Governor Charles Manly's Law Office
A Chatham County Native Son
Photography by Duane Hall
Charles Manly was born in Chatham County in 1795, son of Basil Manly and Elizabeth Maultsby. Charles graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1814 with honors, at the age of 19. Hired as a tutor for the children of John Haywood of Raleigh, Charles also read law with Haywood and was admitted to the bar in 1816. In 1817 he married Haywood's niece, Charity Hare Haywood, and settled in Raleigh.
Manly probably also practiced law in Pittsboro, for soon after coming to the bar he was elected county attorney and must have traveled to Pittsboro from Raleigh to discharge these duties.
Photography by Duane Hall
Manly was elected reading clerk in the House of Commons in 1823 and chief clerk for seventeen years. He was elected governor in 1848 for a two-year term. Manly was secretary-treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina from 1821 until 1869 except for his years as governor. Manly died in 1871 and is buried in the City Cemetery in Raleigh.
In 1842 Manly purchased land near what is now Central Carolina Bank and hired local craftsman George Ellington to build a one-room structure that tradition holds is the same building now standing north of the Masonic Lodge in Pittsboro. Manly called his office "Fort Snug," and it became a meeting place for area lawyers. He sold the property in 1857.
Photography by Duane Hall
While there is no doubt about the original location of the office, there is considerable speculation about what happened to the office itself. It is reported to have been moved to Salisbury Street during the Civil War, where it was used to make bowie knives. In 1966 it was located near the rear of a lot on West Salisbury on property owned by Henry and Laura Blair, who donated it to the Chatham County Historical Association. By late 1969 the office had been moved and restoration begun with funds raised by the historical society, and the office was opened to the public during the county bicentennial in 1971. Furnishings in the restored building are on loan from Harvey Gunter, a native of Pittsboro now residing in Durham. One of the fine articles is a schoolmaster's desk made by Green Brewer, master cabinetmaker. Old books were the gift of Mrs. Fred Jerome.
The Manly Law Office is opened for special occasions and on request for tour groups and school classes. Visitors are charmed with its dollhouse-like intimacy, period furnishings, and historical connections. Arrangements may be made to visit the house by calling the Chatham County Historical Association at (919) 542-3603.