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Jethro Sumner Monument
Jethro Sumner
Guilford Courthouse

View complete article and references at Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina at: https://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/122

Description: This monument is a square-shaped stone structure, about 4 feet tall and bearing two inscriptions. One of which was on his gravestone erected by his daughter at his original burial place in Warren County. When the body was moved the second (and longer) inscription was created.

Inscription:
South face (original Inscription):

To the memory / of General / JETHRO SUMNER / one of the Heroes / of 76.

East face (added inscription):

BRIG. GEN. JETHRO SUMNER / BORN IN THE YEAR 1733 / DIED MARCH 18, 1785 / COLONEL OF THE THIRD NORTH CAROLINA / CONTINENTAL TROOPS / APRIL 15, 1776 / CHARLESTON, JUNE 28, 1776 / BRANDYWINE, SEPT. 11, 1776 / GERMANTOWN, OCT. 4, 1777 / MONMOUTHH, JUNE 28, 1778 / STONO FERRY, JUNE 20, 1779 / EUTAW SPRINGS, SEPT. 8, 1781 / Spotless in character, pure in patriotism / the most eminent soldier among / the North Carolina troops. / Presented by J.H. Neese

Dedication date: July 4th, 1891

Creator: b

Materials & Techniques: Granite

Sponsor: The original sponsor for monument was Sumner's daughter. J.P Neese sponsored the monument after it was moved to Guilford Battleground. The state of North Carolina made an appropriation for moving his body to Guilford from Warren County.

Unveiling & Dedication: Kemp P. Battle gave an address at the unveiling.

Subject notes: Sumner was born in Isle of Wight County in Virginia in 1733. He was a brigadier-general in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and fought under George Washington and Nathanael Greene. After the war, he is credited with creating North Carolina's chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati. He died March 18, 1785 in Warren County, North Carolina.

Former Locations: Warren County until 1891. Fifty dollars was appropriated by the Legislature of North Carolina for moving Sumner's body.

Landscape: Monument is on the Monument Row walking trail, north of the visitor center.

City: Greensboro

County: Guilford

Subjects: Revolutionary War

Latitude: 
36.13184
Longitude: 
-79.84694
Subjects: 
Origin - location: