Perquiman County is named for the Perquimans Native American tribe.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Gates County
S – Tyrrell County
W – Chowan County
Created: 1670 
County Seat:
Phelp’s Point 1722 – 1759
Hertford 1759 – present
County Courthouse – Hertford
Location: 124 North Church Street / East Market Street
Built: 1824 – 1825
Style: Georgian / Federal
Architect: John Gatling
Contractor: John Gatling
Description: The building faces west and is a two story yellow colored stucco structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Hertford. The west front has a small portico with two columns rising to a pediment above the entrance. On the roof is a large pediment with fanlight. The roof is hipped. The courtroom is located on the first story. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 1st Judicial District. There are smaller north and south wings. The building was renovated in 1890, 1932 and 1952. On the south side is the two story County Courthouse Annex.
Note: John Gatling, who designed and constructed the courthouse, was a tavern keeper and prominent planter in the county. The courthouse is the second oldest courthouse in North Carolina still used as a courthouse. The oldest courthouse is located in Chowan County.
See: The only other Federal style courthouse is located in Gates County.
National Register of Historic Places – Perquimans County Courthouse
See: The 1st Judicial District includes Camden County, Chowan County, Currituck County, Dare County, Gates County and Pasquotank County.
History: The county was created in 1670 and Hertford was selected as the county seat. The first courts met at private homes. The first courthouse was built in 1722 at Phelp’s Point ( Hertford ). Hertford became the official county seat in 1759. The second and present courthouse was erected in 1824 to 1825.
County Courthouse – Hertford
Photos taken 2012