Rhodes Family

Reprinted with permission of the News-Argus and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Goldsboro News-Argus
Sunday, June 29, 1975
Bicentennial Series

Editor's Note: This is the 12th in a series of articles on Wayne County's
history from 1700 to 1900. It is being presented as a part of the
observance of the American Revolution Bicentennial.

Among Wayne County's early settlers was Gen. James Rhodes, a wealthy
landowner and slaveholder who was much revered by his fellow citizens.

He and his wife, Anna Bass Blackman, daughter of the founder of
Waynesborough, Dr Andrew Bass, left a heritage of moral and religious
qualities to their children.

Gen. Rhodes (it has never been determined exactly how he got the title of
"General" but is believed it came through his service with the state
militia) is listed as a merchant in most extant papers.

In addition to owning a 1,000 acre plantation, he was listed as the owner
of 43 lots in Waynesborough.

Gen. Rhodes in letters to his children, commended them to the early study
of religion and virtue.

Gen. Rhodes, his wife and daughter, Anna Maria Hill, as well as four
children born to his widow, are buried at Elmwood Cemetery, near the site
of Waynesborough.

A marker on his grave sums up the feelings of his fellow man. It states:

"Sacred to the memory of Gen. James Rhodes, who departed this life Jan,
1810, in the 45th year of his age. Respected for his sterling worth and
esteemed for his affability of deportment and suavity of manners, he
enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens while living, and died
universally regretted. Reader, there lies beneath this moulding sod an
honest man, the noblest work of God."

Gen. James Rhodes and his wife had six children, four of whom reached
maturity.

His son James Rhodes, Jr., was one of the original owners of the site upon
which Goldsboro is located. Other owners of the land were Arnold Borden,
Lemuel H Whitfield and Wright Langston, according to "Wheeler's Reminisces"
by John H Wheeler. He later moved to Alabama, ending his record in Wayne
County.

One of Gen. Rhodes' daughters, Anna Maria Rhodes, inherited the land where
one of the few remaining genuinely historical houses still stands.

She and her first husband, Gen. Edward Ward, are believed to be the
builders of the Vernon House.

Another of Gen. Rhodes' daughters, Clarissa, remained in Wayne County.
She married Richard Blackledge Hatch of Jones County and they were the
great-grandparents of former Wayne County Commissioner A C Hatch and Cullen
Hatch of Rt 4, Mt Olive, NC.

The other daughter of the Rhodes was Sally Ann Rhodes who married and went
to Alabama.

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