Formed in 1722, Bertie County is one of North Carolina's oldest counties. The county quickly became the point of entry for immigrants from Virginia and Europe. Since its formation Bertie County has played an important role in the development of eastern coastal North Carolina.
Alan D. Watson is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His articles have appeared in William and Mary Quarterly, South Carolina Historical Magazine and North Carolina Historical Review. He lives in Wilmington.