tragic event. If Mr. Croom survived his children only for a moment, then a large estate went to certain heirs; if not, then, to other heirs.
William D. Mosely, late Governor of Florida, (1845-49) was a native of Lenoir County. He was educated at the University, and graduated in same class with Robert Donaldson, Thomas J. Green, Hamilton C. Jones, Rev. Robert Hall Morrison, James K. Polk, Hugh Waddell, and others. He represented the county in the Senate for many years, and in 1832 to 1835 was elected Speaker of the Senate, and presided with great dignity and satisfaction. His ancestors are well known in our early History. Edward Mosely was the Surveyor General of the Providence in 1723 and charges against him for malfeasance in office were preferred by Sir Richard Everhard--as also Burrington the Governor. He was one of the Commissioners with Christopher Gale, William Little and Colonel Lovick, to run the dividing line between Carolina and Virginia. Colonel Byrd, Fitz Williams and Danridge, being the Virginia Commissioners.
Hon. George Davis in a late lecture (November, 1879), "A Study: Colonial History," speaks of Edward Mosely as one of the ancestors of Governor Mosely, as being one of the great men of North Carolina; that of all men that watched and guided the tottering footsteps of our infant State, there was not one, who, in intellectual ability, in solid and polite learning, in scholarly cultivation and refinement, in courage and endurance, in high Christian morality, in generous consideration for the welfare of others, in all true merit, in fine, in all that makes a man among men, could equal Edward Mosely."
In 1707 he was Chief Justice, and in 1709, being then Surveyor General, was appointed with his deputy, John Lawson, to run the northern boundary line.
About 1840 Mr. Mosely removed to Florida, where he was much esteemed, and was the first Governor of the State, from 1845 to 1849.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
LINCOLN COUNTY.
There are few portions of North Carolina, around which the halo of chivalric deeds and unsullied patriotism clusters more brilliantly, than this section. The battle of King's Mountain, Ramsour's Mill, the passage of the Catawba by Cornwallis, and the gallant resistance and the lamented death of General Davidson; all shed a flood of memories around this region, alike interesting and patriotic. But our present duties are confined to biographical sketches, and we leave this fair field of history for other and more competent laborers.
Among the patriots of our Revolution, none deserves our gratitude more than Joseph Graham, (born 1759--died 1836); he was the founder of this family in North Carolina. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Chester County, October 13, 1759. His mother was left a widow with six small children and but slender means. He removed to North Carolina, when her son, Joseph, was about ten years old, and settled near Charlotte. His early education was connected at the academy in Charlotte, he was distinguished for his assiduity and good conduct. There studies made him acquainted with the history of events and prepared his mind for the revolutionary struggle which soon ensued. He testified that he was present in Charlotte, May 20, 1775, when and where the first declaration of independence was made, and speaks of the
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