Duplin County Courthouse - District#4A

In 1751, the first official county court was held in the home of William McRee. Today, Guilford Mills, Inc, on NC Highway 11/903, is located on the original site. A short time later the first courthouse was built on Turkey Swamp near the present day Duplin/Sampson County line. When Sampson County was created in 1784 from the western half of Duplin County, the courthouse was relocated again to a more central location. The first sessions of county court at this new site were held in James's home near the road to Magnolia about 2 miles south of Kenansville. Later, the court was relocated to the area that was to become Kenansville.