[Misc. Notes on Council R. Bass] [posted 26 Jun 2008] ========================== "Memoirs of Henry Tillinghast Ireys : papers of the Washington County Historical Society, 1910-1915", by William D. McCain, 1954 pp. 114-116 Recollections of Old Princeton and Lake Jackson, by Mrs. N.N. Somerville In this year of our Lord, 1912, beautiful Lake Washington is the pride of Washington county, while Lake Jackson is of no reputation, but time has been when the political and social life of the county centered around Lake Jackson... Lake Jackson is much smaller in area than Lake Washington. It is narrow and forms an almost perfect horseshoe... (county seat moved from Princeton to Greenville about 1845) Mrs. Gracia Walton says that in 1850 there were still several houses at Princeton and persons residing there. She mentions a two story building used as a Masonic lodge room, two stores, the residence of Council R. Bass, the most pretentious building ever erected in the town, and perhaps one or two others. Among the earliest land owners around Lake Jackson were....and Council R. Bass.... The politics, business and society of a county naturally gravitate toward the county site, so we may imagine the belles and beaux from Lake Jackson riding into Princeton to hear the latest news, to visit, or shop, perhaps to meet the boat from New Orleans or Vicksburg, or more interesting still, to visit a trading boat loaded with dry goods, crockery, or plants, trees and flowers.... Young people from Princeton and Lake Jackson often rode twenty miles to attend parties on Deer Creek. On such occasions it was a case of "we won't get home till morning," for the return trip must be made by daylight... The Princeton stores of 1835 must not be judged by the country stores of today. The country store of the present caters to the negro trade, but Mrs. Penrice impressed it upon me that the stores of old Princeton kept dainty organdies and pure linen, which were suited to the tastes of ladies who wanted none but the best... Council R. Bass married a Miss Bate from Tennessee, who, after his death, married and Italian count and visited Greenville as Countess Bertinatti. p. 346 Bass Council R. Bass, one of the early settlers near Princeton, was a large planter, and as a citizen stood in the first rank. He was a native of Tennessee. His widow married Count Bertinatti, ambassador from Italy to the United States. ============= "Hodges Councill of Virginia and his descendants", by Judson Councill, 1941. pp. 4-5 Nearly all in the United States bearing the surname Councell, Council, Councill, etc. are believed to have descended from "Old" Hodges Councill who lived and died in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, before 1700 A.D. ... This family having first settled in Southern states, large numbers of them remain there. However, it may not be said of them what a darkey said of another clan, "dem people is like 'tatoes, de bes' part am under de groun'." Though the South's greatest misfortune was the cruel chaos and destitution following the Civil War, Southern people might have survived their military defeat with some grace, but only God's elect could have survived the unjustified carpetbag regime... The Court records of Isle of Wight County are kept in the old brick Court house a few miles southof Smithfield....The early records of Nansemond County were destroyed. Those of Southampton are in good condition and are useful. The historian, John Bennet Boddie, says that settlers from Isle of Wight and Nansemond Counties established the first permanent colony in North Carolina. p. 104 (132) Abstracts of Northampton Co. N.C. Indenture between Hardy Councill of Isle of Wight Co. VA and John Sherard jun. of Northampton Co. N.C. consideration 5 pounds. Wit. Charles Councel, Samuel Fowler, Michael Councill March 10, 1745. Book 1, p. 254. Charles Councill to Jethro Bass, 120 a. Aug. 2, 1762. Book 3, p. 179... Will of John Bass of Northampton Co. N.C. June 14, 1777. Probated Sept. term 1777. Legacy to son Jacob, son Isaac, son Abram, son Jethro, grandson John the son of Isaac, grandson Job, grandson Council Bass the son of Jethro Bass the home place and 200 ac., Dau. Unice Council Will of Council Bass of Northampton Co., N.C., Sept 2, 1830. Probated Dec. term 1830. Legacy to dau. Martha Mayo, dau. Elizabeth Bass, granddaughter Susan Mary Ann Crisp, dau. Charlotte Holloman, trustee Bryan Randolph.