It's All in a Name

About 1915, Rev. Stephen Gardner took over the rectorship of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington, Beaufort County, NC.  A little later, one of his parishioners was sick and the Reverend set out to visit him. Gardner didn’t know exactly where the man lived, so he stopped a man who was walking alongside the road, and asked him.

 

Postcard, 1908
From East Carolina University's Digital Collections
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/18

“Can you tell me,” he inquired, “where Mr. Alligood lives?”
“Which Alligood?” said the man, “There’s hundreds of ‘em around here.”

“Joe Alligood.”

“Which Joe Alligood? There’s dozens of them in this section.”

“The Joe Alligood with a wooden leg.”

“Which one—there’s two of them?”

Mr. Gardner finally described the man and learned where he lived.

[Taken from The State Magazine, March 28, 1942, page 3.]

BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP

It is customary in the fall season to have what is called bear hunts in the Dismal Swamp, and parties are frequently made up to go on such hunts. Before going it is necessary that some preparation should be made. Bear hunting is very dangerous, and is sometimes attended with difficulty. Before starting you should provide yourself with a cowboy suit, a good rifle, a pair of revolvers, a bowie knife (16 inch blade) and sub-marine armor. When thus equipped you can enter the Swamp. You proceed cautiously along listening to hear the bears lapping, when you go in the direction of the sound. Bears



Bear Family in the Dismal Swamp
http://www.visitchesapeake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/great-dismal-swamp/

move very cautiously, and you should be sure to keep a good lookout in your rear, as it sometimes happens that when you are going forward a drove of them are following you, and when least expected they make the attack, and if the parties should be the least separated, it often happens that all perish. I was told of a party that were out on a bear hunt in the Dismal Swamp, who supposed that they could face anything. The party consisted of eight good men. They had not proceeded very far in the Swamp when they heard in the distance the lapping of bears. Of course it is very exciting, and if one has any courage he is apt to show it at the time. A halt was made and the question asked, what should be done? They were not thinking of the danger that surrounded them. They did not think that bears were on their path. But it was too late. Whilst discussing what to do they were sprung upon from the rear, and six were badly lacerated, one rode off on the back of a bear and the last one retreated to the Lake for safety. Should you at any time go to the Dismal Swamp to hunt bears be exceedingly careful to have your rear well guarded.

 

The Dismal Swamp is located in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, between Elizabeth City, NC and Norfolk, VA. It includes parts of Camden, Gates and Pasquotank Counties in NC. When it was first discovered, the swamp may have encompassed as much as 1,000,000 acres, but after centuries of logging, which devastated the area's ecosystems, it is now about half that size. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1974. It encompasses  about 112,000 acres with Lake Drummond, a 3,100 fresh water lake, in the middle of it.

[Taken from The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, EarlyRecollections, by Robert Arnold: Norfolk,VA; Green,Burke & Gregory, Printers, 1888.]

July 4 Celebration In 1859

A patriotic spirit seemed to pervade the entire community. The arrival of the annual visitor was announced by the cannon’s deafening peal and the ringing of bells. Our hearts leaped with joy when we reflected we were fulfilling the prophecy of one of our revolutionary ancestors who said while urging his countrymen to declare their independence, “This day will be celebrated by our posterity with bonfires and illumination.”



The patriotic lines of Whittier’s …

“Go ring the bells and fire the guns
And fling the stormy banner out
Cry Freedom! Till our little ones
Shout back their tiny shout.”

 This 33-star Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1859. A star was added for the admission of Oregon (February 14, 1859) and was to last for 2 years. http://www.usflag.org/the.33.star.flag.html

At half past ten a procession composed of the citizens, proceeded by martial music, marched to the courthouse. Elder C. B. Hassell offered up a fervent prayer in our behalf as a nation after which the marshal of the day, L. E. Satterwaite, Esq., introduced Theodore Hassell as the reader of the Mecklenburg Declaration.

Mr. Hassell performed his duty in a manner perfectly satisfactory to all.

Reading slowly and distinctly, Dr. Chas. W. Knight was next presented as the person selected to read the National Declaration.

Dr. Thos. C. Pugh arose and after an introduction proceeded to deliver the oration for the day. On taking his seat he was greeted with rounds of applause.

The exercises being over, a procession moved down to Main St. and then dismissed. At night a cotillion party was given at the old hotel.

The amusement was kept up until a late hour when the company, wearied from exertion, dispersed.

[This account is from the newspaper,  Democratic Banner, and describes the 1859 celebration at the Martin County Courthouse in Williamston. The article was first printed in the Tales Along The Roanoke by Louise R. Booker, Illustrated by Bailey Phelps, Edited by Deane R. Phelps: 1974.]