Albemarle Co., NC Timeline

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Albemarle County, NC Timeline

The North Carolina State Archives has some interesting documents on file about the Colonial years in Carolina. This Timeline specifically lists the items which involve the Albemarle Region. As you can see from the below, Albemarle County first became a unit of government in 1663 but was dissolved by 1728. A short history indeed for the county -- but a rich history in the region itself. I especially like the comment about the governor that was captured by pirates on his way to serve, and managed to actually start his service as governor after he was released 4 years later!!

1657 Nathaniel Batts, first known permanent white settler in the Albemarle region, had a house on the Chowan River by this time.
1664-1667 William Drummond first governor appointed for Albemarle County.
1664 Three counties to be established in Carolina: Albemarle, [83] Clarendon (on the Cape Fear River), and Craven (later South Carolina).
1667-1670 Samuel Stephens governor of Albemarle County.
1668 Lords Proprietors agreed that settlers in Albemarle County might hold land under the same terms and conditions as those in Virginia.
1668? Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans precincts formed in Albemarle County.
1670-1672 Peter Carteret governor of Albemarle County.
1672 Quakers William Edmundson and George Fox preached in the Albemarle region.
1672-1676 John Jenkins acting governor of Albemarle County.
1676-1677 Thomas Eastchurch appointed governor of Albemarle County by the Lords Proprietors, but he died before taking office.
1677 Thomas Miller deputy governor of Albemarle County under Thomas Eastchurch. He was deposed by the rebels under John Culpeper. [Culpeper’s Rebellion—revolt against acting governor Miller headed by John Culpeper and George Durant.]
1677-1678 John Culpeper governor of Albemarle County; elected by the rebels.
1678 Seth Sothel appointed governor of Albemarle County by the Lords Proprietors. He was on his way to Carolina when he was captured by pirates and held until 1682.
1679 John Harvey deputy governor of Albemarle County acting in the absence of Sothel.
1679 Robert Holden commissioned by the Lords Proprietors to explore the province “either on this side or beyonde the Apaletean Mountaines.”
1679-1681 John Jenkins president of the council and acting governor of Albemarle County.
1680 Ashley River settlement (begun 1670) moved from south to north side of the river and named Charles Town.
1681 Captain Henry Wilkinson appointed governor of Albemarle County, but personal difficulties in England prevented his sailing.
1682 Samuel Wilson, secretary to the Lords Proprietors, published An Account of the Province of Carolina in America.
1682-1689 Seth Sothel governor of Albemarle County.
1685 Death of Charles II. James II ascended the throne.
1688 James II deposed.
1689 William and Mary ascended the throne.
1689-1694 Philip Ludwell governor of “that part of Carolina that lyes North and East of Cape feare” from 1689 to 1691. From 1691 to 1694 he was governor of all Carolina with headquarters at Charles Town. A deputy governed the northern part of the colony.
1690 A colony of French from Virginia settled on the Pamlico River.
1691 The Lords Proprietors appointed a governor of Carolina, uniting all the settlements under one head. A deputy governor became head of the government in the Albemarle region, thus beginning the division of the province into North and South Carolina, though not so called at this time.
1691-1694 Thomas Jarvis deputy governor for the region north and east of the Cape Fear.
1694-1696 John Archdale governor of all Carolina with headquarters at Charles Town. A deputy governed the northern part of the colony.
1694-1699 Thomas Harvey deputy governor of the region north and east of the Cape Fear.
1699-1704 Henderson Walker president of the council and acting deputy governor for the region north and east of the Cape Fear.

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Last updated: January 23, 2019