How did Bartonsville NC get its name?

Answer 1

Bartonsville was named after Stephen Barton, brother to Clara Barton. He moved to NC around 1856 and the town prospered. At one time Bartonsville had a smithy, post office, and school. However, the town was burned in the Civil War by Union forces as they advanced up the Chowan River, and was never rebuilt.

The surrounding areas around Bartonsville gradually depopulated. After Union Camp acquired the land, it basically became unpopulated forest. The old community roads became logging roads. Union Camp (later acquired by International Paper) sold or licensed the land to a local hunting club. They have jurisdiction over the area today, and visitors are not allowed.

The nearest towns of any significance are Como (pop < 100) and Murfreesboro (pop about 3000). A few people still live in the area just north of Bartonsville, which was once called Riddicksville.

The dock of the town was visible as late as the 1950s, but nothing remains today at all.

Incidentally, Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross, so that empty section of woods has a connection to a significant figure in American History.