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From: Ancestry.com Biographies ...
Mary Shelby was born 14 Aug 1735 in Maryland, and died 26 Nov 1813 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. She married Adam Alexander, the son of William Alexander and Agnes Alexander and the brother of Isabel Alexander who married Mary’s brother, Moses. They were married 04 Aug 1752 in Somerset County, Maryland. He was born 28 Apr 1728 in Cecil County, Maryland, and died 13 Nov 1798 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. They are both buried in the Rock Springs Graveyard, near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Adam Alexander was one of the original signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Talk of freedom from British rule was prevalent in Mecklenburg County in the spring of 1775. A committee of citizens drew up a document known as the Mecklenburg Resolves on May 31, 1775. They reorganized their local government and declared themselves "independent of the Crown of Great Britain." This document was published in the North Carolina Gazette in New Bern on June 16, 1775. It has great historical importance but has never drawn the interest and curiosity of historians, politicians and citizens as much as an alleged previously written document known as the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
Controversy has existed for decades about the possibility of a "declaration of independence," often referred to as the "Meck Dec," which was reportedly written eleven days prior to the Mecklenburg Resolves. Was the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence written on May 20, 1775, more than a year before our founding fathers met in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776? According to legend, the original Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was signed by more than twenty-five prominent citizens of Mecklenburg County on May 20, 1775. There is no original copy of this document because it is alleged to have been burned in a fire at the home of the Secretary of the convention, John McKnitt Alexander, Adam’s uncle, shortly after its signing. However, many do not believe the story of the loss in a fire. The question of whether the original document ever existed has been debated for decades and there is much information to support both sides of the argument.
Adam also served as a delegate to the Catawba Indians. He owned a store and a mill, as well as a home in another location. Justice of the Peace, member of the Mecklenburg County Court and Elder of Clear Creek Presbyterian Church were just some of the titles given him during his lifetime.
Although he had no will, when his property was evaluated at the time of his death, and it is reported that he had more than 30 books, a large collection for this time period.
Adam Alexander and Mary Shelby had 8 children: Isaac, Catherine, Sarah Shelby, Charles Taylor, Evan Shelby, Margaret, Adam Rankin and Mary.
Mary Shelby, was Baptised at the age of 3 weeks, on 6 Sept 1735 in
Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA.
Her tombstone in Rocky Spring Cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC gives the
time of her death as 26 Nov 1813 her exact age at her death 78 years,
3 months, 11 days, which verifies her birthdate.
Mary Shelby, born 1735 PA, was the youngest child of Evan Shelby and
Catherine Morgan.
Will of Mary Alexander - Meckl Co, NC, Book A, p17, dated 2 Feb 1811-
to daughter Polly HARRIS, slave Nancy. Residue of my property is to be
divided equally between my 5 living children. Mary signs. Names son
Isaac
Alexander, as sole Executor.
Found among the records in the Raleigh Archives, a tiny scrap of
paper-
"received January first 1814, from Isaac Alexander the sum of five
dollars
for making his mother's coffin." signed by Rankin Alexander.
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1735 - 1813 (78 years)