Copyright Notice: This content is from the North Carolina Gazetteer, edited by William S. Powell and Michael Hill. Copyright © 2010 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. For personal use and not for further distribution. Please submit permission requests for other use directly to the publisher.

This content is from the North Carolina Gazetteer, edited by William S. Powell and Michael Hill. Copyright © 2010 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. For personal use and not for further distribution. Please submit permission requests for other use directly to the publisher.

Some place names included in The North Carolina Gazetteer contain terms that are considered offensive.

Preface to the 2nd edition
Preface to the 1st edition
Acknowledgments
Tips for Searching the Gazetteer

"The North Carolina Gazetteer is a geographical dictionary in which an attempt has been made to list all of the geographic features of the state in one alphabet. It is current, and it is historical as well. Many features and places that no longer exist are included; many towns and counties for which plans were made but which never materialized are also included. Some names appearing on old maps may have been imaginary, but many of them also appear in this gazetteer.

Each entry is located according to the county in which it is found. I have not felt obliged to keep entries uniform. The altitude of a place, the date of incorporation of a city or town, may appear in the beginning of one entry and at the end of another. Some entries may appear more complete than others. I have included whatever information I could find. If there is no comment on the origin or meaning of a name, it is because the information was not available. In some cases, however, resort to an unabridged dictionary may suggest the meaning of many names."

--From The North Carolina Gazetteer, 1st edition, preface by William S. Powell

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Place Description
Marshallberg Township

S central Carteret County.
Marshbourns Pond

in E Wake County on Buffalo Creek.
Marshville

town in E Union County. Settled in 1874. Originally known as Beaverdam for nearby Beaverdam Creek, and at the time centered around a depot on the Central Carolina Railroad. Inc. 1877 as Griffinsville; name changed to Marshville in 1897 for the Marsh family, which donated land for a school and church. Produces processed poultry, asbestos products, boxes, and staves.
Marshville Township

E Union County.
Marston

community in E Richmond County. Est. 1913. Named for Edgar L. Marston of New York, developer of local real estate. Alt. 431.
Martha

community and former post office, W Randolph County. Named for first postmaster, Martha Ingram.
Martin

community in central Yadkin County served by post office, 1887-1909.
Martin Bay

E Pitt County in Tar River.
Martin Branch

rises in SE Durham County and flows N into Lick Creek.
Martin County

was formed in 1774 from Halifax and Tyrrell Counties. Located in the E section of the state, it is bounded by Washington, Beaufort, Pitt, Edgecombe, Halifax, and Bertie Counties. It was named for Josiah Martin (1737-86), last royal governor of North Carolina. The name very likely would have been changed, as were those of other counties named for royal governors, had it not been for the popularity of Alexander Martin, governor in 1782-85 and 1789-92. Area: 482 sq. mi. County seat: Williamston, with an elevation of 60 ft. Townships are Beargrass, Cross Roads, Goose Nest, Griffins, Hamilton, Jamesville, Poplar Point, Robersonville, Williams, and Williamston. Produces tobacco, peanuts, corn, cotton, Irish potatoes, hogs, livestock, poultry, apparel, canned goods, heavy equipment, chemicals, lumber, paper, and textiles.