FORMATION OF RANDOLPH.
The Legislature of 1779, then sitting at Halifax, passed an act providing for the formation of a new county out of Guilford and Rowan, to be called Randolph. Notice having been given, the citizens met accordingly on Monday, the 8th day of March, 1779, at the house of Abram Reece, who then lived on the place now owned by Elias Allred, about half way between Brown’s Cross Roads and Randleman Factory. Proclamation being made, the act of Assembly was read, wherein, William Cole, John Collin, Joseph Hinds, George Cortner, John Arnold, William Millikan, John Hinds, Jacob Shepherd, Richardson Owen, Windsor Pearce, William Bell, William Merrill, John Lowe, Enoch Davis and James Hunter, were nominated Justices for holding the courts in said county.
The oath of allegiance and the oath of office was administered by William Cole, Esq., whereupon they took their seats and organized the first court in Randolph county by electing William Bell, Sheriff, William Millikan, Register of Deeds, and Absalom Tatum, Clerk.
Cross Roads.
Three courts were held at Reece’s house. In the meantime a small log house was built about four hundred yards east of the Cross Roads, on the lands of Stephen Rigdon, and the fourth court, held December the 13, 1779, was held here. This was denominated the Randolph Court House, and was in fact the first Court House in the county, though the title remained in Rigdon.
