Rockingham is the county seat of Richmond County. It was on April 19, 1774, that a county-seat was authorized, to be called Rockingham. April 19 may be considered as the birth date for Rockingham.

On April 1, 1785, the three duly appointed Commissioners - General H. W. Harrington, John Cole Sr., and Robert Webb, met and bought 18 acres of land from John James, Sr. for about $30, and 32 acres from John Cole for $50. This land was situated on the road that ran from the Mountains to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville). The land was bounded by Falling Creek on the south, and Hitchcock Creek on the North and West - a constricted area.

The City of Rockingham was named for the Marquis of Rockingham, Charles Watson Wentonworth, a strong friend of the Colonies, who was Prime Minister in 1765. He was in bitter opposition to Lord North and the policy that lost America. He again became a Prime Minister in 1782, dying that year at the age of 52.