Newspapers / The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.) / Jan. 1, 1959, edition 1 / Page 53
Part of The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Hotels in Murfreesboro, Winton Saloons in Several Spots “Spiritous liquors” were the common drink of .19th century Hertford Countians, The sale of such liquors, how ever, was strictly regulated. The records of Hertford County’s Court of Pleas arid Quarter Ses sions paint a suprisingly tame picture of the saloon in the coun ty during the 1830-61 period. The County Court issued li censes to those authorized to sell liquor “by the small measure.” And the records show that at no time were there more than five barrooms in the county in any one year from 1830 to 1861. Some of these licensed bars re tained their place of imbibing points throughout the entire pe riod. Famous Hotel They included the famous ho tel in Winton, which was the stop ping point for travelers and for the crowds of officials and spec tators who swelled the town’s population during court week. And, they generally included some spot in Murfreesboro, then a bustling river town and social center. The county court also had the job of fixing rates for the sale of whiskey at hotels and “ordinaries” (inns). The barroom history of Hert ford County in 1830-81 shows; In 1830, there were four places in Hertford County where spir itous liquors were retailed “at the small measure.” They included John Matthews’ shop in Winton. the shop of Watson Lewis and E. S. Spivey at the Winton Hotel, Moses Clement at the Murfrees boro hotel, and Abner Harrell at thriving Pitch Landing on the Chinkapin. In 1831, Watson Lewis renewed his license. In 1832, four licenses were issued, one each at Winton, Murfreesboro, St. Johns, and Pitch Landing. In 1833, liquor retailing licenses were issued to John-Jones “at his house,” and Elisha Morton at Saint Johns and Lewis at Winton There is a lack of record of the records of the County Court from 1833 to 1843). In 1843, three licenses were is sued: one to Perry Carter at the hotel in Murfreesboro, another at Saint Johns and to Valentine Per ry at his store at “Barfields” (this was the ferry crossing a few hun dred yards south of Winton). In 1845, liquor licenses were is sued to four proprietors. They in cluded Perry Carter at his store in Murfreesboro, Gilford Cook at Saint Johns, Bynum at the Win ton Hotel and Chamlee Jernigan at his store in Winton. In 1847, licenses were issued to Carter for the “Murfreesboro Ho tel” and Bynum in Winton. New in Murfreesboro In 1848, three liquor retailers received licenses. They included Tavern, Lodging Schedule Rates of board and room at inns and charges for retail liquors were regulated by the County Courts in the 1830-61 period. In 1859, the Hertford County Court established a schedule of rates which gives an insight into costs and habits of the period. The schedule, listed as "Tavern Rates," included: The charge for "one person with horse" was two dollars a day. Without a horse, the charge was $1.50. Food for the lodger was 50 cents for dinner and 37.5 cents for breakfast and supper. Food and lodging for the horse was 25 cents for "dinner" and 25 cents for lodging. Meals sent to rooms (unless in cases of sickness) would cost the lodger 50 cents extra. Barroom rates were established for what must have been the favorite drinks. They included "French brandy," which was ten cents a drink, or "domestic brandy." which was 6.25 cents a drink. Then, the thirsty lodger could get one-half pint of "mint julip" for ten cents "without ice." With ice, the charge was 15 cents per half-pint. County Dock Was in M'boro One of the Hertford County’s proudest possessions in the early 19th century was the county dock at Murfreesboro. This facility served the Meher- rin River traffic in agricultural and forest products,'When it was built, it symbolized the hope that Murfreesboro would grow to the size of a major port. But by 1830, the county dock was falling into disuse. From then until it fell into complete disrepair during the Civil War, the dock caused concern for the Hertford County Court, the coun-' ty’s governing body in that day. The story of the dock in Cour; Minutes begins in 1849 when $50 was allowed for repairs. A few months later, $85 more was al lowed for repair. In 1853, business in cotton was picking up and the County Court apointed William B. Wise as guardian of the dock. In the year following, $38.86 was allowed for repairs to the dock. The dock was partially destroy ed by Union cavalry in 1863 and never used again. Edwin Harrison of Murfreesboro, who got a license to operate an “ordinary and house of public en tertainment” in Murfreesboro. He took over the Murfreesboro Ho tel as proprietor. Another new grog shop was lo cated at a store at “Pine Tree ” This was a busy crossroads just east of Stoney Creek bridge in tne southeastern part of the county. The Winton Hotel and another shop also got licenses this year. In 1849, Harrison in Murfrees boro and Bynum in Winton re newed their licenses. Riddick Griffin got a license to retail liquor at his store in Saint Johns. Four licenses were issued in 1850. Griffin and Bynum renewed licenses. James Northcott got a li cense for his shop in Winton and John Bishop got a license for his store in Murfreesboro. In 1851 four licenses for retail ing liquor were issued. They went to Northcott and Bynum and to “William D. Willoughby at his store” and Job Kittle at his shop in Winton. In 1852, five licenses were is sued. They included Andrew Win- borne at Winton, a store at Sainl Johns, Bynum at the Winton Ho tel and at another shop in Win ton, and in Murfreesboro whert Charles Champion received a li cense to operate an ordinary. In 1853, Joseph Nichols at hi? store at Saint Johns, Bynum a'" Winton Hotel and Northcott an'-' A. G. Britt at their Winton shop received retailer’s license. Two licenses were granted ir 1854, to Bynum and Northcott at Winton. Three licenses were granted in 1855, to Bynum for the Wintor Hotel and to Northcott and A. G. Britt at stores in Winton. Again in 1856, three licenses were granted, to Bynum, North cott and Britt. In 1857, four licenses were granted, to James Lassiter at the Murfreesboro Hotel and Northcott at his Winton shop, to Henry and James Trader in Murfreesboro, and to Pleasant Jordan, who this year took over the Winton Hote’ and was to become its most fa mous proprietor. In 1858, Jordan and Northcott received licenses. And in this year, the County Court set up a schedule of tavern rates which were to apply to inns and barrooms in the county. The rates include room and board and per-drink liquor charges. In 1859, “Colonel Pleasant Jor dan” renewed his licenses for the Winton hostelry that was now known as the Jordan House. Nor fleet B. Whitehead got a license to retail in Murfreesboro and James Northcott renewed his li cense. In 1860, only one license was issued, to W. D. Day of Murfrees boro. In 1861, three retail^s received licenses. They included Northcott, Day, and Joseph Vinson at Saint Johns. County Court Kept Many Bridges (Continued from Page 1) Murfreesboro and Saint John’s this was a much used bridge. It was in existence during the early years of the 19th century. In 1847, it was mentioned in road orders by the County Court. It was ordered repaired in 1849 and $214 was paid for the work. Another examining committee was named in 1857. Repairs were ordered and they cost $553. In 1858, Charles Vann was named keeper of Benthall’s. STONEY CREEK BRIDGE Another ancient river crossing that is still known today. It had been built in the mid-1700’s for the heavy traffic between Cho wan River landings in Bertie County and the West. It was ordered i’epaired in 1849. A com mittee was named to examine it in 1854 and $185 was paid for subsequent repairs. In 1858 more repairs were made at a cost of $126.11. BOONE’S BRIDGE —In exist- ence as a ferry since the mid-18th century, this important bridge crossed the sluggish Meherrin be tween Hertford and Northampton County near the Virginia border. It is first mentioned during the 1843-60 period when $8.34 was paid for its keep by the Hertford County Court. The bridge was maintained jointly by Hertford and Northampton. In 1858, a new bridge was built, with Hertford paying $218 of the $654 total cost. HILL'S BRIDGE—This bridge crossed Potecasi Creek at Mount Tabor Church between Murfrees boro and Winton. It was in exist ence in 1846. William Jones was keeper of the bridge in 1851 and was granted $22.50 for repairs to it. The bridge was scene of a brief fight between Union cavalry and Confederate cavalry in 1863, known as “Skirmish at Potecasi Bridge.” BEAR CREEK BRIDGE — Be tween present-day 'Ahoskie and Harrellsville, in the 1842-60 peri od this bridge carried a road that led from Ahoskie Baptist Church to Pitch Landing. It is first men tioned in 1850, when $87 was paid by the County Court for re pairs. Five dollars was paid for repairs in 1853. BUCKHORN SWAMP — 1850, the county was asked to take over a private bridge “near Manney’s Old Mill in Buckhorn Swamp on the road from Buck horn Chapel to the residence of Jethro Darden.” The bridge was on a road that led from Murfrees boro northward to Manney’s Fer ry and Virginia, roughly parral- leling US 258 of today. The Coun ty Court took over the bridge. Within a year, the bridge needed repair. A commission was ap pointed to decide whether to re build the bridge or establish a ferry. Apparently the bridge was repaired. In 1854, Darden was granted $100 for building a new bridge. CUTA WHISKEY SWAMP BRIDGE—This structure spanned Cutawhiskey Swamp just north of Saint John’s. It had been in exist ence for several years when $138 worth of repairs were ordered in 1852. More repairs—costing $24.75 -—were done in 1855. In 1858, major repairs cost $370. WICCACON RIVER BRIDGE— This much-used span crossed the Wiccacon near Montgomery’s Mill between Bethlehem and Cofield (in these days known as “Sally Archer’s Crossroads.”) It had been in existence for several: years when repairs to the abut ment were ordered in 1852. Re pairs costing $358.46 were done in 1854. CHINKAPIN CREEK BRIDGE —This bridge spanned the Chink apin Swamp just east of Pitch Landing, the important landing of the Ante Bellum period just west of present-day Harrellsville. It is not mentioned in Court Min utes until 1858, when $64 was al lowed for repairs. GRIFFITH BRIDGE —In 1854, the county took over Griffith’s' Bridge near Murfreesboro after $300 had been spent privately for its construction. The county paid $200 more on the work, but stip ulated that the bridge was to be “privately kept.” BLUE WATER BRIDGE—Lo cated west of present-day Union, this bridge spanned a small trib utary of the Potecasi Creek. It is mentioned in 1859 when James Duke was named guardian. LONG BRIDGE — The “Long Bridge” connected Hertford and Northampton northwest of Mur freesboro. In 1853, a commission was named to meet with a North ampton group to decide on re pairs for the bridge. Hertford paid one-third of the cost—a bill for $233.34—when a new bridge was completed. Smaller Bridges Three smaller bridges are men tioned in 1842-60 Hertford Coun ty Court Minutes. A footbridge was ordered built across Ahoskie Swamp between Saint John’s and Bertie line in 1846. A footbridge was ordered over “Slaughter’s Swamp” in 1857, and the county took over a small bridge across Ahoskie Swamp “near the resident of Dr. Godwin C. Moore” in 1850. There were more than a dozen other bridges in the county dur- ing the period. Most of them were tiny structures spanning the runs of creeks and swamps. Some were no more than planks laid in swampy areas along roads of the period. (hct .MILESTONE hertfor^d COUNTy 1759-1559 herald 1909-1959 Copyright, Parker Broe., Inc., 195g THE HERALD, Ahoskie. N. C.—MILESTONE YEAR 1959—PAGE 7 Hertford County's Courthouse: 1830-62 Hogs Bothered Courthouse Well, Stove Was a Nuisance The story of Hertford County’s two burned courthouses is well known. The first Hertford courthouse was burned in 1830 by Wright Allen, seeking to destroy some evidence in a trial. The Union army burned the second courthouse in February, 1.862, after landing from gunboats In the Chowan River. The story of the rebuilding of the first courthouse, and its his tory until burned in 1862, is told in the minutes of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Ses sions for the 1830-60 period. After the 1830 blaze, the Coun ty Court moved quickly to have the courthouse rebuilt. In May, 1830, the Court moved that a courthouse be built “on the same spot” as the old one, and that the cost not exceed $5,000. Of this sum, $2,000 was to come from direct taxes, the other to be borrowed. Apparently, some portions of the first courthouse were still re maining. The minutes of the Court says the meeting was held “at the courthouse.” A year later, the new court house was apparently up. The Court was meeting “at the court house.” No Description There is no complete descrip tion of Hertford’s second court house. It contained offices for some public officials and a court room. The jail was in a separate building. 'There was a public stock and whipping post on the grounds and a well. Records of the County Court tell the story of the courthouse during the 1830-60 period: In 1845, the Court ordered the jail steps be repaired, and the next year the bar of the court room was also in need of fixing. In 1847, a committee was nam ed to make a complete examina tion of the courthouse. The com mittee recommended that the courthouse and clerk’s office be repaired, In 1851, the courthouse steps were ordered repaired. In the next year, the County Court ordered that sawdust be placed on the courthouse floor, and ordered the contractor to “keep it supplied with same.” This indicates that, true to the period, the court crowd chewed liberally on plug tobacco and used the floor for spitting. This same year, the jailhouse steps were again ordered repair ed. The courthouse also had light ning rods. A new set were pur chased in 1851 at a cost of $31. In 1853, the County Court faced another typical problem of the period. Hog Problem It ordered that a committee be named to fix the courthouse grounds so that “hogs and stock cannot get on it.” In the next year, the Court ordered a fence rebuilt around the well on the courthouse grounds so stock could not fall in the water facility. At the same time, major repairs were ordered for the jailhouse. A new floor was ordered, made of “thick plank with spikes.” Total cost of courthouse repairs resulting from these orders total ed $108.59. In 1857, the jail was a bone of contention again. It was “un sound” said the County Grand Jury. Stoves in the courthouse gave trouble in 1858. A committee was named in February to remove the old stove from the Grand Jury room and provide a new coal stove. But in November, things were worse. The Grand Jury recom mended that the stove in its room “be destroyed.” And in some of the most emphatic language in the Court Minutes, the Jury said of the stove: “We view it is a common nuisance (worse than nothing).” It recommended the offending stove be sold to the highest bidder. In August, the Grand Jury re ported it had examined the whip ping post, stocks and jail. In No vember, it said the shutters and steps at the jail needed fixing. In 1859, the County Court or dered that two pitchers and two glasses be provided for the court room. Late in the year, it also or dered that the ever-troublesome jail “be put into order.” Thus, the story of Hertford County’s courthouse. Three years later it went up in smoke after a Union army officer said it was being used as a storehouse for Confederate militai'y supplies. 1948-1959 Our Name Is Our Reputation Our business is Service in time of Need. For the post 11 years we hove offered thecitizensoftheRoan- oke-Chowon quiet, dignified service and we hove en deavored to build a reputation based on that type of service. We ore proud to be apart of the economic and spiritual pattern of Hertford County. Wejoinourfel- low citizens in celebrating the 200th Anniversary of historic and progressive Hertford County. HUHTiil funeral HOME Ahoskie, North Carolina
The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 1, 1959, edition 1
53
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75