Court seats back-to-back Tar Heels — then no more

On this day in 1800: Alfred Moore of New Hanover County, who fought the British as soldier and saboteur during the Revolutionary War, is sworn in as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. President John Adams has appointed Moore to replace the late James Iredell, the only other North Carolinian ever to serve on the court.

At four feet five inches Moore is the shortest Supreme Court justice ever.