Mecklenburg County NC

Slave Narrative of Dan Smith

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Dan Smith Location: Winnsboro, South Carolina Place of Birth: Richland County SC Date of Birth: January 11, 1862 Age: 75 Occupation: Construction Dan Smith lives in one room, rent free, of a three-room frame house, the property of his son-in-law, Jim Cason. It is situated on the southeast corner of Garden and Palmer streets in the town of Winnsboro, S.C. He is tall, thin and toothless, with watery eyes and a pained expression of weariness on his face. He is slow and deliberate in movements. He still works, and has just finished a day’s … Read more

Biography of William Richardson Davie

General William R. Davie was born in Egremont, near White Haven, in England, on the 20th of June, 1756. When he was only five years of age, he emigrated, with his father, Archibald Davie, to America, and was adopted by his maternal uncle, Rev. William Richardson, who resided on the Catawba river, in South Carolina. After due preparation at “Queen’s Museum” in Charlotte, he entered Princeton College, where, by his close application, he soon acquired the reputation of an excellent student. But the din of arms disturbed his collegiate studies, so auspiciously commenced, and he forthwith exchanged the gown for … Read more

Slave Narrative of Aleck Woodward

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Aleck Woodward Location: South Carolina Age: 83 “You knows de Simonton place, Mr. Wood? Well, dats just where I was born back yonder befo’ de war, a slave of old Marster Johnnie Simonton. Five miles sorter south sunset side of Woodward Station where you was born, ain’t it so? My pappy was Ike Woodward, but him just call ‘Ike’ time of slavery, and my mammy was name Dinah. My brother Charlie up north, if he ain’t dead, Ike lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Two sisters: Ollie, her marry an Aiken, last counts, and she … Read more

Biography of Dr. Ephraim Brevard

“Dr. Ephraim Brevard”, the reputed author of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, proclaimed on the 20th of May, 1775, was born in Maryland in 1744. He came with his parents to North Carolina when about four years old. He was the son of John Brevard, one of the earliest settlers of Iredell, then Rowan, county, and of Huguenot descent. At the conclusion of the Indian war in 1761, he and his cousin, Adlai Osborne, were sent to a grammar school in Prince Edward county, Va. About a year later, he returned to North Carolina and attended a school of considerable … Read more

Captain Charles Polk’s “Muster Roll”

Captain, Charles Polk 1st Lieut, William Ramsey 2nd Lieut., John Lemmond 1st Sergt, John Montgomery 2nd Sergt., William Galbraith (erased) Drummer, Hugh Lindsay John Smith John Polk, Sen. (erased) John Wylie John Findley John Galbraith James Hall John Stansill William —- (illegible) John Miller Humphrey Hunter Henry Carter James Maxwell John Maxwell Robert Galbraith John McCandlis Nicholas Siler Samuel Linton Thomas Shelby James Alexander Robert Harris, Jun. John Foard Jonathan Buckaloe Charles Alexander, Sen. Henry Powell William Rea Samuel Hughes Charles Alexander, Jun. William Shields Charles Polk, Jun. John Purser William Lemmond, ‘Clerk to the said company, and Shurgeon to … Read more

Biography of John McKnitt Alexander

“John McKnitt Alexander”, of Scotch-Irish ancestors, was born in Pennsylvania, near the Maryland line, in 1733. He served as an apprentice to the trade of tailor, and when his apprenticeship expired, at the age of twenty-one, he emigrated to North Carolina, joining his kinsmen and countrymen in seeking an abode in the beautiful champaign between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers–the land of the deer and the buffalo; of “wild pea-vines” and cane-brakes, and of peaceful prosperity. In 1759 he married Jane Bain, of the same race, from Pennsylvania, and settled in Hopewell congregation. Prospered in his business, he soon became … Read more

Biography of James Baxter

Captain James Baxter, of Boise, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Norwich. His parents were Frank and Mary (Gunn) Baxter, who came with their family to the United States when the Captain was very young. They resided near New York City for some years, and then removed to Paterson, New Jersey. The father was a horticulturist by occupation and successfully engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and flowers. Soon after his arrival in America he took steps toward becoming naturalized and was recognized as a valued and influential citizen. He served as county commissioner in New … Read more

Clinton H. Stroupe

1st Class Private, Aviation Service, 172nd Aero Squadron. Born in Mecklenburg County; son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Stroupe. Entered the service May 8, 1917, at Charlotte, N.C., and was sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., May 12, 1917, and from there to Kelly Field, Texas, June 23, 1917. Transferred to Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1917, and then to Garden City, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1918. Left New York for Liverpool, Eng., Feb. 26, 1918. Was injured in a flight in England while landing, August 22, 1918. Sent to hospital where he stayed until Oct. 16, 1918. Went to Havre, … Read more

Biography of Robert Capps

ROBERT CAPPS. This gentleman has been a resident of this section since 1837, coming thither from St. Louis County, Missouri, where he had settled in 1836. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C., February 2, 1820, in which State his parents, Richard and Rachel (Barnhill) Capps, were also born and reared. After their marriage they removed to Tennessee and made a good home for themselves in Grainger County, but in 1836 removed to Missouri, and the following year came to this section of Arkansas. The father became a prominent farmer of Newton County, but was called from life in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James W. Jack

James W. Jack, third son of Captain James Jack, married Annie Barnett, a daughter of John Barnett and Ann Spratt. He was a farmer by profession, of unblemished character, and extensive influence, residing and ending his days in Wilkes county, Ga. He had the following children: 1. Samuel T.; 2. Jane; 3. James, (killed at the massacre of the Alamo, under Col. Faonin) 4. Lillis; 5. Patrick, and 6. Cynthia Jack. Samuel T. Jack married Martha Webster, of Mississippi; Jane Jack married Dr. James Jarratt; Lillis Jack married Osborne Edward, Esq., and Patrick Jack married Emily Hanson, of Texas.

Biography of President James K. Polk

James Knox Polk, son of Samuel Polk, and grandson of Ezekiel Polk, was born on the 2nd of November, 1793 about eleven miles south of Charlotte, on the Camden road, on a plantation which, at his father’s removal to Tennessee in 1806, became the property of Nathan Orr, and finally that of the late James Hennigan, Esq. The house in which James K. Polk was born, stood about two hundred yards south of the present crossing place of Little Sugar Creek, and about one hundred yards to the right of the public road in passing from Charlotte. The lingering signs … Read more

Biography of Thomas Polk

Thomas Polk is a name of historic distinction in North Carolina, as well as in our nation. He was the early, constant, and enduring friend of liberty, and the unfaltering opponent of arbitrary power and oppression. He was a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1771 and 1775, associated with Abraham Alexander from Mecklenburg. In 1775, he was appointed Colonel of the second battalion of “Minute Men,” with Adam Alexander as Colonel, and Charles McLean as Major. As Colonel of the Mecklenburg militia, he issued orders to the Captains of the several “beats”, or districts, to send two delegates each … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Patton

“Benjamin Patton” was one of the earliest settlers in the eastern part of Mecklenburg county (now Cabarrus). He was a man of iron firmness and of indomitable courage. Descended from the blood of the Covenanters, he inherited their tenacity of purpose, sagacity of action and purity of character. He was an early and devoted friend of liberty. He was a delegate to the Provincial Congress which met at Newbern on the 25th of August, 1774. This was the first meeting of representatives direct from the people. The royal Governor, Josiah Martin, issued his proclamation against its assembling, as being without … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Jack

Samuel Jack, third son of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, was also a soldier of the Revolution, and commanded an artillery company. He lived in the Sugar Creek neighborhood, and married, 1st. Miss Knight, of Mecklenburg county, by whom he had two children, 1. Eliza D. Jack, who married the Rev. Mr. Hodge, a Presbyterian minister, and settled in Athens, Ga., and 2. James Jack, who died when a young man. A few years after her death, he married Margaret Stewart, of Philadelphia, Pa., by whom he had five children: 1. Samuel Stewart; 2. John McCormick; 3. William D.; 4. Mary … Read more

Henry K. Burtner

Private, 1st class, Inf., Hdqrs. Co., 3rd Div., 30th Reg. Born Dec. 5, 1898; son of D. H. and Florence Burtner, of Mecklenburg County. Entered service Dec. 13, 1917, at Greensboro, N.C. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., Dec. 13, 1917. Transferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., Jan. 2, 1918, then to Camp Merritt, N. J., March 24, 1918. Sailed for France April, 1918. Fought at Chateau Thierry Defensive. Killed at Battle of Chateau Thierry June 26, 1918. Buried at Belleau Woods June 27, 1918. The 1st Greensboro boy killed in action. The Henry K. Burtner Post No. 53, American Legion, is … Read more

Thomas Alfred Sweatt

Private, Co. E, 106th Inf.; son of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Sweatt, of Pineville, N.C. Entered service Aug. 5, 1918, at Charlotte, N.C. Trained at Camp Wadsworth, S. C. Sailed for France, Sept. 15, 1918. On the Verdun Front, Oct. 6 to Oct. 20, 1918. Left Brest, France, Feb. 26, 1919. Arrived in USA March 6th. Discharged April 4, 1919, from Camp Lee, Va.

Biography of Robert Jack

Robert Jack, the fourth and youngest son of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, remained in Chambersburg, Pa., where his father had resided many years previous to his removal to North Carolina. He had the following children: 1. James; 2. John; 3. Cynthia, and 4. Margaret Jack. John Jack was the only one of this family who married. He was born in Chambersburg, on the 29th of December, 1763. At the age of sixteen, he went to Baltimore, engaged as a clerk in a mercantile house, and there acquired those correct business habits and educational training which qualified him for future usefulness. … Read more

Rene L. Burtner

1st Sergt., Air Service, 497th Aero Squad.; son of D. H. and Mrs. Florence Burtner, of Mecklenburg County. Entered service Dec. 13, 1917, at Greensboro, N. C. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., Dec. 13, 1917. Transferred to Camp Hancock Jan. 2, 1918, then to Camp Greene, N.C., March 24, 1918. Sailed for France July 30, 1918. Promoted to Corpl. April, 1918, to Sergt. Dec., 1918, and 1st Sergt. Jan., 1919. Returned to USA July 5, 1919. Mustered out at War Dept., Washington, D. C., Dec. 23, 1919.

Biography of General Michael Mcleary

General Michael McLeary was born in 1762. He first entered the service as a private in Captain William Alexander’s company, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Robert Irwin, William Hagins, Lieutenant Colonel, and James Harris, Major. The regiment was encamped on Coddle Creek, near which time Colonel William Davidson, a Continental officer, was appointed to the command of a battalion. In a short time afterward, his command marched to Ramsour’s Mill, to disperse a large body of Tories, under Colonel John Moore, but failed to reach that place before they had been subdued and routed by Colonel Locke and his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Orr

James Orr was born in Pennsylvania in 1750. He early espoused the cause of freedom, and first entered the service in a company of riflemen, commanded by Captain Robert Mebane; marched to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), and thence to Wilmington, to the assistance of Generals Ashe and Moore. In 1776, he volunteered under Captain Thomas Polk, in Colonel Charles’ corps of cavalry, General Rutherford commanding, and marched against a body of Tories assembled at Cross Creek, but they were dispersed before the expedition reached that place. Again, in 1776, he volunteered under Captain Mebane, and marched from Charlotte to the … Read more