The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-25
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
wf1mington's Noble and Generous
Response to the Distressed People
of Boston In 1774.
Ington. n. c.. February 20. 1902.

Wilmington. n. c., February 20, 1902
Editors Messenger:
With reference to Professor Grady's
communication and the editorial COM
mendation In this mornings "Messen-
ger" II may interest o to give the
following more exact information on
the subject of Wilmington's noble re-
sponse to the distress of Boston In 177i-
Parker Ounce. the elder son OF Rich
ard Ounce the first. who was a worthy
merchant of Wilmington, was noted for
his humane and patriotic efforts for the
relief Of the suffering people Of Boston,
whose port had been closed by British
authority. and who depended for sus-
tena. &c Lpon the lie. -4b0ri.g provinces.
In "Jones Defence Of North Caroi..a,'
page 126. we find hat the sufferings of
the people of Boston are alluded to by
Mr.. Hooper. who in one Of his letters
August 5. IVA. to his friend Mr.. Iredell.
says: THE people of the Cape Fear
have sent a vessel loaded with provis-
ions for the support Of Boston. The
subscription in a few days amounted
to $500 sterling tS4, 600, and in all other
respects they discover a very proper
resentment for the injuries done to that
people,"
In response to my personal request
for Information respecting the Ounce
family in general. and the Boston Relief
incident in particular. Captain Samuel
A. Ashe. formerly editor of The Rale on
News and Observer Chronicle" said:
My grandfather in a letter written in
1888 referring to the Ounces as among
the patriots OF the revolution, says that
they did not mingle in public affairs
but were wings in their politics. In
17T4 Parker Ounce furnished a ship to
carry provisions to Boston, free OF
freight. He was a merchant of the
rnUn of VNilninO fnn II that voar tho
port Of Boston was closed by British
authority and all business suspended:
the citizens were sustained by outside
contributions. In July 1774. the people
of the district of Wilmington, embrac-
ing the Cape ear countries, met at
Wilmington, and among the r resolu-
tons is a statement that 1--WE have sent
a supply of provisions for the INDECENT
Inhabitants of Boston. They say WE
now observe with particular pleasure
that several widow ladies of this town
a contributed very literally to q
subscription that had beer opened
inhabitants of Boston, They say we
last of July, 17I4. in an address to the
people. the Wilmington committee say:
We have reason to congratulate our
selves upon the generous contributions
of the Inhabitants, which has put in
our power to load a vessel with provis-
ions. which will sail his week for the
port Of Salem. the port Of Boston being
closed. the vessel had to be cleared for
Salem"
Captain Ashe continues: "a letter
from Wilmington, August 1174. says: d
subscription having been set on foot for
the support of Boston, a very few days
from a very few individuals, produced
as much as loaded a vessel. by which
this letter comes. and by this time ]
have no doubt enough is collected to
load another vessel Another letter
of August 3. written to a gentleman n
Boston. says: No sooner was q sub
scription put about for the relief Of our
suffering brethren in Boston, than in a
few laws over two thousand pounds in
currency was raised, sand it is expected
something very considerable will be
contributed at Newbern and Edenton
fer the same robe purpos,, AS subscrip.
tons are set on foot in every county in
the province. You will receive this by
Mr.. Parker Ounce. who generously
made ar offer of his vessel to carry n
load of provisions to Boston, 'freigh,
free. and What rebounds to the honor
of the tars the master and marines
navigated her without receiving one
farthing OF wages"
"Mr. Parker Ounce lied in England
in 1855 and had two Richard ano
William SuranZO He married Susan
nah Hasell. a granddaughter Of Chief
Justice Hnsell. and a great grandaugh.
ter of Colonel William Rhett. OF
Charleston"
when the late Mr.. William A
Wright. of this city, visited Washing.
ton in 1866 or 81 in the interests OF Mr.
Parker Ounce. who had been collector
of the port Of Wilmington for a short
period under President Andrew John.
sons administration. and who wi het
to collect a claim against the govern
ment which was in dispute, Mr.. Wright
appeared before the senate committee
of which the distinguished Charlie!
Sumner was chairman, and when Mr.
Wright mentioned the name of Parker
Ounce. Mr.. Sumner turned quickly
towards him and said with much feel
ing: That name, sir, is greatly endear.
ed to the people of Boston, for it has
come Down to them from revolutionary
TINS in connection with an act Of great
kindness and sympathy shown them By
the people OF North Carolina in the
early days of the revolution"
Yours truly.