The material listed below includes some of the rare treasures in the
possession of the North Carolina State Archives.
These priceless documents and maps are not available for
public viewing except at specifically designated times
due to their fragile state and importance to the state's history.
As time permits, the State Archives hopes to make digital copies
available so that these treasures may truly be shared with the
citizens of the State of North Carolina and the world.
Items with a thumbnail image are linked to one or more hi-resolution digital images. To view
these images you will need to download the DjVu plug-in. See below for more information.
Carolina Charter of 1663
John Adams, "Thoughts on Government"
1715 [1723] Revisal [of laws in force in N.C.] Bertie County Court Manuscript
Jeremiah Vail, "Plan of Wilmington, 1743"
"Plan of Raleigh, 1792"
General Robert E. Lee's Special Order 191
"Gaelic Charm" [Dougald McFarland Paper, 1750]
Isaac Avery's Message to His Father
"Early Times in Raleigh", addresses delivered by the Hon. David L. Swain
"Proprietary Concessions Relating to the Lower Cape Fear," 1663
Letter from George Washington to Governor and Council, 1790
Resolution of Congress proposing an amendment to the Constitution
of the United States which would limit the power of the federal judiciary, 1793.
"Shaffer's New Township Map of North Carolina," by A. Webster Shaffer, 1886
Appointment signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Feb. 19, 1793
Ft. Fisher Log Book, May 20th, 1864
Tar Heel Collection
Letter from George Washington to Governor and Council of State, 1789
Original documents from the Lords Proprietors to Governor Stephens and Governor Carteret, 1664-1674/5
James Iredell, Sr., Diary, August 1770; November 1773-February 1774
Acts of Congress attested by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, 1790-1791
Letter of Marque signed by John Hancock, 1776 authorizing James Powell,
commander of the 30 ton schooner, Northampton, to take
and make prizes of British ships.
Documents autographed by William Hooper and John Penn,
signers of the Declaration of Independence
Signed transmittal letter, March 16, 1861, from Abraham Lincoln to Governor John W. Ellis, with the original Thirteenth Amendment, and Secretary Wm. H. Seward transmittal document