Friends of Historic Halifax

This Just In! Historic Touch Table- Civil War Knapsack

This week we unveiled one of our new initiatives in the visitor center, a rotating collection of replica historic objects. Our hope is to have new items on view every month to allow visitors to engage with our history in new ways- by having an opportunity to feel and interact with reproduction artifacts!

For the rest of July, we have an unpacked Civil War knapsack on display to showcase what a typical Union soldier may have carried on their back. Check out the camp equipment, entertainment pieces, and essential kit soldiers would have had with them during the four years of the War.

HCHA Architecture Book. If you have seen this book and wondering what all the talk is about, then you will want to come to this event on Friday, Sept 13. Karen Vaughan, the owner of the house on the book cover, will discuss the history of her house and others in Halifax County. The library will be hosting their Patron Appreciation reception from 3 to 7 PM so be sure to come a little early to enjoy some food and fellowship. OH, and if you haven't bought your book yet, they are going to be sold at a discount price starting after the program. Mark your calendars for this special program!!

BITES OF HISTORY: Historic Architecture of Halifax County NC September 13, 2024 at 5:30, FREE. Books are $60.

This week in Halifax history, British troops occupy Halifax after defeating a small group of militia at the Battle of Halifax. We plan on doing an entire series of posts this week using primary sources to detail what happened leading to the battle, occupation, and aftermath.
On May 7, 1781, British Troops push the Halifax Militia across the Roanoke in “The Battle of Halifax.” General Cornwallis's army was advancing from Wilmington into Virginia. He sent Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton and Lieutenant Colonel John Hamilton ahead with a company of dragoons into Halifax to secure the crossing at the Roanoke as well as to gather supplies. The Americans knew they were coming. The Halifax Militia, under the command of Lt. Col. William Thomas Linton, marched from Enfield towards Halifax to protect the town. Jesse Gammon described the event in his pension application (original spellings included): "From Enfield Court House, he was marched to Halifax Court House where they remained a part of a day -- There were from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men under Colonel Linton. Lord Cornwallis was marching to Halifax Court House, and at one o'clock or thereabouts, when the British appeared, we crossed the Roanoke River opposite the town -- While we were crossing the river the British entered the town. Fro Haw one of our men was killed between the two Court Houses, and another Spy, Potts was wounded in the head."
Tarleton wrote about the battle: "The event answered the expectation: The Americans were charged and defeated in detached parties, in the environs and in the town, before they had settled any regular plan of operation: The ground about half a mile in front of Halifax afforded a strong position, of which they did not avail themselves; but they were surprised whilst assembling on the wrong side of the bridge over a deep ravine, and were routed with confusion and loss: The only useful expedient which they had adopted was the securing a number of the boats belonging to the inhabitants of the place on the other side of the river, where a party began to entrench themselves, and from whence they fired upon the British when they approached the bank: This circumstance, however, could only be a temporary inconvenience to the King's troops, because the Americans would be obliged to abandon that post on the arrival of the cannon, the eminence on the side of Halifax so perfectly commanded the opposite shore. The damage sustained by the light troops in taking possession of Halifax amounted only to three men wounded, and a few horses killed and wounded."

Come to Halifax NC to celebrate the NC 250th.

Halifax Resolves Day 2024

BITES OF HISTORY sponsored by FRIENDS OF HISTORIC HALIFAX

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024 Time: 5:30 pm-7:00pm

Location: Old Courthouse in Halifax NC, Commissioners Meeting Room

Tickets: Free

Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Hampton Credle

“ As I complete the writing of this book, I’m back home in Thelma. I’ve come back with a greater appreciation of the struggle my grandparents had to acquire and maintain the land. I’ve returned with a heightened knowledge of the historical significance of this community. I’ve spent the last thirty years researching the people who lived here, migrated and survived here. I’ve come home to ensure the story of a people, a quiet, hidden people, is told and appreciated. Finally, I’ve come back with a charge to help this community serve as a light to a nation. It’s time, because after years of searching—I know who I am---a bridge builder!”

Dr. Credle uses her family history, conflicts, struggles, and victories, to tell the important story of African Americans search for freedom and inclusion in Halifax County in the community of Thelma.

She published her stories in a book: Coming Together-The Unity of a Nation, ISBN: 9798614418335.

Questions: email [email protected]

Historic Halifax to present Yuletide by Lanternlight HALIFAX — Historic Halifax State Historic Site is holding its “Yuletide by Lanternlight” evening program from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1.

The Owens House was home to prominent Halifax merchant George Owens. This Georgian style home was built around 1760 and is furnished in the manner of a middle-class merchant’s home of the time period. Mr. Owens resided in the house with his wife and six children. For Yuletide by Lanternlight we will feature the Owens House decorated as it would have been when the Owens celebrated Christmas in 18th century Halifax. Come and spend the evening with us and experience the Owens House as the family would have in their time!

On this day in North Carolina History: November 16, 1789, the Fayetteville Convention to vote on ratification of the US Constitution began.
In yesterday’s post, we talked about the Articles of Confederation. It had made the central government extremely weak while the individual state held all the power to tax residents, make money, and trade with foreign countries. With the treasury virtually depleted and no way to raise funds or to regulate commerce, Congress was virtually powerless. What worried leaders such as George Washington the most was that if there was a threat against the country, Congress would not be able support a war effort. The states themselves were also on the brink of financial collapse. Finally, a rebellion of Revolutionary War Veterans in Massachusetts called “Shay’s Rebellion” over the rising financial crisis they suffered due to the lack of a proper pension brought home to leaders that something had to change.
It was decided to take another look at the Articles of Confederation in May of 1787. A Constitutional Convention was called to Philadelphia. They worked for three months writing a new document—the U.S. Constitution that our government functions under today. The states then needed to ratify the new constitution. In North Carolina, political leaders met in Hillsborough from July 21-August 4, 1788. Federalists led by Halifax’s William R. Davie, James Iredell, and Governor Samuel Johnston were outnumbered by the Anti-Federalists, led by Halifax’s Willie Jones, Samuel Spencer, and Timothy Bloodworth. Anti-Federalists were against a constitution that took rights away from the states and did not include a bill of rights. North Carolina’s first Constitution, written in 1776 by the Fifth Provincial Congress, had included a bill of rights. The Hillsborough Convention ended with North Carolina neither ratifying nor rejecting the Constitution.
By November of 1789, George Washington had been elected President, bringing a sense of stability to the new government. The Amendments known as The Bill of Rights had been introduced by congress. The concerns of the Anti-Federalists seemed to be addressed. A second convention to vote on ratification was called in Fayetteville starting on November 16. When William R. Davie again presented the Constitution to be ratified, the vote was 195 to 77 in favor of ratification. With that, North Carolina became the 12th State to enter the Union.

Today is the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Halifax Resolves. On April 12, 1776, as a direct result of the patriot victory at Moores Creek Bridge, North Carolina instructed its delegates sent to the Continental Congress to vote for Independence. It was the first American colony to do so. The North Carolina state flag bares the date April 12, 1776 in honor of the Halifax Resolves; it also bares another date May 20, 1775. Does anyone know the significance of May 20, 1775?