by Edward Ellis, Special Correspondent
¬ “The Newbern Gazette gives an account of one hundred and four persons having died in that town during the late sickly season.” – Pennsylvania Weekly Telegram, January 6, 1800.
¬ United States Brig Pickering under the command of Capt. Benjamin Hillar recaptured the schooner Harriet, which had been on a voyage from New Bern to Antigua when French privateers took it. – The Recorder, Fall River, Massachusetts, March 7, 1800. [A 1799 advertisement for the locally-owned Harriett is reproduced nearby.]
¬ “RALEIGH, N.C., On Friday last, eleven of the principal men belonging to the Catawba nation of Indians arrived in the city on a visit to the governor. His Excellency furnished them with a separate building and provisions to subsist on during their stay. They left this Sunday for Newbern.” – The North American, Philadelphia, July 30, 1800.
¬ A new surgeon announced his arrival from New York on August 15, 1800, in the Newbern Gazette. David Peck promised “relief extended to the roots of sickly indigence as far as the power of medicine will admit.” The doctor could be seen on Middle Street “above Mr. Mitchell’s tavern.” Cheers!
¬ “Mr. John Stanly is elected by a majority of 856 votes a Representative on Congress for the Newbern District, in place of Mr. (Richard Dobbs) Spaight.” – Raleigh Minerva, August 26, 1800.
¬ Robert Hunt, collector of revenue, gave notice “to all owners of Carriages for the conveyance of persons in the county of Craven to enter & pay the duty on same within the present month or they will be liable in addition thereto 25 per cent.” – Newbern Gazette, September 1, 1800.
¬ The North Carolina state senate passed the first reading of “a bill to appoint Commissioners for erecting a Court-house in the town of Newbern.” – The Weekly Raleigh Register, December 16, 1800.
¬ “The schooner Telemachus has arrived at Newbern (N.C.) from Kingston Jamaica.” – Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer, December 30, 1800.