What’s known as Nash County today began as part of Albemarle County in 1670. Later, it became known as Chowan, and Bertie was formed out of Chowan in 1722. Edgecombe was sliced off of Bertie in 1741. In 1777, Nash was formed out of Edgecombe.
There were six townships in the county that haven’t been listed on maps in years.
Washington Township was No. 1, starting at the bridge at Stoney Creek on Louisburg Road near Nashville. It turned north on Halifax Road near Red Road to the Halifax County line, then to the Franklin County line at Ranson’s Bridge to Big Peachtree Creek.
Liberty Township was No. 2 and included all of the county east of Washington Township to the Halifax and Edgecombe lines north of Stony Creek and a small section of the Tar River between Edgecombe and the mouth of Stony Creek, to include Gold Rock and Red Oak.
Union Township was No. 3. It began at the Stony Creek bridge on the Louisburg Road near Nashville. It included part of Nashville, Spring Hope, and Momeyer.
Middleton Township was No. 4. It included all of the county east of Strickland’s Bridge to the Nashville-Louisburg road and contained part of Nashville, Oak Level, Coopers, and West Mount.
Springfield Township was No. 5. It ran from west of Strickland’s Bridge to the Wilson County line near Horne’s Church. It included Stanhope, Bailey, Middlesex, and Ferrells.
Chesterfield Township was No. 6. It ran from the south side of the Tar River to Edgecombe and along the Edgecombe-Wilson line near Horne’s Church. It had part of Rocky Mount and the areas near present-day Highway 97.
Changes were made in 1871, 1875, 1884, 1894, 1903, 1909, and 1911 as the county grew.
Sources: L.S. Inscoe in The Nashville Graphic, 1966; By Faith and Heritage We Are Bound.
An interesting bit of history. I am from Vance County, which was carved largely out of Granville. We have a number of “ghost towns” that are no longer listed on maps.
it’s always fascinating to me how names come and go in history, usually for no apparent reason it seems.