When we conjure up thoughts of Independence Day, the year 1776 naturally springs to mind. It must be remembered, however, that our patriot founders’ bloody fight for secession from Great Britain’s control dragged on until 1783.
Though the war’s official end would come in September 1783 – after eight long years of struggle – the reality that the colonial forces would prevail began to dawn by the summer. But word that a preliminary treaty with England, and thus true independence, was at hand spread with varying speed across the land. The glad tidings reached the province of Craven in late June of that year.
Though fortunately spared the brunt of the battling suffered by some American cities and towns – such as Wilmington – New Bern had endured a dreadful Tory raid in 1781. During the attack, several ships, buildings and homes were burned, and famous townsman and Patriot leader Alexander Gaston was martyred by British gunfire on the Trent waterfront before the eyes of his own wife and children.
When word finally came that the worst was over, North Carolina’s colonial capital erupted in spontaneous jubilation. The prospects for peace were warmly embraced by all who had pulled together and sacrificed to make the American Revolution a success. Witnesses noted joy and relief among the populace evidenced by celebratory cannon fire and drumming, a military parade, feasting and drinking on the day and evening when the encouraging news reached New Bern. According to a young French visitor who recorded the events in his diary, happy people poured into town, pigs were barbecued and barrels of rum were tapped in a party – culminating in a spectacular bonfire – that went on into the night.
“The leading officials and citizens of the regions ate and drank with the [poorest] and lowest kind of people, holding hands and drinking from the same cup,” wrote traveler Francisco de Miranda. It got a little rowdy. Miranda noted that there were “some drunks, some friendly fisticuffs and one man was injured.”
Barrels were a ready commodity in a town with an economy enriched by the production and sale of turpentine, tar and pitch, otherwise known as “naval stores.” Some one-fifth of the male workers of the region were “coopers” (barrel-makers), so there’s little doubt there was plenty of fuel for the bonfire of old barrels that went up downtown on the night of June 17, 1783. Barrel bonfires were often created by stacking ascending circles of barrels in piles sometimes reaching several stories. Although exact details are lacking, reports in hand say that New Bern’s independence victory bonfire went up “at nightfall, the party ended and everyone retired to sleep.”
by Edward Ellis, Special Correspondent
Craven County native Eddie Ellis is a journalist, writer and historian. He’s the author of New Bern History 101 and other works about the area’s rich heritage.
More at edwardellis.com