anation, as to one of the Trustees, may be here
appropriate. The Frohock family resided in Rowan county, and, before
the revolution, exerted a considerable influence, holding places of
profit and trust. William Frohock was Captain of a military company,
and at one time, (1771) Deputy Sheriff under General Rutherford.
Thomas Frohock was Clerk of the Superior Court, in Rowan, and Senator
to the State Legislature from the town of Salisbury, in 1785 and 1786.
John Frohock, named in the conveyance, was, for several years, Clerk
of the County Court, an active Surveyor, and resided, during much of
his time in Mecklenburg, employed in the duties of his profession.

Soon after the town of Charlotte was laid out, a log building was
erected at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets, and in the
centre of the space now known as "Independence Square." This building
was placed upon substantial brick pillars, ten or twelve feet high,
with a stairway on the outside, leading to the court room. The lower
part, in conformity with primitive economy and convenience, was used
as a Market House; and the upper part as a Court House, and frequently
for church, and other public meetings. Although the original building
has long since passed away, yet it has historic associations connected
with its colonial and revolutionary existence, which can never cease
to command the admiration of every true patriot.

In May, 1775, its walls resounded with the _tones of earnest debate
and independence_, proclaimed from the court house steps. In
September, 1780, its walls resounded with the _tones of the musket_,
by the same people, who "knew their rights, and knowing, dared
maintain."

At this period, there was no printing press in the upper country of
Carolina, and as no regular post traversed this region, a newspaper
was seldom seen among the people. Important information was
transmitted from one colony to another by express messengers on
horse-back, as was done by Captain Jack in bearing the Mecklenburg
Declaration to Philadelphia. The people were accustomed to assemble at
stated places to listen to the reading of printed hand-bills from
abroad, or to obtain verbal intelligence of passing events.

Charlotte early became the central point in Mecklenburg county for
these assemblages, and there the leading men often met at Queen's
Museum or College, to discuss the exciting topics of the day. These
meetings were at first irregular, and without system.