GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	2 

HOUSE RESOLUTION 21
Committee Substitute Adopted 3/19/97

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Sponsors:

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Referred to: 

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February 3, 1997

A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JOHN SHORTRIDGE, FOUNDER OF THE CITY OF HAMLET, ON THE CITY'S ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, on February 9, 1997, the City of Hamlet in Richmond County celebrated 100 years of incorporation; and
Whereas, the founding of the City of Hamlet can be traced to John Shortridge, one of the city's earliest settlers; and
Whereas, John Shortridge was born in Carlisle, England, in 1818, and at the age of 20, he and his mother immigrated to the United States, settling in Rhode Island; and
Whereas, John Shortridge married Mary Jane McQuiston in 1838; and
Whereas, John Shortridge moved his family to Rockingham, North Carolina, in 1847, and at that time, John Shortridge became associated with the Richmond Manufacturing Company; and
Whereas, John Shortridge found success in milling and real estate, built a sawmill and a woolen mill; and for the next 25 years, he and his wife raised their children in the Ledbetter Mill area; and
Whereas, following the destruction of his mills in 1865, and the death of his wife in 1868, John Shortridge moved to an area known as the Sandhills, a few miles southeast of the Ledbetter Mill area in 1872; and
Whereas, John Shortridge built a new woolen mill and sawmill and began to regain his losses; and
Whereas, the area where John Shortridge lived came to be known as Shortridge Mills, but in 1873 the area was named Hamlet, a word used to describe a small village; and
Whereas, John Shortridge's notable contributions to the City of Hamlet include enticing the railroad to come directly to the city, donating land for the railroad, allowing his home to be used for the city's first post office, and donating land for a church and helping to erect the church; and
Whereas, John Shortridge died in 1882; and
Whereas, many of John Shortridge's descendants continue to live in the City of Hamlet; and
Whereas, Hamlet's 100th anniversary and John Shortridge's contributions to the development of Hamlet are worthy of celebration and should be enjoyed and supported by all of North Carolina's citizens;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
Section 1.  The House of Representatives honors the life and memory of John Shortridge and urges the citizens of this State to participate in all activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the City of Hamlet.
Section 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the City of Hamlet.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.