Milford
Also known as: Relfe-Grice-Sawyer House
Why it's listed
Milford is a formal two-story brick house near Camden, North Carolina, set on a broad grassy site shaded by old trees. A brick on the interior face of the north chimney bears the date 1746, and dated bricks in the interior walls point to John Ivey as its builder. The walls are laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers, and the south gable uses one-to-three common bond, described as the earliest known example of that bonding in the state. Tumbled brickwork runs along the gable rakes, and a large plaster cove cornice crowns the walls. The house passed from Ivey to Joseph James, then to the Grice, Gregory and Sawyer families, and remained with the Sawyers until 1955. Its significance rests on its architecture. Features such as bare wall expanses, high broad gables and the cove cornice reflect a style imported from the Delaware River region. It is the only known surviving example of this Dutch idiom south of Maryland and is probably the state's earliest two-story brick dwelling.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls the house architecturally unique in North Carolina. Its bare walls, high broad gables, plaster cove cornice, string courses and tumbled brickwork reflect a Dutch idiom from the Delaware River region. It is the only known surviving example of that idiom south of Maryland and is probably the state's earliest two-story brick dwelling.
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 72000929, listed March 16, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | On SR 1205, 0.5 mi. S of jct. with NC 343, Camden |
|---|---|
| County | Camden County |
| Listed | March 16, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000929 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architect / builder | John Ivey (built, per dated bricks and deed history) |
| Architectural style | Dutch idiom, as found in the Delaware River region |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, altered, on its original site, and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 8 |
| Coordinates | 36.35932, -76.21578 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 72000929.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6851705
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.