Chowan County was formed in 1668 from Albemarle County (the original). Clearly Chowan will be divided into a smaller size, which began with the formation of Bertie County in 1722. This division and formation of Bertie will greatly reduce Chowan County (Bertie will also be reduced in size over the decades). Then Chowan will be reduced in size by the creation of the following counties (as well as other adjoining counties) Ð Tyrrell (1729), Hertford (1759), and Gates (1779).
This is clearly one of the original counties for the state. The oldest records are in the first volume (although not titled Volume 1) which contains the first box of road records (1711-1819) and the entire box of bridge records. This book contains the last box of road records, thus completing this countyÕs infrastructure collection (3-volumes of road and bridge, 1-volume of mill and Ferry, and 1-volume of Tavern records).