Category: Whittler’s Bench

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Brunswick County Stories

by Dale Coleman Spencer

Great Uncle Jack Potter was a quiet man and Great Aunt Fannie (Lewis) Potter was a sweet, country girl! My brothers, sister and I would stay with Uncle Alden Potter (Uncle Jack’s son) and Aunt Frances during the summertime. I remember Uncle Jack being “stern” but loving and Aunt Fannie was a “second” mom to us when we were there. We slept in a room upstairs which was very large, and during the summer, that room was hotter than Vietnam! No air conditioning and heat rises! Uncle Alden and Aunt Frances lived about a mile from Uncle Jack’s. We had to walk to their house in the evenings to take a bath, Uncle Al and Aunt Frances didn’t have a shower or tub!

I remember Uncle Jack’s house being made of wood, the “great room” was on the right side of the house, and it was huge! Deer heads on the wall and a big fireplace. All the floors were made of wood, but dull wood, not “shiny” like we are used to today. Also, the hallway was kind of wavy, up, and down, up, and down! At the end of the hallway was a big pump organ. We would have to pump it up to play with it, what a job that was! They had a lot of land, pigs, chickens, horses, bees, silos, etc. We would ride the horses; however, I was scared to death of the horses, every time we went, our cousins and us had to catch those damn horses in the pasture so we could ride them……the horses would run in one direction, and I would run in the other. One time, the bees got after me, my brother David and cousin Al. I was screaming the loudest and didn’t get a single sting, however, brother David and Al were both stung…I guess my screaming was my salvation. Uncle Jack was very special to my dad. He said after his father died (my dad was 13 when his dad died) Uncle Jack kind of filled in his shoes and helped raise my dad. So, we went to the “country” a lot. Looking back, it was some wonderful times, and I could kick myself for not knowing more about both of them back then.

My father, William H. Coleman, Jr. was born in Lockwood Folly and raised in Winnabow. He told me the story of when he was very young. He would walk behind the tobacco trucks/trailers and gather up the tobacco leaves that fell off. He would take them to the tobacco barns and sell his tobacco for 05./.10 cents. He would then go home, take the battery out of the family radio, and take it to the country store. He would ask the storekeeper to charge the battery for the 05/10 cents he earned from his tobacco leaves. What was so important about getting that battery charged? To listen to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night of course!

I wonder how many people remember doing the same thing.

William H. Coleman, Jr. Chief, US Coast Guard

Uncle Jack, front and center, Aunt Fannie over his shoulder to the left

William H. Coleman, Jr. about 12 years old

Southport’s 228-year-old Tradition

Southport's 228-year-old Tradition

by Liz Fuller, SHS President

*Ft. Johnston Southport Museum and Visitor Center was decorated for the 4th of July by the Southport Garden Club working with City Employees and BEMC, photo by Larry Ashley*

Nowadays, Southport is known as the home of the North Carolina 4th of July festival. But celebrating Independence Day on the lawn of the Garrison is a tradition that goes back more than 225 years. Many of the men who attended those early celebrations were veterans of the Revolutionary War. It’s likely that part of their entertainment involved swapping stories about their encounters with the British, right here, on the shores of the Lower Cape Fear.

Fort Johnston had originally been built by the British military. In 1775, it was still flying the British flag. In July of that year, five hundred Minute Men from Wilmington and Brunswick burned the fort to the ground. Their plan was to drive the British from these shores and to open up the Cape Fear river to the Continental forces.

The British responded by bringing in 5000 troops, stationing many of the men on Smith Island (Bald Head), and at the remains of the ruined fort. Over the course of ten months, the British presence in the Lower Cape Fear grew to seventy vessels. Their fleet included two large men-of-war ships with 50 guns, which they positioned outside the bar. Most of these enemy vessels moved on within a year, leaving to fight elsewhere. But those that stayed, continued to harass the inhabitants by sending troops ashore to pillage supplies and burn houses.

In 1795, twenty years after Fort Johnston had been destroyed, the newly formed U.S. government assigned troops to rebuild it. So, on Independence Day, the military officers who were stationed there, decided to host a celebration. They invited local inhabitants of Smithville and Federal Pointe, captains of vessels lying in the harbor, and summertime visitors from Wilmington, to gather together to celebrate the nation’s nineteenth birthday.

They set up a large awning on the lawn and served a hearty meal. After dinner, they began to make toasts, vying to top each other with their eloquence and patriotic sentiments. Each of the fifteen toasts was followed by loud cheers and the firing of cannons. Many of the toasts honored the past. They saluted the men whose wisdom, spirit, and bravery had contributed to the success of the revolution. But the final toast of the evening, looked toward the future, and the possibilities that lay ahead for their young country. “The progress of useful knowledge! May the arts and sciences be cultivated with success, and their great end be directed to the improvement of social happiness!”

And so, let us follow their example. As we celebrate the this birthday of the United States of America, may we take a moment to look back with pride at all that our nation has accomplished, and look forward with optimism, to all that we have yet to achieve!

Brick by Brick: The Inspiring Stories Anna Swan Rogers by Dr. Angela Wadsworth

Brick by Brick: The Inspiring Stories

Anna Swan Rogers

by Dr. Angela Wadsworth

Anna Swan Rogers is the pen name of a woman who is a Southport native, and a Lifetime Member of the Southport Historical Society since 2004. With the exception of time away at college, Anna has lived and worked in Southport all her life.

“Salubrious Breezes” and “Sophie’s Bluff” were written during a time in Anna’s life when she had to retire suddenly from working as a letter carrier, due to a diagnosis of aggressive, late-stage breast cancer. During this time of cancer treatment and surgery, and adjustment to sudden retirement, she began writing down childhood memories. From this writing came the development of a story that incorporates childhood memories and stories into this work of fiction.

Shonda Rhimes said it best, “This whole story is completely true, except for the parts that are totally made up.” Names, characters, places, dates, and geographical descriptions are all either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental. Anna’s books can be found in the Local Authors section of the Margaret and James Harper Library in Southport, and are also available on Amazon.

Historical Marker Auction

Southport Historical Marker Auction

Own a Piece of Southport History!

The Southport Historical Society has a long history of providing the Southport community with a walking tour collection of historical markers. A few years ago, the Society installed new markers. Recognizing the historical and sentimental significance of the old markers, volunteers from the Southport Beautification Committee prepared them for display.

From May 31st to June 24th, the Society is holding an online auction to help each of these vintage markers find its permanent home.

In preparation for the auction, the Society is creating short videos highlighting each marker. Use the links below to view the videos.

To see the markers in person, please visit the Old Brunswick County Jail, on Saturday, June 10th, 17th, & 24th from 12:30pm – 3:30pm.