The Civil War in North Carolina



Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians

Bookmark and Share



Senate in 1879, he became the occupant of the Executive Chair, and in 1880, by the suffrages of his people, became their chief magistrate for four years.

        Augustus Moore, born 1803, died 1851, lived and died in Edenton. He graduated at the university in 1824, in a class distinguished for ability, composed of B. B. Blume, John Bragg, (member of congress from Alabama 1851, and a judge in that state,) James W. Bryan, Matthias E. Manly, (judge of the supreme court of North Carolina,) David Outlaw, (member of congress 1747 to 1853,) and others; studied law with Charles R. Kinny, of Elizabeth City, and practiced with great success.

        As an advocate, he had no superior for learning, diligence, accumen, or address. He was appointed judge of the superior court in 1848, and presided with great acceptability, learning, and integrity, but resigned the same year. He died very suddenly at Edenton, in 1851.

        He married Miss Armistead and left several children. One of them, William Armistead Moore, late one of the judges of the state, and who wore with equal dignity and ability the ermine of his illustrious father.

        William Allen, a representative in congress from Ohio, 1832, senator from 1837 to 1849, and Governor of Ohio in 1874, was born in Edenton, in 1806.

        He was the son of Nathaniel Allen, who represented the borough in the House of Commons, in 1802, and was much esteemed for his genial qualities and generous disposition. He married a Miss Granbury, and their daughter married Mr. Thurman, a Methodist minister, and was the mother of Allen Granbury Thurman, late a distinguished senator from Ohio, and president of the senate.

        As a statesman and politician, Governor Allen enjoyed a world wide reputation, and North Carolina is proud of her son. He died July, 1879, universally loved and respected.

        We might extend our sketches by recording the character, and services of other distinguished men of Chowan County, "who have done the state some service," as the Johnsons, Benburys, Coffields, Brownriggs, Haskens, Warrens, Heaths, and others, did the limits of our work allow. But before we close our sketch we cannot refrain from presenting an amusing incident, which, by its humor, may relieve the dry detail imposed on our kind readers. The account is from the gifted pen of "Traveller." "I will close my letter by relating a true story of one of Edenton's gifted sons, Dr. Edward Warren, surgeon-general of the state during the war, and who has been serving a foreign power, and now resides in Paris. General Winfield Scott accepted an invitation to visit Nag's Head, on one occasion, Dr. Warren (than whom there are few better speakers,) was elected to make the reception address. As General Scott's coming was doubtful, it was understood that if General Scott was on board, it was to be made known by raising a flag on the boat when a short distance from the wharf at Nag's Head, when the salute would commence. The immense crowd on the boat at Blackwater, and business caused General Scott to return to Norfolk, and the steamer went on without him. Before reaching Nag's Head, it was suggested, and determined "to play a trick on the boys." Colonel John B. Odem, late of Northampton County, now of Baltimore, the only living man in America who not only equalled, but surpassed General Scott in person, air, and figure was selected to personate ad interim the hero of Lundy's Lane. General Lawrence S. Baker, who was also along, kindly furnished a new uniform, epaulettes, chapeau, sword, sash, &c., to which chapeau was appended a flaming plume of red feathers. He "looked every inch a King." Colonel Odem was squeezed in the uniform, for he was "a world too large" for the war clothes of General Baker. He played his
Page 126 of 471
Index - Contents
Featured Books & CD-ROMS