Colonel Edward BuncombeColonel Edward Buncombeof the Fifth NC Regimentof the Fifth NC Regiment

Tyrrell County’s Tyrrell County’s Revolutionary Revolutionary War HeroWar Hero

Edward Buncombe was born to Thomas and Esther Edward Buncombe was born to Thomas and Esther Buncombe in 1742 on the Isle of St. Kitts in the West Buncombe in 1742 on the Isle of St. Kitts in the West Indies Indies

On April 10, 1766, He married Elizabeth Dawson On April 10, 1766, He married Elizabeth Dawson Taylor in St. KittsTaylor in St. Kitts

They had three children: Elizabeth Taylor Buncombe, They had three children: Elizabeth Taylor Buncombe, Thomas Buncombe and Hester Ann BuncombeThomas Buncombe and Hester Ann Buncombe

Buncombe died May, 1778 from injuries received Buncombe died May, 1778 from injuries received during the Battle of Germantownduring the Battle of Germantown

Quick Facts…Quick Facts…

Edward’s uncle, Joseph Buncombe, bequeathed 1025 Edward’s uncle, Joseph Buncombe, bequeathed 1025 acres lying on Kendricks Creek, to Edward.acres lying on Kendricks Creek, to Edward.

Joseph had purchased the property from Edward Mosley Joseph had purchased the property from Edward Mosley in 1732 with the deed being the first recorded deed in in 1732 with the deed being the first recorded deed in Tyrrell County in 1735.Tyrrell County in 1735.

Joseph married Ann Durant, daughter of George Durant Joseph married Ann Durant, daughter of George Durant (Perquimans County). They had one child, Mary, who (Perquimans County). They had one child, Mary, who married Samuel Sutton. Joseph died in 1740 with Ann married Samuel Sutton. Joseph died in 1740 with Ann marrying Thomas Corprew and having two sons. Ann died marrying Thomas Corprew and having two sons. Ann died in 1742.in 1742.

In 1766 or 1767, Edward was contacted by a local In 1766 or 1767, Edward was contacted by a local merchant, a certain “Mr. Cox”, about selling his uncle’s merchant, a certain “Mr. Cox”, about selling his uncle’s property on the South Shore. Edward’s new wife property on the South Shore. Edward’s new wife suggested that before he sold it, he should at least inspect suggested that before he sold it, he should at least inspect it. Edward made the trek and was so impressed with the it. Edward made the trek and was so impressed with the property that he contracted with Stevens Lee of Lee’s property that he contracted with Stevens Lee of Lee’s Mill, to build him a house while he returned home for his Mill, to build him a house while he returned home for his wife. This home became what was known as “Buncombe wife. This home became what was known as “Buncombe Hall”.Hall”.

How did he get here?How did he get here?

Plantation owner: Ships visited his farm Plantation owner: Ships visited his farm seeking cargoes of lumber and produce.seeking cargoes of lumber and produce.

Shipping Merchant: Realizing the profits Shipping Merchant: Realizing the profits to be made by shipping his own wares, to be made by shipping his own wares, Buncombe had a schooner constructed. Buncombe had a schooner constructed. Port Roanoke papers indicate that he Port Roanoke papers indicate that he registered the schooner “Buncombe” with registered the schooner “Buncombe” with John McCrohon as her first master. John McCrohon as her first master.

What did he do?What did he do?

Farming/Shipping Farming/Shipping

Appointed Clerk of Court on the third Tuesday of Appointed Clerk of Court on the third Tuesday of May, 1774 at the Courthouse at Lee’s Mill. He posted May, 1774 at the Courthouse at Lee’s Mill. He posted a bond of 1,000 pounds with Stevens Lee and a bond of 1,000 pounds with Stevens Lee and Archibald Corrie serving as his sureties. Mr. Corrie Archibald Corrie serving as his sureties. Mr. Corrie served as his deputy.served as his deputy.

In April 1774, Colonel John Harvey, speaker of the NC In April 1774, Colonel John Harvey, speaker of the NC House, met with Edward and his friend, Samuel House, met with Edward and his friend, Samuel Johnston at Buncombe Hall. Harvey shared his story Johnston at Buncombe Hall. Harvey shared his story with them men, discussing Gov. Martin and King with them men, discussing Gov. Martin and King George’s tyrrany and his own plans for resistance.George’s tyrrany and his own plans for resistance.

In July 1774, Edward, along with Cornelius Harnett In July 1774, Edward, along with Cornelius Harnett and William Hooper, led a meeting in Wilmington and William Hooper, led a meeting in Wilmington which ended with the participants calling for a which ended with the participants calling for a provincial congress to meet in New Bern a month provincial congress to meet in New Bern a month later to discuss the problems being experienced by later to discuss the problems being experienced by the colony.the colony.

What did he do?What did he do? Civic Duties Civic Duties

Colonel, Tyrrell County Militia, Sept 9, Colonel, Tyrrell County Militia, Sept 9, 17751775

Colonel, 5Colonel, 5thth Regiment NC Continental Regiment NC Continental Line, April 15, 1776. Buncombe raised his Line, April 15, 1776. Buncombe raised his regiment from men of Edenton, New Bern regiment from men of Edenton, New Bern and Hillsborough Districts. He bore most and Hillsborough Districts. He bore most of the expenses of outfitting the men of the expenses of outfitting the men himself.himself.

What did he do?What did he do?

Military Duties Military Duties

In early April 1776, the North Carolina In early April 1776, the North Carolina Congress resolved to raise 4 additional Congress resolved to raise 4 additional regiments. regiments.

Officers of the 5Officers of the 5thth NC were Edward NC were Edward Buncombe, Henry Irwin and Levi Buncombe, Henry Irwin and Levi DawsonDawson

Privates of these regiments were to be Privates of these regiments were to be enlisted for two years, six monthsenlisted for two years, six months

When was the Regiment When was the Regiment Formed?Formed?

In spite of popular belief , the Continental forces wore a In spite of popular belief , the Continental forces wore a variety of uniforms. variety of uniforms.

North Carolina units wore a variety of uniforms North Carolina units wore a variety of uniforms including hunting shirts and breeches all the way to the including hunting shirts and breeches all the way to the typical blue jacket with red facing.typical blue jacket with red facing.

UniformsUniforms

On 18, October, 1776, Mease and Caldwell, On 18, October, 1776, Mease and Caldwell, Continental Commissaries, sent a shipment Continental Commissaries, sent a shipment of clothing from Philadelphia to the Council of clothing from Philadelphia to the Council of Safety in North Carolina as follows:of Safety in North Carolina as follows:

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

October 18, 1776October 18, 1776

Invoice of sundry packages of clothing sent Invoice of sundry packages of clothing sent by order of the Honorable Delegates from by order of the Honorable Delegates from North Carolina to the Committee of Safety North Carolina to the Committee of Safety of North Carolina at Halifax for use of the of North Carolina at Halifax for use of the Army there.Army there.

October 17, 1776 issueOctober 17, 1776 issue

Per Peter Nye’s wagonPer Peter Nye’s wagonNo.1No.1 A case containing 320 Privates coats mixt cloth faced with red.A case containing 320 Privates coats mixt cloth faced with red.No. 2No. 2 A case containing 320 Privates Coats drab faced with blueA case containing 320 Privates Coats drab faced with blueNo. 4No. 4 A case containing 264 Privates coats brown faced with whiteA case containing 264 Privates coats brown faced with white 32 Sergeant’s coats brown faced with white32 Sergeant’s coats brown faced with white 16 Drums and Fifes white faced with brown16 Drums and Fifes white faced with brown

Per Michael Truby’s WagonPer Michael Truby’s WagonNo. 3No. 3 A case containing 240 Privates coats drab cloth faced with blueA case containing 240 Privates coats drab cloth faced with blue 32 Sergeants coats drab faced with blue32 Sergeants coats drab faced with blue 16 Drums and Fifes blue faced with drab16 Drums and Fifes blue faced with drabNo. 5 A case containing 312 Privates coats brown faced with whiteNo. 5 A case containing 312 Privates coats brown faced with whiteNo. 11No. 11 A case containing 240 pairs of drilling breechesA case containing 240 pairs of drilling breeches

Per James Cartwright’s wagonPer James Cartwright’s wagonNo. 6No. 6 A case containing 280 Privates coats drab cloth faced with redA case containing 280 Privates coats drab cloth faced with redNo. 8No. 8 A case containing 296 Privates coats brown with redA case containing 296 Privates coats brown with redNo. 10No. 10 A case containing 288 pairs of drilling breechesA case containing 288 pairs of drilling breeches

Per Anthony Hinkle’s wagonPer Anthony Hinkle’s wagonNo. 7No. 7 A case containing 131 Privates coats drab cloth faced with redA case containing 131 Privates coats drab cloth faced with red

154 Privates coats brown faced with red154 Privates coats brown faced with redNo. 9No. 9 A case containing 240 Privates coats mixt faced with redA case containing 240 Privates coats mixt faced with red

21 Sergeants coats brown faced with red21 Sergeants coats brown faced with red 5 Privates coats brown faced with red5 Privates coats brown faced with redNo. 12No. 12 A case containing 500 Oznaburgh shirts.A case containing 500 Oznaburgh shirts.

Coat Color Facing Color Coat Type  

Drab Blue Privates 560

Drab Blue Sergeants 52

Blue Drab Drums & Fifes 16

       

Brown White Privates 576

Brown White Sergeants 32

White Brown Drums & Fifes 16

       

Brown Red Privates 455

Brown Red Sergeants 25

       

Mixt Cloth Red Privates 560

       

Drab Red Privates 411

       

  Total Issued   2703

The shipment from Mease and Caldwell The shipment from Mease and Caldwell reportedly arrived in early November, 1776. reportedly arrived in early November, 1776. On 16, November, 1776, the Quarter-Master On 16, November, 1776, the Quarter-Master was ordered to “…receive into his possession was ordered to “…receive into his possession the packages and cloths, sent from the packages and cloths, sent from Philadelphia for the use of the Army, and will Philadelphia for the use of the Army, and will pay the Waggoners the balance of their pay the Waggoners the balance of their wages for driving four wagons to Halifax.” wages for driving four wagons to Halifax.” Three days later, on 19, November, 1776, the Three days later, on 19, November, 1776, the Deputy Quartermaster General was ordered Deputy Quartermaster General was ordered to “…send to Headquarters the packages and to “…send to Headquarters the packages and clothing now sent from Philadelphia to the clothing now sent from Philadelphia to the State, and deliver the same to the State, and deliver the same to the Commissary of Stores.” Commissary of Stores.”

A A “Return of Clothing Wanting for the Soldiers of the “Return of Clothing Wanting for the Soldiers of the Different Regiments in Halifax” Different Regiments in Halifax” dated dated October 27, 1777October 27, 1777 indicates the hunting shirts, breeches and spatterdashes indicates the hunting shirts, breeches and spatterdashes were being issued to the men of the NC Continental Linewere being issued to the men of the NC Continental Line

October 27, 1777 October 27, 1777 ReturnsReturns

Early EngagementsEarly Engagements Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Brandywine,

PAPA Considered by Considered by most to be the first most to be the first “National Battle”. The “National Battle”. The battle was to stop the battle was to stop the British from advancing British from advancing on Philadelphia. After on Philadelphia. After being outflanked by being outflanked by the British, the the British, the Continental forces Continental forces retreated with the retreated with the army still intactarmy still intact

Early EngagementsEarly Engagements Battle of Germantown, Battle of Germantown,

PAPA This was the last This was the last major engagement before major engagement before the British occupied the British occupied Philadelphia. Washington Philadelphia. Washington withdrew his troops and withdrew his troops and spent the winter at Valley spent the winter at Valley Forge. This is where Forge. This is where Colonel Buncombe Colonel Buncombe received his wounds that received his wounds that eventually resulted in his eventually resulted in his deathdeath

After receiving wounds at the Battle of After receiving wounds at the Battle of Germantown, Buncombe was left for dead on Germantown, Buncombe was left for dead on the battlefield. An old schoolmate, now in the the battlefield. An old schoolmate, now in the British Army, spotted him and had him taken to British Army, spotted him and had him taken to Philadelphia to recover and to be paroled. Philadelphia to recover and to be paroled. However, he never left Philadelphia as he was However, he never left Philadelphia as he was broke from bearing the expense of outfitting broke from bearing the expense of outfitting his regiment. While still recovering in May, his regiment. While still recovering in May, 1778 in Philadelphia, he fell down a flight of 1778 in Philadelphia, he fell down a flight of stairs while sleepwalking and died from stairs while sleepwalking and died from complications caused from the reopening of his complications caused from the reopening of his wounds from the battle. He was buried in wounds from the battle. He was buried in Christ Church’s Cemetary along side of such Christ Church’s Cemetary along side of such dignitaries as Benjamin Franklin and Joseph dignitaries as Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Hewes to name a few.Hewes to name a few.

His DeathHis Death

According to the tax records, at his According to the tax records, at his death he owned 2250 acres and 26 death he owned 2250 acres and 26 Negroes.Negroes.

His son, Thomas, inheireted the His son, Thomas, inheireted the bulk of the estate with the condition bulk of the estate with the condition that if he predeceased his sisters that if he predeceased his sisters without any legitimate heirs, it without any legitimate heirs, it would then go to the sisters.would then go to the sisters.

Interesting fact: According to Interesting fact: According to records obtained by Dot Redford of records obtained by Dot Redford of Somerset Place, the Collins family Somerset Place, the Collins family purchased several of his slaves.purchased several of his slaves.

His EstateHis Estate

On May 29, 1778, the enlisted personnel On May 29, 1778, the enlisted personnel were consolidated into the three senior were consolidated into the three senior regiments. The Fifth NC was merged regiments. The Fifth NC was merged with the Third NC under the command of with the Third NC under the command of Col. Jethro Sumner.Col. Jethro Sumner.

The remnants of the regiment served The remnants of the regiment served throughout the war in various other throughout the war in various other campaigns.campaigns.

What happened to his What happened to his Regiment?Regiment?

Research and writing of Ed Norman, Research and writing of Ed Norman, Vernon Everett, Shirleyan B. Phelps and Vernon Everett, Shirleyan B. Phelps and Christine BarberChristine Barber

The Thomas Blount Papers as can be found The Thomas Blount Papers as can be found at ECU’s Joyner Libraryat ECU’s Joyner Library

The Washington County Genealogical The Washington County Genealogical Society Newsletter Vol. XVI, No. 7,8,9, July-Society Newsletter Vol. XVI, No. 7,8,9, July-September, 2005September, 2005

““Fortitude and Forbearance” The North Fortitude and Forbearance” The North Carolina Line in the Revolutionary War Carolina Line in the Revolutionary War 1775-1783 by Lawrence Babits and Joshua 1775-1783 by Lawrence Babits and Joshua HowardHoward

The North Carolina Line in the American The North Carolina Line in the American Revolution by Hugh RankinRevolution by Hugh Rankin

Uniforms of the Continental Army by Philip Uniforms of the Continental Army by Philip KatcherKatcher

SourcesSources