Iredell County, North Carolina: History
Before colonization, many tribes inhabited the area, such as the Catawba, the Waccamaw, the Cheraw, the Winyah, the Wateree and the Sugaree. The following list shows significant events and firsts in the history of the area that is now called Iredell County, North Carolina.
1629–1712 – Province of Carolina ruled by Lords Proprietors under British rule
1712–1776 – Province of North Carolina and Province of South Carolina created from Province of Carolina
1734 – Bladen County formed from New Hanover County
1730–1750 – first Scots-Irish and German immigrants seeking good soil, game, and proximity to fresh water had settled the area of modern-day Iredell County
1750 – Anson County formed from Bladen County
1750–1776 – Lord Granville and later his son issued Granville Grants of land in the Granville District, which included the area that later became Iredell County but was then Anson and later Rowan Counties
1750 – Fourth Creek Congregation established
1753 – Rowan County created from a portion of Anson County
1754–1763 – Fort Dobbs (named after Governor Arthur Dobbs) was erected as a defense facility during the French and Indian War (1754–63). Today, the location of Fort Dobbs is a North Carolina State Historic Site.
1761 – Coddle Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Session House and Cemetery established in what became Mooresville
1765 – Centre Presbyterian Church established in what became Mooresville
1773 – William Sharpe creates map of 4th Creek Congregation
1775 – Bethany Presbyterian Church (north of Fourth Creek on Fifth Creek) and Concord Presbyterian Church (west of Fourth Creek) established as offshoots of the Fourth Creek Congregation
1775, August 1 – Rowan County Regiment, North Carolina Militia established; most Iredell residents that saw service while in North Carolina, served in this regiment; for a time in 1775 and 1782 the regiment was divided into 1st and 2nd Rowan County Regiment
1775–1783 – North Carolina contributes 30,000 to 36,000 men during the American Revolutionary War, including the Continental Army, local North Carolina County Regiments of militia, and other State Troops
1776, July 4 – United States Declaration of Independence signing
1777 – State of North Carolina began issuing State Land Grants from land that came from Lord Granville estate in the Granville District
1778, August – Adlai Osborne compiles Tax List of Rowan County to raise money for the upcoming Revolutionary War, including Capt Caldwell's, Capt Nichols', Capt Falls', and Capt Purviance's Districts that would become part of Iredell County in 1788
1780, June 20 – Battle of Ramsour's Mill nearby in what is today Lincolnton, North Carolina, many Rowan County soldiers were killed at this battle
1787 – New Sterling ARP Church established in Buffalo Shoals area that would become New Sterling
1788, November 3 – Iredell County was incorporated in 1788 when it was formed from adjacent Rowan County. It is named for Honorable James Iredell, Sr. (1751–1799), Attorney General of North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, Supreme Court Justice, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1788. …