PERSPECTIVE
Proprietary theory
; was unrealistic
Like most dreams and
schemes of bureaucrats and
social planners, the notions set
forth by the Lords Proprietors of
Carolina were formed without
sufficient knowledge and
appreciation of realities.
More importantly, those
notions were not made with the
advice and consent of those
persons who would be expected
to live by them.
Proprietary theory could not
generally become reality
bccause it was largely
unrealistic and especially
impractical. Indeed, many of the
Proprietors' theories of
government were already
obsolete when they were intially
formulated.
Their conception of
government as existing for their
benefit, rather than the benefit of
the citizenry; their policy of
making appointments for social
and political favoritism rather
than for ability and merit; and
their view of colonies as means of
enriching the Proprietors
themselves could not go
unchallenged.
As the Proprietors learned
somewhat tardily, the Albemarle
Sound region was occupied by an
independent people whose
concepts and practices in society
and law were already operative.
These people followed the
customs once familiar to them in
Virginia and New England,
shaped by their experience of
agricultural life in a new world.
They wanted no part of
feudalism and hereditary
privilege, unless, of course, it
meant honor and status for them.
They found proprietary
restrictions on landholding
ridiculous and intolerable, and
eventually forced the
Proprietors to lower the
quitrents and ease the terms
upon which land was held.
The Proprietors had to raliie
the truth of surveyor Thomas
Woodward's warning in 1665 taht
"to think that any men will
remove from Virginia upon
harder condition than they can
live there will prove (I fear) a
vain imagination, it being land
only that they come for." (The
Woodwards were well aware of
land hunger, for they had
patented more than 5,000 acres of
land on Chowan and Pasquotank
rivers in 1663. )
Settlement proceeded
naturally over invisible borders
because individuals wanted land,
and the Proprietors could hardly
control the population or choose
who should enter their
jurisdiction.
Those who cleared the
Carolina wilderness to make new
homes desired large parcels of
land and tended to spread out in
isolated family units.
The conditions of frontier life
and the presence of innumerable
waterways and swamps limited
communication, hindered
institutional life, and prohibited
the observance of rigid social
distinctions.
Carolinians resented the
attempt to impose an artificial
scheme of society upon them and
they did not accede willingly to
the Proprietors' vacillating
government. If honrs and titles
were to be conferred, men like
John Harvey, John Jenkis, and
Richard Sanderson were
deserving of them.
If public officials were needed,
local men in great numbers were
more capable than faraway
proprietary cronies and flunkies
who knew nothing of Carolina.
(Part 4 next week.)
Hertford fea tured
in magazine article
. vy
* Hertford and Perquimans
* County are the topic of a very
interesting and informative
article included int he December
"Crosstalk." The magazine,
published for employees of
CArolina Telephone, devotes five
pages to the local area, including
many photos of area folks and
sites, plus some interesting
comments by Mayor Bill Cox.
The article, written for
"Crosstalk" by The .Daily
Advance's Jill Adams, portrays
Hertford as a small town with an
eye on progress. Special
emphasis is placed on the pride
area residents have in their past,
to include their Indian heritage.
For some interesting reading,
even for those that think they
know all there is to know about
Hertford, a copy of "Crosstalk"
i? probably available for your
reading at your local office of
Carolina Telephone.
Very often, it is difficult to fully
appreciate the advantages of
?mall-town living. It is even
harder to notice hcanges around
us, changes that often mean an
improvement in our daily lives.
As noted in the article, many
improvements, not always easily
recognised, have been made in
the past ten years in the county.
One of the biggest
accomplishments probably
receiving less notice from local
residents is Missing Hill Park. I
can well remember when this
area was nor more thai) a dump.
It now is a display of local
determination.
Of equal importance is the
county wide water system. Not
only a provider of clean, clar
water for county residents, the
system is an attraction for
interested industry. The
availability of an ample supply of
clean water is a priority in
attracting new industry.
Improvements in public school
facilities is an indication the
county has a keen interest in
education. County planners have
displayed a remarkable ability to
preserve exisiting structures,
avoiding higher building costs,
plus retaining a bit of history as
well.
An active Industrial
Development Commission is an
important part of attracting
industry and working with
exisiting businesses and
industry.
The committments made by
the recently formed Committee
of 100 will help provide funding
for development activities.
While all of this has been
developing, Hertford and
Perquimans County has retained
much of its past heritage. Many
owners of historical properties
have been very careful in
retaining the appearance of their
holdings, and a very active
interest in the past helps provide
pride for the future.
Agriculture and related
industry is still the leader of the
local economy, and will remain
so for years to come. However,
modern farming practices will
require frewer and fewer
individuals in the future, and the
once-sound base for taxation trill
no longer be able to carry the
load. New industry and new
blood will be needed for progress
to continue.
To most of U* the lifestyle
afforded by a small community
is the style we have decided we
prefer. None of us really want
our community to become so
progressive that we lose this
important asset. <
Sharing the Christmas Story
Christmas Day is approaching
fast. It is the day that brings all
Christians together in the spirit
of love and hope.
A Chat
With Jane
By
Jane
Williams
As we make our own
preparations to celebrate the day
this year, let's take the time to
pause and remember the reason
behind the festivity.
It is only fitting and proper that
the story of the first Christmas
should be shared among
neighbors and friends during this
holiday season, so this week I'd
like to share that ageless story
with you.
f
"And it came to pass in those
days, that there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world should be
taxed."
"(And this taxing was made
when Cyrenius was governor of
Syria.)"
"And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city."
"And Josephg also went up
from Gallilee, out of the City of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the
City of David, which is called
Bethlehm: (Because he was of
the house and lineage of David: )
"To be taxed with Mary, his
espoused wife, being also great
with child."
"And so it was, that, while they
were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be
delivered."
"And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him
in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the inn."
"And there were in the same
country there were sheperds
abiding in the fields keeping
watch over their flock by night."
And lo, the Angel of the Lord
came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about
them; and they were sore
afraid."
"And the angel said unto them,
'Fear not: for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy which
shall be to all people.' "
" 'For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.' "
" 'And this shall be a sign unto
you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.' "
"And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and
saying,"
" 'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will
toward men.' "
"And it came to pass, as the ,
angels were gone away from
them into heaven, the sheperds
said one to another, 'Let us now
go even unto Bethlehtem, and see
this thing which the Lord hath
made known unto us.' "
"And they came with haste and
found Mary, Joseph, and the
babe lying in a manger."
"And when they had seen it,
they made known abroad the
saying which was told them
concerning this child. " .
"And all they that heard It
wondered at those things which
were told them by the sheperds."
"But Mary kept all these
things and pondered them in her
heart."
Luke 2: 1-19
From each of our staff at The
Perquimans Weekly, we wish '(
you and your family a Merry
Christmas, and the best of wishes
for a Happy New Year.
Letter to the Editor
Christmas is such a wonderful
time of the year! Just the mere
site of sparkling lights on
Christmas trees, the soothing
sound of Christmas carols, and
the joy of buying gifts for loved
ones, make us all feel a bit
special!
Children especially seem to
radiate with joy and great
expectations about the gifts they
hope to receive.
Unfortunately, many gifts
become "expensive junk" before
Christmas Day ends! The
novelty and excitement of the
toys long hoped for often die
within hours after our children
receive them.
So, what is the answer to this
sometimes overwhelming
probelm? TIME! In addition to
the wonderful gifts we buy for
children at Christmas time, give
the priceless gift of TIME each
day, "with you."
Even though our society
demands more and more of our
time apart from our families, we,
as loving and caring parents,
must dictate to society that "our
children" will, receive "Prime
Time" from us on a daily basis.
"How can this be done, you
say?" Try the following
suggestions:
Step One: Decide how
important your child is to you;
Step Two: Make up your mind
to spend more time with your
child on a daily basis;
Step Three: Ask your child how
he/she feels about this issue;
Step Four: Develop a plan
together with your child
(Example: Monday to Friday ?
8:00 to 8:15 p.m., Weekends ? 1-3
hours);
Step Five: Plan specific things
to do at first (Read to each other,
watch a favorite TV program,
play a game, take a walk, just
talk, chop wood, etc.) The main
thing is to spend some time with
your most prized possession ?
YOUR CHILD; and
Step Six: STICK TO YOUR
PLAN. If you have to change,
follow through.
This is just an example of just
how easily you can find a way to
spend more time with your child.
Try to develop your own plan
while there is TIME! All too
quickly do our children grow up
and leave us.
Remember, the only TIME we
have is NOW ? TOMORROW
may never arrive! Let's start f
enjoying our children TODAY.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Carolyn Williams Modlin
Perquimans Central School
Looking back
20 Years Ago
By VIRGINIA WHITE
TRANSEAU
HERTFORD CHOSEN FOR
AREA MEETING: Perquimans
County citizens with an interest
in agriculture met with several
officials from North Carolina
State in Hertford on Thursday to
discuss topics of mutual interest.
County Extension Chairman
R. M. Thompson said the
meeting would be a part of a
series of similar meetings
scheduled across North Carolina.
The object of the meetings, Mr.
Thompson explained, is to let
local people share their ideas
with the college officials and to
get a report on the college's
agricultural activities.
LOCAL POST OFFICE
REVEALS CHANGES:
Postmaster W. W. Bill White of
the Hertford Post Office says
that beginning December 7 and
lasting through December, the
five day a week deliveries will be
on a six-day week basis.
MAIL BOXES IN COUNTY
DAMAGED: It has been
reported that within the past
week several rural mail boxes in
this county have been damaged
by being blown up or Just torn up.
This is a very serious offense
and carries a stiff penalty if the
guilty one or ones is or are
apprehended.
Hertford Postmaster W. W.
Whitest* ted it was not his desire
to cause anyone any trouble, but
the mail box vandalism has been
reported to the Post Office.
PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
119 West Grubb Street
P.O. Box 277
Hertford, North Carolina 27944
Published Every Thursday
By Advance Publications, Elizabeth City, N.C.
Second Class Matter
Jans B. Williams
Managing Editor
Kan Castalloa Cindy Laicastar
Advertising Monogar Circulation Manager
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Annual ? In-County ? *8.50
Annual ? Out-of-County ? *9.50