I have lived in Edenton nearly all my life, twice for that matter. Last week I learned something new about an Edenton landmark. The bridge going over to Hayes Plantation, a private residence, is called Johnston's Bridge and not Hayes Bridge as it is often referred to. Of course, it is not the original bridge.
Hayes Plantation or Hayes Farm belonged to Samuel Johnston (1733â1816), who served as Governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789. Hayes is located east of Edenton, overlooking Edenton Bay to the south and Queen Anne Creek to the north. Samuel Johnston purchased Hayes in 1765 from David Rieusett and made it his family's home until 1793, when he moved to the Hermitage, a plantation in nearby Martin county.Â