Webb-Barron-Wells House
Why it's listed
Set on a rise among mature trees near the Edgecombe County line, this one-and-a-half-story frame house is a coastal cottage built probably between 1793 and 1820. It has a steeply pitched roof, offcenter exterior end chimneys, an engaged porch over a three-bay facade, and a flush-sheathed front wall. Inside, a two-room hall-and-parlor plan, flat panelled wainscot, molded three-part door and window surrounds and two Federal mantels survive largely intact. It is described as the best preserved and earliest documented coastal cottage in present Wilson County. Either Richard Webb or his son "Long" John Webb, both Edgecombe County farmers, built it. Bolin B. Barron bought the land in 1860, and in 1895 it passed to Redmond Stanley Wells, a leading Toisnot merchant and banker. Wells family heirs still hold the property. Barns, packhouses and tenant houses on the 201.5-acre farm reflect continued farming. The house is vacant but well maintained.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the best preserved and earliest documented coastal cottage in present Wilson County, with a steeply pitched roof, engaged porch, hall-and-parlor plan and Federal mantels. It is also tied to early Edgecombe County farmers John Webb and Bolin B. Barron and to merchant and civic leader Redmond Stanley Wells of Toisnot (Elm City).
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 86000769, listed February 13, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E side SR 1512, Elm City |
|---|---|
| County | Wilson County |
| Listed | February 13, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000769 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Built by either Richard Webb or his son "Long" John Webb (form lists builder/architect as unknown) |
| Architectural style | Coastal cottage with Federal style interior mantels |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Commerce, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is vacant but well maintained; the farm remains in agricultural use, growing soybeans and tobacco. |
| Acreage | 201.5 |
| Coordinates | 35.75710, -77.73313 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 86000769.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q23041573
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.