New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Richard Dobbs Spaight
Born 1758 – Died 1802
Photographed By Kevin W., October 21, 2009
1. Richard Dobbs Spaight Marker
Educated in Scotland at University of Glasgow; Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Richard Caswell during the Revolution, and Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of Artillery after that war; representative of the Borough of New Bern for five terms and of the County of Craven for four terms in the North Carolina House of Commons; Speaker of the house of Commons; State Senator for two terms; member of the Continental Congress, and of the fifth and sixth Congresses of the United States; member of the National Constitutional Convention of 1787, and of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1788; Governor of North Carolina for three terms; mortally wounded in duel fought in 1802. The first native North Carolinian to hold the office of Governor.
Erected 1923 by the North Carolina Historical Commission, Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, County of Craven and City of New Bern.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.
Location. 35° 6.493′ N, 77° 2.286′ W. Marker is in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. Marker is on Broad Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abner Nash (here, next to this marker); Richard Dobbs Spaight, the Younger (here, next to this marker); William Gaston (here, next to this marker); Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); First Provincial Congress (within shouting distance of this marker); Craven County World Wars 1 and 2 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Graham A. Barden (within shouting distance of this marker); First Printing Press In N.C. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bern.
Regarding Richard Dobbs Spaight. Richard Dobbs Spaight died in New Bern, N.C. on September 6, 1802, from wounds he received in a duel with John Stanly, his opponent and successor in Congress.
Also see . . .
1. Richard Dobbs Spaight. North Carolina History Project website entry (Submitted on June 5, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
2. A Duel to End All Duels: Richard Dobbs Spaight Vs. John Stanly. North Carolina History Project website entry:
It was this duel that ended the practice in North Carolina. (Submitted on July 19, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
via North Carolina History Project, unknown
2. Richard Dobbs Spaight
Photographed By Kevin W., October 21, 2009
3. Richard Dobbs Spaight Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, August 14, 2014
4. Richard Dobbs Spaight Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2011, by Jim Dugan of New Bern, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 24, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 30, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 1, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.
