Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank

167 Pages·2011·2.58 MB·English

by  Shawn Miller

hree hundred years along the Pasquotank : a biographical history of
amden County
Pugh, Jesse Forbes

Cover

THREE HUNDRED YEARS
ALONG THE PASQUOTANK

By JESSE F. PUGH

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CAMDEN COUNTY [Illustration]
LEGEND
[Illustration]
LEGEND
NOTE:

1 Name no longer in general use.

2 Limited now to bridge.

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[blank page] CAMDEN COUNTY

ii- unnumbered

[blank page] [blank page]

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[Illustration] Three Hundred Years Along the PasquotankA BIOGRAPHICAL
CAMDEN COUNTY COURTHOUSE HISTORY of
CAMDEN COUNTY
BY JESSE FORBES PUGH

[Illustration]

OLD TRAP
CAMDEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

iv- v

Copyright, 1957, by Jesse Forbes Pugh TO THE MEMORY OF MY PARENTS

Printed in the United States of America Stephen Needham, Pugh

By the Seeman Printery, Inc., Durham, N. C. and

Isabel Forbes Pugh

vi- vii

[blank page] PREFACE

THE PURPOSE of this book is to depict life on the northeast side
of the Pasquotank River as exemplified by the careers of certain
individuals who have lived here during the past three centuries.
The river was recognized as dividing Pasquotank County
geographically into two separate areas long before the formation
of Camden County in 1777. Even when this part of Carolina was
known simply as the County of Albemarle and was under the
supervision of the Governor of Virginia, land grants along the
river carefully located themselves as being on “the northeast
side” or “the southwest side.” This distinction lapsed into disuse
only after the northeast region became Camden County and the
description was therefore no longer necessary.

The scope of these narratives is limited to events of local import
and to selected persons who have distinguished themselves
while residents, except in four instances of unique significance to
Camden. The history is not developed in the conventional
manner, being confined to a series of informal biographical
sketches which are in general chronologically arranged
according to the death of the subject.

As a basis for determining the selection of individuals to be
included, the following criteria were set up:

(1) Those who preformed some outstanding deed or service.

(2) Those who achieved prominence because of their
association with some significant activity.

(3) Those who left a permanent reminder of their presence.

(4) Those who were typical of a class or group—one for each
period of our history.

The first three of these objectives almost automatically pointed to
those who should be chosen. The fourth standard presented
difficulties since in any era there are obviously many people who
may be regarded as typical of their times, and the inclusion of all
such would not be practicable.

The aim has been to present these miniature biographies
objectively. The pattern set by the chroniclers of the Bible has
been taken as a guide to impartial presentation. In other words
the intention has been to follow the well known directions spoken
by Othello: “Nothing extenuate or aught set down in malice, but
speak of me as I am.” And it is further hoped that these pages
will serve not only as a source of useful information for those
now living but also as a helpful

viii- ix
starting point for those who may wish to contribute additional CONTENTS
data in the future.

Preface vii
The sources of the materials employed are listed separately for
each biographical sketch. As may be noted, I have made facing
Earl of Camden Portrait and sketch
frequent use of North Carolina, a History of a Southern State, by page 3
Hugh Talmage Lefler and Alfred Ray Newsome, a volume which
George Fleming An Early Settler 3
helped me greatly to keep my subjects in their proper historical
perspective and, as needed, supplied me with background William Jennings An Early Prison 5
information. I acknowledge with appreciation my indebtedness to
Paul Latham First Clerk of the Court 8
the authors for the use of their history. Professor Lefler was also
kind enough to read the sketches in manuscript and offer many John Philpott A Tragedy 10
practical suggestions, especially so to an amateur writer. I also
wish to express my thanks to Dr. W. P. Jacocks of Chapel Hill for William Raymond An Ancient Place-Name 13
his encouragement and guidance in the preparation of this book.
Cornelius Jones The Genial Mariner 15

All persons who have contributed information are listed in the John Norton An Indian Fighter 18
Sources and to them I hereby wish to make known my gratitude.
John Danson The Beginning of Shiloh 21
I should like especially to acknowledge my obligation to Dr.
Elizabeth Gregory McPherson of the Library of Congress staff. William Joy A Permanent Name 24
She has cheerfully and tirelessly supplied valuable data from the
great storehouse of materials in the Library. To Mrs. Jane Thomas Barecock Ancestor to Many 26
Gregory McPherson my sincere thanks are due for her courtesy
Host to the Provincial
in relating many local traditions and items. I am also indebted to Robert Morgan Assembly 28
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Burgess for their generous contributions of
facts and folklore. William Reed Acting Governor 30

Site of an Ancient Meeting
Many individuals have assisted in the mechanical preparation of Ann Jones 33
House
this book. The excellent map showing where the subjects of the
bibliographies lived and also the miniature used between the Leader in North End of the
Gabriel Burnham 35
sketches are the work of Mr. S. A. Tuten, Jr., Camden's County County
Agent, and I sincerely thank him therefore. I am greatly indebted
Samuel Williams A Colonial Planter 37
to my niece, Mrs. J. H. Chapman (Faye Pugh) of Portsmouth,
who volunteered to type the bulk of the manuscript. My thanks McRora
An Aristocrat 39
are also due to Mrs. Raymond Maxwell of Raleigh both for her Scarborough
assistance in copying materials as well as for her
John Solley An Important Ferry 43
encouragement. I also wish to express my obligation to the
following persons who typed the appendices: Mrs. H. R. First Attempt to form the
Topping, Mr. E. Ray Etheridge and Rev. Carl Calloway, and I Caleb Sawyer County 45
gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. E. D. Fowler of
The Seeman Printery, Durham, whose suggestions were most Thomas Hunter Building a Watermill 47
helpful in arranging the contents and in selecting a cover design.
Founder of Shiloh Baptist
In fact, this book has been made possible through the generous William Burgess 50
Church
efforts of others.
John Burgess A Burning Light 53
JESSE FORBES PUGH
Griffith Jones A Rowdy Leader 55

Old Trap. Three Captains of the
Samuel Lowman 58
Colonial Militia
July 10, 1957
Josiah Nash

Nehemiah Jones
John Oggs The Race Problem 62
Thomas Wright Ishmael 64
John Forbes Dulce et Decorum 67
Gideon Lamb A Gallant Father and His Son 70
Abner Lamb
Lemuel Sawyer,
High Sheriff in Two Counties 75
Sr.
A Confiscation
Abner Harrison 77
Commissioner
Camden's First
John Gray 79
Representatives
Caleb Grandy
Thomas

Humphries

x- xi

Henry Abbott Preacher and Patriot 83 Bess Tillitt
Leader among Camden Women 199
Gregory
Hezekiah Linton A Patriotic Family 87
William Ira Camden's Only Superior Court
Jehu Linton Halstead Appointment 204
Jesse Linton Appendices 207
Silas Linton (A) Genealogical Notes 207
Selby Harney Knight-Errant 89 (B) 1. Pasquotank Representatives in Provincial
213
Assemblies, 1701-1776
The Master of Fairfield
Isaac Gregory 92
Plantation 2. Camden Representatives in State Legislatures, 1777-
214
1835
First Congressman from
Dempsey Burgess 97
Camden 3. Camden Representatives in State Legislatures, 1836-
216
1957
Joseph Jones The Formation of Camden 101
County (C) Sources 217
Peter Dauge An Industrious Soldier 106 Index 235

Amy Burfoot, Sr. Mother and Daughter 109

Amy Burfoot, Jr.

Benjamin Jones The Dismal Swamp Canal 112
Peter Mercer The Innkeeper 114
Frances,
facing
Marchioness Portrait and sketch
page 118
Camden
The Coming of the
Elisha McBride 118
Methodists
Arthur Old A Later Immigrant 123
James S.
The War of 1812 125
Garlington
Host to President of the
Enoch Sawyer 129
United States
Lemuel Sawyer,
Author and Congressman 132
Jr.
Alfred Moore Two Congressmen who were
138
Gatlin Temporary Residents
William Biddle

Shepard
Cornelius Gray A Planter of the Ante Bellum
140
Lamb Period
Susan Flora Gone but Not Forgotten 142
Dennis Dozier Confederate Officer and
147
Ferebee Political Leader
John Jacobs The Musician 156
The Buffaloes and the Civil
Peter T. Burgess 160
War
John Kelly Abbott A Good Name 166
George Ferebee The First Postmasters 168
Dempsey Sawyer

Burgess
Peter Elliott
Wiley Grandy

Ferebee
James Edward

Burgess
Willis Burgess The Home Guards and the
173
Sanderlin Civil War
William Perkins

Walston
Lloyd Baum Jones Three Brothers 188
John Calhoun

Jones
William Forbes

Jones
Charles Bray
A Scholar 192
Williams
Herman Vincent
A Useful Citizen 195
Leary

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[blank page] CAMDEN COUNTY

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[Illustration] • An Early Settler
SIR CHARLES PRATT, FIRST EARL OF CAMDEN
GEORGE FLEMING
ca 1635-1694

NO ONE KNOWS who was the first settler on the northeast side
of the Pasquotank River, but George Fleming was evidently one
of the first to establish a residence there. For one thing, the
waterway which has been known as Raymond's Creek for at
least two hundred and fifty years was previously called
Fleming's. “fflemins creek” is referred to in the Colonial Records
as a boundary of a tract of land in a noted trial which took place
during the same year in which this pioneer died.

Apparently he was living here when the Lords Proprietors
received this territory in 1663 from Charles II and when they tried
during the first years to replace the old Indian names with
designations honoring themselves. Thus, Pasquotank River
became “Craven River” and Currituck and Pasquotank (the latter
included present day Camden) were formed into the Precinct of
Carteret. Therefore one reads in the land grant books that a
patent was issued in 1681 to one of Fleming's neighbors, “Isaac
Gilford of Craven River,” for 100 acres “in Carteret Precinct on
the riverside.” Happily, the vitality of the Indian names survived
this attempt to obliterate them and they had reappeared officially
when the County of Albemarle became the Province of North
Carolina in 1689.

Before 1700 practically all settlers in the Albemarle area selected
a site with water frontage, and Fleming was no exception to this
practice. His house stood on one side of a small gut or slough
issuing into a larger creek which was to bear his name; and his
close friend, Simeon Rice, lived on the other side of the smaller
stream. His dwelling probably approximated the dimensions of
Rice's house, which were twelve by eighteen feet. The small
window openings were without glass and were closed to the
elements by wooden shutters, while the floors were “the good
earth.” The exterior walls were covered with upright hand-rived
boards and the roof with wood shingles of the same
manufacture, the customary mode of building employed by the
early settlers, especially those in the lower economic brackets.
According to

4- 5
contemporary descriptions, such a house was usually contained fronting the two small farms was called “Fleming's.” Meanwhile,
in an all-purpose room—kitchen, living room and bedroom. the little stream running between the two dwellings was named
“Lydai's,” evidently for Rice's wife Lydai. Within ten years after
There is no record of a patent issued to Fleming, who probably Fleming's death, the larger creek became Raymond's and has
never received any documentary title to his small estate. Before been so designated to this day. Erosion transformed the narrow
the territory became the property of the Lords Proprietors, some slough long ago into a swamp. Nothing is known of Lydai Rice
of the newcomers effected a purchase of lands from the Indians except her name, but the small morass is still called Lydai's
but more often they simply moved in, cleared a few acres, Creek.
erected a crude structure and, in their minds at least, acquired
title “by right of possession.” Sometimes a grant would be • An Early Prison
obtained for a tract several years after it had been occupied by
the grantee. WILLIAM JENNINGS
ca 1635-1687
Fleming held no public office nor asserted himself in public
affairs. He was typical of the majority of colonists who of THE FIRST YEARS following the transfer of the territory
necessity literally wrested a livelihood from the wilderness with including North Carolina to the Lords Proprietors were
their bare hands. To him the business of making a living often characterized by weak government and continuous unrest,
presented rather grim aspects, so exacting was the struggle for erupting at times into defiance and actual violence. William
self-preservation. An axe, a gun, a hoe, an iron pot for cooking— Jennings first appears in 1677 in one of the most spectacular
such utilitarian items were tremendously valuable because they episodes, the so-called Culpeper Rebellion, as the custodian of
could not immediately be replaced and without them the Thomas Miller, collector of customs and representative of the
hardships of frontier life were intensified. Having known governor, and who had been imprisoned by the “rebels.” A brief
privations, Fleming became acutely aware of the needs of his explanation seems necessary to make clear the part played by
neighbors. Jennings.

His will is a concrete expression of his desire to help those who Although ineffectual administration under the Proprietors was a
lived about him, even though he had only meager possessions contributing factor, the basic reasons for dissatisfaction stemmed
with which to express his sentiments. His bequests were: to from two deep-seated causes originating before the Proprietors
Thomas Elliott, “my longest gun”; to James Robinson, “a cow took over. In the first place, those early settlers who were
and a calf”; to Henry Bray, “my best coate, briches, shirte, substantial landowners generally resented the transfer of this
draweres and hatt”; and to his executor, Simeon Rice, “my loving territory from the Crown to the Proprietors. Since William
friend,” he left the rest of his property should his daughter, an Jennings aligned himself with this group, this may indicate
only child, die without issue. residence here before the transfer, for although the records do
not show when he arrived or how his property was acquired, he
That Fleming in turn enjoyed the friendly esteem of his neighbors owned a sizable plantation.
of every degree is indicated by the witnesses to his will. There
were four and they were: Elizabeth Jones, wife of Captain The other basic reason for dissatisfaction, and shared by all
Cornelius Jones, prosperous merchant trader and representative classes of settlers, was the restrictive trade measures known as
in the Provincial Assembly; John Philpott, clerk of the court and the Navigation Acts, which were enacted in 1651 and 1660 and
man of affairs in the Albemarle; Isaac Gilford, a very substantial required all colonial commerce to be carried in British, Irish or
citizen; and William Bray, son of the William Bray who was colonial vessels, and certain items, notably tobacco, could be
deputy marshal for Currituck. Here too, perhaps, one may shipped only to England. What was
perceive how life in the wilderness fostered a feeling of common
brotherhood, which is essentially a fundamental principle of
democracy.

Why have certain place names disappeared, and why have
others continued to remain? Whatever the reasons for this whim
of history, the adjoining neighbors, George Fleming and Simeon