HARNETT COUNTY
Fayetteville Observer [Fayetteville, North Carolina] 15 Mar. 1855 Culloden. Contact: Myrtle Bridges
We have been furnished with the following sketch, which will interest many of our readers. In conformity with an act of the last Legislature, the Commissioners met on Friday last, and selected Summerville as the County seat. As your readers are aware, the County is named after Cornelius Harnett, who lived and died in the vicinity of Wilmington, and whose remains now repose in St. James's Grave yard, in that town. He was an ardent and devoted Patriot, who by his counsel and eloquence rendered efficient service to the American cause in the trying time of '76. The selection of his name in honor of a zealous and devoted Whig reminds me of the fact that when Moore was taken from Cumberland, the citizens named that County after Gen'l James Moore, of New Hanover, a Whig of the Harnett school, who with Lillington, Caswell and Slocum, was instrumental in defeating the Scotch Loyalists at Moore's Creek, early in the revolutionary struggle in this State. This reminds me of the further fact, that Cumberland County, in 1754 was named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland who had defeated the citizens of the County at Culloden in Scotland in 1746. From these three instances it may be fairly inferred that the Scotch are unlike the Indians, and that they do forgive and forget, and honor greatness wherever found. In the division of the County of Cumberland, and the erection of Moore and Harnett out of it, the citizens voluntarily selected the names. In the erection of the County originally, then name of Cumberland was imposed upon them by George II, in order to cause the vanquished to remember the power of the victor in this their far distant and newly adopted home. But I have wandered from the purpose I had in view, which was to inform your readers that the act of Assembly for the formation of the new County provides that the County Town shall be called "Toomer," in honor of the venerable and highly distinguished Hon. John D. Toomer, long a citizen of Cumberland, and an honor and ornament of its Bar, as he was of the Superior and Supreme Court Bench-a name dear to every son of Cumberland, and one which is justly venerated by the citizens of the State, and by none more than by his Professional Brethren of the Bar, who have had ample opportunity during his long career to know him best, and love him most. The Town of Toomer and the County of Harnett was appropriately connected. For Judge Toomer, now of Chatham, is a native of Wilmington and spent his youth within the shade of Harnett's home and Harnett's tomb. The town of Toomer, (formerly Summerville,) is situated about 26 miles north-west of Fayetteville, upon high table land, two miles west of the Cape Fear River; and was originally designated by the name of Tirzah, where a Presbyterian Church was established early in the settlement of Cumberland. Some ten year ago the old church was displaced by a large frame building of modern style and handsome appearance, of which Rev. Neill McKay is pastos. Adjoining the Church is a Grave Yard surrounded by a neat wooden paling, where rests Neill McKay, Esq., father of the Pastor, who is highly spoken of by Foote, in his skethes of North Carolina, as a faithful and influential Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Close beside him lie the remains of a nameless stranger, an Irishman, who died in the employ of the F.F.& D.R. Navigation Co. Over his remains rests a small marble slab with the inscription "The Home of the Stranger," which we understand was erected by the generosity of Col. Alexander Murchison.Within the same enclosure, are several other Monuments of a neat and tasteful character, which mark the resting places of those who in life were beloved and in death have not been for- gotten. Northwest of the Graveyard is the residence of Gen.A.D. McLean, who is the Principal of a large and flourishing Male and Female Academy, which has had its influence in keeping the place before the public. His aged Mother's residence adjoins his own. Hext, min hispitable hostess, Mrs. E. Bailey, occupies a large and commodious two story house, with an oak grove in front, which in the heat of summer will be more valued than now. Beyond, is the residence of Rev. Neill McKay. It is a large building and presents a handsome appearance to the eye. On the opposite side of the street is the residence of his venerable mother who is indeed one of the links that connect the present with the past. Adjoining is her son Malcom McKay, where the Students of Cumberland Academy have for the last year or two found a home, and where the way faring man will find a host that will turn neigher man or beast hungry from his door. In a large open square stands Cumberland Academy, which today was used as a Court House for Harnett County. Within the Academy square stands the mansion of Col. Ales. Murchison; and in an easterly direction fronting the Graveyard and Church before alluded to, is the sumeer resiidence of Col. A.S. McNeill. Around the suburbs are several neat, comfortable, frame buildings, which give to the place already the appearance of a Town. On every side there is a gentle descent. The oaks are fast supplying the place formerly occupied by the lofty pine, plenty of which however is near at hand and bounds the view in every direction. The water is pure and excellent, and as yet no Liquor can be had in the town. One hundred and one years ago Cumberland was created our of Bladen, and knowing how gladly hundreds would read a description of the original County seat at the nouth of Lower Little River, writted at the time, induces me to trouble you with this hasty sketch, which may possibly be read with interest one hundred years hence by some zealous Antiquarian. The Magistrates of the County assembled at 11 o'clock on the 12th instant, 27 answered to their names. On motion of W.B. Wright, Esq., G.W. Pegram, Esq. was elected Chairman. The Magistrates proceeded to elect the officers of the County, of whom the followinf is a list. Benjamin F. Shaw, Clerk County Court James A. Johnson, Sheriff John L. Bethea, Esq., County Trustee. Neill McKay, Esq., Solicitor Duncan McLean, Register Hector McLean, Coroner Jonathan Holly, Entry Taker. A.S. McNeill, Daniel McCormick and John Green, Committee of Finance. A large concourse of citizens were in attendance, but everythin passed off pleasantly, and in a manner worthy of those who until to-day were sons of Cumberland, and with us felt a pride in our common origin, common history, and common name. At the separation I felt deep sorrow. A sorrow the result of a true appreciation of the characters of the kind, hospitable men, who hithereto had formed a large and honored portion of Cumberland-a county in whose welfare and prosperity I have ever felt a deep and abiding interest, and now that she is being shorn of a large portion of her strength, those feelings increase rather than diminish-but not to an extent that forbids or prevents my bidding God speed to "Harnett," now that she has set out upon her own account. She is the youngest daughter of Cumberland: May her career be glorious, may she excel the virtues of her mother, and reflect honor upon our beloved State.
Back to Whats New In Harnett