Chatham County
… was formed in 1771 from Orange County. Located in the central section of the state, it is bounded by Wake, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Randolph, Alamance, Orange, and Durham Counties. It was named for William Pitt, Earl of Chatham (1708-78), who vigorously opposed the harsh measures taken in England with regard to the American colonies in 1774-75 and who advocated cessation of hostilities in 1777. Area: 707 sq. mi. County seat: Pittsboro, with an elevation of 409 ft. Townships are Albright, Baldwin, Bear Creek, Cape Fear, Center, Gulf, Hadley, Haw River, Hickory Mountain, Matthew, New Hope, Oakland, and William. Produces wheat, oats, livestock, poultry, hay, corn, furniture, plywood, bricks, mobile homes, nursery products, textiles, hosiery, crushed stone, and clay for brick.
