Stories and Events

 PART TWO: BY ROBERT A. IVEY

ELIZABETH HENDERSON, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Williams Henderson, married JOHN (JACK) BECKHAM, son of William Benjamin and Phyllis Mackey Beckham, on August 12, 1761, in Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina.  (RootsWeb’sWorldConnect Project: AWT—Beckham—Ela by Timothy Beckham)

William Williams was bondsman at John Beckham’s marriage to Elizabeth Henderson.  Bond was dated August 12, 1761, and consent was given by Elizabeth Henderson, her mother.

Elizabeth was born on February 19, 1738, in Hanover County, Virginia.  John was born in Orange County, Virginia, on December 1, 1735.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConect Project: A Goode American Family—David Goode; Elizabeth “Libby” “Betty” Henderson Beckham (1738-1831)—Find a Grave Memorial—Elretta Weathers)

William Benjamin Beckham, son of William and Phillis Randolph Beckham, was born in Essex County, Virginia, January 9, 1708.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, Entries 333301, Contact–Joann Sovelenko)

He married Phillis Mackey, daughter of John Mackey, in Essex County, Virginia, in 1725.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Southern Families and Beyond, Contact–Theresa Buchanan; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Compton’s Place of Georgia Connections, Contact–William Kerr)

She was born on Turkey Island, Virginia, in 1709.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Stevenson—Koenig Family Tree by Walter Stevenson)

She had a brother, John Mackey, Jr., who was a Patriot soldier during the American Revolutionary War.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—page 10—Google)

William and Phyllis moved their family to Hanover County, Virginia, where their first child, Simon Beckham, was born in 1728, and their second child, Thomas, was born in 1729.

They were living in Orange County, Virginia, in 1730, when their son, William Beckham, Jr., was born.  Their other children: Phyllis, John and Mary were also born in this county.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—pages 14-15—Google)

He moved his family to Granville County, North Carolina, in 1746, the year the county was formed.  He settled on Beckham’s Pigpen Branch of Fishing Creek.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—page 12—Google)

On October 8, 1754, William Benjamin Beckham was a private in the Granville County, N. C. Militia.  The Regiment was commanded by Colonel William Eaton, and the Company was commanded by Captain Sugar Jones.  His sons, Simon, Thomas and William Jr. also served in this militia.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—page 10—Google)

In 1760, he gave to his sons, Simon and John Beckham, 350 acres of land in Granville County, N. C., at the head of Fishing Creek.  It was part of a tract granted to him by the Earl of Granville, August 26, 1760.    Simon received 150 acres of the tract and John received 200 acres on both sides of Long Branch.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—page 12—Google)

On June 13, 1763, William Beckham and his son, John, sold John’s 200 acres to Benjamin Kimball.  It was the tract of land in Granville County on the Long Branch that included William’s old Plantation of 200 acres.  The land was granted to William by Lord Granville on the 25 of August 1760.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—page 13—Google)

William Benjamin’s will was signed June 4, 1776, and proven at the November court of 1777, in Granville County, N. C.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families—pages 13-14—Google)  He died in 1777, in Granville County, N. C.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Ashley Jo West Family Tree, Contact–Ashley West)

After the death of his wife, Phyllis, John, his son, was to receive the slave, Peter.  She died after 1777, in Granville County, N. C. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Compton’s Place of Georgia Connections, Contact–William Kerr)

John Beckham received a grant of 400 acres of land from North Carolina in the Grindal Shoals area of what later became Union District, S. C., circa 1765.   His land was adjacent to the 300 acre grant on both sides of Pacolet River, above Carroll Shoals, that Joab Mitchell received from Mecklenburg County, N. C., on February 20, 1767.  (North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina by Brent Holcomb, page 95)  John Beckham was a chain bearer when the plat for the above land was drawn on April 27, 1767.

John and Elizabeth’s first two children: Nathaniel and Mary Leah Beckham were born in Granville County, N. C.

Nathaniel died in 1771, while they lived on the 400 acre tract at Pacolet River.  Thus was born the Beckham cemetery that later became known as the Hodge cemetery.  John Beckham, Jr. was born in 1766, after they had moved to Pacolet River in the Carroll (Grindal) Shoals area.  (Elizabeth Henderson Beckham “1738-1831”—Find a Grave Memorial, Created by Elreeta Weathers; Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 113, Generated by Personal Ancestral File)

Richard Henderson, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Williams Henderson, received grants for 1200 acres of land in the Carroll (Grindal) Shoals section of what later became Union District, S. C., in 1767 and 1768.  (North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina by Brent Holcomb, pages 70, 140 and 156)

By 1771, or before William Henderson, brother of Elizabeth Beckham, had purchased his brother, Richard Henderson’s grants in the Carroll (Grindal) Shoals area.  (South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 28, No. 1, April, 1927, pages 108-111, Article by B. F. Taylor on General William Henderson)

According to John H. Logan, he lived for awhile with his sister, Elizabeth, and her husband, John Beckham, while they lived on John’s 400 acre grant on both sides of the Pacolet River.  He was single at this time.  (A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, page 38, by John H. Logan)

By 1775, John Beckham sold his land on the Pacolet River to William Hodge and moved to land owned by his brother-in-law, William Henderson.

An article on William Henderson, in the Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, states that William was a merchant.  He may have established a store on his land that was later run by John Beckham Sr.   Rev. J. D. Bailey states in his History of Grindal Shoals that Beckham operated a store.

Rev. J. D. Bailey wrote: “He engaged in hunting and trapping as game was plentiful.  As a horse trainer, he was considered an expert, and paid a good deal of attention to horse racing.”

Rev. J. D. Bailey also wrote: “A short distance above the Shoals (Grindal) on the west side of the river, a spring may be seen, that is yet known as the Chisholm spring.  Here John Chisholm obtained a tract of land and settled prior to the beginning of the nineteenth century.   He was a devotee to race-horses and horse-racing.  His race tracts were long seen in the level field in front of the residence of Major Starke Sims.”

Elretta Weathers wrote: “John Beckham never wore the uniform of an American military man, but performed invaluable service in the process of winning our freedom from the British.  John was an effective scout and spy for the Colonies in South Carolina.”  None of the Patriot Militia wore a uniform.  They simply wore their hunting clothes.

During the Revolutionary War, Wade Hampton I was a member of the First South Carolina Continental Regiment.  He became a lieutenant and paymaster during 1776.  He was engaged in the Battle of Fort Sullivan at Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776.

Two days later the Indians attacked his family near present day Greer, S. C., and killed his father, Anthony Hampton, his mother, Anne Elizabeth Preston Hampton, his brother, Preston, and their grandson, Anthony, son of their daughter, Elizabeth Hampton, wife of James Mason Harrison Jr.  (The Venturers, The Hampton, Harrison and Earles Families of Virginia, South Carolina and Texas by Virginia Meynard, published by Southern Historical Press, 1981)

Rev. J. D. Bailey in his History of Grindal Shoals, page 47, wrote, “The marauding expeditions of the Indians began in July 1776.  They (the Indians) visited the house of Anthony Hampton and as they came up, old Mr. Hampton gave the chief a friendly grasp of the hand, but had not more than done this, when he saw his son, Preston, who was standing in the yard, fall from the fire of a gun.

The same hand that he had grasped only a moment before sent a tomahawk through his skull and immediately his wife met the same fate.  An infant grandson was dashed against the wall of the home, which was spattered with its blood and brains.  The house was set on fire and burned.  When the savages were gone the murdered Hamptons were buried in one grave near the yard.”

A History of the Jefferies Family found in the Cherokee County Library states that Nathaniel Jefferies and Wade Hampton were in the same regiment.  Though records are limited, it is possible that they both fought in the Battle of Fort Sullivan.

The story states that Nathaniel Jefferies was with Wade when he received word that his parents, brother and nephew had been killed.  Nathaniel then went with Wade to assist him in the burial of his mother, father, brother and their infant grandson.  Nathaniel offered Wade his home as a place of residence, when he was not engaged in the army.

It was not long before Wade Hampton I learned about John Beckham’s ability to train race horses.  Wade had an early love for these fine animals.  After he met Beckham, he was invited to live with him and his wife between his days in the army.

In his History of Grindal Shoals, pages 46, Rev. J. D. Bailey wrote: “Wade Hampton made his home at Beckham’s for quite a while, and figured prominently in the Grindal (Shoals) society.”

Miss S. A. Sims, in her history of Grindal Shoals on the Pacolet wrote: “Wade and John Hampton in their early youth were familiar characters about Grindal, where they came to hunt and trap for animals.  These youths were always the guests of Mrs. Beckham (Elizabeth) and her husband, John Beckham, being also fond of hunting.” (Published in the Carolina Spartan, December 1, 1894, and the Gaffney Ledger, June 2, 1918)

John H. Logan in his History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Volume II, pages 38-30, wrote: “John Beckham was a most active Whig and fearless scout.  While Morgan (General Daniel) was encamped on Grindal’s Shoals, he kept him in constant motion, and he did valuable service.”

The Reverend James D. Bailey in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, page 54, wrote: “After the battle of Blackstock, in November, 1780, Sumter retreated towards King’s Mountain by way of Grindal Shoals. Tarleton followed in pursuit, encamping for a night at the house of Jack Beckham on Sandy Run.”

Elizabeth Ellet in her book, The Women of the American Revolution,  Vol. I, pages 295-296, wrote: “John Beckham’s wife was the sister of Colonel Henderson (William) of the continental army.  Mrs. Beckham saw for the first time this renowned officer while standing in her yard, and ordering his men to catch her poultry for supper.  She spoke civily to him, and hastened to prepare supper for him and his suite, as if they had been honored guests.

When about to leave in the morning, he ordered the house to be burnt, after being given up to pillage, but on her remonstrance, recalled the order.  All her bedding was taken, except one quilt, which would soon share the same fate.”

Rev. J. D. Bailey wrote in his, History of Grindal Shoals, page 54: “The next morning a little after sunrise he (Tarleton) and his army came to Hodge’s (William’s) house and made him a prisoner.  His provender was seized, his stock shot down and his house and fences burned to the ground.

John Beckham, the noted scout, was sitting on his horse, eating breakfast from a widow (at William Hodge’s) when Tarleton came up.”

Logan wrote: “When closely pressed by the Light Horse of Tarleton (Col. Banastre), he plunged headlong down a fearful bank into the river, and made his escape.

The spot is still well known, and often pointed out.  It was on the plantation of old William Hodge, who was also a true Whig.  A comrade named Easterwood (Lawrence), from whom the shoals take their name, was with him in this race.  Easterwood rode a big clumsy horse and was big and heavy himself.  His horse striking his foot against a log, Easterwood fell sprawling and was made a prisoner.

Beckham’s mare, a magnificent animal, soon left them in the rear.  He could have got off easier, but stopping at Hodge’s to light his pipe, (he was an incessant smoker), the British were close upon him, while he was holding the fire.  He swore he would light it before he budged a foot.  After gaining the opposite side of the Pacolet (River), he slapped his thigh, and looking back at his pursuers, ‘Shoot and be d____d,’ he cried, his pipe still in his mouth.  He is said to have done all his scouting and fighting with his pipe in his mouth.”

The house that Tarleton burned was the cabin that John Beckham had built, and where his family had lived until he sold the land to William Hodge in 1775.  In the Union County Will Abstracts book by Brent Holcomb, page 17, August 27, 1784, is found the following:

“Personally appeared John Hodge and John Grindal Senr. Before J. Thompson, J. P. and state that they saw John Beckham of Ninety Six District in the year 1775 or 76 deliver to William Hodge of Pacolet River and said district, a lease and release for 400 acres, being the plantation whereon William Hodge now lives.”

William Hodge had lost the title to his property when Tarleton burned his house.  The lease and release prove that Hodge was living in the house that John Beckham had built.

Elizabeth Ellet, in her Women of the American Revolution, Vol. I, page 296, wrote: “At another time Mrs. Beckham went to Granby, eighty miles distant, for a bushel of salt, which she brought home on the saddle under her.  The guinea appropriated for the purchase, was concealed in the hair braided on the top of her head.”

A biographical account of Elizabeth Beckham was written in the American Monthly Magazine, Vol. 19, p. 67.  The magazine was produced by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The names of four of her children were mentioned: John, Susan, Elizabeth, and Henrietta.

The Reverend J. D. Bailey, in his History of Grindal Shoals, page 24, wrote that when the war was over “Wade Hampton I, who had spent much time in the Beckham home, gave him employment as a trainer of (his) race horses.”

On June 18, 1785, Lawrence Easterwood of Ninety Six District (now Union County, S. C.) sold John Beckham 200 acres of land on the south side of Pacolet River for 100 pounds sterling.  It was above the place where Zachariah Bullock was then living.  He sold this property to Robert Thompson on May 13, 1787.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, pages 19 & 48, by Brent Holcomb)

He and his wife, Elizabeth, sold a plantation originally belonging to William Marchbanks to Moses Wright on April 29, 1789.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 69, by Brent Holcomb)

John Beckham Sr. sold a 50 acre tract of land, on the north side of Pacolet River, to Joseph Cowen on July 9, 1791.  The land was originally granted to Joab Mitchell and was conveyed by him to John Beckham.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 114, by Brent Holcomb)

There is no deed abstract recorded that refers to William Henderson giving any land to the Beckhams.  Apparently, there must have been a document written before the will was made, giving title to the Beckhams for 200 acres.  It was never recorded but was made a part of the settlement of William Henderson’s estate.  John Beckham must have sought the sale of the land, which his son purchased.

In Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. 4, pages 167-168, by Brent Holcomb, is found the following: John Henderson and Douglas Stark, executors of William Henderson, deceased, one of Ninety Six District, and the other in the District of Camden, for 100 pounds sterling, on December 14, 1791, sold John Beckham Jr. of Ninety Six District, a 200 acre tract on Big Sandy Run, a branch of Pacolet River.

The property was opposite to the mouth of Beckham’s Spring Branch, and included the plantation “whereon John Beckham Sr. now lives”.  The transaction was witnessed by John Haile and John Sanders.  It was proven by the oath of John Sanders in a court in Claeborn County, Tennessee, on August 2, 1825.”

The writer does not fully understand the statement that appeared in the Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 208, by Brent Holcomb:

“John Henderson Esq’r. of Union County, executor of William Henderson deceased, bound to Susannah Beckham, Nancy Beckham, Henrietta Beckham and Terese Beckham, daughters of John Beckham Senr., in the penal sum of 500 pounds sterling, 5 Sept 1797, never to claim any part of the land given by William Henderson deceased, 200 acres, ‘whereon John Beckham now lives’.  Witnessed by Stephen Heard and Adam Potter.”

This was probably written and made a part of the settlement to keep the daughters from making any claims to the land given to the Beckhams by William Henderson.

According to Union Country, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 164, John Beckham Sr. was still living on March 17, 1807.  Henry Fernandes sold a tract of 44 acres granted to him on May 3, 1802, to John Jefferies.  This transaction took place in March of 1807, and the land was adjacent to land belonging to John Beckham.  This indicates that Beckham was still living at this time.

In John Haile Sr.’s will he left an old tract to his sons, Samuel and John, that was adjacent to Mrs. Beckham’s.  The will was written

on August 15th of 1807, and this indicates that John Beckham was deceased at this time.  (Union County Will Abstracts, page 96, by Brent Holcomb, Will of John Haile)

On October 8, 1808, Elizabeth, John Beckham’s widow, purchased 200 acres on Little Sandy Run, waters of Pacolet River, from Peter Howard of Greenville, S. C., for $100.00.  It was known by the name of Peter Howard’s old place.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. 2, page 211, by Brent Holcomb)

The tract of land was originally settled by Peter Howard and his wife, Sarah Ann Portman.  Peter was the son of Alexander Howard and Joanna Trippels and was born in 1738, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Hendricks and Related Families, Contact–Timothy Hendricks)

He married Sarah Ann, daughter of John and Hannah Sheffield Portman, circa 1759.  She was born circa 1740.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Descendants of Richard Bray of New England, Contact–Mary Foster Ludvigsen)

John Portman Sr., son of Richard and Elinour Rice Portman, was born May 9, 1703, in Bromyard, Herefordshire, England.  He married  Hannah Sheffield, daughter of William and Margaret ? Sheffield.  She was born in 1706, in Stoke Lacey, Herefordshire, England.   (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Carter To Charlemagne; RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: James Jones and Sons, Bootmakers of Alfrick)

John Portman Sr. received a 200-acre grant of land from Mecklenburg County, N. C., on both sides of the Pacolet River on March 15, 1765.  He received another grant for 200 acres on March 15, 1766, on Island Creek. (North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina, page 103, by Brent Holcomb)

He, his wife and family were among the early settlers of Carroll (Grindal) Shoals community.    He moved to South Carolina from Pennsylvania.  (A History of Kentucky Baptists, Vol. II, by J. H. Spencer, page 583)

His son, John Portman Jr., married Sarah McWhorter, daughter of John McWhorter Sr. and his wife, Eleanor Brevard McWhorter, circa 1770.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Geer Ancestry, Contact– Samuel Taylor Geer)

He was a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War and fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain.  He served under Col. John Thomas.  (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 780, by Bobby Gilmer Moss; A History of Kentucky Baptists, Vol. II, by J. H. Spencer, page 583)

He, with his father, moved their families to Christian County, Kentucky, in the latter 1790s.  His grandson, Jesse Coffee Portman, was “one of the most popular and efficient preachers that ever labored in his part of the state (Kentucky).”  Jesse Coffee preached in the South Kentucky Baptist Association.  (A History of Kentucky Baptists by J. H. Spencer, Vol. 2, page 583)

John Portman Jr. was the brother of Peter Howard’s wife, Sarah Ann Portman.

Peter Howard knew the settlers of old Carroll (Grindal) Shoals and purchased land on Tyger River from Nicholas Jasper of Grindal Shoals on September 17, 1786.  (Spartanburg County/District South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, 1785-1827, page 7, by Albert Bruce Pruitt)

His wife was related to the Portmans of the Sandy Run area of Union District, S. C.  They were living in Greenville District, S. C. in 1790.  (1790 federal census of South Carolina)

Peter’s son, Thomas, served as a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War, serving under Col. Benjamin Roebuck.  (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 466, by Bobby Gilmer Moss)

Peter’s brother, John Howard, was born in 1728, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.  He left Virginia, with his brothers, Peter and Alexander, and traveled to Granville County, N. C. (John Howard—Find A Grave Memorial—Google)

He married Avis ? in 1758, in Amelia County, Virginia.  They left Amelia County, moved to North Carolina, and then to South Carolina.

“While in a wagon train from North Carolina to South Carolina, they were attacked by Indians and many of the settlers were killed.  Avis was scalped, but the Indian, in pulling up her long hair, cut only the hair and the skin of the scalp, and did not break the skull.  She lived, but always had a bald spot on the top of her head, which she covered with a cap.”  (Family History & Genealogy Messages: Who was Avis, wife of John Howard—Amelia—Google)

John inherited land from his brother, Alexander Howard Jr., in Granville County, N. C., and sold it on May 14, 1768.  He moved from Granville County to Craven County, S. C., prior to February 11, 1767.  He received a grant for 350 acres of land on July 2, 1768, in Craven County, S. C.  It was “situated, lying & being on a branch of Enoree River”.  This land was in what later became Laurens District, S. C.  (John Howard–1728-1818—Find a Grave Memorial—Google)

He was a Patriot soldier in the Amercian Revolutionary War and was the great, great, great, great grandfather of the writer.  He enlisted during August of 1775 in the Charleston, S. C., Volunteer Militia and fought under Captain Charles Drayton (Patriot Index Supplement).

(Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 466, by Bobby Gilmer Moss.

He was a private in Lt. McCullough’s Company and was in Col. Archibald McDonald’s Light Dragoons.  He fought in the Battle of Fort Sullivan and was at the Fall of Charleston for 75 days.  (American Revolution Roster, Fort Sullivan—1776-1780—Fort Sullivan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, page 184)

“He moved his family from Laurens District to Greenville District in South Carolina, and was living in Greenville District by 1790, or before.  (1790 federal census of South Carolina)

John Howard lived in the Simpsonville area of Greenville District, S. C.  He received a land grant for 100 acres in Simpsonville, Greenville District in 1793.  “He was a very prosperous planter, owning over 2,000 acres of land in and around what is now Simpsonville, S. C., during his life time.

John and Avis were on the roll of Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Greenville District, in 1800.  In 1804, John and Avis were on the roll of the Clear Spring Baptist Church in Greenville District.”  (John Howard–1728-1818–Find a Grave Memorial—Google)

John and Peter were sons of Alexander and Johanna Trepples Howard.

John H. Logan, in his book, A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, pages 38-39, wrote: “He (John Beckham) lies buried on Hodge’s plantation.”  William Rice Feaster, in his book, Union County, S. C., page 18, states that he died in the Santuc section of Union District.  There was no Santuc community until circa 1891, so this area could have been considered a part of the Brown’s Creek section.

John Beckham and his wife, Elizabeth, may have been visiting with their daughter, Molly, and her husband, James Clayton Stribling, when he died in 1807.

“She died on August 17, 1831, and was buried by her husband (and children) in the Hodge graveyard.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Russell-Jones-Wallace-Tressler-Olmsted, Contact—Linda Smith; Elizabeth “Libby” “Betty” Henderson Beckham—1738-1831—Find A Grave Memorial, Contact–Elreeta Weathers, Google)

The Beckham’s only (living) son (John Beckham Jr.) removed to Kentucky and his daughters (those who lived to maturity) married and moved to the west.”  (A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, page 39, by John H. Logan)

A couple of writers speak of John Beckham as “a ne’er-do-well”.

This writer does not agree with this statement.  Let’s ask General William Henderson, his brother-in-law, who was given a place to stay by Beckham in his younger unmarried days, if he thought Beckham was “a ne’er-do-well”.

Let’s ask Colonel Wade Hampton who was given a place to live at the Beckhams after his parents’ untimely deaths, if he thought John Beckham was “a ne’er-do-well”.

Let’s ask General Daniel Morgan who was dependant on Beckham’s information about the movements of Col. Banaster Tarleton, if he thought John Beckham was “a ne’er-do-well”.

Bailey wrote: “Some time after her husband’s death she (Elizabeth), in looking over his accounts, found that something was due her from Wade Hampton.  She resolved to visit him and see what he would do for her.

Her family and friends advised against it; that Hampton was now a very rich and distinguished man living in grand style in Columbia (S. C.).  The old lady said, ‘she would trust him,’ that she had known Wade in his youth; her house was then open to him, and she could not believe that he would forsake her now.

So mounting ‘Derrick’, her faithful old horse, she set off to Columbia all alone.  She made the trip and returned safely.  The family, eager to hear the result of her visit, gathered around her.

Mrs. Beckham was delighted.  ‘How did he receive you?’ she was asked.  ‘Receive me! he received me as if I had been a queen; nothing in his grand house was too good for Mrs. Beckham.  Child, I was put in a fine chamber with a great mahogany bedstead covered with a canopy, and so high that there were steps to climb into it, and they were carpeted.  He paid me, and more than paid me.’

It is probable that this heroic old lady returned with more money in her pocket than she had had in many a day.  (History of Grindal  Shoals, pages 25-26, by Rev. J. D. Bailey)

According to Elreeta Weathers, the Beckhams had fifteen children, five sons and ten daughters:

(1). Nathaniel Beckham was born July 10, 1762; Died March 24, 1771.

(2). Mary Leah Beckham was born December 28, 1763; Died November 23, 1777.

(3). John Beckham Jr. was born June 6, 1766; Died 1849.

(4). Mary (Molly) Beckham was born June 10, 1768; Died May 26, 1859.

(5). Elizabeth Beckham was born June 24, 1771.

(6). Phyllis Beckham was born April 24, 1773; Died June 9, 1779.

(7). Susanna (Susan) Beckham was born April 13, 1775; Still living in 1797.

(8). Ann Beckham was born December 2, 1777.

(9). Henrietta Beckham was born October 10, 1779; Not married until after 1797.  Died January 12, 1862.

(10). Theresa (Trecy) Beckham was born October 5, 1781.  She was still living in 1797, and unmarried at this time.

Children with no dates given, nor order of birth:

(11). Sarah Beckham.

(12). Nancy Beckham.  Still living in 1797.

(13). Simon Beckham.

(14). Thomas Beckham.

(15). William Beckham.

(Elizabeth “Libby” “Betty” Henderson Beckham–1738-1831—Find A Grave Memorial—Created by: Elreeta Weathers, Google)

Children still living in 1797:

John Beckham Jr., Mary (Molly) Beckham, Susanna (Susan) Beckham, Henrietta Beckham, Theresa Beckham and Nancy Beckham.

Four sons and five daughters had already been buried in the Beckham-Hodge cemetery at this time: Nathaniel, Mary Leah, Elizabeth, Phyllis, Ann, Sarah, Simon, Thomas and William.

Mary (Molly) Beckham and John Beckham, Jr. were married before 1797.

Susanna, Henrietta, Theresa and Nancy were mentioned in 1797, in a deed abstract.  These daughters were not married at this time.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 208)

The writer has marriage records of only one of these daughters.  No additional information was available from the databases.

All but six of their children died very early and were buried in the Beckham-Hodge cemetery.   The writer believes that the rocked walled section of the Hodge cemetery probably contains the Beckham burials and early Hodges.  It was first known as the Beckham cemetery for several Beckhams were buried there before John Beckham sold the property to William Hodge.

JOHN BECKHAM JR., son of John and Elizabeth Henderson Beckham, was born at Carroll (Grindal) Shoals June 6, 1766.

(Alan Ray’s Genealogy, page 113, generated by Personal
Ancestral File, Google)

He married Rachel Susan Moseley, daughter of John and Ann Abernathy Moseley, in 1791, at Grindal Shoals.  She was born circa 1776, in Union District, S. C.  (Susan was born too early to be the child of Baxter and Henrietta Fowler Moseley; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Dr.)

Her family had originally lived in Ninety Six District, (later Union District, S. C.) but sold their property in January of 1776, and several months later moved to Chester District, S. C.  They had returned to what was later called Union District, possibly by 1780.  (Union County Deed Book A, pp. 322-323; Union County Deed Book E, pp. 107-111; James Moseley’s Pension Application No. S9421)

In RootsWeb: BECKHAM-L ARCHIVES, Jack Beckham Jr.: Jack Duke wrote: “In 1791, John Jr. began operating a store at Grindal Shoals in partnership with Monecrieff & MacBeth.  This store may have been first run by his father.  By 1793, John Jr. and his partners were having trouble.  They brought a suit against John in 1793, which lasted for a number of years, and stated that he refused to keep proper accounts, and that he was planning to run out on them.” 

 

The official name of his business was: Beckham and Company. (Union County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, page 472)

ALEXANDER MACBETH AND COMPANY

John Beckham Jr.’s partners were merchants: Alexander Macbeth, a merchant in Union District, S. C., and John Moncrieff, a merchant in Charleston, S. C.  (Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts,

1787-1849, page 102)

Their firm name was: Alexander Macbeth and Company.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 77 (B, 315-317)

Alexander Macbeth was born in Drumduan, Auldearn, Nairn, Scotland on December 10, 1749.  He arrived in Charleston, S. C., on the Ship Olive Branch from London, December 21, 1784.  He made several trips to London.  On October 29, 1785, he proposed a plan for the Santee Canal.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, Alexander Macbeth, Contact—Mary Megeaski)

He was living in Union District, S. C., in 1789, or before, where he established his company.  On January 12, 1789, his company purchased a ½ acre lot in Union Court House from John McCool

and Jane, his wife.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 77)

On Monday, December 28, 1789, his company made an application to the Union District Court for a retail license to sell Spiritous Liquors.    Macbeth and Company received their license to retail Spirituous Liquors from the Court.  Their Tavern was on lot No. 45 in the city of Unionville S. C.  (Union County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, December 28, 1789, pages 234-235; Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I., page 155, by Brent Holcomb)

 

Macbeth and Company also had retail outlets in Spartanburg and Greenville, S. C.  In an internet article on Descendants of William Grant, it states that he built a two story frame house and other buildings in Rutherfordton, N. C., which he financed with a mortgage from Alexander Macbeth and Company, merchant, in Spartanburg, S. C. (Family Tree Maker’s Genealogy Site: User Home Page, Genealogy Report Descendants, page 2, Google)

The Macbeth Company lent money to the farmers in the area for their farming operations.  They also assisted small business and became their partners.  The Hernandis’ and Beckham’s stores in Grindal Shoals area were two such places of business that had their assistance.

Alexander Macbeth and John Moncrieff purchased nine lots in the city of Union from Capt. Nicholas Jasper on November 11, 1795.  Each lot contained ½ acre.   The lots were originally granted to John McCool and conveyed  to said Nicholas Jasper by deed.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, pages 181-182, by Brent Holcomb)

Alexander’s brother, John, who also lived in Union District, S. C., assisted his brother in his enterprises.  There is an Alexander Macbeth store ledger for 1794, in the Greenville County Library System’s South Carolina Room.

Since John married Martha Townes, daughter of William B. and Obedience Allen Townes of Greenville, S. C., it is possible that he married her while overseeing their operation in Greenville.  They lived in Union District, S. C., after their marriage.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, Martha Townes, Contact—Mary Megeaski)

Their son, Col. Robert Macbeth, served as sheriff of Union District, S. C., four different five year terms and one 13 year term for a total of thirty three years.  He was a Confederate veteran.  He died May 6, 1891, and was buried beside his uncle, Alexander, in the Presbyterian cemetery of Union, S. C., in a marked grave.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Robert Macbeth, Contact—Mary Megeaski; Union County Sheriffs by Mrs. Rae Hawkins from Union County Jail Books, Google;  Union County Cemeteries, compiled and edited by Mrs. E. D. Whaley Sr., page 150)

John’s wife, Martha Townes, died in May of 1809, in Union, S. C., and was buried in the Village Cemetery.   After the death of his first wife, John married Rachel Young.

John died August 16, 1843, in Unionville, S. C.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Martha Townes, Contact—Mary Megeaski; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, John Macbeth, Contact–Mary Megeaski; Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1840, page 149)

Alexander’s brother, James, remained in Charleston, S. C., and had a partnership with Robert Henry and Henry Ker, merchants in that city.  They made several loans in Union District, S. C.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 35)

James married Catherine Johnston, daughter of Charles and Mary Mackenzie Johnston, on April 3, 1798, in Charleston, S. C.  He was a Director of the S. C. Insurance Company and was a member of a Committee on Education of the St. Andrews Society.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, James Macbeth, Contact–Mary Megeaski; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Catherine Johnston, Contact—Mary Megeaski)

Their son, James, married Mary Vanderhorst Barksdale, eldest daughter of Thomas and Serena Payne Barksdale.  James and Mary inherited Youghal plantation in Mount Pleasant, S. C.  James changed the name to Oakland.  He was a cotton broker at Exchange Warf and a merchant at Vanderhorst Warf.  He died on December 17, 1872, and was buried at Youghall (Oakland) plantation.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: James Macbeth Jr., Contact—Mary Megeaski; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Mary Vanderhorst Barksdale, Contact—Mary Megeaski; South Carolina Plantation—Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, S.C., page 2, Google)

James Sr. died on June 26, 1821, and was buried at the First Scots Presbyterian cemetery in Charleston, S. C.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: James Macbeth Sr., Contact—Mary Megeaski)

John Moncrieff, Alexander’s partner, was born in Scotland.  He was

a merchant from Perthshire, who settled in Charleston, S. C., in 1772.  He was a Loyalist in 1775, during the American Revolutionary War.  He died on May 12, 1821, in Charleston and was buried in the Old Scots Church cemetery.  (Scots in the Carolinas, 1680-1830, Vol. II, by David Dobson)

Alexander Macbeth, son of Alexander and Isabel Isobel Peterkin Macbeth, was never married. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Ray Stephens–1107, page 1)

He died June 1, 1819, in Charleston, S. C.  His will was written on April 10, 1819, and probated in Union District, S. C.  He was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery in the city of Union, S. C., and his grave was marked.

He left his plantation on each side of the Fairforest Creek, with the mills, to his brother, John.  He left several slaves to children of John.

“The residue of my estate both real and personal, that in my own private name, and that in which I am one half concerned with John Moncrieff of Charleston, to my brothers, James and John, both of South Carolina, and four sisters: Elizabeth, Jennett, Mary and Henrietta, all in that part of Great Britain called Scotland.” 

He left his gold watch “to my friend Alexander Hay”.  James Macbeth of Charleston, S. C., and John Macbeth and Alexander Hay of Union District, were selected as his executors.  William White, James Berry and John Macbeth, were witnesses to his will.  (Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1849, page 102)

Alexander Hay was born in the Parish of Aubdearn, Nairnshire, Scotland, on December 14, 1770.  He and Henry Fernandis witnessed a transaction between John McDonald and Alexander Macbeth and Company, on May 7, 1796.  The land mortgaged was 100 acres on the branches of Brown’s Creek.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, pages 182-183, by Brent Holcomb)

Hay probably married after coming to Union District, S. C.  His son, Alexander Jr., was born on October 1, 1806.  His gravestone states that the son was born in Scotland, but this is probably inaccurate.  (Directory of Scots in the Carolinas, 1680-1830, by David Dobson, Google Books)

Name of his wife is unknown to this writer.  He was naturalized and became a citizen of this country on March 12, 1810.  (Naturalization, Union County, South Carolina, Genealogy Trails, page 1)

Alexander established a post office in Cedar Grove of Union District, S. C., on March 20, 1824, and was its first postmaster.  (All Known SC Post Offices, 1785-1971, Google)

Alexander died on August 16, 1837, and his son, Alexander Jr., died August 28, 1838.  They were both buried in the Holcombe Cemetery in Union District, S. C., and their graves were marked.  (Union Country Cemeteries, compiled and edited by Mrs. E. D. Whaley Sr., Holcombe Cemetery, page 77; South Carolina Historical Society, Macbeth Family Papers, 1810-1854, SCHS 1066.00, Container 11/272)

 

(The South Carolina Historical Society has a collection of letters regarding the Macbeth and Hay families.  There are letters of James Macbeth of Charleston to Alexander Hay and John Macbeth of Union District.  There are also letters regarding the Hay family.)

JOHN BECKHAM JR.’S FIRST COUSIN, BETSY HENDERSON

John Beckham Jr.’s first cousin, Betsy Henderson, married Henry Fernandis.  Fernandis also opened a store at Grindal Shoals.  J. D. Bailey in his History of Grindal Shoals, page 33, wrote:  “Alexander Macbeth, discovering that Fernandis possessed high qualifications as a business man, set him up in a mercantile business.  Hard times and reverses came on, and he failed.  Prosperous times having come, he reopened the store at the Shoals.”

 

John Beckham Jr. purchased a slave, named Peter, on April 4, 1791, for 65 guineas from his father.  Peter was about 30 years of age at the time.  This was the slave that William Beckham had left to his wife, Phillis.  Peter was to be given to John Beckham Sr. following the death of his mother.

This transaction was proven by Benjamin Haile on January 17, 1802, before B. Birdsong, J. P.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, pages 26-27, by Brent Holcomb)

He bought 385 acres of land on the south side of the Pacolet River from Nicholas Murry on January 11, 1793.  This land was adjacent to lands owned by William Hames, John Foster and William Gossett.

He purchased a sorrel steed horse named, Kimmas, from Nicholas Murry for 30 pounds sterling on June 1, 1793.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 125, by Brent Holcomb)

On May 3, 1794, he bought 93 acres of land on the north side of the Pacolet River from Benajah Thompson  for 40 pounds.  The land was adjacent to lands belonging to: Robert Chesney, John Watson and Benajah Thompson.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 36, by Brent Holcomb)

John Watson sold him 13 acres on the north side of Pacolet River on December 10, 1794, for 13 pounds sterling.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 37, by Brent Holcomb)

Robert Chesney Jr. sold John Beckham Jr. 350 acres on Pacolet River, part of a tract granted to Robert Chesney Sr.  It was the part where Robert Chesney Jr. lived and was adjacent to land owned by Alexander Purdy.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, pages 37-38, by Brent Holcomb)

He bought 150 acres of land from Thomas Hobson Thompson on October 5, 1795, on the north side of Pacolet River.  (Union County South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 38, by Brent Holcomb)

John Beckham Sr., Ellis Fowler and Capt. John Pridmore were appointed to appraise the Estate of John Jasper Sr. on November 16, 1799.  (Union County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, page 522, by Brent Holcomb)

John Jr. purchased a tract of land originally granted to John Thompson.  The property, 560 acres, was conveyed to him on April 26, 1798, by John Henderson, Sheriff.  He sold this land to Henry Fernandis on October 30, 1799.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 260, by Brent Holcomb)

He sold 200 acres of land granted to him on October 6, 1794, on the north side of Pacolet River, to Dr. Thomas Hancock, February 4, 1804.  The property was on the dividing ridge between Pacolet River and Thicketty Creek and was adjacent to lands belonging to Thomas Cook.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 110, by Brent Holcomb)

John Jr. moved his family to Warren County, Kentucky, in 1805.  While a resident of this state, he sold 679 acres in Union District, S. C., to Thomas Murray on June 1, 1805.   The land was granted to him and James Phillips on February 26, 1805.  The transaction was witnessed by Elijah Dawkins and Samuel Stone.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 112, by Brent Holcomb)

John Beckham Jr. was a Surveyor and Civil Engineer in Kentucky.  He engaged in farming and surveying, laying out both roads from Bowling Green to Glasgow.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Toth Covell History, Contact—Timothy Toth; Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 113, Generated by Personal Ancestral File # 3380)

John Jr. and his family lived in both Warren and Barren counties in Kentucky.  (Allan Ray’s Genealogy, Page 113, Generated by Ancestral File, Google)

They had ten children, five sons and five daughters.  Their first three children: William M.; John; and Nathaniel Henderson Beckham were born at Grindal Shoals.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Hoosier Pioneers)

Their last seven children were born in Kentucky: Elizabeth; Cayton Stribling; Samuel Henderson; Pleasant Henderson; Teressa; Arrency; and Susan Beckham.  (Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 113, Generated by Personal Ancestral File)

John Beckham Jr. sold 280 acres of land to Aaron McCollum of Union District, S. C., on both sides of Big Sandy Run, opposite the mouth of Beckham’s Spring Branch, October 14, 1825. Purchase price was $1400.00.  He was living in Warren County, Kentucky, at the time of the sale.  This sale included his father’s home place. (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. IV, page 178, by Brent Holcomb)

John Jr. died in Harrison, Warren County, Kentucky, in October of 1849, and Rachel Susan Moseley Beckham died in Warren County, Kentucky, in 1850.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: A Goode American Family, Contact—David Goode)

MARY (MOLLY) BECKHAM, daughter of John and Elizabeth Henderson Beckham, was born on July 10, 1768, at Carroll (Grindal) Shoals, S. C., in Ninety Six District.  She married James Clayton Stribling, son of Thomas and Ann Kincheloe Stribling, on November 11, 1787, in Union District, S. C.   (Mary “Molly” Beckham Stribling, 1768-1859, Find A Grave Memorial, Google)

James Clayton Stribling was born January 9, 1762, in Prince William County, Virginia, and was the third child of Thomas and Ann Kincheloe Stribling.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: My Family Branches, Contact—Ed Elam; Nancy Ann Kincheloe Stribling, 1731-1822, Find A Grave Memorial, Contact—Jeanette Lea)

His parents moved from Virginia to the Sandy Run area of Grindal Shoals, S. C., circa 1778.  They were living at Berryville, Frederick County, Virginia, when they moved to South Carolina.  Their youngest daughter, Nancy Ann, was born in the Grindal Shoals area of what later became Union District, S. C. (Stribling Genealogy, Google; Thomas Stribling II, Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Forrester & Watts, VA>TN>AR>TX>OK>CA, Contact—Bob Foster)

On April 9th and 10th of 1785, Thomas Stribling II of Ninety Six District purchased 300 acres of land on a small branch of Broad River called Brown’s Creek from Samuel Farrow of the same district.  His son, Clayton, probably lived on his Brown’s Creek lands.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 2, by Brent Holcomb)

At a Union County Court on June 26, 1786, Thomas Stribling II petitioned the court for a License to keep a Tavern or public House and offered Joseph Hughes and William Johnson, as his Securities.  It was approved by the court, and he obtained a License.  (Union County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, 1785-1799, page 52, by Brent Holcomb)

He lived on the eastside of Sandy Run Creek and received a grant for this land on June 6, 1791.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 252, by Brent Holcomb)

Thomas Stribling II, and his, wife, Nancy Ann Kincheloe Stribling, moved with their son, Thomas Stribling III, and his family to Old

Pendleton District, S. C.

Thomas II died in Old Pendleton District on March 17, 1819.  He wrote his will on September 24, 1818, and it was proved June 7, 1819.  He left a portion of his estate to his son, Clayton.  His wife, Nancy, died in Old Pendleton District, S. C., December 2, 1822.  (Stribling Genealogy, Google; Thomas Stribling II, 1730-1819, Find A Grave Memorial, Google)

Clayton was a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War.  He served one tour of duty in Virginia, before moving to South Carolina, and several tours of duty in South Carolina.  He enlisted in S. C., on February 3, 1779, and served under Capts. Joshua Palmer, Benjamin Jolly, Joseph Hughes and Col. Thomas Brandon.  (Taliaferro: Message RE “Taliaferro” James Clayton Stribling, Google; Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 903, by Bobby Gilmer Moss)

William E. Cox in his book, Battle of King’s Mountain Participants,

King’s Mountain Military Park, 1972, states that Clayton Stribling fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Dr. Bobby Moss in his book, The Patriots of Cowpens, page 223, states that Clayton fought in the battle of Cowpens.

“Clayton made application for a pension in Union District on December 5, 1828.  In a part of his testimony he stated that: “In an engagement near Stidhouse Mill at Brandon’s Defeat, while in the service of my country, I was wounded in the head by a ball, which said wound deprived me of my senses for a considerable time and destroyed the organ of hearing in one ear from that day to the present moment.”

“He also spoke of the loss of ‘his horse, saddle, bridle and a good rifle gun, worth about eighty to one hundred dollars.’  He stated that he had four slaves, some land, stock and some kitchen and household goods, but was unable because of his advanced age and the suffering from his war injuries, to work.

John Rogers certified that ‘Mr. Clayton Stribling was a Gentleman of high respectablity and entitled to the fullest confidence.’  He offered affidavits from William Sartor, E. Y. Farr and Elizabeth Young concerning services rendered.” (Taliaferro: Message RE “Taliaferro” James Clayton Stribling, Google)

Clayton and Mary (Molly) Beckham Stribling had twelve children: six sons and six daughters.  (Mary “Molly” Beckham Stribling, “1768-1859”, Find a Grave Memorial, Google)

Clayton died at his residence in Brown’s Creek of Union District, S. C., on March 11, 1831.  (My Griffin Family “Past and Present” Information about James Clayton Stribling, Google)

Molly applied for a widow’s pension on October 22, 1840, in Union District (W6208), S. C., while living on Brown’s Creek and was granted a pension on her application.

“Personally appeared Major Joseph McJunkin of the District & State aforesaid before me and made oath that he knew Clayton Stribling, deceased, in the service of his country in the time of the revolution, that he continued to know him from the close of the war until the day of his death.

On March 1, 1841, while living in Neshoba County, Mississippi, the widow (Molly) filed for the transfer of her pension benefit to the Mississippi agency stating that she has moved to Mississippi because the greater part of her children had moved West and more particularly on account of her youngest daughter having removed to the state of Mississippi, and she broke up house and came with her daughter.”

She actually moved to Mississippi with her next to youngest daughter, Mary Leah Stribling, and Mary’s husband and cousin, James Madison Stribling.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Fisher and Grimes Ancestors, Contact—John Merrill Fisher; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Alleys, Striblings and Thousands of Others, Contact—Suzanne Alley Wilson)

Molly was granted a pension at the rate of $34.88 per annum commencing March 4, 1848.

“On April 26, 1855, while living in Neshoba County, Mississippi, the widow (Molly), giving her age as 87, filed for her bounty land entitlement as the widow of Clayton Stribling.”  She was granted 160 acres.”  (Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Roster, Transcribed by Will Graves)

“Mary (Molly) Beckham Stribling died August 26, 1859, aged 91 years, 1 month and 16 days.  ‘She was a faithful member of the
Baptist Church for 57 years.’  Burial was in New Harmony Baptist  Church Cemetery, Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi.”  (Mary Molly Beckham Stribling-Photo-McKleroy/McElroy/MackKleroy Web Site, pages 1-2, Google)

James Clayton Stribling and his brother, Thomas III, were third cousins of President James Madison. (Capt. Thomas Stribling III, “1763-1825”—Find A Grave Memorial, Google)

Clayton’s brother, Thomas Stribling III, was born April 9, 1763, in  William County, Virginia.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: McCollum Family, Contact—Davis McCollum)

He served as a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War from April 1, 1782, to June 29, 1782, under the command of Capt. Joseph Hughes and Col. Thomas Brandon. (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 903, by Bobby Gilmer Moss)

He married Elizabeth Haile, daughter of Capt. John Haile, and his wife, Ruth Mitchell Haile in 1789.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Blick’s Family Workbook, Contact—Phyllis Blickensderfer)

Thomas Stribling III married Elizabeth Haile, daughter of John and Ruth Mitchell Haile, in 1789, in the Grindal Shoals area of Union District.  She was born January 24, 1772, at Grindal Shoals. RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: The Porter Family Forest, Contact—David Porter)

Databases are incorrect about the place of Elizabeth Haile’s birth.  She was born in Grindal Shoals, Union District, S. C., for that’s where her father and mother lived.  (Check Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts.)

Elizabeth’s father, John Haile, was a Patriot soldier in the American Revolution.  In the book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 399, by Bobby Gilmer Moss, is found the following: “John Haile was a horseman and quartermaster under Capt. John Thompson and was a captain under Col. Thomas Brandon.  He lost a horse in service during 1779.”

John Haile was the first clerk of court in Union District, S. C., having been appointed to the office in 1785.    He resigned the office in 1793, and His son, Benjamin, replaced his father as clerk, April 1, 1793.  (Union County SCGenWeb Project “H” Queries, Google; Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 122, by Brent Holcomb)

Benjamin Haile married Sarah “Sally” Henderson, daughter of John and Sarah Hinton Alston Henderson.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Gatlin, Poynor, Sweeney, Contact—Julia Baldy; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Tangled Web)

They were related on the Henderson side.  Benjamin’s mother, Ruth, was the daughter of Mary Henderson Mitchell.  Mary was John Henderson’s sister. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: New Updated Family Tree For Seaver/Sanders, Contact—David Weaver; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Ancestors and Descendants of Harold and Jeanne Rarden, Contact—Harold W. Rarden)

Thomas Stribling III  purchased 337 acres of land on the branches of Buffalo and Brown’s Creek from the Reverend Alexander McDougal on September 20, 1789.  He sold this land to Charles Webb on June 10, 1794.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 74 & 141, by Brent Holcomb)

He was sheriff of Union District, S. C., from 1791 to 1795.  (Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County, South Carolina, List of Sheriffs compiled by Mrs. Rae Hawkins from Union County Jail Books)

On July 30, 1791, Thomas Stripling III sold 603 acres of land on branches of Sandy Run to Robert Gibson.  The property was adjacent to lands owned by Daniel Huger and John Haile(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, pages 97-98, by Brent Holcomb)

On August 11, 1792, Daniel Huger of Fairfield District, S. C., sold Thomas Stripling III, 540 acres of land on waters of Brown’s Creek and Rocky Creek.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 109, by Brent Holcomb)

On March 2, 1796, Thomas Stribling III, mortgaged 540 acres of land (Brown’s Creek area) to Alexander Macbeth and John Moncrieffe of the Alexander Macbeth and Company.   (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 183, by Brent Holcomb)

Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth, sold this 540 acres of land to Alexander Macbeth and John Moncrieffe under the firm of Alexander Macbeth and Company on January 7, 1797.  The Reverend Christopher Johnson, father of David Johnson (later Governor) lived on the land at this time.  Thomas Stripling III was living in Pendleton District, S. C., when this transaction was made.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 194, by Brent Holcomb)

They lived in the Brown’s Creek area of Union District, S. C., before moving to Pendleton District, S. C., circa 1797.  They settled on Deep Creek near Seneca River on 800 acres of land.  (Capt Thomas Stribling III, 1763-1825, Find a Grave Memorial, Google)

“Their son, Cornelius Kincheloe Stribling, joined the United States Navy on June 18, 1812, as a Midshipman and was assigned to the captured British frigate,  Macedonian, at New York City.  On July 1, 1850, he was appointed Superintendent of the United States Naval School.

On October 14, 1864, he became Acting Rear Admiral of the Eastern Gulf Blockading Squadron, which covered the Florida coast from Cape Canaveral to Pensacola, Florida.  He retired on August 6, 1865. (Adm. Cornelius Kincheloe Stribling “1796-1880”—Find A Grave, Google)

Thomas and Elizabeth had four sons and three daughters.  She died on April 29, 1807, in Old Pendleton District.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The Porter Family Forest, Contact—David Porter)

He was married a second time to Catherine Hamilton, daughter of James and Catherine ? Hamilton.   Her father was born in Scotland.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Carolina Kin and Beyond, Contact—Joyce Sammons)

Thomas III was one of the founders of the (Old) Pendleton District, S. C., Farmers Society in 1815.  He was Executor of his father’s estate in 1819, for which he received a double portion.  He died in Pendleton District, S. C., on April 8, 1825.  (Capt. Thomas Stribling III, 1763-1825, Find A Grave Memorial, Google)

Lucy Stribling, sister of James Clayton Stribling and daughter of Thomas II and Nancy Ann Kincheloe Stribling, was born July 1, 1767, in Prince William County, Virginia.  (Databases are incorrect concerning her place of birth.  She was born in Virginia, where her parents lived before moving to Ninety Six District, S. C., now Union District, S. C.; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Arkansas Is the Center of the Universe)

She married Obadiah Trimmier, son of William and Lucy Watson Trimmier, on November 24, 1786.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Canternury’s of West Virginia, Contact—Gordon K. Lacy; Obediah Trimmier m. Lucy Stribling—Stribling—Family History & Genealogy Message Board; Descendants of William Trimyear, Google)

Lucy’s mother and father moved to the Grindal Shoals area of Union District, S. C., circa 1778.  (Stribling Genealogy, Google)

Obadiah Trimmier was born in Louisa County, Virginia, on November 1, 1759.  At an early age, he became a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Canternury’s of West Virginia, Contact—Gordon K. Lacy; Obadiah Trimmier m. Lucy Stribling—Stribling—Family History & Genealogy Message Board)

His father, William, died in 1773, in Louisa County, and in his will, left the land and plantation, where he lived to his wife, Lucy.  It was to go to his son, Obadiah, after the death of his mother, Lucy.  Obadiah was fourteen years of age when his father died.  His mother served as an executrix to the will, but must have died shortly after the settling of the estate.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Chaffin, Contact—Lane Chaffin)

“He was a member of the Louisa County Militia and was appointed Ensign February 12, 1781, and participated in the battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens.”  (Reference: Historical Record of Virginians in the Revolution by John Gwathmey, 1987, page 782)

He registered to paid taxes in Louisa County, Virginia, in 1882. These taxes were on the house that had belonged to his father and mother and was now his by right of inheritance.  (Camp/Evans Venturers Into NC, TN and GA: Information about Obadiah Trimmier)

In 1786, he served as a Justice of the Peace, performing marriages, while residing in Spartanburg District, S. C., and was elected State Representative from Spartanburg District in the South Carolina General Assemblies of 1792 and 1794.

He served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 10th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of the South Carolina Militia, commencing in 1792.  (Camp/Evans Venturers Into NC, TN, and GA.: Information about Obediah Trimmier)

After moving to Pendleton District, S. C., in 1800, he again served in the South Carolina Legislature in 1814.  He was elected to the Senate for the 21st South Carolina General Assembly.  He served on the banking, religion, roads, bridges, ferries and military committees.

He was elected Senator from Pendleton District, S. C., in 1816, and 1818.  He served on the rules committee. (Camp/Evans Venturers Into NC, TN, and GA.: Information about Obadiah Trimmier)

He and Lucy were neighbors to James (Horseshoe) Robertson and his wife, Sarah Morris Headen Robertson, while living in Spartanburg District and after moving to Pendleton District.  (Rootsweb’s WorldConnect Project: Wall Family Tree, Contact—Eric Wall)

It was at the residence of Obadiah Trimmier that John Pendleton Kennedy received stories from James “Horseshoe” Robertson about some of his exploits in the war years.  These stories, Kennedy incorporated into a book he wrote entitled, Horseshoe Robinson, and published in 1835.

Kennedy visited his home in the winter of 1818.  The following is taken from the book, History of Spartanburg County, page 459, by Dr. J. B. O. Landrum:  “In Mr. Kennedy’s famous novel, ‘Horse-Shoe Robinson’, the colonel referred to is Obadiah Trimmier, father of William, who was the father of Colonel T. G. Trimmier.

The absent lady referred to was Lucy Trimmier, wife of Obadiah.  She was a Stribling.  Her (his) grandfather was a Watson.  The violin boy was William Trimmier mentioned herein; the boy thrown from the horse was Thomas, brother of William.  The two small boys mentioned were Obadiah Watson and Marcus Tullias, sons of Obadiah and Lucy Trimmier, who were living on Toxaway.  ‘Horse-Shoe’ Robinson (Robertson) lived on Chauga, in Pickens county, S. C.”

Lucy was living at the time, but must have died shortly after the visit of John Pendleton Kennedy and James ‘Horseshoe’ Robertson.

(Horse-Shoe Robinson, pages 5-10, by John Pendleton Kennedy)

They had five sons and seven daughters.  Lucy Died in Pendleton District, S. C., on November 25, 1818, and Obadiah died in the same district on January 22, 1829.  They were buried in the Toxaway Creek Baptist Church cemetery, now called Poole’s cemetery.   (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Bothast/Warstler Family Tree, Contact—Raquel Bothast; My Genealogy Home Page: Information About Lucy Stribling; Obadiah Trimmier “1759-1829” –Find a Grave Memorial)

HENRIETTA BECKHAM, daughter of John and Elizabeth Henderson Beckham,  was born October 10, 1779, in what later became Union District, S. C.  She married Nicholas Aquilla Cavenah, son of Aquilla and Joyce Wooten Cavenah.  He was born August 29, 1777, in Chatham County, North Carolina.  (Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 113, Generated by Personal Ancestral File, page 2, Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Cavanaugh, Contact—Wendy Marani)

On January 12, 1810, Elias Drake of Chatham County, N. C., sold 200 acres of land to Aquilla Cavenah on both sides of Gilkies Creek in Union District, S. C.  The property was near the wagon road that led from Smith’s Ford to Grindal Shoals.  (Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, page 272, by Brent Holcomb)

They had seven children: Aquilla, William Beckham, John William, Elizabeth Henderson, James Henry, Susan Henrietta and Mary Alzira Cavenah.  Their four sons and three daughters were all born in Union District, S. C.  (Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 113, Generated by Personal Ancestral File, Google)

The land on which they lived is today in Cherokee County, S. C. Aquilla moved his family to Fayette County, Alabama, in 1824.  After Aquilla died in 1837, in Fayette County, his wife, Henrietta, moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi, where she died January 12, 1862.

(RootsWeb: Alfayett-L-“Alfayett-L”–Roll Call, Google; Henrietta Beckham Cavenah Profile, Google)

She was 84 years of age and was buried in Oaklimb Cemetery.  (Oaklimb Cemetery, Lowndes County, Mississippi, Google)

SIMON BECKHAM was JOHN BECKHAM’S oldest brother.  He was born in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1728.  He married Susannah McMillan, daughter of Alexander and Phoebe ? McMillan, on January 2, 1759, in Granville County, N. C.  She was born circa 1730, in Granville County.  (The Beginning of Beckham Families, Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Garner-Becham ancestors plus many peripheral lines; Susannah McMillan Beckham (1730-1790)—Find a Grave Memorial, Google)

In 1754, he was a member of the Granville County, North Carolina, Militia and served under Col. William Eaton and Capt. Sugar Jones.

(Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Muster Roll for the Granville County Militia, William Eaton, October 8, 1754, Vol. 22, Pages 370-380, Google)

Information from the Beckham Family Tree on the Internet: “He was residing in St. George’s Parish, later Columbia County, Georgia, during the Revolutionary War.  He provided quarters at his plantation on Germany’s Creek for a company of infantry known as Clark’s Riflemen, commanded by his son, Capt. Samuel Beckham.

For his services in assisting the Revolutionary cause, Simon Beckham was granted 284 acres of land in Washington County, Georgia, Certificate of Colonel Greenbury Lee, 25 February 25, 1784.  Three of his sons served in the Revolutionary War: Solomon, Samuel and Allen.  They were attached to Col. Elijah Clark’s Regiment.  (Prepared by: Mrs. Anne Stevens Parker, Fort Frederica Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Copy at the Washington Memorial Library, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.)

Simon and Susannah had eight sons and four daughters.  He died in Washington County, Georgia, on December 29, 1785.  She died in 1790, in Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia.  (Simon Beckham, Beckham Family Tree, Google; Susannah McMillan Beckham (1730-1790)—Find A Grave Memorial, Google)

THOMAS BECKHAM was one of John Beckham’s older brothers.   He was born in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1729.  He married Mary Hughs, daughter of Dempsey Hughs, circa 1746, in Granville County, North Carolina.

She was born circa 1730, in Hanover County, Virginia.  Her father was born circa 1700.  (Ancestry.com, Mary Hughes, page 1, Google)

On October 8, 1754, Thomas was serving in the Granville County Militia under Colonel William Eaton and Capt. Sugar Jones.  (Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Muster Roll of the Granville County Militia, William Eaton, October 8, 1754, Vol. 22, Pages 370-380)

He was a resident of South Carolina by 1778.  Bobby Gilmer Moss gives the following description of his services as a Patriot soldier in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution:

“He served as a lieutenant under Col. LeRoy Hammond during 1778 and 1779, and was at the Siege of Savannah.  When Charleston fell (in 1780), he was imprisoned.

He was a first lieutenant under Capt. John Martin and Col. Samuel Hammond and was at the Siege of Augusta, the taking of Brown’s Fort and the taking of Grearson’s Fort.

Although Col. LeRoy Hammond was released from patrol and resummed the command of a militia unit, he remained with Col. Samuel Hammond as a light dragoon.  This unit joined General Andrew Pickens to march north of the Broad River, where they joined General Nathaniel Greene.   He was at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.”

His son, Thomas Beckham Jr. served in General Andrew Pickens Brigade.  (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 57, Bobby Gilmer Moss)

Thomas Sr. lived on Stevens Creek in Edgefield County, South Carolina, where he received a grant for 100 acres.  He and his wife, Mary, had nine children: six sons and three daughters.  (Thomas Beckham Jr., Beckham Family Tree, Google; Ancestry. com, Thomas Beckham, Google)

He died in Edgefield County on October 10, 1796.  His wife, Mary, was living in Washington County, Georgia, in 1820.  (Alan Ray’s Genealogy Page No. 123, Generated by Personal Ancestral File, Page 1, Google)

WILLIAM BECKHAM was also an older brother of John Beckham.  He was born in 1730, in Orange County, Virginia.  He married Ann Green circa 1751, in Granville County, N. C.  She was born in Granville, N. C., circa 1732, the daughter of James Randolf and Malinda Green. (Genealogical Data Page 221, Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The Family of Joseph Alston and Caroline, page 2, Contact—Jean Hirsch; Ancestry.com, Nancy Ann Green, Google)

He was listed as a member of the Granville County Militia Regiment commanded by Col. William Eaton on October 8, 1754.  His company was commanded by Capt. Sugar Jones.  (Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Muster Roll for the Granville County Militia, William Eaton, October 8, 1754, Volume 22, Pages 370-380)

He served as a Patriot soldier while residing in North Carolina.  He was paid for services rendered by a voucher in 1781, at Halifax, and in 1786, by a voucher from Warrenton, North Carolina.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The Family of Joseph Alston and Caroline, Contact—Jean Hirsch)

He and Ann had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, all born in Granville County, North Carolina.  (Ancestry.com, Nancy Ann Green, Google)

He and most of his family moved to South Carolina after the Revolutionary War.   They were living in Ninety Six District, S. C., when the 1790 federal census was taken.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Janet Ariciu Family Bush, Contact—Janet Ariciu)

His wife, Ann, died at Beaver Creek, in Kershaw County, S. C., before 1796, and William died at Beaver Creek, in Kershaw County before  August 7, 1799.   (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect, Project: The Howe Family Tree—Illinois, Contact—Bill Howe; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The Family of Joseph Alston and Caroline, Contact–Jean Hirsch)

PHILLIS BECKHAM, sister of JOHN BECKHAM, was born in Orange

County, Virginia, in 1737.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Dr.; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: My North Carolina Roots, Contact–Deloris Williams)

She first married William Williams, son of John and Mary Womack Williams, circa 1755, in Granville County, N. C.  He was born March 11, 1733, in Hanover County, Virginia.  He received a commission as “captain in the Granville (North Carolina) Regiment of Militia” on January 18, 1769. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: My North Carolina Roots, Contact—Deloris Williams)

He and Phillis had five children: John (died unmarried), Samuel Farrar, Mary, Salley and Betsy.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Branching Out)

He was killed in Boonesboro on December 27, 1775, during an attack by the Cherokee Indians.  He lived long enough to write a will on his deathbed of which one of his witnesses was his brother, Charles Williams.  He was buried at Boonesboro, Kentucky.   His will was probated in Granville County, North Carolina, in 1777.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: My North Carolina Roots, Contact—Deloris Williams)

Phillis next married John Mitchell, son of James and Amy Ann Davis Mitchell, on December 22, 1777, in Granville County, N. C.  He was born in 1727, in Lunenburg County, Virginia.  John died in May of 1787, in Granville County, N. C. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Dr.)

Phillis’ will was written on January 10, 1791.  She died 1791/1792, in Granville County, N. C.  She gave her son, Sam, a slave named, Anthony.  She gave her daughter, Elizabeth Yancey, a slave named, Sarah.  She gave her daughter, Sally, slaves named: George, Phan, Billy and Easter.  (Granville County, North Carolina, Will Book 2, Pages 318-319)

MARY MUSGROVE AND HER FATHER, EDWARD MUSGROVE’S FAMILY

This is a study in process that must be read, corrected and re-examined especially in years to come.  The author offers his special thanks to the individuals who have made an effort to preserve the memory of this family’s earthly pilgrimage.

By ROBERT A. IVEY

 Cuthbert and Dorothy ? Musgrove were Edward’s grandparents.  Cuthbert, son of William and Dorothy ?, was a mariner in England and a tobacco farmer in Maryland.

Cuthbert’s father was born in 1629, in Brooksdale Close, Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, and died in Broomfield, Somerset, England, in 1664.  His mother, Dorothy, was born in 1614, in England, and died there in 1664.

Cuthbert was born in Crooksdale County, Cumberland, England, June 1, 1644.  He died in Prince George County, Maryland, in 1687, at age 43.

John I was their oldest child and was born in 1683, in Prince George County, Maryland.  He inherited his father’s property.  He appeared  in 1701, on a Militia List in Stafford County, Virginia.  He died in 1746, in Fairfax County, Virginia.  At least one source states that his wife was a Parendler, born in 1686.

John had sisters: Anne, Mary and Dorothy Musgrove.

Edward Musgrove and his brother-in-law, Donald Moseley, were executors of John’s estate in 1746.

CHILDREN OF JOHN MUSGROVE I AND WIFE

(1). Edward Musgrove was the oldest child.  Edward Musgrove was born circa 1716, in Fairfax County, Virginia.  John I willed his father’s property to Edward who sold it.

(2). John Musgrove II, a noted Tory Colonel, lived in Berkley County, South Carolina.  It became Ninety Six District in 1769, and Newberry County in 1785.

John Belton O’Neall, in his Annals of Newberry, wrote: “At his place, the Regulators and Scofelites, in 1764, met in battle array; happily however, no actual battle occurred; flags were exchanged, and they agreed to separate, and petition the governor to redress their grievances.  This was done, and the result was, that after the great delay of five years the Circuit Court act of 1769 was passed.” 

John was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, circa 1718.  He brought wild horse stock with him from Virginia, when he moved to South Carolina.  He was a horse breeder and trader.

His wife’s name was Araminta (Minty).  She was born circa 1730.  Several sources state that she was a Gordon.  They lived where the Bush River flows into the Saluda River near the Philemon Waters plantation.

He and his wife had three sons and one daughter.  Two of his sons, John and William Trapnel, fought as teenagers with the Ninety Six Brigade of Loyalists.  Jane was born circa 1768.  She married Charles Lester.  Philip, born circa 1777, was too young to fight in the war.  The name of Philip’s wife is unknown.

John was born circa 1763.  He moved to Baker County, Georgia, where he served as a volunteer soldier in the militia in 1791-1792.  He was attached to Cpl. Lewis Company in the 1st Regiment and also served under Lt. Col. Darke.  He died there circa 1842.  The name of his wife is unknown.  They had two children: Larkin C. and William W. Musgrove.

William Trapnel was born circa 1765.  He married Nancy Tate and first moved to Georgia, then to Tennessee, and finally to Blount County, Alabama, where he died in 1850.  They had four sons and three daughters.  He was the father of John Tate Musgrove and grandfather of Philip M. Musgrove.

Ann S. Grainger of Huntsville, Alabama, wrote: “In the late 1790’s, William T. Musgrove and family moved to Hancock County, Georgia.  He is on the Tax Lists, etc.   In 1801, he and his brother-in-law, Nathan Tate, had been sentenced to hang in that county for forgery.  They managed to escape the jail, and the Sheriff was advertising a reward for their recapture.

His older brother, John Musgrove III, was in Warren & Jefferson County, Georgia, at the time and his younger brother, Phillip Musgrove, was believed to be in Emanuel County, Georgia.   They probably helped in the escape.  William T. Musgrove and family fled back to South Carolina, and then to Cocke County, Tennessee, where they stayed for a few years.”

He was one of Walker County, Alabama’s first Court Clerks, and his name is on records issuing liquor licenses, etc.

One of William T. Musgrove’s children was born in Georgia, two in Tennessee and the rest in South Carolina.

Col. Philemon Waters once took John Musgrove’s plantation at the point of a gun.

John Musgrove II was a refugee to Charleston, S. C., and died there in September 1781.  The state legislature confiscated his estate in 1782, but in 1783, his legatees appealed, and the decision was overturned. The land was returned to his wife, Minty.

Araminta had remarried a Wilson by 1784, when she was appointed administrator of her husband’s estate.  A sale was held June 10, 1784, and she and her sons, John and William, purchased all of the items except one, which was purchased by Thomas Waters.

John Musgrove III sold 150 acres of his father’s land to Philemon Waters, Sr. on the north side of the Saluda River on July 2, 1785.  John II had received a grant for this acreage on August 26, 1772.  John III was heir at law of John Musgrove II, deceased.  Waters paid 100 pounds in South Carolina money for the purchase.

Araminta’s second husband was deceased before the U. S. Census was taken in 1790.  She was living in Newberry County beside her son, William and his family, at this time.  She died after the census of 1790, at their farm in Newberry County.  The land they owned is now under the waters of Lake Greenwood.

O’Neal wrote: “For many years after the revolution, a large number of horses called ‘heretics’ were wild in the Stone Hills and were said to be the issue of his (John’s) stock, turned lose in the range.”   

(3). Mary Musgrove was born circa 1720.  “She had a liason with a man by the name of Jackson circa 1746, and had a daughter with him called ‘Rachel Jackson’.  She married Christopher Columbus Cunningham circa 1750, and was his second wife.”

(4). Ann Musgrove was born circa 1722.  She married Donald Moseley circa 1740, and they had two sons and a daughter.  Her father left her the plantation on which he lived, a Negro girl named Judy and some cows, horses and sheep in his will.

(5). Margaret Musgrove was born circa 1724.  There is no record of her marriage.

(6). William Musgrove was born circa 1726.  He married Verlinda, born circa 1728.  He died in 1778, in Loudon County, Virginia.  One source states that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  The writer has no confirmation of this.  They had two sons and one daughter.

(7). Cuthbert Musgrove was born circa 1728.  His father left him two plantations: Serido River Plantation and Wilson’s Plantation.  Cuthbert had a riding horse, stabled at his father’s farm, and was given possession of the horse “Shaver”  in his father’s will.  He was also given one half of his father’s stock of horses and cattle.  Cuthbert died in Frederick County, Virginia, and had at least one son, Samuel.

REMOVAL TO SOUTH CAROLINE

Edward and his brother, John II, moved to Berkley County circa 1754, in what later became the Ninety Six District of South Carolina, and were among the early settlers in the Backcountry.

Abraham Beeks Jr., son of Abraham and Susannah  ? Beeks, and his wife, Sarah ? , traveled with the Musgroves.  He was the brother of Edward Musgrove’s wife.

Abraham Pennington petitioned for land on Indian Creek, a branch of the Enoree River in South Carolina, on February 4, 1752, and may have joined the Musgroves on their trip south.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 6, 1694, and was an Indian Trader on Catoctin Creek near Brunswick, Maryland.  He was issued a land patent in Orange County, Virginia, in 1734.  He lost his first wife, Katrina, in the early 1740s and was married to Catherine Williams by 1743.

He brought his family to the area of Indian Creek and was living there when he wrote his will in Berkley County, S. C., on July 21, 1755.  He mentions sons: Isaac, Jacob, Abraham and John in his will.  He also had a daughter, Abigail, and referred to a boy, Thomas Laragent, “which I brought up.”  His will was probated on May 29, 1756.

Isaac Pennington, Abraham and Katarina Weister Pennington’s oldest son was executor of his father’s estate.  He married Mary Williams on December 8, 1733, in Cecil County, Maryland.  She was born circa 1717.

He and his wife, Mary Williams, brought their seven daughters and two sons with them to the Enoree settlement.

Isaac was born in Maryland on May 16, 1715.   He was a captain in the militia and died at their Enoree River settlement in 1760.  He wrote his will on March 3, 1760, which was proved before John Pearson by virtue of Peter Lewis Dedimus on September 17, 1760.  His wife served as executrix of his estate.

Charles King, son of Jacob and Keziah Butler King, and his wife, Charity Pennington, daughter of Isaac and Mary Pennington, traveled with her parents to the Enoree settlement.  They were married in Virginia in 1752.  He was born circa 1720, in Maryland, and she was born circa 1734.

When her father died, he left her the 350 acres of land on which they resided.  They had eight daughters and three sons.

Charles King and Isaac Pennington petitioned for land near the Santee River as new settlers in South Carolina on April 1, 1754.  Charles King was a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War and served as a captain under Colonel John Lindsay.  He went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians during 1775.

Charity died circa 1786, in Newberry District, and Charles died there January 21, 1789.

Another family that was among the early Enoree River settlers was the John Cannon family.  He was born in 1712, in Kent County, Dover, England.  He married Ann Mary Ellison, circa 1730.  She was born circa 1714.

He attended the Quaker meetings at Bush River in Newberry District.

They had four daughters and three sons.

Ann Mary died after 1758, and John died October 4, 1762, in South Carolina.  In his will he also named, but did not call them daughters: Susannah, who married John Dalrymple, and Elizabeth, who married John McClure.

Samuel Cannon, son of John and Ann Mary Ellison Cannon, married Lydia Pennington, daughter of Isaac and Mary Williams Pennington.  He was born in 1735, and she was born circa 1740.  They had four daughters and four sons.  He died before 1790, for his wife, Lydia, was listed as head of the household in the 1790 census of Newberry District, and she died there between 1793 and 1800.

His son, John Cannon, married Rebecca Musgrove, daughter of Edward and Rebecca Beeks Musgrove, and his sister, Mary Cannon, married Jacob Pennington, son of Abraham and Katrina Weister Pennington.

John H. Logan, in his History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, wrote the following biography of Edward Musgrove:

“He had been bred to the law; was a man of education and fine abilities; was famous for hospitality and benevolence.  He was the surveyor and counselor of law to all the surrounding country before the war (Revolutionary War) and in these departments was exceedingly useful. 

His personal appearance was remarkable, a little above the ordinary size.  He was a little above the medium height, slender, venerably gray even at 30, and possessed a magnificent head.  He was in character, of great firmness and decision.  As counselor and magistrate, he married a great number of the old settlers.  He bore the title of Major.” 

Edward built Musgrove’s Fort in the 1750s for protection against the Indians.  He was a militia captain during the Cherokee War and served as commander of Fort William Henry Lyttelton on the Enoree.

He was a deputy surveyor and in 1762, became a justice of the peace, his commission being renewed in 1765 and 1767.  He was tax inquirer and collector for the north side of Broad River and a commissioner for the Cannon’s Creek-Gordon’s Fort road in 1765.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“In 1768, he was granted land, which became the site of Musgrove’s Mill.  William Berry first obtained a warrant for the land and held it until Edward could act on it.  The land was surveyed by William Gist, his brother-in-law. 

He borrowed the money from his brother, John Musgrove, and Charles King with which to build the mill and constructed it in 1769.  He defaulted on the loan, so was sued in Charleston by John and Charles, who won the verdict and a lien was placed on the mill property.  He managed to pay the debt and nullify the mortgage.”     

Thomas H. Pope wrote:

“His brother, John, was the object of special hatred by some of the Regulators and was roughly handled by them and driven from his home in the winter of 1769.  Edward took his brother’s side and was himself then indicted as a ‘very bad person, and encourager and conniver of thieves and robbers.’”

He had Tory leanings during the first part of the Revolutionary War, but did not participate in the conflict.  He wrote a letter to William Henry Drayton on October 14, 1775, indicating his neutrality.  In 1778-79, he was on the grand jury list for Ninety Six District.

The writer of an article in The Piedmont Headlight, Spartanburg, S. C., December 10, 1897, pages 3 & 6, stated:

“The original Musgrove house did not stand on the hill, but on an incline near the valley.”  An unpublished source states that the first Musgrove house was burned by the Tories after Edward and his son, Beeks, joined with the Patriots.  The family was forced to find resting places with their friends until Edward could have the house rebuilt.

Lyman C. Draper in his book, King’s Mountain and its Heroes, stated:

“He had passed the period of active life when the Revolutionary war commenced, and was then living with his third wife—too old to take any part in the bloody strife; but with trembling lips, he plead each night for a speedy return of peace and good will among men.  He lived to see his prayers answered, dying in 1792, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and was buried in the little graveyard, just behind the site of his house, near the old mill.”

The Battle of Musgrove’s Mill was fought in parts of present day Union and Spartanburg counties.  The left and center of the patriot line was in Union County.  The battle took place on August 19, 1780, just across the river from Edward Musgrove’s plantation.

Patriots assumed a defensive position on the north side of the Enoree River.  Colonel Elijah Clark’s command was on the left, Col. James Williams command was placed in the center and Col. Isaac Shelby’s command was on the right.  A flanking party of twenty-four men under the direction of Josiah Culbertson was sent from Shelby’s command.

P. M. Waters wrote:

“The British officers, Col. Cruger and Major Innis, called a council of war in the house of Edward Musgrove, in the presence of his family.  Their headquarters was in one of the rooms of the house.”

At his request, Capt. Shadrach Inman, with sixteen mounted marksmen, skirmished with the Loyalists and provoked them to cross the ford.

Waters wrote:

“Williams and Shelby ordered that not a gun should be fired till they were within a few yards, in full exposure to the American riflemen.  At this point, just before the American fire was delivered Inman wheeled to take his position in the center between the two wings, when a musket ball through the forehead laid him dead, near the root of a Spanish oak that stood a few paces above the point where the new road now leaves the old mill road.” 

The patriots repelled an assault by the Loyalist under Col. Alexander Innes, whose troops forded the river and charged with fixed bayonets.  After exchanging several musket volleys Innes’ troops were forced back with heavy losses.  Col. Innes was shot from his horse but survived.  He was shot in the neck and “left with a stiffness”.

In his Encyclopedia of The American Revolution, Mark M. Boatner III wrote:

“They repulsed an attack in which 63 Loyalists were killed, 90 wounded and 70 captured. Only four rebels were killed and eight wounded.”  The Loyalists had 300 more men in the engagement than the Patriots.    

Philemon M. Waters, Edward Musgrove’s grandson, later purchased property between the ford and battleground.

In his History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, John H. Logan quotes from Capt. P. M. Waters article on The Battle of Musgrove’s Mill:

Sixteen Tories are said to have been buried in one pit near the mouth of the creek (Cedar Shoals).  Others were buried in a grave-yard just below Musgrove’s house.  Several graves are still discernible on the spot where the Tories fell in such numbers at the first fire.  The spot is a stone’s throw below George Gordon’s house, on the west-side of the old road.”   

Logan wrote:

“Many were buried in the yard of Capt. Philemon Waters (grandson of Edward Musgrove and son of Landon), who lived midway between the Ford and the battleground.  The table, on which the dead were laid out, was preserved by the family of Capt. Waters.”

It appears that Edward died in 1790, instead of 1792, Lyman C. Draper’s death date.  Edward made his will August 25, 1790, and probably died shortly after this.  Ann was listed as head of the household in the 1790 U. S. Census of Laurens District.  She received two grants of land in 1791, one for 65 acres and the other for 75 acres.

In his will, he left his son, Edward Beeks, fifty pounds sterling; his son, William, a dwelling and land; his daughter, Rebecca, twenty pounds sterling; his daughter, Mary, twenty pounds sterling; his wife, Ann, his plantation and mill “with the profits during her life to raise and maintain herself and her children”.

He gave Ann his slaves: Tom, Phillis, Judy, Kizey, Matt during her lifetime and “after her decease the slaves are to be divided among her children: William, Margaret, Ann, Hannah, Leah, Rachel, Liney”.

He appointed his wife and Thomas Crosby executors of his estate.  Thomas was possibly the nephew of Nancy Ann, his third wife.  Benjamin Adair was one of the appraisers of his estate and George Gordon was a witness to the will.

I. HE WAS FIRST MARRIED TO REBECCA BEEKS.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“She was the daughter of Abraham and Susannah ? Beakes of Philadelphia.  She was born in July of 1728 and her only sibling, Abraham Beakes, Jr., was born in January of 1732.  Their father died the year of his son’s birth. 

On May 30, 1734, Susannah Beeks remarried Edward Southwood of Bristol, Pennsylvania.  He became the guardian of her two children and moved the family to Frederick County, Virginia.  He died in 1749 and Rebecca and her brother petitioned the Orphans Court of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for permission to choose new guardians.  They selected William Biles and Thomas Yeardly.  Susannah was a widow in 1755, but later married  ?  Roberts.   

Edward Musgrove owned and operated a gristmill at what is now Harper’s Ferry and married Rebecca in the early 1750’s.  She was listed as Edward’s wife on a Frederick County, Virginia, deed on July 27, 1754.   

In 1754, they moved to South Carolina, accompanied by her brother, Abraham and his wife.  Abraham had an infant son, Samuel, and bought 100 acres of land from Margaret Reinger (widow) on the Tyger River in what is now Union County, S. C., on March 9, 1758.  

On November 7, 1759, he applied for a grant of 150 acres, but the transaction was never consummated.  Here his history ends.  Abraham, his wife and sister, Rebecca, simply vanished.  I can only guess that they became victims of a Cherokee Indian attack. 

Edward took little Samuel and made him a part of his family.  He continued to pay the quit rent on the land inherited by Samuel until he reached maturity.  The land was originally granted to Margaret Reinger so a memorial had to be paid annually.  

Samuel, born circa 1752, in Frederick County, Virginia, died in November of 1816, in Laurens County, S. C.  His wife, Sarah Davenport, was born in 1764, and died August 1, 1844.  She was buried in the Poplar Springs Baptist Church cemetery, Laurens County, S. C.”

Judy Douglas, in Footprints In Time, states that Samuel Beeks mother was Sary ? (Sarah).

Samuel’s wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Francis Davenport and his wife, Ann Wyley.  They had six children: two sons and four daughters. Their son, Abraham Beakes, born 1782, moved to Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi.   They also had a son, Francis Marion Beeks (1786-1861), who married Mary Neal (1787-1861).  He died in Laurens County, S. C.

Samuel Beeks served as a Patriot soldier in Col. Andrew Pickens Brigade during the American Revolutionary War.

EDWARD AND REBECCA BEEKS MUSGROVE’S CHILDREN

1. Abraham Musgrove.  He was probably a child of Edward and Rebecca and was born circa 1753, in Virginia.  He signed a legal document with Edward and Hannah Musgrove on August 17, 1767.  No further records exist on him.

2. Edward Beeks Musgrove.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“He was born circa 1755.  In early adulthood he frequently lived with his Uncle John Musgrove.  Before and during the Revolutionary War he spent a great deal of time there.  He apparently was closer to him than his own father.  This accounts for Beeks involvement with the Tories or Loyalists for John was a British sympathizer and held the rank of Colonel in their army.”    

Inspired by the Cunninghams and Col. Ferguson, Beeks first joined with the Loyalists.

John H. Logan, in his History of The Upper Country of South Carolina, wrote:

“Mrs. Sims (Sybella, wife of Capt. Charles) continued to reproach and remonstrate with Lee for his villainy, in order to detain them as long as possible from the attack on her friends higher up the creek.  While this was going on, B. Musgrove, one of Lee’s men, went up to the bed on which Mrs. McDaniel’s (Nancy, daughter of Capt. Charles) children were sleeping and took from it one of the two blankets that covered them.  It was an exceedingly cold evening and raining. 

As Musgrove went out of the door with the blanket, Mrs. McDaniel said to him: ‘Beeks Musgrove, you will answer for that at the day of judgment.’  ‘By D—d, Madame,’ he replied, ‘if I am to have that long credit, I’ll take the other.’  And returning to the bed took that also.”    

Paddy Carr, an Indian trader on the frontier, was a member of Col. Elijah Clark’s Regiment and was very much incensed that Beeks Musgrove had joined with the Tories and swore that he would kill him on sight.

John H. Logan, in his History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, wrote:

“Paddy Carr, once hunting for Beeks, caught him in his father’s house at the mill.  He had come in to change his clothing, and get some refreshment; Mary was preparing him a meal; he had leaned his sword against the door lintel.  Paddy came suddenly upon him, and took him before he could think of escape 

Paddy said‘Are you Beeks Musgrove?’   ‘I am, sir.’ ‘You are the man, sir, I have long sought.’  Mary seeing the drawn sword of her brother in Carr’s hand, said: ‘Are you Paddy Carr?’  ‘I am Mary Musgrove, Mr. Carr; and you must not kill my brother,’ at the time throwing herself between them.

An interview now took place between Carr and Musgrove.  Carr was struck with his manly beauty, and said: ‘Musgrove, you look like a man that would fight.’  ‘Yes, said Musgrove, ‘there are circumstances under which I would fight.’ ‘If I had come upon you alone,’ said Carr, ‘in possession of your arms, would you have fought me?’  ‘Yes, sword in hand.’ 

Carr was so taken with Musgrove that he proposed to him to become a member of his scout and go with him on the spot, and swear never to bear arms against the American cause. 

His men had been stationed in the cedars some distance from the house, and had by this time come up to the scene. 

Mary seeing her brother disposed to accede to Carr’s proposition, her fears for his safety being still awake, challenged Carr for his motives.  ‘Mr. Carr,’ she said, ‘you do not design to persuade my brother to leave me, and then, when the presence of his sisters is no longer a restraint, butcher him in cold blood; pledge me, sir, that such is not your design.’  ‘I’ll swear it,’ said Carr. 

Musgrove joined his party, continued some time with them still gaining upon the confidence of Carr, and never afterwards bore arms against his country.”

In his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, Bobby G. Moss stated:

“Edward B. Musgrove served as a horseman in the militia.”

He was listed in the Index Book of Revolutionary Claims in South Carolina between August 20, 1783, and August 31, 1786.

The 1790 U. S. Census for Laurens County, South Carolina, listed him with a wife, two sons and two daughters.  He married Sarah Waters, daughter of Bordroyne Waters and his first wife (name unknown) circa 1782.  She was born circa 1765.

He purchased property in Laurens County, South Carolina, from Robert Ellison of Fairfield on February 29, 1792.  Their living children were: Elizabeth, John C., Loveberry, Monsieur and Edward W. Musgrove.  He had a disagreement with his father and moved into the Duncan Creek area of Laurens County, S. C.

He was one of Capt. Bill Lee’s men and was involved in the killing of a patriot while serving with the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War.  They killed Colonel Joseph Hughes’ father, Thomas, in 1779.

John H. Logan wrote:

“He was murdered by the Tories while in search of his hogs.  His body was pierced by seven wounds.  He lived on the road from Unionville to Chesterville at McCool’s Ferry on Broad River.  Joseph (Hughes) after looking at the mangled corpse of his father, raised his gun, and swore he would kill every Tory he met.” 

Robert Stevens wrote:

“After the war Hughes tracked down and killed about seven of Lee’s men.”  

Beeks Musgrove was murdered by Col. Hughes, possibly in early 1800.  He was deceased when the 1800 U. S. Census was taken for his wife, Sarah, was listed as head of the household.  She had twin sons born in 1800.

John H. Logan wrote:

“Some time after the war, a case was pending in Chester Court in which it became necessary to ascertain whether a certain notorious marauding Tory by the name of M——e (Beeks Musgrove) was dead or alive; and if dead, at what time did he die. 

It being supposed that Hughes (Col. Joseph) knew something of him, he was examined on commission, when he fearlessly acknowledged that he had shot the said M——e since the war as one of the miscreants against whom he had sworn eternal vengeance.  He later in life removed with his family and son-in-law, Jack Mabry, to the western edge of Alabama.”

Beeks Musgrove’s widow, Sarah, moved from the Duncan’s Creek settlement to Cross Anchor, S. C.  She lived with her daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Mordecai Chandler, after her husband’s death.  About 1816, she moved with the Chandler’s from Spartanburg County to Union County and died at their residence on Cook’s Bridge Road.

She wrote her will on September 21, 1839, and it was recorded September 4, 1841, in Union County.  She left her son, Loveberry, “one feather bed and furniture and the rest to be divided between all my children with the exception of John C. Musgrove for he has had more of my estate than his part.”  She named her son, Loveberry, as executor.

Revis Leonard wrote:

“Edward W. was made administrator of his mother’s will after Loveberry refused to serve.  He then disposed of all the property, took the proceeds and left South Carolina.” 

Sarah was buried in the New Hope Baptist Church cemetery in Cross Anchor, S. C.

(1). Elizabeth, her daughter, was born circa 1783, and married Mordecai Chandler, son of Robert and Sarah Chandler.  He was born May 1, 1762, in Culpepper, Virginia.

While residing in Newberry District, he served under Capt. James Liles and Col. John Liles.  He was taken prisoner and sent to Ninety Six and  thereafter put on a prison ship.

Next, he joined Capt. James Williams.  He was in the battles of Cedar Springs, Musgrove’s Mill and Stono.

At one time, he served under Capt. Benjamin Roebuck and Cols. John Thomas, Philemon Waters and Thomas Brandon.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“Mordecai was a close personal friend of the Reverend Spencer Bobo.  They were members of the Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church.  In 1784, Spencer sold Chandler 84 acres on Cedar Shoals Creek so they could live side-by-side.  He helped the Reverend Bobo establish the New Hope Baptist Church at Cross Anchor in 1804.

After the death of the Rev. Spencer Bobo in 1816, Mordecai moved to the 112 acres of land on Cook’s Bridge Road in Union County, willed to him by his father, and there helped to establish the Hebron Baptist Church.”    

Mordecai married the granddaughter of Edward Musgrove, and Spencer and Judith Foster Bobo’s son, Absalom, married the daughter of Edward.

Mordecai and Elizabeth had two sons and three daughters.  He died May 23, 1846, and she died May 11, 1852.  They were buried in the New Hope Baptist Church cemetery, Cross Anchor, S. C.

(2). John H. Logan wrote: “He had a son, a Baptist preacher, who displayed much of the eccentricity and acuteness of Lorenzo Dow.”

Mary Ann Strickland Granger of Huntsville, Alabama, has researched and written much about the Reverend Edward William Musgrove and recorded it on the Internet.  The author is indebted to her for her contributions to this article.

He was born circa 1785, in Laurens County, South Carolina.  “His military service included fighting with Andrew Jackson on the Coosa River in Alabama.  He later served as a substitute for someone else.”

“He married at least four times if not more.  It appears he abandoned all of them and was likely a bigamist.

He first married Nancy Stout on June 12, 1819, in Roane County, Tennessee.  She is the only wife he ever acknowledged both in his application for a land grant and in a request for a War of 1812 pension, when he stated that his military papers were lost in a house fire.

He married Nancy Daniels on February 12, 1825, in Roane County, Tennessee.  He apparently had several children by her.

He attended a small academy in Tennessee for a semester between marriages to the Nancys.”

He returned to South Carolina, in 1841, when his mother, Sarah, died, served as administrator of her estate, sold her land and left with the proceeds.”

He moved to Anderson County, S. C., and attended the Big Creek Baptist Church.  Brian Scott of Greenville, S. C., has written a sketch of the church in which he states:

“In September 1842, one Edward W. Musgrove, a hard-shell Baptist preacher, came into the neighborhood and was frequently invited to occupy the pulpit (Big Creek Baptist Church).

In August 1843, he was received by letter into the church.  He had already succeeded in sowing the seeds of discord, which were so soon to yield an abundant harvest of bitter fruit.  At the next meeting, after being admitted to membership, he objected to a missionary deacon serving the church (Miles Ellison).

The storm, which had been gathering force, now burst upon the church in all its fury.  The meeting broke up in confusion.  This was in September (1843).  There was no meeting held after this until January 1844, when confusion and disorder still prevailed.

The crash came, and the church was torn into fragments.  The Musgrove party withdrew and shortly afterward held a meeting and called Elder Nathaniel Gaines to preach for them.  This party took the name Big Creek Primitive Church.”

He was next married to Nancy Johnson, daughter of Reuben Johnson and Nancy Carolina Greenless Johnson, on September 3, 1844, by John Harper, Esquire in Anderson County, S. C.  She was born in Pendleton District.

The Reverend E. W. Musgrove performed the marriage ceremony for Baylis Kelly and Jane, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Wilson, on the same date of his marriage.

He and his wife moved from Anderson County, S. C., to Gwinnett County, Georgia, ‘where he received a land grant for his War of 1812 service, but lost the land, which was sold by the Sheriff circa 1854, to cover a debt.’

After this, he left Nancy Johnson in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and she was remarried to Major Warbinger.

He reappeared in Giles County, Tennessee, in 1870, although his age was shown as much younger.  He married fourthly, Sarah Kelly, on April 15, 1870, in the above county.

Shortly afterwards, he appeared in Winston County, Alabama, where he applied for a War of 1812 pension, without Sarah, repeating much of the information he provided when he applied for a land grant from Gwinnett County, Georgia.  He stated that his wife was Nancy Stout (his first marriage) and did not indicate that she was deceased or provide any mention of his other wives.

He moved to Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama, and from there to Madison County, Alabama, near the Tennessee line where his last address was in care of a store in Tennessee just across the State Line.

He wrote an irate letter to the President of the United States because the New Orleans office, who paid the pension, was slow in getting his address changed.”

In his booklet, A Brief Sketch of the Musgrove Brothers and Their Descendants, Philip M. Musgrove wrote:

“He was married in his early years to a young lady named Stout but there were no children that our branch of the family have ever heard of.  I had the honor of entertaining him at my home soon after the Civil War.  He was then eighty years old, was a classically educated man, spoke a number of languages, and prided himself on his thorough knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages.

 

He was a member of the Anti-Missionary Baptist order, and while at my home in Blountsville, Alabama, he delivered several sermons.  So excellent and profound was his knowledge that it was a delight to listen to his discourses. 

 

Ten years later, I read in a newspaper the notice of the death of a very aged preacher in West Tennessee by the name of Musgrove, but no particulars were given and I was never able to trace for certainty that he was the Edward Musgrove, whom I had once entertained.  One of his idiosyncrasies was to travel on foot and preach.” 

*This Philip M. Musgrove was a son of John Tate and Penelope McCarty Musgrove and a great grandson of John and Araminta Musgrove.  He was a farmer, a teacher, a Southern Baptist preacher and missionary, a physician, a druggist, a lawyer and a Captain of Co. C, 12th Battalion in the Alabama Calvary during the War Between the States.  He married Louisa White.

(3). John C. Musgrove was born in 1787, and married circa 1830.  His wife was deceased before 1840, and her name is unknown.  He had moved to another state before his mother died and was listed in the 1850 Census of Dekalb County, Alabama, with children David, Rebecca and Beeks.

(4). Loveberry Musgrove was born circa 1800.  He never married and was living with his sister, Elizabeth Chandler, in 1850, according to the Census of Union County, S. C.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“They lived near Hebron Baptist Church until she died in 1752.  He then lived with his niece, Margaret Ann Frances Chandler James (Mrs. William Walton) in the town of Union, S. C.  He was a carpenter and was associated with W. W. James.  They built some of the finer houses in the city of Union.  His partner, William Walton James, died in 1864, in Madison, Florida, in the CSA (Orderly Sgt., Co. A, 18th SCV). 

 

William W. James (1821-1864) was born in Wilkes County, N. C., a son of Joseph Warren and Hylie James.   He married Margaret Chandler in 1845.” 

Loveberry was buried in the James plot in the Presbyterian cemetery, and his grave marker states that he was a member of 1st SC Inf., Co. E, CSA.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“He served as a Confederate soldier but was sent home for being too old.  He joined another company but was again discharged because of his age.  He died in 1864, at the home of his niece, Margaret Chandler James.”   

(5). Monsieur Nowell Musgrove was born circa 1800.  He married Nancy Cooksey, daughter of William Cooksey, in 1824.  She was born in 1806.  Her father, William, was a miller at the Gordon Mills.  Her father was born circa 1788, and died after 1850.  Name of her mother is not known.

He and his wife lived on the old Thomas Waters tract on Elisha Creek, waters of the Enoree River.  He sold a tract of land “containing 37 and 1/5 acres on the waters of Elisha Creek, where I now live” to Philemon W. Head (Spartanburg District) in January 1832.  His plantation was in the corner of Union, Spartanburg and Laurens counties.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“He was named for his father’s Frenchman friend, Noel, who lived close to John Musgrove.”   

They were listed in the 1850 Census of Union County, South Carolina, and in the 1860 Census of Neshoba County, Mississippi.  They had three sons and seven daughters.  She died in Neshoba County, Mississippi, in September of 1870, and he died there in 1880.

3. Rebecca Musgrove.  She was born circa 1757, and married John Cannon, son of Samuel Cannon and Lydia Pennington Cannon.  He was born in 1755.  They sold 100 acres of land on the north side of Enoree River to Thomas Springfield of Laurens County on February 6, 1792.

This included the dwelling where they were living.  Rebecca and her husband, John, received this property from her father, Edward.  They sold 50 acres of land on the north side of Enoree River to Benjamin Couch of Spartanburg County on November 8, 1798.  It was part of a tract that Cannon purchased from Adam Garman.  The land was bounded by Edward Lynch’s spring branch.

They had three sons and two daughters.  He died July 7, 1828, in Newberry District.  Date of Rebecca’s death is unknown to this writer.

She was still living in the early 1800s.

II. EDWARD MUSGROVE’S SECOND WIFE, HANNAH FINCHER, AND THEIR CHILDREN.

They were married circa 1761.  She was a daughter of Francis and Hannah Shewin Fincher, and a granddaughter of John and Martha Taylor Fincher and William Shewin of Chester County, Pennsylvania.   The Fincher’s came to this country from England.

Her father and mother were married at London Grove Friends Meeting in Chester County, Pennsylvania on May 31, 1731.  Francis, her father, sold 150 acres on Armel’s Branch of Tyger River to his son, John, on October 4, 1784.  His granddaughter, Mary Musgrove, witnessed the transaction.  He sold 100 acres to his son, John, on Fincher’s Branch on the same date, and Mary was also a witness to this sale.

On March 24, 1786, Aaron Fincher and his wife, Mary Parker, sold 100 acres on a small branch of Fairforest to Moses Collins, and Mary Musgrove, niece of Aaron, was a witness.

Hannah Fincher Musgrove’s sister, Sarah Frances, married William Gist on February 28, 1774.   He was a Loyalist during the Revolutionary War.

Francis Fincher was still living in Union County, S. C. in 1786, and called “an old man” by Margaret Cook, a Quaker Minister, in her journal.

EDWARD MUSGROVE AND HIS WIFE, HANNAH, WERE PARENTS OF MARY AND SUSAN.

Edward was Deputy Surveyor of Berkley County, when he purchased 100 acres on Rocky Creek, branch of Broad River, in Craven County from Jacob Cannamore on December 22, 1761.  Francis Fincher and his wife, Hannah, witnessed the transaction.

He and his wife, Hannah, of Berkley County, sold 200 acres of land at Fish Dam Farm on Sandy River to Thomas Fletchall of Craven County for 100 pounds currency.  This transaction took place on February 13, 1764.

In the book, Petitions For Land From The South Carolina Council Journals, edited by Brent H. Holcomb, the minutes of the Council state:

“The clerk read the petition of Edward Musgrove in behalf of Francis Fincher setting forth that the said Francis Fincher was disabled from traveling by a fall from his horse and praying for a Warrant for 150 acres of Land on the Fork of Broad and Saludy Rivers.”  This meeting took place Tuesday, March 5, 1765.

 

4. Mary Musgrove.  She was born circa 1763, and named for her father’s sister.  She has been immortalized by the pen of John Pendleton Kennedy in his book, Horseshoe Robinson.  “Mary Musgrove’s name is high on the list of the immortal names of women of South Carolina, whose fame was won by daring and devotion to the cause of American Independence.”

“Like many brave girls of ’76 and with all the tenderness of a woman she ministered to the sick, the wounded and fed the hungry, and like the beautiful young heroine of France, Joan of Arc, knew no fear in her heart.  The ‘miller’s pretty daughter’ as she was often called did many brave and noble things and would always say she was for ‘General Washington and the Congress’.

Logan wrote: “Mary Musgrove was not only a woman of rare beauty, but of extraordinary mind and energy.”

John Kennedy wrote that while Mary was visiting with her father’s sister-in-law, Peggy Crosby Adair, in what is now Cherokee County, she warned Horseshoe Robinson and Major Butler not to go by Dogwood Springs (owned by Vardey McBee, Sr. at the time and now known as Limestone Springs) because of impending danger from the Tories.

Mary referred to Peggy (may not have been her real first name) as her aunt.  She was her father’s third wife’s sister.  According to Kennedy, Horseshoe and Major Butler were captured at Grindal’s Ford.

Traditional accounts state that after Horseshoe escaped from Christie’s Tavern, Mary hid him in the cavern to the left of the falls of Cedar Shoals Creek, feeding him and furnishing him with information concerning the activities of the Tories.  She may not have hidden him in the cavern, but undoubtedly did hid him for his protection from the Tories.

The book, Horseshoe Robinson, states that Mary was engaged to John Ramsay, who lost his life at the hands of the British for the part he played in the successful escape of Major Arthur Butler.

When Kennedy lacked information about the name of a character in his book, he gave them a name.  He referred to Edward Musgrove as Allen Musgrove and to James (Horseshoe) Robertson as Galbraith Roberson.

In The Laurens County Sketchbook, Edna Riddle Foy wrote:

“Mary Musgrove made possible the escape of two Whigs who were imprisoned in her home, which was used at intervals as headquarters for the British maneuvers. 

 

At a time when the prisoners’ captors were having their evening meal, the two men were helped through a window above the first floor roof from which they hoisted themselves into the branches of a huge oak tree.  One man was slightly injured in a fall to the ground, but the two managed to join a rescue party on the other side of Enoree River, which had signaled by flares the hour for the escape.”

 

“Mention is made of war casualties being carried to the Musgrove house during and after the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill in August 1780.  A Doctor Ross (George) was in attendance and Mary Musgrove helped to nurse the sick and wounded men from both sides.” 

 

John H. Logan in A History Of The Upper Country Of South Carolina, wrote:

“Among the American wounded left at Musgrove’s was one named Miller—shoe through the body, and believed to be mortal, and had to draw a silk handkerchief through his body to cleanse the wound; his parents were from the lower part of Laurens, and got a physician, old Dr. (George) Ross, to attend to him, though it is believed the British surgeons were quite attentive.  He recovered.”

After the war, Mary married George Berry circa 1788.  George was the son of William and Usley Berry.  One source states that his father, William, sold the mill site to Edward Musgrove.

GEORGE AND MARY HAD CHILDREN: a. Rebecca; b. Lurana Phillips; c. Elizabeth; d. William; e. Mary Musgrove; and f. Robert Goodloe Harper Berry.  Mary died circa 1803, following the birth of Robert.

After Mary’s death, George married Edith Ligon, daughter of Robert and Edith Watkins Ligon.  George and Edith had one child, Edith, who was listed as deceased by 1806, the year that her father died.  John Hutchinson, husband of George and Mary’s daughter, REBECCA, was administrator of George Berry’s estate.

The Laurens County Guardian Returns indicate that Edith Berry was appointed guardian for Polly M. and Robert G. H. Berry and filed a return on April 25, 1812.  She filed her final return on June 5, 1815.

Edith married Andrew Wray after George’s death.  They moved to the Cherokee Springs area of South Carolina, and took Mary’s two youngest children with them.

They lived near James and Margaret Headen Turner.  James father, George, had moved his family from the Thicketty Creek area of present day Cherokee County to Pacolet River near Coulter’s Ford in Spartanburg County circa 1788, about the year that James married Margaret Headen.  James was the brother-in-law of James (Horseshoe) Robertson.

These families attended the Buck Creek Baptist church, where James served as deacon.

MARY MUSGROVE BERRY, daughter of George and Mary Musgrove Berry, married Henry Hines, son of William and Sarah Whitney Hines, and her brother, ROBERT, married Nancy Hines, her husband’s sister.

In the 1850 Census of Spartanburg County, Robert and his wife, Nancy, had three sons and five daughters living with them.  They were listed in the 1860 Census of Spartanburg County with three of their daughters.  Two of their daughters were named MARY and EDITH.

Henry Hines was born in 1790, and died April 6, 1861, and Mary Musgrove Berry Hines was born in 1801, and died September 27, 1861.  Mary and her husband, Henry, had five boys and two girls.  They were buried in the Turner-Hines family cemetery about four miles from Cherokee Springs.

Their daughter, Edith, married James Turner, Jr., son of James and Margaret Headen Turner.  James Turner Jr. was born March 11, 1811, and died September 7, 1858.  Edith was born in 1814, and died June 2, 1888.  They were married September 7, 1828, when he was seventeen and she was fourteen.

They had ten girls and four boys.  James and Edith were also buried in the Turner-Hines cemetery, but Edith’s grave was not marked.

Edith was the granddaughter of George and Mary Musgrove Berry and James Turner Jr. was the nephew of James (Horseshoe) Robertson.

George and Mary Musgrove Berry’s daughter, Rebecca, married John Hutcheson and their daughter, Lurana Phillips Berry married John Brown.

5. Susan Musgrove.  She was born circa 1765.  John H. Logan has Mary confused with her sister, Susan.  It was Susan who died early and not Mary.

Logan wrote:

 

“The following incident occurred at her death: She requested that Mary Farrow, Mary Puckett, Sarah Musgrove, and a Miss George, should be her pall-bearers.  The body being very light, they bore it to the grave on silk handkerchiefs.

 

Just as they were lowering it into the grave, a kind-hearted old lady present, but who was the wife of a Tory, came forward to assist, when a member of the family interposed and prevented it.”

 

Both Mary and Susan were devoted Whigs in principle.  Susan died circa 1784 of consumption.

Hannah Fincher Musgrove was still living on August 17, 1767, when she witnessed a transaction to sell land in Virginia.  Her husband, Edward, and Abraham Musgrove, possible son of Edward by his first wife, also signed the document.     

 

III. ACCORDING TO JOHN H. LOGAN, EDWARD MUSGROVE’S THIRD WIFE WAS NANCY ANN CROSBY.

Logan wrote:

“His third wife was alive when the battle of the mills was fought—her name was Nancy Crosby, from near the Fish Dam Ford of Broad River.  She survived till 1824, to a very advanced age—the grandmother of Capt. P. M. Waters and Dr. E. M. Bobo.”  Edward’s third marriage took place circa 1768.

In the book, Horseshoe Robinson, Horseshoe refers to Peggy Crosby Adair and to her mother as Mrs. Crosby.  Mrs. Crosby was supposed to be about 80 years of age.  Her name has not been recorded.  Edward Musgrove had owned a farm near the Crosbys, which he called Fish Dam Farm, and he was well acquainted with this family.  He sold the farm after he married Hannah Fincher.

Nancy Ann, Peggy (may not have been her real first name), Dennis and William Crosby were possible brothers and sisters.  They grew up in the Fish Dam Ford area.

They were possible children of William Crosby and his wife,  ?  ?  Crosby.  Their mother is listed in the databases as having been born in 1700.  That is the year that the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, gives for “old Mrs. Crosby’s birth date”.

Mrs. Crosoby and her husband, William, were married circa 1722/1723.  William was born in 1696, in Berkley County, S. C.   Thomas is listed as the father of William.

Dennis Crosby, possible brother of Nancy Ann, was born December 11, 1724.  He married Hannah Revels in 1748.  She was born in 1728.  They had four sons and two daughters.

He was granted 300 acres of land on Thicketty Creek on August 18, 1763, in what later became Ninety Six District.  Dennis died October 11, 1771.  Hannah furnished supplies for the Continental and Militia use during the American Revolutionary War.  She died August 12, 1785.

Richard Crosby, son of Dennis and Hannah Revels Crosby, was born in 1749.  He married Rhoda Davis.  She was born in 1756.  They had four sons and four daughters.  He furnished materials for the use of the militia in 1780, 1781, 1782, and 1783.  He died in 1798.

Thomas Crosby, son of Dennis and Hannah Revels Crosby, was born in 1751, in what was then called Berkley County, S. C.   He married Margaret Davis in 1770.  She was born on December 17, 1751.

He was a patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War and served under General Andrew Pickens, after the fall of Charleston, S. C.  They had six sons and two daughters.  He died March 7, 1791, and his wife died February 18, 1825.

William Crosby was the son of Dennis and Hannah Revels and was born in 1755.  He married Mary Polly Davis in 1778, in Camden District.  She was born in 1758.   He served in the militia as a sergeant on horseback and on foot from 1779 to 1783.

The skirmish at Fish Dam was fought in Camden District (later Chester County) in the flat on Broad River, between the ford and the ferry according to John H. Logan.  The battle took place on the plantation of William and Polly Crosby.  Mrs. Crosby reported as many as twenty (British) killed and many others wounded.  She nursed some of the wounded and buried two of the dead British soldiers on the hill near her house.

William and Polly had two sons and three daughters.  He died in 1797, and she died on February 27, 1824.  Just before her death she sold 70 acres to Joseph Crosby that included the house where she lived.

The three Davis girls who married Crosby brothers were probably sisters.

William Crosby, possible brother of Dennis, married Susannah Benton.  A grant of 600 acres on Silver Springs made circa October 2, 1767, was probably his land.

He was a patriot soldier during the Revolutionary War and served as a Continental soldier under Capt. Robert Maysfield and Col. John Thomas.  He served from February 1779 to July 1783 under Capt. William Baskin and General Andrew Pickens.

Edward Musgrove listed Thomas Crosby, son of Dennis, as one of the executors of his will.  Thomas died in 1791, and was unable to fulfill his responsibilities as administrator of Edward’s estate.

Before the ending of the Revolutionary War, Edward gave up his position of neutrality and become a supporter in the fight for independence.  He was possibly influenced by his third wife, Nancy Ann, for she came from a very patriotic family.

Traditional accounts state that Edward’s house was burned after the family switched their allegiance.

CHILDREN OF EDWARD AND ANN CROSBY MUSGROVE WERE: WILLIAM, MARGARET, LEAH, ANN, RACHEL, LINEY AND HANNAH.

He and his wife, Ann, sold 100 acres of land in Union County, S. C., to Robert Crenshaw of Union County, S. C., on February 17, 1787, for 50 pounds sterling.  This land had been granted to Edward on August 13, 1766.

6. Margaret Musgrove.  According to Logan, Margaret was 12 years old when the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill was fought.  This means that she was born circa 1768 or 1769.

P. M. Waters wrote about his mother’s perceptions of the battle:

“Margaret said that it was the grandest sight she ever saw as they came at full speed down the steep hill along which the old road ran to the east of the present house occupied by Dr. Bobo—their uniforms and rake ? blades flashing in the sun just risen in full splendor above the lofty hill under which her father’s house stood. 

 

They dashed up and the commanding officer (Loyalist) asked what had happened.  The account of the battle was given him in a few words, on which rising in his stirrups and uttering several deep and loud imprecations, he commanded his men to cross the river. 

 

They dashed at full speed into the water, which Margaret told afterwards played in rainbows around their horses.  The enemy, however, were far out of their reach, and they were left nothing but the melancholy duty of burying the dead, and conveying the wounded to the hospital at Musgrove’s.”

She married Landon Waters in 1792.  He was the son of Bordroyne and his wife, Elizabeth.  He was the grandson of Philemon and Sarah Bordroyne Waters.  Landon was born in 1764.

The Waters came to South Carolina from Prince William County, Virginia.

Robert Stevens wrote:

“The Waters who came to South Carolina were: Col. Philemon Waters (m. Mary Berry), Capt. Bordroyne Waters, Rosannah Waters Farrow (m. John), Sarah Waters Head (m. John) and Col. Thomas Waters, the notorious Tory active in South Carolina and Georgia.”

Bordroyne was the brother of Col. Philemon Waters and served as captain under him.

P. M. Waters (son of Landon) wrote:

“Bordroyne Waters had occasion to go down to Dutch Ford on business, after times became troublesome; and on his return found to his surprise one of his neighbors, together with the grocery keeper and two others—who were in favor of the King. 

This neighbor, under the influence of liquor, insisted on B. Waters subscribing an oath of allegiance to the King, which he refused to do, upon which they came to words.  Waters in the act of starting for home walked out of the grocery, when this neighbor seized a loaded rifle, which stood in the corner of the grocery, and pursued Waters, and presenting the gun, saying: ‘I will kill you unless you subscribe to the oath.’

 

Waters then commenced parleying with him, and by stratagem snatched the gun from him, and turned it upon him.  When the fellow seized a stick and turned upon Waters, who gave back and bid him stand off or he would kill him, and finally shot him and he died immediately.

Consulting with his brother, Col. Phil Waters, B. Waters, surrendered himself to the civil authorities, and was put in Ninety Six jail.  Not long after, Col. P. Waters and friends liberated him by cutting down the door in a dark night, upon which B. Waters left immediately and took refuge in the North, and there joined the American army, and returning South with Green, fought at Eutau Springs.” 

Robert Stevens wrote:

“The man that Capt. Bordroyne Waters killed was Benjamin Morrow.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to be hung at Charleston.  Proof of this is in Union County Deed Book SS, pages 318-319.  It contains the record of a pardon granted to Capt. Waters by South Carolina Governor John Rutledge on December 15, 1779.”      

Bordroyne was killed by Ned Turner, a Loyalist associated with Bloody Bill Cunningham, on September 15, 1782.  He was trying to rescue his son, Landon, and John Clark, captives of Turner.  John Clark was a brother of Col. Elijah Clark.

After killing him, Turner released Landon to bury his father.  He buried him near the place where he was killed and four years later moved him to the Bush River Baptist Church cemetery.  His grave was not marked.

Bordroyne’s brother, Thomas, was a Colonel and fought with the Loyalists.  Thomas and his wife, Mary, traveled from South Carolina to Georgia with Elijah Clark in 1773.

Bordroyne’s sister, Rosanna, was the twin sister of Philemon and married John Thomas Farrow. They had at least four sons who fought with the patriots during the Revolutionary War.  In 1776, John was stricken with smallpox after a business trip to Virginia, and died in North Carolina.

During the war, Rosanna heard news of the capture of three of her sons and that they were scheduled to be executed.  Col. Cruger offered to trade them for six British soldiers so she went to Col. James Williams’ camp and carried six of his prisoners to Ninety Six and exchanged them for her sons.   Her parting words to Col. Cruger were: “I have given you two for one, but understand that I consider it the best trade I have ever made for rest assured that hereafter the Farrow boys will whip you four to one.”

Her son Samuel served as a captain under Col. James Williams at the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill and was wounded in the face by a saber.

Landon served in the Patriot militia under Capt. Philemon Waters (later Col. Waters) from June 5 through September 15, 1781.

He died in 1822, and his wife died in 1824.  They were parents of five sons and two daughters.  Landon M. Waters and Philemon M. Waters were their sons.  Landon M. owned property on the Tyger River adjacent to land once owned by Golden Tinsley and William Blackstock.

7. Ann Musgrove.  She was born May 25, 1773, and married Absalom Bobo August 1, 1790.  He was the son of Simpson and Judith Foster Bobo and was born in Virginia, March 13, 1765.  He was drafted during February or March 1781, while residing in Ninety Six District and served in the Revolutionary War under Col. Benjamin Roebuck and Capt. George Roebuck.  He guarded prisoners at the Orangeburg jail.

Ann and Absalom Bobo had the following children: Edward Musgrove Bobo; Jane Bobo; Levinia Bobo; and Sampson Bobo.  Ann died circa 1807, after the birth of her son Sampson.  They were living in Cross Anchor, S. C., at this time.  Most of their children grew up on Two Mile Creek, near Woodruff, S. C.

Edward Musgrove Bobo was born on December 22, 1792, and married Elizabeth Murphy in 1816.  She was born on November 21, 1796.  He died October 15, 1858, and her death occurred on May 17, 1862.  They were buried in the Presbyterian cemetery in Union, S. C.

He was a physician, and he and his wife had two boys and two girls.  William Musgrove, his mother’s brother, in 1848, left him 443 acres of land in his will, which included the Musgrove house and mills.  In the August freshet of 1852, he lost the grist and saw mills.

His daughter, Susan Jane, married the wealthy Richard Austin Springs of Springsteen Plantation in York County.   Edward Musgrove Bobo owned a great deal of real estate in Union County.

In 1859, Lewis Lawrence purchased 500 acres from his estate, which included the Musgrove house and mills tract.

Jane Bobo was born December 8, 1798, and married Alfred Dean, son of Joel and Mary Brockman Dean, in 1842.  Joel Dean was a patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War and fought in North Carolina under General Griffith Rutherford in his Rowan County Brigade.

Alfred was born September 19, 1798.  They had four boys and three girls.  He died May 7, 1877, and she died October 8, 1884.  They were members of the Abner Creek Baptist Church.  She moved her membership from the Bethel Baptist Church in Woodruff, S. C., to Abner Creek.  Their sons, Alvin and Dean, were both Confederate soldiers and attained the rank of captain in the War Between the States.

Levinia Bobo was born in 1804, and married Amos P. Woodruff, son of Samuel H. and Nancy Pilgrim Woodruff, circa 1824.  He was born in 1801.  They had seven boys and five girls.  He died circa 1882, and she died in 1889.  They were living in Lamar County, Texas, when they died.

Sampson Bobo was born in 1807, and married Rebecca Woodruff, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Pilgrim Woodruff, in 1825.  She was born September 10, 1806, and died January 19, 1846.  They had four girls and two boys.  Their son, Biram, died December 21, 1845, in the second year of his age.

Biram and his mother are buried in Bethel Baptist Cemetery, Woodruff, S. C.  After Rebecca’s death, Sampson married Elizabeth Pearson on September 14, 1848.  She was born August 2, 1814.  They moved to Panola County, Mississippi, where he died on December 2, 1884, and she died there on September 3, 1899.

Absalom Bobo’s second wife was Mary (Polly) Bobo, his first cousin.  She was the daughter of Sampson and Sarah
Simpson Bobo and was born May 25, 1773.  They married circa 1808, and lived on Two Mile Creek near Woodruff, S. C.

Her father, Sampson Bobo, while residing in Ninety Six District, served in the militia under Col. Thomas Brandon.

Two children were born to this couple: Aseneath Bobo, born April 24, 1810, and George Washington Bobo, born November 5, 1812.

By 1825, or before, Absalom Bobo acquired some of Edward and Ann Musgrove’s slaves possibly from their daughter, Hannah, or from the will of Edward and gave them to his son, Edward M. and daughter Jane Dean, children of his first wife, Ann Musgrove.  Ann was deceased at this time.

George Washington Bobo married Permelia Frances Todd, daughter of James and Elizabeth Jane Spencer Todd in 1839.  She was born March 21, 1819.  He and his wife were members of the Bethel Baptist Church in Woodruff, S. C., and had two sons.

George died August 20, 1848, and his widow moved her membership to the Lower Fairforest Baptist Church in Union County, September 20, 1848.  She later married a Hartsfield and moved to Panola County, Mississippi, where she died on January 28, 1878.

Aseneath Bobo married William Winder Hitch, son of John and Katherine Hanna Hitch.  She was his second wife.  They were married September 2, 1847.  They had two sons and a daughter and moved to Mississippi, in November of 1860.  He died in Panola County, Mississippi, on June 9, 1870, and she died there December 14, 1887.

Absalom Bobo died December 1, 1846.  Mary (Polly), his widow, was living with her daughter, Aseneath and son-in-law, William Hitch, in 1850, and died November 10, 1857, while residing in their house.  He and his 2nd wife and George were buried in the Bethel Baptist Church cemetery in Woodruff, S. C., and their graves have inscribed stones.

8.  Leah Musgrove.  One source states that she married a Glenn.

9. Rachel Musgrove.  On June 1, 1800, she married George Ross Adair, son of James and Rebecca Montgomery Adair, and grandson of Joseph Alexander and Sarah Lafferty Adair.  He was born December 15, 1779.

His father was a patriot soldier and served under General Francis Marion in 1780 and 1781.  His grandfather was also a patriot soldier and a commissary of the Little River Regiment under Col. Levi Casey.  He also served under Col. William Washington.

James Adair was named for his uncle, James, who received a tract of land from King George II on Duncan’s Creek in Laurens County, S. C., and had his father and brothers move from Pennsylvania to South Carolina to settle on this land.

He was an Indian trader and published a book on a History of the American Indians.  He attempted to trace the descent of the Indians from the Jews based upon resemblances between the customs of the two races.  When he went to London, England, in 1775, to have his book published, he appealed to members of the British Cabinet to reconcile with the American Colonies and settle matters peacefully.

George Ross and Rachel had two sons and a daughter.  Their son, Isaac, born in 1807, and died in 1866, married Nancy Farrow, daughter of William and Rhoda Waters Farrow.  They belonged to Hurricane Shoals Baptist Church in Laurens County, S. C.  They moved to Indiana, but returned to Laurens County within a year.

George moved with his second wife, Anna Kay, to Gwinnett County, Georgia.  They named their Georgia settlement “Maryville”.  His third wife was Mary Keziah Bennett.  He died September 30, 1850, in Russell County, Alabama.

10. Liney Musgrove.  One source states that she married a West.

11. Hannah Musgrove.  Her mother, Ann Crosby Musgrove Smith, and her step-father, David Smith, sold three slaves, beds, pots and tables to her on July 4, 1794, for 30 pounds sterling.  She was not married at this time.

12. William Musgrove.  In 1790, his father’s will left him the dwelling, land and mill after his mother’s death.  After he became of age, the court gave him back his father’s land.  While living in Laurens District, S. C., he purchased 114 acres of land for $700.00 on November 1833, from Thomas and Isabella Fraser of Spartanburg District.  He died in 1848, and left the mill and Musgrove house to his nephew, Dr. Edward Musgrove Bobo.  There was an inscribed stone over his grave, but it has been removed.

*Nancy Ann Crosby Musgrove married David Smith of Union County, S. C., after the death of her husband, Edward Musgrove.  They lived in the Padgett’s Creek community.

Robert Stevens and Linda Stevens Crissinger in their article, The Founding of a South Carolina Backcountry Society Union County, Historical and Genealogical, wrote:

“On May 20, 1794, David Smith, Sr., sold to David Smith Jr., a set of blacksmith tools.  At the same time, he sold all of his furniture and cattle to his daughter, Mary Smith.  On July 4, 1794, David Smith Sr. and wife, Ann, of Union County, sold her life estate share of three slaves to her daughter, Hannah Musgrove.  On the same day, they sold another slave to Landon Waters, husband of her daughter, Margaret, who lived just across the Enoree River in Spartanburg County.”

Due to her debts, Ann lost two grants she had received in 1791, totaling 140 acres and also one of her slaves.

Robert Stevens and Linda Crissinger wrote:

“If Ann Musgrove Smith had collected any of the more than five hundred pounds due the estate of her late husband, she certainly hadn’t acknowledged it to the Laurens County Probate Court.  In 1795, Charles Sims sued the estate of Edward Musgrove for a debt.  The case went to District Court in Ninety Six and Sims was awarded a judgment.  Musgrove’s  Mill, including the 150 acres was seized and sold at public auction to George Gordon for twenty-seven pounds to satisfy the debt.”

Hannah, who was living in her father’s house, had to vacate the property.  Ann had a right under the law to demand at least a one-third share of her husband’s estate for her dower.  Her right of dower was not included in the property sold by the court.

In the book, Some South Carolina Genealogical Records, compiled by Janie Revill, was found a record of the following transaction:

“David Smith and his wife, Ann, formerly wife of Edward Musgrove, sold her land (right of dower) on the Enoree known as Musgrove’s Mill, a tract of 150 acres to Thomas Lee on January 13, 1796.  Both parties were residents of Union County at this time.”  George Gordon found himself with an unwanted partner in the mill operation.

William S. Glenn, in his article, The Battle of Musgrove’s Mill, published in The Spartanburg Herald on April 18, 1926, wrote:

“William Musgrove, Ann’s son, to whom the mill and property had been willed after her death, sued and reclaimed the property after he had reached maturity.”        

In 1811, Ann was sued for the debts of her husband, David Smith.  She died circa 1824.

**David Smith, son of William and Mercy Croasdale Smith, was born on April 25, 1736, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  His first wife was Hannah Hibbs.  She was the daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah Jones Hibbs.  Her mother probably died in childbirth for she was raised by Sarah Hibbs Cooper.

They married on April 11, 1761, at Dutch Reformed church of North and South Hampton, at what is now Churchville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  She agreed to become a Quaker after her marriage.  They were parents of six boys and five girls.  He moved to South Carolina with the Quakers in 1768.  He was a member of Bush River MM.

Quaker records indicate that he was a patriot soldier the latter part of the Revolutionary War (1783).  He was disowned by his church for his participation, but was later restored to fellowship.

Ralph Smith, who served under Gen. Thomas Sumter, was his brother.  Ralph married Mary Penquite.

David and Hannah’s son, George, born January 21, 1777, was a Methodist minister in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He married Sarah Kennedy on January 1, 1797, in Union County, S. C.

David’s first wife died in 1785.  He died in 1801, and left Ann Crosby Musgrove Smith, a widow again.  He was buried in the Quaker cemetery at Sedalia, S. C.

SOURCES CONSULTED

The Annals of Newberry by John Belton O’Neall; Roster of South Carolina Patriots by Bobby Gilmer Moss; Encyclopedia of the American Revolution by Mark M. Boatner III; Some South Carolina Genealogical Records by Janie Revill; A History Of The Upper Country Of South Carolina by John H. Logan;

Will of Absalom Bobo, Will Book D, Box 3, Package 19, page 124, Spartanburg County Courthouse, Spartanburg County, S. C.; Laurens County newspaper, 1852;

Spartanburg County Cemetery Survey, Vols. I & II, Bethel Baptist Church cemetery, Woodruff, S. C., & Hines and Turner cemetery near Cherokee Springs, S. C.; Records from Pinckney District Chapter of S. C. Genealogical Society; The History of Newberry County, Vol. I, 1749-1860, by Thomas H. Pope;

Fincher In The USA, 1683-1900, by Evelyn Davis Fincher and Ann Wilson Fincher; Abstracts of Early Records of Laurens County, 1765-1820 by Sara M. Nash; Bobo Cousins By The Dozens by Robert M. Newell, Jr. and Jeanie Patterson Newell; Kings Mountain And Its Heroes by Lyman C. Draper; Laurens County South Carolina Wills by Colleen Ellliott;

The History Of South Carolina In The Revolution by Edward McCrady; Petitions For Land from The South Carolina Council Journals, Vol. VI, 1766-1770, Vol. VII, 1771-1774, by Brent H. Holcomb; Union County, South Carolina Minutes Of The County Court, 1785-1799, by Brent H. Holcomb;

South Carolina’s Distinguished Women Of Laurens County by Marguerite Tolbert, Irene Dillard Elliott and Dr. Wil Lou Gray; Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia And Other States by Mrs. Howard H. McCall;

Women Of The Revolution, Piedmont Headlight, Spartanburg, South Carolina, December 10, 1897, Vol. V., pgs. 3 & 6; Carolyn Waters’ Application For Membership To The National Society Of The Children Of The American Revolution;

Letter from Lorene Barnett; Letter from Myra Lake Howell; Documentary History Of The American Revolution by R. W. Gibbes; 1810 Equity Petitions of Laurens County, S. C., Package 8, Box 27;

Musgrove’s Mill by Sam P. Manning; Laurens and Newberry Counties South Carolina: Saluda and Little River Settlements, 1749-1775, by Jesse Hogan Motes III and Margaret Peckham Motes; Laurens County Advertiser Articles on September 3rd & 8th by Jim Kluttz and Tom Priddy; Unpublished Manuscript on Philemon Waters Family; South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1719-1772, Vol. III, by Clara A. Langley;

Petitions For Land From The South Carolina Council Journals, Vol. V, 1757-1765, by Brent H. Holcomb; Will of Edward Musgrove, Recorded in Book A, Pg. 28, Laurens County Courthouse; Andrews Almanac for 1765;

The Jury Lists Of South Carolina for 96 District in 1778-1779, by Ge Lee Corley Hendrix and Morn McKoy Lindsay; Spartanburg County South Carolina Minutes Of The County Court, 1785-1799, by Brent H. Holcomb;

Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts by Brent H. Holcomb; South Carolina Marriages, 1749-1867, Implied In South Carolina Equity Reports by Barbara R. Langdon; South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1773-1778, Books F-4 through X-4—Books I-5 through Z-5 by Brent H. Holcomb;

Marriage And Death Notices From The Up-Country Of South Carolina, 1826-1863, by Brent H. Holcomb; Internet—Musgrove Genealogy Family Forum;

Pinckney District, South Carolina, Common Pleas Minute Book, 1792-1794, by Lucille Hendrick Gardner; Genealogical Articles on the Families from rootsweb.com and from gencircles.com; Adair History and Genealogy by James Barnett Adair, M. D.; Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts Vols. 1-4 by Brent H. Holcomb;

Bessie Poole Lamb’s Files on the Musgrove Family; Spartanburg County Deed Abstracts, Vols. 1-4; U. S. Census records; Memoirs of Major Joseph McJunkin by Rev. James Hodge Saye; Touring South Carolina’s Revolutionary War Sites by Daniel W. Barefoot; Emails from Brian L. Robson, Interpretive Ranger of Musgrove Mill State Park; Emails from Robert J. Stevens, 415 N. Main St., 6-E Darlington, S. C., 29532-2245;

A Brief Sketch of the Musgrove Brothers and their Descendants by Phillip M. Musgrove; South Carolina State Plats (Charleston Series) Vol. 27, pg. 496; Vol. 28, pg. 25; Laurens County Deed Books, Vol. D, pgs. 452-453; Vol. DB C, pgs. 35-36; DB E, pgs. 7-8; DB G, pg. 570; Vol. E. pg. 308-309; Vol. F, pgs. 57-58; 109-110; Vol. K, pg. 19; Vol. Q, pgs. 307-308;

South Carolina State Plats (Columbia Series) Vol. 52, pg. 410; Laurens Estate Papers, Box 104, pkg. 1;

Abstracts of Old Ninety-Six and Abbeville District Wills and Bonds compiled by Willie Pauline Young.  The Founding of a South Carolina Backcountry Society, Union County, Historical and Genealogical by

Robert J. Stevens and Linda Stevens Crissinger;  “The Battle of Musgrove’s Mill” by William S. Glenn, published in Spartanburg Herald, April 18, 1926; Union County, S. C. Deed Book SS, pgs. 318-319.

Articles on Internet by Mary Ann Strickland Grainger, 3301 Ohara Road, Huntsville, Alabama, 35801; William Musgrove Descendants In England, Tennessee and Alabama by J. T. Smith, Internet.)

BY ROBERT A. IVEY

According to tradition, the first meeting-house in the Grindal Shoals community was built in the Littlejohn and Nuckolls settlement as early as 1767.  This building, constructed by William Marchbanks and William Sims, was used for a number of years as a place of worship for all denominations.  The Goucher Baptist Church, the Salem Presbyterian Church and the Asbury United Methodist Church had their early meetings in this place.

The 1805 minutes of the Bethel Baptist Association state that the Gilead Baptist Church was constituted September 27, 1804.  Seventeen members were dismissed from the Fairforest Baptist Church in order to establish this new church.  Gilead Baptist Church was the second church constituted in the Grindal Shoals community.  The Goucher Baptist Church, first called Thicketty, was the first.

The Gilead Baptist Church was established through the efforts of a group of Revolutionary War veterans.  Six of the following constitutional members of the Gilead church served as Patriot soldiers in the Revolutionary War: Robert Coleman, Sherod James, James McWhirter, John Gibson, John Coleman and Abner Coleman.  Abner Coleman was with the Loyalist Militia at first, but joined with the Patriots in the latter months of the war.

 A list of possible constitutional members is given as follows: Robert Coleman and his wife, Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman; Sherod James, and his wife, Mary (Polly)  ?   James; James McWhirter and his wife, Trecy  ?  McWhirter; John Gibson; John Coleman and his wife, Betty  ?  Coleman; Abner Coleman, Sr. and his wife, Susannah  ?  Coleman; John Hames and his wife, Sarah Liles Hames; John Stovall and his wife, Dorcas Abigail Poole Stovall; and Hugh Moore.  John Gibson’s wife was probably a constitutional member, but the writer has been unable to locate her name in any of the early documents.

 Robert Coleman was a son of Christopher Coleman and a grandson of Robert Coleman, Sr.  His father operated Christie’s Tavern mentioned in the book, Horse-Shoe Robinson, written by John P. Kennedy.  Christopher Coleman was a Justice of the Peace for the Grindal Shoals area several years before the Revolutionary War.

Robert’s father and grandfather first fought under Col. Brandon with the Patriots until 1779.  Then, they joined the Loyalists and fought with them until they were forced to refugee to Charleston S. C.   Robert Coleman, Sr. died there in 1781.

Robert Coleman, son of Christopher, served as a Patriot soldier under Col. Thomas Brandon.

Sherod James came to the Grindal Shoals community after the Revolutionary War.  The Reverend J. D. Bailey in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, states that Sherod James served as a Patriot soldier while residing in North Carolina.  Traditional accounts state that he lived to be 108 years of age and was buried in the Gilead cemetery in an unmarked grave.  His first wife was a Miss  ?  Johnson.  His second wife was Mary  ?  .  Sherod and Mary (Polly) seemed to have alternated their membership between Gilead Baptist Church and Pacolet (Scull Shoals) Baptist Church through the years.  They were members of the Gilead church at least three times and the Pacolet church at least twice.

He had a son, Jessie (Buck) James, who married Susan Hodge, daughter of Samuel and Martha Wright Hodge.  Jessie James belonged to Major Elijah Dawkins’ command and served at Charleston during the War of 1812.  This information was taken from the Reverend J. D. Bailey’s History of Grindal Shoals.   There was a funeral for a child of Sherod James at the El Bethel Baptist Church on April 5, 1845.  Dr. F. W. Littlejohn conducted the services.  This Sherod James was probably a son of the above Sherod James.

Shadrack James, was buried in the Gilead Baptist Church cemetery, but there is no record of his membership in the church.  His grave is marked.  He served as a Patriot soldier while residing in North Carolina.  David James, member of Gilead was his son.

James McWhirter served as a Patriot soldier while residing in Union District.  Dr. Bobby Moss, in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, states: “He was born in Rockfish Creek, Virginia.  After enlisting while residing in Union District, he served under a Captain Thompson and Col. James Steen.  In addition, he served under Capt. Nicholas Jasper, Maj. Jolly and Gen. Sumter.  He was in the battle at Blackstock’s Plantation.  During 1782, he served as a sergeant under Col. McFarr in the Indian Nation.”  

 John Gibson was a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.  He fought while residing in the state of Virginia.  He was the son of John Gibson, Sr. and Elizabeth Call Gibson and was born in Frederick County, Virginia, November 28, 1748.   He moved to Union District after 1783 and died in Union County, South Carolina, September 16, 1837.  John Gibson, III and Herod Gibson were John Gibson, Jr.’s sons.

According to Dr. Moss, John Coleman, son of Christopher Coleman, served thirty-four days as a Patriot soldier in the South Carolina militia during 1782.

Abner Coleman served with the British Loyalists and the American Patriots.  Dr. Bobby Moss, in his notes on South Carolina Loyalists, states: “Abner Coleman served from 14 June 1780 under Capt. Shadrack Lantrey and Maj. Daniel Plummer in the Fair Forest Militia.  He was in the battle of Kings Mountain.  Coleman evacuated Fort Ninety Six with Lt. Col. John H. Cruger.  Prior to 13 April 1782, he deserted to the Patriots.”  Abner Coleman was a son of Robert Coleman, Sr.

John Hames was the son of Randolph and Faithful Coleman Hames.  His father first fought as a Patriot soldier under Col. Thomas Brandon, but switched sides and became a British Loyalist in 1779.  He was executed by the Patriots.  There is no record of John Hames having fought as a soldier on either side.  John Hames’ mother was a daughter of Robert Coleman, Sr.

John Stovall purchased two tracts of land on Mill Creek from Thomas Draper, Sr. on the south side of Pacolet River on August 7, 1786.  The land he purchased was in the Grindal Shoals section of Union County, South Carolina.  He married Dorcas Abigail Poole, daughter of William and Elizabeth Stovall Poole.  She was born in North Carolina on November 3, 1770, and was probably her husband’s first cousin.

Thomas Draper, Sr. married Lucy Coleman, daughter of Robert Coleman, Sr.  In sentiment he was a loyalist, but there is no record of his membership in the Gilead church.  A part of the Draper family belonged to the Goucher Creek Baptist Church.

 Most of the members in the early years came from the Grindal Shoals community, a pre-Revolutionary War settlement.  The land that contains the shoals was part of the property first granted to Richard Carroll in 1752.  He named the shoals, Carroll Shoals, but the name was changed to Grindal Shoals several years after John Grindal acquired the property.  The shoals were first called Grindal Shoals in 1773.

 II.  THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS (1804-1823). 

During this period the church was disbanded and re-established, and did not attain a membership of higher than 28.

Gilead’s First Pastor

 Hugh Moore was selected as first pastor of the church and served through 1810.  He and his family lived in the Thicketty Creek section of Spartanburg County (now Cherokee County), in the Goucher Creek community, a pre-Revolutionary War settlement.  They lived on waters of Goucher Creek.

He was the son of Patrick and Anne  ?  Moore.  Captain Patrick Moore was a noted officer with the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War and was in charge of Fort Thickety (Anderson).

John Jefferies, Esq. in his, Reminiscences of the Revolutionary War, states: “Patrick Moore’s Tory bands went out and plundered Whig families in every direction, stole horses and everything else they could & desired.  They plundered my father’s house, stole his horse, drove off his cattle, built up a fire on the door, and abused my mother as the meanest of all rebels.”   

He further states: “Col. Patrick More had a son-Hugh More, who was a Baptist preacher.  He was put in the penitentiary for forgery.” 

J. B. O. Landrum, in his book, Colonial and Revolutionary History, states: “Patrick Moore was born within a few miles of the present town of Lincolnton, North Carolina, a son of another noted Loyalist of that region and a brother of Lieutenant-Colonel John Moore of Colonel Hampton’s North Carolina regiment of Loyalists.   It was from Thicketty Fort that Moore and his Tory associates would sally forth to plunder Whig families in the surrounding country.” 

 Patrick Moore, son of the Reverend Hugh Moore and grandson of Captain Patrick Moore, in a letter written to Lyman C. Draper, January 10, 1881, states that his grandfather was born in Virginia, before they moved to North Carolina.  Patrick Moore was living in Cartersville, Georgia, at this time and was 85 years of age.

 Lyman C. Draper, in his book, King’s Mountain and Its Heroes, states: “Moses Moore, the father of Colonel John Moore (also Patrick and Hugh), was a native of Carlisle, England, whence he migrated to Virginia in 1745, and married a Miss Winston, near Jamestown, in that Province, and in 1753 settled in what is now Gaston County, North Carolina, eight miles west of Lincolnton.” 

 Draper states: “Patrick Moore was captured by a party of Americans, according to the tradition in his family, near Ninety Six and was supposed to have been killed (probably hanged) by his captors, as his remains were afterwards found, and recognized by his great height, six feet and seven inches.  His death probably occurred in 1781.”

Tradition states that his remains were re-interred in a church cemetery in Ninety Six, South Carolina.  Inventory on his estate was made June 20, 1783, by William Thompson, David Allen and George Taylor.  Anne Moore, his wife, and William Tate were administrators of the estate.

Hugh Moore, son of John and Levicy Petty Moore and great grandson of Captain Patrick Moore, in a letter written from Gaffney, South Carolina, to Lyman C. Draper on November 21, 1880, stated that Captain Patrick Moore and his wife, Anne  ?  , had one son, Hugh, and three daughters: Polly, Betsy and Patsy Moore.

This Hugh Moore was an outside man for the Curtises when they had charge of Limestone College.   Hugh Moore was a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I, 6th S C V, in 1861.  He was a 1st Lieutenant in Co. H., 7th S C Reserves, from 1862 to 1863, and a private in Co. H., PSS, from 1864 to 1865.  He died April 1, 1904, and was buried in the Petty Family Cemetery in Gaffney, South Carolina.

The Reverend Hugh Moore (son of Patrick) was born January 31, 1775.  This information was obtained from a note on the margin of a copy of the 1805 minutes of the Bethel Baptist Association, which was reported to the Gaffney Ledger and printed in the October 30th 1903 edition of the paper.  Dr. Bobby Moss included the above statement in his book, “Cherokee County Calendar (1897-1906).  

He married Elizabeth (Betsy) Low, daughter of John and Jane  ?  Low.  His father-in-law was a Patriot soldier.  Hugh and Elizabeth were members of the Goucher Creek Baptist Church (now Goucher).  He  was ordained to the gospel ministry by this church circa 1803, while the Reverend Joshua Richards was pastor.

  Hugh Moore was pastor of Goucher Creek Baptist Church in 1820 and continued in this position until the fall of 1822.  He had the Reverend Joshua Richards arrested by a constable the latter part of October 1822, charging him with “publishing and sending a false scandalous letter to him”.  He had Jane Low, Dicea Sherbet and Nancy Low, members of Macedonia Baptist Church, indicted, charging them with the writing of the letter known by the name of “the Sinner’s Letter”.

On November 16, 1822, Joshua Richards, in a church business session, cited the above circumstances to members of the Goucher church and brought charges against Hugh Moore.  Richards also accused him of taking a pair of overalls from Thomas Betterton for “swearing against Moore”.

The church in that early day did not look favorably upon Christians taking Christians to law, but Moore would not rescind his charges against Richards and the ladies from Macedonia.  Goucher Creek church tried him and determined that he was guilty of acting improperly in this matter.  He was excommunicated from their fellowship in November of 1822.  Abraham Hembree was appointed to visit Hugh Moore and request him to give up his preaching credentials, but Moore refused to surrender them.

Hugh Moore, Sr. made a contribution of $2.00 to the Goucher Creek church in 1829, and his son, John Moore, was excluded from the fellowship of Goucher Creek in 1830.

From August 22, 1828, to June 4, 1832, Hugh Moore was engaged in suits and counter suits with John Low, Sr. until Low died and then with Jane Low, wife of John, and her family.  His 1,451 acres of land on which he had resided was auctioned and sold on June 4, 1832, while he was in prison.  Henry Griffin purchased the land for $141.00.

The federal government indicted Hugh Moore for forgery (counterfeiting).  Tennessee Prison Records, RG, Roll No. 23, page 97, state: “Hugh was received in the Penitentiary the Sixteenth of September eighteen hundred and thirty one.  He is Six feet 2 ½ inches high, weighs one hundred & Sixty one pounds but is now in bad health.  His common weight is two hundred and twenty pounds.  Grey hair, blue eyes, fair skin, thin beard, a small mole on the chin, no scars perceivable.” 

 “Born and raised in Spartanburg district, South Carolina on Thicketty creek waters of Broad River, ten miles from the Court House & three miles from Pacolet Springs where his family now lives consisting of a wife, five sons and two daughters.  Also a son Married lives in the same neighborhood.  He is fifty-eight years old.  He has no trade but is a farmer and has preached for thirty years of the Baptist persuasion.  Found guilty of forgery at the Circuit Court of the United States at Nashville for the district of West Tennessee, and sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Jail and Penitentiary house of the State of Tennessee.  Hugh Moore died of Cholera on the 15th day of June 1833.”

 Patrick Moore was administrator of the Rev. Hugh Moore’s estate, and his bond was dated March 12, 1835.  John Moore was attorney for the administrator.  A sale was conducted on May 13, 1837, and the purchaser was Elizabeth Moore, his wife.  Patrick and John Moore were children of Hugh and Elizabeth.  Other children were: Jenny, Robert, Hugh, Davis, William and Elizabeth (Betsy).     

 He was not pastor of a church for thirty years, but kept his credentials and preached at times during these years.

Church Activities

 Gilead joined the Bethel Baptist Association at its 1805 session that met with the Fellowship Meeting-House near Cambridge (Greenwood County) on Saturday before the first Sunday in October.  Delegates from Gilead were Robert Coleman and John Hames.  The church reported a total of seventeen members at this meeting.

 Robert Coleman was selected as the first church clerk; John Hames was appointed  first treasurer; and Sherod James and Abner Coleman were ordained to serve as the first deacons.  All but one of these men had served as Patriot soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

The church building was called “Coleman’s Meeting House” in the early years.

Delegates from Gilead church to the Bethel Association in 1806 were Hugh Moore and John Stovall.  Eighteen members constituted the church body at this time.

Susannah Hames Eison was an early member of the Gilead church.  She was the daughter of Randolph and Faithful Coleman Hames, 2nd wife of John Eison, Esq. and daughter-in-law of John Eison, Sr. and Mary Swink Eison. She married John Eison in 1813.  Her mother was the daughter of Robert Coleman, Sr., and her husband was the grandson of Frederick Eison and his wife, Kathy  ?  Eison.  Fredrick Eison moved his family to Union District from Pennsylvania.

The church had increased to 32 members by 1809.  Robert Coleman and his brother, John Coleman, were delegates to the 1809 Bethel Baptist Associational meeting.

Hugh Moore resigned as pastor of Gilead and ended his ministry with the church in 1810, after serving for seven years.

A Period of Supply Pastors 1811-1821

 In 1811, Gilead had no regular pastoral leadership, and church membership declined to 12.  For several years, Gilead used supply pastors to conduct their services.

According to a history of the church written circa 1838, the church was dissolved in the early part of 1817.  The history states that the remaining members joined other churches.  Date given for the reorganization of the church was November 13, 1817, the “second Lord’s Day”.

A committee composed of the Reverends Thomas Greer, Hezekiah McDougal and Elias Mitchell, Sr. was formed, and the Reverend Thomas Greer was chosen to preside over the re-organizational meeting.  The conclusion of the committee and those attending was to re-establish the church, and the scattered members were accepted back into the fellowship of Gilead once again.  Robert Coleman was listed as the clerk of this special meeting.

James Kirby and his wife, Sarah Harrison Kirby, joined Gilead Baptist Church shortly after the reorganization in 1817.  James Kirby was the son of Bolin and Millie Campbell Kirby.  Others joining during this period were: Mary Reeves, daughter of John and Mary  ?  Reeves; Nancy Little; Susannah Berry; and Anne Jackson.  Mary Reeves was a distant relative of the writer’s wife and of present-day member John Carroll Morris.

Gilead’s first tract of land, containing 2.35 acres, was given to the church by George McKnight on October 15, 1819.  The land was given “for the purpose of building a Meeting House and for a Burying Ground.”  This property was adjacent to land belonging to Ruth Haile, widow of John Haile, and land belonging to Womack Fowler, son of Ellis Fowler.  The church building was probably already constructed on this lot.

Water rights were also given with the land.  This probably included rights to the spring across the road from the church.  The congregation used the spring for many years, and a baptistry was later constructed there.  The first church building erected was a long rectangular log building.  Godfrey Fowler and Charles Jones both owned land near this property.

Gilead’s First Trustees

 Trustees for the Gilead Baptist Church were listed as Robert Coleman, John Hames, John Gibson, Nathaniel Gist and William Henderson.

Charles Jones and Hiram Coleman witnessed the transaction.  These men were also members of Gilead church.

Nathaniel Gist built a house between what is now known as Pacolet and Jonesville in 1815, and called it Wyoming.  During the days of controversy over the Nullification Movement, he and his wife, Elizabeth McDaniel Gist, stalwart believers in state sovereignty, gave birth to a son in 1831, their seventh child, and named him, States Rights Gist.

Nathaniel moved his membership from Gilead church in the latter 1850’s and joined the Fairforest Presbyterian Church. He died during the War Between the States in 1861, three years before the death of his son, General States Rights Gist, who was killed during the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864.

William Henderson was the son of John Henderson and his wife, Sarah Alston Henderson.  His mother was the widow of Solomon Alston, Jr. from Halifax, North Carolina.  His father was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Williams Henderson, and a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Bobby Moss in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, states: “John Henderson served as a lieutenant colonel in the militia and was wounded at Eutaw Springs on 8 September 1781.”    J. D. Bailey, in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, refers to John Hendersonas Major Henderson and states that William (his son) was familiarly called by his neighbors the ‘Commodore’.

William, a lawyer in his younger years, never married.  His sister, Betsy, married Henry Fernandis and his sister, Sallie, married Benjamin Haile.  He had a half-brother, Lemuel James Alston, who graduated from William and Mary College and, after living with his stepfather and mother for several years, moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and was living there in 1893.  He acquired several thousand acres of land and built a large mansion in the area.  Theodosia Burr Alston, daughter of Aaron Burr, and wife of Joseph Alston, spent a summer in the Lemuel Alston mansion in Greenville, S. C.  Lemuel Alston sold his house and lands to Vardry McBee, Jr. and moved to Alabama.

William’s father, John, purchased the property on which they lived from his brother, William, circa 1784.  John Henderson was appointed Judge of the County Court in Union County, South Carolina, in 1791 and became sheriff of Union County in 1795, continuing in this position through 1799.  John’s son-in-law, Henry Fernandis, assisted his father-in-law while he served as sheriff.  John Henderson died in 1824 and left most of his estate to William.  With his inheritance, he became a wealthy farmer.  William also served as a Justice of the Quorum.

The Jones’ brothers, John and Charles, and their wives, joined Gilead Baptist Church after the reorganization.  They came to Grindal Shoals from Newberry County, South Carolina, where they married sisters, the daughters of Captain John Floyd and his wife, Nancy Andrews Floyd.  John Jones married Eustacia (Stacey) Floyd, and Charles Jones married Rebecca Floyd.

Stacey and Rebecca’s father, John Floyd, was a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.  He fought first with the militia from Cumberland County, North Carolina, and then moved with his father to the Beaver Dam Creek waters of Thicketty Creek in Union District near the Grindal Shoals area.  Here he fought with Colonel Thomas Brandon.

Before the war was over, John Floyd had moved back to Lunenburg County, Virginia, his birth state, and fought with the militia there. He was at the battle of Guilford Courthouse.  He married in Virginia, just after the war, and moved to Newberry County, South Carolina, and became a wealthy farmer.  He died in 1834 and left slaves, Delcy, Reny and Rebecca, to John and Stacy Jones, and slaves, Dicy and Hanner, to Charles and Rebecca Jones.

Charles Jones built a two-story brick house, called the Wayside Inn, about one mile north of present day Jonesville in 1811.  In addition to running the inn, he was a schoolteacher and also the first postmaster in the area.  Members of the Gilead church built a small log school building on church grounds where Jones taught for several years.   William Meng, his son-in-law, also taught in this school.  Charles Jones received rights to establish a post office, which was called Jonesville on May 9, 1828.  He operated the post office from the Wayside Inn.  W. F. Eison succeeded him as postmaster.

 John Jones was a delegate to the Bethel Baptist Association from Gilead church in 1820.  The church reported a membership of 22 at this session of the association.  John Jones’ land was in the Grindal Shoals area.

Gilead’s Second Pastor

 Hezekiah McDougal was the second pastor of Gilead.  He was the son of the Reverend Alexander McDougal (one of the pastors at Fairforest Baptist Church).  He was pastor of Fairforest when the seventeen members were dismissed to form the Gilead church.

The Reverend Alexander McDougal, assumed the pastoral leadership of the Fairforest Baptist Church after the Reverend Philip Mulkey, a Tory, refugeed to Tennessee circa 1775.  He continued as pastor through a part of 1803.  The Fairforest church was a Separate Baptist Church and was the first of its kind in the Back Country (Upper South Carolina).

Dr. Bobby Moss, in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, gives the following accountof the Reverend Alexander McDougal: “He was born 1 May 1742 in Ireland (Dublin).  He enlisted in the Third Regiment on 6 February 1777.  He enlisted during June 1777 under Capt. Thomas Blessingham and Col. William Farr.” 

 “In September 1778, Alexander McDougal was under Lt. John Blessingham and Col. Hammond.  In the summer of 1780, he served as a lieutenant under Capt. Thomas Blessingham and Colonel Steen.  From October 1781 until sometime in 1782, he served as a lieutenant under Capt. Blessingham and Colonel Brandon and was in charge of a blockhouse near his home.” 

Alexander McDougal moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in 1803, and became pastor of the Nolin and Severns Valley Baptist churches, serving them for a number of years.  He died March 3, 1841, aged 98.

Hezikiah McDougal moved closer to the Grindal Shoals community circa 1821, and joined the Gilead Baptist Church.  In 1822, he was selected to serve as their pastor.  He served jointly with the Reverend Elias Mitchell as pastor for three years (1823-25).

Previously, Hezekiah McDougal had served the Fairforest Baptist Church from 1802 through 1820.  During part of this time he shared pastoral duties with his father and the Reverend Willis Walker.

His biographical sketch in the book, Sketches of the Broad River and Kings Mountain Baptist Associations, by John R. Logan, states: “Elder Hezekiah McDougal was said  to be of Scotch descent.  He was a good pious brother, but possessed no extraordinary preaching talent; was somewhat formal in his religious exercises.” 

 Elder Barnett, speaking of Elder McDougal in his, Sketches of the Broad River Association, wrote: ‘I remember  the benediction of old Bro. Hezekiah McDougal, who was  a long time pastor of Cedar Springs church, which, though it was very affectionate, seemed to me to be a very unnecessary circumlocution.  It ran about this way: Now may the rich and saving grace of our once humbled, but now highly exalted Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God, His and our Heavenly Father, and the comfortable communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, remain and abide with you and all the Israel of God, now, henceforth and forever more.  Amen.’”

 Hezekiah McDougal was pastor of the Cedar Springs Baptist Church from 1814-1815; 1822-1823; and 1825-1829.  He served jointly with Thomas Weathers for two of these years (1822-23).

Hezekiah McDougal’s father, Alexander McDougal, was pastor of the Cedar Spring Baptist Church, Spartanburg County, from 1701-1800, though he served jointly with other pastors during all but one of these years.

The Reverend Hezekiah McDougal was also a blacksmith.  He submitted a bill for blacksmith work to the estate of John Reeves who died in 1814.  John Reeves lived near the Grindal Shoals community.  Hezekiah’s wife, Martha Mathis, daughter of William Mathis, died September 2, 1847, and was buried in the old Goucher Creek Baptist Church cemetery.  After his wife’s death he moved to Gibson County, Tennessee, and died there in December 1847.

Church Activities

 John Hames and Hezekiah McDougal were delegates to the Bethel Baptist Association from Gilead in 1822.  The church reported a membership of 23 at this session of the association.

Gilead’s Two Pastors

Elias Mitchell, Sr. moved to the outskirts of the Grindal Shoals area circa 1822 and joined the Gilead Baptist Church.  He and Hezekiah McDougal served jointly as pastors of the church from 1823 through 1825.

 They both served as delegates from Gilead church to the Bethel Baptist Association during these years.  The church maintained an average membership of 28 while these two preachers served the church jointly.

Robert Coleman, first church clerk, died June 18, 1823, and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Gilead cemetery.

 III.  THE SECOND TWENTY YEARS (1824-1843).

 Gilead’s Third Pastor

 From 1826-1834, Elias Mitchell, Sr. served as pastor.  Elias Mitchell, Sr. was born circa 1759 and married Milly Hill who was born in 1760.  They lived in Chester District, South Carolina, until 1822.  While living in Chester District, he was pastor of Unity (Brown’s Creek) Baptist Church and the Hebron Baptist Church.  Both of these churches are in Union County, South Carolina.

After moving into the area of Grindal Shoals circa 1822, he began to serve as pastor of Gilead.  He had been invited to return to the Chester District on November 30, 1834, for the purpose of preaching in a protracted meeting and died instantly on that date after singing and praying at a stand set up for the services.  His death left the Gilead church without a pastor.

His estate was settled May 14, 1841, and eleven legatees were listed.  Col. Elias Mitchell, Davidson Mitchell and John Mitchell were children of the Reverend Elias and Milly Hill Mitchell.

Church Activities

 John Hames and Elias Mitchell, Sr. served as delegates from Gilead to the associational meeting in 1825.  The church reported a membership of 30 for the year.

The post office address for the church in 1828 was Hancockville.  Thomas Hancock received a commission to establish this post office on January 22, 1814.  It was located in a store building on the Elijah Dawkins farm in present day Cherokee County.  General Elijah Dawkins, who married Nancy Nuckolls, youngest daughter of John and Agatha Bullock Nuckolls, built the house that still stands (now called Goudelocks).

Elias Mitchell, Sr. and John Jones were delegates to the Bethel Baptist Associational meeting for the Gilead church in 1830.  Church membership was 37.

John Haile and John Jones served as delegates from Gilead church to the Bethel Baptist Associational meeting in 1832.  Membership had dropped to 35 at this time.  John Haile was a grandson of John and Ruth  ?  Haile.

John Haile, grandfather of the above John, was a Patriot soldier.  He was an early settler and built the “block house” in what later became the town of Jonesville, designing the house so that it could offer protection against the Indians.  The house was later sold to John Long, Jr.  The Jonesville Baptist Church was started in this house.

During Elias Mitchell, Sr.’s pastorate, the controversy over nullification led the newly elected governor of South Carolina, Robert Y. Hayne, to issue a proclamation calling for volunteers to defend the state.  Many armed camps were created throughout South Carolina.

One of these camps, established at Grindal Shoals, was commanded by Major Joseph Starke Sims and called the Pacolet Blues.  Several members and other men who later became members of Gilead were numbered among the volunteers including: William Ward, Reubin Coleman, John Gibson, John Hodge and John Hames Eison.

Zachariah Reeves, Sr. and his wife, Cynthia Hodge Reeves, joined Gilead in the early 1830’s.  Zachariah was the son of John and Mary  ?  Reeves and Cynthia was the daughter of John Hodge.  They were the great, great grandparents of the writer’s wife, Elizabeth Reeves Ivey, and present-day member John Carroll Morris.

Gilead’s Fourth Pastor

 The Reverend Hezekiah McDougal, member of Gilead, again served as their pastor for the years 1835-1837.

Church Activities

 Joining the Gilead church in the mid 1830’s were: Fredrick William Eison (son of John Eison, Esq. and Susannah Hames Eison), Caroline Jones Eison, (wife of F. W. Eison and daughter of Charles and Rebecca Floyd Jones), John Hames Eison (brother of F. W. Eison), Eliza H. Jones (wife of John H. Eison and daughter of John and Eustacia Floyd Jones), Sarah Jones Meng (daughter of Charles and Rebecca Floyd Jones), Lemuel Hames (son of Edmund and Nancy Foster Hames) and Nancy Jones Hames (wife of Lemuel Hames and daughter of John and Eustacia Floyd Jones).  Lemuel Hames was the nephew of Randolph Hames.

 Gilead’s Fifth Pastor

 The Reverend Ambrose Ray was selected as pastor of Gilead in 1837.  Claude Ezell Sparks in his book, A History of Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, stated: “Ambrose Ray, was the eldest son of Hosea Ray and Mary Lamb Ray and was born in the Cross Keys section of Union County, South Carolina, October 17, 1798.  On February 2, 1819, Ambrose Ray married Mary Garrett, born September 21, 1800.  To this union thirteen sons and daughters were born. 

 His wife joined the church on June 20, 1829.  On September 15, 1832, during a great revival in the church, Ambrose Ray and his brother, Elijah, were called forward and ordained to preach the gospel.  The presbytery was composed of the Reverends Nathan Langston and Thomas Ray.” 

 Gilead Baptist Church records state that the Reverend Ambrose Ray preached his farewell sermon on December 8, 1844.  He had served as pastor of the church for seven and one-half years.  Eighty members joined Gilead by letter and by experience during his pastorate, most of them by experience.

Church Activities

 Herod Gibson, son of John Gibson, joined the church by letter on June 16, 1838.  His wife, Patsy  ?  Gibson, was already a member of Gilead.  Absalom Ward joined by experience and Bartley Coleman and his wife, Elizabeth Poole Coleman, also joined by experience at this time.

Absolem Ward, son of Nathaniel Ward and Susannah Trail Ward, was the great, great, great grandfather of the writer’s wife, Elizabeth Reeves Ivey, and present day member John Carroll Morris.  He was the grandson of James Ward and his wife, Susannah  ?  Ward and great grandson of Francis Ward.

Absolem Ward married Nancy Coleman, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman.  His father, Nathaniel, was a Patriot soldier and according to Dr. Moss in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, served as a horseman under Col. Henderson and Gen. Sumter.

Bartley Coleman was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman, and Bartley’s wife, Elizabeth Poole Coleman, was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Stovall Poole.  He was a veteran of the War of 1812.

Bartholomew Stovall (son of John), his wife, Kiziah, and their daughter, Susannah Stovall, joined Gilead by letters from the Goucher Creek Baptist Church on July 14, 1838.  Mary Alberson, Betsy Knight, Nancy Ward, Barbara Gibson, Mary Kirby and Polly Coleman joined by experience at this time.

Nancy Ward was the wife of Absolem Ward and the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman.  Nancy Coleman Ward was the great, great, great grandmother of the writer’s wife, Elizabeth Reeves Ivey, and of present day member John Carroll Morris.

Bartholomew Stovall was elected church clerk shortly after joining the Gilead church in 1838.

Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman wife, of Robert Coleman, died on July 15, 1838, and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Gilead Baptist Church cemetery.  Robert Coleman and Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman were the great, great, great, great grandparents of the writer’s wife, Elizabeth Reeves Ivey, and present day member John Carroll Morris.

On August 17, 1838, Josiah Sparks joined Gilead by letter from the Pacolet (Scull Shoals) Baptist Church.  He was a distant relative of the writer’s wife.  Elizabeth McCafferty joined Gilead by letter at this time.  Her son, George, was either killed or died of disease during the War Between the States.  Both are buried in marked graves in Gilead cemetery.

The Fowler’s began to join Gilead in September of 1838.  They were descendants of Ellis and Catherine Puckett Fowler.  Ellis Fowler was from Virginia and fought as a Patriot soldier in the militia, while living in Virginia.  His sons: Mark, Godfrey and Womac, were the progenitors of most of the Gilead Fowlers.  Womac and Mark fought with General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

On September 8, 1838, Sarah James, joined Gilead by experience.  She was the wife of David James, and daughter-in-law of Shadrack James, who served as a Patriot soldier during the Revolutionary War.  Shadrack was living in North Carolina at this time.

Delegates to the Bethel Baptist Association from Gilead in the fall of 1838 were John Hames and Bartley Coleman.  The church had 51 members (36 whites and 15 blacks) at this time.

Nancy Jackson joined the Gilead church by letter on December 15, 1838, and James Jackson joined by letter on January 12, 1839.  Hannah and Mary Jackson joined Gilead by letter on March 9, 1839.  James Jackson was ordained as a deacon of Gilead on May 11, 1839.

The Reverend Willis Walker and the Reverend James Huett supplied at Gilead for the Reverend Ambrose Ray on July 10, 1839.  William Ward and his wife, Nancy  ?  Ward, joined Gilead by experience on the above date.  William Ward was a brother of Absolem Ward.

On July 15, 1839, Emmanuel Kirby and Jeremiah Kirby, sons of Bolin and Milley Campbell Kirby, joined Gilead church by experience.  They were grandsons of John and Jemima  ?  Kirby, who came to Union County, South Carolina, from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, circa 1790.  John Kirby‘s daughters married into the Draper and Easterwood families.

Frances Kirby, wife of Terry Kirby (son of Bolin and Milley Campbell Kirby), and Levicy Kirby, daughter of James and Sarah Harrison Kirby, were received by experience July 15, 1839.

James Means, son of Hugh Means, Sr. and Hannah  ?  Means, and grandson of James and Mary  ?  Means, was received by experience into the Gilead church on September 7, 1839.

His father, Hugh, was a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.  Dr. Bobby Moss in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, states: “Hugh Means served in the militia during 1779 and 1780 as a lieutenant under Capt. Matthew Patton and Col. Brandon.  From 8 June to 17 December 1780, he served as a captain.”   Hugh Means operated a sawmill and gristmill on Fairforest Creek before his death in 1825 and had previously been a merchant in Chester County, South Carolina.

The following joined Gilead church by experience on October 12, 1839: Terry Kirby, husband of Frances, and (son of Bolin and Milley Campbell Kirby); his brother, Goolspring Kirby; Davidson Mitchell (son of the Reverend Elias Mitchell and Milly Hill Mitchell), his wife, Elizabeth  ?  ; Anne Jackson, Nancy Gordan; Frances Michael, Nelly Dillard; W. Thompson’s black male servant, Buck; and Jane Thompson’s black male servant, Dennis.  Buck later was permitted to preach in the Gilead church.

James Jackson and Bartley Coleman were delegates to the Bethel Baptist Association in the fall of 1839.  A report from Gilead to the association revealed that the church had 72 members on their roll.

David McCullom was excluded for disorder on January 11, 1840.

Eli Mitchell (son of the Reverend Elias Mitchell) and his wife, Sophia  ?  , joined the Gilead church by letter February 7, 1840, and Dr. Moore’s, black servant, Sarah, joined by experience.

Abram Nott, lawyer, had a black servant, Ben, who joined Gilead by experience July 11, 1840.  Abram Nott was never a member of Gilead, but his wife, Anglica Mitchell Nott, was a first cousin to member, William Henderson.

Preachers for the Protracted Meeting at Gilead in August of 1840 were the Reverends Felix Littlejohn, Edward McBee, Landrum Brooks and Ambrose Ray. The following joined Gilead by experience during August of this year: James Thompson’s black servants, Annie and Rose; Reubin Coleman; and the Easterwoods’ black servant, Teney.  Reubin Coleman was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Trecy) Smith Coleman.

The revival seems to have continued into September of 1840 as the following joined by experience at this time: Alfred Ward, (son of Absalom and Nancy Coleman Ward); Trecy Ward; David James (son of Shadrack James); Christopher Coleman (son of Bartley Coleman and grandson of Robert Coleman); and James Coan.  Levina Littlejohn joined by letter.

Reubin Coleman was elected church clerk in place of Bathomew Stovall on September 12, 1840.

Nearly all of the Littlejohns, who have affiliated with Gilead through the years, are descendants of Samuel Littlejohn through his son, Thomas Littlejohn, and his grandson, William Littlejohn (son of Thomas).  Both Samuel and Thomas Littlejohn were Patriot soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Absolem Ward and James Kirby were delegates from Gilead to the Bethel Baptist Associational meeting in the fall of 1840.  The report to the association from Gilead disclosed that the church had 93 members (43 whites and 50 blacks).

In October of 1840, Ransom, the black servant of Thomas Littlejohn (son of Samuel) joined Gilead by experience and Nathaniel Gist’s black servant, Tom, joined by experience.  During the business service in November of 1840, Levicy Kirby was excluded from the fellowship of the church.

William Ward made an acknowledgement of “wrong doing” to the church in January of 1841 and was forgiven.  In February of 1841, Anne Jackson was granted a letter of dismission, and charges were brought against Dennis, black servant of James Thompson.   James Jackson began to exercise his gifts of praying, singing and exhorting in 1841.

Davidson Mitchell, son of the Reverend Elias Mitchell, Sr., was ordained as a deacon in the Gilead church on April 10, 184l.  The Reverend Felix Littlejohn preached the ordination sermon.

Mary Scott (widow) and Mary Moseley were baptized on May 9, 1841.  Mary Moseley was the daughter of John B. Moseley and his first wife, Annie  ?  ,  and the granddaughter of James (High-Key) Moseley and his wife, Nancy Jasper Moseley.  James Moseley was a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a blacksmith and tooth-extractor by profession.  James and Nancy Moseley were the great, great, great grandparents of Elizabeth Ivey and present member, John Carroll Morris.

The church, in compliance with the request of the Bethel Baptist Association, voted to join the State Baptist Convention in August of 1841.

M.C. Barnett, Felix Littlejohn, Spencer Morgan, E. J. Underwood and the Reverend Whilden were the preachers for the Protracted Meeting at Gilead in August and September of 1841.  Anne Jackson was again received into the fellowship of Gilead by letter.

Received by experience were: Phena, black servant of William Norris; Nancy Stovall; Armenta Stovall; Annie  ?  Moseley (wife of John B. Moseley); Annie Horn; Rutha Ann Jackson; and Peter, black servant of Susan Hames Eison, widow of John Eison, Esq..  Annie  ?  Moseley was the great, great grandmother of the writer’s wife, Elizabeth Reeves Ivey, and present member, John Carroll Morris.

Delegates to the 1841 fall associational meeting of the Bethel Baptist Association were: James Jackson and Davidson Mitchell.  The report to the association disclosed that the church had 103 members (70 whites and 33 blacks).

Reubin Coleman was re-elected church clerk on March 12, 1842.

Ellis Palmer, son of John Palmer and Martha (Patsy) Williams Palmer, joined Gilead by letter in August of 1842.  He married Nancy Long, daughter of William and Betsy Whitlock Long in 1815.  During the business session in August, the church voted to let “stand their open door policy to all ministers in good standing”.

Delegates to the associational meeting of the Bethel Baptist Association in 1842 were: James Jackson and Reubin Coleman (son of Robert and Elizabeth Coleman).  The church reported a total membership to the association of 112 members (78 whites and 34 blacks) at this meeting.

James McWhirter died October 23, 1842, and funeral services were held on January 7, 1843, at the Gilead church.  The Reverend Elijah Ray, brother of Ambrose Ray (pastor of Gilead), preached the funeral sermon “to a large collection of people”.  He was the last living member of the church to serve as a Patriot soldier in the Revolutionary War.

James Jackson gave an exhortation to the congregation at Gilead on March 11, 1843.  Davidson Mitchell resigned as deacon on May 13, 1843.

Peter and Milly, black servants of Trecy McWhirter, widow of James McWhirter, joined Gilead by experience, June 10, 1843.  Nancy (Long) Palmer, wife of Ellis Palmer, joined Gilead by letter on September 9, 1843.

On this same date, the church dismissed by letter  “our beloved Bro. Eli Mitchell and wife, Sophia Mitchell”.

Ellis Palmer and Reubin Coleman served as delegates from the Gilead church to the Bethel Baptist Associational fall meeting in 1843.  Membership of the church at this time was reported to be 117 (81 whites and 36 blacks).

In a business session December 9, 1843, letters of dismission were granted to: James Jackson; Hannah Jackson; Mary Coan;  ?  McCollum; Susannah Stovall; and Ben and Jesse, black servants of Dr. Abram Notts.  This was about the time that Abram Notts moved his family from Grindal Shoals to Columbia, South Carolina.

Reubin Coleman was elected deacon of the Gilead church on February 10, 1844.  His ordination took place on April 13, 1844.  The Reverends Ambrose Ray and John Kindrick and deacons: M. Wilkins, Isaac Going and James Spears were members of the ordaining council.

John Hames, a constitutional member and treasurer of Gilead, died March 1, 1844.  He was buried in the Gilead cemetery.  His funeral services were conducted by the Reverends Ambrose Ray and John Kindrick on April 14, 1844.  Ambrose Ray read I Corinthians the 15th chapter and made his remarks from this text.

Absolem Ward received a letter of dismission from Gilead on April 13, 1844.     On May 9, 1844, Alfred Ward (son of Absalom), Nancy Coleman Ward (Absolem’s wife), William Ward (Absolem’s brother); and Nancy  ?  Ward (William’s wife) received letters of dismission from the church.

A. Lackey was elected deacon on September 7, 1844, but church records on November 9, 1844, state that he was not ordained because of his plans to move his membership.  He and his wife were dismissed by letter on December 7, 1844.  Herod Gibson was elected deacon to fill the vacancy left by A. Lackey’s departure.

Gilead’s Sixth Pastor

 Drury Scruggs served as pastor of Gilead in 1845.  J. R. Logan in his, History of the Broad River Baptist Association states: “Elder Drury Scruggs, native of Spartanburg, S. C., was born about the year 1806.  He was converted in early life, and joined the church at State Line.  He appeared as a lay delegate in the sessions of the Broad River Association  at Cedar Spring church in 1830, and then again at other sessions in 1831 and 1832.  He was licensed the latter  year to preach the Gospel, and in 1833, he was ordained by a presbytery, to the full work of the ministry.  He became a popular minister in the Broad River Association, and in 1842, was elected clerk, and  in 1845-1849, and in 1851, was chosen  to preside over the deliberations of the Association as moderator, and again in 1854-1853, and 1857.” 

He married Elizabeth Price Wilkins and they had thirteen children.  He was pastor of  State Line Baptist Church for twenty-five years.

 Church Activities

 Herod Gibson was ordained deacon on May 23, 1845.  The presbytery was made up of the Reverends Drury Scruggs, Ambrose Ray, M. C. Barnett and deacons: Isaac Going, James Spears and  ?  Draper.

Nancy Jackson and Susannah Lemaster were granted letters of dismission from Gilead on May 23-24, 1845.

Jack and his wife, Flora, (black servants of Charles Jones), were dismissed by letter on August 23, 1845.  This was the year that Charles Jones moved his family to Lauderdale County, Tennessee.

On September 27, 1845, a letter of dismission was granted to Dina, black servant of John Hames Eison.  John Hames Eison with his wife, Eliza M. Jones Eison, (daughter of Charles and Rebecca Floyd Jones) and their black servants moved to Dyer City, Tennessee, at this time.  There are no records of the dismissal of members of the above Jones and Eison families.  They probably had been dismissed prior to 1838.

Delegates to the Bethel Baptist Associational meeting in the fall of 1845 were Davidson Mitchell (son of the Reverend Elias Mitchell) and James Kirby (son of Boling Kirby).  On behalf of the church at Gilead, the delegates called for a letter of dismission from Bethel in order to join the Broad River Baptist Association.  The church reported a total membership of 96 at this meeting (66 whites and 30 blacks).

 IV. THE THIRD TWENTY YEARS (1844-1863).

 Gilead’s Seventh Pastor

 Ambrose Ray returned to serve as pastor of the church for the year 1846.  He moved his family to Tippah County, Mississippi, in 1850, and was pastor of churches in that area until his death on August 12, 1873.

The author of the book, Long Road Home, states: “Ambrose was ingenious, turning his Mississippi estate into a financially successful operation.  It is thought that his land in Mississippi was actually at one time a part of Washington County, Georgia, when Georgia boundaries stretched to the Mississippi River.

 Through wise management, hard toil and effort, the farmer-preacher exerted influence over much of northeast Mississippi, where he delivered on Sunday, sermons prepared largely between plow handles during the week.  Ambrose Ray’s home was destroyed by fire and valuable Bible records lost at the time.  He again built and that house eventually became the home of his son, Hosea.

 During the War Between the States, Yankees were planning to take away some 500 bales of his cotton.  Ambrose quickly summoned his sons and in moments they had the cotton ablaze.”

 Claude Sparks in his book, The History of Padgett’s Creek Baptist Church, states:  “He was a man of great power but his power lay in his retentive memory, his largeness of vision, his kindness of heart, and genuineness.  He was above average as financier; his  family discipline was unexcelled, his personal walk and conversation was unimpeachable; promptness and accuracy were his watchwords.  Religious controversies were settled by his ready and accurate Bible quotations.”   

 Church Activities

 Thomas Dixon (father of the Reverend Amzi Clarence Dixon and Thomas Dixon, writer) preached at the Gilead church on May 9, 1846.

Sarah Hail joined the Gilead church by letter on September 13, 1846.

Gilead church made application to the Broad River Baptist Association for membership in the fall of 1846 and was received as a member.  This session of the association was convened at the Macedonia Baptist Church, Spartanburg District, on October 16, 1846.  Ambrose Ray was listed as pastor of Gilead and Ellis Palmer and Davidson Mitchell were listed as delegates from the church.  Gilead reported a total membership of 71 at this time.

Thomas Dixon was elected pastor of Gilead in November of 1846, and was to serve for the year 1847, but declined.

 Gilead’s Eighth Pastor

 T. K. Pursley accepted the pastorate of Gilead and served for one year (1847).  John R. Logan wrote: “Elder Thomas King Pursely was a native of York county, S. C.  Born about the year 1814.  Professed conversion about 1836, and was licensed to preach soon after- ward.  He was ordained to the full work of the ministry about the year 1838.  Joined the Antioch church by letter, and was chosen pastor that year, and was sent as one of her delegates to the Broad River Association at Green River church.  He married the daughter of Elder Spencer Morgan about 1840, and transferred his membership to Providence church, where he labored as joint pastor of the church with his father-in-law. 

 He afterwards joined Corinth church, and still continued a member of the Association from Corinth until 1850.  He then moved to the State of Georgia, and connected himself with the Baptist brotherhood of that State, where, after laboring in the ministry for a time, had the misfortune to lose the use of one of his arms, which finally withered away. 

 Elder Pursely was an uneducated minister, and of moderate preaching talent.  In the first, or early part of his ministry, he manifested a great deal of zeal in the discharge of his ministerial duties, and sometimes succeeded in waking up a good deal of interest in the cause of religion, and he baptized a number of converts into the fellowship of the churches where he labored.”      

Dr. William Curtis of Limestone Springs Female High School and the Reverend Thomas Dixon preached several times at Gilead in 1847.

 Church Activities

 On May 22, 1847, Dr. W. Smith Howell and his wife, Sarah, joined Gilead by letter.  At this business session of the church, Buck, a black member of the congregation, was given liberty to preach.

The Gilead church appointed a building committee for the purpose of building an addition to the church on June 25, 1847.  The committee was composed of: Reubin Coleman, William Cooper, Herod Gibson, Dr. W. Smith Howell, and Ellis Palmer.  The addition became a necessity because of the increasing number of black members.

David James, son of Shadrack James, agreed to build the seats for the new addition.  He was to closely duplicate the seats already made.  The seats were to be completed by September of 1847, and he was to be paid for his labor by “Christmas next”.

Gilead on July 23,1847, resolved to allow “Buck, the property of W. Thompson, to preach this month at the church in consideration of his master.”

In the business session of August 21, 1847, the church voted to have a camp meeting in September.  Preachers were: the Reverends John Kindrick, M. C. Barnett, Alanson Padgett, Felix Littlejohn, T. K. Pursley, Thomas Dixon, and Spencer Morgan.  As a result of the camp meetings the following were baptized on September 28th: Elizabeth Coleman, Caroline Coleman, and Ben, the property of Richard Thompson.

Delegates for the 1847 session of the Broad River Baptist Association were Ellis Palmer and W. K. Cooper.  The church reported a total membership of 79 at this meeting.

Gilead voted on October 23, 1847, to call Dr. Felix Littlejohn as pastor for the year 1848, and he accepted.

Church records tell of a missionary meeting to be held on December 25, 1847.  This is the first time a missions meeting is mentioned in the church book.

 Gilead’s Ninth Pastor

 Dr. Felix Littlejohn served as pastor of the church in 1848.  John R. Logan wrote: “Elder Felix W. Littlejohn, a native of Spartanburg county, S. C., appeared in the Broad River Association as a licensed preacher and delegate from Goucher Creek church, in 1840, at the session held that year at Concord church, Rutherford county, N. C.  He was ordained in 1841, to the full work of the ministry, and represented Goucher Creek almost consecutively until about 1855, when his health failing, he did not afterwards attend the sessions as formerly.  After having served as pastor of Goucher Creek church many years, he died of apoplexy, on the 10th of October, 1860, being about 55 years of age.”

The Broad River Association, at its session in 1861, adopted the following notice: “Brother F. W. Littlejohn was ordained to the work of the ministry in the Goucher Creek church, about twenty years ago, and for a long time labored zealously and successfully in the Gospel.  For some time past, owing to the infirmities of the body, he refused to take the pastoral charge of any church, still unto the day of his death he never threw off the mantle of his calling.”  

 Logan wrote: “We knew Dr. Littlejohn, who had the reputation, not only of being a good preacher, but a good physician as well.  In early life he had the appearance of being an athletic, hale, hearty and healthy man, being of round heavy build, large chest and good lungs.  His health, however, from some cause failed and for a few years previous to his death, he rapidly declined.  Dr. Littlejohn was bout five feet ten inches in height, dark hair, and eyes, and visage somewhat rounded like his body, with a playful and sprightly countenance ornamenting his entire physique.  We feel that the Broad River Association sustained a great loss in the death of one so popular and useful.”   

 Church Activities

 On May 13, 1848, Elias Lipscomb and his wife, Artimisse Lipscomb, joined Gilead by letters.

W. K. Cooper and James Kirby represented Gilead church at the 1848 associational meeting of the Broad River Baptist Association.  Gilead reported a total of 80 members at this meeting.

Susan Stovall and her mother requested letters of dismission from the Gilead church on October 7, 1848, and letters were granted.  Elias Lipscomb, his wife, Artimisse, and Levnia Littlejohn received letters of dismission on December 9, 1848, and Martha, property of James Thompson, was received by experience at this time.

 Gilead’s Tenth Pastor

 John G. Kindrick served as pastor of the church in 1849 and 1850.   John R. Logan wrote: “He traveled in company with Elder Wade Hill and others as a missionary in the bounds of the Broad River Baptist Association.  His education was limited, but having much native power of thought, blest with a logical mind and Presbyterian training, he became an able and fearless defender of the faith, once delivered to the saints. 

 At the meeting of this Assocation, at Providence church, a few years ago, he closed the services on Sunday afternoon with an earnest exhortation, in which he worked in his description of Satan.  And in speaking of the power of Satan to deceive the people, he remarked that ‘The Devil would feed them on soft corn, and choke them to death on the cobs.’  He had the facility of changing suddenly from these currents of humor to the most solid and serious discourse.

 Elder Kindrick was tall and straight, somewhat raw-boned; had a massive head, thickly covered with dark hair, eyes blue, countenance rather stern or serious.” 

 M. C. Barnett, the associational historian, in speaking of him said: “I have thought he performed the ordinance of baptism with as much dignity and solemnity as any man that ever came under my observation.  Imagine yourself at the Scull Shoals, on Pacolet river, near the church, on the 2d Sunday in September.  Both banks of the river are lined with hundreds of people (the public road crossing here).  You see others coming on both sides; two or three canoes are loaded with persons crossing the river, some going one way and some the other; at the same time the river is being forded by twenty at the time, in carriages, in buggies, and on horseback; the people commence singing on the opposite bank from the church, and everything begins to get still. 

 Bro. Kindrick has about twenty to baptize this morning.  After prayer he leads one down into the water, and with one hand lifted up he said: ‘In obedience to the command of God, and after the example of Jesus Christ, I baptize thee,’ etc.  As they came up out of the water he made some apt quotation from Scripture—such as, ‘We are buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him from the dead;’ and then another in like manner, until his work was done.”

 Logan wrote: “He preached his last sermon at Upper Fair Forest (Fairforest) church on the Sunday before his death.  He died at the home of Thomas Kelly the following Thursday.  The funeral discourse was preached at Pacolet church by Elder M. C. Barnett, to a large congregation.  His body lies in the grave-yard of Pacolet church.”  

 Church Activities

 The church on February 11, 1849, extended a unanimous call to Dr. William Curtis, but he declined, and John Kindrick agreed to supply the church.

Martin Coleman (son of Bartley) and his wife, Emaline, joined by letter June 9th 1849.  The Gilead church on June 10, 1849, baptized Drawdy, property of William Norris, and Milly, property of William Littlejohn.

On August 10, 1849, the Reverends John S. Ezell, John Kindrick, Felix Littlejohn and James Webb began preaching in revival services at Gilead.  Charlotte, property of John Wright, was received by experience.

Delegates to the 1849 fall session of the Broad River Baptist Association were: Reubin Coleman, W. K. Cooper and Terry Kirby.  The church reported a total of 86 members at this meeting.

Catherine Hodge joined the church by experience on October 13, 1849, and Phylis, the property of Col. Nathaniel Gist, and Kizzia, the property of Joseph Stark Sims, were received by experience on November 10, 1849.  Terry Kirby’s daughter, Adaline Kirby, joined by experience on November 13, 1849, and Caroline Hodge joined by experienced on December 8, 1849.

Nancy Ward joined Gilead by letter March 9th, 1850.  The church forgave Sansberry Goforth for his use of “too much spirits” April 13th 1850, and Aley, property of B. Kennedy, was received by experience.

Spencer Morgan and John G. Kindrick preached to the congregation on May 11th 1850, and Isabella, property of W. W. Meng, was received by experience.

Revival preachers in August of 1850 were: Ambrose Ray, T. K. Pursely, John Kindrick, Drury Scruggs and John Durham.  Milla (property of W. F. Eison) and Mary Fowler were received by experience.  Terry Kirby’s wife’s funeral was preached by John G. Kindrick.

On September 7th 1850, the church elected Ellis Palmer and Reubin Coleman, delegates to the Broad River Associational meeting.  In case of failure, Terry Kirby was chosen to serve as an alternate.   The report to the association indicated that the church received seven by experience; four by letter; excluded one; and two died.  Total membership at this time was 93.

Sisley, property of Isaac Thompson, was received by experience on November 9, 1850, and Nancy Gordan and Terry Kirby received letters of dismission.  Elizabeth Burgess was dismissed by letter on December 7th  of this year.

 Gilead’s Eleventh Pastor

Drury Scruggs was pastor of the church in 1851 and continued in this position through 1855.  State Line Baptist Church charged Scruggs in 1863 with “immorality of lewdness” and excluded him from their fellowship.  Through the agency of a council, the church deposed him from the ministry.  From a small group at State Line, he managed to secure a letter of dismission in full fellowship and refused to relinquish his credentials.  He continued to preach in Tennessee and organized the Concord Baptist Church, which he served from 1864 to 1873.  He was buried in the cemetery of this church.

On July 25, 1851, the following delegates were elected to represent the church at the associational meeting: Ellis Palmer, James Kirby, Reubin Coleman and Dr. W. S. Howell (probably the only medical doctor to ever belong to Gilead).  John W. Darwin was received by letter at this meeting.

The report to the association stated that the church had received: two by baptism; two by letter; excluded two; and had a membership of 92.

John James was excluded and his wife granted a letter of dismission on October 25, 1851.  Frances Meng, Sarah Eison, Mary Fowler, Caroline Hodge, Caroline James and Elizabeth Gibson were received by experience during the fall revival.

W. J. Sherbert, Sarah Ann Sherbert, William Coleman, Fincher Gossett, Consada James and Manerva Hodge were baptized on November 22, 1851.

David James was appointed to take charge of the table implements on March 28, 1852, and on May 22nd  John G. Kindrick preached.  Elizabeth Kindrick received a letter of dismission and joined Pacolet church (Scull Shoals) on June 25th.

On September 25, 1852, Gilead elected John Darwin, Terry Kirby and Ellis Palmer as delegates to the association and appointed Reubin Coleman and W. S. Howell to write the letter.  For the year the church received nine by baptism; one by letter; restored one; and lost one by death.

Richard Woodruff preached for the church on September 30, 1852, and Sansberry Gossett was restored to full fellowship.

A baptismal service was held on October 1, 1852, and the following baptized:  Newton Brown & wife, William Whitlock, Nancy Ward, Harriet Moseley, Susan Kirby and Elizabeth Gibson.

On October 23, 1852, Hiram Kirby and Absolem Ward’s black girl, Mary, were received by experience.

John S. Ezell preached at Gilead on April 23, 1853, and T. W. Scott presented his letter  from a church in Alabama.  Ellis Palmer, James Mabry and W. S. Howell served on the church disciplinary committee and recommended the exclusion of D. Mitchell on June 25th.

Elizabeth Gaston Carter joined Gilead by letter on July 23, 1853.  She was daughter of William and Ann Porter Gaston and was born in Chester County, S. C.; widow of Churchill Carter, Jr; and mother of the Reverend John Gaston Carter and Vandyne S. Carter.  Elizabeth Gaston Carter was the great, great, great grandmother of Elizabeth Reeves Ivey and present member, John Carroll Morris.  She moved her family to Union County in 1836, after the death of her husband.

Ellis Palmer, W. Whitlock and James Kirby were elected delegates to the association on August 27, 1853.  David James was elected as alternate delegate.  Gilead made the following report to the association: baptized three; received by letter two; dismissed by letter three; excluded three; three deceased; and membership 111.

Elizabeth Bishop brought her letter to Gilead, September 24, 1853, and Spencer Morgan preached on October 22nd.  Cindy, property of widow Clowney, was received by experience on October 23rd.

Madison Mullinax, ordained by the Pacolet (Scull Shoals) church, preached to the Gilead congregation on April 8, 1854.  Buck, “a colored man”, was given liberty to preach once every two months.

John Gaston Carter, son of Churchill Carter, Jr. and Elizabeth Gaston Carter, joined the Gilead church by letter on May 15, 1854.  He brought his letter from the Cane Creek (Salem) Baptist Church.  He was baptized by the Reverend D. Duncan on July 18, 1842.  He  married Mary C. Page, daughter of Nathaniel and Lydia Page, on April 27, 1846.  He was later licensed to preach by Unity Baptist Church (Brown’s Creek) and ordained by this church on August 2, 1862.

His brother, Vandyne S. Carter, joined Gilead church several months later.  Vandyne married Elizabeth Ward, a member of Gilead and daughter of Absolem and Nancy Coleman Ward.   He was the great, great grandfather of Elizabeth Reeves Ivey and of present member, John Carroll Morris.

Frances  Meng was dismissed by letter from the fellowship of Gilead church on May 15, 1854.  Spencer Morgan preached to the congregation on June 10, 1854.

At the business session on July 8, 1854, the church agreed to have a protracted (revival)  meeting in August and to invite eight preachers to assist in the services.

Drury Scruggs and John S. Ezell were apparently the only preachers the congregation was able to secure.  Bennett and Nancy Whitlock joined the church by letter on August 12, 1854, and Ison, property of B. Kennedy, joined by experience.  Henry Ward joined by experience on August 15th.

Gilead’s report to the association for the year included: three by baptism; four by letter; five by dismission; two deceased; and membership 111.

On October 7, 1854, the church received by letter Martha Fowler and dismissed by letters Caroline Gossett, Pinckney Gossett, Henry Ward and wife, Vatina Ward and Thomas Scott.

William Lee preached to the Gilead congregation on February 10, 1855, and W. S. Howell requested letters for himself and wife, which were granted.

Delegates from the church to the associational meeting in 1855, were B. Whitlock and John Gaston Carter.   For a number of years the 2nd Sunday was the day of worship at Gilead.  The church letter to the association reported: received by letter one; dismissed  by letter two; total membership 110.

 Gilead’s Twelfth Pastor

 Bryant Bonner served as pastor of Gilead in 1856 and continued in this capacity through 1859.  John R. Logan wrote: “Elder Bryant Bonner  was a native of Spartanburg county, S. C., born February 4th, 1817.  Intermarried with Miss Hannah Foster, April 7th, 1836, in the 19th year of his age, and settled in his native county.” The Reverend James Webb baptized him into the fellowship of Buck Creek Baptist Church in 1842.  “In 1848 He made his first appearance in the Broad River Association at the session held at Buffalo church; and was then a lay delegate, and continued to represent the Buck Creek church for several sessions.

 In 1855 he was ordained to the Gospel ministry, and preached acceptably to several churches within the bounds of the Broad River and King’s Mountain Associations.  At  the session of the Broad River in 1872 he was chosen Moderator and presided with dignity over the deliberations of the body. 

 He was above the ordinary size of men in weight and stature, inclining somewhat to corpulency; was near-sighted, and consequently always wore spectacles, but had a genial and pleasant face.  He was in the early part of his ministerial career quite lively and humorous and a great mimic.” 

 His granddaughter, Irene Snead, wrote: “One of Bro. Bonner’s brothers-in-law felt that he was wasting his talents in the ministry.  The brother-in-law made him a proposition, ‘If you’ll quit this preaching business, I will give you a load of corn every year.’  Bro. Bonner answered, ‘Thanks, I’ll raise my own corn and preach the Gospel.’”      

In Bonner’s obituary, published in the Baptist Courier, W. L. Brown wrote: “At the time of his death he was serving the Limestone Church in Gaffney.  Elder Bonner died in great pain, but triumphant in the Lord Jesus Christ, exclaiming in his own peculiar  way—‘It’s a powerful thing to go to Heaven in a storm.’”

Bryant Bonner and John G. Landrum were closest of friends and had made a mutual promise to visit each other at least once a year, while life should last.  This promise was kept faithfully until Bonner received the summons to “come up higher” on April 7, 1879, in the 62nd year of his age.  He was soon to be followed by him he had loved so much for Landrum died January 19, 1882.

The Reverend John G. Landrum conducted his funeral services at the Grassy Pond Baptist Church.  At the funeral, Landrum said, “I had expected brother Bonner to preach my funeral.” At his request Bonner was buried in the flower garden of his home. Later, Landrum said, “He was a large man, with a large heart, large desires, large affections and a large soul.” 

 Church Activities

 There are no extant minutes of the Broad River Baptist Association in 1856 and no church minutes.

R. Palmer and David James were delegates to the association from Gilead in 1857.  The letter to the association reported: two members received by baptism; one by letter; one deceased; 108 members.

Gilead’s delegates to the 1858 meeting of Broad River association were: David James, Reubin Coleman and W. T. Bryant.  Minutes from this meeting record the following statistics: baptized three; received by letter two; restored one; dismissed by letter two; excluded two; 110 members.

A resolution was passed at this meeting that read: “That our next association be held with Gilead church, ten miles north of Union Court House, and three miles southwest of Grindal Shoals on Pacolet River (near the railroad).” 

 On September 3, 1859, Sarah Jones Meng, widow of William Meng, “for and in consideration of the good will I have toward Gilead church, have this day given, granted and conveyed one acre of land unto F. W. Eison in trust for the use and convenience of said church”.  This was probably the land on which the log school building was constructed.  The deed was witnessed by: Franklin W. Coleman and John Edmund Hames.

Sarah Jones Meng was a daughter of Charles and Rebecca Floyd Jones, and Frederick W. Eison’s first wife, Caroline, was her sister.  Franklin W. Coleman was a son of Reubin and Letitia Faucett Coleman, and John Edmund Hames was a son of Edmund and Nancy Jones Hames (daughter of John and Eustacia Floyd Jones).

The Broad River Baptist Association met with the Gilead church on October 14, 1859, and days following.  Members were responsible for housing and feeding the delegates who lived too far to return to their homes each day.   Delegates from Gilead were: Ellis Palmer; D. Moseley; and Terry Kirby.  Report to the association from the church read: one received by letter; one dismissed; two deceased; 108 members.

 Gilead’s Thirteenth Pastor

Philip Ramsour Elam served as pastor of the Gilead church in 1860, and in 1861, joined the Confederate army with several members of the church.

Logan wrote: “Elder Philip Ramsour Elam was born in Rutherford county (now Cleveland), N. C., March 12th, 1833; converted and joined the church in 1848, in the 15th year of his age.  Licensed to preach by the new Bethel church, September 15th, 1854, and was chosen a delegate to represent said church in the sessions of the King’s Mountain Association in 1855-1860.  Elder Elam was a hard-working tiller of the soil, and did a great deal of pastoral, missionary and Sunday School work.  His opportunities for acquiring an education were very limited, but with a close application to Bible study and other good books as helpers, he became an acceptable preacher and successful pastor.

He volunteered in South Carolina, and was with Col. Anderson’s surrender of Fort Sumter.  He afterwards volunteered in Col. Conley’s 55th N. C. Regiment, and in the engagement at Gettysburg was wounded and captured by the enemy and was imprisoned nine months at Johnson’s Island, Ohio.  He was a Lieutenant of his company, and was wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., August 5th, 1864, after  which  he returned home and represented his church in the sessions of the Association in 1866-1867, and in 1868 was pastor of the Bethlehem church.  He married Mrs. Mary J. Crawford, nee Miss M. J. Barber.  At the session of 1866, he preached the introductory sermon before the body with much acceptance.”

 Church Activities

 Gilead chose Terry Kirby and David James as their delegates to the 1860 meeting of Broad River association.  The church letter read: baptized two; received by letter one; dismissed by letter two; 111 members.

 Gilead’s Fourteenth Pastor

 William Lee, who had first preached at Gilead in 1855, served as pastor of the church in 1861 and 1862.  J. D. Bailey, who wrote a History of the Bethesda Baptist Church, tells us that William Lee was the brother of the Reverend J. K. Lee.  Both men were ordained to the Gospel ministry by the Bethesda Baptist Church.  Bailey wrote: “When on a visit to his old home, the writer heard him preach once.  He was more robust in his physique, had a stronger voice, and appeared to be a much better preacher than his brother.”   William Lee moved to North Carolina where most of his ministerial career was spent.

 Church ActivitiesThe Sixty-First Anniversary of the Broad River Baptist Association was held with the Gilead Baptist Church on October18, 1861, and days following.   The introductory sermon was preached by Dr. William Curtis from Romans 6:3-4.  “A number of the Churches were not represented at this time on account of the previous unfavorable state of the weather.”  M. C. Barnett preached the missionary sermon.

 The following resolutions were adopted: “Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to the brethren and friends of this community, for their kindness in the entertainment of this body during their stay with them.” 

 “Whereas, since the last meeting of our body, the Southern states have withdrawn from the Federal government of the United States, and formed a new Government, styled the Southern Confederacy, we as a religious body enjoying the benefit and protection thereof, feel it our privilege and duty to express our sentiments with regard to this momentous event.

 Therefore be it resolved, That we do fully acquiesce and heartily concur in the action of the Southern States, and extend to our rulers and soldiers and officers of the army, our best wishes for their success, accompanied with our earnest appeal at a throne of Grace for their guidance and protection, commending at the same time our country to the Almighty God, that He may direct all things for the advancement of His kingdom and glory of His name.”  The Circular Letter included a historical discourse on the history of the association.  After singing and prayer by Drury Scruggs the association adjourned.

J. H. Coleman, Christopher Coleman and W. Vaughan were Gilead’s delegates to this meeting.  Report to the association indicated that the church had: eleven baptisms; two received by letter; three dismissed by letter; 123 members.

Thomas Fowler, a Confederate soldier and member of the Pea Ridge Co., S. C. V., was killed at Manassas in 1861.

George McCafferty and M. S. Kendrick (Co. F), Confederate soldiers in the 15th Reg.  both died in 1862.  Kendrick died in Richmond.

Tom Long, a Confederate soldier in the Pea Ridge Co., died in Centreville in 1862.

Charles Lipscomb Coleman (son of Reubin Coleman), a Confederate soldier in Co. B, 18th Reg., died in 1862.

While Lee was pastor, the two Hames’ brothers, Capt. John E. Hames and Sgt. Charles Asbury Hames, and Henry M. Foster, were killed in the Battle of Second Manassas, August 30, 1862.  They were members of Co. B., 18th Reg.  Lieutenant N. B. Eison traveled to Virginia on a train and had the bodies of his wife’s brothers and Henry M. Foster disinterred and brought them back to Gilead for reburial.  He also brought the body of Col. James Gadberry to Union, S. C.

The Hames brothers’ father, Lemuel, also fought in the Confederate army.  He received a government pardon dated September 27, 1865, signed by President Andrew Johnson.

Edmund Hames, his wife, Nancy Jones Hames, and their children belonged to the Gilead church.

There are no extant associational minutes for the year 1862 and no church minutes.

The Reverend William Lee was an effective evangelist during his tenure with the church.

 Gilead’s Fifteenth Pastor

 Micajah Cicero Barnett was pastor of the church in 1863 and continued in this capacity through 1866.  He was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Cedar Spring Baptist Church in Spartanburg County, S. C., on December 24, 1842.   Drury Scruggs, Simpson Drummond, John G. Landrum, Felix W. Littlejohn and Elias Rogers constituted the presbytery.  Examination was by Felix Littlejohn and the ordination prayer was by Elias Rogers.  John G. Landrum, moderator of the presbytery, delivered the charge to the candidate.

 He married Nazareth Lipscomb, daughter of Edward Lipscomb, deacon of Goucher Creek Church.  He was pastor of the following churches: Cedar Spring, Philadelphia, Sulphur Springs, Gilead, Limestone, Pacolet, Shelby, Bethel at Woodruff, S. C., and at the time of his death was a member of El Bethel Baptist Church where he had been preaching for three years.  He was moderator of the Broad River Baptist Association from 1860 through 1867 and wrote a History of the Broad River Baptist Association, which was published in 1871.

H. P. Griffith in his Life of Rev. John G. Landrum stated: “He was no revivalist, no exhorter, and hardly ever attempted to take the lead in a protracted meeting.  He preached the gospel truth as he understood it in the most pointed and eloquent language the he could command, and then took his seat, having said more in thirty minutes than most men say in an hour.  When once speaking of the prayer of a certain woman, which was answered by our Savior, he said: ‘she laid hold of the key that unlocks heaven and moved the mind that moves all things.’  Barnett died early, when at the zenith of his power and usefulness, and the churches mourned for him as for ‘a prince and a great man in Israel’.”  

M. C. Barnett, nephew of Joroyal Barnett, was born May 20, 1818, and departed this life September 20, 1872, at Shelby, N. C.  John G. Landrum delivered his funeral discourse to a large and sympathizing congregation.  He was buried in the El Bethel Baptist Church cemetery with Masonic honors.  Nazareth Barnett was born September 4, 1819, and died December 27, 1889.  She was buried at Bethel cemetery in Woodruff, S. C., where she had moved after the death of her husband.  She lived with her daughter, Martha S. Barnett Ezell, wife of the Reverend Landrum C. Ezell.

 Church Activities

Gilead’s associational delegates in 1863 were: David James, Christopher Coleman and W. Vaughan.  Their Church Letter read: baptized three; deceased four; and 112 members.

Corporal Zachariah Reeves, Jr. was seriously wounded in the leg at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa. on July 3, 1863.  He married Sarah Moseley, daughter of John B. and Annie  ?  Moseley and granddaughter of James (High Key) Moseley.  He was the great grandfather of Elizabeth Reeves Ivey and of present member, John Carroll Morris.

Vandyne  S. Carter, was killed at the Battle of Campbell’s Station in Tennessee  on November 18, 1863, and was buried in Tennessee.

The summary chart of the 1864 Broad River minutes is missing and the church records for this period are also missing.

D. P. Boulware was a Confederate soldier in Co. B, 17th Reg. and was killed in 1864.  John Long, Confederate soldier, was killed at the Battle of Riddle’s Shop in Virginia in 1864.

W. Vaughan and David James were elected to serve as delegates to the association from Gilead in 1865.  The report from the church was given as follows: three baptized; four received by letter; one restored; two excluded; and 116 members.

William Long was a Confederate soldier in McKissick’s Rangers and died in 1865.

The following is an additional list of Confederate soldiers who were either killed or died of disease in the War Between the States.  They were members of Gilead or had family connections in the church:  John Fowler, William Griffin, Berry Bearden, James H. Fowler and Thomas S. Burgess.  Sergeant Burgess was a member of Co. F, S. C. V. Artillery.

Over eighty veterans of the War Between the States were buried in the Gilead Baptist Church cemetery in marked and unmarked graves.

The Southern States had withdrawn from the union in accordance with what they believed to be their constitutional rights.  They were not rebels, rebelling against constituted rights, but patriots demanding and defending those rights.

The battles of the Confederacy were fought not only on the battlefield, they were also fought by the women of the homes through heroic efforts to provide for their families, and through sublime self-sacrifice for the sake of our soldiers.  They did not fight, but at home they labored earnestly, endured hardships and prayed fervently for the soldiers’ safe return.

After the cruel war was over the men came home, some on horseback, and many on foot all the way from Virginia.  And the pastors provided comfort to those, whose loved ones had been lost in the battles, and encouragement for those who returned with emotional scars and physical wounds.  The Heavenly Father sent M. C. Barnett to the Gilead church for such a time as this.

”And to those who bore the storm and stress and tragedy of those dark days, it is good to remember that the sun which set in blood and ashes over the hills of Appomattox has risen again in splendor on the smiling prospects of a New South.  Its because the foundation of its success was laid in the courage, steadfastness and hopefulness of a generation who in the darkest days of disaster did not despair of their country.”

James Robertson and the Book Horse Shoe Robinson

BY ROBERT A. IVEY

James (Horse Shoe) Robertson, was the son of David and Frances Burchfield  Robertson, the grandson of Israel and Sarah (Williams ? ) Robertson, and the great grandson of Nicholas and Sarah Marks Robertson.  Sarah Marks Robertson was the daughter of Matthew and Mary Somes Marks.

Israel Robertson received an inheritance from his grandfather, Matthew Marks.

(Internet—The Robertson Genealogy Exchange; Will of Matthew Marks was dated August 15, 1719, and probated at Merchants Hope October 13, 1719; Virginia Historical Archives.)

 

James’ great grandfather, Nicholas Robertson, and his great-great grandfather, Matthew Marks, were founding members of the first Baptist Church to be established in the state of Virginia in what is now Prince George County.  Robert Norden was pastor of the church.

Matthew Marks and Nicholas Robertson had their homes legally declared “public meeting houses”.  When Matthew Marks died he gave the Reverend Norden the privilege of living in his house for what proved to be the remainder of Norden’s life.

(The Baptists of Virginia by Garnett Ryland, pp. 2-5.)

 

David’s father, Israel, received a 670 acres grant in Brunswick County (Mecklenburg) on the westside of Smith’s Creek on Roanoak River, September 28, 1728.    He received a grant of 640 acres of land on the eastside of Little Creek in Granville County, N. C., on March 25, 1749.  This land was surveyed on March 10, 1748.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect: Ancestors of Robert Fillmore LaNier Inside Heavens Gate, ID: 111390, Israel Robertson.)

 

Israel had moved from Mecklenburg County to Granville County, North Carolina, by the early 1750s.  He was an ensign in the Granville County, North Carolina Militia.  Commander of the regiment was Col. William Eaton.  Israel and his sons, Matthew (Sergeant), Israel Jr., John and Nicholas were listed on the General Muster roll on October 8, 1754.  They served in Captain Richard Coleman’s Company.

(North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 22, p. 372-373.)

 

According to the records of Bristol Parish, Prince George County, David Robertson was born on August 19, 1728, the fourth son of Israel and Sarah Robertson.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect: Head-Cook, Montgomery, Alabama, ID: 120559, David Robertson.)

 

He married Frances Burchfield, daughter of Adam and Mary  ? Burchfield.  She was born on March 13, 1724.  The Burchfields were originally from Wales and settled first in Baltimore County, Maryland.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Barker and Bergmark Families, ID: 18047, Frances Burchfield; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Paige / Page Family Ancestry, ID: 19273, Adam Burchfield; Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759, by Robert Barnes, p. 83.)

 

David received a grant of 392 acres in Lunenburg County (later Mecklenburg County), Virginia, on the north side of Smith’s Reedy Branch from King George II on December 15, 1749.

Before receiving this land, he lived with his father in Lunenburg County (later Mecklenburg).

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Vermont’s Seeds, ID: 147349, David Robertson; Virginia Patent Book 29, 1749-1751, pp. 21-23.)

 

In his will of December 4, 1758, Israel Robertson bequeathed  “five shillings sterling” to his son, David.  Israel died August 12, 1760. (Internet—The Robertsons of Tennessee: Myth and Reality.)

David and his wife, Frances, sold their Lunenburg County, Virginia, land to William Davis on February 5, 1762.

(Lunenburg County, Virginia, Deed Book 7, pp. 281-282.)

 

David purchased 128 acres of land from Joseph John Alston in Granville County, North Carolina.  He and his wife, Frances, sold this land to Joseph John Williams on January 13, 1764.

(Granville County, N. C. Deed Book E, pp. 3, 70.)

 

He received a grant of 400 acres of land on the north side of Broad River and waters of Turkey Creek in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, September 26, 1766, on “both sides of wagon road including (John) Wade’s old store house”.  James Robertson was 7 years old when his father moved the family to what later became South Carolina.

(Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Records; File No. 2167; Gr. No. 226; Bk. 23, p. 121; North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina, by Brent Holcomb, p. 107.)

 

He sold the Turkey Creek land to William Glover Bishop in June of 1769, and purchased land and a grist mill from Joab Mitchell on both sides of Mill Creek in Tryon County, North Carolina.  The Turkey Creek and Mill Creek lands became a part of South Carolina in 1772.

(Tryon County, North Carolina, Deed Book 1, pp. 178-179; pp. 52-53; Internet–The Robertson’s of Tennessee: Myth and Reality, p. 6.)

 

This transaction included a grist mill that had belonged to John Clark, father of General Elijah Clark.  The creek was first called Clark’s Mill Creek. (Tryon County, North Carolina, Deed Book I, pages 518-519; Upper Broad River Basin Pioneers, 1750-1760, Item No. 295-E, Compiled by Miles S. Philbeck; Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I: Deed Books A-F, 1785-1800, Compiled by Brent H. Holcomb, p. 54.)

David purchased a tract of 400 acres of land on both sides of Thicketty Creek from Jacob Widner on October 25, 1770.  It was originally granted to Honas Balm and later joined John Nuckolls’ tract.  John Clark, father of General Elijah Clark, assisted in surveying the Balm grant in 1752.  This land became a part of South Carolina in 1772. (Tryon County, North Carolina, Deed Book I, pp. 306-307.)

He apparently was in process of purchasing this property in 1767.  On August 8, 1767, when John Nuckolls had a survey made for his grant of 400 acres, records state that the tract was bounded by lands of Stephen Jones and David Roberson. (Mecklenburg County, File No. 2375; Gr. No. 135; Bk. 23, p. 205; North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina, Compiled by Brent Holcomb, p. 100.)

John Nuckolls led a group of neighbors on February 9, 1771, to form a company to protect the settlers from the Cherokee Indians.  He was chosen captain.  A partial list of other neighbors serving were: William Marchbanks (Lieutenant), Patrick Moore (Ensign), Adam Burchfield (Sergeant), Phillip Coleman (Sergeant), Thomas Cole (Corporal), Hugh Moore, Matthew Robinson (James Robertson’s brother), John Goudelock, Samuel Clowney, Hugh Means, George Story and William Coleman. (The Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. XIII, by William L. Saunders, p. 517.)

David Robertson operated the grist mill until three days before he made his will. (Tryon County, North Carolina, Deed Book 1, pp. 518-519.)

His will was written on July 8, 1771, (probably composed by Vardry McBee Sr.).  His wife, Frances, his son-in-law, Irby Dewberry, and his neighbor, William Marchbanks, were his executors.  Two of the witnesses to the will were Vardry McBee Sr. and Adam Burchfield.

A part of the will read: “and as touching the Estate of my Brother Charles Robertson that I have obtained by execution I Give to George Robertson the youngest of my Brother Charles that is to say after the said Estate pays to my Wife Seventy Pounds Virginia Money and Discharges the Execution and attachment…that I stand bound for my Brother Charles Robertson then the remainder to return into the hand of the said George Robertson the younger son of my Brother Charles Robertson and if he should die I Give the same to the next Youngest Brother of his to him and his heirs and my will and desire that such Estate Remain the hand of my Brother Charles Robertson till such Son comes of Age…” (It was recorded in Tryon County, North Carolina, Will Book, I, 1774-1779, p. 304.)

“This (part of the will) related to his brother Charles’ legal entanglements with the British authorities due to his regulator activities.  It essentially amounts to the fact that David attempted to use his will to so complicate the handling of his bequest with the financial affairs of his brother Charles that it would delay perhaps forever the Brits’ confiscating Charles’ property.”  The will was rejected and the rule of primogeniture was enforced. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect: Head-Cook, Montgomery, Alabama, ID: 120559, David Robertson.)

Adam Burchfield witnessed the will of Frances’ husband, David, who died in 1771, when James was 12 years old.  He was possibly a brother of Frances.  According to Dr. Bobby Moss’ Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, p. 122, Burchfield served under Capts. Vardry McBee, John Mapp and Col. Benjamin Roebuck during 1781 and 1782.

Frances later remarried James Terrell, son of James and Margaret  Watkins Terrell, a Patriot and Captain during the Revolutionary War. He served as a lieutenant under Cols. Thomas Sumter, John Purvis and William Bratton and was wounded in 1780.  He also served as a captain in the militia under Col. Thomas Brandon. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Our Research, ID: 15826, James Terrell; Spartanburg County Deed Abstracts A-T, 1785-1827, by Albert Bruce Pruitt, p. 333; Deed Book K, pp. 471-473; Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Dr. Bobby Moss, p. 922.)

In his Revolutionary War Pension application (S14341), James Robertson stated that he was born in North Carolina, in October of 1759.  He stated that his parents moved the family from North Carolina to South Carolina and settled in Ninety Six District. (It was later called Union District and is now a part of Cherokee County.  Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas M. Owens; Internet–Pension Statements of the American Revolution by Will Graves.)

According to his pension statement, James Robertson joined with the Patriots in 1776, and was assigned to the 6th South Carolina Continental Regiment of Provincials.  Col. Thomas Sumter was Commander of the Regiment, and William Henderson was Major. Henderson was commissioned major under Lt. Col. Thomas Sumter on February 29, 1776.  He lived within five miles of Robertson and possibly recruited him. Henderson’s plantation was about one mile on the left from the Jerusalem Road toward Gilead Baptist Church.  He sold the land to his brother, John.  There is a large clump of trees that contain the graves of John Henderson, his wife, Sarah Hinton Alston, and their son, William.  They are marked with field stones.

Robertson’s first captain was William McClintock. (Nothing But Blood and Slaughter, Vol. One, 1771-1779, by Patrick O’Kelley; Internet—The American Revolution in South Carolina.)

“Captain Thomas Pinckney wrote his sister on June 8th, 1776, that Colonel Thomas Sumter and his riflemen were guarding the city.  General Charles Lee countered Sir Henry Clinton’s move by sending Thomson’s Rangers, Sumter’s Riflemen and some scattering units of infantry and artillery to repel any crossing from Long Island.

While Sumter and his (160) riflemen watched enviously, the defenders of Fort Sullivan on June 28th, 1776, were killing some two hundred sailors and wounding many others, including Commodore Parker and Lord Cornwallis.

A shot cut away the staff of the Second Regiment’s blue flag with a silver crescent.  ‘Colonel,’ exclaimed Sergeant William Jasper, (James Robertson’s former neighbor) ‘don’t let us fight without our flag!’ He then sprang from the rampart, seized the bunting, and returned unharmed through shot and shell.  Tying the flag to a sponge staff, he hoisted it again above the fort.” (Gamecock by Robert D. Bass, pp. 36-37; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project, From Adam to Me, ID: 108974, John Andrew Jasper.)

He fought under Col. Thomas Sumter against the Cherokees.  This battle was called the Cherokee War of 1776 or the Second Cherokee War. (Internet—Cherokee War of 1776; James Robertson’s Pension statement.)

“On August 12,  (1776), Colonel Sumter drew 1,500 pounds for recruiting and then set the Second Regiment of Riflemen on the long march to the Keowee.  On September 3, Captain Tutt reported that Colonel Sumter was trying to collect thirty beeves and three thousand pounds of flour before advancing to the frontier. Eight days later Sumter reached Fort Prince George with the ammunition, beeves and flour.  But he had only three hundred and thirty men, ‘many of whom, by the fatigue of the march from Charleston rendered incapable to proceed into the nation, were left in the fort.’ With two hundred and seventy effectives on September 12, he marched into General Williamson’s camp at Essenecca.” (Gamecock, Robert D. Bass, pp. 38-39; Internet—Cherokee War of 1776.)

Robertson’s captain, William McClintock, died June 24, 1778.  Captain Alexander Boyce replaced Capt. McClintock.  Col. Thomas Sumter resigned as Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixth Regiment on September 23, 1778, and William Henderson was promoted to Lt. Colonel at that time. (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Dr. Bobby Moss, pp. 603, 908; Internet–Pension Statements of the American Revolution by Will Graves; Internet–The American Revolution in South Carolina.)

He fought with the Sixth Regiment under Lt. Col. William Henderson at the Battle of Stono Ferry on June 20, 1779.  They had 164 men.  Alexander Boyce was captain at this time. (Nothing But Blood And Slaughter, Vol. One, 1771-1779, by Patrick O’Kelley.) He fought under Lt. Col. William Henderson at the Siege of Savannah on October 9, 1779.  Capt. Alexander Boyce was severely wounded in this battle and died of his wounds in November of 1779.  Capt. Benjamin Brown replaced Boyce.

Robertson’s former neighbor, Sergeant William Jasper, was killed in this battle while attempting to plant the Second Continental flag on the parapet of Spring Hill Redoubt. (Nothing But Blood And Slaughter, Vol. Two, by Patrick O’Kelley; Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Dr. Bobby Moss, pp. 89, 105, 495.)

The 6th Regiment was greatly diminished in numbers and became nearly extinct.  On February 11th, 1780, Robertson was assigned to the 1st South Carolina Continental Regiment, and Col. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney became his commander.  Charles Lining was his captain.

Lt. Col. William Henderson was transferred to the 3rd South Carolina Regiment (Rangers) under Col. William Thomson at this time.

(Internet–The American Revolution in South Carolina.)

 

The 6th South Carolina Regiment was consolidated with the 2nd South Carolina Regiment in February of 1780.

(Internet—6th South Carolina Regiment—Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia; Internet–Pension Statements of the American Revolution by Will Graves; The Southern Strategy by David K. Wilson.)

 

At the Siege of Charleston on May 12th, 1780, James Robertson, his commander, Col. Charles Pinckney, and Capt. Charles Lining were captured while fighting the British and incarcerated at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island.  Col. Pinckney had 231 men in this battle.

(Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, Vol. Two, by Patrick O’Kelley.)

 

Robertson escaped after a month’s confinement.  Capt. Charles Lining was exchanged in June of 1781, and Col. Charles Pinckney was exchanged in February of 1782.

(Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Dr. Bobby Moss, pp. 571, 774, 821.)

 

The book, Horseshoe Robinson, begins with the Fall of Charleston, S. C., and ends with the Battle of King’s Mountain.  J. P. Kennedy in this book tells of Robertson’s escape from Charleston and states that Horse Shoe had orders from Col. Pinckney to bring Major Butler from Virginia to Georgia.

(Horse Shoe Robinson  by J. P. Kennedy, pp. 19-23.)

 

James Robertson later joined Col. Thomas Brandon’s Regiment and served under Capt. John Thompson until the end of the war.

 (Internet—American Revolution Pension Statements, James Robertson, Transcribed by Will Graves.)

 

Dr. Bobby Moss states that he possibly fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain and was in the Battle of Cowpens.  James tells in his pension statement that he participated in the Battle of Cowpens.

The reason Dr. Moss stated that he possibly may been in the Kings Mountain Battle was because he fought under Col. Thomas Brandon, who was in this battle.  J. P. Kennedy states in his book, Horseshoe Robinson, that Robertson fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain (page 587).

(See Dr. Bobby Gilmer Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 821, The Patriots at Kings Mountain, page 289, and The Patriots of Cowpens, pp. 202-203.)

 

His brother, Matthew Robertson, was a blacksmith in the militia and provided corn for the Continental Line.  He lost a wagon and team in service during 1779.  After the Fall of Charleston, S. C., he fought with the militia under Cols. Thomas Brandon, Benjamin Roebuck and Capt. Vardry McBee Sr.

His Brother, Isaac, was enlisted in the First Regiment on November 27, 1775.  He fought under Col. Charles Pinckney at the Battle of Fort Sullivan.  He was discharged on December 1, 1778, and reassigned to the Sixth Continental Regiment under Lt. Col. William Henderson.  He fought with this unit at the Siege of Savannah.  He served as a corporal under Capt. Alexander Boyce.

After the Fall of Charleston, S. C., Isaac served under Cols. Benjamin Roebuck, Thomas Brandon and Capt. Vardry McBee Sr.

His brother, Israel, served in the Light Dragoons under General Thomas Sumter, Col. William Hill and Capt. William McKenzie.  After the Fall of Charleston he served as a private and lieutenant in the militia under Col. Thomas Brandon.

(See Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, pp. 821, 822, 823, 824, by Dr. Bobby Moss.)

 

James Robertson married Sarah Morris Headen, daughter of William and Jane Beavers Headen, on June 4, 1782.  She was born July 17, 1763, and was the twin sister of Jane Headen who married his brother, David.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Reineckes / Robertsons and Other Famous People, ID: 103934, Sarah Morris Headen; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: 24505, ID: 1047, Contact Carolyn Henderson, Jane Headen.)

 

William Headen Sr. was a Patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War and served eighty-nine days as a horseman in the militia under Capt. Joseph Dickson and Col. Benjamin Roebuck.

His son, William Jr. served at various times under Capts. Vardry McBee Sr., Jeremiah Dixon, John Mapp and Cols. John Thomas, Benjamin Roebuck and William Farr.

His son, John, served as a horseman in the militia under Capt. Anthony Colter and Col. Benjamin Roebuck.

(See Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Bobby Gilmer Moss, p. 431.)

 

When the Gosher (Goucher) Baptist Church purchased one acre of land in Spartanburg County, S. C., (now in Cherokee County, S. C.)  from Philip Martin on August 6, 1789, John Headen, son of William Headen Sr., was listed as a trustee.  So the Headen family could possibly have been members of this church.

(Spartanburg County / District, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Books A-T, 1785-1827, Compiled by Albert Bruce Pruitt, p. 36.)

 

William Headen Sr. moved his family from Spartanburg, S. C., to Pendleton District, S. C., and then to Jackson County, Georgia, where his will was probated on April 1, 1808.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Keene—Gregory & Related Ancestral Family Trees, ID: 120419, William Headen.)

 

James’ mother, Frances, gave her son, Matthew, her part of David Robertson’s land (133 1/3 acres).  Matthew sold the land to John Waters on March 10, 1786.

(See Union County, S. C. Deed Abstracts, Book A, pages, 519-522.)

 

From the book, Settlement of Pendleton District, 1777-1800, p. 30, is found the following: “The General Assembly passed an Act in 1778, reserving certain lands for the soldiers of South Carolina who served in the Revolutionary War.  The territory between the Keowee and Tugaloo rivers was set aside for this purpose.

No grants in this section were legal until after the war and all soldiers had received their portion.  Each soldier was to be granted two hundred acres including the one hundred acres allowed by Congress, and the transfer was to be made free of expense to him.  The grant was a title in fee simple and was a reward for his service.”

The same book indicates that James Robertson took advantage of this law and was granted 200 acres.

James Robertson received a state grant for a tract of 200 acres of land on Chauga Creek, in Pendleton District on January 21, 1785, from Governor Benjamin Guerard and 150 acres in the Thicketty Creek area on June 5, 1786, from Governor William Moultrie.

(See Pendleton District and Anderson County, South Carolina, Wills, Estates, Inventories, Tax Returns and Census Records Complied by Virginia Alexander, Coleen Morse Elliott and Betty Willie p. 196; and Union County, S. C. Deed Abstracts by Brent Holcomb, Vol. I, Book C, pp. 29-30.)

 

James found himself in legal trouble with the Union District authorities in September of 1790.  Charges mentioned were malicious mischief, larceny and killing a horse.  The writer does not have information on the outcome of the trial or trials.  John Hogan and John Thompson were also charged.

(Union County, South Carolina Minutes of the County Court—1785-1799, Compiled by Brent A. Holcomb, 1790, pp. 272-274; 276-278.)

 

He sold his Thicketty Creek land to Elizabeth Hogan on October 2, 1790, and moved his family to Pendleton District to the Chauga Creek tract.

(Union County, S. C. Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, p. 98.)

 

His step-father, James Terrell, and his mother, Frances, sold their last tract of land (496 acres) in the Thicketty Creek area on the South Fork of Gilkie’s Creek to John Leek on January 26, 1792, in what is now Cherokee County, S. C., and moved to Pendleton District.

This land had been granted to James Terrell by the Governor of South Carolina (date not given).

(Spartanburg Deed Abstracts, Books A-T, 1785-1827, by Albert Bruce Pruitt, p. 333, Book K, pp. 471-473.)

 

The book, Pendleton District, S. C. Deeds, 1790-1806, page 45, indicates that James Robertson and his family were living in Washington County, Georgia, in 1792.  They possibly sold or leased their Chauga Creek lands on the waters of Tugaloo River, to James Terrell, Robertson’s step-father, on December 1, 1792.

James later returned to South Carolina and apparently repurchased or repossessed the tract he had made available to his step-father.

(Pendleton District and Anderson, South Carolina, Wills, Estates, Inventories, Tax Returns and Census Records, p. 196.)

 

There was a curve on Chauga Creek that ran through Robertson’s land and his neighbors began to call him Horse Shoe.

(Southern Literary Messenger—May 1835—Edgar Allan Poe.)

 

In the Mills Atlas of Pendleton District, surveyed by Scribling in 1820, James Robertson’s house was listed as the plantation of Horse Shoe Robertson.

James Robertson and his wife, Sarah, were friends and neighbors of John Harrison Sr. and his wife, Naomi, in the Pendleton District.  James son, John, married, Celia Harrison, daughter of John and Naomi, in 1811.

(Internet–John Harrison Sr. Family.)

 

In the Introduction to the 1852 edition of the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, John P. Kennedy wrote: “In January of 1819, I was riding my horse in Pendleton District.  A lad, apparently not above ten years of age, mounted bare back on a fine horse, suddenly emerged from the wood about fifty paces ahead of me, and galloped along the road in the same direction that I myself resolved to take.

I quickened my speed to overtake him, but from the rapidity of his movement, I found myself, at the end of a mile, not as near him as I was at the beginning.  Some open country in front, however, showed me that I was approaching a settlement.  Almost at the moment of making this discovery, I observed that the lad was lying on the ground by the road-side.

I hastened to him, dismounted, and found him sadly in want of assistance.  His horse had run off with him, thrown him, and dislocated, as it afterwards appeared, his shoulder-joint.  While I was busy in rendering such aid as I could afford, I was joined by a gentleman of venerable aspect, the father of the youth, who came from a dwelling-house near at hand.  We lifted the boy in our arms and bore him into the house.  The gentleman was Colonel T—–.

The boy was laid upon a bed in the room where we sat, suffering great pain, and in want of immediate attention.  The mother of the family happened to be absent that night.  There was an elder son, about my own age, who was playing a fiddle when we came in, and there was a sister younger than he, and brothers and sisters still younger.  But we were all alike incapable.  The poor boy’s case might be critical, and the nearest physician, Dr. Anderson, resided at Pendleton, thirty miles off.

In the difficulty of the juncture, a thought occurred to Colonel T., which was immediately, made available.  ‘I think I will send for Horse Shoe Robinson,’ he said.  ‘Get a horse, my son, and ride over to the old man, and tell him what has happened to your brother; and say, he will oblige me if he will come here directly.  At the same time, a servant was ordered to ride to Pendleton, and to bring over Dr. Anderson. I heard him privately instructing a servant to go for the lady, and to tell her that the boy’s injury was not very severe.”

*Gen. Robert Anderson, a Patriot officer, lived in Pendleton, S. C. and according to John H. Logan’s, A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, p. 49, “was a good physician, practicing gratis among the poor”.  He died in 1813, but may have taught his son, Robert Jr., some of his medical skills.  There was no medical college in South Carolina at this time.

“In less than an hour there was a sound of hoofs coming through the dark—a halt at the door—a full, round, clear voice heard on the porch—then the entrance into the apartment of a woodland hero.  This was our expected counselor, Horse Shoe Robinson.  What a man I saw.  With near seventy years upon his poll, time seemed to have broken its billows over his front only as the ocean breaks over a rock.   His homely dress, his free stride, as he advanced to the fire; his face radiant with kindness; the natural gracefulness of his motion; all afforded a ready index to his character.  Horseshoe, it was evident, was a man to confide in.

‘I hear your boy’s got flung from his horse, Colonel,’ he said, as he advanced to the bed-side.  ‘Do you think he is much hurt?’  ‘Not so badly as we thought at first, Mr. Robinson,’ was the reply.  ‘I am much obliged to you for coming over tonight.  It is a great comfort to have your advice in such times.’

‘These little shavers are so venturesome—with horses in particular,’ said the visitor; ‘it’s Providence, Colonel, takes care of ‘em.  Let me look at you, my son,’ he continued as he removed the bed-clothes, and began to handle the shoulder of the boy.  ‘He’s got it out of joint,’ he added after a moment.  ‘Get me a basin of hot water and a cloth, Colonel.  I think I can soon set matters right.’

It was not long before the water was placed beside him, and Robinson went to work with the earnestness of a practiced surgeon.  After applying wet cloths for some time to the injured part, he took the shoulder in his broad hand, and with a sudden movement, which was followed by a shriek from the boy, he brought the dislocated bone into its proper position.

Horse Shoe came to the fireside, and took a chair, saying, ‘I larnt that, Colonel, in the campaigns.  A man picks up some good everywhere, if he’s a mind to.’

Horse Shoe determined to remain all night with the family.  We had supper, and after that, formed a little party around the hearth.  Colonel T. took occasion to tell me something about Horse Shoe; and the Colonel’s eldest son gave me my cue, by which he intimated I might draw out the old soldier to relate some stories of the war.

‘Ask him,’ said the young man, ‘how he got away from Charleston after the surrender; and then get him to tell you how he took the five Scotchmen prisoners.’

We were all in good humor.  The boy was quite easy, and everything was going on well, and we had determined to sit up until Mrs. T. should arrive, which could not be before midnight.  Horseshoe was very obliging, and as I expressed a great interest in his adventures, he yielded himself to my leading, and I got out of him a rich stock of adventure, of which his life is full.

The two famous passages to which I had been asked to question him—the escape from Charleston, and the capture of the Scotch soldiers—the reader will find preserved in the narrative.

A more truthful man than he, I am convinced, did not survive the war to tell its story.  Truth was the predominant expression of his face and gesture—the truth that belongs to natural and unconscious bravery, united with a frank and modest spirit.  He seemed to set no especial value upon his own exploits, but to relate them as items of personal history, with as little comment or emphasis as if they concerned any one more than himself.

It was long after midnight before our party broke up; and when I got to my bed it was to dream of Horse Shoe and his adventures.  I made a record of what he told me, whilst the memory of it was still fresh, and often afterwards reverted to it, when accident or intentional research brought into my view events connected with the items and scenes to which his story had reference.

The reader will thus see how I came into possession of the leading incidents upon which this ‘Tale of the Tory Ascendancy’ in South Carolina is founded.

It was first published in 1835.  Horse Shoe Robinson was then, a very old man.  He had removed into Alabama, and lived, I am told, upon the banks of the Tuskaloosa.  (He lived in Tuscaloosa County on the banks of Black Warrior River near Sander’s ferry.)  I commissioned a friend to send him a copy of the book.  The report brought me was that the old man had listened very attentively to the reading of it, and took great interest in it.

‘What do you say to all this?’ was the question addressed to him, after the reading was finished.  His reply is a voucher, which I desire to preserve: ‘It is all true and right—in its right place—excepting about them women, which I disremember.  That mought be true too; but my memory is treacherous—I disremember.’”

Dr. J. B. O. Landrum in his book, History of Spartanburg County, p. 459, wrote:  “In Mr. Kennedy’s famous novel, ‘Horse Shoe Robinson,’ the colonel referred to is Obadiah Trimmier, father of William, who was the father of Colonel T. G. Trimmier.  The absent lady referred to was Lucy Trimmier, wife of Obadiah.  She was a Stribling.  Her grandfather was a Watson.

The violin boy was William Trimmier, mentioned herein; the boy thrown from the horse was Thomas, brother of William.  The two small boys mentioned were Obadiah Watson and Marcus Tullias, sons of Obadiah and Lucy Trimmier, who were living on Toxaway.  Horse Shoe Robinson lived on Chauga in Pickens County.” (Oconee County, S. C.)

James Robertson and Obadiah Trimmier both lived in the Thicketty Creek section of what is now Cherokee County, South Carolina, in the latter 1780s.  Trimmier had been a member of the Louisa County Militia in Virginia, and was appointed an Ensign on February 12, 1781.

(See Historical Record of Virginians in the Revolution by John Gwathmey, 1987, p. 782.)

 

Obadiah Watson Trimmier was the son of William and Lucy Watson Trimmier and was born in Louisa County, Virginia, November 1, 1759.  He married Lucy Stribling, daughter of Thomas Stribling Jr. and Nancy Ann Kincheloe Stribling, in Spartanburg District on November 24, 1785.

The 1790 U. S. Census of Spartanburg County, S. C., indicated that Trimmier and William Headen lived close to each other.

Trimmier sold 174 acres of land on the North Fork of Thicketty to Joseph Champion on December 4, 1798, and 100 acres of land on the North Fork of Thicketty Creek to John Champion on January 28, 1800.  Obadiah Trimmier moved his family to Pendleton District shortly after this.

(Spartanburg County, S. C. Deed Abstracts, Books A—T, pp. 374-375; 39-40.)

 

Obadiah Trimmier’s land was shown on Mills Atlas of Pendleton District in 1820.  James Robertson and Obadiah Trimmier’s residences in Pendleton District were only a few miles apart.

Obadiah was referred to as a colonel in the above story and may have joined the South Carolina militia, where he received a commission as colonel.  One record states that he fought in the Battle of Cowpens.

In 1786, he performed marriages in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, as Justice of the Peace.  After moving to the Pendleton District, he served in the legislature.  He died in Pendleton District January 22, 1829, and was buried in the Toxaway Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Chaffin, Contact Lane Chaffin, ID: 1189, Obadiah Trimmier.)

 

J. B. O. Landrum, in his History of Spartanburg County, page 407, wrote that “James Turner, Sr., was a brother-in-law of Horse Shoe Robinson, the hero of Mr. Kennedy’s famous novel of the same name, both of whom were scouts during the Revolution and a terror to the Tories.

Some time after the close of the Revolution James Turner, accompanied by his little son Samuel, visited Horse Shoe Robinson, who resided in what was then Pendleton District, S. C.  It is stated that they sat up all night discussing their ups and downs, but that Mrs. Robinson made them lie down while she was preparing breakfast.

James Turner, Sr. was a pious and consecrated Christian, and for many years a deacon of Buck Creek Baptist Church.”

In an unpublished manuscript on the life of Joseph Starke Sims: A Nineteenth Century Upcountry Planter, Politician and Business Entrepreneur of South Carolina by Edwin Thomas Sims, he wrote: “When John Pendleton Kennedy was gathering material for His book, Horse Shoe Robinson, he was the guest of Sims.”  The writer’s source was an unpublished History of Grindal Shoals by Carol Fernandez Robertson.

In an article entitled, Old Grindall Shoals, and published in the Piedmont Headlight, Spartanburg, S. C., on October 21, 1898, the writer states: “Those who have read that delightful historic romance, Horse Shoe Robinson by John P. Kennedy, need only visit Grindall to be convinced of the truth of his narrative.

In fact, Miss S. A. Sims, who has written up the history of Grindall Shoals, tells me that Mr. Kennedy, after his interview with HorseShoe Robinson, went himself over the entire route that Major Butler and Horse Shoe traveled from Virginia to Musgrove’s mill, in order to verify his narrative and by interviewing other old Revolutionary soldiers, secure exact data for his book.”

In the 1820s or early 1830s John Pendleton Kennedy returned to South Carolina and retraced the journeys of James (Horse Shoe) Robertson.  Kennedy probably came back to South Carolina after Horse Shoe had moved to Alabama in 1821, to examine the scenes of Robertson’s encounters in the Revolutionary War.

This was probably when Kennedy secured information on “Wat Adair”.  “Wat Adair, I have heard it said in Carolina, died a year after the battle of King’s Mountain, of a horrible distemper, supposed to have been produced by the bite of a rabid wolf.  I would fain believe, for the sake of poetical justice, that this was true.”   (Horse Shoe Robinson by J. P. Kennedy, p. 598.)

In the book, A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, pp. 59-60, by John H. Logan, was printed the following letter:

“Alexander Shaw writes from Horn Lake, Miss., Sept. 27, 1858: ‘Says he lived near the Indian line of S. C., near Col. Cleveland’s.’  I became acquainted with Horse Shoe Robinson, who lived on the farm called Horse Shoe, on a creek called Changee (Chauga).

I traveled many hundred miles with him about the year 1825 (Shoal Creek/Chauga Baptist Church records state that Sarah Headen Robertson ‘moved away in disorder in 1821’.  (S. C. Baptist Historical Collection at Furman University).  We both moved to Alabama, near Tuscaloosa.  There he died, leaving three (six) sons, who were steady, sober, consistent citizens.

I have heard Robinson relate many things that are now set forth in the novel called, Horse Shoe Robinson, and many others also.  So that work is founded on fact, and is truly characteristic of him.  General Pinckney visited our region, had a farm there, and recognized Robinson as an active soldier at the siege of Charleston and a ready bearer of dispatches.  Pinckney paid great attention to Robinson.”

Alexander Shaw was born May 26, 1774, in Antrim County, Ireland, and died at College Hill, Mississippi, on November 1, 1860.  He and his wife, Susan Hardin, had thirteen children, four sons and nine daughters.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Quick 2011 Revision, ID: 1013755, Alexander Shaw.)

 

The 1850 Federal Census of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, shows that James Robertson’s grandson, Jesse, son of David, was born there in 1821, so the family was living in Alabama at this time.

In an article copied by Joan Keith from an unknown Alabama Newspaper, circa 1891, is found the following account: “The recent decease of our venerable fellow citizen, Daniel Cribbs, probably breaks the last link which connected our generation directly with the generation that lived during the Revolutionary war.

Mr. Cribbs was well acquainted with Maj. James Robinson, commonly known as ‘Horse Shoe Robinson’, who spent many years of his life, and lies buried in the Robertson cemetery near Sanders’ Ferry in Tuskaloosa County.

Horse Shoe Robinson was a gallant soldier of the Revolution in South Carolina, his native state.  His exploits as a soldier, in the days that tried men’s souls have been woven by John P. Kennedy, of Maryland, into the famous novel ‘Horse Shoe Robinson’.

Mr. Cribbs knew ‘Horse Shoe’ well.  Many a time in the early days of Tuskaloosa, the two hunted deer together, then ‘Horse Shoe’ was a hale old man, and Mr. Cribbs was still in the vigor of early manhood.”

(Article copied by Joan Keith from a story published in an unknown Alabama newspaper circa 1891.)

 

Daniel C. Cribbs was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on May 18, 1803, and died in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, on October 27, 1891.  He and his wife, Amy Lee Lavergy, had three children, two sons and a daughter.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Michael Krebs Family, ID: 1285, Daniel C. Cribbs.)

 

The following is taken from Flag of the Union, published at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, January 17, 1838.

Alexander Meek, a local reporter wrote: “The old gentleman (James Robertson) gave us a partial history of his Revolutionary adventures, containing many interesting facts respecting the domination of the Tory party in the south during the times of the Revolution, which Mr. Kennedy has not recorded in his Book.

But it will chiefly interest our readers, or to that portion of them at least to whom the history of the old hero’s achievements as recorded by Mr. Kennedy is familiar, to be assured that the principal incidents therein portrayed are strictly true.  In the old veteran’s own language: ‘There is a heap of truth in it, though the writer has mightily furnished it up.’

Before the close of the war, he says, he commanded a troop of horse, so that his military title is that of Captain Horse Shoe, although in infirm health, bears evident marks of having been a man of great personal strength and activity.

He is now afflicted with a troublesome cough, which in the natural course of events must in a few years wear out his aged frame.  Yet, not-withstanding his infirmities and general debility, his eye still sparkles with the fire of youth, as he recounts the stirring and thrilling incidents of the war, and that sly, quiet humor so well described by Kennedy may still be seen playing around his mouth as one calls to his recollection any of the pranks he was wont to play upon any of the ‘tory vagrants’, as he very properly styles them.

The old Gentleman received us with warm cordiality and hospitality; and after partaking of the Bounties of his board and spending a night under his hospitable roof we took leave of him, sincerely wishing him many years of the peaceful enjoyment of that liberty which he fought so long and so bravely to achieve.

It will not be uninteresting, we hope, to remark that the old hero still considers himself a soldier, though the nature of his warfare is changed.  He is now a zealous promoter of the Redeemer’s cause as he once was in securing the independence of his country.”

The word ‘Major’ is on his tombstone and may have come from a later field commission or a title of respect by his neighbors or his children.  He was called, Sergeant, in the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, but Dr. Bobby Moss’ in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots, lists him as a private.

Judge A. B. Meek, a fine literary critic, stated that “Mr. Kennedy, the author of Horse Shoe Robinson, has in that inimitable ‘tale of the Tory Ascendancy’ in South Carolina proved the suitableness of American subjects for fictitious composition of the most elevated kind.

Although in his incidents and characters he has done little more than presented a faithful chronicle of facts, using throughout the veritable names of persons and places as they were stated to him by his hero himself, yet such is the trilling interest of the story, the vivid pictures of scenery, manners, customs, and language, the striking contrasts of characters and the pervading beauty and power of style and description through the work, that we think we do not err in saying that it is not inferior in any respect to the best of the Waverly series.”

(Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas M. Owen, p. 105.)

 

In the Cambridge History of American Literature, Book II, Chapter VII, is recorded the following:

“Kennedy depended, as he had done in Swallow Barn, on fact not invention for almost all his action as well as for his detail of topography and costume.  Indeed, he founded the career of Horse Shoe Robinson upon that of an actual partisan with such care that the man is said later to have approved the record as authentic.  Decidedly Kennedy’s gift was for enriching actual events with a finer grace and culture than many of the rival romancers could command.  His style is clear, his methods always simple and rational.”—Carl Van Doren.

Edgar Allan Poe, in Review of Horse Shoe Robinson, published in Southern Literary Messenger, May 1835, wrote: “Horse Shoe Robinson is a tale, or more properly a succession of stirring incidents relating to the time of the Tory Ascendancy in South Carolina, during the Revolution.

Horse Shoe Robinson, who derives his nick-name of Horse Shoe from the two-fold circumstance of being a blacksmith, and of living in a little nook of land hemmed in by a semi-circular bend of water, is fully entitled to the character of ‘an original’.  He is the life and soul of the drama—the bone and sinew of the book—its very breath—its every thing which gives it strength, substance, and vitality.  Then the ardent, the eager, the simple-minded, the generous and the devoted Mary Musgrove!  Most sincerely did we envy John Ramsay, the treasure of so pure and so exalted an affection!”

Jesse Lewis Orrick, in his article on John Pendleton Kennedy, published in the Library of Southern Literature, 1909, Vol. 7, page 2899, wrote:

“Mr. Kennedy had encountered the prototype of the character Sergeant Galbraith (alias Horse Shoe) Robinson in life, and not only conveyed a portrait of the original to the pages of his novel, but utilized the actual adventures of this rough-and-ready soldier of the Revolution as the web and woof of the plot.”

In the Cyclopedia of American Literature, 1856, written by Evert A. and George L. Duyckinck, is found the following statement:

“The story (Horse Shoe Robinson) was founded on the personal recollections of its hero, an old soldier of the Revolution…its leading incidents being transcripts of the old man’s veritable adventures.”

Edward M. Gwathmey in his book, John Pendleton Kennedy, 1931, wrote:

“Kennedy has sacrificed the plot of Horse Shoe for historical accuracy.  He might have made a better story if he had been less attentive to historical detail.  His efforts to establish the authenticity of certain events often led him into tiresome digressions and marred the unity of his plot.”

“Based on John P. Kennedy’s historical romance, Horse Shoe Robinson: a Tale of the Tory Ascendancy, a play was originally adapted by Charles Dance in 1836 and presented in National Theater, New York, on November 23, 1836, and Park Theater, New York, March 2, 1841.

C. W. Tayleure, presented the play at Holliday Street Theater, Baltimore, April, 1856, with James K. Hackett in the title role, and Hackett played the role for several seasons.  Whether Clifton W. Tayleure made his own version (1856) or simply revamped Dance’s is unknown, for Tayleure’s alone survives.  It is a lively piece, filled with colorful characters.  In one form or another, the play remained popular especially at lower-class houses, well beyond the Civil War.”

Edward M. Gwathmey in his book, John Pendleton Kennedy, 1931, mentions an experience of Kennedy:

“On May 5, 1856, I went the other night to see the new drama of Horse Shoe Robinson fabricated by Mr. Tayleure of the Holiday Street Theatre out of my novel.  It was the first performance of it.  A great crowd was there and greeted it with vehement applause.  It is amazingly noisy and full of battles, and amuses the gallery hugely.  Mr. Ford was very kind in giving me a private box in which to witness it.  It has had a most successful run since that night for a week.”

(Encyclopedia.com; Representative Plays by American Dramatists by Montrose J. Moses, 1925, Vol. II, pp. 765-823; John Pendleton Kennedy, 1931, by Edward M. Gwathmey.)

 

“The principle incidents of the book are true.”  “There is a heap of truth in it though the author has mightly furnished it up.”  “It is all true and right—in its right place—excepting about them women, which I disremember.  That mought be true, too, but my memory is treacherous—I disremember.”   These expressions by Meek and Robertson attest to the truths contained in the book.

The author of the article, Old Grindall Shoals, printed in The Piedmont Headlight stated: “So far as the love scenes and romance of “Horse Shoe Robinson” are concerned, it is pure fiction.  But the historic incidents and even names given, are absolutely true and correct.”

The writings of Kennedy indicate that he had knowledge of the places mentioned in the book and gave a very good description thus indicating that he had visited the scenes himself.

Readers are sometimes puzzled because the author called James Robertson, Galbraith Robinson, and Edward Musgrove, Allen Musgrove.  Some writers state that he was trying to protect his characters that were then living.  This is indicated by his reference to Col. T (Obadiah Trimmier).

This writer believes that Horse Shoe did not always give Kennedy complete names.  Thus Kennedy had to invent first names.   He did not give the author his age or the place where he lived in his younger days so these too are inventions by Kennedy.

The writer of the book took the principal stories that Robertson related to him and “mightly furnished them up”.  Thus the book is called a novel even though it is based upon true accounts of Horse Shoe’s war experiences.

Residents of what is now Cherokee County and then Ninety-Six District were aware over one hundred and seventy years ago that a part of the setting for the story of Horse Shoe Robinson was in their area.

Kennedy indicates that the stories of Horse Shoe’s escape from Charleston and the capture of the Scotch soldiers were given to him the night he spent with Horse Shoe.

Robertson’s pension records state that he was a prisoner in Charleston and escaped in about a month.  Both Kennedy and William Trimmier, son of Obadiah, attest to the truth of the Scotch soldiers capture by Horse Shoe and the Ramsey lad.

Major Butler was with Horse Shoe when he crossed the Broad River.  In the book he is referred to as Arthur.  If Robertson did not give Kennedy, Butler’s first name, then it was probably fictitious.

Dr. Bobby Moss in his Roster of South Carolina Patriots, page 129, lists “a Butler who served as a lieutenant in the militia on horseback from 19 September to 27 October 1779, and a Butler who served as major under Col. Moultrie in 1780.”

According to Kennedy, Butler and Horse Shoe crossed the Broad River at Adair’s Ferry.  During the Revolutionary war, William Tate had two ferry crossings, about one mile apart.  It was a consensus of the early settlers that these men crossed at the lower Tate’s Ferry.  The Adair mentioned as the keeper of the ferry would not have been the owner, but the employee of Tate.  It is doubtful that his first name was Wat or Walter.

William Tate was a patriot soldier at this time.  According to Dr. Moss, he was a lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment in 1779, and was taken prisoner at the Siege of Charleston in 1780.  He was not exchanged until October of 1780, so he was still incarcerated when Butler and Robinson crossed at his ferry.

(South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Dr. Bobby Moss, p. 916.)

J. D. Bailey in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, page 13, states:

“The ferry was about one hundred and fifty yards above where the Southern Railway now crosses the Broad river.  Westward from the ferry, one-fourth of a mile distant, stood a commodious log dwelling with the chimneys running up on the inside.”  Kennedy gives an apt description of the house so he must have seen it.

In Revolutionary War Pension Application No. S16866 of Malcolm Henry is found the following:

“It was understood that Ferguson lay at Tate’s Ferry about 16 miles off.  In the evening Colonel Graham and Colonel Shelby came to me and told me to prepare my company to march that night to Ferguson’s encampment.

Accordingly I with my company and the company commanded by Captain Janus Shelby marched about 10 o’clock in the night with orders to attack Ferguson at Tate’s Ferry and to keep up the engagement with them until the whole Army came up.  On reaching Tate’s Ferry about daylight we discovered that Ferguson had gone.”

In the book, The Barrons of Western York County, South Carolina by Elmer Oris Parker is recorded the following:

“John Barron and wife Margaret and their family moved form Maryland to York County, SC, near Tate’s Ferry and the mouth of Buffalo Creek.  John Barron was a Captain in the Revolution, and his son, James, was a Lieutenant of the Bullock’s Creek Horsemen.  In 1787, they sold out and moved to Tennessee.”

William Tate died in 1792, and willed the lower ferry to his wife and son, James Tate.  He and his wife were living in the house described by the Reverend J. D. Bailey when he died.

(Spartanburg County S. C. Will Abstracts 1787-1840, compiled by Brent Holcomb, p. 102.)

 

Thomas Dare, son of John and Catherine Thomas Dare, purchased the lower ferry and dwelling house from Elizabeth Hester Tate and James Tate on December 22, 1803.

(Spartanburg S. C. Deed Abstracts A-T, p. 269, by Albert Bruce Pruitt.)

 

In the book, Statues at Large, 1813, No. 2040, is found the following:

“Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the ferry heretofore established and vested in William Tate, and the term of which is now expired, be re-established, and vested in Thomas Dare, his heirs and assigns, for the term of seven years.”

The Reverend J. D. Bailey thought that Thomas Dare and the Adair mentioned in the book, Horseshoe Robinson, were related.   However, genealogical databases do not show a kinship.  This information indicates that Thomas Dare’s father, John, died in Orange County, Virginia, in 1781.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Hester, Fails, Perry, McDavid Line, ID:15148, John Dare.)

 

If John Dare was the Adair mentioned in the book, then the databases are wrong.

There were Adairs living in Chester County, S. C., not far from Fish Dam Ford during this time.  Adair’s wife was a Crosby according to Kennedy’s book.

Mary’s mother was Hannah Fincher Musgrove, but she was deceased and her father’s third wife, according to John H. Logan, in his book, A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, Vol. II, page 79, was Nancy Ann Crosby from Fish Dam Ford.

(See Fincher in the U. S. 1683-1900 by Evelyn Davis Fincher and Ann Wilson Fincher, p. 323; A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina by Logan, p. 79.)

 

In the book, More Marylanders to Carolina by Henry C. Peden, Jr., page 96, he states that Nancy Ann Crosby of Fish Dam Ford, was Edward Musgrove’s third wife.

Most all Genealogical databases list Nancy Ann Crosby as his third wife.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The McLaurin – McMahon Family Research Page—ID: 129072—Nancy Ann Crosby.)

 

Nancy Ann Crosby Musgrove was Mary Musgrove’s step-mother, and in the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, Mary referred to Peggy Crosby Adair as her aunt, thus indicating that she was her step mother’s sister.

(Horse Shoe Robinson by J. P. Pendleton, p. 160.)

 

Old Mrs. Crosby, mother of Peggy Crosby Adair, was listed in the book as 80 years of age in 1780.  “Peggy” may not have been her daughter’s real first name.

(Horse Shoe Robinson, by J. P. Kennedy, p. 150.)

 

A database refers to old Mrs. Crosby as the wife of William Crosby.  He was born in 1696.  Mrs. Crosby’s birthdate was listed as circa 1700, in Berkley County, S. C.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Gregg Bonner’s Genealogy Database, Version 22, ID: 1125514, William Crosby.)

 

Thomas Crosby was listed as an executor of the estate of Edward Musgrove in his will written August 25, 1790.  According to the will, Thomas was from Broad River.

(South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Fall of 1978, No. 4, p. 224; Laurens County, S. C. Estate Book A-1, p. 224.)

 

Thomas was the son of Dennis and Hannah Revels Crosby.  Like Nancy Ann Crosby Musgrove of Fish Dam Ford, Dennis and his son, Thomas, were also from the same area.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Welcome to My World, ID: 1363, Thomas Crosby.)

 

It is possible, though not fully proven, that Thomas Crosby was Nancy Ann Musgrove’s nephew.  If he was, then Nancy Ann, Peggy ? , Dennis and possibly William could have been siblings.

According to most databases, Dennis Crosby’s father was William Crosby.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Loessin / Merker / Clark Family Tree, ID: 132209, Dennis Crosby.)

 

Dr. Bobby Moss, in his book, South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 219, lists a William Crosby, married to a Susannah Benton, serving as a patriot soldier from February 1779 to July 1783, and fighting under Gen. Francis Pickens and Capt. William Baskins.  This William was probably a brother of Dennis.

It is possible that the first name of the “old Mrs. Crosby” in the book will never be discovered.

Dennis Crosby was born in the Fishdam Ford section on December 11, 1724, and died there on October 11, 1771.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Loessin / Merker / Clark Family Tree, ID: 132209, Dennis Crosby.)

 

His wife, Hannah Revels, was born circa 1728, and died August 12, 1785, in the same area.  In 1781, she furnished forage and supplies to the Colonial Militia.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Hammers, Clements, Thompson and Anderson Families, ID: 125757, Hannah Revels.)

 

Dennis listed six children in his will: Richard, Thomas, Lydia, William, Mary and John.

(Internet: Antecedents and Descendents of Dennis Crosby.)

 

One source states that Nancy Ann Crosby Musgrove was Dennis’ daughter, but she is not listed in his will though she was living when Dennis died.

Nancy Ann Crosby Musgrove was probably born in the latter 1730s.  She survived till 1824, “to a very advanced age”.

(A History of the Upper Country of South Carolina, by John H. Logan, p. 79.)

 

Thomas Crosby, son of Dennis and Hannah, was born in the Fishdam Ford section in 1751, and died there March 4, 1791.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Welcome to My World, ID: 1363, Contact Jacquelyn Kyler, Thomas Crosby.)

 

His wife, Margaret Davis, was born December 17, 1751, and died February 18, 1825.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project:  Welcome to My World, ID: 1364, Margaret Davis.)

 

According to Dr. Moss, Thomas was a patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War and fought under Gen. Andrew Pickens after the fall of Charleston, S.  C.

Dennis died before Edward Musgrove.  Though his son, Thomas, was still living when Edward Musgrove died, he was not able to fulfill his responsibilities as executor of the will.  He died about six months after the will was written.

In the book, Mary Musgrove warned Horse Shoe and Major Butler not to go by way of the Dogwood Spring.

(Horse Shoe Robinson by J. P. Kennedy, p. 172.)

 

Capt. H. P. Griffith, co-principal of Cooper-Limestone Institute, 1881,  and several years following, in a welcome speech to the South Carolina Baptist Convention that met in Gaffney in 1899, stated: “One mile away is the big Dogwood Spring celebrated in romance and story; nearby beautiful Limestone.”

(See Dr. Bobby Moss book, Climaxing a Century of Service, First Baptist Church, Gaffney, South Carolina, p. 37.)

 

A Historical Sketch of Limestone College was published on pages 22-24 of the 1920 Calciid and contains this statement:  “Indian legends still cling around the loveliest spot in Cherokee—the site of the beautiful Dogwood Springs of Revolutionary days, the Limestone Springs of Confederate history.”

William Ragland Lipscomb in his A History of Limestone published in the September 28, 1894, issue of The Gaffney Ledger states:

“Just north east of the spring it is said three British soldiers are buried who were wounded at the famous Cowpens battle ground, twelve miles north of the springs.”

The Reverend J. D. Bailey knew many of the ancestors of the old families living around Grindal Shoals at this time.  Two of these families were the Sims and Nott families.  From them he learned where Horseshoe and Butler were captured and where the Tory camp was located.

He included a picture of the camp in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, page 15.  It was the site of the old store building once operated by John Henry Littlejohn and later by Napoleon Eison.  He knew both of these men personally.

Napoleon Eison was the grandfather of Ed Aycock who showed the writer the location of the old store.

In Kennedy’s account of the arrival of Major Butler and Horse Shoe at Grindal Shoals he said:

“It was just at the closing in of night, when a party of ruffianly looking men were assembled beneath a spreading chestnut, that threw forth its aged arms over a small gravelly hillock, in the depths of the forest that skirted the northern bank of the Pacolet within a short distance of Grindall’s ford. The group who now occupied the spot consisted of some ten or twelve men under the command of Hugh Habershaw.  A small fire of brushwood had been kindled near the foot of the chestnut.”

(Horse Shoe Robinson by John P. Kennedy, pp. 192-193.)

 

John Hodge, son of William and Elizabeth Cook Hodge, was a Patriot soldier and in his Revolutionary War Pension application No. S21825, states that he “entered into the service of the United States as a volunteer in an Indian expedition under Capt. Zachariah Bullock and General Williamson & was stationed about three or four weeks near the Grindal Shoals where he was employed in building & guarding a fort.”

The author of the sketch, Old Grindall Shoals, published in The Piedmont Headlight on October 21, 1898, stated that: “The late Mr. Sims (Joseph Stark Sims) said that he had seen the stump of the old chestnut beneath which these Tories camped.”

Kennedy would not have known about the gravelly hillock if he had not visited the site.  This hill can still be seen today.  It is covered with natural gravel.  The name Hugh Habershaw was probably fictitious.  Robertson may not have given the name of this leader to Kennedy.  Early members of the Habershaw family were found in England, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, but of course one of them could have been in South Carolina.

The site of Christie’s Tavern is still known today.  From Gaffney, S. C., the driver turns right off the Gaffney Highway on to Robinson Farm Road.  After crossing Mill Creek, a left turn is made at Parks Farm Road.  Ruins of the tavern can still be seen through the woods on the right just after turning on Parks Farm Road.

The building was destroyed by fire in the early to mid 1990s.  Kennedy probably visited this site.  The Coleman branch still runs by the side and in front of where the tavern stood.  The old settlers knew Christopher Coleman quite well.  He was both a Patriot and a Loyalist soldier during the Revolutionary War.

In an article on the Coleman’s, published in the Union County Heritage, 1981, edited by Mannie Lee Mabry, page 52, is found the following story:

“In Virginia, a wagon train was formed, their destination, Charleston, S. C.  Things were going well for the train until Christopher’s wagon broke down while crossing a branch on Mill Creek of the Pacolet River.  He decided, then and there, to settle on the spot.

He immediately set about to build a tavern where travelers could get food, drinks and lodging.  The Tavern was known as Christie’s Tavern.  It was said that he would turn no man away, even during the American Revolution.

If the Tories were coming to rest and water their horses, the Whigs would scamper down a ramp built over the creek and hide in the woods.  In 1780, when Hugh Habershaw brought Horse Shoe Robinson to Christie’s Tavern he escaped probably over the ramp.

Christie’s Tavern has been mentioned in the books, The History of Grindal Shoals, Horse Shoe Robinson, Heroes of Kings Mountain and Drapers of Virginia.”

The writer of the above sketch was Margaret C. Gault.

The author of the article, Old Grindall Shoals, included a part of Kennedy’s story of the escape and wrote:

“The Tories made a rush to the rack for their horses, when they discovered that the bridles were tied in hard knots in a manner such as to connect each two or three horses together.  James Curry was the first to mount, and set off in rapid pursuit, followed by two others.  After a half-hour the two privates returned.

In a short time after, Curry came in with one side of his face bleeding from a bruise, his dress disarranged, and his back covered with dirt.  The side of his horse was tainted with the same soil.  Curry stated that he had pursued Robinson until he came in sight of him, when the fugitive slackened his gate, as if on purpose to allow him-self to be taken.

In his haste Curry left his sword behind him, and when he came up with Robinson laid his hand upon his bridle.  But by some sudden slight, which he had taught his steed, ‘Horseshoe’ contrived to upset both Curry and his horse down a bank on the roadside.  ‘Horse Shoe’ then bade Curry good-bye, saying he had an engagement which forbade him to remain any longer in his company.  This is a true story, and the hill where ‘Horseshoe’ overthrew Curry is pointed out by the citizens around Grindall.”

There is a database account of a James Corry Curry who was married to Mary Copeland.  He died in South Carolina in 1780.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: febo5min, ID: 15239, James Corry Curry.)

 

After escaping from Christie’s Tavern, Horse Shoe fled to Musgrove’s Mill.  Traditional accounts state that Mary hid him in the cavern to the left of the falls of Cedar Shoals Creek, feeding him and furnishing him with information concerning the activities of the Tories.  This may be a fable but one would still have to believe that Mary did hide him and bring him food.

Mary was born circa 1763.  In Kennedy’s book she states that she was seventeen.  This appears to be a correct date.  She also states that she was engaged to John Ramsay.

In Dr. Bobby Moss book, Some South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, p. 799, he lists a John Ramsey who served in the militia two hundred days during 1780.

In the book, Mary sends Horse Shoe to the home of John Ramsey, her fiance, and there he met Mrs. David Ramsey, his mother, who had just had her chickens and ducks stolen by the Scotchmen.  These men were captured by Horse Shoe and Mrs. Ransey’s young son.

This incident was included in the book.  Kennedy indicates that this was a true story.  So the record of the engagement of Mary to John Ramsey was also probably true.  There was a Ramsey family living in Laurens, S. C., during this period.

Other histories state that Edward Musgrove’s house was constantly visited by Tories, and this fact is also mentioned in the book, Horse Shoe Robinson.

It is impossible to know exactly where the line is drawn and where and how Kennedy adds the fictitious to the stories related to him by Robertson.

Two errors have been perpetuated concerning Mary Musgrove.  She did not die as a teenager.  This was probably her sister, Susan, for Susan was not mentioned in Edward Musgrove’s will.  Mary was listed in his will as Mary Berry.

She married George Berry, son of William and Usley ? Berry circa 1788, and would have been about 25 at the time.  She definitely could have been engaged to someone else before this.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The McLaurin – McMahon Family Research Page, ID: 120898, George Berry.)

 

George and Mary Musgrove Berry had the following children: Rebecca, Lurana Phillips, Elizabeth, William, Mary and Robert Goodloe Harper Berry.  Mary died circa 1803, following the birth of Robert.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The McLaurin – McMahon Family Research Page, ID: 129064, George Berry; Abstracts of early Records of Laurens County, 1785-1820, complied by Sarah M. Nash, 1982.)

 

After the death of Mary, George married Edith Ligon, daughter of Robert and Edith Watkins Ligon.  They had one child, Edith, who was listed as deceased when George died in 1806.  George Hutchinson was administrator of George Berry’s estate.

(Laurens County Will Book A, 1784-1840, p. 56.)

 

Another error lists Mary’s last two children: Mary (Polly) Berry and Robert Goodloe Harper Berry as children of George and his second wife, Edith Ligon.  The Laurens County Guardian Returns indicate that Edith Berry was appointed guardian for Mary (Polly) M. and Robert G. H. Berry.  Edith filed a return on April 25, 1812, and June 5, 1815, so Mary and Robert were the children of George and Mary Musgrove Berry.

(1810 Equity Petitions of Laurens County, S. C., Package 8, Box 27; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: My Main Tree, ID: 157839, Edith Ligon.)

 

Edith Ligon Berry, widow of George Berry, next married Andrew Wray.  She and Andrew moved to the Cherokee Springs—Buck Creek area of Spartanburg County.  She retained custodial care of Mary and Robert, children of George and Mary Musgrove Berry, and raised them in this area.

Edith and Andrew had two children of their own: Eliza Wray and Mary Jane Wray.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Our Family and Then Some—ID: 102838, Edith Ligon.)

 

Mary Musgrove’s granddaughter, Edith Hines, married James Turner Jr., the nephew of James (Horse Shoe) Robertson.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Our Family and Then Some, ID: 102856, Edith Hines.)

 

“On September 7, 1792, Charles Cotsworth Pinkney of Charleston, late Brigadier General of the Armies of United States, and Mary, his wife, sold a square tract of 60 acres on waters of Brushy Creek, branch of Saluda River (from their Pendleton District tract) to General Andrew Pickens, Col. Robert Anderson, Captain Robert Maxwell, Mr. John Bowen, Major John Ford and Mr. John Hallum of Washington District.”

(Pendleton District and Anderson County, South Carolina Wills, Estates, Inventories, Tax Returns and Census Records compiled by Virginia Alexander, Colleen Morse Elliott and Betty Willie, 1980.)

 

Gen. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Horse Shoe’s old commander, probably visited him in Pendleton District, South Carolina before 1821.  In the Settlement of Pendleton District, 1777-1800, by Frederick Van Clayton, p. 69, Charles Pinckney is listed as possessing land on Chauga Creek.  The Mills Atlas shows a plantation owned by Col. Pinckney in 1820.  Pinckney died on August 16, 1825.

(Internet: Encyclopedia of World Biography on Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.)

 

James Robertson moved his family to Alabama in 1821.  The home in South Carolina, where he and his family lived for over twenty years, is still standing in Oconee County a few miles from Westminister.

(Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas M. Owen, page 105; The Seneca Journal, July 22, 1964.)

 

James applied for a pension for services rendered to his country during the Revolutionary war on October 13, 1832, before Anderson Crenshaw, Judge of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.  His character witnesses were: Samuel M. Meek, a clergyman, and William Dunlap.

He was enrolled on October 29, 1833, under act of Congress of June 7, 1832.  Payment was to date from March 4, 1831.  Annual allowance was $80.00.

(Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas McAdory, p. 102.)

 

The author of the article written in the Flag of the Union on January 17, 1838, wrote:

“It is a pleasure to know that this fine old hero was a real personage!  And although his exploits may have been colored in a measure by the pen of the romancer, there still remains a rich stock of adventures, which were undoubtedly true, and the picture of a nature frank, brave, true and yet full of modesty.”

Sarah Morris Headen Robertson died January 7, 1838, and James Horse Shoe Robertson died April 26, 1838.

Horse Shoe  and Sarah were buried in the Robertson Family Cemetery, Romulus Community, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, located on the banks of Black Warrior River near Sanders Ferry.

(See the book, Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama, by Thomas McAdory Owen, p. 102.)

 

The inscription on his stone reads: “Major James Robertson, a native of S. C., died April 26, 1838, aged 79 years, and was buried here.  Well known as Horse Shoe Robinson, he earned a just fame in the War for Independence, in which he was imminent for courage, patriotism, and suffering.  He lived fifty-six years with his worthy partner, useful and respected, and died in hopes of a blessed immortality.  His children erect this monument as a tribute justly due a good husband, father, neighbor, patriot and soldier.”

(Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas M. Owen, p. 102.)

 

James Robertson and his wife, Sarah Morris Headen Robertson, were charter members of the Grant’s Creek Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and also members of the first recorded Sunday School Class in Alabama.

(Samford University Baptist Historical Collection.)

 

Robert J. Stevens in his article, “Horse Shoe Robinson Revisited”, states that John Pendleton Kennedy spent the winter (1818-1819) teaching school in Seneca, South Carolina.

(The Bulletin, Chester District Genealogical Society, Vol. XVII, No. 4, Dec. 1993.)

 

An article on Gleanings From Horse Shoe Robinson, written by Mary Cherry Doyle of Clemson, S. C., and published in Historic Oconee in South Carolina, 1935, states that John P. Kennedy was staying at the Old Steel place later known as the Phinney place, which is about half-way between Seneca and Walhalla, on the old road .”

In an Internet article entitled, Documenting the American South, Armistead Lemon gives a summary of the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, in which he states:

“Kennedy attempts to counterbalance the novel’s romance with accurate references to battle movements, military outposts, and the geography of the Carolinas, while also offering brief but realistic character sketches of major generals, particularly Frances Marion and Charles Cornwallis.

Thus despite his tendency toward melodrama, Kennedy provides an insightful perspective on the fratricidal nature of the American Revolution, unwittingly foreshadowing in Horse Shoe Robinson the strife that lay ahead in the American Civil War.”

Numerous articles were published in The Gaffney Ledger that related to the book, Horse Shoe Robinson.

“The Ledger was presented, a few days ago, with a wrought iron nail which was imported from England before the Revolution and used in the old residence building at Gaffney’s Ferry, then known as Adair’s Ferry and made famous by J. P. Kennedy in his Horse Shoe Robinson, a story of Revolutionary War times with many of the scenes laid in what is now Cherokee County.  The nail, which is about the size of what is known now as a ten penny, is in a good state of preservation and looks as if it could put in another century of good service.”

(See Cherokee County Calendar, December 17, 1901, by Dr. Bobby Moss, p. 73.)

 

A history of the old house was published on January 21, 1902, in The Ledger.  It read: “There was until a few days ago a dwelling house in Cherokee County the building of which antidated the knowledge of traditions in the possession of the oldest citizens.

It was situated on the John G. Gaffney farm on Broad River, at Gaffney’s Ferry.   Tradition leaves it plain that it was built before the war of the Revolution and tradition and history prove that it was occupied during the war by a widow lady, Mrs. Tate, who was in good circumstances at which time the ferry was known as Tate’s Ferry.

Mrs. Tate lived in it till several years after the war when she sold it to a Virginian by the name of Thomas O’Deer who owned and lived in the house for a number of years, when the ferry was known as O’Deer’s Ferry, and then traded it to one Abner Benson who afterwards sold the property to Michael Gaffney, who with some of his sons, has owned the property for a little over a hundred years (eighty years).

This old house, unlike most houses of its time, was a framed one made of very heavy timbers, mortised and pioned together and well weather-boarded and ceiled with plank which had been well dressed on one side and hewed on the other.  The nails used were hand made.  The chimney was of first class brick, was made on the inside of the building and had very large fireplaces. This old house was in a good state of preservation and from what we can learn has been occupied all the time of its long existence.

The property was recently sold for partition and Mr. T. G. McCraw bought the ‘old house place’.  He has moved it to another site and will remodel it and use it as a barn.

Because of its antiquity, many regret this disposition of the old house, but the old must give place to the new, and this old Revolutionary relic has been no exception to the rule.”

J. D. Bailey in his History of Grindal Shoals, page 14, stated: “Henry Gaffney, Esq., who lived to an advanced age, told the writer that there was no doubt about this being the original Watt Adair house.”

Other articles from The Gaffney Ledger are given below:

“Much of the action in the American Revolution takes place in Cherokee County and the surrounding area.  Therefore, in an effort to reach the people from this area who had moved westward after the War Between the States, the following ad appeared in The Gaffney Ledger on February 23 1906:

Upon receipt of $1.50 or for that amount deposited in either of the Gaffney banks to my credit, I will deliver (postpaid) a copy of Horse Shoe Robinson by J. P. Kennedy, to any address in the United States.  Signed J. L. Strain, Wilkinsville, S. C.”

(See Cherokee County Calendar by Dr. Bobby Moss, p. 163.)

 

In the October 26, 1906, issue of The Gaffney Ledger is recorded the following:

“The thrilling historical novel, Horse Shoe Robinson, will run in serial form in the columns of The Ledger beginning next Friday.  This is a story of the Tory ascendancy in South Carolina.  The story should prove of interest to Ledger readers because the setting of the story is in our own midst.

Horse Shoe Robinson is said to have ridden through Limestone Springs—then a crossroads settlement—along the old road that used to run through present day Gaffney just in rear of Mrs. L. V. Gaffney’s residence, across the Southern Railway at Mr. Ollie Kendrick’s, through Dr. J. F. Garrett’s lot at corner of Buford and Limestone Streets and on to Limestone.  Of course there was no railroad here then.”

Another Gaffney Ledger article was published on November 11, 1906, and read:

“The exploits of Horse Shoe Robinson, now being republished by The Ledger, is creating as much interest among its readers as that thrilling story produced seventy years ago while many of the survivors of the Revolutionary War were living to verify the statements made in the book.  Many of the scenes are laid in what is now Cherokee County.  That the famous Dogwood Spring is within the corporate limits of Gaffney, there is not the shadow of a doubt, and other places mentioned are recognizable.”

“The Daniel Morgan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a marker on the trail to Dogwood Spring made famous in John P. Kennedy’s book, Horse Shoe Robinson.  It was placed on  a two-ton boulder erected in the parkway of Victoria Avenue (now College Drive).

The boulder was a huge stone taken from Draytonville Mountain (Gilkey Mountain) and was presented to the chapter by D. B. Wood of Gaffney, S. C.  Transportation of the boulder from Draytonville to its resting-place was accomplished through the courtesy and assistance of J. H. Curry and E. Wright Jolly, Cherokee County Supervisor.

Members of the chapter who were active in making arrangements included: Mrs. J. C. Jefferies, the regent; Mrs. W. J. Wilkins, vice regent; miss Mayme Jefferies, historian and chairman of the marking committee; Mrs. Eliza Carson, treasurer; Mrs. Pratt Pierson, registrar; and Mrs. B. R. Brown.

Dr. R. C. Granberry (president of Limestone College) delivered an address in which he said: ‘The book, Horseshoe Robinson, recites a delightful love story based upon historical facts which we have reason to believe are accurate.

In this volume we catch the stalwart spirit of the days of 1780, and we also look upon an accurate picture of life in this general section during that interesting period in the history of our country.’”

(The Gaffney Ledger, October 24 & October 31, 1925.)

 

The marker was moved several years ago to the side of College Drive (formerly Victoria Avenue) and placed in the Oakland cemetery.

The Gaffney Ledger of October 26, 1925, states: “The Dogwood Springs were a short distance east of Victoria Avenue, in the rear of the residence of R. O. Ballenger.”

There are many critics and few defenders of the book, Horse Shoe Robinson, and that in spite of the fact that Kennedy said: “I have been scrupulous to preserve the utmost historical accuracy in my narrative.”  Many of the book’s critics are James Robertson’s fellow South Carolinians.

One writer speaks of Horse Shoe as a “colorful figure who sprang from the imagination of John Kennedy”.  This writer states that “much of the action is based on actual episodes, Horseshoe and a boy capturing a squad of Scots Regulars by hoodwinking them—a trick actually performed by Samuel Otterson and one other soldier.”

(The Narrative History of Union County, South Carolina by Allan D. Charles, p. 47, first edition.)

 

In Memoirs of Major Joseph McJunkin, Revolutionary Patriot, by Rev. James Hodge Saye, is found the following story of Major Samuel Otterson on p. 41, (limited editon):

“Major Samuel Otterson being on his way to join Morgan at Cowpens, was followed by a few badly mounted volunteers.  Finding on his approach to the place that the battle was begun he determined to halt his men near a cross road, which he knew the enemy would take on the return, and wait either to make prisoners in case of their defeat or to attempt the rescue of our men who might be prisoners in their hands.

It was not long before a considerable body of the British horsemen were discovered in full speed coming down the road.  They appeared evidently to have been defeated.  Major (then Captain) Otterson now proposed to his men to follow the enemy and attempt to make some prisoners, but found only one man willing to join him.

Toward dusk Capt. Otterson and his companion pushed their horses nearer the enemy and when it was dark dashed in among them with a shout, fired their arms and ordered them to surrender.

The darkness prevented the enemy from knowing the number of those by whom they were surprised and they surrendered at once.  They were required to dismount, come forward and deliver up their arms, which they did.  Being all secured and light struck, nothing could exceed the mortification of the British officer in command when he found that he had surrendered to two men.”

This story is a bit exaggerated in comparison with the story Samuel Otterson related in his Pension Application (No. S25344).  “That he with several others about thirty were sent out as spies some days before the engagement at the Cowpens & from some cause did not arrive until the battle was over but in his attempt with the party under his command to regain Morgan’s army he learned the defeat & retreat of Tarleton & his forces & pursued about a hundred of them in their retreat until night at which period all of his men had fallen off by their horses giving out except ten men when we overtook the enemy & killed one, took twenty two white prisoners & twenty seven negroes, sixty head of horses, 14 swords & 14 braces of pistols.”

Horse Shoe captured four Scotsmen and an ensign with a boy while Samuel Otterson captured twenty-two British with ten soldiers.  This writer does not think that these two stories are comparative.   Kennedy states that the story of Horse Shoe’s capture of the Scots was a true story.

In the book, Kings Mountain And Its Heroes, by Lyman C. Draper he tells the story of Samuel Clowney and a negro, Paul, who captured five Tories at Kelso’s Creek about five miles from Cedar Springs near Spartanburg, S. C. (See page 137).

Samuel Clowney was serving in the Spartan Regiment under Col. John Thomas at this time (before the Siege of Charleston).  James (Horse Shoe) Robertson was serving with the Continental forces in the low country until their defeat at Charleston in 1780, and would not likely have known about Clowney’s capture of the five men.

If Samuel Otterson and Samuel Clowney could use similar tactics to capture British soldiers and Tories, why is it not possible that Horse Shoe used the same tactic?

In an article entitled, Horse Shoe Robinson Revisited, Robert J. Stevens wrote: “It is important to take careful note of the fact that Robertson mentioned nothing remotely connected to any of the facts presented in Horse Shoe Robinson.”  Apparently, he failed to read the first chapter concerning their surrender in Charleston on May 12th, 1780; the story of Horse Shoe’s escape; and information concerning Col. Charles Pinckney.

Stevens wrote: “By his own sworn statement, he was in Charleston during the time of many of the events in which he was named in the book.”  Again, he failed to read the first sentence of the book, “It was about two o’clock in the afternoon of a day towards the end of July, 1780…”

If Horse Shoe was imprisoned May 12th, 1780, his escape would have occurred about June 12th.  “It was a little over two months,” said Robinson, “since I got away from them devils…” This statement would also have placed the time frame at the end of July.  The events in the book would have occurred after his escape and through the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Stevens also wrote: “Logan had actually known Horseshoe Robinson and had accompanied him on a trip to Alabama in 1822.”

There is a quote in Logan’s History of the Upper Country of South Carolina that states: “I became acquainted with Horse Shoe Robinson who lived on a farm called Horse Shoe…I traveled many hundred miles with him about the year 1825.”

This is actually the words of Alexander Shaw who traveled with Horse Shoe to Alabama.  John Henry Logan was born in Abbeville District, S. C., on November 5, 1822, and it would have been impossible for Logan to have traveled with Horse Shoe.

(The Bulletin, Chester District Genealogical Society, Vol. XVII, December 1993, Number 4, “Horse Shoe Robinson” Revisited, by  Robert J. Stevens.)

 

Thomas W. Christopher, in his article, What Happened to Horseshoe Robinson?, wrote:

“James Robertson called, Horseshoe, was a live person, flesh and bone.  The evidence is beyond question.

His name and memory have been followed with much hard luck and with a flow of unfavorable (and undeserved) articles and reviews and indeed with flawed scholarship.

A virtual campaign has been in progress in the last several decades to demote the character, Horseshoe, in the novel from a leading role as a hero and a dominant figure to that of a faceless walk-on.

There is an assertion that the ex-soldier had little or no input in the novel, a harsh claim that is not justified, for it is clear that James Robertson in person, his war tales and experiences, and his charisma and image made substantial contributions to and was centrally important for the novel.”

John P. Kennedy penned a letter to a friend and fellow novelist, Gilmore Simms, in 1852: “I have given a little personal adventure in the introduction…which is a true history of my acquaintance with the Hero.”

“It seems both reasonable and logical to accept the claim by Mr. Kennedy that he made important use of the tales and war experiences he had heard from or about James Robertson.  The tangible evidence and ordinary reasoning go that way.  To take the other choice is to accuse author Kennedy, poet Alexander Meek, James Robertson, Mr. (Alexander) Shaw, and a multitude of Horseshoe’s neighbors of playing with a web of deceit and untruth.

Mary Musgrove is an important character in the novel, with the feminine lead, so to speak.  And as with Horseshoe, it is now asserted that she is pure fiction, created by the author.  ‘Horseshoe is the constant associate of the fictitious character Mary Musgrove…the author’s creation.’

This assertion that Mary Musgrove was a creation of the novelist is erroneous; the facts are easily available.  There was a miller’s daughter by the name of Mary Musgrove, and she appears to have been a remarkable person, a supporter of the Whigs, and she lived in the middle of the war activities out from Cross Anchor.

Edward Musgrove, Mary’s father, a magistrate and an important person in the community, operated a grist mill, naturally known as Musgrove’s Mill, on the South side of Enoree River, between Cross Anchor and Clinton, South Carolina.  He died at the age of 76 around 1792 (1790).”

(A copy of his last will, dated August 25, 1790, is on record in the Laurens County, S. C. Court House, Will Book A-1, pp. 28-29.)

 

*See What Happened to Horseshoe Robinson? by Thomas W. Christopher, published in The South Carolina Review, Vol. 28, p. 73, Fall 1955; and Kennedy’s Horse Shoe Robinson: Fact or Fiction?, American Literature,  Vol. IV, pp. 160-166, March 1932—January 1933 by J. R. Moore.

The Reverend J. W. Daniel in an article entitled Horse Shoe Robinson published in Southern Christian Advocate (page and date not given) wrote:  “The book is a classic and ought to be in every home in Piedmont Carolina; yet it may be doubted that fifty copies could be found in all the counties of South Carolina.

A Marylander wrote it, and the facts worked into the plan were confirmed by Thomas P. Clinton, an Alabamian.  The old hero had lived one-third of a century on the soil of Carolina unnoticed except by the legislature which donated to him the tract of land lying close up to the Blue Ridge, as a recognition of his daring deeds in the winning of independence.

Shame on the people who were the beneficiaries of the heritage he helped so heroically to win for them, that they have not cherished the memory of the uncultured old patriot and that some South Carolinian, himself, did not record his thrilling deeds in the histories of our commonwealth.”

James and Sarah Morris Headen Robertson had seven children:

1. David Robertson.  He was born August 20, 1784, while the family lived in the Thicketty Creek area of what is now Cherokee County, S. C.  He married Sarah W. Thomas on July 12, 1810, after the family had moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina.  She was born November 15, 1792, in Franklin County, Georgia.  They had five  sons and one daughter.

He died February 4, 1853, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, and was buried in the Robertson Cemetery in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  She died July 21, 1870, in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, and was buried in an unknown Caradine Cemetery, Clay County, Mississippi.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Keller—Lorance—Hardman—Robertson—Aycock, ID: 10849, David Robertson; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: William L. Braziel Family, ID: 1560735928, Sarah (Sallie) W. Thomas.)

 

2. John Robertson was born in 1788, in the Thicketty Creek area of South Carolina.  He married Celia Harrison, daughter of John and Naomi ? Harrison, circa 1811, while the family lived in Pendleton District, S. C.  She was born in 1794.  They had six sons and three daughters.

He died in 1872, in Romulus, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, and she died in Romulus in 1873.  They were buried at the original site of the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Romulus, Alabama, about 12 miles west of Tuscaloosa.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: CA Love Tree, ID: 1437, John Robertson; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Robertson, ID: 1792, Celia Harrison; A Collection of Upper South Carolina Genealogical & Family Records, Vol. I, Rev. S. Emmett Lucas.)

 

3. William Robertson was born December 16, 1794, in Pendleton District, S. C.  He married Jane (Jennie) Clemmons on June 3, 1819, in Pendleton District.  She was born in Georgia, on May 26, 1803.  They had four sons and two daughters.

Jane died August 15, 1853, and he was remarried to Sarah Arnett on June 18, 1860. He died November 11, 1861, in Romulus, Alabama.  He and his first wife were buried in the Robertson Cemetery, Romulus, Alabama.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Before Me, ID:112224, William Robertson;  RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Before Me, ID: 112372, Contact Kathy Carroll, Jane (Jennie) Clemmons; Ancestry.com—William Robertson; Family Tree Maker—Descendants of James Robertson–Internet.)

 

4. Sarah Elizabeth Robertson was born in 1795, in Pendleton District, S. C.  She married William Dunlap in Pendleton District.  He was born in 1795.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: 24505, ID: 11448, Contact: Carolyn Henderson, Sarah Elizabeth Robertson.)

 

5. Abner Robertson was born in 1797, in Pendleton District, S. C.  He married Sarah ? in Pendleton District.  She was born circa 1800.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Harley Bennett, ID: 1506457151, Abner Robertson;  RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: 24505, ID: 11456, Contact Carolyn Henderson, Sarah.)

 

6. James Robertson was born December 16, 1799, in Pendleton District, S. C.  He married Mary Louisa Holland on November 14, 1825, after the family had moved to Alabama.  She was born November 29, 1805.  They had three sons and two daughters.

She died in 1868, and he married Sarah A.  He died November 23, 1873.  James and Mary were buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in West Point, Mississippi.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: All the Info Tree, ID: 14421, Contact Michael Cressler, James Robertson; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: All the Info Tree, ID: 14547, Mary Holland; Family Tree Maker—Descendants of James Robertson—Internet.)

 

7. Thomas Robertson was born circa 1801, in Pendleton District, S. C.  He died in November of 1850, in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project:  William L. Braziel Family, ID: 1560735933, Thomas Robertson.)

 

David, John, William and Abner Robertson with William Dunlap sold James Robertson’s Tuscaloosa County lands to James Robertson, Jr. on July 7, 1838, for $3,350.00.  There was ½ acre reserved for a cemetery.

(Deed Book O, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.)

 

James (Horse Shoe) Robertson spent more than fifty years of his life as a resident of South Carolina.  However, there is not one Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and not one Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in this state named for him.

The West Point Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Mississippi and the Sons of the American Revolution in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, were named for him.

Thomas Christopher wrote that he had a burning curiosity and a vague urge that kept him searching, looking for an old soldier from the American Revolution and his memory.

This writer has felt the same way as he has spent many hours in research and writing, seeking to give a truer account of the life of James Robertson and the book, Horse Shoe Robinson.

The following tribute to “Horseshoe Robinson” was extracted from a poem, entitled ‘The Day of Freedom,’ by Alexander B. Meek, and delivered as an oration at Tuscaloosa on the 4th of July, 1838:

“Valoriously He bore himself, and with his youthful arms Chivalrous deeds performed, which in a land of legendary lore had placed his name, Embalmed in song, beside the hallowed ones of Douglass and Percy; not unsung Entirely his fame.

Romance has wreathed With flowering fingers, and with wizard art That hangs the votive chaplet on the heart, His story, mid her fictions, and hath given His name and deeds to after times.

When last This trophied anniversary came round And called Columbia’s patriot children out To greet its advent, the old man was here, Serenely smiling as the autumn sun Just dripping down the golden west to seek His evening couch.

Few months agone I saw Him in his quiet home, with all around Its wishes could demand—and by his side ‘The loved companion of his youthful years’—This singing maiden of his boyhood’s time; She had cheered him with her smiles when clouds Were o’er his country’s prospects; who had trod In sun and shade, life’s devious path with him, And whom kind Heaven had still preserved to bless, With all the fullness of material wealth, The mellowing afternoon of his decline.

Where are they now?—the old man and his wife?  Alas! The broadening sun sets in the night, The ripening shock falls on the reaper’s arm; The lingering guest must leave the hall at last; The music ceases when the feast is done; The old man and his wife are gone, From earth, Have passed in peace to heaven; and summer’s flowers, Beneath the light of this triumphant day, Luxurious sweets are shedding o’er The unsculptured grave of ‘Hoseshoe Robinson.’”

(Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama by Thomas M. Owen, pp. 101-102.)