This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Washington Duke Life Story of Tobacco Pioneer and Family
The second installment profiles Washington Duke of Durham, a self-made tobacco magnate. Born 1820 on a Durham area farm, he built a modest workshop from a log shack, then via Civil War service and a bold trading trek expanded into major tobacco interests. He and son Buck drove early sales from eastern North Carolina, turning 15,000 pounds in 1866, and eventually moved toward Durham for rail access as profits grew.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
North Carolina
Washington Duke
Durham
Uncle Wash
Navy
Drewry’s Bluff
Richmond
Rhode Island Cavalry
Libby
Newberne
United States
Joseph E. Johnston
Duke
Wilson
Raleigh
Mr. Duke
Buck