The 1838 Petition of Inhabitants
Seeking to Divide Montgomery County,North Carolina

As found in the
North Carolina State
General Assembly Session Record

November 1838 - January 1839
Box 4, Petitions

At
North Carolina State Archives

To the Honorable The General
Assembly of the State of North Carolina
The memorial of the Citizens of the county of Montgomery respectfully showeth that the county in which we reside embracing a wide extent of territory, is divided into nearly equal parts by the Pedee River, which runs from North to South through the entire County – that the County seat of justice is located on the the East side of the River three miles from sd. River. That consequently many or your Petitioners who reside west of the River are very remote from the County seat and are subjected to great inconvenience and pecuniary distress in attending the regular Courts – many of us are situated from thirty to forty miles from the Court House and to reach court in time are compelled as Witnesses as suitors or as jurors to leave home on the Sabbath day and after traveling all day often find ourselves arrested at the River by the overwhelming freshets to which it is subject; and are consequently compelled either to neglect
and abandon the business and the duties which call us to court or to regard our lives in crossing the River in small canoes at considerable expense and then proceed on foot to the Court House a grievance in many instances para - -mount to a denial of justice And this great evil and inconvenience is rendered still more oppressive by the fact that in our present condition the County is subjected to and annual public tax of Two hundred & fifty or three hundred dollars to defray the ferriage of the people traveling to the Court House on Public days thus we have to suffer great evil and distress and then submit to a public Tax to bear up under our wrongs. Your Petitioners believes that a Division of the County by law is the only effectual Remedy that can be applied by the Legislature to equalize and redress the wrongs under which we labour and as the County by the River is naturally divided into nearly equal parts as to territory, population, and wealth
and as there is almost perfect unanimity among the people on both sides of the River for a division, no part of the State can be wronged or aggrieved by giving us a new County, the Representatives in the Legislature for the present would remain undisturbed and under the next apportionment in 1841 no natural Change could take place in the State Representation by the Division of our County, your petitioners have born their grievances long, and they have born it silently, they have been subjected To great inconvenience and loss and Distress without a murmur, we now believe it competent for the Legislature to equalize And redress our wrongs by giving as a New County, where separate and distinct Courts if Justice may be established convenient to the people, where the evils Under which we now labour would soon vanish away, and where the moral and civil condition of the People would be improved and promoted, your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honorable Body to take our case into consideration and erect a new county out of that part of Montgomery County west of Pedee River, leaving that part of the
County east of the River as the future west of the river County of Montgomery and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray & &

Petition for a division of the
County Dist no. 2

Wm Bruton Joshua D. Wright Isham J. Flick Basil Wright D. R. Cockran Jas Hogers Miles Pool A B Cochran Benjamin Haywood Goodman Green Daniel McKinnon J S E _ McQueen Solomon Haywood C J Cochran Malcam Lamonds James Batten Daniel Batten D. Batten Jas. T. Bruton Karman McDuffie Elias Mann John McCaskill John Batten Kendx H. Bledso John Sedberry Daniel A McCaskill James Green John Munn George Bruton Neil Munn David Rowe Daniel McCaskill Sen Wm. Bruton Sener Alexander McCaskill Jonathan Yarbrough Henry Yarbrough James Boyd Malcolm Muchison Wm. R. Green A McCaskill Martin Green Charles Campbell L. Robinson David Yarbrough Archibald Lammands Daniel Lemmons Edawrd A Wright Edward Munn Samuel Beale David Boyd A J Cochran Rowan Harris James McCaskill L Simmons Richard Blake Esqure J Blake Alexd Gilly Angus Lammond James Lewis James Green A. B. Lammond James Yarbrough Alexd. Muchison Angus Gilly

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
Petition for a Division of Montgomery County for
district No. 5
H M Tomlinson George Ingram H B Billingsley Jas Haward Levi Shankle Arnold Watkins Miller W. Easley C M Robinson Benjamin Lilly J W Norwood R. G. Snuggs James Deberry Wm. Hendley S P Kendall Mathew Smith John Mills William Solomon Daniel Manes D W___ James M Benj Joy Milton Dus Richard Randle Roley (x) Sanders P M Lanier Joshua Coley Jno Avett Neil McCallum Isaac Simpson David Smith A___ Swearingen Lot Avett Jeremiah Watkins Geo Avett W N Beard Thos Tomlinson Hardy S. Watkins J. B. Covington Thos Allen J. H. Treadwell James Allen Wm D. Watkins Whitman H. Smith

______________________________
We the under Signers petition for the
division of the County of Montgomery
for district No 6
1 J. A. H. Parker 24 David Pennington 2. Jening Crowel 25 Jasirus Hall 3. Nathan Carter 26 William Crowell 4 Henry Carter 27 Jaret Carter 5 R L McDaniel 28 Eb Hall 6 George Hearne 29 E W Lilly 7 John Butler Sr 30 Titus Burnett 8 Peter Crowell 31 John Parker Sr 9 Masses Crowell 32 Daniel McLester 10 John M Lefler 33 W H Randle 11 John Carter 34 Yandl Avery 12 James Smith 35 T L Bundy 13 John Munn 36 Howel Parkinson 14 John Hopkins 37 John Smith 15 Charles G. Gaines 38 S W Cooper 16 B H Carter 39 Thomas Howel 17 Elisha Smith 40 Elias Cranford 18 ________ ________ 41 Nash Thomson 19 George Crowell 42 Elisha M. Monroe 20 Robert Riles 43 Wm Parker 21 Stephen Kirk 44 Allen Crowell 22 Jacob Hagler 45 Allen Rice 23 ____il Sids * 46 John Marks 57 Saml. P. Morton * 48 John Forks *

______________________________

47 Timothy Ragdel 79 A Randle 48 Leonard Sids 80 _ C Pennigton 49 William G nk__ 81 Abia Rice 50 Leonard Telli__ 82 Allen Rice 51 Jacob _________ 83 D Sides 52 Richard Stokes 84 Francis Laeke 53 Labon Carter 85 E_ Almond 54 John Laton Junr 86 E H Smith 55 Wm P _ewell 87 Daniel Kirk 56 Wyatt Morris 88 James Parker 57 _ F. Krone 89 Jas. Ferrel 58 J Russel 90 Travis Carter 59 H. Pence 91 David? Howell 60 George Thompson 92 John Parker 63 James Kirk 93 Thos Rice 64 Wilson Carter 94 William Morris 65 Lou__ Cranford 95 John Kendall 66 D Harris 96 Drea Moris 67 James Parker Cenr 97 John Moadly 68 Thos Moss 98 J. W. Earnhart 69 Brady? Moris 99 Rowland Mann 70 James Crowell 100 Holcombe Cox 71 William Crowell 101 Thomas Hearne 72 John Littleton 102 David Crowell 73 James Palmer 103 John F. Miller 74 Newton Hearne 104 Allen Rice 75 R C Miller 77 Green M. Burch head 78 Tyrrel R Bolton

______________________________
105 David Link 128 Samuel Manner 106 John Calloway 129 Charles Dees 107 John Hall 130 Phillip Fesperman 108 P Kirk 131 Wm Penington 109 James Cart__ 132 Stanley McDaniel 110 E L Parker 133 Noah J Rosse 111 James Palmer 134 David Lason 112 J Hearne 135 Kembrel Cooper 113 Joseph Mann 136 D F Mann 114 Thomas Mann 137 William C Smith 115 G. M Russel 138 green Burch head 116 Edward Almon 139 Allen Holt 117 B____ Parker 140 Henry Man 118 Morrow C___ 141 E Stokes 119 D H Hokes 142 GM Sides 120 Barny Cla_on 143 Isaac Marbry 121 Willy B Coy_____ 144 Isham Clement 122 __ky Man 145 L___ Link 123 Atles Rice 146 Rowe Forrest 124 John H. Smith 147 John McRae 125 George Rumage 148 ~~Peter~~ 126 _ D Ross 149 James Fry 127 Martin Kirk 150 David Holt 151 Jonathan Fry 152 Archibald D. Rice 139 Tilmon Rumage 150 Winson Ross 151 Wily Ross 152 John Mc_________ * Isaac Elaway? *

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
petition for a Division of Montgomery County
for District No. 7
Job Davis Jones Green William Coley 35 Jacob Shpprd John (cc) Coley Stephen x York J Norwood ________ ___________ 5 James (x) Hathcock David (x) Kennedy David Morton Olston + Poplin Isaiah H. Underwood 40 Jerimarh Poplin Calvin (x) Lee William Thompson Samil (x) Coley Henry Poplin 10 George Kimra James Murry John Cox Richard Poplin Azariah (x) Russel 45 L M Swain Henry Davis Jacob Coble Jas. W Davis Henry Kimra 15 H. Kendall Henry Shostner P B Dudney John har_____ James Hathcock 50 Wm H Dgean Jas Crump T R Kendall Shelvy Carpenter E W Davis 20 Herriot F Davis James Hinson JS Easley _ambriel G. Cooper James Floyd 55 Daniel Crump David Blalock A Crump David (x) Coble Jeremiah Hinson 25 John W Swaringen John S. Chambers Briant Dease David Grean Stoaks Mc entire 60 John Coble Caswell Cooper John Coble Pall Dees Jesse Poplin 30 Benjamon Molden John Holt Jacob Kimrea Phillip Perry Josiar Foyd 65 Daniel Louder * Henry Poplin Robt Blalock *

______________________________
[So?]lomon Tomas Tom P. Duke 70 Andrew Blalock Burwell Henly George Efird Joshua Burris James Thompson 75 Richmond P. Coleman Alexd Bill Robt Turner Eliya Hinson Benjemon Hinson Samuel Loudder A. Foreman

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
petition for a Division of Montgomery County
for District No. 8
C. Man Nathan (x) Almond John (x) Melker John (x) Carker * _____ Herrin Solomon Holt Loyd Hathcock David Moose Coorod Udy his mark Lindsey F. Cagle Wm Udy his mark Benj. Cagle James Thurnor his mark Malachi Harwood William Burris Wilson B. Herrin John Vick Wm. Burlyson Elijah Perry Reden Almond Isaac Burleyson Wm Hatley Thomas x Casels Frederic (x) Page Isaac Rowland R__ Almond John M. Morton Allen Almond John Udy Jesse Hathcock Jere Adderton Daniel _ease Leonard Fry his mark John L. Christian Ransom Motley Mathias Rowland Paul Furr Wm Hatley Wm McLester Gilford Hatley John (x) Almond _______ Roland Nelson (x) Shue John (x) Cassel Jur John Furr jr Solomon Hathcock Killos (x) Almond Elisha (x) Hunneycutt George (x) Louder Henry (x) Manuel Thos. H. Austin Henry Lipe Benja Hathcock Jacob (x) Tucker Jemmy Loutir Jon (x) Morgan Reuben Peninger Allison (x) Whitley Edmund (x) Whitley Wiley E. Perrish Nelson Sides E F Lilly Joseph Morton

______________________________
Morton (x) Almond Jacob Austin N Lefler Samuel Mann Drury Honneycutt ______ Rice* ____lson Pennigton*

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
Petition for a Division of Montgomery County for
district No. 10
Sherwood Page Peter Inees John (x) Eudy John Ledbetter Joseph (x) Smith Stephon Gilbert Federick (x) Hinson Joel (x) Ledbetter Solomon Efird Akel (x) Burgess Joseph W. Gilbert William (x) Smith Edmund (x) Smith Jno (x) Hinson Joseph Light Green Whitley George Cagle James (x) Coley Jacob Efird William (x) Morton Goodwin (x) Hinson John ferry Myrick Harward David (x) Cagle A. Ledbetter Isham (x) Lilly Michael (x) Cagle Christopher Light Beverly D. Harward Allen Burris Thos Norwood George (x) Whitley Jacob Har_ Jonathan H. (x) Griffin Martin Reap _______ (x) Smith Hovel hinson Tapley ________ Henry Cagle George (x) Cagle Daniel Efird John B. Ca__r Daniel Light John _______ Jacob (x) Chrisco Daniel Reap Benjamin (x) Murry Wade A. Green *

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
Petition for a Division of Montgomery County for
district No. 12
Edmund Sell John T. Stone Jacob Lyale Lindsey F. Cagle Mathias Sides Eli w. Christian John Ridenhour Wm Stokes Thos Rowland George Mci_____mmer Daniel J. Boger Richard Howell William Lauder Allen M Blackwelder John Boger Simeon Hatley Daniel Parker D. A. G. Palmer D. Udy S Harkey J Sell C Fricke N Howell Y Ridenhour A Hagler _ Kizor David Lyerle George Sef___ William Sides’ Solomon Ridenhour Green Palmer Daniel Ritchey George Sids Daniel Leflar Solomon Richey *

______________________________
District No. 13
Subscribers names for a division of the county of
Montgomery & c
Littleton Harris John Elliott W. B. Loflin Heteny Russell Jarrot Harris Parson Harris Green Davis Wilson Harris J R Hice Thos L. Steed Israil Elliott Jesse Steed Nelson Elliott West Harris Simon Coggin Isaac Holtum Eli Russell Wilson Hambleton HB Hall Eli Harris James Elliott Jr Harris Reeves Thos Taylor Davis Russell JB Walker Allen Hill John Russel Wm Brewer Hansell Pennington Willie Russell Spinkson Hambleton B G Coggins Stephen Hambleton Wm. Blackwell Sr. B W Simmons Eli Coggins Nathan Cranford *

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
petition for a division of Montgomery County for
district No 14
John Little Capt Jonathan Morgan Labon Little Morris Smith Jacob W. Little Esqr. Drewry Morgan Joshua L. hinson Benjamin (x) Penyon Christopher (x) Yow Tobin Lamburt Sampson (x) Watts Duncan Tucker James (L or S)ittle Senr Hudson Vickers M S l____ George Smith John Brooks James Hartsel Lewis (x) Springer Nathan L. (x) Starnes John M (x) hinson George W. (x) Lambert _ichman (x) Page T. W. ___________ Geo H Honneycutt Michael Garmon Jur. Sion (x) Page L___s Honneycutt Mathias Furror Frederick (x) Lambert F. K. Honneycutt Dempsey (x) Honneycutt A H Honeycutt Josiah Barbee ____ Honeycutt Benj Barbee Ely (x) Honneycutt John E. ________ A (x) Honneycutt J. W. Craton K Shinn M Williams Solomon Hartsel John Shew Jacob (x) Tucker David (x) Shew James Tucker Pleasant Almond Pleasant Tucker Caleb Osborne Daniel Hartsell Cla______ F. Reed Thomas (x) Pinyon Garrott Pless Joseph K Honneycutt Charles Pless James Little Jur James Hathcock George Stogner George (x) Honeycutt Peter Pless John Stansill David Harky John Hagler Hyram (x) Barba Leonard Hartsell Isaac Harky Uriah (x) Page Henry (x) Yow Moses (x)Kizor Jonah Love *

______________________________
A list of Subscribers names to be attached to a
petition for a division of Montgomery County
For district No. 15
Saml. S. Stone Joseph Pickler John Forrest ser. Neal Huntsucker Thomas Huckabee John Rummage Aaron Sanders Jas Ingram Hutson Tailor Johnson Laton George Shankle Williamson Ross Brittain Huckabee James Cox John Yates Althea Smith Howel Upchurch William Smith Arthur F. Atkins Green B. Ross Edward Almon John G. Forrest Jesse Pritchard Mark L____ Alexander Kirk Samuel Coggins Antny Crips Needham ________ A_ Smith John Conup William Forrest J F_________ Henry Shankle William Simpson Sta_lon Gordon Thos Kirk Henry Marshall jr. Roc__ Smith John Simpson Thomas Rumage Thomas Biles George Rumage Nathan Rumage Stephen Sanders * Elisha Laton *

______________________________
Dis No 11 Montgomery NC October 20th 1838
We the inhabitants of Dis No 11 petition for the
division of Montgomery County
Archibald A. Leach Lockey Jordan John Allen E. S. Jordan John C. Nichols E. Sugg James Lucas Thos Britten Hugh G. Lucas John Jurdan Wm Simmons Spencer Halston James Simmons Horatio Sugg John Macon George Allen Wilson Cupples _______ ________ Charles Cupples John Campbell James G Allen D Da___________ George Richardson Henry Freeman Wm Butler William Richardson Nathan Jinkins Joel Lucas Wm Jordan John Rynols Fedrich Steed Thomas Sugg John North____ Angus McCaskill Cummins King Williom Green John Smith Elias Jenkins Isaac Sugg Wm Green John Haltom

______________________________

Burrel S. Allen Lyah? Spencer * A Martin Robinson Spencer Jacob Jordan Lewis _________ Aaron Wright Ebenezer Reynolds Jesse Howell John Cornelson _ Wright Pleasant Simmons Richard Green William Teet__ Archibald Campbell James Wright Edwin Leach James Saunders Me_adae Smith Duncan McCaskill James Simmons Jur. Thomas ward Eli Ward William (x) Freeman John Boroughs
Not having opportunity [to present] this petition to all the
Citizens this district I would say in their behalf that
[I believe] they are all in favour of dividing the County.
Captain of the district A. A. Leach
______________________________
Whose names are heretofore annexed ----
The Division of the county of Montgomery as
heretofore agreed upon making the Peedee &
Yadkin rivers the line.
Jas M. Butler Jeremiah Link Arron Pennington Joseph Milton John A. Ledbetter M .w Smart A. H. Saunders D Dircktom P C. Saunders Mos___ Parker Amos A E D Chauncy Levi H. Nichols William Jordan E. H. Davis James ___ Joseph A Cranford Br reden J g Morgan Joseph Hurley Spencer Morgan John Lewis Martin Gilly

Private and Public Acts of Law
in
North Carolina
1840-1841
CHAPTER XIII.
An Act to lay off and establish a County by the name of “Stanly.”
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State
of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the
authority of the same, That a County shall be, and
the same is hereby laid off, and established in the
territory now comprehended in the Western limits
of Montgomery County, in manner as follows, viz:
That the Rivers Pedee and Yadkin, as now running
through the County of Montgomery, shall be the
dividing line between the County of Stanly and
Montgomery; and all that part of the present
County of Montgomery, lying and being West of
the said Rivers, Peedee and Yadkin, shall hereafter
constitute a separate and distinct County, to be
called and known by the name of Stanly; and it
shall be, and is hereby invested with all the rights,
privileges and immunities of the other Counties of
this State, except as hereinafter provided.
[Ratified, the 11th day of January, 1841.]