Beaufort NC Inlet & Harbor: Shackelford Banks

Image courtesy crystalcoastnc.org

John Shackelford (1688–1734) and brother Francis Zeheriah Shackelford (1675–1722) patented a "plantation" on the west side of North River in 1708. [John and Francis were born in Virginia, sons of Roger Shackelford, born about 1629 in Old Alresford, Hampshire, South East England, and migrated to the Virginia Colony in 1658.]

In 1713, John Shackelford and Enoch Ward purchased 7000 acres referred to as the “Sea Banks.” The two men divided the property in 1723. Shackelford referred to his land lying on the banks as "Eastward of Old Topsail Inlet." Shackelford’s western part later became known as Shackleford Banks. John Shackelford served in the local Core Sound militia from 1712 to 1743.

Part of John Shackelford's 1734 Will stated: "After the death of my beloved wife Ann I give to my son John all the remainder of goods and Chattle both resale and personal provided my son John does not die without issue, in such case I bequest my estate to my son James and his heirs forever also Island called Carrot."

A Whale of a Story

Hugh M. Smith wrote about Beaufort & Shackelford Banks in 1907

Wild Horses of Shackelford Banks

Mullet fishermen at fishing camp on Shackelford Banks circa 1880. George B. Goode, ed., The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, 5 secs. (Washington, D.C.: Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1884-87), sec. 5, vol. 2.

Mullet Fisherman Camp on Shackelford Banks - 1907

According to census records and a few death certificates, the ancestors of many Beaufort and "Core Sound" residents were born and lived on "Cape Banks," Diamond City and Shackelford Banks - members of families, including Lewis, Guthrie, Willis, Moore, Fulcher, Hancock and more - a few born during the 18th century, and a few hundred throughout the 19th century.

"Shortly after his April 1, 1841 marriage to Susan Leecraft Manson, David Hall Rumley (1813‒1848) dismantled this early 19th-century cottage and moved it by barge from Diamond City, then a settlement on the eastern end of Shackelford Banks..." (see 122 Queen Street in Mary Warshaw's book.)

See: Historic Beaufort, North Carolina - A Unique Coastal Village Preserved

A LITTLE EARLY HISTORY

Coree Indians once occupied the peninsula and coastal area south of the Neuse River in present-day Carteret and southern Craven counties. Cwareuuock, the reference to the Coree tribe on a few early maps, included the Algonquian ending ―euuock, roughly translated "people of" Cwar.

"About 1706, five years before the beginning of the Tuscarora War, the Coree had already begun to roam the coast from the New River of Onslow to Core Point and into their old homeland on the Pamlico south shore of 'Coree Tuck.'" (Al Pate)

Within months after the power of the Tuscarora Indians had been broken in March 1713, the Lords Proprietors gave permission to establish and lay out the town of Beaufort - October 2, 1713. Also in 1713, John Shackelford and son-in-law Enoch Ward purchased 7000 acres of “Sea Banks.” In 1723 the two men divided the property. Shackelford got Cape Lookout Bay to Beaufort Inlet; this western part became known as “Shackelford Banks”

In 1722, one year before the town of Beaufort was incorporated, then Governor Pollock confirmed an order from the Lords Proprietors appointing Beaufort as an official port. Carteret became a precinct in 1722; a county in 1739.

The inlet was known as Old Topsail Inlet. In his 1734 will, John Shackelford referred to his land as "eastward of Old Topsail Inlet." At some point the name evolved to "Beaufort Inlet."

Beaufort NC Inlet & Harbor

Shackelford Banks

Administrator

Facebook

Followers