Udney Maria Blakely, the Only Child Adopted by the State of North Carolina

From the Wagauga Democrat, Boone, N.C., October 22, 1914

Did you know that North Carolina once adopted a child? Not many of the people of North Carolina know about that adopted daughter of North Carolina. Dr. R.W.D. Connor tells about her in his book, “Makers of North Carolina History.”

Capt. Johnson Blakely was, during the War of 1812, commander of the Wasp, a vessel that did great destruction to the English vessels, destroying 13 British merchant vessels and sinking two men of war within 60 days. Before the war of 1812, Capt. Blakely won great reputation fighting pirates on the Mediterranean Sea. While waiting for the Wasp to be built at Portsmouth, N.H., Captain Blakely was married. He sailed away after the vessel which he commanded was completed and after displaying wonderful bravery and winning fame by the victories his ship had won on the high seas, his vessel was lost and no one knows the fate of Captain Johnson Blakely of Wilmington, his ship nor any of the 173 men composing the crew of the Wasp.

A daughter was born to Captain Blakely while every one was guessing his fate. Her name was Udney Maria Blakely. As Captain Johnson Blakely did not return to receive the honors, the Legislature of 1814 decided to make a gift to his daughter. The Governor was asked to send to Mrs. Blakely a handsome tea set to be kept by her and presented to the infant daughter of Johnson Blakely at the age of 15 years. At the same time the Legislature determined to adopt the little girls at the daughter of North Carolina, and to have her educated at the expense of the State. As soon as Udney Maria was old enough, she was placed in school in Philadelphia and twice very year, until 1828, the Governor of North Carolina sent to her guardian the money to pay her expenses. Five years after Capt. Blakely’s death, Mrs. Blakely was married again and moved to the island of St. Croix in the West Indies. When she finished school, Udney Maria joined her mother and she died on the island of St. Croix in 1842. She was the only daughter ever adopted by the State of North Carolina.