This is a very long article so am just giving you some highlights! The Colonial Recor'ds of NC by William L Saunders, Sec of State Vol V-175came permanently settled in NC.2-1759 (there are about 25 vol in this set) pg 1193 (Condensed from FOOTE's Sketches of NC) Early Presbyterian Settlements in NC (pg77) Presbyterian's from the north of Ireland are not found in VA or NC till after the yr 1730, except in scattered families. Abt 1736, Henry McCULLOCH persuaded a colony from Ulster, Ireland to occupy his expected grant in Duplin Co, NC. The loss of the early rec'ds of ORANGE presbytery has left us without the means of ascertaining the precise yr they began occupying the section from the DAN to the CATAWBA. Another tide was flowing from the Highlands of Scotland & landing colonies of Presbyterian people along the Cape Fear River. McAden, was the first minister that permanently settled in NC. (names other minsters). >From records in possession of descendants of Alexander CLARK, it appears the he came over & resided on the river abt 1736 & that a 'ship load of emigrants cam over with him". He found a GOOD MANY Scotch (they don't like to be called this) settled in Cumberland, among them were, Hector McNEILL, John SMITH (his wf died on passage, Margaret GILCHRIST). Some of the smaller clans in the Highlands & many of the men from Clans: McDonalds, McLeods, Makenzis & others. After the battle of CULLODEN, April 1746, ship load after ship load landed in Wilmington. The GROVE congregation is abt 3mi SE of Duplin courthouse & traces its orgin to the church formed from a colony of Presbyterians from the province of Ulster, that Henry McCULLOCH induced to settle on his lands. NOTE: Most libraries have this set of books. Also check a college/university if close and especially the MORMON church to see if they have a Family History Center. YOU are NOT going to find everything on the NET. It is a wonderful tool, as I have found relatives that I would not have found otherwise!!! When you are in the time frame from 1840 & earlier you are going to have to READ histories of counties/sections. Deeds are also a wonderful tool for this time period, as LAND was very important. As there were NO courthouses and/or they moved, burned, clerks took the records home (lost) you may NEVER find a person listed with their family. A lot of these people were married by the TRAVELING minister, who took his records with him, you my never find that record either. THE ONLY reason I have a record of the MAIDEN name & date of marriage is it was in the FAMILY Bible & this was probably in Duplin 1812.