Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Paine to Arthur Dobbs
Paine, James
November 08, 1763
Volume 22, Pages 368-369


Granville County, 8 Novr., 1763.

To His Excellency the Governor of North Carolina:

Sirs Agreeable to the Acts of Assembly and the Rules of Military Discipline I have been under the Necessity of making known to your Excellency the Situation of our affairs with Regard to the Militia, that is to say, Colos. William Person having Neglected to qualify to Colos. Commission for this three years last past, & Refusing to Act as Colos. of the Regiment. I have taken the Burthen thereof on myself as being Lieutenant Colonel, and have Called a General Muster and with the help of the Major, have Examined the Several Companys agreeable to Law and have herewith Sent you the Several Lists of Militia Returned to me by the Clerks & Captains of the Regiment and as there is several Captains that has neglected to make their Appearance & Likewise to Doe their Duty Otherwise, and that Some of them are Removed, out of their Destrict & Some Deceased.

I have herewith sent a List of the Gentlemens names that I would Recommend to your Excellency for Captains in the room of those who have been Deficient in their Duty, Viz.:

Ephram Hamton in the room of Sherrod Harris, Dt.

Thomas Willingham in the room of Hennery Howard, Removed.

Thomas Cook in the room of Daniel Osheal, not Qualified.

-------------------- page 369 --------------------

And as your Excellency will observe By the following Lists that Several of the Companys are too Large and as they are very Desirous to be Divided, if your Excellency would favor us with some Blank Commissions for the Subalterns I would Indeavour to Divide them & fill up the Commissions for some persons of Ability, who should be most Convenant to the people.

Likewise if your Excellency should think fit to Give me the Command of the Regiment of Granville, I would beg leave to Recommend to your Excellency the officers most fitting for that purpose, Viz.: Major Osborn Jeffres to be Lieutenant Colonel; & Captain William Johnson as Major, and that you would please to send a Captains Commission for Mr. John Christmas who was Mr. Johnson, Lieutenant.

And that you would Excuse my Long & Tedious Letter and am, Dear Sir,

Your most Obedient, most Obligant and most Humble Servant,
JAMES PAINE.

(Endorsement.)

To His Excellency Arthur Dobbs, Esqr., Governor of North Carolina.

Lieut. Colonel James Paine’s Letter & return of the Militia in Granville County.

List of the Captains with the No. of their Men, &c.
1.
Benja. Ward
126
Men.
2.
Richd. Coleman
131
Men.
3.
William Johnson
87
Do
4.
Phil. Pryor
74
Do
5.
Dan. Harris
185
Do
6.
Mich. Saterwhite.
111
Do
7.
John Pope
120
Do
8.
John Burt
103
Do
9.
Ephram Hamton.
129
Do
10.
Evan Raglin
74
Do
11.
Thos. Sherwood
117
Do
12.
Robt. Abernathy.
103
Do
13.
John Ferril
106
Do
14.
Danl. O’Sheal
88
Do
15.
Henery Howard.
132
Do

Total No. 1686 men A. D. 1763.

JAMES PAINE, L. Colonel.

Granville County.

(Endorsement.)

A list of the Captains and Private Men.