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Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough, 1775

The August 1775 congress that organized North Carolina for war.

In briefDelegates to the Third Provincial Congress gathered at Hillsborough on August 20, 1775 but lacked a quorum. The Congress organized the next day, its members signed the test of allegiance on August 23, and it sat until September 10.

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11 works about Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough, 1775 are indexed here.

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Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Churton and West Tryon Streets
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Churton and West Tryon Streets

In the chronology

Events in this storyline, in date order. See these 27 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Nathaniel Rochester is named paymaster of the Hillsborough District minutemen After the Provincial Congress at Hillsborough in 1775, Nathaniel Rochester, a young Hillsborough merchant, was made a major of militia, a justice of the peace and paymaster of the Battalion of Minute Men in the District of Hillsborough, under a bond of 5,000 pounds proclamation money. By his own later account he had also been named that year to the Orange County committee of safety. People: Nathaniel Rochester Place: HillsboroughInternet Archive: North Carolina Historical Review 38 (1961), p. 472
  2. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough orders its journal printed by James Davis The congress meeting at Hillsborough directed that its proceedings be delivered to James Davis, the province's printer and a delegate for the town of New Bern, who was desired to print them and send a copy to each member. It also named a committee to state and settle his account for services done as printer to the province. People: James Davis, Willie Jones, Thomas Person Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  3. The Provincial Congress names Orange County's minutemen and militia officers Orange was to raise three companies of minutemen, and James Thackston was named colonel of minutemen for the Hillsborough district. For the county militia the Congress named John Hogan colonel, John Butler lieutenant colonel, William Moore first major and Nathaniel Rochester second major. People: John Butler, Nathaniel Rochester, James Thackston, Colonel John Hogan Place: Orange County · Also named: William MooreSearch the index · Nash, Hillsboro, Colonial and Revolutionary (1903), p. 51 · Also: Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952
  4. Henry Pattillo chairs the Hillsborough congress's committee of the whole on a plan of union The Provincial Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole and unanimously chose the Rev. Henry Pattillo, a Bute County delegate, as chairman. The committee concluded that a plan of union for the colonies was not then advisable. People: Henry Pattillo Place: HillsboroughInternet Archive: Durward T. Stokes, "Henry Pattillo in North Carolina", North Carolina Historical Review 44 (1967), p. 385
  5. Orange County sends Thomas Hart, Thomas Burke and three others to the Third Provincial Congress Thomas Hart sat for Orange in the Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough with Thomas Burke, John Kinchen, John Atkinson and John Williams. A 1961 article names Nathaniel Rochester as elected too, citing the Colonial Records; he may have sat for the town of Hillsborough. People: Thomas Hart, Thomas Burke, John Kinchen, John Williams Place: Hillsborough · Also named: John Atkinson, Nathaniel RochesterInternet Archive: Durward T. Stokes, "Thomas Hart in North Carolina", North Carolina Historical Review 41 (1964), p. 332 · Also: Internet Archive: North Carolina Historical Review 38
  6. The Provincial Congress at Hillsborough votes 1,000 pounds for presents to the Indians The congress sitting at Hillsborough directed everyone with information on Indian affairs to lay it before Willie Jones, one of the Continental Congress's agents for the Southern Department. Thomas Wade, Thomas Polk and John Walker reported on what they called the hostile intentions of Governor Martin and the Indians, the matter went to the congress, and it appropriated 1,000 pounds for Jones to buy presents for the Indians. People: Willie Jones Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Thomas Wade, Thomas Polk, John WalkerInternet Archive: R. D. W. Connor, William K. Boyd and J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton, History of North Carolina (1919), vol. 1, p. 381
  7. The Provincial Congress names Caswell, Moore and Pattillo to win over former Regulators The congress at Hillsborough agreed to protect former Regulators who broke the oath of allegiance forced on them after Alamance, and appointed Richard Caswell, Maurice Moore and Henry Pattillo to persuade them to join the American cause. William L. Saunders later remarked on the irony, since Pattillo had joined in denouncing the Regulators in 1768. People: Richard Caswell, Maurice Moore, Henry Pattillo, William L. Saunders Place: HillsboroughInternet Archive: Durward T. Stokes, "Henry Pattillo in North Carolina", North Carolina Historical Review 44 (1967), p. 384
  8. George Micklejohn opens the Provincial Congress with prayers At the request of the congress, delivered by Francis Nash, Micklejohn attended and opened the Provincial Congress by reading prayers in the church at Hillsborough. People: George Micklejohn, Francis Nash Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South, Colonial and State Records: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20-September 10, 1775
  9. The Provincial Congress at Hillsborough adopts a test for its members to sign On August 21, 1775 the congress sitting at Hillsborough named Allen Jones to a committee of seven to prepare a Test to be signed by its members. The committee reported on August 23 and the Test was read, approved, ordered entered on the journal and signed. Subscribers professed allegiance to the King while denying that Parliament could tax them. People: Allen Jones, Thomas Burke, William Hooper, Willie Jones, John Penn, Maurice Moore, Robert Howe Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  10. Congress at Hillsborough appoints a committee to address the inhabitants of the province The same day the congress named Maurice Moore, William Hooper, Robert Howe, Richard Caswell and Joseph Hewes to prepare an address to the inhabitants of North Carolina, stating the controversy with Great Britain in plain language and calling on them to unite in defence of American liberty. Doctor Burke was added to the committee on August 24. People: Joseph Hewes, William Hooper, Richard Caswell, Maurice Moore, Robert Howe Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  11. Henry Pattillo is asked to read morning prayers to the Provincial Congress The congress at Hillsborough asked the Rev. Henry Pattillo, a delegate from Bute County, to read prayers to it every morning, and Charles Edward Taylor every evening. People: Henry Pattillo Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Charles Edward TaylorSearch the index · Documenting the American South, Colonial and State Records: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20-September 10, 1775
  12. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough names a Committee of Secrecy to procure arms On August 23, 1775 the congress sitting at Hillsborough resolved that its president, Mr. Harnett, Mr. Caswell, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Nash, Mr. Willie Jones and Mr. Young be a Committee of Secrecy for procuring arms and ammunition. The committee was to report what sums of money would be needed for the purpose. People: Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell, Willie Jones, Cornelius Harnett Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
Show all 27 dated events
  1. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough names a committee to confer with inhabitants who had scruples about the American cause The congress sitting at Hillsborough appointed thirteen of its members, among them Memucan Hunt of Granville County, to confer with inhabitants of the province who held religious or political scruples. They were directed to use argument and persuasion to bring those inhabitants into support of the American cause. People: Memucan Hunt, Thomas Burke, Richard Caswell, John Penn, Thomas Person, Henry Pattillo Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  2. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough orders Governor Martin's proclamation burnt by the hangman The congress read a proclamation Martin had issued on August 8 from HMS Cruizer in the Cape Fear, addressed to the "Provincial Convention of Hillsborough", and resolved unanimously that it was a seditious libel to be burnt by the common hangman. People: Josiah Martin Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South (Colonial and State Records): Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  3. Hillsborough has seventy or eighty houses when the Congress meets At the time of the 1775 Congress the town held about seventy or eighty houses and three or four hundred people, and residents found lodging for nearly two hundred delegates and visitors. People: Samuel Johnston Place: HillsboroughNash, Hillsboro, Colonial and Revolutionary (1903), p. 50
  4. The Provincial Congress forms the Hillsborough District and its committee of safety The Congress grouped Orange, Granville, Chatham and Wake counties into a Hillsborough District with a thirteen-member committee of safety; John Atkinson, John Butler and William Johnston sat for Orange. Thomas Person and John Kinchen represented the district on the Provincial Council. People: John Butler, William Johnston, Thomas Person, John Kinchen Place: Hillsborough · Also named: John Atkinson · Also mentions: Hillsborough DistrictLefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952 (1953), p. 43 · Also: Nash, Hillsboro, Colonial and Revolutionary
  5. Congress at Hillsborough names Francis Nash lieutenant colonel of the 1st North Carolina Regiment On September 1, 1775 the Provincial Congress meeting at Hillsborough appointed the officers of the first of its two new regiments: James Moore, colonel, and Francis Nash, lieutenant colonel. On the congress's opening day Nash had been asked to bring the Rev. George Micklejohn to open it with prayers in the church at Hillsborough. People: Francis Nash, George Micklejohn Place: Hillsborough · Also named: James MooreSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Colonial and State Records, Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina (Hillsborough, August-September 1775)
  6. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough appoints Benjamin Williams a lieutenant in the second regiment Williams sat for Johnston County in the Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough. On September 1 the Congress named him one of the lieutenants of the second regiment, and on September 9 it made him a member of the committee of safety for the New Bern district. People: Benjamin Williams Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, Aug 20 to Sep 10, 1775
  7. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough names Alexander Martin lieutenant colonel of the Second North Carolina Regiment Alexander Martin attended the Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough as a delegate from Guilford County. On September 1, 1775, the Congress named the officers of its two new regiments of Continental troops, with Robert Howe as colonel and Martin as lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment. People: Alexander Martin, Robert Howe Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Colonial and State Records of North Carolina: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, Aug 20 to Sep 10, 1775 (vol. 10, pp. 164–220)
  8. Adam Boyd lays the Philadelphia synod's pastoral letters before the Provincial Congress At the Provincial Congress meeting in Hillsborough, Boyd presented two hundred pastoral letters from the Synod of Philadelphia addressed to the inhabitants of the province, and they were handed out to the members. The congress voted to pay him for them. People: Adam Boyd Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  9. Congress at Hillsborough appoints Hooper, Hewes and Caswell to the Continental Congress Meeting at Hillsborough on September 2, 1775, the congress thanked William Hooper, Joseph Hewes and Richard Caswell for their service as the province's delegates at the last Continental Congress and appointed the three delegates for a further year, each to be paid five hundred pounds proclamation money. People: Joseph Hewes, William Hooper, Richard Caswell Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  10. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough names Samuel Johnston treasurer for the Northern District Meeting at Hillsborough, the Congress appointed Samuel Johnston treasurer for the Northern District and Richard Caswell treasurer for the Southern District, giving them the powers the colony's treasurers had held under a 1773 act of Assembly. People: Samuel Johnston, Richard Caswell Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Colonial and State Records of North Carolina: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, Aug 20 to Sep 10, 1775 (vol. 10, pp. 164–220)
  11. The Provincial Congress at Hillsborough appoints John Penn to the Continental Congress Richard Caswell told the congress at Hillsborough that his new duties as treasurer for the Southern District and as a signer of the public bills of credit left him unable to serve in the Continental Congress. The congress resolved the same day that John Penn take his place beside William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, with the same powers and allowance. People: John Penn, Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell Place: Hillsborough · Also named: William HooperSearch the index · Documenting the American South: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, August 20 to September 10, 1775
  12. The Provincial Congress at Hillsborough adopts William Hooper's resolution of loyalty to George III Two days before it dissolved, the Congress unanimously passed a resolution from Hooper professing its members' support for the king's succession, even as it raised troops and money for defense. People: William Hooper Place: HillsboroughLefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952 (1953), p. 43 · Also: Nash, Hillsboro, Colonial and Revolutionary
  13. John Butler is commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Orange County militia The Third Provincial Congress named John Butler to the committee of safety for the Hillsborough District and on September 9, 1775 made him lieutenant colonel of the Orange County militia under Colonel John Hogan. Minutemen officers were named by district, not county. Butler went on to lead the county's militia in the Moore's Creek Bridge campaign and became its colonel in April 1776. People: John Butler, Colonel John Hogan Place: Hillsborough · Also mentions: Hillsborough DistrictSearch the index · Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, vol. 10, pp. 204-205: Journal of the Provincial Congress, September 9, 1775 · Also: NCpedia: Butler, John
  14. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough elects a Provincial Council to govern between sessions On September 9, 1775, the Congress at Hillsborough elected a thirteen-member Provincial Council to direct the army and militia during its recess: Samuel Johnston for the province at large and two members for each of the six districts, among them Abner Nash and James Coor for New Bern and Thomas Person and John Kinchen for Hillsborough. People: Abner Nash, Samuel Johnston, Samuel Ashe, Willie Jones, Waightstill Avery, Thomas Person, Cornelius Harnett, John Kinchen, Samuel Spencer Place: Hillsborough · Also named: James CoorSearch the index · Colonial and State Records of North Carolina: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, Aug 20 to Sep 10, 1775 (vol. 10, pp. 164–220)
  15. Provincial Congress at Hillsborough makes Thomas Benbury a Chowan militia major and a district committee of safety member Thomas Benbury sat for Chowan County in the Third Provincial Congress at Hillsborough. On September 9, 1775, the Congress named him first major of the Chowan County militia under Colonel Thomas Bonner and a member of the committee of safety for the Edenton District. People: Thomas Benbury Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Thomas BonnerSearch the index · Colonial and State Records of North Carolina: Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, Aug 20 to Sep 10, 1775 (vol. 10, pp. 164–220)

Indexed works

Related works found in catalogs and archives across North Carolina. Each links to the institution that holds or provides it.

The journal of the proceedings of the Provincial Congress of North-Carolina : held at Hillsborough on the 20th day of August, 1775

1775 · Printed by James Davis

Official journal of the third North Carolina Provincial Congress, which met at Hillsborough beginning August 20, 1775, in the months between Lexington and independence. Printed by James Davis at New Bern in 1775 by authority of the congress, 40 pages, it is counted among the state's book rarities. It concerns the Provincial Congress and the Revolution in North Carolina.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: North Carolina. Provincial Congress (3rd : 1775 : Hillsborough, N.C.).

UNC

The Historic Hillsborough Commission cordially invites you to its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Third Provincial Congress which met in Hillsborough, North Carolina, August 20, 1775-September 10, 1775

1975 · Historic Hillsborough Commission

The Historic Hillsborough Commission's printed invitation and program for its 1975 celebration marking two hundred years since the Third Provincial Congress met at Hillsborough, from August 20 to September 10, 1775. One folded sheet of four unnumbered pages. Subjects include the Provincial Congress and the town, and the item records how Hillsborough observed the bicentennial of the session held there.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: North Carolina. Provincial Congress (3rd : 1775 : Hillsborough, N.C.).

UNC

Copy of The Journal of the Proceedings of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, held at Hillsborough on the 20th of August, 1775

1775

The provincial congress of North Carolina met at Hillsborough on 20 August 1775, and this copy of its journal records the delegates and their proceedings as the colony moved toward war. Samuel Johnston, Richard Caswell, Samuel Spencer and Thomas Wade are among the men named, with delegates drawn from Anson, Rowan and other counties. The congress sat in Orange County. Reference CO 5/318.

Included because: Its title names this subject.

Duke NC State

Governor Martin's letter to the Earl of Dartmouth discussing resolutions made to pursue rebellious subjects in the provinces, pledging support and loyalty to other officials, and offering intelligence on the Continental Congress

1775

In 1775 Governor Josiah Martin wrote to the Earl of Dartmouth about resolutions to pursue rebellious subjects, pledged loyalty to other officials, and passed on intelligence about the Continental Congress. John Ashe, Farquhard Campbell and Thomas Gage are mentioned, with Fort Johnston and the Cape Fear among the places. Hillsborough is listed too, the town bearing the earl's title.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State

Governor Martin's letter to the Earl of Dartmouth whilst aboard the Cruiser Sloop of War, notifying him that communication with Charles Town is totally cut off and of increasing influence of revolutionary committees

1775

Writing in 1775 from aboard the sloop of war Cruiser, Governor Josiah Martin told the Earl of Dartmouth that communication with Charles Town was entirely cut off and that revolutionary committees were gaining ground. John Ashe, William Dry and John Rutherford are named, and the places include Fort Johnston, the Cape Fear and Hillsborough, the town named for the Earl of Hillsborough.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State

Samuel Johnston's letters to Governor Martin in reaction to his suspension from naval service following accusation of neglecting duties and committing crimes

1775

Letters Samuel Johnston of Edenton sent Governor Josiah Martin in 1775 after his suspension from naval service on accusations of neglected duties and crimes. The correspondence turns on administration, law and order, voting and impeachment, intelligence and the unrest of the opening Revolution. Hillsborough is among the North Carolina places the file names, and the papers sit in the secretary of state's correspondence.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State
Show 5 more

Letter from Josiah Martin (no.39) regarding the attack at Fort Johnston, intercepted communications by rebels at Charleston and a meeting of a convention at Hillsborough

1775

Josiah Martin's dispatch numbered 39, of 1775, on the attack at Fort Johnston, rebel interception of communications at Charleston, and a convention meeting at Hillsborough. Subjects include the Continental Congress, ordnance stores, newspapers, sedition and colonial disaffection, with the Cape Fear River, New Bern and Philadelphia as places. Cited to Colonial Office volume CO 5/330, North Carolina letters to the Secretary of State, 1774 to 1780.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State

Letter from Josiah Martin (no.40) regarding the current situation, his loss of communication with Charleston and the decrees of the Philadelphia Congress

1775

In dispatch 40 of 1775 Governor Josiah Martin described his situation, the loss of his communications with Charleston, and the decrees of the congress at Philadelphia. Hillsborough is named among the places, along with the Cape Fear River, and the topics include conventions, delegations, sedition, land sales and the navy. From Colonial Office volume CO 5/330, North Carolina letters to the Secretary of State.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State

Letter from Josiah Martin (no.41) regarding the rebellion, the provincial congress at Hillsborough, the Continental Congress, the need for more support from government and his ideas for the colonies after the return to peace

1775

Dispatch 41, written by Josiah Martin in 1775, covers the rebellion, the provincial congress sitting at Hillsborough, the Continental Congress, his need for more support from government, and his ideas for the colonies once peace returned. Samuel Johnston, Abner Nash, Thomas Gage and Samuel Graves are named. Cited to Colonial Office volume CO 5/330, North Carolina letters to the Secretary of State, 1774 to 1780.

Included because: Its title names this subject.

Duke NC State

Letter from Josiah Martin (no.42) regarding difficulties with communications, land bought illegally from the Cherokees and land granted to new arrivals from Scotland

1775

Martin's dispatch 42 of 1775 reports difficulties with communications, land bought illegally from the Cherokees, and land granted to new arrivals from Scotland. Hillsborough, Fort Johnston, the Cape Fear River, Virginia and South Carolina are the places named, with loyalism, oaths, boundaries and the provincial congress among the topics. From Colonial Office volume CO 5/330, North Carolina letters to the Secretary of State.

Included because: The record names this subject alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

Duke NC State

Records of Provincial Conventions and Congresses, 1775

North Carolina. Provincial Congress · 1775

Papers of North Carolina's Provincial Congress for 1775, the year the colony's revolutionary assemblies took over from royal government: journals, resolutions, depositions, vouchers, election certificates and letters with the delegates in the Continental Congress. Orange County, Hillsborough and Perquimans County appear. Fifty-nine pages.

Included because: Its title names this subject.

NC Digital Collections DPLA

NC Digital Collections record courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

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The Regulator crisis, 1766–1771 →Wars & Military Service →Creation of Orange County and Hillsborough, 1752–1766 →Farms & Rural Life →

Picture: Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Churton and West Tryon Streets. Public domain. Historic American Buildings Survey photograph by Jack E. Boucher; Library of Congress; via Wikimedia Commons

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