rescue from the gulf of oblivion, which unfortunately conceals from our view much valuable information.
Being the son of a Revolutionary patriot, and accustomed in his boyhood to listen with enraptured delight to the narration of thrilling battle-scenes, daring adventures, narrow escapes and feats of personal prowess during the Revolution, all tending to make indelible impressions upon the tablet of memory, the author feels a willingness to "contribute his mite" to the store of accumulated materials relating to North Carolina, now waiting to be moulded into finished, historic shape by some one of her gifted sons.
Several of the sketches herein presented are original, and have never before been published. Others, somewhat condensed, have been taken from Wheeler's "Historical Sketches," when falling within the scope of this work. To the venerable author of that compilation, the author also acknowledges his indebtedness for valuable information furnished from time to time from the "Pension Bureau" at Washington City, relating to the military services of several of our Revolutionary patriots.
The author and compiler of these sketches only aspires to the position of a historian in a limited sense. It cannot be denied that the history of our good old State, modest in her pretensions, but filled with grand, patriotic associations, has never been fully written. Acting under this belief, he feels tempted to say, like Ruth following the reapers in the time of Boaz, he has "gleaned in the field until even," and having found a few "handfuls" of neglected grain, and beaten them out, here presents his "ephah of barley"--plain, substantial food it is true, but yet may be made useful mentally to the present generation, as it was physically of old, to the inhabitants of Palestine.
In conclusion, the author cherishes the hope that other sons, and daughters too, of North Carolina--some of them forming with himself, _connecting links of the past with the present_--will also become gleaners in the same field of research, abounding yet with scattered grains of neglected and unwritten history worthy of preservation.
If the author's efforts in this direction shall impart additional information, and assist in elucidating "liberty's story" in the Old North State, his highest aspirations will be gratified, and his agreeable labors amply rewarded.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
ORIGINAL SETTLEMENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
CHAPTER I.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence--A brief account of the Mecklenburg Centennial--The Grand Procession--Exercises at the Fair Grounds--James Belk, A Veteran Invited Guest--Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence--Origin of the Alexander Families of Mecklenburg county--Jack Family--Captain Charles Polk's "Muster Roll,"--President James K. Polk--General William Davidson, General George Graham--William Richardson Davie--Battle of the Hanging Rock--General Michael McLeary--Major Thomas Alexander--Captain William Alexander--Elijah Alexander--Captain Charles Alexander--Joseph Kerr, "The Cripple Spy"--Robert Kerr--Henry Hunter--James Orr--Skirmish at Charlotte; or, First attack of the "Hornets"--Surprise at McIntire's, or, the "Hornets" at work--Judge Samuel Lowrie--The Ladies of the Revolutionary Period--Mrs. Eleanor Wilson--Queen's Museum.
CHAPTER II.
CABARRUS COUNTY
The "Black Boys" of Cabarrus--Dr. Charles Harris--Captain Thomas Caldwell.
CHAPTER III.
ROWAN COUNTY
Route of the British Army through Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties-- General Griffith Rutherford--Locke Family--Hon. Archibald Henderson-- Richard Pearson--Mrs Elizabeth Steele.
CHAPTER IV.
IREDELL COUNTY
Col. Alexander Osborn--Captain William Sharpe--Major William Gill-- Captain Andrew Carson, and others--Captain Alexander Davidson--Captain James Houston--Captain James Houston's Muster Roll--Rev. James Hall-- Hon. Hugh Lawson White.
CHAPTER V.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Battle of Ramseur's Mill--Route of the British Army through Lincoln county--Gen. Joseph Graham--Brevard Family--Col. James Johnston-- Genealogy of Col. James Johnston--Jacob Forney, Sr.--Gen. Peter Forney--Major Abram Forney--Remarks--Genealogy of the Forney Family.
CHAPTER VI.
GASTON COUNTY
Rev. Humphrey Hunter--Dr. William McLean--Major William Chronicle-- Captain Samuel Martin--Captain Samuel Caldwell--Captain John Mattocks-- William Rankin--General John Moore--Elisha Withers.
CHAPTER VII.
CLEAVELAND COUNTY
Battle of King's Mountain--Colonel William Campbell--Colonel Isaac Shelby--Colonel James D. Williams--Colonel William Graham-- Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Hambrigh.
CHAPTER VIII.
BURKE COUNTY
Battle of the Cowpens--General Daniel Morgan--General Charles McDowell and Brothers.
CHAPTER IX.
WILKES COUNTY
Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland--Colonel John Sevier--General William Lenoir.
CHAPTER X.
MISCELLANEOUS
Lord Cornwallis--Colonel Tarleton--Cherokee Indians--Conclusion.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
DATE EVENTS.
1492 October 12, Columbus discovered America.
1584 July 4, Amadas and Barlow approach the coast of North Carolina.
1663 Charter of Charles II, William Drummond, first Governor of North Carolina.
1678 John Culpeper's Rebellion.
1693 Carolina divided into North and South Carolina.
1705 First Church erected in North Carolina.
1705 First Newspaper published in the United States.
1710 Carey's Rebellion.
1729 Charter of Charles II, surrendered.
1765 Stamp Act passed.
1771 May 16, Battle of Alamance.
1774 August 25, Popular Assembly at Newbern.
1775 May 20 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
1775 June, General Washington commander-in-chief.
1775 June 17, Battle of Bunker's Hill.
1775 August, Josiah Martin, Royal Governor, retreated.
1775 December 9, Battle of Great Bridge, near Norfolk, Va.
1776 February 27, Battle of Moore's Creek, N.C.
1776 August 27, Battle of Long Island.
1776 December 12, Constitution of North Carolina formed at Halifax.
1776 December 26, Battle of Trenton.
1776 Aug. & Sept., General Rutherford subdues the Cherokees.
1777 January 3, Battle of Princeton.
1777 September 11, Battle of Brandywine.
1777 October 4, Battle of Germantown.
1777 October 7, Battle of Saratoga.
1778 June 28, Battle of Monmouth
1779 March 3, Ashe defeated at Brier Creek.
1779 June 2 Battle of Stono, near Charleston.
1780
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