The Liberty Point Resolves, also known as "The Cumberland Association", was a 
resolution signed by fifty residents of Cumberland County, North Carolina, early in 
the American Revolution.

On June 20, 1775, these Patriots, who had formed themselves into a group known 
simply as "The Association", met at Lewis Barge's tavern in Cross Creek (now part 
of Fayetteville) to sign a document protesting the actions of Great Britain following 
the battles of Lexington and Concord. The signers expressed the hope that Great 
Britain and the colonies would be reconciled, but vowed that, if necessary, they 
would "go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her 
freedom and safety". The resolves were thus not a declaration of independence—
public advocation for separation from Great Britain would not become common 
until 1776.

The period of the American Revolution was a time of divided loyalties in Cumberland 
County, and a considerable portion of the population, especially the Highland Scots 
who had immigrated in 1739, were staunchly loyal to the British Crown. Among them 
was the famous Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald. The Liberty Point document 
followed the similar Mecklenburg Resolutions by just a month and preceded the United 
States Declaration of Independence by a little more than a year.


The brief document read:

At a general meeting of the several Committees of the District of Wilmington, held at the 
Court-House in Wilmington, Tuesday, the 20th June, 1775:

Resolved, That the following Association stand as the Association of this Committee, and 
that it be recommended to the inhabitants of this District to sign the same as speedily as 
possible.

THE ASSOCIATION.

The actual commencement of hostilities against the Continent by the British Troops, in the 
bloody scene on the nineteenth of April last, near Boston; the increase of arbitrary impositions, 
from a wicked and despotick Ministry; and the dread of instigated insurrections in the 
Colonies, are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed People to the use of arms: We, 
therefore, the subscribers of Cumberland County, holding ourselves bound by that most sacred 
of all obligations, the duty of good citizens towards an injured Country, and thoroughly convinced 
that under our distressed circumstances we shall be justified before you in resisting force by 
force; do unite ourselves under every tie of religion and honour, and associate as a band in her 
defence against every foe; hereby solemnly engaging, that whenever our Continental or Provincial 
Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes 
to secure her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue in full force until, a reconciliation 
shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional principles, an event we 
most ardently desire. And we will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the Colonies 
who shall refuse to subscribe to this Association; and we will in all things follow the advice of 
our General Committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good 
order, and the safety of individual and private property.

Robert Rowan, who apparently organized the group, signed first. The names of other signers include 
those of families who made a deep imprint on the Cape Fear region, from colonial times onward: 
Barge, Powell, Evans, Elwell, Green, Carver, Council, Gee, Blocker, Hollingsworth.

The event is commemorated today by a memorial and plaque in downtown Fayetteville, near the 
corner of Bow and Person Streets.





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