John Edward Kirkman House circa 1906

NATIONAL REGISTER of Historic Places: 217 Walnut Street – Asbestos-sided three-bay house with front porch, ell. This house was built by John Edward Kirkman for his parents Calvin J. Kirkman and Eveline Merrell. NR

Lineage:

• 1785 James Kirkman
• 1808-1870 John W. Kirkman, born in Guilford County, NC, married Pamela Gardner, born in Craven County in 1820.
• 1849-1917 Calvin J. Kirkman, born in Craven County, married Eveline Merrell 1851-1910.
• 1870-1948 John Edward Kirkman was born in Maple Cypress, North Carolina. He married Annie Dennis in 1896. John Edward was a surfman at the U.S. Lifesaving Station on Bogue Inlet.

Calvin Kirkman moved from Craven County, North Carolina to Swansboro by 1900. In his household at that time were wife Eveline and George Calvin 23 and 17-year-old William Lawrence Kirkman.

By 1910, head of household John Edward, with wife Annie E., son John E. 12, son Joseph D. 7, father Calvin, mother Eveline and mother-in-law Lizzie Dennis.

In 1920 John Edward Kirkman was working for the Coast Guard Station. His son Joseph was working at a saw mill. They had added son William H. Kirkman, age 2 at the time.

By 1930 the census noted John and Annie with children Travis 17 and eight-year-old Annie B. Kirkman.

John Edward Kirkman died just short of his 78th birthday. He suffered from arteriosclerotic heart disease. He was buried in Pittman Cemetery, Swansboro.