Kenansville
Also known as: Duplin Court House, Grovemont, Goldengrove
… town and county seat, central Duplin County. Authorized to be laid out 1816; inc. 1852. Alt. 127. Named for Gen. James Kenan (1740-1810), member of Provincial Congress and Revolutionary officer. Site once known as Grovemont. "Goldengrove," plantation of Congressman James Gillespie, was at or near the site of Kenansville before it was laid out. Earlier Duplin Court House was approx. 2½ mi. W of present town of Warsaw on the Duplin-Sampson county line. Site of Confederate arms factory, manufacturer of swords, sabers, and accoutrements.
