Lee, William H., House
Also known as: Billy Lee Farm
Why it's listed
Set at the end of Farm Road in northwest Bertie County, this two-story I-house was built around 1820, most likely for planter Henry Lee Jr., who by then owned at least 800 acres between the Cashie River and Wahtom Swamp. Its wood frame rests on brick piers, with brick end chimneys, a standing-seam metal roof and beaded weatherboard siding. The original hall-and-parlor plan remains readable despite a later partition added about 1900. Inside, reeded chair rails and two distinctive Federal-style mantels with dentil moldings and reeded ovals and diamonds are singled out as having no known equivalent in the county. The house was listed for architecture because it is an unusually intact, modest-sized vernacular expression of the Federal style, with original moldings, doors and hinges surviving. The surrounding rural, agricultural setting is also preserved, and the property is currently not in use.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be significant at the local level for architecture as an excellent, highly intact vernacular interpretation of the Federal style in Bertie County. Its beaded weatherboards, molded trim and reeded mantels are described as unmatched locally. Its mid-sized planter's house form contrasts with larger contemporary houses in the county.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12000213, listed April 16, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 246 Farm Rd., Lewiston |
|---|---|
| County | Bertie County |
| Listed | April 16, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000213 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant/not in use, though described as in sound, dry and secure condition. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 36.14241, -77.14141 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12000213.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18153491
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.