Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-04-03
SOME OF THE NOTED MEN
IN HONOR OF WHOM SOME or THE
STREETS ~ EoENToN WERE NAMED.

DEAR EDIroR:-It is deplorabIe fact
that "Our Town Council" should have
changed the name of Eden Alley TO
, the sentimental one of Magnolia Street.
Why not let it remain nc it was? Or
if a change was desired, Such nam ss
{ as Irsdell. Hewes. Johnston, Pollock
or Cab:.rrus would have been eminent
~ appropriate, NO history will forever
associate them with EdentSn. and it's
pact: have written you few sketch
IS, frsm facts gathered from various
sources, Of some Of the noted men in
honor Of whom our streets were named,
MosELEY STREET.
The most conspicuous fgue connect
ed with the early history Of Edenton
and the Colony was Edward Moseiey. Q
RAN of marked ability. As n lawyer
scholar, legislator, and gentleman he
stood preeninent. He was the first Chief
Justice of the Province, from 1909 to
I'LL, and was subsequently appointed
30 she same Office in 1920. which he held
until the close of the Provincial Gov
eminent in 1929.
In 1909, while holding the office of
Surveyor General, he was appointed by
the Governor and Council AZ one of the
commissioners TO establish the line be-
tween North Carolina and Virginia, and
settled in an amic&b'e and satisfactory
manner that long standing controversy
lie was also On the Commission to run
she line between North and South Car =
olina. This Office he filled with sig nal
ability for twenty years. Soon after
Eden was appointed Governor, and as-
sumsd the duties of the Office. Noseley.
who was Speaker Of the House, and the
leading spirit there, passed some reso-
buttons condemning the course of the
Governor, and his method IF admins
tering the affairs of the Province.
Noseley, even in those days, declared
that the people had their sovereign
rights. Eden in retaliation dissolved
the Assembly-1715. From that time
on Eden and Moseley were unreleAting
enemies. Abe ut this time the celebra-
ted Teach, Tor Thatch, as it is sometimes
spelled was infssting our coast and
sounds, and committing all sorts of
piratical depredations. He was the
terror of the seas, his giant figure, long
black beard, and austere misn had won
for him the soubli quet of odd Black
beard" He was a man Ct great brave
~ and adventure and was typical
representative of the buccaneers, who
in those days infested the high seas,
and paralv " ed the infant commerce of
the colonies.
The buccaneers Of those old days were
not universally regarded rs outlaws Of
rhe sea, but they bad a hernism, and 70
nance attached to their adventures,
lob, I'D ~, Il
timed Knight. Errantry, OF which It was
doubtless perversion. Loud were the
cries throughout the province for the
suppression af piracy, and the. apprs
hensiOn of Blackboard, to all of
which Eden was apparently very in
different. This was more than MOseley
could endure, he wrote insulting letters
to Eden, and was foremost in accusing
him of completely with Teach and of col.
luding with him ia the division of the
spoils. Though Moseley has been called
q preludiced and resentful man, yet his
tory Is partial to his convictions, aid
throws suspicion upon the character
of Eden which time has failed to clear,
and will ever remain . blemish upon
his otherwise stainless escutcheon. 1t
is fact That Teach went to Eden House
to obtain pardon under a proclamation
Offering pardon to all parties, who
would abandon their piracy, and be-
come quiet citizens and Obtained Il GER
tificate from the Governor, but the
restless, daring spirit of Teach soon
drove him back to his old occupation.
This visit of Teach to Eden had no
doubt something to do with confirm ng
the above suspicion, together with the
finding of certain papers after the cap
ture of the pirate, duplicating Tobias
Knight. then Chief Justice of the Colo
NY and Secretary to Gov. Eden. It was
not until Gov. Spotswood, of Virginia.
"KnighG of the Golden Horse Shse"
sent Capt. Maynard into our waters
with maR-of-war, that Blackboard
was finally captured. He made gal
liant fight, but Maynard killed him in
hand to hand engagement and nailed
his head to the bow of his ship, and
sailed to Williamsburg, where the sur
vivors were tried and executed. He had
great many hiding places for his ILL
gotten treasures, among them was
Holiday s Island. 1t is said that he
buried man with each chest of gold
to guard it. There is a belief among
some of the people along our coast that
Teach SWAN three times around his yes
sci after his head was severed and his
body thrown into the water. Te the
imaginative and supsrRtitious seamen
even of this day the phantom ship of
Teach. and his gallant crew may be
seen by moonlight flying with her
white sails after them. Fer the inter-
eating letter Of Gov. Spotswood to Lord
Cartwright, Feb. 14th. 171S, concerning
Teach and his capture. see Colonial