It was on the plantation of John Phifer, three mile west of Concord, that the gallant band of “Black Boys,” headed by Captain ’Black Bill Alexander’ of Sugar Creek, aided by the Whites and others from the neighboring congregation of Rocky River, effected their memorable achievement in 1771, of destroying the king’s powder, which was on its way from Charleston to Hillsboro to be used by a tyrannical Governor.  The reader should bear in mind this blackening of faces, to prevent detection, was in the spring of 1771, when the patriotic sentiment of this country had not ripened into that state of almost entire unanimity which characterized it, and the State generally, four years later.  John Phifer filled an early grave, and lies buried at the “Red Hill,” on the Salisbury road, where a decaying headstone, scarcely legible, marks the last resting-place of this true patriot.

Thomas Polk is a name of historic distinction in North Carolina, as well as in our nation.  He was the early, constant, and enduring friend of liberty, and the unfaltering opponent of arbitrary power and oppression.  He was a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1771 and 1775, associated with Abraham Alexander from Mecklenburg.  In 1775, he was appointed Colonel of the second battalion of “Minute Men,” with Adam Alexander as Colonel, and Charles McLean as Major.

As Colonel of the Mecklenburg militia, he issued orders to the Captains of the several beats, or districts, to send two delegates each to the Convention in Charlotte on the 19th of May, 1775.  This act alone, proceeding from patriotic motives, entitles him to our gratitude.  In accordance with orders, and the anticipated discussion of political measures affecting the welfare of the country, a vast concourse of delegates, and of the citizens generally, from all parts of the country, as well as from the adjoining counties of Anson, Rowan and Tryon (afterward Lincoln) assembled on the appointed day—­such a gathering as had never before met in Charlotte, preceding, or during the Revolution.  It was not a small assemblage, like that of the 31st of the same month, composed entirely of the Committee of Safety, met for the purpose of passing such rules and regulations as the internal government of the county demanded.

At the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax on the 4th of April, 1776, he was appointed Colonel of the fourth regiment of Continental troops, with James Thackson as Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Davidson as Major.  The last named officer was afterward appointed a Brigadier General, and was killed while disputing the passage of Cornwallis at Cowan’s Ford, on the 1st of February, 1781.  After the death of General Davidson, he was appointed Brigadier General in his stead.  When General Greene took command of the Southern army in Charlotte on the 3rd of December, 1780, the commissary department was left vacant by the resignation of Colonel Polk.  At the earnest solicitation of General Greene, Colonel Davie was induced to accept the position, an ungracious and troublesome office at any time, but then attended with peculiar difficulties, as the country had been lately devastated and stripped of its usual resources by a large invading army.