William Joseph Foreman was the eldest of 4 known surviving children born to wealthy plantation owner, John Lawrence Foreman and his wife, Martha Elizabeth Hoskins.
William lost 2 siblings to early death before he was 7 years old, and just he and his younger brother, Ivey Foreman, survived. In 1844 his father died, and William would become the 3rd generation of Foremans to inherit "Greenwreath" plantation. When he was 11 years old, his widowed mother married (2nd) to Richard Henry Lewis, a wealthy attorney and plantation owner from Edgecombe County.
His stepfather was also his uncle, having been married (1st) to Mary Eliza Foreman (1810-1840), his father's sister. Richard Lewis Sr. was wealthy in his own right, holding title to several plantations in Edgecombe and Hale Co, Alabama. Richard Lewis would come to live at "Greenwreath" with his 3 children (William's cousins): Ivey Foreman Lewis, Mary "Mollie" Foreman Lewis, and Annie Harrison Lewis. Within a year of their marriage, his mother and stepfather would have a child -- Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. (1850-1926).
His stepfather died in 1857 while William was still a student at UNC. Upon graduation in 1858, the 21-year old assumed the management of "Greenwreath", while his mother remained in Tarboro. Younger brother, Ivey Foreman, was enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. His cousins, Ivey and Mollie Lewis, had already removed to Alabama where they took over their father's plantation there. (Ivey Foreman Lewis would serve as a Major with the Confederacy; and Mary Foreman Lewis would marry CSA Gen. William Joseph Hardee of Georgia.)
At the time William took over his inheritance, his father's plantation had grown to some 2,100 acres worked by over 40 slaves. The young man had great ideas for the expansion and improvement of the plantation, but the Civil War would postpone those plans.
William enlisted with the rank of Private with Company F, of the NC 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment (originally 1st NC Artillery), but that is all the military records this researcher has found on his service. This is the same Regiment his future father-in-law, Major Thomas Sparrow, served in; but there is no evidence William served under his command. During the war, his future wife (Annie Blackwell Sparrow) and her family would seek refuge at "Greenwreath" following the evacuation of Washington; but again there is no evidence to place William there at the same time.
What is known about the 10th was that it was formed in the first part of 1861, and spent it's first year in garrison at Ft. Macon, NC, taking part in its defense in April of 1862, and were subsequently captured and paroled, going home until exchanged. The exchange did not occur until August 1862, and when the call went out to re-form, about a third of the original roster did not answer the call. The ranks were quickly filled with new recruits from neighboring counties, and the battery was stationed in garrison at various gun emplacements in the Wilmington area, including Smithville (Southport) and Bald Head Island. At the dawn of 1865, the men were manning the guns of Ft. Fisher, taking part in its failed defense. The majority of the men were either killed or captured. Prior to the battle, a small detachment had been ordered to provost duty in Wilmington, and was ordered into the field as part of Robert F. Hokes command when the order came to evacuate the Cape Fear Region. This detachment would have taken part in the Battle of Wyse Forks, Kinston NC, probably as "red-leg infantry" and were not a contained unit by this time. The records indicate that these last few men were either captured or surrendered in and around Goldsboro, NC, by the time of the Battle of Bentonville. The battery had come full circle.
Following the war, William returned home to "Greenwreath" and despite the loss of slave labor and depressed land prices, he threw himself into making extensive improvements on the farm.
In January or February of 1865, 26-year old William J. Foreman married 17-year old Annie Blackwell Sparrow, daughter of Maj. Thomas Sparrow & Ann Marie Blackwell of Washington, Beaufort County.
Annie would come to "Greenwreath" and within a year presented William with their first and only child -- Ivey Foreman (1865-1919). Sadly, William was in ill health since the war, and on December 22, 1869 the 33-year old died from tuberculosis. At his death, Foreman was described as "a gentleman of scholarly attainments, tastes, and habits ... Scorning politics, he devoted himself earnestly to agriculture and to books, having a remarkable fondness for mathematics and for history ... He had just completed extensive improvements on his farm, the home of his fathers, when death selected him for his victim."
His only heir, 4-year old Ivey Foreman, inherited the plantation. Some sources indicate Annie stayed at "Greenwreath" until Ivey became of age, but census data for 1870 and 1880 shows her and her son living with her parents in Washington, Beaufort Co., where she had taken up teaching.
Some 28 years later, his widow would marry again at age 50, becoming the 3rd wife of William's half-brother, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. She removed to Raleigh where they resided for 20 years of marriage. Annie Blackwell Sparrow Foreman Lewis died there in 1917 at age 70.
William J. Foreman's only son, Ivey Foreman, was not known to have spent any time managing "Greenwreath", despite having inherited one of the oldest, most prominent properties in Pitt County. He did marry, and worked in Raleigh, living for a time with his mother and Dr. Lewis. What little evidence this researcher found on Ivey Foreman was not flattering. A close relative described him as "the alcoholic psychopath".
When Ivey Foreman died in 1919, just two years after his mother's passing, the 54-year old left "Greeewreath" to his stepfather, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis. Dr. Lewis died at age 75 in 1926; and it is believed the property passed to his daughter, Cornelia "Nell" Battle Lewis who never married, but was a noted "journalist, feminist, lawyer, educator and a strident human rights advocate in Raleigh". With no family in residence at "Greenwreath", the Foreman house and farm was leased to various tenants until 1948, when the Lewis family sold it to W. H. Wooten of Falkland.
William lost 2 siblings to early death before he was 7 years old, and just he and his younger brother, Ivey Foreman, survived. In 1844 his father died, and William would become the 3rd generation of Foremans to inherit "Greenwreath" plantation. When he was 11 years old, his widowed mother married (2nd) to Richard Henry Lewis, a wealthy attorney and plantation owner from Edgecombe County.
His stepfather was also his uncle, having been married (1st) to Mary Eliza Foreman (1810-1840), his father's sister. Richard Lewis Sr. was wealthy in his own right, holding title to several plantations in Edgecombe and Hale Co, Alabama. Richard Lewis would come to live at "Greenwreath" with his 3 children (William's cousins): Ivey Foreman Lewis, Mary "Mollie" Foreman Lewis, and Annie Harrison Lewis. Within a year of their marriage, his mother and stepfather would have a child -- Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. (1850-1926).
His stepfather died in 1857 while William was still a student at UNC. Upon graduation in 1858, the 21-year old assumed the management of "Greenwreath", while his mother remained in Tarboro. Younger brother, Ivey Foreman, was enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. His cousins, Ivey and Mollie Lewis, had already removed to Alabama where they took over their father's plantation there. (Ivey Foreman Lewis would serve as a Major with the Confederacy; and Mary Foreman Lewis would marry CSA Gen. William Joseph Hardee of Georgia.)
At the time William took over his inheritance, his father's plantation had grown to some 2,100 acres worked by over 40 slaves. The young man had great ideas for the expansion and improvement of the plantation, but the Civil War would postpone those plans.
William enlisted with the rank of Private with Company F, of the NC 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment (originally 1st NC Artillery), but that is all the military records this researcher has found on his service. This is the same Regiment his future father-in-law, Major Thomas Sparrow, served in; but there is no evidence William served under his command. During the war, his future wife (Annie Blackwell Sparrow) and her family would seek refuge at "Greenwreath" following the evacuation of Washington; but again there is no evidence to place William there at the same time.
What is known about the 10th was that it was formed in the first part of 1861, and spent it's first year in garrison at Ft. Macon, NC, taking part in its defense in April of 1862, and were subsequently captured and paroled, going home until exchanged. The exchange did not occur until August 1862, and when the call went out to re-form, about a third of the original roster did not answer the call. The ranks were quickly filled with new recruits from neighboring counties, and the battery was stationed in garrison at various gun emplacements in the Wilmington area, including Smithville (Southport) and Bald Head Island. At the dawn of 1865, the men were manning the guns of Ft. Fisher, taking part in its failed defense. The majority of the men were either killed or captured. Prior to the battle, a small detachment had been ordered to provost duty in Wilmington, and was ordered into the field as part of Robert F. Hokes command when the order came to evacuate the Cape Fear Region. This detachment would have taken part in the Battle of Wyse Forks, Kinston NC, probably as "red-leg infantry" and were not a contained unit by this time. The records indicate that these last few men were either captured or surrendered in and around Goldsboro, NC, by the time of the Battle of Bentonville. The battery had come full circle.
Following the war, William returned home to "Greenwreath" and despite the loss of slave labor and depressed land prices, he threw himself into making extensive improvements on the farm.
In January or February of 1865, 26-year old William J. Foreman married 17-year old Annie Blackwell Sparrow, daughter of Maj. Thomas Sparrow & Ann Marie Blackwell of Washington, Beaufort County.
Annie would come to "Greenwreath" and within a year presented William with their first and only child -- Ivey Foreman (1865-1919). Sadly, William was in ill health since the war, and on December 22, 1869 the 33-year old died from tuberculosis. At his death, Foreman was described as "a gentleman of scholarly attainments, tastes, and habits ... Scorning politics, he devoted himself earnestly to agriculture and to books, having a remarkable fondness for mathematics and for history ... He had just completed extensive improvements on his farm, the home of his fathers, when death selected him for his victim."
His only heir, 4-year old Ivey Foreman, inherited the plantation. Some sources indicate Annie stayed at "Greenwreath" until Ivey became of age, but census data for 1870 and 1880 shows her and her son living with her parents in Washington, Beaufort Co., where she had taken up teaching.
Some 28 years later, his widow would marry again at age 50, becoming the 3rd wife of William's half-brother, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. She removed to Raleigh where they resided for 20 years of marriage. Annie Blackwell Sparrow Foreman Lewis died there in 1917 at age 70.
William J. Foreman's only son, Ivey Foreman, was not known to have spent any time managing "Greenwreath", despite having inherited one of the oldest, most prominent properties in Pitt County. He did marry, and worked in Raleigh, living for a time with his mother and Dr. Lewis. What little evidence this researcher found on Ivey Foreman was not flattering. A close relative described him as "the alcoholic psychopath".
When Ivey Foreman died in 1919, just two years after his mother's passing, the 54-year old left "Greeewreath" to his stepfather, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis. Dr. Lewis died at age 75 in 1926; and it is believed the property passed to his daughter, Cornelia "Nell" Battle Lewis who never married, but was a noted "journalist, feminist, lawyer, educator and a strident human rights advocate in Raleigh". With no family in residence at "Greenwreath", the Foreman house and farm was leased to various tenants until 1948, when the Lewis family sold it to W. H. Wooten of Falkland.
William Joseph Foreman was the eldest of 4 known surviving children born to wealthy plantation owner, John Lawrence Foreman and his wife, Martha Elizabeth Hoskins.
William lost 2 siblings to early death before he was 7 years old, and just he and his younger brother, Ivey Foreman, survived. In 1844 his father died, and William would become the 3rd generation of Foremans to inherit "Greenwreath" plantation. When he was 11 years old, his widowed mother married (2nd) to Richard Henry Lewis, a wealthy attorney and plantation owner from Edgecombe County.
His stepfather was also his uncle, having been married (1st) to Mary Eliza Foreman (1810-1840), his father's sister. Richard Lewis Sr. was wealthy in his own right, holding title to several plantations in Edgecombe and Hale Co, Alabama. Richard Lewis would come to live at "Greenwreath" with his 3 children (William's cousins): Ivey Foreman Lewis, Mary "Mollie" Foreman Lewis, and Annie Harrison Lewis. Within a year of their marriage, his mother and stepfather would have a child -- Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. (1850-1926).
His stepfather died in 1857 while William was still a student at UNC. Upon graduation in 1858, the 21-year old assumed the management of "Greenwreath", while his mother remained in Tarboro. Younger brother, Ivey Foreman, was enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. His cousins, Ivey and Mollie Lewis, had already removed to Alabama where they took over their father's plantation there. (Ivey Foreman Lewis would serve as a Major with the Confederacy; and Mary Foreman Lewis would marry CSA Gen. William Joseph Hardee of Georgia.)
At the time William took over his inheritance, his father's plantation had grown to some 2,100 acres worked by over 40 slaves. The young man had great ideas for the expansion and improvement of the plantation, but the Civil War would postpone those plans.
William enlisted with the rank of Private with Company F, of the NC 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment (originally 1st NC Artillery), but that is all the military records this researcher has found on his service. This is the same Regiment his future father-in-law, Major Thomas Sparrow, served in; but there is no evidence William served under his command. During the war, his future wife (Annie Blackwell Sparrow) and her family would seek refuge at "Greenwreath" following the evacuation of Washington; but again there is no evidence to place William there at the same time.
What is known about the 10th was that it was formed in the first part of 1861, and spent it's first year in garrison at Ft. Macon, NC, taking part in its defense in April of 1862, and were subsequently captured and paroled, going home until exchanged. The exchange did not occur until August 1862, and when the call went out to re-form, about a third of the original roster did not answer the call. The ranks were quickly filled with new recruits from neighboring counties, and the battery was stationed in garrison at various gun emplacements in the Wilmington area, including Smithville (Southport) and Bald Head Island. At the dawn of 1865, the men were manning the guns of Ft. Fisher, taking part in its failed defense. The majority of the men were either killed or captured. Prior to the battle, a small detachment had been ordered to provost duty in Wilmington, and was ordered into the field as part of Robert F. Hokes command when the order came to evacuate the Cape Fear Region. This detachment would have taken part in the Battle of Wyse Forks, Kinston NC, probably as "red-leg infantry" and were not a contained unit by this time. The records indicate that these last few men were either captured or surrendered in and around Goldsboro, NC, by the time of the Battle of Bentonville. The battery had come full circle.
Following the war, William returned home to "Greenwreath" and despite the loss of slave labor and depressed land prices, he threw himself into making extensive improvements on the farm.
In January or February of 1865, 26-year old William J. Foreman married 17-year old Annie Blackwell Sparrow, daughter of Maj. Thomas Sparrow & Ann Marie Blackwell of Washington, Beaufort County.
Annie would come to "Greenwreath" and within a year presented William with their first and only child -- Ivey Foreman (1865-1919). Sadly, William was in ill health since the war, and on December 22, 1869 the 33-year old died from tuberculosis. At his death, Foreman was described as "a gentleman of scholarly attainments, tastes, and habits ... Scorning politics, he devoted himself earnestly to agriculture and to books, having a remarkable fondness for mathematics and for history ... He had just completed extensive improvements on his farm, the home of his fathers, when death selected him for his victim."
His only heir, 4-year old Ivey Foreman, inherited the plantation. Some sources indicate Annie stayed at "Greenwreath" until Ivey became of age, but census data for 1870 and 1880 shows her and her son living with her parents in Washington, Beaufort Co., where she had taken up teaching.
Some 28 years later, his widow would marry again at age 50, becoming the 3rd wife of William's half-brother, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. She removed to Raleigh where they resided for 20 years of marriage. Annie Blackwell Sparrow Foreman Lewis died there in 1917 at age 70.
William J. Foreman's only son, Ivey Foreman, was not known to have spent any time managing "Greenwreath", despite having inherited one of the oldest, most prominent properties in Pitt County. He did marry, and worked in Raleigh, living for a time with his mother and Dr. Lewis. What little evidence this researcher found on Ivey Foreman was not flattering. A close relative described him as "the alcoholic psychopath".
When Ivey Foreman died in 1919, just two years after his mother's passing, the 54-year old left "Greeewreath" to his stepfather, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis. Dr. Lewis died at age 75 in 1926; and it is believed the property passed to his daughter, Cornelia "Nell" Battle Lewis who never married, but was a noted "journalist, feminist, lawyer, educator and a strident human rights advocate in Raleigh". With no family in residence at "Greenwreath", the Foreman house and farm was leased to various tenants until 1948, when the Lewis family sold it to W. H. Wooten of Falkland.
William lost 2 siblings to early death before he was 7 years old, and just he and his younger brother, Ivey Foreman, survived. In 1844 his father died, and William would become the 3rd generation of Foremans to inherit "Greenwreath" plantation. When he was 11 years old, his widowed mother married (2nd) to Richard Henry Lewis, a wealthy attorney and plantation owner from Edgecombe County.
His stepfather was also his uncle, having been married (1st) to Mary Eliza Foreman (1810-1840), his father's sister. Richard Lewis Sr. was wealthy in his own right, holding title to several plantations in Edgecombe and Hale Co, Alabama. Richard Lewis would come to live at "Greenwreath" with his 3 children (William's cousins): Ivey Foreman Lewis, Mary "Mollie" Foreman Lewis, and Annie Harrison Lewis. Within a year of their marriage, his mother and stepfather would have a child -- Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. (1850-1926).
His stepfather died in 1857 while William was still a student at UNC. Upon graduation in 1858, the 21-year old assumed the management of "Greenwreath", while his mother remained in Tarboro. Younger brother, Ivey Foreman, was enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. His cousins, Ivey and Mollie Lewis, had already removed to Alabama where they took over their father's plantation there. (Ivey Foreman Lewis would serve as a Major with the Confederacy; and Mary Foreman Lewis would marry CSA Gen. William Joseph Hardee of Georgia.)
At the time William took over his inheritance, his father's plantation had grown to some 2,100 acres worked by over 40 slaves. The young man had great ideas for the expansion and improvement of the plantation, but the Civil War would postpone those plans.
William enlisted with the rank of Private with Company F, of the NC 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment (originally 1st NC Artillery), but that is all the military records this researcher has found on his service. This is the same Regiment his future father-in-law, Major Thomas Sparrow, served in; but there is no evidence William served under his command. During the war, his future wife (Annie Blackwell Sparrow) and her family would seek refuge at "Greenwreath" following the evacuation of Washington; but again there is no evidence to place William there at the same time.
What is known about the 10th was that it was formed in the first part of 1861, and spent it's first year in garrison at Ft. Macon, NC, taking part in its defense in April of 1862, and were subsequently captured and paroled, going home until exchanged. The exchange did not occur until August 1862, and when the call went out to re-form, about a third of the original roster did not answer the call. The ranks were quickly filled with new recruits from neighboring counties, and the battery was stationed in garrison at various gun emplacements in the Wilmington area, including Smithville (Southport) and Bald Head Island. At the dawn of 1865, the men were manning the guns of Ft. Fisher, taking part in its failed defense. The majority of the men were either killed or captured. Prior to the battle, a small detachment had been ordered to provost duty in Wilmington, and was ordered into the field as part of Robert F. Hokes command when the order came to evacuate the Cape Fear Region. This detachment would have taken part in the Battle of Wyse Forks, Kinston NC, probably as "red-leg infantry" and were not a contained unit by this time. The records indicate that these last few men were either captured or surrendered in and around Goldsboro, NC, by the time of the Battle of Bentonville. The battery had come full circle.
Following the war, William returned home to "Greenwreath" and despite the loss of slave labor and depressed land prices, he threw himself into making extensive improvements on the farm.
In January or February of 1865, 26-year old William J. Foreman married 17-year old Annie Blackwell Sparrow, daughter of Maj. Thomas Sparrow & Ann Marie Blackwell of Washington, Beaufort County.
Annie would come to "Greenwreath" and within a year presented William with their first and only child -- Ivey Foreman (1865-1919). Sadly, William was in ill health since the war, and on December 22, 1869 the 33-year old died from tuberculosis. At his death, Foreman was described as "a gentleman of scholarly attainments, tastes, and habits ... Scorning politics, he devoted himself earnestly to agriculture and to books, having a remarkable fondness for mathematics and for history ... He had just completed extensive improvements on his farm, the home of his fathers, when death selected him for his victim."
His only heir, 4-year old Ivey Foreman, inherited the plantation. Some sources indicate Annie stayed at "Greenwreath" until Ivey became of age, but census data for 1870 and 1880 shows her and her son living with her parents in Washington, Beaufort Co., where she had taken up teaching.
Some 28 years later, his widow would marry again at age 50, becoming the 3rd wife of William's half-brother, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, Jr. She removed to Raleigh where they resided for 20 years of marriage. Annie Blackwell Sparrow Foreman Lewis died there in 1917 at age 70.
William J. Foreman's only son, Ivey Foreman, was not known to have spent any time managing "Greenwreath", despite having inherited one of the oldest, most prominent properties in Pitt County. He did marry, and worked in Raleigh, living for a time with his mother and Dr. Lewis. What little evidence this researcher found on Ivey Foreman was not flattering. A close relative described him as "the alcoholic psychopath".
When Ivey Foreman died in 1919, just two years after his mother's passing, the 54-year old left "Greeewreath" to his stepfather, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis. Dr. Lewis died at age 75 in 1926; and it is believed the property passed to his daughter, Cornelia "Nell" Battle Lewis who never married, but was a noted "journalist, feminist, lawyer, educator and a strident human rights advocate in Raleigh". With no family in residence at "Greenwreath", the Foreman house and farm was leased to various tenants until 1948, when the Lewis family sold it to W. H. Wooten of Falkland.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
