Little known outside of the Carolinas, the Pfifer men were true founding fathers. Pfifer Patriots Gravesite & Memorial
Oakwood Cemetery
Concord, Cabarrus County
It times of unrest and revolution, it is dangerous to be outspoken. Those with courage of conviction and passioniate devotion to a cause are often found at the end of a rope, or ruined and imprisoned. Swiss immigrant Martin Pfifer had shown his courage as a military officer for the Crown during the French and Indian Wars. That may have given him some quarter when he turned to the cause of Patriotism in the years preceeding the American Revolution. But, his three sons, John, Caleb, and Martin, probably gained nothing of the sort from the Loyalists as they stood with their father to lead Mecklenburg citizens toward the path of self determination.
Each son distinguished himself during a time when leadership was displayed at the risk of ones life. This memorial is found at the center of Oakwood Cemetery, on Church Street in Concord. The simple obelisk is another of those 'forgotten' honors to our founding fathers. It's a quiet setting and gives the visitor plenty of opportunity to ponder what "Patriotism" meant to this family.
The memorials refer to a document called "The Mecklenburg Declaration", to which there is serious historical debate if it was signed in 1775 or ever truly existed. A second document, "The Mecklenburg Resolve" appears to hold an unquestioned authenticity, but was not nearly as strong a statement of independence. Regardless, the efforts of Martin Pfifer and his peers have earned the respect and admiration of all free citizens of this nation.
Martin Pfifer; 1720-1791
"Born in Switzerland (Berne) October 18, 1720. Died January 18, 1791, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Arrived in Philadelphia, PA, February 3, 1738. Grant of Lands Lunenburg County Virginia 1744. Married Margaret Blackwelder October 1, 1745. Removed to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina 1745. Captain in the French and Indian War 1755-1763 (7 years war). Major in the forces of the Crown in the Alamanca Campaign 1768. Justice of The Peace, member of the Committee of Safety, etc, represented Mecklenburg County in the North Carolina House of Commons 1777."
John Pfifer; 1747-1776
"1st Son of Martin Pfifer, born at Mecklenburg, North Carolina, March 22, 1746, and died at Red Hill, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in 1776. Performed distinguished services in the field. Married Catherine Barringer in 1768. A delegate to the Charlotte Convention and signed the Mecklenburg Declaration, May 20, 1775. Member of the Provincial Assembly, August 1775. Mayor of Militia for Mecklenburg County in 1775. Member of the Provincial Council October and December 1775. Commissioned Lieut. Colonel of one of two battalions of soldiers raised in the Salisubry district by order of the Provincial Council Col. Griffith Rutherford's regiment December 1775. Member of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina, April 1776. Member of the North Carolina constitutional convention November 1776. Served in the campaign against the Cherokee indians in 1776. As an orator with impressive address he exerted his utmost efforts and tireless energy in the cause of freedom"
Caleb Pfifer; 1749-1811
"2nd Son of Martin Pfifer, born at Coldwater, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, April 8, 1749, and died in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, July 3, 1811. Married Barbara Fullenwide. Commissioned a Colonel of North Carolina troops in the Revolutionary War. Became one of the foremost leaders in the development of his community. Member of the North Carolina House of Commons from Mecklenburg County from 1778-1786, 1789-1792. After the division of Mecklenburg County he became a member of the North Carolina Senate from Cabarrus County serving continuously from 1793-1801. An orator of ability and a strong Federalist."
Martin Pfifer; 1756-1837
"3rd Son of Martin Pfifer, born at Coldwater, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, March 25, 1756. Married Elizabeth Locke in 1778 and died at the "Black Jacks", Cabarrus County, North Carolina, November 12, 1837 County, North Carolina, July 3, 1811. Married Catherine Barringer in 1768. Captain independent company of light horse in the Continental Service. Served as a Colonel of a regiment of horse on duty in Philadellphia, Battle of Monmoth, etc. Distinguished for gallantry in the field and recieived high commendations for his personal bravery. In papers of state took a conspicuous prominent and active part in the early patriotic efforts of the Colonies in their struggle for greedom. Exercised a great influence in directing the political and social development of his country and state."
