Davidson College - Quips and Cranks Yearbook (Davidson, NC)

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William Lee Davidson, Jr. Upon whose land Davidson College was located, and who wi liberal contributor towards the founding of the institution, and a member of its first Board of Trustees

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(fktteral Militant iGrr Sautterm WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSON was born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1746. When he was four years old his father, George David- son, decided to move to Iredell County, North Carolina. This county and those adjoining it were settl ed by the liberty-loving Scotch-Irish, and thus from early youth the boy acquired by association a belief in the prin- ciple that liberty is a universal right. This belief was further strengthened by his education at Queen ' s Museum in Charlotte— that institution which, because of its Presbyterian origin, was royal in name out of deference to the powers that were, but Democratic in its teaching in obedience to the divine plan of government. By inheritance a patriot, by education a leader, William Davidson was appointed Major in one of the four new regiments called into service by the Provincial Congress that met at Halifax in April, 1776. Under the com- mand of General Francis Nash, Major Davidson ' s regiment (the fourth) marched at once to the North to reinforce the army of General Washington. In the three years that followed the North Carolina troops served faithfully, doing well their duty in the battles of Princeton and Brandywine, and win- ning unlimited praise in the battle of Germantown. For personal gallantry on this last occasion Major Davidson ' s rank was raised to Lieutenant- Colonel. In November, 1779, the North Carolina battalions were ordered to Charleston to reinforce General Lincoln. As they passed through North Carolina, Colonel Davidson, on furlough, left his regiment to spend a few days with his family, whom he had not seen for three years. He had expected to rejoin the army at Charleston, but when he reached the city he found it so closely besieged by the British that he could not gain admission. He was thus saved from the fate that befell his regiment. Soon after Lincoln sur- rendered, and Davidson returned immediately to Mecklenburg, where he took the lead in opposing the Tories, and did much to humble their over- confident spirit. At Coulson ' s Mill, in a fierce skirmish in which he was finally victorious, he received a wound so severe as to keep him out of active service for two months. While in this retirement, in recognition of his merit as a brave and skillful military leader, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-Gen- eral to succeed General Rutherford, taken prisoner at the battle of Camden. As soon as he could take the field again, General Davidson busied him- self in organizing the militia of his district and in preparing them for 25