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

May-Willson House

Circa 1850

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. May-Willson House Marker

Inscription. Italianate style cottage built by Captain Alexander May (1810-1879), a Frenchman, sea captain and and wholesale grocer. Sold in 1878 to William Willson (1800-1879), Superintendent of Chadbourn's Lumber Mill and wife Sarah E. (1818-1889), who renovated house about 1885. House remained in family until 1978.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: 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 1850.

Location. 34° 14.218′ N, 77° 56.469′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on Princess Street west of North 7th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 616 Princess 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Von Oesen House (a few steps from this marker); Capt. Joseph Price House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Allan Taylor House (within shouting distance of this marker); Greer House (about 300 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); Curtis-Foster House (about 300 feet away); William Pinckney Toon House (about 300 feet away); Toon House (about 300 feet away); St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. 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 20, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. 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 20, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. May-Willson House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.