Edgecombe County, in the coastal plains of North Carolina along the Tar River, was once home to the Tuscarora tribes and was founded by English immigrants from Virginia. The county swelled as an agricultural center in the cotton and textile industries, bolstered by a wealth of lumber and sustained by a thriving inland river port and railroad. Though the residents struggled through natural, industrial, and economic upheaval, their courage and fortitude endured these hardships and unified their community.
Monika S. Fleming, English instructor, local historian, and tour guide, has authored several history books on the Edgecombe County area, in addition to being a member of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, Southern History Association, and Edgecombe Genealogical Society. Her compelling narrative, coupled with vivid historic images, is an enlightening, informative portrayal of this eastern North Carolina locale.