The Great Dinner in Caswell County, NC: 1839

 The Weekly Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina),  2 October 1839, Wednesday, Page 2

The Great Dinner in Caswell [From the Milton Spectator.] [Editor's Note: This apparently was a Democratic Party political meeting.]

"Agreeably to arrangements previously made, a very large assemblage (estimated at seven hundred) of the people of Caswell, including a few from all the adjoining counties, met on Thursday last at the house of Mr. Zeri Gwyn,* a gentleman noted for his hospitality and kindness, in the vicinity of Yanceyville, and partook of a sumptuous and splendid dinner, prepared for the occasion, and served up in a style that drew applause from every one; the company separated about sundown, highly delighted with their  entertainment, nothing having occurred to mar the good feeling and social intercourse with each other.

"The front gate of the beautiful and spacious lawn, shaded by lofty and spreading forest trees, was thrown open about nine o'clock A.M. when the company began to assemble. At about one o'clock P.M. dinner was announced, and the invited guests and strangers in attendance were politely conducted to the centre wing of the table by Major James Kerr, and Dr. James E. Williamson, Marshals of the day; and although 250 plates were provided, not one-half of the company could be accommodated with a seat at the first table, but waited patiently and without murmuring, until they could be accommodated.

"Upon the removal of the cloth, the table was bountifully supplied with choice wines and good liquors. General Barzillai Graves was requested to preside, and took his seat at the middle of the main table, fronting the centre wing, at which were again seated the invited guests and strangers. Dabney Rainy, Esq., General Thomas W. Graves, Major Wm. D. Bethell, Major Wm. A. Lea, and Dr. John B. McMullen, having been appointed, resumed their proper seats and officiated as Vice Presidents, when the following sentiments were given in regular order, and responded to by the immense crowd with an unusual degree of cheerfulness, making the air ring with loud huzzas."

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*Zera/Zeri Gwyn (1778-1840)

"Regular Toasts" and "Volunteer Toasts"

[Following were numerous toasts and speeches. Some spoke more than once.]

1. Hon. Walter Coles

2. Thomas Loring

3. Thomas Ritchie

4. Wm. M. Treadway

5. Col. Paul Taylor

6. Joseph M. Terry

7. Bedford Brown

8. Col. Thomas Graves (of Georgia)

9. Elijah Graves, Senior

10. Major William A. Lea

11. General W. Graves (of Georgia)

12. General Thomas W. Graves

13. Dr. John B. McMullen

14. William Kennon

15. Dr. James E. Williamson

16. N. Thompson

17. Major John K. Graves

18. R. Smith, Senior

19. William Brown

20. Jesse Montgomery

21. Dr. N. Slade Graves

22. Thomas Jeffreys

23. C. W. Brookes

24. Michael Montgomery

25. Dr. E. F. Watson

26. Lindsey Oliver

27. Leander W. Nunnally

28. Stark Gardner

29. Captain Elijah K. Withers

30. Thomas W. Haralson

31. L. A. Gwyn

32. John H. Mebane

33. Coleman H. Mitchell

34. Major James Kerr

35. Geo. C. Rogers

36. Thomas J. Reid

37. John D. Wemple

38. Col. James K. Lea

39. Capt. John S. Oglesby

40. Master Leander Rainey

41. Master Augustus Rainey

42. Major H. Graves

43. Thomas Donoho

44. Robert H. Brookes

45. William Gatewood

46. Dr. L. Walker

47. Henderson Hause

48. James L. Graves (of Mississippi)

49. John P. Florence

50. J. Brooks

51. H. Cobb

52. William D. Bethell

53. Booker Doss

54. Pinckney C. Bethell

55. Joseph K. Cobb

56. William Brown