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by gstrader from In the Hoots & Holla

Last Post 94 days, 8 hours Ago


Remember Your Heritage
Apr 21, 2008 | 3:42 PM
Category: Political
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Greensboro is celebrating a birthday! Happy Birthday Greensboro!

That said; this might be a great time for all of us to remember our past. Who are we, and where did we come from.

I made a point of discovering something about the county history of Randolph County, when I first moved there in the early 1970s. It took years of study, and digging to get a good picture of just who the people were that settled this region.

Who they were, they were GREAT AMERICANS!

The region was settled by and large by Scottish, and Irish, and English people from Europe. They were all to be counted for in the War of Independence at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, and even before, as well as after.

The Battle at Guilford Courthouse was said to be the turning point of the war. The actual battle only lasted 90 minutes, but what most do not know is that war was waged here for many more months.

The region was made up of "Whigs" who were you American citizens opposed to Rule by the King. We also had many Quakers who were opposed to war, and they were neutral in the war. The rest were "loyalists, or Tories", who wanted to remain loyal to England. Whigs, and Tories, fought for months, before, and after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

The Whigs who belonged to the North Carolina Militia were among others, General Gray, Col. Tom Dougan, Capt William Bell, Col Balfour, and others like the Clarke Brothers. William Millikan, was a Quaker, however since he was Randolph County's first tax collector, and local politician was deemed an enemy to the King, and as such marked for death.

The Whigs of the Revolution lived in North Central Randolph County, and the local headquarters for the Militia was at Bell's Mill on Deep River. (The remains of which is now under water;remember this when you take a drink from the water of Lake Randleman).


North Wall of Foundation of Bell's Mill


The next time you travel down Hwy 220 south into Randolph County, and cross the Lake look to the right, and you will be looking at a lot of water that covers the land where Bell's Mill, and the place where Cornwallis, and his British Army encamped for three days. It was also the same place that headquartered the NC Militia. The mill was a storehouse for the American Army.

If you have heard the Name Martha Bell, and know a little of the story about how she confronted, and tricked Cornwallis into not burning the mill, then you must know that she was no ordinary woman.

She was in addition to being the wife of Capt Bell, the midwife to the settlers of the region. She was known to have gone on horseback at all hours of the day and night, wearing her husbands Militia coat, armed with two pistols, and a knife, riding to farmsteads to assist in the business of baby delivery. Her story stands out as a fine example of strong women, and great American values. I urge you to learn about her.


The site of the Bell Plantation house. The rock outcropping below the place where the plantation house stood, was where a mounted RedCoat was thrown by his horse, and died of a broken neck.

There was a fameous Tory by the name of David Fanning that moved into the area and set up camp at Cox's Mill near Ramseur, and Asheboro. David Fanning was the one and same as the fameous Tory that did the raid on what is now known as the "House in the Horseshoe." David Fanning conducted raids nightly in Randolph County, and burned the house and crops of William Millikan, and Shot and Killed Balfour, who is buried at the Asheboro Airport. He also burned the home of Thomas Dougan, who was just last year honored by the Guilford Battle Chapter of the DAR.






Gravesite of Thomas Dougan


I thought that this little bit of history might encourage you to visit places like the "Randolph Room" at the Asheboro Public Library, or perhaps some of the museums located at the various "Friends" Churches in the area. Springfield Frinds has a small museum, as does Centre Friends Church. There is the Visitor Center at Guilford Battleground, and St. Paul's Church Museum in Randleman in Randolph County. Go to these places and learn your heritage today.
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gstrader

I am many things, and have done many things in my life. I was a musician in my early life, and later a manager of a machinery mfg. company. My politics, well lets just say that my leanings are toward that of the Whigs of the American revolution. I am thinking that if one's government does not serve one's interest, then you are to do your civic duty, and get get a new government. The folks in office work for "We the People", and not the other way around. My passions, I love the out of doors, fishing, and Photography. Come view my photos that are posted here.

Member Since: 4/21/2008


 

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