Deane House
Also known as: Pritchard Farm
Why it's listed
Set at the end of an unpaved farm lane near Cofield in Hertford County, this two-story, five-bay house is a Georgian plantation dwelling later remodeled in the Federal period. Its centerpiece is a dog-leg staircase with raised paneling, scrolled brackets, turned balusters and a sawn seahorse beneath the middle ramp, a traditional symbol of Bermuda that may reflect the Deane family's island ties. A tombstone for James Deane Jr., who died in 1798, suggests the Deane family built the house, though courthouse fires in 1830 and 1862 obscure the early ownership. The first documented owner was planter William J. Perry, who held 2,300 acres in 1860. The house was listed for its architectural quality, its link to the large antebellum plantation unit, and the likelihood that archeological remains nearby can reveal how eighteenth- and nineteenth-century plantation households lived. Barns, outbuildings and a small graveyard remain on the grounds.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a significant example of Georgian architecture in northeastern North Carolina, notable for its paneled dog-leg staircase, high-quality Federal-period trim and unusual second-floor plan. It is tied to the wealthy Deane family and to the antebellum plantation economy. Archeological remains on the property may also yield information about plantation household life.
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 82003468, listed April 15, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off SR 1446, Cofield |
|---|---|
| County | Hertford County |
| Listed | April 15, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003468 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 and 1800-1899 (specific dates unknown) |
| Architectural style | Georgian, with Federal-period remodeling |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence by a tenant family who farm the land; condition listed as good and altered. |
| Acreage | 95 |
| Coordinates | 36.33140, -76.87053 (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.
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 82003468.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18749712
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.