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North Carolina's Governors
Alexander Martin (ca. 1739-1807) served nonconsecutive terms as governor in the late eighteenth century. He was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and attended the what is now Princeton University. Around 1760 he moved to North Carolina and established himself as a merchant and lawyer in Salisbury. In 1770 Martin was one of several county officials attacked by Regulators at Hillsborough. In 1773 he relocated to a tract of land on the Dan River in present-day Rockingham County. Rising quickly to local prominence, he served in the colonial assembly, provincial congresses, and multiple terms in the state Senate. Martin's brief military career during the Revolution was marred by controversy. Named to succeed Robert Howe as commander of the Second Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Line, he was court-martialed for cowardice following the Battle of Germantown. Though acquitted, he resigned his commission and returned to North Carolina. As speaker of the Senate, Martin in 1781 assumed the office of governor during Thomas Burke's period of captivity, and in 1782, was elected over Samuel Johnston to the first of three consecutive terms in his own right. Seven years later, he was again elected to the first of three consecutive terms. As chief executive, Martin steered a moderate course, seeking consensus on major issues while defending the interests of western residents. Major accomplishments during his two administrations included the close of the Revolution, collapse of the breakaway "State of Franklin," chartering of the University of North Carolina, and establishment of Raleigh as the permanent state capital. At the end of his last term, Martin was elected to the U.S. Senate where he served for six years. Defeated for reelection in 1798, he returned to his Rockingham County home, "Danbury." Martin died there on November 2, 1807, and was interred on the grounds.
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