North Carolina Minute

Unknown grave

In the Old Burying Ground of Beaufort, North Carolina is the grave of an unknown British Soldier. The grave marker at the grave says he was interred in an upright position face his mother country in full dress uniform. Over the year there have been many stories at to how and under what circumstance this soldier met his fate.

One story is that one of the homes in the village was owned to a sea captain and that his wife was unfaithful during his voyages at sea. Upon returning home unexpected, he found his wife in the arms of a British officer. A duel was held and the British officer lost. As he lay dying he requested that he be buried standing upright, facing England in full dress uniform.

Another story that is told is that the grave is the resting place of a pre-revolutionary English Army Officer. It is believe that he died from some disease around 1740, while aboard a ship in the harbor. On his dying bunk he requested the same as told concerning his burial above.

And yet, another story is told that the soldier and another member of the King's army were in love with a beautiful maiden in the Village. Some rather unpleasant remarks were made about the British Officer and a duel was held. Yes, it was the British officer that lost his life.

As to who the person is buried in that simple grave at the Old Burying Ground, we will ever know. One thing for sure all the stories told concerning this gravesite makes for interesting conservation.

Now I have my own story - The Knowles name comes from Robert Knowles who came to this country in 1733 and settled in New Hanover. It is said he came with a brother who was in the British Army. We can account for Robert who was on the Committee of Safety during the American Revolution, however we cannot account for his brother. Ugh, just maybe, this British Officer could be a relative of mine. Being that no one knows, make up your own story.

Colloquialisms

I never will forget when I first went to visit someone in the mountains of North Carolina, which was about 55 years ago. Their manner of speech and the way they expressed themselves was something I had never witnessed before and I really fell in love with it. Just like the English, I love to hear them talk.

I'm sure in every country of the world there are people who express themselves different that others. Each has their localisms and colloquialisms ways of expressing themselves. Here is some of the glossary of early mountain vernacular: a wheel - a silver dollar; bald faced whiskey - whiskey fresh from the still; bait - a good meal; cat heads - biscuits; coon's age - a long time; day down - late afternoon; don't dig up old dead cats - don't recall old disagreements; feather-legged - cowardly; fireboard - the mantel; giving tongue - barking; got a mash on - in love with; go-poke - a traveling bag; Jim-swinger - a long-tail coat; lit a rug - left hurriedly; pile up with trash - live with the low class or immoral; rooster a gun - to cock a gun; toting papers - a criminal warrent; turkey tails out - spreads out. 

The high-tiders of down east is another story.

Stunt Night at the Oxford Orphanage

As a student at Oxford Orphanage, each year we had all the grades to participate in what we called "Stunt Night." When I was in the fourth grade we presented "The Magic Box."

One of the boys played the role of Mr. Johnson our principal who cranked the Magic Box. One girl want to be a dancer, she entered the Magic Box and came out the other end and danced. Another boy want to be an artist, so he carried his art board in the Box and came out the end with a beautiful painting.

When my turn to enter the box came, I was dressed as a tramp and told Mr. Johnson I want to be a great Opera singer he said, "Son, that is going to be an almost impossible request. But I'll give it a try." I got into the box and while moaning and shaking rocks in a tin can as if the Magic Machine was about to break, I changed into tie and tails, came out the other end and sang Oh, Sweet Mystery of Life, like I was Nelson Eddy.

The real Mr. Johnson said that I was so good that he gave me a dime. Brother, I was rich.

That dime would get me from the Candy Corner 10 BB Bats, two black cow suckers, 10 packs of Kits with seven kits to the pack (70 all total) or a trip to the movies. The best I can remember I bought the two black cow suckers.

I'll share with you another time about a very interesting accident that happened when I was in the fifth grade. I look back at the thirteen year I spent at Oxford Orphanage and I would not trade them for any amount of money. Go Red Devils!

Thought for the day: I despise the pleasure of pleasing people whom I despise.

J.C. Knowles is a traveling speaker, historian and antique expert. For more interesting North Carolina stories, visit www.heathero.com/ssg.