g{x `|ÇâàxÅtÇ Volume 54, Issue 2 February 2015

Chapter Officers

2013-2015

President Don Green

1st Vice President Randall Allen

2nd Vice President Mark Owens

Secretary Gary Smith

Treasurer Dan Stebbins

Registrar John Cooney

Historian Albert Rolon

Chaplain George Andrews

Past President Jeffrey Sizemore

Director Fred Gaines, Jr.

Director Norman Myers

Committee Chairmen

2013 - 2015

Newsletter Editor Jeffrey Sizemore

Program Randall Allen

Color Guard Andy Showen

ROTC-JROTC John Little

Public Service Dan Dall

Veterans Affairs John Little

Eagle Scout Randy Gastfield

Liberty Tree Fred Gaines, Jr.

Medals & Awards Ron Hamilton

Chapter Yearbook

Historian Albert Rolon

Finance Dan Stebbins

Endowment Fund Norm Myers

Web Page Norm Myers

DAR/CAR Liaison Robert Smither

Central Florida Sons of the American Revolution

Meeting Location: The Mayflower

1720 Mayflower Court

Winter Park, FL 32792

Chartered May 5, 1961

Chapter Meeting

February 14, 2015  

At this meeting, our speaker this month will be Laura Garand, Regent of the Sallie Harrison DAR Chapter. Her presen-tation is titled: “Working with Junior Members - Children of the American Rev-olution.”

This meeting will be held in the Duxbury Hall of the Mayflower Retirement Community Center located at 1620 May-flower Court in Winter Park, Florida. A time of socializing will begin at 11:30 am with lunch being served at noon. The cost of the lunch is $16.00.

The entrée choices will be an-nounced in a separate e-mail. Note that each meal comes with an assortment of vegetables, starch, salad or soup, and a des-sert. Coffee and tea is also served with the meal. Please make your reservation to attend this meeting by 2/11/2015 by con-tacting Compatriot Dan Stebbins via phone at 407-830-6946 or via e-mail at catears@centurylink.net. Your participa-tion is greatly appreciated in responding with your RSVP before the deadline date. Please plan to attendA

Upcoming Last Naval Battle Ceremony on March 7, 2015

On March 7, 2015, the Brevard SAR Chapter will host the annual Last Naval Battle Ceremony at the Brevard Veterans Center on Merritt Island.

Purchase a Colonial Uniform

Many Florida SAR members have colonial uniforms which they wear in Chapter color guards or for special com-munity and SAR events. We are routinely asked to participate in July 4th, Flag Day, ROTC, DAR and other functions wearing them. This is a great way to participate in these events and to provide visibility and publicity for the SAR. Please consider get-ting a uniform for yourself and your socie-ty’s benefit. There are several colors and styles available.

The Minuteman Page 2

American Creed

I believe in the United States

of America, as a government

of the people, by the people,

for the people, whose just

powers are derived from the

consent of the governed; a

democracy in a republic, a

sovereign nation of many

states; a perfect union, one

and inseparable; established

on those principles of free-

dom, equality, justice, and

humanity for which American

patriots sacrificed their lives

and fortunes. I therefore be-

lieve it is my duty to my coun-

try to love it, to support its

constitution, to obey its laws,

to respect its flag, and to de-

fend it against all enemies.

SAR Mission

The objects of this Society are

declared to be patriotic, his-

torical, & educational; to unite

and promote fellowship

among the descendants of

those who sacrificed to

achieve the independence of

the American people, to in-

spire them & the community-at

-large with a more profound

reverence for the principles of

the government founded by

our forefathers; to foster true

patriotism; to maintain & ex-

tend the institutions of Ameri-

can freedom.

Birthday Announcements

On behalf of the Central Florida SAR Chapter, we would like to wish the following individual a Happy and Enjoyable Birthday:

FEBRUARY 5 Brownell, Patricia 12 McElroy, Thomas 17 Worsham, Raleigh 20 Roe, Celina 22 Stebbins, Daniel 26 Daniel, Meredith 26 Lane, Richard 28 Little, John     

Chaplain’s Message By Rev. George Andrews

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21 Many people look forward to Lent. They like the opportunity to once again take up those resolutions they let slide back in January. Some people give up chocolate or soft drinks for Lent or take up exercise. Others take on a new spiritual discipline, deciding to read the Bible daily or meditate or fast once a week. All of these practices are good, but I prefer to do something different dur-ing Lent. I begin working on my taxes and examine my budget. When you look at your budget, you discover quickly what is important to you based on how you spend your money. I am often surprised about what ex-penses dominate - and also by what is missing from my budget. The budget lets me see just where my heart is or is not. In this exercise, I am able to focus once again on the treasures I have re-ceived from God and the incredible treasure of Jesus Christ. Source: Forward Day By Day

Membership in the Ladies Auxiliary

The Ladies’ Auxiliary Florida Society of the Sons of the American Revo-lution is open to wives as well as female blood relatives (mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, aunts, nieces) of the SAR member. The Ladies’ Auxiliary supports the SAR in its historical, patriotic and educational objectives. The Ladies’ Auxiliary raises funds to award (on a smaller scale) the same students that the Florida Socie-ty SAR awards. Dues for the LAFLSSAR are $5 per year; the application form is available at: http://www.flssar.org/FLSSAR/DOCS/LadyAuxDocs/LaAuxMemApp.pdf. Please encourage the ladies in your life to join and support us in our efforts.

Page 3 Volume 54, Issue 2

1770 - The College of

Charleston was established.

Charter granted in 1785 and

class began in 1790. In 1837,

it became the first municipal

college in the United States.

1770 - Earliest production of

porcelain in America success-

fully effected by Bonnin and

Morris of Philadelphia.

1771 - Umbrella as protec-

tion against the sun was intro-

duced in Philadelphia amidst

storm of ridicule. Newspa-

pers considered it effeminate.

Doctors, however, recom-

mended it as a means of

keeping off vertigo, epilepsy,

sore eyes, fevers, etc.

1772 - The first foundry for

casting type in America was

completed; but it failed to

make colonial papers self-

sufficient without imports from

England, with consequence

that Revolutionary War, with

its isolation of colonies from

English production, seriously

disrupted journalism in Ameri-

ca.

February 9, 1773 - William

Henry Harrison, the ninth Pres-

ident of the United States of

America was born in Berke-

ley, VA.

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Florida Society SAR

Board of Management Meeting May 1 & 2, 2015

At the Spring Board of Management / Annual Meeting, the East Central region, which we are a member of, is hosting. Volunteers are needed at the regis-tration desk on May 1st and to man the hospitality room both on May 1st and May 2nd. This meeting will be held at the Florida Hotel and Convention Center locat-ed off of Sandlake Rd at the Florida Mall. If you are willing to volunteer to assist at this BOM/Annual Meeting, please contact Compatriot Jeff Sizemore at swampfoxsar@gmail.com or Compat-riot Don Green. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

NSSAR 125th Congress Have you ever attended an Annual NSSAR Congress? It is not too early to plan for 2015. 2015 offers a great opportunity to attend the 125th Annual Con-gress in Louisville, KY. Saturday, June 27 through Wednesday, July 1, at The Galt House, Louisville, KY. Remember NSSAR headquarters and Museum are located in Louisville. The host state, Kentucky, in conjunction with NSSAR offers wonderful exclusive tours of local attractions and historic sites as well as enjoyable social gatherings for meals and conversation with members, their spouses and friends.

Goal Reached The Central Florida SAR Chapter is happy to announce that the Endowment goal of $50,000 has been met. We thank all those that contributed to the Chapter En-dowment Fund.

Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, NC By Dr. John Y. Sessums, Ed.D.

Presented to the Tampa Chapter SAR, Oct. 2010 While many fought in the Revolutionary War for Independence one battle is noted in a family bible that Lt. Solomon Sessums fought at Moore’s Creek Bridge. Solomon had a brother, Lt. Col. Isaac Sessums in the Newbern District who was second in command of the troops (Terrell Sessums research at New Bern, N.C.). His brother Jacob in a pension is listed as providing material aid to the mi-litia. Another patriot of our grandmother Mary E. Little Sessums was Captain Wil-liam Lytle who was one of eight children of the North Carolina Chief Justice, Wil-liam Little. Captain Lytle organized and outfitted the North Carolina 6th Conti-nental Infantry, served in the Halifax District, enlisted in April 1776 in Lt. Taylor’s Co. and became a Captain January 28, 1779. He was with George Washington at Yorktown and a pallbearer at Washington’s funeral. (Daughters of the American Revolution, Supplemental 54062, Washington, D.C., April 1931). Also from

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Remembrance Day

He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes to his neighbours

His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer, For old Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer

For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,

Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing,

Tho' a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state.

While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories

From the time that they were young. But the passing of a Soldier

Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land,

Someone who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow

Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

North Carolina, Pt. John Sessions, Hall’s Company, enlisted November 1777 and mustered 1779, Asel Sessams, Abel Sessons in Mills Company (4 Jan. 1782 and served 12 months), Pt. John Little, Fenners Company (served three years 25 Sept. 1776 to 15 Aug. 1778), in Blount’s Company was dis-charged 1779, and Lt Col. Archibald Little served in Halifax district from 26 January 1777 and not mustered from Jan.1778 till Nov. 1782), Thomas Lit-tle, Sharps Company 1781 and Duncan Little in the Wilmington district, Abraham Lytle ,Newborn district, James Lytle ,Morgan’s district(Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers from North Carolina, North Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution, page 19 to 186), and 2nd Major George Little was listed as a delegate to the Hillsborough Convention September 1775 with Col. Benjamin Wynns (Winborne, Benjamin, Colonial and State History, Hertford County, pg. 39). Many Scottish Highlanders were sent in servitude to North Carolina around Wilmington, after the Scottish rebellion in the Battle of Culloden 1746-47. Charles Edward Stuart called Prince Bonnie Charles, a Catholic, who the son of James II, exiled King of England, was in France returned to Scotland to lead an uprising with an army of Highlanders and tried to over-throw the House of Hanover and the English throne. His army was defeated by the son of English King George, William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

at Culloden Moore near Inverness Scotland, who had an army of caval-ry and cannons. Prince Bonnie Charles pressed for a night raid on Cumberland but thousands of his troops were hungry from a long march and left the field to find nour-ishment. His clan chiefs losing the element of surprise decided to re-treat to engage Cumberland later. Cumberland’s cavalry pursued and wiped out the highlanders at Cullod-en. The highlanders were hunted down by the Duke of Cumberland who was called “butcher Cumber-

land” because his cavalry took no prisoners. Prince Bonnie Charles dis-guised as a peasant escaped to France. In 1746 the government passed the Disarming Act that applied all clans even if they did not participate in the rebellion. Clans were disarmed and forbidden to render military service to their chiefs or to wear their traditional Highland Plaid Garb. Clan chiefs, about 19 or 20, were given the choice of migrating to America or face the gallows. Scottish Highlanders clans were expelled to North Carolina at Wil-mington settling at Cross Creek and Campbelton (Fayetteville) as the centre, with shipload after shipload landing there. Governor Johnston of North Car-olina received about 866 who were transported with indenture. Records show that only 936 of the 3471 prisoners were transported to Cape Fear Riv-er at Wilmington and Neuse River area at New Bern. They were taken in irons and “banished forever from the British Isles” and sold for 7 year terms. (The Highland Scots of North Carolina, 1732-1776, Duane Myer, N.C. Press, Springfield, Mo. 1961 page 25). Highlanders descended from Irish Gaels and were known for their military prowess and respected as they bran-dished their claymore swords and when they screamed and shrieked. Even though some Presbyterians Calvinist were lowlanders and had participated in the rebellion against the crown government they swore allegiance to the king. King George set new laws to arrest the influence of the Episcopal and Catholic clergy. Pastors and priests were forbidden to preach, teach, or

Page 5 Volume 54, Issue 2

The politician’s stipend And the style in which he lives,

Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,

Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension -

though small.

It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in dan-

ger, With your enemies at hand,

Would you really want some cop-out,

With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier - His home, his country, his kin,

Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end?

He was just a common Soldier,

And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us

We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor

While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him hom-

age At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline

In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS

IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

officiate at meetings. Any persons attending such illegal gatherings were threat-ened with imprisonment and “transportation”. Rev. Alexander Pope in 1774 wrote that half of Caithness in northern Scotland would have left if they could obtain shipping. In 1776 Margaret Adam in Scots Magazine found “20 sailings to America believing the number to be 10,000”. Port records 1774-75 shows departure of 9 groups of Highlanders for North Carolina. (Myer, Duane, The Highland Scots of North Carolina, pg 63). In 1770 the small pox vaccine in led to a rise in population with no new jobs. Im-proved roads for British troops led to easy commerce of agriculture and new modes of land holdings and grazing that led to high rents and evictions. English historian Samuel Johnson visiting North Britain spoke of an epidemic desire of wandering to America from village to village in Scotland. As many as 30,000 Scots left Scotland, many settling in Canada. New York Gov. Johnson brought 400 to Tyron Co. near Albany, who later left to Canada during the American Rev-olution when the tide turned against them. Others settled in Nova Scotia in 1770’s and Price Edwards Island that was a haven for persecuted Catholics in 1772. In North Carolina an immigrant received land grants through approval of the county court by presenting himself and his household, with a surveyed plot description and the payment of fees usually no more than 1 pound sterling. This was convenient for Highlanders since most had sold their homes, livestock and land to pay tackers, who arranged for voyages and to ship captains for passage to the colony. Others came as tradesmen seeking work and did not receive land grants. Records show that 691 persons received land grants from the between 1754 and 1775 in the Cross Creek and Wilmington area. However the area be-tween the Pee Dee River and Catawba River was so heavily populated it became known as the Scot-Irish Mesopotamia in North Carolina. (Duane Meyer, The Highland Scots of North Carolina, page 89). In 1775 after news of the Battle at Lexington and Concord, on June 2nd, Governor Martin of North Carolina lost con-trol of his authority and abandoned New Bern for Fort Johnston on the lower Cape Fear hoping to recruit an army of 10,000 soldiers. Highlanders had been promised 200 acres of land, cancellation of land fees and no taxes for 20 years, if they fought for the crown. While many Scots had signed loyalty oaths to Gover-nor Martin others signed loyalty oaths to both sides. After the closing of the port of Boston Committees of Correspondence were formed against importation of British goods. The Wilmington Committee had published the names of those who refused to sign a non-importation oath and made them appear before the committee and thereby secured cooperation of the merchants. Even John Slings-by a former British officer accepted the ban and turned over his goods from the ship Diana that entered the port, for the Committee to “disposes the goods as they want”. (Meyer, Duane, The Highland Scots of North Carolina, page 137). A Sec-ond Provincial congress was called following the Battle of Lexington and Con-cord on April 4, 1775. Governor Martin called a Colonial Assembly on April 3

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SAR Pledge

We, descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution, who by their sacrifices, established the United States of America, reaffirm our faith in the principles of liberty and our constitutional republic, and solemnly pledge our-selves to defend them against every foe.

SAR Recessional

Until we meet again, let us remember our obligations to our forefathers who gave us our constitution, the Bill of Rights, an inde-pendent Supreme Court, and a nation of free men.

Democratic Republic

A form of government in which power is explicitly vested in the people, a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and rep-resentatives responsible to them and governing ac-cording to law.

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

- George Washington

so many members of the congress could not attend but the assembly recessed to dis-cuss the business of the Provincial Congress. A Congress committee was held later to elect military officers who would act independent of Great Britain. In June Governor Martin’s wife with child escaped New Bern and fled to the safety of a war ship with the Governor in the harbor at Wilmington. Governor Martin made plans for a counter military campaign in the colony aboard the ship sending messages to the Scottish loyalist to “stand with the King”. On January 1, 1776, Virginia Governor Dunmore could not leave Norfolk in the hands of rebels, so he had British ships bombard the town. A British officer wrote that at 4 p.m. “the signal was given aboard the ship Liverpool, when a dreadful can-nonading began from 3 ships which lasted until it was too hot for the Rebels to stand on the wharfs. Our boats landed and set fire to the town and the fire burned all night and the next day; but no more remains of Norfolk but 12 houses”. The destruction of Norfolk served no purpose but to inflame the people of North Carolina and Virginia. (History of North Carolina, R.D.W. Connor, pg. 384). Frothingham, a historian, called the battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge “The Lex-ington and Concord of the South”. It was part of a campaign planned by Governor Martin, General Gage and the British ministry for the subjugation of all the southern colonies and would have succeeded but for the victory at Moore’s Creek Bridge. Governor Martin of North Carolina planned to raise 10,000 men, 2/3 loyalist regulators and Highlanders in the interior – Lord Cornwallis would sail from Cork, Ireland with 7 regiments of British Regulars escorted by a fleet of 72 ships command-ed Sir Peter Parker and Sir Henry Clinton would sail from Boston with 2000 regulars and take command of forces at Wilmington the middle of February – to relieve people tired of rule of “little tyrannies” called committees which they set up , eager for Gov. Martin to relieve loyalists from the self made yoke which they found intolerable. Mar-tin commissioned a veteran of Culloden, Donald McDonald whom General Gage had picked in Boston, to command the North Carolina Highlanders to meet with Alan MacDonald and 22 others to raise troops and press down on Brunswick by Feb. 15. Lord Dartmouth approved the plan in England. They would leave 1,000 men at Cross Creek and the remainder to march on Wilmington and place the rebellious town in Governor Martin’s hands. On February18,1776 1,600 Highlanders, led by General Donald McDonald

Page 7 Volume 54, Issue 2

with bagpipes playing and royal standards flying marched gaily out of Cross Creek and took the Brunswick road for Wilmington. Governor Martin on the Man of War ship HMS Cruizer was at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and dropped anchor to give support to his loyalist friends. Colonel James Moore of the First Regiment of Continen-tals, as supreme commander, was watching the Highlanders and was informed of their plans. On Feb. 15th they took a position on the southern bank of Rockfish Creek to prevent MacDonald from joining up with Clinton and were joined by James Kenan, Alexan-der Lillington, John Ashe, Alexander Martin with a small force from Guilford County – Col. James Thackston with a small force and Col. Richard Caswell on the march with 800 from New Bern raising 1,100 men. Blocked by Moore at Rockfish Creek, General MacDonald marched east-ward crossing the Cape Fear and proceeded to-ward Wilmington where he expected little re-sistance. Caswell out-flanked, withdrew and took position 20 miles above Wil-mington at the Widow Moore’s Creek Bridge that was the only crossing to Wilmington. Under Moore’s direction, Caswell took a position west of Moore’s Creek Bridge with 850 minutemen from Newbern and Wilmington were Mac-Donald was approaching six miles out, and where he had to cross the bridge to get to Wilmington - Ashe and Lillington with 1,000 men consisting of a battalion of militia from Newbern, Craven, Johnston, Dobbs and Wake and a detach-ment from Wilmington built an earthworks at the east end on a slight rise overlooking the bridge. Colonel James Moore and some militia from Cumberland took the field against MacDonald. MacDonald advanced towards Moore’s Camp and sent Moore a message to lay down his arms and take the oath of allegiance to the crown. Colonel Moore delayed answering him so all the militia could as-semble then sent a reply that “he was engaged in a noble and glorious cause, the defense of the rights of men” and invited MacDonald to join him. Because the forces of Caswell and Lillington were increasing, MacDonald started a rapid march to unite with General Clinton who was to arrive at the Cape Fear River with Lord William Campbell of South Carolina and strong reinforcements. MacDonald crossed the South River on the banks were Caswell and Lil-lington were camped with 850 men. Only their camp fires separated them. The General seeing that Caswell was in a weakened position with the bridge at his rear held a war

council and decided to attack early the next morning in the dark. General MacDonald was ill so he sent Colonel MacLeod with Captain Campbell with 75 of his best sol-diers to approach and attack across the bridge. The patri-ots were eager and ready for the fight. Patriot troops re-moved planks from the bridge and were under arms all night. Early at night about 1 a.m. on the 27th of Febru-ary the forces were in motion, shrill notes of their pibrosh dirge summoned the battle chiefs with their clans to bat-

tle. MacDonald reached within striking distance of Caswell’s camp ex-pecting to find forces with the creek at Caswell’s rear. Ashe and Lillington were on the east end. Caswell troops had left the camp-fires burning, crossed the bridge and joined Lil-lington and Ashe during the night. Colonel McLeod, with Captain John Campbell and 75 of his best swordsmen had to approach the bridge over the 35 ft. stream.

Caswell had posted artillery to cover the bridge and wait-ed in darkness for the approaching soldiers. Before dawn McLeod came upon the low burning fires and regrouped and passed the rallying cry “King George and Broad-swords” to wait for daybreak. Col.McLeod as he reached the bridge in the dark, was challenged by Caswell’s senti-nel calling out “who goes there” he responded “a friend”. The sentinel asked “a friend to whom?”, and McLeod answered “to the king”. McLeod hearing no response after calling out in Gaelic fired a shot to the other side of the bridge where he hear the voice. Led by Colonel McLeod, three cheers rang out signaling to attack and the loyalist Scottish regiment made a gallant charge across the bridge. As they picked their way over the bridge with muskets and broadswords out and onto the opposite bank they were met with musket fire and artillery from the breastworks. They were cut down in minutes, many fall-ing in the creek. Colonel McLeod and 30 of his bravest were killed. The Highlanders lost heart and shamefully abandoned the bridge. (Connor, R, F.D. History of North Carolina, pg. 387) North Carolina militia charged across the stream and engaged the whole force of the enemy. Royal troops were routed after a gallant resistance and General MacDonald was taken prisoner. The patriots lost only l man killed and 1 wounded. The total loss to the High-landers was 30 killed and 40 wounded. Colonel Moore arrived on the field shortly after the battle and pressed the

The Minuteman Page 8

pursuit so vigorously he captured 850 soldiers, many offic-ers including the commanding general, 350 guns, 150 swords and dirks, 1500 excellent rifles with shot bags, and a box of guineas containing 15,000 pounds sterling and 13 wagons with horses. In the next weeks suspected persons were captured and disarmed. Prisoners were released to their homes. This battle was very important because if the Tories had made a union with Gen. Clinton the whole state would have been at their mercy. Clinton issued a proclamation on board the Pallas transport May 5th, 1776, declaring a most wicked and unprovoked rebellion existed in his Majesty’s province of North Carolina, requiring all congresses and committees to be dissolved, and offered pardon to all per-sons who should obey and lay down their arms, except Cor-nelius Harnett and Robert Howe. Ten thousand men sprang to arms and hurried to Wilmington following the battle. An eyewitness said “since I was born I never heard of so universal an ardor for fighting and so perfect a union among all degrees of men” More than 9,400 men rose against the enemy. (Connor, R.D.W. History of North Carolina, 1584-1783, pg. 388). After the battle Governor Martin and reinforce-ments left the harbor of the Cape Fear River. Much credit to neutralizing the Highlanders can be given to three con-ventions. August 1774, when the committees at Wilmington agree to halt all importation from England in protest to the close of the port of Boston and passage of the Intolerable Acts. A second was held in April 1775 at New Bern to set up a council to govern in place of Governor Martin and a third at Hillsboro August 1775 organized by Farquard McDonald, Thomas Rutherford, McKay McAlister and Da-vid Smith to set up two regiments of the Continental line and several battalions of minutemen. Two days after the victory at Moore’s Creek, Caswell reported to President Harnett of the Provincial Congress. Reports of the battle were circulated throughout the colonies and encouraged advocates for independence. (Wheeler, John F., Historical Sketches of North Carolina 1584 to 1851, pg. 77). The 2000 regulars of Sir Henry Clinton did arrive but where leisurely sailing southward, calling at New York to talk with Governor Tyron and to the Chesapeake Bay to talk with Governor Dunmore of Virginia. Clinton arrived in April and Cornwallis in May. Clinton spent a month plundering plantations of prominent Whig leader General Howe in Brunswick on April 12th along the Cape Fear Riv-er and Lord Cornwallis with nine hundred men ravaged and plundered it, treating brutally some women left in the house at the Plantation. After burning some mills and despairing of success set sail with 30 ships for Charleston with Gover-nor Josiah Martin the last royal governor of North Carolina. The victory of Moore’s Creek Bridge saved North Carolina from conquest and postponed the conquest of Georgia and South Carolina for three more years. The Provincial Congress met at Halifax 4th of April 1776 and elected representatives from each county in North

Carolina, Six Brigadier Generals, four regiments, pay-masters and commissaries. They passed a resolution, “Resolved, That the Delegates from this Colony in the Continental Congress be empowered to concur with the delegates from the other colonies, in declaring Independ-ence and forming foreign alliances; reserving to this col-ony the sole and exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws for this colony”. Provincial President, Samuel Johnston, granted parole to General MacDonald which only brightened their victory. On May 1st, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes and John Penn were appointed delegates to Philadelphia and these names were signed to the Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776. A Council of Safety was chosen of 11 men and met on June 5th at Wilmington and chose Cornelius Harnett President and James Glasgow and James Green, Jr. Secretaries. Early in July, Gen. Thomas Rutherford, at the head of 1900 men crossed the mountains to subdue the Chero-kees. He succeeded in harassing and destroying them until they sued for peace. The Council of Safety declared the 1st of August as Declaration of Independence Day to celebrate at the courthouse in Halifax. In November five delegates from each county were sent to Halifax to draw up a state constitution. Appointed by the Provincial Committee of Safety, delegates from Edgecombe County were William Haywood, Isaac Sessums, Elisha Battle, William Horne and Jonas Johnson. (Wheeler, John F., Historical Sketches of North Carolina, pg. 84).

References:

Connor R.D.W. Connor, Secretary North Carolina His-torical Commission, History of North Carolina, Volume I, The Colonial and Revolutionary Periods 1584-1783, the Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York 1919. Family historical records .Roster of Soldiers from N.C. in the American Revolution. N.C.D.A.R. and Winborne, Benjamin B., History of Hertford County, North Caroli-na. Murphreesboro, North Carolina. Internet. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle of Culloden. Meyer, Duane. The Highland Scots of North Carolina 1732-1776, The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1961. Sessums, Terrell. Colonial Records at New Bern, Con-gressional Journal. North Carolina. Wheeler, John F. Historical Sketches of North Carolina 1584 to 1851.Vol I. Lippincott Gambo and Company. Philadelphia 1851. Source: http://www.patriot-web.com/revhistory/articles/moorescreek.htm