The Battle of Lindley's Mill was fought a few hundred yards across the road from Lindley's Mill and was on the land of Thomas Lindley.

On September 14, 1781, at Lindley's Mill, General Butler and 300 Patriots attempted to rescue Governor Thomas Burke and thirteen others from David Fanning's 600 Loyalists. The previous day Fanning and 21 to 22 of his men had ridden into Hillsborough in broad daylight and captured the Governor. This battle is sometimes referred to as Cane Creek, which is nearby.

The battle was sparked by the action of the Loyalists who captured Governor Thomas Burke the day before the battle. He was governor of North Carolina at the time. They also captured thirteen high ranking Patriot officials, all of which they intended to turn over to British authorities at Wilmington, North Carolina. The Loyalists did turn them over after the battle.

This was a dreadful day for Thomas Lindley as well as all families involved in the battle. Tragically, several families including the Lindley family were split on which side to fight on. As a result of this, it pitted father against son, and brother against brother.

Thomas Lindley was 75 years of age at this time and it is believed that he died this day as a result of a heart attack or stroke, after seeing his family fighting among each other. After the battle the women tended to the wounded at Thomas Lindley's home as well as many others in the area, Tory or Whig, it did not matter.