Skip to main content
NC DNCR logo NC DNCR

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Places to Go
  • Things to Do
    Things to Do
    • Field Trips, Group Visits & CAVS
    • Archives
    • Aquariums
    • Libraries
    • Museums
    • State Parks
    • State Historic Sites
    • North Carolina Symphony
    • Zoo
    • Events and Programs
    • Trips/Travel Ideas
    • Sightseeing Tours in North Carolina
    • African American Experience
    • America 250 NC
  • Things to Know
    Things to Know
    • Artist Opportunities
    • Traveling Exhibits
    • Conservation Assistance
    • Digital Collections & Online Exhibits
    • Family History & Genealogy
    • Mapping Resources
    • Publications
    • Records Management
    • Search Our Collections
    • American Indian Programs and Resources
    • Blogs
    • Grants Opportunities
    • Moonshine and Motorsports Trail
    • NCCulture Kids Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Advisory Council on Film, Television, and Digital Streaming
  • News
    News
    • Contacts for the Press
    • Press Releases
    • DNCR Marketing & Communications Team
    • Legislative Reports
  • About
    About
    • Arts
    • History
    • Libraries
    • Nature
    • Support Us
    • Employment
    • Special Programs
    • DNCR Strategic Plan 2021 - 2023
    • Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion
    • Featured Programs
    • Leadership
  • NCLearn
  • Contact Us
  • NC.GOV
  • AGENCIES
  • JOBS
  • SERVICES
NC DNCR »   Home »   blog

The Durants of Durants Neck

January 4, 2016

1953 Painting Showing George Durant receiving a deed, from the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh

A 1953 painting showing George Durant receiving a deed from local Native Americans. Image from the N.C. Museum of History.

On January 4, 1659, George and Ann Marwood Durant, pioneer settlers of the Albemarle region of Carolina, were married.

By 1665 they were living on the peninsula now known as Durant’s Neck in modern Perquimans County.  George was instrumental in establishing local government in an area overlooked and under-appreciated by the Lords Proprietors; he even traveled to London to represent the interests of the colonists of the area. After not getting redress for his concerns, he was one of the chief leaders of the uprising known as Culpeper’s Rebellion in 1677.

Two years after he rebelled against the proprietors in London, Durant was one of the most influential politicians in the region due largely to his success in protecting the interests of the Albemarle region and Carolina more broadly. In 1679, Durant was appointed speaker of North Carolina’s first legislative assembly and also served as attorney general under Thomas Harvey. George died in 1693 or 1694, according to his will, which his wife administered.

In her husband’s frequent absence, Ann ran their plantation, often providing accommodations at their house for officials attending meetings of the Assembly and Council. In 1673, she became the first woman to act in the capacity of an attorney in Carolina. On at least 20 other occasions she appeared before colonial courts on behalf of herself, her husband and others.

For more about North Carolina’s history, arts and culture, visit Cultural Resources online. To receive these updates automatically each day subscribe by email using the box on the right and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

This blog is related to:

  • This Day in North Carolina History

Related Articles

  • Spring 2022 Music Festival Preview
  • Celebrate Black History Month in NC
  • Tales from the Road with Doug MacMillan of The Connells
  • Music at the Museum Artist Feature: Keenan Jenkins of XOXOK
  • Artist Feature: Charles Chace of Speed Stick
  • Music at the Museum Artist Feature: Tumbao's Diego Avilez
  • Behind the Boards: Highlighting North Carolina Hip-Hop Producers
  • "Scatter and Gather" with Shay Martin Lovette
  • Music at the Museum Artist Feature: Charlie Smarts
  • Music at the Museum Artist Feature: Lakota John
  • WWNC, Citizen Vinyl, and a Building's Legacy
  • Bringing Back the Funk
  • Stray Local Explores Solitude
  • Rissi Palmer and Color Me Country Artist Fund Provides "Postcards from God"
  • Tracks Music Library Builds a Musical Ecosystem

Related Blogs

  • Selma Burke, Renowned for FDR Portrait on the Dime
  • Henry Plummer Cheatham, Educator and Advocate for Equality
  • Illinois Soldiers Overrun Thomas’s Legion, 1864
  • Upper House of Assembly Meets at the Newly-Constructed Tryon Palace
  • North Carolina Approves the 13th Amendment
  • Mel Tomlinson, Master of Ballet and Modern Dance
  • Floyd McKissick and Soul City
  • Medal of Honor Recipient Lawrence Joel
  • Palmer Graduate Cast as Lionel Jefferson
  • Francis Nash Mortally Wounded at the Battle of Germantown

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

How can we make this page better for you?

Back to top

Contact Information

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

109 E. Jones Street
Mail Service Center 4601

Raleigh, NC 27601
 

(919) 814-6800

Recent Tweets

Tweets by@ncculture

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Employee Directory
  • Translation Disclaimer
  • TRAVEL POLICY
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
NC DNCR
https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/01/04/durants-durants-neck