Chatham County, North Carolina
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== History == | == History == | ||
| − | The bill for establishing Chatham County was introduced in the Colonial Assembly, held at New Berne, December 5, 1770. But the bill was not ratified until January 26, 1771 and became effective the first day of April in 1771. The county was named for the first Earl of Chatham - William Pitt, 1708-1778). According to history, the Earl of Chatham was a true believer in the right of America and defended these rights in the British Parliament. Perhaps that zeal of patriotism transmitted itself to the inhabitants of Chatham County, because the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions struck the customary extolling of the King and his titles, in 1773, long before the first shot rang out in New England. Even though Chatham was a Crown Province of North Carolina until statehood was established on July 4, 1776. The county seat of Pittsboro was named for William Pitt, the younger, who was the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. He was 24 years of age, at the time.<br> Chatham was created from Orange County whose area was ten times what it is now. Because of political factions and difficulty in holding court and recording documents, the distance being so great, the counties of Guilford, Wake and Surry were created at the same time as Chatham. As a deterent to the meeting and assembly of these factions and to facilitate the governing of them. Chatham is in the center of the state, in the hilly, timber covered section of the state. The counties that are neighbors are: Almance, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake. | + | The bill for establishing Chatham County was introduced in the Colonial Assembly, held at New Berne, December 5, 1770. But the bill was not ratified until January 26, 1771 and became effective the first day of April in 1771. The county was named for the first Earl of Chatham - William Pitt, 1708-1778). According to history, the Earl of Chatham was a true believer in the right of America and defended these rights in the British Parliament. Perhaps that zeal of patriotism transmitted itself to the inhabitants of Chatham County, because the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions struck the customary extolling of the King and his titles, in 1773, long before the first shot rang out in New England. Even though Chatham was a Crown Province of North Carolina until statehood was established on July 4, 1776. The county seat of Pittsboro was named for William Pitt, the younger, who was the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. He was 24 years of age, at the time.<br>Chatham was created from Orange County whose area was ten times what it is now. Because of political factions and difficulty in holding court and recording documents, the distance being so great, the counties of Guilford, Wake and Surry were created at the same time as Chatham. As a deterent to the meeting and assembly of these factions and to facilitate the governing of them. Chatham is in the center of the state, in the hilly, timber covered section of the state. The counties that are neighbors are: Almance, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake. |
==== Parent County ==== | ==== Parent County ==== | ||
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==== Boundary Changes ==== | ==== Boundary Changes ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 1897 Chatham lost a portion of the NW boundary to Alamance Co., from a survey to establish a previously de facto boundary. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 1907 Chatham lost a portion of the SE boundary to form the newly established Lee Co. | ||
==== Record Loss ==== | ==== Record Loss ==== | ||
| − | Many court records missing. | + | Many court records missing. |
| + | |||
| + | The court minutes and other court records from the time of ratification of the bill to estalish the county, in April of 1771 to 1774, there are no pleas and quarter session minutes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is a gap of about 5 years between 1800 to 1805 in these minutes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Places/Localities == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Populated Places - Population as of the 2000 census ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Incorporated Cities: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Fearrington - population: 903 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Goldston - population: 319 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Pittsboro - County Seat- population 2, 226. It is located 34 mi. SE of the state capitol, Raleigh. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Siler City - population: 8,747 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Unincorporated Communities: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bear Creek | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bennett | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bonlee | ||
| + | |||
| + | Brickhaven | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bynum | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carbonton | ||
| + | |||
| + | Corinth | ||
| + | |||
| + | Crutchfield Crossroads | ||
| + | |||
| + | Gulf | ||
| + | |||
| + | Haywood | ||
| + | |||
| + | Moncure | ||
| − | + | Silk Hope | |
| − | + | Wilsonville | |
==== Neighboring Counties ==== | ==== Neighboring Counties ==== | ||
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==== Cemeteries ==== | ==== Cemeteries ==== | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bckhrncm.htm Buckhorn Methodist Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bckhrncm.htm Buckhorn Methodist Church Cemetery] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/asburycm.htm Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/asburycm.htm Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ctrgrvcm.html Center Grove Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ctrgrvcm.html Center Grove Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/fallcrek.html Fall Creek Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/fallcrek.html Fall Creek Church Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ebnzerch.html Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ebnzerch.html Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bellcem1.html Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bellcem1.html Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/marthas.html Martha's Chapel Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/marthas.html Martha's Chapel Church Cemetery] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/mtzioncm.html Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/mtzioncm.html Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery<br>] | ||
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/tckcrkcm.htm Tick Creek Baptist Church Cemetery<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/tckcrkcm.htm Tick Creek Baptist Church Cemetery<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/rivescem.htm Rives Chapel Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/rivescem.htm Rives Chapel Church Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/meronies.htm Meronies Methodist Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/meronies.htm Meronies Methodist Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/antiocem.htm Antioch Christian Church Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/antiocem.htm Antioch Christian Church Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bellcem.htm Bell-Clark Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bellcem.htm Bell-Clark Cemetery] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/dowdycem.htm Dowdy Family Cemetery] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/dowdycem.htm Dowdy Family Cemetery] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/mayschap.htm Mays Chapel Cemetery] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/mayschap.htm Mays Chapel Cemetery] | ||
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Certified copies of documents are $2.00 for the first page,<br>.25 for additional pages.<br>Uncertified copies are $1.00 for the first page and<br>.25 for additional pages. | Certified copies of documents are $2.00 for the first page,<br>.25 for additional pages.<br>Uncertified copies are $1.00 for the first page and<br>.25 for additional pages. | ||
| − | + | <br> | |
The following links will take you to an index or transcribed court records for the years as indicated: | The following links will take you to an index or transcribed court records for the years as indicated: | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ct74_79.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1774-1779] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/ct74_79.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1774-1779] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chatct92.htm Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug 1792<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chatct92.htm Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug 1792<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1794ctmn.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1794] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1794ctmn.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1794] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/pq1795.txt Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1795] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/pq1795.txt Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1795] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/pq1797.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1797-1800] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/pq1797.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1797-1800] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1805pq.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1805] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1805pq.html Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1805] | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| − | + | Other Court Records: | |
| − | Other Court Records: | + | |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bonds_apprent.htm Apprenticeship Bonds 1784-1837<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bonds_apprent.htm Apprenticeship Bonds 1784-1837<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/orphan.htm Orphan Bonds 1774-1800] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/orphan.htm Orphan Bonds 1774-1800] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/guardian.htm Guardian Accounts 1800-1830] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/guardian.htm Guardian Accounts 1800-1830] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/guardin2.html Guardian Accounts 1828-1842] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/guardin2.html Guardian Accounts 1828-1842] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bastardy.htm Bastardy Bonds 1775-1799] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/bastardy.htm Bastardy Bonds 1775-1799] |
*[http://home.earthlink.net/~bcamin/bbonds/chatham.htm Bastardy Bonds 1871-1879] | *[http://home.earthlink.net/~bcamin/bbonds/chatham.htm Bastardy Bonds 1871-1879] | ||
==== Land ==== | ==== Land ==== | ||
| − | The Register of Deeds Office maintains the following records for public inspection and retrieval: | + | The Register of Deeds Office maintains the following records for public inspection and retrieval: |
| − | * All Chatham County land transactions, including any sales or exchanges of real property in the county. This includes any transactions involving parcels of land, easements, rights of way and leaseholdings.<br> * Security documents, such as deeds of trust, mortgages, and uniform commercial code filings.<br> * Public records of notaries.<br> * Records of businesses operating under assumed names.<br> * Vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law. <br> | + | *All Chatham County land transactions, including any sales or exchanges of real property in the county. This includes any transactions involving parcels of land, easements, rights of way and leaseholdings.<br>* Security documents, such as deeds of trust, mortgages, and uniform commercial code filings.<br>* Public records of notaries.<br>* Records of businesses operating under assumed names.<br>* Vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law. <br> |
[http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=905 Courthouse Annex - Register of Deeds]<br>P.O. Box 756,<br>Pittsboro, NC 27312<br>Ph. No. (919) 542-8235 | [http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=905 Courthouse Annex - Register of Deeds]<br>P.O. Box 756,<br>Pittsboro, NC 27312<br>Ph. No. (919) 542-8235 | ||
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Chatham County deed records are indexed and copies of the actual documents are available online starting from 1771. | Chatham County deed records are indexed and copies of the actual documents are available online starting from 1771. | ||
| − | Access to [http://www.chathamncrod.org/welcome.asp Chatham County Deeds Online Search ] | + | Access to [http://www.chathamncrod.org/welcome.asp Chatham County Deeds Online Search] |
==== Local Histories ==== | ==== Local Histories ==== | ||
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*[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley01.txt Utley Family Bible]<br> | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley01.txt Utley Family Bible]<br> | ||
*[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley02.txt Julia Emma Utley Family Bible]<br> | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley02.txt Julia Emma Utley Family Bible]<br> | ||
| − | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley03.txt John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (1)] | + | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley03.txt John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (1)] |
| − | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley04.txt John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (2)] | + | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/utley04.txt John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (2)] |
*[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/white01.txt John White Family Bible] | *[http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/chatham/bibles/white01.txt John White Family Bible] | ||
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*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/map1777_chatham.jpg Chatham County Old Trails & Creeks-1770's]<br> | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/map1777_chatham.jpg Chatham County Old Trails & Creeks-1770's]<br> | ||
*[http://ncnatural.com/maps/1779n4.jpg North Carolina 1779] - with waterways<br> | *[http://ncnatural.com/maps/1779n4.jpg North Carolina 1779] - with waterways<br> | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/paths.jpg State Map Paths & Trails- 1660-1775] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/paths.jpg State Map Paths & Trails- 1660-1775] |
*[http://www.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/colamer.html Colonial Maps of the U.S.<br>] | *[http://www.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/colamer.html Colonial Maps of the U.S.<br>] | ||
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*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chtwake_1812.html War of 1812 Muster Roll for Chatham County<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chtwake_1812.html War of 1812 Muster Roll for Chatham County<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.mindspring.com/%7Enixnox/cedarfork.html Civil War: Cedar Fork Rifles] | + | *[http://www.mindspring.com/%7Enixnox/cedarfork.html Civil War: Cedar Fork Rifles] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/militia.htm Militia Officers of Chatham County in the Revolutionary War<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/militia.htm Militia Officers of Chatham County in the Revolutionary War<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/cowp/Timeline.htm Revolutionary War Timeline] | + | *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/cowp/Timeline.htm Revolutionary War Timeline] |
*[http://www.patriotpublishers.com/index.html Revolutionary War & Bible Records] - series of books with family info; online index of names included under Master Index | *[http://www.patriotpublishers.com/index.html Revolutionary War & Bible Records] - series of books with family info; online index of names included under Master Index | ||
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*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/newspapr.htm Transcribed Chatham Co. Newspaper Archives 1847-1887<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/newspapr.htm Transcribed Chatham Co. Newspaper Archives 1847-1887<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/newspap2.html Transcribed Chatham Co., Newspaper Archives 1888] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/newspap2.html Transcribed Chatham Co., Newspaper Archives 1888] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/news3.htm The Raleigh Register October 22 - 29, 1799] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/news3.htm The Raleigh Register October 22 - 29, 1799] |
| − | *[http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/reference/newspapers.html North Carolina Newspaper Project] - from the State Library | + | *[http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/reference/newspapers.html North Carolina Newspaper Project] - from the State Library |
*[http://www.archives.ncdcr.gov/newspaper/index.html North Carolina Newspaper Digitization Project] | *[http://www.archives.ncdcr.gov/newspaper/index.html North Carolina Newspaper Digitization Project] | ||
==== Probate ==== | ==== Probate ==== | ||
| − | Copies of wills and estate records can be obtained from the Clerk of the Superior Court. Information on fees are available on their website:<br> | + | Copies of wills and estate records can be obtained from the Clerk of the Superior Court. Information on fees are available on their website:<br> |
[http://www.nccourts.org/County/Chatham/Default.asp Chatham County Courthouse Annex]<br>12 East Street<br>P.O. Box 756<br>Pittsboro, NC 27312<br>(919) 542-8235 | [http://www.nccourts.org/County/Chatham/Default.asp Chatham County Courthouse Annex]<br>12 East Street<br>P.O. Box 756<br>Pittsboro, NC 27312<br>(919) 542-8235 | ||
| − | <br>Clerk of Superior Court<br>The elected Chatham County Clerk of Court is David Samuel Cooper. He and some 14 staff members are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the General Courts of Justice. His staff is spread throughout the courthouse annex and is organized according to their function and duties. | + | <br>Clerk of Superior Court<br>The elected Chatham County Clerk of Court is David Samuel Cooper. He and some 14 staff members are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the General Courts of Justice. His staff is spread throughout the courthouse annex and is organized according to their function and duties. |
| − | The Clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (919) 542-3240, the fax number is (919) 542-1402, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 369, Pittsboro, NC 27312. | + | The Clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (919) 542-3240, the fax number is (919) 542-1402, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 369, Pittsboro, NC 27312. |
| − | Decedent's Estates: Periodic inventories and the accountings necessary to administer the estates of deceased persons are filed, and appropriate forms obtained, from Clerk of Court. Estate-related business is conducted and all estate-related records are maintained at the Clerk of Court's Office, 12 East Street, Pittsboro. This office is also where wills are probated. It is a good idea to contact this office before making an official visit in order to insure that all of the required documentation is available. | + | Decedent's Estates: Periodic inventories and the accountings necessary to administer the estates of deceased persons are filed, and appropriate forms obtained, from Clerk of Court. Estate-related business is conducted and all estate-related records are maintained at the Clerk of Court's Office, 12 East Street, Pittsboro. This office is also where wills are probated. It is a good idea to contact this office before making an official visit in order to insure that all of the required documentation is available. |
| − | <br> | + | <br> |
The following links will take you to an Index to Chatham County Wills and Estate Records: | The following links will take you to an Index to Chatham County Wills and Estate Records: | ||
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*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/wilndex7.htm Index to Estates 1847-1850] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/wilndex7.htm Index to Estates 1847-1850] | ||
| − | <br> | + | <br> |
The Following links will take you to a series of Wills that have been abstracted: | The Following links will take you to a series of Wills that have been abstracted: | ||
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*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/wills_wyz.html Surnames W- Y- Z] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/wills_wyz.html Surnames W- Y- Z] | ||
| − | <br> | + | <br> |
<br> | <br> | ||
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==== Taxation ==== | ==== Taxation ==== | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1795tax.html 1795 Chatham County Tax List] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1795tax.html 1795 Chatham County Tax List] |
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1815tax.html 1815 Chatham County Tax List] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1815tax.html 1815 Chatham County Tax List] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1755oran_tax.html 1755 Orange County Tax List] (many Chatham Co. families were included before formation of Chatham) | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/1755oran_tax.html 1755 Orange County Tax List] (many Chatham Co. families were included before formation of Chatham) | ||
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The Register of Deeds Office maintains vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law. | The Register of Deeds Office maintains vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law. | ||
| − | The following are links to transcribed Marriage and Death Records: | + | The following are links to transcribed Marriage and Death Records: |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chatmarr.html Chatham County Marriage Bonds<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/chatmarr.html Chatham County Marriage Bonds<br>] | ||
| − | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/marriage.html Chatham County Marriages] | + | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/marriage.html Chatham County Marriages] |
*[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/deaths.html Chatham County Death Certificates<br>] | *[http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/deaths.html Chatham County Death Certificates<br>] | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
| − | <references /> {{North Carolina|North Carolina}} | + | <references />{{North Carolina|North Carolina}} |
[[Category:Chatham_County,_North_Carolina|<gallery></gallery><br>]] | [[Category:Chatham_County,_North_Carolina|<gallery></gallery><br>]] | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 5 May 2011
| Chatham County, North Carolina | |||||||||
| Map | |||||||||
 Location in the state of North Carolina | |||||||||
 Location of North Carolina in the U.S. | |||||||||
| Facts | |||||||||
| Founded | 1770 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Seat | Pittsboro | ||||||||
| Courthouse | |||||||||
| |||||||||
United States 
North Carolina Chatham County
Contents |
County Courthouse
History
The bill for establishing Chatham County was introduced in the Colonial Assembly, held at New Berne, December 5, 1770. But the bill was not ratified until January 26, 1771 and became effective the first day of April in 1771. The county was named for the first Earl of Chatham - William Pitt, 1708-1778). According to history, the Earl of Chatham was a true believer in the right of America and defended these rights in the British Parliament. Perhaps that zeal of patriotism transmitted itself to the inhabitants of Chatham County, because the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions struck the customary extolling of the King and his titles, in 1773, long before the first shot rang out in New England. Even though Chatham was a Crown Province of North Carolina until statehood was established on July 4, 1776. The county seat of Pittsboro was named for William Pitt, the younger, who was the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. He was 24 years of age, at the time.
Chatham was created from Orange County whose area was ten times what it is now. Because of political factions and difficulty in holding court and recording documents, the distance being so great, the counties of Guilford, Wake and Surry were created at the same time as Chatham. As a deterent to the meeting and assembly of these factions and to facilitate the governing of them. Chatham is in the center of the state, in the hilly, timber covered section of the state. The counties that are neighbors are: Almance, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake.
Parent County
1770--Chatham County was created 5 December 1770 from Orange County. County seat: Pittsboro [1]
Boundary Changes
In 1897 Chatham lost a portion of the NW boundary to Alamance Co., from a survey to establish a previously de facto boundary.
In 1907 Chatham lost a portion of the SE boundary to form the newly established Lee Co.
Record Loss
Many court records missing.
The court minutes and other court records from the time of ratification of the bill to estalish the county, in April of 1771 to 1774, there are no pleas and quarter session minutes.
There is a gap of about 5 years between 1800 to 1805 in these minutes.
Places/Localities
Populated Places - Population as of the 2000 census
Incorporated Cities:
Fearrington - population: 903
Goldston - population: 319
Pittsboro - County Seat- population 2, 226. It is located 34 mi. SE of the state capitol, Raleigh.
Siler City - population: 8,747
Unincorporated Communities:
Bear Creek
Bennett
Bonlee
Brickhaven
Bynum
Carbonton
Corinth
Crutchfield Crossroads
Gulf
Haywood
Moncure
Silk Hope
Wilsonville
Neighboring Counties
Resources
Cemeteries
- Buckhorn Methodist Church Cemetery
- Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery
- Center Grove Cemetery
- Fall Creek Church Cemetery
- Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery
- Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery
- Martha's Chapel Church Cemetery
- Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery
- Tick Creek Baptist Church Cemetery
- Rives Chapel Church Cemetery
- Meronies Methodist Cemetery
- Antioch Christian Church Cemetery
- Bell-Clark Cemetery
- Dowdy Family Cemetery
- Mays Chapel Cemetery
Church
Court
Chatham County Courthouse
Clerk of Superior Court
(Wills & Estates)
ADDRESS: P.O. Box, 369, (12 East St.)
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone No. (919) 542-3240
Certified copies of documents are $2.00 for the first page,
.25 for additional pages.
Uncertified copies are $1.00 for the first page and
.25 for additional pages.
The following links will take you to an index or transcribed court records for the years as indicated:
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1774-1779
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug 1792
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1794
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1795
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1797-1800
- Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1805
Other Court Records:
- Apprenticeship Bonds 1784-1837
- Orphan Bonds 1774-1800
- Guardian Accounts 1800-1830
- Guardian Accounts 1828-1842
- Bastardy Bonds 1775-1799
- Bastardy Bonds 1871-1879
Land
The Register of Deeds Office maintains the following records for public inspection and retrieval:
- All Chatham County land transactions, including any sales or exchanges of real property in the county. This includes any transactions involving parcels of land, easements, rights of way and leaseholdings.
* Security documents, such as deeds of trust, mortgages, and uniform commercial code filings.
* Public records of notaries.
* Records of businesses operating under assumed names.
* Vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law.
Courthouse Annex - Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 756,
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph. No. (919) 542-8235
Chatham County deed records are indexed and copies of the actual documents are available online starting from 1771.
Access to Chatham County Deeds Online Search
Local Histories
- Chatham County Families
- Chatham County Migrations
- Letters: William Crutchfield to Wm. P. Pickard
- Paris T. Utley Letters
- Aaron Harlan Biography
- James Fauntleroy Taylor, 1791-1828
- Isham Sims Upchurch, 1909
- Deacon White
- Nathaniel J. Alston Bible
- William Brantley Family Bible
- Solomon Bunting Family Bible
- Foushee Family Bible
- Dr. Abner Holton Family Bible
- Alexander Leander & Fannie M. Harper Phillips Family Bible
- James Martin & Rachel Heding Bible
- Abraham Rencher Family Bible
- Thomas Roe Family Bible
- John Rowe Family Bible
- William Searcy Bible
- Nathan Alexander Stedman Family Bible
- Utley Family Bible
- Julia Emma Utley Family Bible
- John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (1)
- John Wesley & Ora Lee (Marks)Utley Family Bible (2)
- John White Family Bible
Maps
- Township Map of Chatham County
- Chatham County in 1870
- Chatham County Old Trails & Creeks-1770's
- North Carolina 1779 - with waterways
- State Map Paths & Trails- 1660-1775
- Colonial Maps of the U.S.
Military
- War of 1812 Muster Roll for Chatham County
- Civil War: Cedar Fork Rifles
- Militia Officers of Chatham County in the Revolutionary War
- Revolutionary War Timeline
- Revolutionary War & Bible Records - series of books with family info; online index of names included under Master Index
Newspapers
- Transcribed Chatham Co. Newspaper Archives 1847-1887
- Transcribed Chatham Co., Newspaper Archives 1888
- The Raleigh Register October 22 - 29, 1799
- North Carolina Newspaper Project - from the State Library
- North Carolina Newspaper Digitization Project
Probate
Copies of wills and estate records can be obtained from the Clerk of the Superior Court. Information on fees are available on their website:
Chatham County Courthouse Annex
12 East Street
P.O. Box 756
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-8235
Clerk of Superior Court
The elected Chatham County Clerk of Court is David Samuel Cooper. He and some 14 staff members are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the General Courts of Justice. His staff is spread throughout the courthouse annex and is organized according to their function and duties.
The Clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (919) 542-3240, the fax number is (919) 542-1402, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 369, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Decedent's Estates: Periodic inventories and the accountings necessary to administer the estates of deceased persons are filed, and appropriate forms obtained, from Clerk of Court. Estate-related business is conducted and all estate-related records are maintained at the Clerk of Court's Office, 12 East Street, Pittsboro. This office is also where wills are probated. It is a good idea to contact this office before making an official visit in order to insure that all of the required documentation is available.
The following links will take you to an Index to Chatham County Wills and Estate Records:
- Estate Records-Vol. 1, 1821-1836
- Wills & Estates 1782-1794
- Wills & Estates 1795-1799
- Wills & Estates 1798-1819
- Wills & Estates 1818-1833
- Wills & Estates 1834-1857
- Wills & Estates 1856-1868
- Index to Estates 1800-1812
- Index to Estates 1812-1822
- Index to Estates 1847-1850
The Following links will take you to a series of Wills that have been abstracted:
- Surnames A-B
- Surnames C-D
- Surnames E- F- G
- Surnames H- J- K
- Surnames L- M- N
- Surnames O- P- Q- R
- Surnames S
- Surnames T- V
- Surnames W- Y- Z
Taxation
- 1795 Chatham County Tax List
- 1815 Chatham County Tax List
- 1755 Orange County Tax List (many Chatham Co. families were included before formation of Chatham)
Vital Records
Courthouse Annex - Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 756,
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph. No. (919) 542-8235
The Register of Deeds Office maintains vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law.
The following are links to transcribed Marriage and Death Records:
Societies and Libraries
Web Sites
- USGenWeb Project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Chatham County NCGenWeb Project
- Chatham County USGenWeb Archives
- Family History Library Catalog
References
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
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