Salisbury District, North Carolina facts for kids

The Salisbury District of North Carolina was an important area during the colonial period and the American Revolutionary War. It was one of six special areas, called "judicial districts," created in 1766 by Governor William Tryon of the Province of North Carolina. These districts helped manage the legal system.

Just before the American War of Independence began in 1775, these six areas were renamed "military districts." This change was made by the North Carolina Provincial Congress to help organize the local soldiers, known as the North Carolina militia. The other military districts were Edenton, Halifax, Hillsborough, New Bern, and Wilmington. The idea of military districts ended in 1835 during a meeting about the North Carolina Constitution.

What Were These Districts For?

In 1766, the government of the Province of North Carolina, led by Governor William Tryon, divided the state into six judicial districts. These districts were for legal purposes, like holding courts. They didn't get rid of the existing county divisions, which continued to be used.

For a while, the Salisbury District was also important for parts of what is now South Carolina. This was because of old surveying mistakes that made Tryon County (part of the Salisbury District) stretch into that area.

From Judicial to Military Districts

After a big meeting called the Third North Carolina Provincial Congress (held from August 20 to September 10, 1775), the "judicial" districts became known as "military" districts. These new military districts were used to organize special groups of soldiers called Minutemen Battalions. These Minutemen served as state troops for six months, starting on September 1, 1775.

By April 10, 1776, the Provincial Congress decided to organize the militia into larger groups called District Brigades. Each brigade was led by a brigadier general. County militia groups then reported to these brigades. At this time, two more districts were added in the western part of the state: the Washington District Regiment (in 1776) and Morgan District (in 1784).

People from these districts were also chosen to represent their areas in the North Carolina Provincial Congress. These representatives played a key role in passing the Halifax Resolves in April 1776. This important document helped North Carolina move towards independence from Great Britain.

Salisbury District's Story

The Salisbury District was centered around the town of Salisbury, North Carolina, which is in Rowan County. Salisbury became the main town for Rowan County in 1755, two years after Rowan County itself was created from Anson County.

Courts and Justice

In March 1766, Edmund Fanning became the first official judge for the Salisbury Judicial District. One of the main courts that met regularly in Salisbury was the court of oyer, terminer and general jail delivery. This court handled criminal cases. The Salisbury District court met twice a year, in June and December.

James Smith was a judge for the "Court of Pleas and Quarter Session for Rowan County" under King George III from 1770 to 1775. When the American Revolution began, he strongly supported breaking away from British rule. On April 22, 1776, he was made a major in the Rowan County Regiment of the North Carolina militia. This regiment was led by Colonel Francis Locke. Colonel Locke took over command from Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford, who was chosen to lead the entire Salisbury District Brigade.

Where Was the Salisbury District?

The Salisbury District originally included several counties: Anson, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Surry, and Tryon counties.

Later, as new areas were settled, the district grew to include the Washington District, North Carolina (which is now most of State of Tennessee). Eventually, it also covered counties like Lincoln, Montgomery, Richmond, Rutherford, Wilkes (all in present-day North Carolina), and Sullivan (in present-day Tennessee).

• In 1775, the Salisbury District included: Rowan, Anson, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Surry, and Tryon counties.
• By 1779, it had grown to include: Rowan, Anson, Burke, Guilford, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Richmond, Rutherford, Surry, and Wilkes counties.
• At the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, the district included: Rowan, Anson, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Richmond, and Surry counties.

Even as late as 1800, the name Salisbury District was used for the regional offices of the Federal Census in parts of North Carolina. The 1800 Census headquarters for Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Rowan counties were all located in Salisbury.

The system of districts for choosing representatives to the North Carolina General Assembly continued after 1776. In 1835, the state constitution changed how representatives were chosen, and the district system was replaced with 120 new districts.

Important People from Salisbury District

People from the Salisbury District were chosen to represent their area in important meetings and government bodies.

Delegates to the Provincial Congress

These people represented the Salisbury District at the North Carolina Provincial Congress meetings:

• William Kennon, 1st Provincial Congress, August 25–27, 1774 in New Bern
• William Kennon, 2nd Provincial Congress, April 3–7, 1775 in New Bern
• William Kennon and Hugh Montgomery, 3rd Provincial Congress, August 20 - September 10, 1775 in Hillsborough
• David Nesbitt, 4th Provincial Congress, April 4 - May 14, 1776 in Halifax
• David Nesbitt, 5th Provincial Congress, November 12 - December 23, 1776 in Halifax

Delegates to the House of Commons

These people represented the Salisbury District in the North Carolina House of Commons, which was part of the state's government: