Bartlett Yancey; one of the most influential men of his day in North Carolina, was born in Virginia 1785, was educated at the University of North Carolina, settled at Yanceyville, Caswell county, as a lawyer. He was a Representative in Congress 1813-'17; was often called to the chair by the Speaker, Henry Clay. From 1817 to 1828 inclusive he was State Senator, and Speaker the whole of that time, distinguished for his readiness, fairness and ability. He was a leader in the adoption of our present Supreme Court system, in the systematization of the Treasury department, in the inception of Internal Improvements in the State and the creation of the Public School Fund. He was tendered by President Adams the mission to Peru, but declined it. His sudden death in 1828 prevented his being elected Senator, being by common consent marked out as successor to Governor John Branch, who entered Jackson's Cabinet. The county seat of Caswell and a mountain county are named in his honor.
Mr. Yancey lived in Yanceyville until a year before his death, when he removed to one of two farms which he owned. His wife, Ann, was a daughter of John Graves, a captain in the Revolutionary army. Of their children, Rufus Augustus died unmarried soon after leaving the University of N. C; Algernon Sidney married Miss Graves, all their children dying without issue; Frances married Henry McAden, M. D. Their children were the late Rufus Yancey McAden, once Speaker of the House of Representatives in N. C. and President of a Bank in Charlotte, and Dr. John H. McAden, a prominent citizen of Charlotte; Mary, still living, married Giles Mebane, often member of the Legislature and Speaker of the Senate, and has three children; Ann married Mr. Womach of Caswell, and left three children; Carolina married Lemuel Mebane of Caswell, and Virginia married George W. Swepson. of Virginia, afterwards North Carolina, and survives him. Besides the two children above named, Mrs. Mebane and Mrs. Swepson, there are living grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mr. Yancey.
[Source: The provincial council and committees of safety in North Carolina; By Bessie Lewis Whitaker, Elisha Mitchell, North Carolina Historical Society; Publ. 1900; Pgs. 44-45; Transcribed by Andrea Stawski Pack]