I was born according to the Family register, as well as now recollected October 10th, 1787, in the state of Virginia, Halifax County, near Boyd's Ferry, on the Dan River. My father's name was Ambrose and my mother's name was Elizabeth. My mother was a Griffin, daughter of Ralph and Susan Griffin. My grandmother was a very pious woman, prayed much, and I have often thought that many of the blessings of the Lord upon me have been in answer to her prayers. My parents were both poor, but respectable and industrious and by their care and labor were in a very pretty way to become wealthy, but by reverse of fortune my father lost most of his property, and became I believe discouraged and took to drink and never regained his property. When I was about the age of ten or twelve, by father moved from Virginia to North Carolina, Rutherford County. Here we lost our mother, a loss too great to ever be repaired.
