Page 129 - History of Rockingham Co
P. 129
CHAPTER VI.
A GROWING COMMUNITY.
1820-1860.
The period from 1820 to 1860 was one of varied and far-
reaching activities. The new nation had won its political
independence by the Revolution, and its commercial inde-
pendence by the war of 1812: it was now achieving its indus-
trial independence through the development of manufac-
tures, the invention of agricultural machinery, and the im-
provement of transportation facilities; and was preparing to
realize its intellectual independence, as well, by thinking for
itself and writing books that were no longer fashioned
upon European models. Within this period fall the Missouri
Compromise, the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine, South
Carolina nullification, the abolition movement, the economic
crisis of 1837, the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850,
John Brown's Raid, and the beginning of secession.
In Rockingham County the main currents of national
movements were being felt and registered, and at the same
tim.e affairs of State and local interest were riding upon high
tides. Population was increasing and being widely dis-
tributed by emigration; social institutions were being devel-
oped, law systems were being perfected, military organiza-
tions were being maintained, and natural resources were be-
ing exploited. It was a time frequently marked by sharp
political agitation, the constitution of the State being re-
written twice within the period, once in 1829-30, again in
1850-51. Churches were being extended, and not a little at-
tention was being directed toward general education, but the
chief local movements of the time appear to have been poli-
tical, social, and economic, rather than religious or literary.
—It was a time of "internal improvements" some railroads
A GROWING COMMUNITY.
1820-1860.
The period from 1820 to 1860 was one of varied and far-
reaching activities. The new nation had won its political
independence by the Revolution, and its commercial inde-
pendence by the war of 1812: it was now achieving its indus-
trial independence through the development of manufac-
tures, the invention of agricultural machinery, and the im-
provement of transportation facilities; and was preparing to
realize its intellectual independence, as well, by thinking for
itself and writing books that were no longer fashioned
upon European models. Within this period fall the Missouri
Compromise, the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine, South
Carolina nullification, the abolition movement, the economic
crisis of 1837, the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850,
John Brown's Raid, and the beginning of secession.
In Rockingham County the main currents of national
movements were being felt and registered, and at the same
tim.e affairs of State and local interest were riding upon high
tides. Population was increasing and being widely dis-
tributed by emigration; social institutions were being devel-
oped, law systems were being perfected, military organiza-
tions were being maintained, and natural resources were be-
ing exploited. It was a time frequently marked by sharp
political agitation, the constitution of the State being re-
written twice within the period, once in 1829-30, again in
1850-51. Churches were being extended, and not a little at-
tention was being directed toward general education, but the
chief local movements of the time appear to have been poli-
tical, social, and economic, rather than religious or literary.
—It was a time of "internal improvements" some railroads
