I think that you spoke with my daughter, Jessica Carvara. I remember answering questions for her to forward to you. The house in Swansboro was passed down from generation to generation as a family house and went to the person most financial able to maintain it for the family. It's last family owner was Dr. Richard Fox (Flora's daughter Flo's son) He made two mistakes - he died young and he divorced and remarried right before he died. The first wife forced the sale of the house and it's contents. There was a piano there just like the picture you sent my daughter. I use to play it when I was young. The story was that when the yankee's came through the piano and silver and other valuables were sunk in the swamp to hide them from the yankees. I cannot verify the truth of that but I can state for certain that the piano played with an erie timber.
I thought that I scanned and emailed Jessica a copy of the aution papers that included a picture of the piano for you. I am presently living in the BVI and those papers are in storage in the States.
Glen Thomas Eure (my cousin) handled the estate auction for my Great Aunt Zelma Mattocks Merril. He is much older (70's) than I am and grew up there rather than visiting like I did. He lives in Nags Head, NC and owns the Ghost Fleet Gallery. He doesn't do the internet so you would have to call or write to him.
I am interested in all you find out. As I said My great aunt Susan Mattocks did merry and move to Florida. She returned to the Swansboro house when she was old and she and Great Aunt Pet (Zelma) and Great Aunt Dot (Dorothy Mattocks all live together.
I have many more stories... my email address is
rockportboats@yahoo.comPriscilla Simpson