Mecklenburg County NC

Biography of Charity Jack

Charity Jack, eldest daughter of Patrick Jack, of Charlotte, married Dr. Cornelius Dysart, a distinguished physician and surgeon of the Revolutionary army. The Dysart family, at that time, resided in Mecklenburg county. Dr. Dysart is said to have built the first house on the “Irwin corner,” assisted by his brother-in-law, Captain Jack, who owned the lot until his removal to Georgia, shortly after the war. Dr. Dysart died comparatively young, leaving a widow and two children, James and Robert Dysart, who settled in Georgia. Of their subsequent history little is known. Jane (or “Jean,”) Jack, second daughter of Patrick Jack, … Read more

Biography of John Phifer

“John Phifer” was born in Cabarrus county (when a part of Bladen) in 1745. He was the son of Martin Phifer, a native of Switzerland, and of Margaret Blackwelder. He raised a numerous family, who inherited the patriotic spirit of their ancestors. The original spelling of the name was “Pfeifer”. He resided on “Dutch Buffalo” Creek, at the Red Hill, known to this day as “Phifer’s Hill.” He was the father of General Paul Phifer, grandfather of General John N. Phifer of Mississippi, and great grandfather of General Charles H. Phifer, a distinguished officer in the battle of “Shiloh,” in … 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

Claud T. Earnhardt

Private, Field Hospital No. 15, 2nd Div.; son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Earnhardt, of Pineville, N.C. Entered the service at Charlotte, N.C., June 24, 1917. Trained at Ft. Ben Harrison, Ind. Sailed for France Nov. 18, 1917. Fought at Woevre, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Mt. Blanc, Verdun Sector, Chateau Thierry, Meuse-Aisne and other engagements with his company. With army of Occupation from Nov. 12, 1918, until April 28, 1919. Returned to USA June 1, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Mills, June 7, 1919.

Biographical Sketch of Margaret Jack

Margaret Jack, fourth daughter of Patrick Jack, married Samuel Wilson, of Mecklenburg. (For his descendants, see “Genealogy of Samuel Wilson, Sr.”)

Biographical Sketch of Robert Y. Jack

Robert Y. Jack died near Charleston, Jefferson county, Va., in 1834, leaving an only child, Frances Rebecca, who married Thomas J. Manning, of the U.S. Navy. They both died previous to the late Confederate war, leaving three sons: 1. Charles J.; 2. George Upshur, and 3. Frank Jack Manning. Each one of these brave youths joined the Confederate army, all under the age of eighteen years. George Upshur was killed in the cavalry charge under General Stewart at Brandy Station. Frank Jack was shot through the body, but recovered of his severe wound and continued in the army. They all … Read more

John Bethea Mallard

Entered service as 2nd Lieutenant in 323rd Infantry, on August 15, 1917. Transferred to 52nd Pioneer Infantry on January 24, 1918. Left the United States for service in France on August 3, 1918. In the Verdun sector from September 20th to September 22nd. In Malancourt-Vanguois sector from September 23rd to 25th. In Argonne-Meuse offensive from September 26th to November 11th, 1918. Returned to the U. S. April, 1919, and discharged April 13th. Was located in Charlotte, N.C., with Presbyterian Standard Publishing Co. as commercial artist until his death, Dec. 27, 1920. Author of “In the A. E. F. With an … Read more

Biography of General William Davidson

General William Davidson was the youngest son of George Davidson, and born in 1746. His father moved from Lancaster county, in Pennsylvania, in 1750, to North Carolina, and settled in the western part of Rowan county (now Iredell.) Here General Davidson received his earliest mental training, and subsequently his principal and final education at Queen’s Museum College in Charlotte, where many of the patriots of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties were educated. At the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax, on on the 4th of April, 1776, four additional regiments to the two already in service, were ordered to be raised, … Read more

Link Williams

Private, Co. C, 167th Inf., 42nd Div. Son of Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Williams, of Pineville, N.C., Mecklenburg County. Entered service April 15, 1918, at Charlotte, N.C. Trained at Camp Jackson. Transferred to Camp Sevier. Sailed for France July 6, 1918. Received gunshot wound on the Verdun Front Sept. 12, 1918. Returned to the USA Nov. 29, 1918. Mustered out at Camp Wadsworth Jan. 17, 1919.

Biographical Sketch of Churchill Jack

Churchill Jack, youngest son of Col. Patrick Jack, is a farmer in Arkansas, and the only one of this family now (1876) living. William H., Patrick C. and Spencer H. Jack, all young and adventurous spirits, emigrated from Alabama to Texas in 1831, and cast their lots with the little American colony which was then just beginning to establish itself. They were all three lawyers by profession, and took an active interest and part in the difficulties with Mexico, which were sure to result in open hostilities and the independence of Texas. Spencer H. Jack died young and without issue.

Biography of Waightstìll Avery

“Waightstìll Avery” was an eminent lawyer, born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, in 1747, and graduated at Princeton College in 1766. There were eight brothers of this family, and all true patriots; some of them were massacred at Fort Griswold, and some perished at Wyoming Valley. Some of the descendants still reside at Groton, Conn., and others at Oswego, and Seneca Lake, N.Y. He studied law on the eastern shore of Maryland, with Littleton Dennis. In 1769, he emigrated to North Carolina, obtained license to practice in 1770, and settled in Charlotte. By his assiduity and ability, he soon … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Cynthia Jack

Cynthia Jack, eldest child and only daughter of Capt. James Jack, married A.S. Cosby, and settled in Mississippi. After his death the widow and family settled in Louisiana, about 1814. Their descendants were: 1. Margaret. 2. Cynthia. 3. James; and 4. Dr. Charles Cosby. Patrick Jack, eldest son of Captain James Jack, was Colonel of the 8th Regiment U.S. Infantry, in the war of 1812, stationed at Savannah. He sustained an elevated position in society, frequently represented Elbert county in the State Senate, and died in 1820. His children were: 1. Patrick. 2. William II.; and 3. James W. Jack. … Read more

Biography of Captain William Alexander

Captain William Alexander was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1749. He was long and well known in Mecklenburg county, N.C., among numerous other persons bearing the same name, as “Capt. Black Bill Alexander,” from being the reputed leader of a small band of ardent patriots who, in 1771, “blackened their faces”, and destroyed the king’s powder, on its way to Hillsboro, to obey the behests of a cruel and tyrannical governor. (For further particulars, see sketch of “Black Boys” of Cabarrus County.) He first entered the service of the United States as captain of a company, in … Read more

Samuel A. Alexander

2nd Lt., Remount Veterinary Corps, 6th Cavalry. Entered service at Matthews, N. C., June 7, 1917. Son of A. D. and Mary W. (Bess) Alexander, of Mecklenburg County. Sent to Ft. Royal, Va., Remount Depot. Sailed for France March 23, 1918. Returned to USA July 5, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Dix, July 8, 1919. Commissioned May 21, 1917.

David Lockerbie

1st Class Sergt., Co. F, 105th Engineers, 30th Div.; of Mecklenburg County. Entered service Sept. 12, 1917, at Charlotte, N.C. Was sent to Camp Sevier, from there to Camp Mills. Sailed for France May 27, 1918, on the Canadian Pacific S. S. “Melita.” Was in all engagements with his Company. Returned to USA April 18, 1919, and mustered out of service April 25, 1919, at Camp Jackson.

Biographical Sketch of John Davidson

“John Davidson” was born in Pennsylvania in 1736. He performed much civil and military service to secure the independence of his country. He was appointed by the Provincial Congress, which met at Halifax on the 4th of April, 1776, a field officer (Major) with Adam Alexander as Colonel, John Phifer as Lieutenant Colonel, and George A. Alexander as second Major. He was with General Sumpter in August, 1780, at the battle of the Hanging Rock, and was a General in the State militia service. He was enterprising, and successful in business. With Alexander Brevard, and Joseph Graham, his sons-in-law, he … 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

Biographical Sketch of Ezekiel Polk

Ezekiel Polk, one of the older brothers of Colonel Thomas Polk, was the first clerk of the county court of Lincoln, after its separation from Mecklenburg in 1768; a Magistrate of Mecklenburg county at a later period; and was a man of considerable wealth and influence, owning much of the valuable lands around “Morrow’s Turnout,” now the flourishing village of “Pineville.” He was the grandfather of James K. Polk, President of the United States in 1845, some of whose noblest traits of character were illustrated in “refusing to serve a second term” and in being “never absent from his post … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew H. Allison

Andrew H. Allison, farmer, deceased, Sec. 8; P. O. Campbell; owned 300 acres of land, which was left to the heirs; was born in Mecklenburg Co., N. C., Sept. 20, 1823; came from Tennessee to this county when 13 years of age, where he resided until his death, which occurred Nov. 15, 1864. He was married to Eveline Dryden Dec. 30, 1845; she was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., June 7, 1822; they have had eight children – Mary Ann, Emily Frances, Thomas L., William D., Nancy C., John N., Henry C. and Andrew B. Mr. Allison was School Director … 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