Major William Chronicle honored with mural in Belmont
By Sam Kirk
Major William Chronicle, namesake of the community, was honored with a mural in Belmont in June.
The mural was commissioned by the Major William Chronicle chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) as part of Gastonia’s America 250 celebration.
Chronicle, a Belmont native, commanded troops at the battle of King’s Mountain. According to a DAR press release, “Major Chronicle, who gave his life at just 25 years old, is remembered as the first officer killed in that pivotal battle.”
The mural was unveiled to a midsized crowd of Belmont residents at a ceremony on June 4th. The ceremony included performers in period attire and period music, as well as “participation from local and state dignitaries,” according to the press release.
The mural features William Chronicle and four members of the South Fork Boys, a group of militiamen who primarily hailed from the south fork of the Catawba River.
It was created by Boyce McKinney, a self-taught Charlotte-based artist.
The NSDAR is an organization of women descended from patriots of the American Revolution.
According to the NSDAR press release, the mural and the unveiling event were designed to “celebrate local history, honor the legacy of Patriot service, and highlight the ongoing commitment of the Daughters of the American Revolution to historic preservation, education, and patriotism as part of the America250 commemoration.”