Abstract:
Edgecombe County, named after Richard first Baron of Edgecombe, once encompassed an area equal to 17 modern era counties drawn from Bertie Precinct in 1732. Initially the county seat was Enfield, and then moved to Halifax, before finally being established at Tarboro. Tarboro, then Tarborough, was incorporated September 23, 1760 and historically the spelling was not agreed upon until January 14, 1898 by the Post Office that recognized only the current spelling. In 1947, Tarboro represented a vibrant county seat with modern hospitals, public facilities, and industry.