History of Chowan County North Carolina United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Chowan County North Carolina, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Cornelius Harnett, statesman, was born probably in Chowan county, N.C., April 20, 1723; son of Cornelius Harnett. He was taken by his father to the Cape Fear section of North Carolina in 1726. He was a representative from the borough of Wilmington in the provincial assembly of North Carolina, 1770-71, and was chairman of important committies. With Gen. R. Howe and Judge Maurice Moores be resisted the survey of the southern boundary of the colony, ordered by Governor Martin in 1772. He opposed the stamp act and was the leader of the Revolutionary party in southeast North Carolina, being placed on the Continental correspondence committee for the Wilmington district and on the committee of safety in 1774. He was a delegate to the Provincial congress of 1775 and was made president of the provincial council appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the abdication of Governor Martin, and he became the governor of the colony pro tempore. When Sir Henry Clinton took possession of the territory in 1776 he excluded Harnett and Howe from the privileges of pardon offered to those who would return to their allegiance to the King. When the Declaration of Independence was received by the Provincial congress at Halifax, July 22, 1776. Governor Harnett read it to the concourse of citizens and soldiers assembled, and when he had finished the crowd bore him triumphantly through the town on their shoulders. He helped to draft the state constitution and bill of rights and inserted the clause securing religious liberty. He was a member of the council of Governor Caswell and succeeded that statesman as a representative in the Continental congress, serving 1777-80, and he became a signer of the "article of confederation and perpetual union." When the Cape Fear region came again into the possession of the British Harnett was made prisoner, and died while in prison, at Wilmington, N.C., April 20, 1781.

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

History of Chowan County North Carolina

Biographies:

Local History and Genealogy Links: