Bute County, North Carolina

Bute County was established on June 10, 1764, from the eastern part of Granville County by the North Carolina General Assembly and named for John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763.

It was formed in order to bring the residents of the eastern half of Granville County with improved access to local government, particularly those residing in St. John's Parish.

When governor William Tryon called for troops to counter the Regulator Movement in 1768, his orders were ignored by the Bute County militia.

[1] After the Provincial Congress of 1775 and 1776, an act was proposed to divide Bute County.

[1] The Bute County courthouse was located along Buffalo Rice Path, on land owned by Jethro Sumner.