CABARRUS GENEALOGY SOCIETY

Cabarrus Neighbors  Oversee Road Maintenance in 1793 Photo: Public Domain The county courts of pleas and quarter sessions are the primary governing body in North Carolina counties before 1868. The minutes of these courts, which met quarterly to hear all business brought before the county justices, are frequently an invaluable source of historical and genealogical infromation. These minutes are particularly important in the study of Cabarrus history, since many important government functions are recorded only in these minutes. Apparently, the Cabarrus clerks rarely found time to record documents such as apprentice and guardian bonds, tax lists, election records, and even some wills in a separate account. In some cases, a reference in the court minutes to one of these types of documents is the only available information. Another function of the courts of pleas and quarter sessions was the maintenance of county buildings and roads. The minutes show frequent appointments of road

1910 City of Concord Prohibits  Swearing,  Playing Cards...and Peanuts 1910 city code prohibited entrance into any church, school, barn or vacant house "for playing cards...or any immoral purpose." Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. The 1910 Code of the City of Concord contains the charters and acts for the city, as adopted by Mayor Charles B. Wagoner and Aldermen William W. Flowe, J. W. Cannon, Jr., John W. Propst, Dr. R. Morrison King, Mr Barrier (possibly Charles T. or Clarence H.), and Mr. Burton (possibly William B.), and compiled by City Attorney L. T. Hartsell. While each of the ordinances was enacted to insure the safety of Concord residents and the efficient operation of the city government, a few of them seem unusual by current standards. One of the most important considerations of the day was the maintenance of good health. To that end, the Board of Aldermen was empowered to enact quarantines to prevent contagious or infectious diseases from

Concord Taxes Set for 1897-1898 The Concord Times for Thursday, July 1, 1897, reported new Concord tax rates set by the Concord Town Commissioners [Alderman] at their June meeting. Concord taxes, levied per $100 valuation were: General Fund:                   Graded School                         Interest Fund Property $0.60                   Property $0.20                          Property $0.10 Poll $1.80                              Poll $0.60                                     Poll $0.30 Property taxes showed a 20% increase over the previous year, totaling $.90 per $100, and the poll tax increased from $2.25 to $2.70. The Times felt the rates were "going it pretty steep, but our people will try to stand it if the board will give them corresponding benefits." Other taxes set by the commissioners included: Tin Pan Alleys....................................................................................$25.00 Auctioneers.................

Business in Post-Revolutionary Cabarrus Today, after all the parades, barbecues, fireworks and holiday sales, please take a few moments to reflect on the true meaning of the July 4th celebrations. 238 years ago the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, announcing to Great Britain that our thirteen colonies now regarded themselves as independent sovereign states. By asserting certain natural and legal rights, this document was the prelude to the Revolutionary War and has been used as a model for freedom by nations around the world. Thanks to our 18th century fore-fathers and -mothers, we gratefully continue to enjoy the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, in 1787, residents in our area were still in a transition period. It is eleven years after the Declaration of Independence and four years after the end of the American Revolution. Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, chaired by George Washington, are meeting