Documenting the American South

Doc South header logo Home
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes banner

Source:  Captain Benjamin Merrill, Lexington. Photo courtesy of Natasha Smith

  • Monument Name

    Captain Benjamin Merrill, Lexington

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Colonial Wars

    Colonial History

  • City

    Lexington

  • County

    Davidson

  • Description

    The Captain Benjamin Merrill memorial is a lectern shaped block of granite about 2-feet tall on a concrete base with a bronze plaque attached. The plaque is adorned with a spread winged eagle, in relief, above the inscription. A set of two stars appear to either side of the eagle.

    Images: Plaque | View of the quadrant with memorials

  • Inscription

    CAPTAIN BENJAMIN MERRILL / SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR THE CAUSE / OF THE REGULATORS. WAS EXECUTED BY / OFFICIALS OF THE CROWN, JUNE 19, 1771 / HOME WAS 8 MILES SOUTH / ERECTED BY / CAPT. BENJ. MERRILL CHAPTER, NSDAR / 1981

  • Custodian

    City of Lexington

  • Dedication Date

    1981

  • Decade

    1980s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.824410 , -80.253370 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      Ekis, Loretta Merrell. The Blood of Patriots: The Story of Captain Benjamin Merrell American Patriot (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014)

      Powell, William S. 2006. “Regulator Movement,” NCPedia.org, (accessed January 31, 2017) Link

      “Captain Benjamin Merrill,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed January 31, 2017) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite, bronze

  • Sponsors

    Captain Benjamin Merrill Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

  • Subject Notes

    Captain Merrill was head of the Rowan County Militia and became involved with the Regulator Movement, a rebellion by back-country (inland) residents who believed that colonial officials were charging them excessive fees and falsifying records. The movement’s name refers to the desire of these back-country citizens to have control or be able to regulate their own affairs. Royal officials ignoring calls for discussion eventually led to armed insurrection. At the two-hour engagement known as the Battle of Alamance militia under the command of the Royal Governor William Tryon defeated the Regulators. Captain Merrill was one of 12 men convicted of treason and sentenced to death. Merrill and five others were hanged but the others were pardoned by King George III.

  • Location

    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 Captain Benjamin Merrill stands on the northwest quadrant (intersection of W Center and N Main streets) by City of Lexington and Daniel Boone and Nathanael Greene memorials.

  • Landscape

    Bushes and trees surround the quadrant where the memorial is located.

  • Post Dedication Use

    The Davidson County Veterans Council holds annual Memorial Day services at Lexington Square in downtown Lexington.

Icon for reporting missing/incorrect information 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.