The Life of RICHARD STANHOPE PULLEN
RALEIGH BENEFACTOR, PULLEN PARK
PULLEN SECTION, LOT 1
FOR SCHOOL TOUR BIO: SCROLL DOWN Just beyond the arched entrance to Historic Oakwood Cemetery is the burial place of Richard Stanhope Pullen, a Raleigh businessman and philanthropist. At the time of his birth, September 18, 1822, Richard’s father was sheriff of Wake County. His mother, the former Elizabeth Smith, was the sister of Richard and Benjamin Smith, highly successful merchants in Raleigh. In 1852, Richard Smith died and the then 20-year old Stanhope came to Raleigh to manage his aunt’s business. He soon began to purchase and develop vast amounts of real estate in and around Raleigh. Mr. Pullen granted the city of Raleigh free rights-of-way to build streets and roads around his real estate holdings. A much respected philanthropist, he presented the city of Raleigh 70 acres for the creation of what became Pullen Park. In conjunction with other influential Wake County businessmen, Pullen donated 8.5 acres as a portion of the land for the establishment North Carolina State University and later, along with Robert Turner Gray, donated 10 acres of land on which the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro was built. Stanhope Pullen, a bachelor, was responsible for the construction of several residential structures built on North Elm Street including the three red brick homes (408, 410, and 416 Elm Street). He presented each of his three sisters with a home. Richard continued to develop the Elm Street and Oakwood Avenue area into what became known as “Pullentown. It is reported that Pullen once stated he never wanted a wife, a slave or a dog. However he had two of the three with his body servant, Washington Ligon, whom Stanhope called “Wash” and “Wash’s” dog. As the story goes, Pullen was often seen in Raleigh, carrying his umbrella, with “Wash” and the servant’s dog following behind. Upon locating a “proper” place for a tree, Pullen used the point of his umbrella to indicate where he wished a tree planted. “Wash” would then dig a hole and plant a sapling. In this way, Pullen is credited with planting more than 5,000 trees in and around the city of Raleigh during the l880's and early 1890's. Within Historic Oakwood Cemetery, the Pullen Section is the largest private lot consisting of a triple terrace and stairway. The Pullen monument is a stately gray granite obelisk towering more than 25 feet into the air. It is interesting to note that Mr. Pullen had this lot prepared for his burial many years in advance of the actual event in 1895. He was, arguably, the first person to preplan his burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Richard Stanhope Pullen died in Raleigh, June 28, 1895.
SCHOOL TOUR BIO:
Born: Wednesday, September 18, 1822 Died: Sunday, June 23, 1895
Just beyond the arched entrance to Historic Oakwood Cemetery is the burial place of Richard Stanhope Pullen, a Raleigh businessman and philanthropist. In 1852, Pullen’s uncle Richard Smith died and the then 20-year old Pullen came to Raleigh to manage his aunt’s business. He soon began to purchase and develop vast amounts of real estate in and around Raleigh.
Mr. Pullen granted the city of Raleigh the rights to build streets and roads around his property. He also presented the city of Raleigh 70 acres for the creation of what became Pullen Park; donated 8.5 acres of land for the establishment of NC State University and later donated 10 acres of land for the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; was responsible for the construction of several homes built on North Elm Street; and continued to develop the Elm Street and Oakwood Avenue area into what became known as “Pullentown.“ Furthermore, with the help of his servant “Wash,” Pullen is credited with planting more than 5,000 trees in and around the city of Raleigh during the l880's and early 1890's.
The Pullen Section is the largest private lot consisting of a triple terrace and stairway. Mr. Pullen had this lot prepared for his burial many years in advance of the actual event in 1895. He was, arguably, the first person to preplan his burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Richard Stanhope Pullen died in Raleigh, June 28, 1895. ipped to house
FOR SCHOOL TOUR BIO: SCROLL DOWN Just beyond the arched entrance to Historic Oakwood Cemetery is the burial place of Richard Stanhope Pullen, a Raleigh businessman and philanthropist. At the time of his birth, September 18, 1822, Richard’s father was sheriff of Wake County. His mother, the former Elizabeth Smith, was the sister of Richard and Benjamin Smith, highly successful merchants in Raleigh. In 1852, Richard Smith died and the then 20-year old Stanhope came to Raleigh to manage his aunt’s business. He soon began to purchase and develop vast amounts of real estate in and around Raleigh. Mr. Pullen granted the city of Raleigh free rights-of-way to build streets and roads around his real estate holdings. A much respected philanthropist, he presented the city of Raleigh 70 acres for the creation of what became Pullen Park. In conjunction with other influential Wake County businessmen, Pullen donated 8.5 acres as a portion of the land for the establishment North Carolina State University and later, along with Robert Turner Gray, donated 10 acres of land on which the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro was built. Stanhope Pullen, a bachelor, was responsible for the construction of several residential structures built on North Elm Street including the three red brick homes (408, 410, and 416 Elm Street). He presented each of his three sisters with a home. Richard continued to develop the Elm Street and Oakwood Avenue area into what became known as “Pullentown. It is reported that Pullen once stated he never wanted a wife, a slave or a dog. However he had two of the three with his body servant, Washington Ligon, whom Stanhope called “Wash” and “Wash’s” dog. As the story goes, Pullen was often seen in Raleigh, carrying his umbrella, with “Wash” and the servant’s dog following behind. Upon locating a “proper” place for a tree, Pullen used the point of his umbrella to indicate where he wished a tree planted. “Wash” would then dig a hole and plant a sapling. In this way, Pullen is credited with planting more than 5,000 trees in and around the city of Raleigh during the l880's and early 1890's. Within Historic Oakwood Cemetery, the Pullen Section is the largest private lot consisting of a triple terrace and stairway. The Pullen monument is a stately gray granite obelisk towering more than 25 feet into the air. It is interesting to note that Mr. Pullen had this lot prepared for his burial many years in advance of the actual event in 1895. He was, arguably, the first person to preplan his burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Richard Stanhope Pullen died in Raleigh, June 28, 1895.
SCHOOL TOUR BIO:
Born: Wednesday, September 18, 1822 Died: Sunday, June 23, 1895
Just beyond the arched entrance to Historic Oakwood Cemetery is the burial place of Richard Stanhope Pullen, a Raleigh businessman and philanthropist. In 1852, Pullen’s uncle Richard Smith died and the then 20-year old Pullen came to Raleigh to manage his aunt’s business. He soon began to purchase and develop vast amounts of real estate in and around Raleigh.
Mr. Pullen granted the city of Raleigh the rights to build streets and roads around his property. He also presented the city of Raleigh 70 acres for the creation of what became Pullen Park; donated 8.5 acres of land for the establishment of NC State University and later donated 10 acres of land for the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; was responsible for the construction of several homes built on North Elm Street; and continued to develop the Elm Street and Oakwood Avenue area into what became known as “Pullentown.“ Furthermore, with the help of his servant “Wash,” Pullen is credited with planting more than 5,000 trees in and around the city of Raleigh during the l880's and early 1890's.
The Pullen Section is the largest private lot consisting of a triple terrace and stairway. Mr. Pullen had this lot prepared for his burial many years in advance of the actual event in 1895. He was, arguably, the first person to preplan his burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Richard Stanhope Pullen died in Raleigh, June 28, 1895. ipped to house
