TYRRELL COUNTY HISTORY

Tyrrell County was formed in 1729 from Chowan, Bertie, Currituck and Pasquotank, and was named in honor of Sir John Tyrrell, who had been one of the Lords Proprietors.

The southern boundary of Tyrrell County with Edgecombe and Beaufort Counties was not firmly established until 1741.

Court was held in private homes until 1751, when it was held at the courthouse on Kendrick's Creek (Mackey's Creek) near Roper.

In 1774 Martin County was formed from Tyrrell and Halifax Counties.

Subsequently the courthouse was moved to a more central location on the Scuppernong River, where court was held from 1777 until 1800.

Elizabeth Town was laid out in 1793 and the first court was held there in 1800.

Elizabeth Town was renamed Columbia in 1801 and was designated the county seat in 1802.

Washington County was formed from Tyrrell County in 1799 and another small portion of Tyrrell County was annexed to Washington County in 1801.

Dare County was formed from Tyrrell, Currituck and Hyde Counties in 1870.