History of Pittsboro, (Chatham County) North Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

Moses John De rosset, physician, was born in Pittsboro, N.C., July 4, 1838; son of Dr. Armand John (1807-1897) and Eliza (Lord) De Rosset; grandson of Dr. Armand John (1767-1859) and Catherine (Fullerton) De Rosset; great-grandson of Dr. Moses John (1726-1767) and Mary (Ivie) De Rosset; and great-great-grandson of Armand John De Rosset (1695-1766), M.D. of the University of Basle, Switzerland, who was the original Huguenot immigrant and the founder of the family in Carolina, his wife being the Noble Lady of Eusatia in France. Moses John De Rosset was educated in Europe and in the medical department of the University of the city of New York, and upon taking his degree in 1859 was appointed resident physician at the Bellevue hospital, N.Y. In 1861 he became assistant surgeon in the Confederate army and later was promoted surgeon, serving throughout the civil war and surrendering at Appomattox. In 1865 he began practice at Baltimore, Md., at the same time acting as adjunct professor of chemistry in the University of Maryland, and occupying the chair of chemistry in the Baltimore dental college. In 1873 he removed to Wilmington, N.C., and became an oculist and aurist. He later went to New York and rose to prominence in these specialties. He is the author of contributions to medical journals and of a translation of Bouchardat's Annual Abstract of Therapeutics, Materia Medica, Pharmacy and Toxicology for 1867. He died in Wilmington, N.C., May 1, 1881.

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

Basil Manly, educator, was born in Pittsboro, N.C., Jan. 29, 1798; son of Basil and Elizabeth (Maultsby) Manly. He was licensed to preach in 1818; was graduated with honors from South Carolina college in 1821; was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1822, and was pastor at Edgewood court-house, and at Charleston, S.C., 1822-36. He was married, Dec. 23, 1824, to Sarah Murray, daughter of Zebulon and Abigail (Murray) Rudulph. He was president of the State University of Alabama, 1837-55, and pastor of the Wentworth Street church, Charleston. 1855-59. In 1859 he returned to Alabama and was engaged in state missionary work till Dec. 30, 1860, when he became pastor at Montgomery. He was an organizer of the Southern Baptist convention of 1845, and of the Southern Baptist Theological seminary, Greenville, S.C., in 1859. He published several sermons and with his son Basil prepared The Baptist Psalmody(1850). He died in Greenville, S.C., Dec. 21, 1868.

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

Matthias Evans Manly, jurist, was born in Pittsboro, N.C., April 13, 1800; son of Basil and Elizabeth (Maultsby) Manly, and grandson of Thomas and Mary (Ford) Manly. He was graduated from the University of North Carolina, A.B., 1824, A.M., 1829; was a tutor in mathematics at the university, 1825-29; was admitted to the bar, and practised in New Berne, N.C. He was a member of the state house of commons, 1834-45; judge of the superior court, 1840-59; justice of the supreme court, 1860-65; a member of the convention of 1865, and was a speaker of the state senate, 1866-67. He was elected to the U.S. senate in 1867, but was not allowed to take his seat, and he returned to his practice in New Berne, and was chosen judge of Craven county. He was twice married, first to Hannah, daughter of William Gaston, and secondly to Sarah, daughter of Samuel Simpson. He died at New Berne, N.C., July 16, 1881.

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

Johnston Blakeley Jones, physician, was born at "Rock Rest," near Pittsboro, N.C., Sept. 13, 1814; son of Col. Edward and Mary Elizabeth (Mallett) Jones. He was a student at the University of North Carolina, 1831-36; studied at the Medical school, Charleston, S.C., and over two years under the best physicians in Paris. He visited Scotland and Ireland, the birthplace of his father, and was graduated M.D. at the Charleston Medical school in 1840. He settled in practice at Chapel Hill, N.C., the seat of the university, and in 1867 removed to Charlotte, N.C. He was a founder of the North Carolina Medical society, a member of the Charlotte Academy of Medicine, and was classed as "the ablest physician North Carolina ever produced." He was married, Oct. 21, 1841, to Mary Ann, daughter of Gabriel Stuart, of Halifax county, N.C. They had six children: Mary, who married Thomas S. Armistead, of Plymouth, N.C., and died soon after; Edward S., killed in the battle of the Wilderness, Va.; Johnston Blakeley, a resident of Texas; Simmons, who married Miss Morehead, studied medicine and succeeded to the practice of his father at Charlotte, N.C.; Annie, who married Lucien Walker, of Charlotte, and Carolina, unmarried, Dr. Johnston Blakeley Jones died at Charlotte, N.C., March l, 1889.

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