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.
Sergt. E. N. Nicholson, a member of the Medical Corps with the 115th Ambulance Company of the 29th Division, was from Hertford County and the son of T. H. and Rowena Nicholson. He entered military service on May 15, 1917, and underwent training at various camps before deploying to France on July 12, 1918. Nicholson saw combat on the Alsace Front and in the Meuse-Argonne, where he was gassed on October 24, 1918. He returned to the U.S. on March 6, 1919, and was discharged on March 29, 1919.
William I. Hill was born on May 18, 1891, in Hertford County, North Carolina. He entered military service on May 29, 1918, training at various camps before deploying to France on September 17, 1918. He participated in key battles at Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel, initially training with the 81st Division before being transferred to the 90th Division. Hill returned to the United States on June 7, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on June 19, 1919.
Private John R. Jordan, of Company C, 56th Regiment, was born in Hertford County to William and Mrs. Jordan and was married to Ina Mitchell Jordan. He enlisted on August 5, 1918, at Winton, North Carolina, and trained at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina. He deployed to France on September 13, 1918, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Jordan returned to the United States on June 25, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Lee, Virginia, on July 5, 1919.
E. F. Deames served as a mechanic in Company E of the 156th Depot Brigade during World War I. A native of Hertford County and the son of W. D. and Ida N. Deames, he entered military service on March 27, 1918, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. After training at Camp Jackson and a transfer to Camp Sevier, he was promoted to mechanic in May 1918. He also served as an instructor before being mustered out on December 7, 1918.
Private Norfleet E. Underwood, born in Hertford County to J.W. and Mrs. Underwood, served in Company G of the 54th Infantry, 6th Division. He entered military service on May 10, 1918, training at various camps before deploying to France on July 23, 1918. Promoted to Corporal on August 27, he fought in the Alsace Sector and returned to the United States on June 10, 1919, being mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on July 14, 1919.