The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-29
SCOTLAND NECK
-AND-
THE RICH LANDS OF THE
ROANOKE.
THE TOWN.


IA
OF about I,2jO inhabitants, is stu
ated N Halifax county, nearly mid
way between Weldon and Tarboro,
on the Scotland Neck and Green
vile branch of the Wilmington and
Weldon railroad.
Beginning near Hamilton, in
Martin county; is high ridge, or
watershed, which runs in a north
easterly direction between the
Roanoke and tar Rivers parallel to
the Dan, passing near the foot Of
Pilot Mountain, and extending as
far as New river in Virginia.
1t is said, that, starting with this
divide in Martin county, trip can
be made on horseback through the
counties of Martin, Halifax, Warren,
Vance, Granville, Person, Stokes
and Surry, across the Virginia line
as far ss New river without crossing
a running stream.
On the back bone of this water
shed, in the Southern part of HALF
fax county, about seven miles from
the river, is Scotland Neck.
About the year 1920 a number of
Scotch Highlanders came to this
section and established sheep and
cattle farms on the low lands and
rich islands Of the Roanoke river.
For time they were prosperous;
subject, however, to the inconven-
fences that usually follow any
change of climate and surroundings
with any people.
They were known as Scots, and
lived in cabins near a bend of the
river between the points now known
as Edwards ferry and Hills ferry.
The bend in the river almost semi
clrcled a point of land which was
called "The Neck" When a post
Office was established 1T was called
"SCoTLAND Neck
The river was then wider than
now and shaIlOwer, with numerous
islands, which have since become
part of the main land, cOnfning the
river to a mar over channel.
In few years there came a great
| treshet in the river-greater than
had ever been known beforehand
in one day nearly all the sheep and
cattle, together with the cabins,
were swept away. Their tiOcks
destroyed, their business ruined
these Scotch settlers dejectedly
moved out from their cattle farms
the greater part going far up the
Cape Fear river and settling in
what is now Cumberland county.
The English purchasers settled
here in the piney woods, a few
miles from the river, and this sec
tion has retained the name Of
SCOTLAND NECK ever since.
Contiguous to this Scotland Neck
section were the two small villages
of Clarksville and Greenwood, JUS
one mile apart. They remained
separate and distinct until the close
of the late war. Before the war {
stage line running from Charleston
5. G. to Norfolk, Va, touched a
this point, and there was continua
strife between the two villages a
| to which should have the
post office, which was all the while
known as SCOTLAND NECK.
In 1865, Mr.. John Hyman, al
enteTprising citizen OF the yillag'
of ClarksviIle, conceived the ide;
of building a town between CIarks
Vile and Greenwood and unitln!
both into one. He purchased tn
land, had the town chartered unde
the name of "ScOtland Neck" laiC
off the streets and devoted himsel
to the carrying out of his project
He gave lots to actual occupants
and helped the new owners to In
: prove them.
A hotel was built about tn
middle of the town on Main street
and the post Office was permanent,
located in Scotland Neck proper.
The business men began to NOV
: from the ends Of the town, an
. soon the business of the two village
, was centered in Scotland Neck.
| The town was beautifully laid o
in wide streets. with Nam stree
leading from Clarksville to Greer
: wood. This street was laid off int
two drives with a row Of trees sc
down either side and also row
i the middle. 1t is today one of til
prettiest street drives IN Mort
Naro1iua