Paper features autographs of two of North Carolina’s prominent citizens from the time of the Civil War and beyond. Top signature reads, “A.S. MERRIMON OF NORTH CAROLINA”. Bottom signature reads, “M.W. RANSOM, NORTH CAROLINA”. Paper appears to be a page removed from a sewn notepad. Very clean and measures 3 ¼” x 5 ¼’.

Augusta S. Merrimon was born near Asheville on September 15. 1830. He practiced law, was a prosecuting attorney and member of the State House of Commons. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a Captain on the staff of Col. William Johnson. He resigned in the fall of 1861 and became a solicitor for the 8^th judicial district for the duration of the war. He was judge of the Superior Court from 1866-67. He then settled in Raleigh where he again practiced law. He was chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee in 1868. He ran for office several times, including Governor, and was successful as becoming a U.S. Senator from 1873-79. He then resumed his law practice, was an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of North Carolina from 1883-89, and the Chief Justice from 1889 until his death on November 14, 1892. Merrimon is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Matt W. Ransom was born in Warren County, North Carolina on October 8, 1826. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1847, where he studied law. In 1852, he was a Whig Presidential Elector, and represented his county in the lower house of the legislator from 1858-61. He was chosen as one of three commissioners from North Carolina to the Confederate government in Montgomery. He then enlisted as a Private, but was almost immediately commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel of the 1^st North Carolina state troops, and subsequently Colonel of the 35^th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was part of his brother, General Robert Ransome’s brigade, which he later commanded. His rank of Brigadier General dated from June 13, 1863. General Ransom took part in the battles of Seven Pines, the Seven Days, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Plymouth, Weldon, Suffolk, and the Siege of Petersburg. He was wounded three times. He surrendered his command at Appomattox, then returned to North Carolina and resumed his law practice. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1872, and served until 1895, at which time he was appointed Minister to Mexico by President Cleveland. On October 8, 1904, Ransom died near Garrysburg, North Carolina and is buried on his plantation in Northampton County.  [sm]

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