Jones County marks Revolutionary War history with ribbon-cutting ceremony

TRENTON – Jones County officials, historical organizations and community members gathered Monday, Aug. 17, at the Jones County Courthouse for a ribbon-cutting and unveiling ceremony recognizing three new historical markers tied to Revolutionary War events in the county.

The ceremony, titled “History Lives Here,” was held as part of the America 250 commemoration and highlighted Jones County’s role in the Revolutionary War. The markers, installed on the courthouse grounds through a partnership with Visit Kinston, Jones County, the Historical Preservation Group and local history organizations, are part of the Eastern North Carolina Revolutionary War Trail.

Chris Henderson, clerk of Superior Court for Jones County, welcomed attendees and said the markers recognize seven Revolutionary War events in Jones County. The program included an invocation by Charlie Dunn Jr., vice chairman of the Jones County Board of Commissioners, the presentation of colors by the New Bern Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chad Day, Jones County veteran services officer.

Dan Ryan, with the Jones County America 250 Committee, read The American’s Creed.

Dennis Harper, representing the Historical Preservation Group, said Jones County is central to the story of Major James H. Craig’s 1781 raid through eastern North Carolina. Harper said the trail now includes 12 interpretive panels across multiple counties, including Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Craven and Onslow.

“Jones County is rich with history,” Harper said, noting the county’s Native American, colonial, Revolutionary War, Civil War and Reconstruction-era history.

Stacey Jones, also with the Historical Preservation Group, said the panels help show that the Revolutionary War was not limited to larger cities and better-known battlefields.

“The Revolutionary War was not simply something that happened in Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston or Yorktown,” Jones said. “It happened here. It happened along the roads and waterways of Jones County.”

Jones said Craig’s forces entered Jones County on Aug. 15, 1781, and skirmished with Patriot militia under Brig. Gen. William Caswell and Alexander Lillington. He described events at Tuckahoe, Pleasant Hill, Free Bridge, Webber’s Bridge and Jumping Run, connecting the markers to the broader military movement toward New Bern.

He also said the new markers could support heritage tourism and economic opportunity in Jones County by encouraging visitors to explore historic roads, bridges, farms, communities and battle sites.

“Jones County has a remarkable story,” Jones said. “These three panels are small, but the story they represent is not.”

Ralph Gray, first vice president of the New Bern Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, said the organization’s mission is centered on remembrance, preservation and education. Gray, a Trenton native, said local history becomes more meaningful when residents understand the people and events that shaped their own communities.

Charley Jones, representing the Jones County Historical Society and Jones County America 250 Committee, thanked the groups involved in the project and said local history often carries stories that do not appear in textbooks.

“Local history gives us perspective,” Jones said. “It helps us to see the bigger picture more clearly.”

Frank Emory, chairman of the Jones County Board of Commissioners, closed the program by thanking organizers, elected officials and community members. He said Jones County has significant historical connections, including visits by George Washington and President James Monroe, that deserve continued recognition.

“Our history is not simply found in books or old photographs,” Emory said. “It’s found in places like this courthouse and in the stories of the people who lived, worked and served and raised their families right here in Jones County.”