Revolution Comes to the Cape Fear

Cape Fear Unearthed

Seven years before the Boston Tea Party and a decade before the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, the residents of the Cape Fear launched one of the earliest armed revolts against the British crown.

With the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, the colonists in Southeastern North Carolina decided enough was enough with the oppressive British rule. They staged massive protests in the streets in Wilmington and ultimately led an armed revolt against the Royal Authority in Brunswick Town, an early act of sedition that would grow to inspire a full revolution.

In this special Cape Fear Unearthed conversation timed with July 4th, host Hunter Ingram and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site manager Jim McKee recount the Stamp Act rebellion, addressing why the Cape Fear became the epicenter of the resistance and how the act of protesting was as innately American then as it is in 2020.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Phramacy.