Dobbs County, NC - 1st 1788 Dobbs Vote

From "Annals of Progress, the Story of Lenoir County and Kinston, North 
Carolina" by William S. Powell

The Election in 1788 was held for delegates to attend a convention in 
Hillsboro for the purpose of accepting or rejecting the proposed Federal 
Constitution. Sentiment against Federalism was particularly strong in Dobbs 
County. The Federalist ticket in the county was made up of Richard Caswell, 
James Glasgow, Benjamin Sheppard, Bryan Whitfield and John Heritage. The 
Anti-Federalist ticket was less distinguished but more popular. While the 
ballots were being counted in the Courthouse at night following the election,
it was noted that the Anti-Federalist ticket was leading by a substantial 
margin. Suddenly the light was extinguished and the ballot box disappeared 
so that the Sheriff, charged with counting the ballots, declared himself 
unable to determine which ticket had been elected. The Federalist Governor 
recommended under the circumstances that the voters of Dobbs County meet at 
the Courthouse in Kinston on an appointed day to elect delegates. This 
meeting was held, but only 85 voters, all Federalists, participated in the 
second election. The Hillsboro Convention unseated this Federalist 
delegation from Dobbs and refused to seat the Anti-Federalist, as well. 
Dobbs County, therefore, was not represented in the Hillsboro Convention 
which rejected the Federal Constitution.

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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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