The population of Mecklenburg County reaches 19,400. There are more than twice as many people living here now as there were just 14 years ago, even with the loss of the Cabarrus County acreage and population in 1792.
Even after the hardships of the war years, peacetime life is not easy. Food spoils quickly. The only refrigeration comes from springhouses, small buildings cooled by underground springs of water. Doctors know little about the causes of illness. The treatment for fevers, coughs or other ailments is bloodletting: A doctor will drain up to a pint of blood from a person who is ill. It will be many years before physicians will discover that bloodletting does no good and often harms a patient.
March 15, 1781 - Four thousand American soldiers meet half that number of British at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, near Greensboro. Three hours later when the fighting stops, neither side can claim victory. But this battle helps convince Britain's General Cornwallis to abandon the Carolinas.
Poet Francis Scott Key watches as British bombs rain down on Baltimore's Fort McHenry. All night long the attack continues, but by dawn's early light, something incredible happens. As the smoke clears, Key can see that the American flag is still flying above the undefeated fort. He scribbles down a poem that will be set to music. The song will become The Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem.
The Revolutionary War has been over more than 20 years. But many Americans still buy and sell goods with the British money that was in use before the war. Now, coastal North Carolina banks in New Bern and Cape Fear issue American paper money, or notes, printed on silk paper. Many people don't trust the new money.
February 1, 1781 - British commander Cornwallis advances back into North Carolina as American General Nathanael Greene's army retreats. At a crossing place, or ford, on the Catawba River, the Battle of Cowan's Ford claims the life of beloved North Carolina militia commander General William Lee Davidson. In later years, a town, a county and a college will be named for Davidson.
The population of Charlotte is 276. The city is home to a flour mill, saw mill, and rifle factory. Merchants, tailors, weavers and blacksmiths serve the growing community. About 9,000 people make their homes in Mecklenburg County. By the turn of the century, that number will more than double.
Great Britain and France are violating trade agreements with the U.S. Both countries seize American ships. Although some of the captured American crew members were born in Britain, they now declare themselves U. S. citizens. Britain ignores their claims, and impresses, or forces, them to serve the British Royal Navy.
All thirteen states ratify the Articles of Confederation which calls for a firm league of friendship between states. However, each state remains sovereign and independent. Congress continues to manage foreign affairs, determine currency, regulate the postal services and other services, but they could not regulate commerce or raise money or enlist troops directly. Eventually serious problems arise.
Plantation owners fear their slaves may plan to run away or revolt. To prevent this, slaves are forbidden to meet in groups or learn to read. They live in huts and cabins where the supervisors, or overseers, can watch them. Often, husbands and wives are separated. But the slaves gather in secret to worship, study and sing hymns. One is called Steal Away, and some slaves believe the words are a sacred message telling them to seek freedom.A street through slave quarters