Fayetteville Observer
6 Aug 1857

We are deeply pained to announce that our distinguished and beloved fellow citizen, the Hon. James C. DOBBIN, 
breathed his last at his residence in this vicinity a few minutes ago.

It has been apparent, for some weeks past, that his end was approaching.  He himself was not less aware of it 
than were the sorrowing friends who had so earnestly hoped and prayed that he might be spared to them, to his 
State, and to his Country.  He was prepared for the awful change. A life of purity is closed by triumphant death.
The honest and conscientious Statesman, the true Friends, the upright Man, has passed from the scene of his earthly 
honors, to his reward above - the "well done" of the faithful servant.

The Mayor has called a meeting of the citizens of Fayetteville, at 12 M to-day, to make suitable arrangements for 
this sad occasion.

Mr. Dobbin was born on the 17th of January, 1814, and was consequently in the forty-fourth year of his age.  He was 
graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1832; read Law in the office of the late Judge STRANGE; was eminently 
successful at the Bar; was elected to Congress in 1845, and declined a re-election; was elected to the Legislature from 
this county in 1848 and 1850; was Speaker of the House of Commons at the latter Session; and finally entered the Cabinet 
as Secretary of the Navy in 1853, serving through the entire Administration of President PIERCE, which he did much to 
render successful and popular.  His devotion to the arduous duties of that station cost him his life. He has passed away; 
but his memory will live here, in a community which both honored and loved him, and for whose prosperity his last public 
letter breathed the most ardent desire.

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