* Part 5 in a series
From 1848-62 – while Colonel William H. Thomas represented Macon County in the state legislature – many old roads in western North Carolina were improved and new roads built.
In this period of time and shortly thereafter, quite a few settlers entered what is now Graham County.
Dave Orr – who was a famous hunter – built a house on Bear Creek adjacent to the Slickrock area. Andrew Colvard settled on Long Hungry Branch, which is said to have gotten its name from the fact that a group of hunters were once trapped there by high waters until their food gave out and they were hungry for a long time.
The Stewarts came from Georgia and settled on Big Santeetlah Creek. Thomas Cooper – the father of James W. Cooper of Murphy – settled on Tallulah Creek, about three miles from Robbinsville. A large family of Crisps settled near Stecoah. The Rev. Isaac Carringer – a Baptist minister – came from eastern North Carolina.
In 1872, Graham County was formed from Cherokee County. It is assumed that what brought this about was that the lack of adequate transportation made it difficult for the residents to travel such a great distance to attend to county and business affairs, or to attend court.
Graham County was named in honor of Doctor W.A. Graham, a former governor of North Carolina, a U.S. senator, a Confederate senator and Secretary of the Navy. George B. Walker, Esq. was elected to represent Graham County in the state legislature.
There is some difference of opinion concerning how the town of Robbinsville got its name. It is generally accepted that James L. Robinson – a member of the North Carolina Legislature from Macon County, who later was Lieutenant Governor and Acting Governor – was honored by naming the town Robbinsville.
The first meeting of the Graham County Commissioners was held on Halloween in 1872, at the King and Cooper store which was located near the site of the present Robbinsville School, near town. J.J. Colvard, John Ghourley, G.W. Hooper, N.F. Cooper and John Sawyer – who had been elected as commissioners – were sworn in by Justice of the Peace, J.W. King.
Colvard was elected chairman, and the following positions were approved:
* Register of Deeds: William Carpenter
* County Clerk: John G. Tatham
* Sheriff: J.S. Hyde
* County Surveyor: Reuben Carver
It was ordered that the first term of Superior Court be held at the Baptist Church in Cheoah Township. Judge Riley Cannon held the first term of court there in March 1873.
Marshall McClung is the historical columnist for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, mcclungs@email.com.