CHAPTER XLIII.

PASQUOTANK COUNTY.

        Connected with memories of the County is the name of John L. Baily, born August 13th, 1795; died June 30th, 1877 late one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of the State; who was the son of Gabriel Baily and born in Pasquotank County. He was educated at Chapel Hill, and studied law with Governor Iredell, at Edenton. In 1824 he represented this County in the House of Commons and was elected to the Senate in 1827 and 1828; he was elected one of the Judges of the Superior Courts in 1836, which position he filled with honor to himself and the great satisfaction of the country. He resigned in 1863. As a Judge he was patient, impartial, kind and learned; as a citizen, just and loyal; as a friend, sincere and genial. Preferring the bracing climate of Buncombe County, even to that of his native County, he removed to Asheville some years ago, where he died. His amiable wife, daughter of Thomas Brownrigg, of Chowan County, had died a few years before him. He was the father of Thomas B. Baily and Wm. H. Baily, Esqs., of Charlotte, as also of Mrs. Caine.

        William Biddle Shepard, born 1799; died 1832; resided and represented this County. He was born in New Berne; the son of William Shepard, who was the father of a family noted family for their talents and eloquence. He married Mary, daughter of John Blount, by whom he had ten children, viz:

        I. Ann, married Ebenezer Pettigrew; II. John, who first married Maria Long, second, --Gamble; III. Wm. Biddle; IV. Mary, married John H. Bryan; V. Frederick Blount, VI. Hannah, single; VII. Penelope, single; VIII. Charles, in Congress, who married first, Jones, second, Donnel; IX. Richard; X. James B.

        William, the subject of our present sketch, was the second son. and was educated at the University, where he stood high for scholarship, but he never graduated because of an unfortunate difficulty which occured at the time; he studied law and practiced with success; his first entrance into public life was as a member of the twenty first Congress (1829-31) and he served till 1837 when he declined a re-election. He was a member of the State Legislature for several sessions, from 1838 to 1850, and was very popular from his decided state-rights opinions, and the ability and firmness with which he maintained them.

        He died in Elizabeth City, in 1852; he was twice married, first to Miss Cazenove, of Alexandria, and second to Miss Collins, of Edenton.

        George W Brooks, was born March 16, 1821 in this County; his father, Wm. C. Brooks, was an eminent merchant of Elizabeth City, who came from Gates County. His ancestors were amongst earliest settlers in the Albemarle region of the State and emigrated from Virginia. Branches of the same family are still in Virginia and at one time were one of the leading families of Essex and the adjacent Counties.

        His mother's maiden name was Catharine B. Davis, of Pasquotank. She first married Captain Hugh Knox. After the death of Captain Knox, she married Mr. Brooks, and so was the mother of Judge Brooks. Her ancestors were also amongst the earliest settlers in Pasquotank County and were

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