Writer of Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry and Master Photographer
In 1755, a law was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly for “relief of the poor and the prevention of idleness.” Later, in 1817, a tax was approved, and through private donations and will bequests, funding for the poor slowly came about. Not much was done formally until well into the antebellum period, when…
What’s known as Nash County today began as part of Albemarle County in 1670. Later, it became known as Chowan, and Bertie was formed out of Chowan in 1722. Edgecombe was sliced off of Bertie in 1741. In 1777, Nash was formed out of Edgecombe. There were six townships in the county that haven’t been…
By Michael K. Brantley There are many various stories about an Indian trading path that ran through the heart of Eastern North Carolina in the early 1700s. It is sometimes referred to as the Green Path or Green’s Path. Historians not only seem unable to agree on its exact location, but even disagree on the…
By Michael K. Brantley Today, Stanhope is a brief, pass through community on N.C. Highway 97. It is an interesting place and the home of a beautiful old church, as well as a firehouse, a high school, and some old homes. The community was a stop on the Raleigh to Tarboro stagecoach line. It was…
By Michael K. Brantley Of course, the Gold Rush of the 19th century is always associated with western locations, usually California. However, from 1804-1828, all the domestic gold coined at the United States Mint came from North Carolina. Gold was first discovered in North Carolina in 1799 when Conrad Reed found a 17-pound nugget in…
By Michael K. Brantley Spring Hope is located in Nash County, North Carolina, about 45 minutes directly east of Raleigh. Nash County is shaped sort of like the state of Nevada, flipped sideways. Spring Hope has a quirky history. A man named Crenshaw helped establish the community in the mid-1800s near a series of springs…
Nash County was formed out of Edgecombe County — a significant center of wealth and influence in the antebellum era — in 1777. The new county was named for General Francis Nash, one of George Washington’s favorite commanders, who died at the Battle of Germantown (Pa.) on October 4, 1777. Nash was born in Amelia…