Daniel Boone and Nathanael Greene, Lexington
The marker to both Daniel Boone and Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene features
a bronze plaque attached to a large boulder. The plaque was cast as the front elevation of a
Greek revival architectural style building. In relief on the building’s pediment are several
components from the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina, to include the state motto” Esse
quam videri” meaning "To be, rather than to seem". Also prominent are the figures Liberty and
Plenty facing towards each other. A bas-relief eagle in flight is directly below
the pediment with the inscriptions appearing below the eagle’s spread wings.
Images:
View of the quadrant with memorials
Plaque pediment: ESSE QUAM VIDERI
Plaque, main inscription: IN 1750, DANIEL BOONE, AGE 16, CAME WITH / HIS FATHER FROM
PENNSYLVANIA AND / SETTLED NEAR BOONE’S FORD ON / YADKIN RIVER, THEN IN ROWAN, /
NOW DAVIDSON COUNTY. / NEAR THIS SPOT IN 1781, THE / AMERICAN ARMY UNDER GEN.
NATHANAEL GREENE / PASSED ON ITS WAY FROM TRADING FORD TO / FIGHT THE BRITISH
UNDER LORD CORNWALLIS / AT GUILFORD COURTHOUSE.
Plaque, bottom: ERECTED 1918 BY / NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL COMMISSION / AND THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY.
City of Lexington
December 1, 1918
35.824410 , -80.253370
View in Geobrowse
Thompson, Jessica Lee. “The Great Seal of the State of North Carolina,” North Carolina History Project, http://northcarolinahistory.org, (accessed February 29, 2016) Link
“Boone-Greene Memorial,” The Dispatch (Lexington, NC), December 4, 1918, 1
“Boulder For Historic Marker,” The Dispatch (Lexington, NC), July 10, 1918, 1
“Daniel Boone and Gen. Nathanael Greene,” Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed February 28, 2016) Link
“Davidson County Liberty Fair,” The Dispatch (Lexington, NC), November 13, 1918, 4
“Tablet Unveiled In Honor Of Boone And Gen. Greene,” The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, NC), January 6, 1919, 2
Yes
Bronze, granite
North Carolina Historical Commission, Davidson County Board of Commissioners
$250
J.C. McCrary was master of ceremonies for the dedication and Dr. J.O. Revis from Columbia University in South Carolina led the opening prayer. Dr. J.C. Leonard of Lexington spoke of the retreat of General Greene’s army through Lexington on its way to the pivotal battle at Guilford Courthouse. McCrary then spoke on the religious life of Daniel Boone followed by Dr. R.E. White of Lexington Baptist church who spoke of how to apply the lessons of Greene and Boone to the present day. After the speeches the national anthem played as the marker was unveiled.
The boulder was donated by Mr. Will B. Smith. It had been removed by slaves during
construction of either a railroad or roadway cut in the early 1850’s and deposited on the farm
of Dr. R.W. Holt where it remained until being moved to the court square. The boulder and
wagon that carried it weighed in at 7,900 pounds.
The Great Seal of the State of North Carolina is full of symbolism. Read more about the history of the Great Seal, symbols, figures of Liberty and Plenty in "The Great Seal of the State of North Carolina" by creators of "North Carolina History Project."
This plaque design, approved by the state legislature was used over a period of years in memorials associated with the North Carolina Historical Commission. Other examples of the same plaque design are Bentonville Battlefield marker in Bentonville, Arsenal Memorial in Fayetteville, and Richard Caswell Memorial in Kinston.
The Lexington Square located at the intersection of Main and Center streets is home to the Historic Davidson County courthouse along with several memorials and markers. The Confederate Dead monument stands in the southeast quadrant of the square, at the intersection of S Main and E Center streets. The northeast quadrant (intersection of E Center and N Main streets) hosts memorials to Davidson County Vietnam War and Afghanistan Veterans, WWII and Korean Veterans, and WWI Veterans who died in the Great War. A marker to Daniel Boone and Nathanael Greene stands on the northwest quadrant (intersection of W Center and N Main streets) right by Captain Benjamin Merrill and City of Lexington memorials.
The memorial marker stands under shady trees, surrounded by bushes and seasonal greenery.
The Davidson County Veterans Council holds annual Memorial Day services at Lexington Square in downtown Lexington.
Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on
this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.
