Hertford in Perquimans County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Betsy's Ride

— Legends & Lore —

Photographed by Dave W, June 21, 2023

1. Betsy's Ride Marker

Inscription.
Teenager Betsy Dowdy rode her horse Bess over 40 miles from Currituck Banks to Hertford to warn Gen. Skinner’s Militia of British attack in 1775.

Erected 2023 by North Carolina Folklife Institute / William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 151.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Communications • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 36° 11.35′ N, 76° 27.94′ W. Marker is in Hertford, North Carolina, in Perquimans County. It is on North Church Street (Business U.S. 17) north of East Market Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 N Church St, Hertford NC 27944, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Perquimans County Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Jim "Catfish" Hunter (a few steps from this marker); Honoring Kilcocanen and the Yeopim Indians (a few steps from this marker); Our Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); John Harvey (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Skinner (about 600 feet away); Edmundson-Fox Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Colored Union Soldiers Monmument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hertford.

Another marker is no longer nearby. A Rare Monument (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Additional information on Betsy's Ride.

British forces were moving in strength against the Patriots, intent on seizing strategic positions. The rebels were brave but seemed unaware of the forces rallying
Photographed by Dave W, June 21, 2023

2. Betsy's Ride Marker
against them. The only hope was a midnight dash by horse to warn fellow countrymen of the danger. Yes, it sounds like Paul Revere, but this is actually the Outer Banks version, and this story features a young heroine named Betsy Dowdy.

(Submitted on June 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 1,004 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.