Page Contents for New Bern, North Carolina

Statistics & Facts

Historical Events

Community news

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Statistics & Facts

The North Carolina state capital is Raleigh.
The population of New Bern is approximately 29524 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 8,024 (1990), 12770 (2010).
The amount of land area in New Bern is 26.471 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 1.482 sq kilometers.
The distance from New Bern to Washington DC is 260 miles.
The distance to the North Carolina state capital is 101 miles. (as the crow flies)
New Bern is positioned 35.11 degrees north of the equator and 77.07 degrees west of the prime meridian.

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New Bern Historical Events

1736
Families of New Bern
"The families about 150 whereof 72 persons were baptized and in communion. - This is their present state. They originated by means Rev. Wm Burges of Pasquotank who in... preached in these parts and baptized many in the general scheme; but in 1736 were visited by Rev. Mess. Benj Miller and P. P. Van Horn, who proselytized the following persons and formed them into a church Feb. 27 the same year. Their names were Joseph Willis, George Fisher, Abraham Warrin, James Willis, Samuel Willis, James Perdieu, Jacob Miller, Elizabeth Wane, Mary Fisher, Susanna Willis, Mary Warren, Mary Miller. The first minister is the present Joseph Willis. He was ordained by Mess. George Graham and William Fulsher and at the same time became minister of this Church. His wife is Eliz. Simmons by whom he has children Mary, Joseph, Thomas, Caleb, Richard, Jesse, Ephraim."

New Bern Community News

Wanting information on New Bern
I would be very interested in corresponding with any organizations or individuals from New Bern, with information about this early family. I am gathering research in preparation for a book to be published in 2000, much of which deals with the New Bern city, history, religion, and families.

The family consists of the following Children:
Joseph Willis was born about 1715, probably in New Bern, in the Carolinas. Since the exact year and location of his birth is somewhat vague, historians have struggled for years to place his family origins. It is assumed that this family emigrated to New Bern, to the area known as Swift Creek, between 1705 - 1715. The family was probably Puritan in origin.
Joseph's brothers and sisters included siblings, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, James, and Thomas. The following account, written by an early Baptist Missionary records names of this family, and others, living in the area of Swift Creek about 1737.
"The families about 150 whereof 72 persons were baptized and in communion. - This is their present state. They originated by means Rev. Wm Burges of Pasquotank who in... preached in these parts and baptized many in the general scheme; but in 1736 were visited by Rev. Mess. Benj Miller and P. P. Van Horn, who proselytized the following persons and formed them into a church Feb. 27 the same year. Their names were Joseph Willis, George Fisher, Abraham Warrin, James Willis, Samuel Willis, James Perdieu, Jacob Miller, Elizabeth Wane, Mary Fisher, Susanna Willis, Mary Warren, Mary Miller. The first minister is the present Joseph Willis. He was ordained by Mess. George Graham and William Fulsher and at the same time became minister of this Church. His wife is Eliz. Simmons by whom he has children Mary, Joseph, Thomas, Caleb, Richard, Jesse, Ephraim."
Thank you,
Mr. Taun Willis
Email: TaunWillis@hotmail.com