Appleton Oaksmith
Encyclopedia
Appleton Oaksmith of Carteret County, North Carolina
, was the son of Seba Smith
and Elizabeth Oakes Smith.
Appleton Oaksmith was one of the most colorful characters of mainland Carteret County. Before the Civil War, Appleton ventured into the shipping business, eventually purchasing several ships of his own. He had also, however, involved himself in the filibustering campaigns of General Walker in Nicaragua
, actually accepting the office of secretary in Walker’s new “government” and helping arrange for the supply of Walker’s small military force. When Walker’s bid for U.S. recognition failed and his militia was ousted from the country, there is mounting evidence that Appleton began to employ his ships in support of the Confederate states
, at least in gun-running if not by allowing his ships to be used in the transport of slaves. In December 1861, Appleton was captured on Fire Island, New York
and indicted for equipping a slave ship. With Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus
in effect, he was quickly jailed, and was convicted in June 1862 of slave trading. He escaped from the jail in [Suffolk County, New York] on September 11, 1862, and fled to England. His imprisonment placed the entire family in a compromised political and social position, but they vehemently maintained Appleton’s innocence.
His mother Elizabeth would spend literally years seeking audiences with government officials in New York and finally with the President of the United States to procure her son’s innocence. He spent years in exile in London.
On his return to the U.S. after his pardon, his vision for east Bogue Banks was that of a new resort by the sea. He first chose Fort Macon, but was unsuccessful. He then turned his attention to the area which now comprises all of Atlantic Beach
and a portion of east Pine Knoll Shores
. He soon acquired title to all of this property in the names of two straw ladies, his wife, Augusta, and her sister, Ellen Mason. He was a representative of Carteret County in the North Carolina legislature in 1874.
With his first wife, Isotta Rebecchini, Oaksmith had 4 children,:
After divorcing him Isotta tried repeatedly to recover custody of their children.
With his second wife, Augusta Mason, Appleton had 8 additional children:
Bessie, Corrine, Mildred, and Pauline all drowned on 4 July 1879 when the family's boat capsized. Only Appleton and his sons Randolph and Stanley survived the accident. It was rumored, though never proven, that Appleton murdered his daughters by drowning them.
Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat is Beaufort. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast....
, was the son of Seba Smith
Seba Smith
Seba Smith was an American humorist and writer. He was married to Elizabeth Oakes Smith, also a major writer and feminist....
and Elizabeth Oakes Smith.
Appleton Oaksmith was one of the most colorful characters of mainland Carteret County. Before the Civil War, Appleton ventured into the shipping business, eventually purchasing several ships of his own. He had also, however, involved himself in the filibustering campaigns of General Walker in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, actually accepting the office of secretary in Walker’s new “government” and helping arrange for the supply of Walker’s small military force. When Walker’s bid for U.S. recognition failed and his militia was ousted from the country, there is mounting evidence that Appleton began to employ his ships in support of the Confederate states
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, at least in gun-running if not by allowing his ships to be used in the transport of slaves. In December 1861, Appleton was captured on Fire Island, New York
Fire Island, New York
Fire Island is one of the outer barrier islands adjacent to the south shore of Long Island, New York. It is approximately long and varies between broad. Fire Island is part of Suffolk County. It comprises a number of hamlets, census-designated places , and villages, all of which lie within the...
and indicted for equipping a slave ship. With Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
in effect, he was quickly jailed, and was convicted in June 1862 of slave trading. He escaped from the jail in [Suffolk County, New York] on September 11, 1862, and fled to England. His imprisonment placed the entire family in a compromised political and social position, but they vehemently maintained Appleton’s innocence.
His mother Elizabeth would spend literally years seeking audiences with government officials in New York and finally with the President of the United States to procure her son’s innocence. He spent years in exile in London.
On his return to the U.S. after his pardon, his vision for east Bogue Banks was that of a new resort by the sea. He first chose Fort Macon, but was unsuccessful. He then turned his attention to the area which now comprises all of Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2008, there were 1,815 people, 971 households, and 498 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 4,728 housing units at an average density of 2,206.0 per square mile...
and a portion of east Pine Knoll Shores
Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina
Pine Knoll Shores is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,547 at the 2008 census. One of North Carolina's state aquariums is located here.-Geography:Pine Knoll Shores is located at ....
. He soon acquired title to all of this property in the names of two straw ladies, his wife, Augusta, and her sister, Ellen Mason. He was a representative of Carteret County in the North Carolina legislature in 1874.
With his first wife, Isotta Rebecchini, Oaksmith had 4 children,:
- Buchanan Oaksmith (died in infancy)
- Elizabeth (Bessie) Oaksmith 1858–1879
- Corrine Oaksmith 1860-1879
- Peyton "Randolph" Oaksmith.
After divorcing him Isotta tried repeatedly to recover custody of their children.
With his second wife, Augusta Mason, Appleton had 8 additional children:
- Theodora (1879–1960)
- Geraldine (1884–1965)
- Vincent (1882–1951)
- Eleanor (died in infancy)
- Mildred (1870–1879)
- Pauline (1872–1879)
- Katherine (died in infancy)
- Stanley (1880–1938)
Bessie, Corrine, Mildred, and Pauline all drowned on 4 July 1879 when the family's boat capsized. Only Appleton and his sons Randolph and Stanley survived the accident. It was rumored, though never proven, that Appleton murdered his daughters by drowning them.