germanton was established in 1790 and is the oldest community in stokes county. the town's original were part of a tract that was granted to jacob lash by the earl of granville in 1762. the 23 acres were deeded from brothers michael and henry frey. the town was named after an influx of germanic immigrants, who had served as veterans of the american revolution, were given incentives to settle the area. these settlers included both germans who fought against the crown, and hessians who had been loyal to the crown. american revolutionary war major joseph winston, later a u.s. congressman, was a famous germanton resident with a plantation nearby.