The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-05-06
HISTORIC OLD BATH.
THE OLD BRICK STRUCTURE.
Spice Trees Bear red Berries.

The School Girl OF Kinsey Seminary
at Lagrange, prints the following by
L. T. Rightsell In Christian Standard
An old brick structure In the town
of Bath bears upon its front a marble
tablet inserted in recent years, on
which is an inscription stating that it
was built in the year 1874. The brick
were brought from England. The
cement was made of "shell lime," or
marie dug from the nelghborhood.
According to this inscription, George
Washington was but two years of age
when this edifice was erecued, and it
had been standing fifty years when the
war of Independence came on. In
the church-yard the stones that mark
the graves are broken down, and the
very graves themselves are, for the
most part, obliterated. Within the
walls of the interior some of the old
worshipers of colonial times found
place of interment for their NOR
tai part when they passed from these
scenes. Interesting as the relic Is, 1t
has an an appearance of neglect and
decay-a kind of an emblem of the eff
fete system under whose patronage 1t
was reared.
Another tablet on the building states
that the town of Bath was founded in
17O6. The Old Town, as it has long
been known, which is nearing its Sec
ond centennial, is now, as ever, a mere
fisherman's village, though it has
good harbor. Situated on the head
land of a narrow peninsula, its location
Is beautiful. On the very point OF the
peninsula there stands twisted and
gnarled old tree resembling-a live oak
1t is supposed to be a variety of oak,
but bears a red berry and goes by the
name of spice tree. The fruit comes
in alternate years. 1t was planted by
the English settlers, but as no such |
tree exists in England, it is supposed
to have been carried from the West |
Indies. Bath Greek on the right, |
and another creek on the left, lave
the side of the town, rapidly widening
until within a mile of its site they
mlngle their waters with the Pamlico
River, beautiful estuary five miles
in width. Opposite the town, near
the mouth OF Bath Greek, is pointed |
out the site of the mansion of Govern
or Eden, colonial governor of the
early part of the eighteenth century.
1t is said there are traces of the old
brick cellar, and also OF a subterranean
passage leading from that to the creek.
Tradition says that the Governor
was confederate OF the noted pirate,
and that the secret passage
was constructed FOR the latter's conven-
fence when he came in with his BOOTY
from the sea.
Near the "sp1ce-tree" are still found
bricks used IN the old fort, constructed
by the settlers for the defence against
5he Indians.
Other old mansions formerly stood
upon the banks of the creek, in the old
lays Of freedom and plenty, hut only
lew remain Of them now. The soil in
many places has been we'll stirred by
seekers for the pirates money, but at
he present day it is being stirred in the
interests of corn and cotton to a far
greater advantage. Tar, pitch and
have had their day, and
agriculture is coming to the front. The 1
'stuaries and creeks are still tulI of fish :
Wild turkey fly in the woods. AS /
lrove over the old county road into
the county-seat, 1 heard
he baying of the dogs in the woods.
While a hunter stood with his riAo