DUPLIN COUNTY, NC HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Duplin County, North Carolina: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the rich agricultural landscape of North Carolina’s inner Coastal Plain, Duplin County has a history deeply rooted in its diverse settlement and its contribution to the state’s economy for over 250 years. From its early days as a frontier settlement producing vital naval stores for the British Empire to its modern status as a powerhouse of agricultural production, the county has been home to a resilient and varied population. For genealogists, Duplin County is a key “mother county” whose records document the arrival of Scots-Irish, Palatine German, Swiss, and Welsh families who shaped the culture of southeastern North Carolina.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Duplin County was once a massive territory from which other counties were formed. Understanding these divisions is essential for locating ancestors who may have lived in the same place but been recorded in different counties over time.

  • 1750: County Formed: Duplin County was established on March 17, 1750.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the northern part of New Hanover County. All research for individuals living in this area prior to 1750 must be conducted in the records of New Hanover County.
  • Subsequent Formations: Duplin County’s original territory was significantly reduced by the creation of other counties:
    • Dobbs County was formed in 1758 from the western part of Johnston County, but it also took in a northern portion of Duplin. (Dobbs County itself later became extinct, forming Lenoir and Glasgow/Greene counties).
    • Sampson County was formed in 1784 from the western half of Duplin County. This was a major division. Researchers with ancestors in the western part of old Duplin must consult Sampson County records after 1784.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Sir Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin of Scotland (the spelling was altered), a respected member of the British Board of Trade and Plantations.
  • County Seat History: The first county courts were held at a private home. The county seat was later established at a site named Sarecta. In 1787, the seat of government was moved to a more central location, which was named Kenansville, and it has remained the county seat ever since. The county’s records are largely intact from its formation.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional homeland of the Tuscarora people. Following the Tuscarora War (1711-1715), the area was opened for widespread colonial settlement.
  • Colonial Settlement: Beginning in the 1730s, a diverse group of European settlers was drawn to the fertile lands along the Northeast Cape Fear River and its tributaries. These groups included:
    • Scots-Irish Presbyterians moving inland from the coast.
    • Palatine Germans and Swiss Protestants migrating south from Pennsylvania and west from the New Bern settlement.
    • A significant settlement of Welsh immigrants who established the “Welsh Tract,” primarily in the area that would later become Sampson County.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Naval Stores Industry: For its first several decades, Duplin’s economy was dominated by the production of naval stores—tar, pitch, and turpentine—harvested from the immense longleaf pine forests. These products were essential for maintaining the wooden ships of the British Royal Navy.
    • American Revolution: Duplin County was a strong center of Patriot sentiment. The Battle of Rockfish Creek was fought in the county in August 1781 between Patriot militia and Loyalist forces.
    • Agricultural Powerhouse: As the pine forests were cleared, the county’s economy transitioned to agriculture. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, it became a leading producer of cotton, tobacco, and sweet potatoes, and is now one of the top counties in the nation for hog and poultry production.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Duplin County is fortunate to have a nearly complete set of records dating back to its formation in 1750.

  • County Courthouse: The Duplin County Courthouse, 112 Duplin St, Kenansville, NC 28349, is the primary repository for historical records.
    • Register of Deeds: This office holds a comprehensive collection of land records (deeds and grants) from 1750. It also houses marriage records, birth and death records, and other official documents.
    • Clerk of Superior Court: This office maintains all court dockets and files, as well as crucial probate records, including wills and estate files, from 1750 to the present.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in North Carolina in 1913. Records from that date are available from both the state Vital Records office and locally at the Duplin County Register of Deeds.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage bonds from the colonial period through 1868 and marriage licenses from 1868 to the present are held by the Register of Deeds. Records prior to 1750 are located in New Hanover County.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Duplin County-P.C. Public Library: The main branch in Kenansville has the E. G. Maxwell Grotto, which serves as a local history and genealogy collection.
    • Duplin County Historical Society: An active organization that works to preserve local history and assists researchers.
    • Cowan Museum of History and Science: Located in Kenansville, the museum provides valuable context on the cultural and agricultural history of the county.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Wayne County (north)
    • Lenoir County (northeast)
    • Jones County (east)
    • Onslow County (southeast)
    • Pender County (south)
    • Sampson County (west)

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