By the last will and testament of Patrick Jack, made on the 19th of

May, 1780, he devised the whole of his personal estate and the

"undivided benefit of his house and lots to his beloved wife during

her life-time." After her death they were directed to be sold, and the

proceeds divided among his five married daughters, viz.: Charity

Dysart, Jane Barnett, Mary Alexander, Margaret Wilson and Lillie

Nicholson. James Jack and Joseph Nicholson were appointed executors.

It is related of Dr. Thomas Henderson, a former venerable citizen of

Charlotte, that, on his death-bed, he requested to be buried by the

side of Patrick Jack, "one of the best men he had ever known."

At the Convention of Delegates in Charlotte on the 19th and 20th of

May, 1775, Capt. James Jack was one of the deeply interested

spectators, and shared in the patriotic feelings of that ever

memorable occasion. He was then about forty-three years of age--brave,

energetic and ready to engage in any duty having for its object the

welfare and independence of his country. After the passage of the

patriotic resolutions, elsewhere given in this volume, constituting

the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, Capt. Jack, for his

well-known energy, bravery and determination of character, was

selected to be the bearer of them to Congress, then in session in

Philadelphia. Accordingly, as soon as the necessary preparations for

traveling could be made, he set out from Charlotte on that long,

lonesome and perilous journey, _on horseback_. There were then nowhere

in the American colonies, _stages_ or _hacks_ to facilitate and

expedite the weary traveler. Express messengers were alone employed

for the rapid transmission of all important intelligence. On the

evening of the first day he reached Salisbury, forty miles from

Charlotte, before the General Court, then in session, had adjourned.

Upon his arrival, Colonel Kennon, an influential member of the Court,

who knew the object of Captain Jack's mission, procured from him the

copy of the Mecklenburg resolutions of independence he had in charge,

and read them aloud in open court. All was silence, and all apparent

approval (_intentique ora tenebant_) as these earliest key-notes of

freedom resounded through the hall of the old court house in

Salisbury. There sat around, in sympathizing composure, those sterling

patriots, Moses Winslow, Waightstill Avery, John Brevard, William

Sharpe, Griffith Rutherford, Matthew Locke, Samuel Young, Adlai

Osborne, James Brandon, and many others, either members of the court,

or of the county "Committee of Safety." The only marked opposition

proceeded from two lawyers, _John Dunn_ and _Benjamin Booth Boote_,

who pronounced the resolutions _treasonable_, and said Captain Jack

ought to be detained. These individuals had previously expressed

sentiments "inimical to the American cause." As soon as knowledge of

their avowed sentiments and proposed detention of Captain Jack reached

Charlotte, the patriotic vigilance of the friends of liberty was

actively aroused, and a party of ten or twelve armed horsemen promptly

volunteered to proceed to Salisbury, arrest said Dunn and Boote, and

bring them before the Committee of Safety of Mecklenburg for trial.

This was accordingly done (George Graham, living near Charlotte, being

one of the number), and both being found guilty of conduct inimical to

the cause of American freedom, were transported, first to Camden, and

afterward, to Charleston, S.C. They never returned to North Carolina,

but after the war, it is reported, settled in Florida, and died there,

it is hoped not only repentant of their sins, as all should be, but

with chastened notions of the reality and benefits of American

independence.

On the next morning, Captain Jack resumed his journey from Salisbury,

occasionally passing through neighborhoods, in and beyond the limits

of North Carolina, infested with enraged Tories, but, intent on his

appointed mission, he faced all dangers, and finally reached

Philadelphia in safety.

Upon his arrival he immediately obtained an interview with the North

Carolina delegates (Caswell, Hooper and Hewes), and, after a little

conversation on the state of the country, then agitating all minds,

Captain Jack drew from his pocket the Mecklenburg resolutions of the

20th of May, 1775, with the remark:

"Here, gentlemen, is a paper that I have been instructed to deliver

to you, with the request that you should lay the same before Congress."

After the North Carolina delegates had carefully read the Mecklenburg

resolutions, and approved of their patriotic sentiments so forcibly

expressed, they informed Captain Jack they would keep the paper, and

show it to several of their friends, remarking, at the same time, they

did not think Congress was then prepared to act upon so important a

measure as _absolute independence_.

On the next day, Captain Jack had another interview with the North

Carolina delegates. They informed him that they had consulted with

several members of Congress, (including Hancock, Jay and Jefferson,)

and that all agreed, while they approved of the patriotic spirit of

the Mecklenburg resolutions, it would be premature to lay them

officially before the House, as they still entertained some hopes of

reconciliation with England. It was clearly perceived by the North

Carolina delegates and other members whom they consulted, that the

citizens of Mecklenburg county were _in advance_ of the general

sentiment of Congress on the subject of independence; the phantasy of

"reconciliation" still held forth its seductive allurements in 1775,

and even during a portion of 1776; and hence, no record was made, or

vote taken on the patriotic resolutions of Mecklenburg, and they

became concealed from view in the blaze of the National Declaration

bursting forth on the 4th of July, 1776, which only re-echoed and

reaffirmed the truth and potency of sentiments proclaimed in Charlotte

on the 20th of May, 1775.

Captain Jack finding the darling object of his long and toilsome

journey could not be then accomplished, and that Congress was not

prepared to vote on so bold a measure as _absolute independence_, just

before leaving Philadelphia for home, somewhat excited, addressed the

North Carolina delegates, and several other members of Congress, in

the following patriotic words:

"_Gentlemen, you may debate here about 'reconciliation,' and

memorialize your king, but, bear it in mind, Mecklenburg

owes no allegiance to, and is separated from the crown of

Great Britain forever_."

On the breaking out of hostilities with the mother country, no portion

of the Confederacy was more forward in fulfilling the pledge of "life,

fortune and sacred honor," in the achievement of liberty, previously

made, than Mecklenburg and several adjacent counties. Upon the first

call for troops, Captain Jack entered the service in command of a

company, and acted in that capacity, with distinguished bravery,

throughout the war under Colonels Polk, Alexander, and other officers.

He uniformly declined promotion when tendered, there being a strong

reciprocal attachment between himself and his command, which he highly

appreciated, and did not wish to sunder. At the commencement of the

war he was in "easy" and rather affluent circumstances--at its close,

comparatively a poor man. Prompted by patriotic feelings for the final

prosperity of his county, still struggling for independence, he loaned

to the Slate of North Carolina, in her great pecuniary need, £4,000,

for which, unfortunately, he has never received a cent in return. As a

partial compensation for his services the State paid him a land

warrant, which he placed in the hands of a Mr. Martin, a particular

friend, to be laid at his discretion. Martin moved to Tennessee, and

died there, but no account of the warrant could be afterward obtained.

Soon after the war he sold his house and lots in Charlotte, and moved

with his family to Wilkes county, Ga. Here he is represented, by those

who knew him, as being a "model farmer," with barns well filled, and

surrounded with all the evidences of great industry, order and

abundance. Here, too, he was blest in enjoying for many years the

ministerial instructions of the Rev. Francis Cummins, a distinguished

Presbyterian clergyman, who, at the youthful age of eighteen, joined

his command in Mecklenburg county, and had followed him to his new

home in Georgia--formerly a gallant soldier for his country's rights,

but now transformed into a "soldier of the cross" on Christian duty in

his Heavenly Master's service.

The latter years of Captain Jack's life were spent under the care of

his second son, William H. Jack, long a successful and most worthy

merchant of Augusta, Ga. In 1813 or 1814, Captain Jack moved from

Wilkes to Elbert county, of the same State. There being no

Presbyterian church in reach, of which he had been for many years a

devout and consistent member, he joined the Methodist church, with

which his children had previously united. He was extremely fond of

meeting with old friends, and of narrating incidents of the Revolution

in which he had actively participated, and for its success freely

contributed of his substance. In the serenity of a good old age,

protracted beyond the usual boundaries of life, he cared but little

for things of this world, and took great delight in reading his Bible,

and deriving from its sacred pages those Christian consolations which

alone can yield true comfort and happiness, and cheer the pathway of

our earthly pilgrimage to the tomb. He met his approaching end with

calm resignation, and died on the 18th of December, 1822, in the

ninety-first year of his age. His wife, the partner of his joys and

his sorrows through a long and eventful life, survived him about two

years, and then passed away in peace.

Cynthia Jack, eldest child and only daughter of Capt. James Jack,

married A.S. Cosby, and settled in Mississippi. After his death the

widow and family settled in Louisiana, about 1814. Their descendants

were: 1. Margaret. 2. Cynthia. 3. James; and 4. Dr. Charles Cosby.

Patrick Jack, eldest son of Captain James Jack, was Colonel of the 8th

Regiment U.S. Infantry, in the war of 1812, stationed at Savannah. He

sustained an elevated position in society, frequently represented

Elbert county in the State Senate, and died in 1820. His children

were: 1. Patrick. 2. William II.; and 3. James W. Jack. Patrick Jack,

the eldest son, married Miss Spencer, and, in turn, had two daughters,

Harriet and Margaret, and six sons: 1. James. 2. William II. 3.

Patrick C. 4. Spencer II. 5. Abner; and G. Churchill Jack. Abner died

several years ago in Mississippi--a planter by occupation, and a man

of wealth.

James Jack, eldest son of Col. Patrick Jack, married, in 1822, Ann

Scott Gray, who died in 1838. In 1847, he married Mary Jane

Witherspoon, having by the first wife ten, and by the second, eleven

children, of whom at present (1876) twelve are living. In 1823, he

moved to Jefferson county, Ala., and one year afterward to Hale

county, in the same State, where he ended his days. During the fall of

the last year (1875) the author received from him two interesting

letters respecting the history of his ever-memorable grandfather,

Capt. James Jack, after his removal from North Carolina to Georgia.

But alas! the uncertainty of human life! Before the year closed this

venerable, intelligent, and truly Christian man was numbered with the

dead! He was a successful farmer, the prudent counsellor of his

neighborhood, good to the poor, dispensing his charities with a

liberal hand, and was universally beloved by all who knew him. On the

27th of November he had a severe stroke of paralysis, from which he

never recovered. On the 27th of December, 1875, like a sheaf, ripe in

its season, he was cut down, and gathered to his fathers, quietly

passing away in the seventy-sixth year of his age, with the fond hope

of a blissful immortality beyond the grave.

Churchill Jack, youngest son of Col. Patrick Jack, is a farmer in

Arkansas, and the only one of this family now (1876) living. William

H., Patrick C. and Spencer H. Jack, all young and adventurous spirits,

emigrated from Alabama to Texas in 1831, and cast their lots with the

little American colony which was then just beginning to establish

itself. They were all three lawyers by profession, and took an active

interest and part in the difficulties with Mexico, which were sure to

result in open hostilities and the independence of Texas. Spencer H.

Jack died young and without issue.

Patrick C. Jack played a prominent part in one of the earliest acts

"rebellion" against the Mexican authorities. He, Travis and Edward, at

Anahuac, smarting under the tyranny of the Mexican General, Bradburn,

then commanding the post, denounced and rebelled against his

usurpations and oppression. For this they were seized and imprisoned

by Bradburn, and held as _captive traitors_, until released by a

company of armed Texans, who demanded their _immediate surrender or a

fight_. Bradburn, not having a particular fondness for _leaden

arguments_, and well knowing the message _meant business_, reluctantly

yielded to the stern demand. But this chivalric rescue, as might be

expected, was regarded by Mexico _as treason_, and war soon afterward

followed.

After the close of the Mexican war Patrick C. Jack returned to his

profession, which he pursued successfully. At the time of his death,

in 1844, though still a young man, he was one of the Judges of the

Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas. His brother, William H. Jack,

also participated prominently in council, and in the field in the

Revolution of Texas, and served as a private in the battle of San

Jacinto, which sealed the independence of the "Lone Star" Republic. He

achieved distinction in his profession as a lawyer and advocate, and

served repeatedly as Representative and Senator in the Congress of the

young Republic. Under President Burnet's administration he became

Secretary of State. He, too, died in 1844, not having attained his

fortieth year. He left a widow and three children, two of the latter

being daughters. His elder daughter is the wife of Hon. W.P.

Ballinger, of the city of Galveston, lately appointed to the bench of

the Supreme Court of Texas, which position he declined. His second

daughter (now deceased) married the Hon. Grey M. Bryan, of Galveston,

who represented his district in Congress before the war, and was

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Texas in 1875.

Colonel Thomas M. Jack, only son of William H. Jack, and

great-grandson of Captain James Jack, of Mecklenburg memory, is an

eminent lawyer and advocate, also of Galveston (of the firm of

Ballinger, Jack and Mott), to whom the author acknowledges his

indebtedness for many particulars respecting the Texan members of the

Jack family.

William Houston Jack, second son of Captain James Jack, was one of the

first settlers, and successful merchants of Augusta, Ga. After his

withdrawal from the mercantile business, he settled in Wilkes county,

taking care of his aged father and mother until their death. He

married Frances Cummins, a daughter of the Rev. Francis Cummins, one

of the witnesses of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. He

was universally beloved by all who knew him, and sustained through

life a character of unsullied integrity. He left one son, William

Cummins Jack, a teacher by profession, a fine classical scholar, and a

gentleman of culture and great moral worth. He is now (1876) residing

with his second son, William H. Jack, a distinguished lawyer (of the

firm of "Jack and Pierson") of Natchitoches, La. His eldest son, Dr.

Samuel Jack, is an eminent physician, of extensive practice, residing

in Columbia county, Arkansas. Two other sons are industrious farmers,

and all are pursuing successfully their several vocations of life. For

the patriotic services, civil and military, performed by different

members of the Jack family, Texas, in her formation stage, honored one

of her counties with their name.

James W. Jack, third son of Captain James Jack, married Annie Barnett,

a daughter of John Barnett and Ann Spratt. He was a farmer by

profession, of unblemished character, and extensive influence,

residing and ending his days in Wilkes county, Ga. He had the

following children: 1. Samuel T.; 2. Jane; 3. James, (killed at the

massacre of the Alamo, under Col. Faonin) 4. Lillis; 5. Patrick, and

6. Cynthia Jack. Samuel T. Jack married Martha Webster, of

Mississippi; Jane Jack married Dr. James Jarratt; Lillis Jack married

Osborne Edward, Esq., and Patrick Jack married Emily Hanson, of Texas.

John Jack, second son of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, preceding and

during the Revolutionary War, lived on McAlpine's Creek, in

Mecklenburg county. He performed a soldier's duty during the war, and

soon after its termination, moved to Wilkes county, Ga. Of his further

history and descendants, little is now known.

Samuel Jack, third son of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, was also a

soldier of the Revolution, and commanded an artillery company. He

lived in the Sugar Creek neighborhood, and married, 1st. Miss Knight,

of Mecklenburg county, by whom he had two children, 1. Eliza D. Jack,

who married the Rev. Mr. Hodge, a Presbyterian minister, and settled

in Athens, Ga., and 2. James Jack, who died when a young man. A few

years after her death, he married Margaret Stewart, of Philadelphia,

Pa., by whom he had five children: 1. Samuel Stewart; 2. John

McCormick; 3. William D.; 4. Mary E., and 5. Amanda M. Jack. Samuel S.

Jack married Elizabeth Meredith, of Walton county, Ga., in 1831. None

of the other children ever married. He had five children: 1. William

Howard; 2. Amanda E.; 3. James Mortimer; 4. Joseph Henry, and 5. Sarah

M. Jack. Of these, William Howard Jack, in 1860, married Mary

Lunsdale, by whom he had five children. He was a printer and editor,

and highly respected by all who knew him. He died in April, 1876, in

Rome, Ga., aged forty-two years. His son, James Mortimer Jack, was

killed in the late war. Amanda E. Jack a worthy lady, is now (1876)

living in the country with her brother, Joseph Henry Jack.

Robert Jack, the fourth and youngest son of Patrick Jack, of

Charlotte, remained in Chambersburg, Pa., where his father had resided

many years previous to his removal to North Carolina. He had the

following children: 1. James; 2. John; 3. Cynthia, and 4. Margaret

Jack. John Jack was the only one of this family who married. He was

born in Chambersburg, on the 29th of December, 1763. At the age of

sixteen, he went to Baltimore, engaged as a clerk in a mercantile

house, and there acquired those correct business habits and

educational training which qualified him for future usefulness. Near

the close of the last, century, when quite a young man, he settled in

Romney, Hampshire county, Va. He there became a successful merchant,

and sustained, through a long and busy life, an unblemished reputation

for honesty, integrity and general uprightness of character. He

married Rebecca Singleton, an estimable lady who survived him a few

years.

In 1823, he was appointed Cashier of the Romney Branch of the Valley

Bank of Virginia, which position he held until his death, with

distinguished ability. The former intelligent Mayor of Romney, (A.P.

White, Esq.,) in writing to the author, says:

"John Jack, when young, was of a gay and festive

disposition. After he joined the church, he sobered down to

great calmness and evenness. He was always exceedingly neat

in his person, courteous in his manners, and kind and

charitable to the poor. He bore through life, the character

of an earnest, honest, and upright man of business, was an

Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and a good Christian."

He died on the 28th of September, 1837, in the seventy-fourth year of

his age. He had the following children: 1. Robert Y.; 2. Carlton T.;

3. James R.; 4. John; 5. Margaret; 6. Juliette M.; 7. John G., and 8.

Edward W. Jack. The last named son is now (1876) the only one of the

family living. Robert Y. Jack settled in Winchester, Va., and engaged

in merchandising. In the war of 1812, he raised a company which was

stationed at Craney Island, and participated in the battle at that

place.

Robert Y. Jack died near Charleston, Jefferson county, Va., in 1834,

leaving an only child, Frances Rebecca, who married Thomas J. Manning,

of the U.S. Navy. They both died previous to the late Confederate war,

leaving three sons: 1. Charles J.; 2. George Upshur, and 3. Frank Jack

Manning. Each one of these brave youths joined the Confederate army,

all under the age of eighteen years. George Upshur was killed in the

cavalry charge under General Stewart at Brandy Station. Frank Jack was

shot through the body, but recovered of his severe wound and continued

in the army. They all three served under General (Stonewall) Jackson,

through his campaigns, and after his death, under General Early.

John G. Jack settled in Louisville, Ky., and died there, leaving three

daughters and one son, Robert Bruce Jack.

Edward W. Jack, youngest son of John Jack, of Romney, now lives near

Salem, Roanoke county, Va., in the quiet fruition of all that pertains

to an honorable _bachelor's_ life. All the members of this family have

sustained exemplary characters, and now occupy fair and eminent

positions in society.

Charity Jack, eldest daughter of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, married

Dr. Cornelius Dysart, a distinguished physician and surgeon of the

Revolutionary army. The Dysart family, at that time, resided in

Mecklenburg county. Dr. Dysart is said to have built the first house

on the "Irwin corner," assisted by his brother-in-law, Captain Jack,

who owned the lot until his removal to Georgia, shortly after the war.

Dr. Dysart died comparatively young, leaving a widow and two children,

James and Robert Dysart, who settled in Georgia. Of their subsequent

history little is known. Jane (or "Jean,") Jack, second daughter of

Patrick Jack, married William Barnett, son of John Barnett and Ann

Spratt, of Scotch-Irish descent. The name Spratt is generally spelled

"Sprot," or "Sproat," in the old records. Thomas Spratt is said to

have been the _first person_ who crossed the Yadkin river, _with

wheels_; and his daughter Ann the _first child_ born in the beautiful

champaign country between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers. He first

intended to settle on Rocky River (now in Cabarrus county), but Indian

disturbances occurring there near the time of his arrival, induced him

to select a home in the vicinity of the place which afterward became

the "town of Charlotte." At his humble dwelling, one mile and a half

south of Charlotte, was held the _first Court_ of Mecklenburg county.

Abraham Alexander, the Chairman of the Mecklenburg Convention of the

20th of May, 1775, and Colonel Thomas Polk, its "herald of freedom" on

the same occasion, were then prominent and influential members of this

primitive body of county magistrates. Near the residence of Thomas

Spratt is one of the oldest private burial grounds in the county, in

which his mortal remains repose. Here are found the grave-stones of

several members of the Spratt, Barnett and Jack families, who

intermarried; also those of the Binghams, McKnights, and a few others.

On the head-stone of Mary Barnett, wife of William Barnett, it is

recorded, she died on the 4th of October, 1764, aged forty-five years.

A hickory tree, ten or twelve inches in diameter, is now growing on

this grave, casting around its beneficent shade. The primitive forest

growth, once partially cut down, is here fast assuming its original

sway, and peacefully overshadowing the mortal remains of these early

sleepers in this ancient graveyard.

The descendants of William Barnett and Jane Jack were: 1. Annie

Barnett, married James Jack, third son of Captain James Jack, of

Mecklenburg memory, whose genealogy has been previously given. 2.

Samuel Barnett, married, 1st, Eliza Joyner; descendants: 1. Jane

Barnett, married A.S. Wingfield. 2. Sarah J. Barnett, married

Alexander Pope, Sen. Descendants of Samuel Barnett (second marriage)

and Elizabeth Worsham were: 1. Samuel Barnett (Washington, Ga.),

married Elizabeth A. Stone. Descendants: 1. Annie Barnett, married

Rev. William S. Bean. 2. Frank W. 3. Samuel (Davidson College.) 4.

Osborne S. 5. Edward A. 6. Hattie A.; and 7. Susan Barnett.

The descendants of John Jack and Mary Barnett were: 1. Ann Jack,

married Moses Wiley. 2. Mary A. Jack, married John J. Barnett. 3. Dr.

Thomas Jack. 4. John Jack. 5. Samuel Jack, married Annie Leslie. 6.

Susan Jack, married Alexander Bowie, formerly Chancellor of Alabama.

The descendants of Moses Wiley and Ann Jack were: 1. Leroy M. Wiley.

2. Mary Wiley, married Thomas Baxter. 3. Thomas Wiley. 4. Eliza Wiley,

married Mr. Carnes. 5. Sarah Ann, married John R. Hays. 6. Laird

Wiley; and 7. Jack Wiley.

The descendants of Susan Barnett and George W. Smart were five

children, of whom only two arrived at the years of maturity, Albert W.

and Thomas B. Smart.

George W. Smart represented Mecklenburg county in the House of Commons

in 1805, and again in 1808. He died in May, 1810. Mrs. Smart survived

her husband many years, and was one of the _remarkable women_ of her

age. She was long known and highly esteemed in Mecklenburg and

surrounding country for her general intelligence, ardent piety, and

retentive memories of Revolutionary events. At the great gathering of

delegates and people in Charlotte, on the 20th of May, 1775, she was

present (then thirteen years old), and still retained a distinct

recollection of some of the thrilling scenes of that memorable

occasion, not the least of which was "the throwing up of hats," in the

universal outburst of applause, when the resolutions of independence

were read by Colonel Thomas Polk, from the Court-house steps.

She died on the 28th of November, 1851, aged ninety years, and is

buried, with other members of the family, in a private cemetery on her

own farm, nine miles from Charlotte, on the Camden road. It should be

stated, the grandfather of L.M. Wiley and others, (John Jack) was _a

cousin_ and not a brother, as some have supposed, of Capt. James Jack,

of Charlotte.

Our prescribed limits forbid a more extended genealogical, notice of

the Barnett family and their collateral connections, many of whom

performed a conspicuous part in the Revolutionary War. Capt. William

Barnett was a bold, energetic officer, and was frequently engaged,

with his brothers, and other ardent spirits of Mecklenburg, in that

species of partisan warfare which struck terror into the Tory ranks,

checked their atrocities, and gave celebrity to the dashing exploits

of Col. Sumpter and his brave associates.

Mary Jack, third daughter of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, married

Captain Robert Alexander, of Lincoln county, who emigrated from

Pennsylvania to North Carolina about 1760. He commanded a company

during the Revolution, in the Cherokee expedition, under General

Rutherford; acted for several years as Commissary, and performed other

minor, but important trusts for the county. He was one of the early

band of patriots who met at Newbern on the 25th of August, 1774, and

again attended the Convention at Hillsboro, on the 21st of August,

1775. After the war, he settled on his farm, one mile northwest of

Tuckasege Ford, on the Catawba River. His residence was long a general

stopping-place for travelers, and painted red--hence, it was widely

known as the "Red House Place."

He was elected to the State Legislature consecutively from 1781 to

1787; and acted, for many years, as one of the magistrates of the

county, showing the general acceptance with which his services were

held. He died in 1813, aged about seventy years, and is buried in

Goshen graveyard, Gaston county, N.C. His descendants by the first

wife, Mary Jack, were: 1. Margaret, married Judge Samuel Lowrie; 2.

Lillis, married Capt. James Martin; 3. Robert W., married Louisa

Moore; 4. Mary, married, 1st. James J. Scott, and 2nd. General John

Moore; 5. Annie, married John Sumter, (nephew of Gen. Sumter.) His

descendants by the second wife, Margaret Reily, were: 1. Eliza 2.

Evaline; 3. Amanda, married Dr. J.C. Rudisill, of Lincolnton.

Descendants of Judge Lowrie and Margaret Alexander were: 1. Mary,

married Dr. David R. Dunlap, of Charlotte; 2. Eliza, died unmarried;

3. Margaret, do.; 4. Lillis, married B. Oates; 5. Robert B., married

Ann Sloan; 6. Samuel, married Mary Johnson.

Margaret Jack, fourth daughter of Patrick Jack, married Samuel Wilson,

of Mecklenburg. (For his descendants, see "Genealogy of Samuel Wilson,

Sr.")

Lillis Jack, the fifth and youngest daughter of Patrick Jack, married

Joseph Nicholson. He left the State, and is reported as having a

family of six children, but of their subsequent history little is

known.

Colonel Patrick Jack, a brave and meritorious officer under the

Colonial Government, and during the Revolutionary war, was the son of

Charles Jack, who lived on the Conococheague river, near Chambersburg,

Pa., and was probably the brother of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, N.C.,

whose family history has just been given.

Colonel Jack lived an active and adventurous life, and was born about

1730. He was much engaged, when a young man, in assisting to subdue

the Indians in Pennsylvania, and commanded a company of Rangers, under

Generals Braddock and Washington, in the Indian and French war of

1755. He also commanded a regiment, and participated actively in the

Revolutionary War. He was in the Cherokee country many years anterior

to the Revolution.

He was at the massacre of the garrison in Fort London, on the

Tennessee River in 1760, and was one of three persons who survived,

his life having been saved through the influence of the Indian chief,

_Atta-kulla-kulla_, the "Little Carpenter." He had three children;

Mary, Jane, and John Finley Jack. John was educated at Dickinson

College, Carlisle, Pa. He studied law, and emigrated to Knoxville,

then the capital of Tennessee, where he soon acquired eminence, and a

lucrative practice in his profession. He afterward removed to

Rutledge, in Grainger county, East Tennessee, where he associated

himself in the same profession with his brother-in-law, the late

General John Cocke, a son of General William Cocke, one of the

distinguished characters in the early history of Tennessee. He took a

prominent part in the politics of the country, filled the offices of

Circuit Clerk, State's Attorney, served several times in both branches

of the Legislature, and was finally elected Circuit Judge, which

position he held for many years. When the infirmities of old age

impeded his activity and usefulness, he retired from public life to

his plantation near Bean's Station, East Tennessee, where he ended his

days.

He was a profound lawyer, a Judge of great purity of character, of

remarkable discrimination and integrity of purpose, evinced through a

long, useful, and honorable life. He was a hard student, possessed

fine colloquial powers, and was a man of eminent learning and

research.

Judge John F. Jack married Elizabeth, next to the youngest daughter of

General William Cocke, previously mentioned, who was a Captain in the

Revolutionary War, a companion of Daniel Boon from western North

Carolina across the Alleghany mountains to the "wilderness of

Kentucky," a prominent actor in the establishment of the "Frankland

Government," one of the first Senators to Congress from the new State

of Tennessee, and afterward, one of the Circuit Judges of that State.

He served in the Legislatures of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee

and Mississippi. At the advanced age of sixty-five years, he

volunteered in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself for his

personal courage. He died on the 8th of August, 1828, in the

eighty-seventh year of his age, universally lamented, and is buried in

Columbus, Mississippi.

It has been previously stated that Col. Patrick Jack, the father of

Judge John F. Jack, led an active and adventurous life. One of these

adventures will be now narrated.

In Dr. Ramsey's "Annals of Tennessee," page 68, we have this record:

"A grant, signed Arthur Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina;

William Beamer, Sen., Superintendent and Deputy Adjutant in

and for the Cherokee Nation; and William Beamer, Jun.,

Interpreter; and the 'Little Carpenter,' half king of the

Cherokee Nation of the over-hill towns; and Matthew Toole,

Interpreter, made to Captain Patrick Jack, of the province

of Pennsylvania, is recorded in the Register's office of

Knox county, Tennessee. It purports to have been made at a

council held at Tennessee River, on the 1st of March, 1757.

The consideration is four hundred dollars, and conveys to

Capt. Jack _fifteen miles square_ south of the Tennessee

river. The grant itself, confirmatory of the purchase by

Jack, is dated at a general council, met at the Catawba

River, on the 7th of May, 1762, and is witnessed by

Nathaniel Alexander."

Upon this speculative transaction it is proper to make a few

explanatory remarks. About 1750, East Tennessee was beginning to be

settled by adventurous individuals, principally from western North

Carolina, south-western Virginia, and occasionally from more northern

colonies. The Indians were still regarded as the rightful owners and

proper "lords of the soil." At the date of the council held at the

Tennessee River in 1757, only that portion of the country north of

that stream had become sparsely settled, but soon thereafter purchases

of land were sometimes made directly from the Indian chiefs

themselves, as in the above instance, and settlements of whites

speedily followed. Matthew Toole, one of the parties named, had lived

among the Cherokee Indians, and taken to "bed and board," as a wife,

one of the swarthy damsels of that tribe--hence his qualification as

interpreter. He lived on the eastern bank of the Catawba river, in

Mecklenburg county, giving origin to the name of the ford which still

bears his name. Nathaniel Alexander, the subscribing witness, was then

an acting magistrate of the county, and a man of extensive influence.

Colonel Patrick Jack, the father of Judge John F. Jack, died in

Chambersburg, Pa., on the 25th of January, 1821, aged ninety-one

years. His daughter, Jane Stewart, died in 1853, also aged ninety-one

years. His daughter Mary (never married) died on the 29th of May,

1862, aged eighty-five years.

The family of Judge John F. Jack consisted of eight children, of whom,

at the present time (1876) only four are living, viz.: Martha Mariah

(Mrs. Dr. Rhoton), of Morristown, East Tennessee; William Pinkney

Jack, of Russelville, Ala.; John F. Jack, of West Point Mississippi,

both worthy and eminent lawyers in their respective locations; and

Sarah Anne (Mrs. Dr. Carriger), of Morristown, Tenn. Few persons, in

the early history of East Tennessee, were held in as great estimation,

and filled with universal acceptance as many important positions of

public trust as Judge John F. Jack. The county seat of justice of

Campbell county, Jacksboro, was named in his honor, and his

descendants should hold in cherished remembrance his purity of life

and unsullied integrity of character.

GENEALOGY OF SAMUEL WILSON, SEN.

Samuel Wilson, Sr., was one of the earliest settlers of Mecklenburg

county, and the patriarchal ancestor of numerous descendants, who

performed important civil and military services in the Revolutionary

war. He emigrated from Pennsylvania about 1745, and purchased a large

body of valuable lands in the bounds of Hopewell church, in

Mecklenburg county. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and inherited the

peculiar traits of that liberty-loving, people. He was married three

times, and was the father of thirteen children. His first wife was

Mary Winslow, a sister of Moses Winslow, one of the early and leading

patriots of Rowan county, who died on the 1st of October, 1813, in the

eighty-third year of his age, and is buried in the graveyard of Center

Church.

Samuel Wilson, Sr., died on the 13th of March, 1778, in the

sixty-eighth year of his age. His children, by the first wife, were:

1. Mary; 2. Violet; 3. Samuel; 4. John. 5. Benjamin Wilson. Mary, the

eldest daughter, married Ezekiel Polk, the father of Samuel Polk, and

grandfather of James K. Polk, President of the United States in 1845.

Ezekiel Polk was a man of wealth and influence in Mecklenburg county

preceding the Revolution, and owned a large body of the valuable lands

in and around the present flourishing village of Pineville. Samuel

Polk inherited a portion of this land, lying in the "horse shoe bend"

of Little Sugar Creek, and immediately on the Camden road, over which

Cornwallis marched with his army on his celebrated visit (the first

and the last) to the "Hornet Nest" of America.

2. Violet Wilson married Major John Davidson, one of the signers of

the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

3. Samuel Wilson, a soldier of the Revolution, married Hannah Knox, a

daughter of Captain Patrick Knox, killed at the battle of Ramsour's

Mill. He raised a large family, all of whom have passed away, falling

mostly as victims of consumption. His daughter Mary (or "Polly")

married her cousin Benjamin Wilson, (son of David Wilson) who was

killed by Nixon Curry, because he was to appear in court as a witness

against him.

4. _Major David Wilson_, an ardent patriot, and one of the heroes

under Colonel Locke at Ramsour's Mill, married Sallie McConnell, a

sister of Mrs. General James White, the father of the Hon. Hugh Lawson

White. (See sketch of his life, under "Iredell County.")

5. Mrs. Adaline McCoy, of Lincolnton, is a daughter, and worthy

descendant of Moses Winslow Wilson, a son of Major David Wilson. John

and Benjamin Wilson, the remaining sons of Samuel Wilson, Sr., by the

first wife, never married.

6. After General Davidson was killed at Cowan's Ford, on the morning

of the 1st of February, 1781, Major David Wilson, and Richard Barry,

Esq, both of whom participated in the skirmish at that place, secured

the body of their beloved commander, and carried it to the residence

of Samuel Wilson, Sr., to receive the usual preparatory attentions for

burial. Mrs. Davidson, who resided about ten miles distant, in the

vicinity of Center Church was immediately sent for; she came as

hastily as possible in the afternoon, under the charge of George

Templeton one of her neighbors, and received, on that solemn occasion,

the heart-felt condolence and sympathy of numerous sorrowing friends

and relatives. In consequence of this necessary delay, those true

patriots and friends of the deceased (Wilson and Barry) moved with the

body late in the evening of the same day, and committed it to the

silent tomb, _by torchlight_, in Hopewell graveyard.

7. _Rebecca Wilson_, the youngest daughter by the first wife, married

John Henderson. After the birth of two children, they set out from

Mecklenburg, with the intention of moving to Tennessee, accompanied by

a brother and sister of Henderson. On the way, while they were

stopping for dinner, they were suddenly attacked by Indians. Henderson

and his wife were killed. The brother and sister each seized a child

and made their escape. The children were brought back to Mecklenburg

county, and properly cared for by their relatives; but, after they

grew up, and Indian outrages having subsided, they returned to

Tennessee.

The second wife of Samuel Wilson, Sr., was a widow Potts. Having a

feeble constitution, she lived but a short time, leaving a daughter,

named Margaret, who married John Davidson, an uncle of the late

William Davidson, Esq., of Charlotte. After she was left a widow, she

moved with her three children, Samuel Wilson, John (or "Jackey") and

Mary Davidson, to Alabama, where a large number of her descendants may

be now found in Bibb and adjoining counties of that State.

The children of Major John Davidson and Violet Wilson were:

1. Isabella Davidson married Gen. Joseph Graham, of Lincoln county,

the father of the late Hon. William A. Graham and others.

2. Rebecca Davidson married Capt. Alexander Brevard, a brother of Dr.

Ephraim Brevard, the reputed author of the Mecklenburg Declaration of

the 20th of May, 1775, and one of the "seven brothers in the rebel

army," at one time.

3. Violet Davidson married William Bain Alexander, a son of John

McKnitt Alexander, one of the secretaries of the Mecklenburg

Convention.

4. Elizabeth Davidson married William Lee Davidson, a son of General

Davidson, who fell at Cowan's Ford.

5. Mary Davidson married Dr. William McLean, a distinguished physician

during and after the Revolution.

6. Sarah Davidson married Alexander Caldwell, a son of Dr. David

Caldwell, an eminent Presbyterian minister of Guilford county.

7. Margaret Davidson married Major James Harris, of Cabarrus county.

8. John (or "Jackey") Davidson, married Sallie Brevard, a daughter of

Adam Brevard, a brother of Dr. Ephraim Brevard.

9. Robert Davidson married Margaret Osborne, a daughter of Adlai

Osborne, the grandfather of the late Jas. W. Osborne, of Charlotte.

10. Benjamin Wilson Davidson married Elizabeth Latta, a daughter of

James Latta, Esq.

The third wife of Samuel Wilson, Sr., was Margaret Jack, a sister of

Captain Jack, the bearer of the Mecklenburg Declaration to Congress.

By this marriage there were five children:

1. _Sarah Wilson_, married Ben McConnell, who had three children,

Charity, Latta and Wilson McConnell. Charity McConnell married Reese

Davidson, a nephew of General Ephraim Davidson. This family, and also

that of Wilson McConnell, moved to Tennessee.

2. _Charity Wilson_, died at the age of sixteen years.

3. _Robert Wilson_, married Margaret Alexander, a daughter of Major

Thomas Alexander, and grand-daughter of Neil Morrison, one of the

Mecklenburg signers. He left five daughters, and one son, who lost his

life in the Confederate cause.

4. _Lillis Wilson_, (frequently written "Lillie,") married James

Connor, who emigrated from Ireland when about twenty-one years of age;

volunteered his services at the commencement of the Revolutionary War,

and fought through the struggle to its close. He died in April, 1835,

aged eighty-four years, and is buried in Baker's graveyard. He left

two children, Henry Workman and Margaret Jack Conner. H. Workman

Conner was a worthy and influential citizen of Charleston, S.C., where

he spent about fifty years of his life, and died in January, 1861.

Margaret J. Connor married J. Franklin Brevard, a son of Capt.

Alexander Brevard, of Lincoln county. She was an estimable Christian

lady, survived her husband many years, was beloved by all who knew

her, and died with peaceful resignation, on the 25th of October, 1866,

in the sixty-eighth year of her age. Her only child, Rebecca, married

Robert I. McDowell, Esq., of Mecklenburg county.

5. _William Jack Wilson_, youngest child of Samuel Wilson, Sr., by the

third wife, married Rocinda Winslow, the youngest daughter of Moses

Winslow. The house in which this old patriot then resided, has long

since disappeared. It stood on the public road, about three miles

southwest of Center church. A large Honey Locust tree now (1876)

nearly points out its original location.

William J. Wilson left four children: 1. Dovey A., (Mrs. Dougherty); 2

Robert; 3. La Fayette, and 4. James C. Wilson.

The house in which Samuel Wilson, Sr., resided, and to which the body

of General Davidson was borne by David Wilson and Richard Barry,

before sepulture, was a two-story frame building. No portion of it now

remains and the plow runs smoothly over its site. Robert and William

J. Wilson built on the old homestead property. These two brothers were

closely united in filial affection during their lives, and now lie,

side by side, in Hopewell graveyard.

Mrs. Margaret Jack Wilson, third wife of Samuel Wilson, Sr., is

described by all who knew her, as a woman of uncommon energy, of an

amiable disposition, charitable to the poor, and a truly humble

Christian. She died at the age of fifty-eight years, was never sick

during her life, until a few days before her death, and is buried in

Baker's graveyard. When drawing near to the close of her earthly

existence, she was asked if she had a desire to live longer; she

replied, "No; she was like a ship long tossed at sea and about to land

at a port of rest."

In this same spot of ground, (Baker's graveyard,) five miles northeast

of Beattie's Foard, on the Catawba, consecrated as the last

resting-place of some of the earliest settlers of Mecklenburg county,

repose the mortal remains of the Rev. John Thompson, one of the first

Presbyterian missionaries in this section of the State, and who died

in September, 1753. No monumental slab or head-stone is placed at his

grave. Tradition says he built a cabin (or study-house) in the

northwestern angle of the graveyard, and was buried beneath its floor,

being the first subject of interment. John Baker, who lived in the

immediate vicinity, married his daughter, and dying a few years later,

gave the permanent name to the burial-ground. Here also repose the

remains of _Hugh Lawson_, the grandfather of the Hon. Hugh Lawson

White, a native of Iredell county. The only tablet to the memory of

this early settler, is a rough slate rock, about one foot high and

nine inches broad, on which are rudely chiseled the initial letters of

his name, thus combined, HL. In subsequent years, after the erection

of Hopewell Church, the most of the Wilson family and relatives were

buried in the graveyard at that place.

CAPTAIN CHARLES POLK'S "MUSTER ROLL."

Among the interesting Revolutionary records of Mecklenburg county,

which have been preserved, is the "Muster Roll" of Captain Charles

Polk's Company of "Light Horse," with the time of service and pay of

each member thereof, as follows:

"Dr. The Public of North Carolina,

"To Captain Charles Polk, for services done by him and his

Company of Light Horse, who entered the 12th of March, 1776.

"Captain, Charles Polk.

1st Lieut, William Ramsey.

2nd Lieut., John Lemmond.

1st Sergt, John Montgomery

2nd Sergt., William Galbraith (erased).

Drummer, Hugh Lindsay.

John Smith.

John Polk, Sen. (erased).

John Wylie.

John Findley.

John Galbraith.

James Hall.

John Stansill.

William ---- (illegible).

John Miller.

Humphrey Hunter.

Henry Carter.

James Maxwell.

John Maxwell.

Robert Galbraith.

John McCandlis.

Nicholas Siler.

Samuel Linton.

Thomas Shelby.

James Alexander.

Robert Harris, Jun.

John Foard.

Jonathan Buckaloe.

Charles Alexander, Sen.

Henry Powell.

William Rea.

Samuel Hughes.

Charles Alexander, Jun.

William Shields.

Charles Polk, Jun.

John Purser.

William Lemmond, 'Clerk to the said company, and Shurgeon to y'e

same.'"

Remarks.--The whole expense of Captain Polk's company in this campaign

for sixty-five days, including the hire of three wagons at 16s. each

per day, and two thousand and five rations, at 8d. each, amounted to

£683 9s. 8d. The account was proven, according to law, before Colonel

Adam Alexander, one of the magistrates of the county, and audited and

countersigned by Ephraim Alexander, George Mitchell and James Jack,

the bearer of the Mecklenburg Declaration to Congress. The pay of a

Captain was then 10s. per day; of a 1st and 2nd Lieutenant, 7s. each;

of a first Sergeant, 6s. 6d.; of a 2nd Sergeant, 5s. 6d.; of the Clerk

and "Shurgeon," 6s. 6d.; and of each private, 5s.

James Hall, one of the privates in this expedition, afterward became a

distinguished Presbyterian minister of the gospel, and was elected on

two occasions by his own congregation, in pressing emergencies, to the

captaincy of a company, and acted as chaplain of the forces with which

he was associated. The late Rev. John Robinson, of Poplar Tent Church,

in Cabarrus county, in speaking of him, said, "when a boy at school in

Charlotte (Queen's Museum), I saw James Hall pass through the town,

with his three-cornered hat, the captain of a company and chaplain of

the regiment." In Captain Polk's manuscript journal of his march,

under Gen. Rutherford, through the mountains of North Carolina, then

the unconquered haunts of wild beasts and savage Indians, he says: "On

September 15th, 1776, Mr. Hall preached a sermon," prompted, as it

appears, by the death of one of Captain Irwin's men on the day before.

This was probably the first sermon ever heard in these secluded

mountainous valleys, now busy with the hum of civilized life. (See

sketch of his services under "Iredell County.")

Humphrey Hunter, first a private and afterward lieutenant in Captain

Robert Mebane's company in this expedition, also became an eminent

minister of the gospel, and presided at the _semi-centennial_

celebration of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, on the

20th of May, 1825. (See sketch of his services under Gaston county.)

William Shields was the gallant soldier of General Sumter's command,

who discovered a bag of gold in the camp of the routed enemy after the

battle of Hanging Rock. Not less generous than brave, steady on the

march, and true on the field, he voluntarily carried the gold to his

commanding general, and requested him to use it in the purchase of

clothing and shoes for his ragged and suffering fellow-soldiers. It is

needless to say that this brave and meritorious officer faithfully

applied it according to the request of the honest and generous

soldier.

Thomas Shelby, a relative of Colonel Isaac Shelby, of King's Mountain

fame, James Alexander, Charles Polk, Jun., Robert Harris, William

Ramsey, John Foard (one of the Mecklenburg signers), John Lemmond,

John Montgomery, William Rea, and others on the list, will awaken in

the minds of their descendants emotions of veneration for their

patriotic ancestors, who, one hundred years ago--at the very dawn of

the Revolution, and before a _hesitating_ Congress, proclaimed our

National declaration, pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor

in the cause of American freedom.

PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK.

James Knox Polk, son of Samuel Polk, and grandson of Ezekiel Polk, was

born on the 2nd of November, 1793 about eleven miles south of

Charlotte, on the Camden road, on a plantation which, at his father's

removal to Tennessee in 1806, became the property of Nathan Orr, and

finally that of the late James Hennigan, Esq. The house in which James

K. Polk was born, stood about two hundred yards south of the present

crossing place of Little Sugar Creek, and about one hundred yards to

the right of the public road in passing from Charlotte. The lingering

signs of the old family mansion are still visible; and the plow, in

this _centennial year_, runs smoothly over its site, presenting a more

vigorous growth of the great Southern staple, _cotton_, than the

adjoining lands. The plantation was a part of the valuable lands owned

by Ezekiel Polk in the "Providence" settlement, and near the present

flourishing village of "Pineville." The family mansion, around which

"Jimmy Polk" sported with his younger brothers and sisters, and wended

their way in frolicsome mood to a neighboring school, was an humble

building, made by joining two hewn log houses together, with a passage

between, in the common style of the first settlers. In 1851 Mr.

Hennigan, the last owner of the property, moved one half of the

building, apparently the better portion; but with a badly decayed

roof, to his barn-yard, and near his handsome residence on the rising

ground south-east of its original location, and re-covered it, where

it may be seen at the present time.

Samuel Polk, the father of James K. Polk, married Jane, a daughter of

James Knox, a soldier of the Revolution, who lived at a place about

midway between the residences of the late Rev. John Williamson and

Benjamin Wilson Davidson, Esq., youngest son of Major John Davidson.

He had ten children, of whom James K. was the eldest, and who early

displayed quick, intuitive powers, He received the principal part of

his education in North Carolina, and graduated in 1818 at the State

University, with the highest honors of his class. While at college, he

laid the foundations of his future fame and usefulness.

It is said he never missed a single recitation, or avoided a single

duty during the whole course of his collegiate term. After graduating,

he returned to Tennessee, his father's adopted state, commenced the

study of law in the office of the Hon. Felix Grundy, and was admitted

to the bar in 1820. In 1823, he entered the stormy sea of politics, in

which he was destined to achieve a brilliant career. In 1825, he was

elected to Congress, and in 1835, was made Speaker of the House of

Representatives, which honorable position he held for five sessions.

After serving fourteen years, with distinguished ability and

impartiality, he declined a re-election. During this long and

laborious service, he was never known to be absent, for a single day,

from the House. In 1839, after an animated contest, he was elected

Governor of Tennessee. In May, 1844, he was nominated as a candidate

for the Presidency of the United States. His majority in the Electoral

College over Henry Clay for this high office was sixty-five votes. The

great labor he performed at a period of unexampled danger to the

republic, and of difficulties with foreign nations, operated seriously

upon his debilitated system, and hastened his end.

In May, 1844, in accepting the nomination, he declared in advance,

that, if elected, he would only serve _one term_. And in a letter

addressed to the Convention, through Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey, of Knoxville,

he re-iterated his determination, and voluntarily declined, when many

of his friends deemed his name the only available means of success.

His precarious and constantly declining state of health, forcibly

admonished him of his early departure from the scenes of earth. He

calmly met his approaching end, and died at Nashville, on the 15th of

June, 1849, in the forty-fourth year of his age.

When the mists of party and prejudice shall have subsided, and the

dispassionate verdict of posterity be given, the services of James K.

Polk will be acknowledged as unsurpassed in the annals of our nation;

and his noble and disinterested example of only serving _one term_,

will be regarded by all pure-minded occupants of the Presidential

Chair, as worthy of imitation.

Mecklenburg county is proud of her son!

In the old "Polk Graveyard," nine miles from Charlotte, is the

tombstone of Mrs. Maria Polk, a grand-aunt of President Polk,

containing a lengthy eulogy, in poetry and prose, of this good woman.

The first sentence, "_Virtus non exemptio a morte_"[H] is neatly

executed on a semicircle, extending over the prostrate figure of a

departed female saint, sculptured with considerable skill on the

soapstone slab, but now scarcely visible on account of the

over-spreading moss and lichen. Immediately beneath the _sainted

figure_ is the expression, _Formosa etsi mortua_.[I] From the lengthy

eulogy, the following extracts are taken:

"Here, unalarmed at death's last stroke,

Lies in this tomb, Maria Polk;

A tender mother, virtuous wife.

Resigned in every scene of life.

* * * * *

"To heavenly courts she did repair;

May those she loved all meet her there.

"Supported by the hope of a happy death, and a glorious

resurrection to eternal life, she bore a tedious and painful

illness with a truly Christian fortitude. The last exercise

of her feeble mind was employed in singing the 63rd of the

second book of Dr. Watt's Hymns, in which, anticipating the

blessed society above, she exchanged the earthly for the

heavenly melody."

She died on the 29th of November, 1791, in the forty-fifth year of her

age.

GENERAL WILLIAM DAVIDSON.

General William Davidson was the youngest son of George Davidson, and

born in 1746. His father moved from Lancaster county, in Pennsylvania,

in 1750, to North Carolina, and settled in the western part of Rowan

county (now Iredell.) Here General Davidson received his earliest

mental training, and subsequently his principal and final education at

Queen's Museum College in Charlotte, where many of the patriots of

Mecklenburg and surrounding counties were educated.

At the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax, on on the 4th of

April, 1776, four additional regiments to the two already in service,

were ordered to be raised, over one of which (the 4th) Thomas Polk was

appointed Colonel, James Thackston Lieutenant Colonel, and William

Davidson Major. With this regiment, under General Francis Nash, he

marched to join the army of the North, under General Washington, where

he served until November 1779, when the North Carolina line was

ordered south to reinforce General Lincoln, at Charleston. Previous to

this time he had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in

the line. As the troops passed through North Carolina, Colonel

Davidson obtained a furlough for a few days to visit his family, whom

he had not seen for three years. This saved him from the fate which

befell Gen. Lincoln and his army at Charleston; for, when he

approached that city, he found it so closely invested by the British

Army that he was prevented from joining his regiment. When Lincoln

surrendered, Davidson returned to Mecklenburg, and rendered important

services in subduing the Tories, who, encouraged by the success of the

British arms, became numerous, daring and oppressive.

A strong force of Tories having assembled at Coulson's Mill, General

Davidson raised a troop of volunteers and marched against them. A

fierce skirmish took place, in which he was severely wounded by a ball

passing through his body near the kidneys. This wound nearly proved

fatal, and detained him from the service about two months. After his

recovery, he again took the field, having been promoted for his

bravery to the rank of Brigadier-General in the place of General

Rutherford, made a prisoner at the battle of Camden. He was active,

with General Sumner and Colonel Davie, in checking the advance of the

British, and throughout this darkest period of the Revolution gave

ample evidence of his untiring zeal in the cause of his country.

After the battle of the Cowpens, on the 17th of January, 1781, in

which General Morgan, with an inferior force, chastised the temerity

and insolence of Tarleton, General Davidson was actively engaged in

assembling the militia of his district to aid General Greene in

impeding the advance of the British army in pursuit of General Morgan,

encumbered with more than five hundred prisoners, on his way to

Virginia. General Greene, accompanied by two or three attendants, left

his camp near the Cheraws, rode rapidly through the country, and met

General Morgan at Sherrill's Ford, on the eastern bank of the Catawba

river, and directed his future movements.

General Davidson had placed guards at Tuckasege, Toole's, Cowan's and

Beattie's Fords. When Cornwallis approached the Catawba, on the

evening of the 28th of January, he found it considerably swollen and

impassable for his infantry.

This Providential obstacle caused him to fall back five miles from the

river to Jacob Forney's plantation, a thrifty farmer of that

neighborhood. General Davidson had assembled a force of about three

hundred and fifty men at Cowan's Ford. At half past two o'clock on the

morning of the 1st of February, 1781, Cornwallis broke up his

encampment at Forney's and reached Cowan's Ford at daybreak. It was a

dark morning, accompanied with slight drizzling rain. The light

infantry, under Colonel Hall, entered first, followed by the

grenadiers and the battalions.

The picquet of the Americans challenged the enemy; receiving no reply,

the guard fired at the advancing enemy. This immediately called into

action that portion of Davidson's forces placed near the river, who

kept up a galling fire from the bank. According to Stedman, the

English historian, who accompanied Cornwallis, the Tory guide,

becoming alarmed at the firing, when the British army reached the

middle of the river, turned about and left them. This caused Colonel

Hall to lead them directly across to an unexpected landing-place.

Colonel Hall was killed as he ascended the bank; the horse of Lord

Cornwallis was shot in the river, and fell dead as he reached the

bank; three privates were killed and thirty-six wounded. The diversion

of the British army from the proper landing caused the Americans to

fire angularly and not directly upon their enemy, and hence was less

effective in its results. General Davidson, who was about half a mile

in the rear with the larger portion of his forces, arrived at the

scene of action just as the Americans were fleeing before the fire of

the well-organized and greatly superior British forces.

In attempting to rally the Americans, and venturing too near the

British army, he received a fatal shot in his breast, and fell dead

almost instantly from his horse. The loss of the Americans in privates

was only two killed and about twenty wounded.

The British infantry waded the river in platoons, and reserved their

fire until they ascended the eastern bank, and thus effected their

passage. Cornwallis remained only about three hours after the

skirmish, for the purpose of burying his dead, and then proceeded in

the direction of Salisbury. Soon after his departure David Wilson and

Richard Barry, both of whom were in the skirmish, secured the body of

their beloved commander, conveyed it to the house of Samuel Wilson,

Sen., and buried it that night by _torch-light_ in the graveyard of

Hopewell Church.

Thus fell in the prime of life, and at a moment of great usefulness to

his country, this noble and patriotic soldier. Right worthily is his

name bestowed upon one of the most fertile counties of our State, and

upon a seat of learning, located near the scene of his death, which

will perpetuate his fame as long as liberty has a votary throughout

all succeeding time.

GENERAL GEORGE GRAHAM.

General George Graham was born in Pennsylvania in 1758, and came with

his widowed mother and four others to North Carolina, when about six

years old. He was chiefly educated at "Queen's Museum," in Charlotte,

and was distinguished for his assiduity, manly behaviour and

kindliness of disposition. He was early devoted to the cause of

liberty, and was ever its untiring defender. There was no duty too

perilous, no service too dangerous, that he was not ready to undertake

for the welfare and independence of his country.

In 1775, when it was reported in Charlotte that two Tory lawyers, Dunn

and Boothe, had proposed the detention of Capt. Jack on his way to

Philadelphia, and had pronounced the patriotic resolutions with which

he was entrusted, as "treasonable," George Graham was one of the

gallant spirits who rode all night to Salisbury, seized said offending

lawyers, and brought them to Mecklenburg for trial. Here, after being

found guilty of conduct "inimical to the cause of American freedom,"

they were transported to Camden, S.C., and afterward to Charleston,

and imprisoned.

Such were the open manifestations of liberty and independence in

different portions of North Carolina in 1775!

When Cornwallis lay at Charlotte in 1780, Graham took an active part

in attacking his foraging parties, making it extremely difficult and

hazardous for them to procure their necessary supplies. He was one of

the thirteen brave spirits, under Capt. James Thompson, who dared to

attack a foraging party of four hundred British troops at McIntire's

Branch, seven miles northwest of Charlotte, on the Beattie's Ford

road, compelling them to retreat, with a considerable loss of men and

a small amount of forage, fearing, as they said, an ambuscade was

prepared for their capture.

After the war, he was elected Major General of the North Carolina

militia. For many years, he was clerk of the court of Mecklenburg

county, and frequently a member of the State Legislature. He was the

people's friend, not their flatterer, and uniformly enjoyed the

confidence and high esteem of his fellow-citizens. He lived more than

half a century on his farm, two miles from Charlotte. He died on the

29th of March, 1826, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and is

buried in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church at Charlotte.

WILLIAM RICHARDSON DAVIE.

General William R. Davie was born in Egremont, near White Haven, in

England, on the 20th of June, 1756. When he was only five years of

age, he emigrated, with his father, Archibald Davie, to America, and

was adopted by his maternal uncle, Rev. William Richardson, who

resided on the Catawba river, in South Carolina. After due preparation

at "Queen's Museum" in Charlotte, he entered Princeton College, where,

by his close application, he soon acquired the reputation of an

excellent student. But the din of arms disturbed his collegiate

studies, so auspiciously commenced, and he forthwith exchanged the

gown for the sword. The studies of the College were closed, and Davie

volunteered his services in the army of the north in 1776. The

campaign being ended, he returned to College, and graduated in the

Fall of that year with the first honors of the Institution.

He returned to North Carolina, and commenced the study of the law in

Salisbury, but the struggle for life and liberty then going on, did

not allow his chivalric spirit to repose in quietude while his country

was in danger. Actuated by urgent patriotic motives, he induced

William Barnett, of Mecklenburg county, to raise, with as little delay

as possible, a troop of horsemen. Over this company, William Barnett

was elected Captain, and Davie, Lieutenant. The commission of the

latter is signed by Governor Caswell, and is dated the 5th of April,

1779. This company joined the southern army, and became attached to

Pulaski's Legion. Davie's gallantry and activity were so conspicuous,

that he soon rose to the rank of Major.

At the battle of Stono, near Charleston, he experienced his first

serious conflict in arms, and was severely wounded in the thigh, which

laid him up for some time in the hospital in that city. In this

engagement, Major Davie also received a wound from a heavy cavalry

charge of the enemy, which caused him to fall from his horse. He still

held the bridle, but was so severely wounded that, after repeated

efforts, he could not remount. The enemy was now close upon him and in

a moment more he would have been made a prisoner. Just at this time, a

private, whose horse had been killed, and who was retreating, saw the

imminent danger of his gallant officer, and returned at the risk of

his life to save him. With great composure he raised Major Davie on

his horse, and safely led him from the bloody field. "An action of

courage worthy of Rome in her palmiest days." In the haste and

confusion of the retreat, this brave soldier disappeared. Major Davie

made frequent inquiries for his preserver, to evince his gratitude to

him and his family, for his timely and heroic aid; but in vain.

At the siege of Ninety-Six, when Davie was acting as

Commissary-General of the Southern army, on the morning of the attack,

a soldier came to his tent, and made himself known as the man who had

assisted him in mounting his horse at Stono. The soldier promised to

call again, but, alas! he fell soon after in battle, which deprived

Major Davie of the pleasure of bestowing upon him substantial tokens

of his lasting gratitude.

After his recovery, Major Davie returned to Salisbury, and resumed the

study of law. In 1780, he obtained his license to practice, and soon

became distinguished in his profession. But the camp rather than the

Court-house, still demanded his services. In the winter of 1780, he

obtained authority from the General Assembly of North Carolina to

raise a troop of cavalry, and two companies of mounted infantry. But

the authority only was granted. The State being too poor to provide

the means, Major Davie, with a patriotism worthy of perpetual

remembrance, disposed of the estate acquired from his uncle, and thus

raised funds to equip the troops. With this force, he proceeded to the

southwestern portion of the State and protected it from the predatory

incursions of the British and Tories. Charleston having surrendered on

the 12th of May, 1780, and Tarleton's butchery of Colonel Buford's

regiment, in the Waxhaws, on the 29th, induced General Rutherford to

order out the militia in mass, to oppose the advance of the

conquerors. On the 3rd of June, nine hundred men assembled at

Charlotte, ready to defend their country. The militia were reviewed by

General Rutherford, and, after being addressed in strong, patriotic

language by Dr. Whorter, President of the College in Charlotte, were

dismissed, with directions to hold themselves in readiness at a

moment's warning.

Lord Rawdon having advanced with the British army to Waxhaw Creek,

General Rutherford issued, on the 10th of June, his orders for the

militia to rendezvous at McKee's plantation, eighteen miles north-east

of Charlotte. The orders were obeyed, and on the 12th eight hundred

men were in arms on the ground. On the 14th the troops were organized.

The cavalry, under Major Davie, was formed into two troops under

Captains Lemmonds and Martin; a battalion of three hundred light

infantry was placed under Colonel William Davidson, a regular officer,

and the remainder under the immediate command of General Rutherford.

On the 15th of June General Rutherford marched within two miles of

Charlotte. Here he learned that Lord Rawdon had retrograded from the

Waxhaws to Camden. He then resolved to advance on the Tories, who, it

was well known, had assembled in strong force at Ramsour's Mill, near

the present town of Lincolnton. Having issued orders on the 14th to

Colonel Francis Locke, Captains Falls and Brandon, of Rowan, and to

Major David Wilson, of Mecklenburg, and to other officers, to raise

men and attack this body of Tories, he marched on the 18th eleven

miles, to Tuckasege Ford, on the Catawba River. He sent an express on

the same day to Colonel Locke to meet him with his forces three miles

north-west of the river, at Colonel Dickson's plantation. The express,

for some unknown reason, never reached Colonel Locke. This officer,

failing to secure the co-operative aid of General Rutherford, marched

from Mountain Creek late on the evening of the 19th of June, and early

on the morning of the 20th attacked and routed the Tories before the

arrival of General Rutherford's forces. (For further particulars, see

the "Battle of Ramsour's Mill," under the head of Lincoln County.)

After the battle of Ramsour's Mill, General Rutherford marched against

the Tories assembled under Colonel Bryan in the forks of Yadkin River,

while Major Davie was ordered to move with his mounted force and take

position near the South Carolina line, to protect this exposed

frontier from the incursions of the British and the Tories. He

accordingly took position on the north side of Waxhaw Creek, where he

was joined by Major Crawford, with a few South Carolina troops and

thirty-five Indian warriors of the Catawba tribe, under their chief,

New River, and the Mecklenburg militia under Colonel Hagins.

On the 20th of July Major Davie surprised and captured at Flat Rock, a

convoy of provisions, spirits and clothing, guarded by some dragoons

and volunteers, on their way to the post at Hanging Rock, about four

and a half miles distant. The capture was effected without loss; the

spirits, provisions and wagons were destroyed, and the prisoners,

mounted on the captured horses and guarded by dragoons under Captain

William Polk, at dark commenced their retreat. On Beaver Creek, about

midnight, they were attacked by the enemy in ambuscade, concealed

under the fence in a field of standing corn. The rear guard had

entered the lane when Captain Petit, the officer in advance, hailed

the British in their place of concealment. A second challenge was

answered by a volley of musketry from the enemy, which commenced on

the right, and passed by a running fire to the rear of the detachment.

Major Davie rode rapidly forward and ordered the men to push through

the lane; but, under surprise, his troops turned back, and upon the

loaded arms of the enemy. He was thus compelled to repass the

ambuscade under a heavy fire, and overtook his men retreating by the

same road they had advanced. The detachment was finally rallied and

halted upon a hill, but so discomfited at this unexpected attack that

no effort could induce them to charge upon the enemy.

A judicious retreat was the only course left to avoid a similar

disaster, which was effected; and Major Davie, having passed the

enemy's patrols, regained his camp early on the next day without

further accident. In this attack, the fire of the enemy fell chiefly

upon those in the lane, who were prisoners (confined two on a horse

with the guard). These were nearly all killed, or severely wounded. Of

the Whigs, Lieutenant Elliott was killed, and Captain Petit, who had

been sent in advance by Major Davie to examine the lane, the ford of

the creek and the houses, and failing to do so, as carefully as was

proper, paid the penalty of neglect of duty by being wounded with two

of his men. Major Davie, who was noted for his vigilance, anticipated

some attempt by the British and Tories to recover the prisoners, and

had taken, as he believed, all necessary precautions to prevent a

surprise or ambuscade.

Major Davie, in a manuscript account of this affair, now on file in

the archives of the Historical Society at Chapel Hill, leaves this

judicious advice:

"It furnishes a lesson to officers of partisan corps, that

every officer of a detachment may, at some time, have its

safety and reputation committed to him, and that the

slightest neglect of duty is generally severely punished by

an enemy."

Rocky Mount is on the west bank of the Wateree River (as the Catawba

is called after its junction with Wateree Creek), thirty miles from

Camden, and was garrisoned by Colonel Turnbull with one hundred and

fifty New York volunteers and some militia. Its defences consisted of

two log-houses, a loop-holed building and an _abattis_.[J]

On the 30th of July, 1780, General Sumter and Colonel Neal, from South

Carolina, and Colonel Irwin, with three hundred Mecklenburg militia,

joined Major Davie. A council was held, and it was determined that

simultaneous attacks should be made upon the British posts at Rocky

Mount and Hanging Rock. General Sumter was accompanied by Colonels

Neal, Irwin and Lacy, and Captain McLure, and some of his kinsmen, the

Gastons. Having; crossed the Catawba at Blair's Ford, he arrived early

on the next day, and made vigorous attacks against the fort, but

failed in capturing it, mainly for the want of artillery. The attack

elicited the praise of even the enemy. Early in the action, the

gallant Colonel Neal was killed, with five whites and one Catawba

Indian, and many were severely wounded. The British loss was ten

killed, and the same number wounded. General Sumter ordered a retreat,

which was effected without further annoyance or loss.

Major Davie, with about forty mounted riflemen, and the same number of

dragoons, and some Mecklenburg militia, under Colonel Hagins,

approached Hanging Rock on the same day. While he was reconnoitering

the ground, previous to making the attack, he was informed that three

companies of Bryan's Tory regiment, returning from a foraging

expedition, were encamped at a farmhouse near the post.

Major Davie, with his brave associates, immediately fell upon them

with vigor, both in front and rear, and all but a few of them were

either killed or wounded. No time could be spared to take prisoners,

as the engagement at the farm-house was in full view of the British

post at Hanging Rock. The fruits of this victory were sixty valuable

horses, and one hundred muskets and rifles. The whole camp of the

enemy instantly beat to arms, but this brilliant affair was ended, and

Davie out of reach before the enemy's forces were in motion, or their

consternation subsided from this daring and successful attack. Major

Davie reached his camp safely without the loss of a single man.

General Sumter was thoroughly convinced that the ardent patriots of

which his command consisted must be kept constantly employed, and that

the minds of such men are greatly influenced by dashing exploits. He,

therefore, resolved to unite with Major Davie and other officers, and

make a vigorous attack against the post of Hanging Rock. This post

derives its name from a huge conglomerate bowlder of granite,

twenty-five or thirty feet in diameter, lying upon the eastern bank of

Hanging Rock Creek, with a concavity sufficiently large to shelter

fifty men from the rain, Near this natural curiosity Lord Rawdon, then

commanding the British and Tories in that section, had established a

post, garrisoned by Tarleton's Legion of infantry, a part of Brown's

Corps of South Carolina and Georgia Provincials, and Colonel Bryan's

North Carolina Loyalists, the whole under the command of Major Carden.

BATTLE OF THE HANGING ROCK.

"Catawba's waters smiled again

To see her Sumter's soul in arms!

And issuing from each glade and glen,

Rekindled by war's fierce alarms,

Thronged hundreds through the solitude

Of the wild forests, to the call

Of him whose spirit, unsubdued,

Fresh impulse gave to each, to all."

On the 5th of August, 1780, the detachments of the patriots met again

at Land's Ford, on the Catawba. Major Davie had not lost a single man

in his last dashing exploit. The North Carolina militia, under Colonel

Irwin and Major Davie, numbered about five hundred men, officers and

privates; and about three hundred South Carolinians under Colonels

Sumter, Lacey and Hill. The chief command was conferred upon Colonel

Sumter, as being the senior officer. Early in the morning, Colonel

Sumter marched cautiously, and approached the British camp in three

divisions, with the intention of falling upon the main body stationed

at Cole's Old Field. The right was composed of Major Davie's corps,

and some volunteers, under Major Bryan; the center, of the Mecklenburg

militia, under Colonel Irwin; and the left, of South Carolina

refugees, under Colonel Hill. General Sumter proposed that the

detachments should approach in their divisions, march directly to the

centre encampments, then dismount, and each division attack its camp.

This plan was approved by all except Major Davie, who insisted on

leaving their horses at their present position, and march to the

attack on foot. He urged, as an objection against the former plan, the

confusion always consequent upon dismounting under fire, and the

certainty of losing the effect of a sudden and vigorous attack. He

was, however, over-ruled, but the sequel proved he was right in his

opinion. Through the error of his guides, Sumter came first upon

Bryan's corps, on the western bank of the creek, half a mile from the

British camp. Colonel Irwin's Mecklenburg militia, commenced the

attack. The Tories soon yielded, and fled toward the main body, many

of them throwing away their arms without discharging them. These the

patriots secured; and, pursuing this advantage, Sumter next fell upon

Brown's corps, which, by being concealed in a wood, poured in a heavy

fire upon the Americans. The latter also quickly availed themselves of

the trees and bushes, and returned the British fire with deadly

effect. The American riflemen, taking deliberate aim, soon cut off all

of Brown's officers and many of his soldiers; and at length, after a

fierce conflict, his corps yielded, and dispersed in confusion. The

arms and ammunition procured from the enemy were of great service, for

when the action commenced, Sumter's men had not two rounds each.

Now was the moment to strike for decisive victory; it was lost by the

criminal indulgence of Sumter's men in plundering the portion of the

British camp already secured, and drinking too freely of the liquor

found there. Sumter's ranks became disordered, and while endeavoring

to bring order out of confusion, the enemy rallied. Of his six hundred

men only about two hundred, with Major Davie's cavalry, could be

brought into immediate action. Colonel Sumter, however, was not to be

foiled. With his small number of patriots he rushed forward, with a

shout, to the attack. The enemy had formed a hollow square, with the

field pieces in front, and in this position received the charge. The

Americans attacked them on three sides, and for a while the contest

was severe. At length, just as the British line was yielding, a

reinforcement under Captains Stewart and McDonald, of Tarleton's

Legion, made their appearance, and their number being magnified,

Colonel Sumter deemed it prudent to retreat.

All this was done about mid-day, but the enemy had been so severely

handled that they did not attempt a pursuit. A small party appeared

upon the Camden road, but were soon dispersed by Davie's cavalry.

Could Sumter have brought all of his forces into action in this last

attack, the rout of the British would have been complete. As it was,

"He beat them back! beneath the flame

Of valor quailing, or the shock!

He carved, at last, a heroe's name,

Upon the glorious Hanging Rock!"

This engagement lasted about four hours, and was one of the

best-fought battles between militia and British regulars during the

war. Sumter's loss was twelve killed and forty-one wounded. Among the

killed were the brave Colonel McLure (lately promoted to that rank),

of South Carolina, and Captain Reid, of North Carolina; Colonel Hill,

Captain Craighead, Major Winn, Lieutenants Crawford and Fletcher, and

Ensign McLure were wounded.

Colonel McLure, being mortally wounded, was conveyed under the charge

of Davie's cavalry to Charlotte. He lingered until the 18th of August,

on which day he died in Liberty Hall Academy. "Of the many brave men,"

said General Davie, "with whom it was my fortune to become acquainted

in the army, he was one of the bravest; and when he fell we looked

upon his loss as incalculable."

The British loss was much greater than that of the Americans,

sixty-two of Tarleton's Legion were killed and wounded. Bryan's

regiment of Loyalists also suffered severely.

Major Davie's corps suffered much while tying their horses and forming

into line under a heavy fire from the enemy, a measure which he had

reprobated in the council when deciding on the mode of attack.

Having conveyed his wounded to a hospital in Charlotte, which his

foresight had provided, Major Davie hastened to the general rendezvous

at Rugely's Mill, under General Gates. On the 16th of August, while on

his way to unite his forces with those of General Gates, he met a

soldier in great speed, about ten miles from Camden. He arrested him

as a deserter, but soon learned from him that Gates was signally

defeated by the British on that day.

Major Davie then retraced his steps and took post at Charlotte. On the

5th of September, he was appointed by Governor Nash, Colonel

Commandant of Cavalry, with instructions to raise a regiment. He

succeeded in raising only a part, and with two small companies,

commanded by Major George Davidson, he took post at Providence.

On the 21st day of September, Colonel Davie attacked a body of Tories

at the plantation of Captain Wahab (now written Walkup), in the

southwestern corner of Union county (then a part of Mecklenburg),

killed fifteen or twenty of their men, wounded about forty, and

retreated in good order without any loss. In this dashing exploit,

Davie brought off ninety-six horses, one hundred and twenty stands of

arms, and reached his camp the same evening, after riding sixty miles

in less than twenty-four hours.

Generals Sumner and Davidson, with their brigades of militia, reached

his camp in Providence on the same evening. On the advance of the

British army these officers retreated by way of Phifer's to Salisbury,

ordering Colonel Davie, with about one hundred and fifty men, and some

volunteers under Major Joseph Graham, to hover around the approaching

enemy, annoy his foraging parties, and skirmish with his light troops.

On the night of the 25th of September, Colonel Davie entered the town

of Charlotte, determined to give the British army, which lay a few

miles from that place, a _hornets-like reception_. The brilliancy and

patriotic spirit of that skirmish was appropriately displayed on the

very ground which, in May, 1775, was the birth-place American

independence. (See "Skirmish at Charlotte.")

On the next day, Colonel Davie joined the army at Salisbury, where the

men and officers to raise new recruits had assembled. Generals

Davidson and Sumner continued their retreat beyond the Yadkin River,

while Colonel Davie returned to Charlotte, around which place the

activity of his movements, dashing adventures, and perfect knowledge

of the country, rendered him extremely useful in checking the

incursions of the enemy, repressing the Tories and encouraging the

friends of liberty.

Lord Cornwallis sorely felt the difficulties with which his position

at Charlotte was surrounded, and, on hearing of the defeat and death

of Colonel Ferguson, one of his favorite officers, he left that town

late on the evening of the 14th of October, in great precipitation,

recrossed the Catawba at Land's Ford, and took position, for a few

months, at Winnsboro, S.C.

The signal defeat of the British and Tories at King's Mountain--the

conspicuous turning point of success in the American Revolution, and

the retreat of Cornwallis, after his previous boast of soon having

North Carolina under royal subjection, greatly revived the hopes of

the patriots throughout the entire South.

General Smallwood, of Maryland, who had accompanied General Gates to

the South, had his headquarters at Providence, and, in a short time,

several thousand militia, under Generals Davidson, Sumner, and Jones,

joined his camp. Colonel Davie, with three hundred mounted infantry,

occupied an advanced post at Land's Ford.

When General Greene took command of the Southern Army in December,

1780, he and Colonel Davie met for the first time. The Commissary

Department having become vacant by the resignation of Colonel Thomas

Polk, General Greene prevailed upon Colonel Davie to accept this

troublesome and important office. Although the duties of the office

would prevent him from displaying that dashing patriotism so congenial

to his chivalric spirit, yet he agreed to enter upon its arduous and

unthankful responsibilities.

Colonel Davie accompanied General Greene in his rapid retreat from the

Catawba to the Dan River. He was present at the battle of Guilford, in

March, 1781; at Hobkirk's Hill, in April; at the evacuation of Camden,

in May; and at the siege of Ninety-six, in June.

The war, having ended, Colonel Davie retired to private life and his

professional pursuits. He took his first circuit in February, 1783,

and near this time he married Sarah, eldest daughter of General Allen

Jones, of Northampton county, and located himself at Halifax

Courthouse, where he soon rose to the highest eminence in his

profession.

Colonel Davie was a member of the Convention which met at

Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to form the Federal Constitution. The late

Judge Murphy, in speaking of Colonel Davie, bears this honorable

testimony to his abilities: