Husband looked over the excited crowd and said with great force, “Men, if you agree with what I have said, I hope you and your neighbors will give the Regulators your support. Through peaceful means, we intend to make some changes in North Carolina.”

He came down from the platform, and a number of the men crowded around Husband to ask questions, but Ethan and Henry walked outside and stood near Ethan’s horse. Henry asked, “Well, what do you think?”

“I agree with most of it and trust that Tryon and the assembly will correct the problems. What has been the response in town?”

“With the exception of the courthouse crowd and the big merchants, almost every citizen seems to be supporting the Regulators. This is really the first open meeting, and we wanted to have it in the rural area of the county. You could see the response.”

“Well, I don’t want to join up with any group. Epsey and I just want to be left alone to mind our own business, but I hope you’ll come out every now and then to let us know what’s happening in Hillsborough and New Bern to correct some of the problems.”

•  •  •

A few days later, one of the Friends, a man named Thomas Whitsett, rode up to the Pratts’ cabin, dismounted, and approached Ethan, who was cutting firewood with a bucksaw. They exchanged polite greetings and then the Quaker asked, “Hast thou heard about Brother Joseph Maddock?”

“No, not since we were at his mill Saturday.”

“A troop of militia came to his house, arrested him, and he is now in jail in Hillsborough awaiting trial.”

“On what charge?”

“He is accused of inciting treason against the crown, because of the meeting of the Regulators.”

“That’s hard to believe. I was there and know that he never said a word, either against the crown, the governor, or in favor of the Regulators.”

“None of us attended the meeting, so we can only testify to his character. We need thee to join us and others in providing testimony as to his actions when he is brought before the court. Although not one of us, thou art known to be an honest and peaceful man, and thy word will be very important on Maddock’s behalf.”

There were almost fifty families among the Friends, owning a little more than ten thousand acres of land around the Pratts’ farm. Ethan knew the Quakers in his community to be good farmers, honest and dedicated to hard work, and without hesitation he agreed to join them as a witness for Maddock. Whitsett was to inform him when the trial would be held.