Brunswick, established in 1745, was made a borough town in
1754, and when Brunswick County was established in 1764
it was made the county seat. In 1779 the county seat was
authorized to be moved to the plantation of John Bell near
Lockwood's Folly Bridge. In 1784 Walkersburg, named in
honor of John Walker on whose land it was situated, was
established. Provisions were made in the act for a courthouse
and other public buildings to be established there. It was
located near Deep Water Point.
This act specified that the
courts were to be held at the most convenient place until the
courthouse was completed. It is doubtful that the act was put
into effect because in 1808 an act was passed authorizing the
removal of the courthouse from Lockwood's Folly to
Smithville. Court was held at the courthouse from 1805-1858.
The record does not indicate where the courthouse was.
This
town, established in 1792, was named in honor of Benjamin
Smith, Governor of North Carolina, 1810-1811. In 1879 an
effort to move the courthouse failed. In 1887 Smithville was
changed to Southport. Southport served as the county seat
until 1977 when the county seat was moved to Bolivia,
following a referendum on the question.
Brunswick County was named in honor of the town of
Brunswick, which was named for King George I, Duke of
Brunswick and Lunenberg. Smithville, established in 1792,
was named in honor of Benjamin Smith, Governor of North
Carolina, 1810-1811.
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