| 10. | William Presnell was born in Aug 1738 in Amelia, Virginia, USA (son of James Presnell and Ann Daniel); died in 1810 in Newberry, Newberry, South Carolina, United States. Notes:
"At the convention to consider ratifications of the Federal Constitution, held in Hillsborough (Twp, Randolph Co) in August 1788, NC voted against the new Constitution. As a result of the pro-ratification campaign which followed, the General Assembly, meeting in Fayetteville on November 17, 1788, received many petitions urging the call of a new convention to reconsider the Constitution.
The manuscript Dept of Perkins Library at Duke University holds petitions from 19 counties in its collection "NC State Papers, 1788-1789." Among these petitions is one drown up by the militia companies of Randolph County. This is a valuable roster of the county's citizens in late 1788, and the Journal is pleased to publish it, with kind permission of the Manuscript Dept.
As those who have puzzled over and deciphered eighteenth century manuscripts know all too well, this material can be hard to read, especially lists of proper names. Fortunately in this instance company leaders signed for all of the men in the group and there is thus some uniformity of handwriting. With the help of Mrs Carolyn Hager and other researchers in the Genealogical Society, the rosters have been carefully deciphered and compared to those of contemporary documents for the county. It is likely that some inaccuracies have gotten through, however. If you note ways the list can be made more accurate, we will be more than pleased to hear from you." Joe C Rees, Duke University Library.
Undated document: Probably prepared between Sept & October, 1788.
To the honorable the General Assembly of NC now siitting at Fayetteville
greeting
The petition of sundry inhabitants within the county of Randolph humbly
sheweth - -
That our minds are deeply impress'd with the truth of that maxim by which
was brought about our glorious revolution to wit
"By Union we stand by Disunion we fall" and we think that union is as
necessary at this time, as any period during the war, for the preservation of
our Independent Republican form of government as well as for the preservation
of our lives, libertys, and propertys- - -
That we have a just sense of the Miserable State we must shortly be
reduced to should we separate from our Sister States with whom we have
fought, bled, and nobly conquered - - and who to shew their great
willingness to continue in union with us have given up one of their greatest
local benefits for the general good to wit their Imposts a sum sufficient for
the present to pay off our part of the Interest of the Foreign debt and which
may in future by the increase of commerce be also sufficient to pay the
principal - -
That we believe in our concienses the future hapiness & prosperity of
this State depends on our firm Union with our Sister States and the speedy
ratification of the Federal Constitution what ever the opposers of it may,
from ill grounded fears, prejudices, or self interested motives, say to the
contrary - -
Not doubting but that the Congress when organiz'd will in a
Constitutional manner make any amendment which may be thought necessary for
the general good of the Union
Under this firm belief we pray that your Honourable body will call a new
Convention to reconsider the federal Constitution & Ratify the same on the
part of this State that we may, in Union, haave ashare in common with the
other States in framing the Federal Laws, Choosing the great officers of
government, and making all the necessary amendments to the Constitution - -
and your petitions as in duty bound will ever pray.
(2nd group to sign:)
Capt. KNIGHT Company, mannering BROOKSHEAR (BROOKSHIRE) L(ieutenat)t (?)
(includes)
W(illia)m PESSNELL (PRESNELL) (this would be William, Sr, son of James and Ann Daniel
Absalom PRESNEL
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William married Mary Cabeness about 1755 in Amelia, Virginia, USA. Mary was born about 1739; died in in Newberry, South Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1836 - 1888 (52 years)