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Many years before the white man and the Negro came to the area that is now known as Chadbourn, it was occupied by a group of Indians that were known as Waccmaws. Their chief was called “Watcoosa”. They were peaceful Indians. Later, they moved southward and westward from this area. Some Indian relics, such as arrowheads, have been found in this area and are on display in our schoolroom. Probably the first white settlers appeared in the area bout 1663-1673. The first settlers were largely English from New England and some who probably came from Virginia. From information gathered, the early occupations centered around farming and “naval stores.” According to information given by Mrs. D. C. Clark, the area that is known as Chadbourn was mostly owned by Col. Smith of Whiteville. Mrs. Clark is a grand-daughter of Col. Smith and is still living and owns a portion of the Smith estate. Col. Smith leased over 2,000 acres in the Chadbourn area to the Bellamy brothers of Wilmington (NC). They set up a turpentine distillery on the spot where the O’Neil house now stands. This happened before civil war days. As “naval store” industries declined in North Carolina, Col. Smith’s heirs leased the land to the Chadbourns of Wilmington (NC) who erected a sawmill here. Their names were Messrs. James H., George, and William Chadbourn. It was for James H. (Chadbourn) that our town is named. He made much progress in the lumber industry and in railroad building. The Mrs. D. C. Clark, who is now living, became the bride of James H. Chadbourn, Sr. This was in the 1880’s. It is interesting to know that one of the laborers who worked at this sawmill that was erected in the 1880’s is still living and is 107 years old. He is John Tompkins. Chadbourn was incorporated as a town by the North Carolina Legislature on March 7, 1883. Its growth has been steady. Once it was about to be named Timberville by Col. Smith who owned most of the land. In the early 1890’s most of the timber had been cut by the Chadbourn brothers and it seemed that the town might retrogress. But again fate stepped in and kept the town thriving. In 1892 and 1893 respectively, the Midwest had a severed winter and drought. To assist readers suffering from the weather and panic of 1893, a Chicago magazine known as Farm, Field, and Fireside ran an article asking information on inexpensive land in more hospitable climes. This article attracted the attention of Senator J. A. Brown of Chadbourn. He made trips to Chicago and made other necessary contracts to get the people from the Midwest to settle in this area. He had already seen the opportunity of clearing, draining, and farm cut-over timber land. He had made a successful experiment with the strawberry. After the proper contacts and arrangements were made, many people from the Midwest moved to Chadbourn. Some came to investigate, some bought all of their belongings, and others returned and brought their families back with them to make Chadbourn their home. These settlers who were known as the “Sunny South Colony” were energetic and thrifty citizens. Their main work was farming strawberries and other crops. Through their efforts Chadbourn became a great strawberry center. Some members who came with the colony are still living, and there are many who are descendents of the Sunny South Colony. Some of the family names are: Moors, Crawfords, Hortons, Lowes, Bailays, Boughner, Strole, Penn, Wilkes, Boege, Miller, Koons, Leonhart, Tipton, Marshall and others. Much credit must be given to the Chadbourns, Sen. J. A. Brown, and the Sunny South Colony for putting Chadbourn on the “go”. A sketch of Chadbourn’s history would be incomplete without mentioning the following families who have contributed to our spiritual and educational growth. Among the names are: Mabree, Exum, Wooten, Powell, Lawrence, Smith, Green, Williams, Campbell, Buck, Hall, Hammond, Davis, Riggins, Reaves, Murfree, Lewis, Scipio, Francis, Harold, Gore, Langley and many, many more. Other items of special interest are: 1. Chadbourn was once the largest strawberry market in the world 2. Chadbourn once led the world in the production of plate ice. 3. Many of the homes are built where people once fished. 4. The oldest churches in Chadbourn are the Methodist, Baptist and Fuller Memorial Presbyterian which was organized in 1886. 5. The home of the “Father of Chadbourn” is still standing. ** 6. The main industries now are farming, lumbering, processing, and textiling. 7. Chadbourn has a radio station owned by Negroes of the surrounding communities. 8. The population is 2,323. 9. Its longitude is 78.54° w, and its’ latitude is 34.18 degrees N, its elevation about 99.75’ above sea level. 10. It is the only town by that name in U.S.A. 11. Its one of the progressive towns in southeastern North Carolina. 12. Many of the letters written by the early settlers of the Sunny South Colony are on display in Westside’s 8th grade history classroom. Some date back to 1895 and 1897. 13. Members of the Sunny South Colony and their descendents have an annual gathering in honor of their past and their {sic} (present?) achievements. |
| A Brief History of Chadbourn, NC Compiled by the Eighth Grade Chapter of the Tarheel Junior Historian Association of Westside High School Chadbourn, NC 1961-62 |
| Compiled by the Eighth Grade Chapter of the Tarheel Junior Historian Association of Westside High School Chadbourn, NC 1961-62 |