In the News

The Oldest Brick Plantation in the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina
Written By Robert Higerd

After the attempt by English explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh in AD 1585, failed due to England's mishandlings at home. Three years later, the refurbishing ships arrived, but found little remaining of the original settlers. To this day, an ongoing search remains to find the remaining artifacts of the original settlers. Recently, archelogical artifacts have uncovered the recent location of the original settlers, but the search, following the carved word "Roanoke" on the tree, continues. It is a fantastic adventure near the heart of one of America's best beach locations.

While there, after the infrequent visitations by sea pirates, including "Blackbeard", other English moved into the area. One of these men built a home in the Inner Banks. Today it is outside Route 17 Hertford, NC. on the water for transportation reasons, on his AD 1685 deeded 640 acres from the Duke of Albemarle, Sir Monet, as it was given for services rendered to Charles II of England. To keep peace in the area, Mr. Scott, brought the land from the local Yeopim chief, also.

Mr. Saunders, of Virginia, married one of the Scott family ladies and built this home on the site. This home has be occupied by the family and relatives until AD 1973 when the Restoration Society purchased the land for historical purposes. In 1730, a surprise visitor from England came down the Perquiman's River and visited the Scott site. English visitor's were few, but the founder of the Quaker friends, founded in England, George Fox, was their guest for several days and conducted several Quaker meetings effectively. The population embraced George Fox's understandings and soon the area was dominated by the Quakers, with the Anglicans trailing behind. Mr. Saunders and family became Quakers and soon the area had several Quaker meeting houses and followed the Quaker beliefs of the period. Mr. Saunders became very influential within colonial politics, conducting many meetings in his home and entertaining many visitors. Several 1600 meeting houses remain to this writing.

Mr. Saunders also had in his possession a 'periauger', a shallow sea worthy 'pick-up' truck to carry any goods to sell and to return with goods purchased locally or from the larger ships from overseas. This 33 foot, double masted, 'periauger' has been rebuilt of cyprus by interested boating members of the Albemarle Plantation, and remains the only ship as such in America. This french design is unique and can be seen at the Newbolt-White house.

This year, an early variety of scupernon grapes are being placed in the ground by UNC, the NC Dept. of Agriculture, and a group of volunteers. Gradually, the first out building is near completion. The original smokehouse was given to the Museum of the Albemarle, but local furniture men have nearly completed the smokehouse. Other out-buildings are being located, rebuilt according to the original design. This 8x8 smokehouse is exactly as it was in the 1600's with one unique feature that were used in the 1600's. This is the deep rich red coloring on the outside of the beveled boards which would have been used at that time. The red coloring of the Real Milk Paint Company withstands the harsh sunlight and weather of the area, blends with the original home, and adds the proper coloring to the locally glazed bricks as the Carolina moon is reflected.