(Winston) but little is known to us. His daughter, Anna, married twice. First Fonville, and second to William White, who was Secretary of State from 1778 to 1811. Mrs. White left three daughters:*
* One of Governor Caswell's
daughters married a Gatlin. Dr. John Gatlin, who was a surgeon in the United
States army, and was massacred at Dade's Defeat by the Seminoles, in Florida,
was a grandson of Caswell. General Gatlin was a brother of Dr.
Gatlin.
I. Anna, who married Governor David L. Swam.
II. Another married General Daniel L. Barringer.
III. Another married General Boone Felton, of Hertford County. (University Magazine IV., 1772.)
General Felton was a native of Hertford County, and a man of some wealth and culture. He represented this county in 1809, and frequently afterwards. Ten years afterwards he had a difficulty with his relative and colleague, which was the cause of much excitement in the county.
The capital town of the county preserves a name equally as illustrious as the name of Caswell, it is that of Bartlett Yancey, who was born, lived and died in Caswell County. He was educated at the university, although his name does not appear among the list of graduates, and for a time was a tutor in that institution. He studied law, and attained great eminence in the profession. But political life was his proper element, and there he shone conspicuous. His first appearance in public life was as a member of the Thirteenth Congress, 1813,-'15, and again in the Fourteenth, (1815,-17.) Here, by the solidity of his judgement, the suavity of his manners, and the extent of his acquirements, he attained a high position among such statesmen as William Gaston, William R. King, William H. Murfree, Israel Pickens, Nathaniel Macon, all of whom were his colleagues. He was the firm and fearless supporter of the administration of Mr. Madison and the republican party. On his retiring from congress he resolved to devote himself to his profession, but the people would not permit him to retire. The next year they elected him to represent the county in the senate, in which position he was continued until his death. The senate each year elected him unanimously its speaker. No one possessed more popularity. On some occasions he received nearly every vote in Caswell County.
As presiding officer of a deliberate body he was pre-eminent, and scarcely ever rivaled. Blessed with a manly person, of most engaging and bland manners, a quick and well balanced mind, an accurate memory and clear and harmonious voice, he was peculiarly qualified for the duties of a speaker. As the journals will show, in Congress, the speaker (Mr. Clay) often supplied his own place by the substitution of Mr. Yancey. His efforts for the benefit of the state are monuments of his greatness as a statesman. The organization of the judiciary; the system of finance in the treasury and comptroller's offices as also of the common schools, and other public measures attest his sagacity and usefulness.
He died in the meridian of his life and usefulness in 1828. This sudden and unexpected event caused a deep sensation of sorrow throughout the state. All eyes were turned to him as the successor of Governor Branch, in the United States Senate. He left five daughters: Mrs. McAdden, Mrs. Giles Mebane, Mrs. Lemuel Mebane, Mrs. Thomas J. Wommack and Mrs. George W. Swepson; and two sons: Rufus A., who graduated at the university, with great credit, in 1829, in the same class with Burton Craige, William Eaton, Dr. Sidney X. Johnston and others, he died in Richmond, Va., about 1835; and Algernon Sidney, who was a lawyer, died in 1840.
Probably there are few men, in either public or private life, who occupied during their
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