The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27

of his If he had ever heard oil any one
that came from Bladen COUNTY, North
Carolina. and said that he never had This
remark of Colonel Fuller has caused
much comment in Eastern North Caro-
lima, and especially in Bladen, which
county has furnished her full quota OF
the distinguished men who have adorned
the great Commonwealth from the ear
Lest days OF its existence until the pres
ent time.
Governor Gabriel Johnson, The second
Royal Governor OF the State, lived in
Bladen on the west bank Of the Cape
Fear River, about four miles above
The ruins of his palace,
: BIompton,'' are yet visible. The prop
crtv is now owned by the heirs of the
late Duncan Cromsrtie, Esq. Governor
Johnston Is said to have been the ablest
OF ell the Colonial Governors; not less
distinguished for his energy and prudence
than for his extensive classical anu
Scientific attachments. He continued in
Office from 1874 until his death in 1852,
and was succeeded in office nv Matthew
Rowan, also of Bladen. During 'ioTern II
JChnston's term of Office many Scotch
Highlanders emigrated to this section and
settled in the country contiguous TO the
Governors estate and many OF their de-
sccpdants are now scattered throughout
thu Upper Cape Fear section. About
lou. miles farther up the river IRON
''Brompton' palace and on the same side
OF the stream is historic owen Hill, the
magnificent home OF that distinguished
North Carolinian, the late Governor John
Owen (Mr. Monroe has it James Owen.
wECm 7 think was the last Governor ap-
pointed by the Legislature. Governor
Owen was one of the most famous men
the country has produced. He was
candidate for the United States Senate IN
1890, but was defeated by Judge Willie
p Mangum, of Orange. He was char
nan of the national convention Of lS4O
that nominated William Henry Harrison
for President and John Tyler for Vice
President Governor Owen was offered
the nomination for Vice President. but de
ciined. Had he accepted he would have
be- come President as Harrison died one
lncnth after his Inauguration. Governor
Owen had but one child, a daughter Miss
Ellen p, who married Col. Haywood w.
Guion a learned and distinguished jurist
aud author. He has been dead for num-
Der of years. Mrs. Guion died in 1897 at
"Owen HILL" Their adopted daughter,
Miss Anna Guion stith owns Owen Hill'
estate and resides there. Zone writer has
stated that it is owned by Canadiano
The old Moorish Prince Morian died and
is buried at "Owen HILL He WAS mart
Arab and was educated and has proba-
bly, been written more of than any other
Southern negro except possibly Booker 7.
Washington.
There was Colonel Morehead who
died and is buried at Owen Hill"
General James Owen was brother Of
Governor Owen, and lived across the river
az Milton plantation, opposite owen
HILL" He was a very prominent man
and represented the Cape Fear district in
Congress Col. Thomas Owen, father of
Governor Owen and General Owen, was
noted man in his time. He was q mem
Der of the Halifax Congress. the other
me mbers of that Congress from Bladen
were Col. Thomas Robertson, Thomas
Amis and James Council. Col. Owen was
q large land and slave owner, as were
also his distinguished sons. Col. Thomas
Robson, in whose honor the great
county of Robson was named, was a
Bladen man and won distinction in the
Revolution The Robson family is still
prominent in the county. Another prom
inent man of the county was General
Jan.es j. MacKay, who represented the
district in Congress for many years, and
was chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. which position attested that
he was held in the highest esteem and
was regarded as a man of great ability
by his colleagues in Congress. Many of
his relatives are citizens of the county
at this time.
Another gentleman of the historic old
County who represented the Cape Fear
district in Congress was Hon. David Gil
lc>pie. Many of his numerous descend
ants are now prominent citizens OF this
and other counties. His son, thc vener-
able DR.. David Gillespie, is std living,
and is one of Baden county's oldest and
1nt st highly esteemed citizens. In q beau
tiul mansion overlooking the placid wa
tiers of the Cape Fear River lived
veteran of the Revolution, General
Thomas Brown, a man OF influence
wealth and fame He did heroic service
at the battle of Elizabethtown. and dur
ing the War of 1912 was in command OF
q division of North Carolina soldiers at
Norfolk, Va. in 1918. He was the great
grandfather of ex-Judge T. B. Womack,
of Raleigh, now a member OF the North
Carolina Code Commission. Governor
Owen married a daughter of General
Brown.
In that great conflict pa.w-cl tie
North aud South Bladen furnished at
|. asst four Of IKE Co'oaels in tha Conied
crate army, viz: Col. Joha A. Mcdowell,
G. T':ewas j. Purdl2, Colonel John
Richardson and Colonol George TAFT.
Cr.o mel Mcdowell died in 1899, loved,
IGNORED and respects ed. Colonel Purde
was killed at Charlottesville the same
t;;y that General ''StCaewall' Jackson
rce eived his mortal woan1 Col. Richard
son served as Solicitor Of this district al
ter the war and ] think died in office.
Colonel TAFT removed 20 Norfolk, Va, |
since the war, and wl4h his sons estab- |
lsEed tn. seed house oil George TAFT and |
Sens, one of the leading firms of its
kid in The South. ,in firm is still in |
{ xiotence Colonel Tat dicl few years
epo at Bladenboro, NJ T., while here Wis
itIIc relatives.
The county furnished her full share of
men for the Confederate army, many of
whom distinguished themselves for gal
larry on the field of hattle.