Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress (1776)
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President Samuel Johnston
Overview
Legislative body	North Carolina Provincial Congress
Jurisdiction	North Carolina, United States
Meeting place	Halifax, North Carolina
Term	1776
Members	153 Delegates (35 counties, 8 Districts)
President	Samuel Johnston
Vice-President	Allen Jones
Secretary	James Green Jr.
Assistant Secretary	James Glasgow
Clerk	John Hunt
Sessions
1st April 4, 1776 – May 14, 1776

The Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress was a special group of leaders who met in North Carolina during the American Revolution. They were like a temporary government, working outside the rules set by the British. This Congress was one of five similar groups that met between 1774 and 1776.

These congresses helped create a new government for North Carolina. They also printed money to pay for the fight against Britain. They even organized an army to protect the state. Later, they wrote North Carolina's first constitution and Bill of Rights. The Fourth Congress met in Halifax, North Carolina, from April 4 to May 14, 1776. Samuel Johnston was the president, and Allen Jones was the vice-president. These meetings helped set the stage for North Carolina's official state government.

Important Decisions of the Congress

John Trumbull's painting, Declaration of Independence, showing the committee presenting their work. Hewes and Penn are in the back row. Hooper signed on August 2, 1776.

The Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress made some very important decisions. They gave permission for North Carolina's representatives to the Second Continental Congress to vote for the Declaration of Independence. These representatives included Joseph Hewes, William Hooper, and John Penn.

The Halifax Resolves

On April 12, 1776, 83 delegates at the Congress officially adopted the Halifax Resolves. This was a big step! It was the first time any colony officially called for independence from Great Britain. It showed that North Carolina was ready to break away and form its own government.

Creating a State Constitution

The very next day, on April 13, 1776, the delegates started working on a new constitution for North Carolina. A constitution is a set of rules for how a government will work. This new constitution was finally approved in December 1776 by the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress.

Rules for Loyalists

The Congress also made rules about people called Loyalists. These were colonists who wanted to stay loyal to the British King. In April 1776, the Congress decided that Loyalists who were causing trouble should move away. They were allowed to sell their property first. Later, in May 1776, the Congress voted to take away the property of any Loyalists who fought against the new United States.

Members of the Congress

Thomas Amis, Halifax County

John Baptista Ashe, New Hanover County

Thomas Burke, Orange County

Richard Caswell, Dobbs County

Philemon Hawkins, II, Bute County

Joseph Hewes, Edenton

William Hooper, New Hanover County

Samuel Johnston, Chowan County

Allen Jones, Northampton County

Willie Jones, Halifax County

Abner Nash, New Bern

John Penn, Granville County

Nathaniel Rochester, Orange County

Joseph Winston, Surry County

Many important people from different parts of North Carolina served in the Fourth Provincial Congress. They represented various counties and districts. Here is a list of the delegates and the areas they represented: