Poplar Grove Plantation

In 1795, James Foy, Jr., son of Captain James Foy, Sr. purchased 628 acres of land from Francis Clayton, who had purchased the land in 1784 from the recently widowed, Mary Harnett, wife of Cornelius Harnett. The acreage is located on Topsail Sound in New Hanover County, including the northern banks of Figure Eight Island.

 

James Foy, Jr., newly married to Henrietta Rhodes, daughter of Colonel Henry Rhodes, built the couple’s home close to the sound to more easily transport goods via boats and water barges to the port of Wilmington, since the arduous trip by road took about twelve hours round trip.

 

Ownership passed to James’ son, Joseph Mumford Foy, in 1838. After a  fire destroyed the homestead, Joseph M. Foy selected this current location because of its proximity to the Old New Bern Road. Construction began circa 1850. The Manor House was designed by Joseph, an amateur architect, in the popular Greek-Revival Style, mixing earlier Federal Style flourishes. The home is 4,284 square feet, with twelve fireplaces, two pairs of corbelled interior chimneys, eight principle rooms, and a full basement.

 

Here's the formal living room:

Formal dining room:

The Winter bedroom which was used in the film The Wedding, starring Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry.

The Foy family:

The children's bedroom:

Poplar Grove was a self-sustaining peanut plantation, including a sawmill, brickyard, grist mill, salt works, turpentine still, a blacksmith’s forge and skilled slave artisans. Today, the Manor House and grounds echo the cultural and economic structure of the planter class and the beginning of the New South in the form of tenant farming and emancipation.

Here's the exterior:

The gazebo:

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of history!

I'm sharing with 'Share Your Cup Thursday #81'

Southern Coastal Homes On Topsail Beach, North Carolina

 

I found this poem the other day, and thought it was so true. Your life is what you make of it, day by day. It also reminded me of the beautiful beach.

 

We have been staying in Topsail Beach for a few weeks now. It's an island off the southern coast of North Carolina. The homes here are an array of hues, some blend in with the landscape, while others have can be seen from a distance. Many homes on the island are raised as the Atlantic coastline is on one side, and the wetlands on the other side.

 

Many of the homes I photographed, were on wetlands side, enjoy the tour:

 

 

The birds were on the electrical lines, and flying really low. My Nana used to say that was a sign that it was going to rain, and it did.

 

Hope you enjoyed looking at some homes on Topsail Beach.



Beaufort, North Carolina

 

Hope you had a Happy Halloween. We didn't celebrate this year, instead we took a trip to Beaufort, North Carolina.

 

 

We had lunch at the Dockside restaurant, and watched the boats sail past the windows. Before we left it started getting drizzly, which after a l-o-n-g summer down South...was much appreciated. The restaurant must be nice on a sunny day, when you can sit out on the dock.

 

Here's Cory, enjoying the view!

 

 

And my sunshiny self ordering.

 

 

The town had an 'All American' style, Camp Lejeune is nearby and the paneled car made me feel like I was on a 90's movie set.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful historic homes line the streets opposite to the water. They have a Southern Coastal charm, and beautiful unobstructed views. How charming is this Colonial?
 

 

It was a short visit, but I hope to go back sometime. I would love recommendations on seafood places nearby.

 

Happy November!

Sunset Walk and Homemade Beans and Potatoes

 

This evening we went on a 4 mile stroll along the Atlantic Ocean. It was a beautiful sight, with hues of pinks and oranges intermittent with the clouds and the most perfect temperature, not too hot...and not too cold (in the 70's).

 

 

After getting back home, and sand free, I made beans with potatoes. It was so simple and yet delicious.

 

Here's the recipe:

 

Quarter up some baby potatoes and put in a microwave safe bowl, fill with water and sprinkle with pepper. Put in the microwave for 10-12minutes.

 

Meanwhile on one hob heat up some Bush's beans in a saucepan and on the other add a table spoon of butter to a frying pan along with 1/4 of a diced onion and 1 diced celery stalk.

 

After the potatoes are cooked, drain and add to the sautéed onion and celery until golden brown.

 

Serve with grated mozzarella cheese.

 

 

Have a happy rest of the week.