In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, every head mattered. During this the proprietary period, land was awarded based on the number of free people a settler brought into the colony. The Historical Publications Section of the N.C. Office of Archives and History has republished “North Carolina Headrights: A List of Names, 1663-1744,” compiled by Caroline B. Whitley, which examines that activity. This important genealogical work reflects the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources 2008 theme, “Telling Our Stories.”
Most commonly, 50 acres of land was awarded for each free person brought into North Carolina during this period, including the settler. The headright entry contained much information, including the name of the person claiming the headright(s), the acreage claim and its general location, and the number and names of individuals being transported into the colony for settlement. Often the entries describe the relationships between the individual and the individuals transported.
In many instances the headright entry is the only surviving document recording an individual’s presence in the colony. For this reason genealogists find this volume to be particularly valuable to their research of individuals in the colonial period. Caroline B. Whitley, compiler of the entries, was formerly an editor in the Colonial Records Branch of the Historical Publications Section.
“North Carolina Headrights” (312 pages, index, paperback) costs $27.22, which includes tax and shipping. Order from the Historical Publications Section (N), Office of Archives and History, 4622 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4622. For credit card orders, call (919) 733-7442, ext. 0, or visit the secure online store at http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/.
The Historical Publications Section offers more than 190 North Carolina books, maps, and document facsimiles. For a free catalog, write to the address above; call (919) 733-7442, ext. 0; or email trudy.rayfield@ncmail.net. The Historical Publications Section (www.ncpublications.com) is administered by the Office of Archives and History, part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Visit www.ncculture.com 24/7 for podcasts and information.