The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-06-15


some familiarity with our
States beginnings have ident-
flied the town correctly as that
of Bath. Located in the souther-
ly portion of Beaufort County
just stones throw north of the
Pamlico River, this historical
community is situated on State
Route 80, just a few miles off
US Highway 264.
If you haven't been here, you
have missed a real treat as the
numerous landmarks transport
)ne into an historical era of
more than $50 years ago. First
off we truly enjoyed a visit to
St. Thomas, the eldest church in
North Carolina. Restored in re-
cent years, it was built in 1874
of brick brought from England.
The church bell, donated by
Queen Anne, is 10 years older
than the famed Philadelphia
Liberty Bell. Among other treas
ured possessions, the church has
Bible printed in England in
17O4; three branch candlesticks
said to have been donated by
King George II about 1740, a
large silver chalice given by the
Bishop of London to the Rev.
John GARCIA, first resident rec
tor of the parish.
Situated just in front of the
church is the Glebe House
Chome for the preacher), the
only one built in the colony. Its
first resident moved in 1850. He
was Parson Alexander Stewart.
Other distinguished land
marks are: The Marsh House
built in 1744 by the Frenchman,
Monsieur Michael Coutanche,
and owned by the Jonathan
| Marsh family. for more than 100
years. Governor Eden once lived
here and the Assembly met here
in 1744 and 1852. The Bonner
House-built about 1850 on Bon
ner's Point. Contains original
mantels, facings and floors. A
fort in the rear yard once de-
first resident moved in 1850. He
Tended Bath during the Tuscan
ora War. The Olden House
located about miles northwest
of Bath and built in ITS. Put
together with pegs, it contains
two hand carved mantels, origin
al handmade hinges, locks, ard
Keys. The family and slave GEM
eteries (slaves were buried IN g
circle) are located near the
house on an island.
Lending a further air Of en-
chantment to this section is the
knowledge that Blackboard the
Pirate (real name Edward
Teach) lived internationally in
Bath with his thirteenth wife,,
However, he met his fate in
TIT at the hands of a Lieut..
| Maynard while hiding out on
offshore Ocracoke. Then, just a
| few miles west of Bath are the
nationally famous, mysterious
| horsetracks that seemingly can
not be effaced. Covered time
and again by various individu-
ais, they inevitably reappear.
Sticks placed in the ground in
this area are said to disappear
Legend has it that the hoof
prints were left by the horse Of
one Jesse Elliott who, while rae
ling one Sunday afternoon about
las years ago (after having dew
CURED some liquid spirits), was
killed when the horse reared
and threw him against tree.
Although my family and |
cannot vouch for the aathent-
icity of the legend, we can
vouch for the enjoyability of a
visit to Bath. Residents Of this
general section are striving anx-
iously to raise funds for addi-
tional restoration. 1t is ncped
that they are successful for it
would be something more than
shameful if this area, with more
than its share of priceless his
torical treasures, is not presarv-
ed for the enjoyment Of future
,ar.+ions of Variety Vaca-