Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-09-21

one sou. EuSIltOlI OSA1S ChN
metropolis and principal port,
he determined to locate here, and
settled at Strawberry Hill, still
pretty suburban villa. The
exact date of his emigration is
not known, but it was just prior
to the Revolution. Soon after
arriving here, he fell in love
with Miss Elizabeth Earl, the
beautiful second daughter of the
Rev. Daniel Earl, D. D., residing
at Bandon, and rector of ST.
Paul's Church Edenton. Ira
dition says that she did not at
first smile upon Mr.. Johnson,
many years her senior, but,
through the influence of her
father, who esteemed him very
highly, she finally married him
and moved to Strawberry Hill,
but did not live more than four
or FIVE years, leaving little son
Charles Earl Johnson just three
years old. Her death was the re-
suit of All accident, while out
driving with her step-son
Thomas the horses became
frightened and threw her from
the vehicle, ultimately causing
her death, she was buried in a
vault at Strawberry Hill. This
step-son Thomas lived at Straw
berry Hill until his fathers
death, when he became a lawyer,
moved near Plymouth and died a
bachelor. Mr.. johnson lived at
Strawberry Hill until the death
of "Parson Earl in 1880, when
he moved to Bandon.
Mr.. Johnson was distinguish
ed soldierly looking gentleman,
rather above medium height, de-
cidedly Scotch, with yellowish
brown hair and blue eyes, a cast
of features still to be found in
the family, and was in every way
most accomplished gentleman.
He could speak fuently French,
German, and Italian, and would
often act as an interpreter for
foreigners, the knowledge of
those languages he acquired
while a refugee On the continent
Of Europe. He was a very reti-
cent man. At the very begin
ming of the Revolution he be-
came an ardent advocate for the
liberty of the colonies, and
though too old to enlist in the
army, like the venerable Nestor
he lent his eloquence and wis
dom to the cause. He took an
active part in national and state
affairs, and i'll everything which
tended to the advancement of his
country. He was member of
the state senate I78I-84, and
again 1888 92,when he was elect
ed the president. While Vice
President of the Convention
he wrote Judge Iredell, whose
friendship he greatly esteemed,
informing him of The ratification
of the constitution, and also of
the death ofGenl. Caswell. In
1880 he was mentioned as a
prominent candidate for Cover
nor. He was elected to the sew
enth Congress from this district
in 1901, but resigned on account
of inhrmity and died in 1902.
He was the first President of the
first Board of Trustees of the
State University. His crest was
a flying spur, and his motto
"NunqHam non baratuS, identical
with the Hayes Johnstons. He
was buried at Strawberry Hill,
and his son Charles Earl johnson
then became sole heir of Bandon,
and of large estates in ChoWan
including many slaves; While
inheriting the wealth of his
father, he also inherited his vir-
tues and abilities. He married
Miss Nancy Taylor OF Granville
County. No man in the state
ever stood higher, like his father
he also represented his county
several times in the Senate. He
was exceedingly kind, magnan-
inous, and charitable, and would
often supply the poor of his
neighborhood with fish from his
fishery, which his grandfather
"Parson Earl" had inaugufated.
"Parson Earl was such a
unique character, that I feel that
this sketch would be incomplete
without some allusion to him.
He was the much beloved parson
of all this country, baptizing all
the children, ministering at all
the death beds and 1narriges, he
thus became the welcome guest
Of every freside; He was in strik-
ing contrast to some of the early |
here, who cared but
little for their Pensioners, ex-
>ept SO far as they contributed to
20 their selfish desires. Parson
Earl was full of energy, public
spirit and enterprise and estab-
ished an advanced school at BAN
Ion for boys i'll which he was
assisted by his daughter Nancy.
They instructed in Latin, Greek
and Mathematics. He also made