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THE LIVES SND CHARACTERS "S^i'^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SIGNERS 
 
 MECELEHBUEG DECLAEATIOH OF lUDEPEHDEKCE, 
 
 OF M^Ti ins. 
 
 Delivered at Charlotte, H, C, on the 24th of May, 1875, 
 
 AT THE HE(4UKST OF THE 
 MECKLENBURG HISTORICAL-. SOCIETY, 
 
 JOHJS^ I#WHEELER, 
 
 Author of the History of North Cai'olina. 
 
 Published by Order of the Mecklenburg Historical Society. 
 
 CHARLOTTE : 
 
 Observer Book and Job Power Press Print. 
 
/cT* 
 
 CORRESPOKDENCE. 
 
 CHAKun IE, N. C May 22, 1875. 
 
 Dear Sik— We have been appointed a Committee in behalf of the Mecklen- 
 bnrg Historical Society to notify you that at the meeting last night you were 
 requested to address the Association on the general subject of the Mecklenburg 
 Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775, and especially on the Personal 
 Character and Services of the Signers of the same, and to ask your acceptance 
 and to arrange the time and place as may be agreeable to yourself. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 R. I, McDowell. 
 Wm. M. Shipp, 
 W. J. Yates, 
 M. M. Ore, 
 T. F. Drayton, 
 
 Committer of the MecMenbnrff Hiatarical Society. 
 To C!oi. John H. Wheei.er, 
 
 Charlotte, N. C.. May 22. 1«75. 
 
 Messrs. R. I. McDowell, Wni M. Shipp, W. J. YnlfS. M. M. On; T. F. Drmfton, 
 Committee : 
 Gentlemen— I have received your note, in behalf of tlic Mecklenburg His- 
 torical Societv, connnunicating a request that I should addrc^ss that body on the 
 subject of the Mecklenbui'g Declaration of Independence of the 2()t-h of May, 
 1775, and especiallv on the Personal Character and Public Services ot the Signers 
 of the same. Your note requests mv acceptance and kindly allows me t(. tix the 
 time and place. It will afford me much satisfaction to contribnte in any way 
 towards aiding in the universal pajan of joy that swells trom every portion of 
 North Carolina on this auspicious occasion, and I will tix the time at S;8() p. m. 
 on Monday next, at the Court House, in this place. 
 
 Yours, J<'^'>' H. Wheeler. 
 
 p. S.— May I be allowed to suggest to your fellow-citizens, who may h;ive any 
 records, mementoes, or traditions relative to the period of 1775, to deposit them 
 with your Society for future reference. J- *^ " • 
 

 COL. WHEELER'S LECTURE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 ttf^Ienkrj J^cclaration of |frttltpcmlcnti|, 
 
 DELIVERED AT CHARLOTTE, May 24, 187S. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Mecklenburg Historical 
 Society : 
 I regard it as an omen favorable to 
 the success of your excellent Society 
 that the first address (which by 
 your constitution is aniuxally to be 
 made) should occur so near the Centen- 
 nial Anniversary of the Mecklenburg 
 Declaration of Independence. It is an 
 epoch in histor^^ It marks the age in 
 which we live. 
 
 The assemblage of such a concourse, 
 larger than ever before assembled in our 
 State on any similar occasion, of the 
 lovely and the learned, of the generous 
 and the good, from every section of our 
 Republic; the perfect order and deco- 
 riun which- prevailed; the propitious 
 season granted to the occasion by Provi- 
 dence, rendered still more genial by 
 your gentle climate; the joyous coun- 
 tenances of the thousands of ha])pyand 
 grateful persons, the brilliant displays 
 of eloquence and learning, all combined 
 to make the occasion long to be re- 
 membered. 
 
 After such a carnival of enjoyment and 
 excitement any further attempt to inte- 
 rest you is one of danger and dithculty. 
 I feel and appreciate the position, and 
 approach it with sincere emotion, fear- 
 ing lest my success may not be ecjual to 
 my wishes, or your expectations. I shall 
 speak of the deeds of the illustrious 
 dead; and trust that no word will fall 
 from my lips unworthy of this high and 
 holy occasion. 
 
 "And chiefly Thou, O Spirit, that doth prefer 
 Before all temples the upright heart and pure, 
 Instruct me. What in me is dark. 
 Illumine. What is low, raise and support. 
 That to the height of this great argument 
 I may assert eternal Providence, 
 And iustify the ways of God to men." 
 
 In addressing vou on this occasion I 
 
 shall endeavor to be concise, rather than 
 declamatory; useful, than interesting: 
 
 1. I propose to trace with a rapid 
 hand the early history of our coimtry 
 from the first landing of the Englishman, 
 to the date of the event which we have 
 just connnemorated. 
 
 2. To analyse the characters of the 
 first settlers of this State, their love of 
 freedom and impatience of restraint, 
 which principles led to 
 
 3. Independence from all foreign rule 
 or powers. 
 
 4. Trace the consequences of that 
 declaration, not only on our own coun- 
 try, but upon the destinies of the civil- 
 ized worUl, and close my address with 
 some 
 
 5. Historical reminiscences of Char- 
 lotte, and some biographical sketches of 
 the Signers of the Mecklenburg Declar- 
 ation of Independence of 20th May, 
 1775. 
 
 These are the subjects to which your 
 attention is invited. 
 
 I speai< to North Carolinians, as a 
 North Carolinian, and of North Caro- 
 lina. 
 
 THE FIRST LANDING OF THE ENGLISHMAN 
 
 In these United States was on the shores 
 of North Carolina. It was in the month 
 of July, 1584, that the fleet fitted out, 
 under the auspices of Sir Walter Ral- 
 eigh, and under command of Amidas 
 and Barlow, rested at Roanoke Island. 
 
 An accurate and detailed account of 
 this expedition has been preserved. In 
 the language of the historian, "they 
 found here a people most gentle, loving 
 and faithful; void of all guile and trea- 
 son, and such as lived after the manner 
 of the golden age." * 
 
 *Hakluyt, VoL U. p. 297. 
 
Tliey landed on the Lslaiid on the 
 loth of July, 1584. Captain Aniidas, 
 after returning thanks to Almighty God 
 for their safe deliverance, took posses- 
 sion of the 8ame iii these memorable 
 Avords : 
 
 ■■ We take possession of this land in 
 right of the Queen, Most Excellent 
 Majesty, as rightful Queen and Princess, 
 of ye same, to be delivered over to ye 
 use of Sir Walter Raleigh, according to 
 her Majestie's letters patent, under her 
 great seal." 
 
 Here the foundations of the Republic 
 were laid; here the city of Raleigh was 
 first estnhlished; and here the tirst child 
 of English parents was born on this 
 continent.* 
 
 Here was the cradle in which was 
 rocked the mighty infant whose gigantic 
 limbs now stretch from the Atlantic to 
 the Pacific ocean : 
 
 Time-honored land, where hope and faith 
 
 Souglit refuge in a night of gloom. 
 
 And reared Freedom's altar by the Eagle's nest. 
 
 It wei'C a tedious task, and not ger- 
 mane to the present occasion to describe 
 the trials, privations and sufferings un- 
 dergone by these colonists. Severe as 
 tbey were, they were borne with patience 
 and fortitude. 
 
 It had been about eighty years since 
 Columbns discovered America, (14'.)2, ) 
 to the time of the events we are now 
 discussing, and about the same period 
 from this time to the date of the chartei' 
 of Charles the Second, (1(>()8,| when a 
 (xovernor was appointed for Carolina. 
 It is here to be remarked as a piece of 
 mournful history of our State that both 
 the Proprietor of the colony, and its first 
 Governor were victims of tyranny and 
 both met a tragic fate. But they never 
 die who perish in a great cause. As long 
 as the pellucid waters of the lake of the 
 Dismal Swamp shall reflect the "light of 
 the fire-fly's lamp" will the name of 
 Drunnnond lie preserved, and as long 
 as the majestic oak, the monarch of 
 the woods, shall grow, so long will the 
 name of Raleigh be revered. 
 
 * As early as the 12th of August, 1584, at Kal- 
 eigh's colony on Koanoke Island, NdrthTarolina, 
 the native Chieftain, Manteo. was mlinitted into 
 fellowshiiJ of Christ's flock by holy Imiitism ; and 
 tive days alter. Eleanor, dsughtor of the Gover- 
 nor, and the wife of Ananias Dare, was delivered 
 of a daughter in Koanoke, and ,ye same was 
 christened there the Sunday following, and be- 
 cause this child was the first < hristian born in 
 Virginia she was named Virginia Dare.— i/«fc- 
 Inyt. 11, 3.4. 
 
 . he Legislature of 1870 has embalmed their 
 names by calling the county and town after j 
 them. 
 
 Tlie government, so far as any was 
 exercised, was vested in the Lords Pro- 
 prietors, by the charter of Charles the 
 Second. The Proprietors were tlie Earl 
 of Clarendon, Duke of Al>>emarle, Earl 
 of Craven, Lord Berkley, Lord Ashley, 
 Sir Geo. Carteret, Sir John Colleton and 
 Sir William Berkley. Their charter 
 comprised all the country Ijetween the 
 Atlantic and Pacific between 81 and 3(> 
 degrees. Tliese Proprietors each had a 
 deputy to represent him in the Province, 
 and in some cases the Proprietor him- 
 self resided in this country. Sir William 
 Berkley, in KiGS, was the Governor of 
 Virginia ; and l)y instructions from Lord 
 Clarendon and other Lords Proprietors, 
 was instructed to apjioint a Governor 
 for Albemarle and six persons as coim- 
 sellors. 
 
 THE CHARACTER AND PRINCIPLES OF THE 
 FIRST SETTLERS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 The authentic record of the Legisla- 
 tive history of North Carolina begins 
 witVi the autumn of 1H09. But with 
 such a people laws were not necessary. 
 They had no need to be commanded to 
 do right, or forbidden to do wrong, for 
 they a<lhered to the one and abhorred 
 the other. 
 
 "Here was a colony of men scat- 
 tered among- forests, hermits with wives 
 and children resting on the bosom of 
 nature in ])erfect harmony with the 
 wilderness of their gentle I'liiwe. The 
 l)lanters of Albemarle weie men led to 
 the choice of their resirlcnce from a 
 hatred of restraint. Are there any 
 who doubt man's capacity for self- 
 government? Let them study the 
 history of North Carolina. Its in- 
 hal)itants were restless and turbulent 
 in theii' imperfect snbmission to a gov- 
 ernment imposed from abroad; the ad- 
 ministration of tlie colony was firm, 
 humane, and tranquil when they were 
 left to take care of theuiselves. Any 
 government but one of tlieir own insti- 
 tution was oi)pressive."t 
 
 The great historia.i of our age, Mr. 
 Banci-oft, a writer whose lal)ors have 
 immortalized him, whose pen has 
 touched on every liistorical subject, and 
 on each subject toucho^l f)n it has 
 adorned, and whose writings have done 
 justice to our State, thus records : 
 
 ■'North Carolina was settled by the 
 fieest of the free. The settlers were 
 gentle in their tempers, of serene 
 
 lChalH\ers, 3ffi, quoted by Banci'oft, 11, 151. 
 
mindy, enemies to violence and Vdood- 
 slied. Not all the successive revo- 
 hition.s had kindled vindictive pas- 
 .sions; freedom, entire freedom, was 
 enjoyed without anxiety as without 
 guarantees. The charities (jf life were 
 scattered at their feet like the flowers of 
 their meadows."'* 
 
 For more than half of a century did 
 the rule of the Proprietary Government 
 exist The Governors appointed by 
 these Proprietors to rule in this Pro- 
 vince, with a few exceptions, were un- 
 worthy of their trust. To oppress the 
 people, to aggrandize themselves at all 
 liazards, seemed to be their chief object. 
 The history of this period is full of abso- 
 lute tyranny and oppression on one 
 hand, and of steady opposition on the 
 other. 
 
 Gov. Burringtitn, who was Governor 
 of the Lords Proprietors, and also under 
 the ('rown in 1730 (tor at this date the 
 Proprietors, except Lord Granville, re- 
 <'onveyed for a valuable c<,)nsideration to 
 the Crown all their rights) in an official 
 dispatch to the Duke of New Castle, 
 Secretary of State, dated 20th February, 
 1730, thus accurately describes the 
 people! of Nortii Carolina at this timer 
 
 " The inhabitants of North Carolina 
 are not industrious, but subtle and 
 crafty to admiration ; always behaved 
 insolently to their Governors ; some of 
 them they have imprisoned ; drove 
 others out of the country, and at other 
 times have set up two or three support- 
 ed by men under arms. All the Gov- 
 ernors that have ever lived in this 
 colony, lived in fear of the people (ex- 
 cept myself ) and dreaded their assem- 
 blies. These ])eople are neither to be 
 cajoled nor outwitted. Whenever any 
 Governor attempts to effect anything by 
 these means, he will lose his labor and 
 show his ignorance." 
 
 He complains that the people gave 
 no presents (to bribe) their Governor. 
 
 The Governors, appointed In' the 
 Crown, if improved by education and 
 public services, did not restrain their 
 haughty bearing towards the ijeojjle — 
 nor did the people relax in their sturdy 
 advocacy of their rights and their de- 
 votion to liberty. The population at 
 
 * Bancroft, History of the U. S., Vol. 1, pp. 
 467, 472. 
 
 fMSS Documents procured from Eolls Office 
 in London by me. 
 
 this time (1730) as stated in a dispatch 
 from Governor Binrington, was 
 
 Whites 30,000 
 
 Negroes (\,i)(K) 
 
 Lidians 800 
 
 Total 36,000 
 
 The population was at this time 
 chiefly confined to the eastern part of 
 the State — to the Albemarle and Cape 
 Fear country. The unfortunate at- 
 tempt of the Scotch people to free 
 themselves from illegal authority, and 
 to place Charles Edward, grand son of 
 James the II. on the throne, which cul- 
 minated on the fatal field of Culloden, 
 (16th April, 174(),) caused many to emi- 
 grate to Anrerica. They settled in the 
 western part of the State. The op- 
 pression of F'erdinand in the establish- 
 ment of the Roman Catholic religion 
 in Moravia drove many of these Mo- 
 ravians to America. Many from Ire- 
 land, after the rebellion of the Earls of 
 Tyronne and Tyreconnell, came first to 
 Pennsylvania, thence to North Caro- 
 lina. The revocation of the Edict of 
 Nantes by Louis XIV, (in 1685,) lost to 
 France thousands of her best citizens. 
 Governor Dobbs received a petition 
 from Rowan county in 1754, which 
 states that the inhabitants of this sec- 
 tion were composed of ahnost all na- 
 tions of Europe. The prudence of the 
 German, the ardor of the Irish, the sa- 
 gacity of the Scotch, and the enthu- 
 siasm of the French, were fit material 
 for the formation of a great people. 
 Deeply imbued w^ith the spirit of liber- 
 ty, civil and religious, having endured 
 oppression and tyranny, such a people 
 were but little fit to submit to unlawful 
 authority. These were 
 
 ' Men wlio knew their rights. 
 
 And knowing, dared maintain." 
 
 During the long administration of 
 Gov. Gabriel Johnston of nearly twenty 
 years, and of Gov. Arthur Dobbs often 
 years, the people of North Carolina 
 were peaceful; for these rulers were 
 prudent and forbearing. But serious 
 troubles commenced with the adminis- 
 tration of William Tryon, who succeed- 
 ed Gov. Dobbs, and was Governor of 
 North Carolina under the crown from 
 1765 to 1771, and whose name is preserv- 
 ed by one of your principal streets in 
 Charlotte, and' by a mountain in Polk 
 county. t He vvas a soldier, "sudden 
 
 I Williamson's Historv of North Carolina, vol. 
 11, p. 117. 
 
and quick in quarrel." Trained to arms, 
 he viewed the sword as the true scep- 
 tre of government. He was known to 
 the Indians by the signiticant sobriquet 
 of "Great Wolf." He was a tyrant in 
 government and a bigot in religion. By 
 his course he was only the unconscious 
 instrument of bringing about the re- 
 sults which the inexorable logic of 
 events rendered inevitable. An an- 
 cient maxim is. that 
 
 "The mills of the Gods grind slowly, 
 But they grind exceeding small." 
 
 The people of Mecklenburg county 
 were not slow in exhibiting to 
 royal power their sturdy temper and 
 disposition. A grant from the crown 
 of a large body of land in Mecklenburg 
 county had been made to Henry Eus- 
 tice McCullock, who employed John 
 Frohawk to locate these lands. The 
 people of Mecklenburg rose in their 
 might, seized the surveyor, Frohawk, 
 and drove him out of the county. 
 They seized Tryon's ammunition, under 
 convoy from Charleston, at Phifer's 
 Hill, and completely destroyed it in 
 December, 1771. These were but the 
 buzzing of that Hornet's Nest that 
 stung so fatally royal authority. 
 
 But Tryon had to witness in his own 
 palace, and surrounded by his forces, 
 evidence more decided of "the spirit of 
 the people. The stamp act passed 1765. 
 this produced great excitemont, and 
 when the sloop of war, the Diligence, 
 arrived in the Cape Fear river. The 
 men of New Hanover, led by Ashe and 
 Waddell, seized the sloop of war's boat, 
 hoisted it on a cart, marclied into Wil- 
 mington, and demanded of (lov. Tryon 
 to produce the Stamp Master, Hous- 
 ton, who was a member of his council 
 and an inmate of his house. On his 
 refusal, preparations were made to set 
 fire to the house, and destroy with it 
 the Governor, Stamp Master, 'and the 
 menials of power. This brought forth 
 the Stamp Master. He was seized by 
 the people, carried to the market 
 house, and there forced to take a sol- 
 enin oath not to attempt to execute his 
 office. Uporf this he was released, and 
 he returned to his discomfited and en- 
 raged Master. 
 
 Now this act, not done under any 
 disguise, but by men well known, not 
 at night, but in broad- day, not upon 
 harmless carriers of freight, or the 
 crew of a private vessel, but upon the 
 agent of royalty itself, has hardly l)een 
 
 known out of the State, and some pro- 
 fess to disbelieve it. The throwing 
 overboard the tea at Boston, by men 
 disguised as Indians and at night, has 
 been justly lauded and "pealed and 
 chimed upon every tongue of fame." 
 Why deny to our forefathers a similar 
 meed of renown? The Centennial An- 
 niversary of this event was celebrated 
 in the rotundo of the Capitol at Wash- 
 ington, and the heroic acts of the Bos- 
 ton men lauded to the heavens, while 
 the more daring deeds of the men of 
 New Hanover is hardly known in our 
 own State. 
 
 But an event of more historic im- 
 portance occurred during the adminis- 
 tration of Tryon, by which the first 
 blood of the Colonists in this country 
 was spilled by royal arms. The ex- 
 actions of the crown officers, by way of 
 taxes, from the Governor to the lowest 
 balifl', were intolerable, and finding that 
 no redress could be obtained, exaspera- 
 ted to desperation, the people rose in 
 arms. These were without practiced 
 leaders, and any military discipline or 
 organization. Tryon raised an army of 
 more than a thousand men, met them 
 on the ])anks of Alamance, on the IGth 
 May, 1771, and after a conflict of two 
 hours, the Regulators, as tliey were 
 called, were dispersed, leaving twenty 
 dead on the field. The royal forces 
 had one officer killed and one danger- 
 ously wounded, and about sixty mcTi 
 killed, wounded and missing. Doubt- 
 less the Regulators were guilty of some 
 excesses ; but they were greviously op- 
 pressed. The principles that they as- 
 serted and fought for were the same 
 that carried our fathers to the battle- 
 field a few years later. 
 
 Shortly after the hattle of Alamance. 
 Tryon went to New York, where he 
 had been appointed Royal Governor, 
 and was succeeded by Josiah Martin, 
 destined to be the last vestige of royal 
 authority in North Carolina. 
 
 It has been with some care to con- 
 dense this detail of history, which, 
 doubtless, to many of you is so familial- 
 that it sounds "as a twice-told tale." 
 yet it was demanded by our programme. 
 JFor it brings us to the period we have 
 this day met to commemorate. We 
 have pointed out the spot of the land- 
 ing of the Englishmen in our State, we 
 have analyzed the character of the ear- 
 ly founders of our State, we have ex- 
 amined and manifested the principles 
 
and motives of action that guided 
 tiiem, and which led to the epoch 
 
 OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Gov. Martin was more of a politician 
 tluin a soldier. He endeavored to pro- 
 pitiate the people by kindness and a 
 course of conduct contrasting favoia- 
 bly with that of Tryon. But the hour 
 had come when royal power had to 
 cease. However potent a Prospero 
 Governor Martin might be, he could 
 not avert the tempest now gathering 
 around him. The heavy tread of the 
 warrior buckling on his armor, prepar- 
 ing for the contest of arms, was heard. 
 The people were up and ready for the 
 conflict. 
 
 But that "the men of Mecklenburg 
 should, in advance of all other portions 
 of this continent, have assembled on 
 the 2()th May, 1775, on this consecrated 
 spot and declare themselves free and 
 independent of the crown of England, 
 and for the maintenance of which in- 
 dependence solemnly pledge their lives, 
 their fortunes and their most sacred 
 honor," is full of grandeur and moral 
 sublimity. We may search, and vainly 
 search, "through the pages of history, 
 and imagination can not conceive a 
 grander or nobler spectacle. 
 
 " Is there in the abyss. 
 
 Is there among the adamantine spheres 
 Wheeling unshaken through the boundless void 
 Aught that with half such majesty can fill 
 The human bosom, as when Brutus rose, 
 Kefulgent from the strolce of Caesar's fate, 
 Amid the crowd of patriots, and his arm 
 Aloft extending like eternal Jove 
 When guilt brings down the thunder, called 
 
 aloud 
 On Tully's name, and shook the crimson sword 
 (Jf Justice in his wrapt astonished eye. 
 And bade the father of his country hail, 
 For lo tlie tyrant prostrate oa the dust 
 .^nd Rome again is free." 
 
 Each and every one of those patriots 
 who signed this memorable Declara- 
 tion, and who UK) years ago stood 
 where we now stand, have passed away. 
 This is the fiat of nature. Man in his 
 best estate is but vanity. "His days are 
 as grass; as a flower so he tlourisheth ; 
 for the wind passeth over it, and it is 
 gone and the place thereof shall 
 know it , no more." But heroic 
 deeds and noble actions are not 
 thus transient. Age can not wither 
 them, and time only adds to their un- 
 fading lustre. Living proof of this is 
 exhibited here to-day. The same ex- 
 alted patriotism that animated your 
 forefathers is cherished by their de- 
 scendants. May we not hope and be- 
 
 lieve that the next Centennial will here 
 be celebrated by admiring and patriotic 
 posterity! 
 
 It is not proposed to condescend to 
 examine the evidences as to the au- 
 thenticity of the Mecklenburg Declara- 
 tion of Independence. It is true that 
 it has been questioned by some carping 
 critics; but they have been answered, 
 and exhausted by argument from abler 
 hanils. The last, and not the least, is 
 the fair, full and unanswerable argu- 
 ment of Gov. Graham, delivered in this 
 place on 4th February, 1875. This is no 
 longer an open question. Doubtless it 
 was difficult for them to realize the great 
 and daring deed done by the Convention 
 of Mecklenburg more tlian a year in ad- 
 vance of the National Declaration. To 
 these critics it seems as strange as it was 
 to the Royal Governor Martin, who, in 
 his dispatch dated June, 1775, to his 
 government, stated that "it was a dis- 
 solution of the Laws, Government and 
 Constitution of the country, and set- 
 ting up a system of rule and regulation 
 subversive of his Majesty's Govern- 
 ment." 
 
 This is true, and just what was in- 
 tended to be done. The National De- 
 claration of 1776 is not more true and 
 authentic than is the Mecklenburg De- 
 claration of 20th May, 1775. The one is 
 elaborate and extended, the other is 
 more concise and clear. If the one 
 was destined to become the Saviour of 
 the country, the other was the fore- 
 runner ; for it was truly as "the 
 voice of one crying in the wilderness, 
 prepare ye the way, make his paths 
 straight." The one is the unani- 
 mous declaration of thirteen States, 
 pledged to mutual support and co- 
 operation ; the other, without any sup- 
 port or hope of support, made the bold 
 and dubious resolve. The one chal- 
 lenges our admiration, the other oui" 
 veneration. Both are immortal. These 
 papers introduced a new era of man- 
 kind. Lord Chatham declared in the 
 English Parliament that he "must avow 
 in all his reading and observation, that 
 for solidity of reasoning, force of sa- 
 gacity, wisdom of conclusion, under 
 such a complication of difficult circum 
 stances, no nation or body of men can 
 compare to the General Congress as- 
 sembled at Philadelphia on the 4th of 
 July, 1776." 
 
 Mirabeau said, "I ask if the powers 
 that have the control of the civilized 
 
globe have dared to read that nianifes- 
 tato of human right?!, and tlien interro- 
 gate their consciences after the perusal. 
 I ask if there is at this day a single 
 government of Euroj^e, which, judged 
 by the principles of the American De 
 ciaration of Independence, is not di 
 vested of all its rights and all its power." 
 
 THE EFFECTS FOLLOWING THESE DECLA- 
 KATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE, 
 
 not only upon our own country, but 
 upon the destinies of the civilized 
 world. At this period the civilized 
 world was ruled by hereditary or mili- 
 tary rulers, governing Ijy the grace of 
 God or gunpowder. England was ruled 
 by George III. Although an amiable 
 man, he was never distinguished for 
 virtue or ability; almost an imbecile, 
 and finally ended his days in insanity. 
 France, under the despotic sway of 
 Louis XYL, was ruled, not for tlie good 
 of the people, but by the caprices of 
 his dissolute court, Madame Barre and 
 others. Pius YI. held the consciences 
 of men and monarchs by his decrees 
 t\-om the Yatican. Spain was an abso- 
 lute monarchy, and sunk in supersti- 
 tion and cruelty. Eussia^ groaned un- 
 der the absolute rule of the imperial, 
 and not unspotted Catharine. What a 
 change has Ijeen wrought since this 
 period! That change has been accom- 
 plished l>y the principles of our Revo- 
 lution, placing power where it only be- 
 longs—Mi the hands of the people Its 
 wonder-working and vivifying influ- 
 ences have pervaded every civilized 
 government on earth. England is now 
 but noniinally a monarchy. Tliere the 
 liberty of the press and the citizen, the 
 rights of person and property are as se- 
 cure as in any portion of our Repub- 
 lic. Monarchy has no longer even a 
 name in France; the cowl has been 
 stripped from superstition ; the torch 
 of fanaticism has been struck from the 
 hand of the incpisitor. Spain recently 
 was a republic, and serfdom no longer 
 exists in Russia. 
 
 The last letter that the author of the 
 Natio)ial Declaration of Independence 
 ever wrote (dated 24th June, 1S2G, and 
 he died the 4th July following) de- 
 scribes with prophetic beauty the won- 
 derful consequences of this event. 
 "May it be to the world, what I beli(n-e 
 it will be to some parts sooner, to some 
 later, but finally to all, the signal of 
 arousing men to Innst the chains witli 
 which ignorance and superstition had 
 
 persuaded them to bind themselves 
 and to assume the blessings and securi- 
 ty (jf self-government. All eyes an- 
 opening to the rights of man. The 
 general spread of the light of science 
 has already laid open to every view 
 the palpable ti'uth that the mass of 
 mankind has not been born with sad- 
 dles on tlu'ir l>acks, nor a favored few 
 booted and spurred ready to ride them 
 legitimately l)r the grace of God. 
 
 There are grounds of hope for others 
 and for ourselves. Let the annual re- 
 turn of this day forever refresh our 
 recollections of these rights, and an 
 undiminislied devotion to them. 
 
 Such have been the effects of these De- 
 clarations. Other reminiscenses than this 
 Declai'ation cluster around this Centen- 
 nial city of Charlotte and its environs. 
 The lieroic battle ground of King's 
 Mountain, Ramsour's Mill, Hanging 
 Rock and Cowan's Ford, are in its vi- 
 cinity. 
 
 Here in Chai'lotte, on September 30, 
 1780, Maj. VVm. R. Davie, with a small 
 body of troops, with Maj. Jos. Graham 
 and' Col. Locke, held Lord Cornwallis 
 and the whole British army in check, 
 on tlie retreat from which Locke was 
 killed and Graham severely wounded. 
 Here, on the 3d of December, 1780, 
 did the Fabius of America, (General 
 Nathaniel Greene, vmder orders from 
 General ^^'ashington and Congress, take 
 command of tbe Southern army, which 
 had been for the time defeated and dis- 
 persed at Camden, under Gen. Gates, 
 on l()th August, 1780. Here, on that day, 
 Greene in general orders assumed the 
 command, and "hoped that their mis- 
 fortunes would cease, and victory and 
 the glorious advantages attending it 
 might be the future portion of the 
 Southern army." 
 
 Here Cornwallis held his head quar- 
 ters for a time, but he did not find 
 Charlotte a bed of roses. Tarleton, 
 who was with Lord Cornwallis, "has re- 
 corded in his Memoirs tnat the coun- 
 ties of Mecklenburg and Rowan (he 
 calls it Rohan) were more hostile to 
 England than any others in America. 
 The vigilance and' animosity of the sur- 
 rounding districts, checked all the e.\- 
 ertions of the well affected, and totally 
 destroyed all communication between 
 the King'.s troops and the loyalists in 
 other parts of the province. No Brit- 
 ish commander could obtain any in- 
 formation in that position that would 
 
9 
 
 iacilitate his designs or guide his future 
 conduct." Charlotte was styled by the 
 British "a pleasant place, but a d— d 
 rebellious village." The British for- 
 aging parties were constantly harrassed 
 and fired upon. Attack was made at 
 Polk's Mill (now called Catharhie mills.) 
 onh' two miles from town, on the Brit- 
 ish' pickets. They received a severe 
 repulse at Mclntyre's, seven miles from 
 Charlotte, (m the Beattie's Ford road. 
 The British army lay from 3Uth Sep- 
 tember to about 15 October, at Char- 
 lotte, on the field south of the town, 
 then occupied by Tliomas Spratt, now 
 owned by Major Morrow. Lord Corn- 
 wallis had his head quarters in a white 
 house on the corner from the old court 
 house, second house from the ccn-ner. 
 After the glorious battle of King's Moun- 
 tain, 7th Oct., 1780, which in fact was the 
 turning point of the Revolution — for 
 soon after came the victory of the Cow- 
 pens, 17th Jan., 1781, then Guilford, 
 loth March, following, then Yorktown, 
 IDth Oct., which closed the war, — Lord 
 Cornwallis fell back from ("harlotte to 
 Winnsboro, S. C, to prevent annoy- 
 ance, and departed suddenly at night. 
 Many other incidents might be pre- 
 sented by liistory and tradition con- 
 nected with this now flourishing city. 
 It is hallowed by a thousand glorious 
 reminiscences. We feel that it is al- 
 most holy ground, and we are disposed 
 to obey the injunction given on Horeb 
 to Moses, "Put off thy shoes from ofi' 
 thy feet, for the place whereon thou 
 standest is holy ground." 
 
 "Of illustrious men," says Thucydides, 
 "the whole world is their sepulchre." 
 But there are some sacred spots which 
 have been speciall}' consecu'ated in the 
 memories of all ages of mankind by 
 the holy halo which surrounds the il- 
 lustrious acts of patriots and martyrs. 
 Of these is Marathon of Greece, Ban- 
 nockbiu'u of Scotland, and Lexington 
 and Chiirlotte of America. 
 
 But chiefly in its glorious record is 
 Charlotte, bound up with the event 
 we this day commemorate, and the 
 patriotic men who accomplished it. 
 
 We have handed down to us their 
 names, and regret that neitlier tradi- 
 tion or history afl'ord very much, or 
 extended information as to the 
 
 LIVES. CHARACTER AND SERVICES OF 
 THE SIGNERS OF THE MECKLENBURG 
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Modesty and liumiiity are the in- 
 
 separable coDipanions of valor and 
 virtue. Good men are always ready 
 to du great deeds; they are satisfied 
 with the consciousness of having done 
 their duty. 
 
 They have too niucn rriodesty to 
 laud their own actions; and whenever 
 described by others, they 
 
 "Blush to find it fame.'" 
 
 Let us of the present age preserve 
 tlie small store of information we pos- 
 sess. We are connecting links be- 
 tween the ()ast and the present. Much 
 that is known will perish with us, if 
 not preserved. Let us then endeavor 
 to imitate the gentle enthusiasm of 
 Old Mortality, and to remove the de- 
 cay which time is fast bringing over 
 their monuments, to deepen the in- 
 scriptions, and revive the memory of 
 their patriotism, their sacrifices, their 
 suft'erings, and their triumphs. For 
 this pious purpose let us bring forth 
 the liglits tliat History affords us, 
 which, like the power of her of Endor, 
 can summon the spirits of the liepart- 
 ed heroes from tlie dead, so that we 
 Civn talk to them "as man talketh to 
 man, face to face." 
 
 Unsatisfactory and glimmering as this 
 interview may prove, yet it may insjjire 
 many among you to examine your 
 family records, verify and preserve the 
 traditions now fast fleeing away. 
 
 There are six persons of the ttunily 
 of Alexander on this record. 
 
 Abram Alexander, the Chairman, has 
 descendants present (Dr. Cyrus Alex- 
 ander of Cabarrus County, his grandson.) 
 He was born in 1718, and was the hon- 
 ored Chairman of the Inferior Court, 
 and before and after the Revolution, a 
 leading magistrate of this county. He 
 was a member of the popidar branch of 
 the Assemldy in 1774-75. with Thomas 
 Polk as colleague. 
 
 During the war, as was to be supposed, 
 there was but little use for courts or 
 law. "Thei'e were no courts in North 
 Carolina," says Josiah Quincey, in 1773. 
 
 From the retreat of Governor Martin 
 in June, 1775, to the appointment of 
 Governor Caswell in December, 177<). 
 the judicial as well as the executive 
 powers of the State were exercised by 
 
 1. A Provincial Council for the whole 
 Province. 
 
 2. A District Committee of safety for 
 each of the Judicial Districts — these 
 were appointed by the Provincial Con- 
 
10 
 
 gress that assembled at Halifax 21st 
 August, 1775, and 
 
 3. A County Committee of Safety for 
 each county of not less than twenty-one 
 persons to be elected annually by the 
 people of each county. 
 
 Tlie President of the Council was 
 Samuel Johnstone of Chowan Co. The 
 members of the Provincial Council for 
 this District (Salisbury) were Samuel 
 Spencer and Waighstill Avery. The 
 members for the District Committee of 
 Safety for the Salisbury District were 
 Gr;ffi'th Rutherford, John Brevard, Heze- 
 kiah Alexander, Benjamin Patton, and 
 others. 
 
 The County Committee, elected by 
 the people annually in each county, 
 executed such orders as they received 
 from the Provincial > ouncil. and the 
 District Committees of Safety superin- 
 tended the observance of the orders of 
 the Continental and Provincial Con- 
 gresses, and made such rules and regu- 
 lations as the internal condition of each 
 county demanded. They were not to 
 inflict any punishment beyond impris- 
 onment. No law suit could be com- 
 menced without leave of this County 
 Committee, or proceed without their 
 approbation. They met once in three 
 months at the Court House of their 
 respective counties to consult on public 
 measures, to correspond with other 
 committees, to disseminate information, 
 and .supplied the place of Courts. A 
 part of the duty of this committee was 
 to prevent debtors from absconding by 
 attaching their property until the debt 
 was secured; to preserve the peace. 
 These committees exercised these im- 
 portant functions until Justices were 
 appointed by the Legislature and com- 
 missioned by the Governor. 
 
 It is a curious fact that a careful in- 
 vestigation of the records now in Meck- 
 lenburg County Court office will show 
 that neither the Declaration of 20th 
 May, 1775, nor of the 4th of July, 1776, 
 obliterate or ignore the existence of 
 this Court. This has been used as an 
 argument against the Mecklenburg 
 Declaration, "but it is equally strong 
 against the National Declaration. 
 
 The records prove that on the third 
 Tuesday in July. 1776. it was ordered by 
 the court "that the several dockets be 
 continued." 
 
 The first change of the judicial jjower 
 of this court that is recorded, occiu-red 
 
 on the third Tuesday in January-, 1777. 
 The records state thus : 
 
 "The Commission of the Peace for the 
 State of North Carolina being read, 
 Robert Harris, Esq., pursuant to a dedi- 
 mus to him directed by His Excellency 
 Richard Caswell, Esq., administered the 
 oaths to Abram Alexander, Hezekiah 
 Alexander, David Reese, Robert Irwin 
 and Ephriam Brevard, who also admin- 
 istered said oaths to Robert Harris, 
 when they took their seats, and procla- 
 mation being made court was opened 
 according to law." 
 
 We regret that so little is known of 
 the life and services of this Chairman of 
 the Convention. Will not some pious 
 ^Eneas take upon his shoulders this 
 noble Anchises and bear him safe from 
 the waves of neglect and oblivion? 
 
 He was an Elder in the Presbyterian 
 Church for many yeai-s, and lies buried 
 in the grave yard of Sugar Creek Church. 
 
 On his grave-stone is recorded 
 
 "Abram Alexander, 
 
 Died 22d of April, 1786, 
 
 Aged 68 years." 
 
 "Let me die the death of 'the righteous and my 
 
 last end be lilie his." 
 
 Ad-^iM Alexander was of military 
 tastes. He was appointed Lieutenant- 
 Colonel of a battalion of Minute Men, 
 with Thomas Polk as Colonel and Chas. 
 McLean as Major, by the Provincial 
 Council held at Johnston Court House. 
 18th December, 1775, and Colonel of 
 Mecklenburg County with John Phifer 
 as Lieutenant-Colonel and John David- 
 son and George A. Alexander as Majoi"s, 
 bv the Provincial Congress at Halifax, 
 on the 4th of April, 1775. 
 
 Hezekiah Alexander was more of a 
 statesman than soldier, active and use- 
 ful. He was born in Pensylvania in 1728. 
 He was appointed a member of the 
 Committee of Safety for the Salisbury 
 District by the Provincial Congress, 
 w^hich met at Hillsboro, 21st August, 
 
 1775, with General Griffith Rutherford, 
 John Brevard. Benjamin Patton, and 
 others — a position of much responsi- 
 bility and power. He was appointed 
 by the Provincial Congress in April, 
 
 1776, wdth William Sharp, on the Coun- 
 cil of Safety. He was elected a, mem- 
 ber of the Provincial Congress from 
 Mecklenburg County, which met at 
 Halifax, November, 1776, and which 
 framed the tirst constitution of the 
 State, with Waighstill Avery, Robert 
 
11 
 
 Irwin, John Phifer, and Zaccheus Wilson 
 as colleagues. He was appointed by 
 the Provincial Congress which met at 
 Halifax, on the 4th April, 1776, Paymas- 
 ter of the Fourth Regiment North Caro- 
 lina Continentals — Thos. Polk, Colonel ; 
 James Thaekston, Lieutenant-Colonel; 
 and William Davidson as Major. He 
 died 16th July, 1801, and lies buried in 
 Sugar Creek Church grave yard. The 
 inscription on his tomb-stone reads 
 thus : 
 
 In Memory 
 
 of 
 
 Hezekiah Alexander, 
 
 Who Departed this life July 16, 1801, 
 
 Aged 73 years. 
 
 Of John ^IcKxiTT Alexander we have 
 more information than of the others. 
 He was born in Pennsylvania, near the 
 Maryland line, in 1738; served as an 
 apprentice to the trade of Tailor; when 
 his apprenticeshiij expired, at the age 
 of 21, he emigrated to North Carolina; 
 m'arried in 1759 Jane Bane. He was 
 enterprising, shrewd and honorable ; 
 he was member of the Provincial As- 
 seinbly in 1772; one of the delegates 
 that met at Hillsboro 21st August. 1775. 
 He was a member of the Provincial 
 Congress that met at Halifax on the 4th 
 of April, 1776, with John Phifer and 
 Robert Irwin as colleagu&s. He Avas 
 the first Senator elected from Mecklen- 
 burg under the Constitution, 1777, with 
 Waighstill Avery and Martin Phifer, in 
 the Commons, as colleagues. He was 
 an active participator in the Convention 
 of the 20th May, 1775, and preserved 
 for a long time the records, of which he 
 gave copies to General William R. Da- 
 vie, Dr. Hugh Williamson, and others. 
 Unfortunately the original was destroyed 
 in 1800, when the house of jNIr. Alexan- 
 der was burnt. He was one of the Trus- 
 tees of the "College of Queen's Museum," 
 which was afterwards changed to Lib- 
 erty Hall. Mr. Alexander died on the 
 10th of July, 1817, and lies buried in 
 Hopewell Church burying ground. He 
 was for years a leading Elder in the 
 Presbyterian Church, and by his walk 
 and conversation its firm supporter. 
 
 It is singular that of the Signers of 
 the Mecklenburg Declaration so large 
 a number were members of this de- 
 nomination. One of them was a Pres- 
 byterian i^reacher (Rev. H. J. Balcli) 
 and others elders and prominent mem- 
 bers of that church, which may be truly 
 styled the Nursing Mother of Freemen. 
 
 Waighstill Aveuy was also a signer 
 of this Declaration. He was an eminent 
 lawyer and a native of Connecticut, 
 born in 1747 in the town of Groton ; he 
 was a graduate of Princeton (1766). 
 [A ftimily paper preserved by W. F. 
 Avery, Esq., of Charlotte, proves that 
 in the Revolutionary War there were 
 eight brothers of this family and all pa- 
 triots; some of them were massacred at 
 Fort Griswold, and some perished at 
 Wyoming Valley; some of this family 
 still reside at Groton, Connecticut, and 
 some at Oswego, and Seneca Lake, New 
 York, and some moved to Virginia.] 
 He studied law on the Ea.stern Shore of 
 JVTaryland with Littleton Dennis. He 
 came to North Carolina in 1769, ob- 
 tained license to practice laAv in 1770, 
 and settled in Charlotte. By his assid- 
 uity and ability he soon acquired many 
 friends. He was an ardent advocate of 
 liberty, but not of licentiousness. In 
 1771 he was taken prisoner by the Reg- 
 ulators at Yadkin Ferry, but not further 
 molested by them. In 1778 he married 
 nearNewbern, Mrs. Leah Frank, daugh- 
 ter of \\ illiam Probart, of Snow Ilill. 
 Maryland, a wealtliy merchant there, 
 and who died on a visit to London ; her 
 first husband lived and died in New- 
 bern. He was a member of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress which met at Hillsboro 
 on the 21st of August, 1775, one of the 
 highest and most important jjositions in 
 the State. In 1776 he was a delegate to 
 the State Congress at Halifax, which 
 met on the 12th of November to form 
 a State Constitution, with Hezekiah 
 Alexander, Robert Irwin, John Phifer 
 and Zaccheus Wilson as colleagues. He 
 was appointed to sign proclamation bills 
 by this body. In 1777, with General 
 John McDowell and John Sevier, he 
 was commissioner to treat with the 
 Cherokees. 
 
 On the 20th of July, 1777, subse- 
 quently with William Sharp, Joseph 
 Winston, and Robert Lanier as asso- 
 ciates, he made ihe treaty of the Long 
 Island of the Holstein, with the 
 Cherokees ; a treaty made without 
 an oath, and one that has never been 
 violated. In 1777 he was elected (the 
 first) Attorney General of North Car- 
 olina. 
 
 In 1780 while Lord Cornwallis was 
 in Charlotte, the British set fire to his 
 office destroving all his books and 
 his papers. In 1781. he removed to 
 Burke county, where he died in 1821, 
 
12 
 
 leaving a Sdh the late Colonel Isaac 
 T. Avery, and three daughters — one of 
 vvhoni married William Lenoir, anoth 
 FpThoniMs Lenoir, ani the other Mr. 
 Poor, of Henderson county, N. C. 
 
 Rrv. Hkzekiah James Balch was 
 horn at Deer Creek, Hartford county, 
 Maryland, in 1748. He was the uncle 
 of Stephen B. Balch, of Georget(iwn, 
 D. C. He graduated at Princeton in 
 17()6,sanie class with VVaighstill Avery, 
 Oliver Ellsworth, of Con., Luther Mar- 
 tin of Maryland, and others. 
 
 He came to North Carolina in 1769, 
 as a .Missionary to this region; appoint- 
 ed hy the iSynods of New York, and 
 Philadelphia. He was the first Pastor 
 of Rocky River and Poplar Tent 
 Churches and remained so to the time 
 of his death. He combined in his 
 character, great enthusiasm with un- 
 tiiiiching hrmness. He d\<i not live 
 to see the warmest wish of his heart 
 gratified, the independence of his 
 country ; and for which he was ready 
 to give his life. He died in 1776, and 
 lies buried in the grave yard of Poplar 
 Tent Churcl) in Cabarrus county. This 
 is a copy of the marble over his grave: 
 
 ■'Beneath this marble are the mortal 
 remains of Rev. Hezekiah J. Balch ; 
 tirst Pastor of Poplar Tent congrega- 
 tion and oiie of tlie original members 
 of the Orange Presbytery. He was 
 licensed a Preacher of the everlasting 
 Gospel of the Presbytery of Donegal 
 in 1766, and rested frou) his labors, A. 
 D., 1776 — haviuL' been Pastor of the 
 united congregations of Poplar Tent 
 and Rocky River ahout seven years. 
 He was distinguished as one of a Com- 
 mittee of three who prepared the 
 Declaration of Independence ; and his 
 eloquence, the more effectual from his 
 acknowledged wisdom, purity of tno 
 live and dignity of character, contribu- 
 ted much to the unanimous adoption 
 of that instrument on the 20th of 
 May 1775." 
 
 There is no name among these sign- 
 ers around which clusters more eno- 
 bling recollections than that of Ephraim 
 Brevard. This family is of Huguenot 
 descent. 
 
 On their tamous march in piu-suit of 
 (Ireene from the Catawba to Dan Riv- 
 er, (1781,) the British army plundered 
 and burned the house of John Brevard 
 his father; and for the reason that he 
 had "seven sons in the rebel army." It 
 is but truth to sav that in general or- 
 
 ders. Lord Cornwaliis was "highly <.lis- 
 pleased, and denounced these acts as a. 
 disgrace to the army." Ephraim Bre 
 vard who signed the Declaration, was 
 the eldest son, born in Cecil county, 
 Maryland. He had the misfortune to 
 loose in childhood, one of his eyes ; 
 yet this did not disturb his studies, for 
 he was liberally educated. He gradua- 
 ted at Princeton in 1768, in the same 
 class with Adlai Osborne and Pierpont 
 Edwards, and studied medicine. He 
 settled in Charlotte. He was in the 
 expedition with General Rutherford in 
 1776, against the Cherokees. 
 
 While engaged as one of the Teach- 
 ers in the Queen's Museutu, a compa- 
 ny of the j'ouths were raised to join 
 in putting down thetories; and he was 
 appointed the Captain ; they marched 
 towards the Cape Fear, and on learning 
 the defeat at More's Creek of the tories, 
 the}' returned. 
 
 Inheriting from his family a devo- 
 tion to liberty and independence, he 
 early became distinguished for his 
 boldness and decision. He drew the 
 resolutions which the convention 
 adopted, and acted as one of the secre- 
 taries. He joined the army as a Sur- 
 geon and went to Charleston, where, 
 with Lincoln in 1780, he was taken a 
 prisoner. He suffered so nnich from 
 confinement and unwholesome diet, 
 that his health gave way ; he was re- 
 leased, and returned home only to die. 
 He reached the house of his friend and 
 fellow patriot, John McKnit Alexander, 
 where he died. 
 
 He married a daughter of Thomas 
 Polk ; one daughter survived him, who 
 married Dickinson, of South Carolina, 
 whose son fell in battle at Mexico. 
 
 He lies buried in the lot now oc- 
 cupied by A. Brevard Davidson, Esq., 
 in Charlotte. On this same lot was 
 located the College called the Queen's 
 Museum, afterwards Liberty Hall. 
 
 RrcHARi) Barky was another signer of 
 the Mecklenlnirg Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence. He was born in Pennsylva- 
 nia, of Scotch-Irish descent; he remov- 
 ed to Mecklenburg county, previous to 
 the Revolution, and settled in Hope- 
 well congregation, and married Anne 
 Price. He acted for many years as a 
 magistrate, and was in the army as a 
 soldier, and present at the affair of Cow- 
 an's Ford, where he aided with others 
 in disputing the passage of the British, 
 when and where General D;ividson was 
 
>sifni 
 
 killed. He and Daifii^ Wilson and 
 others, buried the body by a torch- 
 light in the grave-yai'd of Hopewell 
 •congregation, 
 
 "We buried him darkle' at dead of night, 
 The sod with our r ayoiiets turnitig. 
 
 By the struggling moon beams misty light, 
 And our torches dimly burning." 
 
 He died the 21st of August, 1801, 
 leaving several children. A. M. Barry, 
 Esq., who resides near where his grand- 
 father lived is the sole surviving grand- 
 son. Mrs. A. A. Harry, Mrs, G. K 
 Sample, Mrs. Jane Alexander, are the 
 surviving grand-daughters. 
 
 John Davidson, another signer of 
 this paper, was born in Pennsylvania, 
 1736. He was a member of the popular 
 branch of the Assembly in 1771. He was 
 appointed by the Provincial Contrress 
 whicii met at Halifax in April 1776, a 
 Field officer (Major) with Adam Alex- 
 ander as Colonel, John Phifer Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel, and George A. Alexander 
 2d Major. He was the maternal grand- 
 father of Gov. William A. Graham. 
 He married Violet, daughter of Samuel 
 Wilson, whose sister was the wife of 
 Ezekiel Polk. 
 
 He was a delegate with Joseph Gra- 
 ham to both conventions which con- 
 sidered the Federal Constitution. His 
 military reputation was high ; he was 
 with Sumter in August, 1780, at the 
 battle of the Hanging Rock, and was a 
 General in the State. He was entei'- 
 prising and suceessfid in Inismess. With 
 Alexander Brevard and Joseph Graham 
 he established Vesuvius Furnace, Terza 
 Forge, and other iron works. He died 
 in 1832, at the house of his son-in-law, 
 Wm. Lee Davidson, and lies buried 
 near Toole's Ford. He left several 
 children. His eldest daughter, Rebec- 
 ca, married Alexander Brevard ; Isabel- 
 la married Joseph Graham ; Mary mar- 
 ried Dr. McLean ; another daughter 
 married Harris ; Violet married Wm. 
 B. Alexander, son of John McKnit Al- 
 exander; Sally married Rev. Alexander 
 Caldwell, a son of Dr. David Caldwell. 
 His son Robert Davidson had no chil- 
 dren. His son John married Sally 
 Brevard, daughter of Adam Brevard. 
 Robert married IVIargaret, daughter of 
 Adlai Osborne. 
 
 Robert Irwin was a prominent poli- 
 tician and a signer of ilie Declaration 
 of Independence. He was a member 
 from .Mecklenburg county to the State 
 
 Congress which met in Oct. 1776. and 
 whicii formed the first Constitution of 
 the State, with Waighstill Avery, Heze- 
 kiah Alexander, John Phifer and 
 Zaccheus Wilson as colleagues. He 
 was Senator in the General Assembly 
 in 1778 to 1783— and 1797 to 1800. 
 He was an Elder in the Presby- 
 terian Church. He died leaving seven 
 children — and lies buried in Steel 
 Creek church graveyard. 
 
 The name of Wm. Kennon is among 
 the signers of the Declaration. His 
 name appears in the Proceedings of 
 the Committee of Safety of Rowan 
 county 1774, as Chairman ; and the 
 memorial of John Dunn shows that he 
 was active in arresting said Dunn as a 
 person dangerous to liberty; and with 
 Mr. Willis, brother-in-law of Kennon, 
 .Adlai Osborne and Sam 1 Spencer, seized 
 said Dunn, and sent him to S. Carolina. 
 He resided in Salisbury and was an 
 Attorney at Law. He was in the first 
 Congress in opposition to Royalty at 
 Newbern in August 1774, and Commis- 
 sary to the 1st Regiment in 1776. 
 
 Neal Morrison has three grand- 
 children now living, (1875) — James H. 
 Morrison, aged S3, and Mrs. Margaret 
 Wilson, residing in Mecklenburg coun- 
 ty, and Mrs. Margaret Osborne, now 
 living in Corinth, Mississippi. 
 
 Benjamin Patton, another signer, 
 was a man of iron firmness and of 
 indomitable courage. Descended from 
 the blood of the Covenanters, he had 
 all their tenacity of purj)ose and 
 purity of character. The devoted 
 friend of liberty, he was among the 
 first and foremost in the cause ; he was 
 a member of the popidar branch of 
 the Assembly in 1774. He was delega- 
 ted by the people of Mecklenbui-g to 
 meet the Provincial Congress at New- 
 herue on the 25th of August, 1774. 
 This was the first meeting of the repres- 
 entatives of the people, adverse and in 
 open contempt of the royal power in 
 North Carolina. The royal Governor, 
 Martin, issued his proclamation against 
 this meeting, as being without legal au- 
 thority. This is an epoch in our histo- 
 ry. It is true, it Avas not a battle or a 
 conflict of arms, but it was the first act 
 in a great drama, in which battles and 
 blood were the direct and inevitable con- 
 sequences. Had he had the power, 
 Governor Martin would have seized 
 everv member of this bodv and tried 
 
14 
 
 them for treason. He summoned his 
 Council, but the Council, either alarmed 
 or tinctiTred with the spirit of the times, 
 declared that "nothing coiild be done." 
 Tradition informs u.s, that Mr. Patton 
 could not get a horse or any conveyance, 
 for they had no railroads or stages then, 
 and he walked from Charlotte to New- 
 berne, rather than not be with those 
 determined on liberty or death. Al- 
 though advanced in years, he showed 
 all the enthusiasm of youth. He was 
 appointed by the Provincial Congress 
 that met at "Hillsboro on the 21st of Au- 
 gust, 1775, Major of the 2nd Continen- 
 tal Regiment— Robert Howe, Colonel, 
 Alexander Martin. Lieut. Colonel ; Jas. 
 Blount, Hardy Murfree and Hemy Ir- 
 win Toole, were Captains in this Regi- 
 ment. All distinguished in after life, and 
 founders of large and influential fami- 
 lies. He was a n:iember from Meck- 
 lenburg of the Provincial Congress that 
 met at Halifax on the 4th of April, 
 1776, with John McKnit Alexander and 
 John Phifer, as colleagues, and by this 
 body he was promoted to the Lieuten- 
 ant Colonelcy of the 2nd Continental 
 Regiment ; Alexander Martin Colonel, 
 and John White Major. Of his milita- 
 ry record in such higli position, we 
 know nothing, but with John Paul 
 Barringer and Martin Phifer, as asso- 
 ciates, he was a member of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, formed for this coun- 
 ty, Avith very full powers. They were 
 a "terror unto evil doers." They held 
 their meetings at the Red Hill on the 
 Salisbury road. He died near Concord 
 on the banks of the Irish Buffalo. No 
 monument marks his grave. 
 
 "They carved not a line, they raised not a 
 
 stone. 
 But left him alone in his plory.'" 
 
 John Phifer was a distinguished man 
 among the men of '75. He was the 
 son of Martin, who was a native of 
 Switzerland, and of Margaret Black- 
 welder. The original name is spelled 
 Pfifer. He was born in 1745 ; he lived 
 on Buffalo at Red Hill, known to this 
 day, as Phifer's Hill. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Popular Branch of the As- 
 sembly 1771. He was appointed by 
 the Provincial Council which was 
 held at the Court House in Johnston 
 County in Dec. 1775, Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel of the Ist Battalion of Minute men, 
 in the Salisbury district; of which 
 Griffith Rutherford was Colonel, and 
 John Paisly Major. He was a member 
 
 of the Provincial Congress that met 
 at Hilisboro on 21st August, 1775, and 
 also of that which met at Halifax on 
 4th April, 1776, with John McKnit 
 Alexander and Robert Irwin as col- 
 leagues ; and by that body appointed 
 Lieutenant Colonel, of Coi. Adam 
 Alexander's Regiment. He was a 
 member of the Provincial Congress at 
 Halifax, Nov. 1776, from Mecklenburg, 
 which formed the Constitution with 
 Hezekiah Alexander, Waighstill 
 Avery, Robert Irwin, and Zaccheus 
 Wilson, as colleagues. He married 
 Catherine Barringer. His decendants 
 have proved the valor and patriotism 
 of their ancestry. His grand-son, 
 Genernl Charles JPhifer, distinguished 
 himself at Shiloh in our late civil war- 
 He filled an early grave and lies buried 
 at the Red Hill on the Salisbury Road. 
 A decaying head stone marks his last 
 resting place. Tradition informs us, 
 that as the British army marched from 
 Charlotte to Salisbury, his grave was 
 desecrated by the troops. As the 
 British did not march by this route to 
 Salisbury, this tradition is a myth; If 
 done, it was by other impious hands 
 
 Thomas Polk, the last signer which 
 we shall notice ; is a historic name in 
 North Carolina as well as in our na- 
 tion. He was the early, constant and 
 enduring friend of libertj', the unfalt- 
 ering opponent of power and oppres- 
 sion He was with Abram Alexander 
 member of the Assembly in 1771 and 
 1775, from Mecklenburg He was ap- 
 pointed by the Provincial Council in 
 17.75, Colonel of 2d Battalion of minute 
 Men with Adam Alexander as Lieu't. 
 Col. and Charles McLean as Major. 
 
 As Colonel of Mecklenburg, he 
 issued orders to each Captain's Com- 
 pany to select, and send delegates to 
 the Convention, whose deeds we this 
 day commemorate. This act alone en- 
 titles him to our gratitude. 
 
 By the Provincial Congress which 
 m.et at Halifax on 4th April, 1776, he 
 was appointed Colonel of the 4th Regi- 
 ment of Continental Troops — with 
 James Thackstone as Lieu't Col. and 
 William Davidson as Major. The lat- 
 ter became distinguished as a Ceneral, 
 and fell disputing the passage of Lord 
 Cornwaliis at Cowan's Ford 1st Feb. 
 1781. In 1781 he was appointed Brig. 
 General on the death of Davidson. 
 
 When General Greene took com- 
 mand of the Southern army, Thomas 
 
15 
 
 Polk was appointed to superintend the 
 <;ommissarv department, a most trouble- 
 some and ungracious office at any 
 time, but at 'this, with a country just 
 then devasted and stripped by an inva- 
 ding army, most difficult to discharge 
 with satisfaction. I have letters of 
 General Greene in my possession, 
 showing his high appreciation of Colo- 
 nel Polk's services. He resigned in 
 
 1780, recommending William R. Davie, 
 as a suitable successor. I have also in 
 my possession, an original letter of his 
 which I herewith present: 
 
 Camp, Yadkin River, Oct. 11, 1780. 
 Gentlemen: — I have the pleasure to 
 inform you that on Saturday last, the 
 noted Colonel Ferguson, with 150, 
 fell on King's Mountain, 800 taken 
 prisoners with 1,500 stand of arms. 
 Cleaveland and Campbell commanded. 
 A glorious afl'air. In a few days, doubt 
 not, we will be in Charlotte, and I will 
 take possession of my house, and his 
 Lordship take the woods. I am gentle- 
 men, with respect, your humble ser- 
 vant, Thos. Polk. 
 
 He died at Charlotte in 1793, and 
 lies buried in the graveyard of the 
 Presbyterian Church. He married Su- 
 san Spratt, and left several children, 
 among them was Col. Wm. Polk, who 
 commenced his career in a campaign 
 under his father, in the expedition 
 against the Scovilite Tories in the au- 
 tumn of 1775 ; he was with Nash at 
 Germantown in 1777, and with David- 
 son when he fell at the Catawba in Feb. 
 
 1781, and with Greene at Eutaw in 
 Sept. 1781. He was severely wounded 
 at the latter place, the efiects of which 
 he carried to his grave. He held the 
 rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the ar- 
 my when the war closed. He returned 
 to Charlotte and represented Mecklen- 
 burg county in 1787-'90-'91. He lived 
 for a long time in Raleigh, holding a 
 position as President of one of the 
 Banks, where he died about 1830, leav- 
 mg a widow who was a daughter of Col. 
 Hawkins, and several children ; among 
 them Bishop Polk, of Louisiana, who 
 was killed in the late civil war, while 
 holding the position of General. Gen- 
 eral Thos. G. Polk (now dead) and Mrs. 
 Kenneth Rayner. wife of Hon. Ken- 
 neth Rayner, a distinguished son of 
 North Carolina, now residing in De 
 Soto county. Miss., and one of the 
 Judges of the Alabama Court of Claims 
 (Geneva Commission.) One of the 
 
 brothers of Thomas Polk was Ezekial 
 Polk whose grandson, Jas. K. Polk, was 
 President of the United State, in 1845. 
 
 The Memoirs of the distinguished 
 man, his life and services, and that of 
 his decendents, would afford ample ma- 
 terial for the Histoi'ian, We learn that 
 efforts are being made to rescue from 
 oblivion, these recollections, which will 
 prove a most acceptable addition to 
 our history. 
 
 We have now endeavored to present 
 a rapid sketch of the lives and services 
 of many of the signers of the Mecklen- 
 burg Declaration of Independence. Al- 
 though compiled from authentic sour- 
 ces yet it doubtless contains errors ; cer- 
 tainly, it is meagre in matter. Yet the 
 errors, when detected, may be corrected; 
 and the matter by research and indust- 
 ry may be much enlarged. Others with 
 the same zeal, but more ability, will 
 follow up these researches. We have 
 only just opened the mine, others hands 
 are we trust ready to explore its hidden 
 wealth and develope its buried treas- 
 ures! The field is large, but the labor- 
 ers are few ! 
 
 The names, the services of these il- 
 lustrious ancestors, should be held in 
 perpetual remembrance. 
 
 "These are the deeds which should not pass away 
 
 And names that must not wither, 
 
 Though the earth forgets her empires, 
 
 With a just decay, 
 
 The enslavers and the inslaved ; 
 
 Their death and birth." 
 
 We are informed by history that 
 Xerxes, son of Darius, when review- 
 ing his myriads, from a stately throne 
 on the plains of Asia, suddenly shed a 
 torrent of tears at the recollection 
 that the mutitude of men he then 
 saw before his t;yes in one hundred 
 years should be no more. 
 
 No one now here, will ever see ano- 
 ther Centennial! 
 
 Then, how impressive, and impor- 
 tant, is the duty to preserve the me- 
 morials now extant, but rapidly 
 fleeing away, of an event which 
 marks the age, and immortalizes the 
 actors. It should have an induring 
 monument. While Bunker Hill lifts 
 its proud column to the skies, raised 
 by patriotism, and founded by liberal- 
 ity and consecrated by genius; wtiile 
 memorials of enduring marble present 
 to posterity the form and lineaments 
 of exalted characters of other sections 
 of our country, shall North Carolina, 
 with such glowing traditions, and pa- 
 
16 
 
 friotic examples raise no memorial 
 of her galiant ancestry? 
 
 Let this anniversary be decreed a 
 holy day in our State, and a monu 
 nient rise from the very spot to per- 
 petuate its memory. 
 
 "Human beings," said Mr. Webster 
 at the laying of the corner stone of 
 the Bunker Hill monument, '"are 
 composed, not of reason only, but of 
 imagination and sentiment; and that 
 is neither wasted or misapplied which 
 is appropriated to giving right direc- 
 tion to sentiments; and opening the 
 proper springs of the human heart." 
 In rearing a monument on the very 
 spot where the first Declaration was 
 made, we direct the mind by an ele- 
 vated object to the moral causes that 
 produce(i the great Revolution, 
 
 We dwell upon the pure hearted 
 characters, the noble daring, and the 
 chivalric patriotism by which it was 
 achieved; and to the numberless bless- 
 ings that have come down to us by its 
 happy consummation. 
 
 Before this monument, age may re- 
 joice in the fruits of his labors; from 
 it youth may receive inspirations of 
 patriotism l>y their e.xample, and re- 
 solve to emulate their career of hon- 
 or. In the language of the orator, 
 just referred to, "we wish that this 
 column, rising toward Heaven, amid 
 temples dedicated to GOD, njay pro- 
 duce in all minds a pious feeling of 
 
 dependence and gratitude. Let it 
 arise until it meet the sun in his 
 coming; let the earliest light of the 
 morning gild it and {)arting day ling- 
 er and play on its summit." 
 
 Then around the column of each 
 annual anniversary; our State holidays 
 let the patriotism, the genius and the 
 beauty of our people be gathered to- 
 gether, then and there to hear again the 
 trials and the triumphs; the grievanc- 
 es and the glories of "'the Men of 
 Mecklenburg;" 
 
 In the language of the Fifth Henry 
 before Agincourt, may we not, antici- 
 pating these patriotic re-unions, feel 
 
 He that ontlives this day and comes safe home. 
 Will stand on tip toe when this day is named. 
 Old men forget, yet all shall not forget 
 But till y"ll remember the deeds done this day. 
 Then shall these immortal names 
 Be as familiar ill tlieii- nioiiths as household words. 
 And all in their flowing caps be freshly remem- 
 bered. 
 
 I have now finished my work. 1 
 have traced with a ra^jid hand our early 
 history. I have shown the principles 
 Avhich formed the character of its early 
 settlers ; I have dwelt upon the Men of 
 Mecklenburg and of Clharlotte— which 
 I have seen from a scattering village 
 grow^ to a beautiful city — full of enter- 
 prize, energy and patriotism. I feel 
 like the good old patriarch. 
 
 "Nunc Domine, dimitte in pacem." 
 
 I sincerely bid vou farew'ell. 
 
 Notes. — There were four Provincial Congresses which iissembled in North 
 Carolina previous to the Constitution: 
 
 1. On the 2oth of August, 1774. at New-l)ern. John Harvey, Chairman ; Benja- 
 min Patton member from iNIecklenburg. 
 
 2, 21st of August, 177o, at Hillsboro. Samuel Johnston, Chairman. 
 
 8. 4th of April, 1776. at Halifax. Samuel Johnston, Chairman; John Phifer. 
 Robt. Irwin, John McNitt Alexander, memljers from Mecklenburg. 
 
 4. 12th November, 1776, at Haliiax, (which on the 18th day of December, 1776. 
 tulopted State Constitution.) — See Journal, p. ^1. Richard Caswell, President: 
 Waighstill Avery, Hezekiah Alexander, John Phifer, Robert Irwin, Zaccheus 
 Wilson, members from Mecklenburg. 
 
 North Carolina before the Declaration of Independence of '76 showed the 
 valor of her sons 
 
 1. At Alamance in 1771, against Governor Tryon. 
 
 2. The Scovilist campaign (so-called from Scovil, the name of a British emis- 
 sary,) Col. Polk of 3Iecklenburg, General Rutherford of Rowan, Col. Neel of 
 Tryon, two companies of Continental troops, imder Col. Alexander Martin, in 
 conjunction with the troops from South Carolina, in December, 177'")— ctilled also 
 the Snow Cam])aign. — Gov. Graham's Address, p. 100. 
 
 3. The battle of Moore's Creek against the Scotch Tories, 27tli February, 1776. 
 
 4. The expedition of General Rutherford against the Cherokee Indians, 1776. 
 
THE LIVES AND CHARACTERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SIGNERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MECKLENBtJEa DECUEATIOU OP lUDEPEHDEUCE, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Wwm &v Mart n'9i 
 
 Delitered at Charlotte, H, C, oa tho 24th of May, 1875, 
 
 AT THE REQUEST OF THE 
 
 MECKLENBURG HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN H. WHEELER, 
 
 Author of the History of North i<irolina. 
 
 Published by Order of the Mecklenburg Historical Society. 
 
 CHARLOTTE : 
 
 Observer Book and Job Power Press Print. 
 
 1875. 
 
I. 
 
 H 33 89 4 
 


 
 
 
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 HECKMAN 
 
 BINDERY INC. 
 
 ^^ APR 89 
 
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 INDIANA 46962