Chatham county like her neighboring counties of Guilford and Wake, is said to owe its 4existence to the war of the Regulators. After this conflict, the royal governor was impressed with the wisdom of adopting measures by which the people would not have occasion to congregate in large numbers in any one place, especially was this true as to the people of Orange, so that the colonial assembly at its session of 1770 created several new counties, among which was Chatham, named in honor of the Earl of Chatham.
The caption of the act providing for the creation of the county is as follows:
“An act for establishing a new county between Campbleton and Hillsborough, by taking the Southern part of the inhabitants of Orange county, and by erecting the same into a distinct county and St. Bartholomew’s Parish.” The reason set for the passage of this act appears in the preamble, which is:
“Whereas, the great extent of the county of Orange render the attendance of the inhabitants of the southern part thereof to do public duties extremely difficult and expensive.”
It was provided that the new county should begin its existence on the 1st day of April 1771, and machinery was devised for the creation of inferior courts of pleas and quarter sessions, the appointment of county officers, and commissioners were to be chosen with authority to locate the place where a court house, jail and stocks were to be built, and to have erected such public necessities.
The court house was erected at a point about one mile south of the present town of Pittsboro, and in the early days of the county’s career the capital was designated as “Chatham Court House.” The old court house was removed to the present town of Pittsboro in 1812, and a brick structure was erected as the official seat of government. This last structure was torn down or blown down by a storm and the present court house erected in 1881. The original court house, which has been used as a store house, newspaper office, garage and meat market still stands on the principal street of the village and is in a good state of preservation. It was in this building that the court martial was assembled that was captured by the Troy guerilla, David Fanning, and it was there that Lord Cornwallis camped on his retreat from the battle of Guilford Court House.
Chatham did her full part in the war of the Revolution, her sons being represented in every battle from Moore’s Creek Bridge to Yorktown, and at least two battles were fought on her soil, i.e. that at Lindley’s or Alston’s mill where the patriot forces intercepted the Tories, who had captured Governor Burke and the other state officials at Hillsboro and sought to secure their release, and the skirmish known in history as “Pile’s Hacking Match.”
The citizenship of Chatham has always been characterized by a patriotic devotion to duty; and when called upon to defend their country and its liberties her sons have never failed to respond to the call of country, as if it were the call of God. In the great civil conflict more of her sons wore the gray of the Confederate solder than she had voters at the beginning of the conflict, and were literally “First at Bethel, farthest at Gettysburg and last at Appomatox,” the immortal 26th regiment having two companies from Chatham in its organization.
In the World war the men from Chatham fought for the selfsame freedom for which their forefathers fought in the Revolution and for the same ideals for which their fathers of the Civil war fought. Many nation immediately after the call for volunteers was sounded by President Woodrow Wilson. Throwing away all thoughts of the dangers they were to encounter and forsaking homes and work for a cause they felt to be just, they joined numerous outfits. Practically every branch of the service had a Chathamite in it. They were found in the infentray and they were also found in the artillery. Twenty-five men from the county enlisted at the firstg call in Battery “C” 1st North Carolina artillery which was later changed to the 113th Field Artillery. Under Major L.P. McLendon, who was promoted from the rank of first lieutenant to captain after he had recruited the battery to war strength, the men underwent a period of intensive training to fit them for the hardships and the duties that lay before them. Under his able leadership they developed into soldiers that were the pride of the regiment. Aftrer they had crossed the Atlantic and had taken their place alongside the other fighting units, they continued to acquit themselves in a manner that reflected only credit. There were men from Chatham in the other branches of the service also.
That the men from Chatham and all those who went towards making up Battery “C” were of big calibre is shown in the history of the 113th field Artillery, published at the end of the war. The name of the man in this instance is one that is familiar to every man, woman and child in Chatham county. He is William R. Thompson, superintendent of schools of the county. There were other men of like calibre from the county but the part of history that refers to him bespeaks of the high type of men who have responded to the call of the nation in all of the wars of the past. The history says as follows:
“It is unfair to mention any one man, but I feel that the whole battery would approve of what I say about Mess Sergeant Thompson. While the battery was being mobilized at Durham he attended church one Sunday in the country community where he was reared. The preacher, unfortunately for him, took the opportunity to say some very unpatriotic and totally untrue things about the army and, as he expressed it, “the false patriotism of the men who were enlisting.” Thompson stood it as long as he could and then arose and said:
“Well, Mr. ____, I am sorry to interrupt you, but I want to say that after services are over I will have something to say about the army and will be glad if those who care to hear me will remain.”
“It is needless to say that every man, woman and child, including the preacher, stayed to hear Thompson. He told them that patriotism was kin to religion, that it was a great pity that our arm as a whole and the individuals composing it should be accused of all sort of vice as he indicated. That it seemed to him that the church’s duty was to try to remedy the evil rather than to keep men from performing tier patriotic duty by enlisting that he was beyond the draft age.”
This bespeaks in glowing terms of character such as was displayed by all of the men from Chatham county. Besides being patriotic, they were fighters and they entered into the struggle against Kaiserism and autocracy with the same enthusiasm and vim that marked them in civilian life.
Big Men from Chatham
Chatham has been the birthplace of many men who have achieved distinction, both in and outside the state. Governor Charles Manley, as were his brothers, the distinguished jurist, Judge Mathias E. Manley, Dr. Manley the eminent divine, were all natives of the county. Abraham Renches, for 14 years a member of congress, territorial governor of New Mexico and United States minister to Portugal was a native of Chatham, as was Hugh McQueen, attorney general of the state; James Faunterroy Taylor, prominent lawyer and also attorney general of the state; Isham W. Garrett, United States senator from the state and brigadier general in the Confederate army; Dr. John Manning, members of congress and for many years head of the law department of the state university; Thomas B. Womack, judge of the superior court; William F. Strowd, member of the constitutional convention of 1875 and for many years representative in congress; Alexander McIver, professor of mathematics at the state university, and superintendent of public instruction for the state, and many other of the state’s wisest, ablest and most useful citizens first saw the light of day on Chatham soil.
Nor are her sons who have achieved fame and success in public life confined to the “Brave days old,” as illustrated by the fact that Joseph M. Dixon, governor of the state of Montana at this time and formerly a representative in congress and member of the United States senate, was born and reared in Chatham, and also the gallant Major Chrles M. Stedman, representative of the imperial 5th district in congress and the only Confederate soldier now serving in the national congress. General George McIver, distinguished American soldier, is a native of Chatham, and in all walks of life, in any section of the republic, some son of Chatham will be found, and he is always proud of the land of his birth and invariably reflects credit upon it.
The Mayor
A.C. Ray is Pittsboro’s highest official. He was elected mayor of the town in the May election. He is one of Chatham’s most prominent attorneys and a director of one of the banks of Pittsboro.
Its Origin
Chatham county was cut off of Orange county and portions of Alamance and Lee counties were taken from Chatham to form these counties. The country was created in 1770. It now has an area of about 800 square miles and has a population of approximately 24,000 people. There are six incorporated towns within the confines of the country. The county is primarily an agricultural center with many products raised. Cotton and tobacco are the chief crops and many prosperous farmers live throughout the county. The county has considerable manufacturing, but this is of secondary importance although the mills are a large source of revenue for the county.
eresting Facts
Pittsboro is the county seat of the county. With a population of approximately 600 people, all wide awake, live and fir believers of their town, the affairs of the county are being operated by officials selected from among the best men of the county. Here the court house is located and all cases coming before the superior court are handled there. The little town is one of the state’s oldest and most aristocratic. Dating back before the Revolutionary War, the county has always been a potent factor in all matters of the state and community. There are a people in whose breasts stir blood of men and women who blazed the trail to America, those ancestors being among the first to settle in the state of North Carolina.
Very little manufacturing is done in Pittsboro, this phase of the county’s activities being left to Siler City. Farming is the chief occupation of the people. Many of them live in the town and attend to their farming. In the towns are one oil mill and two planning mills. The little town is important from a historical viewpoint and the inhabitants feel no little price in the fact that many things were done that had an important bearing on the shaping of the nation’s and the state’s destiny. Many old buildings, erected years ago, are still standing, monuments of that other day. While they are not being kept n the manner befitting such important memorials of the early days of our nation’s history, they are in excellent state of preservation. The citizens point with p ride to these various buildings and tell of their connection with the history of Pittsboro. A visit to the town by a reporter from the Herald developed, however, that not all of the residents there knew the historical importance of one of the buildings—the old court house.
The old court house, a picture of which will be seen on this page, was erected prior to the Revolution at a point about one mile from the town. Later with the founding of Pittsboro in 1812 the building was removed to a site in the town where it played a big part in the early life of the community and numbers of trials were held in it, some of which had a direct bearing in the fight of the colonies for liberty. Chatham county was a center of turmoil during the Revolutionary days and the court house played its part.
Pittsboro has one of the oldest lodges of Masons in the state. The lodge was originally known as Independence lodge No. 1. While it bore this name the members participated in laying the cornerstone of the old East building of the state University in the year 1793. This old building is said to be the oldest dormitory in the nation and the announcement that it will be saved despite its age and bad condition is a source of much gratification to the people of Pittsboro as well as of the entire state. The present lodge is known as Columbus lodge No. 102. It was characterized in 1837 and many Masons of repute have been members of it and many others have attended session of lodge held there. In 1837 the lodge received its charter and in the following year the temple was erected. The same building is now being used by the lodge. It is one of the landmarks of the town. The lodge has a membership of 50 members.
hians Organized
A lodge of Pythians was recently organized in the town and is known as Chatham lodge No. 189.
ngs Are Changing
Many homes of the old type of architecture are still to be found throughout the town. Pittsboro is not altogether ancient and antiquated in looks for with the old are now found modern structures, showing that the people are not altogether clinging to tradition to the point of retarding the town’s progress. Many of the men who have filled important places the life of the state and hwo now occupy high offices are from Chatham. Durham has numerous Chathamites listed among its citizenry as have the other larger cities of the state. Some of the old homes occupied when they were youths and lived in Pittsboro still stand.
Well Lighted
Pittsboro has the best lighted streets of any town of like size in the state of North Carolina, citizens of that town declare. A trip there is all that is necessary to see that they have grounds for their claim for lights are found throughout the town, located so that they give the best of service.
The town derives practically all of its revenue from the farms although the taxable value of the town property is listed at about $700,000. The entire county has a taxable value of approximately $15,000,000. The tax rate is not high.
The Pride of Chatham
Chatham county has one of the best and most modern county homes in the state. The plant was erected at cost of about $50,000 for which bonds were issued. It is located 1 ½ miles from Pittsboro. The style of architecture is somewhat different from similar institutions. The middle section of the building is two stories in height and is occupied by the superintendent, John W. Johnson, and his family. One story wings are built at each end of the middle section with one of them being used for white prisoners and the other for colored inmates. The structure is of brick and is a beautiful building. It has been in use for only a few months, having been completed last December.
The superintendent was formerly register of deeds for Chatham county, which office he held for 17 years. During the time that he has been head of the county home he has shown marked ability in handling the institution and the inmates. The atmosphere of contentment pervades the home and through the kindly influence of the superintendent, good discipline is had.
Good Hotel Facilities
Pittsboro boasts of three active hostelries. This is more than most of the towns of like size can boast of. The Blair hotel is the newest one. It is constructed of brick, and two stories in height and occupies a position in the heart of the town. The Exline hotel is the town’s oldest establishment. For years it has enjoyed an excellent reputation through its excellent cuisine. Travelers passing through stop over for meals and by word of moth spoken by one traveler to another, the hotel has become known among the knights of the grip as well as other. The Burns House is the other hostelry and it is catering to its part of the business.
Sound Banks
Two banks with aggregate resources of $478,730.55 do business in Pittsboro. Both of them are sound institutions, and are headed by some of the strongest men in the community, men who are capable of keeping faith with the trust imposed in them by those who entrust their savings into their keeping. The two institutions are the Bank of Pittsboro and the Farmers’ bank.
The Bank of Pittsboro has total resources of $307,730.55 and capital stock of $20,000. A.H. London is president, James L. Griffin, vice-president and cashier, and W.L. Farrell, assistant cashier.
The Farmers’ bank has total resources of $108,000 and capital stock of $10,000. T.M. Bland is president, A.C. Ray is vice-president and J.D. Edwards is cashier. This bank was established in 1919 and is showing steady growth in depositors as well as in the money handled.
A Church Town
Five churches take care of the religious side of the community’s life. They are the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal. All of them are headed by strong and well-liked preachers. The Episcopal church is the oldest of the town and around it clings much tradition. In the grave yard surrounding the church are the remains of many of the state’s greatest men, men whose ability as leaders was well established and men upon whose shoulders fell the weight of the cares of state. So great is the love of Chatamites for the county of their birth that many of them are brought back at their deaths and buried amid the scenes of their youth. Some of the graves date back to before the Civil war. The other churches are strong ones, having large and active memberships.
W.E. Allen is pastor of the Episcopal church, and he is one of the best liked and most able pastors of the county. R.C. Gordon administers to the flock of the Baptist church and his church is one of the most active of the community. Rev. J.J. Bone, pastor of the Methodist church, is well beloved by the entire community and he is playing a big part in the spiritual upbuild of the town.
Rev. Jones Barkley has a loyal and active membership behind him in his work as pastor of the Presbyterian church and through their combined efforts much is being done for the good of the community.
In most of the churches’ services are held at certain times each month as the pastors are circuit riders. Their services are given in various sections of the county and they are bulwarks of strength for the right wherever they appear.
The Government
Pittsboro is governed by six city fathers under the aldermanic form of government. A.C. Ray, the mayor, is head of the government and behind him are five of the town’s best known and most active men. They make the laws for the community and handle all affairs pertaining to the town. The town functions under the state municipal act, having no special act for the town. All laws are made so as not to conflict with the state laws.
The town has just purchased a street sprinkler and it has already been placed in use. Mayor Ray declared in an interview that while the town has no hard surface pavement the sprinkler is of great service. He expressed hope that within the not far distant future that the town would enter the list of towns with permanent paved street.
The city fathers hold one meeting a month at which time ordinances are enacted to cover needs that may have arisen since the prior meeting and to hear requests and complaints from any of the citizenship having anything to bring before it. Other meetings are held subject to the call of the mayor.
Sheriff’s Work
If it was not for blockaders and liquor law violators Sheriff G.W. Blair would not have very much to do, it was stated by a resident of the town. Moonshiners are apparently the chief cause of worry on the part of the intrepid sheriff and many of these men who are earning their livelihood through ?? the fiery liquid commonly termed liquor but which should be labeled “lye” are being brought before the bar of justice. Sheriff Blair is fearless in his work of running down blockaders and is making the county an excellent officers. He is now serving for his second term.
Chatham county has the distinction of having had at one time for a short period a woman sheriff. She forsook the duties of office in order that she might enter domestic life as the wife of one of the county’s leading citizens.
Pittsboro and Chatham county as a whole is a law abiding section. People for the most part have a regard for law and order and assist rather than deter the officers in the performance of their course, that makes less desirable element which makes trouble. But these are comparatively few considering the population of the county.
All offenders of the law are tried before magistrate’s court and from this court they are set up to the superior court when appeals are taken or when the evidence introduced shows to the court that the case merits action on the part of the jury. Five terms of superior court are held a year with two special terms.
The jail wherein are incarcerated those who fail to live up to the law is located near the court house. The present building was erected in 1881.
J. Dewey Dorsett is clerk of superior court. Originally coming from Siler City, sister town of Pittsboro, he has entered into the life of Pittsboro. He entered politics at the last county election and succeeded James L. Griffin, veteran clerk of the county. Mr. Griffin has served as clerk for 20 years and was one of the most efficient and best liked clerks the county has ever had. He gave up the job to enter the state legislature and is serving with the body in the senate. Mr. Dorsett is one of the county’s youngest officers but during the short time he has held the clerkship he has shown marked ability in the handling of the affairs of the county pertaining to his office. He was inducted into office in March of last year.
Vets Get Pensions
Conclusive proof that Chatham county furnished her quota of men for all of the American wars, is shown by the large number of Confederate veterans and widows who are now getting pensions from the state. The line of gray clad warriors is slowly dwindling, as is the case in all sections, but a number of the stalwart old veterans who followed Lee at Appomattox and who were with General Johnston when he surrendered to “Sherman at the Bennett place near Durham still survive the attacks of father time. The roster of pensioners for Chatham county shows that 166 Confederate veterans and wives of deceased Confederate soldiers are now living within the confines of the county. They are securing money from the state twice every year. This year they are getting $17,430 as a mark of appreciation on the part of the state for their valiant services to the state and the south in the conflict between the states.
Good School System
Chatham County has 114 schools, both white and colored. These schools are manned by 210 teachers, 149 of whom are white. The county has three standard high schools, they being located in the towns of Pittsboro, Siler City and Bonlee. There are four non-standard schools but plans are in the making for standardizing them. W.R. Thompson is superintendent of the school system. Unlike the system of schools in Durham county having a county superintendent and a city superintendent, all of the schools of Chatham are conducted under one systems, w ith one head.
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From the Durham Morning Herald, July 29, 1923
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