The Revolution
Battles, camps, congresses and the people of the war for independence, 1775-1783. 141 places on the trail.
Colonial North Carolina, 1585-1774
- F-23BLOUNT HALLBuilt before 1762 by Jacob Blount, member of Assembly, 1754-1762, 1764-1771, and of Provincial Congress, 1775-1776. Stoo...
- J-33BUFFALO CHURCHPresbyterian, organized about 1756. Present building, the third, was erected in 1827. Revolutionary soldiers buried here...
- A-11CHOWAN COUNTY COURTHOUSEOldest courthouse in use in North Carolina. Built about 1767. Whig centre in Revolution. Stands 3 blocks S.E.
- D-1CORNELIUS HARNETT 1723-1781Revolutionary statesman. Prominent in resistance to British rule and the creation of independent N.C. Home was 1/4 mi. N...
- D-22EARLY DRAWBRIDGEOne of the few drawbridges in the American colonies was built near here by Benjamin Heron about 1768. Destroyed by Briti...
- A-87EDWARD VAIL 1717-1777Colonial statesman and Brigadier General of the Edenton District militia. Member, N.C. Committee of Correspondence, 1768...
- C-50FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESSIn America to be called and held in defiance of British orders met in this town, Aug. 25-27, 1774, with 71 delegates pre...
- K-38FLORA MACDONALDScottish heroine who lived in N.C., 1774-79. Loyalist in the Revolution. Her home stood on this creek a few miles north.
- L-61FRANCIS LOCKE 1722-1796Colonel of Whig force which routed Tories at Battle of Ramsour's Mill, June 20, 1780. Home stood nearby.
- L-21GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD ca. 1721-1805Militia general. He led expedition against the Cherokee, 1776. Colonial & state official. Lived nearby on Grant's Creek.
- L-1HEZEKIAH ALEXANDER HOUSEStone dwelling, built ca. 1774, by Revolutionary leader, who helped draft state constitution, 1776. Stands 400 yards S.E...
- G-128JOHN BUTLEROrange County sheriff in War of Regulation, 1770-1771; brigadier general, N.C. militia, 1777-84. Lived ¼ mi. N.
- A-28JOHN HARVEYFive times speaker of colonial assembly, moderator of provincial congresses, 1774-1775, leader of Revolutionary movement...
- K-43JOHN MACRAEGaelic poet. Emigrated from Scotland in 1774. Loyalist during the Revolution. His home stood 2 1/2 miles south.
- C-43OLD BURYING GROUNDDeeded to town, 1731, by Nathanael Taylor. Capt. Otway Burns of the War of 1812, Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers ar...
- L-71OLD ENGLISH CEMETERYCornwallis' men buried here in 1781. Granted to city in 1770 by British government. Grave of Gov. John W. Ellis is here.
- E-78PERSON'S ORDINARYIn operation by 1770. Revolutionary tavern & stage stop. Named for family of Thomas Person. Restored by Littleton Woman'...
- D-82RUSSELLBOROUGHHome of royal governors Dobbs and Tryon. Site of Stamp Act resistance in 1765. Burned in American Revolution.
- C-82SAMUEL CORNELL 1730-1781Merchant, Loyalist, and Governor’s Councilor. He financed construction of Tryon Palace & campaign against Regulators, 17...
- G-76SNOW CAMPSettled by Quakers in 1749. Cornwallis camped in area after Battle of Guilford Courthouse and used home of Simon Dixon a...
Revolution and founding, 1775-1789
- C-5ABNER NASHGovernor during British invasion, 1780-81. Member of Provincial and Continental Congresses. Grave 3 1/3 miles S.W.
- D-10ALEXANDER LILLINGTONRevolutionary leader, Whig colonel in the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. His grave is 9 miles northeast.
- G-54ALEXANDER MEBANEBrigadier general of North Carolina militia, member House of Commons, conventions 1788, 1789, and U.S. Congress. His hom...
- K-9ALSTON HOUSEPhilip Alston's Whigs were defeated there by David Fanning's Tories, 1781. Later the home of Benj. Williams, Governor, 1...
- L-18BATTLE OF CHARLOTTECornwallis's army captured Charlotte after a fight here with Davie's troops, Sept. 26, 1780.
- G-111BATTLE OF CLAPP'S MILLTroops led by Henry Lee ambushed British cavalry of Banastre Tarleton one mile north, Mar. 2, 1781. Americans retreated ...
- L-22BATTLE OF COWAN'S FORDCornwallis, pursuing Greene, crossed the Catawba, 7 mi. w., after sharp fight, Feb. 1, 1781.
- I-11BATTLE OF ELIZABETHTOWNWhigs broke Tory power in Bladen Co., August, 1781, driving them into Tory Hole, 50 yards N.
- O-1BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAINOvermountain Men from Tenn., Va., & N.C. led Patriots to victory over British, Oct. 7, 1780. Site 7 miles south.
- J-40BATTLE OF NEW GARDENEarly on Mar. 15, 1781, the British and American forces skirmished near the New Garden Meeting House prior to the Battle...
- O-3BATTLE OF RAMSOUR'S MILLPatriot militia led by Col. Francis Locke, on June 20, 1780, defeated Tories led by Maj. John Moore 400 yards west.
- F-7BATTLE OF ROCKFISHThe British under Major Craig defeated the North Carolina Militia, Aug. 2, 1781, 300 yards S.E.
- E-44BENJAMIN HAWKINSMember Continental Congress, United States Senator, 1789-1795, U.S. Indian Agent to the Creek Nation, 1796-1816. Home wa...
- E-15BRITISH VICTORYBritish troops led by Col. Banastre Tarleton defeated N.C. militia nearby at Swift Creek and 7 mi. N. at Fishing Creek o...
- L-110CAMP NEW PROVIDENCEEncampment, Oct.-Dec. 1780, of N.C. militia & Continental Army, where Patriots laid plans to confront Cornwallis. Site w...
- N-41CANE CREEKPrelude to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Site of a skirmish on Sept. 12, 1780, between Loyalists and "Overmountain Men."
- N-26CATHEY'S FORTA rendezvous for the North Carolina militia led by General Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee in 1776, was one mil...
- Q-7CHEROKEE DEFEATDuring the American Revolution, S.C. forces under Colonel Andrew Williamson defeated the Cherokees, nearby, at the “Blac...
- K-39COLSON'S SUPPLY DEPOTFortified Revolutionary depot built 1781 to protect supplies and arms of Gen. Nathanael Greene. Trenches are 4 1/2 miles...
- D-21CORNWALLISRetreating after Battle of Guilford Courthouse, en route to Wilmington, passed near here with his army in April 1781.
- E-12CORNWALLISThe British Army under Gen. Cornwallis marching to Virginia defeated the local Militia at the town of Halifax, in May, 1...
- E-13CORNWALLISEnding his campaign in North Carolina, he entered Virginia near here in May, 1781, and surrendered at Yorktown on Octobe...
- E-87CORNWALLISThe British Army under Gen. Cornwallis marching to Virginia camped here at Crowell's plantation on May 8, 1781.
- G-15CORNWALLISPassed a few miles west, February, 1781. Greene followed, and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse resulted, March 15, 1781...
- I-9CORNWALLISMarching to Wilmington after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, stopped with his army in this town in April, 1781.
- L-16CORNWALLISFirst led his army into North Carolina near here, Sept. 1780. After Battle of Kings Mountain, Oct. 7, he returned to S.C...
- O-6CORNWALLISEntered North Carolina near here, January, 1781, on his second invasion of the state, pursuing Morgan and Greene.
- K-10COX'S MILLHeadquarters, 1781-82, of David Fanning, Tory leader. Owner, Harmon Cox, led area Regulators. Mill was 1/2 mile south.
- I-10CROSS CREEKColonial village and trading center, merged in 1778 with town of Campbelton and in 1783 renamed Fayetteville.
- L-94DAVIE'S ATTACKCavalry led by William R. Davie attacked and dispersed band of Tories, September 20, 1780, at the plantation of James Wa...
- C-27DE BRETIGNYFrench marquis, State purchasing agent in Martinique, 1781-82, fought at Guilford Courthouse, Councillor of State. Home ...
- A-29DEMPSEY BURGESSMember of provincial congresses, 1775-1776; lieutenant colonel of militia in Revolution; Congressman, 1795-99. Grave is ...
- B-23EDWARD BUNCOMBE 1742-1778Continental Line officer. Wounded and captured at Germantown, Oct. 1777. Home, “Buncombe Hall,” stood one mile north.
- L-51FIGHT AT COLSON'SColonel William Lee Davidson's Whig militia defeated Colonel Samuel Bryan's Tories, in July, 1780, a few miles S.E.
- N-1FORT DEFIANCEHome of William Lenoir, leader in Revolution & public affairs. Built 1788-92 and named for colonial fort on the site 4 1...
- G-10FRANCIS NASHPatriot general in American Revolution, was mortally wounded at Germantown, 1777. His home is 150 yds. W.
- O-4GILBERT TOWNBefore Battle of King’s Mountain, Sept. 1780, the Patriot Overmountain Men and British troops led by Patrick Ferguson ca...
- O-59GRAHAM'S FORTHome of Col. William Graham. Site of Tory raid, 1780. Served as Revolutionary War fort. Site is 300 yds. N.E.
- G-14GREENEPursued by Cornwallis, crossed into Virginia and forded the Dan River northeast of here, February, 1781.
- J-3GUILFORD COURTHOUSEArmies of Greene and Cornwallis engaged in pivotal battle here on March 15, 1781. Site now U.S. military park.
- K-28HENRY WILLIAM HARRINGTONBrigadier general of militia, 1776-81, State senator, a commissioner to locate State capital. Grave is five miles S.
- J-60HIGH ROCK FORDGen. Nathanael Greene maintained headquarters here, Feb. 28-Mar. 12, 1781, before meeting Cornwallis at Guilford Courtho...
- P-82HOWARD GAP ROADRoute used by Indians & settlers in crossing the Blue Ridge. Named for Capt. Thomas Howard, 1776 militia leader.
- E-3INDEPENDENCEThe "Halifax Resolves," first formal sanction of American Independence, adopted in this town, April 12, 1776.
- A-30ISAAC GREGORYMember provincial congress, 1775; brigadier general of militia in Revolution; member N.C. conventions, 1788-1789. Home i...
- E-57JAMES HOGUNBrigadier general in the Revolutionary War, member of Provincial Congresses. Died, 1781, as British prisoner of war. Hom...
- F-26JAMES KENANRevolutionary leader, member Provincial Congresses, conventions 1788, '89; militia brigadier general; trustee of Univers...
- D-26JAMES MOORECommander of Whigs in Moore's Creek campaign, 1776, brigadier general North Carolina troops at Charleston. Died 1777. Hi...
- E-17JETHRO SUMNERBrigadier general in the Revolution. Commanded N.C. forces from 1781. A planter, he operated a tavern near here
- K-47JOHN BETHUNEEarly pastor for Scots in N.C.; chaplain for Loyalists at Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, 1776. First Presbyterian minist...
- M-27JOHN STOKESFirst U.S. Judge for District of N.C., 1790, captain in Revolution, state legislator, member of convention of 1789. His ...
- I-38JOHN WILLISFounder of Lumberton, captain in Revolution, later brigadier general; member of legislature, conventions of 1788, '89. P...
- O-47JOSEPH DICKSON 1745-1825Colonel in Revolution, later brigadier general, member of legislatures of N.C. and Tenn., and of U.S. Congress. His home...
- O-5KINGS MOUNTAIN BATTLEGROUNDSite of decisive British defeat on Oct. 7, 1780. National Military Park located 5 mi. southeast in South Carolina.
- G-21LINDLEY'S MILLIn a battle on Sept. 13, 1781, John Butler's Whig militia failed to rescue Governor Thomas Burke from Col. David Fanning...
- I-42MOORE'S CAMPPrior to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, forces of Gen. James Moore, Whig commander, camped, Feb. 15-21, 1776, 1 1/2 ...
- D-6MOORE'S CREEK BRIDGEFirst battle of the Revolution in North Carolina, Feb. 27, 1776. Tories defeated. U.S. Military Park, 5 mi. S.W.
- I-50McPHAUL'S MILLRendezvous point for local Tories. Near here on Sept. 1, 1781, David Fanning's men routed a Whig force under Thomas Wade...
- L-19NATHANAEL GREENE 1742-1786Replaced Horatio Gates as leader of American army opposing Lord Cornwallis. He assumed command in Charlotte, Dec. 3, 178...
- G-88NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATIFormed Oct. 23, 1783, in Hillsborough, by officers of the Continental Line. First President was General Jethro Sumner.
- O-39OAK GROVEBuilt 1782. Home of James Johnston, officer in Revolution, member Provincial Congress, legislature, convention of 1788. ...
- O-84OVERMOUNTAIN MENOn Oct. 5, 1780, about 1400 militia, including many riflemen, camped 1 mi. S. at Alexander’s Ford and there turned towar...
- O-13PATRICK FERGUSONTory force led by Col. Ferguson camped nearby Oct. 4-5, 1780. Two days later Ferguson died in major British defeat at Ki...
- F-31PEACOCK'S BRIDGEHere Lt. Col. Tarleton's British dragoons and Colonel James Gorham's militia engaged in a skirmish, May, 1781.
- G-22PYLE'S DEFEATTory militia going to join Cornwallis's army destroyed by Lee's Legion Feb. 1781 nearby on Col. Michael Holt's land.
- N-3QUAKER MEADOWSRendezvous for "Over-Mountain Men" prior to Battle of Kings Mountain, 1780. Home to Joseph & Charles McDowell, military ...
- I-51RAFT SWAMPAfter the Tory victory at McPhaul's Mill, the Whigs routed the Tories near here on Oct. 15, 1781, and broke their resist...
- F-2RICHARD CASWELLFirst governor of the State, 1776. Revolutionary statesman and soldier. Grave 166 yards south.
- I-35RICHARD CLINTONLieut. colonel militia, member Provincial Congress, 1775, legislature, conventions 1788, 1789. This town named for him. ...
- D-24ROBERT HOWEMaj. Gen. Howe was the commander of Southern Dept. of the Continental Line, 1776-78, & N.C.’s highest ranking officer. L...
- P-39RUTHERFORD TRACEThe expedition led by Gen. Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee, Sept., 1776, camped nearby along Hominy Creek.
- C-13SALT WORKSEstablished by order of the Provincial Congress, April 24, 1776, for Revolutionary War use. They were located 1 1/2 mile...
- J-9SHALLOW FORDColonial route across Yadkin River. Scene of Tory defeat by Whigs, 1780. Crossing used in 1781 by army of Lord Cornwalli...
- G-16THOMAS BURKEGovernor of N.C., was captured in Hillsboro by David Fanning and his Tories, Sept. 12, 1781, and taken to Charleston, S....
- G-3THOMAS BURKEGovernor, 1781-82. Member of Revolutionary, Provincial, & Continental Congresses. Grave is 1 1/2 miles N.E.
- M-5TORRENCE'S TAVERNBritish cavalry led by Colonel Tarleton routed a force of American militia, Feb. 2, 1781, at Torrence's Tavern, which st...
- H-15TORY RAIDDavid Fanning and his Tories captured many Whig leaders here at old Chatham Courthouse, July, 1781.
- K-36TORY RENDEZVOUSBefore going to battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Feb., 1776, Tories of this area met in Cross Hill, at Alexander Morrison...
- L-24TRADING FORDOn famous trading path used by Indians and early settlers. There Greene, retreating from Cornwallis, crossed on Feb. 2, ...
- J-16TROUBLESOME IRON WORKSUsed in the Revolution. Greene's Army camped there after Battle of Guilford Courthouse, 1781. Washington visited, 1791. ...
- N-28WAIGHTSTILL AVERYFirst attorney general of North Carolina, 1777-79, member provincial congresses, colonel in Revolution. "Swan Ponds," hi...
- J-37WEITZEL'S MILLSite of a skirmish between American forces under Col. O. H. Williams and British troops under Col. James Webster, Mar. 6...
- E-48WHITMEL HILLColonel in Revolution. Member of Continental Congress, 1778-1781; of Provincial Congresses; and of state legislature. Gr...
- O-42WILLIAM CHRONICLEMajor in Revolution, leader of Lincoln County forces at the battle of Kings Mountain, 1780, where he was killed. His hom...
- P-54WILLIAM MOORECaptain of militia force which marched against the Cherokee in Nov., 1776. A fort which he built stood near here. His ho...
- M-45WILLIAM SHARPE 1742-1818Member of Continental & provincial congresses; was first legislator to advocate U.N.C., 1784. Grave is 2 miles east.
- E-9WILLIE JONES 1741-1801Key Anti-Federalist and an advocate for states’ rights in Revolutionary era N.C. His home, “The Grove,” was 2/10 mi. W.
The young state, 1790-1860
- J-15ALEXANDER MARTIN 1783-1807Governor, 1782-85 and 1789-92, officer in the Revolution, member Federal Convention of 1787, United States Senator. Home...
- D-25ALFRED MOOREAssociate justice U.S. Supreme Court, 1799-1804. Continental Line & militia officer; attorney general. Grave 2 mi. SE.
- P-26FELIX WALKERRevolutionary officer, member Congress, 1817-23, where, in "talking for Buncombe" (County), he gave new meaning to the w...
- E-79HENRY B. BRADFORD 1761-1833Early Methodist Protestant minister; educator; and soldier in the Revolution. Founded Bradford's Church on this site cir...
- A-5JAMES IREDELL 1751-1799Justice of U.S. Supreme Court, 1790-99. Attorney General of N.C. during Revolution. Home stands 200 ft. east.
- M-6JESSE FRANKLINGovernor 1820-21; state & U.S. Senator and representative; officer in Revolution. His home stood 1/4 mile south.
- H-13JOHN CHAVIS ca. 1762-1838African American teacher, preacher, & Revolutionary War veteran. Taught free black & prominent white students in school ...
- O-54JOHN FULENWIDERFounder of High Shoals Iron Works about 1795. One of first producers of pig iron by charcoal process. Revolutionary patr...
- L-62MATTHEW LOCKEBrigadier-General in the American Revolution. Member of the Provincial Congress. U.S. Congress, 1793-1799. Grave 1/4 mi....
- G-56NATH'L ROCHESTER 1752-1831Officer in Revolution. Member, N.C. Provincial Congress & legislature. Founded Rochester, N.Y., 1811. Home was nearby.
- L-8NATHANIEL ALEXANDER 1756-1808Governor, 1805-07. Was a surgeon in Revolutionary War; later Congressman. Birthplace was 3 mi. N.
- O-61PETER FORNEY 1756-1834Pioneer manufacturer of iron; Revolutionary War officer; Congressman, 1813-1815. Mt. Welcome, his home, was 3/4 mi. S.
- N-4PLEASANT GARDENSHome of Joseph McDowell (1758-1795), soldier and physician. Officer at the Battle of Kings Mountain.
- H-104WILLIAM POLK 1758-1834Revolutionary War officer; first president of State Bank, 1811-19. In 1825 hosted Lafayette in house that stood here.
- E-4WILLIAM R. DAVIE 1756-1820A militia officer during the Revolution; governor, 1798-99; envoy to France; “father” of University of N.C. Lived in thi...
The New South, 1878-1929
Modern North Carolina, 1930 on
Battlefields, sites and undated markers
- E-29ALLEN JONESBrigadier General during the Revolution, member of Provincial Congress and of Continental Congress. Site of home, Mt. Ga...
- M-30BENJAMIN CLEVELANDColonel in Revolution, Whig leader in battle of Kings Mountain, state legislator. Home was on "The Round About," one mil...
- K-8BENJAMIN WILLIAMSFour times Governor; Revolutionary officer; congressman. Grave is 9 1/2 miles north.
- K-41BOGGAN-HAMMOND HOUSEEighteenth-century house built by Patrick Boggan, Revolutionary soldier & a founder of Wadesboro. Now historical museum....
- Q-39COWEEPrincipal settlement of the Cherokee Middle Towns. Council house stood on mound 300 yds. S. Town destroyed during the Re...
- D-65GENERAL JOHN ASHEStamp Act patriot; Speaker of the House. Colonel under Tryon in "War of Regulation." Revolutionary General. Home stood 2...
- I-44GUN FACTORYRevolutionary War arms factory operated in this vicinity by Richard Herring and John Devane until destroyed by the Torie...
- M-24JAMES HALLPresbyterian minister, Revolutionary soldier and chaplain, educator, pioneer missionary in the Natchez country. Grave is...
- A-4JOSEPH HEWESSigner of Declaration of Independence, leader in Continental Congress, merchant. His store was three blocks S.
- J-39JOSEPH WINSTONMajor in Revolution, a commander at Kings Mountain, Congressman, state legislator. Town of Winston named for him. Home w...
- A-66McKNIGHT'S SHIPYARDThomas McKnight, colonial merchant and legislator; Loyalist during Revolution. Operated large shipyard which stood near ...
- H-18RAMSEY'S MILLCornwallis, following the battle of Guilford Courthouse, spent several days building a bridge over Deep River, at point ...
- A-9SAMUEL JOHNSTONRevolutionary leader, Governor, U.S. Senator. His home, "Hayes," and grave are one mile S.E.
- G-17THOMAS PERSONLeader of popular movements: Regulation, Revolution, and Antifederalism. His home in Goshen stood five miles north.
- I-37THOMAS ROBESONColonel in Revolution, member of provincial congresses and state senator. Robeson County is named for him. His home stoo...
- H-24WILCOX IRON WORKSImportant source of munitions during the American Revolution, operated occasionally since. Furnace was 100 yards southwe...
- A-41WILLIAM BLOUNTMember of Continental Congress, signer of the Federal Constitution, governor S.W. Territory, Senator from Tennessee. Bir...