Story by Gordon Mercer and Marcia Mercer. Pictures from WikiMedia.

“Fear not to touch the best; The truth shall be thy warrant: Go, since I needs must die…” Sir Walter Raleigh, 1554-1618

As Sir Walter Raleigh was sentenced to death on charges of plotting against King James of England and attacking a Spanish outpost in Guiana, he knew the real reason for his imminent beheading was his failure to return from the New World with vast riches.

Raleigh was an adventurer, writer, explorer, poet and soldier for whom North Carolina’s Capital is named. He was twice imprisoned in the famed ‘Tower of London’ and eventually beheaded.

Did Raleigh deserve his fate?

Roanoke Island

Sir Walter Raleigh twice failed in attempts to establish permanent English settlements on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. Queen Elizabeth knighted Raleigh in 1585 and granted him a charter to explore and settle the New World. He was one of the most influential members of the Queen’s Royal Court.

Raleigh financed the attempted colonization of Roanoke Island in 1585 with his own money. Sir Frances Drake brought back these first settlers, who had become discouraged.

Raleigh began a second colonization attempt in 1587 on Roanoke Island. When John White, leader of the colony, returned to England for supplies, he was grounded and unable to return. Queen Elizabeth had ordered all large ships to remain near home to fight the Spanish Amada’s invasion of England.

By the time the supply ship could return to Roanoke Island in 1590, the settlers had vanished, leaving the name of a nearby island, “Croatan,” carved on a tree. The fate of “The Lost Colony” remains a worldwide mystery.

Prisoner of Love

While Sir Walter Raleigh was among the more confident, adventurous and well educated men of his period, a series of events began to unfold that led to his beheading. Raleigh was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favorites. She bestowed on him a great deal of property and they exchanged poetry.

In 1591 Raleigh secretly married Elizabeth ‘Bess’ Throckmorton, maid of honor to the Queen. The marriage was discovered when Bess became pregnant and the Queen was furious because they had not asked permission to marry. The Queen was also, rumor had it, jealous. Raleigh and Throckmorton were imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Mercifully, one of Raleigh’s vessels soon captured a Spanish treasure ship and Queen Elizabeth, upon receiving her share of the bounty, released the couple.

Cities of Gold

Raleigh began an expedition to investigate stories of a city of gold around Guiana and Venezuela. His book, “The Discovery of Guiana,” set in motion the El Dorado vision of a city of gold.

His stories and voyages inspired other explorers and resulted in more territories claimed for England.

Back to the Tower

When Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Raleigh’s enemies gained power. King James did not care for Raleigh and wanted peace with Spain. Raleigh was charged with plotting against the Crown and sentenced to death. All seemed aware his trial was a sham. King James, rather than imposing death, imprisoned Raleigh in the Tower of London.

Risky Move Ends in Failure

By 1616 King James was short of money and decided release Raleigh and send him in search of El Dorado with the stipulation that Raleigh could not attack the Spanish. Raleigh, however, found the Spanish in territory he had previously claimed for England. Raleigh attacked the Spanish, lost his son in the battle, and failed to find gold.

Off With His Head

A special commission was set up to try Raleigh upon his return but the commission would not convict. King James utilized an earlier death sentence to execute Raleigh. Crowds watching his execution lamented that there would never be another Sir Walter Raleigh.

Raleigh’s Legacy

Sir Walter Raleigh had begun the colonization of what would become the United States of America. His vision of colonization lived and thrived and the world was forever changed.

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Gordon Mercer is past president and on the Board of Trustees of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society and professor emeritus at Western Carolina University. Marcia Gaines Mercer is a published author and columnist.

Story and photos by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – The Town of Morrisville dedicated a Civil War marker on Friday, commemorating the Battle of Morrisville, quite possibly the last engagement of the Civil War.

Battle of Morrisville Civil War Marker

On Friday evening, Morrisville Mayor Jackie Holcombe and Town Council dedicated a Civil War historical plaque in front of  the entrance to Town Hall.

The Battle of Morrisville, April 13-15 1865, is actually classified as an “engagement.” Union troops, rolling west from capturing Raleigh, shelled the Morrisville railroad junction. Confederate troops fought a delaying action with cavalry and infantry as they tried to evacuate wounded soldiers as well as supplies to the west. The Page House in Morrisville, recently designated a Wake County Historical Site, still has bullet holes and artillery scars in the brick chimney from the battle.

The Battle of Morrisville may have been the last official engagement of the Civil War. Confederate General Joe Johnston was in contact with Union General William T. Sherman, setting the stage for their April 17th meeting at Bennet Farm in Durham and the largest surrender of rebel forces during the War. Lee had already surrendered at Appomatox and Lincoln was dead.

The marker, dedicated on the 147th anniversary of the engagement, now officially puts Morrisville on the North Carolina Civil War Trail, as well it should be.

More info from local historians:

• Battle at Morrisville Station (John Guss)
• The Battle of Morrisville (Ernest Dollar)

Editor’s Note – North Carolina has a tradition of pirates, and I don’t just mean ECU. Here’s a brief history of women pirates, from Gordon Mercer and Marcia Gaines Mercer.

Tell Me a Pirate Story Daddy

When Gordon’s daughters were young, any long trip in the car meant; “Dad tell me a pirate story.” Daughter Beth, who would become a reporter, editor and public relations officer, had high standards. Pirate stories must contain risk, danger, buried treasure and surprise endings to get the seal of approval. Daughter Lisa, who later became a banker, wanted to review the logic of the plot development when the story ended. Beth liked ghosts but Lisa felt this confused the facts.

Pirate Books

We found pirate books in great demand. One bookstore owner indicated that if a used book on pirates arrived, it would be sold in a matter of hours. One trend in pirate literature, he told us, is interest in women pirates.

We found documentation of over 41 women pirates. We also found a few myths about piracy.

Pirates & Privateers

There were two kinds of sea marauders, legal privateers and pirates. Privateers had the authorization of a government and became heroes for looting and pillaging the government’s enemies. Pirates, without government sponsorship, would be hung for their sea crimes.

Pirate Treasure

What about stories of treasure?  Pirates divided the treasure but usually sold stolen goods and spent all money after a few days in port. Pirate ships were crowded and disease filled but the allure of instant plunder and adventure attracted many including women during the golden age of piracy from 1650-1726.

Anne Bonny, Mary Read and Calico Jack Rackham

Two famous women pirates were Anne Bonny and Mary Read whose pirate activities centered on the Atlantic Ocean and West Indies.

Bonny and her husband, John “Calico Jack” Rackham noted for his colorful clothes, stole a ship to resume his pirate career after a previously gained a pardon.

Bonny helped recruit Read and she and Mary were excellent fighters and on several ‘most wanted’ pirate lists. Preying mostly on merchant vessels, they successfully pilfered treasure on land and sea. Part of a pirate’s success was based on selecting ships for boarding that were not well defended. Anne Bonny and Mary Read fought as a team and were masters of pirate tactics.

Mary Read fell in love with the ships navigator, an artist, who had been forced aboard. When her love interest was challenged to a duel, Mary did not think he would win. Before the scheduled fight she slapped his challenger hard in the face and demanded an immediate duel. Read killed the pirate before her betrothed arrived.

Complaints from sea merchants were numerous and officials began to take note. Rackham, Bonny and company were too successful. Governor Nicholas Lawes (Governor of Jamaica 1718-1722) issued the order to capture Rackham and his crew. Anne Bonny and Mary Read fought hard but their comrades were drunk and unable to fight. They were captured, tried and sentenced to hang.

Mary begged unsuccessfully for the life of her betrothed lover, who she claimed was not a pirate. Bonny was still angry at Jack for not fighting and said, “If you’d fought like a man you needn’t hang like a dog.” Anne Bonny and Mary Read were pregnant and could not be hung under law, until the birth of their child. Mary died of heartbreak over her hanged lover before her child was born.

Anne Bonny’s father, a wealthy South Carolina merchant with many contacts, made financial arrangements for Anne’s release. According to “The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,” Anne Bonny returned to Charleston, had Rackham’s child and eventually married Joseph Burleigh and had more children. This is based on information given by her descendants.

Women’s opportunities in piracy were limited; there were pirate rules against women being aboard a pirate ship. After studying over 41 documented women pirates, who all seemed to be the equal of men, we could only conclude that where there is a Clyde there will always be a Bonny, even in piracy!

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Gordon Mercer is past president and on the Board of Trustees of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society and professor emeritus at Western Carolina University. Marcia Gaines Mercer is a published author and columnist. Photo by JD Lasica.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo of 1992 ribbon-cutting provided by the Cary YMCA.

Cary, NC- Hard to believe, but this year the Cary Family YMCA turned 20 years old. I met with Executive Director, Diane Hillsgrove to talk about the past and future of this powerful community organization.

A Brief History of the Cary Y

I had heard the Cary Y began as a walking club, and Diane confirmed that. The club met at Cary Towne Center (at the time called the Cary Village Mall). But even before that, in 1987, the first fitness classes were offered at East Cary Middle School. That year Tracy Howe was hired (he still works for the YMCA).  Then real fundraising began to build a permanent home, beginning  with the Santa Claus Booth in the mall.

From the walking club, the organization then began children’s camp programs.  Camp Outer Limits was the first summer camp located at West Cary Middle School.

A key part of the plans came together when the land and pool was donated in 1987. The existing main pool was built originally as a neighborhood pool. The pool and 15 acres (current Y location) were donated to the project by Parkway Developers. The Finley Y was also instrumental in assisting. Without that initial vision and donation, perhaps the Y would never have been built.

The building officially opened on January 6, 1992, when this area of Cary was almost a wilderness. The town had 60,000 residents. Cary’s population has more than doubled to 141,000 since then, causing organizers to need to expand, and finally to build the more recent Kraft Y in southern Cary, to accomodate the need for more facilities, camps, and members.

We Build People: Helping Those in Need

One of the most important programs that the Y provides has nothing to do with folks getting their daily workout. The annual We Build People campaign funds outreach programs for kids.

This program was launched in 1993 with a goal of raising $50,000. Diane proudly explained that this year’s campaign beat their goal of $435,000- topping $490,500!! (what recession?) The money raised does not go to capital funds, or Y operating costs – it is 100% invested into Y Learning programs during the school year and summer camps scholarships.

The program is effective. Even during the summer camps, the students get tutoring, as well as swim lessons and weeks at Camp Seafarer. Children that participate achieve better EOG scores than their peers in similar circumstances. More money raised, means more kids able to participate. The aim is to make the Y accessible to all.

We Build People: By The Numbers

• 95 Year round and traditional school and preschool scholarship participants
• 70 Day campers
• 100 Y Learning Tutorial participants
• 160 Camp High Hope campers- fully subsidized

Cary YMCA Milestones

Leaders at the Cary Y weren’t done once the building was put up. Every year, they look at what can be improved. Membership currently tops 5100 units-  families or individuals which could mean as many as 20,000 Cary residents!

• 1997: Expansion- built Gym 3
• 1997: Built lower Oasis Pool
• 2001: Completed the Spray Ground
• 2007: Built the Slide
• 2009: Renovated the Inside, expanding workout areas
• Planning future Expansion- Indoor Aquatics Facility

Diane told me that Dick Ladd, who was an early and instrumental leader, believed Cary needed a Y because of the part a YMCA played in his life growing up. “If not for the vision of these early promoters, there would not be this wonderful facility that has impacted the lives of so many.”  I can vouch for that – my first and longest known friends have come from my 13 years as a Y member. My youngest’s earliest memories are as a Bumble Bee club member in their childcare program.

Our very first story on CaryCitizen (7/28/2009): YMCA Blood Drive.

I call myself a “Lifer” and don’t know what would fill that part of my life if the Y did not exist. Thanks to those who had the vision to build 20 years ago.

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Lindsey Chester has been a member of the Cary YMCA for 13 years.

Editor’s Note: If like knowing about the history of Cary, you’ll enjoy this free program on Tuesday, January 24, from The Friends of Page-Walker:

Where will you find a mural depicting the Town of Cary and its citizens both past and present? Join the Friends of the Page-Walker in welcoming local artist, Val Fox, who will solve this mystery and share her story of creating the “Cary Then and Now” mural.

Val will take us on a journey of the local places and people depicted in the famous mural and share the role each has played in our Town’s history.

This free program is offered as part of the Friends of the Page-Walker’s Historic Preservation Series.

• Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”
• Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Main Gallery
• Date: Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012 7:30 PM

More information and online registration: Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”

Story by Lindsey Chester. Illustration by Jerry Miller.

Cary,NC – Are you a long time Cary resident? By that I mean, have you lived here longer than 30 years? If so you may have some documents that could be of interest to the Town of Cary and the Friends of Page-Walker.

The Friends of Page-Walker Preservation Committee, in partnership with the Town of Cary, is hunting for plans and architectural drawings of subdivisions and homes from the 1950′s and 1960′s. That’s a time when Cary counted our residents at less than 10,000!

In particular they seek plans drawn by the hand of long time resident Jerry Miller (story). Miller is known to have designed homes in the Greenwood, Pine Valley and Meadowmont subdivisions, among others.

Town Funded Project

These plans and drawings will become part of the inventory collected for the Town of Cary-funded Historic Resources Survey and Inventory Update project. Thirty thousand dollars has been allocated to complete this project.

The project goals are to 1) update information about Cary properties listed in the existing Wake County Architectural and Historic Inventory, and 2) add additional Cary properties to the Inventory by surveying and identifying important properties throughout the town that are over 50 years old and have never been documented.

Basically, the Preservation Committee is looking to identify properties that may be of historical or architectural importance. These will be added to the Town’s Historic Preservation Master Plan which provides a road map for preservation policies and activities over the next 10 years through a series of goals, objectives and recommended actions.

The project began in August 2011 and will be completed in late spring of 2012. The Town has retained Circa, Inc., a Raleigh cultural resources consulting firm, to perform the survey and inventory update.

Who to Contact

Citizens who have or know about the requested plans and drawings can contact:

Ellen Turco at Circa, Inc. at
(919) 219-1489
eturco@circa-inc.com.

Now, go search through your attics and closets to see if you possess any of these antique treasures!

Story by Matt Young. Photos courtesy of the Ritter Family.

Cary, NC – One of Cary’s most unique traditions is the Lochmere Christmas Flotilla, started by Former Mayor Harold Ritter in 2005. It’s this Sunday night and we’ll tell you where to go to watch.

Former Mayor Launches a Tradition

Mayor Ritter (served Cary from 1983 – 1987) and his wife Gerry told me about starting the Lochmere Christmas Flotilla in 2005. “It started with two boats and a canoe with a flashlight,” the former Mayor quipped.

Now, it’s a big event with dozens of boats and hundreds of spectators.

There will be lots of sailboats, jon boats, pontoon party boats and even full size skiffs with lots of beautiful lights.

The flotilla (led by the Ritters’ grandchildren, I am told) sing carols as the boats make the voyage around both sides of the lake. Neighbors come and watch from docks all around the lake.

Join the Flotilla

If you’ve got a boat on Lake Lochmere and want to join the flotilla, decorate your vessel and assemble at the Ritter’s dock around 5:15 pm.

Mayor Ritter has even designed a schematic for running Christmas lights on your boat using a car battery and a power inverter. If you’re in need of advice, the flyer says “Ask the Pro – Call Harold Ritter, Flotilla organizer and handyman at 919-851-5444. You have questions, he has answers.”

Event Details for Spectators

Lochmere Christmas Flotilla
Sunday, December 18, 2011
6:00-8:00 PM

Spectators can watch from the dam over Lake Lochmere on Lochmere Drive (Map). Parking may be tight – try Lochmere Swim & Tennis just up the road. Bring some folding chairs, blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate. Or whatever floats your boat.

Story from staff reports. Above, recent Yates Mill D.A.R. luncheon at Page-Walker.

Cary, NC – The Yates Mill Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosts a Wreaths Across America ceremony at noon, Saturday, Dec. 10, at Hillcrest Cemetery (off Page Street) in Cary. Attending will be Bianca Strzalkowski of Fuquay-Varina, the 2011 Military Spouse of the Year (named by Military Spouse magazine) with a color guard of U.S. Naval Cadets.

Event Details

Wreaths Across America
Saturday December 10, 2011
12 Noon
Hillcrest Cemetery
Cary, NC

Story and photos by Lindsey Chester

Cary, N C- Tucked away at the end of a cul de sac in a modern day neighborhood stands White Plains Cemetery.  Within it are the grave sites of some of Cary’s earliest residents, Nathaniel Jones (1749 – 1815), his second wife and at least  nine other descendents. Saturday, restoration of the graveyard complete, The Friends of Page-Walker along with the Town of Cary marked the dedication with Remembrance Day.

Tucked between 2 homes, the obelisk of Nathaniel Jones’ gravestone stands today next to the grave box of his second wife. The Friends, with help from the town, righted the towering stone, and recreated the lid of the wife’s grave that had been destroyed by vandals. Archeologists discovered 9 unmarked graves, which have been given new headstones. A wrought iron fence surrounds the cemetery and a gate welcomes visitors to come inside. An historical plaque has been installed to one side.

On Saturday, under a glorious sky, Ed Yerha, president of the Friends of Page-Walker, presided over an uplifting ceremony. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht gave an introduction. He was followed by three members of Page-Walker.  Peggy Van Scoyoc, attired in colonial dress, bore a sprig of cotton to symbolize the agriculture that took place here centuries ago.

Nathaniel Jones

Brent Miller appeared in a top hat and discussed the importance of not only the site, but the man, Nathaniel Jones himself and his place in Cary’s history. Jones owned one of the largest farms in the state, which included over 100,000 acres. He put forth with 3 others a bid for the State Capital to be located here, but as we know that went to what is now known as Raleigh.

Bob Myers spoke of Jones’ conscience which would not allow him to die and leave this earth still owning slaves. He freed them before his death.

Jones was married twice, one wife bearing 9 children, and the other 7. Many of his descendents were in the audience that day. John Brooks, an attorney for the  NC Industrial Commission, spoke about his family’s continuing legacy.

Through the Eyes of Newcomers

Irene Kittinger remarked that “sometimes it takes newcomers for us to see the importance and value of what we have taken for granted”.

She talked about how many years ago she was trying to find this cemetery in what was at that time dense woods. When she and her friend Anne Kratzer came upon it, the obelisk was leaning to one side and the cover to the grave box of the wife was broken.

Fortunately, she had the presence of mind to take a rubbing of the grave marker. Upon a later visit, it had been completely destroyed.

Saturday was a day of remembrance, and a day to remember.

Story by Lisa Englert, photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC- For many of us, Cary is a modern place, with newcomers from across the country. But the town’s cemeteries tell a story, and one of those places will be dedicated this Saturday. Just in time for the Halloween season, the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel will present two free programs uncovering the mysteries and secrets of some of Cary’s family cemeteries, as well as the contribution these historic gravesites make in educating the public about the community in which they live.

Remembrance Day

First, on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m., the public is invited to “Remembrance Day at the White Plains Cemetery. A program celebrates the completion of the restoration of the historic White Plains Cemetery, burial place of Nathaniel Jones and his family.

The cemetery, located in Cary’s Maynard Oaks subdivision at 100 Tolliver Court, is one of the oldest historic sites that links our present day community to its 18th century settlement. “Remembrance Day at the White Plains Cemetery” will feature a program that reveals the contributions of Nathaniel Jones and his family and the efforts of those who worked to restore the historic site.  Light refreshments will follow.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel in partnership with the Town of Cary.  The rain date for this event is Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m.

More Mysteries and Secrets

Then, on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m., the Friends will present “More Mysteries and Secrets:  Exploring Cary-Area Family Cemeteries.” a second sequel to their popular Preservation Speakers Series program.

“Historic cemeteries serve as almanacs of early residents and reflect the cultural influences that helped shape our communities,” said Bob Myers of the Friends’ Historic Preservation Committee. “The objective of White Plains Cemetery Remembrance Day and the Friends’ annual cemeteries program is to bring attention to these community treasures and the importance of their preservation.”

In what promises to be an intriguing and enlightening evening, members of the Friends’ Historic Preservation Committee will highlight significant facts related to some family cemeteries located in the Cary area.

The event will be held at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, on the Town Hall Campus.  Light refreshments will be served following the program.  Attendees are encouraged to stay to continue the conversation and make new friends.

Hillcrest Cemetery, Cary NC