Tryon County is a former county which was located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It was formed in 1768 from the part of Mecklenburg County west of the Catawba River, although the legislative act that created it did not become effective until April 10, 1769. Due to inaccurate and delayed surveying, Tryon County encompassed a large area of northwestern South Carolina. It was named for William Tryon, governor of the North Carolina Colony from 1765 to 1771.
The county seat, finally designated in 1774, was located eight miles southwest of the present-day community of Lincolnton, in Lincoln County.
History
The act establishing the county named commissioners to select a place "whereon to erect court house, prison and stocks." The initial court records beginning with the April 1769 sessions were recorded by Ezekiel Polk, clerk, and the grandfather of James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States.
The entire areas of:
- Cleveland County, North Carolina, including Kings Mountain
- Gaston County, North Carolina
- Lincoln County, including Ramsour's Mill
- Rutherford County, North Carolina
- Cherokee County, South Carolina
- Chester County, South Carolina
- Laurens County, South Carolina
- Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Union County, South Carolina
- York County, South Carolina
...and parts of:
- Burke County, North Carolina
- McDowell County, North Carolina
- Greenville County, South Carolina
- Newberry County, South Carolina
- The Catawba Indian Reservation
Notable people
- William Graham, militia and political leader during the War for Independence.
- Frederick Hambright, "Resolves" signer and militia leader wounded during the War for Independence.
- Joseph Hardin, "Resolves" signer, militia leader during the War for Independence, and later a legislative representative for the State of Franklin and the Southwest Territory.
See also
- List of former United States counties
- List of North Carolina counties
References
External links
- Tryon County, North Carolina at carolana.com