Harmony Hall was built on land Elizabeth Herritage inherited from her father, William Herritage. William had convinced the North Carolina Colonial Assembly to locate the new town of Kingston (named after King George III; renamed Kinston after the Revolutionary War) on his land. Elizabeth and her husband, Captain Jesse Cobb, began building their home in 1772 when they were married, and by 1776, construction of the house was complete. That same year, Cobb left to fight in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilmington. By the time he returned home, Elizabeth had given birth to their son, John. Later that year Cobb left again to fight in the war, serving in the Continental Army with General George Washington during the New York and New Jersey campaign and winter at Valley Forge.