Sampson County is named for John Sampson, who was the first register of deeds of Duplin County and the first mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Harnett County and Johnston County
E – Duplin County
S – Pender County
W – Bladen County and Cumberland County
Created: 1784 
County Seat:
James Myhand House 1785
Clinton 1785 – present
County Courthouse – Clinton
Location: 101 East Main Street / Lisbon Street
Built: 1902 – 1904
Style: Federal
Architect: B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company
Contractor: B F Smith Fireproof Construction Company
Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Clinton. The building has a large porch supported by five large white colored pillars rising to the roof line. The entrance is recessed. There is also a similar porch on the northwest side. There are south and north wings with dormers on the roof. On the center of the roof is a square white colored cupola with clock and green colored roof. In the interior, the courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Superior Court and County District Court of the 4th Judicial District. The building was remodeled and a new jail was added in 1937 to 1939 and the architect was R R Markley. The remodeling was a Public Works Administration project.
See: The 4th Judicial District includes Duplin County, Jones County and Onslow County.
History: The county was created in 1784 and Clinton was selected the county seat in 1785. The first courts met at the home of James Myband. The first courthouse was erected in Clinton 1785. The second courthouse was built in 1853. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1904 to 1905 at a cost of $30,000. In 1938, the building was completely remodeled at a cost of $100,000.
County Courthouse – Clinton
Photos taken 2008