The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-23
RALEIGH HIGH SCHOOL BOY
ON COL. WAICHTSTILL AVERY

son Of Mr.. and Mrs. 6. II. stephenson.
of Raleigh, and a recent graduate OF
the Raleigh High School. 1t won the
gold medal offered by the North Caro-
lima Sons of the American Revolution
for the best article or. Col. Avery.
Colonel W~aighstill Avery was born
AT Groton. Connecticut, May 10, l14l.
TIL first of his ancestors to settle IN
this country, christopher Avery WIN
his young son, James, crossed the
ocean in the ship Arbella, and landed
i'm the year 1851 at the place "nere
Boston now stands.
When James Avery grew to man
hood ne married Joanna GreenslaQe.
The youngest of the ten children OF
this union was Waighstill, who was
the only son of this family to OBJ
tain n collegiate education, for ms
ath left no patrlmony for any OF
his children. other than an excellent
training and an admirable
Puritan of Purcst Type.
Thus Waighstill began life. a Puri-
tan Of purest type. He was prepared
for college by Reverend samuel Sea
bury, was graduated from Princeton
in 1866. and taught in the college the
succeeding year. Records show that
he was awarded the first honor In
his class and delivered the Latin sa-
lutatory. oliver Ellsworth, after
ward the chief justice of the Supreme
Court OF the 1Illeu oldltS, was Aio
Classmate, roommate. and lifelong
friend.
From college he went to Maryland
and studied law under LittletOn Den
mis-, a prominent lawyer of that place.
In 1869 we find him setting out for
North Carolina. His diary shows most
wildly the circumstances under which
ne came to the Old North State. It's
quaint phraseology is interesting 1t
affords so clear an insight in his char
acter, that we have little reason to
regret the absence of earlier details.
with reference to his manner of life,
his character in boyhood, .and his OPP
p%ortunity to acquire an education.
1t runs as follows:
Jan. 18th. 1769-In company with
Reverend Mr.. Charles J. Smith. set
out from Mr.. Ker's in Accomack, and
Wednesday crossed Chesapeake Bay,
suffered much with the cold in an
open boat, and landed at sunset nigh
Mr.. VIM. Armistead's.
Jan. 10. 20, 21.-My horse being
lame. Mr.. Smith left me; and here
tarried until Saturday, and saw 6
specimen of Virginia grandeur in thu
furniture and attendance of ARMS,
leads very large plantation. wei
furnished house, coach, and six, etc
Jan. 21-Ieft Armistead's and rod
almost to York River, 20 M.
Jan. 22.-Crossed and went to WINS
Burg. Is NJ. Horse still lame.
Jan. 23.-Monday, by Invitation
dined with Taswell, and waited OF
Mr.. Camm. Divinity Professor, in tn
College of Vim. and Mary.
Jan. 24.-Dined and supped wit
Mr.. Camm. who treated me civilly
being lame, sent the Usher to wal
on me in the Library, md went him
self to show me the apparatus.
Jan. 25.-Wednesday, called o
Mr.. Taswell, who having befor
promised his good offices, now CAV
Mr.. Camm, from whom, at takin
leave. l reed W friendly letters, an
Immediately left town, my horse lam
Jan. rs. 27. 2S.-Came to NJ
Burbridges. a good DID Presbyteria
with whom l tarried the two succeed
ing days.
Jan. 29.-Sunday, ode six miles
Providence Iron Works, on Chick;
hominy River, a branch OF James
Here, at his own house, l met aga
with the worthy Mr.. c. ]. Smith; WI
the same day. preached his first Sc
mon in that place. to an audience
600 persons as near as we cou
Judge.
Jan. 3O.-With Mr.. Smith took
critical view OF his saw mill, t,
grist mills, forge, plantation, etc.
Jan. 3l.-Judging my horse I'm
for the journey, rode out and bong
one for l. Il IS. Cd.
Feb. Sold my horse for l.
los, to Mr.. Holt: ode in compa
with Mr.. Smith. = MesSrS. Hollis a
sundry other gentlemen; went Is
to Charles City Court. After dinr
took leave of worthy Mr. Smith, a
crossed the James K ) M, n land
at dark. but having company contir
ed 10 M. to Edward Ayers.
Feb. 2-ROde southwardly We
crooked. saw few houses, cross
some rivers that empty into Edent
Sound. and after a disagreeable da
ride of 80 M. arrived at ParSon Aga,
Ill southampton County.
Feb. 3.-Leaving the Parson W
ala not appear very obliging.
steered my COuse easterly, to SuffC
80 NJ. this was 20 Nj. out of my v
to Edenton. all flor want of proper
telliSence. the people in that wild
ness being too ignorant to direct.
Feb. 4-Procured shoes set on
horse. and rode southerly iowa
Edenton, 80 NJ. entering this day i
North Carolina.
n Journey of HardShiDs.
Altho' at times he was led to on