John Haywood
Encyclopedia
John Haywood was an American
politician
, who was the longest-serving North Carolina State Treasurer
(forty years, from 1787 until his death).
, and held this office for five years, after which he was elected Treasurer by the state legislature
. Haywood also became the first Intendant of Police, or Mayor
, of Raleigh, North Carolina
, in 1795.
Haywood County
was named in his honor after its creation in 1808, and he also subsequently had a town
named after him in Chatham County
.
The historian William K. Boyd commented that the accounting of public funds in those days was deficient in three respects: "First, the comptroller did not have oversight of the actual money in the treasury; the auditing by the comptroller did not include all state funds; and the method of bonding the treasurer was not adequate." In 1784 a law had been enacted requiring the Treasurer to post a bond in the amount of "one hundred thousand pounds," but an 1801 statute reduced the amount of the required bond to a sum equal to the balance of existing treasury funds, plus estimated annual revenue for the following year. It stipulated moreover that no penalty would be imposed for failure to comply with the requirement.
Although banks were operating in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina, Haywood preferred to keep the state's money in a "Public Chest" in his office, dipping into it as necessary to pay governmental and perhaps personal expenses. Since he had posted no bond from 1826 to 1827, when the shortfall was discovered in his accounts, state officials had no practical means of recovering the missing money.
They took Haywood's estate to court, but to no avail. The court held that the executor had properly dispersed all but slightly more than $7,000 of Haywood's assets. This meager sum was duly awarded to the state, minus a small amount for his widow's dower
rights.
, Haywood bought land bounded by New Bern, Blount, Edenton and Person Streets, and built Haywood Hall, which to this day remains a popular venue for small groups. For many years Haywood and his first wife, Sarah Leigh, used their new premises to entertain official state dignitaries. Sarah gave John one son, named Leigh.
After Sarah's death in 1791, John married, on March 9, 1798, Eliza Eagles Asaph Williams, by whom he had 12 children. When Haywood himself died in Raleigh in 1827, "a great procession was given in his honor and his funeral was conducted in the Presbyterian Church
by Reverend Doctor McPheeters".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who was the longest-serving North Carolina State Treasurer
North Carolina State Treasurer
The North Carolina State Treasurer is a statewide elected office in the U.S. state of North Carolina responsible for overseeing the financial operations of state government. The current state treasurer is Janet Cowell....
(forty years, from 1787 until his death).
Career
Haywood began public service in 1781 as clerk of the State SenateNorth Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
, and held this office for five years, after which he was elected Treasurer by the state legislature
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
. Haywood also became the first Intendant of Police, or Mayor
Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina
The mayor of Raleigh is the mayor of Raleigh, the state capital of North Carolina, in the United States. Raleigh operates with council-manager government, under which the mayor is elected separately from Raleigh City Council, of which he is the eighth member....
, of Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, in 1795.
Haywood County
Haywood County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Blue Ridge Parkway * Great Smoky Mountains National Park * Pisgah National Forest -Major Highways & Roads:* Interstate 40* U.S. Highway 19* U.S. Highway 23* U.S. Highway 74* U.S...
was named in his honor after its creation in 1808, and he also subsequently had a town
Haywood, North Carolina
Haywood is an unincorporated community in southeastern Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. Haywood was one of the sites considered in 1792 as a possible location for North Carolina's new capital, although Raleigh was ultimately chosen....
named after him in Chatham County
Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...
.
Financial discrepancies
In 1820 "Treasurer John," one of the most popular men in the state, had been accused of "abusing his trust." The legislature promptly exonerated him following an inquiry, but an examination of the records after his death in 1827 disclosed that public funds in excess of $68,000 were, in fact, unaccounted for. That was a massive shortfall in those days – more than half the state's entire budget for the year. Haywood's heirs reimbursed the state nearly $48,000 for the missing money, but examiners shortly afterward discovered an additional shortage of almost $22,000 in Cherokee bonds, revenue from the sale of public lands in western North Carolina.The historian William K. Boyd commented that the accounting of public funds in those days was deficient in three respects: "First, the comptroller did not have oversight of the actual money in the treasury; the auditing by the comptroller did not include all state funds; and the method of bonding the treasurer was not adequate." In 1784 a law had been enacted requiring the Treasurer to post a bond in the amount of "one hundred thousand pounds," but an 1801 statute reduced the amount of the required bond to a sum equal to the balance of existing treasury funds, plus estimated annual revenue for the following year. It stipulated moreover that no penalty would be imposed for failure to comply with the requirement.
Although banks were operating in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina, Haywood preferred to keep the state's money in a "Public Chest" in his office, dipping into it as necessary to pay governmental and perhaps personal expenses. Since he had posted no bond from 1826 to 1827, when the shortfall was discovered in his accounts, state officials had no practical means of recovering the missing money.
They took Haywood's estate to court, but to no avail. The court held that the executor had properly dispersed all but slightly more than $7,000 of Haywood's assets. This meager sum was duly awarded to the state, minus a small amount for his widow's dower
Dower
Dower or morning gift was a provision accorded by law to a wife for her support in the event that she should survive her husband...
rights.
Succession
After Haywood's death, the legislature elected his son, John S. Haywood, to succeed him as treasurer, but the son declined the office, as the magnitude of his father's malfeasance was becoming clear.Personal life
When a law was passed requiring state officials to live in RaleighRaleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, Haywood bought land bounded by New Bern, Blount, Edenton and Person Streets, and built Haywood Hall, which to this day remains a popular venue for small groups. For many years Haywood and his first wife, Sarah Leigh, used their new premises to entertain official state dignitaries. Sarah gave John one son, named Leigh.
After Sarah's death in 1791, John married, on March 9, 1798, Eliza Eagles Asaph Williams, by whom he had 12 children. When Haywood himself died in Raleigh in 1827, "a great procession was given in his honor and his funeral was conducted in the Presbyterian Church
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
by Reverend Doctor McPheeters".