Chatham
The county was formed in 1771 from Orange County. It was named, like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1758, for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who served as British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1768 and opposed harsh colonial policies.
In 1907 parts of Chatham County and Moore County were combined to form Lee County. The award winning PBS Documentary Family Name notes Chatham County as the place the relationship between the African-American and European-American branches of the Alston family originated. George Moses Horton, Historic Poet Laureate of Chatham County, North Carolina (1797?-1883) lived most of his life in Chatham County and is among the few slaves to have published material while still a slave.
Source Wikipedia
The Cape Fear river begins in Chatham County where the Haw and Deep River’s join. This is below B. Everett Jordan Lake which is used for flood control and as a reservoir. It is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s also part of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The county is in North Carolina Slate Belt and the groundwater is full of minerals for which a resort near Mt. Vernon Springs gained renown in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The resort is gone, but the springs are owned by a local Church. Chatham county is also home to the only workable coal deposits in the state of North Carolina.
The county seat of Chatham County is Pittsboro. Chatham County contains the following townships: Albright, Baldwin, Bear Creek, Cape Fear, Center, Gulf, Hadley, Haw River, Hickory Mountain, Matthews, New Hope, Oakland, and Williams.
Sites of interest in Chatham County are the Carnivore Preservation Trust, Chatham County Historical Museuem, Jordan Lake Educational State Forest, the North Carolina Railroad Museum and the Fearrington Village and House.
Chatham County NCGenweb Site
Chatham County NCGenweb Archives (Digital Library)
Chatham County Historical Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 913
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Chatham County Courthouse
PO Box 87
County Courthouse
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Chatham County Public Libraries
The Wren Memorial Library
500 N. 2nd Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344
Census
1790 Federal Census – Hillsborough District – transcription
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 1 of 3
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 2 of 3
1800 Federal Census transcription – part 3 of 3
1820 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1820 Federal Census transcription Directory opens to listing of text files 1820cena.txt through 1820cend.txt
1830 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1840 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1850 Federal Census Index – by last name only
1850 Federal Census and Index transcribed Directory opens to listing of text files for index *(idx .txt) and text files by page number (pg .txt)
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Lower regiment
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Lower regiment – Free blacks
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Upper Regiment
1850 Federal Census Transcription – Upper Regiment – Free Blacks
Cemeteries
USGS listing of Cemeteries of Chatham County
Query Forums
Chatham County, NC Query Forum
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Chatham County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Chatham County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
I have a Barnabas Thomas, born in N.C. c.1785, possibly in Chatham County. Seek any information about siblings, parents. Thank you.
Pat Chandler on “James Emerson”
Researching James Emerson m. Margaret Moore d.1786 in Chatham Co. NC. Does anyone know the names of his children.
Ann on “Obediah William Leonard b abt 1775″
I am researching Obediah William Leonard Sr b abt 1775 in N C m Sarah Williams abt 1795. I have the son of Obediah William and Sarah as Obediah Jr. b 1795 and Thomas b abt 1780 in Grayson Co Virginia. Obediah Sr. d abt 1870 in Sebastain Co. Ark. Can anyone tell me who was Obediah William’s his first wife?
Chatham County, NC at Genforum
Cities and towns of Chatham County:
Bear Creek
Bennett
Bonlee
Bynum
Fearrington Village
Goldston
Gulf
Harpers Crossroads
Moncure
Pittsboro (County Seat)
Siler City
Silk Hope
News related to Chatham County, NC
“chatham county” nc – Google News
Deputy sent to secure Edwards sex tape – News & Observer
 Boston Globe |
Deputy sent to secure Edwards sex tape
News & Observer In his book, Young described finding a sex tape while packing boxes in the Chatham County home where Hunter lived with his family for a time. … Judge wants extra security for Edwards sex tape APNewsBreak: Officer to Retrieve Edwards Sex Tape Andrew Young Forks Over Edwards Sex Tape |
Rivers rising after winter storms – WRAL.com
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Rivers rising after winter storms
WRAL.com Chatham County officials said that there was high water near Jeremiah Drive and Lystra Road, along a neck of Jordan Lake Monday. … |
John Edwards’s Ex-Staffer in Contempt of Court Over Sex Tape – People Magazine
 New York Daily News |
John Edwards's Ex-Staffer in Contempt of Court Over Sex Tape
People Magazine … Jones said at the hearing at the Chatham County Courthouse in Hillsborough, NC After the hearing Friday, the Youngs said they never had any intention of … Former Edwards aide must turn over tape Judge holds Young in contempt of court Judge finds Andrew Young, wife in contempt |
County Jobless Rate Up – Southern Pines Pilot
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County Jobless Rate Up
Southern Pines Pilot Of Moore County's neighbors, Chatham County (7.9 percent), Hoke County (8.4 percent) and Cumberland County (9.4 percent) posted lower rates. … |
Habitat for Humanity sees rise in registration – SU The Daily Orange (subscription)
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Habitat for Humanity sees rise in registration
SU The Daily Orange (subscription) … W.Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; St. Tammany West, La.; and Chatham County, NC Most of these trips head out around 4:30 am the first Saturday of Spring Break. … |
Public Safety Center details are online – News & Observer
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Public Safety Center details are online
News & Observer Chatham County Commissioner Tom Vanderbeck announced this week that he is seeking re-election. "In 2006, I ran on a campaign of open, honest government, … |
