Halifax in Halifax County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Sally Billy House

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 27, 2012

1. The Sally Billy House Marker

Inscription. Constructed around 1808 for a Halifax County planter named Lewis Bond, this house was originally located near Scotland Neck. In 1834, William “Billy” Ruffin Smith Sr. and his wife Sarah, or “Sally” bought it. Smith, a county court justice, died in 1845, leaving an estate of 12,000 acres and 266 enslaved people.

After Smith’s death, the house changed owners several times until it was given to the Historical Halifax Restoration Association in 1972. The Association moved it to Historic Halifax and gave it to the State of North Carolina. It opened to the public in 1976.

The house is an example of the tripartite houses often produced by Halifax County planters in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Rich in decorative detail, it consists of a pedimented, two-story central section and flanking one-story wings.

Erected by The Historical Halifax Restoration Association, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 36° 19.81′ N, 77° 35.117′ W. Marker is in Halifax, North Carolina, in Halifax County. Marker is on Fishing Club Road, 0.1 miles east of King Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 74 Fishing Club Rd, Halifax NC 27839, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Burgess Law Office (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Free Church of Halifax (about 700 feet away); Escape! (about 700 feet away); The Market Green (about 700 feet away); Montfort Archaeological Museum (about 700 feet away); Halifax Runaway Ads (about 700 feet away); The Old Town of Halifax (approx. 0.2 miles away); Halifax Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.

More about this marker. On the left are portraits of “Sally” Sarah Walton Norfleet Smith 1782-1870 and “Billy” William Ruffin Smith 1779-1845.

On the right are photos with the captions:
"The house as it appeared in the mid-twentieth century."
"Over time, owners made several changes to the structure. This 1969 view of the rear shows an added porch, as well as substantial deterioration."
"The house was disassembled and eventually moved to its present location, where it was reassembled in January 1976."
"Below: The dedication, Halifax Day 1976."

The Sally Billy House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 27, 2012

2. The Sally Billy House

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 906 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on May 5, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.