Benj-Merrill of No. Carolina The battle of the Alamance, 16 May, 1771, ended what was known as the War of the Regulation in North Carolina. This war, a prelude of the Revolution, began as an armed protest against corrupt courts, excessive taxes and extortionate fees demanded by officials holding their places under the British Government. Among the leaders of the so-called Regulators was Benjamin Merrill, who had been a captain of militia in Rowan County, N. C.
Gov.Tryon of North Carolina, who in the early years of the Revolution was the detested royal Governor of New York, led his force of more than 1000 regulars against the poorly-armed Colonists, with the inevitable result. Benjamin Merrill was captured, convicted of treason, and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. The sentence was carried out 19 June, 1771. (See Bancroft's History of the United States, vol.6, pages 390-397.) Five years later victims of similar oppression in the more northern British Colonies, who undertook armed resistance and lost their lives in battle, were honored as patriots and martyrs.
***SOURCE***
A Merrill Memorial Volume 2
Author: Samuel Merrill
This book contains the history and genealogy of the Merrill family of Newbury, Massachusetts.
Bibliographic Information: Merrill, Samuel. A Merrill Memorial Volume 2. Privately Printed. Massachusetts. 1928.
One of the most amusing incidents of Tyron's Campaign occurred on June 1, 1771, just after the army crossed Abbott's Creek and went into the camp on Benjamin Merrill's plantation, a valuable tract of well cultivated land in the Jersey settlement, near the Yadkin River. The horses belonging to the army had been turned loose at night to graze, each animal having a bell tied to its neck to aid in finding any which might stray. In the immediate neighborhood was the residence, gardens and grounds of Benjamin Merrill, a planter, who owned and took a great deal of pride in an extensive apiary which was located in the gardens. A foraging party from Tyron's army were attempting to steal honey from this place, and in the darkness, several beehives were overturned and the bees began stinging both men and horses. The horses thereupon began to run pell-mell at a full gallop around and through the camp, ringing several hundred discordant bells, the sound of which made the night hideous. The sentinels, guards and pickets fired off their pieces, and the cry "Stand your arms" rung throughout the camp. Tyron no doubt thought all the regulators in the world had suddenly swooped down upon him. However, in the cause of the tumult was soon ascertained and quiet was restored. (State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 19, p. 849).
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL
Captain Messer, who, as you remember, was captured just after the Battle of Alamance, along with the poor unfortunate few, who was hanged on the battlefield without trial by jury or by court martial, was to have been hanged the following day, but owing to a very affecting incident already noted, he was reserved for the Hillsborough fete, June 19, 1771.
Captain Benjamin Merrill, of the Jersey settlements, near Salisbury, was another of the unfortunate victims of Tyron's brutal tyranny. He was on his way to join the Regulators at Alamance with a company of more than 300 men, when he intercepted General Hugh Waddell and forced him to flee to Salisbury, after taking most of his command prisoners. Captain Merrill was within one day's march of the Alamance when he heard the cannonading, and soon afterwards heard of the victory of the Governor's (Tyron's) army. He is said to have regretted that he was not present with his men to have bled with those who fought for liberty.
After hearing of the defeat of his comrades, he disbanded his men and returned home. He was taken prisoner (State Records of N.C., Vol. 19, p. 849) by a detachment under Colonel Fanning, and brought to Tyron's army, encamped at the "Jersey Settlement Camp", on Saturday, June 1, 1771; put in chains with the other prisoners, and dragged through the country to Hillsborough, where with his life he paid the forfeit. In this trying situation, he gave his friends satisfactory evidence that he was prepared to die, for he not only professed his faith in Christ, his hope of heaven, and his willingness to go, but sang a psalm very devoutly, like the Covenanters in the grass market in Edinburgh, and died like a Christian and Soldier. On being permitted to speak just before the execution, he said that fifteen years before, he had been converted, but had back-slidden, yet now felt that he was freely forgiven and that he would not change places with any ones on the grounds. In conclusion, he referred feelingly to his wife and eight children, saying, "I entreat that no reflection be cast upon them on my account" and requested that some part of his estate be spared for the widow and the fatherless. It is said that one of Tyron's soldiers was heard to declare that if all men went to the gallows with a character such as Captain Merrill's "hanging would be an honorable death".
If Captain Merrill with his 300 men had reached the Alamance the day before the battle, the Regulators would have had a commanding officer and the result might have been quite different from what it was. These men might have been rash, but they were not cowards; they may have been imprudent, but they were suffering under wrong and outrage, and the withholding of justice and the proper excise of the law. "And if oppression and extortion will make a wise man mad," then ten years of oppression and extortion which these men suffered would have proved them fit for subjection had they been submissive.
Governor Tyron with his own hand fired the first shot at the Battle of Alamance, which killed Robert Thompson, the first to die at Alamance, Thursday, May 16, 1771. It was here that the first blood was shed for American freedom and independence; it was here that the British first met the Americans - The Regulators, on the battlefield. The Battle of Almance, not the Battle of Lexington was the first battle of the Revolutionary War.
Source:
Some Neglected History of North Carolina by W.E. Fitch, 1905, pages 240-241
pp. 654-657 Reprinted From Morgan Edwards' Ms. History of The Baptists in North Carolina* NOTE: Morgan Edwards made a tour through North Carolina in 1772, gathering the material for his history of the Baptists in the province. The extracts given are reprinted from Benedict's "General History of the Baptist Denomination in America" edition of 1813. Benedict printed from Morgan Edwards' works in manuscript. - EDITOR
"Next to Virginia Southward is North Carolina, a poor and unhappy province where superiors make complaints of the people, and the people of their superiors, which complaints if just, shows the body politic to be like that of Israel in the house of Isaiah "from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head without any soundness, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores." These complaints rose to hostilities at Alamance Creek May 16th 1771, where about 6,000 appeared in arms and fought each other 4,000 Regulators killing three Tyronians and 2,000 (Tyronians) killing twelve Regulators besides lodging in the trees an increditable number of balls which the hunters have since picked out and killed more deer and turkies than they killed of their antagonists.
Very remarkable things may be said of the church (Sandy Creek Church) worthy a place in Gille's...It began with 16 souls (1755) and in a short time increased to 606 spreading its branches to Deep River and Abbots Creek which branches are gone to other provinces and most of the members of this church have followed them; insomuch that in 17 years it is reduced from 606 to 14 souls. The cause of this dispersion was the abuse of power which too much prevailed in the province and caused the inhabitants at last to rise in arms and fight for their privileges; but being routed May 16th 1771 they despaired of seeing better times and therefore quitted the province. It is said that 1,500 families departed since the battle of Alamance and to my knowledge a great many more are only waiting to dispose of their plantations in order to follow them. This is to me an argument that their grievances were real and their oppression great, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary.
Governor Tyron is said to have represented the 'Regulators as a faction of Quakers and Baptists who aimed at overturning the church of England.' If the Governor said as here suggested he must be misinformed for I made it my business to inquire into the matter and can aver that among 4,000 Regulators there were but 7 of the denomination of Baptists; and these were expelled from the societies they belonged unto, in consequence of the resolve of the Baptist Association held at Sandy Creek the Second Saturday in Oct. 1769, "If any of our members shall take up arms against the legal authority or aid and abet them that do so, he shall be excommunicated," &c. When this was known abroad, one of the four chiefs of the Regulators with an armed company broke into the assembly and demanded if there were such a resolve entered into by the Association? The answer was evasive, for they were in bodily fear. This checked the design much; and the author of the Impartial Relation is obligated to own, page 16, "There (in Sandy Creek) the scheme met with some opposition on account that it was too hot and rash and in some things not legal, " &c. One of the seven Baptists by the name of Merrill was executed; and he, at the point of death, did not justify his conduct, but bitterly condemned it and blamed two men (of very different religion) for deceiving him into the rebellion.
"His speech at the gallows was as follows:
"'I stand here exposed to the world as a criminal. My life will soon be a change. God is my comforter and supporter. I am condemned to die for opposing Government. All you that are present take warning by my miserable end when I shall be hung up as a spectacle before you. My first seducers were Hunter and Gelaspie. They had often solicited me, telling that a settlement only was contended for with regard to publick officers who they said had oppressed the people; and that unless these measures were taken there would be no remedy or redressed hereafter. Thus they pressed me on by assuring me the disputes (as they called them) then existing might be settled without shedding of blood. I considered this unhappy affair and thought possibly that contentions in the country might be brought to some determination without injury to any, and in this mind I joined the Regulation. After I had entered under the banner of the Regulators I was ever after pressed to be made a leading man among them, and was one of the number who opposed Colonel Waddell with his troops; information prevailing that the Governor was on his march to lay waste the country and destroy its inhabitants, which I now find to be false, and propagated to screen old offenders from justice. As to my private life, I do not know of any particular charge against me. I received, by the grace of God, a change fifteen years ago; but have, since that time, been a backslider; yet Providence, which is my chief security, has been pleased to give me comfort, under these evils, in my last hour; and altho' the halter is now round my neck, believe me, I would not change stations with any man on the ground. All you, who think you stand, take heed lest ye fall. I would be glad to say a few words more to you before I die. In a few moments, I shall leave a widow and ten children; I entreat that no reflection may be cast upon them on my account; and if possible, shall deem it as a bounty, should you, gentlemen petition the Governor and Council, that some part of my estate may be spared for the widow and fatherless; it will be an act of charity, for I have forfeited the whole, by the laws of God and man.'
The man bore an excellent character, insomuch that one of his enemies was heard to say, "That if all went to the gallows with Capt. Merrill's character, hanging would be an honourable death.' All pitied him and lamed the wicked Hunter, Gelaspie, Howell, Husband, Butler, and others who deceived and seduced him. Upwards of 70 bills were found at the time, but Merrill was the only Baptist found among the number. The four principals in the Regulation are well known to be of other religious denominations.
I thought it necessary to say so much, lest the Governor's words should in time make the North Carolina Regulation another Muster Tragedy."
***SOURCE INFORMATION***
The Colonial Records of North Carolina, By William L. Saunders, Secretary of State, Vol. VIII - 1769 tp 1771, pages 654-657
For more information click on link below and
check out excerpts regarding Capt. Benjamin Merrill from the book
"Captain Benjamin Merrill and the Merrill Family of North Carolina"
CLICK HERE
|
