Francis Locke
Rowan County, Rowan County, North Carolina
Marker Inscription
Francis Locke 1722 1796. Colonel of Whig force which routed Tories at Battle of Ramsour's Mill, June 20, 1780. Home stood nearby.
Erected by North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
The Story
Colonel Francis Locke commanded the Patriot militia that routed a large Loyalist force at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill on June 20, 1780. Fought largely by neighbors on both sides, the battle broke Tory strength in the western Piedmont at a critical moment of the Revolution's Southern campaign. Locke's home stood nearby in Rowan County.
Why it matters
Locke's victory at Ramsour's Mill helped shatter Loyalist organization in the backcountry, tilting the Carolinas toward the Patriot cause.
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Related people
- · Francis Locke
Related events
- · Battle of Ramsour's Mill
Themes & tags
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