( 363 )

George Germaine is read which speaks fully to M r M c Knight s Loyalty & essential
Services. M r M c Knight declares that it is a true Copy. Produces a printed
Copy of the Journals whereby it appears by resolves therein that the Negroes
were order d to be taken off M r M c Knight s Estates before the Declaration of
Independence.

Governor Martin sworn.

M r M c Knight was very well known to him for many Years. Believes him
to be a firm Loyalist. Can t say that he rendered services to this Country. He
used his best Endeavors to do so but the services of the best people in that Country
were render d abortive. He has the highest sense of M r Macknight s Services.
The Depositions formerly made by Gov r Martin & printed in M r Macknight s
memorial are read to Gov r Martin & he says they are the truth.

Says being asked about the Grant of Lord Carteret that it was incompleat
but says that seven Years possession gave an indisputable title. Does not know
whether M r Macknight had been 7 Years in possession. Says this tract was in
dismal Swamp & that it was an uninhabited & impassable Forest. Can t say
whether the cutting a road merely can be consider d as possession.

Has been upon the Estate at Belville. It was a very fine Country charming
Pasturage. He was there in the Y r 1773. He was consider d as one of the
most wealthy Men in the province. Looks upon him as a Merch 1 when he says
this. Considers a Man who has 10000 in North Carolina as a very rich Man.
But thinks he was worth more. Can t speak to the Value of this Estate.

Knows that he had the Clerkship of Pasquotank but he can t speak to the
Value of it now. Says he knew it when he was Governor.

Will m M c Cormick sworn.

Knows the Dismal Swamp. He has been in parts of it. Does not know
M r M c Knight s title to it. But knows he made an Entry in 1763. Believes he
never got the Grant. Says any person might have taken Land to any amount.
Says M r M c Knight meant to take 40000 in one District. He has valued it at
6s. Sd. per Acre. Says some Acres were worth 2os. per Acre. The Swamp is
about 30 Miles long & 15 Miles wide. Says M r M c Knight & M r Parker went
with their Negroes & they were a fortnight in penetrating 7 Miles & made
a Squirrel Road & this was all the poss n they ever took. Can t speak to the right
under poss n . Says they must have been at some Expence for fees 100 or 200 C.
Does not know that they ever cut Shingles from 1763 or derived any Advantage
before the troubles. Says he believes they never had. Being asked whether
under all the Circumstances they could be consider d as having poss n He says
he thinks it might but not ag fc the proprietors. Believes they never paid a farthing
Quit Rent. Knows he lost several Articles of Crop & says the Valuation is
a moderate one. Believes | d belonged to M r Macknight. Says he had one half
before 1772 & the Partnership was afterw ds divided into three Shares.

James Parker sworn.

Tho his Deposition seems to imply that the whole of his Land was worth
401. per Acre he does not think it was & he meant to except the Marsh Land.
Thinks the high & arable Land was worth 40^. an Acre & that the high Land

3 A 2



( 364 )

consisted of about 8000 Acres, M r Macknight s low Land was very bad Land.
Says about 1759 or 1760 He wanted to purchase 100 Acres adjoining to M r Mac-
knight s & he was asked 3 an Acre for it but he did not buy it. He values the
low Land at 51. per Acre S. Does not know whether he gave Money or goods
for Land & does not know what he gave for it. Thinks he should have given
45 s. per Acre for the 100 Acres for which they asked him .3 an Acre. When
M r Macknight first went into that Country there was little or no Sea trade.
The increase of Commerce rais d the Value of Lands. Speaking of Lands in
general in this Country He says between the Year 1759 & the time of the troubles
that Lands in general were doubled in their Value & that M r Macknight s rose
in the same proportion with other Lands & no more. Thinks that in 1759
M r Macknight s Land the 5000 Acres were worth about 301. an Acre Proc. And
in 1774 He thinks they were worth 40^. S. per Acre. Yet he thinks they would
not have sold for so much. Would not have sold for near so much at publick
Vendue. M r Macknight he says made little or no annual profit by these Lands.

Rob 1 Nelson sworn.

Never has been at Belville. Has valued the Estate without ever having
seen it. But says it is near Lancaster where the Lands are very good & he says
he has valued the Land upon a supposition that it is as good as the Land at
Lancaster. Has known Lands sell at Lancaster for .5 Proc. 1 per Acre. Never
was in Dismal Swamp but has been on the sides of it. Says it was valuable for
the Shingles which were sent to the W. Indies. Can t value it. M r Macknight
desired him to come to give his testimony. He was not a Surveyor in America.

Colonel Ellegood sworn. i8 th of May 1785.

His Deposition read. Confirms the truth of it. Was last upon this Estate
in 1773. Has been frequently at it. Has had many Conversations with
M r Macknight & differs much with M r Macknight as to the Value. Does not
know the Quantity. There was some Land worth nothing. M r Macknight
had two Law Suits & prevail d in both. Admits that the rise of Lands in this
Neighborhood was immense from the Year 1763 & 2 1774. In a Conversation
with M r Macknight he told him that tho he could not value it he was sure it
was not worth near so much. Is clear that property more than doubled itself
between the Years 1759 & 1774. Says it would not have fetched 8000 S. even
if sold in Lots & at a 12 Month s Credit. This he says he is positive of & can
speak with Certainty. Says he would by no means have given 7000 for it.
He would not have lived there upon any Ace*. He is asked if he had been referr d
to to name a price between two Parties. He mentions the Sum of ^5000. And
this with a Year s Credit. The Interest of Money there was 5 or 6 per Cent.
Says the Buildings were rather to be built. He had Materials & meant to have
built a very good House. Thinks the Estate might have sold for the ^5000.
Knows the Dismal Swamp & that he had a concern in it. Has heard so from
M r Acheson. Col 1 Ellegood looks upon the Entry as valid as a Deed that the
Parties making the Entry ought within a limited time to take out a Patent but

1 Proclamation money (of Queen Anne, 1704) under which a Spanish or American dollar equalled
six shillings. 2 Sic in original. ? 1763 to 1774.



that Lord Granville l frequently shut up the Office for Years & people could not
take out their Patents. Does not know when the Quit rents become due in
Carolina whe r upon the Entry or the Patent but says that in Virginia he believes
they became due upon the Entry made. Says Entries have been sold. Does
nor know when Lord Granville died. Believes that the reason that M r Macknight
did not take out the Patent was that the Office was shut. Thinks if they had
agreed to sell the whole together it would have sold for very little.

Memorial of Nathaniel Wilson Determin d the

Nath 1 Wilsonthe Claimant sworn. 9 th of May 1785. i 9 tb f May 1785.

Is a Native of Ireland & went first to America in 1766. He was settled in
South Carolina when the troubles broke out. He first took part with the British
after they took Charlestown. He had no Opportunity of doing it sooner. He A Loyalist,
was obliged to take the Oath to the Americans. He believes it was in 1778. But took the
He was obliged to carry Arms for the Americans ag l the Indians in 1778. He Oath & serv d in
served in their Militia before the Year 1780. the American M

Certificates to Loyalty & his being wounded at the siege of Ninety Six by J om dy e J
Col 1 Allen & some other Officers.

He join d Col 1 Balfour in 1780 & was at the siege of Ninety Six in 1781.
He rec d six Months pay. He was wounded there. He staid with the British
till the Evacuation & then he went to Halifax. Came from thence about 3 weeks
ago. He means to go back to Nova Scotia & not to Ireland.

Says that he could not help taking the Oath but he took it to save his
property until he could. He had one Brother killed in the British Army. He
was settled on Sawny s Creek.

Isaac Stewart knows that many Loyalists took the Oath to the rebels.
Knows that he did join the British as soon as he could. Has been upon his
property often. He does not know the Quantity. Thinks there were about
50 Acres clear d where his father lived & about 15 or 20 Acres clear d where he
lived himself. It appear d to be in good Order. He values the clear d Land.
Thinks 400 Acres & 50 clear d would be worth about ^120 S. or 130 this is
exclusive of the Houses thinks the House &c would cost ^50. Knew his father
but does not know to whom he left his property but knows the father to be dead.
Knew the younger Brother & that he is dead. Supposes if the 15 clear d Acres
had 200 Acres belonging to it that it might be worth .60 S. with the Buildings.

Does not know what Stock there was but says they had the reputation of
having a great Stock. Saw a great Stock himself. Remembers the Horse he
was a very fine Horse thinks he would have sold for 40. Says the House was
comfortably furnished. Has reason to believe that the Rebels took everything
away but can t prove it. He says he thinks his Estate will be confiscated & that
he cannot return. Does not know whether he is the oldest Son but believes
he is. Says his Brother lost his life from his Attachm* to G. B. He fled to the
Indians & being caught before he could join the British he was killed.

1 John Carteret, first Earl Granville, b. 1690, d. 1763. By an Act of Parliament of 1729 seven-eighths
of the original Carolina grant were surrendered to the Crown ; Lord Carteret, afterwards Earl Granville,
retaining one-eighth. For an account of the land system see Raper, op. cit., p. 1 12.



Determin d the
01 of July 1785.



ii



Claimants all
Loyalists.



( 366 )

Alexander Chavus sworn.

He is a Loyalist himself. Knew Nath 1 Wilson about 8 Years ago before
the troubles. When the troubles commenced He & the Claim 1 both took up
Arms with the Americans. Says they were obliged to do it. Says that it was
not in the Claim ts power to join the British before he did. He join d them
at the same time. And he admits that he thought at that time that the British
would succeed.

Memorial of Tho s Macknight Esq. on behalf of himself & his Partners
William Atcheson & James Parker

Tho s Macknight Esq one of the Partners sworn. ^ of Ma 7 J 7 8 S-

The Witness was in Partnership with these two Gent" when the troubles
commenced. He reads a Narrative containing an Ace* of the Partnership the
time when it was enter d into the proportions & shares of the different Partners.
He was a Partner in one third of the Belville Co in 1774 under the firm of
M r Macknight & Co & the Memorial now in Consideration relates to that partner
ship. His two Partners were very firmly attached to Great Brit n . States the
property so lost by the Partners to have been lost by their Loyalty. The Sum
lost by the Partnership he states to be 13526 ijs. od. S. or .23672 os. C. This
Ace 4 was made up in 1772 & was the Amount of their property at that time when
this Partnership began. He has no later Acc k his Books being lost. Says it was
increas d in 1775 more than the 6000 which had been taken out of it to make
another partnership. The Capital left then was 17000 which he says had at
least increased to make it the 23672 C. which is all that he claims. That
property consisted of Lands Slaves Vessels &c besides Debts.

Cannot enumerate any part of the Lands. He is told that he must give
in a particular Ace 4 & Schedule of the Lands Slaves &c. He promises to do it
ag* tomorrow.

James Parker Esq sworn.

The Witness was a Partner in the House of Mess rs Macknight & Acheson.
They were in partnership in 1775. He has seen the Ace 4 which M r Macknight
produces & says if he had staid in the Country (M r Macknight) to have disposed
of the property he would have made the Sum that he has charged which is
23350. Thinks it was saleable for that Money at that time. Says it was
a thriving business when the troubles commenced. Can t tell how much they
clear d annually by it. Admits that they had never drawn anything out of it
but three Negroes apiece.

Colonel Ellegood sworn. 2 I st of May 1785.

Says that M r Macknight M r Atcheson & M r Parker were Partners in 1775.
They were in considerable business. Does not know anything of the Lands
belonging to the Co. But he knew their Negroes very well. They had the
most valuable proportion of Negroes of any Man in America there were a great
number of Tradesmen & they were able to build a Ship amongst themselves
without any assistance but of a Master Builder. Thinks them under the Circum
stances worth per Head 100 proc. Does not know the Store at Belville or



( 367 )

what was in it. Says they imported a great Quantity of Wine in the Y r 1773
or 1774. Can t speak to the other Articles in the Schedule as Salt Iron &c.

Col 1 Ellegood s Deposition read to him & he confirms it. He says the reason
that he was able to speak so particularly to the Partnership Acc ts was that
M r Atcheson was his Guardian & M r Parker likewise married his Sister. And the
Witness wished to get M r Atcheson & M r Parker out of that Concern. They
shew d him the Ace 1 in 1772 as a friend. And he was agreeably disappointed &
satisfied that they were really worth that Money but did not know what they
owed. Thinks they were worth much more in 1775 than they were in 1772.
Knows they clear d about 2000 Pro. by a Voyage in 1773. Has reason to
believe that ^6000 was taken out afterwards to establish another partnership.
Can t say that the Partnership gain d so much as to make up that Deficiency
between 1772 & 1775 but can safely say they gain d a great deal.

Col 1 Ellegood called in again & sworn.

When he saw Belville there were no Warehouses by the Water Side therefore
in his Valuation he could not include things which did not exist. He understands
that these Warehouses were built by the Negroes belonging to the Partnership
& that as they were built upon his (M r Macknight s) private property he was
to make an allowance to the Partners for the labor of the Negroes. Does not
know whether he ever did make that Allowance or not.

Thomas Macknight Esq sworn.

Since yesterday he has recollected three more Negroes. He names them
& they are added to the List. One in the former List by a wrong name. So that
two only are to be added. Says that in consequence of the Warehouses being
built upon his Ground He was to pay & ace* to the partnership for the labor
of the Negroes. He has not paid it but says he is to account for it. Cannot
say what the Warehouses cost. Has valued the Estate altogether. Produces
some papers to shew that he had extensive Dealings in Rum Wine &c.

Memorial of Tho s Macknight on behalf of himself & his Partners Determin d the
W m Aitcheson James Parker & W m M c Cormick 25 th of May 1785.

Tho 8 Macknight Esq one of the Claimants sworn. 2 ^ of Ma ? J 7 8 5-

This Memorial is presented for the Loss of two Ships by himself & Partners. The Claimant &
The Ship Belville was a Vessel belonging to W m M c Cormick & Co. And these his Partners
Gent n here named had all Shares in different proportions. M r M c Knight had Loyalists.
f ths . In 1775 She saild from Wingfield in North Carolina with a Load of Lumber
for Cadiz & Bees Wax. The restraining Act not extending to North Carolina
This Ship was regularly clear d in 1775 & legally because it was done at the
King s Custom House. She was taken by an American Vessel at the Bar before
she got out to Sea but she had proceeded 150 Miles on her Voyage. The Cargo 300.
Americans threw the Cargo overboard & carried the Vessel up to Newbern.
M r M c Cormick who then resided at Wingfield applied to the Congress & upon
giving Bond & Security to them to be answerable to the State for the Shares
of his Partners they permitted him to reload the Vessel. He did so & sent her



( 368 )

Ship Belville to Sea. She sail d again under the old Clearance in the beginning of 1776 after

1500. Cargo 600. the Prohibitory Act had taken place in America. But believes it was before

Negro 80. jyjr M c Cormick knew of it. When she was within a Day s Sail of Cadiz she was

taken by an English Man of War & carried into Gibraltar & condemn d under

the Prohibitory Act.

Tho s Macknight sworn. 24 th of May 1785.

Admits that he rec d 800 from the Treasury since the Act of Par* has pass d
but says it was given to him for the hire of a Sloop which Lord Dunmore hired
of him & which was lost at Cape Fear.
James Parker Esq sworn.

The Witness had one fifth concern in this Partnership. Says he was con-
cern d that his Partner staid so long in the Country not because he was afraid
that he would change his principles but he really thought his Life in Danger
on ace* of his principles.

Determin d the Memorial of Will m M c Cormick

i i th of June 1 785. _ . . . 2A th of May 1785.

William M c Cormick the Claimant sworn. 7

Swears in general to the truth of the Memorial which is printed. Is a Native

A Loyalist. of Scotland & went to North Carolina in 1761. He was in the service of

Did not bear M r M c Knight & Co. when he went out & during the whole time only he did

Alms - some business for himself. He quitted America in 1777. He never subscribed

to any Association or took any Oath to the Rebel State. Gen 1 Howe l the Rebel

Gen 1 wanted him to subscribe a Test but he refused. He had no Communication

with his Partners before they fled & they did not desire him to stay. He came

away when he did because he heard he was to be summon d to take the Oaths

& that they would treat him ill if he did not take them. Says the reason of his

flying was publickly known. He went to New York But when they went out

they pretended to be bound to Spain. He was made a Prize of by a British

Man of War the Vessel belonged to the Company. The Ship was detain d

three Weeks & then she was restored this was done by the Interference of Gov r

Martin who bore testimony to his Character &c. He staid about a Y r at New

York & came home in 1778 & has been here ever since. Never bore Arms. He

Bounty 100 a Y r . has an Allowance of 100 a Y r from the Treasury which commenced from the

I st Day of Jan? 1779 & he now continues to receive it.

Determin d f Memorial of Maurice Nowlan

2 d of July 1785. . . . 26 th of May 1785.

Maurice Nowlan the Claimant sworn.

Is a Native of Ireland & went to America in 1770 to New York. He was
settled in 1774 at Cross Creek & followed a Mercantile Line & carried out 200 GSs.
A Loyalist. He took part with Gov 1 at first & rais d a Company in 1776 & join d Col 1 Mac-

Bore Arms, donald at Cross Creek. Produces a Warrant for the rank of Capt n with the

1 Robert Howe of North Carolina, Colonel 2nd North Carolina Continental Regiment, September I,
1775 ; Brigadier-General, Continental Army, March I, 1776 ; Major-General October 20, 1777. Served
to close of war (McCrady, S. Car. in the Rev., lJJ5-8o, note 4 on p. 137).



-I



#



( 369 )

Pay as such. He was four Years & ten Months in Captivity. He broke Gaol
at Reading in Oct r 1780 & got to New York from whence he went in 1781 to g & | o
Charlestown. He got a Warrant from Col 1 Stuart to raise a Company in North % .3
Carolina but being obliged to evacuate Wilmington suddenly he was not able
to raise the Company. Warrant produced dated 30* of Oct r 1781. At the
Evacuation of Charlestown he came to Eng d . He never sign d any Association
or took any Oath. When he was in confinement he was offer d his whole ^ ^ ^
property if he would join them. He rec d the pay of Capt n up to this time & now
receives half pay. He has an Allowance of .50 a Y r from the Treasury which Bounty 50 a Y r .
he has had from the I st of Jan y 1783 & he now continues to receive it.
Neil M c Arthur sworn.

Knew M r Nowland in 1774. He was a very loyal Subject. He was a Store
keeper. He raised a Company in 1776. He was a long time confined. He
married a Dau r of one W m White he married in Ireland. W m White was an
Irishman. He is not acquainted with any of his Lands. He knows he had an
House at Cross Creek can t tell what he gave for it. Does not know what it was
worth but believes 500 S. Would have given 500 for it.

Further testimony to the Memorial of Maurice Nowlan

Maurice Nowlan sworn. 2<1 of J une I 7 8 5-

Admits that he was one of the Party who went by the desire of the Rebel
Committee to intercept a letter written by Gov r Martin which they effected.
Says however that he did not go by choice. Says he went by Compulsion & that
he was taken out of his Bed. Says however that he should have been in no
personal Danger if he had avoided going. Says there were two Companies in
Arms in America at that time for the purpose of learning their Exercise. One
Co was attach d to America & the other to G. B. He was in that which was
attached to America. He was an Assist 4 Lieut fc . Being asked why he did not
tell this Story when he spoke of his own Case he says he was confused & that
he was not asked. Thinks notwithstanding this that a Man may be said to have
been uniformly loyal. He chose his Co. from attachment to his friend. He
join d the British because he always meant to do it. Admits that he always
thought that the British would succeed.

Alexander M c Kay sworn.

Did not know that M r Nowlan was one of the Party to take Capt n Cunning
ham till this Day. Says in the Case of Vardy this affected his Opinion because
he knew his Sentiments but it does not alter his opinion of Nowlan s Loyalty.

Memorial of Capt n John Martin Determin d the

John Martin-the Claimant-sworn. 26" of May 1785. 9 th of June ,785.

Is a Native of Scotland & went to America in 1771. He carried out
jioo in Money & Goods to 60. In 1774 He lived in Cumberland County 1 A Loyalist & bore
on a Plantation. He join d the Loyalists in 1776. He was then a Lieut 1 . He Arms<

1 North Carolina.



( 370 )



was afterwards made a Capt n in 1776. He was made a Prisoner at the same time
& let out on Parole. He had a Warrant from Col 1 Hamilton in 1779 to raise
a Co. He came to Eng d the io th of Oct r last. He has half Pay as Capt n now.
His Reg 1 is now in Nova Scotia. He has 4 Children. He applied to the Treasury
for an Allowance but he was refused.



Determin d the
2 d of June 1785.



A Loyalist & Bore
Arras.



Memorial of Malcolm Love

Malcolm Love the Claimant sworn. 2 7 th of Ma ? J 7 8 5-

Is a Native of Scotland. Went to America in 1769. In 1774 & 1775 He
was settled at Cross Creek as a Miller & a Blacksmith. In July 1775 he muster d
with the King s friends & constantly went out with the Men. Was at the battle
of Moor s Bridge with 35 Men that he had raised for his Lieut cy . The Rebels
offer d him a Commission but he refused. He was wounded in four different
places & taken Prisoner. The latter end of 1777 he was press d to take the State
Oath & left the Country to avoid taking it. He never took any Oath to them
& was obliged to leave the Country in 60 Days. He went to Cape Francois
& from thence to Jamaica in 1779 & came to Eng d in Oct r 1783. He has an
Bounty 30 a Y r . Allowance of .30 a Y r since the Month of April 1784.
Neil M c Arthur sworn.

Knew M r Love in Carolina in 1775 & 1776. He always conducted himself
as a steady Loyalist & never waver d. He kept a Blacksmith s Shop in Cross
Creek & had a plantation in the Country. He was in a very thriving way.
Thinks he might get 200 C. per Ann. by his business.

Heard that he bought Land on Stewarts Creek but does not know it And
can t speak to the Value of it.

He knows he bought the Grist Mill of one Munro. He lived there. This
was a valuable piece of Land. About 10 or 1 2 Acres clear d when Munro lived there.

Says he would have given ^200 S. for the 150 Acres & the Mill. He thinks
the furniture worth 30 & knows that he was plunder d of it.

Determin d y* Memorial of James M c Collough

28 th of March 1785. T ^ ~ .. , , ~, . 28 th of May 178s.

James M c Collough the Claimant sworn. * >