The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2017 The North Carolina Mason Page 15 e Grand Historian's Courier Case Seven-year Grand Master 'Dauntless' Davie an able leader in the Revolutionary cause By Steven Campbell Grand Historian First, foremost and for the record: William Richardson Davie was born in England in 1756, emigrated to America at the age of 8 with his parents and two siblings, an honor graduate of the College of New Jersey, a cavalry commander, an attorney, a devoted husband, a loving father, a state representative, a university founder, Presidential envoy, North Carolina Governor, and seven-year Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of NC. Youth to Field In 1764, Davie's family planted its roots in the fertile soil along the NC/SC border of the rural Waxhaws District. Under the tutelage of his learned uncle, young William proved an apt student, culminating with his graduation, with honors, from e College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1776. It was during this time that the American colonists were expressing their displeasure with Britain. Whilst attending college, Davie and several of his classmates marched off to war; however the illusions of grandeur soon faded and they returned to class to graduate. Upon doing so, Davie traveled to Salisbury, NC, to begin his law studies. Yet in 1777, he enlisted in General Allen Jones' NC Militia. Soon, however, he returned to his studies. By 1779, the war for Amer- ican Independence was in its third year and the lure of military service to a young man outweighed those of a classroom. With his appointment as Lieu- tenant of NC Dragoons, the gifted horseman found himself back in the saddle. Shortly, he was promoted to Captain, and with a transfer to Count Casimir Pulaski's Corps, raised to the rank of Major. e Revolutionary War in the south pitted neighbor against neighbor (Loyalist vs. Patriot). ough few large scale battles took place, the day-to-day skir- mishes, raids and ambushes were bloody, brutal and destructive. On June 6, 1779, while leading an assault upon a British position at Stono Ferry, SC, the young Major was grievously wounded in the thigh, thrown from his horse and nearly captured. Luckily he was able to make his escape, and during a long convalescence returned to complete his law studies in Salis- bury. Meanwhile, British forces gained control of most of Georgia and South Carolina. ey established base camps throughout the inte- rior to enforce Royal order. e sole effective American resistance presented itself in small irregular partisan units under men such as Francis Marion, Andrew Pickens, omas Sumter, and a re-energized William Davie. ese units proved a burr under the saddle to (Bro.) Lord Charles Cornwallis. ough rarely involved in major engagements, Davie's small force's action at Hanging Rock, Rocky Mount, Charlotte, Wahab's Planta- tion, Ramsour's Mill, and rear guard action at Camden gave heart to the beleaguered American effort. From Field to Staff When General Nathaniel Greene took command of the shattered American Army in 1780, he readily surrounded himself with able men. Davie's intelligence, reputation and successful leadership were known to the new commander. When broaching Davie with the inglorious staff assignment of Commissary General, Davie protested, saying he would prefer to remain in the field. Greene replied, "As you are a single man, and have health, education and activity to manage the business it is my wish you should accept the appoint- ment." Davie countered that he knew nothing of accounts or funds, to which Greene replied, "Don't concern yourself. ere is no money and hence no accounts." For the next six months Davie's skills of procuring, cajoling, nego- tiating, hard riding, planning, and organizing for the needs of the Army would be put to the test. When not criss-crossing the Caro- linas, he would find himself confer- ring with his Commander. After Cornwallis' hollow victory at Guilford Courthouse, the American Army moved south to reclaim South Carolina and Georgia, and the British ultimately surrendered at Yorktown. Meanwhile Davie's long promised replacement arrived, and upon reporting to NC's Governor for reassignment, found himself directed to undertake the same Commissary General duties for NC troops. As the flame of conflict began to gutter in the Carolinas, another would warm young William's heart, for on ursday, April 11, 1782, he would wed the lovely 19-year-old Sarah Jones, his first Commanding General's daughter, in Northampton County. ey would reside there until relocating to Halifax to build a lovely home and sire a family of six children; however that is another story… "Davie … was not only distin- guished as an intelligent, but intrepid soldier." "Tall, elegant, and commanding, he had a mellow and flexible voice and a lofty and flowing style, which astounded and enraptured his audience." "Davie was the best soldier I have ever known and my best lessons in the art of war were learned from him." (Bro.) President Andrew Jackson What others said about Davie Davie countered that he knew nothing of accounts or funds, to which Greene replied, "Don't concern yourself. ere is no money and hence no accounts."

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