Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-11-14
Correspondence of the Fayetteville observer.l

pine-clad hills and entering the land of the noun
tain and the oak, felt sad, if forsaken of an old
tried friend
The early dawn of morning found me near the
banks of the river Enoe; looking down into its val
ley in which Hllsboro, the ancient capital OF the
State seemed to sit in calm repose and dignity un-
mindful of the stream Of passengers that passed al
most within the verge of her ancient court yard.
A desire to gaze upon such calm tranquility over
came all ideas of speed and business fingered
tarried my journey, and have spent emphatically
a most delightful day.
Hisboro' depot, from some incomprehensible rea- |
son. is neraly mile southwest of the centre Of the
town. To reach the Union Hotel, kept by Major |
Howerton, had to traverse King street and Chur-
ton. After breakfast ! took stroll over the town
proper and behed the evidences of its antiquity at
every step made upon the stonepaved foot path, as
well as in the dilapidated condition and antiquated
appearance of many of the buildings. On Churton
street, and nearly opposite my hotel, there stands
one story house, mentioned in LOSING Field
Book of the Revolution" as Cornwallis's Office:
while King street boasts Of possessing in good re-
pair, the house he occupied his Quarters. Upon
this latter street fine brick masonic edice is rear
ed the site where stood the notorious Fannlngs
Office Of course visited the grave yard OF the
Presbyterian Church, which is in part bounded by
Chufton and Tryon streets; and there l beheld the
grave of William Hooper, one of the signers OF the
Declaration of Independence. 1t is enclosed by a
substantial brick WALL and large freesone slab lies
fiat upon the grave, announcing that he was the son
Boston; Born l743, Died October 14th, 1882 No
mention is made Of the act that has stamped an i'm
mortality upon his name. A large Cedar, wild
Cherry, and the Towering Locust shade the hallow-
| cd spot. As statesman William Hooper is most
| generally known-but the statute laws of North
| Carolina prove that he a distinguished lawyer,
| and humane man. At carly period in his Ca
he appointed Solicitor for the County Court
in Cumberland, and several indictments in his hand
writing are filed away in that Office
| he prav pf / de- n 30
| grave of Gov. Thomas Burke, who is inferred two
miles west of Hillsboro'. This could not accom-
plish, and satisfied my curiosity by looking his
| residence the west side of Queen street, from
which, whilst Governor of the State, he was car
ried off by the Tories and confined prisoner of
| war on ST. James Island, near Charleston, South
Carolina. Upon examination of the office of the
Clerk of the County Court, found copy of his
will, in which he speaks of debt due to him from
the State which he could not believe she would re-
fuse to pay-and proceeds to appropriate the amount
| when collected. In subsequent clauses he devlses
and bequeaths all his real and personal estate to his
wife and daughter, and in the event of their dying
without issue devisng said estate from his merit Of
Kin or heirs at ,o His will is that all his
shall pass to his Executors Willie Jones and James
Hogg. The witnesses to it John Williams and
Alfred Moore. The daughter Of Gov. Burke is still
alive in Green County, Alabama.
This is another to whom North Carolina owes
monument. 10 his ardent love of liberty, and the
spirit of freedom that burned within him, we are
indebted for the invaluable Bill Of Rights under
which we now live That and our old State Con-
stitution being principally from his pen.
| The Records of this County are in an admirable
state of preservation from 1853. About 1904,
Richard Caswell, the first Governor of North Caro-
lima, after independence, was appointed Clerk Of the
County Court-but in short time some one was
| appointed Deputy.
| i had pointed out to ME on Churton street, the
original Court House, and the building in which the
Convention met to adopt the Constitution of the
United States. At that sitting it was rejected, but
the speeches of such men as Judge Iredell, in its
behalf had influence to have it accepted the follow
ing year at Halifax.
The present Court House stands in the centre OF
the Town. 1t is modern brick building, and equal
to any in the State. 4 cupola rises from its roof
in which is The town Clock-a present from his
Majesty George the Sd to Col. Tanning, to be by
him presented to the Royal Borough of Hillsbor-
| ough Both Donors and all of the Donees sleep the
sleep of death, but the Gift ticks on and ever and
its tongue of time" tells the hour to one and
all.
Strolling around the suburbs of the Town, / saw
many elegant and stately mansions, embosomed in
gigantic oak groves. EastwaIdly stands the former
residence of Ex-Chief Justice Rufin, now occupied
! by Gen. Cadwallader Jones. Beyond is the man
SION house Of Gov. Graham; and still further eas
lies the residence of Mrs. Kirkland, the hill beyond
which ascended and had a distant prospect of the
surrounding country, ard for some distance could
! trace the course of the Enoe. beyond which rose
stately nils, clOtneu anu crOWneu With an allnOS
mpenetrable oak forest, dressed in the gorgeous
drapery which autumn loves to wear.
Opposite the residence of Gov Graham stands
the house in which Pricstly Mangum lived and died
The Episcopal Church is literally embowered in al
oak grove, and is a neat tasteful building, but th
graveyard is much neglected Near the Church,
new house in the most modern fancy style, is bein,
built by Mr.. Hill.
On Queen street DIR. Long has recently erected
brick building addition to the house. tia
is the counterpart of the Ecces Farm House, il
Fayetteville. The old house has been renovated b,
modern 'front.' but the shingles still left to al
test its antiquity and to enable it to maintain inter
, est with those who veneratc the past. The res
e dences of DIR. Cain and DIR. Strudwick elegaI
and beautiful, rejecting credit on their taste. ak
. ing northwardly up Churton street, passed Mrs
It Burwells Female Seminary, which is adorned by
Q shady, roomy, and beautiful front yard. Continr
ing west reached the outskirts of the town, an
! walked back by the Hlsborough Academy, an In
stitution which had acquired almost national repr
]. tation and felt sad witnessing the evidences
!. J decay it now presents.
;, range of mountains, three in number, calle
the Ocanoechie mountains, rises abruptly on til
e south-side of the Town. They had tantalized II
o all day; wherever looked they seemed to attra
my notice. l could stand it no longer; crossed tt
River Enoe stepping stones, ascended to the sun
n nit of the nearest mountain, and looked down upo
e the Town below, and around on either hand over
:. large space of beautiful landscape, alternating
/ hill and dale far as the eye could.reach. Th
B. ramble took longer time than / expected and pr
in vented ME the pleasure of dining with friend.
=. On my return passed the residence of Juds
Bailey, which is really beautiful and romantic hom
Close by stands the residence of Mr.. Norwood ar
further east is that of his father the late Judge No