Ashe County was created 18 November 1799 from Wilkes County. The area that became Ashe County was part of Anson County, Rowan County, Surry County, and Wilkes County. Both Alleghany and Watauga Counties were formed out of Ashe County. The county seat is Jefferson, North Carolina. The Ashe County Courthouse in Jefferson was destroyed by fire in 1865, however, the surviving records are contained here. The Will Books reflect inconsistent years, suggesting that there are gaps due to the loss of records in the fire.
