Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-03-21
Letter From Charlotte. N. G.

1t would seem that Charlotte and the
Mecklenburg region would be Of especial
interest to jewellers in our beautiful lower
Shenandoah Valley. If one may trust
the concurrent testimony of historians. in
about 1882, the earliest pioneers came
from Pennsylvania to Jefferson county.
then Frederick county, Va. Crossing
the Potomac at Pack Horse Ford.
they founded the town of Mecklenburg.
This was not incorporated till 1902. and
then under the name it bears today,
Shepherdstown. whose founder, Thos.
Shepherd, gave land and LAID off the
town. The chief factors IN this settle
ment were Germans, Dutch and the
sturdy Scotch Irish. whose faith remains
a ruling element in the Upper Valley,
even more than in old Winchester
Presbytery." To these third ingredient
was added with the advent of Cavalier
settlers from across the mountains. Now
the student of history will find just these
same elements taking part in the pioneer
settlement of Mecklenburg and other
counties IN the old North State. Now
the Presbyterian is still dominant. and the
Scotch Irish love of independence, cour-
age, fortitude and intellectually are
united to certain severity of principle
and canny Scotch frugality. Many of
our Jefferson county names occur here,
as Hunter. Henderson, Alexander. Ruth
reford, &c. Founded about the middle
Of the 18th century, Charlottetown :"
was named for Queen Charlotte. Here
Queens University or College, was es-
tablished in 1866, the first institution of
its kind south of William and Mary, and
continued as the Presbyterian College of
Wainsboro. S. c. The new courthouse
IN Charlotte now occupies the site of
beautiful monument commentaries the
signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration
of Independence, on May 10. I775, year
before the immortal Jefferson formulated
the greatest Declaration of human rights
ever voiced by the race. The fires of
controversy have ragged around this
Mecklenburg Declaration, but it remains
well authenticated, a glorious heritage
for all patriotic Americans. In this same
year. while Morgan's Minute Men
were forming at Morgan's Spring, and
thence marching 600 miles in Decline
to Boston, these Mecklenburgers were
fighting tories in neighboring counties
and sending aid to South Carolina IN
similar cause later they led regiments
against the Cherokee Indians. and sent
continentals- to join Washington in New
York. New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 1t
! was a fighting race, this American mix
ture of Independent, Cavalier or Quaker
lit mattered not. The soil of Carolina
seemed to inspire her sons with a pa
trlotic valor that has never failed, from
the early Indian warfare, through the
long Revolutionary campaigns; when
Greene redeemed the failures of Gates,
when Rutherford and Morgan gained
glory at Cowpens, Kings Mountain and
when CORVALLIS and the infamous Tarle-
ton pronounced the innocent little town
of Charlotte with its neighborlood a
veritable hornets nest saying that
here the whole British army was kept at
bay for spme minutes by few mounted
Americans, and rejoicing to leave behind
them one of the most rebellious tracts in
America. Rutherfordton and Morgan
ton bear witness that North Carolina
honored the heroes of the Revolution in
peace as in war.
In 1880 there was refugee at the house
of Mrs. Susan Alexander, near Charlotte,
She pronounced him =" likely lad we
claim him as native born West Virgin
ian, but with Waxhaws " as his early
home, and Queens College his Alma
Mater. perhaps the old North State may
claim her share in the fame Of Andrew
Jackson. 1t is well Known fact that
las. K Polk was born in Mecklenburg
county.
Among other interesting items of her
history during the early years OF lnde-
pendence, we find that in June, 1884,
North Carolina coded large territory to
the Congress. In October she rescinded
this act, because the States of Massachu-
sets Connecticut put in claims for the
same. Later. the District of Washington
was created-but OF content, the inhab-
itants of this region set up the State of
Franklin, with one John Swier for pres
dent. The territory of this socalled State
was to include fifteen counties in Virgin
ia, six in West Virginia, one-third of
Kentucky and one-half of Tennessee. 1t
is needless to say that this civil schism
was speedily put down eventually the
more modest District of Washington be-
came the State of Tennessee, with the
same John Swier for governor.
In 1856 the tax of per cent was raised
to 10 per cent on imported slaves later
the Quakers petltioned the legislature
tor the emancipation of all slaves.
The present colored population of
Charlotte numbers about Il. 900 IN total
population OF $4,000. 1t seems to be an
orderly element, receiving kindly treat
ment. provided by the city with tree
library and good schools, and owning
twenty seven churches or chapels. con-
siderable other property, with Bidder
University at hand to assist in the effort
to make civilized and law-abiding class
OF citizens.
The Mecklenburg region is rich and
fertile. Iron furnaces were worked in
pioneer days, reminding us of Vestal's
Furnace by the Shenandoah. But the
gold mines, of which there are eighty
three in the county, We're even more luc-