People

New Bern-area planter and politician who organized North Carolina's Patriot resistance from 1765 onward. Led the Sons of Liberty in opposing the Stamp Act, presided over North Carolina's Provincial Congresses, and served in the Continental Congress. Captured by the British in 1781 and died in captivity.

North Carolina jurist and Patriot leader who served in the colony's Provincial Congress and helped craft the legal framework for state governance. Later served as governor 1795–1798 and helped stabilize North Carolina's postwar legal institutions.

North Carolina governor 1780–1781 during the most desperate phase of the southern campaign. Struggled to supply Greene's army and maintain state government as the British occupied the coast and Cornwallis ravaged the interior. Based his operations partly from New Bern during the crisis.

Royal governor who built Tryon Palace in New Bern at enormous colonial expense and crushed the Regulator movement at Alamance in 1771. His heavy-handed rule deepened the colonial resentments that would fuel the Revolution. Left for New York governorship in 1771.

Last royal governor of North Carolina, who fled New Bern in May 1775 and took refuge aboard HMS Cruizer in the Cape Fear River. His attempts to organize a Loyalist uprising culminated in the disastrous Highland Tory march that ended at Moore's Creek Bridge in February 1776.

North Carolina Continental colonel who organized and commanded the overall Patriot response to the Loyalist march in early 1776. Coordinated militia and Continental forces to intercept the Highland Tories before they could reach the coast. Died of illness in April 1777 before the southern campaign reached its crisis.

North Carolina militia and Continental officer who co-commanded Patriot forces at Moore's Creek Bridge in February 1776. His victory ended Loyalist military power in North Carolina. Served as North Carolina's first elected governor under the state constitution, 1776–1780.

Scottish Highlander who had famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after Culloden in 1746. Emigrated to North Carolina's Cape Fear valley in 1774. Her husband Allan commanded a Loyalist regiment at Moore's Creek Bridge. Returned to Scotland after the Loyalist defeat; her presence illustrates the Highland community's divided loyalties.