Mecklenburg County, North Carolina History and Genealogy

Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from Anson county, and named in honor of the native place of the new Queen, Princess Charlotte, of Mecklenburg, one of the smaller German States.

This county has a peculiar historical interest. It is the birth-place of liberty on American soil. No portion of the State presents a more glowing page of unflinching patriotic valor than Mecklenburg, always taking an active part in every political movement, at home or abroad, leading to independence.

The temper and character of the people were early shown. In 1766, George A. Selwyn, having obtained, by some means, large grants of lands from the British Crown, proceeded to have them surveyed, through his agent, Henry E. McCullock, and located. On some of these grants, the first settlers had made considerable improvements by their own stalwart arms, and persevering industry. For this reason, and not putting much faith in the validity of Selwyn's claims, they seized John Frohock, the surveyor, and compelled him to desist from his work, or "fare worse". Here was manifested the early "buzzing" of the "Hornets' Nest." which, in less than ten years, was destined to "sting" royalty itself in these American colonies.

The little village of Charlotte, the seat of justice for Mecklenburg county, was in 1775, the theater of one of the most memorable events in the political annals of the United States. Situated on the beautiful and fertile campaign, between the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers, and on the general route of the Southern travel, and among the earliest settlements in the Carolinas and Georgia, it soon became the centre of an enterprising and prosperous population. The fertility of the soil, the healthfulness of the climate, and abundance of cheap and un-appropriated lands, were powerful inducements in drawing a large influx of emigrants from the Northern colonies, and from the Old World. These natural features of middle and western Carolina; in particular, were strongly attractive, and pointed out, under well-directed energy, the sure road to prospective wealth and prosperity.

• Additional Mecklenburg County Resources

  • Mecklenburg Deceleration of Independence

  • Signers of the Mecklenburg Deceleration of Independence

  • Mecklenburg Centennial

  • Exercises at the Fair

  • James Belk, A Veteran Invited Guest

  • Battle of Hanging Rock

  • Skirmish At Charlotte

  • Surprise at McIntyre's

  • Route of the British Army Through Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties

  • Ladies of the Revolutionary War

  • Queen's Museum

Western North Carolina