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Halifax County,
created in 1758 from Edgecombe
County, was named for George Montagu, second Earl of Halifax, president of the Board
of Trade and Plantations. Edgecombe had earlier been formed from Bertie County, which
in turn had once been the western extension of Chowan Precinct (west of the Chowan
River), and even earlier an undefined part of the original Albemarle County (which
no longer exists). The county seat, also named Halifax (town) had been established
in 1757 on the Roanoke River. Located on the fall line of the Piedmont and Coastal
Plain, the county has an interesting mixture of flat and hilly terrain. The present
land area is 725.75 square miles and the 1990 population was 55,516.
HISTORY
In 1758 the residents of Edgecombe County
petitioned the Governor and the Colonial Assembly requesting that
the parish of Halifax be granted the status of an individual county
- having functioned along with St. Marys Parish as the two original
Edgecombe County parishes since its creation in 1741 from the
southwestern section of Bertie County. Bertie County was formed from
the western extension of Chowan Precinct (west of the Chowan River)
in the year 1722, and was even earlier, an undefined part of the now
extinct original Albemarle County 1664-1668. All territory within
the boundaries of Edgecombe County north of the Fishing Creek and
Rainbow Banks on the Roanoke River - approximately 711 square miles
- was officially designated as Halifax County on January 1, 1759.
Halifax County is located in the northeastern area of North Carolina
and is bordered on all sides by seven neighboring NC counties. As
suggested by Governor Author Dobbs, Halifax was named for George
Montague II, Earl of Halifax, first Lord of the Board of Trade and
Plantations. The county seat, also named Halifax (town) had been
established in 1757 on the Roanoke River. Located on the fall line
of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, the county has an interesting
mixture of flat and hilly terrain and an excellent climate for
agricultural pursuits. The original residents of this area along the
southern banks of the Moratuck [Roanoke] River and Quankie Creek
were the Tuscarora Indians.
In 1917 Milton Whitney, Chief of Bureau, U. S. Department of
Agriculture submitted an official report to the US Government in
which he stated that the early settlers of the Halifax County area
came mainly from the British Isles. Many of them settled first in
New Jersey and other northern States and then migrated to this
county. Others came directly to Halifax County. The first
settlements in Halifax County were apparently made near the
watercourses. The first crops grown were corn, peas, potatoes, flax,
and various vegetables. Live stock was brought in at an early date,
and gradually increased in number. Flax was spun and woven into
garments for home use. Considerable wool was produced and made into
clothing at home. Tanneries were in operation at an early date, and
furnished leather for making shoes. Nearly every settler grew
tobacco for domestic use. Cotton was grown in small patches and made
into homespun garments, the lint being separated from the seed by
hand.
Halifax County History
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