GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1664

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Sponsors: Representative Redwine.

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Referred to:  Rules, Appointments and Calendar.

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June 23, 1992

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF GENERAL BENJAMIN SMITH ON THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHPORT.
Whereas, General Benjamin Smith, who served under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War and who was elected Governor of North Carolina in 1811, was one of five commissioners charged by the General Assembly in 1792 to create a new town in the vicinity of Fort Johnson; and
Whereas, the new town established near Fort Johnson was named Smithville after General Benjamin Smith; and
Whereas, the town of Smithville offered early settlers traditional river type occupations, such as river pilot and fisherman; and
Whereas, the town of Smithville developed and prospered, and became the county seat in 1808, where it remained the county seat until the 1970s; and
Whereas, because of the lack of inland trade routes,  the town of Smithville never became a major port, but the town became a fishing village and a popular summer resort; and
Whereas, after the Civil War, the town of Smithville began to grow and flourish; and
Whereas, in 1887, the name of the town was changed from Smithville to Southport, supposedly because it was the most southerly harbor in North Carolina; and
Whereas, over the years, the city of Southport has made great progress; and
Whereas, in 1992, the city of Southport is celebrating its bicentennial;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of General Benjamin Smith and recognizes him for his role in founding the city of Southport.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly extends its congratulations to the city of Southport on its bicentennial, and urges all North Carolinians to join the citizens of the city of Southport in celebrating its bicentennial.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall send a certified copy of this resolution to the mayor of the city of Southport and to the chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.