Bath County

… formed in 1696 from the territory S of Albemarle Sound, was named in honor in John Granville, Earl of Bath, one of the Lords Proprietors. On December 3, 1705, the territory was divided into Archdale, Pamptecough, and Wickham precincts. Bath County was not abolished with the creation of the precincts but continued to be referred to in records as late as 1724. As the precincts increased in importance, eventually becoming counties themselves, the parent county lost its identity.