Richmond County, North Carolina

... ... ... is a part of North Carolina history. Join: North Carolina Project Discuss: North Carolina

• Leader of this Project is Paula J
• Coordinator is Mary Richardson

History

Page is IN Process Richmond County, N.C. Historical Society

The Saura or Cheraw were the first Native Americans, who lived near the Pee Dee River, (their method of travel, water and food). The Native Americans had no resistance to European diseases, thus died due to warfare or the European diseases that settlers brought into the state. The industrial economy enabled settlements to develop.^[1][2][3]

1740 Settlements began with German, English, and Scotch-Irish settlers crossing into Richmond area from the "panhandle" of the northwest. Highland Scots landed near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, sailed up to“Cross Creek” and Fayetteville, N.C. in a search for fresh grazing land where they could plant crops. Land grants were awarded in Richmond, Moore, Scotland and Montgomery Counties. Homes of some Maryland and other colonies farmers are present today: Dockery House (1830), and Leak-Wall House (1854).^{[4] [1][3]}

map of Coles Bridge #2, Richmond county, NC

1774 The Dockery Meeting House was chartered (which became the Cartledge Creek Baptist Church) . Churches began such as Mt. Pleasant Methodist in 1780, First Methodist Church of Rockingham in 1786, Concord Methodist Church in 1787, and Zion Methodist Church in 1829, with a Presbyterian Meeting House in Rockingham around 1788.^[3]

Charles Lennox

1779North Carolina formed counties as a response to complaints from settlers of traveling long distances to conduct court business, who had difficulty crossing the Pee Dee River to reach Anson's county seat. North Carolina General Assembly created Richmond County from Anson County, 1779. Richmond is named in honor of Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond}}, the 2rd Duke of Richmond,who favored the Colonies and petitioned the English House of Lords to grant independence to the colonies. ^{[4][2][5] [3]}

1779 Richmond Court House was the first county Seat. Scotland County was later formed from Richmond County in 1899.^[3]The first court was held in the old Presbyteran meeting house (93 miles west of Rockingham), near Wall's Ferry Road in the Zion Community. The early courts were named "Court of Pleas" and "Quarter Sessions". This was named "Richmond Court House".^[4][1][5][3]

American Revolution Stories

Mar 1, 1781 Lt. John Philyard was commanding the Duplin County Regiment of Militia, with (25) men of the area near Cole's Bridge on Drowning Creek. Col Hector McNeill attacked Cole's Bridge post and took over the store with his (300) Loyalists. Joseph Wade's pension statement mentioned they had been guarding the beef to be used for the army, when the British and Loyalists killed the Ensign and (4-5) men. Lot Rich was wounded in the left arm and lost his hat at the store. ^[6]

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_richmond_and_cumberland_counties.html

Aug 3, 1781 Col. Thomas Wade and his Patriots looked for the Loyalists involved in the Piney Bottom massacre, then camped near Daniel Patterson's home on Drowning creek. Col. Wade's Patriots beat Patterson to learn the names of all involved in the massacre. ^[7]

Aug 4, 1781 The Patriots next visited Kenneth Clarke's house, where they captured Alexander McLeod, John Clark, Daniel McMillian, Duncan, allan McSweene, and a "deserter in a red coat. Only McMillian and Currie had been at the Piney Bottom Creek massacre.^[7]

Capt. Patrick Boggan and his Light Horse Company arrived, who had not found Loyalists, but were drunk.apt. Boggan wanted the men to be executed the way a boy at Piney Bottom had been killed with a sword. As the drunken men were slashing with swords, the Loyalists ran.. Alexander McLeod, and many were shot and killed. The Patriots told Mr. Clark to bury the bodies and took the British deserter with them. They found chests left behind by British officers at Kenneth Black's house. The Patriots finally felt they had avenged the boy's death and disbanded.^[7]

1783 Taxes were levied to pay for buying land and laying out of the town of Richmond Court House. Soon citizens changed the name of this town to Rockingham. to honor Chrles Watson-Wentwort, 2nd marquess of Rockingham who had supported the colonies in their Independence endeavors. .^[3]

Richmond County is located in the south central part of North Carolina, with these counties near it: Anson, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Hoke, Scotland Counties and the State of South Carolina. Richmond touches two counties in South Carolina: Marlboro and part of Chesterfield. Before the border between North and South Carolina was settled, settlers living in the old Cheraw District (SC) were technically in what would become modern Richmond County. ^[2][3][8]

Charlels Watson Wentworth, Marquis of Rockingham

1785 Rockingham became the next county seat . it was named for Charles Watson Wentworth, Marquis of Rockingham who was another colonial supporter during the US Southern colonial days. A few other townships are Cordova, Ellerbe, Ghio, Hamlet, and Hoffman.^{[1][2][4][1][9][3]}

1830 the Dockery Brick house was built. This is still present.

Nathaniel jOhnson Caroline Governor

1833 The Richmond Mill was chartered in 1833 as Mill #7. This mill was still in service until 1865. At this time general William T Sherman and Union troops burned the mill.

1854 The Leak-Wall House was built and still stands.The county grew slowly as many families moved down from Maryland, Virginia, and up from South Carolina.

1865 The Stoneman’s Raid was a long cavalry raid in eastern North Carolina. The General had been ordered to destroy, rather than fight battles. This started in Tennessee, then Stoneman brought the cavalry into the NorthCarolina mountains, pillaging Boone and capturing Wilkesboro, NC. In Salisbury there was a Confederate prison in the Maxwell Chambers mill and a supply town. The prison operated 1861-1865 with 10,000 Union prisoners at times. ^[10]The Union forces under Gen. Stoneman and Gen. Palmer severed railroads, burned mills and the Reedy Fork Bridge which could be seen burning for miles. With all the area destroyed they almost caught Confederate Gen. Robert E Lee retreated. ^[10]

March, 1865 The Richmond Manufacturing Company (chartered 1833 by the General Assembly) was burned by William T Sherman’s troops near the end of the Civil War. It was acquired by another mill following the war. The location was near Falling Creek and the railways. The shells of the mill buildings still stand.^[1]

Great Falls Mill, Rockingham

1868 Richmond Mill was rebuilt and named GREAT FALLS MILL. This burned in 1972 (which lasted over 100 years. Its ruins are standing. Other cotton mills sprang up in the county.^[3]

1877 The first railway to lay tracks was Raleigh and Augusta Air Line. it entered the small town off Hamlet. NC that year. Textiles followed the railway introduction as this provided access of materials, and shipping through both the late 1800's and 1900's.^[1]

Feb, 1899 The General Assembly used some of Richmond Count's land for Scotland County. ^[2]

Hamlet, NC

Post1900 {Blue|Hamlet, North Carolina}} is a popular community. The Hamlet Railroad Depot (1900) was built in 1900 as a Railway center of Richmond County. The National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame are now housed in the Hamlet Railroad Depot. The Hamlet Opera House (built 1912) was similar to the Bijou Theatre of Wilmington, now has been renovated for Hamlet, NC. ^[11]Hamlet, North Carolina became the nation’s largest railroad yard , Seaboard Airline Railroad spent several million dollars to build a state of the art train yard where railways car separated for differing East Coast destinations. Engine and car repair shops were constructed.^[11][3]

-1930's Richmond County was a wealthy county with thriving agriculture, textile mils employed thousands of people.. This continued until 1930's and the Depression. During these years orders for textiles slowed down. Workers were paid low wages or lost their jobs. They planted gardens and survived with their gardens, and cattle. ^[11][1]

Postcard of Rockingham

1941-49 Orders for textiles resumed during World War II, the USA needed textiles with its army in in World War II. The Military needed textiles. with preparations for the army at war. After World war II. Following this many of the textiles were sold to national manufacturers such as: J. P. Stevens, Lowenstein, Beaunit, Safie, and Burlington. Ledbetter Mfg. Company (built in 1890) was still owned by the Ledbetter families. A 2nd Technical school was opened and since has grown into Richmond Community College ^[11][1]

1954 -Mid 1970's Hamlet, North Carolina became the nation’s largest railroad yard , Seaboard Airline Railroad spent several million dollars to build a state of the art train yard where railways car separated for differing East Coast destinations. Engine and car repair shops were also constructed.^[11] Seaboard Railway been sold, resold, merged, and remerged. The textile balloon was sinking. Some mills lost orders to Mexico and South America with cheaper labor. The buildings for the textile mills were almost (100 years with older equipment. Only Burlington mill built at new plant and was the last textile mill/plant. ^[11][1]

https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/richmond-county-1779/

The Rock , Rockingham NASCAR

1980 -2004North Carolina had NASCAR races at “The Rock,” (North Carolina Motor Speedway) in Rockingham's Two races in 1980 and 1990 were the NASCAR’s AC Delco 200 Busch Grand National Race and the AC Delco 400 Winston Cup Race. Race car drivers and fans came to watch. After Charlotte built a race track the popularity of the Rock Raceway dwindled so the last race was 2004..^[1]

Railroad Hall of Fame Museum, Hamlet, NC

Hamlet, NC and Ellerbe, NC were popular communities. The Hamlet Railroad Depot (1900), a Railway center of Richmond Co., and National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame are house in the depot. The Hamlet Opera House (1912) was built similar to the Bijou Theatre of Wilmington, but has been renovated for Hamlet, NC ^[1]

Hamlet, NC Seal

Carolina History Prior to when North Carolina and South Carolina were divided into two states, it was known as Carolana. In these times, citizens of the old Cheraw District, South Carolina were geographically living in what is called Richmond County. ays of Cheraw, South Carolina Geographically Richmond County is located in the south central section of the State and is bounded by (clockwise starting on the west side) Anson, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Hoke, Scotland Counties and the State of South Carolina. Richmond touches two counties in South Carolina: Marlboro and part of Chesterfield. Before the border between North and South Carolina was settled, a few folks who lived in the old Cheraw District (SC) were technically in what would become modern Richmond County. ^[2]

Railways

Carolina Central Railroad has tracks of (32 miles) in Richmond County. The Raleigh and Augusta reaches Hamlet, North Carolina with( 14 miles) being in the county. ^[5]

TOWNS/CITIES in Early Richmond County

1883 Laurenburg, North Carolina began on the railway (22 1/2 miles) southeast of Rockingham. The town grew into 1200 citizens (similar to Rockingham) . ^[5]

Ellerbe began as people came to the area for the mineral springs. A church, school, and post office were established and all went by the name of Ellerbe Springs, which was later shortened to Ellerbe. The hotel was built in 1906 and is still standing today - Ellerbe Springs Bed and breakfast still is present in Ellerbe plus historic homes of the town. ^[3]

Great Falls Mill, Rockingham, ruins.

Rockingham, North Carolina started as a lively town, located on high sandy hills located between two fast moving creeks that originated from the many springs in the sandy hills. These creeks deliver gushing water to tumble over over shoals and down the falls. The Pee Dee River is the right side of Rockingham water gushing is a lively little town built on high sandy knolls. There are sounds of the creeks tumbling over rocks an down the falls as well as a melodious sound from the thousands of spindles and looms as well as people's voices who work in the Roberdel, the Pee Dee, the Great Falls, the Midway, the Steel's and the Ledbetter's Mills. ^[12]

Great Falls Mill, Rockingham

MILLS -Richmond County

1836 Long ago a dam was built. Rockingham manufactured cotton at Great Falls . The

Richmond Manufacturing Company, and a cotton mill that appear in the directory of this old company are, to a large extent, the same that appeared long ago. This began the half dozen mills which make created the industrial music for Rockingham. ^[3]

Mills

Pee Dee Mill # 1 (part of it underwater.

1876-77 Pee Dee Manufacturing Company started and built the mill with 2000

spindles. These have been increased over time. There is even a Pee Dee Village where the mill operators live with their families. Churches and schools began.The Pee Dee plaid goods which are produced here are for sale in stores in other states. This has built North Carolina's reputation for its cotton fabric.^{[5] [12]}

Five mills are in operation creating cotton material currently, which spin and (2) weave). Another mill is being built (3 miles) northeast of Rockingham, to be on Hitchcock's Creek, with a (22 /1/2 foot) stone dam.

Malloy & Morgan's mill is located (2) miles east of Laurel Hill station on the C C railway, in Gum Swamp of the little Pee Dee River. (Population is 1,000) ^[5]

Leak, Wall & McRae's Mill is one mile southwest of Rockingham on the railway, which has 1,000 spindles, and makes warps only.^[5]

Ledbetter's mill is (5) miles NE of Rockingham on Hitchcock's Creek, which has 1,000 spindles, and makes warps.^[5]

The Great Falls mill on Rockingham's outskirts on Falling Creek with a head of water of (40 feet). This mill has (4,109) spindles and (140 )looms which makes (7,000) plain sheetings.^[5]

Pee Dee Mill #1

Pee Dee mill is on Hitchcock's Creek, also out of town, with a head water of 18 feet and (4000 spindles. The head water is 18 feet. It has 4,000 spindles and (120) looms makes (5000) plaids daily.^{[5] [3]}

Pee Dee Mill part is under water.

Roberdel Mfg. Co.

1882 Roberdel Mills was built originally with 2000 spindles. The Mills are a monument to success. They are located on Hitchcock's Creek, founded by Col. Steel. The mill is a brick building on the banks of the creek with several stories. The (6000) spindles and 300 looms employ 300 men and women doing the spinning and weaving of Roberdel Southern silks-fabrics, which are perfect in texture, color, and glossy finish. the plentiful water flowing against the (18 foot) high stone dam. This mill also has a village, churches, schools and homes for the employees.^[5][12]

Midway mills are powered by water from the spindles and looms in Great Falls, Pee Dee and Roberdel. The mills were built on midway Shoalsof Rockfish Creekare built along by the side of Midway Shoals of Rockfish Creek. The waters leave Midway toward Ledbetter's and Steel's mills. Within (6) miles the mills machinery of (6) mills are powered. ^[12]https://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/rockmills.html

Pee Dee Mill # 1 (part of it underwater.

1876-77 Pee Dee Manufacturing Company started and built the mill with 2000

spindles. These have been increased over time. There is even a Pee Dee Village where the mill operators live with their families. Churches and schools began.The Pee Dee plaid goods which are produced here are for sale in stores in other states. This has built North Carolina's reputation for its cotton fabric.^{[5] [12]}

Midway mills are powered by water from the spindles and looms in Great Falls, Pee Dee and Roberdel. The mills were built on midway Shoalsof Rockfish Creekare built along by the side of Midway Shoals of Rockfish Creek. The waters leave Midway toward Ledbetter's and Steel's mills. Machinery of (6) mills power (6) . ^[12] https://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/rockmills.html

1865 Mark Morgan began his mills which evolved in Richmond, Ida, & Springfield to the mills with nearly 10,000 spindles. His three successful mills at Laurel Hill and the great good they have done. Morgan began working in the old Laurel Hill Mills running yarns on old machinery. Some of the machinery had been sunk at the Port of Wilmington to keep it out of the hands of the Union soldiers. They fished the machinery out of the water, and stored it in the old mill. By 1874 Morgan had the mill equipped with new machinery. Then he changed its name to Richmond Mills^{[5] [13][12]}

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/richmond_county_nc.html

The first railroad line through Richmond County was begun in 1861, but stopped for the American Civil War and then resumed in 1869. In 1872, a woolen mill was built, and the town around it was named Hamlet. The owner of the mill deeded land to the railroad. The first train to reach Hamlet was the Raleigh and Augusta Air Line on August 10, 1877. The Hamlet Railroad Depot was built in 1900 and is still standing today housing a railroad museum. The town of Hamlet grew and became a railroad center. The Hamlet Opera House was built around 1912 and was almost identical to the Bijou Theatre in Wilmington. The area became known for its culture. Today the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and a group is attempting to restore the building.^[3]

SPOOLBOY to OWNER

Col. Robert Steele started the Steele's Mills, on Rockfish Creek(3 miles) west of Rockingham. Its water power that was wasted for years is harnessed to turn the new cotton mill wheels. The new Steel Cotton mill is in construction.^[5][12]

Alfred Dockery (1797-1875) was from a farming family. He became the Constitutional Convention of 1835 delegate. He later was elected to be a U.S. Congressman, establishing the Wake Forest Institute (pre-cursor to the Wake Forest University. 1870's, Dockery organized the Republican party.^[2]

Cameron Morrison (1869-1953) was the "good Roads Governor", 1890. Gov. Morrison promoted paved roads in North Carolina in 1920's. He promoted public education and corrected some of the race problems.^[2]

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/richmond_county_nc.html

Adjacent Counties

• Anson County, NC
• Hoke County, NC
• Montgomery County, NC
• Moore County, NC
• Scotland County, NC
• Stanly County, NC
• Chesterfield County, SC
• Marlboro County, SC

Government

1883 Courthouse

1883 Courthouse

1930-45 Richmond Courthouse

Geography

Position: south central section of the State

Counties surrounding are:

Anson, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Hoke, Scotland Counties and the State of South Carolina.

Location- 75 miles East of Charlotte, 100 miles South of High Point, Winston-Salem and Greensboro triad, 11 miles Southwest of Raleigh; 120 miles Northwest off Myrtle Beach and 150 miles East of Asheville and the mountains ^[11]

Mountains

trees- long leafed pine, persimmon trees, dogwood, poplar, and juniper

Wells in the centre and northern belt produce water, but none is less than 58 degrees.

Products Logging of pines, turpentine

Clean Air

Endless water system

Topography - undulating, broken where streams flow

Soil -partly slate partly red sandstone

Creeks- Mountain Creek - north part In the northern portion of the county-undulating and even broken near Mountain Creek and other streams which flow

Crops -- Cotton grows near Little River where it is not sandy.

Timber oak, hickory, short-leafed pine, maple,long-leaf pine beyond Little River.

River - The Pee Dee River also connects with Seaburn Spring, Naked, Hamer and Buffalo Creeks. ^[2]

The central part of the county, except near the river and the creeks, is sandy, and was covered now has long leaf pine, is unproductitve unless fertilized with manure.

forests remain, with long leafed pine.

Soil is naturally unproductive, but by heavy manuring, yields fair crops.

Still the lower part of the county with flat lands has the best soil..Soil of the eastern part of the with broken sand hills it is not so good.

I-Highway 73-74 splits in Richmond County for I-71 to extend southward to Myrtle Beach

I-74 Eastward to the coast of North Carolina, then southward to Myrtle Beach.

Creeks The Pee Dee River connects with Seaburn Spring, Naked, Hamer and Buffalo Creeks.

Water -near upper end of the county some has brackish taste due to red sandstone

Soil, formation is red sandstone,

Population of the county i- 20,000, (9,000), mostly whites Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians..

Crops - Corn, Peaches,. most fruits succeed well. pears, apples grapes Owing to climatic causes, apples of the later variety are not suited. Raise fine peaches, pears

Topography = hills, Mountain, Buffalo Creeks, Grassy Islands.

Crops Richmond farmers grow corn, cotton, tobacco, and vegetables.

Protected Areas

Demographics

Highways

• I-73
• I-74

NOTABLES

• John Coltrane (1926-1967) was born in Hamlet, NC. He studied clarinet and saxophone. Then moved to Philadelphia. 1960 he formed his own jazz group, but passed away at a young age. The house now holds the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter of Richmond County.

• Richmond Technical Institute was built in 1965, and today is a community college that offers degrees in various technical and vocational occupations, as well as academic classes that can be transferred to a four-year college.

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/richmond_county_nc.html

RESOURCES

• MANY FAMILY GENEALOGIES
• Golf is a big sport in this county
• NASCAR races had a North Carolina Speedwar called “The Rock,” or the North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham, During 1980s and 1990s, the NASCAR’s AC Delco 200 Busch Grand National Race and the AC Delco 400 Winston Cup Race. Numerous fans and race car drivers flocked to Rockingham to watch the races NASCAR races .

Cities

• Category: Diggs, North Carolina
• Category: Dobbins Heights, North Carolina  ::https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobbins_Heights%2C_North_Carolina Wikipedia Dobbins Heights]
• Category: Ellerbe, North Carolina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellerbe%2C_North_Carolina

• Category: Hamlet, North Carolina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet%2C_North_Carolina

• Category: Hoffman, North Carolina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffman%2C_North_Carolina

• Category: Norman, North Carolina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman%2C_North_Carolina

• Category: Rockingham, North Carolina

Census

Cemeteries

• Category: Harrington Family Cemetery, Diggs, North Carolina
• Category: Eastside Cemetery, Rockingham, North Carolina
• Category: Richmond County Memorial Park, Rockingham, North Carolina
• Category: McNair Cemetery, Beaver Dam, Richmond County, North Carolina
• Category: Mial Wall Cemetery, Rockingham, North Carolina
• Category: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Rockingham, North Carolina

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11} https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/richmond-county-1779/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14} http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/richmond_county_nc.html
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Richmond County, N.C. Historical Society
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13} http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/abtrichmond.html
6. ↑ http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_revolution_engagements_richmond_county.html
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_richmond_and_cumberland_counties.html
8. ↑ http://ncgenweb.us/richmond/richroblinerun.htm
9. ↑ Charles Watson Wentworth
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/stonemans-raid/
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6} http://rchs-nc.net/county-history/
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7} http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/rockmills.html
13. ↑ http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/spoolboy.html

• http://rchs-nc.net/county-history/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobbins_Heights%2C_North_Carolina
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellerbe%2C_North_Carolina
• https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/richmond-county-1779/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet%2C_North_Carolina
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffman%2C_North_Carolina
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman%2C_North_Carolina
• http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/families.htm
• http://rchs-nc.net/county-history/
• http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/rockmills.html
• http://www.ncgenweb.us/richmond/abtrichmond.html
• https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/richmond-county-1779/
• http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/richmond_county_nc.html

• “Richmond County.” William S. Powell, ed. Encyclopedia of North Carolina (University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill, NC 2006).

• “Alfred Dockery; John Coltrane; Cameron Morrison; Hamlet Station.” North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program website. A Division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. (accessed December 26, 2011).

• “History of Richmond County.” Richmond County government website.