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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In Salem, North Carolina, the Salem Band was composed of Moravian Pacifists, German Methodists known for their musical prowess. The Captain of the Band, Samuel Timothy Mickey, wanted to enlist with a regiment to assist the Confederate cause. The band was originally recruited by a North Carolina unit, Wheeler’s Battalion, but that unit was captured at Roanoke Island by the Union Army. In March of 1862 Captain Mickey met with Colonel Zebulon Vance at the Gaston Hotel in New Bern and requested that the band join the 26th North Carolina Infantry. Vance agreed and the band became the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band. There were originally eight members of the band, but they eventually became twelve. They were the smallest band in either Army.
In February of 1902 an elderly black man died and his obituary was posted in the local newspaper. He was born a slave and was greatly respected by blacks and whites. Who was this man?
Mr. Watson joined the Confederate Army at New Bern on January 27, 1862. He joined the 2nd Artillery 36th NC Regiment, Company F, also known as the Cape Fear Regiment of Artillery. On January 15, 1865 he was captured by Union troops at Fort Fisher. Mr. Watson was sent to Elmira prison in New York as a prison of war but returned home in July after signing an oath of allegiance. He moved his studio to Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, NC where he remained until his death. On April 4, 1889 Mr. John W. Watson, aged 61, died in Raleigh and his obituary stated, “Mr. Watson was a photographer and was well known not only in Raleigh, but throughout the State. Mr. Watson is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.” (Weekly State Chronicle, Raleigh, 05 Apr 1889)
By Claudia Houston, New Bern Historical Society 2019
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.
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.
Two Carteret County men who came to New Bern in the 1800’s established lucrative businesses and eventually became partners, leading to a historic event of the Civil War in eastern North Carolina. Who were these men and what was significant about the month of October 1862?
economic legacy in eastern Carolina that lasts to this day. Who was this man and what did he do to benefit this area?
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.
In the 1930’s, comedian and witty political commentator Will Rogers was quite popular. But during August of 1933, Rogers wrote a newspaper column about New Bern that created a furor. What happened and why?