Rowan Resolves facts for kids

Rowan Resolves is the short name for an important paper from the time when America was a group of colonies. Its full name was Resolutions by inhabitants of Rowan County concerning resistance to Parliamentary taxation and the Provincial Congress of North Carolina. This document was signed in Salisbury, North Carolina in Rowan County, North Carolina, which was then part of the Province of North Carolina. It was signed on August 8, 1774. This happened because the British Parliament had passed some strict new rules in 1774. These rules, called the Intolerable Acts, came after a big protest in Boston against the Tea Act. That protest is now famous as the Boston Tea Party. Rowan County was the first county in North Carolina to create such a document during the early days of the American Revolution.

How the Document Was Found

This important paper was found in Iredell County, North Carolina in 1851. It was among the old papers of the Sharpe family. They were direct descendants of William Sharpe. He was the last Secretary of the Rowan County Committee of Safety. Colonel Wheeler first shared the document with the public. Before it was published, a group of experts checked it. They confirmed that the document was real and true.

What the Resolves Said

The landowners of Rowan County started the document by saying they were loyal to King George III. They also said they respected his right to be King of Great Britain and the American colonies. Then, the writers explained their views on the recent actions taken by the King. These actions were in response to economic and political events in the colonies.

• They believed only the General Assembly of the province had the power to tax the colonists. They said the government in England did not have this right.
• They stated that if any group other than the General Assembly tried to tax them, it would be taking away their basic rights and freedoms.
• They strongly opposed "taxation without representation." This meant they did not want to be taxed by the British Parliament if they had no one to speak for them there. They even compared this kind of taxation to being a slave.
• They saw the harsh treatment of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay as an attempt to take away the rights of all colonies.
• They declared that what happened in Boston was important for all colonies. They called for everyone to "firmly unite in an indissoluble Union and Association." This was to fight against anyone trying to take away their rights.
• They asked people not to buy British goods. They also encouraged everyone to stop buying fancy things. Instead, they wanted people to support local manufacturing.
• They objected to the buying and selling of people from Africa. They felt this practice stopped skilled workers and other helpful immigrants from settling in the colonies.
• They encouraged people to raise sheep and grow plants like hemp and flax.
• They said that wearing clothes made in the colonies was a sign of true patriotism.
• They chose Samuel Young, Moses Winslow, and William Kennon to represent Rowan County. These men would go to the First Provincial Congress. This was before the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
• They suggested not trading with any colony that refused to join their union. This union would work to protect the rights and freedoms of the colonies. They hoped to agree on this at the future Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Who Signed It?

Important citizens from all parts of Rowan County signed the Resolves.

Remembering the Resolves

On August 9, 2009, the Rowan Public Library started a special event. They held the first annual Rowan Resolves Day. This day helps everyone remember Rowan County's important role. It shows how they helped pave the way for American Independence.