Hertford County Courthouse - District#6B

Hertford County is home of the Meherrin Indian Tribe, descendants of indigenous people who had inhabited the region for thousands of years. After decades of encroachment by English colonists, the Tribe moved south from Virginia, where they settled in 1706 on a reservation abandoned by the Chowanoke. This six-square-mile reservation was at Parker's Ferry near the mouth of the Meherrin River. It was confirmed by a treaty of 1726. They were not able to keep the reservation lands.

The Tribe today has an enrollment of approximately 900 enrolled members, of whom most live within 10–15 miles of the former reservation. It is recognized by the state. They are seeking Federal recognition. The Meherrin Tribe has an Annual Pow Wow at the end of October.

The county was formed by European Americans in 1759 from parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County. It was named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Earl of Hertford, later 1st Marquess of Hertford.

In 1779 the northeastern part of Hertford County was combined with parts of Chowan County and Perquimans County to form Gates County.