Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for Wake county (North Carolina, United States) or search for Wake county (North Carolina, United States) in all documents.

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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Fanning, David 1756-1825 (search)
Fanning, David 1756-1825 Freebooter; born in Wake county, N. C., about 1756; was a carpenter by trade, and led a vagabond life, sometimes trading with Indians. Late in the Revolution he joined the Tories, for the purpose of revenge for injuries inflicted upon him. He gathered a small band of desperadoes like himself, and laid waste whole settlements and committed fearful atrocities. For these services he received the commission of lieutenant from the British commander at Wilmington. So encouraged, he captured many leading Whigs, and hanged those against whom he held personal resentment. At one time he captured a whole court in session, and carried off judges, lawyers, clients, officers, and some of the citizens. Three weeks later he captured Colonel Alston and thirty men in his own house, and soon afterwards, dashing into Hillsboro, he captured Governor Burke and his suite, and some of the principal inhabitants. The name of Fanning became a terror to the country, and he was
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Wood, William Willis Wiley 1818- (search)
Wood, William Willis Wiley 1818- Naval engineer; born in Wake county, N. C., May 30, 1818; learned engineering at the West Point Foundry, N. Y.; entered the naval service in 1845, and, during the Civil War, was general inspector of steam machinery, and had charge of the construction of the National iron-clad fleet and the machinery of the new class of vessels then introduced. He became engineerin-chief, and was retired May 30, 1880. He died near Jutland, Md., Aug. 31, 1882.