At this ancient old house on Maulc’s Point, many parties come to hunt
and fish. Boating is also a popular pastime off the Point.
Maule’s Point
lt*s a historic* and
рк-1иг<\ч«цн‘
spot on tlio Pamlico Itivcr and
dcrivcMl its name from a dis¬
tinguished Scotch family who
lived hero for many years.
Kj
/
II VIIKY Z. TUCKER
TO MOST |K*oplo the word "point,"
uwi in a*onneelion with hind jut¬
ting »ut into a stream of water,
conjure* up romantic scene» of the
loiur
«со.
It bespeaks of the endeavor*
of that dim day when sailing vessels
were tin1 swiftest means of locomotion.
It wa- to such a place that the early
settlors cutne for supplies, for human
eotilacts. and to hear the latest new*
front over the sea.
Aero-, the Pamlico Kiver, some
twelve miles above the historic old
town of Bath, is
л
point of land which
for historical incident and beauty of
location is probably unsurpassed in
all eastern North Carolina. It is
"Maule's Point," one of the oldest
plantations in this storied region.
Located on the shore of the river,
where it is about four miles wide, and
where tempestuous winds frequently
raise wave* to great heights, and where
tisbermeii are sometimes drowned,
there is great beauty in llii* beautiful
spot. However, it is seldom visited by
the ensunl traveler, partly because it
is so utterly remote, and partly Im*-
enu-e visitor- are generally drawn to
the more widely known area of Oldc
Batli Towne.
But the quiet and peaceful beauty
of Maule's Point will more than
amply repay those who leave the high¬
way ami drive seven or eight miles
over a series of country roads to visit
this old plantation, once the scene of
busy eolouial life.
For a few miles along the way from
Little Washington, there are a series
of undulating hills, higher lo a con¬
siderable degree than that which one
would expect to find in the tidewater
country. The countryside i* covered
with giant oaks, maple* and pities.
Maule’s Point contains one of the few
remaining virgin forest* in the Pam¬
lico section of North Carolina, and
through it roam at will such denizens
as bear, deer and wild turkey. The
country is almost a- undisturbed as
on the day when white man fiist set
foot here.
Maule's Point get» its name from
a distinguished Scotch family which
for years owned and lived in this beau¬
tiful country of enchanting waters.
Several members of this family served
with honor in various public offices.
The distinguished early settler. Colo¬
nel William Manic, was probably the
first of the name to settle in North
Carolina. However, it was a younger
brother. Dr. Patrick Manic, who lirst
settled on what is now Maule's Point.
Having studied medicine in Kdin-
bnrg, Dr. Maule came here from
Scotland and practiced his profession
in Ball) County. Ho lirst had a home
in Bath. For more than a quarter cen¬
tury he played an important part in
the life of the Pamlico section. For
many years he was a justice of Beau¬
fort and Hyde counties; he was deputy
receiver for the port of Bath ; deputy
•Fudge of the Admiralty; deputy Snr-
vcyor General, and frequently a inem-
l«*f of the General Assembly from
Hyde and Beaufort preeinels.
Dr. Manic died in 1730, leaving to
his son, .lolm Maule, a substantial
fortune and vast plantations. In 1750,
•lolin Maule built hi* manor house
overlooking the broad expanse* of the
Pamlico River. The house, built of
materials brought from England, fol¬
lowed the lines of English architec¬
ture. It was a four-story structure,
with slave quarters beneath, and was
elaborately furnished.
Beautiful Furnishings
The lirst floor of the manor was set
aside for the entertainment of guests
and visitors, and was furnished in a
manner in keeping with the best cus¬
tom* of luxury and hospitality. The
rooms were deftly paneled, and the
windows and doors were executed with
the utmost finesse. Seven hand-curved
mantels, which were always the envy
of guests, adorned the lower rooms.
One of these mantels is still to lie seen
at the present house on Maule's Point;
a second is in the Hall of Historv, at
Raleigh.
The grounds of this early estate were
laid nut by an Englishman, who came
lo Pamlico for the express purpose.
He carefully planned and supervised
the plantings, and remnants of scent¬
ed shrubs and flowers are still found
here after nearly two centuries.
When John Maule died in 1773. lie
Itcqucathcd the estate to hi* son, Moses
Maule, who followed the life of a
soldier. Major Moses Maule died in
1790. and his tomb is in the family
cemetery. There is a tradition in the
section which claims he committed
suicide, upon learning of the unfaith¬
fulness of his sweetheart.
After the death of the last of the
Maule*. the home wa* ransacked hv
vandal* in the hope of finding money.
They defaced many of the handsome
old furnishings, even disturbed the
grave* of the dead, where mammoth
iron vault* were not sufficient to repel
the robbers. The old English hall
stood until 1930, when it was de¬
stroyed by a forest fire.
While* there are evidences of past
(Continued on page Iwtnhj-Ihrec)
2
