The Charlton House was built between 1761 and 1769 for Jasper and Abigail Slaughter Charlton. Charlton was a lawyer and active in Revolutionary politics, and his wife is believed to be the first signer of the Edenton Tea Party resolutions. The Warren family purchased the home in 1899, and it remains in family ownership today. Extensive renovations were made by the Warrens beginning in 1958, and the house remains mostly unchanged today. Many believe this home to be the site of the famed 1774 Edenton Tea Party, an idea now under consideration.
According to noted historian Tom Butchko, “The handsomely finished Georgian style interior has one of the few original central-hall plans in a gambrel roof house in the state …. Molded wooden cornices, raised-panel doors, and mitered surrounds further distinguish the interior.”
Research has been done on the house by Reid Thomas, of the NC Department of Cultural Resources, that has helped determine which portions of the home are original – which are likely modifications – albeit very early ones – and interesting original features that remain – such as strikingly wide original floorboards, the timeworn stairs, and a big cast iron front door lock. Some architectural elements of the home were repurposed during the renovations: for example, fluted pilasters from the front porch were incorporated into the paneling surrounding the small sitting room fireplace.
The center hallway is flanked by formal dining and sitting rooms. From the sitting room, one steps down into a large, well-proportioned living room is highlighted by a large fireplace added by the Warrens in 1958. The mantel and paneling were found in an old neighboring Perquimans County home that perhaps belonged to one of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s first vestrymen. There are 3 fireplaces downstairs, all reworked with period appropriateness by an accomplished local mason during the late 1950s. The kitchen is behind the dining room, and a string of small pantries became a first-floor master suite. The second floor features east and west side bedrooms – each with a fireplaces (now closed) – and a hallway and full bath between them.
In the backyard, there are 4 outbuildings, most of which were built or placed in the 1930’s. Though some are indeed historic, none are original to the site. Used in most recent years as storage, there is ample opportunity to convert the outbuildings into finished usable spaces. The deep backyard is accented by mature trees, established plantings and lovely brick walkways designed during the 1950s.
Slight renovations in 2003 added a half bath and small laundry room and reconfigured the master bathroom. A new copper roof was installed around 2001.
The Charlton house is one of downtown Edenton’s most “unspoiled ” historic homes, free from the marks of passing design trends. The property retains a sense of authenticity that feels both rare and refreshing, and still speaks clearly of its history.

Situated just 2 blocks from both the waterfront and the downtown shops and restaurants, this property exemplifies the very best of downtown Historic Edenton. After 125 years of being cared for by the Warrens, the Charlton House awaits its next steward. Come explore this historic gem!