The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-30
MEMOIR OF
COL. JOHN PHlFER.
One of the SjgaeTs Of the
lTeckleHLurg Declaration IF IndcPende"Ce.

of her public men has never yet been
written. The materials for such history
which have heretofore been collected and
printed, are imperfect and inaccurate and
badly digested and arranged These
observations apply with peculiar force to
the Compilation of Wheeler, which does
not indeed pretend to the dignity of
IIistorv-but which is, as yet, the most
extensive and therefore the most valuable
collection Of historical facts, sketches and
"reminiscences, written and traditinnary,
connected with the History Of the Site
But this work, as Is well known to every
one at all familiar with the subject, Is
exceedingly defective and inexact, both in
matter and arrangements.-And this is
the more to be regretted, as it IS now
used as the chief book of reference in our
Libraries, both in and out of the State, on
all matters pertaining to her History.
Ii is the Guty Of all who are able, before
the proper time passes away, to correct as
far as possible, the error, which cNist in TIN,
work, that they may not be Incorporated
into future editions, or in other publications
of the History of North Carolina.
One Of the many instances in which gross
errors appear in this work, is to be found
in the account which is given. (under
chapter II. title "Cabarrus,' y ofthe life aud
services of John Phiter, one of the siguers
of the Mccklenburg Declaration, the more
remarkable in this case, as it was 50 easy
for the compiler to have ready access to
correct information both documentary and
traditional.
He is there represented rs '.the head
of now a numerous and highly respectable
family in Caharrus" &c, dc. And "his
descendants, John Phitcr and CaIcJ Phitcr,
were often representatives from Cabarrus"
dc. dc. 1t is manifest that the compiler
Of the '.Ilistory Of North Carolina" has here
mistaken, AMI confounIcd names. dates
AMI persons.
For the purpose of correcting these
errors, rs we'll as to do justice to the mem
ory of one Of the most distinguished sous
Of OH McckLenJurg and one of the first
Of those who found ala early grave in the
midst Of the Revolutionary struggle in
North Carolina, brief memoir of John
Phitcr, may not he unintcre>ting.
CdleJ, Joln and Martin, in the order
named, were the three sons of Martin PHI
fer, ST., Tor i'fter, as the name was Then
spelled. or IJeyer, as correctly spclt in
Germdn) an immigrant from Switzerland
who went first to the province of Pemnsyl-
vania, and came thence, with the great
current of German and Scotch, Irish pupu-
latiOn which, during successive years about
the middle of the last century, settled the
valley of Nirginia-thc western portions of
North Carolina, Especially the valley of
the Yadkin and Catawba. and the upper
districts of South Carolina. He located
i'll that portion of Mccklcmburgh (original-
" taken from ARSonJ which was i'm 1872,
erected into the present county of Cabarrus,
where he died in the year 1889. He was a
member of the House of Common from
Mecklenburgh in the year l777.
Calcb his oldest son, was member of
the House of Commons from Mccklenburgh
from lT7S, continuously with one exception
till the division of the county. when in 1893.
he was the first and successive senator from
Cabarrus till 1901, inclusive. His only son
JObE +. Phifcr was n member of the House
of Commons from Cabarrus in ISI6-'I7 and
rs. There is no male member of that
branch and name of the family now alive
Martin Phitcr.Jr.. the youngest son, was
an officer in the Revolutionary war, and his
'desccnddntS" are the persons justly refer
red to by Mr. Wheeler, who have resided
and some of whom do still reside in the
county of Cabarrus.
JoHN PHIFER the second son, and the
chief subject of this notice, was born about
the year l745. He had talents of high
order and great decision of will and char
acter. He was well educated for the OPP
portunities of that time, and considering the
PrivatiOns of n new and frontier life He
took prominent and active part in the ear
ly and patriotic efforts which characterized
the county of Mecklenburgh before and
during the Revolution: and he appears to
have been one of the most conspicuous of
the remarkable men of that day who figur-
ed in the foreground of the great movement
which terminated in our Independence. He
enjoyed in high degree the confidence Of
the Wings of that region of the Province
and State.
He was delegate and signed the famous
Declaration at Charlotte in Nav. I775. He
was member of the Provincial Assembly
of general delegates which met at Hills
bOro', 2lst August, I775, and also elected
tn the Congress which met at Halifax on
the l2th of November, l776. to form a
State Constitution and organize Il State
NOW i