Granville County, North Carolina

Experiencing Granville County, North Carolina

Granville County is a land that still retains the beauty and simplicity of the past. Just take a walk deep into the woods, and you will understand why our ancestors moved to this place. Granville County, created from Edgecombe County in 1746, is rich in our state's history. Please feel free to send your memories and experiences to be added to this page.

During the time of 2015-present, I have walked many an acre of our Satterwhite ancestors' properties. Not just the Satterwhite land but also their collateral families: Knott, Norwood, Wilson, Strum, Hunt, Davis, and the list continues. All of these families lived nearby, and their everyday lives intertwined for generations. They were farmers, merchants, soldiers, and politicians.

The first Satterwhite men that came to Granville County were Captain Michael Satterwhite, Thomas Satterwhite, and John Satterwhite. They lived among men that shaped not only our state but also this country, such as John Penn (1741-1788) and Thomas Person (1733-1800).

If you are ever in the area, it is worth the trip back into the woods to see the John Penn Memorial located on his original land. While his remains are now in Guilford County, the experience of being at the original site is well worth the time. It is humbling to see the burial grounds for the enslaved souls.  
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​I spend most of my time in the upper east quadrant of the county. The area still holds the feel of timeless history. If you need to research your ancestors, the courthouse is in Oxford, NC, and the Richard H. Thornton Library is within walking distance. You will find the history room well equipped, and Mark Pace, who heads the genealogy department, is the best!