From the creation of Orange County in 1734 until the adoption of the Constitution of 1870, the County was governed by the County Court, consisting of “Gentlemen Justices” appointed by the Governor until 1852 and elected thereafter. In 1870, the legislative powers of the County Court were transferred to a Board of Supervisors elected from four magisterial districts (Madison, Taylor, Barbour, and Gordon). A fifth district (Spotswood) was created in 1963. Names of election districts were changed to numbers in 1991. The first Board of Supervisors took office on September 5, 1870, and consisted of the following: B. Johnson Barbour – Barbour District; Philip B. Jones – Madison District (Chairman); Richard P. Graves – Taylor District; and Caldwell C. Buckner – Gordon District.
This listing was originally compiled in 1995 by Ulysses P. Joyner, Jr., Clerk of Orange County Circuit Court (1982 to 1995). The list has since then been corrected and updated by Supervisor R. Mark Johnson from 2000 to present day. Supervisor Johnson authored each of the historical narratives.
The following individuals have served as members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors since 1870. The listed year indicates the year when the person took office. An asterisk indicates service as chairman.
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