politician
A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...
in North Carolina during and after the
American Colonial era
The colonial history of the United States covers the period of European colonization of North America from the late 15th century until the unifying of the Thirteen Colonies, Thirteen British Colonies and creation of the United States in 17 ...
. After immigrating to the colony from northern Ireland, he settled near Wilmington. He was appointed to local offices, raised a militia to defend against the Spanish Alarm, and served as a Revolutionary War Patriot militia officer. He was an early settler in
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, eighth-most populous city in the st ...
starting in 1760.
Sampson County, North Carolina
Sampson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 59,036 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Its county seat is Clinton, North Carolina, Clinton.
History
Sampson County was established in Apr ...
is named in honor of him.
Early life
John Sampson was born in 1719 and grew up in Ireland. He immigrated as a youth or young man to the colony of North Carolina in North America in the 1730s or 1740s, settling in the
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, eighth-most populous city in the st ...
, area. He appeared to have become established before the Spanish Alarm of 1747. He developed a farm there, and married and had a family.
Military career
The
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession was a European conflict fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italian Peninsula, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Related conflicts include King Ge ...
brought military battle close to Sampson in 1747. He was called upon to raise a militia company of men in New Hanover County to protect against any Spanish raids or invasions from Florida. Spanish forces raided the coastal towns of the Carolinas and Georgia during the period known as the Spanish Alarm, extending into the 1740s.
In 1771, Sampson served as a
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...
Halifax, North Carolina
Halifax is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 234 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Halifax County. It is known as "The Birthplace of Freedom" for being the location for the April 12, 1776, ado ...
. Governor Tryon ordered Sampson to raise several hundred men from Duplin County in order to help.
There was widespread fighting and civil disobedience: county justices of the peace, such as future state governor
Alexander Martin
Alexander Martin (October 17, 1740November 2, 1807) was a Founding Father of the United States, framer of the U.S. Constitution, fourth and seventh Governor of North Carolina, and an infantry officer in the American Revolutionary War. In priv ...
, were attacked and flogged on the street by Regulators. The Regulator Rebellion forces outnumbered those of the colonial militia by a two-to-one ratio. Governor Tryon led an attack in what became known as the
Battle of Alamance
The Battle of Alamance, which took place on May 16, 1771, was the final confrontation of the Regulator Movement, a rebellion in colonial North Carolina over various issues with the Colonial Government. The Regulators primarily wanted reforms ...
, which resulted in eight to 12 men killed and as many as 100 wounded. Several of the captains of the Regulator's Militia were taken prisoner and later executed by Tryon. John Sampson appeared to support the Continental Militia during the Revolutionary War.
Political career
Sampson was appointed as the first
Register of Deeds
Recorder of deeds or deeds registry is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights ove ...
for Duplin County for the first two years after the county had been created in 1750 from
New Hanover County, North Carolina
New Hanover County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 225,702. The county seat is Wilmington. Though the second-smallest county in North Carolina by land area, it is one of the m ...
. A decade later, Sampson was elected in 1760 as the first
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
of the strategic port of
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, eighth-most populous city in the st ...
.
During the administration of Colonial Governor
William Tryon
Lieutenant-General William Tryon (8 June 172927 January 1788) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served as governor of North Carolina from 1764 to 1771 and the governor of New York from 1771 to 1777. He also served durin ...
, Sampson was a member of his Executive Council. He is believed to have continued in this role after the Halifax Constitution of 1776 was signed and
Richard Caswell
Richard Caswell (August 3, 1729November 10, 1789) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the first and fifth governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1776 to 1780 and from 1785 to 1787. He also served as a senior officer ...
became Governor of the state.
Legacy
Sampson's stepson, Richard Clinton, and his biological son, James Sampson, also became important political and military figures during the American Revolution and the early years of the 19th century.
Sampson County, North Carolina
Sampson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 59,036 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Its county seat is Clinton, North Carolina, Clinton.
History
Sampson County was established in Apr ...