Charles Eden

American colonial governor

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June 25, 2026

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Charles Eden was the first royal governor of North Carolina, serving in that capacity from 1712 to 1722. He lent his name to the town of Edenton, which was settled around 1660 and served as the unofficial capital of the colony until 1743. During his tenure, North Carolina experienced growth and faced challenges such as conflicts with the Tuscarora people and issues with piracy. The colony eventually came under royal rule in 1729.12

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Edenton
…in 1722 and named for Charles Eden, the first royal governor. Edenton served as the unofficial capital of the colony until 1743, and its busy port exported plantation products, lumber, and fish. Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived there; his house and many other colonial structures…
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…in 1722 and named for Charles Eden, the first royal governor. Edenton served as the unofficial capital of the colony until 1743, and its busy port exported plantation products, lumber, and fish. Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived there; his house and many other colonial structures…
Read More