Freebooter; born in
Wake county, N. C., about 1756; was a carpenter by trade, and led a vagabond life, sometimes trading with
Indians.
Late in the Revolution he joined the Tories, for the purpose of revenge for injuries inflicted upon him. He gathered a small band of desperadoes like himself, and laid waste whole settlements and committed fearful atrocities.
For these services he received the commission of lieutenant from the
British commander at
Wilmington.
So encouraged, he captured many leading Whigs, and hanged those against whom he held personal resentment.
At one time he captured a whole court in session, and carried off judges, lawyers, clients, officers, and some of the citizens.
Three weeks later he captured
Colonel Alston and thirty men in his own house, and soon afterwards, dashing into
Hillsboro, he captured
Governor Burke and his suite, and some of the principal inhabitants.
The name of
Fanning became a terror to the country, and he was outlawed.
At the close of the war he fled to
New Brunswick, where he became a member of the legislature.
About 1800 he was sentenced to be hanged for rape, but escaped, and died in
Digby, Nova Scotia, in 1825.
