The Forgotten Birthplace of American Independence
When Americans think about the founding of the United States, most minds immediately go to Boston, Philadelphia, Lexington, and Concord. But what if one of the most important chapters of…
When Americans think about the founding of the United States, most minds immediately go to Boston, Philadelphia, Lexington, and Concord. But what if one of the most important chapters of the American Revolution happened right here in North Carolina?
In this episode of Tales of American Spirit, host Liz Morris welcomes Kelly Arnold from the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough to explore the remarkable role Hillsborough played in the movement toward American independence. Together they uncover the story of the Third Provincial Congress, the Regulator Movement, and the pivotal decisions made in Hillsborough during the summer of 1775 that helped lay the groundwork for a new nation.
From corrupt colonial officials and frustrated frontier farmers to revolutionary leaders, military preparations, and the earliest steps toward self-government, this conversation reveals why Hillsborough deserves a much larger place in America's founding story.
00:00 – Introduction to Freedom & Glory
01:00 – Why Hillsborough's story matters during America's 250th anniversary
02:00 – What Hillsborough looked like in the 1770s
04:00 – Why Hillsborough became a center of colonial power
08:00 – Life in colonial North Carolina
09:00 – What was happening across the American colonies?
11:00 – How news traveled before modern communication
13:00 – Who were the Regulators?
15:00 – Taxes, corruption, and colonial frustration
17:00 – Why the Regulators were more complicated than history suggests
20:00 – Loyalists, revolutionaries, and competing visions for America
24:00 – What was the Third Provincial Congress?
25:00 – Why Hillsborough was chosen for the meeting
27:00 – The first real steps toward independence
29:00 – Military districts, currency, and preparing for self-government
32:00 – The influential leaders gathered in Hillsborough
36:00 – The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge
38:00 – How North Carolina moved toward independence
40:00 – Why Hillsborough's role is often overlooked
42:00 – Exploring Historic Hillsborough today
43:00 – Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival and Outlander connections
45:00 – Flags of Change: The Society of the Cincinnati
47:00 – George Washington, Cincinnatus, and revolutionary ideals
50:00 – The Society's mission and legacy today
54:00 – Final thoughts and closing
