A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the founders of the Town of Beaufort on the town's three hundredth anniversary.
Whereas, the area that developed into the Town of Beaufort began attracting settlers in the 1700s, including Farnival Green of Bath, who received a land grant in 1707 of 780 acres between the Newport and North Rivers for the Lords Proprietors; and
Whereas, in 1709, the Town located on the site of the former Coree Indian Village, Cwarioc, which meant "fish town" or "fish village;" and
Whereas, the Town was originally known as Fishtown by its settlers, who recognized the maritime importance of the area; and
Whereas, on October 3, 1713, the Town was laid out by Richard Graves on 100 acres of land owned by Robert Turner, a local settler, with the permission of the Lords Proprietors; and
Whereas, the Town was named Beaufort for Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, who was a Lord Proprietor during that time; and
Whereas, in 1720, Robert Turner sold his land to Richard Rustull, who expanded Beaufort to a 200‑acre town; and
Whereas, on April 1, 1723, the Lords Proprietors declared Beaufort an official seaport of entry worthy of a customs office, and Carteret Precinct (County) was formed with Beaufort as the county seat; and
Whereas, Beaufort was incorporated on November 23, 1723; and
Whereas, the first commissioners of the Town were Christopher Gale, John Nelson, Joseph Bell, Richard Bell, and Richard Rustull; and
Whereas, according to local legend, Beaufort's Hammock House, circa 1700, was charted on sailors' maps as a guide to shore and served as the onetime home of Edward Teach, the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard; and
Whereas, in 1776, Robert Williams, established the "Old Public Salt Works" which allowed Beaufort's residents and those in surrounding areas to be independent of the Crown when Britain blocked all imports, including salt, to the colonies during the Revolutionary War; and
Whereas, Captain Otway Burns, who has been regarded as North Carolina's most famous naval hero in the War of 1812, having captured many British merchant ships and hastening the war's end as commander of the schooner "Snap Dragon," lived in Beaufort and later represented Carteret County as a member of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, Beaufort was the site of the famed Atlantic Hotel, built in 1859 and accessed only by boat after departing the railcars in Morehead City, which became the most luxurious hotel in the State and welcomed tourists, except for the period it served as a Union hospital during the Civil War, until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1879; and
Whereas, through its long history, Beaufort has remained a small village that has held onto its maritime culture and historic roots; and
Whereas, in 1810, Jacob Henry, a former State legislator, wrote an article in the Raleigh Star declaring Beaufort "a place of much resort" with a "boundless view of the ocean" where the climate is "highly favorable to health and longevity;" and
Whereas, Beaufort grew slowly over a period of many years, attracting new residents and businesses, especially after the railroad started making stops in the area in the early 1900s; and
Whereas, Beaufort, situated on North Carolina's "Crystal Coast," has been a favorite port of call along the Intercoastal Waterway since it opened in 1911 with many boats mooring at the dependable Beaufort Docks; and
Whereas, Beaufort's Historic District, bounded by Beaufort Channel, Pine and Fulford Streets, and Taylors Creek, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974 and has more than 100 homes that are more than a century old; and
Whereas, in December 2008, as a result of the efforts by the 300th Anniversary planning board, Beaufort received national recognition when it was designated as one of the nation's newest Preserve America Communities by First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America Community initiative, which recognizes communities that "demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America's heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment;" and
Whereas, Beaufort will celebrate its 300th anniversary throughout the year of 2009, culminating with a month‑long celebration of events to be held in September 2009; and
Whereas, a number of dedicated volunteers have devoted many hours to planning many special events that will be held to recognize the Town's 300th anniversary; and
Whereas, Beaufort is the third oldest town in North Carolina; and
Whereas, Beaufort's 300th anniversary is worthy of recognition and celebration; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of the early residents of the Town of Beaufort for their contributions to their community, the State of North Carolina, and the nation.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends sincere good wishes to the residents of the Town of Beaufort on the occasion of the Town's 300th anniversary in 2009 and encourages the citizens of this State to join Beaufort in demonstrating respect for and pride in our history and heritage.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the Town of Beaufort.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.