The will abstracts in this volume, 1749-1790, are based on the oldest Mecklenburg County wills of record, as well as upon the extant returns of wills and estates of the North Carolina Secretary of State. While the length and contents of these abstracts vary, most of them provide the name of the testator, date of the will, names and relationships of all heirs to the estate (sometimes with ages given or inferred), contents of the estate, names of executors, and, usually, the date of probate.

A thousand unique gravestones cluster around old Presbyterian churches in the piedmont of the two Carolinas and in central Pennsylvania. Most are the vulnerable legacy of three generations of the Bigham family, Scotch Irish stonecutters whose workshop near Charlotte created the earliest surviving art of British settlers in the region. In The True Image, Daniel Patterson documents the craftsmanship of this group and the current appearance of the stones. In two hundred of his photographs, he records these stones for future generations and compares their iconography and inscriptions with those of other early monuments in the United States, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Combining his reading of the stones with historical records, previous scholarship, and rich oral lore, Patterson throws new light on the complex culture and experience of the Scotch Irish in America. In so doing, he explores the bright and the dark sides of how they coped with challenges such as backwoods conditions, religious upheavals, war, political conflicts, slavery, and land speculation. He shows that headstones, resting quietly in old graveyards, can reveal fresh insights into the character and history of an influential immigrant group.

This book is the story of the descendants of Thomas McDowell, who came to the American colonies in the 1700s, and their impact on American History. The different branches lived in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky, and many family members made significant contributions to the growth of the colonies. The new homes of the McDowell Family were on the frontier. Life there was challenging as they had to clear their land and build cabins. They also joined the local militias to protect themselves against Indian attacks. Even though Indians killed some, most survived and, in many cases, flourished. The McDowell family had many members who fought in the American Revolution to establish our freedoms. Did you know Charles McDowell, “Pleasant Garden Joe” McDowell, and "Quaker Meadows Joe" McDowell were officers in the North Carolina Militia who had a significant role in defeating the British at a turning point in the American Revolution. They are in history books. The McDowell family’s contribution to American History goes beyond our three heroes in the North Carolina militia. Read the pages of this book to discover who the other heroes are. One may be your ancestor. The book offers a fascinating overview of colonial American life. Even if you don't have McDowell ancestors, you may find a connection to your colonial roots.