Robert Irwin (North Carolina politician)

Gen. Robert Irwin of Steele Creek Township, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (1738-1800) was a long term North Carolina State Senator. The first State Senator ever elected from Mecklenburg County, he served as the North Carolina State Senator from Mecklenburg County in the years 1778-1783, again, in the years 1787 and 1795, and, finally, from 1797-1800, dying in office. Prior to entering the Senate, Irwin commanded Patriot (American Revolution) militia forces of the North Carolina State Militia, rising to the rank of a general of command in the 1st Mecklenburg County Regiment (Est. 1775, Split into 1st & 2nd regiments 1780, and Disest. 1783). He commanded the battalion while fighting strategically against Loyalist (American Revolution) militia forces beside South Carolina patriot militia General Thomas Sumter at the Battle of Rocky Mount and later beside him victoriously against loyalist provisional units and militia while heavily outnumbered at the Battle of Hanging Rock. Irwin is reported to have been a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Gen. Irwin was of the Presbyterian faith.