The Major Benjamin May Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized February 23, 1926 with 25 charter members and was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero, Major Benjamin May. Benjamin May settled on Black Swamp near the present town of Farmville. He received land grants totaling 1200 acres from the State of North Carolina. In 1773, Benjamin May was named as captain of the local regiment of Pitt County Militia. Governor Richard Caswell appointed him to be the 1st Major of the Pitt Regiment of Militia on July 30, 1779. On February 15, 1781, it is said that Benjamin May commanded the local militia at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Benjamin May represented Pitt County as a delegate to NC Provincial Congress in April and November, 1776.