The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-01
TO
HENRY HORACE WILLIAMS
WHO
James Sprunt Historical Monograph,
No. 4.

The James Sprunt Historical Mon
ograph No. A. has just been issued
from the University Press. This num-
Der consists of letters and documents
relating to the early history OF the
Lower Cape Fear, and is edited with
an introduction and notes by the dIs-
tinguished Professor of History in the
University DR.. Kemp T. Battle. Inc
interest and Importance of this num-
Der is we'll vouched for by the name
of it's editor and by the subject with
which it deals. OF the former moth
ing need be said to North Carolina
reader DR.. Battles vast store OF
knowledge about North Carolina MS
tory, his accuracy, his clear and con-
else stvle. and his enthusiasm about
ANYTHING concerning his State are too
we'll known to need comment, and any
historical publication that goes 'out
under his guardianship needs no fur-
Their introduction.
At the same time it may
be of interest to the News
and Observer readers to know
something of this new number
of the James Sprunt Monograph.
Your readers are already familiar
with the patriotic generosity of Mr..
Sprunt by which this series of inValu-
able publications are made possible.
The contents of the present num-
Der are as follows: Extracts from the
papers of the DeRoSset family, or
Wilmington; Extracts from the Jour-
nal of the Board of Commissioners
of Wilmington, dating from 1743 to
1878, with an introduction by Cap
tain Samuel A. Ashe; Journal OF
Joshua Potts in regard to the loca-
ton of Smithville (SouthporD; Letter
from Capt. Samuel Ashe, son of Gov
ernor Samuel Ashe and soldier OF
the Revolutions; Journal or Gen. 10
seph G.. Swift, q. S. A, who was sta
toned on our coast about 1907; Ex-
tracts from an grafton by Col. James
Ct. Burr. giving important informa-
ton of Cape Fear history. The mate
rial is all, now published for the first
time, and throws a great deal of light
on the history of the Cape Fear sec
ton Obscure references are explain
ed in interesting notes by DR.. Battle.
A few quotations from the Monograph
may be of interest as showing the
character and value of the publica-
ton.
The brief but brilliant introduction
is by Dr. Battle himself. He pays a
deserved tribute to-the- patriotism of
the Cape Fear. This section of the
State" he writes, has been conspicu-
Gus from it's first settlement for the
wealth, the intelligence, the hospitali-
ty, the elegant manners, and public
spirit of it's citizens One OF It's ear
hest settlers, Colonel Maurice Moore,
was a chief factor in crushing the In
dian rising of 1711. Another, Col.
Hugh Waddell, did important services
I'm the French and Indian war. IS
Ashes, it's Moores, it's Harnett. its
Hooper, it's Howe, it's Ellington, and
other strong men were among the
foremost in resisting oppression AID
I'D .:.yst len
have in large degree aided in mould
ing our institutions" The introduce
ton is devoted to brief summary of
the history of the section with which
the Monograph deals. introducing the
reader to the patriots who made that
section, and contributed in no small
degree to the making of the State.
Forty-four pages are devoted to the
letters and documents of the DeRosiet
family. The first member of mi!
family came to North Carolina prior
to 1885, and from that day to this,
period of 169 years, the family ha!
heen prominent in the social and bus
mess life of the Cape Fear. 1t is IN
teresting TO note the succession .
physicians in this family. The frs
DeRosset to come to America was Ar
mond DeRosset 1695-1760), an NJ. d
of Basic University, Switzerland; fol
lowing him the following were mem
hers of the same profession; his so
Moses John DeRosset 1726-1467)
his son Almond John DeRosset d767
1881: his two sons. Moses John De
Rosset. (1796-1S26). and Armon
John DeRosset, GS07-1S9O. 1t thu
appears that for period of 1872 year
there was a physician of this famil
nrominent in the community and
. the State. One of the most interest
ing documents published in the Mon
ogra ph-at least l imagine II is inter
astine since the substance of it is cor
ceaIed in the Latin languages
COPY of the diploma granted to tn
first DIR. DeRosset by the Universit
of Basic. DIR. DeRossets eldest sol
Lewis Henry DeRosset was prom