Early settlers migrating from southeastern Virginia first called the town "Concord", circa 1751. The name was subsequently changed to Seaboard after the "Seaboard Road" - a rail line from Portsmouth, VA to Weldon, NC - was completed in 1832.

The first recorded Methodist meeting house in Northampton County, the Concord Meeting House, was built near Seaboard in 1795 on one acre of land purchased for "20 shillings" from Howell Hobbs of Brunswick County, VA.

The Seaboard Institution, known as a "subscription school", was already active by 1880, but the wooden schoolhouse was later moved and renovated.

The very first mayor of the newly named and established Seaboard, "A. E. Joyner" was included in the Town's original charter of 1877. Alongside him, and also included in the charter, were his town commissioners: Simon Lawrence, Joseph Maddrey and H. R. Deloatch.

At the time of the Town's charter, these local governmental officials had been appointed, and following them, a "Town Constable" was also appointed, pending the next election where the town residents would vote for their positions.