Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Two North Carolina neighbors fought on opposite sides of the American Revolution, and their intertwining stories reveal why some historians call the struggle for independence America’s first civil war. From pension records and old maps, we piece together the lives of Dr. John Pyle and Col. John Luttrell, two men pulled into a war that turned their backcountry community inside out.
Homegrown History
Homegrown History is a multiyear public history initiative exploring North Carolina's rich past. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the inaugural year will focus on North Carolina’s history as it relates to the American Revolution. It is presented in conjunction with PBS America at 250 and America 250 NC, a statewide effort led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Learn more at pbsnc.org/HomegrownHistory
The Homegrown History Initiative is sponsored by SECU Foundation, funded by the members of State Employees’ Credit Union. Additional support provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, American Battlefield Trust and Duke Energy Foundation.
Subscribe to the PBS North Carolina channel so you never miss a story! @MyPBSNC
This program is made possible by viewers like you! Support PBS North Carolina today: pbsnc.org/donate
FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/MyPBSNC
Facebook: facebook.com/MyPBSNC
Email Newsletter: pbsnc.org/signup
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Two North Carolina neighbors fought on opposite sides of the American Revolution, and their intertwining stories reveal why some historians call the struggle for independence America’s first civil war. From pension records and old maps, we piece together the lives of Dr. John Pyle and Col. John Luttrell, two men pulled into a war that turned their backcountry community inside out.
Homegrown History
Homegrown History is a multiyear public history initiative exploring North Carolina's rich past. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the inaugural year will focus on North Carolina’s history as it relates to the American Revolution. It is presented in conjunction with PBS America at 250 and America 250 NC, a statewide effort led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Learn more at pbsnc.org/HomegrownHistory
The Homegrown History Initiative is sponsored by SECU Foundation, funded by the members of State Employees’ Credit Union. Additional support provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, American Battlefield Trust and Duke Energy Foundation.
Subscribe to the PBS North Carolina channel so you never miss a story! @MyPBSNC
This program is made possible by viewers like you! Support PBS North Carolina today: pbsnc.org/donate
FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/MyPBSNC
Facebook: facebook.com/MyPBSNC
Email Newsletter: pbsnc.org/signup
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: pbsnc.org/app
