Wake Wednesday - 1808 NC Survey Map

I hope a rainy day turns up soon. I need one for map perusal. I must share with you this wonderful early North Carolina survey map found at Grand Lodge in Raleigh during our October meetup at the Grand Lodge. This beautiful map from 1808 was displayed well in their facility. I was so fascinated with this one that I grabbed the information from the card beside it so I could hopefully find a version  that was viewable online. 

Fortunately for us, it is also available to view at the Library of Congress. 

Behold: 

To David Stone and Peter Brown, Esq. : this first actual survey of the state of North Carolina taken by the subscribers is respectfully dedicated. Published in 1807 

printed in 1808

It is such an interesting map because you can see our state starting to evolve from a colony of settlements to the collection of county centers of govenment that we know now. Yet, look very closely at the entirety of this map. You will see counties that do not exist today and some counties that do exist now, you will not find here. You will see blurred lines as you look west to the still unsettled borders that will become part of Tennesee. It is interesting to note the all the types of information included on this wonderful map. Therer are state and county boundaries, names of counties, towns, cities, drainage, roads, railroads, churches, mills and other points of interest. What catches your eye?

I think you will find this map a nice transition from the early colonial and Rev War era maps to another of my favorites, the Fendol Bevers Map published in 1871. I need that rainy day to compare these two side by side. 

Meanwhile, enjoy this close up of 1808 Wake County surrounded by its neighbors. Do you see anything missing?

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact

Wake Wednesday - North Carolina Masonic Records (with photos from the meetup)

The last Wakecogen meetup on Oct. 21 to the Grand Lodge of  North Carolina certainly proved the point that Masonic records are an excellent resource to fill in the details and context of your male ancestors' lives. If you are trying to build a fan club, these records should certainly be part of your arsenal. They might also help pin down locations for your predecessor. 

Our hosts for the outing, Jonathan Underwood (Grand Secretary) and Matthew Robbins (Assistant G. S.) have graciously provided us with access to information to contact the Grand Lodge for lookup requests as well as the various repositories of records that are available online. 

Thanks go to Jonathan and Matthew and the Grand Lodge.

Links to Masonic Records

Whether you are looking for someone in Wake County or elsewhere in North Carolina*, you should check these resources. We were given a handout with several links. The handout is available here. Hope you find something that helps your research!

* Tennesee, too as it was part of NC in the very early days and Lodges in what became NC reported to the Grand Lodge before 1796.

Update - Photos added - Several highlights from our meetup here. Enjoy!

Grand Lodge tour. Photos by Kathy Ruse. Click for larger.

Left side:  Documents in the archives, contact info, Grand Secretary Jonathan Underwood, our host - Assistant Grand Secretary Matthew Robbins, Notre Dame model illustrates the beginning of guild culture that gave rise to the Masonic tradition.

Middle:  Matthew explains the history illustrated in the mural, Books from their archives.

Right side:  On of the globe artifacts on display in the book room, more history from the murals, viewing artifacts that date back centuries in the meeting space, another view of the artifact table.

For additional photos visit the album - Grand Lodge - October 2023.  

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - 
Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact

Save the Date for our next Wakecogen Meetup! Saturday, October 21 at 10am

Masonic Lodge records are an excellent source to fill in the details and context of your ancestors' lives. Join WCGS for our next in person meetup.  The tour will be led by Matthew Robbins, Assistant Grand Secretary.

A Tour of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina

2921 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC, 27608

Saturday, Oct 21 at 10am

Chartered in 1771 by the Duke of Beaufort and reorganized in 1787, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was formed before North Carolina joined the Union and before George Washington was elected president of the United States.

The Freemasons of North Carolina can claim a rich and successful heritage. Its members, including governors, legislators, teachers, professors, merchants, and farmers, have been at the forefront of the State's successes since before the Revolutionary War. Its members presided over the formation of the State and the adoption of the Bill of Rights, the extension of educational opportunities to State citizens via the establishment of the nation's first state sponsored university, and have generally worked to raise the moral and social conscience of the people for more than 200 years.

 

The Grand Lodge

We had  a great virtual tour of the Grand Lodge and its resources at one of our early virtual meetings in 2020. Now is the chance to see all those treasures up close and personal. 

We hope you will join us. We will see you on October 21!

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - 
Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact