More than 150 issues of the Mecklenburg Jeffersonian, a weekly paper published in Charlotte in the 1840s, are now available as part of the North Carolina Newspapers collection.

 

The Jeffersonian was a staunchly Democratic paper, and a strong supporter of North Carolina native James K. Polk in his successful bid for the Presidency in 1844.  In addition to the editorials and long excerpts from political speeches, the Jeffersonian includes the myriad notices, advertisements, and general miscellany that make these old papers such fascinating and valuable resources.

 

I especially like the distinctly Charlottean logo, featuring a flag bearing the date of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and a beehive.

 

 

The Jeffersonian was nominated for digitization by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.