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{{short description|American politician and soldier}}
{{short description|American politician and soldier}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix =
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|name = Jeptha Atherton
| name = Jeptha Atherton
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|caption = Jeptha Atherton
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|birth_date = 1733 <!--{{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} if dead-->
| birth_date = c. 1733
|birth_place =
| birth_place =
|death_date = January 19, 1787 <!--{{death date and age|dYYYY|dMM|dDD|YYYY|MM|DD}}-->
| death_date = {{death date and age|January 19, 1787|1733}}
|death_place = [[Northampton County, North Carolina]]
| death_place = [[Northampton County, North Carolina]]
|placeofburial =
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|placeofburial_coordinates = <!--{{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}}-->
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!--{{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}}-->
|allegiance = North Carolina
| allegiance = North Carolina
|branch = Militia
| branch = Militia
|branch_label = <!--"Branch" or "Service"-->
| branch_label = <!--"Branch" or "Service"-->
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|rank = Major, Lt Col, Colonel
| rank = Major, Lt Col, Colonel
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|unit = [[Halifax District Brigade#Northamton County Regiment|Northampton County Regiment]]
| unit = [[Halifax District Brigade#Northamton County Regiment|Northampton County Regiment]]
|commands = Northampton County Regiment
| commands = Northampton County Regiment
|battles = {{unbulleted list|[[Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge]]|[[Battle of Briar Creek]]|Battle of Little Lynches Creek}}
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'''Colonel Jeptha Atherton''' (1733–1787) was a [[North Carolina]] landowner, [[List of slave owners |slave owner]], politician and [[American Revolutionary War]] soldier in [[Northampton County, North Carolina]]. He served in the military throughout the American Revolutionary War (1775–83).
'''Colonel Jeptha Atherton''' (c. 1733–1787) was a [[North Carolina]] landowner, [[List of slave owners|slave owner]], politician and [[American Revolutionary War]] leader in [[Northampton County, North Carolina]]. He served in the military throughout the American Revolutionary War (1775–83).


==Profession==
==Profession==
Jeptha Atherton was born ante 1735, probably in Bermuda. He settled in Northampton Courthouse,<ref name=Courthouse>{{cite web|url=http://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/NP0092.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places - Northampton Courthouse Square in Jackson,NC}}</ref> Northampton County, [[Province of North Carolina]] in 1762, near what is now the courthouse square in [[Jackson, North Carolina|Jackson]]. Atherton allowed the use of his land (which he had purchased from Barnaby Thomas, a brother in law of [[Willie Jones (statesman)|Willie Jones]]) for county court meetings, while establishing a large plantation, including horse breeding and stables, a [[gristmill]], a tavern, and a store.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicjacksonnc.com/jackson_nc_history.php|title=History of Jackson, North Carolina|website=Historic Jackson.com}}</ref><ref name=DAR>{{cite web|url=http://services.dar.org/members/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A003551|title=Jepthhah Atherton, Ancestor A003551|website=Daughters of the Revolution}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thescholarship.ecu.edu/bitstream/handle/10342/5095/Thomas_ecu_0600O_11589.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=Atherton Tavern and archeological excavations|website=The Scholarship, ECU}}</ref>
Jeptha Atherton was born ante 1735, probably in [[Bermuda]]. He settled in Northampton Courthouse,<ref name=Courthouse>{{cite web|url=http://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/NP0092.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places - Northampton Courthouse Square in Jackson,NC}}</ref> Northampton County, [[Province of North Carolina]] in 1762, near what is now the courthouse square in [[Jackson, North Carolina|Jackson]]. Atherton allowed the use of his land (which he had purchased from Barnaby Thomas, a brother in law of [[Willie Jones (statesman)|Willie Jones]]) for county court meetings, while establishing a large plantation, including horse breeding and stables, a [[gristmill]], a tavern, and a store.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicjacksonnc.com/jackson_nc_history.php|title=History of Jackson, North Carolina|website=Historic Jackson.com}}</ref><ref name=DAR>{{cite web|url=http://services.dar.org/members/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A003551|title=Jepthhah Atherton, Ancestor A003551|website=Daughters of the Revolution}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thescholarship.ecu.edu/bitstream/handle/10342/5095/Thomas_ecu_0600O_11589.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=Atherton Tavern and archeological excavations|website=The Scholarship, ECU}}</ref>


He became a prominent local farmer, politician, and later, the Northampton Regiments’ first Major during the Revolutionary War period.
He became a prominent local farmer, politician, and later, the Northampton Regiments' first Major during the Revolutionary War period.
By the time of the First Census of the United States, Atherton held a total of 35 slaves. This was perceived to be a considerable number by those from the [[Upland South]], where men were classified as planters if they held 20 or more slaves. His last will and testament makes a big emphasis on the redistribution of his slaves amongst his descendants following his death.
By the time of the First Census of the United States, Atherton held a total of 35 slaves. This was perceived to be a considerable number by those from the [[Upland South]], where men were classified as planters if they held 20 or more slaves. His last will and testament makes a big emphasis on the redistribution of his slaves amongst his descendants following his death.


===Horse breeder===
===Horse breeder===
Atherton was one of the first residents of Northampton County to take a strong interest in blooded horses.<ref>{{cite document|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23529536?|title=Horses and Horsemen in Northampton before 1900. The North Carolina Historical Review, Vol.51, no. 2|author=Henry W Lewis|year=1974|jstor=23529536}}</ref> Horse racing was a popular spectator sport in North Carolina. Many wealthy planters dominated the sport since they had the resources to import, breed and train expensive English breeding stock and race horses. Atherton as part of the North Carolina elite was able to display his wealth on the track. He established a large plantation at Northampton Courthouse, where he bred and raced horses, and was the owner of a nationally famous British born stallion, [[Janus (horse)| Janus]], who was a grandson of the [[Godolphin Arabian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/horse-racing|title=Jeptha Atherton, Horse breeder|website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref> He purchased Janus from Mildred Willis between late 1771 and the start of 1772.<ref name="Alexander Mackay-Smith 1983">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nQvAQAAMAAJ&q=Atherton|title=The Colonial Quarter Race Horse: America's first breed of horses. America's native breed of running horses, the world's oldest breed of race horses, prime source of short speed|author=Alexander Mackay-Smith|year=1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/03/when-african-americans-ruled-the-sport-of-kings/72549e6a-9d8e-45cb-845b-7edd3af3ed81/|title=Colonial Horse racing|website=Washington Post|year=1999}}</ref>
Atherton was one of the first residents of Northampton County to take a strong interest in blooded horses.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Horses and Horsemen in Northampton before 1900|journal=The North Carolina Historical Review |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=125–148 |date=April 1974 |author=Henry W Lewis |jstor=23529536}}</ref> Horse racing was a popular spectator sport in the Province of North Carolina. Many wealthy planters dominated the sport since they had the resources to import, breed and train expensive English breeding stock and race horses. Atherton as part of the North Carolina elite was able to display his wealth on the track. He established a large plantation at Northampton Courthouse, where he bred and raced horses, and was the owner of a nationally famous British born stallion, [[Janus (horse)|Janus]], who was a grandson of the [[Godolphin Arabian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/horse-racing|title=Jeptha Atherton, Horse breeder|website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref> He purchased Janus from Mildred Willis between late 1771 and the start of 1772.<ref name="Alexander Mackay-Smith 1983">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nQvAQAAMAAJ&q=Atherton|title=The Colonial Quarter Race Horse: America's first breed of horses. America's native breed of running horses, the world's oldest breed of race horses, prime source of short speed|author=Alexander Mackay-Smith|year=1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/03/when-african-americans-ruled-the-sport-of-kings/72549e6a-9d8e-45cb-845b-7edd3af3ed81/|title=Colonial Horse racing|newspaper=Washington Post|year=1999}}</ref>


Janus was quick and compact and is acknowledged as the foundation sire of the [[American Quarter Horse]]. He was a chestnut horse born in England in 1746 and imported to [[Virginia Colony]] by [[William Dering#work/| Mordecai Booth]] in 1752,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qCMCAAAAYAAJ&q=janus+imported&pg=PA1062|title=The General Stud Book Containing Pedigrees of English Race Horses - Volumes 1-2|year=1834}}</ref> and resold, before moving to North Carolina. Janus, who measured in excess of 14 hands,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L1OzdhTAN64C&q=janus+purchased+by+atherton&pg=PA22|title=Foundation Dams of the American Quarter Horse |author=Robert Moorman Denhardt|year=1982|isbn=9780806127484 }}</ref> would have looked different to the other horses at the time; compact yet large boned. His muscular back legs helped him run fast.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=suw2DwAAQBAJ&q=janus+helped+him+run+fast&pg=PA9|title=American Quarterhorses|author=Parise-Peterson, Amanda|year=2018|page=9|isbn=9781543500387}}, {{isbn|978-1-5435-0032-5}}</ref>
Janus was quick and compact and is acknowledged as the foundation sire of the [[American Quarter Horse]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhRDAAAAIAAJ&q=janus+horse+jeptha|title=The Equine F.F.Vs: A Study of the Evidence for the English Horses Imported Into Virginia Before the Revolution|author=Harrison, Fairfax|publisher=Priv. print., The Old Dominion Press|year=1928|page=81|isbn=978-0-598-50775-4}}</ref> Janus was a chestnut horse born in England in 1746 and imported to [[Virginia Colony]] by [[William Dering#Work|Mordecai Booth]] in 1752,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qCMCAAAAYAAJ&q=janus+imported&pg=PA1062|title=The General Stud Book Containing Pedigrees of English Race Horses - Volumes 1-2|year=1834}}</ref> and resold, before moving to North Carolina. Janus, who measured in excess of 14 hands,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L1OzdhTAN64C&q=janus+purchased+by+atherton&pg=PA22|title=Foundation Dams of the American Quarter Horse |author=Robert Moorman Denhardt|year=1982|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-2748-4 }}</ref> would have looked different from the other horses at the time; compact yet large boned. His muscular back legs helped him run fast.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=suw2DwAAQBAJ&q=janus+helped+him+run+fast&pg=PA9|title=American Quarterhorses|author=Parise-Peterson, Amanda|year=2018|page=9|publisher=Capstone |isbn=978-1-5435-0038-7}}, {{isbn|978-1-5435-0032-5}}</ref>


Atherton enthusiasm for horse racing was shared by many of his neighbors. He ran Mud Colt and Big Filly (bred by Turner Bynum, his son-in-law), in quarter races against [[Willie Jones (statesman)]] two horses, Paoli and Trick’em, losing to both. He bred Caelus and Harlot, later owned by his son-in-law James Barnes.<ref name="Alexander Mackay-Smith 1983"/>
Atherton enthusiasm for horse racing was shared by many of his neighbors. He ran Mud Colt and Big Filly (bred by Turner Bynum, his son-in-law), in quarter races against [[Willie Jones (statesman)]] two horses, Paoli and Trick'em, losing to both. He bred Caelus and Harlot, later owned by his son-in-law James Barnes.<ref name="Alexander Mackay-Smith 1983"/>


On March 18, 1773, Atherton placed an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette; in it he refers to Janus being in North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/32117279/j-atherton-horse-old-janus-north/|title=J Atherton Old Horse, Janus|work=The Virginia Gazette|date=March 18, 1773}}</ref> The horse, Celer, foaled in 1774 was considered to be his “best son”. On March 20, 1775, Atherton placed one of many advertisements in the Virginia Gazette to put Janus out to stud.
On March 18, 1773, Atherton placed an advertisement in [[The Virginia Gazette]]; in it he refers to Janus being in North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/32117279/j-atherton-horse-old-janus-north/|title=J Atherton Old Horse, Janus|work=The Virginia Gazette|date=March 18, 1773}}</ref> The horse, Celer, foaled in 1774 was considered to be his "best son". On March 20, 1775, Atherton placed one of many advertisements in the Virginia Gazette to put Janus out to stud.
<ref>{{cite news|work=The Virginia Gazette|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/459508/atherton-jeptha-horse-janus/|title=Atherton Jepth Horse Janus|date=March 25, 1775}}</ref> Atherton retained ownership of Janus until the horses death in 1780, aged 34, having passed his many qualities to all his foals, including the celebrated American Quarter Running Horse Spadille.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/FoundationSires/FoundSiresJ.html|title=Historic Sires|website=Thoroughbred Heritage}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Quarterhorses, the Story of Two Centuries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GcSmMI1ttIoC&q=janus+horse+born&pg=PA17|year=1991|author=Denhardt, Robert Moorman|isbn = 9780806122854}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|work=The Virginia Gazette|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/459508/atherton-jeptha-horse-janus/|title=Atherton Jepth Horse Janus|date=March 25, 1775}}</ref> Atherton retained ownership of Janus until the horses death in 1780, aged 34, having passed his many qualities to all his foals, including the celebrated American Quarter Running Horse Spadille.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/FoundationSires/FoundSiresJ.html|title=Historic Sires|website=Thoroughbred Heritage}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Quarterhorses, the Story of Two Centuries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GcSmMI1ttIoC&q=janus+horse+born&pg=PA17|year=1991|author=Denhardt, Robert Moorman| publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn = 978-0-8061-2285-4}}</ref>


Not all his horses were up to standard. On March 26, 1782 the [[List of governors of North Carolina|Governor of North Carolina]], [[Thomas Burke (North Carolina politician)|Thomas Burke]] wrote to him advising that the horse he dispatched was unfit for Military service and requested another.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr16-0353|title=Letter from Thomas Burke to Jeptha Atherton|accessdate=May 17, 2020|website=Doc South, UNC}}</ref>
Not all his horses were up to standard. On March 26, 1782, the [[List of governors of North Carolina|Governor of North Carolina]], [[Thomas Burke (North Carolina politician)|Thomas Burke]] wrote to him advising that the horse he dispatched was unfit for Military service and requested another.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr16-0353|title=Letter from Thomas Burke to Jeptha Atherton|access-date=May 17, 2020|website=Doc South, UNC}}</ref>


==Chronology of his efforts during the Revolutionary War==
==Chronology of his efforts during the Revolutionary War==
Atherton’s colonial service began when he received his Commission as Major of the Northampton Regiment from Governor [[William Tryon]] on December 6, 1770 in New Bern.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=skglAAAAMAAJ&q=+atherton |title=The Correspondence of William Tryon and other selected papers|author=William Tryon. Division of Archives and History Department of Cultural Resources|year=1980|isbn=9780865261471}}</ref>
Atherton's colonial service began when he received his Commission as Major of the Northampton Regiment from Governor [[William Tryon]] on December 6, 1770, in New Bern.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=skglAAAAMAAJ&q=+atherton |title=The Correspondence of William Tryon and other selected papers|author=William Tryon. Division of Archives and History Department of Cultural Resources|year=1980|publisher=Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources |isbn=978-0-86526-147-1}}</ref>


Atherton then became a patriot who served from 1775 to 1783 in the [[List of North Carolina militia units in the American Revolution|North Carolina Militia]]. His name is listed as Jeptha Atherton or Eatherton in some of the militia service records.
Atherton then became a patriot who served from 1775 to 1783 in the [[List of North Carolina militia units in the American Revolution|North Carolina Militia]]. His name is listed as Jeptha Atherton or Eatherton in some of the militia service records.
*September 9, 1775: The [[Halifax District Brigade#Northamton County Regiment|Northampton County Regiment]] was one of 35 existing North Carolina county militias to be authorized for organization on September 9, 1775, by the North Carolina Provincial Congress. Atherton was commissioned as a 1st Major under [[Allen Jones (Continental Congress)|Colonel Allen Jones]], who lead the regiment from 1775 and 1776).<ref name=Major>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_majors.html|title=Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|accessdate=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
*September 9, 1775: The [[Halifax District Brigade#Northamton County Regiment|Northampton County Regiment]] was one of 35 existing North Carolina county militias to be authorized for organization on September 9, 1775, by the North Carolina Provincial Congress. Atherton was commissioned as a 1st Major under [[Allen Jones (Continental Congress)|Colonel Allen Jones]], who lead the regiment from 1775 and 1776).<ref name=Major>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_majors.html|title=Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
*February 27, 1776: Atherton led a small contingent of the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the [[Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge]].<ref name=Major />
*February 27, 1776: Atherton led a small contingent of the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the [[Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge]].<ref name=Major />
*April 22, 1776: Commissioned as a Lt. Col. under Colonel William Eaton in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia.<ref name=LTC>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_lt_colonels.html|title=Jeptha Eatherton, Lt. Col|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|accessdate=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
*April 22, 1776: Commissioned as a Lt. Col. under Colonel William Eaton in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia.<ref name=LTC>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_lt_colonels.html|title=Jeptha Eatherton, Lt. Col|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
*March 3, 1779: Atherton was attached to Col. Thomas Eaton's [[Warren County Regiment]] of Militia during the [[Battle of Briar Creek]], Georgia.
*March 3, 1779: Atherton was attached to Col. [[Thomas Eaton (general)|Thomas Eaton's]] [[Warren County Regiment]] of Militia during the [[Battle of Briar Creek]], Georgia.
*1780: Atherton was commissioned as a full Colonel and served as a second colonel alongside Colonel Howell Edmunds, in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia. When Col. Howell Edmunds resigned at the end of 1780, Atherton became the Commandant over the Northampton County Regiment of Militia, a position he retained until the end of the war.<ref name=Carolana /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6EbAQAAMAAJ&q=colonel+jeptha&pg=PA296|title=Historical Sketches of North Carolina, 1594–1851|author=Wheeler, John H.|year=1851|page=296}}</ref>
*1780: Atherton was commissioned as a full Colonel and served as a second colonel alongside Colonel Howell Edmunds, in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia. When Col. Howell Edmunds resigned at the end of 1780, Atherton became the Commandant over the Northampton County Regiment of Militia, a position he retained until the end of the war.<ref name=Carolana /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6EbAQAAMAAJ&q=colonel+jeptha&pg=PA296|title=Historical Sketches of North Carolina, 1594–1851|author=Wheeler, John H.|year=1851|page=296}}</ref>
*August 11, 1780: Atherton led the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the Battle of Little Lynches Creek, South Carolina and [[Battle of Camden]], South Carolina on August 16, 1780.<ref name=Carolana>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_colonels.html|title=Jeptha Atherton, Jeptha Eatherton|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|accessdate=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
*August 11, 1780: Atherton led the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the Battle of Little Lynches Creek, South Carolina and [[Battle of Camden]], South Carolina on August 16, 1780.<ref name=Carolana>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_colonels.html|title=Jeptha Atherton, Jeptha Eatherton|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>


==Political and civic career==
==Political and civic career==
Atherton was appointed as a [[Justice of the Peace]] <ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=Hatherton|title=Appointment as Justice of the Peace in 1739 together with neighbor Allen Jones|isbn=9780806305592|last1=Boddie|first1=John Bennett|year=1973}}</ref> in
Atherton was appointed as a [[Justice of the Peace]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=Hatherton|title=Appointment as Justice of the Peace in 1739 together with neighbor Allen Jones|isbn=978-0-8063-0559-2|last1=Boddie|first1=John Bennett|year=1973}}</ref> in
Beatie County in 1739. As the population increased, Northampton separated to form its own County, with Atherton retaining this civic position.
Beatie County in 1739. As the population increased, Northampton separated to form its own County, with Atherton retaining this civic position.


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===Provincial Congress===
===Provincial Congress===
He was first elected to represent Northampton County in the [[North Carolina Provincial Congress]] as a delegate to the [[Second North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in [[New Bern, North Carolina]], in April 1775. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_revolution_2nd_provincial_congress_members.html|title=2nd Provincial Congress|author=Lewis, J.D.|accessdate=May 9, 2021|website=Carolina.com}}</ref><ref name="Manual">{{cite book|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/manual/manual.html#p387|title=A Manual of North Carolina Issued by the North Carolina Historical Commission for the Use of Members of the General Assembly Session 1913|year=1913|editor=[[Robert D. W. Connor|Connor, Robert Diggs Wimberly]]|accessdate=May 9, 2021}}</ref> He was again elected to the [[Third North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in August 1775 in Hillsborough, the [[Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in Halifax in April 1776<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ncpedia.org/history/usrevolution/halifax-resolves|title=Halifax Resolves, 4th Congress|website=NCPedia}}</ref> and the [[Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress]] of November 1776, which created the [[North Carolina State Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/api/collection/p249901coll22/id/627145/download|title=Proceedings of the Provincial Congress at Halifax|accessdate=May 17, 2020|year=1776}}</ref> He also represented Northampton County in the [[North Carolina House of Commons]] during 1777, but he was soon elected as Northampton County Clerk and he stepped down from the House of Commons.<ref name=Lewis>{{cite web|url=http://www.carolana.com/NC/Royal_Colony/House_of_Burgesses/royal_27th_house_of_burgesses.html|title=Jeptha Atherton was Representative for Northampton County|website=J.D. Lewis}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9S4cAQAAMAAJ&q=colonel+jeptha&pg=PA531|title=Colonial Records of North Carolina|last1=Carolina|first1=North|year=1890}}</ref>
He was first elected to represent Northampton County in the [[North Carolina Provincial Congress]] as a delegate to the [[Second North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in [[New Bern, North Carolina]], in April 1775.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_revolution_2nd_provincial_congress_members.html|title=2nd Provincial Congress|author=Lewis, J.D.|access-date=May 9, 2021|website=Carolina.com}}</ref><ref name="Manual">{{cite book|url=http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/manual/manual.html#p387|title=A Manual of North Carolina Issued by the North Carolina Historical Commission for the Use of Members of the General Assembly Session 1913|year=1913|editor=[[Robert D. W. Connor|Connor, Robert Diggs Wimberly]]|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> He was again elected to the [[Third North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in August 1775 in Hillsborough, the [[Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress]] in Halifax in April 1776<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ncpedia.org/history/usrevolution/halifax-resolves|title=Halifax Resolves, 4th Congress|website=NCPedia}}</ref> and the [[Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress]] of November 1776, which created the [[North Carolina State Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/api/collection/p249901coll22/id/627145/download|title=Proceedings of the Provincial Congress at Halifax|access-date=May 17, 2020|year=1776}}</ref> He also represented Northampton County in the [[North Carolina House of Commons]] during 1777, but he was soon elected as Northampton County Clerk and he stepped down from the House of Commons.<ref name=Lewis>{{cite web|url=http://www.carolana.com/NC/Royal_Colony/House_of_Burgesses/royal_27th_house_of_burgesses.html|title=Jeptha Atherton was Representative for Northampton County|website=J.D. Lewis}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9S4cAQAAMAAJ&q=colonel+jeptha&pg=PA531|title=Colonial Records of North Carolina|last1=Carolina|first1=North|year=1890}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Line 91: Line 91:
Atherton married Sarah Tynes on September 13, 1760.
Atherton married Sarah Tynes on September 13, 1760.


Atherton married Mary Elizabeth “Betsie” Thorpe, the widow of Thomas Jarrett at St. Luke's Parrish, [[Southampton County, Virginia]].
Atherton married Mary Elizabeth "Betsie" Thorpe, the widow of Thomas Jarrett at St. Luke's Parrish, [[Southampton County, Virginia]].
Some sources state that they only had one daughter. His Last Will and Testament says otherwise.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_jeptha_eatherton.html|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|title=Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton|accessdate=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
Some sources state that they only had one daughter. His Last Will and Testament says otherwise.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_jeptha_eatherton.html|website=The American Revolution in North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|title=Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>


=== Family ===
=== Family ===


Once he moved to North Carolina, Atherton secured greater influence by marrying his daughters into influential families, such as the Dawson's, Barnes, Alston and Bynum's.
Once he moved from the [[Colony of Virginia]] to North Carolina, Atherton secured greater influence by marrying his daughters into influential families, such as the Dawson's, Barnes, Alston and Bynum's.


It is unclear whether his daughter Penelope (Atherton) Brunson came with her father to North Carolina. Her son, Asabel Brunson Jr was killed during the [[Battle of New Orleans]] in 1815.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/640484/the-chillicothe-constitution-tribune/|work=The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune|title=In Old St. Louis Cemetery|location=St. Louis, Missouri}}</ref>
It is unclear whether his daughter Penelope (Atherton) Brunson came with her father to North Carolina. Her son, Asabel Brunson Jr was killed during the [[Battle of New Orleans]] in 1815.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/640484/the-chillicothe-constitution-tribune/|work=The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune|title=In Old St. Louis Cemetery|date=6 March 1909|page=21|location=St. Louis, Missouri}}</ref>


His daughter by his marriage to Betsie; Elisabeth “Dorothy” Atherton (1764-1789), married John Dawson Jr, who represented Northampton in the North Carolina House of Commons (1780-1782) and then Halifax (1787-1798). His father John Dawson Sr<ref>http://www.ncpedia.org/biography/dawson-john</ref> had moved from Virginia to [[Bertie County]], North Carolina in 1732, and within 2 years was a representative in the General Assembly, and a later a member of the Governors Council. Highly influential on local matters he was appointed Colonel of the Northampton Regiment towards the end of the [[Spanish Alarm]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=colonel+john+dawson&pg=PA218|title=Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia: A History of the County|year=1938|author=Bodie, John Bennett|isbn=9780806305592}}</ref> period which lasted 9 years (1739-1748). Their son Jesse Atherton Dawson became a wealthy planter<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YckUAAAAYAAJ&q=Atherton|title=A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches|author=Dawson, Charles D.|year=1874}}</ref>
His daughter by his marriage to Betsie; Elisabeth "Dorothy" Atherton (1764-1789), married John Dawson Jr, who represented Northampton in the North Carolina House of Commons (1780-1782) and then Halifax (1787-1798). His father John Dawson Sr<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncpedia.org/biography/dawson-john|title = Dawson, John &#124; NCpedia}}</ref> had moved from Virginia to [[Bertie County]], North Carolina in 1732, and within 2 years was a representative in the General Assembly, and a later a member of the Governors Council. Highly influential on local matters he was appointed Colonel of the Northampton Regiment towards the end of the [[Spanish Alarm]]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=colonel+john+dawson&pg=PA218|title=Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia: A History of the County|year=1938|author=Bodie, John Bennett|publisher=Genealogical Publishing Com |isbn=978-0-8063-0559-2}}</ref> period which lasted 9 years (1739-1748). Their son Jesse Atherton Dawson became a wealthy planter<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YckUAAAAYAAJ&q=Atherton|title=A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches|author=Dawson, Charles D.|year=1874}}</ref>


Atherton's granddaughter, Mary Patience Dawson married [[Archibald S. Dobbins]], a Colonel in the [[Confederate Army]].
Atherton's granddaughter, Mary Patience Dawson married [[Archibald S. Dobbins]], a Colonel in the [[Confederate Army]].
Line 110: Line 110:
Mary Atherton, who married Turner Bynum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6AA7AAAAMAAJ&q=Atherton|title=Bynum and Baynham families of America, 1616-1850|last1=Baird|first1=Robert William|year=1983}}</ref> One son: [[Jesse Atherton Bynum]] (May 23, 1797 – September 23, 1868) was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina; born in Halifax County, North Carolina, May 23, 1797; attended Princeton College in 1817 and 1818; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Halifax, North Carolina; member of the house of commons of North Carolina in 1822, 1823, and 1826–1829; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Congresses and as a Democrat to the two succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1841); moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits; died in Alexandria, La., September 23, 1868; interment in Rapides Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana.
Mary Atherton, who married Turner Bynum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6AA7AAAAMAAJ&q=Atherton|title=Bynum and Baynham families of America, 1616-1850|last1=Baird|first1=Robert William|year=1983}}</ref> One son: [[Jesse Atherton Bynum]] (May 23, 1797 – September 23, 1868) was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina; born in Halifax County, North Carolina, May 23, 1797; attended Princeton College in 1817 and 1818; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Halifax, North Carolina; member of the house of commons of North Carolina in 1822, 1823, and 1826–1829; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Congresses and as a Democrat to the two succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1841); moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits; died in Alexandria, La., September 23, 1868; interment in Rapides Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana.


His only son, Jessee Atherton, died without issue according to Atherton's will which states: D.S.P. from the Latin word dēcessit sine prōle.
His only son, Jessee Atherton, died without issue according to Atherton's will which states: D.S.P. from the Latin word dēcessit sine prōle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archives.ncdcr.gov/doc/search-doc|title=Jesse Atherton: Record ID: 5200.71.23|year=1787|website=N C Archives}}</ref>


===Death and legacy===
===Death and legacy===
Atherton died on January 19, 1787, in Northampton County, North Carolina. His will was proven in June of that year.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mF8xAAAAMAAJ&q=barnaba+thomas+atherton&pg=PA534|title=The Alstons and Allstons of North and South Carolina (Full transcript of Jeptha Atherton's last will and testament)|author=Joseph Asbury Groves|year=1901}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ncgenealogy.org/north-carolina-estate-files-northampton-county-index/ |title=Estate files of North Carolina (includes those of his only son)}}</ref> A number of enslaved people were mentioned in his last will and testament.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.afrigeneas.com/slavedata/Atherton-NC-1787.html|title=List of enslaved people mentioned in his last will and testament}}</ref>
Atherton died on January 19, 1787, in Northampton County, North Carolina. His will was proven in June of that year.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mF8xAAAAMAAJ&q=barnaba+thomas+atherton&pg=PA534|title=The Alstons and Allstons of North and South Carolina (Full transcript of Jeptha Atherton's last will and testament)|author=Joseph Asbury Groves|year=1901|isbn=978-1-5485-9422-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ncgenealogy.org/north-carolina-estate-files-northampton-county-index/ |title=Estate files of North Carolina (includes those of his only son)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archives.ncdcr.gov/doc/search-doc|title=Jeptha Atherton: Record ID: 5200.71.22, Recorded Copy Reference: WB-1/378 (WB = WillBook)|year=1787|website=N C Archives}}</ref> A number of enslaved people were mentioned in his last will and testament.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.afrigeneas.com/slavedata/Atherton-NC-1787.html|title=List of enslaved people mentioned in his last will and testament}}</ref>


On July 2, 1798, the North-Carolina Journal of Halifax reported on page 4: “For lease - - Land and Plantation at Northampton Courthouse formerly belonging to Col. Jeptha Atherton upon which is a good dwelling house - - convenient outhouses - - also a grist mill. Besides - - immediately at the courthouse there is a house which is now used as a tavern and is from its location well calculated for that purpose. And - - a storehouse near it which is well situated for a country store.”<ref name=News1>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/799305/colonel-jeptha-atherton-plantation-and/?fbclid=IwAR3DYdBo8R0Rdj3AdEHPsXMTjl-YCwTlrWy8A3rPxwyqQxbGFrPah-x9zZc|title=For Lease|publisher=The North-Carolina Journal, Halifax, July, 2|year=1798|page=4}}</ref>
On July 2, 1798, the North-Carolina Journal of Halifax reported on page 4: "For lease - - Land and Plantation at Northampton Courthouse formerly belonging to Col. Jeptha Atherton upon which is a good dwelling house - - convenient outhouses - - also a grist mill. Besides - - immediately at the courthouse there is a house which is now used as a tavern and is from its location well calculated for that purpose. And - - a storehouse near it which is well situated for a country store."<ref name=News1>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/799305/colonel-jeptha-atherton-plantation-and/?fbclid=IwAR3DYdBo8R0Rdj3AdEHPsXMTjl-YCwTlrWy8A3rPxwyqQxbGFrPah-x9zZc|title=For Lease|publisher=The North-Carolina Journal, Halifax, July, 2|year=1798|page=4}}</ref>


Atherton St, Jackson, NC is named after him.
Atherton St, Jackson, NC is named after him.
Line 123: Line 123:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Atherton, Jeptha}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atherton, Jeptha}}
[[Category:1733 births]]
[[Category:1730s births]]
[[Category:1787 deaths]]
[[Category:1787 deaths]]
[[Category:18th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:18th-century American politicians]]

Latest revision as of 02:38, 24 July 2024

Jeptha Atherton
Bornc. 1733
DiedJanuary 19, 1787(1787-01-19) (aged 53–54)
Northampton County, North Carolina
AllegianceNorth Carolina
Service/branchMilitia
RankMajor, Lt Col, Colonel
UnitNorthampton County Regiment
CommandsNorthampton County Regiment
Battles/wars

Colonel Jeptha Atherton (c. 1733–1787) was a North Carolina landowner, slave owner, politician and American Revolutionary War leader in Northampton County, North Carolina. He served in the military throughout the American Revolutionary War (1775–83).

Profession

[edit]

Jeptha Atherton was born ante 1735, probably in Bermuda. He settled in Northampton Courthouse,[1] Northampton County, Province of North Carolina in 1762, near what is now the courthouse square in Jackson. Atherton allowed the use of his land (which he had purchased from Barnaby Thomas, a brother in law of Willie Jones) for county court meetings, while establishing a large plantation, including horse breeding and stables, a gristmill, a tavern, and a store.[2][3][4]

He became a prominent local farmer, politician, and later, the Northampton Regiments' first Major during the Revolutionary War period.

By the time of the First Census of the United States, Atherton held a total of 35 slaves. This was perceived to be a considerable number by those from the Upland South, where men were classified as planters if they held 20 or more slaves. His last will and testament makes a big emphasis on the redistribution of his slaves amongst his descendants following his death.

Horse breeder

[edit]

Atherton was one of the first residents of Northampton County to take a strong interest in blooded horses.[5] Horse racing was a popular spectator sport in the Province of North Carolina. Many wealthy planters dominated the sport since they had the resources to import, breed and train expensive English breeding stock and race horses. Atherton as part of the North Carolina elite was able to display his wealth on the track. He established a large plantation at Northampton Courthouse, where he bred and raced horses, and was the owner of a nationally famous British born stallion, Janus, who was a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian.[6] He purchased Janus from Mildred Willis between late 1771 and the start of 1772.[7][8]

Janus was quick and compact and is acknowledged as the foundation sire of the American Quarter Horse.[9] Janus was a chestnut horse born in England in 1746 and imported to Virginia Colony by Mordecai Booth in 1752,[10] and resold, before moving to North Carolina. Janus, who measured in excess of 14 hands,[11] would have looked different from the other horses at the time; compact yet large boned. His muscular back legs helped him run fast.[12]

Atherton enthusiasm for horse racing was shared by many of his neighbors. He ran Mud Colt and Big Filly (bred by Turner Bynum, his son-in-law), in quarter races against Willie Jones (statesman) two horses, Paoli and Trick'em, losing to both. He bred Caelus and Harlot, later owned by his son-in-law James Barnes.[7]

On March 18, 1773, Atherton placed an advertisement in The Virginia Gazette; in it he refers to Janus being in North Carolina.[13] The horse, Celer, foaled in 1774 was considered to be his "best son". On March 20, 1775, Atherton placed one of many advertisements in the Virginia Gazette to put Janus out to stud. [14] Atherton retained ownership of Janus until the horses death in 1780, aged 34, having passed his many qualities to all his foals, including the celebrated American Quarter Running Horse Spadille.[15][16]

Not all his horses were up to standard. On March 26, 1782, the Governor of North Carolina, Thomas Burke wrote to him advising that the horse he dispatched was unfit for Military service and requested another.[17]

Chronology of his efforts during the Revolutionary War

[edit]

Atherton's colonial service began when he received his Commission as Major of the Northampton Regiment from Governor William Tryon on December 6, 1770, in New Bern.[18]

Atherton then became a patriot who served from 1775 to 1783 in the North Carolina Militia. His name is listed as Jeptha Atherton or Eatherton in some of the militia service records.

  • September 9, 1775: The Northampton County Regiment was one of 35 existing North Carolina county militias to be authorized for organization on September 9, 1775, by the North Carolina Provincial Congress. Atherton was commissioned as a 1st Major under Colonel Allen Jones, who lead the regiment from 1775 and 1776).[19]
  • February 27, 1776: Atherton led a small contingent of the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.[19]
  • April 22, 1776: Commissioned as a Lt. Col. under Colonel William Eaton in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia.[20]
  • March 3, 1779: Atherton was attached to Col. Thomas Eaton's Warren County Regiment of Militia during the Battle of Briar Creek, Georgia.
  • 1780: Atherton was commissioned as a full Colonel and served as a second colonel alongside Colonel Howell Edmunds, in the Northampton County Regiment of Militia. When Col. Howell Edmunds resigned at the end of 1780, Atherton became the Commandant over the Northampton County Regiment of Militia, a position he retained until the end of the war.[21][22]
  • August 11, 1780: Atherton led the Northampton County Regiment of Militia at the Battle of Little Lynches Creek, South Carolina and Battle of Camden, South Carolina on August 16, 1780.[21]

Political and civic career

[edit]

Atherton was appointed as a Justice of the Peace[23] in Beatie County in 1739. As the population increased, Northampton separated to form its own County, with Atherton retaining this civic position.

House of Burgesses

[edit]

Atherton served in the Province of North Carolina House of Burgesses in 1775 as the elected representative of the Northampton County.[24][25][26]

Provincial Congress

[edit]

He was first elected to represent Northampton County in the North Carolina Provincial Congress as a delegate to the Second North Carolina Provincial Congress in New Bern, North Carolina, in April 1775.[27][28] He was again elected to the Third North Carolina Provincial Congress in August 1775 in Hillsborough, the Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress in Halifax in April 1776[29] and the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress of November 1776, which created the North Carolina State Constitution.[30] He also represented Northampton County in the North Carolina House of Commons during 1777, but he was soon elected as Northampton County Clerk and he stepped down from the House of Commons.[31][32]

Personal life

[edit]

Atherton married Sarah Tynes on September 13, 1760.

Atherton married Mary Elizabeth "Betsie" Thorpe, the widow of Thomas Jarrett at St. Luke's Parrish, Southampton County, Virginia. Some sources state that they only had one daughter. His Last Will and Testament says otherwise.[33]

Family

[edit]

Once he moved from the Colony of Virginia to North Carolina, Atherton secured greater influence by marrying his daughters into influential families, such as the Dawson's, Barnes, Alston and Bynum's.

It is unclear whether his daughter Penelope (Atherton) Brunson came with her father to North Carolina. Her son, Asabel Brunson Jr was killed during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.[34]

His daughter by his marriage to Betsie; Elisabeth "Dorothy" Atherton (1764-1789), married John Dawson Jr, who represented Northampton in the North Carolina House of Commons (1780-1782) and then Halifax (1787-1798). His father John Dawson Sr[35] had moved from Virginia to Bertie County, North Carolina in 1732, and within 2 years was a representative in the General Assembly, and a later a member of the Governors Council. Highly influential on local matters he was appointed Colonel of the Northampton Regiment towards the end of the Spanish Alarm[36] period which lasted 9 years (1739-1748). Their son Jesse Atherton Dawson became a wealthy planter[37]

Atherton's granddaughter, Mary Patience Dawson married Archibald S. Dobbins, a Colonel in the Confederate Army.

His other daughter, Temperance Atherton, married James Barnes. They had 2 children. Descendants include David Collin Barnes (1875-1959) who was elected to the N.C. House of Representatives and the N.C. State Senate.

Frances Atherton (1770-1830), married Gideon Alston (1765-1831) [38][39]

Mary Atherton, who married Turner Bynum.[40] One son: Jesse Atherton Bynum (May 23, 1797 – September 23, 1868) was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina; born in Halifax County, North Carolina, May 23, 1797; attended Princeton College in 1817 and 1818; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Halifax, North Carolina; member of the house of commons of North Carolina in 1822, 1823, and 1826–1829; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Congresses and as a Democrat to the two succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1841); moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits; died in Alexandria, La., September 23, 1868; interment in Rapides Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana.

His only son, Jessee Atherton, died without issue according to Atherton's will which states: D.S.P. from the Latin word dēcessit sine prōle.[41]

Death and legacy

[edit]

Atherton died on January 19, 1787, in Northampton County, North Carolina. His will was proven in June of that year.[42][43][44] A number of enslaved people were mentioned in his last will and testament.[45]

On July 2, 1798, the North-Carolina Journal of Halifax reported on page 4: "For lease - - Land and Plantation at Northampton Courthouse formerly belonging to Col. Jeptha Atherton upon which is a good dwelling house - - convenient outhouses - - also a grist mill. Besides - - immediately at the courthouse there is a house which is now used as a tavern and is from its location well calculated for that purpose. And - - a storehouse near it which is well situated for a country store."[46]

Atherton St, Jackson, NC is named after him.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register of Historic Places - Northampton Courthouse Square in Jackson,NC" (PDF).
  2. ^ "History of Jackson, North Carolina". Historic Jackson.com.
  3. ^ "Jepthhah Atherton, Ancestor A003551". Daughters of the Revolution.
  4. ^ "Atherton Tavern and archeological excavations" (PDF). The Scholarship, ECU.
  5. ^ Henry W Lewis (April 1974). "Horses and Horsemen in Northampton before 1900". The North Carolina Historical Review. 51 (2): 125–148. JSTOR 23529536.
  6. ^ "Jeptha Atherton, Horse breeder". www.ncpedia.org.
  7. ^ a b Alexander Mackay-Smith (1983). The Colonial Quarter Race Horse: America's first breed of horses. America's native breed of running horses, the world's oldest breed of race horses, prime source of short speed.
  8. ^ "Colonial Horse racing". Washington Post. 1999.
  9. ^ Harrison, Fairfax (1928). The Equine F.F.Vs: A Study of the Evidence for the English Horses Imported Into Virginia Before the Revolution. Priv. print., The Old Dominion Press. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-598-50775-4.
  10. ^ The General Stud Book Containing Pedigrees of English Race Horses - Volumes 1-2. 1834.
  11. ^ Robert Moorman Denhardt (1982). Foundation Dams of the American Quarter Horse. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-2748-4.
  12. ^ Parise-Peterson, Amanda (2018). American Quarterhorses. Capstone. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-5435-0038-7., ISBN 978-1-5435-0032-5
  13. ^ "J Atherton Old Horse, Janus". The Virginia Gazette. March 18, 1773.
  14. ^ "Atherton Jepth Horse Janus". The Virginia Gazette. March 25, 1775.
  15. ^ "Historic Sires". Thoroughbred Heritage.
  16. ^ Denhardt, Robert Moorman (1991). Quarterhorses, the Story of Two Centuries. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-2285-4.
  17. ^ "Letter from Thomas Burke to Jeptha Atherton". Doc South, UNC. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  18. ^ William Tryon. Division of Archives and History Department of Cultural Resources (1980). The Correspondence of William Tryon and other selected papers. Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources. ISBN 978-0-86526-147-1.
  19. ^ a b Lewis, J.D. "Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  20. ^ Lewis, J.D. "Jeptha Eatherton, Lt. Col". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Lewis, J.D. "Jeptha Atherton, Jeptha Eatherton". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  22. ^ Wheeler, John H. (1851). Historical Sketches of North Carolina, 1594–1851. p. 296.
  23. ^ Boddie, John Bennett (1973). Appointment as Justice of the Peace in 1739 together with neighbor Allen Jones. ISBN 978-0-8063-0559-2.
  24. ^ Lewis, J.D. "House of Burgess". The American Revolution in North Carolina.
  25. ^ "Elected to House of Burgesses in 1773 representing Northampton County".
  26. ^ Minutes of the Lower House of the North Carolina General Assembly North Carolina. General Assembly, January 25, 1773 - March 06, 1773. Vol. 09. 1773. pp. 447–591., Atherton is mentioned on 10 occasions.
  27. ^ Lewis, J.D. "2nd Provincial Congress". Carolina.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  28. ^ Connor, Robert Diggs Wimberly, ed. (1913). A Manual of North Carolina Issued by the North Carolina Historical Commission for the Use of Members of the General Assembly Session 1913. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  29. ^ "Halifax Resolves, 4th Congress". NCPedia.
  30. ^ "Proceedings of the Provincial Congress at Halifax". 1776. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  31. ^ "Jeptha Atherton was Representative for Northampton County". J.D. Lewis.
  32. ^ Carolina, North (1890). Colonial Records of North Carolina.
  33. ^ Lewis, J.D. "Jeptha Eatherton/Atherton". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  34. ^ "In Old St. Louis Cemetery". The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune. St. Louis, Missouri. 6 March 1909. p. 21.
  35. ^ "Dawson, John | NCpedia".
  36. ^ Bodie, John Bennett (1938). Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia: A History of the County. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 978-0-8063-0559-2.
  37. ^ Dawson, Charles D. (1874). A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches.
  38. ^ "Gideon seeks to sell Atherton's property". North Carolina Journal. Halifax, North Carolina. July 6, 1798.
  39. ^ "Death of G Alston".
  40. ^ Baird, Robert William (1983). "Bynum and Baynham families of America, 1616-1850".
  41. ^ "Jesse Atherton: Record ID: 5200.71.23". N C Archives. 1787.
  42. ^ Joseph Asbury Groves (1901). The Alstons and Allstons of North and South Carolina (Full transcript of Jeptha Atherton's last will and testament). ISBN 978-1-5485-9422-0.
  43. ^ Estate files of North Carolina (includes those of his only son).
  44. ^ "Jeptha Atherton: Record ID: 5200.71.22, Recorded Copy Reference: WB-1/378 (WB = WillBook)". N C Archives. 1787.
  45. ^ "List of enslaved people mentioned in his last will and testament".
  46. ^ "For Lease". The North-Carolina Journal, Halifax, July, 2. 1798. p. 4.
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