Bute County

… was formed from Granville County in 1764; named in honor of John Stuart (1713-92), Earl of Bute, who until his resignation in 1763 had been First Lord of the Treasury. The county was divided in 1779 to form Franklin and Warren Counties. The courthouse was ordered to be built on Jethro Sumner's land at a place called Buffalo Race Path; the site is in Warren County approx. 6 mi. SE of Warrenton. See also St. John's Parish, Granville County.