For one of the most rewarding rural destinations in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain region, Martin County is a real treasure. Formed in 1774 from parts of Halifax and Tyrrell Counties, this 456-square-mile slice of northeastern NC is known for its rich early-American history, productive farmland, scenic Roanoke River corridor, and quietly distinctive small-town character. With historic sites that stretch from the Tuscarora era through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and modern day, Martin County rewards visitors who appreciate the deeper layers of NC history — and the warm hospitality that comes with discovering a beautifully under-the-radar part of the state. Click on the image cards below to explore the communities in Martin County that we’ve personally visited.
Named for Josiah Martin, the Last Royal Governor
Martin County takes its name from Josiah Martin (1737-1786), the last Royal Governor of North Carolina, who served from 1771 to 1776. Martin succeeded William Tryon as Royal Governor and was the second of the two Royal Governors to live at the original Tryon Palace in New Bern — the magnificent Georgian-style residence completed in 1770 that served as North Carolina’s first permanent capital.
The county was formally established on March 2, 1774, just months before the First Provincial Congress met at Tryon Palace in defiance of British orders. Remarkably, Martin County has carried Josiah Martin’s name continuously for more than 250 years — a distinction worth noting given that Dobbs County and Tryon County, both named for Josiah Martin’s gubernatorial predecessors, were abolished after American independence. Martin County alone among the three has been neither abolished nor renamed.
The Tuscarora and the Name “Squhawky”
Long before European settlement, the area that became Martin County was home to the Tuscarora people, who referred to the region as “Squhawky” (later anglicized as “Skewarky” — the name by which the future county seat, Williamston, was originally known). The Tuscarora lived off the area’s lush forests and used the Roanoke River as an important trade route with other tribes throughout the coastal plain.
By the time the first English settlers arrived in the early 1770s, the Tuscarora had largely migrated to other sites in North Carolina and Virginia, but their legacy remains an essential part of Martin County’s deeper history.
A Rural County Built on Farming and the Roanoke River
Today, Martin County is predominantly rural and agricultural, with tobacco, soybeans, and cotton anchoring the local economy. The county’s most defining geographic feature remains the Roanoke River, which winds through the county, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, paddling, and waterfront exploration. The river was originally an important shipping corridor for tar, turpentine, and other local products — helping establish Williamston, the county seat, as a vital trade center beginning in the late 18th century.
In addition to Williamston, Martin County is home to several other distinctive communities — including Bear Grass, Hamilton, Jamesville, Robersonville, Parmele, Oak City, Everetts, Hassell, Gold Point, and Darden — each with its own character and place in the county’s broader story.
Historic Sites and Notable Figures
Martin County’s historic landmarks reflect its layered past:
- The Asa Biggs House in Williamston — preserved by the Martin County Historical Society since 1978, the home honors Asa Biggs (1811-1878), who served in both houses of the U.S. Congress and as a federal judge before championing the Confederate cause during the Civil War
- Fort Branch in Hamilton — a Confederate fort completed in summer 1863 at Rainbow Banks overlooking the Roanoke River, named for General Lawrence O’Bryan Branch, who died at the Battle of Antietam. The fort withstood a Union Army attack in December 1864 before Confederate soldiers destroyed the garrison themselves in 1865 as the war drew to a close. The site has since been renovated by a private company and now serves as a historic attraction
- The Martin County Courthouse in Williamston, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979
Martin County is also notably the birthplace of Wilber Hardee, the founder of the famous Hardee’s fast-food chain, a fun reminder that the county’s quiet character has produced some genuinely outsized contributions to American business history.
The Chicken Mull Festival
Every October, the community of Bear Grass hosts the beloved Chicken Mull Festival — a favorite local event that celebrates the traditional Southern dish known as “chicken mull” (a savory stewed chicken preparation that’s been part of Martin County culinary tradition for generations) and brings the community together for one of the most distinctive cultural celebrations in the broader region.
Resources
Explore Martin County NC Website