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THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA PRESENTED BY Morth CarolinaOuUfeGUoa Gift Fund C971.80 R93.1 C.4 UNIVERSITYOFN.C.ATCHAPELHILL 00025332952 Thisbookmaybe keptoutone month unlessa recall notice issenttoyou. Itmustbe broughttothe North Carolina Collection (in Wilson Library)for renewal. A HISTORY OF ROWAN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA CONTAINING SKETCHES OF PROMINENT FAMILIES AND DISTINGUISHED MEN WITH AN APPENDIX BY REV. JETHRO RUMPLE PUBLISHED BY BRUNER J. J. SAUSBURY. N. C. 1681 REPUBUSHED BY THE EUZABETH MAXWELL STEELE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SALISBURY, N. C. ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1916 INTHEOFFICEOFTHE LIBRARIAN OFCONGRESS AT WASHINGTON. D. C. BY ELIZABETH MAXWELLE STEELE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CHARLOTTE. N. C. OBSERVER PRINTING HOUSE 1916 CM- ELIZABETH MAXWELL STEELE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION OFFICERS Mrs. Edwin C. Gregory Regent Mrs. D. F. Cannox Vice-Regent Mrs. Geo. A. Fisher Recording Secretary Urs. John McCanless Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Wm. S. Nicolson Treasurer Mrs. R. L. Mauney Registrar Mrs. W. S. BlackmER Historian Mrs. N. p. Murphy Chaplain A NEW PREFACE In republishing the Rumple History of Rowan County, the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has accomplished a twofold purpose, namely: ''the encouragement of historical research, and the publication of its results." In fulfilling these primary objects of the Society, it has also furthered the ulterior aim of both editor and author, whose — advocacy of these same objects ten years prior to the — organization of the National Society made this little book possible. By these recorded ''facts of history, biography, and achievement," supplemented by priceless data gleaned from old documents, manuscripts, local tradition, and the personal recollections of many who have since been gathered to their fathers, the author has rendered an — inestimable service not only to the Rowan County of today, but the territory occupied by forty-five counties formed from this venerable mother, which when erected comprehended most of the western part of the State, and Tennessee. Printed weekly from the galley proofs of the cur- rent newspaper article, on common material, and filed away to be later bound into book form, the first edition was of necessity limited, and was exhausted years b HISTORY OF ROWAN COUNTY ago. In presenting the second edition, the publishers hope to supply a long-felt want. The contents have not been built anew in a few instances only, supple- ; mental facts have been incorporated, and the past linked with the present through the medium of a limited number of photographs. In consideration of the ample domain formerly covered by Rowan County, its history is the common heritage of the people of Western North Carolina and a vast number of her sons and daughters who have made homes in other — States particularly those of the ^Middle West. A copy of this little volume owned by the writer is thus autographed by its late beloved author: " 'History is Philosophy teaching by example.' So said one who deeply pondered the import of his words. If we would be wise and good, we should learn the best methods from the example of those who have gone before us." Primarily, the mission of this work was to rescue from oblivion the history of Rowan, and to preserve and perpetuate the honorable records of her citizens and ; incidentally promote an intelligent interest in the early development of the County, and a more thorough — knowledge of the first—settlers peaceable, industrious, and law-abiding men "composed of almost all the nations of Europe," who came to make homes for themselves and children "men and women who had ; suffered for conscience' sake, or fled from despotism to seek liberty and happiness unrestrained by the shackles of a wornout civilization." Intolerant of — tyranny, yet characteristically conservative when constrained to act, they were invincible Xo people !