Lot Numbers Identified: 2, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, and 59
This partial list indicates at least 59 lots were created when Leasburg was established. The following references 62 lots:
"Leasburg, in the east central part of the county near the Person County line is in an area that was settled by about 1850. It was incorporated in 1788 but has long been inactive in municipal affairs. Named for William Lea owner of a part of the original site, it was established as the location of the Caswell courthouse in 1777 and continued to serve that purpose until the county was divided in 1791 [actually 1792] at the creation of Person County. It has had postal service since 1796 [actually 1794]. By the time the town was incorporated, William Lea and Nicholas Delone had laid off and sold a hundred acres in 62 lots."
"With a town in the making around the courthouse it seemed fitting that it should be formally recognized. Benjamin Douglass, Caswell member of the House of Commons, introduced a bill in the Assembly in November 1788 'to establish the Town already laid off at the Court House in Caswell.' The bill had easy sailing through both the House and the Senate and the Session Laws for 1788 noted that Nicholas Delone and William Lea had already laid off one hundred acres adjacent to the courthouse into streets and sixty-two lots and that a number of lots had already been sold to merchants, workmen, and others. Many buildings had been erected and considerable improvements made to many of the lots. The Assembly then incorporated the site as the town of Leasburg. Trustees "for the further designing, building and improving the said town" were to be Nicholas Delone and William Lea, of course, but also included Lloyd Vanhook, Thomas Neeley, Gabriel Lea, Samuel Johnson, and John M'Farlin. This was to be a self-perpetuating body, and the trustees were instructed to reserve the four acres on which the public buildings stood and the springs in the town for public use."
Source: Powell, William S. When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977. Durham (North Carolina): Moore Publishing Company, 1977, pp. 95 and 320.
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While Nicholas Delone has been identified, there are too many with the name William Lea to attach one to the above. However, candidates include:
William (Merchant) Lea (1747-1806)
William (South Hyco) Lea (1715-1804)
Photograph: House of Nicholas Thompson (1781-1857), which was built on either one of the early lots or on the area set aside for the first Caswell County courthouse.
Photograph courtesy Jim Upchurch
Note the old Leasburg tavern in the left of the frame background.
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Leasburg Lot Numbers: 1821
When Milton was established as a town, the area to be incorporated was surveyed and lots were numbered before being sold. While the same was done in Leasburg, there are few references to Leasburg properties by lot number. Below is one.
In 1821, J. G. Wilson advertised for sale in Leasburg:
1. "Lot No. 40, with Subscribers Store-House"
2. "Lot No. 41 on which is a House 18 by 16 nearly new, occupied as a Tailor's shop"
3. "Lot No. 59, on which is a new and large set of Stables laid off in stalls sufficient for a large number of horses"
"The above lots having 1/2 acres of wood lands appertaining to the same."
J. G. Wilson
Leasburg, 5th Dec. 1821
Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, NC), 14 December 1821. See below for the full article.
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More Leasburg Lot Numbers: 2, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, and 52
In 1827, James M. Lea sold to Nicholas Thompson, both of Caswell County, for $25 .4 acres known as the Court House lot #2 in Leasburg. This may be the lot upon which Nicholas Thompson built his house, which still stands today in Leasburg.
Source: Caswell County North Carolina Deed Books 1817-1840 Abstracts, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1992).
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William Lea Jun. merchant of Leasburg, Caswell County, to Nicholas Thompson of same, for $30, 4 lots in town of Leasburg drawn in Lea & Delone Lottery by John Love #45, Philip Hall #43, William Huse #44, Zachariah Evans #46 on a side of the North and South Street of Leasburg at or near the southwest corner of piazza of William Lea Sr. old Store House; also 4 out lots to accompany these of 1 1/2 acres each. 30 April 1805. Witnesses: L. Lea, William Lea Sen.
Source: Caswell County North Carolina Deed Books 1777-1817, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1989) at 259.
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Caswell County, North Carolina
Deed Book P, Page 256-7
Gabriel Lea Sen. atty in fact for Nicholas Delone late of South Carolina deceased, and Lawrence Lea and William Donoho, executors of the last will of William Lea merchant of Caswell County to Nicholas Thompson of Caswell County, for $50 paid to Delone and Lea, deceased, by George Lea and George Huston, two lots in Leasburg, each of 900 square yards, plus out lots of 3 acres, the same lots drawn by George Lea and George Huston in the lottery of Delone and Lea, being lots 51 and 52. 8 January 1808. Witnesses: A. Vanhook, William Eddings.
Source: Caswell County North Carolina Deed Books 1777-1817, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1989) at 288.
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Valuable Possessions For Sale and Lease
Will be offered at Public Sale & Lease at Leasburg, Caswell County, on Friday the 28th instant, the Subscriber's Store-House and Lot No. 40 -- and Lot No. 41 on which is a House 18 by 16 nearly new, occupied as a Tailor's shop -- and Lot No. 59, on which is a new and large set of Stables laid off in stalls sufficient for a large number of horses. The above lots having 1/2 acres of wood lands appertaining to the same, all lying attached together. And will also offer for Least for the term of three years from and after the 1st of March next ___ [number in text not clear] acres or thereabouts of valuable Lands, together with the large and spacious Dwelling or Tavern House in said town, with other requisite Houses and Lots thereunto attached -- with some other detached Houses and Lots; there being on the premises valuable Orchards of both early and late fruit and an excellent Distillery Seat, where such has heretofore been carried on -- and will also be sold with the house a parcel of valuable house Furniture of different descriptions, and some Stock of different kinds, including a Yoke of valuable young Oxen and a Cart, with some Plantation Tools, Corn, Fodder, &c. and a ten-plate Fire Stove.
The Store-House having lately undergone new repairs and being immediately in the center of the place and a corner house fronting to the street on two sides, gives it a decided preference as a Stand for Business, and as to the advantages as a place for a Tavern or House of Entertainment they are at once manifest from there being no other kept at the place and its being a place of uncommonly great public resort by both neighborhood and travelling custom, which makes the acquisition of such well worth the attention of those wishing to engage in business in either or both of the above lines, and which may not so easily be procured after the present stress of Limits subsides, which is now on the ebb.
Terms for Houses and Lots (for sale) Notes made negotiable and dischargeable by usual bank instalments in the State of Newbern Banks -- and for other property, terms ____, and possession on or before the 10th of January next.
J. G. Wilson
Leasburg, 5th Dec. 1821
PS Part of the above Property having been conveyed to Nicholas Thompson, Esq. and Jeremiah Dixon for certain purposes, the same is offered under their control and consent. J.G.W.
Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, NC), 14 December 1821.
Note the reference to a "Tavern." This may be the old Leasburg Tavern, which apparently was built in 1809 (based upon dated bricks in the chimneys). Note also the reference to part of the property having been conveyed to Nicholas Thompson. This may add support to the "Tavern" being the old Leasburg Tavern because that structure stood on the northwest corner of the Leasburg property owned by Nicholas Thompson. See the photograph below, courtesy Jim Upchurch
Also, does this sale of substantial property help identify the J. G. Wilson? Was he selling to move west as was the case with many during this period?
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