A Summary of the Research
Notes on the Donaldson and
Gallman and Geiger Families
Genealogy and Family History by Elizabeth Reed of
Lucerne Valley, CA and Sally Emerson of La Canada, CA
Military History and Local History with some Genealogy,
by Nancy Poquette of Monterey, CA
The genealogy background of Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson:
Betty Reed’s husband, Troy Reed is a past president of the Southern California
Genealogy Society. Both Troy and Betty have spent a few years on the Board of
Directors of the same organization, and she has been a volunteer librarian at the same for
several years. She has spent 40 years researching our many families, which were in the
colonies by the time of the American Revolution.
Sally Emerson, her sister (and both of them my aunts) has a library technician
degree from Pasadena City College. She has been a volunteer librarian at the Southern
California Genealogy Society for 9 years, as of this summary (October 2004), and
serving on the Board of Directors as well. Although she says it isn’t relevant to genealogy
research, I want to add that she is a past regent of the Don Jose Verdugo chapter of the
DAR.
I am a recent newcomer (5 years as of October 2004) to genealogy, and have had
one book published by the Iowa County Historical Society of Wisconsin, The GoodaleTyrer Families in North America. I am a graduate of the University of Southern
California, 1970-1974, and performed 2 years of graduate study at Texas A & M
University, 1975-1976.
Sally Emerson may be reached by email at sme@1stnetusa.com and Elizabeth
Reed may be reached at reedtb@sisp.net.
Compiled by Nancy Poquette
433 Casa Verde Way, Apt. 110
Monterey, CA 93940
npoq@hotmail.com
Updated Oct. 15, 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANS JACOB GALLMAN and VERENA STAHELI
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HERMAN GEIGER and ELSBETH HABLUZEL -
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12
Indian Affairs and the Saxegotha colonists -
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HEINRICH GALLMAN in the French and Indian Wars
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56
The Cherokee War
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76
HEINRICH [HENRY] GALLMAN and ELSBETH GEIGER
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102
The American Revolution and the Gallman, Sellers, Donaldson Families -
118
The Legend of Emily Geiger -
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208
GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMINA SELLARS GALLMAN
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211
DAVID DONALDSON and ELIZABETH GALLMAN
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214
JOSEPH DONALDSON ands NANCY BEARD
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230
SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON
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281
Appendix-Family of HANS JACOB GALLMAN
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Appendix-Family of HANS JACOB GEIGER
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Appendix-Family of HERMAN GEIGER
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Appendix-Family of HEINRICH GALLMAN
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Appendix-Family of GASPAR GALLMAN -
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Appendix-Donaldsons-
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Appendix-Family of SOVEREIGN DONALDSON -
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Appendix-Family of JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON
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Appendix-Family of SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON
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Appendix-Family of DAVID DONALDSON, Sr
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Appendix-John Donaldson
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Appendix-The Alabama 33rd Infantry, Company A -
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Appendix-Pension Applications-Howell Sellars
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349
A Summary of the Research Notes on the Donaldson and Gallman Families
Preface
This report has been formatted to address the interests of two sets of descendants
of the DONALDSON, GEIGER and GALLMAN families. The first group includes
those who are mildly interested in their family history, and only want to read the story,
without being bothered by the proofs and documentation, which admittedly distract the
casual reader. The second group of readers are those with a more scholarly interest who
want the proofs and documentation, with every source cited back to the original sources,
to prove to themselves that this story is valid. The manner in which this researcher shall
attempt to do this is to present the story in the body of this text, and then use large
appendices to provide the documentation and proofs, or sources that were found. As of
this writing, only the material which pertains to our narrow branch of the family will be
presented, without trying to build the case for the entire genealogy of the
DONALDSON, GEIGER and GALLMAN families.
This researcher acknowledges the flawed format and presentation of the material.
It is not the intent to present this as a completed work, however, having received enough
piecemeal requests for data on this branch, or a detail on that person, it seemed
reasonable to turn the notes into a somewhat presentable form, encompassing everything
so far learned about these families, so that every inquiry could be satisfied with the fullest
story.
These are only this researcher’s notes collated together in chronological order,
and are not ready to publish for the general public. Most genealogies are too dry for this
researcher’s taste, containing only the ‘begats.’ (For the younger generations: this phrase
is borrowed from the Bible: “and Adam begat Cain and Able…”). The reader should
benefit from this exploration of the hard-to-find and rare sources, and also from the most
recent researcher/writers’ works, to give our family a true sense of the history our
ancestors experienced in their own lives.
In most of the early genealogies, the writers would skip forward and backward in
the chronology of events, making it more difficult for the reader to maintain the train of
thought relating to a line of descent. It is already a demanding task trying to separate the
generations when it was the custom of the time to name the one’s offspring after oneself
and one’s parents, without also finding the story jumping back to cover a previous decade
or century. Of course, the goal of writing it all in chronological order is much easier to
implement when writing the text on a computer word program. The writer can insert
newly uncovered data in the correct order with ease.
These notes make heavy use of verbatim quotation of the original source material,
whenever it is available. It should also be emphasized to the reader that when quotation
marks are used, this researcher’s own thoughts are not being offered, but another writer’s
thoughts are. In sharing this document with others, this researcher has sometimes been
4
complimented on how well the historical texts are written, and am concerned that the
original source be credited with that compliment. Primary and secondary quotations are
always introduced first with the source from which they are quoted followed by enclosing
in quotation marks to constantly remind that this material is not this researcher’s original
writing. When the standard type switches to italics (or vice versa), it because this
researcher is switching from the voice of the source, to her own thoughts expressed. As
much as is possible, it is preferable to allow the reader to become acquainted with the
primary and secondary source materials. If ever this researcher writes this family’s story
for a more general audience, then this document can be the source to refer all inquiries
for proofs.
In a previous presentation, this researcher attempted to retain the original spelling
from the original documents. This will not be done here. The original spelling is usually
not that of the speaker, but of the court clerk taking dictation. When a person speaks, he
does not think about how his words are spelled as he speaks them. Readers today are
accustomed to standardized spelling, and trying to understand the thoughts presented is
difficult enough simply from the old-fashioned phraseology, without further hampering
understanding with the erratic spelling.
There are so many more documents to be explored before a so-called ‘final’
version can be written, and this researcher is not yet ready to write the ‘final’ version.
The problem with this is that far too many genealogists use this as the excuse for never
writing up their data at all, and the years of gathering material are essentially lost to
future generations, who must cover the same ground, plowing the same furrow, instead of
building upon the previous foundations, and without signposts to direct the line of inquiry
to new sources.
Because this is a working document, and for the benefit of other researchers
‘signposts’ have been included, directing the attention to worthwhile lines of inquiry and
new sources to explore. For example, _______________________________________.
Without pursuing this line of inquiry, it will be impossible to know whether this
speculation is right or wrong. Those pursuing this line of inquiry will need to investigate
________________________ However, it is important for the reader to remember, that
these are only advanced as speculations, and they should not be quoted as facts in the
reader/researcher’s own writings.
I have no doubt that the reader will be able to spot errors. Sometimes it is
necessary to work from sources that are secondary because the primary sources are not
available. For example, _________________________________________________
This researcher has also used data from the Internet, but mostly concerning branches that
she would otherwise not have access to. At least this does give the descendants of those
branches a starting point to work from, and if they are wrong, it will give a sense of
satisfaction to those who can prove me wrong!, and I do expect to be proven wrong
without too much ego or pride, I hope. That is the nature of research.
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If you are more than just a casual reader, and would like to be a researcher as
well, please allow me to make a suggestion. From the very beginning, type up your notes,
and insert your new bits and pieces in the proper chronological order. Add notes to
yourself, when you find that you have a loose end that you would like to follow up on.
When you are ready to go on a research outing, print your text for yourself to take along,
and have it bound with a coil binding, or any binding. Highlight the portions of your text,
with a highlighter, the notes that you intended to follow-up on. This seemingly irrelevant
procedure will allow you to travel lightly, without all of your binders of photocopies of
original documents. If you typed it in, you know you have the ‘original’ copy at home.
Having this printed copy with you also impresses the libraries that you visit, that
your work is special, that you are a dedicated worker, and not just ‘all talk’ They are even
likely to ask you for photocopies before you leave. “The-bird-in-the-hand-is-worth-twoin-the-bush” as the saying goes!
Well, it is time to allow the reader to “get on with it!” I hope you find this work
worthwhile.
Nancy Poquette
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[In our family, DAVID DONALDSON married ELIZABETH GALLMAN, who
was the daughter of American Revolution patriot GASPAR GALLMAN, who was the
son of HEINRICH GALLMAN, mentioned in the letter below, and whose father HANS
JACOB GALLMAN, was the writer of the letter. From DAVID DONALDSON, we are
descended by his son, SOVRIGN DONALDSON, his son, JOSEPH SEPHUS
DONALDSON, his daughter, SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON and then to MELVIN
CLARENCE DONALDSON.
This letter was provided to me by my aunts, Elizabeth Reed of Lucerne Valley, CA
and Sally Emerson of La Canada:
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HANS JACOB GALLMAN and VERENA STEHELI
From Palmetto Connections, JACOB GALLMAN FAMILY-Contributed by
Harriet Imrey:
Jakob Gallmann was christened on 23 August 1674 in Mettmenstetten, Zürich. He was
the son of schoolmaster Hans Gallmann (1651-1725) and Elsbetha Dubbs (1648-1709).
On 28 October 1696, he married Verena Staheli (Stähli) in Mettmenstetten, where all
their children were born. He died in Saxegotha SC on 20 October 1738. [Source-Records
from Mettmenstetten parish collected by Thurman and Tom Gallman; dates confirmed or
corrected from Schelbert, op. cit.]
From: Hinke, William John. A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge,
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727-1818). Part XXIX of a Narrative and Critical
History Prepared at the Request of the Pennsylvania-German Society. Lancaster PA:
1920. Chapter III, pp. 96-111.
http://pages.prodigy.net/reed_wurts/ships/gvcustom.htm
“The family of immigrant Jacob Gallman lived in Mettmenstetten, canton
Zürich, Switzerland. In 1734, they joined a large emigration-party led by de-frocked
pastor Moritz Göttschi, with the intent of settling in Carolina. Despite the disapproval of
local authorities, and highly-negative press coverage, the group left Zürich on 4 October
1734; they soon discovered that Göttschi had not arranged for the boats to carry them
down the Rhine from Basel. A group of 31, including the Gallman family, left the main
group to go overland across France and make their own arrangements for getting to
Carolina. The group that remained with Göttschi suffered further delays and unexpected
expenses, finally arrived at Philadelphia, not Charleston, on 28 May 1735. Pastor
Göttschi died on the day of arrival.”
“Most of the breakaway group reached their intended destination of Carolina.
They arrived on the ship ‘William’ on 7 February 1735, per Jacob Gallman’s letter of
1738 describing the trip. Like most Swiss, he used the new Gregorian calendar. The
equivalent English date, under the old Julian calendar, was 28 January 1734. The journal
of the Upper House of Assembly of the Province of Carolina records a resolution on 6
February 1734 to pay the passage of those new arrivals who could not afford the fare,
and had not traveled as indentured servants. On the next day, the journal listed the 19
Swissers whose fares were to be covered, including the 10 members of the Gallman
party. The immigrants were sent to settle the newly-opened interior country at Saxegotha
(modern Lexington County, SC), location of an Indian trading-post and a small fort to
protect the trade goods.”
”Some individual traders had established residence in the back-country before 1735,
but this group of Swiss families was the first official colony of settlers in Orangeburgh
District. A plat of 350 acres was surveyed for Jacob Colerman [sic], his wife, and the
five youngest children on 2 February 1735/6, granted on 17 September 1736. Eldest son
Hans Heinrich also had a separate 50-acre tract surveyed on 7 February 1735/6 for
“John Coleman”, granted on 16 September 1738. [The most convenient source for
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verifying dates of plats and grants is through the search engine of the South Carolina
Department of Archives and History, at www.archivesindex.sc.gov]”
“The other members of Jacob Gallman’s party were daughter Anna and her
husband Heinrich Buchman. Both became ill of a fever and died in September 1735,
before there was time to survey any land for them. [Schelbert, Leo. America
Experienced: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Accounts of Swiss Immigrants to the
United States. Camden ME: Picton Press, 1996. Pp. 58-9, 64-70.]”
“I. Rudolf Gallman, born 28 October 1698. He was a soldier in France when the family
emigrated. He visited Saxegotha in 1769, when attempting to claim his father’s
inheritance as eldest son. He may be the Hans Rudolph Gallman who arrived in
Philadelphia on 11 September 1749 on the ship Priscilla.”
“II. Vroni [Verena] Gallman, born 21 April 1700. She married a Gallman, remained in
Switzerland.”
“III. Anneli [Anna] Gallman, born 22 April 1701, married Hans Ulrich Einiger,
remained in Switzerland.”
“IV. Anna [a second Anna] Gallman, born 31 August 1704, died September 1735 in
Saxegotha; married Heinrich Buchman of Dachlesen, Mettmenstetten, Zürich, who also
died September 1735 in Saxegotha.”
“V. Hans Heinrich [called Heini] Gallman, born 7 March 1705/6, married an
immigrant from the Rheintal in 1737, sister to his brother Heinrich’s wife. The sisters
are necessarily daughters of Hans Jacob Geiger, because all of the Rheintaler
immigrants of 1737 arrived in a single party, and their identities are known from
correspondence about the voyage of the ‘Prince of Wales’ and from 1737 land records.
Hans Jacob Geiger was the only person who had two or more unmarried daughters of
marriageable age who cannot be proven to have married other people. [At a time of no
vital records, few surviving parish books, and rare mentions of female names on legal
transactions, it is usually not feasible to locate primary-source documentation of early
marriages. A surviving spouse named on a will is often not the first wife, or the mother
of all—or any—of the children. In those cases, the advice of Sherlock Holmes in The
Sign of the Four becomes relevant: “Eliminate all other factors, and the one which
remains must be the truth.]”
“In addition, the Gallmans and Geigers lived next door to one another, witnessed
each other’s deeds and wills…and even loaned one another money. Candidates for the
wife (assuming he married the older one) are Anna Catharina (christened 17 November
1711) and Maria Barbara (christened 25 February 1715). [Parish records from
Diepoldsau, Au (currently in Unterreinthal district of St. Gall canton) collected by Anne
Connell.]”
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“Hans Heinrich died between 1740, when he signed a petition, and 1750, by
which time his younger brother Heinrich was the oldest son and heir to the Jacob
Gallman estate.”
“VI. Heinrich [a second Hans Heinrich, called Heiri, Harry and Henry] Gallman, born
24 November 1709, died 1767 in Saxegotha (will signed 25 December 1765, proved 19
February 1768). He married a Rheintaler immigrant in 1737—presumably a daughter of
Hans Jacob Geiger (either Maria Barbara, christened 25 February 1715, or Wybehrt,
christened 25 September 1718). They had a son by September 1738. He had a total of 7
living children by November 1749, when he petitioned for a land grant based on his
family-right. [The text of petitions is available from records of the Council Journals at
SCDAH. A more useable source is Holcomb, Brent H. Petitions for Land from the
South Carolina Council Journals, Volumes I-VII (1734/5-1774). Columbia SC: SCMAR:
1996-1999.] The youngest child, Gasper [Caspar], was born in 1749, per his
Revolutionary War records.”
“VII. Elssbeth Gallman, born 3 April 1711, married Jacob Spuhel/Spuchel (born ~1780,
died aft. 1752) from Thurgau, Switzerland. The Spuhel family had three living children
as of November 1744. The last date at which Jacob Spuhel is known to be living is
March 1752, when Henry Gallman presented a petition for reimbursement on behalf of
Jacob Spell, “near 70 years of age”. Surviving children, if any, are not documented. In
1770, a lawsuit was filed against Jacob Spaul and Harman Gallman (3rd son of Henry
Gallman), among other defendants. A Jacob Spiel submitted a claim for service to the
Revolutionary War.”
“VIII. Hanss/John Gallman, born 1 March 1716, will signed 22 April 1758 in
Saxegotha (no probate date, taxes on estate paid in 1761), married 1) a sister of Herman
Geiger. This may have been the youngest daughter of Hans Jacob Geiger, Margretha
(christened 26 April 1724), but her name was not recorded. The 1751 will of Herman
Geiger (oldest son of Hans Jacob Geiger) identified his executor John Gallman as his
brother-in-law. He married 2) the widow of Herman Geiger, Elizabeth Habluzel. She
is identified as his wife as of 1752, per a deed recorded in Book S-5, pp. 23-26, re: a
property transaction on 17 & 18 April 1774. He married 3) Margaret ___, named as the
widow on his will. Widow Margretha Gallman married Jacob Faust, son of Henry Faust.
John Gallman was working as a tanner in 1738, and was the only child of Jacob
Gallman who had not married by the time of his letter to Switzerland. By January
1747/8, John had 4 children, per his petition for land (indexed under “John Gowman”,
but identifiable as John Gallman per acreage, length-of-residence in province, and same
location/neighbors as the land described in his will). In April 1758, John had two living
sons and an unspecified number of daughters. His residence on 100 acres of his father’s
land-grant, SW of the Congaree River, was left to oldest son John. The 300 acres across
the Congaree was left to second-son Jacob, but to be shared with the child Margaret was
expecting in 1758 ‘Should the child be a boy’. The child was a boy (Henry), and he
received his share of the estate.”
Children:
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“John Gallman, died childless before 1771 (Jacob inherited the property).
John Jacob Gallman, on 1778-79 Jury List for Saxegotha; 1790 census lists 2 free
white males aged 16+, 1 male <16, 4 females, 1 slave; in Lexington census
district 558 in 1800.
Unnamed Gallman daughters.
Henry Gallman, born 1758; Camden County will signed 14 August 1780, proved
5 May 1783; estate to mother Margaret and the Faust step-siblings.”
“IX. Anna Barbara Gallman, born 18 January 1718, married “an Irishman” in
Saxegotha, had a son; married “Eunicher” by 1738; married John Frymouth/Freymouth.
The first husband was probably James Hopkins, who purchased 150 acres of the Jacob
Gallman tract in 1737. John Freymouth was guardian to a child named James Hopkins
and lived with Anna Barbara on the land purchased by Hopkins in 1737. The younger
James died in childhood, and his land-right was deeded to John Frymouth by 1768, when
Frymouth paid taxes on it in his own name. The probable identity of Frymouth’s ward
James Hopkins is Anna Barbara’s son by her first marriage. The word “Eunicher” in
Jacob Gallman’s letter may be his phonetic spelling of “Junker”, describing a member
of the military (or mercantile) nobility. A Prussian Freimuth family carried Junker
status. The Frymouths are not present in extant SC land records until 1749, but an arrival
in the 1730’s cannot be ruled out—especially if a new immigrant promptly married a
young widow with her own land. John Freymouth was listed on John Gallman’s 1758
will as being his brother-in-law.”
The source of the following letter is the State Archives of South Carolina, and
posted on the website www.netside.com/genealogy/gallman.shtml
Source: jeffries@netside.com or Gene Jeffries, 30 Eastgrove Ct, Columbia, SC 29212
phone (803)-732-1320 as of 05/20/98
HANS JACOB GALLMAN was born in Switzerland. He married VERENA
STAHELI on October 10, 1698 in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland. VERENA died before
1734. HANS died October 20, 1738 in Saxe Gotha, Berkeley County, SC. Below is a
translation of a letter from HANS JACOB GALLMAN to his family in Switzerland.
“From Karolina God’s protection and mercy.
First my friendly regards and wishes for all the best, my very honored Godfather, Major
Walti and Godmother, your honored wife, also your dear sons and daughters. I cannot fail
to write you an answer that we are still hale and hearty, thanks to God’s loving grace. To
hear the same from you will give us great pleasure. Besides, I ask you very kindly to
report to us again about my daughter’s husband Gallman and my daughter’s husband
Ulrich Biniger [Einiger] from Utikon, same (about) my beloved brother ?Hans Jacob
Gallman?, and sister Rudi Jagi, same (about) all good friends and acquaintances, and the
whole neighborhood and parish.”
“It is now one and a half years ago that I have written to you and received no
answer, therefore I will report again how we fared on the journey. We traveled with
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Pastor Gottschi from Zurich to Bassel, in which place we stayed four days and did not
know when Gottschi would get a ship. Then 28 persons of us joined together and got a
passport from Bassel, also a passport from the commander of Hunnigen. Then we got into
France on foot, traveled through in what we would have to pay for ship’s fare, also could
travel free and safe, had three weeks and three days to Cali [Calais]. There, we met a
Londoner ship’s captain. He contracted us on his ship, and each person had to pay 1
thaler up to London, but we had to stay in Calais eight days until his ship was loaded with
wine. Then we set one and a half days and two nights until we got London, where we had
to stay 8 days.”
“Then the governor called me and my family to the castle and gave us a splendid
meal, and when that had been eaten, his servant had to guide us to the armory. Then we
saw something artful such as I had never seen in my life. Then we contracted for another
ship, and each person had to pay 5 guinea travel to Carlistath (Charleston) and the
persons that cannot pay must serve for it. One Guinea is 8 pounds and 1 pound is as much
as 20 Swiss batzes. One must serve 4 years for it.”
“And so we went on the ship in God’s name, and safely set out, from London and
from the English coast, and got on the high seas where it was very warm, so we had to
take off our coats and camisoles until we got to Braffeidenz (Providence), and had to ride
nine weeks. During that time we saw no land and met up with only one single ship which
came from Africa. During that time we suffered considerable wind such as to break the
rear mast in two, but no harm was done to the ship and we were lucky all along.”
“Up to Braffeidenz [Providence], we had several soldiers along that sailed with
us. Braffeidenz is a pass where the Spaniards have to pay a large toll. Braffeidenz is not
fertile land because every year the sea throws off salt and leaves it there two times a year.
Braffeidenz lies straight under the sun, where it is very hot. We stayed there eight days
because things had to be taken on. Our ship was filled with Brazil-wood. Carlistath
(Charleston) is 150 hours from Braffeidenz.”
“We had another 8 days to Carlistath (Charleston) and arrived at Charleston the
7 day of Hornung (February), the 1735th year. Thus our travel took 11 weeks from
London to Charleston, but we took a rather round about way because we had to go to
Braffeidenz. Then we were supplied with new provisions; meat rice and salt, and a
special kind of potato the likes of which are grown all over the country, and which
gentlemen and farmers like to eat. After three weeks, we were taken to Ganganlist
(Congaree), 50 hours to the north of Carlistath (Charleston). There, they gave each
person axes and hoes, in the town of Farziganten (Saxegotha), one half acre of land for to
have houses and garden in town; after that 30 acres land for each person, men and
women, and that for ten years free. Provisions they give enough for one year. By that
time you can grow your own, so you do not suffer want at any time. When the ten years
are over, field rent and head taxes on one hundred acres comes to less that 4R (?).”
th
“We were given an exceedingly beautiful place only half an hour from town. The
whole farm is garden-like ground. It is a good four and a half hundred acres in one piece,
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all black-brown earth, nary a rock, all even land, no breaks. I have given five acres land
to each of the children, but Heini has 150 acres in one piece. Heiri, too has 100 acres in
one piece, doesn’t know yet how much he will get; Hans too has 100 acres in one piece.”
“My children are all married, all except Hans, he still serves and gets 9 lbs a
month. He tans deerskins. Heiri lives with me and has a wife from the Rhienthal, and a
little son. HEINNI has Heiri’s wife’s sister. He lives on his farm and is doing well. He
has 5 cows, milk and butter he has enough. I and Heiri have 14 cattle, cows, and others
more, three horses, more than 20 pigs, bread and milk and butter, we have enough. We
can slaughter 2 fat oxen (when) we want to, 6 pigs besides, so in winter we have enough
meat for every day and in summer we have some too.”
“Elsebeth is married to master Jacob Schall (Spuhel) from Targau (Thurgau) and
lives in town. He has his farmland near the town and lives well, has 4 cows, is able to
have more if he wants to. He had a little daughter that died. Annabeli has already another
husband. From the first she has a little son, he was an Irishman. This time she has (a
husband named) Enicher. She comes dressed like our pastor’s daughters. She has 20
head of cattle and many horses, also many pigs. She has three niggers, those are black
people or Moors that one buys. They bring whole ship loads from Africa, and one of
them costs 100 to 200 lbs (depending on how they are), this year are a great many.”
“And so we are doing well, indeed very well, and we owe nobody anything. I
wish that the neighbors that are much in need could all be with us, and especially my
children, Rudelli who is in Holland and Anneli with her husband and children. I
therefore ask very kindly, my dear godfather, that if my brother perchance is not alive
anymore, that you would be so good and report to my son how things are with us. If he
does not wish to be a soldier all his life, that it would be my wish for him to come here.”
“Carolina lies under the sun which makes it very warm. In summertime it is much
warmer than in Switzerland, wherefore it is called South Carolina, but in wintertime
rather cold, but there is no snow and summertime, no hail. The land is real good and
fertile with all kinds of grain. You fell the trees, then you begin to till and sow corn. The
first year you got plenty and good. After that there is wheat, too, then corn again,
everything you wish that you can plant. Round the corn you plant peas and beans,
melons, watermelons, a great number of all sorts plants.”
“If the land is good you begin planting all sorts of grain, barley which turns out
well here, rice is planted here aplenty, and there is a very large trade with r? to Carlistadt
(Charleston) and other places. There are many strawberries, many blackberries, very
many mulberry trees, peach trees in the woods, also many apple and pear trees. They do
not have all of those trees here; some have to be brought in from far away. Cherries there
are too, but we don’t yet have the trees, also very many grapevines, but all which have
small berries like juniper berries, black, make a good wine but are not so easy to get,
grow way up in the tall trees. Also many nut trees, a great many wild nuts so hard they
have to be cracked with an iron mallet. There are countless numbers of oak trees on
which the pigs can fatten themselves.”
13
“They do not have fences here, only where things are planted, every else is left to
itself. Cattle, horses and pigs are left to roam together, no fodder is made, no cattle
herded, not even pigs, no horse is shod, and everyone can have as much livestock as he
wishes or can handle. There are such that have as much as up to 100 or 200 cows, and if
there were 10 times as many, they would all have enough to feed on. There are very
many rabbits in hollow trees, turkey, chickens, ducks, wild geese, in winter also wild
pigeons, turtledoves, bees can also be found in hollow trees.”
“There is a water [river] near our place, it runs down to Carlistadt (Charleston), a
water full of ships and has much and good fish. One does not have to work half as much
here as in Switzerland. When the heat is greatest, one goes in shade under the roof and
lies down to sleep. One also doesn’t walk much, but goes on horseback to see one
another. It is country also very good for the tobacco smokers, each grows it himself. This
country is not at the end of the world, it borders on several other countries such a s
Virgioln (Virginia) and (West) India. That is where a wild people live; much trading is
done with them. These savages live mostly, in part on shooting game.”
“There is much deer here and there, for which reason, many traders ride there
with 20 or 30 horses, right through my pastures, with brandy, also with shot guns,
muskets, lead bullets, belt straps, pouches and deerskins. Many savages come here too,
and shoot game. We (don’t do) anything to them, so neither they to us. When we give
them something, they give meat in return. And so it is that Carolina is good and large.
From here one can also go to (Virginia) by water and by land, it is 100 hours. One can
also get to Pensillfanen (Pennsylvania), is 200 hours by water and by land. I could write
you much more, but must keep it short.”
“We lived in our town Sageigten (Saxe Gotha) and built huts. My daughter’s
husband Heirich Buchman from Tracsler (Dachlesen) had his own little house, worked
hard, liked it here, but both died, one after the other within two days, he and the wife, and
had been sick no more than 5 days. This happened in autumn month (September) 1735th
year. Cousin Heinrich Walder from Knonau left London with us and stayed at Carlistadt (
Charleston) with Naffen (Naf) from Kappel, did not go with us to our beautiful splendid
town of Sageigten (Saxe Gotha) but to Buris Burg (Purysburg), is 100 hours.”
“There would be room for many people, whoever wants can come. It is a real
good country, could almost be compared with Canaan or paradise. Whoever wants to can
come with this man, Master Hans Spring is a very honest man, stands in good credit. If
some people, blacksmiths, shoemakers, came here, they would do well in all trades. They
give to one that does planting 7 and a half Swiss batzes a day, and to people with a trade
they give much more. Flax is doing very well here, it grows a little larger than in
Switzerland. There is also very fine cotton. So one can see that I did well by my children
in having left my fatherland and being here. God be thanked forever. We live under a
good, mild government. The administration is quite favorable to us, which the dear Lord
may save and preserve for us.”
14
“Heiri sends his regards to his godfather and godmother, wishes they were all
here with us. My dear godfather and major, I send a thousand regards to all of you. Please
do not leave the man (Hans Spring) that brings this letter unrewarded. The community of
Mattmenstatten will surely pay for it; give him another letter to take along. Master Hans
Ulrich Stehrli (Scherli from Bandeliken, the blacksmith) is also with us, he too is doing
well. There are all sorts of nations and people here, could write even more. Command all
of you to the care of the Most High and to the care of God.
South Carolina, written in the town of Fassigaden, the 15th of autumn tenth, the
1738 year. JACOB GALLMAN.”
th
“God be with all of us: my friendly regards and well wishes to you, my dear
godfather and godmother Major Walti in Bondler. I cannot fail to send you some good
news that we, through God’s loving grace are still hale and hearty, thanks be to God, but I
also report to you our mourning for our dear late father, because he died on the 20th day
of Wine Month (October) and was abed no more than one day, about which I am very
sad, and we are deeply sorrowful, and he was much mourned by the Germans and the
English, and he has led a praiseworthy life. He had to baptize children and join people in
marriage, for we still have no pastor; and all that is written by my father’s letter is true.”
I do not have anything else to write, you will find it all in my father’s letter,
except I too, send many 1000 regards to my brother Rudolff and my sister Anna and my
brother-in-law, and I and my 2 brothers and sister send many 1000 regards to all our
friends and the whole community, and commend you to God’s care. I ask you to please
write me again whether or not you have received this letter, mine and my father’s.
The 12th of Winter Month (November) from me, 1738th year. Heiri Gallman in
Saxigoten. Jim Gallman.
The writer of the first letter, HANS JACOB GALLMAN who died at the age of
64 in 1738, was the father of the HEINRICH [HEINNI] GALLMAN mentioned above.
HEINRICH lived to the age of 55 years, having died in 1765.
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HANS JACOB GEIGER and ELIZABETH HABLUZEL
From www.rootsweb.com/~scogsgs/origin.htm, the South Carolina Orangeburg County
German Swiss Genealogical Society:
“Rhynthal, Diebolzau, Zurich, Switzerland-HANS JACOB GEIGER [The
History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina by A. S. Salley always refers to this man
as John Jacob Geiger. Hans is used as the German equivalent of ‘John,’ although to this
writer, I thought Johannes was the equivalent to John] was baptized 5 July 1679 in
Wydnau, Dispololsov, St. Gallen, Switzerland. He was a former cantonal governor, who
moved to South Carolina in September 1736. [From the Zurich, Switzerland State
Archives, “Under the village of Wydnau, family no. 15 is entered. The following moved to
Carolina in September 1736. HANS JACOB GYGER, former cantonal governor, born
July 1679. ‘Whom one could not sufficiently honor.’ Margareta Feerin, his wife, born
1664.”] From Trullikon Parish and all four sections of it, since 1734, there was no one
with the intention of going to the new-found land except ELIZABETH HABLUZEL
from Trullikon, who however, first married HANS JACOB GEIGER from the parish
Diebolzau in Rhynthal, on February 26, 1734.”
“He was said to have taken away from his father…according to an understanding
with him, about 800 pounds. From their destination, the man wrote to his poor brother-inlaw and relatives, [as I have seen and read in the letter.-This writer suspects the writer
was Casper Foust, who was the husband of Geiger’s great-granddaughter, Elizabeth],
that he was getting along well. He had plenty of food, and if they wished, they should
come to him. If they could only provide for themselves as far as England, he would, from
there on, pay their passage, but with the provision that they would pay back the outlay
with work. But on my advice they remained, but had not the old sister-in-law died, and if
poverty did not hold them back, I do not know what they would do. Faust, Vol. 1, page
89.
*Arrived Charles Town Feb. 1, 1737, on the ‘Prince of Wales’, Saxe Gotha Township,
grants September 1737.”
From ??The Geigers of South Carolina?? By Percy L. Geiger?? [or South
Carolina Gazette or Family Puzzlers No. 426, 12/18/1975, pp 8-9. I got all this from Lew
Griffin’s Culpepper Connections Family Tree.]
“The years 1734-1744 saw a great exodus from Switzerland to the Carolinas,
especially from the Canton of Zurich. At first, discouragement was used to keep the
people from going, but finally force was used. People could lose their citizenship rights,
property rights, even be imprisoned if they returned from the Carolinas. Those buying
land from people wishing to leave were heavily fined. Some people left secretly, trying to
avoid the heavy emigration tax that was levied. That tax went as high as 10%.”
“HANS JACOB and his sons were among the ‘Third Transport’ of Swiss to
arrive in Charleston. They came on the ship, ‘Prince of Wales’ under Captain George
16
Dunbarr, having sailed from Rotterdam, according to the Carolina Gazette. The Geigers
were followers of the Rev. John Ulrich Giessendanner, and were at odds with another
group who were followers of Tobler. Tobler’s diary, written between February 11 and
March 18, 1737, contains entries concerning ‘Mr. Giessendanner and his adherents,
because they had already caused so much strife on the journey.’ Mentioned were HANS
JACOB GEIGER and his sons, and Abraham Geiger, ‘people from the Rheintal.’”
“The Tobler group split with Giessendanner’s followers over the religious
conflict. Land was set aside by the Governor and Council for the Giessendanner group in
Fredericksburg Township, (Camden area), but Tobler noted in his diary that
Giessendanner did not go there. Within the year (1737), they left Charleston for the
Saxegotha, Orangeburg area.”
I found the following on the internet Ancestry World Tree Project, by entering the
name Abraham Geiger, and this was posted by Jean Mizell: From an article in the South
Carolina Gazette, by Lawton D. Geiger, dated January 29-February 5, 1737, page 2, but
datelined February 5, which reads in part:
“On Tuesday last arrived twelve vessels in this harbor, amongst them…Captain
Dunbarr from Rotterdam with above 200 Switzers out of the canton Tockenburgh, who
are come to settle a township on Savannah River called New Windsor…” Among these
Switzers was John Tobler, born in the canton of Appenzell. His diary, which is available
in the South Carolina Archives, names HANS JACOB GEIGER, Abraham and
HERMAN GEIGER, as being among the ship’s passengers.”
“A dispute developed between Tobler and others who intended to go to New
Windsor on one side, and a group, including the Geigers, who wanted to look elsewhere
for a place to settle. On February 19, 1737, the latter group left for Fredericksburg on the
Wateree River. Two days later the Tobler group left for New Windsor. HANS JACOB
and Abraham Geiger, brothers were both born in Berneck in the canton of St. Gall,
Switzerland [there is conflicting data saying they were born elsewhere].”
“According to Berneck Church records on a microfilm at the Family History
Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, their parents were HANS GYGER, christened 21 June,
1650 in Berneck, and Anna FEERIN. [Most sources name MARGARET FEERIN as
the wife of HANS GYGER.] HANS and Anna were married 18 February, 1877. HANS
JACOB GEIGER was christened July 6, 1679 and his brother Abraham was christened
on March 9, 1687. On February 15, 1716, Abraham Geiger married Catharina Schellig,
who was christened on January 29, 1688 in Berneck. She was the daughter of Hans
Schellig and Verona Kallenburg. The HERMAN GEIGER listed above was the son of
HANS JACOB GEIGER.”
“Apparently, after leaving Charleston, the Geigers did not settle at
Fredericksburg. A few months later they obtained grants in the Saxegotha area of South
Carolina. In September 1737, land grants of 350, 300, and 200 acres on the south side of
the Congaree River were surveyed and certified by the governor on June 5, 1742 for
17
HANS JACOB, Abraham and HERMAN GEIGER. These same names appear on a
number of documents in the Saxegotha area, including a will dated 13 December 1738,
executed by Johannes Shettig, which was witnessed by Abraham and HERMAN.
Johannes Shettig was married to their sister, Elizabeth.”
“HERMAN became well-known locally as an Indian trader prior to his death. In
1958, a dedication ceremony was held for the HERMAN GEIGER Memorial at the old
Geiger Cemetery near Highway 176, about 12 miles south of Columbia, SC. The
program for the ceremony contains much information about HERMAN, his father and
his many descendants, some of whom still lived in the same area. Percy L. Geiger’s book,
Geigers of South Carolina, contains even more information about various line, but most
of it relates to HERMAN’s descendants.”
[From the Ancestry World Tree Project, the page of Jim Pinson posted for John
Geiger gives the directions to the cemetery: “From Dixiana (SW of Columbia) follow
Hwy 21 south about 3 miles to the corner of Old Wire Rd. Turn right (SW) and drive one
mile to ‘G’ markers on the left. The cemetery is approximately six hundred feet from the
road in the woods, in the area of Silver Lake. It is surrounded by coping in a heavily
wooded area. In past years the cemetery has been well tended, but it shows evidence of
neglect in recent months.” Dec. 4, 2003. From the same website, on the page of Jim
Pinson, the following is added: This historic spot is near the line between Calhoun and
Lexington counties, on the Calhoun side, a quarter of a mile west of US Highway 176, on
a county road half-way between Geiger’s store and the county line.]
“Specific information relating to the immigrant Abraham Geiger, seems to end
by 1750. The book refers to an Abraham Geiger listed as head of household in the 1790
census and states that he was ‘probably a son of the immigrant Abraham Geiger.’” [He
was not, he was the son of John (son of HERMAN) and Anna Murff Geiger.]
From the Internet, Ancestry World Tree Project, Mark Freeman has posted the
following primary and secondary source materials:
“‘The following moved to Carolina in September 1736…Pastor Bartholomew
Zuberbuehler of Teuffen and about one hundred and ninety-two persons set our for South
Carolina and according to John Tobler’s manuscripts, they sailed from Falmouth [in
Cornwall, England] December 5, 1736 and landed at Charlestown February 1, 1737.”
Ref: ‘The Stewarts and Allied Families’ by James D. Stewart, 1988.”
Under Abraham Geiger’s page, Mark Freeman has posted the following:
“Special thanks to Stanley DeWayne Rogers, Sr. for the following, and for much
of the info on the Geiger family. He cites ‘The Geiger family’ from Orangeburg-Swiss
Genealogical Society and Percy L. Geiger’s The Geigers of South Carolina.”
“‘Abraham Geiger was born in 1687 in the small village of Hassloch,
Switzerland, in the province of St. Gallen. Hassloch was a small village near the
18
somewhat larger town of Bemeck, located about three kilometers from the Austrian
border, and lies just south of Lake Constance (Bodensee.) Abraham’s father was Hans
Gyger, and his mother was Anna Feer. He was christened on March 19, 1687 in the
Evangelisch-Reformierte (Lutheran) church in Bemeck, Switzerland.’ Quote from Gerald
T. Bennett.”
“He and other family members arrived and settled in his Majesty’s Township of
Saxegotha by 1737, and received his Majesty’s most gracious bounty of provisions and
warrants for land there, and was granted one hundred acres of land against the Santee
River, opposite Saxegotha by 1744, which he had already begun to clear, and on which
he had built his house.”
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina, from the Earliest Period of the Colonization of the Dutch, German and
Swiss Settlers to the Close of the First Half of the Present Century, by G. D. Bernheim,
1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Pages 126-127: “But from the Journals of Council in the office of the Secretary of
the State, the date of the settlement of Saxegotha by Germans is unmistakably fixed to be
1737, and that few if any, of the first settlers of that county came from Saxe-Gotha.
Council Journal, Vol. VIII, p. 69: ‘Petition of John Caspar Gallier and family, John
Caspar Geiger and family, John Shalling and family, Abram Geiger and family, Jacob
Liver and family, Julius Gredig and family, Caspar Fry and family, Conrad and Caspar
Kuntzler (now Kinsler), John Jacob Bierman and family, HERRMAN GEIGER and
family, Elizabeth Shalling and family, showing that as they arrived and settled in his
Majesty’s township of Saxegotha even since the year 1737 and received his Majesty’s
most gracious bounty of provisions and warrants for lands in Saxegotha Township, but
that they could not find in what office they are, therefore they humbly pray his Honor, the
Lieutenant-Governor, and his Majesty’s honorable Council, that they be pleased to order
that search be made,’ & etc, & etc.”
“Again, under date 1744, ‘John Jacob Geiger arrived seven years ago, is now
married, and prays for one hundred acres of land over against Santee River opposite
Saxegotha, where he has already begun to clear ground and almost finished a house.
Granted.’ Subtract seven years from 1744, and we have again the date 1737, the time of
the first settlement of that township by Germans.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 74: “The following extract from the South Carolina Gazette of November 13th,
1736 should settle the question as to how this township got its name, and set at rest the
differences in statements given by various South Carolina historians on this point:”
19
“‘His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor [Broughton] having been desired to visit
the townships of Amelia, Orangeburg and Saxegotha, so named by his Honor and before
known by the name of Congaree Township, in order to settle some inconveniences
complained of by the inhabitants of those townships, did after the adjournment of the
General Assembly and when the business of the Council was dispatched, set out for the
said townships on 19 October, settling all matters to the entire satisfaction of the
inhabitants and returned in good health to his seat at Mulberry on the 3rd November.”
From Abstracts of the Wills of the State of South Carolina, 1740-1760, compiled
and edited by Caroline T. Moore:
Page 1-“Johannes Shettig [John Shalling], Saxegotha Township. A true and
faithful translation from the German language to English by Christian Mote at the time of
writing. Wife [not named-but was Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of Hans Jacob Geiger], all
of the estate. Mentions: ‘my two little Uncles;’ if wife is with child, then such child shall
inherit estate at wife’s death; godson John Geiger; Henry Kahlman [Gallman].
Executors: [not named]. Witnesses by Abraham Geiger, Herman Geiger.”
Died 13 December, 1738. P. nd. P. 22.
The following is a translation of a pamphlet by Hans Jacob Riemensperger to
attract migration to Saxe Gotha township in South Carolina in 1740. [from the website of
Ron.net.com]:
“True and Fully Dependable Good News from the English Royal Province
Carolina-Brought here by trustworthy men who went there four years ago, now happy in
their turn to come back and by this news, attempt to determine you upon the same
venture. St. Gall, published by Ruprecht Weniger, 1740.”
“A Passport from Southern South Carolina: The highly esteemed and meritorious
gentlemen, William Bull, first-in command for the English King in the province of South
Carolina, at your service; along with friendly greetings to all unto whom these presents
may come; makes known that the bearers thereof, Hans Jacob Riemensperger and Hans
Caspar Galliser, voluntary agents of his Royal Majesty, themselves householders nearly
alone in the district on the border of South Carolina, leave at inconvenience to themselves
in order to perform service to satisfaction. That is, to perform the heartfelt task of leading
out immigrants successfully.”
“There, unto all Royal inspectors and others, we present them, with a courteous
petition that these faithful men of this said province may be allowed to proceed to
England, and from thither to Switzerland, and of their own accord to return to the
aforementioned province without let or hindrance, or any manner of annoyance, and that
they be allowed to pass and repass freely, on the understanding that they shall do all that
within them lieth, in what locality soever to which they may go, to deport themselves
seemly, and behave with decorum. To increase esteem for these men, I personally have
signed this, and caused the Great Seal of the Royal Province of South Carolina to be
affixed thereto: Granted in Charles Town, South Carolina, the eight and twentieth day of
20
February, 1739/1740. William Bull, for so long as it may be God’s grace, first in
command, signed Jacob Miche, Secretary, a passport for Hans Jacob Riemensperger and
Hans Gaspar Galliser.”
“His Grace, the very Noble Sir William Harrington, Member of the Privy council
for His Royal Majesty in England and the lands beyond the seas, Secretary of Foreign
Affairs: to all admirals, vice-admirals, officials of state, commanders, chiefs, mayors,
bailiffs, justices of the peace, quartermasters, custom collectors, overseers, spies and all
other functionaries of this kingdom unto whom the words of this letter patent may come,
his cordial greetings. Be it known that the Royal Will and Intention is that the bearer of
these lines, Hans Jacob Riemensperger and Hans Caspar Galliser, for whom jointly they
constitute a travel permit, shall, without constraint or restraint, and in peace, without even
one delay, hindrance or annoyance, be allowed to travel from here to Harwich, and from
thence, to Hull and Germany. Issued from Whitehall, the tenth day of May, 1740.
Harrington” (Seal)
“We, George the Second, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and
Ireland, defender of the faith, Duke of Braunschwieg ant Lunenburg of the Holy Roman
Empire, Mater of the Exechequer, and Unquestioned Sovereign, request of all and
several, by preference, with the honor to which their rank entitles them, all of whom may
be depended upon to be gracious, commending unto their care the present two persons,
by name, Hans Jacob Riemensperger and Hans Caspar Galliser, from time to time our
negotiator in our province of South Carolina in the West Indies, and particularly with
regard to the Township of Saxe Gotha which lies therein, established free citizens who
arrived here in this place provided with legitimate passports from our Governor of the
said Province, whose intentions are to travel through Hull and Germany toward
Switzerland, and especially the town of Toggenberg, that they may be given free, secure,
unhindered and unforbidden passage and return, and in case of need, you best assistance.
And upon receipt, all good forwarding agents will turn over to them as notified, the
money due them. Such we consider to be the obligation belonging to us in repayment and
recognition of their intention and efforts, including their indebtedness to the Cantzley
Printing Firm, made known here at the end. Secretary of London: the tenth day of May,
1740, in the 13th year of our reign. D Mandatum and electors proprium. S. Steinberg.”
“The above named travelers, both from the province of South Carolina in the
West Indies, are hereby passed G. L. “Gesundly” and your password: “Bichweyier in the
Lower Alsace,” the 16th of July, 1740. T. Hochfurstel Pfalz Zweybruckische Cantzley
Allda.
Passed Bassel: the 21st July 1740. T. Cantzley Allda.
Passed through Botzen: the 26th July 1740.”
“It becomes learned herewith and understood by everyone that the producer of
this brochure, Hans Jacob Riemensperger, intends to travel about a great deal in Germany
and Switzerland to deliver its message, and through a true testimony to lead you out: and
half at a loss to tell of the aforesaid land, he prays for the eloquence to write of it, and
how much as yet remains to be seen there without house-seat or dwelling.”
21
“It will now tax you belief in the truthfulness of the above-named well-informed
person, who is a freeholder, and in no wise whatsoever in any sort of military servitude to
be told that even on the 300 acres of said land belonging to him, he, with his family, by
their own careful diligence and the blessings of God, has accumulated such great
provisions of all kinds of produce, livestock, and household goods that it is greater than
the need, and that his wife, with four small daughters, is holding it down during his
absence. Each father of a household can rest assured that he will be given this land; that
for each person or headright that he may bring into this country with him, be it young
suckling child, adult manservant or serving maid, for each headright he receives 50 acres
of land which he may search out wherever it pleases him best in this province, which is
more than 56 miles wide, and the length of this province of South Carolina has never yet
been found out.”
“Also, it is well-known that in Germany and Switzerland there are poor,
unemployed, hardworking people who would delight themselves in this gift of land, but
who cannot afford the expense of the passage across the sea. Therefore you are hereby
informed that if through pity, the head of a household brings such poor hardworking folk
with him, paying the expense for them, each of a head of household likewise for each
head of such poor persons, receives 50 acres of land which will be surveyed out to him on
demand in one or more pieces not far from his other. This land remains with him and his
children as their property, and the poor remain with him and labor with him until the
costs of their transportation be repaid. When this is done and reported, the poor man
becomes free, and land will be measured out to him also, in whatever place is well
situated for him, and likewise each head with him his 50 acres of land.”
“It is necessary to know also that every person, whether man or woman, who
comes from Germany or Switzerland to plant himself in this country, receives from the
administration of the colony a gift on 20 pounds sterling; the pound sterling to
approximate the value of a lawful German florin; therewith to establish himself on the
land, buy provisions and other necessary things for the first year, until through the work
of his hands and the grace of the Lord God, he has made himself a crop. A child under
twelve years of age is given only 10 pounds.”
“The land laid out for the father or mother of a household is recognized as being
free for ten years. That is, he pays no taxes, thithes, or other duties, be they called what
they may, to the end of ten years. When the ten years are up, for each acre he will pay 20
good batzen (small obsolete German coins), and the King of England’s Grant and Seal
will be given to each householder by the Royal Government as his title to the land. After
that, nobody has any further annoyance to bother with.”
“The poor person who has worked to pay the cost of his passage overseas, on
receiving a good report also receives his 20 pounds or florins, if he is an adult, and can go
ahead and plant himself on his land buying provisions for the first year therewith. And if
he has small children under twelve years of age, for each such child he shall receive 10
pounds or florins. Also, one must continue by saying that if the father of a household
22
dies, then the land goes to the eldest son if he leaves no will; but if there is a will, it is left
as the will directs. If a father dies intestate leaving behind only daughters, in such a case
the surviving daughters all share equally as heirs wither in the land or in the money it
brings if it is purchased by someone.”
“If a widower or a young man, perchance, should take for his wife a widow with
however many children, the law in this province provides that 50 acres of land shall be
surveyed out for such a widow and each of her children up to eight head, even though the
widow may have claimed for herself and her children already, and the newly surveyed
land remains that of the man who marries her; but the first land of the widow remains the
property of the children of her former marriage.”
“Arrangements are such that laborers and tradespeople of all sorts and kinds who
scarcely know how to make a living in Germany or Switzerland can live in plenty here,
and in a short time make themselves well to do. A great many miserable, poor people
have already come here and now live in abundance. It should also be known that when a
newcomer arrives in this land called Saxegotha, at the same time he receives one-half
acre for a housesite in the town of Saxegotha, newly laid out, completely healthful, and
pleasantly situated beside the great Santee River, which flows by it and is large and ddep
enough to carry small hips of good size. Boats could go out from thence and carry on
trade, if only the township were sufficiently inhabited and enough workmen were there to
build boats. Each of a head of household arriving here will have his housesite and nearby
land laid out by the land officials without cost to him.”
“This townsite called Saxegotha is the last one laid out, and no township as yet is
reported its equal for good land. And the farther one goes in it, the better and richer the
land becomes. Then, too, the said township is only 125 miles from Charleston, and on the
great Santee River, and people can go from here at will with heavily-laden boats to trade
by water when enough boatmen come here to settle and establish themselves. Also, the
trail from here is cut through the forest wide enough so that people can travel by land in
wagons back and forth to Charleston.”
“As for the Indians, they are in nowise dangerous, but on the other hand, when
they are treated in a friendly fashion, eager to hunt for us and trade with us. One such
became so with me. Undersigned and endorsed by my own hand on request, according to
custom: Thus matters stand in Saxegotha Township on the 2nd day of February, 1740,
South Carolina in America
(signed) Christian Motte
Royal Justice of the Peace for Great Britain in this City”
“P.S.-All who set out for this land should be of the Evangelical Reformed religion
(although) all right living persons except those of the Roman Catholic religion dwell with
us. That the foregoing is the truth, neither more nor less, we the following named
German-speaking inhabitants of the town of Saxegotha jointly bear witness:
Hans Jacob Riemensperger
Gaspar Kuntzler
23
Rudolph Gapeler
Heinrich Geiger
Jacob Spuchel
Ulrich Bachmann
Martin Fritig
HANS JACOB GEIGER
Jacob Liffer
Ulrich Puser
Johann Matteis
Abraham Geiger
John Heinrich Weber
Conrad Kuntzler
HERMANN GEIGER
Jacob Fritig
Herman Christoph Dortringene
Hans Straub
Jacob Hagerbuch
Hans Heini Gallman Antoni Steck
Daniel Scheiber
HEINRICH GALLMAN
Hans Gaspar Frey
William Becker
Ulrich Sperling
Hans Buss
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Page 130: “The following record of this settlement is made in the Urlsperger
Reports, vol. VIII, P. 1791: ‘Wednesday, December 2nd, 1741. We had heard nothing
before of Saxegotha in America, but we have just received the intelligence that such a
town (township) is laid out in South Carolina, twenty-five German miles (100 English
miles) from Charleston, on the road which passes through Orangeburg, and settled with
German people. Doubtless the majority of them were German Reformed, as they have a
Reformed minister among them, with whose character we are not yet acquainted.’ This
minister was the Rev. Christian Theus, of whom we shall say more hereafter. He
commenced his labors in Saxegotha as early as 1739.”
“The Geiger families and their neighbors were not compelled to remain a long
time as isolated settlers in their new homes; the name Saxegotha sounded so agreeably
familiar to the ears of the Germans that they flocked in numbers to this Germany in
America.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 21: Congaree Fort-“The name was derived from the Congaree Indians on
whose settlement it had been built. It stood on or near the site occupied in after years, by
old Fort St. John’s, a short distance above the mouth of the Congaree Creek, near the
present city of Columbia.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 82, footnote: “‘Whereas the inhabitants of the Congarees and the
inhabitants of the Waterees have never had any minister of the gospel to preach and
perform divine services among them, Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that the public treasurer of this province for the time being, shall pay to such minister of
the gospel of the established church as shall statedly preach and perform divine service at
Saxegotha, or such other central place in the Congarees as the commissioners
24
hereinafter named shall direct, and six times a year at least, at the most populous places
within forty miles of the same, the sum of seven hundred pounds current money per
annum.’ Statutes of SC, Volume IV, Page 21.”
From the South Carolina Historical Magazine, Volume LIII, no. 4, October 1952,
page 184:
“That a number of the German speaking settlers were far from illiterate is shown
by their interest in books. At the Congarees, Riemensperger possessed sixty-four old
German books; his neighbor Stephen Crell, owned a Hebrew Bible and a Greek
testament; another neighbor, Herman Geiger, had a Bible, five Psalters, and a book of
sermons.”
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Pages 137-139: “The Saxegothans were fortunate and blessed in obtaining the
services of a pious and faithful pastor; all the records extant speak in the strongest terms
of praise concerning him, but at the same time, all agree in stating that he had a hard life
of it, that he was not appreciated, that he was often persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
and this treatment he received at the hands of the very people for whose good he labored
and prayed. Two years after the first settlers set foot upon the soil of Saxegotha, the Rev.
Christian Theus arrived and labored in their midst; and as these settlers were not
neglected in the administration of the means of grace, which unfortunately was the case
with many others of the early colonists, they really had no excuse for their conduct, and
should have treated their pastor in the most friendly manner.”
“Dr. Muhlenberg’s journal, published in the Evangelical Review, Vol. I, p. 540,
contains the following statement: ‘October 22, 1774. This afternoon I had an acceptable
visit from the Reformed minister, the Rev. Theus, of the Congarees (Congarees River),
in South Carolina, 120 miles from Charleston. His brother Theus, a painter, lately
deceased, received me as a stranger most kindly into his house when, thirty-two years
ago, I traveled through here on my journey from Savannah to Philadelphia, and afforded
me an opportunity to preach on Sunday to the then yet few German families…The
aforesaid pastor, Theus, came with his parents into this country from Switzerland as a
candidate theologiae, was examined by the Reverend English Presbyterian Ministerium,
and since 1739, has performed the duties of ministerial office in the scattered country
congregations among the German Reformed and Lutheran inhabitants, and has conducted
himself with the propriety and fidelity due his station, according to the testimony of
capable witnesses…’”
Page 139: “The Doctor continues: ‘He also furnished me with a more detailed
description of the sect mentioned October 5th, the members living near him. At a certain
time he came unexpectedly into their meeting, and found Jacob Weber contending that he
was God, and the said Smith Peter (or Peter Schmidt) insisting that he himself was Christ,
and that the unconverted members must be healed through his stripes. Pastor Theus,
25
opposing such blasphemy, the leaders became enraged and threatened his life, and
counseled with the rabble whether to drown or hang him. He escaped, however, from
their hands, fled to the river, and fortunately found a Negro with his canoe at the shore,
sprang into it, and was conveyed across.’”
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Pages 139-140: “Rev. Theus lived to be an aged man, for we discover his name in
the list of members of the ‘Corpus Evangelicum,’ and present at every meeting of that
body until the year 1789…His resting place is still pointed out to the stranger, and is
located in a field along the state road, between Columbia and Sandy Run, about eight
miles from Columbia…Mr. Abraham Geiger…erected the tombstone at his own
expense at the head of Rev. Theus’ grave, to perpetuate his memory. Had Mr. Geiger not
performed this labor of love, the Church and the world would never even have known
where the first pastor of Saxegotha, the contemporary of Giessendanner, Bolzius and
Gronau, had been laid down to rest…
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Page 141-144: The spiritual and moral condition of the Saxegothans is not very
highly extolled in the Urlsperger Reports. Rev. Bolzius, who gives us the account, may
have been somewhat prejudiced, inasmuch as his Ebenezer colony [Georgia] had lost
some runaway white servants who probably concealed themselves in the neighborhood of
the Congaree River, and in several pages of his diary he berates both the Saxegothans
and the government of South Carolina that they were not returned; thus perhaps, his
human feelings were too much enlisted on the side of prejudice and interest whilst
speaking of these people. We insert the following extract:
Page 142: “Urlsperger Reports, Vol. IV, p. 672: ‘Wednesday, April 25, 1750-The
German Evangelical Lutheran inhabitants of Congaree in South Carolina, which new
settlement has been named Saxegotha, had besought me several months ago to come to
them and preach for them and administer the Lord’s Supper. I sent them books suitable
for the edification of adults and the instruction of children and wrote them that my
circumstances did not permit me to make so long a journey. Now I have received another
letter, in which the former request is renewed, and in which they likewise beseech me to
assist them in the erection of a church and in obtaining a pastor. They have a
congregation of about 280 souls, who all could attend church if the house of worship was
erected in the midst of their plantations.’”
“‘The Reformed have received 500 pounds Carolina currency from the
government, which amounts to something more than 500 guilders for the building of a
church, but no one is interested for the Lutherans, unless I would do something in their
behalf. They live with the Reformed I great disunion, at which I showed my displeasure
in my former letter. A few families have removed from this place among them, who
26
might have supported themselves very well here; afterwards three adult youths were
persuaded to leave their service here, and two (white) servants ran away, all of whom are
harbored in the Congaree settlement. The citizens themselves as a Carolina minister once
wrote me, [page 143] lived disorderly lives among each other, and estimate their
Reformed minister very low. I have no heart for this people. If they were truly concerned
about God’s word, then so many unworthy people would not have located in their midst,
as there are other places where good land and subsistence may be obtained.’”
“‘In this very letter they inform me that they have built both a saw mill and a grist
mill, and expect to build more of the kind. Why then, should they be unable to erect a
house of worship if they were sincerely in earnest?’”
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Page 143-144: “Whilst many of the Saxegothans were not devoid of blame, and
deserve censure in those days, there were others whose life and conduct were
praiseworthy , and others who were devotedly pious, and who were anxious to enjoy the
blessings of the means of grace, and it is sad that Rev. Bolzius permitted his feelings of
interest for his own colony to cause him to act so unfriendly toward this people, and to
send no kind word of encouragement to them, when they besought him to visit them and
break to their hungry souls the [page 144] bread of life. Who knows what good he might
have accomplished by a friendly visit? Who knows what future evil, e.g., that Weber
heresy, he might have been the instrument of preventing? Besides all this, he as a
minister of the Gospel and of like persuasion with these people, had no right to withhold
his influence and sympathy from two hundred and eighty souls, (we are much surprised
at such a large number) who extended such a Macedonian call to him, and besought him
twice to interest himself in their behalf in procuring a minister for them, who were almost
as sheep without a shepherd.”
From History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and
South Carolina…, by G. D. Bernheim, 1872, Philadelphia, the Lutheran Bookstore:
Page 146: “We have seen that Rev. Theus came to the Congaree settlement in the
year 1739. In what building he first preached is unknown, but arrangements were soon
made for the erection of a church. As early as 1744-45, John Jacob Riemensperger
petitioned the government of South Carolina to do something toward the erection of
churches and schoolhouses for the German settlers in various localities…That the
government entered into such an arrangement were have already seen from the
Urlsperger Reports, for five hundred pounds currency was donated for the building of a
German Reformed Church, which we presume, had been completed at that time, 1750,
and the people were enjoying the means of grace in their new house of worship…”
“…We now turn to an ancient map of South Carolina, originally published in
1771 and 1775, and recently reprinted in ‘Carroll’s Collections.’ Near the Congaree
River, a short distance below the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers and in the
27
town of Saxegotha, a church is laid down bearing the name of St. John’s This
substantiates all the above mentioned records and traditions, gives us the exact locality of
that church, which in the proper proportion of distances, would be the very spot where
the grave of Rev. Theus can still be seen, and furnishes, furthermore, the name by which
that church was known…”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343:
Jacob Fulmer: “[He] is informed that his age is recorded in the church book of St.
John’s Church, now remaining in that neighborhood where was living when called into
the service of the Revolution…[From a deposition taken in 1832, shows that the St.
John’s Church still existed in 1832.]
From the Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001:
“On this 30th day of September, 1833…George Summer:
At the commencement of the Revolution, and from his birth to the present
time, he has resided in that part of S.C commonly called the Dutch Fork, between Broad
and Saluda Rivers, including part of what is now called Lexington and Newberry
Districts. This applicant was born in that part of Dutch Fork in Lexington District on the
28th of October 1760. His age is recorded in the record book kept in St. John’s Church,
Lex. Dist. He was living in the Dutch Fork when he was called into the service…”
From a website by Joop Giessendanner, the Netherlands, in the Giessendanner
Book of Record, as mentioned by Alexander Salley in the History of Orangeburg County,
chapter II, the Giessendanner Record. Among the records are found these entries:
This record was kept in German:
23. “HANS JACOB GYGER to MARGARET SHULER, widow.” No date
given, but entry was on the page with entries of the 1740’s. The page was called, A List of
all those who have been married by me, John Giessendanner, VDM.”
28. “Antony Ernst to Ann Barbara Gyger”
This record was kept in English:
2. “On Monday, May 21st, 1750, in the Congaree Garrison, by banns, William
Berry and Mary King, widow, both in Saxe Gotha Township. Present: Archibald
Campbell, Esq., HERMAN GYGER, HENRY GALLMAN, etc, etc.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
28
Page 122: “19. At the Congarees in the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Haig on
Saturday, May 19th, Edward, son of Edward and Obedience McGrae, born August 5th,
1746. Susceptr. Thomas McFashon, HERMAN GYGER, Isabel Potts.”
Page 141: “179. Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis and Catharina Elizabeth Kern,
born October 6th, 1753. Susceptr. Frederick Huber, Margaret, widow of Jacob Gyger
and Anna Elizabeth, wife of John Giegelman. Baptized in Orangeburg Church.
Page 166: “369. Anne Margaret, daughter of John and Eva Catharina Jubb; born
April 28th, 1756. Surety: Henry and Anne, Margaret Shilling and Margaret Gyger,
widow.”
An article in a January 16, 1901 newspaper, the Lexington Dispatch, by W. T.
Brooker mentions that John Geiger’s first cousin, HERMAN GEIGER was a licensed
Indian agent of the province, and that as such, he was exempt from militia duty. The
article says that the adult Geiger males signed their names to a 1742 petition asking for
Bibles, hymnals and prayerbooks. Their names were HERMAN, Henry, Abraham,
Jacob, John, and John Jacob.”
A Description of Carolina, given by John Tobler, in 1753, from the Orangeburg
German Swiss Genealogical Society website:
The province of Carolina, which is subject to the scepter of Great Britain, is a
very pleasant and fertile region…Now South Carolina is in turn divided into four regions,
namely Berkeley, Colleton, Craven and Granville counties…The province is also
provided with various beautiful rivers, busy with traffic, of which the most prominent
are:…The Santee is a wide and long river, busy with traffic, which flows many hundred
miles, and on which the German town of Saxe Gotha is situated. Finally, however, it
flows into the sea about fifty miles north of Charles Town…Now, because all of these
rivers contain many large fish, and since everyone is free to fish, these fish are of great
advantage to the inhabitants in many ways.”
“…The main towns and best localities are:…Saxe Gotha is also a good, spacious
and densely occupied place, which is inhabited for the most part by Germans, whose state
is improving, at least as regards temporal matters. And if they cared as much for their
immortal souls, they might be considered blessed. The place is on the busy Santee River.
They have two German preachers, and if the latter practiced what they preached, it would
be a fine thing. The people there own much livestock; the Negroes plant much wheat,
have good mills and take the flour to Charlestown.”
29
Indian Affairs and the Saxegotha Colonists
These excerpts provide the Gallman/Geiger and Donaldson descendants with a
glimpse of the events that were taking place in their community and surrounding
communities during the earliest colonial days of Saxegotha.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Pages 69-70: “In 1730, it will be remembered, eleven townships were laid off on
the banks of rivers in South Carolina, and of these eleven townships, two were laid off on
the Santee, or more properly on the Congaree, a branch of the Santee, and the Santee.
These were Amelia and the township which up to 1736 was called Congaree Township,
but which in that year was called Saxegotha by Governor Broughton.”
From RonGallman.Gallman.com website:
“Saxegotha Township-Established in 1733, Saxe-Gotha is the name of a
settlement in the “Dutch Fork” area of Orangeburg District. Earlier, the area was known
as the Congarees, and this name was still used in some records for many years. The
name was chosen to honor the spouse of a member of the British Royal Family, who was
born in an area of Germany known as Saxe Gotha. It is approximately 30 miles north of
Amelia Township, beginning near the present site of Sandy Run, South Carolina, and
running north on the banks of the Congaree River to just beyond the area where the
Broad and Saluda Rivers flow together to form the Congaree River.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 108:
“…The Congarees post near the present Columbia was gaining importance…”
“…About 1732, Thomas Brown, who was to become the greatest of the Catawba
traders, began dispensing wares from a site in the Congarees. He was associated in this
lucrative trade with his brother Patrick Brown and Alexander Kirkpatrick…”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 109:
“Other prominent Catawba traders were: George Haig, who was to meet a
tomahawk death; John McCord, who became well-to-do and was mentioned in records of
1748 as a ‘Catawba trader’; and Mathew Toole, whose knowledge of the Indians was
useful to the colonial government at the Albany conference.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 164-165:
30
“…The pressure of the white invasion was increasing. Each day saw new groups
of settlers pressing farther and farther inland and nearer the Indian towns. Among the first
of these white men in Catawba country was trader Thomas Brown who had come from
North Ireland to the upcountry about 1730. His petition to the South Carolina Council on
February 28, 1744, stated that in the year 1735 ‘and for several years before, having been
a licensed trader to the Catawba Indians, he carried on considerable trade from the place
of his residence near Congaree Old Fort.’”
Page 165-“In passing and repassing ‘from said Congarees to the Catawba
Nation,’ Thomas Brown had observed the goodness of the land, according to his petition,
‘particularly the Wateree lands, and the Indians residing and living upon the same.’…To
introduce whites, he proceeded to secure a body of land between Santee and Wateree
Rivers [footnote says that the Congaree River was sometimes called the Santee by early
surveyors.] inhabited by Wateree Indians…”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 166-167:
“On February 27, 1738, Colonel Henry Fox, an officer in the Rangers on ‘the
northern frontiers’ was given instructions to proceed to the Catawba Nation with the
utmost expedition…He was to inform them of ‘the late insults committed by the
Waterees at Santee and that as they are sheltered by the Catawbas, this government
expects that they will take ample satisfaction be given for such their insolent behavior.’
Since the Cheraws were also under suspicion and were living with the Catawbas, they too
must be disciplined, the order said…”
“The insolent behavior of Catawba Indians was cited by [Page 167] trader
Thomas Brown that year in protesting a clampdown on Indian trade along the Santee
River. An Act-perhaps intended to help control the unruly Indians-provided that ‘no
person or persons whatsoever shall trade with any Indians at any place which lies on
either side of the Santee River from the mouth thereof to such part of the said river as lies
20 miles above the place where the Congaree Garrison was formerly settled.’”
“Brown observed, ‘this restriction may prove of dangerous consequence…from
this consideration that the greatest of the hunters among the Catawba Indians make their
hunts down along the sides of Santee River, and have always been accustomed to resort
to the store at the Congarees for supplies of ammunition, rum, and other goods. That
those Indians are very insolent and when they find they cannot be supplied at the
Congarees as formerly they may roam about from one plantation to another in that
neighborhood, and if they cannot get goods in exchange for their deerskins they will be
very apt to take what they want by violence…There is no evidence the Commons House
acceded to Brown’s request to resume his trade at the Congarees.”
From Petitions for Land from SC Council Journals compiled and edited by Brent
Holcomb, his page 175, the meeting of 9 November, 1743, pp. 488-489: “Read the
petition of John Jacob Geiger showing that the petitioner came into this province seven
31
years ago and is now married, therefore prays that one hundred acres of land by virtue of
his family right be laid out to him over against Santee River opposite to Saxegotha
Township, where he has already begun to clear ground, and almost finished a house. The
petitioner appearing, ye his Excellency in Council, and swearing to the truth of the
allegations of his petition, the prayer thereof was granted and the Deputy Secretary
ordered to prepare a warrant accordingly.”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 73: “John Jacob Geiger, 100 acres August 24, 1743…John Jacob Geiger
in 1743, was neighbor to John George Kirsch, opposite Saxegotha.”
From Petitions for Land from SC Council Journals compiled and edited by Brent
Holcomb: On. page. 208 of the above reference covering the Council Meeting of 21
January 1744/45, p. 69: “Read the petition of John Jacob Geiger of Saxegotha, humbly
showing that being separated from his father’s family and intending to settle on his own,
consisting of three persons, humbly prays that 150 acres of land be laid out to him in the
Fork between Broad and Congaree River in the neighborhood of Saxegotha…the
prayer of his petition was granted…” [This primary source quotation was found on the
website of the Culpepper Connections Family Tree, person page 15779, Hans Jacob
Geiger, Jr.]
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 64-“Jacob Geiger was neighbor in 1746 to Elihu Baker on Raiford Creek.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 167:
“Brown’s partner, George Haig, prominent agent and trader, surveyor, large
landowner and justice of the peace, was a key figure in resolving another crisis in
Catawba settler relations. The new problem arose unexpectedly after the Indians seemed
to be appeased. In November 1740, South Carolina presented gifts to the Waterees who
still laid claim to ‘the land in and about the Wateree Township and insist upon
satisfaction.’ These gifts seemed to have pacified the Waterees and settlement of the area
continued. However, in February 1742, a young Catawba was arrested, charged with the
rape of a white woman in Saxegotha Township.”
“At this juncture, agent Haig played the role of peacemaker by persuading the
Catawba chiefs to follow an unprecedented course of action: to try the offender according
to the laws of England. The Indian was found guilty and turned over to the English for
administration of justice. Since the outrage was an isolated one, the Indian was pardoned
by the governor and the matter was closed. However, relations remained strained for
many years.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 183:
32
“In the early 1700’s, France proposed to protect her claim to the Mississippi
Valley by building a line of forts from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico by winning the
allegiance of more Indians…It was imperative that these tribes should be kept in the
British interest if Carolina was to resist the French threat…In May 1742, the situation
became so grave that the South Carolinians decided to petition his Majesty’s aid and
assistance for three independent companies to garrison and protect the colony and
especially its northern frontiers.”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 68-“John Jacob Geiger 150 acres March 12, 1748 on river.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 231-232: “In the South Carolina Gazette of April 14th, 1748, Governor Glen
published a proclamation announcing that ‘George Haig, Justice of the peace,’ had been
carried off by ‘French Indians from the Congarees or new township of Saxegotha’
[footnote says they captured Haig and his servant, but the servant escaped.], and in
consequence thereof, he recommended that the Council provide for two small troops of
horse and for building a fort ‘at the Congarees.’ From this it would seem that the fort
established at the Congarees in 1718 had long since been abandoned…”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 75-“Jacob Geiger, in 1749, was neighbor to Rudolph Meyer.” Page 72“John Jacob Geiger in 1750, was neighbor to Richard Jones.” Page 68-“John Jacob
Geiger-150 acres April 27, 1750, opposite Saxegotha.”
Page 231-232: “At any rate, it appears that a fort called St. John’s was built near
the site of the old fort at the Congarees, and that troops were organized in this section in
accordance with Governor Glen’s suggestion, and that in the course of ten years there
were several regiments instead of two troops. Colonel Moses Thompson was about 1750,
commander of the ‘Township Battalion’, that is the provincial forces of the region
southwest of the Santee, and outside of the old parishes.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 168:
Although Haig was influential with the Catawbas, he had made enemies of the
Iroquois on an official government mission to the Cherokees by helping to free some
settlement Indians taken captive. Out of this enmity arose a frontier incident involving the
fruitless intervention of the colony of South Carolina and, ultimately, the death of Haig.
In 1748, on a trip to the Catawbas, Haig and Thomas Brown’s half-Catawba son were
taken captive by hostile northern Indians and carried over the mountains. An appeal by
the South Carolina government to the Cherokees to intervene in behalf of the prisoners
was ignored.”
33
“The Iroquois captors set a vigorous pace on the return journey for they feared
they would be overtaken by the fierce Catawbas. The strain and exertion were too much
for Haig. After nearly a year, sick and exhausted, he begged his captors to put him out of
his misery. The Iroquois obligingly tomahawked him; young Brown eventually returned
home safely.” [Meriwether, pp. 58-59]
From the Internet Ancestry World Tree Project, the entry posted by Mark
Freeman on the page for HERMAN GEIGER adds this from the will:
“HERMAN GEIGER became an Indian trader and gave assistance when needed
to the governor of the colony in meeting with the Indians. He took over Brown’s trading
post.” Freeman did not cite his source for this; I must find it.
Another Ancestry World Tree Project site by Jean H. Mizell states that HANS
JACOB GEIGER: “in 1749, he ran a ferry at Congaree Fort in opposition to Martin
Fridig who gained the rights to the ferry in 1754.” She, too, did not cite her source for
this tidbit.
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part
of the Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in
Columbia, SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page v: The manuscript “Indian Books”…in the South Carolina Archives, a group
of volumes relating to colonial Indian affairs…published as part of The Colonial Records
of South Carolina…The…volumes, five in number, are broader in character and contain
copies of different kinds of documents, including letters, affidavits, memorandums,
journals, messages, trade regulations, muster rolls and “talks.” Recorded by the Clerk of
the Council during the decade 1750-1760, they appear to have been part of a larger group
of volumes of a similar type. In the Council Journal for 1738 there is a reference to a
conference between the Governor and some Chickesaw and Choctaw Indians, which it is
said, ‘is entered in a book for the future to be kept for that purpose. In 1746 the Clerk of
the council is specifically said to be keeping ‘an account of the transactions of the
government with the Indians…that all those matters may be seen at one view.’
Unfortunately, these earlier volumes are not now to be found.”
“The surviving documents containing the records of Indian affairs in general have
documents made during the latter half of the administration of Governor James Glen
(1743-1756) and most of the period while William Henry Lyttleton, his successor, was in
office (1756-1760)…”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part
of the Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in
Columbia, SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 11: George Cadogan to Governor Glen:
34
“Fort Moore, 19th March, 1750
Sir,
As Mr. Hawkins is going to town, I take the opportunity by him of acquainting
your Excellency with the current reports here as to the Indians since my last express. Mr.
Clements, who keeps a store at the Caconies, informs me that it has been burned by the
Northwards [Indians] and one Swiney killed, but this may be apocrypha as I know
Clements to be a R__e. [rogue?]”
“I have also been informed that a large body of Creeks are again gone against the
Cherokees, that a body of Cherokees are come this way against the Uchees, and another
body of Notewas and Cherokees are set out to attack all the Creeks on the Ogeechy River
at a place called the Forks. These sir, are the reports here from several, but as they are not
sufficiently authenticated to justify the expense of an express, I only acquaint your
Excellency of them by Mr. Hawkins who comes by water.”
“I was informed when last in town, that your Excellency had some inclination to
serve my poor friend, Mr. Hawkins, as gunner at the Congarees. I know, Sir, your good
disposition and a distressed broken officer is a fair opportunity of employing it. I humbly
beg leave to offer how he may be advantaged, there is a gunner’s salary allowed for this
fort and the person who now enjoys it (upon my honor never once acted in that capacity
since I have commanded here or even appeared at the Fort.) Mr. Hawkins, therefore, who
is on the spot (should your Excellency think proper to confer it upon him) will I am
certain, never neglect the duty. I beg pardon for this freedom, and nothing but my
knowledge of your Excellency’s goodness and the deserts of an unfortunate gentleman
and late brother officer could induce me to judge it.”
“I am, honored Sir, your Excellency’s most obliged, most obedient and most
humble servant, George Cadogan.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 109:
“Other prominent Catawba traders: Robert Tool was licensed as a Catawba trader
on May 17, 1750, and Robert Steel on April 17, 1751. The latter may have been the ‘Mr.
Steel’ who supplied goods for an unnamed ‘Negro fellow’ who came to trade at the
Nation and created consternation and commotion. The Negro’s partner in an act of
violence against the Catawba chief was John Dudgeon.”
“Steel (Steill), who succeeded the Catawba trade of Brown and Haig, was listed
as having delivered goods to the Catawbas February 14, 1752, along with Lieutenant
Peter Mercier, commander of the Congarees garrison, and Stephen Crell. Crell and Stiel
both owned property in the Congarees.”
35
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Pages xv-xvi: “Cherokee complaints against the traders were of long standing…
During the winter of 1750-1751, white men raided a camp on the Savannah River and
stole three hundred and thirty deer skins. James Francis, justice of the peace at Saluda,
aggravated tensions by refusing to help recover the skins. In March, thirty Cherokees
attacked William Clements’ store on the Oconee River, killing his servant Jeremiah
Sweeney and a Chickasaw from the New Windsor settlement.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Pages 233-234: “About 1750, HERMAN GEIGER, who has already been
mentioned as one of the first settlers of Saxegotha [page 234] Township, was living at
the Congarees and carrying on trade with the Indians.”
“‘On one such occasion,’ says Logan [History of the Upper Country of South
Carolina], p. 302, ‘he had been employed, it seems, by the provincial authorities in
Charleston, to go in company with a member of the Board of Indian Trade to the
Cherokee Nation in search of the precious metals which were supposed to exist in
inexhaustible abundance in that mountainous region. Having set out and reached safety in
one of the middle towns, they there discovered several of their friendly settlement Indians
in the hands of a party of hostile Canadian savages who had captured them near
Charlestown, and were carrying them prisoners to their towns in the north.’”
“GEIGER’s pity was aroused, and at the head of a body of traders, he succeeded
in rescuing the friendly Indians, but this act of kindness afterwards cost him his life.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 11- John Fairchild to Governor Glen:
“Congarees, the 25th of March, 1751
May it please you Excellency,
The enclosed letter I received at the Congarees sometime before I could take a
copy of it. Thinking my duty to let your Excellency be acquainted therewith, I took a true
copy of which I have made bold to send you. After a long search, I found Mr. McCloud,
the gentleman which the enclosed letter referred us to, who confirmed all that was in it,
adding that as he came through the lowermost towns of the Cherokees, those people was
making preparation for the journey of the Northern Indians. Several gangs have been seen
36
at Saluda, and on Broad River, and etc. Your Excellency will be pleased to pardon the
freedom I have taken.”
“And I am your Excellency’s dutiful, obedient, humble servant, John Fairchild
To his Excellency James Glen, esq, Captain General, Governor, etc, Charlestown
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 12-George Cadogan to Governor Glen:
“Fort Moore, the 27th March, 1751
Sir,
By Mr. Hawkins (who was sent from hence before I received you Excellency’s
letter) I sent further intelligence about the Indian transactions which though I then
something doubted, is now fully confirmed by the enclosed affidavit, though tis not
drawn in the most accurate manner, yet the facts are by everybody here fully believed.
The death of Sweney, the wounding of Jinks, and his being still missing, is certain. The
killing of Coats is indisputable, as his head was found scalped.”
“With regard to my preventing the Indians here from going where and when they
please to war or otherwise, I don’t conceive a possibility of it. Presents and
entertainments are the only means of bringing them to the Fort and your Excellency well
knows that I have no fund for such things, the Assembly having made resolutions as
render it impossible for me or any other without rum, to be very useful on such occasions.
However, in consequence of your Excellency’s letter, I have talked to the Squirrel
[Squirrel King, an Indian chief] and Mingo Stobo. The Squirrel wept much and said he
had lost his son at the affair at the Occonies mentioned in the affidavit. He has not been
out himself and does not, I believe, intend it though I am credibly informed there are now
several parties of Northward Indians straggling about this place who have been seen by
several. If your Excellency will be pleased to give me some written orders how to act in
matters of this nature, no one will use more diligence and faithfulness in the execution of
them.”
“As to certain knowledge of the Indians who killed Coates tis absolutely
impossible, though the Chickasaws in general affirm they were Notawages and
Cherokees, and I fancy the best method of getting some prisoners would be by the white
hunters about the Congarees and Saluda, if it could be done without occasioning a war,
for they are, in general, very expert woodsmen, but might perhaps exceed their orders as
they are little more than white Indians.”
“The Assembly may cut off what they please from my account. I shall still have
the pleasure to think and say they were just and honest charges, and that I have made a
present of so much money to Carolina and try afterwards to contradict my own words by
37
applying elsewhere, for that justice which they may assure me. But, be this matter as it
may, I can never forget the obligations I have to your Excellency and shall ever be with
the utmost respect, Honored Sir, your most obliged, most grateful, and most humble
servant, George Cadogan…”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 78-“HERMAN GEIGER in April 7, 1751, was a neighbor to John
Seracous, north of Congaree, otherwise Broad.” [This could be HERMAN, Sr or
Herman, Jr.]
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 7-8: Stephen Crell to Governor Glen:
“Congarees, the 6th of April, 1751
May it please your Excellency,
Some few days ago HARRY [HEINRICH] GALLMAN discovered in the
woods about four miles from his house an Indian, who had shot a bull and lamed him,
and was beading [‘drawing a bead’ on the bull] his gun again. He, having but a young
lad with him and 110 arms, waited until the Indian should have fired off his gun,
intending thereupon to seize him, and the Indian having shot at the bull again, he made
towards [him], but then several other Indians standing behind trees at a distance halloed
out, upon which the Indian, looking about and seeing HENRY [this is not the error of
this transcriber. The published letter first calls him Harry, and now HENRY.
HEINRICH had a brother named Heiri or Harry, but it was Henry who had a
commission in the militia-see next sentence.] GALLMAN, quitted the bull and ran
towards his company.”
“Mr. GALLMAN thought it not advisable to follow, but went directly home, and
being ensign of his company, and the others officers absent in town, he ordered the
company to join him in search of the Indians. He could get but six men indifferently
armed and went with them in search of the Indians, but could not light with them. They
found another bull killed, of whom they had taken the horns and the tongue, and two tails
of cattle, and two mares, killed at the place where the cattle were killed. He saw some
papers strayed, which Mr. GALLMAN picked up, and being clapped together, made out
the enclosed pass. There was another small piece of paper, which seemed also to be part
of another pass. Here have been heard more than 20 guns fired in this morning of that
day, in ________ suppose they have killed many more creatures.”
“I made inquiry who these people were who signed the pass, and Mr. Anderson,
the late constable here, says that the two first lived under the Pennsylvania government,
but whether they were traders or settlers they could not tell. Several people pretend to
38
know that John Muller, the last signer, keeps a tavern about Lancaster in Pennsylvania
where the Indian traders used to resort.”
“Late in the fall last year, I received a letter of your Excellency’s, including copy
of orders to the field officers concerning the northern Indians which I published
everywhere thereabouts. The generality of the people in the upper parts were of the
opinion that the breaking with these Indians would produce a destruction of our
settlements until the Lower Cherokees could be forced or prevailed to declare against the
northern Indians by stopping the trade, and encouraging the Catawbas and Creeks to
distress them until they complied; for without being harbored, provided and assisted by
the Cherokees those Indians could not come in great parties to the settlements, much less
if the Cherokees turned their enemies.”
“Those Indians never before injured our settlements in those parts and this present
mischief is attributed to the Cherokees and it is supposed to be done in revenge, for that
last winter their camp was robbed of some hundred skins about Ninety Six, for which
they had applied to Mr. James Francis, and I was told they complained [that] Mr. Francis
had refused to do them justice, so that the white people provoked the Indians in one part,
others giving them passes and emboldening them thereby and opening their passages
through Virginia. The people are more disheartened to execute the orders given them to
kill those northern Indians upon their doing only damages, when they know your
Excellency’s further pleasure upon those and the like consideration. The people being in
great unease and irresolution, I thought your Excellency will not be displease with the
information.”
“I remain your dutiful servant, Stephen Crell
P.S.-A party of about 30 Indians went over the river making towards the Catawbas and it
is supposed that more such parties are hereabout and that Cherokees are arming against
them as usual.”
A very interesting footnote to this letter: HERMAN GEIGER’s will in this year
1751, specifically states that Stephen ‘Creel’ is not to be permitted to have anything to do
with the probating of his, HERMAN’s, estate. It makes me wonder who really may have
killed HERMAN, the Indians, or did Stephen Crell figure into this in some way?
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xvi: “Resentment against the traders reached the boiling point in April,
when, incited by visiting Northern Indians, Stecoe townsmen plundered Bernard Hugh’s
store. Traders in the lower towns fled for their lives. Attacks on isolated inhabitants in the
middle and back country were also reported.”
39
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
From pages 114-115, Richard Smith to HARMON GIGGER
“Kehowee, April 25th 1751
Sir,
Mr. Lucas told me that Mr. COALMAN [GALLMAN] promised to bring up
some powder and bullets from Monck’s Corner, which if he has beg you’ll get, and send
up by the bearer, and if not send me up a 100 weight of powder and 100 weight f lead,
which I hope you’ll not fail sending, and if you have got none of your own, get it of Mr.
Steel or Mr. McCord, for I do assure you our lives and interest chiefly depend upon this.
And if I don’t get this ammunition now, I don’t expect to bring one ounce of
leather out of the Nation, if the spare our lives, for 3 days ago the Indians had a meeting
here, and concluded to kill all the while people in the Nation and take away their leather,
and sent a runner over to Tennessee to see if they would agree to it or not, and I was told
by some that pretends to be friends to me, to make my escape. But they say the chief that
made all this uneasiness was, they were told by some white people in the settlement, that
the trade would be stopped from them, and they say now if I get this ammunition they
shall be easier in their minds, and I am in hopes we may get our leather out of the Nation,
and if no, I assure they will not let us have one ounce on it if they let us go ourselves.”
But I shall take care to try to get timely notice, to get off myself, so you need not
be any ways afraid of your pay, for I’ll pay you, if I don’t bring one ounce of leather out
with me. So I hope you’ll send it, as you see our lives depends upon it. The bearer,
Charles McGunnigill will give you a full account of all their proceedings.”
“And I am, Sir, you humble servant to command.” Richard Smith.
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 188-189:
“Richard Smith and his brother, Abraham Smith, had been licensed by South
Carolina for the Cherokee trade in 1750.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 72-Anthony Dean to Cornelius Doharty:
“Great Tellico, May 1st, 1751
Sir,
40
I came here last night with a guard from Toco’ being sent for by the King to read
Tasitte’s Letter from Hiwassee with one enclosed in it from Mr. Maxwell from Hioree,
both giving an account of poor Daniel Murphey’s being unfortunately killed by the Slave
Catcher of Conutroy.”
“Whereupon the young King in a full meeting this morning where old Captain
Caesar was interpreter, delivered himself in the following manner, that he is so surprised
and troubled about it, that he does not know what to say or think, for that it broke his rest
entirely since he heard it. However, that this night he will call the people together again
to consult how many and what people may be necessary for him to carry over with him,
to a grand meeting to be held at Tomatlee where he hopes everything will be concluded
upon to the satisfaction of the Governor and the beloved men below.”
“Then the young Man Killer, or Rusteenekobagan, in his turn, and said he loved
the English white people, for they were good to him, and the people of his Nation below,
and that they gave him a commission, and he remembered well when he got it, that he
promised then to be always true and good to the English, which he will never forget.
Wherefore he said that he that killed his brother (for so he called Murphy) should die, or
he would die for him.”
“Next to him, the Prince’s son, John’y spoke and said that he knew it was a
custom of the French Indians to kill their white people, but never knew it was a custom
with any Cherokee to do so before, but since it was so, that there should be satisfaction,
and revenge of it, the same as if a French Indian or other enemy had done it…”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 45-48-Stephen Crell to Governor Glen:
“Saxegotha, the 2nd May, 1751
May it please your Excellency,
The enclosed talk from the Notowaga Indians (as it is called) was sent to me
about 14 days ago by Mr. James Francis, who writes me that one of his wife’s sons
brought it down from the Cherokees, and that if I thought it worth your Excellency’s
notice, I should send it by any opportunity. The style expresses well the insolence of the
Indians, yet as the writer nor any trader have witnessed it, it may be looked upon to be
invented by the Cherokees, to exculpate themselves, for several acts of hostility having
been committed by the late gang, who killed besides cattle, several cattle and horses and
mares, as well at the Congarees, as the further settlements and took by force a Negro boy
away out of John Geiger’s house, when there were but two women in it, whom they
threatened to shoot as they offered resistance.”
Talk of the Notowaga Indians
41
Kewowee, 1751
“To his Excellency, James Glen, esq, Governor, in and over the province of South
Carolina, and etc.
“The talk and representation of Asahquah, the head beloved man of Nontaugue,
Connewawterchy of Connestageh, and about sixty others of different towns of the
Nittawiga nation of Indians now in Kewowee in the Cherokees.”
“Whereas some time ago we desired to have a peace with the Catawbas nation,
who sent us word that they had two conveniencies, one for their women and one for us,
and that they were men and warriors, since which time we are at war, and are of one mind
never to have peace with them, and seeing they depend upon the English who harbor
them in their settlements, where they go for shelter.”
“We therefore are obliged to look there for them, and the white people think hard
of their cattle being killed. We look upon all the English to be our friends, so far as they
have any settlements from north to south, and all as one people, but they do not look
upon as friends, but gives notice to our enemies, that they may kill us, and the white
people love their cattle so much, makes them tell the enemy, which has been the occasion
we have lost several men. But we value our men as much as the white men do their cattle,
so we desire they may not harbor the Catawbas in their settlements, which if they do must
come after them, and then are forced to kill cattle for want of meat, being so far from
home. And therefore if any of them goes down into the settlements, send them back, and
the while people’s cattle will not be killed, for we must go there in search of the red
people.”
“If we hear they are there, and shall not think it troublesome whilst we can find
any, and if we see any white people in our travels, will always look upon them as friends,
and not to hide themselves from us, for we come after our own color and not after white
people. And in case the white people do see any of us, they must not tell our enemies as
they have done, for we are informed by a slave we now have, that some white people sent
down expresses, that informed a party of our people that was going against the Catawbas,
and hope the like will not be done again.”
“Also a party of our people came upon a camp of Euchees, and killed twentyfive and took ten slaves, and were bringing them along when they met with a white man
going to Savannah Town who we suppose told the enemy thereof, we being within
hearing of gunshot of the Chickasaws, settled near that place, and the next night, were
overtaken by some southward Indians, by which means we had but three men saved
themselves out of sixteen. And we all know it was by the white man’s informing our
enemy thereof, and don’t know what to think of it. That though we have lost so many
men, we shall still continue our war to get revenge, and desire the white people may not
intermeddle as our hearts are not bad towards them, but the Catawbas, with whom we
will never make peace. The Catawbas say these people go to war with us against them,
42
but it is not so, but they are our friends, and have been so a long while, which is the
reason we come this way.”
“This is the first time we have sent a talk to you, and look that you will receive it
friendly and talk to the white people about what we have said, and send us an answer to
our talk, and if you do, we have very often people going through their towns to war, who
will bring us up the talk you send.”
“I desired Mr. Francis to send his son-in-law to me that I might inform your
Excellency of the circumstances, how he got that paper and etc, but have received no
answer yet. In the meantime, HERMAN GEIGER [ELSBETH GEIGER GALLMAN’s
father] having communicated to me the enclosed letter from Mr. Richard Smith, who is
generally reputed an honest, credible man, and who hath sufficient credit, which exempts
him from suspicion of falsity or artifice in what he writes, which also would rather
intimidate people to trust their goods to him in such circumstances than to encourage
them. And Mr. Duncan also telling me that he wanted to hire an express to town on
account of the Fort, I was prevailed to hire Thomas Liver jointly with him to carry over
letters in hopes you Excellency will be pleased to order L10 to be paid to him for his
trouble.”
“John Anderson, I heard, is gone up to the Catawbas to bring the head men down,
yet is as scarce believed that they will venture to stir, as much as a great body of their
enemies is laying in wait for them, who it is reported has surrounded William Brown on
the banks of the Catawba River, where he had just time enough to throw off his coat to
save himself by swimming over the river. And if the Nottoweges are resolved not to
make peace with them, and their provocations and threatening shows that they intend
some mischief, if the Catawbas are not sacrificed to them. It is hoped that your
Excellency will take the preservation of the settlers on the out parts in consideration, who
for the most part seem now a little concerned, the danger being perhaps real, as they
formerly were quickly moved by vain alarms.”
“The close setting of a good number of people on the frontiers, being without
question the best means to preserve the country this way, the land lately purchased about
Ninety Six, being from thence to Broad Santee River, and so on towards the Catawbas,
all very good land fit for close settlements We don’t doubt but your Excellency will
procure all possible encouragements for to settle a body of people there under such
regulations as may be most effectual to enable them for defense of the country.”
“There are several single young men hereabouts who are entitled to the bounty,
and would settle in the upper parts, but as the charges and loss of time, besides going so
far down to prove their rights, are such that they can expect little benefit from it. They
have desired me to solicit in their behalf that their oaths may be taken in the country
before one or two justices and their warrants and bounty received by an attorney. To
which I humbly beg your Excellency would please to inform and whether this can be
allowed. As for people who have large families, they can better afford to be at the
43
expense, as the man going down along received the bounty for several heads in the
family, but single people seldom carry a farthing of their bounty out of town.”
“I remain your Excellency’s most dutiful servant, Stephen Crell.
“The enclosed two letters from Sergeant Duncan, I made bold to beg you
Excellency to send them to Mr. Commissary, or have the bearer directed where to bring
them.
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 171:
“Despite the Notowegas’ protestations of friendship for the colonists, they
continued their raids into the settlements and committed brutal murders at the Oconees.
Settlers near the Wateree River fled from their homes to forts for protections. Some
people of the upper Congaree River took refuge at the Congarees Fort. During the
unrest, Captain John Fairchild and Captain Gibson were sent with troops of Rangers to
protect the disturbed parts of the upcountry, going first to the Catawbas.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 126-127-Affidavit of Mary Gould
8th day of May, 1751
“The affidavit of Mary Gould, who came sorely wounded to Martin Friday’s
house, at midnight, the 7th May. Taken before me, Daniel Sellider, Captain of the
Saxegotha company this 8th day of May 1751.”
“The said Mary Gould being first sworn upon the Holy Evangelists saith upon her
oath that on Saturday the 4th instant, two Indians came to my house about halfway
between the Congarees and Savannah Town. The Indians were Savannas. They came
here about dark and sat down very civil and my husband being able to talk their tongue,
they talked a great while together, and I gave them supper, and they asked my husband
for pipes and tobacco and he gave it to them, and we all sat up until midnight.”
“And then we all went to sleep, and they lay down too, and pulled off their
moccasins and boots. One of them broke his pipe and he came to the bed of my husband
and handed to him his pipe out of his mouth and lay down again, and we all dropped into
sleep. And when the cocks began to crow, they came as I suppose to the bed and shot my
husband through the head, and a young man lying upon the floor was shot in the same
minute. And the Indians I suppose thinking the bullet had gone through my husband’s
head and mine too, struck me with a tomahawk under my right arm. They supposed I was
dead, and one of them went and killed both my children, and then they came and took the
blankets from us and plundered the house of all that was valuable, and went off. And in
44
that bad condition I have lain amongst my dead two days, and so I came to Martin
Friday’s house.”
“Taken and sworn before me, Daniel Sellider”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 421-429-Lt. Governor Bull to Governor Glen, June 14, 1753 [this entry is placed
out of chronological order in order to keep the narrative of this event compact]:
Page 429: “Governor {to the interpreter). Tell them they have come among us as
enemies. Tell them that two of their nation came into a white man’s on Saluda River who
spoke the Shavanah language. They came in seemingly in the evening in a peaceable
manner, and were hospitably entertained, but after all the house were fast asleep, one of
the Shavanahs shot the landlord dead in his bed, and miserably with a tomahawk, struck
the woman over all her body. She however, did not die immediately, but before she
expired told that the Shavanahs had murdered her husband, and not contented with that,
the other Shavanah murdered a young man that was sleeping on the floor; then with the
most horrible barbarity took two innocent children out of the beds and dashed out their
brains, then robbed the house of everything and carried off everything. The woman lay
among the dead 2 days, then crawled to a neighbor’s and told the whole of the dreadful
and bloody scene. Finis.”
“The prisoners were ordered back to jail.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Pages 42-43-Governor Glen to the Ranger Commander, May 9?, 1751
“Sir,
You will herewith receive a commission appointing you Captain of a troop of
rangers, which you are immediately to raise for the service of this government, the said
troops to consist of fifteen men, besides the captain, lieutenant, and I also think it proper
to add five Indians from the settlements. The Assembly has agreed to make provision for
both officers and men of the said troops for four months certain in this following manner:
The captain’s pay per month ____; Lieutenant’s pay ____; ____ for each private man; __
for each Indian; and this in full of all demands of pay for man and horse, but you’ll have
some ammunition at the Fort, and together with your own commission, I have sent a
blank commission for a Lieutenant, which I desire you’ll fill up with some proper person.
The pay of the officers commence from the time they receive their respective
commissions, and the pay of the men to commence from the time of their being enlisted,
which you are to use your utmost diligence may be as soon as possible. And when you
45
have completed the number you are by the first opportunity that offers to send me a roll
of their names, and the dates when they severally entered into the service.”
“At the same time, I think proper to acquaint you that I have given a commission
to Mr. James Francis to raise another troop consisting of a like number of officers, private
men and Indians, and you are, upon emergencies, and when the service may require it, to
act in conjunction in the same manner as I directed you when you were last
commissioned by me to command two troops of rangers in those parts.”
“But as nothing occurs to me at present, that may render such conjunction
necessary, you are with all expedition to range from the Congarees or Saluda to Ninety
Six, betwixt the Congarees and the Catawbas, when you are to give the King and the
head men assurances of the support and protection of this government, but you are to
make no stay there, but are to proceed without loss of time towards Ninety Six, where it
is probable you may meet with Captain Francis (Captain Fairchild) and his troop. And
you are to visit some of the settlements in those parts, and to assure the settlers that
nothing shall be omitted by this government that may tend to their security. You are to
endeavor to dispel their fears, desiring them to stand by one another, for that their
deserting their settlements may embolden the Indians. I shall direct Captain Francis
(Captain Fairchild) to proceed from thence towards the Catawbas and from thence to the
Congarees. You are also to proceed from Ninety Six to the Catawbas, keeping the south
side of the Santee River.”
“If in any part of the way, either going or coming, you happen to meet any Indians
who may offer to attack you, you are not only to defend yourselves, and to repel force
with force, but to do everything in your power to destroy or overcome them, but if
possible, to bring some, one or two of them alive to Charlestown. And this you are also to
do if you come up with any Indians who have lately done any injury to the persons or
properties of his Majesty’s subjects in this province, but you are to take care that you be
certain of this before you venture to attack them. And if their party shall be small, you are
rather to endeavor to take them alive and send them to Charlestown, than to put them to
death, and in like manner if you meet any parties of Northward Indians you are to
endeavor to take them and bring them to Charlestown, by force if they refuse to come at
their desire.”
“But if at any time you may receive information of any Indians in our settlements,
you are notwithstanding of the above route that I prescribed, immediately to the place
where you may hear they are, and to deal with them as I have above directed. And you
are from time to time to correspond with me and to send expresses in case of any
emergency. But if you meet with any Cherokees or any other friendly Indians coming to
town with news, you are to permit them to pass and assure them no hurt shall be done
them.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
46
Page 50-Roger Gibson to Governor Glen:
“Wateree, May the 9th, 1751
Right Honorable Sir,
I am informed this day by some of my company just arrived from the Congarees
that the inhabitance of Ninety Six, Saluda and upper inhabitants of Congaree River are
fled to the Congaree Fort for safety because of the Cherokee and Norward Indians who
have killed several white people. And as my company is the nighest to the enemy of all
the Wateree inhabitants, we are in most danger, and is at present altogether unprovided
with ammunition by reason we have no stores here to supply us, our great distance from
Charles Town, and the people being mostly new settlers here; within these two years, my
company having advanced in number from 35 to 83. We would therefore pray you
Excellency to grant us such a supply of ammunition as may enable us to defend ourselves
and families, as also to join the rest of the province against these heathens who
threateneth our present destruction…”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 58-John Fairchild to Governor Glen-May 1751:
“May it please your Excellency,
Yesterday I received your commission with instructions to command a troop of
rangers, where your Excellency was pleased to direct, that I should go to the Catawbas
and etc, and from thence to Ninety Six and etc, which shall be done with the greatest
expedition, and I do return your Excellency, my hearty thanks for favoring me with said
command, and I hope to give your Excellency and my country a general satisfaction.”
As your Excellency is pleased to favor Captain Gibson with another command, if
your Excellency will be pleased hereafter to direct Captain Gibson to range between
Broad and the Wateree River, and that I may towards Saluda be more frequent, it being
more in the way of the Indians, and as that settlement is a’diserting and several families
are now down at the Congarees, and actually at my house, and what’s left are now
gathered into garrisons. And in order to quiet the minds of those people, I am ready and
willing to be as much with them as possible, it being a frontier place and mostly exposed.
Your Excellency will be pleased to pardon the freedom I have taken. And I am your
Excellency’s most dutiful and obedient servant, John Fairchild.
P.S.-As many families who are deserted their habitations, and drove from their homes,
which are not able to subsist without some relief from the public or other good-minded
people, they have desired of me to acquaint your Excellency therewith, praying some
directions on that occasion, til they think they can return to their homes in safety.”
47
“As possibly 5 Indians are not to be got, your Excellency will be pleased to let me
know if I shall enlist white men in their room, if to be had at Indian wages.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 48-John Fairchild to Governor Glen:
“At Fairchild’s Borough, 10 May 1751
On the north side of the Congaree River
May it please your Excellency,
As my duty I am to inform you, that several distress families are obliged to quit
their habitations and livings on Little Saluda, and have with difficulties retreated down to
the Congarees to escape the hands of the Indians, who have killed one Isaac Cloud [or
McCloud] and two of his children and a young man living then in the house with him, as
appear by Mrs. Cloud’s affidavit, taken before Mr. Crell. With this mischief, and the
several parties of Indians (with their impertinent behavior) which are now within the
settlements of Carolina, make it of a general opinion that they intend to do more
mischief, as opportunity shall suit, if not make a general war, which I am of opinion will
ensue, for those who have lost their friends are now drove from their livings, will spirit
themselves up and seek revenge, and at present this corner of the country are neither in a
posture of defense, neither are we of sufficient force.”
“Numbers among us are foreigners, and strangers to the methods of Indians,
though the men are full spirited, and are ready to engage in defense of themselves and
country. But as many amongst us are really poor, and distressed, and are objects of
compassion, and would be serviceable men had they the wherewithal to purchase arms,
and other accoutrements, which if your Excellency will be pleased to favor us with, shall
be thankful for, as I having a command of a company on this side of the river for our
safety, and for a safety in general I have divided my company into parties and keep
constantly scouting about with some, while others are building a fort for a retreat, for the
women and children, and if you Excellency will be pleased to favor us with a few swivels
or pattarerous, it will prove very serviceable, and shall also return your Excellency our
hearty thanks. Your Excellency will be pleased to pardon the freedom I have taken, and I
am you Excellency’s most dutiful and most obedient, humble servant. John Fairchild
P. S.-I had no opportunity of acquainting your Excellency of Mr. Hugh Murphey being
shot through the arm until now, but making no doubt but that your Excellency have heard
it before this, it being done at Ninety Six, and hearing that a messenger went down from
thence.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
48
Pages 113-114, Affidavit of HERMEN GEIGER
May 11, 1751
HERMAN GEIGER [the father or brother of ELIZABETH GEIGER
GALLMAN] informs me that being some time ago at the house of James Francis, viz.,
about 6 weeks ago, when some Cherokee Indians were there applying to him, the said
Francis as a Justice, for some leather that had been stolen from them, not far from
Francis’s house, and the said Indians alleged that in the camp where they left the said
leather, they left also 6 or 7 stone tobacco pipes, which they afterwards discovered some
white people smoking out of, and said that these that stole these pipes must also have
stolen their leather, and therefore earnestly prayed Mr. Francis to do them justice and
make some inquiry into it, but he absolutely refused, saying that no notice should be
taken of such fellows [the Indians], for that they owed James Beamer leather and
probably laid out their leather at Savannah Town or some where else and only said for an
excuse that they had been robbed of the leather.”
“All this HERMAN GEIGER heard from the interpreter, but was not present
when the Indians made the complaint, but he heard Francis himself say that no notice
should be taken of what these rascally, lying sons of __ and being asked where Mr.
Francis lived now, says he has left Saluda soon after the scout was discharged and gone
further up, where he defends himself against any writs that may come against him, and he
has seven or eight very desperate fellows about him. That while Mr. GEIGER stayed
there, he discovered pretty clearly who had stole the leather, but he said nothing because
it was many of the people that were in that house. But John Davis being there at the same
time asked HERMAN GEIGER whether he had discovered who the thieves were. He
said he believed he had, but would say nothing till he heard him speak, and he said that
he suspected the very people about that house, particularly Francis’s son-in-law, Johnny
Foster, and GEIGER replied, that you and I have the same thoughts.”
“The interpreter told GEIGER that the Indians were vastly dissatisfied at being
refused justice, and said since they could not get their leather they must take the people
who had stolen it."
Mr. GEIGER and Davis stayed but one night at Mr. Francis’s and set off next
morning with some of the people that were in that house, particularly one of Francis’s
sons-in-law rode a part of the way with him to the house of John Van. He, Foster,
pretended to be going to Savannah Town, but when he came there, he went another way,
upon which Davis said to GEIGER that it was more likely he wanted to see where they
had laid their leather, and by what GEIGER and Davis discovered, Van was also
concerned, and some of these he had seen at Francis’s house, who came also to Van’s
house.”
“That at the same time they set out from Mr. Francis’s house, his other son, Harry
Foster, set out for the Cherokee Nation in company with one James Adair who lives at
Francis’s house. But Adair did not stay long in the Nation, for on Wednesday night last,
GEIGER met him again at Beaver Creek, but he believes William Thompson who was
49
just come from the Nation may know, and he being at the door, was called in and being
asked how long ago it was since Adair was in the Cherokees, said he could not positively
say but it was about a fortnight before Mr. Maxwell came there. Being asked whether
Adair sent through the whole Nation into the valley in the Overhill towns, answered that
he went no further than Joree.”
“Mr. GEIGER said that he had been informed by several that one William
Broadway whose father and brother are both in James Beamer’s employ, but he himself
is one of Francis’s people, went up lately to the Cherokees, and his brother then came
down. That when he arrived in the Cherokees, the Indians asked him as they generally do
‘what news below’. He replied that the white men were raising an army to cut all the
Indians to pieces. This Mr. GEIGER says he has heard from several and particularly
from some who were present when it was said, and that the captain of his company
(Snyder) intended to have wrote down a full account of it, but time would not allow him.”
HERMAN GEIGER.
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 119:
[Footnote-Histories of the Dividing Line, page 302]: “…Some Carolina traders
‘constantly live among the Catawbas, and pretend to exercise a dictatorial authority over
them. These petty rulers don’t only teach the honester savage all sorts of debauchery, but
are unfair in their dealings and use them with all kinds of oppression.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 122-123:
“…Even as late as 1763, Dr. Milligen-Johnston [footnote-from Milling, Colonial
South Carolina, pages 187-188] wrote: ‘I have had occasion to know some of those
fellows, and must own that, generally speaking, they are a shame to humanity, and the
disgrace of Christianity; by their iniquitous and foolish conduct, they changed the idea of
superior valor, honor and discretion the Indians had been used to form of the English,
into a general contempt and dislike. The savages daily saw themselves cheated in weight
and measure; their women debauched and their young men corrupted.”
Page 123: “Edmond Atkin, another eyewitness, felt they had brought disrespect
upon the government by their dissolute lives and manners. In his opinion, they were
‘generally the loosest kind of people…despised and held in great contempt by the Indians
as liars, and persons regarding nothing but their own gain.’”
“The savage was sometime provoked to murder ‘the next Englishman they could
most easily cut off,’ by these offenses. For by their custom, the punishment of murder
could be commuted by the payment of skins; conversely, the defrauding them of skins
was punishable by murder.’”
50
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 78-Roger Gibson to Governor Glen:
“May 28th, 1751
Right Honorable Sir,
I have sent enclosed, a list of my troop. We are now six miles from the
Congarees on our way to Saluda and Ninety Six, and as I have been informed that there
is a great many Indians seen above Saluda in the Fork, and some reports that they have
robbed some white people’s houses, I have therefore prevailed with Mr. Fairchild to
range the same way I do, until we arrive a t Ninety Six, by which we shall know the truth
of the reports we heard.”
“I am, right honorable Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and humble servant.
Roger Gibson
Roger Gibson, captain
George Barefoot, Lt.
Thomas Pinson
John Ratton
John Stubbs
Walter Kelley
John Downer
Jacob Summerford
William Casety
John Hudson Sr
John Hudson, Jr
John Todd Sr
John Todd, Jr
George Davis
Edward Evans
Michael Brenom
Burnaby Lindsay
Daniel Cremor
Daniel Mozo
Charles Mozo
Charles Kitchens
Thomas Holmes
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 83-John Hamilton to George Hunter, Esq:
“Saxegotha, June 4th, 1751
Honored Sir,
I have sent by the bearer 4 plats, which the people urged me to run for them, they
going in a large company with me. The talk of the Indians here has put us to great
confusion and has been the cause of the building of three forts. One of the three is very
defensive, and will be, when finished, perhaps one of the best in the country. I am very
51
uneasy about going to the southward. I am afraid Mr. Hamilton will think it is my
neglect, but I think I am not safe to go so far into the woods yet.”
“ It is not long since there was a parcel of Indians seen at the foot of the Saluda,
where they, some time ago this spring, stole a Negro boy and carried off before the
people’s face. They report here that the Dutch people shot at some the other day and
wounded them, so as they followed them some miles by the blood. There is certain news
from the Cherokees that there is some hundreds of Indians come there from the north
parts, which they call French Indians, but to what end we cannot tell. No more to trouble
you.”
“I am sir, with due regard your most obedient, and most humble servant. John
Hamilton”
From the Internet Ancestry World Tree Project, the entry posted by Mark
Freeman on the page for HERMAN GEIGER adds this:
“HERMAN GEIGER became an Indian trader and gave assistance when needed
to the governor of the colony in meeting with the Indians.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 71-72, Affidavit of Robert Gandy
June 5th, 1751
Affidavit of Robert Gandey, Indian trader amongst the Cherokees, before his Excellency.
“That on February last he was at Telliquo at which time a Cherokee Indian
named by that of Little Carpenter came into the Cherokee Nation, which Indian had been
formerly in England, that in company of forty more Indians, he went down to the Lower
Cherokee Town. And who about ten years ago he had been taken by the French, and
detained about six years amongst them, and had returned to his own country (the
Cherokees) but about three years ago, the deponent declares, that before the coming in of
this Indian, viz., the Little Carpenter, had not heard any bad talks. That such bad talks
arose when the Little Carpenter and his gang, viz., the French and Northerly Indians,
came among the Cherokees, and since his arrival there he hath returned back among the
French, and brought with him what is suspected to be a French Commission. On his
return from the French he has come to the town Tennessee, where Mr. Benn resides, viz.,
about 16 miles where deponent lives.”
“From thence he set off to make war amongst the Creeks, but having got as far as
the Lower Cherokee Towns, he was informed that the inhabitant Indians there had gone
out already to war against the Creeks, that there he met with several of the northern
Indians, who gave him a Notohee Indian and a scalp.”
52
“That the Northern Indians with the Cherokees had as the deponent was informed,
determined to begin at the lower towns, and of the Cherokees, and marching upwards,
kill all the white men in the Nation.”
“The deponent being asked what other circumstances appeared to him, to induce
him to believe or suppose that Indians had bad designs against the white people, one
reason he said, that the Cherokees, as he was informed, had broken open the store of
Bernard Hughes and divided his goods among them. Likewise, that Hugh Murphey going
up to the upper Cherokees with a Negro, they met with a gang of 7 or 8 Indians, one of
whom pointed his gun at Murphey, and the Negro seeing it, said to Murphey take care of
yourself, the Indians is going to shoot at you. Whereupon, Murphy turning round his
horse, was shot at by the Cherokee through the arm, and very much disabled, and the
Cherokee that shot at him was of the town of Oustanaad, one of the towns of the lower
Cherokees.”
“The deponent also heard by Mr. Dandie’s Negro that the said Cherokee did strip
one Thomas Langley and his children, and aimed to kill the said Langley by firing a gun
at him, but missed him. The information was by a letter that Langley sent to Cornelius
Doughty. That the deponent was also informed that the lower Cherokees had one Shincea
living amongst the white people at Saluda, that six Indians were sent to bring him up,
and if he refused, to scalp him, but the man, Albey, came back with them. That on Upper
Cherokees, the Prince Johney’s brother was about the lower settlements when the
deponent passed by there, and that the deponent asked what he was doing there, and
wondered he did not go home, for that his brothers wanted him very much. The deponent
asked him the reason of all these bad talks that was in the lower settlements. He answered
his stay would not be long amongst them, for that they were all rogues, and could not find
one man that talked good for the English.”
“The deponent had also been informed that a considerable number of skins had
been stolen from the Cherokee Indians, that they had come down to Ninety Six to seek
after the skins, and challenged some of their burnt tobacco pipes with John White’s
people which were wrapped amongst the skins.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, SC, by A. S. Salley, 18__:
Page 234-“The following summer [1751], HERMAN GEIGER], having set out
for the Catawba Nation in company with a half-breed, they were intercepted and captured
by several of the very party of Canadian Indians from whom GEIGER had rescued the
friendly Indians a year before, by whom he was carried toward the Great Lakes, and
finally murdered.”
Harriet Imrey of Orangeburg County G. Society
http://www.rootsweb.com/~scorange/:
“Some sources [both online and in print] are still repeating the story that Indian
agent Herman Geiger (1707-51) was kidnapped and killed by a tribe of northern Indians.
Since that didn't happen, how did such a story get started? And why is it still around?
53
Robert Meriwether explained it in "Expansion of South Carolina, 1729-1765" (published
in 1940).
“In 1747, Indian agent George Haig of Saxegotha was kidnapped by a raiding
party of the Nottaway band of Iroquois from New York. He was exhausted by the time
they'd reached PA and refused to keep marching, so they killed him. This was reported in
multiple sources: a letter from President Palmer of PA, the journal of Indian agent
Conrad Weiser, the SC Council Journal, a letter from Haig's wife Elizabeth begging the
government to intervene, and a notice of Haig's death in the SC Gazette on 14 Apr 1748.”
“In 1775, James Adair published "History of the American Indians", in which he
related the incident in detail. He used initials rather than names for the people he
described, so the murdered trader was one "G.H." In 1859, John Logan included the
Adair material in his "History of the Upper Country of South Carolina." In a moment of
absent-mindedness (or dyslexia), he reversed the initials from G.H. to H.G., decided that
the murdered trader must have been George Haig's successor Herman Geiger. Logan
didn't bother to check his sources.”
“In 1898, SC historian A.S. Salley Jr. published "The History of Orangeburg
County". He borrowed the story from Logan (on pp. 233-4), but he didn't check his
sources either. In fact, he included the real story--the death of trader George Haig--on pp.
231-2 in the same chapter, didn't notice that he'd assigned the same fate to two separate
Saxegotha Indian traders at the same time.”
“This story can be used as a litmus test to see if a family history or a local history
has been properly researched or not. If it repeats that Herman Geiger was killed by
Indians in 1748 (as opposed to dying at home in bed in 1751), you can assume that the
rest of the facts have not been documented either.” Submitted by: Harriet Imrey.
The Geigers of South Carolina, compiled by Percy L. Geiger, pages 18-19:
[On his page 17, it says that this will was filed in the Charleston County
Courthouse]:
Berkeley County Willbook, 1747-1752, page 450:
Be it remembered that I, HARMAN GEIGER of Saxegotha Township in the
province of South Carolina, planter, being sick and weak in body but of sound and
perfect mind, memory and understanding, praised be God for the same, and declare this
my last will and testament in manner and form following:
“That is to say, after all my just debts and funeral expenses are duly paid and
satisfied, I give and bequeath unto my dear wife ELIZABETH, my Negro girl Susey
now about four or five years old. Also I will that my said wife ELIZABETH have the
free full use, enjoyment and possession of all that my plantation or three tracts of land
containing the whole three hundred acres of land whereon I now dwell during the term of
her natural life if she so long remains my widow, and unmarried, and the free use of all
houses and plantation tools, horses, stock of cattle thereon and after my said wife’s
decease or in case she marries again, then I give devise and bequeath unto my eldest son,
54
John Conrad, all that the aforesaid plantation containing three hundred acres of land
with all buildings and improvements thereon to hold to my said son John Conrad, his
heirs and assigns [on the south side of the Santee River].”
“Also, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Herman, one tract of land
containing four hundred and fifty acres lying in the fork on the south side of Broad River.
Also one other tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres which I lately bought
of Adam Sheikel and lies near the other tract; my said son Herman, his heirs and assigns
forever.”
“Also I give and devise unto my youngest son, John and to his heirs and assigns
forever, one tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres lying on the north side of
Broad River purchased of Michael Pomer. Also a tract of fifty acres of land adjoining
thereto which I bought of Peter Smith and all the rest and residue and remainder of my
estate, real and personal, I give and bequeath unto my said wife and all my sons and
daughters to be equally divided between them part, share and portion alike.”
“And I will and direct that immediately after my decease and indented servant
Tobias Walthour be set free and discharged from further servitude by my executors
hereafter named, provided the expense and charge thereof exceeds not the sum of twenty
five pounds current money, and that the said Tobias if free, pay the expense again by
work and labor.”
“And I will and desire that Stephen Creel be in no manner employed about, or
have concern with my books, papers, or anything relating to or concerning any of my
affairs whatsoever.”
“And my further will and intent is that what I have herein before given my said
wife is in full of any right or claim she ought to have to any part of my estate, real or
personal, and in full her thirds or dower therein. And I hereby appoint my said wife,
ELIZABETH, executrix, my son, John Conrad, my brother-in-law, John Gollman,
Mr. Benjamin Smith, Mr. Henry Lawrence, executors of this my last will and testament,
hereby revoking all former and other wills and wills by me at any time heretofore made,
declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal the 20th day of October in the year of our Lord, 1751.”
HERMAN GEIGER
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said HERMAN
GEIGER for and as his last ill and testament in the presence of us who, at his request,
and in his presence, have subscribed our names hereto. Hans Jacob Remmsperger,
Frederick Houx, John Remington. Dec. 6, 1751; proved Dec. 6, 1751; before the
governor; wife and John Gollman qualified same day.”
[Part of will in original book destroyed.]
Inventory, 13, 228-6-10; by John Peterson, William Shewright, Daniel Sheider.
55
South Carolina State Archives, Series: S213003, Volume-2I, Page-64 Item-01.
Date: 09/06/1751. Description: James Glen, governor of South Carolina to Henry
Gollman, appointment as guardian of John Conrad Geiger, infant child of the late
Harman Geiger, Storekeeper. (1 page). Type: Appointment. Topics: Orphans, care of;
Commissions and appointments; Estate Dispositions.
South Carolina State Archives, Series: S136002 Box-36A Item-219A ignore-00.
Date: 1753. Description: Laurens, Henry, Benjamin Smith, John Conrad Geiger, and
John Solman, executors, and ELIZABETH GEIGER, executrix of HARMOND
GEIGER vs Knowles Giles. Judgement Roll.
From The History of Orangeburg County, SC, by A. S. Salley, 18__:
In a footnote on the same page [234], Salley added, “In the South Carolina
Gazette of June 18th, 1753, John and HENRY GALLMAN advertised for the creditors
of ‘HERMAN GEIGER of Saxegotha, deceased.’”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 189:
[Governor] “Glen immediately tried to stop the Virginia trade [of Richard and
Abraham Smith.] On September 12 he wrote the three commanders of the companies of
Rangers which were on the point of disbanding to reassemble one company and overtake
the Virginians. Glen ordered the Rangers to ‘oblige them to bring their goods to the
Congarees, and you are not to give credit to any promises they may make you of
returning with them to Virginia because they may take another road to the Cherokees…I
am told that these traders are to be piloted into the Cherokees by Abraham Smith, a
licensed trader from this province, or by Joseph Oliver, also belonging to this province.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 178-181-Talk of the Cherokee Indians to Governor Glen:
November 15th, 1751
Page 180-Skiagunsta speaks: “Chote, another town, had made peace with the Nottawagas
when the Northwards came there and go to war. I call my people out and tell them when
they go away, not to do any mischief to the white people, which they promise. But I find
them to be rogues, and now I know it…I always tell them not to go among the white
people for from them they had all their powder and ammunition, and therefore they
should not molest or frighten them, so as to make them leave their houses.”
“When I tell them these things they return me thanks and say ho’ ho’, and when
they go away, they go as they were directed, but within three or four days after my people
56
return and tell me they have gone the quite contrary way. I heard of the white men that
were killed at the Salts and when the Northwards returned, I asked them about it and said
to them, by and by you will me, why will you do so? A few days before I came from
home I heard the Northwards had killed some of white people. Some of them (the
Warrior directing his speech to his own people) said if I talk said if I talk anything out of
the way, put me to rights. When I came, I sent for the Northwards and asked, have you
been to the southward, for I saw they were wounded. They said yes, they had and lost
some of their people.”
“But when I examined them they told me they went down to the Congarees and
then came down to the Salts where they saw a boat, and they told the young man to go
and look on the boat, but he was afraid. It was so far off, and the place swampy and it
was near the sun going down, before he reached the boat. Whereupon, I said, what, have
you been amongst the English? This is quite contrary to what you promised. I thought
you had been to the southward and so told them, you go among the white people to be
rogues. There is no enemy there. You go to rob them, and kill their cattle. You don’t go
to look for the enemy. I should have talked more to them, but a messenger came and
called me away…”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 155-Talk of the Warrior of Keowee and the Raven of Hiwassee:
December 1751
“To my elder brother, Governor of Charlestown, Skiagunsta of Keowee speaks,
I and the rest of the Cherokees which came from you, excepting some of which
stopped in the Path, rest is now safe arrived on the north side of Great Saluda River, for
fear of the Coweaters which are upon the Path.”
“I have been in town and was kept there for a long time and have made peace and
all things are made straight, for here has been lies told on both sides, but now it is all
straight. We have met with some of our people lately come from hunting, and also met
with a man at Beaver Creek who told them that some of their people which had been out
a hunting, had shot some horses about the Saluda. But as we have not seen all our people
which are out, I cannot say anything to it, but when they do, the Governor shall hear it all,
and hope the traders won’t be stopped upon this report, for that they went to town to
confirm their friendship, and that if a horse was shot, it was the Nittowagers that did it,
for that the men they met told them that the horse was shot with an arrow and that a beef
was killed, and only the thigh was taken away. Our people which now met with us said
that they put their horses in a pasture at Saluda Old Town, and 2 mares and a colt was
missing and that the people told them it was Jonathan Turk that sold them and etc.”
57
“Since we came out of the Nation, the Creek met some of our people, killed 2 and
seven more much wounded, one of which was a warrior of Estertoie. The people killed
two Creeks and 2 of our people from Tommossey was killed which went out as a scout.”
“The Raven speaks: I heard two men of my town is killed since I left home. That
is 2 Nauchees, which he looks upon as his own people. And that when he came from
home it was all peace as he thought, between them, his people and the Upper Creek. But
when he got home, he will know all about it, and the Governor will know all about it, and
as things are as they are told him, he and the Old Warrior of Keowee and the rest of them
do turn the Governor a great many thanks for sending their linguist and this warrior,
Jonathan Fairchild along with them. And desires that they will continue with them a few
days longer.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 155-John Fairchild to Governor Glen:
“Saluda, 23rd December, 1751
May it please your Excellency,
After meeting with some Cherokees which was out a hunting, who told them of
some of their people being killed, they directly crossed Great Saluda River where they
met with more of the people who confirmed the report, and also told the Raven that they
supposed 2 of his sons were killed, which went out a hunting, as they have not been heard
of, which gives him a great deal of uneasiness, but he says he will write to you as soon as
he gets home and etc. As concerning their horses being took by Mr. Turk, as was told the
Indians at Mrs. Burnet’s of Saluda Old Town, I found it…”[I lost the copy of the next
page.]
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xvi: “On August 24, Captain John Fairchild, leader of a ranger troop
patrolling the frontier, wrote from Ninety Six to say that Richard Smith, using an Indian
guide to take him behind the Catawba nation to the Cherokees, planned to bring in trade
goods from Virginia and defy the embargo…The assembly was forced to take action…In
exchange for Cherokee promises to surrender Sweeney’s killer, to pay for the goods
plundered from Bernard Hugh’s store and to send Little Carpenter down to explain his
conduct, the colony agreed to restore the trade and pay for the skins stolen from Estatoe
Indians.”
58
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part
of the Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in
Columbia, SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 218-219-Captain Fairchild to Governor Glen:
“27 February, 1752
May it please your Excellency,
On my journey to the Congarees I met Mr. James Woodland, a gentleman that
had come from the Saluda and Broad Rivers about 15 days agone, who told me he saw a
great body of Indians, amongst which were Catawbas and northern Indians, one of the
latter, the said Mr. Woodland was well acquainted with in Maryland, and Etc.”
“After some discourse the said Indian told Mr. Woodland that there was 20 of their
people in the Catawba nation with 24 that was then gone down into our country to look
for the bones of their captain, which was killed by our people, and that they would have
satisfaction, and etc. The northern Indians also told Mr. Woodland that there was 50 of
their nation was gone to the Cherokees and that 50 of the Cherokees was gone out to
receive them.”
“Mr. Woodland tells me that while he was upon Broad River, it was confidently
reported to that the Catawbas had taken all the provision a poor man had, supposing to be
40 bushels corn. You Excellency will be pleased to pardon the freedom I have taken, and
I am your Excellency’s most dutiful and obedient, humble servant. John Fairchild
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part
of the Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in
Columbia, SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 218-Alexander Gordon to Colonel Lejau:
Council Chamber, March 4, 1752
Sir, I am ordered by his Excellency the governor that about a week ago he received a
letter which yesterday he laid before His Majesty’s honorable Council, giving notice that
a great body of Catawba and Northerly Indians have lately been see near Broad and
Saluda Rivers. That there was 200 of those people in the Catawba nation with twentyfour that were gone down to our settlements to look for the bones of those captains
which were killed by our people, and who were resolved to have Satisfaction and etc.
This was told by one of the northern Indians themselves to one Mr. Woodland, and that
50 of their nation were go to the Cherokees and that 50 of the Cherokees were gone out to
meet them, and that when Mr. Woodland was at Broad River it was confidently reported
that the Catawbas had taken all the provision which a poor man had, viz., about 40
bushels of corn.”
59
“I am further ordered to acquaint you that you are desired to send the above
paragraph relating to those northerly Indians to Captain Paddon Brown and as many of
the other officers of your regiment as you shall judge proper, that you may all be on your
guard, and to do all that in you lies, for the welfare and protection of the district to which
your regiment belongs and the neighborhood around you, and to act as your former
instructions direct. Also that you, from time to time, you shall communicate to his
Excellency what intelligence you from time to time shall receive concerning the motions
and behaviors of those northerly Indians.”
“I am Sir, yours and etc., A. G.
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 185-186:
“Virginia and North Carolina, having joined forces, undertook to secure the
collaboration of Governor James Glen of South Carolina, but the attempt was not only
unsuccessful in its early stages, but produced one of the most serious quarrels in colonial
history…[page 186] The major point of Glen’s disagreement with the other governors
was his insistence that South Carolina control both the Cherokee and Catawba trade and
the military allegiance of the two tribes. The old quarrel as to whether traders from one
colony had the right to trade with tribes living within the bounds of another had again
arisen.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 186-187:
“It was customary for [187] South Carolina to request other neighboring
provinces to join in such trade embargoes so that the Indians could be quickly brought in
line. At least once the Virginians had assisted in this economic coercion…But the
Commons House was distrustful of the Cherokees in the face of their repeated outrages
against settlers. Despite Glen’s claim that the Cherokees without trade arms would fall
prey to the enemy Creeks or to the French, the Commons House voted to withdraw the
trade temporarily. South Carolina’s ‘punishment’ for the Cherokees sent them to
Virginia. On August 8, 1751, Forty-six Cherokee, led by the Little Carpenter of Chota,
appeared in Williamsburg seeking trade and lands to settle on a river lying back of that
colony called Holston’s River.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 190:
On May 4, 1752, [Governor] Glen was informed by Cherokee trader Ludwick
Grant that the Smith brothers were busy again. Abraham Smith ‘who went to Virginia’
had been given power of attorney for his brother Dick, ‘and by virtue thereof, is selling
everything, the slaves, lands, goods, chattels…and purchasing Indian trading goods for
this Nation with the money thereof, which way two fellows (if horse stealing be felony)
can pretend to set up for merchants in a province where the crime was committed and
60
may yet be proved is some of the greatest impudence and grossest assurance I ever heard
of.’”
“Trader Grant admitted that Richard Smith had returned one of the horses and
was trying to make amends with the Indians, but this story, the details of which were not
given, was apparently the basis of Glen’s later charge that Abraham Smith, Virginia’s
messenger to the Catawbas and Cherokees, was a horse thief.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 359-Mathew Toole to Governor Glen:
October 28, 1752
“…I humbly beg you Excellency will put a stop to it in time, for fear of the bad
consequences will attend it if not prevented in time. There is one Moses Kirkland lives
about forty-odd miles from the Nation below it on Wateree Creek that keeps tavern and
goods. Invites the Indians down there, to buy rum of him. The Indians is continually
going down to him and fetching rum up and drinking, that they drives us all out of our
houses and breaking open our doors that we run the greatest risk of our lives as can be
imagined, and several others besides him on PeeDee, and all over the country. If there is
any liquor brought in here, we may expect the northward and them will knock one
another in the head, if your Excellency does not put a stop to it in time. As for my part, I
durst not sell a drop of liquor to no Indian this two years past. The Indians wait your
Excellency’s answer which they expect in a short time. I have enclosed the two letters
that the northward Indians brought in with them for the honorable William Bull, esq.,
which our Indians expects there is a talk in for them.”
“I am your Excellency’s very humble, and most obedient servant to command.
Mathew Toole.”
“P.S.- If your Excellency should have any occasion for me to go down, please for to grant
me a protection.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 359-Moses Kirkland to Governor Glen:
“30th November, 1752
May it please your Excellency,
With submission I make bold to inform you that I received your Excellency’s
favor of the 11th ultimate in relation to your being informed of my keeping a public house
61
without a license, as also of my introducing the Catawba Indians to deal with me, as also
selling them rum. In answer thereto, it’s true I keep a store of dry goods, and have had
some rum and other liquors to sell which I have sold to my customers and travelers as
they pass, repass from the northward to the Congarees and etc, but was not acquainted
that I had any occasion to obtain a license for doing so.”
“But as for my selling any rum or drawing any of the Catawbas or other Indians to
deal with me is entirely groundless, for I never sold a drop of rum nor any other liquor to
an Indian in my life, nor never intend it, and as I find it contrary to law to sell strong
liquors without a license, shall endeavor with submission to your Excellency to obtain
one, and am, Sir,”
“Your Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant to command. Moses
Kirkland.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, May 21, 1750-August 7, 1754, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 370-Moses Thompson to Governor Glen:
“Amelia [near Saxegotha], March 30, 1753
May it please your Excellency,
This day I received yours enclosed in a letter of Joseph Curry’s dated the 14th
instant. I whish I had got it sooner. You let me know that you will be at the Congarees
the first day of May, there to meet the Indians and to review these upper companies. If
your Excellency pleases, you may review the three lower companies at Mrs. Russell’s,
that Captain Heatly’s [company], Captain Tilly’s [company], and Captain Minnick’s
[company] which will be a great ease to them, and the upper companies may meet you at
the Congarees.”
“This is to inform you that last Saturday about five o’clock in the afternoon, there
came a great company of Indians to my house. There being nobody about the house but
my wife and one of my daughters, and carried off an Indian fellow that has been about
my house these several years, and robbed my Negroes houses, and took their blankets and
clothes and a gun. Last year they killed one steer, and the year before they killed a cow
which I never heard of, and I believe a great deal more that I did not know of, but I hope
your Excellency will put a stop to their proceedings.”
“I sent out Captain Heatly and some of his men, and Captain Tilly, and wrote to
Captain Minnick to raise his men and range the woods. Captain Heatly found the place
where they camped that night that they took the Indian fellow from my house, where they
had killed some cattle. They were Catawbas and northward Indians, for some of them
went back and crossed Santee at M. Lloyd’s, and told they had taken the Indian fellow at
my house; and they went up the other side of Santee as far as the Congarees, and they
were doing some mischief there, and they took four of them and beat them severely,
62
which I think was ill done, for I am afraid they will kill somebody on the account of it.
They ought to have them sent to town according to your orders. I will accompany your
Excellency to the Congarees, please God spare me my health. If your Excellency has any
more to communicate to me before you come up, please to send word by the bearer, my
son.”
“And am your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant, Moses
Thompson.”
“P. S. If I knew the day that you would be at Mrs. Russell’s, I would have the three lower
companies ready to be reviewed. Likewise let me know what day you want the upper
companies to meet you at the Congarees that I may give them notice. M. T.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 184:
“In 1745, Governor Glen informed the Assembly of a letter from the Catawbas
which clearly revealed French designs ‘to debauch these Indians from the British…’ The
first step to counteract the French plot was taken by the British in 1752 when a million
acres of land west of the Allegheny Mountains was given to the Ohio Company most of
whose members were Virginians, for immediate settlement. In turn, the French
endeavored to stop the English by taking territory which the Virginia colony claimed lay
within its bounds, for the Virginians insisted they had been upon the headwaters of the
Mississippi before the French.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
“Despite her apprehensions, the decision to oppose the French in the Ohio Valley
proved advantageous to South Carolina, for Glen was finally granted royal funds to build
a fort in the Upper Cherokee nation…The new fort was to be the second South Carolina
post in the Cherokee nation. The first, Fort Prince George, was built in 1753, at Keowee
in the Lower settlements.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 184:
“The disputed territory which the French seized was at the point where the
Allegheny River joins the Monangahela to become the Ohio. Lt. Governor Robert
Dinwiddie of Virginia, anticipating the move, sent a messenger, young George
Washington, to the French commander to warn him the lands on the Ohio belonged to
Virginia which would resist any effort to occupy them.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 192:
63
“In January 1754, [Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia] wrote a long letter to Glen
explaining that he had sent young Major Washington to protest French moves on the
Ohio and imprisonment by the French of English traders there. Washington had been
unsuccessful in his remonstrances and had noted the French build-up for war…
Dinwiddie’s letter, though dated January 29, had not reached Glen until the last of
February, the messenger having been detained on the route by sickness. It was therefore,
something of a shock to Glen to learn that during February Abraham Smith had already
been among the Catawbas and Cherokees soliciting warriors for General Braddock’s
expeditionary force.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 184:
“To demonstrate Virginia’s determination, a small military company in January
1754, took possession of the point at the fork and started to build a fort there. They were
driven off in April when the French seized the fort and completed it, naming it Fort
Duquesne.”
“Washington, who had returned to the English settlements for military aid, was on
his way west when he learned of the seizure. He continued toward the frontier until he
reached Great Meadows, where he met and defeated a small French force.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 194:
“Sergeant Thomas Harrison, on duty at frontier Fort Prince George near Keowee,
wrote glen an inflammatory letter on March 27, 1754, which was to have much influence
on the South Carolina governor’s actions. Said Harrison: the French, seeking peace, had
sent ‘a stand of French colors into Tannasey [Tennessee] to affirm their friendship’…of
equal importance was the fact that the governor of Virginia had sent for all the headmen
of the Cherokees Nation to come to Winchester to receive their share of [resents from the
king…The sergeant said ‘As I am informed, it is to draw the trade of the Nation there, for
which I thought it proper to acquaint your Excellency.”
“Glen had also been informed by trader James Beamer that Abraham Smith had
been among the Cherokees seeking attendance at the Winchester gathering and promising
supplies and ammunition if they would go to “Monangahela by the 1st of April where he
tells them that the Catawbas and the 5 Nations are likewise to meet him…”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 225: “On May 11, 1754, an Act was passed ‘for vesting the ferry over
Savannah River…and for establishing a ferry over Santee River, in the township of
64
Saxegotha, from the land of Martin Fridig, on the south side, to the opposite landing on
the north side of the said river, and for vesting the same in the said Martin Fridig, his
executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term mentioned therein.’”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 196:
“Trader Beamer let Glen know, in late May, that Abraham Smith was among the
Cherokees with another message urging the Cherokees to come to Virginia to receive
presents, ‘but my humble opinion is that that is not all the reason.’ He understood ‘that
Abraham Smith had promised…they shall be plentifully supplied with goods and traders
to come out with them.’ Old Hop refused to go with Smith on account of the hot weather
but the people of seven towns were going, wrote Beamer. ‘Smith gives them such
encouragement and tells them what vast presents they shall get, not old clothes, but
everything good and plenty…’ He was certain that Richard Smith had assisted his brother
in enlisting the Cherokees ‘for Abraham has not enough of the tongue to persuade them
against their inclinations.’”
196-199-Before Glen received this information from Beamer, he had already
written a letter to Dinwiddie on June 1, 1754…[page 198] “When I was in the Cherokee
Nation I saw one Abraham Smith who was said to have brought a message from you to
those Indians, but did not care to deliver it n my presence, though I pressed him to do it.
The Indians said they believed his real business was to steal their horses and carry them
to Virginia as he had frequently done formerly, which they instantly proved. He was also,
by some of the English that were with me, [charged?] with having stolen their horses
upon which I intended to have him brought to Charlestown to have taken his trial, but he
made his escape that night to Virginia.”
“I was in hopes that he would not have ventured back to the Cherokees again, or
that you would not have sent him on any message thither for the future, as I understand
that in my absence, the Council had prayed you not to meddle with our Indians. I have
also requested the same thing in the strongest terms, and yet I find you have sent of late
three different times to the Catawbas, as often for the Cherokees, for the Chickesaw, and
etc. You send for them to come to receive part of the presents sent by the King. If you are
pleased to send the presents hither, we shall give them to them and tell them they are
from their father King George…”
But “the Cherokees had already gone; the Catawbas would go. Abraham Smith
made overtures to the Catawbas in July and insisted that King Hagler and his warriors
return with him and some Cherokees to Virginia. At first King Hagler mildly protested on
the grounds of Glen’s letter forbidding them to go. But Smith, according to Toole, ‘told
them your Excellency was making fools of them.’ Glen would not send the promised
supplies, said Smith, and besides the Catawbas would get finer presents in Virginia;
‘upon which the King agreed to go with him, as he being a fellow that loved presents.”
65
HEINRICH GALLMAN in the French and Indian War
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC, and the list is also found in SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of
Ancestral Research], Vol. IV, Summer 1976, No. 3, p. 155:
Page 33: “After the English conquest of Acadia (Nova Scotia) in 1755, it will be
remembered that the French Acadians then captured were cruelly carried off and
distributed among the British colonies to the South. South Carolina got a portion of these
Acadians, and some of these settled in Orangeburg, Amelia and Saxegotha Townships,
as we find in Volume IV, p. 72 of the Statutes of South Carolina, the following items of
account showing that certain persons living in those townships had been paid for
maintaining them:”
For the French Acadians:
“Stephen Crell, of Saxegotha Township
HENRY GALLMAN“
“
Henry Hertel
“
“
Henry Serstrunk
“
“
Henry Heartley, of Amelia
William Heatley
“
“
Christopher Rowe, of Orangeburg
(To be paid when duly certified)”
L54.00.00
L53.00.00
L24.00.00
L12.00.00
L26.00.00
L171.00.00
L64.00.00
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 2, Spring 1976, pages 114-123, and Vol. IV, Summer 1976, No. 3, pages 159-__:
“Payments for Colonial Services:”
“The following payments are those attached to Colonial Tax Acts. They generally
refer to services performed a year before the act. All of these are found in the Statutes at
Large of South Carolina (commonly known as Cooper and McCord) Vol. IV. Years and
page numbers are given at the beginning of each list.”
“To be raised by particular laws appointing the same…For orders issues in
1755…For the Garrisons at Fort Prince George and Fort Loudon, in the Cherokees…To
HENRY GALLMAN on several orders for provisions and carriage of stores, L2292 12s
9p…To Peter Benoist, on three orders of John Kennett, for carriage of stores, L273, 6s;
and HENRY GALLMAN’s, for the like service, L180…To John and HENRY
GALLMAN, for provisions, L361, 13s, 6p.”
Although this section does not bear directly on the Gallmans or the Geigers, it is
included here to illustrate an important principle which many people today forget, which
was a significant factor in why Americans rebelled against the British…they were
overbearing and haughty towards ‘the provincials’ and often in very close quarters. We
66
have lost sight, many of us, of the preemptive nature of the British officers in billeting
themselves and their soldiers. One wonders how many of the people on the list below
were unwilling or resentful hosts and hostesses of the soldiers who were assigned
quarters in their homes.
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 2, Spring 1976, page 118:
“For the Forces, viz.:
To the following persons for quarters for the officers:
Baker, Sarah
L56
Bedon, Benry or Henry
L31 08s 06 pence
Bedon, John Raven
L95 06s 08 p
Beekman ,Barnard
L22 10s
Bennett, Rebecca
L31 08s
Bisset, William
L27 02s 06p
Boone, Jane
LL56
Bulline, Nathaniel
L108
Carne, Samuel
L62 10
Carwithin, William
L41 01s 05p
Clifford, Sarah
L10
Cranmer, Mary
L140 13s
Dotte, David
L18 15s 10p
Fairweather, Robert
L62 05s
Gordon, John
L30
Guignard, Gabriel
L47 13s 04p
Kennan, Henry
L36 08s 06p
Leger, Peter
L217 14s 09p
Lining, Thomas
L93 15s
Mackenzie, Robert
L9 12s 06p
Mason, William
L26 08s
Matthews, John
L55
Mitchell, Moses
L79 13s
Neilson, James
L3 03s
Perkins, Samuel
L62 16
Poole, Elizabeth
L77 08s 10p
Price, Jane
Price, Rice estate of
L46 08s 06p
Prioleau, Magdalen
L98 15s
Quash, John
L61 07s 06p
Reid, James
L100 11s 06p
Richardson, Elizabeth
L173 15s
Robertson, William
L62 10s
Robinson, Isabella
L33 03s 08p
Rogers, Ann
L5
Rose, Susannah
L174 10s 09p
67
Schermerhoorn, Arnout
L63 15s
Schurlock, Catharine
L5 077s 06p
Seacraft, Elizabeth
L25
Sheppard Margaret
L75
Walker, Susannah
L87
Walker, Thomas
L55
Watson, Ann
L6 05
Weyman, Edward
L245 07s 11p
Lt. Robinson, William MacKenzie, Duncan Banye, Ensign McDonald and Ensign
Houston
L85 10s”
Along the same lines as above, the following list reveals a number of persons who
were unwilling, but forced to provide articles to the British army, against their will. This
was not always for political reasons. Sometimes it was simply because they felt they
could not spare the items or provisions, when they felt it might cause a shortage in
providing for their own families. Whatever the motivation for refusing to give up the
requested article willingly, the aftermath was a natural disliking for the army or the
persons responsible for ‘impressing’ the articles, even thought they were reimbursed one
or two years later, with these tax acts.
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 3, Summer 1976, page 157:
“To the following persons for articles impressed by Colonel Pawley’s battalion,
viz:”
Baxter, John
a wagon and horses
L295 10s
Beale, Othniel and Son, Co.
L147
Cooper, William
a horse
L67 15s
Dargon, William
corn and fodder
L4
Davison, Alexander
a sheep
L3
Dupree, Daniel
two horses and a bell
L83 17s 06 pence
Gregg
a cart and other articles
L41
Hall, Hugh
deer skins
L21 12s
Hamilton, James
a bullock, 9 bushels of corn
L16 15s
Holman, Conrad
corn and straw
L9 10s
Johnston, Archibald
4,149 lbs weight of flour
L269 13s 07 pence
Lessene, Peter
a horse and cart
L46
Lorimer, Samuel
two horses
L65
Lorimer, Thomas
a horse
L50
McDowell, Christopher
repairs to carts
L9
McDowell, Forges?
repairs to carts
L9
McDowell, John
a cart
L18
McCree, John
a horse and mare
L72
McCree, Joseph
two horses
L72
Miles, Aquila
a horse
L30
Porcher, Peter
rice
L16 02s
68
Potts, Thomas
sundries
L16 10s
Potts, Thomas
8 ½ bushels of corn
L4 15s
Ruthy or Tuthy, Henry
3 old bridles
L1
Ruthy or Tuthy, Henry
a cart and horses
L161
Scriven, Elisha
two horses
L95
Scriven, Henry
a cart and harness
L25
Scriven, Joseph
horses
L155
Scriven or Scrivener, Joseph a horse
L60
Scriven, Joshua
a bullock, L14; rice, L5; traces and sole leather, L8 10s
Scriven, Susanna
L55
Thomas, Samuel
corn
L3 05s
Thompson, William
a cart
L17 10s
White, Anthony
sundries
L380 12s
White, Anthony Martin
a horse and mare
L60
White, John
boards and pasturage of horses
L87 06s 09 pence
White, Joseph
a weather, L5 5s; a horse cart
L23
Woodmason, Charles and Co. sundries
L68 18s 06 pence
The taking of horses and carts, and cattle does seem to be extreme, especially
when taking into account that the settlers were not reimbursed for one or two years. One
has to wonder if the owners had more than one of each. One item of interest found under
the following column:
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 2, Spring 1976, page 119:
“To the following persons for rent of house for barracks and hospitals, and for
materials and workman, the same:
To Sarah Nightingale, for damages sustained by the Royal Americans
encampment in her pasture, L75.”
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 2, Spring 1976, page 122:
For Criminal Slaves:
To John Giessendanner, for slaves executed
To William Dalton, for slaves executed
To Hugh McCutchin’s estate, for slaves executed
To James Ladson, for slaves executed
To James Ash’s estate, for slaves executed
To Joseph Ash, for slaves executed
L200
L400
L200
L200
L90
L90
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 2, Spring 1976, page 123:
“Indian Expenses”
69
“And to the following persons, for provisions, and etc…HENRY GALLMAN,
L2 3s 6p.”
“To the following persons, for the use of the several battalions:
Jacob Callman [Gallman], for a steer, L9 10s.
John Gallman for a steer, L9.
HENRY GALLMAN, five certificates for flour, L171 7s 2 pence; for corn and
pasturage, L28 15s. L200 02 02.
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 3, Summer 1976, page 160:
Conrad Holman, for entertaining the Governor and several others L55
Seawright, William, 7 certificates for entertaining several parties,
for provisions, potatoes and two fat cows
L161 18s 09 pence.
Peronneau, Mary, for entertaining troopers, L69 10s, and part of St. George’s Co.-L5 15s
Theus, Simon, estate of-for entertaining several parties
L104 18s 09 pence
Tickle, George-for entertaining troopers
L8 12s 06 pence
Harman Christopher Detring and Conrad Geiger, for pasturage of cattle, L10.
HENRY GALLMAN for wagon hire, L490.
HENRY GALLMAN, for wagon hire, L485.”
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
Fall 1976, p. 217-222:
To HENRY GALLMAN, on an order of John Conrad Geiger, for the carriage of stores
to the Congarees, L27.
To HENRY GALLMAN for the carriage of stores to Fort Prince George, L670.
For Indian Expenses:
“…for entertaining Indians…for HENRY GALLMAN, for the like service, L86…to
HENRY GALLMAN (a second account) for the like service, L17 5s.”
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. V, Winter
1977, No. 1, pages 56-57:
“For Indian Expenses:
On an order of A. Campbell…HENRY GALLMAN, ditto, L59 05s 03 pence.”
The following are a few interesting items to illustrate some of the “facts of life” in
colonial times.
From the SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. IV,
No. 3, Summer 1976, page 156:
Extraordinary Charges:
70
To John Kitt, for apprehending John Wall, a deserter from Fort Loudon
L134
Annuity to the Negro Sampson, for discovering a cure for the bites of rattlesnakes L50
[This annuity was actually paid annually from the few yearly records that are extant.]
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 184:
“The conflict of Great Meadows was a bugle call to arms to every English
colony…Early in 1755, General Edward Braddock was sent first to recapture Fort
Duquesne…Braddock heedlessly led his troops to within ten miles of the fort, where he
was attacked by a force of French Canadians and their Indian allies. His army was almost
annihilated.”
Page 185-“The seizure of Fort Duquesne in 1754 initiated the seven-year conflict
known as the French and Indian War, although England did not formally declare war
against France until 1756.
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xiii-xiv, the Introduction-“With Colonel George Washington’s capitulation
at Great Meadow, the crown realized that France was planning to force the Virginians out
of the Ohio Valley and that the time had come to resist. [Governor] Glen was ordered not
to obstruct [Virginia’s Governor] Dinwiddie’s efforts to oppose the enemy and to see
that South Carolina help finance English operations against the French.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xix: “On April 22, 1755, the Gun Merchant [an Indian headman], who had
spent the winter with the Cherokees, returned to the Creek nation…finding that the
Cherokees could buy their goods at much lower rates, had asked the Cherokee traders at
Chote to bring goods to the Creeks. One, Robert Goudy, had obliged him, taking twenty
horse loads of goods, buying the Creeks skins, and returning to Chote with goods to
spare…”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 202-205:
“It was late in June of 1755 when Glen called a conference with the Cherokees
and Catawbas at Saluda Old Town. Whether by design or accident, Glen could not have
picked a more inauspicious time to call his conference to get the Cherokees to cede their
unoccupied lands to the British. General Braddock left Fort Cumberland on June 10.
1755 for the Ohio and one month later, on July 9, his force was destroyed. After it was
71
all over, Dinwiddie wrote Glen that the Catawbas and Cherokees had sent him a message
that they had not kept their promises to assist him because Governor Glen had summoned
them to a meeting. Dinwiddie attributed Braddock’s defeat to their absence.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Clarke of the Anson County militia in North Carolina was at
the conference at Saluda Old Town and reported the proceedings to [North Carolina]
Governor Dobb. The Catawbas had already been dismissed before he arrived…
According to Clarke’s narrative, Governor Glen, accompanied by several hundred men
proceeded ‘with great parade’ and was met by approximately 1,100 Indians at Saluda
Old Town. He entertained the Indians with food and liquor for several days, gave the
interpreter l100 sterling to gain one of the Cherokee chiefs, and, so Clarke said, ‘he ate
and drank with them, took off his laced clothes and changed them with the chief, and put
on his Indian dress and gave the Cherokee chief a fine ring which he called a diamond,
and said it was worth l60 to carry to his Queen, so that by repeated presents and liquor he
prevailed with them to sign a treaty by which they gave up all title to the lands they
claimed towards the Mississippi to the Crown of Britain…”
“Glen promised the Cherokees more trade and a fort in upper Cherokee country
near Chota in exchange for their vast lands, which added 40,000,000 acres to British
domain. As a matter of fact, the Cherokees had not surrendered their lands, but had
placed them under the protection of the British in one last desperate effort to stem the tide
of the encroaching white settlers. Their nation had become an English protectorate.”
“Ever since Dobb’s arrival in the colonies he and Glen and the provinces they
ruled had been at odds. In this case, it was the land of the Catawbas and their trade or
military aid that was disputed. The boundary between North and South Carolina was
undefined, or rather, ill-defined. Both provinces had laid claim to the disputed region
where the Catawba towns were. [204] The quarrels arising as a result were prolonged and
were frequently accompanied by lawlessness and violence. Dobbs described the area as a
‘kind of sanctuary to criminals and vagabonds by their pretending, as it served their
purpose, that they belonged to either province.’”
Page 204-“With the Catawbas fretting over settler encroachments and the
Cherokees peeved with Glen’s failure o provide the promised fort, Virginia had a prime
opportunity to step into the breach. Despairing of help from Glen, Dinwiddie decided to
seek a treaty with the Catawbas and Cherokees to secure ‘these warlike Nations to our
interest at this perilous juncture when the French are laboring to seduce them from their
fidelity to us…’”
“The expedition was guided by experienced Indian traders…[205] It took almost
two months from early January of 1756 to February 20, for the party to reach Catawba
Town. King Hagler and his sachems received the Virginians graciously, approved the
many gifts offered and were willing to sign the treaty. The agreement provided that the
ancient alliance between Virginia and the Nation be renewed; that the Catawbas furnish
within forty days, forty warriors to fight the French…and that the warriors should be
72
provided by the English with all necessary clothes, arms, food and ammunition while in
the service.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xiii-xiv, the Introduction “…Settlements had been established in the Saluda
valley between Saluda Old Town and Ninety Six. By 1756, the Cherokees were
complaining to their trader, James Beamer, that there were settlers above Long Cane
Creek on Rocky River…The Cherokees became increasingly alarmed about the security
of their hunting grounds…[however the province of] North Carolina refused to recognize
the little tribe’s claims at all and issued grants in the Catawba nation without even
ascertaining whether the land was in North Carolina.”
“But it was a new problem, that of competition in the Indian trade with the young
colony of Georgia, which did the most to force South Carolina into reforming her Indian
affairs…An illegal trade grew up between the lower towns and Augusta, especially in
rum, which flowed to the Cherokees in enough quantity to cause Carolina concern. The
Georgia authorities either looked the other way or took their share of the profits…In
1755, Governor Glen, at the insistence of the Cherokee headmen, agreed to prohibit the
rum trade.”
“But the following year, Raymond Demere, the commander of the Overhill fort
expedition, complained that rum brought in from Georgia was causing serious problems
with the Indians: John Elliott, an Overhill trader was bringing in 100 kegs; Robert Goudy
was supplying rum to pack-horsemen at Ninety Six; and others were planning to ship rum
from Augusta and elsewhere in Georgia. Demere sent Governor Lyttleton a list of those
involved. Although Lyttleton gave him permission to seize Elliott’s cargo, Demere was
forced to allow some of it to be transported to the Overhills so that Elliott could pay his
debts to the Indians.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xxii-xxiii: “By 1756, when the British began construction of Fort Loudon,
French intrigue had already made Carolina-Cherokee relations difficult. A strong proFrench faction at appeared at Great Tellico. Situated on the western extremity of the
Overhill towns, bearing the brunt of the French-allied Indian attacks, and subject to the
neglect of their trader, Robert Goudy, the town had good reason to seek new allies. In the
summer of 1756, when the Fort Loudon expedition had already arrived at Fort Prince
George, the Mankiller of Tellico, with Old Hop’s blessing, led a party of twenty-four
Cherokees to Toulouse at the Alabamas [a French stronghold]…[xxiii] Glen’s expedition
left Charleston on May 19, 1756.”
73
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 178-180-John Chevillette to Governor Lyttleton:
“Fort Prince George, August 30th, 1756
May it please your Excellency,
After having settled my private affairs at home, I proceeded on my journey to the
Congarees, and arrived there the 6th instant. I met Captain Postel with his company
completed. A few days after Captain Stuart arrived, who with the men that his Lieutenant
brought with him completed likewise, the distance that most of the men were listed and
the delay of the rendezvous made it a month’s pay due to most of them before we left the
Congarees, which pay they all expected I would issue them. The money your Excellency
lodged in my hands being designed for other uses and not sufficient to pay off the two
companies, I put them off as well as I could. After receiving the muster rolls it appeared
that there was due to Captain Stuart’s company from the day of enlisting, @ 2/6 per diem
the sum of L129:05:00, to Captain Postel’s company the sum of L120:05:00, which sums
I paid to each captain on their receipt.”
“The same day being the 11th following I took charge of victualing, and inspected
of what provisions and etc, were left at Mrs. Mercier’s belonging to the public, which I
took into charge. The rice and flour was expended during our stay at the Congarees and
our march to Keowee. At the Congarees, I bought 4 head of cattle, part of which, when
killed, I gave out fresh. The other was stripped from the bones, salted and dried to serve
us on the road and lasted til we came to the Halfway Swamp 8 miles from Ninety Six. At
that place we made a halt for 2 days for a fresh supply of beef. I bought 4 cattle and cured
the meat as the former, which brought us to Keowee.”
“Here we are and be supplied with cattle from Captain Demere, who expects L16
per head. I shall be obliged to have 6 head killed and cured as the former for the journey.
There is a great waste in stripping and drying meat in this manner, but there is no other
method to be taken in the summer season. Notwithstanding the care and trouble I take, I
find it a hard task to please the men, who seems to be countenanced by their leaders.
However, as my aim is to do justice to my country and to the people under my charge in
that respect, I am resolved to observe it strictly. They expect a fresh supply of salt when
fresh provisions are given them, my instructions make no mention of it, and as it is one of
the most considerable articles for both expense and value, I shall be very frugal on that
point until your Excellency is pleased to order it otherwise.”
“I have not yet taken entire charge of provisions and etc, here in store, and it will
nor can be done but gradually, as we shall load the transport horses. As it’s impossible to
have a supply of horses to carry all from this place at once, I shall take an account of
what will be left under the care of the sergeant. I find there is a middling quantity of
74
wheat flour in store, but chiefly in barrels and no kind of linen to make either bags to load
it on horses as also the salt. If I can meet with a piece of osnaburgs, I must buy it.”
“I have hired a baker at L20 per month for work up the flour when over the hills,
as also a clerk to assist me in the store at L20 per month and a waiter at L15 to aid and
assist whatever will be wanted in and out of the store. This 3 persons I recommended to
your Excellency in council and were approved of.”
“I hope by the time our bread kind is expended we may have a supply of corn, as
there is throughout the Nation large crops of corn made. Captain Demere expects a
supply of biscuit up and any sort of bread kind for his people from me. I shall take an
account what I deliver him and furnish him with till your Excellency’s pleasure is
known.”
“I have issued certificates to HEINY GALLMAN and to Godfried Dryer each of
L100 currency for 3 wagons they furnished for carrying baggage and provisions and etc,
for 2 companies from the Congarees to Keowee. As also:
To Peter Grim for a load from Charlestown to Keowee
L133:00:00
To John Kenneth for a load from ditto to ditto
L164:10:00
To HENRY GALLMAN for a load of salt and iron
L147:00:00
To John Gallman for iron and salt
L150:10:00
“All those who will furnish stores will expect like certificates; Captain Demere
wants Indians’ bullets and some goods for presents, and as it seems to be present, I have
directed two wagons, who are now here and belong in the Congarees, to go immediately
to Charlestown. If the load cannot be completed with goods and bullets, salt will be
wanted very much.”
I hear that Isham Clayton has not got about 30 head of cattle left who were drove
and delivered to him by Mr. Minnick. I am glad to hear Mr. Minnick is to supply me, but
I hope it will be with no greater gang than can conveniently be kept together, then it
cannot expected that any of the provincials can be spared to take care of them as they will
be constantly employed about the fortifications and other duties.”
“Your Excellency ,may depend on my care and frugal management as much as
possible, having no interesting view private to myself on this expedition, and if I can
make both ends meet, it will be a secret satisfaction that I have completed the trust you
have confided in me. I conclude and make bold to call myself with veneration,
Your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant, John Chevillette.
We are in want of writing paper.
What stores left by the late governor at Mrs. Mercier’s:
5 barrels of rice
2 barrels of tobacco
1 bag flour
75
1 chest provincial arms
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 116-117:
“Bartram [Bartram’s Travels, p. 278] described a caravan in which he traveled
through the Creek and Chickasaw country in 1777 [1776]. ‘The horses having ranged
themselves in regular Indian file…[the more experienced in the lead, the younger behind]
then the chief drives with the crack of his whip, and a whoop or shriek, which rings
through the forests and plains, speaks in Indian, commanding them to proceed which is
repeated by the company, when we start at once.’ The horses keep up ‘a brisk and
constant trot which is incessantly urged and continued as long as the miserable creatures
are able to move forward, and then come to camp, though frequently in the middle of the
afternoon, which is the pleasantest time of the day for travelling: and every horse had a
bell on…the constant ringing and clattering of the bells, the smacking of the whips, the
whooping, and too frequent cursing, these miserable quadrupeds cause an incessant
uproar and confusion, inexpressibly disagreeable.”
“The bells used on the harness of the pack horses served two purposes: first, to
notify the trader of a horse’s position should it wander off; and second, to ward off the
huge flies that on one of his journeys ‘formed a vast cloud around our caravan so thick as
to obscure every distant object…the head, neck, and shoulders of the leading horses were
continually in a gore of blood…some of these flies were near as large as bumble
bees…The next day being in like manner oppressed and harassed by the stinging flies and
heats; we halted at noon, being unable longer to support ourselves under such
grievances.”
“On setting out, the bell’s clappers were hushed by stuffing grass around them,
but in a few jolting miles the silencers were dislodged, and the nerve-shattering noise
began again.”
“Logan [Logan, vol. I, p. 329, The History of the Upper Country of South
Carolina] has provided this graphic appraisal: ‘The abuses of the horses, and the
hardships of the drivers, on the trading paths were sometimes dreadful, and never
inconsiderable. It may be truly said, that the bleaching bones of the former made white
many a weary mile of the great trails leading from Charleston…and not infrequently
mingled with them, were seen the ghastly skeletons of men and women.’ These human
skeletons were usually those of dead Cherokees left unburied along the Path by their
countrymen for fear of contracting ceremonial uncleanliness in preparing the corpses for
burial away from home and without their usual means of purification.”
“Bartram noted a singular way the drivers had of subduing wild young horses. If
an animal stubbornly resisted the whip and would not receive the pack saddle upon his
back, the pack horseman would catch one of the tips of its ears between his teeth and bite
it, ‘when instantly the furious strong creature, trembling, stands perfectly still until he is
loaded.’”
76
“The hot southern sun burned down on man and beast alike: the caravan seldom
broke until the day was already disagreeably hot; camp was struck in mid-afternoon when
the cooler hours began.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 118-119:
“Logan [The History of the Upper Country of South Carolina], gives a colorful
picture of a trading post, in this particular instance both Savannah Town and the
‘Congarees’-[Footnote states ‘The Congarees was a name given to the community
between Congaree Creek and Congaree River; today it is the town of Cayce, SC. Here
was the Congaree Fort and also Fort Granby.’] However, it might well have been Fort
Henry, or with modification, the smaller post in the Catawba nation.”
“‘At this period Savannah Town and the Congarees often presented scenes more
boisterous and busy than many a commercial town of the present, with far more
pretension in situation and trade. On their outskirts are encamped numerous caravans of
pack trains with their roistering drivers, who are mostly mischievous boys. The smoke
from a hundred campfires curls about the thick top of the trees, and the woods resound
with the neighing of horses and barking and howling of hungry Indian dogs. A large
supply of goods has arrived from Charleston, and every pack saddle came down from the
Nation loaded with skins and furs, and these, being now displayed to the best advantage,
the work of barter begins.”
In the open air and in the trading house are congregated a motley assembly of
pack horsemen, traders, hunters, squaws, children, soldiers, and stately Indian warriorssome silent and grave, seemingly uninterested in the scene; but the greater number loudly
huxtering, and obstinately contending over their respective commodities in trade, in many
barbarous tongues.”
“The Hunters from distant wilds want a supply of powder and ball, each squaw
fancies some bright-colored fabric for a new petticoat or dress, while the warriors and old
men eagerly demand guns, ammunition and blankets.”
The clamor begins, however, presently to subside and at length the last bargain
has been struck, and goods and peltries have alike changed hands. The packs are once
more made up; the goods for the Indian towns and the skins for the market on the
seaboard, and everything is again ready for the trail. The boys crack their whips, and with
shouts and halloos that make the forest ring, the trains enter the narrow paths, and are
soon far on their way, leaving the garrisons and agents of the posts to the dull monotony
of the wilderness till their next visit.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
77
“Glen himself never reached the Cherokee nation. By the time he arrived at
Ninety Six, orders came from his successor, William Henry Lyttleton, to return to
Charleston. Captain Raymond Demere, in joint command of the Independent Company
and the former commander of Fort Frederica in Georgia, was ordered to proceed to Fort
Prince George, and the militia was discharged…With a grant from the assembly,
Lyttleton was able to reorganize the expedition. Demere was given command, and
William Gerard DeBrahm, who had been an engineer in the service of Emperor Charles
VI and recently employed to rebuild a curtain line for the defense of Charleston, was
given the task of designing the fort and supervising its building.”
“As soon as reinforcements and supplies for the expedition arrived at Keowee,
Demere set out for the Overhills. His expedition arrived at Tomatley, the Little
Carpenter’s home, on October 1, 1756, and work began on the fort three days later.
DeBrahm had planned such an elaborate system of defense that little progress was
apparent.”
“Old Hop, who could not understand the delay, warned the expedition that the
party from Great Tellico would shortly be returning from the French and probably
planned to fall on the troops before they could finish the fort and effectively defend
themselves. The animosity which had prevailed between Demere and DeBrahm since
they arrived in the Overhills was quickly set aside. In the latter part of November 1756,
Demere optimistically reported that the fort would be completed in two months. In midDecember, however, DeBrahm suddenly announced that the fort would be finished in a
week and that he would then discharge the militia working on it. Meanwhile, the
Mankiller of Tellico had returned to the nation and the English learned of his plot to bring
in the French to attack the fort.”
“Demere was now faced with a serious crisis. His authority over the expedition
had been challenged and his fort, in its present condition, was indefensible…A council of
war agreed that DeBrahm had exceeded his authority, warned the men not to listen to
him, and asked for instructions from the governor…DeBrahm, afraid that the French
would attack, slipped away on Christmas night, leaving instructions for Demere to
complete the fort…”
“But increased fears of a French attack also forced the expedition out of its
lethargy. [Footnote: Captain John Postell, a militia company commander on the
expedition, complained that his men had families to feed and could not wait until Little
Carpenter returned from Charleston before beginning to plant for next season.] When
Captain Postel refused to order his recalcitrant men inside the works, Demere compelled
them. The men built huts to live in, mounted the great guns on stocks and cut wood for
the palisades. By the time Lyttleton’s orders arrived, on April 2, 1757, Demere had a fort
capable of withstanding an Indian attack. On July 30, 1757, he reported that Fort Loudon
was completed and ‘in a posture of defense.’”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
78
Page 75-a “Jacob Geiger was neighbor to Michael Mintz on Broad River.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown,
1966, Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 208:
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 206-207:
“The treaty with Virginia notwithstanding, the Catawbas still gave first allegiance
to the South Carolinians…The forty days specified in the treaty went by, however, and
the Catawbas still did not send men. When the new governor William Henry Lyttleton
arrived in Charles Town to succeed Glen, King Hagler was summoned for a conference
which may have contributed to the delay. In addition, trader Mathew Toole, who was to
serve as interpreter for the Virginia expedition, fell sick.”
Page 207-“Eventually, on November 9, 1756, Colonel George Washington
reported eleven Catawbas had arrived at Winchester ‘and we undoubtedly might have had
more of them, had the proper means been used to send trusty guides to invite and conduct
them to us; but this is neglected. One Matthew Toole makes his boast of stopping them
until he shall be handsomely rewarded for bringing them; and Major Lewis can inform
you of one Beamer, who uses every method to hinder the Cherokees from coming to our
assistance.’”
“By April, 1757, over 300 Indians, including Cherokees, Catawbas, Tuscaroras,
and Nottoways had come to the assistance of Virginia, and Virginians were complaining
of the large expense of maintaining them and providing numerous presents. (Washington
himself said, ‘Indians eat and waste triple as much as soldiers.) Despite the difference in
the size of their nations, the Catawbas had furnished 124 warriors to the Cherokees
150…”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page xvii, the Introduction: “Early in 1757, Old Hop charged Glen with
duplicity. He claimed that Glen had agreed upon certain price regulations, which the
traders had then refused to follow…Shortages of goods and attempts to monopolize the
trade aroused further discontent. Robert Goudy, licensed to trade at two towns, Great
Tellico and Chatuga, opened a store at Ninety Six and hired pack-horsemen to trade for
him. The resulting lack of goods at Great Tellico alienated the town. John Elliott was
accused of trying to engross the upper towns trade and of charging exorbitant prices.
Although the charges against the Scottish trader were dropped, they were not forgotten:
Elliott was one of the first men scalped at the outbreak of the Cherokee War.”
Taken from the SCMAR South Carolina Militia 1757:
79
“A list of the number of men belonging to the regiment of militia in Berkeley
County, commanded by Colonel John Chevillette, Lt. Colonel Christian Minick, Major
Moses Thompson, adjutant William Thompson. [From The History of Orangeburg
County, South Carolina: From Its First Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War,
by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898, Orangeburg, SC: “William Thompson was a captain of
Rangers, 175_ to 1759. For his services in the Cherokee War, 1759, he was promoted to
major…The South Carolina Gazette of September 27th, 1760, said, ‘Our 7 companies of
Rangers are to be completed to full numbers and William Thomson, esq, being appointed
Major Commandant of the whole, they will soon be equal to a regiment of Light Horse.”]
Saxegotha company:
Daniel Sheider, captain
William Baker, Lt.-3 2 91
Twelve Mile Creek as far as Little Saludy Fink (Sink?)-HENRY [HEINRICH]
GALLMAN, Captain: 1 40 [1 officer, 40 private men]
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 324-325, John Fairchild to Governor Lyttleton:
“Fort Loudon, January 17th. 1757
May it please your Excellency,
After humbly asking your Excellency’s pardon for taking this liberty, which is
presumption in me, but from your Excellency’s goodness, I am the greater emboldened
and do humbly beg leave to inform your Excellency that some time past a neighborhood
of people living on the southering branch of Broad River was drove from oft their several
settlements by the severe threats of Indians and are still obliged to keep from their lands
and livings. Also some of the inhabitants from the northernmost branches of that part of
Santee called Great Saluda, and after plundering the houses, with other mischiefs, set
some on fire which gives the whole inhabitants this way, unspeakable uneasiness, that
almost the whole place threatens to break up, declaring they cannot possibly stay much
longer, for fear worse should happen.”
“I have removed into this part of the province myself, and having the welfare of
my country entirely at heart, and in order to quiet the minds of the frontier inhabitants in
this part of our province, in the best manner I can, til your Excellency’s pleasure be
known, I have begun to build (with my own people and hands) a strong fort for the
reception of the inhabitants hereabouts in case of emergency, if your Excellency will be
pleased to allow the same, and I shall cheerfully do everything in my power to complete
the said fort, and have to tenable and sufficiently able to hold 300 fighting men having
the timber planks and facings ready waiting your Excellency’s commands which shall be
received with pleasure by me who begs your Excellency will pardon the freedom I have
here taken. I am,
80
Your Excellency’s most dutiful and most obedient, humble servant, John
Fairchild.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the
Colonial Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia,
SC Archives Department, 1958:
Page 325-Captain Raymond Demere to Governor Lyttleton:
“Fort Loudon, January 31st, 1757
Sir,
On the 15th instant I was honored with your Excellency’s dispatches per George
Duckard and on the 19th Lieutenant Howarth and Mr. Chevillette arrived here. By the
former I received a letter from your Excellency. As the content of both your dispatches
are of such importance on His Majesty’s especial service, I ordered immediately
everything to be got in readiness to execute and obey your orders to attack the French as
soon as they should offer to enter into any part of this Nation on what pretence soever,
which in my opinion is the best expedient that can be taken to disappoint them in their
expectations.”
“The means and measures I have taken was first to desire Old Hop to summon all
the headmen and warriors of the seven towns to be present at a talk I intended to give
them which is straight and bold as it ought to be on all such occasions, and generally
produce quick compliance. I delivered it on the 25th instant in their new townhouse at
Chottee in the presence of all the officers except Captain Postel and Lieutenant Adamson,
before all the white people that live in these upper towns, and before a multitude of
Indians on the occasion together, a copy of which is sent to your Excellency and I hope
will meet with your approbation. I had a long belt of wampum made for that purpose
which I presented to Old Hop after the talk was over. He received it very kindly and soon
after he gave very long talk to all his people relating to what they had heard, and
persuaded them very much to take up the hatchet of war against the French and go out for
scalps, but added that the reward was too small.”
“Oconostoto, otherwise called the Great Warrior of Chota, after consulting with
the headmen and warriors a little while in private came into the townhouse and offered
with his gang to go out to war, and asked Lieutenant Wall if he would go with him; Mr.
Wall told him that he was ready and willing to go anywhere to war with him if it was
agreeable to me. On such an occasion as this I could not well deny the Great Warrior or
Lieutenant Wall. I therefore condescended to it. (Comme Monsieur Wall est tres porte et
remply de Zelle d’affection en toute occasion pour le service du Roy, votre Excellence
voudera bien me pemettre de vous le recommander une person degne de meritte…”
[My fractured French translation-“As Mr. Wall is very portly and resembles? The
affectation of Zelle? On this occasion to serve the King, your Excellency would allow me
to recommend a person of greater merit…”]
81
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 337-338, John Chevillette to Governor Lyttleton:
“Fort Loudon, Feb. 9th, 1757
May it please your Excellency,
On the 21st of last month I arrived safe at this place. Out of the 91 head of cattle
Isham Clayton had to deliver here, 82 head came safe over, one head who tired, Mr.
Gaudy killed and will pay for, so that there is 8 head lost. There is this day, 30 head of
that parcel remaining. The cattle are very small and fallen away on their journey that they
don’t weigh 280 pound round. The hogs that I bought at the Congarees, 132 head in
number, came safe to this place, that is to say, 123 here and 9 head killed I killed at
Keowee that I thought would drive no further, and they happen to be of great service as
Captain Stuart with his party Indians when they came there, wanted provision which they
had during their stay there, and for their journey in flour and pork, also a keg of rum and
sugar by Captain Stuart’s orders.”
“I brought with me from the Congarees to Keowee 10,953 weight of flour, 3,000
whereof is come here; what remains there I have ordered to be sent here. There is no corn
in store; I expect some tomorrow. The Indians are very backward in letting us have any
quantity. I have employed some traders to buy what they can, and I have engaged them at
30 shillings per bushel delivered here. I bought last week of the Indians, 30 bushels for a
keg of rum. All that the Indians want for their corn is gartering, cadis, all sorts of beads
and vermilion. Captains Demere and Stuart and Postel has hitherto supplied the store with
those and more articles. All those articles should be supplied with from town. I don’t
expect to get above 600 bushels of corn in the upper Cherokees which when got will be
two months bread kind. I have, therefore, with the advice of Captain Demere, directed
HENRY GALLMAN to send to Keowee 20,000 weight of flour. I have advice that the
50 head of cattle of Mr. Minnick’s are at Keowee, 2 head of them Lieutenant Gray’s
command made use of. I have sent for the 48 head and agreed at 3 pounds per head
delivered here.”
“I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 29th December; the
contents shall be punctually observed. As this fort (if I may call it so) should always have
6 months provision secured, I think a further supply of 100 cattle will be absolutely
necessary.”
“I cannot omit acquainting your Excellency of the surprise I was in when I came
insight of Mr. Debrahm’s Fort. I have seen many fortifications, but never such infamous
work as he has begun. The pallisadoes that are proposed to be added to it will require two
months work. When done, it may support a small attack, but we must never expect an
honorable capitulation. It is situated in such disadvantageous place that no man but a
villain would have erected a fort up, when at 400 yards distance there is a beautiful piece
82
of ground for that purpose and where a good rampart fort might be built in 2 months time.
I am, with respect,
Your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant. John Chevillette”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 338-John Chevillette to Governor Lyttleton:
Fort Loudon, Feb. 11, 1757
May it please your Excellency,
Since I sealed up my letter per this express, I recollected that I omitted to acquaint
you Excellency that it is necessary that 100 bags should be sent to the Congarees to put
the flour in, to each bag there is 2 ½ yards lining required. Common osnaburg bags are
not strong enough, therefore, I believe duck will be the best. I have wrote to GALLMAN
to send for this. I am, with respect,
Your excellency’s most obedient, humble servant, John Chevillette”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 343-Jonathan Boggs to Governor Lyttleton:
“Fort Prince George, Keowee, 21st February, 1757
Honored Sir,
I presume to trouble you with this as informing you after a tedious march
occasioned by our bad horses in the carriages and the extremity of the weather with rain
so excessively for 3 days together, and meeting the Indians at the Congarees which
distressed us very much for want of provisions that could not be gotten for money.
However we made shift and got through these difficulties and arrived safe at the fort the
6th instant and found it place so indifferent that I know not how to describe it to you. I
must confess it has a name, but cannot find nothing about it to answer it in that defense;
may say more properly it’s suckling store than a fortification.”
“Its plan is in the form 120 foot square within and at each angle a square
adjoining of about 24 foot in each of which is placed one swivel gun upon a post about 5
foot high, and the entrenchment about 20 foot wide. It’s raised of such variety of earth
that it will not bind, which keeps us in continual employ to support it. Our houses are also
in as bad condition as can be expressed, nor is it in our powers to make them better unless
you be so kind as to use your interest in our behalf and forward these things mentioned as
83
under. Would the province encourage the men with proper tools and additional pay per
day as is usual on such occasions, they would presently find the place in much better
defense.”
“I observed at Mrs. Burnet’s in Old Saluda two small swivel guns and will be
spoiled ere they lie long, they being thrown in the road. They would be of infinite service
here. Would you agree with HENRY GALLMAN for the carriage; believe they would
come to hand soon.”
“Most of the neighboring Indians here visited me and I find they all seem steady
in our interest at present. The Swallow Warrior and Tossity of Eastertoa Town and these
towns adjacent are gathering together about a 100 men to travel into Virginia and there to
be under the Governor’s command. By the solicitations of 19 men of the town, I have
ventured to release them with 5 pounds of trading balls out of our common stores in order
to find themselves provisions on their march.”
“We are in great want of more land to plant corn for our subsistence for our
number of men; am afraid I shall not accomplish so difficult a task, should think with
your approbation a few small presents would not be amiss with these people in [bringing]
them to such compliance.”
“Any commands your Excellency shall think proper to entrust me with may
depend on may endeavors to fulfill your instructions and I am your most obedient servant
to command.
Tools Needed at Fort Prince George
A whip-saw, 7-foot plate or length, half a dozen spiken Gimblets
½ dozen 3 square files
1 ½ inch auger
A good large broadax
An anvil about 100 weight for a smith
A vice of 40 or 50 weight
A small screw plate to mend gun locks
A few blacksmith’s files with a rasp or two
A small parcel of iron and steel for mending tools
1 dozen of half round files
Half a dozen small gimblets
1 ¾ inch augur
3 carpenter’s adzes
A small barrel nails, 8d, 10d, and 20d
Two stout chains for a drawbridge
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
84
Page 362-363- John Chevillette to Governor Lyttleton:
Fort Loudon, April the 5th, 1757
To His Excellency H. Lyttleton, Esq.
May it please your Excellency,
Since my last by Sergeant Branham, the corn contracted for is delivered in store. I
also received from Keowee some flour and 1000 weight of bacon which I bought at the
Congarees. Enclosed, I sent a note of provisions this day remaining; the last cattle were
so small and poor, that it requires 5 head for 4 days. In the whole, I don’t think there is
far above 40 days meat kind here. I have at sundry times communicated the state of the
stores to Captain Demere, and this day I made him a return in writing their [kind?]
thereby to put him in mind of your Excellency’s positive orders, that he might
communicate me in writing his opinion, but I cannot see his view in delaying such a
material point. If he should give me any directions, it will be very difficult to have any
kind here before wanted, should the provincials be kept much longer here.”
“I had some days ago, a letter from Mr. Butler, trader in this nation, wherein he
acquaints me that an Indian gave him intelligence of 20 head of cattle that were in a
retired place in the mountains (some of the first gang). I have sent to him and offered him
20 shillings sterling per head delivered here and a reward to the Indian, if he will pilot
people to the spot. Should the Indian intelligence be true (of which I much doubt) I dare
say that the encouragement I offer will spur up the pack horse men to go for them, then
this would be an unexpected and agreeable supply.”
“I have wrote to Mr. Doharty to endeavor to purchase me in his town, 20 head of
hogs, which I am confident he will do if to be got. I shall do my utmost to prevent want,
though I acquainted your Excellency in my letter by O’Neal that a supply of 100 head of
cattle would be wanting. I did not suspect that your Excellency could contract for them to
be delivered before June next. It’s true I did not expect Minnick would have sent such
refuse of cattle.”
“Dennis Egon arrived here on Sunday last and left Captain Stewart taken with the
gout at Keowee. It seems Captain Demere detains him here till Captain Stewart’s arrival,
and I must think till then I shall have no orders to provide. However I will do my best
endeavor, nevertheless as I mentioned as before, to procure what I can in this nation, and
should this letter not go off till the messenger is dispatched, I will write by him at the
Congarees for more bacon, though it’s not the usual time to meet with any quantity there
at this advanced season.”
“One thing revives me, that your Excellency will have by the last two letters, fully
perceived the necessity of keeping a parcel of unwilling men longer here. The fort is
closed in and what remains to be done, the regulars are strong in number to finish it,
though I must confess that if the provincials are continued six months longer here, the
many schemes made daily by engineers the place is crowded with at present, would find
85
work for them, but never to make a retaliation of the expense, such continuance would
run the province in.”
“I must beg you Excellency’s pardon in troubling you with all these particulars. I
am convinced of your Excellency’s lenity, that should I have gone out of bounds I will be
forgiven. What cash I had to be accountable for is expended, however if our continuance
is not of any extent, I can make shift. Captain Demere wrote to me the 8th instant that it
was his orders I should provide a further supply of meat kind before wanted, and for that
end desired me to go down and return immediately.”
“I have settled this point with him and wrote to Goudy and GALLMAN, to
procure me what bacon they can get not exceeding 6000 weight in the whole. If it is to be
got, I am sure either of them will serve me, and if we should be recalled it will be very
good store for the garrison in the summer, though I don’t rely on nigh that quantity at this
season. Therefore if your Excellency hath contracted for cattle, it would be well to drive
them the latter end of May. Since your Excellency’s last letter the people are chiefly
employed in mending several works left out of the first projectors. No doubt your
Excellency have given orders for that purpose; those alterations will take three weeks
labor, then I may say there will be nothing wanting to be done but what the garrison may
do at their leisure.”
“I am, with great respect, you r Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant,
John Chevillette”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 367-HENRY GALLMAN to Governor Lyttleton
“Congarees, 20th April, 1757
To His Excellency W. H. Lyttleton, Esq., Sir,
I received a letter this day from Colonel John [Chevillette] from the Cherokee
Nation in order to send him up three or four thousand weight of bacon, but don’t know
whether I can get so much or no. I shall do all my endeavor to get it, but don’t know
whether any wagons will go up without a guard with them, for the Indians being very
bad. I had sent up seven wagons with fifteen thousand weight of flour, and they were
every one robbed of their provisions and showed very bad motions to them.”
“The Colonel wrote to me to acquaint you, whether I could get the bacon up or
not, which I shall soon do, that you might know it in time, from Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant, HENRY GALLMAN”
John Chevillette
Source: Letterbooks of William Henry Lyttleton 1756-1760
86
1757, July 11, Fort Loudown Letter 3
May it Please your Excellency,
On the 2d Instant, M. Grim arrived here with 99 Head of Cattle. They are the best
brought up yet and deserves to be continued in the Employ. I have sent Patrick Troy and
Patrick Gallahan with 20 Horses to be Loaden with Salt, and as Salt is an Article much
made use of here I have ordered Henry Gallman to send two waggons to Town to be
Loaden with 50 bushels Salt, And if the Ozenbrigs and plains I wrote for in my former is
not sent, it may be Loaden in the waggons. There is Bread Kind in Store and on the Road
Sufficient to Serve to the 1 of December next. Enclosed a List of Certificates Issued since
my former, I Shall be obliged to Issue for Small sums for want of Cash here, I am with
due Respect, Your Excellency’s Most humble and most Obedient Servant
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 421-John Fairchild to Governor Lyttleton:
10th December, 1757
From John Fairchild to his Excellency W. H. Lyttleton
May it please your Excellency,
After asking your Excellency’s pardon for taking this liberty, I beg the favor to
inform your Excellency that the bearer hereof has acquainted me, that there are four
Indians found murdered near the branches of Saluda River which gives that and the
adjacent neighborhood no small uneasiness fearing it might be done by the northern
Indians, as also lest the Cherokees might harbor the opinion, it might be some illdisposed white people. I look upon it as a duty incumbent upon me, that your Excellency
be acquainted therewith. The bearer has been at the spot since the murder was done, who
can further acquaint your Excellency of the matter. Your Excellency will be pleased to
pardon the freedom I have taken and I am,
your Excellency’s most dutiful, most obedient humble servant. Jonathan Fairchild
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 424-425-Captain West to Governor Lyttleton:
“Without date
From Captain William West at Little Saluda, to his Excellency W. H. Lyttleton
To the right honorable lord lieutenant governor of South Carolina,
These are to acquaint his Excellency concerning of these Indians that were killed
on the waters of the Little Saluda on the 24th or 25th day of November last. They were
known to be friends of the Cherokee Nation. It is supposed it was the Chickasaws have
done the murder for there has been some seen in them woods about that time. There were
87
four of them killed and very much haggled as their bowels cut open and their blankets
and guns burned in the fire. There is no skins to be found, nor their saddles. Their horses
was seen there some days after the murder was done. I have mad diligent search in them
woods and can make no discovery of their horses or of any of their goods.”
“These from William West, captain at Little Saluda.”
“N. B. These Indians were all shot and scalped. There were two men and two women.
They were all scalped with judgement. I would have acquainted his Excellency with this
matter before, but would not do it till I had know the truth.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 425-James Francis to Governor Lyttleton:
December 23rd, 1757
“From Mr. James Francis, a justice of the peace on Saluda River, to his Excellency W. H.
Lyttleton concerning the murder of four Cherokee Indians near that place.
May it please your Excellency, sir,
I am this day honored with your Excellency’s commands, in relation to the four
Indians killed on Saluda Branches, and shall not fail paying a due obedience
conformable to your Excellency’s pleasure. In the interim, I beg leave, sir, to acquaint
you of all that I am capable of in that affair.”
“As near as I can find by account of the time when these Indians were killed, I
was at that time, Sir, and for some time before, on the branches of Broad River, the main
branch of Santee. Viz. Tyger River, Enoree and in those settlements in company with Mr.
James Nowell, Captain Gaillard’s ensign, sent up by the captain to be assistant with and
join me in raising recruits. I was in those settlements when Mr. Nowell came up and
made but little doubts of procuring fifty men, in the time I was getting five, before Mr.
Nowell came to me. Since he has joined me, we have added but six more and what
number we may complete by the Christmas holidays are expired we cannot judge as yet.
Our intention at present, God willing, is to exert our utmost endeavors till that time. And
then hasten to town with what men we have. Please, Sir, to excuse this digression, it
being to acquaint your Excellency of the backwardness of these unthinking people to
serve their country though invited by the most pressing arguments and generous
invitations imaginable.”
“In our journeying across from those rivers aforementioned towards Savannah
River was the first notice we had of those murdered Indians, but in such a confused tale
that we hardly knew what construction to put on it. But still as we journeyed we made
further inquiries, and at length found by all accounts that the thing was certain, that four
88
Indians supposed to be Cherokees were killed and scalped on the path which leads from
the Congarees to Savannah Bluff.”
“I have since heard that their camp was not immediately on the Savannah path,
but on one that makes out of that towards the long Canes. Some little distance from
where the path divides they were camped and there killed, being shot and otherwise
wounded and one of the women ripped up. At the time we heard the certainty of these
things, we also heard, sir, that they were chiefly destroyed by wolves or other vermin,
and that your Excellency was also acquainted of the murder. It is supposed the two men
were Nauchees who with others of their people went to reside among the Cherokees, a
few years ago. But by whom the murder was committed, I believe, Sir, it is yet a secret.
Some of the Cherokees who have been in the settlement and heard of the affair, allow it
to be the Chickasaws. Others rather think it to be the Catawbas, both of which nations
were at that time in those woods, though at a considerable distance from these people’s
camp.”
“However, Sir, there is account of four white men that came from the northward
at this juncture who are accused of sundry malpractices, in their journeying, sufficient to
justify a suspicion of their being the criminal actors of this tragedy. And I have also heard
hues and cries have since followed them for their criminal actions to the northward, and
they are followed to Georgia, where it is supposed they at present are. And as these four
men passed the road towards Savannah at the time of these people being killed it is by
some supposed they committed this fact. This, Sir, is all that I know of this affair worth
your Excellency’s notice. And if I have the fortune to gain a further knowledge or by any
means detect the offender, I shall not fail exerting my utmost, also acquainting your
Excellency of whatever may occur worthy of your Excellency’s ear. In the interim, I beg
leave, Sir, in all dutiful obedience, to remain Sir,
You Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant, James Francis
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 426-Captain Paul Demere to Governor Lyttleton:
Fort Loudon, 30th December, 1757
To his Excellency, W. H., Lyttleton, from Captain Paul Demere [brother to Captain
Raymond Demere],
Sir, the other day happened an affair at Cornelius Daugherty’s house near
Hiwassee, which I am afraid will be of great consequence. On the 30th November last,
Mr. Goudy of Ninety Six, came in the night at Daugherty’s house, accompanied by two
constables, and six men, seized four Negroes and some goods that were in the house, and
carried them away and would have carried Daugherty himself had he not time to make
his escape, and hide himself. It happened that there were at that time, some Indians about
the house, who seeing white men carrying away the Negroes and taking the goods, were
frighted, run to Hiwassee and Natalee towns, alarmed the women and those that were not
89
gone a hunting, and said that the white people were coming to carry them away, and told
them what they had seen. In a little
90
The Cherokee War, 1758-1761
Will of John Gallman Saxegotha-1758
“In the Name of God Amen I John Gallman of Saxegotha Township being sick
and weak in Body but of Sound Perfect mind & memory & understanding Praised be God
for the same And knowing the Uncertainty of Human Life and affairs doe make this my
Last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills by me made and for my Worldly
Goods which it has Pleased God to Bless me with.”
“After my debts and funeral Expenses is paid I will and Bequeath That my
Plantation I now Live on being one hundred acres of Land Situate in Saxegotha
Township with all Buildings and Improvements that now is there and Shall be at the
Time of my Decease I give to my Son John Gallman and his heirs for Ever;”
“and whereas I am Possessed of a Tract or Parcel of Land in Craven County being
Three hundred acres bounded by Felix Smiths Land, Gaspar Foots Land and Whereas it
is my Thoughts & Meaning that now My Beloved wife Marguerit being with Child
Therefore if She Should happily Bare it to this world and if it Be a Boy Then I Give and
bequeath Unto him the above sd. Tract of Three Hundred Acres of Land to him and to his
Other Brother, My Son Jacob, and to their heirs. And in case of Either of their Deaths
before they Come of Age, then I Give and bequeath the Part So Willed to the deceased to
his Surviving Brother, But in Case of both their Deaths Before they Come to the said Age
of Twenty One Years of then I Give the Said Land to my Eldest son John & his Heirs for
Ever.”
“And as to what Personal Estate as Negroes, horses, Cattle, Hogs, household
Goods or anything which God has been Pleased to Bless me with and I Shall Die in the
Possession of, I Give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Margaret and all My Children as
Sons and Daughters, Share and Share alike, and to their Heirs, And my further will is that
my said wife Shall have her Living on Said. one Hundred Acres of Land the said
Plantation I now live on, so Left as aforesaid to my Son John as Long as She remains my
Widow and unmarried and no Longer. and I also Give and Bequeath unto my Said Wife
Marg't one White Pacing horse Named ‘Bock’ with a New Side Saddle and Bridle and to
her heirs.”
“And I hereby desire My Loving Brother Henry Gallman, My Brother-in Law
John Freymouth, my Eldest Son John Gallman, and my Step-Son John Conrad Geiger
to be my Executors to this my Last Will and Testament. and I hereby appoint them to be
my Executors and Guardians to my above said Children during their nonage.”
“And whereas I have been Left Executor in the Last Will and Testament of
Harman Geiger deceased, and having the Said. Estate In hand and the debts again the
Said Estate Being not all paid I will that my Executors herein before mentioned Collect in
debts as Possibly they can and discharge said debts, and whereas I have Given unto Mr.
George Austin of Charlestown a Promissory Note for Two Hundred and odd Pounds on
91
the Said Estate, wherefore I desire the Said note Shall be paid out of the money the Public
owes to me as soon as Received.”
“What there is Left of the said Estate after the debts is paid, I will that it be shared
alike among the said Children of the said Harman Geiger, Excepting the mares and
horsekind in the Fork? for Said. Estate in the hands of John Gartman to be for my
Children and to their heirs. My further will is that after my Decease there be Levied out
of my Estate By my Executors the full and Just Sum of Twenty Pounds for to By two
Cows and Calves for the Said Children Harman Geiger that is now with me, that they
may Come to Increase of Cattle Again, they Come to their Age. In Witness Whereof I Set
my hand and Seal this 22nd day of April 1758 in Saxegotha Township South Carolina.”
By John Gallman(Seal)
Mark
Signed Sealed Published and declared By the said John Gallman for and as his Last Will
and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his Presence have
Subscribed our names hereto_________
Jacob Tyler Ulrick Boughman
Jacob Geiger
At the Same time qualified Henry Gallman
John Freymouth and John Conrad Geiger As Exors
From Orangeburg District, 1768-1868, History and Records, by Daniel Marchant
Culler:
Page 115-“Granby, located in Saxegotha Township (later Lexington),
Orangeburg District, was a flourishing town prior to the establishment of Columbia. One
of the first settlements in the central portion of the state, it was laid out on the southern
side of the Congaree River below the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, and
about three miles from the present site of Columbia. Situated at the headwaters of the
Congaree, it was speculated that the little community would prosper. A township seven
miles square was originally attached to it and named after the parish-Saxegotha. A fort
was erected for its defense.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 226: “On the schedule of provincial expenses for the year 1758 [Statutes of
SC, Volume IV, page 63 and page 137 et. seq., and page 198, et. Seq.], the following
items concerned citizens of Orangeburg:
“To HENRY GALLMAN, on several orders for provisions and carriage of stores
[footnote says ‘to frontier forts.’]
L3292.12.09”
“To John and HENRY GALLMAN, for provisions
92
L361.13.06”
Page 227: “To HENRY GALLMAN, on an order of John Conrad Geiger for
the carriage of stores to the Congarees.
L27.00.00”
“To HENRY GALLMAN for the carriage of stores to Fort Prince George
L670.00.00”
“Christopher Rowe, HENRY GALLMAN, Conrad Holman, and Gavin Pon were
all paid for carrying presents to the Indians, while John Fairchild received compensation
for entertaining Indians.”
“HENRY GALLMAN” [for entertainment of Indians]
L59.05.03
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 210-211:
In 1758, with the encouragement of Governor Lyttleton of South Carolina,
additional Cherokees went to join General Forbes’ campaign against Fort Duquesne. But
after four Estatoe tribesmen were killed on Edisto River, apparently by Carolinians, not
by other Indians, there were retaliations. Two white hunters were killed by Estatoes in
North Carolina, who cut each scalp in half and attempted to collect double bounty in
Virginia.”
“In the successful Forbes campaign, many Cherokees lost their horses, and
returning home, appropriated steeds belonging to settlers in the outlying parts of Virginia.
The Virginians reacted by killing a dozen or more Cherokees. The stage had been set for
the most devastating border war in the frontier history of South Carolina; a conflict
known as the Cherokee War, but actually another phase of the French and Indian War.”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 76-a “Jacob Geiger in 1759, was neighbor to Johannes Oatt and also to
heirs of George Haig (who had been killed by Indians in 1748. His widow, Mrs.
Elizabeth Haig married in 1752, Peter Mercier, who died in 1755.)
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 235: “Shortly after the breaking out of Cherokee hostilities in 1759. Dr.
Hewat [History of South Carolina, pages 445-446] says, ‘The Governor set out for
Congarees, the place of general rendezvous for the militia, and about one hundred and
forty miles distant from Charlestown, where he mustered in all about one thousand four
hundred men.’”
93
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 210-211:
“High-handed, ambitious Governor Lyttleton immediately took steps to punish
the Cherokees, summoning the militia to meet him at the Congarees. But before he left, a
Cherokee delegation arrived in Charles Town and was given a military escort to the
Congarees where the Cherokee chief men were all taken prisoners. It was Lyttleton’s
plan to use the two dozen headmen as hostages and thus force the Cherokees to give up
the same number of warriors who had murdered whites. The prisoners were therefore
taken to Fort Prince George where Lyttleton reached agreement on these terms, with the
Little Carpenter. [Page 211] But the Cherokees were incensed at the capture of their
chiefs and the manner in which peace terms had been secured.”
“Fear of smallpox had cause many men of the garrison to desert their posts when
the Cherokees, seeking the release of the imprisoned chieftains, surprised the fort and
killed the officers. The garrison that was left fell upon the hostages and slaughtered them.
A general invasion of frontier Carolina ensued. Like the scythe of death, the Indians
swooped down on the land butchering traders and men, women, and children.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 485-Nathan Alexander to Governor Lyttleton:
“4th May, 1759
A letter from Nathan Alexander to His Excellency, William Henry Lyttleton,
I thought it my duty to inform your honor of the melancholy news, the Indians
supposed to be the Cherokees, did on the 25th and 26th days of April last, murder and
scalp three white persons on the Yadkin River, and eight persons on the Fourth Creek and
three persons on the south fork of the Catawba River, which has put all our frontiers in
sad confusion. We have sent to Governor Dobbs, to inform him and has sent out some
scouting parties for some weeks till we get further instructions.”
“There is many of the inhabitants have already moved away and many more will
go except some means will be made use of in order to secure them for they expect more
of the same nature daily. As your Honor have granted some commissions both civil and
military, we live in hopes you will send some instructions to them to assist the frontiers.
We expect Broad River and Saluda will get a stroke soon.
This from your honor’s well-wisher, and very humble servant, Nathan Alexander”
The novel The Switzers, by Carol L. Williams, [7 Elm Ct, Lexington, SC 290723319, phone (803) 359-4453] is placed in Saxegotha and has the Gallmans as
characters. Although it is a work of fiction, her historical references are accurate, as are
94
her descriptions of the countryside, the people and so there is a good possibility that she
had a source for the following paragraphs:
Page 170-“On October 1 [1759], the Orangeburg, Camden and Cheraw regiments
had been ordered to muster their companies and draft half their men to be on notice to
march. Ten days later, Johannes rode to Congarees for the muster of Heinrich Gallman’s
small company, which was a part of Chevilette’s Orangeburg regiment.”
Page 177-“Already his company under Heinrich Gallman had been sent ahead to
Saluda Old Town.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC,
the website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm
“January 24, 1760-The Pennsylvania Gazette
Charlestown (in South Carolina) November 24, 1759:
“Our last account from the army was brought down to November 13th. They
marched that day to Twelve Mile Creek in the following order, viz.
1. The advance guard with a subaltern from the regulars;
2. The troop;
3. The volunteers;
4. The Artillery Company, guarding the field pieces and powder wagons;
5. The Governor with his staff officers and household;
6. The regulars;
7. Colonel Richardson’s battalion (40 of which, and of Powell’s and Richardson’s
also, were picked out to act as light horse.);
8. Colonel Powell’s battalion;
9. The Indians under a captain’s guard;
10. The rear guard.”
“The wagons and carts, about 100 or more, a number of horses packed with flour,
servants and etc, under a strong guard of militia; the line of march was two miles long.”
95
“November 14th-Marched in the same order as before to Mile Creek and
encamped near Dennis Hayes. Several wagons broke down and horses tired. Could not
reach the encampment that evening. The broken wagons were ordered to be lighted and
repaired.”
“November 15th-Marched to Hallow Creek and encamped at 1 pm to give time
for the wagons that had been disabled to come up, who all (but 4) got up that evening.
Captain Dugeon, the engineer, went forward with the pioneers to repair the road.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC,
the website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm?
“November 16th-Decamped very early and marched to Little Saluda. Here an
express met the governor, with accounts that the four Cherokees who deserted the army
at the Congarees had got into the Nation the day before Mr. Elliott and the Raven
(Otacitte’s runner). That upon their arrival a great alarm had run through all their towns,
and runners were dispatched over the hills; and also to the Creeks with a painted
tomahawk, to desire their immediate assistance; that the young men were determined to
die rather than deliver up a murderer and that the prevailing sentiment of their councils
seemed to be, to meet our army with their collected force at Twelve-Mile Creek, which is
exactly Twelve Miles on this side of Keowee.”
“Some of our accounts say that there were 5 Creek Indians in the Nation when
Elliott and the Raven arrived, who immediately pushed off as runners, and seem to
suspect that the Raven, instead of delivering the good talk sent by Otacitte, had given a
very bad one of his own. This day it was reported that two Catawbas who had been sent
by Colonel Richardson in quest of the Cherokee that got off coming with the goods from
Virginia, had killed him and carried his scalp into the Catawba Nation. This night they
were more strictly watchful over the Cherokees than ever, to prevent any more of the
treacherous villains escaping.”
“November 17th-The army marched to Saluda Old Town, where it was joined by
Colonel Chevillette’s battalion and about 40 Chickasaws, 27 of which were good gunmen
and likely young fellows. The Chickasaws were drawn up in a line opposite to
Chevillette’s encampment and received the governor with rested arms. His Excellency
then advance, shook hands and spoke to them. He told them that he was ‘going to the
Cherokee Nation; that he had sent for then to go with him; that he was going to get
satisfaction for insults and murders committed by them on his people, and desired they
would keep a good lookout and let him know immediately if they should discover any
Cherokees about, but withal, charged them not to kill or hurt any till he knew whether
would give the satisfaction he would require or not.’”
“His Excellency also acquainted them that he had ‘some Cherokees with him
under a guard, which they should not molest or hurt; but desired that if some of them
should offer to run away, they should endeavor to take them and bring them back to him.’
They promised to observe all that the governor said and that they would scout and keep a
96
good lookout, after which, as his Excellency went forward, they saluted him with a
volley. They were all painted and dressed in their war attire. This morning the governor
sent off an express to Major Waddel to hasten his junction with our army. We have no
account that can be depended on of the number of forces he will bring. Some of our
letters say 1000 provincials only, others add to them 4 or 500 militia. One letter tells the
Major was actually on the march and as near to Keowee as our army. At night the
Cherokees made an attempt to send a string of white wampum to the Chickasaws, but
were prevented.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC, the
website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm?
“November 18th-The army halted for some of the wagons to get up, to give
presents to the Chickasaws and to deliver out arms and etc, to such of the militia as had
none, who were many. That evening one of the artillerymen detected one of the
interpreters carrying two strings of wampum from the Great Warrior of the Cherokees to
the Chickasaws. The fellow, upon being detected, pretended he was sent to buy a horse
with it, but that excuse appearing very lame, Captain Gadsden sent the wampum to the
Governor, that this affair might be further inquired into. The whole army, on the 18th, did
not consist of more that 1687 men, including wagoners, Negroes and etc. and not 1300 of
these could be called fighting men; of them, 10 or 12 (of the back inhabitants) had
deserted every night since the 15th.”
“November 19th-Arms were to continue distributing to such as wanted, and on
the 20 , the whole body was to move for Ninety-Six. The Chickasaws had an old
Cherokee woman prisoner. There was a young Creek fellow among the Cherokees, and
another among the Chickasaws; the latter was married among the Chickasaw and looked
upon himself as one of that Nation, however, was related to the former. The Chickasaws
there begged the Governor would release that prisoner to them, offering the Cherokee
woman in his room. His Excellency accordingly released the Creek Indian, upon their
promising that he should not run away, and that they would be answerable for his good
behavior.”
th
“The accounts received in the camp the 16th instant from the Cherokees, puts us in
mind of a letter we received about 18 days ago from one of the Middle Towns, dated the
27th of October, wherein we were told ‘that the headman of that town had, on the 25th,
early in the morning, come to the writer, and after first insisting that he would solemnly
promise not to reveal one thing he should tell him to any in the Nation, acquainted him
that all the satisfaction the Indians, who were then going to town, intended to offer, was
that every murderer should be sent out in quest of a French scalp or prisoner, for every
white man he had killed; that they looked upon this running the risk of their lives as a
sufficient retaliation; and that if this offer did not prove satisfactory, they were bent upon
mischief, and Mr. Goudy’s Store was the first place they had pitched upon to plunder.
That there had been a general conspiracy among the Indians, viz. The Upper and Lower
Cherokees, Creeks and Catawbas (the Chickasaws only were ignorant of it) and that the
97
said Cherokees in town had carried several wenches with them who could speak English
well, in particular one Seer’s wench, that had lived in town a long time, to give us a
shocking specimen of Indian policy, to be put into practice, in case the Governor did not
then give them a talk to their mind.”
“December 1-There being some chasm in our intelligence from the army, from
the 18 to the 24th instant, by some of our letters not having yet come to hand, we shall
defer publishing our advices till our next. The army was healthy and in high spirits, but
the rifle-barrel men continued to desert 10 and 12 at a time. They arrive at Ninety-Six the
21st ult. where they were building a fort, and were to move forwards to Keowee as
yesterday.”
th
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC, the
website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm?
“December 8-Our advices from the army on march to the Cherokee Nation, from
the 19 to the 28th ult. inclusive are as follows:”
th
“November 19th-Upwards of 400 provincial arms were delivered out to the
militia and regulars. Presents were also distributed among the Chickasaws, and more
promised them when the expedition should be over. All the wagons got up. Orders issued
to march forward the next day. Many of the people fell sick.”
November 20th-Decamped from Saluda Old Town, and at noon marched, the
morning being taken up in distributing ammunition. At 3 pm, halted at Half-Way Swamp.
The army then consisted of about 1400 gunmen, above 100 wagons, besides carts and
packhorses. The Chickasaws stayed behind to send off their women and children.
Sickness and desertion increase.”
“November 21st-At 9 am, marched for Ninety-Six. Arrived and encamped there at
2 pm after crossing two creeks. All the baggage and provisions got up. The Chickasaws
also joined the camp. Here they found Chenallotohee, brother to Tiftoe (One of
Occunastota’s party, under guard). He pretended to be hunting in these parts, and that
hearing of the Governor’s approach, he came to see his Excellency; being told that the
Governor would see and talk with him at another time, he went out to fetch in his party
and promised to return the next day.”
“November 22nd-The ground was reconnoitered for a proper place to build a
magazine and stockade fort to secure ammunition and provision, and a retreat if
necessary. To save time, expense and trouble, Goudy’s barn was fixed on for a
storehouse, and it was resolved to stockade it in. Chenallotohee returned to the camp with
his party (which some of our letters say consisted of 17, although he brought in but 41).
The Governor admitted him into his presence, asked what he came about, and what he
had to say? He answered that he was hunting and desired to see his brother; whereupon,
after being told all that his Excellency had said to the rest of the Indians in his former
98
talks, and that he might either continue to hunt with his party where he was or go home to
his Nation and tell them what he saw and heard, he was soon dismissed, with leave to see
his brother Tiftoe and the rest of Occunastota’s party, that they were well.”
“When he saw them, he seemed pleased that nothing more had befallen then than
their confinement, and told Tiftoe that ‘the 4 Indians who deserted from the Congarees
had carried bad talk into the Nation, and reported that they were all made slaves; that the
Indian who went from town with Lucas had given a good talk, but he had heard Raven
had also given a bad one, which had put the whole nation into a ferment.’ Tiftoe had told
him that they had ‘all been well and kindly used since they had been with the army and
blamed the runaways for being abridged of liberty.’ He told him further that ‘those of his
countrymen who were concerned in killing the English must be delivered up to the
Governor.”
“Chenallotohee then said he was ‘willing to accompany his Excellency, and act
with him in getting satisfaction, and desired him to be permitted to stay in the camp All
night.’ This the Governor did not think proper (for notwithstanding his fair speeches, it
was suspected he came only to see the strength of the army and to converse with his
countrymen, to discover whether it would be prudent or advisable to oppose the army’s
passage over Twelve-Mile River, as had been designed), and he was ordered to depart
immediately, which he did at 4 pm. When the order came, Tiftoe was talking to him
about delivering up the murderers, telling who they were, and who were proper persons
to seize them. Major Boyd arrived this day, with his volunteers. Great plenty in the camp
and blankets were sold at the Charlestown price, yet desertions continued. Sickness
continued, but not mortality.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC, the
website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm?
“November 23rd-Mr. Elliott returned from the Nation; left Keowee the day before
and Fort Loudon the 15th; all well in both those garrison. He saw the Little Carpenter,
who appeared a good deal concerned at the vigorous measures this government was
pursuing, professed much friendship for the English, and said, if the Governor would
permit him, he would meet his Excellency at Keowee. Elliott represented the middle
towns as peaceable and well disposed, many of the upper and some of the Lower the
same, and a good deal terrified; but said that the towns who had been concerned in the
murders who might make up about 500 men, remained refractory and made preparations
for war. This day, some of Colonel Richardson’s men joined him from the borders of
North Carolina and reported that Major Waddel was to have set from Fort Dabbs with
200 men on the 20th, for which report there does not seem to be any foundation. The army
now between 13 and 1400 strong. An account was received that Chenallotohee was gone
for Keowee, and said he would give a good talk.”
“November 24th-Captain Dugeon, the engineer, laid out the ground for the
stockade, the pioneers, volunteers, servants and etc, opened the ditch for planting the
99
puncheons. Elliott was sent off an express, it was thought to give permission to the Little
Carpenter to meet the Governor at Keowee, whither the Middle Town’s people had
already agreed to come, though they expressed an aversion to be joined with those of the
Upper and Lower Town’s (who they say are bad) lest they should not be distinguished,
but treated as one people.”
“November 25th-Nothing remarkable happened. Continued to work on the
stockade.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC,
the website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Indians.htm
“November 26th-Two runners arrived in the camp from the Nation with an
English flag and brought a talk, and a large quantity of wampum. An express arrived at
the same time from Keowee, intimating that these runners were only spies and came to
converse with their countrymen under pretense of seeing the Governor. His Excellency
would not see them, but ordered that they should immediately depart and go home.
Letters from Keowee said that the army having so many headmen of the Nation in
custody had puzzled the Indians very much, and that it was the only thing that had
prevented their doing more mischief and committing more acts of open hostility. From
certain orders issued on this day. It was thought the Governor had received intelligence of
scouting parties being about, to observe motions of the army.”
“November 27th-The banquet to the stockade was finished, and the gate put up.
Some volunteers from Port Royale joined the army. An express arrived from Virginia.
Measles, purgings and pleuretic complaints rather increased than abated.”
“November 28th-The whole army was reviewed, except the Indian Guard and
Rangers, and found considerably short of the returns; there were 1299 effective men.
Orders were given to march early on the 29th for Keowee; during the whole march to
which, every man was to be under arms an hour before day, and so continue till sun-rise,
to prevent a surprise, that being always the time when Indians make their attacks. A
garrison was to be left at Fort Ninety-Six, which is 90 feet square, has sheds on one side
of the storehouse for the men, and will be of great service to the inhabitants of those parts
in times of alarm. Major Singleton was ordered to join the army by long marches, with
200 men of the new draughts.”
From Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1754-1765, a part of the Colonial
Records of South Carolina series, edited by William McDowell, Jr in Columbia, SC
Archives Department, 1958:
Page 495-496-John Pearson to Governor Lyttleton
“8th February, 1760
A letter from John Pearson to his Excellency, Wm. Henry Lyttleton, Esq.
May it please your Excellency,
100
The result of this is to inform you in brief, of the deplorable state of our back
inhabitants, they being chiefly killed, taken prisoners and drove into small forts, only
some who hath made their escape by flight and that as low as to Saxegotha township,
and we are now building places of safety in my district as well as we can. How long we
may continue in safety in them I know not, for the torrent hath been so great. They have
burned all Goudy’s house except the little fort you built round his barn, where he and
Captain Francis and some few more are all penned up.”
“They have likewise endeavored a fort at William Turner’s where they have had a
smart engagement, and as I hear, they killed some of the Indians notwithstand that went
away down to old Thomas Haverd’s and got into his barn, and there they, the old man
and what few men he had in house a considerable time, but in short they have burned and
destroyed all up Bush River, except Jacob Brooks where there is some people gathered
together to stand in their own defense. All up Saluda, Little River, Raborn’s Creek, Long
Cane, and Stevens Creek, are all destroyed. I am informed they have killed 27 persons on
Raborn’s Creek, and out of 200 persons, that were settled on the Long Canes, and
Steven’s Creek, not above 40 or 50 are to be found, so that the case is very desperate, and
all the people that move down, hardly one stops at the Congarees, so that I may say we
are now the back inhabitants, and unless there is about 2 or 300 men raised in scouting
parties and an officer over 50 to scour the woods and stop the torrent, I don’t doubt that
they will destroy chiefest of the country.”
“So soon as I have finished my fort I shall endeavor all I can for the common
good. I know of several stout men, who with proper encouragement, that is to say, so
much certain per month, and so much per scalp, would make it their entire business to
pursue and kill and destroy those merciless villains wherever they went. If your
Excellency in your most wise consideration should think proper to appoint captains for
scouts and would send up commissions for that purpose with orders to raise men, and on
what encouragement, I don’t doubt but there may be a good many men got here directly.
And I am, with humble submission,
Your Excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant, Jonathan Pearson
The novel The Switzers, by Carol L. Williams, Donning Company, Publishers,
Virginia Beach, VA, 1981. [7 Elm Ct, Lexington, SC 29072-3319, phone (803) 359-4453]
is placed in Saxegotha and has the Gallmans as characters. Although it is a work of
fiction, her historical references are accurate, as are her descriptions of the countryside
and the people, and there is a good possibility that she had a source for the following
paragraphs:
Page 188-“‘People are forting up everywhere,” Rudi said. “The ones that aren’t
leaving…’”
“‘I stopped at the Congarees. They’ve already started on a stockade wall at
Gallman’s…’ Gallman’s plantation was six miles to the north on Congaree Creek, not
far from the garrison.”
Page 195-“‘Where ye going?’ the young man cried to them.”
101
“‘We go to Heinrich Gallman’s,’ said Johannes, reining in. ‘They make a fort
there…’”
“Far across the flat field they could see the poles of the unfinished stockade. The
plantation, formerly hidden by trees, was now visible from the main road., a great
unpainted bulk with chimneys on each end. As they neared it, they saw the stumps of an
orchard felled for a hundred yards to one side of the house. The logs of the stockade,
mostly pine, had been set upright in the ground to make a solid fence fifteen feet high.
When completed, it would enclose the house, some of the outbuildings, and a big barn.
The south and east sides were still open. In the adjoining field were eight or nine carts
and wagons and many horses. Household goods were piled about the yard, and all
manner of bales, bundles, trunks and chests filled the large front veranda.”
“Page 196-197-“‘Why can’t everybody come here?’ I said. ‘Just because Heiri
Gallman’s militia captain--’he’s no captain either, no more than a lieutenant, ‘—our
place is as well suited as Heiri’s! It was because he didn’t want his fields trampled, I told
him, and now look at their poor apple trees all cut down…” By nightfall there were
ninety-three people gathered at Gallman’s unfinished fort, seventy-one of them white,
and twenty-two black.”
From the novel The Switzers, by Carol L. Williams, Donning Company,
Publishers, Virginia Beach, VA, 1981:
Page 199-“On Monday a man went out from Gallman’s to see to his horses. He
did not come back. A party went to look for him, but as soon as it grew dark, they had to
return. Several days later they found him dead and scalped only a mile away. On
Tuesday, February 10 [1760] two men were killed and scalped in a field a few miles to
the northwest. That same day twenty-five people were said to have been murdered in the
forks of the Edisto about ten miles from the head of the Congaree Creek.”
Page 201-“March 1760: On February 16, the embittered Oconostota, released
through the Little Carpenter’s diplomacy, had lured Lieutenant Coytmore outside Fort
Prince George to be shot from ambush. Within, the furious soldiers slaughtered the rest of
the prisoner-hostages, the twenty-two who had survived smallpox, ‘in a manner too
shocking to be related,’ according to one report. Mercifully, the Round O, that ‘friendly,
cheerful old man.’ Had already died. The slain men, most of them members of the
original peace delegation, included some of the most important men in the Cherokee
nation.”
“Back in the Overhills the Little Carpenter, his counsels in ruin, separated himself
from his people. The First Beloved Man, Old Hop, was dead at last, and Standing Turkey
who was strongly anti-English, had taken his place. Now, heretofore peaceful towns
poured out their warriors. In early march, a band of two hundred and fifty raged about
Ninety Six continuously from dawn until the evening of the next day, and it was perhaps
only the arrival of a small party of rangers, fighting their way into the fort through the
rain, that saved its twenty-eight defenders. Again the lands in the Forks of the Edisto, the
102
creek valleys of the Saluda, were scoured, and scalps were taken almost to the
Congarees. Congarees itself had become a frontier post. Some three miles west of
Gallman’s, the militia patrol crossed Six Mile Creek as they scouted along a trail south
of the main road…”
South Carolina Gazette
8 March 1760: Charles Town
[Page 4, Public Notice)
“By Order of His Excellency the Governor:
Whereas some of his majesty's troops are soon expected in Charles-Town, from
New York, for the defense of this province; and as sundry waggons and other carriages
may be wanted, for transporting tents, baggage, and provisions, for the said troops, to all
or any of the following stages or places, viz. from Monck's Corner to Eutaw, from thence
to Beaver Creek, and from thence to the Congarees and to such other places as the
service may require.
THEREFORE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, to all persons residing in and near
Monck's Corner, the Eutaw Spring, Beaver Creek, Wateree, Amelia and Orangeburg
townships, and places adjacent to the said several stages, who are possessed of waggons
and other carriages, and willing to contract for the above-mentioned service, at any one or
all the stages aforesaid that they do deliver their proposals immediately, in writing, to
Simon Theus at Monck's Corner, to James McKelvey at the Eutaw, to Michael
Christopher Row at Orangeburg; to Henry Gallman and John George Smithpeter at the
Congarees, and to Samuel Wyly, Esq. and Joseph Kersaw at the Waterees, signifying the
number of waggons they can furnish, and the terms and conditions they are willing to
accept of for the said service. WILLIAM PINCKNEY, Com. Gen.”
From the novel The Switzers, by Carol L. Williams, Donning Company,
Publishers, Virginia Beach, VA, 1981:
Page 202-“They emerged onto the main road as it wound west, south of the
Saluda. They turned left, riding two abreast at a smart pace. They were a company of
thirty-five men of all ages and backgrounds. Not all were from Gallman’s; some camped
about Congaree Fort with the soldiers, and a few came from east of the river. Their
company alternated patrolling this section with men from Godfrey Dreher’s fort, which
was ten miles northwest of Gallman’s on the south bank of the Saluda and which
sheltered a much larger number of German-speaking people.”
Page 204-“Heinrich Gallman…was a spare man of forty-five with a son in the
company almost the age of Johannes.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 211:
103
“Before the end of April 1760, Colonel Archibald Montgomery of the British
Army landed at Charles Town with his troops. He was presently joined by several
volunteer companies and the militia of the province to create a force of 1,600 men. He set
out for the Cherokee country without delay and upon reaching the Lower Towns,
proceeded to sack and burn them. At the great battle of Etchoe Pass near Franklin, NC, he
encountered the Indians in full force. After more that an hour of fierce fighting, the
English incurred losses of twenty killed and seventy-six wounded. Finding it impossible
to proceed farther into the Indian country, the British force withdrew. Colonel
Montgomery, who had been ordered to strike a swift blow and then return to headquarters
in Albany, led his army back to Fort Prince George and shortly afterwards went on to
New York.”
“Meanwhile, the ill-supplied garrison at Fort Loudon (the fort in Upper Cherokee
Country built by the Virginians) was forced to surrender. But while the soldiers were
being marched to Fort Prince George in line with their surrender agreement, the
Cherokees fell upon them and slaughtered all of the officers except one, and twenty-five
men. Captain Paul Demere was scalped while still alive and made to dance the death
dance. The men escaping death were brought back as captives to Fort Loudon, but few
escaped.”
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC,
the website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/FIW.htm?
“May 14, 1761, The Pennsylvania Gazette
Charlestown (in South Carolina) April 11- Lieutenant Levy is arrived at
Congarees with 32 recruits for Colonel Middleton’s regiment from North Carolina.
There has been a skirmish between some deserters from the said regiment and a party of
the above recruits upon the Wateree River, wherein it is said some lives were lost.”
From The Catawba Indians: the People of the River, by Douglas Summers Brown, 1966,
Univ. of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, page 211:
“During 1761, a second expedition led by Lieutenant Colonel James Grant and
numbering 2,600 men invaded the Cherokee Country and burned all the Middle Towns.
Once more the two armed hosts met in furious battle at Etchoe, but this time the
Cherokees were decisively defeated.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 236: “…but the chief glory in this last expedition belonged to the provincial
militia, and it is greatly to be regretted that the names of the militia men from the
townships of Amelia, Saxegotha and Orangeburg cannot be here given. Some of them
are known, but the majority are not.”
104
HEINRICH [HENRY] GALLMAN AND ELSBETH GEIGER
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Pages 238-239: “In the section devoted to the settling of Saxegotha Township,
some mention has been made of the Weber or Weaver ‘heresy.’ The following interesting
account of that trouble, which culminated in 1760, is taken from Dr. Bernheim’s history,
p. 195, et. seq.:”
In Saxegotha Township, Lexington County, South Carolina, and ‘in the
neighborhood of what is now called Younginer’s Ferry,’ there originated a sect among
the Swiss and German settlers, who were called ‘Weberites’…the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg
has furnished us a more extended account of them in his journal, translated and published
in Volume I of the Evangelical Review, dating their transactions as having occurred in
the year 1760…Dr. Muhlenberg’s account is as follows:…’They committed murders on
which account one of them, named Jacob Weber, who called himself a god, and slew a
person, was hanged. Their founder is said to have been Peter Schmidt. The sect
originated at Saluda Fork, about one hundred miles from Charleston (125 or 130
miles.)”
“‘Jacob Weber was a Swiss. He first became an exhorter, then he advanced
himself still farther, but before his end, he came to his senses, and saw his error. The
people in the country, in general, grew up without schools and instruction. Occasionally a
self-taught…minister may labor for awhile amongst them, yet it continues only a short
time. The people are wild, and continue to grow wilder…’”
“‘The aforesaid sect had so far obtained the supremacy that several families
united with it for fear of their lives; numbers of both sexes went about uncovered and
naked, and practiced the most unusual wantonness. One of them pretended to be God the
Father, another the Son, and a third the Holy Spirit: and the pretended Father, having
quarreled with the son, repudiated the pretended son, chained him in the forest, declared
him to be Satan, and finally gathered his gang, who beat and trampled on the poor man
until he died; he is reported also to have killed the pretended Holy Ghost in bed. A report
of these circumstances having reached the authorities in Charleston, the militia were
ordered to arrest the pretended deity, when he was tried, condemned and executed upon
the gallows.
From the Internet, Ancestry World Tree Project, Mark Freeman has posted the
following primary and secondary source materials:
Under Abraham Geiger’s page, Mark Freeman has posted the following:
“Abraham Geiger was banished from South Carolina as a result of involvement
in the Weberite heresy…A John Geiger [was this the John Casper Geiger, mentioned by
105
The History of Orangeburg County, SC by A. S. Salley, or one of Abraham’s sons?] was
found guilty (SC Gazette, 25 April, 1761)…
“The Weberite Heresy (as recorded by Clayton B. Kleckley):
“A very strange sect known as the Weberites arose among the German speaking
people in Saxegotha and lower Dutch Fork, South Carolina, in 1756-1761. This cult
originated along the Saluda River in the neighborhood of Younginer’s Ferry. Its area of
local influence extended from above Little Mountain to the confluence of the Broad and
Saluda Rivers.”
“This sect originated with Jacob Waber (Weber), who was born in Switzerland
and was raised and educated in the Reformed Church. He came to South Carolina at the
age of 14 with a brother. Weber prospered early in life as a local planter. But the death of
his brother caused him to brood about religion and the state of his own soul. In May
1756, inner excitement reached a climax in his soul-searching experiences. Weber shared
his religious enthusiasm with his neighbors by inviting them in for Sunday hymn and
singings and readings from sermon books. He was encouraged by the response he
received and those meetings seemed to be beneficial. Gradually the participants began to
admire the reader, which in turn caused him to admire himself. The more recognition he
received, the more esteem he had for his talents.”
“During the peaceful years of 1758 and 1759, this bizarre sect caused no trouble
in the settlements. It became evident that the Cherokee War had made deep impressions
and caused strain among the followers of Jacob Weber. Saxegotha and the Dutch Fork
did not escape the Indian raids. Cherokee parties penetrated their forests and emerged to
scalp, murder and burn…by spring of 1760…The spiritual condition of the settlers was
most deplorable as the self-appointed ministers usually wandered into the settlements
every four to twelve weeks. A pastor visited the isolated community hardly twice a
year…”
“After a season of depression and the ending of the Cherokee War, Jacob Weber
became obsessed with the idea that he was the Deity. He began to put aside the teachings
of the Bible and preach out of his own spirit. Jacob Weber won over two co-workers who
desired to be no less important in the meetings of the cult. They too professed most
extraordinary revelations and helped to promote the sect. Meanwhile the three leaders
adjusted their differences by agreeing that Jacob Weber should represent and act as God
the Father, Schmidt Peter the Son, and a third person, Mr. Dauber, a godless black
preacher, the Holy Spirit. These three leaders of the sect claimed to be the Holy
Trinity…Jacob Weber’s wife, Hannah, was declared the Virgin Mary. Facts reveal that
she was Anna Shrymerin before marrying Weber (Weaver). She originally received a
grant for 50 acres in 1754 on the south side of the Saluda River, below the Twelve Mile
Creek.”
“With this organization, the sect grew stronger and stronger and practiced the
most atrocious blasphemies…The sect gained such momentum that neighbors joined it
106
because they feared for safety of their lives. Jacob Weber was determined that
unconverted members must be healed through his stripes. Groups of both sects went
about unclothed and naked, and practiced the most abominable, wanton atrocities. In their
religious rites, they often fell into trances. They sanctioned nudity and marital
confusion.”
“Finally the leaders began to quarrel among themselves. Jacob Weber and
Schmidt Peter had a disagreement with the third man, Mr. Dauber, who represented
himself as the Holy Spirit. Jacob Weber and Schmidt Peter agreed that Dauber was not
properly exercising the office of the Spirit, and that he was neither hot or cold, but only
lukewarm. They placed a mattress on the bottom of a pit, threw Dauber in and piled more
mattress and pillows on him. Members of the sect leaped in upon Dauber and trampled
him until he suffocated. The corpse was taken out of bed and thrown into a burning pile
of wood, to be consumed to ashes.”
“Soon afterwards, Weber quarreled with Schmidt Peter, ‘the Son.’ He declared
Schmidt Peter to be Satan in disguise and ordered him to be chained to a tree. The band
surrounded Schmidt Peter, struck him with their fists, and beat him until he fell to the
ground. Finally, they danced around him and trampled upon his throat until he was dead.
These atrocious murders were committed on February 23 and 24, 1761.”
“Charlestown authorities learned of these murders by the Weberites and soon the
whole province was shocked by these crimes. After another murder in February 1761,
the leading members of the sect were brought to Charlestown for trial. Jacob Weber, his
wife, Hanna Weber, John Geiger and Jacob Burghart were convicted and hung in April
1761, but the others were pardoned by Lieutenant Governor William Bull.”
Interpreted from the SC Gazette, April 25, 1761, by Stanley D. Rogers, Sr.:
“On the 5th ult, some unhappy wretches, who in a fit of religious (?) and
enthusiasm, had in a most barbarous manner, murdered one Michael Haas (?) and
Captain John George Smith Bader (?) on the 23rd and 24th February last, at Congaree.
Were brought down from thence, and committed to jail. This delusion was so great that
they acknowledged the murders, and for some days attempted to justify themselves; but
at March sessions they were too well convinced of their error, that seven of them were
indicted and tried and four convicted. Jacob Weber, John Geiger, Jacob Burghart and
Hannah Weber, who all received sentence of death on the 3 (?), and on the 17th (?), Jacob
Weber was hanged pursuant to his sentence, behaving in a very becoming manner and
dying a true penitent. The other three are reprieved until May.”
Governor William Bull's Letter to William Pitt, Secretary of State Requesting Pardons
For Hannah Wieber, John Geiger, & Jacob Bourghardt
26th April 1761
Charles Town, South Carolina
Received 23 July 1761
107
Sir,
“I am to acquaint you that at the last General Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and
Terminer, Assize and General Goal delivery held at Charles Town, Jacob Weiber,
Hannah Wieber, John Geiger and Jacob Bourghart were tried and found guilty of
murder, and received sentence of deaths on the thirty first of March last, and in pursuance
thereof Jacob Weiber was executed. I thought Hannah Wieber, John Geiger and Jacob
Bourghart, who acted by his commands, to be objects of His Majesty's mercy and
therefore reprieved them till His Majesty's pleasure therein shall be known. I beg leave
to inform you of the nature of their ence. In the remote part of the Province beyond the
Congarees, where there is no Dutch Minister, these ignorant Germans from a pious
desire of having some religion had unhappily formed a Sect of Enthusiasts. Jacob
Weiber who unpiously called himself the most High, pronounced to them that Smith
Pieter, the person murdered, who it seems differed with him in some points of doctrine,
was the old Serpent, and unless he was put to death, the World could not be saved. The
deluded people immediately seized SmithPieter and with all the rage of religious
persecution beat him to death without remorse.
“In order to put a stop to this Goil, I thought it necessary that one, the Chief,
should suffer, and as Public Justice is thereby satisfied for the blood of Murder, and as
Hannah Wieber, John Geiger and Jacob Burghart each with numerous Families, bear the
character of being long known, orderly and industrious to recommend them as Objects
worthy His Majesty's most gracious Pardon. I must further take the liberty of
representing to you, that as they are very poor, they have no Friend but your Compassion
to solicit for their Pardon, no money to defray the expense of issuing this Act of Royal
Grace through the usual Channel particular persons, and stand no chance of receiving this
Benefit, if they shall fortunately be thought worthy of it, but by being inserted in some
General Pardon.
"I have the Honor to to be with the greatest respect, Sir,
Your most humble servant
William Bull
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 245: “In this locality where the Weberites had their origin, and about that
period of time, 1758, according to the import of Weber’s confession, the Gospel was but
seldom preached, and the effects of such neglect soon manifested themselves: the people
generally gave a loose rein to their passions, rioted in their wantonness, and actually
believed that in doing so they were rendering service to God.”
“These were the people who contributed much toward bringing about the
‘Regulation’ troubles, and here is where the largest number of German Tories was to be
found during the Revolution, and on that account the whole German population of South
Carolina has been charged with being of Tory inclination. But let it be remembered that
108
the little angle between the Saluda and Broad Rivers partly in Orangeburg District and
partly in Ninety Six District constitutes a very small part of South Carolina, and the
Germans there settled constituted a very small portion of the South Carolina Germans,
and they not all of them Tories either.”
From Partisans and Redcoats the Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the
American Revolution, by Walter Edgar, 2001, Harper Collins Publishers, pp. 2-3:
Page 2-“Much of the backcountry lay in the South Carolina piedmont- a land of
rolling hills and lush valleys…In 1740 there were very few Europeans in the South
Carolina backcountry. By the American Revolution, nearly one-half of the colony’s total
population and 80 percent of its white population lived there…The Great Wagon Road
that served as the settler’s highway began across the Schuykill River from Philadelphia.
From the Pennsylvania capital it went west to Harrisburg and then turned south,
following the great Shenandoah Valley through Maryland and Virginia into the piedmont
of North Carolina.”
P.9 “There were settlements, but the only social organization was the church.
There were several Quaker meetings, but of those backcountry folk who belonged to a
church (and fewer than 10 percent of them did), most were either Baptist or Presbyterian.
Sectarian animosities were fierce. Scots-Irish Presbyterians were fervently devoted to
their churches and just as fervently antagonistic to those who did not share their particular
beliefs.
P.10 “The settlers in the Catawba were predominantly Presbyterian, while those
living between the Broad and Saluda Rivers were mainly Baptists.”
P.11 “The relative unimportance of organized religion…added to the social
instability of the region. Non-church-goers openly profaned the Lord’s Day by hunting,
fishing, drinking, playing cards, and frolicking. Because of sectarian feelings, little
respect was paid by church members to any beliefs but their own.”
P.13 “The [Cherokee] War completely disrupted whatever organized society had
existed on the frontier .The continued influx of new settlers, especially those bent on
making trouble, did little to stabilize the situation…By 1766 these undesirables had
formed outlaw gangs in South Carolina and were cooperating with other criminal bands
as far north as Pennsylvania…The great Wagon Road became their highway for crime.”
P.14 “During 1767 criminals operated with little fear of law enforcement. Lawabiding citizens were cowed into submission or coerced into cooperation. Outlaws
expected storekeepers and tavern owners to become fences for their stolen goods and
burned the businesses of those who refused. Some were killed. It took a while for the
decent, law-abiding settlers to come up with a plan to restore law and order.”
109
From The Colonial Records Project, Historical Publications Section, Raleigh, NC,
the website of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History,
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Newpapers/subjects/Crime.htm?
“March 11, 1756, The Pennsylvania Gazette
Newbern in North Carolina, February 13- We hear from Salisbury in Rowan County that
a gang of robbers (under the command of one William Owen whom they call their
Captain) being six in number, have lately infested our frontier settlements, where they
have committed several robberies, and barbarously murdered one man. That, having
fortified themselves in a strong place in the mountains, they carried off two Negroes from
Virginia, broke open a store there, and stole a considerable quantity of goods.”
“About a fortnight ago, one of their gang, named Cumberland, surrendered
himself and turned King’s evidence; who declares, their design was to plunder and rob
until they got a good booty with which they were to go off to the French and pilot them
into our back settlements; but by the care and vigilance of our frontier inhabitants, their
fort has been reduced to ashes, their wives taken, and are now in Rowan Gaol, and
themselves narrowly escaped. There are 40 horsemen now after them, and ‘tis hoped they
will be suppressed and punished as such enemies to their country deserve.”
“We also hear that some wagons from Charlestown to the Atkin settlement have
been plundered, and wagons cut off; but we hope this will prove false.”
“September 10, 1767, Pennsylvania Gazette
Charlestown, South Carolina-August 3: The gang of villains from Virginia and North
Carolina who have, for some years past, in small parties under particular leaders, infested
the back parts of the southern provinces, stealing horses from one and selling them in the
next, notwithstanding the late public examples made of some of them, we hear, are more
formidable than ever as to numbers, and more audacious and cruel in their thefts and
outrages. It is reported that they consist of more than 200, form a chain of communication
with each other, and have places of general meeting, where (in imitation of councils of
war) they form plans of operation and defense, and alluding to their secrecy and fidelity
to each other, call those places free mason lodges.”
“Instances of their cruelty to the people in the back settlements, whom them rob
or otherwise abuse, are so numerous and shocking, that a narrative of them would fill a
gazette, and every reader with horror. They at present range in the Forks between Broad,
Saluda and Savannah Rivers. Two of the gang were hanged last week at Savannah, viz.
Lundy Hust and Obadiah Greenage. Two others, James Ferguson and Jesse Hambersham,
were killed, when those were taken.”
Since HENRY GALLMAN died in 1767, it makes me wonder whether he may
have been attacked by these renegades, or whether he participated in the capture
described above, and was killed. It would be worth checking the local histories in the
Savannah, GA area, to see if there is more on this hanging.
110
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 68-“Jacob Geiger, 150 acre bounty, March 12, 1767, opposite Saxegotha.
Jacob Geiger-200 acres May 10, 1767 on Congaree lowlands.”
From Partisans and Redcoats the Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the
American Revolution, by Walter Edgar, 2001, Harper Collins Publishers, pp. 2-3:
P.15 “By the fall of 1767, the various vigilante groups scattered throughout the
backcountry had begun cooperating with one another. Soon they were calling themselves
Regulators…Many of them were small planters who owned several hundred acres that
they farmed with their families and perhaps a slave or two…The Regulators were men
who had worked hard for what they had and resented those who were lazy.”
P.17 “Colonial rangers were mounted units that could move swiftly and
effectively from one location to another. They had a mission, and they did what they
were told to do; eliminate the bandits. They ignored colonial boundaries. In North
Carolina, they hanged sixteen…Within six months, the outlaw bands had been broken
up…”
From Palmetto Connections, May 3, 2005 Contributed by Harriett Imrey
http://www.palmettoroots.org/Family_Gallman.html:
“Henry Gallman had 6 living children at the time of his 1765 will. After the
death of his first wife, he married Elizabeth Geiger, born 9 March 1740 in Saxegotha
(suggesting a date of ~1760 for the second marriage), daughter of his late brother-in-law
Herman Geiger and Elizabeth Habluzel. Elizabeth Geiger Gallman married John
Adam Horlbeck in Charleston on 25 February 1769. Her children, listed in her psalter,
were John and Henry Horlbeck. She died on 5 November 1802, and was buried in the St.
John’s Lutheran Church cemetery.
“Henry Gallman was a militia lieutenant during the Cherokee War under Col.
Chevillette, and commanded the company assigned to guard the military storehouse at the
Congarees [Saxegotha town] in 1759-60. [Clark, Murtie June. Colonial Soldiers of the
South, 1732-1774. Baltimore MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1986. Pp. 914 and
909].”
“His second son Henry Jr. served in the same company. His oldest son John
served under Capt. John Morrison’s Company of the Chevillette Battalion. Henry
fortified his residence on the Congaree River, near the mouth of Congaree Creek, as
Gallman’s Fort in order to provide shelter for local residents during Indian attacks. He
was deputized to collect and ship food and military supplies—including swivel-guns—to
the forces stationed to the west at Fort Prince George. He also certified claims for
reimbursement of goods requisitioned from local residents as military supplies. The
records of the Commons House of Assembly during the war years show that several of
his expense claims were questioned; and, in fact, that they certainly should have been!
[Lipscomb, Terry W (Ed.). The Colonial Records of South Carolina. The Journal of the
111
Commons House of Assembly. Columbia: SCDAH. Example for 26 Jan 1758: “Four
certificates of Henry Gallman amounting to £2190:3:6 for Supplies to Fort Loudoun and
Fort Prince George, Certified by John Chevillette, to be allowed. Which your Committee
Can’t help Observing is a vast Sum for Flour and Bacon.]”
“His two youngest sons, John Conrad and Gasper, fought at the Battle of Stono
on 20 June 1779 in Capt. John Ryan’s (Edgefield) Company under Gen. Williamson.
Henry Gallman’s military ranks are uncertain. The 1769 wedding announcement of his
widow stated that she was the “relict of Maj. Henry Gallman, deceased”. A 1771 land
transaction between sons John and John Conrad states that their property was inherited
from “Capt. Henry Gallman, deceased.”
Children:
“John Gallman, wife unknown, died in 1780 (killed for Loyalist sympathies);
one son Randolph mentioned in brother Henry’s will. Occupation: planter (also
“gentleman”).
“Henry Gallman, married Esther, no children; will signed 2 December 1776, no
probate date. Occupation: planter.”
“Herman Gallman moved to Noble’s/Horn’s Creek in Edgefield District by
1770, where he acquired large properties. He married Lucretia, widow of neighbor Allen
Addison, in ~1773. They had no children. Occupation: miller.”
“John Conrad Gallman, married 1) Mary Ann __ [probably a Sellars, because a
grandson through eldest son John was named Thomas Sellars Gallman, and neighbor at
Horn’s Creek, Edgefield, was a Thomas Sellars], 3 children born 1775 to ~1780 in
Edgefield; married 2) Susannah __, 4 children born ~1791 to 1799 in Edgefield; died 1
March 1829 in Henry County, GA. 1790 census in Edgefield: 1 free white male 16+, 4
males <16, 3 females, 3 slaves. Two sons Silas and Jesse left GA for central MS by 1828;
other children settled near Henry Co GA. Occupation: planter.”
“Gasper Gallman, born 1749, married Jemima Sellars/Sellers in Edgefield
County, SC, died 19 August 1819 in Edgefield. They had 3 sons and 5 daughters. 1790
census in Edgefield: 1 free white male 16+, 3 males <16, 3 females, 2 slaves. Oldest
daughter Elizabeth married David Donaldson, moved to south AL in ~1825; other
children remained in Edgefield. Occupation: planter, cooper, tavern-keeper.”
“Elizabeth Gallman, married Gasper Foust/Faust bet. 1765 and 1776, lived in
Richland County, SC. “
From Abstracts of the Wills of the State of South Carolina, 1760-1784, compiled
and edited by Caroline T. Moore:
Will Book RR, 1767-1771-“HENRY GALLMAN, Saxegotha Township,
Berkeley County; planter. Wife: ELIZABETH, to live on my plantation where I now
live during her widowhood. Sons: John and Henry, my plantation in said township on
112
Savannah Huit Creek, 2 town lots in Saxegotha, Nos. 24 and 26; Harmon, part of land in
Saxegotha Township purchase of William Stack, land in the fork of the Broad and Saluda
Rivers; two youngest sons, John Conrad and GASPAR, land in said township where I
now live, residue of land in Fork of Broad and Saluda Rivers. Daughter, Elizabeth.
Brother, Rudolph Gallman. Mentions: L70 to the poor of said township; residue of estate
to wife and children. Executors: wife, son, John; brother-in-law John Conrad Geiger.
Witnessed: Jacob Hagenbeaugh, Rev. Christian Theus, George Keith. Died Dec. 28,
1765. Probated February 19, 1768. R: nd. P. 180.”
His wife, ELIZABETH remarried on February 28, 1769, to John Adam
Horlbeck, according to a March 1769 issue of the South Carolina Gazette and Country
Journal. She died in Charleston on November 5, 1802, as Mrs. Horlbeck. HEINRICH
GALLMAN was mentioned in this marriage notice as the deceased Major HENRY
GALLMAN.
Districts, 1769-1784
Districts and Counties, 1785
113
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 249: “1758-Inquirers and collectors,-The township of Saxegotha and forks
between the Congaree and Wateree Rivers and adjacent places-James Leslie, John Lee,
Thomas Kennelly, Isaac Pennington.”
Page 250: “1760-Inquirers and collectors, Saxegotha Township and the fork
between the Congaree and Wateree Rivers and adjacent places-John Pearson, William
Harson, William Raiford.”
“1764- Inquirers and collectors, Saxegotha, etc-Robert Goodin, Andrew Allison.”
“1765-Inquirers and collectors, Saxegotha, etc.-John McCord and Isaac Ross.”
“1766-Inquirers and collectors, Saxegotha, etc.-John Hamilton, John McCord.”
“1767-Inquirers and collectors, for the Congarees-John Thomas, Thomas Corker,
Jr, Thomas Green.”
Page 248: “Some officials of Saxegotha-1768- Justice of the Peace, Philip
Pearson.”
Page 249: “Justices of the Quorum, 1775-Johannes Beard.”
From Partisans and Redcoats the Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the
American Revolution, by Walter Edgar, 2001, Harper Collins Publishers:
114
P.17-“In June 1768, Regulators from various settlements gathered in congress at
the Congarees [that was the old name in use for what, by this time, was being called
Saxegotha by its residents]. This was a familiar backcountry area; the site of a former
Indian village and later a trading post at the mouth of the Congaree Creek in Saxegotha
District, almost at the center of the colony. There they passed the Plan of Regulation
[page 18] by which they intended to control the lives of ‘the baser sort of people’. South
Carolina had no vagrancy law, so there was no legal way to handle ‘idle persons.’ Given
the temper of the backcountry, the Regulators once again decided to take matters into
their own hands. For three years, it was not the royal government in Charleston but the
Regulators who were in control of South Carolina from fifty miles inland to Cherokee
territory. The Plan of Regulation was the only law they recognized.”
From The History of the Old Cheraws by the Rev. Alexander Gregg:
Page 153-September 12th [1768], we find this account in the Gazette: The people
called Regulators have lately severely chastised one Lum, who is come to town; but we
have not yet learned the real cause for this severity to him. A letter from Pine Tree
(Camden) dated the 6th instant contains the following intelligence: The Regulators have
fixed upon the 5th of next month to have a meeting here, to draw up their grievances in
order to be laid before the new Assembly. 2500 or 3000 of them, from St. Mark’s and St.
David’s Parishes are to rendezvous on the 10th at Eutaw, and thence proceed to
Charlestown to pursue the proper measures for redress. The Regulators from the
Congaree, Broad and Saluda Rivers are not to proceed to town unless sent for by their
brethren; but 1500 of them are to hold themselves in readiness, in case they should be
wanted. They do not intend the least injury to any person in town, desiring only provision
and quarter till their complaints shall be heard.”
From Partisans and Redcoats the Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the
American Revolution, by Walter Edgar, 2001, Harper Collins Publishers:
Page 18-“The Plan of Regulation went far beyond simply imposing law and order.
It included provisions for regulating almost every aspect of individuals’ lives. If a man
did not support his family, he was disciplined. So were immoral women, debtors, drunks,
loafers, vagrants or anyone thought to have had an association with the outlaws.
Whipping was the favored form of punishment: ’39 lashes well laid on.’ One thing could
be said for the Regulators-they were effective. ‘The country was purged of all villains,’
wrote an observer. ‘The whores were whipped and drove off. The magistrates and
constables associated with rogues, silenced and inhibited. Tranquility reigned. Industry
was restored.’
Page 18-“With no one to oppose them, some Regulators used their movement as a
cover to settle old scores. Enforcement of the Plan of Regulation became capricious and,
increasingly, vindictive. Punishments were used not just to bring offenders into line but
to humiliate and intimidate. Jacob Summeral, a justice of the peace in New Windsor
Township, fell into disfavor and was dragged from his house and whipped. He refused to
give up his commission and was kidnapped and tied to a post for seven days. He was
115
freed only because his wife managed to elude the Regulators and get help from royal
authorities and sympathetic militia.”
Page 18-“Another, more brutal, incident also occurred in New Windsor
Township. John Harvey, a farmer, was accused of having a horse that belonged to
someone else. A group of fifty or so Regulators [page 19] seized him and carried him off
to be disciplined. He was chained to a tree, and each man whipped him ten times with
bundles of switches. Throughout the administration of more than five hundred lashes
some Regulators provided background music with drums and fiddles. Harvey survived,
but this and other sadistic actions led to a backlash against the Regulator movement.”
Page 19-“Law and order had been one of the Regulators’ main demands.
However, when the victims of their lynch-style justice went to Charleston to swear out
warrants for assault, armed bands of Regulators prevented the colony’s provost marshal
from arresting the offenders. They ignored royal proclamations to disband and disperse.
Thus the proponents of law and order became lawbreakers.”
Page 19-“Victims, justices of the peace, and respectable landowners decided that
enough was enough. The organization that had been created to bring about law and order
had become a threat to the stability and harmony of the backcountry. A new organization,
composed of men calling themselves the Moderators, took up arms themselves and began
to arrest Regulators. After several years of undisputed sway over South Carolina’s
interior, the Regulators were not about to give up easily. It made little difference that
many of the Moderators were ex-Regulators and their neighbors. The Regulators were
ready to maintain control of the backcountry, and the only way to do so, they reasoned,
was to eliminate the Moderators.”
Page 19-“In March 1769, some six or seven hundred Regulators marched on a
Moderator camp on the banks of the Saluda River. The two sides were about equal in
numbers, and both were spoiling for a fight. Bloodshed was avoided because two of the
backcountry’s recognized leaders, Richard Richardson and William Thomson, arrived on
the scene. They argued that there was no real need for the Regulators since the riff-raff
had long since either been [page 20] brought to heel or fled to more hospitable colonies.
The colonial assembly passed an act creating circuit courts for the backcountry. And if
there was no need for Regulators, then there was no need for the Moderators either.
Through force of personality, Richardson and Thomson convinced both sides to disperse
and allow the law to ‘take its course without opposition.’”
From Green’s History of Richland County, SC:
Page 68-Jacob Geiger 200 acres November 18, 1771, Broad River. 150 acres
November 9, 1772, branch of upper Cedar Creek.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
116
Page 253-: “South Carolina and American General Gazette, March 26th, 1773,
announced that Isaac Huger would contest the election of Tacitus Gaillard; and the
journal of the House of Representatives for Saturday, March 20th, 1773, contained the
following:
“A petition of Isaac Huger Esq, of Charlestown was presented to the House and
read in the words following: That your petitioner with Tacitus Gaillard, Esq. was
candidates at the last election of a member to serve in the present General Assembly for
the Parish of Saint Matthew. That the election was not managed and conducted agreeable
to the directions of an Act of the General Assembly…First that no public notice was
given in writing at the door of the parish church, two Sundays before the appointed time
of election. That at two of the clock in the afternoon when the box which contained the
names of the voters was produced by William Stent, one of the church wardens for the
said parish, two of the seals were tore off. That many undue practices were allowed by
the church wardens during the election to obtain a majority of votes for Mr. Gaillard.”
“That several persons were refused the liberty of voting for your petitioner on the
first day of election, and on the second were offered their votes, provided they would
vote for Mr. Gaillard. That many persons under age, some of whom had no property in
the parish, and several mulattos were allowed to vote at the said ___ pages missing here.
117
The American Revolution and the Gallman, Sellers, Donaldson, Beard Families
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 257: The following notice of the Provincial Congress appears in the South
Carolina Gazette of January 23rd, 1775:
“‘List of the several members of the Provincial Congress, which was held here on
the 11 instant, being the most complete representation of all the good people throughout
the colony that ever was and perhaps ever will be obtained…The Township of
Saxegotha, Orangeburg District was represented by:
th
Hon. William Henry Drayton*
Honorable Barnard Elliott*
William Arthur
Jonas Beard
Benjamin Farrar
William Tucker.
[*-Footnote-From Moultrie’s Memoirs, Vol. I, p. 39-Any voter who
owned land in an election district was eligible to represent that district in an
Assembly, whether he lived in that district or not.]”
Page 257-258: The Congress without one dissenting vote, gave public thanks to
their late deputies to the Continental Congress, approved their proceedings, and resolved
to carry their suggestions into execution; and to this end adopted the following resolution:
Resolved that the following gentlemen be the committee foe effectually carrying into
execution the Continental Association, and for receiving and determining upon
applications relative to law processes. On this committee the following gentlemen…were
appointed for Saxegotha Township, Orangeburg District:
Benjamin Ferrar
Jonas Beard
William Tucker
Samuel Boykin
Godfrey Drier
Ralph Humphries
Page 259: “…One hundred and seventy-two members of the provincial Congress
met on the day appointed, the first of June 1775…In consequence of this temporary
constitution the following officers were elected immediately on the adoption of the
constitution…”
118
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 468: “Besides those who fought in the regular service, Orangeburg District
furnished many men to the militia branch of the service. In the early days of the war,
militia companies were formed in every section of the colony. Their rolls were sent down
to the Council of Safety by whom they were generally approved and their officers
commissioned, and the companies assigned to regiments.”
“In 1775 the militia of the province consisted of thirteen regiments, nearly every
officer of which, and the large majority of the men of which, signed the Association.”
“The Orangeburg District regiment had William Thomson for its colonel,
Christopher Rowe for its Lieutenant Colonel, and Lewis Golson for its major. [FootnoteIn a letter to the Council of Saftey dated Nov. 28, 1775, Colonel Thomson stated that
three of the militia companies existed in his immediate neighborhood.] The lower district
between Broad and Saluda Rivers, the greater part of which was in Orangeburg District,
had a regiment of which Robert Stake was colonel, Moses Kirkland lieutenant colonel,
and ___ Tyrrel, major. After Colonel Thomson was made colonel of the 3rd regiment of
regulars (Rangers) the command of Orangeburg District regiment devolved upon Rowe,
though Colonel Thomson seems to have exercised a sort of supervision over it, and in the
back country expeditions in 1775, spoke of it as ‘my regiment of militia.’ And during the
siege of Charlestown and after his exchange, he probably resumed command of it.”
Page 469: “In the Provincial Congress on March 23rd, 1776, it was resolved:
‘That the fork between Saluda and Broad Rivers be divided into three regiments,
according to the divisions of districts by the resolve of Congress of the 9th February last;
one regiment in each of the districts.’ The lower or ‘Dutch Fork’ regiment was probably
commanded by Colonel JONAS BEARD, as we find by a letter to General Moultrie,
dated April 6th, 1778, mention made by President Lowndes of ‘Colonel BEARD’ and his
regiment of militia at ‘the Congarees.’”
From the State Records of North Carolina, volume 15, page 724:
This page contains a list of the men who enlisted in the company of Lt. Colonel
Mebane, under Colonel Thomas Clark in the 1st North Carolina Battalion. The soldier
numbered 49 is David Donaldson, who enlisted February 15th, 1778. It may be worth
looking for the father of our David Donaldson in Mebane’s county, which was Orange
County, NC.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 279-280: The Third Regiment of South Carolina Continentals: “It will be
remembered that in June, 1775, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, as a
119
safeguard, raised two regiments of infantry and one regiment of rangers. William
Thomson, a member of that Congress from Orangeburg District, was elected Lieutenant
Colonel and commander of the regiment of rangers. The officers and men of the regiment
were from Orangeburg and the adjoining districts of Camden and Ninety Six. The
following were the officers of this regiment elected at its organization. Those marked
with an asterisk were of Orangeburg District:
*William Thomson, Lieutenant Colonel
James Mayson, Major
Captains
Samuel Wise [of Cheraws District]
Ezekiel Polk grandfather of James K. Polk]
John Caldwell
Eli Kershaw
*Robert Goodwin
Moses Kirkland
*Edward Richardson
Thomas Woodward
John Purves
Lieutenants
*John Lewis Peyer Imhoff
*Charles Heatly
Alan Cameron
Richard Winn
John Donaldson [Cheraws]
Hugh Middleton
Lewis Dutarque
Frances Boykin
Samuel Watson
[1st footnote said that Cameron refused to accept the commission offered him. He
sympathized with the Crown. 2nd footnote said that Ramsay and Col. Thomson give his
name as John Donaldson, but his name is given on the Journal of Council of Safety and
in General DeSausure’s pamphlet as James Donaldson.]
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 387-388: “Colonel Thomson’s Order Book-June 24th, 1775 to November 3rd,
1778: Dr. Joseph Johnson, in his Traditions of the Revolution, Page 99, states that the
order books of Colonel William Thomas ‘have been preserved by his family and are very
creditable to his officer-like conduct and [page 388] discretion.’ One of these books is
now in possession of Judge A. C. Haskell of Columbia, who has very kindly allowed it to
be copied for use in this work…”
“Amelia, 24th June, 1775
Page 389:
Sir,
“Inclosed is a copy of orders I received from the Council of Safety. You will
observe the contents and give orders accordingly to the four upper companies viz.
Captains Purvis, Kirkland, Caldwell, and Polk. You will also order an encampment in the
most convenient place near Reedy River and that each Captain, as soon as he has enlisted
ten men, to send them to the camp in order to learn their exercise and be in readiness with
a good horse and rifle, and other necessaries. Directed to Major James Mason, signed
William Thomson. A true copy.
120
The following passages are quoted from Walter Edgar’s Partisans and Redcoats:
The Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the American Revolution, William
Morrow/Harper Collins Publishing, 2001, pages 28-32:
Page 28-“The apportionment of the seats in the Provincial Congress was a clear
indication that while the lowcountry [Charleston and environs] elite wanted the
backcountry with it in opposing the British, it had no intentions of sharing its power with
frontier residents. The backcountry with 60 percent white population was given only 55
seats out of 187.”
Page 29-“Therefore it is no wonder that reports began to filter down to [page 30]
Charleston about open opposition to the Provincial Congress. One of the most outspoken
critics was Thomas Fletchell, a well-known backcountry planter who lived in the
Fairforest community between the Broad and Saluda Rivers. In a letter to Henry
Laurens, the president of the Council of Safety, Fletchell declared: ‘I am resolved, and do
utterly refuse to take up arms against my king, until I find it my duty to do otherwise and
[am] fully convinced thereof…’”
Page 30-“The South Carolina backcountry was seriously divided over what to do
in 1775…The English and Scots-Irish in the territory between the Broad and Saluda
Rivers were evenly split, while the Germans in Saxe Gotha District were almost all
Tories. [However, this was not true of the Gallmans and the Geigers.]…When forced to
make a choice, backcountry folk did, albeit reluctantly in many cases.”
Another writer, John Buchanan, in The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The
American Revolution in the Carolinas, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 1997, describes the
same:
Page 95-“A large, important ethnic group, the Germans, were afraid of losing
their land, which had been given to them by the King. They wanted no part of rebellion.
After a week spent in the German settlements near modern Columbia, during which
Tennant recorded, ‘Mr. Drayton harangued them and was followed by myself,’ Drayton
had to report that ‘The Dutch are not with us.’ But the Germans were not dangerous to
the cause, because their deepest desire was for both sides to leave them alone so they
could cultivate their farms.”
John Buchanan, in The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the
Carolinas, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 1997:
Page 95-“The Scotch Irish and English settlers presented the real danger. The
former, traditionally considered as totally for rebellion, had among them a sizeable
minority who favored the crown, especially those who had immigrated recently through
the port of Charleston. At King’s Creek on the Enoree River in the upper reaches of the
Dutch Fork, that large area between the Broad and Saluda Rivers, William Henry
Drayton met in debate the two ablest supporters of the King, Robert Cunningham and
121
Thomas Brown. Cunningham was a Scots Irishman who had migrated south from
Pennsylvania to the Saluda River Valley…”
Partisans and Redcoats, page 30, provides more detail: “Without the support of
the backcountry, the revolutionaries would be in difficult straits. They realized that they
needed to attract the support of community leaders, men of property who had risen to
prominence during the Regulator Movement. [Page 31] William Hill, Richard
Richardson, William Thompson, and Joseph Kershaw had already cast their lots with the
Revolution, but others, such as Robert Cunningham and Thomas Fletchell, remained
loyal to the Crown.”
Partisans and Redcoats:
Page 31-“In an attempt to ‘fully convince’ Cunningham, Fletchell, and other
backcountry leaders of the justice of the patriot cause, the Provincial Congress sent a
delegation to the interior. It consisted of five individuals: Oliver Hart, a Baptist
clergyman; William Tennant, a Presbyterian minister; William Henry Drayton, a member
of the Council of Safety; and two of the most prominent individuals in the backcountry,
Joseph Kershaw of Camden and Richard Richardson of the High Hills.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 281-282: “Colonel Thomson was…given orders, on July 15th, to
immediately march his regiment or such part of it as he might deem necessary for the
service, to take Fort Charlotte, in case the same had not already been secured agreeable to
the order of June 26th. Upon receiving this order, Colonel Thomson issued orders for
Captains Goodwin, Kershaw, Richardson and Woodward to meet him at the Congarees
on the following Sunday, ready to march to Fort Charlotte; but upon reaching the
Congarees he met an express from Major Mayson containing the intelligence of the
capture of Fort Charlotte. Thereupon Colonel Thomson went into camp at the Congarees
with the four companies he had with him, issued orders for Captain Wise to also join him
at once with his company, and sent a detachment to Fort Charlotte for more powder.”
“From his camp at ‘Granby near Friday’s Ferry’, colonel Thomson wrote a letter
to the Council of Safety on July 22nd, in which he advised that some member of the
Council of Safety and the Rev, William Tennent be sent among the back-country
people.”
“It appeared that when the Continental Association was carried among the settlers
in the fork between the Broad and Saluda Rivers…many of them refused to sign it. The
Council of Safety then resolved, on July 23rd, to send William Henry Drayton and the
Rev. William Tennent among them to try to persuade them into signing it. The Council
also gave them the following authority: ‘Gentlemen, in order to give you every necessary
and proper support and protection in your progress into the country…you are hereby
authorized to call upon all and every officer of the militia and rangers for assistance,
122
support and protection.’ Acting upon this authority, Messrs. Drayton and Tennent, who
had left Charleston on August 2nd, called upon Colonel Thomson soon thereafter to
accompany them with his regiment.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 395:
Amelia, 17th July, 1775
Sir,
“I herein enclose you copy of the orders received from the Council of Safety. You
will please to give the three companies in your district orders accordingly. I should be
glad if you would have them all in Amelia by the sixth day of August as I could wish to
have them together four days before they march…
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
Page 324-326: “On Wednesday, the second day of August 1775, the
Commissioners, William Henry Drayton and William Tennent, left Charleston, in
prosecution of the duties they had in charge; and proceeding by way of Monck’s Corner,
they arrived at the Congaree Store (the Congaree Store was situated about 300 yards
below the large ditch, which crosses the public road, just below Granby, and lay between
the road and the Congaree River) in the Dutch settlement of Saxegotha, on the Saturday
following; in the vicinity of which, a part of the regiment of rangers was encamped, on
the western bank of the Six Mile Creek.”
Page 325-“As a first step, to the particular object of their progress, they
dispatched notices to persons of influence among the Dutch in that settlement [the
Geigers and the Gallmans, 2nd and 3rd generations in America, would certainly have been
considered persons of influence in the Saxegotha settlement. The patriarch, HANS
JACOB GEIGER had been a canton governor in Switzerland, and his grandson,
GASPAR GALLMAN, was a man of great wealth, if his last will and testament are taken
into account. At the time of this notice, GASPAR was only 26 years old, but his father,
HENRY GALLMAN had a substantial plantation at the time of his death in 1767, with 2
town lots in Saxegotha, and farmland in the fork of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, and he
left a substantial sum in those days, to the poor…L70]; for the purpose of procuring a
meeting of the inhabitants at the place of election, which was to be on the day the
Commissioners arrived at the Congaree Store. Not one German, however, appeared
there; and only one or two friends of the Association; who had been industrious to
procure a meeting.”
“By these gentlemen, the Commissioners were informed their countrymen were
against taking up arms…against the King; being apprehensive in such a case, he would
resume the grants which had been given to them of their lands, and by which they would
be dispossessed of them. And they were likewise so possessed with the idea that the
123
Rangers were posted among them for the purpose of awing them into submission, and
forcing their signatures to the Association, that they would not, by any arguments be
induced to approach the Commissioners.”
Page 326: “Notwithstanding these difficulties, the Commissioners did not give up
the idea of reasoning with these people; and for that purpose they prevailed with Colonel
Thompson, who commanded the Orangeburg regiment of militia to order a muster of two
Dutch companies of his regiment in the neighborhood, on the Wednesday following: and
to give great energy to his orders, the Commissioners declared, that should the officers
disobey, they should be broken. This threat at this time was absolutely necessary; as the
Dutch captains had some little time before, disobeyed such an order…And to excite the
private interests of the Dutchmen, it was made known, that no non-subscriber in that
settlement, should be allowed to purchase at, or sell to, the Congaree store, or at
Charlestown.”
“Previous to these meetings, Mr. Tennent performed divine service in the rangers’
camp; and afterwards, Mr. Drayton harangued the rangers…the nature of the public
disputes, and the justice of the cause in which they were engaged…”
Page 327-330: “The Commissioners then left the camp, apparently quiet and
satisfied; as the men on being discharged, expressed their thanks for the information they
had received. But, about midnight an officer came from the camp (which was about two
or three miles off) with information that a dangerous mutiny had broken out; that
command and obedience no longer existed; that the men were in uproar, at the idea of
deduction of pay; for in some cases they had been promised by their officers provisions
above their pay; and that they were determined to quit the camp in the morning and
disband.”
Page 328-“After taking the matter into consideration, aided by Colonel Thompson
and Captain Kershaw; the Commissioners deemed it most advisable to let the matter rest
until morning; as thereby, time would intervene for the men to cool; and for the three
captains and other officers in camp to sound the men, and know who could be depended
upon. This forbearance had a good effect; as in the morning, the men appeared quiet; and
it became evident the disorder arose from three or four privates of profligate characters;
and from the improper conduct, declarations and conversations of some of the officers.”
“Captain W----d [Woodward?] had incautiously, when enlisting his men, made
promises which proved grounds of discontent; and when the Commissioners addressed
the rangers in camp, he had the imprudence to attempt to be spokesman to the
Commissioners in the hearing of the men, as to their being found provisions over and
above their pay; and Lieutenant D----e [Dutarque?] also attempted to speak, to the
cruelty of keeping men encamped without tents. For this conduct, the Commissioners
privately admonished these officers; which they received in a submissive and appropriate
manner.”
124
“The rangers were then marched from their camp, to the Congaree Store; where
Mr. Drayton again harangued them upon the disorders of last night; attributing it to a few
disorderly persons, who, in this first instance of disobedience, would be passed over by
their Colonel, in the hope such lenity would work a reformation in them…[Page 329]
After this, excepting three men, they were called upon to say what they pleased; and they
became well satisfied and showed the most perfect submission. The three men were
spoken to in private and were severely reprimanded. In this manner was the mutiny put
down…”
“Matters being thus composed, and the public arm strengthened at the Congaree
station, the Commissioners thought it might tend to remove the apprehensions of the
Dutch settlers by changing the camp of the rangers to some distant place. For this reason,
as well as to allow the soldiers to go home, to places of election about to be holden; and
to procure necessaries [page 330] for themselves; and still more, to evince the public
confidence in their good behavior; the camp of the rangers was broken up; and they were
sent to their homes for a limited time, under the eyes of their respective officers. A new
camp was ordered to be formed at Amelia on the Congaree River, about thirty miles
below, where they were ordered to assemble on the 18th day of August 1775.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 284: “Letter written by Drayton and Tennent:
Congaree Store, August 7th, 1775
To the Council of Safety,
“‘Gentlemen, Having left Charlestown on Wednesday morning, we arrived here
early on Saturday afternoon, 130 miles distant from town. In our way, we spent some
hours at Colonel Gaillard’s and we flatter ourselves the visit had a good effect. It is to be
hoped he has not delivered himself in public so warmly, as he has expressed himself to
us…’”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
Page 361-364: “On the 8th of August, the Commissioners, William Henry
Drayton and William Tennent, crossed the Congaree River at the Ferry just above the
Congaree Store, and proceeded some miles to an election. To the people collected on
this occasion, both of the Commissioners spoke much at length; and they were so
fortunate as not only to give desirable information to the audience, but to convert some,
who had attended with mischievous purposes; and who cheerfully signed the Association.
And when the election was over, the people formed themselves in volunteer companies.”
125
“On the 9th of August, they also attended one of the German musters, which had
been ordered by Colonel Thompson; and the Dutch audience so warmed by the addresses
which were delivered, as to induce several of them to shed tears. Their hearts at this time,
became expanded; and at the conclusion of the meeting, all of them except fifteen
persons signed the Association; and those fifteen mildly requested they might have until
Friday to consider of the business, when they would meet Mr. Drayton at the place of
divine service. The election which had been postponed [page 362] by the Commissioners,
now took place at the close of this meeting, after the people had been informed of the
nature of the dispute with Great Britain; it was conducted with decorum and satisfaction,
and with a view to public interests.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 293: “Tennent’s Diary: ‘Wednesday, 9th…Major Mayson came through
from Ninety Six, and gave many melancholy accounts. Having agreed upon our route, we
separated and I rode four miles to Mr. Beard’s on the bank of the Saluda, a romantic
situation. Colonel Richardson accompanies me.’”
“‘Thursday August 10th- Reached Captain Woodward’s of the Rangers after
sundown. An honest man who informed that his company had universally signed.’”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
“It having been suggested by the Committee at the Congarees, to the Council of
Safety, that Dutch wagoners [HENRY GALLMAN had been a wagoner prior to his
death in 1767…perhaps one or two of his sons were still doing so at this time] carrying to
Charlestown certificates of their having signed the Association, would tend to influence
the interested view of the Dutch settlers, and draw them more easily into the Association;
the Council of Safety wrote to that Committee approving of the measure. But a sly
Dutchman who lived in the Dutch Fork, replied ‘that wagoners might easily sell their
loads in Charlestown without any danger of inquiries about certificates.’ This being
reported to Mr. Drayton by the committee of the Congarees, he on the 9th of August
wrote to the Council of Safety on the subject; earnestly recommending that a constant
guard of regular troops should be stationed at the town-gate who should inspect and
inquire of all wagoners from the Congarees, the fork between Broad and Saluda Rivers,
commonly called the Dutch Fork, and Fair Forest, for certificates of their having
associated. And upon their non-production, that they should cause the wagoners to return
with their wagon and contents. And he concluded that letter with this remark, ‘as I know
such a conduct will have great influence in those parts; I shall give the inhabitants to
understand that such a regulation will take place.’”
126
“On the 11th of August, Mr. Drayton attended by Mr. Joseph Kershaw of
Camden, left the Congaree Store and proceeded to a Dutch church about ten miles
higher up Saluda River. At this place he gave a discourse to the congregation consisting
entirely of Germans; in which he ‘thought it prudent to mix in many texts of Scripture,
showing that our breaking off all trade and communication with non-subscribers was not
any force put upon them.’ They were otherwise influenced, however, that the former
Dutch audience; and only one of them signed the Association.”
“It appeared this conduct of theirs was brought about through the intrigues of
some non-subscribers who were at the last meeting; and who, on this occasion not only
kept back this Dutch congregation from signing the Association, but actually prevented
the fifteen from signing it, who at the last meeting, had requested to be allowed until this
day. To make up their minds, and who had attended here for that purpose. Upon this, Mr.
Drayton thought proper to call to his aid other arguments than those of patriotism; as he
found these did not go sufficiently home to the Dutch sensibilities; and he now declared
that no miller who was a subscriber should grind wheat or corn for anyone who was a
non-subscriber. For as he had failed in drawing on their patriotism, he now trusted to this
measure to bring their interests into requisition.”
“This gave an immediate shock and excited a general alarm among the Dutch
settlers; and they were thereby brought more to reason as their interests were more
closely affected by it. From this place, the progress was continued across Saluda, into the
Dutch Fork, to the house and store of Mr. McLaurin [Mr. McLaurin’s store was situated
in the Dutch Fork, at a place he called Spring Hill, fifteen miles from the Saluda River
on the road from thence to Kennedy’s Ford on the Enoree River by the Long Lane,
commonly called the Charlestown Road on the west side of Broad River and three miles
distant from that river]; where a meeting of Germans was to assemble; and they were
there addressed on the occasion. [Page 364] But no arguments could persuade them;
neither was one subscriber procured; for McLaurin threw a damper on the people as did
other disaffected people who were present…”
Partisans and Redcoats: Page 31…”The response to the delegation was muted and
mixed. Tennant wrote that many in the backcountry believed ‘that no man from
Charleston can speak the truth and that all the papers are full of lies.’ Several crowds
were small and openly hostile. For example, at King’s Creek, Drayton and company had
to listen to Thomas ‘Burnfoot’ Brown denounce the patriots as savages. Just two weeks
earlier, when he declined to sign a revolutionary petition, a mob struck him down,
scalped him, and then tarred his legs and held them over a fire. He lost two toes in the
incident and became an implacable foe of the Revolution.”
Page 31-“As the patriot delegation warmed to its task, it began to have greater
success. On 11 August 1775, at Jackson’s Creek Meeting [page 32] House…[Reverend
Tennant] won over the leading men of the area and persuaded an entire militia company
to support the Revolution…”
127
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 429:
To Captain Lewis Peyer Imhoff
Amelia, 17 August 1775
Sir,
“This day I received from the Council of Safety a captain’s commission for you.
On receipt hereof you will wait on me in Amelia in order to receive the same. In the
interim and on your way, you may enlist men for yourself. Let them be good riflemen
with good horses. Please to fetch the date of commission of the 2nd Lieutenant of Captain
Wise and the date of Lieutenant DONALDSON’s commission. I am, Your humble
servant, William Thomson”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 293: “Colonel Thomson and the five companies of Captains Wise, Kershaw,
Goodwyn, Richardson and Woodward duly met at the appointed place [August 18th]
‘Fletchall’s Old Field.’ Where they were joined by Major Mayson from the Congarees,
and by the companies of Captain Imhoff and Heatly. From this camp Colonel Thomson
moved by order of Mr. Drayton, to the ‘Ridge’ on September 8th.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
Page 369: “On the 21st of August, Mr. Drayton wrote a letter from Lawson’s Fork
to the Council of Safety giving the particulars of what passed, while the Commissioners
remained at Colonel Fletchall’s. In that letter…He therein assured the Council, ‘that
unless our friends in the country find, that the non-subscribers are debarred all
communication with Charlestown and all trade with the country stores, they will be much
chagrined; and bad consequences may ensue. In particular, I most earnestly recommend
that no more goods be sent up to McLaurin’s store. His partner in town, is one McCurry
or Curry, some such name. This man has signed the Association; and under this sanction,
he means to supply McLaurin’s; by which means the Dutch will be encouraged to
persevere in their obstinacy. [Page 370] And I beg leave to caution you, even against
McLaurin’s signing the Association, if he should think proper to do so to procure goods;
for the Dutch agree if there should be necessity, that he should be allowed to subscribe
and then, they would be supplied as usual without acceding to the Association.”
“The commissions for the volunteer companies are not come to hand; but I
suppose they are with Colonel Thompson; who in all probability will continue in his new
camp until my arrival there…”
128
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 424-425:
Camp Amelia, Foquett’s Old Field, 25th August 1775
Honorable Sir,
“The express sent to Mr. Drayton is not yet returned. I am now camped at this
place with five companies. Captain Wise, Kershaw, Goodwyn, Richardson and
Woodward; Captains Imhoff and Heatly are out recruiting, as is Captain Kershaw in
behalf of them and likewise some of the lieutenants. I am in hopes in a short time to have
their companies completed. Major Mason who has been some time at the Congarees
waiting for them I expect at the same time to join the camp.”
“From all the intelligence I have had there was not much reason for our friends in
Georgia being so much alarmed, the first accounts I had of Captain Polk’s disobedience, I
received by a letter from Major Mason the day before Mr. Drayton came to the
Congarees, and on his arrival, I delivered it to him. I did not choose to write from report,
where the reputation of a gentleman was at stake. My officer, who wrote to Mr. [page
425] Gervais, yet unknown to me, had he acquainted me, I should have had it in my
power to have wrote facts. Whatever certainties might come to my hands of consequence,
either for or against the cause of liberty, you may depend upon, I shall both as a point of
my duty and my strictest regard for the welfare of the country, make immediate report
of.”
“I have reason to believe the nonsubscribers will be but few in a short time. I have
the promise of a volunteer company of sixty good men out of Fletchall’s company near to
where he lives. I have taken away the commissions of some of the captains of my
regiment of foot, who was disobedient and disaffected.”
“I should be glad to know if it would be proper to fill up those places with good
men by giving them volunteer commissions. If not proper, should be glad to know if I
could be supplied with blank commissions from the government for them. I enclose a list
of Captain Wise’s officers and men. Captain Imhoff petitioned for a 2nd lieutenant’s
commission for, in the choice of which, depended the raising of men to the number of 14
or 15. The other blank commissions I shall not fill up until my regiment are together,
except those in the Fort, until which time it will not be in my power to make you a proper
return of the regiment of horse. The companies now with me are complete, and I have the
vanity to make mention, that the men are very forward in their military discipline. I
remain, your most obedient servant,
William Thomson”
NB: Please to observe that Captain Wise himself is in North Carolina. His men came with
Lieutenant Donaldson. Captain Wise, I presume will be in camp in a few days.”
Partisans and Redcoats Page 32-“Drayton reported that many other settlers,
especially the Germans, were ‘not with us.’ However, he should have noted that most
129
simply wished to be left alone. When words did not persuade the populace, the delegation
threatened force. It was not a tactic that won many converts, but it did result in a
document called the ‘Treaty of Ninety-Six.’ Some leading Tories refused to go along, but
a large number seemed willing to accept neutrality. Under the terms of this agreement,
backcountry opponents of the Provincial Congress agreed not to render military aid to
any British forces that might enter South Carolina. In return, they received a vague
promise that they would be left alone.”
Page 32-“…The treaty was not worth the paper on which it was printed. In a
calculated move to smoke out the enemies of the Revolution, Drayton taunted Robert
Cunningham and several leading Tories. When they responded, the Council of Safety
ordered them arrested and hauled off in chains. This breaking of the treaty led to a Tory
uprising in October 1775.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, page 97:
“…Drayton wrote to the Council of Safety of the upcoming meeting at John’s
Ford, ‘I do not expect any success; I am apprehending some insults.’ He was right. When
he and Tennant and Hart converged at John’s Ford where they hoped to harangue some
1,000 militiamen they found only 250. But the Tory leaders were there in strength.
Fletchall, of course, Cunningham, Brown and Moses Kirkland [Moses was the justice of
the peace who probated the will of HANS JACOB GALLMAN in 1771.] Kirkland had
just returned from Charleston, where he met with the Royal Governor. Matters were
coming to a head, a terrible tension in the air. Some of the Tory leaders ere armed with
swords and pistols, and Drayton carried a dirk and two pistols. The reverend Tennant
recorded in his diary that Drayton harangued the militia ‘and was answered in a most
scurrilous manner by Kirkland…and a terrible riot seemed on the point of happening.’
Others cooled down passions and violence was averted. But there was no doubt now that
in the spreading country beyond the forks of the Broad and the Saluda the Kings Friends
had the advantage…”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 98-“…when Thomas Brown
accused William Henry Drayton of fomenting rebellion he was right, although Drayton
could not yet admit his true goal to either King’s Friends or his fellow legislators in
Charleston. The following he and Tennent wrote to the Council describing the harangues
by Kirkland and Brown: ‘Imagine every indecency of language, every misrepresentation,
every ungenerous and unjust charge against the American politics, that could alarm the
people, and give them an evil impression of our designs.”
Page 98-“William Henry Drayton now showed his mettle. The majority of the
Council of Safety in Charleston was appalled at the thought of civil war. Drayton,
however, was a true revolutionary, a man prepared to take the struggle to the bitter end. If
he could not persuade, he would force compliance, and one way would be to deprive the
Tories of their leaders. Thomas Fletchall, Robert Cunningham, and his brothers, Thomas
Brown, Moses Kirkland, and others had to go. He had known it for some time. Two days
before the final, tumultuous meeting at John’s Ford, Drayton wrote to the Council that
‘vigorous measures are absolutely necessary. He admitted that if Tory leaders were
130
seized ‘some commotion in all probability will follow; but I am so well-acquainted with
the situation of the disaffected parts of the country, and with such parts, as may be
brought against them, that I am under no apprehensions for the consequences provided
prompt and vigorous measures attend every appearance of insurrection.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
Page 379-380: The Commissioners now turned their backs on Colonel Fletchall
and his party; and proceeded towards Savannah River, on their way to Ninety Six
Courthouse, and from thence they passed on to Mr. Hammond’s residence, Snow Hill,
nearly opposite to Augusta. At this place, the Commissioners gave addresses to a
numerous meeting…Mr. Drayton turned his attention to the people of Augusta and those
in the neighborhood of Snow Hill and the Ridge, at which last place a meeting of
inhabitants was shortly to assemble.”
“By various accounts which Mr. Drayton received on the 29th of August and the
day following, the fact appeared established; that Kirkland had actually taken up arms for
the purpose of attacking Fort Charlotte and Augusta: and the King’s men, as they were
called, were to meet on the 29th instant as a place about twenty miles above Snow Hill.
This put an end to the progress…The intended meeting took place; after which these
King’s men separated during the night, having agreed to meet again in two or three days
with arms and provisions in order to march upon Fort Charlotte and Augusta, and
Cunningham and Brown were to be of the party.”
“In this situation of affairs, Mr. Drayton in his letter of the 30th of August 1775,
dated at Mr. Hammond’s near Augusta and directed to the Council of Safety says, ‘By
virtue of your letter of the 11th instant, I have ordered out three companies near this place
to assemble immediately; and who will be joined by one hundred me from Augusta. I
have ordered Major Williamson to march with three hundred men to Harlen’s Ford on
Savannah River, to march his rangers and as near three hundred militia as he can, to take
post at the Ridge [the Ridge was the place where the next election was to take place];
and Colonel Richardson with three hundred men, to take post near the mouth of the
Enoree to be a check on Fletchall’s people, in case they should show any intention of
assisting Kirkland…”
Page 381-382: “Having taken these measures, Mr. Drayton…caused the following
declaration to be published by the sheriff of Ninety Six District:
“By the honorable William Henry Drayton, Esq.”
“Whereas by commission from the honorable, the Council of Safety for this
colony, dated the 23rd of July last, I am upon a progress through the country to explain to
the people at large the nature of the unhappy disputes between Great Britain and the
131
American Colonies to endeavor to settle all political disputes with the people; to quiet
their minds…”
“I did appoint that a meeting of the people should be held on Friday next, the first
day of September, at the Ridge in the district aforesaid; but whereas, one Moses Kirkland
having without lawful authority, assembled men in arms in the district aforesaid, it is but
too evident that to his treachery against this colony, he means to add crimes of a deeper
dye, and by force of arms to violate the public peace; wherefore it is become inexpedient
that the intended meeting of the people should be held as aforesaid; lest the meeting
should furnish occasion for civil bloodshed, which it is our purpose to avoid, as long as it
may be possible.”
Page 381-“And whereas, by the arts, frauds, and misrepresentations of the said
Moses Kirkland, some weak and ignorant people have been led into measures of so
criminal a nature as, if persisted in, must inevitably involve them in destruction; form
motives of humanity, I therefore do hereby recommend to all such persons, that they
forthwith desist from following the counsels of the said Moses Kirkland in points tending
to sedition and hostility, and I do hereby notify that all such persons as without lawful
authority, shall assemble in company with or by instigation of the said Moses Kirkland,
will be deemed public enemies to be suppressed by the sword.”
“Given under my hand, at Snow Hill, in the district aforesaid, this 30th of August,
1775, William Henry Drayton.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 99-“Drayton easily handled Moses
Kirkland in early September. Kirkland lost his nerve when Drayton mustered militia and
issued a Declaration warning people against Kirkland. Moses Kirkland fled to
Charleston, where the Royal Governor, Sir William Campbell, gave him asylum on a
British ship in the harbor. Drayton then moved against Colonel Thomas Fletchall,
Thomas Brown, and Robert Cunningham…He resorted to the classic technique of sowing
discord among his enemies. He knew that Thomas Fletchall was a weak link. He invited
the Tory leaders to Ninety Six to discuss the situation. Thomas Brown and the
Cunninghams did not trust Drayton and refused to attend. But Thomas Fletchall went and
was bamboozled by Drayton.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 436: “To the Honorable William H. Drayton
Camp near the Ridge, 10th September, 1775
Sir,
“I received yours of the 9th instant early this morning. I shall strictly observe the
contents thereof. This instant Captain Arthur and Captain GEIGER with twenty
volunteers arrived here from the Congarees with whom I expected Captain Pearis and
the Indians. [This is the first indication that there were men not on any previous list that
132
were involved as early as 1775 in the patriot effort. The lists of officers and men that
have been published do not mention a Captain GEIGER, at least, not the ones that this
researcher has yet come across.] The alarm mentioned in Captain Arthur’s letter
forwarded to you yesterday proved groundless. Captain Pearis endeavored to prevail on
the Indians to accompany him to the Ridge, but they rather chose to stay at the
Congarees until your return, as they complained much as being tired as before, but Pearis
says they seem very anxious to see you. I expect Major Golson of my regiment of foot
with a draft of men and the volunteers this day be as it will. I shall march for Ninety-Six
early tomorrow. I am Dear Sir, Your most obedient servant. William Thomson”
Page 99-“What emerged on 16 September 1775 was the Treaty of Ninety Six, in
which the Tories promised not to assist British troops in any way, and the Rebels agreed
to punish any of their people who molested or harmed a Tory. The Treaty ended with an
ominous sentence: ‘All persons who shall not consider themselves as bound by this treaty
must abide by the consequences.’ Without giving anything away, and without shedding
any blood, William Henry Drayton had under the terms of the treaty neutralized the back
country…”
Page 99-“On the other side enraged opposition greeted Thomas Fletchell when he
arrived at the Tory camp beyond the Saluda River and circulated the Treaty. [Page
100]-Thomas Brown wrote to Governor Campbell that at Ninety-Six Fletchell ‘had such
frequent recourse to the Bottle as to soon render himself non-compos.’ Robert
Cunningham rejected the treaty out of hand, whereupon William Henry Drayton wrote to
him and specifically asked him if he felt himself included under the treaty. Cunningham
said he did not, setting himself up for a charge of sedition and subsequent arrest. Thomas
Brown went to Charleston to see the Governor, was arrested, interrogated and ordered by
the Council of Safety to leave South Carolina…William Henry Drayton’s tactic of
separating leaders and followers was working well. Moses Kirkland [Moses was the
justice of the peace who probated the will of HANS JACOB GALLMAN in 1771] and
Thomas Brown were out of the province, Robert Cunningham was a fugitive and Thomas
Fletchell was not the man to lead a counterrevolution.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 100-“Drayton had not wholly
succeeded in winning hearts and minds… but Arthur Middleton had been urging him for
some time to ‘hurry down’ to Charleston…but before leaving the backcountry he had one
more job to do. In late September he headed for the Congarees, the site of a trading post
just below modern Columbia. At Congarees Store he sat down with Good Warrior and
other Cherokee chiefs with whom the Rebels wanted good relations and engaged in a
familiar ritual.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. I:
Page 408: “…Mr. Drayton while at the Congaree Store, wrote on the 26th of
September to Mr. Alexander Cameron, Deputy Superintendent in the Cherokee Nation,
133
requesting him in the name of the colony, to remove from the Cherokees, to whom he had
retreated from Lochaber, his plantation on Little River in the Long-Cane Settlement; and
holding out to him as examples for doing so, the retreat of his Excellency Lord William
Campbell, Governor of the province, and of his principal [boss or supervisor], the
honorable John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs,” to which Cameron replied in
the negative.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 100:
“There had been a particularly brutal Indian War in the South Carolina
Backcountry in 1760-1761… Dark rumors had been circulating for some time that
Thomas Brown and Robert Cunningham were trying to raise the Cherokee against the
Rebels, and that John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southern
Department and his deputy, Alexander Cameron, were also attempting to incite the
Indians. The rumors may have been untrue. But the truth is irrelevant at such
times…Drayton…solicited Cherokee friendship and good will, and promised them arms
and powder, which they badly needed. Presents were distributed to the chiefs before they
went home. Drayton then headed for Charleston.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 304: “Colonel Thomson left seven companies at Ninety Six with orders to
march farther back into the country, but not to go within fifteen miles of the Indian
country, and after that, to repair to their homes in order to recruit themselves and their
horses, and finally to join him in camp at Amelia on the 24th of October.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse:
Page 100-“On October 1, 1775, William Henry Drayton was chosen President of
the Provincial Congress. On the same day it was learned that Robert Cunningham had
been captured by Rangers in Ninety Six District…”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 304: “Nothing more now remaining for Mr. Drayton to do, he returned to
Charleston, but a portion of the armed force was left in the fork to watch the movements
of the Tories; and on November 2nd Colonel Richardson wrote the following, from his
camp near McLaurin’s, to the Council of Safety: ‘I am now joined by Colonel Thomas
with about two hundred, Colonel Neel as many, Colonel Lyles about one hundred,
together with Colonel Thomson’s regiment of rangers and militia, with my own, may
make in the whole about 2,500; and I received last night, accounts of Colonel Polk being
near with six hundred. An army, if it was a favorable time of the year, might go or do
134
anything required, which I hope we shall. I hear of their moving about, but yet have made
no opposition.”
“Everything appearing quiet, some of the troops went to their homes, but scarcely
had they reached them before the troubles in Ninety Six District broke out afresh.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 101-“The capture and jailing of
Robert Cunningham led to the Tory insurrection in the back country so feared by the
conservation factions in Charleston. On 3 November, Robert’s brother, Patrick
Cunningham, and sixty men captured the wagon carrying the promised arms and powder
to the Cherokee…
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 64-65: “When Mr. Drayton gave the talk before mentioned to the Cherokee
chiefs at the Congarees, he promised them such a supply of powder and lead, as the
situation of the colony’s funds in that article would permit; and on the 4th of October
1775, a vote passed in the Council of Safety to supply the Cherokee Nation with 1000
pounds weight of powder, and two thousand pounds weight of lead.”
“Accordingly, a wagon was dispatched with the same as a present to the
Cherokees, under an escort of a subaltern officer of the Rangers, and twenty privates. It
unluckily happened, that about this time, Robert Cunningham’s arrest was known abroad;
and his brother Patrick Cunningham assembled about sixty persons in arms and pursued
those who had seized his brother, hoping to rescue him. They failed, however, in doing
so, and turning their attention to the powder which was on its progress to the Indians,
they determined to possess themselves of it…Accordingly, on the 3rd of November they
met the convoy and ammunition near Mine Creek between the Ridge and Ninety Six
Courthouse; and causing the guard to surrender, the ammunition was immediately seized
and carried off.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 304-307: The following affidavit, to be found on page 97 of [page 305]
Moultrie’s Memoir’s, gives an accurate account of the seizure:
“‘South Carolina
Ninety Six District
“‘Personally before me, James Mayson, one of his majesty’s justices of the peace,
for the district aforesaid: Moses Cotter, of the Congarees, wagoner, who being duly
sworn on the holy evangelist of Almighty God, makes oath and says, that on Tuesday
135
morning last, at about 9 o’clock he left the Congarees with his wagon, containing the
ammunition that was delivered him in Charlestown by the honorable the Council of
Safety, to carry to Keowee under an escort of Colonel Thomson’s rangers, consisting of
Lt. Col. Charleton [footnote said he was only a lieutenant] and Mr. Uriah Goodwin, a
cadet, 2 sergeants, and 18 privates, and continued on their journey there, without the least
molestation or interruption, until about noon this day, when the deponent, perceiving
some men on horseback ahead of the wagon came towards him.”
“A few minutes after, two of Patrick Cunningham’s men coming up to the
deponent and asking him what he had in his wagon, the deponent answered, ‘Rum.’
Then came up a large body of armed men, in number, I suppose, at least one hundred and
fifty, headed by Patrick Cunningham and Jacob Bowman. Cunningham ordered his men
to halt and then came up to the deponent and said, ‘I order you to stop your wagon in his
majesty’s name, as I understand you have ammunition for the Indians to kill us, and I am
come on purpose to take it in his majesty’s name.’”
“He then ordered the deponent to take of his wagon cloth, which he refused. Upon
which Cunningham mounted the wagon himself, loosed the strings of the cloth [page
306] and took up a keg of the powder. ‘There,’ said he, ‘is what we are in search of.’ I
immediately took the keg from him and laid it in the wagon. Cunningham said, ‘It is vain
for you to attempt to hinder us from taking this ammunition, as you have no arms.’ Then
he handed out every keg to his men who were alongside the wagon and prepared with
bags to receive it. After they finished with the powder, he, with Messrs. Griffin and
Owen and several others, took out the lead which they unfolded, cut into small pieces
with their tomahawks and distributed it among the men.”
“When the rangers were at some distance behind the wagon and were riding up
pretty fast, Cunningham’s party said, ‘There comes the liberty caps; damn their liberty
caps, we will soon blow them to hell,’ and such like scurrilous language. Cunningham’s
men, as soon as Lieutenant Charlton came up with his guard, retreated behind trees on the
roadside and called out to him to stop and not to advance one step further, otherwise they
would blow out his brains. At the same time a gun was fired by one of their men, but did
no damage. Lieutenant Charlton, with his men were soon surrounded by the opposite
party with their rifles presented, who said, ‘Don’t move a step. Deliver up your arms
without moving one step further, or you are a dead man.’ They then took his arms
together with his men’s. Afterwards they tied Lieutenant Charlton, Mr. Goodwin and
William Witherford, a private, by their arms.”
“Lieutenant Charlton seemed very much displeased at their behavior and said he,
‘would rather have been shot that used in such a manner, had he expected it; that he did
not value his own life; thought he had acted prudent by not ordering his men to fire on
them, as it would be throwing away their lives without answering to any good purpose,
especially as their party was so numerous; that he was sorry to see them act in such a base
manner; and that he would very willingly turn out his party against twice the number of
theirs and give them battle.’”
136
“Cunningham and Bowman, some little time after asked Lieutenant Charlton
whether, if they were to unloose him he would be upon his honor not to go off.’ To which
he replied, ‘I scorn to run, and all your force cannot make me.’ They then marched off
with the ammunition and the ‘prisoners’ (as they called them) and left the deponent,
desiring him to return to the Congarees; but as soon as they were out of sight he took a
horse from out the wagon and came to Ninety Six, to inform me of what had happened,
and where he arrived this night about 8 o’clock. This unfortunate accident of taking the
ammunition happened 18 miles below Ninety Six.”
Moses Cotter
“Sworn before me, this
of November, 1775
James Mayson, Justice of the Peace
3rd
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 64-65: “When this news reached Major Andrew Williamson at Hard Labor
Creek in Ninety Six District where he resided [Page 65]; he immediately began to
embody his militia for the purpose of recovering the powder and lead, and of
apprehending the insurgents. From his camp near Long Cane, he dispatched a letter on 6th
November to Edward Wilkinson and Alexander Cameron, then in the Cherokee Nation,
informing them of the seizure and requesting the matter should be properly explained to
the Indians so as to prevent any of their inconsiderate men from revenging themselves
upon the people of the frontier…”
“The news of this insurrection being laid before the Provincial Congress, they on
the 7th of November, ordered Colonel Richard Richardson forthwith to assemble six
companies of rangers, Captain Ezekiel Polk’s company of volunteers, draughts of militia
from Richardson’s, Thomson’s, Savage’s, Neel’s and Thomas’ regiments, and with such
troops pursue such instructions, as shall from time to time…be signified to him by the
President [of the Provincial Congress.]”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 66-67: “‘To Colonel Richard Richardson…On the 3rd day of this instant
November, Patrick Cunningham, Henry O’Neal, Hugh Brown, David Reese, Nathaniel
Howard, Henry Green, and sundry other armed persons unknown did, in Ninety Six
District, cause and raise a dangerous insurrection and commotion, and did, near Mine
Creek in the said district feloniously take a quantity of ammunition, the property of the
public, and in contempt of the public authority. Therefore you are hereby…ordered, with
the troops aforesaid…to seize and apprehend, the bodies of Patrick Cunningham, Henry
O’Neal, Hugh Brown, David Reese, Nathaniel Howard, Henry Green, Jacob Bochman
alias Jacob Bowman, together with their aiders and abettors, in the taking or carrying
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away or detaining, or secreting, or using and expending, the ammunition aforesaid, or any
part of it.”
“…You are not to allow any of the militia companies or militia volunteers to take
the field on horseback; militia horses being by experience found to be an encumbrance to
the men on a military expedition.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 81-82: Unfavorable accounts of the insurrection yet increasing, that there
had been an action at Ninety Six; the Congress on the 25th of November declared the
colony ‘to be in a state of alarm as fully as if the same had been proclaimed in the manner
directed [page 82] by the militia law.’ And Colonels Powell and Rothmahler were
ordered to detach six hundred men from each of their regiments to rendezvous at the
Congarees under the orders of Col. Richardson. Colonel Bull was also ordered to detach
one hundred and fifty men on the same service to the Cherokee Ponds. Lt. Col. Roberts
was also directed to detach Lt. James Mitchell of the artillery for the same purpose with
two field pieces and suitable appointments…”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 116: “We left Major Williamson and the insurgents of the back country
respectively embodying their followers against each other. Williamson lay almost a
fortnight encamped near Ninety Six Courthouse receiving the militia who came in and
waiting for the rangers…”
Page 117: “Although the insurgents were assembling in such force, Major
Williamson could not believe they would dare to attack him and he continued encamped
in this persuasion until the 18th of November, when in the evening of that day, he
received certain information that the insurgents were in full march upon him; and that
they were actually crossing Saluda River at the Island Ford in order to attack him. At
this time, Major Mayson, who had been in the neighborhood with thirty-seven of the
rangers, joined Major Williamson and he would have marched to attack their camp in the
night; but was overruled by Mayson and a council of war, who preferred retiring to the
cleared ground of Colonel Savage’s plantation which was separated from Ninety Six
courthouse and jail by a ravine and spring, supplying the inhabitants with fresh water
where they might erect breastworks and from whence they might use their swivels to
advantage.”
“A hope was also indulged that by taking this position, opportunities would be
furnished for receiving reinforcements of militia and of Colonel Thomson’s arriving with
the remainder of his rangers [who had once been the adjutant in the militia regiment in
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1757, in which HEINRICH GALLMAN had served.]…The line of march was taken up
at an early hour and about daybreak of Sunday the 19th November, Major Williamson,
with his troops…arrived at the ground proposed…[Page 118] A temporary stockade fort
was made…”
Page 118: Hardly had they closed this rustic fortification when the insurgents
appeared in force about 11 o’clock of November 19th with drums beating and colors
flying, and taking possession of the courthouse and jail they advance troops and
completely invested to stockade fort…Two of Williamson’s men, near the fort, were
seized by the insurgents upon which Major Williamson gave orders to rescue them; when
a general firing took place from the fort with swivels and small arms, which was
answered on all sides by the insurgents with rifles and muskets, from behind houses,
trees, logs, stumps and fences. For two hours and a half, the firing on both sides was
incessant…”
Page 119-120: During the night, the fort kept up a firing, lest the insurgents
should be encouraged under cover of the darkness to approach and fire it. On the next day
(Monday) almost as heavy a fire was commenced and continued as had been kept up the
afternoon before…The firing only slacked with the day, and on Tuesday it was revived
and continued until about sunset, when the insurgents displayed a white flag from the jail
and called a parley…[Page 120] Accordingly, at the appointed hour, Majors Williamson
and Mayson and Captains Pickens and Bowie, met Major Robinson and Captains
Cunningham, Evan McLaurin and Pearis when it was agreed that hostilities should
immediately cease…”
Page 122: Of Major Williamson’s party only one man was killed and twelve
wounded. On the other side, several were killed and about twenty were wounded. The
small quantity of powder which remained and which was only known to Major
Williamson and one other person, was the principal cause why the fort was surrendered.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
Page 124-125: “When Major Williamson was besieged by the insurgents at
Ninety Six, Colonel Richardson had commenced his march against them…and in doing
so, he was directing his course towards the middle or upper part of Colonel Fletchall’s
command, over Broad River. But as soon as he was apprized of Williamson’s investment,
he changed his route and proceeded by forced marches to the Congaree River over
which he crossed his troops, and from his camp in the vicinity, he wrote on the 27th
November giving an account of his situation and prospects. At this time he had 1000
men with him, and Colonel Thomas was pressing forward with troops from the northeast
part of the colony…”
From page 248-249, Old Cheraws, [paraphrased]:
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On Nov. 28th, a detachment of 600 men from Col. Powell’s regiment were
directed to rendezvous at the Congarees, in response to a recent skirmish at Ninety-six,
between the Tories Patrick Cunningham, Jacob Bowman and a militia unit under Andrew
Williamson. Col. Richardson, who was already camped at the Congarees on Nov. 27th,
led this detachment. They crossed the Saluda River about December 1st into the Dutch
Fork. They were joined by several other detachments and advanced southward. They
were disbanded near the end of December, just as Major George Hicks embarked to join
them with his detachment. [William Thomas, our Philemon’s cousin, was married to Col.
Hick’s niece, a Miss Little.]
Page 125-126: Colonel Richardson remained at his camp at the Congarees for the
purpose of crossing his wagons and baggage over that river, as also for collecting various
bodies of militia, which were marching towards him. On the 30th November his army
had increased to fifteen hundred men; and a council of war having decided that the army
was not bound by the treaty of cessation at Ninety Six. Preparations were made for
crossing Saluda River into the Dutch Fork. Accordingly, the troops were put into
motion. The army pushed into the Dutch Fork, and on the 2nd December it encamped
near McLaurin’s store, fifteen miles from Saluda River.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 101:
…Among those volunteering to serve with Richardson was a man who five years
later would become a household name. But Thomas Sumpter was under some suspicion
because earlier the Tory, Moses Kirkland had recommended Sumpter as his successor to
command a company of rangers…”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, Page 102-“On December 8, Richardson
issued a proclamation stating that Patrick Cunningham and others had violated…the
Treaty of Ninety Six, and demanded they surrender the captured arms and powder and
the arms and ammunition of their followers. Richardson gave them five days to
comply…Patrick Cunningham spurned the proclamation. Richardson, true to his word,
marched on the insurgents.”
From Memoirs of the American Revolution, from it’s Commencement to the Year
1776, Inclusive, as Relating to the State of South Carolina…by John Drayton, LLD,
1821, A. E. Miller, Publisher, Charleston, Vol. II:
“At this camp, several of Fletchall’s captains and active disaffected persons were
brought in as prisoners; among whom were John Mayfield, Benjamin Wafford, William
Hunt, Daniel Stagner, and Jacob Stack; and Colonel Richardson was now joined by
Colonel Thomas; with 200 men, Colonel Neel, 200; Colonel Lyles, 150; which together
with Colonel Thomson’s regiment of rangers, and Colonel Richardson’s men of his own
regiment, amounted in the whole to about 2,500 men, in addition to which, Colonel Polk
was in full march from North Carolina with six hundred men. At this time the insurgents
were hovering about; but having little confidence in their leaders, not more of them than
four hundred men, had assembled in arms, and of those, several daily stole away, while
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those remaining constantly retrograded towards the sources of the Saluda River and the
Cherokee Nation…”
Page 128: “The army still advancing and increasing in numbers, struck terror into
the insurgents and the disaffected; and they constantly retreated, keeping about twenty
miles in advance of Colonel Richardson’s army…
Page 129: Still following the trail of the insurgents, the army pressed
forwards…At this time the army consisted of Colonel Richardson’s regiment, Colonel
Thomson’s, some volunteer light horse, Colonel Thomas’ regiment, Colonel Neel’s, and
Colonel Polk’s and Lt. Colonel Martin’s from North Carolina. Arriving at Liberty Hill,
the army encamped there…”
Page 130-132: “At this place, Colonel Richardson collected his principal
prisoners; among whom were Colonel Thomas Fletchall, Captain Richard Pearis, Captain
Jacob Fry, Captain George Subergh, John McWilliams, Philip Wells, James Davis,
Captain McDavid, alias McDade, and Joseph Alexander…They were now, with other
prisoners, placed under the care of Captain Richard Richardson, junior, Colonel
Richardson’s son; who with a suitable guard…departed with them…to escort them down
to Charleston.”
“After Colonel Richardson had divested himself and the army of the care of these
prisoners, he proceeded upwards…arriving at Hollingsworth’s Mill on Raborn Creek [a
branch of the Reedy River, about six miles above its confluence with Reedy River] where
he was obliged to halt, as the army had now arrived at the end of the road in that northwestern part of the colony and were near the boundary of the Cherokee lands. On
December 22nd, Colonel Richardson wrote an account of his proceedings since he left
Liberty Hill, to the Council of Safety. In this letter, he informed that body, that on the
16th instant, he had been joined by Colonels Rutherford and Graham of North Carolina
with about 500 men; who, to their honor, had stepped forth unsolicited to aid this colony
in the cause of liberty. That on the 20th instant, he had also been joined by Major Andrew
Williamson, Captain Hammond and a small party of [page 131] Colonel Stephen Bull’s
regiment; amounting to about eight hundred men, so that the Colonel says in his letter,
his army is now formidable, being between four and five thousand strong.
Page 131: This camp was about four miles beyond the Cherokee boundary line at
a place called the Great Cane Brake on Reedy River, about twenty-five miles from
Hollingsworth’s Mill…For the purpose of breaking up this nest of sedition…Colonel
Richardson detached from his army at Hollingsworth’s Mill on the afternoon of the 21st
of December, about thirteen hundred cavalry and infantry under the command of Colonel
William Thomson. All of them were volunteers, and among them were Colonels Martin,
Rutherford, Neel, Polk, and Lyles; and Major Williamson…”
“In the night of the 21st, after a tedious march of near twenty-three miles, Colonel
Thomson arrived with his volunteers within view of their fires at about the distance of
two miles, when a small halt took place; after which towards daylight of the 22nd
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December, they moved forwards to attack the camp. They had nearly surrounded it [page
132] when they were discovered; and a flight took place through that side, which had not
yet been surrounded. Patrick Cunningham escaped on a horse barebacked, telling
everyone ‘to shift for himself.’”
Page 132: “The troops were so enraged against this party of insurgents that great
slaughter would have ensued, had not Colonel Thomson’s humanity prevented the same;
five or six of them, however, were killed, and the pursuit was urged with great fervor. Of
about two hundred men, of which the camp consisted, one hundred and thirty were taken
prisoners…Of Colonel Thomson’s troops, none were killed, and only one person
wounded; this was the son of Colonel Polk, and a youth of promise, who was shot
through the shoulder. On the 23rd December, Colonel Thompson with his detachment
and prisoners returned to Colonel Richardson’s camp when it commenced snowing,
which continued without intermission for thirty hours, covering the ground generally two
feet deep. The army being without tents and their shoes and clothes much worn, they
were badly prepared to support so inclement a season, for which reason, and as the object
of the expedition was completed, Colonel Richardson took into consideration, the
propriety of keeping the troops longer in the field. The insurrection was now crushed…he
proceeded to dismiss the troops then under his command.”
“For this purpose on Christmas day, Colonel Richardson…dismissed the North
Carolina troops under Colonels Rutherford, Graham, Martin and Polk; also Colonels
Neel’s, Thomas’ and Major Williamson’s troops…[Page 133] After this, the camp at
Hollingsworth’s Mill was broken up, and Colonel Richardson with the remainder of the
army marched downwards…In performing this march, the troops suffered
extremely…Through all these difficulties the troops continued their march, happily
arriving at their old camp on the Congarees, on the first of January, 1776. At this
place…[Page 134] Colonel Richardson dismissed the troops to their several places of
discharge.”
Page 134: “Several hundred stands of arms were delivered up to Colonel
Richardson, some of which were deposited at Fort Charlotte, some at the Congarees, and
some at Camden. The prisoners which Richardson brought down with him…were sent
from the Congarees by water under the command of Captain Sumter with a suitable
guard, to Nelson’s Ferry…”
Page 135: “During the whole time Colonel Richardson’s command was
embodied, the officers and men behaved in a manner much promoting the service in
which they were engaged; and their campaign has since been designated as the Snow
Campaign, in commemoration of the troubles which it inflicted and the fortitude with
which they were born, by all ranks of the army.”
It is very likely that GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLERS got married about
1775. ELIZABETH GALLMAN appears to have been their first child, and she was
born in about 1776. GASPAR was about the age of 26 and a militia man.
142
From the Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 431, S9114
“I was drafted as a militia man in the winter of 1776. Was called out two months
in the company commanded by captain, afterwards General Richard Winn, the regiment
commanded by Colonel John Winn against a body of Tories in the neighborhood of
Dunkin’s Creek, now in the Union or Spartanburg District. Succeeded in taking their
Colonel Fletcher [Fletchall] and dispersing said Tories, we returned to our homes. The
above service was at the time of what we call the Snow Camps, by reason of the great
quantity of snow that fell on us towards the spring of the year, being one of what was
termed minute men. Was called out one month. Scouted after the Tories toward Savannah
River and when we returned home, remained until the latter part of the spring.”
From The Road to Guilford Courthouse, page 102:
“For four long years, the Tories in the back country would scarcely raise their
heads until British troops and Tory regulars from the north took up positions at the
strongpoints after the fall of Charleston. How had this happened in a region reputed to be
a Tory stronghold? Although there was certainly strong Tory sentiment among the
settlers, there were never as many Tories as the British thought. And this brief survey of
Tory strength and resistance has for the most part neglected Rebel sentiment in the back
country. Obviously, it too was considerable. But Drayton and his colleagues tended to
concentrate on areas where Tories were numerous in order to win converts and eliminate
threats to the cause…Yet from the end of August, when William Henry Drayton resorted
to force and ordered militia commanders to deploy, it took only four months to end Tory
resistance…When insurrection finally came, the Rebels raised an overwhelming force,
led by two first rate militia commanders.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 342: “In the midst of all these preparations for war, Colonel Thomson was
obliged to turn his attention to a matter of discipline in his regiment for, from the Journal
of the Council of Safety for January 23rd, we learn that on that day Colonel Thomson
‘applied for a warrant to hold a general court martial,’ which was granted. From the
Journal of the Council of Safety for January 29th, we learn that William Morris was tried
by this court-martial for mutiny, and that he was convicted and sentenced by the courtmartial to receive two hundred and fifty lashes and be sent a prisoner on board the ship
Prosper. This sentence was approved by the Council, except as to sending Morris on
board the Prosper.”
“At this time, Colonel Thomson’s regiment was very much divided up. About one
hundred of his men were on duty in Charlestown [The footnote indicates this source as
the Journal of the Council of Safety, January 26, 1776.]. Captain Caldwell with his
company was stationed at Fort Charlotte. [Footnote-‘We desire you will augment the
number of militia now on duty in Fort Charlotte to the full number of militia and rangers
143
which are there at present, and put them under the command of an officer in whom you
can confide. When this order is carried into effect, Captain Caldwell will withdraw the
rangers and march to Charlestown…’] Captain Purvis with his company, was stationed at
Dorchester [[Footnote-‘Read a return of the gunpowder and other stores at Dorchester,
received from Captain Purvis, dated 1st instant.’ Journal of Council of Safety, February
3, 1776.] and perhaps other detachments were serving elsewhere, but from the headings
of the letters in Colonel Thomson’s order book, we are led to conclude that his
headquarters during the spring of 1776, were about the Ten Mile House. The following is
a copy of one on Colonel Thomson’s orders during this period of preparation for a British
attack:
March 17, 1776
To Captain Robert Goodwin, Congarees:
Dear Sir,
“I expect to see you at Nelson’s Ferry by Friday next, or Saturday at farthest, with
your old company and all your new recruits. If you will call on me Thursday or Friday, I
will go to Nelson’s Ferry. Please to order Lieutenant Liles to recruit men for Captain
Donaldson, as he is in his company. I hope your company will be full very soon.”
I am, dear sir, your humble servant,
William Thomson
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
“That he entered the service in the army of the United States the 1st day of March
1776 for one month, as a substitute for his father who was drafted, and served out his tour
of one month and was discharged. His captain’s name was Flood and his company was
stationed in Charleston, South Carolina.”
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
“He was living in Orangeburg District in the state of SC when his father was
drafted to serve a tour of one month for the protection of Charleston.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 265: April 1776…The following were the justices selected for Orangeburg
District…Jonas Beard…”
The South Carolina and American General Gazette for Wednesday, April 17th,
1776, states that on April 11th, the following commissioners of election were appointed
by the General Assembly for Saxegotha Township, election to be held at Granby:
144
William Arthur, Benjamin Ferrar, Ralph Humphries, Jacob Richman, and Jacob
Finlay.”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Geiger, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1061, Application # W2728
Jacob Geiger’s sister, Elizabeth Bell: “That she was born and raised near Granby
in Lexington District in this state and near her present place of residence. That she
distinctly remembers the War of the Revolution, being at its commencement, some
twelve years of age. That Fort Granby was within three miles of her father’s house and
at the beginning of said war, her brother, Jacob Geiger enlisted in the regular service as a
fifer, and of his leaving home going into service…From October, 1851: She further
testifies that when her brother first entered the service under Colonel William Thompson,
he went in the capacity of a fifer and enlisted as such.”
By this time, it is possible that GASPAR GALLMAN had purchased property
which put him into the jurisdiction of the soon-to-become Edgefield County. He was
aged 28 years old, had married JEMIMA SELLARS, and they had their first child,
ELIZABETH GALLMAN. It is probable that the following soldier, Howell Sellars,
was JEMIMA’s brother, but at any rate, he gives a good description of serving under
Colonel Jonas Beard, of the Saxegotha township.
From the Pension Application of Howell Sellars, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 215, Application #S31357:
“I performed a tour of a little more than a month as a volunteer militia man under
Captain Arthur Simpkins in the years (I think) 1776 in May and June. We marched from
Edgefield County, SC to East Florida against the British and Tories. Our general was
____ Williamson, our colonels, Beard and Winn, and Major Pickens. We were to have
marched to St. Augustine, but a disagreement took place between our general and the
regular general and we were ordered back.”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, October 11th, 1832:
“In June 1776, I again entered the service as a substitute for one month in the
place of Henry Coon. We sailed from Charleston the first of June down to Hadrell’s Point
in company with the Charleston Grenadiers, Foresters. His company was commanded by
Captain John Salley. He was one of the guard that was stationed on the Lower Bridge
between the Point and Sullivan’s Island the day of the Battle on Sullivan’s Island. The
whole of the men at the Point was commanded by General George Armstrong.”
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
“In the month of June of the same year, he again entered the service as a
substitute for Henry Coon, to serve a tour of one month, rendezvous at the city of
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Charleston. About the first of the month, sailed from Charleston in company with the
Charleston Grenadiers and Foresters to Hadrell’s Point. The Charleston Grenadiers were
commanded by Captain ___ McCall [or maybe McCaul], the Foresters by Captain ____
?Lazing? On the day of the Battle at Sullivan’s Island, his company was placed as a
guard at the Lower Bridge between the Point and the Island. The day of the battle, his
company was not attached to any regiment. At the expiration of this tour, which was
about the first July, he was discharged.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 343-344: “On the first of June advices were received in Charlestown that a
fleet was at anchor off Charlestown bar. The next day orders were sent to the country
troops to repair to the defense of Charlestown. Colonel Thomson’s regiment was
marched down from the Ten Mile House and the 2nd and 3rd regiments of regulars under
Colonels William Moultrie and William Thomson, respectively, were stationed on
Sullivan’s Island. On June 8th, General Charles Lee, who commanded all the forces in
and about Charlestown, issued the following order to Colonel Moultrie:
“Charlestown, 8 o’clock, June 8th
“Sir,
“As we have received information that a body of the enemy have landed, and are
lodging themselves on Long Island, and as the nature of the country is represented to me
as favorable to riflemen, I must request that you immediately detach Thomson’s and
Sumter’s regiments: Captains Alston’s, Mayham’s, and Coutirier’s companies to that
island, with orders to attack, and if possible, dislodge this corps of the enemy…but you
must above all take care that their retreat across the breach from Long Island to
Sullivan’s Island is secured to them in case of necessity. For which purpose, you are
desired to move down to the point commanding the beach, two field-pieces…the sooner
it is done, the better…you are therefore to exert yourself in such a manner that the attack
may be made at break of day.”
“I am, sir, yours, Charles Lee, Major General.”
Page 345: “…But before night, Colonel Moultrie received the following letter:
June the 10th, 6 o’clock, P. M.
“Sir,
“I am just returned from an excursion into the country…As the large ships are
now over the bar, and as your bridge must be finished, I would wish you would lay aside
all thoughts of an expedition against Long Island, unless your scouts bring such
intelligence as almost to insure a successful stroke.”…Charles Lee.
“In a letter to Colonel Moultrie dated the 11th, General Lee wrote, ‘I hope the
point of your island opposite to Long Island is secure against the enemy lodging there.’”
The task of guarding the point had been entrusted to Colonel Thomson.”
146
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 345-246: On June 16th, Colonel Moultrie wrote to General Armstrong [page
346] who commanded at Haddrell’s Point on the mainland:
“Colonel Thomson is now with me, and informs me that he has taken particular
notice of the enemy. He observed about 10 o’ clock, 200 grenadiers and a small battalion
(which he imagines came from Dewee to cover the landing of the rest) where they posted
themselves, about one mile from our advanced guard, and waited until about seventeen
hundred men were landed. They then marched off to Dewee’s Island. He observed about
every six men carried something like a tent. They are still landing as fast as the boats can
bring them.”
“Colonel Thomson begs that he may have at least his own men which are over
with you (one hundred) without whom he cannot undertake to prevent their landing on
this island, should they attempt it. We are all in high spirits and will keep a good lookout
to prevent a surprise. Colonel requests as a favor, if you have time, that you would come
over and take a ride on the island to observe what a length of ground we have to defend.”
“‘To this, General Armstrong replied on the same day, ‘I shall do my utmost to
comply with yours and Colonel Thomson’s request respecting the residue of his
regiment. No passage over unless you can send boats in the morning…I see no reason
why you may not also reinforce Colonel Thomson. Nay, if they appear indeed to land on
Sullivan’s Island, it must be done, and the point at the island where they may best land,
prudently and vigorously defended at all events. Let the Colonel know this.’”
Page 347: In a letter to Colonel Isaac Hayne dated June 24th, Honorable Richard
Hutson relates the following incidents concerning the 3rd regiment:
“‘On their sending their first reconnoitering party upon Long Island, one of their
men was shot by one of our riflemen. He was dressed in red, faced with black, and had a
cockade and feather in his hat and a sword by his side; by which it appears that he was an
officer, but that is all that we know about him.’”
“‘Some time after, there happened an affair of a very tragi-comical nature. When
they began to effect a landing on Long Island, our President offered a premium of thirty
guineas to any of the riflemen who should first take one of the King’s troops prisoner.
Accordingly, three of them went over one night for that purpose. Two of them agreed to
keep together, the other determined to go by himself. In the morning, by twilight, the one
that was alone descried the two others at a distance, and imagining that they were the
King’s troops, took up his gun to fire at them, thinking, I suppose, to kill one and then
take the other alive.”
147
“One of the others seeing his piece presented, was quicker than he was, and shot
him through the thigh, upon which he fell. They immediately ran up, dragged him to the
boat, threw him in and pushed off, all thinking that he was one of the King’s troops. They
had got a considerable distance from the shore before the poor man was sufficiently
recovered from his fright to speak. As soon as he spoke they discovered their mistake. He
is likely to recover.’”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 347-348: “‘There was a sham battle the other day between our men on
Sullivan’s Island and the troops on Long Island. Some of our riflemen had been over in
order to endeavor to obtain the President’s premium, and on Friday morning last, the
King’s troops tracked them down to the breach between the two islands, which at low
water is fordable. As soon as our guard upon Sullivan’s Island discovered them, they
fired upon them with a field piece, which they returned by platoons of musketry. They
continued firing at each other in this manner across the breach for several hours. One of
our men had his hand blown off by our own filed-piece, which went off while he was
loading it, owing to its not having been sponged; two others were wounded by the enemy.
We have not learned what loss they have sustained.’”
Page 348-349:…“But it appears that a few days later there was another exchange
of shots between Thomson’s men and the enemy, for on June 27th, Mr. Hutson wrote
again:
“‘The firing yesterday was between the troops on Long Island and our advanced
guard on Sullivan’s Island, across the breach. They fired with field pieces, and threw
several shells. The president and General Lee were down there at the time. One of the
shells bursted within a few yards of the President, and he brought a piece of it up to town
with him. They did not do any execution, and General Lee would suffer only two [page
349] shots to be returned from an eighteen pounder which has been carried down there.’”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 349-351: ‘On the 27th, General Lee, in a letter to Colonel Moultrie, wrote: ‘I
have ordered General Armstrong to send an hundred volunteers to ease Colonel
Thomson’s regiment of their heavy duty, for I find that a part of Colonel Horry’s
regiment [of militia] had most magnanimously refused to take this duty on them. We
shall live, I hope, to thank them.’”
On the 28th of June the British fleet, having crossed the bar, bore down on the
little fort that Colonel Moultrie occupied at the western extremity of Sullivan’s Island,
but the result of the British admiral’s temerity on that occasion, in bearing down upon
148
that fort, is too well known. The Battle of Fort Sullivan is American history. We have
only to deal with the part taken by our own Thomson at the other end of the Island.”
“About the same time that the British fleet moved to attack Colonel Moultrie’s
fort, the British army of two thousand regulars, under General Sir Henry Clinton,
marched to the western extremity of Long Island, and attempted to cross the inlet, where
it is fordable at low water, over to Sullivan’s Island. Clinton’s army was flanked by a
strong flotilla of armed boats from the fleet with orders to cooperate with the army.”
“But Colonel Thomson’s sharpshooters and artillerists not only drove Clinton’s
regulars back from the ford as often as they attempted it, but swept the decks of the
flotilla as often as it approached to aid the army. And after a short and decisive fight, the
army was defeated and driven off, and the flotilla [page 350] dispersed. Clinton’s forces,
including the marines, numbered nearly two thousand more than Thomson’s, and yet
Colonel Thomson had not a man killed and only one wounded.”
“While the fighting was going on, General Lee sent the following letter to Colonel
Moultrie:
“‘…I have sent for more ammunition for you, and ordered a large corps of
riflemen to reinforce Colonel Thomson.’ Whether Colonel Thomson received these
reinforcements before, during or after his fight, the records do not state: but General
Moultrie in his Memoirs, page 142, says that Colonel Thomson’s force consisted of his
own regiment of 300 men, Colonel Clarke with 200 North Carolina regulars, Colonel
Horry with 200 South Carolina troops, and the Raccoon Company of 50 militia riflemen.
He further says, ‘Colonel Thomson had orders that if they could not stand the enemy they
were to throw themselves into the fort,’ an order which, it appears, he was not put to the
necessity of obeying.”
“On the day after the battles, General Lee wrote Colonel Moultrie a letter of
thanks to which his secretary added the following postscript: ‘The General desires that
Colonel Thomson will send, as soon he can, a return of all occurrences in his part of the
island.’”
“On July 1st, General Lee addressed a letter to Colonel Moultrie to which he
added the following postscript:
‘I must request that your garrison may be kept more vigilant than ever, and that
Colonel Thomson and his corps do not relax: for it is almost proverbial in war, that we
are never in so great danger as when success makes us confident.’ But the British were
satisfied [page 351] with the drubbings they had received and soon sailed away from our
coast.”
“For his splendid victory over Clinton, the Continental Congress included Colonel
Thomson’s name in the general resolution of thanks to the victorious forces on this
occasion.”
149
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
“On the 3rd of July, 1776, he again entered the service as a substitute in the place
of Thomas Pendarvis for one month. This company was commanded by Captain
Fullington. The battalion was commanded by Major Charles ?Lining? He marched us
from where we were stationed on the Point to Sullivan’s Island, where we remained ten
days, thence to Haddrell’s Point, where he served out the tour of one month and was
discharged.”
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
“At the expiration of this tour, which was about the first July, he was discharged
and immediately entered the service again for the term of one month as a substitute for
Thomas Pendarvis. He was commanded by Captain Fullington, his battalion by Major
Charles ?Living?. He marched us from the Point to Sullivan’s Island and remained there
ten days, thence back to Hadrell’s Point at which place he remained in actual service until
his time of service expired, which was about the first of August, when he was
discharged.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 351: “The six South Carolina regiments were now, by resolutions of the
Continental Congress, passed June 18th and 24th, 1776, put upon regularly upon the
Continental Establishment, and the South Carolina officers came into the Continental
line…”
Page 354: September 1776:…”But two days thereafter General Lee received an
express from Congress ordering him to the northward with the Virginia and North
Carolina troops. This put an end to the expedition, and Major Mayson returned to the
Congarees with his detachment in October and at once gave his men furloughs for thirty
days for recuperating.”
“On October 6th we find by his own order book, that Colonel Thomson was in
camp at the Congarees with 161 officers and privates, with the detachment that had been
sent to east Florida not yet returned, though it did return a few days later.”
“Scarcely had the detachment under Major Mayson returned from Georgia when
Colonel Thomson was ordered to send off another detachment to assist the Georgians.
This detachment, consisting of two captains, three lieutenants, three sergeants, and
ninety-three privates, marched from the camp at the Congarees on October 11th, 1776,
under the command of Captain John Caldwell with orders from Colonel Thomson to
cross the Savannah just below Augusta and proceed to Fort Barrington on the Altamaha.
150
A second detachment, of seven privates and a sergeant under command of Lieutenant
Beames marched on October 18th to join Captain Caldwell and took orders to Captain
Caldwell, instructing him to execute his orders and then to join the regiment where it
should then be.”
From the Pension Application of Howell Sellars, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 215, Application #S31357:
“Also in the fall of the same year [1776], I entered the service again as a
volunteer in the South Carolina militia under the command of Captain John Ryan, and
remained in service under him until some time in July of the next year, some more than
six months. During this tour we marched from Edgefield County (my residence during
all my services) to Savannah, GA against the British, but before we arrived they had
taken the place, and we met them on the way.”
“We then turned back, marched to Augusta, GA, and there crossed the river
Savannah into South Carolina and encamped opposite Augusta and saw the British enter
the place. Here we remained until a General Ashe of North Carolina came to the same
place, when the British left the place and Ashe followed them to Briar Creek in Georgia,
and was there defeated by them. During our encampment at this place, I was one of a
party of about 200 who were ordered against the Creek Indians in Georgia, and we had a
battle with them on a creek called Rocky Comfort, in which 8 Indians were killed and our
Major Ross was wounded, of which he died.”
“We then marched from this encampment to Georgia, towards Savannah and
crossed into South Carolina again at Savannah Ferry and from there to Stono Ferry on
Ashley River where the British, who were protected by breastworks and entrenchments,
and we had therefore to withdraw. At this place, I was taken sick and sent home, I think
in July 1777.”
From the Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby
Gilmer Moss, 1985, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD:
Geiger, Jacob-pension application #W2728, BLW# 34282-160-55
B. Nov. 1763
D. 25 December, 1804
M.
1. Ann Kaigler
2. Mrs. Dorothy ___
He enlisted on 12 December 1776 [at the age of 13] and on 20 December became a fifer
in the 3rd regiment. He was discharged on May 31, 1777. P. I.; A. A. 2752; R127; N. A.
853.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
151
Page 354-356: “On the 28th of December, a detachment under Captain Richard
Winn was ordered to Georgia to relieve Captain Caldwell and his detachment.”
“The next service required of the 3rd regiment was to go to Georgia, in 1777,
under General Robert Howe who then commanded the troops in South Carolina and
Georgia. General Howe, in February 1777, received [page 355] intelligence from
Georgia that a body of regular troops under Colonel Fuser were marching to invade
Georgia, and he immediately left Charlestown for Savannah; but the enemy soon
retreated and in March, following, Generals Gadsden and Moultrie commanding at
Charlestown, requested General Howe to return to that city which he did in June
following.”
“In the meantime he wrote a letter to General Moultrie from Savannah on march
16th, in which he said, ‘Thomson’s are at Purysburg and will be ordered to march
tomorrow.’ They were probably marched back to their homes, for we find in Colonel
Thomson’s order book a letter dated at ‘Charlestown 25th April, 1777,’ directed to Major
Wise in ‘Camp near Nelson’s Ferry’ ordering him to send a detachment to Charlestown.”
“During the remainder of the year 1777, Colonel Thomson’s regiment was
divided up into detachments, which performed various duties in different parts of South
Carolina. One detachment, for some time, guarded the jail at Ninety Six, another, under
Captain Lyles, was on August 16th, ordered to capture several Tory leaders in Ninety Six
District and convey them to Charlestown jail, while other detachments were given other
similar duties to perform. The regiment was encamped part of the time at Amelia, and
part of the time at Nelson’s Ferry.”
Pension Application of Aberhart Fetner, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
969, Application #S19294:
-“The petition of Aberhart Fetner respectfully that your petitioner in the year
1777, enlisted as a musician in the third regiment of state troops commanded by Colonel
Thomson.”
“That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777 in August of
the same under Captain Derrill Hart in Colonel William Thomson’s regiment of foot as a
musician and served in the same, the third regiment of the Continental line.”
“Personally appeared, Benjamin Hart…The deponent further states that he has
heard his brother Lieutenant Derrill Hart since say that the said Aberhart Fetner was a
fifer under his command.”
“Interrogatory-Where were you living when called into service?
Answer-At Granby in Lexington.”
152
From the Pension Application of Howell Sellars, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 215, Application #S31357:
“I also performed two other tours, one under Captain Nathan White, I think in the
fall of 1777, of a little more than one month. During this tour we marched from
Edgefield County, SC to Savannah, and I was at the siege of that place by our troops,
while the British had possession of it. In an attempt to storm the place, General Pulaski
was killed.”
From The Jury Lists of South Carolina, 1778-1779, compiled by GE Lee Corley
Hendrix and Morn McKoy Lindsay, 1980, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD:
Grand Jurors for Saxegotha District in the years 1778-1779:
Jacob Geiger, Harman Geiger, William Geiger, p. 66
Petit Jurors foe Saxegotha:
Jacob Gallman, John Jacob Geiger, John Gallman, p. 71
John Geiger, Abraham Geiger, Jacob Geiger, Harman Geiger, William Geiger, p. 72
Between Turkey Creek and Savannah River:
John Conrad Gallman, Harmon Gallman, Gosport [GASPAR] GALLMON, p. 99
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
“In December 1777, the state of Georgia, being much disturbed by British and
Tory inroads from Florida, General Howe returned to Georgia. On April 6th, 1778,
President Lowndes wrote the following letter to General Moultrie:
“Sir,
“I have received letters and information from the Congarees which give good
grounds to suspect that some design is formed to disturb the tranquility [page 356] of the
interior parts of this state. Several of the inhabitants have suddenly and secretly
withdrawn themselves from their habitations, and have manifested by other parts of their
behavior, that some enterprise is in agitation, that may, if not timely attended to, surprise
us at a disadvantage. I have ordered Colonel Beard to keep a good look out, and to raise
a proper number of his militia so as to be in readiness to oppose any sudden attempt that
may be undertaken by those people called Tories.”
“I have taken the liberty to direct him in case the matter should wear a serious
aspect and require a greater force that he can readily draw from his regiment, to apply for
aid and succor to Colonel Thomson, who, I believe has a detachment of his regiment near
those parts, as I intended to apply to you to give the required assistance…”
153
From the Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001:
“That he volunteered …on the first day of April in the year 1778 under Captain
John A. Summer, who was commanded by Colonel Jonas Beard. They rallied in that
neighborhood for about six weeks, then marched after the Tories in Florida and returned
home about the 15th of August following, making four months and a half service.”
He volunteered on the 1st day of April, 1778 in a company commanded by
Captain Jno. A. Summer, Lieutenant Henry Summer and the regiment commanded by
Colonel Jonas Beard and Lieutenant Colonel Philemon Waters. Shortly after he
volunteered, he was marched to Augusta, and from thence to Ogeechee River in Georgia
where they overtook the main body of the army under General Williamson. From thence
they marched to Florida neat St. Peter’s. From near ?St. John’s? they returned to Briar
Creek, where they were discharged. This was in the middle of the month of August, in
the same year, making for and a half months service rendered during this tour.”
From the Pension Application of Aberhart Fetner, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 969, Application #S19294:
“That he continued to serve in said regiment until the Battle of Briar Creek at
which time he was taken prisoner and confined onboard a prison ship at Savannah. Your
petitioner was afterwards retaken, and served under Captain Rudolph in Colonel Lee’s
regiment until the close of the Revolutionary War.”
“That he continued in said regiment until the Battle of Briar Creek [per Heitman,
March 3rd, 1779] at which time he was taken prisoner and confined on board a prison
ship at Savannah in the state of Georgia. That he was afterwards retaken by Colonel Lee
and served under Captain Rudolph in Colonel Lee’s regiment in which he served until the
close of the War of the Revolution. That before entering the last mentioned regiment, he
served under Captain Felix Warley, who also belonged to Colonel William Thomson’s
regiment of foot.”
“I enlisted in August 1777 under Captain Derrill Hart in Colonel William
Thomson’s regiment, afterwards under Captain Felix Warley in Colonel William
Thomson’s regiment which was the third continental regiment in the expedition to
Florida. [1779].”
From the Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 431, S9114:
“The next service was under Captain Joseph Kirkland after the Tories that went to
[St.] Augustine [FL]. The route was about six months…1779, Enlisted for 6 months
under Joseph Kirkland in the army commanded by General Williamson to go to Florida.
Had a battle with the Tories near St. John’s River…I volunteered for six months and went
to Florida, whence the Tories had fled, and embodied themselves with the British and
154
Indians. I was in the company commanded by William Kirkland in the regiment
commanded by Colonel Robert Goodwin. General Williamson commanded our whole
force during the campaign.”
“The next duty was under Captain William Kirkland under command of General
Williamson after the Tories and British, three months and three days…Drafted as a
militiaman. Marched in the company commanded by William Kirkland in Colonel
Goodwin’s regiment, commanded by General William [son?], who joined his army with
General Greene’s army near Augusta and crossed Savannah River and marched down
said river. Had several skirmishes with the Indians and Tories…Then was drafted and
went out three months and three days in the company commanded by William Kirkland
and said Colonel Goodwin and General Williamson in which time General Greene came
on and the armies joined and marched under command of General Greene into the state
of Georgia and was sometimes one side of Savannah River on the South Carolina side,
and sometimes the Georgia side, and my time expired and was relieved, just before the
Battle of Stono.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 356: “On April 5th, General Howe wrote from Savannah to General
Moultrie, wishing him ‘immediately to prepare and have in readiness to march at a
moment’s warning, 200 men’: and in answer to this, General Moultrie wrote on April
10th: ‘I have agreeably to your orders, sent 150 men from Thomson’s, and 50 from
Sumter’s regiments in readiness to go off at a moment’s [page 357] warning. I hope,
however, you will have no reason for them.”
“Thomson’s regiment seems to have been very much in demand about that time.
On April 14th, President Lowndes wrote to General Moultrie as follows:
“As it appears from the ?conemement? accounts of all the intelligence that I have
received, that the disaffected plan their hopes and expectations on being joined with a
force from Florida: and that their aim is to form the junction by crossing Savannah River,
a considerable party having already taken that route, I submit to you whether it would not
be necessary and proper to post Thomson with his regiment at some convenient place on
Savannah River to interrupt or prevent such a design, more especially as he would be
enabled from thence, more expeditiously to remove the immediate of Georgia…”
“To this, General Moultrie replied on the same day: “ I just now received yours,
and have considered with attention what you mention with regard to posting Thomson’s
regiment on Savannah River. I cannot at present, think it proper by any means, and I will
therefore give you my reasons. That regiment consists of about one third the number of
continental troops in this state (150 of them in town which we cannot do without, unless
the militia will take off some of our guards) and the sending them so far from the capital
would be running too great a risk, besides the harassing the troops. Should any sudden
155
attack be made upon our seacoast, we have only the continental troops to make head until
the militia can be…
From Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Vol. II, page 1331:
Geiger, Jacob, Dorothy, W2728, BLW #34282-160-55, SC line, widow applied 7
August 1851, Richland District, SC, aged 80. A resident of Columbia, SC. Soldier lived
near Fort Granby in Lexington District, SC at enlistment. Soldier and Widow had
married in January 1799. Soldier’s sister Elizabeth Bell was aged 86 in 1851, a resident
of Richland District. She stated that soldier’s first wife (not named) died, and he married
2nd to Dorothy ___. The said Elizabeth Bell’s 7th child, David, was born January 15,
1799. The widow applied for BLW in March 1855 and a C. and H. F. Neuffer were
witnesses to her affidavit. Soldier died in 1800.
From the Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby
Gilmer Moss, 1985, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD:
Geger, Jacob
He served in the 5th regiment during February 1780. N. A. 853.
Giger, Jacob
He served in the 5th regiment before transferring to the 1st regiment. He was wounded at
Gate’s Defeat. In 1781 and 1782, he served 300 days as a lieutenant [at the age of 18
and 19] in the militia. N. A. 246; N. A. 853.
GALLMAN, Caspter (GASPAR)
B. c. 1749
d. 9 August 1819
m. Jemima _____
He served in the militia before and after the fall of [1780] Charleston [aged 31] and
provided provisions for militia use. Patriot Index Supplement; [A. A. 2640]; [A. A.
2928B]; U621 SC Indents, Lib U. Issued the 16th, July 1785 to Gaspar Goldman for
thirty nine pound sixteen shillings and ten pence for militia duty, also for provisions per
account audited. Principal L39. 19.10, annual interest L2.15.11.
Coleman [GOLLMAN], GASPER-He served sixty days in the militia [A. A. 6703],
Vol. 648.
Gallman, Herman-see Harmon Goldman
Gallman, John Conrad-see Curry Goldman
Geiger, Henry-He served under Col. Wade Hampton and General Sumpter after being
taken prisoner at Congaree Fort. [What was the date of this action?] A. A. 3287
From the Stub Entries to Indents issues in Payment of Claims against South
Carolina Growing out of the Revolution, Books R-T, edited by A. S. Salley, Jr:
156
Page 24: No. 127, Book R-Issued the 10 of May 1785 to Mr. Jacob Geiger for
seventy-five pounds sterling for 300 days duty in the militia as Lieutenant in 1781 and
1782 as per account, audited. Principal L75.00, annual interest, L5.5.0.
Page 107: No. 659, Book R-Issued the 17 of June 1785 to Mr. John Geiger for
twelve pounds seven shillings and six pence three farthings sterling for provision and
forage for Continentals and militia use as per account audited. Principal L12.7.6 ¾.
Annual interest 0.17.3.
From the Stub Entries to Indents issues in Payment of Claims against South
Carolina Growing out of the Revolution, Books O-Q, edited by A. S. Salley, Jr:
Page 231: No. 106, Lib. Q-Issued the 7th of May 1785 to Mr. John Geiger, for
twenty one pounds, 17 shillings, 6 pence sterling for 125 bushels corn for militia use in
1782. Account audited. Principal L21.17.6. Annual interest L1.10.7.
The following list of men are not yet researched for their connection to David Donaldson.
They are only listed here as a reminder to me to research any possible connection.
Donaldson, John
He enlisted in the 5th regiment on 2 April, 1776. N. A. 853.
Donaldson, Thomas
He enlisted in the 5th regiment on 2 April, 1776. N. A. 853.
[John and Thomas enlisted on the same date. It appears that they are related to each
other.]
Donaldson, John
B. circa 1745, England
He was commissioned first lieutenant on 17/18 June 1775 in the Rangers under Capt.
Samuel Wise and Col. Thomson. He became a captain on 16 May 1776, Heitman, p. 200;
S.C.H. & G.I, 189; II, 173; Gregg, p. 236
Donaldson, Matthew
He served in the militia from 1780 to 1783 under Captain Alexander Pagan. A. A. 1977,
0382.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 270-271: “On January 16th, 1777, the Legislature passed an Act for raising
taxes; and in accordance with the 6th paragraph of the Act, appointed Inquirers and
Collectors for the several parishes and districts of the state. The following were the
Inquirers and Collectors appointed for the…the district of Saxegotha:
George Stroud
157
Andrew Kaigler
William Geiger
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 464: “To Captain JOHN DONALDSON,
Amelia, 3rd November, 1778
Sir,
“When Colonel Williamson requires, you and the detachment (or any part of
them) under your command are to aid and cooperate with him.” I am yours, and etc.
William Thomson”
From the Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163:
“That when he was young, about thirteen or fourteen years old, his father
removed to what was then called Orangeburg in SC, and brought with him the rest of his
father’s family along. This place (where they settled) is now called Lexington District in
the state of South Carolina, whence declarant was living when he went into the service of
the United States, in the militia (having been drafted) in the latter part of December in the
year 1778 under Captain John Kinsler in Colonel Charles Hicksley’s regiment, and
served one month. This service was rendered in and near where the village of
Orangeburg now stands, and at that time it was deemed very important to protect that
section of country from the ravages and depradations of McGerk and the Tories. The
names of some of the Whig officers during this tour of duty were Captain Clayton,
Lieutenant Clayton, Major Thomas Sab? Lab?, Captain Beams and Adjutant William
Fitzpatrick and Captain James Carmichael.”
“Personally appeared, Joseph Caldwell…That he lived with James Caldwell
during the Revolutionary War and remembers when he went on the first tour of service in
the Revolutionary War under Captain Kinsler, and he was gone one month.”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
In the month of January in the year of 1779, he removed from Orangeburg to
Ninety Sixth District, SC and settled in Colonel James Williams’ regiment. About the
first of March of the year 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain
Thomas Dugan, rendezvous two miles above the Tumbling Shoals on Reedy River, then
on the Indian line, at which station he remained in actual service till sometime of the
month of July, when he was discharged.”
158
From the Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001:
“[He] was called out in the service in March following, joined his said Captain
Summer under Colonel Jonas Beard. Says he was marched to Georgia but was
overpowered by the British who was then in Savannah and was marched back on this side
of the Savannah River at the lines at Augusta, where they got a furlough for 12 days to
come home, and returned to Charleston in South Carolina under Lieutenant Fulmer.”
“In March 1779, he entered the service again under the same Captain and
Colonel Jonas Beard and were marched to near Augusta on the South Carolina side of the
Savannah River. They were shortly after marched on the Georgia side of the river where
they remained three weeks, and were marched back again to South Carolina to their
former station, and after remaining here for some time, during which time he was on an
expedition sent against the Indians under Major Andrew Pickens in which they had a
skirmish in which one of their officers, Major Ross, was killed.”
“From this place, they were marched to Golfin’s lower down the river. From
thence they were marched back again to near Augusta. Some of the men at this place
obtained furloughs for 12 days to return to their families, among whom was this
applicant. When he came home the relief in his place went to headquarters and was
marched to Stono. But this applicant and several others who had obtained furloughs,
under the command of Lieutenant Fulmer, one of the officers of said company
commanded by Captain John A. Summer and Major Michael Lightman were marched
directly to Charleston. This applicant does not remember whether Colonel Beard was
with them or not. He remained in Charleston until the last day of August when he was
discharged and returned home, making in this tour, six months service.”
From the Pension Application of Isaac Busby, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 431, R1524:
“He entered as an enlisted soldier under Captain ___ Pope in the army of the
United States in the year ___ and served in the (regiment not recollected), but
commanded by Colonel Taylor, the whole under the command of General Greene. He
resided about thirty five miles above Columbia, SC, but does not recollect the District.”
“He was in the Battle of Stono [per Heitman, June 20, 1779], commanded by
General Greene [Greene did not command at Battle of Stono, it was General Lincoln at
that time, I think] and at the Battle of the Eutaw Springs [per Heitman, September 15,
1781]. When he first enlisted he was marched to Charlestown, SC. He was marched to
the battle before stated. He served three years under this term of enlistment…In my tour
of service I was not employed in any civil pursuit whatever, but was really in active
service and scouting after the Tories, Indians and British or stationed in bodies in the
different points and places as stated.”
159
Soldiers from Edgefield and Ninety Six District at the Battle of Stono Ferry, South
Carolina, 20 June 1779
Judith F. Russell
[Note: Dr. Russell transcribed this muster roll while researching the life of Samuel
Walker, whose name appears on the list. She is always interested in hearing from others
studying old Edgefield families. Address: 1051 Forrest Hills Drive, Bogart, GA 30622.
Email: jruss95@aol.com]
“More than forty Edgefield and Ninety Six District men fought at the Battle of
Stono Ferry, 20 June 1779, "one of the lesser known major battles of the Revolution in
South Carolina" (Lipscomb and Jones, 1981, p. 371). General Augustine Prevost and the
Royalists made a raid into South Carolina in May and June of 1779 and the Stono Ferry
skirmish took place near the end of the campaign. Prevost was forced to abandon a threeday siege of Charleston when he discovered that General Benjamin Lincoln was
approaching with the Continental Army. Withdrawing his forces to John's Island, Prevost
left a garrison of several hundred men, including a substantial contingent of Hessians,
(Lipscomb and Jones, 1981, p. 371) at Stono Ferry, twelve miles west of Charleston. The
site was important since it controlled navigation on the Stono River and covered Prevost's
line of retreat through the sea islands.”
“The Patriots had information that there was a ferry made of boats at the enemy
position. About seven in the morning of 20 June 1779, (Salley, 1904, p. 90) the patriot
army advanced. Finding boats, but no ferry, they drove to within sixty yards of the British
line when they were halted by cannon and musket fire. General Lincoln's Continentals
could advance no further, but the militia under Generals John Butler and Andrew
Williamson pressed the Hessian position. Their plan to storm the garrison was dropped
when they learned that the Hessians were going to be reinforced by Carolina Royalists.
They did not realize that the enemy troops were so short of ammunition that the last
charges were already in their weapons (Lipscomb and Jones, p.374).”
“Although neither side had a clear victory, four days later General Lincoln wrote
to General William Moultrie that the enemy had abandoned Stono Ferry and were
retreating on John's Island (Stockman Family Newsletter, 1993). The retreat continued,
but the Royalists were able to capture Charleston and eventually force the surrender of
General Lincoln.”
From: South Carolina Accounts Audited Claims Growing out of the Revolution.
Number 6703. John Ryan. War Film 2813, Frames 494-502. Columbia, SC: South
Carolina Department of Archives and History. Frames 499-501.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/u/s/Judith-F-Russell/FILE/0013page.html
“Captain John Ryan's Company of General Williamson's Brigade consisted of 45
friends and neighbors from Edgefield and Ninety Six District. They were among the 2000
Patriots commanded by General Lincoln (Salley, 1904, p. 90) at the Camps near Stono in
1779. The paybill for their services is in Ryan's Accounts Audited file (South Carolina
Accounts Audited Claims Growing out of the Revolution. Number 6703. John Ryan/John
160
Ryans, frames 500-501). Pay rates varied according to rank. Although the column in
which the rate is recorded is not completely legible, the privates appear to have received
two pounds a day for their service.”
A Paybill for Captn Ryan’s Company who did Duty in the Camps near Stono on
horse back by orders of General Williamson from the 20th of April till the 12th of
July 1779
Captn John Ryan
89 Days
Lieut Lacon Ryan
89 Days
1 RYAN Lacon 14 August 1784 SC Abbeville Will Box 79 Pack 1942. Exrs: Brothers
John, Benjamin Ryan, Arthur Simkins. Witn: Saml WALKER, Conrad Gallman, Robt
Bartlett. Wife Margaret Ryan. Children: Benjamin, Sarah. Father Benjamin Ryan, Sr.
Mother: no name. Bequests to Peter Hilliard, 2 children Nancy, Wm. Hilliard.
Sergt Lewis Nobles 65 Days
Sergt Champ Shurley 65 Days
Sergt Nathan White 89 Days
Howel Sellers
89 Days, 65 at private, 24 acted as sergt
the whole amount
Samuel Walker
89 Days
James Thomas
89 Days
Jacob Youngblood 89 Days
John Richardson
89 Days
George Randolph
89 Days
Jonathan Richardson 89 Days
Absalam Jackson
89 Days
Archabald Gibson
89 Days
Gunrod Coleman
89 Days
GASPAR COLEMAN60 Days
Benjamin Darby
89 Days
Lewis Clark
89 Days
Benjamin Ryan
89 Days
Fredrick Tilman
89 Days
Artha Thomas
89 Days
James West
89 Days
Thos Wood
89 Days
Jacob Wise
89 Days
Rolley Rowbuck
65 Days
Littlebery Tilman
65 Days
John Randolph
72 Days
Carry over to next page Amount brot forward
Flood Mitchel
65 Days
Gidean Thomas
30 Days
John Coley
30 Days
Benjaman Drumman 35 Days
John Wise
35 Days
Samuel Thomas ? 35 Days
?Our Thomas family?
William Thomas ? 35 Days
?Our Thomas family?
161
Par[?]trick Brady
John Williams
Walter Jackson
Solomon Lewis
John Dolton
John Milliner
Abraham Scott
John Daugherty
Absolam Tilley [?]
Joel McClendal
Par[?]brick Duncan
30 Days
30 Days
20 Days
60 Days
60 Days
40 Days
40 Days
75 Days
75 Days
61 Days
12 Days
State of South Carolina Ninety six district | Personally appeared Captn John Ryan before
me William Jones, one of the justices for said District and being duly sworn sayeth that
the above acct is just and true to the best of his knowledge [Signed] John Ryan.
Sworn to this 9th of Dec 1779 before me. Will Jones
I do Certify that the services set forth in this above paybill was performed....LeRoy [?]
Hammond[?]
From: DAR Lineage Books, [p.290] Mrs. Mary Render Hill.147925 - John Martin (17511813) commanded a company of South Carolina artillery. He was born and died in
Edgefield, S. C-No pension filed for this John Martin.
162
163
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343:
“He marched to Ancrum on the Congaree River in the company commanded by
John Adam Summer in Beard’s regiment of militia, which station was commanded by
Colonel Jonas Beard, a tour of two months. He does note recall the precise time, but it
was shortly before the British took Charleston.” [From later testimony of March 4, 1834In the summer 1779 under John A. Summer in Beard’s regiment, stationed at Ancrum on
the Congaree River.]”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
1037, Application #W7343:
“Afterwards [they] turned out in a scouting party under the ensign of our
company and was not stationed at any particular place. Was the principal part of the time
in the settlements of Enoree River in Ninety Six District, and at times in other places if
thought necessary and beneficial.” [From testimony March, 1834-The same summer
under Henry Summer, scouted in the Enoree River settlements and elsewhere in Ninety
Six District, our forces commanded by Colonel Glenn.]”
From the Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163:
“He entered the service of the United States again in the militia under Captain
George Dreher in 1779, in Colonel Thompson’s regiment and was engaged in a tour of
four months, which he served.”
“This deponent [Joseph Caldwell] further says that he went into the service with
the said James Caldwell in the same company under Captain Dreher and that this
deponent was with him and knows he performed the four months service as is stated in
this declaration.
From the Pension Application of Willis Odom, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1838, Application #S16993:
“This declarant states that after he was discharged by Captain Evans, he went to
live with his brother in Edgefield District, state of South Carolina, where he again entered
the service of the United States as a volunteer private, mounted militia man under
Captain Francis Sinkfield. He engaged with Captain Sinkfield for the term of 3 months
and entered in the month of December 1779. Captain John Carter raised a volunteer
mounted company in Edgefield District at the same time with Captain Sinkfield and their
two companies occasionally acted in concert, but they were under the command of no
superior officer.”
“These companies being mounted, each soldier finding his own horse, clothing
and arms, their services were wholly of a partizan character. The British had the
possession of the lower part of Georgia, by which means, and the assistance of the Tories,
they were enabled to keep the states of Georgia and South Carolina in a continual state of
alarm and to protect the country from the combined depredations of the British and
Tories and their equally civilized allies, the Indians, that the volunteer partizan companies
164
of Captains Sinkfield and Carter were called into active service. This declarant states that
he served under Captain Sinkfield three months in the capacity above stated, at the end of
which period he was verbally discharged by Captain Sinkfield.”
“In the month of March 1780, he would state that whilst under Captain Sinkfield
he was on continual active service on horseback going from place to place to overawe the
Tories, sometimes on the Georgia frontier, sometimes at the Forks of the Saluda and
twice on the ___.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 276: December 1779-These members met at General Assembly:
“Senator for Saxegotha Township: John Hopton.
“Representatives for Saxegotha Township:
William Arthur
William Geiger
Ralph Humphries
Jonas Beard
Jacob Seyler
James Beams
Footnote on page 276-[William Geiger] died during the session beginning August
31, 1779 and ending February 12, 1780. [Had he been a soldier, killed in the Revolution?
Was he the man referred to as Captain Geiger on page 436 of the same reference above,
from William Thompson’s letter dated September 10, 1775? Or might that captain have
been Jacob or some other member of the Geiger family?]
Will of William Geiger-Nov. 21, 1779. “Testator, William Geiger, Township of
Saxegotha, Berkeley County, planter. Wife, Ann, residue of all estate. Step-son, John
Geiger, Jr, under 21 years and unmarried. Brothers: John Jacob Geiger, Henry Geiger.
Mentions 50 dollars to the poor of this district. 30 dollars to Rev. Christian Theus.
Executors: wife, Mathias Libecap and Adam Minick. Witnesses: Frederick Clap, Henry
Slappy, George Slappy. Date 21 Nov. 1779. Probated 1 July, 1784. Recorded: nd. P. 355
[24 Jan. 1785 qualified Ann Culpepper late Ann Geiger as executrix. Ann was previously
the wife of Jacob Geiger.
From the Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001:
“This applicant, sometime in the year 1790 [1780], also entered into a scouting
company under the command of Major Michael Leightner, of thirty-two men, all of
whom were mounted. They were stationed for one month in the Fork of Broad and
Saluda Rivers. This scout, with several other scouting companies raised in the same way,
165
in all amounting to about 300 mounted men, were under the command of Colonels Glenn
and Hammond. They marched as far as Bull Swamp on the head of Edisto River,
scouring the country. The object of this party they raised was to protect the country
against the depradations of the Tories. He served in this way, two months.”
From the Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 431, S9114:
“…1780, called out under Colonel Glenn. Was stationed at Moutse’s Mills, one
month. Then called out under Colonel Glenn to escort Tories wives and disaffected
women to Charleston…Turned out as a minute man and was stationed at Moutse’s Mills.
I was in the company commanded by James Turner, the regiment commanded by Colonel
Glenn. Lay there and was out one month, and then a short time after, sometime in the fall,
turned out under Colonel Glenn to escort the wives of the Tories and disaffected women
to Charleston, where the Tories were with the British, two months.”
The next tour was twelve months service under Captain James Turner in part, and
Captain Corkman (Gartman?) Was stationed nine miles below Columbia under Colonel
Robert Goodwin, at least one month until after Charleston was taken by the British.
The next duty was under Lieutenant Frazier under Colonel Glenn. Marched to
Charleston. Served two months and a half. The next tour was under Lieutenant John
Frazier and Captain Michael Leightner, one month commanded by Colonel Richard
Hampton…”
From the Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163:
“In May 1780, he again went into the service under the command of Jonathan
Owen in Colonel William Thompson’s regiment, and served one month. In this term of
service he was marched to Orangeburg and afterwards to the Four Holes. This service
was in the militia, and in the state aforesaid. The names of some of the officers in this
tour were Captain Tateman, Lieutenant Coulsen, Major Hant, Captain Boykin and
Lieutenant Boykin.”
“Deponent [Joseph Caldwell states that he] was also in the service as stated under
Captain Owen with the said James Caldwell who served as his declaration states, one
month under Captain Owen.”
From the Pension Application of Andrew Kelly, Natl Archives
Microseries M804, Roll 1466, Application #R5837:
“…Andrew Kelly, volunteered his services, the time he cannot recall, but he was
24 or 25 years of age and was born in 1752. It was in Lexington District (then
Orangeburg) in the state of South Carolina. His captain was ?Drager? That he entered the
service in said corps for at least three months, when he was discharged from the service
166
in South Carolina at Captain Drager’s. That during this engagement he, with others, were
detailed as a lifeguard to Captain Drager who had killed a Tory...”
“…That he again entered the service of his country as a drafted man under the
command of Lieutenant Rainey, his neighbor... He cannot specify the time when he
served under this engagement, at least two months and was one of the guard who guarded
the Tory women down to Bacon’s Bridge, eighteen miles from Charleston, where they
were met by the British flag of truce and the women were then taken to Charleston. He
wants ?naught? for this. His __ ?adjutant? in this corps was Morgan. At the expiration of
this tour, he was discharged from the service at the place he entered…Orangeburg
District, SC.”
“He was in many other little parties. Once piloted Colonel Washington a day and
a night through the country. In addition to above, went as one of a company to rebuild
Congaree Bridge, which had been burned by the British. When the British landed at
Savannah, his regiment was all called up at a branch in Orangeburg District, now
Lexington District, SC, and took the oath of allegiance to the United States. This branch,
in consequence of it, has always been called “Swearing Branch…”
From the Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163:
“Afterwards, in July 1780, he served one month as a private in the militia under
Captain Gabriel Friday. The principal part of this time was employed in guarding
prisoners of the enemy near Orangeburg, SC and taking care of a magazine, which was
shortly afterwards removed from that place.”
“Deponent [Joseph Caldwell states he] also was with the said James Caldwell
under Captain Friday and he knows that the declarant served the two months under said
Captain Friday as is stated in the declaration…”
From the Pension Application of Howell Sellars, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 215, Application #S31357:
“The other [service was] under Captain James Casey in the year 1778. [it was in
1780, the year that General Green took over the Southern Army.] Under him, I continued
in service for about one month. During this tour we marched in pursuit of the British to
Ashley River in South Carolina where we joined General Greene’s army. In this service
we had no fighting.”
From pages 322-325, Old Cheraws:
“On the 27th of July, [1780] General Gates arrived at the Pedee from the
northward…” and he called his generals to Cox’s Mills, to settle a plan of future
operation… Gen. Gates…lost no time in advancing toward the enemy near Camden. Lord
Cornwallis’s account… forms an interesting link in the chain of events at this period. On
the 21st of August he wrote from Camden, “On the 9th…two expresses arrived with an
account that Gen. Gates was advancing towards Lynche’s Creek, with his whole army,
167
supposed to amount to six thousand men…who after having in vain attempted to force
the posts at Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock, was believed at that time trying to get
around the left of our position, to cut off our communication with the Congarees and
Charles-town…In consequence of this information… I set out on the evening of the 10th,
and arrived in Camden on the night between the 13th and 14th, and there found Lord
Rawdon with all our force…After consulting with some intelligent people…I determined
to march at 10 o’clock on the night of the 15th, and to attack at daybreak, pointing my
principal force against the Continentals, who…I knew to be badly posted close to Col.
Rugeley’s house. I had proceeded nine miles, when about half an hour past two in the
morning, my advanced guard fell in with the enemy…I immediately halted and formed,
and the enemy doing the same, the firing soon ceased.”
“Before the close of that eventful day, the American Army was routed, the
unhappy Gates escaped by a hasty flight into North Carolina…The Tories were more
emboldened than ever, and from this time on, was waged a sanguinary and desperate
warfare on the Pedee. From Drowning Creek and the Little Pedee, from certain
neighborhoods on Lynche’s Creek and the parts lower down, marauding bands were
ever and anon pouring in on the river settlements…”
From the Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1019, Application S21208:
“The second tour performed was to Biggins Church about twenty miles above
Charleston, SC. This tour was performed, as deponent believes, in the year 1780, and
late in the summer. Said Frazier was the captain, Thomas Taylor was the colonel
commanding the regiment. The company met at ?Muntele’s? Ford on Little River on
upper edge of Richland District and thence marched to or near to the village of
Orangeburg, and there joined General Greene’s army, and were drawn out in order of
battle to meet the enemy who were then in great force in the village.”
“The enemy declared battle. General Greene then detached a part of his army
under command of General Thomas Sumter, to wit, General Sumter’s men, Colonel
William Washington’s cavalry and Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment of militia for the
purpose of dislodging a party of the enemy who had established a post at Biggins Church
above named. Deponent was marched on with this force under Sumter and attacked the
enemy and drove them from the church. Killed and wounded some and took forty
prisoners and some stores of dry goods and liquors. The British burned the church and
retreated to Charleston. Deponent and company returned by the Eutaw. Deponent served
two months as a private in this tour.”
“I William Thompson, residing in the district of Fairfield aforesaid, hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Andrew Frazier, who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration, that I have known him since he was a boy…That I served with said
Frazier in the second tour to the Biggins Church, and that the facts mentioned in this tour
are correct…”
168
From the Pension Application of Jacob Geiger, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1061, Application # W2728:
Jacob Geiger’s sister, Elizabeth Bell: “That during the whole was her said brother
was out in the service in the American cause, and had received a wound in his arm which
he said he got at Gates Defeat at Camden. That among his comrades from the same
neighborhood were Captain Gabriel Fridig, Captain Godfrey Dreher, Lewellyn Threewits
and others.”
From the Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163:
“In September 1780, he again was called out in the militia and served one month
as a private under the said Captain Gabriel Friday, the Colonel William Thompson
mentioned above, and the colonel that commanded the regiment in the two last tours of
service…”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
“On the 10th of September, 1780, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain
Thomas Dugan’s company for eighteen months; served in said company until the 15th
December, 1781, about 16 months, and was discharged.”
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
“In the fall of the year 1780 (the month not now recollected), he turned out as a
volunteer under Captain Thomas Dugan [from Ninety Six District], with fixed resolution
to retake his country ____. He immediately thereafter joined General Sumter and the
troops under his command at Indian ___ now in Newberry District. We were marched to
Broad River, the whole under the command of General Sumter and down said river to
Sherrill’s Ferry at which place we had a small skirmish with the British across the river.
From thence we were marched back again to Dunkin’s Creek. Immediately upon our
arrival at this place, we were informed of the approach of Tarleton and his troops. By
order of General Sumter, Captain Levi Caisey chose twelve men of the main body of the
army to rencontre, of which twelve he was one of the number thus chosen. On our
excursion that night we fell in with three Tories and took them prisoners. The next
morning whilst we were endeavoring to return to the main army, we were observed and
overtaken by Tarleton and his legion at a place then called Cross Roads, between Dunkin
Creek and Enoree River.”
“In this skirmish he was dangerously wounded and taken prisoner and carried to
Blackstock, at which place he remained about a week; then placed in the hands of Major
McCarthy and his battalion, taken by them to Sherrill’s Ferry on Broad River, at which
place he remained about ten days; from thence removed to the widow ____ Woodward
on Little River where Tarleton and his legion lay; at which place he remained about two
weeks, when he was removed to Winnsborough (Cornwallis’ headquarters). At this place
he remained a few days, when he was paroled. He returned home to his father’s where he
remained a short time, till General Greene came on with his army.”
169
December the 16, 1825, Clark County, Georgia:
“I hereby certify that in the month of November 1780, I was a prisoner under
Colonel Tarleton on the day of the action at Blackstock’s on Tyger River, between
General Sumter and Colonel Tarleton in the state of South Carolina. Some time in the
day, Mr. John Houston was brought by some of Tarleton’s dragoons(or horsemen) and
delivered into the same guard that I was in, very badly wounded. He at that time was a
volunteer under the then Captain Levi Casey, then in defense of the American cause.
William Malone.”
Coweta County, GA, March 1st, 1834:
“That he entered the service in November 1780 in Captain Dugan’s company as a
volunteer for no settled period, but to serve as circumstances might require.”
“That in ten days after this deponent had joined his company, he was in a battle
with the British under the command of Tarleton. That this deponent was dangerously
wounded and taken prisoner and retained in close confinement for six weeks, and was
then liberated on parole until exchanged, and remained under parole about six weeks
more.”
From the “Letters of John Rutledge” [then, Governor of South Carolina] in the
South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Review, April 1917, Vol XVIII, No. 2,
annotated by Joseph W. Barnwell, page 62-65:
Gentlemen,
“On the 15th instant, I received your letter of the 27th ultimate. I am sorry to find
by the Gazette it enclosed, that the King of Great Britain has got a new Parliament,
altogether to his mind. However, I hope that circumstances will cause our allies, as well
as the United States, to make the most speedy and vigorous exertions for an early
campaign, so as to render it decisive.”
“About 4 weeks ago, Col. [William Bryan] Few [of Georgia] took General
Williamson at his own house, with a large quantity of provisions which were laid up
there, for the use of the enemy, but he suffered him to remain at home for several days on
parole, within which time he was to determine whether he would take part with us or not.
However, before the expiration of that time, Col. Cruger marched from his Fort at
Ninety-Six, with most of the garrison, and was joined by Rob Cunningham, who is a
brigadier of militia against Few. He, misinformed of the enemy’s number (470), detached
100 men under Clarke to attack ‘em. Clarke was wounded and obliged to retreat with the
loss of 10 or 12 men, to Tyger River, having killed more of the enemy.”
“Marion lately fell on McLawrath’s [McLeroth] rear, and without any loss, killed
and took some of his men. General Greene marched from Charlotte for this place with
part of the army, where he arrived yesterday. Morgan is gone with the remainder, towards
Ninety-Six. I have appointed Col. Marion a Brigadier and thrown all the regiments
eastward of Santee, Wateree and Catawba Rivers into his brigade, those to the westward
to compose Sumpter’s, whose wound (the doctors say) will disable him from taking the
170
field for several months. This is a very unfortunate circumstance, and we shall feel the
loss of his services very much, though, during his illness, General Morgan shall
command his troops.”
“General Leslie arrived at Charleston with the forces which were in Virginia,
about the 14th instant. The enemy hold the same posts in the country as I mentioned in
my last. It is said that appearances at Camden and Winnsboro indicated an intention to
move from those posts lower down the country, and some people flatter themselves with
the idea of their going to Charleston, but I cannot believe they will evacuate Camden, and
if Cornwallis should leave Winnsboro, he will not go lower (I think) than the Congaree.
Why they should go to Charleston I can’t conceive. I rather apprehend the enemy will
attempt to drive us from this place and prevent our collecting supplies on this river.”
“The Cherokees, or Tories painted like Indians, (but I think the former) have
lately killed some people on the frontiers of North and South Carolina, which has
prevented and will prevent them from turning out, in the remote country, as they ought.
We have no account of the Virginia troops or Lee’s Horse. The report is, that they are
coming on, but where they really are, no one here knows. I fear it will be long before they
arrive, and when they do, that their numbers will prove (as usual) very short. Indeed, we
hear that the 18 months men do not exceed 800...”
I am, with great regard, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
J. Rutledge
“Dec. 30th, [1780] General Marion, by letter of the 27th instant, informs that he
left Santee River the day before. That Major McLawrath had taken post at the great
Savannah (Farars) with about 300 men. That Leslie’s troops were last Sunday, at Monk’s
Corner, on the way to Nelson’s Ferry. The Causey to which was repairing, and that 500
men (as he heard) had crossed Lewis’s Ferry on their way to Georgetown. But the last of
this intelligence wanted confirmation. I think it however, very probable. Marion
apprehended the enemy meant to cut off his retreat to Pedee and had therefore, proceeded
to Indian town. The Honorable the Delegates of South Carolina in Congress.
THOMAS’S PLANTATION
January 10, 1781
From the Pension Application of Andrew Kelly, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1466, Application #R5837:
“He again (time not remembered) entered the service of his country in SC under
Captain ?Gartman? as captain in the regiment or corps of Colonel Beard under the
command of General Pickens of South Carolina. He was drafted this time and served at
least two months, when he was again honorably discharged. During this engagement, he
went as one of 700 troops under the command aforesaid to Bacon’s Bridge. It is eighteen
miles from Charleston. Went to protect General Greene’s army lying several miles off.
Declarant went as a wagoner and from there and during said engagement, went in a
company of twenty-five wagons to Stono for provisions for Greene’s army…”
171
From the Pension Application of Thomas Rall, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1994, Application #W8566:
“After his service as aforesaid, he was enrolled as a militiaman in Captain
Bartholomew Gartman’s company of Colonel Water’s regiment of militia of South
Carolina. After this, a draft of the militia was ordered and a draft took place in Captain
Bartholomew Gartman’s company, to which deponent was attached, and deponent fell
into the second division, that is, those who were to perform the second tour of service.”
“One Sebastian Hoffman was drafted among the first division for duty, and
deponent became a substitute for him, and served out that tour, after which, it being his
own time according to the allotment, he entered in that service, and during that time and
about the time of the expiration of this tour, the militia were discharged, himself among
the number. This service as a substitute for Hoffman as above mentioned and as a
draughted militiaman was performed in Colonel Hammond’s regiment of draughted
militia, and under General Greene of the Continental Army, while stationed at Bacon’s
Bridge not far from Charleston, and that took place near the close of the war after the
enemy’s forces were confined mostly to Charleston.”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 529: “The following list of battles fought on the soil of what is now
Orangeburg County, was kindly furnished by General Edward McCrady from the
manuscript of his forthcoming volume on the history of South Carolina during the
Revolutionary period [1902 History of South Carolina in the Revolution]:
Thomson’s Plantation February 22 and 23, 1781. Sumter attacks British post at, is
repulsed, but next day captures wagon train and guards on way to Rawdon.
Orangeburgh May 11, 1781. Sumter attacks British post at, and makes captures.
Fort Motte May 12, 1781. Taken from the British by Marion and Lee.
Forks of the Edisto River May [or August] 1781. Captain Connaway, Royal
Militia of Orangeburg attacks Whig party, kills many and disperses rest.
[Moore’s or Morris’s Surprise] November 1781. Major Morris, Whig, is
surprised and defeated by Tories under Cunningham.
[R. Hampton’s Surprise] 27 November 1781. Colonel Richard Hampton is
surprised and defeated by Tories under Cunningham.
Dean Swamp May 1782. Captains Watson and Butler attack Tories. Watson and
Vardell killed, Butler defeated.
From the Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001:
“This applicant, in 1781 in the month of February, entered the service again
under the command of Captain William F. Arnseal’s also in the Dutch Fork, but in that
part now included in Newberry District. They were marched to Orangeburg where they
172
fell in with the main body of the army, and where they remained a month. From
Orangeburg they were marched to Pocatiligo, from Pocatiligo to the south side of
Bacon’s Bridge, near Dorchester, where they were placed under the command of General
Greene. They remained near Bacon’s Bridge and Dorchester two months until the last
day of June, when they were discharged. During this tour, this applicant rendered five
months service…”
“This applicant first volunteered, but afterward, took his turn, a part of the men in
each company only being sent into service at the same time, and when they returned,
another part went in their place. This was the practice in that part of the country where he
resided, when they joined the main body of the army. On scouting parties, more went at
the same time…He obtained what was called the indents; and while in the service in
Charleston, he __ an order for thirty dollars for his pay, which he was compelled to give
to a physician for his bill…”
Thomson’s Plantation
From Francis Marion: The Swamp Fox, by Hugh F. Rankin, 1973, Thomas Y.
Crowell Company:
Shortly after learning Page 157: “that Daniel Morgan had defeated Banastre
Tarleton at a placed called the Cowpens in western South Carolina on January
17…[page 157] [General Nathanael] Greene wanted enemy magazines destroyed and
suggested [Colonel Lighthorse Henry] Lee and [Colonel Francis] Marion attack
[British] Colonel Watson, for he was a ‘most inviting object’…”
Page 157: “In carrying out these orders, Marion ordered Captain John Postell and
thirty men the Santee to make a forced march to Santee Bridge, not only to take up horses
and provisions of all kinds, but to burn all British supplies and provisions he came across.
On his return he was to burn the stores and wagons at Monck’s Corner. Marion,
remembering Horry’s troubles in the past, cautioned Postell, ‘Take care that your men do
not get at liquor, or clog themselves with plunder so as to endanger their retreat.’ A
similar order instructed Major James Postell and his thirty riders to sweep northward up
the far side of the Santee to burn the enemy supplies stored at Colonel William
Thomson’s plantation on the Congaree. To both Postells he emphasized the necessity of
speed and the importance of not encumbering themselves by taking prisoners.’”
“Lee and Marion, awaiting the return of the Postells and encamped at Cordes
Plantation, began to plan another joint venture, this time against Fort Watson…they were
forced to give it up…Intelligence reported that Cornwallis was now in pursuit of Morgan
in an attempt to recover the prisoners taken at Cowpens and avenge the humiliation
suffered by Tarleton…Greene, with only a sergeant’s guard, rode across country to join
Morgan’s retreating forces. Orders came across the river for Lee to rejoin the army
immediately.”
173
Page 158: “…on January 31, 1781, he saddled up and led his legion out of the
camp at Cordes Plantation. Marion was once again, on his own.”
Page 159: “Lee was gone when the Postells returned. Their successful raids had
been carried out ‘with great spirit and good conduct.’ Major Postel had found no stores at
Thomson’s Plantation; they had been carried off several days earlier. As he was
returning, he received intelligence of a quantity of rum, salt, flour, pork, and British
uniforms at Manigault’s Ferry. All but four of the guard had gone chasing off after
Captain Postell. The Major rode in, took the redoubt, destroyed the supplies, leveled the
post, and rode off.”
“Captain Postell had destroyed the supplies at Watbo Bridge and had surprised the
depot at Keithfield Plantation near Monck’s Corner. After a lively action he had burned
or destroyed fourteen wagon loaded with clothing and twenty barrels of rum, killed two
of the enemy while wounding two, and taken a captain, a subaltern, and twenty-four
grenadiers prisoner. He did not lose a man; according to Postell, ‘Nothing indeed
appeared difficult.’
Page 160: “ Marion kept shifting his position, moving his camp each day.
Inasmuch as he usually was on the march during the day, he usually appointed ‘officers
of the night’ rather than officers of the day. He was forced to take some precautions to
protect his reputation. He discovered that plundering parties moving through the
countryside gave out that they were members of his brigade. Denying this, he also issued
a statement to the effect that he would publish the names of all such men, ‘after which it
will be lawful for any man to put them to death wherever they are without being able to
called to account for it.’”
Page 161: “…Since December 20, Captain John Postell had made himself a
source of irritation to [British] Colonel Campbell by collecting rice, cattle, Negroes, and
horses along the lower Peedee and disrupting communication with Georgetown. To rid
himself of this nuisance, Campbell detached Captain James DePeyster and twenty-nine
grenadiers of the King’s American Regiment. Their first act was one of retaliation.
Captain John Postell. Senior, seventy years old, had been taken and paroled after the fall
of Charleston. Near the middle of January, DePeyster and his men had stripped the
Postell Plantation of everything that could be moved. In reporting this to Marion, Postell
had lamented, ‘My honor is all that I have left. My family has been reduced to beg for
their bread.’ He felt that his parole had been broken by the British. The elder Postell had
been imprisoned, and Marion’s letter to Saunders offered an exchange ‘on account of his
age and hope humanity will induce you to treat him like a gentleman.’”
“Young Postell was to get his revenge. He had but fourteen men, but he had an
advantage in that he knew the ground [page 162] and his anger at the treatment of his
father added a bit of rashness to his planning which at other times may have been
overruled by prudence. Early in the morning of February 21, 1781, Postell and his men
had stolen forward around DePeyster’s sentries and managed to occupy the detached
kitchen without being observed. DePeyster was summoned to surrender. He refused. To
174
demonstrate his determination, Postell burned the kitchen and then sent in a second
summons to the effect that if DePeyster did not surrender immediately, he would next
burn the house. The British captain asked for five minutes. Postell’s answer was to have
his men bring straw forward and begin to heap it around the house. The British filed out
and piled their arms. In taking his prisoners, Postell made them travel on foot, and
deliberately made them walk through every creek and mud hold along the way.”
Page 162: “Then Marion received what for him was distressing news. From
Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina, [General Nathanael] Greene had written on
February 11 congratulating the Postells…The general then went on to say that Thomas
Sumter had been directed to call out the South Carolina militia and employ them in the
destruction of British stores…”
Page 163: “Sumter lost little time in beginning his operations. He needed supplies
for his campaign. There was a British depot at Fort Granby on the Congaree that held
enough to supply his needs. On February 11, he marched his brigade toward the
Congaree and laid siege to the post. Fearing Rawdon would send reinforcements, Sumter
suggested that Marion maneuver in such a fashion as to distract the enemy…Sumter
called off his siege on February 21 and fell back down the Congaree. He next attempted
to surprise Belleville, the British outpost at Thomson’s Plantation. He blocked all
approaches, seized the boats, and then boldly stormed the stockade. He was driven back
by the fire of the defenders. Sumter then moved over to Manigault’s Ferry, leaving
behind a detachment to occupy the attention of the garrison at Belleville. This group
however, was routed by Major Alexander McIntosh driving down from Camden. Sumter
swung over to the east bank of the Santee. There he made a rash attack against Fort
Watson, but he suffered so many casualties that he drew off to Farr’s Plantation near his
home in Great Savannah.”
From the Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1019, Application S21208:
“That deponent was born in said district of Fairfield on the bluff of Broad River
and about three and a half miles above the present line dividing Fairfield and Richland
Districts…Deponent was living with his mother, Elizabeth Frazier at the same place
where he was then above mentioned, called into service and lived there until three or four
years after the close of the Revolutionary War and then moved one mile and a half lower
down the Broad River and three quarters of a mile from the river, eastern side in Fairfield
District aforesaid, where deponent now lives…”
“Deponent was always drafted when called into service. The militia company to
which he was attached was divided into three divisions in drafts and each division in draft
was called out in the proper time.”
“First Tour-The first tour performed was about the year 1780 [Other sources say
this was in 1781, see below] and was commenced in the spring of the year…The
deponent’s brother, Captain Jacob Frazier commanded the company. Colonel Thomas
175
Taylor commanded the regiment. Lewis Threewits was the major. The Lieutenant
Colonel Thomas Hunter was not out this tour. The company met at Riley’s Old Field in
Fairfield District (at present) and thence was marched over to the Congaree Fort, then in
possession of the enemy and commanded by one Maxwell. There were at least two
regiments of the Americans there, one under command of Colonel Thomas Taylor, and
another under command of Colonel Wade Hampton. The fort was besieged and held out
until General Greene (then commanded or under authority of the United States of the
Southern Army) sent a detachment with a field piece that fired into the fort. The fort then
surrendered. Deponent served two months as a private on this tour.”
From Orangeburg District, 1768-1868, History and Records, by Daniel Marchant
Culler:
Page 115-“During the Revolutionary War, Granby was occupied by the British
and constituted an important station. In February 1781, General Thomas Sumter
attacked the post and destroyed its magazine, but was obliged to retreat upon the
appearance of Lord Rawdon. After this, it was besieged and harassed for some time by
Colonel Thomas Taylor’s militia regiment. On the night of May 14, 1781, Lt. Colonel
Henry Lee, who had been sent by General Nathanael Greene to assume command at
Granby, erected a battery within six hundred yards of its outworks on which he mounted
a six-pounder. After the third discharge from this field piece, Major Andrew Maxwell,
who commanded the fort, surrendered his force of 352 men, a great part of whom where
royal militia. The fall of Granby, however, was due primarily to the activity and
perseverance of Colonel Taylor, who had worn out the garrison prior to Lee’s arrival.”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343:
“Soon after, which [I] was drafted to go against the Indians under command of
Major Jeremiah Williams. Rendezvoused in the ?Luber? neighborhood. After that, he
does not remember if he was drafted or volunteered, but [they] rendezvoused at Monck’s
Mill on Cannon Creek under command of Colonel Glen…he marched under Colonel
Beard to the attack of the British fort at Granby, was there when said fort surrendered to
the Americans. From there marched by way of Faust’s Ford on Broad River to join
Green’s army to besiege Cruger at Ninety Six and the enemy being reinforced, General
Greene left that place and the militia returned home. Militia all drafted or classed. I was
called out in the company commanded by Henry Summer and joined the army of General
Greene, who took the British fort at Granby and then marched to Ninety Six to attack the
British there under Cruger]”
From the Pension Application of Thomas Rall, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1994, Application #W8566:
“He first entered the service as a volunteer in Captain Godfrey Dreher’s company
stationed near Saluda in what is now Lexington District, and acting as a scouting
company against the Tories who infested the neighborhood. From thence went to
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Granby, and was there stationed with the same company in the fort for a short time
under Lieutenant Owens of the volunteers. From thence, proceeded to the bridge across
Congaree Creek near Granby, where he was stationed with the same company and
commanded to guard the bridge…That his service in Fort Granby before mentioned,
was after its surrender to the Americans.”
From the Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1019, Application S21208:
“The fifth tour was to the Four Holes. This tour commenced in March 1781, day
not remembered. [Per Heitman’s, there was an engagement at Four Holes on April 7th
and 15th, 1781.] In this tour the company was commanded by a Lieutenant Zachariah
Kirkland and the regiment by Major Threewits. Colonel Taylor not there. The company
was marched through Orangeburg and on to the Four Holes Creek about forty miles
above Charleston. There the troops were encamped. Don’t recollect of any other troops
being there, but Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment. Had no engagement. The object was
to keep Tories in check and to watch the movements of the enemy in Charleston. The
deponent served one month and two weeks in this tour as a private…”
From the Pension Application of Joseph Winningham, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2616, Application # S9531:
From SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research] Vol. I, Spring
1973, No. 2, pages 59-70; and Vol I, Summer 1973, No. 3, pages 156-159:
Persons Hurted in Service of State:
Congaree Fort-not listed in Heitman’s
Reardon, John-wounded by the enemy 1 April 1781.
“In the spring of 1781 he enlisted in the service of his country for ten months
under Captain William Reid in the regiment commanded by Colonel Charles S.
Middleton in a brigade commanded by General Thomas Sumter. The first affair in which
he was engaged with the British happened with a party on their way to relieve their
garrison at Ninety Six.”
http://www.2ndsc.org/regiment1775.html: April 3, 1781-Horns Creek (Horn Creek) –
[David Donaldson had 300 acres on Horn Creek.] “A small group of Patriot militia
under the command of Capt. Thomas Kee [Key] attacked and killed a local loyalist leader
in his home and captured several of his followers.”
From: http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/SC/Edgefield/state.html
“Revolutionary War activity in the Horn Creek area included a 1781 skirmish in
which patriot Captain Thomas Kee [Key] of Colonel Leroy Hammond’s regiment,
attacked a Tory party under Captain Clark. Clark was killed and the entire company was
made prisoners.”
177
n's
Reverse of Horn's Creek Marker, Edgefield SC
From the Pension Application of William Paulling, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1891, Application #S21407:
“That he enlisted the 12th of May 1781, in St. Mathew’s Parish in Captain Reid’s
company in the 2nd regiment commanded by Colonel Middleton, South Carolina troops
for ten months. The applicant belonged to the cavalry and was sent up the country and
was at the juniper on the road from Granby to Ninety-Six, where the Americans were
defeated by the British. There they dispersed and he fell in with General Greene on Broad
River and went on the Cross Roads on the road toward Charlotte in North Carolina and
General Greene continued on to North Carolina.”
From SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research] Vol. I, Spring
1973, No. 2, pages 59-70; and Vol I, Summer 1973, No. 3, pages 156-159:
Persons Hurted in Service of State:
178
Files, John-killed May 1781. [There were 10 major engagements in this month: Camden,
Orangeburg, Fort Motte, all SC, Croton River, NY, Nelson’s Ferry, Fort Granby, Silver
Bluff, all in SC, Fort Galphin-also called Fort Dreadnought, GA, Ninety Six, SC and Fort
Cornwallis in Augusta, GA.]
Simons, Simeon-taken prisoner and died in confinement in May 1781. [There were 10
major engagements in this month: Camden, Orangeburg, Fort Motte, all SC, Croton
River, NY, Nelson’s Ferry, Fort Granby, Silver Bluff, all in SC, Fort Galphin-also called
Fort Dreadnought, GA, Ninety Six, SC and Fort Cornwallis in Augusta, GA.]
Orangeburg
“From the Orangeburg German Swiss Genealogical Society website, a Brief
History of Orangeburg:
“Orangeburg District and its inhabitants played an important role in the
Revolution. Since the British cause at first had many supporters, there were the tragedies
of divided families, acts of treachery, destructive raids, brutal murders, reprisals, and
widespread destruction. Both sides were guilty of excesses, with the Tories gradually
being driven out. Many Orangeburg patriots joined Colonel William Thompson’s Third
Regiment, which saw service in the upcountry and around Charles Town and Savannah.
Others joined the local militia company commanded by Captain Jacob Rumph, whose
unit was renowned for its exploits, or that of Captain Henry Felder, which probably used
the old cannon now on the square.”
“In 1780, when Orangeburg was the location for a large camp of recruits,
Governor John Rutledge made his headquarters at the home of Donald Bruce, who was at
the time, a member of the legislature. Today, the Bruce House, the oldest structure
locally, can be seen at Middlepen Plantation about two miles out of Orangeburg on 301
North.”
“Orangeburg changed hands repeatedly. It was seized by General Thomas
Sumpter in May 1781 only to be abandoned and occupied again by the British under
Lord Rawdon. Shortly thereafter the courthouse was destroyed and the jail damaged (a
stone marker on Broughton Street indicates this site).”
From Francis Marion: The Swamp Fox, by Hugh F. Rankin, 1973, Thomas Y.
Crowell Company:
Page 209: “Thomas Sumter, who liked so much to conduct a war of his own, had
forced the surrender of the enemy garrison at Orangeburg on May 14-the British
complained that his men had shot down sixteen of the loyalists in cold blood after they
had been taken prisoner.”
Fort Motte, May 12, 1781
179
From Francis Marion: The Swamp Fox, by Hugh F. Rankin, 1973, Thomas Y.
Crowell Company:
Page 196-207: “…Marion rested his men until he received Greene’s dispatch of
April 28, 1781. Greene, on the advice of Captain Conyers, had changed his mind about
having Marion move up near Camden…”
“The commanding general had come to the conclusion that the enemy must not be
allowed to consolidate their forces and ‘we must again assume our partizan war.’ He was
convinced that if the various outposts protecting the supply lines to primary posts were
closed, the enemy would be forced to pull their [page 197] lines closer to Charleston.
First, Greene suggested that Marion leave fifty men some fifteen or twenty miles below
Camden to disrupt the delivery of supplies to that place. Then Marion and Lee were to
concentrate on the reduction of the posts lying between Camden and the Congaree
River: Fort Motte, Belleville, and Fort Granby. If conditions were right, Marion could
go against Georgetown. In addition to this, Greene implored Marion to collect dragoon
horses for the use of the army.”
“…Upon receipt of his orders, Marion broke camp and marched down to Salem to
encamp near [Colonel Henry ‘Lighthorse’] Lee…Earlier when Marion and Lee had left
the area, Ganey’s Tories had begun to assemble at Drowning Creek. Colonel Abel Kolb,
fearful of the mischief they might cause if left alone to grow in strength, called out the
militia companies of Captains James Gillespie and Josiah Cantey. Marching swiftly into
the district, he surprised and routed them. As was customary in the vicious little civil war
then raging in eastern South Carolina the victors held few qualms about plundering the
vanquished.”
“Just as soon as Kolb pulled back out of the community, the angry loyalists began
to reassemble. When they became strong enough to make their presence felt, Kolb once
again issued a call for his militia and started marching for the Little Peedee [page 198]
with the commands of Major Lemuel Benton and Captain Joseph Dabbs. At Hulin’s Mill,
John Deer and Osburn McLean, two of the better known of Ganey’s confederates, were
flushed in the woods. Springing up from their concealment, the two raced for Catfish
Creek. Rifles cracked. Both fugitives fell; Deer was dead and McLean gravely wounded.
Another of Ganey’s men, Caleb Williams, was captured; his reputation was so flecked
with blood that he was immediately and unceremoniously strung up to the nearest tree.
Leaving these Tory casualties as examples to their comrades, Kolb turned back toward
the Peedee.”
“Kolb was mistaken in his impression that the loyalists along Drowning Creek
would be awed into complacency without an occupying force to insure their good
behavior. The intense Tory outrage and desire for retaliation took form when Captain
Joseph Jones put out a call for volunteers. On April 28 at least fifty loyalists had
assembled at Maidentown Bay, and that afternoon they galloped off toward the Peedee.
Late that night they silently surrounded Kolb’s house. They called for Kolb to come out.
180
Kolb refused, resolving to sell his life as dearly as possible. Two brothers by the name of
Evans who were spending the night at the house grabbed muskets. The attackers drew
back out of range when they felt the combined fire of the three defenders. Jones gathered
his men for an assault upon the place.”
Before exposing his men to the fire from the house, Jones called out that he would
burn the defenders out if they did not give themselves up. In response to the weeping
entreaties of the women n the house, Kolb shouted back that he would surrender. As he
stepped across the threshold of the front door, accompanied by his wife and sisters, and
with his sword held hilt forward in submission, he was immediately shot down by one
Mike Goings. After the Evans brothers suffered a similar fate (Thomas was brought down
while running for his life), the house and stables were plundered before they were put to
the [page 199] torch. Then in the light cast by the leaping flames, the Tories rode happily
off toward Catfish Creek.”
“As soon as he heard of this action, Marion dispatched Colonel John Ervin’s
regiment to punish Jones and his men. He wished to alert his brigade, but there was no
brigade to alert. His men were near enough to their homes to labor under an emotional
conflict. Under local law, South Carolina militia could not be kept in the filed longer than
two months at a time and some had already served that period. Others were just
homesick. As his men wandered off, Marion discovered that he had no more than 150
men with him. Marion blamed Greene for not giving him more to do and complained that
his men had ‘dropped away, wearied with duty and I believe dispirited, in not seeing
greater support.’”
“…Greene had also learned that Cornwallis had marched out of Wilmington. His
destination was unknown, but the general suspected he would be turning back into South
Carolina, and Marion was requested to send scouting parties to watch the progress of the
enemy general…”
Page 200: “…From Major Rudolph, Marion learned of [British Lt. Colonel John]
Watson’s movements, but he could not make an attack without orders, and he was also
waiting for Eaton and Finley to bring up the artillery. He did send Colonel Ervin to watch
the enemy march. When Eaton came in on May 2, he brought orders for Marion and Lee
[page 201] to leave the Black River and cross the Santee to stop Watson. During the
night, Marion’s men were ferried across Scott’s Lake and by daylight he was astride the
Santee road. He was too late, for Watson had already passed and was nearing
Camden…They moved on up the road to Fort Motte.”
“Fort Motte was strategically located in the triangle where the Congaree and the
Wateree came together to form the Santee. It was the principal depot and strongpoint on
the British line of communications between Charleston and the interior. Its garrison had
been active in dispersing bands of Whigs who were so bold as to venture into the area.
The post had originally been located at Colonel William Thomson’s plantation a mile
away, but had been moved to take advantage of the better terrain at Mount Pleasant
Plantation, owned by Mrs. Rebecca Brewton Motte. The large mansion house, located on
181
Buckhead Hill, had been strongly fortified by a stockade, a ditch and an abatis. Mrs.
Motte, a widow, had been forced to take up residence in a old log cabin formerly
occupied by the overseer. Her son-in-law, Major Thomas Pinckney, had been wounded at
Camden and was now a prisoner of war of the British.”
“The garrison, numbering around 140, was made up mostly of British regulars
and Hessians under the command of Lieutenant Donald McPherson. They had just been
strengthened by a small detachment of McArthur’s dragoons who had been escorting
provisions from Charleston to Camden when Lee and Marion approached. Although only
a lieutenant, McPherson had performed well in command and had been so diligent in
controlling plundering parties that he had received a commendation from Balfour. But
McPherson had no artillery and his prime hope was early relief from Camden.”
From Patrick O’Kelly’s Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, Pages 226-231, The list
of American forces at this siege were: Brigadier Francis Marion and his brigade of
partisans, Lt. Colonel Henry Lee and his Legion of dragoons and infantry, Major
Pinkertham Eaton and his North Carolina Continentals, the 1st Continental Artillery
regiment of Virginia, the South Carolina Continentals and Militia, including Colonel
James Postell, Colonel Richard Richardson and his troop, Lt. Colonel Hugh Horry, Lt.
Colonel Lemuel Benton, and Colonel Abel Kolb’s regiment, in which Captain Tristram
Thomas is specifically listed, Colonel Archibald McDonald and his troop, Colonel Hugh
Giles and his troop, Lt. Colonel Peter Horry and his South Carolina regiment.
“Lee and Marion came up on Fort Motte on May 6…[Page 203] Opposite Fort
Motte was another hill on which Rebecca Motte’s cabin was located. Lee took post on
this ridge, while Marion’s brigade on only 150 men was moved across the valley to
occupy the slope of the hill on which the fort stood. Finley’s six-pounder was located
behind the militia lines, resting on a small mound of earth thrown up by the brigade. Mrs.
Motte almost daily entertained Lee and his officers as well as giving generously of her
time to the sick and wounded.”
“Regular siege operations were initiated, with slaves from neighboring plantations
employed in throwing up earthworks. On May 10, a formal demand of surrender was sent
in to the enemy. McPherson, a brave man, hoped to hold out long enough for the arrival
of reinforcements from Camden and refused to entertain any such proposal. With that, the
six-pounder opened up with a methodical fire.”
“Meanwhile, things were happening as a result of Marion’s failure to prevent
Watson from reaching Camden. The weary British column had trudged into Camden
early in the morning of May 7…Because of this increase in enemy strength, Greene
moved five miles upriver to take a strong defensive position behind Sawney’s Creek.”
Page 204: “Greene…felt that [British general, Lord] Rawdon was too strong to
meet in an open field, and feared that the British would next make a strong move against
Lee and Marion. Rawdon, however, was not that confident of his own strength. He had
never felt that Camden was so important a post that it should be held at all costs, or that
182
its location was of great strategic importance, especially since Marion had demonstrated
how easily its supply lines could be cut or disrupted…If Rawdon ventured forth to take
on Greene, Camden would be left so lightly defended that it could be easily overrun.
Rawdon decided to [page 205] abandon the post. Orders were also sent out to blow up the
British post at Nelson’s Ferry. After releasing all prisoners, he burned the jail, mills,
some dwellings, and all of his surplus supplies…he moved down the road toward
Charleston on May 10, planning to relieve Fort Motte along the way.”
“That evening, May 10, word was received at Fort Motte that Rawdon had
evacuated Camden and was on the move, although Marion felt that the rumor was false
and that someone was only reporting a foraging party. But soon beacon fires on the
distant hills along the Santee conveyed the cheerful news to those inside the fort that help
was on the way. They gave out a lusty cheer. Lee and Marion, knowing that there was no
time for regular siege operations…concluded that McPherson would have to be burned
out. Lee, as the more persuasive and personable of the two, went to tell Mrs. Motte.”
“Their idea was to employ an Indian trick and shoot fire arrows onto the roof to
set the mansion house in flames, an act that should not prove too difficult as the shingles
were tinder dry from a long spell of hot weather. When an apologetic Lee broached the
scheme to Mrs. Motte, she is said to have replied, ‘If it were a palace, it should go.’
Rebecca Motte took one look at the crude bow and arrows that had been prepared, went
into her house, and presented Lee with a ‘bow and its apparatus imported from India.’
Doctor Mathew Irvine of the legion carried in another flag demanding that McPherson
surrender. It was refused as curtly as had been the first.”
“Lee and Marion moved their troops into the lines in preparation for an all-out
assault on the stockade. They waited until noon to allow the sun an opportunity to suck
the shingles dry of the dew. Flaming arrows, tipped with resin and sulphur, [page 206]
arched through a brassy sky. Some say that the bow was pulled that day by Nathan
Savage, a private in Marion’s brigade whose home had been burned by [British Major
James] Wemyss.”
“As the roof began to blaze in at least three places, McPherson ordered men to rip
off the burning shingles. A charge of grape from Finley’s six-pounder sent them tumbling
off. About one o’clock, his efforts to extinguish the flames frustrated, McPherson hung
out the white flag. Marion accepted the surrender, although Henry Lee was to comment
that proper ‘policy commanded death.’”
“As soon as the fort surrendered, men were sent rushing in to put out the blazing
roof. McPherson was granted honorable terms because of his gallant conduct. For some
reason friction had sprung up between Marion’s militia and Lee’s legion, so much so that
Lee received the formal surrender of the regulars while Marion accepted that of the
loyalists.”
“It had been an action remarkably free of casualties. Only two men from the
brigade had been killed…More casualties occurred during the next twelve hours than
183
during the entire siege of Fort Motte. It had been rumored that the Whigs planned to seek
retaliation upon Tories in British service. After the surrender the loyalist rank and file had
been confined in a mill belonging to Colonel Thomson at the foot of the hill on which the
fort had stood; some of the Tories claimed they had been stripped of their clothes by the
Americans. According to those imprisoned, ‘Little Lee’ (Robert Lee) had come to the
prison and on Colonel Lee’s orders had taken [page 207] nineteen year old Lieutenant
Fulker of the loyalist militia, who was told that he was to be hanged on Mrs. Motte’s
gate. When the young officer asked why, and pleaded that he at least be given a trial, he
was told that he was charged with being the cause of death of a Mrs. Tate on Poplar
Creek, who, although suffering with smallpox, was turned out of her home, and ‘she
catched cold and died.’ Despite Fulker’s denial, he was taken to the gate, stripped of his
clothes and hanged.”
John Jackson, accused of killing one of Sumter’s men, was next. He was likewise
stripped of his clothes, hanged from the gate, and left there all night. The following
morning, while Lee’s and Marion’s men were leveling the fortifications, the bodies of
Fulker and Jackson were dragged by the halters still around their neck and buried in the
moat. As soon as their bodies were cleared from the place, Hugh McKelly, accused of
acting as a guide for Doyle, suffered the indignities of being stripped and hanged with
only an old dirty hunting shirt wrapped around his private parts.”
“Levi Smith (termed by Peter Horry as a ‘most furious Tory’) had accepted a
British commission as Justice of the Peace and had commanded the militia in Fort Motte.
He was named as the next victim and claimed to have shown a note by Lee ordering him
hanged. McPherson and other officers protested that his militia commission should be
respected as valid. Smith was a neighbor of Mrs. Motte, and his wife and children came
rushing over but were told not to come within a hundred yards of the spot of execution.
As soon as McKelly was dead, Smith was stripped, and the old shirt taken from
McKelly’s body and given to Smith to cover his nakedness. He tried to compose himself
for the end.”
Lieutenant Cooper of Marion’s brigade, whose brother Sam, a prisoner of Lord
Rawdon’s, was supposed to be exchanged for Smith, feared the consequences and rushed
off to find Marion. The noose was adjusted about Smith’s neck when Marion rushed up, a
naked sword in his hand, shouting, ‘In the name of God! What are you about, what are
you about here?’”
“‘We are hanging them people, sir,’ was the reply.”
“His voice rising eve more, Marion asked them who ordered them to hang any
person. The answer was ‘Colonel Lee.’”
“‘I will let you know, damn you,’ shouted a livid Marion, ‘that I command here,
and not Colonel Lee. Do you know that if you hang this man, Lord Rawdon will hang a
good man in his place, that he will hang Sam Cooper, who is to be exchanged for him.’
184
But despite such an assertion of his authority, Marion was unable to have the lynching
party punished.”
Greene, accompanied by a small escort, rode into Fort Motte shortly after the
surrender. He and Marion met for the first time…”
Quinby Bridge and Shubrick’s Plantation, 17 July 1781
From Peter O’Kelley’s Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, pages 291-299:
The American forces consisted of Brigadier General Thomas Sumter and his
Brigade of Partisans, with Continentals Lt. Colonel Henry Lee and his Legion of
dragoons and infantry, North Carolina Continentals and South Carolina Continentals,
Colonel Wade Hampton and the 1st regiment of SC State Dragoons, Colonel Charles
Myddleton and the 2nd regiment of SC State Dragoons, Colonel Henry Hampton and his
regiment of Light Dragoons, Lt. Colonel John Thomas, Jr, and his regiment of Light
Dragoons, Lt. Colonel William Polk and his regiment of Light Dragoons, Colonel
William Hill and his regiment of State Troops, Sumter’s militia regiments led by Colonel
Thomas Polk, Colonel Thomas Taylor of Congaree [under whom Gaspar Golman was
likely to have been marching], and Colonel Edward Lacey, Brigadier General Francis
Marion and his Brigade of Partisans, Colonel James Postell and his troop, Colonel
Richard Richardson and his troop, Lt. Colonel Hugh Horry, Colonel Lemuel Benton and
Major Tristram Thomas and their troop, Colonel Archibald McDonald and his troop,
Colonel John Ervin and his troop, Lt. Colonel Peter Horry and his South Carolina
regiment, and Lt. Colonel Hezekiah Maham and his Light Dragoons, totally about 555
men, of whom 30 were killed and 30 wounded. The British had 600 men, of whom 6
were killed 38 wounded and 100 captured.
“At midnight on July 17th Coates withdrew from the burning Biggins Church and
moved down the Cooper River to Quinby Bridge. The burning church was a signal to
Sumter that Coates was retreating, and he immediately followed the British column.”
“Sumter left behind his artillery with Captain Singleton, so that he would not be
slowed down. Lee and Hampton led the pursuit until they came to a fork in the road at
Wadboo River. Hampton followed the South Carolina Royalists, which had taken the
right hand route. The Royalists had been ordered by Coates to ride to Strawberry Ferry.
Hampton’s pursuit was in vain, because the Royalists had crossed over the river and
secured the boats on the other side.”
“For eighteen miles the British trudged under a hot July sun, constantly harassed
by Lee and Maham’s cavalry. About a mile north of Quinby Bridge 100 men of the 19th
regiment, led by Captain Colin Campbell were overtaken. Campbell deployed his men in
line with his left on the road and his right in the woods. Lee sent Eggleston’s troop into
the woods to come around the left flank, while the rest of the cavalry formed in close
order on the road.”
185
“Lee’s trumpeter sounded the charge and the cavalry came on at a gallop with
their sabers flashing. Campbell’s order to fire a volley was clearly heard by Lee’s men,
but the order was not obeyed. The recruits of the 19th regiment threw down their arms
without firing a shot. Nearly all of the baggage was captured. This was similar to what
happened at Buford’s Defeat, but with the British on the losing side. Lee did not delay
there, but rode towards the bridge a half a mile away.”
“When Coates arrived at Quinby Bridge he began loosening the planks to remove
them. When he saw his rear guard approaching he left the planks in place so the
retreating British could cross. Once back on the British side of the river many of the
soldiers took the time to cook breakfast. The cavalry unbridled their horses, placing
themselves in the same situation as the American cavalry at Lenud’s [page 296] Ferry.
When Lee’s dragoons appeared, Coates placed his men into a defensive position and put
a howitzer at the end of the bridge. A fatigue party of the 19th regiment remained on the
bridge and continued to remove the planks. Unfortunately the British howitzer was
unable to fire due to the fatigue party on the bridge masking their fire.”
“Maham’s dragoons were under the command of Captain Armstrong of Lee’s
Legion. They charged right through the fatigue party and into the howitzer, driving
artillerymen from the gun. As the dragoons charged across the bridge they knocked the
loosened planks in the water, leaving the infantry following behind them to cross the
bridge on the stringers. The fighting around the howitzer and on the bridge was a fierce
life and death struggle. Maham’s horse was shot out from under him.”
‘Some of the fatigue party picked up their muskets and fired a single volley, then
fled. Captain McCauley did not stop to fight on the bridge but charged on and carried the
fight onto the causeway. Armstrong attacked Coates and some of his officers around a
wagon, while the men of the 19th attempted to display into a line of battle. Many of the
British fell into line without their coats on. For the British it was pure chaos.”
“Lee and the rest of his Legion arrived and began repairing the bridge, but they
were only armed with swords and were no match for the muskets of the regulars.
McCauley and Armstrong soon noticed that they were alone on the British side of the
river and rode to the rear of the British. They thought it would be safer there. The two
commanders wheeled their men into the woods on the side of the causeway.”
“The British were so crowded that they could not display into a line of battle.
Colonel Taylor ‘had a superior rifleman with a long range gun who would pick off the
British at the bridge.’ Taylor and his men [could one of these men, including the superior
rifleman, have been Gaspar Golman?] fought over the possession of a flatboat, and then
had his men go across. The only thing that saved the cavalry was that the 19th were not
battle-hardened veterans, but untested recruits, unsure of what to do in the chaotic battle.
Nothing they had done in their training could prepare them for this.”
Page 297: Coates decided to move his regiment across the concealment of the
cornfields to find shelter in some buildings attached to the Quinby Plantation. These were
186
owned by Captain Thomas Shubrick, who had been captured at Charlestown. At the
Shubrick Plantation, Coates formed his men into a square, using the buildings as part of
his defense. His remaining howitzer was placed in the center. Since they did not have
many bayonets Lee and Marion decided not to attack the formidable position, and instead
waited for Sumter to arrive with his artillery. Sumter did not arrive until 3 o’clock,
allowing the British even more time to prepare their defense. He also did not bring along
his artillery.”
Sumter decided to divide his force into three sections and attack the plantation
from different angles. Sumter placed his own brigade in the center, where they had some
protection from the plantation’s slave buildings. Marion’s Brigade was ordered to
advance on the right, across open fields, with no cover except for a fence fifty yards in
front of the plantation. [This is likely to have been the position that Major Tristram
Thomas’ men were to fulfill, among others troops.] Marion protested, but Sumter told
him to engage immediately. The cavalry were placed in reserve.”
“Taylor’s riflemen [perhaps including GASPAR GALLMAN] ‘reached the Negro
cabins, fired around the corners and the British were driven to the refuge of the house.’
They only had seven bullets each at the beginning of the fight. Colonel Taylor with fortyfive men rushed up to a fence enclosure on the left of the house. The fence was ‘not more
than a dozen paces off. Each man screening himself behind a stout fence post, and as the
British appeared to fire out a window, Taylor’s men would fire at them and sometimes a
ball would hit a fellow who would bound up in his death agony and then be out the
window. The posts were pretty well battered by the enemy’s bullets.’”
“Taylor’s men fought until their seven bullets were gone and then they were
pushed away by Captain John Skerret of the 19th regiment. Skerret’s men had bayonets
and Taylor’s did not. Marion’s men rushed in to help Taylor withdraw from the tight
situation. Lieutenant Bates of the Camden Company of mounted Militia was hit by five
balls and killed. Marion’s men suffered heavy casualties, which was due to Sumter’s
failure to bring along Singleton’s artillery to support the attack.”
“As Taylor’s men withdrew, their colonel was the last to retreat. He ‘had a swing
pistol at his side, which in running and dodging struck him on the knee, producing much
pain, that it retarded his progress and he was the last of his men to get beyond the reach
of danger.’”
“Captain Baxter of Marion’s force was knocked from his horse by a musket ball.
Baxter shouted to Lt. Colonel Peter Horry, ‘I am wounded, colonel!’ Horry replied,
‘Think no more of it Baxter, but stand to your post!’ Baxter cried out again, ‘But I can’t
stand, I am wounded a second time!’ Horry shot back, ‘Lie down then, Baxter, but quit
not your post.!’ Baxter was hit a third time and said, ‘They have shot me again colonel,
and if I stay any longer here, I shall be shot to pieces!’ Horry told him, ‘Be it so, Baxter,
but stir not!’ Baxter obeyed and was hit a fourth time. Fifty of Marion’s men were killed
or wounded in the assault.”
187
“Taylor found Sumter ‘sitting coolly under the shade of a tree. He said, ‘Sir, I
don’t know who you sent me forward on a forlorn hope, promising to sustain me and
failed to do so, unless you designed to sacrifice me. I will never serve a single hour under
you,’ and then retired from Sumter’s command.”
The battle lasted for three hours and only ended when it was too dark to shoot.
The darkness was a welcome relief to Marion’s men since they had run out of
ammunition. Sumter had the men retreat three miles and wait for Captain Singleton and
the artillery piece. That night all but a hundred of Marion’s militia deserted. The next day
Marion and Lee left Sumter’s command, resolved never to fight under Sumter again.”
“Sumter had to withdraw from Shubrick’s plantation when Rawdon’s column
from Orangeburgh landed at Bonneau’s Ferry four miles away. Sumter wrote that they
were ‘leaving a feeble enemy behind, which could have been subdued in twenty minutes,
since I had been well supplied with ammunition so as to have acted with the artillery.”
“The Patriot casualties for the battle at Quinby Bridge and Shubrick’s Plantation
were thirty killed and thirty wounded. The British casualties were six killed, thirty-eight
wounded and 100 men captured. The British also lost several wagons, a load of
ammunition, and the baggage of the 19th regiment. In the baggage was a chest containing
720 guineas, which Sumter divided up among his men.”
“As Sumter withdrew, he burned two schooners at Wadboo. He marched his men
to Nelson’s Ferry, where they were ‘much fatigued, and horses quite broke down.’ If
Sumter had waited for his artillery to arrive before he attacked he may have been able to
capture the 19th regiment and the battle of Eutaw Springs could have been averted.”
Forks of the Edisto River, August 1781
[Peter O’Kelley called it “Turkey Hill,” and dated it August 6, 1781, in Nothing but
Blood and Slaughter, page 310]
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 505-506: “Following this the writer gives us some idea of the toils and perils
of the Carolina Whigs in those dark days, and then he goes on to tell of an expedition into
Georgia, and upon the return to South Carolina he says: ‘We learned that Captain James
Roberts, who had been scouting with a company on the Edisto River, had (whilst
encamping for the night, by some treachery of the Tories) been delivered into the hands
of Colonel Chaney and Williams, who cruelly butchered many of his men, Captain
Roberts and the rest escaping only with their lives’.”
“‘For this outrage, we determined to have satisfaction. So thirty-six men, myself
among the number, immediately volunteered under Captain Joseph Vince, a fine officer
and a brave soldier, to pursue these scoundrels, and to avenge the blood of [page 506] our
188
brave comrades. We overtook some of their number in what is called the ‘Forks of Edisto
River,’ upon whom we visited summary and immediate justice, killing five or six.’”
“‘From thence we proceeded to Captain Salley’s ‘Cowpens’ a few miles distant.
Whilst thee, our commander rode unaccompanied to a mill located near the house of the
‘Pens.’ Here he was fired upon by several Tories lying in ambush hard by and seriously
wounded by musket-shot in consequence of which he was disabled from doing duty for
some time. This unfortunate circumstance interrupting our further march, we were
compelled to retrace our steps and return to headquarters, Savannah River.’”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
“He then broke his parole and joined the troops under General Greene, was
attached to the company commanded by his old captain Thomas Dugan, and remained
with him until the Siege of Ninety Six [May 22, 1781-June 19, 1781] was raised, at
which time Captain Thomas Dugan resigned. His brother James Dugan took the
command of the company. They retreated with the main army to ?Hemillons?
[?Hamilton’s?] on Tyger River, at which place his captain and his company left the main
army to scour the country of Tories; remained under him till he was killed by the Tories;
after which this company was commanded by Captain John Virgin and Lieutenant James
Stark. The whole of the troops under the command of Colonel Joseph Hayes.”
“Rendezvoused at Carr’s [?Kerr’s?] Mills, Bush River, thence to a place called
Dutch Fork. Then fell in with Captain Philemon Waters and his company of state troops,
thence marched in company with him and his forces to Foose’s Ford on Broad River,
then down to Ancrum Big House on the Congaree River. There we remained till
Greene’s army marched from the High Hills of Santee near us, when we furnished them
with some beef cattle.”
Coweta County, GA, March 1st, 1834:
“Having recovered from his wounds, he broke his parole by joining the army
under General Greene in the early part of the year 1781, in Captain Dugan’s company
and served three months under General Greene at the Siege of Ninety Six [May 22-June
19, 1781]. Immediately after the siege, this deponent rendezvoused at Carr’s Mills on
Bush River and remained in this service or tour about one month, and returned back to
his regiment under the command of Colonel Joseph Hays.
From the Pension Application of Joseph Winningham, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2616, Application # S9531:
“Sometime afterwards he was engaged in a chase of the British from Biggin’s
Church to a place called Quinby [per Heitman, Quinby’s Bridge, July 17th, 1781] where a
warm combat for ten or fifteen minutes ensued.”
189
From the Pension Application of William Paulling, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1891, Application #S21407:
“From thence [Ninety Six] they came down under the command of Colonel
Hampton between the Broad and Saluda Rivers and stopped at East Granby opposite the
British Fort. They camped for some time on the Congaree River below Granby. There
they swam the river and went on down the country by Orangeburg which had
surrendered to the Americans. From thence they went on to Biggins Church and there
they were cooking when the British cavalry sallied from the church, which had facines all
around it, but were driven back by their cavalry. The applicant was engaged in the charge
which drove them back into the church.”
“That night the British set the church afire with all their stores and decamped.
General Sumter who commanded, pursued them down past Quinby Bridge [per Heitman,
Quinby’s Bridge, July 17th, 1781] which the British crossed and they had to go round
some miles. When they overtook the British they were protected by houses and fences.
The infantry made an unsuccessful attack upon the houses, but were compelled to retreat.
From there, they went to Pinckney’s Ferry on Santee above Nelson’s Ferry, where they
crossed the river by swimming. They there camped for two weeks on the east side of the
river at the Haw Old Fields, not far from Scott’s Lake. They then swam the river again at
Nelson’s Ferry below. They then marched up the west side of the Santee to the
Congarees by Fort Mott and swam the Congaree at Pinckney’s Plantation and camped
again below Granby.”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
“About this time, our colonel was informed that the Tories were numerous in our
part of the country, which caused him to return, after which we were closely employed
two or three weeks in driving the Tories off (about which time the Battle of the Eutaw
Springs was fought”-September 8, 1781).
190
The Battle of Eutaw Springs, 8 September 1781
From the Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1019, Application S21208:
“The third was to the Eutaw. This tour commenced in August 1781, day of the
month not recollected. Captain ?Benjamin? May commanded the company and Colonel
Thomas Taylor commanded the regiment. The troops were marched to the Eutaw.
General Greene was present with army of regulars and militia, Colonel Lee of the regular
cavalry was there. General Marion, William Washington’s cavalry and General Sumter
were there and in command of the militia, Colonel Lacey’s regiment, Colonel ____’s
regiment, and Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment and others were there. General Greene
gave orders for Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment to be dismounted, who were all
mounted men, and deponent was detailed as one of the guard to take charge of the
horses.”
“A battle known as the Eutaw Battle was fought. The British were in possession
of the brick house and fought principally from the windows and openings in the house.
Deponent in this battle was not in line in consequence of being detailed in guard as above
stated. This deponent served one month as a private in this tour.”
From Patrick O’Kelley’s Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, pages 335-356:
American forces were commanded by Major General Nathanael Greene, of the
Continentals by Colonels Otho Williams, Lt. Colonel John Eager Howard of the
Maryland Continental Brigade, Brigadier General Jethro Sumner commanded the North
Carolina Brigade, with Lt. Colonel John Baptiste Ashe of the 1st NC regiment, Major
Reading Blount of the 2nd NC regiment, Major John Armstrong of the 3rd NC regiment,
Lt. Colonel Richard Campbell of the Virginia Brigade, Lt. Colonel Henry Lee and his
Legion of dragoons and infantry, Lt. Colonel William Washington with his 3rd regiment
of light Dragoons, and the 1st regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, the Guilford
County Mounted Infantry, the 1st Artillery regiment of Virginia, South Carolina State
troops and militia commended by Lt. Colonel William Henderson for Sumter’s Brigade
of Partisans, Lt. Colonel Wade Hampton and his 1st regiment of SC State Dragoons,
Colonel Charles Myddleton and his 2nd regiment of SC State Dragoons, lt. Colonel Peter
Horry and his SC regiment, Lt. Colonel Hezekiah Maham and his Light dragoons,
Colonel Thomas Polk’s regiment, Colonel Edward Lacey’s regiment, Colonel Thomas
Taylor’s regiment, Lt. Colonel Henry Hunter, Brigadier Francis Marion and his Brigade
of Partisans, Colonel James Postell, lt. Colonel Frederick Kimball, Colonel Richard
Richardson, Lt. Colonel Hugh Horry, Colonel Lemuel Benton, Colonel Archibald
McDonald, Colonel John Ervin, Colonel Samuel Tate, Brigadier Andrew Pickens and his
SC militia corps, Colonel Robert Anderson and his upper Ninety-Six regiment, Lt.
Colonel Samuel Hammond and his state troops, Lt. Colonel William Farr, NC State
troops and militia, including Lt. Colonel William Polk and Major John Rutherford,
Colonel Marquis Francis de Malmedy and Major William Buford. Total Americans
191
forces amounted to 2, 080. 251 were killed, 367 wounded and 74 missing at the end of
the battle.
“Greene received orders from George Washington to resume offensive operations
to keep the British from leaving South Carolina and Reinforcing Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Green had been shadowing the British for over a month without any major engagements.”
[British] “Lt. Colonel Stewart had moved his men to the hills near the Congaree
and Wateree Rivers so that he could receive supplies without risk of an attack. Every
shipment was harassed or captured by the partisans.”
“Stewart felt secure since the hot Southern weather suspended all regular military
operations, and the large rivers would make a sudden attack unlikely. The recent
successes of the partisans led Stewart to reinforce his supply routes. Fort Dorchester was
strengthened and a force was placed at Fairlawn, near the head of the Cooper River.
Stewart also adapted his supply boats with wheels, so that they could bypass areas of the
river controlled by the partisans.”
“On August 22nd, Greene called in all his detachments, except Marion, Maham
and harden. Greene broke camp and marched north to the nearest ford near Camden,
where his troops could cross the swollen Wateree River. At Camden Greene left his sick
soldiers with the camp followers, especially those with children, to serve as nurses.”
“Towards the end of August the army proceeded to Howell’s Ferry on the
Congaree, intending to cross and pursue Stewart. With Greene was the recently reformed
NC Brigade of Continentals. These men were under the command of Brigadier Jethro
Sumner. In July they were described as being ‘without money, clothing, or any kind of
nourishment for our sick, not one gill of rum, sugar or coffee, no tents or camp kettles or
canteens, no doctor, no medicine.’”
“Through the months of July and August Sumner was able to outfit his men with
equipment and 300 stands of arms from Lafayette in Virginia. Ninety of Major Eaton’s
NC Continentals joined Sumner when he rendezvoused with Greene’s army. These men
had fought in almost every engagement since Guilford courthouse and were not raw
recruits. Five hundred NC [page 345] militia also joined Greene at his camp in the high
Hills, but Greene was only able to arm 200 of them.”
“The Patriot army had spent their time drilling and firing with blank rounds to
insure that none of the men would fire early, which had been their habit. On August 27th
Greene’s men were ordered to leave their baggage and tents and only take the camp
kettles and provisions. The militia was issued twenty rounds a man and the Continentals
were given thirty rounds.”
“Even this late in the war, Greene still had problems with his men not being
clothed correctly. He wrote, ‘Hundreds of my men were naked as the day they were born.
The bare loins of many were galled by their cartridge boxes, while a folded rag or a tuft
192
of moss alone protected their shoulders from being chafe by their guns.’ When Greene
crossed the Congaree on August 28th Stewart hastily retreated thirty miles and took a
strong position at Eutaw Springs.”
“Seven miles from Eutaw Springs Marion’s partisans rendezvoused with Greene
at Laurens Plantation. This was a surprise to Greene because he had no idea that Marion
was I the area and thought that the partisans were twenty miles away.”
“With his reinforcements Greene decided to attack Stewart at Eutaw Springs
before he had a chance to make it a permanent post. On September 5th Greene marched
leisurely towards Eutaw Springs to disguise their real intentions. The army arrived at four
o’clock in the morning on September 8th.”
Believing himself secure, Stewart had sent out a rooting party of 310 men to dig
sweet potatoes. The British had a shortage of bread, and sent out foraging parties each
morning around dawn to find the potatoes. The diggers would go out around 5 o’clock in
the morning, and work until it became too hot.”
“An hour after the rooting party left, two deserters from Greene’s army appeared
and told Stewart that Patriots were near. Greene’s movement had worked. His advance
had taken Stewart by surprise. Stewart sent Major Coffin out with a detachment of 140
infantry and 50 cavalry to verify if the information was true.”
Page 347: “At 8 o’clock in the morning Major Coffin met some of Lee’s cavalry
under Captain James Armstrong four miles from Stewart’s camp. Coffin attacked what he
thought was a small force, but it was actually the advance of Greene’s army, consisting of
lee’s Legion and Sumter’s partisans under the command of Colonel William Henderson.
Armstrong’s men quickly retreated to Lee’s advance party with the British in pursuit.”
“Lee told Armstrong to place his men in plain sight across the road while lee and
Colonel William Henderson concealed their men in some nearby woods. Coffin charged
Armstrong’s men in the road and charged right into the ambush. Four of Coffin’s infantry
were killed, and at least forty others, including their captain, were captured. This is the
second time that Coffin fell for this tactic, having been ambushed in the same manner
after the battle of Hobkirk’s Hill.”
“The British rooting party heard the firing and came to Major Coffin’s aid. After
some fierce fighting, Coffin’s horse men galloped back to Eutaw, spreading panic as they
rode. Sixty of the British rooting party were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.”
“Hearing the shooting, Greene halted his column, and let his men drink from the
rum casks to allow the ‘animal spirit’ to come out. Greene then formed his men in the
familiar three line Cowpens pattern. The units in the first line were Marion’s South
Carolina Brigade, Pickens South Carolina militia and Malmedy’s North Carolina
Dragoons. Captain-Lieutenant William Gaines was in charge of the two three-pounders in
the center of the first line.”
193
“Greene’s second line consisted of Sumner’s North Carolina Continentals,
Campbell’s Virginians, and Otho Williams’ Maryland Line. In the center of this line were
two six-pounders under Captain William Brown. Lee’s Legion made up the right flank,
and the South Carolina state troops under Colonel Henderson, was on the left flank.
Washington’s dragoons and Kirkwood’s Delaware would make up a reserve force. The
summer day would become intensely hot, but the shade of the trees would relieve some
of the troops.”
“Stewart placed a detachment of infantry a mile forward of his camp with orders
to stop Greene’s army. He deployed the rest of his troops in one line across the Congaree
Road, just about a hundred [page 348] yards in front of their tents. The entire British line
was in the woods, with the exception of an open field beside the brick building to their
rear. Realizing the importance of the brick house and the outbuildings Stewart ordered
them to be occupied by Major Sheridan’s men. Sheridan would be able to cover a
withdrawal of Stewart’s army if the battle turned against them. This was a tactic that was
used successfully at the battle of Germantown in 1777.”
“‘The approach to the rear was embarrassed by springs and deep hollow ways,
and on the right by the ravine from which the creek flowed, and a thicket, rendered
almost impenetrable by a low shrub, called in the language of the country, ‘black-jack.’
On every side the woods came down in dark masses to the border of the clearing.
Midway through the clearing, and dividing it into almost equal parts, a road had been
recently opened, which forking directly in front of the house and garden, about fifty yards
from them, formed two branches, one of which led to Charleston, and the other to a
plantation on the Santee. The British camp lay in the field under the cover of the house
and on both sides of the road, and when the troops marched out to form for battle their
tents were left standing.”
“The British skirmishers had advanced two miles in front of their camp when they
bumped into Francis Marion’s line of Carolina militia. Both sides were surprised, but
Marion’s men drove the skirmishing parties back through the woods and then fell on the
line of British regulars. Captain Charles Gee of Marion’s Brigade was commanding the
front platoon when he was shot in the head. The ball passed through the cock of his hat
and grazed his head. He laid there for most of the day, everyone assuming he was dead.”
“The British right of the line was anchored on the steep riverbank and protected
by Major John Marjoribanks with 300 light infantry and grenadiers. The men there were
‘protected by the thick growth along the banks of the Eutaw Creek, and the scrubby
blackjack oaks which extended out a short distance from the creek bank. It was
impenetrable by cavalry, and almost unassailable by infantry.’ Lt. Colonel Stewart placed
the survivors of Coffin’s cavalry and infantry in reserve behind some hedges on the left
of the house.”
Page 349: “Lee tried to flank the British left, but he was driven back by the 63rd
regiment and the British cannon sweeping the road with grapeshot and canister. Gaines
194
two 3-pounders and twenty-two NC Continentals pushed forward for nearly a mile, until
hey overtook Lee. Gaines broke through the woods at 25 yards from the British line and
fired a round of canister through the ranks. The British became disorganized and began to
panic while Gaines continued firing until the trunion straps on the cannons broke and
disabled the guns. The British cannons that were returning fire also dismounted at the
same time.’
Stewart was worried about the possibility of Greene’s cavalry attacking his flanks.
Since Marion’s militia made the initial attack, Stewart was content to hold his ground and
not expose his flanks. Unfortunately due to ‘an unknown mistake’ the British troops on
the left advance and the rest followed. Lee held against the 63rd regiment while Marion
held the other flank against the 3rd regiment of Foot. The British were shocked to see
Marion’s militia fighting like veterans.”
“Greene said of Marion’s men, ‘they would have graced the veterans of the great
King of Prussia. But it was impossible that this could endure long, for those men were all
this time receiving the fire of double their number. Their artillery was dismounted and
disabled, and that of the enemy was vomiting destruction in their ranks.’”
“William Dobein James wrote, ‘The British shot generally about five feet too
high; but the wind blew that day favorably for Marion’s marksmen, and they did great
execution.’”
“Greene responded to the new threat by ordering Sumner’s North Carolina
Continentals to plug the gap being made by Marion’s withdrawal. Marion’s militia had
no more ammunition and they retired in good order leaving the fighting to the NC
Continentals.”
“The NC Continentals were mostly new levies, and had been in the army for a
little more than a month. During that month Greene had trained them hard each day and
they ‘fought with a degree of obstinacy that would do honor to the best of veterans.’”
Page 350: “Greene wrote, ‘I could hardly tell which to admire most, the gallantry
of the officers, or the bravery of the troops. They kept up a heavy and well directed fire,
and the enemy returned it with equal spirit, for they really fought worthy of a better
cause, and great execution was done on both sides.”
“William Vaughn, another one of Marion’s men, wrote that, ‘On the fire of twelve
rounds we obliqued to the right, still firing on the enemy’s flank.’”
“Sumner’s Brigade stood firm through a sustained and withering fire and the
newer men of the 3rd Regiment of Foot began to give way. The North Carolinians pushed
the British back, but they had two-thirds of their men killed or wounded and their line
began to sag and then yield ground. The British sensed victory and rushed forward.”
195
Though the North Carolinians had been given 300 muskets by Lafayette, none of
them came with bayonets. The men of the 63rd and 64th Regiments of Foot broke the line
of Carolinians and began charging through the gap created by the retreating North
Carolina troops.”
“To counter this threat Greene sent in his strongest troops, the third line of
Maryland and Virginia Continentals. The Marylanders fired a terrific volley into the
British ranks and stopped the breakthrough.”
“Greene wrote, ‘In this stage of the action, the Virginians under lt. Colonel
Campbell, and the Maryland troops under Colonel Williams, were led on to a brisk
charge with trailed arms, through a heavy cannonade and a shower of musket balls.
Nothing could exceed the gallantry and firmness of both officers and soldiers upon this
occasion. They preserved their order, and pushed on with such unshaken resolution, that
they bore down all before them. The enemy were routed in all quarters. Lt. Colonel Lee
had with great address, gallantry and good conduct, turned the enemy’s flank and was
charging them in rear at the same time the Virginia and Maryland troops were charging
them in front. A most valuable officer, Lt. Colonel Henderson got wounded early in the
action, and Lt. Colonel Hampton, who commanded the State cavalry, and who fortunately
succeeded Lt. [page 351] Colonel Henderson in command, charged a party of the enemy
and took upwards of 100 prisoners.”
“James Calk was a very young trooper in Captain Philemon Waters’ company. He
misunderstood the order to charge and ‘put spurs to his horse, with drown saber, shouting
at the top of his voice ‘Lippo, by God, let’s charge ‘em, boys!’ He dashed through the
British lines alone, and cutting a British captain’s cap off, just above his head, and
wheeling his horse he came back through the enemy’s line and regained his command
unhurt, though many a shot was fired at him.’”
“Captain John Mills had three horses shot out from under him. During the battle
his men began to run out of ammunition. He told them to ‘seize the cartridges off the
slain British and send it back to them.’ After the battle, Mills ‘could not speak above a
whisper’ due to the constant shouting of commands.”
“As the British fell back, the North Carolina and Maryland line combined their
forces and Colonel Williams ordered them to charge after the fleeing enemy. The 3rd
Regiment Buffs held for a while against the Maryland troops and lee wrote, ‘That a
number of the soldiers fell transfixed by each others bayonets.’ The 3rd Regiment finally
retreated with the rest of the British line.”
“Two British 6-pound cannon were captured as the Maryland line swept over
them. Lieutenant Duval had led one of the forlorn hope units at Ninety-Six, and he
jumped upon one of the cannon and took off his hat, giving three cheers. A bullet from a
retreating British soldier knocked him off the cannon, mortally wounding him. He died
within a half hour.”
196
“Howard’s men fired a volley within forty yards of the retreating British line,
while the second line continued to charge forward with trailed muskets. The officers led
from the front and suffered the consequences. Colonel John Eager Howard had a musket
ball break his collarbone, and Lt. Colonel Richard Campbell fell mortally wounded with
a musket ball in his chest. When Campbell heard of the retreat of the British, he said, ‘I
die contented.’”
“Stewart rallied his men in front of Roche’s brick house, and then continued to
retreat through their camp. As the Patriot army moved [page 352] through the camp, they
noticed that food and drink lay in the British tents. The militia of Pickens, Malmedy, and
Marion, and the Virginia Continentals stopped to plunder the tents. Greene was unaware
that his line had fallen into confusion.”
Major Coffin’s cavalry was still on the field refusing to yield. Lt. Colonel lee
knew that the key to success was to drive this last unit off the field, so he sent for Major
Joseph Eggleston to lead the cavalry against Coffin’s horsemen. Unfortunately, Eggleston
had already been committed on the other flank. Lee later wrote that this was the principle
cause of Greene’s defeat.”
Lieutenant Edward Manning of lee’s legion was pursuing the fleeing soldiers of
the 3rd Regiment when he found himself near the large brick house. Both sides realized
the tactical abilities of the house at the same time and a foot race began to get inside.
Even though the nearest Patriot soldiers were two hundred yards away, Manning charged
Roche’s house and got halfway in the door. Sheridan forced him out and shut the door.
Many of the British soldiers were also barred from entering the house. Manning’s men
seized the British soldiers and used them as shields to get to safety. Manning himself
seized a British officer by the collar.”
“Manning saw Captain Robert Jouett of the Virginia line engage in a hand-tohand fight with a British officer. Jouett was armed with a broad sword and the British
officer had a musket and a bayonet. Both men smashed into each other, dropping their
weapons. The two officers them tried to kill each other with their bare hands. A British
grenadier tried to bayonet Jouett, but instead of hitting the Virginian he missed and drove
it through Jouett’s coat.”
“As the grenadier withdrew the weapon it became tangled and threw both
combatants to the ground. The grenadier again tried to bayonet Jouett when manning
yelled at the grenadier, ‘You damned brute, will you murder the gentleman?’ The
grenadier thought he was being addressed by one of his own officers, and turned to look
at Manning. Manning struck him across the eyes with his sword. Jouett grabbed up the
grenadier’s musket and killed the British officer with the butt of his weapon.”
Page 354: “Major Henry Sheridan poured fire from the house, aided by two
swivel guns. Another British force fired from a pallisaded garden attached to the house.
Sheridan’s marksmen fired on Greene’s disorganized mob with deadly accuracy. When
their officers lost control Greene ordered a retreat back away from the brick house.
197
Coffin tried to push them with his cavalry, but Colonel Wade Hampton drove the British
back.”
“Dick Johnson was in LeRoy Hammond’s regiment and charged the house. When
he neared it, ‘he jumped off his horse, and taking a nail from his pocket, stuck it in the
touch hole of a cannon and driving it home with his basket hilted broadsword, he said
‘You have plagued us all day, you shall plague us no more.’ Draper wrote that Johnson
went into the battle with ‘white pants and white vest, and came out as bloody as a butcher
from head to foot.’”
“Marjoribanks held in his natural fortress of the blackjack thicket. [Colonel
William] Washington tried to drive the British from the thicket by a frontal assault, but
Marjoribanks opened up on the cavalry and swept them from their horses. All of
Washington’s officers except two were killed or wounded. Washington was pinned under
his horse and about to be killed by a bayonet-wielding soldier when a British officer
stopped him. He was captured and moved to the rear.”
“Greene brought up two captured 6-pounders to fire against the house and breach
the walls. The cannon were brought to within 50 yards of the house, but they were within
range of the deadly effects of the British swivel gun mounted in the second floor window.
All the artillery men were shot down.”
“The battle had turned against Greene. He tried to bring up his cavalry to smash
the British flanks, but his cavalry had ceased to exist. Greene’s men in the British camp
were trapped there. Every time a head appeared outside a tent a rifle ball shattered it.
Captain Thomas Polk was killed as he stood beside his brother, William, ‘the blood
spurting and spattering on him.’”
“Pickens was knocked from his horse by a musket ball and his life only saved by
his sword buckle. Greene realized that he needed to withdraw and he ordered his men to
retreat. He had Hampton and his cavalry cover the retreat.”
Page 355: “Major John Marjoribanks took that moment to emerge from his thicket
and engage Hampton’s cavalry. When fighting the British cavalry, Hampton moved too
close to the Roche house. A murderous fire fell upon Hampton’s horsemen, killing or
wounding a third of his force and scattering the rest. Captain John Hood had his hunting
shirt pierced with seven bullets.’
“Marjoribanks counterattacked the infantry, driving Greene back with the loss of
two filed pieces. Marjoribanks was wounded in the counterattack. His men wheeled the
two captured guns into the fenced yard of the house.’
“Greene rallied his troops at the edge of Roche’s woods and collected his
wounded. The Patriots plunged themselves in the neighboring ponds, relieving
themselves of their heat and thirst. Greene withdrew towards Burdell’s Tavern.”
198
“Stewart claimed victory against Greene, but his army was destroyed. Eutaw
Springs was the bloodiest battle of the Southern campaign. The battle lasted over three
hours and had the highest percentage of losses sustained by any force during the war.
Stewart lad lost 42% of his force. The 64th Regiment alone had twelve enlisted men
killed, two officers and fifty other ranks wounded, and two officers and fifty-four men
missing.”
“Greene had suffered about one fourth of his force being killed or wounded. The
North carolina Brigade suffered the worst losses with 154 killed or wounded. Colonel
Otho Williams and Lt. Colonel lee were the only Continental regiment commanders who
were not wounded/ Washington, Howard, and Henderson were wounded and Campbell
had been killed.”
“After the battle Campbell’s men found his body and buried it on the side of the
road. Green considered this battle a victory because the Patriots were able to boast that
they had swept the British off the field with the bayonet, the weapon of choice of the
British army.
“Fearing a second attack Stewart burned his stores, left his dead unburied, and left
seventy wounded under a flag of truce. He retreated to Monck’s Corner. Prior to leaving
the area Stewart ordered all the muskets belonging to the dead and wounded be set on fire
by the rear guard. Many of the muskets were loaded and [page 356] began firing due to
the heat. Stewart’s wagoners thought that Greene engaging the rear guard they cut their
horses loose, abandoning the wagons.”
“The camp followers fled in a panic and the panic spread until the firing died
down. William Washington’s captors both rode away, leaving him abandoned. They soon
returned to their prisoner, who had been honor bound to stay with his captors.”
“Greene recovered ‘not less than a 1000 stand of arms that were picked up on the
field, and found broke and concealed in the Eutaw springs. They stove between 20 and 30
puncheons of rum, and destroyed a great variety of other stores which they had not
carriages to carry off.”
“Along the way the wounded Major Marjoribanks died of a fever and was buried
on the side of the road at Wantoot Plantation.”
“Greene retreated to Burdall’s Plantation ready to resume the battle in the
morning. He ordered Marion and Lee to turn Stewart’s flank, but after it was determined
that the British had left they were ordered to intercept Stewart before he reached
Fairlawn.”
“Stewart force marched down the Monck’s Ferry Road and had Major Archibald
McArthur and the men of the 71st Highlanders to cover the retreat. The Highlanders had
not been in the battle at Eutaw Springs.”
199
“Lee and Marion were able to capture the cavalry of the rear guard and several
wagons containing stores and baggage. The Highlanders fired upon Lee’s cavalry on the
road. Major Eggleston of Lee’s Legion had his horse killed under him and five balls
pierce his clothes and equipment.”
From the Pension Application of William Paulling, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1891, Application #S21407:
“From thence [Quinby Bridge] they marched down, and nothing particular
occurred until the battle of the Eutaw on the 8th day of September 1781…He charged at
the Battle of Eutaw under Colonel Hampton and Major Rutherford, who was killed. He
was not wounded. His captain did not lead the charge of his company. He was with the
infantry. Lieutenant Miscampbell commanded the company this day. General Pickens
troops, and General Marion’s with General Greene’s were there all under the command
of General Greene. He saw Colonel Washington when he was thrown on his back and his
horse fell on him across his leg so that he could not get up and he was taken prisoner as
the cavalry could not stop to relieve him.”
From the Pension Application of Joseph Winningham, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2616, Application # S9531:
“The next serious business in which he acted was at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.
He was in an engagement with a party of the British from near William’s Branch down to
the old field by the Eutaw Springs, in which the artillery, Colonel Washington, Colonel
Lee'’ infantry, and General Sumter’s infantry, to which he belonged, were engaged with
the British eight or ten minutes before General Greene with his Pennsylvanians,
Marylanders, Virginians and North Carolinians joined them. This was on the 8th of
September, 1781, when he lacked 4 months of being nineteen years of age.”
“The company to which he was attached was placed on the left wing of the army,
the artillery in the road. Then Washington and Lee’s infantry, and next General Greene’s
army, and General Marion’s men occupied the right. Captain Reid resigned and Captain
Ross succeeded him. In the commencement of the battle, Captain Ross commanded the
company to which he was attached. After fighting awhile, the division extended its line to
the left and Pickens men were marched up between it and the artillery. Colonels Water,
Hampton, Polk and others were among the Colonels commanding regiments in General
Sumter’s brigade.”
“And…William Paulling…says that he served with the said Joseph Winningham
during the time herein stated, and can testify to his service as heretofore set forth.”
From the Orangeburg German Swiss Genealogical Society website, a Brief
History of Orangeburg:
“When Lord Rawdon fell back to Orangeburg, only the arrival of British
reinforcements prevented an assault by American forces under General Nathaniel Greene.
200
Although the British numbered about 3,000 Colonel Stewart, now commanding,
withdrew to avoid being cut off. However, he was followed by Generals Greene and
Marion with a force of a similar size. On September 8, 1781, the Battle of Eutaw Springs
was fought. Stewart’s withdrawal from the field meant that the last important battle of the
Revolution in South Carolina was fought in the Orangeburg District.”
From the Pension Application of Isaac Busby, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 431, R1524:
“He was in at the Battle of the Eutaw Springs [per Heitman, September 15, 1781].
From the Pension Application of Jacob Geiger, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1061, Application # W2728
Widow, Dorothy Geiger “....That she has reason to believe that during the year
near the close of the war her said husband was a Lieutenant under Captain Gabriel
Fridig…”
Jacob Geiger’s sister, Elizabeth Bell: “That her brother continued out in the
American service until after the Battle at Eutaw Springs, when he returned home.”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343:
“In the next time out, [he] was a substitute in place of George Summer under the
command of Lieutenant Henry Summer of Beard’s regiment and marched to Ancrum on
the Congaree River again, and from there, was marched and rendezvoused at Kaigler’s
Mill on Sandy Run Creek in Orangeburg, now Lexington District. From there,
marched to Williamson’s Branch, where we joined the militia under command of General
Pickens, a day or so before the Battle at Eutaw Springs, after which the militia was sent
home. [From later testimony 1781-Marched under Colonel Beard to the station at said
Ancrum, rendezvoused at Kaigler’s Mills and at Williamson’s Branch. The forces joined
under General Greene, joined the enemy at Battle at Eutaw Springs.]”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
“Shortly thereafter [following the Battle of Eutaw Springs], Governor Rutledge
issued his proclamation for removing of the wives and children of the Tories to the city
lines, in which occupation Colonel Hayes and his forces, to which he himself attached,
were engaged five or six weeks, after which the Tories attacked Colonel Hayes and his
company, and being too strong for him, overpowered and murdered him, together with
seventeen of his men in cold blood after he had surrendered to them. At the time of this
engagement he was sent off into his own settlement by order of his colonel.”
Coweta County, GA, March 1st, 1834:
201
“Colonel Hays received orders from Governor Rutledge immediately after this
deponent had joined the regiment, to remove all the women and children of the Tories out
of the limits of his command over to the British, which service we were about two
months in performing. The balance of the year, for self preservation, we were compelled
to remain in service and under arms to keep from being butchered up by the Tories foe
they killed every Whig they could get hold of…”
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
“After the murder of Colonel Hayes, Colonel Levi Caisey commanded the
regiment, rendezvous, the house of John Cunningham, where he was placed under the
command of Lieutenant Arthur McCracken together with five other men to guard the
Tories and make them break hemp to send to Petersburg, Virginia to purchase salt, at
which time the legislature convened at Jacksonboro, SC, where all the volunteers were
discharged, he thinks in the latter part of December 1781.”
From the Pension Application of William Paulling, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1891, Application #S21407:
After that [Battle of Eutaw Springs] there was much marching and counter
marching in the lower part of this state, until they finally encamped at Orangeburg
Courthouse. There the infantry remained and the cavalry went again down the country to
Jacksonborough and he was present when the legislature set there as a body guard. The
British left the country soon after, in December, and they returned again to Orangeburg
village, where they remained until they were discharged in March 1782, and the
applicant received his discharge from Colonel Middleton…”
From the Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 1019, Application S21208:
“The fourth tour was to Orangeburg. Captain Lewis Pope was the captain and
Colonel Thomas Taylor commanded the regiment. The company was marched about the
first of October 1781. General Sumter was at Orangeburg and commanded his state
troops and militia. Colonel Taylor and regiment was there and Colonel Lacey’s regiment.
The object was to keep the Tories in check and to guard the back country against the
British then in force in Charleston. Deponent served two months as a private in this tour.”
Moore’s or Morris’s Surprise-November 1781
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 526: On November 18th, Greene Struck camp at the High Hills and took up
the line of march on the route by Simon’s and McCord’s Ferries, through Orangeburg,
to Riddlesperger’s; thence by the Indian filed road to Ferguson’s Mill where that road
crosses the Edisto. The remainder of Greene’s operations were to the south of
202
Orangeburg District. The country from the Edisto to the Santee became thrown open in
consequence, for a time, to the ravages of the enemy; and a party of Tories under the
command of William Cunningham (‘Bloody Bill’) escaped from the lower country,
passed through Orangeburg District, and ascended the Saluda with a body of three
hundred horse.”
Richard Hampton’s Surprise-27 November, 1781
From the Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 431, S9114:
“1781, was called out under Colonel Richard Hampton, who marched into
Orangeburgh District to keep back the enemy. Called out under Captain Michael
Leightner. Stationed at Spring Hill in the Dutch Fork. Called out under Captain Turner
and stationed at Faust’s Ford on Broad River.”
Page 526, Footnote: “Dr. Johnson [Traditions of the Revolution, page 505: ‘It is
supposed that when Bill Cunningham made his bloody incursion into the upcountry in
1781, his aim was to surprise and capture Hammond (Colonel Samuel). But on the other
hand, he did not surprise Hammond, but was worried by him until General Pickens joined
Hammond and chased Cunningham from the Saluda to Orangeburg.’”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 277: “The fall of Charleston, the capital, in 1780, and the subsequent
overrunning of the state by the British, rendered it impracticable to hold another session
of the Legislature for nearly two years. For the same reason, it was not possible to hold
an election for a new legislature in the fall of 1780. But, the state having been recovered
from the British towards the close of 1781, Governor Rutledge…issued writs for new
elections…”
Page 278: 27th September, 1781-At this election the following were the members
returned for…Saxegotha Township: Jonas Beard, Michael Lietner, and four others.
From the Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343:
“A short time after which, [he] was called out to Dreher’s Mills or Twelve Mile
Creek near Saluda River under command of Colonel Beard, after which [he] in
scouting parties under first one officer and then another almost constantly out for
considerable times, chiefly under the command of Colonel Beard to the end of the war,
and even after that the scouts which he was in, was employed and almost constantly out
against outlyers and disaffected persons in different sections of the country…[1782-
203
Stationed at Dreher’s Mills on Saluda River. The balance of last mentioned year and
1783 scouted and patrolled under command of Glenn, Major Williams and others.]”
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 89: “During the Revolutionary War many of the Hessian hirelings of the
British Army deserted and became permanent settlers in this country. Dr. Bernheim says,
p. 174: ‘Among these Hessian deserters was one who afterwards became a Lutheran
minister in South Carolina, named John Yoste Mutze, known better as Rev. J. Y. Meetz,
and whose history was obtained from one of his sons. He deserted near Charleston at the
time the British army was besieging that city from the other side of the Ashley River. He
was pursued some thirty miles, but finally made his escape over Bacon’s Bridge, where
he was safe within the American lines. He located himself in Saxegotha Township, now
Lexington County, six miles above the present county seat, and became the forefather of
a large and influential family in that section of the country.”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
“On the 1st day of March 1782, he entered the service 3 months as a substitute in
the place of Alexander Dunlap. This was a company of horse, headquarters at
Orangeburg, South Carolina, and was marched to Ashapo. Our detachment joined the
main army under General Greene, while he lay with his army at Bacon’s Bridge on
Ashley River, until his term of service of 3 months expired and he was discharged.”
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
“In the month of March of the year following [1782], he again entered the
service for three months in a company of horse as a substitute in the place of Alexander
Dunlap. His captain’s name was Henry Key, his colonel’s name was Jared Smith, who
commanded the regiment (headquarters were at Orangeburg) and the whole under the
command of Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General
Greene while he lay with his main army at Bacon’s Bridge on Ashley River.”
From the Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 431, S9114:
“1782 and part of 1783, was called out under Captain James Turner and
sometimes Captain Bat Gortman. Stationed nine miles below Columbia on Congaree
River part of the time, and [the] balance ranging and scouting for ____________”
“The next turn out was twelve months in the company sometimes commanded by
James Turner, and then Bat [Bartholomew] Cortman [Gartman] in the regiment
commanded by Colonel Robert Goodwin. Stationed 9 miles below Columbia part of the
time and the balance of the time scouting and ranging until the war ended.”
204
Dean Swamp, 1782
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 526-529: “By the beginning of the year 1782 the British held no posts
outside of Charlestown, but they did not formally retire from that city until December
14th, 1782. In the meantime about the only warfare waged in South Carolina was that
waged between Whigs and Tories. Several events of this warfare have been recorded.
Two, by Dr. Johnson in his Traditions, concern us. Of the first of these, he says, page
548:
[Page 527 in History of Orangeburg]: “Near the close of these troubles in South
Carolina in May, 1782, Captain [Michael] Watson heard of a body of Tories in Dean’s
Swamp near Orangeburg, and in conjunction with Captain William Butler, his friend
and neighbor, it was determined to attack them. Watson’s men were mounted militia,
armed with rifles and muskets. Butler’s command were cavalry, armed with pistols and
cutlasses. In order to surprise the Tories, the associates marched forward at sunset with
great rapidity, captured a disaffected man named Hutto or Hutton, and hurried him along
with them under guard.”
“As they approached the Tory encampment, Hutton made his escape and gave
notice to the Tories of Watson’s approach. They immediately paraded in ambush to
surprise and oppose the Whigs. When Hutton’s escape was reported to the two captains,
Watson declared his opinion that the expedition should be abandoned, but Butler, for
various reasons, thought otherwise, and they accordingly continued to advance. When
they approached the edge of the swamp, two men were observed, as if endeavoring to
hide themselves. Butler, Watson, and Sergeant Vardel, a very brave man, rode rapidly
forward to capture them.”
“Watson first discovered that these men were only a decoy, and when too late,
warned the others that the whole of the Tories were there concealed. They arose on being
discovered, and poured on their assailants a well-directed fire, which brought down
Watson, Vardel and several others of the foremost Whigs. Although sorely galled, Butler
brought off the wounded men, and now found to his mortification, that the infantry had
little or no ammunition left, and that the enemy were advancing upon him with double his
numbers. In this emergency, he appointed a brave young man, named John [page 528]
Corley, his lieutenant, and made a desperate charge on the enemy’s line, so unexpectedly
as to throw them into confusion. He pressed on them so hotly, mingling in their
disordered ranks, and hewing them down with his broad swords, that they had not time to
rally. Their superior numbers only increased their confusion and destruction. Butler
continued his impetuous attack, until the Tories took refuge in the swamp. As the Whigs
returned in triumph, the gallant Vardel made an effort to rise and wave his hand in
205
hurrah, but fell immediately and expired. They buries him where the brave are proud to
lie, on the file of victory.”
“Watson survived until the Americans reached Orangeburg. In that village he was
buried with the honors of war, and his grave was watered with the tears of his fellow
soldiers.”
From SCMAR [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research] Vol. I, Spring
1973, No. 2, pages 59-70; and Vol I, Summer 1973, No. 3, pages 156-159:
Annuities to Persons Hurted in Service of State:
Dunlap, John-killed in May 1782. [Per Heitman, Orangeburg on May 11, 1782]
Thomson, Michael-of Ninety Six militia who died at Orangeburg of a wound he
received in May 1782 [per Heitman, May 11, 1782] in an attack on Tories near Edisto
swamp.
From The History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina: From Its First
Settlement to the Close of the Revolutionary War, by Alexander S. Salley, Jr, 1898,
Orangeburg, SC:
Page 484: “…Traditions of the Revolution, pages 548-550, speaking of the fight
between the Tories and the Whig company under Captain Michael Watson near Dean
Swamp in Orangeburg District, he says: ‘Some of Watson’s company, who had also
taken flight on seeing their captain fall, took possession of a farmhouse nearby, occupied
only by a mother and her child. There was little or nothing to eat on the premises, and
they now feared pursuit more than ever, believing that the woman would report them to
their enemies. One of them was chosen by lot and sent off to Orangeburg for help.
Colonel Rumph came out to them as soon as possible, but before the arrival of his
company, the poor woman and child, with their unwelcome guests, were all nearly
starved out.’ Dr. Johnson seems to presume that the reader well knows who ‘Colonel
Rumph’ was, for it is the only mention made of him in the book…”
From the Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817:
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
“On the 6th of June, 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for four
months. This company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark (having no captain).
While in service in this company, he was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson’s Plantation on Bush River, South Carolina. He served out his tour and was
discharged…”
Coweta County, GA, 15th, November, 1833:
206
“He was in an engagement with the Tories at John Richardson’s Plantation on
Bush River, SC. This company of Tories was commanded by William Cunningham, the
noted Tory.”
From the Pension Application of Jacob Geiger, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1061, Application # W2728
Elizabeth Bell, sister of Jacob Geiger: That Jonas Beard who was styled Colonel
Beard was afterwards, by marriage, her brother’s father-in-law, and that Colonel Jonas
Beard…lived in the same neighborhood with this deponent’s brother near Granby, below
where Columbia now stands.”
From Abstracts of Old Ninety Six and Abbeville District Wills and Bonds as on File in
the Abbeville, South Carolina Courthouse, compiled by Willie Pauline Young:
Page 112-Farned, Edwin, Box 35, Pack 763.-Estate administrated August 16,
1782 by Jonathan Rainsford, Jonathan Herndon, Herman Gallman [Jr] bound to
Jonathan Ewing Calhoun Ord. Ninety Six District, sum 14,000 pounds. Cit. Pub. at Mrs.
Martin’s Meeting House. Inventory made October 5, 1782 by W. Jones, Joseph Miller,
Thomas Carter. Jonathan Rainsford was of Horn’s Creek.
207
The Legend of Emily Geiger
From Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, NY, Harper
& Brothers, 1852, Vol. II, footnote #2, pp. 694-5:
“The setting of Lossing’s account of Emily Geiger: General Greene abandoned
his siege of the British outpost at Ninety-Six on the evening of June 19, 1781, and
retreated across the Saluda River, Enoree, and Tyger Rivers, then crossed the Broad
River eastward to ‘the crossroads above Winnsborough’ in modern Fairfield County. In
the meantime, General Rawdon and his 2000 British and Tory reinforcements had
reached Ninety-Six on the morning of June 21, after a 14-day forced march from
Charlestown. Rawdon and a detachment of his troops set out in pursuit of Greene that
evening. They rode as far as the Enoree [River] before Rawdon realized that they could
not catch up with Greene, so they returned to Ninety-Six.”
“Greene then set up his camp in the Fairfield District, while sending Lt. Colonel
Lee to follow Rawdon back to Ninety-Six and attempt to discover his plans. Lee was
successful, and told Greene that Rawdon planned to abandon Ninety-Six, and would send
half of his troops along the northern road, just south of the Saluda River, to meet other
British troops coming from Charlestown under Lt. Colonel Stewart. They planned to
meet at Friday’s Ferry in Granby [modern Cayce, SC]. The other half of Rawdon’s
forces would take the southern road from Ninety-Six directly to Orangeburg.”
“However, General Sumter had intercepted a British courier, so knew that
Stewart’s forces had been recalled, and would not be there to meet Rawdon at Friday’s
Ferry. Sumter informed Greene, who decided that his combined armies could defeat the
portion of Rawdon’s troops (around 850 men) who were retreating towards Friday’s
Ferry, if he sent word to Sumter and Marion to join Lee there before Rawdon arrived.”
“It is said that Greene’s message to Sumter was delivered by Emily Geiger, a
young woman of the Fairfield District. On June 25, Greene sent a dispatch to Lee that
Sumter and Marion had been contacted, and were mustering their forces in order to come
to Fort Granby and help stop Rawdon. However, neither Sumter nor Marion arrived at
Friday’s Ferry in time to reinforce Lee’s troops. General Rawdon was able to push past
the American forces on July 3 and march south to Orangeburg.”
From Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution, NT, Baker and
Scribner, 1848, Vols. I & II, 1850, Vol. III. Volume 2, page 341:
“At the time General Greene retreated before Lord Rawdon from Ninety-Six
when he had passed Broad River, he was very desirous the send an order to General
Sumter, then on the Wateree, to join him, that they might attack Rawdon, who had
divided his forces. But the country to be passed through was for many miles full of
blood-thirsty Tories, and it was a difficult matter to find a man willing to undertake so
dangerous a mission. At length, a young girl, Emily Geiger, presented herself to General
208
Greene proposing to act as his messenger. General Greene, both surprised and delighted,
closed with her proposal. He accordingly wrote a letter and gave it to her, but at the same
time, communicating the contents verbally, to be told to Sumter in case of accident.”
“Emily was young, but as to her person or adventures on the way, we have no
further information, except that she was mounted on horseback, upon a sidesaddle, and
on the second day of her journey, was intercepted by Lord Rawdon’s scouts. Coming
from the direction of Greene’s army, and not being able to tell an untruth without
blushing, she was shut up [locked up]: and the officer in command having the modesty
not to search her at the time, he sent for an old Tory matron as more fitting for the
purpose. Emily was not wanting in expedients, and as soon as the door was closed, she
ate up the letter, piece by piece. After a while the matron arrived. Upon searching
carefully, nothing was found of a suspicious nature about the prisoner, and she would
disclose nothing. Suspicion being thus allayed, the officer-in-command of the scouts
suffered Emily to depart whither she said she was bound.”
“She took a route somewhat circuitous to avoid further detection, and soon after
struck into the road to Sumter’s camp, where she arrived in safety. She told her
adventure, and delivered Greene’s verbal message to Sumter, who in consequence soon
after joined the main army at Orangeburg…”
From the sciway3.net/clark/revolutionarywar/geigeroutline.html, page 1 of Benson J.
Lossing quotations:
Lossing’s 1852 footnote is a close paraphrase of the account of Emily Geiger’s
ride published in Elizabeth Ellet’s 1848 Women of the Revolution. Lossing
acknowledges Ellet as his source for other material, and is obviously dependent upon her
account of Emily Geiger’s ride…He repeated Ellet’s statement that General Sumter was
‘on the Wateree’ when Greene planned to send him an order to stop Rawdon at Friday’s
Ferry. Since Sumter’s messages clearly said that he was ‘on the Congaree,’ General
Greene knew that Sumter was not 30 miles to the east near Camden on the Wateree River
and would not have sent a messenger in that direction.”
“Oddly enough, the ‘error’ actually adds a note of authenticity to this earliestknown report of Emily Geiger’s ride. In the late 1840’s, when Ellet and Lossing collected
their material, there was only one Wateree River, and it was 30 miles east of Columbia.
Just before the time of the Revolution, the local residents of Orangeburg District used
different names for the rivers that bounded the Dutch Fork community northwest of
Granby (and Columbia). They called the northern one the ‘Wateree’ as often as the
‘Broad’, and called the southern one the ‘Congaree’ as often as the ‘Santee’ or ‘Saluda.’
The common usage of ‘fork of the Congaree and Wateree’ to refer to Dutch Fork
appears in the list of civic officials of the region in 1758-66, as printed in A. S. Salley, Jr,
History of Orangeburg County, South Carolina (1898), pp. 249-251. It also appears
frequently on wills, deeds, and land-grants issued to early settlers of Saxe Gotha
Township (the area around Fort Granby) and of the Dutch Fork community.”
209
“General Sumter could be located simultaneously ‘on the Wateree’ and ‘on the
Congaree’ if he were camped somewhere near the Dutch Fork, as he was, but only if the
story were reported by local residents who used the earlier names of their neighborhood
rivers. The ‘geographic error’ in Mrs. Ellet’s account, and Lossing’s paraphrasing of it,
indicates a very early, and very local, origin for the Emily Geiger story.”
In documentation related to an article in sciway3.net/clark/revolutionarywar/
geigeroutline.html, the website, in a January 16, 1901 newspaper article, the Lexington
Dispatch, by W. T. Brooker; he said that Emily’s father, John Geiger’s home was ‘of the
Fork,’ meaning the Dutch Fork. The related documentation paragraph says that John
Geiger did not live in the Dutch Fork region between the Broad and Saluda Rivers at the
time that Emily Geiger delivered a message for General Greene. “Following Greene’s
retreat north across Newberry County from the siege of Ninety-Six, his forces then
marched south through Fairfield and Richland Counties, remaining on the east side of the
Broad, in order to intercept the British forces at Friday’s Ferry (Granby). Greene’s
dispatches describe this route; so do the memoirs of Rawdon’s British troops. John
Geiger’s home was on the east side of the Broad River near Cedar Creek in Fairfield
County, near its southern border with Richland county. An early written account of
Emily’s ride (Lossing, 1852) states that her family lived in Fairfield District. Since this is
where Greene’s men were marching, it is the only place that they could have met Emily
Geiger (actually Emmali among Swiss families). John Geiger was a juror for this Old
Camden County region, called ‘between the Broad and Catawba Rivers’ (located in
Fairfield/Richland) in 1778-79. In 1788, he signed the Articles of Incorporation for the
Appii Forum Church of Cedar Creek, a Swiss Reformed congregation that later affiliated
with the Presbyterian Church. In 1790, he (or a son of the same name) was listed on the
census records for the Fairfield/Richland section of Camden District.”
Emily Geiger’s father, John Geiger was reported to be a first cousin of HERMAN
GEIGER, father of ELIZABETH GEIGER, from the website article. In it, the articles
also mentions that HANS JACOB GEIGER was a former governor of St. Gall canton in
Switzerland, and that he arrived with his wife, married son HERMAN and family, his
married daughter Elizabeth Schellig and family, two unmarried sons, and three unmarried
daughters. His land grant of 350 acres was dated 1742, as was his brother, Abraham’s. It
is possible that he came on the same ship as Abraham, which ship was the Prince of
Wales, Captain Dunbar, per a notice in the Gazette dated Feb. 5, 1737.
210
GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLARS GALLMAN
“Gasper Gallman, born 1749, married Jemima Sellars/Sellers in Edgefield
County, SC, died 19 August 1819 in Edgefield. They had 3 sons and 5 daughters. 1790
census in Edgefield: 1 free white male 16+, 3 males <16, 3 females, 2 slaves. Oldest
daughter Elizabeth married David Donaldson, moved to south AL in ~1825; other
children remained in Edgefield. Occupation: planter, cooper, tavern-keeper.”
It is very likely that GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLERS got
married about 1775. ELIZABETH GALLMAN appears to have been their first child,
and she was born in about 1776. GASPAR was about the age of 26 and a militia man.
JEMIMA was also likely to be a sister to Howell Sellers, another soldier in the militia,
because he named one of his daughters Jemima or Jemina. [See appendix for his will.] He
also filed for a pension and gave an wonderful list of the actions he was involved in.
Howell Sellers, (1762-1842), served under different commands with the South Carolina
troops. From various deed records, we know that Howell Sellers’ father was named
Thomas Sellers, that he had been a patriot [stub indents of South Carolina Archives],
that Howell was a neighbor to GASPAR and JEMIMA GALLMAN [he signed as a
witness to a deed for them], and that Thomas Sellers was likely to be JEMIMA
SELLERS GALLMAN’s father.
http://www5.familytreemaker.com/users/r/u/s/Judith-F-Russell/FILE/0015page.html:
03 October 1782 SC Edgefield Appraisal of Estate of Joseph Rice Appraisers were: John
Gray, Conrad Gallman, Samuel Walker. Ninety Six District, Journal of the Court of
Ordinary. Inventory Book, Will Book 1781-1786 UGA Main KFS 2316 .A7 1781.
1 RYAN Lacon 14 August 1784 SC Abbeville Will Box 79 Pack 1942. Exrs: Brothers
John, Benjamin Ryan, Arthur Simkins. Witn: Saml Walker, Conrad Gallman, Robt
Bartlett. Wife Margaret Ryan. Chr: Benjamin, Sarah. Father Benjamin Ryan, Sr. Mother:
no name. Bequests to Peter Hilliard, 2 children Nancy, Wm. Hilliard.
Inv 8 Feb 1786 by Isaac Foreman, Samuel Walker, Conrad Gallman. Abstracts of 96
District and Abbeville Wills and Bonds UGA Main f277. N6Y6 Samuel Walker
(Family 1), Col 1 Young, Willie Pauline 271 comm
20 January 1790 SC Edgefield Church Records: Incorporation of Horn's Creek Baptist
Church. Hezekiah Walker, John Frasier, Samuel Walker. South Carolina Baptists Also
mentioned in the Biographical Directory of South Carolina House, Vol. IV 1791-1815, p.
582.
18 May 1793 SC Edgefield, Walker Land described in Deed Edgefield Deed Book 9, p.
209-215 Winfrey Whitlock to Daniel Parker, land on south side of Horn's Creek by
Samuel Walker’s Mill by Tyree Fyke, John Ryan, G. GALLMAN, Witn: A. Lucas
Edgefield Deeds 1-12.
211
January 1796 SC Edgefield Land Description Edgefield Deed Book 12, p. 526-527.
Tyree and Mary Fyke to GASPAR GALLMAN’s land by Daniel Parker, John Gray,
Samuel Walker. Witn: James Brown, Howell Sellers, Conrad Gallman Edgefield Deed
Books 1-12 They were neighbors on the xxxx Census Hendrix, Ge Lee Corley 236
neighbors land
09 September 1818 SC Edgefield Land description Edgefield Deed Book 35, p. 241.
James Parker to GASPAR GALLMAN. 96 acres on Horn's Creek adj lands of John
Sneed, ---------, John Ryan, Samuel Walker Edgefield Deed Books 34, 35 Wells, Carol 95
02 June 1818 SC Edgefield Land description Edgefield Deed Book 35, p. 146. Annsibill
Tillman to George Tillman 2 tracts originally granted to John Walker. Marshall's Branch
adj to Conrad Gallman. 260 acres on Beaverdam Creek of Turkey Creek. adj Samuel
Marsh Edgefield Deed Books 34, 35 Wells, Carol 77.
The following probate records were shared with me by my aunts, Elizabeth Reed
of Lucerne Valley, CA, and Sally Emerson, of La Canada, CA:
GASPAR GALLMAN’s and JEMIMA GALLMAN’s probate records of 1819
to 1829 in the Appendix, are very extensive, and indicate that GASPAR was a
slaveholder, with the records naming 4 Negroes, Mason, wife, Fillis [Phyllis], and 2
children, Judith and Sam, 1 boy, Peter, and a girl, Ellender, left to his wife JEMIMA. He
left Pheby and 2 children, Wilson and James, to Harmon Gallmon, Charity and 2
children, Sam and Chany, to Robert Kenny, husband of his daughter, Mary; Isaac and
Jack, boys, to Benjamin Gallmon; 1 boy, Edmond to [his grandson] Jesse Donaldson, 1
boy, Toney, to Wiley Glover; 1 boy Abraham to his daughter Jemina; 1 Negro girl,
Sopha to his daughter, Sarah; and 1 girl, Candis to his son, Daniel, for a total count of 18
slaves, however, in a later listing there was added a slave named Vicky. [None were left
to his married daughter, ELIZABETH GALLMAN DONALDSON. Was DAVID
DONALDSON opposed to slavery, or did he already have slaves of his own?]
He apparently, like so many others, operated a distillery for brandy. Among the
inventory are listed 4 lots of brandy at 5 gallons each, and in a later listing, 4 hogsheads
of rum, 30 gallons of brandy, 1 bottle of antry wine, 2 bottles of beach brandy, one of
apple brandy, and 1 lot of apple brandy. The household goods included kitchen furniture,
1 desk, 2 spinning wheels and 1 spinning machine, clock and reel, 4 tables, 11 chairs, 1
loom and its furniture, 1 chest, 1 beaufat? and its furniture and 4 beds and bedsteads.
There were 5 horses, 67 head of hogs, 29 head of cattle, 1 still, 2 sidesaddles and
1 hunting saddle and 1 man’s saddle, 2 shotguns, 41 sheep, and 50 geese. The farm was
very productive with 26 pounds of wool, 1000 bushels of corn, 26 stacks of fodder for the
animals, 12 bushels of peas, 2 stacks of oats, 20 bushels of rye, 30 bushels of wheat, 25
count weight of cleaned cotton, and 1 barrel of flax. Farm implements included, 1 wagon
and its gear, 1 lot of plows and a lot of plow hoes, and grubbing hoes, weeding hoes and
212
spade, and wedges, a scythe and its cradle, a cross cut saw, a hand saw and 2 club axes, 1
lot of dairy furniture, 2 cutting knives, 1 grindstone and washbowl, augurs, and so on.
Some of the items in the probate record [in the appendix] were purchased at
auction by his son-in-law, DAVID DONALDSON, our ancestor. There is no indication
that DAVID owned slaves.
From: Horns Creek Baptist Church, Edgefield Co, SC, 1824 ¬ 1866. MF#286.06
S724hc Furman University Library, Baptist Historical Collection:
9/1827 - Dead - Sister Jemima (or Jenna) Callman
This record supercedes the probate date of November 1827, since it came from church
records.
From the same source:
11/13/1831 - Restored David Donaldson and gave him a letter of dismissal.
213
DAVID and ELIZABETH GALLMAN DONALDSON
From The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, 19 , pages 177-179, first story
contributed by Elizabeth Prescott, 3031 Sutton Dr, Montgomery County, AL, 36111. She
listed her sources as census records, Edgefield County, SC records, Montgomery County,
AL Marriage Records, Lowndes County AL Probate Records, Coffee County, AL
Probate Record:
The Trail of DAVID DONALDSON, Sr, 1771-1854
“DAVID DONALDSON, Senior was born circa 1771 in North Carolina. In a few
years the family moved to Edgefield District, SC where he married ELIZABETH
GALLMAN, daughter of GASPER GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLERS, circa 1792.
Although his occupation was a shoemaker, he operated a 300-acre farm in the Horn
Creek area of Edgefield County. On March 25, 1807, DAVID was appointed to be a
constable in Edgefield District, a position he held for several years.”
http://www.heritagelib.org/VF-united_states-by-state.htm
*Horn Creek Baptist Church Records, 1823-1839 – See SCGS ‘Quill’, September 2001,
p.83
DAVID DONALDSON seems to have lost his parents prior to his marriage to
ELIZABETH GEIGER. From his last name, we can infer that he was a Scotsman. He
was born about 1771, and thus too young to have participated in the war.
We do not know when DAVID began living with the Gaspar Gallman family,
however, the 1790 census does indicate that 1 “all other free persons” was living with the
family. If he were born in 1771, he would have been aged 19 in 1790. He married
ELIZABETH GALLMAN in about 1792, and their first child was Soverign, born in
1793. Why might DAVID have been living with the Gallmans before his marriage?
There is a good possibility that he was an orphan and apprentice before that time.
From Randolph County, 1779-1979, by the Randolph County Historical Society,
1980, pages 31-32, we have the following quotation:
“For poor children or orphans, the apprentice system made it possible for them to
learn to read, because the law required that they be taught. The law also specified that
they were to be given proper diet, to be provided lodging and other things necessary for
health until the age of 21 for boys and 18 for girls. At the end of their indenture, the girls
usually received a dress and a cow or a spinning wheel; the boys, a suit of clothes, a
horse, saddle and bridle, or the tools of the trade he had learned.”
From the State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 25, pp. 419-420:
“An Act of the Better Care of Orphans…1760.”-“…such orphan shall by direction
of the court be bound apprentice, every male to some tradesman, merchant, mariner or
other person approved by the court, until he shall attain to the age of 21 years, and every
female to some suitable employment till her age of eighteen years, and also such court
may in like manner bind apprentice all free base-born children [poor children], and every
such female child being a mulatto or mustee, until she shall attain the age of 21 years, and
214
the master or mistress of every apprentice shall find and provide for him or her, diet,
clothes, lodging and accommodation fit and necessary, and shall teach or cause him or
her to be taught to read and write, and at the expiration of his or her apprenticeship, shall
pay every such apprentice the like allowance as is by law appointed for servants by
indenture or custom, and on refusal, shall be compelled thereto in like manner, and if on
complaint made to the Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions it shall appear that
any such apprentice is ill used, or not taught the trade, profession or employment to
which he or she was bound, it shall be lawful for such court to remove and bind him or
her to such other person or persons as they shall think fit.” Although this is a law of
North Carolina, it probably has a nearly matching law in the colony of South Carolina,
both being a part of the British Empire.
When the date of DAVID DONALDSON’s marriage to ELIZABETH
GALLMAN is taken into account, 1792, he would have just attained the legal age
freeing him from apprenticeship, age 21. We know that he began as a shoemaker, which
he may have learned from GASPAR GALLMAN in just such an apprenticeship manner.
However, readers, do not memorialize this as a fact! It is only this researcher’s
speculation for the purpose of exploring this angle for research. Once again, these are my
working notes!
The following census records were shared with me by my aunts, Elizabeth Reed
and Sally Emerson. They also provided me with the Memoirs of William Joseph
Donaldson, as written by his son Thomas Lafell Donaldson. [When the material is
framed in quotation marks, it is written by my aunts or by Thomas Lafell Donaldson]:
In the 1850 census ELIZABETH was aged 74 years, suggesting a birth year of
1776, and DAVID was aged 79, suggesting the birth year of 1771. DAVID and
ELIZABETH started their family in 1793, with the birth of SOVERIGN
DONALDSON, born about 1793, Gosper, born 1794, Sophronia, about 1798, Jesse,
about 1803, David, Jr in 1806, Sarah, in 1807, Mary in 1808, all born in Edgefield
County, South Carolina.
SOVERIGN married PERNELLE ELIZABETH MCCLENDON about 1814.
Their children were David, born 1815, JOSEPH S, Gosper, 1822, John, 1825; and
Sovereign, Jr in 1833. Our ancestor, JOSEPH SEPHUS or JOSEPHUS?
DONALDSON was born in October 24, 1820 in Alabama, so DAVID and
ELIZABETH GALLMAN DONALDSON probably migrated before then. The 1830
census showed a David Donaldson in Lowndes Co. The 1840 census showed a DAVID
DONALDSON, Sr, and a David Donaldson, Jr, who were located in Dale County, AL.
[Was Dale County the predecessor county to Coffee? Yes. Was Lowndes County the
predecessor to Dale County?]
“SOVERIGN died in 1840. Gosper married, and he died in 1842. Jesse was
married, and he died in Florida, year not shown. David, Jr. and his wife and family
migrated with his father to Alabama, and he died in 1855, owning the same land he had
farmed from the beginning. Sarah also married, no record of her death.”
215
http://www.heritagelib.org/VF-united_states-by-state.htm
*Horn Creek Baptist Church Records, 1823-1839 – See SCGS ‘Quill’, September 2001,
p.83
From: http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/SC/Edgefield/state.html
Horn Creek Baptist Church, S of Edgefield, Edgefield, Period of Significance:17501799.
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
Horn Creek Baptist Church, Facade
One of the oldest Baptist churches in the South Carolina Upcountry, Horn Creek was
incorporated in 1790. Today it is one of the few remaining meeting house style churches
in the area reflecting austere simplicity and manifesting frugality of early settlers. The
one-roomed church is supported by fieldstone foundation piers and has wooden steps
leading to two front doors that are hinged to fold in the center. A door behind the pulpit
leads to a creek for baptizing. The church’s adjoining cemetery has excellent iron work
including a cast iron gate at the Bettis plot which has a design that incorporates a
Palmetto tree flanked by lambs and roses. A wooden fence next to the Bettis plot
surrounds fieldstone markers. Revolutionary War activity in the Horn Creek area
included a 1781 skirmish in which patriot Captain Thomas Kee of Colonel Leroy
Hammond’s regiment, attacked a Tory party under Captain Clark. Clark was killed and
the entire company was made prisoners. Listed in the National Register May 6, 1971.
Edgefield is also known for its military history. During the American Revolution the
town was vital due to its location on the route between British strongholds Augusta and
Ninety-Six.
216
http://www5.familytreemaker.com/users/r/u/s/Judith-F-Russell/FILE/0015page.html:
20 January 1790 SC Edgefield Church Records Incorporation of Horn's Creek Baptist
Church. Hezekiah WALKER, John Frasier, Samuel WALKER South Carolina Baptists
Also mentioned in the BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
HOUSE Vol. IV 1791-1815, p. 582. Also in: The Statues at Large of South Carolina, ed
by David McCord Volume Eighth, p. 156. rel, pol
The following notes were provided to me by Harriet Imrey, and she received them from
Mariam Donaldson:
6 Jan 1798. Purchase of slave by Gasper Gallman from John Addison (stepson of
Gasper's older brother Herman Gallman). Deed of sale witnessed by David Donaldson.
Edgefield Deeds, Book 15 (p. 34).
On March 25, 1807, David Donaldson was appointed by Steven Tillman, Esq. to act as a
Constable in Edgefield District (page 57, Court of Common Pleas, Edgefield Records.)
On January 6, 1810, David and Elizabeth Donaldson sold to Joel Roper a tract of land
on Dry Creek where said Donaldson now resides. David had bought this land from John
Hastens several years earlier. (Book 31, pages 11 and 12, Edgefield Records).
March 29, 1810-David Donaldson bought from John Wight, "land situated in Edgefield
District on drains of Horn's Creek and on the ridge which divides the waters of Horn's
Creek and Cedar Creeks". (Edgefield Records Deed Book 30, page 198) Then on August
18, 1810-David sold to Dr. Reuben Reed the same property situated on Horn's Creek.
(Deed 800 30, page 190).
MINUTES OF COMMON PLEAS-Edgefield, SC 1800-1815, page 181:
Isaac Hopkins vs David Donaldson, Sr
In this case the defendant made the following confession. I confess judgement on the
within writ with the first due January next. Dated 4th of March 1811. David Donaldson
Ordered that the plaintiff have leave to enter judgement on the above confession.
January 11,1812 Joel Roper sold to James Day, both of Edgefield, SC 159 acres of land
for $600.00. This being the tract of land sold by David Donaldson and James Earnest to
Joel Roper whereon David Donaldson now lives. This land was originally granted to
William Mosely, bounded by lands of Jacob Earnest Jr., William Pursely, and John
Holsonback. It was signed by Joel Roper and witnessed by Reuben Treadwell, Samuel
Roper, and Jeremiah Johnson. Proved by Jeremiah Johnson June 12, 1812, before John
Bartee JP. (Deed Book 32, pages 466-467).
On March 2,1812, there was a court case (A.B.Nagel vs David Donaldson) which
resulted in a Decree for the Plaintiff for the sum of $20.00 with interest from March
2,1812 plus costs. (Page 4, Court of Common Pleas, Edgefield Records).
217
Also in 1812-A case of Assault and Battery between John M. Kennedy vs David
Donaldson. (Page 23,Court of Common Pleas.)
MINUTES OF COMMON PLEAS-Edgefield, SC 1800-1815, page 150:
Admors Wooten Vs David Donaldson
In this case the court gave the following decree. Let the plaintiff take judgement for
Twenty dollars, sixty-two and one-half cents and costs of suit.
On September 23,1815, Gosper Donaldson acquired a tract of land from Daniel
Gunnels, land situated on the Columbia Road toward the Old Field Road in Edgefield
District. (Deed Book 32,page 437, Edgefield Records).
December 15,1817 Gosper Donaldson sold to Avery Gunnels tract of land consisting of
144 acres situated on Dry Creek near Horn's Creek. Gosper stated in the deed that his
father David Donaldson was living on the land. (Deed Book 34, page 354, Edgefield
Records.)
March 1, 1818 A court case involving David and Gosper Donaldson vs Benjamin M.
Reynolds. Decree by default for $22.18 with interest from March 1,1818. (Page 28,
Minutes of Common Pleas 1818-1820 #7).
1 WALKER Samuel 09 September 1818 SC Edgefield Land description Edgefield Deed
Book 35, p. 241. James Parker to Gasper Gallman. 96 acres on Horn's Creek adj lands
of John Sneed, ---------, John Ryan, SAMUEL WALKER Edgefield Deed Books 34, 35
Wells, Carol 95
November 1, 1818 Soverign Donaldson, Assumpsit vs Jonathan Weaver. Ordered that
Plaintiff give security for Court cost. Page 44, Minutes, Court of Common Pleas, 18181820, #7).
1 Jan 1819: Sale of estate of Benjamin Ryan. Purchasers include Gasper Donaldson and
David Donaldson. [Benjamin Ryan's niece and heir, Sarah Ryan Moore, second-married
Benjamin Gallman, brother of Elizabeth Gallman Donaldson.] Carol Wells,
Genealogical Abstracts of Edgefield Equity Court Records, p. 6.
March 1819--Soverign Donaldson vs Jonathan Weaver. Plaintiff had not filed his
Declaration. Ordered defendant have leave to enter his judgement nol pros. (Page 88,
Minutes of Common Pleas, 1818-1820 #7,Edgefield Records).
218
Horn Creek Baptist Church, Interior-
Pulpit:
219
The incorporation of Horn's Creek Church was sponsored in the the SC Legislature in
1795 by Samuel Walker and Hezekiah Walker. Today it looks much like it did in early
times.
From: DAVID DONALDSON DOCUMENTS by Miriam Donaldson:
The exact date the Donaldsons left South Carolina is not known, however, they
were settled in Alabama prior to 1830. The best evidence that has been located indicates
the family came to Lowndes County, AL in 1823. A marriage record in Edgefield Co,
SC shows Gosper Donaldson married Margaret (Peggy) Bland on January 23,1823. The
marriage records of Montgomery County, AL shows Jesse Donaldson married Elizabeth
Davis on July 10, 1823. (Marriage Book C, page 272). The marriage was performed by
Anderson Hatley, JP. This is a good indication the other Donaldson marriages in the late
1820's (all performed by A. Hatley, JP) were:
January 28, 1828-Sarah Donaldson to William Davis, Montgomery Co, Al MB C, page
54
August 24, 1828 David Donaldson Jr. to Priscilla Davis MB C, page 72
September 10, 1829-Mary Donaldson to Jeptha Gatlin MB C, page 113
220
A book written by Mildred Russell, Lowndes County Court House, a History of Lowndes
County states that Jesse D. Donaldson served on the first jury in the County in August
1831.
“In 1823, he [David Donaldson] migrated to Lowndes County, Alabama and
settled in the Sandy Ridge area. About 1831 he moved to Dale County (now Coffee
County) and purchased land a few miles west of Elba, near the Clark Hill community.
DAVID and his wife, ELIZABETH, joined the Bethany Primitive Baptist Church in
May 1831. The church was located at that time across the old Highway 84 from its
present location.”
“The Bethany Primitive Baptist Church was organized in 1828 and did not have a
book to record minutes. The earliest minutes of the Church were dated May 25, 1831.
The Minutes written that day were on a ledger belonging to David Donaldson Sr. that
was used in his shoemaking business. He had joined the Church a short while prior to
May 1831 and had donated the book for recording minutes. On May 25,1831, Priscilla
Donaldson, wife of David Jr., joined Bethany Church.
[It should be noted that there may be 2 sources called ‘Minutes; the first, of
course, is the original handwritten daybook, which is shown here below. The second may
be a printed copy of the minutes, which is refered to several times in the handwritten
manuscript, and from which Mildred Russell, Lowndes County Court House, a History of
Lowndes County and The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama may have been quoting
from, since some of the material they qoute does not jibe with the handwritten
manuscript. It would also explain why their ‘quarrels’ were not included in the printed
minutes. They did not publish them in the printed minutes intended for the District or
Association meetings. Let me stress that I don’t know this to be a certain thing, it is just a
speculative possible explanation for quoted information that differs from the handwritten
manuscript which I transcribed myself.]
From: The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, page 14-15: Bethany Primitive Baptist
Church
“Bethany Primitive Baptist Church, located a few miles west of Elba in the
Danley Crossroads community, is one of the oldest churches in Coffee County; in fact, it
is older than the county itself. Bethany Church was constituted on December 17, 1828
with elders George Brown and Hillamon Hill serving as the organizing presbyters.”
“The eight charter members were Archer Carter, Matthew Burt, Herron Wise,
Rebecca Wise, Archibald Rials, John W. Cain, Keziah Rowe, and Zilpha Nelson. Several
charter members have descendants who live in Coffee County.”
“Elder Matthew Burt, one of the charter members, became the first pastor. Other
ministers who served the church during its formative years included Elders M. W.
Helms, Carey Curry, Giles Bryan and Joshua Davis. The early deacons of the church
were Nathaniel Beck, Thomas King, Elias Sexton, Edwin White, George Clark, and
Zebedee Taylor. The first five clerks were H. Owens, Alexander Bodifer, Archer Carter,
Thomas King, and Levi P. Smith.”
221
“During most of the 19th century, the church met on the 4th Saturday and Sunday
of each month. The congregation observed the Lord’s Supper and practiced the washing
of feet in March and September. The church grew steadily in membership during its first
3 decades. At it’s peak, the membership was about forty. Letters were granted to
members who then formed at least two more churches: Union Primitive Baptist Church in
Covington County (constituted in 1832) and Beaverdam Primitive Baptist Church north
of Elba (constituted in 1846).”
The church continues to meet once a month in its plain white meetinghouse,
which is itself a century old. Its members hold fast to the doctrines of special election,
predestination, and the sovereign grace of God, just as their forefathers did when the
church was constituted.” Submitted by Scott R. Smith, 303 West Simmons St, Enterprise,
AL, 36330. Source: Gus and Ruby Bryan’s transcription of church records, microfilm of
the original Bethany Church records (copies of the microfilm are available in the
Enterprise State Junior College library and in the church history collection at Samford
University in Birmingham, AL.)”
Samford Library MENU OF COPIES AND VOLUMES
MFC 980
CALL NO
Bethany Primitive Baptist Church (Coffee County, Ala.)
AUTHOR
MAIN TITLE Church records, 1828-1927 [microform].
microfilm
FORMAT
LOCATION
STATUS UNITS CALL NO
1. SU Lib-S.C. Micro. Available
MFC 980
http://library.samford.edu/service/askalib.html
From: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, Elba, Coffee County, Alabama,
December, 1828 to 1847:
Flyleaf page: Lowndes County, David Donaldson Day Book
March 24th, 1831
Rec’d sister Elizabeth Donaldson by letter.
April 25th, 1831
Rec’d by voucher, brother David Donaldson.
May 25th, 1831
Rec’d by experience and baptized the sisters Nancy Miller, Priscilla Donaldson,
and Rebecca Bankston.
June 24th, 1831
Rec’d by experience and baptized Sister Elizabeth Donaldson.
2nd
Licensed our beloved brother, David Donaldson to preach the ever blessed
Gospel of Christ where God, in his divine providence may send him.
222
The church in conference August the 24th, 1831
Appointed brothers M. Burt, D. Donaldson, A. Carter as delegates to the
associates.
Saturday, December 24, 1831
2nd
Received brother D. Donaldson by letter.
March 24, 1832
2nd
Inquired for the union of the church, and brother D. Donalson [Donaldson] came
forward and acknowledged himself to have been guilty of excessive ?pation? and
unchristian-like conduct, and after hearing his acknowledgements for the same, and
seeing visible marks of repentance for his wrongs, the church forgave him and restored
him to fellowship, but thought it most advisable to withhold his license, and let him
remain silent until the brethren of the sister churches should become acquainted with the
proceedings of this church on this case.
3rd
Appointed Brother D. Donalson [Donaldson] to procure wine for our
communion in April next, then adjourned till the Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in April
next. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Saturday, April 21, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st
Reconsidered the case of Brother D. Donalson [Donaldson] and set him at letter
?by to preach the Gospel.
Saturday, May the 22nd, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
3rd
Agreed to call a Presbytery consisting of brethren W. Hill and T? W___ to ordain
our brother D. Donalson [Donaldson] to the administration of the Gospel, then
adjourned till the Saturday before the 4th Lord’s day in June next. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Saturday, June 23, 1832
5th
Delegated the brethren ?Burt, Donalson [Donaldson], Carter and Rial to the next
union meeting to convene at ?Beuleut Church in P___ County on Friday before the fifth
Sabbath in July next, then adjourned till Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July next.
J. A. Owen, clerk.
July __, 1832
4th
Made choice of D. Donaldson, clerk.
Nov. __, 1832
2nd
Made choice of Brother D. Donaldson, junior Deacon.
From: Mildred Russell, Lowndes County Court House, a History of Lowndes
County
“From July 1832 to April 1835 there were no church minutes. Jesse Donaldson
probably joined Bethany in 1832 or 1833, because the minutes of Union Primitive Baptist
223
Church in Covington County stated, "Jesse Donaldson visited the Union Church on July
1, 1833 to discuss a complaint that one of Union's members had with Bethany Church.”
“April 1835-David Donaldson Sr. was elected Church clerk at Bethany, and on May 23,
1835, David Donaldson Jr. was elected as a Deacon.” [I do not find these statesments in
my photocopies of the Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records from the microfilm at
Samford University, Birmingham, AL. I do find him being made church clerk in July
1832, and David Junior elected Deacon in Nov. 1832.]
“On August 19,1835 and again on October 1, 1835, David Donaldson, Sr.
acquired land in Dale County (now Coffee County), situated in Section 34,Township 6,
Range 19. Shortly thereafter David Sr. and David Jr. moved back to Lowndes County as
shown by the following purchase of land in Lowndes County.” [The church records
confirm this, if they received a letter of dismission at this time.]
“December 28, 1835, David Donaldson Jr. acquired land in Section 22, Township 12,
Range 16, Warrant No. 26272 Lowndes County.”
“April 1,1836, David Donaldson Sr. acquired land in Section 14, Township 12,
Range 16, Warrant No.28437, Lowndes County. David Sr. and David Jr. did not remain
very long in Lowndes County, as they sold their land on August 17,1836 to William
Payne. This land was located in the Sandy Ridge Community. They returned to Coffee
Co, later Dale Co, the fall of 1836. David Sr. and Elizabeth re-joined the Bethany
Church on December 24, 1836. Priscilla Donaldson rejoined on May 27,1837. David, Sr
was a shoemaker and established one of the first industries in Coffee Co., employed 2
persons.”
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/Detail.asp?Accession=AL1640%5F%5F%2
E416&Index=9&QryID=56443.99&DetailTab=1
Bureau of Land Management-General Land Office Records:
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, Lowndes Co, Alabama, May 20, 1837, Cahaba Land
Office, Acres-40.03, Document No. 26271, Accession/Serial No. AL1640___.416
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, Lowndes Co, Alabama, May 20, 1837, Cahaba Land
Office, Acres-39.885, Document No. 26272, Accession/Serial No. AL1640___.417
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, Lowndes Co, Alabama, August 8, 1837, Cahaba
Land Office, Acres-80.125, Document No. 28437, Accession/Serial No. AL1690___.085
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, Coffee Co, Alabama, August 12, 1837, Cahaba Land
Office, Acres-80.265, Document No. 30897, Accession/Serial No. AL1730___.458
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, Coffee Co, Alabama, August 18, 1837, Cahaba Land
Office, Acres-40.13, Document No. 31986, Accession/Serial No. AL1760___.047
224
From: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, Elba, Coffee County, Alabama,
December, 1828 to 1847:
Saturday, December 24th, 1836. Received by letter our beloved brother David Donolson
[Donaldson] and our beloved sister Elizabeth Donolson [Donaldson] and Sufphona
[Suphronia] Ray [daughter of David and Elizabeth Donaldson, possibly widowed, or
at least her husband never became a member of the church.]
Saturday, May the 27th, 1837 We, the Baptist Church of Christ at Bethany met in
conference.
1st
Received by letter our beloved sister Priscilla Donalson [Donaldson].
Saturday, August 26th, 1837 Made arrangements for our next association. Appointed the
brethren: M. Burt, D. Donalson [Donaldson], A. Carter and A. Bodiford [in case of
failure] delegates, and contribute three dollars for the printing of our minutes.
Saturday, 23 September, 1837.
3rd
An agrievance was laid in against brother Searcy for non-attendance at
conference, whereupon it was agreed that the brethren M. Burt, D. Donalson
[Donaldson], A. Carter should cite him to attend and give the church satisfaction.
Saturday, the 25th of November 1837
David Donelson [Donaldson] offered himself and there was an objection issued against
him by Brother Coons laying a grievance against him.
Saturday, the 23rd of December, 1837, and after public prayer? our beloved brother M.
Burt being absent, the brethren chose Brother A. Carter to set as moderator for the
present day.
2nd
Took up the case of Rubin Searcy and wife, and expelled them both from the
church.
3rd
Took up the case of David Donason [Donaldson] and laid it over for the next
conference.
4th
Took in consideration Brother and Sister Danison [Donaldson], and for their
dist____, expelled them both from the church.
5th
Took in consideration the case of Sister ?Poan? and expelled her from the church
for adultor.
6th
Application was made in a letter for Sister Kelly and it was granted.
th
7
Application was made for Sister Ray [Saphronia Donaldson Ray] to have a
letter of dismission and it was granted.
8th and last request from the church, that David Donison [Donaldson] should give up his
license to preach.
January the 13th, 1838 The Baptist Church of Christ met in conference and after
preaching by the beloved Brother M. Burt, went into business and reconsidered the
business that was done in conference on Saturday, the 23rd of November, 1837, and
granted the brothers and sisters new trials. Called help from sister churches.
225
Appointed A. Rials and A. Carter, with M. Burt as delegates to go after assistant brethren.
A grievance laid against Brother A. Carter for misconduct in conference towards our
moderator and changing the church of ?melsh? actions.
January the 27th, 1838. We, the Baptist Church of Christ met on Saturday, the 27th, and
after preaching by Elder D. Wood, went into conference and chose a committee to try the
case between Brother Burt and Brother Carter and they all agreed that Carter
excommunicated himself by laying down his letter and saying that he was no more of our
brethren.
2nd
Burt and Wasden applied for themselves and companions, letters of dismission
and was granted them, with Sister Sutley, G. Coon.
3rd
Brother Beck threw up his deaconship, and _______ we should choose another
and
4th
Brother A. Rials dismiss self from us by saying that he was no more of us.
th
5
Took in consideration Brother Donison’s [Donaldson’s] case and got in
confusion and ?broke up when dismissed.
February the 24th, 1838.
3rd
Took in consideration the excommunicated brethren and sisters and ?expelled?
them until a Godley? sorrow takes place with them.
Saturday, the 24th, 1838. [No month given.]
2nd
The committee appointed to go after David Donison’s [Donaldson’s] license,
relates that he will not give them up.
3rd
An agrievance laid in against Brother Wise by Aurelia Carter for false evidence.
Appointed Brother King and with Brother Flaningham, to cite Brother Wise to our next
conference.
6th
An application made by Sister Ray per a letter of dismission and which it was
granted her.
August the 11th, 1838
2nd
Brother David Dolison [Donaldson] applied for a restoration and after his
acknowledgments, was restored into full fellowship and to his license to preach the
Gospel.
3rd
Application for Sister Elizabeth Dolesan [Donaldson] and after her confession
of her faults, she was restored to fellowship.
Saturday, 10 of September, 1838, and after preaching, took up the case of Brother Suttley
and throwed it out.
2nd
Went in to the business of the association. Appointed brethren delegates D.
Dolesan [Donaldson], W. _____, T. King, L. Flaningham.
October the 13th, 1838 We the Baptist Church of Christ, met in conference and after
preaching by brethren David Wood and Matthew Burt, opened a door for the reception of
members and rec’d Sister Safronia Ray [daughter of David and Elizabeth Donaldson]
by letter.
226
November the 10th, 1838
2nd
David Donison [Donaldson] laid in allegation against Lemuel [?Samuel?]
Flaningham ___ and said that he had told lies and [h]ave
3rd
laid it over until next Church meeting.
4th
Appointed Elias Sexton and Thos. King to cite Laningham to the next meeting.
May the 11th, 1839 We, the Baptist Church of Christ, met in conference and an
application was made by brother John Stanley for a letter of dismission for David
Dalleson [Donaldson] and wife, and it was granted.
January the 9th, 1841
2nd
Restored David Dollison [Donaldson] to fellowship.
February the 13, 1841
3rd
Received Brother Dolison [Donaldson] under the watchers [?] of the [?] church
and grounds [?]
October the 9th, 1841
[Smudge] and received from our sister churches Mount Pleasant, Enon and Smyrna
churches correspondence, letters and messengers. [This whole paragraph xxxed out.
2nd
Agreed that our yearly meeting should commence on Friday before the Lord’s day
in September.
3rd
Received and read correspondence, letters and messengers from our sister
churches Mount Pleasant with a letter and messengers. A. Wasden?, H. Thomas, ___
Thomas L. Hutchinson?, M. W. ? Helms.
4th
Enon __ letters and messengers. D. Donaldson, H. ?Yopens? [?Topens?]
August the 12th, 1843
3rd
Brother David Daleson [Donaldson] came forward and made acknowledgements
and was received by the church.
August the 8th, 1846
Called for general business and took up the business of David Doldison [Donaldson] for
getting drunk and fighting and making use of rough language and appointing G. Clark
and T. King to go and talk with him and cite him to the next conference. Also, Brother J.
Dickson for getting drunk and making use of rough language. Z. Taylor to talk with him
and cite him to the next conference.
September the 12th
Took up the case of David Doldeson [Donaldson] and laid it over until next meeting.
Took up the case of Brother Dickson and disposed of it by forgiving of him.
December the 19th, 1847
Called for reference and took up the case of David Doldesan [Donaldson] and dismissed
it by his giving satisfaction.
227
February the 20th, 1847
Opened the door for the reception of members and received David Doldeson
[Donaldson] and his wife, Elizabeth.
No date given, 1847
Took up the case of J. Dickson and debated it and through his request, excluded him from
the church. An allegation laid against David Doldeson [Donaldson] for drinking and
wanting to fight and Brother David Doldeson [Donaldson-but probably meant to put
another person’s name in here] sent to talk to him and cite him to our next meeting.
July the 14th, 1847
Called for references and took up the case of David Doldeson [Donaldson]. Laid it over
until next meeting.
May the 26th, 1848 Met at Bethany pursuant to adjournment and set in conference.
Opened a door to receive members and received none. Invited visiting brethren and
sisters to seats with us. Called for references and was none. Received the above by the
hand of Brother Doldeson [Donaldson]. Thomas King was not present. D. Doldeson
[Donaldson] was clerk protem. Thomas King. Clk.
August 1849
Brother David Doldeson [Donaldson] Jun being presented for drinking and ?rioting
and says he was in the habit of doing so, and being presented often to the church and
being admonished, he continued in his drunkenness and ?rioting; for this cause, the
church excluded him from her body and came to a close. Thomas King, Clk.
July the 20th, 1850 Church met according to adjournment and after sermon, J. S.
Doldeson [Donaldson] [Joseph Sephus Donaldon] and Bryan, the church went into
conference.
From:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/Detail.asp?Accession=AL1640%5F%5F%2
E416&Index=9&QryID=56443.99&DetailTab=1
Bureau of Land Management-General Land Office Records:
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, [junior?] Coffee Co, Alabama, February 2, 1852,
Cahaba Land Office, Acres-40.04, Document No. 39113, Accession/Serial No.
AL1900___.291
Patentee- DAVID DONALDSON, [junior?] Coffee Co, Alabama, February 2, 1852,
Cahaba Land Office, Acres-40.13, Document No. 39115, Accession/Serial No.
AL1900___.293
From: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, Elba, Coffee County, Alabama,
December, 1828 to 1847:
228
Alabama, Coffee County, July the 15th, 1853 Agreeable to previous appointment the
delegation of the 2nd district of the Clay Bank Association with the church at Bethany
1st
and prare [prayer] the churches [crossed out the word ‘churches.’] Invited the
ministers and visiting brothers to seats. Called for and received the letters from the
churches as follows: From New Hope, Coffee, by the hands of her messengers, M. W.
Helms, James Garrett, John Doldson [Donaldson]; from Beaver Dam, G. Bryan, A.
Driskill, James A. Cook; from Bethany, E. White, A. Rials, C. Janson.
July the 15th, 1853
4th
Appointed a committee to arrange preaching during this meeting, consisting
James Cook, and John Doldieson [Donaldson] with the delegation of this church: E.
White, A. Rials, Charles Janson.
May the 20th, 1854
Moved and second in order that a letter of dismission for Elizabeth Barentine. G. Bryan,
Mod, Charles Johnson, Clk protem. A letter for Sister Barentine written and received.
[Could Sister Elizabeth Barentine have been Agnes “Elizabeth” (Donaldson) Bronton?
Barentine variously spelled in this record as Bartin, Bonntin, etc. We never find her or
her husband under the spelling Bronton.]
From the list of members in the church:
Exc. David Doldeson, ju [Donaldson] [ju meaning junior]
Dis by letter David Doldison, sen [Donaldson]
Year 1851
Dead-David Doldeson [Donaldson]
DAVID was the progenitor of a number of descendants in Coffee, Covington, and
Geneva Counties. The following is information concerning his children, from Memoirs of
William Joseph Donaldson, by his son Thomas Lafell Donaldson:
“SOVERIGN married ELIZABETH PERNELLA MCCLENDON.
SOVERIGN’s son, John married Elizabeth Beard, sister of William F. Beard. John
Donaldson, a merchant and farmer, was killed in 1865 when he was ambushed near
where the ACLRR crosses the road leading from Elba to Samson. Oral family history
states that John was killed by Confederates who resented him not serving in the
Confederate army. John and Elizabeth’s children were: William Henry Harrison
Donaldson, who married first, Octavia Bowdoin, and 2nd, Mary Ann McCollom; John J.
Donaldson, who died in the Civil War; Soverign II Donaldson, who married Sidney
Davis; Thomas Edmund Donaldson married Jesse J. Maddox; Bruce David Donaldson
married Martha Emma Page; Marion Adolphus (A. D.) Donaldson married Sarah F.
King; Joel Donaldson married Lucinda Miranda Spurlin; Louisa E. Donaldson married
Peter Taylor Wise, Nancy Susan Donaldson (no information); Benjamin Gosper
Donaldson married Lizzie Spurlin; Jefferson Davis Donaldson married Mary Garrett,
Cecila Missouri married John M. Davis.”
229
“Gosper married Margaret Bland. One of Gosper’s daughters (Eliza Elizabeth)
married William F. Beard. Mr. Beard was a merchant in Elba during the time of the Civil
War. On September 2, 1864, he was ambushed on Ti Ti Creek near what is now the
Fairview area, about 10-12 miles south of Elba. He and a group of the Home Guards were
chasing some “bushwhackers” from the Florida panhandle bush and swamp country who
had been in Elba the day before burning and stealing property. Eliza Elizabeth continued
to live in Elba and operated the Beard Hotel until her death in 1908. Gosper and
Margaret’s children were: Ezra Richard, Eliza Elizabeth, Amanda, Mary Ann, Catherine
and Martha Adeline. William F. Beard’s sister, Elizabeth married John Donaldson.”
Tight Eye Creek Waterway County: Geneva, Coffee State: AL
Variant Names: TiTi Creek, Tite-Eye Creek, Titi Creek, Ty Ty Creek
Jessie D. married Elizabeth Davis. He moved to Boggy Bayou, Florida in 1834
and reared a large family. One of his grandson’s, David Donaldson, in an interview with
a Pensacola newsman on January 2, 1954, stated his father (Benjamin) served in the
Confederate Army for three years, was captured and then joined the Union Army forces
in the Pensacola area until the close of the Civil War. It was reported that this David had
3 wives and 19 children.”
[Page 178] “Sophronia married a Mr. Ray. No information on the Ray family.”
“Mary A. married Jeptha Gatlin. Some members of the Gatlin family are buried
in Cool Springs Cemetery near Opp, AL.”
“David, junior married Priscilla Davis. His grandchildren included Miss Debata
Blocker, Mr. Jessie Blocker and Mrs. Dan Prescott of Elba. In 1835, David was elected a
Deacon in Bethany Church, a position he held for many years. Family tradition indicated
David, junior was returning to Elba from a visit to see John Donaldson in November
1855 and he was killed on the Old River Rd (State Road 25.) He was buried in the Wise
Cemetery located several hundred yards west of the road.”
“Sarah married William Davis. They lived in Coffee County for a while, then
moved to Florida.”
“Mary B. married Moses W. Helms. Moses was a Primitive Baptist preacher
serving at Bethany and other churches in the 1840’s and 1850’s. On November 30, 1853,
Moses Helms and his wife deeded to the Deacons of the Evergreen Primitive Baptist
Church, land to be used as a cemetery. Today, this is the Evergreen Cemetery of Elba.
The Evergreen Church building that was on the property was moved in the early 1900’s
to a lot on County Road 25 across from the old swimming pool, and continued to be a
church until 1927, when it dissolved.”
“According to the Bethany Church Minutes, the last time DAVID
DONALDSON, Sr preached at the church was July 20, 1850. The minutes further
230
indicated he died in 1854, and ELIZABETH, his wife, died shortly thereafter. Although
there are no markers, it is believed are buried in Danley Crossroads Cemetery.”
The following was contributed to The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama by
Evelyn Landon and Elaine Barton, 2206 Treasure Point RD, Green Cove Springs, FL,
32043. They listed their sources as: 1830 Lowndes County Census, 1850 Coffee County
Census, 1880 Coffee County Census, 1900 Coffee County Census, Lowndes, Dale and
Coffee County Deed Records, Coffee Probate Court Records, Bethany Primitive Baptist
Church Records, greave markers.”
Page 178-179: A Donaldson Family of Coffee County, Alabama
“DAVID DONALDSON, Sr was born in North Carolina in 1771. He first
appears in Alabama in 1828. The Bethany Primitive Baptist Church was formed this year,
and a minute book used by the church was a ledger book belonging to DAVID
DONALDSON, Sr, used in his shoemaking business. In the 1830 census of Lowndes
County, Alabama, David Donaldson Sr. was listed as head of household with his family.
They were wife, ELIZABETH GALLMAN, and children SOVERIGN, 1793, Gosper
1795, Jesse 1797, Sophronia 1798, Mary 1804, David, Jr. 1806, Sarah 1807, and Mary
born in 1812.”
“The next known record of DAVID Sr is again in the minutes of the Bethany
Primitive Baptist Church. On June 24, 1831, DAVID was allowed to preach and on this
same day, he and his wife, ELIZABETH joined the church. On December 24, 1831,
DAVID Sr was granted his license to preach. In April 1835, DAVID, Sr was selected
Church Clerk at Bethany. In August and again in October of 1835, DAVID Sr acquired
land in Dale County, Alabama, in what is now Coffee County. Land records seem to
reflect DAVID Sr returned to Lowndes County in 1835, but returned to Dale (Coffee)
County as evidenced again by the Bethany Church records indicating that they rejoined
the church in December 1836. The 1840 Dale County census enumerates DAVID Sr and
wife with 2 male and 2 female children living at home. The 1850 Coffee County census
enumerates DAVID Sr and wife with an elderly woman from South Carolina and one
Soverign Donaldson, which would have been his grandson by his eldest son,
SOVERIGN. The last entries in the minutes of Bethany Church are that he preached in
July 1850 and additional minutes indicate that he died in 1854 and his wife,
ELIZABETH died shortly after.”
“SOVERIGN DONALDSON was born in South Carolina but the earliest records
in Alabama shows SOVERIGN on page 264 of the 1830 Lowndes County census as
head of household between the ages of 30-40. Also enumerated with Soverign are his
wife and children. This particular census shows him to have 3 male children and 3 female
children. It is difficult to explain some of the errors that are recorded in census records. It
is, however, known that SOVERIGN and his wife, ELIZABETH PERMELIA
MCCLENDON had the following children: David 1815, JOSEPHUS 1820, Gosper
1822, John 1825, Nancy 1826, and Soverign, Jr. born in 1833.”
231
“It is believed that SOVERIGN remained in Lowndes County his entire life until
his death in 1840. It can be assumed that all of SOVERIGN’s children followed their
grandfather into Coffee County as evidenced in the 1850 Coffee County census which
shows 17-year old Soverign, Jr. living with DAVID Sr. Also enumerated as heads of
household in this same county are SOVERIGN’s other children: Nancy shown with her
husband A. C. Beard; John Donaldson, Gosper Donaldson, JOSEPHUS DONALDSON,
and David D. Donaldson. In this 1850 census it also shows that SOVERIGN’s wife,
ELIZABETH ‘PERNELLA’ was living with her son David D. Donaldson. Three of
SOVERIGN’s children married into the Beard family of Coffee County. JOSEPHUS
married NANCY K. BEARD, John married Elizabeth Beard, and Nancy married
Adolphus Beard.”
“John Donaldson, in particular, who married Elizabeth Beard in 1843 remained in
Coffee County and raised 13 children: William Henry 1843; John 1845; Soverign 1846;
Thomas 1847; Martha 1850; Bruce 1851; Marion 1852; Joel 1854; Louisa 1856; Nancy
1857; Benjamin 1859; Jefferson 1861; and Celia born in 1865.”
“John died in May of 1865 and Elizabeth died in February 1900. Both are buried
at the Evergreen Cemetery in Elba, Alabama. The 1880 Coffee County census lists 4
boys, William H. H., Soverign, Bruce and Joel mentioned above as heads of household
along with their families.”
“William Henry Harrison Donaldson was a farmer in Coffee County his entire
life. He was also a Confederate Civil War veteran and it is believed that he served a short
time as a Coffee County Justice of the Peace. Documentation from the 1865 Probate
Records of Coffee County show Wm. H. H. Donaldson petitioning as eldest child, for the
Letters of Administration of the estate of this father John Donaldson. William was
married first to Octavia Bowdoin from 1863 to 1881, and secondly to Mary Ann
McCollom. William fathered John 1864; Laura 1866; Mary 1868; Savina 1869; Emma
1873; Mattie 1876 and Rushing born in 1878. The 1900 Coffee County census
enumerates William with his second wife Elizabeth and their 3 children, Duncan 1883,
Rosa 1884 and James born in 1886. Also listed is one Mattie Z. Peoples. It would appear
that Mattie was living back with her father after her first marriage. William died in April
1916 and is buried at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Coffee County with his wives.”
“Mattie Zulu Donaldson married first in 1893 to WW People in Coffee County.
The husband died within 7 years as Mattie is enumerated in the 1900 census with her
father. Mattie’s second marriage was to Benjamin Speed [born1850, to 1908]. This
marriage took her to Texas and produced Willie in 1901, Lela 1902, Fate 1904, Kerry
1906, and Charnal born in 1907. Benjamin Speed died in 1908 and Mattie’s third
marriage was to Perry Durham. This marriage brought her back to Alabama from Texas.
This marriage produced the following children: Jewel 1914; Otho 1912; and Gaston born
in 1910.”
“During this time, Mattie lived in Clear Springs FL. Soon thereafter, Mattie and
her family returned to Sampson, AL. Mattie died in 1949 and is buried in the Mt. Gilead
232
Cemetery in Coffee county. Evelyn Durham and Elaine Barton, we are Mattie’s
granddaughter and great granddaughter from her marriage to Perry Durham, and their son
Gaston Durham. We are proud to have our roots in Coffee County, AL.”
“JOSEPHUS S. DONALDSON, a grandson of DAVID DONALDSON, Sr
married NANCY K. BEARD. They lived in the Brooklyn community of Coffee County
and were buried in Cool Springs Cemetery, Covington County.”
From: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, Elba, Coffee County, Alabama,
Volume 2 fragment, 1873-1875:
April the 19th, 1873 The church at Bethany in conference, Brother John Hudson Mod
Protem.
1st
Called for visiting brothers of our faith one under? to seats [sit?] with us. Opened
the door of the church for the reception of members and received none. Called references.
None. Called for miscellaneous and it was moved and that we should hold at our [?] next
meeting, that we should appoint a building committee for our church house. J[?] Su.
Donaldson, CC.
July the 19th, 1873 The church met in conference at Bethany.
1st
Appointed John Cane moderator.
nd
2
Called for miscellaneous business and found none.
3rd
Called for general business and appointed E. Holaway and J. S. Donaldson, John
Cane to bear the corresponding letter to our next general meeting to be held at Beaver
Dam commencing upon Friday before the 2nd Sunday in August. J. S. Donaldson,
Church clerk.
Oct. 17, 1873 The church met in conference at Bethany. A. Driskill, Moderator.
1st
Invited visiting brethren of our order to seats with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members and received two;
Jacob Holloway and Rebecker Holloway by letter.
3rd
Called for references. N [?for none]. Called for the Misc. items of business and
closed. J. S. Donaldson, CC
February 14th, 1874 The church met in conference.
1st
Invited visiting members to seats with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members and received none.
rd
3
Called for references and was none.
4th
Called for miscellaneous business. Was none. Brother A. Driskill, Mod, J. S.
Donaldson, CC.
Coffee County, Ala, March 14, 1874 The church met in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited brethren to seats with us.
nd
2
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members and received none.
3rd
Called for references and was none.
233
4th
Called for miscellaneous business and was none. Brother A. Driskill, Mod. J. S.
Donaldson, CC.
May 16th, 1874, Coffee County, Ala. The church in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats [sit] with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church.
rd
3
Called for general business. None. Brother A. Driskill, J. S. Donaldson, CC.
June 20, 1874 The Baptist Church of Christ at Bethany of the Primitive order, after divine
service, went into conference.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members and received one by
letter.
3rd
Called for general business and found none. A. Driskill, Mod., J. S. Donaldson,
CC.
Oct. the 17th, 1874 The church went into conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members and received [?] 7 by
baptism, 1 by letter, 1 restoration.
3rd
Called for references. The committee reported and Brother J. D. Hudson answered
that he would serve us one year, the Lord being his helper.
4th
Called general business and found none. J. S. Donaldson, CC., J. D. Hudson,
Mod.
Coffee County, Ala. August 22, 1874 The church met in conference.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception members and received none.
rd
3
Called for general business and appointed a committee to visit J. D. Hudson on a
call for a pastor of the church. J. S. Donaldson, CC., A. Driskill, Mod.
The Baptist Church of Christ. The church met in conference at Bethany and no business,
May 15, 1875. J. S. Donaldson, CC. J. D. Hudson, Mod.
The Church met in conference at Bethany after divine service.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened up a way for reception of members. Received one, Elizabeth Stanley.
rd
3
Called for general business, found none. June 13, 1875. J. S. Donaldson, CC., J.
D. Hudson, Mod.
The Baptist Church of Christ at Bethany after divine service, met in conference.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Offered opportunity for reception of members and received Elizabeth Stanley by
experience. On motion, the church went into the choice of delegates to the District
234
meeting of the Clay Bank Association, which resulted in choice of W. J. Stanley, J. H.
Holloway, J. M. Cane, L. Stanley, alternate. Coffee Co. Ala, June 19, 1875. J. S.
Donaldson, CC, J. D. Hudson, Mod.
The church in conference at Bethany
1st
Invited visiting brethren of our order to seats with us.
nd
2
Opened up a way for reception of members and received one, G. W. C. Wise by
experience.
3rd
Called for reference. Called the items of business. July the 17th, 1875. J. S.
Donaldson, CC, J. L. D. Hudson, Mod.
The church in conference at Bethany. Then taken up the regular items and went to
the choice of a pastor for the ensuing year, which choice rested on King. Went into the
choice of delegates to the Clay bank Association, which choice was J. M. Cain, J.
Holloway, L. Stanley. August 14, 1875, J. M. Cain, Mod Protem, J. S. Donaldson, CC.
[At this point the year 1876 is missing and the pages began with the year 1877. A few
pages later, 1876 shows up. Probably a few blank pages were skipped accidentally,
between 1875 and 1876, and then he fell back and filled in the blank pages with 1877
business.]
Oct. the 20, 1877 [?]. We, the Baptist Church of Christ of the primitive faith and order, at
Bethany, in conference.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seat with us.
2nd
Opened the door of the church for the reception of members.
3rd
Called for the report of committee and committee [?] discharges [?]. Called for
our letter read and received the letter to the [?] section [? or letter?]
4th
Called for general business and dismissed brother J. S. Donaldson by letter, and
Sister Donaldson, and the [?] references and went to the ordination of Brother Holoway,
Deacon, Brother W. J. Stanley, and Brother J. Holmes forming the Presbytery. Done by
order of the church in conference. Brother W. J. Stanley, Mod. Protem, H. F. Sanders?,
CC.
February
January the 2nd, 1876 The church in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened up a way for the reception of members.
rd
3
Called for references.
4th
called general business and found none. H. King, Mod. Pro., J. S. Donaldson, CC
The church in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Open up a way for the reception of members.
rd
3
Called for reference.
4th
Called for general business. This March the 28th, 1876, J. D. Hu____, Mod. Pro.,
J. S. Donaldson, CC.
235
The church met in conference at Bethany after divine service.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
nd
2
Opened opportunity for the reception of members. Received none.
3rd
Called for reference and found none.
4th
Called for general business and took up the case of Jane Water and Lucrecia
Water, and excommunicated them for living in adultery. Done by order of the church.
Dec. 18, 1874. J. S. Donaldson, CC., J. D. Hudson, Mod.
Coffee County, Ala. January 15, 1875 [? Out of chronological order.] After divine service
the church met in conference.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
nd
2
Opened up the way for the reception of members and received none.
3rd
Called for references and found none.
th
4
Called for general business and found none. J. S. Donaldson, CC, J. D. Hudson,
Mod.
The Church of the Primitive Baptist faith and order met in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
nd
2
Opened opportunity foe reception of members.
3rd
Called for general business, when Sister Margaret Blair called for a letter of
dismission. No other business. In conference this April 17, 187_ [?unable to read.] J. S.
Donaldson, CC, J. D. Hudson, Mod. new page:…and it was granted. May the 19, 187_. J.
D. Hudson, Mod., J. S. Donaldson, CC.
The church met in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brethren to seats with us.
2nd
Opened up a way for reception of members.
rd
3
Called for references.
4th
Called for general business. September 25th, 1875. J. S. Donaldson, CC
Association.
July the __, 1878? The church in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited brothers and sisters to seat with us.
nd
2
Opened up a way for reception of members.
3rd
Called for general business. Went in to the choice of delegates to wit; J. M. Cane,
W. J. Stanley, J. T? Holloway., 1876. J. S. Donaldson, CC, W. G. Clark, Mod. Protem.
The church met in conference at Bethany.
1st
Invited visiting brothers and sisters of our faith and order to seats with us.
2nd
Opened a way for reception of members.
rd
3
Called for references.
4th
Called for general business. By motion, went into choice of pastor. W. J. Stanley,
Mod. Pro., J. S. Donaldson, CC. Pro., Sept. 16, 1876.
236
The following is from http://trackingyourroots.com/data/rosehill.htm,
Reproduced from THE OPP NEWS...Historical Edition issued: October 18,
1973Contributed by: Mary Henley, marjo@mindspring.com
Old Cauleysville Store
“James B. Parker operated a store at Cauleysville, on the old Three Notch
Road, in the 1830's. This store was in the vicinity of the Bill Butler place on the Rose
Hill-Burnout Road. In this store was the old Cauleysville post office, established in 1839.
Listed are some of the customers names who had accounts appearing in the records of
James B. Parker's store in Cauleysville. These are among the pioneer settlers of
Covington County, many of whom have descendants living today in this county.” [The
names highlighted were some family names of Bethany Primitive Baptist church in Elba,
Coffee County, too.]
Robert Himphill
Jesse Gainer
Henry Parker
Samuel Jones
Thomas H. Hendley
Richardson Feagin
Jeremiah Darby
Zaza Lownsberry
Bartholomew Cauley
Wiley Williams
David Row
Martha Barret
David Cauley
Seth Boyett
Barrett D. Joyner
Edmond Price
Lazure Blackmon
David Donaldson Sr.
James Branham
Archibald M. Furshon
Charles King
Abraham Fannin Jr.
Nelson Moody
Eli Parker
Aaron Andres
John Tubberville
James D. Taylor
Thomas Hanes
Bryan McDonald
Anguish Malloy
Jesse Bryan Jr.
Ichabod Robbins
Henry Kimbro
Hiram Johnson
Asa Moody
Wesley Barrett
Sampson Robbins
Jacob Rials
Archibald Tubberville
Harris Branham
Simeon Beaufored
Joseph Branham
Josiah Jones
Council D. Taylor
Needham Parker
William H. Danielly
Jonathan Carter
Jesse Adams
Harrison Jones
Issac Prescott
William Singleton
Rebecca Colvin
Allen Perry
Thomas Robbins,Jr.
John A. Sims
Stephen Carter
John Davis
Archibald Rials
Henry Robbins
John Carter
Simeon Manscill
Mathew Burt
John Hall
Thomas Robbins Jr.
237
Andrew Feagin
William Wasdon
John Holley
Michael Moody
Richard Norton
Harvey Jones
William Luker
J.W. Barnet
Richard Singleton
Mitche John
Giles Bryan
Calvin Holly
Sarah C. Barrett
Samson Banham
Jesse Bryan Sr.
John G. Carpenter
James M. Thompson
Benjamin Davis
John Chamlis
James B. Robbins
Elizabeth King
Daniel Barrett
John Jones Sr.
Jesse Dubose
Desire P. Tillman
John H. Harrison
William M. Sasser
Richard Smith
Leroy Straughn
Joshua Dickson
James Nelson
Levi Moody
William Boyett
King James
Margaret Parker
William Williams
John Browder
Thomas King
James A. Smith
Asa Moody Jr.
Lloyd Butler
Daniel Maloy
John A. Owen
Thomas Jones
Minor Williams
Stanley Hall
Paul Auten
Mastin Sawyer
James T. Cannon
Bennet F. Boyett
Peoples C. Jordan
John Coon
Jonathan O. Ballard
John Maloy
Simon Williams
Edwin Turmon
William Blair Sr.
William Robbins
B.L. Jordan
George Clark
Miss Rebecca Cauley
L.B. Rodgers
Silan Jernigan
William Carpenter
G.B. Higgs
D.H. Ganey
James Graves
G.G. Carter
John Turmon
Andrew Row
Sampson Branham
David Donaldson
Duncan McLaughlin
Elisha Harrell
Elizabeth Singleton
David Blair
William Blair
Solomon Moody
C.J. Drake
Jordon Clark
David Wood
John B. Sasser
Thomas Feagin
Lewis Stricklin
Henry M. Harrison
Kade Robbins
John W. Jones
Vinson Underwood
William H. Hillbun Sr.
Wilson Williams
William A. Sexton
John Perret
Joseph Singleton
Miss Nancy Cauley
William F. Rodgers
Bennett Boyett Sr.
David Dun
Jordan Lindsey
John Murphy
Josiah Jones Sr.
Burrel Boyett
Emanuel Boyett
Allen Williamson
Furney Tisdale
Winaford Jernigan
Jesse B. Rice
Mary Tubberville
J.H. Rowell
William Graves
A.C. Straughn
J.T. Richards
Moses Carter
Jackson Chanler
Lewis Harrelson
Martin Green
L.R. Moody
238
Charles Jones
F.J. Barrett
Samuel Wetherford
Giles Tricky
William Smith
William Holley Jr.
Asa Carter
William Oglesby
Abraham Fannin
Willis Smith
William Holley Sr.
Richard Williams
Mary Robbins
Noah Carroll
Edmond Russell
Byrd Sasser
Stephen Hogg
Enos Tubberville
Eliza Mitchell
Hugh Adams
John Boyett
Isaah King
Eliza Martin
Lewis Harrelson
Wiley Underwood
John W. Gates
Thomas H.Hendley Sr.
Miss Elizabeth Cauley
George Reace
Isaiah Mitchel
J.C. Bozeman
D.L. Cauley
C.T. Stewart
J.E. Rowell
Henry Owens
J.R. Stewart
O.A. Dauphin
Annen Boyett
Zebedee Taylor
John McLaughlin
James Jackson
James T. Drake
JOSEPH DONALDSON and NANCY BEARD
“JOSEPH S. DONALDSON was only about five years old when his family
moved from Fairmount (Robeson County) North Carolina, to Alabama and settled in
Coffee County, close to where Elba is now. And they took up land and married and went
their separate ways leaving a lot of Donaldsons all over the State. His father [Soverign?
or David?] was a preacher and used to preach at a place (a church) in Coffee County
called Possum Trot.” [1971 Notes on the DONALDSON Family by Thomas L.
Donaldson, Montgomery, Alabama.]
From http://trackingyourroots.com/data/rosehill.htm, Reproduced from THE OPP
NEWS...Historical Edition issued: October 18, 1973 Contributed by: Mary Henley,
marjo@mindspring.com
Pioneers of Rose Hill, where Possum Trot was located
“Richard Feagin came to the community in the 1820's. He constructed a log
house on the site where Mrs. Mollie Colvin lived in 1950. The Colvin house contained
the original structures with additions. Richard Feagin and wife were buried near the sit of
the old Rose Hill School, which was located about two hundred yards west of the house
in which he lived.”
“In the 1820's Darling Dauphin settled near the site where Parker's home
burned. Donald Jordan lives on this site today. James Dauphin, his son, and S.A.
Dauphin, his grandson, lived in this vicinity during the years that preceded the Civil War.
This house was constructed by one of the three Dauphins mentioned above, prior to
1850.”
“Archibald Tubberville, a preacher, settled in the vicinity of Rose Hill school in
the 1820's. Jesse Tubberville, his son, constructed a house about one and one half miles
north of the present site of Bernice William's home about the year 1850. It is owned
today by Arnold Merrill. Nothing remains of the Tubbervilles house at the present except
a few old bricks. Barfield, another son of Archibald Tubberville, married Alma Bower's
grandmother and constructed a house on Possum Trot Road. Alma Bowers lived on the
old homestead of his grandmother before he died. W.H. Bower, Alma Bower's father,
lived on this land before him. Alma Bower's grandfather, Sam Bower, came to this area
some date before 1840. It is said that he was the first policeman of Troy, Alabama. At
one time he worked for Joe Jernigan as an overseer and guard for slaves on the land at
one time owned by Alma Bower.”
Joe Jernigan settled on Possum Trot Road and it is said that he built the house
now occupied by Dempsey Bower's on Possum Trot Road, in the 1920's. Previous to
1850, Jernigan had a large farm on Possum Trot Road about two and one half or three
miles northeast of Rose Hill. As well as could be established, he built the house now
occupied by Dempsey Bower. Mr. Jernigan used slaves on his plantation. This is the only
instance that any record has been obtained of slaves in this community.”
239
“William Green Williams was known to be living in a house located on the site
of Will Odem's home, three miles north of the old Rose Hill School on the Three Notch
Road, before 1850. It is thought that Wiley Williams, father of William G. Williams,
constructed this house in the 1820's. Bill Williams, son of W.G. Williams, was born in
this house in 1852. He constructed a home near the present site of Mrs. Sammie Williams
about 1875. He was a farmer, turpentine still operator, served on the Covington County
Board of Revenue, and served in the State Legislature from 1892 to 1896. He was
defeated by the Populists in 1896, but was re-elected to the Legislature in 1902 and
served until 1906. Mrs. Sammie Williams, wife of W.G. Williams, is living in a house
near the original house built by Mr. Williams at the present time. [sic; ie. 1973]”
“Jessie Bryan settled a few miles north of Rose Hill in Covington County about
1822. Several other Bryan families settled in this area a few years after. Bryans are said
to have constructed the old water mill on Stewart Mill Creek four miles northeast of the
old Rose Hill School. This mill is said to be the oldest water mill in this community,
constructed about 1830. The rocks, parts of the old wheel, and parts of the old house
could still be seen around 1950.”
“According to the census of 1850, Jesse Bryan and wife were from South
Carolina. Living with them at that time were their youngest daughter, Tolathia, and her
husband William K. Williams, and four month old child Jesse. The 1860 census shows
the elderly Bryan and wife with an overseer by the name of Lemuel Moody, also from
South Carolina. Lemuel Moody was killed or died in the Civil War. His brother
continued to live in the Rose Hill community and has many descendants there. The 1860
census shows Jesse Bryan, then an old man of eighty five to be very wealthy. His real
estate was valued at $3000.00 and he had better than $18,000.00 in personal property. His
real estate holdings were said to reach the river. His personal property supposedly
included many slaves.”
“It is thought that this Jesse Bryan was the son of Jessie Bryan and wife,
Maurning Tubberville, of Marion District, South Carolina. It is known that they had a son
Jessie who went west. The ages of Jessie Bryan, Jr., are agreeable with the son listed in
South Carolina. Jessie Bryan of Alabama had several children, and it is only reasonable
to say that Jessie Oliver Bryan was his son.”
“They lived in a log cabin on the present Opp-Rose Hill road. The same
plantation is now owned by the wife of Harvey Bryan, a grandson. The log cabin was still
in the old field in 1950. Jessie Oliver Bryan and his wife are buried in the field of this
plantation.”
“It is said that when the first Jessie of Alabama was living there was not a
settled place between his home, which was known as the old William Williams place, and
his son Jessie Oliver's place. Jessie, the first, was carried by his slaves across his field and
was buried in what is known as the Old Williams Cemetery. It is now grown up in trees
and there is only the barest evidence of graves there.”
240
“Henry Whitehead, a surveyor and preacher, settled near the present site of Mrs.
George Bryant's home prior to the year 1830.”
“Richard Moody moved to this community in the 1820's and settled near the
present site of Mrs. Henry Moody's home. John Moody is dead. Solomon Moody, a
brother of Richard, came to this community about the same date as Richard and settled in
the same community as his brother.”
“A.J. Feagin, the first postmaster of Rose Hill. was living in a house near the
Feagin graveyard on the Three Notch road one half mile south of W.C. Grant's home in
1860.”
“David Cauley settled on the east side of Conecuh River near the present site of
Oscar Butler's home in 1820. He was sheriff of Covington County in 1828. His daughter
married James P. Parker, who had come to this community prior to 1839. James P. Parker
established a store near the present site of Mr. Bill Butler's on the Rose Hill-Burnout
Road, sometime prior to 1839.”
“Windell Taylor settled near the present site of old Searight about 1800. He
came to this country from South Carolina. His son, John A. Taylor, and grandson,
Windell Taylor the second, settled on the Rose Hill-Searight road about one mile east of
the Conecuh River about 1840. (John Taylor's grave is located in the Feagin Graveyard;
he died in 1872. Many descendants and relatives of this family live in the Rose Hill
community at the present time.”
“John McLaughlin settled near Rose Hill about 1830. He constructed a log
house a few yards north of Rose Hill Cemetery. A few years later he constructed a house
on the site where Jim Croft's home once was. The Rose Hill post office was located in
this house for several years. C.T. McLaughlin and Mrs. Jim Croft, son and daughter of
John McLaughlin, are living at present in Rose Hill. C.T. McLaughlin operates a farm on
some of the land John McLaughlin homesteaded.”
“Leroy M. Straughn moved from Dozier and settled on the Rose Hill-Searight
Road about one mile north of the present site of Mrs. Mattie Jones, about 1850. His son,
Travis Straughn, settled on the present site of Junior Saul's home, which is located one
half mile south of Rose Hill on the Rose Hill-Andalusia Road. Travis Straughn built the
first house on this site during the Civil War period or immediately afterward.”
“Dr. James T. Brady came to the Rose Hill community prior to the Civil War.
He was living in the Colvin house during the Civil War. He was at one time postmaster in
Rose Hill. He served the community as doctor for many years.”
“John L. Stewart moved into the Mollie Colvin home about 1875. He came
from Georgia. He ran a store in Rose Hill, was at one time postmaster of the town, ran a
water mill near Rose Hill, and operated one of the first horse-drawn gins in this area. At
the time Mr. Stewart moved to Rose Hill, the Three Notch road ran directly in front of the
241
Colvin home. The house at that time faced the road squarely. The story is told that Mr.
Stewart was dissatisfied with the road and the location of the store buildings in Rose Hill,
which at that time were located between Mrs. Sarah Smith's house and the Colvin home.
Mr. Stewart changed the road to the present location which called for a change also in the
location of the stores. This is noticeable at present because the Colvin home does not set
square with the present road.”
“Other pioneer settlers were known to have lived north of Rose Hill on Hickory
Nut Ridge in 1830 to 1850 are: Jess Veasey, who settled near Veasey Cemetery; Bill
Haygood, who settled north of Veasey Cemetery; Harvey Alsabrooks, who settled one
half mile west of Veasey Cemetery; Jonathan Mitchell; Jim Drake and a Mr. Brigman.”
“R.H. Jones and C.T. McLaughlin tells of a spot that apparently stands out in
their memories. Prior to 1870, a water mill existed on a pond about one mile north of
Walt Howell's present home. Parts of the old pond and dam still exist. Jess Tubberville
owned and operated the mill for several years. All the boys of the neighborhood, so these
men state, would gather at this pond on summer Sunday afternoons and go in swimming.
Mr. Jones states that "store bought" bathing suits were not in order; in fact, there was no
such thing then.”
“Probably the first water power gin was constructed on this pond about 1850. It
was known to be operating a few years before the Civil War.”
How Did Rose Hill Get It's Name? (by:Gus Bryan)
“The village of Rose Hill is located on the old Three Notch Trail just a few
miles southeast of the Conecuh River at the Junction of the Opp-Dozier road. Varied
stories have been told as to how Rose Hill received it's name. One story is that Andrew
Jackson gave the place a name as he passed through in 1818. Another story is that an old
Negro woman by the name of Rose formerly lived on a hill near the present stores and
people began referring to the place as Rose Hill because of this old Negro. Still another
story is that a large Dorothy Perkuss (seven sisters) rose bush formerly stood near the site
of Widow Colvin's old house and that the name originated because of this rose bush. Still
another story is told that Rose Hill was once called China Hill.”
“It is impossible to establish a date on which the pioneer settlers moved into
Rose Hill community. It has been definitely established that white people were living in
the area in the 1820's. The pioneer settlers came from Georgia, South Carolina, and areas
adjacent to the Rose Hill area. No doubt the Three-Notch Road which was blazed in 1818
was used by some of the first settlers. It is presumed that this trail was an old Indian trail
probably used by the Indians for hundreds of years previous to 1818. One may travel this
route from Columbus, GA. to Pensacola, Fla., without crossing a stream that cannot
easily be forded. It is said that friendly Indian scouts guided Jackson over this trail. If this
is true, Indians had undoubtedly used this trail earlier. The trail received its name from
the method used in marking it. Three notches were cut on trees or stakes to mark the
trail.”
242
“Another route established early in the history of the area was route crossing
Conecuh River about five miles northeast of Dozier (Bell Bridge, used before 1905). This
road led south and southeast over the road now known as Possum Trot through the
present Rose Hill proper, thence to Searight where it crossed the river the second time.
During the early history of the community, settlers traveled to Pensacola, Greenville,
Troy, and later to Searight to carry on their annual, or less frequent, trading. The Rose
Hill area was covered with a thick growth of long leaf pine when the first settlers moved
into it. Large quantities of this timber were cut, rafted, and floated down the Conecuh
River in the early history of the community.”
Rose Hill Post Office
“The Rose Hill post office was established on December 24, 1855, with
Andrew J. Feagin as postmaster. On June 8, 1857, James T. Brady became postmaster,
and he was followed by Jefferson C. Mitchell on November 3, 1859. After Mitchell
server one year, James T. Brady was again appointed to the office on Nov.7, 1860, and
he served until Oct.9, 1866, when the office was discontinued.”
“The Rose Hill post office was re-established on March 26, 186, with Elizabeth
McLaughlin as postmaster. She served until Feb. 26, 1874, when it was again
discontinued. Then on June 23rd, of that year (1874), it was re-established with James K.
Thomas as postmaster. Thomas served until January 17, 1876, when he was replaced by
William N. Brandon. He in turn was followed by John L. Stewart on May 29, 1878, and
Henry Smith, April 24, 1893.”
“On the 13th of June, 1894, the name was changed to Rose Hill and Alexander
W. N. Carr became postmaster. Carr was followed by Murdock M. Grant on May 4,
1899; and Willie C. Grant who served from Oct. 19. 1901 to Feb. 28, 1906 when the post
office was discontinued.”
From:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/Detail.asp?Accession=AL1640%5F%5F%2
E416&Index=9&QryID=56443.99&DetailTab=1
Bureau of Land Management-General Land Office Records:
Patentee-JOSEPH S. DONALDSON Coffee Co, Alabama, December 1, 1852, Cahaba
Land Office, Acres-40.22, Document No. 40914, Accession/Serial No. AL1940___.069
Patentee-JOSEPH S. DONALDSON Coffee Co, Alabama, November 1, 1858, Elba
Land Office, Acres-241.92, Document No.19314, Accession/Serial No. AL2450___.147
Patentee-JOSEPH S. DONALDSON Coffee Co, Alabama, January 3, 1860, Elba Land
Office, Acres-39.99, Document No.24609, Accession/Serial No. AL2490___.417
[See appendix]
‘JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON did own property in 1858, the SE quarter of
the NE quarter of Section No. 5, Township No. 1, range 18, and the SW quarter of the
243
NW quarter of Section no. 30, Township 1, Range 19, which had 25 cultivated acres. The
newer parcel contained a little under forty acres, for which he paid 5 dollars. He was still
farming that land in the 1860 census, and it was valued at $500, and his personal property
was valued at $450. It is not known why he left his land. Did he have a bad crop year,
and fail to pay the taxes, leaving it vulnerable to a tax sale?
JOSEPH would have met NANCY BEARD while growing up on his father’s
land. The Beard family lived next door to them, according to the 1850 census. By that
time, NANCY’s mother, ELIZABETH, was the 47-year old widow of JAMES
BEARD, with sons Adolphus Charleston, John H. aged 20, James E. 18, Thomas
J.F., 14, and Robert B. 10. The only daughter at home was Martha, aged 15, but another
daughter, Elizabeth Louise had married in 1843 to another Donaldson, John. Another
Donaldson daughter, Nancy Flora Donaldson, married the oldest Beard sibling,
Adolphus Charleston in 1843. If there were other older Beard sons, they are lost to us
unless we can find the family in Georgia, with birth records.
Possible parents of James Beard are listed below, but this is only speculative.
From Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Volume I, page 202:
Beard, William, S2981, SC troops, applied 6 April, 1846, Lincoln County, TN, aged 86,
born 1760 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. States that his wife died in Alabama. He lived
about 4 miles from Ninety Six township in South Carolina at enlistment, and after the war
lived there, then moved to the Tyger River in South Carolina, then to Georgia, then back
to South Carolina, then to Blount County, Alabama. Then in 1840 moved to Lincoln
County, TN. Soldier’s brothers mentioned were Robert Beard of Giles County, TN, and
Francis Beard of Lincoln County, TN. Soldier’s son, James A. Beard states soldier died
June 4, 1847 leaving no widow or children except him, and he applied in 1851 in
Lumpkin County, TN, but was a resident of Union County, Georgia.
Other possibilities are John and Moses Beard, as follows:
Beard, John, Mary, SC Troops. Widow applied 1 March, Williamson County, TN, aged
77. Soldier married Mary Blackstock on 1 January, 1785 in Spartanburg County, SC.
Soldier died 31 May, 1826. Children were: Nancy, born 6 January, 1786; Mary, born 1
October, 1789; Francis, born 4 March, 1791; Cata, born 15 February, 1794; and twins
Moses and Aaron, born 18 February, 1797. Soldier was born 31 March, 1765, and
widow was born 1 October 1771.
Once again, these would not be Nancy K. Beard’s parents, but would be possible
grandparents.
Beard, Moses, Elizabeth, W5818, SC troops. Soldier applied 17 August, Clark County,
Georgia, aged 72., born 22 April, 1759 in Ireland, lived in Kershaw District, SC at
enlistment and after the war moved to Athens, Georgia. Widow applied 4 May, 1844 in
Madison County, GA, aged 80, married in June 1782. Soldier died 9 February, 1833. A
Nancy Ann White signed affidavit in 1844 in Madison County, GA that she had known
244
Widow and soldier for 50 years. Widow died 7 May, 1849, leaving children: Margaret
Sneed, 44 of Clark County, GA; Jonathan Beard, about 55 of Hall County, GA; Nancy
White, 60, of Clark County, GA; Lavicy Peach, 53 of Russell County, Alabama, and
Lydia Walker, 45, of Clark County, GA. In 1854, a James Peach was a resident of
Wacoochee in Russell County, Alabama. But his relationship is not stated.
JOSEPH and NANCY began their family in 1841 with Adolphus, then Jesse in
1843, James in 1845, William in 1847, Mary Ann in 1849, Martha in 1851, John in
1853, Nancy in 1855, Thomas in 1857, Francis in 1859, Catherine in 1861, Edmund
in 1863, Sallie in 1865, and Emma in 1868. They remained a remarkably healthy bunch,
all fourteen of them living to maturity.
245
The Civil War, Coffee County, and the Donaldson Family
From The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, pages 44:
Steamship Capture
“From an unknown origin, a broken-down steamer, the ‘Bloomer,’ was anchored
in port at the fork of the Pea and Choctawhatchee Rivers in Geneva. The ‘Bloomer’ if
repaired, would make a prized addition to the Union naval blockade off the coast of
northwest Florida.”
Plans to capture the ‘Bloomer’ were made by Union Army Lieutenant James H.
Stewart and Union Navy Acting Master Elias D. Brunner. The aid of a Geneva man,
known only as Mr. Jones, was acquired and the capture of the ‘Bloomer’ was initiated on
Dec. 17, 1862. The Union party of about 20 men boarded the ‘Bloomer’ on Dec. 27, and
began to repair the ‘Bloomer’ without anyone in Geneva knowing about the operation.
They fired the engines off at 8:00 am on the morning of Dec. 28 only to find that a boiler
had a hole in it. The noise aroused the townspeople. The people of Geneva, lead by
citizen H. W. Laird, massed a force of 250 men to attack the ‘Bloomer’ by that night.
However, the ‘Bloomer’ was completely repaired and left Geneva around 3:00pm before
the opposing force was completely organized. The trip down the Choctawhatchee was
treacherous but successful. The ‘Bloomer’ met the Union schooner ‘Charlotte’ at La
Grange Bayou, near Choctawhatchee Bay on Dec. 30.”
“The ‘Bloomer’ became the U.S.S. Bloomer and served in the Gulf Blockading
Squadron until it was wrecked and sunk in East Pass of Santa Rosa Island in June 1865.”
From The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, pages 43-44 :
Ward’s Raiders
Besides the First Florida Union Cavalry, another local group of deserters, thieves
and murderers arose near Elba. This group of criminals was organized by Jim Ward, and
was called Ward’s Raiders. Jim Ward was a known marksman from Coffee County who
was dissatisfied with the war and mustered up enough disgruntled men from the Elba area
to form another group of criminal thugs who were named ‘Ward’s Raiders.’”
“Another member of Ward’s Raiders was John Clark who was a former
Confederate soldier. Clark was given a furlough and lied to the locals, telling them he
was sent home to help round up Confederate ‘slackers’ who were avoiding service in the
Confederate Army. Since he failed to return to the Confederate Army by faking service in
‘rounding up slackers,’ he was secure in his lie until a letter he wrote was lost, discovered
by a young ‘McHaffey’ boy, and given to a local Clintonville preacher by the name of
‘Old Brother Sims.’ Clark threatened Brother Sims for exposing his deceit but was
unsuccessful in carrying out his vengeance.”
246
“Clark was known as a handsome young man who was in love with young Mary
Hatton, who invited Clark to live with her.”
“The Home Guard soon began its offensive against Ward’s Raiders and surprise
attacked some of them at a gathering in a house in Clintonville. A young boy named
Flowers, who had hung around the house and knew too much, was murdered by Ward’s
Raiders during or immediately after the ambush in order to silence the young boy.”
“The Home Guards surrounded the house of Joshua ‘Old Josh’ Wheelus, another
suspected member of Ward’s Raiders and shot and wounded him as he jumped off his
front porch during an escape. Jim Ward was furious about the attack on Old Josh and
therefore challenged the Home Guards to some sort of honorable type battle in an open
field called Gunter’s Field about two miles east of Clintonville. The challenge was
ignored by the Home Guards. Ward’s Raiders retaliated by stepping up the rate of
stealing and cattle rustling, thus reeking havoc on the local civilians.”
“John Clark became the right hand man of Jim Ward. On September 2, 1863,
John Clark and other members of Ward’s Raiders planned an attack on Elba in order to
burn the Courthouse down, destroy all county war and conscription records. And also kill
some of Elba’s most prominent men with whom they ‘aimed to get even.’ An elderly
woman begged him at supper that night to denounce his plan because ‘the wages of sin
are death.’ Clark scorned the old lady that night and arrived in Elba before dawn on
September 3, 1863.”
Before dawn the Elba Courthouse, a frame building surrounded by a picket fence,
was burned by John Clark and other Ward’s Raiders. An elderly Negro man, Munday
Hammond, alerted the townsfolk to the tragedy. Ward’s Raiders fled across the Pea River
Bridge, just east of the Courthouse, and burned the bridge. Captain Payne, a Mississippi
native, led the Elba Home Guards in their pursuit. They caught up with Jim Ward, John
Clark, and the other Raiders about 10 miles southeast of Opp on the present OppSampson Highway. The Elba Home Guards saw the Raiders [page 44] attempt to escape
into a branch-head and a terrible battle took place there on about a two-acre area, lasting
a full hour.”
“Four soldiers in the Elba Home Guards were killed: William Bell, Make
Carmichael, Sheriff Robert Brooks, and Thomas Larkins. Ward’s Raiders were destroyed
that day, but the number killed is unknown. John Clark was wounded and captured along
with one other raider. They were taken back to Elba, along with the four dead soldiers of
the Elba Home Guards, and had an angry and grieving group of citizens waiting.”
From: http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html:
“Jim Ward thwarted death at the hands of the Elba Home Guard after the Battle
Branch skirmish. When pursuing bloodhounds caught up to the fleeing outlaw, he took
up a position on the far side of a creek and picked off the dogs as they attempted to cross
over the creek on a fallen log. Jim Ward was now alone and badly shaken by the loss of
247
his Raiders. He took refuge in the swamps of Pea River and recuperated there for a time,
then began to plot his revenge.”
“One of Coffee County’s most passionate supporters of the Confederacy was
Columbus Holley. His plantation overlooked Pea River and was located near present-day
Kinston. Columbus Holley was also a slave owner and he was quick to report any
deserters to local authorities. The ever-wily Ward befriended some of the Holley
Plantation slaves, convincing a number of them that Columbus Holley was all that stood
between them and freedom. Soon after nightfall one evening, two of the Holley slaves
carried Jim Ward on their shoulders around to an open window of the Holley mansion.
Through the window, he had a clear shot of Columbus Holley who sat in his favorite
chair reading. Ward fired his musket once; the mini-ball struck the unsuspecting
Columbus Holley in the chest and he died instantly.”
“Ward’s feet never touched the ground. The slaves carefully retraced their steps
and placed Ward on a horse tied and waiting by the road. The local constables and the
Coffee County sheriff were called to the Holley plantation when Columbus Holley’s
body was discovered, but there was nothing there to indicate the identity of his assassin.
The only footprints around the mansion belonged to the slaves who did not have access to
any guns. Bloodhounds were brought in, but there was no scent for them to follow.
Columbus Holley’s murder became the most mysterious crime ever committed in Coffee
County.”
“Jim Ward fled Coffee County for the remainder of the War then came back and
attempted to reestablish residency there among the very same people he once terrorized.
Coffee County reacted by trying Jim Ward for a number of different crimes but
insufficient evidence existed to convict him. Ordered to leave the state, he and his family
moved on to Mississippi where he lived for the rest of his days, returning to visit his
native Coffee County briefly a few times. It was only many years later after Ward had
grown old and knew that his death was near that he finally related the story to his family
of how he had killed Columbus Holley.”
“On September 4, 1863, John Clark and his other captive comrades were taken
from the Coffee County Jail across the street to what was left of the Coffee County
Courthouse in Elba to stand trial. Clark attempted escape and was shot dead by Frank
Bullard, one of his guards. The other captive was tried, convicted, and taken across Pea
River and hung to death. Both were buried in a shallow grave.”
“John Clark’s father arrived to see his son’s feet sticking out of the shallow grave
and asked permission to re-inter the bodies of his son and the other raider. He did son in a
cemetery at Corinth Church, presently known as McIntosh Cemetery, which was located
about 5 miles south of what is presently Enterprise. John Clark’s father sold everything
and moved his family out of state.”
From The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, pages 43:
248
Military Action Within the County
“At the time the war broke out in 1861, Coffee County was geographically much
larger than it is presently because present-day Geneva County was then also a part of
Coffee County. The area was large and the population was relatively very small. The area
was very wooded and sadly, provided for an environmental haven for many Confederate
deserters and criminals across the South. They came to the southern portion of Coffee
County, Dale and Henry Counties and the adjacent Northwest Florida area by the
hundreds. So many came that they organized themselves into a unit that they named the
“First Florida Union Cavalry.’”
“The name, ‘First Florida Union Cavalry’ was meant to give an allusion of
respectability to this group of thugs. While honorable Southern men left their homes in
Coffee County to defend their families and homes against an invasion, the criminals of
the First Florida Union Cavalry was established about 15 miles below Geneva in the
swamps of Northwest Florida during the winter of 1862-1863. Their first leader was a
man named Joseph Sanders who led them for two years in their raiding, thievery, and all
sorts of crimes against civilians in the area.”
“Alabama Governor John Gill Shorter took action in January 1863 when he
wrote President Jefferson Davis about this brood of criminal vipers. Gov. Shorter sent
Confederate General Joseph H. Clanton to Coffee and he helped organize the remaining
loyal men in Coffee County into a home guard unit. Most of the men in the home guard
were old or very young. At first, these men were simply called the ‘Home Guards’. They
soon took on names such as the ‘Clintonville Greys’ or the ‘Elba Home Guards.’”
“In August of 1863, Governor Shorter also asked for help from Confederate
General Howell Cobb who was stationed in Quincy, Florida. The First Florida Union
Cavalry was active off and on for the remainder of the war. In September 1864, these
raiders were about 1,000-1,500 strong and camped in Coffee County about 5 miles below
Geneva. They attacked and killed four men who were bringing a load of salt into the
county.” [Could this have included the following event?- “One of Gosper’s daughters,
who was also a granddaughter of DAVID DONALDSON, Sr (Eliza Elizabeth) married
William F. Beard. Mr. Beard was a merchant in Elba during the time of the Civil War.
On September 2, 1864, he was ambushed on Ti Ti Creek near what is now the Fairview
area, about 10-12 miles south of Elba. He and a group of the Home Guards were chasing
some “bushwhackers” from the Florida panhandle bush and swamp country who had
been in Elba the day before burning and stealing property.” From The Heritage of Coffee
County, Alabama, 19 , pages 177-179, story contributed by Elizabeth Prescott, 3031
Sutton Dr, Montgomery County, AL, 36111. “
The Trail of DAVID DONALDSON,
Sr, 1771-1854”]
“A small group of these men slipped across the Coffee County line into Dale
County on March 14, 1865. They attempted to burn the Dale County Courthouse down,
but were repulsed by the Home Guards. Many of these Raiders continued their criminal
activities after the war and their crimes prompted U.S. Attorney General A. J. Smith, the
249
union General of the occupying Union troops in Montgomery, to dispatch a U. S. Cavalry
unit to Coffee to help put down the criminal activity.”
“In 1865, efforts were made to incorporate many of the First Florida Union
Cavalry repentant deserters into the Confederate Army. These efforts failed when the
enlisting officer, Captain J. C. Brown, who had won the confidence of about 100
potential enlistees, had to be transferred to the Mobile area. Before being transferred,
Captain Brown had anticipated enlisting as many as 2,000 deserters back into the
Confederate army.”
From: http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
“At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Coffee County was populated
chiefly by families who depended on agriculture for their living. Nearly everything that
was needed was either grown or made by hand. There were few slave owners and the
people rarely had dealings with the Federal Government. This is why many people in
South Alabama had no reason to dislike the Union or to leave their homes to fight against
it. As the Federal Army steadily probed farther and farther into the South they destroyed
crops, homes, livestock and anything else that they thought could help the Confederates.
This changed the way that many Southerners looked at the War, for now the Yankees
were invaders.”
“The first combat unit to form in Coffee County and march off was the ‘Coffee
Rangers,’ which became Co. D of the 12th Alabama Infantry. The ‘Bullock Guards’
became Co. A of the 18th Alabama Infantry. "Little George Matthews' Friends" were
made up of men from both Coffee and Pike Counties and was organized as Co. K of the
25th Alabama Infantry. Co. A of the 33rd Alabama Infantry was from Coffee County.”
“Life was hard for the wives and children left behind on the farms; only the farms
of the slave-owners fared very well during the War years as they still had the slaves to
work the fields. Coffee County Probate Judge Pierre D. Costello began programs to help
the needy families of the men who went to war as did his successor, Bowling W. Starke.
Judge Costello received a mortal wound during the Battle Of Murfreesboro, Tennessee,
and was buried in an unmarked grave there.”
The Civil War divided the Donaldson family in its loyalties. The oldest son,
Adolphus served in the Confederacy, and made the rank of corporal, in ‘A’ Company,
33rd Alabama Infantry. Adolphus was reported by descendants as having died 18 Mar
1864 at 22 years of age in the Confederate service; however a certificate below, suggests
that his death occurred earlier, since his father, JOSEPHUS S. applied for Adolphus’
death benefits by January 3, 1863. “Adolphus C. Donaldson was killed while in the
service, but no one seems to know where or what year or anything about the
circumstances.”
From: http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=48725
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: Adolphus MI: C.
Enlistment Information: Age 20, 3rd Corporal.
250
Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Authority: Muster Roll dated 1862/02/22 at Elba, Coffee County, Alabama.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: A. MI: C.
Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Enlistment Information: Corporal.
Remarks: Certificate #14282 received 1864/03/29. Certificate dated 1864/03/18.
Amount of certificate, $58.46.
[This certificate date has been given as his
death date, but it appears that he died a year before that, per the claim filed by his father
below, on the muster list.]
Authority: List, Claim Cert. 1863-64, delivered to Alabama agent by order
Secretary, Confederate States Treasury 1864/01/16 on approval of Col. W. H.
Fowler when residence of claimant not ascertained. [Joseph S. Donaldson's claim was
received by the Confederate States Treasury on January 16, 1864]
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/files/co_a_33rd_al.txt
From the muster list of “Company ‘A’, 33rd AL Infantry:
DONALDSON, Adolphus C., Cpl. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased
claim filed, 3 Jan 63, by Joseph S. Donaldson, father)”
In addition to Adolphus, these other men from his company died in the same time
frame, some of which name the actions in which they occurred:
BENTON, John P. (died in service, in service, Cleveland, TN; deceased claim filed, 2
Feb 63)
BLAIR, John R.B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 28 Jan 63)
BOOTHE, William (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 19 Nov 62,
Montgomery, AL)
CUNNINGHAM, James (deceased claim filed, 11 Feb 63)
CROSBY, Guilford (deceased claim filed, 18 Jan 63 by Mary Crosby, mother)
FARRIS, James M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Tupelo, MS;
deceased claim filed, 4 March 63)
GOSS, James B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Mobile; deceased claim
filed, 11 March 63)
HAMIL, Samuel W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 28 March 63)
HARRISON, Moses M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; on furlough, Jan-Feb 63, at
home in Coffee Co., AL; died at home of disease, March-April 63; deceased claim
filed, 18 Oct 62, by Charlotte Harrison, mother)
SEXTON, William A. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 22; deceased claim filed,
11 March 63, by B.H. Starke, Atty.)
WARD, Michael W. (born: Coffee Co., AL; enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 25;
died in service, Pensacola Navy Yard, 21 April 62; deceased claim filed, 2 Feb 63,
Coffee Co., AL, by Nancy C. Ward, widow)
Jesse Donaldson continued to serve in Company A following his brother’s death,
until his capture by Union soldiers, and imprisonment at Camp Chase, Ohio, which ended
about the end of the war, in March 1865.
251
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/files/co_a_33rd_al.txt
From the muster list of “Company ‘A’, 33rd AL Infantry
DONALDSON, Jesse R., Sgt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, 22
July 64, near Atlanta; paroled, Camp Chase, OH, 2 March 65)”
From: http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=48725
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: Jesse MI:
Enlistment Information: Age 19, Private.
Branch: Infantry Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A
Remarks: Mrs. C. E. Donaldson, widow of Private Jesse Donaldson. Witnesses: P. J.
Ham and W. W. Ham, Sr.
Authority: Alabama Pension #37633, Marengo County.
Authority: Muster Roll dated 1862/02/22 at Elba, Coffee County, Alabama
From: http://www.archives.state.al.us/civilwar/soldier.cfm?id=48725
Other Donaldson men from Coffee County who enlisted with the 33rd Alabama
Regiment:
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: A. MI: R. [?-our Adolphus died in 1862]
Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Enlistment Information: Corporal.
Remarks: Battle of Chickamauga, slightly wounded 1863/09/19-20.
Authority: Casualties list, newspaper clippings of current date.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: H. MI: D. [probably Harmon D., son of David, Jr]
Enlistment Date: 0000/09/12 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Coffee County,
Private.
Regimental Unit: 6th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: H Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Was company G. Absent. Wounded at Winchester 1864/09/19.
Authority: Pay Roll for September and October 1864.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: J. MI: H.
Enlistment Date: 0000/09/12 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Coffee County,
Private.
Regimental Unit: 6th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: H Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Was company G. Authority: Pay Roll for September and October 1864.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: John MI: J. [Could be the son of John ]
Enlistment Information: Private. Branch: Cavalry
Regimental Unit: 6th Alabama Regiment Co. Unit Name: Lee's Co.
Remarks: John J. Donaldson [father], care of B. W. Starke, Elba, Alabama. No des.
list. Supplied and verified 1864/08/29. Claim filed 1863/08/10 (1864/07/28)
Authority: List, Condition of Claims, 2nd Audit, Confederate States Treasurer.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: S. [probably Soverign, son of Soverign]
Enlistment Date: 1862/08/20 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Coffee County,
Private.
252
Regimental Unit: 6th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Was company L sometimes K. Authority: Pay Roll dated Bunker Hill,
Virginia 1864/06/30.
Authority: Sergeant's Book in Military Files.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: S. [probably Soverign, son of Soverign] MI:
Enlistment Date: 1862/08/24 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Coffee County,
Private.
Regimental Unit: 6th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Was company K sometimes L. Prisoner of war, captured 1864/10/19
Authority: Payroll dated 1865/02/17 at Camp Rhodes.
Authority: Pay Roll Camp Ferris, Virginia 1864/04/01.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: Soorin [Sovrin?]
Date of Birth: 1846/09/08
Birth Information: USA, Alabama, Coffee County, Elba.
Enlistment Date: 1864/07/00 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Elba, Private.
Branch: Home Guards
Co. Unit Name: Capt. Brown's Company
Discharge Date: 1865/05/16 Authority: Census, Tax Collector, Coffee County,
Alabama 1907-08.
From: http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/files/1907_census_of_csa_soldiers.txt
Census of Confederate Soldiers Living In Coffee, County Alabama 1907
38. William H. Donaldson, Elba, Al. Born 11/12/1843. Co. K, 25th Al. Inf.
39. Sovrin Donaldson, Elba, Al. Born 9/8/1846. Capt. Barnes Co. and Home Guards.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: Thomas MI: H.
Enlistment Information: Private.
Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Hospital Record. Furloughed for thirty (30) days on account of suffering
from general debility anemia, following remittent fever of one month duration, by
reason of which he is, in our opinion, unfit for duty. Robert Battey, Surgeon
Residence Old Town, Coffee County, Alabama. Lowery's Brigade, Cleborne's
Division.
Authority: Disability certificate from Fair Ground Hospital #2, Vineville, Georgia
dated 1864/08/02.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: William MI: H. H.
Date of Birth: 1843/11/12
Birth Information: USA, Alabama, Coffee County, Elba.
Enlistment Date: 1862/08/28 Enlistment Information: Alabama, Montgomery, Private.
Discharge Date: 1865/05/06 Discharge Information: Paroled At Montgomery, AL
Regimental Unit: 25th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: K Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Address: Elba, Alabama, R. F. D. #6, 1907-08.
Authority: Census, Tax Collector, Coffee County, Alabama 1907-08.
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: W.
MI: H. H.
253
Enlistment Date: 1862/08/30
Discharge Date: 1865/04/26
Enlistment Information: Alabama, Montgomery, Montgomery County, Private.
Regimental Unit: 25th Alabama Regiment Company Unit: K
Branch: Infantry
Remarks: Wounded at Resaca and Atlanta, Georgia. Witnesses: R. Harper and G.
M. Richburg
Authority: Alabama Pension #28367 issued in Coffee County.
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
33rd Alabama Infantry Regiment
“The Thirty-third Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized at Pensacola, FL, on
23 April 1862, with men recruited from Butler, Coffee, Covington, Dale, and
Montgomery Counties. It proceeded to Corinth [May 62] just after the Battle of Shiloh.
Placed in the brigade commanded by Col. Hawthorn of Arkansas, the regiment remained
at Tupelo until the Kentucky Campaign began.”
WILLIAMS, Obediah J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 16; in Oliver Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 28 Feb 62, with slight wound, left arm; slight leg wound, Murfreesboro,
TN, 31 Dec 62; sent to hospital by surgeon, 20 March 63; paroled, 16 June 65,
Montgomery)
RIALS, James Rawson (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; died in service, 1
April 62; deceased claim filed, 4 Oct 62, by Jacob Rials)
FARRIS, William D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 10 April 62,
following Shiloh?)
MEEK Eli (enlisted, 19 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN, by transfer from Co. "F", 1st AL
Cavalry; captured, Shiloh, 7 April 62, and exchanged, Vicksburg, 23 Sept 62; died in
service, 25 or 27 Nov 63, Ringgold, GA; deceased claim filed, 2 Feb 65, by Lacy R.
Meek, father)
MOCK, Jacob Y. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; died in service, 8 April 62)
RUSHING Baron D., 1st Sgt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 33; given disability
discharge, 25 July 62, signed by M. C. Kimney, Commanding Officer, Co. A, for
hepatized lungs from frequent bouts of pneumonia)
BAXLEY Benjamin B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, in service, 3 July
62, Yandell's Hospital)
The Thirty-third Alabama Regiment was organized at Pensacola in April 1862,
and proceeded to Corinth just after the battle of Shiloh. Placed in the brigade commanded
by Col. Hawthorn of Arkansas, the regiment remained at Tupelo till the Kentucky
campaign was entered on. It was part of the brigade of Gen. Wood of Lauderdale, and in
Buckner's division, and was present at the capture of Mumfordsville. At Perryville the
Thirty-third received its first terrible lesson in the horrors of battle, for it entered that
conflict about 500 strong, and came out with 88 rank and file, the others having fallen in
the bloody struggle. It came out of Kentucky with the army, and at Murfeesboro the loss
of the regiment was comparatively large, for it was in Cleburne's division. The remainder
of the winter was spent in camps near Tullahoma, and the regiment retired behind the
Tennessee during the summer. In the grand forward movement on the enemy's line at
Chicamauga, the Thirty-third suffered very heavily. Gen. M.P. Lowery of Mississippi
254
having relieved Gen. Wood of the command of the brigade - Sixteenth, Thirty-third
Mississippi regiments, and Gibson's (Ala.) and Newman's (Tenn.) battalions - the Thirtythird was effectively engaged at Mission Ridge without loss. It was part of the wall of fire
that checked the exultant federals at Ringgold Gap, where it lost but one man. The
regiment passed the winter at Dalton, and was in the incessant battle from there to
Atlanta, fighting during the day and entrenching at night, and losing many by the
casualties of battle, particularly at New Hope, and around Atlanta. Having followed Gen.
Hood into Tennessee, it moved to the assault of the enemy's works at Franklin, with 285
men, and lost over two-thirds of them, mostly killed. Transferred to North Carolina, the
Thirty-third took part in the operations there, and a remnant was there surrendered.
Field and Staff
Colonels - Samuel Adams of Butler; wounded at Perryville; killed at Kennesa. Robert F.
Crittenden of Coffee; captured at Nashville.
Lieutenant Colonels - Isaac H. Corn of Coffee; resigned. R.F. Crittenden; promoted.
James H. Dunklin of Butler.
Majors - R.F. Crittenden; promoted. James H. Dunklin; wounded at Chicamauga;
promoted.
Adjutants - John Crosby of Stallworth of Conecuh; died at Tupelo. A.M. Moore of
Greene; killed at Chicamauga. Willis J. Milner of Butler.
Counties, Captains from Which the Companies Came.
Butler County- James H. Dunklin; promoted. Wm. E. Dodson; killed at Kennesa. Charles
S. Linthicum.
Dale County- W.E. Cooper; killed by railroad disaster. Charles H. Bryant; wounded at
Murfreesboro.
Montgomery County- John C. Norman; resigned. Charles Waller; wounded at
Murfreesboro; resigned. Joseph Wilson.
Covington County- W. N. Brandon.
Dale County- W.E. Cooper; killed by railroad disaster. Needham Hughes; captured at
Nashville.
Coffee County- M.C. Kinney*; wounded at Perryville.*This name was misspelled in
Brewer's history of the 33rd Infantry Regiment. According ADAH Civil War Service
Cards and a descendant of his, the correct name is Mason Creed Kimmey.
Butler County- Thomas G. Pou; resigned. John F. Barganier; resigned. Wm. S. Sims;
killed at Chicamauga. John Gamble; wounded at New Hope and Columbus.
Corinth Mississippi, April 29-June 10, 1862 From:
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/ms/ms016.html
255
“Following the Union victory at Shiloh, the Union armies under Maj. General
Henry Halleck advanced on the vital rail center of Corinth. By May 25, 1862, after
moving 5 miles in 3 weeks, Halleck was in position to lay siege to the town. The
preliminary bombardment began, and Union forces maneuvered for position. On the
evening of May 29-30, Confederate commander General P.G.T. Beauregard evacuated
Corinth, withdrawing to Tupelo. The Federals had consolidated their position in northern
Mississippi.”
WRAVEY, James (on list of prisoners received, Camp Douglas, IL, 23 Sept 62, from
Corinth, MS)
SIMMONS, Edward (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 28; died in service, 25 June
62, hospital, Mobile; deceased claim filed, 17 Nov 62, Elba, AL, by Mary Ann
Simmons, widow; witnesses: William Jones and John Harrison)
FOLEY, Levi (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 30 June 62; deceased
claim filed, 16 Nov 62, by Needham Foley, father)
MURPHY, Alexander C. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; deceased claim
filed,18 Aug 62, by Bird Fitzpatrick, Atty)
SEGLAR, Edward C. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL; applied for disability
discharge, Enterprise, MS, 14 Aug 62; detailed as shoemaker, 28 Nov 62; on roll of
detailed men employed by Major F. W. Dillard, Q.M., Columbus, GA, 21 April 64; aged
41 years in 64)
SMITH, Jefferson (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Lauderdale Springs,
MS, 19 Aug 62; deceased claim filed, 14 Oct 62, Coffee Co., A, by Elizabeth S. Smith,
widow; witness: Sarah S. Taylor and George Clark)
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
From: http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
33rd Alabama Infantry Regiment: “It was part of the brigade of General Sterling
A. M. Wood of Lauderdale, General Simon Buckner's Division, and was present at the
capture of Munfordville.”
Munfordville-Green River Bridge, Kentucky Date: September 14-17, 1862:
http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/ky/ky008.html
“In the 1862 Confederate offensive into Kentucky, Gen. Braxton Bragg's army
left Chattanooga, Tennessee, in late August. Followed by Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell's
Union Army, Bragg approached Munfordville, a station on the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad and the location of the railroad bridge crossing Green River, in mid-September.
Col. John T. Wilder commanded the Union garrison at Munfordville which consisted of
three regiments with extensive fortifications.”
“Wilder refused Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers’ demand to surrender on the 14th.
Union forces repulsed Chalmers’ attacks on the 14th, forcing the Rebels to conduct siege
operations on the 15th and 16th. Late on the 16th, realizing that Buell’s forces were near
and not wanting to kill or injure innocent civilians, the Confederates communicated still
another demand for surrender. Wilder entered enemy lines under a flag of truce, and
Confederate Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner escorted him to view all the Rebel troops and
to convince him of the futility of resisting. Impressed, Wilder surrendered. The formal
256
ceremony occurred the next day on the 17th. With the railroad and the bridge,
Munfordville was an important transportation center, and the Confederate control
affected the movement of Union supplies and men.”
THOMPSON, Thomas W., 2nd Lt. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 32; appointed
2nd Lt.; resigned, 8 Oct 62 due to hepatitis; received disability discharge)
HARRINGTON, James W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 4 Oct
62 by Thomas Harrington, father)
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
From: http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
“At Perryville, the Thirty-third entered that conflict about 500 strong, and came
out with but 88 rank and file. It came out of Kentucky with the army…”
Stones River, Murfreesboro Tennessee- December 31, 1862-January 2, 1863
From: http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/tn/tn010.html
“After Gen. Braxton Bragg's defeat at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, he
and his Confederate Army of the Mississippi retreated, reorganized, and were redesignated as the Army of Tennessee. They then advanced to Murfreesboro, Tennessee,
and prepared to go into winter quarters. Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ Union Army
of the Cumberland followed Bragg from Kentucky to Nashville. Rosecrans left Nashville
on December 26, with about 44,000 men, to defeat Bragg's army of more than 37,000.”
“He found Bragg's army on December 29 and went into camp that night, within
hearing distance of the Rebels. At dawn on the 31st, Bragg's men attacked the Union right
flank. The Confederates had driven the Union line back to the Nashville Pike by 10:00
am but there it held. Union reinforcements arrived from Rosecrans’ left in the late
forenoon to bolster the stand, and before fighting stopped that day the Federals had
established a new, strong line.”
“On New Years Day, both armies marked time. Bragg surmised that Rosecrans
would now withdraw, but the next morning he was still in position. In late afternoon,
Bragg hurled a division at a Union division that, on January 1, had crossed Stones River
and had taken up a strong position on the bluff east of the river. The Confederates drove
most of the Federals back across McFadden's Ford, but with the assistance of artillery,
the Federals repulsed the attack, compelling the Rebels to retire to their original position.
Bragg left the field on January 4-5, retreating to Shelbyville and Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Rosecrans did not pursue, but as the Confederates retired, he claimed the victory. Stones
River boosted Union morale. The Confederates had been thrown back in the east, west,
and in the Trans-Mississippi.”
CURRING, A. F. (wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62)
DUKES, William H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died from gunshot wound,
Murfreesboro, TN, 19 Jan 63)
FARRIS, Samuel H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec
62 and sent home by surgeon; rejoined unit, 18 July 63; clothing requisition filed, 10
March 64)
257
HUDSON, Willis H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; missing, after Murfreesboro, 31
Dec 62)
LINDSEY Archibald (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Murfreesboro, TN, 31
Dec 62, and sent to hospital by surgeon; disability discharged 19 Aug 63)
MOCK, William R. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 20; on Honor Roll per General
Order 64/2 dated 10 Aug 64; wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62, and sent home;
wounded, Chickamauga, 20 Sept 63, and sent to Bragg Hospital., Newman, GA)
PAGE George W. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; wounded, Murfreesboro,
TN, 31 Dec 62, and died in service, 25 Jan 63, Fairgrounds Hospital, Atlanta;
deceased claim filed, 22 June 63, by McKineth Page, father; unmarried)
SANSOM, William F. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 27; KIA, Murfreesboro,
31 Dec 62; deceased claim filed, 20 April 63, by B.W. Starke, Atty.)
SPURLIN, Jacob R. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; slight head wound,
Murfreesboro, TN, 31 Dec 62; transferred to Co. "K", 26th AL, 12 Sept 64; special field
order #104; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent Camp Douglas, Chicago, by 5
Dec 64)
WILLIAMS, Obediah J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 16; in Oliver Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 28 Feb 62, with slight wound, left arm; slight leg wound, Murfreesboro,
TN, 31 Dec 62; sent to hospital by surgeon, 20 March 63; paroled, 16 June 65,
Montgomery)
ROBERTS Thomas W. (enlisted, 6 May 62, Montgomery; died in service, 6
Jan 63, Medical Hospital, Atlanta; deceased claim filed, 4 Aug 64, by Mary A. Roberts,
widow)
THOMAS Thomas A. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 22; on roll of CSA
soldiers who were captured in KY and exchanged by 11 Jan 63; clothing requisition
filed, 31 March 64, Dalton, GA; admitted, St. Mary's Hospital, West Pt., MS, 2 Jan 65)
SIMMONS, Stephen L. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; paroled, 1 Sept 62,
and left at paroled camp by General Order; furloughed from hospital for 30 days; died in
service, 30 Jan 63, Caloosa Springs, GA, pneumonia; deceased claim filed, 12 Sept 63,
by B.W. Starke, Atty.)
DORSEY, Green B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 25 March 63,
Academy Hospital, Chattanooga, TN, from diarrhea; deceased claim filed, 25 July 63,
by William Dorsey, father)
SEEGARS, A. J., Sgt., (enlisted 20 June 62, Tupelo, MS; disability discharge, March 63)
HUDSON, Reuben C., Sgt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Dalton, GA, 21
April 63 discharged for disability, 18 May 63)
FARRIS, James M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Tupelo, MS;
deceased claim filed, 4 March 63)
FLEMING, Augustus F. C. (enlisted 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; captured, Perryville, KY,
9 Oct 62, and exchanged; under arrest, March-April 63, awaiting trial, Tullahoma,
TN; died in service, Tullahoma; deceased claim filed, 27 Aug 63)
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
From: http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
“…and at Murfreesboro the loss of the regiment was comparatively large, for it
was in General Patrick Cleburne's Division. The remainder of the winter was spent in
258
camps near Tullahoma, and the regiment retired behind the Tennessee River during the
summer. In the grand forward movement on the enemy’s line at Chickamauga, the
Thirty-third lost 149 casualties.”
PEACOCK, William W., 2nd Lt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 38; resigned,
28 Feb 63, letter 3 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN)
ADKINSON, George W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62; disability discharge 6 Feb 63)
ESTER Thomas (died in service, St. Mary's Hospital, Dalton, GA, 3 May 63, from
typhoid fever)
STARLING, David J. [David L?] (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 25; name on
list of clothing left by deceased soldiers, Fair Grounds Hospital No. 1, Atlanta, 18
June 63; deceased claim filed, 3 Jan 63, by Elizabeth Starling widow)
WARD, W. M. (died of disease, Wartrace, TN, 27 June [63?]; deceased claim filed, 23
Nov 63, by Mary A.E. Ward, widow)
BEARD, Robert R. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 14 Aug 63)
HAWS G. W. (captured, Larkingville, AL, 30 Aug 63; paroled and permitted to stay at
home)
Chickamauga Georgia- September 18-20, 1863 From;
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/ga/ga004.html
“After the Tullahoma Campaign, Rosecrans renewed his offensive, aiming to
force the Confederates out of Chattanooga. The three army corps comprising Rosecrans’
army split and set out for Chattanooga by separate routes. In early September, Rosecrans
consolidated his forces scattered in Tennessee and Georgia and forced Bragg's army out
of Chattanooga, heading south.”
“The Union troops followed it and brushed with it at Davis’ Cross Roads. Bragg
was determined to reoccupy Chattanooga and decided to meet a part of Rosecrans’ army,
defeat them, and then move back into the city. On the 17th he headed north, intending to
meet and beat the XXI Army Corps. As Bragg marched north on the 18th, his cavalry and
infantry fought with Union cavalry and mounted infantry which were armed with Spencer
repeating rifles.”
“Fighting began in earnest on the morning of the 19th, and Bragg’s men
hammered but did not break the Union line. The next day, Bragg continued his assault on
the Union line on the left, and in late morning, Rosecrans was informed that he had a gap
in his line. In moving units to shore up the supposed gap, Rosecrans created one, and
James Longstreet’s men promptly exploited it, driving one-third of the Union army,
including Rosecrans himself, from the field.”
“George H. Thomas took over command and began consolidating forces on
Horseshoe Ridge and Snodgrass Hill. Although the Rebels launched determined assaults
on these forces, they held until after dark. Thomas then led these men from the field
leaving it to the Confederates. The Union retired to Chattanooga while the Rebels
occupied the surrounding heights.”
HAM, Phillip J., Sgt. (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga)
MOULTON, James M., Sgt. (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital 29 April 63,
259
Tullahoma, TN; wounded, Chickamauga, and sent hospital; on roll, Madison House
Hospital, Montgomery, 15 Nov 64; paroled, 3 June 65, Montgomery)
BLAIR, Robert J., Cpl. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga,
Atlanta)
BRADSHAW, John, Cpl. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery, AL; wounded,
Chickamauga)
CUMBIE, Wiley B. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Clopton, AL; wounded, Chickamauga, 20
Sept 63)
HENDERSON, Jeremiah K. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga,
TN, 20 Sept 63)
MOCK, William R. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 20; on Honor Roll per General
Order 64/2 dated 10 Aug 64; wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62, and sent home;
wounded, Chickamauga, 20 Sept 63, and sent to Bragg Hospital, Newman, GA)
MUSGROVE, B. O. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; on roll, CSA POWs captured
and paroled by U.S. forces in KY and exchanged, who reported to General Bragg and
were placed in camp at Chattanooga prior to rejoining units; wounded, Chickamauga,
19 Sept 63 and hospitalized)
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.htmlFrom:
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
“General Mark Perrin Lowrey of Mississippi relieved General Wood after the
latter was wounded and assumed command of the brigade [16th, 33rd Mississippi
regiments, and J. H. Gibson's (18th AL) and Newman's (TN) battalions]. The Thirty-third
was effectively engaged at Missionary Ridge without loss. It was part of the wall of fire
that checked the exultant federals at Ringgold Gap, where it lost but one man.”
RUGG Francis D. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 33; in hospital, Medical
College, Atlanta, 28 Feb-1 Nov 62, and requested disability discharge; died in service 12
Oct 63, Gate City Hospital, Atlanta; deceased claim filed, Coffee Co., AL, 27 May 64,
by Monday J. Rugg, widow)
WARD, John J. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 25 Oct 63, Bragg
Hospital, Newman, GA)
WHITE, Elias B. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; died in service, Nashville;
deceased claim filed, 27 Oct 63, by B. W. Starke)
WILLHIT, James A. (captured, Lincoln, TN, 10 Nov 63; died as POW, Camp
Morton, Indianapolis, 10 Dec 63; burial: grave #576, Green Lawn Memorial Cemetery,
Indianapolis; may have served in 53rd TN instead of 33rd AL)
YANCEY, James C. (on roll of prisoners, Louisville, KY, that were sent to Camp
Morton, IN, 20 Nov 63; captured, Winchester, TN, 12 Nov 63)
Missionary Ridge- November 25, 1863, from: http://ngeorgia.com/history/mission.html
“East of Chattanooga to northwest Georgia a ripple of land known as Missionary
Ridge presented challenges to many people during the mid-1800's. First, railroaders
building track had to go around it or through its' gaps to build the Western and Atlantic
and other lines. Then Ulysses S. Grant had to penetrate it to break the siege of
Chattanooga.”
260
“Braxton Bragg had arranged his men in standard formation. A forward picket
line protected a main line of infantry and artillery. His headquarters behind the line was
visible from Orchard Knob. Both Bragg and Grant felt the position was strong. In fact,
convinced that he was unassailable, Bragg had detached 15,000 men to attack Knoxville.
On November 25, 1863, Grant ordered dual flanking maneuvers on the ridge. To Bragg's
left came "Fighting Joe" Hooker, who had taken Lookout Mountain the day before. On
his right, William Tecumseh Sherman ran up against Pat Cleburne.”
“Gen. Carter Stevenson, retreating from his loss at Lookout Mountain, destroyed
the bridges over Chickamauga Creek and other waterways to slow Hooker's advance.
Sherman, in spite of a tremendous tactical advantage, could not turn the right flank. The
Army of the Cumberland under command of Gen. George Thomas had been
demonstrating in front of Missionary Ridge to prevent Bragg from reinforcing his flanks.
With no visible signs of success for the day's fighting Grant ordered Thomas to take the
line of pickets in front of Bragg's main formation. At 3:30 pm the Federals began their
advance. They quickly overran the position and tried to use the entrenchments to protect
themselves from the intense gunfire from the ridge. Officers ordered the men to build the
back walls higher, but the blues were under too much pressure.”
“Watching from Orchard Knob, Grant and Thomas turned away from the battle
when they realized the dilemma. The men had two choices: Advance on the rebel line at
the top of Missionary Ridge or retreat in disgrace to Orchard Knob. On their own men
began to charge the ridge, only a few at first. Informed of the advance past the picket line
Grant and Thomas turned back and watched as the men moved on the fortified rebel
position. Fearful that if the charge failed the grays could advance and rout his army,
Grant inquired of the men around him who ordered the charge. ‘I don't know,..’ Thomas
responded, ‘I did not.’”
“As more Federals began to follow the men who started up the hill, a rhythmic
chant started. ‘Chickamauga, Chickamauga’ the enlisted men repeated over and over.
Line officers, caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment rushed to the front and began to
lead the men with cries of ‘Follow me!’ As the men approached the line, the artillery
became less effective because it had been misplaced at the crest of the ridge. Yankees
poured through the lines. Bragg ordered a retreat then barely escaped himself. Many of
his staff were not as lucky. Over 3,000 Confederate prisoners were taken during the
battle. Hooker was ordered to pursue the losers and Grant had succeeded in breaking the
siege of Chattanooga.”
SMITH, Joseph C. (captured, Missionary Ridge, 25 Nov 63; sent to Rock Island
Barracks, IL, 20 Dec 63; transferred to New Orleans for exchange, 3 May 65)
BANKS William M. (captured, Chattanooga, 27 Nov 63; discharged, 11 Dec 63, Rock
Island, IL)
BALLARD, Samuel (burial: Confederate section, Chattanooga Citizens’ Cemetery)
BISHOP, J. (burial: Confederate section, Chattanooga Citizens' Cemetery)
BRENT, John (captured, Missionary Ridge, 20 Nov 63)
261
Ringgold Gap-Taylor's Ridge Georgia, November 27, 1863, from:
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/ga/ga005.html
“Following the Union victory at Missionary Ridge, Yankee troops set out in
pursuit of the Confederates retreating toward Dalton, Georgia. Intending to delay the
Federal pursuit, Maj. General Patrick Cleburne’s command fell back and established a
blocking position at Ringgold Gap where the Western and Atlantic Railroad passed
through Taylor's Ridge. Maj. General Joseph Hooker sent his force forward to seize the
gap, which it failed to do after five hours of heavy fighting.”
GARRETT, Joshua H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Ringgold, and sent to
hospital; captured, April 65 by 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry, Macon, GA)
SHORT, David (captured, Ringgold, GA, 1 Dec 63, and sent to Rock Island Barracks,
IL, by 1 Jan 64; took oath of allegiance, 18 March 64; residence: Stevenson Jackson Co.,
AL)
SWANN, B. F. (captured, Ringgold, GA, Dec 63; Union records show enlisted, U.S.
Navy, Rock Island Barracks, IL; transferred to Naval Rendezvous, Camp Douglas,
Chicago; roll dated 5 Feb 64, Rock Island Barracks)
DONALDSON, Jasper [Gosper?] (also in Co. "E"; died in service, 23 Dec 63 in
hospital, Griffin GA)
MEEK Eli (enlisted, 19 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN, by transfer from Co. "F", 1st AL
Cavalry; captured, Shiloh, 7 April 62, and exchanged, Vicksburg, 23 Sept 62; died in
service, 25 or 27 Nov 63, Ringgold, GA; deceased claim filed, 2 Feb 65, by Lacy R.
Meek, father)
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.htmlFrom:
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/alregts.html
“The regiment passed the winter [63-64] at Dalton, and was in the incessant
battle from there to Atlanta, fighting during the day and entrenching at night, and
losing many by the casualties of battle, particularly at New Hope Church, and
around Atlanta. Having followed General John Bell Hood into Tennessee, it moved to
the assault of the enemy's works at Franklin, with 285 men, and lost over two-thirds of
them, mostly killed. Transferred to North Carolina, the Thirty-third took part in the
operations there, and a remnant was there surrendered.”
JONES, John Riley (deserted; captured by US Army at Caperton Ferry, TN, 25
March 64; sent to Camp Chase, OH)
KING Noah C. (died in service, 9 April 64, Marietta, GA)
WHEELER, Milton L. [Melville L.?; Wilson L.?] (took oath of allegiance, Rock Island
Barracks, IL, 19 June 65, aged 21; captured, near Stevenson, AL, 24 April 64 and sent
to Rock Island Barracks by 30 May 64
ROWE William D. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; wounded and captured,
Perryville, KY, 8 Oct 62; admitted, #3 USA General Hospital, Lebanon, KY, 8 Nov 62,
leg wound; exchanged via steamboat ‘Belle Creole’, 18 Nov 62; clothing requisition,
262
filed, 28 Feb 64, Dalton, GA; in hospital, 14 May 64, gunshot, right thigh, Dalton,
GA)
MOORE Peter (enlisted, 7 May 62, Montgomery; received rations and pay, Mobile, 1
June 62; clothing requisitions filed, 10 Nov 63, 17 Dec 63, and special clothing
requisition, 10 March 64, Dalton, GA) MORRIS, Daniel E. (reported deceased POW,
Nashville, U.S. General Hospital, March 65; captured, Stevenson, AL, 22 May 64; died
in service, 4 March 65, chronic diarrhea; burial: grave 12369, City Cemetery, Nashville,
TN)
REVIL, Henry M. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; clothing requisition filed,
12 March 64, Dalton, GA; in Oliver Hospital, Dalton, 30 May 64, gunshot wound
through left hand)
HALL, Alexander J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in Okmulgee Hospital, Macon,
GA, 8 July 64, with gunshot wound; furloughed 30 days)
RUTHERFORD, George (captured, near Coosa River, AL, 19 July 64; sent to Camp
Douglas, Chicago, IL; discharged, Camp Douglas, 17 June 65)
From 1971 Notes on the DONALDSON Family by Thomas L. Donaldson, Montgomery,
Alabama (Ala. State Archives and History.)”
“Jesse R. also served in the Confederate Army, in the same company as his
brother, Adolphus, as a private in Company ‘A’, 33rd Alabama Infantry. He was captured
near Atlanta, Georgia, on July 22, 1864…”
From the muster lists, there were other men captured at the same engagement, and
sent to the same prison camp as Jesse:
DONALDSON, Jesse R., Sgt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, 22
July 64, near Atlanta; paroled, Camp Chase, OH, 2 March 65)”
HEARD, William H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Tullahoma, TN, 29
April 63; attached as nurse at hospital, Dalton, and Lagrange, GA, July 63-March 64;
captured, Atlanta, 22 July 64; sent to Camp Chase, OH, 1 Aug 64; paroled, Camp
Chase, 2 March 65, and sent to City Point, VA, for exchange)
HOLOWAY, Reding (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, near Atlanta, GA, 22
July 64; sent to Camp Chase, OH, arriving, 2 Aug 64; paroled, Camp Chase, 4 March
65, and sent to City Point, VA, for exchange)
Atlanta Georgia, Hoods Attack, July 22, 1864 from:
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/ga/ga017.html
“Following the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Hood determined to attack Major
General James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee. He withdrew his main army at
night from Atlanta' s outer line to the inner line, enticing Sherman to follow. In the
meantime, he sent William J. Hardee with his corps on a fifteen-mile march to hit the
unprotected Union left and rear, east of the city.”
263
“Wheeler's cavalry was to operate farther out on Sherman's supply line, and Gen.
Frank Cheatham's corps were to attack the Union front. Hood, however, miscalculated
the time necessary to make the march, and Hardee was unable to attack until afternoon.
Although Hood had outmaneuvered Sherman for the time being, McPherson was
concerned about his left flank and sent his reserves—Grenville Dodge's XVI Army
Corps—to that location.”
“Two of Hood's divisions ran into this reserve force and were repulsed. The Rebel
attack stalled on the Union rear but began to roll up the left flank. Around the same time,
a Confederate soldier shot and killed McPherson when he rode out to observe the
fighting. Determined attacks continued, but the Union forces held.”
“About 4:00 pm, Cheatham's corps broke through the Union front at the Hurt
House, but Sherman massed twenty artillery pieces on a knoll near his headquarters to
shell these Confederates and halt their drive. Major General John A. Logan' s XV Army
Corps then led a counterattack that restored the Union line. The Union troops held, and
Hood suffered high casualties.”
YARETZKY, A. Julius, Lt. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; furloughed, NovDec 63, by general order #182; clothing requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton, GA;
captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent to POW depot, Johnson's Island,
Sandusky, OH; released, 13 May 65)
CANBIE, John J. (captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; discharged, Camp Douglas, 18
June 65)
CUMBIE, James J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64,
and sent to Camp Douglas)
HAM, Benjamin E. (from Coffee Co., AL; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; arrived
Camp Douglas, IL, from Louisville, KY, 5 Dec 64; discharged, Camp Douglas 18 June
65)
HOWELL, James (residence: Coffee Co., AL; enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured,
Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; arrived, Camp Douglas, IL, 5 Dec 64 from Louisville, KY;
discharged, Camp Douglas, 18 June 65)
MALLANEGAN, James (captured, Franklin, TN, 17 Dec 64 and sent to Camp
Douglas, Chicago, IL, 22 Dec 64)
REVIL, W. A. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; clothing requisition filed, 16 March 64,
Dalton, GA; captured, Franklin, TN, 17 Dec 64, and sent to Camp Chase, OH;
transferred to Point Lookout, MD, 26 March 65)
SPURLIN, Jacob R. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; slight head wound,
Murfreesboro, TN, 31 Dec 62; transferred to Co. "K", 26th AL, 12 Sept 64; special field
order #104; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent Camp Douglas, Chicago, by 5
Dec 64)
STEPHENS, James W. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 24; captured, Franklin,
TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, by 6 Dec 64; discharged, 18 June
65; residence: Covington Co., AL)
THOMAS Duncan S. (captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; sent Camp Douglas,
Chicago, IL, by 5 Dec 64; mustered into 6th U.S. Volunteers, 24 March 65
264
MERIWEATHER William M. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; left at hospital,
Mobile, 7 June 62 by surgeon; special clothing requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton,
GA; captured, Pulaski, TN, 25 Dec 64, and sent to Camp Chase, OH, 3 April 64;
paroled, Camp Chase, 13 June 65, aged 27)
Camp Chase Chronicles
From: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/5109/Chronicles_1864.html
August, 1864:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 1,881
Joined During Month: 2,563
Total: 4,444
Transferred to other Stations: 2
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 36
Escaped: 0
Released: 19
Total Loss: 170
Sick: 160
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 145
August 14, 1864:
Terrors and Horrors of Prison Life, or Six Months a Prisoner at Camp Chase, by William H. Duff;
1907.
Leaving Louisville late in the evening we crossed on the ferry boat and took cars, the next
morning which was Sunday as we rolled into Cincinnati the church bells were ringing. Stopping
to take cars were a large crowd to see Johnnie Reb. Some of them were in sympathy for us, One
elbowed his way to where Humble was and gave him a bottle of whiskey. Humble secretly took a
dram and gave the bottle back. It was here that we first learned that we were bound for Camp
Chase, Ohio, the terrible Federal prison of the north.
On the same day (Sunday) about 4 or 5 p. m. the cars stopped 4 or 5 miles of Columbus,
we got out of the cars and were told to fall into line. Some of us asked the guards if they were
going to shoot us or if they were going to turn us loose in the woods like rabbits. The guards
replied that we would soon find out what was going to be done with us. We were marched
through the woods and came to a turn pike and across it and in full view was Camp Chase.
We asked the guards if that was the Bull Pen where they were putting all stray cattle.
They replied that was the place where we would be at home for awhile at least until the war
ended, a few moments later we were halted at the prison gates which were open ready for us.
We were counted off, our names called and the officer who had had charge of us the whole trip
had a receipt given him by the prison authorities and his responsibilities ceased.
Then began a systematic [sic] search of the prisoners and if any of us should be fortunate
enough to have any gold or silver money or green backs watches, rings or knives they were all
taken from us if they were found. Humble, one of our Company had been taken prisoner once
before at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and had served a time in prison at Camp Douglas I think, and he
posted us on what would be done and secreting our knives the best we could many of us managed
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to keep them. But afterwards the knives were returned to those who had theirs taken from them
and as each one was searched we were passed on into the prison. Our company all kept together
and passed in one after the other. There were two brothers by the name of Tomlinson each of
them had two twenty dollar gold pieces and the first night after they had been captured they cut a
slit on the inside sole of their shoes and hid their money and carried it into prison. But
unfortunately for these two brothers they got separated, one was put in prison 2 the other in prison
3. All our Company were put in prison 2 after being captured on the 5th day of August, 1864.
We had the gates of prison 2 Camp Chase, Ohio closed on us and we were Confederate prisoners
of war in confinement.
As I look back over the past and think of the days of 1861- 65 the time that tried the courage and
nerve of men, I am glad, yes I am proud that I, as a Confederate soldier and prisoner of war was
confined at Camp Chase. Why, it was looked upon by both North and South as being, at that time,
the hardest on Confederate prisoners of all the federal prisons, and that I went in obedience to
orders, doing my duty, hold the redoubt till the last if I was taken to prison, and above and over
all it must to have been God's will for He rules.
Interior of Camp Chase, 1861
Source: Ohio Historical Society
Camp Chase is some three or four miles west of Columbus, Ohio and when our Company
arrived there it appeared that there had been some change in the prison. It seemed that prisons 1, 2
and 3 had been before that, all by themselves and separated from the others but were all placed
under one high wall with two partitions across thus making prisons 1, 2 and 3, around on the
outside and near the top of the wall was a parapet or walk way for the guards and also there was a
parapet for the guards on the partition wall, each of these last two parapets were on the inside of
the prison 2 and along the parapets were lamps which burned all night and threw a dim glare over
the entire prison.
The walls were some 12 or 14 feet high and built of heavy lumber doubled and let in the ground
some two feet and heavily braced on the outside. Around the prison was a very large enclosure,
walled in like the prisons. The prison was about in the center of this large enclosure which was
done as a defense and protection against any raid that may be made by the Confederate cavalry to
liberate the prisoners.
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Another view of Camp Chase, Source: Ohio Historical Society
The illustration will help the reader to understand more clearly about Camp Chase and its
prisons. I will not undertake to tell about Camp Chase before I went there August 14, 1864 and
after I left there February 12 1865 and only tell to the best of my memory what took place in
prison 2 where our Company was. This prison was about one acre large the grounds were level,
there were no shelters of any kind only a few tents which were occupied by prisoners already
there before we came.
~ Camp Chase, drawing by A. Ruger, Co. H, 88th O.V.I. ~‘The above scenes will be
familiar to those who were in the Camp Chase Prison. The street at bottom of picture is
Broadway ( now Broad Street), and the "mile house" illustrated in December veteran, is
near the center of this area. The main prison is at upper left-hand corner and about halfway from Broadway to the Confederate Cemetery. The group of buildings, six in a row to
the right of the main prison, is the Confederate Hospital, while the two-story building at
the lower right-hand corner of the picture is the Federal Hospital. Camp Chase was a
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regular camp of instruction, and long rows of buildings at right of campus, comprising
two squares, indicate the Federal soldiers' quarters. It is evident that in a few years the
city will extend fully out to the cemetery.’ From: Confederate Veteran January, 1897,
Vol.6, No.1
These prisoners, two weeks before our arrival, had tried to escape in the day time by.
rushing out of the gate when it was opened for garbage cart but was re-captured, one of them
having his arm broken by a shot from guards, his arm was amputated. We at first drew about full
army ration but this lasted only a few days when our allowance was cut down to one third ration
or about enough for one scant meal which we divided into two parts, one portion we ate at about
9 p.m. the other portion at about 4 p.m. Our only, cooking utensils were tin cup and plates.
After forty-three years I can only call to memory a few names of those who were
captured and belonged to the same Company B. l6th and 25th Louisiana Regiments consolidated
that I belonged to, and among them were: J. C. Humble, First Sergeant Thomas J. Stephens,
Sergeant John McDonough, Sergeant Robert Lively, Frank Maurice, Thomas Caperton, Charles
Harper, Ed Scopina, W. J. Ludlow, Wm. Sapp, Joseph Bona, __ Clark, W. H. Duff, Wm. Kilgore
of the same regiment, and from Claiborne Parish, LA.
The redoubt on the extreme right of out [sic] company was defended by Clark Lively and
Caperton. Caperton said that the three had laid their guns and accoutrements aside and were
strengthening their redoubt and were taken by, surprise at the time of attack, and as they got their
guns, three of the enemies were on redoubt, three guns were fired and the three enemies fell dead.
Overpowered the three defenders of redoubt surrendered. Clark, being shot after he had given up
and put down his gun, he was the only one of our Company that was wounded. We were in strong
redoubts and protected by head logs. Clark was not taken to Camp Chase, the rest of us were
safely taken there and as I have already said were put in prison.
Lieut. Sankey was Provost Marshall of Camp Chase. A sergeant by the name of Jake
called the roll, he was a real good fellow. I think that a Col. Richardson was in command at the
time we were there. Letters for the prisoners were delivered from the top of the parapet to
prisoners by either Lieut. Sankey or Sergeant Jack, the steps from the outside reached the top of
the wall between prison 2 and 3.
There was a dead line about ten feet from the wall. When we would approach this line the
guard would call out “Fall back, danger line.” If any of the prisoners should be fortunate enough
to have money sent them from friends this money was not allowed the person it was for, but it
was deposited with the sutler who receipted for it and then the sutler would give prisoners check
instead of the money but never over the amount of five dollars and take a receipt for the amount
given, these were in amounts from five to fifty cents, and read about like this, ‘Good for 25 cents
at the sutler's store for prisoners only at Camp Chase, Ohio.’ The sutler’s store was on the outside
and against the prison wall with a hold [hole] about one foot square and breast high from ground.
The store was open from 9 a. m. to 4 p.m. and many useful things were sold to prisoners but at
very high prices.
The authorities called for volunteers to work, promising full rations for the same.
A great many of us, among them our entire Company, went to work and were well fed.
Our work was strengthening the walls of the prisons and digging ditches to drain the
ground of the entire camp. This work went on for about a week when they wanted us to
take the oath of allegiance and remain in prison, still work and get full rations. This I am
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proud to say our entire Company flatly refused and told them it was an out rage and an
insult to an honorable and true Confederate soldier. But I am sorry to say that there were
some that did take the oath, these the rest of the prisoners would not associate with, and
would call them weak-kneed or razor backs.
September, 1864:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 4,377
Joined During Month: 933
Total: 5,310
Transferred to other Stations: 104
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 46
Escaped: 1
Released: 30
Total Loss: 150
Sick: 221
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 153
Terrors and Horrors of Prison Life , or Six Months a Prisoner at Camp Chase. By William H.
Duff; 1907.
About the last of September, smallpox broke out in a severe form, many were taken out
to the pest-house while many remained. Of the many who died of this dreaded disease were some
of our Company: Robert A. Lively died Oct. l4th. Sergeant T. J. Stephens Nov. 24th. W. James
Ludlow Dec. 10th. Ed Scopina Dec. 26th. There may have been others but these I can only
recollect.
Robert Lively was my old messmate and bed-fellow, I was bunking with him and slept
with him and nursed him while he was sick until he was taken to the pesthouse. Humble and
myself assisted him out into the pest-wagon he bade us good-bye saying that he never expected to
see us again. Some ten days later a federal called at barrack 12 and called for Humble, and
myself, we went to him and he told us that he was a nurse at the pest-house and that he had
nursed Lively until he had died that morning. He also told us that Lively had gotten well of smallpox and died of diphtheria.
While be was talking he undone a cloth and asked which was Duff, I told him that I was
he, he handed me the knife that I had let Lively have saying as he did so, ‘Lively told me that you
had re-handled this, you hated to part with it, but that you had let him have it and asked me to
give it back to you, for you to remember him. Then handing to Humble Lively’s pocket-book and
a comb he said, ‘This Lively told me to give to you, there is a lock of his hair in it and for you, if
you live to get home, take these and give to his wife and to tell her that he died a Confederate
soldier and a prisoner of war, thinking of her.’ Some one in prison stole the knife from me but
Humble was true to the trust that was placed in him and did as Lively requested.”
Now comes the sad part of that war. There was a young Confederate prisoner of war in
barrack 12, his name was Capt. McKnight and he joined the Confederate army in Alabama. He
was liked by all of us and had worked with us, when a call for volunteers was made and a federal
heard his name called. The federal told him that he knew a man by the name of McKnight and
that he commanded a Company of some State Troops, and lived not far from Columbus. Young
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McKnight told the federal that Captain McKnight was his father, and that he, the son, had gone
south before the war had begun, loved the south and had made it his home and that he had taken
up arms in defense of his southern home.
It was reported to the father and he came to see his son and tried to get him to return.
While he was glad to see his father he refused to return. When Lively was taken to the pesthouse I
had no bed-fellow. Young McKnight said as he had no one to sleep with him he would gladly,
bunk with me. I told him that he knew that Lively had the small-pox and that I thought best for no
one to sleep with me but he said that he had no fear of small-pox and still insisted, so I agreed,
and a few days later he was taken to the pest-house with smallpox. Three days later it was
reported to us that young McKnight was dead. How true I do not know but I never saw him again,
but some thought that he had gotten well and returned home, others had it that only his remains
were taken home for burial.
The winter of 1864 was a severe one at Camp Chase. We had stinted ourselves in rations
for several weeks so we could have a large Christmas dinner and when that day came we had all
saved enough to have as much as we could eat, but we all regretted what we had done for it did
not agree with us and prison 2 had more than its share of sick men.
October, 1864:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 5,140
Joined During Month: 458
Total: 5,598
Transferred to other Stations: 7
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 113
Escaped: 0
Released: 43
Total Loss: 200
Sick: 257
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 138
October 23, 1864 : James H.Godbey profile, buried at Camp Chase Cemetery
November, 1864:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 5,448
Joined During Month: 162
Total: 5,610
Transferred to other Stations: 11
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 146
Escaped: 0
Released: 75
Total Loss: 234
Sick: 270
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 131
December, 1864:
Number of Prisoners
270
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 5,410
Joined During Month: 113
Total: 5,523
Transferred to other Stations: 6
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 153
Escaped: 0
Released: 81
Total Loss: 378
Sick: 535
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 130
December 1864:
Terrors and Horrors of Prison Life , or Six Months a Prisoner at Camp Chase. By William H.
Duff; 1907.
Cool weather began to set in, and more prisoners arriving, the authorities began to build
more barracks to shelter us in winter. When the first few were built, our Company occupied
barrack 3, but after more were finished our company moved into barrack 12 and remained in it
until we left prison. These barracks were two feet above the ground. No planks were allowed on
the ground, making it impossible to make an effort to tunnel out as the same would be detected at
once. The ground between the barracks was worked so that the water would run into the main
ditch that led to the large drain of the prison. The ground was at all times well drained. We were
well supplied with good wood, plenty of soap and abundance of water, there were two wells in
prison 2, Barrack 12 being built over the one that supplied water for cooking and drinking.
There were about eighty bunks that were on each side with passage way in the center, three tiers
high. There were two large box stoves to each barrack.
The ground plat of prison 2 is a fair illustration and gives a good idea and helps the reader
to understand how everything was. The large drain across the prison with a large tank was used to
flush and wash off all the refuse and the prison was at all times kept clean. When the barracks
were being built the prisoners would take scraps of lumber and with their knives cut it up into
shavings these shavings we put on the hard part of our bunks to make our beds easy and for a
short while we slept well but it was soon found out by the authorities and we were made to take
the shavings out in the street and burn them.
The daily papers of Columbus came to our relief and raised a howl saying that it was a
shame that helpless prisoners should be treated worse than dogs that any one would give a dog
straw to lie on but that the prisoners at Camp Chase were made to burn shavings that they had
labored for so hard to make their beds easy and that the north could howl , about the
Andersonville prison but they should stop and look at Camp Chase. Public sympathy was aroused
and soon wagon loads of wheat straw was brought in for us, after that we were furnished with
fresh straw often.
Our greatest suffering was hunger. While we had as our daily allowance scarcely onethird rations we were often without anything to eat for three days at a time and this was done as a
punishment to all of us, and for some pretended offence; some time for retaliation as they would
say, ‘for the way the federal prisoners at Andersonville were treated,’ then for another excuse
they would claim that while tools were being used to clean up the prison grounds that a pick or
shovel had been stolen, and then we would be made to do without anything to eat for three days,
and during these days they would be probing the ground to see if there were any tunnels. Two
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other different times we were without anything to eat for three days. This was done on account of
two prisoners making their escape, each at different times. One of them made his escape through
the drain where it passed under the prison wall. The federal who had charge of flooding the drain
had failed to fasten the flood gate, this prisoner had noticed it and made good his escape. The
other prisoner had a friend and confidant to assist him and by trading among the prisoners he had
gotten a large blue overcoat and blue pants both of the regular federal uniform. He also got a
federal hat as many of the prisoners had some part of federal uniform. He soon fitted himself out,
and from some of the prisoners, he also got a citizen’s suits, and one extremely cold and bitter
night he carried out his plan and made good his escape.
When it was very cold, at nine o'clock at night, most of the guards were taken off of duty
and only one-third on, which gave the guards a much longer beat to walk and the one on the
parapet between prison 2 and 3 with his back to the wind, would throw the cape of his coat over
his head and when he would get to where the steps went down from the top of the wall this guard
would go down the steps a little piece to be out from the wind. The man, to make his escape, he
and his friend got under barrack 10, and when the guard passed on his beat and was going down
the steps, the two men hurried to a brace that came down from the parapet to about seven feet of
the ground. The friend stooped down and the other getting on his shoulder, was raised up until he
caught the brace, then standing upright on the man's shoulder he reached the parapet and followed
the guard, who hearing footsteps hurried up the steps and there he met the escaping prisoner. The
guard thinking he was an officer of the guard saluted and was saluted in return.
The Confederate passed on down the steps, the friend sometime afterward told how it
was all done and saying that his friend, the Confederate who escaped, said that he would go near
the guard at the big gate at the turnpike, lie in wait until the relief guard came which was every
half hour on nights that were real cold, and then he would be near enough to hear the countersign
given, and by that means would get out a free man, which proved a success for it seems that he
wore the Federal clothes most of the night, for they were found some distance from Camp Chase
where he had discarded them, the friend getting letters from him afterward.
There was a little Frenchman who belonged to the 13th LA. Regt. soon after he was
confined in prison he wrote to the French Minister at Washington claiming he was a French
subject and not a citizen of the United States, and while he was on a visit to some friends who
were in the Confederate army in Atlanta was taken a prisoner, and that he asked to be liberated
and be allowed to return to New Orleans, and his plea was respected and he was liberated and
furnished transportation to New Orleans where he wrote from, soon afterwards.
As to wood, at first when the cold weather set in we thought that, like our food, it would
be scarce, so we used it very sparingly hiding it under the lower bunks until we had a good supply
on hand. One day Sergeant Jake was inspecting the barrack and saw where we had hidden the
wood, he wanted to know what it meant, we frankly told him why we did it. With a sad voice he
said, "men do not be uneasy about the wood, you may suffer from hunger but you shall not suffer
from cold, I want you to keep the stoves hot, day and night, take my word as a gentleman, I will
see that you have plenty of wood, but you must burn what you have, there will be plenty more for
you."
Sergeant Jake kept his word, the stoves were hot, day and night, as our bedding was
scarce, but by Jake's kindness we did not suffer from cold, and as we now had such a poor way to
cook that the authorities had a kitchen built on the end of each barrack and appointed a cook for
each mess. There were 12 messes, 15 men or more as agreed to the mess. These cooks to a large
extent, robbed us of our rations. We made a complaint and was allowed to choose a cook from
our own mess which proved to be honest. This cook would call the mess when meals were ready,
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and let us all see that all was divided equally, when one would turn his back to the plates and
another of us would call out "who's plate is this?" The one with his back to us would call a
number so and so will take that plate. We were, at meal times known by numbers. Sometimes it
was either beef salt or fresh and at other times salt pork beans and bread.
When the weather would permit there could be seen all kinds of games going on. Chucka-Luck, Ke No. 21, 3 Card Monte, and different kinds of card games. The prisoners would try all
kinds of exercises jumping, running, wrestling, boxing, etc.
For wrong doings there were different modes of punishment. One of the men had a pair
of pants stolen from him and he made a complaint, a search was made, the pants were found and
the guilty man punished. There were two barrels at the end of the street next to prison 1. These
barrels were placed about two feet apart. The guilty man had to stand on these for two hours each
day for a week, he also had a barrel over his head and every five minutes he had to call out as
loud as he could, ‘Here is the man who stole the breeches.’ A guard on the parapet just above him
would call out at times ‘D—you, times up, yell out among the prisoners’. Beside Confederate
soldiers there were citizens of different States and others that had no particular home. One of the
latter was an Englishman. I have forgotten his name, though he was known by all as ‘John Bull.’
He had been arrested in Cincinnati, Ohio as a suspicious character having explosive and
combustible matter with him, and he refused to tell who or what he was, or what was his
occupation, only his name and that he was an Englishman, but he would not ask the aid of
England, and he was sent to Camp Chase. He was liked by all the prisoners.
There was a head man to look after each barrack, and in making detail to have the barrack
swept, this ‘John Bull’ had been detailed to help to sweep his barrack which was No. 8, and said
that no d-- Yankee could make him do anything. Then came the severe punishment of different
kinds and I will mention only two of them. The first was to wear a ten-pound ball and a long
chain locked to each of his ankles for a week at a time. But the most severe one almost caused the
man his life, but he still remained firm. This punishment took place on a very cold and bitter day.
‘John Bull,’ with both ball and chains still on his ankles, was placed on the two barrels
mentioned, and then with a strong cord his two thumbs were tied together, and he was drawn up
by this cord until the toes of his shoes just touched the barrels, and he was tied to the parapet
overhead. He remained in this position for two hours in a cold and bitter wind and when he was
cut down, he could not walk. Two of our men picked up the balls and chains as they were frozen
and put them on their shoulders and carried them, while others carried the poor man to his
barrack. The prisoners murmured and complained at this treatment, and Bull’s punishment was
lighter from that time on. I was told two months afterwards that Bull had never given in.
Some prisoners made money (in checks) by, making things and selling them to the Yanks. A pair
of fine boots was made and sold for $25.00, a beautiful sailing vessel, was sold for $25.00, a
fiddle was made and sold for $25.00, all material being bought at the sutler's store. Rings, etc
brought good prices. I made some money (in checks) by selling tobacco, I not using it, made good
profit on it. I also, with a beef rib, put sides to a pocket-knife, as the wood sides had come off.
Robert Lively, comrade and bed-fellow, gave me fifty cents for it saying he wanted to take it
home as a relic of Camp Chase. The prison had become crowded now and had about 3,000
prisoners in it, there was much sickness and many deaths, and as the men would say, there was
such a demand for coffins that there was a supply kept on hand and stored away under barrack
No. 19 and when a man died his comrades would get a coffin and put him in it and then notify the
authorities about him and a dump cart would be sent, and the dead would be taken away.
Sometimes it happened that the coffins were too short, the foot piece would be knocked out and
the man’s feet would be exposed.
273
January, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 5,289
Joined During Month: 4,134
Total: 9,423
Transferred to other Stations: 3
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 293
Escaped: 1
Released: 126
Total Loss: 2,128
Sick: 495
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 121
January 13, 1865: Note: written as 1864 in error
Delaware Gazette
From the 88th Regiment
Camp Chase, O.
Jan. 4th, 1864 [sic 5]
Messes Eds. Gazette;- Being solicited, will you allow me through your columns, to tender
the thanks of Co. D. 88th O.V.I. to those good ladies of Delaware Co. (Ashley) and
others, for their recent visit to Camp, and a sumptuous repast given to the Company as a
holiday festival? It was indeed a magnificent entertainment and the entire day passed off
in high conviviality and social converse by the whole party, over two hundred in all,. The
tables in the dining hall groaning beneath a copious supply of the richest luxuries, and, to
heighten the entertainment, the Camp Chase Band poured forth some of their most
mellifluous and sole-stirring airs. The whole affair was a grand and happy success, and if
those ladies should ever again contemplate the idea of visiting Camp, may they be
assured that they will receive a cordial reception and the best possible entertainment.
About 2,400 prisoners have arrived here since Thomas' recent victories, and more
are expected soon. They are the most destitute and spiritless of any perhaps that have ever
arrived here, many of them being entirely barefooted and others suffering from scarcity
of clothing. There are now nearly 8,000 of the chivalric sons of Mars in the prisons here,
and mortality among them at present is rather on the increase, over 500 having died since
the 1st of Sept. last, or about 4 per day! many from contagious diseases and many from
the mere "rust of inactivity."
Groaning Hospitals eject their dead and many groan for entrance there."
ol’ Hawkins and two other rebel officers are agents for the reception of clothing and
provisions from Dixie sent the prisoners; the Col. lady and child are living in Camp and
boarding at J.N. Marple's, our officers regular boarding house.
A portion of the literati of Camp recently organized a literary society, under the
title of "The Soldiers Union Reform Society," having for its object the suppression of
vice and immortality and the improvement of the mind. Its principle moral features are
274
temperance and anti-profanity, each member pledging himself to abstain from the use of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage, profanity, &e,&c.The society had a public meeting or exhibition recently, the Chapel in which the
meeting was held being filled to overflowing by an intelligent audience of ladies (there
are ladies in camp the elite society, too) and gentlemen. The literary efforts of the
participants were a perfect success, highly moral, amusing, and entertaining. By the
invitation of the society two very interesting lectures were delivered at the chapel for the
benefit of all who might attend, and other able lecturers are engaged. The outward phase
of Camp Chase have undergone an entire renovation, and, doubtless in point of morality
and good order it surpasses many villages of a like number of inhabitants. In summating
the above I am respectfully &c.
J.P.Preston."
January 27, 1865:
Delaware Gazette
"Our former Camp Chase correspondent Sergeant D.W.C. Lugenbeel, of the 88th Ohio,
has been honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability, and has
resumed his former occupation."
February, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 9,045
Joined During Month: 371
Total: 9,416
Transferred to other Stations: 1,503
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 499
Escaped: 0
Released: 272
Total Loss: 2,878
Sick: 384
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 116
February 5, 1865:
Terrors and Horrors of Prison Life , or Six Months a Prisoner at Camp Chase. By
WilliamH. Duff; 1907.
During the entire time of our imprisonment what little we did hear from the
contending armies was at all times discouraging to us. The year 1865 came with no
changes for the better or the worse. Sunday morning February 5th, 1865 while most of us
were in our barracks we were startled and surprised about 9. a. m. to hear the clear
ringing voice of Lieut. Sankey "Attention prisoners" this he repeated two or three times
and then what was musical to our ears, Lieut. Sankey called out," parole exchange of
prisoners has been agreed upon between the United States and the Confederate States".
Loud cheers went up from the prisoners.
275
Lieutenant Sankey and several other federals were standing on the parapet that
was on the wall between prisons 2 and 3, the parapet being on the side of prison 2. The
Lieut. motioned his hand and asked us all to be silent as he had good news for us and that
he wanted all to listen and pay attention to what was said, and in a clear voice the
Lieutenant began, " General Robert E. Lee as commander in chief of the Confederate
army and General U.S. Grant as commander in chief of the United States have come to an
agreement as to a parole exchange of prisoners which has been approved of by their
respective governments and that agreement is: That as there is a great complaint made by
both North and South of the mistreatment of prisoners, that it has best to exchange
prisoners on parole and let them return home and remain and not bear arms until they
were duly exchanged, when notice would be given and all could then report to their
respective commands for duty and all those who were paroled and had no homes could
report to their parole camps, where they could be taken care of, and commencing at an
early date to he agreed upon that from each prison North and South that 500 men would
be paroled once a week, and be returned to the nearest point of exchange, or as many as
transportation could be furnished to remove them. All this has been brought about by the
efforts and labor of General Lee. And in closing his remarks Lieut. Sankey said "Now
men I do not wish to be misunderstood, after you are out of prison and return South, that
you are not to take up arms, that you are still prisoners of war under parole, and we hope
that a speedy, termination of hostilities will bring the war to a close. Now you can return
to barracks." Cheer went up for Lee and Grant.
Returning to our barracks we talked of nothing but the good news We had just
heard and we began to talk and plan for the future. Every evening when the weather
would permit we would talk for hours around the prison so that when we returned South
in walking home we would not be fatigued.
While we are waiting for the date to come when we are to leave Camp Chase I
will here call the reader's attention to some facts I had omitted. As I have said that there
were three prisons under one wall but was divided by partitions. Prison 1 was the smallest
and was for commissioned officers, then came prison 2 larger than prison 1, then prison 3
larger then prisons 1 and 2 combined. In all there were between ten and twelve thousand
prisoners and in these different prisons there were friends or relations separated from one
another, and were not allowed to see or communicate with each other, but by writing a
note or letter and wrapping it and tying it around a small stick after night when the guard
was at a reasonable distance we could approach near the wall and throw our letter over
into the prison where our friend was. It would be found next day by some prisoner who
would hunt up and give it to the one it was for, and next day we would find a reply that
came by the night mail, as the men would say. We were well aware that many letters that
came for the prisoners and many that were sent out by them were kept or destroyed and
never reached those they were intended for. As time passed and not hearing any more of
the parole exchange we became gloomy and looked upon it as a hoax and that it was done
as a punishment, but time rolls on and waits for no one.
February 9,1865:
Delaware County News Thursday, ---------
276
A Darke County "blue-coat" an inmate of the Post Hospital at Camp Chase, writes as
follows of Dr. A. Longwell, Post Surgeon: ""Maj. Longwell is in charge of the Hospital
as Post Surgeon, and he is the right man in the right place. He is well thought of by all his
patients, and everyone under his command. Never was an Army Surgeon more efficient
or more popular then he."
A Camp Chase correspondent writes as follows:We have some over ten thousand Johnnies here now to guard. They are as ragged as ever.
The mortality in the rebel prisons is from ten to eighteen per day. There are about two
hundred rebs in the Pest House at present, with the smallpox, and two hundred sick in the
Hospital, as near as I can ascertain, The eighty-eighth, is getting along alright, with the
exception of Captain Bunker, who has been dishonorably dismissed from the service.
There are quite a number of recruits here helping our boys do guard duty, which makes it
much easier on us. We only go on guard every third day, which is quite a change of
program to the old story of every other day. The guards are kept on the fence as usual,
only twice as many of them, in order to prevent desertions. There is considerable sickness
among Union soldiers, and a good many deaths occur. There are about two hundred in
the Hospital and ten have died since the first of January, Three died in our Ward between
the 29th of January and the 2nd of February."
February 11, 1865:
W.W. Pollard Map (information on outside cover of map.)
35
United States Qt Ms. Department
Camp Chase State of Ohio.
County of Franklin.
Location: 4 miles west of Columbus on National Road (2 miles south of (?) RR
Capacity: 5000 troops Pffrs Qrs for 4 Regts, Prison Barracks 10,000.
Stables: for 200 horses.
Material: Rough boards upright battoned.
Roof: Composition (Asphaltium)
Built: Rebuilt in 1864.
Condition: Good
Occupied. Feby 11th 1865 by 10 companies 88th OVI and three companies 37th
sic[87th]Iowa Recruits 1000. Paroled Soldiers 535. Prisoners War 9050.
acres 133. 1110ft.
BK62B860
February 12, 1865:
Terrors and Horrors of Prison Life , or Six Months a Prisoner at Camp Chase. By
WilliamH. Duff; 1907.
One week later Sunday morning February l2th, 1865 about 9 a. m. Lieut. Sankey
appeared on the same parapet and called out, "Fall in line men" and a grand rush was
made. All being quiet, Sankey told us that the parole exchange went into effect that day
and that Camp Chase was the first to send out 500 and for the present only the Non-
277
Commissioned Officers and privates would be paroled, the commissioned officers later,
and that only certain States would be called first, then others until 500 prisoners were
called. In calling names, Sankey said that all that wanted to go say "Go" and any that
wanted to stay to say "Stay", but those that said stay Sankey told them that they would
still remain in prison, as they were until the rest had been exchanged, then those that staid
would be allowed to take the oath but not allowed to go South of the Ohio River, and that
as our names were called that those that wanted to go, to answer and go at once and get
ready to leave at 3. p. m., and in calling names some in prison two and some in three
would answer.
One in prison two said stay, a fellow prisoner hissed him and told him he should
be ashamed of himself. Sankey asked the man's name who made the remarks and the
number of his barrack. The man told him. Sankey told him that he would be one of the
last to leave Camp Chase. Charles Harper, one of our Company had gotten mad at some
of us and when his name was called he said "Stay" Our entire Company were among the
first to be called and we were sure a proud set of men.
Charles Harper had been a brave and good soldier, and in many hard-fought
battles, but in a bad humor had done what he afterwards regretted, for when the time
came for us to leave, and as we bade him farewell he could not speak and the large tears
rolled down his cheeks.
Again answering to our names and passing out of prison 2 next to prison 3 about 5 p. m.
Sunday February 12, 1865. Our company who had been prisoners of war at Camp Chase,
O., with glad hearts with the first 500 left with a guard for Columbus. The sun was
shining bright. There was frozen snow that covered the country. Passing out of the big
gate into the turnpike under a double quick, reaching Columbus some three or four miles
distant about dark when there was a train of box cares ready for us which was heated up
by army stoves. All aboard we were soon on our long journey to Richmond Virginia.
February 23, 1865:
Delaware County News
"Col. W. P. Richardson, formerly of the 25th O.V.I., who has been the able and efficient
Post Commandant at Camp Chase for some time past, and was elected Attorney General
of the State at the last October election on the Union ticket, has recently resigned the
latter position. All persons doing business at Camp Chase, will be pleased to learn of his
remaining at the Post, as he is the most agreeable and pleasant officer to transact business
with that has commanded there since its organization. Hon. C.N. Olds has been appointed
Attorney General of the State."
February 23, 1865: 196th O.V.I. Mustered in at Camp Chase.
Among the ranks was private Albert Ruger Company E. 36 years of age, who was the
artist who drew the Birdseye view of Camp Chase. Mustered out June 27, 1865.
February 25, 1865:
The Ohio Weekly State Journal
MILITARY PRISONS- President Lincoln has ordered that the Penitentiaries at
278
Columbus, Ohio and at Jefferson City, MO. and such other prisons as the Secretary of
War may designate, for the confinement of prisoners under sentence of court martial shall
be deemed and taken to be military prisons.
February 26, 1865:
Augustus McGehee, Private 46th, Ga. Co. I, died at Camp Chase, of pneumonia, grave
1452 (Military Records) states the location of the cemetery is 1/3 mile South of C.C.
(Camp Chase.)
From Mr. David A. McGehee, 1029 Ridge Dr., Clayton, N.C. 2752
March, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 7,290
Joined During Month: 571
Total: 7,861
Transferred to other Stations: 11
Delivery or Exchange: 2,286
Died: 309
Escaped: 0
Released: 53
Total Loss: 344
Sick: 376
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 52
March 8, 1865.
Correspondence of Del. News.
Camp Chase, O. March 8, 1865.
Delaware County News March 9,1865------------------Editor Delaware County News:- General Mud is the ranking officer at present in
this camp. It is found on all sides, in the barracks as well as on the outside.-- Several
times when the rolls were called in some of the new companies, some of the smaller boys
were missing -- supposed to have deserted -- but, to the great gratification of their
officers, during the pleasant weather of yesterday and Monday, while the attachés of the
Government Boarding House were engaged in cleaning up around the building, they unearthed the little fellows from beneath the mud, who had just enough life left to call for
more "sow-belly."
Five installments of Johnnies of 500 each, have recently left here for Camp
Lookout,(Md.,) and Aikens' Landing, (VA.,) for exchange. About one-third of the entire
number here refuse to be exchanged. A great many of the prisoners have died here -there are nearly 1600 buried in their grave yard south of the camp besides a number have
been taken to Dixie for burial.
A great many new recruits throng the camp, many of them being regular Sardines,
and numerous "sells" are practiced upon them by the "vets" such as "checking their
baggage " sending them to Col. Neff to "trade boots" or to the chaplain for
279
"Kinnikinnick." Watch-trading and "selling passes" is also carried on extensively, a new
recruit often giving fifteen dollars for a forged pass, or fifty dollars for an old "bulls eye"
worth about three dollars. In the hands of the "old uns" their big bounties are
disappearing like the due of morning before the hot arm. But the poor fellows will be
wiser if they live to come home.
Many improvements have taken place in camp since I was here before, and after
the mud dries away it will be pleasant here. My old "chums" of the 88th O.V.I. ( a most
capital set of boys they are too.) and two companies of the 87th Iowa, "grey-beards," are
"running the machine." Among the new recruits is a war correspondent of the New York
World, which paper you know can beat the world in lying.
Much sickness prevails here. All the hospitals are crowded to excess. Even the
chapel has been converted into a hospital. Many are dying -- some very suddenly. A
number who but recently left home and friends, buoyant with hope and prospect of a safe
return at the end of their term of service, are now quietly sleeping their last long sleep in
"Green Lawn." But this is a nice "city of the silent dead," and they can sleep their very
well. I dropped in upon Dr. Longwell and his estimable lady, and found them
administering to the wants of the sick.-- The sick boys say they could not do without Mrs.
L., Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Matthews, and Mrs. Jackson in the wards or in the cook-room. I
was sick last fall long enough in the hospital to know that Mrs. Dr. Longwell can't be beat
in preparing suitable articles for the sick to eat. Long life to Dr. L. and his better half.
I noticed that the officer who said "all that non-commissioned officers were fit for was to
do the dirty work of commissioned officers," and that "no one was entitled to be a
commissioned officer unless he had been born and raised an aristocrat," is keeping a
"stallion." I am glad he has at last found his level.
In Columbus I called on my old "boss" G.F. Stayman, who is Foreman in the
Christian Witness office, where there are several beautiful and intelligent young lady
compositors, and he seems to be enjoying himself muchly.
Your strayed or stolen "jour"
D.W.C. Lugenbeel
also....
March 9, 1865:
Delaware County News March 9,1865------------------"Wanted.-- There are so many sick at Camp Chase, that those in charge of the various
hospitals are unable to procure the necessaries for them to eat, and in consequence
thereof, the poor boys are suffering dreadfully. The Chapel has been converted into a
hospital for Paroled men, many of whom are almost daily arriving, just released from
loathsome prisons, emaciated, sick and nearly starved, and they nearly all have to be
taken to the hospital immediately upon their arrival. This Hospital is already crowded."
"Can not our citizens get them up a box or two and send down ? If they do, they can
direct them to Captain Allen "I" company, 88th O.V.I. Camp Chase, Ohio."
March 21, 1865:
280
Delaware County News :March 30, 1865
Camp Chase, O., March 21, 1865
Editor Delaware County "News". -????
Camp Chase, as you no doubt know, has been the recruiting rendezvous of Ohio recruits
since last call for volunteers, therefore it has been quite a stirring, place since the
commencement of the great influx of "rah" recruits, ?? full regiments of which have been
organized and sent to the field, another leaves to-day, and the arrivals have not yet
entirely ceased.
A nobler body of men has not responded to their country's call then these same
new recruits, and to them it is hoped may be assigned the honor of assisting in giving a
quietus to this rebellion. So may it be. Sickness prevails to some extent in camp, more
among the new recruits. One man of the 88th, two recruits and one paroled man, all died
a few days since from the effects of either drinking too great a quantity of rotten whiskey
or from poison therein. They took a spree one day and the next day died.
Intemperance, however, does not prevail extensively in camp. Three thousand
prisoner have been forwarded from here for exchange, in lots of 500 each, under charge
of portions of the 88th. -- Those desirous of taking the oath of allegiance are transferred
to a separate prison. about 2,300 have signified that desire two companies of which have
already been mustered into the U.S. service, uniformed, and sent to Chicago for Rocky
Mountain service. They seem well pleased with their new situation, but were quite
anxious to know whether they would get enough to eat.
About 6,000 prisoners still remain 500 of which leave tomorrow for exchange.
About 1,000 paroled men in camp not yet exchanged. They are becoming, "weary of their
monotonous life in this "fenced city" of barracks. May they soon be relieved.
The 88th has just been called to mourn the irreparable loss of its beloved Surgeon, Major
Longwell, who died on Sunday last after a brief illness. The proper escort of four
companies with reversed arms and band with muffled drums paid their last respects to the
deceased yesterday morning as he was being conveyed from his office here to the depot
at Columbus, where his remains were taken to the place of interment, near Eden,
Delaware county. His wife was also conveyed from here at the same time in a critical
state of health. Brevet Brigadier Gen. Richardson is still in command here, and under his
orders camp is now undergoing a thorough "clean up" and everything is going on
smoothly and happily.
Not wishing to be tedious, I will refrain from further details
I am, very respectfully,
Yours, &c. J.P. Preston"
March 23, 1865:
Delaware County News March 23,1865--------------------"Dr. Albert Longwell, for several years a resident of this place, where he was very highly
esteemed for his many noble qualities of both head and heart, died at Camp Chase, Ohio
on Sunday afternoon last of typhus malaria. He leaves a widow and two most promising
little boys, together with an extended circle of relatives and acquaintances to mourn their
281
irreparable loss." "At the time of his death Dr. Longwell was Surgeon of the 88th O.V.I.
and was also acting as Post Surgeon at Camp Chase. He was a most faithful officer, kind
to his patients, administering to their wants with a gentle hand always pleasant and
cheerful, having a joke to crack with all. The sick were always glad when the hour
arrived for him to make his rounds. He invariably came in laughing, and would say to the
boys, "Well, in a day or two more I will have you on your "pins" again, and then I, will
excuse you, and let you go home for a few days," His pleasant manner and talk cured far
more of the "blue coats" than did the medicine in the pills, powders and liquids. Never
was a Surgeon so highly esteemed by the soldiers nor one so much like a father to them
as was Dr. L., at the Post previously." "But two short weeks since while down at Camp
Chase, I called upon my noble friend who had been so kind, and nursed me so tenderly
while in the Post Hospital last fall, and whose many virtues will ever be green in my
memory, and found him in the enjoyment of good health though kept very busy, owing to
the large amount of sickness. Now he is gone to another and no doubt better world.- How
inscrutable are the ways of Providence and past finding out. L."
also....
"DEATH OF DR. LONGWELL.- Dr. Albert Longwell, Surgeon of the 88th Regiment
O.V.I. and Post Surgeon at Camp Chase, died last Sunday, after a brief illness, of typhoid
fever. He was a young man of great promise in his profession, and was universally
esteemed by those who knew him. He was a native of this county, and before entering the
military service a resident and practicing physician of our town. He was formerly
Surgeon of the 4th Ohio Regiment, and few Surgeons in the service stand higher with
those under their professional charge than did Dr. L. with the officers and men of the 4th
and 88th. His remains were interred at Eden, the place of his birth, Monday afternoon.
- Mrs. Dr. Longwell died at 10:45 a.m. yesterday, at the residence of Hon. Jas. R.
Hubbell, in this place. She accompanied the remains of her husband from Columbus
Monday morning, and being too sick to be taken to the home of her parents, was removed
to the residence of Mr. H., whose lady is sister of the late Dr. L., where she continued to
sink rapidly till death ended her sufferings. Her disease was the same as that with which
her husband died. Two small children are left orphans by this sad bereavement."
April, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 4,989
Joined During Month: 350
Total: 5,339
Transferred to other Stations: 1
Delivery or Exchange: 158
Died: 132
Escaped: 0
Released: 1,665
Total Loss: 2,188
Sick: 307
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 51
282
April 9, 1865:
Delaware Gazette, May 5, 1865
[Published by request]
Delivered April 9th, '65, at the William Street
M.E. Church.
By Rev. P.S. Donelson, D.D.
DIED- At Camp Chase, March 19th, 1865, Maj. Albert Longwell, M.D., Post Surgeon.
aged 34 years.
DIED-In Delaware, at the residence of Hon. J. R. Hubbell, March 23d, 1865, Cordelia G.
Eaton Longwell. Aged 28 years.
A distance of four days only separated the husband and the wife. They were stricken
down at the post the post of duty, at noon of day and noon of life, and added to the
number who have fallen in their country's service. They were both reared in an adjoining
township, and were acquainted from childhood.
About 15 years ago Dr. Longwell came to Delaware. After some time passed as a student
in the O.W. University, he made choice of his profession.
Nine years passed since Delia, the only daughter and only surviving child of Joseph
Eaton, Esq., became a pupil of the O.W. Female College. The father had marked out for
her a generous culture - a thorough classical education. He met all her wants with a ready
and liberal hand, hoping that soon she would be able to sit down by his side in the study
of Greek and Hebrew, to which languages he had given considerable attention. Delia was
an enthusiastic student, a faultless pupil, a model young women. She was amiable
scholarly and Christian. I can think of none more so since the founding of the College.
She advanced to nearly the middle of her senior year.
In the meantime the Doctor had finished his studies, taken his degree and entered
upon his profession in this city.- preeminently needful to the medical profession - he
became a Christian, and united with the William Street M.E. Church. In February 1859,
the two were united in marriage. They were beautiful parallels in natural temperament
and talent - in tastes, friendships and religious experiences - well suited to wear the
conjugal yoke together.
Dr. Longwell is known among us as a man, highly honorable; as a friend, reliable;
as a physician, faithful and skillful. When the rebellion broke out he occupied a reputable
place, and had attained to a lucrative practice. At the opening of the war he entered the
army as Surgeon of the 4th Ohio Regiment, subsequently of the 88th Ohio, and for the
last year was assigned to duty as Post Surgeon at Camp Chase, Ohio where, taxed night
and day in the care of sick and dying soldiers, he was attacked by malignant fever and
died. His wife quickly followed. They sleep side by side in the cemetery of their native
town. In his last hour the Doctor's thoughts wandered not from his post of duty. To
himself he seemed passing from couch to couch ministering to the sick and dying.
The wife and mother, after commending her orphan boys to the fatherhood of God, is
said to have given a most thrilling exhortation to the friends about her to remember and
relieve the suffering soldier. In their motives and sacrifices may we not look upon them
as martyrs fallen for the country, truly as the soldier that sleeps upon the field of battle?
There are many relatives present - members of the profession - a College - Church 283
fellow citizens - the two little orphaned boys did they but know their loss, would be the
greatest mourners of us all.. [ much more but not copied here.].
This researcher’s direct ancestor, SARAH “SALLIE” DONALDSON, sister of
Adolphus and Jesse Donaldson, was born on March 18, 1865 to JOSEPHUS and
NANCY BEARD DONALDSON. She grew up hearing the stories of the Civil War, but
never knew her eldest brother, who died before she was born.
Lincoln Assassination : April 14th, 1865.
April 27, 1865:
Sultana exploded near Memphis with 2108 people aboard, 1800 died. 230 survivors show
ed up at Camp Chase in early May , their were about 1,500 paroled men at Camp Chase
at this time.
April 29, 1865:
The Lincoln funeral procession arrives at the Columbus depot, from Cleveland. The 88th
Regiment leads the parade down High St. and circle the Statehouse where the coffin sits
in the rotunda and is visited by over 50,000 people. It is then removed back to the depot
to its next destination.
May, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 4,995
Joined During Month: 544
Total: 5,539
Transferred to other Stations: 3
Delivery or Exchange: 440
Died: 80
Escaped: 0
Released: 3,249
Total Loss: 3,305
Sick: 48
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 40
June, 1865:
Number of Prisoners
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 3,353
Joined During Month: 0
Total: 3,353
Transferred to other Stations: 11
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 45
Escaped: 0
Released: 7
Total Loss: 48
Sick: 0
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 1
284
From 1971 Notes on the DONALDSON Family by Thomas L. Donaldson, Montgomery,
Alabama (Ala. State Archives and History.)”
Jesse Donaldson was given a parole, as follows:
“Headquarters, 16th Army Corps, Montgomery, Alabama, dated June 15, 1865. I,
the undersigned, J. R. Donaldson, Sergt. ‘A’ Company, 33rd Alabama Infantry, do
solemnly swear that I will not bear arms against the United States of America, or give
any information, or do any military duty whatsoever, until regularly exchanged as a
prisoner of war. Description: Height, 5’8”; hair, dark; eyes, blue; complexion, fair.”
“I certify that the above parole was given by me on the date above given, and the
above named sergeant will not be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as he
observes the conditions of his parole, and by the laws and regulations in force where he
resides.
By order of Major General A. J. Smith
Signed J. A. Sexton, Capt. 721 Illinois Inf. and ass’t provost marshal.
[My source for the above material was Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson.]
From: http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/CW.html
“After the surrender of the Confederate Armies in 1865, probably half or less of
the men from Coffee County who went off to defend the South made it back home. They
returned a haggard, half-starved, and demoralized group as compared to the cocky
soldiers they were when they left Coffee County. However, these men found Coffee
County mostly as it was when they departed, as the Union troops had not destroyed
homes and towns there as they had done in so many other regions of the South. Life was
hard during the period after the War known as Reconstruction; most of the ties to the
outside world such as mail and telegraph were severed as martial law was in effect.”
“Slowly, the pace of life returned to the way it was before for most of the
residents of the area. The slave owners had given freedom to the blacks they had owned
before the War, and the ex-slaves rejoiced at their new-found freedom. In time, the
Confederate veterans of Coffee County got over the humiliation of losing the War and
most began to realize that they had put up one hell of a fight no matter what the outcome.
There were reunions of the soldiers and sailors of the Confederacy all over South and
groups like the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) were formed to lobby for their
rights. One such group of Confederate Veterans known as ‘Camp Costello’ was based in
Elba and was named after Pierre D. Costello. The men of Coffee County who served in
the War fought not for slavery, as most had none, but for their homes and families.”
“Many Southerners fought voluntarily for the Union during the Civil War, as did
many Northerners serve the Confederacy. Their loyalty to their chosen towns, counties,
and states were outweighed by what they believed was right and wrong…”
Jesse Donaldson married Catherine Elizabeth Pollard on November 4, 1866 in
Scoville, Crenshaw Co, AL. “Jessie Donaldson died after he was discharged from the
285
Army some where in Alabama ( According to Alvin Latner, Jessie R. died in
Montgomery) (Pvt. Co. A. 33rd. Ala. Inf. Reg. Widow Catherine (Alabama State
Archives and History.)” [1971 Notes on the DONALDSON Family by Thomas L.
Donaldson, Montgomery, Alabama]
James, the third oldest son, also served in the Confederacy. His physical
description was given: 5 ft. 8 inches tall, blue eyes and light-colored hair. However, while
he was on picket duty, he deserted the Rebs and joined the Union Army, on January 18,
1864, at Barrancas, Florida. He was a private, Company ‘A’ in the 1st Florida Volunteers,
and he made corporal on July 1st, 1864. He was discharged on November 17, 1865 at
Tallahassee, Florida. He received a Union pension #1074537.
From the records of Thomas Lafell Donaldson, who wrote his father’s memoirs:
“James D. came home on leave from the Confederate Army during the time the
Union Army held Pensacola, Florida, and didn’t return to the Confederate army. The
woods were full of people called runners, and they could get you into the Union army at
Pensacola and all you would have to do would be put on guard duty, and you wouldn’t
have to fight your own people. He joined them and stayed at Pensacola until the end of
the war.”
“William Joseph served in the Civil War in the Union Navy, and later received a
pension.” years of age. He married Arametta Darby. “Joseph William (Billie).Donaldson
died in Alabama, close to Opp, Alabama around 1891 or maybe later. His children were
Jessie Donaldson, Wilton Donaldson, Furman Donaldson, and Willie Donaldson (a
daughter, and at present the only member of that family living. ( Billie married Arametta
Darby, they lost their first three children. He was a ____ by trade, and served as Justice of
the Peace)" [1971 Notes on the DONALDSON Family by Thomas L. Donaldson,
Montgomery, Alabama with notes in ( ) by Betty Donaldson Reed]
From the notes of Thomas L. Donaldson as told by his father, William Joseph
Donaldson:
“Mary Ann Donaldson married a man by the name of Richard Ford Jackson. No
one seemed to know where or how she met him, but he was an escaped convict from the
state of Georgia. He had killed his brother-in-law. They had some children, but no one
seems to know how many, or where Mary Ann died. After her death, he lived close to
where Kinston, Alabama is now. At the time, it was called ‘Cross Trails’ A man by the
name of Joel Adams found out that ford Jackson was an escaped convict, and wrote to the
state of Georgia, and wanted to know what they would give for him. Ford Jackson pulled
up and moved to Florida. At the time, Florida had no extradition law. He lived out the
remainder of his life in Florida, and was a Sheriff of the county that he lived in
(Madison), for two terms. Ford Jackson had three boys who went into the army during
the Spanish American War 1890s?] and served in the Philippine Islands. One died of
cholera, and the other two came back to the United States but stayed in California.”
286
From the Memoirs of William Joseph Donaldson, provided to me by Elizabeth
Reed and Sally Emerson:
“James D. married after his discharge [from the Confederate army] to one of Joe
Ficklin’s daughters, and they all decided to move to Texas, and he went with them. It
took nine months by wagon train for them to reach the settlement close to Dallas. The
town they settled at for awhile is no longer in existence. “
“Martha married a man by the name of Taylor, his first name is lost to me, but I
know they had two sons, John and Frank [the 1880 census called him Joseph.]. I don’t
recall ever hearing anyone speak of any others. They moved to the state of Arkansas, for
some reason or the other, and he died with the fever while they lived there, the place is
not known to me. She sold what she had and moved back to Alabama.”
Births, Deaths, & Marriages from "The Andalusia Star"
Nov 27 1913 issue Bud DONALDSON, killed by Marion TAYLOR of Coffee Co,
Taylor was cut in head, Donaldson was shot, wife & 5 children survived, fight was in
Covington Co.
Florala News-Democrat 1913-1918
Compiled and Contributed by Tonia Porter 2003 & updated 2004
The following are excerpts from the Florala-News Democrat newspaper, by Tonia Porter.
“Thursday, November 27, 1913-John D. Donaldson, a Coffee County planter,
died in a Montgomery Hospital from a bullet wound in his head following an encounter
with Marion Taylor, his brother-in-law at Opp. His body was sent to Opp for burial.
Donaldson is reported to have been shot by Taylor because of a division of some
property.”
From the Memoirs of William Joseph Donaldson, provided to me by Elizabeth Reed and
Sally Emerson:
“Her [Martha’s] father was still living, but her mother had died, so she kept house
for her father until he died. (She later married a Mr. Hubbard, and she had one son,
Thomas Edmund, who later in life had a mercantile store in Opp, Alabama. His widow
was a tremendous help in locating information for Betty Reed.) [Some of the memoir
does not jibe with the 1880 census…The mother, NANCY BEARD DONALDSON was
still living at the time that Martha returned home, and her third son was named William
on that census page. Her husband was not with her at that time, but she was called
Martha Hubbard.]
In the 1880 census, the family is found in Hale County, District 65. The only
children still residing with the parents by this time were Francis, aged 21, Edmund, aged
19, SARAH SALLIE, and the youngest, Emma. Since WILLIAM PAUL is reported to
be the father of SARAH SALLIE’s children, I checked the 1880 census for him, and
found that he had a wife named Nancy, aged about 25 [very foggy focus], with a ‘niece’
named Sarah, aged 15 or 19, and a baby, Mary less than a year old. Could the wife have
287
been SARAH SALLIE’s older sister, Nancy Louise? That would explain SARAH
SALLIE’s presence in the household, if my guess is accurate. However, Nancy is listed
by the family tree as being married to a Daniel Miller. Her first child with Daniel Miller
was in 1883, so that allows time for a divorce from William Paul. Was there a marriage
and a divorce?
From the memoirs of William J. Donaldson as recorded by his son, Thomas L.
Donaldson, and provided to me by Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson:
“Nancy married a man by the name of Miller and they had several children. Some
of them I knew, Adolphus, Ed, Arthur and a daughter. There may have been more but I
never knew them. I don’t know when or where she died or where she is buried.”
From the memoirs of William Joseph Donaldson as written by his son, Thomas L.
Donaldson, and provided to me by Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson:
“James Donaldson was in the Oklahoma Territory in 1889, when they opened up
the Cherokee Strip for homesteading, and he made the run. He came back to Alabama in
1901 and stayed a few years to establish the fact that he had been a member of the Union
Army so that he could draw a pension. Then he returned to Oklahoma and married again.
He died in Chickasha in 1912.
“Frank Latner remembered James D. had no place to stay while he was in Florida
trying to establish his residence and prove he was in the Union Army. So he came to live
with his sister, Sarah Catherine Latner and her husband Nick Latner and family. Frank
said he could remember his father telling James he could stay with them so long as the
Civil War was never discussed. It seems that Nick had served the Confederate army for
the full 3 years, and drew a pension of $15 per month, and James had deserted the
Confederacy and joined the Union forces and served 9 months, and he drew a pension of
$30 per month. It didn’t set too well with old Nick.”
Births, Deaths, & Marriages from Covington Co., AL Newspapers Compiled by Lisa R.
Franklin RN and Lois Danley
The Covington Times 09 MAY 1891
“d Mr JOSEPH S. DONALDSON of Hallton, Ala on 16 Mar aged 71 yrs.”
Cool Springs Cemetery, Opp, Covington County, Alabama
Location: T4N-R18E-S27. Covington Co., Alabama. Going north on Hwy 331 from Hwy
12/84 in Opp, Al., turn right on Hwy 12/84 and go about 1 1/2 miles. The cemetery will
be on the right at junction of Cool Springs Road and Hwy 12/84. Cool Springs Church
organized 1882. Land donated for new building in 1891. Surveyed 18 Oct 1988 by
Gerald & Joan Hidle.
DONALDSON, Joseph S.
b 21 Oct 1820 d 16 Mar 1891
DONALDSON, William J.
b 16 Apr 1847 d 24 Dec 1889
UNKNOWN, Jesse
b 20 Jan 1887 d 05 Sept 1888
Broken & eroded through name. Located between DONALDSON & HARRISON
288
DONALDSON, Norwood
b 27 Mar 1925 d Sept 1925
DONALDSON, Susan, Wife.
b
1893 d 24 May 1929
Donaldson W. F. n/a n/a Co. K, 23 Alabama Inf, CSA
DONALDSON, Infant b? d 03 SEP 1900 infant of J. D. & E. T. DONALDSON.
289
SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON
In the 1910 census, SARAH SALLIE reported that she was born in Florida,
although she had not been reported as being born there by her parents in the 1880 census.
The following material comes from the memoirs of William Joseph Donaldson, as
written by his son, Thomas Lafell Donaldson, and provided to me by my aunts, Elizabeth
Reed and Sally Emerson:
“SALLIE SARAH DONALDSON was never married, as far as I know, but she
had several children. I don’t know when she died, in either Opp or Kinston, Alabama. [A
daughter named Zozie Teel, of the youngest sister, Emma Teel described Sarah Sallie to
Elizabeth Reed: “She was about 5 and a half feet tall, had light sandy-colored hair, and
fair skin. She always dressed nice.” We have a photograph of Sarah Sallie at a Teel
family reunion, possibly standing next to her sister Emma. She was enumerated in the
1910 census, two months before her death, in Opp, Covington County, AL.] Two of her
boys I saw, but both are now dead, Elza and Jesse (he was wrong about Elza being dead
yet. Elizabeth Reed), but I do remember hearing him speak of two others, MELVIN and
Fred (Fred was an error). MELVIN ran away as a young man [he was about 15 at the
time], and went to California, he may still be living.”
SARAH SALLIE’s family may have started with a daughter, Eva or Emma
Mae, born March 18, year not mentioned. It would be interesting to learn if this date was
between 1880 and 1883. The next child born was Elza, born in 1885 in Andalusia,
Covington County, the son who was adopted by SARAH SALLIE’s brother John and
his wife. Next was Joseph Edgar, in 1887 [enumerated in the 1910 census in Opp,
Covington County, Al, aged 23], then Isabella and Irabella (apparently twins) in 1890,
James Alvin, in 1893 in Covington County; Jesse Robert in Coffee County in 1895,
Olive in 1899, and CLARENCE MELVIN in 1900 in Coffee County.
“SALLIE’s older brother, John married and lived with his wife [Mattie] for
several years and finally separated. They had no children of their own, but did raise [and
adopted on Sept. 7, 1887, according to court records of Covington County, AL] a nephew
of his, Elza Stanton Donaldson, eldest son of his sister SARAH SALLIE
DONALDSON, who in later life, became a railroad engineer for the C & N Railroad.
John went to Texas and stayed 15 years and farmed. He returned to Alabama about 1912,
after the Boll Weevil cleaned out his cotton crop. In his later years, he had no place to
stay, and no home of his own, so he lived with his brother Thomas Peter, and died there
in 1937. He was buried in the Donaldson plot at Cool Springs Cemetery.”
“The oldest daughter, Eva or Emma Mae, was helping her husband, Thomas
Jackson with land clearing and brush burning. The hem of her long dress caught on fire,
and she died as a result of the burns. Her brother [my grandfather, CLARENCE
MELVIN DONALDSON] remembered her name as Emma, not Eva Mae, and named
one of his daughters, Emma, as a tribute to her.”
290
“There was a son Jesse who lived in Montgomery, Alabama, that Elizabeth Reed
visited in Nov. 1971. Also another son, Joseph Edgar, who was in the army in WWI and
died at Fort Macon, GA in the flu epidemic, and is buried in Hopewell Cemetery at
Henderson, Pike Co, AL.”
There are probate records for JOSEPH S. DONALDSON, but Elizabeth Reed
did not transcribe them into her notes, which is the source I am working from. The
probate records of Elba, Coffee County, AL are dated Oct. term 1895, page 264. The
inventory records are located in Volume D, page 265. Listed by Elizabeth Reed are the
heirs to JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON:
[I am listing them in order of birth]-the children of Jesse R. Donaldson, deceased,
Frank, Lona, Lessie, Otta; James Donaldson, Navarro County, Texas; Willie Donaldson,
Joseph Jackson and the other children of Mary Ann [deceased] and Richard Jackson,
Martha Hubbard, Coffee County; John Donaldson, Nancy L. Miller, Crenshaw County;
Thomas Peter Donaldson of Coffee County; Francis Donaldson, Hale County; Catherine
Latner, Tuscaloosa County; Edmund Donaldson, Hale County; Sallie Donaldson, Coffee
County; and Emma, Coffee County; and various unlinked grandchildren, Wilton,
Furman, James, and Minnie.
According to Elizabeth Reed, the JOSEPH S. DONALDSON homestead was
sold at “public outcry” in order to settle the estate among his heirs. The selling price was
$304, and was designated as the West half of SE quarter, and the East half of the SW
quarter of Section 19, Range 4. [If he owned this land all along, why did he leave it and
live in other counties for between one and two decades?]
291
Appendix
Vital Records-Family of HANS JACOB GALLMAN
From the website www.netside.com/~genealogy/gallman.shtml, provided to me by my
aunts, Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson.
Ship’s log or records:
“Arrived from London to Charleston, South Carolina on the ship William with 9
children on February 7, 1735, and signed the register himself.”
Name
HANS JACOB GALLMAN-Born-Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married August 23, 1674, Mettmenstetten
Died-Oct. 20, 1738, Saxegotha, Berkeley County, SC
Source
VERENA STAHELI Born
Died-bef. 1734
Rudolph Gallman
Born 28 October 1698, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married
Died about 1767, stayed in Holland
Vroni Gallman
Born 21 April, 1700, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
MarriedDied about 1769
Anneli Gallman-born 22 April, 1701, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married Hans Ulrich Einiger
DiedAnna Gallman
Born 31 August, 1704, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married Heinrich Buchman
Died Sept. 1735, Saxegotha Twp, Berkeley County, SC
Hans Heinrich Gallman-Born March 7, 1705, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married
Died
Heiri Gallman
Born
Married-Catherine Geiger
Died-
per letter of HJG
HEINRICH GALLMAN, Capt. born 24 Nov. 1709, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
MarriedDied-Dec. 28, 1765, Granby, Saxegotha Township, SC
BCWB
292
Elizabeth Gallman
Born 3 April 1711, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married Jacob Schall.
Died
Anna Barbara Gallman born 18 January, 1713
Married
Died
Hans Gallman
Born March 1, 1717, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Married Margaretha Gartman, born 20 Sept, 1730, SafienNeukirch, Switzerland (daughter of Bartholomew and Barbara
Gartman).
Died 22 April 1758, Saxegotha, Berkeley County, SC.
BCWB = Berkeley County, SC Willbook, 1747-1752, p. 450. Also 1740-1747 will book,
p. 22
293
Family of HANS JACOB GEIGER
*Arrived Charles Town Feb. 1, 1737, on the Prince of Wales, Saxe Gotha Township,
grants September 1737.”
*HANS JACOB GEIGER-Born-July, 1679, Dispolosav, St. Gall, Switzerland
Married-Margaret Feerin, Feb. 1734
Died-, Saxegotha Township, Berkeley Co, SC
MARGARET FEERIN-born-1684, Rhynthal, Switzerland
DiedCatharina Geiger-born 1734, Rhynthal, Switzerland
Married
DiedJohn Conrad Geiger-born-1736, Rhynthal, Switzerland
MarriedDied
HERMAN GEIGER-Born-December 18, 1707, Rhynthal, Diebolzau, Zurich,
Switzerland
Married-Elizabeth Habluzel, Feb. 26, 1733/34, Trullikon, Switzerland
Died-Dec. 5, 1751, Saxegotha Township, SC
BCWB
Elizabeth Geiger-Born-March 9, 1740, Rhynthal, Switzerland
Married-John Shalling or Schellig or Shettig , died 1738 per BCWB
Died
Jacob Geiger-Born after 1742, South Carolina
MarriedDied
Margaret Geiger-Born-after 1742, South Carolina
Married
Died
John Geiger-Born Jan. 8, 1748, Saxegotha, South Carolina
MarriedDied
BCWB = Berkeley County, SC Willbook, 1747-1752, p. 450
Also 1740-1747 will book, p. 22
From South Carolina Online Index, http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/search/default.asp:
294
Date: 1737/09/12 Series: S213184 Volume-16 Page-261 Item–1.
Description: GYGER, HANS JACOB, plat for 350 acres and a ½ acres town lot in
Saxegotha Township. Names Indexed: St. John, James; GYGER, HANS JACOB;
Struck, John; Shillig, John; Haig, George. Locations: Saxegotha Township; Santee
River; Berkeley County. Type: plat.
Date: 1742/06/05. Series: S213019 Volume-42 Page-130.
Description: GYGER, HANS JACOB, land grant for 1 town lot and 350 acres in
Berkley County.
From Abstracts of the Wills of the State of South Carolina, 1740-1760, compiled
and edited by Caroline T. Moore:
Page 1-“Johannes Shettig [John Shalling], Saxegotha Township. A true and
faithful translation from the German language to English by Christian Mote at the time of
writing. Wife [not named-but was Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of HANS JACOB
GEIGER], all of the estate. Mentions: ‘my two little Uncles;’ if wife is with child, then
such child shall inherit estate at wife’s death; godson John Geiger; Henry Kahlman
[Gallman]. Executors: [not named]. Witnesses by Abraham Geiger, Herman Geiger.”
Died 13 December, 1738. P. nd. P. 22.
The Geigers of South Carolina, compiled by Percy L. Geiger, pages 18-19:
[On his page 17, it says that this will was filed in the Charleston County
Courthouse]:
Berkeley County Willbook, 1747-1752, page 450:
Be it remembered that I, HARMAN GEIGER of Saxegotha Township in the
province of South Carolina, planter, being sick and weak in body but of sound and
perfect mind, memory and understanding, praised be God for the same, and declare this
my last will and testament in manner and form following:
“That is to say, after all my just debts and funeral expenses are duly paid and
satisfied, I give and bequeath unto my dear wife ELIZABETH, my Negro girl Susey
now about four or five years old. Also I will that my said wife ELIZABETH have the
free full use, enjoyment and possession of all that my plantation or three tracts of land
containing the whole three hundred acres of land whereon I now dwell during the term of
her natural life if she so long remains my widow, and unmarried, and the free use of all
houses and plantation tools, horses, stock of cattle thereon and after my said wife’s
decease or in case she marries again, then I give devise and bequeath unto my eldest son,
John Conrad, all that the aforesaid plantation containing three hundred acres of land with
all buildings and improvements thereon to hold to my said son John Conrad, his heirs
and assigns [on the south side of the Santee River].”
“Also, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Herman, one tract of land
containing four hundred and fifty acres lying in the fork on the south side of Broad River.
Also one other tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres which I lately bought
295
of Adam Sheikel and lies near the other tract; my said som Herman, his heirs and assigns
forever.”
“Also I give and devise unto my youngest son, John and to his heirs and assigns
forever, one tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres lying on the north side of
Broad River purchased of Michael Pomer. Also a tract of fifty acres of land adjoining
thereto which I bought of Peter Smith and all the rest and residue and remainder of my
estate, real and personal, I give and bequeath unto my said wife and all my sons and
daughters to be equally divided between them part, share and portion alike.”
“And I will and direct that immediately after my decease and indented servant
Tobias Walthour be set free and discharged from further servitude by my executors
hereafter named, provided the expense and charge thereof exceeds not the sum of twenty
five pounds current money, and that the said Tobias if free, pay the expense again by
work and labor.”
“And I will and desire that Stephen Creel be in no manner employed about, or
have concern with my books, papers, or anything relating to or concerning any of my
affairs whatsoever.”
“And my further will and intent is that what I have herein before given my said
wife is in full of any right or claim she ought to have to any part of my estate, real or
personal, and in full her thirds or dower therein. And I hereby appoint my said wife,
ELIZABETH, executrix, my son, John Conrad, my brother-in-law, John Gollman,
Mr. Benjamin Smith, Mr. Henry Lawrence, executors of this my last will and testament,
hereby revoking all former and other wills and wills by me at any time heretofore made,
declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal the 20th day of October in the year of our Lord, 1751.”
HERMAN GEIGER
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said HERMAN
GEIGER for and as his last ill and testament in the presence of us who, at his request,
and in his presence, have subscribed our names hereto. Hans Jacob Remmsperger,
Frederick Houx, John Remington. Dec. 6, 1751; proved Dec. 6, 1751; before the
governor; wife and John Gollman qualified same day.”
[Part of will in original book destroyed.]
296
Family of HERMAN GEIGER
HERMAN GEIGER-Born-December 18, 1707, Rhynthal, Diebolzau, Zurich,
Switzerland
Married-Elizabeth Habluzel, Feb. 26, 1733/34, Trullikon, Switzerland
Died-1767, Saxegotha Township, SC
ELIZABETH HABLUZEL-born-December 25,1711, Trullikon, Switzerland
Died-After 1751
Catharina Geiger-born 1734
Married-Heiri Gallman
Died
per letter of HJG
John Conrad Geiger-Born-1736
Married-Barbara Murff, 1762
Died-March 2, 1772
TGSC
TGSC
Jacob Geiger-Born-Abt 1742
Married-Ann Theiller
Died-August 8, 1772
TGSC
BCWB
BCWB
Herman Geiger, Jr-Born-1738
Married-Lavinia Kaigler, abt 1770, Orangeburg Dist.
Died-Abt 1779
TGSC
TGSC
ELIZABETH GEIGER-Born-March 9, 1739/40, Switzerland
Married-HEINRICH GALLMAN, abt. 1756, SC
Died-November 5, 1082, Charleston, SC
BCWB = Berkeley County Willbook SS, page 248
TGSC = The Geigers of South Carolina, by Percy L. Geiger, 1945
From South Carolina Online Index, http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/search/default.asp:
Date: 1737/09/12. Series: S213184 Volume - 0016 Page - 00262 Item – 01
Description: GYGER, HERMAN, PLAT FOR 200 ACRES AND A .5 ACRE TOWN
LOT IN SAXE-GOTHA TOWNSHIP; GYGER, ABRAHAM; LIVER, JOHN; HAIG,
GEORGE. Locations: SAXE-GOTHA TOWNSHIP. SANTEE RIVER. BERKELEY
COUNTY. Type: PLAT.
Date: 1739-1740. Series: S372001 Volume - T0 Page - 00366 Item – 2.
Description: DUTERING, HERMAN CHRISTIAN AND WIFE TO HERMAN
GEIGER, SALE FOR 50 ACRES OF LAND IN BERKELEY COUNTY. Names
297
Indexed: DUTERING, HERMAN CHRISTIAN; GEIGER, HERMAN. Locations:
BERKELEY COUNTY. Type: SALE.
Date: 1741/01/15. Series: S213184 Volume-4 Page - 404 Item – 2.
Description: GEIGER, HERMAN, PLAT FOR 200 ACRES IN BERKLEY COUNTY.
Names Indexed: GEIGER, HERMAN; COLEMAN, HENRY; BROWN, PATRICK;
ST. JOHN, JAMES; HAIG, GEORGE. Locations: BERKELEY COUNTY; SAXEGOTHA TOWNSHIP. Type: PLAT
Date: 1742/06/05. Series: S213019 Volume-42 Page-127 Item-00.
Description: GYGER, HERMAN, LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT AND 200
ACRES IN BERKLEY COUNTY.
Date: 1749/07/04. Series: S213019 Volume-42 Page-304 Item-00.
Description: GEIGER, HERMAN, LAND GRANT FOR 200 ACRES IN
SAXEGOTHA
Date: 1749/11/28. Series: S213184 Volume-5 Page-38 Item-2.
Description: GEIGER, HERMAN, PLAT FOR 450 ACRES ON BROAD RIVER.
Names Indexed: GEIGER, HERMAN/FAIRCHILD, JOHN; HUNTER, GEORGE;
Locations: BROAD RIVER; CONGAREES, THE. Type: PLAT
Date: 1751/05/24. Series: S213197 Box-2 Item-441 ignore-00.
Description: GEIGER, HERMAN, UNRECORDED PLAT FOR LAND NOT
GRANTED, 450 ACRES ON COLLINGS CREEK, BETWEEN BROAD AND
SALUDY RIVER, SURVEYED BY JOHN HAMELTON
Date: 1751/06/07. Series: S213019 Volume-4 Page-394 Item-00.
Description: GEIGER, HERMAN, LAND GRANT FOR 450 ACRES ON BROAD
RIVER.
Date: 1751/09/06. Series: S213003 Volume-2I Page-64 Item-01.
Description: GLEN, JAMES, GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO HENRY
GOLLMAN, APPOINTMENT AS GUARDIAN OF JOHN CONRAD GEIGER,
INFANT CHILD OF THE LATE HARMAN GEIGER, STOREKEEPER. (1 PAGE)
Type: APPOINTMENT. Topics: ORPHANS, CARE OF; COMMISSIONS AND
APPOINTMENTS; ESTATE DISPOSITIONS.
Date: 1753. Series: S136002 Box-36A Item-219A ignore-00.
Description: LAURENS, HENRY, BENJAMIN SMITH, JOHN CONRAD GEIGER,
AND JOHN SOLMAN, EXORS. AND ELIZABETH GEIGER, EXIX. OF
HARMOND GEIGER VS KNOWLES GILES, JUDGMENT ROLL.
From the Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby
Gilmer Moss, 1985, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD,
298
Geger, Jacob
He served in the 5th regiment during February 1780. N. A. 853.
Geiger, Henry
He served under Col. Wade Hampton and General Sumpter after being taken prisoner at
Congaree Fort. A. A. 3287
Geiger, Jacob-pension application #W2728, BLW# 34282-160-55
B. Nov. 1863
D. 25 December, 1804
M.
1. Ann Kaigler
2. Mrs. Dorothy ___
He enlisted on 12 December 1776 and on 20 December became a fifer in the 3rd
regiment. He was wounded at Gate’s Defeat. In 1781 and 1782, he served 300 days as a
lieutenant in the militia. He was discharged on May 31, 1777. P. I.; A. A. 2752; R127; N.
A. 853.
Giger, Jacob
He served in the 5th regiment before transferring to the 1st regiment. N. A. 246; N. A. 853.
Geiger, John
He served in the militia under Col. Waters after the fall of Charleston. A. A. 2753; X2526
Geiger, Tobias
He served in the militia under Col. Waters after the fall of Charleston. A. A. 2754; X2527
From Percy L. Geiger’s The Geigers of South Carolina:
Page 20-21: Epitaph and Bible Records-In memory of Major Jacob Geiger, who
was born __ November in the year 1763, and departed this life on the 25th December,
1804.”
“With patriotic fervor for the liberty of his country, he entered the American army
which was contending for the rights and liberty of the people and defended same by
example and precept until peace was proclaimed to the States. He died lamented by all
those who knew him as a friend and patriot.”
“Major Geiger was married to the amiable Ann Catherine Beard on the 10th day
of May, Y.L. 1785.”
“Ann Catherine Geiger died on the 10th January, 1797, after living happily with
her dear husband, Major Jacob Geiger eleven years, eight months and eight days.”
“Major Geiger was married the second time to Miss Dorothy Kinsler, daughter of
the honorable John Kinsler of Lexington CO, SC, December 1799, of whom he lived
most happily with for two years. He often expressed himself as being greatly blessed in
both his first and second marriages, thought he had married the two best women in the
299
land; thought their souls must be twins, their spirits were so alike, so sweet, so good.”
Signed J. G.
Mrs. Dorothy (Kinsler) Geiger, widow of Major Jacob Geiger, married 2nd, in
1802, Abraham Geiger, b. 1770, died 1841, son of John Geiger, 1748-1817, son of
Herman Geiger.”
The Columbia Chronicle April, May, June 1996, pages 4-10:
“I have been left executor of the will of HARMAN GEIGER, deceased.” April 22, 1758
Source: jeffries@netside.com or Gene Jeffries, 30 Eastgrove Ct, Columbia, SC 29212
phone (803)-732-1320 as of 05/20/98
300
Family of HEINRICH GALLMAN
Name
Source
Capt. HEINRICH GALLMAN-born 24 November, 1709, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
married Margaret ____, married abt 1756, in Saxegotha Twp, SC.
Married 2nd wife- ELIZABETH GEIGER
Died 19 February, Saxegotha, SC, buried Saxegotha, Lexington,
SC.
BCWB
ELIZABETH GEIGER-Born 1740, South Carolina, ?Switzerland, (daughter of
HERMAN GEIGER and ELIZABETH HABLUZEL)
Died 5 November 1802, Charleston, SC, buried in the German
Lutheran Cemetery, Charleston, SC.
John Gallman-
Born 1741, Saxegotha, SC
Married Christina Gray. In 1768 conveyed one acre for St. John’s
Church, Saxegotha. Rev. Theus, pastor. Church built in 1747.
Died
Henry Gallman
Born 1743, Saxegotha, SC,
Married
Died after Sept. 2, 1776.
CASPAR COOPER GALLMAN-born about 1749, Saxegotha, SC
Married before 1780, Jamina Sellars.
Died 9 September, 1819.
John Conrad Gallman Born about 1760
Married
Died
Herman Gallman
Born Saxegotha, SC, died 1794, Washington Co., Georgia
Married
Died
Elizabeth Gallman
Born Saxegotha, SC
Married Caspar Foust
Died
BCWB = Berkeley County, SC Willbook, 1757-1760, page 143.
The Columbia Chronicle April, May, June 1996, pages 4-10:
“1750, On Monday, May 21st in the Congaree Garrison, by banns, William
Berry and Mary King, widow, both of Saxegotha Twp. Present were Archibald
Campbell, esq., HERMAN GYGER, HENRY GALLMAN, etc. (Rev. Giessendanner).
301
Source: jeffries@netside.com or Gene Jeffries, 30 Eastgrove Ct, Columbia, SC 29212
phone (803)-732-1320 as of 05/20/98
Taken from the SCMAR South Carolina Militia 1757:
“A list of the number of men belonging to the regiment of militia in Berkeley
County, commanded by Colonel John Chevillette, Lt. Colonel Christian Minick, Major
Moses Thompson, adjutant William Thompson.
Orangeburg Company officers, sergeants, private men, slaves, alarm men:
James Tilley, captain
Christopher Rowe, Lt.
Jacob Giessendanner, ensign
Amelia Township:
John Lloyd, captain
Edward Berwick, Lt
[3 officers, 80 private men]
Saxegotha company:
Daniel Sheider, captain
John Morrison, ensign 3 80
William Baker, Lt.-3 2 91
Twelve Mile Creek as far as Little Saludy Fink (Sink?)-HENRY GALLMAN, captain: 1
40 [1 officer, 40 private men]
Forks of the Edisto River-William Young, captain; John Clayton, Lt. 2 24 13 5
Saludy and Bush River-Andrew Brown, captain; Enoch Anderson, Lt. Henry Bradshaw;
ensign-3 2 42
New Forrest- James Francis, captain; Robert Lang, Lt.; Thomas Johnston, 1st ensign;
Henry Foster 2nd ensign: 4 2 64.
Upper parts of Amelia Township-William Seawright, captain; 1 54
A Return of the Men belonging to the 2 companies of foot on Savannah River above
Horse Creek, of which no return was made before.
1st company officers, sergeants, clerk, private men, slaves:
Joseph Chatwin, captain; 3 2 1 47 13
George Bussey, Lt. John Lemar, ensign, Richard Wallace: 3 2 1 50 4
Thomas Howard, Lt; Robert Wallace, ensign.
List of the company of militia belonging to the town and township of New Windsor:
Ulrick Tobler, captain 3 3 1 60 39, Alexander Shaw, Lt. Dim Tobler, Jr, ensign.
“The foregoing muster rolls being communicated, his excellency acquainted with
the board, that Colonel Wigg of the Granville regiment had informed him by letter that a
302
number of foreign Protestants from Germany had settled on the Head of Combeehee
River and sufficient to make a company.”
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
Register Book S-S, p. 40:
“Jacob (his mark) Berry, planter of Saluda, 2 and 3 of August 1756 (Seludey),
eldest son and heir of Thomas Berry, L & R to HENRY GALLMAN, planter of
Saxegotha Township, Berkeley Co, for 150 pounds currency; 150 acres in Saxegotha
Township Berkeley, granted by Lt. Governor Thomas Broughton to Thomas Berry on 17
September 1738; bounding Northeast on Santee River, other sides vacant land.
Witnesses John Conrad Geiger, Henry Hertel, before Stephen Crell, Justice of the
Peace, recorded by William Hopton.”
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
Register Book C-3, p. 703:
“Henry (his mark) Stack, planter of Orangeburg Township, 9 and 10 of January
1764, to HENRY GALLMAN, planter, of L & R Saxegotha Township, for 100 pounds
currency, 100 acres. Whereas, on 16 September 1738, Lt. Governor Thomas Broughton
granted Roodie Copler 200 acres in Saxegotha Township, Berkeley Co, bounding
northeast on Santee River, other sides on vacant land; and whereas Copler died intestate
and his wife Anna inherited and bequeathed the land to Henry Stack; now he sells to
GALLMAN the 100 acres on the river. Witnesses: Edward Jones, John Conrad Geiger,
before John Hamilton, Justice of the Peace, recorded 20 March 1765 by Fenwick Bull.”
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
ISO Book M-3, p. 370:
“Randolph Gallman, (German script) oldest son and 17 March 1769 heir of
Jacob Gallman, to Herman Gallman. Bond to convey. Whereas Jacob Gallman
obtained a grant of 350 acres on the south side of the Congaree River, adjoining the
lands of Patrick Brown (now George Haig); 100 acres of which have been sold by Jacob
Gallman; and whereas Jacob died intestate and Randolph inherited the remaining 250
acres, which he has sold to Herman Gallmon for L1000 currency; now Randolph gives
bond that he will execute satisfactory title. Witnesses: Henry Patrick, Henry Baughman,
Henry (his Mark) Wheelwright, before William Tucker, Justice of the Peace, recorded 12
April 1769 by R. P. H. Hatley, Dep.”
In the July 1780 issue of the South Carolina Historical Magazine, volume 81, no.
3 [published quarterly by the S. C. Historical Society in the Fireproof Building,
Charleston, SC, 29401], is a list of private papers donated to the society that quarter. On
page 274: Citizen’s copies of Gallman family land records in Lexington County, 1751-
303
1802, 13 items. Gift of Bruce W. Gallman, Marietta, Georgia.” The following are likely
to come from this donation of papers.
From SCMAR, [South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research], Vol. VIII, Summer
1980, page 131:
Recorded in Lexington District, April 11, 1806, Book A, page 23:
“10 November, 1770, Herman Gallman of Saxegotha Township, to William
Arthur Esq…whereas Jacob Gallman, dec’d. was granted 350 acres and departed this
life without making any will, by which means Randolph Gallman, the oldest son and
heir at law of said Jacob Gallman became entitled to 250 acres, and the said Randolph
Gallman did 17 March 1769, by deed make over unto said Herman Gallman…now for
L500 to William Arthur Esqr. Land on south side of Congaree River, being the middle
part of original tract whereon John Gallman, deceased lived…Witness: Allen Addison,
Thomas Wilson, Thomas Lennon”
Herman Gallman Seal. Proved by Thomas Lennon, 23 November 1770 before
Robert Goodwyn.
SCMAR, Vol. VIII, Summer 1980, No. 3, page 131:
Recorded in Orangeburg District, Book No. 8, pages 4-5, 24 August, 1803. Sam
P. Jones, Regr. {NB-Lexington County remained part of Orangeburg District until 1804,
when it became Lexington District.]
“6 August 1771, John Conrad Gallman of Saxegotha Township, gentleman, to
John Gallman for L350…whereas on 17 Sept. 1736, a grant of 350 acres was granted to
JACOB Coleman [GALLMAN], dec’d, and after the decease of JACOB GALLMAN,
partition was made between his children and 100 acres became the property of Captain
HENRY GALLMAN, deceased, one of the sons of the said JACOB GALLMAN, and
whereon the said Captain HENRY GALLMAN resided. On May 14, 1752, a certain
plantation was granted to said Captain HENRY GALLMAN, 100 acres adjacent Jacob
Gallman and heirs of James Hopkins, and Patrick Brown. Whereas the said Captain
HENRY GALLMAN departed this life, but before his decease made his last will and
testament, 28 December 1765, and by which he bequeathed to his sons the said John
Conrad Gallman and GASPAR GALLMAN, two tracts of 200 acres and whereon the
said John Conrad Gallman resided… now to John Gallman.”
John Conrad Gallman. Witnessed: Thomas Lennon, Henry Gallman, Michel Carle.
Proved by Henry Gallman, 11 Sept. 1771 before Henry Patrick, Esq., J. P. for Berkeley
County.
SCMAR, Vol. VIII, Summer 1980, No. 3, page 131:
“Recorded in Orangeburg District, Book 8, pages 1-4, 24 August 1803. Sam P.
Jones, Regr.
“Henry Gallman of Lexington, District of Orangeburg, Taylor, for $2000 to
Hargrove Arthur of same, planter, tract in two parcels, (1) 100 acres on Congaree River
adjacent Hargrove Arthur and Congaree Creek and Charles Pinckney and Henry
Gallman and; (2) 100 acres mostly Tupelo Swamp on the west side of the Congaree
Creek adjacent Charles Pinckney and heirs of Jacob Geiger, dec’d, adjacent land
304
granted to John Freymouth now held by Hargrove Arthur, by a late resurvey done by
Peter Bolen, D. S. 24 October 1799…Recorded 15 Nov. 1805.” Henry Gallman.
Witnessed: James Wolfe, Elisha Daniel. Proved by James Wolfe, Nov. 26, 1805 before J.
Hart, Q. M.
SCMAR, Vol. VIII, Summer 1980, No. 3, page 131:
“Jacob Gallman of Richland County, planter, for $950 to Henry Gallman of
Lexington County, District of Orangeburg, Taylor, 100 acres in Lexington County, on the
Congaree River adjacent Hargrove Arthur, Congaree Creek, Honorable Charles
Pinckney, Jacob Gallman. 15 March 1802. Jacob Gallman
Witness: Henry Backman, Adam Coon, proved by Henry Baughman, 31 May 1802,
before James McGowen, J.P.
SCMAR, Vol. II, Spring 1974, No. 2, page 93:
Page 61 of Willbook? Will of Henry Gallman of Camden District in the province
of South Carolina, being sick of body…money due me from Thomas Taylor, being 1600
lawful money of province aforesaid for a tract of land sold him, be given to my mother,
Margaret Foust to her use during her life, and after the death of my mother, my desire is
that my whole estate both real and personal be equally divided between my brothers and
sisters born of my mother. Stepfather Jacob Foust, executor. 14 August 1780. Witness:
John Geiger, Gaspar Warshing, Henry Smith. Signed Henry Gallman.
Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 1760-1784:
R975.7-MOO:
“HENRY GALLMAN, Saxegotha Township, planter. Wife, ELIZABETH to
live on my plantation where I now live during her widowhood. Sons, John and Henry,
my plantation in said township on Savannah Huit Creek, 2 town lots in Saxegotha, Nos.
24 and 26. Harmon, part of land in Saxegotha township purchased of William Stack, the
land in the fork of the Broad and Saluda Rivers. The 2 youngest John Conrad and
GASPAR, land in the said township of where I now live, the residue of land in the fork
of the Broad and Saluda Rivers. Daughter Elizabeth, brother Rudolf Gallman.
Mentions L70 to the poor of said township. Residue of estate to his wife and children.
Executors-wife and son John, brother-in-law, John Conrad Geiger. Witnessed by Jacob
Hagenbeaugh, Christian Theus, George Keith. Dated 25 December, 1765. Proven 19
February 1768. R: nd. p.
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
“JACOB GALLMAN died intestate and his eldest son, HENRY, inherited.
HENRY GALLMAN, by L & R dated 12 and 13 March, 1749, in obedience to the dying
request of his father, conveyed 100 acres, the middle part of the 350 acres, to John
Gallman. John died intestate and Jacob Gallman, Jr inherited. Now he sells the 100
acres, bounding northeast on the Congaree River, southwest on part belonging to John
Freymouth, southwest on heirs of HENRY GALLMAN, northeast on part belonging to
305
heirs of HENRY GALLMAN. Witnesses, John Hookey, David Fridig, Before Moses
(his mark) Kirkland, Justice of the Peace, recorded 8 February, 1771, by Henry
Rugeley.”
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
Register Book Y-Y, p. 151:
“George Keith, tanner, and Elizabeth (her mark), his wife, 19 January 1762 to
Henry Gallman, Jr, planter, both release of Saxe Gotha, for 200 pounds currency, 125
acres in Saxegotha Township, bounding east on Santee River, southeast on Hans Jacob
Riemensperger, northwest on Henry Gallman, Jr; which land said Gallman on 11
January 1759, had conveyed to Keith in consideration of Keith’s marriage to Elizabeth,
daughter of said Henry Gallman, Jr. Witnesses Hans Ulric (his mark) Backman, Joseph
( his mark) Backman. Hans Ulric Backman testified 20 January 1762 before Stephen
Crell, Justice of the Peace, recorded 17 August 1762 by William Hopton, register.”
From Ron.Gallman.Gallman.com: Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 17601784:
Register Book S-3, pp 133-138:
“Jacob Gallman (alias Coleman) [probably a cousin], wheelwright, to 16 and 18
December, 1770, William Arthur, esq., both of Berkeley Co, L & R for 500 pounds
currency, 100 acres, part of 350 acres granted 17 September, 1736 by Lt. Governor
Thomas Broughton to JACOB GALLMAN; the 350 acres bounding Northeast on the
Congaree River, northeast on Patrick Brown’s and vacant land; Southwest on vacant
land; Southeast on vacant land and John Gibson.”
The Columbia Chronicle April, May, June 1996, pages 4-10, Abstracts of the
Wills of the State of South Carolina, 1740-1760, compiled and edited by Caroline T.
Moore:
Berkeley County Willbook 1757-1760:
Page 245-“Will of John Gallman, his mark, Saxegotha Township. Wife
Marguerite, use of plantation where I now live during widowhood. Sons John, said
plantation in said township; Jacob, and unborn child, if a boy, land in Craven County next
to Felix Smith and Gaspard Foot. Step-son John Conrad Geiger. Brother Henry
Gallman. brother-in-law, John Freymouth. Mentions: all children under 21 years; ‘all my
children as sons and daughters;’ I have been left executor of will of HARMAN
GEIGER, deceased; note given to Mr. George Austin of Charleston to be paid of money
the public owes me; residue of estate of said HARMAN to be paid to his children; John
Gartman. Executors: brother Henry Gallman, Brother-in-law John Freymouth; eldest
son John, step-son John Conrad Geiger. Witnessed: Jacob Tyler, Ulrick Boughman,
Jacob Geiger.”
Died 22 April 1758, in Saxegotha Township. P: nd. R: nd. P. 143.
306
Will on file in Charleston. Henry Gallman (Coleman). Reference Lee Gandee
article in the Lexington Dispatch News 9 May, 1768, the Columbia Chronicle April, May
June, 1996, pages 4-10.
Source: jeffries@netside.com or Gene Jeffries, 30 Eastgrove Ct, Columbia, SC 29212
phone (803)-732-1320 as of 05/20/98
307
Family of GASPAR GALLMAN
Name
CASPAR COOPER GALLMAN-born about 1749, Saxegotha, SC Married before 1776, JAMINA SELLARS- Died-September 9, 1819.-
-
Source
-
JAMINA SELLARS Born- Died-Sept, 1827, Edgefield Co, SC HCBC
Buried- Harmony Methodist Church, Edgefield County, S.C.
ELIZABETH GALLMAN-Born-abt 1776- Married-DAVID DONALDSON, abt 1792, Edgefield Co, SC
Died-Bet. 1852-1854, Coffee Co, AL Harmon Gallman
Born- February 12, 1779, Edgefield District, SC- EDNCR
Married-Mary Died- May 28, 1871, Edgefield DistrictEDNCR
Buried- Harmony Methodist Church, Edgefield County, S.C.
Gaspar Gallman
Born- Married Fannie McLendon, 6 February, 1838, Edgefield, SC.
Died -
Benjamin Gallman
Born-Abt. 1780, Edgefield District, SCEDNCR
Married-Sarah Ryan- abt 1806Died-October 5, 1855, Edgefield District, SC
EDNCR
Buried- Ransom-Gallman Fam Cem, Edgefield County, S.C.
Abbrev: Family of Francis Foote
Title: Francis Foote on WorldConnect
Author: Harriet Imrey
Publication: http://us.f803.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Geneology&M
Sarah Gallman
Born-Abt 1783Married-?unknown Addison? Died -
Mary Gallman
Born- August 07, 1785, Edgefield District, SCMarried-Robert Kenny, November 07, 1805, Edgefield, SC SCM
Died-1864, Virginia -
Martha Gallman
Born- Married-John “Jack” Moseley, 1827, Edgefield SC Died-Bef. 1850
-
308
-
-
-
-
-
Susan Gallman
Born Married-Davis illegible on 1850 census
Died- -
-
-
Daniel Gallman
Born-abt 1805, Edgefield District, SC
Married-Orry? Ora? Gault, Union District, SC
Died-May 1829, Edgefield District, SC
-
-
Jamina Gallman
Born- Married James Arthur 14 December 1834 Edgefield, SC.
-
Died
-
-
ESCWB
-
HCBC= Horns Creek Baptist Church, Edgefield Co, SC, 1824 ¬ 1866. MF#286.06
S724hc, Furman University Library, Baptist Historical Collection
EDNCR = Edgefield Death Notices and Cemetery Records, Carlee McClendon, 1977 by
Hives Press, P.O. Box 1841, Columbia, S.C. 29202, p. 129:
“Died at his residence in Edgefield District, on Oct 5, 1855, Benjamin Gallman,
in the 75th year of his age. He was a native of Edgefield District, when the District was
little else than a virgin forest; he saw that forest removed and lived to see the hand of
industry gather many a rich harvest from the plains on which it grew. He left a wife and
children.” (The Edgefield Advertiser, Oct. 24, 1855)
ESCWB = Edgefield District, SC Will Book, C, page 289
SCM = South Carolina Marriages, 1641-1965
G455
G455
G455
G455
S462
S260
S436
S436
GALLMAN,Harman 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
GALLMAN, John Conrad 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
GALLMON, Gosport 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
GOLLMAN, John 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
SELLARS,Thomas 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
SAKKER, Samuel 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
SALTER, John 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
SALTER, John 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
1790 EDGEFIELD CO, SC CENSUS
THOMAS SELLARD, PAGE 63 = 2-0-2-0-0
HOWEL SELLARS, PAGE 63=1-1-3-0GOSPER GALEMAN , PAGE 63 = 1-3-3-0-0
GUNROOD GOLEMAN, PAGE 63 = 1-4-3-0-0
HENRY GOLEMAN, PAGE 66 = 1-1-1-0-0
JAMES GOLEMAN, PAGE 66 = 1-2-3-0
309
From the Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby
Gilmer Moss, 1985, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD, provided to me by my
aunts, Elizabeth Reed and Sally Emerson:
GALLMAN, Caspter (GASPAR)
B. c. 1749
d. 9 August 1819
m. JEMIMA _____
He served in the militia before and after the fall of [1780] Charleston and provided
provisions for militia use. Patriot Index Supplement; [A. A. 2640]; [A. A. 2928B]; U621
SC Indents, Lib U. Issued the 16th, July 1785 to GASPAR GOLDMAN for thirty nine
pound sixteen shillings and ten pence for militia duty, also for provisions per account
audited. Principal L39..19..10, annual interest L2..15..11.
Coleman [GOLLMAN], GASPER
He served sixty days in the militia [A. A. 6703], Vol. 648.
Gallman, Herman-see Harmon Goldman
Gallman, John Conrad-see Curry Goldman
[CASPAR GALLMAN may have been in Colonel John Thomas, Jr’s Spartan
regiment, raised in the Dutch Forks area of the Broad and Saluda River area. See page
112, the Road to Guilford Courthouse. Find verification of, or refute this. If verified,
CASPAR GALLMAN may have participated in the incident at Cedar Springs in pages
111-112. Colonel John Thomas was trying to join the forces collecting under Thomas
Sumpter after the fall of Charleston. Also, Moses Kirkland, who had been the justice of
the peace in Saxegotha, recommended Thomas Sumpter to replace himself as captain of
the rangers when he resigned and became a Tory. So, CASPAR GALLMAN may have
served under Sumpter at some period in time. In Feb. 1776, Sumpter was elected lt.
colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Riflemen, but his regiment watched and did not fight at the
Battle of Sullivan’s Island. During the 1776 campaign against the Cherokee, the Riflemen
acted as the reserves, and did not fight, but only burned villages and cornfields. When
they finally were taken into the Continental service, CASPAR GALLMAN could not
have been serving with him.]
Howell Sellers served in the Revolutionary war under Captain Arthur Simpkins.
He had enlisted at age 14, the year being 1776. Howell served under different commands
with the South Carolina troops. He was at the battles of Stono Ferry, Brier Creek and at
the siege of Savannah. He was on a Florida expedition under General Williams, Col.
Beard, Col. Winn and Major Pickens. Under Cap. John Ryan, he fought in the battle at
Briar Creek. He was also in battle with the Creek Indians at Rocky Comfort under Major
Ross. Afterwards he fought in the battle at Stono. Then, under Captain White, was in the
siege of Savannah. His last tour was under Cap. James Casey and Gen. Greene.
Revolutionary War Pension List
Howell Sellers - Rank: Private - Annual Allowance: 30.00 - Sums Received:
90.00 - Desc of Serv: South Carolina - When placed on Pension Roll: May 2,
310
1833 - Commencement of Pension: March 4, 1831 Age: 72
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~scroots/sc05026.htm
Subject: Gen Francis Marions Men From: JEAN PRATHER Date: September 24, 2000
N.C.O.And Privates
George Rollinson
Richard Rollinson
William Rollinson
John Rose
Francis Ross
Neal Rouse
Edward Rowell
Jonathon Rowell
Valentine Rowell
James Rowlaine
Job Rowley
George Ruff
Richard Russell
Stephen Russell
Thomas Sabb
Morgan Sabb
George Sadler
David Sadler
Richard Sadler
Peter Salter
Job Saltzer
Daniel Sansbury
John Satterwhite
Andrew Saunders
George Saunders
Isaac Saunders
William Saunders
Nathan Savage
Richard Savage
Samuel Savage
Achilles Sax
Yancey Saxon
John Sawyer
Howell Sellars
Hardy Sellars
John Sellars
William Sellars
Edward Sexton
Alexander Scott
V 264
Y 134
V 267
X 117
Q 352
Gregg 214
S 659
S 659
Y 284
Y 134
Y 161
X 875
N 276
Gregg 412
Q 222
T 193
L 402
L 404
L 403
N 283
Y 1347
Gregg 412
U 366
X 158
X 1360
X 156
X 157
T 202
T 292
Y 966
U 359
U 360
X 297
Q 639
V 82
L 382
L571
N 662
P 494
311
Archibald Scott
Cason Scott
Samuel Scott
Thomas Scott
William Scott
John Scott
Elisha Screven
William Screven
Thomas Scurry
Samuel Shoemaker
Jesse Simmons
P 494
X 293
X 631
S 35
O 563
P 506
Y 606
X 298
P513
Gregg 413
X 173
The following was provided to me by my aunts, Elizabeth Reed and Sally
Emerson:
Edgefield County Grantee Index 1786-1799
Grantee
Grantor
Donaldson, Jasper
Daniel Gunnels
xGallman, Jasper [Gaspar] Winfrey Whitlock
xGallman, Gaspar
Mary and Tire Fike
Galman, Conrad
Samuel Mays
Gallman, Conrad
John Youngblood
Gallman, Henry
Jordan Holloway
Gallman, Gaspar
Julius Nichols
Gallman, Benjamin
John & Benj. Ryan
Gallman, Jaspar
Joseph Ferguson
Gallman, Benjamin
John Grice
Gallman, Gaspar
James Parker
Gallman, Harmon
John McClendon
Gallman, Wm. G.
Whitfield Brooks
Gallman, Wm. G, trustee
Benj. Gallman
Golman, Harmon
Elijah, Merry Bailey
Golman, Harmon
Ezekiel McClendon
Golman, Rice
John Simkins
Donaldson, David
John Wight
Edgefield District 1800-1839
year
Book
1814-1816
32, p. 437
1793-1794
9, p. 170
1795-1796
12, p. 526
1795-1796
12, p. 225
1797
14, p. 254
1804-1805
25, p. 85
1809-1811
30, p. 256
1811-1814
31, p. 43
1814-1816
32, p. 264
1818-1819
35, p. 184
1818-1819
35, p.241
1821-1822
38, p. 129
1827-1829
43,p. 386
1836-1839
48, p. 457
1793
8, p. 266
1821-1822
38, p. 109
1827-30
44, p. 141
1809-1811
30, p. 198
Edgefield County, South Carolina, Abstracts of Deed Books 1-12, Vol. 1, abstracted by
GE Lee Corley Hendrix, C. G., located at the Sutro Library in S. San Francisco, CA
Index-GALLMON, CASPAR-42, 53, Gaspar-42, 133, 134, 143, 236
Page 42-[missing first portion of statement]-the land he bought of said Harmon
Galman. Harman Gallman. Wit: William, GASPAR GALLMAN, who swore by oath
6 July 1785 before John Herndon, JP
312
Page 53- Deed book 4, p. 274-23 December, 1790: Bill of sale: Nicholas Dillard to
CASPAR GALLMON, sold one Negro man named Jeffre. Nicholas Dillard. Wit: Phillip
Dillard, Conrad Galman, who swore by oath 9 July, 1791 before Arthur Simkins, J.E.C.
Rec. [torn]
Page 133-Deed Book 9, pp. 170-176-27 March, 1793: Winfrey Whitlock to
GASPAR GALLMAN, both of Edgefield Co, SC for 5 pounds, sold 48 acres being part
of a tract originally granted M. Jelton and conveyed by him to William Mills, who
conveyed to Winfrey Whitlock. Said tract being on Horns Creek adjoining Daniel Parker
and Rutledge at time of survey. Winfrey Whitlock, Elizabeth [x] Whitlock. Wit: John
Boothe, Jno. Addison. Rec’d 11 March 1794. 11 March 1794: Elizabeth Whitlock, wife
of Winfrey, relinquished dower rights before W. Anderson, JEC & Richard Tutt, CEC.
Page 134-Deed Book 9, pages 209-215-[just adjoins Gaspar Gallmon’s land.]
Page 143-Deed Book 9, pages 416-422-[a transaction witnessed by Gaspar Gallman, not
concerning any transaction of his own.]
Conveyance Book 13: 1796-1797 p.27-29, Howell Sellers to Mary Fike for 65
sterling, 123 acres NW side of land granted to Thomas Sellers of 193 acres on Log
Creek of Turkey Creek adjoining on NE by Thomas McGinnis, SE by Mexoal(?)'s land,
SW by John Youngblood, and 9 acres adjoining above land, part of grant to Thomas
McGinnis. Wit: Isaac Grubbs, John (X)Youngblood. /S/ Howel Sellers. Arthur Simkins,
JP, certifies that Sarah Sellers wife of Howel Sellers signed deed freely. Arthur Simkins.
Sarah (X) Sellers. Proven by John Youngblood, 5 April 1796 before Arthur Simkins.
Rec 9 Apr 1796. (can be found in Edgefield Co. Deed Book 13,14,15,pg.3.
From: http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/scedge.htm
Subject: THOMAS SELLERS/EDGEFIELD DISTRICT, S.C.
From: "CAROLE S. WALKER" <mott@cetlink.net>
EDGEFIELD CO., S.C., Conveyance Book 13, 1796-1797, pages 421-422,
THOMAS SELLERS to John Wall, 27 Sep 1796. Recorded 2 July 1797... “That
THOMAS SELLERS...for the sum of two hundred pounds...paid by John Wall of the
state and county aforesaid have granted, bargained, sold and release unto the said John
Wall, 170 acres...”
“Being part of three surveys, 92 acres, being all of the survey that the said
SELLERS now lives on, except 8 or 9 acres...the survey contains 100 acres granted to
Thomas McGinnis and surveyed by McGinnis to the said SELLERS and lyeth on both
sides of Log Creek and a branch of Log Creek known as Horsepen Branch, and the
aforesaid 9 acres... [which is excepted] is all that part of the said survey that lyeth on the
south side of Log Creek and the West side of the aforesaid Branch, 27 acres...being part
of a survey (on the west side of the aforesaid branch (SCRATCHED OUT!) containing
193 acres granted to the said THOMAS SELLERS lying on both sides of the aforesaid
Horsepen Branch and the above mentioned 77 acres
313
“...is all that lyeth on the East or upper side of the said Horsepen Branch bounding
on lands formerly held by (unreadable) now by Arthur Tomkins, Esq., 5 acres of the
above mentioned 175 acres, being all that tract or parcel of land conveyed by Arthur
Tompkins to the said THOMAS SELLERS adjoining the above mentioned Survey
granted to McGinnis, the 3 pieces containing 175 acres together with all and singular the
rights members...and appurtenances to the said purchaser belonging or...mentioned unto
the said John Wall...Appertaining to have and to hold his heirs and...myself, my heirs and
against any person whomever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof,
in witness whereof, I have herein to set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six and in the
twenty first year of the independence of the United States of America. Signed Sealed and
Delivered in the presence of George H. Perrin, Thomas Hall, Signed THOMAS
SELLERS (SEAL).
SOUTH CAROLINA
EDGEFIELD COUNTY
“Before me John Blocker personally appeared George H. Perrin and made oath on
the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that he was present and the within named
THOMAS SELLERS signed, acknowledged the within release for the purposes therein
mentioned and saw Thomas Hall with himself as witness thereunto; sworn before me ye
2nd of January 1797, John Blocker, J.P., George H. Perrin.
Recorded 2nd Jan’y 1797.
Conveyance Book 13: 1796-1797, pg.338-340 Mary Fike to John Landrum.
Deed, 8 September 1796, 40 sterling, 123 acres that Howell Sellers now liveth on being
part of two surveys, 9 acres part of land granted to Thomas McGinnes and conveyed by
McGinnes to Thomas Sellers which is the tract said Sellers now liveth on, both sides of
Log Creek, conveyed by Thomas Sellers to his son Howell Sellers, and 114 of above
mentioned 123 acres is part of a tract containing 193 acres granted to above mentioned
Thomas Sellers lying south of Log Creek, the 114 acres is all of the last mentioned
survey that lyeth on NW side of Horse Pen Branch. Wit James Brown, Lewis
Youngblood. /S/ Mary(X)Fike. Proven 11 Oct 1796 by Lewis Youngblood; John Blocker
JP. Rec 11 Oct 1796. (also can be found in Edgefield Co. Deed Book 13,14,15, pg.24)
So from the above deed we know that Howell and probably JEMIMA SELLERS were
the children of Thomas Sellers.
Page 236-Deed Book 12, pages 526-527-Jan. 1796: Fire Fike & Mary Fike to
GASPAR GALLMAN, all of Edgefield Co., SC, for valuable consideration, sold 85
acres being of 2 tracts; (1) 50 acres &: (2) 35 acres adjoining each other & GALLMAN,
Daniel Parker, John Gray & Samuel Walker. S/ Mary (x) Fike, Fire (his x mark) Fike.
Wit: James Brown, Howell Sellers, Conrad Gallman, who swore by oath 25 Jan. 1796
before Arthur Simkins, JEC. [Howell Sellers was a Revolutionary soldier, and thanks to
his witnessing of this document, it suggests that he was likely related to JEMIMA
314
SELLARS, GASPAR GALLMAN’s wife.] 25 Jan. 1796: Sarah (x) Fike wife of Fire Fike,
relinq. Her dower before Arthur Simkins, JCE. Rec’d 30 Jan. 1796.
Series: S108092 Reel - 0132 Frame - 00186 ignore - 00
Date: 1776 C. OR LATER
Description: SELLERS, THOMAS, ACCOUNT AUDITED (FILE NO. 6869) OF
CLAIMS GROWING OUT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
March 2nd, 1812
Thomas Sellers of Robertson Co. TN. sold 275 acres to Howell Sellers of Robertson Co.
TN. for the sum of 275 dollars. The land was located on the West Fork of Buzzard Creek.
Ordered recorded in open Court, May term 1812
Fyke's Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Originally called Spring Creek of Sulpher Fork.
Robertson Co. Tenn. Vol. I., 1813-1871
Membership and Minutes on Microfilm at the Tennessee State
Library, Nashville, TN.
Howell Sellers was on the membership list in 1813. He is mentioned in the minutes
several times between the years 1813 and 1830. In September of 1830, he asked for a
letter of dismission, and it was granted.
1814 Robertson Co, TN
Elizabeth Sellers and others given notice that Elizabeth Huddleston, widow of William
petitioned for dower.
1820 Robertson Co, Tn =u10-ll/15-16/20-21/45-+46
Howell SELLERS 100010-11000 page 15
Howell SELLERS 110001-01100 page 15
Larken SELLERS 100010-00100 page 8
my printed index only shows one Howell- my cd rom index shows aboveI don't know if I have copy of original - CHECK
1830 Robertson Co, TN= u5-5/10-10/15-15/20-20/30-30/40-40/.50-50/60,etc
Howel SELLERS PAGE 425=101000001-130101
Charles SELLERS PAGE 425 = 00001-00001
LARKIN SELLERS PAGE 400=102001-210001
SARAH SELLERS, PAGE 381=001-20001
Wm COX, PAGE 425
Richard R. POWELL, PAGE 425
Anny PLASTERS, PAGE 426
Joseph PERRY PAGE 426
[Not documented where the following came from…may be the same source, page. 4]:
315
Addison, John—Appointed overseer of the road from Edgefield courthouse to Horn’s
Creek in the room of [means in the place of] CASPAR GALLMAN, excused. Edgefield
Court minutes, Jan. 1795.
The source for the following, for Betty Reed, was Reba B. Murphy PRP, 5630 N. Main,
Vidor, TX 77662:
Administration of the Will of GASPAR GOLMON, Edgefield County, SC:
The estate of HARMON GOLMON, deceased, in account with HARMON GOLMON,
adm.
1819: Sept. 24, paid ordinary
Sept. 20, paid Eli Morgan
Sept. 22, paid Lewis Homes
$5.00
$18.00
$5.00
1821: March 12, paid Hony Bland
$4.00
March 6, paid I Cooper
$109.62
June 4, paid Gaspar Donaldson
$7.50
April 2, paid Wm. Lindsy
$16.31
March 12, paid A.B. McWhorter
$24.75
March 12, paid Sampson Butler
$35.84
Jan. 24, paid Susan Gallman [ ] $740.00
April 2, paid Daniel Gallman [son] $26.00
1820: Nov. 22, paid John Key, tax for 1819
Nov. 22, paid Benjamin Ryan
$5.00
1821: June 4, paid Robert Kenney
$35.00
Nov. 7, paid Noah Day
$4.00
Nov. 7, paid James ?Crain
$5.00
Owing Harmon Golmon, executor
$83.00
Legatees of GASPAR GALLMAN: Legacies paid out
Widow [Jemima]
Susan, [
]
one of distributees received:
Benjamin [son]
“
Robert Kenney [son-in-law]
“
John Mosely [son-in-law]
“
Sarah Golemon [daughter]
“
DAVID DONALDSON [son-in-law]“
The administrator, Harmon [
]“
Daniel Golemon [son]
“
$4,078.93
$1,053.00
$1,053.62
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
20 December 1819
JEMIMAH GALLMAN to HARMAN GALLMAN, administrator
316
Paid Stephen Tillman, esq, agent for DAVID DONALDSON
Estate of GASPAR GALLMAN:
Paid Sarah Gallman [daughter]
Paid Susan Gallman [
]
Paid Martha Gallman [daughter]
Paid R. Reid
Paid DAVID DONALDSON-[son-in-law]
$200.00
$200.00
$22.00
$41.14
Letters of Administration issued to Jemima and Harmon Golemon: 24 Sept. 1819, John
Simkins, Ord.
Notice published according to law by Coleman Carlisle, Minister of the Gospel, Sept. 12,
1819.
Long bill of sale to many people:
The beds to be settled equal with each child except the two Mrs. Gallman bought.
DAVID DONALDSON-[son-in-law]
Daniel Gallmon-[son]
Harmon Gallmon-[ ]
Robert Kenney-[son-in-law]
Sarah Gallmon-[daughter]
Benj. Gallmon-[son]
ESTATE OF GASPAR GALLMAN
1827: paid Ed McDonel
paid Ed McDonel
Benj. Gallman-[son]
Robert Kenney-[son-in-law]
Mr. Mosely his wife, Martha [daughter]
Daniel Gallman [son]
Susan Gallman [
]
ESTATE OF JEMIMA GALLMAN
$192.00
$50.00
$1,053.62
$1,053.00
$1,053.00
$1053.62
$1,053.63
21 December 1827
HARMON GALLMAN, Adm.
Sale of estate:
Purchasers (to name a few) B. Tillman, F. Bettis, H. Gallman, E. McDaniel, R.
Kenney, Benj. Gallmon, Dan’l Gallmon, Aadle B. Tillman, James Reynolds, John
Harrison, Jos. Godwin, John Mosely, John Addison, Van Swearingen, John E. F. Ryan,
Robert Watts, etc.
Harmon Gallmon’s wife appears to be Lucretia Addison.
(T. L. Gallman says she was a widow of Allen Addison)
AMOUNT OF THE PERSONAL ESTATE OF GASPAR GALMON, DECEASED
317
This information abstracted from copies of original papers ordered from Edgefield
County Courthouse, cost of $28.00 in ? year)
This account ____ in the Ordinary office on the oath of Harmon Golmon, Adm. The 3rd
day of April 1820. Jn. Simkins OED
Amount of personal estate of G. Gallmon: $12,870.18 ¾
Sale of personal estate: Page one missing, page 2 is carried over from page one
with one lot of brandy bought by Benjm Gollman [son]:
1 lot of brandy to Wm. Doby, 5 gals at
1.12 ½
1 lot brandy to Jemima Gollmon 5 ditto
1.18 ¾
1 lot brandy to Jemima Gollmon 5 ditto
1.3 ¼
1 bell to DAVID DONALDSON
Hackle and mouse trap to Jemima Gallmon
Harness and sleys to Jemima Gallmon
1 bed and furniture to Jemima Gallmon
1 bed and furniture to Jemima Gallmon
1 bed and furniture, bolster & pillows to A. Gollman
(above name and price crossed out)
1 lot of feathers to DAVID DONALDSON 81 ¼
1 desk to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot wool to Jemima Gallmon
3 jugs to Jemima Gallmon
1 jug to Jemima Gallmon
1 small wheel to Jemima Gallmon
1 bed quilt and blanket to Jem. Gallmon
1 lot flax 20 lbs. To Benj. Gallmon [son]
1 lot flax 32 lbs to Jemima Gallmon
1 bed bolster & pillow Jemima Gallmon
(above name and amount crossed out)
1 bed and furniture to Sarah Gallmon [daughter]
1 chest to Jemima Gallmon
3 cowhides to Harmon Gallmon [?son]
1 cutting knife to Robert Kinney [son-in-law]
5.62 ½
5.93 ¾
5.56 ¼
1.
1.
2.
52.00
37.
41.
6.
1.6 ¼
3.
2.68 ¾
1.50
.50
3.56
2.25
2.00
28.00
32.00
2.00
3.37 ½
.50
Page 2.
1 culling knife to William Doby
1 grindstone to Harmon Gallmon
[?son]
1 bee gum, 1st choice to Jemima Gallmon
1 bee gum, 2nd choice to Jemima Gallmon
1 bee gum, 3rd choice to Gaspar Donaldson [grandson]
1 been gum, 4th choice to Jemima Gallmon
1 bee gum, 5th choice to Harmon Gallmon [?son]
1 bee gum, 6th choice to Jemima Gallmon
318
1.00
5.00
2.00
1.00
.68 ¾
.50
.50
.56 ¼
1 bed pillows to Susan Gallmon
[daughter]
(above was crossed out)
1 trunk to Daniel Gallman
[son]
1 trunk to Jemima Gallmon
1 sideboard to Jemima Gallmon
1 clock to Harmon Gallmon [?son]
1 pair stettyards to Benjm. Gallmon [son]
1 small pair ditto to Jemima Gallmon
1 table to Jemima Gallmon
1 pair candlesticks to Robert Kenney [son-in-law]
candle stick v,c to Jemima Gallmon
1 pine table to Jemima Gallmon
1 folding table to Dan’l Gallmon
[son]
10 chairs to Jemima Gallmon
1 book to Harmon Gallmon [?son?]
1 book to Robert Kenney
[son-in-law]
1 book to Harmon Gallmon [?son]
10.00
4.31
.50
4.00
10.00
3.50
.62 ½
.50
.62
.50
1.12 ½
9.12 ½
3.50
4.50
1.62 ½
1.75
Page 3
4 Negroes, Mason, wife and two children, Judith, ____
to Jemima Gallmon
1,269.00
1 boy Peter to Jemima Gallmon
669.00
Pheby and two children, to Harmon Gallmon [?son]
1250.
Charrity and two children, to Robert Kenney [son-in-law] 801
1 boy, Isaac, to Benj’m Gallmon
[son]
800
1 boy, Jack to Benj’m Gallmon
[son]
370.
1 boy, Edmond to Jesse Donaldson [grandson]
900
1 boy, Abraham, to Jemima Gallmon
859.
1 boy, Toney, to Wiley Glover
645.
1 Negro girl, Sopha to Sarah Gallmon
[daughter]
601
1 girl, Candis, to Dan’l Gallmon
[son]
603
1 girl, Ellender, to Jemima Gallmon
524
1 cow to Jemima Gallmon
5.00
1 pot to Jemima Gallmon
4.00
1 pot to Jemima Gallmon
1.50
Total amount
12,870.18 ¾
20 December 1819
Harmon Gallman, Adm.
THE ESTATE OF JEMIMA GALLMAN, DECEASED
26 Nov. 1827: Paid John Simkins, Ordinary
$5.00
Jan. 15, 1828: Paid for publishing letters of administration $1.00
Jan. 5
Paid Benjamin Kinney as clerk
$6.00
319
Taxes for 1827 on the estate
Nov. 26, 1827 Paid J. A .Miller for shew [shoe] making
Jan. 28, 1828 Paid R. Kinney for parting graves
Amos Lindsey for smith’s work
Doctor’s bill
Jan. 5, 1829 Paid Jesse Bittis for laying property and
running land
Oct. 4, 1828 Paid Simeon Christa ?crying land
Jan. 5, 1829 Paid Lydia Gallman on a /2c (2 children?)
March. 6
Paid John Grice
Jan. 6
Paid Robert Kinney [son-in-law]
Jan. 13
Paid David Donaldson [son-in-law]
May 27
Paid John Harrison, agent for E. McDancet
Jan. 13
Paid Lydia Gallman, Escrow
Dec. 14
Paid Benjamin Gallman
[son]
Dec. 14
1829 Due Administrator
Jan. 21, 1829 Paid John Mosely
[son-in-law]
Total
$8.25
$2.25
$25.93 ¾
$16.62
$15.00
To commission of Res. & paid out at 2 ½ %
122 ¼
2,385.85 ¼
Total
Harman Gallman
[?son]
In account with Harmon Golmon Golmon, Adm.
By amount of sale sold the 21st Dec. 1827
$13.00
$2.00
$5.31
$303.50
$303.50
$303.50
$313.50
$303.50
$303.50
$58.53
$283.53
$2,263.65 ½
$2,724.28 ¾
Paid out
$2.285.85 ¾
$338.38 ½
The adm. Dividend or part of the estate
$303.50
The within examined and sworn to the 16th December, 1829 and find voucher for every
item noted with the letter V near the left hand margin.
Jn. Simkins OED
THE ESTATE OF GASPAR GOLMAN, DEC. IN ACCOUNT
Sept. 24, 1819
Dec. 20
Dec. 22
March 12, 1821
March 6
June 4
April 2
March 12
March 18
Jan’y 24
V. Paid the Ordinary
V. Ditto Eli Morgan
V. Ditto Lewis Homes
V. Ditto Avery Bland
V. Ditto J. Cooper
V. Ditto Gaspar Donaldson
Ditto William Lindsey
Ditto A.B. McWhorter
Ditto Sampson Butler
Ditto Susan Gallman [daughter]
320
$5.00
$18.50
$5.00
$4.00
$109.62 ½
$7.50
$16.31 ¼
24.75
35.84
$740.00
April 2
Nov. 22, 1820
June 4, 1821
Nov. 22, 1820
Nov. 7, 1821
Ditto Daniel Gallman [son]
Ditto John Key tax 1819
Ditto Robert Kinney [son-in-law]
Ditto Benjamin Ryan
Ditto Noah Day
James ?Crasci
Total
Ditto owing the Exec. Harmon Golman
To C---office on Res. put out at 2 ½ %
$200.00
$35.00
$5.00
$4.00
$5.00
$1,233.11 ½
$83.00
$63.95
$1,380.06 ½
Harman Gallman, Exr
Account current with Harmon Golman, Adm.
1820 & 21 Rec. from Silas Barronton
Ditto Wm. Robeson
Ditto Benj. Tilmon
Ditto David Gill
Ditto John Addison
Ditto James McNealy
Ditto Jesse Bettis
Ditto A.B. Addison
Ditto John Ryan
Ditto Wiley Glover
Ditto Thomas Presley
Total
$16.81
$17.25
$23.31 ¼
$15.25
$16.00
$16.37 ½
$17.50
$42.31 ¼
$326.87 ½
$649.75
$100.50
$1,241.93
Paid out
$1,380.06 ½
Rec’d
$1, 241.93 ¾
Due the Exc. $138.12 ¾
The within examined and sworn to the 2nd July 1821 and find vouchers for every item
noted with letter V. near the left-hand margin.
John Simkins OED
AMT. OF THE ESTATE OF GASPAR GALLMON, DECEASED
$11,160.50
Jemyma Golmon acct, with Harmon Goleman
Inventory Gaspar Golmon estate, rec’d in the ordinary office for record, 22nd Nov. 1819,
Jn Simkins, OED
Recorded in Book E, pages 312 and 313: 26th April 1820
True statement of the Appraisement of the estate of Gaspar Gallmon, dec’d.
1 sorrel mare
$90
321
1 bay horse
$65
1 black horse
$30
1 brown horse
$75
1 brown horse
$80
10 hogs
$60
12 hogs
$50
45 hogs
$120
29 head of cattle
$290
1 still
$24
26 stacks fodder
$117
1000 bushels of corn
$450
12 bushels peas
$12
50 head geese
$25
41 head sheep
$82
2 stacks oats
$6
20 bushels rye
$15
30 bushels wheat
$22.50
25 cwt. of clean cotton
$362.50
3 saddles
$35
1 lot of bed clothes
$10
1 small wheel
$1
26 lbs of wool
$8
1 desk
$1
beds and steads
$35
2 pair fire dogs, shovel, tongs $8
1 lot of kitchen furniture
$25
1 sythe & cradle
$3
1 cross cut saw
$5
2 club axes
$2
1 cot
$0.50
6 bee gums
$12
9 hogsheads
$10
3 reap hooks
$1.50
Mason, Fillis, Judith & Sam $1,300
Charrity, Sam & Chany
$800
Jack
$400
Isaac
$750
Toney
$550
Candis
$500
Vicy
$300
1 spinning machine, clock & reel
1 lot grubbing hoes, wedges & froes
1 bed
2 trunks
4 tables
1 bofat and furniture
2 looking glasses
1 lot of books
1 clock
11 chairs
2 shot guns
2 sets razors and hone
1 lot candlesticks
2 pair stilyards
1 bed and stead
1 chest
1 bell, hakle, coffee mill & E
30 gallons brandy
2 jugs, 1 trunk
2 beds & bedsteads
1 lot of jugs
1 small wheel
3 pair cotton cards
1 barrel of flax
1 basket
1 loom and furniture
1 lot of dairy furniture
1 lot weeding hoes & spade
1 lot of tools
1 lot of plows
1 wagon and gear
2 cutting knives
3 cowhides
1 grindstone & washbowl
Pheby, Wilson & James
Peter
Edmond
Abraham
Sophia
Ellender
$18
$5
$10
$20
$2
$8
$15
$3
$20
$2
$2
$4
$20
$3
$5
$30
$3
$40
$2
$1
$1.50
$1.502
$0.75
$10
$8
$3
$3
$10
$80
$2
$3
$8.75
$900
$600
$750
$750
$500
$500
$20
$4
Total $11,160.50
Cash on hand $110
$11,270.50
The above amount certifyd by us this 16 day of Nov. 1819, Jesse Bettis, Benj. Frazer?
322
Appraisers.
AMOUNT OF ALL THE PERSONAL ESTATE OF GASPAR GALLMAN, DEC’D
20th December 1819
1 sorrel mare
1 brown horse
1 brown horse
1 brown horse
1 bay horse
5 hogs 1st choice
5 hogs 2nd choice
8 hogs
1 spotted sow, 18 pigs
7 head of hogs
1 lot of wild hogs
1 stag to B. Gallmon
1 sow and 5 pigs J. Addison
1 spotted sow and 5 pigs
1 dun cow and yearling
1 brinded cow and yearling
1 cow and bell
1 speckled cow and calf
1 brinded cow
1 pidid cow
2 cows and yearling
1 yellow dun cow and yearling
1 no-horned dun cow
1 red cow & yearling
1 white-faced cow & yearling
1 white cow
2 large steers
1 white heifer to Jesse Donaldson
1 no-horned steer to Jesse Donaldson
1 bull to Jesse Donaldson
1 still and worm stand to Jesse Bettis
10 sheep to Edward Gill
10 sheep to Harmon Gallmon
11 sheep to Benj. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to H. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to B. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to Jom. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to B. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to B. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to Jems. Gallmon
1 lot corn, 100 bushels to Jems. Gallmon
$64 to Pachal Tillman
$75.25 Sarah Gallman [crossed out]
$32.50 Jemima Gallmon
$65 DAVID DONOLDSON
$41 Jemima Gallman
$51 Robert Kinney
$35.50 Jemima Gallman
$77.25 Jemima Gallman
$15 Jemima Gallman
$27 Jemima Gallman
$20 Benj. Gallmon
$2 Ben. Gallmon
$8 John Addison
$8 John Addison
$18.75 Gaspar Donaldson
$16.25 Jemima Gallmon
$16.50 Jemima Gallmon
$26 Daniel Gallman
16 Jemima Gallman
$26 Jemima Gallman
$33 Jemima Gallman
$21.50 Jemima Gallmon
$13.50 Jemima Gallmon
$18.50 Jemima Gallmon
$17.25 Wm Robertson
$15.50 Benj. Tillman
$37.50 Jemima Gallmon
$6.50
$10.25
$7.25
$17.50
$18.50
$17.00
$17.00
$46
$40
$45
$41
$41
$41
$42
$41
323
1 lot. Corn, 100 bushels to Jems. Gallmon
20 geese to Crispan Davis
1 lot geese to Jem. Gallmon
2 stacks fodder to Jem. Gallmon
2 stacks fodder to Jem. Gallmon
2 stacks to Jem. Gallmon
2 stacks to Jem. Gallmon
2 stacks to A. B. Addison
2 stacks to H. Gallmon
2 stacks to B. Gallmon
2 stacks to Winfrey Whittock [Whitlock]
2 stacks to B. Gollman
2 stacks to B. Gollman
Top stack to Jemima Gollmon
1 lot of cowpeas to Jemima Gollmon
1 lot of cotton, 8 bls at 17 ¾ Jesse Donaldson
20 bushels wheat to Jem. Gollman
1 waggon and gear to Thos. Purseley
1 lot of plows to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot of plow hoes to Jemima Gallmon
1 sythe and cradle to Jemima Gallmon
1 colt to Wm. Hagins, esq.
4 collars to Jemima Gallmon
1 lock chain to John Blackburn
2 pr of geers to Jemima Gallmon
2 pr. of geers to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot of hoes to Jemima Gallmon
1 loom to Jemima Gallmon
2 spinning wheels to Jemima Gallmon
1 hand saw to Benjm. Gallmon
1 cross cut saw to Fielding Reynolds
1 drawing knife to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot of kitchen furniture to James Gallmon
1 lot of augurs to Jemima Gallmon
1 pr of waffle irons to Jemima Gallmon
1 frying pan and pot to James Gallmon
2 pots and 2 ovens to Jemima Gallmon
candle molds to Jemima Gallmon
3 reap hooks to John Lofton
1 man’s saddle to Daniel Gallmon
1 stack of rye to Benjm. Tillman
1 stack of oats to William Mays
1 stack of oats to Jemima Gallmon
1 spinning machine to Jemima Gallmon
1 clock reil to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot of wool to Jem. Gallmon
324
$43
$10.40
$15.30
$8.25
$8.25
$7
$8
$8.00
$7.75
$5.25
$6.
$5.
$4.25
$3.00
$6.
$442.
$16.25
$100.
$1.
$2.
$3.
0.37 ½
$1.
$1.50
$2.50
$3.00
$1.00
$5.00
$25.00
$0.81 ¼
$4.12 ½
$0.18 ¾
$1.50
$blank
$1.12 ½
$0.50
$5.00
$0.18 ¾
$0.37 ½
$12.
$2.
$2.62
$2.12 ½
$15.00
$1.
$3.00
5 mobby stands to Jemima Gallmon
2 rum hogsheads to Jemima Gallmon
2 rum hogsheads to Harmon Gallmon
1 hogshead to Jemima Gallmon
1 shotgun to David Gill
1 shot gun to Robert Kenney
1 looking glass to Wm. Doby
1 looking glass to Jemima Gallmon
1 beaufat & furniture to Jemima Gallmon
1 lot of razors, hone, box to B. Ryan
1 bottle antry wine to Jemima Gallmon
1 bottle spirits, apple brandy to Jem. Gallmon
1 bottle spirits, peach brandy to D. DONALDSON
1 bottle spirits, peach brandy to Jem. Gallmon
1 wash bowl, pitcher to Daniel Gallmon
3 jars to Jemima Gallmon
1 side saddle to Jemima Gallmon
1 hunting saddle to Jemima Gallmon
1 side saddle to Sarah Gallmon
1 small trunk to Jemima Gallmon
1 jug mint to Harmon Gallmon
1 jug honey to Dan’l Gallmon
1 jug molasses to Jemima Gallmon
1 shugar cag to Jemima Gallmon
2 jugs to Benjm. Tillman
Chimney furniture to Jemima Gallmon
Fire dogs to Benjm. Tillman
1 lot of apple brandy to B. Gallmon
$2.50
$2.00
$1.50
$1.75
$15.
$2
$1.50
$1.37 ½
$28.
$3.00
$0.31 ¼
$0.68 ¾
$0.50
$0.62
$3.00
$1.56
$7.00
$15.00
$7.00
$1.
$1.
$2
$0.56 ¼
$0.50
$1.31
$5.
$2.
$9
THE ESTATE OF GASPAR GOLMAN, DEC’D IN ACCOUNT CURRENT WITH
HARMON GOLMON
May 7, 1821: paid Sarah Galman
July 2, 1821: Ordinary
Jan. 1, 1822: Susan Gallman
Dec. 30:
Ordinary
Jan. 1:
Martha Gallman
Mar. 7:
R. Reid
$200
$3.75
$115
$1.50
$22.00
$41.41
Total $383.39
$2152.96 ¼
$2536.35 ¼
Due adm. From no. 2
Due the adm.
1820: Jan. 24: paid DAVID DONALDSON
1822: Dec. 30: paid Martha Golman
$1082.84
$932.00
Total 2014.84
325
Due the exer. From no. 1
138.12 ½
Total 2152.12 ½
The within exam. And sworn to the 30th Dec. 1822 & find vouchers for every item
with the letter V near the left hand margin. John Simkins, OED.
THE ESTATE OF JEMIMA GOLMAN, DEC’D IN ACCT WITH H. GOLMAN
1829: Dec. 16: V paid the Ordinary
1830: Jan. 4: paid Jn Mosley
paid Ordinary
$3.00
$48.75
$1.25
Due to the estate from No. 1
$34.88 ¾
THE ESTATE OF GASPAR GOLMAN IN CURRENT WITH HARMON GOLEMAN
Dec. 20, 1824: Paid Ordinary
1827: May 12: paid Ed McDoniel
1825: May 8: paid Ed McDoniel
1827: Dec. 22: paid Benjm Golmon
1827: Oct. 25: paid Robert Kinney
1827: Dec. 22: Jn Mosley & wife Martha
1828: April 15 paid Daniel Golman
1828: April 15 paid Sarah Golman
Amount paid
Jemima Golman
V. acct. filed
$1.37
$192.00
$50.00
$1053.62 ½
$1053.62 ½
$1053.62 ½
$1053.63
$1053.63
$5460.88 ½
$4078.93
$9539.81 ½
Adm. For mistake in casting up
$50.00
The within exam. & sworn to the 5th March 1830 & find voucher for every item. Jn
Simkins
326
John Geiger’s Will-Made June 18, 1816, Proved 9/18/1817
In the name of God, amen. I John Geiger of Lexington District in the state of
South Carolina, planter, being well in body and of sound and disposing memory (thanks
be to God) doo make and publish this my last will and testament; in manner following,
that is to say: Imprimus, I desire and request my executors hereinafter named, that after
my decease, my body may be decently interred and my funeral expenses as well as all
such my lawful debts to be first paid and discharged that my said estate.”
“First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Elizabeth Kaigler, a
plantation or tract of land which I purchased of Abraham Geiger, lying and being in
Lexington District and state bounding on the Congaree River, containing two hundred
acres (more or less); likewise I give unto my said daughter, Elizabeth Kaigler, a negro
girl named Mary, and her future increase, and a negro boy named Peter to her and her
heirs forever.”
“Second, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Ann Baughman, a tract
of land containing two hundred acres ( more or less) bounding on the Congaree River
commonly know by being called the Plank Landing tract; also another tract of land
containing fifty acres, which I purchased of Herman Baughman bounding on said river.
Also a tract of seventy-five acres pine land (more or less) purchased of Alexander Bell
and formerly granted to Ulrick Barnhard; also a negro girl named Tomer; also one negro
girl named Mary, together their future increase to my said daughter, Ann Baughman
during her natural life, and after the death of my said daughter Ann Baughman, it is my
earnest desire and request the above mentioned and bequeathed lands and negroes shall
fall to and become the property of the lawful begotten heirs of her body, and not to any
other person or persons whomsoever.”
“It is my desire and request of my son-in-law, William Baughman, the husband of
my daughter Ann, as he will have a right to the lands which I bequeathed to his wife
during her natural life, that he be compelled by my executors hereinafter named to leave a
sufficient wagon road and place for landing plank on these lands bequeathed to my said
daughter, unto my two sons, Harmon Geiger, Senior and William Geiger, Senior, as long
a time as may be necessary for them and their heirs.”
“Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my son, Abraham Geiger, his heirs and
assigns forever a plantation or tract of land containing fifty acres which I purchased of
Mr. B____, bounding on Congaree River, joining lands of said Abraham Geiger.
Likewise a tract of fifty acres joining the aforesaid tract and which I bought from Ulrick
Baughman, also twelve acres of land (more or less) in a place called Baughman’s Neck,
purchase of Harman Baughman joining the above land. Also one house and lot of land
containing one acre purchased of Thomas Egan, esq. in Granby, Lexington District to
him and his heirs forever.”
327
“Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son William Geiger, his heirs
and assigns forever, a certain tract of pine land, whereon he, the said William Geiger
now lives, containing two thousand five hundred acres which I purchased of Jacob
Geiger, together with all the lands which I have a right to, on the two prongs of the
Congaree Creek, known by the name of the First and Second Prong of the Congaree
Creek; likewise one negro woman named Sambo, and one negro woman named Hester
and boy child Sanco together with her future increase; likewise one negro girl named
Lucy, also one girl named Florah, together with their issues and increase forever.”
“Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Harman Geiger and his heirs
and assigns forever all the lands which I own on the waters of Dry Creek and Thomas
Creek, whereon my said son Harman Geiger now lives (except one) tract of land bought
of Jacob Gallman bounding on land held by heirs of Lee & Pool, I purchased of John
Wolfe, known by the name of Lord’s Land. Also one tract of pine land which I have
purchased of Jacob Tyler, containing two hundred and fifty acres more or less, joining
land held by John Thomas and Llewellyn Threewits; likewise I give and bequeath unto
my son, Harmon and his heirs and assigns forever four negroes, viz. Cesar, Bob, Rachel
and Kinah, with their issue and increase forever.”
“Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Ann Geiger during her
natural life, all my negroes not yet bequeathed in this my last will and testament which
are my right and property. Together with my plantation whereon I now live and all the
lands adjoining, the plantation which I have a right to. Lao it is my request that my
beloved wife, Ann, shall have all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation tools
and live stock of all kinds whatever, during their natural life; and I do hereby prohibit my
beloved wife, Ann Geiger or any other person under her direction from selling or in any
way trading any of the property so bequeathed to her, nor convey the same or any part
thereof out of this settlement without the consent of my executors hereinafter named.”
“Seventhly, it is my will and desire that after the death of my beloved wife, Ann
Geiger, that my household and kitchen furniture, together with three acres which I
bought of John Baughman shall be given to my beloved daughter Ann Baughman during
her natural life and after her death it descend to the lawful begotten heirs of her body and
no other persons before mentioned.”
“Further, it is my desire that my beloved wife, Ann Geiger during her natural life,
and my sons Harman Geiger and William Geiger or their heirs do carry on the cropping
and planting business on my said plantation, and with said negroes, horses and live stock,
bequeathed to their Mother as before in joint proportion, and I will and desire that after
the decease of my beloved wife, Ann Geiger, all my lands and plantations not given or
bequeathed to any of my heirs to be equally divided between Harman Geiger and
William Geiger, my said two sons, as they shall see cause. I likewise will and desire that
all the negroes shall be equally divided which I left to my beloved wife during her natural
life between my two sons, Harman Geiger and William Geiger. After the death of my
said wife as also all my livestock and plantation tools to them and their heirs and assigns
forever, and it is my request that if any of my children shall bring against my estate any
328
lawful demands, that in such case my executors shall sell as much of their portion as
much of their portion as is willed to the heir demanding, and pay him or her demand so
brought against my estate, and my executors disinherit each and every such heir, and in
lieu of their legacy shall be entitled to five shillings sterling from my executors of the
same be lawfully demanded.”
“Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my two beloved sons, Abraham Geiger
and Harman Geiger to be my lawful executors and trustees of this my last will and
testament, requiring them and each of them to carry on the suit at law, now on hand
between myself and John Thomas about the right to a tract of land supposed to belong to
the heirs of Lees, and if the said shall be obtained by a course of law, then it is my desire
that if the said land be gained at law, then it is my desire that my two sons, Harman
Geiger and William Geiger shall divide the same between them and their heirs and
assigns forever, they first paying the heirs of the lees their stipulated demand and all other
costs and charges incurred thereon, together with all my lawful debts, if any there be, out
of their portions which I have willed them, and I desire my executors to act with the
utmost power and fidelity and good conduct for my said heirs. In witness whereof, I have
unto set and subscribed my hand and seal this 18th day of June, in the year of our Lord
1816 and in the fortieth year of American independence.”
Signed, John Geiger
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Geiger, testator, as and for his
last will and testament in the presence of us, who were present, and at his request signed
as witnesses of his signing and sealing thereto, Fred Class, John Beasly, John Murff.
329
THOMAS, JEMIMA and HOWELL SELLERS
From: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncchatha/1755oran_tax.html
ORANGE CO. NC, TAX LIST - 1755 The part which became Chatham Co.
This is the first tax list for the county.
Sellers, Thomas
white poll: 1 black poll: 0
From: http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/ncorang.htm
Thomas SELLERS, 1768 signed Regulator advertisement, Orange Co, NC
1780 CHATHAM district of ORANGE CO, = THOMAS SELLERS tax list, 1 horse, 1
cow, 880 taxable amt –may not be our Thomas Sellers, by 1780.
1800 ORANGE CO, NC CENSUS =
Contributed by: Don Marsh <McClainExchange@mexia.com>
THOMAS SELLERS, page 0531 –probably not our Thomas Sellers, by 1800.
Males 0- 9 - 1
Males 16-25 - 2
Males 45&up - 1 (bef 1755)
Females 16-25 - 1
Females 45&up - 1
http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/scedge.htm
EDGEFIELD CO, SC (made in 1785 from District 96) lays above Columbia Co, GA.
Rev War records of HOWELL SELLERS Born March 1762 CHATHAM CO, NC
Enlisted 1776 from Edgefield Co, SC which was residence during war and until
ca 1800 to TN. ROBERTSON CO, TN.
G455
G455
G455
G455
S462
GALLMAN
GALLMAN
GALLMON
GOLLMAN
SELLARS
Harman
1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
John Conrad
1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
Gosport [GASPAR] 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
John
1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
Thomas
1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
1790 EDGEFIELD CO, SC CENSUS = Post Ages
THOMAS SELLARD, PAGE 63 = 2-0-2-0-0
HOWEL SELLARS, PAGE 63=1-1-3-0-0
GOSPER GALEMAN , PAGE 63 = 1-3-3-0-0
GUNROOD GOLEMAN, PAGE 63 = 1-4-3-0-0
HENRY GOLEMAN, PAGE 66 = 1-1-1-0-0
JAMES GOLEMAN, PAGE 66 = 1-2-3-0
http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/scedge.htm
Charles Landrum Edgefield Co, SC by Tonya Salter. Found this info in a book today:
Deed of gift: Charles Landrum, Senr., Planter of Edgefield Co. SC to his children,
330
THOMAS LANDRUM, CHARLES LANDRUM, MARY LANDRUM, PATIENCE
LANDRUM, sons and daughters, for love & affection:
Son: THOMAS- horse branded CL; mare branded CL; rifle gun;
Son: CHARLES- mare branded CL;
Dau., MARY- mare & 1/2 part of household furniture;
Dau., PATIENCE - mare branded B, also 1/2 part of household furniture.
My present crop to be equally divided among my children. S/ CHARLES LANDRUM.
Wit THOMAS SELLERS, SILAS SELLERS, who swore by oath 13 JUN 1793 before
RICHARD TUTT, J.P. Rcd. 13 JUN 1793.
There is a SILAS SELLERS in 1804 Dickson Co, TN minutes. Dickson Co, TN
was made from part of Robertson Co, TN Land. Do we have a SILAS SELLERS down
South or out West?
From: DAN "The Sellers" <labadaba@ispchannel.com> I recently took a trip to
Edgefield, Edgefield Co. S.C.. I found this deed info. pertaining to Thomas and Howell
Sellers:
Conveyance Book 13: 1796-1797 p.27-29: Howell Sellers to Mary Fike for 65
sterling, 123 acres NW side of land granted to Thomas Sellers of 193 acres on Log
Creek of Turkey Creek adjoining on NE by Thomas McGinnis, SE by Mexoal(?)'s
land, SW by John Youngblood, and 9 acres adjacent above land, part of grant to Thos
McGinnis. Wit Isaac Grubbs, John (X)Youngblood. /S/ Howell Sellers. Arthur Simkins,
JP, certifies that Sarah Sellers wife of Howell Sellers signed deed freely. Arthur
Simkins. Sarah (X) Sellers. Proven by John Youngblood 5 April 1796 before Arthur
Simkins. Recorded 9 Apr 1796. (can be found in Edgefield Co. Deed Book 13,14,15,
pg.3) [Arthur Simpkins had been an officer over Howell Sellers in the Revolution.]
From: http://www.sctravelold96.com/travel_journal/magnolia_dale.htm
“You will see a 1772 portrait of Arthur Simkins, considered the “Father of
Edgefield” because of his contributions to its early development, and of his wife,
Margaret Dalby. Their plantation Cedar Fields on the banks of Log Creek was one mile
from the town square in Edgefield. Simkins was an ardent patriot during the American
Revolution and after the war he served as a judge in the local court.” This land was
situated on Log Creek of Turkey Creek, waters of the Savannah River. Log Creek near
Edgefield, SC, Lat 33oo52'39'', Edgefield County, on State Highway 23, 3.3 mi east of
Edgefield.
From: http://www.sciway.net/hist/amrev/engagements.html
“This list was compiled by Mary Jo Jones of Manning, South Carolina. It lists the date
and location of more than 130 military engagements fought in South Carolina during the
Revolutionary War, as recorded in Edward McCardy's 1902 History of South Carolina in
the Revolution. Sept. 6, 1781 Edgefield County, Turkey Creek”
From: http://library.furman.edu/depts/speccoll/churchrecs.htm
Furman University Church Record Holdings, Greenville SC
Church Name-Turkey Creek, Organized-1785, County-Abbeville, Number of reels-4,
Coverage-1785-1909.
331
Conveyance Book 13: 1796-1797, pg.338-340: Mary Fike to John Landrum. Deed, 8
September 1796, 40 sterling, 123 acres that Howell Sellers now liveth on, being part of
two surveys, 9 acres part of land granted to Thomas McGinnes and conveyed by
McGinnes to Thomas Sellers which is the tract said Sellers now liveth on, both sides of
Log Creek, conveyed by Thomas Sellers to his son Howell Sellers, and 114 of above
mentioned 123 acres is part of a tract containing 193 acres granted to above mentioned
Thomas Sellers lying south of Log Creek, the 114 acres is all of the last mentioned
survey that lyeth on NW side of Horse Pen Branch. Witness James Brown, Lewis
Youngblood. /S/ Mary (X) Fike. Proven 11 Oct 1796 by Lewis Youngblood; John
Blocker JP. Recorded 11 Oct 1796. (also can be found in Edgefield Co. Deed Book
13,14,15, pg.24) Dan Sellers labadaba@ispchannel.com
Robertson Co TN County Court Minutes, Book 1, 1796 - 1807
April 8, 1807-pg 442) Ordered that the following persons attend our next Court as jurors,
To Wit, Isaac DORRIS Junr, Hugh HENRY, Richard MATTHEWS, James ENGLAND,
Wm __ Senr, Henry GARDNER, Mark NOBLE, Wm BARROW, James STEWART,
James __, James ELLIOTT Jr., Benjamin WOOD, James McFARLAN, Moses
WINTERS, Samuel CROCKETT, George MURPHY, George A. WEST, Joseph
PAYNE, Daniel HOLMAN, Bartemas PACK, Thomas BYRD, Moses BEASON, James
YATES, Alexander GORDON, Burrell PITTS, John B. BLACKWELL, THOMAS
SELLERS, Wm HENDLEY, Anderson CHEATHAM, Wm STRICKLAND, John
ROBERTSON, Edmond EDWARDS, James HAMPTON, Joel MOORE, Henry
CASTLE, Charles WHARTON, Anthony JONES Jun. & Henry FISER.
Robertson Co TN County Court Minutes, Book 2, 1808 - 1811
Jan Term 1808 pg 3) Anderson CHEATHAM, plaintiff vs William B. VINSON,
defendant – Case To which at April term 1807 the plaintiff appeared by Bennet SEARCY
Esqr his attorney likewise the defendant by Thos SWANN Esqr his attorney and pleads
"non asumpsit" whereupon the parties joined issue after which the cause & proceedings
so had thereon was continued until July term 1807 at which time came here into Court as
well the plaintiff as the defendant by their attorneys aforesaid and thereupon came a jury
of good & lawful men, to wit, Henry FISER, Bartemas PACK, THOMAS SELLARS,
Edmund EDWARDS, Wm HENLY, Hugh HENRY, Wm WALTON, Lewis __, Thomas
HOLMAN, Enoch TUCKER, Perry COHEA & Lawrence OWEN who being duly
elected, tried and sworn say they find for the defendant on motion. A new trial was
granted to the plaintiff .
Then the cause and proceedings so had thereon was continued to each suceeding
term until January term 1807 at which time came here into Court the plaintiff &
defendant by their attornies aforesaid and thereupon came a jury of good & lawful men,
To Wit, John SIGLAR, Richard SWIFT, Wm DeLOACH, John __, James YOUNG,
Abraham YOUNG Senr, James BELL, Wm RAGSDALE, George BIGSBY, Charles
KILGORE, Peter FREY & Henry STUTTS who being duly elected, tryed & sworn say
they find for the plaintiff & assess damages to twenty five dollars & fifty cents
whereupon it is considered of by the Court that the plaintiff do recover by the defendant
332
the sum of twenty five dollars & fifty cents so assessed to him as aforesaid also his costs
of suit in that behalf expended & from which judgement the plaintiff prayed & obtained
in appeal to the honorable Supreme Court to be held for the District of Robertson.
From: http://www.sellers-sellars-sollars-zellars.net/tnrobert.htm
Robertson Co, TN, THOMAS SELLERS and HOWEL SELLARS, security for Jeriah
MULLIS, adm for James MULLIS, dec'd - 8-4-1806. [Was this Thomas the father of
Howell, or the son?-Nancy Poquette]
From:CINDY "The Sellers" <labadaba@ispchannel.com>
Subject: Thomas Sellers/Howell Sellers-Land Purchase
From: Robertson County Archives, Springfield, TN., Deed Book J, Pages 305-306,
March 2nd, 1812: Thomas Sellers of Robertson Co. TN. sold 275 acres to Howell
Sellers of Robertson Co. TN. for the sum of 275 dollars. The land was located on the
West Fork of Buzzard Creek. Ordered recorded in open Court, May term 1812.
This is the last record that I have of THOMAS SELLERS. Did he die shortly
hereafter?
From: DAN SELLERS "The Sellers" <labadaba@ispchannel.com>
Fyke's Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Originally called Spring Creek of Sulphur Fork.
Robertson Co. Tenn. Vol. I., 1813-1871: Membership and Minutes on Microfilm at the
Tennessee State Library, Nashville, TN.
Howell Sellers was on the membership list in 1813. He is mentioned in the minutes
several times between the years 1813 and 1830. In September of 1830, he asked for a
letter of dismission, and it was granted.
1814 Robertson Co, TN-Elizabeth Sellers and others given notice that Elizabeth
Huddleston, widow of William petitioned for dower.
1820 Robertson Co, TN =u10-ll/15-16/20-21/45-+46
Howell SELLERS 100010-11000 page 15
Howell SELLERS 110001-01100 page 15
Larken SELLERS 100010-00100 page 8
my printed index only shows one Howellmy cd rom index shows aboveI don't know if I have copy of original - CHECK
1830 Robertson Co, Tn= u5-5/10-10/15-15/20-20/30-30/40-40/.50-50/60,etc
Howel SELLERS PAGE 425=101000001-130101
Charles SELLERS PAGE 425 = 00001-00001
LARKIN SELLERS PAGE 400=102001-210001
SARAH SELLERS, PAGE 381=001-20001
333
Howell Sellars Will
I, Howell Sellers of the County of Pike and State of Illinois do make and publish
this my last will and testament in manner and form Following That is to say First it is My
will that my funeral expenses and All my last debts be fully paid.
Second, I give devise and bequeath to my Beloved wife Margaret in lieu of her
dower, the plantation on which we now reside, situate in the County of Pike and known
by being the South half of the Northwest Quarter of section Twenty-nine in township
Three fourth of the base line of Range two west of the fourth _______ Meridian
containing Seventy-eight acres and Five hundredths of an acre during her natural life or
so long as she shall remain a widow and all the live stock, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and
e ? by me kept. Also all of the household furniture, and other items not particularly
named during her natural life or widowhood as aforesaid.
She, however if necessary, first disposing of a sufficiency thereof to pay my just
debts as aforesaid, and that at the death of my said wife or her marriage, all the personal
property hereby devised or bequeathed to her as aforesaid or so much thereof as may then
remain and __? funded shall then be sold at public action and the proceeds thereof to be
divided among all my children as follows to wit:
To my sons LARKIN and CHARLES, and to my daughters MILLY, MARY,
JEMIMA, BETHENA, and SARAH each one dollar; the balance to be equally divided
among the remainder of my children, to wit ARTHUR, WILLIAM, HENRY, and
JOSIAH, LEANNA, NANCY, ELISEBETH, JANE and SINTHEAUX.
Third, and at the death or marriage of my wife, I give and bequeath my land
above described to my three youngest sons, to wit: ARTHER, WILLIAM HENRY and
JOSIAH, and to their heirs and assigns forever, to be equally divided among them share
and share about.
And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my wife MARGARETT to be the
executrix for this my last Will and testament. In testimony where of I have hereafter set
my hand and seal this twentieth day of October A.D., one thousand eight hundred and
thirty seven.
Howell Sellers (seal)
Signed published and declared by the above Howell Sellers as and For his
Last Will and testament in Presents of us who at his Request Have signed as
witness to the same .
Peter Kanges
Wm Duff
334
Appendix-Donaldsons
From the Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby
Gilmer Moss, 1985, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD,
This is a list of possible fathers of David Donaldson. They have not yet been researched!!
This is only a reminder list to myself the research any connection they may have to David
Donaldson!!
Donaldson, John
B. circa 1745, England
He was commissioned first lieutenant on 17/18 June 1775 in the Rangers under Capt.
Samuel Wise and Col. Thomson. He became a captain on 16 May 1776, Heitman, p. 200;
S.C.H. & G.I, 189; II, 173; Gregg, p. 236
Donaldson, John
He enlisted in the 5th regiment on 2 April, 1776. N. A. 853.
Donaldson, Matthew
He served in the militia from 1780 to 1783 under Captain Alexander Pagan. A. A. 1977,
0382.
Donaldson, Thomas
He enlisted in the 5th regiment on 2 April, 1776. N. A. 853.
Dondleson, Hugh
He served in the militia under Col. Brandon before the fall of Charleston. A. A. 1976;
X2808.
Doneldson, Hugh
See Hugh Dondleson
The Jury Lists of South Carolina, 1778-1779, compiled by GE Lee Corley Hendrix and
Morn McKoy Lindsay, 1980, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD:
Grand Jurors for the Parish of St. Phillip & St. Michael-James Donaldson, p. 3
For the District of Charles Town:
Petit Jurors for the Parish of St. Phillip & St. Michael-James Donaldson, p. 10
For the District of Charles Town:
Special Jurors for the Parish of St. Phillip & St. Michael-James Donaldson, p. 24
Petit Jurors for the Cheraws District, John Donaldson, p. 41
Petit Jury List for Ninety Six District:
Long Canes and places adjacent-Matthew Donaldson, p. 85
335
“Inscriptions from the Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church Yard,
Charleston, SC”, The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Jan. 1969, Vol. 70, No. 1,
page 313:
“Sacred/ to the memory of/ James Donaldson/ who departed this life/ April 28th
1800/ aged 64 years/ and/ Mary his wife/ who died May 31st, 1807/ aged 73 years. [North
side]
“Marriage and Death Notices from the [?Charleston?] City Gazette”, The South
Carolina Historical Magazine, 1932, Vol. 33, page 70:
“The friends and acquaintances of the late Mr. James Donaldson are invited to
attend his funeral from his late residence, No. 103, Tradd St. this afternoon, at 4 o’clock
(Wednesday, April 26, 1809.)
336
Family of DAVID DONALDSON, Sr-Vital Records
Name
DAVID DONALDSON Born-about 1771, NC
Married-1792, Edgefield District, SC, Elizabeth Gallman
Death-bet. 1851-1854, Coffee Co, AL
ELIZABETH GALLMON Born abt 1776, Edgefield District, SC Death-Between 1852-1854, Coffee County, AL
Source
-
SOVEREIGN DONALDSON Born-about 1793, Edgefield County, SC
Married-1814, Edgefield, SC, ELIZABETH MCCLENDON
Died-abt. 1840, Lowndes County, AL
Gosper Donaldson
Born-abt. 1794, Edgefield District, SC
MarriedDied-abt 1842, Lowndes Co, AL
-
Sophronia Donaldson Born-abt 1798
Married
Died Jesse D. Donaldson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Born-abt 1803, Edgefield Co, SC
Married-July 10, 1823, Montgomery, AL, Eliz. Betsy Davis
Died -
David Donaldson, Jr Born-abt-1806, Edgefield Co, SC
Married-August 28, 1828, Montgomery, AL Priscilla Davis
Died-Nov. 1855, Coffee Co, AL
Sarah Donaldson
Born-abt 1807, Edgefield, SC
MarriedDied -
-
-
-
Mary A. Donaldson
Born-abt 1808, Edgefield, SC
MarriedDied -
-
-
-
Elizabeth Reed wrote, “I had a good deal of contact with Dan Prescott, who is
from a different leg of our family, who has been doing research for numerous years, lived
his whole life in Montgomery, Alabama, and has had contact with lot of Donaldsons and
relations. He seems to feel that the father of “our JOSEPH S. DONALDSON” is the son
of DAVID’s eldest son SOVERIGN, and not a son of DAVID as I show it, but I was
basing my records on the written record that Thomas Donaldson gave his son Tom,
337
which said that Joseph’s father was a Baptist minister and was from North Carolina
[Couldn’t SOVERIGN also have been a Baptist minister?]. I guess that’s one of those
things we can never prove.”
In the 1830 census below, four of DAVID Sr.’s sons are accounted for as heads
of household. We know that JOSEPH S. was 10 years old in 1830. Supposing that
JOSEPH S. was DAVID’s son, then this census shows one young male too many, being
the male of age 15-20 years. Who was this 15 to 20 year old male? Could he have been a
grandson working as a farm hand for his grandfather?
Supposing that JOSEPH S. is SOVERIGN’s son, the family list for
SOVERIGN [found below the 1830 census] is short by one son. The two males of 5-10
years are Gosper and John, born in 1822 and 1825, and the youngest, Sovereign, Jr, was
not born until after the census, in 1833. That leaves David, aged 20 and JOSEPH S.,
aged 15, both eligible for the ‘1 male of 15-20 years’ category. However, by the age of
20, it is more likely that David was already making his own way in the world, AND he
could be the extra male in his grandfather’s house, or even the 2nd male of 20-30 years at
David, Jr’s home. Just food for thought. We do know this for sure, that the elder DAVID
DONALDSON had grandchildren living in his home. It wasn’t impossible for
ELIZABETH GALLMAN DONALDSON to have children after a gap of 12 years
from 1808 to 1820, but it sure seems unlikely that JOSEPH SEPHUS was her son, and
was far more likely to be her grandson.
1830 Census, Lowndes County, Alabama
Heads of Families:
David Donaldson
1 male of 60-70 years [David Sr], 1 female of 50-60 years
[Elizabeth], 1 male of 5-10 years [Joseph S. at age 10], 1 male of 15-20 years [this
could be David or Joseph S, the sons of Soverign, or Ezra Richard, the son of
Gosper], 1 female of 5-10 years and 1 female of 10-15 years and 1 female of 1520 years [we don’t show any daughters this young for David. They may have
been granddaughters. Sophronia, Sarah and Mary were all over 20 by 1830.]
Soverign Donaldson 1 male of 30-40 years [Soverign], 1 female 30-40 years
[Pernelle Elizabeth], 2 males of 5-10 years [Gosper at age 8 and John at age 5], 1
male of 10-15 years [This could be David, age 15 or it could be Joseph S. age 10],
2 females under 5 years [we only have Nancy Flora at age 4], 1 female of 5-10
years unknown].
Gosper Donaldson 1 male of 30-40 years, 1 female 30-40 years, 1 male under
5 years, 1 male 5-10 years, 1 female under 5 years, 2 females 5-10 years
Jesse Donaldson
1 male of 20-30 years, 1 female of 20-30 years, 1 male of
5-10 years, 2 females under five years.
338
David Donaldson
under 5 years.
2 males of 20-30 years, 1 female of 20-30 years, 1 female
From Ancestry.com: Condon
Entries: 128 Updated: 2004-04-27 13:45:59 UTC (Tue) Contact: James Condon
ID: I538664523
Name: Elizabeth GALLMAN
Given Name: Elizabeth
Surname: Gallman
Birth: abt. 1776 in Edgefield, SC
Death: After 1854 in Coffee County, AL
Note:
Name: Elizabeth Gallman 1
Birth: ABT 1776 in Edgefield, SC 1
Death: AFT 1854 in Coffee Co, AL 1
Burial: Danley Crossroad, Coffee Co, AL 1
Reference Number: 4485
Father: Casper Gallman
Mother: Jemima Sellers
Marriage 1 David Donaldson , Sr b: ABT 1776 in NC
Married: ABT 1792 1
Children
Soverign Donaldson , Sr b: ABT 1793 in SC
Gosper Donaldson b: ABT 1795 in Edgefield Co, SC
Jesse P Donaldson , Sr b: ABT 1797
Sophronia Donaldson b: ABT 1798
Mary A Donaldson b: ABT 1804
David Donaldson , Jr b: ABT 1806
Sarah Donaldson b: ABT 1807
Mary B Donaldson b: ABT 1812
Father: Casper GALLMAN
Mother: Jemima SELLERS
Marriage 1 David DONALDSON b: abt. 1776 in NC
Children
Gosper DONALDSON b: abt. 1795 in Edgefield County, SC
wife: Margaret Bland b: 1802 in Barnwell District, Edgefield, SCName: Gosper
Donaldson 1 2
Sex: M
Birth: ABT 1795 in Edgefield Co, SC 2
Death: NOV 1842 in Sandy Ridge, Lowndes Co, AL 2
Reference Number: 401
339
Father: David Donaldson , Sr b: ABT 1776 in NC
Mother: Elizabeth Gallman b: ABT 1776 in Edgefield, SC
Marriage 1 Margaret Bland b: 1802 in Barnwell District, Edgefield, SC
Married: 23 JAN 1823 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co, AL 2
Children
Elza Richard Donaldson b: 3 DEC 1819 in Edgefield, SC
Eliza Elizabeth Donaldson b: 3 SEP 1822 in SC
Amanda M F Donaldson b: 1824
Mary Ann Donaldson b: ABT 1825
Ann Catherine Donaldson b: ABT 1828
Martha Adeline Donaldson b: ABT 1830
Children
Elza Richard DONALDSON b: Dec. 3, 1819 in Edgefield, SC
Elza Richard Donaldson 1 2
Sex: M
Birth: 3 DEC 1819 in Edgefield, SC 2
Death: 26 MAR 1892 in Camden, Wilcox Co, AL 2
Burial: Concord Cemetery 2
Reference Number: 399
Father: Gosper Donaldson b: ABT 1795 in Edgefield Co, SC
Mother: Margaret Bland b: 1802 in Barnwell District, Edgefield, SC
Marriage 1 Alletha Hambrick b: ABT 1830 in Lowndes Couny, AL
Married: 29 JAN 1846 2
Children
Eugenia Adelaide Donaldson b: 20 SEP 1846 in Sandy Ridge, Lowndes Co, AL
Mary Elizabeth Donaldson b: SEP 1852
Walter Lowndes Donaldson b: 9 DEC 1855
Frances Ladeska Donaldson b: MAY 1857
Thomas Watts Donaldson , Sr b: 5 DEC 1861
Marriage 1 Alletha HAMBRICK b: abt. 1830 in Lowndes County, AL
Children
Eugenia Adelaide DONALDSON b: Sept. 20, 1846 in Sandy Ridge, , Lowndes County,
AL
340
Family of SOVEREIGN DONALDSON, Sr
Name
Source
SOVEREIGN DONALDSON Born-about 1793, Edgefield County, SC
Married-1814, Edgefield, SC, ELIZABETH MCCLENDONDied-abt. 1840, Lowndes County, AL
PERNELLE ELIZABETH MCCLENDON-Born abt 1785, SC
Died -
-
-
David Donaldson, Jr Born-abt 1815, Edgefield Co, SC
Married- Sarah ‘Elizabeth’, 1846, Coffee County, ALDied- July 04, 1878, Bogia, Escambia Co, FLBuried- Rays Chapel Cemetery, Escambia Co, FL -
-
JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON-Born-Oct. 24, 1820, AL Married-NANCY K BEARD, Mar. 25, 1841, Elba, Coffee
Co, ALDied-March 16, 1891, Hallton, Covington Co, AL Gosper Donaldson
Born- 1822, Edgefield Co, SCMarried- Mary ‘Polly’, Abt. 1842, Coffee County, ALDied- 1859, Coffee Co, AL -
-
John Donaldson
Born- May 22, 1825, Lowndes Co, AL
Married- Elizabeth Louise Beard, Sept. 07, 1843, Lowndes
County, AL
Died- May 15, 1865*, Elba, Coffee Co, AL Buried- Evergreen Cemetery, Elba, AL
-
-
*“John Donaldson, a merchant and farmer, was killed in 1865 when he was ambushed
near where the ACLRR crosses the road leading from Elba to Samson. Oral family
history states that John was killed by Confederates who resented him not serving in the
Confederate army.” From The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, 19__, pages 177179, story by Elizabeth Prescott.
Nancy Flora Donaldson-Born- 1826, Married- Adolphus Charleston Beard, about 1843
Died- 1870 -
-
-
Soverign, Jr Donaldson-Born- 1833, Lowndes Co, AL
Married- Winnie Van Landingham, Died-1869
-
-
-
From Marriage Book 3, Lowndes County Alabama:
341
-
Donaldson, Sovereign to Davis, Sidney Oct 22, 1866, Book 3, page 794 married by J.
D. Loftin, MG. Bond co-signed by J. S. [?John S.] Donaldson, permission given by
Elizabeth Donaldson for her son Sovereign.
Book 1- Riard, William F. to Donaldson, Eliza E. Sep 07, 1843 Book 1
Taylor,
Jack
JP
Donaldson, James B.
Bruner, Caroline C.
Jun 28, 1853 2 184
Coffee County, AL was created from Dale County in 1841; Dale County was
created from Covington and Henry Counties in 1824; Covington County was created
from Henry County in 1821; Henry County was created from Conecuh County in 1819.
1840 Census, Alabama, Randolph County
Heads of Families
Elizabeth Donaldson [widow of SOVERIGN] 1 female of 50-60 years, 1 male of
10-15 years, 1 female of 15-20 years.
1840 Census, Alabama, Dale County
page 8:
Heads of Families
David Donaldson, Sr 1 male of 60-70 years, 1 female of 60-70 years, 1 male of
10-15 years, 1 male of 15-20 years, 1 male of 20-30 years, 1 female of 5-10 years,
1 female of 15-20 years
David Donaldson, Jr 1 male of 30-40 years, 1 female of 20-30 years, 1 male of
5-10 years, 1 female under 5 years, 2 females 5-10 years, 1 female of 10-15 years.
342
Family of JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON
Source
-1850CCAC
JOSEPH SEPHUS DONALDSON-Born-Oct. 24, 1820, AL Married-March 25, 1841, Elba, Coffee Co, AL
Died-March 16, 1891, Hallton, Covington Co, AL NANCY K. BEARD Born-June 4, 1825, Georgia Died-Aft. June 22, 1880, AL -
-
-
-1850CCAC
-1880 CCAC
Adolphus C. Donaldson-Born-Dec. 22, 1841, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL
-1850CCAC
Married-not married Died-October 8, 1862, Perryville, KY in the Civil War*-DCCA
* From the muster list of “Company ‘A’, 33rd AL Infantry:
DONALDSON, Adolphus C., Cpl. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased
claim filed, 3 Jan 63, by Joseph S. Donaldson, father)
Last Name: Donaldson First Name: A. MI: C.
Regimental Unit: 33rd Alabama Regiment Company Unit: A Branch: Infantry
Enlistment Information: Corporal.
Remarks: Certificate #14282 received 1864/03/29. Certificate dated 1864/03/18.
Amount of certificate, $58.46.
[This certificate date has been given as his
death date, but it appears that he died a year before that, per the claim filed by his father
below, on the muster list.]
Authority: List, Claim Cert. 1863-64, delivered to Alabama agent by order
Secretary, Confederate States Treasury 1864/01/16 on approval of Col. W. H.
Fowler when residence of claimant not ascertained. [Joseph S. Donaldson's claim was
received by the Confederate States Treasury on January 16, 1864]
Jesse R. Donaldson
Born-July 15, 1843, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL
-1850CCAC
Married-Nov. 4, 1866, Scoville, Crenshaw, AL, Catherine
Elizabeth Pollard
Died-January 14, 1895, Dayton, Marengo Co, AL
James David Donaldson-Born-Feb. 22, 1845, Santa Rosa Co, FL -1850CCAC
Married-June 28, 1868, Crenshaw, AL, Dicie Elizabeth
Ficklin
Died-July 22, 1919, Chickasaw, Grady Co, OK
Joseph William Donaldson-Born-April 16, 1847, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL -1850CCAC
Married-1869, Armetta Darby
Died-December 24, 1889, Covington Co, ALMaryAnn E. Donaldson-Born-Feb. 22, 1849 Married-Richard Ford JacksonDied-abt. 1883, Levy Co, FL -
343
-
-
-1850CCAC
-
Martha A. Donaldson Born-Nov. 17, 1851, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL
Married-A. J. Jack HubbardDied-Nov. 24, 1904, Opp, Covington, Co, AL-
-1860CCAC
-
John Henry Donaldson-Born-Jan. 14, 1853, Hacoda, Coffee Co, ALMarried-Mattie May Franklin Deal Died-March 7, 1937, Covington Co, AL
-
-1860CCAC
-
Nancy Louisa Donaldson-Born-April 8, 1855, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL
Married-Daniel J. Miller
Died -
-1860CCAC
-
Thomas Peter Donaldson-Born-June 27, 1857, Hacoda, Coffee Co, ALMarried-Eliza Cathryn Poole, Died-Jan. 5, 1938, Opp, Covington Co, AL -
-1860CCAC
-
Francis Marion Donaldson-Born-August 9, 1859, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL -1860CCAC
Married-Dec. 298, 1881, Hale Co, AL, Eliza Ann Griffen
Died-August 9, 1940, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Co, ALSarah Cathryn Donaldson-Born-May 11, 1861, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL
Married-1879, Nicholas Calvin LatnerDied-Sept. 1930, Laurel Oak, Okaloosa, FL -
-1870BCAC
-
Edmund Jackson Donaldson-Born-June 4, 1863, Hacoda, Coffee Co, AL -1870BCAC
Married-Dec. 28, 1889, Hale Co, AL, Nancy Katherine “Kate”
Phipps
Died-abt 1942, Selma, Dallas Co, ALSARAH SALLIE DONALDSON-Born-Jan. 19, 1865, Hacoda, Coffee, AL or FL1900CCAC
Never married, father of children may have been Wm Paul- DBCA
Died-June 10, 1910, Opp, Covington Co, ALEmma Donaldson
Born-August 6, 1868, Coffee Co, AL Married-Dec. 18, 1890, Jason M. TeelDied- -
-
-1870BCAC
-
1850CCAC = 1850 Coffee County, AL Census for the names and more accurate ages of
the parents and the first 5 children.
1860CCAC = 1860 Coffee County AL Census for the names of the children of Joseph
and Nancy Donaldson
344
1870BCAC = 1870 Butler County, AL census for the names of the children of Joseph
and Nancy Donaldson
1880CCAC = Coffee County, AL Census
1900CCAC = Coffee County, AL Census
DBCA = Delayed Birth Certificate of Coffee County, AL for CLARENCE MELVIN
DONALDSON
DCCA = Deceased Claim against Confederate Army
1850 Census, Coffee County, AL
[This may be page 302, or 599 or 601. It has been repaginated.]
November 11, 1850
Donalson, Joseph S or L, age 30, farmer, born in Alabama
Donalson, Nancy R., age 25, born in Georgia
Donalson, Adolphus C., age 9, born in Alabama, attended school within the year
Donalson, Jasa R. [Jesse R], age 7, born in Alabama, attended school within the year
Donalson, James D, age 5, born in Florida
Donalson, Joseph W, age 3, born in Alabama
Donalson, Mary A E, age 2, born in Alabama
This may be page 303 or 601 or 603. It has been repaginated.
November 18, 1850
Beard, Elizabeth, age 47, female, born GA
Beard, John H., age 20, farmer, born GA
Beard, James E, age 18, farmer, born GA
Beard, Martha, age 15, born GA
Beard, Thomas I. L. or S., age 14, born GA
Beard, Robert B, age10, born AL
Haraldson or Donaldson, Elizabeth, age 18, born GA
Donaldson, David, age 79, shoemaker, born NC
Donaldson, Elizabeth, age 74, born SC
Bronton, Agnes E, age 51, born SC
Donaldson, Soverign, age 17, laborer, born AL
June 1860 Census, Election Precinct 2, Coffee County, AL
Donaldson, Joseph, age 39, male, farmer, born AL
Donaldson, Nancy R, age 35, female, born GA
Donaldson, Adolphus C., age 18, farm laborer
Donaldson, Jesse R, age 17, farm laborer
Donaldson, James D. age 15
Donaldson, Joseph W, age 13
Donaldson, Mary A. E, age 11
345
Donaldson, Martha A., age 9
Donaldson, John H., age 7
Donaldson, Nancy L., age 5
Donaldson, Peter Y?, age 3
Donaldson, Francis, age 10 months
1870 Census, Butler Co, Township 10, AL
Donaldson, Joseph, age 49, w, m, farm laborer
Donaldson, ?Sarah?, age 45, w, f, keeping house-should be Nancy K.
Donaldson, William, age 24, w, m, farm laborer-William Joseph
Donaldson, Mary, age 21, w, f, at home-Mary Ann
Donaldson, Martha, age 19, w, f, at home
Donaldson, ?Eliza?, age 16, w, f, at home-should be Nancy Louisa
Donaldson, John, age 15, w, m, at home-John Henry
Donaldson, Thomas, age 14, w, m, at home-Thomas Peter
Donaldson, Francis, age 12, w, m, at home-Francis Marion
Donaldson, Sally, age 10, w, f, at home-Sarah Sallie
Donaldson, Catherine, age 8, w, f, at home-?Sarah Catherine
Donaldson, Edmund, age 7, w, m, at home-Edmund Jackson
Donaldson, Emma, age 3, w, f, at home
1880 Census, Phipps, Hale County, AL
Donaldson, Joseph S., w, m, age 61, farmer, born AL, father born __, mother born SC
Donaldson, Nancy K., w, f, age 56, keeping house, born GA, father born GA, Mother GA
Donaldson, Francis M., w, m, son, age 21, farmhand, born AL
Donaldson, Edward J., w, m, son, age 19, farmhand, born AL
Donaldson, Sarah S., w, f, daughter, age 17, farmhand, born AL
Donaldson, Emma, w, f, daughter, age 12, farmhand, born AL
Since Joseph S. was reported to have died in Hallton, Covington Co, AL in 1891, it is
probable that he had been living with his son, Thomas Peter Donaldson, whose family is
enumerated there in the 1900 census.
1900 Census, Childerville, Coffee Co, AL
Donaldson, Sarah, head, w, f, Jan. 1865, age 35, single, never m. 9 births, 6 survive,
farmer
Donaldson, Joseph E., son, w, m, Apr. 1887, age 13, farm laborer
Donaldson, James A., son, w, m, March 1892, age 8
Donaldson, Jessie R., son, w, m, May 1895, age 5
Donaldson, Ollive, daughter, w, f, March 99, age 1
346
Family of SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON
Name
Source
SARAH SALLIE DONALDSON-Born-March 19, 1865, Hacoda, Coffee, AL or FL
Never married, paramour may have been William Paul
Died-June 10, 1910, Opp, Covington Co, AL
Eva Mae Donaldson Born-March 18, ?,
Married-Thomas Jackson
Died-Her hem caught fire while burning leaves
-
Elza Stanton Donaldson-Born-Nov. 21, 1885, Andalusia, Covington Co, ALMarriedDied-July 7, 1965, Montgomery, AL Joseph Edgar Donaldson-Born-abt 1887MarriedDied-bet. 1917-1918, Spanish flu, WWI, Fort Macon, GA
Isabella Donaldson-Born abt 1890- Died-before 1900 census
-
-
-
Irabella Donaldson-Born abt 1890- Died-before 1900 census
-
-
-
James Alvin Donaldson-Born-November 5, 1893, Covington Co, ALMarriedDied-April 21, 1951, Troy, Pike Co, AL
-
-
Olive Donaldson
-
Born-March 1899- MarriedDied-Not enumerated in the 1910 census
-
Clarence Melvin Donaldson-Born-March 13, 1900, Kinston, Coffee Co, ALMarried-August 24, 1923, Selma, Fresno Co, CA, Dorothy
Eleanor Rufert
Died-Feb, 3, 1970, Victorville, CA- DBCA = Delayed Birth Certificate of Coffee County, AL for CLARENCE MELVIN
DONALDSON
1850 Census, Alabama, Coffee County
[This may be page 302, or 599 or 601. It has been repaginated.]
347
November 11, 1850
Donalson, Joseph S or L, age 30, farmer, born in Alabama
Donalson, Nancy R., age 25, born in Georgia
Donalson, Adolphus C., age 9, born in Alabama, attended school within the year
Donalson, Jasa R. [Jesse R], age 7, born in Alabama, attended school within the year
Donalson, James D, age 5, born in Florida
Donalson, Joseph W, age 3, born in Alabama
Donalson, Mary A E, age 2, born in Alabama
David Donaldson
aged 79, shoemaker, born NC.
Elizabeth [Gallman] Donaldson
aged 74 years, born SC.
Sovereign [Jr] Donaldson [their grandson] aged 17 years, laborer, born AL.
Elizabeth Beard [widow] aged 47, born GA.
John H. Beard, aged 20, farmer, born GA.
James E. Beard, aged 18, farmer, born GA.
Martha Beard, aged 15, born GA
Thomas I.S. Beard, aged 14, born GA
Robert B. Beard, aged 10, born AL
Elizabeth ?Haraldson, aged 18, born GA
A. C. Beard, aged 25, farmer, born GA
Nancy [Donaldson] Beard, aged 24, born AL
William W. Beard [twin], aged 6, born AL
Samantha Beard [twin], aged 6, born AL
Joseph M. Beard, aged 4, born AL
Sedalia Beard, aged 3, born AL
John Donaldson, aged 25, farmer, born AL
Elizabeth Donaldson, aged 24, born GA
William Donaldson, aged 5, born AL
John, Jr Donaldson, aged 4, born AL
Sovereign, aged 3, born AL
Thomas, aged 2, born AL
Martha, aged 6/12, born AL
Gosper Donaldson, aged 29, farmer, born AL
Mary Donaldson, aged 33, born SC
Sarah C. Donaldson, aged 7, born AL
Thomas H., aged 3 born AL
William F. Beard, aged 32, farmer, born GA
Elizabeth Beard, aged 27, born SC
Josephine Beard, aged 4, born AL
Elmira S. Beard, aged 2, born AL
James F. Beard, aged 1, born AL
348
Margaret Donaldson, aged 54, born SC
1860 Census, Alabama, Coffee County
Joseph Donaldson, aged 39, farmer, born AL
Nancy R. Beard, aged 35, born GA
Adolphus C. Donaldson, aged 18, farm laborer, born AL
Jesse R. Donaldson, aged 17, farm laborer, born AL
James D. Donaldson, aged 15, born AL
Joseph W. Donaldson, aged 13, born AL
Mary A. E. Donaldson, aged 11, born AL
Martha A. Donaldson, aged 9, born AL
John H. Donaldson, aged 7, born AL
Nancy L. Donaldson, aged 5, born AL
Peter Y. Donaldson, aged 3, born AL
Francis M. Donaldson, aged 10/12, born AL
David Donaldson, aged 40, farmer, born AL
Sarah E. Donaldson, aged 41, born NC
Lucretia Donaldson, aged 14, born AL
John B. Donaldson, aged 12, born AL
Sovereign Donaldson, aged 7, born AL
Mary E. Donaldson, aged 5, born AL
Rachel E., aged 3, born AL
1870 Census, Alabama, Butler County, Greenville, July 26, 1870, Dwelling
477, family 479
JOSEPH DONALDSON, aged 49, male, white, farm laborer, born AL
Sarah Donaldson, aged 45, fem., white, keeping house, born AL
William Donaldson, aged 24, male, white, farm laborer
Mary Donaldson, aged 21, female, white, at home, born AL
Martha Donaldson, aged 19, female, white, at home, born AL
Eliza Donaldson, aged 16, female, white, at home, born AL
John Donaldson, aged 15, male, white, at home, born AL
Thomas Donaldson, aged 14, male, white, at home, born AL
Francis Donaldson, aged 12, male, white, at home, born AL
Sally Donaldson, aged 10, female, white, at home, born AL
Catherine Donaldson, aged 8, female, white, at home, born AL
Edmund Donaldson, aged 7, male, white, at home, born AL
Emma Donaldson, aged 3, female, white, at home, born AL
1880 Census, Alabama, Hale County, township of Phipps
Joseph S. Donaldson, aged 61, farmer, born AL, father born NC, mother born SC
349
Nancy K. Donaldson, aged 56, keeping house, born GA, Father born GA, mother
born GA
Francis M. Donaldson, aged 21, farm hand, born AL, father born AL, mother born
in GA
Edmund J. Donaldson, aged 19, farm hand, born AL, father born AL, mother born
GA
Sarah S. Donaldson, aged 17, farm hand, born AL, father born AL, mother born
GA.
Emma Donaldson, aged 12, farm hand, born AL, father born Al, mother born GA
1900 Census, Alabama, Coffee County, Childerville, June 28, 1900 ED 45,
Family 60
line 9 PAUL, JOHN W. head; b. Jan. 1855, aged 55, married 8 years, b. AL, father born;
NC, mother born NC; farmer
Paul, Martha M., wife; born May 1870; age 30, md 8 yrs, b. AL; AL; AL
Paul, Andrew D. W. son; b. Apr. 1882; age 18; single, AL; AL; AL
Paul, William C., son; b. May 1883; age 17; aged 17
Paul, Alen A., son; b. May 1886; aged 14
Paul, Sarah F. dau, b. Jan. 1889; age 11
Paul, Benn F., son; b. Feb. 1892, aged 8
Paul, George W., son; b. March 1895; aged 5
Paul, John, son; b. March 1897; aged 3
Paul, Mary Ann, mother, b. Jan. 1817; aged 83; single, b. SC; SC; SC, mother of
2; 2 living, md. 7 years.
Line 19, family 70
Donaldson, Sarah; head; b. Jan. 1865; aged 35; single, md. 0; mother of 9; 6
living; farmer; b. AL; Al; AL
Donaldson, Joseph E., son; b. April 1887; aged 13; single; b. AL; AL; AL
Donaldson, James A., son; b. March 1892; aged 8; single, b. Al; AL; AL
Donaldson, Jessie R., son; b. May 1895; aged 5; b. AL; AL; AL
Donaldson, Ollive, dau; b. March 1899; aged 2; b. AL; AL, AL
1910 Census, Alabama, Covington County, Opp Township-April 15, 1910
Sarah Sallie Donaldson was enumerated in the 1910 census two months before
her death, on June 10, 1910.
Sarah S. Donaldson, Head, aged 45, single, born FL, father born AL, mother born
GA, occupation, unreadable, looks like ‘business’
James A. Donaldson, aged 18, born AL, father born AL, mother born FL, farmer.
Jesse R. Donaldson, aged 15, born AL, father born AL, mother born FL, farming.
Clarence M. Donaldson, aged 9, born AL, father born AL, mother born
FL, no occupation.
Joseph E, aged 23, born AL, father born AL, mother born FL.
350
April 1910 Census, Opp, Covington Co, AL
Donaldson, Sarah S., head, f, w, single, 6 born, 6 survive, born in Florida, own income
Donaldson, James A., son, m, w, age 18, farmer
Donaldson, Jesse R, son, m, w, age 15, farming, sawmill
Donaldson, Clarence M., son, w, m, age 9
Donaldson, Joseph E., son, m, w, age 33, logging, sawmill
Appendix-CLARENCE MELVIN DONALDSON
1920 Census, Tillman Precinct, Coffee Co, AL
Donaldson, James A., head, home rented, age 28, farmer, general farm
Donaldson, Leona, wife, age 26, w, f
Donaldson, Louise, daughter, age 15 months
Donaldson, Clarence, hired man, age 19, farm laborer, general farm
1930 Census, Glendale, Los Angeles Co, CA
Donaldson, Clarence, head, owns home, $3100, m, w, age 30, age at first marriage, 23,
occupation, pumper, city government [Dept of Water and Power]
Donaldson, Dorothy, wife, age 26, age at first marriage 19, born CA, father born KS,
mother born MO
Donaldson, Mildred E, daughter, age 5 ½
Donaldson, Josephine E, daughter, age 3 ½
Donaldson, Grace I, daughter, age 1 ½
WWI Draft Registration Card-1918
CLARENCE MELVIN DONALDSON
Permanent Home Address-East Lake, AL
Age in years-18 Date of Birth-March 13, 1900
White, Native Born
Present Occupation-Musician
Employers Name-Boys Industrial School
Place of employment-East Lake, AL
Nearest Relative-Mrs. E. M. Jackson, Glenwood, AL
Signed, Clarence Donaldson. Dated 9/16/1918
Back of card
Height-Short, Build-Medium, Eyes-Brown, Hair-Light Brown
Any physical disqualifications-no
351
1920 Census, Tillman, Precinct 5, Coffee, Alabama, Enumeration Dist.
50, sheet 3A, page 2219, January 8, 1920
Donaldson, James, head, age 28, renter, born in AL, father born in AL, mother born in
AL, can read and write, farmer, general farm
Donaldson, Leona, wife, age 26,
Donaldson, Louise, daughter, age 1 ½
DONALDSON, CLARENCE, hired man, age 19, born in AL, father born in AL, mother
born in AL, can read and write, farm laborer
352
Marriage Certificate, dated 24 August 1923, Fresno County, CA
Groom-CLARENCE DONALDSON
Residence-Glenwood, Alabama
White, age at last birthday-23
Single, birthplace-Alabama
Occupation-Rancher
Name of father-John Donaldson-a little alteration of details!
Birthplace of father-Alabama
Name of mother-Sallie Beard-another alteration of details!
Birthplace of mother-Alabama
353
By 1941, when CLARENCE filed his delayed birth certificate, he had corrected
his ‘errors’ as follows:
Delayed Certificate of Birth, State of Alabama, Coffee County, Dist. #1618, certificate
#32.
Place of birth-Coffee County
City or town-Kinston
Residence of mother at time of birth [usual place of abode]-Coffee County, town-Kinston
Full name of child-CLARENCE MELVIN DONALDSON
Boy or girl?-boy Premature or full term?-full term Are parents married-left blank
Number, in order of birth-6 Date of birth-March 13, 1900
Full name of father-William Paul
Race-white Age at time of this birth-40
Birthplace of father-Elba, AL
Occupation-farmer
Full name of mother-SALLIE DONALDSON
Race-white Age at the time of this birth-35
Birthplace of mother-city left blank, AL
Occupation-housekeeper
Number of children of this mother, including this birth-6
Number born alive and now living-6
Signed by Dr. J. A. Whaley, Opp, AL 12/3/1940
Filed with county, February 2, 1941
354
Appendix-John Donaldson
On the Ancestry.Com “Donaldson” Message Board there are a few researchers
who claim they have connected David Donaldson to a John Donaldson, as his father. The
first that I came across, dated August 16, 2000, was Madge Donaldson, whose message
read “John Donaldson, born about 1716, married Catherine Davis about 1740, one son
David Sovereign Donaldson born 1771 in North Carolina…would like to know where he
died and where he was buried. He lived in Mecklenburg County at one time…” She also
wrote on July 4, 2000, “The information I have on Elizabeth Gallman was, she lived in
Edgefield District, SC and she married David Sovereign, [Sr] in 1792. Their first 5
children were born in Edgefield District, SC. Their sixth child, Sarah Donaldson, born
1807, Lowndes Co, AL. Elizabeth and David died Elba, Coffee County, AL.”
On May 5, 2000, she wrote, “John Donaldson and Catherine Davis lived in North
and South Carolina…They had two children, David Sovereign Donaldson, Sr, and Mattie
E. Donaldson.” On April 21, 2000, she wrote, “John Donaldson, born 1716, believed to
be in Columbus County, NC…”
On June 1, 2003, Brenda Dauphin wrote, “Both my husband and I descend from
David Donaldson, Sr…There is a lot of information about David, Sr in The Heritage of
Coffee County, AL (book)…You could go to the Coffee County webpage at Algenweb
and order a copy…”
On June 19, 2003, Elaine Barton-Weeks wrote, “Info on Sovereign as follows:
Sovereign, born 1793 in SC. He shows up in Alabama records in the 1830 Lowndes
County census. Enumerated with Sovereign are his wife, Elizabeth McClendon and their
children:
“David, born 1815, Josephus born 1820, Gosper 1822, John, 1825, and Sovereign,
Jr, born 1833. By tracking this clan through census records, it would seem that Sovereign
Sr remained in Lowndes County [or died] because his children then appear in the 1850
Coffee County census with their grandfather, David Sr. This census shows 17 year old
Sovereign, Jr living with David Sr, and enumerated in the neighboring houses are Nancy
with husband AC Beard, John Donaldson, Gosper Donaldson, Josephus Donaldson and
David Donaldson. Oddly, living with David is his mother, Sovereign Senior’s wife,
Elizabeth McClendon.”
“Three of Sovereign’s children married into the Beard family of Coffee County.
Josephus married Nancy Beard, John married Elizabeth Beard, and Nancy married
Adolphus C. Beard. One can only wonder why Sovereign’s children and wife were living
with his father in the neighboring county on a census twenty years later. Sovereign’s
father was David Donaldson, Sr, b.1771 in NC, he first appears in AL in 1828. The
Bethany Primitive Baptist Church near Elba was formed this same year, and a minute
book used by the church was a ledger book belonging to David Donaldson, Sr, used in his
shoemaking business. In the 1830 census of Lowndes County, David, Sr is listed as head
of household, with wife Elizabeth Gallmon and children:
355
Sovereign born 1793, Gosper born 1795, Jesse born 1797, Sophronia born 1798,
Mary born 1804, David, Jr born 1806, Sarah born 1807, and Mary born 1812…”
356
From pages 314-321, Old Cheraws, [paraphrased]:
Another incident between the Whigs and the Tories, which took place on the
Peedee, and which does no credit to either party, but is mentioned simply for the names
of the neighbors of PHILEMON THOMAS. Gen. Harrington sent a detachment of Whigs
to Anson County, escorting a slave. He was the unfortunate “property of Michael
Crawford, of Anson County, and had been in the service of Col. JOHN DONALDSON,
[on loan as it were], and he was exchanged for one of the general’s servants. Shortly
before they reached the river, the Whigs were surprised by a party of Tories, who lay in
ambush; and upon the first fire, were dispersed. The negro was taken off by the Tories
and lost. The Whigs soon rallied, and returned boldly to the conflict.”
“The Tories, satisfied with their booty, retreated after a brief skirmish. They were
pursued, and a riderless horse, with a bloody saddle, was captured. Of the Whigs, one
named Curtis was killed, and Daniel Hicks wounded in the thigh, from which however,
he afterwards recovered. After the war Crawford brought a suit against Gen. Harrington,
but recovered nothing.
From pages 347-34, Old Cheraws:
General Harrington was still on the Pedee, and continued to hold that position
until December [1780.] He then moved up the river and was shortly after at Grassey
Creek, Roanoke [VA] when he received the following letter from Col. JOHN
DONALDSON: [Investigate Col. John Donaldson, as a possibility…could he have been
the father of DAVID DONALDSON, who married ELIZABETH GALLMAN in South
Carolina?] “…Before this reaches you, I imagine you will hear of …Gen. Green’s
marching here with a number of Continentals, Virginia Militia, and some cavalry; but as
to real number, am not acquainted, for I have never been in camp yet, which is on Hick’s
Creek…His Excellency, John Rutledge, Esq., of South Carolina, General Huger, and
some other officers belonging to that state are in camp [at Hick’s Creek]. I am told his
Excellency is going to camp at the Cheraws…”
From pages 383-386, Old Cheraws:
In another incident, two young men of mixed blood, by the last name of Skipper,
who had taken parole from the British, and tried to remain neutral. They lived on the east
side of the Pee Dee River, near the border between Richmond Co, NC and Marlboro Co,
SC. Because of this parole, they were seized by the Whigs, and hung.
[Paraphrased]: Daniel Hicks [who had married the widow of Col. JOHN
DONALDSON-What was her name, and was she DAVID DONALDSON’s mother? Are
there any clues in Daniel Hick’s pension application to a stepson, DAVID
DONALDSON?] was targeted by the Tories. They crept up on his house at night, to
capture and kill him. He was alerted in time, and he directed his wife to say that he was
not at home. They did not believe her, and threatened to break the door down. Hicks
motioned for his wife to open the door and stand behind it, revealing Hicks with his gun
ready, but too dark to be seen. The Tories moved in, and Hicks shot a Tory named
Brigman. They remaining Tories panicked, suspecting that there were more Whigs
concealed in the house, and they fled. Hicks gathered up his neighbors and pursued them,
357
but they did not overtake them. They found Brigman in the morning and he was put to
death.
PHILEMON [II]’s older brother, Tristram [III] became a prominent man of his
time. Tristram [III] was a soldier in the Revolution, first as a sergeant of Rangers on July
1st 1775, serving under Captain Samuel Wise and Lt. JOHN DONALDSON. [Muster list
taken from the Papers of the First Council of Safety of the Revolutionary Party in South
Carolina, June-November, 1775, the South Carolina Historical and Genealogical
Magazine, Vol. I, page 187, and Vol. II, page 167.] He then served 60 days as a captain
in Colonel Hicks regiment, 1780-1781, and marched against the British in Charleston.
Finally he was reported to have served 40 days in 1782 as a major in the militia of
Colonel Benton’s regiment.
The actual transcription of this part of the will comes from Sketches of Old
Marlboro by D. D. McColl [I need to find the entire publication of this book, could be
useful for tracking down Col. JOHN DONALDSON, as well as military details].
A Pay Bill of Captain Samuel Wise’s Company of Rangers from Sept. 1st to Oct. 1st,
1775-Commanded by Col. William Thompson, from “The Papers of the First Council of
Safety of the Revolutionary Party in South Carolina”, June-November, 1775, as presented
in the South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. II, July 1901, pages
167-168
[At the time of this duty tour, the Rangers were stationed at Sullivan’s Island in
Charleston, SC. They were probably transferred shortly thereafter, to Georgia, but will
need to verify this] :Names of Officers & Privates [pay amounts not included here]:
Samuel Wise, Captain till the 20th (then resigned)
JOHN DONALDSON, 1st Lieutenant
Joseph Pledger, 2nd Lieutenant
Trustram Thomas, 1st Sergeant
Benjamin Hicks, 2nd Sergeant
1. Burgess Williams
2. 2. Thomas Dean
3. Thomas Cochran
4. Isham Gardner
5. Edmund Hodge
6. John Hodge
7. Alexander Jernigan
8. Bentley Fearson
9. John Heard
10. Benjamin Fathern
11. John Booth
12. Daniel Welch
13. Dixon Pearce
14. Peter Hubbard
15. Isham Hodge
358
16. John Stubbs
17. Thomas Conner
18. Lewis Conner
19. Silvanus Cooper
20. John Wilson, exchanged for W. Morris
21. Samuel Desurrencey
22. Daniel McDaniel
23. Moses Mace
24. Isaac Lockhart
25. John Jones
26. Henry Wyley
27. William Covington
28. Jesse Smith
29. Thomas Pearce
30. Daniel Young
Negro Bob (Drummer)
JOHN DONALDSON Maketh Oath, That the above statement is a just & true Pay Bill of
the first Company of Rangers to the first day of October 1775--Sworn before me this 4th day Oct. 1775
Thom: Charlton
Endorsed: Captain Samuel Wise
359
Pension Applications
Pension Application of Richard Bearden, Nat’l Archives Microseries M804, Roll
# __, Application #R672
State of Tennessee
McNairy County
“On this the sixth day of June in the year of our Lord 1836 Personally appeared in
open court, before the justice of the County Court for said County now sitting Richard
Bearden a resident of McNairy County and State aforesaid aged 76 years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.”
“That he was born in Granville County State of Virginia on the Sixth day of July
in the year of our Lord 1760. When I was six or seven years old my father moved from
Granville to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. There we continued to reside until I
was eleven or twelve years of age, when I moved with my Father and the balance of the
family to Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. This District having afterwards been
divided, I fell in the District called Spartanburg. There I resided until the year 1781, when
I volunteered about the first of March in the dragoon service for the term of ten months
under Captain William Smith after the Company was organized. We joined Col. John
Thomas regiment of dragoons in Ninety-Six District in South Carolina Regiment of
Dragoons. A few days after our Junction with Colonel Thomas we marched down to near
the Congaree Fort on the Congaree River there we joined General Sumter. From hear we
marched under General Sumter to the Congaree Fort then in the possession of the
British.”
“We lay round the fort for about two weeks, when Colonel Washington joined us
with his troops. Then we made an attack on the fort and took it with a number of
prisoners. The fort was taken as well, as I now recollect, the last of April or first of May
1781. From here, in a short time after the fort was taken, we marched across the
Congaree River and encamped at a place called Ankrums. Here we lay about one month
guarding the prisoners, Colonel Washington having parted with us after the taking of the
Fort. From the place called Ankrums we marched under General Sumter to Ninety-Six
District in South Carolina. We there joined General Greene’s Army. In a few days after
we joined General Green, I was attacked with the small pox and was carried to the
Camden Hospital there. I remained about one month before I recovered.”
“From Camden I was sent with an express from Major Taylor then at Camden to
General Green on the Congaree River. Here I again joined my company then under the
command of General Greene. From here the whole army marched to Orangeburgh, South
Carolina where the British had fortified. Some cannonading passed between the armies at
this place. Colonel Wade Hampton’s regiment and Colonel Thomas’ regiment was
ordered by General Greene to march down the Charleston road at the Ten-Mile House.
We took some British prisoners from here we marched to a place called the Quarter
House five miles from Charleston. Here we had a severe engagement. The victory was on
360
our side. Here we took a wagon loaded with arms and clothing. From here we marched to
Nelson’s Ferry on the Santee River not far from the Eutaw Springs. From here we
marched a very short distance and again adjoined General Greene’s Army, then
encamped on the High Hills of Santee.”
“Here we lay until we marched to meet the British at the Eutaw Springs which
was in September 1781, as well as he recollects. At the Battle of the Eutaw I was
stationed with my Captain as an out-guard so I was not in the heat of the battle. We
stayed at this place a very short time after the Battle, when General Sumter and the whole
of his troops marched to Orangeburgh, South Carolina, where we lay until sometime in
the winter, when we marched to a place called the Four Hole bridge on Edisto River.
Here we lay some time, then we marched back to Orangeburgh, when I was discharged
having served ten months, the time I volunteered for. I received a written discharge
signed by Colonel Thomas but not believing it would ever be of any benefit to me I used
it so carelessly that it is now lost or destroyed.
“I have the record of my age now recorded in a large family bible taken from my
father’s register of ages. I have no documentary evidence to prove my services, nor does
he know of any person now living [by whom] he can prove said services by, but he can
prove by Captain John Henderson now of McNairy County who was a Captain in the
Revolutionary War, that he was with General Sumter and acquainted with all the affairs
above-mentioned and that history of my services mentioned in the Declaration did take
place. Said Henderson will further State that he has no doubt of my services from
circumstances which I have mentioned to him concerning the campaign which I served
in. Aaron Gage, now of McNairy County and who served in Colonel Hammond’s
regiment in the Revolution will state in substance the same as Captain Henderson. I can
prove my character for veracity and good moral demeanor by Parson Francis Beard and
James Campbell of my neighborhood. They can also testify as to their belief and the
neighborhood’s belief generally of my being a soldier of the Revolution. I hereby
relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare
that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.”
“This applicant applied for a pension a short time after the passage of the law of
1832. The papers was returned for some informality they have been lost so I can not
return them back to the War Office. After I was discharged I resided in Spartanburg
District for about twenty years. From there I moved to Warren County, Kentucky and
lived there about three years. From there I moved to Livingston County, Kentucky and
lived there two years. From there I moved to Giles County, Tennessee and lived there one
year. From there I moved to Lauderdale County, Alabama and lived there about four
years. From there to Wayne County, Tennessee lived there seven or eight years. From
Wayne to McNairy County where he now lives. Given under my hand the date above.”
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and date above.
Benjamin Jones Clk
Richard Bearden {seal}
361
Pension Application of John Bird, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 243,
Application # S10372
Dale County, Alabama, October 4th, 1832, John Bird, aged 77 years:
“That he entered the service of the United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated:
“As militia under the command of Captain John Graves in Colonel Robert
Gooden’s [Goodwin’s] regiment, commanded by General Andrew Williamson in the
Florida expedition, the day of the month not recollected, in the month of June in the year
1776, and quit the service at the [inkblot] within a few days after General Gates Defeat at
___? Rather near Camden in the state of South Carolina. Was at the battle at Nassau
Creek; also at Stono and then under command of General Lincoln. Was a volunteer
when he entered the service. Marched through Georgia into Florida. Was afterward in
General Thomas Sumter’s Defeat in the state of South Carolina near Rocky Mount. Was
also at a Battle at Rocky Mount. Was also in the Battle at Eutaw Springs under the
command of Thomas Sumter….”
Dale County, Alabama, November 8, 1833, John Bird:
“The he volunteered in the service of the United States under the command of
Captain John Graves, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kirkland, and General Andrew
Williamson. I was then living in the state of South Carolina, Camden District when I
volunteered under the above named officers. I was marched from the above named
district to a place called the Dutch Fork [in June, 1778, see below], between Broad and
Saluda, and rendezvoused at a Dutchman’s house, whose name was Ramsower
[Ramsour?]. At this place we joined General Williamson, then Williamson marched us
down the river to a place against Governor Wright’s plantation, and while we was
stationed here, the sun was totally eclipsed. [Per N.C. Continentals, page 151, this was
on June 24th, 1778.]”
“From this place we was marched into the state of Georgia to Fort McIntosh near
the seashore. Then we was marched for Augustine and on our march, probably on the
third day, we come to Burn-footed Brown’s encampment where the said Brown
commanded the Tories, Indians, Negroes and British. Here we had a battle and our troops
gave ground till we were reinforced, and then we drove the enemy behind their
breastworks. General Clark was wounded and lost his negro and horse. The next morning
we was sent to take the breastworks and Brown and his men was gone. This place we
called Kettle Creek [per Heitman, February 14, 1779], as there was the largest kettle
there I ever saw. Here Williamson ordered us to turn back. On our return we burned our
wagons and after we passed Fort McIntosh. I served this time four months.”
“Secondly, I volunteered under the command of Captain Graves, and we
rendezvoused near the High Hills of Santee [his six month tour began in October 1778].
Here we were commanded by Sumter and Kershaw and Frederick ?Kimbesal?. From this
362
place we were marched to a place by the name of Dorchester, a mail? Dutch? Village.
Here the northern troops joined us and they gave them horse beef to eat. From this place I
was marched within six miles of Clarkestown at a place called the Quarterhouse. From
this place I was marched to a place called Purysburg near Savannah. We was then
marched on the way to the mouth of Briar Creek by the order of General Lincoln to join
the southern troops at the battle at the mouth of Briar Creek. Here General Ashe was
defeated [per Heitman, March 3rd, 1779]. Our troops were on the other side of the river
from them in the time of this battle. After the defeat, we returned home. In this tour I
served six months.”
“Thirdly, I was drafted and was under the command of Captain Graves. We was
then marched to the state of Georgia, at the town of Augusta. After we arrived there, we
was stationed in a high hill called Purdue’s Hill on the east side of Savannah River at the
mouth of a creek called Horse Creek. Was commanded by Colonel Kirkland and within
a very short time after we arrived here, the siege of Augusta commenced [per Heitman,
April 16 to June 5, 1781], and was retaken by our troops. At this time, Burned Foot
Brown commanded the Tories at Augusta. Then we returned home. At this time I served
one month.”
“Fourthly, about this time General Gates and his army was marching for Camden
on the east side of the Wateree River and General Sumter was marching down on the
other side of the said river for Camden, and General Sumter sent an express to me to take
the name of every good man and take them with me and meet him at the mouth of the
Dutchman’s Creek by sunrise, which I done, but when we arrived at the creek, Sumter
and his army had left there about midnight. We pressed after him and overtook him at
Grave’s Ford on the Wateree River. Here Sumter received information that Gates was
defeated [per Heitman, May 10, 1781] and at this place turned his army back. We then
was marched up the river above the mouth of Rocky Creek. At this place the British
dragoons fell upon Sumter and his army and defeated us. While I was in this battle, I
swam the river on my horse and made my way to the Waxhaw settlements in South
Carolina. Some time after this, I returned home to Camden District.”
“In the next place I was called out under the command of Kirkland and Colonel
Gooden [Goodwin] and we was marched for the Eutaw Springs [per Heitman,
September 8, 1781]. In the battle at this place, I was left to guard the baggage wagon,
which we turned back some distance for safety.”
“I then served for short periods under different commanders and had many
skirmishes with the Tories too tedious to mention. I have forgotten to mention in my
declaration before this, that I was in the Battle at Stono[per Heitman, June 20, 1779] in
South Carolina. In this battle, the British gave ground and we took their artillery. They
then were reinforced from their shipping and retook the artillery from us. The British then
took the advantage of the night and went off.”
“I also was in the battle at a place called Rocky Mount [per Heitman, July 30,
1780]. At this battle, Captain Whitaker was killed. I have served not less than one year
363
and nine months, with the exception of the above named services…I received a discharge
and it was signed by Colonel Kirkland. I received this discharge at Purysburg. General
Lincoln refused to sign it as he wanted to keep us and send us to a place called the
Devil’s Elbow. The guard discharge I lost since I been living in Dale County…”
364
Pension Application of John Buckaloe, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
___, R1391
Marengo County, Alabama}
On the 9th day of October in the year 1834, personally appeared before the
honorable Henry W. Collier, presiding judge of said court, John Buckaloe, a resident
citizen of said county, state, aged about 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath make the following declaration…:
“That he lived, at the commencement of the Revolutionary War in Edgefield
District in the state of South Carolina, and first volunteered to serve as a soldier in the
year not now recollected, but it was at the first raising of troops in South Carolina. He,
this time, served under Captain Purvis in a regiment commanded by General Andrew
Williamson. Afterwards, Captain Purvis was promoted to be a colonel in the same
regiment, and John Minter succeeded as captain of the company in which this applicant
served, Joseph Lewis was Lieutenant, and Henry Keys was ensign of the same. He with
the troops this time to the neighborhood of St. Augustine where they remained a short
time and were then marched to Midway Meeting House near the Ogeechee River in the
state of Georgia, where the troops were disbanded and this applicant returned home,
having this tour served more than three months.
About three months after he returned home, this applicant again volunteered to
serve in a rifle company of horse under Captain Jefferson Williams and was attached to a
regiment commanded by Colonel Purvis under General Andrew Williamson. He was this
time marched with his company from Edgefield District to the neighborhood of
Orangeburg in South Carolina and was engaged in frequent skirmishes while on scouting
parties. After being in service this month mostly in the vicinity of Orangeburg, the troops
were discharged and this applicant again returned home where he remained but a short
time.
…When he again volunteered in a rifle company of horse commanded by Captain
Francis Linkfield. Of this company, Rolly Roebuck was lieutenant, and Ezekiel Roebuckensign. They were attached to a regiment commanded by Heri Hammond under the
command of General Williamson. He volunteered for three months this time and was
stationed at Liberty Hill in South Carolina. The company to which this applicant
belonged was frequently engaged across the River Savannah in scouting parties in the
state of Georgia, and he was with them in many skirmishes and one battle which was
fought on Rocky Comfort, in the same state, where Major Ross was killed. At the
expiration of the time for which they were called out, the troops were discharged and this
applicant returned home. He served this time three months.
After being home a few days, he went into the county of Mecklenburg in the state
of North Carolina and after a short time, he volunteered in a horse company sometime in
the year 1778, as well as he recollects, under Captain James Harris, who was shortly
afterwards promoted to be a major, and succeeded by Captain Thomas Ray, Oliver
365
Wiley, Lieutenant, and John Lemons ensign. He was attached to the army commanded by
General William Davidson and was marched down near Camden. He was [Next page is
missing from heritagequestonline.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any
state.
Questions propounded by the [court]
1. Where, and in what year were you born? “I was born in Loudon County, Virginia.
My father died in the Revolutionary and all the records of my age were lost, so
that I cannot tell the year.”
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? “I have no record. I
recollect that I was sixteen years of age when I first volunteered in South
Carolina.”
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the
Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? “I was living when I was first
volunteered in Edgefield District, South Carolina. I became a soldier the last time
in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. I afterwards lived in Edgefield until
1801, when I moved to Christian County in the state of Kentucky where I resided
four years and then moved to Pike County in the state of Mississippi where I lived
about seven years, from thence to Clarke County in this state where I lived one
year and then moved to this county, Marengo, where I now live.”
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were
you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? “I volunteered.”
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops were
you served, such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the
general circumstances of your service. “I know of none except those that I have
already stated. I served under General Williamson three times in the state of South
Carolina. Also under General Sumter at the Battle of Hanging Rock, where I, with
others, was detached from the army of General Davidson under whom I served
until he was killed in the Battle at Tool’s Ford on the Catawba River. I afterwards
fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse under General Greene. The only
regiments of which I have any recollection are those which I served as already
stated. We were generally called out for three months, and I served nine months in
South Carolina; in my last service when I volunteered at Mecklenburg, North
Carolina, I served more than two years. The exigency of the case required this
service during all the time I was in no civil employment, but engaged as a
volunteer in continual active service.
366
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it
given and what has become of it? “I never received a written discharge that I
recollect of. Our companies were disbanded when the time of service for which
they were required was at an end, without any discharge being given.”
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood,
and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your
services as a soldier of the Revolution. “John Rains, esq., Thomas Anderson,
Henry Chiles, Thomas Ringgold, esq. Sworn and subscribed on the day and year
aforesaid. John Buckaloe.
367
Pension Application of Dan Bullock, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
___, Application #W8403
Edgefield District, South Carolina
On this 18th day of April, 1846, personally appeared before the Honorable, the
Court of Ordinary held in and for the District and state aforesaid, Jane Bullock, a
resident of South Carolina in the District of Edgefield, aged 85 years past, who,
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following
declaration…:
That she is the widow of Dan Bullock who was a soldier and served [as she verily
believes and always understood] truly and faithfully in the War of the Revolution.
That the said Dan Bullock lived, at the time of the war, in Edgefield District, State of
South Carolina, and went into the service of the United States as a private enlisted
soldier from said district and state, under Captain Tutt, or Captain Maxwell or
Captain Moore, but does not recollect which of them first [as she thinks he served
under all of the during the War] in Colonel Hammond’s regiment about the latter part
of the year 1778 or the early part of the year 1779, but does not recollect the length of
time specified in the enlistment.
But [she] knows that he was gone from home nearly four years, and she firmly
believes and always understood from him and from three of his neighbors who were
with him in the service of his country, that he marched in the early part of the year
1778 about the time of his enlistment, under one of the aforesaid captains down the
country towards Charleston, but does not know whether he was engaged in any
battles previous to his arrival at Charleston, but he was there in several engagements,
and remained there till after the reduction of Charleston. That he was in the
engagement at Briar’s Creek in Georgia. He was also at the siege of Savannah and of
Augusta. That the said Dan Bullock at length, or at some period thereafter [she does
not recollect the date] joined General Greene’s Army in Colonel Pickens’ regiment
[other officers she does not recollect]. There he remained in said regiment until the
end of the war.
That she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim. Her husband’s old
discharges she has frequently seen, but does not know what has become of them, as
they are not now in her possession, nor does not recollect to have seen them since her
husband’s death. That she does not know of any person living by whom she could
prove her husband’s services.
She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Dan Bullock on the 12th
day of November, in the year 1789 by a clergyman Tinsley in Columbia County,
State of Georgia. That she further declares that she has no documentary evidence of
her marriage, other than her family registry, which is hereto annexed. That she knows
of no person now living by whom she can prove her marriage. That the leaf hereto
annexed containing the date of her and her husband’s, the aforesaid Dan Bullock’s
368
marriage and the date of birth of their children is the only record of the kind that he
ever had, and has undergone no alteration whatever since his death. That the entries
therein, that is, the marriage and the birth of the children are in his own handwriting,
and all the other entries, she thinks, are in the same handwriting, except his death
which was recorded by his son, Zachariah S. Bullock. That her husband, the aforesaid
Dan Bullock, died on the 8th day of June in the year 1834; that she was not married to
him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place prior to the 1st of
January, 1794, at the time above stated. Jane [her mark] Bullock
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written, in open court
before me, John Hill, Ordinary and judge of said court of Edgefield District, South
Carolina. I do further certify that Mrs. Jane Bullock, the declarant, is personally
known to me, and that she is the relict and widow of Dan Bullock deceased, and that
is the identical person whom she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration.
That the leaf hereto annexed purporting to be a family record of Dan Bullock,
deceased, was taken from a family Bible in the possession of the declarant. In
testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this day, April 18th, 1846. John Hill,
Justice of the Court of Ordinary, Edgefield District, SC.
From the family Bible:
Dan Bullock, and Jane, daughter of Francis Sinquefield, his wife was married November
12th day, 1789.
Dan Bullock, son of John Bullock, was born October 25th day, 1762.
Jane Bullock, his wife, was born May 4th day, 1768.
Zachariah, son of Dan Bullock, was born September 7th day, 179
John Bullock was born August 24th day, 1792
David Bullock was born August 25th day, 1796
Dan Bullock was born December 22nd, 1798
Lucey Lemar Bullock was born August 3rd day, 1804
Zachariah S. Bullock and Frances Edrington was married the 27th day of December 1812.
Frances Bullock, his wife, was born March the 10, 1795.
Alfred D. Bullock was born the 7th day of November 1814.
Elvia Edrington Bullock was born the 24th day of December 1817.
Daniel Edrington Bullock was born the 15th of February, 1820.
Frances Parthena Bullock was born the 18th of February, 1822.
David C. Bullock was born the 8th day of April, 1824.
Jane Rebecca Bullock was born the 30th day of March, 1826.
Sarah Lucinda Bullock was born the 7th day of April, 1829.
Catherine Elizabeth Bullock was born the 13th day of January, 1834?
Crossed out was the following:
Margaret A. E. Cuningham was born December the 6th, 1824.
369
Deaths
Dan Edrington Bullock departed this life the 8th of November 1821.
John Bullock, son of Dan bullock, departed this life November 10, 1827.
Dan Bullock, son of John Bullock, departed this life June 8, 1834.
370
Pension Application of Hawkins Bullock, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll ___, Application #S31586
371
Pension Application of Isaac Busby, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 431,
Application #R1524
Madison County, Georgia, 4th day of November, 1833, Isaac Busby, aged 77 years:
“He entered as an enlisted soldier under Captain ___ Pope in the army of the
United States in the year ___ and served in the (regiment not recollected), but
commanded by Colonel Taylor, the whole under the command of General Greene. He
resided about thirty five miles above Columbia, SC, but does not recollect the District.”
“He was in the Battle of Stono [per Heitman, June 20, 1779], commanded by
General Greene [Greene did not command at Battle of Stono, it was General Lincoln at
that time, I think] and at the Battle of the Eutaw Springs [per Heitman, September 15,
1781]. When he first enlisted he was marched to Charlestown, SC. He was marched to
the battle before stated. He served three years under this term of enlistment…In my tour
of service I was not employed in any civil pursuit whatever, but was really in active
service and scouting after the Tories, Indians and British or stationed in bodies in the
different points and places as stated.”
I am well-known by Thomas Rives, Joseph Kennerly, Thomas Rall, Thomas
Smith, Christian ?Freshly?, Thomas Shuler, John Shuler, John Dreher, Adam Ziegler,
Thomas L. Veale, George Lindler, John A. Rister, John Summerlin, Henry Eleazar, John
Bowknight, Senior…”
372
Pension Application of Needham Busby, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
431, S9114
Lexington District, SC, 26 September, 1832:
“That he went into the service in Fairfield District where he then resided. Was
drafted under Captain Richard Winn, afterwards General Richard Winn, marched after
the Tories. Served two or three months. The next tour was under Captain Thomas
Woodward after the Tories. Again the time in service was one or two months. The next
service was under Captain Joseph Kirkland after the Tories that went to [St.] Augustine
[FL]. The route was about six months. The next duty was under Captain William
Kirkland under command of General Williamson after the Tories and British, three
months and three days. The next duty was under Captain James Turner under the
command of Colonel ____ Glenn. Stationed at ?Mountse’s? Mill. Served about two
months. The next tour was twelve months service under Captain James Turner in part,
and Captain Corkman (Gartman?) Was stationed nine miles below Columbia under
Colonel Robert Goodwin, at least one month until after Charleston was taken by the
British. The next duty was under Lieutenant Frazier under Colonel Glenn. Marched to
Charleston. Served two months and a half. The next tour was under Lieutenant John
Frazier and Captain Michael Leightner, one month commanded by Colonel Richard
Hampton…”
Lexington District, SC:
“1778, at Dunkin’s Creek station, as a militiaman, drafted under Captain Richard
Winn, in Colonel John Winn’s regiment. Volunteered and turned out under Captain
Woodward, scouting.”
“1779, Enlisted for 6 months under Joseph Kirkland in the army commanded by
General Williamson to go to Florida. Had a battle with the Tories near St. John’s River.”
“1780, Drafted as a militiaman. Marched in the company commanded by William
Kirkland in Colonel Goodwin’s regiment, commanded by General William [son?], who
joined his army with General Greene’s army near Augusta and crossed Savannah River
and marched down said river. Had several skirmishes with the Indians and Tories.”
“1780, called out under Colonel Glenn. Was stationed at Moutse’s Mills, one
month. Then called out under Colonel Glenn to escort Tories wives and disaffected
women to Charleston.”
“1781, was called out under Colonel Richard Hampton, who marched into
Orangeburgh District to keep back the enemy. Called out under Captain Michael
Leightner. Stationed at Spring Hill in the Dutch Fork. Called out under Captain Turner
and stationed at Faust’s Ford on Broad River.”
373
“1782 and part of 1783, was called out under Captain James Turner and
sometimes Captain Bat Gortman. Stationed nine miles below Columbia on Congaree
River part of the time, and [the] balance ranging and scouting for ____________”
“4. I was drafted as a militia man in the winter of 1775 [also looks like 1777].
Was called out two months in the company commanded by captain, afterwards General
Richard Winn, the regiment commanded by Colonel John Winn against a body of Tories
in the neighborhood of Dunkin’s Creek, now in the Union or Spartanburg District.
Succeeded in taking their Colonel Fletcher and dispersing said Tories, we returned to our
homes. The above service was at the time of what we call the Snow Camps, by reason of
the great quantity of snow that fell on us towards the spring of the year, being one of
what was termed minute men. Was called out one month. Scouted after the Tories toward
Savannah River and when we returned home, remained until the latter part of the spring.”
“I volunteered for six months and went to Florida, whence the Tories had fled,
and embodied themselves with the British and Indians. I was in the company commanded
by William Kirkland in the regiment commanded by Colonel Robert Goodwin. General
Williamson commanded our whole force during the campaign.”
“In 1779, then was drafted and went out three months and three days in the
company commanded by William Kirkland and said Colonel Goodwin and General
Williamson in which time General Greene came on and the armies joined and marched
under command of General Greene into the state of Georgia and was sometimes one side
of Savannah River on the South Carolina side, and sometimes the Georgia side, and my
time expired and was relieved, just before the Battle of Stono.”
“Some [time] after this, turned out as a minute man and was stationed at Moutse’s
Mills. I was in the company commanded by James Turner, the regiment commanded by
Colonel Glenn. Lay there and was out one month, and then a short time after, sometime
in the fall, turned out under colonel Glenn to escort the wives of the Tories and
disaffected women to Charleston, where the Tories were with the British, two months.”
“The next turn out was twelve months in the company sometimes commanded by
James Turner, and then Bart Gartman in the regiment commanded by Colonel Robert
Goodwin. Stationed 9 miles below Columbia part of the time and the balance of the time
scouting and ranging until the war ended.”
“I was with General Green and his army. I knew General Sumter and Colonel
Wade Hampton, being a militia man when II was drafted or volunteered…”
374
Pension Application of James Caldwell, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 448, Application #S8163
Newberry District, SC, 24th day of April 1834, James Caldwell, a resident of Anderson
District, SC, aged 76 years:
“That when he was young, about thirteen or fourteen years old, his father
removed to what was then called Orangeburg in SC, and brought with him the rest of his
father’s family along. This place (where they settled) is now called Lexington District in
the state of South Carolina, whence declarant was living when he went into the service of
the United States, in the militia (having been drafted) in the latter part of December in the
year 1778 under Captain John Kinsler in Colonel Charles Hicksley’s regiment, and
served one month. This service was rendered in and near where the village of Orangeburg
now stands, and at that time it was deemed very important to protect that section of
country from the ravages and depradations of McGerk and the Tories. The names of
some of the Whig officers during this tour of duty were Captain Clayton, Lieutenant
Clayton, Major Thomas Sab? Lab?, Captain Beams and Adjutant William Fitzpatrick and
Captain James Carmichael.”
“He entered the service of the United States again in the militia under Captain
George Dreher in 1779, in Colonel Thompson’s regiment and was engaged in a tour of
four months, which he served.”
“In May 1780, he again went into the service under the command of Jonathan
Owen in Colonel William Thompson’s regiment, and served one month. In this term of
service he was marched to Orangeburg and afterwards to the Four Holes. This service
was in the militia, and in the state aforesaid. The names of some of the officers in this
tour were Captain Tateman, Lieutenant Coulsen, Major Hant, Captain Boykin and
Lieutenant Boykin.”
“Afterwards, in July 1780, he served one month as a private in the militia under
Captain Gabriel Friday. The principal part of this time was employed in guarding
prisoners of the enemy near Orangeburg, SC and taking care of a magazine, which was
shortly afterwards removed from that place.”
“In September 1780, he again was called out in the militia and served one month
as a private under the said Captain Gabriel Friday, the Colonel William Thompson
mentioned above, and the colonel that commanded the regiment in the two last tours of
service…”
“This declarant served eight months as above stated, and was called into the
service on all the different tours above mentioned by draft. Besides these services, this
declarant served several days and sometimes as much as a week at a time as a scout
under, occasionally, Captain Dreher, Captain Owens, and other officers. These incoherent
services are not included in the tours above described.”
375
“He resided in Orangeburg as it was then called, and which is now called
Lexington, until about 1782 or 1783, when he removed to Newberry County, Ninety Six
District and is what is now called Newberry District, within ten miles of where Newberry
Village now stands, and after living there about two years, he removed to a plantation
about five miles above the said village, where he resided until the year 1828, when he
removed to Anderson District, SC, where he now resides. He can prove his service by
Joseph Caldwell, whose affidavit is herewith submitted…”
Newberry District, SC:
“Personally appeared, Joseph Caldwell…That he lived with James Caldwell
during the Revolutionary War and remembers when he went on the first tour of service in
the Revolutionary War under Captain Kinsler, and he was gone one month. This
deponent further says that he went into the service with the said James Caldwell in the
same company under Captain Dreher and that this deponent was with him and knows he
performed the four months service as is stated in this declaration. Deponent was also in
the service as stated under Captain Owen with the said James Caldwell who served as his
declaration states, one month under Captain Owen. Deponent also was with the said
James Caldwell under Captain Friday and he knows that the declarant served the two
months under said Captain Friday as is stated in the declaration…”
376
Pension Application of Aberhart Fetner, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
969, Application #S19294
Richland District, SC, November 1826-“The petition of Aberhart Fetner
respectfully that your petitioner in the year 1777, enlisted as a musician in the third
regiment of state troops commanded by Colonel Thomson. That he continued to serve in
said regiment until the Battle of Briar Creek at which time he was taken prisoner and
confined onboard a prison ship at Savannah. Your petitioner was afterwards retaken, and
served under Captain Rudolph in Colonel Lee’s regiment until the close of the
Revolutionary War.”
“Morgan Griffin…made oath that he knew Aberhart Fetner in the Revolutionary
War. That he served in the 3rd regiment commanded by Colonel Thomson as a musician
and thinks he continued in said regiment two or three years.” Nov. 29, 1826
“Personally appeared Gideon Griffin, and made oath that Aberhart Fetner served
as a musician in the Revolutionary War in the 3rd regiment commanded by Colonel
Thomson and believes said Fetner continued in said regiment about three years.”
November 29th, 1826
“Personally appeared…William Taylor, Senior, and made oath that he knew
Aberhart Fetner in the Revolutionary War and that he served in the continental service
under Captain Derrill Hart in the 3rd regiment commanded by Colonel William Thomson
in the capacity of a fifer.” 28th November, 1826
Richland District, SC, 11th day of September, 1846, Aberhart Fetner, aged 86 years:
“That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777 in August of
the same under Captain Derrill Hart in Colonel William Thomson’s regiment of foot as a
musician and served in the same, the third regiment of the Continental line. That he
continued in said regiment until the Battle of Briar Creek [per Heitman, March 3rd, 1779]
at which time he was taken prisoner and confined on board a prison ship at Savannah in
the state of Georgia. That he was afterwards retaken by Colonel Lee and served under
Captain Rudolph in Colonel Lee’s regiment in which he served until the close of the War
of the Revolution. That before entering the last mentioned regiment, he served under
Captain Felix Warley, who also belonged to Colonel William Thomson’s regiment of
foot.”
“Interrogatory-Where were you living when called into service
Answer-At Granby in Lexington.”
“How were you called into service? Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a
substitute?
Answer-I enlisted in August 1777 under Captain Derrill Hart in Colonel William
Thomson’s regiment, afterwards under Captain Felix Warley in Colonel William
377
Thomson’s regiment which was the third continental regiment in the expedition to
Florida.”
“Personally appeared, Benjamin Hart…that he is well acquainted with Aberhart
Fetner, who has made application to be placed on the pension list of the United States,
and that he knew him well when he enlisted under the brother of this deponent,
Lieutenant Derrill Hart, in the service of the United States in the 3rd continental regiment
in the South Carolina line commanded by Colonel William Thomson and that the said
Aberhart Fetner is the identical man as above stated. The deponent further states that he
has heard his brother Lieutenant Derrill Hart since say that the said Aberhart Fetner was a
fifer under his command.” 7th of July, 1847
378
Pension Application of Andrew Frazier, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
1019, Application S21208:
Fairfield District, SC, June 8, 1835, Andrew Frazier, aged 73 years:
“That deponent was born in said district of Fairfield on the bluff of Broad River
and about three and a half miles above the present line dividing Fairfield and Richland
Districts…Deponent was living with his mother, Elizabeth Frazier at the same place
where he was then above mentioned, called into service and lived there until three or four
years after the close of the Revolutionary War and then moved one mile and a half lower
down the Broad River and three quarters of a mile from the river, eastern side in Fairfield
District aforesaid, where deponent now lives…”
“Deponent was always drafted when called into service. The militia company to
which he was attached was divided into three divisions in drafts and each division in draft
was called out in the proper time.”
“First Tour-The first tour performed was about the year 1780 and was
commenced in the spring of the year…The deponent’s brother, Captain Jacob Frazier
commanded the company. Colonel Thomas Taylor commanded the regiment. Lewis
Threewits was the major. The Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hunter was not out this tour.
The company met at Riley’s Old Field in Fairfield District (at present) and thence was
marched over to the Congaree Fort, then in possession of the enemy and commanded by
one ___well. There were at least two regiments of the Americans there, one under
command of Colonel Thomas Taylor, and another under command of Colonel Wade
Hampton. The fort was ?sieged? and held out until General Greene (then commanded or
under authority of the United States of the Southern Army) sent a detachment with a field
piece that fired into the fort. The fort then surrendered. Deponent served two months as a
private on this tour.”
“The second tour performed was to Biggam Church about twenty miles above
Charleston, SC. This tour was performed, as deponent believes, in the year 1780, and
late in the summer. Said Frazier was the captain, Thomas Taylor was the colonel
commanding the regiment. The company met at ?Muntele’s? Ford on Little River on
upper edge of Richland District and thence marched to or near to the village of
Orangeburg, and there joined General Greene’s army, and were drawn out in order of
battle to meet the enemy who were then in great force in the village. The enemy declared
battle. General Greene then detached a part of his army under command of General
Thomas Sumter, to wit, General Sumter’s men, Colonel William Washington’s cavalry
and Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment of militia for the purpose of dislodging a party of
the enemy who had established a post at Biggam’s Church above named. Deponent was
marched on with this force under Sumter and attacked the enemy and drove them from
the church. Killed and wounded some and took forty prisoners and some stores of dry
goods and liquors. The British burned the church and retreated to Charleston. Deponent
and company returned by the Eutaw. Deponent served two months as a private in this
tour.”
379
“The third was to the Eutaw. This tour commenced in August 1781, day of the
month not recollected. Captain ?Benjamin? May commanded the company and Colonel
Thomas Taylor commanded the regiment. The troops were marched to the Eutaw.
General Greene was present with army of regulars and militia, Colonel Lee of the regular
cavalry was there. General Marion, William Washington’s cavalry and General Sumter
were there and in command of the militia, Colonel Lacey’s regiment, Colonel ____’s
regiment, and Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment and others were there. General Greene
gave orders for Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment to be dismounted, who were all
mounted men, and deponent was detailed as one of the guard to take charge of the
horses.”
“A battle known as the Eutaw Battle was fought. The British were in possession
of the brick house and fought principally from the windows and openings in the house.
Deponent in this battle was not in line in consequence of being detailed in guard as above
stated. This deponent served one month as a private in this tour.”
“The fourth tour was to Orangeburg. Captain Lewis Pope was the captain and
Colonel Thomas Taylor commanded the regiment. The company was marched about the
first of October 1781. General Sumter was at Orangeburg and commanded his state
troops and militia. Colonel Taylor and regiment was there and Colonel Lacey’s regiment.
The object was to keep the Tories in check and to guard the back country against the
British then in force in Charleston. Deponent served two months as a private in this tour.”
“The fifth tour was to the Four Holes. This tour commenced in March 1781, day
not remembered. [Per Heitman’s, there was an engagement at Four Holes on April 7th
and 15th, 1781.] In this tour the company was commanded by a Lieutenant Zachariah
Kirkland and the regiment by Major Threewits. Colonel Taylor not there. The company
was marched through Orangeburg and on to the Four Holes Creek about forty miles
above Charleston. There the troops were encamped. Don’t recollect of any other troops
being there, but Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment. Had no engagement. The object was
to keep Tories in check and to watch the movements of the enemy in Charleston. The
deponent served one month and two weeks in this tour as a private…”
“I William Thompson, residing in the district of Fairfield aforesaid, hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Andrew Frazier, who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration, that I have known him since he was a boy, that I am seventy-two years
of age and always considered said Frazier to be one year older than this deponent. That I
served with said Frazier in the second tour to the Biggam Church, and that the facts
mentioned in this tour are correct…”
380
Pension Application of Jacob Fulmer, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1037, Application #W7343
Lexington District, SC, September 26, 1832:
Jacob Fulmer, aged seventy years: “That he was born in the Dutch Fork,
Lexington District, in this state in the year 1762. [He] is informed that his age is recorded
in the church book of St. John’s Church, now remaining in that neighborhood where was
living when called into the service of the Revolution…he marched to Ancrum on the
Congaree River in the company commanded by John Adam Summer in Beard’s regiment
of militia, which station was commanded by Colonel Jonas Beard, a tour of two months.
He does note recall the precise time, but it was shortly before the British took Charleston.
Afterwards [they] turned out in a scouting party under the ensign of our company and
was not stationed at any particular place. Was the principal part of the time in the
settlements of Enoree River in Ninety Six District, and at times in other places if thought
necessary and beneficial.”
“In the next time out, [he] was a substitute in place of George Summer under the
command of Lieutenant Henry Summer of Beard’s regiment and marched to Ancrum on
the Congaree River again, and from there, was marched and rendezvoused at Kaigler’s
Mill on Sandy Run Creek in Orangeburg, now Lexington District. From there, marched
to Williamson’s Branch, where we joined the militia under command of General Pickens,
a day or so before the Battle at Eutaw Springs, after which the militia was sent home.”
“Soon after, which [I] was drafted to go against the Indians under command of
Major Jeremiah Williams. Rendezvoused in the ?Luber? neighborhood. After that, he
does not remember if he was drafted or volunteered, but [they] rendezvoused at Monck’s
Mill on Cannon Creek under command of Colonel Glen…he marched under Colonel
Beard to the attack of the British fort at Granby, was there when said fort surrendered to
the Americans. From there marched by way of Faust’s Ford on Broad River to join
Green’s army to besiege Cruger at Ninety Six and the enemy being reinforced, General
Greene left that place and the militia returned home.”
“A short time after which, [he] was called out to Dreher’s Mills or Twelve Mile
Creek near Saluda River under command of Colonel Beard, after which [he] in scouting
parties under first one officer and then another almost constantly out for considerable
times, chiefly under the command of Colonel Beard to the end of the war, and even after
that the scouts which he was in, was employed and almost constantly out against outlyers
and disaffected persons in different sections of the country…”
March 4, 1834:
“In the summer 1779 under John A. Summer in Beard’s regiment, stationed at
Ancrum on the Congaree River. The same summer under Henry Summer, scouted in the
Enoree River settlements and elsewhere in Ninety Six District, our forces commanded by
Colonel Glenn.”
381
“1780-Militia all drafted or classed. I was called out in the company commanded
by Henry Summer and joined the army of General Greene, who took the British fort at
Granby and then marched to Ninety Six to attack the British there under Cruger.”
“1781-Marched under Colonel Beard to the station at said Ancrum, rendezvoused
at Kaigler’s Mills and at Williamson’s Branch. The forces joined under General Greene,
joined the enemy at Battle at Eutaw Springs.”
“1782-Stationed at Dreher’s Mills on Saluda River. The balance of last mentioned
year and 1783 scouted and patrolled under command of Glenn, Major Williams and
others.”
382
Pension Application of Jacob Geiger, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
1061, Application # W2728
Richland District, SC, July 1, 1851:
Testifying on behalf of Jacob Geiger’s widow, Dorothy, Elizabeth Bell, aged 86 years:
“That she was born and raised near Granby in Lexington District in this state and
near her present place of residence. That she distinctly remembers the War of the
Revolution, being at its commencement, some twelve years of age. That Fort Granby was
within three miles of her father’s house and at the beginning of said war, her brother,
Jacob Geiger enlisted in the regular service as a fifer, and of his leaving home going into
service.”
“This deponent is positive and certain of her own knowledge and is also positive
and certain that her said brother continued out in the American service until after the
Battle at Eutaw Springs, when he returned home. That during the whole was her said
brother was out in the service in the American cause, and had received a wound in his
arm which he said he got at Gates Defeat at Camden. That among his comrades from the
same neighborhood were Captain Gabriel Fridig, Captain Godfrey Dreher, Lewellyn
Threewits and others.”
“That after the war her said brother settled in what is now Lexington District near
said Granby’s where he lived until his death. That his first wife having died, he married
the present Mrs. Dorothy Geiger, who is now his widow in the month of January
1799…The deponent remembers the circumstances of the Reverend Mr. Dunlap’s calling
at this deponent’s house on his return from the marriage at which he said he officiated as
minister. When deponent first saw her brother, said Jacob Geiger after the war, he was
called Lieutenant Geiger.”
Richland District, August 7, 1851:
Widow, Dorothy Geiger, aged 80 years: “That she is the widow of Major Jacob
Geiger, deceased, who entered the army of the United States under the following
circumstances and served under the following officers…:
“That her said husband Jacob Geiger, deceased, at the beginning of the war, as the
deponent has been informed and believes, lived in what is now Lexington District in this
state, and near Fort Granby in said district. That early in said war of the Revolution her
said husband enlisted as a fifer in the regular service of wither of the regular or militia
services, until after the Battle at Eutaw Springs in this state, when he returned home. That
in this declarant has been informed from a reliable source and believes her said husband
Jacob Geiger, deceased was out in the service during the whole war, and received a
wound at Gates’ Defeat near Camden in this state, in his arm. That she has heard her
husband speak of his having served in said war, but as to the various battles in which he
was engaged or the country through which he passed, this deponent does not now
recollect. That among his comrades were Captain Godfrey Dreher, Captain Gabriel
383
Fridig, with whom he served and Lewellyn Threewits. In this the deponent has been
informed and believes that she is not in possession of any of her husband’s war papers
such as discharge, etc. That she has reason to believe that during the year near the close
of the war her said husband was a Lieutenant under said Captain Gabriel Fridig who lived
in said District of Lexington…”
October 13, 1851:
Elizabeth Bell, sister of Jacob Geiger: “She now further testifies that when her
said brother first entered the service under Colonel William Thompson, he went in the
capacity of a fifer and enlisted as such. That Jonas Beard who was styled Colonel Beard
was afterwards, by marriage, her brother’s father-in-law, and that said Colonel Jonas
Beard and William Arthur both lived in the same neighborhood with this deponent’s
brother near Granby, below where Columbia now stands.”
384
Pension Application of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1337, Application #W3817
Coweta County, GA, October 11th, 1832:
John Houston, aged 72 years-“That he entered the service in March 1776 for one
month as a substitute for his father who was drafted. This company was commanded by
Captain Flood and was stationed in Charleston, SC. In June 1776, I again entered the
service as a substitute for one month in the place of Henry Coon. We sailed from
Charleston the first of June down to Hadrell’s Point in company with the Charleston
Grenadiers, Foresters. His company was commanded by Captain John Salley. He was one
of the guard that was stationed on the Lower Bridge between the Point and Sullivan’s
Island the day of the Battle on Sullivan’s Island. This company was attached to no
regiment. The whole of the men at the Point was commanded by George Armstrong.”
“In July, he again entered the service as a substitute in the place of Thomas
Pendarvis for one month. This company was commanded by Captain Fullington. The
battalion was commanded by Major Charles ?Limming? He marched us from where we
was stationed on the Point to Sullivan’s Island. We remained there ten days and returned
to Hadrell’s Point and served out the term of one month.”
“In March 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain Thomas Dugan’s
company, to range the Indian frontier. He remained in service until July. In March 1780,
he again entered the service for 2 months; was drafted and added to Captain Thomas
Dugan’s company. His major’s name was Lewis Gillum and the colonel’s name was John
Purvis. He was stationed at Cupboard Creek about two miles from Augusta, Georgia.
“In the month of September of the year 1780, he entered the service as a volunteer
in Captain Thomas Dugan’s company, serving in said company until discharged. In July
1781, he was ordered out upon an expedition under Captain Levy Caisey, fell in with
General Sumter and was placed in the march as his rear guard. Tarleton coming upon us,
attacked our rear guard, killed and took a good many prisoners. He was, himself,
dangerously wounded and taken prisoner. Remained a prisoner until near Christmas when
he was paroled. As soon as his wounds would admit, he joined the army under Captain
James Dugan and was at the Siege of Ninety Six.”
“In the month of March following, he again entered the service for three months
as a substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap. His captain’s name was Henry Key. The
colonel’s name was J. Smith. It was a company of horse, headquarters at Orangeburg, and
was marched to Ashapo. The whole detachment when united was commanded by Colonel
Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene while he
lay with his army at Bacon’s Bridge on Ashley River, where his term of service expired
and he was discharged.”
“In June 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for four months. This
company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark (having no captain). While in
service in this company he was in an engagement with the Tories at John Richardson’s
385
Plantation upon Bush River, South Carolina. He served with no continental or regular
troops, but when on Sullivan’s Island and under General Greene…that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure (except his brother James Houston, whose
affidavit is hereunto annexed, also the affidavit of William Malone (who is now dead),
who can testify to his service.”
December the 16, 1825, Clark County, Georgia:
“I hereby certify that in the month of November 1780, I was a prisoner under
Colonel Tarleton on the day of the action at Blackstock’s on Tyger River, between
General Sumter and Colonel Tarleton in the state of South Carolina. Some time in the
day, Mr. John Houston was brought by some of Tarleton’s dragoons (or horsemen) and
delivered into the same guard that I was in, very badly wounded. He at that time was a
volunteer under the then Captain Levi Casey, then in defense of the American cause.
William Malone”
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
John Houston, aged 73 years-“That he entered the service in the army of the
United States the 1st day of March 1776 for one month, as a substitute for his father who
was drafted, and served out his tour of one month and was discharged. His captain’s
name was Flood and his company was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina.”
“On the 1st day of June 1776, he again entered the service as a substitute for one
month in the place of Henry Coon, and served out his tour of duty and was discharged.
This company was commanded by Captain John Salley. This company was stationed on
the Lower Bridge between the Point (Hadrell’s) and Sullivan’s Island. The day of the
battle on Sullivan’s Island, this company was attached to no regiment, but the whole of
the men at Hadrell’s Point was under the command of General Armstrong.”
“On the 3rd of July, 1776, he again entered the service as a substitute in the place
of Thomas Pendarvis for one month. This company was commanded by Captain
Fullington, the battalion commanded by Major Charles ?Lining? He marched us from
where we were stationed on the Point to Sullivan’s Island, where we remained ten days,
thence to Haddrell’s Point, where he served out the tour of one month and was
discharged.”
“On the 5th of March, 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain
Dugan’s company for six months to range the Indian frontier, but remained in service
only four months, and was discharged in July of the same year.”
“On the 1st of March, 1780, he again entered the service for three months, was
drafted and added to Captain Thomas Dugan’s company. His major’s name was Levi
Gillum and the colonel, John Purvis. The company was stationed at Cupboard Creek, two
miles from Augusta, Georgia, and he there served his tour of duty of 3 months and was
discharged on the 3rd of June of the same year.”
386
“On the 10th of September, 1780, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain
Thomas Dugan’s company for eighteen months; served in said company until the 15th
December, 1781, about 16 months, and was discharged. While in this service or
campaign, was ordered out upon an expedition under Captain Levi Caisey, fell in with
General Sumter’s detachment, and was placed on the march as his rear guard. Tarleton,
coming upon us, attacked our rear guard, killed and took many prisoners. He, this
deponent, himself was dangerously wounded and was taken prisoner. He remained a
prisoner until near Christmas, when he was paroled. As his wounds would admit, he
joined the army under Captain James Dugan and was at the Siege of Ninety Six.”
“On the 1st day of March 1782, he entered the service 3 months as a substitute in
the place of Alexander Dunlap. His captain’s name was Henry Key, the colonel’s name
was Smith. This was a company of horse, headquarters at Orangeburg, South Carolina,
and was marched to Ashapo. The whole detachment, when united, was commanded by
Colonel Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene,
while he lay with his army at Bacon’s Bridge on Ashley River, until his term of service of
3 months expired and he was discharged.”
“On the 6th of June, 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for four
months. This company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark (having no captain).
While in service in this company, he was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson’s Plantation on Bush River, South Carolina. He served out his tour and was
discharged…”
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
“He was living in Orangeburg District in the state of SC when his father was
drafted to serve a tour of one month for the protection of Charleston. He entered in the
month on March in the year 1776, as a substitute for him and served out the tour…”
“In the month of June of the same year, he again entered the service as a
substitute for Henry Coon, to serve a tour of one month, rendezvous at the city of
Charleston. He was under the command John Salley. About the first of the month, sailed
from Charleston in company with the Charleston Grenadiers and Foresters to Hadrell’s
Point. The Charleston Grenadiers were commanded by Captain ___ McCall [or maybe
McCaul], the Foresters by Captain ____ ?Lazing? On the day of the battle at Sullivan’s
Island, his company was placed as a guard at the Lower Bridge between the Point and the
Island. The day of the battle, his company was not attached to any regiment. The whole
of the men at the point was commanded by General ___ Armstrong.”
“At the expiration of this tour, which was about the first July, he was discharged
and immediately entered the service again for the term of one month as a substitute for
Thomas Pendarvis. He was commanded by Captain Fullington, his battalion by Major
Charles Livingston. He marched us from the Point to Sullivan’s Island and remained
there ten days, thence back to Hadrell’s Point at which place he remained in actual
service until his time of service expired, which was about the first of August, when he
was discharged.”
387
In the month of January in the year of 1779, he removed from Orangeburg to
Ninety Sixth District, SC and settled in Colonel James Williams’ regiment. About the
first of March of the year 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain
Thomas Dugan, rendezvous two miles above the Tumbling Shoals on Reedy River, then
on the Indian line, at which station he remained in actual service till sometime of the
month of July, when he was discharged.”
“In the month of February or March of the year 1780 he was drafted and added to
Captain Thomas Dugan’s company, rendezvous at a place called Chalk Hills in South
Carolina near Augusta, GA. The battalion was commanded by Major Lewis Gillum. We
remained at this place two or three weeks when we were marched across the Savannah
River to Cupboard Creek near Augusta, GA and we fell in with other troops, at which
place we remained till our term of service expired, which was three months. At Cupboard
Creek the whole of the troops were under the command of Colonel John Purvis.”
“In the fall of the year 1780 (the month not now recollected), he turned out as a
volunteer under Captain Thomas Dugan with fixed resolution to retake his country ____.
He immediately thereafter joined General Sumter and the troops under his command at
Indian ___ now in Newberry District. We were marched to Broad River, the whole under
the command of General Sumter and down said river to Shira’s Ferry at which place we
had a small skirmish with the British across the river. From thence we were marched
back again to Dunkin’s Creek. Immediately upon our arrival at this place, we were
informed of the approach of Tarleton and his troops. By order of General Sumter, Captain
Levi Caisey chose twelve men of the main body of the army to rencontre, of which
twelve he was one of the number thus chosen. On our excursion that night we fell in with
three Tories and took them prisoners. The next morning whilst we were endeavoring to
return to the main army, we were observed and overtaken by Tarleton and his legion at a
place then called Cross Roads, between Dunkin Creek and Enoree River.”
“In this skirmish he was dangerously wounded and taken prisoner and carried to
Blackstock, at which place he remained about a week; then placed in the hands of Major
McCarthy and his battalion, taken by them to Sherrill’s Ferry on Broad River, at which
place he remained about ten days; from thence removed to the widow ____ Woodward
on Little River where Tarleton and his legion lay,; at which place he remained about two
weeks, when he was removed to Winnsborough (Cornwallis’ headquarters). At this place
he remained a few days, when he was paroled. He returned home to his father’s where he
remained a short time, till General Greene came on with his army.”
“He then broke his parole and joined the troops under General Greene, was
attached to the company commanded by his old captain Thomas Dugan, and remained
with him until the siege of Ninety Six was raised, t which time Captain Thomas Dugan
resigned. His brother James Dugan took the command of the company. They retreated
with the main army to ?Hemillons? on Tyger River, at which place his captain and his
company left the main army to scour the country of Tories; remained under him till he
was killed by the Tories; after which this company was commanded by Captain John
388
Virgin and Lieutenant James Stark. The whole of the troops under the command of
Colonel Joseph Hayes.”
“Rendezvoused at Carr’s [?Kerr’s?] Mills, Bush River, thence to a place called
Dutch Fork. Then fell in with Captain Philemon Waters and his company of state troops,
thence marched in company with him and his forces to Faust’s Ford on Broad River, then
down to Ancrum Big House on the Congaree River. There we remained till Greene’s
army marched from the High Hills of Santee near us, when we furnished them with some
beef cattle.”
“About this time, our colonel was informed that the Tories were numerous in our
part of the country, which caused him to return, after which we were closely employed
two or three weeks in driving the Tories off (about which time the Battle of the Eutaw
Springs was fought). Shortly thereafter, Governor Rutledge issued his proclamation for
removing of the wives and children of the Tories to the city lines, in which occupation
Colonel Hayes and his forces, to which he himself attached, were engaged five or six
weeks, after which the Tories attacked Colonel Hayes and his company, and being too
strong for him, overpowered and murdered him, together with seventeen of his men in
cold blood after he had surrendered to them. At the time of this engagement he was sent
off into his own settlement by order of his colonel.”
“After the murder of Colonel Hayes, Colonel Levi Caisey commanded the
regiment, rendezvous, the house of John Cunningham, where he was placed under the
command of Lieutenant Arthur McCracken together with five other men to guard the
Tories and make them break hemp to send to Petersburg, Virginia to purchase salt, at
which time the legislature convened at Jacksonboro, SC, where all the volunteers were
discharged, he thinks in the latter part of December 1781.”
“In the month of March of the year following, he again entered the service for
three months in a company of horse as a substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap. His
captain’s name was Henry Key, his colonel’s name was Jared Smith, who commanded
the regiment (headquarters were at Orangeburg) and the whole under the command of
Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene while he
lay with his main army at Bacon’s Bridge on Ashley River, at which place he remained a
short time when his term of service expired, when he was discharged.”
“In June 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for a tour of four
months. This company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark, having no captain
while in service in this company. He was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson’s Plantation on Bush River, SC. This company of Tories was commanded by
William Cunningham, the noted Tory. And the deponent saith that the following contains
the periods he served, all of which he served as a private for which he now claims a
pension:
March 1776-1 month under Captain Flood, substitute.
389
June 1776-1 ditto under Captain Salley, ditto.
July 1776-1 ditto under Captain Fullington, ditto.
March till July 1779-4 ditto, volunteered under Captain Dugan.
July 1780-3 ditto, drafted, Captain Dugan
Fall 1780 to Dec. 1781-He was not less than 12 months actual service that he
actually received pay for the whole of the term, and that during this time he served under
such officers as set forth in the foregoing.
March till June 1782-3 months as a substitute under Captain Henry Key.
June till October 1782-4 months volunteer under Lieutenant Stark.
Coweta County, GA, March 1st, 1834:
“John Houston, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he did serve as
stated in his amended declaration, as is returned unsatisfactory, twelve months constant
service (to wit, from November 1780 to December 1781) as follows: That he entered the
service in November 1780 in Captain Dugan’s company as a volunteer for no settled
period, but to serve as circumstances might require.”
“That in ten days after this deponent had joined his company, he was in a battle
with the British under the command of Tarleton. That this deponent was dangerously
wounded and taken prisoner and retained in close confinement for six weeks, and was
then liberated on parole until exchanged, and remained under parole about six weeks
more. Having recovered from his wounds, he broke his parole by joining the army under
General Greene in the early part of the year 1781, in Captain Dugan’s company and
served three months under General Greene at the Siege of Ninety Six.”
“Immediately after the siege, this deponent rendezvoused at Carr’s Mills on Bush
River and remained in this service or tour about one month, and returned back to his
regiment under the command of Colonel Joseph Hays. Colonel Hays received orders
from Governor Rutledge immediately after this deponent had joined the regiment, to
remove all the women and children of the Tories out of the limits of his command over to
the British, which service we were about two months in performing. The balance of the
year, for self preservation, we were compelled to remain in service and under arms to
keep from being butchered up by the Tories foe they killed every Whig they could get
hold of…”
390
Pension Application of Andrew Kelly, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
1466, Application #R5837:
“First. That he…Andrew Kelly, volunteered his services, the time he cannot
recall, but he was 24 or 25 years of age and was born in 1752. It was in Lexington
District (then Orangeburg) in the state of South Carolina. His captain was ?Drager? That
he entered the service in said corps for at least three months, when he was discharged
from the service in South Carolina at Captain Drager’s. That during this engagement he,
with others, were detailed as a life guard to Captain Drager who had killed a Tory. Drager
since moved to Mississippi, and died there, as he is informed and believes.”
“Secondly. That he again entered the service of his country as a drafted man
under the command of Lieutenant Rainey, his neighbor, who afterwards moved to
Georgia. He cannot specify the time when he served under this engagement, at least two
months and was one of the guard who guarded the Tory women down to Bacon’s Bridge,
eighteen miles from Charleston, where they were met by the British flag of truce and the
women were then taken to Charleston. He wants ?naught? for this. His __ ?adjutant? in
this corps was Morgan. At the expiration of this tour, he was discharged from the service
at the place he entered, to wit, Orangeburg District, SC.”
“Thirdly. He again (time not remembered) entered the service of his country in
SC under Captain ?Gartman? as captain in the regiment or corps of Colonel Beard under
the command of General Pickens of South Carolina. He was drafted this time and served
at least two months, when he was again honorably discharged. During this engagement,
he went as one of 700 troops under the command aforesaid to Bacon’s Bridge. It is
eighteen miles from Charleston. Went to protect General Greene’s army lying several
miles off. Declarant went as a wagoner and from there and during said engagement, went
in a company of twenty-five wagons to Stono for provisions for Greene’s army…”
“He was in many other little parties. Once piloted Colonel Washington a day and
a night through the country. In addition to above, went as one of a company to rebuild
Congaree Bridge, which had been burned by the British. When the British landed at
Savannah, his regiment was all called up at a branch in Orangeburg District, now
Lexington District, SC, and took the oath of allegiance to the United States. This branch,
in consequence of it, has always been called “Swearing Branch…”
“To the first interrogatory, that he was born on the Atlantic Ocean on the voyage
of his parents from Germany to South Carolina, on the 11th of September 1752.
391
Pension Application of William Paulling, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 1891, Application #S21407
Orangeburg District, SC, 17th of October, 1832, William Paulling, aged 67 years:
“That he enlisted the 12th of May 1781, in St. Mathew’s Parish in Captain Reid’s
company in the 2nd regiment commanded by Colonel Middleton, South Carolina troops
for ten months. The applicant belonged to the cavalry and was sent up the country and
was at the juniper on the road from Granby to Ninety Six, where the Americans were
defeated by the British. There they dispersed and he fell in with General Greene on Broad
River and went on the Cross Roads on the road toward Charlotte in North Carolina and
General Greene continued on to North Carolina.”
“From thence they came down under the command of Colonel Hampton between
the Broad and Saluda Rivers and stopped at East Granby opposite the British Fort. They
camped for some time on the Congaree River below Granby. There they swam the river
and went on down the country by Orangeburg which had surrendered to the Americans.
From thence they went on to Biggins Church and there they were cooking when the
British cavalry sallied from the church, which had facines all around it, but were driven
back by their cavalry. The applicant was engaged in the charge which drove them back
into the church.”
“That night the British set the church afire with all their stores and decamped.
General Sumter who commanded, pursued them down past Quinby Bridge which the
British crossed and they had to go round some miles. When they overtook the British
they were protected by houses and fences. The infantry made an unsuccessful attack upon
the houses, but were compelled to retreat. From there, they went to Pinckney’s Ferry on
Santee above Nelson’s Ferry, where they crossed the river by swimming. They there
camped for two weeks on the east side of the river at the Haw Old Fields, not far from
Scott’s Lake. They then swam the river again at Nelson’s Ferry below. They then
marched up the west side of the Santee to the Congarees by Fort Mott and swam the
Congaree at Pinckney’s Plantation and camped again below Granby.”
“From thence they marched down, and nothing particular occurred until the battle
of the Eutaw on the 8th day of September 1781. After that there was much marching and
counter marching in the lower part of this state, until they finally encamped at
Orangeburg Courthouse. There the infantry remained and the cavalry went again down
the country to Jacksonborough and he was present when the legislature set there as a
body guard. The British left the country soon after, in December, and they returned again
to Orangeburg village, where they remained until they were discharged in March 1782,
and the applicant received his discharge from Colonel Middleton…”
“He charged at the Battle of Eutaw under Colonel Hampton and Major
Rutherford, who was killed. He was not wounded. His captain did not lead the charge of
his company. He was with the infantry. Lieutenant Miscampbell commanded the
company this day. General Pickens troops, and General Marion’s with General Greene’s
were there all under the command of General Greene. He saw Colonel Washington when
392
he was thrown on his back and his horse fell on him across his leg so that he could not get
up and he was taken prisoner as the cavalry could not stop to relieve him.”
393
pension application of Thomas Philpot.
Clay County, State of Ky. Apr. 4, 1837.. Thomas Philpot aged 74. He stated that he
entered the service of the Rev. War the same year of the Battle of 96 District in the State
of South Carolina, Laurens County under Capt. Daniel Williams and after scouting with
him several months , marched by him to the Island Ford of the Saluda River and there
joined Col. Waters who lived near the said river. Then Marched to the siege of 96. There
joined Gen'l Greene. Philpot continued with Gen'l Greene during the siege and when
information arrived that (British General)Rawdon was coming to aid Gen'l Cruger, Gen'l
Greene raised (stopped) the siege.
Then marched to Bobb's Mill on Bush River crossing the Saluda at the said Island
from whence we met with a call to go to the aid of Col. Hayes on the Little River at
Edgill's Station. Waters was engaged with the Tories under (Bloody Bill) Cunningham a
Tory captain. Here they were all taken prisoner and Philpot was paroled. Militia man
scouting and scouring the counties of Lauren, Abbeville and Greenville.
He was told by Capt. Williams that if he did not turn out(volunteer) he would be
drafted & being acquainted with Williams, he volunteered with him as long as the district
required and continued with him not less than 11 months before the siege (of 96)scouring
the country and had several engagements with the Tories; one at a creek called Long
Cane. At Long Cane he had a brother killed and had another killed at White Hall. This
service was before the battle of 96.
He was continually in service for a day or two at a time. He would serve with
Capt. Williams & perhaps not be stationed but a few hours or days until they would have
to go out again. He states that including his services under Greene & at Edgills Station he
is certain he did not serve less than fifteen months before he was paroled . He was never
home during the whole service. When he went to aid Col. Hayes he went as an enlisted
soldier for not less than 13 months and was taken prisoner and paroled not more than one
month from the time of enlistment. He received 3 guineas at the time of enlistment to go
to the aid of Col.Hayes.
He said he was well acquainted with Gen'l Greene. He was born in Laurens
County SC the 17th day of Aug. 1763. He has lost the record of his age. His discharge
papers were burnt. He made a similar declaration 3-4 years ago but it was sent back for
more proof. He found Brazel Eastis after his first claim. George Stivers a Clergy man and
Brazel Eastis both of Clay County made the following statement upon oath: That they
were well acquainted with Thomas Philpot and that he is an honest man but sometimes
drinks too much ardent spirits. The said Eastis further states that he knew the said appl. at
the siege of 96 and knows he was in the service of Capt. Williams. After the war they
became neighbors and often talked over their service. After the war they moved to
different parts of the world and never saw each other until lately.
394
Pension Application of Thomas Rall, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
1994, Application #W8566
Lexington District, SC, May 1, 1846, Thomas Rall, aged 83 years:
“He first entered the service as a volunteer in Captain Godfrey Dreher’s company
stationed near Saluda in what is now Lexington District, and acting as a scouting
company against the Tories who infested the neighborhood. From thence went to
Granby, and was there stationed with the same company in the fort for a short time
under Lieutenant Owens of the volunteers. From thence, proceeded to the bridge across
Congaree Creek near Granby, where he was stationed with the same company and
commanded to guard the bridge. The foregoing service was performed against the Tories
and not under any regular or Continental officer…”
“After his service as aforesaid, he was enrolled as a militiaman in Captain
Bartholomew Gartman’s company of Colonel Water’s regiment of militia of South
Carolina. After this, a draft of the militia was ordered and a draft took place in Captain
Bartholomew Gartman’s company, to which deponent was attached, and deponent fell
into the second division, that is, those who were to perform the second tour of service.”
“One Sebastian Hoffman was drafted among the first division for duty, and
deponent became a substitute for him, and served out that tour, after which, it being his
own time according to the allotment, he entered in that service, and during that time and
about the time of the expiration of this tour, the militia were discharged, himself among
the number. This service as a substitute for Hoffman as above mentioned and as a
draughted militiaman was performed in Colonel Hammond’s regiment of draughted
militia, and under General Greene of the Continental Army, while stationed at Bacon’s
Bridge not far from Charleston, and that took place near the close of the war after the
enemy’s forces were confined mostly to Charleston.”
“…That his service in Fort Granby before mentioned, was after its surrender to
the Americans. That he was engaged in no battle during his service…”
395
Pension Application of William Ricketts, Nat’l Archives Microseries M804,
Roll # __, Application S9078
Anson County, NC, October Session, 1833, On this 16th day of October 1833, appeared
in open court, William Ricketts, aged 85 years:
That I enlisted I the County of Anson, state of NC the month of December 1775
for eighteen months under Captain JOHN DONALDSON, Col. Thomson’s regiment, and
was marched to Cheraw and Camden, SC and from thence to the Ten Mile House near
Charleston, thence to Sullivan’s Island where we were stationed when it was besieged
by the British under Sir Henry Clinton and Sir P. Parker in June 1776, and continued until
the enemy left the Coast, when there appeared to be no further use for us at that place.
I was then ordered back to Charleston and was marched to Camden and
Columbia, [then Ninety-Six] SC, and from thence to Savannah, state of Georgia,
thence to Altamahaw River to St.?Tillia? to St. Mary’s and to St. John’s against the
Indians, then countermarched to Altamahaw River where I was stationed for some time.
Took some Indian prisoners and brought them to Savannah. I was from thence marched
to the Ten Mile House near Charleston, SC where I was discharged by Colonel William
Thomson on the 1st day of June, 1777, having served out the term for which I enlisted, of
eighteen months.
I came a substitute in the militia in Anson County, NC for the jockey, James Lile, in June
or July 1781, under Captain William Brackin, colonel Malmedy’s regiment. I was
marched into SC and was in the battle at Eutaw Springs in September 1781. Served three
months and was discharged by Captain Brackin. I returned home to Anson County, where
I volunteered in the militia in October 1781, under Captain James Fair of Colonel
Thomas Wade’s regiment, a minute man for the purpose of being ready and continually
on the lookout against the enemy, the Tories, who were numerous in this part of the
country about that period, and who in fact were much more troublesome to us than the
British Army. During this time of service I was in several skirmishes with the Tories and
have at least four months , and was discharged by Captain Fair in the spring of the year
1782, having served in all during these terms, twenty-five months.
I have now in my possession part of my written discharge, which I received from
Colonel William Thomson for my 18 months service in the Continental Army, but part of
which has been lost. I herewith enclose the part on hand…As to my services in the
militia, the affidavits of Charles Hinson and William Jarman are hereunto annexed.
1st Question by the Court- Where and in what year were you born?
Answer- “I was born in Queen Anne County, Maryland, in August 1748.
2nd Question-Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
396
Answer-I have no record of my age.
3rd Question-Where were you living when called into service, and where have you lived
since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer-I lived in Anson County, North Carolina when called into service in every
instance, where I continued to live after the War and is my current residence.
4th Question-How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or
were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
Answer-I enlisted as a private soldier in the Continental Army for 18 months. I became a
substitute for one James Liles (jockey) as a private in the militia for 3 months. In my last
term of service, I volunteered as a minute (private) soldier in the militia and served 4
months.
5th Question-State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops,
when you served, such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the
general circumstances of your services.
Answer-Colonel William Thomson under whom I first served, was an officer in the
Regular army. I do not recollect the number of the regiment in my three-month term in
the militia. Colonel Malmedy of the militia. I became attached to General Greene’s
division a short time before the Battle at Eutaw Springs. I continued with General
Greene’s army until discharged. In my last term of service, I was under the command of
Colonel Thomas Wade and Colonel Williams, both of the militia. I was in no large battle
but that at Eutaw Springs, but was in many small engagements with the Indians and the
Tories.
397
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com October 31, 2005, 2:55 pm
Jesse Sample or Sampley applied for revolutionary pension in Rhea County,
Tennessee, in 1833. He was born in 1763 or 1764 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He
moved with his parents to Edgefield District, S. C., and to Richmond County, Georgia,
where his father was killed by Tories and his home destroyed. Jesse Sample returned to
Edgefield where he enlisted in June 1799.
He served in Captain John Carter's company, Colonel LeRoy Hammond's
regiment. He enlisted again in 1789 and served in Captain James Withers' company,
Colonel Hugh Horry's South Carolina regiment and was in a skirmish on Little Peedee
River and in battles of Fort Watson and Fort Motte. He enlisted again in Captain Jacob
Wise's South Carolina company. After the Revolution he lived in Edgefield District with
his mother. He moved to Georgia, returned to South Carolina, moved to Tennessee where
he lived in several East Tennessee Counties. In 1839 he was living Jackson County,
Alabama, having removed from Tennessee because his children whose names are not
given, lived there.
398
Pension Application of Howell Sellars, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll
215, Application #S31357
October 17, 1832, Sangamon County, Illinois, Howell Sellars, aged seventy years next
March:
“I performed a tour of a little more than a month as a volunteer militia man under
Captain Arthur Simpkins in the years (I think) 1776 in May and June. We marched from
Edgefield County, SC to East Florida against the British and Tories. Our general was
____ Williamson, our colonels, Beard and Winn, and Major Pickens. We were to have
marched to St. Augustine, but a disagreement took place between our general and the
regular general and we were ordered back.”
“Also in the fall of the same year, entered the service again as a volunteer in the
South Carolina militia under the command of Captain John Ryan, and remained in
service under him until some time in July of the next year, some more than six months.
During this tour we marched from Edgefield County (my residence during all my
services) to Savannah, GA against the British, but before we arrived they had taken the
place, and we met them on the way.”
“We then turned back, marched to Augusta, GA, and there crossed the river
Savannah into South Carolina and encamped opposite Augusta and saw the British enter
the place. Here we remained until a General Ashe of North Carolina came to the same
place, when the British left the place and Ashe followed them to Briar Creek in Georgia,
and was there defeated by them. During our encampment at this place, I was one of a
party of about 200 who were ordered against the Creek Indians in Georgia, and we had a
battle with them on a creek called Rocky Comfort, in which 8 Indians were killed and our
Major Ross was wounded, of which he died.”
“We then marched from this encampment to Georgia, towards Savannah and
crossed into South Carolina again at Savannah Ferry and from there to Stono Ferry on
Ashley River where the British, who were protected by breastworks and entrenchments,
and we had therefore to withdraw. At this place, I was taken sick and sent home, I think
in July 1777.”
“I also performed two other tours, one under Captain Nathan White, I think in the
fall of 1777, of a little more than one month. During this tour we marched from Edgefield
County, SC to Savannah, and I was at the siege of that place by our troops, while the
British had possession of it. In an attempt to storm the place, General Pulaski was killed.
The other under Captain James ?Corsey? in the year 1778. Under him, I continued in
service for about one month. During this tour we marched in pursuit of the British to
Ashley River in South Carolina where we joined General Greene’s army. In this service
we had no fighting.”
Interrogatory:
399
Where and in what year were you born?
“In North Carolina, Chatham County, in the month March, 1762.”
Have you any record of your age?
“No.”
Where were you living when called into service, and etc.
“In Edgefield County, SC, and continued to live there since the war, until I came
to Tennessee where I resided for upwards of thirty years, and have since I left there, lived
within this state for two years.”
Were you drafted, or a volunteer, or did you substitute yourself for someone?
“I was always a volunteer.”
Who were the regular officers that you knew?
“General Lincoln, General Greene. I do not recollect the names of any of the
regular colonels or captains, except Captain Moore and Lieutenant Prince. They were
with us at the encampment opposite Augusta before we went to Stono Ferry.”
400
Pension Application of George Summers, Natl Archives Microseries
M804, Roll 2322, Application #S22001
Lexington District, SC, 25 September, 1832:
“That he volunteered …on the first day of April in the year 1778 under Captain
John A. Summer, who was commanded by Colonel Jonas Beard. They rallied in that
neighborhood for about six weeks, then marched after the Tories in Florida and returned
home about the 15th of August following, making four months and a half service.”
“Was called out in the service in March following, joined his said Captain
Summer under Colonel Jonas Beard. Says he was marched to Georgia but was
overpowered by the British who was then in Savannah and was marched back on this side
of the Savannah River at the lines at Augusta, where they got a furlough for 12 days to
come home, and returned to Charleston in South Carolina under Lieutenant Fulmer.”
“Says he was at all times on such duty until the year 1783, making in the service
in the defense of his country, about five years, four months and a half. Says he was born
in the District of Lexington…in the year 1760, October 28th…Says his age is recorded in
the church book in Saint John’s Church…”
“On this 30th day of September, 1833…George Summer:
At the commencement of the Revolution, and from his birth to the present time,
he has resided in that part of S.C commonly called the Dutch Fork, between Broad and
Saluda Rivers, including part of what is now called Lexington and Newberry Districts.
He volunteered on the 1st day of April, 1778 in a company commanded by Captain Jno.
A. Summer, Lieutenant Henry Summer and the regiment commanded by Colonel Jonas
Beard and Lieutenant Colonel Philemon Waters.”
“Shortly after he volunteered, he was marched to Augusta, and from thence to
Ogeechee River in Georgia where they overtook the main body of the army under
General Williamson. From thence they marched to Florida neat St. Peter’s. From near
?St. John’s? they returned to Briar Creek, where they were discharged. This was in the
middle of the month of August, in the same year, making for and a half months service
rendered during this tour.”
“In March 1779, he entered the service again under the same Captain and Colonel
Jonas Beard and were marched to near Augusta on the South Carolina side of the
Savannah River. They were shortly after marched on the Georgia side of the river where
they remained three weeks, and were marched back again to South Carolina to their
former station, and after remaining here for some time, during which time he was on an
expedition sent against the Indians under Major Andrew Pickens in which they had a
skirmish in which one of their officers, Major Ross, was killed. From this place, they
were marched to Golfin’s lower down the river. From thence they were marched back
again to near Augusta. Some of the men at this place obtained furloughs for 12 days to
return to their families, among whom was this applicant. When he came home the relief
in his place went to headquarters and was marched to Stono. But this applicant and
401
several others who had obtained furloughs, under the command of Lieutenant Fulmer,
one of the officers of said company commanded by Captain John A. Summer and Major
Michael Lightman were marched directly to Charleston. This applicant does not
remember whether Colonel Beard was with them or not. He remained in Charleston until
the last day of August when he was discharged and returned home, making in this tour,
six months service.”
“This applicant, sometime in the year 1790 [1780], also entered into a scouting
company under the command of Major Michael Leightman, of thirty-two men, all of
whom were mounted. They were stationed for one month in the Fork of Broad and
Saluda Rivers. This scout, with several other scouting companies raised in the same way,
in all amounting to about 300 mounted men, were under the command of Colonels Glenn
and Hammond. They marched as far as Bull Swamp on the head of Edisto River,
scouring the country. The object of this party they raised was to protect the country
against the depradations of the Tories. He served in this way, two months.”
“This applicant, in 1781 in the month of February, entered the service again under
the command of Captain William F. ?Arnseal’s? also in the Dutch Fork, but in that part
now included in Newberry District. They were marched to Orangeburg where they fell in
with the main body of the army, and where they remained a month. From Orangeburg
they were marched to Pocatiligo, from Pocatiligo to the south side of Bacon’s Bridge,
near Dorchester, where they were placed under the command of General Greene. They
remained near Bacon’s Bridge and Dorchester two months until the last day of June,
when they were discharged. During this tour, this applicant rendered five months
service…”
“This applicant was born in that part of Dutch Fork in Lexington District on the
28th of October 1760. His age is recorded in the record book kept in St. John’s Church,
Lex. Dist. He was living in the Dutch Fork when he was called into the service…”
“This applicant first volunteered, but afterward, took his turn, a part of the men in
each company only being sent into service at the same time, and when they returned,
another part went in their place. This was the practice in that part of the country where he
resided, when they joined the main body of the army. On scouting parties, more went at
the same time…He obtained what was called the indents; and while in the service in
Charleston, he __ an order for thirty dollars for his pay, which he was compelled to give
to a physician for his bill…”
402
Pension Application of Joseph Winningham, Natl Archives Microseries M804,
Roll 2616, Application # S9531
Orangeburg District, SC, 17th of October, 1832, Joseph Winningham, aged 70 years:
“In the spring of 1781 he enlisted in the service of his country for ten months
under Captain William Reid in the regiment commanded by Colonel Charles S.
Middleton in a brigade commanded by General Thomas Sumter. The first affair in which
he was engaged with the British happened with a party on their way to relieve their
garrison at Ninety Six.”
“Sometime afterwards he was engaged in a chase of the British from Biggin’s
Church to a place called Quinby [per Heitman, Quinby’s Bridge, July 17th, 1781] where a
warm combat for ten or fifteen minutes ensued.”
“The next serious business in which he acted was at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.
He was in an engagement with a party of the British from near William’s Branch down to
the old field by the Eutaw Springs, in which the artillery, Colonel Washington, Colonel
Lee'’ infantry, and General Sumter’s infantry, to which he belonged, were engaged with
the British eight or ten minutes before General Greene with his Pennsylvanians,
Marylanders, Virginians and North Carolinians joined them. This was on the 8th of
September, 1781, when he lacked 4 months of being nineteen years of age.”
“The company to which he was attached was placed on the left wing of the army,
the artillery in the road. Then Washington and Lee’s infantry, and next General Greene’s
army, and General Marion’s men occupied the right. Captain Reid resigned and Captain
Ross succeeded him. In the commencement of the battle, Captain Ross commanded the
company to which he was attached. After fighting awhile, the division extended its line to
the left and Pickens men were marched up between it and the artillery. Colonels Water,
Hampton, Polk and others were among the Colonels commanding regiments in General
Sumter’s brigade.”
“And…William Paulling further says that he served with the said Joseph
Winningham during the time herein stated, and can testify to his service as heretofore set
forth.”
403
Appendix-the Alabama 33rd Infantry, Company A
http://peariverramblings.homestead.com/files/co_a_33rd_al.txt
Company ‘A’, 33rd AL Infantry
Officers:
KIMMEY Mason C., Capt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; appointed Capt., 11 March
62; wounded, Perryville, KY, and left on the field by surgeon; captured and
exchanged near Vicksburg, MS, Steamer, ‘Maria Denning’; detached for recruiting, JanDec, 63 by General Bragg; in hospital Jonesboro, GA, 14 Sept 64, and Macon, GA, 20
April 65)
CARMICHAEL, Malcolm, 1st Lt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
MORRISSON, John D., 1st Lt. (enlisted, 8 March 62, Georgiana, AL; elected to office, 8
July 62; resigned 15 July 63, as disabled; sent telegram, 30 July 63 from Chattanooga,
‘Have you received my resignation? Please reject it, heath improving.” last pay receipted
1 Feb 64)
VASSER, H., 1st Lt. (paid $180, 25 Nov 63, by Major Martin Walt)
WOOTAN, John T., 1st Lt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged, 19; promoted, 2nd
Lt., 8 June 62, from 4th Cpl.; clothing requisition filed, 28 March 64, Dalton, GA)
CUMBIE, William Allen, 2nd Lt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; clothing requisition
filed, 31 March 64)
PEACOCK, William W., 2nd Lt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 38; resigned,
28 Feb 63, letter 3 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN)
THOMPSON, Thomas W., 2nd Lt. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 32; appointed
2nd Lt.; resigned, 8 Oct 62 due to hepatitis; received disability discharge)
YARETZKY, A. Julius, Lt. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; furloughed, NovDec 63, by general order #182; clothing requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton, GA;
captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent to POW depot, Johnson's Island, Sandusky,
OH; released, 13 May 65)
RUSHING Baron D., 1st Sgt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 33; given disability
discharge, 25 July 62, signed by M. C. Kimney, Commanding Officer, Co. A, for
hepatized lungs from frequent bouts of pneumonia)
HAM, Phillip J., Sgt. (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga)
HUDSON, Reuben C., Sgt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Dalton, GA, 21
April 63 discharged for disability, 18 May 63)
404
MOULTON, James M., Sgt. (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital 29 April 63,
Tullahoma, TN; wounded, Chickamauga, and sent hospital; on roll, Madison House
Hospital, Montgomery, 15 Nov 64; paroled, 3 June 65, Montgomery)
NICHOLS, Robert, Sgt. (residence: Jackson Co., AL; from Blue Mountain, AL, 9 Sept
64; in Floyd House and Okmulgee Hospital, Macon, GA, with gunshot wound, left leg,
ball entering below knee and running around leg ext.; surrendered, 13 May 65,
Stevenson, AL; took oath of allegiance, 14 May 65)
RUSH Phillip J., 3rd Sgt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21)
SEEGARS, A. J., Sgt., (enlisted 20 June 62, Tupelo, MS; disability discharge, March 63)
SMITH, Levi P., Sgt. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 28; deceased claim filed, 22
Dec 63, by R.E. Smith, widow)
BLAIR, Robert J., Cpl. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga, Atlanta)
BRADSHAW, John, Cpl. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery, AL; wounded,
Chickamauga)
DONALDSON, Adolphus C., Cpl. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim
filed, 3 Jan 63, by Joseph S. Donaldson, father)
PLATT Mason L., Cpl. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19)
POWELL David S., Cpl. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL; left at Estelle Springs by
surgeon; in Floyd House, Okmulgee Hospital, Macon, GA, 1 Oct 64, gun shot, right
thigh; on roll, Commissary Dept., Meridian, MS, for those surrendered and paroled, 12
May 65)
VICKNEY, ? ?, Cpl. [name illegible] appears on Co. "A" report of the inspection in
different commands in accordance with the provisions of General Order No. 22, dated 1
June 62; report dated 5 June 62, Baldwin, MS)
Privates:
ADAMS, D. A.(enlisted, 23 Nov 63, Elba, AL)
ADKINSON, George W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62; disability discharge 6 Feb 63)
ADKISON, James (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; ill, in 3rd General hospital, Augusta,
GA 12 Oct 64)
ADKISON, Littleton, J. B.(enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
AMBIE, W. A.
ARD, Rueben D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; furloughed, 16 May 62, by surgeon)
ATKINSON, W. (ill, in CSA hospital, Dalton, GA, 2 Oct 62)
BALLARD, Samuel (burial: Confederate section, Chattanooga Citizens’ Cemetery)
405
BANKS William M. (captured, Chattanooga, 27 Nov 63; discharged, 11 Dec 63, Rock
Island, IL)
BAXLEY Benjamin B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, in service, 3 July
62, Yandell's Hospital)
BEAN, J. G.
BEARD, J. B.
BEARD, Robert R. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 14 Aug 63)
BENTON, John P. (died in service, in service, Cleveland, TN; deceased claim filed, 2
Feb 63)
BISHOP, J. (burial: Confederate section, Chattanooga Citizens' Cemetery)
BISHOP, John (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 1 June 65)
BLAIR, George M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; a teamster)
BLAIR, John R.B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed,
28 Jan 63)
BOOTHE, William (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 19 Nov 62,
Montgomery, AL)
BRENT, John (captured, Missionary Ridge, 20 Nov 63)
BROOKS, James W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled 3 June 65, Montgomery)
BROOKS, Jonathon F. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
BRYAN, William A. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
BRYAN, William D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 7 June 65)
BUFORD, C. B. (enlisted, 1 Aug 62, Montgomery)
BUFORD, James W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
BUFORD, Lawson J. (died in service, 8 Oct 62, Perryville, AL)
BUFORD, Oliver H. (died in service, 8 Oct 62, Perryville, AL)
BULLARD, John B. (a nurse, Johnson hospital, March 63, Tullahoma, TN)
BURCH, Napoleon B. (enlisted, 14 Feb 63)
CAIN, F. M. (enlisted, 29 Nov 63, Greenville, AL; in St. Mary's Hospital, West Point,
MS, 6 Jan 65)
CAIN, John M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 1 June 65)
CANBIE, John J. (captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; discharged, Camp Douglas, 18
June 65)
CANTALINE, Henry (enlisted, 31 Jan 63, Greenville, AL)
CARDWELL, B. J. (enlisted, 25 Dec 62, Elba, AL; clothing requisition filed, 11 March
64)
CARDWELL , John D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in Floyd Hospital, Macon, GA, 6
June 64, with typhoid pneumonia)
CARR, John F.
CHANCE, William A. (died as POW, Camp Douglas, 23 Jan 65, by gunshot; burial:
grave 554, block 2, Chicago City Cemetery)
CHANCY, Mathew (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
CODY, John L. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62; in Concert Hall hospital, Montgomery, AL, 15 Nov
64)
COOK, Dennis B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 30 June 65, Montgomery, AL)
COOK, G. J. (wounded and captured, Perryville; sent to Point Lookout, MD; paroled, 17
June 65)
406
COOK, Green J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; reportedly died in service, March-April
63, Perryville, however, named on roll of invalid corps, 22 Aug 64)
COOK, J. B.
COON Hartwell M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 9 June 65, Montgomery)
COOPER James M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
COOPER Pearson L. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died from wounds, Perryville, KY,
62)
CUMBIE, Jacob T. (enlisted, 7 Oct 63, Chickamauga, TN; in St. Mary's Hospital, West
Point, MS, 10 Jan 65)
CUMBIE, James J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64,
and sent to Camp Douglas)
CUMBIE, James S. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL)
CUMBIE, Solomon S. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; clothing requisition filed, 11
March 64)
CUMBIE, Wiley B. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Clopton, AL; wounded, Chickamauga, 20
Sept 63)
CUMBIE, William Artemis (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, 1 June 65,
Montgomery)
CUNNINGHAM, James (deceased claim filed, 11 Feb 63)
COX H. W. (enlisted, 19 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN; in Okmulgee hospital, Macon, GA, 25
Sept 64)
CROSBY, Guilford (deceased claim filed, 18 Jan 63 by Mary Crosby, mother)
CURRING, A. F. (wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62)
DAVIS, William T. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, of wounds received at
Perryville, KY, 62)
DAY, Zacheas (deceased claim filed, 9 Oct 62)
DONALDSON, G. (enlisted, 7 Sept 63, Elba, AL; in hospital, 30 Nov 63)
DONALDSON, Jasper [Gosper?] (also in Co. "E"; died in service, 23 Dec 63 in
hospital, Griffin GA)
DONALDSON, Jesse R., Sgt. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, 22 July 64,
near Atlanta; paroled, Camp Chase, OH, 2 March 65)
DONALDSON, S. A. (paroled, 15 June 65, Montgomery)
DONALDSON, T. H. (enlisted, 7 Sept 63, Elba, AL; in Madison Hospital,
Montgomery, 28 May 64)
DORSEY, Green B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 25 March 63,
Academy Hospital, Chattanooga, TN, from diarrhea; deceased claim filed, 25 July 63, by
William Dorsey, father)
DUKES, William H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died from gunshot wound,
Murfreesboro, TN, 19 Jan 63)
ESTER Thomas (died in service, St. Mary's Hospital, Dalton, GA, 3 May 63, from
typhoid fever)
FARRIS, James M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Tupelo, MS;
deceased claim filed, 4 March 63)
FARRIS, Samuel H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62
and sent home by surgeon; rejoined unit, 18 July 63; clothing requisition filed, 10 March
64)
407
FARRIS, William D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 10 April 62),
following Shiloh?
FLEMING, Augustus F. C. (enlisted 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; captured, Perryville, KY,
9 Oct 62, and exchanged; under arrest, March-April 63, awaiting trial, Tullahoma, TN;
died in service, Tullahoma; deceased claim filed, 27 Aug 63)
FLOYD, Charles (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; transferred to Major Hawkins' Battery,
Sharpshooters, 24 Jan 63)
FOLEY, Levi (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 30 June 62; deceased claim
filed, 16 Nov 62, by Needham Foley, father)
GARRETT, John M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, 20 Nov 62, 21 Aug 63,
and 28 May 64)
GARRETT, Joshua H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Ringgold, and sent to
hospital; captured, April 65 by 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry, Macon, GA)
GEIGER, Henry (residence: Coffeeville, Clarke County, AL; in Oliver Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 29 Dec 63, chronic bronchitis, extreme emaciation, and debility; in Madison
Hospital, Montgomery, AL, April 64)
GORDON, G. W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Montgomery, AL, 13 Nov
64)
GOSS, James B. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Mobile; deceased claim
filed, 11 March 63)
GRAY John A. (detailed as a nurse, Johnson's Hospital, Tullahoma, TN, March-June 63;
extra duty, Chattanooga and Tyner's Station, TN, July 63; surrendered, Stevenson, AL,
13 May 65)
GREEN A. Jackson (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; paroled, Montgomery)
HALL, A. J. (paroled, 9 June 65, Montgomery; 6' 2", dark hair, black eyes, dark
complexion)
HALL, Alexander J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in Okmulgee Hospital, Macon, GA,
8 July 64, with gunshot wound; furloughed 30 days)
HALL, William M. (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; residence: Coffee Co., AL; took oath
of allegiance, of allegiance, 20 July 65, Milton, FL)
HAM, B. (paroled, 9 June 65, Montgomery)
HAM, Benjamin E. (from Coffee Co., AL; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; arrived
Camp Douglas, IL, from Louisville, KY, 5 Dec 64; discharged, Camp Douglas 18 June
65)
HAM, W. W. (paroled, 15 June 65, Montgomery)
HAMIL, J. H. H. (enlisted, 8 May 62, Montgomery; clothing requisition filed, 11 March
64; deserted, Nov 64?)
HAMIL, Samuel W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 28 March 63)
HARRINGTON, James W. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; deceased claim filed, 4 Oct 62
by Thomas Harrington, father)
HARRISON, L. (enlisted, 29 Nov 63, Greenville, AL; personal effects receipt filed, 64)
HARRISON, Moses M. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; on furlough, Jan-Feb 63, at
home in Coffee Co., AL; died at home of disease, March-April 63; deceased claim
filed, 18 Oct 62, by Charlotte Harrison, mother)
HAUNING, A. F. (wounded, and admitted, USA General Hospital, Lebanon, KY, 8 Nov
62)
408
HAWS G. W. (captured, Larkingville, AL, 30 Aug 63; paroled and permitted to stay at
home)
HEARD, William H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Tullahoma, TN, 29
April 63; attached as nurse at hospital, Dalton, and Lagrange, GA, July 63-March 64;
captured, Atlanta, 22 July 64; sent to Camp Chase, OH, 1 Aug 64; paroled, Camp
Chase, 2 March 65, and sent to City Point, VA, for exchange)
HELMS, H. (enlisted, 7 Sept 63, Elba, AL; clothing requisition, 12 March 64)
HELMS, Milton A. , Musician (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL;. clothing requisition filed,
11 March 64)
HENDERSON, Hosea (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; in hospital, Tullahoma, TN, 29
April 63; clothing requisition filed, 12 March 64)
HENDERSON, Jeremiah K. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Chickamauga,
TN, 20 Sept 63)
HOLDER, Wood (deserted near Chattanooga, TN, 10 Sept 63; took oath of allegiance
and released, Nashville, TN)
HOLOWAY, Reding (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured, near Atlanta, GA, 22
July 64; sent to Camp Chase, OH, arriving, 2 Aug 64; paroled, Camp Chase, 4 March
65, and sent to City Point, VA, for exchange)
HOWELL, James (residence: Coffee Co., AL; enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; captured,
Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; arrived, Camp Douglas, IL, 5 Dec 64 from Louisville, KY;
discharged, Camp Douglas, 18 June 65)
HUDSON, Willis H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; missing, after Murfreesboro, 31 Dec
62)
JOHNS, Daniel (paroled, 6 June 65, Montgomery; 6' 2" tall, light hair, gray eyes, fair
complexion)
JOHNSON, W. P. (enlisted, 19 Feb 62, Tullahoma, TN; enlisted by transfer from 1st AL
Cavalry to 33rd AL Inf.; paroled, Montgomery, 13 June 65)
JONES, D. J. (enlisted, 19 Feb 63,Tullahoma, TN; enlisted by transfer from 1st AL
Cavalry to 33rd AL Inf.; furloughed, General Order 182; receipt for clothes, 20 May 64,
Madison Hospital, Montgomery, AL; in St. Mary's Hospital, West Point, MS, 10 Jan 65,
chilblain)
JONES, John Riley (deserted; captured by US Army at Caperton Ferry, TN, 25 March
64; sent to Camp Chase, OH)
JONES, W. J. (enlisted, 31 Jan 63, Greenville, AL; clothing requisition filed, 12 March
64)
JONES Willis (paroled, 6 June 65, Montgomery, AL; 5' 5", light hair, blue eyes, fair
complexion)
JORDAN David N. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; furloughed and returned to muster,
Nov-Dec, 63; paroled, Montgomery, AL, 30 May 65)
KING J. M. (paroled, 1 June 65, Montgomery, AL)
KING Mathew R [B?] (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; special clothing requisition filed,
Dalton, GA, 10 March 64; paroled, 8 June 65, Montgomery; admitted Way Hospital,
Meridian, MS, June 65)
KING Noah C. (died in service, 9 April 64, Marietta, GA)
409
KING, Robert H. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; special clothing requisition filed,
Dalton, GA, 16 March 64; paroled, 2 June 65; admitted St. Mary's Hospital, West Point,
MS, 10 June 65)
LEWALLEN, Preston (residence: Stevenson, AL; deserted, June 63, near Stevenson, AL;
took oath of allegiance, Nashville, 19 May 65)
LINDSEY Archibald (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; wounded, Murfreesboro, TN, 31
Dec 62, and sent to hospital by surgeon; disability discharged 19 Aug 63)
LINDSEY Emanuel (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; sent to hospital, 15 Feb 63 by
surgeon; Quartermaster's requisition for clothing filed, 11 March 64)
MALLANEGAN, James (captured, Franklin, TN, 17 Dec 64 and sent to Camp Douglas,
Chicago, IL, 22 Dec 64)
MARSHALL, John
MASON, Charles E. (enlisted, 19 Feb 63,Tullahoma, TN, by transfer from 1st AL
Cavalry; special quartermaster requisition for clothing filed, 28 July 64)
MATHEWS, J. (appears on roll at Howard's Grove Hospital, Richmond, VA, 13 March
65)
MAY James F. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; sent to hospital by regimental
surgeon, 16 Nov 63; paroled, Montgomery, AL, 30 June 65)
McDONALD David (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; left in hospital at Knoxville, TN, 1
Nov 62 by surgeon)
MEEK Eli (enlisted, 19 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN, by transfer from Co. "F", 1st AL
Cavalry; captured, Shiloh, 7 April 62, and exchanged, Vicksburg, 23 Sept 62; died in
service, 25 or 27 Nov 63, Ringgold, GA; deceased claim filed, 2 Feb 65, by Lacy R.
Meek, father)
MEEK Jeremiah (enlisted, 19 Feb 63, Tullahoma, TN; transferred to 33rd AL from Co
"F", 1st AL Cavalry; special quartermaster requisition filed, 16 March 64; deceased claim
filed, 2 Feb 65, by Martha A. Meek, widow)
MELTON Albert D. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 27; in hospital, Graysville, GA,
27 Aug 62; on roll at Confederate Army shoe store, Columbus GA, 3 Dec 62, aged 29
and physically disabled; detailed to QM, Major F.W. Dillard, Columbus, GA, 21 April
64-Jan 65)
MERIWEATHER Duncan C. [25 Oct 1838, Coffee Co., AL-] (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba,
AL; discharged, hospital, Mobile, 7 June 62; received disability discharge, 2 Oct 62,
Chattanooga, TN, but present, Law Hospital, Dalton, GA, with diarrhea, 14 July 64;
captured, Nashville, 5 Dec 64; joined 5th US Volunteers, Camp Chase, OH)
MERIWEATHER William M. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; left at hospital,
Mobile, 7 June 62 by surgeon; special clothing requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton,
GA; captured, Pulaski, TN, 25 Dec 64, and sent to Camp Chase, OH, 3 April 64; paroled,
Camp Chase, 13 June 65, aged 27)
MICKLER William C. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged, 28; exchanged, POW
steamer, ‘Maria Denning,’ 15 Nov 62, near Vicksburg, MS; in hospital, Cleveland, TN, 6
Aug 63; attached to General Hospital, Mobile, AL, as nurse; special clothing requisition
filed, 16 March 64, Dalton, GA)
MILLER John (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 44; receipt roll for rations 3 June 62;
paid 5 June 62; left at hospital, Atlanta, 24 Aug 64 by surgeon)
410
MILTON, E. D. (on list of paid soldiers dated 4 Dec 62: paid $20 for service from 1 Sept
62-31 Oct 62; on undated list of mechanics in 3rd Corps, Army of the Mississippi;
occupation, carpenter)
MOCK, Jacob Y. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; died in service, 8 April 62)
MOCK, William R. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 20; on Honor Roll per General
Order 64/2 dated 10 Aug 64; wounded, Murfreesboro, 31 Dec 62, and sent home;
wounded, Chickamauga, 20 Sept 63, and sent to Bragg Hospital., Newman, GA)
MOORE Peter (enlisted, 7 May 62, Montgomery; received rations and pay, Mobile, 1
June 62; clothing requisitions filed, 10 Nov 63, 17 Dec 63, and special clothing
requisition, 10 March 64, Dalton, GA) MORRIS, Daniel E. (reported deceased POW,
Nashville, U.S. General Hospital, March 65; captured, Stevenson, AL, 22 May 64; died
in service, 4 March 65, chronic diarrhea; burial: grave 12369, City Cemetery, Nashville,
TN)
MURPHY, Alexander C. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; deceased claim
filed,18 Aug 62, by Bird Fitzpatrick, Atty)
MUSGROVE, B. O. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; on roll, CSA POWs captured
and paroled by U.S. forces in KY and exchanged, who reported to General Bragg and
were placed in camp at Chattanooga prior to rejoining units; wounded, Chickamauga, 19
Sept 63 and hospitalized)
MUSGROVE, L. (enlisted, 23 Nov 63, Elba, AL; clothing requisition filed, 28 Feb 64,
Dalton, issued by Capt. E. C. Milner)
O'NEAL, P. A. (deserted and captured, near Chattanooga, 11 Sept 63; released, took oath
of allegiance, Stevenson, AL, on or about 17 Sept 63)
OWENS, J. B. (paroled, 6 June 65, Montgomery; 5' 10" high, dark hair, blue eyes, dark
complexion)
PAGE George W. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; wounded, Murfreesboro,
TN, 31 Dec 62, and died in service, 25 Jan 63, Fairgrounds Hospital, Atlanta; deceased
claim filed, 22 June 63, by McKineth Page, father; unmarried)
PAUL, Daniel W. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 20; clothing requisition filed, 5
March 64, Dalton, GA; paroled, 17 June 65, Montgomery)
PEACOCK, H. L. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; in Blackie Hospital, Augusta, GA,
20 Oct 64; clothing requisition filed, 28 Feb 64, Dalton, GA; paroled, May 65,
Montgomery)
PHILLIPS J. J. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; transferred, 1 March 63 from 33rd AL to
32nd AL; on list of paroled CSA prisoners captured, paroled, and exchanged by US
forces in KY, 11 Jan 63)
PHILLIPS James A. [James I.?] (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; paid,
Tullahoma, TN, 18 April 63 for service from 30 June 62-28 Feb 63, 8 months at $11 per
month)
PHILLIPS William R. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 20; in CSA Post Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 2 Oct 62, Vulnas Scopeticum; sent to hospital, 7 Jul 63, by surgeon; in
Madison Hospital, Montgomery, May 64) POWELL Joseph (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba,
AL, aged 24; deceased claim filed, 17 Nov 62, by Elizabeth Powell, widow)
POWELL William L. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; clothing requisition
filed, 17 March 64, Dalton, GA)
411
PRICE William B. (deserted, 7 Sept 63, Jackson Co., AL; sent to Military Prison,
Louisville, KY; took oath of allegiance and released to stay north of the Ohio River, 19
Sept 63, by order of Brig. General Boyle)
PROVINCE Robert [PROVEHCI, Rueben?]
REVEL, D. S. (in hospital, 29 June 63, by order of surgeon; clothing requisition filed, 16
March 64, Dalton, GA)
REVIL, Henry M. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; clothing requisition filed,
12 March 64, Dalton, GA; in Oliver Hospital, Dalton, 30 May 64, gunshot wound
through left hand)
REVIL, M. L. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; sent to hospital, 1 Dec 63 by surgeon)
REVIL, W. A. (enlisted, 22 Feb 62, Elba, AL; clothing requisition filed, 16 March 64,
Dalton, GA; captured, Franklin, TN, 17 Dec 64, and sent to Camp Chase, OH; transferred
to Point Lookout, MD, 26 March 65)
RIALS, James Rawson (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; died in service, 1
April 62; deceased claim filed, 4 Oct 62, by Jacob Rials)
RIALS, Samuel F., Musician (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; mortally
wounded, Perryville, KY; deceased claim filed, 30 March 63, by Aaron Rials)
ROBERTS Thomas W. (enlisted, 6 May 62, Montgomery; died in service, 6
Jan 63, Medical Hospital, Atlanta; deceased claim filed, 4 Aug 64, by Mary A. Roberts,
widow)
ROWE William D. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; wounded and captured,
Perryville, KY, 8 Oct 62; admitted, #3 USA General Hospital, Lebanon, KY, 8 Nov 62,
leg wound; exchanged via steamboat ‘Belle Creole’, 18 Nov 62; clothing requisition,
filed, 28 Feb 64, Dalton, GA; in hospital, 14 May 64, gunshot, right thigh, Dalton, GA)
RUGG Francis D. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 33; in hospital, Medical
College, Atlanta, 28 Feb-1 Nov 62, and requested disability discharge; died in service 12
Oct 63, Gate City Hospital, Atlanta; deceased claim filed, Coffee Co., AL, 27 May 64, by
Monday J. Rugg, widow)
RUSHING Mathew M. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 27; wounded and
captured, Perryville, KY, 8 Oct 62; sent to Cairo, IL, and Vicksburg, MS, for exchange
via steamboat ‘City of Madison’, 5 Dec 62; on roll of Invalid Corps, 1 Sept 64)
RUTHERFORD, George (captured, near Coosa River, AL, 19 July 64; sent to Camp
Douglas, Chicago, IL; discharged, Camp Douglas, 17 June 65)
RUTHERFORD J. W. (receipt for clothing filed, 13 April 64; on roll of
noncommissioned officers and privates employed for extra duty, Dalton, GA, April 64:
nature of service, pioneer)
SANDERSON, Benjamin C. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 32; transferred to
Pioneer Camp by General Bragg)
SANSOM, William F. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 27; KIA, Murfreesboro, 31
Dec 62; deceased claim filed, 20 April 63, by B.W. Starke, Atty.)
SEGLAR, Edward C. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL; applied for disability discharge,
Enterprise, MS, 14 Aug 62; detailed as shoemaker, 28 Nov 62; on roll of detailed men
employed by Major F. W. Dillard, Q.M., Columbus, GA, 21 April 64; aged 41 years in
64)
SEXTON, William A. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 22; deceased claim filed,
11 March 63, by B.H. Starke, Atty.)
412
SHORT, David (captured, Ringgold, GA, 1 Dec 63, and sent to Rock Island Barracks, IL,
by 1 Jan 64; took oath of allegiance, 18 March 64; residence: Stevenson Jackson Co.,
AL)
SILCOX, Jesse (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 32; in hospital, 24 June 63, by
regimental surgeon)
SIMMONS, Benjamin D. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 18; in hospital, 28 April
63, by surgeon)
SIMMONS, Edward (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 28; died in service, 25 June
62, hospital, Mobile; deceased claim filed, 17 Nov 62, Elba, AL, by Mary Ann Simmons,
widow; witnesses: William Jones and John Harrison)
SIMMONS, Stephen L. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; paroled, 1 Sept 62,
and left at paroled camp by General Order; furloughed from hospital for 30 days; died in
service, 30 Jan 63, Caloosa Springs, GA, pneumonia; deceased claim filed, 12 Sept 63,
by B.W. Starke, Atty.)
SMITH, Alexander J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; on roll of CSA soldiers
captured in KY and exchanged; clothes requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton, GA;
special order #149 states unfit for field service; in Gainesville, AL, driving stock;
paroled, 1 May 65 Greensboro, NC)
SMITH, Jefferson (enlisted, 20 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, Lauderdale Springs,
MS, 19 Aug 62; deceased claim filed, 14 Oct 62, Coffee Co., A, by Elizabeth S. Smith,
widow; witness: Sarah S. Taylor and George Clark)
SMITH, Joseph C. (captured, Missionary Ridge, 25 Nov 63; sent to Rock Island
Barracks, IL, 20 Dec 63; transferred to New Orleans for exchange, 3 May 65)
SMITH, Munos J. [Minor?] (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; paid, Atlanta, 2
Oct 62)
SMITH, S. A. (enlisted, 16 March 64; clothing requisition filed, Dalton, GA)
SPURLIN, Jacob R. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; slight head wound,
Murfreesboro, TN, 31 Dec 62; transferred to Co. "K", 26th AL, 12 Sept 64; special field
order #104; captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent Camp Douglas, Chicago, by 5
Dec 64)
ST. JOHNS, William G. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; clothing requisition
filed, 12 March 64, Dalton, GA)
STANTON, George W. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; transferred to Major
Hawthorne's Battalion, Sharpshooters, 24 June 63; on muster roll, Invalid Corps, NovDec 64, Greenville, AL; paroled, 2 June 65, Montgomery)
STARLING, David J. [David L?] (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 25; name on list
of clothing left by deceased soldiers, Fair Grounds Hospital No. 1, Atlanta, 18 June 63;
deceased claim filed, 3 Jan 63, by Elizabeth Starling widow)
STEPHENS, James W. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 24; captured, Franklin,
TN, 30 Nov 64, and sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, by 6 Dec 64; discharged, 18 June
65; residence: Covington Co., AL)
STEPHENS, John A. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL, aged 18)
STONE, H. (enlisted, 11 March 64; clothing requisition filed, Dalton, GA; paroled, 1
June 65 Montgomery)
STONE, J. (captured, Athens, GA, 8 May 65)
413
STROMAN, J. W. (enlisted, 18 Aug 62, Montgomery; detailed to pioneer service, Jan 64,
Tunnel Hill, GA, 15 Jan 64- 1 Feb 64; in Pioneers, Dalton, GA, 1 Feb-30 April 64;
paroled, 27 May 65, Montgomery)
SWANN, B. F. (captured, Ringgold, GA, Dec 63; Union records show enlisted, U.S.
Navy, Rock Island Barracks, IL; transferred to Naval Rendezvous, Camp Douglas,
Chicago; roll dated 5 Feb 64, Rock Island Barracks)
TAYLOR, Timothy M. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 35 or 38; detailed as
wagoneer, 26 June 63; at Chickamauga, Sept 63, working as teamster; at Tyner's Station,
TN, Oct-Nov 63 working as teamster; employed on extra duty, supply train, 29 Feb. 64;
paid, Griffin, GA, 6 Sept 64)
THAMES, Stephen (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 55)
THOMAS, A. (admitted, Way Hospital, Meridian, MS, 12 Jan 65)
THOMAS Duncan S. (captured, Franklin, TN, 30 Nov 64; sent Camp Douglas, Chicago,
IL, by 5 Dec 64; mustered into 6th U.S. Volunteers, 24 March 65)
THOMAS Joseph M., 5th Sgt. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; died in service,
18 Nov 62, Lauderdale Springs, MS; deceased claim filed, 27 Nov 62, by Mary Ann
Thomas)
THOMAS Thomas A. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 22; on roll of CSA soldiers
who were captured in KY and exchanged by 11 Jan 63; clothing requisition filed, 31
March 64, Dalton, GA; admitted, St. Mary's Hospital, West Pt., MS, 2 Jan 65)
THOMAS Try W. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; mortally wounded,
Perryville, KY; deceased claim filed, 30 March 63, by Jeptha Flowers)
THOMAS William
WARD, B. C. (KIA, Perryville, KY, 8 Oct 62; deceased claim filed, 11 March 63, Coffee
Co., AL, by Lucy Ann Ward, widow; witness to claim: Charles Ward and Nancy Ward)
WARD, James M. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 30; deserted, Wartrace, TN, 30
May 63, and went home without leave)
WARD, John J. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL; died in service, 25 Oct 63, Bragg
Hospital, Newman, GA)
WARD, Mathew (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 22; detailed as Pioneer, 29 Oct
63; employed as Pioneer, Missionary Ridge, Nov 63-Jan 64; employed as Pioneer,
Tunnel Hill, GA, Jan 64; clothing requisition filed, 28 Feb 64, Dalton, GA)
WARD, Michael W. (born: Coffee Co., AL; enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 25;
died in service, Pensacola Navy Yard, 21 April 62; deceased claim filed, 2 Feb 63,
Coffee Co., AL, by Nancy C. Ward, widow)
WARD, W. E. (clothing requisition filed, 11 March 64, Dalton, GA; in Way Hospital,
Meridian, MS, 8 Jan 65, with wound; paroled, 16 June 65, Montgomery)
WARD, W. M. (died of disease, Wartrace, TN, 27 June [63?]; deceased claim filed, 23
Nov 63, by Mary A.E. Ward, widow)
WARD, William C. (died in service, 11 Nov 62, chronic diarrhea, in hospital,
Chattanooga; deceased claim filed, 11 March 63, Coffee Co.)
WARREN, Andrew J. (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 30; deserted, 25 Jan 63;
went home without leave 30 May 63, Wartrace, TN)
WARREN, Hinchy (enlisted, 22 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 37; furloughed home to
Coffee Co., AL; had not returned to command by December 63)
414
WHEELER, Milton L. [Melville L.?; Wilson L.?] (took oath of allegiance, Rock Island
Barracks, IL, 19 June 65, aged 21; captured, near Stevenson, AL, 24 April 64 and sent to
Rock Island Barracks by 30 May 64)
WHITE, Elias B. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 23; died in service, Nashville;
deceased claim filed, 27 Oct 63, by B. W. Starke)
WILLBANKS, Henry J. [Henry D.?] (on roll of prisoners, Rock Island Barracks, IL; took
of allegiance, 26 Oct 64, aged 45; from Winchester, TN)
WILLHIT, James A. (captured, Lincoln, TN, 10 Nov 63; died as POW, Camp Morton,
Indianapolis, 10 Dec 63; burial: grave #576, Green Lawn Memorial Cemetery,
Indianapolis; may have served in 53rd TN instead of 33rd AL)
WILLIAMS, Andrew J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 19; received furlough,
Nov-Dec 63, as per General Order 182; clothing requisition filed, 28 Feb 64, Dalton, GA)
WILLIAMS, Austin (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 43; detailed as Wagoner, 21
June 62, by Col. Hawthorn; receipt for pay and clothing received, Tullahoma, TN, 4 July
63, from Major Sandis, QM, CSA; pay receipt, Tyner's Station, TN, 5 Aug 63; clothing
requisition filed, 12 March 64, Dalton, GA)
WILLIAMS, Obediah J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 16; in Oliver Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 28 Feb 62, with slight wound, left arm; slight leg wound, Murfreesboro, TN,
31 Dec 62; sent to hospital by surgeon, 20 March 63; paroled, 16 June 65, Montgomery)
WRAVEY, James (on list of prisoners received, Camp Douglas, IL, 23 Sept 62, from
Corinth, MS)
WILLIAMS, W. W. (enlisted, 3 Dec 63, Elba, AL)
WILLIAMS, William J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 21; clothing requisition
filed, Dalton, GA, 10 March 64; paroled, Montgomery, 1 June 65)
WINSTON, R. P. (on list of deserters paroled and released, Tullahoma, TN, and allowed
to go home, list dated 9 July 63, Tullahoma, TN)
WOOTAN, James A.J. (enlisted, 11 March 62, Elba, AL, aged 17; disability discharge
about 17 May 63; May-Jun 63 muster shows discharge; clothing requisition filed, 31
March 64, issued at Dalton, GA, containing his signature)
WOOTAN, S. W. (enlisted, 11 Feb 62, Elba, AL; paroled, Montgomery, 20 June 65)
WRIGHT, William P. (enlisted, 11 March 62 Elba, AL; admitted, CSA Post Hospital,
Dalton, GA, 2 Oct 62, hepatitis; furloughed, 6 Dec 62; detailed for hospital duty, 21 Aug
63; employed as nurse, Kingston, GA, Hospital, Aug-Dec 63; paroled, 14 June 65,
Montgomery)
YANCEY, James C. (on roll of prisoners, Louisville, KY, that were sent to Camp
Morton, IN, 20 Nov 63; captured, Winchester, TN, 12 Nov 63)
415
Descendants of Kleinheini Gallman
Generation No. 1
1. KLEINHEINI1 GALLMAN was born Bet. 1602 - 1603 in Obermettmenstett, Switzerland, and died 14 Aug
1676 in Switzerland. He married ANNA RINGGER 12 Mar 1633/34 in Obermettmenstatt, Switzerland. She
was born Bet. 1613 - 1614 in Horgen, Switzerland, and died 03 Jan 1683/84 in Obermettmenstett,
Switzerland.
More About KLEINHEINI GALLMAN and ANNA RINGGER:
Marriage: 12 Mar 1633/34, Obermettmenstatt, Switzerland
Child of KLEINHEINI GALLMAN and ANNA RINGGER is:
2.
i.
HANS2 GALLMAN, b. 20 Apr 1631, Obermettmenstett, Switzerland; d. 16 Mar 1724/25,
Obermettmenstett, Switzerland.
Generation No. 2
2. HANS2 GALLMAN (KLEINHEINI1) was born 20 Apr 1631 in Obermettmenstett, Switzerland (Source: state
archives in Switzerland.), and died 16 Mar 1724/25 in Obermettmenstett, Switzerland (Source: state
archives in Switzerland.). He married E LIZABETH DUBBS 24 May 1671 in Obermettmenstett, Switzerland.
She was born Bef. 02 Jul 1648 in Obermettmenstett, Switzerland, and died 05 Sep 1709 in
Obermettmenstett, Switzerland.
More About HANS GALLMAN and ELIZABETH DUBBS:
Marriage: 24 May 1671, Obermettmenstett, Switzerland
Children of HANS GALLMAN and ELIZABETH DUBBS are:
3.
HANSJACOB3 GALLMAN, b. Bef. 24 Aug 1674, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. 20 Oct 1738,
Saxegotha, Orangeburge District, SC.
ii. RUDI GALLMAN, m. UNKNOWN JAGI.
i.
Generation No. 3
3. HANSJACOB3 GALLMAN (HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born Bef. 24 Aug 1674 in Mettmenstetten,
Switzerland, and died 20 Oct 1738 in Saxegotha, Orangeburge District, SC. He married V ERENA STAHELI
23 Aug 1674 in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland. She died Bef. 1734.
More About HANSJACOB GALLMAN:
Immigration: 12 Feb 1734/35, Charleston, SC per his own letter
Occupation: 1737, Farmer
More About HANSJACOB GALLMAN and VERENA STAHELI:
Marriage: 23 Aug 1674, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
Children of HANSJACOB GALLMAN and VERENA STAHELI are:
RUDOLPH4 GALLMAN, b. 28 Oct 1698, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. Abt. 1767, Holland [per letter
of Hans Jacob Gallman, he stayed in Holland].
ii. VRONI GALLMAN, b. 21 Apr 1700, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. Abt. 1769.
iii. ANNELI GALLMAN, b. 22 Apr 1701, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland.
iv. ANNA GALLMAN, b. 31 Aug 1704, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. Sep 1735, Saxegotha, Berkeley
County, SC (Source: Letter of Hans Jacob Gallman.); m. HEINRICH BUCHMAN; d. Sep 1735,
Saxegotha, Berkeley County, SC (Source: Letter of Hans Jacob Gallman.).
v. HANSHEINRICH GALLMAN, b. 07 Mar 1704/05, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland.
i.
4.
More About HANSHEINRICH GALLMAN:
416
Indentured servitude: Bet. 1736 - 1738, Saxegotha, Berkeley County, SC
Occupation: Bet. 1736 - 1738, tanned deerskins into hides
5.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
HEINRICH GALLMAN, b. 24 Nov 1709, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. 28 Dec 1765, Saxegotha, now
called Lexington, SC.
ELSSBETH GALLMAN, b. 03 Apr 1711, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; m. JACOB SCHALL.
ANNABARBARA GALLMAN, b. 18 Jan 1712/13; d. Per letter of Hans Jacob Gallman, she may have
stayed in Switzerland.
HANS GALLMAN, b. 01 Mar 1716/17, Mettmenstetten, Switzerland; d. 22 Apr 1758, Saxegotha,
Orangeburge District, SC; m. MARGARETHA GARTMAN; b. 20 Sep 1730, Safien-Neukirch,
Switzerland.
HEIRI GALLMAN, m. CATHERINA GEIGER (Source: Per letter of Hans Jacob Gallman, Heiri married
the sister of his brother Heinrich's wife.); b. 1734, Diebozal, Rhynthal, Switzerland.
Generation No. 4
4. ANNELI4 GALLMAN (HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born 22 Apr 1701 in Mettmenstetten,
Switzerland. She married (1) IRISHMAN. He died Bef. 1738. She married (2) HANSULRICH EINIGER Bef.
1738 in Saxegotha, Berkeley Co, SC.
More About HANSULRICH EINIGER and ANNELI GALLMAN:
Marriage: Bef. 1738, Saxegotha, Berkeley Co, SC
Child of ANNELI GALLMAN and IRISHMAN is:
i.
UNKNOWN5 IRISHMAN.
5. HEINRICH4 GALLMAN (HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born 24 Nov 1709 in Mettmenstetten,
Switzerland, and died 28 Dec 1765 in Saxegotha, now called Lexington, SC (Source: Willbook RR,
Berkeley County, SC, 180.). He married E LIZABETH GEIGER Abt. 1756, daughter of HERMAN GEIGER and
ELIZABETH HABLUZEL. She was born 09 Mar 1739/40 in Diebozal, Rhynthal, Switzerland, and died 05
Nov 1802 in as Mrs. Horlbeck, in Charleston, SC.
More About HEINRICH GALLMAN:
Burial: Same as above
Immigration: Bef. 1749
Military service: Called Captain Gallman, and Major.See Eliz.remarriage
Occupation: Farmer
Will: 19 Feb 1768, Berkeley County Willbook RR, 1767-1771`
More About ELIZABETH GEIGER:
Burial: German Lutheran Cemetery
Immigration: Bef. 1749
More About HEINRICH GALLMAN and ELIZABETH GEIGER:
Marriage: Abt. 1756
Children of HEINRICH GALLMAN and ELIZABETH GEIGER are:
JOHN5 GALLMAN (Source: Will of brother Henry Gallman, Book TT, Saxegotha Twsp, Berkeley Co,
SC, mentions brothers John, Herman, John Conrad and Caspar Gallman, sister Elizabeth foust.), b.
1741, Saxegotha, SC; m. (1) CHRISTINA GRAY; m. (2) ELIZABETH HABLUZEL.
ii. HENRY GALLMAN, b. Abt. 1743, Saxegotha, SC; d. 02 Dec 1776, Saxegotha, SC (Source: Berkeley
County Willbook TT, 1774-1778, 382.); m. ESTHER (Source: Will of brother Henry Gallman, Book
TT, Saxegotha Twsp, Berkeley Co, SC, Mentions wife Esther and brothers JOhn, Herman, John
Conrad, Caspar, and sister Elizabeth Foust.).
iii. HARMON(HERMAN) GALLMAN (Source: Will of brother Henry Gallman, Book TT, Saxegotha Twsp,
Berkeley Co, SC, Mentions brothers John, Herman, John Conrad, Caspar, and sister Elizabeth Foust.),
b. Abt. 1745, Saxegotha, SC; d. Aft. 1819, Washington Co, GA.
i.
417
iv.
6.
v.
vi.
JOHNCONRAD GALLMAN (Source: Will of brother Henry Gallman, Book TT, Saxegotha Twsp,
Berkeley Co, SC, mentions brothers John, Herman, John Conrad, Caspar, sister Elizabeth Foust.), b.
Abt. 1747, Saxegotha, SC; d. 01 Mar 1819, Henry Co, GA.
GASPAR GALLMAN, b. 1749, Saxegotha, South Carolina; d. 09 Aug 1819, Edgefield Co, SC.
ELIZABETH GALLMAN (Source: Will of brother Henry Gallman, Book TT, Saxegotha Twsp, Berkeley
Co, SC, Mentions brothers JOhn, Herman, JOhn Conrad, Caspar and sister Elizabeth Foust. .), b. Abt.
1752, SC; m. CASPER FOUST (Source: Berkeley County Willbook TT, 1774-1778, 382.).
Generation No. 5
6. GASPAR5 GALLMAN (HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) (Source: Will of brother Henry
Gallman, Book TT, Saxegotha Twsp, Berkeley Co, SC, Mentions brothers John, Harman, John Conrad,
Caspar and sister Elizabeth Foust. .) was born 1749 in Saxegotha, South Carolina, and died 09 Aug 1819 in
Edgefield Co, SC (Source: Charles Dyson Rodenbough, John Ryan's Daybook, Nat'l Genealogical Society,
Vol. 1, No. 2.). He married JEMIMA SELLERS Bef. 1780 in Bef. 1772. She was born 1757 (Source: DAR
application of Member #544070.), and died 07 Sep 1827 in Edgfield Co, SC (Source: Charles Dyson
Rodenbough, John Ryan's Daybook, Nat'l Genealogical Society, Vol. 1, No. 2.).
More About GASPAR GALLMAN:
Military service: Commissary for US, Amer. Rev.
Occupation: Plantation owner
More About GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLERS:
Marriage: Bef. 1780, Bef. 1772
Children of GASPAR GALLMAN and JEMIMA SELLERS are:
7.
i. ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN, b. Abt. 1776, Edgefield, SC; d. Bet. 1852 - 1854, Coffee Co, AL.
ii. GASPAR GALLMAN, m. FANNIE MCCLENDON, 06 Feb 1838, Edgefield District, SC.
More About GASPAR GALLMAN and FANNIE MCCLENDON:
Marriage: 06 Feb 1838, Edgefield District, SC
iii. JAMINA GALLMAN, m. JAMES ARTHUR, 14 Dec 1834, Edgefield District, SC.
More About JAMES ARTHUR and JAMINA GALLMAN:
Marriage: 14 Dec 1834, Edgefield District, SC
iv.
BENJAMIN GALLMAN, b. 23 Oct 1780, Edgefield, SC; d. 05 Oct 1855, Edgefield Co, SC; m.
SARAH"SALLY" RYAN, 17 Jun 1806, Hancock Co, GA; b. 1776; d. 26 Jun 1860, at her home in
Edgefield, SC.
Notes for BENJAMIN GALLMAN:
Obituary-Edgfield Death Notices and Cemetery Records, by Carlee McClendon, 1977:
Died at his residence in Edgefield County on Oct. 5, 1855, Benjamin Gallman in the 75th year of his
age. He was a native of Edgefield District, when the district was little else than a virgin forest; he saw
that forest removed and lived to see the hand of industry gather many a rich harvest from the plains on
which it grew. He left a wife and children. [The Edgfield Advertiser, Oct. 24, 1855]
More About BENJAMIN GALLMAN:
Burial: Horn's Creek Baptist Church or Ransom Gallman Family Cemetery
Notes for SARAH"SALLY" RYAN:
Edgefield Death Notices and Cemetery Records, Carlee McClendon, 1977:
Died on June 26, 1860 at her residence in Edgefield District, Mrs. Sarah Gallman, widow of the late
Benjamin Gallman, in the 80th year of her age. She was the daughter of Lacon Ryan, who was an active
Whig [a partisan in the Revolution] and fought gallantly throughout the war, under the command of
Captain John Ryan. She seemed to inherit all of the patriotism of her father and uncle. Six of her
children survived her, along with 43 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. [The Edgefield
Advertiser, July 11, 1860.]
418
More About SARAH"SALLY" RYAN:
Burial: Ransom Gallman Family Cemetery
More About BENJAMIN GALLMAN and SARAH"SALLY" RYAN:
Marriage: 17 Jun 1806, Hancock Co, GA
8.
v.
vi.
MARY"POLLY" GALLMAN, b. 07 Aug 1785, Edgefield, SC; d. 03 Apr 1864, Edgefield Co, SC.
SARAH GALLMAN, m. JOHN GRICE, 05 Oct 1828, Edgefield County, SC.
More About JOHN GRICE and SARAH GALLMAN:
Marriage: 05 Oct 1828, Edgefield County, SC
vii.
viii.
DANIEL GALLMAN, d. May 1829, Edgefield District, SC (Source: Edgefield District, SC, Will Book
C, page 289.); m. LYDIA.
HARMAN GALLMAN, b. 12 Feb 1789; d. 28 May 1871, Edgefield Co, SC; m. (1) UNKNOWN; m. (2)
MARY"POLLY" GOMILLION.
More About HARMAN GALLMAN:
Burial: Catholic Cemetery
9.
ix.
x.
MARTHA GALLMAN, b. 1795, Edgefield, SC; d. 1882.
SUSAN GALLMAN (Source: Will of Jemima Gallman, Edgefield Co, SC.), b. Sep 1797; d. Jan 1871,
Henry Co, GA; m. EDMOND MCDANIEL; b. 22 Oct 1803, Orangeburg District, SC; d. 08 Jul 1868,
MS.
Generation No. 6
7. ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN (GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born Abt. 1776 in
Edgefield, SC (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.), and died Bet. 1852 - 1854 in Coffee Co, AL. She
married DAVID DONALDSON Abt. 1792 in Edgefield, SC. He was born Abt. 1771 in N.C. (Source: 1850
census, Coffee Co, AL.), and died 1851 in Coffee Co, AL (Source: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church
Records, List of members, 2nd column, reads, "Year 1851. Dead David 'Doldeson'," which was the way the
church clerk, Thomas King, spelled David Donaldson.).
More About ELIZABETH GALLMAN:
Burial: Possibly Danley Crossroad in Coffee Co, AL
More About DAVID DONALDSON:
Burial: Possibly Danley Crossroad in Coffee Co, AL
Occupation: Shoemaker and preacher
More About DAVID DONALDSON and ELIZABETH GALLMAN:
Marriage: Abt. 1792, Edgefield, SC
Children of ELIZABETH GALLMAN and DAVID DONALDSON are:
10.
11.
i. SOVERIGN7 DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1793, Edgefield Co, SC; d. Abt. 1840, Lowndes Co, AL.
ii. GOSPER DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1794, Edgefield Co, SC; d. Nov 1842, Sandy Ridge, Lowndes Co, AL.
iii. SOPHRONIAP DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1798, Edgefield Co, SC; d. Still living in Coffee Co, in 1877 per
Bethany Church; m. MR. RAY, Bef. Dec 1836 (Source: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, per
the church records she was being called Sophronia Ray by the date of her acceptance into the church,
Dec. 1836.).
More About SOPHRONIAP DONALDSON:
Religion: 1877, Bethany Primitive Baptist Church as Sophronia Ray
More About MR. RAY and SOPHRONIAP DONALDSON:
Marriage: Bef. Dec 1836 (Source: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, per the church records
she was being called Sophronia Ray by the date of her acceptance into the church, Dec. 1836.)
419
iv.
12.
13.
v.
vi.
vii.
AGNES"ELIZABETH" DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1799, SC; m. MR.
BRONTON[BONTINBARNTINBARENTINEBENTON].
JESSED. DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1803, Edgefield Co, SC; d. Bef. 1870, Santa Rosa Co, Florida.
DAVIDJR. DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1806, Edgefield Co, SC; d. Nov 1855, Coffee Co, AL.
SARAH DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1807, Edgefield Co, SC; m. W ILLIAM DAVIS, 28 Jan 1828,
Montgomery County, AL (Source: Montgomery County, AL, Marriage Book C, page 54, Performed by
Anderson Hatley.).
More About WILLIAM DAVIS and SARAH DONALDSON:
Marriage: 28 Jan 1828, Montgomery County, AL (Source: Montgomery County, AL, Marriage Book C,
page 54, Performed by Anderson Hatley.)
14.
15.
viii.
ix.
MARYANN DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1808, SC; d. Bef. 1860.
MARY? DONALDSON, b. Abt. 1812, NC; d. 1863, Henry Co, AL.
8. MARY"POLLY"6 GALLMAN (GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born 07 Aug
1785 in Edgefield, SC, and died 03 Apr 1864 in Edgefield Co, SC. She married ROBERT KENNY 07 Nov
1805 in Edgefield County, SC. He was born 08 Mar 1782 in Antrim County, Ireland, and died 06 Oct 1862
in Edgefield, SC.
More About MARY"POLLY" GALLMAN:
Burial: Harmony Methodist, Edgefield Co, SC
More About ROBERT KENNY:
Burial: Harmony Methodist, Edgefield Co, SC
More About ROBERT KENNY and MARY"POLLY" GALLMAN:
Marriage: 07 Nov 1805, Edgefield County, SC
Children of MARY"POLLY" GALLMAN and ROBERT KENNY are:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
CAROLINS7 KENNY, b. 09 Sep 1806, Edgefield, SC.
BENJAMING KENNY, b. 16 Mar 1808, Edgefield, SC.
MARTHAY KENNY, b. 11 Nov 1809, Edgefield, SC.
MARYC KENNY, b. 03 Oct 1811, Edgefield, SC.
JOHNF KENNY, b. 16 Mar 1813, Edgefield, SC.
SUSANB KENNY, b. 17 Mar 1815, Edgefield, SC.
ROBERTEDMOND KENNY, b. 08 Mar 1817, Edgefield, SC.
LAVINIAS KENNY, b. 15 Mar 1818, Edgefield, SC.
LOUISAM KENNY, b. 09 Jun 1820, Edgefield, SC.
CHARLESH KENNY, b. 25 Aug 1824, Edgefield, SC.
FRANCESE KENNY, b. 19 Oct 1827, Edgefield, SC.
HARRIETC KENNY, b. 06 Jun 1828.
9. MARTHA6 GALLMAN (GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1) was born 1795 in
Edgefield, SC, and died 1882. She married J OHN"JACK" MOSELEY Bef. 1827 in Edgefield County, SC. He
was born 13 Feb 1798 in Edgefield, SC.
More About JOHN"JACK" MOSELEY and MARTHA GALLMAN:
Marriage: Bef. 1827, Edgefield County, SC
Children of MARTHA GALLMAN and JOHN"JACK" MOSELEY are:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
JAMESALEXANDER"REDHEADJIM"7 MOSELEY, b. 26 Nov 1827, Edgefield, SC.
FRANCESA MOSELEY, b. 1830, Edgefield, SC.
HARMONC MOSELEY, b. 1833, Edgefield, SC.
MATHAGALLMAN MOSELEY, b. 1833, Edgefield, SC.
WILLIAMMIDDLETON MOSELEY, b. 1836, Edgefield, SC.
SUSAN"MALVINA" MOSELEY, b. 1839, Edgefield, SC.
BENJAMINFRANKLIN MOSELEY, b. 1846, Edgefield, SC.
420
Generation No. 7
10. SOVERIGN7 DONALDSON (ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN, GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2,
KLEINHEINI1) was born Abt. 1793 in Edgefield Co, SC (Source: 1850 census, Coffee County, AL.), and died
Abt. 1840 in Lowndes Co, AL. He married PERNELLA MCCLENDON Abt. 1814 in Edgefield, SC, daughter
of EZEKIEL MCCLENDON and TERRY SWEARINGEN. She was born Abt. 1785 in SC (Source: 1850 census,
Coffee Co, AL.).
More About SOVERIGN DONALDSON and PERNELLA MCCLENDON:
Marriage: Abt. 1814, Edgefield, SC
Children of SOVERIGN DONALDSON and PERNELLA MCCLENDON are:
16.
17.
18.
19.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
20.
21.
v.
vi.
DAVIDD.8 DONALDSON, b. 1819, Edgefield Co, SC; d. 04 Jul 1878, Bogia, Escambia, FL.
JOSEPHUS DONALDSON, b. 24 Oct 1820, Alabama; d. 16 Mar 1891, Opp, Covington Co. AL.
GOSPER DONALDSON, b. 1822, AL; d. 1859, Coffee County, AL.
JOHNJ DONALDSON, b. 22 May 1825, Lowndes [Montgomery] County, AL; d. 15 May 1865, Elba,
Coffee County, AL.
NANCYFLORA DONALDSON, b. 1826, AL; d. Aft. Jun 1870, Still living in 1870 census.
SOVEREIGNJR DONALDSON, b. 1833, Lowndes [Montgomery] County, AL; d. Bef. 1880.
11. GOSPER7 DONALDSON (ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN, GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1)
(Source: Edgefield Deedbook 34, Page 36, ...it being the plantation where my father, David Donaldson,
now lives.) was born Abt. 1794 in Edgefield Co, SC, and died Nov 1842 in Sandy Ridge, Lowndes Co, AL.
He married MARGARET"PEGGY" BLAND 23 Jan 1823 in Edgefield County, SC (Source: Marriage Records
of Edgefield Co, SC.), daughter of WORMLEY BLAND and SARAH TURNER. She was born 1796 in Barnwell
Dist. Edgefield Co., SC (Source: 1850 census, Coffee County, AL.), and died in Lowndes [Montgomery]
County, AL.
More About GOSPER DONALDSON and MARGARET"PEGGY" BLAND:
Marriage: 23 Jan 1823, Edgefield County, SC (Source: Marriage Records of Edgefield Co, SC.)
Children of GOSPER DONALDSON and MARGARET"PEGGY" BLAND are:
22.
23.
24.
ELZARICHARD8 DONALDSON, b. 03 Dec 1819, SC date of birth/date of marriage parents; d. 25 Mar
1892, Sandy Ridge, Lowndes Co, AL.
ii. ELIZAELIZABETH DONALDSON, b. 03 Sep 1822, Barnwell District, SC; d. 17 Oct 1908, Elba, Coffee
Co, AL.
iii. AMANDAMF DONALDSON, b. 1824, AL; d. Bet. 1856 - 1857.
iv. MARYANN DONALDSON, b. 1825.
v. ANNCATHERINE DONALDSON, b. 1828.
vi. MARTHAADELINE DONALDSON, b. 1830.
i.
12. JESSED.7 DONALDSON (ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN, GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2, KLEINHEINI1)
was born Abt. 1803 in Edgefield Co, SC, and died Bef. 1870 in Santa Rosa Co, Florida. He married
ELIZABETH"BETSY" DAVIS 10 Jul 1823 in Montgomery Co, AL (Source: Montgomery County, AL,
Marriage Book C, page 272, Performed by Anderson Hatley.). She was born 1807 in SC.
More About JESSED. DONALDSON:
Census: 1850, Santa Rosa Co, FL in the 1850 census
Occupation: 1850, farmer
More About JESSED. DONALDSON and ELIZABETH"BETSY" DAVIS:
Marriage: 10 Jul 1823, Montgomery Co, AL (Source: Montgomery County, AL, Marriage Book C, page
272, Performed by Anderson Hatley.)
Children of JESSED. DONALDSON and ELIZABETH"BETSY" DAVIS are:
25.
i.
BENJAMIN8 DONALDSON, b. 25 Dec 1825, Macon, Bibb Co, AL; d. Jan 1892, Seminole, Bibb Co,
AL.
421
26.
ii. SOPHRONIA"CATHERINE" DONALDSON, b. Dec 1834, AL; d. 28 Apr 1914, Holley, Santa Rosa Co,
FL.
iii. ELIZABETH DONALDSON, b. 1838, AL (Source: 1850 Census, Santa Rosa Co, FL.); d. 1868.
iv. SARAH DONALDSON, b. 1840, AL (Source: 1850 Census, Santa Rosa Co, FL.).
v. PRUDENCE DONALDSON, b. 1844, FL (Source: 1850 Census, Santa Rosa Co, FL.).
vi. JESSED DONALDSON, b. 1848, Holley, Santa Rosa Co, FL (Source: 1850 Census, Santa Rosa Co,
FL.); d. 1952.
vii. DAVIDOLIVER DONALDSON, b. 1850, Holley, Santa Rosa Co, FL; m. M EDIAN COOPER, 1871.
More About DAVIDOLIVER DONALDSON and MEDIAN COOPER:
Marriage: 1871
27.
viii.
NANCYJANE DONALDSON, b. Mar 1854, Santa Rosa Co, FL.
13. DAVIDJR.7 DONALDSON (ELIZABETH6 GALLMAN, GASPAR5, HEINRICH4, HANSJACOB3, HANS2,
KLEINHEINI1) was born Abt. 1806 in Edgefield Co, SC (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.), and died
Nov 1855 in Coffee Co, AL. He married P RISCILLA DAVIS 11 Aug 1828 in Montgomery Co, AL (Source:
Marriage Records of Montgomery County, AL, page 72, performed by Anderson Hatley.), daughter of
JOHN DAVIS. She was born 1813 in Pulaski Co, GA (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.), and died Aft.
1873 in Crenshaw Co, AL.
More About DAVIDJR. DONALDSON:
Burial: Wise Cemetery, Coffee Co, AL
More About PRISCILLA DAVIS:
Burial: Crenshaw Co, AL
More About DAVIDJR. DONALDSON and PRISCILLA DAVIS:
Marriage: 11 Aug 1828, Montgomery Co, AL (Source: Marriage Records of Montgomery County, AL,
page 72, performed by Anderson Hatley.)
Children of DAVIDJR. DONALDSON and PRISCILLA DAVIS are:
28.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ANNIEOLIVIA8 DONALDSON.
MARTHENIATAMAR DONALDSON, b. 1830, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.).
JOHNHENRYC DONALDSON, b. 1832, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.).
JEMIMAANNPRISCILLA DONALDSON, b. 1834, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.).
SUSANREBECCA DONALDSON, b. Jan 1837, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.); d. 1905.
HARMONDAVID DONALDSON, b. 1841, AL.
RHODAAGNESELIZABETH DONALDSON, b. Feb 1844, Coffee Co, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee
Co, AL.); d. Bet. 1900 - 1910.
WILLIAMFREDERICK DONALDSON, b. May 1846, AL (Source: 1850 census, Coffee Co, AL.); d. Bet.
1926 - 1927, Laurel Hill, FL; m. MARTHALOUISE CAPPS, 1868, Coffee County, AL; b. Apr 1857, GA
11 years old when married?.
More About WILLIAMFREDERICK DONALDSON:
Burial: Clear Springs Cemetery
More About WILLIAMFREDERICK DONALDSON and MARTHALOUISE CAPPS:
Marriage: 1