1891 - Charlotte Chronicle
One of the big events in 1891 was the chance to get a free lot in Dilworth. A farmer found the downed balloon and Dilworth deed attached several days later in his field near Beatties Ford Rd.
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Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
1884 - Newspaper
Many old Charlotte buildings are shown in Frank Leslie`s Illustrated Newspaper, 5/24/1884, celebrating the 109th Anniversary of Meck Dec.
1882 - Senator Bayard speech
Cover of 1882 celebration speech by Senator Bayard with introductory remarks by Governors Ransom and Vance.
1875 - James Belk
At the 1875 celebration, James `Jimmy` Belk claimed to have been visiting Charlotte as a child and to have been an eyewitness to the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration at the Mecklenburg County courthouse on May 20, 1775. If so, he was the oldest surviving witness to the event.
1875 - Centennial Copper Coin
Pictured is the "heads" side of the coin. The reverse side is in the image gallery below.
1875 Celebrations - New York Herald
The New York Herald had a special edition to celebrate the Meck Dec centennial in 1875.
1875 Souvenir - Independence Square
Independence Square, now known as The Square, was drawn on stone by Geo. Welch, Architect and Artist, from sketches accurately taken by him on the spot, as reported in The Daily Charlotte Observer on 5/6/1875, p. 4. This lithograph was a fine souvenir for the Meck Dec centennial in 1875.
1853 Memorial
North Carolina. Declaration of Independence May 1775. The state of North Carolina presented this native block of white marble to the Washington Monument in the District of Columbia at noon on February 22, 1853.
List of Scenes
Shout Freedom!
Below, you will find the complete transcript of the play, "Shout Freedom!" by LeGette Blythe. Each scene is presented in PDF format for your viewing and printing convenience.
From the official program:
The Scenes:
Time: The 1750s, and the period of 1768-1781
Places: Mecklenburg (the original county); Charlottetown, near Phifer's Mill in the present Cabarrus County, Alamance, Alexandriana, Philadelphia, Kings Mountain.
Scenes in Act I:
Chain of Error
Chain of Error
Presented below is Chain of Error and the Mecklenburg Declarations of Independence, by V.V. McNitt. The book has been separated into chapters in PDF format for your viewing and printing convenience.