1663

At the time of its creation in 1663, the entire colony of Carolina was owned by eight English lords. In 1729 seven of the eight sold their shares back to the Crown and separate colonies of North Carolina and South Carolina were established. The eighth, Lord Carteret (who became Earl of Granville in 1744) refused to sell. To resolve matters, Granville was given title to a 60-mile-wide strip along the Virginia/North Carolina border. This became known as “the Granville District.”

Granville’s agents were sloppy and corrupt, and as the land in the District was sold to settlers issues involving title and boundaries became common and complex, creating tensions and conflicts. The State of North Carolina confiscated the Granville District during the American Revolution, but the land title issues would continue to be problematic for generations.

Today is the birthday of John Carteret, Second Earl of Granville. He was born on April 22, 1690, three hundred and thirty-three years ago today.