By Janie Patterson Wagoner
The following paper was read before the Cabarrus Black Boys Chapter, D.A.R.
Cabarrus County is rich in its history, its traditions and its ancient lor, and it is to be regretted that some one gifted in writing and interested in preserving much that is of real historical value has not taken up the work of writing its history. A most interesting history of our county, woven around the life and times of outstanding men of by-gone generations who played most important and conspicuous parts in the civil and military life of the young republic could be written. To some one with a fair degree of literary ability and with the time and patience to do research work in the available, but fast disappearing material and data now in hand, this would be a most engaging and comparatively easy task, and a work which would assure to Cabarrus County its rightful place in constructive history of the nation, and at the same time give to the writer of this history the enviable distinction of having recorded much of the value and inspiration to the descendants of those sturdy patriots of our early days. History is made almost as much by those who record it as by those who play its important parts—without the record there is no history.
This short sketch is to bring out something from the almost forgotten early days of this section about one of the early governors of North Carolina, who was born on the plantation of his father, Col. Moses Alexander, a distinguished Revolutionarly Patriot, about six miles from Concord and near to Poplar Tent Church. The place, known as the Morehead Place, is now owned by Mr. Shakespeare Harris. Only a few scattered stones remain to mark the spot where this beautiful Colonial mansion stood.
That Nathaniel Alexander was honored and beloved by his fellow countrymen is attested by the many positions of prominent which he held. He was schooled in a log house, and thence to Princeton, where he graduated in medicine in 1776. Dr. Alexander was elected a member of the House of Commons in 1797; a member of the senate in 1801, and re-elected in 1802. He was a member of Congress from 1803-1805. He married Margaret Polk, daughter of Gen. Thomas and Susannah Spratt Polk of Mecklenburg. Her father was an ardent Revolutionary soldier and a Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Her mother came from one of the wealthiest families in Mecklenburg county. Their son, William Polk, played a leading part in the life of the state. James K. Polk, President of the United States, was a relative of this talented and patriotic family.
Hon. Nathaniel Alexander was elected Governor of North Carolina in 1805, and died on the 7th day of March 18089, in his 62nd year of his age. His mother had his remains brought from Raleigh and buried at Charlotte in the old Presbyterian graveyard, in the rear of the church beside his beautiful young wife, who preceded him to the grave by about 2 ½ years. They left no children to bear the name. There is evidence that no public servant of the state ever felt greater appreciation of a trust than did Gov. Alexander.
He had four brothers, William L. and Wallace,--I have sought in vain for the names of the other two brothers. His sisters were Jane and Sarah. William L. Alexander married Elizabeth Henderson, and Sarah married Hon. Archibald Henderson, who represented his district in congress from1799 to 1803; and the town of Salisbury three times in the General Assembly.
Attached is a copy of the last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Alexander. Robert Washington Smith, whom he appointed as his sole executor, lies buried at the Alexander Grave-Yard in Cabarrus. We find the following inscription n his tomb: “To the memory of Major Robert W. Smith born Feb. 2nd, 1777. Died Sept. 21st,1836.” Nearby his grave sleeps his father, General Smith, a gentleman of Revolutionary fame. By his side rests his wife. Inscription on their tombs read:
Here Lies the Body of Gen’l Robert Smith who departed this life on the 16th day of July,1805, Aged 59 years. This monument is erected to his memory by His Son Robert W. Smith.
Here Lies the body of Sarah Smith wife of Gen’l Smith, departed this life in October 813 aged 80 years. This Monument is erected to her memory by her Son Robert W. Smith.
The body of William Lee Alexander, brother of Governor Alexander, also lies buried in this picturesquely situated grave-yard. All of the slabs are mortared onto a brick foundation. William Alexander’s epitaph follows:
“This stone Is erected to the memory of William Lee Alexander, Who was born 1st November A.D. 1765, and died 16th March A.D. 1806. In early life he entered the army of the Revolution of Gen. Greene as a Lieutenant and continued in the service until the close of the war. He was a Soldier of approved valor, a Statesman of undoubted purity, a man of unblemished integrity as a son affectionate, and as a Husband and Father kind and indulgent.”
Here lies the body of Elizabeth Alexander, wife of William Lee Alexander, who was born 30th August 1770, died 30th of March,1808.” The record of her virtues is engraved on the hearts of her Children and Friends.
From page 3 of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, March 14, 1925. To read the will of Nathaniel Alexander, go to:
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-03-14/ed-1/seq-3/#words=MARCH+14%2C+1925
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