[4] According to information provided for a historic driving tour,[5] in the early 19th century the land was owned by Moses Mordecai, a prominent Raleigh lawyer and landowner in Wake and Johnston counties.

Before he died, he willed the property to his daughter Ellen, who could take ownership of the land at age 21, but only if she was married.

At age 21 she was still unmarried, so the property was sold in 1850 to newlyweds James Stallings and Elizabeth Jones, who built the present house and operated the farm.

By 1860 the Stallings owned 1,200 acres (4.9 km2), on which they raised livestock and grew corn, peas, beans, oats, and sweet potatoes.

Horne did not live at Bend of the River but rented it and leased the timber rights.