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History of Chatham County, North Carolina, USA
Journey back in time to Chatham County, North Carolina, USA
Explore Chatham County, North Carolina, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Chatham County Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Chatham County, originally part of Orange County, was established through a bill introduced by the Colonial Assembly on December 5, 1770. The act to form Chatham County was effective April 1, 1771. The extreme difficulty and expense of travel to conduct business for southern inhabitants of Orange was documented in the act as the reason behind the need for the new county formation.
The county was named in honor of William Pitt, the elder, first Earl of Chatham who was a defender of American rights in the British Parliament. Pittsboro, formerly named Pittsborough, was the first town to develop and was named the county seat in 1787. Pittsboro was named after William Pitt, the younger, who at age 24 was the youngest man to hold the office of prime minister of Great Britain...
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Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to CHATHAM COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA - My Ancestors Came From North Carolina! - BBQ Pork and Beach Debates Mug
Celebrate your North Carolina heritage with this ceramic mug, proudly proclaiming, "My Ancestors Came From North Carolina! That explains a lot about my love for BBQ pork and my talent for debating the best beach spot on the Outer Banks."
Discover Chatham County: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1854 - Chatham county
Chatham, a county in the central part of North Carolina, has an area of about 700 square miles. It is traversed by the Haw and Deep rivers, which unite in the S. E. part and form the Cape Fear ; it is also drained by Rocky and New Hope rivers. The surface is diversified ; the soil is generally clayey and productive. Wheat, Indian corn, oats, cotton, hay, and butter are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 625.828 bushels of corn; 126,178 of wheat; 99,660 of oats; 4893 tons of hay ; and 960 bales of cotton. Extensive beds of stone coal have recently been opened in the county, near Deep river. This stream has been rendered navigable by small boats as high as the coal mines. A plank-road is in progress through this county, from Deep river to the Central railroad. Organized in 1770, and named in honor of the illustrious orator William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. Capital, Pittborough. Population, 18,449, of whom 12,464 were free, and 6985, slaves.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Chatham, a county in the central part of North Carolina, has an area of about 700 square miles. It is traversed by the Haw and Deep rivers, which unite in the S. E. part and form the Cape Fear ; it is also drained by Rocky and New Hope rivers. The surface is diversified ; the soil is generally clayey and productive. Wheat, Indian corn, oats, cotton, hay, and butter are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 625.828 bushels of corn; 126,178 of wheat; 99,660 of oats; 4893 tons of hay ; and 960 bales of cotton. Extensive beds of stone coal have recently been opened in the county, near Deep river. This stream has been rendered navigable by small boats as high as the coal mines. A plank-road is in progress through this county, from Deep river to the Central railroad. Organized in 1770, and named in honor of the illustrious orator William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. Capital, Pittborough. Population, 18,449, of whom 12,464 were free, and 6985, slaves.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1895 - Chatham county
Chatham, a county in the central part of North Carolina, has an area of about 784 square miles. It is drained by the Deep and Haw Rivers, which unite in the S.E. part , and form the Cape Fear River. The surface is undulating, and is extensively covered with forests; the soil is productive. Indian corn, cotton, wheat, oats, pork, and butter are the staple products. Beds of coal have been opened in this county, which has also a copper-mine. It is intersected by the Raleigh & Augusta and the Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Railroads. Capital, Pittsborough. Pop. in 1870, 19,723; in 1880, 23,453; in 1890, 25,413.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Chatham, a county in the central part of North Carolina, has an area of about 784 square miles. It is drained by the Deep and Haw Rivers, which unite in the S.E. part , and form the Cape Fear River. The surface is undulating, and is extensively covered with forests; the soil is productive. Indian corn, cotton, wheat, oats, pork, and butter are the staple products. Beds of coal have been opened in this county, which has also a copper-mine. It is intersected by the Raleigh & Augusta and the Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Railroads. Capital, Pittsborough. Pop. in 1870, 19,723; in 1880, 23,453; in 1890, 25,413.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Here's a rundown of some of the best places to visit and activities to enjoy in Chatham County:
1. Jordan Lake: If you love spending time in the great outdoors, Jordan Lake is a must-visit destination. This massive reservoir provides opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking. There are several campgrounds and recreational areas around the lake, making it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.
2. Fearrington Village: This charming village is known for its picturesque setting, boutique shops, and the Fearrington House Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property that offers a luxurious experience. Stroll through the beautiful gardens, enjoy a meal at the Fearrington House Restaurant, or browse the unique shops and art galleries.
3. Haw River Ballroom: Located in Saxapahaw, this historic cotton mill has been transformed into a unique event venue and music hall. Check their schedule for live performances, concerts, and other events. It's a fantastic place to catch some great live music in an intimate setting.
4. Silk Hope Winery: Chatham County is home to... Read MORE...
1. Jordan Lake: If you love spending time in the great outdoors, Jordan Lake is a must-visit destination. This massive reservoir provides opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking. There are several campgrounds and recreational areas around the lake, making it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.
2. Fearrington Village: This charming village is known for its picturesque setting, boutique shops, and the Fearrington House Inn, a Relais & Châteaux property that offers a luxurious experience. Stroll through the beautiful gardens, enjoy a meal at the Fearrington House Restaurant, or browse the unique shops and art galleries.
3. Haw River Ballroom: Located in Saxapahaw, this historic cotton mill has been transformed into a unique event venue and music hall. Check their schedule for live performances, concerts, and other events. It's a fantastic place to catch some great live music in an intimate setting.
4. Silk Hope Winery: Chatham County is home to... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Chatham County Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Chatham County, North Carolina, USA
We currently have information about 7 ancestors who were born or died in Chatham County.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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