The smallest county in the state by land area, Chowan was formed in 1668 as Chowan precinct. The county gets its name from the Chowan River, so named for the Chowanoac Indians who inhabited the land. One of the state’s first counties, Chowan was referred to as the “cradle of the colony.” From 1722 to 1743, the county seat of Edenton served as the colony’s capital and is the state’s second-oldest town. Edenton has been named one of America’s prettiest small towns and gets its name from Charles Eden who was North Carolina’s second royal governor.
As one of the oldest counties, Chowan is perhaps best known for its history. From significant early figures who shaped the state and the nation to its historical architecture, the county continues to prioritize the preservation of both structure and memory. One such historical moment, the Edenton Tea Party, celebrates its 250th anniversary this October and was one of the earliest organized political actions by women in US history. Approximately 10 months after the Boston Tea Party, Edenton resident Penelope Barker assembled 50 women in 1774 to sign a petition addressed to King George declaring that they would not drink British tea nor would they wear British clothes. Media in London at the time satirically depicted their action and referred to the women as “uncontrollable.” Barker’s husband served as North Carolina’s agent to British Parliament. Following news of his wife’s action, he was forced to leave London and go to France, where stayed until 1778 when he was able to return to North Carolina. In celebration of the Edenton Tea Party’s 250th anniversary, the town of Eden has organized a number of events, which kicked off in October of 2023 and are slated to continue into 2024.
Chowan County has been nicknamed an “architectural treasure house.” The Chowan County Courthouse was built in 1767 and is the oldest courthouse in the state. Still in use, the courthouse has been dubbed “the finest Georgian courthouse in the South.” St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton began construction in 1736 and is the state’s second-oldest church. The final resting place of three of NC’s colonial governors, St. Paul’s has undergone two extensive repairs and remains operational today.
Many of the county’s renowned historical homes belonged to some of Chowan’s most significant early figures. The home of Edenton Tea Party organizer, Penelope Barker, is now home to the Edenton Historical Commission. Known as the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center, this is the first stop for visitors interested in taking a trolley tour through the historic districts and learning about Edenton’s history. The home of James Iredell, originally built in 1773 and enlarged in 1810, is featured on the trail of historical houses. Iredell served as NC’s Attorney General and was appointed by George Washington to serve as one of the first Justices on the Supreme Court where he served until his death in 1799. Iredell played a significant role in creating the modern judicial system. His son, James Iredell Jr. would serve briefly as the state’s 23rd governor and then as US Senator. The sprawling tract referred to as Hayes Farm, or Hayes Plantation, belonged to Iredell Sr.’s mentor and brother-in-law Samuel Johnston. Johnston served in the Continental Congress, as well as the sixth governor of North Carolina and then as US Senator.
The Cupola House in Edenton is considered one of the state’s most significant structures and called “the finest Jacobean house south of Connecticut.” So named for the octagonal cupola, or dome, that sits atop the house, The house was built in 1758 by Francis Corbin who served as the land agent for the last English Lord Proprietor in North Carolina, Robert Carteret. In the early 20th century, the Brooklyn Museum in New York took notice of the home and purchased much of the renowned interior woodwork and antique furnishings to display in their museum. Residents of Edenton, eager to retain the house within their own community, pulled together resources and formed the Cupola House Library and Museum Association to save the house. This was the state’s first community organization founded to preserve a historic dwelling. Through the 1960s, residents worked to restore the house to its original state and converted the house into a library and a museum. The house still remains a historic museum.
Chowan is also known for the important role it played in the Maritime Underground Railroad. At one time the second-largest port in the state, workers at the port helped to coordinate passage of slaves seeking travel to the North. One of Chowan’s most significant early figures was Harriet Jacobs, a fugitive slave, abolitionist and writer who was born in Edenton and utilized the Maritime Underground Railroad to escape in 1842. In 1861, Jacobs published her memoir Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, which she published under the pseudonym Linda Brendt. She was the first woman to author a slave narrative in the US and her work remains as one of the best historical representations of the Maritime Underground Railroad. Walking tours of Jacobs’ journey are offered every February and March, or visitors can take a self-guided tour at any time by picking up a brochure from the Historic Edenton Visitor Center.
Chowan favored Democratic presidential nominees until 1968 when it went for third-party candidate, George Wallace. The county then supported Nixon in 1972 and went back to the Democratic nominee in 1976 and 1980, Jimmy Carter. For the remainder of the 20th century, Chowan remained a tossup. However, the county has not supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 2000. Since then, the county has shifted from a Republican-leaning county, to a safe Republican county in statewide races.
