Near Enfield in Halifax County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

"Enfield Riot"

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 14, 2009

1. “Enfield Riot” Marker

Inscription. Here in 1759 Lord Granville’s land agents were compelled to give bond to return illegal fees. This was a forerunner of Regulators.

Erected 1960 by Archives and Highway Department. (Marker Number E-67.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1759.

Location. 36° 11.124′ N, 77° 39.478′ W. Marker is near Enfield, North Carolina, in Halifax County. It is on North McDaniel Street (U.S. 301) north of Mason Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18522 N McDaniel St, Enfield NC 27823, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original

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Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Branch (approx. 0.4 miles away); Louis Austin (approx. half a mile away); Landmark Case (approx. ¾ mile away); Halifax Movement (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.9 miles away); James E. O'Hara (approx. 1.3 miles away); Henry B. Bradford (approx. 2½ miles away); Brick School (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Enfield.

More about this marker. “Regulators” on the marker refers to fighters in the War of the Regulation, also known as the Regulator Movement, a North Carolina uprising against corrupt colonial officials between 1764 to 1771. While unsuccessful, it is considered by many a catalyst to the American Revolutionary War.

Also see . . . Enfield History. “An event in Enfield’s history which probably helped to spark American independence was the ‘Enfield Riot,’ one of the earliest political actions against British tyranny. In January, 1759, a group of backwoodsmen

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 14, 2009

2. “Enfield Riot” Marker

seized Lord Granville’s land agent, Francis Corbin, in Edenton and brought him to Enfield. There they forced Corbin to give bond to return illegal fees which had been collected. On May 14, 1759, a group of citizens in Enfield expressed the same sentiments against British tyranny. Several of the ‘rioters’ were arrested and jailed. However, they were soon released when a irate group of citizens, broke into jail and freed them. It is thought that the actions of these men probably encouraged Willie Jones and the other radical leaders of North Carolina to push for independence from England through the Halifax Resolves of April 12, 1776.” (Submitted on February 18, 2009.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,802 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on April 29, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.