Wilmington, North Carolina, to 1861

Of America’s thirteen original colonies, North Carolina was one of the most rural, its urban population miniscule and its maritime commerce severely limited—except in the town of Wilmington. Prior to the Civil War, the coastal town was North Carolina’s largest urban area and principal seaport, with shipping as the mainstay of the local economy. Wilmington indeed was a singular place in colonial and antebellum North Carolina. This book presents the history of Wilmington from its founding and development to the eve of the Civil War. Part I traces Wilmington’s history from the incorporation of the town in 1739–40 to 1789, when North Carolina joined the newly formed United States of America. This section focuses on the confused and disputed origins of Wilmington, life in a colonial urban setting, the growing importance of the port, and town governance. Part II expands upon the preceding topics for the years 1789 to 1861. It also examines the economic development of the port, the wide variety of social activities, the growth of the African American population, and Wilmington’s role in state and national politics.

Alan D. Watson is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His articles have appeared in William and Mary Quarterly, South Carolina Historical Magazine and North Carolina Historical Review. He lives in Wilmington.

Alan D. Watson

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 323
Bibliographic Info: photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2003
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1427-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8214-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments     v
Preface     1

THE FORMATIVE YEARS, TO 1789
1 The Emergence of a Town     5
2 Early American Life     28
3 A Developing Economy     51
4 Colonial Politics     71

THE MATURING YEARS, 1789–1861
5 The Growth of a Town     101
6 The African American Experience     125
7 Fellowship, Fraternity, Association     142
8 Education, Enlightenment, and Culture     162
9 Urban Government     185
10 An Expanding Economy     199
11 Antebellum Politics     227

Epilogue     245
Notes     249
Bibliography     283
Index     293

“marvelously researched book…Watson’s research is exhaustive, informative, and extremely thorough…he is well versed in the history of this region. His use of comtemporary newspapers, quotations, and myriad graphs and tables…provides readers with a clear analysis of Wilmington’s development…enjoyable read…to truly know and understand the history of Wilmington, this book is essential”—The North Carolina Historical Review.