Gates County
… was formed in 1779 from Chowan, Hertford, and Perquimans Counties. Located in the NE section of the state, it is bounded by Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, and Hertford Counties and the state of Virginia. It was named for Gen. Horatio Gates (1728?-1806), commander of Revolutionary forces that defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 1777. Area: 349 sq. mi. County seat: Gatesville, with an elevation of 40 ft. Townships are Gatesville, Hall, Haslett, Holly Grove, Hunters Mill, Mintonsville, and Reynoldson. The area was explored in 1622 by John Pory, who came down from Jamestown, Va. Produces peanuts, corn, soybeans, cotton, hogs, wood products, and lumber.
