Visitor/Re-locator Information

An Introduction to Sampson CountyBefore forming in 1784,

Sampson County was part of Duplin County , which formed in 1750.  John Sampson, who was a member of the General Assembly, helped create Duplin County from the northern portion of New Hanover County .  John Sampson served as the first Register of Deeds in the newly formed Duplin County .

Richard Clinton led a fight in the General Assembly to divide Duplin County , and in 1784, Sampson County was created and named for Colonel John Sampson, who had served in the Duplin Militia with the Revolutionary cause.  Colonel Sampson presided at the first session of Sampson County court, held in the home of James Myland (now part of the Fox Lake subdivision in the City of Clinton ). 

For its first 175 years, the small farm was the dominant agricultural unit of the county. The 1950 census reported that the average size farm in Sampson County was 64 acres. Due to the quality and quantity of virgin pine timber and hardwoods found in the county, lumbering was one of the leading industries in the early 20^th Century. 

Today, Sampson County leads the state in gross farm income.  It continues as the state’s single largest producer of vegetables and swine; it is second in turkeys, cotton and sweet potatoes, and it is eighth in tobacco.

Sampson County and its eight incorporated towns are governed by the Board of Commissioners.  They are responsible for formulating policy, directing government services and appointing members to various boards and agencies.  Five members of the board serve staggered four-year terms. The County Manager serves as the county’s Chief Executive Officer.