Somerset Canal

SE Washington County, drains the waters of Lake Phelps into Scuppernong River and forms a portion of the Washington-Tyrrell county line. The canal, built by slave labor in 1787 at a cost of $30,000, was 20 ft. wide, 6 ft. deep, and 6 mi. long. Known for almost a century as Collins Canal for Josiah Collins, the plantation owner.