Guided Tour of the Foscue Plantation

Pollocksville, NC 

2:00 pm

 

Lunch prior to tour in New Bern

 

Simon Foscue, Jr. owner of the home was appointed Justice of the Peace by Governor Hawkins. At that time, a Justice of the Peace held the most powerful position in county government throughout the United States. Executing judicial, executive and legislative powers, Justices of the Peace were the local governing authorities and highly respected, distinguished citizens. Simon Foscue, Jr., who not only was a Justice of the Peace, but a successful planter, often visited New Bern and admired several of the high-style side hall townhouses that were being built in town such as the Jones-Jarvis House and Eli Smallwood House. This style, very much in vogue in England in the late 18th century, became prominent among high society in New Bern and outlying areas in the early 1800’s. According to Peter Sandbeck's book, The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, the Foscue Plantation house is “the finest surviving example of the rural influence of the stylish side-hall plan” that had gained widespread popularity in New Bern. James E. Foscue, Jr., a direct descendent of the family, keeps the property in a state of ongoing preservation and restoration.