William Hooper, a member of a Congregational church in Boston. He was liberally educated, and graduated at Cambridge 1760. He studied law, under James Otis, and settled about 1767 in Wimington, to practice his profession. He soon became distinguished for eloquence, and learning. In the case of the heirs of Governor Dobbs, to recover a landed estate of Abner Nash who married the widow of Dobbs, he exhibited extraordinary power. In 1773 he represented the town, and in 1774 the county in the General Assembly.
From 1773 to 1777, he was a Member of the Continental Congress, and during this period appended his name to the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776.
On his return to private life, he resided at his seat at Masonboro Sound, about eight miles from Wilmington, but the occupation of that place by Major Craig, compelled him to seek safety in flight.
After the evacuation by the enemy (in November 1781) he returned and shortly afterward removed to Hillsboro. His days were soured by political collisions, and the disgust he felt and expressed for some measures of legislation. He died at Hillsboro, October, 1790, leaving a widow (nee Clark, daughter of Thomas Clark of Boston) two sons and a daughter. One of his sons, William, was the father of the late Dr. William Hooper, Professor of Languages in the University, the best prose writer of his day; also of Thomas, a Lawyer, and of James, who was a merchant.
An article in a Raleigh Journal, says that "there is a street called Bloodworth, in that capital," and asks, "who was Bloodworth; for," it adds, "we never heard of this distinguished man." This proves the evanescence of all human honors, and of popularity, and the importance of preserving the names and fame of those who "have done the State some service."
It is but little that we could gather, but that may be better than nothing.
He was a Member from New Hanover, in 1779, to 1794, with some intermissions. He was in the Continental Congress, 1786, and of the First Congress of the United States, 1789 to '91, and a Senator in Congress from 1795 to 1801, and afterwards collector of customs at Wilmington. He died August 14, 1814.
When the question as to locating the seat of Government for the State, came up in the General Assembly, and the contest was narrowed down to Fayetteville or Raleigh, it was by his vote the latter was selected; by this act he sacrificed his popularity.
In gratitude to him, the Commissioners, who laid out the city of Raleigh, perpetuated his name by calling one of the streets after him.
He was not highly educated, but like Judge Williams was a devoted patriot and of much usefulness in the State Councils. Few men of his day possessed broader views or a stronger will. He was intensely radical, almost a red Republican in his views and as intolerant of opposition as was General Thomas Person. (Moore I. 246)
Edward Jones (born 1763--died 1842) was brother to William Todd Jones, the Irish patriot. Born near Belfast; a merchant; settled in Wilmington, but failed as a merchant. He then studied law, and attained high distinction. His commanding talents, his genial manners, and benevolent temper rendered him a universal favorite. He was elected a Member of the Assembly from Wilmington, in 1788, and by repeated elections to '91, when he was elected Solicitor General of the State. In this capacity Mr. Jones displayed great learning and talents. In prosecution of the great frauds in 1796, he completely eclipsed the pretentious Blake Baker, then the Attorney General. (Moore I. 13.)
He died in Pittsboro, August 8, 1842. He was the friend and patron of Johnson Blakely, (born October 1781--lost at sea 1814); who was the son of an Irish emigrant; born at Seaford in the County Down, Ireland, in October, 1781. His
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