Page "Orange County, North Carolina" Paragraph 8

Governor William Tryon's conspicuous consumption in the construction of a new governor's mansion at New Bern fuelled the movement's resentment.

As the western districts were under-represented in the colonial legislature, it was difficult for the farmers to obtain redress by legislative means.

Ultimately, the frustrated farmers took to arms and closed the court in Hillsborough, dragging those they saw as corrupt officials through the streets and cracking the church bell.

Tryon sent troops from his militia to the region and defeated the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance in May 1771.

Several trials were held after the war, resulting in the hanging of six Regulators at Hillsborough on June 19, 1771.