Craven County
… was formed in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of Bath County, although there is evidence that an Archdale County, which see, existed as early as 1696. The name was changed to Craven County about 1712. Located in the E section of the state, it is bounded by Carteret, Jones, Lenoir, Pitt, Beaufort, and Pamlico Counties. It has been said that the county was named for William, Earl of Craven (1606-97), one of the original Lords Proprietors and longest lived of the eight. More likely, however, it was named for his grandnephew, William, Lord Craven (who inherited his title and interest in Carolina and who died the year before the name of the county was changed from Archdale to Craven); or for the third William, Lord Craven, one of the Proprietors at the time the change in the name of the county was made. Area: 785 sq. mi. County seat: New Bern, with an elevation of 12 ft. Townships are nos. 1-3, 5-9; all of former township no. 4 was included in Pamlico County when it was created in 1872. Produces tobacco, corn, soybeans, peanuts, hogs, dairy products, processed meat, lumber, boats, and apparel.
