State

Martha Lenoir’s Earrings One of I lie most lioaiiliful I Julies of her day and time. The earrings were a reward for an a«*l of unselfishness and bravery during I he Kevolul ionary War. I STROLLED nt eventide through the old village cemetery nt Wilkes- boro. On either hand Mood crtliu- bling motiumeuU to names well known in North Carolina history. As the shadows slanted about me, historic talcs and legends of the beautiful Yadkin country were recalled to mind, for the stones proclaimed of daring deeds of the long ago. Over there, beyond that straggling bunch *»f russet chrysanthemums, was still another stone. I found it by far the most intriguing. It was the most artistic stone in the cemetery, for all its simplicity. Carved from a quarry, the unpre¬ tentious soapstone marker had been produced by a master. The beautiful Spencerian writing upon the stone was chaste and lovely, like the del¬ icate embroidery of a voting matron. Nor had 1 finished admiring the deftness of the inscription, before I had a vague feeling that I should know the names carved so neatly be¬ fore mo. “Richard Gwynn, died I $22; Mar¬ tha Gwvnn, died 182 S." Could it be true? Yes. this was the tomb of the beautiful Martha Lenoir! Martha of the famous gold earrings! Revolutionary War Period It wu after the battle of Camden that great uneasiness and greater privations came to the families of the Carolina*. Following the success of the British in this battle, the countryside was overrun by the Red Coats. Homes were robbed and burned, smallpox was spread far and near. But it was the knowledge that the prisoners taken at Camden by the British were penned like so many cattle, that their clothing was in rag*, that the food they ate was terrible — it was these facts, with countless others, which drove men and women almost to despair. Among the prisoners taken at Cam¬ den was the wealthy planter. Colonel Thomas I-enoir. Hardly had the patriot found himself incarcerated in the British camp when word was brought to him that his wife had By HARRY Z. TUCKER sickened and died of the dread small¬ pox. leaving a family of four small children alone with the slaves. Colonel Lenoir was helpless and with¬ out hope, for he knew that escape was impossible. The oldest of the Lenoir children was Martha, a bright girl of twelve years. She was a brave child and was of a mind far in advance of her youth. After the death of her mother. Martha learned one day that her father was practically starving in the British prison at Camden, while food in plenty lay hidden on the Lenoir plantation. The young girl i* said to have grown quite desperate over the fear she entertained for her remain¬ ing parent. “Mourn Dinah." she told the plan¬ tation cook. “I want a hamper of food packed immediately. I am going to ride to Camden to see my father." “Lawsy, Mis.* Martha, you is not indeed. Xchber will Ole Massa fergit it. if I lets you ride nil de way to that Gincrnl Cornwallis camp!" “I am going," said the girl. “Noth¬ ing you may say will keep me here.” Family tradition says that the old cook know better than to remonstrate further with the oldest of the Lenoir children. She went off to the kitchen and soon prepared a basket of food for her master. Accompanied by a trusted servant. Caesar. Martha Lenoir departed for the tow n of Camden. She rode a fine saddle horse: Caesar a plough horse. It will never be known what anxiety mistress and slave experienced, for they were both aware that danger lurked in front of them, behind them, and to either side of them. Notwith¬ standing their apprehension, they rode thirty-five miles through the danger-infested countryside to the British camp. When Martha reached the camp of General Cornwallis, she picked her way through the throng of soldiers. As she approached the headquarter* of the great English officer, she was hailed by a guard, who demanded in stentorian tones: “Who goes there?” “PIea*e. sir, may I speak with General Cornwallis Г’ Martha asked. “No," gruffly answered the guard. “My Lord has no time to waste on a chit like you.” “But, please, sir, I should like to >ee him for just a few minutes," begged Martha. “1 have come a long way. I must speak with him. It is very important business.” “Move on, little Indy. Move on,” the guard commanded her. Martha Lenoir did not move on. but she began to cry. “Wlmt is that blustering I hear out there?” Lord Cornwallis asked. “Your Lordship," replied an aide, "it is a young lady desirous of seeing you.” “Well, well,” he said. “Show her in.” Interview with Cornwallis Encouraged by the voice she heard, Martha took on renewed spirit. She entered the presence of the English officer and quietly poured out her могу, saying that she had come to bring her father food. “My little Mi», your father shall not have this good food; hut he shall l>e permitted to go home with you." said General Cornwallis, mueli im¬ pressed with his young visitor. It must have been a wonderful home returning for father and daugh¬ ter. They spent the whole of the fol¬ lowing day enroute to the plantation. To show hi* deep gratitude for the love and bravery shown by his daugh¬ ter, Colonel Lenoir had hammered out (Continued on page thirty)