Paul C. Cameron

The Bennehan House at the Stagville Plantation, in Durham County, North Carolina.

Paul Carrington Cameron, son of Duncan Cameron, was born September 25, 1808, at the Stagville plantation, near Durham, North Carolina.[1] In his adult years, he studied law at the University of North Carolina from 1823 to 1825, though he had more of an interest in agricultural reform.[1] From there, Cameron attended the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy as a forerunner to Norwich University, and graduated in 1828. From 1828 to 1829, Cameron attended Trinity College. He married Anne Ruffin, who was the daughter of Thomas Ruffin, in 1832. Ann died in 1897 after a full life with Cameron, with whom she bore seven children.[5] In 1843, Cameron inherited his uncle's share of the family's estate as well as most of his father's property in 1855.[1]

As a profession and due to the inheritance he attained from his father and uncle, Cameron was a paternalistic planter.[6] This meant managing the plantations and the slaves working under him. When Cameron bought more land, he arranged for slaves to be transported to these plantations. However, when transporting and selling slaves, he would make an effort to keep them in family groups. He wrote that he maintained “a mild & humane care of the family of negroes as docile & free from violence & vice as the same number to be found any where in the south… Supplies of food have been regularly distributed from the mills & store houses every seventh day… clothing suited to all classes [has been] distributed to all equally.” As stated, Cameron made sure the slaves were treated somewhat humanly, supplying them with food and clothing for the trip.

The Office of Thomas Ruffin, Chief Justice. Burnside, Cameron Park, Hillsborough, Orange County, NC

In 1844 he purchased the Greensboro plantation for $29,305 to be paid out in installments over the next three years. In 1853 his father died, leaving him to inherit his father's plantations and slaves.[7]

When slavery was abolished in 1865, Cameron's slaves likewise were no longer required to work in his plantations. However, many of the slaves wanted to stay on the land they'd grown up in, despite the circumstances by which they ended up there.[2] Though Cameron was their previous slaveowner, he ended up selling much of his land to the families of the freed slaves. At first, he was hesitant to sell his land to black buyers, but advocates in America—most specifically Alabama, where much of his land was being sold—gave the freed slaves enough voice to purchase the land.[8]

Cameron ended up selling to Paul Hagris,[2] Jim Harris, Sandy Cameron, and many other freed slaves, turning his acres of plantation land into homesteads. Cameron relied on his nephew, Thomas Roulhac, to handle money transactions as the family's attorney. Cameron clearly stated how much he wanted for his land, but made no mention of race, thus making it so freed slaves could purchase the land.[8]

Cameron became a slaveholder in 1855, but it was not the only market in which he showed prevalence. Aside from managing his plantations, he helped to build the North Carolina Railroad in 1849.[4] This railroad passed through Hillsborough, Salisbury, and Concord, expanding trade in those areas and increasing state revenue. Products such as wheat, cotton, and tobacco were transported in abundance, and urban society grew.[9]

Aside from this, he ran for office once in his political career, serving in the North Carolina Supreme Court.[3] He was even close David Swain, the University President of North Carolina. This connection led him to donate funds to the University of North Carolina after the Civil War. Cameron aways had a fondness for that school, and he remained a prominent figure in the college until he died in 1891.[3]

Cameron died on January 6, 1891, in Hillsborough. A local newspaper put out a tribute to him after his death, lauding his achievements, speaking of the various organizations and movements he was a benefactor for, including the previously mentioned University of North Carolina and his involvement in the Civil War. Cameron was one of the leaders who build the North Carolina Railroad, increasing the state's revenue. He owned plantations in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi, land from which he ended up selling to the freed slaves who once worked there. He is viewed as a just man who made a big impact on his home state and left people with a positive view. His involvement in the University of North Carolina and support was shown not only by his contribution, but by his continued interest in the school's commencement, whether that was financially or other.[3] Though Cameron was a prominent slaveholder in North Carolina, he made a name for himself in his social activities and personal life, all of which contributed to his countrymen.