New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

REPLACED

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Jones House

Confederate Jail

Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009

1. Jones House Marker

Inscription. This house was built about 1809 for John Jones, owner of a local turpentine distillery, and the west wing was added about 1820. After the U.S. Army defeated Confederate troops in the Battle of New Bern on March 14, 1862, and occupied the town, military authorities used the house as a jail for Confederate Sympathizers. According to local tradition, Union soldiers confined the notorious Confederate spy Emeline Pigott here. An ardent supporter of the Confederate cause who had served as a nurse, Pigott smuggled confidential military information, personal letters, clothing, food, and other items through Union lines by hiding them underneath her hoop skirts. When arrested, she carried a heavy load of contraband, but Federal officials never convicted her of a crime. She was released from jail and lived out the remainder of her life at her home in Carteret County, near Beaufort.

Erected 2004 by North Carolina Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 35° 6.412′

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N, 77° 2.697′ W. Marker was in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. It was at the intersection of Eden Street and Pollock Street, on the left when traveling north on Eden Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New Bern NC 28562, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Lurking as Spies (here, next to this marker); Washington's Southern Tour (a few steps from this marker); John Wright Stanly House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named John Wright Stanly House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tryon Palace (about 500 feet away); James Walker Hood (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Attmore-Oliver House (about 700 feet away); George H. White (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bern.

Other markers no longer nearby. John Wright Stanly House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Attmore-Oliver House (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement CWT Marker At This Location titled "Lurking As Spies".

Jones House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009

2. Jones House and Marker

Close up of image on Jones House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009

3. Close up of image on Jones House Marker

Confederate Spy Emeline Pigott. (photo provided for use on the marker courtesy of North Carolina Office of Archives and History)

Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009

4. Close up of image on Jones House Marker

Jones House looking east, ca. 1880. (Photo provided for use on the marker courtesy of New Bern Fireman's Museum)

Photographed by Kevin W., October 21, 2009

5. Another Jones House Marker
Built ca. 1808 by John Jones. Emeline Pigott, local Confederate spy, was imprisoned here by Union occupation forces.
This separate marker was placed by the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,452 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2026, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.