Pittsboro

… town and county seat, central Chatham County. Est. 1778 as Chatham, site of the courthouse. Pittsboro authorized to be laid out on land adjacent to the courthouse in 1785, but owners would not sell the desired land. In 1787 land on another site was acquired. Named for William Pitt, Earl of Chatham (1708-78), defender of American rights in the British Parliament. Alt. 409. Produces textiles, hosiery, poultry.