Meadows, The
Also known as: Robert Carter Hilliard House
Why it's listed
Set on a rural road northeast of Gold Rock near Battleboro, The Meadows is a two-story frame house in restrained early Federal style. It was probably built by Robert Carter Hilliard, a prominent Nash County planter who bought the surrounding land in 1806 and served in the House of Commons and the State Senate. The house is five bays wide and two deep, with beaded weatherboard, a low gable roof, a modillion cornice, fluted corner boards, and double-shoulder brick chimneys laid in Flemish bond. Inside, a center-hall plan holds paneled wainscots, chair rails and mantels that blend Georgian form with Federal gougework, along with an open-string stair with sawn brackets. A one-story rear shed addition and a front porch are later work that follows the original character. Several outbuildings survive, one finished like the house. It was recognized for the dignity of its proportions and the quality of its detail, and it remains a private residence in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a handsome early Federal dwelling, distinguished by the dignity of its proportions and the quality of its exterior and interior detail. It was built by Robert Carter Hilliard, a prominent Nash County planter and legislator. Surviving outbuildings add to the property.
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 74001360, listed May 16, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Battleboro on SR 1510, Battleboro |
|---|---|
| County | Nash County |
| Listed | May 16, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001360 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | Robert Carter Hilliard (probable builder, based on deed references, style and local tradition) |
| Architectural style | Early Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and altered; renovated about thirty years before the nomination; used as a private residence and occupied. |
| Acreage | 40 |
| Coordinates | 36.08986, -77.78689 (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 74001360.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7750790
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.