Documenting the American South

Monument Name

John Lawson Memorial, Goldsboro

Type

Marker

Subjects

Colonial Wars

Historic Cultural Figures

Colonial History

City

Goldsboro

County

Wayne

Description

The John Lawson memorial is a large unfinished granite block several feet tall. A smooth, recessed face is cut into the front for the inscription.

Images: Far-off view | View of the WWI Doughboy statue and John Lawson memorial

Inscription

IN COMMEMORATION OF / JOHN LAWSON / SURVEYOR GENERAL OF THE / PROVINCE OF CAROLINA / AND IT’S FIRST HISTORIAN / BRUTALLY MURDERED BY THE / TUSCARORA INDIANS / SEPT. 22, 1711 / ERECTED BY THE / NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY / OF THE COLONIAL DAMES / OF AMERICA, JUNE 1915

Custodian

Wayne County

Dedication Date

June 3, 1915

Decade

1910s

Geographic Coordinates

35.381870 , -77.994300 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

Folder 96_G62_C863: Goldsboro, Wayne County: Courthouse: Scan 3, in the North Carolina County Photographic Collection #P0001, North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Link

Holloman, Charles R. “Lawson, John,” NCPedia.org, (accessed January 8, 2016) Link

Lawson, John. A New Voyage to Carolina; Containing the Exact Description and Natural History of That Country: Together with the Present State Thereof. And a Journal of a Thousand Miles, Travel'd Thro' Several Nations of Indians. Giving a Particular Account of Their Customs, Manners, &c. London: [s.n.], 1709. In Documenting the American South, http://docsouth.unc.edu, (accessed November 8, 2016) Link

“John Lawson,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed September 12, 2016) Link

“Unveiling of John Lawson Memorial,” Goldsboro Weekly Argus (Goldsboro, NC), June 3, 1915, 1

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Granite

Sponsors

Colonial Dames of America

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

Mr. George C. Royall presided over the dedication ceremony which was held in the Commissioners Room of the courthouse due to rain. Mr. Matt H. Allen, a local attorney was the historical orator for the event whose address was described as “a gem of literature as well as history, and most entertainingly delivered.” Rev. P. McIntyre gave the opening prayer and benediction. Mr. D.H. Dixon, president of the Goldsboro Chamber of Commerce had been scheduled to preside but was “indisposed” and unable to attend.

Subject Notes

John Lawson was a key figure in early North Carolina history. His 1709 book, A New Voyage to Carolina introduced much of Europe to the New World. He was an early promoter of colonialization of the Carolina territories and was a founder of Bath in 1705 and New Bern in 1710. He was killed by Tuscarora Indians while on a trip to explore the Neuse River. His death was the opening act of the Tuscarora War (1711-1715)

Location

The memorial marker is located on the left when traveling west in front of the Wayne County Courthouse, 224 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro, NC. It stands to the right of the World War I Doughboy Statue. A bronze plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church is attached to the left support column of the courthouse building. Across East Walnut Street is the Wayne County Veterans Memorial complex which includes the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Veterans Memorial and the Wayne County Vietnam War Memorial.

Landscape

The marker stands on the front lawn under a large tree.

Relocated

Yes

Former Locations

The marker was originally placed on the front of the Courthouse, to the left from the main entrance to the building.