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From North Carolina Historical Sketches, 1584-1851, Vol. 2, p. 237-8: At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, his family consisted of eight sons and four daughters. Mary, Ephraim, John, Hugh, Adam, Alexander, Robert, Benjamin, Nancy, Joseph, Jane, and Rebecca. It has been stated, that he died before the close of the war. This is a mistake -- but he was too old to be constantly employed onactive service -- and besides, his family required a portion of his attention. He was, however, always ready to render any assistance in his power to the Whigs. He had instilled his principles into his children, and they bore the proper fruit. As a penalty for it, his dwelling and every outhouse on the premises were burned to the ground. When this happened he was absent. The British army under Lord Cornwallis came to his house, and found no one there except his wife, an old lady. She had received notice of their approach, and had sent her daughters to a neighboring house across a swamp to preserve them from any indignities that might be offered them by an unfeeling soldiery. She determined to remain, trusting to her advanced age and sex, and attempt to save the property. When the army came up, an officer drew a paper from his pocket, and after looking at it said, that the houses must be burned. They were accordingly set on fire. Mrs. Brevard attempted to rescue some of the furniture from the flames -- but the soldiers would throw it back as fast as she could take it out. Everything was lost. The old lady was treated very rudely; and part of her clothes were torn from her body -- but she received no actual personal injury. They gave as a reason for their conduct, that her sons were all d___d rebels, and that she had eight sons then in (as they were pleased to call it) the rebel army.... |