Hillsborough in Orange County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Regulators Hanged
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2010
1. Regulators Hanged 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. Tyrons militia defeated the Regulators in what was called the Battle of Alamance and sentenced six of them to death.
Erected 2001 by NC Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number G-23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1801.
Location. 36° 4.499′ N, 79° 5.957′ W. Marker is in Hillsborough, North Carolina, in Orange County. It is on S Churton Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the Hillsborough Historic District on S Churton Street, between King Street and Margaret Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 S Churton St, Hillsborough NC 27278, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and in the Research Triangle. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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 Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Edmund Fanning (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Burke (within shouting distance of this marker); Orange County Courthouse, 1845-1957 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynching In America / The Lynching of Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Daniel Morrow (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Edmund Fanning (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2010
2. Marker on South Churton Street
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2010
3. Markers in Hillsborough Historic District
There are many markers in the Hillsborough Historic District. The Regulators Hanged Marker is the center one in this photo.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2010
4. Relief from Battle of Alamance
This plaque, from a monument on the Alamance Battlefield, shows one of the Regulators about to be executed. Of the twelve Regulators condemned, the following six were executed by the British Governor: James Pugh, Robert Matear, Benjamin Merrill, Captain Messer, and two others, whose names are now unknown.
Photographed by Richard Hawkins, August 2, 2025
5. Regulators Hanged Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,445 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
