REMINISCENCES OF THE BORO. -- No. 2
"Invabat reminiscence hac_res."
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The kind reception given, to the little sketch sent to you some time since as to the Boro,
encourages me to send an account of an event that once occurred in your ancient village,
which created great excitement at the time; and may yet be remembered by some among the events that have gone by.
But few indeed, are left, who were witnesses of this event. Even that correct and veracious chronicler of Hertford
(Judge Moore) has omitted it in his Sketches; perhaps he has never heard of the event, since it occurred long before he was born.
The scene occurred in the very spot where my former sketch (as to Dr. Borland and Aunt Sally)
was laid; at the house now occupied by Col. Uriah Vaughan. The house was built by Benjamin Roberts
who was an extensive merchant; much esteemed for his intelligence, integrity and virtues.
He died early, leaving a widow, and three children -one son and two daughters.
Many in our midst knew the son (Dr. Thomas V. Roberts) amiable, intelligent and honorable.
He died recently at the house of his niece, Mrs. Ransom, in Northampton County, the wife of
Senator Ransom. One of the daughters married Matt B. Murfree, the brother of Hon. William H. Murfree,
who was distinguished as a Statesman and a Lawyer and represented the district in Congress
from 1813 to 1817. Both of them, with their families, moved to Nashville, Tenn.
It is the romantic marriage of Matt B. Murfree that we propose to record.
As romantic and as thrilling as that embalmed in poetry by Sir. Walter Scott, and imitates in example
the union of young Lochenvar with Ellen of Netherby who was rescued at the altar, when about to be immolated to an ungracious rival.
Mary Roberts was beautiful and accomplished: this, added to her wealth, made her an object of attention, admiration and love of many devoted suiters.
Attact[i]ve to all, repulsive to none, many paid her their vows, of affection. Among these was General Boon Felton,
then a rising and popular young man of fine presence and pleasing manners. He was a member of the House of Commons in 1813-'14;
and of the Senate in 1618. He seemed to be the favored one. The day was fixed;
the consent of the lady and her mother and her guardian (John Wheeler, Sr.) gained;
license procured; invitations given out -and "all went mery as a marriage bell."
But how uncertain are all earthly hopes! Truly does the great poet (Shakspeare) say:-
"--Oh how this Love resembleth
The uncertain glories of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And straight a cloud sweeps all away."
The day before the marriage was to take place, a note from the hands of her physician
(Dr. Robert A. Wilson) was, sent to Mr. Murfree who had been a discarded suiter for her hand,
that if he still continued his intention, she would run off with him and marry him,
which he gladly acceeded to, and they rode that night with some friends to Thomas Deanes, Esq., about four miles off,
and there they were made man and wife. Never before in this ancient town was such excitement created
as when this news was known. The next day General Felton arrived, for he lived 12 miles away,
w[i]th his groomsmen attendant and friends
"Then and there, was there mounting among the Netherby clan,
The Fonters and Fenwicks, they rode and they ran;
There was a racing and chasing o'er Notherby's lee,
But the hide of Netherby they never could see."
From this union has sprung a numerous family in Tennessee; loved, honored and respected,
and puts to flight the assertion of Lola Montez, that "runaway matches, like runaway
horses, will often end in a smash up."
I have thus revived the recollection of an event, which has already, perhaps, or soon
will pass away from the memory of us all.
I will send you from my memorandum, a more recent event than this, as regards one,
who once figured extensively in your town; of whom, could your streets talk,
you would hear many strange events [o]f his numerous encounters, some of which had like to
had a tragic end, and of his hejira to Texas.
SENEX.
"The Murfreesboro Enquirer", Murfreesboro, [Hertford County] N.C.
Thursday, May 2, 1878
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