Lexington in Davidson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Captain Benjamin Merrill
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2010
1. Captain Benjamin Merrill Marker
Sacrificed his life for the cause of the Regulators. Was executed by officials of the Crown, June 19, 1771. Home was 8 miles south.
Erected 1981 by Capt. Benj. Merrill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1771.
Location. 35° 49.462′ N, 80° 15.2′ W. Marker is in Lexington, North Carolina, in Davidson County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Main Street and West Center Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 N Main St, Lexington NC 27292, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daniel Boone and Gen. Nathanael Greene (here, next to this marker); City of Lexington (here, next to this marker); Lexington in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson County Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . Battle of Alamance. Description of the battle from the Alamance County, NC website. (Submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2010
2. Captain Benjamin Merrill Marker
In 1771, a group of backcountry farmers referred to as “Regulators”, fed up with high taxes, dishonest sheriffs and illegal fees imposed by the British Crown, rebelled against royal governor William Tryon. Tyron’s militia defeated the Regulators in what was called the Battle of Alamance and sentenced six of them, including Capt. Merrill, to death.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2010
3. Lexington Markers
The Captain Benjamin Merrill marker (center) is one of several located across from the Old Davidson County Courthouse.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2010
4. Regulators Plaque from Alamance
This relief plaque, from a monument on the Alamance Battleground, depicts one of the Regulators (possibly Merrill) about to be executed.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,337 times since then and 141 times this year. Last updated on May 8, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
