United States Constitution Signer, US Congressman, North Carolina Governor. After the death of his parents he was sent to live with relatives in Ireland at the age of eight. He received a full classical education which culminated with him reportedly graduating from the University of Glasgow just before his return to North Carolina in 1778. The timing of his trip back home placed him in the middle of America's War for Independence. Although his father had been a member of the Royal Council, which directed the affairs of the colony for Britain, the younger Spaight firmly believed in freedom from the British sovereign. He became involved with the local militia serving as an aide-de-camp to the North Carolina militia commander. However, he left the militia in 1781 to enter the political arena thinking he could make more of a difference working in local political efforts. From 1783 to 1785 he served in the Continental Congress after holding many local legislative positions. In 1787, at the age of 29, he was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. He attended every session and worked behind the scenes to spread his belief that states had to work together to form a central government if the new nation was to succeed. He returned to North Carolina where he overcame poor health to serve as Governor from 1792 to 1795 and as a Congressman from 1798 to 1801. As Governor he orchestrated the establishment of the state capitol at Raleigh and the beginning of the state's university system. He died in 1802 when he was mortally wounded in a duel by a political rival at the young age of forty-four.
United States Constitution Signer, US Congressman, North Carolina Governor. After the death of his parents he was sent to live with relatives in Ireland at the age of eight. He received a full classical education which culminated with him reportedly graduating from the University of Glasgow just before his return to North Carolina in 1778. The timing of his trip back home placed him in the middle of America's War for Independence. Although his father had been a member of the Royal Council, which directed the affairs of the colony for Britain, the younger Spaight firmly believed in freedom from the British sovereign. He became involved with the local militia serving as an aide-de-camp to the North Carolina militia commander. However, he left the militia in 1781 to enter the political arena thinking he could make more of a difference working in local political efforts. From 1783 to 1785 he served in the Continental Congress after holding many local legislative positions. In 1787, at the age of 29, he was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. He attended every session and worked behind the scenes to spread his belief that states had to work together to form a central government if the new nation was to succeed. He returned to North Carolina where he overcame poor health to serve as Governor from 1792 to 1795 and as a Congressman from 1798 to 1801. As Governor he orchestrated the establishment of the state capitol at Raleigh and the beginning of the state's university system. He died in 1802 when he was mortally wounded in a duel by a political rival at the young age of forty-four.
Bio by: Bigwoo
Inscription
Here
Are ___d the remains of
General RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT,
who departed this life
on the 6th of September 1802
Aged 44 years ___ months ___ days.
He is gone!
Lamented by the good and revered by the brave
He is gone!
Loaded with the honors of his country,
and the benedictions of his friends:
"So sleeps the brave he sinks to rest
With all his country's wishes blest:
When spring, with dewey fingers cold
Return to deck his hallowed mould,
She there shall find a sweeter sod
Than fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands his knell is rung,
By forms unseen his dirge is sung.
There honor comes a pilgrim grey,
To bless the turf, that wraps his clay,
And freedom shall a while repair,
And dwell a weeping hermit there."
James Traquair Phila[delphia] Fecit.
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