Perspectives Still the best way to cool off! Jaccocks becomes powerful Perquimans County resident Bom in Bertie County and long res ident in Perquimans, Jonathan Hill Jacocks was one of the wealthiest and most powerful citizens of ante bellum Perquimans, he also had in fluence through eastern North Caro lina. In 1835 Jacocks was elected by the voters of Perquimans to represent them in both the state legislature and in the state constitutional convention called to consider needed amend ments to the state's basic instrument of government. Jacocks became an active Whig party spokesman for eastern inter ests in the convention, although he had voted against organizing the con vention and he would vote against the new constitution prepared therein. He did, however eventually accept office under that constitution, return HISTORICAL NOTES BY ray WINSLOW ing to the state Senate for the First District in 1842. That same year he served in the simple office of public school committeeman. Although a resident of Perqui mans, Jacocks attended Christ Church in Elizabeth City, of which he was elected a vestryman in 1844. In 1840 the census for the third time found Jacocks' household to be the largest in Perquimans, having one hundred thirteen persons, of whom fifty-four were engaged in agricul ture. Three years later the county tax list showed he held 1,269 acres. General Joathan H. Jacocks died in January 1847 and was buried near Stevensons Point. The settlement of his estate revealed ownership of a re markable amount of property. Jacocks had eighty-nine slaves, in cluding such craftsmen as Hercules (blacksmith), Daniel (carpenter), Maria (weaver), Madison (appren tice carpenter), Tom (shoemaker), and Big John (carpenter). In addition to farmland, Jacocks owned houses and lots in Nags Head. His properties had yielded 3,800 bush els of corn sold in Providence, R.I., and 910 bushels for Charleston, S.C., and 600 bushels of wheat sold in New York. The general also owned a church pew, a protrait of Henry Clay, a sword and belts, gold watches, jew elry, a piano, a violin, a German flute, and a protrait of himself. He had a large library which in cluded works of Shakespeare, Smol let, Goldsmith, and Wesley; periodi cals on agriculture and politics; law books; and more than two hundred titles. The Jacocks had an enormous quantity of food and drink, including bacon, hams, sugar, yaupon, corn, pork, flour, lard, tea, coffee, mo lasses, herring, shad, salt, sweet po tatoes, cheese, french brandy, Hol land gin, Madeira wine, whiskey, spices, and poultry. Perquimans would have few men to approach the wealth and influence of General Jonathan Hill Jacocks. Brant Murray leaves for governor's school BRANT MURRAY LEAVES GOV ERNOR'S SCHOOL: Brant Murray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Murray of Hertford, left Monday to attend Governor's School on the Salem cam pus in Winston-Salem. Four hundred of North Carolina's most intelligent and talented students are chosen ev ery year to attend the school. Brant will study English. FREIGHT CARS JACK-KNIFE AT OKISCO: Eighteen cars of an 82 freight train were derailed near Okisco Friday. Cause of the wreck is thought to be due to the high temper ature which makes the rail expand. None of the four crewman were in jured. The train was enroute to Nor folk, Va. from Chocowinity loaded with military trucks, jeeps, utility poles, lumber, grain and other gen eral cargo. Fire Departments from Perquimans County and Elizabeth City were called to the scene. Traffic was re-routed through rural Perqui mans and Pasquotank counties while State Road 1440 leading to U.S. 17 was blocked. MISS HARRIS TAKES POSITION IN ATLANTA: Miss Beth Harris has Letter to the editor June 25, 1988 marks the anniver sary date of the Brian Center Nurs ing Care. On that date, one year ago, our first resident-patient was ad mitted. Since that time interagency and interpersonal relationships have developed creating a smooth continu ity of care for our residents. We have had our growing pains but thanks to our families, staff and residents tran sitions were made easy and team ef fort has created a nursing home you, the people of Perquimans and Gates County. Mn be nroud of. On behalf of Brian Center Nursing Can, I with to thank the residents aad families for their support. A spe cial thanks is extended to Anne White at Open Door who has provided cloth ing for the resident* as well as do nated over fifty (SO)