Charlotte center city in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 17, 2021

1. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Marker

Inscription.
On May 20, 1775, the citizens of Mecklenburg County declared themselves free from the rule of Great Britain by adopting the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Each militia unit sent two representatives to the courthouse in Charlotte on May 19, 1775. After hearing news of the battle of Lexington, the delegates voted to adopt the Declaration which was then read to assembled public from the courthouse steps on May 20. The most frequently documented list of 27 signers includes: Abraham Alexander, Adam Alexander, Charles Alexander, Ezra Alexander, Hezekiah Alexander, John McKnitt Alexander, Waightstill Avery, Hezekiah James Balch, Richard Barry, Ephriam Brevard, John Davidson, Henry Downs (Downes), John Flennigen (Flenniken), John Ford (Foard), William Graham, James Harris, Richard Harris, Robert Irwin, William Kennon, Matthew McClure (McLure), Neil Morrison, Benjamin Patton, John Phifer (Pfifer), Thomas Polk, John Queary (Query), David Reese, Zaccheus Wilson.

To put the Declaration into effect, the Mecklenburg Resolves were adopted on May 31, 1775, and published in the South Carolina Gazette on June 13, 1775. In response to controversy that arose in the 1820's concerning the Declaration, the State of North Carolina upheld the authenticity of the May 20, 1775; Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in its pamphlet of 1831 citing eyewitnesses confirmations made under oath. May 20, 1775, appears on the North Carolina flag and state seal.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1775.

Location. 35° 13.755′ N, 80° 50.596′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Charlotte center city. It is on West 5th Street just west of North Church Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Trade St, Charlotte NC 28202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Origin Of Our Names (here, next to this marker); Captain James Jack's Ride (here, next to this marker);

Markers along West 5th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 17, 2021

2. Markers along West 5th Street

Establishing A New Life (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Charlotte (here, next to this marker); The Eighteenth Century Piedmont (here, next to this marker); Hornets' Nest (here, next to this marker); The First Carolinians (here, next to this marker); The Importance Of Religion (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.