36°00′41″N 79°31′18″W / 36.0115°N 79.5217°W / 36.0115; -79.5217
65-685: Alamance Battleground is a North Carolina State Historic Site commemorating the Battle of Alamance . The historic site is located south of Burlington , Alamance County , North Carolina in the United States . The Battle of Alamance was fought in May 1771 as part of the War of the Regulation between the forces of Royal Governor William Tryon and a assemble of the "Regulators" an organized protest movement seeking to reform
130-752: A command structure. The Regulators were volunteers organized along community lines, with elected "chiefs" and "captains". Additionally, most of the Regulators did have militia training and knew how to fight. At about 11:00 Tryon sent one of his aides-de-camp, Captain Philemon Hawkins II , and the Sheriff of Orange County with a proclamation ahead of the advancing army to be read to the Regulators. Alamance Camp, Thursday, May 16, 1771. To Those Who Style Themselves "Regulators": In reply to your petition of yesterday, I am to acquaint you that I have ever been attentive to
195-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 43.00% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95. In the county, the age distribution was as follows: 20.30% under the age of 18, 21.00% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
260-562: A gift shop. The site offers programing and events throughout the year including in May a Reenactment of the Battle of Alamance. The battle features in the Diana Gabaldon novel, The Fiery Cross , and is depicted in the television adaptation, Outlander , in the fifth season's episode "The Ballad of Roger Mac" which first aired in 2020.; however, there are many historical inaccuracies. Orange County, North Carolina Orange County
325-517: A low campus wall at the edge of campus, christened "Dan Moore's Wall" by The Daily Tar Heel , referring to Governor Dan K. Moore . A group of UNC students, along with Aptheker and Williamson, filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court based on the right to free speech. On February 20, 1968, the Speaker Ban Law was ruled unconstitutional. In 1968, a year after its public schools became fully integrated, Chapel Hill elected Howard Lee as mayor. This
390-405: A map of the battleground site. Outside the visitors center, the grounds are marked with 2 granite monuments . The smaller monument was given as a memorial in 1880 while the larger monument featuring a statue of James Hunter, the so-called "General of the Regulators", was erected in 1901. The grounds are crossed by a ¾ mile trail, and key battle positions. campsite . A smokehouse also stands on
455-531: A member of the governor's council and one of Granville's land agents), and renamed Childsburgh (in honor of Thomas Child, the attorney general for North Carolina from 1751 to 1760 and another one of Granville's land agents) in 1759. In 1766, it was named Hillsborough, after Wills Hill , then the Earl of Hillsborough , the British secretary of state for the colonies, and a relative of royal Governor William Tryon . Located in
520-592: A period during Reconstruction , from December 1, 1870, to September 6, 1875. In March 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston wintered just outside Hillsborough at the Dickson home. This house now serves as the Hillsborough Welcome Center in downtown (the house was moved from its original site in the early 1980s due to commercial development). The main portion of the Confederate Army of Tennessee
585-632: A signer of the Declaration of Independence , was buried in the Presbyterian Church cemetery in October 1790. His remains were later reinterred at Guilford Courthouse Military Battlefield. His original gravestone remains in the town cemetery. Several large plantations were located in this county in the colonial and antebellum periods, including Green Hill , Ayr Mount , Moorefields , The Elms , Sans Souci , Riverland , Alexander Hogan Plantation , and
650-564: Is a county located in the Piedmont region of the U.S. state of North Carolina . As of the 2020 census , the population was 148,696. Its county seat is Hillsborough . Orange County is included in the Durham - Chapel Hill , NC Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the Raleigh -Durham-Cary, NC Combined Statistical Area , which had an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023. It
715-527: Is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments . Orange County has gained a reputation as one of the most liberal counties in North Carolina. The county consistently delivers one of the largest Democratic majorities in the state in presidential, state, and local elections. This trend predates the recent swing toward the Democrats in counties dominated by college towns. The last Republican to win
SECTION 10
#1732858530771780-527: Is also located within the visitor center. [REDACTED] Media related to Alamance Battleground at Wikimedia Commons Battle of Alamance The Battle of Alamance , which took place on May 16, 1771, was the final confrontation of the Regulator Movement , a rebellion in colonial North Carolina over various issues with the Colonial Government. The Regulators primarily wanted reforms to
845-546: Is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , the flagship institution of the University of North Carolina System and the oldest state-supported university in the United States . Orange County was formed in 1752 from parts of Bladen , Granville , and Johnston counties. While no surviving records exist regarding the namesake of the county, it may have been named for the infant William V of Orange , whose mother Anne , daughter of King George II of Great Britain ,
910-461: Is water. The county is drained, in part, by the Eno River . The city of Chapel Hill , is in the southeastern part of Orange County, as is Carrboro . Hillsborough is in the central part of the county and is the county seat. As of the 2020 census , there were 148,696 people, 55,259 households, and 32,657 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 133,801 people living in
975-647: The Patterson Plantation . Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly on December 11, 1789, the University of North Carolina's cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1793, near the ruins of a chapel, chosen for its central location within the state. Beginning instruction of undergraduates in 1795, UNC is the oldest public university in the United States and the only one to award degrees in
1040-542: The Piedmont region, Hillsborough was the site of a colonial court, and the scene of some pre- Revolutionary War tensions. In the late 1760s, conflicts between Piedmont farmers and county officers welled up in the Regulator movement , or as it was also known, the War of the Regulation , which had its epicenter in Hillsborough. Several thousand people from North Carolina, mainly from Orange, Anson , and Granville counties in
1105-656: The poverty line , including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over. FY 2008-09 Orange County had the second highest property tax rate in NC at 0.998 per $ 100 of valuation. For FY 2009-10 after the 2009 Orange County revaluation, the rate is now ninth highest in the state at 0.858 per $ 100 of valuation. Orange County is governed by a seven-member board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected to four-year terms by district and at-large in partisan elections, which are held in November of even-numbered years. Orange County
1170-572: The 18th century. The Reverend Robert and Margaret Anna Burwell founded and ran a school for girls called the Burwell School from 1837 to 1857 in their home on Churton Street in Hillsborough. Families of planters paid to have their daughters educated here. When the Civil War began, Hillsborough was reluctant to support secession. However, many citizens went off to fight for the Confederacy . During
1235-560: The 1960s, the UNC campus was the location of significant political protest. Prior to passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , protests about local racial segregation began quietly in Franklin Street restaurants; activists increased in influence and led mass demonstrations and civil disturbance. Always suspicious of communist influence in the civil rights movement, the legislature passed
1300-807: The 1963 Speaker Ban Law , prohibiting speeches by communists on state campuses in North Carolina. University Chancellor William Brantley Aycock and University President William Friday criticized the law, but it was not reviewed by the North Carolina General Assembly until 1965. Small amendments to allow "infrequent" visits failed to placate the student body, especially when the university's board of trustees overruled new Chancellor Paul Frederick Sharp's decision to allow speaking invitations to Marxist speaker Herbert Aptheker and civil liberties activist Frank Wilkinson . The two speakers came to Chapel Hill anyway. Wilkinson spoke off campus, and more than 1,500 students watched Aptheker's speech across
1365-541: The American Revolution, many prominent Regulators became Loyalists, like James Hunter who fought at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. Alternatively, the leaders of Tryon's militia became the leaders of the Revolution. All of North Carolina's continental army generals were with Tryon at the Battle of Alamance, and one was in command of the artillery that fired on the Regulators. The Regulators notably were never against
SECTION 20
#17328585307711430-589: The Regulator movement who was present at the Battle of Alamance. Donated by descendants of the family and moved from nearby Snow Camp to the current site, the frontier style, one room log home is furnished with restored, original pieces from the period . Guided tours of the Allen House are provided upon request. The visitor center has several exhibits a The battleground is largely handicapped accessible. Ten picnic tables are available for use by visitors. A gift shop
1495-460: The Regulators's camp. While marching on the road he stopped and ordered his men to practice forming a line. After a satisfactory performance they reformed and marched down the road. As the army neared the Regulator positions he ordered the militia to form two lines, and divided his artillery with the 2 3-pounders on the flanks and the 6 swivel guns at the center. The Regulators waited for the army to arriv. Although seemingly disorganized they did possess
1560-412: The Regulators, who had made camp south of Great Alamance Creek in western Orange County . On the evening of May 15, Tryon received word that the Regulators were camped about six miles away. Throughout the night, the Regulators sent peace envoys to discuss with Tryon to avoid fighting. All overtures were ignored. The next morning, at about 8:00 am, Tryon's troops set out to a field about a half mile from
1625-412: The Regulators. After 30 minutes, Tryon ordered the cannons to cease fire, and for the militia to advance. They routed the remaining Regulators, chasing them for several miles, rounding up any left behind, and looting the Regulators camp to boot. The battle brought the Regulators movement to an end. Michael Holt was politically active in the years of the Regulation and the Revolution. The Battle of Alamance
1690-480: The Sailsburg-Hillsborough road in an area where two hills are with a depression in-between. They might have assembled for a meeting as they had done before, or to finally make their stand against Tryon and fight, their true intention are unknown. Funded with £6,000 provided by council member and wealthy merchant Samuel Cornell, Tryon left the county seat of Hillsborough , on May 11 with his militia to confront
1755-424: The Sheriff of Orange county to get the Regulators answer, their response being "fire and be damned". Tryon gave the order to open fire with grapeshot from the cannons, followed by volleys from the militia. The Regulators attempted to form a defense, but by the second volley most of the Regulators fled in terror. Those left behind took cover behind large trees and rocks and fired back. The artillery continued firing on
1820-423: The army returned to Hillsborough where a rapid trial was conducted for the remaining twelve prisoners. They were all sentenced to be hanged; six were pardoned at the last minute. The sentence was carried out on the remaining six on June 19, 1771, on a hill in the town of Hillsborough. After the battle and Tryon's campaign of terror many Regulators and the families traveled westward to areas beyond North Carolina. After
1885-476: The battle of Alamance they did not fire the first shots. The struggle of the Regulators is a fundamental struggle for fair treatment by the government for all citizens not just the wealthy and elites. The Regulators struggle and reforms they sought for only recently became reality. As the Regulators struggled for a world more like the world we have today than the Revolutionaries created or every wanted. During
1950-445: The battle, Tryon sought to cement the fear and terror by beginning a campaign of terror on the population. One of the prisoners, named James Few, who had inflicted many casualties on Tryon, was executed at the camp the day after the battle. Tryon then proceeded to travel across the center of Regulators control, burning homes and destroying crops. The populace was compelled to sign oaths of allegiance and surrender their firearms. Afterwards
2015-581: The church bell. Tryon sent troops from his militia to the region, and defeated the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance in May 1771. Several trials were held after the war, resulting in the hanging of six Regulators at Hillsborough on June 19, 1771. Hillsborough was used as the home of the North Carolina state legislature during the American Revolution . Hillsborough served as a military base by British General Charles Cornwallis in late February 1781. The United States Constitution , drafted in 1787,
Alamance Battleground - Misplaced Pages Continue
2080-510: The colonial government. Archaeological studies begun in 2009 have also found evidence of a Revolutionary War skirmish that occurred between the Delaware Light Infantry and British General Charles Cornwallis' forces on March 5, 1781, one of several small battles to occur in the area prior to the Battle of Guilford Courthouse . Evidence was also found of a Civil War era encampment of the 3rd North Carolina Junior Reserve unit under
2145-499: The command of Col. John Hinsdale, who camped on the site shortly before surrendering near High Point to Union forces. The state historic site belongs to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and was established to preserve part of the battleground and provide historical interpretation of the lifestyle of the settlers in 1770s north central North Carolina. Family papers, books, and documents relate
2210-407: The construction of a new governor's mansion at New Bern fueled resentment of the movement's members. As the western districts were under-represented in the colonial legislature, the farmers could not obtain redress by legislative means. Ultimately, the frustrated farmers took to arms and closed the court in Hillsborough, dragging those they saw as corrupt officials through the streets and cracking
2275-567: The county at a presidential level was Herbert Hoover in 1928 – when opposition to the Catholicism of Democratic nominee Al Smith was a powerful force among voters. It has only supported a Republican two other times since the Civil War– William Howard Taft in 1908 and William McKinley in 1900. The county seat of Hillsborough, the city of Chapel Hill and the town of Carrboro historically vote for Democratic candidates, while
2340-419: The county was 78.05% White , 13.79% Black or African American , 0.39% Native American , 4.10% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.96% from other races , and 1.71% from two or more races. 4.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 45,863 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.60% were married couples living together, 9.40% had
2405-668: The county were the Andrews family, which would later intermarry with the Lloyd family. The Orange County seat of Hillsborough was founded in 1754 on land where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River. This area was first owned, surveyed, and mapped by William Churton (a surveyor for Earl Granville ). Originally to be named Orange, it was named Corbin Town (for Francis Corbin,
2470-524: The county. 74.4% were White , 11.9% Black or African American , 6.7% Asian , 0.4% Native American , 4.0% of some other race and 2.5% of two or more races . 8.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). At the 2000 census , there were 118,227 people, 45,863 households, and 26,141 families living in the county. The population density was 296 people per square mile (114 people/km ). There were 49,289 housing units at an average density of 123 units per square mile (47 units/km ). The racial makeup of
2535-429: The currency act and to stop local corruption. They will also request other changes, like secret ballot voting, progressive taxation, land reform, and more transparent government. Named for nearby Great Alamance Creek , the battle took place in what was then Orange County and has since become Alamance County in the central Piedmont area, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of present-day Burlington, North Carolina . In
2600-483: The delivery of this dispatch, you will prevent an effusion of blood, as you are at this time in a state of rebellion against your King, your country, and your laws. (Signed) William Tryon. This letter, as read by the sheriff of Orange county, made the demand to disperse per the Johnston Riot act. The Regulators had one hour to disperse or be subject to force. Soon after at about 11:15 Tryon's army arrived, formed along
2665-690: The grounds. There is a plaque that commemorates the deaths of the six men who were hanged by Governor Tryon following the defeat of the Regulators: James Pugh, Robert Matear, Benjamin Merrill , Captain Messer, and two others. Alamance Battleground State Historic Site also includes the John Allen House , which family sources suggest was constructed around 1780. John's sister, Amy, was the wife of Herman Husband , an agitator and pamphleteer prominent in
Alamance Battleground - Misplaced Pages Continue
2730-614: The hangings Tryon left to become Governor of New York leaving a war torn North Carolina to his successor. According to Tryon's journal, the following men served under his command: The following individuals were numbered as members of the Regulators: The following were excepted from pardons by Tryon: Six men were found guilty of treason , but were pardoned at Tryon's behest: Six men were found guilty of treason and were sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered , although in practice, they were only hanged : Some local historians in
2795-507: The home of James and Nancy Bennett. Their farmhouse is now known as the Bennett Place . The two generals met on April 17, 18 and 26, 1865, negotiating terms of Johnston's surrender. Johnston surrendered 89,270 Southern troops who were active in North Carolina, South Carolina , Georgia, and Florida . This was the largest surrender of troops during the war, and effectively ended the Civil War. Occoneechee Speedway , just outside Hillsborough,
2860-505: The interests of your County and to every individual residing therein. I lament the fatal necessity to which you have now reduced me by withdrawing yourselves from the mercy of the crown and from the laws of your country. To require you who are now assembled as Regulators, to quietly lay down your arms, to surrender up your leaders, to the laws of your country and rest on the leniency of the Government. By accepting these terms within one hour from
2925-487: The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries believed the battle to be a forerunner to the American Revolutionary War,. Even, popular media and old monuments claim that Alamance was the first battle of the Revolution, it simply is not. The Regulators were not intending an overthrow of the Government in North Carolina rather they desired to reform/ regulate so it is fair to all residents of the colony not just
2990-469: The monarchy - their issue was with local corruption and elites abusing them. The site of the Battle is preserved as Alamance Battleground State Historic Site where visitors may walk where the battle took place. Today the site contains exhibits, nature trails, a self-guided walking tour, guided battlefield tours, and a 1780s log cabin belong to the Allen family. The visitors' center offers exhibits, artifacts, and
3055-460: The northern half of what was left of Orange County became Caswell County . In 1849, the western county became Alamance County . Finally, in 1881, the eastern half of the county's remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County . Some of the first settlers of the county were English Quakers , who settled along the Haw and Eno rivers. Arguably, the earliest settlers in
3120-407: The rich. They sought basic protections of the law and fairness and were killed for it. The Regulators were a mostly non-violent protest movement that sought every possible peaceful solution to their problems until they resorted to major violence. Lawsuits, petitions, and representation in the general assembly all failed. Only after years of frustration did they act with violence in Hillsborough. Even at
3185-591: The rural areas of the county favor Republicans. Chapel Hill and Carrboro have a reputation for being two of the most liberal communities in the Southern United States . Carrboro was the first municipality in North Carolina to elect an openly gay mayor , Mike Nelson (who also served as an Orange County commissioner from 2006 to 2010), and the first municipality in the state to grant domestic-partner benefits to same-sex couples. In October 2002, Carrboro
3250-407: The slope of the adjacent hill, and proceeded to wait for the deadline with weapons loaded. The Regulators spent the time yelling insults at the militia and taunting them to fire. Possibly during the hour or at the end, one Regulator who had been taken prisoner earlier in the day, Robert Thompson, decided to seize the moment to escape. Tryon ordered him to be shot. When the hour was up, Tryon sent over
3315-451: The spring of 1771, North Carolina Governor William Tryon left New Bern , having mustered 1,000 militia troops and 8 cannons. They marched westwards to address a rebellion that had been brewing in the western counties for several years. The colonial government chose to act after a group of Regulators in September 1770 attacked the superior court in Hillsborough, NC. They rioted through
SECTION 50
#17328585307713380-405: The story of the era, providing authentic examples of living on the frontier during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A visitor center at the site allows visitors to view several historical items - including the powder horn of Harmon Cox, the only known surviving archeological relic from the Battle of Alamance, in a small museum. Outside the visitors center is a 3-pounder cannon replica and
3445-517: The three corners of the Research Triangle , so named in 1959 with the creation of Research Triangle Park , a research park between Durham and Raleigh. The Morehead Planetarium at UNC opened in 1949, when it was one of only a handful of planetariums in the nation. It continues as an important town landmark and destination for Chapel Hill. During the United States' Mercury , Gemini , and Apollo programs , astronauts were trained there. During
3510-522: The town for several days. In response in January 1771 the North Carolina assembly passed the Johnston Riot Act, allowing the use of force to disperse assemblies of people. As a result of their acts of resistance, such as not paying fees and taxes, and minor violence, the Regulators were declared to be in a state of rebellion and insurrection. About 2,000 Regulators had gathered, for an unknown reason along
3575-504: The war, North Carolina Governor David Lowry Swain persuaded Confederate President Jefferson Davis to exempt some UNC students from the draft, so the university was among the few in the Confederacy that managed to stay open. But, Chapel Hill lost more population during the war than any other village in the South. When student numbers did not recover rapidly enough, the university closed for
3640-624: The western region, were extremely dissatisfied with the wealthy colonial officials whom they considered cruel, arbitrary, tyrannical, and corrupt. With specie scarce, many inland farmers were cash poor and unable to pay their taxes ; they resented the consequent seizure of their property. In addition, local sheriffs sometimes kept taxes for their own gain and sometimes charged twice for the same tax. At times, sheriffs would intentionally remove records of their tax collection to further tax citizens. Rowan , Anson, Orange, Granville, and Cumberland counties were said to be most affected by such corruption. It
3705-414: Was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 90.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.70 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 42,372, and the median income for a family was $ 59,874. Males had a median income of $ 39,298 versus $ 31,328 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 24,873. About 6.20% of families and 14.10% of the population were below
3770-487: Was a struggle of yeomen farmers and other mostly lower-class citizens, who made up the majority of the population of North Carolina, and the wealthy ruling class, who composed about 5% of the population, yet maintained almost total control of the government. Of the 8,000 people living in Orange County at the time, an estimated 6000 - 7000 of them supported the Regulators. Governor William Tryon 's conspicuous consumption in
3835-509: Was among the first municipalities in the South to pass resolutions opposing the Iraq War and the USA PATRIOT Act . Orange County voted 78.98% against Amendment 1 . This was the highest vote against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage of any county in the United States, even higher than San Francisco in 2008. The county is served by 2 school districts: Orange County is located in
3900-519: Was controversial in North Carolina. Delegate meetings at Hillsboro in July 1788 initially voted to reject it for antifederalist reasons. They were persuaded to change their minds partly by the strenuous efforts of James Iredell and William Davie and partly by the prospect of adding a Bill of Rights . The Constitution was later ratified by North Carolina at a convention in Fayetteville . William Hooper ,
3965-537: Was encamped between Hillsborough and Greensboro . While camped in Raleigh after his March to the Sea , Union General William T. Sherman offered an armistice to Johnston, who agreed to meet to discuss terms of surrender. Johnston, traveling east from Hillsborough, and Sherman, traveling west from Raleigh along the Hillsborough-Raleigh Road, met roughly half-way near present-day Durham (then Durham Station) at
SECTION 60
#17328585307714030-427: Was fought on his land in 1771. His role in the Revolution began as a Tory, raising and leading a militia company for the crown in 1776. Shortly thereafter, he had a change of sympathies and supported the Revolution for the remainder of the conflict. Losses for both sides are disputed. Tryon reported nine dead and 61 wounded among the militia, with 300 Regulator casualties during the battle. Tryon took 13 prisoners. After
4095-531: Was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open, and is the only track remaining from that inaugural 1949 season. Bill France and the early founders of NASCAR bought land to build a one-mile oval track at Hillsborough, but opposition from local religious leaders prevented the track from being built in the town and NASCAR officials built the large speedway Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama . Chapel Hill, along with Durham and Raleigh , makes up one of
4160-437: Was the first predominantly white municipality in the country to elect an African-American mayor. Lee served from 1969 until 1975. Among other achievements, he helped establish Chapel Hill Transit , the town's bus system. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 400.96 square miles (1,038.5 km ), of which 397.56 square miles (1,029.7 km ) is land and 3.40 square miles (8.8 km ) (0.85%)
4225-611: Was then regent of the Dutch Republic ; or William of Orange , who became William III of England after the overthrow of James II in the Glorious Revolution . In 1771, Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County . Another part was combined with parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County to form Wake County . The southern part of what remained became Chatham County . In 1777,
#770229