Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04
BELLIES OF BUNCOMBE
A Peculiar Colony in Carolina Noted
for Its Pretty Girls.
COLONEL BUNC0MBE'S PET SLAVE
Becomes the Ancestor of Thriving Pas.
tOral Community.
THE CHURCH IN THE MOONLIT FOREST
WRITTEN FOR THE prsrArcH.I

combe would be complete without short
sketch of the illustrious Revolutionary pa
triot, Colonel Edward Buncombe, from
whom they derive their name. He was born
of English parentage A. d. 1742. At the
age of 25 he married and settled on the
island of St. kits. In 176S, with wife,
child and slaves, he embarked for the Caro-
lima coast, entered Hatteras, sailed on up
the Albemarle, landed at Mackey's creek,
and purchased large tracts of land in the
boundaries of the county of Tyrrel. Near
the still waters of Mackey's he erected his
famous residence "Buncombe Hail." Over
the gate at the entrance to the grounds of
the mansion was written this couplet:
"Buncombe Hall
Welcomes all?'
Which was true to the letter. The poor and
unfortunate never went away empty, and
his friends were always sumptuously enter
tained. At the breaking out Of the Revo-
luton ne raised a regiment, quartered 1t at
"Buncombe Hail." equipped it at his in
dividual expense, and when ready for serv-
ice he, at its head, gallantly fought in de-
tense of the colonies until wounded at the
battle of Brandywine. He was captured by
the British in that battle and carried to
Philadelphia where he died prisoner Of
war in 1879, at the early age =. 81.
A CAROLINA CHARoN.
Among Colonel Buncombe's slaves was
man namad Charon, far above the average
in intellect, appearance and reliability. In
fact. a mixture of European, Spanish and
African bloods coursed through his veins.
He was a great favorite of the ColonePs,
and after the termination of the war was
set free by the Buncombe family. Still, re-
carded as negro with few of the rights
and privileges of the white man, he was
what they termed in those days "free per-
son of color''-master OF his own time to
come and 60 when it suited him, but in
MANY respects no better than a slave.
Charon mingled with the lower class of
whites, and being naturally industrious and
caretaking was regarded very favorably by
the white trash" as the slaves called
those who permitted him to visit their
houses. This intercourse soon developed in
a case of natural admiration and love be-
tween him and a comely untutored white
girl. Her parents were very poor and de-
graded, AID really had no objection to the
union; but the law interposed, and
said there should be no marriage be-
tween the whites and 'free persons of
color" When there was suspicion that
either party were white it was necessary to
had mixed blood in them.
1t seems that the lovers were not to be
thwe-ted, for Charon gashed his arm, and
while the blood was flowing his sweetheart
placed her mouth upon The open wound and
drank freely of the purple fluid. She then
took the necessary oath and they were mar
ried. They were blessed with a numerous
progeny, and from them are directly de-
scended ''the yellow bellies of Buncombe."
BECOMING A LANDED PROPRIETOR.
In those days land was verv cheap in
Carolina-selling in some instances as low
as 25 cents per acre. Charon had save 500
in the years since obtaining his freedom,
and with it he purchased a tract of 400
acres, unbroken wilderness, situate some
miles from any other inhabitants. 1t was
there he moved mis- family and there his de-
scendants dwell to this day. The country
in the meantime filled up and land became
more valuable, SO they are not SO isolated
now. Indeed they form an interesting
community in close proximity to prosper
GUS and wealthy agricultural section.
For a century they have dwelt on this
land, and multiplied until they number
many dozen families. Regarded as negroes
by the white people, yet in all their history
blooded negro. They mated only with mu-
petuated their individuality in complexion,
etc. Proud and independent, they claim to
be the aristocracy of the negroes; and till
this day look with contempt upon those who
were freed by the late war, and speak of
them as the "new issue" On the other hand,
the old slaves regard them lightly.
But the yellow bellies of Buncombe are
much more popular than their duskier
cousins. At festivals, picnics, etc., where
the two are frequently brought together, the
attention shown the yellow girls is notica-
BILE in a very marked degree-often to the
entire neglect of the blacks. And that
THEY ARE PRETTY
no admirer of female loveliness will DENY.
They are tall and straight, with we'll
rounded and splendidly developed forms;
threes along the secluded pathways
of their community they appear as
active and supple as the wild faWns of the
neighboring forests. Their small, yellow
feet and ankles show plainly beneath bright
print gowns; an immense bandana, Tam
O'Shanter fashion, encases their coils of
shining, black hair, though sometimes it is
allowed to fall Gown the back in long, thick
plaits Their eyes are fine, nose straight,
cheeks dimpled, and teeth perfect. Ali
use snuff, and love candy and red ribbon.
If two men are courting the same belle, the
chap that carries her the most snuff, candy
and ribbon generally wins the prize. They
ruarry young and make good mothers
During cotton picking they can be seen
by dozens vending their way to the ada
cent plantations, where they remain all day
in the fields gathering the snowy staple
amid continual song and laughter. The
mocking birds singing in the apple trees
are no happier than they, nor the wild fow-
ers freer with their perfume.
They all belong TO the church and are
regular attendants every Sabbath. After
the crops are laid by, about the LIST of Au-
gust, they hold their ''bIg meeting" which
lasts sometimes two weeks, night and day,
and attracts delegations from adjoiping
counties. Such another collection of mu-
lattoes would be hard to find in the entire
South. All negroes are initiative and all
negroes sing well; but these colored people
are exceptional. The preacher sings his
sermon and his PRAYER is a song-but look
for melody when the congregation rises and
sings "Ham-mer-ing," while the minister is
urging sinners to the mourners' bench.
AN ENHANCING SCENE.
Picture a dimly lighted church sur
rounded by grove of southern pine trees.
whose every shadow is plainly outlined
upon the white sandy soil by bright moon
In cloudless sky. The very air is still and
listless, scarcely creating a murmur among
the long green needles overhead, but ready
10 resound the slightest noise. The boot of the
owl in the distance seems to be at tyour side,
and the swapping of reed in the low grounds
crashes through space like the report of
pistol. Imagine yourself standing in this
piney grove about the church, both hands
Of your watch, which you examine by the
light of the moon, nearing the midnight
hour, the seclusion of the spot almost pain
full TO contemplate, then be ready for the
uutburst Of hundred trained voices ioin-
ing in hymn, as the mourners are