Memorial to British Troops, Snow Hill

Source:  Memorial to British Troops, Snow Hill. Photo by P.G. Jordan

  • Monument Name

    Memorial to British Troops, Snow Hill

  • Type

    Plaque

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

  • City

    Snow Hill

  • County

    Alamance

  • Description

    The memorial was created by embedding an old mill grindstone upright in a square poured concrete foundation. A rectangular metal plaque is centered in the face of the grindstone.

  • Inscription

    A MEMORIAL TO BRITISH TROOPS WHO DIED IN / THE OLD MEETING HOUSE DURING CORNWALLIS’ / ENCAMPMENT HERE ON HIS RETREAT FROM / GUILFORD COURT HOUSE MARCH 1781.

    ERECTED BY TROOP 46 B.S.A. HENRY OVERMAN, / LEADER WHO DIED BEFORE COMPLETING IT.

  • Custodian

    Cane Creek Church

  • Dedication Date

    April 13, 1941

  • Decade

    1940s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.890080 , -79.445360

  • Supporting Sources

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite, concrete, metal

  • Sponsors

    Henry Overman and Boy Scout Troop 46

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    The Easter morning dedication ceremony included a memoriam to Henry J. Overman, leader of troop 46 who had died the previous year. A British flag donated by the King of England, George VI, through the efforts of Overman veiled the memorial prior to its dedication.

  • Subject Notes

    During General Cornwallis and his British troops retreat from the battle at Guilford Courthouse they camped behind the Cane Creek Meeting house. Some of the troops that had been wounded died in the meeting house and were buried in the cemetery.

    The memorial was the idea of Henry Jackson Overman who died unexpectedly at the age of 38 in August 1940. A school teacher, he was also nationally recognized for his work in rural Boy Scouting. The memorial was in progress when he died. In his possession at the time of his death was a flag given by the King of England to use in the memorial unveiling.

  • Location

    The marker is located in the cemetery of the Cane Creek Friends Meeting House. The church address is 719 West Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road, Snow Camp, NC 27349.

  • Landscape

    The open lawn of the cemetery behind the church is defined by roadways on two sides and a stand of mature trees on the other two sides.

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