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Storyline · 1877–1891

Hillsborough's tobacco market: factories and warehouses, 1877–1891

Hillsborough built up a tobacco market of warehouses and factories between 1877 and 1891, though the firms behind it dissolved or changed hands again and again. Pogue's warehouse held its opening sale in 1877, and in 1882 Major H. P. Jones received what the Observer called the first cablegram ever sent to Hillsborough, a Liverpool order for his Tar Heel smoking tobacco. In 1886 the Hookers' Central Warehouse gave the town a second warehouse. The Webb & Co. firm dissolved in 1887, A. A. Springs assigned his business in 1888, and Hooker & Crisp dissolved in 1889. E. A. Rosemond bought the Central Warehouse and in 1891 opened his warehouse at prices that pleased the farmers.

1877–1891 Filed under Business, Shops & Commerce 17 dated events

Pogue's tobacco warehouse in Hillsborough held its opening sale on November 1, 1877. By June 1880 Webb & Co. were putting up a large brick tobacco factory east of the court house, and in February 1882 Major H. P. Jones received what the Observer called the first cablegram ever sent to Hillsborough, a Liverpool order for 1,000 pounds of the Tar Heel smoking tobacco made at his factory. On January 5, 1886 E. H. Pogue & Co. held the opening sale at the Hillsboro Tobacco Warehouse. That spring A. A. Springs, a Winston manufacturer, leased the old Pogue factory to make plug tobacco, and J. W. Hooker & Bro. held the first sale at their new Central Warehouse on Churton Street, giving the town a second warehouse. By July 31 the Hillsboro Warehouse, renamed Webb's Warehouse, had passed to C. J. Pogue and J. D. English. Webb & Co. dissolved in February 1887. Springs closed out his store that fall to make tobacco, assigned his business to a trustee for his creditors in February 1888 and a week later paid his debts; in 1889 he, Allen J. Ruffin and Thomas D. Turner incorporated the Hillsboro Tobacco Company. O. D. Hooker ran the Central Warehouse from November 1887, Hooker & Crisp dissolved in October 1889, and by October 1890 the Hookers had sold the Central Warehouse to E. A. Rosemond. Rosemond opened his tobacco warehouse on February 10, 1891, at prices that pleased the farmers.

Towns
Hillsborough
Sites
2
People with pages
9

The events, date by date

Every statement above comes from these dated entries in the chronology. Each links to its source.

  1. Pogue's tobacco warehouse opens for sales in Hillsborough Pogue's tobacco warehouse in Hillsborough held its opening sale on November 1, 1877, selling about 5,000 pounds of mostly poor new leaf while some planters took their tobacco back rather than accept the bids. The proprietors set sales four days a week and advised planters not to rush their tobacco to market before January, when better prices were expected. People: E. H. Pogue Place: Pogue's Warehouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · Hillsborough Recorder, November 7, 1877, p. 3
  2. Webb & Co. build a large brick tobacco factory east of the Hillsborough court house Webb & Co. were putting up a large brick tobacco factory east of the court house in Hillsborough when the Ledger's editor visited the town on June 7, 1880. Place: East of the court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Ledger, June 12, 1880, p. 3
  3. Major H. P. Jones receives Hillsborough's first cablegram, a Liverpool order for Tar Heel tobacco Major H. P. Jones received the first cablegram ever sent to Hillsborough, an order from Liverpool for 1,000 pounds of the Tar Heel smoking tobacco made at his factory. By April a second Liverpool order had come for 2,000 pounds, along with a standing order for 1,000 pounds a month. People: Halcott P. Jones Place: H. P. Jones tobacco factory, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 18, 1882, p. 3
  4. E. H. Pogue & Co. hold the opening sale at the Hillsboro Tobacco Warehouse The Hillsboro Tobacco Warehouse, run by E. H. Pogue & Co., held its opening sale on Tuesday, January 5, 1886, and the Observer reported a heavy break with good prices. Three days earlier Pogue and fourteen other men had incorporated the Orange County Tobacco Association to buy and sell leaf tobacco. People: E. H. Pogue Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 9, 1886, p. 3 (opening sale report and notice of incorporation)
  5. A. A. Springs of Winston leases the old Pogue factory to make plug tobacco A. A. Springs, a Winston tobacco manufacturer, leased the old Pogue factory in Hillsborough to make plug tobacco and bought the Dr. Wilson residence from Dr. D. C. Parris for his family. He moved to Hillsborough in April, had the factory repaired with L. C. H. Brown as manager, and in May opened a dry goods store on Churton Street. People: D. C. Parris Place: Old Pogue tobacco factory, Hillsborough · Also named: A. A. Springs, L. C. H. Brown · Also mentions: Churton StreetSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 20, 1886, p. 3
  6. J. W. Hooker & Bro. hold the first sale at their new Central Warehouse J. W. Hooker & Bro. held the first tobacco sale in their new Central Warehouse on Churton Street, just north of the Observer office, giving Hillsborough a second tobacco warehouse. White Brothers of Mebane had built the 50-by-150-foot house that spring. People: J. W. Hooker Place: Central Warehouse, Churton Street, Hillsborough · Also mentions: Churton StreetSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 8, 1886, p. 3
  7. The Hillsboro Warehouse becomes Webb's Warehouse as Thomas D. Turner buys in E. H. Pogue & Co. sold an interest in the Hillsboro Warehouse to Thomas D. Turner, and the tobacco house was renamed Webb's Warehouse under the firm of E. H. Pogue, Turner & Co. People: E. H. Pogue Place: Webb's Warehouse, south of the court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Thomas D. TurnerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 22, 1886, p. 3
  8. Webb's tobacco warehouse in Hillsborough changes hands Webb's Warehouse, the Hillsborough leaf-tobacco sales house, changed hands and was to reopen under a new name with C. J. Pogue of Hillsborough and J. D. English of Danville, Virginia, as proprietors. Place: Webb's Warehouse, Hillsborough · Also named: C. J. Pogue, J. D. EnglishSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 31, 1886, p. 3
  9. The Webb & Co. tobacco partnership in Hillsborough is dissolved James Webb Jr., Joseph C. Webb and George C. Corbin gave notice that their tobacco manufacturing firm, Webb & Co., was dissolved, leaving the two Webbs to collect its debts and wind up its business. The firm had been making tobacco in Hillsborough since at least 1881. People: James Webb Jr., George C. Corbin Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Joseph C. WebbSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 26, 1887, p. 3 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 15, 1881, p. 3
  10. A. A. Springs closes out his Hillsborough store to manufacture tobacco Merchant A. A. Springs began selling his whole stock of dry goods, groceries and hardware at cost so he could give his full attention to manufacturing tobacco. Place: Hillsborough · Also named: A. A. SpringsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), October 29, 1887, p. 3
  11. The Central Warehouse opens its season of tobacco sales under O. D. Hooker Hillsborough's Central Warehouse opened for the season with its floor crowded with leaf tobacco of all grades, now owned and run by O. D. Hooker. The Recorder saw a bright future for the town's tobacco market if buyers stood by it. Place: Central Warehouse, Hillsborough · Also named: O. D. HookerSearch the index · Hillsboro Recorder, November 3, 1887, p. 3
  12. Merchant and tobacco maker A. A. Springs assigns his business to D. H. Hamilton A. A. Springs, a Hillsborough merchant and manufacturer of plug tobacco, made an assignment for his creditors to Maj. D. H. Hamilton, who offered the stock of goods for sale at cost. Within a few weeks Springs had arranged to settle his debts and make a new start. Place: Hillsborough · Also named: A. A. Springs, D. H. HamiltonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 11, 1888, p. 3
Show all 17 dated events
  1. A. A. Springs pays his creditors and has his assignment cancelled A week after assigning his business, Hillsborough merchant A. A. Springs raised enough money to pay all his debts in cash and arranged to withdraw and cancel the assignment. Place: Hillsborough · Also named: A. A. SpringsSearch the index · Hillsboro Recorder, February 23, 1888, p. 3
  2. Allen J. Ruffin, A. A. Springs and Thomas D. Turner incorporate the Hillsboro Tobacco Company Allen J. Ruffin, Alexander A. Springs and Thomas D. Turner incorporated the Hillsboro Tobacco Company for ten years to buy, sell, handle and manufacture leaf tobacco at Hillsborough, Durham or elsewhere, with $3,000 capital in sixty $50 shares and power to grow to $20,000. People: Allen Jones Ruffin, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Alexander A. Springs, Thomas D. TurnerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 2, 1889, p. 3
  3. The Hillsborough tobacco manufacturers Hooker & Crisp dissolve their firm J. W. Hooker and R. L. Crisp dissolved their tobacco manufacturing firm, Hooker & Crisp, by mutual consent, with O. D. Hooker filling its outstanding orders. People: J. W. Hooker Place: Hillsborough · Also named: R. L. Crisp, O. D. HookerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 2, 1889, p. 3
  4. J. W. Hooker & Bro. sell the Central Warehouse in Hillsborough to E. A. Rosemond The Hookers sold the Central Warehouse and the stables behind it to E. A. Rosemond, who was expected to build a brick blacksmith shop on the stable site and turn the warehouse into a livery stable and harness shop. People: Edward Atkins Rosemond, J. W. Hooker Place: Central Warehouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), October 25, 1890, p. 3
  5. E. A. Rosemond opens his warehouse at Hillsborough E. A. Rosemond opened his tobacco warehouse on Tuesday, February 10, and the prices paid pleased the farmers, so that Hillsborough looked likely to have a good tobacco market. People: Edward Atkins Rosemond Place: Warehouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 14, 1891, p. 3

Places in this storyline

Buildings, schools, churches and other sites named in the dated events on this page, the most often named first. The map shows the 1 with a known location.

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site locations from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office survey, Open Orange, Orange County GIS, OpenStreetMap and a few other published sources named on each site’s page; town and community pins show approximate locations.

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People in this storyline

People with a page of their own whom the dated events above name, those named most often first.

Further reading

No indexed work is about this storyline itself yet. These are the most widely held histories of the theme it is filed under, so they may not discuss it. Follow a link to find a copy or view the material.

Background on Business, Shops & Commerce · the most widely held histories of the theme this storyline is filed under; they may not discuss it

The Research Triangle: From Tobacco Road to Global Prominence

Rohe, William M. · 2011 · University of Pennsylvania Press

William M. Rohe's history of Research Triangle Park and the region around it, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2011. Topics include regional planning and the economic and social conditions of the Research Triangle Park region, one corner of which is Chapel Hill and the university. 298 pages with illustrations and maps.

The Black family in slavery and freedom, 1750-1925

Gutman, Herbert G. (Herbert George), 1928-1985 · 1976 · Pantheon Books

Herbert G. Gutman's 1976 history of African American families from 1750 to 1925, published by Pantheon Books in New York, 664 pages with 38 leaves of plates. Its Orange County connection is the Bennehan and Cameron family plantations, Stagville and Fairntosh: the book discusses the people enslaved by Richard Bennehan (1743-1825) and the Camerons, and follows family ties among them under slavery and after emancipation. Subjects include African American families and enslaved persons in Orange County.

Reviewed in The Journal of Southern History (1977), The William and Mary Quarterly (1977), The American Historical Review (1977), Journal of American History (1977), The History Teacher (1977), Political Science Quarterly (1977), Journal of Black Psychology (1978), Journal of Social History (1978), Civil War history (1978), Signs (1978).

William Terry Couch and the Politics of Academic Publishing

Shiflett, Orvin Lee · 2015 · McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

Orvin Lee Shiflett's biography of William Terry Couch, 1901 to 1988, the editor who built up UNC Press at Chapel Hill over four decades in publishing, with a subtitle that calls his career a lightning rod for controversy. Chapters treat culture in the South, a case history in book publishing, objectivity and social science and 'The Sainted Book Burners'. It bears on scholarly publishing and university presses in the twentieth century. McFarland, 2015, 268 pages with illustrations.

A Generosity of Spirit: The Early History of the Research Triangle Park

Link, Albert N. · 1995 · Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina

Albert N. Link's early history of Research Triangle Park, published in 1995 by the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina. Topics include research parks, research institutes and industrial research in the state, with the park's own history at the center. 149 pages with illustrations and maps.

The recipe : have a seat at our table

Council, Annette Marie · 2005 · NP Press

Annette Marie Council's book about her family and Mama Dip's Country Kitchen, the Chapel Hill restaurant, published by NP Press in 2005. Subjects include African Americans in Chapel Hill, the restaurant's history and family biography. Fourteen introductory pages and 223 pages of text with illustrations, part local history and part family account.

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From seed to harvest

Link, Albert N. · 2002 · Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina

Albert N. Link's history of the Research Triangle Park, the research park founded to draw on the universities at Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh, published in 2002 by the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina in 278 pages with illustrations. Topics include research parks, research institutes and industrial research in North Carolina and the history of the park itself.

Many Missions: Research Triangle Institute's First 31 Years

Larrabee, Charles X. · 1991

Charles X. Larrabee's history of the Research Triangle Institute over its first thirty one years, published in 1991. Topics include research institutes and research parks in North Carolina and the history of Research Triangle Park, the research district that lies between Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh.

Brain magnet

Cummings, Alex Sayf · 2020

Alex Sayf Cummings's 2020 book on the knowledge economy of the Research Triangle, technology research and the history of Research Triangle Park. Chapel Hill and its university form one corner of the Triangle.

Bright leaf culture and Thomas Day : Orange and Caswell counties

Vernacular Architecture Forum (U.S.). Conference (2016 : Durham, N.C.) · 2016 · Vernacular Architecture Forum

A tour guidebook prepared for the 2016 Vernacular Architecture Forum conference in Durham, leading visitors through buildings in Orange and Caswell counties. It takes in the architecture of the bright leaf tobacco economy and the work of Thomas Day, the free Black cabinetmaker of Caswell County who worked in the middle of the nineteenth century.

UNC

I raised my hand to volunteer : students protest in 1960s Chapel Hill.

2007 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Account of student protest in 1960s Chapel Hill, published by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2007 with illustrations. It draws together the civil rights movement and segregation in the town, discrimination in restaurants, academic freedom and university autonomy, protest against the Vietnam War, Students for a Democratic Society and the Black Student Movement on campus.

UNC

James J. Freeland

Freeland, Maxine · 1999

Maxine Freeland's biography of James John Freeland (1918-1999), a Hillsborough man of the twentieth century, compiled in 1999.

Research this storyline

Each dated event above names its source, the place to start. For finding more on an event across newspapers, records and histories, see the research guide Follow an event across several accounts. Ask at the North Carolina Room of the Orange County Public Library for help with local sources.

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Friends of the Orange County Public Library. “Hillsborough's tobacco market: factories and warehouses, 1877–1891.” Orange County Indexed, https://focplnc.org/orange-county-books/storylines/hillsborough-tobacco-market-storyline-1877/. Accessed October 22, 2026.

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Two mice reading back to back against a leaf, with the hand-lettered words Friends of the Orange County Public Library
Illustration by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell, gifted to the Friends 2026