A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the founders of the town of godwin on the occasion of the town's one hundredth ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, the Town of Godwin, located in northeast Cumberland County about one mile east of the Cape Fear River in a one‑half square mile area between the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont, developed around the area's post office and railroad depot; and
Whereas, Godwin was named for the Town's first postmaster, Isaac William Godwin, who served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1876 and 1877; and
Whereas, Representative Isaac William Godwin was instrumental in locating the railroad depot for the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad in what was to become the town of Godwin; and
Whereas, Godwin was chartered by the General Assembly on March 6, 1905; and
Whereas, Godwin's first officers were Mayor Hector McIntyre and Commissioners J.W. McLean, J.M. Starling, and J.W. Deans; Clerk and Treasurer D.L. Pridgen; and Chief of Police William C. Sills; and
Whereas, the railroad was instrumental in the early growth and development of Godwin, providing the means for the Town's residents to distribute their products to other parts of the State and country; and
Whereas, Godwin's residents once produced large quantities of tar, turpentine, and ship masts and grew cotton, tobacco, corn, wheat, and soybeans; and
Whereas, Godwin was once the location of several general and grocery stores, a cotton gin, a blacksmith shop, and a nearby mill; and
Whereas, Godwin gained its first school in 1905 after the consolidation of three neighborhood one‑room schools and remained open until 1954; and
Whereas, some of Godwin's oldest structures include the Godwin Presbyterian Church, founded in 1904, Godwin Baptist Church, founded in 1907, and Black's Chapel United Methodist Church, founded in 1876; and
Whereas, today, Godwin is a residential community of about 77 people; and
Whereas, Godwin's 100th anniversary is worthy of celebration; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of the founders and early residents of the Town of Godwin for their contributions to North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly congratulates the Town of Godwin on its 100th anniversary and encourages the people of this State to join the citizens of Godwin in celebrating this historic occasion.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayor of the Town of Godwin.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.