LOCKE, Matthew, statesman, born near Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1730; died there, 7 September, 1801. He was among the earliest supporters of the Revolution, and was one of the commission that was chosen by the people of North Carolina in 1771 to receive the fees of sheriffs and other colonial officers. He was a member of the house of commons of North Carolina in 1775, and of the convention that framed the state constitution in 1776. He was afterward elected to congress, and served from 2 December, 1793 till 3 March, 1799. He was a brigadier-general of state troops, served thirty years in the legislature, and was a member of that body when the United States constitution was ratified.--His nephew, Francis, jurist, born in Rowan county, North Carolina, 31 October, 1766; died there, 8 January, 1823, studied and practised law, was elected a judge of the superior court of North Carolina in 1803, and resigned in 1814, when he was elected United States senator. In 1815 he resigned, before taking his seat in the senate. He was a presidential elector in 1809.