What is special about an old house? Just about everything!
Old houses tell a story. They have a history. There is something about running our hands down a banister that generations of people have held in their hands for centuries, giving us a sense of place and time and a perspective on where we fit in this huge, sometimes impersonal world. You are a small but important part of a much greater story.
Welcome to the circa 1828 Jesse A. Clement House in Mocksville, North Carolina, entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Greg Rapp of Salisbury Real Estate LLC just closed on the sale of this special piece of history, protected by covenants with Preservation North Carolina.
According to local tradition, the house was built around 1828 and was the center of a large plantation. The Jesse A. Clement House, a two-story brick structure, was built for a member of a prominent western Piedmont family. The regional Federal character of the house reflects construction methods of the period in Rowan and Davie County areas. Sturdy, boxy, two-story brick houses of the early-19th century, rare in eastern North Carolina, are a key element in the architectural development of the Piedmont.
Clement was a prosperous local businessman who owned a tannery, two plantations, and a brokerage firm dealing in plug tobacco, cotton, and wheat. He was also a North Carolina House of Commons member in 1838-1839. Clement's brother, John, was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons and introduced the legislation that formed Davie County from a part of Rowan County in 1836. Clement's sons, Baxter Clegg and William, migrated to Arkansas, where William served in the state senate and as lieutenant governor, and Baxter Clegg practiced medicine. During the Civil War, Jesse Clement, the home's namesake, at 53 years old, commanded a regiment known as the "Davie Greys". He died at 68 in 1876.
A history book contains pictures and stories of what life was like in years gone by, but those stories are locked within the boundaries of the binding. A museum displays artifacts from these times, but they are roped off and safely behind glass. But, walking into a historic house is like stepping back in time and being wrapped up in the pages of that history book- being a part of the history. We are tactile beings, and the ability to touch and interact with pieces of history is the most profound way to connect to the time and place they came from.
An avenue of trees once led to the early 19th-century home of Jesse A. Clement in Mocksville, North Carolina. The approach road to the two-story brick house no longer falls between these rows of trees, yet both the house and the trees still stand as reminders of the social, economic, and political contributions of the Clement family to Davie County.
Old houses often possess a unique blend of historical charm, solid construction, and architectural character that modern homes may lack. They can tell stories through their unique features, craftsmanship, and the materials used.
So . . . what makes an old house special?
1. Historical Charm and Character:
• Unique Architectural Features: Old houses often have architectural styles and details that are not commonly seen in modern construction, like intricate woodwork, crown moldings, and ornate fireplaces.
• Craftsmanship: Older homes often showcase meticulous craftsmanship, with details and finishes that are often lacking in modern homes.
• Sense of History: These homes can connect you to the past, providing a glimpse into how people lived in previous eras.
2. Solid Construction:
• Quality Materials: Older homes are often built with durable materials like old-growth lumber, plaster walls, and sturdy foundations, making them potentially more resilient than newer homes.
• Strong Structure: The construction methods of older homes, like hand-nailed framing and solid walls, can provide a more structurally sound and stable home.
3. Unique Features and Details:
• Built-in Storage: Old houses often have features like built-in closets, pantries, or cellars that provide extra storage space.
• Specialized Features: Some older homes may have features like coal chutes, dumbwaiters, or other elements that reflect the lifestyles of the past.
• Natural Cooling: Homes built before air conditioning was common often have features that promote natural cooling, like thicker walls and layouts that allow for cross-breezes.
The Jesse A. Clement House
290 E Maple Avenue
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
Charlotte MLS#: 4215095
Greg Rapp
Salisbury Real Estate LLC
704 213 6846 Mobile
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com
www.realestatesalisbury.net
