Statewide County NcArchives Biographies.....To North Carolina, Journal Of A Tour ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Rosie Guthrie n/a April 23, 2011, 9:31 pm Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Author: William Attmore The following genealogical information has been abstracted from William Attmore's "Journal of a tour to North Carolina." written in 1787. The full document can be found at the following link: http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/attmore/attmore.html#n11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The "Journal of a Tour to North Carolina," written by William Attmore, of Philadelphia, was a cherished possession of his great-granddaughter, the late Miss Rebecca Attmore, of New Bern, N. C. She was a real "Belle of the Fifties," who in character and person reflected the charm of that classic type of Southern womanhood that authors delight to picture. Thomas Attmore of Devonshire, England, Parish of Kentslean, born about 1692, who removed to America in 1713, was the grandfather of William Attmore, merchant of Philadelphia, of the firm of "Attmore & Kaigher." In the winter of 1787, William Attmore came to North Carolina to collect debts owing to his firm and to obtain new business. While on his tour he kept a diary, of which some parts have evidently been lost, but enough remains to form an interesting narrative. The handwriting of the original manuscript is clear and beautiful, and the ink as black as though it had been penned yesterday instead of over a century ago. Only the paper has become faded and torn by age. On this "tour," or a subsequent one, William Attmore met Miss Sallie Sitgreaves, the captivating daughter of Judge Sitgreaves (1,) to whom he was married March 18, 1790. He died in Philadelphia in 1800, and was buried there. (1) The name of William Sitgreaves occurs among the signers of a memorial to the Lords Proprietors in 1755. (Col. Rec. vol. V p. 32). John Sitgreaves was one of his descendants and resided in New Bern; he was a lawyer of culture and high attainments. Wheeler's history says "he was appointed Lieutenant by the State Congress in 1776, in Captain Cassel's company. He was in the battle of Camden. August 1780, as aid to Governor Caswell. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1784, and from 1787 to 1789 in the Legislature from New Bern. He was appointed U. S. District Judge of North Carolina by Washington. Jefferson's private journal has the following:--'1789. Hawkins recommended John Sitgreaves as a very clever gentleman, of good deportment, well skilled in the law for a man of his age, and should he live long enough, he will be an ornament to his profession. Spaight and Blount concurring, he was nominated.' He died at Halifax in 1802 where he lies buried." (Wheeler's Hist. p 119.) The names of some of the descendants of William Attmore and Sallie Sitgreaves who have lived in North Carolina in more recent years are: 1. Hannah Taylor Attmore m. Wm. Hollister Oliver 185-- their children-- a. George Attmore Oliver died unmarried 19--; b. Elizabeth Geteg Oliver m. Martin Stevenson Willard of Wilmington, N. C. died leaving no children; c. Mary Taylor Oliver, New Bern, N. C.; d. Hannah Attmore Oliver m. Benjamin Huske, Fayetteville; e. Martha Harvey Oliver m. Thomas Constable, Charlotte; 2. Sitgreaves Attmore served in the Confederate States Army, was captured and imprisoned. He died from the harsh treatment he received; 3. Isaac Taylor Attmore served in the Confederate States Army, and was killed in battle; 4. Rebecca Christine Attmore never married, died 19--; 5. Sallie Sitgreaves Attmore m. Robert Stewart Primrose; a. their son Dr. Robert S. Primrose, New Bern, N. C.; 6. George Sitgreaves Attmore m. Kate Lane, Bayboro, N. C.; a. Hannah Oliver Attmore; b. George Sitgreaves Attmore; c. Taylor Bynum Attmore. Interesting family relics are two miniatures owned by Mrs. Thomas Constable; one represents the wife of Judge Sitgreaves, the other is a memorial of the Sitgreaves men who served in the Revolution. Mrs. Benjamin Huske owns a list or record, of lands held by the Attmore family in England dating from 1337, copied from the records in the Tower of London, and other quaint documents. The notes to the journal furnish other interesting data in regard to some of the persons and places mentioned. LIDA T. RODMAN. WASHINGTON, N. C. NOVEMBER, 1921. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Monday, November 19. Muster Day in Washington, which brought a large number of people from the Country-- Mr. Richard Blackledge (2) (2) Richard Blackledge and his brother Thomas Blackledge were natives of New Bern both of whom lived in Washington for a few years. Richard Blackledge was one of the first commissioners of the town of Washington, a lawyer of brilliant ability; he represented Beaufort county several terms in the Legislature. He married Louisa Blount, daughter of Colonel Jacob Blount, and Sister of John Gray Blount. After their marriage they lived in Tarborough. Prior to the ceremony, a marriage settlement was made by which her property, consisting of a house and two lots in that town with twenty or more negro slaves, were conveyed to her brother, Gov. William Blount in case of her death without children. The document is signed by Judge Samuel Spencer; it is written on parchment in good preservation and bears the stamp forced upon us by England. It reads "2 lots, or pieces of land, in the Town of Tarborough situated on Saint George and Saint Andrew and Granville Sts., and known in the plan of the town as numbers 104 and 105." In the history of Edgecombe county by Turner and Bridgers (page 107) this house is described as the place where George Washington, on his visit to the State in 1791, was cordially entertained "at the beautiful residence overlooking Tar River, belonging at the time to Major Reading Blount." The career of Richard Blackledge was cut off by his addiction to the drink habit. His wife only lived a short time after her marriage and left no children. The house situated near the river was still standing a few years ago, but in a very dilapidated condition. (Reference also to Dec. 21st) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tuesday, November 20. Mr. Blackledge waited on me, and kindly invited me to fix my residence with him and his brother Thomas, that I should have a Room for myself, and he wou'd furnish me a Horse &c. to be at my command during my stay in North Carolina.--I had engaged quarters at Horn's Tavern, but now conclude to accept Blackledge's offer.--I Breakfasted onboard--Blacklege called down at the Vessel about dinner time, when we walk'd to the House, where he then introduced me to his brother Thos. & to his brother's wife, Polly Blackledge (3). There were two young ladies dined with us, Miss Sally Salter, sister of Mrs. T. Blackledge, and Miss---- Armstrong, two agreeable looking young ladies, but rather silent today. My Chest &c. was sent up in the Evening--Wrote home to J. K. and Wm. F.--near Tarborough. Rain at night-- (3) Mrs. Polly Blackledge, the wife of Mr. Thomas Blackledge, was a daughter of Col. Salter. Their residence in Washington was of short duration. They are survived by a number of descendants mostly residents of New Bern. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesday, November 21. After Breakfast, set off from Washington for Newbern in Company with R. Blackledge, B. Brown, Capt. Keais (4), Jno. G. Blount (5), Doctor Loomis & Charles Cooke, all on Horseback, we crossed Tar River in a Scow--rode a Mile or two, then Blackledge pushed on before us, in order to get to Newbern early--The rest of us rode about 22½ Miles, where we cross'd Swift's Creek, on a bridge, this is a branch of Neuse River. We dined at Johnson's near the Creek, about 22 Miles from Washington. Rode to Curti's Tavern 7½ Miles further; here we staid all night--Went to bed early, being a good deal tired.-- (4) Capt. Nathan Keais, a native of Rhode Island where he commanded a company of State troops during the Revolution. He is put down also, as one of the Captains of the Second Regiment North Carolina troops. He and his wife, Barbara, are buried in the churchyard surrounding St. Peter's Church, Washington. Their descendants are represented in the Hoyt and Tayloe families. (5) John Gray Blount is said to have been the most influential man in Beaufort county in his day. He was a merchant of large enterprise and a patriot of the Revolution. He and his wife, Mary Harvey, daughter of Col. Miles Harvey of Perquimans, are buried in the churchyard of St. Peter's Church, Washington. They left many descendants represented in the Blount, Rodman, Myers, Branch, J. G. B. Grimes and Cowper families. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursday, November 22. At Curti's we met General Armstrong (6) to whom I was introduced by Mr. Blount--After breakfast we led our Horses to the River Neuse, at this place about 200 yards over, here ferried over in a Scow, and rode on 10 Miles further, to Newbern--first crossing Batchelor's Creek on a Bridge, 3 Miles from Curti's-- Went in Company with Blount and Brown, to Pendleton's Tavern--There I dined paid several Visits, Saw John Green, John Kennedy & Nathan Smith drank Tea at Nathan Smith's--At Mr. Green's I saw the pretty Miss Cogdell (7), whom Mr. Green introduced to me--When the Tea Tackle began to rattle, I was sorry I had previously declared an engagement at Smith's--And was therefore obliged to move--Mr. Green waited on me to Smith's, and then to my Quarters.-- (6) General Armstrong was a member of the Pitt county committee of safety, and one of those named to solicit donations for the relief of the people of Boston. He was elected Major of Pitt county militia in 1775; was in active service near Philadelphia, and promoted to Colonel in 1777; elected Brigadier General in 1786, and member of Fayetteville Convention 1789. His home was on the south side of Tar River in the neighborhood of the Salter and Grimes plantations. His name has disappeared from Pitt county, and most of his descendants have moved farther south. (7) (Hist. Pitt Co., by Henry King) "The pretty Miss Cogdell," was the daughter of Richard Cogdell and mother of Hon. George E. Badger, Judge of the Superior Court, and Secretary of the Navy in 1841. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, November 23. One instance of the vicissitudes of human affairs; is exhibited in the situation of things at the palace, which from being the seat of a little Court, under the regal Government; is now become the seat of a petty Schoolmaster with his little subjects, another instance occurs in the person of Mr. Jno. W. Stanly (8), the husband of Mrs. Stanly already mentioned; this Man of whom the first knowledge I had, was, his being confined a prisoner in the Goal of Philadelphia for debt, upon his liberation removed to this Country, where by a Series of fortunate events in Trade during the War he acquired a great property, and has built a house in Newbern where he resides, that is truly elegant and convenient; at an expense of near 20,000 Dollars--He has a large Wharff and Distillery near his house; upon Neuse River side of the Town--and a fine plantation with sixty Slaves thereon.-- (8) John Stanly often a member of the Legislature from Craven, and a member of Congress from 1801 to 1809. He became engaged in a political controversy with Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight in 1802 which unfortunately terminated in a duel in which Governor Spaight received his death wound. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday, November 25. This morning Mr. John Green called at my quarters, he asked if I had a mind to go to Church; I having no inclination to go, he left me at Church time. I went to the Court House to see the proceedings there at the Superior Court-- An Argument about bringing on the cause of the Heirs of Samuel Cornell (9), against those who had bot property once his but confiscated by the Government-- (9) Samuel Cornell a distinguished Tory; it has been stated that his family was connected with that of Daniel Webster. I went to dine with Nathan Smith, by invitation: the Company consisted of himself and Sister, and eight Gentlemen Guests; Col. Davie (10), Messrs. Tomlinson, Haines, Grainger, Carty &c.--It is useful & entertaining in a Company of Strangers, after the first Salutations and civilities are passed to be rather silent, and observe the Characters of the Company, opening by degrees in the course of conversation, one also hears many anecdotes of other persons who are sometimes handled freely, in their absence; and one hears many particulars useful or curious (10) Colonel Davie here mentioned was the well-known and distinguished soldier of the Revolution, William Richardson Davie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursday, November 29. Went at two O'Clock to Mr. John W. Stanly's to dine, he had also invited Judge Spencer (11), and Mr. Iredell (12) an eminent Lawyer, Mr. Thomas Turner, Mr. William Shepard (13) and Mr. Bryan were there. The Ladies present were Mrs. John W. Stanly, Mrs. Wright Stanly and Mrs. Green, the widow of Mr. James Green--The Court holding late kept us waiting for the Judge & Lawyers. I had a long tète a tète Conversation with Mr. John W. Stanly before Dinner; about half past four the Judge and Mrs. Iredell came, then we sat down to Dinner. Had a long discourse with Judge Spencer on the subject of Paper Money & c. I do not like his ideas, he contends that the Country cannot do without a Paper Medium, and that the value of this medium shall be regulated from time to time by a Scale of value or depreciation. I am afraid the Ladies were ill entertained while they staid with us.--We dropt the subject on going into the Tea Room, where more general topics took place--A while after Tea, I took my leave and retired to my Quarters (11) Judge Samuel Spencer of Anson county held many offices under the Colonial government, and was one of the three Judges of the Superior Courts first elected under the constitution in 1777. (12) Mr. Iredell emigrated to Chowan county from England when 17 years old. He studied law under Gov. Samuel Johnston and married his sister, Hannah. He became a very distinguished citizen of North Carolina. He held office successively as member of the Assembly, Judge of the Superior Court, Attorney General of the State and, later, was appointed by George Washington Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. In the presidential election of 1796 he received three electoral votes. (13) William Shepard of New Bern was the father of Honorables Chas. B.; William B.; and James B. Shepard; and of Mary, the wife of Hon. John H. Bryan of Raleigh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday & Monday, December 2 & 3. Staid at T. Blackledge's--Several Visitors there--During my absence at Newbern, a quarrel has taken place between Kirby and Ford--Wrote to J. K. inclosing R. Blackledge's Papers, Sunday. Ford fined 20 pounds for Assaulting Kirby, and bound to good behaviour.-- In the evening I went and took Tea at Mrs. Shoemaker's by invitation. Mrs. Nuttle came in, I waited on her home, She invites me to Visit.--At Mr. Blackledge's today was introduced to Messrs. Grimes (14), father and son.-- Miss Betsy Grimes & Miss Polly Watkins came and staid at Mr. Blackledge's. (14) Messrs. Grimes, father and son, were Demsie Grimes and his son the first Bryan Grimes. Demsie Grimes was a wealthy and leading citizen of Pitt county; he owned Avon and Grimesland plantations on the South side of Tar River, about twelve miles from Washington. Bryan Grimes was the father of the late distinguished General Bryan Grimes of the Confederate Army; and of the late Mr. William Grimes a highly valued citizen of Raleigh. "Miss Betsy Grimes" mentioned further on was the daughter of Demsie Grimes and married Reading Grist. She was the ancestress of the Grist family of Beaufort county. She is buried in the Grimes burial plot at Avon where repose the remains of three generations of her family. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesday, December 5. It was so warm & pleasant today we sat with open Windows. Staid at T. Blackledge's--Miss Salter, Miss Grimes, Miss Watkins, two Miss Eastwood's there--cloudy and some Rain.--Capt. John Wallace (15) gave us a good deal of his Company today. (15) Capt. John Wallace, a citizen of Beaufort county for many years prominent in the seafaring trade and other industries. He was distinguished for energy and activity in business, the late Capt. Alf Styron of Washington was one of his descendants. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, December 8. About 9 O'Clock, a party of us, embark'd to cross Tar River to go on a Deer Hunt, the Company were, Capt. Dill, Messrs. Thos. Blackledge; Nuttle; Whipple, Bonner, Capt. John Wallace; and myself, we row'd in Dill's boat by two Sailors; John Blount Esqr. was to cross over in a Canoe and meet us, over the River at his Farm (16). (16) One of the historic spots near Washington. It was devised by the will of John Gray Blount to his grandson, William Blount Rodman, and became known as "Rodman's Quarters." It was occupied by both Federals and Confederates during the Civil War as a fort, from which point of vantage each at different times shelled the Town in efforts to dislodge the other. It is now owned in part by Mr. Ott Rumley. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday, December 9. In the afternoon went with Doctor Loomis & others to the funeral of John Bonner (17), about a Mile in the Country; when we arrived at the house, we found it crowded with a mixt Company of Men and Women, sitting & standing round the Corpse, which was nailed up in a Coffin and cever'd with a Sheet, Parson Blount (18) was standing with a Tea Table before him, to hold his Books, and an Arm Chair for him to sit down if he chose it--He went thro' a long service from the Liturgy of the Church of England Prayers, Creeds, Psalms, &c. and afterwards preach'd a very excellent Funeral Sermon. I was told that the Corpse was carried to the family burying place on the Farm by six bearers with Napkins, in the manner Children are commonly borne to the Grave; each of the bearers had a black Ribband tied round one of their Arms-- This Man tho' a Member of the Assembly, and a rich Batchelor, lived in an old house that had four Windows in the lower room only one of which appeared ever to have been glazed; the others had sash lights but no Glass-- (17) John Bonner, one of the Bonner family on whose land the Town of Washington was planted. James and Henry Bonner were the founders of the township. They have many honored descendants in town and county today. (18) Rev. Nathaniel Blount, familiarly known as "Parson Blount," was a first cousin of the brothers, John Gray, Reading, and Thomas Blount, all of whom are mentioned in the journal. He was a student for the ministry under Rev. Alexander Stewart of St. Thomas church, Bath. He was ordained in London in 1773. In the same year he built "Blount's Chapel," now Trinity Church, Chocowinity. The families of Mrs. Thomas Kingsbury of Wilmington and Mr. Levi Blount of Mississippi represent his descendants. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, December 14. This forenoon rode out on a visit to Colonel Kennedy's (20) about two Miles from Washington he lives near the River side, a large Creek runs by his house, our party was Mrs. Thos. Blackledge in a Sulky, and Lucy Harvey (21), and myself on Horseback, we dined and drank Tea there, and spent a very agreeable day with Col. & Mrs. Kennedy, their Son John & daughter Miss Absoley, Miss Evans was there on a visit but scarcely spoke--Absoley is a pleasing Character, genteel in her person, mild and amiable in her manners, attentive to the Company; with graveness, a degree of Cheerfulness--She put me in mind of a lady I once loved--We return'd by Moonlight, & Mrs. Blackledge drove thro' the Woods with such Spirit all the way home, Lucy and myself rode full Gallop to keep up with her-- This was Lucy's first ride by herself on horseback, we had scarcely rode one Mile out, before she was able to Canter, tho' our first outset was rather unpromising--I never saw any Girl ride so well on the first trial-- (20) Colonel Kennedy was a wealthy and leading citizen of Beaufort county. His home here mentioned, was a social center of refined hospitality. The house was built about 1750, and is still standing. The foundation which encloses a substantial cellar is built of brick as are the chimneys and both ends, while the front and back of the house are of timber. This presents an unusual appearance for if you approach from the east or west you expect to enter a brick building, but on arriving at the front or rear entrance you see only a frame building on a brick foundation. The interior was elegant in its day, though now stained by age and abuse. The family burying ground nearby is enclosed by a substantial iron fence, but the handsome marble monuments therein are being wrecked by the ravages of time. The place is now the property of the heirs of General Bryan Grimes, who purchased it after the Civil War. (21) Lucy Harvey was a daughter of Col. Miles Harvey and sister of Mrs. John Gray Blount with whom she made her home, both parents being dead. She married Major Reading Blount in 1794. They are buried in their family burial plot, on what was their country home of "Bellefont." This place has passed into other ownership and is subdivided into small farms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, December 22. I breakfasted and dined at Toole's. The Governor was there, and I had another long tète a tète Conversation the early part of the evening with him on the Slavery of the Negroes, on Liberty, about many of our acquaintances; their Houses &c. General McDowell (26) afterwards came in, we had a deal of conversation, he told us about his Wars with the English, the Indians, and the Bears; he was one of those Commanders who defeated & killed Colo. Ferguson at King's Mountain, he is an elderly Man his Locks are beginning to Silver over. (26) General McDowell was probably Charles McDowell as he was older than his brother Joseph; both were participants in the battle of King's Mountain. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday, December 23. It is very much the custom in North Carolina to drink Drams of some kind or other before Breakfast; sometimes Gin, Cherry-bounce, Egg Nog &c. several of the Assembly Men, this Morning indulged themselves in this respect. In the afternoon I paid a visit at Richard Blackledge's, drank Tea there. The company there, were Mrs. Harvey (27), Doctor Williamson (28), Major Blount, Colonel Thomas, &c. We had a good deal of conversation. (27) "Mrs. Harvey" was Ann Blount, widow of James Harvey, the young son of Col. John Harvey the distinguished Moderator of the Assembly held at New Bern, in 1774. She made the trip on horseback from Pitt county across the mountains into Tennessee to visit her brother, Gov. William Blount. She died there and her remains rest near his in the Presbyterian churchyard, in Knoxville, Tenn. (28) Doctor Hugh Williamson, though born in Pennsylvania, was largely associated with North Carolina. He represented Edenton in the House of Commons in 1782, and was sent to Congress from that district in 1784. He was one of the signers of the Constitution from this State. He was again in Congress from 1790 to 1792. He wrote a history of North Carolina in 1812. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Source and references: Journal of a Tour to North Carolina by William Attmore, 1787: Electronic Edition. Attmore, William, d. 1800 Rodman, Lida Tunstall Text transcribed by Apex Data Services, Inc. Image scanned by Tampathia Evans Text encoded by Apex Data Services, Inc., Andrew Leiter, and Natalia Smith First edition, 2001 ca. 110 K Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2001. © This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text. Call number C970 J28 v. 16-17 c. 3 (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA The James Sprunt Historical Publications PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The North Carolina Historical Society Editors: J. G. de ROULHAC HAMILTON HENRY McGILBERT WAGSTAFF WILLIAM WHATLEY PIERSON, Jr. VOL. 17 No. 2 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/statewide/bios/tonorthc193bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ncfiles/ File size: 24.9 Kb