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

W. Lincoln Smith House

Circa 1846

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. W. Lincoln Smith House Marker

Inscription. Believed built by Henry M. Bishop in 1846. Later bought and remodelled by William L. Smith. Miss Mamie L. Alderman operated a private select school from 1904 until her death in 1934. The school was continued by her niece Laura Carpenter until 1942.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Women. 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 1846.

Location. 34° 14.184′ N, 77° 56.592′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on North 5th Avenue north of Market Street (Business U.S. 17), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 N 5th Ave, 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: Knohl House (a few steps from this marker); Polley House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bellamy Mansion Negro House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bellamy Mansion & Slave Quarters (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Conoley House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bellamy Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); William B. Gould (within shouting distance of this marker); Von Glahn House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding W. Lincoln Smith House. Mamie L. Alderman was a teacher at Tileston School until it closed in 1891. By the following year she had opened Alderman Select School, a private coeducational school.

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 January 15, 2025, 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. W. Lincoln Smith House Marker

Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Additional commentary.
1. William Lincoln Smith
Excerpt from "A Biographical Dictionary of New Hanover County, NC Commissioners: 1868-2010" by Ann Hewlett Hutteman, New Hanover County Public Library:

William Lincoln Smith was born 11 April 1821 in New Hanover County. During the Civil War, he served as a colonel in the 22nd North Carolina Home Guard (Local Defense Troops). On 10 December 1846, he married Isabella C. Reston (1821-1864). After her death on 7 December 1864, he wed Mrs. Sophia W. Bettencourt (1835-1912) on 22 September 1869.

For a time, he resided at 12 North 5th Avenue, which still stands and is known as the William Lincoln Smith House.

He was appointed to the Board of County Commissioners by Governor Zebulon B. Vance on 18 September 1878 and was Chairman from 1879 to 1880. He served until 1 April 1881, when he submitted his resignation because he was elected Mayor of Wilmington. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows and was president of the Board of Insurance Underwriters as he had been in the insurance business
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for a number of years.

He died on 2 June 1887 and is interred in Oakdale Cemetery.

— Submitted January 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.