MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NC - HISTORY - The Regulators
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The Regulators (excerpted from the Montgomery Co., History, Vol. 2)
 
In 1765-1770 colonists in North Carolina had great hardship.  Most had arrived 
without funds.  Hard money was hard to get and a system of bartering for goods 
was used instead.
During this period, Governor Tryon wanted to be a king in America and nearly 
bankrupted the state, building a castle in New Berne.  A tax stamp was imposed 
by the Royal Government and in addition, Tryon imposed his own tax to pay for 
his palace.  There was corruption everywhere--in land grant offices, public 
office and the courts.  The colonists were shamefully exploited.  Cash was 
demanded for all taxes, fees and fines.
In an attempt to correct these evils, the colonists formed the Regulator 
movement.  It was an attempt to legally correct some of the government 
relationships and dealings and give the colonists a chance to build a life.  
Tryon regarded this as rebellion and used cannons on them at a battle at 
Alamance.
During this period, the Regulators presented numerous petitions, letter and 
advertisements.  A man signing was laying his head on the chopping block--even 
so, they continued to petition and to sign.
                     
                    ANSON PETITION
 
In 1769, a petition was presented with 17 demands covering their grievances--
land grant irregularities, improper tax collection, confiscation of property, 
injustices in court, dishonest court officials, etc.
The 17th demand was:
"17. That Doctor Benjamin Franklin or some other known Patriot be appointed to 
represent the unhappy state of this Province to His Majesty, and to solicit 
the several Boards in England."
Dated October ye 9th 1769.
 
John Jones, Sr.           David Smith                Wm. Sidden
John Smith Sandhill       Benjamin Smith             Wm. Coleman
Johnathan Gowers          Wm. Jones                  Shadrack Denson
Joseph Harrison           Luke Robinson              Thos. Arrington
Stephen Piecock           Zacheriah Smith            Edward Chambers
William Lucas             Thomas Mason, Jr.          Edward Morris
William Treneen           John Burcham               James Williams
John Coleman              Henry Burcham              Benjamin Hunt
Charles Sowell            William Gibson             Richard Braswell
William Lucas, Jr.        John Skinner               Wm. Morris, Jr.
Welcome Ussery            Elisha Thompson            Goin C. Morgan
Benja. Dumas              Joseph White               Sylvanus Walker
David Dumas               William Benton             Thomas Gowers
William Ussery            John Morgan                James Burcham  
Joseph Howlett            John Jone                  Tomas Ussery
Robert Jarman             John Smith                 Van Swearingen
Johnathan Turner          John Williams              Christopher Butler
William Sowell            John Carpenter             Francis Jourdon
William Morris            Samuel Sowell              James Gibson
Joseph Hunt               George Braswell            Joseph Allen
Lewis Sowell              Jesse Wallas               Mathew Raiford,Jr.
John Thomson              Christopher Christian