The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-12-10
LIFE OF OUR FIRST
NATIVE
Hichard DObbs Spaight. Father OF a
Later Governor, All AUIc
Executive.

Tine address OH IltlIdIu 1oboo
Spaight delivered by Mr.. A. j. An
dIews. Jr, on November il, before
the Sons of the Revolution, is repro
duced in part rs follows. The adj
crcss, Which is too long to be given
here in its entirety, will be published
later by the Sons Of the revolution,
With fOotnote references to n Col
unial Records and other authorities
which the writer has examined. The
occasion Of the address, it will be re-
nlembered, was the presentation of a
portrait Of Governor Richard Dobbs
Spaight, ST., the gift being made by
the Sons of the Revolution to the
State.
The only omission not indicated Is
at the beginning, the entire introduce
ton being omitted for lack Of space
Editor.]
Richard Dobbs Spaight was born In
the city Of New Bern, n. c., on March
70, 1853. His father was Richard
Spaight, a granddaughter Of Governor
Arthur DODbS, who accompanied that
illustrious Irishman when he came to
North Carolina in October, 1884, to
become governor OF the Royal Col
Ony while his mother was a Miss
Elizabeth Wilson, Of Craven county.
Ills father, Richard Spaight, was sue
fessively acting clerk Of II Upper
House in December, 1854; in 1865
~paymaster to the North Carolina regi-
D,ent commanded by Colonel James
Innis which was a part Of the ILL.,
Yated expedition against the French
u Indians on the MonOngehela and
Ohio rivers which terminated so dis
astrously in the battle near the pres
ent site Of Pittsburgh. That same
yea he was commissioned secretary
Of the colony. and some time during
TIKI ho unn ,, rr{oA -1n lao ~
from the letter Of Governor Robert
Dinwtddie, OF Virginia, written on No
vember 10, that year. congratulating
Secretary Spaight upon his marriage.
He resided three miles from New
Bern. On the other side Of the Trent
river" and Was a p~arishioner Of the
Rev. James Reid, a missionary sent
out by the society for the propagation
for the Church of England. In 1857
Leech about the entry OF q tract Of
land on Bachelors creek. which
transaction was criticized in the
Colonial Assembly. On February 4,
1867. he was commissioned as q mem
Der Of the Council Of the Royal Gov
eInor and was indicted into Office on
November IS at New Bern. He also
George Augustus Sewlyn, who owned
a large tract Of land in the vicinity
OF the present city Of Charlotte, in
Guiding the site of hat city. In 1859
we find him still participating in the
deliberations OF the council and also
was n OF the committee Of sever
on the building OF the courthouse at
New Bern, also acted as associate
Judge Of the Court In 1850 he whip
e Thomas Core for %slandering his
wife, for which he was brought before
the assembly and excused. In 1851
he, with Joseph Leech and John Fon-
vile. were commissioned to complete
the courthouse. On April 26, 1861
The was allowed sixty pounds. the
value of a slave, Cato, who was out
lawed and died Of wounds inflicted ir
being apprehended. On December II
we find his last appearance in coun-
ell. and from o later date, February
%, 1853, we learn by Governor Arthu,
Dobbs that Richard Spaight died prior
20 that date.
Richard Spaight must have lef
considerable property, for on Apr
70, 1854, with Governor Arthur
Eobbs and Frederick GREGG (witl
Richard Lyon and John Davis, Jr.. a.
suretles), qualified as guardian 8
Richard Dobbs Spaight, giving bon,
for the sun Of 10, 900 pounds sterlin;
money on Great Britain.
Little is known Of the life Of Rich
ard DObbs Spaight for the next fit
'ttn years, his biographical sketche
stating that he "a sent abroad to b
educated and completed his edrcatio,
at the University of Glasgow, the nat
hfal deduction being hat he was i
the care Of his DobbS' relatives. hi
Gre9t-Grcat-uncle and guardian hayin
iclt Two sons, Mr.. Conway Dobbs. O
.Nhtrim, and Captain Edward Bric
lObhS, OF the English army. the lat
Yer having served as a member Of tn
council in North Carolina. AboJ
ltS lie returned to the colony. an
curing the stirring times Of 1878 an
1919 his personality must have i'm
pressed the people of his county, fc
cn october IS, 1879, he presented
certificate of election to the House {
Commons to the town of New Der
in the place of Richard Cogdell, VII
had been elected treasurer Of the di
trict Of New Bern. On October /
William BlOnnt aftprU-a r0c mir