Governor Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site

10/10/2026

Looking for something to do on November 21st? From 10am-3pm we are hosting a FREE Revolutionary Mustering the Militia event. Costumed reenactors bring to life the Dobbs County Militia and camp followers for the day. There will also be a wreath laying ceremony at the Caswell family cemetery to honor Governor Richard Caswell and his son, Brig. Gen. William Caswell, sponsored by the Moseley-Bright DAR Chapter and the Gen. George Washington Chapter, NSSAR at 11am.

Here is the site map and a tentative schedule.

10:00 am - Camp opens to Public

10:30am - Roll Call of Militia Members

11:00am - Issue of Rations to Soldiers or Cooks

11:30am - Alarms and Call to Arms Skirmish

11:45- 1:00 - Cooking and dining in camp

1:00pm - Musket and artillery demonstration

1:15-2:00pm - Camp activities, cleaning of cookware, sewing, knitting, drawing, an apothecary, maintenance of weapons and equipment, playing cards, games, music etc.

2:00pm - Alarm and Call to Arms Skirmish

3:00pm- Artillery and Musket demonstration and event concludes

Any questions please contact Dave at [email protected] or Randi at [email protected] or call the museum at 252-526-9600. We look forward to seeing you for a Revolutionary good time! Moseley-Bright Chapter, NSDAR North Carolina Historic Sites

09/24/2026

Since school is back in session, we decided to do a post about Governor Richard Caswell and the idea of free schools.

Governor Richard Caswell is best remembered as North Carolina’s first elected governor and an important leader during the American Revolution. However, his contributions to North Carolina went far beyond politics and military service. Caswell was also an early supporter of education. Long before North Carolina had the public school system that students know today, Caswell believed that more young people should have the opportunity to receive an education.

In colonial North Carolina, education was not available equally to everyone. Wealthy families could sometimes hire tutors or send their children to private schools. Some children attended religious or local schools, but many families, especially those living in rural areas, had few educational opportunities. Poor families often could not afford to pay teachers or send their children away to school. As a result, many young people grew up with little or no formal education.

Richard Caswell understood that this was a problem. As a member of the colonial legislature, he became interested in finding a way to make education more available. One of his most important proposals was to establish a free school in every county of North Carolina. His idea was ambitious for the time. Caswell believed that public money could be used to help support schools so that education would not be limited only to families who could afford it.

In 1760, Caswell supported the idea of using money that North Carolina had received from the British government to help establish county schools. The money had been provided as reimbursement for the colony’s assistance during the French and Indian War. Caswell saw an opportunity to use those funds for something that could benefit the people of North Carolina for years to come: education. The General Assembly sent an address to the king supporting the idea of establishing free schools throughout the colony.

Although Caswell’s dream of a free school in every county did not immediately become a reality, his ideas were important. They showed that some North Carolina leaders were beginning to think differently about education. Instead of viewing schooling as something available mainly to wealthy families, Caswell promoted the idea that education could benefit the larger community.

Caswell continued to support education during the Revolutionary period. In 1776, North Carolina declared independence from Great Britain and began creating a new state government. Richard Caswell served as chairman of the committee that helped draft North Carolina’s first state constitution. That constitution included an important statement about education. It was stated that the state legislature should establish schools for the instruction of young people, with teachers receiving public support so that students can be taught at lower costs. It also encouraged useful learning and the creation of universities.

This was an important step in North Carolina history. The Constitution of 1776 did not create the modern public school system, and education was still not equally available to everyone. Enslaved people were denied educational opportunities, and many poor children continued to have limited access to schooling. Nevertheless, the inclusion of education in the new state constitution demonstrated that North Carolina’s leaders, including Caswell, believed that learning was important to the future of the state.

Caswell’s support for schools also connects to a larger idea that was growing in the new United States. Many Revolutionary leaders believed that an educated population was important for a successful republic. Citizens needed to understand laws, government, and their rights and responsibilities. Education, therefore, was not simply about learning to read, write, and do mathematics. It could also help prepare people to participate in their communities and government.

Today, North Carolina has a statewide system of free public schools supported by the state and local governments. The modern North Carolina Constitution states that the General Assembly must provide a “general and uniform system of free public schools” and that education should be encouraged throughout the state. While it took many generations and many changes in state law and society to create the public school system that exists today, early leaders such as Richard Caswell helped introduce the idea that education should receive public support.

Governor Richard Caswell’s legacy is therefore more than his work as a Revolutionary leader and governor. His proposal for a free school in every county was an early vision for making education more accessible to the people of North Carolina. Although his plan was not fully achieved during his lifetime, the idea that education should be encouraged and supported by the public became an important part of North Carolina’s history.

We want to take the time to thank each and every single teacher throughout the state of North Carolina (as well at the rest of the country) for all the hard work and dedication you have put in. Here's to a wonderful 2026-2027 school year!

09/17/2026

Remembering Richard Caswell, Jr.

Richard Caswell, Jr. was born on September 15, 1759, in Dobbs County (now Lenoir County), North Carolina, the very same year the county was established. He was the son of Governor Richard Caswell and Sarah Herritage, and his birth is recorded in the Caswell family Bible, now preserved in the North Carolina State Archives.

Growing up on the Caswell plantation near present-day Kinston, Richard was surrounded by public service and military leadership. His father helped create Dobbs County while serving in the General Assembly and the North Carolina militia, setting an example that Richard would soon follow.

As the American Revolution unfolded, Richard quickly rose through the ranks of the Dobbs County Regiment of Militia. Beginning his service as an ensign and lieutenant in 1778, he became a captain under Colonel James Glasgow, then advanced to lieutenant colonel and eventually full colonel. He also served as a lieutenant colonel in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment of Militia.

One of Richard's most significant moments came in 1780 when he commanded a detachment of the Dobbs County Regiment at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. Although the battle ended in a devastating Patriot defeat, North Carolina's militia officers, including Richard Caswell, Jr., continued the fight that ultimately helped secure American independence.

After the Revolutionary War, Richard turned to commerce and established himself as a merchant. On March 26, 1782, he married Mary Mackilwean at Harmony Hall near Kinston. The couple welcomed a daughter in 1783 and looked forward to building a prosperous future together.

That future was tragically cut short. In late 1784, Richard traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, to purchase goods for his business. After completing his transactions, he sailed home toward New Bern. On December 27, 1784, his vessel was lost at sea, ending the life of a promising Revolutionary War officer at just 25 years old.

Though his life was brief, Richard Caswell, Jr. left a legacy as a soldier, militia commander, merchant, and member of one of North Carolina's most influential Revolutionary families. His story reminds us of the sacrifices made by those whose service continued long after the battles had ended.

09/10/2026

Our next TBT segment: William Caswell at The Battle of Brandywine

The Battle of Brandywine was one of the largest and most important battles of the American Revolution. Fought on September 11, 1777, near the Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania, the battle was part of the British campaign to capture Philadelphia, the American capital at the time. General George Washington’s Continental Army attempted to block the advance of British General Sir William Howe, but the British successfully outflanked the American position and forced Washington’s army to retreat.

Washington believed he had protected the major crossings of the Brandywine Creek, but Howe sent a large portion of his army under Generals Charles Cornwallis and Wilhelm von Knyphausen around the American right flank. After hours of intense fighting, the Continental Army was forced to withdraw. Although it was a British victory, Washington’s army was not destroyed and was able to continue fighting.

The battle resulted in heavy casualties. American losses were estimated at more than 1,000 men killed, wounded, or captured, while British losses were several hundred. The defeat opened the way for the British occupation of Philadelphia later that month.

Among the North Carolina soldiers who fought at Brandywine was William Caswell, the son of North Carolina’s first governor, Richard Caswell. Born in 1754 near present-day Kinston, North Carolina, William joined the Patriot cause early in the Revolution. He first served as an ensign in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment and later became a captain in the 5th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army.

As part of Washington’s army, Captain William Caswell marched north with other North Carolina troops and fought in the Philadelphia Campaign. At the Battle of Brandywine, he led his company in one of the fiercest engagements of the day. During the fighting, Caswell was wounded, though the exact nature of his injury is not clearly recorded in surviving sources.

Despite his wounds, Caswell remained with the army and endured the difficult winter encampment at Valley Forge alongside Washington’s troops. The hardships of military service, including his battlefield injuries, illness, and the harsh conditions of the war—affected his health for years afterward.

He died in Kinston in 1785 at only 30 years old. His story represents the courage and sacrifice of the Revolutionary generation.

09/03/2026

Instead of a TBT post, we wanted to highlight something special to us: the Richard Caswell Papers. These papers are currently held at the state archives in Raleigh.

Discovering History: The Richard Caswell Papers
Behind every major moment in history are the letters, records, and personal documents that help tell the story. The Richard Caswell Papers provide a rare glimpse into the life of one of North Carolina’s most important Revolutionary-era leaders and offer a firsthand look at the challenges of building a new state during one of the most transformative periods in American history.

The collection includes correspondence, official documents, military orders, financial records, and other materials that help historians understand daily life during the Revolutionary era. These documents provide insight into the difficult decisions leaders faced while balancing the needs of a state at war. From organizing troops and securing supplies to communicating with other Patriot leaders, Caswell’s papers reveal the complex responsibilities of guiding North Carolina through uncertain times.

Among the most valuable parts of the collection are the letters exchanged between Caswell and other political and military figures. These personal communications allow historians to see beyond the major battles and famous events. They reveal concerns about troop movements, shortages, local conflicts, and the challenges of maintaining support for the Patriot cause. Through these letters, we hear the voices of the people who shaped North Carolina’s path toward independence.

Beyond military history, the Richard Caswell Papers tell the story of creating a new government. As governor, Caswell faced the enormous challenge of helping establish North Carolina as an independent state. The documents reveal struggles with finances, security, political disagreements, and rebuilding after years of war.

Today, the Richard Caswell Papers serve as an invaluable resource for historians, students, and anyone interested in understanding Revolutionary North Carolina. They remind us that history is not only found in battles and famous speeches, but also in handwritten letters, official records, and personal accounts that preserve the experiences of those who lived through these events.

The Richard Caswell Papers are more than a collection of documents. They are a window into the decisions, sacrifices, and determination of the people who helped create a new nation. Through these preserved records, Richard Caswell’s legacy continues to connect us with North Carolina’s Revolutionary past and the individuals who shaped its future.

Find the online documents here: https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/governor-richard-caswell-correspondence-january-18-december-4-1777./1016686

And more here: https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/catalog?f%5Baccess%5D%5B%5D=online&f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Richard+Caswell+Papers%2C+1776-1914++%28bulk+1776-1785%29

(Shout out to the NC archival team for their wonderful work!)

Governor Richard Caswell correspondence: January 18-December 4, 1777., Governors' Papers, Series Two, Box 1, 309.1, Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789., Dews, Robert., Cottineau, Denis Nicolas., Johnston, Samuel, 1733-1816., Green, James, Jr., Lords, William., Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807., Beasley, John B...

08/28/2026

The Governor Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site will be CLOSED to the public on Saturday, August 29, due to on going tree removal work.

You will see some big changes coming to the site very soon, but for public safety reasons, it will be off limits to the public on 8-29-26. Thank you! We will reopen 9/4.

08/27/2026

The Governor Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site will be CLOSED to the public on Friday, August 28, due to on going landscaping work.

You will see some big changes coming to the site very soon, but for public safety reasons, it will be off limits to the public on 8-28-26. Thank you!

08/24/2026

This is pretty neat! Thank you America 250 NC!

History moment! Can you interpret a primary source?

In this 1778 newspaper, Governor Richard Caswell prohibits the exportation of salt, corn, pork, bacon, and other provisions outside of North Carolina, unless they are for the use of Army.

What can this document tell us about life for North Carolinians during the Revolutionary War?

Image: Snippet from The North Carolina Weekly Gazette, New Bern, 1778. Newspapers.com.