Over on Google Books is a book titled Norfolk; the Marine Metropolis of Virginia: And the Sound and River Cities of North Carolina. A Narrative. Published in 1888, the book gives short accounts of several cities in Virginia and the coast of NC – Kinston included.
According to author George I. Nowitzky, these were the prominent businesses in Kinston as of 1/1/1888. Many of these names appear in the newspaper:
Bakers & Confectioners
- McRae & Bizzell, Queen street
Dentist
- H.D. Harper, D.D.S., office in Opera House
Drugs, Patent Medicines, Perfumery, etc.
- R.F. Whitehurst, Queen street
- Henry Dunn, Queen street
- John E. Parrot, Queen street
General Merchandise
- S.H. Abbott, Queen street
Dry Goods, Clothing, Books & Shoes
- C.W. Burt, Queen street
Hardware, Stoves, Building Material
- B.W. Canaday, Queen street
Jewelry, Watches & Clocks
- C. Bailey, Queen street
Manufacturers
- E.M. Hodges, Wagons & Carts
- Geo. B. Webb, Carriage Maker and & Undertaker
- J.C. Hay, Cabinetmaker & Undertaker
- S.H. Abbott, Bricks & Tiles
Machinery, Engines, Buggies, & Wagons
- J.W. Granger, Queen street
Navigation Company
- Neuse & Trent River, J.M. White, Manager
Restaurant
- “Mays”, J.D. May, Proprietor
Real Estate & General Auctioneer
- C.W. Burt, Queen street
Kinston Free Press Blog 