On May 16, 1771, in what some consider a major catalyst of the Revolutionary War, Royal Governor William Tryon led more than 1,000 British troops in the violent quelling of a taxpayer rebellion in Alamance County, North Carolina.
Between 1765 and 1771, farmers in particular became increasingly frustrated at their perceived rife corruption among wealthy government officials. Burdensome taxes and high fees were being imposed on the farmers, many of whom were already suffering from economic hardship. The farmers believed that sheriffs and local court officials were corrupt, and worked outside the law for their own personal gain. Despite public protests, petitioning the General Assembly for relief, and the filing of multiple suits in the courts, little was done to address the farmers concerns, and anger grew. In September 1769, Herman Husband enflamed public opinion with his pamphlet “An Impartial Relation of the First and Causes of the Recent Differences in Public Affairs”. His words resonated with those who felt betrayed by their government; “Are you not sensible, Brethren that we have too long groaned in Secret under the Weight of these crushing Mischiefs? How long will ye in this servile Manner subject yourselves to Slavery? Now shew yourselves to be Freemen, and for once assert your Liberty and maintain your Rights…”. In early 1770 the tipping point was reached. The North Carolina legislature had authorized £5,000 for the building of an "Edifice" to house the Governor, however Tryon argued successfully that the sum was not substantial enough for his plans, and building it "in the plainest manner" would cost no less than £10,000. Extra taxation was levied to fund the project, further enraging the citizenry. When the Governor moved into the lavish building, dubbed “Tryon’s Palace”, resistance began to boil. One organizer, William Butler, was quoted as saying "We are determined not to pay the Tax for the next three years, for the Edifice or Governor's House, nor will we pay for it”. In the ensuing weeks, one gang stormed the house the corrupt official Edmund Fanning and dragged him by his feet down the steps. The home of another official was raided and his belongings thrown out the windows. The movement to regulate government over-reach and corruption reached a zenith in 1771 when more than 2,000 members of the ‘Regulator Movement’ took up arms against colonial officials in Alamance County. Hoping that this show of force would intimidate the government into offering concessions, the group marched to a spot west of Hillsborough and set up camp. Governor William Tryon reacted by mustering more than 1,000 troops and marching them from New Bern to address the growing rebellion in the west, arriving at Hillsborough on 9 May 1771. Within a week his troops were camped but six miles from the protesters, setting the stage was set for the Battle of Alamance. The ‘Regulators’ remained disorganized, with little military leadership and few supplies, and in light of the large number of protesters were not anticipating of an attack. In the early morning of the sixteenth, Tryon formed two lines of troops and divided his artillery between the wings and the center of the first line. He then sent his aide-de-camp to the protesters with a proclamation: "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 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 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. William Tryon". The protesters underestimated the severity of the situation and ignored Tryon’s warning to turn over their leaders. Two men did try to negotiate a peace, one of them being Robert Thompson. Thompson was detained as a prisoner, and in a moment of anger, Tryon took a musket from a militiaman and personally shot Thompson dead. Tryon sent an officer to say that unless the protesters promptly disbanded he would open fire upon them. A pitched battle quickly ensued, with some witnesses claiming shouts by the protesters of "Fire and be damned". Lacking sufficient ammunition the ‘Regulators’ resistance quickly faded and the battle ended. In the aftermath, Gov. Tryon reported nine dead and 61 wounded among the militia., however some historians estimate his actual losses as high as 27 killed. Both sides counted nine dead among the protesters, with several dozen wounded. Tryon took 13 prisoners. One of them, James Few, was summarily executed at camp. Twelve of the protesters were found guilty of treason; six were pardoned and six were executed later in Hillsborough. Tryon's militia troops traveled through the territory, forcing sympathizers to sign loyalty oaths and destroying the properties of the most active of the ‘Regulators’. Tryon left North Carolina on 30 June 1771, taking on the governorship of New York. Josiah Martin succeeded as Governor and unsuccessfully attempted to implement reforms; the problems left by Tryon being apparently too much to overcome. Less than a week after the battles of Lexington and Concord, Martin’s home was attacked and he was forced to take refuge on board the sloop-of-war HMS Cruizer, never to reestablish himself in office.
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Michael WoodHistorical milestones in our fight for liberty 1765-1783 Archives
February 2022
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