John Patton

"Col. John Patton was born April 4, 1765 and was one of Buncombe's first settlers.  He removed to that county while it was yet Burke and Rutherford and settled first where Fernihust now stands.  From here he removed to the Whitson place, on Swannanoa above the old water works.  After residing here for some while he returned to the vicinity of his former home, and bought and fixed his residence upon the Col. Wm. Davidson place, where the first County Court was held. At this place he continued to reside until his death on March 17, 1831.  He it was who formally opened on April 16, 1792, the first County Court.  On the minutes of that court, immediately after the justices were sworn and took their seats, appears this entry: (1922. Sondley, F. A. Asheville and Buncombe County, p. 88.)

"Silence being commanded and proclamation being made the court was opened in due and solemn form of law by John Patton specialy (sic) appointed for that purpose." (1922. Sondley, F. A. Asheville and Buncombe County, p. 88.)

"At that term, on the same day, he was duly elected to the then very important office of county surveyor.  Near his new residence he built, many years ago, a bridge across the Swannanoa River, which remained until about the beginning of the war against the Southern States.  His house was for many years famous as a stopping place, being upon the Buncombe Turnpike road, and he raised here a large family of children....The late residence of Col. John Patton stood on the southern side of the Swannanoa at the ford about half a mile above its mouth, until within the last thirty years, when after bearing for some time the name of the Haunted House, it was removed as being no longer tenantable.  His wife...Miss Ann Mallory, a Virginian, was born Feb. 12, 1768 and died on Aug. 31, 1855.  She, with her husband are buried at Newton Academy graveyard." (1922. Sondley, F. A. Asheville and Buncombe County, pp. 88, 89.)