Dobbs County, NC - 1st 1788 Election News

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Newbern, NC - April 16

Agreeably to the resolve of the General Assembly, the freemen of the
county of Dobbs, met at the Court-house in Kingston on the last Friday
and Saturday in March in order to elect persons to represent them in
Convention at Hillsbgorough on the third Monday in July next; 
accordingly Richard Caswell, James Glasgow, John Harritage, Bryan
Whitefield and Benjamin Sheppard, Esqrs. were candidates supposed
to be in favor of the Federal Constitution; Jacob Johnston, Morris
Westbrook, Isaac Croom, Abraham Baker, and Absalom Price were 
candidates supposed to be the opposers of the Federal Constitution.

The whole number of votes were three hundred and seventy-two; at
sunset on Saturday the poll was closed and the sheriff proceeded
to call out the tickets; two hundred and eighty-two tickets were
called out, the hindmost in number on the poll of the anti-federalists
had one hundred and fifty-five votes, the foremost in number of the
federalists had only one hundred and twenty-one, and the tickets
coming out fast in favor of the antifederalists, the other party
seemed fully convinced they should lose their election, and appeared
to be much exasperated at the same, especially Col. B. Sheppard
who with sundry other cast out many aspersions and very degrading
and abusive language to the other candidates which was not returned
by any of the candidates, or any person on their part with so much
as one provoking word.

At length Col. B. Sheppard went upon the bench where the sheriffs,
inspectors, and clerks were attending their business and swore he
would beat one of the inspectors who had been peaceably and
dilligently attending to his business, and having a number of clubs
ready prepared, the persons holding the candles were suddenly
knocked or pushed down, and all the candles in the Court-house were
instantly put out; many blows with clubs was heard to pass, (but
it being dark, they did the most damage to the federalists.)

The anti-federal candidates being unapprized of such violent assault
and expecting better treatment from men who would wish to wear the
character of gentlemen were in no posture of defence and finding
their lives in danger thought it most advisable to retire privately
in the dark, but one of them (to wit) Isaac Croom was overtaken in
the street by a party of their men consisting of twelve or fifteen,
with clubs who fell on him and much abused him insomuch that he
was driven to the necessity of mounting his horse and riding for his
life; the sheriff also related that in the time of the riot in the
Court-house, he received a blow by a club, and that the ticket-box
was violently taken away.

Source: Middlesex Gazette - June 2, 1788

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Guy Potts - gpotts1@nc.rr.com
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