Evolution of Boundries, New Hanover County, North Carolina

New Hanover County Boundries
As of 1742: Yellow + Blue + Red
As of 1776: Blue + Red
As of 1875: Red

To see the detail of the evolution scroll down this page

A hopeful but ill-fated settlement established in 1664 was named Clarendon County.
Boundries were vague but centered on the Cape Fear River.

By 1667 the Clarendon settlement and the County were essentially defunct and abandoned.

In 1722 South Carolina claimed, as part of Prince George Parish, an area of what is
now North Carolina, including an area of what is now New Hanover County. Note that further
north along the coast that settlement was proceeding apace, with 12 counties formed.

In 1729 the area of south Craven County south to some vague line adjoining
South Carolina and with an indeterminate western boundry was defined as
New Hanover County. Initially Brunswick Town was the County seat, on the
western side of the Cape Fear River. South Carolina's claim that the
Cape Fear River was to be the dividing line was ignored.

In 1724 Onslow County was formed, defining a new eastern boundry for
New Hanover County. Bladen County was formed the same year and
defined a new western boundry. South Carolina still claimed part of the
future North Carolina territory. In 1739/40 the county seat for New
Hanover County was moved up river, to higher ground, at Wilmington.

By 1751 the line between North cand South Carolina had been established.
In 1750/1751 Duplin County was formed from the northern 40% of New Hanover County.

In 1764 Brunswick County was formed from the part of New Hanover County
west of the Cape Fear River. In 1766, 1795, 1809, 1847, and 1870 small
border changes further shrank New Hanover County.

In 1875 Pender County was formed from the northern 60% of New Hanover County.
This was the final step that reduced New Hanover County to the smallest county in North Carolina.

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The above images were created by Animap 2.5 County Boundry Historical Atlas.
To best see the evolution, step-by-step (for NC or any other state), BUY the great program!

Maps copyright 1991-2001 Adrian B. Ettlinger.

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