Back to Main Page
Celebrating the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence: All About the Declaration
space

Signers' Biographies & Signatures

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was supposedly signed by more than twenty-five prominent citizens of Mecklenburg County on May. 20, 1775. These signers came from all walks of life and had a great influence in Charlotte's early history. Find out a bit more about these significant individuals for yourself .

Biographies
Abraham Alexander
Adam Alexander
Charles Alexander
Ezra Alexander
Hezekiah Alexander
John Alexander
Waightstill Avery
Hezekiah Balch
Richard Barry
Ephraim Brevard
John Davidson
Henry Downs
John Flennekin
John Foard
William Graham
James Harris
Richard Harris
Robert Irwin
William Kennon
Matthew McClure
Neill Morrison
Duncan Ochiltree
Benjamin Patton
John Phifer
Thomas Polk
John Queary
David Reese
Zaccheus Wilson
John Queary (first half of the 18th century -?)

John Queary was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence.

This surname may have many variations in early colonial records. He was born in Scotland and came to America as a young man. He first settled in Pennsylvania, then moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The first mention of him in Mecklenburg County shows him as a colonel in the Clear Creek militia company. This would indicate he lived on the eastern part of the county. This area covered part of what is now Union County, and many believe he may have been buried there. Deeds show that Queary bought his land from Governor Dobbs, not Lord Augustus Selwyn, who owned most of present-day Mecklenburg County.

Queary participated in a campaign against the Tories at Raft Swamp. His contributions to his community included serving as a juror, tax lister, census taker and a member of the militia. He was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in the town of Mint Hill, although it did not have this name at the time. He left no will. John Lemond, a Revolutionary War soldier, married his daughter, Elizabeth.

King, Victor C. Lives and Times of the 27 Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775. Charlotte, NC, 1956.

Signatures are provided from other historical documents of the era since the original Meck. Dec. document does not exist. (Courtesy of T. Crumbley)
space