The Perquimans River

The Perquimans River stretches from the Albemarle Sound to the edge of The Great Dismal Swamp.

The river is a tidal estuary and normally flows very, very lazily because the surrounding area is so flat. The Perquimans River drains into the Albemarle Sound and is located completely within Perquimans County. Many of the river banks are cypress swamps. High and low water 'tides' are primarily wind-driven rather than lunar. The mix of reflected light and breezes determine the surface color of the river  — blue, brown, or black. The water itself is approximately the color of cedar bark or very weak tea, dyed by the millions of cypress trees within its realm. On very calm days the river can look like black glass but if you look closely you can see the sandy bottom and fish swimming by the shoreline. You can explore the upper river's creeks and tributaries in a kayak, canoe or small motor boat because of the water depth and low bridges. Of course, you can go fishing or just enjoy birdwatching and wildlife and magnificent cypress forests.

The Perquimans River & Local History:

Perquimans which means "Land of Beautiful Women" was initially inhabited by the Yeopim Indians. In the early 1600's, the chief of the Yeopim Indians sold the land along the Albemarle Sound and Perquimans River to George Durant. This area is still known as Durant's Neck. The first recorded religious service in the state was held near the historic "S" bridge on the Perquimans River. The Newbold-White House, built in 1730 along the river, is the oldest house in the state and open to the public on a regular basis. A Quaker cemetery on the grounds dates back to the 17th century. There are also a few antebellum plantations along the river banks.

Hertford:

Hertford served as the state's first capital until 1716 and was originally incorporated as the county seat of Perquimans County in 1758. Hertford thrived as a lumber town and made good use of the Perquimans River (the region's major thoroughfare). The original bridge that spanned the river was called a floating bridge. It was made of wood (later, steel and wood) and was connected to each side of the riverbank. When a boat needed passage the bridge would be unhooked from one bank and allowed to float out of the way. After the boat's passage, lines were used to haul in the bridge and it was reconnected to the bank. The floating bridge was eventually replaced with a draw bridge and later the historic "S" bridge which is still in use today. The writer of the song "Carolina Moon" was crossing the "S" bridge when he saw a big harvest moon and wrote the lyrics to his song.

Winfall:

Winfall also thrived as a lumber town. Just outside the boundaries of Winfall was the Major Loomis Mill. It employed more than 150 people from Hertford and Winfall. It was founded by Mr. Major and Mr. Loomis from New Jersey and was the largest lumber mill on the east coast until 1930. It was situated on the Perquimans River. The lumber mill used the Norfolk Southern railroad to ship 20 train car loads of lumber each week. In 1951 the mill burned and was never rebuilt. Winfall was said to be the busiest crossroads in Perquimans County before the bridge crossed the Perquimans river. Winfall was a commercial center for people living on the north side of the river.

Belvidere:

Belvidere is located north-west of Hertford and Winfall and is home of the Piney Woods Quaker Meeting and the Up River Friends Meeting. At one time the Quakers had five active meeting houses, these are the two still active meeting houses. The Quakers were a large part of Perquimans County and Belvidere history.