Lot 6

West Churton Street Between King Street and Margaret Lane

From the earliest days of the town, this lot was one of the most active and subdivided. It was used for residential, commercial, and public purposes.

From 1755 to around 1765, the northwest corner was the site of the first Orange County jail. It was 25’x25’, built by Quaker carpenter and miller Joseph Maddock (See Lot 1).

In the 1760s, William Few and John Dowell owned portions of this lot and may have operated an ordinary on the site. A 1767 deed between Few, his wife Mary, and Dowell states that the property was developed and contained “houses and out houses.”

By 1768, most of the lot (if not all) was under the ownership of William Johnston.

Johnston and Thackston General Store

c. 1766

When Sauthier drew his map in 1768, only one building fronted Churton Street on Lot 6.

(L) Detail from the 1768 Sauthier Map showing Lot 6

The building was a general store operated in partnership by William Johnston and James Thackston. Their merchandise included fabric, blankets, thread, iron pots, gunpowder, gunshot, and books. Of the books in his inventory, schoolbooks such as spelling books, primers, and hornbooks were the bestsellers; next were bibles, psalters, and hymnals.

(L) First printed in Boston around 1690, The New-England Primer, became one of the most successful children’s textbooks published in America during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

(R) Hornbooks were wooden boards with parchment glued to the surface. A thin sheet of horn was placed over the top of the paper to make it durable. Instead of using expensive paper, children could trace letters and numbers with a dry quill pen.

Johnston and Thackston were supporters of Edmund Fanning. During the September 1770 Regulator riot at the courthouse, Fanning sought refuge in their establishment, which the Regulators "instantly beset, demolishing the windows and threw dirt and stones or brickbats into the house." In response, the merchants sent a petition to Governor Tryon, requesting forceful measures against the Regulators, "a set of men . . . whom we have long considered as dangerous to society and as pursuing every measure destructive of Peace and good Government." In addition, Thackston journeyed to New Bern in March 1771 to testify against the "backwoods Revolutionaries" at the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer. He also raised a company of sixty-two Orange County militiamen that served in the Battle of Alamance.

Two receipts for purchases made by Governor William Tryon in 1771 at Johnston & Thackston’s store when Tryon was in Hillsborough on route to meet the Regulators at Alamance Creek. Among the items Tryon bought was yellow fabric for his troops to wear as cockades in order to prevent friendly fire.

William Johnston (1737–1785) was born in Scotland. He was the great nephew of North Carolina’s royal governor Gabriel Johnston who served from 1734-1752 and the nephew of Samuel Johnston who served as the governor of the state from 1787-1789. By 1756, William Johnston had acquired 150 acres in Orange County, and by 1767, he was living in Hillsborough where he served as a town commissioner along with Edmund Fanning and Francis Nash. Johnston also acquired a plantation which he called Snow Hill, about fifteen miles northeast of town. There, he established another general store and partnered with Richard Bennehan.

A further business venture of Johnston’s was the Transylvania Company for which he acted as the treasurer. This company purchased twenty million acres in what is now Kentucky and Tennessee with the intent to colonize it. His primary partner in this endeavor was judge Richard Henderson.

During the Revolutionary War period, Johnston was a Patriot. He represented Hillsborough at the Provincial Congresses in the spring and winter of 1776 and served as a member of the Hillsborough district committee of safety throughout the revolution. Johnston also was a member of a commission to establish a gun factory in Hillsborough, and at Snow Hill he produced gunpowder, lead, and rifle flints. After the war Johnston acted privately as agent for Edmund Fanning, who was now living in New York. Johnston purchased Fanning's property that had been scheduled for confiscation.

Upon his death, his personal property was bequeathed to his only child Ameila who had married Walter Alves, son of James Hogg. Snow Hill later became the property of the Cameron family and part of Stagville Plantation.

James Thackston (d. 1792) was most likely born in Scotland. He first appears in Orange County records in 1768 where he is noted as being a captain. By 1769, he was engaged in tobacco and hemp production. In addition to a home in Hillsborough, he established a residence between Lindley's Mill and Rocky River.

In 1775, Thackston was commissioned as Colonel/Commandant over the Hillsborough District Minutemen. A few months later in early 1776, he led the Minutemen at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. During the Revolution, he participated in the battles of Brandwine Creek, Germantown, and Stono Ferry. During that last engagement, he had a finger shot off during the fighting. After General Nathaniel Greene charged him with misrepresenting the position and arrangement of his troops during the Guilford Court House campaign, he retired from active duty on “half pay” but continued to serve the Patriot cause in various roles.

After the war, he joined the Order of the Cincinnati, and in 1786, he received 4,352 acres in Tennessee as a reward for his service. At this time, Thackston re-established his mercantile operations in Fayetteville and lived there until he died.

In 1783, the North Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati held it’s first meeting in Hillsborough at James Hogg’s home which, at that time, was located on Cameron Street behind the present location of the school board building.

John Allison Tenements/Various Merchants

1782-1839

By 1782, James Thackston had conveyed the store and warehouses on Lot 6 to James Williams who, sold it to John Allison Jr. (1762-1842), a Scots merchant, that same year. Deeds clearly state that Allison rented out the buildings on the property to different people.

One of the merchants at this time was Henry McCollum. Several deeds from the 1790s reference him “occupying” a store on the lot but he does not appear to have owned any of the property. The nature of his business is unknown, as is the exact location of his store, but given the early date, it is presumed to be a general store, most likely in the space that had been Johnston & Thackston’s.

In 1792, William Kirkland (1768-1836), another Scottish merchant, moved to Hillsborough and began renting a house, presumably from Allison. Under the name William Kirkland and Company, he operated a general store, selling dry goods, hardware, house furnishings, coffee, rum, and other essential items. Family tradition maintains that the building on Lot 6 was a two-story structure and that the Kirklands lived “over the store.” In 1795, Kirkland purchased the parcel containing his store in a sheriff’s sale to cover a debt owed by Allison.

His fortunes improved. In 1815, Kirkland built a grand brick house and moved there with his family. It was located on St. Marys Road, just outside of town. He named the estate Ayr Mount in honor of his former home in Scotland. Although no existing deed records him selling the parcel on lot 6, evidence suggests that by 1814, the business belonged to William Whitted and that Kirkland was occupied with other ventures. From 1809-1839, the Kirklands also owned lots 2 and 44 on King Street, east of the courthouse. During that time, they owned a tan yard, hatter’s shop, blacksmith’s forge, and storehouse on these properties.

In 1820, Kirkland announced in the Hillsborough Recorder that he was resuming his business on Lot 6 under the name Kirkland, Webb & Co. However, by 1824, he was in business across the street to Lot 25.

These pictures of Asa Knight's store at Sturbridge Village provide an indication of the look the stores in Hillsborough and the types of merchandise they would have been carrying around 1800.

By 1815, ownership of the lot appears to be divided into at least five parcels:

The corner of the lot that abutted both Churton and King streets. At this time, the business was known as William Whitted’s “corner store house.
A parcel on the northwest corner of the lot, fronting King Street, probably owned by Thomas Ruffin around 1800 that he sells to Josiah Turner in 1813. This was the location of the first jail. Any structure on this portion was most likely a private residence.
A parcel owned by Jehu Whitehead (Whitted), probably between the other two plots along King Street. Allison constructed a two-story building on this parcel. In early 1814, merchants Jacob and Green Womack were occupying the establishment. But, by the end of the year, James Thompson had taken over the space.
A parcel fronting Churton Street just south of the corner, probably owned by William McCauley, (father of Jane McCauley McCollum, presumed wife of Henry McCollum) along with McCauley’s grandson William McCollum. The structure on this portion was used as a dry goods and grocery store by William Bond, then by Henry Thompson and Co. In 1813, Dennis Hargis was advertising his establishment at that location; however, by 1814 it appears to be in the hands of Henry Thompson, Jr. after he and his brother James ended their partnership. (Henry Thompson, Jr. was also the owner of the inn on Lot 7).
A half-acre running across the southern portion of the lot, probably owned by John Casey.

Dennis Hargis Raleigh Minerva 7-16-1813.png

Thompson Lot 6 Weekly Raleigh Register 7-22-1814.png

H Thompson Store Weekly Raleigh Register 12-17-1813.png

Advertisements in Raleigh newspapers for businesses on Lot 6.

Above (L): The Raleigh Minerva, July 16, 1813

Above (C): The Weekly Raleigh Register, July 22, 1814

Above (R): The Weekly Raleigh Register, December 17, 1813

Below: The North-Carolina Star, July 14, 1815

Henry Thompson North-Carolina Star 7-14-1815.png

Henry Thompson Sr. (1750-1822) was born in Ireland. By 1790, he was living in the town of Hillsborough where he operated a general store and served as county jailer. In July 1790, State Treasurer John Haywood purchased plank, refuse, and scantling from Thompson to use for repairs to the Blue House (see Lot 25).

In 1821, John Allison bequeathed portions of the lot to his local friends as well as his relations in North Britain, “To the intent to make some provision for their maintenance and advancement in the world.” This deed specifically mentioned a structure in the corner of the lot and a new house, both of which were occupied for commercial purposes. John Van Hook & Co. rented the former, William Huntington & Co., the latter.

John Van Hook was a merchant. In 1816, he partnered with William Huntington to sell watches, jewelry, and silverware. Their partnership was dissolved in 1820. Over the next year, Van Hook partnered with James Child and Thomas Clancy. They operated a general store that sold dry goods, hardware, cutlery, and groceries. This business was dissolved in November 1821. Child and Clancy continued the business without Van Hook who began working as a state tax collector. In 1825, he moved from Hillsborough and sold off his belongings.

Advertisements in the Hillsborough Recorder showing the creation and dissolution of John Van Hook & Co.

(L) December 13, 1820; (C) November 14, 1821; (R) December 5, 1821

The son of a silversmith, Huntington was a primarily a silversmith and jeweler but he also dabbled in other enterprises including making gravestones, blacksmithing, selling all-purpose “family flour,” and selling medicines. He established a business in Hillsborough in 1815 and partnered with John Van Hook the following year.

William Huntington (1792-1874) was born in Hillsborough and learned his trade from his father. By 1815, he had set up his own shop and advertised that he was ready to execute work "in the most faithful and fashionable manner and upon the shortest notice." Huntington was involved in a variety of other business ventures including blacksmithing, operating a general store, investing in land, and serving as town commissioner, manager of the Orange County Sunday School Union, and ruling elder in the Marion Presbyterian Church.

(L) A June 28, 1820 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder regarding the dissolution of William Huntington and John Van Hook's partnership and the continuation of the business as a sole proprietorship by Huntington

Watch papers were round decorative papers placed between the inner and outer case of a pocket watch. They served three purposes. First, they provided cushioning to protect a watch’s inner workings. Second, they reminded the owner of the watch of the date that the piece was last serviced. Third, they acted as advertisements for watchmakers and typically included names and addresses of the person who cleaned, oiled or repaired the pieces. A modern-day equivalent is the windshield stickers used by automobile mechanics for oil changes.

Merchant Thomas Clancy (c. 1780-1845) held many positions of authority, including Justice of the Peace, town commissioner, sheriff, delegate to the state legislature from 1822-1824, and postmaster. A mason, he was involved in many projects for civic improvement such as one of the five managers of the lottery to raise funds to build a Masonic lodge, chairman of “the friends of internal improvements, ” president of the Washington Temperance Society, and trustee of Hillsborough Academy. In 1830, Clancy purchased a portion of Lot 6 from James Allison, brother or son of John Allison.

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Dr. Barnabus O'Fairhill

(Also spelled O’Farill, O’Farril, and O’Ferrell)

1811-1831

Barnabus O'Farhill was officially associated with this lot in 1811 after selling the Blue House (see Lot 25). O’Fairhill owned many other lots in Hillsborough which he rented out as well as bought and sold. As indicated by advertisements in the Hillsborough Recorder, he lived outside of the downtown business district, next to the “widow Childs.” The exact location has not yet been determined but is likely lots 133 and 134 on W. Margaret Lane. Accordingly, O’Fairhill’s house on Lot 6 was most likely used for his doctor’s office.

An advertisement for in August 1830 indicates that O’Fairhill was serving as the county Ranger that year. Rangers were county officers in North Carolina from the colonial period until 1868. The post was a survival of British officialdom when royal parks and forests were patrolled against intruders and poachers. Rangers were appointed by the justices of the county court for a term of one year. One of their main county duties was to watch for stray livestock and to return it to its owner, for which they received specific compensation.

The exact date of Dr. O’Farhill’s death has not yet been discovered but he was deceased for several years by 1833 when Anne Maria Bannan (relationship to O’Fairhill unknown – perhaps his daughter), who now owned many of O’Fairhill’s former properties and is indebted to Elizabeth Estes (see Lot 36), sells these properties.

(L) As this April 6, 1843 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder reveals, in 1843, Thomas Clancy was selling dahlias.

(C) Dahlias were popular flowers at this time, reputed to be Queen Victoria’s favorite bloom. A variety is named for her.

(R) Thomas Clancy owned ad sold slaves. This 1829 advertisement is one of several that appeared in the Hillsborough Recorder.

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(L) A harness buckle inscribed “Dr. O’Farrill in the Orange County Historical Museum’s collection. It was found at Ayr Mount in the 1940s.

(C) The June 11, 1834 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder for Anne Maria Bannan’s sale of the O’Fairhill properties. Nancy O’Fairhill, presumably Dr. Barnabus’ wife, has a life interest in Lot 134.

(R) In this April 16, 1828 notice in the Hillsborough Recorder, O’Fairhill was selling all of his property as a result of the “infamous intercourse of adultery” of Nancy Gawly. Ms. Gawly may have been O’Fairhill’s wife.

Jonathan P. “JP” Sneed Dry Goods and Confectioner

1820-1835

By 1820, Jonathan P. Sneed (1794-1897) had established a dry goods store on Lot 6. In addition to being a merchant, Sneed was elected magistrate of police in 1822. That same year, he built a stately home above the Eno on S. Churton Street. This house has had several names, including Norwood, Eagles’ Nest, and Eno Lodge. The house was the boyhood home of mapmaker William Henry Bailey (see 1839). For most of the 20th century, it was the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Clarence D. Jones. Mrs. Jones was integral in the creation of the Orange County Historical Museum.

From the Hillsborough Recorder (L) May 10, 1820 (C) October 31, 1821 (R) February 23, 1841

Eno Lodge at 229 S. Churton Street was built by JP Sneed in 1822

By 1831, James Allison was in debt. Jonathan P. Sneed bought Allison’s property in a Sheriff’s sale. In 1835, Sneed sold this same property to John U. Kirkland for $400. The sale included a house, storehouse, kitchen, and smokehouse. Sneed’s obituary stated that he moved to Mississippi where he lived the remainder of his life. Tragically, he died the day after his twelve-year-old son died.

The 1835 deed of sale between JP Sneed and John U. Kirkland is in the collection of the Orange County Historical Museum as well as an accompanying map.

James McDade Saddlery

Information coming

Advertisements in the Hillsborough Recorder for McDade's Saddlery

(L) April 16, 1828

(R) July 13, 1825

William Brown Shoes

1835-185?

William Henry Brown (1809-1866) moved to Hillsborough from Halifax in 1835 and purchased the house and property on the NE corner of Churton and Tryon streets (see Lot 99). Although he had other ventures, Brown’s primary occupation was as a cobbler. He began his career in Hillsborough in partnership with John U. Kirkland But, in 1841, he bought out his partner.

Brown sold his shoe business in 18?? and then started back up in 1853.

In addition to making shoes, Brown also manufactured leather.

Henry Evans Cabinetry

1841-1853

A person of color, Henry Evans (1817-1886) was born free in Hillsborough and learned the trade of cabinet and carriage making. His mother was Fanny Evans, a free woman of color, headed her own household and raised six children. Henry’s younger brother Wilson also became a successful cabinet maker.

Around 1839, Evans began operating a furniture making shop, offering a variety of products in several different woods, including mahogany, walnut, poplar, cherry, birch, and maple. Four individuals worked in his shop, including his brother and James Allison, a white man in his fifties.

A July 12, 1848 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder for Henry Evans' business

Evans’ output was impressive. The 1850 census noted that he was the top producer in the state of bureaus and bedsteads, producing 100 of each annually for a total value of $2,000. Only three other cabinet shops in the state matched or exceeded his capital investment, purchasing of raw materials, and number of workmen (Thomas Day in Milton, William Thompson in Raleigh, and Duncan McNeill in Fayetteville).

Only 1 example of Henry Evans’ workmanship is currently known, a pair of c. 1850 dining tables.

(L) As this March 27, 1850 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder reveals, like most carpenters, Evans made coffins.

(R) Henry Evans also ran a taxi service. According to this January 31, 1849 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder, customers could choose from a carriage, hack, or buggy.

Due to the increasingly harsh laws being passed in North Carolina, the Evans family moved to Oberlin, OH in 1854. There, they were active in the Underground Railroad and participated in the famous Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858, in which black and white residents joined together to rescue a fugitive slave named John Price and transport him to Canada. Along with thirty-seven other people including his brother Wilson, Evans was indicted for breaking the Fugitive Slave Law and spent 84 days in jail until prosecutors dropped the charges.

A photograph of the men who assisted with the 1858 John Price rescue. Henry Evans is seated on the right. His brother Wilson is standing, fifth from the right.