Formally The William Williams House

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the William Williams House back in March—thanks to Tom Blanton and Patrick St. Lawrence, who kindly invited me to come explore this beautiful old home. They are currently in the process of restoring the house to its original glory. I was able to photograph the inside before they had to tear the plaster off the walls in order to move her. With the plaster, the house would have weighed too much.

Recently, they moved the house from its original location to a newly purchased parcel of land just across the way, jacking it up with steel beams to tow it on a flatbed to its new resting spot. Once it was in place, they built a foundation beneath her. They now lovingly refer to their new home as Bella Plantation.

The earliest portion of the home—now regarded as the “back”—was built around 1790 in the Federal style for Samuel Williams (1752–1805), a prosperous planter and son of Col. William Williams, for whom the nearby town of Williamston was named. About two decades later, around 1810, Samuel’s son Joseph Williams (1793–1866) enlarged the residence, adding a grand Greek Revival façade. This addition not only transformed its appearance but also enveloped the original Federal-style structure within its stately new design. (Newsbreak)

In 1907, Joseph Early of Bertie County purchased the property, and over the decades it passed through the hands of his grandson and great-grandsons. By the late 1960’s, the family had settled into a more contemporary style brick ranch nearby, and the once-stately home was reduced to little more than storage. It would remain in the Early family for decades—quietly waiting—until Tom and Patrick came along with an offer to buy the old place. However, they would have to wait a period of time as Mr. Early himself was not prepared to sell the property. It wasn’t until after his passing that the Early heirs decided to sell. (Newsbreak)

Front door to Bella Plantation, March 2025

I felt honored to be there with my camera that day, capturing these layered styles merging into one timeless structure. It truly warms my heart when people open their doors and share their passion—so, thank you, Thomas and Patrick! Your work inspires me endlessly.

A Gloomy Day at Bella Plantation

I also recently squeezed in another visit to Bella Plantation. Despite the gloomy skies and an unexpected downpour, I got to chat a bit, wander the grounds, and snap a few moody photos. The soft rain seemed to amplify its quiet beauty, and I can’t wait to see the end results of this restoration!