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About Wilkes County, North Carolina

 
Wilkes was formed in 1777 from Surry and the District of Washington. The act was to become effective February 15, 1778. It was named in honor of John Wilkes who was a violent opponent of the Tory party in England. He was not allowed to take his seat in Parliament to which he had been elected. The Americans imagined that he was suffering in the cause of liberty and named this county in his honor.

It is in the northwestern section of the State and is bounded by Yadkin, Iredell, Alexander, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Surry counties. The present land area is 760 square miles and the 2017 population was estimated as 68,525.

The act establishing the County stipulated that the first court was to be held at the home of John Brown. Commissioners were named to select a place centrally located for the erection of the courthouse, prison and stocks. The second court was held June 1, 1778, in the "bent of the Yadkin." The next day it was held at Mulberry Field Meeting House.
There followed a long history of annexations of land in Wilkes.
Part of Burke was annexed to Wilkes in 1789.
Part of Wilkes was annexed to Surry in 1792.
Part of the District of Washington (later became a part of Tennessee) was annexed to Wilkes in 1792.
Parts of Burke and Wilkes were annexed to Iredell in 1793.
Ashe County ws formed in 1799 from Wilkes.
Part of Iredell was annexed to Wilkes in 1815.
Part of Wilkes was annexed to Ashe in 1835.
Caldwell County was formed in 1841 from Burke and Wilkes.
Alexander County was formed in 1847 from Iredell, Caldwell and Wilkes.
Watauga County was formed in 1849 from Ashe, Wilkes Caldwell, and Yancey.
Part of Wilkes was annexed to Watauga in 1869
Part of Wilkes was annexed to Alleghany in 1869, 1871, 1891 and 1903.
Parts of Wilkes & Ashe were annexed to Watauga in 1877.
Part of Wilkes was annexed to Ashe in 1891.
Part of Ashe was annexed to Wilkes in 1911 and 1913.

 

The Formation of North Carolina Counties 1663-1943, by David L. Corbitt

 

 
The map below show was sent by Joyce Joines Newman.  
 

 
 
 

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