He was himself a member of an association of eight neighbors, who were engaged in manufacturing powder in a rude way for the use of their home department.  Against this association the Tories were extremely bitter, and conspired to kill them.  They succeeded in murdering seven of them, and detailed one of their number to way-lay and shoot Mr. Young.  The man assigned to this duty was named Aldrich, who concealed himself in the woods near the dwelling of his intended victim, and watched for an opportunity to perpetrate the murderous deed.  The habitual circumspection of Mr. Young foiled him in his purpose until he was discovered by a member of the family, and became so frightened as to induce him to abandon the effort.

After peace had been proclaimed, Captain Andrew Caldwell, who resided on Rocky Creek, and was the father of Judge David F. and Hon. Joseph P. Caldwell, and other sons well known in the public offices of Iredell, was appointed the Commissioner to administer the oath of allegiance in that part of the county.  Aldrich presented himself among them, but the recollection of his seven murders, still fresh in the memory of all, so aroused the indignation of Captain Caldwell and Captain Andrew Carson, who was present, that instead of making him a loyal citizen of the United States, they went to work and forthwith hung him on one of the joists of the barn, in which they were transacting their lawful business.

In many places, Whigs who were past the age for service in the field, organized themselves into vigilance associations for the welfare of the country and their own protection.  The duties devolving upon them rendered them familiar with events as they really transpired, and often caused them to pass through thrilling and adventurous scenes.  They learned to know and how to trust each other.  Attachments thus formed by heads of families were strengthened, and more strongly united in ties of friendship after the restoration of peace.  The descendants of these associated friends were educated to revere the memories of the fathers, and to cultivate the society and friendship of their children.  The traditions of the “dark days” of the war were always topics of family and fireside conversation with the “old folks,” and they always found attentive listeners in their posterity, upon whose youthful minds impressions then made were as enduring as time.

CAPTAIN ALEXANDER DAVIDSON.

Captain Alexander Davidson was one of the earliest settlers of the western part of Rowan county (now Iredell.) He took an active part in the Revolutionary struggle for independence.  When Cornwallis was moving from Charleston toward North Carolina, and General Gates was ordered to meet him, Governor Caswell, of North Carolina, ordered a draft of men to strengthen Gates’ army.  In response to this order the people in that part of Iredell county bordering on the Catawba river below the Island Ford, assembled at a central point, afterward known as Brown’s Muster Ground, when a company was formed under the draft and Alexander Davidson was elected its captain.  Soon afterward Captain Davidson marched his company to Gates’ rendezvous, when that officer moved his army to the unfortunate and sanguinary field of Camden, S.C.