Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, N.C.) Monday March 12, 1855; Issue 1971; col. B.

The New County of Harnett. We learn that its first Court will be held on Mon. next, and that 
there is likely to be quite a scramble for the offices of Sheriff, Clerk, Etc., then to be 
elected by the Magistrates. 

There is a good deal of excitement in regard to the division of the county, and particularly among the 
many citizens, who are, against their will, thrown in the new county, though nearer to Fayetteville than 
they can be to the county seat of Harnett. It is said that when members from this part of the county agreed 
to the compromise line, it was with the understanding that it would run much further from Fayetteville than 
it will in reality. The bill therefore finally passed without opposition. But in removing one grievance, which 
all admitted and were willing to remedy, another quite as great, all things considered, has been inflicted. 
For instance, we understand that citizens living on and near the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, from 
12 to 20 miles from town, with easy access to this place, and generally with other business besides that connected 
with the courts, will now be required to go from 25 to 28 miles over wretched roads and across water courses, to 
a new court house, where it is not likely that they will have business by such as related to the courts. It is to 
be hoped that the next Legislature will make a new and more equitable line of division

Messrs. Joel Williams, D.G. McRae, Duncan Shaw, Jas. McKethan, David McNeill, Henry Elliot, and Archibald McCallum, 
were appointed commissioners to run line between Cumberland and Harnett.

For readers with deep interest in Harnett's History this page is a 'must read' 

Our County was formed in 1855 from Cumberland County. It was named for the 
Revolutionary War Patriot, Cornelius Harnett, delegate to the Continental Congress. The first settlers came 
in the mid 1720's, followed by the Highland Scots. After the defeat by the British of Bonny Prince 
Charles at Culloden, the Scots came up the Cape Fear River in ever increasing numbers and settled in western 
Harnett County. Many in this area today have Scottish ancestry.   

Lillington, the county seat, on the Cape Fear River is named in honor of Alexander Lillington, another
Revolutionary patriot

Averasboro Battleground in souteast Harnett County is the site of a Confederate attack on Sherman's Army 
(March 15, 1865) and is marked by a grove of large oak and beech trees. To read more about Averasboro 
Battleground, click on the link below. 

Today, Lillington, Dunn, Coats, Angier, and Erwin are the leading trading and commercial areas. 

Also see: New County - Harnett    October 6, 2019

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