Captain James Mebane was active in the revolutionary struggles. He married Margaret Allen, of the Hawfields.
David Mebane, the youngest son of the patriarch of this family, was not old enough to be of much service in the war of the revolution. He, however, served in two campaigns and did all in his power. He represented the County of Orange in the Legislature in 1808, 1809-'10. He married Ann Allen, of the Hawfields and left a large family, among them George A. Mebane of Mason Hall, merchant and Post-Master.
Brig. Genl. Francis Nash was the brother of Governor Abner Nash, whose biography we have recorded. (See page 132.)
He was much respected, and in the colonial period of the state, was a member of the Superior Court under the Royal rule.
When the revolution commenced he was on the 22d of April, 1776, appointed Lt. Colonel of the first Regiment of North Carolina troops in the Continental establishment (Jas. Moore, Col.; and Thos. Clark, Maj.;) upon the death of Col. Moore, he became Colonel. He was subsequently promoted to be a Brigadier-General, and ordered to join the Grand Army of the North under Washington.*
* Extract from Journal, of
the Continental Congress, "July 14, 1775, Resolved that General Nash proceed
immediately with the Virginia and North Carolina troops, together with Colonel
Procter's corps of artillery to join General Washington."
He
commanded a brigade at the battle of Germantown (Oct. 4, 1777,) where he
received a mortal wound. His thigh was shattered by a spent cannon ball and the
same shot killed his aid, Major Witherspoon, son of Rev. Dr. Witherspoon,
President of Princeton College.
He was buried at Kulpsville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, twenty-six miles from Philadelphia. By the patriotism and liberality of John F. Watson, a monument has been placed over his remains.
The Continental Congress on Nov. 4th 1777, passed the following:
"Resolved, that his excellency Governor Caswell, of North Carolina, be requested to erect a monument of the value of five hundred dollars, at the expense of the United States, in honor of the memory of Brigadier-General Francis Nash, who fell in the battle of Germantown on the 4th day of Oct. 1777, bravely contending for the independence of his country."
This pledge is yet unredeemed. Pro pudor!
General Nash married Sally, daughter of Judge Maurice Moore, leaving one daughter, Sally, who married John Waddell and who had ten children, viz: I, Haynes married Fanning; II, Frank married Moore; III, Hugh married Susan Moore; IV, Maurice; V, Sally married DeRossett; VI, John; VII, Alfred; VIII, Mary; IX, Claudea; X, Fanny married John Swan.
Frederick Nash, (born 1781, died 1858,) son of Governor Abner Nash and nephew of General Francis Nash, was born on the 9th February, 1781, in the old colonial palace at New Berne, his father then being Governor, the successor of Richard Caswell, first governor elected under our State constitution.
His education was conducted by Rev. M. Pattillo, a Presbyterian minister of piety and learning, at Williamsboro, Granville County, and he was prepared for college by Rev. Thomas P. Irving, of New Berne, a divine, and scholar of eminent attainments; he graduated at Princeton, in 1799, in same class with John Forsythe, of Georgia; Jas. C. Johnston, of Edenton, and others. He returned home and commenced the study of the Law, in the practice of which from his ability, learning and assiduity, he attained high distinction. It was natural, from such qualifications, that his fellow citizens should look to him as a suitable representative in the halls of Legislation. In 1814-15 he represented
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