From left: Betsy Blackwell and John Watson vacation at China Grove with their children, Liz and John. photograph by Chris Rogers
In the evening, when the sun hovers above the whitecaps of the Neuse River near Dawson Creek, the muhly grass on the shoreline shimmers. “We watch the sun set every night we’re at China Grove,” Betsy Blackwell says of her vacation home near Oriental. The name is a nod to the house’s history: Chinaberry trees once lined the front walkway.
North Carolina natives Blackwell and her husband, John Watson, bought the historic property in 2007 while living in Europe. They saw the home as a way to more deeply connect their children, John and Liz, to their Tar Heel roots. Now retired and living in Chapel Hill, the couple has more time to host their extended family in the circa-1803 house than ever before: They can comfortably bunk up to 20 people. “Our intent for the house has always been to create a gathering space for our extended families and friends,” Blackwell says.
Perched on one of the highest points in the relatively flat Pamlico County, the Federal-style house capped with a red tin roof is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As self-proclaimed stewards of the house, the family has kept its architectural integrity intact while making adjustments that balance livability with preservation. After all, it was original details like hand-carved mantels, heart pine floor planks — some spanning a foot in width — and the exterior’s hardy longleaf pine that sold them on the property in the first place. The watercolor-worthy views from the second-floor porch also helped seal the deal.
The heartbeat of the home, though, is the spacious cookhouse and chef’s kitchen, built in 2011 beside the main structure. An arched breezeway connects the house to the kitchen, which faces the river and features high ceilings and a table for 12. Cousins of all ages, neighbors, and friends gather to cook and visit after foraging local seafood markets and Paul’s Produce in Oriental. A favorite treat is Blackwell’s late mother’s Creole-flavored shrimp dish — always the centerpiece each summer when Watson and Blackwell host their annual, weeklong “Aunt Camp” for nieces, nephews, and children of friends.
“Our parents enjoyed welcoming friends and family,” Blackwell says, “and we’re happy to continue that tradition, celebrating summer at China Grove.”
Mark our words: Whether they nod to North Carolina or were penned by its residents, these notable, quotable passages remind us of the power of speech inspired by our state.
When one stream flows into another, the two chart a new course for the future — together.
When the weather outside is frightful, one chef serves loved ones dishes so delightful.
A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.
