Anson County, North Carolina: History
The area eventually comprising Anson County was originally occupied by Native Americans of the Catawba and Waxhaw tribes.
The county was formed in 1750 from Bladen County. It was named for the Royal Navy officer and politician George Anson, 1st Baron Anson, who purchased land in North Carolina. The county seat was designated at New Town in 1783. Four years later it was renamed Wadesboro.
Reductions to its extent began in 1753, when the northern part of it became Rowan County. In 1762 the western part of Anson County became Mecklenburg County. In 1779 the northern part of what remained of Anson County became Montgomery County, and the part east of the Pee Dee River became Richmond County. In 1842, western Anson County merged with southeastern Mecklenburg County to become Union County.