Stephen Cabarrus Letter
A Note From Cabarrus County’s Namesake
The Historic Cabarrus Association cares for a letter penned by Stephen Cabarrus and sent to local representatives as a thank-you for naming the county after him. It is kept in our archives, along with thousands of other documents and artifacts about Cabarrus County history. The portrait of Stephen Cabarrus is on display in the stairwell of the 1876 Historic Courthouse.
An interesting historical note: while Cabarrus County, NC, is named after Stephen Cabarrus, he never visited the county.
- Stephen Cabarrus was born in Bayonne, France, in 1754. He, along with his three brothers, migrated to North Carolina in 1776 in hopes of adventure and profit.
Cabarrus became well known and was soon elected to represent Chowan County (Edenton) in the North Carolina House of Commons. Cabarrus served as Speaker of the House on 10 occasions. - Cabarrus cast the deciding vote on the new, permanent location of the state capitol, Raleigh. He also supported the establishment of the University of North Carolina and was on the University’s first Board of Trustees.
- On December 29, 1792, a new county was formed from Mecklenburg County. The bill to divide Mecklenburg initially failed, but when it was amended to rename the county from Union to Cabarrus, lawmakers approved the idea.
- Cabarrus left no heirs to carry on the namesake after he died in 1808. He had only one daughter, who died at age 7 in 1784, and his only wife died in 1799. He does, however, have great-great-great nieces and nephews all across the United States and Canada.
*Excerpted from “Portraits of the Historic Cabarrus County Courthouse,” prepared by Dorothy McGee with assistance from Judge Clarence Horton.
The Letter’s Text:
Gentlemen:
Permit me to convey to your county through the medium of your standing committee the sentiment that I ever entertain for the high honor I have received from the General Assembly of this State in naming your respectable county after me. Such an honor I did not expect and so great I value it that every step of my future career shall be cautiously directed to preserve it unviolated. I am about retiring to a private life, but be assured that whatsoever situation I may be thrust in I shall never cease to address my fervent prayers to our common father for your welfare and happiness.
I have been informed since my attendance here by your representatives that an unfortunate contest has taken place respecting the place to fix your courthouse. I had the pleasure of conferring with your members and am to find that my advice had some weight with them. I lament truly your present disunion but sincerely hope that harmony and friendship will soon be restored to your county. I have taken the liberty to give you my opinion not as an indifferent man, not as a prejudiced man, but as a true friend and affectionate brother in Raleigh. May all your dissensions soon cease. It is my most ardent wish let every man, every party give up some point and I hope to see you soon reunited. Nothing could give me more pleasure as I am well assured that alone you will give to your county that dignity to which it is so well entitled.
With the greatest respect and affection, I am.
Gentlemen
Your most humble servant and true friend.
S. Cabarrus
Fayetteville
January 7, 1794
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