The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-17
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.
EDENToN, N: G., july 4th, 1866

Edenton, the capital of Chowan county, is
named in compliment after Charles Eden, the
royaf Governor Of the Province, in l7l3, and
who lies buried in Berthe county. During his
administration, the notorious pirate Edward
Leach. commonly called Black Beard, who de-
fed The Government, and spread terror along
the coast. surrendered with twenty of his men
to Gov. Eden Leach having acquired habits
lilly suited to life of peace, he fitted out q
soop at a place which now bears his name,
wthio Ocracoke Inlet, called .Leach's Hole, and
again went forth on piratical adventures. Such
was the annoyance of his depredations that the
Assembly of Virginia offered one huodred
pounds for his apprehension Twos mall coasters,
under Lieut. Maynard 7lS, sailed FROM Hamp-
ton Roads in quest Of him. He was found at
his uSuals place Of rendezvous, near Ocracoke
The action Immediately commenced. Leach
boosted tha, he neither asked nor gave quarters
t At one broadside nineteen of Maynards men
were killed. The pirates boarded his ship; a
fierce and deadly combat ensued. The two
commanders met, and Leach fell. covered with
blood Maynard sailed with the head of Leach
hung to the bowsprt of his vessel To this
day, superstition still preserves bis name, with
heaps of buried treasure The residence of
Gov: Eden is still in good condition, and has
long been the mansion Of the family of Nathan
iel Bond, Esq and is at present occupied by
four.of his estipable daughters, who regarded
for their picty, intelligence and general worth.
In 1920 Gov. Eden assembled the Leglsa.
turc here, and at this session the town, which
had been some time established, (17l6) was
cal'ed Edenton. The ancient records OF the
court at Edenton are full Of interest and are
filed in the Superior Court Clerks Office.
Chowan county derives its name from the
tribe OF Indians, Chowanokes, who once owned.
and Inhabited this territory. The beautiful
sheet of water on which Edenton is situated,
preserves the name of General Monk, Duke of
Albemarle, whose efforts restored Charles IL to
his crown and kingdom, and who was one of the
Lords Proprietors Of Carolina. The early his
tory OF ChoXan IS full of incidents.
The Albemarle Sound is rendered still more
historical and noted the scene of one Of the
greatest naval engagements 10 the annals Of his
tory, during the late war, which is famllla: to
every one: the fight between Capt Jas Cooke,
of the ram Albemarle, and a Federal feet Of
nine gunboats, in which the Albemarle retired
victor, having disabled one ship, and damaged
several others. Captain Cooke is native of
North Carolina and resident of Portsmouth -.
lie has declined Captaincy in the Russian
navy.
The crops are backward, and not SO good as
they could be desired. The cotton generally is
looking badly; more attention is paid to cotton
than any other article.
This country formerly produced large guam
titles of wheat and corn, which found its way
to Norfolk; but the yield this year will not be
more than is required for home consumption
Formerly there were many wealthy and very
extensive planters, but few large ones now
Cor. Of Nortotk Urgi"aan.