A Brief History of Bath, North Carolina

Bath, North Carolina, is a historic town located in Beaufort County. It was the first town established in the state of North Carolina, founded in 1705 by John Lawson, who was a surveyor, explorer, and writer.

The town was named after Bath, England, and was settled by Englishmen who came from Virginia. The town was strategically located on the Pamlico River, which made it a prime location for trade, commerce, and shipping. It quickly became a center of trade, attracting merchants from all over the world.

During the early years of the town's history, Bath was the capital of the colony of North Carolina. The town's strategic location on the river made it a prime location for commerce, and it quickly became a major hub of trade. The town also had a thriving shipbuilding industry, which produced many ships that sailed to England, the West Indies, and other parts of the world.

Bath played a significant role in the early history of North Carolina, as it was the site of the first recorded European settlement in the state. In addition to being the state's capital, Bath was also home to several important figures in North Carolina's early history, including Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate, who made the town his home for a time.

In 1718, Blackbeard was killed by British naval forces near Ocracoke Island, which marked the end of his reign of terror on the North Carolina coast. The legend of Blackbeard has endured, and the town of Bath is still known as the "Home of Blackbeard."