PORTSMOUTH THE WAY IT WAS: Island History, Volume III - Tapa blanda

Portsmouth, The Way It Was follows Ocracoke Lighthouse and Old Salt in the Island History series. A small, now uninhabited island southwest of Ocracoke Island, Portsmouth was once a thriving seaport serving the North Carolina coast. An account of the early history of the island offers information never before documented. Records of the effects of storms, wars, occupation of Federal forces during the Civil War, and claims to the government for losses during this war, are a few such records. War activities from the Spanish Invasion through the Civil War are documented. In 1820, America's first marine hospital was established here. A chapter is devoted to Dr. Samuel Dudley, the second physician in charge of the hospital. The story of John Wallace "Governor of Shell Castle" is told. Other chapters concern the Life Saving Service, the one island Black family, Portsmouth school and the postal service. Pictures from the early 1900s depict the way of life on the Outer Banks that is all but forgotten today. This book preserves a fascinating oral history account given by Mrs. Mattie Gilgo (1885-1976) and transcribed by Ms. Cloud. As the day-long interview continues, the reader can return to the past on Portsmouth Island, from Mrs. Mattie's piano to the 300 year old broach, Ballast Stone Hill, beach patrols, ship wrecks and the first automobile on the island. The author is an Ocracoke native who traces her lineage back to the earliest settlers. Ms. Cloud is a genealogist, historian, preservationist, community leader and artist of note. Sketches, maps and photographs add to the documentation of this book.