Please note this is my personal website for Edgecombe history and genealogy, and is not a part of the USGenWeb Project.

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Edgecombe was formed in 1732 from Bertie County by proclamation of the Governor, and county government apparently was established not long afterwards since some of the county records date back to this period. The assembly, however, did not confirm its creation until 1741. Granville (1746), Halifax (1758), and Nash (1777) were formed from Edgecombe. Parts of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash, and Wayne were taken in 1855 to form Wilson.

Edgecombe County was named for Richard Edgecome, who became Baron Edgecombe, an English nobleman. It is located in the eastern part of North Carolina, surrounded by Halifax, Martin, Nash, Pitt, and Wilson counties. Tarboro was established in 1760 and replaced Edgecombe Court House as the county seat in 1764.

The first permanent European settlements appeared around the Tar River in eastern North Carolina about the 1730's. The eastern and southern areas were first settled along Otters Creek. Edgecombe County was the home to the second oldest textile mill in North Carolina, Rocky Mount Mills, started in 1818 by Joel Battle and later bought by James Smith Battle. It is located at the falls of the Tar River in Rocky Mount.

For an interesting historical description of Edgecombe lands, geography and residents, please view
Jeremiah Battle's 1811 Report to the Edgecombe Agricultural Society

 

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since October 29, 2000.

Last updated: 1 July 2004

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