350th Anniversary of the Albemarle Region
In 1660, King Charles II ascended to the thrown after twelve years of Parliament and the Cromwells controlling England. The new king owed an enormous debt to his friends who helped restore the monarchy. The Carolina Charter of 1663 granted eight of the king’s friends with land, including what is now North and South Carolina. The Eight Lords Proprietors were given full legislative, executive and judicial power “for the good and happy government of the said province.”
(“Carolina Charter of 1663.” Vault collection, State Archives of North Carolina. Online at http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p15012coll11,6. )
Three counties, Albemarle, Craven and Clarendon, were established from the land granted to the proprietors in 1664. Albemarle County, a 1,660 square mile section of northeastern NC, became the heart of the proprietary colony of Carolina after colonization efforts failed in Clarendon and Craven. This area was named after George Monck, the Duke of Albemarle, and one of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. The County of Albemarle became the first governmental unit of North Carolina.
The county was later divided into Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans precincts in 1668. Albemarle County ceased to exist as a unit of government in 1689 and the four new precincts became recognized as counties. These counties were later subdivided, giving rise to what we now think of as northeastern North Carolina and the Albemarle Region. Camden County, created out of Pasquotank County’s eastern precincts on May 9, 1777, was named after Sir Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden.
North Carolina became a royal in colony in 1729, after seven Lords Proprietors sold their shares of land to the crown. The state would remain under royal control until the American Revolution.
We’re celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Albemarle region with a great summer activity for your student and the whole family! Come pick up a Historic Passport Booklet for ‘Old Albemarle’. Visit the sites featured in the passport and collect the stamps. Once you have 16 stamps from any combination of counties, mail in the postcard for a chance to win one of five tablets. Only students are eligible for the drawing. You can pick up a passport & stamp at the following locations in Camden County: Dismal Swamp State Park, Camden Heritage Museum, Camden Co. Tax Office and the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. Visit www.350th.com to learn more about the participating counties, special events, exhibits and the Albemarle region’s fascinating history! #350th
Dismal Swamp State Park and Camden TDA Educational Exhibits
(350th Albemarle Celebration: School Day at Museum of the Albemarle on 5/11/18)
Sources:
http://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/carolina-charter-of-1663/