Charlotte’s revolutionary tavern keeper
Plus: The news of the week — New census data explains region's growth; Family calls school assault a hate crime; American Airlines hits rough patch; N.C. sports gamblers lose $300M
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Captain James Jack: Before his storied ride to Philadelphia, he was already shaping Charlotte — pouring drinks, selling land and fueling the spirit of independence.
Editor’s note: You see their names on street signs or parks, but who were some of the big-name people from decades ago who shaped Charlotte? They have fascinating stories, and for the next few Saturdays, we’re sharing them with you.
by John Short
Standing tall at the intersection of East 4th Street and Kings Drive, the 12-foot statue of Capt. James Jack is a fitting tribute to one of Charlotte’s most celebrated historical figures.
His role in the legend of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and famous delivery of the documents to Philadelphia warrants the 12-foot statue.
But in addition to his legendary ride, James Jack also was among the first to try his hand at a few activities still popular in present-day Charlotte: slinging booze and real estate development.
Capt. Jack’s storied ride to Philadelphia to deliver the MeckDec is captured in this statue on East 4th Street and Kings Drive. (Ledger photo)
Jack was born in Chambersburg, Pa., in 1731 and was the oldest of Patrick and Lillis McAdoo Jack’s nine children. Like many 18th-century Scots-Irish families in America, the Jacks made their way from Pennsylvania down the Great Wagon Road to the Carolina Backcountry in the 1760s, settling west of Salisbury in a Presbyterian community along the Yadkin River.
In 1766, Jack would marry his wife, Margaret, and in 1772, the family moved to Charlotte, where they settled on land just south of Trade Street, near what is now the under-construction McColl Park. Jack and his father built a house on the land, in addition to what was one of Charlotte’s first taverns that the family would operate. Today, the tavern is commemorated on a historical marker in front of the Grand Bohemian hotel.
Jack and his father were very involved in the Charlotte settlers’ desire for independence from Great Britain, particularly around the British rejection of the charter for a Presbyterian school in Charlotte. Many of the meetings of the Committee of Safety in Charlotte were held at the family’s tavern, which became a de facto headquarters for local leaders, merchants and landowners who sought to resist British rule.
Jack himself later recalled that hosting these meetings granted him access to the grievances of Charlotte’s most influential figures. He was, as he put it, “privileged to a number of meetings of some of the … leading characters of that county on the subject,” firmly placing him in the inner circle of the city’s independence movement.
Frustrated at how British laws were infringing on all aspects of life in Charlotte, a frequent topic of discussion was the various encounters with British soldiers around the colonies. When news of the battles at Lexington and Concord reached Charlotte in April 1775, the local leaders discussed a plan of action.
What happened next remains legend, as there is no concrete and contemporaneous evidence to prove the turn of events. It’s a matter of historical dispute.
The story goes that on May 20, 1775, the citizens of Mecklenburg County, led by prominent figures such as Thomas Polk and John McKnitt Alexander, gathered at the courthouse a block from the Jack family tavern to draft what would become the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The document declared that British authority was no longer recognized in the region, making it one of the earliest calls for complete independence from Great Britain.
Once the MeckDec document was signed, Charlotte leaders determined they needed to share the newly minted MeckDec with the regional leadership in Philadelphia for the Continental Congress. Jack volunteered to make the journey, and in June 1775, he set off for Philadelphia, averaging 30 miles of hard riding each day, completing his 1,100-mile trip in roughly 38 days. British forces and loyalist spies posed constant threats along the route, and the path to Philadelphia was long and dangerous.
Jack described the trip years later, stating that “I then proceeded on to Philadelphia, and delivered the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 1775, to Richard Caswell and William Hooper, the Delegates to Congress from the State of North Carolina.”
Caswell and Hooper had a lukewarm reaction to the documents. Many delegates at the Congress were not yet ready to take the extreme position of separating completely from Britain, and the Mecklenburg Declaration was not immediately recognized.
Jack’s trip, however, was not in vain. His perilous ride would go on to symbolize the determination and spirit of the citizens of Mecklenburg County and foreshadowed the eventual drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Jack’s devotion to the revolutionary cause of the region did not end with his ride. Already very involved in the burgeoning Charlotte community as a tax collector and an overseer of the poor in Mecklenburg County, Jack participated in the local militias, defending settlements from both external threats and internal unrest.
In 1776, Captain Jack led his company in operations against the Cherokee, who were allied with British forces, posing a threat to frontier settlements. His leadership was instrumental in safeguarding the region during these turbulent times.
Jack was a popular captain in the Mecklenburg militia during the Revolutionary War, and his prominence made him a target during the fiercest fighting of the day. British Lord Cornwallis, who led Britain’s “Southern Strategy” in the war effort, had Jack’s father arrested and kept in a damp cell for questioning. The elder Jack died shortly after in September 1780. The Jack home (and tavern) were burned to the ground.
Recovering from the financial loss was difficult, and Jack moved from Charlotte into what today is east Tennessee after the war, and years later settled in Georgia to farm for the rest of his days until his death in 1823 at the age of 91.
John Short is a freelance writer and co-host of The Charlotte Podcast who loves digging up Charlotte’s past and pondering its future. Say hey when you see him on the streetcar.
This week in Charlotte: TB tests at South Meck High; New U.S. attorney sworn in; Lawmakers consider state cookie; Farewell to two Ballantyne burger spots
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
School fight: (WFAE) The family of a female Muslim student at Ardrey Kell High School who was injured in a fight during school is calling for hate crime charges to be filed against the male student involved in the incident, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say they have turned the report over to the FBI. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials say they followed all policies and procedures, including involving law enforcement.
TB tests at South Meck: (WSOC) The Mecklenburg County Health Department is asking multiple students at South Mecklenburg High to be tested for tuberculosis, saying they might have come in close contact with a person infected with TB.
Politics
Carbon reduction bill: (Axios) A new bill filed in the N.C. General Assembly by state Senate leader Phil Berger would roll back Duke Energy's goal of a 70% carbon reduction by 2030, while leaving the goal of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 intact. The bill would also change how Duke can adjust electricity rates for users to cover the costs of building new power plants.
Matthews divisions over transit plan: (Axios Charlotte) Matthews Mayor John Higdon criticized Matthews commissioners who are withdrawing their opposition to Charlotte’s transit plan, calling them “flip-flopping commissioners” and saying their shift is a “total sellout of Matthews taxpayers.” The Ledger reported the split two weeks ago.
Local news
Analysis of census data: (Ledger 🔒) Mecklenburg County in 2024 added more residents than in any year since 2007, new figures show — mostly from international migration.
New U.S. attorney: (U.S. Department of Justice) Veteran prosecutor Russ Ferguson was sworn in Tuesday as the new U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, replacing Dena King, who resigned in February.
N.C. sports gamblers lose $300M+: (WRAL) In the first 12 months of legalized sports gambling in North Carolina, bettors wagered $6.1B in paid bets and an additional $500M in free promotional bets, according to the N.C. State Lottery Commission, which runs the games. Online sportsbooks paid out more than $5.7B in winnings, meaning that gamblers’ losses exceeded $300M. The state collected $128M in taxes.
Business
Rough patch for airlines: (Ledger 🔒) Major airlines including American Airlines, Charlotte’s dominant carrier, have experienced slower travel bookings in the wake of January’s deadly midair collision in Washington. They also say economic softness and federal cutbacks are playing a role.
New head of business group: The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte’s major business advocacy organization, named Robert McCutcheon as president and CEO. He’s the former CEO of Husqvarna North America.
New United Way CEO: United Way of Greater Charlotte has appointed Kathryn Firmin-Sellers as its new president and CEO, according to a press release. Firmin-Sellers has been with the organization for nearly a decade and has served as interim CEO since July 2024.
Sports
Steph Curry takes administrative role with Davidson basketball: (ESPN) Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has joined Davidson College as an assistant general manager for its basketball programs, becoming the first active U.S. major pro athlete to take an NCAA administrative role.
Wolfpack coach fired: (ESPN) N.C. State fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts, a year after he led the Wolfpack to the Final Four. But the team went 12-19 this year, finishing 16th out of 18 teams and failing to qualify for this year’s ACC Tournament.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
How Tom Gabbard shapes the arts: Blumenthal Arts CEO Tom Gabbard shares insights on Charlotte’s evolving arts scene, the challenges of Broadway and his experience witnessing the rise of “Hamilton” in an interview with The Ledger.
Plus: Legislators consider state cookie; CMS changes how it notifies parents of school threats; Spirit Airlines adds flights from CLT to 4 cities
Wednesday (🔒)
How a pandemic hobby led to a deal with Free People: After turning a pandemic hobby into a thriving knitwear brand, Delilah Eby has landed a partnership with major retail brand Free People and is now growing her business in New York City.
Plus: Opera Carolina director says he was forced out; Workplace trends webinar series
Friday (🔒)
Commissioners push Atrium Health for more details on promises related to The Pearl; 2 Ballantyne burger spots closing
Ways of Life (🔒)
BG Metzler passed away on Feb. 12 after a quiet battle with cancer. Known for her charisma, humor and leadership, she made a lasting impact in public relations, Discovery Place and organizations like Senior Scholars.
Transit Time
Residents pepper CATS with questions: At a virtual meeting Monday and at an in-person gathering in Matthews on Tuesday, CATS officials answered residents’ questions regarding four possibilities for building new transit lines and expanding bus service.
Fútbol Friday
Stakes rising for Charlotte FC striker: Charlotte FC’s Patrick Agyemang is facing tighter defensive pressure in MLS while preparing for tougher competition in his second call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the high-stakes CONCACAF Nations League.
Real Estate Whispers (🔒)
Wrapping up big real estate news: CATS shares updates on the proposed Camp North End rail stop and Gateway Station; a Providence Road developer shifts from apartments to townhomes; the N.C. House speaker discusses potential changes to the state's new anti-down-zoning law, and The Pearl shines in stunning new drone photos.
Toppman on the Arts
Bold new season for the symphony: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-2026 season embraces bold, diverse programming, moving beyond classical mainstays to include contemporary composers, immersive performances, and community-focused initiatives aimed at expanding and diversifying its audience.
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