Pamlico County History

 


Shrimp Boat, early 1900's

Photo Courtesy of Flo Daniels

 

 

 

 

More Information
Pamlico County Newspapers
tri county Genealogy Group
Pamlico County was settled by the Europeans in the early 1700's.  The area was already inhabited on the northern fringes of the county by the Pampticoe Indians who belonged to the Algonquian Tribes.  These peoples called Pamlico "Tataku" which means "Where the land and sea meet the sky."  It is estimated that perhaps four to five hundred Pampticoe Indians occupied the area during the time of exploration and early settlement.

One theory holds that the ships of Sir Walter Raleigh may have come to Pamlico's shores in 1584 or 1585.

After the Tuscarora war of 1711, Scottish and English colonists came to the area.  The war ended in 1713 after which the remaining Indians left the area.

The earliest known gravestone, dated 1745 is located at Nottingham Point near Arapahoe.

Settlement in the area was slow, however, because the County is on an isolated peninsula.  The earliest settlements were at the heads of rivers, creeks, and bays.  Because of the good drainage and easy access, agriculture in the county was mainly along the Neuse River.  The interior of the county was settled as the road system was developed. 

What is now known as Pamlico County was formed from part of Craven County in 1872, and from parts of Beaufort County in 1874 and 1875.

 

 

The Pamlico County Chamber of Commerce  v P.O. Box 23    v Bayboro, NC 28515-0023   v   252-745-3008