John Stokes

Who was John Stokes?

John Stokes was a North Carolina attorney, politician, and judge.

Stokes served in the North Carolina State Senate from 1786 to 1787 and in the North Carolina House of Commons in 1789, also serving at that time as a member of the North Carolina convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

John Stokes was born March 20, 1756 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. John Stokes was a well-educated man and later became an attorney with a private practice in Salisbury, North Carolina. He joined the Revolutionary Army and rose quickly through the ranks. Commissioned an ensign in the 6th Virginia Regiment on February 16, 1776, promoted to Second Lieutenant in July 1776, to First Lieutenant December 1776, and to Captain; February 20, 1778. He engaged in several battles and was based near Williamsburg. He went to South Carolina to help defend Charleston under command of Colonel Buford in 1780. Before arriving there they were attacked by a superior force under British General Tarlton at Waxhaw and suffered a disastrous defeat. Captain Stokes was severely wounded and taken captive.