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

Sampson-Johnson House

c. 1860: enlarged c. 1872

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Sampson-Johnson House Marker

Inscription. Greek Revival style house built by James D. Sampson (1801-1861), free Black carpenter. Purchased in 1872 by Fannie Starr (1833-1911), wife of Alexander Johnson (1825-1890), native of Lumberton, turpentine distiller. Acquired by daughter, Miss Kate E. Johnson (1865-1952), and niece, Miss Mary E. Cook (1852-1933), Wilmington school teachers for nearly 50 years. Purchased in 1943 by Daniel Carter Roane (1907-1986), native of West Hartford, CT, Black physician, who had his office here from 1953 to 1986.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Science & Medicine. 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 1860.

Location. 34° 14.423′ N, 77° 56.537′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Walnut Street and North 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on Walnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Walnut 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:

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Moore-Davis House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis-Telfair House (within shouting distance of this marker); McGhee House (within shouting distance of this marker); Telfair House (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas C. Miller House (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor-Washington House (within shouting distance of this marker); Schnibben-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alderman-Johnson House (about 400 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 22, 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 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Sampson-Johnson House Marker

3. Sampson, James (1806-1861). James Sampson (August 7, 1806-April 4, 1861) was a Wilmington carpenter born into slavery and manumitted as a young man, who became one of the wealthiest free people of color in antebellum North Carolina. (Catherine W. Bishir, North Carolina Architects & Builders project, N.C. State University, 2013) (Submitted on December 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

4. Dr. Daniel Carter Roane. Studio portrait and brief biography of Dr. Roane, the first African American man to run for the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in the 20th century. (New Hanover County Public Library) (Submitted on December 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.