Wilmington, a Port for Irish and French Huguenots
By Jeannette Holland Austin In the early pioneer days of North Carolina, Wilmington was a small port, mostly seasonable. Its history dates back to 1739 when it was incorporated and named after Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington. Its location on the Cape Fear River supported immigrants from Europe. Typically, Scotch-Irish, Irish, and French Huguenots. […]