Williamston in Martin County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Samuel Johnston (1733-1816)
Samuel Johnston (1733-1816), c. 1780. Johnston, a leading patriot during the American Revolution, served as governor of North Carolina from 1789 to 1789. He is credited with being the first person elected as president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. He declined the position but continued involvement in national politics through ratification of the Constitution in 1789. Sometime in the 1780s, Johnston built a home, The Hermitage, in Williamston off present-day Park Street. Ruins of the structure were still visible as late as 1913. (Courtesy of the North Division of Archives and History.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 35° 51.283′ N, 77° 3.319′ W. Marker is in Williamston, North Carolina, in Martin County. It is on West Main Street (Business U.S. 17) west of South Watts Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 W Main St, Williamston NC 27892, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Gen. Frank Armstrong (here, next to this marker); The History of Williamston (here, next to this marker); Williamston Prisoner-of-War Camp
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Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
