The war of the Regulation Part fourteen- Tryon’s destruction at Merrill’s farm June 2nd – by Jim Curran
Jim Curran Admin 06/02/21 (5) Facebook
The war of the Regulation Part fourteen- Tryon’s destruction at Merrill’s farm June 2nd
The campaign of destruction had been devastating to the Jersey Church area. There was no family that it was more destructive to than that of Benjamin Merrill. Not only had the army camped on their land, ate their crops and supplies now they would burn the house barn and all that was left. That was not enough however as Benjamin Merrill would be dragged around North Carolina in chains. A report by one of the Moravians indicated by the second Merrills house barn and fields had been burned. The night before perhaps the Lord let nature get a little revenge on this band of soldiers and he had in the foul weather when they had violated the grounds of Sandy Creek. The horses belonging to the army had been turned loose at night to graze, each animal having a bell tied to its neck to aid in finding any which might stray. In the immediate neighborhood was the residence, gardens and grounds of Benjamin Merrill, a planter, who owned and took great pride in an extensive apiary which was located in the gardens. A foraging party from Tryon’s army were attempting to steal honey from this place, and in the darkness several beehives were overturned and the bees began stinging both men and horses. The horses thereupon began to run pell-mell at a full gallop around and through the camp, ringing several hundred discordant bells, the sound of which made the night hideous. The sentinels, guards and pickets fired off their pieces, and the cry “stand to your arms!” rung throughout the camp. Tryon no doubt thought all the Regulators in the world had suddenly swooped down upon him. However, the cause of the tumult was soon ascertained and quiet was restored. (State Rec. of N. C., Vol. 19, P. 849.) As an aside- there is a creek not far from the Merrill plantation that is named Swearing Creek- a part of me wonders if this incident might be the origin of this name??? From directions the picture is close to where Merrill’s farm would be- there are old structures visible but I do not know for sure this is the exact site. (Unfortunately the cemetery that Jemimah Merrill is buried in does not have coordinates- that would pin point it.)
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