The following was posted by Rick Frederick 24 March 2022 to his Facebook Page:
Earlier, we had a lively discussion about the name of a community in northern Caswell County now called "Blanch."
Earlier, we had a lively discussion about the name of a community in northern Caswell County now called "Blanch."
Apparently, the spelling initially was "Blanche."
Some believe the community took the name "Blanche" because the first postmaster there named the post office for his daughter. The postmaster was James Byrd Moore (1848-1900), and his daughter is Blanche Lydia Moore (1882-1960).
However, we found no evidence the post office was named "Blanche."
After additional research here is what we did find:
Daniel Gunn Watkins (1857-1937) was a substantial land owner in the area now called "Blanch." When the area began to develop he named it: "Blanche." This apparently was in honor of his niece, the above-mentioned Blanche Lydia Moore.
She was his niece by virtue of being a daughter of his wife's sister, Bettie Margaret Powell (1851-1938). Here is a photograph of his store. Note the name: "D. G. Watkins & Son Blanche, NC." Click image to see a larger version.
It appears in 1890 the United States Postal Service designated the post office in this community as "Blanch." Thus, spelling of the name eventually shifted from "Blanche" to "Blanch."
However, this transition took a while and apparently was ignored by the railroad that ran through the community. Note the spelling on the depot. Click image to see a larger version.
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