The practice in NC sprung from a requirement to place the administrative and legal functions of any given county with the convenience of all that particular county’s residence in mind. This led to the establishment of courthouse towns in the geographic center of the county. Oftentimes, there was no town there at all, and so one was established for that express purpose.
For instance, when nearby Surry County, NC was divided due to population growth in 1789, and Stokes County was then formed from the eastern half, there was a survey conducted to locate the geographic center of the county, and it was found to be in the vicinity of my fifth great grandfather’s land. His name was Johann Michael Frey.
What was described as “a great cyclone” came up along about that time, probably a tornado, destroying several government buildings at the former courthouse at Richmond in Surry County. Debris landed on Frey’s land, this was determined to be a sign from God, and the surrounding 23 acres were purchased for the new county seat.
This new town did not have “Courthouse” in it’s name as many such new courthouse towns did. It was named Germanton for the many German speaking people of the new county, primarily Moravians in Salem, Bethania, Bethabara, Friedburg, etcetera, who resided in the jurisdiction.
It’s no longer the courthouse town. Stokes was divided itself, and two new county seats were created, again near the geographic center for the convenience of all the people of the jurisdicion. Danbury, for the county that retained the name, and Winston, in honor of Revolutionary War Col. Joseph Winston of Germanton.
Joseph Winston was a neighbor of my direct paternal 4G who fought in the Revolution, mentioned above. Winston’s grave was moved to Guilford Courthouse from Germanton, where it remains.
Thanks for a clear explanation.
(Probably fits Appomattox Courthouse and others in Virginia.)
Great stuff...thanks to the both of you for your contributions to this thread.