which the town was built. Elias Brock and John Whitesides built the first court-house."

        This commences the record of this venerable County, "ab urbe coadita." From that time and through all the trials of the revolution to the present day the people of Rowan have been distinguished for their patriotism and devotion to liberty. They were decided in opposition to the illegal exactions of the crown officers, which produced on the Regulation troubles; the journal of their Committee of Safety (from 1774 to 1776,) proves their sturdy resistance to wrong and their ardent support of justice. This journal has been preserved and printed. (Wheeler II, 360.)

        Prominent among the names of this committee is the name of Hugh Montgomery; he was a native of Ireland. At an early age he fell in love with a Miss Moore, who was of noble birth. This was strongly opposed by her friends, but the attachment was reciprocated--and she was conveyed secretly on board of a ship, where she met her lover and was married; the youthful pain escaped in safety to America. He was himself of a goodly stock, a near relative of General Richard Montgomery, who fell in the battle of Quebec, (Dec. 1775). He settled first in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Salisbury, North Carolina. He was constant and active in promoting the cause of independence and was one of the most fixed and forward of the daring spirits of that day. Among whom were Griffith Rutherford, John Brevard, Matthew Locke, John Louis Beard, William Sharp, Max well Chambers, Wm. Kennon, Geo. Henry Barringer, John Nesbit and Charles McDowell.*

        * Mr. M was a prominent member of the Provincial Congress from Rowan, County met at Hillsboro August 21st, 1775.

        By his enterprise and industry he amassed a handsome fortune. He died at Salisbury Dec. 23d, 1779, leaving one son and seven daughters. His son, Hugh Montgomery jr. married Miss Parnell of Virginia, and by her he had several children; one of whom Lemuel P. Montgomery was Col. of the 39th Regiment U. S. Infantry. He fell in the battle of the Horse-Shoe March 27th, 1814, in the 25th year of his age, the first to mount the breast-works and was pierced by a ball through the head.

        The eldest daughter married Dr. Anthony Newman, who settled in Nashville, and whose son, Lemuel Daniel Newman, was born in North Carolina, then moved to Georgia; was a Lieutenant in the 4th Regiment U.S. army and commanded the Georgia volunteers in the action with the Florida Indians, distinguished himself in an attack on the Creek Indians in Autossee Towns in Dec. 1813, and was severely wounded at Camp Defiance Jan., 1814. He was a member of Congress from Georgia, from 1831 to 1833. He died in Walker County, Georgia, in 1851.

        The second daughter married Mr. Stewart, who settled in Greensboro', Tennessee, where his family now reside.

        The third daughter married Mr. Blake, whose grandson, James Blake, distinguished himself in the war with Mexico under General Taylor.

        The fourth daughter married Captain Edwin Ingram, of Richmond County, who entered the army of the Revolution as a private and rose to the rank of captain. He was "the Marion" of the State, daring and active in the cause. He was tendered on account of his services and losses, five hundred pounds by the General Assembly of North Carolina which he declined to accept. He was the grandfather of Maj. Sanders M. Ingram, of Richmond, who behaved so gallantly under Taylor and Scott in Mexico.

        The fifth daughter, married Colonel David Campbell, distinguished at the battle of King's Mountain; he moved to Tennessee and established Campbell Station. Several of his sons were distinguished in the Indian wars, under Jackson and Harrison; especially William B.

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