North Carolina played a critical, often overlooked, role in our nation’s founding. We at the North Carolina History Project have put together this timeline of our state’s contributions to the American Revolution. The following timeline chronologically lays out some of the most important events in North Carolina’s revolutionary history and links out to our more...
To academic historians and amateur (or avocational) historians: We explored the North Carolina Historical Review to find articles about the American Revolution. I hope these summaries (written by a person, not AI) will whet your appetite for the longer versions. (A link to each article on JSTOR is provided for each.) Did North Carolina’s Revolution...
The North Carolina Historical Review includes a rich collection of articles about the American Revolution. This list was compiled by Kathryn McKee and Jane Shaw Stroup.
Pyle’s Defeat occurred in February 1781 near the end of the Revolution. It was a savage blow to British hopes, as Lt. Gen. Charles, Lord Cornwallis attempted to stop the Patriots’ momentum.
The subject of Scottish folklore and myth, Flora MacDonald assisted Prince Charles Stuart in his escape from King George II. In 1774, she moved to North Carolina, where her Loyalist husband and son fought in the Battle of Moores Creek.
The Edenton Tea Party was one of the earliest organized women’s political actions in United States history. On October 25, 1774, Mrs. Penelope Barker organized, at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth King, fifty-one women in Edenton, North Carolina. Together they formed an alliance wholeheartedly supporting the American cause against “taxation without representation.”
Beaufort County (1705)
Situated on the shores of the Pamlico Sound, historic Beaufort County is one of North Carolina’s oldest counties. It was once a major shipping destination, and presently thrives as a tourist market.
Zebulon Baird Vance (1830 – 1894)
Widely hailed as the South’s most prominent politician during the Civil War and post-bellum periods, Zebulon Baird Vance’s decorated career as a public servant included positions in the military, the Governor of North Carolina, and a U.S. Senator.
Pasquotank County (1668)
As one of North Carolina’s earliest settled counties, Pasquotank County’s expansive history and beautiful topography contribute to make this county a gem of the state’s Coastal Plains region.
Hyde County (1705)
Vast in size, small in population, and rich in history, Hyde County is not only one of North Carolina's earliest founded counties, but also a tourism hot spot and a sanctuary for nature aficionados.
Hoke County (1911)
Formerly comprising parts of Cumberland and Robeson counties and named after a famous North Carolinian and former Confederate general, Hoke County was established in 1911. Two previous attempts had failed.
The Wachovia Corporation
The Wachovia Corporation developed from a small bank in Salem, North Carolina to become the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States. Before Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia in 2008, it was the largest bank in the South, and it had the most extensive trust corporation, or financial service that assists with corporate wealth management, between Baltimore and New Orleans.
Alleghany County (1859)
Alleghany County, one of North Carolina's most northern counties, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Although it is the fifth smallest county in the state, Alleghany County has a rich heritage that is connected to the geography of the region.
Mecklenburg County (1762)
Created from parts of Anson County in 1762, Mecklenburg County contains the largest city in North Carolina and was the birthplace of the eleventh President of the United States, James K. Polk.
Franklin County (1779)
Bucolic settings and historical sights abound in a North Carolina county perhaps named after one America’s most eminent founding fathers.
Halifax County (1758)
Straddling the border between the Piedmont and Coastal Plains regions of North Carolina, Halifax County is known for its significant history and its natural geographical attractions.
Gates County (1779)
Cozily situated in between Hertford and Pasquotank counties, Gates County contains rural settings, a tight-knit community, and an extensive history.
BB&T, Now Truist
Like the Wachovia Corporation and several other American banks, Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T) started as a simple, private bank. As mergers and takeovers occurred throughout the years, BB&T made strides in the banking realm of North Carolina and eventually the American South. With over 1,800 branches and 30,000 employees in 12 states and Washington, D.C., the BB&T Corporation, stationed in Winston-Salem, N.C., ranks as the eleventh largest banking corporation in the United States as of March 31, 2011.