"Of America's thirteen original colonies, North Carolina was one of the most rural, its urban population minuscule and its maritime commerce severely limited - except in the town of Wilmington. Prior to the Civil War, the coastal town was North Carolina's largest urban area and principal seaport, with shipping as the mainstay of the local economy.".

"Part I traces Wilmington's history from the incorporation of the town in 1739-40 to 1789, when North Carolina joined the newly formed United States of America. This section focuses on the disputed origins of Wilmington, life in a colonial urban setting, the growing importance of the port, and town governance.".

"Part II covers the years 1789 to 1861: the development of the port, the wide variety of social activities, the growth of the African American population, and Wilmington's role in state and national politics."--BOOK JACKET.