N.C. Gen. Stat. § 156-14: Subsequent owners bound.

All persons to whom may descend, or who may otherwise own or occupy lands drained by any canal or ditch, for the privilege of cutting which any labor for repairing is assessed, shall contribute the same, and shall be bound therefor to all intents and purposes, and in the same manner and by the same judgment as the original party himself would be if he occupied the land. (R.C., c. 40, s. 13; Code, s. 1309; Rev., s. 3994; C.S., s. 5273.)