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Born in Pennsylvania, John Davidson (1735-1832) moved with his family to Rowan County around 1750, after his father's death. Davidson became a blacksmith and arrived in Mecklenburg County about 1760.
Clement Dowd (1832-1898) was the founder and president of the Merchant's and Farmer's Bank, and the Commercial National Bank.
General Robert Irwin (8/26/1738 - ?) was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. The Irvines, later Irwins, came from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1730.
Herman Lay (1909-1982) was born to Jesse N. and Bertha Lay on 6/3/1909, in Charlotte, NC. The family lived at 814 E. 3rd St. Jesse worked as a bookkeeper for International Harvester Co., which was located at 301 E. Trade St.
Benjamin Patton was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. Very little is known about Benjamin Patton. He is believed to have moved here from Pennsylvania with other early settlers.
John Reed (1757 or 1758-1845) was one of the Hessian (or German) soldiers for hire whom Britain's King George III sent to colonial America to suppress the uprisings of colonists who were fighting for independence.
A 1967 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Melvin L. (Mel) Watt (1945-) earned the highest academic average in his class at UNC's Business School.
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He made a routine flight until he reached the designated drop zone. His glider was cut loose from the tow plane and crashed into the side of the house.
There are many unmarked graves or grave markers without inscriptions. The first known burial was 1845, and the last known burial was in 1896. It is reported to be one of the first Methodist congregations between the Catawba and the Yadkin Rivers.
This cemetery was for the residents of the Mecklenburg County County Home, which was originally located nearby. Residents who could not provide for themselves became the responsibility of Mecklenburg Co.
In 1898, when Mecklenburgers answered the call of Uncle Sam, Charlotte streets were crowded with well-wishers as the trains carried the men off to training.
The following is a copy of the testimony provided by Adam Brevard Davidson concerning his grandfather’s involvement in the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
Daily Charlotte Observer 8/16/1896
The following story is from a Texas newspaper:
An Historic Battleflag
Made by the Women of the Mecklenburg District
Photographer Al Ricks volunteers his time to copy photographs for the project. Photo by Jane Johnson.
The Charlotte Observer 5/26/1916, p.6
CELEBRATION FUNDS WILL PAY ALL BILLS
Committee Liquidates All Those Approved and There is Slight Balance for Incidentals.
The 1952 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Day was celebrated along with the dedication of a new veterans’ clubhouse in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Charlotte Observer 5/20/1952, p. 2, section 1 and 5/21/1952 p.1, section B
The 210th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
The Charlotte Observer 5/20/1985 p. 4B
Mecklenburg Declaration Celebrated
The Kirkpatrick family on the porch of their farmhouse, c.1910
From The Samuel Kirkpatrick Family by Addie Pettice and Josephine Wade
CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG LIBRARY