Williamsboro

… town in N Vance County near the head of Little Island Creek. It was authorized to be laid out in 1786 and inc. 1808. Long inactive in municipal affairs. The place was first called The Lick for a salt lick in the vicinity. It was later known as Nutbush for the creek named by William Byrd's dividing-line party in 1728 because of the profusion of hazelnuts there. Williamsboro was named in honor of Judge John Williams (1732-99). St. John's Episcopal Church there, dating from 1757, has been restored to its original condition.