Genealogical society holds meeting
The Cornerstone Genealogical Society welcomed Nathaniel Greene Historical Society member Brenda Martin as guest speaker at the group’s recent monthly meeting. Martin, who has lived in Greensboro since 1973, talked about some historical homes in Greensboro. The National Historic Landmarks recognize the national significant of properties that possess exceptional values of qualities in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. The National Park Service and Historians and archeologist study and evaluate these properties within the context of major themes of American history. The National Historic Society from Harrisburg looks over the house to see what makes it historical.
The National Register of Historical Places, which was authorized under the national preservation Act of 1966, is the official list of the nation’s historical places worthy of the preservation. The National Register of Historical Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support private and public efforts to identify, evaluate and protect historical and archeological recourses. Its primary goals are to foster a national preservation ethnic; greater appreciation of American heritage; increase and broaden the public understanding and appreciation of historical places.
Greensboro historic district lies on the west bank of the Monongalia River. Laid out in a grid form, in 1791, the streets run either parallel to the river or perpendicular to it. The historic district focuses on County, Front, and Water streets. This was the core of Greensboro’s early development. Although the district has had several alterations, especially the flood of 1985, the present district is been able to convene its historic significant in association with the Monongalia River and its transportation system as well as the commercial, and industrial development of the area.
The form and layout of Greensboro Historic district sustains the feeling of a small river town on the upper Monongalia Valley. The architecture of Greensboro is representative of the late 18th- through early-20th century, displays element of various popular house styles as well.
Martin also explained that the Peters-Graham house, which was built in 1859 and located on Walnut and Second Street, is the house that she lives in. It is a single, log house with a single timber frame addition, built on the south gable end. The house has a rubble stone foundation.
Although it has modern alterations, such as a 20th century kitchen addition, vinyl siding and modern windows, it still retains its dominant architectural features and physical standing and able to convey its 19th century significant. It still holds the feeling, character and form of a small 19th century vernacular house.
The vernacular-style architecture of the Peters-Graham house is representative of its significant not only with in association with the African-American community of Greensboro, but also with the pottery industry there. The property has been documented to have been almost continuously owned by the same African-American family since the late 1850’s to the present. Its simplicity is a monument to the social history of the African-Americans moving to the north to escape slavery from the south during the period just before the Civil War.
Martin has been told that it was used for the Underground Railroad, but she has never found any documentation to support this.
In 1863 James and Sarah Black released their rights to the south half of lot 36 in Greensboro to Robert and Susan Peters. In 1879, Robert Peters purchased the north half of lot 36 from Nathan Peters. In the 1860 census, daughter Eliza Peters Graham was living in the same household with two children and four grandchildren. Robert Peters died December 26, 1900 and is buried in the Potters Field in the Monongahela Cemetery in Greensboro.
The Alexander Boughner house is the second historical house, located on Second and Minor Streets, built in 1867. This house is significant for its mid 19th century vernacular Greek revival style architecture. It has an “I” house floor plan.
The James Jones house on Front and Stone streets was built in 1879, an example of Italian feature and colonial revival. This is an “I” house form. An “I” house is a two-story house, with two rooms per story one room deep with a hall between the two rooms to provide better movement between the two rooms.
The James Parreco house is located on Third and Clear streets, and was built in 1910. This house displays elements of a prairie style. It is a stone house, also had the first water system in Greensboro
Following Martin’s discussion, the Cornerstone Genealogical Society held its business meeting and expressed gratitude to Shields Nursery for the donation and planting of the flowers around the log courthouse.
The Society’s next meeting will be at the Warrior Trail in Fordyce, at the old school house, on Sept. 8. The meeting starts at 7 p.m., but there will be a car pool leaving the log courthouse at 6:30 p.m. Llew Williams will be the speaker.
It was also announced that the November annual banquet will be changed to Dec. 8 at First Methodist Church; dinner will start at 6 p.m., and tickets will be $20 and available starting in October at the library.