William Caswell (politician)

William Caswell (September 24, 1754 – January 6, 1785) was an American politician, lawyer, and planter. Besides service on state court benches, he represented Dobbs County in the North Carolina House of Commons from 1779 to 1784. He was also a senior officer who commanded militia during the American Revolution.

For other people named William Caswell, see William Caswell (disambiguation).

William Caswell
Member of the
North Carolina House of Commons
from Dobbs County
In office
1779–1784
Preceded byThomas Gray
Jesse Cobb
Personal details
Born(1754-09-24)September 24, 1754
Johnston County (present-day Lenoir County), North Carolina
DiedJanuary 6, 1785(1785-01-06) (aged 30)
Kinston, North Carolina
Spouse
Gathra McIlwaine
​
(m. 1782)​
ChildrenRichard William Caswell (son)
Parent
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceNorth Carolina militia
Years of service1775–1783
RankBrigadier General
CommandsThe Dobbs Regiment (1779)
Caswell's Brigade (1779–83)
Battles/warsAmerican Revolutionary War

Biography
William Caswell's boyhood home in Kinston, North Carolina (built 1772)

William Caswell, the son of Richard and Mary (née Mackilwean) Caswell, was born September 24, 1754, in Johnston County (present-day Lenoir County), North Carolina. He received training by apprenticeship in law and served as the register of deeds for Dobbs County. He attended the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774 with his father. Caswell was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons in 1779 (second session), 1780-1781, 1782, and 1784. After the American Revolution, he resided at his plantation, "Red House," near Kinston, where he died on January 6, 1785.[1]

During the American Revolutionary War, Caswell saw service as a brigadier general commanding Caswell's Brigade, North Carolina militia; appointed May 9, 1779 (1779-1783). Caswell previously served as an ensign in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment, commissioned September 1, 1775 (1775-1776); a captain in the 5th North Carolina Regiment (1776-1778); and Colonel of The Dobbs Regiment, North Carolina militia (1779), appointed 2nd colonel during the third quarter of 1778.[2]

References
  1. Holloman, Charles R. (1979). "William Caswell". Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, in NCPedia. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. Lewis, J.D. "William Caswell". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
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