The Montgomery House

History and Description

By Rosemary Huntley

Troy, NC

This lovely example of a federal style house was built in 1830 by Dr. John Montgomery.  The Montgomery County Historical Society acquired it in 1992.  Rosemary Huntley, President of the Society, learned the house was going to be burned the next week by the timber company.  She called them and asked for the house.  They deeded it to the society.  The condition of the house was terrible, but structurally it was in good shape.

Family records say that the land where the Montgomery home site is situated was only a small portion of the extensive land granted to James Gaines by the King of England and originally reached to the banks of the Pee Dee River.

James Gaines’ wife was Mary Elizabeth Montgomery, daughter of John and Mary Wilcox Montgomery.  They had several children.  With the birth of their first child, John Henry, his maternal grandfather (John Montgomery) asked a strange and special favor of the new parents.  His request was that the child be given the Montgomery name rather than the lawful Gaines name.  This was due to the fact that with the death of Colonel Hugh Montgomery in the War of 1812, the sole male Montgomery survivor was gone.  Through a bill brought to the legislature, the name of Gaines was changed to John Henry Montgomery by his parents.

John Montgomery was taught at home.  His medical training was at the Medical College of Charleston, SC.  He married Ann Christian, daughter of John Christian, who played a prominent part in the pioneer history of the county.

The society knew when they acquired this property that the job would take a while.  The cleanup was extensive.  The repairs seemed to be endless.  A new roof and windows were first.  The structure was in good shape except for a foot long place of deterioration in one of the hand hewed sills.  The house was the first in the county to sport a coat of paint.  Two grants have helped considerably.  The entire front porch was built according to the markings on the house.  Electricity and paint have been added to the residence. 

Many events take place there annually.  A quilt and crafts show are held in September.  A living history encampment is held in October.  Old Christmas was celebrated in January with decorations being from the period.  The club holds meetings there and so do other organizations.

Future plans for this lovely home are to complete the interior decorating, adding a kitchen and heating arrangements.  The possibilities are endless.

___________________