was formed in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of Bath County, although there is evidence that an Archdale County, which see, existed as early as 1696. The name was changed to Craven County about 1712. Located in the E section of the state, it is bounded by Carteret, Jones, Lenoir, Pitt, Beaufort, and Pamlico Counties. It has been said that the county was named for William, Earl of Craven (1606-97), one of the original Lords Proprietors and longest lived of the eight. More likely, however, it was named for his grandnephew, William, Lord Craven (who inherited his title and interest in Carolina and who died the year before the name of the county was changed from Archdale to Craven); or for the third William, Lord Craven, one of the Proprietors at the time the change in the name of the county was made. Area: 785 sq. mi. County seat: New Bern, with an elevation of 12 ft. Townships are nos. 1-3, 5-9; all of former township no. 4 was included in Pamlico County when it was created in 1872. Produces tobacco, corn, soybeans, peanuts, hogs, dairy products, processed meat, lumber, boats, and apparel.

central Buncombe County between Rice Knob and Peach Knob in the Elk Mountains.

Church of England, Craven County, est. 1715, coextensive with the county. By 1741 it was called Christ-Church Parish. In 1767 there were 1,378 white taxables in the parish. Christ Church Parish of the Episcopal Church, however, still functions in New Bern.

community in W Macon County served by post office, 1886-1904.

rises in NE Cherokee County and flows NW into Collett Creek.

rises in S Clay County and flows SE through Wright Cove into Brasstown Creek.

S Haywood County on the head of Crawford Creek.

N Haywood County on the NE end of Hurricane Mountain.

SW Orange County on Cane Creek.

W central Currituck County. See also Currituck.