Historian Beeson to trace exploits of local Revolutionary loyalist Col. David Fanning

Ryan Beeson

ASHEBORO – On March 12, 1782, Col. David Fanning and his Loyalist militia launched a violent raid against Patriot government and militia leaders in Randolph County.

Fanning’s “small scourge,” as he termed it, or “Bloody Sabbath,” saw Lt. Col. Andrew Balfour and Capt. John Bryant killed, a host of homes burned, and the narrow escapes of other officials.

Local historian Ryan Beeson will trace the rise of the notorious Tory commander in “Revolutionary Randolph: Col. David Fanning and the War at Home,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

His talk is free and the public is invited.

Fanning’s raid was the culmination of intense partisan warfare that gripped Randolph County and continued after the British surrender at Yorktown.

Beeson also will discuss the lives of the Patriots who opposed Fanning, and other characters of the era in Randolph County, and will provide an overview of the political landscape in the area at the time.

A Randolph County native, Beeson grew up on a dairy farm in Sophia, where he still resides. A history enthusiast, he spends his free time researching local history from the colonial era through the American Revolution.

A descendant of many early Quaker settlers of North Carolina, he also enjoys researching genealogy and Quaker history. He is a birthright member of Marlboro Friends Meeting, where he serves on Ministry & Counsel.

After graduating Randleman High School, he earned a B.A. in Political Science and a M.S. in Accounting from East Carolina University, where he served as president of the student body.

Beeson’s talk is the second of three on the Revolutionary War era. Wake Forest University History professor Dr. Warren Ruddiman will present a talk entitled, “Is This the Land of Liberty? Slavery in the War of American Independence,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

UNCG prof to consider ‘Beauty of Artificial Intelligence’ in Asheboro library talk

Dr. Chunjiang Zhu

ASHEBORO – Join UNCG Computer Science professor Dr. Chunjiang Zhu for “The Beauty of Artificial Intelligence,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Asheboro Public Library.

 Zhu will consider the concepts and applications of AI;  the societal impacts and ethical considerations; generative AI (which creates new content, such as text and images); and Large Language Models (which enable machines to analyze data and respond in human language).

Zhu specializes in algorithm design to solve problems in areas such as machine learning, drug development and cyber-physical systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the City University of Hong Kong.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

Holt’s photos to kick off series of Revolutionary War talks at Asheboro library

In one of Ross Holt's photos, the 2nd Continental Light
Dragoons fire a volley during a Guilford Courthousereenactment in 1989.

ASHEBORO – Get a glimpse of what the Revolutionary War looked like as Randolph County Public Libraries Director Ross Holt presents “Rise, and Fight Again: A Photographic Journey Through the American Revolution,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Holt’s talk will feature photographs of battle reenactments he has taken over a period of more than 35 years.

Holt developed an interest in the history of the era early in life, and in the mid-1980s began photographing reenactments at historic sites such as Guilford Courthouse and the House in the Horseshoe. Initially focusing on action shots, he became fascinated by the variety of military units represented by the reenactors, their uniforms and regalia, and the battlefield tactics of the day.

His talk, which takes place two days before the 244th anniversary of the battle of Guilford Courthouse, will be an episodic history of the war in this area told in terms — and pictures — of the brigades and regiments, legions and companies, that fought here.

The presentation is the first of three at the Asheboro library on the Revolution in March, April and May, as the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches in 2026. 

Picking up where Holt leaves off is local historian Ryan Beeson, with “Revolutionary Randolph: Col. David Fanning and the War at Home,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17. Beeson will track the exploits of the notorious Loyalist partisan leader who brought the war to Randolph County and left his mark at places like Faith Rock and the Andrew Balfour home site.

Following Beeson, Wake Forest University history professor Dr. Jake Ruddiman will present a talk entitled, “Is This the Land of Liberty: Slavery in the War of American Independence,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 (postponed from an earlier date). 

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 336-318-6803.