Salisbury District, North Carolina

The Salisbury District of North Carolina, was originally one of several colonial judicial districts established in 1766. Immediately preceding the onset of the American War of Independence, these six regions, in 1775, were broadened into "de facto" militia districts.

In 1766, the North Carolina colonial legislature, at the direction of North Carolina colonial governor, William Tryon, divided the state into six judicial districts. These were: Edenton, New Bern, Wilmington, Halifax, Salisbury, and Hillsborough. Since Tryon County boundaries originally stretched into territory which was later found to belong to South Carolina (due to surveying errors), the Salisbury District was, for a time, the legal center of modern-day northwestern South Carolina as well.

After the Third Provincial Congress held at Hillsborough, North Carolina (Aug. 20-Sept. 10, 1775), the districts became militarized, each supplying a regiment of militia volunteers under the command of a brigadier general. At that time, two additional districts were added, further dividing the western part of the state. Also, district representatives were chosen and sent to the North Carolina Provincial Congress. These representatives were instrumental in the passage of the Halifax Resolves, in April 1776, during the Fourth Provincial Congress, which is now often referred to as the "Halifax Congress."

The Salisbury District was based in the village of Salisbury, North Carolina, in Rowan County.

Edmund Fanning was made the first official associate justice for the District of Salisbury in March 1766. The third colonial court, which regularly assembled at Salisbury, was the court of oyer, terminer and general jail delivery. This court had jurisdiction over criminal cases. The Salisbury District court met in June and December of each year.

...
Wikipedia