Beaufort County, North Carolina

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History/Timeline

1690-96 The English encountered the Tuscarora Indians as they explored the area and created established their first colony. One of area grew into Bath, the first known incorporated town of North Carolina. With its water access and the Atlantic nearby, Bath grew larger. By 1^[1][2]

Religion of the Settlers

Pre-1701 Settlers in Beaufort county did not have ministers, compared to the Puritans, and Quakers who settled south of this region.. These settlers came, staked a claim, and began to clear the many trees, so they could farm. They may not have seen a neighbor. So the lone settler, worshipped God without other people. If he had a wife, she may have urged him to find neighbors. If crops failed, it was up to the settler to survive. Survival was of the greatest importance. ^{[3] [2]}

1701 Pamticough Parish was the only parish of Bath County, established for the citizens of Bath Town, which remained (15 years). Settlements on the Pamlico River banks and Bath Town only had three (3) ministers who baptized 100 children. There were Quakers with no religion but could be Quakers, settlers similar to Presbyterians, and Settlers interested in the Church of England. ^{[3] [2]}

Pampticough Parish was then split into St. Thomas Parish, Hyde Parish, and Craven Parish with an act of the North Carolina Assembly.^{[3] [2]}

1700 -1705 After the Bath Town was incorporated, the population increased rapidly. Ship captains could transport a freeman or family member and receive a "Rite" of "(50 acres) and for each slave or indentured servant, he received (20-50 acres).^[2]

Beaufort County and Townships

Feb, 1701 John Lawson arrived on the Pamlico, with (3) other Englishmen. They traveled from Charles Town, South Carolina, through the Indian Nation territory and arrived at Richard Smith's house on the Pamptecough River. For (10 years) Lawson reported on Bath County and Bath Town.^[2]

1705 When Gov. Charles Eden, Governor and deputies of Lords Proprietors met they noted that Bath County was increasing daily with people. They ordered (3) Precincts be formed from Bath County, which also assigned two (2) members for each precinct be added to the legislature.^[3]

1) Pampticough (Beaufort and Pitt counties near the Pampticough River),

2) Precinct of Wickham, (from Moline's Creek to the beginning of the river) and

3) Archdale Precinct (from south of Pampticough River to include the Newsie citizens.

Pre 1711 Early settlers on the Pamlico River were white hunters or Indian traders.. Some may have lived among the Indian tribe, then took Indian wives. There they learned the language. The children born to these Indian wives, were considered by both the white settlers and the Indians to be Indians^[2]

Colonists settled in North Carolina westward about (75 miles) inland. This made Bath county the largest and the end of civilization.. No one had explored the limits past the mountains. Bath County was the western limit. The Territory south of the Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River was Bath County. Albemarle was the other large county in North Carolina Colony, as it had been settled by settlers of Virginia. Besides the county of Bath, Albemarle was the other great county in the colony. Settlers were English, then migrated from New England colonies. Names on land titles are English names, with occasional French name. The North Carolina Colony was Bath and Albemarle.. ^[2]

The Social ladder of Beaufort County^[2]

1) The Governors and Deputy Governors

2) The upper class gentry, large planters, and wealthy merchants. The signed their name with “Gent.,” “Esq.,” or “Planter.” Members of the Executive Council, the judiciary, other government officials, and professional men were in this group

3) Middle class landowners

4) Lower class landowners- barely were able to clear the land and farm- small farmers, artisans and small merchants..

5) Volunteer indentured servants - English people without money to journey to America. The obtained their passage and bound themselves to a planter for (3 or 4 years) After this they received (50-100 acres of land, warm clothes and their keep was paid for by the planter.

6) Involuntarily indentured servants- those who had been indentured to transport them out of England. ^[2]

7) Slaves

Post 1705 Bath County was divided into precincts, then ceased to exist. ^[3] there is no Bath County or Albemarle County! When NC legislature created Beaufort County from the large Bath County., was called Pamptecough Precinct when the NC legislature created it from the large Bath County. ^{[4] [1] [2]}

1707 Settlers could buy needed items from Virginia merchants or the New England traders by bartering the wares for tobacco, indigo or corn and wheat. Salt beef and pork was good and even exported through the same New England shipmen to the West India islands. There it could be exchanged for sugar, cocoa, and molasses. The soil is better than that of South Carolina, growing tobacco, Indian corn, wheat, beef, pork, hides, tar, pitch, and furs from beaver, fox, wild cat, dear, tanned leather, and tallow. 1709, Lawson visited Beaufort County, by 1711 there were Indian uprisings.. ^[3][2]

Tuscarora Indians

1711 the Indian Massacre was caused by the White men hunting and settling on the hunting and fishing regions the Indians had used. When this war occurred, it heavily affected the settlers living in Bath vicinity on the Tar and Pamlico Rivers with Beaufort County affected the most by this war. The Indians had over 1800 men compared to Beaufort settlers. Perhaps 1000 fighting willing to bear arms were gathered. Their advantage decreased due the Indians had less strategy and arms.. ^[3]

Sept 22, 1711 the Indians from North Carolina attacked the settlers, killing several hundred men, women and children. The Tuscaroras led the attacks continued for three (3) days. Gov. Hyde could only raise 160 men (one hundred sixty men) who tried to put a stop to the attacks. Many of the settlers were Quakers who would not fight, others fled to Virginia. Virginia aided by liberating Baron de Graffenreid and John Lawson. Barnwell of South Carolina sent 600 militia and 350 friendly South Carolina Indians to help. Col Moore, led the North Carolina militia and with the additional South Carolina militia and Indians, laid siege to Nahucke, where Col. Moore cut off the Indians' water supply, then stormed the fort with 800 Indian prisoners. The Beaufort County's militia worked with the state even though it was one of the heaviest sufferers by the attacks. Thanks to South Carolina and the Yemassee Indians, Indians' power in Eastern Carolina was broken. Tusacaroras with some smaller tribes joined to become the Six Nations of the North in New York. ^[3]

Tuscaroras led the other tribes in the white massacre. (This area was their home and hunting grounds). The Pamlico worked with the Tuscarora in slaughtering the white men north of Bath, along the Pamlico and Tar Rivers. Mattamuskeets attacked the white settlements to the east of Bath. Cotechneys and Cores were to massacre the Swiss and Palatines at New Bern, North Carolina. The Meherrins, Notoways, Chowanokes, Pasquotanks, Connamax, and Yeopims Indians lived on the north side of Albemarle Sound and the Roanoke River. ^[3]

1712 - The formal name was assigned to Beaufort County in honor of Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort who was one of North Carolina's Lords proprietors. ^[1][4][2]

Settlers in Beaufort County were English with the Church of England principles from Virginia and New England Colonies. The represented all classes of society, some became Plantation owners, others lived comfortably, and most had the (necessities of life)There was no money, all paid for the commodities with an exchange of (1:3). The first settlers of Pamlico and Albemarle sounds brought their tools and household utensils. They existed on game of the forests and rivers and their farms. Salt and medicine, as well as the gun powder, arms, and new tools had to be imported.^{[3] [2]}

1715 As merchants built ships to establish profitable commerce between Bath and Eastern Carolina ports, the tax of (one pound of powder and 4 pounds of swan shot)/3 tons. This increased 1754 to 1/4 pound powder and (1) pound shot for each resident of the county..^[3]

The General Assembly made provisions for a court house to be built in Bath Town to serve Beaufort, Hyde, and Craven precincts. Justices of the peace of the precincts were asked lay a levy against the inhabitants of the precincts to pay for it. A stipulate of 1722 provided this levy could not be laid until the precincts had recovered from the effects of the Tuscarora War. The court house built was not built at that time.. This General Assembly collectors office to be maintained at Bath Town.^[2]

Okracoke Inlet

1729 Gov. Everard's last General Assembly met and established laws for Beaufort. 1) Beaufort was changed to being a County. (realized in 1735) 2) the laws separate and Beaufort and Hyde counties, with authority for Hyde to built a courthouse. 3) Confirmed a grant of land for Bath Town Commons, which was NE of Bath Town and North of the land sold by Capt. W Barrow to Gov. Cary.

1755 Citizens of upper Pamlico and Tar areas complained the court was inconvenient for them. North Carolina then created a commission to build a better courthouse, pillory and stocks on the land of Thomas Bonner, Jr.. Bonner's farm became the County Set "(20 years) before the founding of Washington , North Carolina. The court continued to be held on Bonner's farm for (4) more years.^[2]

1770 The Regulator movement came to a head in 1770, when the Regulators refused to pay the tax imposed for building and maintaining the governor's mansion; and forbade any sessions of court, under penalty of death to the judges and lawyers.^[2]

Regulators Beaufort County provided a company of (50 men) for Tryons expedition. It was a composite company. The Battle of Alamance shows the Beaufort Company in the front line of Tryon's forces. Captain John Patten, became a colonel during the American Revolution, and commanded the 2nd North Carolina Regiment on the Continental Line. ^[2]

May 16, 1771 Governor William Tryon assembled (1,452 officers and men) on Great Alamance Creek, near Hillsborough, opposing (2000 Regulators). He gave the Regulators an hour to lay down their arms. After this Tryon started the firing and fighting. Two hours later, he was victorious in the defeat of the Regulators. (9 Regulators were killed), (12) Regulators were tried for treason, with (6) hanged..It was a glorious victory. Tryon offered clemency to the Retulators, if they took a new oath of allegiance to the Crown and pay taxes for the governor's mansion' maintenance. (6000 complied.)^[2]

1766-69 The court house and jail were at the end of Craven Street, between Water (Bay) Street and the Creek. As a new court house and jail was authorized in 1766, when the court was ordered to return to Bath Town from Bonner's Field, it seems more likely the Sauthier Map shows the second court house rather than the first, as the new court house was finished prior to 1769.^[2]

PIRACY IN BEAUFORT COUNTY

1700's Settlers on the Pamlico river near Bath struggled to make a life for themselves, when Pirates began operating out of Bath, North Carolina .. Blackbeard's surname was Edward Thatch or Teach operated in the Bahamas from his headquarters were on the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds waters..^[5] Edward Thatch was a large, dark man physically who ate, drank and was fond of luxuries and very successful in piracy, reportedly with (8) wives. ^{[6][7] [3][8]}

1716, shipping activity grew, Pirates started robbing the merchantmen of the colonies and French and Spanish ships. King Charles II pardoned pirates if they would take an oath not to return to the pirate activity. Teach did this and made his home in Bath for a while. ^[9] Soon Teach returned to the seas again. He had a ship that could chase, strike quickly and sink another ship before he could be stopped and North Carolina suffered.. English officers captured some robbers, but not Teach or Major Bonnett (his running mate).^[10]<

.

When Edward Thatch sailed again with his swift ships, he was an increasing terror. June, 1717, Edward Thatch's flagship and another wrecked at Topsail Inlet. A lot of his crew deserted and settled in the middle colonies as good citizens.. So Edward Thatch received another pardon, then began his destiny again. Thatch/Teach raided others and one on William Bell of (75 pounds money and goods) of Pasquotank, and sailed into Ocracoke Inlet Nov 17, to unload his chocolate, loaf sugar, sweetmeat in a safe spot on the plantation belonging to Tobias Knight at Bath. Gov. Spottswood of Virginia assigned Lt Maynard and Capt. Brand to capture Thatch. When Lt. Maynard and Capt. Brand sailed into Ocracoke Nov 17, they discovered Edward Thatch in Pamlico. ^{[3] [11][12]}

After a fight, Edward Thatch fell from a wound. Rumors say his head was cut off and possibly hung from the ship of Lt Maynard and Capt. Brand. Capt. Brand confiscated the loot, (2,238 pounds).. ^[3][13]Bath resumed its normal activity. Major Steed Bonnett was not present, and continued pirating until he was captured and hanged in Charleston, SC by Col. William Rhett. ^[14]>

Tobias Knight was tried later, but was legally represented and not convicted.

1717 Fort Reading was established where Washington, North Carolina is currently located. ^[3]

1734 Bath the main town was made a port of entry, and St Thomas Church was constructed, the first Episcopal church.. ^[3][2]

1738 When the citizens requested formation of this county, North Carolina Legislature formed a county by renaming Pampticough to be the county Beaufort in honor of a Lord Proprietor, Henry, Duke of Beaufort and a Palatine. (Lawson's map of 1709 does have Pampticough listed.) ^[3][2]

Note Edward Teach/Thatch's house is in Bath.^[15]

Blackbeard's house, in Bath.

Blackbeard'sl House, Bath

1740-1760 During this time, the French and Indian War occurred. The county provided its share for the militia from North Carolina. ^[3][2]

1760 When citizens petitioned for another county, North Carolina legislature formed Pitt County from the western part of Beaufort County and St. Michael's parish. Tranters Creek was the dividing line between Beaufort and Pitt Counties.^[3][2]

1760-1775 Religious principals, expanded as the population expanded in Beaufort County, and the love for peace liberty and freedom. Beaufort County sent representatives from the county to the congresses held at Halifax, New Bern, and Hillsborough. grew with new more religious ideas, more population, and a love for peace, liberty and freedom. ^[3]

1781 List of the Beaufort County, NC militia

This is a list of the Beaufort Men who served in the American Revolution from Beaufort County.

April, 1782 Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, but British ships still lurked in the ports such as Charleston. The fleet left Charleston, to land on the North Carolina coast. They intended to raid the countryside for provisions. The Battle of Beaufort was here when they captured Bath, North Carolina and held it 5 days. After this the Patriot militia fought off the British attacks and the British left.. After this American independence was declared...^[1]

1783 Governor Alexander Martin informed the NC legislature, Great Britain had recognized the USA independence and the war was over. ^[2]

April 1783 John and James Bonner, Jr., of Beaufort County made a road through the great swamp and marsh” on the south side of the Pamlico River. This road extended from a point opposite the town of Washington to Chocowinity. A corduroy roadways built by laying logs transversely across the road to form a firm base, then pack sand between the logs to give more of a smooth surface.. This was good when dry weather, but washed out, and it felt as if one were driving a washboard. ^[2]

1784 Washington Toll Bridge Company built a toll bridge across the Pamlico River, connecting Bridge Street with the Bonner Road. It is possible the Bonner brothers were stockholders. The toll for the bridge was $1.00/vehicle and driver.^[2]

1787 Beaufort County was Federalist in politics with John Bonner representing in the senate, and John Gray Blount representatives in the 1787 State Legislature, John Bonner in the Senate, John Gray Blount and Henry Smaw n the House of Commons. Blount ended up not appointed to the North Carolina delegation regarding a new Federal Constitution. ^[2]

• Beaufort County, NC War of 1812 Veterans

Bonner's house

Bonner's house

1830 John Lawson's lots were bought by Joseph Bonner. Bonner's Point was the front land, also known as Town Point. Joseph and wife, could watch the fishing boats come in from the front porch. The back porch was overlooking a garden where a separate kitchen, a well house, and arbor of scuppernong grapes. Their (5) children were born here. Joseph Young Bonner had 35 slaves, with 3,000 acres of farmland, raising sheep for the wool, a loom, and corn, oats, rice, beef cattle, milk cows, and hogs were raised. Joseph Younger Bonner became a fisherman on the Pamlico. Two sons were surgeons during in the Confederate war. Bath was blockaded during the war and Little Washington was occupied by Union troops for two years.^[16].^[2]

1877 Railways, The Jamesville and Washington Railroad arrived in Beaufort., By1892 Atlantic Coast Line railroad extended a spur from Parmele to Washington, North Carolina, which operated two trains daily. in the 1900's the Norfolk and Southern Railway and the Washington and Vandemere Railways arrived. ^[2]

Social Life

1725-1775 The families of Beaufort County such as Readings, the Blounts, the Bonners, the Ormonds, the Roulhacs, the Respesses, the Browns, the Barrows, the Pattons settled here after 1711. Many were of the upper class, building what was considered fine plantations.. These colonists had slaves, gave teas and balls in the homes. These houses were furnished splendidly with tapestry, brocade mahogany furniture, fine linens and choice foods. These were imported from England. ^[3][2]

Washington was named for President George Washington). It had shipbuilding and a busy port in the early days. Washington, NC is the oldest town. Chocowinity, N.C. was a railroad hub for the Northfolk Southern Railway in 1910. Others include: Aurora, Belhaven, Pantego, River Road, and Washington Park.^[3][2]

Carolana map

Beaufort County and North Carolina as a whole is a Coastal Plains Region with towns steeped in history. Washington, North Carolina is the county Seat and is named for President George Washington. In early days Washington had a shipbuilding trade and busy port. Washington, NC is still the cultural and economic center, which is located at the crossing of the Tar and Pamlico Rivers. The Pamlico Sound separates the east from the state and the mainland from the Outer Banks area. ^[1][2]

Towns of Beaufort Colony

Bath dates as old as Beaufort county history. It is the oldest incorporated in North Carolina.. Houses and streets reflect the history back to the years when Bath was also the oldest incorporated town in North Carolina Colony. The streets and the houses of the quaint old town seem to transport us back into long ago when Bath was the largest town in the colony. No other place in North Carolina is so romantic, antique as Bath Town, North Carolina. Even if a ghost haunt it, North Carolineans value the village of 500 which was the first incorporated town. Bath, North Carolina also has two old cannon buried in the mud which can be seen at low tide. It is thought they are relics of when Bath had a fort or when Edward Teach was there. ^[3]

1705-1785 Bath was the county seat until Bath County ceased to exist. In 1715, Bath had a good harbor, surrounded by savannas where cattle were raised. The location was forested land, which sloped gently down to the water's edge of the bay. The bay was clean in the early days, resembling that of a painting.. In Fall, there were vivid reds, yellows and greens colors of the leaves with the approach of winter. It was the largest of Beaufort's towns until after the Revolutionary War, 1783. At this time Bath, North Carolina was the county seat of Beaufort, North Carolina, until the County Seat was changed to be Washington, North Carolina in 1785. The courthouse, jail, and pillory, were in Bath, created with a North Carolina legislative act.March 1713 Christopher Gale, Chief Justice of the County held Court at Bath.^[3]

Bath was the meeting place in the parish.. There was no church. In 1734 the lot was selected to build St. Thomas Church. 1754 The St. Thomas Church which Bath is very proud was built of small English bricks, which was shipped from England, and the floor was English-made tiles. This floor is still present today. In early days there were two rows of pews with isles leading down each side. Some of the faithful are buried under the chancel.^[3]

1744 The Marsh House was built for Mr. and Mrs. Whitemore. Mary Evans (their niece) died of a broken heart after her husband was lost at sea, rumors say her ghost may be seen near her tombstone at the rear of the house. The Marsh house is situated on Bath, North Carolina's main street.. Unusual construction on the house such as the sills of the frame house were pitch pine heart covered with tar and wrapped in canvass. ^[3]

1734 St. Thomas Church, was completed, which is the oldest religious building in Bath, NC and the State. It is a quaint building, a little above one story in height, not having a steeple. It is built with thick walls, despite the fact that the bricks in the walls, as well as the tiles of the floor, were brought from England. There is a story that the bell of the church, though it has been cracked and recast, was the gift of Queen Anne. As people walk down the isles of the feeling of earlier colonists with quaint clothes walk down the same aisles. There are illegible inscriptions cut into slabs of the church. ^[3][17]

Pampticough, North Carolina A plantation of 12,000 acres was conveyed to Seth Sothel in 1681. By 1696 Settlers formed a village, Pampticough, North Carolina 1 1/2 miles from the mouth of Bath Creek or Pampticough Creek) known earlier as Old Town Creek. It is certain the town was incorporated 1705. Pampticough, North Carolina became Bath, North Carolina. Bath became a port of entry and seat of government. Tracts of land exchanged hands. By March 8, 1705, there were townsmen who were in charge of securing land for a courthouse to be built, and the Bath Library, which was a givt of Rev. Thomas Bray, with a value of 100 pounds. The library traveled over the county, but some volumes evidently were misplaced.. It is not certain what happened to the library. In 1725, Bath was a flourishing town and was on the road leading from Nansemond River, Virginia. Christopher Gale, Teach and josepn Bonner lived there.^[3]

1711 Washington This town dates back to the historic Indian Troubles of 1711. Fort Reading was built 1711 with a garrison on the estate of Lionel Reading, which is where the name for the Fort was derived. Though Fort Reading was on the south side of the river. The years of 1715 thru 1775 were unremarkable in Washington, North Carolina. Dudley sold his land grant near Washington, NC to Edward Salter, then to John Worley who deeded the land to Thomas Bonner. Col. James Bonner inherited the plantation and laid out the streets and lots of the town on the land in 1776. Then Bonner sold lots by lottery. ^[3]

The lots#21 are where the courthouse, jail and pillory were built. St Peter's Church was built on lot # 50. In fact the Col. James Bonner, the architect and selector of the townsite is buried in a tomb in St Peter's Church Cemetery overlooking Main Street. ^[3]

Washington Park.

:1776 Washington historians show that the town was named for George Washington, since Capt. John Forster had notes General Washington was in Washington townsite during the Revolutionary War. He was dispatched to Ocracoke Bar to protect the ships' entry into and exit from the harbor. We can derive the harbor was deep enough for armed ships to enter and exit. (had a greater draft than merchantmen boats. ^[3]

1745 Chocowinity was located on the south side of the river, (3) miles from Washington, NC. Chocowinity dates to a small town on the south side of the river, about three miles from Washington, was begun in colonial times. It was probably a small hamlet in 1745, for it is mentioned in the act for the division of Beaufort County for the better maintenance and construction of the public roads. The name is a very musical Indian name, the meaning of which I have been unable to find out. Chocowinity was on the frontier when the Indians surprised the white settlements on the morning of September 22, 1711. The first house to be fired was the one owned by John Porter at Chocowinity. Bath, for it is situated a short distance from the head of Chocowinity Bay, an arm of Pamlico River. The town is known on account due to being the location of a good secondary school established and maintained by the Episcopal Church.^[3]

Beaufort is so flat, it cannot use waterpower. In fact some areas flood a (6) fall of water, has inundated (3-15 sq. mi.) The county has lots of sand useful for concrete, without other minerals. Marl is available above and below Washington. Kilns are there for firing brick from the marl.. After the steam sawmill, logging of the large primeval forests or pitch and yellow pine, used for naval stores in the 1860's and 1870's. No other minerals are present. Currently the giant forests have been cut, giving some income to the county. The large swamps do have cypress, black and sweet gums, junipers and are found in many parts of the county.Oaks of many varieties, maples, ashes, poplars, and elms are here. ^[3]

1910 Chocowinity, NC was the railroad hub for the Norfolk Southern Railway.^[1]

Other towns located in Beaufort County include Aurora, Belhaven, Pantego, River Road, and Washington Park.^[1]

Today The white Bonner House is a fine example of early 1800 architecture, surrounded by walnut, elm, cedar, and dogwood trees. Small blown glass window panes, wide-board pine floors with hand carved mantels along with the marbleized baseboards and decorative paint on interior doors are examples..^[18]

Adjacent counties

• Hyde County - East of Beaufort
• Pamlico County - on east and south
• Martin County - on north
• Washington County on north '
• Craven County - on South and West
• Pitt County on west

Government Offices

1765 The 1st NC General Assembly ruled the Bath County courthouse and prison were in bad condition. The lot was sinking. A commission to obtain or build a new courthouse, jail and Stock and Pillory was appointed. They were supposed to sell the old courthouse and lot to use the money for the new buildings. ^[2]

1769 The new court house was built on Craven Street, between Water (Bay) Street and Bath Creek. It was probably built in 1767. The old courthouse and lot were sold - as was low and sunken. Thomas Bonner then sold the lot to William Fullerton.^[2]

1st Courthouse, Bath Town

Lot 52 was the location for the 1st Beaufort Courthouse. With surveying errors it may been on church property. For this reason, St Thomas Church was built in the center of craven Street rather than lot 61.The exact location of this first Beaufort County court house is not known. All evidence points to lot 62, designated on the plan for a court house. Through surveying errors, the court house could have encroached upon lot 61, designated for a church, and thus account for the fact that St. Thomas Church, which was started a dozen years later, was built in the center of Craven Street, instead of on lot 61.^[2]

2nd Courthouse

Beaufort Co. Courthouse, Bath, NC

Geography

Size - 819 sq. mi. (300 sq. mi larger than NC's average county)

Rivers -Pamlico River

Locale - Eastern North Carolina in tidal plain section

Other Pamlico Sound

TypeL tidal plain section of Eastern North Carolina.

Boundaries on that side are the Pamlico River and the Pamlico Sound.

Altitude - Beaufort County is so closes to the Atlantic Ocean, its height is 40 ft on the western border to (9-10 feet) above sea level on the eastern part.

Topography - generally level ( no hills more than (10 feet high)

Rivers and Creeks - most are broad and shallow, Pamlico (above Washington) follows the length of the county, Tar River north of Washington, Pungo River drains the eastern boundary between Beaufort and Hyde counties;

Creeks Tranters Creek in western part, Pamlico River tributary to it, and South Creek on the south of the river

Channels here the water is deeper

Soils -very sandy, on the Pitt side, to a very dark loam on the Hyde and Pamlico side, Black loam on the east, and clayey some places. Subsoil is clay..

Minerals - None

Attributes much Sand; Marl is here, near Washington, N.C. where kilns fire bricks

Protected areas

• Goose Creek State Park

Demographics

In 2000 there were 44,958 people in the county with a population density of 54 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 68.44% White, 29.03% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. By 2010 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Beaufort County, North Carolina were: English - 14.4%, "American" - 11.9%, German - 6.6%, Irish - 6.0%, Scottish - 2.5% French - 1.6% and Italian - 1.5%. The median income for a household in the county was $31,066. The per capita income for the county was $16,722. About 15.20% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.^[4]

• As of the 2010 Census, the population was 47,759. Its county seat is Washington. The county was founded in 1705 as Pamptecough Precinct. Originally included in Bath County, it was renamed Beaufort Precinct in 1712 and became Beaufort County in 1739.

• Beaufort County comprises the Washington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greenville-Washington, NC Combined Statistical Area.

• Landing Field Controversy Beaufort County is a proposed site for a Navy outlying landing field. This would be a practice airfield for pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Construction, which has not yet begun, is controversial due to its potential ecological impact.

Politics: Beaufort County has a voting pattern that is typical “Solid South”, Democratic until 1964. it resisted voting for Al Smith and the opposition to Prohibition in 1928. The county voted Republican in 1876 and 1964. The Democratic Liberalism caused the county to vote for George Wallace in 1968 and Richard Nixon, 1972. Jimmy Carter was the last Democrat to carry the county in 1976. Since it has been Republican. ^[4]

Major Highways

• US 17
• US 264
• NC 32
• NC 33
• NC 45
• NC 92
• NC 99
• NC 102
• NC 171
• NC 306

County Resources

• Aurora Fossil Museum
• Bath Historic District
• Bonner House, Bath, NC
• Palmer Marsh House
• Pantego Academy Historical Museum
• St Thomas Episcopal Church
• Trinity Episcopal Church
• Zion Episcopal Church

Cities/Communities

• Washington County Seat

• Aurora
• Bath
• Belhaven
• Chocowinity
• Pantego https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantego%2C_North_Carolina
• Washington Park

• Bayview
• Pinetown
• River Road

• Blounts Creek
• Edward
• Royal

Notables

• Col. James Bonner, the man who donated the land for Washington, N.C. spent most of his adult years developing the city, dying there 1782
• William Williams Vice-President and CIO of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was from Aurora.
• Richard Coffey a former NBA player from Aurora
• John Decatur Messick , 5th President of East Carolina University was from Aurora.
• Edward Teach/Thatch, Blackbeard

Census

1790 --- 5,405 —

1800 --- 6,242 15.5%

1810 --- 7,203 15.4%

1820 --- 9,850 36.7%

1830 --- 10,969 11.4%

1840 --- 12,225 11.5%

1850 --- 13,816 13.0%

1860 --- 14,766 6.9%

1870 --- 13,011 −11.9%

1880 --- 17,474 34.3%

1890 --- 21,072 20.6%

1900 --- 26,404 25.3%

1910 --- 30,877 16.9%

1920 --- 31,024 0.5%

1930 --- 35,026 12.9%

1940 --- 36,431 4.0%

1950 --- 37,134 1.9%

1960 --- 36,014 −3.0%

1970 --- 35,980 −0.1%

1980 --- 40,355 12.2%

1990 --- 42,283 4.8%

2000 --- 44,958 6.3%

2010 --- 47,759 6.2%

Est. 2016 --- 47,526 −0.5%

Cemeteries

• Trinity Cemetery

• Oakdale Cemetery

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} http://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/beaufort-county-1705/
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35} http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/beaufort_county_nc.html
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32} http://www.ncgenweb.us/beaufort/bohistory.htm
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_County,_North_Carolina
5. ↑ https://www.qaronline.org/history/blackbeard
6. ↑ Encyclopedia-Blackbeard
7. ↑ https://www.qaronline.org/history/blackbeard
8. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/last-days-blackbeard-180949440/
9. ↑ https://blackbeardthepirate.com/history.htm
10. ↑ Lee, Robert E. Blackbeard the Pirate: A Reappraisal of His Life and Times. Winston-Salem: John F. Blair, 1974
11. ↑ https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blackbeard-killed-off-north-carolina
12. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/last-days-blackbeard-180949440/ Smithsonian History of Blackbeard]
13. ↑ https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blackbeard-killed-off-north-carolina
14. ↑ Charleston Pirates
15. ↑ https://blackbeardthepirate.com/history.htm
16. ↑ http://www.nchistoricsites.org/bath/bonner.htm
17. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2266147/saint-thomas-episcopal-cemetery
18. ↑ http://www.nchistoricsites.org/bath/bonner.htm

• http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/beaufort_county_nc.html
• https://blackbeardthepirate.com/history.htm
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/last-days-blackbeard-180949440/?no-ist