Date Died: November 19, 1789

Place Buried: Kinston, North Carolina

Occupation: Surveyor, Lawyer

Richard Caswell became the first governor of the state of North Carolina. As a governor of an independent state during the Revolutionary War, he was busy organizing and equipping forces to fight guerrilla warfare in the west and to join the Continental force in the east. His inauguration as the first governor of the state occurred in New Bern to the sound of bells ringing and gunfire from the fort and harbor vessels.

After serving three years, he became comptroller for three years before being elected governor for a second term from 1784 to 1787. In 1787, he was one of North Carolina's delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. 

Next Governor - Abner Nash >>

Next Governor - Samuel Johnston >>