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00032703370 
 
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 This book musf not 
 be token from the 
 Library building. 
 
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 Form No. 471 
 
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES 
 
 H^OF!^ 
 
 Fenner Bryan Satterthwaite, 
 
 ^TOGETHER WITH THE^^ 
 
 Obituary Proceedings 
 
 -*;0F THE^ 
 
 WASHINGTON BAR, ETC. 
 
 Norfolk, Va.: 
 
 VlKHINlAX STKA.M PKINT, 
 

PREFACE. 
 
 After a lapse of a decade from his death I begin the 
 arduous task of compiHng some biographic sketches, va- 
 riously collected, of Fen'ner Bryan Sattf.rthwaite. 
 
 A great man is about to pass beyond the memory of 
 this generation unnoticed. Nor is it fitting in us to so 
 overwhelm ourselves with the business of this impatient 
 epoch, that we bury the remembrance of former achiexe- 
 ments, lest haply we be rushing to a future uncertain and 
 experimental. Contrariwise, I judge we ought to pause 
 before each grand structure of the past age and formulate 
 a prudent course for us, observing with equal care the 
 successes and reverses of their fortunes. 
 
 In particular, does it behoove us to contemplate with 
 respectful minds any remarkable character that has flour- 
 ished before our very eyes, allied to many in this section 
 by consanguinity and the closest relations of personal 
 friendship. For, in viewing such an one, we do not 
 behold them as prophets of a distant time or country, 
 the heroic in whose lives is alone explicated to us, but 
 rather as a familiar acquaintance, full of effect and delect 
 like us. Thus a character of striking similitude to our 
 own, whose successes attracted notice, we can't fail to 
 view without benefit, coupled with a commendable pa- 
 triotic pride. Nor do I think that any cynics can impugn 
 my motives upon the grounds of consanguinous interest, 
 (for what is that to American boys?) or deem my inten- 
 tions otherwise than humble and correct. 
 
 No better apology can be offered to those who may, 
 with any interest, peruse these pages than is suggested 
 
6 
 
 by the foregoing observations. I do not expect any 
 extended circulation from the fact that the reading public 
 is supplied with a superabundance of literature. 
 
 Scarcely could a man in a life time peruse the books 
 published in a day ; therefore, it seems presumptuous to 
 offer anything else, especially from so unaccustomed a 
 pen as mine ; but I find sufficient excuse in the sugges- 
 tion and encouragement I have had to prosecute the 
 work, in the full belief that many friends of Mr. Satterth- 
 waite are still living who will hail with delight any tribute 
 to his memory ; and lastly, because I have selected the 
 unostentatious method of using more largely the writing 
 of others than my own, to whom I extend my most 
 grateful thanks. 
 
 F. S. STICKNEY. 
 
 Washington, N. C, 1887. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Sketch I. — F. S. vStickney, .... 9-18 
 
 " 2.— S. S. Satchwell, M. D.. . . 19-22 
 
 3.— Kemp P. Battle, L. L. D., . . 23-25 
 
 " 4.— T. P. Ricaud, .... 26-31 
 
 " 5.— John S. Long, .... 32-35 
 
 " 6. — Hugh F. Murray, . . . 36-40 
 
 " 7.— S. S. Satchwell, M. D., . . . 41-43 
 
 " 8.— D. T. Taylor, M. D., . . 44-47 
 Satterthwaite as Lawyer and Orator — G. H. 
 
 Brown, Jr., 48-51 
 
 Extract from Sermon by Rev. E. M. Green, . 52-53 
 
 Meeting of County Commissioners. . . 54 
 
 Letter from Hon. Jesse J. Yeates, ... 55 
 
 Meeting of the Bar, ...... 56-57 
 
 Eulogy, I. — By Judge E. G. Reade, . . 58-59 
 
 2.--By Judge W. A. Moore, . . 60-61 
 
 3.— By Judge W. B. Rodman, . 62-63 
 
 " 4. — By Major Thos, Sparrow, . . 64-66 
 
 " 5. — By Judge James E. Shepherd, . 67-70 
 
 Address by F. B. Satterthwaite before Esperanza 
 
 Lodge, 71-85 
 
FIRST SKETCH. 
 
 The Satterthwaites came from England in the 
 colonial days, and located in the exact spot where the 
 city of Philadelphia now stands. 
 
 Joseph was the first to turn his course southward. He 
 came to North Carolina, and settled in that section of 
 Beaufort county called Punoo, then known by its Indian 
 name, Machipungo, before the Rexolution. From him 
 was descended in the third generation Fenner Bryan 
 Satterthwaite, who was born on the 6th of March, 1813. 
 
 Reared in quiet and unostentatious walks, his early 
 life was not eventful, sa\e in the circumstances that sur- 
 round the life of a wild and happy boy. None of those 
 elements of modern ci\ilization, growing out of the 
 methods of intimate and rapid communication, drawing 
 in their train some attendant vices, had entered the 
 homes of that old fashioned, hospitable country where 
 Mr. Satterthwaite was growing up. 
 
 There may be observed to this day something of the 
 spirit of the early settlers in lower Beaufort county. 
 They were people who had fled from persecution to the 
 wild retreat in the woods of Carolina, then an unnamed 
 pr()\ ince. 
 
 Thus a liberty loving people had grown up in her 
 borders. 
 
 P>ee as the birds that reared their unharmed broods 
 in the tangled wood was the spirit of our young hero. 
 Directed by a good mother, were woven into the fabric 
 ot his character, those principles that fitted him for future 
 use and ornament to his family and constituents. He 
 learned by contact and experience to appreciate the 
 
10 
 
 worth and position of those people on whom the great 
 strength of nations hangs. 
 
 The old people tell nie that he was, when merging into 
 manhood, a tall, handsome youth, with marked, expres- 
 sive features, possessing great good humor and love for 
 fun. 
 
 Many an hapless individual was the victim of his 
 adroit pranks. His perfect command of all his faculties 
 and feelings made him a successful operator in these 
 frolics. This power he manifested in remarkable degree 
 in maturer years, relating the most amusing anecdotes 
 with inimitable skill and composure. 
 
 He never laughed, but his expressi\e smile meant 
 more than a laugh. 
 
 When a mere boy his father died, and thus grave re- 
 sponsibilities fell upon him. 
 
 Now, we may behold him as he places his foot firmly 
 upon the threshold oi life, without wealth, without educa- 
 tion, without paternal assistance; unknown he steps into 
 the arena. He has no weapon but his will, no defense 
 but his own good character. His equipment was nature's 
 own gift — no more. 
 
 It need not confront our eyes with amazement that a 
 splendid structuj-e grew from this foundation ; for it is an 
 obvious fact that almost all heroic characters, both in the 
 past, and in our own time, are taken fresh from the lap 
 of nature. 
 
 Luxury is an indulgent mother that spares the rod 
 
 and spoils the child. 
 
 " Those who toil bravely are strongest ; 
 The humble and poor become great ; 
 And from little brown lianded children 
 Do grow mighty rulers of State. 
 
 " The pen of the author and statesman— 
 The noble and wise of nm land — 
 The sword, and chisel, and pallet 
 Shall be held in the little brown hand.'' 
 
11 
 
 Men may transmit property to their children, and entail 
 it for generations, but the' mind is ( iod's gift, a very like- 
 ness of Himself: and when He is about to give to the 
 world a worthy one, He fashicMis him, as He did our 
 prime progenitor, from the very hollow of His Omnipo- 
 tent hand. 
 
 To turn trom moralizing to the theme : — We first 
 behold him taking to himself a wife, Anna Elizabeth, the 
 daughter of Edward Langhinghouse, of Pitt, before he 
 attains his majority. Then he appears as a politician the 
 following year, and is sent to the Legislature to repre- 
 sent Beaufort county. 
 
 Shortly after his return from the Legislature, with his 
 effects and family (wife and two children), he moved up 
 the river into Pitt county, and purchased a tract of land 
 from old Col. Salter. Here he built and cleared a valu- 
 able estate. 
 
 It w:'s at this place, on the south side of the ri\cr, 
 where the ui)land freshets of the Tar merge into the 
 broad tide waters of the Pamlico, that Mr. Satterthwaite 
 was wont to dispense his bountiful and free hospitality. — 
 A hospitality of the olden-time, such as we of this era do 
 not know. 
 
 Shortly after his purchase of this estate his finances 
 fell into arrears, and he was held in prison bounds in the 
 town of W^ishington under the old law of huprisonmcnt 
 for debt. 
 
 " 'Tis an ill wind that blows no good." Thus, debarred 
 from employment, by that incongruous law which said — 
 pay me what thou owest, but sit still till the money comes 
 to you — he formed the purpose of his life. 
 
 When a child he was accustomed to listen with eager- 
 ness to the conversation of that great and good man, 
 Judge Gaston, who frequently stopped at his father's 
 house as he went to and returned from the courts in 
 
12 
 
 Hyde. He longed to be a great man also ; but no 
 schools were accessible, and his opportunties meagre for 
 acquiring- any information. 
 
 But these latent fires sprang again into flame when 
 John S. Hawks, Esq., offered him a place in his law 
 office. Dr. Singletery, the Episcopal pastor, gave him 
 instruction in Latin, for the Romans have not only 
 furnished us with the rudimentary principles of law, but 
 have left, through the influence of succeeding Romance 
 nations, all the terse maxims of the law in original 
 Latin — a knowledge of which is indispensable to a 
 lawyer. 
 
 With such assiduous interest did Mr. Satterthwaite 
 push these studies that it aroused the enthusiasm and 
 admiration of his father-in-law, who came to his rescue 
 and settled his difficulties with his creditors. 
 
 After obtaining license he began practice in Washing- 
 ton, but he liveci upon his farm, and had an office in the 
 yard 
 
 His popularity soon won for him a large and lucrative 
 practice, but, with quick perception, he saw he could not 
 succeed m debating matters, involving deep legal 
 scrutiny, before those old oracles of the law that rode the 
 circuit in those days. So, like the wise, whose greatest 
 sagacity is manifest in the tact with which they cover up 
 their salient points of character, showing themselves 
 only where" they are invulnerable, he turneci his attention 
 eminently to the arts of the advocate. In this he was 
 entirely successful. 
 
 As a speaker he was unique, original, graceful, natural, 
 inimitable. 
 
 His language was simple, fluent, varied, and appro- 
 priate ; his person, tall, handsome, grave ; his attitude 
 noble, full of suavity, and composure ; and his whole 
 
v.] 
 
 presence ni;il;n('tic. 1 Icre was a t^rand forensic orator, 
 indeed. 
 
 Beaufort county never had the lil-ce hefore ; when will 
 she produce another ? 
 
 I once heard a notable lawyer say that in \isitin_<i 
 Washinoton he saw this splendid orator for the first time, 
 addressing' a large assembly iu open air. It seemed to 
 him that some great man of classic history liad suddenly 
 appeared before the people. All were listening with bated 
 breath to the entrancing flights of his eloquence. At 
 each pathetic illustration a suppressed sigh escaped their 
 lips. Then a look of indignant horror seemed to knit 
 their brows and curdle their blood as he depicted the 
 desperate conduct of some heartless wretch. Presently 
 he would lead them from these tragic scenes into 
 pleasant pastures and by still waters ; and lastly in some 
 magnificent climax he would elevate his hearers to the 
 highest pitch of enthusiasm, when they would spon- 
 taneously break forth in loud bursts of applause. Thus 
 through all the shades of human emotion he would lead 
 his willing audience, calling into active exercise forces of 
 their innermost souls that lay dormant from the rust of 
 indifference and neglect. Tears would trickle down 
 stony cheeks, and stern brows soften in mirth. Patriotic 
 fires did he cause to spring up in young men's hearts, 
 and shrinking maidens to animate with enthusiastic zeal. 
 
 In early life he visited the National Capital, in the 
 days when those gigantic characters— Webster, Clay, 
 Calhoun, Corwin, and their compeers, were moulding- 
 American history. When he w^as introduced to Mr. 
 Webster by Judge Badger, the former, upon beholding 
 his fine face, with that delineation peculiar to him, re- 
 marked : — Why, Judge, 1 thought we already had all 
 the sap of the Old North State in the persons of Mangum 
 and yourself, but I see 1 was mistaken. 
 
14 
 
 Though a leader of the people he was more like an 
 older brother than a demagogue ; a politician he was not 
 ambitious, for he sought not preferment save for his party; 
 intellectual he was not pedantic. Flattery did not beget 
 vanity in him, nor fanning conceit. His mind was broad, 
 philanthropic, and unselfish, very elastic and retentive. 
 
 Perhaps we will ask ourselves — and why did he not 
 achieve greater eminence ? Because it was at home he 
 sought to exercise his peculiar gifts among his friends 
 and neighbors. Their commendable patronage afforded 
 adequate satisfaction for his efforts. Nor is it befitting 
 in us to depreciate the simplicity of his motives, for an 
 unselfish use of one's abilities to the benefit of his fellows 
 has always been regarded as the highest purpose of the 
 human mind. 
 
 Emmanuel Kant was such a one. He is said to have 
 lived and labored as a professor in a neighboring college, 
 as a philosopher and writer, and was never further than 
 an hour's ride from the place of his nativity during his 
 whole life. 
 
 The scope and compass of Mr. Satterthwaite's mind 
 was truly great, but he was deficient in approbativeness 
 and ambition. He was several times urged by his 
 friends, and put in nomination for high political posts, 
 but with modesty each time declined. 
 
 There are very few accessible remnants of his speeches, 
 such chiefly as were printed in the local papers, applicable 
 to particular emergencies, and scarcely suitable here. 
 They were the enthusiastic effusions of his heart that 
 burst forth in momentous exigencies and needed the 
 ring of his voice, tlie glow of his brow and the fervor of 
 his presence to make them eloquent. 
 
 It was at the bar in defence of the oppressed that he 
 reached the zenith of his genius. 
 » " In Lord Erskine's famous speech for Hadfield," 
 
reniarketl Senator Vance in his eulogy on Judge Jerre 
 S. Black, " one of the very few speeches at the bar which 
 has been "iven by common consent of the legal world 
 the force and authority of an adjudicated case, he said : 
 ' The scene which we are engaged in, and the duty which 
 I am not merely privileged, but appointed to perform by 
 authoritv of the court, exhibits to the whole ci\'ilized 
 world a perjjctual monument to our national justice. 
 The transaction, indeed, in every part ol itj as it stands 
 recorded in the e\idence already before us, places our 
 country and its government and its inhabitants upon the 
 highest pinnacle of human elevation.' The extraordinary 
 scene which called forth this remarkable eulogy was the 
 supreme triumph of law o\er human passion, where a 
 poor, obscure and friendless man, attempting to assassi- 
 nate the monarch of a mighty empire, was ' only secured, 
 without injury or reproach,' and for h's trial ' was covered 
 all o\-er with the armor of the law ! ' " 
 
 It will be readily admitted that our humane laws 
 under which perscnis of all degrees have e(}ual privileges 
 and justice, constitute the chief glory of this people and 
 era. Then do not those, who, as exponents of the law, 
 stand firm in its honorable ministration, represent the 
 urbanity and benignity of our jurisprudence ? The 
 sHghtest comparison of the wealth and contentment of 
 our people with the oppressed of Turkey will serve to 
 obviate the fact that security under the law is the prime 
 inducement to haljits of industry and the pursuits of 
 happiness. 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite may truly be said to be among the 
 number of those who espoused the cause of the weak 
 and oppressed, defending them against the encroach- 
 ments of the more powerful and selfish with all the 
 enthusiasm of his soul. 
 
 Vet there was another sphere in which Mr. Satterth- 
 
16 
 
 waite was remarkable ; here the beauties of his character 
 were most resplendant ; I alkide to the social board. 
 There was not a single barrier in the way of his celebrity 
 here. He was the very personification of Southern 
 hospitality. His home was your home. Every man in 
 every degree, from the slave in the kitchen to the Gov- 
 ernor in his palace, was welcome there. 
 
 No courtier had more grace in the parlor ; no states- 
 man greater dignity ; no scholar better language ! 
 
 " Den while de white folks enjoyed deselves 
 
 In de ole time style, 
 
 What times de darkies had 
 
 Down in de quarters all de while ! " 
 
 He was a genial host, a thoughtful parent, a kind 
 master. His slaves, his family, and his friends were 
 devoted to him. 
 
 In early lile he attached himself to the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church, aud continued in her membership all 
 his life. 
 
 The following letter to his grandson at school in 
 Alabama will illustrate very largely his feelings in his 
 latter days, and serve also to show how that in the midst 
 of pressing business he never forgot courtesies to his 
 family : 
 
 Mv Dear Son, — Ever since your letter came I have 
 been very busy m attendance upon the Spring Term of 
 our Superior Courts, which has caused my delay ; and 
 withal I have not been well, and, in this respect am little 
 better qualified for writing to-day. 
 
 There is a most wretched cold settled on my lungs, 
 producing fever and constant coughing, so that it alarms 
 me. But the Doctor says the worst is over. I pray God 
 it may be so. It is well for you to learn thus early that 
 delays are dangerous. 
 
 And so my boy has not forgotten the promise he made 
 
17 
 
 when his onmdpa kissed him and S4avc him his l)lessing 
 on the steamer ! I often think of you and wish to see 
 you, but I feel that it is for your gootl that you are 
 separated from us, and that you are laying the founda- 
 tions of honor and usefulness for yourself, and of pride 
 and pleasure for your family and friends. It makes the 
 heart of your old grandfather beat with delight to con- 
 template his little grandson an honored, influential, and 
 useful member of Society. * '"'' '"'' ''" 
 We have just been through a most exciting political con- 
 test. This State has had a most wonderful revolution in 
 politics. We have elected seven members of Congress 
 out of eight, and four-fifths of both branches of the 
 Legislature. 
 
 Give my kindest regards to your kind teacher, and 
 rest assured, dear son, that no one surpasses grandpa in 
 desire for your health and success in this life, and eternal 
 happiness in the life to come. God bless you, my dear 
 boy. Your loving old Grand Father, 
 
 F. B. S . 
 
 Washington. JV. C, 1874. 
 
 It will be seen that this letter was written the Spring 
 preceding his death. He never was of a robust tempera- 
 ment, but for some months preceeding his death he 
 seemed to be in bad health and his mind somewhat 
 gloomy, with forebodings of his death. 
 
 But at a time, and in a manner not anticipated, the 
 grim monster met him. He was stricken down with 
 apoplexy on his way from his office to his house, during 
 the Spring Term of the Superior Court in Washington, 
 March 23d, 1875. 
 
 The news of his death flashed through the town, and 
 for many days a black pall seemed to be spread over the 
 whole community ; the people mourned. Upon conven- 
 
18 
 
 ing a day was spent by the court in paying fitting tribute 
 and respect to his memory. Touching addresses were 
 made by Judges Rodman, Reade, Moore and Shepherd, 
 Major Sparrow, and others. 
 
 He was buried in Trinity Cemetery, an Episcopal 
 burying ground. The concourse that followed his 
 remains to their last resting place was immense, composed 
 of people of all classes, extending a long way over the 
 road that leads through the wide swamp from Washing- 
 ton. Old men and maidens, young men and matrons, 
 judges and citizens, rich and poor, white and black, all 
 were there, united in one common grief, for one common 
 friend ! 
 
 Only a few weeks before, he had attended in that ceme- 
 tery the burial of one of his old faithful slaves — Carey. 
 Many white persons were present, and when the last 
 spade-full of earth had been thrown on his grave, he 
 raised himself up from his revery and addressed those 
 who had come to honor the funeral of this poor negro. 
 He first spoke of his faithfulness and noble example ; 
 then of the precarious tenure we have on life, ending 
 with the query — 'icho should be next f^ He wept, and all 
 wept; it was a solemn day. He was the next. If we 
 end well is not the race successful ? 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite had eleven children, only three ot 
 whom are living. His first child and only daughter — 
 Martha Alice — the pet and companion of his early years, 
 is the wife of Joseph B. Stickney, Esq., President of the 
 Mutual Benefit and Relief Association of North Carolina. 
 His two sons, Thomas Henry and Fenner Bryan, li\'e in 
 Washington. 
 
 Thk Compiler. 
 
19 
 
 SECOND SKETCH. 
 
 E\(."n at this late da>- it affords me a melancholy 
 pleasure to plac-e a twig of the mournful cypress oxer the 
 ^rave of the lamented F. B. Satterthwaite, Esq., of my 
 native county of Beaufort. He was my senior by many 
 years, but as I was born and raised within three miles of 
 the place of his birth and raising, at Leachville, earlier 
 known as Log House Landing, on Pungo river, in the 
 county of Beaufort, in this State, perhaps I am as well 
 acquainted with the facts and history of his early life as 
 any man now living. 
 
 Possessed of that native genius which enabled him to 
 become, as it does so many others, the architect of his 
 own fortune, his example is one of the many that, to a 
 true spirit, early poverty and difficulties are the safest 
 guide and surest means to an education in its truest and 
 highest sense. His father, like mine, did not believe in 
 schools any further than they taught reading, writing, 
 and arithmetic. These advantages of the old field 
 school, at home, were all that the son ever obtained from 
 any educational institution. But he obtained from his 
 parents, what no school or college can give, the rich 
 inheritance of a sound mind in a sound body. 
 
 His lather was a farmer, kept his children at home 
 under his own eye and care, and taught them to work. 
 Fenner then may be said literally to have had no school 
 days outside of the education of the plow -handles, and 
 the usual rugged labor of active farm -life. Here it wa: 
 that his industrious parents sowed in him those seeds of 
 industry, self-reliance, and physical development and 
 endurance that so often makes home education superior 
 to that of the schools and colleges, and which gave 
 
20 
 
 yoLing Satterthwaite a preparatory discipline that con- 
 tributed greatly to his success in after life. His mother 
 was a lady of superior intellectual power and of much 
 energy, and no doubt much of his well-known superiority 
 of mind and force of character was inherited from her, 
 again illustrating that a man's inheritance is most potent 
 upon him for good or evil, and that it is wiser in him to 
 marry an intelligent and healthy wife than one of mere 
 riches. 
 
 Although Mr. Satterthwaite was raised to near man- 
 hood in an obscure, illiterate neighborhood, where and 
 at a time when but little value was placed upon the 
 education of the highest seminaries of learning, his 
 distinguished success in after life illustrated that after all 
 the environments and instruction of the unwritten system 
 of a correct and intelligent home education are, in very 
 many cases, more desirable and effectual to true culture 
 and honorable success than the schools furnish. He was 
 early taught that culpably and disastrously neglected 
 duty of parents to their children now-a-days, of obedi- 
 ence, and he always acknowledged, with gratitude, that 
 this parental duty to home was a potent factor of his 
 success. He was never petted or spoiled at home by his 
 fond and loving parents, as are so many children in these 
 times, both at home and in school, and always to their 
 injury, but was subjected to that home discipline which 
 gave him the spirit of self-reliance, courage, and inde- 
 pendence, as he went forward, with a brave and generous 
 heart, to battle with the poverty and trials of his early 
 manhood. 
 
 Thus prepared, at home, his instinctive genius and 
 intuitive love of knowledge, enabled hmi the more easily 
 to triumph over difihculties, and to pursue with more 
 success those thorny avenues that lead to distinction. His 
 early thought and eager love of knowledge was only 
 
21 
 
 equaled by those bright exhibitions of intellect that 
 made his life one of much promise. He tle\oured any- 
 thing of books that came in his way. His hours of 
 relief from farm-labor were given tt) intellectual pursuits. 
 His many difficulties in this line gave him an ambition 
 that crowned him with success. His preference for the 
 legal profession, as he grew up, was in some degiee 
 owing to the example and impressions upon him by that 
 great and good man — ^Judge William Gaston. 
 
 Private travel in those days was a necessity in the ex- 
 treme east. Judge (iaston, as he travelled from home to 
 and from Hyde County Courts, always stopped at night 
 at the home of the father of Mr. Satterthwaite, who kept 
 a house of public entertainment. It was during these 
 occasiorns that judge Gaston, always fond of children and 
 young men, became well-acquainted with Mr. Satterth- 
 waite, and saw in him genius and promise. The Judge, 
 with his big heart, extended to him that encouragement 
 and sympathy which acted as a decided stimulant, and 
 advised him to become a lawyer. The advice was taken. 
 He broke the fetters of his restraint and obscurity, went 
 forth upon more inviting fields, and steadily developed 
 to commanding positions. 
 
 I have thus given, imperfectly I know, some of the 
 facts of his boyhood life. I do so the more readily 
 because he and I were both born and reared in the same 
 dear old place, known as Pungo, in licaufort county, 
 where some of his, and my, nearest kindred now lie in 
 death ; no spot on earth is nearer or dearer to me. With 
 a true heart, warm with fond memories and sacred asso- 
 ciations of the past, I can say of this hallowed spot : 
 
 " Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see. 
 My heart, untrammelled, fondly turns to thee." 
 
 The tender feelings and sympathetic tie? that cluster 
 around, and intermingle with my cherished memory of 
 
22 
 
 this endearing locality are embalmed in the grateful ap- 
 preciation that here his parents and mine gave us that 
 home teaching and \irtuous instruction and love of State 
 and country which, in the blessed line of inheritance and 
 good example, were the precious seeds of whatever good 
 fruits resulted to us afterwards. Good home teaching 
 and the right sort of a mother give a man very much 
 after all, as a general rule, of whatever desirable success 
 he attains. No man values more the advantages of 
 scholastic training and collegiate instruction than does 
 the writer of this imperfect sketch. But whether such 
 advantages would have better trained his mind or made 
 him more useful and successful than this home discipline, 
 and the necessities of this subsequent self-reliance may 
 well be questioned, whether in reference to his own dis- 
 tincti\-e case or to the thousands of other self-made men 
 so-called. However this may be, it is probable that his 
 early environments, necessities, and struggles, combined 
 with omniverous reading from early boyhood, gave such 
 development to his genius and entire organization, added 
 such force to his genial manners, generous disposition, 
 and strong will-power, as to make him a born leader of 
 men. 
 
 Certainly they were most potent educational factors, 
 strong and wide reaching means and influences, for gi\ing 
 him that knowledge of character and human nature, that 
 readiness and fertility of resources, that success in his pro- 
 fession, that force and energy of character, social 
 influence, personal magnetism, apd eloquence of speech, 
 that made him famous and placed him prominently in the 
 ranks of eminent North Carolinians. 
 
 S. S. SATCHWELL, M. D. 
 
23 
 
 THIRD SKETC{I. 
 
 In the Convention of 1861, the Secession Con\ention 
 of our State, I served with Mr. Satterthwaite. I remem- 
 ber well his face and attitude as he sat on the opposite 
 side of the House. Ik- had a look of great will-power, 
 earnest attention, thoughtfulness : he gave every speaker 
 respectiul attention, and every measure thorough con- 
 sideration. He was to my mind the most imposing- 
 looking man in that body of great men. He spoke sel- 
 dom, but when he arose he attracted universal attention. 
 His words, emphasis, Hash of his dark eye, expression of 
 countenance, gesticulations, showed earnestness, intensity 
 of conviction, eloquence. Badger & Rufifin, Graham 
 and Hrown, Briggs and Rayner, Gilmer and Edwards, 
 and many other great men, were there, but none com- 
 manded more respect and confidence than Satterthwaite. 
 
 He was distinguished by calm self-possession, by per- 
 fect fearlessness, by scorn of the acts of the demagogue, 
 by looking the dangers and difficulties of those dark 
 hour's unflinchingly in the face. He contemptuously 
 refused to follow the example of many, who endeavored 
 to bolster up their own courage and the courage of 
 others by empty boastings, vain threats, epithets abusive 
 of our adversaries. 
 
 He feared that under the plea of military necessity the 
 liberties of the people might be interferred with. His 
 voice and vote were always against measures which in 
 the least degree had a tendency -to set aside or impair 
 the free action of the courts, trial by jury, or the privilege 
 of the writ of habeas corpus. No appeal founded on the 
 dangers of invasion, the necessity of replenishing the 
 army, or even sympathy for our soldiers in the field, 
 
24 
 
 could move him a hair's breadth in the direction of what 
 he considered the violation of the civil law. 
 
 One of the strongest speeches delivered in the con- 
 vention was by him in the discussion of a question of this 
 nature ; — an ordinance was introduced on one of the last 
 days of a session allowing North Carolina soldiers to vote 
 for all civil officers, State and Confederate, wherever they 
 might be, in camp or on the battlefield, in barracks or 
 on the march, within the limits of the State or without, 
 whether volunteers or regulars, whether under the 
 orders of the Governor of North Carolina, or of the 
 President of the Confederate States. No ^ time was 
 allowed ior the perfection of the details of the ordinance. 
 Its friends insisted on an immediate vote, relying on the 
 universal sympathy for our gallant boys, and on the un- 
 popularity certain to accrue to its opponents. Badger, 
 Graham and others vainly protested against hurrying 
 through a measure of so great importance, urging the 
 necessity of so arranging the machinery of the elections 
 as to secure a fair vote and prevent the undue, influence 
 of the officers over soldiers. Satterthwaite boldly moved 
 to indefinitely postpone the whole question, supporting 
 his motion by a remarkably clever, eloquent and states- 
 manlike argument. The majority of the convention had 
 been showing much impatience of debate, but his earnest 
 and weighty words and manner compelled attention. All 
 were struck with the evident sincerity of his belief, and 
 the cogency of his reasoning, as well as the utter disre- 
 gard of the effect of his action on his personal popularity. 
 No attempt was made to answer him. The mere sug- 
 gestion that it would be- a hardship to disfranchise our 
 brave soldiers while they were periling their lives for the 
 South being sufficient to defeat his motion by a vote of 
 63 to 18. But among those 18 were Badger, Dr. 
 Boadnax, N. Edwards, Colonel Dennis Ferrebee, Gov. 
 
Grahain, I'dimiiul Jones, Judge Mitchell. Rev. William 
 Pettign.w Rayncr. Chief Justice Ruffin, R. H. Smith, of 
 Halifax, and Dr. Speed, some of the most thoughtful and 
 wise men in the convention. The only ameiidnient 
 alk)\vetl was to have the election held by three free- 
 holders of the company, the ordinance as proposed 
 actually giving the captain the sole authority in this 
 matter. 
 
 KEMP P. BATTLE, L. L. D. 
 Prcsidctii of University of North Carolina. 
 
P^OURTH SKETCH. 
 
 The writer of this imperfect tribute had both the honor 
 and pleasuie of formino- Mr. Satterthwaite's acquaintance 
 at a time and period in the history of Beaufort county, 
 when it required more than ordinary gifts to enjoy a 
 commanding position in its professional and poHtical cir- 
 cles, and vet, all this he was then enjoying, and which is 
 not to be wondered at, when we consider the magnetic 
 features of his noble character, which we now propose to 
 do, and which, we think, will furnish the solution of his 
 success. And first we are to consider the disadvantages 
 of his earlv life. The facilities for obtaining an education 
 then w^ere, indeed, \ery limited. The "School Master had 
 not been abroad," and all his attendance at school was 
 about six months. And yet, the spirit and resolve of a 
 noble manhood was ablaze within him, and he applied 
 himself, and put them to a noble use. 
 
 The result of his close application to his books and 
 studies, was of such a character, that in a few years, 
 his knowledge had assumed an encyclopedic range. 
 Although imperfectly educated, he became a master 
 practitioner among the best lawyers of the state. He 
 also became familiar with English literature. So 
 overflowing were his stores, that the writer remembers 
 with grateful pleasure, as no doubt do hundreds of 
 others, occasions, when he, standing up, rearing his 
 noble form, burst forth in an outgush of eloquence, 
 poetry, history, biograi)h) , anecdote, and humor, that 
 would wrap us all in enchantment, and make us teel the 
 potency of his magic wand. Then would fcjllow the 
 questions ; 7vhe7i,iuhere and hozv, did he become possessed 
 
of such woiulorlul store of knowledge and iniprLssive 
 power? And all parted, wondering, sure enough. And 
 yet, in after years, when mature, sober thought and 
 reflection followed, it was no difficult task to answer, for 
 it was remembered, that with him, there was an inherent 
 power both to a'/// and to do\ and this, necessa-ily, leads 
 us to consider, as standing out in striking contrast, and 
 l)old relief his success in life. If what h.is been already 
 written tie true, then, it is not surprising that the people 
 of his county should have drawn him out from the com- 
 parative seclusion of private lite, to the Council Chambers 
 of his nati\e State. During his legislative career, he 
 maintained his political integrity, and never wavered 
 from the path of duty into which his faith and convic- 
 tions directed him ; hence, it was never truly said of him, 
 that he proved recreant to any trust, or faithless tn the 
 admiring and confiding constituency that had promoted 
 him. 
 
 An incident occurred, during his sojourn at Raleigh, 
 while there as a legislator, that most happily illustrates 
 the character of the man. A young man had married a 
 minor, and thereby, had forfeited all title to his wife's 
 estate, legally considered. In his trouble, he memori- 
 lized the Legislature to obtain relief, and a Hill was 
 enacted for that pur[)ose, and which found in iVIr. S. a 
 war.n and successful advocate. The young man, feeling 
 his indebtedness to him for its success, tendered a liberal 
 comi:)ensation for his services, but which he declined ac- 
 cepting, assigning as a reason that he did no nK)re than 
 his duty ; that to receive it. would be both inconsistent 
 with, and in violation, of his convictions of what consti- 
 tuted political integrity. So when he returned to his home 
 he found there a handsome and costly old-fashioned set 
 of girandoles, sent there as a present to his w ife, by his 
 generous patron. 
 
He was both patriot and sage. He loved his country, 
 lier laws and government, and knew no means that pro- 
 posed the abridgement of the one, and the violation of the 
 other. He beliexed our government was a sacred com- 
 pact, as well as guarantee of civil and religious liberty. 
 Hence he did not embrace secession, but when the war 
 came on, although he had time and again, on the hustings, 
 in the social circles, and wherever he went, given no un- 
 certain sountl, but had warned and besought the people, 
 not to rush madly on, to the result that followed ; he 
 remained with them, suffered with them, and at last died 
 in their midst, where he was best known and best beloved. 
 By his noble manhood he had endeared himself to them, 
 and to-day his name, Fennek H. Satterthwaite, is 
 indeed a "household word." 
 
 His language when living, was : "Thy people shall be 
 my people and thy God shall be my God." 
 
 During the war he did, all he could toward relieving 
 the sufterinvs of the soldiers, their wives and children, 
 and was, at one time, one of Gov. Vance's counsellors 
 
 In the Pierce Presidential Campaign, he was Elector 
 for the State at large and discharged its weighty duties 
 with honor and success ; for wherever he went and 
 addressed the people, multitudes, with eager eyes and 
 ears, dwelt upon his stirring words, and some, went away, 
 if not convinced, yet feeling, that they had heard a Rara 
 Avis, an honest politician. 
 
 We have thus, l)riefly, considered his birth and public 
 character, and now invite you, as we change the scene, to 
 a contemplation of his social and domestic traits. At the 
 early age of 19 years he was left an orphan, upon whom 
 devolved the cares of a large family, and was faithful to 
 them in every sense. When only 20 years ot age, he 
 was married to Miss Annie Laughinghouse, a woman, 
 who for more than 40 years, administered to his comfort 
 
.»() 
 
 fiiul hapjiiiu'ss, ami in vvliuin, he louiul all the (Hialiiics 
 that CDiistitutc a taithful and devotfd uite. It was a 
 inairiagt^ of unselfish love, and (iod approved and blest 
 them, and not a ripple of discordant motion marred the 
 peace and harmony of their domestic circle. This is not 
 to be wondered at cither when we remember the genial 
 spirit of the man, and the unselfish sympathies of the 
 devoted wife, and his benevolence. 
 
 In his attractive home, surrounded In his loved ones, 
 and trieiuls and neighbors, he attended to 'lis agricultural 
 and professional duties. He was a skillful farmer and one 
 ol the most successful lawyers at the Washington Har. 
 
 As a young lawyer he was studious, and such was his 
 success in the selection of a jury, ih.it it was said of him 
 he had no superior. 
 
 His knowledge of mankind was reallv superior to 
 most men of his age, and his conception of character, as 
 accurate as that of the most gifted we have ever known— 
 that of Lavater not excepted. 
 
 Always, on returning home from his important duties. 
 the faithful wife, and devoted children, gathered arotmd 
 him, and there wjs enjoyment in that household, .ind 
 "why ?" Because there was sunshine in his face, :.nd 
 the smile of unselfish love wreathed his lips, and dissi- 
 pated and dispersed the cloud of anxious solicitude from 
 each face, and gave the impress of his genial s])irit to 
 each and to all. 
 
 He was an active man, and of lix-ely temperament. 
 He was fond of hunting, and often exercised himself in 
 in that way, and ne\er so cheerfully, as when with friends 
 and neighbors in jjursuit o.' game or in the family circle 
 with them around him. After the war and the loss of. 
 much property, such was his remarkable equanimity 
 that he was wont to say : I am one of the richest men in 
 the state. I am a good farmer, lawyer, politician, hunter 
 
30 
 
 and fisherman. Having these several occupations, when 
 I am tired of one I can follow the other just as I please. 
 
 He was generous to a fault, and his character as trans- 
 parent as glass. To see the man, and hear him speak, 
 was to know and confide in him at once. He just walked 
 into your affections, and you felt like bidding him enter. 
 Once on the cars when he, accompanied by his wife, was 
 en route to Alabama to visit his married daughter, a 
 young man entered at a certain point, passed down the 
 aisle, looking anxiously into the faces of all the passen- 
 gers. Presently he returned and approaching Mr. S. 
 said — "Sir, I am in distress, having lost my money, will 
 you let me have ten dollars. I have some friends at a 
 station not far ahead, there I can procure the funds and 
 return your money." He loaned him the amount, which 
 was promptly returned. "Well," said Mr. S. "Why did 
 you single me out of all these people ?" The young 
 man responded — "Because, when I beheld your face I 
 saw benevolence stamped there " Yes, it was stamped 
 there. 
 
 We have kept in reserve and now propose to consider 
 as the most important feature of his character, that which 
 should shine forth more prominently in the character ol 
 our public men, but, alas ! too often does not. It is this : 
 Fenner B. Satterthwaite was a Christian. Yes ! thank 
 ( lod, that with all his gifts and graces, with all his attrac- 
 tions and power of mind and character, with all the smiles 
 of worldlv friends and associates, with all the glow and 
 glitter of political honors, he remembered his Creator, 
 and gave Him his noble heart, the best gift of his richly 
 endowed manhood. 
 
 He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church — 
 a church that comes down to us, clothed with the sanctity 
 of the ages, and redolent with the glorious achievements 
 
31 
 
 of her sainted martyrs, ^■es ! He was a believer, anti 
 continued his " Faith hy his works." 
 
 Thus, we have imperfectly described somethin.ii of the 
 life, character and work of this oreat and good man : but 
 he has passed away, and yet, thank (iod, " His works do 
 follow him." 
 
 It is true, his body slumbers in the i^rave, but his name 
 and memory live in the hearts and atTections of his de- 
 voted wife, children, friends and fellow citizens, and when 
 the future historian shall write of North Carolina's lifted 
 sons, the name of F'enner H. Satterthwaite, will but add 
 brightness and beauty to its galaxy, and its splendor 
 never be dimmed. 
 
 It is true, that in " Gray's Elegy," we are told that— 
 
 " The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power. 
 And all tliat beaut}', all that wealth e'er gave, 
 Await alike the inevitable hour ; 
 The path of glory lead but to the grave." 
 
 But in his case it will be ditierent. Aye, " The good 
 
 that a man does, lives after //zw." No indeed ! tar from 
 
 it. Although the body may be dissolved into its primary 
 
 element, dust, yet sooner or later, the day is destined to 
 
 come, when reanimated by the Spirit of Ciod, it shall 
 
 spring fresh and verdant from the dust, and formed anew, 
 
 glorying in perennial beauty, it shall stand before God, 
 
 and hear him say: "Well done, thou good and faithful 
 
 servant, thou has been faithful o\'er a few things, 1 wil] 
 
 make thee ruler over niany things: enter thou into the 
 
 joy of thy Lord." 
 
 T. P. RIGAUD, 
 
 Pastor Af. E. CliurclK W'asfiiugton. 
 
FIFTH SKETCH. 
 
 In the summer of 1852, the Whig Convention for this 
 Congressional district, then embracing both Craven and 
 Beaufort counties, assembled in the old Court House in 
 New Berne, which stood in the midst of the intersection 
 of Broad and Middle streets, and opened one of the most 
 fiery campaigns which ever enthused the people of East- 
 ern North Carolina. James Bonner Marsh, the father-in- 
 law of the writer, an^l one of the most intelligent and reso- 
 lute Whigs of Beaufort county, presided o\er that body, 
 Washington, Bryan, Donnell, Warren and a host of vet- 
 eran politicians adorned the ranks of the assembly, while 
 Clark, Carter, Marsh, and other brilliant young graduates 
 of Chapel Hill, Yale and Princton first flashed before the 
 public gaze as the coming men of a latter day. The 
 writer can never forget the impression which that enthu- 
 siastic array of talent made upon him. Honored by the 
 convention by being appointed with Judge Warren as 
 sub-elector of Beaufort county, we stood among the 
 hardest fighters and most determined champions of that 
 High Protecti\'e Tariff, which all unseen by us was the 
 turning the thews and sinews of the North into iron to 
 crush the very people who were its blind advocates at 
 the South. 
 
 Out of the shadows of that vanquished time comes one 
 stalwart form, nobler and more deserving than all the 
 rest, the Hon. Fenner B. Satterthwaite, who, as elector 
 for the district at large, bore the Whig banner with un- 
 faltering arm through that fierce and important contest. 
 Can the young men of that day, who are swiftly becom- 
 ing the old men of this, forget his kingly mein, his chiv- 
 
83 
 
 alrous manner and his popular address? He was the 
 \ery model of a canvasser amono the people. As a 
 speaker, while inferior in mental culture to many others, 
 his intellectual resources were almost inexhaustible. His 
 addresses in that famous Presidential campaign carried 
 conviction and won votes in every precinct. Full ol 
 anecdote, sarcasm and repartee, and perxaded by passion 
 and limitless enthusiasm, they were uttered by a voice 
 deep, earnest and impressi\ e, which never failed to stir 
 the hearts of the people. 
 
 Out of the dim regions of that distant time crowd 
 upon the writer the pleasant memories of his departed 
 friend. How polite, warm-hearted and chivalrous he was. 
 Once at Saratoga, where he had taken his only daughter, 
 between whom and himself there was a very devoted 
 affection, a venerable oentleman from Louisiana, in the 
 midst of the splendour and gayety of the oreat ball 
 room, was treated superciliously by several beautiful 
 women present, with whom he politely asked to dance, 
 possibly a statel}' minuet. Satterthwaite marking the 
 bad manners of the fair women from a distant j)oint in 
 the ball room, and pit} ing the stranger whom he had 
 never seen before, but knew to be a gentlemen, led his 
 own sweet daughter forward and requested the stranger 
 to honor her with his attendance in the following dance. 
 The scene was a flash of light in obscure places. It was 
 one of those difficult things which to him always came 
 by intuition, And it is haidly necessary to say, that he 
 won a friend under that garrish lamplight, and among 
 those silks and jewels, who never forgot him. 
 
 How a great political festival aroused him, and how 
 his soul in great waves of enthusiasm flowed into it. 
 After Major Veates had plucked the First Congressional 
 District out of Radical hands, the impetuous \oters of that 
 sterling district inaugurated a great jubilee in the town of 
 
34 
 
 Washington. It was a vast concourse, an unsurpassed 
 outpouring of Democrats. The most beautiful girls in 
 the district, richly draped, made the procession like an 
 old Roman triumph. Houses, streets, balconies, tents 
 and fields, were thronged with people. On that day Sat- 
 terthwaite was in his glory His patriotic spirit more 
 than that of any other had evoked and elaborated the 
 matchless success. After the speaking a number ol his 
 warm personal friends sat down to dinner at his hospitable 
 table. Among the rest was the gallant Grimes, whom we 
 then saw for the last time. The genius of wit, colloquial fer- 
 vor, party friendship and courdy hospitality presided over 
 the scene. But though all were joyful, all were hopeful, 
 he was the brightest of all that goodly company. 
 
 How he delighted to dispense a generous hospitality 
 at his own home. Successful as a lawyer, and backed by 
 a large clientage, he always had money to make friends 
 and even strangers plenteously welcome at his own fire- 
 side. His house was his castle, but it was also the abode 
 of every comfort and pleasure which go to make up the 
 sparkle and cheerful fellowship of life. A man entered 
 through his door as into the Garden of Daphne so bril- 
 liantly described by General Wallace in his masterly 
 romance of th- East. Statues and pictures there were 
 few, and none of the florid delights which overwhelm the 
 senses, but such a warmth of friendly greeting, such a 
 gleam of domestic happiness, such a luxury of generous 
 entertainment, that his mansion was made to shine from 
 cellar to garret for the delectation of his guest. Alas ! 
 shall we see ever again the like of our departed friend, 
 such a happy union of high and noble qualities ? 
 
 Among all the members of the Beaufort County Bar, 
 in those old days, he was, in the writers judgment, the 
 most striking figure. There were possibly better lawyers 
 in the modern meaning of the term. There were better 
 
S5 
 
 conveyances, better technical scholars, and men more 
 learned in precedents and Supreme Court reports But 
 in profound knowledge of human nature, in depicting the 
 moti\es and prejudices of witnesses, and before a jury, 
 he had but few equals in his day. This was made mani- 
 fest in the famous trial of Wash Carawan. The latter was 
 a Primatixe Baptist preacher, who murdered a school- 
 teacher in Hyde county from jealousy. The crime was 
 deliberate, surpassingly cold blooded, and surrounded by 
 the most dramatic and tragic circumstances. Never was 
 Eastern North Carolina so wildly excited over a criminal 
 investigation. The case was removed to Beaufort county, 
 where Bryan, Donnell and Satterthwaith appeared for the 
 prisoner. The scene from first to last was worthy the 
 weird genius of the most lurid school of the painters' art. 
 Satterthwaite's management of the jury and his shrewd 
 examination of the witnesses, and his masterly appeals to 
 the sympathies and passions of the triers of the cause, 
 were truly an inspiration of wonder. The prisoner was 
 lost, and perished by his own hand in the court room, but 
 his defense will never fade from the annals of Pieaufort 
 county. 
 
 As we go back to the scenes of those old days, the 
 faces of the dead seem to rise before us again. They 
 were men when the writer was but a boy. But what a 
 courtly chivalrous band of lawyers they were How 
 Satterthwaite grasped your fingers with his whole hand. 
 How his great, warm eyes flashed with intelligenct; and 
 friendship. And how this enthusiasm carried everything 
 before it in the political and social circle. But, alas, the 
 rustling, moaning tide has swept them all away. 
 
 JOHN S. LON(i, 
 
 Attorney of tlic Ne7c Berne Bar. 
 
SIXTH SKETCH. 
 
 1 approach the subject of the present sketch with most 
 unfeigned diffidence. " 'Tis distance lends enchantment 
 to the view" with men as well as mountains. Tlie close 
 approach and microscopic scanning of the most \irtuous 
 character discloses unpleasing irregularities, which the 
 eye of the remote spectator never discovers. My close 
 and intimate association with the great advocate whose 
 name heads this article I regard as disqualifying me in 
 some degree to be his biographer. In drawing the life 
 portrait of a departed contemporary, I cannot felicitate 
 myself with Lord Campbell, that from personal observa- 
 tion I am able to employ those "quick alterations of 
 praise and censure," the opportunity for which caused 
 him to esteem Lord Lyndhurst, such a noble subject 
 for his pen. Having said this much, I hasten, from fear 
 of misapprehension, to protest that the failings at which 
 I have hinted, w^ere by no means of that sable tincture 
 which would discolor an otherwise unstained record. 
 They grow out of a generous nature, and were such as a 
 desire to be gracious, kind and agreeable to all classes 
 and characters, a somewhat undiscriminating liberality, 
 and an obviousness to the faults and incapacities of all 
 who loved him, followed by a correspondent desire to ad- 
 vance their interests and aspirations, and an impatience 
 of opposition from those who regarded his favorites with 
 other, if not clearer, vision. But surely these w^ere amiable 
 weeknesses, for, as Burns has beautifully said of another. 
 
 "Yet the light tliat k'd astraj' 
 
 was light from heaven." 
 
 The great Scotch biographer of his predecessors in 
 
37 
 
 "the iiiarhlc rh.iir" has torcihly observed, that histinians 
 ol his ck'scriptiiin '^(jnerally make it e(iually reilouiid to 
 the credit of their hero whether he be of iUustrious or 
 hiinil)le |)areiUam', saymv^' with the same complacency, 
 'he was the wortliy decendeiit oi a ion^- hue of ilhistrious 
 ancestors, or, 'he raised himself by his talent, beiiii; the 
 tirst ol his race e\er kiKnvn to fame." 'I hou^h, so far as 
 I .1111 aware, Mr. Salterthwaite was the first of his family 
 that e\er </<7//V'7Y(/ distinction, and as the capricious arbi- 
 trrss «)t tortune ni.uiifested no disjjosition to thrnsi it 
 upon his ancestors, they were content to deserve it (feel- 
 ing; with tlu^ widow Melnotte thai this "was almost as 
 jjood") and to lea\'e a decendent who, if not born great, 
 was "fashioned to much honor from his cradle." Nature 
 had bestowed upon him a vigorous constitution an ath- 
 letic and symetrit al physique, engaging features, and an 
 active, robust and comprehensive intellect. His early ed- 
 ucation was sadly defective, a misfortune which he never 
 ceased to appreciate and deplore, but which the applica- 
 tion and obser\ation of later years repaired to a degree 
 which was almost marxelous. He ne\er became a scholar 
 or a learned lawyer, but it was the admiration of all be- 
 holders to witness the adroit, the overwhelming employ- 
 ment of the resources at his command. To recall the 
 paucity of his educational acquirements, and then to see 
 him engage on equal terms, and often victoriously, with 
 such " li\ing oracles " of the law as Rodman and Warren, 
 was to revive the memory of Miltiades and his little band 
 hurling back the i'ersian myriads on the plain of "gray 
 old Marathon." As Mr. Satterthwaite grew from boyhood 
 to manhood, stronger and other more attractive attributes 
 were developed. His voice became attuned to every note 
 in the gamut of human emotion. In characterizing the 
 oratory ol our " forest born Demosthenes," I incur, if 
 possible, less risk of exaggeration than was hazarded by 
 
38 
 
 Wirt when he wrote ol Henry, " his voice in mild persua- 
 sion was soft and gentle aa the zephyr of spring, while in 
 rousing- his countrymen the winter storm that roars along 
 the troubled Baltic was not more awfully sublime. Every 
 look, every motion, every pause, every start, was com- 
 pletely filled and dilated by the thought which he was 
 uttering, and seemed, indeed, to form a part of the thought 
 itself" As often as I miss the touch of that vanished 
 hand and the sound of a \oice that is still, so often am I 
 reminded of the likeness of those melodious accents to 
 the tones of some exquisitely tempered bell. It Edgar 
 Poe had stood by him in some hour of supreme effort to 
 stir men's souls, and caught his varyii^^g accents, as mer- 
 riment moved, or tenderness inspired, or indignation 
 roused, or pathos deepened into grief, he would have 
 heard alternately the crystaline tinkling of his silver sleigh 
 bells : the molten, golden notes of his mellow wedding- 
 bells ; the clang and clash, and roar of the loud alarm 
 bells ; and the melancholy menace of those dread, spirit- 
 rung harbingers of the midnight, which, 
 "* * * Tolling, tolling, tolling. 
 
 In that muffled monotone, 
 
 Feel a glory in so rolling 
 
 On the human heart a stone."' 
 
 A large, flexible mouth, eyes full and bright and deep, 
 and often inexpressibly sad of expression, which could 
 beam an epigram or look an elegy, augmented the sum 
 of his wonderful gifts. The delineation is complete when 
 we add to these a dauntless but quiet courage, which 
 shrank from no peril, but disdained all petty occasions of 
 display, so that n-iany a bullying poltroon with " a kill- 
 and-eat-him countenance," mistaking forbearance tor 
 timidity, was tempted to offend hini irretrievably far be- 
 fore discovering his error and danger. As an advocate, 
 " exceeding wise, fair spoken and persuading," he was the 
 
Sir Janifs Scarlett ol tlu- Xnrtli ("aroliiia Bar, the "greatest 
 lort-nsic orator and the greatest wiiinrr ot xcrdicts. I 
 firmly proiKiuiK-e, that 1 have e\ er known. ICndovvcd 
 with ihr powers I ha\e nuntioned, a consnmmate jiidt^e 
 ot human nature, and jiiaeed by the \ery defects of his 
 education I'n rapport witli the jury, whose nu)des of 
 tlioui^lit were his nwii, his im])erfections tliemselxes came 
 to his aid, as did tho.se o! Henry Clay when he mo\ed so 
 niarvelously the people oS. a Continen.t. ( ioethe has wisely 
 said til, it tlierc is ndthini; more sitinifuanl of nien's char- 
 acter than w hat they consider laughable, but as true it is 
 that there is no better test of men's discernment than their 
 power lo juds^e what others will laugh at. Wiser than 
 Ciuethe was Napoleon when he said that there is but one 
 step from the sublime to ihc lidiculous. Instance Hurke's 
 "dagger scene," pilloried in ridicule, and Brougham's 
 kneeling act in the Lord's, embalmed in contemj)!. But 
 once I saw Mr. Satterthwaite excel these masters. .A 
 newly imported Irishman, with an utterly unexpurgated 
 brogue, had gi\en important testimony against his. client. 
 In cross-examination Mr. Satterthwaite began a perfect 
 imitation in tone and accent, and echoed every word elici- 
 ted, from the beginning to the end, the judge not inter- 
 rupting, and the jury and spectators coun ulsed with laugh- 
 ter — with what fa\orable result to the counsel may be 
 well surmised ! In describing Mr. Satterthwaite as a man 
 before the pul)lic, I ha\e not scrupled to point out his de- 
 tects, confident that such a course will redound more to his 
 honor than an undiscriminating panegyric, which would 
 throw suspicion upon e\ en the just praise of his virtues. I 
 now gladly turn to a sphere where even the mildest censure 
 can find no place. .-// home, it seems to me that he was 
 nearly all that man could desire. A kind, indulgent, 
 thoughtful, unselfish husband, father, master and host, he 
 was the very eml)(jdiment of domestic \-irtue. His large- 
 
40 
 
 ness to religion and charity took dimensions rather from his 
 heart than from his purse. More than once on a stormy 
 waiter's day have I seen him open his pocket-book for 
 wood sent by his order to all the destitute of the town of 
 Washing^ton. Now, that he has gone, let us hope that he 
 realized in life's last struggle the truth of the sweet words 
 of simple Jeanie FJeans, that " when the hour of trouble 
 comes to the mind, or the body, and when the hour 
 of death comes — that comes to high and low — then it 
 isna what we have dune for oursels, but what we hae 
 dune for others, that we think an maist pleasantly." 
 
 . HUGH F. MURRAY, 
 
 Attorney of the Wilson Bar, 
 
SEVENTH SKETCH. 
 
 The recent sad announcement of the death of this dis- 
 tin^iiiished North Carolinian, sorrows many a heart outside 
 of tlie noble old county of Beaufort, which he served so 
 faithfully and loved so well. The eloquent and appro- 
 priate eulogies of Major Sparrow and Mr. Shepherd, and 
 of Judges Reade, Moore and Rodman, find melancholy en- 
 dorsement and a reponsi\ e echo in the judgment and 
 mournful sensibilities of thousands of the best men and 
 leading cities all owy the State to which he had dedica- 
 ted so many years of his useful life. .A gentleman of his 
 glowing geniality and unbounded hospitality never fails to 
 win admiration and make trieiids wherever he goes. The 
 testimony given in his own home, and by these accomp- 
 lished and eminent meml:)ers aforesaid of the legal profes- 
 sion, of his talents, generosity, legal abilities as an advo- 
 cate, and high social and domestic virtues, is but the cor- 
 roborative evidence of his life and character now given 
 in every section of Morth Carolina, where he was known 
 and justly appreciated. The reputation and usefulness 
 ot such a man cannot be confined to any county or dis- 
 trict in which he practiced law with so much skiil and 
 success. His name was a household word, as it were, all 
 over the State, wherever law and politics were discussed, 
 and his public services and private worth will constitute 
 an integral part of those accumulated and accumulating 
 materials to be used by the histor an of the State as he 
 erects oilr monumental pile of patriotic service, pride, 
 and glory of North Carolina. Not only then has our 
 beloved old Beaufort lost one of her most devoted chil- 
 dren and brightest ornaments, but the State at large one 
 of her leading and largest hearted citizens. 
 
 4 
 
4-J 
 
 "Him wc all ni<nini, his frieiids still heave the sigh, 
 
 And still the tear stands trembling in the eye, 
 
 ?Iis was each mihi, each amiable art. 
 
 The gentlest manners and the feeling heart, 
 
 Fair, simple truth, benevolence to all, 
 
 A generous warmth that glowed at friendship's call." 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite was mainly known as a lawyer, legis- 
 lator, and an eloquent political speaker. Others there 
 are who knew him in his younger years as one of the 
 most successful farmers also in his section of the State. 
 In agricultural enterprise and devot'on to internal im- 
 provements and material progress, he has an enduring 
 and enviable record not to be forgotten by those who 
 would chersh his memory and virtues and hold up his 
 illustrious car er of triumph over early difficulties to the 
 struggling youth of the State. His fondness for rural 
 life and for hunting and his proverbial skill in the chase 
 and in gunning afforded him that relaxation from severe 
 profess'onal h.bor so necessary for the mind and body of 
 those who would ascend "the steep where fame's proud 
 temple shines afar." The most eminent men in Europe 
 and America this clay are those who seek and have a 
 craving for country life and for those manly sports of 
 field and forest so conducive to thought and the highest 
 order of de\elopment and usefulness. 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite was born and raised in that hallowed 
 old Pungo, which, embracing the regions of Pantego and 
 Leachville, constitutes the garden spot of the illustrious 
 county of I^eaufort. No section of the State is more at- 
 tractive in fertile lands and other natural resources and 
 advantages than this same old Pungo. 
 
 Equally does history prove that her generous soil and 
 atmosphere are most favorable td the production of talent, 
 genius, patriotism, and self-reliant useful men, and noble 
 women. Some of those who have added endurmg lustre 
 to the Bar, to the Councils of State, and to other pursuits, 
 
43 
 
 were born and raised in the lower part of Beaufort. 1 he 
 names of WiUiam Ch\rk, Esq.. Rev. Thomas J. Latham, 
 Hon. Henry S. Clark, more recendy of Samuel Windley, 
 and later still of F. B. Satterthwaite, are prominent 
 among the noted dead who richly iidd to the well earned 
 tame of this cherished region. It is true that, in scan- 
 ning with proud remembrance the merits and virtues o^ 
 those and others of her prominent sons, living and dead, 
 we are reminded of the solemn truth, that, "the paths of 
 glory lead but to the grave." 
 
 To Pungo, o the whole of Beaufort county, will the 
 fond hearts of native sons turn up and cling with an at- 
 tachment undiminished, and with an ardor of love and 
 tenderness of affection unchanged, so long as the waters 
 of Tar and Pamlico shall flow to their ocean bed. and so 
 long as a single pine tree in her abundant forests shall 
 remain to wave its evergreen foliage to the impendmg 
 storm. 
 
 S. S. SATCllVVELL, M. D., Pcyidcr County. 
 
I':iGHTH SKETCH. 
 
 Again we arc called upon to chronicle the death of one 
 of our oldest and most prominent citizens. Pinner B. 
 Satterthwaite is no more. On Tuesday evening last, 
 while returnin'4 iro.ri his office to his residence, he was 
 stricken down l.y apoplexy. lie was borne insensible 
 to his home, and between 9 and 10 o'clock quietly 
 breathed liis last. The unremitting attentions of his 
 family and friends, and the most strenuous efforts of his 
 physicians, av;iiled nothing in warding oft" the sudden 
 and ine\ it ble blow. The news of his death flashed 
 through the town like an electric shock, and scores of anx- 
 ious friends flocked to his residence to ascertain, alas ! the 
 truth of the dread reality. 
 
 r-^nner 15. Satterthwaite was an extraordinary man. 
 His career has been a remarkable one, and the history 
 of his life a vivid illustration of the proverb, that, "every 
 man is the artificer of his own fortune." Mr. Satterth- 
 waite, at die time ot his death, was entering upon his 
 62. id year, having been born near Leachville, Beaufort 
 couiitv, on the 6th of October, 18 13. He enjoyed none 
 of the ad\antages t)f an early education: and only six 
 months attendance at a country school furnished the 
 humble corner-stone on which w; s reared the future 
 reputation ot the fluent orator and siiccesstul advocate. 
 
 At the age oi 19 he was lett an orphan, upon whom 
 devolved the entire care of a large family. In duty and 
 devotion to them he never failed. When tw'cnty years 
 of age, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Laugh- 
 inghouse, a lady whose ;'ttractive virtues and womanly 
 characteristics have, for more than forty vears, cheered 
 
4:> 
 
 and siistainctl \vu\ in sunshine ami in storm. In 1836, 
 a nu'inher of the Legislature from Beaufort county, 
 though only 23 years of aye, he distinguished himself as 
 a faithful representative and proved an earnest friend ol 
 the people. In 1839 he settled on his farm in Pitt 
 county, devoting himself to the pursuit of agriculture and 
 the prosecution of such a course of study as he deemed 
 best calculated to develop and realize the glowing aspi- 
 rations throbbing within his breast. 
 
 In 1842 he became a law student in the office of John 
 S. Hawks, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar in 1843. 
 He was ambitious of political distinction, and early in 
 life had attached himself to the old Whig Party. A 
 more zealous champion never entered the political arena. 
 Through the most heated contests of party strife, extend- 
 ing through a long period ot years, he shone conspicuous 
 among the bright galaxy of memorable men, whose 
 energy and eloquence at that time enforced and illus- 
 trated the principles of that great party. He was elected 
 from the county of Pitt to the Legislature of 1848-49. 
 His services in that Legislature have not been forgotten. 
 His reputation as a ready debater was established, and 
 he was recognized both by partizans and opponents n.'^ a 
 prominent member of that honorable body. Pi is adroit- 
 ness, tact and quick appreciation of important mea.^iu-es 
 gave him rank among the fust party leaders in the state. 
 His services as Elector in the presidential campaign of 
 Scott and Pierce brought him more prominently before 
 the people, and added to his celebrity as a public speaker. 
 So satisfactory had been his political record in his legis- 
 lative career, that in the troublesome times of 1861 he 
 was made a member of the Constitutional Convention — 
 and again in the Convention of 1865. During the war 
 he served with honorable distinction as one of the Coun- 
 cil of Gov. Vance, availing himself, while in that position, 
 
46 
 
 of every opportunity to administer to the wants and 
 necessities of the oppressed people of Eastern North 
 Carolina. 
 
 While reaping these public honors, Mr. Satterthwaite 
 was by no means neglectful of professional advancement. 
 From the people, luith the people, and for the people, he 
 knew thoroughly the throbbing of the popular heart, and 
 entered into all their sympathies. On this was based his 
 great professional success. As a jury lawyer he had few 
 equals ; in the selection of a jury he had no superior. 
 His knowledge of human nature had been learned in a 
 rough school, and he applied it with masterly success. 
 As a speaker he was earnest, fluent and impressive, and 
 never failed to command attention. To say that his life 
 was a success, is scarcely domg full justice to his achieve- 
 ments, when we consider the narrow means, the defects 
 of education and the many formidable barriers which 
 hedged in the efforts of his early days. 
 
 But, aside from the turmoils of the law and the strife of 
 politics, Mr. Satterthwaite was remarkable in a different 
 sphere. In the quiet shades of private life his virtues 
 beamed forth, a joy to his family and a solace to his 
 friends. He was an useful citizen and an excellent 
 neighbor. Social by nature, he was eminently a domes- 
 tic man, and his genial disposition gave charm to the 
 open-handed unostentatious hospitality which character- 
 ized his home. No father could be more devoted; no 
 husband more affectionate. Active in works of benev- 
 olence and charity, he was ever ready to take by the 
 hand any young man struggling to climb the rugged hill 
 of life, and extend to him substantial aid and sympathy. 
 Such was the friend whose untimely loss we deplore. 
 
 Whatever may have been his laults, the memory of his 
 many noble traits l)uries them in oblivion forever. For 
 years prior to his death he had been a member of the 
 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and \>y the interest evinced 
 in her ministrations, insjjires us with the cheering bcHef 
 that "his works had not been in vain." 
 
 "Hoiu" looks bL'Voiui tlie bounds of time, 
 
 tVhen wliat we imw deplore. 
 Shall rise in Cull immortal prime. 
 
 And bloom to fade no more." 
 
 D. T. TAYLOR, M. D., 
 
 Washington, N. C. 
 
SATTERTHWAITE AS LAWYER AND ORATOR. 
 
 Nothing affords me greater pleasure than to recall the 
 days of my association with the Hon. Fenner Bryan 
 Satterthwaite. Some of the dearest memories of my life 
 cling round his venerated name. Clanmi ct vcnerabiJe 
 vomen. 
 
 My earliest acquaintance with Mr. Satterthwaite began 
 during the war at his country residence — veritably a 
 haven of delight to all who visited it — at which he dis- 
 pensed a hospitality as broad as his own generous nature. 
 
 Although then a mere lad, Mr. Satterthwaite made a 
 very great impression upon me. His courtly urbanity, 
 his frank and generous kindness, and his vigilant care for 
 the pleasure and comfort of those about him, were 
 extended to me, a mere youth, as well as to the most 
 distinguished visitors whom he received. As a boy, I 
 intuitively regarded him as a very unusual man. The 
 experienced judgment of manhood convinced me of the 
 correctness of my boyish impression. 
 
 After I came to the Bar I formed«an association m the 
 l)iactice of the law with him, which was severed only by 
 his death ; and it was during that intimate association 
 that I learned fully to comprehend and appreciate his 
 noble nature and great intellectual endowments. I 
 thought at that time that nature had made Mr. Satterth- 
 waite an extraordinary lawyer; and had he been a close 
 student, I doubt if any of the eminent legal minds who 
 have illustrated and adorned the Judicial History of 
 North Carolina, would much have surpassed him. 
 Maturer years and more extended practice and exper- 
 ience have not madv' any change in that opinion. 
 
49 
 
 He possessed some faculties in the hitji^hest deq^ree that 
 go to make up a ^reat lawyer, practitioner and advocate. 
 He was endowed with reason! ntj faculties of high 
 order, and a power of analysis that enabled him to pre- 
 sent the facts of a case to a jury with smgular force. He 
 was gifted with a command of language, extraordinary, 
 that enabled him to convey his thoughts with the utmost 
 ease and power. His words were simple, direct and 
 persuasi\e, and his utterance was singularly free and 
 bold- He came from the "people "' he was raised with 
 them and he knew the methods, the arguments and illus- 
 trations that would affect an ordinary jury ; and he used 
 them with the rarest skill and accomplished unusual 
 success. As a yiisi prins lawyer, I e.xpect he had few 
 equals and no superiors in this state. 
 
 He was gifted with a memory almost extraordinary in 
 iis breadth, compass and retentiveness. I am sure that 
 he never put a burden upon it that it did not bear with 
 the utmost ease ; and he never made a draft upon it 
 that was not prompth' honored. I have seen him engage 
 in a trial lasting days, and never take a note, and yet 
 repeat the entire evidence with striking accuracy and 
 minuteness. In this respect he was the most remarKable 
 man 1 ever knew. His perceptive iaculties were on a par 
 with his others. He was very quick to see a point and 
 acted promptly — he was full of mental resources and it 
 was a common saying among lavtyers that "you might 
 trip Uncle Sat. up whenever you could and he would 
 always catch on his feet." 
 
 He seemed to have wonderful facility for acquirmg law, 
 though he studied but little out of books. He would 
 garner up the labors of other law'yers with remarkable 
 ease and appropriate them to his own use and was always 
 judicious in applying what he acquired. 
 
 He seemed to have legal intuitions and must ha\ e been 
 
gifted in a high degree with what is called a 'legal 
 mind." 
 
 His voice was a fit instrument for such an intellect — 
 rounded, deep, full, melodious ; I think I can hear its 
 magnetic tones now sounding down the lapse of years. 
 
 As a political speaker I think Mr. Satterthwaite was 
 one of the most effective I ever heard. His felicity of 
 expression, large power of comparison and illustration, 
 genial humor and voice so rich with melody, made him 
 a commanding power on the "stump," the great forum 
 of American Oratory. 
 
 All these splendid faculties were set upon a bed-rock 
 of great "Common Sense," which, although not a faculty 
 of brain, yet is more valuable than all. and without which 
 the greatest intellect may accomplish but little. 
 
 When the great adversity that surrounded the early 
 days of Mr. Satterthwaite, the very limited education he 
 received and the circumstances attending his admission 
 to the Bar, are all considered I think he may well be put 
 down as an extraordinary man. 
 
 The Bar that he entered was for years composed of the 
 very ablest lawyers of the state, yet he soon acquired 
 and retained all his life a commanding practice. Although 
 his life was crowded with other pursuits as well as law, he 
 maintained his practice and great reputation to the last ; 
 and on the day he died he was expected to act as the 
 Chief Council in a very important will suit in a county 
 where he did not practice. 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite's heart was^ as big as his brain-^he 
 loved his friends better than any man I ever knew. I 
 cannot say he hated lys enemies. His generous nature 
 was not endowed with that satanic quality. His charity 
 was as broad as his character. 
 
 In the years I was with him he gave away about all he 
 made to the poor, and he, in fact and truth, let not his left 
 
51 
 
 hand know what his right hand ditl. He did not pro- 
 claim his charity to the world, but, if all the poor old men 
 and women who have limped in and out his office could 
 speak, they would say that none ever came away empty 
 handed. He had not very many sins, and charity to 
 cover a much greater multitude. 
 
 His name and memory arc embalmed in the hearts of 
 our people. 
 
 Literally a self-made man, his untutored youth expanded 
 into a manhood of commanding influence and power, the 
 peer of the many great men who were his contempora- 
 ries. 
 
 When he died he leffa void which has not been filled. 
 
 G. H. BROWN, Jr. 
 
 ^^ashhu^ton, N. C. 
 
EXTRACT FROM A SERMON, 
 
 BY 
 
 Rev. E. M. GREEN, 
 
 Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Washington, in 7i.'hich 
 he very feelingly alludes to Mr. Satterthivaitc : 
 
 We would remark, explicationis gratia, that a strong 
 tie of amity had formed between these gentlemen ; and 
 the latter was accustomed to quite frequently attend the 
 services of the Presbyterian Church under Mr. Green's 
 direction. 
 
 This community has received many solemn admonitions 
 from Divine Providence. It has not been long since a 
 prominent citizen of this town, after a day of ordinary 
 labor, left his office, but before reaching his door fell 
 senseless to the earth, smitten by the Hand of God, and 
 was borne into his house only to breathe his last. The com - 
 munity was startled ! A pall of gloom hung over the town i 
 
 As with awed spirits, and solemn hearts, we gathered 
 around him and bore him to his last resting-place, it 
 might have been said of said of him as was said of the 
 great Pitt, when he passed from earth : " London was 
 solemnized for one day." Washington was solemnized 
 for one day. For one day ! Soon the impression faded 
 away. We severally resumed our duties and our busi- 
 ness, and the lesson of Providence faded from our minds. 
 As some great ship founders at sea, and suddenly goes 
 down in mid-ocean, the waves covering it over and the 
 very spot lost, so he went down, and so was he forgotten, 
 save in those hearts which can never forget. 
 
A lew thiys aj^o a youth (Warwick Telfair ) in the early 
 dawn of manhood was suddenly cut down, the second 
 time within a \ery brief period that the young have been 
 admonislKcl that thc'\- are not exempt from the ravages of 
 death; and to-day we w-ll follow to the tomb one (Mr. 
 Cray Griffin) who has long lived among us, and with 
 whom we daily associated — who "'being dead yet speak- 
 eth " — for stretch'ng out from his dying bed his emaciated 
 hands to heaven, and asking for salvation through a Re- 
 deemer'.^ l.looil, he vvarneti ali who approached his bed- 
 side to I'.ewaie of the fearful error into which he had been 
 betrayed, and net to postpone li!l a dying hour the great 
 business of life. And \et we close our he;irts against 
 these warnings and lorget thai we must die ! 
 
 " As IViiDi tlic wiiiLT no sc'.'ir I Ik.' sky retains. 
 The parti'd wave no I'urrnw limn the keel, 
 B(j dies! in human hearts the thought ofdcatii." 
 
54 
 
 MEETING OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 The Board met Monday at lo o'clock A. M., James L. 
 Fowle presiding. Present: Messrs. B. B. Reaves, B. P. 
 Godley and Churchill Bright. Minutes of last meeting 
 read and approved. 
 
 After a few appropriate remarks by the Chairman in 
 regard to the death of F. B. Satterthwaite, Esq., one ot 
 the counsels for the Board, the following resolutions were 
 unanimously adopted : 
 
 WiiEUEAt>, It has pleased .\linighty God, in His wisdom, to take 
 Irom our midst one ol'tlie attorneys of tliis Boaid and onr friend 
 and brotlier, Fenner B. Satterthwaite, therefore be it 
 
 Resoimd, Tliat in the deatli of our esteemed fellow citi'/A'ii, we 
 recognize the loss of an eminent citizen and a noble man, in whom 
 were embodied most of the virtues that adorn mankind. 
 
 Resolved, That this Board collectively and individually hereby 
 tender its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family of the deceased. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be published in the 
 Ecro, and a copy entered on the minutes and sent to the family. 
 
 The Board then, in respect to the deceased, adjourned 
 until Tuesday at lo o'clock. 
 
55 
 
 Tin: HON. JESSE j. VEATES, 
 
 I" a iM-ivate letter from Murfreesboro. under date of 
 the 1st ,nst., speaks as follows of the death of our 
 esteemed friend, the late F. B. Satterthwaite Esq — 
 
 "I have just read with deep distress and oloom the 
 obituary notice of the death of my esteemed Vriend, F 
 B Satterthwaite, Esq. I little thought, when I parted 
 with him last tall, amidst the joys and pleasures of our 
 .i^rand and glorious celebration of our victory over our 
 country s foes, that it would be the last time that I should 
 behold his honest and manly face. I am in deep sorrow 
 at his death^ I trust that his soul is in heaven I will 
 ever remember and hold dear the memory of E B Sat 
 terthwaite." ' ■ • ^d-i.- 
 
MEETING OF THE BAR. 
 
 At 12 o'clock on last Wednesday, immediately after a 
 recess ot the Superior Court ol this county, Ci meeting of 
 the Bar of this (the Second) Judicial District was held, 
 for the purpose of paying- a tribute of respect to the 
 memory of Fenner B. Satterthwaite, Esq., who died sud- 
 denly on the 23rd of March last. 
 
 The meeting was largely attended, there being present 
 Judges Reade and Rodman, of the Supreme Court, 
 Judge Moore, the presiding Judge of the Court, now in 
 session, and, in addition to the Bar of Washington, Maj. 
 Henry A. Gilliam, of Chowan, Capt. T. j. Jarvis. and 
 Germain Bernard, Esq., of Pitt, Maj. L. C. Latham. <■( 
 Washington, and Col. D. M. Carter, of Raleigh. 
 
 On motion of Maj. Sparrow, the meeting was organ 
 ized by the appointment of Judge Rodman, Chairman, 
 and James E. Shepherd, Esq., Secretary. 
 
 Judge Rodman, on taking the Chair, said : 
 Brethren of the Bar of the Second Judicial District : 
 
 We have assembled for the purpose of expressing our 
 regret at the loss of our professional brother, Fenner !>. 
 Satterthwaite, whom it has pleased God to take away 
 from us, and of testifying to the world our respect for his 
 memory. Eulogy from me at this moment would be 
 premature. 
 
 A motion by Maj, Thos. Sparrow that a committee of 
 three be appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of 
 the sense of the meeting was adopted, and the Chairman 
 appointed Col. D. M. Carter, Major Henry Gilliam and 
 Thos. Sparrow, who retired and in a short time returned 
 and reported the following resolutions : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove 
 
57 
 
 from our midst Fenner B. Satterthwaite, the senior mem- 
 ber of this l^ar, by a sudden and unexpected death ; and 
 whereas, we, the members of the Rar of this Second ju- 
 dicial District, have assembled in public meeting to take 
 proper notice of this sad event ; therefore be it 
 
 Resohrd, That in the death of our late comrade and 
 brother, we mourn the loss of our oldist and one of our 
 ablest members, who has endcj'.rcd himself to each of us 
 by his uniform social and professional courtesy, and has 
 won the public esteem and confidence by his sii^nal skill 
 and talent in our honorable profession. 
 
 Be it further Resolved. That we tender to the bereaxed 
 family of the deceased our deep sympathy and condo- 
 lence in their irreparable loss. 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be presented to the 
 Court, with a request that they be entered upon its min- 
 utes, and that a copy thereof be transmitted to the family 
 of our deceased brother. 
 
 Resolved, That the members of this meeting wear the 
 usual badye of mournino- for thirty days in token of our 
 respect. 
 
 D. M. Carter, 
 H. A. Gilliam, 
 T. Sparrow. 
 
 The resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the 
 Chairman addressed the meeting in an earnest and ap- 
 propriate manner regarding the character of the deceased, 
 and expressive of his sympathy for the bereaved family. 
 
 It W.1S also resolved that the proceedings of the meet- 
 ing be published in the Washington Echo. 
 
 The meeting then adjourned. 
 
 Wm. B Rodman, Chairman. 
 
 J AS. E. Siii-.iMii-.Ki), Secretary. 
 
 Upon the resumption of business by the Court, judge 
 Rodman presented a copy of the resolutions to His 
 Honor, Judge Moore, and asked that they be spread 
 upon the minutes of the Court. The request was cheer- 
 fully granted by the Court. 
 
EULOGIES. 
 
 The following are the eulogies delivered at the nieeting 
 of the Bar of this District to give expression of the ex- 
 quisite sorrow felt, and irreparable loss sustained, at the 
 death of the late F. B. Satterthwaite, Esq.: 
 
 REMARKS OF JUDGE E. G. READE. 
 
 Mr. Cliiir:]ian : — -I had not the pleasure of a long in- 
 timate aquaintance with our deceased brother, as most of 
 those who surround me had, but I had kown his reputa- 
 tion for a long time. We lived in different parts of the 
 State, but his name was favorably known to the profes- 
 sion everywhere. I never heard a Judge, who had rode 
 this circuit, speak of the profession in the circuit, that he 
 d d not name Mr. Satterthwaite as a man of great ability 
 and an advocate of great powers. 
 
 in his d^-ath the profession has lost an honorable 
 nie:nber. 
 
 I have occasionally met him in political bodies, and 
 I bear teistiinony to his courtesy, ability and patriotism. 
 In the State Convention of iS65-'66 he was sometimes 
 called to the chair, and although he had not much ex- 
 perience as a presiding officer, yet I thought him one of 
 the best in the body. 
 
 The State has lost a useful and honorable citizen. 
 
 Judging from what I have observed during my short 
 residence here, he was a popular and useful member of 
 this community. He did not allow fiis exalted position 
 to place a distance between him and his neighbors ; 
 but he had a hand and heart for e\ery worthy man ; and 
 his hospitality was unbounded. The respect and affec- 
 tion of his neighbors was strongly manifested by the 
 
59 
 
 unusual numbers that gathered at his buii;il. And it was 
 jLiratifying to see a number of colored persons manifest- 
 ing their regard by keeping up on foot with the carriages 
 for several miles to his grave. I understand that it was 
 characteristic with Mr. Satterthwaite. as indeed it has 
 always been with the profession, to guard their interests, 
 and to protect them in all their rights : and no doubt 
 they duly appreciated it. 
 
 His loss will be severely felt in this community. 
 
 It would be unseemly in me to speak of his domestic 
 relations, and ol his loss to his family. A stranger must 
 not intrude there. His widow and children cannot be 
 comforted by any word of mine, however much in sym- 
 pathy spoken. A kind Providence alone can, as I hope 
 a kind Providence will, soothe their grief. 
 
 "The gentlest flower bedrenched with rain, 
 Still lifts its head and smiles again, 
 When morning light dispels the cloud, 
 VVhich lately thundered last and loud, — 
 And may their hearts be as the flower." 
 
 This mysterious Providential event, ought to have its 
 influence upon us all. Walking from his office to his 
 dwelling at the close of the business of the day, he was 
 stricken down with apoplexy, and died almost immedi- 
 ately ! Why was that his fate instead of mine, or yours ? 
 It may be ours at any hour. It will be ours soon to die. 
 No word of caution or of warning from our deceased 
 brother in his lifetime could have had the force to remind 
 us of the uncertainty of life which his mysterious death 
 has had. There stands the fact, stronger than a thous- 
 and witnesses, that there is only a moment between time 
 and eternity. In the midst of life we are in death. 
 
60 
 
 EULOGY II. 
 
 REMARKS OF JUDGE W. A. MOORE. 
 
 Mr. Chairman : — My intimate acquaintance with Mr. 
 Satterthwaite commenced in 187 1, when I was appointed 
 presiding Judge of this District. His genial disposition, 
 courteous bearing, magnanimity of soul and symathy 
 with the distressed, won my esteem, admiration and 
 affection. 
 
 Others can more properly speak of his social and 
 domestic virtues. His life-long friends will here recall 
 them, and this community will never forget them. 
 
 1 desire to revive and fondly cherish the memory of 
 his relations to the Bench and Bar ; to speak of him in 
 the discharge of his professional duties ; his conflicts ; 
 his bearing under defeat and in the moment of victory. 
 Here INlr. Chairman, his excellent qualities shone pre- 
 eminently. 
 
 He always espoused with enthusiasm the cause com- 
 mitted to his hands, exhausted every resource, but never^ 
 even in the excitement of debate, could he forget the 
 most respectful deference to the Bench, and the most 
 chivalrous courtesy to his adversary. I cannot remem- 
 ber that I have ever heard him utter one word under 
 excitement, that he should have wished unsaid in his 
 cooler moments. In this high quality he had no supe- 
 rior and few equals. 
 
 He was always strong before the Court or jury, but in 
 his appeals for mercy, he tilled the full measure of 
 his manhood. Mere his whole soul was aroused, and 
 
61 
 
 finding- utterance tlirou^h his i>rand eyes, mellifluous 
 voice, gniceful action and splendid elocution, he w; s 
 almost irresistible. 
 
 But he is gone. He stands at the Bar of the ( jreat 
 and Final judge. Let us humbly trust, that there he 
 may find that mercy, which for others he always invoked. 
 
EULOGY III. 
 
 REMARKS OF JUDGE W. B. RODMAN. 
 
 Judge Rodman said : — I hope my brethren of the Bar 
 will excuse me if, before I submit the resolutions for their 
 adoption, I add a few feeble words to what has been so 
 justly and so feelingly said in commendation of our 
 departed brother. 
 
 I have been professionally associated with him longer 
 than any of you. When I came to the Bar of this Court 
 in 1835, he had been a member of the Legislature, and I 
 found him a Justice of the Peace, sitting on the bench of 
 the County Court. Soon afterwards he had some occa- 
 sion for legal advice, and, led I suppose by his disposi 
 tion to help young lawyers — a disposition which lasted 
 him through life — he consulted me He was among the 
 first of my clients. Soon afterwards he became a mem- 
 ber of the Bar himself As such we all know him famil 
 iarly. In many respects he was a model advocate. He 
 was zealous for the interests of his client ; but his zeal 
 never lead him into unfairness, or indiscreet passion. He 
 resembled the great English advocate, Sir James Scarlett, 
 of whom it was said he controlled a jury by becoming 
 one of them. ! ie seemed to hold his finger on the pulse 
 of a jury, and to be able to judge how its blood run. 
 He never went so far but that he could feel that thev 
 were in sympathy with him, and probably he never lost a 
 verdict which he ought to have gained. Above all, what- 
 ever asperities might occur in debate ; whatever irritation 
 the heat of argument might give rise to on either side, 
 when the case was given to the jury, and his responsibil- 
 ity was discharged, no remnant of ill-temper towards the 
 
(18 
 
 opposinji; counsel lini>erecl in liis mind. It was too iiiau^- 
 nanimous for tliat. I fear it will be long, if ever,' before 
 we sec at this Bar his superior in the abilities of an acho- 
 cate, or the graces and virtues of a gentleman. 
 
 I often met our deceased brother in the hospitality and 
 intimacy of his famity. In all his domestic relations he 
 was beyt)nd reproach. Never, in all that intiniacy, did I 
 hear him utter a cross word to any member of his family, 
 or even to one of his servants. 
 
 He was by a few years my senior in age. I am his 
 senior at the Bar. His lamented death leaves me in both 
 ways the senior member ol this Bar. 
 
 It is one of the sad necessities of life, that, if we live 
 long, we outlive our early friends. How sad this is, none 
 but those who have experienced it can tell. 
 
EULOGY lY. 
 
 REMARKS OF MAJOR THOS. SPARROW. 
 
 Mr. Cliairnian : — You and I are the only survivors of 
 the Washington Bar, as I found it when I came here 
 eighteen years ago. John S. Hawks, Matthew Shaw, 
 Richard S. Donnell, Jesse Stubbs, Edward Stanley, and. 
 lastly, our friend Eenner B. Satterthwaite, all of them, 
 honored in their lives, have left us, beloved and lamented 
 in their deaths. It reminds us of "what shadows we 
 are, and what shadows we pursue." 
 
 "Frieud after friend de[)art8, 
 
 Who hath not lost a friend V 
 There is no union here of hearts 
 
 Tljat hath not here an end." 
 
 There never breathed a more generous spirit than 
 Fenner B. Satterthwaite. His surpassing abilities as an 
 advocate, his readiness, his fluency, his tact in the suc- 
 cessful conduct of a cause, have already been v>ortrayed, 
 and I need not further speak of them. 
 
 He had an open heart, an open hand, an open purse 
 and an open door for all He was pre-eminently hospit 
 able, charitable and forgiving. He bore no malice and 
 harbored no resentments. Of all men I ever knew, he 
 could with more propriety repeat the well known lines of 
 Pope : 
 
 "Teach nie to feel another's woe, 
 
 To hide the faults I see ; 
 That mercy I to otliers show, 
 
 That mercy show to me." 
 
 My relations to him were somewhat ]:)cculiar, and with 
 two slight interruptions, kindly and usually confidential. 
 
66 
 
 When as yet a hoy I first Kit home on a horsehack jour- 
 ney to the county of Hytle, 1 tound entertainment at 
 his hospitahle mansion near Leach ville, he liavinj^ hut 
 recently been married. It was then and there our inti- 
 macy begun. I experienced then and there that gener- 
 ous, whole hearted weUome, which so many of the 
 people of Beaufort and other counties in North Carolina 
 have until the day of his death enjoyed in so pre eminent 
 a degree. 
 
 When I went to Raleigh and appeared l)efoie the 
 Supreme Cour (Gaston, Ruffin and Daniel on the 
 Bench) as an applicant for County Court license, Sat- 
 terthwaitewas there an applicant for his Superior Court 
 license. It was in 1S44. In 1847, shortly after my 
 removal in this town h'om my native town of New Berne, 
 I accompanied him to a field of honor in Virginia as his 
 friend. Though of a kindly nature, he was a man of 
 courage, and gave such honorable exiflence of this high 
 quality on this occasion, that all the world will bear me 
 witness of the fact. He never afterwards, in our long 
 and familiar intercourse alluded to the subject of this 
 difficulty. He banished it from his heart and from his 
 mind. 
 
 We often can\assed the county of Beaufort together, 
 both before and since the war. In our last canvass for 
 the Legislature in 1S73, he was in the habit of beginning 
 every speech with the solemn declaration, that he "had 
 turned the crook in the road and was on the down hill of 
 life." What I then thought a figure of speech only, has 
 proved to be a melancholy reality. He has left us. 
 "The silver cord has been loosed, the golden bow 1 been 
 broken, the pitcher been broken at the fountain, the 
 wheel been broken at the cistern. The dust has returr.ed 
 to the earth as it was, and the spirit unto God who gave 
 it." It is sad to know that we shall never again look 
 6 
 
66 
 
 upon his familiar face, at his office or on these streets, 
 nor listen to the tones of his melting and silver voice in 
 this courtroom, marshalling his jurors in a cause, examin- 
 ing and cross-examining a witness, with his masterly 
 skill ; nor pleading, with tearful eye and melting heart, 
 for some poor and innocent offender against the laws. 
 It is sad to know that death did not confe to him in its 
 milder aspect, as to "one who wraps the drapery of his 
 couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." 
 Always dreaded, its approach to him was simply appal- 
 ling. The great adversary lurked stealthily for him in 
 his pathway from his office to his home, leaped suddenly 
 upon him, and struck him down in his pride and in his 
 manhood, ere he had reached its threshold. God grant 
 that you and I may be spared a similar experience, 
 "Let us also be ready, for in such an hour as we think 
 not the Son of Man cometh." 
 
EULOGY V. 
 
 REMARKS OF JUD(iF, JAMES E. SHEPHERD. 
 
 Mr. Chairman : — After the feeling and impressive 
 remarks of the gentlemen who have spoken, I had 
 almost concluded not to attempt to add anything to what 
 has been so eloquently and appropriately expressed ; but, 
 sir, my heart, in its deep and earnest sympathy, prompts 
 me to say something in respect to our deceased brother, 
 however unpretending the tribute may be. 
 
 Death, sir, that needs must come to us all — the high and 
 the low, the rich and the poor, the old and the young — 
 and whose awful fiat no earthly tribunal can set aside, has 
 appeared in our midst, and, with the suddenness of the 
 lightening's flash, has stricken down in the height of his 
 intellectual strength and usefulness, one of the most dis- 
 tinguished citizens of our county and one of the most 
 prominent members of our Bar. 
 
 It was not my privilege to have known our deceased 
 brother in the earlier years of his life, and, therefore, I 
 have but little personal knowledge regarding the history 
 of his extraordinary career ; I say extraordinary career, 
 sir, because of the many difficulties he had to contend 
 with in attaining the high position which he achieved. I 
 have been told by a member of his family that he 
 attended school only six months, and that in early man- 
 hood he had to clerk in a store and labor in the field for 
 a period extending over four years. But the genius of 
 the man could not be stifled by this pressure upon his 
 time ; performing faithfully and zealously the duties that 
 devolved upon him, he yet devoted himself to the im- 
 
68 
 
 provement of his mind, and the developing the talent 
 that he knew was within him. Industry and perse- 
 verance enabled him t(j conquer the difficulties that 
 begirt his path, and he came forth to take his proper 
 position among his fellow-citizens who, be it to their 
 honor said, yielded to him that support and encourage- 
 ment which his industry, talents, and perseverance 
 deserved, and elected him a member of the Legislature 
 of his native state. After this he studied law and was 
 admitted to the Bar. Of his rapid success in the profes- 
 sion which he hjid chosen, and in the public positions to 
 which he was called, it is needless for me to speak ; for 
 his reputation is well known and has become, I might 
 say, without exaggeration, a part of the history of the 
 state. 
 
 Those early struggles of our deceased brother, 
 crowned as they were with such brilliant success, furnish 
 a striking and useful example to those similarly situated ; 
 an example which should teach them that, however 
 numerous the obstacles they are battliipg against, and 
 however dark the cloud which overhangs them, indomit- 
 able courage and perseverance, armed with a laudable 
 :rnl)ition, with God's help, will win the victory. Those 
 early efforts of our brother may well be considered as 
 "footsteps on the sands of time ;" 
 
 "Footsteps which another, 
 
 Sailing o'er ht'e's stormy main, 
 l^ome forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 
 
 Seeing, may take heart again." 
 
 Mr. Satterthwaite was particularly distinguished as an 
 advocate, and many, many days will come and pass away 
 before his rich and mus'cal voice will be forgotten. He 
 was a great jury lawyer, and such were his qualities that 
 there were some critical cases in which his place could 
 scarcely have been filled. 
 
69 
 
 Hut liDwever .threat liis nihility at the Bar and in the 
 public positions ho occupied, there was that in him 
 which his family and friends will remember with even 
 more pride and gratification. I speak, sir, of that kindly 
 manner, that unbounded hospitality, and that liberality 
 to the poor and distressed, which were his distinguishing 
 characteristics ; characteristics, sir, which could only 
 mark a man of a large and generous heart. A great 
 writer has said— I slighdy paraphrase— that in the dread 
 hour of death, "it is not what we have done for ourselves, 
 but what we have done for others, that we think on most 
 pleasantly." If our deceased friend ever reviewed his 
 long and varied life, sure am 1 that the thought of the 
 many charitable acts which he performed were more 
 pleasant and satisfactory to him than the remembrance 
 of any distinctions and honors he may have won. He 
 will be missed, sir. His friends will miss him. He was 
 always affable and agreeable, and always endeavoring to 
 please and entertain. There was about him a kind of 
 magnetism, very hard to explain, but which, when once 
 felt, was very hard to be forgotten. 
 
 His clients will miss him, for he was ever zealous in 
 the advancement of their interests and in the advocacy 
 of their claims. His eloquent voice is stilled in death and 
 will no longer be heard within these walls. 
 
 His family will miss him ! ah, how much, no mortal 
 tongue can tell ! for he was a devoted husband and 
 parent. I have been told, sir, that just before he became 
 unconcious, his eyes rested upon the faithful partner of 
 his joys and sorrows. It is a beautiful thought to 
 cherish, that she who was with him in happiness and 
 affliction, in hope and despondency, in light and in 
 gloom : she who had climbed with him the rugged hill 
 of life ; had stood with him upon its sun-capped summit, 
 and with him was descending to the (jther side, should 
 
70 
 
 have been near in his last struggle, and that her earnest, 
 anxious and loving face was the last earthly object he 
 looked upon as he passed into the dark and silent valley ! 
 y^//of us will miss him, sir ; and the thought of his 
 many kindly and charitable deeds will long keep his 
 memory green in the hearts of his friends and aquaint- 
 ances. 
 
AN ADDRESS, 
 
 Delivered by Mr. Sattcrtlnvaite before Esperanza 
 Lodge, Pitt Cotinty, 1845. 
 
 Noble Grand, and Brothers, Ladies and Gentlemen;— 
 
 The occasion which has assembled us together to-day, 
 is one of interest to the heart of every sincere philanthro- 
 pist. We have not met to wage the contest oi heated 
 party conflict, or with demonstrations of joy and exhul- 
 tation, to celebrate any great political triumph, or to echo 
 back any pealing shout of victory, that comes from some 
 distant battlefield, where the shrieks and groans of the 
 vanquished and dying are mournfully blended with the 
 triumphs of the victor Where the laurel has been 
 stained with the widow's tear, and the glad song of the 
 conqueror is saddened with the wailing cry of the fath- 
 erless and destitute. 
 
 No, my brethren and fellow -citizens, we have not met 
 for purposes and in honor of triumphs of this nature. 
 But we have met to honor by our presence to-day an 
 institution which has achieved glories far more noble 
 and enduring than any the partizan ever accomplished, 
 and laurels far brighter and more lasting than any that 
 ever wreath(>d the sword. 
 
 Tis true wc come this day to rejoice over our triumphs. 
 We coMie with the glow and animation of victory stirring 
 our veins — victories, too, won amid tears and groans. 
 But our triumph is to wipe away those tears, and to 
 stifle those groans with the sweet whisper of peace and 
 consolation and comfort. We have assembled this day 
 
72 
 
 and dedicated a hall to the principles of charity, benevo- 
 lence and brothcrlv love. We have this day planted 
 among you a scion from the tree of Odd Fellowship, 
 and the occasion is eminently appropniate for a plain, 
 brief, and practical discussion of the principles, plans, 
 purposes, and objects of that institution. 
 
 The Order of Odd FelUowship has so widely diffused 
 itself within a few years past, extending and unfolding 
 itself like some flourishing tree, branching and germinat- 
 ing in every city, town, village and hamlet, that public 
 attention is naturally becoming every day more and more 
 attracted towards its operations, and scanning more 
 particularly its fruits. It is, therefore, our duty no less 
 than our pleasure, whensver an opportunity offers to 
 unfold to the world its character, tendencies and opera- 
 tions, so far as this may be done consistently with that 
 amount of secrecy enjoined as a part of its obligation. 
 This is a duty particularly obligatory on us in a country 
 like ours, where the whole authority of government is 
 derived from the consent of the governed. All citizens are 
 therefore deeply interested in every organization founded, 
 and every principle agitated amongst them, as they may 
 possibly have some bearing for good or evil upon their 
 institutions and may thereby effect the future destiny of 
 society. We, therefore, freely admit the claim of public 
 curiosity, and ask but the candid, impartial and unpreju- 
 diced judgment of mankind after our deeds shall be 
 made known, and we fear not to meet the strictest appli- 
 cation of that safe and wise test — "Hy their fruits shall 
 ye know them." 
 
 Before entering into any discussion of the objects, 
 plans and purposes of Odd Fellowship, I feel that I shall 
 better prepare the minds of my audience for a fair hear- 
 ing and judgment as to its claims upon their favor and 
 esteem, when 1 announce that our Order lays title to 
 
73 
 
 notliini; in its nanu' wlrch it cannot boast of in its real 
 character. 
 
 It is emphatically an institution independent of all other 
 societies, human or divine It knows no ereed, no seet. • 
 no party. It does not come in conflict with any class or 
 denominatit>n of men. It has been a common (objection 
 ur<;e(.l against our Order, (as ay^ainst every other oroani- 
 zation of men, having:;; for its object the amelioration of 
 man's moral condition, ~) that such societies are infringing 
 upon the sacred office of the Christian Church. Far be 
 it from an\- one, and nothiny could be farther from the 
 thouiijht of him who now addresses you, than to derogate 
 from her sublime magnificence and superiority o\ er tem- 
 ples made by human hands. As the sun knows no rival 
 in the heavens, but shines on in undiminished splendor 
 and glory, eclipsing all by the brilliancy of his rays, and 
 the myriad of orbs that revolve around in boundless 
 space can but letlei t his golden beams, so stands the 
 Christian Church upon earth ; a monument of divine 
 goodness, wisdom and beneficence, which no work of hu- 
 man hands or -.ninds can ever hope or dare to rival. Let 
 it not be supposed, theri'fore, that our institution is an- 
 tagonistic to any church or creed. On the contrary, the 
 \'crv principles ot our Order arc sucli as meet with 
 the concurrence and apj)robation of good men every- 
 where, and of every sect and faith and ensure to us that 
 harmony and unity of sentiment which is the very soul of 
 our fraternity, and which is e.\tcnding its happy influences, 
 wide as the limits of ci\ilization itself. 
 
 There is but one faith professed, one lesson inculcated 
 throughout the whole, one idea worshipped, professed and 
 practiced by its votaries : these are benevolenec, eharitv 
 and brotherly love, principles as eternal as that (.reat 
 iieing from Whom they emanated, and which are 
 bringing and binding hearts from every clime, and undei 
 
 7 
 
74 
 
 every sun, with the strongest ties of a generous and wide 
 expanded sympathy. Yes, my brethren and fellow- 
 citizens, from the icy, frozen north to the balmy, sunny 
 ..south ; from the smiling horizon in the east to where the 
 Sun makes his gilded ocean bed in the west ; everywhere 
 beneath the wide-stretched conopy of heaven, Odd-Fel- 
 loicship finds a resting-place and a home, and wipes away 
 the tear of distress, and gives to the houseless wanderer 
 joy and gladness. The altar fires of our Order that are 
 blazing with us here are also felt in the far off" wastes of 
 California, and amid the table-lands of Mexico. Our tem- 
 ple dome reflects the glitter of Heaven's bright stars in 
 every land, and the area of our domain is circumscribed 
 only by the limits of civilized man's habitation. 
 
 Such, my brethren and fellow citizens, is the extent and 
 universality of our mystic tie; such the independent na- 
 ture of our institution ; such the unity ancJ harmony of its 
 design, and such the efficacy of those few but cardinal vir- 
 tues, which she inculcates in uniting the hearts of the 
 good and humane of all sects and denominations of men 
 throughout this habitable earth. 
 
 And in view of these characteristics of our Order, may 
 we not well boast that ours is no sectarian institution, and 
 the mode of our operations no warfare upon men or any 
 of their associations ? 
 
 How fully and emphatically do we realize those beau- 
 tiful lines of the poet: 
 
 " Ours are the plans of fair delightful per^ce, 
 Unwarped by party rage, to live like brothers." 
 
 We have thus endeavored to rid your minds of any 
 prejudice that might originate from supposing that we 
 array ourselves in competition with the Church or any 
 other institution. 
 
 Let us now pass to the nature of our fraternity and the 
 objects it seeks to accomplish. In conducting my en- 
 
75 
 
 quiries into the character of ()dd-l""ello\vship, I shall not 
 stop to amuse your curiosity by attemptint; any protound 
 speculation as to its birth and origin. This, to be sure, is 
 a question that might interest and engage the attention of 
 the curious in\'estigat()r, but can have but little practical 
 influence or importance. For whether the corner-stone of 
 our Order is found amid the relics and rubbish of a dim 
 and distant antiquity, or shining with the polish and finish 
 of a more modern day ; whether its fabrics, in all its ma- 
 jestic and beautiful proportions, first arose on the soil of 
 England, or it was here that its architecture was planned 
 and erected by the strong minds and ingenious hands ol 
 our own American ancestors, it matters not ; for after all 
 it is only by our real and substantial merits that we are to 
 be judged. It would not be the only nor the best test ol 
 durability of our structure, that it looked scarred and 
 scathed by the lightnings of many years, or that it stood 
 grim, gray and gloomy with the gathered moss 
 of centuries. The progressive spirit of mankind, assisted 
 by the lights of long experience, has been manifested, and 
 is daily being exhibited in the improvement of plans of 
 human government and of all those appliances, inventions 
 and contrivances which are designed for man's superior 
 comfort and happiness. Hence, may we not well argue 
 (even assuming ours to be a modern institution), that age 
 is not the only criterion of merit, but that beauty, excel- 
 lence, grandeur, and usefulness may be the discovery and 
 accomplishment of a comparatively modern era. 
 
 Our Order boasts not of aristocratic origin— no noble 
 parentage nursed its tender growth — it is of humble birth. 
 A few poor and pious men, banded together for the mu- 
 tual suport of their families and themselves, gave the in- 
 stitution its birth and its name. 
 
 We offer them to your view this day, fellow citizens, 
 our ti-mplc and its structure, as it now exists and stands 
 
76 
 
 with all its features and proportions, in plain and open 
 view for your inspection and scrutiny. The foundation 
 of its fabric is universal brotherhood ; its strong pillars are 
 ''Friendship, Love and Truths The principle and doc- 
 trine of its faith is that man is a social being, bound to 
 sympathize with, to aid. protect, and administer comfort 
 to his unfortunate or suffering fellow man. The whole 
 and only operation which it seeks to accomplish, the en- 
 tire mission which it seeks to fullfil, is to build up and 
 sustain among men a system of active practical benevo- 
 lence, which shall diffuse throughout society and through- 
 out the whole world the healing and assuaging influence 
 of a wide-spread beneficence and charity. 
 
 The whole design of all our works, the mamspring of 
 our action, the grand and momentous secret of Odd- 
 Fellowship, is fully revealed and enhanced in that one 
 word. Charity, un versal Ch;:rity. And is this world of 
 ours not olten in need of such comfort and consolation as 
 flows from Odd- Fellowship ? 
 
 Let no man take his stand on the prosperity of the pres- 
 ent hour and defy misfortune : let no one wrap himself up 
 in his cloak of selfishness, \\\i& Diogines of old, and refuse 
 to give or receive sympathy. There was something which 
 even Diogines wanted, and history is full of examples of 
 the unstability of fortune. The fallen Wo/seywas not the 
 first who found occasion to moralize on the state of man: 
 " To-day he puts forth the tender leaves cff hope ; to- 
 morrow blossoms and bears his blushing honors thick 
 upon him ; the third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 
 and when he thinks good easy man surely full, his 
 greatness is a ripening — nips his root and then he falls, as 
 I do." 
 
 Cannot each one of u.s call to mind examples which 
 have occurred in our immediate path of life, teaching the 
 mutability of all things human. Contemplate the picture 
 
77 
 
 of liie as blackened, blight of crime or shadowetl by the 
 deep ylooni of po\erty, sorrow and misery, its heart - 
 revohini; scene stretched out before you. See sin and 
 villainy stalkin^; with an impudent and confident air, as 
 under the mantle of midnij^ht darkness, they go forth to 
 their deeds of hellish wickedness and depravity. See 
 fraud (under the mask of friendship) pilfering the weak 
 and ignorant, and duplicity and deceit cheating under the 
 garb of honesty and candor. See cold and heardess self- 
 fshness luxuriating amid ill-gotten gains, while squalid but 
 honest po\erty is shivering, hungry and in rags See 
 hundreds and thousands suffering with the pinching 
 pains of want, that the crumbs from the rich man's table 
 would relieve, and yet they are starving, unpitied in soli- 
 tary misery. See sickness and disease, as with ghastly 
 stare and skeleton finger they are clutching at the heart- 
 strings of the poor, dying, friendless wretch, and no 
 one by his couch to soothe his dying pillow or 
 wipe the death damp from his cold brow, or administer 
 the cooling drop to his burning lips. See the grave, 
 yawning in gloomy and almost solitary mournfulness, 
 with no weepers by to moisten the clay, as with sad and 
 rumbling sound its clods are heaped above the icy 
 remains of some poor, friendless and forsaken departed. 
 See the widowed mother, like Hagar in the wilderness, 
 doomed to listen to the dying groans and look upon 
 the closing eyes of some loved child, with no sym- 
 pathizing heart near to offer its consolation, no friendly 
 hand extended to relieve. See the poor orphan, reared 
 in ignorance, the noble faculties implanted by God in his 
 mind lying waste and ulcultured, while all the passions of 
 his young and pliant heart are left exposed to the intlu- 
 ence of evil, and maturing in sin and guilt and depravity. 
 In a word, see all this beautiful earth of ours, one vast 
 Lazar-house of disease and one field of strife and con- 
 
78 
 
 tendon, from which sighs and groans, and curses and im- 
 precations, are continually going up to heaven invoking 
 divine compassion or interposition. And when the angel 
 of mercy on heaven-tinted pinions is abroad on her errand 
 of love throughout the skies, is here no field o'er which 
 to stoop from her ariel height and shed around her be- 
 nignant smiles ? Is here no field for charity, benevolence 
 and brotherly love ? Here then, fellow citizens, behold 
 the ground upon which Odd-Fellowship has built its edi- 
 fice, and the battle ground upon which she has erected 
 her standard. It is amid scenes like these, which we have 
 attempted to describe, that we are endeavoring to de- 
 velop our capabilities for usefuless, by arresting this tide 
 of social and physical evil, which, like a deluge, would 
 seem in time (if unstaid by some potent agency) to sub- 
 merge the family of mankind in one vortex of misery and 
 despair. It is a beautiful feature of our Order, that in 
 thus endeavoring to ameliorate human condition, and al- 
 leviate human sutfering, and provide against the evils of 
 human depravity, we practice no exchisive philanthropy, 
 but the ivorthy in any rank, and class, and occupation are 
 gladly welcomed to gather with us around our loved 
 hearth-stone. It is the lovliest feature of that heaven- 
 born nymph, ''Charity,'' that she disregards the vain and 
 empty titles and distinctions that men would seek to set 
 up, and in a sanctuary dedicated to her homage. All 
 who are worthy, whether rich or poor, humble or exalted, 
 titled or unknown, from the proudest nabob, luxuriating 
 in all the pride and pomp of boundless wealth and 
 splendor, to the poorest Lazarus, languishing at his gate, 
 all with us are compelled to kneel upon the same plat- 
 form. All, too, are equally required to labor in perform- 
 ing the offices of brotherly love and sympathy, which we 
 inculcate, and with equal cheertulness to each and every 
 member of our fraternity. A brother, however low his 
 
7!) 
 
 degree, if distressed, is to he aided and comforted ; if 
 sick, to be watched and nourished ; if dead, to be de- 
 cently buried. If his widow is left in need, she, too, is 
 to be provided for ; his orphans, if destitute, are to be in- 
 structed and educated. The stranger, if in want, and un- 
 fortunate and friendless, is to be succored and provided 
 for. Antl the aftlictcd in all cases, and by whatever form 
 of distress, if he has the key to unlock the door of en- 
 trance to our fellowship and communion, is to be suc- 
 cored, pro\ided for, and received into a brotherly and 
 sustaining embrace. Surely, then, an institution having 
 these benevolent purposes in view, should well challenge 
 the admiration and favor of mankind. 
 
 But it is another feature of our Order that the charity 
 thus bestowed, and the benefits thus effected, are silent 
 and noiseless as the stealing march of time ; like the gen- 
 tle and refreshing dues of evening that form unheard and 
 unseen. The charity we teach and practice is often 
 reaching forth its hand and wiping away the orphan's 
 tears and stifling the desolate widows' heart-rending sobs 
 and cries, " but who knoweth its comings in or goings 
 forth ?" We can follow in the track of the desolating 
 whirlwind and count the objects which have fallen victims 
 to its fury, but who has explored the den, where it once 
 slumbered in silence and sleep ? We can view the 
 shivered oak, and the lifeless remains of some dearly 
 cherished object which the lightning has blasted with its 
 stroke. But who has seen the hand that winged the 
 messenger of desolation or sent it on its errand of demo- 
 lition and death ? So it is, my friends and fellow citizens, 
 with the secret operations of our Order. 
 
 Thousands of hearts that were at one time almost 
 pulseless have been made to bound with joy and glad- 
 ness without even seeing or knowing the hand that 
 administered to them the cordial of comfort. From the 
 
80 
 
 eyes of thousands and tens of thousands who once bent 
 beneath the heavy oppression of sorrow and affliction, 
 are streaming now the tears of joy and gladness which, 
 catching the smile of heaven, and reflecting back its rays, 
 are converted into sparkling gems, the proudest and 
 richest that could deck any earthly crown. And yet the 
 hand that brought such priceless blessings and comfort 
 and joy is unseen and unknown. It was the injunction 
 of our Saviour Himself— "Let not thy left hand know 
 what thy right hand doeth." 
 
 And again it was said by Him "Let thine alms be in 
 secret, and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward 
 thee openly." It is in strict conformity to these divine 
 precepts that we practice our deeds of benevolence and 
 charity. And in view of its triumph a' d success, and 
 the progress to which it has attained, does it need, my 
 fellow-citizens, the a- ray of and statistical facts to estab 
 lish its claims upon your confidence and esteem Look 
 around you in every section \\ here its temples have been 
 reared ; behold everywhere its sustaining arm bearing up 
 the weak and oppressed, and alleviating the pangs of the 
 suffering ; behold it bringing together under the broad 
 folds of its mantle the bowed down and oppressed of 
 every country, clime and kindred, and enstamping upon 
 ^//the signet of its mystic brotherhood ; behold it as it 
 stands in its majesty and sublimity, set like some eternal 
 city upon a hill, shining by its own light, whose rays are 
 fast penetrating a world ol sorrow and sin and misery, 
 and is lighting up the hearts of thousands with joy and 
 gladness ! 
 
 But, my brethren, there is another point of view in which 
 our institution may be regarded, that it seems to me must 
 commend it to the favor of every benevolent and charita- 
 ble philanthopist in the land. We cannot well estimate 
 the value and importance which confers and extends that 
 
81 
 
 greatest of all blessings in a free Republican government 
 like ours, the inestimable treasure of education. 
 
 This feature alone, then, of our Order, that it gives to 
 the indigent orphan an education, should endear it with 
 the strongest and warmest affection to the heart of every 
 sincere lover of our country. It has been beautifully 
 said, " The mind of a nation is its noblest treasure, a7id in 
 proportion as it glozvs and glitters with such jeiucls will 
 be the purity of its government, a7id the permaneyicy of 
 its institutions^ It is undeniably true that education is 
 one of the chief agents in preserving both religious and 
 civil liberty, and nothing can have a more wholesome 
 check upon the fanatic or intrigueing demagogue. The 
 influence of Odd h^llowship, then, as a dispenser of the 
 lights of intelligence and instruction, must be felt in a 
 government like ours, by aiding to uphold the majesty of 
 the laws and constitution, and preserving in their prestine 
 puritv, our free Republican institutions. We know it is 
 the conunon cry ot demagogues, that secret societies are 
 dangerous to our government, and hence we have seen 
 an attempt to foster an opposition, and organize a party 
 whose aim and object was to pull down the time-honored 
 structure of another society, whose designs seem closely 
 allied in their nature with those we cherish. But zchat 
 we confidently ask is, can there be in Odd Fellow- 
 ship, either in its plans, organization, or the purposes it 
 seeks to accomplish anything, to excite the apprehension 
 of the most wakeful sentinel our political rights ? On 
 the contrary, are not its tendencies in every respect in 
 favor of the preservation of our institutions, and con- 
 servative of our liberties? What can have a more 
 humanizing influence over the angry passions, and dis- 
 cordant dispositions of our natures, and thus better 
 soften the acerbity of heated party conflicts, to which our 
 people are so peculiarly exposed, than that doctrine and 
 8 
 
teaching of Ijrotherly lo\e and harmony, which is the 
 very foundation stone of our super-structure? Again, 
 who will say that the heart which feels the deepest for 
 human woe is that part which is least susceptible of pa- 
 triotic devotion ? Or, that the hand which has oftenest 
 wiped away the tear of distress and sorrow, is therefore 
 the less nerved to strike in defense of our country's 
 honor ? As an eloquent brother has said — "No blood 
 that stains the battle held of Rio Grande, or dyes the 
 burning sands of Mexico, shines more brightly than that 
 which was shed by Odd Fellows." Among the gallant 
 spirits who flew to their country's banner in the hour of 
 danger, and who now only wait the signal to join their 
 fellow countrymen in the field, there are hundreds and 
 thousands of Odd Fellows who would rush with eager- 
 ness around their country's flag, and, if necessary, give 
 up their lives, and their fortunes to save their country's 
 glory. Let no one, then, suppose we are less patriotic 
 because we are zealous Odd Fellows. 
 
 Be assured that the element which any may complain 
 of our Order exists only in relation to the mystical signs 
 and ceremonies by which we are distinguished Irom the 
 rest of the world, and have been adopted only for that 
 purpose and to shield our fraternity from dangerous in- 
 trusion. We have been influenced in the adoption of 
 these, by no desire to mystify the world and excite its 
 gazing curiosity. Our principles involve no secret or 
 mystery. '1 hey are inscribed in glowing characters in 
 the broad open light of day, and before the eyes of the 
 whole world, where all who run may read, and under- 
 stand. Let no one be caught by the glare of our em- 
 blems and regalias. They were not invented to lure the 
 fanciful, or attract the giddy. It is true they possess a 
 meaning, each one of them, and carry to the understand- 
 ing of a brother, a deep lesson of wisdom and virtue, but 
 
8:i 
 
 to the outside world they are but external o litter and show. 
 It is then for the sound aiid excellent ptinciples which 
 we promulgate, lor the sterling cardinal virtues which 
 we teach, and for the benevolent and charitable practices 
 which we enjoin, that we rely for the t;ood opinion of 
 mankind. 
 
 In conclusion then of this part of my address, 
 I would say, "think not our deeds are evil" because they 
 are not more openly performed. 
 
 judge us free from all suspicion. The whole lesson 
 and iaith which we inculcate may be summed up in a 
 few briel sentences and they are such as have met with 
 the concurrence, and enlisted the co-operation of the Chris- 
 tian and philanthropist in every part of the civilized world. 
 They consist of a belief in God, and veneration for His 
 Holy Name ; a love for our fellow creatures ; charity for 
 his faults and foibles : a feeling for his weakness and in- 
 firmity ; sympathy for his wants and sufferings. And it 
 IS one of the main duties in the life of an Odd Fellow. 
 day after day, to testify by his contmual observance of 
 these teachings, his faithfulness and adherence to his 
 obligations. 
 
 It affords me much pleasure to assure you that among 
 all the obligations and duties of Odd- Fellowship, there 
 are none more imperative upon our members than those 
 relating to the female sex. No one can be a good Odd- 
 Fellow who is not a good husband, a good father, an obe- 
 dient son, an affectionate brother, and a faithful lover. 
 To my fair hearers who have honored us with their pres- 
 ence, and their smiles on this occasion, I would say, 
 that while you are not permitted (from your delicate na- 
 tures) to engage in the laborious duties of turning over 
 and tiling the clods of the earth, the perils of war, or 
 the tumult of politics, so you are also excluded from 
 the laborious duties incident to our society. But you 
 
84 
 
 have^'allotted to you a noble duty, that of moulding the 
 youthful mind and giving character to succeeding ages. 
 'Tisj'our lot to control the stormy passions of men, open 
 to them, the purest sources of happiness, and prompt 
 them, to the love of virtue and religion. What a noble 
 office is allotted to you by your Creator ! First, to scat- 
 ter your charms around us, to sweeten existence itself* 
 then, like angels, to soothe us on the bed of death, and 
 point us to another, and better life. You are justly re- 
 garded by all good Odd-Fellows as heaven's las^, best, 
 gift to 77ian. 
 
 And now, my brethren of Esperanza Lodge, I have 
 endeavored to discharge the duty with which your kmd 
 partiality has honored me, and while I feel grateful to 
 you for the honor, I regret very much that some other 
 gentlemen of more leisure and ability than I have been 
 able to command, had not been selected to address this 
 enlightened audience to-day, in a manner commensurate 
 with the dignity and importance of the occasion. But, 
 my brethren, I feel greatly relieved in my embarrasment 
 and difficulty, when I reflect that after all, our institution 
 was founded and designed to shine by the light of its 
 labor and works. Its fame need not, nor could it derive 
 anything from the polished and sparkling tribute of elo- 
 quence, to enable it to live with an undying lustre among 
 men. May we not well anticipate the glad day when 
 those benign principles which we inculcate. Friend- 
 ship, Love, and Truth, shall shed their iuflnence on all of 
 our people, and like a star, shall be reflecting the lustre 
 of their beams, and the glorious galaxy of our country's 
 banner ? 
 
 What can afford more gratification than the proud re- 
 flection that we have done, and are endeavoring to do, 
 our duty to ourselves and our fellow creatures while here 
 on earth. Let each brother, then, who hears me to-day, 
 
85 
 
 endeavor to discharge faithfully these several duties, and 
 when each and all of us shall have done with earth, we 
 may have for our last hour's consolation the soothint^ re- 
 flection that we have notli\ed in vain. Then, indeed, we 
 may say in the triumphant language of an eminent pa- 
 triot, only recently departed : " This is the last of earth, 
 I am content " 
 
 F. B. SATTERTHWAITE.