Jun 10

Jun 10 North Carolina's First Governor - Richard Caswell

I have mentioned Richard Caswell several times recently and was surprised that I had yet to make him the Founder of the Day.

So, today’s his day!

Richard Caswell was the first Governor of North Carolina as well as a Major General in the North Carolina Militia.

Richard Caswell

By the time the Revolutionary War began, Richard Caswell had spent almost two decades serving in the North Carolina Colonial Assembly.

Up to this point, Richard was best known for promoting public education, including a scheme which unsuccessfully attempted to put a free school in every county.

When the hostilities erupted, Caswell was already at the head of a minutemen unit. He marched under the orders of James Moore and was one of those who oversaw the extraordinary successful victory at Moore’s Creek Bridge.

Governor

When independence was declared, Caswell chaired the committee that drafted North Carolina’s constitution.

After this task was complete, Richard was elected as his State's first Governor.

He spent the maximum of three years at the head of his young State, helping to solidify it as a successful governing body.

Major General

Since the Governor is technically the commander of all North Carolina’s militia (and Caswell had experience leading men in the field), Richard was promoted to Major General soon after he relinquished his seat as the State’s Chief Executive.

Although much of his duty would have been involved with recruitment, fundraising and supplies, Caswell did see more action in the field.

Most notably, he was one of many important Generals who participated in the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Camden.

Fortunately, the American’s went on to win the war and Richard would be elected to three more terms as Governor...making him both the first and fifth Governors of North Carolina.

Want to learn about OTHER GOVERNORS OF NORTH CAROLINA?

Great!

Try these articles on John Adam Treutlen and Thomas Burke.

Richard Caswell is an extremely underrated Founder from North Carolina.

‘Founding Father and Revolutionary Hero’ is a biography about Caswell. He is one of the few ‘obscure’ Founders to get such treatment.

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).