Think for a moment about the first European settlers to permanently inhabit North Carolina. They began arriving in the 1650s in small numbers. Numbers began increasing soon after King Charles II granted a charter to eight of his powerful friends, "Lords Proprietors," for vast lands extending from the Atlantic coast westward as far as the English could control. Settlers came initially to the eastern coastal plain to a beautiful land, heavily forested, a temperate climate, with a bounty of flora and fauna. They were generally young, often in their 20s and 30s, mainly of English stock, and of little wealth. Most were moving down from Virginia and colonies further to the north. They had endured two months of a harrowing voyage across the Atlantic. To survive, they had to quickly clear enough land to grow food crops. They formed village enclaves known as Bath, Edenton, New Bern and Beaufort. As they expanded their farm lands, they came into increasing conflict with Native Americans who, with considerable justification, were becoming suspicious of these fair skinned strangers encroaching on traditional hunting and fishing areas.
We can accurately say that these early settlers had certain characteristics. They, both men and women, were adventurous, industrious, and incredibly courageous. Many, Quakers for example, were seeking freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences. But there remain questions about many of the early colonists. Did poverty, lack of opportunity, political or religious persecution, or a rigid social caste system in Britain and the European Continent create a certain desperation that drove these people to North Carolina, or was it more of a sense of adventure?
Whatever the motivation, the colony in North Carolina grew and thrived. Virtually all of the settlers ended up owning fertile lands giving them at least a modicum of wealth and a strong sense of self determination. But while the early colonists found reasonable success here, the Lords Proprietors (by this time their heirs), did not. In 1729 they gave up and transferred their unsold lands and the right of governance back to the British Crown.
We in the Order of First Families of North Carolina all descend from the settlers who arrived in our state prior to 1729. We share a keen curiosity about who our ancestors were and what motivated them to move to this beautiful but demanding place. We always welcome new members. Acceptance into membership is through an exacting process of genealogical research and documentation. Potential members are invited to link to the membership section of this website and begin the journey back 300 years to their intrepid ancestors by putting together their family trees and supporting proofs. We wish you well on this journey!
Neil Whitford
President, Order of First Families of North Carolina
Future Meetings:
The Fall 2024 Meeting of the Order will be on October 26th, 2024 at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, NC. Please use the contact form if you need additional information concerning the meeting.
We can accurately say that these early settlers had certain characteristics. They, both men and women, were adventurous, industrious, and incredibly courageous. Many, Quakers for example, were seeking freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences. But there remain questions about many of the early colonists. Did poverty, lack of opportunity, political or religious persecution, or a rigid social caste system in Britain and the European Continent create a certain desperation that drove these people to North Carolina, or was it more of a sense of adventure?
Whatever the motivation, the colony in North Carolina grew and thrived. Virtually all of the settlers ended up owning fertile lands giving them at least a modicum of wealth and a strong sense of self determination. But while the early colonists found reasonable success here, the Lords Proprietors (by this time their heirs), did not. In 1729 they gave up and transferred their unsold lands and the right of governance back to the British Crown.
We in the Order of First Families of North Carolina all descend from the settlers who arrived in our state prior to 1729. We share a keen curiosity about who our ancestors were and what motivated them to move to this beautiful but demanding place. We always welcome new members. Acceptance into membership is through an exacting process of genealogical research and documentation. Potential members are invited to link to the membership section of this website and begin the journey back 300 years to their intrepid ancestors by putting together their family trees and supporting proofs. We wish you well on this journey!
Neil Whitford
President, Order of First Families of North Carolina
Future Meetings:
The Fall 2024 Meeting of the Order will be on October 26th, 2024 at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, NC. Please use the contact form if you need additional information concerning the meeting.