New Hanover was established as a precinct in Bath County in 1729. This work covers the history of the region from about that time down through the American Revolution. The author apparently intended to continue his work, this volume being marked "Volume I;" however, no subsequent volumes were published. Although this history touches on most of the usual topics, identifies the early plantations and their owners, and mentions the various communities in the county, the emphasis is on events during the Revolutionary War era and on Wilmington. There is a map and several illustrations of people or sites mentioned in the text.