Beaufort, North Carolina

18x24 Poster - $15

Created by Beaufort artist Mary Warshaw, the Beaufort Porches image was designed to be matted and framed with or without the Beaufort Porches lettering. The image below shows a cropped poster without lettering.

In the design, Warshaw's painting of the Old Inlet Inn circa 1911 was used as the background image.

The “Beaufort fence” is distinctive with its “up and down” pickets. In early days fences were required to have a “paled in” or pointed stake characteristic. This may have been due to an old law that was made in an attempt to contain farm animals. Part of the law stated that a resident was allowed to catch and kill a pig found running in the streets. They could keep half but had to give the other half to the church wardens who would distribute it to the hungry.

An insert sheet included with each poster gives a brief
history of each of the 26 centuries-old homes included.

To view INDIVIDUAL PORCHES
and snippets of HISTORIES

please SCROLL DOWN
or go to ARCHIVES in the sidebar.

The ARENDELL HOUSE circa 1847

 In 1872 the home was sold to Thomas Noe and then to the Guthrie family in 1874. From that time to the present, members of, or descendants of, the Guthrie families have lived in this home.

The JAMES DAVIS HOUSE circa 1829

James Davis and Elizabeth Adams were married in 1803 and had 12 children, many of whom were born in their 1817 house on Ann Street.

In 1829 James Davis built this saltbox-style home on Moore Street. It remains unique in Beaufort with its center chimney, five fireplaces, and full above-ground basement that Davis used as his workshop. During his lifetime James Davis built many homes in Beaufort’s historic district. James was an excellent carpenter and often referred to himself as an “arch-chi-tect.”

The DAVID RUMLEY HOUSE circa 1843

This quaint, typical 1800’s cottage was moved from Shackleford Banks in 1943. The porch boasts round porch rails and chamfered posts. The wealth of original woodwork, beams, and hardware, found during restoration, creates strong suspicion that the house is much older than the date indicated.

The WARD-HANCOCK HOUSE circa 1726 (?)

Richard Rustull, Sr. was born in 1669 to William and Ann Austin Rustull who had settled in Bath County in the early 1700’s. It is believed that Richard married Margaret Bell, the daughter of John and Margaret Blish Bell. In 1720 Rustull purchased 780 acres from Robert Turner for 150 pounds sterling. This acreage extended from North River to the Newport River and included the 1713 platted land of Beaufort. Rustull or one of his descendants may have built what would become known locally as the Ward-Hancock.

This home was purchased by the Beaufort Woman's Club who donated it to the North Carolina Maritime Museum's Gallants Channel Annex.

The HATSELL HOUSE circa 1827

At sunrise on April 25, 1862, it is said that Charity Hatchel, along with her 16 year old daughter Julia, stood with Emmeline Pigott (see below), a confederate spy, on the south end of her upper porch to watch the shelling at Fort Macon. The attack began just before 6 a.m. Charity Hatchel recalled, “The noise of the explosions was terrific. Window frames shook, houses trembled and even the waters of the sound seemed to ruffle with each shock. At four o’clock in the afternoon the fire from the fort ceased, and a white flag was run up.” Her son survived the one-day skirmish.

WATSON-HALL TEACHERAGE circa 1905

This restored home on Orange Street was once the back section of a dormitory for students of St. Paul’s School on Ann Street whose cornerstone was laid in 1900. The school operated for 37 years until the death of its founder/head mistress, Mrs. Nannie Pasteur Geoffroy.

The DUNCAN HOUSE circa 1815

This old gabled roof Beaufort-style home, with its unique position on the west end of Front Street facing Taylor’s Creek and Beaufort Inlet to the south and Gallant’s Channel and Piver’s Island to the west, has had a front-row seat to centuries of Beaufort history. From the upper porch owners at the time could view of the shelling at Ft. Macon during the Civil War.

The Duncan House was the first house to be plaqued. In 1962 Elizabeth Merwin designed the plaque. John Costlow, local preservation enthusiast, painted and hung it. The plaque was dated 1790, then changed a few years ago to 1728. More research has revealed the building date as circa 1815 and built by James Davis.

The OLD INLET INN circa 1911

This now charming home is the only remaining part of the Old Inlet Inn that once stood on Front Street.

The original building, built in the 1850's by the owners of a dry goods store, was first a private residence known as the Lowenberg house and later as the Sea Side House.

Around 1911, the house was sold to Congressman Charles Abernathy, and his wife Minnie, who greatly expanded its size with rambling additions and named it The Inlet Inn.

The JOHN M.WOLFE HOUSE circa1895

In 1812 Lot #95 Old Town was purchased by Patrick Ward for 30 shillings. The lot was owned by the Ward family until 1891. That year James Ward heirs sold it to John Forlaw for $100. Forlaw, in turn, sold it to John M. Wolfe. The home remained in the Wolfe family until late 1990.

Many Beaufort locals remember this home as “the Swain house” due to Mamie Wolfe’s marriage to Lynn Swain.

The GUY BUCKMAN HOUSE circa 1848

In 1852 David B. Wharton and Susan Davis Wharton purchased the property from Guy Buckman for $600. Susan, daughter of James and Elizabeth Adams Davis, had married David twelve years earlier.

The original house was a very simply built two-story structure with six rooms, each measuring 16’ by 16’—three on the lower level and three on the upper level, all parallel to the street, with double front porches running the entire length of the house.

Although this home has been referred to over the years as being a "hotel" during the Civil War, it may have been built as a single-family home when first constructed and shortly afterwards became a boarding house.

The HAMMOCK HOUSE circa 1709

When this oldest Beaufort home was built it would have most likely been nestled in groves of water oak, cedar, and yaupon—and on the banks, covered with wild grape and tangled vines, of what is now Taylor’s Creek overlooking the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. At one time a small boat could paddle up the area and be tied to one of its front columns.

The structure was noted on the first maps as the “White House,” and stood as a landmark to guide mariners into the inlet. It later came to be known as The Hammock House due to its locale.

Even though legend ties this house to Blackbeard and other pirates and traders during its early years, it was most likely built as an inn or “ordinary” to house sea and land travelers. It has been used over the years as a home, a residence for Union soldiers, a summerhouse, and a school.

The JOHN E. IRELAND HOUSE circa 1887

The lot on which this home is located was originally owned by William B. and Emily F. Duncan. John E. Ireland purchased the lot from the Duncans in 1887. Ireland, a mariner from Portsmouth, who married Nancy J. Simmons in October of 1858, most likely built this home in 1887. Records show John E. Ireland, age 32, living in Portsmouth in 1870 with his wife and 5 children. In 1880 the whole family was living in Beaufort, including Nancy’s father.

It is believed that John E. Ireland was lost at sea. Ireland’s children sold the house and lot to J.B. Jones in 1893. The house was most likely turned, moved a short distance and added to in 1904. It was sold in 1927 by J. B. Jones and David M. Jones to J.F. Duncan.

The NELSON HOUSE circa 1790

This house and lot passed through several families over the years. Names such as Pigott, Cooke, Perry, Duncan, and Nelson are all mentioned in the research on the house. In 1875 Thomas Duncan sold Lot #30, along with the waterfront lot, to John Hancock Nelson for $2000.

John Hancock Nelson, born in 1814, was a direct descendant of Captain John Nelson, Jr., who was one of the first permanent settlers in what was to become Carteret County.

John Hancock Nelson inherited Garbacon Plantation and was living there before he bought this house in Beaufort.

The MASON COTTAGE circa 1904

A charming fisherman's cottage typical of those built in the early 1900's. Current owner stenciled a design on the porch ceiling.

WHEATLEY HOUSE circa 1891

This little cottage porch used to witness the old train that used to ran down by it each day on Broad Street. As it lumbered by this short block of Broad Street it passed three sundries shops that sold everything form penny candy to 5-cent pickles.

Charley Wheatley and his wife Emily Noe built this charming little cottage in 1891. Emily’s father, Benjamin R. Noe, sold them the property for $75.

Wheatley, Noe, Rice, Jarmin, Scott, and Harrell are names original to this block of Broad Street. Two descendents of these families still reside in the 200 block.

LEECRAFT HOUSE circa 1850

This Greek revival style home has features taken from books on architecture by Asher Benjamin. His influence is seen in its wide hall, broad staircase, large rooms with high ceilings, and distinctive woodwork.

This was once the home of Mrs. W. K. (Nannie) Hinnant. It sits next to two other Leecraft houses on Ann Street.

The OWINS-BEDFORD HOUSE circa 1730

This very early cottage, built in the then New Town Beaufort, gets much of its charm and quaintness from having been built by “rack of eye,” by a ship builder, with no use of levels or squares. The doorways and window are not level and the floors slant.

In 1730 William Owins, a tailor, and Thomas Bedford, a carpenter, built this home. They also used it for their businesses. In Colonial days there was an unobstructed view of Taylor’s Creek, except for the long-established camellias, pomegranates and tamarisks shrubs, which still grace its gardens.

The JACOB HENRY/EASTON HOUSE circa 1800

Although plaqued the Easton House 1771, the National Register of Historic Sites designates it as the Jacob Henry House circa 1800; Easton bought the lot in 1771 and sold it to Henry in 1794. Jacob Henry was elected a member of the North Carolina Legislature in 1808. In 1809 he was challenged to step down because, as a Jew, he denied the Divine Authority of the New Testament. The debate, and Henry’s speech in his own behalf, was widely reported and important in the American fight for constitutional religious freedom. SEE

The JAMES NOE HOUSE circa 1828

This home is a wonderful example of loving, documented restoration. The natural wood of the porch railings continues inside with the original pine floors, which span the 26-foot width of the home. The original chimney, old beams, and windows all accentuate the charm of this sea lovers’ retreat.

The WHITEHURST HOUSE circa 1892

In 1812 Patrick Ward purchased this lot for 30 shillings. Ward and Hancock heirs sold lot 95 Old Town in 1891 to John Forlaw for $100. In 1892 Forlaw sold the lot to two people. The northern half was sold to John M. Wolfe and the southern half to James Whitehurst.

This fisherman’s-cottage style home has been added to over the years, especially since it sits on a very deep lot that backs up to St. Paul's Cemetery. It is named for James E. Whitehurst and his son. James E. was born in 1831 and married Frances A. Duncan in 1855. Edward C., his son, was born in 1859 and married Mary Noe.

The J.B. JONES House circa 1870

According to David E. Jones, a great grandson of Redding
Jones, Redding was a ship’s captain. He accumulated
property in Beaufort before he drowned at sea.  He left
two boys—John Benners Jones, Sr., and David H. Jones.

The J. B. Jones House is a typical old two-story Beaufort
home with interesting porch railings -square with rounded
boards on the top and turned balusters.

David remembers his grandfather as a grocer whose
building later became Dr. Way's office on Front Street. He
remembers having to gather firewood for the eight
fireplaces and climbing the huge magnolia tree in the front
yard.

The ANN WADE HOUSE circa 1831

The original part of this charming early Beaufort cottage was what was known, at that time, as a “story and a jump.” It consisted of the entrance hall, a front room, and an attic. For its first hundred years, it was owned mostly women. When, where, and by whom it was built remains an on-going puzzle.

In 1813 records show Beaufort Commissioners Joseph Bell, Jechonias Pigott, and George Reed deeded that lot #85 to James Coe for 50 shillings. The next mention of the lot was in 1829 when the trustees of the University of North Carolina sold it to James Hart for $105. In 1830 James Hart sold the lot to Ann Wade.

Although plaqued as being built in 1831, continued research on this home seems to point to its actually being much older.

The REV. JONES HOUSE circa 1840

This federal style home was built in 1840 by the Rev. John Jones. He lived there with his wife, Susan Bell Jones, and their seven children, until he sold it for $600 in 1874 to his second son Benjamin Leecraft Jones
(a captain during the Civil War) and his wife Orpha Gibbs Jones.

The home was occupied by Union soldiers and used as an auxiliary hospital morgue during that time. The second floor hall still bears burn marks left from one of the sterilizers.

Although this home boasted the first phone in town, Mrs. Jones’ fear of it caused her to have it installed outside on a post.

The JAMES HOLLISTER POTTER House circa 1910

James Hollister Potter, son of William Jackson Potter and Elizabeth Davis Potter, married Nannie Murray in December of 1870. They had twelve children.

This home was built as a wedding present from James Hollister Potter, Sr. for his son, James Hollister Potter,Jr. who owned Potters Grocery, which was located in downtown Beaufort during those years.

The home remained in the Potter family until 1964. It is one of several Potter houses - all in the same block of Ann Street.

The ALLEN DAVIS HOUSE circa 1774

The only double-plaqued house, on Queen Street in Beaufort, is named for the original resident, Allen Davis, and for Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, the Union commander of North Carolina troops during the Civil War. It has been said that Burnside used it as his headquarters during the Federal occupation of the area from 1861 -1873, although this has not been documented.

The home was described by architectural historian Tony Wrenn as a Greek Revival enlargement of a smaller cottage, with decorative Gothic Revival porches.

How to Purchase Poster

Posters are $15.00 each - plus $7.50 postage/handling

Mail orders to:
BEAUFORT PORCHES POSTER
P.O. Box 56
Beaufort, NC 28516

Phone orders: (252) 728-4611

Posters are also available at the following retailers:

Beaufort Shops:
Scuttlebutt -433 Front Street 252-728-7765
Tierra Fina -119 Turner Street 252-504-2789

Beaufort Bed & Breakfasts:
County Home B&B -Hwy 101 252-728-4611
Pecan Tree Inn -116 Queen Street 252-728-6733

In Atlantic Beach:
Eastern Offset Printing - 410 W Ft.Macon Rd.
(near Pacific store) 252-247-6791