John Armstrong (1735 – c. 1784) was an American soldier and land speculator from Surry County, North Carolina. During the American Revolutionary War he led units of the Surry County militia, advancing to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was in command of the 2nd North Carolina regiment at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September 1781.[citation needed] After the war he became a land registrar for North Carolina and was active in converting war service patent rights into land grants. He originated the survey and plat layout that became the town of Clarksville, Tennessee.