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Posted by Mickey

· January 7, 2021

The Beauty of Downtown Fences & Gates
by Curator Jim Hodges

Isaac Taylor House, 228 Craven St.

Even as a young boy while walking about the streets of downtown New Bern, I was always impressed by the array of metal fences and gates. Although many years have slipped by, my fascination has never waned. Recently, I delved into the matter and documented the variety of these man-made architectural works.

Edward R. Stanly House, 502 Pollock St.

The old adage “good fences make good neighbors“ is certainly open to discussion. My opinion is that these properties, including several churches, installed the fences as an elegant statement of defining the property perimeters. Considering the fact that the height of the fences is in the range of three to four feet, they do not present a formidable deterrent to trespassers other than roaming livestock back in the day. Cedar Grove Cemetery dating to 1798 had many metal fences and gates around family plots. These were placed not only out of respect for their departed loved ones, but also for family pride. Sadly, vandalism, theft, and time have taken a significant toll and very few remain intact.

Of note are the fences around Christ Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, and First Baptist Church. The manufacturers’ emblems are normally affixed to the gates and none were observed on the fences. Christ Episcopal and First Presbyterian fences are attributed to Stewart Iron Works of Cincinnati, Ohio and the fence around First Baptist was made by Champion Iron Fence Company of Kenton, Ohio. Although Champion Iron Fence Company was only in business from 1876 to circa 1910, that is not the case for the Stewart Iron Work.

First Baptist Church, 239 Middle St.

First Presbyterian Church, 412 New St.

The story behind the success of Stewart Iron Works is especially interesting. In 1862, the business was started by Richard Clayborne Stewart, Sr. as the Stewart Iron Fence Company in Covington, Kentucky. By the advent of the 20th century, Stewart Iron was recognized as the largest ornamental iron furniture manufacturer in the United States and the largest ornamental fence company in the world. With astute management, the business incorporated in 1902 into three separate entities: The Stewart Structural and Iron Bridge Company, The Stewart Iron Fence Company, and The Stewart Jail Works. The Jail Works business provided jail cells for Alcatraz, Sing-Sing, Leavenworth and many prisons across the country.

JRB Carraway House, 207 Broad St.

Prior to WWI, Stewart Iron merged with US Motor Trucks and manufactured the heavy duty trucks used by the US Army during the war. During WWII, Stewart Iron participated and produced portable Bailey bridges and tank armor. With the creation of the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s, Stewart was awarded the contract for chain link fencing to line the highways coast to coast.

At the close of the 20th century, Stewart Iron Works had weathered the ups and downs of business cycles and was prospering. In 2005, it was purchased by a group of investors and, in 2019, was acquired by the HGC Group of Companies. Although under an umbrella, Stewart Iron Works still operates under its original name at its headquarters in Covington, Kentucky and is a recognized leader in the wrought iron and ornamental metal industry.

Next time when you are downtown and see one of these hundred-plus-year-old fences and gates, appreciate not only the historical significance they contribute to our town, but also the American companies dedicated to outstanding quality and craftsmanship that built them.

Cedar Grove Cemetery

Joseph L. Rhem House, 701 Broad St.

Meadows-Hahn House, 212 Pollock St.

Register of Deeds Office, 226 Pollock St.

John R. Justice House, 221 East Front St.

Categories : Announcements

This Month in New Bern History – October 2020

Posted by Mickey

· October 21, 2020

This Month in New Bern History

By Claudia Houston, Historian, New Bern Historical Society

Appleton Oaksmith, one of the most eccentric characters in New Bern history, died this month in 1887. While he did not reside in New Bern, he was known here primarily due to his purchase and reconstruction of the Simpson house at 226 East Front Street. Later known as the Simpson-Oaksmith-Patterson House, this unique house has been the focus of more stories and traditional history than any other structure in New Bern.

Per the National Register of Historic Places, in 1810, Samuel Simpson purchased the original portion of the house which stood at the southeast corner of Pollock and East Front Streets. In 1843 a huge fire destroyed a good portion of the homes on Pollock Street and it appears that Simpson’s federal style brick house was rebuilt between 1843-1846. (Sandbeck, Peter, The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, NC Architecture pgs.108-109, Tryon Palace Commission 1988). The house remained in the Simpson family until 1860 when it changed hands. During the Civil War, the house served as a Provost Marshal’s office and jail. Appleton and Augusta Oaksmith purchased the home sometime in 1874 and after 1884 began operating the Vance Academy, a boarding and day school, in the house.

Advertisement for the Vance Academy in the Simpson-Oaksmith House after house was renovated (NBHS files)

Between 1884 and 1887, Appleton Oaksmith began remodeling this house in a perplexing – if not bizarre – style. In 1888 George Nowitzky visited New Bern and described the house in this manner:

“The Greatest Architectural Curiosity in the South. It is formed by one of New Bern’s oldest brick buildings (one has done duty as a jail), transformed into such a remarkable combination and blending of dormers, balconies, pinnacles, fantastic-looking tower, railings, human, griffin and dog heads as to make it a veritable architectural puzzle. No one knows what it was intended for, and the owner, apparently believing it is nobody’s business, has failed to enlighten them.”
(Green, John III, A New Bern Album, The Tryon Palace Commission, 1985 pg. 137)

The house was referred to by many as “Blackbeard’s House” as there were rumors of a secret tunnel allowing the pirate to smuggle treasure. Blackbeard died long before the house was built, but the rumors persisted. Many speculated that Appleton Oaksmith used the secret tunnel for smuggling purposes. Some said that the house was fashioned after Morro Castle in Havana, but why, no one knew.

The storied house reflected Oaksmith’s unconventional character. Appleton Oaksmith was an ambitious man, with vision, boldness and daring -- yet his ethics were questionable. He was a sea captain, writer, munitions supplier, soldier of fortune, slave trader, politician, blockade runner, entrepreneur, railroad speculator, and some said, a pirate.

Oaksmith was born in Portland, Maine in 1827 to literary and accomplished parents. Armed with fluency in four languages and a passion for arts and science, at the age of 16 Oaksmith set sail for China. Over the next few years he ventured to South America, the Caribbean and Africa while trading goods. He heavily financed military expeditions in Cuba and Nicaragua from 1855-1856 and lost a great deal of money. He dabbled in the magazine business, railroad speculation, paper mill ownership, and even Tammany Hall politics.

In 1861, Oaksmith was arrested, imprisoned, and convicted of slave trading. He was jailed in Boston but escaped from prison in 1862 with the help of friends who bribed the guards. He hid in his grandmother’s home in Maine for a year where he fell in love with his cousin, Augusta Mason. This was problematic as he was married since 1855 to Isotta Rebecchini, an Italian musician who bore him four children.

Oaksmith sailed to England where he spent years in exile. Despite his fugitive status, he became a sea captain and blockade runner for the Confederacy, sailing from England to Texas. He was almost captured in 1864 when his ship was boarded by the Union Navy, but he managed to escape and return to England.

Oaksmith’s personal life was as tumultuous as his checkered career. He filed for and obtained a divorce from his wife Isotta in 1866 without her knowledge. He then coerced her into giving up custody of their four children, vowing she would never see them again if she did not sign papers. Isotta reluctantly complied, but Appleton still allowed no contact with the children. He then married his cousin Augusta in Canada in 1867, with whom he had an additional eight children.

On a trip back to the US, Oaksmith landed in Beaufort, NC to make repairs to his ship. While there, he attended an auction and successfully bid $11.25 for property west of Morehead City, known as Becton Place. Oaksmith sailed back to England but finally in 1873 returned with his wife and children to make Carteret County their home. He hired locals to reconstruct a home from a building that had been a Union Army barracks. He purchased another 300 prime acres which includes nearly all of present-day Atlantic Beach and a portion of Pine Knoll Shores. He put all the property in the name of his wife and her sister, calling his vast estate Hollywood.

With the stigma of the slave-trading affair hanging over him, Oaksmith resolved to clear his name. Using an alias, he met with President Ulysses Grant. Oral history has it that after a short meeting, Grant was swayed to sign the pardon. When the President asked why his visitor pleaded so earnestly for this man, the audacious Oaksmith smugly replied, "Because I am Appleton Oaksmith."

In 1874 Oaksmith ran for the state House of Representatives from Carteret County which he won, serving one term. While in office, the visionary Oaksmith hatched many development plans for the county. He recommended dredging Beaufort Harbor and the Neuse River. He tried to acquire Fort Macon to serve as a resort hotel but when that failed, he then planned to develop the Atlantic Beach area into a seaside resort. Oaksmith was not able to obtain backing for his ambitious plans.

Business failures, sickness, and personal tragedy mark Oaksmith’s last years. On July 4, 1879 he set sail for Beaufort on an outing in the family boat with six of his children, four girls and two boys ranging in age from 5-21. The boat capsized. None of the children could swim and the four girls tragically drowned. Son Ralph, age 17, told the Sheriff that his father had tried to drown them all, an accusation which Oaksmith vehemently denied. Authorities believed Oaksmith’s account and Ralph left home, never to return.

After the loss, Oaksmith became reclusive; his mental and physical health declined. Suffering from unbearably painful malaria attacks, seizures, and even paralysis, he spent several years between home and NY hospitals. On October 29, 1887, in NY, Appleton Oaksmith died. His body was returned to Carteret County by train.

The New Bern Daily Journal of October 30, 1887 wrote:

“… In many respects Captain Oaksmith was a remarkable man. A true history of his life would doubtless make an interesting little volume.”

Photo of Simpson-Oaksmith House taken by photographer William Garrison Reed shortly before renovations by Oaksmiths (photo NBHS).

His widow Augusta Oaksmith sold the whimsical brick home in New Bern and it changed owners many times thereafter. In 1974, “The Greatest Architectural Curiosity in the South” was unceremoniously demolished, leaving today a gravel parking lot across from the Galley Stores and Marina gas pumps. Thus ends a very fanciful chapter in New Bern history.

Categories : Announcements

This Month in New Bern History – July 2020

Posted by NBHS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

· June 24, 2020

This Month in New Bern – July 2020
By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society

What person from a famous New Bern family was promoted to commodore in the US Navy on 1 July 1870 and had a destroyer in WWII named after him?

Our notable person for July is Fabius Maximus Stanly, the son of John Stanly and Elizabeth Franks Stanly, born in New Bern on 15 December 1815. The Stanly family had quite an illustrious history. John Stanly was a merchant, orator, lawyer and representative to Congress. He is probably most notorious for having shot and killed ex-Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight in a duel here in New Bern. John and Elizabeth had fourteen children, five of whom died young. There were eight living sons: Alfred, Frank, Edward, Alexander Hamilton, Fabius Maximus, Marcus Cicero and James Green. The only daughter to reach adulthood was Elizabeth Mary Stanly who, against her father’s wishes, married Captain Walker Keith Armistead, who eventually served as Chief Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers. They had one son, Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead, who died at Gettysburg, famously leading a Confederate charge at Seminary Ridge.

Fabius Maximus Stanly entered the navy as a midshipman candidate in 1831 and served in naval squadrons from the Mediterranean to Brazil. He passed as a midshipman in 1837 and was commissioned a lieutenant in 1841. Fabius sailed on board the Steamer Princeton for a year and then was sent to the frigate Congress as part of the Pacific Squadron. He served in many places during the Mexican War, taking part in the capture and defense of San Francisco and assisting in the capture of Mazatlán. Stanly received the thanks of two secretaries of the Navy for his service in the Mexican War.

Ironically, Fabius Stanly got in trouble over a duel. His superior officer, Commander Zachariah F. Johnston had agreed to a duel with Stanly, but then backed out. Stanly called him a coward and unfortunately put it in writing in a newspaper. In 1851 Stanly was tried before a general court martial, found guilty and sentenced to be dismissed from the Navy. The court, however, recommended executive clemency and President Millard Fillmore reduced his sentence to twelve months suspension from service.

Stanly sailed on numerous ships in many different areas but found himself in trouble again in 1860 while commanding the steamer Wyandotte. Although he successfully prevented the capture by secessionists of Fort Taylor in Key West, Florida, the administration of James Buchanan relieved him of his command due to “excessive zeal.”

Stanly served the Federal Navy with distinction during the Civil War, and rose through the ranks as captain of the Tuscarora in 1866 in the South Pacific Squadron. He was promoted to commodore in July of 1870 and then rear admiral in February 1874, retiring in June of that year after 49 years of service. He died of heart disease in Washington DC on 5 December 1882 and is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington.

USS Stanly-US Navy

The USS Stanly, a destroyer, was completed at the Charleston Navy Yard in 1942 and named in Stanly’s honor. The Stanly earned nine battle stars and the presidential unit citation for service in WWII for "extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomon Islands Campaign, from 1 November 1943, to 23 February 1944."

Categories : Announcements, This Month

This Month in New Bern History – June 2020

Posted by Mickey

· June 20, 2020

New Bern is the site of many significant “firsts” – first provincial convention in America held in defiance of British orders, North Carolina’s first capital, first postal service, first free public school, and first black-owned bank. During the month of June in the year 1749, New Bern was the site of a major new institution that had a profound cultural and political impact on the future of the Old North State.

Prior to the mid-eighteenth century, information and news in North Carolina were passed through word of mouth and handwritten records. As the population grew and towns formed from rural areas, the provincial government found the handwritten, incomplete and error-filled colonial laws inadequate. After voting to revise the laws, the Assembly hired James Davis of Williamsburg, Virginia, and on June 24, 1749, Davis arrived in New Bern to become North Carolina’s first public printer.

Davis had likely apprenticed under William Parks, at that time Virginia’s first and only printer. The printing press Davis brought with him to New Bern from Williamsburg was the first to be used in North Carolina. He initially set up shop on Pollock Street, but later moved to the southwest corner of Broad and East Front Streets. In 1749, Davis printed the first official publication for the colony entitled The Journal of the House of Burgesses of the Province of North Carolina.

Davis was also responsible for printing the colony’s first currency. In 1751 he finally completed the revisal of the colonial laws. While completing his public printer duties, out of financial necessity he supplemented his income by private printing. In 1751, Davis began publishing the first newspaper in the colony, the North-Carolina Gazette, with the motto, "With the freshest advices, foreign and domestick," which he produced until 1760. Davis started another newspaper in 1764, called The North Carolina Magazine; or, Universal Intelligencer, but it only lasted four years. In 1768, he resumed publication of The North-Carolina Gazette, which continued to be printed until 1778.

In 1753, Davis published a book, A Collection of Many Christian Experiences, Sentences, and Several Places of Scripture Improved, written by Reverend Clement Hall. This book was a first in several categories: the first book written by a native of North Carolina and the first privately printed, non-legal book published in the colony. Davis served as North Carolina’s public printer for almost thirty-three years and published over one hundred documents in that time.

While he was a prolific printer, Davis also wore many other public hats. In 1753 he became a member of the county court, an office he held for over 25 years. In 1754 he was elected Sheriff of Craven County, leaving that position after ten months upon his election to the Assembly. He was later appointed New Bern Postmaster and served as a justice of the peace from 1768-1778. Davis was a supporter of the American Revolution and during this period was appointed to numerous influential political positions representing New Bern and Craven County. He reached the zenith of his political career with his 1781 appointment to the Council of State, North Carolina’s powerful executive branch.

James Davis’ appointment in New Bern as the state’s first public printer ushered North Carolina into a new world of information sharing between the state and the rest of the world, brought its citizens unprecedented access to news and ideas, and bound together the colony’s patchwork of isolated rural areas into a single political entity. He died in New Bern in 1785 and is buried at Christ Episcopal Church. Inscribed on his gravestone is the following:

Established the art of printing in the Colony of North Carolina,1749

Public printer to the Colony and the State

Published first book, first newspaper and first magazine in North Carolina

Member of the Council of State

Of the General Assembly

Of the Provincial Convention

Of the Provincial Congress

And of the Committee of Safety for the County of Craven and Town of New Bern

Judge of the Admiralty Court

Justice of the County Court

Sheriff of Craven County

Postmaster and Contractor to convey the public mails from Suffolk to Wilmington

Printed currency for the colony

Categories : Announcements, This Month

American Dream Leads to New Bern

Posted by Mickey

· May 22, 2020

By Jim Hodges
Curator, New Bern Historical Society

“Boston Millionaire to Locate Here,” read the headline in the New Bern Weekly Journal on this day in May 1914, declaring that Dr. Earl S. Sloan was planning to build a winter home in the area. Today this announcement would probably not attract much attention, but in 1914 – obviously worthy of note. This is a life journey personifying the American dream, where a motivated individual with natural entrepreneurial and marketing skills as well as keen business savvy can accumulate great success and wealth. This is the story of Dr. Earl Sawyer Sloan.

The Andrew Sloan family emigrated from Ireland after the American Revolution and eventually settled in Zanesfield, Ohio. Andrew Sloan was a horse harness maker who had a certain ability with horses which allowed him to pursue this skill and become a self-taught veterinarian. Doc Sloan was also known for his strong-smelling brown formula that was effective in reducing joint pain and inflammation for overworked horses.

Earl Sawyer Sloan, the third of five children, was born September 8, 1848, in Zanesfield, Ohio. Although he did not attend more than the elementary grades, he learned to read and write and developed a great appreciation for books. He was apprenticed as a harness maker at the age of fifteen, but in 1871 joined his brother Foreman in St. Louis, Missouri. Earl carried with him a supply of his father’s horse liniment and with Foreman, who was engaged in the buying and selling of horses, they peddled the concoction throughout the area. This time period marking the heyday of the horse in American life, the Sloan liniment was in great demand.

Sloan's 1898, courtesy baybottles.com

As the story goes, by accident it was discovered that the liniment was beneficial not only for the horses but humans as well – consequently it was advertised as “good for man and beast.” The essential ingredient is chili pepper (capsicum, a topical analgesic) and its external use was once recommended for everything from a stiff neck to bruises, sprains, strains and mosquito bites. The formula was refined and patented about 1885 and the business grew rapidly due to Earl Sloan’s fondness for newspaper advertising. In 1900 Earl, who was now married, moved his manufacturing operations to Boston in 1904. The business was incorporated in 1904 as “Dr. Earl S. Sloan, Incorporated.” Apparently the title “Doctor,” although never formally or academically achieved, gave him and his product more credibility and increased sales. By 1907, sales were reported throughout the United States as well as South America, Australia, Europe and Canada. In 1913 Dr. Sloan sold his company - including offices in Ontario, England, Australia, and Amsterdam - to William R. Warner & Co. Of interest, W. R. Warner & Co. merged into Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical in 1955, which was eventually acquired by Pfizer in 2000.

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, it was a practice of wealthy northerners to build substantial residences in North Carolina and other more climate friendly areas to serve as second homes. Although Dr. Sloan considered several locations including Asheville and Pinehurst, he eventually selected New Bern. He acquired 440 acres of land from John W. Stewart and an additional 25 acres from the Craven County Commissioners, located on the north side of the Trent River about 2 miles from downtown New Bern. The Stewart property was known as the Colonel Ransom estate, thus Sloan called his plantation Ransom Farm. New Bern native Robert F. Smallwood was hired as the architect and local contractor John F. Rhodes was hired to supervise construction.

Sloan Estate ca. 1929. From "A New Bern Album," John B. Green III

Built in 1914, the Dr. Earl S. Sloan House was a “large and well appointed example of Colonial Revival residential construction with Mediterranean and Tudor Revival influence. The two and a half-story brick building has a main block and flanking pavilions under low, hipped slate roofs. The long axis of the home runs parallel to the Trent River. The interior of the house exhibits carefully crafted cypress and hardwood woodwork with chestnut trim and mahogany varnished hardwood veneer doors.” Not too bad for a man who started his career hawking horse liniment door to door.

It is not clear how much time Dr. and Mrs. Sloan actually spent at Ransom Farm. He died in 1923 leaving the property to his widow, who sold Ransom Farm in 1928 to the New Bern realty firm of N. E. Mohn and Company. In 1933 the property transferred to U.S. Senator O. F. Glenn of Illinois, who renamed it Trent Pines. Senator and Mrs. Glenn intended to use Trent Pines as a winter home; however, their plans never materialized. From 1942 to 1968, the property was operated as the Trent Pines Club, a popular inn and yacht club. It was then purchased by Robert P. Holding, Jr., Chairman of First Citizens Bank, who renamed the estate Miles Away. Mr. Holding died in 1979 and the property passed to his son Frank R. Holding who continued the restoration of the house.

Sloan's Liniment, early 20th century. Still available today

The house is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places and is a standing tribute to the success of Dr. Sloan and the vibrant history of New Bern and Craven County.

Sloan’s liniment is still sold today. Over 135 years later, the packaging still carries Earl Sloan’s likeness on the label.

Categories : Announcements, This Month

New Bern’s Oldest House?

Posted by Mickey

· May 8, 2020

New Bern’s Oldest House?
By Jim Hodges, Curator

I have always been puzzled as to the oldest surviving residential structure in downtown New Bern. When asked from time to time as to which house has the acclaim, my response has routinely been inconclusive. A few months ago, armed with Peter Sandbeck’s authoritative book The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, North Carolina¹, I set forth to determine the absolute ‘Title Holder ‘.

While this may not seem like a difficult task, it proved more challenging than anticipated for two reasons. First, over 250 years have lapsed since these structures were built, and, if detailed records ever existed, they have for the most part been lost, altered, or forgotten. Second, most of these structures were built over a period spanning several years, if not several decades.

After my initial research, I narrowed the search to seven structures presumed to be built prior to 1769. Let’s first look at two of them:

1. The Haslen Dependency, home of the New Bern Preservation Foundation, is currently located behind the Attmore-Oliver House on the Historical Society’s downtown campus. The brick structure predating 1761 was originally situated on the west side of the 300 block of East Front Street. To prevent demolition, it was relocated in 1980 to its present location. By 1985, it had been completely disassembled brick by brick and recreated based on its original dimensions with a concrete block infrastructure and faced with the old bricks. In the spirit of accuracy, the fact that the structure is a recreation and not a bona fide residence, in my opinion, would disqualify it from title consideration.

Haslen Dependency ca 1905

Haslen Dependency today

2. The Tryon Palace complex consisting of the Georgian manor house connected by a curved colonnade to the East ( Kitchen ) Wing and the West ( Stable ) Wing was constructed 1767-1770. Destroyed by fire in 1798, only the West Wing survives today after undergoing extensive restoration during the 1950s. Although converted for residential use in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, it is important to remember that its original purpose, as well as the major restoration, was as a stable and not a residence. Therefore, on this basis, I don’t consider the West Wing a contender for the oldest downtown residence.

West Wing, late 19th century

West Wing ca 1930

West Wing today

That leaves the following five residences as viable candidates for the distinction of being the oldest residence in downtown New Bern:

1. Alston-Charlotte House

Based on Sandbeck's research findings, this Georgian gambrel-roofed house was built possibly by 1747 and was definitely standing by 1774. The house underwent a major rehabilitation in the late 20th century by Ben Parrish and Newsom Williams. No verified construction dates and related information are available. You can see it still standing today at 823 Pollock Street.

Alston-Charlotte House today

2. Francis Hawks House

Constructed circa 1760-1769, this Georgian gambrel-roofed house was originally located on the East side of the 300 block of Hancock Street and moved in 1975 to its current site at 517 New Street. Deed records indicate that the house or a portion of the house was on its original site when it was purchased by New Bern merchant John Green in 1763. It was later owned by Francis Hawks who was the son of Tryon Palace architect John Hawks.

Hawks House ca 1864

Hawks House today

3. Forbes House

Located at 715-717 Pollock Street, the earliest portion of the present day house was built 1760-1770 for a member of the Carruthers family. This picturesque house demonstrates both Georgian and Federal style influences and was inherited in 1860 by Edward Forbes, rector of Christ Episcopal Church.

Forbes House today

4. Elijah Clark House

Another gambrel-roofed house located at 616 Middle Street has encountered numerous alterations over time. Deed records indicate that at least part of this house was constructed as early as 1760-1780. Later acquired by Elijah Clark, a successful merchant and civic leader, who is recognized as one of the three founding members of First Baptist Church.

E. Clark House ca 1900

E. Clark House ca 1940s

E. Clark House today

5. Palmer-Tisdale House

This elegant Georgian style house was built 1767-1769 for Robert Palmer, a local jurist. The house is seen at its location on Sauthier’s 1769 map of New Bern. Another owner of note was William Tisdale, a successful gold & silversmith, who designed the North Carolina great seal in 1778. The house still stands proudly today at 520 New Street.

There you have it – the results of my efforts to determine undeniably the oldest residence in downtown New Bern. Cases have been presented for multiple bona fide candidates. In conclusion, it is my opinion that due to the absence of absolute fact, the jury is still out and I cannot in confidence cast my vote for one single ‘Title Holder’.

What do you think? I would enjoy hearing any constructive information or comments you may have.

Jim Hodges, Curator

¹The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, North Carolina, published in 1988, is the result of a seven year project by architectural historian Peter Sandbeck, then Restoration Specialist for the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, to inventory and research Craven County’s historic buildings. Construction dates were established through study of research findings in conjunction with analysis of architectural and technological details, including nail types, molding profiles, saw and plane marks, and construction techniques.

Categories : Announcements, This Month

This Month in New Bern, December 2019

Posted by NBHS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

· December 1, 2019

What Happened in New Bern in December
By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society 2019
On December 5, 1984 the first Coastal Carolina Celebration Tree Lighting was held in downtown New Bern. The New Bern downtown area was in decline, but many remembered bygone Christmas seasons when Santa had a little house on Middle Street, there was always a parade, and the Mollie Heath Tree was decorated with lights. The Mollie Heath Tree was named for Miss Mary Hall Heath, a revered first grade schoolteacher who was so beloved by her students and community that in the first half of the nineteenth century, a special cedar tree was planted in her honor and memory in
the Christ Episcopal Church yard.

In September of 1984 a Swiss Bear Christmas Committee was organized and granted permission by Christ Church to decorate the Mollie Heath Tree. A Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was added to be held on the evening of December 5th. Strings of colored lights were donated and the City agreed to hang them on the tree.

Harold Talton, Chairman of Swiss Bear, agreed to be Santa Claus. The program was scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm with performances by the New Bern High School band and drill team, the Centenary Church Children’s bell choir and others. Everyone was to then parade from Middle Street to the corner of Pollock Street with all singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Two drill team members would pull Santa on the sleigh and when he arrived at the church corner, Reverend Ed Sharp, Rector of Christ Church, was to give a Christmas blessing and then Santa was to turn on the lights of the Mollie Heath Tree.

On the same day that the celebration was scheduled, it was learned that the City finished hanging wreaths on the light poles but had not yet turned on any of the lights contained in the wreaths. It was decided to connect the lighting of both the Christmas tree and the wreaths to a timer so that when Santa flipped a switch all the lights would go on.

At noon on December 5, the temperature began to drop, and it began to sleet. By 5 pm the children were freezing and crying and the musicians were having difficulty playing. It was decided to cut the performances and everyone paraded to the Pollock/Middle Street intersection. Reverend Sharp gave his blessing and everyone waited in anticipation but when Santa flicked the switch nothing happened. He tried again but again nothing happened. Finally someone realized that the timer had been set for the lights to go on at 6:30 pm, the intended time according to the original program. Since the initial part of the program was shortened, the lighting finale was 15 to 20 minutes early. Someone attempted to contact City Hall to move the timer ahead, but by the time this was accomplished, the freezing and disappointed crowd had dispersed. When the lights finally came on, only five people remained to see it.

The December 20, 1984 Swiss Bear Board minutes contained a brief entry… Christmas Committee-Agenda item #8…Linda Morris reported, “Our committee learned from our mistakes this year and will meet in January to plan for next year.”

As you stroll through the streets of downtown New Bern during the holidays, be sure to stop by the Christ Church grounds at the corner of Middle and Pollock Streets, where the majestic Mollie Heath Tree still stands in all its glory, conjuring warm memories of Christmas past.

(Information for this article from the History of the Revitalization of Downtown New Bern NC blog, December 18, 2013 by Susan Moffat-Thomas)

Categories : Announcements, Events, This Month

This Month in New Bern, November 2019

Posted by NBHS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

· November 8, 2019

By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society

A young African American barber from New Bern died in France in this month, 101 years ago. His name is etched on a monument at the Craven County Courthouse. Who was he and what was his story?

Born in December 1896, Castillia Henry grew up with his parents and siblings at 90 ½ Queen Street in New Bern. His father, Castillia Henry Sr., had a variety of jobs: as a drayman (wagon driver), porter, and stevedore. His mother, Henrietta Fisher Henry, died prior to 1910 and Castillia continued to reside with his father and siblings. During this period he became a barber, working with his brother Amos.

During April 1917, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany. Castillia registered for the draft and on 1 April 1918 was inducted into the Army in New Bern. He was sent to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois to begin training, and within two months found himself on board the Agamemnon on his way to France, along with other members of Company A of the 365^th Infantry, 92^nd Division of the Army.

The 92nd Infantry Division consisted of approximately fifteen thousand officers and soldiers. The Division was organized in October 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas and included African American soldiers from all parts of the United States. Units were segregated and due to prejudices of the era, most African Americans were assigned to labor companies. The 92^nd and 93^rd Divisions were the only all African American divisions allowed in combat in the United States Army during World War I. Before they left for France in 1918, the 92^nd received the name “Buffalo Soldier Division” as a tribute to the Buffalo soldier regiments that fought in the US Army on the frontier during westward expansion. Native Americans had dubbed them Buffalo soldiers due to their tenaciousness as well as their physical appearance.

Castillia’s unit was deployed to the front lines in France during August 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, which fought alongside the British and French armies in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of the last Allied offenses of the War. This immense military offensive began on September 26 and ended when Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. The deadliest campaign in US history, the offensive claimed the lives of over 26,000 American soldiers. The last push took place from November 10-11 and the 92^nd Division was ordered to take the heights in Champey. During this mission, on November 10, 21-year-old Private Castillia Henry was killed in action. Sadly, it was just one day before the Armistice.

Henry was buried at the American Cemetery in St. Mihiel, France. On 13 May 1921, his remains were disinterred and sent to Antwerp to be transported aboard the Wheaton to Hoboken, New Jersey. His body was received by his father on 30 July 1921 and Private Castillia Henry was finally laid to rest at New Bern National Cemetery, Section 12, Grave 3434. His name was later engraved on the World War I monument on the grounds of the Craven County Courthouse which honors those who lost their lives in the Great War.

During this month of Thanksgiving, let us remember young Castillia Henry and all those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Grave of Castillia Henry, killed in action in France, November 10, 1918.

Categories : Announcements, This Month

This Month in New Bern, September 2019

Posted by NBHS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

· September 1, 2019

This Month in New Bern - September

By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society

Born in the month of September, a thirteen term U.S. Representative from New Bern left an immense economic legacy in eastern Carolina that lasts to this day. Who was this man and what did he do to benefit this area?

Graham Arthur Barden was born in Turkey Township, Sampson County, on September 26, 1896. He served in the Navy during WWI and in 1920 graduated with a law degree from the University of North Carolina. He established a law practice in New Bern the same year and also began to teach at the high school. He became the high school football coach and coached New Bern teams to finals in football, baseball, and basketball. His happy-go-lucky disposition earned him the nickname “Hap.” Barden was the football coach during 1922 when New Bern played in the eastern championship game in Raleigh. During the game a devastating fire soon dubbed the “Great Fire” had broken out in New Bern and the fans heard about it when a Raleigh newspaper “Extra" addition was distributed around the stadium. When the coach heard about the fire he sent someone out and bought every paper in the stadium so his team wouldn't hear about it. New Bern won the game 6-0 and anxiously headed home when the news was shared.

Barden soon became a Craven County Judge. He ran and served as a state legislator and in January of 1935 was elected to Congress as a Democrat, representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District. He was incredibly popular and was elected and reelected with little or no campaigning on his part. He became an expert in education and labor and soon became the head of the powerful Education and Labor Committee for a decade. He helped to pass the Barden-LaFollette Act which made vocational training possible for all types of physically handicapped people and he also led the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act as well as the Landum-Griffin Act which were designed to control corruption in labor unions.

Barden was described in his day as an ultra-conservative. He distrusted bureaucracy in Washington, as well as inflation and corruption and did not want governmental intrusion in the everyday life of his constituents. While not all of his positions were universally popular, he was deeply admired for his devotion to the people and well-being of eastern North Carolina. His most enduring legacy was the acquisition during his tenure as congressman of three major military bases during the 1940’s: Cherry Point Marine Air Station in Havelock, Camp Lejeune Marine Base in Jacksonville, and Seymour Johnson Air Force base in Goldsboro. The eastern Carolina area had suffered huge economic losses in such areas as tobacco, textile and manufacturing. The acquisition of those military bases provided employment for thousands of eastern north Carolinians and a huge economic boon for the area. Thus, New Bernian Hap Barden’s legacy endures to this day.

Despite being begged by colleagues to remain in Congress, Graham Barden retired on January 3, 1961 and spent his remaining years with his family in New Bern, fishing on the Trent River. He died in 1967 and is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Categories : Announcements, Newsletter, This Month

This Month in New Bern, May 2019

Posted by NBHS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

· May 1, 2019

This Month in New Bern – May 2019

By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society

In 1954 a young man quit his job as a truck driver and began singing professionally as “The Hillbilly Cat.” His first Sun studio recording “That’s All Right Mama” rose to the number three spot on the Country-and-Western-charts. Despite discouraging words from the Grand Ole Opry and rejection by New York City Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, he made a six-state tour in 1955 with Hank Snow’s Jamboree. He would appear with them in New Bern in May 1955. His name -Elvis Presley.

As part of the Hank Snow several state Jamboree tour, Elvis Presley played in Jacksonville, Florida on May 13, 1955. At the end of the performance in front of 14,000 people he said “Girls, I’ll see you backstage.” That started a full scale riot in response and fans chased Elvis into his dressing room tearing off his clothes and shoes. At each concert that Elvis appeared in, the audience chanted his name and requested more playing time.

On May 14, 1955 Elvis Presley appeared at the Shriner’s Auditorium at the corner of East Front and Broad Street in New Bern. He played third bill, behind Hank Snow and Slim Whitman and he played two sets, one at 7 pm and one at 9pm. Tickets were $1 for general admission, $1.25 for reserved seating and children were admitted for 50 cents. Some locals later met Elvis at William’s restaurant (now the Chelsea) where he ate lunch and signed autographs. Although several ladies who attended the concert stated he brought the house down, there were no riots in New Bern.

At the end of the Hank Snow Jamboree, Elvis returned to Memphis. He soon left Sun records and negotiated a contract with RCA that brought him stardom. His first single with RCA, “Heartbreak Hotel” became his first gold record.

Elvis had a unique style of music and performance all his own - a combination of country and gospel. He danced around on stage shaking his hips and many adults were shocked by his music and dancing. When he appeared on TV, he was asked not to dance or was filmed from the waist up. Elvis began to appear on TV shows such as the Milton Berle Show, the Ed Sullivan Show and the Steve Allen Show. In addition to making records and performing concerts, Elvis began to star in movies. His first movie was Love Me Tender in 1956. He also sang the title song from this movie which went number one. Over the next 15 years, he starred in over 30 movies including Jailhouse Rock, Blue Hawaii, and Viva Las Vegas.

Elvis Presley was nominated for 14 Grammy awards, winning three times. He recorded forty top ten songs, including eighteen number one hits. He died of heart failure on August 16, 1977 largely due to increased weight and drug use and was buried at Graceland (the home he bought on the outskirts of Memphis, on March 17, 1955).

Elvis was one of the great musical icons of the 20^th Century and became known as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply the “The King.” And now you know, sixty-four years ago this month, the “The King” performed in New Bern.

Categories : Announcements, Events, This Month

New Bern Historical Society

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