Edward Barnes Ellis Boeken

Winner of the 2021 North Carolina Society of Historians President's Award, this work unveils the previously undisclosed history of southern Craven County, from its early days before New Bern's founding through the 1940s. It reveals how the biracial society along the Neuse River was transformed by the Civil War and the establishment of Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. The author details the Civil War Battle of New Bern, which began on March 13, 1862, and dedicates a chapter to the covert activities of Rebel spies in occupied New Bern and surrounding counties. With over half of Craven County's population being African American throughout its history, the narrative chronicles the area's Black history, including the lives of those in and out of slavery. The book is rich with rare cemetery, obituary, property, and census records, alongside geographical names and genealogical material spanning 300 years, making it invaluable for researchers. Covering regions from the early 1700s to the 1940s, it includes notable locations like the Neuse River, Havelock, and Cherry Point. The author, an award-winning journalist, sheds light on the Neuse River's south shore, sharing untold stories of its diverse inhabitants. The book features over 200 illustrations, including 22 original maps and rare historical photographs, making it both visually appealing and informative.