Gates County NC

Chowanoc Indians

The Chowanoc Indians, part of the Algonquian linguistic family, inhabited the Chowan River area in northeastern North Carolina. Known for their prominence around 1584-85, they were a leading tribe with a population of about 1,500. The Chowanoc entered a treaty with the English in 1663 but faced decline after warfare and reduced land. By 1755, their population dwindled to just five individuals. Their legacy endures in the names of the Chowan River and Chowan County.

Pearl M. Proctor

Private F. A. Proctor served in Battery C of the 29th Division, 1st Regiment, hailing from Gates County. He was the son of W. J. and Mrs. Dina P. Proctor. Entering the military on June 23, 1916, at Salisbury, North Carolina, he trained at Camp Lee and was later stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Proctor spent nine months on the Mexican border before enlisting in the Marine Corps for about a month, ultimately being mustered out on June 23, 1917.