John Haywood (politician)

John Haywood (born Edgecombe County, North Carolina, February 23, 1755; died Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, November 18, 1827) was an American politician, who was the longest-serving North Carolina State Treasurer from 1787 until his death in 1827.

Early and family life

Haywood's father was North Carolina politician, judge and patriot William Haywood (1730–79), who had married Charity Hare (of Hertford County, North Carolina), who bore nine children, including banker Sherwood Haywood. This John Haywood was named for his grandfather, another John Haywood (1685-), who was born in Barbados, arrived in North Carolina about 1730 and became active in local politics.

For many years this John Haywood and his first wife, Sarah Leigh, and Dr. Fabius Haywood.<!-- This varies between the two references! -->

Career

Haywood began public service in 1781 as clerk of the State Senate, and held this office for five years, after which the state legislature elected him the state Treasurer, a position he would hold forty years, until his death. Haywood also became the first Intendant of Police, or Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1795. In 1784 a law had been enacted requiring the Treasurer to post a bond in the amount of "one hundred thousand pounds," but an 1801 statute reduced the amount of the required bond to a sum equal to the balance of existing treasury funds, plus estimated annual revenue for the following year. It stipulated moreover that no penalty would be imposed for failure to comply with the requirement.

When a law was passed requiring state officials to live in Raleigh, Haywood bought land bounded by New Bern, Blount, Edenton and Person Streets, and built Haywood Hall. Although it was sold to pay his debts because of the scandal noted above, it survives today. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and remains a popular venue for small groups.

Haywood County was named in his honor during his lifetime (it was created in 1808), and he also subsequently had a town named after him in Chatham County.