Williamsburgh, North Carolina

Last updated

Williamsburgh, North Carolina
Kinney Map full resolution Union Grove Township.jpg
Williamsburg was in the southeast corner of Union Grove Township (1917 map)
NCMap-doton-Harmony.PNG
Location of Williamsburgh, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°59′5.6″N80°48′47.4″W / 35.984889°N 80.813167°W / 35.984889; -80.813167
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Iredell
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28634
Area code 704

Williamsburgh (Williamsburg after 1832) was a town in north Iredell County, North Carolina from 1815 to 1971. It was the second town in Iredell County established by the North Carolina General Assembly, after Statesville, North Carolina. In the 1800s, the town contained a tavern, post office, church, and possibly a horse racing venue. Williamsburgh was located in the southeast section of Union Grove Township, which was created in 1868. The only portions of the town to survive after its charter was repealed in 1971 was the Macedonia Methodist Church (established in 1829). [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Early history

In the early 1800s, there was a need for a town in the north end of the Iredell County. A commission was appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1815 to lay out a new town, Williamsburgh, in north Iredell County. The commissioners were Perciphull Campbell, Amos Sharpe, Reuben Morgan, and John Cowden. Williamsburg was the second town to be established by legislative act in Iredell County, after Statesville.

The town was laid off on lands owned by William Harbin and James Moody. Early land records show a King Street and Stewart Street in Williamsburg. The surveyor of the town was John Forsyth. The original purchase of lots were as follows: [1] [4]

A horse racing circuit was organized in 1804 at Salisbury, North Carolina by John Steele, John McLelland and John Fulton. John McLelland purchased land in 18191923 in Williamsburg , supposed to be used in promoting horse racing. Tradition places the race tract east of Tabor Road, between the original graveyard, head of Dutchman, and Dolly Trivette's store lot. [1] [5]

Tradition places a mustering ground for the militia north west of Williamsburg, south of the Smith Road, presumably between the War of 1812 and the U.S. Civil War. They usually met for a two-week period of training along with horse racing, dancing, and other activities. The mustering ground was owned by William Harbin until the 1840s, then by Colonel Charles R. Jones and his wife, Sarah L. Jones, whose estate left the income from the property to Macedonia Church until purchased by Jesse E. Fraley in the 1870s. [1]

John Steele was a dance hall manager in Salisbury and may have come on to Williamsburg with his partner, John McLelland, after Williamsburg was established. On June 11, 1819, a hall was located at John Howard's Assembly room. Other dance managers were H.G. Burton, Montford Stokes, and Thomas L. Cowan. [1] [5]

During the U.S. Civil War, General George H. Stoneman came through Williamsburgh in April 1865, after burning the cotton and tobacco factories at nearby Eagle Mills. The mill at Turnersburg was not burned because the general and mill owner were both Masons. [1]

William Harbin gave the land where the tavern was located to form a church, Macedonia Methodist Church which continued to the 21st century. William Harbin was an early merchant of the community, operating an inn and became postmaster of Williamsburg on March 2, 1818. The name of the post office was changed to Williamsburgh after 1832. Jesse Fraley and his brother John A. Fraley had a general store in Williamsburg as early as 1842. Other pre-Civil War towns in this area included New Hope Forge (post office established in 1827) and Crater's Mill (post office established in 1851). [2]

A petition was signed by 114 women of this area in 1847 to establish a new county by the name of William and to have a county seat of government closer than Statesville or Wilkesboro, as well as establishing a female academy. These women were joined by 99 women from southern Wilkes County. These petitions were signed in 1848 and presented to the North Carolina General Assembly of 1848-1849. Supposedly the county seat was to have been Williamsburg. [1] [5]

After the Civil War

After the U.S. Civil War, the town of Williamsburg was overshadowed in Iredell County by the communities of Harmony and Union Grove. The post office in Williamsburg lasted until 1905. Eventually, the charter for the forgotten town of Williamsburg was repealed by the state legislature in 1971. [1] [2] [6] [3]

Many attempts were made to bring a railroad through Williamsburg between the end of the U.S. Civil War and the beginning of World War I. James Cartwright, R. Lee Alexander and others worked to bring it about. The Airline Railroad was first surveyed through Williamsburg and later was pulled and stopped at the beginning of World War I, and was never resumed. A bus line was later operated by Alan Templeton and Moody White from Union Grove through Williamsburg to Statesville.

Williamsburg School was built south of Macedonia Church in the late 1800s and continued until closed in 1929. [1]

Demographics

Post offices were used to designate persons in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Williamsburg was in the census district south of Hunting Creek. The census districts north and south of Hunting Creek in Iredell County included the following post offices: Williamsburg, Union Grove, Houstonville, and Eagle Mills. Union Grove and Williamsburg would become part of Union Grove Township in 1868. Houstonville and Eagle Mills would become part of Eagle Mills Township. By the time of the U.S. Civil War, Union Grove would become largest town in this area. The following table shows the breakout of the population in June 1860: [7]

Post officePopulationsNumber of DwellingsNumber of FamiliesTown Founded
Eagle Mills 47692-9985-921848
Houstonville 27657571789
Union Grove 841-850161-163155-1571855
Williamsburg13938-4538-451815

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iredell County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Iredell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 186,693. Its county seat is Statesville, and its largest community is Mooresville. The county was formed in 1788, subtracted from Rowan County. It is named for James Iredell, one of the first justices of the Supreme Court. Iredell County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, with data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Alexander County is a county established in the U.S. state of North Carolina in 1847. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,444. Its county seat is Taylorsville. Alexander County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statesville, North Carolina</span> City in North Carolina, United States

Statesville is a city in and the county seat of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and it is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. Statesville was established in 1789 by an act of the North Carolina Legislature. The population was 28,419 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Grove Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Union Grove Township is a rural, non-functioning county subdivision established in 1868 in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. Two towns have existed in Union Grove township: 1) the unincorporated community Union Grove, established in 1857 and 2) the former town of Williamsburg established in 1812. The Union Grove Post Office was established in 1857. In 2019, within the unincorporated town of Union Grove is the Union Grove Milling Company, Union Grove School, Union Grove Volunteer Fire House, and two Methodist churches. In the later half of the 20th century, Union Grove was famous for the Fiddler's Convention which was held in Union Grove from the 1920s to 1970s. The Fiddler's Convention was originally established to benefit the Union Grove school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Township, Rowan County, North Carolina</span> Township in Rowan County, North Carolina

Cleveland Township is one of fourteen non-functioning county subdivisions (townships) in Rowan County, North Carolina that were established in 1868. The township had a population of 2,817 according to the 2010 census. The only incorporated municipality in Cleveland Township is the town of Cleveland. Residents are served by the Rowan–Salisbury School System and the township is home to Mt Ulla Elementary School.

Houstonville is an unincorporated community in the Eagle Mills Township of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. Houstonville is located on U.S. Route 21, 3.3 miles (5.3 km) north of Harmony. Houstonville was founded in 1789 by Christopher Houston and is the second oldest town in Iredell County after the county seat, Statesville.

Olin is an unincorporated community located in Olin Township, Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The community is 12 miles (19 km) north of Statesville. The Olin post office was first established in 1852 and continues to operate with a ZIP code 28660.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turnersburg Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Turnersburg Township is a nonfunctioning administrative division in northeastern Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. Turnersburg township was established in 1868. The only major town in Turnersburg township is Harmony, which is also partially within Eagle Mills township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chambersburg Township, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Chambersburg Township is a township in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The 2010 United States Census reported a total population of 11,344.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concord Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Concord Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Concord township as one of sixteen townships in Iredell County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olin Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Olin Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Olin township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpesburg Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Sharpesburg Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Sharpesburg township as one of sixteen townships in Iredell county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statesville Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Statesville Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Statesville township as one of sixteen townships in Iredell county. The town of Statesville, North Carolina is contained mostly within Statesville township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool Springs Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Cool Springs Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Cool Springs township as one of sixteen townships in Iredell County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Mills Township, Iredell County, North Carolina</span> Township in North Carolina, United States

Eagle Mills Township is a rural, non-functioning subdivision of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Eagle Mills. Eagle Mills Township was named for the town of Eagle Mills, which was established by Andrew Baggerly on Hunting Creek in 1848.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fourth Creek Congregation</span> Presbyterian group formed in 1750 in the Province of North Carolina, United States

The community of the Fourth Creek Congregation was a group of Scots-Irish Presbyterians who first arrived in the Province of North Carolina in the mid to late 1730s and established a congregation by 1750 under pastor John Thompson in Anson County which became Rowan County in 1753 and finally Iredell County in 1788. The site of the Fourth Creek Congregation was chosen as the location of the county seat of Iredell County in 1789 and was named Statesville in 1789. The Fourth Creek Presbyterian Church officially became the First Presbyterian Church of Statesville in 1875.

Homer Maxwell Keever was a local historian, journalist, Methodist deacon, high school teacher, and author of hundreds of local histories published in Statesville, North Carolina about the history and folklore of Iredell County, North Carolina, including the book, Iredell, Piedmont County, published for the United States Bicentennial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Franklin Moore</span>

John Franklin Moore was visionary, pioneer citizen, and namesake of Mooresville, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perciphull Campbell</span> Planter miller Williamsburgh Union Grove settler

Perciphull Campbell, Sr. (1767–1853) was one of the original settlers prior to 1778 in north Rowan County, Province of North Carolina. This area later would become Iredell County, North Carolina, in 1788 and after his death it became Union Grove Township in 1868. He was a moderately prosperous land owner, planter and miller, who migrated from Culpeper County, Colony of Virginia to the Province of North Carolina with his family before the U.S. Revolutionary War in which his two older brothers served. He was a justice of the peace and active in the formation of the town of Williamsburgh in north Iredell County. His home and mill that he built on Hunting Creek in about 1820, as well as the Campbell family cemetery, near what is now the unincorporated town of Union Grove, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house and cemetery have survived into the 21st century but the mill and covered bridge near the mill were destroyed in the late 1930s.

The Concord Presbyterian Church was founded as an offshoot of the Fourth Creek Congregation in 1775. It was located west of the Fourth Creek Congregation that later became the center of the city of Statesville, North Carolina.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Keever, Homer M. (November 1976). Iredell Piedmont County, with illustrations by Louise Gilbert and maps by Mildred Jenkins Miller. Iredell County Bicentennial Commission by Brady Printing Company from type set by the Statesville Record and Landmark. pp. 113, 130, 154, 180.
  2. 1 2 3 Lewis, J.D. "Iredell County Post Offices". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Kinney, N.R. (1917). "Map of Iredell County in 1917" . Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  4. Land records in the Iredell County Register of Deeds office
  5. 1 2 3 The Heritage of Iredell County, 1980, published by the Genealogical Society of Iredell County, PO Box 946, Statesville, North Carolina 28677, article No. 20, page 31, by Victor Crosby, ISBN   0-89459-087-1, 642 pages with index
  6. Campbell, Sandra Douglas (2008). Iredell County, North Carolina: A Brief History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   9781625848956 via Google Books.
  7. "1860 Census Union Grove Township, Iredell County, North Carolina". FamilySearch . 1860. Retrieved June 14, 2019., Roll 902, Volume 9, pages 1-16, 20-36, 61-65, 104-112, Note: some post offices are grouped together on the same page, so a range is used