Estate and Law School of Richmond M. Pearson
Richmond Hill
Estate and Law School of
Richmond M. Pearson
Chief Justive of the N.C. Supreme Court, Teacher,
Champion of Freedom and the Rule of Law
The ManRichmond M. Pearson moved to Yadkin from Davie County, N.C., about 1848, just before his election by the legislature to the North Carolina Supreme Court. Pearson served on the Court for 29 years, 19 of them as Chief Justice. his tenure encompassed the years of the Civil War and Reconstruction and his decisions were both far-reaching and controversial.
Pearson was opposed to secession. During the Civil War he strictly interpreted the laws and staunchly defended individual rights. Supported by Governor Zebulon Vance, he brought discomfort to the Confederate Government by his use of the writ of
habeas corpus to free med he believed illegally conscripted into the army. During Reconstruction, Pearson wisely refused to invoke a
posse comitatus, a group of armed citizens, when Republican Governor William W. Holden refused to enforce Pearson's writ to free imprisoned Conservatives. Nearly impeached because of his refusal, Pearson then presided over the impeachment trial of the Governor, resulting in the first removal of a state governor in America.
While serving on the Supreme Court, Pearson conducted a law school here at Richmond Hill. He is said to have taught over a thousand students and many of them became distinguished attorneys and jurists. He was renowned for his unstructured style of instruction and for holding class outdoors on the estate. On his way to Raleigh to open the 1878 term of the Supreme Court, Pearson was stricken and fell unconscious in his carriage. He was carried to the Wilson Hotel in Winston, where he died.
The EstateThe original log house stood southeast of the present brick house, which was built about 1861 for Pearson's second wife, Mary McDowell Bynum. A separate kitchen once stood to the west of the main building. Log cabins inhabited by the law students were scattered about the estate.
By the 1960's the house had been uninhabited for many years and was badly deteriorated. At this time a program of restoration was initiated by Yadkin County Historical Society and others. Funds came from Federal, State and local governments, as well as from foundation, businesses, and individuals. The house has now been fully restored and is furnished with period furniture, some donated by Pearson family descendants. Additional furnishings are still needed. The house and grounds are now the Historic Richmond Hill Nature Park managed by a commission appointed by the County of Yadkin.
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