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CURRIE — Moores Creek National Battlefield may be across the county line into Pender, but Duplin County played a critical role in America’s first decisive victory in the Revolutionary War. The patriots’ only fatality in the battle at Moores Creek was John Grady of Duplin County, who died a few days later due to injuries sustained in the skirmish. A monument to Grady stands today at the Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie.
James Kenan, a storied figure in the Revolutionary War from Duplin County, also participated in the battle.
That’s why the National Park Service is looking to include Duplin in its First in Freedom Festival, scheduled for Feb. 21-28, 2026.
Yes, it’s almost two years away, but plans are already in the works for the celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary — and the anniversary of the historic Battle of Moores Creek.
“The seven counties that touch Pender in some way, from Onslow, Duplin, Sampson, Bladen, Columbus, Brunswick and New Hanover, and Pender being in the middle, we’re putting together our first conceptual idea for a First in Freedom Festival, covering these eight counties,” explained Steven Roberts, America 250 coordinator for Moores Creek National Battlefield.
“In two years, we’re going to be celebrating the 250th anniversary not only of the battle here, but of the Halifax Resolves, the founding of our nation,” Roberts said. “We are trying to put together a humongous celebration at the state level, and of course, here at Moores Creek.”
The Battle of Moores Creek, which reportedly only lasted about three minutes, ultimately gave North Carolina the First in Freedom title that now dons many license plates. “With the Halifax Resolves, North Carolina was able to send its first delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence, being the first to actually make that step,” Roberts said. “Thus, first in freedom.”
There was no army stationed in the Moores Creek area at the time of the battle, so as Roberts said, “It was militia against militia. Some will refer to it as the first civil war because it was neighbor against neighbor.”
Most of the loyalists were Scottish Highlanders, who had to sign an oath of allegiance to the king in order to own land in North Carolina. They were armed mostly with broadswords and only a few muskets and pistols, while the patriots had an arsenal of muskets, a slider gun and two canons. So even though they were outnumbered, they soundly defeated the loyalists, killing at least 30 of the men.
While the First in Freedom Festival will focus heavily on the Battle of Moores Creek, it will also bring tourists to the adjoining counties, Roberts said. There will be something similar to the National Park Service’s passport cancellation program. “Basically, it’s like a passport book so when you go to a national park across the country, they will have a cancellation stamp so you can say, ‘oh, I’ve been there,’ just like a real passport,” he explained. “So the National Park Service has its passport program, but for this, we’re going to be essentially doing something very similar. Each county will have their events, so when you go to their event, you will basically get their cancellation stamp.”
The counties, in addition to neighboring Pender, are older than the United States in many cases. And it’s important to tell each of their stories.
“Part of the festival is we’re wanting to tell America’s story,” Roberts said. “Think about telling the untold stories, telling the under-told stories that have happened in the 250-plus years of America.”
To learn more or to find out how you or your organization can participate in this historic celebration, visit ncfirstinfreedomfestival.com.
