Lexington in Davidson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Captain Benjamin Merrill

By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2010

1. Captain Benjamin Merrill Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Sacrificed his life for the cause
of regulators. Was executed by
officials of the Crown, June 19, 1771.
Home was 8 miles south.

Erected 1981 by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - Capt. Benj. Merrill Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list.

Location. 35° 49.461′ N, 80° 15.2′ W. Marker is in Lexington, North Carolina, in Davidson County. Marker is at the intersection of N Main Street and W Center Street, on the right when traveling south on N Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington NC 27292, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Daniel Boone and Gen. Nathanael Greene (here, next to this marker); City of Lexington (here, next to this marker); Old Davidson County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Lexington in the Civil War (within shouting distance

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.

of this marker); Our Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); The Homestead (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wm. Rainey Holt (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pilgrim Church (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . . Battle of Alamance. Description of the battle from the Alamance County, NC website. (Submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

Lexington Markers image. Click for full size.

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.

Regulators Plaque from Alamance image. Click for full size.

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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,636 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.