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On Oct. 31, 1765, a group of citizens marched through the streets of Wilmington with a coffin to symbolize that the Stamp Act meant the death of freedom. One of those was Maurice Moore, who had written a strong treatise against the act. The next four articles tell us about events 250 years ago leading up to the Declaration of Independence—the Mecklenburg Resolves; the fleeing of the royal governor, Josiah Martin; the rebels' burning of Fort Johnston; and the creation of the American Navy—all occurring in the important year of 1775. And then you'll see the story of a little-known North Carolina battle—after Yorktown!

Early America

Maurice Moore (1735 – 1777)

1664-1775

In 1735, Maurice Moore was born more than likely in Brunswick County.  His father had earned great wealth in South Carolina as a planter along the Lower Cape Fear region yet later moved to Brunswick County, North Carolina.   Although from planter pedigree, Maurice Moore became a lawyer.  His career choice steered him ultimately into career in public service in which he became one of the colony’s leading young political figures.

Colonial North Carolina

The Mecklenburg Resolves

1664-1775

On May 31, 1775, the county of Mecklenburg, North Carolina signed 20 resolutions or “Resolves.” They start by saying that a recent address by Parliament had stated that “the American Colonies are declared to be in an actual State of rebellion.” Whereas by an Address presented to his Majesty by both Houses of Parliament in February last,...

Colonial North Carolina

Royal Governor Josiah Martin (1737 – 1786)

1664-1775

Josiah Martin, the last royal governor of North Carolina, was born in Ireland in 1737. Due to his family’s connection to the British crown, Martin replaced Governor Tryon in 1771 as royal governor of North Carolina. Martin assumed a difficult position because Patriot colonists in North Carolina had long resented overwhelming British taxation and the War of Regulation remained fresh in the colonist’s minds. In May 1775, Martin fled the Tryon Palace in New Bern, and he joined Lord Cornwallis in his efforts to regain control of the North Carolina colony.

Commentary
Early America

Fort Johnston and the American Revolution

1664-1775

In July 1775 Patriot militiamen carried out the first military operation of the Revolutionary War in what became the Tar Heel State. There was no pitched battle. No one died. But the Patriots made their point: Reasserting British control over North Carolina would be no easy task.

Commentary
Early America

Joseph Hewes and the Navy

1664-1775

Joseph Hewes is best known as one of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence. But he also played an important role in the creation of the U.S. Navy. In fact, a World War II transport ship, the U.S.S. Joseph Hewes, was named for him, and so was a frigate deployed in the...

Battle of Beaufort, N.C.

1776-1835

Most people consider the Battle of Yorktown as marking the end of the American Revolution, but some historians have called the Battle of Beaufort, North Carolina, the last battle of the war. (Beaufort is in Carteret County on Beaufort Inlet, across from Shackleford Banks and near Cape Lookout.) In early April 1782, a wily party...

Colonial North Carolina

Meherrin Nation

1664-1775

  The Meherrin are Native Americans who resided in northeastern North Carolina near the river of the same name.  As of 2011 there were approximately 900 members.

Colonial North Carolina

Manteo

Manteo was a Carolina Algonquian who assisted the three English expeditions to Roanoke Island during the 1580s. Governor John White declared Manteo to be Lord of Roanoke in 1587. Manteo was the first person baptized in America into the Church of England.

Education

University of Mount Olive

1946-1990

The University of Mount Olive opened its doors in 1952, after the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists approved the founding of a junior college named Allen Junior College.

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History in the News

Carolina Journal

DG Martin was a class act

DG Martin passed away a few days ago, at the august but still-too-early age of 85. Time marches on — but not necessarily forward.

Carolina Journal

REACH Act would put teeth in UNC System’s civics requirements

After most of NC’s public colleges and universities were failing to require an adequate course on American democracy, legislators reintroduced the REACH Act.

Carolina Journal

Art Pope receives National Review Institute’s Buckley Prize for Leadership

The John William Pope Foundation has donated more than $250 million to public policy research, education, the arts, and humanitarian causes since its founding in 1986.