1710 New Bern, and 1713 Beaufort, were both incorporated during the same session of the General Assembly - November 23, 1723.
LAWS OF NORTH CAROLINA 1723
An Act, for Incorporating the Seaport of Beaufort, In Carteret Precinct, Into a Township, by the Name of Beaufort.
Whereas,
a certain Plot of Ground, being Part of a Tract of Land, in Core Sound,
late belonging to Robert Turner, Esq. but now the property of Richard
Rustel Esq. was formerly laid out into a Township, by the name of
Beaufort Town, with proper Allotments for a Church, a Town-house, and a
Market place, as by a Draught thereof, upon Record in the Secretary’s
Office, doth,, and may, more fully and at large appear: And whereas the
true and absolute Lords Proprietors of Carolina, upon the Petition of
the Inhabitants of Core Sound, now called Carteret Precinct, have
erected the same, into a Seaport [1722], by the Name of Port-Beaufort, and have
invested the same with all Privileges and Immunities belonging to a
Seaport: Therefore, for the Encouragement of the said Town, and the due
Encouragement of the Trade and Commerce thereof, and the Parts
adjacent.....
