Greene County NcArchives Biographies.....Bridge, Speight's ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cliff Darden cliffdarden@cs.com February 28, 2015, 10:53 pm Source: Cliff Darden Author: Cliff Darden Speight's Bridge Apparently the first Speight to own land in what is now Greene County (then Craven) was Francis Speight, who received a grant for 573 acres on the "north side of Great Contentnea Creek, below Gainges Plantation, beginning above William Smith's line" (grant #111, book 4, page 127) on March, 12, 1740. He added 300 acres on November 22, 1746 "on the east side of Beaverdam Swamp at the mouth of a branch called Bull Branch, near Smith's line" (grant #350, book 5, page 283). The earliest bridge to be built over the upper part of Contentnea Creek was Peacock's Bridge. According to the Acts of the General Assembly, volume 23, pages 367-8, September 24-October 12, 1751, the following was proposed & enacted: "An Act to invest the Property of a Bridge in John Peacock, his Heirs and Assigns, (by him already built over Contentney Creek) for the Term of Twenty Five Years. I. Whereas a Bridge over Great Contentney Creek, on the main Road, leading from Johnston County to Edgecomb County, is much for the Conveniency of Travellers; and Samuel Peacock having already built one on his own Land, at his own Expence, where the main Road crosses the Creek, and Petitioning to be allowed the Privilege of taking and Receiving from Travellers, the usual Rates they were accustomed to pay, when he kept a Ferry there; and to be invested with the sole Property of the said Bridge, for the Space of Twenty Five Years: II. We pray it may be Enacted, And be it Enacted, by his Excellency Gabriel Johnston, Esq., Governor, by and with the Advice and Consent of his Majesty's Council, and the General Assembly of this Province, and by the Authority of the same, That it shall and may be lawful for the said Samuel Peacock, his Heirs and Assigns, to keep a sufficient Gate on the Bridge built by him, on Great Contentney Creek, where the Road now crosseth the said Creek, leading from Johnston County to Edgecomb County, and take and receive from all Persons that shall pass over the same, the following Rates; that is to say, For every Man and Horse, Four Pence. For every Carriage, drawn by one or two Horses or Oxen, One Shilling. And for every Horse, Mare, or Ox, Four Pence each. And for every Head of Neat Cattle, One Penny. And for every Twenty Hogs or Sheep, One Shilling. And so in proportion for a greater or lesser number of hogs or sheep; for and during the Space of Twenty Five Years, and no longer. III. And be it further enacted, That during the Time the Bridge shall be kept in Repair, and fit for Travellers and carriages to pass and repass the same, it shall not be lawful for any Person whatsoever to keep any Ferry, build any Bridge, or set any Person, or Persons, Carriage or Carriages, Cattle, Hogs, or Sheep, over the said Creek, for Fee or Reward, within six Miles of the same, during the Time aforesaid; under the Penalty of Twenty Shillings, Proclamation Money, for each and every offence, to be recovered by the said Samuel Peacock, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns, before any Magistrate of the County; to be applied to the Use of the Proprietor of the Bridge built by the said Samuel Peacock; and during the said Time, the Right and Property of the said Bridge is hereby invested in the said Samuel Peacock, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns." This act insured the success of the investment of Samuel Peacock and assured that he would have no "competition" from 6 miles below to 6 miles above his bridge for at least 25 years. (It is also an early example of government intrusion into and regulation of private enterprise.) Below the bridge, Contentnea Creek became deeper and wider, making bridge construction more difficult. The common passage across the creek was by ferry (as stated in the bill). Speight's Bridge is less than 6 miles directly below Peacock's Bridge. The 1775 Mouzon Map of North and South Carolina clearly shows Peacock's Bridge between Town Creek and the court house, though it is not named. There is no other bridge shown below it prior to Contentnea Creek joining the Neuse River. The only other crossing was "Potter Ferry" near the mouth. During the period between 1751 and 1782, the Speight family began to settle and populate the area north and east of the creek. The head of the family was William Speight, who is first mentioned as "Justice in the Commission of the Peace for and within" Johnston County, July 10, 1750 (Minutes of the North Carolina Governor's Council July 5, 1750-July 10, 1750). In the "Muster roll of Colonel Lewis DeRosset's Regiment of Johnston County , North Carolina, Officers, 1754, William Speight is listed as captain of a company of 99 men. When he resigned his commission on July 5, 1779, company had 60 men (Dobbs County Militia Rolls 1767-1781). Between 1761 and 1798, the family received the following land grants in addition to the land the Speight family purchased that is recorded in the indices of Johnston and Dobbs Counties: 1. Moses Speight, 75 acres "North Side of Contentnea Creek, on the creek bank, Lord Granville's line" (grant # 146, entry # 91, March 26, 1761) 2. William Speight Jr, 72 acres "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining his father's line" (grant #25, book 11, page 113, 2/2/1762) 3. William Speight Jr, 700 acres "on the south side of Little Contentnea and including the plantation John Thompson now lives" (grant #24, book 11, page 113, February 2, 1762) Francis Speight & John Speight were chain bearers. Peacock's Bridge is shown (though not named) on both the 1770 Collet map and the 1775 Mouzon map of North Carolina. Between April 14, 1778 and May 02, 1778, Volume 24, Pages 175-6, Acts of the General Assembly: "An Act for appointing Commissioners to build a Bridge across Cotentney, and for Other Purposes therein Mentioned.I. Whereas an Act, intituled, An Act to Invest the Property of a Bridge across Cotentney Creek in John Peacock, his Heirs and Assigns, for the Space of Twenty Five Years, passed in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty One, is ceased; and whereas the Assigns of the said Peacock, the Year before the expiration of the said Twenty Five Years, rebuilt the said Bridge, for the Purpose of receiving Toll from Travellers and others passing over the said Bridge, after the Expiration of the said Term, and hath accordingly received from the Public very considerable Sums of Money for the Soldiery and Public Waggons passing over the said Bridge, as appears from the different Allowances from the Council of Safety and General Assembly for that Purpose, and still continue to receive the same from individuals, so that the Money received for Toll since the Expiration of the Time hath abundantly more than reimbursed every expense attending the building the said Bridge; and whereas the Creek whereat the said Bridge stands hath for many Years past been fordable Six Months inthe Year, and in order to accumulate the Toll thereof, since the Expiration of the Time large Trees have been fell on each Side of the said Bridge, to precent fording the Creek as usual, to the great injury of the Public: II. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and by the Authority of the same, That if the Assigns of the said Peacock shall hereafter ask, demand or receive, any Toll from any Person or Persons for crossing or passing over the said Bridge, or for any Waggons, Carts, Horses, Cattle, Hogs or Sheep, knowingly, passing over the said Bridge, such person so offending shall forfeit and pay the Sum of Five Pounds for every Toll so received; to be recovered before any Justice of the Peace by any Person who shall prosecute for the same. III. And whereas it is necessary that a Bridge should be built across the said Creek, for the Benefit of Travellers, and others, and the Inhabitants adjacent thereto being desirous of building the same at their own Expense, provided it be free from all Toll; Be it therefore Enacted, That William Speight and Thomas Edmondson, Esqrs., be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners for erecting and building a Bridge over the said Creek, at the Place where the said Bridge now stands; and that they be empowered to take Subscriptions from the inhabitants who shall be willing to subscribe towards building the same, and to enforce the Payment thereof. IV. And for the better erecting and finishing the said Bridge, Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners, or the Person or Persons who shall undertake to build the said Bridge, to make Use of such Timber on the Lands of any Person whatso ever as may be most convenient and necessary for the said Bridge, without Impeachment of Waste therefor. V. And whereas the Bridge built by the Assignees of the aforesaid Peacock will be useful to the Publick until a new Bridge can be erected; Be it therefore Enacted, That the Commissioners hereinbefore named shall have full Power and Authority to treat with the present Owners of the said Bridge, and to purchase the same at such reasonable Price as may be agreed on, and to apply so much of the Money to be subscribed as aforesaid to the Purpose of discharging such Contract as they may make for the Purchase of the said Bridge; any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding." The Edmondson family lived on the south and west side of Contentnea Creek. Bullhead Township is located in that area. The two "bridge commissioners" were prominent men from each side of the creek. 4. Dempsey Speight, 640 acres on the "east side of Contentnea Joining William Speight and Samuel Speight's lines" (grant #83, book 29, page 283, July 1, 1779)- Samuel Speight & John Speight were chain bearers for the survey 5. Francis Speight, 640 acres "on Thompson's Swamp, joining William Speight's lines and Seth Speight's" (grant #89, book 29, page 289, July 1, 1779)-John Speight was the chain bearer for the survey 6. Samuel Speight, 640 acres "William Speight's line, Francis Speight's corner" (grant #93, book 29, page 293, July 1, 1779)-John & Seth Speight were chain bearers for the survey 7. William Speight, 140 acres "east side of Contentnea" (grant #95, book 29, page 395?, July 1, 1779) 8. Francis Speight, 300 acres "east side of Contentnea" (grant #96, book 29, page 296, July 1, 1779) Ethelred Ruffin (1743-1798) of Edgecombe County was elected to the NC House of Commons in 1779. His family lived along the Edgecombe/Dobbs County line. He used his influence to get the following legislation passed: (Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1779, North Carolina. General Assembly, October 18, 1779 - November 10, 1779, Volume 24, Pages 310-311): "An Act to vest the property of a bridge lately built by Samuel Ruffin, deceased, over Great-Contentney Creek, in Etheldred Ruffin, his heirs or assigns for twenty years. I. Whereas representation hath been made to the general assembly, that Samuel Ruffin, late of Edgecomb county, deceased, did at a considerable expense, erect and finish a good and substantial bridge across Contentney Creek at a place generally known by the name of Peacocks bridge, with a view of reimbursing himself therefor by receiving the then accustomed toll from travellers and others, which an Act of the General Assembly since passed, has prevented; much to the injury of the said Ruffin; II. Be it therefore enacted by the general assembly of the state of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this act it shall and may be lawful for Etheldred Ruffin, heir to the said Samuel, his heirs or assigns, to receive from all travellers and others passing the said bridge, the respective sums which shall from time to time be allowed by the court of Dobbs for travellers and others passing ferries in said County, and to keep a gate on said bridge. Provided nevertheless, That all persons, carriages, &c. when in actual military service of this or the United States, or expresses for the same, shall pass said bridge toll free, such persons making it appear to the owner of the said bridge they are in the service abovementioned. III. And be it further enacted by the authority of the same, That during the time the bridge shall be kept up and in repair, fit for travellers and carriages to pass and repass the same, it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever to keep any ferry, build any bridge, or set any person or persons, carriage or carriages, cattle, hogs or sheep, over the said creek, for fee or reward, within five miles of said bridge during the time aforesaid, under the penalty of two pounds, to be recovered by the owner of said bridge, before any jurisdiction having cognizance thereof, and applied to his or their own use during the said time the right and property of the said bridge is hereby invested in the said Etheldred Ruffin, his heirs and assigns. IV. And be it further enacted, That an act of the general assembly passed at Newbern the second day of May, 1778, intituled, an act for appointing commissioners to build a bridge across Contentney creek, and for other purposes, be and the same is hereby repealed, and made null and void. V. Be it further enacted, That the said Etheldred Ruffin, his heirs or assigns, shall not, during the said time, fall or cause to be fallen any tree in the ford at or near where the said bridge now stands, or otherwise stop or obstruct the same, so as to prevent travellers and others fording the creek thereat, under the penalty of one hundred pounds for each and every offense, to be recovered by any person who shall sue for the same, before any jurisdiction having cognizance thereof, and applied to his or their own use. VI. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue and be in force for and during the term of twenty years, and from thence to the end of the next session of assembly, and no longer." Once again, a politician used the power of government to enrich himself and control efforts of the remainder of the population. The act above continued to prevent the building of Speight's Bridge until after 1799. 9. William Speight, 640 acres "north side of Great Contentnea and on the Beaverdam Swamp" (grant #236, book 29, page 436, April 3, 1780) 10. Seth Speight, 640 acres "east side of Contentnea, joining William Speight's lines and Francis Speight's (grant #239, book 29, page 439, April 3, 1780)- Francis Speight was a chain bearer for the survey 11. William Speight, 200 acres "east side of Contentnea, Mores Mill Swamp" (grant #257, book 29, page 457, April 3, 1780)-Samuel & Francis Speight were chain bearers for the survey 12. John Speight, 640 acres "north side of Contentnea Creek" (grant #252, book 29, page 452, July 1, 1780)-Francis Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. The 1780 provisional tax list (to provide taxes for the army during the Revolutionary War) refers to "Speight" District (Capt William Speight). 13. Seth Speight, 135 acres "north side of Contentnea, Sameul Speight's line, William Speight's corner" (grant #287, book 45, page 10, October 29, 1782)- William Speight was a chain bearer for the survey 14. William Speight Esq, 390 acres "north side of Great Contentnea, joining his own & William Speight Senr's lines, Francis Speight's patent line, John Speight's" (grant #386, book 45, page 58, October 29, 1782)-John Speight was a chain bearer for the survey The 1784 tax list refers to the district as Capt Seth Speight's. Capt William Speight had died and his son (Seth, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War) had succeeded him. 15. Samuel Speight, 300 acres "East side of Contentnea Creek, White Oak Pocosin" (grant #708, book 57, page 280, November 10, 1784) 16. William Speight, Esq, 46 acres "north side of Great Contentnea, Samuel Speight's line & corner" (grant #726, book 69, page 229, September 21, 1785)- Francis Speight was a chain bearer for this survey 17.William Speight, Esq, 186 acres "North side of Great Contentnea Creek" (grant #740, book 60, page 440, October 4, 1786) According to page 16 of "A History of Stantonsburg" (1980), On October 24, 1787, Joseph Cox succeeded William Ellis as Overseer of all the hands "on the lower side of the Road leading from Peacock's Bridge to Shepperd's." That implies the existence of Shepard's Bridge, near the junction of Nahunta Swamp and Contentnea Creek at that time. 18. Seth Speight, 166 acres, (originally granted to Samuel Speight in 1778, given to Seth) "Samuel Speight's line, William Speight's corner" (grant #900, book 78, page 265, December 20, 1791) 19. William Speight, Esq, 210 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea Creek" (grant #10, book 81, page 521, November 27, 1793) Francis Speight (son of Capt William) died between the 1790 federal census and 1795. 20. William Speight, Esq, 200 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea Creek" (grant #31, book 89, page 281, November 9, 1795). William Vines Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. 21. Seth Speight, 100 acres, "between Watery Branch & Goff's Swamp east of Granville deed to William Speight Senr, William Speight, Esq corner" (grant #32, book 89, page 281, November 28, 1795). Seth's son, William Vines Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. 22. Seth Speight, 100 acres (for Stephen Weson Speight-sold to Seth, witness William V Speight) "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, Jocks Branch, John Gaynor corner now John Speight, William Speight corner, granted to William Speight Senr by Granville" (grant # 100, book 89, page 282, November 28, 1795) Seth's son, William Vines Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. 23. Seth Speight, 100 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, south side of Watery Branch, William Speight's line" (grant #45, book 90, page 21, November 21, 1796). 24. Seth Speight, 30 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, Samuel Speight" (grant #46, book 90, page 21, November 21, 1796) Seth Speight, Jr (later Reverend) was a chain bearer for the survey. 25. Samuel Speight, 100 acres "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining John Speight's and Seth Speight's lines, Francis Speight's corner (his patent), William Speight's corner" (grant #47, book 90, page 22, November 26, 1796) William Vines Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. 26. William (son of Francis) Speight, 100 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea, joining his own lines, south side of Beaverdam Swamp, Speight's patent line" (grant #51, book 90, page 24, December 22, 1796) John Speight Jr was a chain bearer for the survey. 27. Samuel Speight, 100 acres, "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining Moses Speight" (grant #52, book 90, page 98, February 19, 1797) Seth Speight, Jr (later Reverend) was a chain bearer for the survey. 28. William (son of Francis) Speight, 200 acres, (William Speight Esq to William Speight son of Francis) "Southeast side of Beaverdam Swamp" (grant #63, book 91, page 586, june 24, 1797). 29. William Speight Esq, 100 acres, (Seth Speight assigned to William Speight) "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, on Beaverdam Swamp, Seth Speight's line" (grant #84, book 92, page 497, December 9, 1797). Samuel Speight and William Vines Speight were chain bearers for the survey. The 1798 map of North Carolina authorized by Governor David Stone shows Peacock's Bridge and (for the first time) Shepard's Bridge between Terhunta (Nahunta) and Fort Run across the upper portion of Contentnea Creek. 30. Seth Speight, 200 acres, (William Speight assigned to Seth Speight witnessed by Samuel Vines) "North side of Great Contentnea Creek, his own line & corner, run of Contentnea, Stephen Speight's corner, William Speight's line" (grant #95, book 90, page 286, April 12, 1798) Stephen Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. 31. William Speight Esq, 200 acres, "South side of Great Contentnea Creek" (grant #49, book 90, page 23, November 26, 1798) William Vines Speight was a chain bearer for the survey. By the end of the 18th century, the Speight family had received at least the above 31 land grants for 8650 acres in the area of Contentnea Creek, in addition to land that they purchased. In 1800, Capt. (Revolutionary War) Seth Speight (son of Capt William) died. His wife (Elizabeth Vines) died ca 1798. His brother, William Speight, Esq, died in 1802. The last remaining of Capt. William Speight's sons, Samuel Speight, died in 1803. Beginning in 1808, the above mentioned William Vines Speight, (1778-1836, 3rd generation,) was elected to the state senate for 13 consecutive years from Greene County. For his 14th term (1822), he replaced Abraham Darden (the father of his future son-in-law William Augustus Darden) who resigned and was joined by his baby brother, Jesse Speight (1795-1847) who was elected to the House of Commons (Journal of the Senate and House of Commons of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina). The 1818 Lewis map (unnamed) shows the Stanton Bridge and Shepard's Bridge. The 1827 Lewis map (named) of North Carolina show the Stanton Bridge, Peacock's Bridge and Shepard's Bridge. In 1823, Jesse Speight replaced his brother William Vines Speight as Greene County senator. He served through 1828, and was elected speaker of the senate. Jesse was elevated from colonel to brigadier general of the 2nd brigade, 8th division of the NC militia by the legislature November 26, 1823, and resigned January 2, 1828 (Journal of the Senate and House of Commons of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina). He was then elected to the US House of Representatives in 1828 and served through 1837, before moving to Mississippi, where he was elected to the US Senate in 1845. According to postal records, in 1829 a post office was established at Speight's Bridge. The first postmaster was Lemon Speight (1791-1830), one of the younger sons of Capt. Seth Speight, effective October 24, 1829. It is highly probable that the Speight brothers influenced the building and naming of the bridge known as Speight's Bridge during that time, as well as the little community of the same name. Arthur Speight (son of Samuel Speight & Rachel Hay), first cousin of William Vines, Lemon and Jesse Speight, served in the house of commons in 1829 and 1831. The 1833 John MacRae map of North Carolina shows and names Peacock's Bridge and Shepard's Bridge, with an unnamed bridge at the location of Speight's Bridge located between them. The 1839 Burr map of North & South Carolina shows roads, post offices and railroads. It locates the Speight's Bridge post office just east of a bridge over Contentnea Creek, as does the 1843 Morse map of North Carolina. The 1854 & 1855 Colton maps of North Carolina shows Speight's Bridge (incorrectly) located west of the actual Bridge site. The 1858 Paterson map of North & South Carolina corrected the error made by Colton. The 1859 Pearce map of North Carolina shows Ruffin's (Peacock's) Bridge, Speight's Bridge (east of the bridge) and Shepard's Bridge. The 1861 & 1863 Colton maps of eastern North Carolina, southeast Virginia and the Northeast tip of South Carolina shows the same aforenamed 2 bridges. Shepard's Bridge is not shown. It includes the triangular intersection at the community site that still exists in the early 21st century. A second version that appears to be the same map shows Shepard's Bridge. An 1862 Schott military map of eastern North Carolina labels only Speight's Bridge between Stantonsburg and Snow Hill, along Contentnea Creek. The 1864 Gilmer map of eastern North Carolina shows far more detail than any previous map. The bridge itself is labeled as Speight's Bridge. On the Snow Hill Road (now Sand Pit Road), Dr. Ward is shown in what was previously the "old Vines place". There was formerly a Vines/Moye cemetery in front of & to the Stantonsburg side of this house, but it was plowed under in about 1974. The next house is the Rev Seth Speight house (ca 1821-on land left to him by his father's 1800 will) occupied by his daughter Mary H. Speight. Behind it stands the Speight/Bynum family cemetery. Across Watery Branch is the house of Abner & Maria Louisa Darden Speight, built in 1830, probably for his father Arthur Speight (son of Samuel Speight). The last house before the intersection of what is now Appie Road is that of the widow Rachel Speight Moye, sister of Abner Speight. Just north of the Snow Hill Road/Appie Road intersection is the home of the widow Martha Speight Adams, sister of Abner & Rachel. Apparently, all of this land came from the holdings of their father, Arthur (1785-1848), and their grandfather, Samuel (d 1803). Proceeding south toward Speight's Bridge Road, the 1864 Colton map shows Tabernacle (Methodist) Church. Behind Tabernacle Church is a cemetery that contains marked graves of Capt William A. Darden, Jr (CSA, son of William Augustus Darden & Harriet Speight Darden), his first wife Sarah Catherine Moye Darden (daughter of Elbert & Rachel Speight Moye), his 2nd wife Katherine Adams Darden (daughter of Richard Adams & Martha Speight Adams), Rachel Speight Moye, Abner Speight & his wife Maria (daughter of Abraham Darden & Sarah Westbrook Darden), Willis Joseph Lafayette Darden (youngest son of Abraham Darden & Sarah Westbrook), his wife Sarah Eason Speight Darden (daughter of Arthur Speight & Catherine Tart Eason) and their daughter Alice Darden. There are additional unmarked graves and were formerly lightwood markers that have been destroyed over time. Across Tabernacle run stood the residence of Mary Cook Speight (later Mrs. Rufus Cicero Decatur Beaman), the daughter of Lemon Speight, who inherited the "home place" from his father Capt. Seth Speight (will of 1800). R. C. D and Mary are buried directly behind where the old gabled house stood, in a walnut grove near Speight's Bridge. Near the intersection of what is now Speight's Bridge Road and the road that crosses Beaman Run is the house of Sanders P. Cox. According to the "Cox Family at Speight's Bridge" in the Greene County Heritage book, "About 1850 Sanders P. Cox purchased a plantation from William A. Darden on the Contentnea Creek at Speight's Bridge and moved his family to Greene County." This is consistent with the contents of the cemetery on that property that includes Coxes, Darden's (Abraham Lafayette Darden, son of Lafayette & Sarah Speight married daughter Obedience Cox), Faircloth's and Speights. William Vines Speight was the son of Edwin Speight & grandson of William Vines Speight who inherited the land from his Uncle William Speight, Esq (d 1802) (Sheppard vs. Glasgow, NC Supreme Court 1814). South of Beaman's Run is the widower William Augustus Darden whose 3rd wife was Harriet Speight, daughter of William Vines Speight on land that most probably was part of the estate of William Speight, Esq. Therefore, it appears that from some time in the late 1700's, 3 of the 4 sons of Capt William Speight (d ca 1784), owned the vast majority of the land along the north & east side of Contentnea Creek from the Vines land in northwest Dobbs/Glasgow/Greene County to some point south of Speight's Bridge, north of Shepard's (Fools) Bridge. This land was still in the possession of descendants and family members at the time of the Gilmer map. This supports the theory that these were the people who were responsible for the bridge & community of Speight's Bridge. The 1865 Coastal Survey of North & South Carolina by Bache shows the community at the Stantonsburg/Snow Hill road intersection with what is now Speight's Bridge Road. The 1896 postal route map shows the Speight's Bridge route being fed from Wilson, as does the 1901 map. The community appears on the 1900 Tunison railroad distance map. By 1908, with improvements in roads, the post office was closed and mail was delivered out of Stantonsburg. This trend continued into the 20th century, resulting in the disappearance of the community buildings, leaving only the bridge itself. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/greene/bios/bridge213bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ncfiles/ File size: 28.8 Kb