Western North Carolina

On the 22nd of March, 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. This act produced great excitement throughout the whole country, and no where was it more violently denounced than in North Carolina. The Legislature was then in session, and so intense and wide-spread was the opposition to this odious measure, that Governor Tryon, apprehending the passage of denunciatory resolutions, prorogued that body after a session of fifteen days. The speaker of the House, John Ashe, informed Governor Tryon that this law “would be resisted to blood and death.” Early in the year 1766, the sloop-of-war, Diligence, arrived in the Cape … Read more

In 1754, Arthur Dobbs was appointed Governor by the crown. His administration of ten years presented a continued contest between himself and the Legislature on matters frivolous and unimportant. His high-toned temper for royal prerogatives was sternly met by the indomitable resistance of the colonists. The people were also much oppressed by Lord Granville’s agents, one of whom (Corbin) was seized and brought to Enfield, where he was compelled to give bond and security, produce his books, and disgorge his illegal fees. But notwithstanding these internal commotions and unjust exactions, always met by the active resistance of the people, the … Read more

The Catawba Indians, contiguous to our southern borders, and once so numerous and powerful, have dwindled down to a diminutive remnant–mostly half breeds. They inhabited in their palmiest days much of the territory south of the Tuscarora, and adjoining the Cherokees. For their general adherence to the patriots in the revolution they have always received the fostering care of the state. They own a tract of land ten miles square in the south-east corner of York County, South Carolina. They speak a different language from the Cherokees, but possessing a similarity of musical sounds. They gave origin to the name … Read more

In 1665, it being discovered that the “County of Albemarle,” as the settlement on the Chowan was called, was not in the limits of the Carolina charter, but in Virginia, King Charles, on petition, granted an enlargement of that instrument so as to make it extend from twenty-nine degrees to thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, north latitude. These charters were liberal in the concession of civil rights, and the proprietors were permitted to exercise toleration towards non-conformists, if it should be deemed expedient. Great encouragement was held forth to immigrants from abroad, and settlements steadily increased. They were allowed to … Read more

“We, the rightful lords of yore, are the rightful lords no more; like the silver mist, we fail, like the red leaves in the gale–fail, like shadows, when the dawning waves the bright flag of the morning.” In every history of the united states the different tribes of Indians–the native “sons of the forest” and “rightful lords of the soil,” from main to Florida and from the Atlantic ocean to the great Mississippi valley–justly claim conspicuous notice, whether considered as prowling enemies or warm-hearted friends. As the Tuscarora of eastern and middle Carolina were one of the most powerful of … Read more

Chronological Table of North Carolina 1492 October 12, Columbus discovered America. 1584 July 4, Amadas and Barlow approach the coast of North Carolina. 1663 Charter of Charles II, William Drummond, first Governor of North Carolina. 1678 John Culpeper’s Rebellion. 1693 Carolina divided into North and South Carolina. 1705 First Church erected in North Carolina. 1705 First Newspaper published in the United States. 1710 Carey’s Rebellion. 1729 Charter of Charles II, surrendered. 1765 Stamp Act passed. 1771 May 16, Battle of Alamance. 1774 August 25, Popular Assembly at Newbern. 1775 May 20 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. 1775 June, General Washington commander-in-chief. … Read more

North Carolina, in the days of her colonial existence, was the asylum and the refuge of the poor and the oppressed of all nations. In her borders the emigrant, the fugitive, and the exile found a home and safe retreat. Whatever may have been the impelling cause of their emigration–whether political servitude, religious persecution, or poverty of means, with the hope of improving their condition, the descendants of these enterprising, suffering, yet prospered people, have just reason to bless the kind Providence that guided their fathers, in their wanderings, to such a place of comparative rest. On the sandy banks … Read more