Devil Charlie of the Old Settlers’ Cemetery in Charlotte
Old Settlers’ Cemetery, located at 200 West Fifth Street, dates back to 1768 and is one of the oldest burial grounds in North Carolina. It holds the graves of many of Charlotte’s prominent early settlers, including the Devil himself, Charles Polk, known as Devil Charlie.
In 1791, Charlie shot his wife, Polly Polk. Mrs. Polk, at the time, was reportedly holding her infant son. Some claim that he even terrorized Charlotte in the earliest days. Other stories have also been passed down about Polk and how, at one time, Polk locked all the doors and windows at a party except for one. That window was above open cellar doors, and then he screamed, “FIRE! Many people jumped through the open window into the basement below.
His spirit is said to haunt the old cemetery, and some have even heard laughter and felt a presence believed to be Devil Charlie.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
