Black Jack
Also known as: John Hilliard House
Why it's listed
Black Jack is a two-story frame plantation house south of Red Oak in Nash County, North Carolina. It was apparently built about 1800 for planter John Hilliard on land inherited from his father, Isaac, in 1790. The main block is three bays wide and two deep, with beaded weatherboard, a gable roof with a molded box cornice, and a large brick chimney at each end. Inside, a hall-and-parlor plan carries late Georgian finish, including paneled wainscot, molded cornices and an enclosed winder stair. Construction details suggest it may first have been a smaller one-and-one-half-story house that was enlarged in the Federal era. Most original fabric survives, though some dates from a 1935 renovation, and the rear additions are more recent. The house is regarded as one of the earliest and best-preserved plantation houses in the county, and one of few left from the time when Hilliardston was the center of a wealthy plantation economy. Later owners included Joshua Watson, the Tucker family and T. P. Braswell.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it among the earliest and best-preserved plantation houses in Nash County. It shows a retardataire use of Georgian stylistic elements and fine traditional craftsmanship typical of the area. It is also one of a few surviving plantation houses from the early nineteenth century, when nearby Hilliardston was the center of a notable plantation system.
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 74001362, listed July 31, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Red Oak, Red Oak |
|---|---|
| County | Nash County |
| Listed | July 31, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001362 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | John Hilliard (probable builder, per the form) |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent; original site, with some fabric from a 1935 renovation and more recent rear additions. Used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 36.09539, -77.87499 (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 74001362.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19460544
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.