Mecklenburg County Genealogy
Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from the western part of Anson County. It was named for the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), who had become queen consort of King George III the previous year. She is also the eponym of Mecklenburg County’s county seat and largest city, Charlotte.
In 1768 the part of Mecklenburg County west of the Catawba River became Tryon County. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was allegedly signed on May 20, 1775; if the document is indeed genuine, Mecklenburg County was the first part of the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from Great Britain. Some have disputed the the story of the Mecklenburg Declaration. Saying it was written around 1800 as an attempt to reconstruct from memory the 1775 Mecklenburg Resolves, the Resolves fell short of a full declaration of independence. The argument is that the writer of the 1800 document misunderstood the Resolves as a Declaration of Independence and borrowed language from the United States Declaration of Independence. “Meck Dec Day” was celebrated on May 20 in North Carolina although it’s no longer an official holiday. For more on the Mecklenburg Declaration you can visit cmstory.org.
In 1792 the northeastern part of Mecklenburg County became Cabarrus County. Finally, in 1842 the southeastern part of Mecklenburg County was combined with the western part of Anson County to become Union County.
During the September-October British occupation of Charlotte the city was nicknamed a “Hornet’s Nest” by Banastre Tarleton. That name stuck and is a symbol still used in Charlotte for their city. (It also lended the name to the Hornet’s basketball franchise which have since moved.) October 3, 1780 there was a skirmish at McIntyre’s Farm sometimes referred to as the Battle of McIntyre’s farm or the McIntyre Skirmish. It was located (then) 7 miles from Charlotte. It took place when a party of 300 Redcoats went on a foraging expedition towards the vicinity of Hopewell Baptist Church. They met fierce resistance from a group of 14 which forced them to return back to Charlotte. (Their headquarters was at the Thomas Polk house.) This may be one of the better documented skirmishes of that occupation, but I’m sure it wasn’t the only event leading them to term this area a Hornet’s Nest.
James Knox Polk, the eleventh President of the United States, was born here in 1795 in what is now Pineville. From the Wikipedia.
Charlotte has seen aggressive growth in recent years expanding into the townships that were previously known. The census still tracks these (except for Sharon), but outside of statistical purposes they are not used:
* Charlotte Township – completely annexed into the City of Charlotte
* Mallard Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Crab Orchard Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Clear Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte and Mint Hill annexation
* Morning Star Township – almost entirely annexed by Charlotte, Mint Hill, and Matthews
* Sharon Township – completely annexed into Charlotte and eliminated
* Providence Township – almost entirely annexed into Charlotte
* Pineville Township – mostly annexed by the City of Pineville
* Steele Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Berryhill Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Paw Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Long Creek Township – greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
* Deweese Township – reduced by Davidson and Cornelius annexation
* Huntersville Township – reduced by Huntersville annexation
* Lemley Township – mostly beneath Lake Norman since it was created in 1963, and reduced by Huntersville annexation
Mecklenburg County NCGenweb site
Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 32453
Charlotte, NC 28232
Query Forums
Mecklenburg County, NC Query Forum
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Mecklenburg County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Mecklenburg County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
rodney bowers on “william hannah/hanna”
looking for willliam hannah, b 1751 mecklenburg, who was probably married to jane white. he lived in the tryon, nc/york, sc region until around 1780 and was in greene co., tn, by 1787 and died there around 1818. he was probably the son of william, b 1725 ulster, ireland, who died 1769 in mecklenburg and margaret brandon, who died after 1770. thanks. rodney bowers
Kennith A. Simpson on “Trying to locate information”
John W. Simpson, born 1803, North Carolina, unable to find any record of him. May have been born in Mecklenburg NC. Died 1888 Wyoming West Virginia. J. W. Simpson, born 1811 Mecklenburg NC, not same John W.
Also, invstigating rumor that Cherokee Indians, made a raid from Virginia into North Carolina after 1803 took J. W. Simpson captive and removed him to Virginia (what was to become West Virginia). Can not verify this information. Searching for any record of Indian Raids in area resulting in captives being taken, during the trail of tears.
Thanks for any help you may give.
Looking for any information on Linsey (Lindsy) Adams. He is an African American male who was born in Charlotte, North Carolina sometime around 1883. He is noted as being light brown. His occupation was a minister. At some point, he left NC and went to SC – which is where he met and married my great grandmother Iola. Any information on his parents, siblings or any decendents would be greatly appreciated.
glad on “McGehee, McGhee,McGee in Mecklenburg”
I am looking for parents, siblings and first wife for my William McGehee/McGhee/McGee and sometimes McKee. William was a Rev War Patriot from Mecklenburg and lived about 12 miles from Charlotte. He lived there until about 1803 then migrated to Montgomery Co., TN, Christian Co., KY then onto Illinois where he died 1843 in McLean Co. His know children were William Jr, Mary who married Rev Thomas Tovrea, and Elishua. His unknown first wife, my ancestor died prior to 1810 when he married a second time to Rebecca Satterfield Downs in Montgomery Co., TN. Rebecca was the widow of William Downs who I suspect was also from Mecklenburg.
Mecklenburg County, NC at Genforum
News related to Mecklenburg County, NC
“mecklenburg county” nc – Google News
Court Watch expanding in Mecklenburg County – WCNC (subscription)
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Court Watch expanding in Mecklenburg County
WCNC (subscription) by NewsChannel 36 Staff CHARLOTTE, NC — The organization that keeps an eye on Mecklenburg County judges and district attorneys is expanding. … |
Fire creates hazy conditions – WCNC (subscription)
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Fire creates hazy conditions
WCNC (subscription) by NewsChannel 36 CHARLOTTE, NC — Residents in upstate South Carolina and south Mecklenburg County saw smoky, hazy conditions Tuesday afternoon because of … |
Trustees try to save positions – South Hill Enterprise
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Trustees try to save positions
South Hill Enterprise That is the approach of the Mecklenburg County School Board as they search the budget for funds that will save teachers and school system staff jobs and … |
2 in custody after high-speed chase – CharlotteObserver.com
 Salisbury Post |
2 in custody after high-speed chase
CharlotteObserver.com The series of events started about 12:30 am on Albemarle Road (NC 24/27), in Cabarrus County, about a half-mile from the Mecklenburg County line. … 2 arrested after high-speed chase |
Fifth Third deal looks done – Bizjournals.com (blog)
 Bizjournals.com (blog) |
Fifth Third deal looks done
Bizjournals.com (blog) It looks like Fifth Third Bancorp. is indeed moving its North Carolina headquarters to the 201 North Tryon Street building. Mecklenburg County has issued … |
South Hill YMCA gets primary facility – South Hill Enterprise
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South Hill YMCA gets primary facility
South Hill Enterprise MECKLENBURG COUNTY â The South Hill YMCA finally has a new place to call home -the former South Hill Primary School. The nearly three year effort to obtain … |
