Local members of the Daughters of the American Revolution marked the graves of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

The Charlotte News 5/18/1938

D. A. R. Will Mark Graves of Signers     Program Is Arranged For Mecklenburg Declaration Celebration  

Complete program for the Twentieth of May observance by members of the Signers Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, when the graves of five Signers at Philadelphia Church and Providence churchyards will be marked, was announced today by Mrs. Parks Kirkpatrick, publicity chairman for the chapter.  

The exercises will begin at 11 A. M. at Philadelphia Church and will continue with further exercises at Providence Church at 1:30 P. M. A picnic lunch will conclude the program.  

State and national officers will be present and the regents of all Charlotte DAR chapters will be guests.  

The Signers Chapter has as its project the marking of the graves of the 27 signers of the memorable Mecklenburg Declaration and last year five graves were marked. Another five will be marked this year. Mrs. T. T. Allison is chairman of the Markers’ Committee.  

The two signers buried at Philadelphia Church are John Ford and Adam Alexander. The tribute to John Ford will be made by Mrs. Frank Sample and the marker will be unveiled by little Miss Jean Burns, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Burns of Concord. Mrs. W. B. Lindsay, descendant of Adam Alexander, will make the tribute to him and the marker will be unveiled by Miss Anna Belle Shoemaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Shoemaker, 325 East Boulevard.  

At Providence Church the graves of Neil Morrison, Henry Downs and John Flennigan will be marked. Mrs. Joseph G. Davidson, a lineal descendant, will pay tribute to her ancestor, Neil Morrison, and the tablet will be unveiled by Miss Alice Caldwell Davidson.  

Tribute to Henry Downs will be made by Miss Minnie Downs and the marker will be unveiled by little Miss Anne Banks Rea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Rea.  

John Flennigan, who was a bachelor will be paid a tribute by Mrs. C. N. Gillette, chapter regent, and Master Harry Flynn Wolfe, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Flynn Wolfe, will unveil the marker. Mrs. Wolfe is vice-president of the chapter.  

Mrs. Parks Kirkpatrick will have charge of the program at Philadelphia Church while Miss Minnie Downs will conduct the exercise at Providence Church.  

The public is invited to attend these exercises, which will be the chief feature of the city’s observance of the Twentieth of May anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.