Johnston County and St. Patrick 's Parish were established on June 28, 1746, from the upper part of Craven County . [4] On March 1, 1752, part of Granville , Johnston, and Bladen counties were combined to form Orange County and St. Matthew 's Parish. [5] On November 23, 1758, Johnston County was divided between the Parish of St. Patrick and the Parish of St. Stephen , St. Patrick's Parish becoming Dobbs County . [6] On December 5, 1770, parts of Johnston, Cumberland , and Orange counties were combined to form Wake County and St. Margaret 's Parish