Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical

Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical

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Historical and Biographical, by C. L. Hunter
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Title: Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical
Author: C. L. Hunter
Release Date: July 19, 2004 [eBook #12953]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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SKETCHES OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Illustrating Principally the Revolutionary Period of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln and Adjoining Counties, Accompanied with Miscellaneous Information, Much of It Never before Published
By
C. L. HUNTER
1877

DEDICATION.
TO THE DESCENDANTS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOTS OF NORTH CAROLINA, WHETHER NOW ABIDING WITHIN HER BORDERS AND SHARING HER PROSPERITIES AND ADVERSITIES, OR SCATTERED ABROAD IN OTHER STATES OF THE AMERICAN UNION, BUT WHO STILL CHERISH A LASTING VENERATION FOR THE MEMORIES OF THEIR HEROIC FOREFATHERS; AND TO THE YOUNG MEN OF THE STATE GENERALLY, WHO WOULD DRAW LESSONS OF WISDOM, PATRIOTISM AND ENDURANCE FROM THE EXAMPLES HEREIN DESCRIBED, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.
History has been defined, "Philosophy teaching by example." There is no branch of literature in a republic like ours, that can be cultivated with more advantage to the general reader than history. From the infinite variety of aspects in which it presents the dealings of Providence in the affairs of nations, and from the immense number of characters and incidents which it brings into view, it becomes a source of continuous interest and enjoyment.
The American Revolution is undoubtedly the most interesting event in the pages of modern history. Changes equally great and convulsions equally violent have often taken place in the Old World; and the records of former times inform us of many instances of oppression, which, urged beyond endurance, called forth the spirit of successful resistance. But in the study of the event before us--the story of the Revolution--we behold feeble colonies, almost without an army--without a navy--without an established government--without a good supply of the munitions of war, firmly and unitedly asserting their rights, and, in their defence, stepping forth to meet in hostile array, the veteran troops of a proud and powerful nation. We behold too, these colonies, amidst want, poverty and misfortunes, animated with the spirit of liberty and fortified by the rectitude of their cause, sustaining for nearly eight years, the weight of a cruel conflict upon their own soil. At length we behold them victorious; their enemies sullenly retiring from their shores, and these feeble colonies enrolled on the page of history as a _free, sovereign and independent nation_.
The American struggle for freedom, and its final achievement, was an act in the great drama of the world's history of such vast magnitude, and fraught with such momentous consequences upon the destinies of civilization throughout the world, that we can scarcely ever tire in contemplating the instrumentalities by which, under Divine guidance, it was effected. It has taught mankind that oppression and misrule, under any government, tends to weaken and ultimately destroy the power of the oppressor; and that a people united in the cause of freedom and their inalienable rights, are invincible by those who would enslave them.
No State in our Union can present a greater display of exalted patriotism, enduring constancy and persistent bravery than North Carolina. And yet, how many of our own people do we find who know but little of the early history of the State, her stern opposition to tyranny under every form, and her illustrious Revolutionary career.
On the shores of North Carolina the first settlement of English colonists was made; within her borders the most formidable opposition to British authority, anterior to the Revolution, was organized; by her people the first declaration of independence was proclaimed, and some of the most brilliant achievements took place upon her own soil.
For several years, at intervals, the author has devoted a portion of his time and attention to the collection of historical facts relating principally to Western North Carolina, and bordering territory of South Carolina, to whom, as a sister State, and having a community of interests, North Carolina frequently afforded relief in her hour of greatest need.
Such materials, procured at this late day--upon the arrival of our National Centennial year, are often imperfect and fragmentary in character--merely scattered facts and incidents gathered here and there from the traditional recollections of our oldest inhabitants, or from the musty records of our State and county offices; and yet, it is believed such facts, when truthfully transmitted to us, are worthy of preservation and