The Exploits Behind the Plaque: The Capt. Joseph Price House
Text of the plaque at the Capt. Joseph Price House:
Late Greek Revival style house built for Joseph W. Price (1835-1895), native of Duplin County; and wife, Lassie Jones (1846-1934). He served in the Pacific as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. During the Civil War he commanded the 'Georgia', a Confederate States Navy gunboat, and the ironclad, 'Neuse'. He was harbor master of the Port of Wilmington from 1878 to 1895. House remained in family until 1935.[1]
[1] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
Introduction
The Historic Wilmington Foundation's plaque program allows homeowners to research and commission a plaque that outlines the critical moments of a site's life and former occupants. The plaque itself is limited to only fourteen lines of text, which makes the foundation choose which moments are important enough to mention and leave much history untold. Because of this limitation, individuals wishing to know the history of a site need to take it upon themselves to research the history the plaque cannot cover. This essay will focus on the architectural style of the house and Captain Joseph H. Price. Unfortunately, not much is known about his wife, Lassie Jones. While the plaque cannot cover extensive information, it cannot also cover scarce information, making researching further an issue. The information mentioned previously needed extensive research using the plaque application and newspaper articles of the period. The necessity for independent research becomes apparent after covering the information absent from the plaque.
Physical and Architectural Description
The house was built for Capt. Price and his wife, Lassie Jones, in 1882. The architect who designed the house is unknown. It is a two-story house with an overhanging porch supported by Doric columns. The roof is angled, denoting Greek influence. The style resembles that of the Late Greek Revival.[1] The plaque on the house remarks the style of the house but goes no further.
The Greek Revival style was part of the neoclassical period and was prolific in the United States from 1820 to 1850. Therefore, the style was commonly referred to by Americans as the “national style.” Out West, more straightforward variations of the style were called “territorial style.” Because settlers traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast brought with them their architectural preferences, the Greek Revival style could be considered by some to be the first style to reach the Pacific. The style was widespread in the Northeast and Midwest and was used for townhomes and the famous plantation manor houses in the South.[2]
There was an ideological aspect to adopting Greek architecture as Americans at the time viewed themselves as heirs to Greek democracy and concepts. Buildings constructed during this craze were more box-shaped and had pedimented roofs to emphasize the triangular shape and overhangs in the front supported by columns. While better used in more significant buildings, the style could also be applied to smaller ones. The difference would be fewer columns and a more pronounced triangular roof over the front and side wings of the house.[3] The house is without ornamentation and marked a difference in style compared to its neighbors when it was constructed. The surrounding houses were of the Italianate style, and locals remarked that Capt. Price's house harkened back to an earlier Greek Revival.[4]
The Italianate style was based on Italian countryside houses and villas. The style favored stretching the building upward and narrowing the windows. There was also much decoration in contrast to the Greek Revival style. This style was typical from the 1850s to the 1880s.[5] The Greek Revival style was popular amongst military outposts since it had clear-cut edges and austerity.
The plaque does not detail the Greek Revival style, and much information could be said. However, the plaque has a word limit, and sacrifices must be made to give the reader as complete a picture as possible with the limited space. During its time, the house was a holdover from a dated architectural style. However, it did reflect the military man that inhabited it with its lack of ornamentation and clear-cut lines.
[1] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[2] “Greek Revival,” Architectural Styles of America and Europe (blog), October 16, 2011, https://architecturestyles.org/greek-revival/.
[3] “Greek Revival Style 1830s - 1860s (U.S. National Park Service),” accessed March 12, 2024, https://www.nps.gov/articles/greek-revival-architecture.htm.
[4] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[5] “Italianate Style 1850s - 1880s (U.S. National Park Service),” accessed March 13, 2024, https://www.nps.gov/articles/italianate-style-architecture.htm.
Captain Price
Captain Joseph H. Price was born on October 26th, 1835, in Duplin County, NC, and died on May 18th, 1895. The son of Dr. William Price and Miss McGowan, his mother died while he was an infant. His father had Price moved to Wilmington to live with his grandmother.[1] He had a complex military career that saw him become a Civil War hero in his community and allowed him to pursue a position in the civil administration of Wilmington post-Civil War. The plaque mentions a few of his exploits, but much more information lies beneath the surface.
Price began his military career at age nineteen when he enlisted in the U.S. Revenue Marine Service under Second Lieutenant, where he served aboard the Joseph Lane. He served with the Revenue Service for five years.[2] Days after the Civil War erupted, Price resigned from his commission as an officer in the U.S. Marine Revenue Service, resigning to President Abraham Lincoln.[3] Price enlisted as a First Lieutenant of a company organized by Col. E.D. Hall called the “Tigers.” The company remained near Southport before being assigned to the Second Regiment, North Carolina State Troops, organized and mustered near Garysburg, NC. After this, Price saw a year of service campaigning with the Army of Northern Virginia.[4]
After serving a year with the army, Price returned to Wilmington to serve aboard a privateer named Retribution, formerly a U.S. steamer named Uncle Ben. The engines from the Uncle Ben were removed by the Confederacy and used to propel the ironclad CSS North Carolina, although not well. Captain Locke of Nova Scotia commanded the Retribution, with Price serving as the first officer. The Retribution was one of two privateers made in Wilmington during the Civil War and accomplished little due to the Union blockade restricting the Confederacy. Price also commanded a steam tug named Mariner around 1862 and attempted to run the Union blockade. Information about Price’s service aboard the Retribution is more readily available than information on his service aboard the Mariner.[5]
After serving aboard the Retribution for many months, Price enlisted in the Confederate Navy. Of note was that the Confederate regular military, like the Army and Navy, was separate from state armies and navies. After enlisting, Price was assigned the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the gunboat Georgia at Savannah, GA. Under this position, Price achieved fame by capturing a U.S. gunboat named Water Witch, a side-wheeled steamer with about four guns and a crew of eighty men. The plan was a daring one. A boat expedition would set out under the cover of darkness consisting of seven boats under the command of First Lieutenant Thomas P. Pelot, with Lt. Price as second in command. The expedition searched for the steamer on the night of June 2 and came up empty-handed. The next night, June 3, Confederate scouts reported sighting the enemy vessel in Ossahaw Sound. By then, it was rainy and dark, obscuring the Confederate forces. Lieutenants Pelot and Price boarded the Water Witch from the port and starboard side, respectively. A fierce firefight and hand-to-hand combat resulted in the ship being taken. Lt. Pelot was the first aboard the ship and was immediately shot and killed. Lt. Price took command and sustained a severe saber wound to the head, which would have been fatal if not for Seaman Davis, who cut down surrounding opponents. The ship was directed to a nearby Confederate port.[6]
Near the war's end, Price was given command of the ironclad CSS Neuse, where he earned the rank of Captain. The ironclad was laid down in 1862 in Whitehall, NC, but the Confederacy feared that location was susceptible to a Union attack. This attack eventually came, and Union forces burned the ironclad. After the raid in 1862, the ship was sent to Kinston, NC, in 1863 to resume construction. The ship was completed in 1864 but suffered a lack of trained personnel. In April of 1864, the Neuse attempted to recapture New Bern but ran aground about a mile into the voyage. Only rising water levels could dislodge the ship, which occurred in May. Captain Price replaced the previous Captain in August after being recalled from the Savannah Squadron. 1865 Price ordered the Neuse scuttled when advancing Union forces threatened to capture the ship. After scuttling the ship, Capt. Price served as a scout on the ground until the war ended. [7]
Following the war, Price returned to Wilmington and worked for five years as a conductor on the Wilmington and Manchester railroads. In 1870, he married Lassie Jones. After working for the railroad, Price worked as an inspector of naval stores and eventually became the harbormaster.[8]
As with the building style, the plaque barely scratches the surface of Price's complex character. His service to the United States and the Confederacy provides a gray area of national service. His role as a civil servant after the Civil War shows how respected he was in the community. The life of Capt. Price cannot be fully understood by looking at the plaque, which necessitates further research on behalf of the onlooker.
[1] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[2] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[3] “Joseph Price Resigns,” The Daily Journal, April 18, 1861.
[4] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[5] “Tales and Traditions of the Lower Cape Fear, 1661-1896 - ECU Digital Collections,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17091.
[6] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
[7] “CSS Neuse - North Carolina History,” North Carolina History -, March 7, 2016, https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/css-neuse/.
[8] “Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives,” accessed March 12, 2024, https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
Conclusion
The plaque is limited by its available space to convey essential information. However, it helped direct research, which revealed information like Capt. Price’s exploits. The plaque does not mention the taking of the Water Witch, who earned the Price of his war hero status in the local community. The plaque mentions the Greek Revival style but does not explain what that style means. After briefly covering the aspects of the style, the aspects of the house that are based on Greek concepts become apparent. For what the plaque is, it is a good snapshot of history for the casual onlooker to gaze upon and ponder. However, to find out more information, one would have to look beyond the plaque to uncover the hidden history of the house or building.
Researched and written by Chase Warchol, UNCW Public History MA student.
Bibliography
Architectural Styles of America and Europe. “Greek Revival,” October 16, 2011. https://architecturestyles.org/greek-revival/.
“Capt. Joseph Price House - Port City Architecture - New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives.” Accessed March 12, 2024. https://cdm16072.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15169coll2/id/1627/rec/108.
“Greek Revival Style 1830s - 1860s (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed March 12, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/articles/greek-revival-architecture.htm.
“Italianate Style 1850s - 1880s (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed March 13, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/articles/italianate-style-architecture.htm.
North Carolina History -. “CSS Neuse - North Carolina History,” March 7, 2016. https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/css-neuse/.
“Tales and Traditions of the Lower Cape Fear, 1661-1896 - ECU Digital Collections.” Accessed March 12, 2024. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17091.
The Daily Journal. “Joseph Price Resigns.” April 18, 1861.
“The Life of the CSS Neuse | NC Historic Sites.” Accessed March 12, 2024. https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/css%C2%A0neuse-and-gov-caswell-memorial/history/css-neuse-history/life-css-neuse.
U.S. Naval Institute. “A Hard-Luck Confederate Ironclad,” January 1, 2020. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2020/february/hard-luck-confederate-ironclad.
