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Nathaniel Alexander (1756-1808) was the first Charlottean to be elected North Carolina's governor. Born in Mecklenburg County, he was first educated in a log schoolhouse but graduated from Princeton University at the age of 20.
Born in Cabarrus County the ninth of ten children, Barringer (1825-1895) was an 1842 graduate of the University of North Carolina. From 1848-50, he represented his home county in the House of Commons. (House of Representatives, North Carolina General Assembly)
John Montgomery Belk (March 29, 1920- August 17, 2007) was the son of William Henry Belk, the founder of the Belk department stores.
Born in Pennsylvania, John Davidson (1735-1832) moved with his family to Rowan County around 1750, after his father's death. Davidson became a blacksmith and arrived in Mecklenburg County about 1760.
Clement Dowd (1832-1898) was the founder and president of the Merchant's and Farmer's Bank, and the Commercial National Bank.
General Robert Irwin (8/26/1738 - ?) was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. The Irvines, later Irwins, came from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1730.
Herman Lay (1909-1982) was born to Jesse N. and Bertha Lay on 6/3/1909, in Charlotte, NC. The family lived at 814 E. 3rd St. Jesse worked as a bookkeeper for International Harvester Co., which was located at 301 E. Trade St.
Benjamin Patton was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. Very little is known about Benjamin Patton. He is believed to have moved here from Pennsylvania with other early settlers.
John Reed (1757 or 1758-1845) was one of the Hessian (or German) soldiers for hire whom Britain's King George III sent to colonial America to suppress the uprisings of colonists who were fighting for independence.
A 1967 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Melvin L. (Mel) Watt (1945-) earned the highest academic average in his class at UNC's Business School.
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He made a routine flight until he reached the designated drop zone. His glider was cut loose from the tow plane and crashed into the side of the house.
Hezekiah Alexander (1728-1801) was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. In 1774, Maryland native Hezekiah Alexander built a two-story stone house that remains the oldest dwelling in Mecklenburg County.
John Frohock (?-1772) was a surveyor and one of the earliest residents of Mecklenburg County. As one of three Commissioners, he developed the town of Charlotte.
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: His mother died at age 46 in 1931. His father died at age 51 in 1934. The children were split up and raised by family and foster parents, but they remained close.
Copies of the photographs on this page and documents were donated by Steve Estis, son of Samuel Estis, in November 2020. The full collection also includes 17 photographs of flight logs from Sgt Estis' time at Morris Field.
William Graham (1740 - 7/17/1818) was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish and first settled in Pennsylvania before coming to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
Known as the Fighting Quaker, Nathaniel Greene (1742-1786) was a famous American Revolutionary War General who fought successful campaigns against the British in North and South Carolina. Greene was the son of Quaker parents who lived in Rhode Island.