Nash, Abner, 1740-1786

<p>Abner Nash (August 8, 1740 – December 2, 1786) was the second Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina between 1781 and 1782, and represented North Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1786.</p>

<p>Nash was born the son of Col. John Nash and Anne Owen at "Templeton Manor" Plantation in Prince Edward County in the Colony of Virginia. He read law and was admitted to the bar in Virginia. He also began his political career there, serving in the House of Burgesses from 1761 to 1765, before moving to New Bern, North Carolina. He married the widow of former colonial governor Arthur Dobbs.</p>

<p>Nash was an active supporter of the revolutionary cause. He represented New Bern in the rebel "provincial congress" assembled from 1774, and in 1776 was a member of the committee that drafted the state's new constitution. He became a member of the North Carolina House of Commons in 1777 (serving as the first Speaker of that house) and the North Carolina State Senate in 1779.</p>

<p>Abner Nash, Patriot and second governor of the state of North Carolina, was born at Templeton Manor, his family's plantation near Farmville in Prince Edward County, Va. His father, John Nash, the son of Abner Nash of Tenby, County Pembroke, Wales, had immigrated to Virginia about 1730. His mother, Ann Owen Nash, was the daughter of Sir Hugh Owen, second baronet of Orielton. Where young Nash received his education is unknown, but his later ability as writer and orator testifies to a superior classical training. He was qualified to practice law before the Prince Edward County bar in 1757, and in 1761 and 1762 he represented that county in the Virginia House of Burgesses.</p>

<p>In 1762 or early 1763 Nash moved to Hillsborough (then Childsburgh), N.C., with his younger brother Francis. An older brother, Thomas, had settled in Edenton four years earlier. Abner remained in Hillsborough long enough to acquire some town lots, dam the Eno River, and build the town's first mill. By 1764 he had moved to Halifax to practice law. Here he resided for about twelve years, representing the town in the House of Commons in 1764 and 1765. From 1770 to 1771 he was Halifax County's representative in the house. During the session of 1770, a bill was introduced to establish a seminary of learning at Charlotte. Nash was appointed one of the first trustees of Queen's Museum (later Queen's College).</p>

<p>While in Halifax, he married Justina Davis Dobbs, the widow of Governor Arthur Dobbs. When Dobbs's executors—his two sons by a former marriage—failed to pay their father's bequest to the youthful widow, Nash brought suit. An attachment was issued. The defendants obtained an injunction, which the provincial chancery court made perpetual. In response to an appeal by Nash, the Privy Council in London reversed the decision. This suit, known as the "Martin court quarrel," caused a bitter controversy between Governor Josiah Martin and the Assembly, with the result that all courts of law, except those held by single justices of the peace, were closed for a time in the province. This event gave much impetus to the Revolutionary movement in North Carolina.</p>

NASH, Abner, a Delegate from North Carolina; born at Templeton Manor, on the Appomattox River, near Farmville, Prince Edward County, Va., August 8, 1740; attended the rural schools in Virginia; member, Virginia House of Burgesses, 1761-1765; moved to Halifax, N.C., and subsequently to New Bern, N.C.; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Halifax, N.C.; town representative, North Carolina provincial congress, 1774-1776; member of the state house of commons in 1778, 1782, 1784, and 1785; member of the state senate in 1779 and 1780 and was president of that body in 1779; Governor of North Carolina in 1780 and 1781; Member of the Continental Congress 1782-1783; died in New York City on December 2, 1786; interment in St. Paul's Churchyard; reinterment in the family burial ground at ``Pembroke,'' near New Bern, N.C.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1782 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>11/04/1782 US President of the Congress Lost 9.09% (-54.55%)</li>
<li>12/31/1781 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>04/17/1780 NC State Senate Speaker Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>00/00/1780 NC Governor Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>10/26/1779 NC State Senate Speaker - Special Election Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>07/00/1778 NC State House - Craven County - Special Election Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>04/07/1777 NC State House Speaker Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>01/00/1764 NC State House - Halifax Town Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>