VOL. XXVIII

DECEMBER, 1892

No. 6

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY A COLONIAL

CHURCH

E

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

DENTON and its environs was the nucleus of civilization for one

section of the state of North Carolina at a very early date. St. Paul's church in Edenton is identified with the history of the colony, an account of which forms an interesting chapter. The vestry-books, dating back to 1701, still in a state of perfect preservation, are of uncommon historic interest.

North Carolina's most accurate historian, Martin, in referring to the early settlement of the state, says: "At this time [about 1658] there were two points only in which incipient English settlements could be discerned, the one on the northern shore of Albemarle sound and the streams which flow into it, the population of which was very thin and the greatest part of it on the north-east bank of Chowan river"; the other was the settlement near the site of the present city of Wilmington, of which we have nothing to say in this paper. Lawson, our first historian, whose tragic fate with the Indians is more than a counterpart of the romantic adventures of Captain John Smith, testifies to the same fact. The thickest part of this settlement first received the name of "Chowon precinct," and is subsequently alluded to as the "towne in Queen Ann's Creek," the "towne in Mattercomock Creek," and "Port of Roanoke." Upon the death of the royal governor, Edenton, in 1722, it was dignified by the name of Edenton in his honor. Bancroft says: "Here was a colony of men from civilized life, scattered among the forests, resting on the bosom of nature. With absolute freedom of conscience, benevolent reason was the simple rule of their conduct. Are there any," says he, "who doubt man's capacity for self-government, let them study the history of North Carolina."

This colony attracted the attention of Sir Wm. Berkeley, of Virginia, who appointed, in 1663, William Drummond, a Scotch Presbyterian then residing in Virginia, their first governor.

VOL. XXVIII.-No. 6.-26

VOL. XXVIII

DECEMBER, 1892

No. 6

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY A COLONIAL

E

CHURCH

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

DENTON and its environs was the nucleus of civilization for one

section of the state of North Carolina at a very early date. St. Paul's church in Edenton is identified with the history of the colony, an account of which forms an interesting chapter. The vestry-books, dating back to 1701, still in a state of perfect preservation, are of uncommon historic interest.

North Carolina's most accurate historian, Martin, in referring to the early settlement of the state, says: "At this time [about 1658] there were two points only in which incipient English settlements could be discerned, the one on the northern shore of Albemarle sound and the streams which flow into it, the population of which was very thin and the greatest part of it on the north-east bank of Chowan river"; the other was the settlement near the site of the present city of Wilmington, of which we have nothing to say in this paper. Lawson, our first historian, whose tragic fate with the Indians is more than a counterpart of the romantic adventures of Captain John Smith, testifies to the same fact. The thickest part of this settlement first received the name of "Chowon precinct," and is subsequently alluded to as the "towne in Queen Ann's Creek," the "towne in Mattercomock Creek," and "Port of Roanoke." Upon the death of the royal governor, Edenton, in 1722, it was dignified by the name of Edenton in his honor. Bancroft says: "Here was a colony of men from civilized life, scattered among the forests, resting on the bosom of nature. With absolute freedom of conscience, benevolent reason was the simple rule of their conduct. Are there any," says he, "who doubt man's capacity for self-government, let them study the history of North Carolina."

This colony attracted the attention of Sir Wm. Berkeley, of Virginia, who appointed, in 1663, William Drummond, a Scotch Presbyterian then. residing in Virginia, their first governor.

VOL. XXVIII.-No. 6.-26