The War of the Regulation Part Three Choosing sides- by Jim Curran

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The War of the Regulation Part Three Choosing sides-

As we look at the people of North Carolina we see that the division among the people fell largely upon religious lines. These in turn were also geographic. For example, the area around what is now downtown Winson-Salem was primarily Moravian yet going southeast there was a large settlement of Baptists around Abbott’s Creek and there were many Baptist settlements to the West. So how did the groups stack up in the Regulator War? There is no doubt that there were those among the regulators from all groups but as a whole who did the groups side with?The Episcopalians- this group stood pretty united behind Tryon. The “Church” of England was the state church in Virginia and as such wanted to rule. They were the ones behind the vestry taxes that supported their clergy and were extorted from the people. At the same time that these taxes were taken out there were few Anglican churches across western North Carolina and the parishes were left unattended. Thus even the few Anglicans in the area were paying for nothing while those that were opposed were forced to pay for a “church” that was against their conscience. If they refused to pay their goods and livestock were often taken and sold for pennies on the dollar. Many of the troops marched from the east were Episcopalians including the “fine gentlemen” commanders that would run roughshod through the settlements causing destruction. There were a few Anglicans among the regulators even at that. The Presbyterians- They were very much a divided lot. The Presbyterians were recognized by Tryons government and those in the East would side with Tryon- and Reverend Henry Pattillo would preach to Tryon’s Troops. However James Hunter who was known as “the general of the Regulation” was known as a strict Presbyterian. There were many regulators in the Presbyterian churches at Alamance and Buffalo and David Caldwell their pastor would denounce the government. The Moravians- Prior to the Regulator War the Baptists had enjoyed reasonably good relations with the Moravians. The Moravians had a different status that was awarded by the colonial government for they actually recognized them. Officially they were neutral during the war and were pacifists. Likely none of them participated in the war. However they allowed Tryon to set up a tribunal in Bethabara right in the town square. After that point relations between the Moravians and the Baptists were understandably strained. The Quakers- Baptists and Quakers were the two most persecuted groups in America. Thus it was common in matters of religious liberty to see them aligned and even allied. In the matter of the regulators there was also the subject of proximity. Baptist and Quaker settlements were often near one another. Of notable importance was the home of Herman Husband, Quaker representative and one of the leaders of the Regulation, which was located just a short distance (less than a mile) from Sandy Creek Baptist Church. It is to be noted that despite their desire for religious liberty the Quakers were pacifists and were not going to be the ones firing the muskets at Alamance. Husband left the area before that battle ensued. Christopher Nation was also known to be a Quaker The Disgruntled- There were many that for them this was not a religious issue but rather simply a war for freedom. The taxes levied effected everyone and people were simply fed up. Others had legitimate complaints against the government. James Few was certainly motivated by personal animosity against Edmond Fanning who had seduced his fiancée. The feeling was mutual as James Few was hanged on the battlefield. Rednapp Howell seems to have fallen into this category. There are some of the leaders of the Regulation that we do not know their religious stance and perhaps this is the only category to put them in. Among these would be William Butler. Regardless of any stand in religion those that stood against Tryon were for democracy and the right of individual choice in religion rather than the monolithic Anglican church. George Paschel in his History of North Carolina Baptists notes“It has been said that this movement was not a religious war. In one sense this is very true. Men of all sects were Regulators, and in general it seems that the Baptist leaders as well as the Quakers and Presbyterians advised against armed resistance and turbulence. But it would be hard to deny in consideration of such facts as I shall give below that Governor Tryon’s bitterness against the Baptists as a sect which he did not believe should be tolerated made him the more energetic in his measures to suppress the Regulators, whom he supposed to be made up largely of Baptists.” We will look at the stance of the Baptists in the next installment.