Monreath
Why it's listed
Monreath is a two-story frame farmhouse near Ingleside in Franklin County, North Carolina, built in the late eighteenth century in the Georgian style. It has an L-shaped plan, exterior end chimneys, and a hip roof, an unusual choice in a county where gable roofs dominate. Inside, the front section keeps a hall-and-parlor plan, heavy molded door and window frames, and brick nogging in the walls, a feature known in only two other county houses. The builder is unknown, though a later resident credited James Maxwell, who bought the land in 1807 and gave the place its name. In 1850 the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire bought it as a summer retreat for his family. His eldest son, Joseph Jr., later became the fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and recalled the house in his memoirs. The farmhouse remains in use as a home and retains most of its early fabric.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a well-preserved, still-inhabited Georgian farmhouse with most of its eighteenth-century fabric and its hall-and-parlor plan intact. Its hip roof is unusual for Franklin County, and its brick nogging is known in only two other county houses. It was also the summer home of the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire, whose son became the fifth Episcopal bishop of North Carolina.
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 75001264, listed August 6, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Ingleside on NC 39, Ingleside |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 6, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001264 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799, 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well-preserved and still inhabited, in excellent condition, with some alterations such as a recent one-story wing. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 36.16684, -78.29252 (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 75001264.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18711616
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.