While in North Carolina earlier this week for Zach and Meredith’s wedding I visited Moore’s Creek National Battlefield Park. My Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Zachariah Harman, fought against the Loyalists at this battle under the command of Patriot officer, Richard Caswell.
For you history buffs, the battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge was a major victory for the Patriots and led to the end of British rule in North Carolina forever. I’m proud to say my direct ancestor fought to establish the freedom that we so often take for granted today. He fought for America before it was America, and for that I’m thankful.
The following two images show the reconstructed earthen mounds that the Patriots constructed late into the night/early morning just before the battle.
This is the reconstructed bridge over the creek. Its said that the Patriots removed the planking and also greased down the support railings making it difficult to cross for the unfortunate Loyalists.
The creek was so peaceful the day I was there. Must have been quite the opposite then, seeing the bodies of dead Loyalists floating in the creek after the smoke cleared.
Loved this monument under the big oak. The National Parks Service says, “The Heroic Women’s Monument at Moores Creek National Battlefield is believed to be the only monument in America to 18th century women and their sacrifices during the American Revolution.”
Tags: Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Family History, North Carolina
Dang, that’s stirring stuff. Thanks for all your research into our family’s history. Fascinating.
Tim, I enjoyed viewing your web page. My genealogy runs as follows: Zachariah to Merriman to Calvin to Joseph James (died fighting in the War Between the States), to William Davis, to Karl, to Clifford, to me.
I sincerely hope you will contact me and share your genealogy information with me. I have my research recorded on a CD and will be glad to send you a copy, if you would like to have it.
Do you have any further information on where Zachariah came from, who his father was, etc. I know that Wanda Head believes his father was John, others believe his father was Zachariah from Holland.
I look forward to hearing from you. (I also love photography. Your pictures are great. Thanks for sharing on the internet.
Sincerely, Carlis
Clifford….thanks for stopping by! I’ll be emailing you.
Hello Tim. My six times Great Grandfather Joshua Sikes (Sykes) also fought at Moores Bridge along with your five times G.Grandfather.
I was planning to visit the site sometime but after seeing your wonderful photos I feel like I’ve already been there.
Thank you!
About 4 years ago, I found out my ancestry traces back to Adoniram Allen, his father and his younger brother, fought at Moores Creek Bridge. For service at MCB and the battle of King’s Mountain, Adoniram was awarded 5,000 in southeastern Kentucky, Clay County, where his direct descendants live today. Although I am from south eastern Kentucky originally, my family have lived in the Raleigh area for almost 25 years. I had always wondered how my ancestors settled in Kentucky. Now I know.
tim james harman was my father. i only recently learned of his passing. i would like confirmation that these are his photographs. i am a photographer myself.
I’m an artist and spend a great deal of time in N.C. where I also spent time as a child in the small town of Wallace.
After the hurricane Fran hit in 1996 I went to Moores Creek and wandered around. The thing that stuck me most was the trees that had been stripped of most of there foliage by the winds and the stark beauty of the statue. That is what inspired me to paint the image.
This is a great site with a great deal more importance than people give it.
Thanks for the beautiful photography.
Ben Watson III