The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-01-09

issuing under his own sigma .
ture. In response to these and to his
tervid eloquence. as also to the events
SO rapidly eliminating in all the
colonies, those grand old patriots.
Cornelius Harnett, Richard Caswell.
Samuel Johnston, John Ashe. William
Hooper. Edward Vail, Joseph Hewes.
b Howe. and others assembled in
New Bern August IS, 1114. and
formed the first independent Proyin-
cial Congress OF North Carolina. OF
this historic Assembly. John Harvey
was chosen moderator, or speaker.
At its close, the thanks of that body
were given him in these words: For
his faithful exercise Of that office and
the service he has thereby rendered
this province and the ree0cm of
America in general"
Every county was represented ex-
cept EdgecQmbe. Hartford, Guilford.
Surry, and Wake. Though Edge
connie was not represented in this first
Provincial Congress, she sent the fol-
lowing delegates in 1915: Robert Big
nall, Duncan Lamon. Thomas Hun
ter, Thomas Hail, and Henry Irwin.
To the Congress which met at Halt
fax in 1875, she sent William Hay
wood, Elisha Battle, Jonas Johnston,
Isaac Sessums. William Horn.
vt the Congress which met at
Hillsboro. Henry Irwin was appointed
Northumberland, September ., 1916,
n at this time and in this same regi-
ment Jethro Sumner was appointed
major, later to become q famous gen
eral.
In 1777, during the month of Sep
temper, at Germantown, occurred one
Of the earliest and most dramatic
battles of the Revolution. in which
Washington and his soldiers exhibited
such superb daring that the world
aWaked to Washington's genius for
command, and recognized in his
soldiers that dauntless American
spirit which could nevcr be subju-
gated. In this battle fell the grave
and gallant Henry Irwin. and though
his blood was shed and his body rests
in another State, his name and his
ane bClong TO Edgecombe. In this
brilliant engagement, which only by
an accident escaped being a glorious
victory for the Americans. North a
Olina's wounds were deep-not only
Colonel Irwin, but Gen. Francis Nash,
Capt. Jacob Turner, and others Of her
sons We're killed.
Among E~dgccomhe's Revolutionary
heroes appear the names Of Jonas
Johnson. member Of the House OF
Commons in 1776-7, major in the
Revolution, severely wounded at The
battle Of Stone, from which he dice
before reaching home; WilIiam Hay.
wood, colonel Of the county during
the Revolution, member OF the FRO.
vincial Congress, member Of the con
mittee which framed our State COnsti
tuition Of 1176, which, as amended, re
manned our Fundamental law unit
1869; Hon. Elisha Battle. member 0
the State Congress Of 1T1G, a firm
n decided patriot. whose descend
ants have occupied positions Of homo
and trust in all the succeeding year
of our history: Hon. Ethelred Phillip
. represented EdgecOmbe in the Assem-
bly, Of 1890: Hon. Thomas Bloun
entered the Continent "a army at tn
age Of seventeen. Tho ugh not a nativ
OF Edgeconbe, he located in Tarbor
9 ough soon after the Revolution IN
t was in the Assembly from Edgecomb
5 in 1899, and in Congress from thi
8 district from 1903 until his death i
1912. The house in which he live
: and entertained with his wife, tn
handsome Mary J~acuueline Sumner
daughter of Genera Sumner, sti
! stands one Of the old landmarks G
y modern Marlborough.
d There are many other prOminen
d names Of E.dgecombe's sons VINO hav
contributed to the States long oil c
honor, but space forbids their mer
:, ton. l cannot, however. omit TIA
= names of Gen. Louis Dicken Wilson
: the hero of Mexican war fame,
" whose m a marble shaft grace
the beautiful Marlborough Common
:, nor Of Henry Toole Clark, Governo
Of North Carolina in the perilous day
" of 1862; nor Of William Dorsey Per
der. q major-general in the Confet
crate States army at the 6 {
tW~enty-nine; nor of DR.. Joseph lOu
e Cheshire, who exercised such q bea,
tiful nhuence in Marlborough for
Q long and led the ideal life Of an Ems
IS fish clergyman.
IS ~Edgecombe's record is indeed
proud one, not only for these name
that ppcar on Fame etern;
.e camping ground but it is no less $
e Of the many who by their profession;
$ and business activities have guide
and shaped the destiny Of the tow
Ct and county.
d And, lastly, as we Loo upon tn
u fabric Of E~dgecombe's history we Sc
y a golden thread that runs thrOue
m oil ;tS WORN and uOof-o silent vet III