Welcome to the 250th celebration at the State Archives of North Carolina! On this page you will find a compilation of resources pertaining to records, webinars, podcasts, social media engagement, and education initiatives related to the State Archives holdings.
The page will be updated throughout 2026 as we continue our commemorations. To learn more about events related to the America 250 commemoration of the American Revolution across the Department for Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), please visit America 250 NC.
North Carolina Digital Collections
The accordion sections below will take you collections in the State Archives of North Carolina Digital Collections (NCDC), which contain digitized content of records pertaining to the Revolutionary War.
Selected documents from government and private collections that highlight this important time in history.
Records of early North Carolina state legislatures and colonial assemblies.
The Vault Collection, also referred to as the "Treasures" of the State Archives of North Carolina, highlights those rare manuscripts that enhance the history of the "Old North State" and its residents.
Includes lists, returns, records of prisoners, and records of draftees, primarily related to the Revolutionary War.
Document Highlights from NCDC
The State Archives has identified particularly relevant documents for understanding the history of the Revolutionary War era in North Carolina. Many have been digitized and are available via the North Carolina Digital Collections. Here are some highlights.
Military Collection: War of the Revolution Papers, AMREV
- Recruiting Instructions, 1777. Military Collection, War of the Revolution, box 5. AMREV_B2F14_Recruiting_1777
- Return of British prisoners of war. Military Collection: War of the Revolution, Continental Line, Folder: 5-23. MilColl_Troop_Returns_B5F23_Return_of_British_prisoners_of_war_1779_01
- Granville County Descriptive List of Men Raised Under Presidential Act of the Assembly. Military Collection: War of the Revolution, Troop Returns: Continental Line, 1775 – 1778, Folder 40
- 1779 – Tory Recruiting in Wilkes County. Military Collection, Ware of the Revolution Box 5. AMREV_B2F23_Wilkes_1779
Military Collections: Troop Returns
- Morgan District: Descriptive list of men returned at Ramsour's Mill. MilColl_Troop_Returns_B6F34_Morgan_District_List_of_men_returned_Ramsours_Mill_01
Treasurer's and Comptroller's Papers
- Pay Voucher of Agnes Grimes. Treasurer’s and Comptroller’s Papers, Military Papers, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, box 88
- Pay Voucher for Edward Going. Treasurer’s and Comptroller’s Papers, Military Papers, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782
Revolutionary War Soldiers: General Assembly Records
- Manumission of Ned Griffen for his service in the Revolutionary War. General Assembly Session Records, April – June 1784, Box 3
- John Massey Petition concerning Service Uniforms: John Massey – Continental Line Soldiers Uniforms (North Carolina General Assembly, Petitions, 1806)
Revolutionary War Soldiers: Private Collections
- Journal of Dr. John Graham, 1776-1786. Private Collections, PC.61.12, William Alexander Graham Papers, [Box 12]
- Map of troop movements during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. MC.175.1781. Map Collection.
- Treasures of the Archives: VC.22, Letter of Marque
- Joseph Graham Papers: PC.60
- Richard Caswell: PC.242
Governor's Papers
- Colonial Governor Josiah Martin’s proclamation of March 1, 1775. SR.12.13.3, Box 7.
Committees of Safety
- Surry County Committee of Safety, Journal, 1775. SR.12.14.3, Secretary of State, Records Relating to the American Revolution
- Tryon County Committee of Safety, Journal, August 14, 1775. SR_SS_Local_Committee _Safety_Tryon_County
- Liberty Point Resolves, June 20, 1775. Proceedings of the Wilmington-New Hanover Committee of Safety, 1775. SR.12.13.3, volume 2.
- Committee of Safety Correspondence, 1775. Advertisement from Craven County, January 27, 1775. SR_SS_Local_Committee_Safety_Correspondence_1775_001
Records of North Carolina Provincial Conventions and Congresses, 1775 - 1776
- Fourth Provincial Congress meets in Halifax, 4 April – 15 May 1776. Halifax Resolves, April 12, 1776. SR_SS_Provincial_Conventions_Congresses_1776
- 1776 North Carolina State Constitution (December 18, 1776) VC.47.1
- 1776 Declaration of Rights (December 17, 1776) VC.47.2
- 1868 North Carolina Constitution, Bound Volume (March 16, 1868) VC.47.6
- Amendment of the North Carolina Constitution Regarding Suffrage (January 1901) VC.48.7
- Amendment of North Carolina Constitution Regarding Insurance for Wives and Children (31 December 1932) VC.48.10
- Amendment of North Carolina Constitution Regarding the Equality and Rights of Persons (10 December 1946) VC.48.15
- Amendment of North Carolina Constitution Regarding the Council of State (1944) VC.48.14
- John Adams: Thoughts on Government Letter. VC.1.2 John Adams
- Articles of Confederation - North Carolina delegates signed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation. VC.47.7
- Printed Copy of the Constitution of the United States as Approved by North Carolina, 1789. LP.1659, folder 39
- Letter from George Washington to Governor and Council of State, August 26, 1790. VC.11
- North Carolina’s Copy of the Bill of Rights, 1789. VC.1.3
Highlights from Social Media
Peruse our 250th commemoration content from various platforms including our blog, podcast, and recorded programming.
- Documenting A250 with the State Archives
- Fourth of July at the NC State Capitol
- Commemorating the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army
- Wilmington Tea Party
- On this Day, 250 Years Ago in Wilmington...
- Reminiscences of the Revolutionary War
- The Friends of American Liberty
- Committees of Correspondence and the Cause of “Liberty”
- When Are We US? America250: A Look to the Past to Inform Our Future
- Uncovered Stories: Finding Enslaved Labor in the Treasurer's & Comptroller's Papers
- Uncovered Stories: Marginalized Communities in Early Statehood General Assembly Records
- Uncovered Stories: The Revolutionary Ruthey Jackson Letter
- From Regulators to Revolution: The War of Regulation
Series: Exploring America 250th at the State Archives of North Carolina
- When Are We Us: An Introduction to the America 250 Commemoration
- Celebrations of Freedom: Emancipation Day in North Carolina
- Documenting the Service of Revolutionary War Patriots
- Tracing Revolutionary War Soldiers at the State Archives
- History of Voting Rights in North Carolina, 1776-1977
- Lafayette's Farewell Tour in North Carolina
Curriculum Highlights
Explore new America 250 NC curriculum with DocsBoxes! All DosBoxes include ten or more primary source sets from the State Archives.
Lessons include complete plans with standards, primary sources, activities, vocabulary, and exit tickets for:
- State Constitution curriculum: 9 lessons for grades 6-12 include the first North Carolina Constitution (ratified December 1776), two subsequent state constitutions, and significant amendments.
- Revolutionary NC curriculum: 8 lessons for grades 3-12 feature North Carolina stories with national significance.