Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bellamy Mansion Negro House

c. 1859

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Bellamy Mansion Negro House Marker

Inscription. In Wilmington, when this building was constructed, slave quarters were often termed “negro houses.” This Italianate style dependency is a rare, intact example of an urban slave dwelling, and includes sleeping quarters, laundry room, and privies. Built for Dr. John Dillard Bellamy and wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss, to house as many as nine slaves, including cook/housekeeper Sarah Miller Sampson (1815-1897). Exterior originally lime-washed a pale, rosy-tan color. Building restored by Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts and Preservation North Carolina.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 34° 14.178′ N, 77° 56.573′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It can be reached from the intersection of Market Street (Business U.S. 17) and North 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 509 Market St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bellamy Mansion & Slave Quarters (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Bellamy Mansion & Slave Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); W. Lincoln Smith House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bellamy Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Knohl House (within shouting distance of this marker); William B. Gould (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant-Thompson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Polley House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Urban Slavery at the Bellamy Residence. When his father died in 1826, nine-year-old John D. Bellamy inherited 21 enslaved people. By 1860 he owned 115 in North Carolina, spread across three counties. (Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts, Jan. 19, 2024) (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

3. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

3. Bellamy Mansion Negro House Marker

Marker is by the door on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.