History of North Carolina United States of America

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Local History Notes:

NORTH CAROLINA, one of the original states of the American confederacy, is bounded on the N. by Virginia, E. and S.E. by the Atlantic, S. by South Carolina and Georgia, and N.W. by Tennessee, from which it is separated by the Iron and other mountains of the Appalachian chain. It lies between about 33° 53' and 36° 33' N. lat., and between 75° 25' and 84° 30' W. lon., being about 450 miles in length, and 180 in its greatest breadth, including an area of 45,000 square miles, or about 28,800,000 acres, of which only 5,453,977 were improved in 1850.

Population: At the first national census, in 1790, North Carolina had 393,751 inhabitants; 478,103 in 1800; 555,500 in 1810; 638,829 in 1820; 737,987 in 1830; 753,419 in 1840, and 868,903 in 1850, of whom 272,839 were white males, 280,189 white females, 13,298 free colored males, 14,165 free colored females, 144,679 male, and 143,733 female slaves, and 831 Indians. This population was divided among 106,023 families, occupying 105,542 dwellings. Of the free population, 394 were born in England, 567 in Ireland, 1019 in Scotland and Wales, 344 in Germany, 43 in France, 137 in other countries, and 217 whose places of birth were unknown. In the twelve months ending June 1st, 1850, there occurred 10,207 deaths, or nearly 12 in every 1000 persons. In the same period 1931 paupers received aid, of whom 18 were foreigners, at an expense of about $31 for each individual. Of 407 deaf and dumb, 4 were free colored, and 52 slaves; of 532 blind, 28 were free colored, and 117 slaves; of 491 insane, 5 were free colored and 24 slaves; and of 774 idiotic, 32 were free colored, and 138 slaves.

Counties: North Carolina is divided into 82 counties, viz. Alamance, Alexander, Anson, Ashe, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Curitruck, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe, Forsythe, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Robesen, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Tyrrel, Union, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey. Capital, Raleigh.

Cities and Towns: Wilmington is the largest and most commercial town in the state; population, in 1850, 7264. The other principal towns are Fayetteville, population, 4648; and Raleigh, population, 4518. The other important places are Beaufort, Newborn, Edenton, Warrentown, Washington, Tarborough, and Plymouth.

Face of the Country, and Mountains: The S.E. and E. portion of North Carolina is level and sandy, and often marshy, interspersed with shallow lakes, especially between Albemarle and Pamlico sounds. A chain of low islands, or sandbanks, lines the whole coast, cutting off a series of shallow sounds, or lagoons, of difficult navigation. The Great Dismal Swamp, partly in the N.E. of this state, and partly in Virginia, is a spongy mass, that is said to be higher than the surrounding country, and to hold the water by capillary attraction. The Little Dismal Swamp lies between the two great sounds. The level region extends about 60 miles from the coast, and is succeeded by the hill country in the centre, which is followed, in turn, by the mountainous region off the west, formed by the passage of several ridges of the great Alleghany range in a S.W. direction through the state. These mountains vary from 800 to above 6000 feet in elevation. Mount Mitchell, or Black mountain, is in the N.W. part of the state, and is the highest summit E. of the Mississippi river: See MOUNT MITCHELL. The other considerable peaks are Roan mountain, 6038 feet, Grandfather mountain, 5556 feet, and Grandmother mountain, 2500 feet high. That part of the Alleghany range which separates Tennessee from North Carolina goes under various local names, such as Iron, Stone, Smoky, Bald, and Unaka mountains. Between these and the Blue ridge is a tableland elevated from 2000 to 2500 feet above the sea.

Minerals: North Carolina is rich in mineral treasures, especially in gold, copper, iron, and coal. The McCullock gold and copper mine, near Greensborough, has for some time attracted much attention. A recent report of the president of the company working the mines claims for it "that nothing on this continent, in the shape of mining enterprise, can compare with that of the McCullock Copper and Gold Company, in position and resources." This is, no doubt, highly colored, but has, probably, considerable foundation in fact. The report also states that the gold refuse will yield, by aid of crushers, $2.75 per bushel on the average, and fresh gold ore $12, and that 3 negroes can take out 10 tons of copper ore in a day. Professor Jackson (a more impartial authority) considers the copper region of North Carolina unparalleled in richness. Between 1843 and 1851, at Gold hill, in the gold region W. of the Yadkin river, $801,665 were mined. Coal, both bituminous and anthracite, exists in large quantities, the former of the best quality. The greatest known coalfields in North Carolina are the Deep River, extending from Granville county S.W. into South Carolina, and the Dan River in Rockingham and Stoke counties. This coal, it is said, can be brought to tidewater at an expense of $1 per ten, whence it can be easily and cheaply transhipped to the different ports on the Atlantic coast. The coal, however, is most abundant on the Deep river, and extends at least for 30 miles, is near navigable water, and could be carried easily to any market on the coast. Professor Eramons says of the Deep River coal "its qualities are such as to give it the highest place in the market, being adapted to all purposes for which the bituminous coals are specially employed." The same authority remarks, "iron occupies an important place in North Carolina, and its advantages for making bar iron of the best quality are very great." Marl is also abundant, being found in the coast counties from Virginia to South Carolina, as far from the coast as Nash county. Large supplies of limestone, (from Danbury, in Stokes county, to King's mountain, South Carolina,) and freestone, (soft, and easy to work, but which hardens on exposure,) are furnished in inexhaustible quantities on the Dan and Deep rivers; grindstones of the best quality, and millstones, (as good as the French burr,) on Deep river. Magnetic iron ore, some silver, lead, manganese, gypsum, and salt have also been found.

Rivers, Lakes, and Sounds: There are two shallow sounds--Albemarle in the N.E., and Pamlico in the E. of the state--which are cut off from the ocean by long and narrow sand-banks or islands, through which there are inlets to the sea; but these are constantly changing--the old filling up with the shifting sands, and new ones being opened by the beating of the surges. The principal at the present time are Ocracoke and Roanoke inlets. Albemarle sound extends about 60 miles westward, with a varying breadth of from 5 to 15 miles. It has several arms or bays, and communicates with Pamlico sound, which extends 86 miles in a S.W. direction, parallel with the coast, having a somewhat greater breadth than Albemarle sound, and 20 feet depth of water. The Hatteras banks, which cut it off from the ocean, extend far out to sea in the well known and dangerous point of Cape Hatteras. Further down the coast are the prominent points of Cape Lookout and Cape Fear. In the low marshy grounds between these sounds are several small lakes. A chain of low islands, or sandbanks, extends to the mouth of Cape Fear river, cutting off several small sounds and lagoons. North Carolina is traversed by several extensive rivers, all--with the exception of a few small tributaries of the Tennessee--running in a S.E. direction through the state and discharging themselves into the Atlantic, after courses of from about 200 to 400 miles. Commencing on the N.E., the Chowan and Roanoke rise in Virginia, and empty into Albemarle sound. The Tar and the Neuse rise in the N. of North Carolina, and empty into Pamlico sound. The Cape Fear, the largest river that has its whole course in the state, rises in the N., and empties into the Atlantic at the S. extremity of the state. The Yadkin and Catawba rise in the N.W. and pass into South Carolina, where the former takes the name of the Great Pedee and the latter of the Wateree. The Wacamaw, also an eastern tributary of the Great Pedee, rises in the S. part of this state. Besides these, there are a number of tributaries of the Tennessee, Congaree, and other rivers, already named. The rivers of North Carolina are so obstructed by sandbanks at their mouths, and by rapids and falls farther up, as not to be navigable for vessels of a large class. The Cape Fear is navigable 40 miles to Wilmington for Vessels drawing 10 or 12 feet water, and to Fayetteville for steam boats. Small craft ascend the Neuse to Newbern, and steamboats 120 miles to Waynesborough. The Tar is navigable for steamboats 100 miles to Tarborough; the Roanoke for small seacraft 30 miles, and for steamboats 120 miles to Halifax; and the Chowan for steamboats 75 miles.

Objects of Interest to Tourists: We cannot pretend to do any justice to North Carolina in this respect, as the facilities for travelling in that state are very poor in the region of her finest scenery. Of Black mountain or Mitchell's Peak, the highest point E. of the Mississippi, we have but little to state, except its situation between Yancey and McDowell counties, 20 miles N.E. from Asheville, and its height, 6476 ft. It commands a magnificent view of Swannanoa Gap, a pass in the mountains between Morgantown and Asheville. Near it are the picturesque Catawba falls. Pilot mountain, in Surrey county, rises in the midst of a nearly level country, in a cylindrical form. It received its name from having served as a beacon to guide the path of the Indians. In Buncombe county, on the French Broad river, in the midst of wild and romantic mountain scenery, are the Warm Springs. The principal hotel at this place is 280 feet in length. Painted Rock, a lofty precipice, from 200 to 300 feet high, and a rock called the Chimneys, are in the same vicinity. The Gingercake Rock, in Burke county, on the top of a mountain of the same name, is a curious pile of stone in the form of an inverted pyramid, 29 feet high, which supports a natural slab of stone 32 feet long and 2 feet thick, projecting about half its length beyond the edge of the inverted pyramid, and resting with the most perfect stability, though apparently just ready to fall. The view from this point is very fine, looking down a ravine of from 800 to 1200 feet in depth, with a river at its bottom, dashing over its rocky bed, and a cliff, called the Hawk's Bill, projecting over it, at an elevation of 1500 feet. About 5 miles from the same point may be seen Table Rock, a conical eminence of 2500 feet, rearing itself from the valley of the Catawba river.

Climate: The climate in the low counties is hot and unhealthy in summer, bilious and intermittent fevers prevailing; but the middle and western sections are temperate and healthy. Wheat is harvested in June, and Indian corn in September. According to meteorological observations made at Chapel Hill, by Professor Phillips, in 1851-2, the monthly mean for June was 72°.82; for July, 79°.46; August, 70°.05; September, 68°.07; October 59°.18; November, 46°.92; December, 39°.45; January, 36°.02; February, 45°.58; March, 53°.72; April, 56°.50; May, 68°.84. Mean for the year, 58°.46. First frost, October 24th. Frogs singing, 11th February. Hottest day, July 27th--102° at 3 P. M.; coldest day, January 20th--22° at 3 P.M. It rained on 102 days; there were some clouds on 326; and perfectly clear 40 days. The apricot bloomed the 29th of February, and the apple the 12th of March.

Soil and Productions: The soil possesses every variety, from the sands and marshes of the coast to the rich alluvions of the river bottoms. Some of the smaller marshes that have been drained have proved highly productive in rice, cotton, tobacco, and Indian corn. Much of the low sandy section, extending 60 miles from the coast, is covered with extensive forests of pitch pine, that furnish large quantities of lumber, tar, turpentine, and resin, which are exported to the Northern cities. In parts of this region, cotton, rice, and indigo grow well; but the higher grounds are better adapted to wheat Indian corn, hemp, tobacco, rye, and oats. The staples are Indian corn, tobacco, and sweet potatoes. In the latter article North Carolina is only exceeded by three states; in tobacco, by five; while it exceeds every other state in peas and beans. Large quantifies of wheat, rye, oats, Irish potatoes, cotton wool, rice, fruits, butter, cheese, garden vegetables, hay, flax, grass-seeds, beeswax, honey, and some barley, buckwheat, wine, hops, hemp, silk, and maple sugar are produced. According to the census of 1850, there were in the state 56,916 farms, containing 5,453,977 acres of improved land, (or about 90 acres to each farm,) producing 2,130,102 bushels of wheat; 229,563 of rye; 27,941,051 of Indian corn; 4,052,078 of oats; 1,584,252 of peas and beans; 620,318 of Irish potatoes; 5,095,709 of sweet potatoes; 38,196 of flaxseed; 5,465,868 pounds of rice; 11,984,786 of tobacco; 29,539,600 of cotton; 970,738 of wool; 4,146,290 of butter; 95,921 of cheese; 145,662 tons of hay; 593,796 pounds of flax; 27,932 of maple sugar; 512,289 of beeswax and honey. Live stock valued at $17,71.7,647; orchard products at $34,348; market products at $39,462; and slaughtered animals at $5,767,866.

Forest Trees: In the upland country are oaks of several species, hickory, maple, ash, walnut, and lime; in the low country, pine; and in the swamps also pine, cedar, cypress, with some maple, white oak, poplar, and an undergrowth of vines, briers, &c., so dense as to be impassable. In the drier parts, white and red oaks flourish. Among the fruits are apples, pears, peaches, cherries, grapes, and strawberries.

Manufactures: Professor Emmons, in his geological report of 1852, remarks--"The water-power is immense, and the improvements on Cape Fear and Deep rivers will furnish water for several Lowells." North Carolina, however, has not yet applied much of her great and extended supply of waterpower to manufacturing purposes. By the census of 1850, she had 2523 manufacturing establishments, each producing $500 and upward annually: 28 of these were cotton factories, employing 1,058,800 capital, and 442 male, and 1177 female hands; consuming raw material worth $531,903, and producing 2,470,110 yards of stuff, and 2,267,000 pounds of yarn, valued at $831,342; one woollen factory, employing $18,000 capital, and 15 male, and 15 female hands, consuming raw material worth $13,950, and producing 34,000 yards of stuff, valued at $23,750; 26 furnaces, forges, &c., employing $139,500 capital, and 214 male hands, consuming raw material worth $64,355, and producing 1422 tons of wrought, cast, and pig iron, valued at $92,347; $21,930 were invested in the manufacture of malt and spirituous liquors, consuming 64,650 bushels of corn, and 4700 of rye, employing 75 hands, and producing 153,030 gallons of wine and whiskey; and 151 tanneries, employing $251,055 capital, consuming raw material worth $191,237, and producing manufactured leather valued at $352,535. Homemade manufactures to the value of $2,086,522 were produced in 1850: See Table of Manufactures, APPENDIX.

Internal Improvements: The great Southern railroad crosses the entire State of North Carolina, having its terminus at Wilmington. There is also a railroad from Gaston to Raleigh, and one from Weldon to Portsmouth, Virginia. The Gaston and Raleigh road has been purchased by the state, to save its own mortgage on it. A road is in progress from the Wilmington and Raleigh railroad in Wayne county, to Charlotte, to which the state is to subscribe $2,000,000 when individuals shall have contributed $1,000,000. In January, 1853, North Carolina had 249 miles of railroad completed, and 223 in course of construction, since which time a road has been opened from Wilmington through Manchester, South Carolina, to Camden Branch railroad, and from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Columbia, South Carolina: See APPENDIX. The Dismal Swamp canal unites the Pasquotank with the Elizabeth river, in Virginia. Companies have been formed for the improvement of the navigation of the Cape Fear, Roanoke, and Neuse rivers, to all of which the state is a subscriber. The Club-foot and Harlow creek canal, in which the state holds 30 shares, was projected in 1826 and connects the Neuse with Beaufort harbor. A board of internal improvement, consisting of two members, was established in 1825.

Commerce: As has been elsewhere stated, the rivers of North Carolina are obstructed at their mouths by shifting sands, which prevent the entrance of large vessels; and hence the commerce of this state is limited to the export of her products to the ports of the neighboring states in coasting vessels. North Carolina exports large quantities of lumber, pitch, tar, resin, and turpentine, with some rice, cotton, and other products. The export of naval stores (pitch, tar, resin, and turpentine) exceeds that of any other, if not all the states in the Union combined. About 800,000 barrels of turpentine are annually exported, and (in 1851-52) 16,242 bales of cotton. The tonnage of North Carolina in 1851-52 was 50,621 28/95 of which more than three-fifths was in the coasting trade; tonnage entered, 32,295; tonnage cleared, 53,099; number of vessels built, 32, with a tonnage of 2,228 52/95. The foreign imports amounted to $735,858, and the exports to $576,399.

Education: Common school education is at a low ebb in this state. According to Wheeler, her own historian, 1 out of every 7 white persons over 20 years of age can neither read nor write; and by the United States census of 1850, there were 71,150 white persons over 21 years of age in that state of ignorance. Yet their statesmen have not been indifferent to this subject. The state appropriates $100,000 a year from the literary fund for the payment of common-school teachers; and in 1850 there were 72,232 children in North Carolina, for whose education $124,300 was raised by taxation. There were in 1852, 3 colleges, with an aggregate of 335 students, and 23,000 volumes in their libraries. North Carolina University, at Chapel Hill, is the most important of these. There is one law school with 10, and one medical school with 158 students--See Table of Colleges, APPENDIX.

Religious Denominations: Of the 1678 churches in North Carolina in 1850, the Baptists owned 573; the Christians, 29; the Episcopalians, 47; the Free Church, 51; the Friends, 30; the German Reformed, 15; the Lutherans, 47; the Methodists, 727; the Presbyterians, 143; and the Roman Catholics, 4. The rest belonged to the Moravians, Tunkers, and Unionists--giving 1 church to every 517 persons. Value of church property, $889,393: See Table of Religions, APPENDIX.

Public Institutions: A state insane asylum is now in course of erection near Raleigh. A special tax has been levied for four years for this purpose, which is expected to yield $80,000. A deaf and dumb asylum is also being erected at the same place, towards which the state has contributed $30,000. In 1850 there were 8 public libraries, with 24,247 volumes.

Government, Finances, &c: In addition to the usual division of the governmental power, there is in North Carolina a council of state, consisting of 7 persons, receiving $3 per day while in service, and a like sum for every 30 miles' travelling. The executive power is vested in a governor, elected by the people for two years, and receiving an annual salary of $2000, with fees. The senate is composed of fifty members, elected for two years, by freeholders possessing fifty acres of land; and a house of representatives, of 120 members, elected for 2 years also. Every white man over 21 years of age, who has resided in the state a twelvemonth, is a voter. The judiciary consists--1. Of a supreme court, composed of a chief-justice and two associate judges, receiving salaries of $2500 per annum; 2. Of superior or circuit courts, whose judges receive $1950 per annum. The judges of both courts are elected by the two houses of the legislature on joint ballot, and hold office during good behaviour. There are 7 circuits of 10 counties each. North Carolina is entitled to 8 members in the national house of representatives, and to 10 electoral votes for president. The state is undergoing a geological and botanical survey by direction of the government. The state liabilities, mostly arising from endorsements of internal improvement bonds, was in 1852, $977,000. The expenses of the state for 1850 were $228,173.24, of which $30,000 were for the judiciary; $45,000 for the legislature; $10,000 for the executive, and $70,000 for interest on internal improvement bonds endorsed by the state. Ordinary expenses, $75,000. Partial returns give the banking capital of North Carolina, in January, 1853, $3,050,000; circulation, $4,276,978.50, and coin, $1,388,545.73. Full returns in March, 1851, gave the capital as $3,650,000, and in January, 1852, $4,305,000. Assessed value of property in 1850, $212,071,413.

History: Attempts were made, under the auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, to settle North Carolina as early as between 1585 and 1589; but in one year after no trace of the colony could be found. The first permanent settlement was made on the banks of the Roanoke and Chowan by some emigrants from Virginia in 1653. John Culpepper rebelled against the arbitrary government of Miller in 1678, and held the government for two years. In 1693, North and South Carolina were separated. In 1711 the Tuscaterns, Corees, and other savages attacked and massacred 112 settlers, principally of the Roanoke and Chowan settlements; but the following year the united forces of the two Carolinas completely routed them, killing 300 savages. The same year the yellow fever raged. In 1729 the proprietors sold their rights to the crown. A party of malcontents in 1771 rose against the royal governor, but after two hours' contest, fled with considerable loss. A severe conflict with the North-west Indians occurred in 1774 on the Kanawha river, which resulted in the abandonment of the ground by the savages. North Carolina took an early and active part in the events of the Revolution, and within her borders took place sanguinary conflicts at Guilford Court House, Brier creek, Cedar spring, Fishing creek, and other places. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was made May 20, 1775: so North Carolina has the honor to have first proposed a separation from Great Britain.

Biographies:

William Ruffin Cox, representative, was born in Halifax county, N.C., March 11, 1832; son of Thomas and Olivia (Norfleet) Cox. His ancestors were English and Scotch-Irish and settled in America early in the eighteenth century. His father died in 1836 and his mother removed to Nashville, Tenn., where he was graduated in letters at Franklin college in 1851 and in law at the famous school at Lebanon, Tenn., in 1853. He was admitted to the bar in 1853 and practised in Nashville, 1853-57. He returned to North Carolina in 1857 and engaged in agriculture in Edgecombe county. In 1859 he removed to Raleigh, N.C., and was an unsuccessful candidate on the Democratic ticket for representative in the state legislature, being defeated by thirteen votes. In 1861 he was commissioned by Governor Ellis major of the 2d regiment North Carolina state troops, commanded by Col. C.C. Tew. When Colonel Tew was killed at Sharpsburg, Lieut.-Col. W. P. Bynum was promoted colonel, and Major Cox lieutenant-colonel, and on the resignation of Colonel Bynum, Cox became colonel, being commissioned in March, 1863. He was wounded three times during the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, and was officially commended in the report of General Ramseur for his chivalry and for remaining with his command till he was exhausted. He joined his regiment in 1864 after their return from Pennsylvania and took part in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. In the battle of May 12, 1864, he was again in Ramseur's brigade and for his part in the battle received the thanks of Generals Lee and Ewell on the field. After this battle he was promoted to the command of the brigade composed of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 14th and 30th N.C. regiments, notwithstanding the fact that he was junior colonel. After the battle of Cold Harbor he was detailed to the relief of Lynchburg, serving in Early's corps and was with that general in the Maryland expedition in the battle of Monocacy and in the Shenandoah campaign of the fall of 1864. He then joined the army of northern Virginia before Petersburg and was with Gordon's corps in the attempt to break the Federal lines at Fort Steadman. He led the division to the last charge at Appomattox and with his brigade was covering the retreat when he was called to the rear. In executing this maneuver his brigade faced about with the steadiness of veterans on parade and poured so Sudden and deadly a volley into the ranks of the overwhelming numbers of Federals pressing the retreat, as temporarily to check their attempt to capture the command. He received eleven wounds during his service in the Confederate army and after the surrender resumed the practice of law in Raleigh, N.C. He was president of the Chatham Coalfield railroad; solicitor of the Raleigh district for six years; chairman of the Democratic state executive committee for five years; a delegate for the state at large to the Democratic national convention of 1876; circuit judge of the 6th judicial district of North Carolina, 1877-80; representative in the 47th, 48th and 49th congresses, 1881-87, and secretary of the United States senate as successor to Gen. Anson G. McCook, serving in the 53d and succeeding congresses. He was married in 1857 to a daughter of James S. Battle of Edgecombe county, and after her death in 1880 he was married to Fannie A., daughter of the Rt. Rev. T. B. Lyman of Raleigh, N.C.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Henry Haywood, senator, was born in Wake county, N.C., Oct. 23, 1801; the only son of William Henry, and nephew of John, Sherwood and Stephen Haywood; grandson of William Haywood, 1730-79, chairman of the committee of safety, member of the provincial congress of North Carolina and of the governor's council, 1776; joint author of the bill of rights, and member of the general assembly of the state, 1778-79; and great grandson of John Haywood, 1684-1758, colonist, a native of Barbadoes, W.I., a resident of Edgecombe county, N C., member of the colonial assembly, treasurer of the northern counties of the colony, and colonel of the militia of Edgecombe county. His uncle, John Hay-wood, was state treasurer of North Carolina, 1787-1827, and for whom Haywood county, N.C., was named. William Henry was graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1819 and practised law in Raleigh. He represented Wake county in the house of commons, 1831, 1834, 1835 and 1836, and was speaker in 1836. He was U.S. senator, 1843, as successor to Senator W. A. Graham, and resigned his seat in 1846 upon finding that he disagreed with his party on the tariff question. He was succeeded by George E. Badger. He continued the practice of law up to a short time before his death which occurred at Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 6, 1852.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Woods Holden, governor of North Carolina, was born in Orange county, N.C., Nov. 24, 1818. His school training was limited to the district school till he was sixteen years old, when he entered a printing office, where he served, 1834-36. He studied law in Raleigh, N.C., 1836-41, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He purchased the Raleigh Standard and published it, 1843-68. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1846-47; met with the governors of Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina, and prominent citizens of these states, at Raleigh, N.C., at the time of the state fair in the fall of 1856, to consider what action might be necessary on the part of the slaveholding states in the event of the election of John C. Fremont as President, which meeting was the first movement leading to secession in 1861. He was a member of the secession convention of May 20, 1861, and signed the ordinance of secession. He was a state commissioner for the establishment of the Deaf and Dumb institute and the State Insane asylum. He was appointed by President Johnson provisional governor of North Carolina in 1865, at the same time Jonathan Worth was elected by the people. A dual government resulted, which existed for a time, when Governor Worth was recognized and held the office till 1868, when Holden was elected by the people, and held the office until he was impeached by the state senate in 1870. The impeachment trial was the culmination of a period of great political excitement accompanied by riot and bloodshed. Governor Holden had placed several counties under martial law and called out the state militia to enforce the same. He had vainly applied to the President of the United States for Federal troops to maintain order and put down insurrection, and then, on Nov. 10, 1870, had withdrawn all show of martial force and proclaimed the restoration of civil authority. On the meeting of the state legislature, Dec. 20, 1870, the house of representatives presented eight articles of impeachment against the governor for high crimes and misdemeanors, to the senate, which body summoned the governor to appear and answer. The state was represented by its prosecuting officers and by former-Governor Thomas Bragg, and the defendant was represented by equally able counsel and the trial resulted in his being "removed from the office of governor and disqualified to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under the state of North Carolina." He removed to Washington, D.C., where he was editor of the National Republican, 1871-73. He then returned to Raleigh, having been appointed by the President, postmaster of that city, and he held the office till 1884. He died in Raleigh, N.C., March 1, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Thomas Jordan Jarvis, governor of North Carolina, was born in Jarvisburg, Currituck county, N.C., Jan. 18, 1836; son of the Rev. Banister H. and Elizabeth Jarvis, and grandson of Thomas Jarvis. He was graduated at Randolph-Macon college, Va., in 1860. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army as a private and was made first lieutenant in the 8th North Carolina regiment. In 1863 he was promoted captain, but his right arm being shattered by a bullet, he was obliged to retire from the service. He served as a member of the state constitutional convention in 1865, became a merchant, and while in business studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He was elected a representative in the state legislature in 1868, was re-elected in 1870, becoming speaker of the house, and was a presidential elector in 1872. He was married, Dec. 23, 1874, to Mary, daughter of John Woodson. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1875, and in the following year was elected lieutenant-governor of North Carolina. In 1879 he became governor by the resignation of Governor Vance, elected to the U.S. senate, and in 1880 he was elected governor for the term expiring in 1885. He was appointed U.S. minister to Brazil by President Cleveland, serving 1885-89, and in April, 1894, on the death of Senator Vance, he was appointed by Governor Carr U.S. senator, his term expiring March 3, 1895. He was a delegate at large to the Democratic national convention of 1896. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1884, and was elected a trustee of that institution in 1883.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of North Carolina

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