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Welcome to Historic Archdale Precinct (`1705-1712)

 

Precinct of Archdale

Archdale Precinct -  Archdale Precinct was located in colonial Bath County, North Carolina from 1705 - 1712
Map of Archdale Precinct 1705 approximate boundaries

In 1664 the territory between Albemarle and Cape Fear was named Bath. In 1705 Bath county was divided into precincts. That part of the country between the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers, together with the settlements on both sides of Neuse, was called Archdale Precinct. This precinct included the present Craven County and more. At this time there were about five thousand inhabitants in the whole province. The coming of the French, Swiss, and Germans to Archdale precinct, or Craven County, made Archdale the most populous precinct south of Albemarle. In 1713 the population of the whole province was not more than three thousand, the Indian war having driven the people away. But in 1715 we find the whole province to have about eleven thousand two hundred inhabitants. There were 7500 whites and 3700 blacks. In fact the population had increased in such numbers since 1713 that the Lord Proprietors found it necessary in order to govern the people and n order to establish the Church, to divide each of the three counties into precincts and parishes. Bath was divided into three or four precincts or parishes. That part on the Neuse, Trent, and Bear Rivers, and their branches, formerly Archdale precinct, was named Craven precinct or parish, after Lord Craven, one of the Proprietors. The population gradually increased in Craven precinct. In 1729 all the province was purchased by the crown with the exception of Carteret's part. The royal authority changed the term of precinct to county, giving each the colonial county government. Craven County consisted of the territory on the Neuse, Trent, and Bear Rivers and their tributaries. It seems as if there was no limit to the western part of the county.

from "Some Colonial History of Craven County" pg.33
 

History: Archdale County was formed before 1696 "on Pampticoe River without the Bounds of the County of Albemarle." It was named for John Archdale (1642?-1717), governor of Carolina, 1694-96. The precinct of Pampticoe was a part of Archdale County in 1696, at which time it became the County of Bath. The name of Archdale County was changed to Craven about 1712.

Archdale Precinct was formed from Bath County on December 3, 1705, and named in honor of John Archdale, governor of Carolina, 1694-96.  Corbett's "The Formation of North Carolina Counties 1663-1943" describes its location as:

". . . the Precinct of Archdale taking all the south side of said [Pamptecough] river, and at present, including all the Inhabitants of Newse. . ."

Craven County was formed in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of Bath County, although there is evidence that an Archdale County, which see, existed as early as 1696. The name was changed to Craven County about 1712. Located in the E section of the state, it is bounded by Carteret, Jones, Lenoir, Pitt, Beaufort, and Pamlico Counties. It has been said that the county was named for William, Earl of Craven (1606-97), one of the original Lords Proprietors and longest lived of the eight. More likely, however, it was named for his grandnephew, William, Lord Craven (who inherited his title and interest in Carolina and who died the year before the name of the county was changed from Archdale to Craven); or for the third William, Lord Craven, one of the Proprietors at the time the change in the name of the county was made. Area: 785 sq. mi. County seat: New Bern, with an elevation of 12 ft. Townships are nos. 1-3, 5-9; all of former township no. 4 was included in Pamlico County when it was created in 1872. Produces tobacco, corn, soybeans, peanuts, hogs, dairy products, processed meat, lumber, boats, and apparel. 

 

Records for Archdale Precinct can be found on the Bath County website.
Bath County is an extinct county formerly located in the state of North Carolina. The county was established in 1696 and was abolished in 1739. Bath was a stopping place of Edward Teach, better known as the pirate Blackbeard. He is said to have married a local girl and briefly settled in the harbor town of Bath around 1716. 
John Archdale - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Archdale (1642-1717) - From NCPedia
John Archdale, Governor of North Carolina
Naming Places in Early Carolina

 

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Last updated:  January 26, 2024