COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Columbus County, North Carolina: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the southeastern coastal plain, Columbus County is a land defined by its rich agricultural soil, vast pine forests, and dark-water rivers and swamps, including the ecologically significant Green Swamp. Its history was shaped first by the naval stores industry that supplied the age of sail and later by the cultivation of tobacco and other crops. For genealogists, the county’s records tell the story of pioneer families carving out a life on the borderlands of North and South Carolina, creating a distinct culture tied to the land and its resources.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Columbus County was created in the early 19th century from two large, established parent counties. Identifying an ancestor’s specific location is key to extending research into the colonial period.

  • 1808: County Formed: Columbus County was officially established by the North Carolina General Assembly.
  • Parent Counties: It was formed from the western part of Brunswick County and the southern part of Bladen County. Research for individuals living in the area prior to 1808 must be conducted in the records of these two parent counties. Land records are especially important for determining which parent county is relevant for a specific family.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained generally stable since its creation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Christopher Columbus.
  • County Seat History: In 1810, a central location was chosen for the county seat and named Whiteville. The land was donated by James B. White, a legislator who was instrumental in the county’s formation. Whiteville has served continuously as the county seat.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was the traditional territory of the Waccamaw Siouan people, whose descendants remain in the county today and are a state-recognized tribe.
  • Colonial and Early Statehood Settlement: The region was sparsely populated during the colonial era, with settlement focused along the rivers. The primary economic driver was the naval stores industry; settlers, mainly of English and Scots-Irish origin, harvested tar, pitch, and turpentine from the abundant longleaf pine forests for shipbuilding. This industry dominated the economy well into the 19th century.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Agricultural Shift: As the naval stores industry declined due to the clearing of the original forests, the economy shifted to large-scale agriculture. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Columbus County had become a major producer of tobacco, strawberries, and other cash crops.
    • Railroad Development: The arrival of railroads after the Civil War was critical for the county’s growth. Lines like the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad spurred the development of market towns such as Chadbourn, Fair Bluff, and Tabor City, and provided the means to transport agricultural goods.
    • Lake Waccamaw: The county is home to Lake Waccamaw, the largest of the Carolina Bay lakes. It has been a center of recreation and settlement for generations.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for Columbus County are located at the courthouse in Whiteville. Pre-1808 research requires visiting the parent counties of Bladen and Brunswick.

  • County Courthouse: The Columbus County Courthouse, located at 112 W. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC 28472, is the central repository for historical records.
    • Register of Deeds: This office holds all land records from 1808 to the present. It also maintains vital records, including marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates.
    • Clerk of Superior Court: This office is the repository for probate records (wills and estate files) and court records (civil and criminal) from the county’s formation in 1808.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in North Carolina began in 1913. The Columbus County Register of Deeds holds local copies of these records from 1913 forward.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage bonds (pre-1868) and licenses from 1808 to the present are held by the Register of Deeds. Any marriage record prior to 1808 would be located in either Bladen or Brunswick County.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Columbus County Public Library: The main branch in Whiteville houses a genealogy and local history collection that includes family histories, census records on microfilm, and other research materials.
    • Columbus County Historical Society: An organization dedicated to preserving the history of the county.
    • State Archives of North Carolina: Located in Raleigh, the State Archives holds microfilm copies of Columbus County’s most important genealogical records, including deeds, wills, court minutes, and marriage bonds.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Bladen County, NC (north)
    • Pender County, NC (east)
    • Brunswick County, NC (east and southeast)
    • Horry County, South Carolina (south and southwest)
    • Robeson County, NC (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks