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The History of Mecklenburg County from 1740 to 1900 E-Book

John Brevard Alexander

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Herausgeber: Jazzybee Verlag
Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
Sprache: Englisch

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The author spent much time and took great pains in looking up the early history of Mecklenburg, and left no stone unturned that might throw light on the character of those early patriots, who risked everything to establish independence. This was indeed a bold act, to sever all relations with the mother country, knowing that not to succeed, meant death on the gallows. The Rubicon was crossed, and they could not go back. Patriots of the county held many meetings and debated the question earnestly before the final meeting in Charlotte on the 19th and 20th of May, 1775. All the costs were counted, and each one knew what the consequences would be if they should fail. They were in desperate straits — either to live as slaves and submit to all the indignities of a subjudicated province, or make a declaration of independence, maintain their freedom by force of arms, trusting in the God of right. This last resolve was adopted, success was achieved, and Mecklenburg occupied the foremost place for patriotism in all this mighty continent. Strangle that a history of so remarkable a country should have been neglected so long, and only here and there a fugitive piece has been preserved; many things of note were enacted by patriots more than a century ago that are now faded from memory, that should have been preserved by those who lived at that time. It has been characteristic of North Carolinians to make history, but not to write it.

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Leseprobe

History Of Mecklenburg County From 1740 To 1900

JOHN BREVARD ALEXANDER

History of Mecklenburg County, John B. Alexander

Jazzybee Verlag Jürgen Beck

86450 Altenmünster, Loschberg 9

Deutschland

ISBN: 9783849658250

www.jazzybee-verlag.de

[email protected]

PREFACE

To those who do me the honor of reading the history as prepared, it is necessary that I should, say I am indebted in greater or less degree, to Foot’s Sketches of North Carolina, Wheeler’s History of North Carolina, Martin’s History, written between 1791 and 1809, but not published till a later date; also I am indebted to manuscripts of Mrs. H. M. Irvin, deposited in the archives of the Mecklenburg Historical Society; also largely to manuscripts of Lyman Draper, of Wisconsin. Prof. Draper spent much time and took great pains in looking up the early history of Mecklenburg, and left no stone unturned that might throw light on the character of those early patriots, who risked everything to establish independence. This was indeed a bold act, to sever all relations with the mother country, knowing that not to succeed, meant death on the gallows. The Rubicon was crossed, and they could not go back. Patriots of the county held many meetings and debated the question earnestly before the final meeting in Charlotte on the 19th and 20th of May, 1775. All the costs were counted, and each one knew what the consequences would be if they should fail. They were in desperate straits — either to live as slaves and submit to all the indignities of a subjudicated province, or make a declaration of independence, maintain their freedom by force of arms, trusting in the God of right. This last resolve was adopted, success was achieved, and Mecklenburg occupied the foremost place for patriotism in all this mighty continent. Strangle that a history of so remarkable a country should have been neglected so long, and only here and there a fugitive piece has been preserved; many things of note were enacted by patriots more than a century ago that are now faded from memory, that should have been preserved by those who lived at that time. It has been characteristic of North Carolinians to make history, but not to write it.

In writing the History of Mecklenburg County, I find it very difficult not to trespass on the confines, of neighboring counties, and not to follow people who have gone out from our borders. The history of a State, or a county, is almost entirely the history of the people who constitute the inhabitants; all that part of Mecklenburg county, or the greater portion of the county, was settled with the Scotch-Irish, but the part that was given to form Cabarrus, had many of German extraction. This eastern border was trimmed in 1791, and the southeastern section was lopped off to form Cabarrus county, was peopled with the Scotch-Irish, the same people that populated Mecklenburg.

In the years 1830 to 1855, quite a large emigration of our people to all of the Western States was effected, that was to the detriment of our county, but tended to the advancement of all the interests of the States to which they migrated. From the latter period, but a small per cent, moved away — in comparison to the number that moved previously. From the location, being placed in the southern part of the Piedmont section, filled with the best of immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, inheriting a love of freedom that had come to them through a long line of ancestors who had suffered much, for their love of freedom to worship God according to the di states of their consciences, they were exceedingly fortunate in having Mr. Alexander Craighead, providentially sent to instruct them how to resist all kingly oppression, both in ecclesiastical and civil affairs. Notwithstanding he ceased from his labors nine years before the great convention of May 20, 1775, the doctrines he advocated with so much earnestness from the pulpit, and in his pastoral visits, found lodgment in good and honest hearts of all the people who sat at his feet and learned of him. Through the instruction given by this great man, though rejected by Maryland and Pennsylvania, and urged to leave these States, was gladly accepted by the people here, whereby the county of Mecklenburg became the cradle of liberty for the Western world. The seven churches he was instrumental in forming, contributed most of the men who signed the immortal Declaration of Independence.

It is now the part of patriotism for the descendants of those who endorsed the work of that ever memorable 20th of May, as well as the descendants of the committee who signed the famous resolutions then adopted, to hold them up as patriots in deed, who took a decided stand for liberty more than a year before the colonies declared themselves free and independent of Great Britain.

This act is enough for any people to be proud of, and had it occurred in ancient times, the participants would have been knighted, if not deified. And it is with sincere regret that any citizen of Mecklenburg county should deny the truth of so well established a fact, by records of court, the statements of several of the signers themselves, and by men who were not participants but were present; two of whom were Maj. Gen. Joseph Graham and Rev. Dr. Humphrey Hunter, both of whom were present, but not signers, both being under age, but both in the patriot army.

The love of country, which has always been a crowning virtue in the people of Mecklenburg, could be seen in the Revolutionary period, and in the war of 1812-14, when England claimed the “right of search in the war with Mexico, and last but by no means least, the war between the States, when our county sent to the front more than 2,700 men. She is always first in a good cause, and last to let go. For the last forty years she has devoted her whole attention to building up her shattered fortunes, and educating her children. For seven years after the close of the war between the States, not a public school was taught in the county; our people needed schools, but we lived for a while under the iron heel of despotism. But, now we hear of education on every side, and civilization is progressing with steam and electricity, so it is hard to keep up with the procession. Our old civilization is fast disappearing, giving way for the new. War is no longer a coveted art in the South, but its opposite is in the lead, and peace will soon have her victories that will far exceed those that formerly belonged to the red flag of war.

The middle of the last century brought in many changes in the workings of our civilization; our people till then nearly all lived on their farms, raised their own supplies, save their sugar, coffee, salt, molasses, etc. All of our ordinary clothing was spun and woven at home. Every community had its own tanyard, and every farmer (of consequence) had their own shoemaker. In fact we were able to live within ourselves. The women knit all our hose; if flannel shirts were needed, they were made of home-made flannel. A great deal of attention was paid to the raising of sheep; fine wool was in demand for making fine flannel, and for making wool hats. Much attention was given to procure the best breed of hogs, cows, horses; even attention was given to the best strain of poultry, chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks. We did not have such a variety to select from, but the poultry and hogs did not have cholera; and I never heard of cows being affected with phthisis, or consumption. The last twenty-five years have added to the ills of humanity, as much as to the sufferings of the domestic animals.

The affection known as “appendicitis,” was unknown twenty-five years ago, even in the medical books, but has become quite common not only in Mecklenburg, but throughout the country. This is probably offset by smallpox becoming mild, and is dreaded not so much as measles; hence it is but little talked about, although it has scarcely been absent from Charlotte in the past six months.

It is well for the children to know the history of Mecklenburg, for no other territory of the same size in the United States has such a glorious record to hold before her people. Charlotte was properly named by Lord Cornwallis, “A Veritable Hornets’ Nest,” and she will ever be jealous of her rights, in whatever way or form she may be attacked. Let her children learn her history, and it will be safe from those who would traduce her fame. There is no safer custodian to preserve her priceless treasure than the descendants of those heroes who won for us the Constitutional Liberty we enjoy to-day.

Charlotte , N. C., August , 1902.

J. B. A.

Early Settlement.

With what complacency we could look back upon the early years of our county, if a memorandum had been kept of the first inhabitants, what they did, how they educated their children, how far apart the neighbors lived, their first temples of worship, how services were conducted, did the aborigines join in the praise to God, the giver of life and every blessing, or did they sullenly look on as if they were infringing upon their inalienable rights, as if they were taking unwarranted liberties that no one had ever dared to do before. The settlement of the State began near the coast and gradually extended west. The eastern section of the State was populated a century before Mecklenburg was named, or steps were taken to lay off meets and bounds to form a county. In that early period there was no occasion for hurry, and everything moved slowly.

But few people moved to this section of the State prior to 1740, that is between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers. The boundary off Mecklenburg was marked off in 1762 — that is, the eastern, southern and western borders; the northern or northwestern was not marked off, but was left open to see where it would be settled up, so as to draw the boundary line. In the next twenty years there was a great immigration to this settlement from Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a few from Ireland and Germany. And in 1762 when the boundary lines were run, quite a population occupied the territory that was called Mecklenburg county, and its county seat was called Charlotte in honor of the reigning family.

Not until 1742 did the tide of immigration turn toward this part of North Carolina, and even at this period it was light to what it was twenty years later. In 1750-56, many people of more than ordinary standing, thought to improve their condition in many ways by seeking homes in the Piedmont region that is now traversed by the great Southern Railway, between the Yadkin and Catawba. In this early period, about 1740, a man by the name of Thomas Spratt, said to be the first who ever crossed the Yadkin with wheels, settled near where Pineville is now located; and his daughter, who married William Polk, the first white child born in what was afterwards called Mecklenburg, between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers.

This must have been a lovely picture, when the whole country was covered with tall grass, the wild pea vines and the flora that was indigenous to the soil, disturbed only by the wild Indian and the great herds of buffalo and deer, and such wild animals and fowls as found a congenial home in so temperate a climate. At this period every branch, creek and river was alive with fish; and as they sported in the clear waters in the balmy springtime, they seemed to join in with all nature to invite immigrants into this lovely country.

In 1740, this part of the State was wholly unorganized, with only here and there an immigrant or settler. A school-house or a 'house of worship was then not dreamed of. In 1752, Rev. John Thompson, a preacher of the Presbyterian faith, held service under a wide-spreading oak near the house of Richard Barry, fourteen miles northwest of where Charlotte was ten years later laid off, and established as the county seat of Mecklenburg. This was on the Beattiesford road in the direction of the mountains.

About this time several young men came into this neighborhood and located. The most prominent of whom was Samuel Wilson, from England. He was highly educated, a man of considerable wealth; in fact he belonged to the upper class in England, and was visited by his kinsman, Sir Robert Wilson, of aristocratic lineage; but in those days it took so long to cross the ocean, the visit was never repeated.

Samuel Wilson’s first wife was Mary Winslow, a daughter of Moses and Jean Osborne Winslow. His second wife was the widow Howard (we could not find out her maiden name). His third wife was Margaret Jack, a sister of James Jack. His first and third wives were of the best families in America, and I have reason to believe his second — from her posterity — was equal to his first and last. Maj. John Davidson married Violet, a daughter of the first wife. John and Mary Davidson, children of Robert Davidson and Isabella Ramsay Davidson, of Pennsylvania, after their father’s death, moved into North Carolina on the Yadkin near where the town of Salisbury now stands. Here the widow Davidson married Mr. Henry Henry, a graduate of Princeton, who was engaged in teaching in that section. Here John and Mary were educated, and John learned the blacksmith trade, and when he reached his majority he and his sister Mary moved from Rowan to Mecklenburg in 1760, just in time to secure an elegant home on the Catawba river, four miles west of where Hopewell church was built two years later. From this alliance of John Davidson and Violet Wilson sprang, a posterity of as good people, and probably as numerous as can be found in the State. They were very intelligent, believers in education, were very industrious and were noted for accumulating property. They exercised quite a beneficent influence in their section of the county, and were friends to internal improvement.

Early Recollections of Charlotte.

My earliest recollections of Charlotte and the inhabitants of the town will scarcely go back to the fortieth mile-post of the Nineteenth century. I was born ten miles north of the town, one mile from where Alexandriana Post-office was kept for one hundred years. But alas, alas, the time came when the people could no longer spell Alexandriana, and the old revolutionary post-office had its name changed to Croft. It has but one redeeming trait — it is short and easy to spell, and that is considered of vast importance in this money-loving age. But it is lacking in euphoney, and more than that, the first original name of the post-office had many interesting reminiscences clustering around its antiquity that were interesting to those who cared to preserve historic facts. But we live in an age that cares for none of these things. It is only here and there that we meet with those who love to look towards the setting sun and gather up his effulgent rays as he goes down and bids good night to the gorgeous day of a well-spent life, where these glories will forever bloom and be appreciated by those spirits who dared to be free. I am aware that many persons have but little respect for what they are pleased to call a rehash of olden times, that are now considered antiquated fables. But in speaking of my earliest recollections of Charlotte and the people who lived in the town, I know you will excuse me if I also bring forward the names of some who lived in the county. In fact, when I first remember the town, it was a small affair, although it had been in existence eighty years. At this time I presume it numbered not more than 1,500 inhabitants, counting slaves and all. For the first fifty years of Charlotte’s existence, not a denominational church was established in the town, but all denominations used one church in common.

The Hon. William Davidson gave the lot for a cemetery and I presume he gave the lot where now stands the First Presbyterian church; at any rate a house for any person to worship, without regard to what denomination should conduct worship. What year this was begun, I cannot say; but it was prior to 1818. The lot and church did not pass into the hands of the Presbyterians until the summer of 1832.

While the congregation enjoyed the stated preaching of Mr. Morrison once in three weeks, an interesting revival occurred among the people in which he was assisted by Messrs. Furman and Barns, of the Baptist Church, and by Rev. Mr. Levenworth. On the fourth Sabbath of August, 1833, thirty-six persons connected themselves with the church, which was at that time organized, and David Parks and Nathan B. Carroll were appointed elders. Rev. Mr. Levenworth was engaged in teaching a female school of a high order. The academy — a large brick structure — occupied the lot now owned by Mr. J. H. Carson. He was employed as stated supply, or pastor of the Presbyterian church. At this time no other denomination had a foothold in the town. About 1840 a Baptist church was built on Fourth street (which in a few years was sold to Alexander Springs and moved to Third street, nearly opposite the new court-house) , and a new brick church built on the corner of Brevard and Seventh streets. The prominent members when first started were Rev. Joe Pritchard, father of the late Rev. Dr. Pritchard (and I will mention the fact that he was a great believer in Millerism; he afterwards moved west). Rev. Dr. Pritchard, who recently died, served the church very acceptably for several years and was much esteemed by all classes.

Dr. Steven Fox and his family, Dr. Torrence, Wmi. Cook, Mr. Boon (who kept a shoe store), Benjamin Smith, and Leonard Smith, with their families, were prominent members of the Baptist church about 1855, and later Rev. Jones organized the Baptist church at this point. During the days of reconstruction, 1865-71, great uneasiness was felt for fear the negroes should be influenced by the Yankees to appropriate the church and all its property for their use.

That was a time in which might made right in ecclesiastical affairs as well as State rule. But they fortunately were induced to build in another quarter of the town. They (the white people) had about seven white heads of families and several hundred negroes — together the whites were in a hopeless minority. However, the denomination has prospered as a Christian people should.

The Methodist church here appears to have started about 1845. Dr. David R. Dunlap, a highly educated gentleman of the old school, had been raised and trained in the Presbyterian Church, married a Miss Jennings, and after her death he was so well pleased with her family, that he married a sister of his first wife, which was against their rules of church government, and consequently he was turned out of the church. He therefore cast about in his mind where he should go; he did not wish to join the Baptists, and he could not ask the Presbyterians for reinstatement, consequently he believed the time had come for the establishment here of the Methodist Church. Dr. Dunlap and Mr. Leadwell were probably the first members, and in a short time more were added to their numbers; and they built a church on the corner of College and Seventh streets, and have continued to flourish as an evangelical church should do, Although they had much to contend with, they have been abundantly blessed.

The Episcopal church commenced laying the foundation for a local habitation three quarters of a century ago. They occasionally had preaching in the common house of worship, which was for all and everyone who chose to worship, until 1832; after this they were without a place till a lot and small house on West Trade street was secured about 1845.

The A. R. Presbyterians and Lutherans were last getting a start, but in later years have made a growth that has been by no means disheartening. The Roman Catholic Church, as an organization at least, is second only to the Presbyterians in having an early start. In the latter part of the Eighteenth and first part of the Nineteenth century, no great progress was made in the religious life. On a page close to the beginning of the Twentieth century, I will 'have more to sav with regard to the religion of the town.

PHYSICIANS.

Charlotte has never been afflicted with a dearth of physicians, as far back as we can trace a doctor’s practice. In 1815 Dr. McKenzie was the leading physician for a number of years; and from the reputation that he sustained, it is inferred that he was well qualified for the responsible position he occupied. In 1822, Dr. D. T. Caldwell commenced the practice of medicine. He formed a partnership with Dr. McKenzie. One of the partners would go and see the patients on the south of town, and the other would go and see those on the north side. They would see all the patients every other day. This was the era of bleeding. Dr. Caldwell said that if he met a fresh case and failed to bleed from any cause, he felt sure McKenzie would bleed him to-morrow. If any case was doubtful, they would compromise by leeching. Forty years ago it was a common sight to see two or more jars two-thirds full of water with a quantity of leeches floating about ready for use, in the drug store.

Dr. Dunlap came later to Charlotte, and built up a lucrative practice, which he held for many years. He told me he was once sent for to see a man who had been tapped for dropsy, and his doctor got tired going so often to tap him, and had roughened a goose quill by scraping it both ways and then inserted it so the fluid would run out as fast as it would collect. Of course it lighted up an inflammation that soon carried him off.

Dr. Tom Harris came about 1840, or probably earlier. He was a large, fleshy man, immensely popular, did a large practice. He died early, in the midst of his usefulness. He and Drs. D. T. and P. C. Caldwell had formed a partnership that was not only pleasant, but profitable. They had several young men prepare for the medical college, and I never knew one to fail that had this trio for preceptors. Dr. C. J. Fox, Dr. Robert Gibbon, Dr. Macilwaine, were all just budding into practice as the century was half over. Drs. Gibbon and Fox were active members of the profession, and lived long to enjoy the honors of their patrons and reap the benefits of a well-spent life. Dr. Macilwaine did not remain long in Charlotte — went to Florida.

Dr. J. M. Davidson spent a long life here, but only engaged in the practice of medicine more as a past-time than as a life pursuit. Gibbon and Fox were the only ones who pretended to surgery, or were equipped for whatever came along. It was my fortune to be with Dr. Gibbon during the war between the States — in the same brigade with him — and I can say without hesitation, he was the finest operator in surgery that I have ever met with. He was ambidextrous, never thought of turning the patient around, but would simply take the knife in the other hand.

Dr. E. H. Andrews, a dentist, came to Charlotte about 1846, from Virginia — educated in Baltimore. He was a man of pleasant manners, and well qualified for dental work. He kept his home office here, but traveled over several counties. He was quite a mineralogist, had a collection worth several thousand dollars. He was fond of talking mineralogy, and spent much time conversing with his friends. In his time there was not much dental work to do. The civilization of the present era will have much to be thankful for, for the work furnished the dentists of the Twentieth century.

About this time (say in 1845) the business part of town was small indeed. The grocery business was undeveloped, or rather we should say was unthought of. Salt, whiskey, molasses, sugar, and cheese was about all the groceries that were usually kept in an inland town. These were kept in a dry goods house. Nearly everything that a farmer wanted could be found in an ordinary store. Irwin & Elms kept where Woodall & Sheppard now have a drugstore; Leroy Springs in the east corner, where R. H. Jordan’s drug store is now; H. B. & L. S. Williams, Richard Carson, one door south; Mr. Allison, where Burwell & Dunn now have a drug store; David Parks, where Gray-Reese Drug Co.’s store is now. I think these about all the mercantile houses in the town. At this time probably every store was hung overhead with bales or bunches of yarn for the chain or warp of a web; nearly every farmer’s wife had a loom to weave cloth for all on the farm. In the early part of the century nearly ever article of clothing was spun and woven at home; and during the Confederate war our soldiers were largely clothed with the “fruit of looms,” made by the good women of the South. The old-fashioned loaf sugar wrapped with twine around blue paper, was hung overhead. This sugar was known as loaf sugar, and used on Sunday morning to sweeten “bought” tea, and probably a little of it was used to sweeten morning dram of brandy or rum. Before the middle of the century almost every gentleman kept his decanters filled up and every person (of respectability) was invited to take a social glass. But those days of close friendship by neighborhoods have passed, and the young people know but little of the customs that ceased fifty years ago. Dry goods stores all kept iron — that is bars of iron, slabs of iron for making bull-tongues; large slabs, eight to twelve inches wide by one inch thick, for big, heavy plows, one or two-horse plows. These were for breaking the ground and preparing it for crops. At this time, the blacksmith was looked upon as an artist. There was no such thing as a hardware store. The smith had to forge out of the raw material every tool that was used in cultivating the farm; shoes and nails to protect the horse’s feet; and every hinge for the doors and window shutters, and every nail to build the house, and to put on the roof with. It was a tedious job to make nails for a large roof and all the fastenings. All large farmers had a screw plate for cutting screws for their plows and wagons. The civilization is very different now from what is was in the early years of the century. Cooking pots and ovens and lids, a big fireplace and sometimes a Dutch oven, were the only cooking vessels then in use in either town or country. Often the cooking utensils were so scarce that the same skillet would have to do double duty, as heating coffee water, then bake the bread, and last, fry the ham. But the people never thought it a hardship, for they never heard of any other way and were happy to continue in the way their parents trod many years before. It is only the restlessness and dissatisfaction with their condition that make improvements.

As the women of our country constitute the best part of our population, I will mention names and facts of those who exercised an untold influence on the fashions and learning of both town and county, in the first half of the Nineteenth century. There may have been an earlier caterer to ladies’ fashions than Mrs. Porter, but if so no record has been preserved. She had her millinery shop on the west side of North Try on street, near the Hunt building. She had a great many hot house plants in boxes, a lemon, an orange tree — in fact, the house was filled with rare plants, besides a feathered songster that appeared to be the pet of the shop. I was 8 or 10 years old, and probably rode behind my aunt for company, hardly for protection, to town to get the latest and prettiest fashions for ladies' wear, and probably to have some work done. Ladies in town and country were in the habit of doing their own sewing, except on rare occasions, when they would call on an expert. Weddings were as popular in the first half of the century as in the closing years. It was a rare occurrence to marry in a church, or to go on a bridal trip after marriage. Horseback riding was the only way of traveling sixty years ago, and but few ladies would prefer a trip of this kind to rounds of pleasure, as were frequently given in many houses in a neighborhood, lasting a week.

Female education was not encouraged with much spirit during the first seventy-five years of Charlotte’s existence. In this early period, when children of school age were not so plentiful as in later years, they always had mixed schools.

People who were in affluent circumstances, and could afford to give their daughters a higher education than could be obtained in the common schools of the country, had a fine opportunity to patronize the Moravian school in Salem. This institution was much sought after and patronized from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, in the first half of the century. But here for the same reason that male schools did not flourish, we might say that female schools lagged behind. Mrs. S. D. Nye Hutchison, a Northern lady who had earned quite a reputation as a teacher in Raleigh and other places, was induced to teach here, with Miss Sarah Davidson as music teacher. A suitable house was erected on the square now occupied by Mr. J. H. Carson, and the school commenced in 1836. For some three years the school was well attended, and was regarded as very prosperous. After Mrs. Hutchison ceased to teach, Miss Sarah Davidson continued to teach music for many years. In May, 1846, the Rev. Cyrus Johnston was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church and also took charge of the female school, with Miss Sarah Davidson. This school was run with more or less regularity till Mr. Johnston was removed by death.

Male schools in the town were not first-class. Occasionally an excellent teacher was employed for a term or two, but not for a permanent school. A teacher by the name of Murphy, in the early forties, gave general satisfaction for a term or two; then a man by the name of Denny for a short time gave general satisfaction, but thinking that a better paying school could be had out in the county, he engaged a school in Steel Creek, but being under the influence of an evil star, he unmercifully whipped a small boy, for which his father fell afoul of him with a wagon whip and lifted him every step for fifty yards, when the father gave out; but our quondam teacher did not stop this side of Guilford.

Also the services of Mr. Alison were secured for a short time, and several others whose names I cannot now recall. To perpetuate the history of a town, county or State, it is necessary that a chair of history, or some fundamental law of the land be enacted to take note of the passing events in each county of the State, so that important steps or epochs be not lost, and the people be posted as to what is good, and warned against what is bad.

Gen. D. H. Hill, Gen. Jas. H. Lane, and Col. C. C. Lee taught a first-class military school here just before the Confederate war, in which not only the teachers, but their pupils took a very active part. Col. Thomas was principal of the military academy after the war, when the reconstruction times were over. Before we have finished this episode, in a more appropriate place, we will recur again to this most remarkable time that has never had its parallel since civilization dawned upon the Anglo-Saxon race.

In the earlier years of the country — say from 1780 to 1840 — there was a fine school run at all the seven churches through the county, and consequently when these congregational schools were kept in full blast, but little opportunity was left for a school in the village. From the location of these seven churches it is evident that Mecklenburg was better off in the way of schools than probably any other county in the State.

In this day of the most advanced civilization the world ever saw, if our people would only reflect that their ancestors one hundred years ago eat out of pewter dishes, drank their dittany or sassafras tea out of the plainest delft, used an iron or pewter spoon, the most ordinary knives and two-prong forks made of iron with buck-horn handles. A family was fortunate to have any kind of table cutlery. Most people used their fingers. Up to 1845 steel knives and two prong forks were used by the most fashionable and wealthy people in our midst. All the silverware used prior to 1850 was made at the homes of wealthy people. Silversmiths traveled about and got jobs wherever they could find work, carrying their tools with them. The inhabitants of Charlotte town were like their country cousins, only dependent on them for what they had to buy. But in the olden times every good citizen expected to cultivate a farm, raise his own cows, hogs and chickens. Up to the middle of the last century, Charlotte furnished a very limited market for country produce. Until the advent of the railroad, which first entered the town in 1852, but little was brought here for sale. Ever since then it has grown to be a market for everything that is raised, for home consumption or shipped to larger markets. During the first half of the Nineteenth Century cooking utensils were as scarce and as difficult to get as convenient tableware. When brass kettles were first used only the wealthy, or those in easy circumstances could afford to use them, but had to be careful not to leave anything acid in them, but were useful in many things around the fireplace where cooking was being done. The Johnnie Cake was extremely fashionable by the well-to-do, but it has almost disappeared as cooking utensils have multiplied. It was made of corn meal, salt, lard, and made up with hot water or milk, and baked on a board set before the fire leaning against a sad iron, rock or brick. As soon as well browned, it was buttered and served hot.

Waffle irons were considered necessary before you could have a well-appointed cook-kitchen. People were as expert at preparing an elegant dinner, or setting a beautiful supper table one hundred years ago as now, although they did not have the conveniences that we now think are necessities.

It is important to mention the court-house, the place where justice has been meted out between man and man for such a length of time, and punishment for offences against the peace and dignity of the State. The first court-house ever built in the county was in the public square where Trade and Try on streets cross. It was built upon square posts, or columns, some eight or ten feet high, then built up with hewn logs a convenient height. This house was honored with being the birthplace of the first Declaration of Independence that was ever flung to the breeze in the western world. It afterwards witnessed a hard fight and bloodshed between the American and British forces on the 26th of September, 1780. By being built upon posts, any one in passing could have a shelter to protect them from sunshine or rain. This house was built about 1767, and was replaced by a brick one in the year 1810, when it gave way to an up-to-date one on West Trade street, in 1845. Here the courts were held for more than fifty years. This house was used for public meetings of various kinds, such as county political conventions, public speakings, railroad meetings and railroad speeches; in fact for a long time it was as a public hall, and was free to all.

The new court-house just finished as the Nineteenth Century was about to close, was built on the ground where formerly stood Queen’s Museum, an educational institution that the patriotic people of Mecklenburg tried hard to establish on a firm basis, but England refused to grant a charter. Although it was in charge of graduates of Princeton, Dr. McWhirter and Ephraim Brevard, M. D., and other men of ability, but it 'had not encouragement from home influence But one young man ever received a diploma from the institution, and in September, 1780, when Lord Cornwallis visited town, Queen’s Museum was used as a hospital, and the yard as a burying ground for their soldiers that were killed in battle, and were picked off by the ever vigilant patriots. In digging the foundation for the present court-house, several skeletons were exhumed which called to mind the stirring times that occurred one hundred and twenty years ago. Now the grounds are graced by a handsome court-house, with ail the recent apartments for filing away papers, court records in fireproof vaults, that will probably answer all purposes for another century.

MONUMENT TO SIGNERS.

Immediately in front of this majestic building has been erected a handsome monument commemorating the memory of those immortal signers of the Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775.

This monument ought to have been erected one hundred years ago, before those old heroes who participated in the great event had all passed away.

In the first fifty years of the Nineteenth Century there was not a man in the county who had the bold effrontery to deny the action of those patriotic men; but now to deny the declaration of May 20, 1775, is fashionable with those who do not want to know the truth.

The old pillory and stocks passed away with State’s rights, so with the whipping post. The people who triumphed in the war between the States — who believed that “might made right,” and acted accordingly, and so many thousands, or I say truthfully, hundreds of thousands were guilty of stealing, thinking that someday they would be held amenable to the law, they forbade corporal punishment, such as whipping or cutting off the ears, putting them in the stocks lest they should start a race whose backs and ears wore the brand of infamy. The penitentiary has been substituted for all these forms of punishment, and has proved much less effective than the old-fashioned way of applying the lash to the bare back, as in ante-bellum times. Since our people have become somewhat yankeeized, there is considerable opposition to capital punishment or hanging; but the common people are disposed — in flagrant cases — to take the law into their own hands and mete out justice swiftly. We cannot say when the old jail, at the corner of Tryon and Sixth streets, was built, but it served the purpose for many years, with stocks and whipping post in the yard, Where everyone who wanted could see. The gallows was out in the eastern part of the city, at that time an old field. Up to the war all executions were public, believing the example would have a wholesome effect on the multitude; but it is not a settled question yet how the extreme penalty of the law should be carried out, so as to be a warning to others. The old prison has been converted into two handsome stores on the ground floor, and the second and third stories for a first-class boarding house. All west of this point fifty years ago, except the First Church lot and cemetery, was old field and chinquapin bushes.

May 20, 1775.

Mecklenburg county was populated with a race of people not a whit behind any others on the American continent. They were independent by nature, having no one to lean upon or to appeal to; they were considering well the question if they had not paid taxes long enough to the mother country, and had received but oppression when protection was looked for; they got weary of being taxed and never represented in their Parliament. In 1758, Rev. Alexander Craighead was driven from Maryland for preaching against kingly authority. He supposed that he would find friends in Pennsylvania, but his hopes were soon dispelled, for he was promptly told that such doctrine was disagreeable, and that he must move on. The tendency at that time was to move South, not to get too far away from the coast. Mr. Craighead came down into North Carolina and accepted a call from Rocky River and Sugar Creek churches. This was three years before any church was organized in all this section of country. With the help of Revs. McWhirter, McAden and other missionaries, the noted seven churches were organized in 1762 or thereabouts, at all of which places it is more than probable that Mr. Craighead preached. He was a man of great energy. Wherever 'he could get a congregation he would preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and instruct the people that it was their duty to resist tyranny; that we should resist paying taxes without representation. Here he found willing and eager listeners. In 1762 the county was surveyed and soon a county government was organized. Among the first things done was to lay off military precincts, and enroll all the males from 18 to 45 to bear arms as the militia of the colony. These companies were permitted to elect their own officers, to serve as long as their physical condition permitted.

The best men in the county were elected officers in the militia. Another committee was appointed called “The Committee of Safety,” to look after the safety of the country. When the county was well organized, the great leader, Mr. Craighead, was called home after a life well spent in laying the foundation for American independence, 1766. His body was laid to rest in the first graveyard of Sugar Creek church. Has Mecklenburg ever had his equal to point out the way to independence, to a representative government, one that is the friend of the oppressed and that has grown in one hundred and twenty-five years to be the first power in wealth and influence in the world? Mr. Craighead’s influence can only be measured by what followed. He laid the foundation of its future greatness. After his demise, the good men that he had trained in both religion and patriotism, consulted often, in regularly appointed places, what would be best for the country, which was fast ripening into freedom, and soon to take her place in the great family of free and independent States.

Mecklenburg was more fortunate than other counties, in that her citizens had been taught that liberty and independence were necessary to achieve the highest aims in life. The frequent conferences were held by the leaders of public opinion where it was convenient. Three of the noted places where this Committee of Safety were in the habit of meeting was at the residences of Robert Irwin, of Steel Creek; Abram Alexander, of Sugar Creek; and John McKnitt Alexander, of Hopewell. Here at these places was the question of independence discussed, and the people were gotten ready for action. The militia officers were men of rank, elders in the church, were leading men, justices of the peace, ministers of the Gospel, etc.

Everything, both public and private, tended to Independence. In the year 1771, the people of Alamance were so oppressed with high taxes that they rebelled against Governor Tryon. The country was wild with excitement, and the men organized companies to defend themselves against the royal troops from New Bern. In the meantime Mecklenburg was not idle, but sent troops to aid the patriots of Alamance; but the battle was over and the patriots routed before the Mecklenburg contingent arrived. Hence our troops returned, and as evidence that they would bear true allegiance to Great Britain in the future, the governor had them sworn to support the crown. This oath was the source of much trouble to the conscience of many good people, when, a few years later, they were about taking steps to dissolve all ties that bound us to the mother country. They were at last persuaded that when England had ceased to protect them, they were under no obligations to abide by the oath formerly taken; that a contract broken by one side ceases to be binding on the other. This solution gave general satisfaction to every true patriot.

In the summer of 1771, the good people of Lincoln county gave a picnic to the people of that county. The excitement in Mecklenburg arising from swearing her militia to bear true allegiance to the crown, could not be passed over in silence. So, when the day for the picnic came, a large party from Mecklenburg rode over with flags flying, made of white cloth with black letters, so that they could be seen, “Independence.” This was received as an insult, whereupon a general fisticuff fight ensued, which shows plainly that Mr. Craighead had not labored among the Dutch of Lincoln county, to show them the truth as it appears from Scripture and common sense.

This was a time that required the services of the best of men to be on the Committee of Public Safety, to be at the head of the militia, and at every position in the county. The county had great reason to be proud of her men, and loves to point back to her noble women who sacrificed every comfort to aid her soldiers in gaining her independence. The Committee of Public Safety notified the commissioned officers when they were expected to meet in Charlotte, to take specific action on the state of the country. Matters seemed to grow more threatening with each year; whatever part of the country was oppressed, was considered a thrust at Mecklenburg, for whatever was hurtful to one part was felt by all. In other words, we felt the necessity of making common cause against a common enemy.

The Committee of Public Safety notified the commissioned officers and as many others as could attend to be in Charlotte on the 19th of May, 1775.

[Copied From Francois Xavier Martin's History of North Carolina, From the Earliest Period .]

“Imperfect as the present publication is, it began to engage the attention of the writer as early as the year 1791. At that period, the Legislature of North Carolina afforded him some aid in the publication of a collection of the statutes of the Parliament of England then in force and use within the State. In preparing that work, he examined all the statutes from Magna Charta to the Declaration of Independence, and an arrangement of all those which related to America, afforded him a complete view of the colonial system of England. In 1803 he was employed by the same Legislature to publish a revisal of the acts of the General Assembly, passed during the Proprietary, Royal and State Governments, and the local information he acquired in carrying into effect the intentions of those who employed, suggested the idea of collecting materials for a history of the State; and when afterwards he had the honor of representing the town of New Bern in the House of Commons, he was favored with a resolution of the General Assembly, authorizing the Secretary of State to allow him access to the records of his office. In the speeches of the Governors at the opening of the sessions of the Legislature, he found a reference to the principal transactions during the recess, and there were few important events particularly relating to the State, which left no trace on the Journals of the Legislature or the proceedings of the executive. * * * The writer imagined he had collected sufficient materials to justify the hope of producing a history of North Carolina worth the attention of his fellow citizens, and he had arranged all that related to transactions, anterior to the Declaration of Independence, when, 1809, Mr. Madison thought his services were wanted, first in the Mississippi territory and afterwards in that of Orleans; and when the latter territory became a State, the new government thought proper to retain him. He had entertained the hope that the time would arrive when disengaged from public duties, he might resume the work he had commenced in Carolina; but years have rolled away without bringing on this period; and a shock his health lately received during the year of his great climacteric, has warned him that the moment is arrived when his intended work must engage his immediate attention, or be absolutely abandoned, * * * The determination has been taken to put the work immediately to press in the condition it was when it reached New Orleans. This has prevented any use being made of Williamson's History of North Carolina, a copy of which did not reach the writer's hands till after his arrival in Louisiana, The expectation is cherished that the people of North Carolina will receive, with indulgence, a work ushered to light under circumstances so untoward."

Martin, the historian, further states the conditions which led up to the appointing of delegates to the convention that paved the way to independence. This all occurred prior to 1809, after which date he ceased to write any historical reminiscences of the country, being so engaged for the welfare of the purchase; being a native of France, and otherwise well qualified for the position, he was kept until all difficulties were adjusted and amicably settled. His health gave way, and he was unable to return to historical work, as he desired to do.

In the western part of the province the people were still eager in their resistance. In the months of March and April, 1775, the leading men in the county of Mecklenburg held meetings to ascertain the sense of the people, and to confirm them in their opposition to the claim of the Parliament to impose taxes and regulate the internal policy of the colonies.

At one of those meetings, when it was ascertained that the people were prepared to meet their wishes, it was agreed that Thomas Polk, then colonel commandant of the county, should issue an order directed to each captain of militia, requesting him to call a company meeting to elect two delegates from his company, to meet in general committee at Charlotte, on the 19th of May, giving to the delegates ample x power to adopt such measures as to them should seem best calculated to promote the common cause of defending the rights of the colony, and aiding their brethren in Massachusetts. Col. Polk issued the order, and delegates were elected. They met in Charlotte on the day appointed. The forms of their proceedings and the measures to be proposed had been previously agreed upon by the men at whose instance the committee were assembled. The Rev. Hezekiah Jones Balch, Dr. Ephraim Brevard, and William Kennon, an attorney-at-law, addressed the committee, and descanted on the causes which had led to the existing contest with the mother country, and the consequences which were to be apprehended, unless the people should make a firm and energetic resistance to the right which Parliament asserted, of taxing the colonies and regulating their internal policy.

On the day on which the committee met, the first intelligence of the action at Lexington, in Massachusetts, on the 19th of April, was received in Charlotte. This intelligence produced the most decisive effect. A large concourse of people had assembled to witness the proceedings of the committee. The speakers addressed their discourses as well to them, as to the committee, and those who were not convinced by their reasoning, were influenced by their feelings, and all cried out, “Let us be independent! Let us declare our independence and defend it with our lives and fortunes!” A committee was appointed to draw up resolutions. This committee was composed of the men who planned the whole proceedings, and who had, already, prepared the resolutions which it was intended should be submitted to the general committee.

Dr. Ephraim Brevard had drawn up the resolutions some time before, and now reported them, with amendments, as follows:

Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, or in any way, form or manner, countenances the invasion of our rights as attempted by the Parliament of Great Britain, is an enemy to his country, to America and the rights of man.

Resolved , That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg county, do hereby dissolve the political bonds which have connected us with the mother country; and absolve ourselves from: all allegiance to the British crown, abjuring all political connection with a nation that has wantonly trampled on our rights and liberties, and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of Americans at Lexington.

Resolved, That we do declare ourselves a free and independent people; that we are and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing people, under the power of God and the general congress; to the maintenance of which independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual cooperation, our lives, our fortunes and our most sacred honor.

Resolved, That we do hereby ordain and adopt as rules of conduct, all and each of our former laws, and the crown of Great Britain cannot be considered hereafter as holding any rights, privileges or immunities among us.

Resolved, That all offices, both civil and military, in this county, be entitled to exercise the same powers and authorities as heretofore; that every member of this delegation shall henceforth be a civil officer, and exercise the powers of a Justice of the Peace, issue process, hear and determine controversies according to law, preserve peace, union and harmony in the county, and use every exertion to spread the love of liberty and of country, until a more general and better organized system of government be established.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by express to the President of the Continental Congress, assembled in Philadelphia, to be laid before that body.

These resolutions were unanimously adopted and subscribed by the delegates.

Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 20th of May, 1775:

Abraham Alexander, Chairman.

John McKnitt Alexander, Secretary.

Ephraim Brevard, Secretary.

Rev. Hezekiah J. Balch, John Phifer,

James Harris, William Kennon,

John Ford, Richard Barry,

Henry Downes, Esra Alexander,

William Graham, John Queary,

Hezekiah Alexander, Adam Alexander,

Charles Alexander, Zaccheus Wilson, Jr.,

Waightstill Avery, Benjamin Patton,

Matthew McClure, Neill Morrison,

Robert Irwin, John Flenniken,

David Reese, John Davidson,

Richard Harris, Jr., Thomas Polk.

James Jack, of Charlotte, but afterwards living in Georgia, was engaged to be the bearer of the resolutions to the President of Congress, and directed to deliver copies of them to the delegates in Congress from North Carolina. The President returned a polite answer to the address, which accompanied the resolutions, in which he highly approved of the measures adopted by the delegates of Mecklenburg, but deemed the subject of the resolutions premature to be laid before Congress. Messrs. Caswell, Hooper and Hewes forwarded a joint letter, in which they complimented the people of Mecklenburg for their zeal in the common cause, and recommended to them the strict observance of good order; that the time would soon come when the whole continent would follow their example.

On the day, the resolutions were adopted by the delegates in Charlotte, they were read aloud to the people, who had assembled in the town, and proclaimed amidst the shouts and huzzas, expressing the feelings and determination of all present.

When Capt. Jack reached Salisbury on his way to Philadelphia, the general court was sitting, and Mr. Kennon, an attorney-at-law, who 'had assisted in the proceedings of the delegates at Charlotte, was there in Salisbury. At the request of the judges, Mr. Kennon read the resolutions aloud in open court to a large concourse of people. They were listened to with attention and approved by all present. The delegates at Charlotte being empowered to adopt such measures, as in their opinion would best promote the common cause, established a variety of regulations for managing the concerns of the county. Courts of justice were held under the direction of the delegates. For some months, these courts were held in Charlotte, but for the convenience of the people (for at that time Cabarrus formed part of Mecklenburg), two other places were selected and the courts were held at each in rotation. The delegates appointed a committee of their own body who were called a “Committee of Safety,” and they were empowered to examine all persons brought before them charged with being inimical to the common cause, and to send the military into the neighboring counties to arrest suspected persons. In the exercise of this power, the committees sent into Lincoln and Rowan counties and had a number of persons arrested and brought before them. Those who manifested penitence for their Toryism,, and took an oath to support the cause of liberty and the country, were discharged. Others were sent under guard into South Carolina for safe keeping. The meeting of the delegates at Charlotte and the proceedings which grew out of that meeting produced the zeal and unanimity for which the people of Mecklenburg were distinguished during the whole of the Revolutionary War. They became united as a band of brothers, whose confidence in each other and the cause which they had sworn to support was never shaken in the worst of times.

The history of the convention that convened in Charlotte on the 19th and 20th of May, 1775, is detailed by an educated lawyer — Francois Xavier Martin — a native of France, lived in New Bern, was frequently a member of the North Carolina Legislature, was in close contact with the history of North Carolina from 1791-1809, when he was employed by Mr. Madison, as an attorney, to proceed to New Orleans and the Western purchased territory; that he was well qualified for the work, and also to write history. And we understand that previous to 1819, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence had never been called in question in any manner. Some of the signers lived and were able to travel around in the county for nearly fifty years after the great epoch. Maj. John Davidson lived till 1830. Surely the people of Mecklenburg, with all of its boasted intelligence, would have discovered the fraud before forty years had passed over us, or if it was necessary to bolster up the famous son, Mr. Jefferson, of an adjoining State. Another quotation and that will suffice:

The following persons attended the meeting at Hillsboro August 21, 1775, to consider the state of the country: Thomas Polk, John Phifer, Waightstill Avery 7 , Samuel Martin, James Houston, and John McKnitt Alexander.

To the meeting at Halifax, 4th of April, 1776, she sent John Phifer, Robert Irwin, and John McKnitt Alexander. (The county was ever jealous of her rights, in sending her best men as delegates to see that her rights were maintained at all hazards. The following instructions were given to the delegates from the people, being found among the old surviving papers of John McKnitt Alexander. He is the author of them, dated 1st September, 1776.)

Instructions for the delegates of Mecklenburg county:

“1. You are instructed to vote that the late province of North Carolina is and of right ought to be, a free and independent State, invested with all the powers of legislation, capable of making laws to regulate all its internal policy, subject only in its external connections, and foreign commerce, to a negative of a Continental Senate.

“2. You are instructed to vote for the execution of a Civil Government under the authority of the people for the future security of all the rights, privileges and prerogatives of the State, and the private, natural and unalienable rights of the constituting members thereof, either as men or Christians. If this should not be confirmed in Congress or Convention, protest.

“3. You are instructed to vote that an equal representation be established, and that the qualifications required to enable any person or persons to have a voice in legislation, may not be secured too high, but that every freeman who shall be called upon to support government either in person or property, may be admitted thereto. If this should not be confirmed, protest and remonstrate.

“4. You are instructed to vote that legislation be not a divided right, and that no man, or body of men be invested with a negative on the voice of the people duly collected, and that no honors or dignities be conferred, for life, or made hereditary, on any person or persons, either legislative or executive. If this should not be confirmed, protest and remonstrate.