60 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

beauty and massive grandeur, with its high-pitched roof, its
lofty doors, and its beautiful chancel windows.

A little to the west, surrounded by a forest of pines, lies
Liberty Pond, a beautiful lake of clear spring water, once
stained with the blood of friend and foe in a deadly conflict—
hence its traditional name. It is now a most restful, tranquil
spot, with its profound stillness, the beach of snow white sand,
the unbroken surface of the lake reflecting the foliage and the
changing sky-line.

Turning to the southeast, we leave the woodland and reach a
bluff upon the river bank, still known as Howe’s Point, where
the Revolutionary patriot and soldier, Gen. Robert Howe, was
born and reared. His residence, long since a ruin, was a large
frame building on a stone or brick foundation, still remembered
as such by several aged citizens of Brunswick.

A short distance from the Howe place, the writer found some
years ago, in the woods and upon a commanding site near the
river, under many layers of pine straw, the clearly defined ruins
of an ancient fort, which was undoubtedly of colonial origin.
Mr. Reynolds, who lived at his place near by, said that his great
grandfather informed him forty years ago that long before the
~ War of the Revolution this fort was erected by the colonial gov-
ernment for the protection of the colonists against buccaneers.

Hence to the staid old county seat is a journey of an hour; it
was originally known as Fort Johnston. The adjacent hamlet
was subsequently called Smithville. In the old courthouse,
which is its principal building, may be seen the evidence that
on the death, January 17, 1749, of Mr. Allen, aged 57 years,
the plantation Lilliput, where he was buried, became the prop-
erty (and, it is said, the residence for a brief period) of the
great grandson of Oliver Cromwell, Sir Thomas Frankland,
commanding the frigate Rose, who was subsequently Admiral
of the White in the British Navy.

In connection with the inscription on Chief Justice Allen’s
tomb—that he died in January, 1749—it is to be noted that in
December, 1749, he was acting as chief justice. At that period
the calendar year began and ended in March, so that January;
1749, followed December of that year. The alteration in the

calendar was made by act of Parliament in 1751.

  
   

Permanent Settlement 61

ORTON.

A stately mansion girt by God’s great woods,

Each clod of earth a friend to me and mine.

Each room a home within the one vast home,

Where naught of all its perfect pomp

Can mar the Sweet simplicity and ease of entertainment.
There dwells the warmth of generous hospitality

That counts no act a favor and no gift a sacrifice.

There sordid things and anxious cares come not.

No strangers’ words or presence there intrude.

There love of life—clean, wholesome, healthful life—prevails.
And there the

Rev. Richard W. Hogue.

CRANE NEOK HERON COLONY ON ORTON

PLANTATION.
By Rosa PENDLETON CHILES.
S
tic ‘retching for miles through the vast domain of Orton Planta-
nis

4 great pond, and in an elected spot above its still waters

today yy colony of egrets remaining in North Carolina

» where the cypress springs like a sentinel
must so and spreads its limbs for nesting ground. Bold
bravin ; RRtEE, though tempted by the glimmer of gold, who,
8 Mosquitoes and reptiles, threads his way over the track-

water courses, or plunges through the dense growth
, following the heron to its nest in pine or
Yet we know only too well some who are fearless
ten fn 4p make the effort, and the story of their success is writ-
traged : tragedy of millions of bird lives and the deeper

NN some human lives. Notwithstanding the caution of
© bird in seeking a home in the well-nigh impenetrable