Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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Nation: America 1782-1819

1810 - Iron Industry

Vesuvius Furnace, Tizrah Forge and Rehoboth Furnace are the iron works in Mecklenburg County that melt metal and form it into useful items. Not everyone uses money to pay for goods they buy. Some people bring wagons full of woven cloth and cured meat to trade for cook pots, rifles and cannonballs.Mecklenburg Iron Works

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1812 - War of 1812 Begins

Decades after the end of the Revolutionary War, Britain still tries to control U.S. trade. Indians are attacking settlers in the Northwest Territory, and some Americans believe the British are giving weapons to the Indians. While the Revolutionary War was fought to win freedom from British rule, the War of 1812 will earn the U.S. its economic place in the world.

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1786 - Charlotte

The population of Charlotte is 276. The city is home to a flour mill, saw mill, and rifle factory. Merchants, tailors, weavers and blacksmiths serve the growing community. About 9,000 people make their homes in Mecklenburg County. By the turn of the century, that number will more than double.

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1807 - Tensions with Great Britain

Great Britain and France are violating trade agreements with the U.S. Both countries seize American ships. Although some of the captured American crew members were born in Britain, they now declare themselves U. S. citizens. Britain ignores their claims, and impresses, or forces, them to serve the British Royal Navy.

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1800 - Slave Resistance

Plantation owners fear their slaves may plan to run away or revolt. To prevent this, slaves are forbidden to meet in groups or learn to read. They live in huts and cabins where the supervisors, or overseers, can watch them. Often, husbands and wives are separated. But the slaves gather in secret to worship, study and sing hymns. One is called Steal Away, and some slaves believe the words are a sacred message telling them to seek freedom.A street through slave quarters

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1807 - Educating Ladies

Most girls receive no formal education. They learn homemaking skills from their mothers. Families who can afford the $5 per session tuition send their daughters to Mrs. Milligan's Young Ladies' School. Pupils learn reading, writing, grammar and needlework. Five years later, Mrs. Bevens will open a girls' boarding school.

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1814 - Treaty of Ghent

December 24, 1814 - The U.S. and Great Britain sign a treaty at Ghent, Belgium that will end the War of 1812. But before word of the treaty that is signed across the Atlantic Ocean reaches America, the British will attack again. One more major battle will erupt, this time on Southern soil.

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1808 - End of the Slave Trade

The United States will no longer allow slaves to be brought here, or imported, from foreign countries. But this ruling does not affect slaves who are already here. It will take a war to win their freedom.

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1800 - Prison Welfare

Lawbreakers imprisoned in sheriff James Neal's jail are well-fed while incarcerated. Each day they receive one pound of wholesome bread, one pound of good roasted or boiled meat and all water needed.

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1786 - How to Govern

America's leaders still disagree when discussing how to formulate the young country's government. Now free from Britain's tyranny, there is no king who rules America. Who should be in charge? How can we defend ourselves against invasion by another country? Who will protect each of the 13 states? How much power will the government have? The Articles of Confederation does not provide for these concerns.

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