.
began to come into notice for its convenience on the road
between Wilmington and Fayetteville. The only libraries in
this section of the State was the one at this town and the
one in Wilmington.

Many families of distinguished lineage resided in this
section during Revolutionary times.

It was here in Lillington that the first Masonic Lodge was
established on June 12, 1851—Lodge No. 138, King Solo-
mon’s Lodge.

Long Creek Village, as it is now called, was during
Colonial days a very prosperous little village by the name of
Lillington, and many of the old settlers made their homes
 

 

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98 History of Pender County, North Carolina

throughout this section and were large planters. Until last
year it has been the home of one of its older families,
Reverend Henry Bell, who was Chaplain in the United
States Army since the administration of President Grover
Cleveland, until 1942, when he passed away iat the age of 93.
The old home has recently been renovated and opened by
his daughter, Mrs. Marcia Miller of Washington, D. C.

The Big Savanna

The Big Savanna is known to many botanists, scientists
and biologists.

Here we find many wild flowers of different kinds \and it
is a veritable flower garden from early spring until late fall.

Here we find the Venus Fly Trap, which Darwin called

the most wonderful plant in the world. In this plant the
principle of the common steel trap is seen to thave long

 

Venus Fry Trap

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 99

antedated that of the mechanical invention. Indeed, the fly-
trap long antedated man himself.

After a Venus Fly Trap catches, kills, and digests a fly, it
rests for several days. During this time a fly may alight on
its leaf with safety.

Dr. B. W. Wells of State College says that the Savanna
Garden, when at its height, in its display of wild flowers, is
positively one of the finest in America, and that he knows
of nothing to match it.

He says it is certainly worth going to see between the first’

and fifteenth of July.

The area near the Railroad is a massed display of floral
loveliness, as those plants have not spread entirely over the
whole garden.

In his treatise on the Natural Gardens of North Carolina,
Dr. Wells says that the flowers of our Big Savanna and the
eastern flat lands, that nature attains, in our State, her fullest
and most varied expressions of loveliness in the form of
wild flowers, and that only the spring display of the Moun-
tain Meadows can rival the unusual wild flower show of our
lower coastal plain grass sedge bogs. One is the famous area
known as the Big Savannah which is located north of Bur-
gaw, about two miles, and covers around fifteen hundred
acres. Fortunately, our Savannah gardens of wild flowers
are not confined to the spring
season, ‘but during summer and
the late fall the continuation of
these flowers make glorious this
section of our County.

The different varieties of wild
flowers are too numerous to men-
tion and the botanical names are
very difficult, though we give you
a few of them as they come
through the different months
throughout the year.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

100 History of Pender County, North Carolina

The tharbinger of spring is called the night nodding bog
dandelion, which sleeps until 8 A. M., but is fully awake by
ro o'clock. We then find bright patches of early blue violets
here and there and a little later the yellow trumpet looms up
with its long petals, and then the golden goblets are scattered
all over the expanse of green. The blue butterworts appear
around the first of April and the bladderworts, with their
tiny yellow flowers on slender stems, make their appearance.
Along the first of May the orchids appear in very large
numbers and around the middle and late May is the Iris
Show, with but one specie, but it is so numerous that the

_ Savannah is blue with its flowers, making a very beautiful

display.

Also the delicate flowers of the venus fly-trap are locally
abundant and troops of the early plant flowers begin to
crowd in, soon to be followed by many grasses.

With June some of the pipe-worts, both small and large
ones, which resemble magnified hat pins stuck in a pin
cushion. The most modest bunch of flowers (the triantha
racemosa) may now be seen everywhere and more modest
still is the sky-blue little lobelia trying to keep above the
grass. But the great event which June brings in her train is
the coming in of the medow beauties, two or three species of
rose-colored flowers and one of the finest products of this
Natural :Garden is the exquisite eight- or ten-petaled sabatia
with its delicate rose-tinted petals.

Standing in places so thick they touch each other like
people in a crowd, are these wild Savannah orchids, a mass
of the purest white-spurred flowers and they apparently
come on the scene about the same time.

In August the tallest species with showy flowers come in,
with their lax clusters of prominent star-like blossoms.

The slender-stemmed gerardias may now be seen, as
August closes, beginning to splash purple masses over the
‘area, making a floral chain binding August to September.

With September the turn of the season begins and tells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities IOL

the story of the approaching end of this wild flower pro-
cession.

October comes in bringing on the final gay plants, the
golden color of the last scene, the rayless flat-topped golden
rod is seen, which is a close relative of the golden rod
proper, which has its flowers in a more or less vertical mass,
rather than arranged in flat top clusters, like those of Queen
Anne’s lace.

Other yellow elements enhance the effect in putting on the
final gorgeous scene. Here we find the coreopsis, unusual
species of sun-flowers and the Savannah golden rod which
all come in to make the grand finale, the thrilling golden
spectacle.

Fields of acres and acres of poppies west of Rocky Point
make an attractive show as does the yellow jasmine in early
spring, as well as the dogwood trees that enhance the beauty
of our forests.

Coastal Plain Station

The Coustal Plain Station of Pender County is under the
local Supervision of Dr. Charles Deering and a corps of
efficient assistants.

The Station is owned by the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture and is a part of a system of branch stations
for the purpose of better serving the different soil regions
and agricultural districts of the State. This Station repre-
sents the soil type of the southeastern part of the State,
where the soils are principally of the fine Norfolk sandy
loam type.

The elevation of the Coastal Plain Station is 51 feet
above sea level. The Station was established in 1905 and at
the present time has an area of 293 acres. The Station
serves a district represented by some ten counties in the
southeastern part of North Carolina. In this region, while
cotton, corn and tobacco are the principal crops, there is
 

 

 

 

 

 

102 History of Pender County, North Carolina

also extensive agricultural business based upon the growth
of truck crops and small fruits.

In recent years live stock developments, especially the

dairy ‘and swine industries, have made rapid strides. The

work of the Station is of a varied nature and is for the
purpose of serving the agricultural needs of the district.

There are special meetings at the Station at various times,
as they seem to be called for, in the interest of special agri-
cultural industries. For example, there are poultry days,
strawberry days, and dairy days, in which these subjects are
dealt with scientifically. An annual Field Day is held in
September, the purpose of which is to bring people of the
different sections together and permit them to gain agricul-
tural information, inspiration, and la knowledge of the
Station in order that they may make use of it at other times.
While the Station is interested in disseminating information
and in serving agriculture and the people of the section in
every possible way, its prime interest is in the develop-
ment of new agricultural information through research. In
this work it has the codperation of the State Agricultural
Experiment Station at State College and the U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.

As an indication of the value of the Station to this sec-
tion, is its work in producing and introducing the Black-

 

CoasTaL PLAIN STATION

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 103

more strawberry which thas sold at a premium for several
years. The strawberry industry in North Carolina is a two-
million-dollar industry and is centered in this district, and
the value of this industry has done more to enrich the section
than the entire cost of the Station to the State up to this
time. It is said that the Station is not self-sustaining entire-
ly, because it does research work. Its profits are not in
dollars and cents, but beneficial information.

The Coastal Plain Station is located about one mile north
of the town of Willard and is accessible by hard surface
roads and by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad that runs
through its lands.

Invershiel

This farm, made up of part of three colonial farms which
were worn out under the tenant system prevailing since the
Civil War, has been redeemed and is now one of the most
productive in the County or in Eastern Carolina.

Hugh MacRae, the owner of Invershiel, has been inter-
ested over a period of years in the development of certain
branches of animal husbandry in this section of North
Carolina.

By bringing together bits of usable and valuable infor-
miation from a number of States and from different coun-
tries, a system of continuous grazing of animal crops has
been accomplished most satisfactorily.

This is Mr. MacRae’s slogan: “The South will come into
its own when the fields are green in winter.”

Surely, Pender ‘County has profited by his help and timely
ideas and when the people of our County realize the im-
portance of year-round pastures, Pender will become more
enriched by this method.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

104 History of Pender County, North Carolina Villages and Communities 105

The Blueberry Farm of Harold Huntingdon

 

In wending one’s way through the winding road to the
western part of the County of Pender and before reaching
Beatty’s Bridge on the western branch of the Cape Fear
River, namely, Black River, we pass through the blueberry
farm of Hiarold Huntingdon of New Jersey.

Mr. Huntingdon has 1,330 acres of land in this plot and
100 acres set in blueberries. Just before reaching the farm
proper one comes to a small pine forest and to the right, off
the highway, among the whispering pines, about 200 feet,
we find nestling there an attractive little bungalow of five
rooms, conyeniently arranged and comfortably fitted. Here

: Mr. Huntingdon and his family spend several months of
the year looking after his possessions, though he has a
capable manager there throughout the year.

During the spring of 1938 he shipped 12,000 sixteen-pint
crates of exceedingly fine blueberries encased in cellophane
to the Northern markets.

On this farm he has 100 acres bearing with five varieties
which ripen one week apart. They are the Cabot, Pioneer,
Rancocas, Concord and Rubel. Mr. Huntingdon has planted
an additional 50 acres of practically the same varieties which
will come into bearing within four or five years. These
plants are hardy and, if properly pruned, will produce for
years and years.

He employs on this farm anywhere from 30 to 600
helpers during the season and his payroll, at the end of the

1938 season, aggregated around $15,000, the potential
earnings may be safely stated to be around $40,000 from
this one farm alone.

This farm is well laid out, though the County Highway
runs directly through it. There are convenient placking
houses and the entire farm has an up-to-date irrigating
system, which in this climate is rather unusual, though highly
convenient when the average rainfall is not sufficient.

 

 

 

GRAZING ON OaTs AND Bur CLOVER IN DECEMBER AT INVERSHIEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106 History of Pender County, North Carolina

This farm is said to be the largest privately owned
blueberry farm in the United States. Twenty years ago this
land was in long leaf pine, which was cut out ‘by the owner,
made into lumber and shipped to different markets. It was
known as cut-over land, sandy land that produces in its
second growth old field pines, scrub oaks and gall berries;
sour land, that is apparently only good to hold the world
together. A thinking mind conceived the idea of a berry
farm. The idea became a reality. But it took brain, brawn
and capital to develop this sour land into a little gold mine.

Now we have scattered about over our Country hundreds
of acres that have been planted to the blueberry.
(PB. S. Written from an interview with Mr. Huntingdon. )

The Blueberry Industry

The blueberry industry of Pender County has developed
into one of the largest of the berry businesses, surpassing

 

SCENE IN PACKING SHED J. A. MurpHy’s BLUEBERRY FARM

 

Villages and Communities 107

that of the strawberry or dewberry business in acreage and
in monetary values.

In this Pender Cooperative Association, there are at least
one thousand acres planted to blueberries and producing on
an average of 800 crates per acre. J. A. Murphy of Atkin-
son has an avreage of 40 !acres which produced this year—
1944—eighty-six hundred and thirty crates from a variety
of cabot, rancocas, jersey, june, stanley, scammell and wey-
mouth berries.

Likewise George Spade, Otto Wells, Key & Cutts, Isaac
Wright, Caveleer and McDonald acreages run from fifteen
to thirty-Ave; Gale Harrison has ‘fifty acres and D. F. Weir
of Hampstead also has fifty acres.

Penderlea Homestead

In February, 1934, the United States Department of the |

Interior purchased for the Subsistence Homestead Corpo-
ration a tract of 4,500 acres of land in the northwest corner
of Pender County, North Carolina, proposing to build 300
homesteads of from three to ten acres each. This type of
land was known as ‘‘cut-over woodland,” ‘but of a fertile
soil type. Development began immediately. Roads were
built, land cleared and a construction camp erected. Work
went forward rapidly. In 1935 the project was taken over
by the Resettlement Administration. Ten dwellings and tac-
companying outbuildings having been erected, settlers were
selected for those ten homes, the first of them chosen moved
into their homes on April Ist, 1934.

After the acquisition of Penderlea by the Resettlement
Administration it was decided to develop 142 units of
approximately 20 acres each. In June 1936 construction of
these units was completed and homesteaders were moved
in rapidly. In March, 1936 options were secured on 6,000
acres adjoining Penderlea and designated as the Penderlea
Extension. Fifty additional units have been constructed on
 

 

 

 

 

108 History of Pender County, North Carolina

this new area which will accommodate 158 additional home-
steads of 30 acres each making a total of 300 units. A
farmstead consists of la modern home, (from four to six
rooms, depending upon the size of the family), individual
water supply operated by an electric pump, storage tanks
for hot and cold water, barn, poultry house, A-type hog
house, barn, and a combination wash and smokehouse.

When we think of the vast amount of work that it has
taken to carve out fand build 194 homes and farms from the
wilds of Pender County’s growth of gall berries, broom
sage, and pine forests, it is really astounding to note the
progress that has been made within the last four or years
years on the Penderlea Farms Project by the Farm Security
Administration, iand which has been under the supervision
of W..H. Robbins of Burgaw for the past three years. This
project is located about eight miles northwest of Burgaw.
Today many beautiful homes with all modern conveniences,
attractive outhouses and with carefully cultivated fields, are
really inadequate to reveal the vast amount of work that it
has taken to develop this area. It has proven a gigantic
task, but one not too gigantic for the man who was the
instigator or promoter of the project—Hugh MacRae of
Wilmington.

The Administration bought 10,000 acres of Pender Coun-
ty land and up to 1934 only ten of the 10,000 acres had
been under cultivation. Ten families moved on the land and
lived in movable tool houses, later in barns until their homes
could be completed. Seven of the ten families still live on
the Homestead and are making good. The average farm
has been taround 28 acres which has been increased to 30
acres. Today there are 143 families and 52 more houses
have been built, ‘but until the land is properly prepared the
Administration is not allowing any farmer to moye in. It is
claimed that living conditions on this project are far above
any other farm community in this section. The most of these
farms are grouped around a community center, while Pender-.

 

 

 

 

 

Villages and Communities 109

lea has the distinction of having one of the finest rural
school plants in America. It is flanked on the west by the
gymnasium, the economic tand social building, the store and
potato house. On the east is the auditorium, the teacherage,
the administration building, the educational shops and the
7 ble packing shed.

vets se aioe the best teachers available and they
have one of the best school libraries in the country.

Currie

The community of Currie is a most progressive settlement

of farmers and business men.
This community has a very commodious Club House,

Presbyterian Church, and altogether the people of this
community are a very public-spirited codperative people.

Point Caswell

Point Caswell situated on Black River was the adopted
home of Captain R. P. Paddison and family, locating there
in 1865 at the close of the War Between the States.

At that time it was a small trading point, practically the
head of navigation on Black River. At one time it was the
most picturesque little village in Pender County on account
of its beautiful growth of trees.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cruss, Civic & FRATERNAL
ORGANIZATIONS

Woman’s Club

Burgaw Woman’s Club was organized on
Monday, November 18, 1938, and federated
shortly after the perfection of the organization.

The two divisions of the club y i
PETE cs e club work comprise

 
 
 
 

: 1.—The American Home Department, which embraces

civics, child welfare and welfare generally, and communit

gardening. ‘
2.—The Fine Arts, including Music and Literature.

The membership consists of the following:

Mrs. N. C. Wolfe .

Mrs. Clifton Moore . .
Miss Mattie Bloodworth
Mrs. David Matthews .

. President
Vice-President
. Secretary
. Treasurer

Mrs. sRoysRoweGr wet aratiin se tub onto Publicity Chairman
Mrs. R. Bell, Jr. Mrs. Jeanette Faison
Mrs. T. J. Betts Mrs. G. Frasier
soe John Als Best Mrs. Myrtle Johnson
Mrs. Biberstein Mrs. Giles Kornegay, Jr.
Mrs. Porter Bordeaux Miss Mildred Mallard
Mrs. Vann Bowen Mrs. D. O. Matthews
Mrs. Weyland Bland Mrs. L. Q. Myers
Mrs. A. H. Davis Mrs. W. C. Myers
Mrs, C. W. Duling Mrs. Joe Moore

Mrs. Edward Farrior Mrs. Walter Marshburn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clubs, Civic and Fraternal Organizations III
Mrs. C. E. McCullen Mrs. Katie Herring
Mrs. Red Pearsall Mrs. L. W. Horne
Miss Maud Paddison Mrs. W. H. Robbins
Mrs. T. D. O’Quinn Mrs. Q. G. Southerland
Miss Dorothy Howard Mrs. W. M. Sparkman
Mrs. J. S. Humphrey Mrs. J. T. Wells
Mrs. M. J. Humphrey Mrs. Alvin Williams

Legion Post

The Pender County Legion Post was organized in Burgaw
on March 21, 1930, with probably most of the former
soldiers of this County who served in the World War I.

The Organization was affected with the following officers:

NaI AWiellsAcaaster sarees tee itso nabs ies scorn Commander
B. F. Murray, Raymond Southerland,

C.D. Moore and Dr. ColinShaw . ... - Vice-Commanders
WWUEIe Robbins are ee ey ayutant
IN Glenigen so  Sess los og es ses 6 Joie Ais Service Officer
GORE Dillard’ cea shee ae sae vn nls il e raw Historian
1D, Co labetnsmit G9 59S oe So 0 Ge 8G Chaplain
Ae Res Waillliiarnsy ssa ee cca -tko ae iar a Sergeant-at-Arms

The American Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 165 was organ-
ized and the first meeting held March 6th, 1931, lat the

home of Mrs. W. H. Robbins.
Mrs. H. V. Norris, District Committee Woman, and

other members of the Wilmington Unit, were present and
assisted in forming this Unit.
Mr. J. T. Wells, Commander of the Pender Legion,
urged the formation of an Auxiliary.
Those present and who became charter members were:
Mrs. W. H. Robbins Miss Mary Clayton Barden
Mrs. Mabel L. Murphy Mrs. Sallie C. Bowen

Mrs. Janie Brown
   

 

Clubs, Civic and Fraternal Organizations 113

112 History of Pender County, North Carolina
| Members
|
j

The early records of King Solomon’s Lodge show that
Mrs. George Futch Vins Ade Path She the charter referred to was granted to John D. Powers,
Mrs. Estelle S. Johnston Migs laekeeral (Guaaeen Worshipful Master, C. S$. Murphy, Senior Warden, John

Hi Mrs. Florence Myers Miro eleelan | aartion Jones, Junior Warden, and other worthy brethren.
| Mrs. Addie Bramble Moore Mrs. Frances B. Ingram The officers to whom the charter was granted were re-
i Mrs. Rachel J. Nicholson Mrs. W. P. Bordeaux elected, with the exception of C. S. Murphy, who was
ih} Mrs. ‘Callie L. Southerland Mrs. Angus McLendon replaced as Senior Warden by C. T. Murphy. James P.
Mrs. Lizzie B. Wells Mrs. Mattie A. Bradshaw Moore was elected Secretary, M. T. Croom, Treasurer,
i | ae Fred Dees Mrs. Victor Bordeaux John D. Moore, Senior Deacon, M. C. Collins, Junior

Mi] . Mrs, Jeanette M. Faison Mrs. Nettie B. Herring Deacon, and Lott Croom, Tiler.

HHI : : an :
| Mrs. E. C. Highsmith In addition to these there were nineteen other members—

names of familiar ancestry—among whom were Wm. S.

The following officers were elected:
Larkins, W. H. Moore, Wm. C. Mott, John H. Murphy,

Mars 3WieHopRobbinsi sit tants ee end eRe President ee ae ;
Hi Miss Mary C. Barden (now Mrs. J. T. Wells) . . . Secretary George alderman games Bcunpson jon BElawcs) ona

Il Mrs. Mabel L. Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Collins and others: ;
Hil ‘Charter Members of King Solomon’s Lodge, organized

 

 

 

 

 

| King Solomon’s Lodge a now (Long Creek Village), June 12, A. D.
I : fs £6
Il (Organized at Lillington 1851. Name changed to Officers e
iil] Long Creek.) Johnie sPowersteers suey ten ets en weal orsheptaulelasterse
Bees Bee | Cea Miurphyatameen aie) esi eeurene eae pele Senora arder
| The organization of King Solomon’s Lodge was perfected | Snot Jones 42 088 he ee. ous ee Junior Warden
{| on December 4th, 1851, at Lillington. aif a|'asse bow Vl oorem vars seen Wk co nbnexarenpte ees IS CCLELGTY,
{i Twenty-four years prior to the formation of Pender Mil Croomea sire ution setae erga eee Dm eas ur er.
County a small group of men living in remote sections of John D. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Deacon
|| what is now known as Pender County conceived the idea of | ML Co Collins core eh Gia. iveins fe trawl dee Si gales! er
| establishing a Masonic Lodge. This idea met with favor in Charter Members
| the minds and hearts of those with whom it was discussed
and they bound themselves into a bond that was to form the m en ned ay a Heel
organization, which has endured throughout the years that Susana LES eee
h FIRE 2 S. B. Pigford Wm. G. Barton
ave passed and will endure through those that are to come.
a R, L. Bordeaux Wm. H. Moore
A formal application was made to the then Most Wor- i
: A. M. Lamb Wm. S. Larkins
shipful Grand Master of the Lodge of North Carolina, Wm. Robitzsch John M, Lee
Alonza T. Jerkins, who granted a Charter to King Solo- W. E. Bunting W. S. Pridgen
mon’s Lodge No. 138, of Lillington, N. C., which name has Jas. F. Simpson John Collins
been changed to Long Creek Village. Geo. Alderman John R. Hawes

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

114 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Nov. 13, 1852

Members
Jas. E. Ward Daniel W. Mott
Thomas I. Pridgen F. H. Bell
Joel L. Moore C. W. Murphy

It is said that due to the untiring efforts of one of its
faithful members, Mr. Pettigrew Moore, grandfather of
Clifton L. Moore, kept alive this organization after the
Civil War by his regular attendance, even though he lived

several miles away, walking to and from his home to keep
up the Lodge.

Roster of Masonic District No. ro
Burgaw, N. C., December, 1938

Dr Wie leVoun puns caring sume vet et nse . . Master
Sib sIngram eyepanree eae ane et eica eh oe, Osco Warden
a) Seal Sp Wielisycag sence anne titcuar he eed eR U enue Say cog E ae
J. T. Harrell peed F . Treasurer
T. T. Murphy . Secretary
C. L. Moore Senior Deacon
Wee Pearsall peraseg wag mn arta rt ee pace RON Tensor) ering
Ree hep Clr phice yar manen eens ann annem tue cn ner aan Cor 7
Mpa AWA UaHEN 60 gles yg veh Ga eh 6 Mh age Saal
ya Ley Hy arrelliivsia panes recat sneer lne Viale Aaa Np ereay Daa

Names of Past Masters according to Service

T. T. Rivenbark O. G. Ferrell
M. M. Moore L, R. George
C. C. Bryan J. J. Best
J. T. Brown J. S. James
T. J. Betts Clifton Moore
Q. G. Southerland I. J. Strawbridge, Master 1944
Rev. P. L. Clark, S. H. Ingram
Chaplain for 20 years W.S. Croom
S. V. Bowen R. R. Rich
R. H. Davis G. W. Harriett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clubs, Civic and Fraternal Organizations 115

O fficials—Dec. 31, 1945

lly ip SACHS (5° oho Boe ob eee . Master
NTepthati\Gasey/e etm t uch iam neon ei Soe Warden
larry, Walliams) emeene tee is tc anes eaten Junior Warden
We Ab sla ye ee bs Go 9 9) 0.) hia
AWAD, WRN; G coo 4 poo Ae eo 6 eo) 9 Samat A)
CiseNcoreles a ine ee ee emer Senior» eacon
jj R Toe wise eee ee oer ee etd oe cai neh spt m ELTON COCOT
CoP Mallardst|tie tte ee et one ee cttom Steward,
VARS Batsonetiirana ter weenie awncs oration wheter cuneate te Steward
WE ©, Dhimieein 66 Gb 6 oo Ho oe 8 6 5 6 Mee

Members of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 138, Burgaw, N.C.
Jack Amster, Balcombe, S.C. Maj. W. N. Cowen, U. S. A.

E. T. Batson, Sr. W. S. Croom

R. R. Batson A. H. Davis
Vernon Batson C. B. Davis
Roland Batson C. W. Duling

J. J. Best W. C. Dunigan
T. J. Betts Dr. J. D. Durham
D. E. Bowen O. G. Ferrell

S. V. Bowen L. R. George, Sr.
S. L. Bowen Willie S. George
W. J. Barnhill Willie George, Jr., U. S. A.
J. W. Blanton, ‘Sr. Jeobeelarrelll

J. W. Blake G. W. Harriett

A. T. Brown Willard Haynes

J. T. Brown E. C. Highsmith
P. L. Brown J. S. Humphrey
W. A. Brown R. F. Humphrey
W. G. Bordeaux S. H. Ingram

W. S: Carrell, U. S. Army Gibson James

J. R. Casey, Sr. J. S. James

J. R. Casey, Jr. R. G. Johnson

S. W. ‘Casey, U. S. Army Farmer Jones {
Jephthah Casey DeCater Jones, Jr.
J. H. Carlton Elgin F. Langston
Wey, 18};

Costin Samuel Lefkowitz
 

 

 

 

 

116 History of Pender County, North Carolina
J. R. Lewis R. R. Rich
A. B. Lockey Baxter Rivenbark

W. G. Lockhart
George F. Lucas
W. J. Marshburn

F. M. Rivenbark
Roy H. Rowe
W. H. Robbins

J. R. Marshburn Q. G. Southerland
C. F. Mallard, Jr. R. W. Southerland
C. F. ‘Mallard, Sr. S. S. Shubrick

G, W. Malpass I. J. Strawbridge
J. J. Malpass Dr. W. I. Taylor
E. F. Miller J. A. Taylor

C. L. Moore J: A. Tucker

W. L. Moore B. L. Wagomon
J. I. Moore Rey. \L. A. Watts
R. T. Murray C. C. Webb, Jr.
T. T. Murphy E. M. Westbrook
W. C. Myers Harry W. Williams
M. W. Nelson, Jr. J. H. Williams

R. E. Noble Boney E. Wilson
E. G. Paddison J. T. Wells

E. ‘ Pearsall S. E. Wroton

A. N. Rhodes W. H. Young

 

 

 

Clubs, Civic and Fraternal Organizations iy)

Miss Mary Bryan. .
Mrs. Sallie Marshburn
Mrs. Annie Williams
Miss Maude Paddison
Mrs. Annie James
Mrs. Grace Ferrell
Mrs. Daisy Harrell
Mrs. Effie Brown .
Mrs, Frances Ingram
Mrs. Lucile George .
Mrs. Phoebe Carr .

. Associate
. Chaplain
. Marshall
Organist
Adah
Ruth

. Esther
Martha

. Electa
Warder
Sentinel

Charter Members

Mr, J. T. Brown

Mrs. Annie Hatch Williams
Mrs. Grace Ferrell

 

Mrs. J. T. Brown

Miss Mary Bryan Mrs, Ivey K. Corbett

Miss Emma Bryan Mrs. Ellis Dees

Mrs. Phoebe Carr Mrs. Mary Barden Wells
Mrs. Thaddie Thelma Bordeaux Mrs. Agnes IT. Humphrey |
Mrs. Frances B. Ingram Mrs. Lucile George

Mrs. Mabel Logue Murphy Mrs. Annie P. Southerland
Mrs. Kathryn P. Rich Miss Maude Paddison

Eastern Star

The Burgaw Chapter No. 217, Order of the Eastern
Star, was instituted on March 22, 1938, by Brother Ralph
J. Sykes, Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of
North Carolina.

On June 14, 1938, the Chapter received its Charter.

The following officers were elected:

Mrs. Eliza Frazier
Mrs. J. T. Brown .
Mrs. Mabel Murphy
Mrs, J. E. Frazier

Worthy Matron
Worthy Matron
Associate Patron
Associate Patron

Missy Hmmay Biryani see ed) eet iene Secretary
MMirsseAnnic, southern) andeae stung ane Gnd ee eede NCTE creer
MirssiHllish Dees Gurinmasnnean rue cee S \Glonductress

 

 

Mrs. Mary Margolis
Mrs. Eliza Frazier

Mrs. Sallie Marshburn
Mrs. Annie C. James

Mrs. Daisy Sumner Harrell Mrs. J. E. Frazier
Mrs. Lillian Eakins Harrell

Thirty-four members compose this organization.

The Burgaw Lions Club

The Burgaw Lions Club was organized and the charter
granted January 1945. First organized April 27, 1937.

This club is interested in the civic, social and welfare
work of the town and the community.

TR, IR, Sat
J. R. Lewis .
Louis Shields

Roster of Club Membership

. President
Eahers ae President
Lean Vice-President
 

 

 

 

 

118 History of Pender County, North Carolina

John VY. Williamson .
' C. Forest Mallard

James H. Parker .

John E. Russ

C. S. Harrell

A. A. App

R. V. Bibberstein
Wyatt E. Blake
Leon H. Corbett
Charles L. Greer
C. S. Harrell

E. C. Highsmith
Howard James
J. R. Lewis

C. Forrest Mallard
D. O. Matthews
James H. Parker
William A. Poole
C. T. Pullen

R. R. Rich

. Third Vice-President
Tail Twister
. Lion Tamer
. Secretary

. Treasurer

R. P. Rumple
James A. Stevens
Louis Shields

Dr. W. I. Taylor, Sr.

John V. Williamson
C. F. Davis

O. G. Ferrell

T. C. Deal

K. C. Futch
Edward Brooks

R. M. Durham
John E. Russ

Booce Brown :

L. L. Stevens

‘Crawford Webb, Jr.

 

 
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

BUR TRLSK
AEs M&
wes

War BETWEEN THE STATES
RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD

WHE Great Civil War with its tremendous outlay
of life and treasures and the final defeat and fall
of the Confederacy inflicted a terrible blow upon
the people of this section from which they have
never recovered. Many were killed in battle, many wounded
and maimed, property destroyed, the slaves freed and the
plantation system in its magnificence, entirely overthrown
throughout the. South.

There were so many of our good citizens who gave their —
lives for this cause and who took active part in this war that
it is impossible to give credit to each of them in this narra-
tive, as we do not have a correct roster, but we honor their
memory and their courageous spirit and their deeds of valor
and bravery.

Captain Robert M. McIntyre of Rocky Point, Pender
County, formed a Company in the spring of 1862, after-
ward known as ‘Company C, Fourth Regiment (Cavalry).
Captain McIntyre furnished sabers, saddles, and twelve
horses. He was elected First Lieutenant, while his uncle,
Dr. Andrew Mcintyre, became Captain. In September,
1863, Lieutenant McIntyre was promoted to be Captain of
his Company. The service of Company C was first near
Suffolk, Virginia, then in eastern North Carolina. It was
part of this force that, in December 1862, repelled Foster's
army, which threatened to capture Goldsboro, fand pursued
it until the Federal column found shelter in New Bern.

  
 

|
i
|
1}
|

 

 

 

 

120 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Company C shared all the vicissitudes and endured all the
hardships of the Gettysburg campaign. Its history is a part
of the history of this regiment. The hard contest at Gettys-
burg was the end of Captain McIntyre’s career. Like many
others, he fell into the hands of the enemy at South Moun-
tain, Pennsylvania, along with hundreds of brave soldiers of
Pender and the Cape Fear.

He suffered the terrible hardship of a long captivity on
Johnson’s Island.

Also Samuel P. Hand, one of Pender’s brave soldiers, was
captured on the battlefield and taken to Johnson’s Island,
remaining there more than six months. Lieutenant Hand
was wounded in the shoulder, losing part of the right
shoulderblade bone. He was kept lying on a water-bed
hovering between life and death for six months. After re-
cuperating sufficiently to get back home, he re-enlisted and
remained in the army until the close of the war. The old
Episcopal prayer-book given him by his nurse at Johnson’s

“Island remains in the family.

There were many of Pender County soldiers killed and
wounded around Richmond, Gettysburg and ‘Chancelorsville.

Another one of Pender’s sons, Miajor Charles W. Mc-
Clammy, joined the cavalry commanded by Captain Newkirk
at the beginning of hostilities in 1861, and was elected
Lieutenant of this organization. The Company did good
service in eastern North Carolina, among its achievements
being the capture of a gun-boat of the enemy which had
grounded in New River, Onslow County. Upon the resigna-
tion of Captain Newkirk, Lieutenant McClammy was pro-
moted to the captaincy. His subsequent gallant career is
well described in the following extract from an address de-
livered by Col. Moore: “From the time he gave his services
to his State and country, he was all enthusiasm and dash, and
never lost an opportunity to do his best.”

In nearly every fight of his regiment he was always

present and in a glorious service.

 

 

 

 

War Between the -States—Reconstruction 121

During 1870 Major Charles McClammy and Captain
Samuel Ashe were elected to the General Assembly and
became leaders in the important work of that body, im-
peaching and deposing the Governor, pacifying the State
and measurably unifying the discordant elements of the
white people of the State. Later Major McClammy repre-
sented the Cape Fear District in the Congress of the United

States.

William Dougald McMillan, M. D., enlisted in 1861, at
the age of 16 years, in the Topsail Rifles. In 1864 he be-
came a member of Rankin’s Heavy Artillery and after a
few months provided a substitute and volunteered as ia
private in the 51st Regiment of Infantry and served there
as Sergeant-Major during 1864 and 1865, while able for
duty as acting Adjutant. Rak

He did gallant service in North Carolina ‘and Virginia.
He was seriously wounded at Fort Harrison and last in
battle in defense of Fort Fisher in 1865.

After retiring from active practice as a physician, he
retired to his old home on Topsail Sound, Sloop Point
Plantation, and remained there until his death.

Mempers or Company K, 3xp Norra CAROLINA
INFANTRY

This organization was perfected at the Northeast Acade-
my in the Six Forks community. This Company left Burgaw
for the front on June 10, 1861.

. Captain
First Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant

David Williams .
Thomas E. Armstrong .
A. W. Bannerman
John P. Hand

The men who volunteered were from the County adjacent
to the Northeast River, from the neighborhood of Rocky
Point, Rockfish Creek on one side of the river, and opposite
 

 

 

 

 

122 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Rocky Point on the other side of the river to the upper part
of Holly Township.

This Company, consisting of 140 men, including officers,
left home on the roth day of June, 1861. The Company met
the enemy in front of Richmond, Virginia, on the 15th day
of June, 62, when in a skirmish, Asa G. Murray, a member
of the Company killed a member of a New York regiment.
This was the first blood shed by a member of this regiment.
The ‘Company took part in three engagements (Mechanics-
ville, Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill) during the Seven
Days’ Fight in front of Richmond in *62, in which it lost
seven men killed, two died from wounds received, and four
were permanently disabled. In September the ‘Company took
part in fights at South Mountain and Sharpsburg, Md. In
this latter engagement Capt. Williams and seven men were
killed. At Chancellorsville, Va., May 2nd and 3rd, 1863,
Captain Thomas E. Armstrong and six men were killed and
two died from wounds. In the battle of Winchester, Va.,
June, 1863, the Company lost three men killed and one
permanently disabled. Near Silver Run they took part in
battle on November 27th, 1863, with one man killed and
one taken prisoner. This ‘Company was under fire at the
battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th and r4th,
1863.

The Company took part in battles on the 5th, 12th and
19th days of May, ’64. If the battle of the 19th instant at
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., the entire Company was
engaged, with the exception of two men who were captured
and were held as prisoners at the North until the close of
the war. The Company was quite small after that battle,
but some continued to rejoin, coming in from home and from
hospitals, having been absent from sickness or wounds.

What few were left remained with the army as General Lee -

fell back on Richmond, and were in the engagement iat the
Second Battle of Cold Harbor. After this the Company

 

 

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 123

went with General Early across the mountains gee ah
famous march to the front of Washington City, ta me Bae
in the fight at Monocacy Creek, Md. On ee oe
ginia, the Company soon met the enemy in the Ane
Valley, where one out of its small number ee
wounded, September 19, °64, in a battle near \ One ee
Va. Three days later it was in battle again at as ee ; ;
near Strasburg, Va.; and again near Strasburg, a er a
64. The Company remained in the Shenandoah oe
the 16th of December 64. During this campaign t e a

pany was at different times eed eee oat

ic d dismount and fight the | ;

ee 64 in the Shenandoah Valley, One not ee
most serious, was the most active campaign this Company

passed through. ;

From the Valley the Company went to Petersburg, oe
it took part in an attack on one of the enemy's forts vee
was taken but given up under fire from other forts o

enemy.
ae coe wias on the retreat from tees oe
engaged in skirmishes more than once, and in the ae
the 6th of April, 64, when part of the men ey. a
prisoners and Lieutenant Colonel Parsley was killed.

Names or Members oF Co. K. 3RD INFANTRY
Organized at Six Forks, Pender ‘County

David Williams, Captain.......... Killed at Sharpsburg, Sieh, ae 17, i

i i t...Killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 63
Thomas E. Armstrong, rst Lieutenant... ¢ : :
A. W. Bannerman, 2nd Lieutenant.........-++++++++++ Died at close of wa
John P. Hand, 2nd Lieutenant

Anderson, W. M...........----+> Killed at Sharpsburg, Md., 9-17, ’63

B IDE Nionco pbdobabodsoudgeecocbo909 ‘Died tat home, Feb. ’62
annerman, D, W... «+--+ ++ +++

Beavers, Thomas...........++++++++ Killed iat \Chancellorsville, 5-3, 63
eavers, Thomas............-+

I
2

PA oe OU aALS (e Cettle Ni Caie ee tte ON Died in hospital
4 Boseman, James..........-+++eseeereees

5

6

inchen
Beene Lost arm iat Sharpsburg, Md.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124 History of Pender County, North Carolina

7 Brown, W. J.
Sai BowdentsRmlan aut annc amaemey Min iene ris foie yet Wounded 5-2, ’62
9 Bowden, M. C.

1o Bowden, Hinton Killed at Sharpsburg, Md. 9-17, ’62

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Tis BUND MD Orse ye emrive reeset a aan Died, Orange Court House, Va., ’63
Tae; Bunny Dial acne erties tena eN aie Me ait tiers oa eae aaa BSE Died
13 Bordeaux, R. H.

ITA gD lakcesn] Benes give ay anna agaralvatcetsrentas Veiethy Rig hen ist Lost finger in battle
TiSuueblakewsStep hens men annem eae Wounded at Malvern Hill and died
Tope Black sa) Ohn ys cere Died in ’63. Drummer for Co. K. 2 years
17 Bloodworth, Wm. A. - Killed at Chancellorsville 5-3, 63
18:/ Bloodworth) Jackson. .ss vse, Killed at Sharpsburg 9-17, ’62
19 Bullard, John

20 Britt, A. J.

RUA atte ree eyelet eI yc ae area Killed at Winchester
22 Casteen, C.. W. Seriously wounded in battle
23s CasteentwA iy oen erase hurtin ina ed mcmetoane Twice wounded in battle
ese Coles Henry sprinter hee Discharged at. Camp Horne, Va.
25 ea CLOOM SS Wt Ata etter. c NRE Ry eb Tt eRe CHP Died at Wilmington, 6, ’61
26 Croom AA IER ee tay cpr tn leten ne gitiant” pales Mi caught yO ee Died ’62
27 ‘Currie, Benj. P.

28 \Cowan, W. W.

29 (Cowan, T. J.

ZO. Cowal PRay Om snes en, coated me aie atnt aie iueae rene, Seriously wounded
Bila COwanwRobertasaskn vet eee Killed at Sharpsburg, Sept. 17, ’62
325; Cowan Geos Hutter pve ao Killed at Malvern Hill, 1-1, 62
Zan ChadwicktsRobtirqep mcm oars tate a Wounded May 2, 62
34. Deal James

35 ut Debosew Alton yeas cece ce ee genie oe Malvern Hill, wounded
3 OREVANS pe hOMAs Meera sf ate bs eect Killed ‘at Winchester, Va.
37. Ennis, J. A.

38 Berry,

39 Futch, Charley --Killed at Gettysburg, 7, ’63
aos Butchsullanson ite ntentes tear a se sesieione Seti Ms Died at Richmond, ’63
41 Futch, John... Died, Orange Court House, ’63
42, Hutch @aWialeysmincn spear ete: Killed at Mechanicsville, 6-27, ’62

43 Foy, George

pea 44s erred WARN Ore nen cei a pene iano lucie ..Died at Richmond, ’62

 
 

45 Gurganus, J
46 Garris, J. R.

Lop <CENGG) AOS MWoonosodoowoeoadosnee Killed at Chancellorsville, 5-2, 763
48 Giddings, Wm.

49 Giddings, Robt.

Died at Richmond, ’62

 

 

 

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 125

Giddings, Archie

land iS) (Ps. cece cess nein siesta Severely wounded in battle, 62

Hines, Jacob
Highsmith, R. E.
Horrell, A. V.
Horrell, Henry

Harris, Jno. W.........----+seeeees Killed iat Chancellorsville, 5-3, 63
Howard, Geo. W..... 60-0 ese e eee e cence cee e eens esse tees Missing
Herring, ‘H. H.

Hodge

Jones, John. .:......1.- eee eee e ese e eee

Jones, Alex

Jones, Jonas

James, George... 1.0.0... seco eect eect te ees

Johnson, Josiah :

Jacob, Kinion Kecdasssesuonbaudnods Killed at Malvern Hill, 7-1, ’62
‘ Ann

Lane, Thomas ; : :
Lanier, Wm. E............--- Lost an arm at Silver River Valley, Via.
po on eieer

Lanier, Thoas. H. j
Ign Gin, Ifney Jeo 5q5uscecbdcugaGe° Lost an eye by typhoid fever in army
, aT Na

Lanier, J. M.
Wess Gooch cedaotiosbusosoadbdsedes ‘Killed at Malvern Hill, 7-1, '62

Lost finger in battle

 

Moore, Timothy

Meeks, Felix M. ;

Meeks, Brantley. .2-:.'... 2... 3. ‘Died iat Richmond coming from prison
: 1. ’

(Matthews, Nicodemus...............--+++-- Died at Richmond, 7, ’62

IMU Ib Ionesaccosusucduacdagosode -..Killed at Sharpsburg, 9-17, ’62
y

Lost part of hand in battle

 

(Mills, Jas. L.

Mills, Timothy

Malpass, Jno. W.
WMilimeyA ACE (Cso5 b6bddcbuodbouvdso00 Killed at Sharpsburg, 9-17, ’62
IM Gia is IDLY ca'sGbaceds doodoanoogsbansEeS Killed at Gettysburg, 7, ’63
i WME Dh yssssades

Ormsby, Geo. M.. .Seriously wounded, 5-12, ’63 in battle at Spotsylvania

Ormsby, Thos. P.
Ormsby mRoDtscmeretisets sterile Killed at Mechanicsville, 6-26, ’62

Padgette, Jacob

Padgette, John :
Padgette, Nelson.............-----2eeeese sete eee Died at home in 63
Dadgette, Gna yrs eters croiels skis spocctel ts: Killed iat Chancellorsville, 5-3, 63

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126 History of Pender County, North Carolina

93
94.
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
103
104.
105
106
107
108
109
110
III

112
113
114
115
116

117
118

119
120
121
122
123
124.
125
127
128
129
130
131

132
133

134
135

Pigford, J. L.

Piner, John

Piner, Joseph

Piner Robt ic cles Seriously wounded at Sharpsburg, 9-17, ’62
Piner, David

Player, R. L.

(Playerw vise Bencerrsttr store erticseretaielelcreyexeiietes.« Lost index finger in battle
IBEW IE) ihr Sodobunuonn Udo FAO eno dob HOU SOG HO OOC ONS Gas Transferred
‘Powerssukow Becca oe sieleriiers Twice wounded, once seriously
Price, Tom

Jeti MSCS i ndontc soda obuggaT! Died at Orange Court House, ’63
Rivenbarks=: We Wssr stele sts tee clsis oe Severely wounded at Richmond, ’62
Rivenbark, Robt.................Lost arm Sept. 17, ’62 at Sharpsburg
Richardson, WeoWeis sec cseicin eis ecelies Killed at Malvern Hill, 7-1, ’62

Rowe, Jno. W.
Rory, Burwell J.

 
   
 
  

Ross, Adam
Rochellerslsaace rye cterivecterisies Wounded at Mechanicsville, 6-27, ’62
‘Died in hospithal, Richmond
RochellewRobtierercttti teste evi Killed at Malvern Hill, 7-1, ’62
Rochelle, B. J....... Wounded jand died at Chancellorsville, May 3, 63
Rochelle SH dsp) seers tetris eraetrsete Hononably discharged from service
IRochelle sob phinaimapirstn iment tcterns serch Lost part of hand in battle
Raynor, John... ..Died at Orange Court House, 8, ’63
IROOKS He VAM eter terse ver etsrensictere ctslsiets afer stsipalerctstslstels icicle statat is Died Oct. ’6r
RobbinsyeZachhe nyse tloterasieri sks ‘Killed at Chancellorsville, 5-5, 763
Ramsey, Robt.
Ramsey, Thomas.............. Severely wounded before Richmond, ’62
Suila, Alonza...........%.. poDodsEanoNd Killed at Gettysburg, 7-3, ’63
Sanders, Robt. T....... Severely wounded in arm before Richmond, 1862
‘Shepard, ‘Geo. W.
Stokes, Wiley... >.. ‘Severely wounded in shoulder 1862 before Richmond
Sykesis|nose) seapersshaevtans tte er Vg tantra nets Died at Richmond, Sept. 1862
Walton, John
Walton, Elisha
Watkins se Crooner sere stesrrens ites iii Died on way home from prison
AVE shie Ahsan dsdvanch Guanes cnesb hon bOONHS bohnoud cbadsods Fifer
SWratkinst jive trctoete mia yest ste cfetitesta pete eae ic nstcce Ae Killed in battle
Walltam sy Ata) corer itt Died Oct. 10, ’62, Sheperdstown, W. Va.
\iidilitan oak esc ebaeo GAGs nae anon Ose So nuEsbc dosdonoborctn Missing

 
 

Wooten, “AMOS iri te ie es aetereis clon ierelere seaside eet Died at home, ’62
Wood, Murdoc......... Wounded at Chancellorsville, died May 3, ’63

 

 

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 127

rex AWGIK IEC Ns oacecdooasGuoderonuunose Died at Richmond, Sept. 1862
IZ 7ZAWWiard pe Alexacrysels1ciselvortelventasi cistern e Kiiled at Sharpsburg, 9-17, ’62
138 White, Giddon
139 Squires, Walter
140 James, Spencer.

The original Company K had an average of 76 men, but
with recruits and conscripted men amounted to 140 men.

List or MEN WHO WERE WOUNDED AND DISCHARGED
FOR DISABILITY

  
 
 
 
  
  
  

RichardesD.s Boyd ener sccpeiel sae ores rence eereletarmore estate tence May 2d. 1862
Arn del WCnlasahgoopushads Gaga badonecducdobERsouSdoddeaN Ge Sept. 14, 1861
Richard @Eeo Hipthemith ye vote ces vesopersrtevasspers nestle) teksts ietnietaler Selotaietstetiexe Sept. 1863
Leahy) cyst daruno dus sbup Ghoul BU sdsbouoo nade cu nuda UbOpoddouds 1863
Nelsons iPadgett-eirrarristice tore siete ctrl ok ars March 26, 1863
MT IE INEM 5 ocoaocbadoasacgod nob" add dodo bo OB bONBOSOO AU RDO Sept. 1863

Hanson Powers 4
SWisre) sulbyliaiy ene etavateversrterereye(orseecrsyets ...June 763

 

  

John Pierce. June ’63
Thomas A. Price. . ++.-June 763
Stephen D. Raynor.. .-July 10, 1861
Edward! Z.-Rochelleteracstes srs taky erecta staises ete eaters May 20, 1862
JordanwSellersmatr tac eiion ciociocerne le aeemcae Bee areca ar ps May 20, 1862
IGideonWihite yes. reer a ore ate retare meee eee erate etek ieee May 20, 1862
John aBlack sextet nts sath centeutslemtaraet ne slerateietere interne eterno lopede May 20, 1862
Diep FRoM DISEASE
Acid oe WVilliamscepeeyaccm tsectee seine ea neaetee ivonia eee arora Oct. 9, 1862
Alexs7an dy aVWeqi Bannerman mijn ieee iia Jan. 16, 1862
Martine Barr lorwpseretecer cvs rorerecetrnts stots cietebatare ole asia es oreiin reese intone Dec. 13, 1862
Aachariah Brow Misses eve syeeveiole asec heeled Mere Paha eee ‘May 7, 1863
Eldrid sesCantens aye utijacen srorjan- ee an Aces enn eRe Teens Sept. 20, 1862
AGED 1h Wz b nogcous cosonconadbucpuBdaosboaHOnCosROsO UNOS April 8, 1862
Was AY tC room rvstevste ester oesrsis/srstsi t= -.June 15, 1861
IWispkliaB llers sence) slcbeiots cists ieiste -April 14, 1863
HAH. Futch............ --June 30, 1863
Alfred Gurganus..... ... Nov. 1, 1863
Jamese Gurganus trent et eee ey Ree hss Nov. 6, 1862
J. D. Holmes... . siaberstareieleieisiiei ECHL NT S62
George} dmesvrerrryst seerstercteriretdast ee eb terete erie nets Aug. 25, 1862

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128 History of Pender County, North Carolina

 
  
 
  

John Jones.........-2-- eee e settee eee ees ..July 28, 1862
RubenisMaltsbyeeae scents stile seen aas lols ...Dec. 7, 1862
Nicodemus Matthews............-2++++++---e: .. Aug. 1, 1862
Mian ya Galling Gag sGadeasbobcsosn ab oumoEsapoesousbanR .Sept. 27, 1862
John W. Padgett..........c. ese c cece eee eee tect cence eens Sept. 4, 1862
Jacob B. Padgett............. 200. eee eee e ee cece tenses eens (March 18, 1862
Wiis Ru Rass 5 us 54 cSusndodad db ao eudosossdnapEnSuscooDpScODS Oct. 18, 1861
George D. Scarborough........-.....ee eee etree teeter ees ‘Sept. 10, 1862
Edward Spencer.........- alas Rabu A ae adn MbioGo URT IO URGOMROCe Oct. 8, 1862
John J-Sykes 0-2 tele occ crite scien he siencls sini syn eel Sept. 30, 1862
Alfred Taylor... .02. 000. es cece eee tence cece sects cee sc Sept. 30, 1862
Jacob Wells... 5.0.20. ese ee cee cece eee c ees e essere nes Sept. 15, 1862
PAMOS VV. COLCT eaters ott velersustste cts oletersisiereichaletelofetocer nhc crcecnctensioneioas Oct. 19, 1862

WHERE WOUNDED AND DISCHARGED

Malvern Hill
Malvern Hill
Malvern Hill
Malvern Hill
Malvern Hill

 

  
 
 
   
 

 

 

Gouncile Casteensir cel io eter sroisinis cists cutest sienersin ey cial tatoitele Chancellorsville
John: Bi Blakerr. sires. siajnie soles siste ani ci- joie (May 12, 1864, Chancellorsyille
IE sh Wea gac spade SobaseqocobeadoonsocancocucocUpUbuoOuOuGE. Gettysburg
Robert ‘Chadwick. ...May 3, 1863, Chancelorsville
Anthony DuBose..............eee cece cece eee e eter e tet e tees Malvern Hill
Iby ANS MDWEE, SG5604c ...May 12, 1864, Chancellorsville
Jo AvsBnmis. 00225. ee eee eevee July 18, 1864, Chancellorsville
Lewis T. Evans

George We BOy.. «sets dss cece scene eis sce July 3, 1863, Gettysburg
James B. Garriss. 0). 620.002 sees weer nee eee teers Sharpsburg
Archibald Giddens

TXefayerdi on Chelan GAG eb oaddododoosdvunbaae coed May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville
Goin Wskiwls od Gugeddso eon sadponscodoussbdbans Sharpsburg and Gettysburg
ea TENN SSSiny Aude uboodeoddoce Soda mawdoOdeGabON July 3, 1863, Gettysburg
Jiames Jones awe eyete aN See bee Hae eco uly, 3 (twice), Gettysburg
12, IVE IOob Ga too sbgdonnanodbodonmepe pug sDecs sade Leone asod Chancellorsville
(GOS Ran Geb delbodadupes subs oubssoosounoucou cenconosuEogdoD Gettysburg
AWWA Es RSAC Tt cyel ee chet cl Here ogonogoudOHboes Aug. 21, 1864, Charleston
John W. Malpass.......... 0. eee e cece cece eens tect ec ee cence (May 5, 1864
Re MMs iM coke vee iin Moerman ere tk Nutra iy cre wiantia site state nies Overs May 5, 1864

 

 

   
  
  

War Between the States—Reconstruction 129
Timothy Moore ..........ecce cece cece eet eee teen eet eee eens Gettysburg
George W. Ormsby....... July 3, 1864, Gettysburg
Wan snBr Playereteipetistlalerst ler ....July 3, 1864, Gettysburg
Sjacobe Rig tord tase critters tertile July 3, 1864, Malvern Hill
Suikriyn od Dood eiitis ann oan nda ne ao dduSnoddUsOO dnp aOoUSOODUOdODUO (Gettysburg
Robt. Rivenbark (twice) ........5.. cece cece eee cette eee teens Wilderness
PphraimeRochellewerrwierssy. sessile era -Malvern Hill
PMhomaseRamsayaterrcts teeters la etscsteiers sieves er elles). yeh fersioiscels Gettysburg
James Spencer
GeorcemWarishepatda carers eerie ter tact ia denn Malvern Hill

T. J. Bradshaw

Copy orf A LETTER WRITTEN BY ONE OF THE CONFEDERATE
MemsBers OF Company K AROUND FORTY YEARS AFTER
THE SURRENDER:

Station A. Columbia, 'S. \C. Aug. 2, 1905.

Friend John:

After quite a lapse of time, I attempt to write to you again. I
know I ought to have written before this time and I beg pardon for
negligence. Since my eyesight has become so dim, I write but very
little. But I intended sending you a list of the names of the men in
Company K., for your re-vision ; also a brief statement of battles it
participated in according to the best of my recollection. The list of
names is very near correct I think, and the ones 1 am most deeply
interested in, is who were the original members, those who took the
train for Wilmington the roth. of June 1861. I placed a mark you
will observe like x this before the names of those I felt were old
members. I drew up a list of all the conscripts, 19 in number, on a
separate sheet of paper. Here are the names of the men that I am
unable to decide whether they were originals or volunteer recruits—
viz.—Charley Futch, Wiley Futch, Jno. W. Garriss, Peyton Lee,
David Moore, Timothy Moore, Robt. Ormsby. I can’t place
Ormsby at all as regards the time. I sometimes think Lee went to
the Company at Garysburg. I am inclined to put the Moores as old
members. If we can decide who were volunteer recruits it will be
an easy matter to tell the number of originals and tell exactly how
many were killed, died &c. and thus fix the percent of loss of life in
battle by sickness and what percent of us survived the war. I have
included all those who ever had their names on Co.’s muster roll,
 

 

 

 

 

 

130 History of Pender County, North Carolina

though one or two of them were discharged from the army but died
soon after. Ned Mills I think fell in battle but I have forgotten
where. Do you remember? You place Tom Evans as being killed
at Winchester, Va., and I have so enlisted him on the roll, but it
appears to my recollection that he was killed at Silver Run on the
27th of Noy. 63, the same time Croom Watkins was captured. The
two Walton boys are two others that I can’t remember what time
they joined the Company, but I don’t think they are original. You
will find the sketch of the service, or rather account of the battles,
the Company took part in very deficient in many respects. I did write
up one much more lengthy but I thought it might be too lengthy for
the purpose unless I was sure of getting it published. What I have
written, may serve to refresh your memory on some points. I have
mentioned several things that happened while you were in prison and
consequently had no personal knowledge of them. If you desire to
have it published, you are at liberty and have the authority to make
whatever alterations you may deem proper, by either adding to it or
deducting from it or changing the structure of what is already
written. If you have it published in your County paper, I would be
glad to have a copy of that issue.

I hope I will hear from you before too long. I seldom hear any-
thing from your part of the County. If there have been any deaths
among those I am acquainted with in your part of the ‘County, please
mention names when you write me.

With kindest regards for you and family and all my old friends.
I will close hoping to hear from you at no distant day.

I remain yours devotedly
A. J. CASTEEN,
Station A. Columbia, S. C.
(Courtesy of Roy Rowe, grandson of John W. Rowe.)

Reconstruction Period

After Congress passed the Reconstruction Act, which was
one of the most drastic and tragic ever recorded in the
history of this country, crime and riotous living spread its
dark pall over this quiet peaceful land. Wilmington the

 

 

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 131

County Seat was crowded with carpet-baggers, scalawags,
and Negroes. Negro constables, Negro deputy sheriffs,
Negro health officers and for many years a Negro served
as Register of Deeds; also a Negro represented New Han-
over in the Legislature. These Negroes and scalawags owned
no property and were not interested in much of ‘anything
beyond the idea of exploiting the white property owners.
The Negroes were very ignorant and strongly prejudiced
against their former masters, and in no way qualified to take
part in government affairs. The so-called scalawag land
carpet-bagger occupied the important positions with the
Negroes in the minor places. The white man was, so to
speak, disfranchised, and the former leading families were
in many instances practically bankrupt, the great plantations
lay idle, neglected, and everything and all business was
demoralized.

Poverty stalked the land and New Hanover County,
which then comprised the present Pender, found life almost
intolerable. This condition existed until 1898, when a revo-
lution changed the whole aspect and the Reconstructioners
faded into discard where they hiave since remained, a negli-
gible element. Under such conditions the Democratic Party
inevitably became the party of “White Supremacy,” the
party of decency in government and honesty in affairs.

To secure control of the County and State government
and to regenerate it, became the consuming passion of the
Democratic Party.

In those days it was impossible to elect a decent white
man—a Democrat—to the Legislature, either from New
Hanover or from this section. The thousand voting Negroes
in the city of Wilmington piled up a majority so large that
it could hardly be overcome by any artifice, and so when the
County of Pender had been created, the politicians were
solely disappointed, for Alfred L. Lloyd, a noted Negro,
was promptly sent to the Legislature from the new County
of Pender. His majority was a slight one and was soon over-
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

132 History of Pender County, North Carolina

come, and Pender County shortly after became a reliable
“White County.” Since that time Pender has been constant
in its loyalty to the Democratic Party, to decency in govern-
ment, and to honesty in public affairs.

While this great War Between the States, with its terrible
slaughter of life, inflicted a severe blow to this section,
Pender thas emerged from this period slowly, but substantial-

ly, and is fast becoming one of North Carolina’s greatest
farming sections.

Captain Robert Motia McIntyre

Captain Robert M. McIntyre of Rocky Point raised a
cavalry company in the spring of 1862, afterwards known
as Company C, Fourth Regiment Cavalry. He furnished
sabers, saddles, and twelve horses. He was elected First
Lieutenant, while his uncle Dr. Andrew McIntyre became
Captain. In September 1863, Lieutenant McIntyre was pro-
moted to be captain of his Company. The service of this
Company C was first near Suffolk, Virginia and then in
eastern North Carolina. It was a part of the force that, in
December 1862, repelled Foster’s army, which threatened to
capture Goldsboro and pursued it until the Federal column
found shelter in New Bern. Some months later. the regiment
was ordered to Virginia and, along with the 5th North Caro-
lina Cavalry, formed Robertson’s Cavalry Brigade, which
was a part of the great cavalry division under the command
of General J. E. B. Stuart. Company C shared all the vicissi-
tudes and endured all the hardships of the Gettysburg cam-
paign. Its history is a part of the history of the Regiment.
Like many others Captain McIntyre fell into the hands of
the enemy at South Mountain, Pennsylvania, and along with
Colonel Kenan and hundreds of other brave soldiers of the
Cape Fear, he suffered all the terrible hardships of a long
captivity on Johnston’s Island and it was not until the war

-had virtually-closed March 15, 1865, that he was paroled.

 

 

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 133

Captain K. B. Powers

The third Captain of Company K was Kinchen B. Powers.
He was a member of the Powers family in Union Township
being the son of Kinchen Powers.

He joined Company K as a private and rose to be captain
on the death of Captain Armstrong who was killed at
Chancellorsville May, 1863. Captain Powers was wounded
at Chancellorsville, May, 1863.

Captain Powers was wounded at Chancellorsville before
being promoted to Captain. He was also wounded in the
battle of the war on April 9th, 1865 and captured. He was
taken to Federal Fort McHenry from which he was paroled
in July, 1865. :

After the war, he married Maria Faison, daughter of
Julian Faison, a Baptist minister. Two daughters, Misses
Mary Lou and Virginia, survive him and continue to reside
at the old family home, near Willard.

Dr. William Thomas Ennett

During the War Between the States Captain William
Thomas Ennett, originally of Onslow County, joined the
Third North Carolina Regiment land was promoted to be
Major after the death of W. M. Parsley. He was unfor-
tunately captured at Spottsylvania and sent to Fort Dela-
ware, and was among those taken to Charleston Harbor on
the prison ship Dragon, suffering the hardships of imprison-
ment with the rest. Major Ennett was a physician and
highly accomplished. He was a brave soldier ‘and a warm
friend. Led his command in the last charge at Appomattox.

When the war was over he moved to Pender County,
married Sarah McIntire, sister of Capt. R. M. McIntire,
and settled in Burgaw, where he practiced his profession and
reared his family of three daughters, one of whom is the
 

 

 

 

134 History of Pender County, North Carolina

wife of ex-Senator W. A. Brown of Rocky Point, Pender
County.

During his imprisonment on the prison ship Dragon,
which was located off Hilton Head Point, he wrote the
following lines, a parody on “Do they miss me at home?”

They miss me at home, yes they miss me,
At morning, at noon and at night,

For I waft them each moment my blessing,
And their features are ever in sight.

I hear them when “Reveille’’ wakes me,

I see them when “Taps” say “to sleep,”
And when the loud Rolls calls to battle,

I know that they miss me, and weep.

Oh, Mother, weep not for the absent,

For I am serving my country so dear,

And my dear Ma must wait for her loved one,
While his duty calls him off to the war.
And Daughter, my sister, my dear little love,
And cuppie my pet, you must miss me,

And Fonnie, my sissie, my sweet little dove,
Yes, I know it, I know you all miss me.

And Andrew my boy, you must miss me,
For I joined in your sports with such glee,
And your brave little heart can’t forget me;
For your brother’s oft thinking of thee.
When cannon and musketry rattle,

And death walks o’er hill top and dell,

I hear then my loved one’s sweet prattle

And know they miss me, too well.

But loved ones, ’tis for you that I’m fighting,
For war has no pleasure for me,

But I'll die for ‘““The Cause” I’m right in,
That my loved ones and theirs may be free.
Then when peace shall smile on our land,
And victory prove the strength of our case,
You may dry up your tears with rejoicing
For we Southerners belong to a fighting race.

 

War Between the States—Reconstruction 135

R. P. Paddison

Captain R. P. Paddison, who resided at Point Caswell,
was one of the survivors of the War Between the States.
In his tales of war-time experiences ‘he tells that in the
month of May, 1861, this part of North Carolina was wild
with excitement and rumors of war and a public meeting
was called at Harrell’s Store in Sampson County, for the
purpose of organizing a military company to be tendered
the Governor. In a short time an organization was effected
and a man named Taylor was elected Captain. At the next
meeting they voted to call the company the “Wild Cat
Minute Men.” The next question came up as to where the
Company should go. It was decided the Company should
remain around Wild Cat as a home protection.

There were ‘a number who did not take to the Wild Cat
idea and quietly withdrew and marched to Clinton where a
company was being organized by Captain Frank Faison,
called “the Sampson Rangers.” Capt. Paddison joined this
company and his company was dispatched to Fort Johnston.

A river steamer called the Flora MacDonald transported
this company from Wilmington to Fort Johnston and it
remained there during the epidemic of yellow fever in 1862
and smallpox in the winter of the same year, after which he
was transferred to General Hospital No. 4, Wilmington,
after being appointed Hospital Steward by the Secretary of
War in 1862.

Captain Paddison said he came out of the war as he
entered it: without a dollar, but with a clear conscience,
having performed his duty to ‘his country as he saw it.
From April 20th, 1861, to June 5th, 1865, he never had a
furlough or a day’s absence from duty.

Captain David Williams

Captain David Williams of the Bannerman’s Bridge
Section raised Company K, of the 3rd Regiment, State
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

136 History of Pender County, North Carolina

troops. The North East Academy of Six Forks Community
was the center of this activity. It is said that Captain
Williams, known by his men as “Pap,” was one of the most

valued officers of that regiment and was as brave a man as

ever lived. He was disemboweled by a bombshell from the
enemy’s batteries at Sharpsburg, and sleeps in a soldier’s
grave with his blanket for a shroud in the front yard of the
house in the rear of the village, which was used as a field
hospital near the Shepherdstown Pike. He had the esteem
and confidence and the affection of his soldiers to a most
remarkable degree. In a letter of T. H. W. Mclntyre,

written August 20th, 1903, he says:

“There was no better or braver man that ever buckled on the
sword than Captain David Williams of Bannerman’s, and he was
present in all the battles, commencing in the Seven Days’ Fights
around Richmond up to the battle of Sharpsburg, Md., where on, or
near, Antrevarn River on the 17th of September, 1862, he, together

with Lieut. ‘Speight and one or two more, were instantly killed by
a shell.” d

The writer of this letter also had another brave boy from
Pender, David Portervine Herring, of the well known
family of that name, who also had given his life blood for
Southern independence, buried in one grave, one mile west
of Sharpsburg, Md., in an orchard, with their heads to a
large ‘apple tree.

In a few days after the battle Lieutenant Andrew Wil
liams and George Williams, brothers of the Captain, died
of disease, and just preceding these events, Quince Williams
and Thomas K. Williams, brothers of Bruce Williams, of
Burgaw, also gave up their young lives, the former being
killed in battle, the latter dying of disease.

 

CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY
AND How ORGANIZED

Presbyterianism

Ce NIZE

=31E Presbyterians came from the north of Ireland
Al and were not found in Virginia and North
Carolina till after the year 1730, except in
EY scattered families; according to Foote’s Sketches
of North Carolina.

About the year 1736 Henry McCulloch persuaded a
colony from Ulster, Ireland, to occupy lands he had ob-
tained from his majesty, King George II, which were located
in Duplin County. The descendants later scattered over the
lower part of the State and Southwestern States with an
influence that cannot be easily estimated. :

The stipulated condition of the grant, or the promised
grant, was that he should procure a certain number of
settlers to occupy the wide forests as an inducement to other
emigrants to seek a residence in the unoccupied region of
Carolina, sixty-four thousand acres of land being obtained.

The descendants of these emigrants are to be found in
Duplin, Pender, New Hanover and Sampson Counties, the
family names indicating their origin.

The Grove congregation, whose place of worship at that
time was about three miles southeast of Kenansville, traces
its origin to the Church formed from this, the oldest
Presbyterian settlement in the State, whose principal place
of worship was at first called Goshen. The first ordained
Presbyterian minister was the Reverend James Campbell.

  
 

 

 

 

138 History of Pender County, North Carolina
Old Churches and How Organized

Reverend Hugh MacAden was the first missioniary who
settled in the State and whose journal (or parts of his
journal) thas been preserved.

According to Foote’s Sketches of North Carolina, we are
not able to ascertain the exact places that he visited but as
the settlement in Duplin iand Pender Counties, at that time
New Hanover, were the oldest in the State, and there were
none others of much strength at that time, the probability is
that these Counties were the places that he visited and his
settlement of Presbyterians here and in Duplin County is
the oldest large settlement of Presbyterians in the State.

These two settlements formed the field of labor in which
Mr. MacAden passed the first part of his settled ministry.

It was on the Welsh Tract on the North East Cape Fear
River that one of these settlements formed was first com-
posed of Welsh settlers.

On Tuesday, February 17, 1756, Reverend MacAden
rode twenty-five miles up the North East Cape Fear River
from New Hanover to Cowans, presuming this settlement
was the Burgiaw section which was called Cowan before -it
was named Burgaw.

The next day he was detained on the Welch tract till
after the second Sabbath in March on account of high waters
throughout the section, where he was being entertained at
the home of John James, father of Hinton James.

Early in the year’1798 the Reverend Robert Tate, a
licentiate of Orange Presbytery, visited that part of New
Hanover, now Pender and Duplin Counties, and became a
resident minister. He held his first communion at old Rock-
Fish ‘Church, just over the Pender line which would imply
that it was with an organized congregation of six persons.
Rey. Robert Tate and his wife, Timothy Wilson and his
wife, Timothy Bloodworth and hhis wife. Mrs. Tate was the
daughter of Hon. Timothy Bloodworth. Under Mr. Ttate,

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 139

Rock Fish, Keith and Hopewell sprang up, also Mount
Williams, and opened their doors to a large region of
country.

In those days most of our ministers in the country sup-
ported themselves in large measure by their own means, by
working on the farm, or teaching. To this rule Mr. Tate
was evidently no exception for he owned a considerable
estate in land and many stores, but all his possessions were
very much reduced when the Negroes were freed.

His plantation was located on Sills Creek about five miles
south of Old Rock Fish Church and in what is now Pender
County, owned by the Government, The Penderlee Home-
steads. Rev. Tate continued to live there until his death in
1867, and there, nearby the house where the lived, is the
family burying ground where his body was laid to rest in
the 93rd year of his age. He was one of the charter mem-
bers of old Fayetteville Presbytery, which was organized in
1813. His was the longest ministry, up to this time, of either
of the two Presbyteries, reaching over a period of sixty-nine
years. Few men of any denomination have served any one
church as long as Mr. Tate served Rock Fish and very few
have served ia ministry of sixty years.

He was described as a man of great activity and intense
zeal and during his life was most zealous in promoting the
cause of religion, which induced him to write several hymns,
only one of which is properly accredited to him, he being

“While Shepherds Wiatched Their Flocks By Night.

Old Churches

Among the oldest churches in Pender County are Hope-
well, Mount Williams, Keith and Pike Presbyterian. Riley's
Creek Baptist, another old church, is still in existence and is
being served at the present time by Rey. C. R. Payton, who
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140 History of Pender County, North Carolina

has been its pastor for a number of years. The présent
building is the third building erected on this site.

Keith Presbyterian, another old church which has been
the scene of many gatherings, was organized in 1817, by the
Rey. Robert Tate, who continued to serve the church until
1839.

Pike Presbyterian Church was organized in 1856—the
Rey. D. B. Black serving this church thirty-seven years until
1893.

Hopewell Presbyterian Church

Hopewell Presbyterian Church was organized around
1800 by the Rev. Robert Tate. He continued to serve this
church until 1839.

In the will of Duncan Henderson, of May 1832, he says,
“T give and bequeath to the Old School Presbyterian Church
one acre of land, including Hopewell Presbyterian Church,
with an avenue to the Public Road to be at its disposal
absolutely forever.” This property was given in 1832, but
in order to make it valid a deed was given, or will recorded,

in 1852, with witnesses Robt. N. Bloodworth and F. T.
Bloodworth.

Also in the will of Marthia Bloodworth, daughter of Hon.
Timothy Bloodworth: “It is my will and desire that my
Legatees therein mentioned shall raise the sum of $100.00
in proportion to the value of their different agencies and pay
it to the Elders of Hopewell Church, for the purpose of
aiding the Elders and Trustees of said Church to provide a
suitable house and lot of land for the residence of the
Pastors of the Hopewell Church.

“Executors of will of Martha Bloodworth
“Timothy W. Bloodworth,

“Hinton James.

“Sept. 10-1847.”

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 141

Ministers who thave served the church:

Reverend Robert Tate . . +. - = ; 1800-1839
Reverend Henry Brown . . - - =: : 1839-1841
Reverend 1.G. Potts. .- . . +--+ 1841-1844
Reverend D. B. Black . . +--+: + 1844-1862
Reverend S. H. Isler . . . . - + = 1862-1867
Reverend Colin Shaw... .---: - 1867-1868
Reverend D. B. Black . ..:- - 1868-1893
Reverend G. W. McMillan... - 1893-1896
Reverend Ivanhoe Robertson . . . - 1896-1897
Reverend J. S. Thomas . . - +. =: - 1897-1899
Reverend D. P. McGeachy . . . . - 1899-1903
Reverend IT. D. Johnson . . .. . - 1903-1906
Reverend \WeeW ln Sikes at oy east tire eOO8-1 9,03
Reverend P: lL. Clark. - . » ). = - 1913-71944

Mount Williams Presbyterian Church

The first church building, which was used until the new
church was built, was given, and erected of pine logs, by
Henry Williams. This old church was located on a hill on
the old main road. The new church was built on the site
given by Robert T. Williams, where it now stands, and was
erected in the year 1858 and dedicated to the worship of
Almighty God by the Reverend Robert Tate on the 27th
day of March, 1859.

The first organization of Mount Williams Church was
effected on June rsth, 1845, and the Elders constituting the
session were at that time John P. Bannerman, Samuel Player
and Robert Sharpless. :

Prior to 1845 Mount Williams was a branch of Hopewell
Presbyterian Church. The church was served by stated sup-
plies, and those who labored for the church were the Rey.
Robert Tate, who organized the church; and the regular
pastors were Rev. D. B. Black, Rev. Colin Shaw, J. M.
Gibbs and Rev. B. F. Marable.

After a period of time Reverends D. B. Black and Colin
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

142 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Shaw were invited to hold a series of meetings at which
time and place the organization was completed and a number
of persons who were members of Hopewell Church, after

duly advising with the session i i
of said church, did constit
into a Church of Christ. ae

 

BURGAW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Burgaw Presbyterian Church

The Burgaw Presbyterian Church was the first church
organized in Burgaw at a meeting held by the Rev. C. M
Payne of Wilmington, who was the pastor of the Seaarel
Presbyterian ‘Church, now St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
This was in February, 1879, and the charter members rasiae
Mr. iand Mrs. W. M. Hand, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. ene
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Moore and Mrs. Della Durkan
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Cowan, Mrs. Margaret Brown, W ae
Bannerman and Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Bloodworth. pene

 

 

 

 

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 143

The ministers filling the pulpit through the years:
Reverend G. W. McMillan... - - 1879-1881

Reverend J. S. Blak . .- - +--+: > 1881-1884
Reverend A. L. Phillips . . - +: : 1884-1886
Reverend Colin Shaw... -:-: > 1886-1888
Reverend D. B. Black . .--+-: : 1888-1893
Reverend G. W. McMillan . . - - 1893-1896
Reverend J.S. Thomas . . +--+: - 1897-1898
Reverend D. P. McGeachey ..- - - 1898-1903
Reverend T. D. Johnson. . - +: - 1903-1906
Reverend W. M. Sikes . . - +--+ > 1906-1913
Reverendebw lee: ©larka ears iacen tp LO LSE LOAD

Reverend P. L. Clark . 1913-present time

Burgaw Methodist Church

It is said that the Burgaw Methodist ‘Church was organ-
ized just after a tent meeting that was held here on the
Court House Square by Rev. A. B. Crumpler, which lasted
for many days, and a good dose of the old time religion,
such as shouting and trances, that brought about a great
awakening.

It was shortly after this mecting that the church was
organized with the following charter members: Mrs. Flora
Williams, R. I. Durham and Lyman Learned.

The Parsonage at that time was located at Scott’s Hill,
Pender County. Later the Pastor's Home, or Parsonage,
was established in Burgaw instead of Scott’s Hill, after

which the Burgaw charge was formed.
The ministers up to the present time have been:

Reverend J. J. Martin . - + +: -: 1896-1902
Reverendu@. G» Brothers). 2) 4. 91 902,1904
Reverend W. F. Sanford. - - +: + 1904-1906
Reverend ©. 1. Rogers . - - - + > 1906-1907
Reverend J. J. Barkers . - - - - + 1907-1909
Reverenda Oa ilesleancey sigan ecu LCOULLO LL
Reverend T. G. Vickers . . - - + + 1911-1913
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Reverend): C-eVWihedbeeyeun ssss ste. ner 1913-1917
Reverend L. M. Chaffin . . . . . . 1917-1920
Reverend O. P. Fitzgerald . . . . . 1920-1921
Reverend C. H. Caveness . . . . . 1921-1923
Reyerend L. A! Watts . 2). 2 2. 1923-1927
Reverend E.G. Overton. . « . . . 1927-1930
ReverendsvVe leavVatsonin een ee es TO30-1032)
Reverende@=nVVeeblounta-ii easement aes O32 1983)
Reverend N. B. Johnson. . . . . . 1933-1935
Reverenda GaeAce) onesie syne u eee TO35-1087,

Reverend W. F. Walters . . . . . 1937-1941
Reverend I. J. Strawbridge . . . . . 1941-1945

 

Burcaw Meruopist CHURCH

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

In 1909 the Reverend Thomias P. Noe conducted services
and it was during that year that the money was raised and
the lot purchased to build this church, according to parochial

 

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 145

report. The final payment on the building was made in 1911
and the building was then consecrated by Bishop Thomas
Strange. While the congregation is small, the Mission has
continued to function and services are held the second Sun-
day in each month, either by a regular pastor or some
stated supply.

 

Saint Mary’s EpiscopaL CHURCH

Macedonia Methodist Church
Old Macedonia Methodist Church, which stood for years

on the old Cornwallis Road, or Lover’s Lane, as it has been
called in later years, was the only church in this immediate
vicinity, except Hopewell Presbyterian Church to the north
on this same highway, about five miles.

Here the Methodists of this section of the County, and
those of Lillington or Long Creek residents, attended
church. Many of the ladies in those days rode horseback
and it is said that they of that faith rode all the way to

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

146 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Macedonia to take part in the services in the way of leading
the singing on Sundays. ;

Riley’s Creek Baptist Church is also among the older
churches of the County, having been organized in 1814.
This church was a member of the Cape Fear Association
from 1816 to 1826, inclusive. It was also a member of the
Goshen Association from 1827 to 1843.

The third building has been erected since its formation.

Burgaw Baptist Church

ro t sia

 

 

Burcaw Baptist CHurcH

Burgaw Baptist Church was organized in the old Burgaw
Academy Building on September 13, 1884. Its members met
in this building until 1900, at which time a church building
was built on the corner of what later was named Wright
and Bridgers Streets. Stirring stories have been related
through the years since concerning the hard work and the
robust faith of those who constructed this building. The
work was done by the men of the church themselves, and

 

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 147

one of the leaders among them was Mr. John Wright
Bowen, who went into the woods, cut the timber for the
building, and brought it to Burgaw, and then helped put it
together. In later years a Sunday School Annex was built
adjoining the church auditorium, and the law office of Attor-
ney John T. Bland was purchased by the men of the church
for a men’s Sunday School classroom. The church from its
inception has been a progressive organization and has con-
tributed worthily to the Kingdom of God. In 1944, for the
first time in its history the church maintained a full-time
program of services, with Sunday morning and night wor-
ship services every Sunday in the month, and with a weekly
prayer service. This was made possible by the consolidation
of the Riverside Baptist Church, near Burgaw, with the
Burgaw church. The church has grown to a membership of
470 and is planning the construction of a new church build-
ing. In preparation for this new church building the old
church plant was moved in October, 1946 to adjacent
property. The following men have served as pastors of

tthe church:

Reverend Charles Utley Reverend C. R. Taylor
Reverened M. C. Walton Reverend H. M. Page
Reverend H. M. Bennett Reverend A. L. Pollock
Reverend R. E. Peele - Reverend C. W. Duling
Reverend Leon Weston Reverend A. C. Acree
Reverend J. H. Powers Reverend William Poole

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church
St. Helena

The early history of the Catholic Church in St. Helena
dates back to the time of the first settlers in the year 1906.
Not having a church of their own, services were at first held
in private homes administered by a priest from St. Mary’s

Church, Wilmington, N. C., The Rev. J. Gallagher was the

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148 History of Pender County, North Carolina

first priest attending these pioneers and had found it difficult
to converse with these pioneers. The Bishop then sent the
Rev. Umberto Donati to give spiritual attention to the
Colony.

The Extension Society, the Most Rev. Leo Haid, the
Bishop, and the Hugh MacRae Real Estate Promoter,
contributed funds for the erection of ‘a church. This was
built in the year 1908 by the three brothers, Cajetan,
Dominic and Napoleon Perseghin, with several carpenters
from Wilmington. It was a frame church large enough for
two hundred people. Later it was whitewashed inside and
tarred black outside. This church served as ‘a place of wor-
ship for the colonists till September 12, 1934, when it was
burned to the ground immediately after a funeral. Church
services were then held in the auditorium of the school. To
date no new church has been erected as the church-in-school
is practical.

In the year 1911 Father Donati, having requested a
change, was transferred on July 7, 1911, the Rey. Charles
Kneussels being given charge. He continued in this capacity
till his death on July 30, 1925. Father Kneussels had accom-
plished much during his pastorate. He laid the foundation
and built the exterior structures of both school and rectory.

For nearly ten years after Father Kneussels’ death there
was no resident priest at St. Helena. The priests from St.
Mary’s Church in Wilmington took turns in rendering
services. In the spring of 1934 the Rev. Francis A. Scheu-
rich was in charge as ‘a resident pastor. He remained as
pastor till the Most Rey. William F. Hafey, Bishop, turned
over the church to the charge of a religious order, known as
the Franciscans. The first Franciscan pastor took charge on
May 31, 1935.

Extensive repairs and renovations were necessary both in
and on the school and rectory. After an expenditure of
nearly fifteen thousand dollars the Franciscan Fathers had
the places ready for occupancy. The Rev. John Murnane,

BREA a

 

 

 

Churches of the County and How Organized 149

O. M. C., Franciscan, remained pastor till August 31, 1939.
On September 1, 1939, the present pastor, Very Rev.
Maurice Imhoff, O. M. C. D. D., was appointed. At the
present time this church has a membership of cighty-five
people.

Besides the above church there is a Greek Orthodox
Catholic Church, its pastor the Rev. Mr. Baruch.

 
     

 

150 History of Pender County, North Carolina One of the Oldest Homes in Pender County 151 |

 

 

  

Hh Area on HORE aie Lover ec Hauke ONE OF THE OLpEst HoMEs IN PENDER COUNTY.

2 Built in 1840 by John P. Bannerman and now owned by the West Virginia
Pulp and Paper Co., Bannerman’s Bridge, Pender County, North Carolina. i
THE Homes oF HuMPHREY BROTHERS AND D, J. FARRIOR , |}

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEN WHo Have Won
RECOGNITION IN THE Past

Charles Mills Galloway

; rca 1875 Charles Mills Galloway, a resident of
ies Columbia Township, New Hanover County, now
Sone! Columbia Township, Pender County, two years
—e =) before the new County was formed, was elected
Justice of the Peace.

__ After the creation of Pender County, Mr. Galloway was
elected Clerk of the Superior Court of the new County of
Pender in 1875 and served two years.

The old records have been well preserved and can be
found in the present incumbent’s office.

Mr. Galloway lived in Columbia Township, on State
Highway 601, near Atkinson, on a plantation now owned by
J. W. Register. The old home still stands and is occupied
by tenants.

Charles Mills Galloway of the Comptroller’s Office,

Washington, D. C., is the son of Mr. Galloway and is proud
to claim Pender as his birthplace.

=e

  

Dr. Philip Edward Lucas
Dr. Philip Edward Lucas was the son of Dr. George F.

Lucas and Mrs. Bertha Simpson Lucas, of Currie, Pender

County, North Carolina.

He received this elementary education in the schools of
Pender County. He then attended Faison Military Acade-
my, Faison, N. C., and entered the University of North

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 153

Carolina in 1909, completing a two-year course in medicine
there in 1911. He then entered the University College of
Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, and after completing two
years he received his M. D. degree in the class of 1913, the
last class to leave that institution. He was licensed by the
North Carolina State Board in 1913 and spent one year in
private practice at Currie, this home town. In 1914 he
located in Burgaw, where he continued the practice of medi-
cine until the time of his death, April 13th, 1918.

Dr. Lucas was a member of Omega Epsilon Phi Fra-
ternity and was Treasurer of his class at the University of
North Carolina. He was also a member of the Burgaw
Presbyterian Church.

In 1917 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Whitehead Bradford

and one son survives him.

Dr. Elisha Porter

Dr. Porter was one of the five men who composed the
Committee that went to the Legislature and lobbied for
three consecutive times to have Pender County set apart
from New Hanover. Rocky Point was the home of Dr.
Porter, coming there from Onslow County when a compara-
tively young man. When the War Between the States broke
out he enlisted as a member of Company E, 3rd Regiment,
and under the leadership of General W. D. Pender of
Tarboro. Dr. Porter served from the beginning of the war,
up to land including the battle of Chancellorsville. During
that engagement the penetrated within the enemy’s breast-
works and was bayoneted by a Federal soldier and, finding
that he was about to be killed, he attempted to scale the
breastworks and succeeded in doing so, but was shot in the
thigh and apparently mortally wounded. After the battle
he heard the voice of a friend by whom he was taken to the
Confederate field hospital. Dr. Porter survived for many
years but was always lame from his war wounds.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

154 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Dr. Porter settled at Rocky Point and practiced his pro-
fession for some years, but became one of the largest and
most successful planters in that section. He had one of the
largest acreages of strawberries in this whole section and
shipped as many as four thousand crates per season.

Dr. Porter was a scholar and a man of unusual executive
ability and a fine physician. He left one son, Dr. Pender
Porter, who resides in New York.

Dr. Pender Porter

PrnpER Country Man Mape First X-ray PHorocraPH

To The State in its issue of December 12th, 1937 goes
the credit of establishing the fact that Dr. Pender Porter, at
the time mentioned a student of Davidson College, back in
1896 anda resident of Rocky Point, and two other students
made the first photograph with X-ray. The credit for the
first X-ray Photograph has been claimed by Yale University
until recently when Old Eli has been forced to admit that
Davidson College through pranksters, really is entitled to
the first picture made.

As the story runs, these young men were greatly interested
in Crooke’s tubes. This was ‘an expensive piece of laboratory
equipment. When Roentgen, the discoverer of the X-ray
announced ‘he had discovered how to take ‘‘shadow pictures”
through the use of the Crooke’s tubes, these three young men
discussed the phenomenon and wished to experiment them-
selves and find out the truth of their professor’s statements.
They picked the lock to the laboratory door and took a
picture of a small caliber rifle shell in a pill box. The dis-
cussion then involved the taking of pictures of fractured
bones. Knowing that they had already “fractured college
rules” which would lead to expulsion if detected, they de-
cided to compound the “fracture” as it would be no worst
for them. So they broke into the medical school and cut the
finger from the body of a dead Negro which was being used

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 155

for experimental purposes. A successful picture was made
of the finger. The boys were a little too much scared to an-
nounce the success of their experiment, so the matter was
hushed up for a long time. With Yale claiming the first
successful picture made with the X-ray machine, these form-
er students gained sufficient courage to tell of their prank
back in the early days of January, 1896 and satisfied investi-
gators of their claim was O. K.

Dr. Pender Porter, the son of the late Dr. Elisha and
Mrs. Porter of Rocky Point maintained the old ancestral
home at Rocky Point for years and spent from one to two
months there during the year. Dr. Porter made quite a suc-
cess in the medical world in New York City where he had

a large practice.

Hinton James

Hinton James, son of John and Alice James, was born
in New Hanover, now Pender County, on September 10,
1776, and died August 22, 1847, and is buried in the old
churchyard of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, about five
miles north of Burgaw on U. S. Highway No. 1 17.

In his eagerness, it is said, to obtain an education he rode
horseback nearly to Chapel Hill and sold his horse before
reaching there, walking the balance of the way, according
to tradition. In the will of his mother, Alice James, she left
him several slaves, calling them by name, and also a part of
the land where he built and lived for many years after the
death of his parents. This property is now owned by the
Needham Hall estate which is near Washington Creek.

Hinton James married Miss Alice Morehead, the daugh-
ter of James and Catherine Morehead, of Bladen County,
who died in 1817. He later married Miss Mary Ann Wat-
son of Wilmington, daughter of Richard and Anna Watson,
who lived only a short time jand died in the year 1820.

His third marriage was to Anne Hand, sister of William
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

156 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Jones Hand, of New Hanover, now Pender County. She
outlived Mr. James and was buried in Salisbury, North
Carolina. \

On November 7, 1939, a marker was unveiled to his
memory as the first student of the University of North
Carolina; Dr. Frank P. Graham, President of the Univer-
sity, making the principal address.

Chapel Hill, in celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth
anniversary on February 12, 1945, memorialized Hinton
James and his accomplishments.

HInTon JAMES

When the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
opened in 1795 Tinton James, with no companion, of whom
if is said rode part of the way horseback and sold his horse
before reaching there, walked the balance of the way and
was the first student to enter on February 12, 1795.

“His literary tastes took a scientific and practical direction which
is evidenced by his life’s work.

“After leaving the University he became a civil engineer and was
made Assistant to the Chief Engineer, who was brought from Scot-
land to improve navigation of our rivers. Some of his engineering is
still in evidence along the Cape Fear River below Wilmington.

“He was also called into service of his county as a legislator for
three consecutive terms, being the colleague of a lawyer of great
reputation in the old days (William Watts Jones). :

“Hinton James was among the most active of early debaters, and
was one of seven young men who were members of the first eraduat-
ing class, July 4th, 1798. A

“His name is among the Fathers of the Dialectic and Philanthropic
and Concord Societies, he being one of the earliest members of the

Philanthropic Hall, Debatingusccietien:

September 10, 1847.
In Memory oF Hinton JAMEs:

Whereas, it has pleased the Divine Providence to remove
from earth our much-respected and aged fellow citizen,

 

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 157

Hinton James, Esquire, who has ever held, during the
many and various changes incident to a life of 73 years, a
high rank in the esteem of his fellowmen, it is incumbent
on us, who are now kneeling at the shrine, which once
beheld his youthful devotion, and enjoying the scenes at one
time familiar to him, to pay this our last tribute of respect

to our departed member.

He was the first member of our Society and may, with
propriety, be ranked its founder, and at the period of his
death was the oldest living member.

Committee :
Joun B. Bynum,
LorenzaA D. PENDER,
Wiiiiam A, JENKINS.

Will of John James

I, John James, being in perfect and tranquil state of mind and
possessing in a small degree strength of body and having a desire to
dispose of my property before my decease, I do hereby make my last
will and testament, setting aside all others dispose of my property in
the following manner.

1st. It is my desire that all my property both real and personal

should be kept undivided under the direction of my wife and
my executors until my debts are all paid.

ad. I give and bequeath unto my wife, Alice James, one third part
of all of my lands for and during the term of her natural life and
such part of my personal estate as she is entitled to by law. I also
desire that she may have her third part of my land laid off on my
plantation near Lewis Creek or any other place she may choose.

3rd. It is my desire that all the remaining part of my property, both
real and personal should be equally divided between my five children,
Hinton James, Mary James, John James, Jr., Alice James and
Elizabeth James, to share and share alike and that my son Hinton
James, being already of age, should receive his part after my debts
are paid as above mentioned. That the rest of my property should
 

 

 

 

 

158 History of Pender County, North Carolina

remain under the direction of my wife and for the support of my
children, which are to be kept with her.

4th. It is my request that my houses and lots, which are enclosed in
Washington where I now live, should not be considered as a part of
my property above mentioned, but that they should be sold by my
executors at one and two and three years credit and the money arising
from the same, or as much as is necessary, should be expended in

building a house on that part of my land laid off for my wife and
shall be for her use.

It is also my desire that my children should cach have their share
laid off for their use as they come of age or when they marry.

Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th,
day of January, 1799.

Witnesses.— Signed

Wm. Watts Jones,
Tim Bloodworth, Ape,
S. Bloodworth.

John James.

Solomon S. Satchwell

Dr. Satchwell was one of the Committee who went to the
Legislature in Raleigh in behalf of establishing Pender Coun-
ty and a better government for this section of the County.

Dr. Satchwell was a resident of the Rocky Point section
for a number of years, moving to Burgaw later in life. He
was the son of James and Elizabeth Windley Satchwell and
was born at Pantego, Beaufort County, North Carolina.

As a young man the taught school and worked himself
through Wake Forest College, which conferred on him the
A. M. degree, graduating in medicine at the Medical De-
partment of the University of the ‘City of New York. After
matriculating he was appointed Assistant Demonstrator of
Anatomy of that famous institution. He returned to North
Carolina to be with his enfeebled mother during her declin-

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 159

ing years, and began the practice of his profession in New
Hanover County (now Pender County).

Dr. Satchwell spent two years in post-graduate work in
Paris, then the Mecca of medicine and surgery, finishing by
the time the War Between the States started. He joined the
colors of the South, becoming a surgeon in the Confederate
army, in the 25th N. C. Regiment. Later he was assigned
Surgeon-in-charge of the C. S. A. Hospital, Wilson, N. C.,
which post he held until the close of the war. The College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Wilmington, N. C., of which
he was Professor of Physics of Theory and Practice of
Medicine. At one time he was editor of the North Carolina
Medical Journal and was also President of the North Caro-
lina Medical Society in 1877. He had therefore a good
background upon which to base his fight before the North
Carolina General Assembly for the creation, in 1867, of
the State Board of Health, of which on May 23rd of that
year he was made the first president.
~ Asa result of his experience and zeal, indicated in a paper
read before the North Carolina Medical Society that year,
entitled “Duties and Usefulness of the State Board of
Health,” this assembly unanimously voted to remit all dues
to Dr. Satchwell as a testimonial of the regard of the
Society.

He was again elected President of the State Board of
Health and served the Board as President from 1877 to
1884, inclusive. He was a member of the State Board of
Medical Examiners from 1866 to 1872, inclusive, and at the
time of his death, November 8th, 1892, at Burgaw, N. C.,
he was Superintendent of Ilealth of Pender County.

The feeling between the North and the South, as a result
of the war, having begun to relax, upon an invitation of the
Alumni Association of his Alma) Mater, the Medical Depart-
ment of the University of the City of New York, he de-
livered before it, in New York City, on March 23rd, 1871,

an address which was ordered printed in pamphlet form.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

160 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Both on the lecture platform and in the columns of the
press, he was a staunch champion for the observance of the
laws of hygiene and for the solution of economic and social
problems, and in the days of Senators Vance and Ransom,
wielded his influence to have the excessively high tariff duty
on quinine reduced to a minimum.

Dr. Satchwell lived a life of untold usefulness and his
unusual ability along medical lines was very marked and
highly appreciated.

He first married Elizabeth Vanderveer, of New Jersey,
his second wife was Anne Victoria Moore, and his third wife
was Sarah Bell, the two latter being Pender County women.

Dr. Satchwell was the uncle of Dr. George F. Lucas, with
whom Dr. Lucas became associated in his profession in his
early years ‘after coming to Pender County.

First President State of North Carolina
Board of Health

Dr. S. S. Satchwell was one of the few physicians in the
State who thhad studied abroad, being a graduate of a Paris

, University. Highly educated as he was, he spent the greater

part of his life in country or village practice. The theory of
Ozone as a product of the pitch pine forests was Dr. Satch-
well’s, according to the Health Bulletin. Anyway, he was a
champion of it, and that doctrine, with the inferred effects
upon consumption of residence in the pine belt, had no little
influence in turning the one-time flow of consumptives to the
sandhills of North Carolina, whatever merit there was, or is,
in the theory. The theory is probably responsible also for
the location of the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium where it is.

On May 23rd, 1877, during the meeting of the North
Carolina Medical Society, which was held that year at
Salem, N. 'C., Dr. S. S. Satchwell of Rocky Point, Pender
County, was made the first President of the State Board of

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 161

Health and Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood its first Secretary,
these officials being designated as “Chairman” and ‘‘Secre-
tary,” respectively, of the Committee of the State Medical
Society having in charge the fortunes of the newly proposed
State Board of Health. This meeting was immediately fol-
lowing the adjournment of the Legislature of that year, at
which time the first law creating the Board was enacted. On
that day, the first machinery of organizing the State Board
of Health was definitely set in motion.

Dr. Hanson Finla Murphy

Dr. Hanson F. Murphy was one of Committee of five
who went to the Legislature in Raleigh to have the County
of Pender created.

Dr. Murphy’s was one among the first families that set-
tled in the Cape Fear Section. He was the son of Cornelius
Murphy, who, atthe age of seven years, came with the
family to this country and settled in what was called the
Moore’s Creek section. Dr. Murphy was born on April 24,
1813. His early life was spent on the plantation of his
father and he attended schools as taught in the early days of
our country by private instructors. Having an ardent desire
for higher education he went by sail boat from Wilmington,
N. C. to the New England States where he attended Yale
University, making a special study of languages, especially
Greek and Hebrew. Later he took his medical course at the
University of Pennsylvania getting his degree in medicine
in 1840. He “interned,” as we say now, practicing with the
noted physician Dr. Flint, in Springfield, Mass. Returning
to his nitive State for the practice of this profession, he
located on the old North-South Stage Route at old Washing-
ton. In 1843, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann
Simpson, also of Moore’s Creek section. Dr. Murphy then
moved to Duplin Roads, now Wallace, where he had exten-
sive practice covering an area from Kenansville, Duplin
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162 History of Pender County, North Carolina

County, to Rocky Point, in New Hanover County, now
Pender, traversing this area on horseback, carrying with
him the old-time saddle-bags containing medicine.

In 1860, at the beginning of hostilities between the North
and South, he removed his family and a large number of
slaves. to his large estate near Burgaw. Here he continued
the practice of his profession together with operating his
farm. He was Captain of the North Carolina Home Guards
and gave largely of his supplies to the families of soldiers
who were absent fighting.

Dr. Murphy represented New Hanover County in the
Constitutional Convention which met in Raleigh after the
was closed. Realizing the need of better and more con-
venient County Government for a large portion of this
northern section, he was instrumental in promoting and
supporting the formation of a new County. Much of his
time was given in attending meetings of the Legislature in
Raleigh until the passage of the Act creating the County of
Pender. Dr. Murphy served the County several years as a
Commissioner and until his death, January 31, 1882, his
loyalty and interests were largely centered in promoting the
growth and welfare of the County of his nativity.

Rey. Samuel Henry Bell |

Samuel Henry Bell, son of Samuel Herring Bell ‘and
Margaret Parish Williams Bell, was born on his father’s
plantation, Belmont, in New Hanover, now Pender County,
in Long Creek on November 15, 1849. He prepared for
college at Rocky Point Academy and Grove Academy,
Kenansville, N. C. He entered Davidson ‘College in 1866
land graduated from there in 1870. He received a degree in
Metaphysics and Ethics from the University of South Caro-
lina in 1871. He was graduated from Columbia Theological
Seminary in 1873 and received the degree of Doctor of
Divinity from Washington College, Tennessee, 1893.

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 163

Ordained by Savannah Presbytery and installed pastor of
the Presbyterian Church, Brunswick, Ga., December 18,
1873, he was pastor of the Port Carton, Pa., church in
1878. From there he went to Milton, Pa., where he accept-
ed a call to the First Presbyterian Church in 1882.

He was ‘appointed Chaplain in the United States Army
by President Cleveland in 1897. He served in active duty
until his retirement for age, November 15, 1915. His first
station was in Savannah with the First Field Artillery. He
was recalled to action during the World War. Was Chap-
lain-in-Chief and Morale Officer iat General Hospital No.
14, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

He is a life member of the Society of Colonial Wars,
Virginia Chapter. He is descended from Colonel Joseph
Bell, member of North Carolina Assembly and from Rich-
ard Poole, who came to Virginia in 1634.

He retained his winter home in Long Creek Village,
Pender County until his death a few years ago.

Paul Deems Satchwell

Paul D. Satchwell, a traditional Democrat, was born on
his father’s plantation near Rocky Point, Pender County,
North Carolina, the son of Solomon Sampson Satchwell,
A. M., Md., and Ann Victoria Moore Satchwell. He was
educated at the local public schools and at the Clement
Preparatory College, Wallace, N. C., studying law at the
University of North Carolina, practicing law for a number
of years in every branch in North Carolina and the Federal
courts. Interwoven therewith was his connection with operat-
ing departments of trunkline railroads, South, North and
the Middle West, earning recognition as a transportation
expert based on his experience and authorship.

During the World War he was a Civil Service war-worker
in the Treasury Department, Washington, D. C., in charge
of the acquisition of hospitals, etc., for the injured and sick
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

164 History of Pender County, North Carolina

soldiers and sailors returned from overseas. He was called
back as a Civil-Service career man in the Federal service;
was in charge of Title and Evaluation work of millions of
dollars of properties acquired in the District of Columbia in
pursuance with the Public Building Program. Also as Trans-
portation Expert, to expedite the procurement and move-
ments of materials for the speedy construction of veterans’
hospitals.

Since April 23rd, 1934, he had been ian Auditor in the
General Accounting Office headed by the Comptroller of the
Currency of the United States.

Mr. Satchwell always retained Burgaw as his voting
precinct and was always on hand to cast his vote with the
Democrats of his County of Pender up to the time of his
death la few years ago.

Dr. John Gerald Murphy

Dr. Murphy was one of Pender County’s distinguished
citizens. Born in Pender at the old home in Atkinson, the
son of John H. and Catherine Wright Murphy, deceased.
His preliminary education was secured in the Coharie Insti-
tute of Sampson County. He then entered the University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C., where he took a two
years’ course, and then entered the University of Louisville,
Ky., graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

For four years he was engaged in a general practice at
Kenansville, N. C., then entering upon work as a specialist
in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He established
himself in Wilmington, where he remained, winning wide
appreciation for his knowledge of his subject and his skill
in ‘handling these diseases.

He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Wil-
mington, and his fraternal connections are those which he
maintained through life with the Knights of Phythias, North

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 165

Carolina Medical Society of New Hanover ‘County, North
Carolina State Medical Society, The American Medical
Association, the Southern Medical Society, and he was a

Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Surgeons _

and a member of the North Carolina State Board of Medi-
cal Examiners.

Dr. Murphy was also a trustee of the Wilmington Kiwanis
Club and a member of the Cape Fear Country Club.

He married Mattie Burwell of Charlotte, N. C.

R. K. Bryan

R. K. Bryan was born in Fayetteville, January 2, 1853.
After completing his education, at an early age, he assumed
the practical management of the farm and plantation at
Scott’s Hill, which has been his life’s work. However, in
1904, he was admitted to the bar and combined an extensive
general law practice with ‘his other interests.

In 1895 he established the Wilmington Dispatch and for
two years was its editor. For twelve years he was chairman
of the Pender County Board of Education.

His father, Robert Kedar Bryan, Sr., settled on his wife’s
estate at Scott’s Hill after his marriage, and made it his
permanent home the rest of his life. Beginning in 1870,
Mr. Bryan, Sr. took a prominent part in the separation of a
portion of New Hanover County and the creation of Pender
County and was elected a member of the State Senate.

Shepard Bryan, son of R. K. Bryan, deceased, graduated
from the University of North Carolina, where he was a

member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, the Dramatic.

Society, the Satyrs and other college organizations.

In 1926 Mr. Shepard Bryan accepted the Superintendency
of the Dunn City Schools, where he now resides. -
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

166 History of Pender County, North Carolina
Rev. D. B. Black

Reverend Duncan Blue Black was born in Moore County,
September 23rd, 1810. He was descended from that Scotch

’ stock which has been described as being inflexible in faith and

invincible in arms, and where labor and influence are inter-
woven with the best there is in our history as a nation.

Mr. Black received his classical training at the Academy,
a school located near the present site of Carbonton, N. C.
His theological training was received at Union Theological
Seminary, Richmond, Va. He was licensed by Fayetteville
Presbytery in 1843, ordained by the same two years later,
and soon thereafter came to eastern North Carolina, where
he spent the remainder of his days.

Mr. Black was evidently not dependent on the meager
salary promised by ‘his churches. He owned a farm on the
Wilmington ‘and Goldsboro Road, now U. S. No. 117,
about four miles north of Burgaw, on which he lived and
from which came part of his support.

Like many young ministers of that period, he taught
school for some time at the North-East Academy, which
was located near Six Forks, Pender County.

He was a successful school teacher, as well jas a faithful
and consecrated minister. He was affectionately known as
“Father Black,” because of his long life, his abundant labors,
and especially because of his fatherly character and infleunce.

He was a fellow student of Dr. Moses D. Hoge, and a
fellow laborer of Rev. Colin Shaw. He possessed a well
balanced mind, practical, rather than philosophical. He was
one of God’s noblemen, who served well his day and genera-
tion, and was loyal to the church and to Christ, the head of
the church.

When life’s laborers were ended with him, it was most
fitting that his body should be laid to rest in the cemetery
in the very shadow of Pike Church, where he had preached
for years as God’s own messenger.

a ee

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 167

Dr. George F. Lucas

Dr. George F. Lucas was born at Bath, N. C., and was
educated at Horner Military Academy, and finished his
medical education at the Medical University of New York.
His internship was spent at Belleview Hospital, New York.

At the beginning of the War Between the States, he vol-
unteered for services in the Confederate Army iat the age
of 17 years. He was made Lieutenant and afterward pro-
moted to the Captaincy for special bravery at the battle of
Bentonville.

He came to Pender in 1871 to practice medicine, and few
men were more widely known and generally liked in this
section than Dr. Lucas. He was a nephew of Dr. S. S. Satch-
well, with whom he started his medical career, and for many
years after the death of Dr. Satchwell was the only physician
who «was iniactive practice in and around Pender County. It
was during the horse-and-buggy days that he served not only
Pender but Bladen and Sampson Counties, through the chilly
and snowy winds and rains of winter and the heat of
summer.

It has been said of him that he was charitable to a fault,
a inost loyal friend, a great humanitarian and a man of
skilled ability in his profession.

In 1875 he was married to Miss Bertha Simpson, daugh-
ter of Dr. Simpson of Pender, and by this union he left

four boys and four girls.

John T. Bland, Sr.

John T. Bland, Sr. was born on a farm about eleven miles
west of Burgaw, the son of James T. Bland.

After attending the schools of Pender County, he entered
Wake Forest College and was graduated from there in 1876
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He taught for one
year in Sampson and Pender Counties and read law under
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

168 History of Pender County, North Carolina

J. L. Stewart, of Clinton. In June 1878 he was admitted to
the bar and entered upon the practice of law in Burgaw.
He also filled out the unexpired term of Superintendent of
Public Instruction in Pender County. For twenty years he
held the office of Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the Democratic Party of Pender County and was County
Attorney for a number of years.

He was a staunch Baptist, serving as deacon for many
years, beginning with the organization of the Church in
1882. He was also a member of King Solomon’s Lodge of

Burgaw No. 138, A. L. F. & A. M.

He was affliated with the North Carolina Bar Associa-
tion, ‘Chairman of the Pender County Chapter of the Ameri-
can Red Cross, and served during the entire war period,
devoting much time to the cause.

In 1880, he married Lorena Davis Williams, and by this

union reared eight children, giving them all a college
education.

Mr. Bland lived a life of usefulness and was greatly
missed in the civic life generally in the town and community.
He died July 24, 1928, his wife following him a few years
later. '

John Thomas Bland, Jr.
John Thomas Bland, the son of J. T. Bland and his wife

Lorena Bland, was born in Burgaw, Pender County.

After going through the schools of Burgaw, he entered
Wake Forest, where he finished his education, graduating
with A. B. and Bachelor of Laws degrees.

John Thomas Bland was a young man of unusual ability,
gentle, refined, with .a lovable nature. He was exceedingly
tempermental, which caused him to live in a world all his

own—the land of fanciful dreams, but whose untimely death
brought sorrow to many hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 169

In his poems, “These Lowly Lays of Mine,” he says:

I live in the land of Far-Away,

In the land of Fanciful Dream

Where neither disaster nor law’s delay,
Where neither ambition or life’s ‘busy play
Can disturb my happy regime.

Thus, in that dear land of Far-Away,

Bright land of my Fanciful Dreams

I talk with the souls that I loved for a day,
The souls that among us made short, happy stay
And brightened our lives with a playfulness gay—
Land of Beauty and Love’s esteem.

Sometimes when clouds are overcast
Athwart my brilliant sky,

And life looms grey and bleak and bare,
And blossoms fade and die—

I wonder what can be the aim

Of ‘God’s eternal plan,

And where the fates are leading us—
Just what’s the goal of man.

Our fondest hopes, so often wrecked
Upon life’s stormy sea,

When realized avail us naught

Of heavenly ecstacy ;

We struggle long for fortune, fame,
Yet when they're in our grasp,
We find they hold a hidden sting—
Just like the poisonous asp.

For wealth and power and prestige fail
To soothe the soul of man:

He yet remains unsatisfied,

As when his toil began;

Our future joys elude our grasp—
Recede as we draw near, . -

And blooms that gleamed so bright afar,
Possessed, are dead and drear.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

170 History of Pender County, North Carolina
Dr. Robert Harriss Bradford

Dr. Robert Harriss Bradford was born in Cabarrus
County, North Carolina, in 1878.

He attended the Asheville Farm School in Asheville,
North Carolina, after which he pursued a literary course at
Maryville, Tenn. At the age of 23 he entered the North
Carolina Medical College, Davidson, N. C., and was grad-
uated in medicine in the spring of 1904. After doing hospi-
tal and specialty work in Charlotte for one year, Dr.
Bradford located in Burgaw, where he lived continuously,
practicing his profession until his death November 2 5, 1914.

Dr. Bradford was County Superintendent of Health for
Pender and took an active part in promoting sanitation
throughout the rural districts of the County.

He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and his life
stood as ian example of the consecrated Christian centleman
he personified. -

In 1907 he married Elizabeth Whitehead of Tarboro
N. C., who was one of the faculty of the Burgaw ren

School at that time. From this union Mrs. A. Scott Parker.
Jr., is the only heir.

Dr. Walter Colton Murphy ;

Doctor Murphy was the son of Dr. Hanson Finlay
Murphy and his wife, Elizabeth Simpson Murphy. When a
very small boy his father moved to his plantation near
Burgaw, which is now Pender County. His boyhood days
were spent on the farm and his primary education derived
from private tutors.

After completing his preparatory course he attended
Columbian College, Washington, D. C., now George Wash-
ington University. Having read medicine with his father, as
was customary practice in those days, he graduated from ihe
medical department of the Columbian Institution after two

 

 

 

 

 

Men Who Have Won Recognition in the Past 171

years’ studies, in 1873, just before he became twenty-one
years of age.

Soon after he graduated, his distinguished uncle, the late »

Dr. C. Tate Murphy, who had an extensive practice in
Taylor’s Bridge Township, Sampson County, removed from
that place to Clinton, and Dr. Walter Murphy took his
uncle’s place in carrying 6n the country practice in the Tay-
lor’s Bridge section. He practiced his profession there over
an extensive locality for several years.

Owing to age and infirmity, his father hiad to retire from
practice. Dr. Walter Murphy was induced to return to his
old home place and carry on his father’s work in Pender.
Soon after the death of his father, Dr. Murphy went to
Burgaw, the County seat of the new County of Pender. He
practiced medicine for several years in Burgaw ‘and while
living at that place he was Secretary of the State Medical
Society in 1884 and 1885.

As nearly all other men of like characteristics and ability
have done before, he became weary of country practice and
after several years successful work in Burgaw, he went to
Washington City and established a practice which for many
years was successful in every respect. On February 12, 1896
he was married to Mrs. Mary Staples McNutt of Wiash-
ington, D. C.

He was at one time President of the North Carolina
Society of Washington, of whom many prominent North
Carolinians were members.

Dr. Murphy was a man of brilliant mind and attainments,
and thoroughly familiar with the ethical and practical de-
mands of his profession, and had lan enviable reputation as
a skilful and accurate diagnostician.

Although Dr. Murphy had gone far in his profession in
Washington, he never forgot this old associations in the
practice of medicine, and never failed to exemplify ‘his in-
creasing love for his native State. One of the most thought-
ful and important acts of his in this connection’ was the
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172 History of Pender County, North Carolina

presentation to the Medical Society of North Carolina
volumes of transactions of the State Medical Society from

‘its organization to the date of the gift. This was done while

his distinguished nephew, Dr. John A. Ferrell, now of the
International Health Board, was Secretary of the State
Medical Society about 1914. Dr. Ferrell, as Secretary, had
the volumes bound and presented to the North Carolina
State Library. This series of volumes is one of the very
few available records of the Society’s proceedings in past
years existent in North Carolina, land for which the Society
went on record in a resolution thanking Dr. Murphy for
this important gift.

Dr. Murphy, like his predecessor, Dr. C. Tate Murphy,
in his early practice in Sampson County, was known as the
“poor man’s friend,” never declining to render service where
he possibly could, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.
When he was about 75 years old, his health having failed,
he returned to the home of his* sister in Burgaw, where
he lived something over a year before his death.

 

 

 

  

 

 

SOME OF PENDER’S SONS
W uo HaveE ACHIEVED SUCCESS

SS Ec oGNe’ is due many of the men of
@

as

SORA Pender County who have made names for them-
MA selves and their posterity in other sections; who
have by their own initiative achieved and climbed
the ladder of success. Pender County feels proud to honor
them at all times.

Among the number we find a man whose father was the
first Clerk of the Court of Pender County—Charles Mills
Galloway, who claims Pender as his birthplace. He was

appointed by Woodrow Wilson as one of three men to.

represent the United States Civil Service.

Another one of Pender’s sons is Eugene Humphrey of
Tampa, Florida, brother of our townsmen, R. F. and J. S.
Humphrey, whose rating is A-1.

Dr. William Luther Hand of New Bern, son of one of
Pender’s old families, has achieved success in the business
world and who is outstanding in the work he has accom-
plished with the youths of his city.

Edward Ebert, a young man born and reared here, who
owns and operates a large number of chain stores in parts
of North Carolina and South Carolina and Tennessee.

Dr. Fritz Ebert, a brother of Edward, who has accom-
plished much in the medical profession.

J. Grover Anderson of Wauchula, Florida, has been most
successful in the real estate business.

James land Lon Carr, Presbyterian ministers, sons of Mr.
and Mrs. Alsa Carr, were educated at Davidson College.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

174 History of Pender County, North Carolina

James is Director of religious education for the Synod
of Appalachian.

Lon Carr is pastor of the Middleport, Ohio, Presbyterian
Church.

McNair, Daniel, Stanley and O. P. Johnson, four
brothers, were educated at Duke, Wake Forest, and Univer-
sity of North Carolina.

Stanley. Johnson is Professor of Physics at the University
of North Carolina.

Daniel Johnson is Principal of the Rocky Mount High
School, and O. P. Johnson Superintendent of Education of
Duplin ‘County, while McNair is connected with the Post
Office Department at Willard.

The Contribution of the Moore’s Creek
Aldermans to North Carolina Citizenship

Among the families of the Pender County area, which in

the last century have evolved from the merely well-to-do

former status to distinction in the State and the Nation, is
the Moore’s Creek Alderman group.

Two brothers of the Duplin-Sampson-Alderman family
married two daughters of a Mr. Morgan, who, by tradition,
is accredited with the assignment by Col. Lillington after
the battle at Moore’s Creek Bridge, as a member of a squad
of Patriots detailed to corral the loose or escaped horses
of the detached Scotch.

The two Alderman-Morgan families settled on Moore’s
Creek, presumably in the neighborhood of the parents of
their wives. David Alderman and his Morgan wife reared a
family of sixteen children, who played a big part in peopling
Wilmington as well as the Moore’s Creek area. From shea
have sprung scores of more or less distinguished ministers
and educators.

Col. William Alderman, an uncle of Dr. E. A. Alderman,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 175

led a regiment in the war of the sixties. Edwin A. Alderman
is distinguished as President, in succession, of three of the
South’s leading Universities and as the funeral orator of
Woodrow Wilson.

One of the Alderman daughters married James Herring,
a grandson of Richard Herring, chief among the founders
of Sampson County. James Herring and his wife settled at
the present Herring home, within a few hundred yards of
Shiloh Baptist Church, near the upper stretches of Moore’s
Creek. The husband died in middle age, leaving four sons
and several daughters. The oldest son, John, died at Peters-
burg, Va., just before Lee’s surrender. George was the
father of Rev. D. W. Herring, for forty years a missionary
to China. A son, Ralph, of the Missionary D. W. Herring,
is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, one
of the largest and most influential churches in North Caro-
lina. Another son and a daughter are missionaries in China
and lare continuing their work despite the dangers and dis-
couragements of the Sino-Japanese war.

Rey. Carey Herring, pastor of the Baptist Church of
Fairmont, is a son of Alfred Herring, land was reared at
the Shiloh Homestead, now the residence of the younger
brother, Benjamin Herring. Others of the descent of the
James Herring family have won distinction in some degree
in the professions of the ministry, teaching and agriculture.

Rey. Ed. Alderman, a son of Alfred Alderman who fifty
years was inspector of naval stores at Wilmington, also rose
to the distinction of the Presidency of a Kentucky College
and of the pastorate of leading Baptist churches, including
that of the First Church of Spartanburg, S. C.

John Collins, mentioned elsewhere in this book, is a
descendant of the Moore’s \Creek Aldermans.

The former sheriff of Pender County, Walter W. Alder-

man, is a relative of the Moore’s Creek group, but not of it.
Sad to say, like former groups that gave distinction to the
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

176 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Pender area in earlier times, there seems to be no descendant
of the group bearing the Alderman name in Pender County.

Charles Mills Galloway, Jr.

The career of the son of our first Clerk of the Court, who
was born in Pender, is most interesting from the point of
view that at one time he seemed to be destined to become an
outstanding figure in the newspaper world.

He was graduated from the University of South Carolina.
Was admitted to practice law in South Carolina and is a
member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United
States.

- In 1909 he became Clerk to the State Senate Committee
on Education and Railroads.

March 4th, 1909, he wis appointed Secretary to United
States Senator Ellison L. Smith, a position which he held
until June 19, 1913, having a few days previously been
appointed United States Civil Service Commissioner by
President Wilson. He resigned this position to engage in
the practice of Jaw in Washington, D. C.

July 1, 1929, he was appointed Counsel to the Comp-
troller General of the United States, a position which he
still holds.

Charles Marion Johnson

Charles M. Johnson, the son of Milton H. Johnson and
Minnie Johnson, was born on a farm in Pender County
about eight miles west of Burgaw, and has by his own
individual efforts and inherent ability overcome all obstacles.
Charles attended the Burgaw High School after which he
entered Bingham Military Institute, where he pursued his
studies. He started life when his uncle, Joe Ab Johnson,
was Clerk of the Superior Court of Pender, serving this
County as Deputy Clerk for a number of years. It is said
that the orderliness and thoroughness of his records at-

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 177

tracted the attention of the State Auditor and he was made
District Supervisor for the State Tax Commission.

Mr. Johnson became Traveling Auditor for the State for
one year, Chief Deputy State Auditor for two years, and
when the old County Government Commission was organ-
ized he was made Executive Secretary, in which post he
served four years. It was while serving in this capacity that
this Act of the State Legislature received national attention,
because of the wide-spread economics that were brought
into use.

When the General Assembly created the Local Govern-
ment Commission, the Governor appointed Mr. Johnson to
the post of Director. As Director of the Local Government
Commission he filled the job most creditably.

The financial affairs of every unit of the State ‘are under
the supervision of this Commission. The term “unit’’ in-
cludes all incorporated districts, cities, towns and villages
which are empowered to spend the people’s money. The
Director is clothed with powers that command respect for
his office and obedience to his recommendations.

When the State Treasurer, Nathan O’Berry, died in 1934,
Governor Gardner appointed Charles M. Johnson to fill out
the unexpired term and since then has been re-elected three
consecutive times, tilling same in a most satisfactory manner.

George Franklin Lucas

George Franklin Lucas was born on the old ancestral
plantation of his parents near Currie, Pender County, the
son of Dr. George F. Lucas and Berthia Simpson Lucas.

After attending school in his own community he entered
high school in Enfield and went from there to ‘Massey’s
Business College, Richmond, Va. Graduating from that
Institution he became connected with the firm of Samuel
Bear & Son of Wilmington as bookkeeper. :

In February, 1923, ‘the was appointed Auditor for the
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

178 History of Pender County, North Carolina

County of Pender, an office which he has held most efficient-
ly. Knowing the people of the County, the locations, condi-
tions, and being interested in the progress and the general
welfare of his County, Mr. Lucas has proven a valuable
asset in the manner in which the County has been managed.

George, as he is familiarly known, is a man of sterling
qualities, kindness of heart and most charitable. He is an
elder of the Currie Presbyterian Church, a teacher of the
Bible class of that Sunday School and a member of the
Masonic Lodge No. 138 of Burgaw.

Humphrey Brothers

John Shackleford and Robert Franklin Humphrey, sons
of John W. and Margaret Player Humphrey, were born
and reared in the Bannerman’s Bridge section. They went
through the schools of the County, after which they em-
barked on their business careers, engaging in logging,
merchandizing and milling. Continuing this business until
1926, they bought out the grocery business of J. L. Harrell
and moved to Burgaw, where they have engaged in an ex-
tensive operation ever since.

These two brothers, though not twins, have been most
closely associated all through life, their business being each
other’s business, and their judgment always coinciding re-
specting a deal. Together they represent a large enterprise,
a retail and wholesale store, owning vast areas of timber,
farming and woods lands.

These brothers, living together in a large commodious
house, represent “Ye Old-Time Hospitality.” They’married
sisters, daughters of Mr. Wialter M. Thompson of Onslow
County, who was Superintendent of Public Instruction of
that County for years. Each brother has a son to perpetuate
the name Humphrey.

They are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 179

Masonic Lodge No. 138, and other organizations of the
County and State.

J. S. Humphrey is the largest farmer in the ‘County,
personally overseering his farms. He also sublets a very
large acreage.

John Henry Burnett

John Henry Burnett was born in Pender County on a
farm near Burgaw, September 18, 1888, the son of J. W.
H. and Catherine Ann Cowan Burnett.

His educational training began in the Burgaw Graded
School. He attended Wake Forest College, receiving an
LLB degree from Wake Forest in 1911. He was licensed to
practice law by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in
August, 1910. He won the Orator’s Medal at Wake Forest
in 1911. In the fall of 1911 he became Principal of the
Snow Hill, North Carolina, Graded School. In the spring
of 1912 he moved to Lillington, where he began the practice
of law, moving from there to Troy, N. C., the latter part
of 1913, where he became a member of the law firm of
Armstrong and Burnett. He was elected Reading Clerk of
the North Carolina Senate for the extra session of 1913 and
the session of 1915. He moved from Troy to Burgaw, N.C.,
in 1915, for the practice of law. He was elected a member
of the North Carolina Senate in 1916, for the two-year
term, beginning 1917, representing the ninth Senatorial Dis-
trict, consisting of Pender and Duplin Counties. He was
appointed—during the First World War activities—Food
Administrator, Chairman of the Counsel of Defense, and
Chairman of the Public Service Reserve for Pender County

1917-1918.

Mr. Burnett entered the Y. M. C. A. Army Training
School in July, 1918, iand served as Army Y. M. C. A.
Secretary at Camp Jackson, S. C., August, 1918 to March
15, 1919. He returned to Burgaw in March, 1919 for the
 

 

   

 

 

180 History of Pender County, North Carolina Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 181

 

practice of law. He was commissioned as U. S. Internal
Revenue Inspector, August, 1920 and after training and
examination in the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Washing-
ton, D. C., was assigned to the Greenboro Division, North
Carolina, as an Estate Tax Examiner. Commissioned as
| Internal Revenue Agent, effective July 1, 1921, and con-
Hi tinued as an Estate Tax Exiaminer or Agent in North Caro-
lina (except for temporary assignments to New York), and,
for a number of years, has been Chief Estate Tax Agent in
the Greensboro Division. The appointment indicated is for
life under the professional and scientific classification of the
U. S. Civil Service.

On December 22, 1915, he was married to Miss Ruth
Deaton of Troy, N.C. They have an attractive family of
eight children who are affliated with the Burgaw. Methodist
Church and members of different organizations.

 

Wi Hugh MacRae

While Mr. MacRae is not a native son of Pender County, :
he has been the greatest factor of our County in its develop-
ment agriculturally. :

He is a true son of North Carolina, which he has so i |

a Hucu MacRag, OF IveRSHIEL FARM, PROMOTER OF
signally benefitted. He was born at Carbonton, Lee ‘County. Bee Ga Sa LAR
At the age of 16 years he entered the Massachusetts Insti- |
| tute of Technology of Boston, Mass., graduating at the age
of 20 las a mining engineer. From that time his keen intellect

  

that of agricultural development in the South through the |
formation of farm communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

| began to function with reference to mature ideas, and with-

out a doubt he has been one of the leading promoters of
North Carolina and his earlier years were spent in strenuous
efforts to materialize the plans he was constantly formu-
lating.

While he was at the head of several corporations, organ-

izing Hugh MacRae and Company, developing the Consoli-
dated Railway Light and Power Company, as well as other
interests, ‘he was not neglecting his really main objective,

After he had developed these plans, he never abandoned
his interests in the people to whom he sold land and has
always been mindful of their welfare and well-being.

His success in these land projects lies in the fiact that he
has kept doggedly at his ideas and worked on them from a
common-sense principle.

Mr. MacRae is responsible for the development of the
Penderlea Subsistence Farms by the Government, having
owned at one time a greater part of the land in this set-up.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

182 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Also the Saint Helena Colony, iand practically all that
farming land was developed by Mr. MacRae.

Pender County honors Mr. MacRae for his marked
ability and his unwavering interest in the development of
our County.

Clifton L. Moore

Clifton L. Moore was born in Pender County, the son of
W. J. and Mrs. Ida Moore. He attended the public schools
of Pender and graduated at the head of his class, after
which he attended the University of North Carolina, gradu-
ating from that institution. He is a member of Phi Beta
Kappa Scholarship of Society and the Golden Fleece ‘Honor
Order.” He also graduated from the George Washington
University Law School, where he was among the first ten in
a class of more than 100 students.

Mr. Moore has practiced law in Burgaw for a number of
years, having appeared in most of the courts of southeastern
Carolina.

He has served as both Vice-President iand President of
the Eighth District Bar and has been Attorney to the Pender
County Commissioners for a number of years.

He was also Judge of the Recorder’s Court for five years
and served as Chairman of the Democratic Executive Com-
mittee for the Sixth Judicial District for the past twelve
years.

He is Solicitor for the Counties of Pender, New Hian-
over, Columbus and Brunswick.

Mr. Moore is a steward in the Methodist-Episcopal
Church of Burgaw and teacher of the Men’s Bible Class of
that Sunday School.

Mr. Moore was Past Master of Masonic Lodge No. 138

in 1938.

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 183
Mrs. Seth L. Smith

A former Pender County woman, Mrs. Seth L. Smith, née
Miss Blanche Lucas, now of Whiteville, was given the high
honor recently of being for the third time listed in the
biographical dictionary, American Women, which tells of
the most outstanding women in the country annually.

The publication was released in Los Angeles, Calif., by
Durwood Howes and contained the biography of 10,222 of
the most outstanding women of the country as submitted by
organization officials, college and university alumne secre-
taries, business, civic and professional leaders.

The reference to Mrs. Smith, as carried in the American
W oman is as follows:

“Blanche Lucas Smith (Mrs. Seth L.), born at Currie,
N. C., daughter of Dr. George Franklin and Bertha Simp-
son Lucas, married Seth Lewis Smith, June 17, 1908;
educated at Flora Macdonald College; served as a trustee
of the Whiteville High School 1932-33; politics, Democrat;
member of the Whiteville Public Library Association, and
one of the organizers of it, having served as president,
trustee, and has been continuously an officer since its organi-
zation; Member United Daughters of Confederacy, being a
local officer since 1903; State Recording Secretary, U. D. C.,
1928-29; State Historian, U. D. C., 1933-34; Member of
Daughters of the American Colonies (State Chaplain 1935-
36); Member of the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion (State Chairman of the Historical Guide Book, and
Staté Chairman of the Junior American Citizenship Clubs).

Regent of the Miajor General Robert Howe Chapter,
D.A.R. (1938-39). Member of the Whiteville Woman’s
Club since 1903 (served every office in the organization,
with one term of office as president); Author of North
Carolina Memorials and Unmarked Spots of Confederate
Interest in North Carolina; Member of the Advisory Com-
mittee coéperating with the State Department of Conser-
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

184 History of Pender County, North Carolina

vation in marking historical spots in North Carolina; award-
ed Jeanne Fox Weinman trophy by the Natonal Society,
U. D.C. for outstanding historical work (in Baltimore 1933
and in New York in 1934) ; State D. A. R. Chairman of the
Junior American Citizenship Clubs, receiving special honors
for the State D. A. R. and from the Miajor General Robert
Howe Chapter. :

Dr. Robert J. W illiams

Dr. Robert J. Williams, son of James and Laura Johnson
Williams, was educated at Davis Military Academy, La-
Grange, and the University of Virginia, and finished his
medical education at the Jefferson Medical College, Phila-
delphia, Pa.

Dr. Williams was a man of sterling qualities and has been

a great benefactor in the community in which he lives and was ©

one of the most beloved physicians of Pender County. His
untiring efforts and his gentle manner in his practice as well
as his marked ability as a physician has won for him a place
in the hearts of the people thiat would be hard to fill.

Dr. Williams married Miss Evie Moore, daughter of
Charles P. Moore, and from that union they have three
sons and two daughters.

Dr. William Ivey ‘Taylor, Sr.

On December 31, 1914, Dr. Taylor came to Burgaw,
where he located, maintaining a general medical and surgical
practice.

Pender County has no better representative than Dr.
Taylor, who is a man of high standing integrity. He was
born at Kerr, Sampson County, the son of Lycurgus Knox
Taylor and Hiattie Elizabeth Taylor, deceased.

Dr. Taylor gained his preliminary education in the public
schools of Sampson, graduating from the Clements High

 

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 185

School, Wallace, then entering the Pre-Medical Department
of Wake Forest College. At the same time he was a mem-
ber of the Philomathesian Literary Society. For three years
he was a student of the Medical Department of Davidson
College and the North Carolina Medical College, attending
both at the same time. He was graduated from the latter
in 1902 with degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Taylor is
a member of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 138 A. F. & A. M.
of Burgaw; Wilmington Consistory F. A. A. S. R., in the
valley of Wilmington in which he has been advanced to
32nd degree, and Sudan Temple A. A. O. N. M.S. of New
Bern. He is also a Woodman of the World, a member of
the North Carolina Medical Association and the American
Medical Association.

From 1896 to 1898 he was a member of the Wilmington
Division of the United States Naval Reserves. With the
declaration of war with Spain, Dr. Taylor enlisted in the
United States Navy for the Spanish-American War, and
was lapothecary aboard the Nantucket, continuing in the
service throughout the war. He was honorably discharged
at its close. During the World War I he was Medical
Examiner for the Selective Draft Board of Pender County.
In December, 1902 he was married to Miss Berta Hood of
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. C., the daughter of
John Green and Bona Johnston Hood. One daughter, Mrs.
Charles Williams of Greenville, S. C., and their only son,
Dr. William Ivey Taylor, Jr., is associated with his father
in the medical profession in Burgaw and the County
generally.

Dr. Taylor, Jr. was educated at Wake Forest College
and from there finished at Jefferson Medical College, Phila-
delphia, receiving his internship from James Walker Me-
morial Hospital, Wilmington. He is a member of the
Burgaw Presbyterian Church, and is also connected with the
North Carolina Shipbuilding Corporation of Wilmington as

Medical Adviser.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

186 History of Pender County, North Carolina

William Alexander Brown

Will A. Brown, as he was affectionately known to his friends
and acquaintances, was born at Rocky Point, November 25)
1875, the son of Bryan and Annie James Brown. He attend-
ed the public schools of Pender County, 1881-1892, entering
the Davis Military Academy in 1893-1894 and the Southern
Business ‘College, Atlanta in 1896. A farmer by achieve-
ment, engaging in this business in his earlier years, he repre-
sented the County as Commissioner during 1900-1906.
Chairman of the County Board of Education in 1912-1918;
Chairman of the Local Draft Board during the World War;
was lappointed a member of the Board of Agriculture by
Governor Morrison, and reappointed by Gov. Gardner; he
was also Presidential Elector in 1924 and State Senator in
1921. He is a Mason and Shriner. On December 23rd,
1896, he married Miss George Ennett, daughter of Dr.
Tom Ennett. Four boys and three girls compose the family,
of which Mrs. Everette Durham of Burgaw is the youngest
daughter.

Robert Grady Johnson
Robert Grady Johnson, son of Joe Ab. and Myrtie Grady

Johnson, was born on their plantation a few miles west of
Burgaw and is one of Pender’s young men who has arisen to
political prominence in North Carolina.

His father moved to Burgaw in his early childhood and,
after finishing the Burgaw High School, he entered the
University of North Carolina, where he completed a two-
year course. When the World War started, he entered the
service, going to Columbia, S. C., where he was engaged in
the Veteran’s Hospital, remaining there until the close of
the war. After his return to Burgaw, the was connected with
the Bank of Pender as Assistant ‘Cashier for five or six
years, resigning to enter Wake Forest, where he completed
his law course, graduating from that institution.

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 187

In 1929 he represented Pender County in the Senate, and
in 1931 and 1933 he was elected to the House of Represen-

tatives, and in 1935 was Speaker of the House.
In 1936 he was elected Road Commissioner, ane later
made Director of the Penal Institution of North Cooler
Mr. Johnson was married to Mrs. Louise White Free-
man, of Elizabeth ‘City.

John S. Collins

When still a young man, John S. Collins left Burgaw to
find work and to make a home for himself and family,
locating in Washington, D. C.

He originally entered the service of the Federal Govern-
ment by appointment to the Coast Geodetic Survey, then a
bureau of the Treasury Department.

In 1910 he was transferred from this bureau to the
Bureau of Manufacturers, Department of Commerce and

Labor.

In 1912 he was transferred to the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce. ;

In 1919 he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Interior
Department Indian School at Phoenix, SSSI

In 1923 he was made Chief Clerk to Chief Supervisor of
Education in the Indian Service. ee

In 1927 he was appointed to the Bureau of Foreign and

Domestic Commerce, from which bureau he was transferred
to the aeronautic branch as Assistant Chief of the Adminis-

tration Division.

Later he was made fiscal assistant to the director of the
Bureau of Air Commerce and Chief of Administration
Division, from which he resigned to take his present position
as Administration Assistant in the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

188 History of Pender County, North Carolina

David H. Bland

Among the several younger men who have, in the last
several decades left our County and taken up their abode in
other sections, is Judge David Bland, who has won many
laurels for his ability, sobriety, and common-sense judgment.

In 1910 he moved to Goldsboro after having been Prin-
cipal of the Oxford High School for two years. He has
remained in Wayne County, building up a wide and valuable
connection in civil and criminal practice. Always interested
in politics, as a Democrat, he was appointed Judge of the
County ‘Court of Wayne in March, 1913, at the establish-
ment of this Court and has been elected and re-elected to
this office every succeeding two years. Judge Bland is an
attorney of brilliant attainments and is one of the leaders
of the bench and bar, whose prestige has far out-run local
boundaries.

Judge Bland was born in Burgaw, a son of John Thomas
and Lorena §. Bland. He attended the public schools of
Burgaw, Oak Ridge Institute, and took his degree of bache-
lor of Arts and Master of Arts from Wake Forest College.

He was admitted to the bar in 1908 and for two years he
practiced law in his home town of Burgaw, before moving
to Goldsboro.

He is a member of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 138 of
Burgaw. Also a member of the North Carolina Bar Asso-
ciation. During the World Wiar he was a member of the
Selective Draft Board of the Eastern District of North
Carolina, the Speaker’s Bureau of Wayne County, as well
as the Fuel Administration, devoting much of his time to
the cause.

Judge Bland married Miss Lazina Moore of Greenville
and four children comprise this family. All are members of
the Baptist ‘Church.

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 189
John J. Best

John J. Best, an attorney of the town of Burgaw, is a man
who stands high in popular esteem. He came to Burgaw in
1915 and established himself permanently and has since
continued his law practice. He was County Attorney from
1922 for several years, also Chairman of the Board of Elec-
tions of Pender for two years, and Solicitor of the Record-
er’s Court for five years, having been reappointed last year
after two years absence from this office. esha:

In 1942 Mr. Best was appointed Assistant District
Federal Attorney, with offices in the Custom House Build-
ing, Wilmington.

Mr. Best was born in Duplin County and educated at
Wake Forest College, graduating in 1910 with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts. He was a student of the Law Depart-
ment of Wake Forest and admitted to the bar in 1912.

In 1937 Mr. Best represented Pender County in the
Legislature.

In 1915 he was united in marriage to Miss Geneva
Moore, daughter of E. MacMoore and Calla Murphy
Moore.

Mr. Best is a member of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 138
of Burgaw, and a member of the Bar Association.

Dr. Fritz Ebert

Dr. Fritz Ebert, a promising physician of Chattanooga,
Tenn., was a grandson of one of Pender County’s old citi-
zens, Robert M. ‘Croom, who was connected with the
County management during the first years of its creation,
and representing the County in the Legislature for two
consecutive periods. F

Dr. Ebert left Pender with his mother and family while
in his early teens, going from here to Columbia, S. C.,-where
the family still resides.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

190 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Dr. Ebert was educated at the University of South Caro-
lina and Vanderbilt University; was a member of Alpha
Kappa Kappa Medical Fraternity and of Honorary Eve
Club. He served his internship at Nashville General Hospi-
tal and later served as resident surgeon.

He has been located in Chattanooga for the past thirteen
years and is on the Staff of Baronness Erlinger Hospital.

Dr. Ebert is also a member of the Chattanooga Golf and
Country Club, Fairyland Club and Golf Club, Rod and Gun
Club iand is a licensed pilot, owning his own plane.

When a call was sent out for volunteers during the World
War, Fritz enlisted and became stenographer for the cap-
tain of his company. Being of German descent, he asked to
be allowed to go to the front to fight for the good old
U. S. A. He was released from office work and saw service
at the front, being a member of the famous Rainbow
Division.

Dr. Ebert married Miss Mildred Thompson, of Carth-

age, Tennessee.
Di Werle De Orr

Dr. William J. Bryan Orr, one of Pender County’s young
men who left his home in the County to make a home and
reputation for himself in another section of the country, was
born at Currie. Dr. Orr was educated at the University of
North Carolina land the University of Maryland—receiving
his M. D. degree. After serving as a resident surgeon at the
City Hospital in Baltimore, he was appointed surgeon to the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Hospital at Rocky Mount.
Later he organized and built the Johnston County Hospital,
Smithfield, and was superintendent and surgeon at this hospi-
tal until 1930. He then took a year’s post-graduate work in
General Surgery and Gynecology, opening ian office in Wash-
ington, D. C., where he practices his profession.

Dr. Orr is affliated with many organizations, being a

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 19%

member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served in the
capacity of Elder and Sunday School Superintendent. He is
an active Shriner, being at present medical aid to Almas
potentate. He is also active in Jesterdom and past director
of Capital Court No. 50. He also belongs to numerous
medical societies and the Columbia Country ‘Club at Chevy
Chase, Maryland. 5

He is a staunch Carolinian and still a devotee of his native
County, where he visits semi-annually.

Henry L. Johnson

Henry L. Johnson, a son of Pender County, was born on
his father’s farm about six miles west of Burgaw. His
parents were Joab Johnson and Myrtie Grady Johnson. His
father, now deceased, was clerk of the Court of Pender
County for twenty years.

In 1917, after graduating from the Burgaw High School,
he entered the academic and law school of the University
of North Carolina. He continued there for three years and
in September, 1923, was admitted to the bar.and immediate-
ly entered the practice of law at Wilmington, where he was
associated with his uncle, Robt. G. Grady, remaining there
until September, 1925, when he came back to Burgaw to
supervise the Burgaw branch office of the firm of Grady
and Johnson.

Henry Johnson, one of Burgaw’s attractive sons, is a man
of brilliant abilities; a good Democrat, and tholds a position
in Raleigh as legal adviser to the local Government Board.

John. Thomas Wells

John Thomas Wells was born in Pender County, the son
of W. S. Wells and Lizzie B. Wells, deceased.

After finishing in the schools of Pender he entered the
services of the Government on September 25, 1916, and was
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

192 History of Pender County, North Carolina

sent to Camp Glen, N. C. being transferred to Camp
Stewart, Texias, then to Camp Sevier and promoted to rank
of Corporal September 1, 1917, and to Sergeant on April
Ir, 1918. On April 26, 1918 he sailed for Calais, France.
He fought at Ypres and Bellicourt and was wounded at
Bellincourt, September 20, 1918, by gas and shrapnel. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Bellincourt September
29, 1918, he was cited for bravery receiving the French
Croix de Guerre and D. S. C. Wounded at the start of an
advance, he continued in command of his platoon and engag-
ing in hand-to-hand fighting, bayoneted three Germans iand
captured several others. He displayed marked personal
bravery, leading his platoon ably until forced to retire be-
cause of loss of blood from his wounds. He was sent to
Seventh British Base Hospital, Camiers, France. He was on
border duty six months. He returned home after the armis-
tice was signed and mustered out at Camp Jackson, April 8,
1919.

John Wells has ably represented Pender County in the
Legislature for two consecutive terms and became Clerk of
the Court of Pender County in 1930, which office he resigned
to become Cashier of the First Citizens Bank & Trust Com-
pany of Burgaw.

Mr. Wells was married to Miss Mary Barden, sister of
Hon. Graham Barden, in 1934. By this union they have
two handsome sons.

Mr. Wells is afhliated with the Methodist-Episcopal
Church, the Masonic Lodge, Lion’s Club and is Commander
of the American Legion.

Hon. Graham A. Barden

Hon. Graham A. Barden moved to Burgaw as a young
lad with his father’s family in 1908, and graduated from the
Burgaw High School and served in the United States Niavy
during the World War. He was educated at the University

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 193

of North Carolina, graduating with LL.B. degree in 1920.
He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and was licensed
to practice law in August 1920. He taught school one year
in New Bern and after making his home there, served three
terms as Judge of the County Court of Craven County. He
represented Craven County in the North Carolina General
Assembly in 1933 and was elected to the 74th Congress
from the 3rd District and was re-elected to the 75th and
76th Congress without opposition.

Mr. Barden married Miss Agnes Foy of New Bern and
has a son and daughter. Politically Mr. Barden is a Demo-
crat. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, being a
member of the Board of Deacons, also a member of the
Masonic Order, having served as Past Master of Doric
Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 568, Sudan Temple Shrine. A
member of Junior Order of Mechnics, of which he has
been counselor, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, being a past commander of the New Bern .Lodge
No. 764. Past Commander Donnerson-Hawkins Post No.
24 of American Legion; past District Commander of Ameri-
can Legion.

Thurman Tate Murphy

Thurman Murphy, as every man, woman and child in
Pender County knows him, was born in the western part of
the County, near Atkinson, the son of Henry and Priscilla
Murphy. Mr. Murphy became Superintendent of the Pender
County Schools in 1903, before reaching the age of 21 years.
During the first years of his work, and in 1906 he resigned
to resume his collegiate course. Reverend Charles E. Utley
filled the unexpired time of Mr. Murphy.

Since July, 1909 he has performed the duties of Superin-
tendent of the County Schools in a most acceptable manner
as well as acting as Welfare Representative throughout the
County up to three years ago. During that time he has been
instrumental in bringing about the consolidation of the rural
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

194 History of Pender County, North Carolina

schools of Pender and in building and equipping five high
school units, to say nothing of the Negro schools throughout
the County, that have been greatly improved with more
modern equipment. Mr. Murphy has been an outstanding
factor in his methods and his achievement regarding educa-
tional advantages for Pender County.

It is needless to say that Pender County has been most
fortunate in having one of its illustrious sons as Superinten-
dent land one whose heart and soul is wrapped up in the
work that he has been putting across to the people of the
County in an educational and civic minded manner. Mr.
Murphy thas not only been interested in standardizing our
schools and school system, but he has unstintingly given of
his time, and means toward education and the general better-
ment of conditions, sanitary and otherwise throughout the
County. 5

For many years Mr. Murphy served as representative of
the Welfare Work, helping the halt, the lame and the blind
by his untiring efforts for which he received no compensation.
Even though he has been relieved of this work for the last
three years, his advice is constantly sought by many, who
feel that he can accomplish the impossible.

Mr. Murphy is an active member of King Solomon Lodge
No. 138, having been secretary for a number of years. He
is affliated with the Presbyterian Church of Burgaw as one
of its Elders.

He married Miss Mabel Logue of Pennsylvania, and by
this union they have two daughters and ‘one son, Henry
Murphy, who was a pilot in the South Pacific War Zone.

James V. Whitheld

James Vivian Whitfield was born at Seven Springs, N. C.,
July 23, 1894. His father was James A. Whitfield, his

mother Vivian Powers, daughter of Captain K. B. Powers

and Maria Faison Powers.

 

 

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 195

He was educated at Wilmington and Wallace Graded
Schools, Horner Military School, Oxford, N. C., and the
University of North Carolina, receiving his B. A. degree in
1915 andiM. A. degree in 1919.

From 1915 to 1917, Mr. Whitfield was Commandant
and taught history at Horner Military School, and from
1917 to 1919 he was military instructor and English instruc-
tor at the University of North Carolina.

In July, 1919 he was appointed Vice-Consul of the United
States at Montevideo, Uruguay; in April, 1920 he was ap-
pointed Vice-Consul to Bahia Blanca, Argentina and in
December of the same year he was assigned as Vice-Consul
to Havana, Cuba. In 1922 the was appointed Vice-Consul-
in-Charge at Matanzas, Cuba. In 1923 he was appointed
Consul at Mantanzas and in December, 1925 he was trans-
ferred to Monterrey, Mexico, as Consul.

In 1927 Mr. Whitfield resigned from the Foreign Service
to enter the Import-Export business in New York.

At present he lives at his old home in Union Township,
Pender County, and is engaged in farming.

He has one son, John Whitfield, who is serving overseas.

Mr. Whitfield was elected representative from this Coun-
ty to the next General Assembly 1944.

Thomas LeRoy Lee
Thomas LeRoy Lee of Carthage, N. C., the son of Mrs.

J. M. Lee and the late J. M. Lee, was born on his father’s

farm near Croom’s Bridge in Pender County. At an early
age he entered the Asheville schools and graduated from the
Asheville High School at the age of 14 years, after which he
entered St. Joseph’s College, Belmont, N. C., and while a
student in that College he was awarded the first gold medal
that had ‘been given any student in years for being the ‘best
student in mathematics. After leaving school he assisted his
father in his mercantile store in the town of Watha. Later
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

196 History of Pender County, North Carolina

he accepted a position with Marcus Bear and Brother of
Wilmington, N.C. and worked for them until they went out
of business. On. recommendation from this firm he became
connected with Anderson and Brother of Richmond, Vir-
ginia, and also with Drewry Hughes, until they retired, after
which he went to Baltimore and was connected with John
Hurst, and later with Butler Brothers for several years.

He opened two stores of his own, one at Fairmont, N.C.
and one at Tabor City, N. C., which were very successful.
He now operates a chain of five stores, which are all doing
good business.

Mr. Lee was married the first time to Martha Irma
Parsons in 1915. He has two children by this union: Mrs.
Ann Margaret Johnson of Parksley, Va., and ia son, James
Lawrence Lee, in the service in Italy. Mrs. Lee passed away
in 1925.

In 1942 he married Mrs. Emily Edwards of Lumberton,
North Carolina.

Herbert James Herring
Herbert James Herring, Duke University Dean, was born

in Pender County on the r1th of December, 1899, the son

of J. Fletcher Herring and Alice Johnson Herring, deceased.
He was educated at the Burgaw High School, Burgaw,
N. C., and Trinity College; received A. B. degree from
Duke University 1922, and A. M. degree from Columbia

University 1929. On December 31, 1929 he was married ©

to Virginia Cozart of Stem, N. C.

Was teacher of English in R. J. Reynolds High School
from 1922-1924; Assistant Dean Instructor Speech of Duke
University 1924-1935; Dean of Men, Assistant Professor
Speech, Duke University 1935. President N. C. Association
of College Registrars 1938-39; served as private S. A. T. C.
three months. Member Sigma Upsilon, Tau Alpha, Phi Eta
Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Chi, Phi Beta Kappa.

 

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 197

A member of the Rotary Club; a Democrat, and member of
the Methodist Church South. In 1942 he was made Dean
of Men of Duke University, Durham, N. C.

George L. Paddison
George L. Paddison, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Paddi-

son, was born in Burgaw, attended the school of Burgaw
and was graduated from the University of North Carolina
in 1905 with an A. B. degree; from the Kentucky State
University in 1906 with an M. A. degree, and from the
University of Mississippi in 1909 with LL.B. degree. He
was an Instructor in Chemistry at Kentucky State University
one year and Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Uni-
versity of Mississippi for three years.

He practiced law in Greenwood, Miss. for five years,
closing his law office upon the advent of the boll weevil to
that section iand going with the West Publishing Company
as salesman in 1914. He has been with this company con-
tinuously ever since, now accepting the position of supervisor
of its salesmen and the salesmen of its subsidiary companies.

Mr. Paddison is a Mason, a Shriner and a member of
the Delta Psi college fraternity.

He has never married and still calls Burgaw his home
where he spends his annual summer vacations.

His headquarters are in New York City.

Gibson James

In the year 1786 Isaac James, the father of Gibson
James, moved from Onslow County to New Hanover, now
Pender County, and settled at Maple Hill, where he owned
about 25,000 acres of land. In dividing his property, he
gave this youngest son, Gibson James, the present honre place
where the family now resides. He was the owner of a large
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

198 History of Pender County, North Carolina

number of slaves and many of the descendants are still in
thiat section of the County.

Mr. Gibson James has had an active business career, as
well as being interested in the political activity of the County
and its potential growth. He was elected to the Legislature
in 1879 and re-elected in 1899. He was active in putting
through the Legislature what was and is known as the
“Grandfather Clause” in the State Constitution, requiring
one to be sufficiently educated to be able to read the Consti-
tution of the United States, before voting: He ‘has always

been very much interested in promoting education, having”

served on the Board of Education as Chairman a consider-
able portion of the time. He also served on the Board of
County Commissioners and was Chairman for a number of
years. During his term in the Legislature, he introduced a
bill creating the Moore’s Creek Battle Ground Association,
which developed land provided for the care of the grounds,
preserving the battlefield until it was taken over by the
Federal Government and made into a National Park.

Incidentally his son, Murray James, was instrumental in
passing upon the title and proving it and transferring it to
the Government and making it the Moore’s Creek National
Military Park.

Mr. James passed on to his reward in February, 1945 at
the age of 94 and was buried in the old family burying
ground,

Mrs. Mary Colvin Murphy

Mrs. Mary Colvin Murphy was born in Atkinson, Pender
County, North Carolina, the daughter of James W. and
Annie Moore ‘Colvin. Mrs. Murphy was educated at James
Sprunt Institute and Peace Institute. She has traveled ex-
tensively in the United States and in Europe and has State-
wide recognition in the educational, cultural, patriotic and
political life of North Carolina.

 

 

IN aa

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 199

Mrs. Murphy has been identified with many State civic
organizations and is a member of the State Historical So-
ciety. Also a member of many Patriotic Organizations,
United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the
American Revolution, and the North Carolina Society of
Colonial Dames of America. For some time Mrs. Murphy
served as Vice-Chairman of the Democratic Executive Com-

mittee of the State of North Carolina.

Philip Edward Lucas

Philip Edward Lucas, son of Mrs. Elizabeth W. Lucas
and the late Dr. Philip E. Lucas, was born in Burgaw.

He attended the. Burgaw High School and from there
went to the University of North Carolina where he won
many honors throughout his college course.

He was awarded an A. B. degree in 1939 and an LL.B.
degree in 1941 from the University of North Carolina.

He was licensed by the North Carolina Bar Association
in 1941 and 1942, until he enlisted in the Naval Reserves.
He received training at Columbia University and was com-
missioned an ensign in the graduating class of August, 1942.

He is ia member of the Burgaw Presbyterian Church. He

is now serving overseas.

William Norman Cowan

William Norman Cowan, the son of Mrs. Martha Cowan
and the late R. D. Cowan, was born October 7th, 1899. He
went to the Burgaw High School and also to school in New
York City. On March 15th, 1917, at the age of 18 years,
he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Fort
Slocum, New York to receive his recruit training. From
Fort Slocum he went to Douglas, Arizona. He was assigned
to the 11th Regular United States Infantry, and in April
1918, went overseas, remaining in France 18 months. After
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200 History of Pender County, North Carolina

his return to Camp Devers, Mass., he decided to make the
Army his life career and was assigned to Camp Lee, Vir-
ginia, and later to Fort ‘Meade, Md., each six months. Both
camps were disbanded, after which he was assigned to Fort
Hamilton, New York, one of the most outstanding forts in
the United States. He remained there 23 years, lat which
time he was Sergeant Major of the famous Fighting Division
which was the first division of American troops to arrive in
France and the last division to return to the United States
in the First World War and the second World War has
been 1a repetition of the first and while his good wishes and
his heart is with them in their strife of battle for the rights
and love of country, he was debarred on account of health
from going overseas.

In 1942 he was commissioned Captain of the Adjutant
General’s Department and assigned to Headquarters Anti-
Aircraft Command, Richmond, Va., where he has been since
April 1st, 1942.

Major Cowan is a member of the Presbyterian Church,
and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 138 of Burgaw,
N. C. He married Miss Elva M. Meeks of Sanford, N. C.,

and has two attractive young sons.

Dr. William Luther Hand

Dr. William Luther Hand was born in Burgaw, Pender
County, the son of William McCallum and Eliza Jane
Bunting Hand. He went through the Burgaw schools and
in 1903 entered the University of Maryland, Baltimore,
where he made the study of dentistry. During his first year
he was elected to membership of Omega Dental Fraternity
and held office in the North Carolina Society of the Univer-
sity of Maryland, graduating in June 1905 with the degree
of D.D.S. and in September 1905 located in New Bern to
practice his profession. In 1907 and also 1918 had post-

 

Some Pender Sons Who Have Achieved Success 201

graduate courses at Harvard University and 1908 post-
graduate courses at Northwestern University, Chicago.

Dr. Hand is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church
of New Bern and for seven years acted as Deacon having
been Elder and Clerk of the session since 1921 and also
Superintendent of Sunday School for fifteen. years.

In 1926 a Boys’ Club was organized, known as the Hand
Gang Boys, ranging in years from 6 years up, and later
merging into the Boy Scout Program as Troup 50. Dr.
Hand has been its Master since its birth, with the troop
having its own club house, dock, diving tower and all play-
ground equipment. More than 400 boys’ lives have been
influenced by this contact, so says Dr. Hand, and the things
that he claims he cherishes most were his close afhliation
and activities with the youth of his adopted County of
Craven. Dr. Hand was president of Y. M. C. A. for years
and on Board of Directors during its existence. Dr. Hand
served on the School Board for eleven years, director of
one of the leading banking institutions, member of the
Board of Health, dental surgeon for the Geodetic Survey,
Coast Guard and Veterans’ Bureau and President of the 5th
District Dental Society, also a member of the Draft Board
of Craven County as dental surgeon, and President of the
Craven County Dental Society. On November 30th, 1910
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Gavine Ellis of New Bern
and from this union they have one son, W. L. Hand, Jr.

Roy Rowe

Roy Rowe, one of Pender County’s illustrious sons, who
has achieved success in every walk of life which he has
undertaken, was born in Pender on his old ancestral plan-
tation which has been in the family for many generations
about eight miles northeast of Burgaw. He is the son of
Nicholas Henry Rowe and Mary Belle Rowe, born on May
25th, 1905.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nN
°
is)

History of Pender County, North Carolina

|
|
|
|

 

 

Roy Rowe

He attended the graded school at the Carolina Industrial
School in the Shelter Neck area, finishing high high school
work from the Farm Life School, Vanceboro, after which
he attended the University of North Carolina, later attend-
ing the Theatre Managers School in New York. After
several months of training he became manager of theatres
in Spartanburg, S. C., Greenboro and Raleigh, N. C. for
two years and accepted the management of Warner Brothers
Theatres in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Washington, D. C. for
five years.

Coming back to North Carolina, he taught for three years
at Emmerton College, Vanceboro. Becoming more interest-

 

 

Historical Markers 203

ed in having a business of his own making, he opened a chain
of theatres during the year 1935 in Burgaw, Bethel, Eliza-
bethtown and Richlands and continues to operate the Bur-
gaw and Elizabethtown theatres.

In 1936 he was elected to the State Senate and again in
1940 and 1944 and elected to the House of Representatives
in 1942. Mr. Rowe has been exceedingly interested in avi-
ation for many years and is a charter member of the Civil
Air Patrol and during World War II became a major in
this organization. Mr. Rowe was instrumental in developing
the Burgaw Airport and was the power behind the throne
in doing so, which has developed into a Government School
for training G. I.’s in aviation.

Mr. Rowe is chairman of the Aeronautic Commission of
North Carolina, a trustee of the University of North Caro-
lina and also of the Negro College of Durham, a member
of the National Council of State Government of North
Carolina and a member of the King Solomon Masonic
Lodge #138 of Burgaw.

In 1929 he married Miss Nina Worsley of Mayesville.
From this union they have two very attractive children,
Tonia and Roy Rowe, Jr.

Historical Markers

The following Historical Highway Markers which have
been presented at different times by the State of North
Carolina Historical Commission and placed by the State of
North Carolina Highway Commission are fine tributes to
the memory of some of our old patriots who lived and died
in this section of Pender County.

Moore’s CREEK BRIDGE

First Battle of the Revolution in N.C. Feb. 27, 1776. Tory Defeat.
U. S. Military Park. 5 mi. southwest, on U. S. Route 421, near

intersection with N. C. Highway 602.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

204 History of Pender County, North Carolina

 

In patriotic Commemoration of the Visit of George Washington on his tour
of the Southern States—1791.

The Live Oak Tree under which it is said George Washington and his

staff of officers ate their lunch and rested their horses during Revolutionary
times.

This tree is located on U. S. Highway No. 17 Pender County between
Scotts Hill and Hampstead, Pender County.

The Stamp Defiance Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of
Wilmington placed a marker commemorating this incident 1925.

SAMUEL ASHE

Governor, 1795-98; President Council Safety 1776; one of first

three State Judges——Grave 3 mi. east, on U. S. Route 117 at
Rocky Point.

ALEXANDER LILLINGTON

Revolutionary Leader, Whig Colonel in Battle of Moore’s Creek

Bridge, 1776. Grave 9 mi. northeast, U. S. Route 117 at Rocky
Point.

 

Home-Coming Day 205

Hinton JAMES

First Student to enter the University of North Carolina, 1795-
Civil Engineer, ‘State Legislator. Grave 300 yards East,*on route
U.S. 117 about four miles north Burgaw.

James Moore

Commander of Whigs in Moore’s Creek Campaign, 1776, Brigadier
General North ‘Carolina troops at Charleston. Died 1777. His home
3 mi. S. E. on east side of U. S. Route 117, Rocky Point.

S. S. SATCHWELL

Founder of State Medical Society, 1849; head of Confederate
Hospital at Wilson. 1st President State Board of Health, 1879.
Home stood here. On U. S. Route 117 in Burgaw.

Home-Coming Day

Expressing joy in the glorious past and hope for peace in
the future, on November 9th, 1939, Pender County cele-
brated its first Home-Coming Day in Burgaw, the County
seat, honoring four great men of the past and numerous
sons of the present.

This day was set apart for the purpose of bringing to our
people and the surrounding community some of the historic
values for which Pender County is famed. A very satisfying
detailed program was carried out to the letter. Dr. Frank
P. Graham of the University of North Carolina was the
principal speaker of the day. He made a most interesting
as well as enlightening address and in such a graphic manner
that it portrayed the spirit of the battle of Moore’s Creek
Bridge as it was fought. He went into great detail with the
events surrounding the battle and of the American and
British strategies which led to the method used to win the
battle. Out of the spirit generated at Moore’s Creek Bridge,
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

206 History of Pender County, North Carolina

North Carolina it said to the rest of the Colonies, ‘““We
are ready.”

“It is my hope,” said Dr. Graham, ‘‘that this Home-
Coming Day for Pender may become home-coming day for
the United States. We have a great battle to fight here at
home for Democracy, peace, freedom and justice.” He also
told of the deeds of Alexander Lillington, Samuel Ashe and
Hinton James, dealing also with the deeds of Col. Moore
and Col. Richard Caswell.

The second speaker of the day was Dr. George Cooper
of the State Board of Health, who read a most interesting
paper on the achievements of Dr. S. S. Satchwell, who was
the first President of the State Board of Health of North
Carolina.

Dr. C. C. Crittenden, Secretary of the North Carolina
Historical Commission, spoke very interestingly of the High-
way Marker Program throughout North Carolina and pre-
sented to Pender County markers of Governor Samuel Ashe,
General Lillington, and Hinton James, the first student to
matriculate at the University, which was unveiled by Dr.
Graham and Miss Jean Brown Gibson, great-great-grand-
daughter of Hinton James.

When James matriculated on February 12th, 1795, there
was one building, one professor iand one student—he being
the only student at that time.

At the conclusion of the different addresses, a basket
lunch was spread under the shade of the beautiful trees on
the Court House square, where tables had been arranged
for the good viands for which the Pender County women
are noted, which crowned the day la marvelous success.

Sao) al aes

On July 4th, 1942 a Victory Day was celebrated with
patriotic speeches and a Victory Day dinner. In the after-
noon the unveiling of the historical marker to Dr. S. S.
Satchwell took place, Mr. T. T. Murphy, Superintendent of

 

PUES a a

 

Origin of Negro Head Road 207

 

 

Tur Home-Cominc Day PARADE

Education of Pender County presenting the marker to the
County, State and the family of Dr. Satchwell. This was
accepted by the grandson, Mr. Edward Sloan, of Greenville,
S. C., and unveiled by the great-granddaughter and great-
grandson of this illustrious old Confederate physician.

Origin of Negro Head Road

Most everyone who has lived for any length of time in
either New Hanover or Pender County has heard something
about Negro Head Road, the origin by which it is familiarly
known.

Negro Head Point is the extreme point of land lying
between the North East Cape Fear River and the Cape
Fear River itself, where they join, and is some four or five
hundred feet from Market Street Dock. This road starts at
this point and comes into Pender County around Richards
and extends through the western part of the County, pre-
sumably terminating at Fayetteville. .

According to tradition, it took the name of “Negro Head
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

208 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Point” from ithe fact that in the earlier settlement of the
country, the head of a famous Negro outlaw, who had com-
mitted sundry acts of theft and murder in this and adjoining

counties, was erected on a stake at this point and left there
as a warning to others.

At that time this point was an uncultivated swamp or
forest of tall trees, intermingled with undergrowth of lob-
lolly, bay, rattan and bamboo briars. On this spot at that
time grew a tall cypress, the monarch of the swamp. This
tree is said to have been several feet in diameter and 70 feet
to the first limb, being hollow throughout land it contained
within its base a chamber large enough to accommodate a
small family and the exterior or shell was perfectly sound
but to this singular mansion there was no visible entrance.
It was first discovered by Col. Thomas Bloodworth, a Welsh
gentleman, though then a citizen of this country. When out
on a fox chase one morning, the dogs pursued a fox to this
point and then suddenly disappeared. He could distinctly
hear them barking but could not determine their where-
abouts. At length, it occured to him that they must be inside
of the tree but could not find a visible entrance.

On retracing his steps about fifty yards, he perceived that
the leaves and earth had been scratched up, as if by dogs’
feet, and a cavern or tunnel in the earth, large enough he
supposed to admit a man, and leading directly towards the
tree. Entering this passage and fearlessly pursuing it, he
was suddenly ushered into 'a spacious chamber and found
the dogs exulting over their prey, having killed two foxes, a
raccoon, and a mink, which had entered the hollow of the
tree, no doubt the place of their abode. It immediately
occured to Col. Bloodworth that this might be converted
into a citadel to annoy the British while they had possession
of Wilmington. He returned home revolving this project in
his mind, but kept his discovery and design a profound
secret, for such was the perilous state of the times, that their

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin of Negro Head Road 209

inmost thoughts seemed to be conveyed to the British by the
prowling, infamous Tories.

The family of Bloodworth came over to this country
many years before the Revolutionary War, direct from
Wales, and settled near South Washington, then New Han-
over County (now Watha, Pender County).

They are said to have been patronized by the celebrated
Sir William Jones, who himself was a Welchman and one
of the most learned men in Europe. The old colonists used
to exhibit his letters to them with much pride and expressed
for him a most affectionate regard.

The Bloodworths were poor, but not illiterate. They were
moral and industrious, with strong national feelings regard-
ing themselves las the pure original Britons whom the mon-
grel Anglo-Saxon race had driven from their homes and
despoiled their property. Of course, they held the English
in utter abhorrence and when the war of the Revolution broke
out, they joined the patriots to a man. It used to be a com-
mon saying among the Whigs, that you might as well expect
to find a mare’s nest as a Welch Tory. The Bloodworths all
had a mechanical genius and being Tuba Cains were very
cunning in the working of metals. They manufactured pikes,
pistols and the very best of rifles.

When Bloodworth discovered the hollow tree, he thought
he could make a rifle that would carry ia two-ounce ball with
sufficient accuracy to the dock of Market Street. Accordingly
he set to work and made a rifle of uncommon length and
caliber. With this he practiced shooting at a target, the
distance which he supposed the tree was from Market Street
Dock and having ‘an accuracy for mensuration, he was prob-
ably not far wrong. The experiment succeeded according to
his wishes; for having drawn the figure of a man on his barn
door, he never failed to lodge la ball in it every shot.

One fine day in July he said to his son, Tim, then a small
lad and to Jim Padgett, another small urchin in his employ:
“Come boys, let us see if we can start a fox, or tree a rac-
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

210 History of Pender County, North Carolina

coon this morning; but as it may be a long hunt, suppose we
take some grog along with us.” So saying he filled two
wallets with provision and laying them on the shoulders of
the two boys, he took old Bess, as he called his new-made
rifle, with an augur and a large jug in his hand to hold water.
Thus equipped they entered a canoe on the North East Cape
Fear River tand set their compass for Negro Head Point.
On arriving at the tree he disclosed his plans to the boys
as follows:

“Well boys, yonder cypress tree is to be our home for
two weeks to come and mayhap it may be our everlasting
home. There is a large hollow in it capable of lodging us
comfortably and as it is adapted to my purpose, I want to
take possession of it for a time. It will be necessary to make
a little scaffold and to make a little opening in the tree,
fronting Market Street Dock, where the British are in the
habit of assembling. The opening must be large enough to
admit the muzzle of old Bess; and when she goes off in that
direction, with the right charge of powder and lead, some-
body’s head may ache, but not ours; at least the hardest
must fend off. Now if you boys think you can stand to it
without flinching, say so, if not, say so—and you can go
home and old Tom will try his luck alone.”’ The boys gave
three cheers land said they would stand by him to the last;
and they all entered the aperture, and were soon in the
hollow of the tree. Tim commenced a hole to admit old
Bess, standing on the shoulders of his father and supported
by Jim Padgett. A scaffold was soon erected with pieces of
timber brought in from the swamp and additional holes were
bored higher up in the tree to admit light and air. Old Bess
was soon in the proper place and ready for action.

There were, however, several bay trees in front which
completely concealed the lower part of the cypress but by
cutting away a few limbs and leaves a full view was given
of the Market Street Dock or Wharf. It so happened in

the summer that from ten o’clock in the morning until sun-

 

 

 

Origin of Negro Head Road 211

down, the wind set almost uniformly up the river, serving to
bear away the smoke of the rifle in a northerly direction
among the cypress trees, deadening the report at the same
time and thus concealing it from the enemy.

The morning of the fourth of July, the day of American
Independence, was the time fixed on for old Bess’ introduc-
tion to his Majesty’s Loyal Subjects. “You see, boys,” said
the old Colonel, ‘that group of Britishers, with their red
coats standing before Nelson’s liquor store on Market

_ Wharf. Now I'll dispatch a two-ounce ball to inquire what

they are doing there this morning and politely to ask after
the health of Major Craig and that infernal Tory, Captain
Gordon of the Dragoons.” “Crack” went his rifle! ‘See, by
blood!” said Tim, ‘‘there is a man down and four others
are lifting him into the shop.” ‘‘Very good,” said the
Colonel, wiping out the gun, and filling his charger with
powder and carefully emptying it into the muzzle, then
taking out a patch from the breech, rubbing it in the tallow
box, placing it under the ball at the muzzle and carefully
ramming it down. “Fix my seat, Tim, [ll try if I can send
another into the shop to look after the first.’ Another re-
port of the rifle. “Thar! I’ll be darned to small flinders,”
said Jim Padgett, “if another ain’t down; and see they are
bearing the red coat into the shop.”

Utter consternation seemed to prevail on the wharf; men
were running to and fro, some pointing one way, some

-another, ‘but no one suspecting the secret source of their

annoyance. The drums began to beat to arms land the fifes
to squeal but all in vain, they were struck down by an
unknown invisible hand. As if impelled by fate, a column
of soldiers now marched down to the wharf with colors fly-
ing, drums beating and fifes discoursing martial music.
“Now Kurnel,” said Jim, “suppose you let me try my
hand this time.” “But Jim, do you think you can hold the
gun steady?” “To be sure I can,” said Jim. Jim replied,
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

212 History of Pender County, North Carolina

“fy shanks and arms are none of the biggest, ‘but I think
I can do that thing.” The Colonel surrendered the gun to
Jim who took steady aim and drew the trigger. In a mo-
ment, in the twinkling of an eye, there was a universal
fluttering in the dove cote and the column disbanded scatter-
ing in every direction.

Jim elated with his success, said, “Kurnel, old Bess must
have been rude and offensive to them thar folks.” “But see,
Jim,” said the Colonel, “they are taking off to their boats
and we may have to leave here in double quick time—but
wait and see.” The boats were rowed across the river to
the ferry landing on the opposite side. Having called a
council and judging that the shot must have come from the
swamp, some on that side, they divided and began to pene-
trate the swamp, some on the right and some on the left but
no boat came in the direction of Negro Head Point, from
which they deemed it impossible that a rifle ball could reach
them.

“Now boys,” said the Colonel, “this will do for the first
day’s work. Open the provision and after having paid our
respects to the outer, let us try if we can comfort the inner
man.” On waking next morning, they discovered ‘no one
stirring on Market Street Wharf ‘and a death-like stillness
seemed to pervade the town. Presently, however, the drum
and fife struck up the morning reveille. But still no one

approached Market Wharf which had been the theater for

the display of old Bess’ prowess on the day before. Jim said, _

“They hev got shy. Wait till grog time, which with these
Britishers is allers about ten o’clock, for they say the sun
rises an hour too late in this country, and if you don’t see
Nelson’s liquor shop crowded with red coats, then I’m a liar.
We will be in no hurry, for the wind wont fairly set up the
river before that time.’’ Sure enough, Jim proved no false
prophet in Israel, for just as the hour arrived several red
coats were seen gliding rapidly into the shop as if fearful
they would be shot down in transit. Toward twelve o'clock,

 

 

 

 

 

Origin of Negro Head Road +213

meeting with no molestation, they became more confident
and assembled as usual in groups before the door. “Now
Kurnel,” said Jim, ‘spose you introduce Bess among them
agin,” and no sooner said than done, “crack” went his rifle
and another prostrate Briton was carried into the shop. The
gun having been reloaded as a dragoon rode down to water
his horse, “There, Kurnel,” continued Jim, ‘‘that’s a mighty
purty feather in that feller’s cap. I think a little wettin
would improve it, try and dip it in the river.” Another blast
of the rifle and the dragoon and the plume lay in the river
in the water. The man was hurriedly borne up the street,
the drums beat to arms ‘again and boatmen were sent out to
scour the swamps on the opposite side, but returned with
the same result as before.

Our adventurers had been amusing themselves with this
pastime for a week or more, when a prowling Tory in-
formed the British that old Bloodworth had been for some-
time from home; that he had taken with him a large rifle of
his own make and that he must be concealed somewhere in
the swamps, that he was probably the author of this mis-
chief. The sagacious Tory thought it possible, though not
very probable that Negro Head Point was the place of his
concealment land advised them to give it a thorough search,
to cut down all the undergrowth and some of the cypress
trees, so as to afford no hiding place for the d—d rebels.
One morning early, the Colonel said to his son Tim, “Aren’t
those boats coming toward this place?” “I think they be,
Father. Shall we retreat or wait the result?” “Why,” said
Jim Padgett, “if Tim will only shut up that thar hole where
old Bess peeps out when she wants to pry inter other people’s
biziness, I think we might as well stay here, fer it will take
good eyes to look into this here holler.” Jim’s advise was
taken and the hole ingeniously closed. In the meantime the
boats approached and having landed twenty men at the
point, they proceeded instantly with their axes to cut away
the undergrowth and some of the cypress trees ‘but it was
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

214 History of Pender County, North Carolina

late in the evening before they got to the cypress where our
heroes lay concealed. ‘‘Well,” said a soldier as he struck an
axe into it, “‘as it is now sundown, suppose we let this huge
fellow stand until morning but it must be cut down for it
is so large it obstructs the view into the swamps beyond.”
“Tt will be 1a herculean labor,” said one of the officers not
suspecting that it was hallow, ‘‘and it is too late to undertake
it now ‘but let ten axes encounter it at sunrise tomorrow
morning.” The inmates of the tree, who had thought their
last hours were approaching, now began to breathe more
freely and not doubting that they could make their escape
in the course of the night, they began to feel that they had a
prospect of more days to live. The officer called off the men,
all except the ten who were to be employed next morning in
the work of removing the tree and returned to town. The
ten men who were left returned to a large yawl floating at
the Point, spread over it an awning and unceremoniously
went to sleep, leaving three sentinels posted—one at the
yawl, one a few hundred yards up the Black River, and
another about the same distance up the North East River
near the place of the old ferry landing. There was a small
recess in the river concealed by rushes, where our adventur-
ers had left the canoe which brought them down and which
was to serve them again in time of need. Unfortunately as
it seemed to them, this recess was only a few feet from one
of the sentinels land to reach it unobserved they thought was
impossible. The first thought that occured to them, was to
creep up and tomahawk him at his post but much to their
gratification they were relieved from this bloody alternative.
Jim had left the tree unobserved by the others and had gone
forward for the purpose of reconnoitering, but as bad luck
would have it when he had approached within ten steps of
the Northeast sentinel, cautiously and silently opening the
rushes as he advanced, a rotten rattan snapped short in his
hand as he was endeavoring to thrust it aside and seemed to
expose him to imminent danger of being shot. ‘‘Who goes

 

 

Origin of Negro Head Road 215 .

there2” cried the sentinel and at the same time presenting his
gun in the direction of the sound, but Jim who had gotten
his diploma for imitating the voices of sundry animals, wild
and tame, only answered with a grunt which was the perfect
imitation of the piney woods hog.

“Oh, blast your long snout,” said the sentinel. “I might
have known it was you, for who the devil would be fool
enough to be eat up by the mosquitoes in the swamp at this
time of night. There will be little use for you tonight,”
addressing his gun and resting it on a stump and then leaning
himself against a tree in a few minutes he ‘began to snore
with his mouth wide open as Jim could plainly see by the
light of the moon. Hastening ‘back to his companions, he
said to them, “‘Come quickly, the cussed critter is fast asleep
with his mouth wide open but tis a pity to kill him, so we'll
just thrust a gag in his mouth to keep him from hollering
and if he does holler, ’li tell him this hatchet shall taste
his skull and I'll swagger but he'll keep quiet.”

Then cutting a round stick and tying a string to each end,
they went up to the guard and instantly thrust the stick
between his jaws, tying the string behind his neck iand
leaving him bound hand and foot in the swamp.

These gallant adventurers returned home in safety, with-
out molestation, but the Englishmen on finding the sentinel
the next morning at his post bound, and on attacking the big
cypress iaccording to orders, soon found the secret of their
annoyance brought to light and though much mortified they
were saved any further trouble in that direction.

The British soon after evacuated Wilmington, as before
related, and went where they had perhaps more important
work to do but not more glory in the result.

It is also said that the British offered ia premium of
$1,000 for the capture of these Whigs, but they were never
successful in doing so—Carruther’s History.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

216 History of Pender County, North Carolina

The State Flag of North Carolina

The Flag is an emblem of antiquity and has commanded
respect and reverence from practically all nations from
earliest times. History traces it to divine origin, the early

mee
|

 

Ee]

 

THE PRESENT FLAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

The State Flag of North Carolina 217

peoples of the earth attributing to it strange, mysterious and
supernatural powers. Indeed our first recorded references
to the standard and banner of which our present flag is but
a modified form, are from sacred rather than from secular
sources. We are told that it was around the banner that
prophets of old rallied their armies and under which the
hosts of Israel were led to the war, believing, as they did,
that it carried with it divine favor and protection.

Since that time all nations and all peoples have had their
flags and emblems, though the ancient superstitution regard-
ing their divine merits and supernatural powers has dis-
appeared from ‘among civilized peoples. The Flag now, the
world over, possesses the same meaning and has uniform
significance to all nations wherever found. It stands as the
symbol of strength and unity, representing the national spirit
and patriotism of the people over whom it floats. In both
lord and subject, the ruler land the ruled, it commands re-
spect, inspires patriotism, and instills loyalty both in peace
and in war. ;

In this country we have a national flag which stands as
the emblem of our strength and unity as a nation, ‘a living
representation of our national spirit and honor. In addition
to our national flag, each of the States in the Union has a
“State Flag” symbolic of its own individuality and domestic
ideals, which is expressive of some particular trait, or com-
memorative of some historical event, of the people over
whom it floats. The flag of most States however, consists of
the coat-of-arms of that State upon a suitably colored field.

It is said that the first State Flag of North Carolina was
built on this model, but so far as we can learn from the
records the first legislation on this subject establishing and
recognizing a State Flag was in the year 1861. The Consti-
tutional Convention of 1861 which passed the ordinance of
Secession, adopted what it termed a State Flag, on May 30,
1861, the day the secession resolution was adopted. The
State Flag adopted in 1861 is said to have been issued to

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

218 History of Pender County, North Carolina

North Carolina regiments of State Troops during the sum-
mer of that year and was borne by them throughout the war,
being the only flag, except the National and Confederate
Colors, used ‘by the North Carolina troops during the Wiar
Between the States. This flag existed until 1885 when the
Legislature adopted a new model.

Perhaps it may be of interest to make a passing reference
to the significance of the dates found on each flag.

The First Date, ‘“May 20th, 1775” refers to the Meck-
lenburg Declaration of Independence, “the authenticity of
which we shall not here stop either to doubt or defend.”

The second date appearing on the State Flag of 186 is
that of May 20th, 1861. This date commemorated the
secession of the State from the Union, but as the cause of
secession was defeated this date no longer represented any-
thing after the Civil War. So when a new flag was adopted
in 1885, this date was removed and another “April 12th,
1776” took its place. This day commemorates the adoption
of the Halifax Resolve, a document that places the Old
North State in the very front rank, both in point of time and
in spirit, among those thiat demanded unconditional freedom
and absolute independence from any foreign power. This
document stands out as one of the great landmarks in the
annals of North ‘Carolina history.

Since 1885 there has been no change in our State Flag.
For the most part it hias remained unknown and a stranger
to the good people of our State. However, as we become
more intelligent, and, therefore, more patriotic and public-
spirited, the emblem of the old North State will assume a
station of greater prominence among our people. One hope-
ful sign of this increased interest was the act passed by the
Legislature of 1907 requiring the State Flag to be floated
from all State institutions, public buildings and court ‘houses.
In addition to this, many public and private schools, frater-
nal orders and other organizations now float the State Flag.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 

 
 

AGNI JADYS WY SEVIS
= St ASS
a Cee

     
 
 
    
 

      

‘THE First WorRLD WAR

Veterans

HE entry of the United States into the Great

World War on behalf of an apparently crum-
bling civilization, was under the incomparable
leadership of the greatest political genius of
modern times, President Woodrow Wilson (a Southerner).
This event found the most high-spirited sons of Pender
County eager, as always, for service to their country.
Pender’s support of the Government during this trying
period was loyial, sincere and self-sacrificing.

 

A partial list of the boys of Pender County who were

enrolled and saw service:

Abbott, John
Adams, John
Alderman, Stacey
Andrews, L. L.
Anderson, Arthur

Armstrong, Derry
Avery, L. S.

Bailey, C. L.

~ Bannerman, Charlie

Bannerman, ‘Chauncey
Bannerman, Alex
Bannerman, A. J.
Bargo, John
Barnhill, J. A.
Barnhill, R. E.
Batson, Roland
Batts, Demps
Bell, ‘C. E.

Bell, H. P. Sr.
Bell, L. M.
Bland, Benjamin
Bland, Jeff

Bland, Joseph
Blanton, W. H.
Bordeaux, Anthony
Bowen, Dana
Bowen, J. J.
Brown, Arthur
Brown, A. B.
Bradshaw, Roy
Brunson, H. J.
Burton, Joe
Buxton, Claude

‘Carr, Damasco
Carr, Jacob

Carr, JeCs
Casteen, Luther R.
Chadwick, W. M.
Corbett, G. R.
Costin, Jessie
Cowan, Edward
Crews, Quincey
Croom, D. L.
Davis, John B.

Dillard, C. R.
Dorgan, J. He
Durham, Charlie
Ebert, Fritz
Edens, Sherman

Faison, William
Farrior, W. 'H.
Fennell, James
Fennell, Herbert
Fisher, Cephus Paul
Futch, Dewey
Futch, John

Garriss, R. R.
Garrison, Alex
Giddens, Marion
Grady, Willie
Graham, Walter
Gurganious, Bryant

Hall, Clement
Hanchey, Jack
Harper, J. B.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

220 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Hardison, E. F.
Hardison, L. V.
Hardison, R. V.
Hardison, Matthew
Hayes, James B.
Henry, Carl
Henry, Fred
Henry, R. H.
Henry, R. R.
Herring, Albert
Herring, Augusta
Herring McKinley
Highsmith, Emmett
Hickson, J. L.
Hines, Joseph
Hodges, A. A.
Holmes, Charlie
Holmes, Lacy
Holt, J. B.
Howard, Amos
Howard, C. T.
Howard, James
Humphrey, Dan

Jacobs, Joseph
Johnson, Albert Sidney
Johnson, Arnold
Johnson, Charles M.
Johnson, Chestnut
Johnson, John G.
Johnson, L. N.
Johnson, Robert Grady
Johnson, Stanley
Jones, Archie

Jones, Dock

Jones, Quincey

Kea, D. W.
Keith, Livingston
Keith, W. B.
Kelley, A. E.
Kenan, Henry
King, A. S.
King, E. C.

Lane, C. S.
Lane, Sidney
Larkins, John
Lee, Fitzhugh
Lee, G. O.

_ Lee, George
Lewis, Butch
Lewis, D. M.
Lewis, Willie
Loucks, J. J.

Malpass, Elisha
Malpass, M. P.
Marshburn, George E.
Mason, John
Meeks, Miller
Merritt, Casper
Merritt, Fentress
Messick, Ivey
McLendon, A. A.
McLendon, Robert
McMillan, J. H.
Miller, J. R.
Miller, Norman
Miller, Roger
Miller, Wannit
Mobley, C. D.
Moore, Neal G.
Moore, R. M.
Moore, Walter
Moore, W. H.
Moody, John
Morgan, S. J.
Morris, Albert
Morris, Blaine
Mott, Bradley
Murray, D. J.
Murray, J. A.
Murray, James T.
Murray, Neal B.

Newton, J. T.
Newton, Pearly
Newkirk, M. E.
Newkirk, W. H.
Nixon, Herbert

(Page, Albert H.
Page, Edgar
Padgett, J. W.
Padgett, O. R.
Paddison, Gordon
Peterson, A. C.
Peterson, Carney
Peterson, Joe S.

Pierce, Bailey
Pigford, Austin
Pigford, K. D.
Pigford, Sam
Piner, Carl

Piner, Jim
Pridgen, W. C.
Powell, J. W.
Powers, Walter F.

Raynor, I. E.
Richards, E. L.
Rivenbark, E. L.
Rivenbark, J. A.
Rivenbark, Richard
Rivenbark, S. C.
Rivenbark, Stewart
Roberson, Arthur
Roberson, Charlie
Roberson, Wallace

‘Sanderson, Willie
Shaw, Dr. Colin
Sidbury, E. N.
Sidbury, D. F.
Sidbury, Frank
Sidbury, Hallie
Sidbury, L. C.
Sidbury, Morton
Sidbury, Roderick
Sidbury, T. A.
Sparkman, P. C.
Sumner, Sam

Tate, Jessie
Tate, Ranson
Thigpen, R. W.

Vernon, J. E.

Watkins, A. J.
Wells, John Thomas
Woodcock, O. S.
Woodcock, R. W.
Worlds, Jim
Wooten, Calvin
Williams, Alonzo
Williams, Henry
Williams, R. H.
Williams, Tom
Wright, A. W.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD WAR II VETERANS

White and Negro
Pender County Local Board No. 1

   
     

mul ENDER COUNTY LOCAL BOARD No. 1
geval was organized on October 17th, 1940, with
the following-named personnel: John T. Wells,
£4) Chairman, H. McN. Johnson, Secretary, George
H. Highsmith, member. T. J. Betts was appointed Clerk
to the Board at the initial meeting. These gentlemen have
served continuously since the beginning of Selective Service.
Miss Olga Fedoronko is the Assistant Clerk, a position
which she had held since January 17th, 1945. L. H. Cor-
bett, local attorney, has held the position of Appeal Agent
for the past two years.

Drs. W. I. Taylor, Sr., and N. C. Wolfe have been
examining physicians for the Board since its inception. Dr.
H. W. Stevens has been a member of the examining team
for two years. With the exception of the Clerk and the
Assistant Clerk, all persons connected with the, Board serve
without compensation of ‘any kind.

Approximately 1,200 Pender County citizens have entered
the armed. forces through the ministration of Selective

Service.

 

  
 
      

SSE
iS ai
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

222

History of Pender County, North Carolina

In Memoriam

Sacred to the memory of our Pender County Boys who
fought and died in World War No. 2: That those who
survive might continue to live in a land of Liberty and
Love. Where Democracy and Christianity reigns and
human beings are symbols of God’s Own Image.

Lest we forget the roofs that give us shelter,’ the
threshold that gives us welcome have been paid for with
the lives of these boys who will never again know the
warmth and tenderness of Home. We should not boast
of victory, but remember its cost in tears; not in money
but in heart-aches and in death denied the solace of
American Soil.

Jackson T. ATKINSON JAMES LANE

James BARNHILL S. J. Lancston

James BorpEAUXx Marion Matpass

Jack Bostrom James T. MarsHBuURN
CLARENCE BuRGERON WALLACE L. RicHARDS
Stuart Costin GrorcE Henry Wooren
Linwoop CorsEetT Witiiam Jor Pierce

Lee Roy Corrie Joun M. Smpury

Der CRUMPLER Masco LEE RIVENBARK
Froyp Eart Date Tuomas W. Witson

Frep DEEs KENNETH A, BLANTON
JULIAN Farrior MatHew HErsert Coston, Jr.
DENNIs GarRIss ELMON BARNHILL

SoLton GIDDENS Davin WuirFiELD Howarp

Avsert L. Ives
Missing in Action
Henry L. MurpHy J. B. Hamirton

Negroes

Bossie LeE Dunn. James A. Morris
—?— MAttoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WV orld War II Veterans 223

World War II Veterans of Pender County
When the United States entered the Second World War

every State in the Union was called upon to produce its
quota of man power for services in some form of defense.
Pender County has not only enlisted around 2,000 who are
in camps and many in foreign fields, but both men ‘and
women from every section of the County and from every
walk of life are employed in different kinds of defense work.
In the different factories, in shipyards in camps and in Red
Cross work on the home fronts.

Camp Davis, one of the largest camps in the South is
partly located in Pender County bordering the Atlantic
Coast, while maneuvers have been carried on all over the
County for many months.

The following names are those of Pender County’s young
men who belong to some branch of the Army and haye seen
service for their country. ;

Wuirrt Men
Alberti, Herman G, Bailey, Charles V. Batson, James Franklin
Alcock, Ernest E. Bakan, Johnnie Batson, John Thomas
Amster, Jick Banadaga, Albert A. Batson, Lester G.

Anderson, Albert Bannerman, Jiames E. Batson, Robert J. Jr.
Anderson, Clyde Julian Bannerman, John T. Batson, Talmadge E.
Anderson, Coy Willard Bannerman, Thurmond Batts, Edward S.
Anderson, Hubert Barnhill, Allie J. Batts, Eugene
Anderson, James H. Jr. Barnhill, Elmon Batts, Everette L,
Anderson, John W, Jr. Barnhill, James Earl Batts, ‘Clifton

Anderson, William H. Barnhill, John R. Batts, James H.
Andrews, Louis R. Barnhill, Lester T. Batts, John Frank
Andrews, Morris Henry Barnhill, Ray Batts, Naemon B.
Atkinson, Jackson P. Barnhill, Robert H. Batts, Robert J.
Atkinson, Melvin R. Barnhill, Roy J. Batts, Rufus B.
Atkinson, Norman C. Barnhill, S. L. Batts, Waymoth Newmon
Atkinson, Robert Henry Barnhill, Willie J. Batts, Woody L.

Autry, Elmer Batchelor, Kenneth C, Baker, Charles Woodrow
Autry, James P. Batson, Arthur Carr Baker, Clarence Sloan
Autry, William Martin Batson, Edgar T. Jr. Bakan, Alex
Armstrong, John R, Batson, Ellis Sherwood Baucum, Delmo L.

Armstrong, Richard H. Batson, James E. Baxley, Foy
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

224 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Baxley, Howard
Baysden, Claudy A.
Baysden, Glen N.
Beam, Woodrow Samuel
Beasley, George William
Beasley, Luther.

Bell, ‘Cecil R.

Bell, Herbert P. Jr.
Bellamy, Henry G.
Biggs, Samuel Daavis
Blackburn, Roland C.
Blake, Bruce Bowling
Blake, Jiames Edwin
Blake, Lewis V.

Blake, Robert

Blake, Stephen G. Jr.
Blake, Wesley McClure
Blake, William F.
Blanton, James C.
Blanton, James Lucien
Blanton, Jessie E.
Blanton, John C.
Blanton, John D.
Blanton, Monroe
Bloodworth, James C.
Bloodworth, James M.
Bloodworth, Jessie W.
Bloodworth, Marion Lee
Bobley, Willis C.
Bond, Council Clinton
Boney, Benjamin C. Jr.
Bonham, Preston
Bordeaux, James H.
Bordeaux, Joseph ‘C.
Boruch, Nestor John
Bostic, James H.
Bowden, Arthur Ray
Bowen, Billy Bert
Bowen, Frank B.
Bowen, Frank Ivey
Bowen (Marion William
Bowen, Raeford P.
Boyd, James.

Boyd, Joseph A. Jr.
Bradshaw, Linwood C.
Bradshaw, Thomas G.
Bradshaw, Thomas LeR.
Brinkley, James E.
Brinkley, Norward F.
Brinn, Kellie C.
Brinson, Isaac Junior

Brock, Earl Preston Corbett, Clarence Duvall
Brothers, William E. Corbett, Haywood N.
Brown, Frank E. Corbett, Linwood A.
Brown, Jimmie J. Corbett, Norris Clifton
Brown, John T. Jr. Corbett, Raymond Y. Jr.
Brown, Raeford Eugene Costin, Aubrey ‘S. Jr.
Brown, Roy N. Costner, Samuel Paul
Brown, Valry James Jr. Coston, Matthew H. Jr.
Bullock, Beverly B. Jr. Coston, Wilbur Thomas
Buckner, Melvin E. Cottle, Johnnie James
Burnett, Gilbert Henry Courtney, Edward L.

Burns, John D. Courtney, Isaac
Courtney, Marion Cecil

Caison, Ernest Etheridge Covil, Venton Smith
Carlton, Carson B. Cowan, Oliver A.
Carmichael, Duncan A. Jr.Cowan, Oliver Allen
Carmichael, Julian R. Cowan, Robert
Carrell, Wialdo S. Cowan, William N.
Carroll, Pearly J. Cox, James H.
Carter, William Henry Croom, Asa Love
Casey, Calvin Wayne Croom, Elmo

Casey, Jephthah Croom, Graham
Casey, Samuel Wirt Croom, Harry
Casteen, Aden Croom, Marion F.
Casteen, Edgar James Croom, Ralph Taylor
Casteen, James U.. Croom, William H.
Cavanaugh, Felton Croom, William P.

Croom, Woodrow S.

Chadwick, Burton
Crumpler, Jasper H.

Chadwick, Edgar J.
Chadwick, Henry James
Chadwick, Joe C. Dale, Floyd W.
Chadwick, King Albert Dale, Hallie F.
Chadwick, Norwood L. Dale, Robert H.
Chadwick, Perry Roy Davis, Aaron Heide Jr.
Chesson, Robert Davis, Clifton Jr.
Clark, ‘Charles Day, Richard A.

Clark, Eugene Deal, Eddie ‘C.
Clark, James Garland Deal, James H.
Clark, Larry P. Dees, Fred

Clark, Major Riley
Clark, Merle Bell
Clark, O. T.

Clark, William P.
Clay, Thomas Judson
Cobb, David T.
Cobb, John T.

Dickens, Morris L.
Dickens, William
Drew, Graham W.
DuBose, Lewis T.
Duling, Charles ‘W.
Duncan, Henry E.
Coleman, ‘Cecil C. Dupalevich, Alexander
Collins, Edward W. Durham, David B.
Collins, James Edward Dyson, Harold Eugene
Corbett, Bayard Zebulon

Corbett, Boyd C. Eakins, Carey Preston

 

Dickens, Jesse Draper Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

WV orld War II Veterans 225

Eakins, Philip Gardner
Eakins, William R.
Eaton, Jiack

Edens, Leonard D.
Edens, Wilmer L.
Edens, William Grady
Edward, Paul F.
Elliott, Clarence
Elston, George Albert
English, Charles Latham
English, Edward L. Jr.
Evanovich, Steve
Everette, Vernie R.
Ezzell, Earl

Ezzell, Roscoe M.
Ezzelll, Theodore R.

Farrior, Alan Rivers
Farrior, Edward H.
Farrior, Edward M.
Farrior, Harry S.
Farrior, Walter P. Jr.
Fedoronko, Jerry
Ferrell, James Edward
Ferrell, William Graham
Fisher, Percy W.
Fisher, Robert A.
Fisler, Harry Tuft
Flynn, Bennie Lee
Foy, Bennie

Foy, Claude Thurman
Foy, Douglas L.

Foy, R. L. Jr.

Foy, Wilbur Norwood
Frazier, John G.
Fussell, Berry M. Jr.
Futch, Dewey Edwin
Futch, Edward A.
Futch, Lawrence W.
Futch, Levi

Futch, Walter B.
Futch, William A.
Futreal, Stedman

Garner, Eli H.

Garner, James B.
Garriss, Cameron M.
Garriss, Dennie W.
Garris, Jason E.
Garriss, Kenneth Clifton
Garriss, Leon L.

Garriss, Michael C.
Garriss, William H.

George, Lucius Robert Jr.

George, William E. Jr.
Giddens, Albert O.
Giddeons, John Henry

Giddeons, Solon Henry

Giddeons, William A.
Gilbert, Ray ‘Stanley
Glisson, Leon L.
Gomery John
Graham, Lonnie
Gray, Andrew Ray
Gray, Asa Winfield
Gray, Charlie Grady
Gray, George W. Jr.
Gray, Leady E.
Green, Charles B.
Green, Keith B.
Griffin, Shepard P.

Gurganious, Clem E. Jr.

Gurganious, Carl L.
Gurganious, Elmer C.
Gurganious, George N.
Gurganius, Jessie M.

Gurganious, John Harry

Gurganious, Joseph T.
Gurganious, Marcellus
Gurganious, Pender L.
Gurganious, Percy E.
Gurganious, Raleigh E.
Gurganious, Troy
Gurganious, Turnie E.
Gurganious, William E.
Gurganus, Clarence E.
Gurganus, Ralph Ismay
Gyetvai, Bill
Gymtruck, George

Hall, Elwood

Hall, Lawrence Elbert
Hall, William H.

Hall, Wade

Hamilton, Harry Marsh
Hamilton, Jiames B. Jr.
Hanchey, Bernice Alvin
Hanchey, Howard
Hanchey, Nathan F. Jr.
Hanchey, Robert P.

Hanchey, Walter Bryant

Hansley, Clifton B.

Hardison, John Clarence
Hardison, Joshua I.
Hardison, Robert W.
Harrell, Alton C.
Harrell, Alvin Douglas
Harrell, Chauncey A.
Harrell, Carlton S.
Harrell, B. F. Jr.
Harrell, David V.
Harrell, Earl D.
Harrell, Hubert Roache
Harrell, Joseph W.
Harrell LeRoy

Harrell, Willis B.
Harrell, William N.
Harrelson, ‘Delvin E.
Harts, William Franklin
Hawkins, James Connor
Hayes, James W.
Hayes, Simon Green
Heath, Roy T.

Helms, Robert G.
Henderson, Adrian Earl
Henderson, Lawrence H.
Henderson, Lewis B. Jr.
Henry, Arthur Thomas
Henry, Kenneth E.
Henry, William E.
Herring, Nathan B.
Higgins, Colon H.
Higgins, Jessie D.
Highsmith, Charles W.
Highsmith, Charles C.
Highsmith, Earnest L.
Highsmith, George H. Jr.
Highsmith, Hugh B.
Highsmith, James H.
Highsmith, Lewis A.
Hilburn, Cyrus L.
Hilburn, David Jasper
Hilburn, Julius N.
Hilliard, Jesse W. Jr.
Hogue, Robert F.
Holley, Errick W.
Hollingsworth, W. E.
Holt, Edward L.
Hoover, George N.
Horne, John V.

Horne, L. W. Jr.
Horrell, Harvey H.
Horrell, Mack Roland
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

226 History of Pender County, North Carolina World Hop Veter ens

 

 

| DNF
|
| Horrell, Roy Barefoot Jordan, Paul Graham Lewis, Raymond W. ‘ :
| Horvath, Charles Justice, ‘Carl Wilson Lucas, Philip E. Moore, Gibbs Padgett, Ponce DeLeon Rains, Lester D.
Howard. Clifton TueheeuGharles E Moore, Grover C. Padgett, Robert T. Raynor, Leon T.
Howard, Durwood B. Jr. Justice, Gray McCullen, Claude Elmer i Moe ee C. Bote ce EAD iRolnerds J.
Howard (Davids usucea omens McDowell. William 1. oore, James C. Jr. age, James W. : Redrick, Harry Je
Howard cElaeed Vcionis on niel H. Jr (Moore, James Edward Painter, James Clifford Register, Archie B.
" a HOON t ek vee Moore, James H. '  Pajkowskee, Benjamin Jr. Register, James T.
| Howard, John M. Keith, Charles P. Jr. McGlohen, Joseph F L ae
Ii K hy Moore, Jesse Taylor Paluck, Andrew Henry Register, Walter Jr.
I Howard, Kye Keith, Edgar Barnes McKoy, James R. Moore: ewiseivt Pp. seter. Willi
Hi - ga , . aluck, Steve Register, William Bruce
i Howard, Richard James Kelly, Troy William McKoy, Roy E. . <3 3 Bate sore
| | See San Sai 9 sane = iia 4 Rae Moore, Maurice Edwin Parish, James E. Register, William P.. Jr.
iI Rare ae ely, Wallaamy Tt Jr. PED eee rea Moore, Robert M. Jr. Parish, Martin H. Renfrow, Benjamin E.
| Howard, William A. Kendall, Keith B. (McLendon, George L. 7 a é 4
| Ne , oer , Moore, Tylan Vance Parker, Bernard E. Richards, Wallace Leon
| Howard, William J. Kennedy, Kenneth H. MeMillan, James T. M “as ‘ sas peasy prgcennie
; p Dh ‘ oore, William G.- Parrish, William Lewis Ritchie, Robert L.
| Hudson, Edward W. Ketchum, Henry McNeall Malpass, Bernice Austin Bite .
i! : y y i (Murphy, Ashley M. Paul, Beverly A. Ritchie, Shellie F.
Hudson, Ervin F. Kibbey, Oscar H. Malpass, David : . .
i 5 ) c (Murphy, Henry L. Pearsall, David W. Rivenbark, Arthur D.
Hufham, John Dewey King, Norman L. Malpass, Harris Barl 6 i
ing, , Murphy, John H. Pearsall, John S. Rivenbark, Charles H.
Hughes, Robert M. King, Robert Bruce Malpass, James B. E ; 7 :
‘ s y i Murphy, Robert F. Peay, George W. Rivenbark, Colton H.
Hulak, Samuel M. Knowles, Ray F. Malpass, Jeremiah B. e . i .
0 s , Murray, Albert M. Peay, John T. Rivenbark, Cornelius
Hulak, Walter Mike Kornegay, Reed G. Malpass, Leland : Murray, Asa een Ed d Rivenb. ie Edward
Humbles, Edward E. Kraynick, John ‘Malpass, Marion L. j Sars nae pe hs seam
Huaiphese vaslions J pee ea i ae Murray, Gordon B. Peterson, Elliott R. Rivenbark, Everette
P. ? 3 Knaynick, Pau TRAE NEST AEE VER TS SaS S25 Murray, James Everette Peterson, Thomas B. Rivenbark, George M:
Krochmalny, Raymond Malpass, ‘Wistus McKoy Murnay, John W. Pickett, John D. Rivenbark, H. L. Jr.
Ives, Albert L. Jr. Krochmalny, Walter Marshall, Huey Haley Murray, John Pearlie Jr. Pickett, John Robert TRearibene, arvey |
Ives, Charles Filmore Marshall, Sigihaan Murray, Kenneth Pierce, William E. Rivenbark Henry O.
Tyes, Glenwood Lane, James K. Marshburn, ‘Walter J. Murray, Lawrence E. Pierce, William Joe Rivenbark, Ivey Lester
Lane, Norwood Richard Matthews, Arthur James Murray, Reuben Taylor Pierce, Walter Mack Rivenbark, Jacob B. Jr
Jackson, David F. Lane, Sidney M. Matthews, William H. Myers, Earl W. Pigford Kenneth D. Jr Rivenbark, yoharielG ‘
Jackson, Robert W. Langston, Earnest A. Maulin, James Bryan Jr. ly Piner, Allen Vernie ; Rivenbark, Leon S. :
Jackson, Stonewall Langston, Gerald R. Meadows, Frederick Bell ; Nakoneczny, Mike W.  Piner, Clifton Rivenbark, Marvin A.
James, Howard Ormsby Langston, Samuel James Meadows, Jobie Ike Naumuk, Wasyl Jr. Piner, Herman Bob Rivenbark, Masco Lee
James, Joshua Stuart Langston, Warren B. Melvin, Edwin Alonza Newkirk, Benjamin A.  Piner, Joseph Alfred Rivenbark, Robert L.
Johnson, George Lanier, Benjamin L. Jr. Melvin, Miles W. Newland, Jerry F. Piner, J. D. Rivenbarle, Roland
Johnson, Henry Quincy Lanier, Murray pari ae, ait Newton, Edward F. Piner, Luke J. Rivenbark, Roland L.
Johnson, James W. Lanier, Robert S. AT) LEONEL WAST | Newton, James Sivey Piner, William Edward Rivenbark, Roland P.
Johnson, James William Lanier, Vernon Ray Miller, Norman A, Jr. Newton, Roscoe F. Pittman, English Alfred Rivenbark, Roscoe
Johnson, Joseph Basil Larkins, Aaron Frank Millis, Robert M. Newton, William Elbert Pittman, Judson Wilson Rivenbark, Teal A. Jr.
Johnson, Lee Fletcher Laviska, Michael Jr. Mitchell, William Floyd Noble, Matthew M. Player, William T. Rivenbark, Troy W.
Johnson, Rex sae Lea, path C. NE ee D. Noble, William Pope, John Rivenbark, Tyson Cc.
Johnson, Troy T. Lee, Cliffor AMAHET SESH Norris, Crosby E. Pope, Rackley Rivenbark, Woodrow J.
Jones, Asa Thomas Jr. Lee, George Mizerak, Frank Norris, Jesse Pope, Walter Jr. Robbins, chon ag J. ;
Jones, Carroll Lee, Joseph Hampton Jr. erase ee Nunalee, Clarence L. Porter, Earl Cleveland Robbins, William D.
} Jones, Decatur Jr. Lee, Wilber esas, LEGS Nunalee, James Leon Porter, John Edwin Rochelle, Dewey
4 Jones, Gordon H. Lefler, Hurbert F. (Monroe, John Gibson i eth, Lloyd H. Rochelle, James Boney
Jones, Henry Davis Jr. Lennon, Laurie W. Ree coed sg Oliver, Sidney W. Prease, Daniel J. Jr. Rodney, Ernest A.
Jones, Horace Lewis, Alfred B. ne pala a actor Orr, Robert Herman Jr. Prevatte, Charles C. Rogers, James Benjamin
Jones, Leadie J. Lewis, Calvin Everette ais : : Overstreet, Alfred P. Pridgen, Albert H. Jr. Rooke, Cyrus Holmes
Jones, Leland Lewis, David L. Morris, Harry W. Jr. { i
p Ika 1S) y 2 Ae Pridgen, Harry W. Rooks, Lloyd Daniel
Jones, Miles Levon Lewis, Guido Mayard Morris, Joe 5 4
Tones Paul H. Twin: Jack Larry Moore, Carl H. : Padgett, Bernice Pridgen, John Owen Rooks, Melza Allison
Tense: aaa in emis james! Moore, Clyde, Jo _ Padgett, Earl Thomas Pridgen, Leon Rooks, ‘Sanford M. C.
Jones, Wilbur Marshall Lewis, Leon R. Moore, Edward Earl ' See aa ae eats owes:
Jordan, Delba T. Lewis, Mott R. Moore, G. C. : Padgett, Junious Rackley, Ashie Edward Royall, John B. *

Padgett, LeRoy Rackley, Lewis H. Ruddell, Aubert L.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

228 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Ruddell, Harry Lee
Ruddell, James P.
Russ, Hosea W.
Russ, Washington O.
Russell, David Leon
Russell, Ivey Charles

Sanderson, William H.

Saunders, Clarence W.

Saunders, Hilton James
Saunders, Robert Edwin
Saunders, Thomas P.
Savage, Alva Laverne
Savage, Rudolph

Scott, Arcadia

Scott, Arthur A.

Scott, Blondy E.

Scott, Grover R.

Scott, Harold O.
Sellers, Lester J.
Sellers, Willie B.
Shepard, William Paul
Shingleton, David James
Shingleton, Melvin H.
Sholar, James A.
Sholar, Vernon E.
Simmons, Cornelius
Simmons, John Lewis
Simpson, Byron
Simpson, Carl L.
Simpson, Ceburn D.
Simpson, Charles F.
Simpson, Darwin K.
Simpson, James Murphy
Simpson, Juliam Felix
Simpson, Julius S.
Simpson, Richard H.
Simpson, Wistar F. Jr.
Skinner, Sterling W.
Skipper, Alton D.
Smith, Charles E.
Smith, Columbus
Smith, Dennis G.
Smith, Frank

Smith, Howard B.
Smith, Paul Jones
‘Smith, Thomas A. Jr.
Southerland, James F.
Sparkman, Carlysle
Sparkman, Preston L.
Spencer, John R.

Spencer, Joseph H.
Spencer, Joseph M.
Spencer, Ross

Spencer, Warren ‘Gray
Spizak, John D.
Spisak, John David
Squires, Hugh M.
Squires, James H.
Strickland, Albert
Strickland, Madison C.
Sullivan, Henry Arthur
Sumner, Samuel S.
Swanson, William E.
Swinson, James A.
Sykes, John T.

Tallent, Clyde

Tatum, Elbert Marley
Tatum, Mandlin Martin
Taylor, Clarence F.
Taylor, Earl G.
Taylor, Elwood
Taylor, LeRoy Gerald
Taylor, Oran J.
Teachey, Graham A.
Thames, Homer C.
Thames, Joseph M.
Tharp, Walter E.
Thomas, Edwin C.
Thomas, Herbert B.
Thomas Wesley E.
Thompson, John Daniel
Thompson, Lewis J.
Tilley, Haywood L. Jr.
Tucker, Linwood B.
Turner, Thurman

Veach, Frank J.
Veach, Lloyd Dixon
Vernon, Zeb V.

Wadsworth, Malcolm R.

Wagstaff, Milton W.
Walker, Alton L.
Walker, Elbert Houston
Walker, George Jr.
Walker, Herman P.
Walker, Hinton C.
Walker, Jesse Wright
Walker, Leon E.
Walker, Livingston W.

Walker, Robert Manley
Walker, Ralph R.
Walker, Ronnie C.
Walker, William E.
Walker, Willie J.
Wallace, Linwood L,
Wallace, Tommy
Walton, LeRoy
Walton, Milton R.
Ward, Adof

Ward, J. B.

Watkins, James Lee
Watkins, Jasper
Webb, Charles R.
Wells, Bailey V.
Wells, Baxter

Wells, Carl Croom
Wells, Casper

Wells, Delmar

Wells, Earl

Wells, Horrace
Wells, James Theodore
Wells, John Henry
Wells, Joseph Robert
Wells, Kenneth H.
Wells, Leonard W.
Wells, Levi Sprunt
Wells, Miriam B.
Wells, Paul F.

Wells, Samuel Carl
Wells, Willie

West, Eugene

West, James Thomas
West, Kenneth
Westbrook, James
Whaley, Harvey Lee
Whaley, Vernon
Whaley, William
Wheeler, Major E.
White, Ernest King
Williams, Artemus R.
Williams, Carl R.
Williams, David Clark
Williams, Harry W.
Williams, James A.
Williams, James C.
Williams, Patrick E.
Williams, Pender
Williams, Rupert D.
Williamson, Burnice F.
Willoughby, James H.

 

 

 

 

 

~ Dickens, Doris

 

WV orld War II Veterans 229

Wilson, Boney E. Jr. Woodcock, Wesley Steve Worrell, Martin Luther
Wilson, Thomas W. Woodcock, William L. Worrell, Robert Henry
Winders, Ben G. Wooten, George Henry Worrell, William C.
Winders, George Wooten, James B. Wright, James Wilbur
Wood, Cleveland W. Wooten, Leamon B. Wright, William James
Wood, William L. Wooten, Percy M. Wroton, Sidney E.
Woodcock, D. J. Jr. Wooten, Walter Steven
Woodcock, Edward Earl Worrell, Graham
Woodcock, Empie C. Worrell, James Edward
Woodcock, Herman-R. Worrell, Joseph Eugene Zuravio, Wasyl
Woodcock, James E. Worrell, Leon Murray

Young, Aaron D.

YOUNG WOMEN IN SERVICE

Brice, Marie Farrior, Rachel
Casey, Martha B. Harrell, Edith
Davis, Eva Kathleen Harrell, Eleanor
DeBaylo, Anne

Prevatte, Muriel Keith
Russell, Rachel

Smith, Harriett T.
Humphrey, Margaret Spizak, Mary

Jordan, Evelyn Wilkins, Sallie

Parish, Florence

Our Negro Friends

Many years prior to the War Between the States, most of
the early inhabitants of this section were planters and owners
of considerable acreage and had large plantations, farming
being the principal industry. For this reason many of the
old residents owned slaves and through this channel, we find
many of the older Negro residents carry the names of the
families with whom they lived and had their start in life.

“Right here I want to say, thiat the word Slave, has been
the source of many discussions and in many ways not compli-
mentary to the South, while the majority of Southerners who
owned them, were kind and tolerant and have always been
and will continue to be their friends.”

It is said that a member of one of the prominent old
families of Pender, which was New Hanover at that time,
attended a sale of slaves at a nearby slave market. During
the sale this gentleman, who was interested in watching the
sale of slaves, was approached by an attractive Negro girl
who begged him with tears in her eyes, to buy the two of
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

230 History of Pender County, North Carolina

them, she and the young man who had been brought down
from Virginia to be sold. The gentleman bought the couple
and took them to his plantation near Long Creek Village,
then Lillington. They proved to be efficient help. The man
became the valet of the old gentleman who bought him and
traveled with him on all trips for his health as well as busi-
ness engagements. The girl, known as Katie, became the
maid and lived in that same home for many years and finally
married one of the Negro men of this plantation. Her
daughter Kate became the wife of Wesley Jones who was
born during slavery in 1860.

Wesley Jones was a man of good character and it is said
that through his eagerness for an education, worked turpen-
tine, made tar ‘and also farmed, to aid him in his education.
He attended school in Lumberton after which he became one
of the first teachers of the Burgaw Negro School. Wesley
Jones and his wife Kate were Christians and a very depend-
able couple, coming from Long Creek Village where they
were reared, to Burgaw, where they made their home for
many years, acquiring considerable property which is now
owned by their adopted son, Jake Hickson, whom they
reared and educated at Shaw University. Jake is a barber
by trade, is very dependable and most courteous and a good
business man. He hasia nice family who have all had college
educations. He is a veteran of the First World War, having
seen service in France for thirteen months.

Going back to the early years of the County, when Bur-
gaw was only a flag station and when the trains took on a
supply of wood and water here, lived the Citter McMillan
family in an old shack opposite the tank that he helped to
look after, and that stood on the lot where the family of
R. T. Murray now lives.

The family of Jim and Jane Smith were an unusual family
for those days, most of the family receiving a good educa-
tion. Their son, Claude Smith, a most respectable citizen of
Burgaw, has educated every member of his family, giving

WV orld War II Veterans 231

them all college educations. Some member of this family has
taught in the Negro High School here for years and other
members hold good positions.

We also have the Walker fiamily, of whom Uncle Billie,
as he was generally known, was a general favorite and one
whom everyone depended on around the homes to do the
little odd jobs necessary to home life. His son Roscoe is a
minister of the Gospel, having received his education at the
University of New York, Columbia University and Moody
Bible Institute, Chicago. His sister Lillie has been, and still
is, an efficient school teacher in the County schools for
many years.

William Moore’s family, of whom Mildred is a music
teacher, teaching in the Burgaw Negro High School for
years. Mildred married Richmond Carr, a Professor of
Burgaw School and who was assistant to Prof. Pope for
several years. Richmond volunteered for the army and has
become a First Lieutenant. William says he was born during
slavery and belonged:to the family of John J. Moore, where
he gets the name of Moore. He says that his mother was
sold on three different occasions, finally becoming the prop-
erty of Mr. Moore.

We have in Burgaw and Pender County generally an
outstanding set of Negroes, families all over the County too
numerous to mention, who are interested in making good
and who are progressing with the times, making something
of themselves, endeavoring to get an education that will
prove la future benefit.

Many have moved into the County from other sections
and among them, John and Hennie Moody coming here
from Whiteville in their earlier years. Hennie has proven
herself to be a capable parent, rearing and educating her five
children, three of whom are girls now holding good pobs in
New York in summer and teaching in Pender in winter.

Others who hiave moved into the County are making good
citizens and we seldom find a more capable citizen than
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

232 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Professor Anderson of the Rocky Point Negro School,
whose ability and intellect is far above the average. What
he has accomplished in that section and for his people
generally speaks for itself.

The Negro race has had its part to play and its places to
fill in the building up of the County. Generally speaking

both races have lived most amicably in Pender, codperating.

wherever needed and have lived in peace and harmony.
We, who have employed them, and who have kind friends
among them, feel and know that the South would not be the

South without our Negro friends.

Necro MEN in Wortp War IL

Adams, Willie P.

Batts, Clarence

Alderman, Herbert James Batts, Edward D.

Alderman, Paul S.
Anderson, Lawrence
Anderson, Roy Pinaud
Andrews, Quinly L.
Annis, Mack
Armstrong, James
Armstrong, Horace
Armstrong, Issiac Ray
Armstrong, Simeon S.
Arstrong, David
Ashford, Lonnie Jr.

Bailey, Horace James
Bannerman, Arthur L.
Bannerman, Graham J.
Bannerman, George L.
Bannerman, George T.
Bannerman, Henry M.
Bannerman, James C.
Bannerman, Lorenze G.
Bannerman, McAfee O.
Bannerman, Ralph N.
Bannerman, Roy L.
Bannerman, Sam A.
Bannerman, Willie
Bannerman, Willie A.
Barden, Daniel J.
Barnhill, Carl
Barnhill, Joseph W.
Basden, Carl Herbert

Batts, Joseph C.
Batts, James

Batts, Henry

Batts, Jentle B.
Batts, Willie McIver
Beatty, Charles
Beatty, John R.

Bell, Joseph
Bellamy, Prince W.
Black, David

Bland, Allie

Bland, Theodore
Blue, Alexander
Boney, Patrick Usher
Bordeaux, Lemuel J.
Bowden, Lynn Jr.
Boykin, David Jr.
Bradley, John Jr.
Bradley, Lorenze
Branch, James C.
Brewington, James T.
Brewington, Quenton
Brown, Allen
Brown, ‘Claudious
Brown, Fred Jr.
Brown, James
Brown, Oscar
Brown, Oscar J.
Brown, Wiilie
Burge, Joseph Monroe

Canady, Chancey
Canady, James A.
Carpenter, Fred D.
Carr, Alvin

Carr, Clarence
Carr, Frank B.
Carr, Henry

Carr, John

Carr, Lewis Henry
Carr, Richmond Pearson
Carr, Tummer F.
Carroll, James A.
Carroll, Robert E.
Carroll, James O.
Cephus, James
Chamber, ‘Charlie
Cheatham, Carlisle
Cherry, Robert
Clayton, Nathaniel
Colvin, Eugene
Colvin, Charles H.
Colvin, Walter E.
Costin, Harvey James
Costin, John H.
Coston, Thomas Earl
Coston, Willard Filmore
Coston, William
‘Corbett, Calvin D.
Corbett, Fred D.
Corbett, Jeff
Corbett, Lomay L.
Corbett, William G.

 

 

World War Il Veterans 233

Corbett, William J.
Cox, Eddie

Davis, Henry D.
Davis, William A.
DeVane, Arthur Edward
DeVane, Freddie
Dixon, Elisha (Eliahs)
Dixon, Galloway
Dixon, Johnnie
Dunn, Bobbie Lee
Durant, Millage Jr.
Durham, Clarence S.
Durham, Randolph

Eakins, Edgar J.
Eakins, Charlie
Eakins, Garnan Rufus
Echols, John Melvin
Echols, Maxel
Edmond, Clarence L.
Edmond, George
Edmond, Luther
Eggleston, Eugene
Eleby, Lee Roy
Eleby, Moses T.
Ellis, Eddie

Faison, Arbelvia
Farrior, Booker T. W.
Farrior, David
Farrior, Elmon A.
Farrior, John D.
Farrior, Jesse N.
Farrior, Pearlie Joseph
Farrior, William Henry
Fennell, Curtis
Fennell, Edward
Fennell, Garliss Jr.
Fennell, George E.
Fennell, Grady
Fennell, Henry S.
Fennell, James Ashley
Fennell, Junius
Fennell, Malichi M.
Fillyaw, Bill

Filyaw, Tm (Tim)
Ford, Elijah Jr.
Ford, Russell Norris
Ford, Vernell

Fuller, Civie

Puller, Harlee
Fuller, Johnnie
Furlow, Herman Lee

Garrison, James R.
Gibbs, Robert Springfield
Godwin, Clyde Larkins
Gore, Eddie W.
Graham, Ernest H.
Graham, James C.
Graham, James L.
Graham, William H.

Henry, Wisters
Herring, Bennie
Herring, Douglas
Herring, Edward
Herring, Fred
Herring, Harlee
Herring, James T.
Herring, John W.
Herring, Octavis
Herring, Robert B.
Herring, Robert D.
Herring, Raymond O.

Gurganious, Adams McK.Herring, Roosevelt

Gurganious, Edward S.
Gurganious, Lorenzo H.
Gurganious, Richard

Hall, Elijah Jr.
Hall, Robert Henry
Hand, Daniel D.
Hand, George H.
Hand, Neal —

Hand, Pender
Hand, Willis
Hankins, Walter J.
Hanns, James E.
Hansely, Joseph
Hansley, Richmond
Hansley, Robert
Hansley, Robert J.
Harding, Nathan Jr.
Harrison, Willis T.
Hayes, Clyde Edward
Hayes, Frank
Hayes, George L.
Hayes, Issiah Henry
Hayes, James Clord
Hayes, James H.
Hayes, James T.
Hayes, Levi

Hayes, Quincey
Hayes, Wilbert
Hayes, Willie R.
Henry, George
Henry, George E.
Henry, Howard
Henry, LeRoy
Henry, Olivious
Henry, Waddell A.
Henry, Wilbert
Henry, Willie McRay

Herring, William E.
Hicks, Clarence
Highsmith, Joseph
Hill, Clarence
Holmes, George Matthews
Holmes, Leavy J.
Holmes, LeRoy
Hooper, Claudie
Hosea, Bradley
Howard, George C.
Huggins, James H.
Hurst, Cornelius R.

Ingraham, John J.

Jacobs, David Lucas
Jacobs, Eddie
Jacobs, Foster
Jacobs, Ivey James
Jacobs, James D.
Jacobs, Joe Jr.
Jacobs, John C.
Jacobs, Ned J.
Jacobs, Persell Day
Jackson, James :C.
Jackson, R. C. (1.0.)
James, Dexter
James, Ephraim
James, General Lee
James, Jerry

James, Jesse S.
James, (Mitchell Lee
James, Vernon
Johnson, Bunnion |B.
Johnson, Fred Douglas
Johnson, Hersfield
Johnson, Jethro J.
Johnson, LeRoy
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

234 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Johnson, Roosevelt
Johnson, Rudolph
Johnson, Tommie
Jones, Cleveland
Jones, Dames Floyd
Jones, Empie

Jones, George C.
Jones, Horsley

Jones, Keathon

Jones, Oscar J.

Jones, Robert Lee
Jones, William H.
Jones, Willie

Jordan, Charlie
Jordan, Daivid
Jordan, Fred

Jordan, Hartsel Lonnie
Jordan, John Gailloway
Jordan, Ross E.
Jordan, Samuel

Kea, Avance
Kea, George E.
Kea, James Henry
Kea, Moses N.
Kea, Wiley
Keaton, Isaac A.
Keith, Bright
Keith, Henry L.
Keith, Lee Oliver
Keith, William J.
Knox, Ofield

Lamb, Freddie D.
Lamont, Boyd
Lamont, John H.
Lamont, Rawleigh C.
Larkins, Bennie
Larkins, Bruce
Lawton, Berkley George
Lawton, Norman W.
Lee, Isaac

Lee, Robert Jr.
Lewis, Andrew J.
Lewis, Benjamin F.
Lewis, Cornell

Lewis, Gilliam N.
Lewis, James D.
Lewis, LeRoy

Lewis, Pearlie Milbert
Lewis, Richard J.

Lewis, Rufus

Lewis, Willie

Loftin, Adell

Loftin, Alexander
Loftin, Joseph
Loftin, Malachai
London, Willie Floyd

McAlister, Clyde Lee
McAlister, E. J.
McAlister, James Grady
McAlister, James Mavis
McAlister, John T.
McAlister, LeRoy
McClammy, Freddie
McClammy, Joseph
McClammy, Murray
McClammy, Parmalee
McDufhe, Bradford
McDuffie, Grant
McGee, Robert E.
McIntyre, George W.
McIntyre, Leslie
McIntyre, Wardell
McKoy, James T.
McKoy, Orange
McKoy, Samuel
McKinzie, Robert
McMillan, George Fillem
Malloy, James H.
Malloy, John

Malloy, Joseph

Malloy, Hezekiah
Malloy, Kirby

Mailloy, Lawrence
Malloy, William Henry
Malloy, Willie J.
Manuel, George W.
Marshall, Johnnie T.
Marshall, Henry Lee
Marshburn, Arthur Lee
Marshburn, Giles Foy
Marshburn, John A.
Marshburn, John E.
Matthews, James C.
Matthews, Napoleon
Matthews, Robert Lee
Mears, Charlie

Mears, James D.
Mears, Willie Cornelius
Mercy, William P.

Merritt, Wilbert
Merritt, Willie
Messick, Sevie
Middleton, Johnnye D.
Miller, Eddie

Miller, Norward L.
Millis, Charles E.
Mills, James H.
Mobley, Granville
Moody, John Jr.
Moore, Arthur J.
Moore, Charlie LeRoy
Moore, Eddie C.
Moore, George L.
Moore, George Russell
Moore, Godwin
Moore, John R.
Moore, John T.
Moore, Joseph L.
Moore, Roosevelt
Moore, Thomas
Moore, Wiague
Moore, William H.
Moore, William Henry
Morgan, Blannie Jr.
Morgan, James
Morgan, John Curtis
Morgan, Ruben Junior
Morris, Eddie D.
Morris, James A.
Mosely, Thurman Milton
Mott, Charlie W.
Murphy, Ezra
Murphy, King S.
Murphy, Samuel McCle
Murphy, William J.
Murray, James T.
(Murray, Johnnie
Murray, Lott

Murray, Moses T.
Murray, Robert Henry
Murray, Roosevelt
Muse, Charlie S.

New, Pearlie James
Newkirk, Clarence
Newkirk, Daniel
Newkirk, James Edward
Newkirk, James L.
Newkirk, Joha L.
Newkirk, Jimmie L.

 

Newkirk, Jonah Z.
Newkirk, Lawrence H.
Newkirk, LeRoy V.
Newkirk, Percy
Newkirk, Sammie E.
Newkirk, Virgil
Newkirk, Walter Buck
Newkirk, William H.
Newton, Ellis Gray
Newton, Luther Jr.
Normon, Irvin

Nixon, Andrew J.
Nixon, David J.
Nixon, Haywood
Nixon, Henry

Nixon, Herman J.
Nixon, James R.
Nixon, John W.
Nixon, McKinley
Nixon, Matthews
Nixon, Morris

Nixon, Nimrod
Nixon, Roger

Nixon, Roosevelt
Nixon, Telfair
Nixon, Walter J.
Nixon, Willie Bernard

Page, Jesse W.
Page, Roy M.
Parker, ‘Clifton
Parker, Edward
Pearsalil, Moses Jr.
Pearsall, Samuel
Phillips James H.
Pickett, Bradford
Pickett, Horner L.
Pickett, James H.
Pickett, James Percy
Pickett, John Henry
Pickett, Oscar K.
Pickett, Willie H.
Pigford, Oscar
Pigford, William W.
Pope, James
Powell, Joel T.
Powell, Vander
Powers, John J.
Powers, Thomas Leslie
Pridgen, John T.
Pridgen, Robert H.

World War Il Veterans

Reaves, Elton

Smith, Jesse Jr.

Register, Billie Thurman Smith, John F.

Respus, Louis D.
Rich, Bubber
Richardson, Joseph
Ringer, Clarence C.
Rispus, Charles
Robinson, John Alfred
Robinson, Raymond
Rogers, Harry
Rogers, John G.
Rolach, Isiah
Rouse, Kernel W.
Rowell, Vander
Royal, George H.
Royal, Robert

Sampson, Harvey J.
Sampson, John E.
Sanders, Adrian
Sanders, Bug Diamond
Shapard, Edgar
Shepard, David W.
Shepard, Floyd
Shepard, Harvey
Shepard, James H.
Shepard, James W.
Shepard, John Junior
Shepard, Victor
Shiver, Emprey J.
Sidbury, Chadner
Sidbury, Clarence
Sidbury, Hildred
Sidbury, Roland
Sidbury, Thomas
Sidbury, Willis J.
Sidbury, Willie James
Simmons, Opel Elmer
Simmons, Robert
Simpson, Alton
Simpson, David
Simpson, James
Simpson, James F.
Simpson, Jiames L.
Simpson, Joe W.
Simpson, Joseph
Simpson, Lendward
Smith, Deams

Smith, George D.
Smith, Jesse James

Smith, John H.
Smith, Walter A.
Smith, Willis B.
Spencer, Belton Jr.
Steward, -Guanzalo
Stringfield, Johnnie
Stukes, Charlie
Swinson, Albert W.
Sykes, Promise L.
Sykes, William R.

Tate, Charles H.
Tate, Theodore

Taylor, John
Taylor, John W.
Tayloe, Thomas T.
Thomas, Waiter
Thompson, Henry
Tolbert, Johnnie
Turner, James Valley

Walker, Albert Jr.
Walker, Cillie B.
Walker, Dock
Walker, Emmerson P.
Walker, Grover J.
Walker, Henry E.
Walker, James C.
Walker, James D.
Walker, Johnnie L.
Walker, Pearlie
Walker, Reginald D.
Walker, Wesley Franklin
Walker, Willie D.
Walker, Woodrow
Warren, James
Washington, Evander
Watkins, Boston
Watkins, Dock

Wells, Jesse

West, James R.
West, Johnnie Williams
West, LeRoy

West, Roosevelt
West, Vernell
Wheeler, Herman
Whitley, Issiah
Williams, Andrew J.
Williams, Charles N.

235
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

236 History of Pender County, North Carolina

Williams, David N. Wiilliams, John Wesley Williams, Titus
Williams, Delman Williams, Johnnie Albert Williams, Willie Frank
Williams, Elijah Williams, Joseph Jr. Willims, Clarence L.
Williams, Emerson Williams, LeRoy R. Wilson, Lawrence W.
Williams, (Gillis Williams, Leslie A. Wilson, Randolph
Williams, Hardy James Williams, Oscar Wilson, Thomas O.
Williams, Herbert J. Williams, Paul Winley, Joseph J.
Williams, Homer Williams, Pender Wood, Raymond
Williams, Irving Williams, Robert D. Wright, Frank
Williams, Jiames F. Williams, Robert E. Wright, Mathew

BLOODWORTH ANCESTRY

Robert N. Bloodworth

My Father, Robert N. Bloodworth, a grandson of the
Honorable Timothy Bloodworth, whose family came to this
country direct from Wales around 1720, was born in New
Hanover County, the son of James Bloodworth. When
about three days old his mother died and the two daughters
of Hon. Timothy Bloodworth reared him, where he con-
tinued to live until their passing.

He was educated at Sprunt Institute, Kenansville under
Mr. James Sprunt. As a reward for his ability and an honor
student he was presented an autographed Bible by Mr.
Sprunt. This Bible is still in readable condition.

He taught school in many sections of Pender County and
was allied with the County politically as well as socially.
He was a man of brilliant mind and highly informed, and
was Deputy Clerk of Superior Court about twenty years.

He married Miss Matilda Loring Hand, his second cousin
and daughter of William Jones Hand and Eleanor Hand

of whom the author is the only heir.

Bloodworth Ancestry 237

Hon. Timothy Bloodworth

Timothy Bloodworth, Patriot and Democrat was one of
the Pioneer Statesmen whose career has never been ade-
quately preserved for posterity and to whom the Public
Records have done but partial and very limited justice.
Timothy Bloodworth was born in the year 1736 in Pender
County, at thiat time a part of New Hanover County, the
son of Major Thomas Bloodworth, a descendant of Welch
ancestry and possessed those innate and inherent gifts and
qualities of leadership which carried him to the heights,
independent of the limitations of his immediate environ-
ments, for he had been furnished by nature with those quali-
ties without which no mian can succeed. Major Thomas
Bloodworth represented New Hanover in the General As-
sembly of 1771 and when the Wilmington Committee of
Safety was chosen and along with his son Timothy, they
were chosen to coéperate with the Town Committee.

Timothy Bloodworth’s talents were such that he was
called into the public service when he was but twenty-two,
becoming a member of the House of Commons of which he
continued as a member continuously for thirty years, estab-
lishing a record for continuous legislative experience pos-
sessed by few Carolinians. For ten years -he represented
New Hanover County in the General Assembly, was Treas-
urer of the Wilmington District in 1781 to 1782, and
Commissioner of Confiscated Property in 1783. It was dur-
ing his long legislative service that he established his power
and prestige on the field of the political life of the people.
There was no more powerful or influential legislator of his
day than he—for he was a moulder and shaper of public
thought and of public opinion. He extended his public
service from the State to the National life and that year
found him an influential member of the Continental Con-
gress, from which he resigned to oppose the ratification of
the proposed United States Constitution. When our State
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

238 History of Pender County, North Carolina

reluctantly entered the Federal Union, he was elected as a
member to the first Congress. So large had his figure become
in the political arena of the State that upon the second
election for United States Senator in 1795 Timothy Blood-
worth was one of those elected to high office.

He retired from office at the end of his term and immedi-
ately on the expiration of his senatorial service he was made
Collector of Customs for the Port of Wilmington by his
staunch friend and collaborator President Thomas Jefferson,
which would assure him a competency for his old age.

Timothy Bloodworth was noted for his open-handed
liberality, for when he rose to power and influence he re-
membered the hardships and struggles of his own youth and
early life and so liberal was he in his largess that when he
died in 1814 he left but small estate, though rounding out
more than fifty-five years of continuous public service—a
record possessed by but few men in the public annals of our
State. He held views on political and economic questions
which were so pronounced and so radical that they carried
him to the very verge of eccentricity.and he was a firm
believer in that school of political thought of which Na-
thaniel Miacon was our formost exponent and advocate.

When the Commission platted the infant Capital, they
recognized the. eminent services rendered by Bloodworth
and gave his name to one of the principal streets, his name
being perpetuated on account of the bitter and protracted
struggle over the location of the permanent capital, Fayette-
ville and Raleigh the principal contenders. The issue was
sharply drawn, great bitterness had-been engendered and
the vote was extremely close. When the final ballot was
taken in 1792, Bloodworth was the most experienced and
one of the most influential members of the Legislature and
he placed both his vote and his great influence behind the
location of the Capital in Wake County, which was the
decisive influence which turned the tide in favor of Raleigh
being the Capital.

 

 

Bloodworth Ancestry 239

The Bloodworth family, a Welch family whose ancestry
reverts back to the time when Sir Thomas Bloodworth was
Lord Mayor of London, during the reign of King Charles II
and the reign of Queen Victoria, though those who came to
America had no love for the English, for the very good
reason that they represented the original peoples ‘of the
British Isles, whose ancestry Julius Cesar fought in the
Conquest of Gaul, their fatherland and, according to
Caruther’s History of North Carolina, they regarded them-
selves as the pure original Britons whom the mongrel Anglo-
Saxon race had driven from their ‘homes and despoiled their

property.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

240 History of Pender County, North Carolina

To My FarHer AND MOTHER:

It is a great satisfaction to live for those who love you and those

you love
For those whose hearts you know, are true,
For the Father who fondled you and the Mother who bore you

My Sainted Mother with her eyes of beautiful blue.

Mother of Mine was all that a Mother could be,

She taught me prayers and precepts at the bend of her knee;
My Mother, the quintessence of refinement and sweetness,
My adorable Mother, the embodyment of soulful completeness.

My Father was a Pal, a Companion from early childhood,
I followed him fishing and all through the wildwood,

To me he was so wonderful, and to all so kind

So thoroughly unselfish and to my faults not blind.

My sweetest recollections of association of Father, Mother and HomE
Ate hallowed memories that have outshone

All other memories, of present or past
Which linger, and will linger on, to the very last.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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