Bath in Beaufort County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Matthew Rowan
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 10, 2013
1. Matthew Rowan Marker
Erected 1931 by North Carolina Archives, Conservation and Highway Departments. (Marker Number B-27.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.
Location. 35° 28.647′ N, 76° 48.84′ W. Marker is in Bath, North Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and Carteret Street (North Carolina Highway 92), on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bath NC 27808, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonial Bath (within shouting distance of this marker); James Adams Floating Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Palmer-Marsh House (within shouting distance of this marker); Port of Bath and Thomas Harding (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Public Library (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Colonial Bath
this page online
Regarding Matthew Rowan. Matthew Rowan, acting governor of North Carolina from 1753 to 1754, came to America from Ireland as a young man. He was the son of the Reverend John Rowan and his wife Margaret of County Antrim, Ireland. The first mention of Rowan in North Carolina occurs in 1726 when he served as a church warden in Bath. A 1729 court document states that he came to the colony in 1724 to construct two vessels for a Dublin merchant, and that he had “runaway with one of them loaded with enumerated goods contrary to the Acts of Trade.”
Despite his reputed smuggling activities, Rowan became a respectable member of society. In 1727, after moving to the Cape Fear region, Rowan became a member of the Colonial Assembly, and four years later was named to the Governor’s Council. He helped survey the boundary between the two Carolinas in 1735, and two years later was appointed surveyor-general for North Carolina.
Upon Governor Nathaniel Rice’s death on January 29, 1753, Rowan, as Council president, became acting governor.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 19, 2013
2. Matthew Rowan Marker at South Main Street and Carteret Street (North Carolina Route 92
After his brief stint as governor, Rowan retired to his plantation, now referred to as Roan, in Brunswick County although he continued to serve as member of the Council. Rowan married his brother John’s widow, Elizabeth, in 1742, although the marriage resulted in no children. Rowan did have an illegitimate son with Jane Stubbs of Bath. Rowan fully acknowledged the boy, whom he named John Rowan. Upon his death in 1760, Matthew Rowan left a substantial part of his fortune to his son who had become a mariner in Barbados. Robert Rowan, French and Indian War officer and colonial politician, was Matthew Rowan’s nephew.
Rowan reportedly is buried on his Brunswick County plantation. Rowan County was named in his honor in 1753. (North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 10, 2013
3. Matthew Rowan Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 12, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 12, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
