Here is an interesting book on the the history of Edgecombe Co., NC.:-----    J. Kelley Turner & Jno. L. Bridgers, “History of Edgecombe County North Carolina,” Edwards & Broughton Pub., Raleigh, NC, 1920. .pdf file at http://books.google.com/books?id=s_QOAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=history+edgecombe+county+north+carolina   The book was published locally in 1920, and offers a history free from currently fashionable political correctness, with its associated detritus. The opening part of the book, pp. 13 - 104, is concerned with the history of settlement, colonial government, and rebellion through to the era of the Revolutionary War.   The book starts with a brief description of the Indian tribes indigenous to the old Albemarle area of NC. After 1710, “The migration was slow. A few young men, more energetic and with a more restless disposition than their neighbors, determined to seek new lands in a more fertile country. There were probably only fifteen or twenty men who came from Nansemond (VA) by way of the wilderness to the frontier of the Albemarle section, with no provision or equipment, except a rifle and a bag of ammunition, to supply their needs. These men did not come as conquerors, nor as outcasts.” There then follows a discussion of conflict with the local Indian tribes in the Edgecombe Co. area. Most genealogy studies ignore this question of warfare when trying to trace families, ignoring the possible attenuation of families through this cause. By 1722 the local troubles were over essentially. As I understand it, John Pace was issued a land patent in 1713, but he did not immediately take possession of said land. Perhaps it was the situation with the Indians that caused him to delay his departure to NC.   There followed a second tide of immigration. Increasing population led to demands to organize the area of Edgecombe into ultimately a county. Around 1740 there an increase in immigration to Edgecombe, including some monied settlers. Some of the names mentioned in the text might be familiar. Chapter II is concerned with colonial government and politics. The politics of county formation, taxes, and representation are discussed among other topics. Chapter III is entitled ‘Revolution.’ There is a discussion of problems between Tories and Patriots.   James R. Pace