Mecklenburg Dragoons

The United States Congress declared war against Mexico on May 13, 1846. Mecklenburg County had two special connections to the war effort that followed. First, the commander-in-chief, President James K. Polk, was a native of the county. Second, the county raised its own volunteer company, the Mecklenburg Dragoons, which joined the Third U.S. Dragoons as Company A.

The names of the members of Company A are given below according to the following template:

Name

Rank
Age upon entering, place of birth
Occupation
Date and circumstances of separation from service
Post-war life

The Name and the Rank of each soldier are taken from Troops of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina by William R. Navey (n.p., n.d.)

The information under the next three bullet points was gleaned from the U.S. Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914.

The information about each soldier's subsequent career came from census and pension records, newspaper searches, Find A Grave, and other sources as noted.

Alexander, Charles G.

Private
36, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 1, 1847 for disability
No pension record. He is not in either the 1850 or 1860 Census.

Alexander, Evan

Private
19, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Caught disease in Mexico and died at home, July 29, 1849 (Charlotte Journal, August 3, 1849, p.3, col.4)

Alexander, Samuel J.

Private
24, Mecklenburg
Miner
Died at Camp Meier, Mexico Dec. 17, 1847
No pension record.

Alexander, Thomas

Private
22, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. He is in the 1850 census in Mecklenburg County with wife Nancy in the Ramah district of Mecklenburg. In the 1860 census Thomas is with wife Nancy in Mecklenburg County and his occupation is farmer. After 1860 there are other Thomas Alexanders in other NC counties in the census and enlisting in the Civil War but the ages do not match to the enlistment information.

Beatty, William L.

Private
21, Lincoln County
Saddler
Discharged July 31, 1848
His widow, Rachel filed pension in 1887 from NC. From Find a Grave: Died Jan 7, 1873. Buried Elmwood Cemetery, Charlotte.

Belk, Samuel E.

1st Sergeant
32, Lancaster County, South Carolina
Merchant
Discharged July 31, 1848
Lieutenant, Company B, 53^rd NC. Pension filed in 1887 from NC. Died February 19, 1897, Charlotte Observer, February 20, 1897, p.4

Blair, James T.

Corporal
30, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Applied for pension and living in Texas in 1889. No other reliable information found.

Boyd, Matthew B.

Private
24, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. He is in the 1850 Census in Hopewell, Mecklenburg County, NC, as a laborer and is not married. Age shown is 21.

Brian, James

Sergeant
27, South Carolina
Tailor
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. Born 02/08/1820 SC. In the 1850 Census he is in Charlotte with occupation as a merchant. In the 1860 & 1880 census he is in Spartanburg County SC He died 05/21/1896 and was buried in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery, New Prospect, SC

Bridges, Nicholas R.

Private
29, NC
Stage driver
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. 1860 Census in Chatham County, NC as overseer at farm 35 years old.

Caldwell, Green W.

41, Gaston County
Lawyer
Appointed April 9, 1847; disbanded July 20, 1848
13 Apr. 1806–10 July 1864. For more on his life see: "Caldwell, Greene Washington" in NCPedia (accessed May 2, 2018).

Caldwell, Samuel LaFayette

Private
22, NC
Physician
Discharged at Camp Meier, Mexico Oct. 27, 1847 for disability
Brother of Green Caldwell. Died in 1850 following a fall from a horse.

Cody, John

Private
Discharged July 31, 1848
Registry leaves information columns blank for him. No pension record. Enlisted in March and April 1847 in Lincolnton

Cole, Matthias W.

Corporal
24, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Book-keeper
Transferred to Non-commissioned Staff as Quartermaster Sergeant March 14, 1848. Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1890 from New York. He was a Colonel in New York 52nd National Guard in Civil War. Died April 13, 1891. His wife, Susan filed pension in 1891 from New York.

Cutler, William

Private
36, Connecticut
Gold Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record, not in 1840 or 1850 Mecklenburg Census.

Davidson, Edward Constantine

1st Lieutenant
27, Mecklenburg County
Appointed April 9, 1847; disbanded July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1887 from NC His widow, Jane filed for pension in 1892. Born Feb. 17, 1820 at Rural Hill, Mecklenburg County. Died May 13, 1892 by drowning at Moore’s Ferry. Buried at Rural Hill Cemetery Huntersville, NC (Charlotte News, May 14, 1892, p.1, col.4). Letter to his mother while in Camp in Mexico, Civil War-commissioned officer in 35th NC Infantry, Company S.

Davidson, William Lee

Private
22, Mecklenburg
Lawyer
Discharged at Matamoros, Mexico Oct. 27, 1847 by order of Adjutant General Jones
Filed for pension in 1888 from South Carolina. He was promoted up to Colonel in the Civil War for the 7th Infantry and was wounded twice, captured, imprisoned and exchanged before he was paroled in 1865. After the war he was an attorney and clerk for railroad companies and lived in various locations. He died in Chester, South Carolina Aug. 13, 1899 and is buried at St. Luke’s Episcopal Cemetery in Lincoln County, North Carolina.

Dougherty, Charles R.

Private
18, Mecklenburg
Hunter
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. In 1850 census with his parents (Dr. Middleton and Dovey Dougherty) in Mecklenburg County.

Fullenwider, John F.

Private
29, Cleveland County, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. Listed as Fulenwider in registry. Born Aug. 2, 1817; Died Aug. 29, 1854 in Cleveland County, NC. Buried in Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, NC

Glass, James R.

Private
24, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Oct. 1, 1847
No pension record.

Glover, John R.

Corporal
35, York County, South Carolina
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. He is not in 1840 or 1850 Mecklenburg Census. Enlisted in 1st SC infantry in Civil War. He was a prisoner of war at Point Lookout Prison in Maryland and died May 22, 1865 at the prison hospital. Burial was at Cypress Hill National Cemetery in Kings County, New York.

Gray, Ransom S.

Private
27, Cabarrus County
Carpenter
Discharged July 31, 1848
His widow, Almyra (Adaline), filed pension in 1898 from Alabama. In 1850 and 1860 census in Limestone County, Alabama. Not in census after 1860.

Griffith, Thomas D.

Private
29, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No Mexican War pension record. Enlisted in Co. F. NC 49th Infantry Sept 7, 1863. Died of wounds May 15, 1864. Married Martha Jane Stewart. Had no children. Buried Sharon Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Harkey, John

Corporal
32, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Applied for pension from Texas in 1887. Born 07/16/1814, d. 01/13/1897, buried in Blevins Cemetery Falls County, Texas.

Harrison, John K.

2nd Lieutenant
Appointed April 9, 1847; disbanded July 31, 1848
Not found in registry. No pension record. “Jack” Served in NC House of Commons from Mecklenburg County in 1850-1851. He was elected Captain in NC 37th Regiment in 1861, age 46 shown as a merchant in Mecklenburg County. In 1862 he was defeated for re-election for Captain of the regiment. No information found on him after 1862.

Houston, William A.

Private
25, Iredell County
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1888 from Alabama. It is noted “Abandoned” In 1850 census in Union County, not married, is a miner. In 1860 in Cabarrus County married to Mary and is a farmer. In 1870 census in Marengo County, Ala. as a farm laborer and wife is not shown.

Keziah, William A.

36, Kershaw
Miner

Lemons, Archibald B.

Private
21, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. He is not in any NC census. In 1850 census there is Archibald Lamons in Yalobusha County, Mississippi with wife Martha and he is born in NC

Lemmond, Cyrus Q.

Musician
23, Mecklenburg
Miner
Served as Bugler

Lemmons, Jackson C.

18, Mecklenburg
Miner

Mason, Robert Gideon

Private
25, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
His widow, Mary Ann, filed pension in 1888 from NC In 1860 census in Mecklenburg County with wife Mary as a laborer. Not in other censuses.

Massey, Thomas D.

Captain
25, Union
Farmer

Matthews, Hugh A.

Private
28, Mecklenburg
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. In 1850 census he is Calaveras County, California as a miner with no family. Not in other censuses.

McCall, James

Private
28, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Died at Camp Meier, Mexico Oct. 31, 1847
No pension record.

McCall, John A.

Private
18, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from NC in 1887. His widow, Mahala, filed in 1894. Son of Matthew and Margaret McCall. Also served with Company C, 1st NC Cavalry and later in Company I, 48th NC Infantry in Civil War. Died Feb. 16, 1894. Buried in Sharon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Charlotte.

McCall, William

Private
21, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. Son of Josiah and Margaret McCall. In 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses with wife Mary in Jackson County, Arkansas as a farmer. Died Sept. 9, 1886

McCall, William J.

Private
18, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from Texas in 1890. In 1860 census in Richmond County, Georgia with wife Emily as a printer. In 1880 census in Denton County, Texas with Emily as a farmer. In 1900 and 1910 census in Milam County, Texas with Emily. Died July 30, 1919. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cameron, TX.

McKee, Alexander F.

Private
31, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record and not in 1840 or 1850 Mecklenburg Census.

McKee, Elias A.

Private
31, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from NC in 1887. His widow, Martha, filed in 1890. In 1860 census in Charlotte with no spouse as a farmer. In 1880 census in Mecklenburg County with wife Martha as a farmer. Died Jan, 8, 1890, Buried in Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Mulwee, John G.

Private
28, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged at Camp Meier, Mexico Dec. 20, 1847 for disability
No pension record. In the 1850 census he is farming with his mother Sarah in Mecklenburg County. No information found after that.

Normant, Thomas T.

Private
21, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. In 1850 and 1870 census in Mecklenburg County as a carpenter with no family. Not in other censuses.

Norment, Alfred A.

2nd Lieutenant
Appointed April 9, 1847; disbanded Aug. 5, 1848
Not found in registry. No pension record. He enlisted in the Civil War in Mecklenburg County as a private with NC Company B 1st Infantry Regiment in 1861. Birth date about 1819. Not in 1840 or 1850 census in Mecklenburg County.

Parks, Henry

Private
23, York, SC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. In 1870 Abbeville, SC H. B. Parks is shown as a farmer with wife Rosa. No other close matches in census or find a grave.

Paxton, William

Private
26, Mecklenburg
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from SC in 1888. His widow, Nellie, filed pension in 1894 from SC In 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses he was in Lancaster County, SC with Nellie. He is shown as a farmer in 1860 and 1870 and as a chair maker in 1880. He named a son Green Caldwell Paxton after his Mexican war captain. Died Sept. 11. 1894 in Lancaster County, SC and buried at Belair Methodist Cemetery.

Phifer, John

Private
25, Mecklenburg
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
His widow, Nancy, filed pension from NC in 1887. In 1850 census he is in Mecklenburg County as an overseer at a farm with James Maxwell family. He was a color bearer in the 57th Company B NC in the Civil War. In the 1870 and 1880 census he is a miner in Charlotte with wife Nancy. He died Nov. 19, 1884 in Charlotte and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery.

Porter, Hugh Grey

Private
24, Union County, NC
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from NC in 1887. His widow, Tabitha L., filed pension from SC in 1891. In 1850 census he is in Mecklenburg county as laborer on a farm. In 1870 is a farmer with wife Lizzie in Mecklenburg County. In1880 is with his 2nd wife T. Lucinda as a farm laborer in Mecklenburg County.

Prather, John J.

Private
20, Mecklenburg
Printer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from Missouri in 1887. Not in 1850 census. In 1860 census is in Cumberland County as a painter. Moved to Illinois then Missouri. Died in Missouri. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Grayville, Illinois.

Query, John G.

Sergeant
32, Mecklenburg County
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. Ancestry.com: Born Nov., 1814, Died 04/04/1860 in Mecklenburg County. Married Elizabeth Parks. Buried at Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Rea, William Fletcher

Private
21, Union County, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1888 from NC His widow, Amanda, filed for pension in 1903 from NC Charlotte Observer Dec. 21, 1892: William Fletcher Rae, a veteran of the Mexican war, whose home has been in Union County, has moved here to live, and has rented a house on East Eleventh Street. In 1850 census he is farming with his parents in Union County. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, 43rd Infantry NC In 1870 he is a miner in Union County with wife Amanda. He died April 5, 1903 and is buried in Matthews Historic Cemetery.

Reed, James B.

Private
31, Mecklenburg
Carpenter
Died at Camp Meier, Mexico Jan. 12, 1847
Reid in registry. No pension record.

Richardson, John K.

Private
22, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. John K. Richardson married Adaline Hoover in 1849 in Mecklenburg County. Searches after that show a John Richardson without the middle initial and have different women linked with him so it is not clear if this is John K. Richardson. In 1850 census there is a John Richardson in Mecklenburg County 25 years old as a farmer with Rebecca Beard 40 years old. In 1860 census there is a John Richardson in Union County, NC 35 years old as a farmer with Christina Richardson 76 years old, and Catherine Richardson, 40 years old. In 1880 census there is a John Richardson as a farmer in Union County, NC with wife Jane and both are 55 years old. There is a John Richardson buried at Bethlehem United Methodist Cemetery in Union County, NC that was born April 7, 1824 and died July 4, 1901.

Richardson, Mason J.

Private
29, Union County, NC
Farmer
Discharged at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 1, 1847 for disability
No pension record. He is listed in the 1850 and 1860 census in Union County, NC as a farmer with spouse Emeline. He died Nov. 6, 1877 in Union County, NC

Robinson, Daniel C.

Private
21, Union County, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed pension from NC in 1888. His widow, Jane, filed pension from NC in 1906. June 16, 1896, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (Charlotte, NC): To-day Mr. D. C. ROBINSON, of Vance township, came to town, and while here received the news of the sudden death of his wife, who had died soon after he left home. He is an old man, and the shock was great on him. When he received the news he was talking with much pleasure of the coming trip to Richmond of the old soldiers. He is a veteran of both the Mexican and civil wars, and in the last war was color bearer of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Vance’s Brigade. He died Sept. 4, 1906 and is buried at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Mecklenburg County.

Robinson, James M.

Private
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 6, 1847
Registry leaves information columns blank for him. No pension record.

Sanders, Jesse

Private
21, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged at Camp Meier, Mexico March 10, 1847 for disability
No pension record. He is in the 1850 census in Mecklenburg County with his mother Sally and is employed as a farmer. A Charlotte News article from around 1906 indicates he was one of four survivors of the Mexican War. His obituary is in the Charlotte Daily Observer Oct. 1, 1906. Jesse died on September 30, 1906.

Setzer, James

Private
26, Lincoln County, NC
Carpenter
Discharged July 31, 1848
He filed pension in 1887 from California. His widow, Orphia, filed pension from California in 1899. 1870 census in Catawba County with wife Malinda and employed as a farmer. In 1880 census he is in Butte County, California as a farmer with wife Malinda. Born Jan. 15, 1820. Died Jan. 22, 1899 in Butte County, California and buried in Gridley-Briggs Cemetery in Butte County. Findagrave.com shows birth in Catawba County but the US Army Register of Enlistments shows Lincoln County. Wife is shown as Orpha Malinda Hunsucker. Buried in Gridley-Biggs Cemetery, Gridley, CA

Sherrell, William

Private
35, Catawba County, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Enlisted in March and April 1847 in Newton. No pension record. He is in the 1850 census in Catawba County with wife Eliza. In the 1860 census he and Elizabeth are in Livingston County, Ky. He died Aug. 18, 1889 in SC and is buried at Welsh Neck Baptist Cemetery in Darlington County, SC

Sherrill, Absalom L.

Private
22, Lincoln
Carpenter
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 26, 1847
No pension record. He was born July 27, 1825 at Sherrills Ford, North Carolina. He was the son of Absalom and Elizabeth Adeline Sherrill.

Sherrill, Hartford

Private
38, Catawba
Farmer
Discharged at Camp Meier, Mexico Dec. 20, 1847 for disability
His widow, Elizabeth, filed pension in 1887 from NC In the 1850 census he is shown as a farmer in Catawba County with his wife Elizabeth. He died Oct. 30, 1863 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.

Sherrill, Robert K.

Private
24, Catawba
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. In 1850, 1860 and 1870 he is with wife, Martha Ann in Catawba County with occupation of farmer. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1862 with the 46th Regiment NC Infantry. He died March 24, 1875 in Catawba County.

Smith, Burton

Private
21, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Deserted at Camp Meier, Mexico Nov. 18, 1847
No pension record. In the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census he is in Coweta County, GA with wife Elizabeth. He served in the Civil War in the 30th Georgia Regiment. He died in 1882 in Carroll County, GA.

Smithy, Willis W.

Private
25, Wilkes County, NC
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Enlisted in Statesville. No pension record. Not in 1850 census. Marriage Record of W. Smithey and Susanah Ray in 1857 in Wilkes County, NC

Stanford, David

Private
22, Burke County, NC
Carpenter
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1887 from Louisiana. In the 1880 census he was a carpenter in St. Landry County, Louisiana. He was living alone. Enlisted in March and April 1847 in Morganton

Stewart, Allen

Private
26, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 6, 1847
No pension record.

Stewart, Milus R.

Private
23, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 6, 1847
No pension record.

Stilwell, Henry S.

Private
27, Mecklenburg
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1888 from Alabama. His wife, Drucilla, filed for pension in 1904 from Alabama. In 1850 census he is in Henry County, Georgia with wife and employed as carpenter. He enlisted in the Civil War with the 51st Alabama Partisan Rangers Regiment in 1862. In 1870 census he is in Cleburne County, Alabama with wife and employed as farmer. In 1900 census he and Drucilla are in Calhoun County, Alabama. He was born Sept. 1819 and he is employed by the government. He died August 24, 1904 in Alabama.

Teague, John

Private
21, Wilkes County
Carpenter
Discharged July 31, 1848
Filed for pension in 1887 from Alabama. His wife, Eliza, filed for pension in 1907 from Alabama. In the 1880 census he is in Marshall County, Alabama with wife Eliza and his occupation is farmer. Enlisted in Civil War in 15th Georgia Infantry in 1862. Married to Eliza Matilda Presley. He died Dec. 21, 1906 in Dekalb County, Alabama and is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Dekalb County Ala.

Titlemary, Charles J.

Corporal
19, Philadelphia, PA.
Butcher
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. No information found on this last name.

Tye, William A.

Private
36, Mecklenburg
Carpenter
Discharged July 31, 1848
His wife S. A., filed for pension in 1887 from Texas. In 1850 and 1860 census he is in Mecklenburg County as a carpenter with wife Cornelia. In 1862 Cornelia died and he later married Susan Alice Snell. He died in Tippah County, Mississippi Dec. 25, 1868.

Vipon, Nicholas

Private
21, England
Illegible entry in registry
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record. Not in 1850 or 1860 census.

Wait, William E.R.

Private
35, Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Shoe-maker
Discharged at Point Isabel, Texas April 20, 1847 for disability
No pension record. He is not found in 1840 or 1850 census.

Warren, James T.

Blacksmith
22, Wales
Blacksmith
Discharged July 31, 1848
No pension record and he is not in 1840 or 1850 Mecklenburg County Census.

Wentz, Valentine

Private
28, Union County, NC
Farmer
Died at Matamoros, Mexico Sept. 18, 1847
No pension record. He was the son of John Andrew Wentz and Catherine Caraker. For more information see Memorial to Pvt. Wentz on Find A Grave.

Williamson, James D.

Private
25, Lincoln County, NC
Yeoman
Discharged July 31, 1848
Brother to Thomas D. and John M. Williamson. No pension record. In the 1850 census he is in Lincoln County with his father and their occupation is farming. He enlisted in the Civil War in Company G NC Infantry Regiment in 1862. He was mustered out Dec. 27, 1864. No Civil War pension is found.

Williamson, John Milton

Private
29, Mecklenburg
Miner
Discharged July 31, 1848
Brother to James D. and Thomas J. Williamson. Filed for pension from NC in 1888. In the 1850 census he is farming in Union County, NC with his wife Celena. He served in the Civil War in Co. E. 59th Regiment. He died Jan. 9, 1817 in Lincoln County and is buried in the Fairfield United Methodist Cemetery in Lincoln County.

Williamson, Thomas J.

Private
35, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Discharged July 31, 1848
Brother to James D. and John M. Williamson. In 1850 census he is in Mecklenburg County with his wife. His occupation was farmer. In the 1860 census he and Elizabeth are in Coweta County, Georgia and his occupation is carpenter. His widow, Elizabeth, filed for pension from Georgia in 1887.

Wilson, George W.

19, Mecklenburg
Farmer
Died 4 Feb, 1848

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