March 11 Faith Rock

Here is the spot Andrew Hunter plunged into Deep River while trying to escape from the British during the Revolutionary War. Mac Whatley has written a wonderful account of the incident and events leading up to it. From his blog https://randolphhistory.wordpress.com/ is the following:

While taking a wagon of produce to trade for salt at the Pedee River market on May 2, 1782, local resident Andrew Hunter was captured by the notorious Tory guerrilla leader David Fanning. Facing immediate execution, Hunter made a desperate escape. In Fanning’s words, Hunter “sprung upon my riding mare, and went off with my saddle, holsters, pistols, and all my papers… We fired two guns at him; he received two balls through his body but it did not prevent him from sitting the saddle, and make his escape.” [David Fanning, The Narrative of Colonel David Fanning (Spartanburg: The Reprint Company, 1973; pp. 59-62.]

Enraged, Fanning plundered Hunter’s home, holding his pregnant wife hostage for the return of the horse, “a mare I set great store by, and gave One Hundred and Ten guineas for her.” [ibid.]  However, Fanning’s guerrilla band was forced to release Mrs. Hunter and ride out to join the British evacuation of Charleston, South Carolina.

But Fanning risked a final return to Randolph on September 5, 1782, solely in an attempt to recover his mare. The incident at Faith Rock must have occurred at this time. Hunter “was riding the Bay Doe, on the high ground south of Deep River, and not far above the …ford; but found they were heading him in that direction. He then turned his course up the river, but they were there ready to receive him. The only alternative was to surrender, which would be certain and instant death, or to make a desperate plunge down a precipice, some fifty feet high into the river. He chose the latter… It was such a daring adventure that his pursuers… stopped short, in a kind of amazement, and contented themselves with firing two or three pistols after him. As there was no level ground at the bottom of the descent, he plunged right into the river… sometimes swimming and sometimes floundering over rocks, until he found a place where he got out on the north side and made his escape.” [E.W. Caruthers, Revolutionary Incidents And Sketches of Character Chiefly in the “Old North State.” Philadelphia: Hayes and Zell, 1856; pp. 280-281.]

Today's hike was led by Franklinville mayor, Perry Conner and organized by Piedmont Land Conservancy. The property was purchased by Mayor Conner several years ago, then acquired by PLC with help of a grant. It is slated to be transferred to the town of Franklinville. A loop trail of 3/4 mile is being constructed now. The trail is accessed from town via a pedestrian bridge. That bridge has been rebuilt at least once and was originally constructed by the adjacent textile and grain mill which operated years ago. The bridge allowed workers living south of Deep River, an easier way to get to work.

The mill also held picnics on the south side of the river, for employees and customers. The concrete tables are still standing. There are concrete structures which may have been water fountains also still standing. 

The Faith Rock property connects via the bridge to town property which includes a ballfield and a playground. All of which will someday be part of the Deep River Trail. A railroad spur, now abandoned, is being revived as a multi-purpose trail. The railroad connected the river communities of Cedar Falls, Franklinville and Ramseur with Greensboro and beyond. Portions of this trail have already been constructed and can enjoyed today.