Record #:

21615

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Created in 1774 at the urging of the Continental Congress, Committees of Safety were local organizations that were instrumental in the independence movement. While not completely legal when created, the committees eventually replaced local governments put in place by the Crown and assumed their duties. This included regulating the economy, politics, morality, and the militia within their communities. In December 1776, this authority was given to the Council of Safety, a more powerful central authority.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 73 Issue 2, Apr 1996, p131-155 , il, por, map, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

Record #:

21632

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

This article examines the North Carolina government's attempts to improve economic condition of the state during the Antebellum Period. North Carolina was very dependent on its neighboring states for economic support following the American Revolution. On the suggestion of several North Carolina governors, the General Assembly sponsored programs to improve the condition of the state's roads, railways, and waterways.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 77 Issue 2, Apr 2000, p179-204 , il, por, map Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Transportation

Record #:

21652

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

This article examines counterfeit currency in colonial North Carolina, especially between the 1760s and 1770s. Like most of the colonies, North Carolina often suffered from a shortage of legal tender during this period, leading to counterfeiting of paper money. While the western part of the colony was particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting, it did not pose a significant threat to legitimate currency.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 79 Issue 2, Apr 2002, p182-197 , il, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775

Record #:

21700

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

This article examines the role of the county clerk in colonial North Carolina. The clerk's duties included maintaining court records, processing documents, and offering legal advice, making it a very influential position. The abuse of power by clerks was a factor in the violent actions of the Regulator movement between 1766 and 1781.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 85 Issue 1, Jan 2008, p133-162 , il, por, map, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--Regulator Insurrection, 1766-1771

Record #:

21716

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Benjamin Smith was governor of North Carolina from 1810 to 1811. A prominent resident of the Lower Cape Fear region, Smith owned several plantations in Brunswick County. Little attention has been paid to Smith by historians as his short gubernatorial has been viewed as powerless. When examined, his tenure in office exposes the difficulties that governors are under during the early 19th century.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 87 Issue 1, Jan 2010, p28-56 , il, por, map, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

North Carolina--Government

Record #:

21858

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

This article examines the county buildings of colonial North Carolina and the importance they played with the local community. Courthouses, jails, and warehouses were specially built by counties and were indicative of the county's responsiveness to public needs.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 82 Issue 4, Oct 2005, p427-463 , il, por, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775

Record #:

21869

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

This article examines the growth of steam navigation on North Carolina's water ways from the first monopoly granted in 1812 up to the Civil War. While competition from railroads were often the result of a failed venture, in the Cape Fear region steam lines thrived. This called for a series of improvements to the rivers of the state, as well as the construction of canals to further expedite commerce through river navigation.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 75 Issue 1, Jan 1998, p29-68, il, por, map, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Steamboats--North Carolina, Eastern--History; Canals; River navigation--History

Record #:

22717

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

In desperate need of people, English North American colonies transported men and women to help settle the continent through bound labor, or indentured servitude. Far more numerous than slaves before 1700, nearly half of the immigrants to America until the American Revolution were indentured servants. Indentured servitude did not occupy the same position in the Albemarle Region of North Carolina as it did in Virginia given the geographic isolation and the enslavement of Native American populations.

Source:

North Carolina Historical Review (NoCar F251 .N892), Vol. 91 Issue 4, October 2014, p381-406, il, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Albemarle Region--History; North Carolina--History, Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775--Slavery

Record #:

24553

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

The King’s Highway designated a strip of road in colonial eastern North Carolina that parallels modern U.S. 17. It was the road that most travelers took to travel through North Carolina. This article presents what it was like to travel on this road in pre-Revolutionary times.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 41 Issue 7, December 1973, p9-11, il

Subject(s):

Highways--History; Highways

Record #:

28617

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

William Dry, Brunswick planter in colonial North Carolina, has been a relatively neglected figure in the state’s history. Dry was a revolutionary and one of the leading citizens of the Cape Fear during the Stamp Act controversy. Although Dry was one of Cape Fear’s most vocal supporters of the American Revolution, he never participated actively on its behalf.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 17 Issue 1, Oct 1973, p1-5, f

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History, Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775--Cape Fear Region

Record #:

28622

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Throughout the colonial era, Wilmington town commissioners grappled with the constant threat of fire. Despite the absence of serious fires, a number of precautionary measures were taken to protect the town. Before the Revolution, Wilmington had the most advanced means of fire control of any town in North Carolina.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 18 Issue 3, May 1975, p1-5, f

Subject(s):

Wilmington--History--19th Century; Fires

Record #:

28631

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

John Rutherfurd, royal placeman in colonial North Carolina, exemplified the passive loyalist in the Revolutionary conflict who finally declared openly his allegiance to the crown only to lose his fortune and his life as a result of his decision.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 21 Issue 2, Feb 1978, p1-6, f

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783--Loyalists

Record #:

28639

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Wilmington town government was atypical in pre-revolutionary North Carolina in the democratic manner by which its commissioners were chosen. Popular election of town leaders became increasingly common as citizens demanded a greater voice in town affairs. Wilmington’s town fathers tended to be young men, merchants, and Anglican.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 24 Issue 1, Oct 1980, p1-6, f

Subject(s):

Wilmington--History; Municipal government

Record #:

28643

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Benjamin Smith was a Revolutionary patriot, wealthy Brunswick County planter, Grand Master of the North Carolina Masons, longtime state legislator, and governor of North Carolina. This article describes his rise to prominence and power in the Lower Cape Fear during the turn of the nineteenth century.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 25 Issue 2, Feb 1982, p1-6, f

Subject(s):

Smith, Benjamin, 1756-1826; Governors

Record #:

28644

Author(s):

Watson, Alan D.

Abstract:

Benjamin Smith was a general and governor of North Carolina who proved to be a subject of controversy. The General’s pretensions, particularly combined with his abiding interest in the military, made him the subject of a recriminatory newspaper debate in 1799.

Source:

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin (NoCar F 262 C2 L6x), Vol. 25 Issue 3, May 1982, p1-6, f

Subject(s):

Smith, Benjamin, 1756-1826; Governors