From Mark von Destinon vondesti@cochise.edu
These two petitions list three Dollarhides in Randolph Co, NC.
Ashel Dollarhide, George Dollerhide, Frank. Dollerhide
I include all the other names who signed since you may find an allied line there.
The following two petitions dating from the late 1780s and listing many male
residents of Randolph County, NC, in the late 1780s have been of great value to
genealogists in identifying not only many heads of households living in the new
county, but also many unmarried males, some of whom I believe had not reached
their majority when they signed the petitions. The petitions followed within 10
years the formation in 1779 of Randolph Co, which before being formed consisted
of the southern third of Guilford County, Guilford in turn having been stricken
off Orange County in 1771.
Randolph County, NC, Petitions 1785 and 1788
The two petitions to the North Carolina State Assembly ensued from
dissatisfaction by the county residents signing the first petition, about
1785, with the location of the county courthouse and other county government
activities in the northeastern part of the new county. Location of the seat of
government at such a great distance from residents in the south part required
them to spend more than a day reaching the seat of government, attempting to
conduct their business there during daytime hours, and returning home. This
petition, containing 331 names, asked that the courthouse, jail, stocks
(punishment and confinement devices), and other governmental operations
be moved to the center of the county. On the other hand, most of those living
in or near the area where court and other county business was transacted
preferred that the seat of government remain where it was in the northeastern
location, and they, in turn presented a second petition in 1788 with 360 names
to the State Assembly urging that the courthouse not be moved.
After consideration for several years amidst political maneuvering by both
factions, the State Assembly finally acted to relocate the courthouse to a site
near the center of the county, where the new court held its first session on
Wednesday, 12 June 1793. The new site was named Asheborough -- now Asheboro --
after Samuel Ashe, North Carolina governor from 1795 to 1798.
The two petitions were found among the papers of the State Assembly in the 1970s,
and an excellent article appeared in the Journal of the Randolph County
Genealogical Society in the fall of 1978-79 under the authorship of Mac Whatley
(Lowell McKay) Jr. of Asheboro, describing the background of and the political
considerations that attended the actions which ended with the relocation of the
county seat.
Two matters about the petitions are of concern to genealogy. The first is that
there are a number of duplicate names, most resulting from the actions of two
militia commanders signing the names of the members of their company to the
second petition "by consent," a number of these 155 residents having already
signed the first petition. The second is that the names of several members of
a family sometimes appear to be in the same handwriting, and includes household
members who are known from placing their "marks" on deeds and other sworn
documents to have been unable to sign their own names; but their names
nevertheless attest to their presence in Randolph County at the time.
1785 Petition To the Honourable the Gennerall Assembly for the State of
North Carolina
The Petition of the Inhabitance of Randolph County Humbly Sheweth That a
Number of them Labour at a Great Disadvantage in Attending on Public Meetings
Owing to the Place Whare the Coarte is held being so fare from the Center of
the said County We your Humble Petitioners Beg that your Honourable Boddy Would
Pass an Act Directing that Commishoners be Appointed for the Purpose of
Centering the Said County & Erecting the Publick Buildings At or Neare the
Center of the Said County and We your Petitioners are Ever Bound to Pray etc.
Signatories:
Richard Bird, Jas. (x) Mallett, Richard Bean, William Bird, Jas. (x) Lathem Jr,
Peter VonKannen, Nimrod BREWER, Wm. (x) Reade Sr, ASEL DOLLARHIDE, Thos.
Mullins, ___ Powers Sr, Wm. VonKannen, Nathaniel Mullen, Aaron Hill, George
Tripett, Arther Reade, Arther Reade Jr, Daniel Presnall, Bird Powers, Isaac Cox,
Wm. Wright, Wm. Rains, Thoms. Carter, Jno. Lucas, John Rains, Henry Craven,
Uriah Wright, Jesse Pitts, Jno. Williamson, Peter VonKannen, Jas. Wilson,
Henry Brown, George Tucker, Wm. Teague, Wm. Needham, Thos. Tucker, Magnass
Teague, Math. Deaton, Jas. Tucker, Isaac Redfern, Eldrig Deaton, Jno. Tucker,
John Rustain, Benjamin Williams, Jno. Tucker, Abreham Hammer, Wm.(x) Reade Jr,
Jno. Harvey, Joseph Routh, Joseph Bookout, Michael Harvey, Jerremiah Mullin,
Marmen (x) Bookout, GEORGE DOLLERHIDE, Peter Craven, Charles Bookout, Wm. Davis,
Thoms. Craven, Wm. Richards, Jno. Lathem, Jacob Routh, Wm. Ditto (Richards), Wm.
Lathem, Edward Routh, Jno. Cox, Jacob Moser, James Allred, Shadreik Ditto (Cox),
Johnson King Jr, Aaron Hopkins, Francis Chaney Jr, Wm. Bean, Mosses Diffey, Saml.
Hendrix, Thos. King, Sollamon Trogend, Wm. York, Obediah Hudson, John Avery,
Joseph Hendrix, Christian Luther, John Trogdon, John Hodgen, Saml. Reed,
Moses Hopkins, Abreham Taylor, Jno. Reed, Samuel Walker, Wm.(x) Kendelee, Nat.
Tucker, John Duncan, Emanuel Asabell Sr, Mikhel Bollin, Dennis Hopkins, Howell
BREWER Sr, Jno. Steed, Josiah Hopkins, Jas. Presnall, Charles Bollin, Dennis
Hopkins, Richard Coxe, Drury Richeson, Charles Duncan, Joseph Lewalling,
Christopher Etherton, William Sworford, William Harvey, Jno. Rollen, Jacob
Lowdermack, Joseph Wright, Calob COXE, John Lowdermack, Richard Graves,
Ben. Bland, John Lowdermack, Jr, George Lucas, Vachel Handcock, Philip
Lowdrmack, George Tucker, Jno. Handcock, Flourance Taylor, Johnson King
Sr, Jno. Bollin Jr, Windsor Pearce, Wm. Richeson, Jon Carmen, Joseph Hix,
Wm. Harvey, Daniel Cox, Arther Smith, Mark Cole, Joseph Brown, Michall
Andress, Jno. Williams, Sm. Ratliff, Jas. Ledford, Wm. Presnall, Amos
Ratliff, Jno. Hase, Jeremiah Ozier, Bury Thompson, Wm. Mallett, Wm.
Tucker, Michail Harvey, Jno. Williams Jr, David Cranford, Peter King,
Mathew Cole, Lanerd Cranford, (___) Neadom, John Harvey, Finch Carter,
John Hollowday, Daniel Presnall, Elis Cranford, Thos. Lucas, Stephen
Presnall, Eleven? Cranford, Isaac Williams, Michail Harvey Sr, William
Cranford, Wm. Lucas, Michael Harvey Jr, William Cranford, Wm. Pitman,
Jesse Harvey, Samuel Cranford, John Conner, John Harvey, Charles Hopkins,
Johnson King, Jasper Cunce, Thomas Hardester, Jas. Pitman, John Kearns,
Sammul Hopkins, Matthew Cole, Isac Kearns, Thomas Tolbord, John Graves,
Silas Kearns, George Haregrove, William Graves, John Baley, William
Hanah, Nathaniel Tucker, Joshua Cox, Richard Bean, Will. Bland, Thos.
Cox, William Queen, Moses Bland, Henry Ramsowers. John Sugg, Rolle Spinks,
John Henley, Thomas Randol, John Pearce, Nathan Cox, James Randol, John
Read, Miles Glasgo, Thomas Randol, John Spivey, William Cole Jr, Richard
Fincher, William Searcy, Stephen Hussey, John (Avery?), Joseph Carr,
Christopher Hussey, Thos. Williams, Wm. Argo, Thos. Castelo, (___)
Williams, Robt. Carr, Benj. Cox, Jorg Williams, John Deaton, James
Goodwin, Thomas Bruckshure, Isack Kornedy, Paule Engles, Samuel Picket,
Archebol McNorton, Moses Hammon, John Hopson, Moses George, Jno. Hammon,
(___) Cagle, Charles Gery, James Scot, Stephan Presnall, John Putman,
Danul Scot, Morgan Edwards, Gidethon Macon, Will. Cox, John Scot, Jas.
Bowden, Jeremiah Cox, Jon Richeson, Howel BREWER, Jno. Cox, Moses Hammons,
William Bowden, Wm. Lathem, Jno. Needham, John Spinks, Christor. (x)
Assbell, William Smotherman, Lewis Spinks, Isaac BREWER, Benjamin Reader,
Garrto Spinks, Reuben BREWER, Jno. Laurence, Enoch Spinks, John Smith,
Moses George, Matthew Hamilton, Wm. (x) Colyer Sr, Cornelias Latham, John
London, Wm.(x) Colyer Jr, Thos. Cost, Sen. William Read, John Presnell,
Thos. Cost Jr, William Constand, Jorg Power, Jas. Latham Sr, John Costand,
Maning Bruckshur, Johnson Latham, Adam Andrews, Jacob Skeen, Wm. Laurence,
David Andres, Jonathan Edwards, Jesse King, Charles Stewart, Jos. Wade,
Joseph ___dson, Derias Mash, William Brucksher, Abr. Presnell, W. Duskin,
William Lacey, John Johnson, John Duncan, John Amick, Linsey Bell, Nehemiah
ODell, Hardeman Porchs, Wm. Bell, William Trogdon, Isaac ODell, David (x)
Powers, Joshua Kinworthy, George Julen, Jesse Comber, Abram Hamons, Enock
Berrey, Thos. Waddill, Balam Halsy, Edwd. Jones, John Needham Sr, Thomas
Cocks, Wm. Davis, William Smotherman, William Cox, William Pearce, Benjamin
Readors.?, Ths.? Kinworthy, Dennis (x)Carpender, John Laurance, Abram
Williams, David (x) Andrews Jr, Thoms. (x) Cost Sr, Nathanial Cox, Nathan
Hornady, Thoms. (x) Cost Jr, Jesey Hamons, William Caull, Wm. Smith, Samuel
Brown, Jas. Powers, John Cocks, Wm. Brown, Daniel Bedsall.
1788 Petition To the Honourable the General Assembly of the State of
North Carolina
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Randolph Couny humbly Sheweth
that a good Court House Prison Pillory & Stocks have been lately Erected
at the Cross Roads, in, and for the use of, the said County; That Some
people however Seem to be dissatisfied therewith & perhaps may send a
petition to the Assembly, to get the Said Publick Buildings removed, or
in other words, to Cause a new Set to be Erected at some other place;
We Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that they may be continued at
the Cross Roades; and we further pray that an Act of Assembly be passed
to lay of & Establish a Town at the said Cross Roades, and Your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray etc.
Signatories:
Robert Bratton, Joseph Jackson, John Lowe, Joseph Smith, John Murdock,
Christ. Nation, Phillip Rody, Joseph Curtis, James Dunbar, Bartho.
Grogan, Benjamin Means, Amor Davis, Isac Robins, Sr,Christopher Nation,
Mathew McFetridge, Jacob Hoover, Abram Nation, Daniel Ferree, Edw. Beeson,
Daniel Hoover, Saml. Alexander, James Smith, Isaac Right, Abram. Eliot,
Stepn. Alexander,Wm. Alexander, George Moore, John Husbands, George Yount,
Isrel Eliott, John Smith, Subal York, James Bain, John Thompson, Simor York,
Wm. Eliott, George Alexander, Wm. Ridge,Joseph Clark, Wm. Alexander, Wm.
Robins, Wm. Coltrain, John Johnson, Dan Merrel, Nathl. Kerr, John McDaid,
Jos. Eliott, Saml. Eliott, Silas Worth, Wm. Wilson, John Love Sr, FRANK.
DOLLERHIDE, Jacob Varnor, Elija Molley, Joseph Lain, Jacob Keevit, John
White, Insign Wm. Mathews, Solomon Evins, John Swift, Malcom Cammel,
Francis Frazur, James Fruit, John Eamick, Hugh Blare, Evin Harris, Wm.
Wilson, Henry Johnson, George Wright, James Routh, Eli Burgess, John
Allread, George Black, John Husband, Elias Swift, John Aldreg, William
Gray, John Duncan, Wm. Burgess, John Spencer, Charles Duncan, John
Fraosire, Samuel Clark, Wm. York, Saml. Stout, Moses Robines, Semor
York, Antheny Rains, Robert Gray, Jesse Stroud, John Walker, Joseph
Johnston, John Stroud, Eli Lollar, James Curtes, Stiphen Lewis, Robert
Wilkerson, Thomas White, Thos. Garnor, Jacob Routh, Andrew Means, Wm.
Barker,James Frazire, Andrew McPheeters, Hugh Gavin, John Campbell,
John Hill, Wm. Smith, Solomon Moffett, Nathan Low, Isaac Lain, Ezekiel
Alldredge, Saml. McFetridge, John Crabtree, Absalom McDaniel, David
Coltrain, Wm. Swaford, John Burgess, Joshua Curtis, Raney Julin, Peter
Keevit, Joseph Robins, Solomon Long, Edmond York, William Brattain,
Semor York, Edmnond Hays, James Yorke Jr, Isaac York, John Lollar,
Wm. Millikan, Shubel Julin, Jacob Stealy, Edward Gray, Thos Benson,
Jas. Moffett, Thomas Sharp, Isaac Odel, John Linebury, Pephere? Bryan,
Amos Cox, Dobson Burrow, (Petter?) Archebel Hopper, Michael Beck, Isaac
Snow, Jas. Botsford, Jeffre Beck, Ebenezer Snow, John Allread s/o John,
Adam BROWER, Conaway Stone, William Allreand JR, Jacob Watson, Isaac
Elders, Solomon Trogden, Jones Burrow, John Elders, John Trogdon,
Abraham Lane, John Stiles, Robert Walker, Wm. Davis, Abner Loe,
Samuel Walker of Wm. Peter Stout, William Bailey, Wm. Cood, Wm.
Williams, Thomas Hill, Tobias Moser, Henry Garner, William Fagan,
Samuel Walker son of Sol. Wm. Cox, Clement Wood, Ezekiel Welborn,
John Barker, William Thornbery, Joseph McLain, Abraham McDaniel,
Edward Clark, John Wilborn, David Chaplan, William Swigert, John
Jones, Alexander Campbel, Phinehas Hunt, Joh- Hutson, Evin Lollar,
Marmaduke Vickery, Jas. Pugh, Wm. McGoune, John Dennis, Wm.
Husbands, Balaam Burrow, Enos Blair, John Husbands, John Clapr.
McLain, Capt.James McCollum, John Millar, Thos. Swift, Liut.John
Grimes, Isaac McDaniel, Cristen Morrice, John Dafren, John Avery,
John Chaney, John Chambers, Stephen Jones, John White Jr.
Signed by the Consent of My Company by Me, R. McLEAN, Capt.