Upheaval in Albemarle: The Story of Culpeper's Rebellion

PREFACE

Seventeenth Century Ketch
of the Kind used in Carolina Waters
During the Culpeper Rebellion

Culpeper’s Rebellion might well be termed “The Rise and Fall of ‘Ye Antient County of Albemarle.” The causes, the rebellion itself, and the lingering aftereffects are visible throughout Albemarle’s history as a separate political entity.

Putting together the story of the rebellion is somewhat like fitting together a mosaic, with each tile slipping into its proper position only after a rather extensive study of the mass of depositions, affidavits and petitions that make the bulk of the sources. Although the primary source was Volume I of the Colonial Records of North Carolina, it is sometimes difficult to determine the proper channel of events, as the responsible parties often handled their dates rather loosely and the necessary detail is often scant and contradictory.

The account may appear weighted heavily on the side of the proprietary faction, but the majority of depositions, affidavits, and petitions from which the story is unravelled were filed by either customs officials or members of the proprietary faction, and it was only natural that they cast the most favorable light possible on their own activities. Among the rebels, only John Culpeper and Zachariah Gillam drew up significant statements, and it must be remembered that these two were facing a treason trial, with their very lives dependent upon the outcome, and they may be forgiven if they shaded their own story toward the side of the angels.

In the quotations inserted in the text, some liberties have been taken. Abbreviations have often been spelled out, and punctuation has been added for the sake of clarity; but original spelling has sometimes been retained to flavor the narrative.

The assistance and advice of William S. Powell, of the North Carolina Collection of the Louis R. Wilson Library of the University of North Carolina, is most gratefully acknowledged. Mr. Francis E. Winslow, Brigadier General John D. F. Phillips and Miss Lois Edinger have read the manuscript and by their valuable suggestions and the mending of flaws, have earned my deep appreciation. And for those intangibles that are so difficult to render within the proper contours of gratitude, it is impossible to overlook the influence of Professor Hugh T. Lefler of the University of North Carolina. It seems only natural that every student who has worked under Professor Lefler should come away saturated with a great liking for all things relative to colonial North Carolina.

January 1, 1962                                                                                                 Hugh F. Rankin

New Orleans, Louisiana