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

Williams MacMillan House

Built 1889

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Williams MacMillan House Marker

Inscription. Property acquired in 1842 by state grant to John Williams (1779-1855). Bequeathed to his grandson, William Arthur Williams (1850-1917), timber inspector and clerk for the county board of commissioners. His wife, Jane Iredell Meares (1855-1935), artist and botanist, designed and executed many interior architectural details. Purchased in 1918 by son-in-law Henry Jay MacMillan (1878-1920). House is built in Queen Anne shingle style.
John H. Howe, contractor

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 1842.

Location. 34° 14.021′ N, 77° 56.679′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is at the intersection of South 4th Street and Cottage Lane, on the right when traveling south on South 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 S 4th 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: Williams-Belden House (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Williams Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams-Holladay House (within shouting distance of this marker); Jones-Mitchell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hart Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Riley-Moore House (within shouting distance of this marker); William A. French House (within shouting distance of this marker); Rankin-Walker House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Howe Family (fl. 1850s-1900s). The Howe Family of Wilmington, North Carolina, encompassed at least four generations of men of color active in the city’s building trades. John Harriss Howe (ca. 1841-1902) was part of the third generation. (Catherine W. Bishir, North Carolina Architects & Builders, 2010) (Submitted on January 10, 2025, 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Williams MacMillan House Marker

in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

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 January 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.