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 George
Durant: Albemarle's First Settler
By Howard Draper, Museum of the Albemarle
Pasquotank County takes great pride in knowing that the first
land grant in North Carolina occurred there in 1660 when
Kiscutanaweh, chief of the Yeopim Indians deeded to Nathaniel
Batts “all ye land on ye southwest side of Pascotank River from
ye mouth of ye sd river to ye head of New Begin Creeke.” What
falls between the cracks many times, however, is that the land
at that time was a part of Norfolk County, Virginia, the deed
was actually recorded there. Therefore, the first recorded land
grant in North Carolina actually belongs to George Durant.
Very little is known of George Durant. In fact, the only
substantial biography is Mattie Erma Parker’s entry of Durant in
William S. Powell’s landmark Dictionary of North Carolina
Biography. However, the story of Durant and the tract of land
that would come to be known as Durant’s Neck in present-day
southern Perquimans County is a very interesting story.
Shortly after his marriage in January 1658 in Northumberland
County, Virginia to Ann Marwood, Durant decided he wanted to
make a home away from his Nansemond County residence. Where
Durant was living at the time is not known. Possibilities
include Northumberland County, Westmoreland County, or Nansemond
County. It is known that at this time, he joined with at least
six other gentlemen including John Battle, Thomas Relfe, Roger
Williams, Thomas Jarvis, John Harvey, and John Jenkins to
explore the Albemarle area, at the time a Virginia frontier
called Roanoke. Many of these men brought land which Durant was
witness to, including the one dated September 24, 1660 to
Nathaniel Batts. It is possible that Durant was employed by
Batts. Richard Batts, Nathaniel Batts brother, was a sea
captain, and it is known that Durant was a mariner.
It is known that land was purchased from Cisketando, a Yeopim
Indian chief on August 4, 1661. Shortly after, Durant purchases
more land from the Yeopim. This deed is now recorded in the
Perquimans County records, making it the oldest deed in North
Carolina. The area that Durant settled, now known as Durant’s
Neck, proved to be a good location for him. Located in present
Perquimans County on a tract of land jutting into the Albemarle
Sound, the soil proved to be good for growing corn and wheat. In
addition, cattle and swine were prosperous, as were the numerous
forest animals. Unfortunately, Durant would have many problems
with this tract of land.
One year after Durant settled his land, Virginia Governor
William Berkeley informed all settlers that if they obtained
land from the Indians, they must now obtain grants from
Virginia. Under these rules, Berkely granted George Catchmaid of
Northumberland County, Virginia the same land that Durant was
living upon. Durant, feeling the land was rightfully his,
refused to move. It did not take long for the two men to
temporarily settle their differences. They both agreed that
Durant could settle the western side of the point, Catchmaid the
east. Catchmaid also promised to have the land patented in
Durant’s name. Unfortunately for Durant, Catchmaid died before
the patent was obtained. To complicate matters for Durant,
Catchmaid’s widow, remarried a wealthy Quaker, Timothy Biggs,
with whom he did not get along. Biggs, ignoring the gentlemanly
agreement made between Durant and Catchmaid, pursued the title.
Not until 1697, almost three years after Durant’s death was a
suit won by Durant’s son giving them legal title to the land
they had been living for thirty-five years.
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