Politics and Military

Alamance Outrage of 1895

In this piece, Doug Berg covers the politics of county boundaries and Chatham's loss of a 2.5 by 18-mile strip of land on its northern border to Alamance. The conflict over fence law vs stock law is also discussed.

Revolutionary War Soldier — James Emerson

Records remarks and a slide show of photographs taken on May 1, 2011, at the Old Tick Creek burial grounds in Chatham County, to honor the memory of James Emerson, one of twelve Regulators captured at the battle of Alamance on the 16th of May, 1771--a battle in which the settlers in the backcountry of the North Carolina piedmont were considered in governor Tryon’s own words to be in “a state of war and rebellion.”

Whigs Restored Two Party Rule to Chatham and North Carolina

Documents early 19th century politics in North Carolina and Chatham County. The roles of Chathamites Abraham Rencher and Charles Manley are described.

Chatham County and the Politics of Secession, 1854-1861

Documents the political events that eventually took North Carolina out of the Union and into the Confederacy, with a particular focus on information about Chatham County’s involvement in these events. Identifies the views and votes of Chatham citizens and their political representatives regarding slavery and secession.

John Randolph Lane and the Chatham Boys

Fred Vatter’s account of the life and lessons of John Randolph Lane, who enlisted as a private in the Chatham Boys or Chatham Grays, which later became Company G of the 26th North Carolina Regiment. In July 1863, the 26th found itself at Gettysburg, facing the dreaded Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. Vatter describes the Gettysburg battles, during which most of the men of the 26th were killed and Col. Lane was severely wounded.  After the war Lane met and became friends with Charles McConnell of Chicago, who was the sniper who wounded him.

Chatham County Amputees and Artificial Limbs

After the Civil War, North Carolina was the first Confederate state to provide artificial limbs to amputees. Twenty-six Chatham men were recipients of the state-provided artificial arms and legs. Ansley Wegner's article on the Chatham County Historical Association website describes Civil War amputation, the North Carolina program, and lists the Chatham recipients.

Chatham County, A Hotbed of Populism 

Describes Chatham County’s leadership role in the Populist movement of the 1890s and on the political debates of that decade as described in several Chatham newspapers. It identifies dozens of Chatham citizens who participated in the politics of the day.

Veterans' Memorials, Chatham County

Photos and brief descriptions of the West Chatham Veterans Memorial and the Goldston Veterans Memorial.

Chatham County ~ World War One

 Several articles on our website provide information about the WWI experience in Chatham County. Topics include the WWI draft and lotteries, exemptions, service records, and genealogical resources.

Nathan Alexander Stedman III ~ Revolutionary War Patriot

In this article, Victor Burns summarizes the history of the Stedman family of Pittsboro and describes Victor's successful search for the graves of his ancestors. Although the Stedman family cemetery was located just yards from the Historic Chatham Courthouse, it had been forgotten for decades and the property used for other purposes. A fortunate series of events led to its rediscovery and the recovery of seven Stedman burials.

Pittsboro High School’s Honor Roll of WWI Veterans

Photograph and transcription of a memorial tablet honoring men from Pittsboro High School who served in WWI. It was presented at commencement in May 1922 by the Winnie Davis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Chatham County Amputees and NC’s Artificial Limbs Program

North Carolina became the first of the former Confederate states to offer artificial limbs to amputees. At least twenty-six Chatham men received artificial limbs from this state program. Ansley Herring Wegner’s article describes Civil War amputation, the NC artificial limbs program, and lists the Chatham men who benefitted from that program.

The Stone/Elkins Civil War Letters

Ten letters donated to CCHA give a glimpse of life during the Civil War for some Chatham soldiers and for the families they left at home. A number of families from the Pedlar’s Hill area of Chatham are mentioned. Dav Robertson’s article provides background to events in Chatham and in the camps, gives highlights of the letters and provides links to transcripts and the original images of the letters.

Chatham County Veterans Honored

More than 225 Chatham County veterans’ photographs have been shared by their families for display in the Chatham County Historical Museum’s “Tribute to Valor” exhibit. A photo frame presents a slide show of the donated photographs. The names of included veterans are listed here. If your family member’s photograph is not included, see the instructions for eligibility and how to submit.

Chatham’s Inner Civil War

This paper explores disunity within Chatham County leading up to and during the Civil War—what will be referred to here as ‘Chatham’s Inner Civil War.’ The focus is a narrow one—evidence of disagreement among Chatham citizens regarding slavery, secession, and the war.

Architecture, Communities, and Landmarks

Architectural Update 2019-2020

In 2019, CCHA member Kimberly Steiner volunteered to photograph and document the historic structures she had observed in the county. Her work will encompass structures in four townships--Baldwin, Center, Williams, and New Hope--as well as within the town of Pittsboro, to provide an updated inventory. You can find the results of her work to date here.

Weekend Historical Tour Offers View of One Dozen Siler City Locations

Reprint of an article by Milburn Gibbs that appeared in the Thursday, September 23, 2004, Chatham New/Record, 13-A. The article describes the CCHA-organized tour, which opened twelve Siler City historic locations to the public:  1. Braxton School and Gym, 2. Farmers Alliance Store, 3. Chatham Bank, 4. The Hardware Store, 5. Quality Motors, 5a. Justice Chevrolet, 6. City Hall, 7. First Baptist Church, 8. Matthews Wren House, 9. Snipes Fox House, 10. Corinth Church, Chatham High School, 11. Walter Siler House, 12. Gregson-Hadley House. Photographs included.

St. Lawrence House “The Yellow House” 2016 Update 

Tells what has happened to the historic St. Lawrence House in Pittsboro since it was purchased by Ray and Janet Carney in 2012. Describes some of the renovations the Carneys have undertaken and discoveries about the house and its history that they have made.

Three Historic Chatham County Houses: Parts I and II – Patrick St. Lawrence or Yellow House

Parts 1 and 2 of a five-part series by Jane Pyle, written in 2006, that describes three historic Chatham County houses. Part I describes the Patrick St. Lawrence House—also called the Yellow House and Part II gives a brief background on Patrick St. Lawrence himself.

Three Historic Chatham County Houses: Part III – McClenahan House

Part 3 of a five-part series by Jane Pyle, written in 2006, that describes three historic Chatham County houses. Part III provides the history of the McClenahan House.

Three Historic Chatham County Houses: Parts IV and V – Taylor House and Taylor Family

Parts 4 and 5 of a five-part series by Jane Pyle, written in 2006, that describes three historic Chatham County houses. Parts IV and V the Taylor House and Taylor family. 

Alvin Bynum House

Photograph and brief note about the Alvin Bynum House in Pittsboro.

CCHA Documents History of Property for New County Agricultural Center and Saves Unique Smokehouse

Describes the history of the property on which the new Chatham County Agricultural Center was built in 2016, and an architectural survey of the property prior to construction. The report highlights an intact smokehouse found on the property which was saved by CCHA.

The Day Chicken Bridge Got Its Name

Barbara Pugh describes an incident in the early 1950s in which a Chatham County bridge collapsed as a chicken truck was crossing, and the subsequent history of the bridge.

Health & Beauty Face a Rapidly Changing Chatham

Describes Mt. Vernon Springs—the resort and the twin springs “Health” and “Beauty.”

History of the Haughton McIver House in Gulf

In this paper, Robert Griffin describes the history of Gulf's Haughton McIver House and the Christmas traditions of his family that were carried out there in the early 20th century. 

Looking for Shakerag in Chatham

In 1912, Charles A. Farrell, a 19-year-old student at Wake Forest University wrote a story that was published in The Wake Forest Student about Thanksgiving in a community called “Shakerag,” which he describes as originally being “along the little strip of road between Hank’s Chapel and Moore’s Mill.” One of Charles Farrell’s descendants, Mr. Charles Plambeck, wonders if the references in the story are to real people and places in Chatham County. 

Jones Ferry Crossing ~ Chatham Landmark

Margaret Miller Growe and Richard Ellington detail the findings of their search for the location of Jones Ferry Crossing. The two researchers discover that their combined clues point to a possible answer to the mystery.

Jones Grove ~ The Land and the People

This former plantation, located where Galloway Ridge is now, holds the remains of a family whose story, along with that of some of the people they enslaved, is told in this paper by Mike Zbailey. 

Kelvin ~ A Brief History and Photographs

Kelvin was constructed in 1831 by Colonel Edward Jones as a private girl’s school— one of several private educational institutions in Pittsboro during that era. This document gives a brief history of the school and provides photographs collected by Dav Robertson in conjunction with his paper Kelvin Teenagers.

Manly Law Office

The Chatham County Historical Association owns and maintains the Charles Manly Law Office, located on Masonic Street in Pittsboro. The history of the office and its preservation is described here, along with background on Governor Manly. 

Searching for Jones Ferry Crossing

Doug Berg uses Chatham County deeds and tips from old-timers to pinpoint the location of Jones Ferry Crossing. His research puts the crossing upstream of the location suggested by Ellington and Growe.

Two Bridges (and a Culvert)

Chatham native, Bill Sharpe, traces the paths of old roads, bridges (and a culvert) in northeast Chatham and shares some memories along the way.

The Riggsbee Community

The Chatham County community of Riggsbee was located at what is now the intersection of Briar Chapel Parkway with US 15-501. In the latter half of the 19th century, it had a store with a post office, a one-room school and two churches. It was, indeed, a community. Bill Sharpe tells its story.

Bynum Bridge Awarded Historic Designation

Bynum Bridge was entered into the National Registry of Historic Places on April 23, 2020. Built in 1922 and closed to vehicles in 1999, the bridge still occupies a place of community importance in the village of Bynum. It’s history, unique characteristics, and place in the community are detailed in this article by Diane Swan and Debbie Tunnell.

Harvey Newlin’s Barns

Harvey Newlin is probably best remembered for the barns he built in Alamance, Chatham, and adjoining counties. The first barn was built on his own farm in southern Alamance in the late 1920’s. It is still a beautiful building after standing for more than 80 years. Harvey and a crew of farmer-carpenters built 153 barns before his retirement.

Links to National Register Forms for Chatham Properties

The State Historic Preservation Office has posted PDFs of nominations of the state's approximately 2,900 National Register listings (not including archaeological listings). We have included a list of Chatham County nomination forms here, with links, for easy reference.

From Baldwin Bridge to Pace’s Bridge

A stretch of the Haw River between Baldwin's Bridge and Pace's Bridge is the setting for Doug Berg's history of the area, which includes tales of devastating tornadoes and wrecks, picnics and chickens, old bridges and new.

Cemetery Mystery at Hailbron

Connie McAdams writes about the discovery of an old cemetery and her research into the Alston and Hill families that lived on the Hailbron Plantation near Pittsboro. Her findings provide a glimpse into life in early Chatham County.

History of Fearrington Farm

Links to an hour-long video in which Bill Sharpe talks about the history of the property that we know as Fearrington Village — the people, the land, the farm, farming practices, related communities in northeast Chatham, and more. Our thanks to Bill and to Galloway Ridge for allowing us to share it.

Seaforth History

Connie McAdams tells the story of this Chatham County community which is now under Jordan Lake. She researched newspapers to discover happenings of past days and interviewed people whose families lived in Seaforth for generations. 

Since Then: A Short History of Pittsboro, NC

This 36-page booklet was written by John Haughton London in 1986 and records the history of Pittsboro from his own recollections and research as well as photographs and information from his earlier publication Bygones and Survivors: Old Houses and Structures in and around Pittsboro 1787-1900.  

The Marshall and Milliken Log Cabins

Among CCHA's past projects are the restorations of two log structures--the Marshall log cabin on Salisbury St. and the Milliken log cabin on the grounds of the Chatham County Agricultural and Industrial Fair. Learn more about the history of the cabins and the project that saved them.

The White House on 15-501

Bill Sharpe shares the history of this landmark house and his childhood memories of the house and its residents.

Social Fabric

African American History Walking Tour - Pittsboro

A walk through the history of Pittsboro's once-vibrant African-American community. Although many of the places mentioned are now gone, this tour highlights the contributions and accomplishments that have received little notice in the past. Created by the Community Remembrance Coalition-Chatham.

Apprenticeships Involving Free Children of Color

Apprenticeship records are a rich source of information about people who may appear in few other records. This paper highlights the records of free children of color who were apprenticed in Chatham between 1800 and 1865.

Chatham County Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers Project

Identifies and links to the records of twelve former slaves who lived at some time in Chatham County. The first-person narratives and photographs are from the Federal Writer’s Project and are part of a joint online collection developed by the Manuscript and the Prints and Photographs Divisions of the Library of Congress.

Christmas in Gulf's Haughton McIver House

In this paper, Robert Griffin describes the history of Gulf's Haughton McIver House and the Christmas traditions of his family that were carried out there in the early 20th century. 

Glimpses into the Life and Family of Adeline Crump

Discusses the outcome of an experiment to see what could be learned about a family based on the information contained in the interview with one formerly enslaved woman—Adeline Crump.

Growing Up "Colored" in Chatham County, NC

Annie Rose Taylor McCrimmon's personal account of growing up in segregated Chatham County in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Joanna Foushee's Gift to Pittsboro Baptist Church

Kathy Shaffer writes about the gift of a silver communion service and marble-topped table to the Pittsboro Baptist Church--a deathbed gift that provides some of the only information available about the donor, Joanna Foushee.

Kelvin Teenagers ~ Letter to Kelvin Schoolgirl

Dav Robertson writes about a letter sent to Sarah Lenior Jones, a student at Kelvin School in 1832, from former classmate Elizabeth “Betsey” Pollock Devereux. He provides background on the school--a well-known Pittsboro school for girls--and the correspondents, a transcription of the letter and images of the original. 

Marium Alston and the Alston Freed Slaves

Plantation widow Marium Alston contested her husband’s will to obtain more of his slaves and, by her own will, arranged for them to be taken to a free state and freed. Freeing slaves in 1850s North Carolina was an exceedingly difficult feat. This paper documents the extraordinary actions of a Chatham County woman to set her slaves free and the impact on the lives of the Alston freedpersons.

Slavery in Chatham County

The history of slavery and information about enslaved people in Chatham County are difficult topics to research due to a scarcity of data sources. In this brief paper Jim Wiggins describes the information available in the sources he has identified. The paper is offered in the hope that it will serve as a catalyst for others to conduct and share future research.  

Letter from Thompson School 1891

Wallace Jarrell provided digital copies of a letter written in 1891 by his wife’s relative, John Henry Kennedy from Siler City’s Thompson School to another relative, Thomas Wesley Ritter. Only two pages long, the letter provides details about a student’s experience at the school that we have not seen recorded elsewhere.

 How Farm Tenants Lived in Chatham County

Describes the results of a 1922 survey of farm owners and farm tenants in Chatham County. Discusses the various kinds of tenants (landless farmers), their economic situations, crops, education, homes, health, religious practices, and opinions about social issues, and social mobility.

Chatham's Early Medical Care Was Primitive but Dedicated

A brief note about 18th and 19th century medical care and physicians in Chatham County.

Early Pittsboro Medicine Studied

Reprint of an article by Milburn Gibbs that appeared in the Thursday, May 6, 2004, Chatham New/Record. The article recounts Fred Vatter’s investigation of early Pittsboro medicine—primarily recollections of residents and former patients of Dr. K. M. Mathiesen, who came to Pittsboro in 1938 and ran a clinic until 1966-67. 

A Brief History of the Schools of Chatham County 

Describes the history of education in Chatham County from approximately 1771 to 1971—beginning with early academies and public schools; consolidation of the 1920s, which eliminated many one-room schoolhouses in favor of larger schools; and post WWII growth and integration.  Some photos.

Ruth Gordon's Pittsboro ~ 1930s

What was Pittsboro like in the 1930s?  We are fortunate to have a first-hand, real-time account thanks to a paper written by Pittsboro resident Ruth Gordon in 1939.

Farmers Library and Chatham Family Info Found in Old Book

A reference to Riggsbee, a community in northern Chatham near what is now Briar Chapel, is discovered in an old book, which also had a bookplate for “The Farmer's Library Agriculture, Science, and the Arts”—incorporated in Chatham County in 1833 and probably one of the earliest library associations in the state. Inked on the back endpaper of the book are the birth dates for Hasten Poe, his wife and children. The Ivey family of Chatham is also mentioned.

Ceremony Celebrates Martha's Chapel

Describes a 2011 ceremony in which a historic marker was dedicated at Martha’s Chapel by the Sir Humphrey Gilbert Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century. Gives a brief history of Martha’s Chapel and James O’Kelly, founder of the Christian Church.

History of the Thompson School

The Thompson School opened the same year that Siler City was incorporated--1887. It was a private boarding school, considered to be one of the outstanding preparatory schools in the state, which attracted about one hundred out-of-town students to each session, and was a "dominant factor in the social life and economy of the village, which had a population of only 254 in 1890." Hadley wrote this history of the school in 1979.

Masons Came to Pittsboro Early

Fred Vatter’s delightful account of the Masonic apron in CCHA’s collection and Masonry in Chatham County.

The House ~ Memories of a Time and Place

In this brief article, Bill Sharpe explores his memories of the Chatham County house in which he was born and raised. In the process, he provides us a revealing glimpse of a slice of Baldwin Township in an earlier time. 

Quail Hunting in Chatham

In this paper, Margaret Bingham recalls childhood memories of quail hunting by members of her family and introduces an article written by her late brother, Fred Hamlet for Pittsboro's bicentennial in 1976. Even though he was not a quail hunter, Fred's interest in county history and his exposure to quail hunting growing up must have led him to visit Mrs. Rosser (Alex) Cockman to talk with her about the Hickory Mountain Hunting (Gun) Club. The description of the Hickory Mountain Hunting Club activities that Mrs. Cockman shared with Fred brings to life a different Chatham County than the one we know now. 

Reconstruction and Black Rights after Slavery

While much has been written about Reconstruction and black rights in the South, in this paper Jim Wiggins focuses on how these events played out in Chatham County and the role that Chatham County leaders and voters played in these developments.

R.B. Paschal's Diary 

A transciption of Richard B. Paschal's diary entries from 1860-61 and 1863-64 records a terse summary of the weather and his daily activities, mostly related to farming, and sometimes news of the war. The diary provides a glimpse of how the Civil War affected Chatham County, with accounts of local men who were arriving back from fighting or taken prisoner of war. It also includes accounts of Paschal overseeing the trade of enslaved people in Chatham County, a reminder of the duties assigned to the position of sheriff during Chatham’s early history. Place names and people’s names, white and black, are included in the diary.    

My Memories of Tobacco

Bill Sharpe’s Chatham County homeplace was on an ungraded dirt road that is now Polks Landing Rd running west from US 15-501. In this article, he describes the various aspects of tobacco growing and his memories of working in his neighbor’s tobacco field as a boy. 

Chatham Superior Court Minute Docket 1839-1866

The original Chatham County Superior Court Minute Docket covering the years 1839 to 1866 has now been digitized and made available online thanks to CCHA’s partnership with the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center. The book was recovered from the Chatham County Courthouse following the 2010 fire. Few details are included in the records; nevertheless, the minute book gives a sense of events in the county and includes the names of many Chatham residents involved in civil and criminal cases, along with those serving as jurors.

A Brief History of the Colored Chatham County Agricultural Fair

Our current Chatham County Fair had its roots in the strictly segregated Chatham County of the 1940s. This brief history describes the people and events involved in its creation.

Chatham’s Black Farmers 1922 to 2017

A 1922 study provides a snapshot of the conditions of Black farmers in Chatham. This paper describes those conditions and subsequent events affecting Black farmers in the county.

Timeline to a Lynching

Doug Berg has complied newspaper clippings detailing six murders and the subsequent lynching of four Black Chathamites, allowing us to take a deep look at past events, records of which would have been previously buried like so many needles in a haystack. 

Industry and Commerce

The Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company

The Story of the Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company, 1849-1873 by Wade Hadley, 1980. The author's abstract reads: "The story records an heroic attempt to render almost one hundred miles of the upper Cape Fear and lower Deep rivers continuously and reliably navigable for steamboats." The 90-page booklet, which includes a bibliography and map, is now online thanks to CCHA’s partnership with the NC Digital Heritage Center.

Siler City 1910 from the 14 Dec Siler City Grit

Downloads of pages from the 14 Dec 1910 Siler City Grit covering town leaders and businesses.

Siler City Mills

Jerry Stone’s detailed account of the people, processes and products of Siler City Mills, from the Mills’ early days through its decline and closing.

Boling Company History 1904-1979

This 50+ page booklet tells the story of the Boling Company from its beginning in 1904 through 1979. A separate page contains photos from the booklet. Thanks to Miles Boling for sharing this history of an important Siler City company.

Chatham Railroad by Robert Wiesner

This article traces the 16-year history of the Chatham Railroad, contributing to an understanding of the tumultuous economic affairs of North Carolina in the years preceding and during the Civil War era. Included are photographs of the main figures and a little-known map of 1858 showing proposed rail routs to the Deep River coal fields. A soft-cover booklet is also for sale in our online store. 

Chatham’s Role in Early Railroads

A brief excerpt about the first public meeting to discuss bringing rail transportation to North Carolina. The meeting was held at the residence of William Albright in Chatham.

Coal Glen Mining Disaster

The Coal Glen-Farmville Mine Disaster was the worst industrial accident in North Carolina history--killing 53 men, making 38 women widows, leaving 79 children fatherless, making Farmville a ghost town, and virtually putting an end to coal mining in North Carolina. Paul Wilson has collected a large number of resources relating to the disaster and provides them here.

The Bynum Cotton Mill – In the Millworkers Words

What was it like to work in the Bynum/Odell Cotton Mill? We can answer that question because in the 1970s, UNC’s Southern Oral History Program interviewed mill workers and saved their words and voices for future generations. This article extracts sections of those interviews to answer questions about working at the mill.

Prosperity Came to Pittsboro on the Train

Discusses the impact of poor roads on Pittsboro’s economy and the effect of transportation improvements such as the Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company, the Western Railroad, and the Pittsboro Railroad Company. The arrival of the railroad opened a period of prosperity and building in Pittsboro. A map shows old homes and structures in and around Pittsboro during the period of 1787-1900.

The Oval Oak Washboard

A brief history about the Oval Oak Washboard in CCHA’s collection and the Chatham Manufacturing Company that produced it.

Business Ledger for the Pittsboro Merchants Womack and Goodwin

This business ledger for the general merchants Womack and Goodwin in Pittsboro, dates from 1832-1834. The ledger lists the firm's many customers and transactions during this period, including Green Womack (1772-1856), a prominent citizen of Pittsboro during the early 19th century. If your ancestors lived in Pittsboro or near enough to trade there in 1832-1834, you may well find their names--and purchases--listed. You can link to the ledger and find out why it is in a Cumberland County vs Chatham County collection here.

History of the Farmer's Alliance Store ~ Siler City

Siler City's Farmers' Alliance Store has a long and unique history. It was created in 1888 as a way to buy in bulk and provide lower costs to farmers, and, when it closed in 2018, it was the oldest business still in operation in Siler City. The Alliance published two books covering the history of the store--one for its 100th anniversary, and the other for its 115th. You can link to them both from this article.

The Justice Brothers and Justice Motor Company

In Chatham County for the majority of the twentieth century, the name “Justice” was associated with automobile sales—specifically Justice Motor Company in Pittsboro and The Justice Motor Company and then Chatham Motors in Siler City—and with two Hickory Mountain born brothers— Frank N. Justice and Fred C. Justice. In this article, Margaret Hamlet Bingham, the granddaughter of Fred C. Justice, shares the history of the brothers and their automobile dealerships, and gives us a walk-through of the Justice Motor Company Building in the 1950s.