Wilting in Wilmington– Part Six

Wilting in Wilmington– Part Six August 1, 2019

Especially during the summers, the family mostly stayed inside. We know that the eldest son went off to Davidson College, a good Presbyterian school back then, and Mrs. Bellamy was a staunch Presbyterian. But there were children in the home in the 1860s, and the home was confiscated by the Union General Alfred Terry, who used it as his headquarters for some months. It must be remembered that Wilmington was the last Confederate port to fall to the Union, and so there was less damage to Wilmington than many southern cities such as Richmond, or Atlanta which Gen. Sherman burned to the ground (see Gone with the Wind). Inside the Bellamy home life could be quite comfortable. Here’s a hat rack with mirror (and surprise, that’s my Mom Joyce W. looking at it, whose reflection

can be seen in the mirror). There was a great deal of entertaining done in the Bellamy home. Here’s the spinet, or small piano in the parlor….
Here’s a good example of Victorian style carpeting…
Here’s a curio cabinet….

When there was a major meal in the home, one would need fans…. not to cool off the guests, but to keep the flies off the food (you may sing ‘Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me’ now). Peacock feathers were used for this purpose….

The upstairs of the house was much less ornate, and also less carpeting. Here’s a wheel chair for an elderly person in the family…

Here’s a children’s room….

Here’s an upstair bedroom…

And a sowing room…..


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