Articles in regional publications that pertain to a wide range of North Carolina-related topics.
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for "Greenville Times / Pitt's Past"
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22884
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A collection of stories about different topics is recited from local tales around the county. In this group, lightning freak stories about the damage of lighting hitting the homes of L. A. Cobb and H. B. Tripp in 1892. There is a funny story from 1894 of a little girl getting spanked by her mother. There are dog stories about a mad dog in 1894 and a dog and cat chasing each other in R. M. Starkey’s yard and jumping into the well and drowning. From 1895 there is a story about a goat being arrested in Ayden and the strange déjà vu dream of H. G. Jones. In 1892 a cow got stuck in a ditch and the owner nailed a wooden frame around her like a straight-jacket so she could stand.
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22885
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A collection of stories about different topics include a funny story of a store clerk misunderstanding a woman wanting a thimble and an inquiry from 1897 for catching bull frogs. In 1896, J. C. McGowan saved his burning tobacco barn by using a barrel of pickles and juice. Also in 1896, a wedding was to take place in Farmville township. The groom helped with the arrangements and went home to change clothes and stood the bride up at the alter. A few days later the father spotted the young man on the streets of Farmville and gave him a thrashing. In 1899, W. A Garriss and wife heard someone stealing watermelons one night and went out to investigate. He saw a figure in the dark and inadvertently shot his wife. The last story from 1897 is a hilarious tale of a string of events that followed the nailing up of a horseshoe for good luck.
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Record #:
22886
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The railroad dramatically changed everything about Eastern North Carolina. Two particular changes were the development of businesses and the establishment of towns. The railroad led to the development of the communities called House and Whichard. Originally, House Station was located three miles north of Greenville and was named for David House (1816-1894). The post office became known as House when it opened on August 31, 1891 It remained open until December 7, 1900. The post office was opened again on November 5, 1901. On May 30, 1897, an earthquake in the town shocked many residents. The town slowly died after the telegraph office was closed in June 1899. Similarly, Whichard had a short-lived existence. Whichard Station, named after Willis R. Whichard, was started because of the railroad. A post office was operated there from December 28,1891 until April 1896. However, the town died after the timber interests and the railroad line left it.
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Record #:
22887
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Ten miles east of Greenville, there once stood a large house and vital center of a community called Yankee Hall. The area was known also as Pactolus Landing and Perkin's Wharf. This house was owned and operated by the local businessman and store proprietor, Samuel Ralston (1778-1829) an Irishman. After his death, the house and land became the town landing for Pactolus, which was located a mile north. Following Ralston's death, the Perkins family inherited the house. The house was shelled by gunboats in the Civil War. Later, Henry Dixon, inherited it, watched it burn down in April 1890. Today Yankee Hall is a recreation area for boating, picnics, and fishing.
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Record #:
22888
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The small community of Grimesland in Pitt County has a very deep history. In 1714, Louis Duvall patented the land on a bluff and called it Mount Calvary. Duvall later sold the land to Edward Salter, who established Salter's Ferry on the land. After Salter owned the land, William Grimes bought the land and established a plantation there, creating Boyd's Ferry. The land and community surrounding it first became known as Grimesland when a post office was established on June 20, 1871. The name later changed to Nelsonville. In 1886, the name of the post office was changed to Grimesland. Around 1890, fifty people lived there. A number of businesses developed along Grimesland's six streets.
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Record #:
22889
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Traveling northeast from Greenville, a person might drive through two rather small communities: Stokes and Oakley. Stokes was named after William Green Stokes (1864-1953), who opened a store there along the railroad line in 1892. Stokes was, and still is, the principal center and post office for Carolina Township. The town was incorporated on February 1, 1903. Mrs. Addie Stokes was serving as postmistress in 1892. The small community of Oakley is located about six miles north of Stokes. It once was a major shipping point and depot for the surrounding communities. On April 23, 1892, it was reported that Willis H. Williams was the postmaster. After its incorporation in 1903, a town hall was built.
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Record #:
22890
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Kammerer gives many unusual deaths that were reported to the coroner's office. The information gives good genealogical information. For example, John Shannon drowned in 1763. Thomas Travis died when a sapling snagged the trigger of his gun while hunting in 1766. Samuel Calhoon was out of his senses and caused his own death in 1775. In 1773, William Hattaway was accidently killed while hunting turkeys and Ann Hardee was choked to death by her husband. In 1774, Capt. James Gorham’s slave Mingo was killed when a pine tree fell on him. Kammerer also gives the names of Pitt county soldiers taken from Field Returns in 1773 and 1775.
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Record #:
22891
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Continued from a previous issue: The creation of post offices and the appointment of postmasters mark when a town or community establishes as a part of the county. Greenville has had many postmasters in its history, including Mrs. Delilah E. Doughty, who served from February 22, 1879 until February 1895.
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Record #:
22892
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The creation of post offices and the appointment of postmasters mark when a town or community becomes recognized as a part of the county. Greenville has had many postmasters in its history. Kammerer has compiled a list of known postmasters throughout Greenville's past. The first postmaster was Grove Wright, who was appointed on January 1, 1795, and served until Joel Marshall Dickinson (of Dickinson Avenue distinction) took over the post on January 1, 1802.
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Record #:
22893
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Sheriffs always play an important part in any county. Pitt County has had a long line of sheriffs. Starting with the first sheriff, Colonel John Simpson (1728-1798), who patrolled starting in 1760, to the sheriff serving in 1943, the author lists all of Pitt County's sheriffs and their major accomplishments.
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Record #:
22894
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In 1817, the foremost expert on "mental alchemy" was born in Pitt County. This expert was the famous Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams "believed mesmerism could help the recuperative powers of the body." He traveled all around the country giving lectures on such topics as magnetism, electro-psychology, and mesmerism. From these lectures and his practice, he helped several people feel better. In July 1852, he began publishing a monthly journal called "Journal of Organic and Medical Chemistry Designed for the Student, the Physician and People." His death date is unknown.
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Record #:
22895
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The mystique surrounding George Washington has made him a legend. For years, this legend has included Pitt County. From his diary we know that Washington did come through Pitt County on his southern tour and slept and ate here. He arrived in Greenville on April 19, 1791, made several comments about the town and river front , ate, and continued his journey towards New Bern. He stopped for the night at Shadrach Allen’s home on what is now County Home Road in Pitt County He left the next morning for New Bern. Several local families have claimed that Washington ate in their homes, but that has been proven incorrect. To mark this visit, a bronze tablet was placed on the green of the Pitt County Courthouse on November 17, 1925.
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Record #:
22896
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New York, Hollywood, Hong Kong, Calcutta, and Greenville? Greenville might not belong among the Mecca's of the silver screen, but it does have a history of movies. In July 1927, a tobacco industry movie was made. In June 1941, the Reclife Motion Pictures of Indianapolis headed by E.V. Atkinson made “Greenville on the Screen.” In 1947, the Greenville-based Lord Warner Pictures made "Pitch a Boogie Woogie." Dominant Pictures, renowned "B" moviemakers from Charlotte, used Pitt County backroads for their films "The Blood Feast" and "Moonshine Mountain" and their next film after 1965. Pitt County also had several stars. In 1939, Lath (Tarzan) Morris was in several movies. Kathryn Youngblood, a dancer who danced beside some of Hollywood's most famous stars in the 1940s, appeared in the Warner Brothers production, "Night and Day." Along with these stars, there have been several dog stars. One such famous "hound" was Grey Shadow, who starred in "Invisible Man."
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Record #:
22897
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Gas-powered boats replaced the old steamboats that used to frequent the Tar River. These boats helped to introduce recreation along the river. For example, many local clubs and churches used these boats to have picnics down the river or have moonlight sails. These early boats included: Ola Forbes' Rubelle, Eagle, and the most famous boat of all, the "Alterio." However, this day, too, has passed. It permanently ended after the death of Captain John W. Murphey in 1956 at the age of ninety. He was the last riverboat captain from this era.
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Record #:
22898
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There have been many landings along the Tar River. Two very famous landings were called Pillsboro and Centre Bluff. Pillsboro was known first as Williams Landing, Upper Landing, and Tobacco Patch. Pillsboro was located near Falkland and was owned by several people. Centre Bluff, also known as Foreman's Bluff, was located between two high bluffs on the Tar River about eight miles from Farmville. It was a very vital and important ferry location before the railroad made it obsolete. In between these two landings, a small community called Bruce developed in the crossroads of Falkland and Centre Bluff roads. It was located near Cottendale, which was Robert R. Cotten's plantation, and Greenwreath, which was Foreman's plantation. The community was named after John Bruce, who financially helped Robert R. Cotten during the Civil War. A post office operated at Bruce from July 18, 1900 until December 30, 1922.
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