Abstract:
Pender County is named for Major General William D. Pender, one of North Carolina's great heroes of the Confederacy. A professional solider and graduate of West Point, Pender transferred to the cavalry, was elected Colonel of the Third North Carolina, was placed in charge of Pettigrew's Brigade, fought at Second Manassas, was slain at Gettysburg, and was laid to rest in the churchyard of Calvary Church at Tarboro.