Duplin County was created in 1750, born from New Hanover County. The county was named for an English nobleman, George Henry Hay, Lord Duplin. Over the years there were several border changes. Check out the book, The Formation of the North Carolina Counties 1663 to 1943 for a detailed history of the county.
Here’s a story produced by WRAL-TV about a Duplin County native, Ruth Faison Shaw… the originator of finger painting. Ruth Faison Shaw is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in New Hanover County, NC.