Roanoke Colonies Research Newsletter
Volume 2.1 (November 1994)

Highway Marker for Inglis Fletcher Unveiled
by John Patterson, East Carolina University

On Sunday, June 5, 1994, a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker was unveiled to writer Inglis Fletcher (1879-1969) near Bandon Chapel in northwest Chowan County. About 100 people attended the unveiling ceremony sponsored by the Arrowhead Property Owners Association, by East Carolina University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Joyner Library, by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, and by the North Carolina Literary Review.

Following the roadside dedication, a reception took place at the Arrowhead Property Owners Association clubhouse. The reception was hosted by Keats Sparrow, dean of the ECU College of Arts and Sciences, who spoke about Fletcher’s literary career. Mr. Maury York, curator of the North Carolina Collection at Joyner Library, spoke on the Fletcher papers in the ECU archives. Dr. Erwin Hester, ECU professor of English, spoke on Fletcher as a historical novelist. Dr. Bertie Fearing and Mr. John Patterson, associate editors of the North Carolina Literary Review, presented a dramatic reading from Fletcher’s Lusty Wind for Carolina. In attendance were several descendants of Fletcher. Sparrow ended the presentations by noting that the motto of ECU is “to serve” and offered the school's willingness to help however possible the citizenry of eastern North Carolina.

The author of fifteen books, Fletcher is best known for the Carolina series, twelve historical novels that began with the publication of Raleigh’s Eden (1940) and ended with Rogue’s Harbor (1964). Two of the works in the series, Raleigh’s Eden and Roanoke Hundred (1948), treat the Roanoke Island colonization efforts. According to Sparrow, “Her carefully researched novels tell of the first attempts of colonization and progress through the ratification in 1789. The historical accuracy of her books is incredible, as was noted by the late Hugh T. Lefler.” Says Hester, “Her novels sold millions of copies and were translated into eight languages. Beside being meticulously researched, the books tell good stories.”

According to York, “Joyner Library is proud to be in possession of over 15,00 items owned by Fletcher—books, manuscripts, rough drafts, notes, diaries, photographs, sketches, newspaper clippings, letters and correspondence. It is a literary goldmine waiting to be mined by scholars. Theses, dissertations, biographies, popular and scholarly articles—these are but a few of the possibilities for prospective authors.”

According to Fearing, “In the next issue of the North Carolina Literary Review, we are printing an article on Fletcher during her trip to Africa in the late 1920’s. From that trip, she produced two books: White Leopard (1931) and Red Jasmine (1932). The African expedition materials in Joyner Library are just a part of a magnificent collection of this truly remarkable woman who went to Africa by herself—and in the 1920s. She was a feminist before the term had been coined. One could easily devote an academic career to the study of her materials.”

The Inglis Fletcher collection is open to the public. For further information, telephone the ECU Manuscripts Collection at (919) 328-6671. The collection is open weekdays from 8:00-5:00 and on Saturdays from 8:00-2:00.

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