My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Capt JOSIAH LEAKE of Goochland County, Virginia

 

JOSIAH LEAKE was born 19 March 1730 on Rocky Springs Plantation, Goochland County Virginia. He was the son of WALTER LEAKE and JUDITH MASK, and the grandson of WILLIAM LEAKE and MARY BOSTICK, who emigrated from Nottinghamshire, England in about 1685 and established Rocky Springs Plantation in what was then Henrico County, Virginia.

JOSIAH was married three times, and had children with all three wives. On 1 January 1759 he married ANN FENTON, the daughter of THOMAS FENTON of Henrico County.  ANN died before 1767,  when THOMAS FENTON wrote his will and made JOSIAH LEAKE his executor, naming JOSIAH's two daughter JUDITH (wife of Capt CHARLES WOODSON, see previous post) and LUCY LEAKE in the will.

The second marriage was to ANNE MINTER, sometime shortly after 1767. They had two sons, WALTER & JOSIAH Jr.   ANNE died in 1777.

He married a third time, to ANN FOSTER, who was a widow, sometime before 1780. They had three children, CHRISTIAN, JOHN M and SAMUEL D LEAKE.

JOSIAH LEAKE was Captain of the Virginia Militia, Goochland district, from July 1777 until May 1780. I  am uncertain whether  this unit of the Virginia Militia ever saw battle;  I have not found any records or documentation or regimental history.  JOSIAH was 47 years old and likely a widower when he enlisted.

After the Revolutionary War, JOSIAH was sued by his daughter JUDITH and her husband Capt CHARLES WOODSON. The court record from around 1785  listed slaves PHYLLIS, LUCY, SUCKEY, JUDY, JAMES, AMY, JACK & ISAAC, which CHARLES & JUDITH claimed as JUDITH's property from the estate of THOMAS FENTON, JUDITH's maternal grandfather. The lawsuit indicated  that the slaves were being withheld from JUDITH by her father JOSIAH LEAKE.

Capt JOSIAH LEAKE wrote his will 10 July 1794, which names all his children from the three marriages. His third wife is not mentioned in the will.  I have only a transcription of the will which does not include the names of his slaves.  

Capt JOSIAH LEAKE died at Rocky Springs Plantation sometime before 21 September 1795, when his will was brought to court. 

Capt JOSIAH LEAKE is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather, R B MARTINE

SOURCES:

--DAR Patriot Index

--Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and their Connections by Henry Morton Woodson

--The Leake Family and Connecting Lines by George Warren Chappalear

--Genealogies of Virginia Families Volume II from  William & Mary College

--The Douglas Register 

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Capt CHARLES WOODSON of Cumberland County Virgina: Siege of Charleston

 Siege of Charleston by Alonzo Chappel

CHARLES WOODSON was born 30 December 1759 in Cumberland County, Virginia, the son of DRURY WOODSON and LUCY CHRISTIAN. 

When he was about eighteen years old, CHARLES enlisted in the Virginia Continental Line under Brigidier General WILLIAM WOODFORD.  He first held the rank of Sergeant Major, then Captain within this regiment. The Virginia Continental Soldiers were beginning to build winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey, when General GEORGE WASHINGTON ordered them to march post haste to Charleston, South Carolina to reinforce the troops of General BENJAMIN LINCOLN who were already fighting there. Charleston is over 800 miles away from Morristown, so it must have been a grueling march.

While he was encamped at Charleston, but before the battle began, CHARLES WOODSON sent a letter to Miss JUDITH LEAKE,  to whom he was engaged:

Source: "Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and their Connections" by Henry Morton Woodson p 109

A short time later,  in March of 1780, the Siege of Charleston began. The battle lasted six weeks and culminated in the total surrender of General BENJAMIN LINCOLN and over 5000 American troops.  It was a stunning defeat for the Continental Army. 

Captain CHARLES WOODSON was captured and imprisoned by the British 12 May 1780.  While paroled, he and 30 other American prisoners of war managed to escape-- and walked back to Virginia.  It was a harrowing journey, hundreds of miles;  the men were required to walk at night in order to avoid any British sympathizers.   

Shortly after CHARLES returned to his home and recuperated,  he wed JUDITH LEAKE on the 23 of September 1780 in Goochland County, Virginia. She was  the daughter of  JOSIAH LEAKE and ANN FENTON (who died a few years after JUDITH's birth).  JOSIAH was a Captain in the local Militia (see next blogpost).  

There are no indications that Captain CHARLES WOODSON ever re-enlisted after his grueling march to Charleston and his walk back to Virginia.

Upon his marriage, CHARLES' father DRURY WOODSON gave him slaves, farm implements, horses, cattle--and a substantial amount of land, "skirted by the Willis River". It was here that CHARLES and JUDITH built their home, which they named "Rosebank". They lived there for the rest of their lives.

Captain CHARLES WOODSON died 31 December 1830 at Rosebank Plantation, Cumberland County, Virginia.  I could only find a transciption of his will, dated 1 September 1829, which names wife JUDITH and their children. However, I am certain that they owed many slaves, whose names were likely included in the original will.  A court record from 1785, a lawsuit against his father-in-law JOSIAH LEAKE listed slaves PHYLLIS, LUCY, SUCKEY, JUDY, JAMES, AMY, JACK & ISAAC, which CHARLES & JUDITH claimed as JUDITH's property from the estate of THOMAS FENTON, JUDITH's maternal grandfather. The lawsuit indicated  that the slaves were being withheld from JUDITH by her father JOSIAH LEAKE.

 JUDITH LEAKE WOODSON applied for her husband's  Revolutionary War Pension, which she received on 4 March 1836.  

Capt CHARLES WOODSON is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE

SOURCES:

--DAR Patriot Index

--Virginia Soldiers of 1776 by Louis Alexander Burgess

--Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and their Connections by Henry Morton Woodson

--The Leake Family and Connecting Lines by George Warren Chappalear

--Revolutionary War Pension Application of Capt CHARLES WOODSON by wife JUDITH

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: JOSEPH BALLEW II of Burke County, North Carolina : The Battle of Kings Mountain

 

Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina (artist unknown)

JOSEPH BALLEW II was born about 1746 in Albemarle County (later Buckingham County), Virginia, the son of JOSEPH BALLEW I and his wife DIANA, who resided in Henrico County, then Albemarle County Virginia, which part eventually became Buckingham County.  

JOSEPH BALLEW I & wife DIANA had four sons who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Three of the sons survived and their Pension Application files provide a great deal of information about their service, their family,  and their migration in the years after the Revolution.

The four sons of JOSEPH BALLEW I and DIANA who fought in the Revolutionary War were:

-Capt DAVID BALLEW of the 71st Virginia Regiment. He died of smallpox in 1777 in Winchester, Virginia, during his enlistment, as per brother ROBERT's 1836 Pension application.

-JOSEPH BALLEW II who fought in several regiments in Burke County North Carolina (see below)

-ROBERT BALLEW who joined the fight as a very young soldier aged 14, in the 71st Virginia Regiment under his brother Capt DAVID BALLEW.  After his brother's death in 1777  and when  his term of enlistment expired,  he  moved  with his parents and siblings to Burke County, North Carolina.  ROBERT re-enlisted in Burke County and served in 1778, and in 1779 as a substitute for his uncle ROBERT BALLEW, who had also migrated to Burke County, North Carolina. In 1781, ROBERT was at the Battle of Yorktown, under Capt JOHN STEWART. ROBERT BALLEW applied for his pension in 21 January 1836 in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, and his brother JOSEPH BALLEW II provided verification of his service. ROBERT BALLEW's  Pension Application is highly detailed and shows that he fought in many more battles & skirmishes than I've outlined here. 

- RICHARD BALLEW fought in several regiments in Burke County, North Carolina.  He applied for his Pension 24 November 1834 in Knox County, Kentucky. His younger brother PETER BALLEW, who was too young to fight at the time of the Revolution, provided verification of RICHARD's service. According RICHARD fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain under Capt EDMUND FEAR. RICHARD BALLEW's Pension Application is highly detailed and shows that he fought in many more battles & skirmishes than I've outlined here. 

JOSEPH BALLEW II appears to have arrived in Rowan County, North Carolina around 1770, and married in about  1771 ELIZABETH CONNELLY, daughter of Irish immigrants BRYAN O'CONNELLY and his wife MARY FOLEY.  JOSEPH and ELIZABETH  had at least eight children. Burke County was formed from Rowan County in 1777, and JOSEPH's parents, siblings and several other relatives arrived there shortly after the county's formation. JOSEPH's first land grant dated was 5 October 1778 and shows he was granted 320 acres on the S side of the Catawba River, adjacent to JAMES WILLIAMS.

In early 1780 JOSEPH BALLEW II enlisted in McDOWELL's Regiment, under Capt THOMAS KENNEDY;  by summer he was in the same Regiment, under Capt JAMES McFARLAND, and fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7 1780.  He enlisted again, for a third tour of duty in March of 1782, in HENRY HIGHLAND's Company of JOSEPH McDOWELL's Regiment. 

JOSEPH BALLEW II and ELIZABETH CONNELLY continued to reside in Burke County from 1780 until at least 1820, according to land deed and census records. Sometime after that,  they migrated first to Knox County Kentucky where his brother RICHARD lived, and then to Morgan County, Alabama where his brother ROBERT lived, as per his Pension Application.  JOSEPH applied for his Revolutionary War  Pension on 16 October 1832 in Shelby County, Tennessee. His application was approved.   A note in his file indicates that : "On May 3, 1845 in Little Rock Arkansas, the veteran applied for the transfer of his pension benefit from the Tennessee agency to the Arkansas agency stating that he has removed to the County of White in Arkansas where he intends to remain in order to reside with his children who have settled in said County."

If his assumed birthdate of 1746 is accurate, JOSEPH BALLEW II would have been 99 years old in 1845.  I have not found any records for his death in White County, Arkansas, nor have I found his gravestone.

JOSEPH BALLEW II is in the lineage of my paternal grandmother MINTTIE MAE BRUTON HUBER

Sources:

-Revolutionary War Soldiers of Burke County, North Carolina Vol 1 by Emmett R White

-Burke County North Carolina Land Grants 1778 Vol 1 by Edith Warren Huggins

--Revolutionary War Pension Application File of JOSEPH BALLEW II

--Revolutionary War Pension Application File of ROBERT BALLEW (see above)

--Revolutionary War Pension Application File of RICHARD BALLEW (see above)

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Sgt EBENEZER MORTON of Gorham and Standish, Maine: The Battle of Bennington, Vermont

Continental Soldier, Massachusetts

 

EBENEZER MORTON was born around 1758 in Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine, the son of THOMAS MORTON and RACHEL ELWELL. At the time, Maine was still part of Massachusetts. THOMAS,  his father, died in 1775,  lost at sea, possibly during a naval expedition to Canada at the very start of the Revolutionary War.   RACHEL, his mother, eventually remarried to a much older man from Gorham, THOMAS THOMES.

EBENEZER's first enlistment, at age 17, was in the newly formed Continental Army in Col EDMUND PHINNEY's 31st Massachusetts Regiment of Foot, under Capt WENTWORTH STUART, on 29 September 1775, for a period of one year.  His brother  JAMES MORTON was also in this regiment, enlisting 9 October 1775, under Capt HART WILLIAMS.  Two other brothers, ELISHA MORTON and DAVID MORTON also fought in the Revolution, but I haven't yet found records for them.

EBENEZER re-enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776, in Col REUBEN FOGG's Regiment, under Capt ALEXANDER McCLELLAN, for a term of 3 years, to expire December 1779. By 1777, he had been transferred to Col SAMUEL BREWER's Regiment, Capt JOSHUA JENKINS Company, which marched to Bennington, Vermont, and took part in the Battle of Bennington, which was a decisive victory for the American side. EBENEZER  was certified returned at the camp at Valley Forge, 23 January, 1778. During his tenure in the Continental Army he attained the rank of Sergeant.

Battle of Bennington, Vermont 

After his term of enlistment, Sgt EBENEZER MORTON married on 7 December 1780 at Gorham SUSANNA IRISH, the daughter of THOMAS T IRISH and DELIVERANCE SKILLING (see previous post). They would have ten children, most born in Gorham.  By 1800, the family had moved to the town of Standish, Cumberland County, Maine.   

Sgt EBENEZER MORTON died in Standish in about 1826.  I have not yet found his gravestone. Sometimes in historical references  he is referred to as "EBENEZER MORTON Jr", but I am uncertain why--his father was definitely THOMAS MORTON.  Perhaps it was to differentiate Sgt EBENEZER MORTON from his uncle, another Revolutionary War soldier.   He is often confused with his uncle 2nd Lt  EBENEZER MORTON of Falmouth, who married SARAH WHITNEY and who also later moved to Standish, dying there 17 July 1813.  

Sgt EBENEZER MORTON is in the lineage of my maternal grandmother RUBY BOLTON BROWN MARTINE

Sources:

-History of Col Edmund Phinney's 31st Regiment of Foot by Charles Edwin Allen

-History of Gorham, Maine by Hugh D McLellan

-Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War 

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Sgt THOMAS T IRISH of Gorham, Maine: The Penobscot Expedition

 

Destruction of the American Fleet at Penobscot Bay

by Dominic Serres  circa 1779

THOMAS T IRISH was born 29 January 1737 in Falmouth, York County, Maine, which would later become Cumberland County, Maine. At the time he was born, Falmouth was still part of Massachusetts.  He was the son of JAMES IRISH, an immigrant from Boxford, Suffolk, England, and ELIZABETH CROADE, who was born in Salem, Massachusetts, but migrated with her family to Falmouth.  According to Falmouth records, JAMES IRISH was a butcher by trade.

On 22 July 1756, THOMAS IRISH married  DELIVERANCE SKILLINGS, the daughter of BENJAMIN SKILLINGS and MARY PRIDE.  THOMAS and DELIVERANCE had ten children, all born in Gorham.

In October 1775, THOMAS enlisted as a private in Col EDMUND PHINNEY's 31st Massachusetts Regiment of Foot, under Capt HART WILLIAMS (Continental Army) for a period of one year. Three of his brothers JOHN IRISH, JAMES IRISH and WILLIAM IRISH also enlisted in this same Regiment and Company on the same date in October 1775. Another brother JOSEPH IRISH, would enlist in a different Regiment and Company in 1776.   All of the sons of JAMES IRISH and ELIZABETH CROADE  fought in the Revolutionary War. 

THOMAS IRISH re-enlisted on 7 July 1779, with the rank of Sergeant,  in Col ALEXANDER McCLELLAN's company of JONATHAN MITCHELL's regiment of the Massachusetts Militia, supporting 44 American Naval ships during the ill-fated  Penobscot Expedition.  His brothers JOSEPH IRISH and WILLIAM IRISH also enlisted on that same date. They all survived and were mustered out to return home in September 1779 

Unfortunately I have been unable to find any information about THOMAS's occupation, or his circumstances after  the war.  His middle initial "T" may have been for the surname "THOME" or THOMES", which was the surname of a  family living in Gorham. So far,  I have not established any connection between the IRISH family and the  THOME / THOMES family. 

However, one thing that is truly remarkable about THOMAS IRISH is his longevity.  When he applied for his Revolutionary War Pension on  31 July 1832, he was 95 years old!  The pension was approved, but unfortunately THOMAS only lived a short time longer. He died on 14 August 1832, and was buried in the North Street cemetery in Gorham.  His death information was published in the newspaper,  his age being "96 years, 8 days". 

THOMAS T IRISH is in the lineage of my maternal grandmother RUBY BOLTON BROWN MARTINE.

Sources:

-DAR Patriot Index

-Descendants of James Irish by Jennie J Wright Howes 

-History of Colonel Edmund Phinney's 31st Regiment of Foot by Charles Edwin Allen

-History of Gorham, Maine by Hugh D McClellan

-Publishments, Marriages, Births and Deaths from the Earlier Records of Gorham, Maine, compiled by Marquis F King 

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON of Burke County, North Carolina

 

Over the Mountain Boys

by Louis Glazman

According to his Revolutionary War Pension application, ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON was born about 1754 on the Dan River on the Virginia/North Carolina border.  When he was a young boy, his family moved to Rowan County, which part became Burke County,  North Carolina in 1777.  In his 1833 pension application statement,  he says that he lived in the same area all of his life. 

While the names of his parents have not yet been verified, there was a THOMPSON family living in Rowan/ Burke County that migrated from Pennsylvania in the 1750s. It is highly likely that ISAAC was the grandson or great grandson of JOHN THOMSON/THOMPSON born about 1680 Ulster Province, N Ireland and his wife MARGARET DAVIDSON, who were early Scotch Irish settlers in Rowan County. JOHN THOMPSON/THOMSON, son of JOHN & MARGARET, was a "side minister" in what became the Tyratira Presbyterian church in Salisbury, Rowan County.  Many members of the THOMPSON family are buried there.

When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1776, ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON was a young, unmarried man about age 22. According to his pension application, he served four terms of duty: 

In 1776, he was drafted as a militiaman, and placed in JOHN HARDIN's company, under Col CHRISTOPHER BEEKMAN, enlisted for a period of 3-6 months. They marched to Cross Creek, and were engaged in suppressing Tory activity and in conveying prisoners.

In 1777 or 1778, he served another 3 months as a militiaman in Capt THOMAS LYTLE's Company, of  McDOWELL's Regiment, stationed at Cathey's Fort on the Catawba Frontier.

In July 1780, he served under Maj JOSEPH McDOWELL and Col ISAAC SHELBY in the capture of the Loyalist Fort Anderson (Thicketty Fort) in South Carolina. He described the capture of all the Tories, including Col PATRICK MOORE. 

His last tour of duty was in the fall of 1781, in Capt THOMAS KENNEDY's company, of McDOWELL's Regiment, in the Wilmington Expedition. On their return from Wilmington, Loyalists under Capt DAVID FANNING captured ISAAC,  along with Capt KENNEDY and others. They were imprisioned, but later paroled and released.

While quite a lot of detailed information is known about ISAAC's Revolutionary War service, little is known about his family life.  After the war, he received several land grants, hundreds of acres of land, with some located  on Hunting Creek.  In 1796, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Burke County. According to census records, he never owned slaves.

ISAAC was married at least three times, and had children with each wife, as per census records (1800-1830).  If the census records are correct, he had at least 14 children.  His first wife may have been the daughter of PATRICK HENNESSEE, a neighbor on Hunting Creek (DNA evidence supports this theory).

Three of ISAAC's daughters by the 2nd wife--SARAH "SALLY,"  SUSAN & SINA THOMPSON-- all married WILSON brothers, the sons of ROBERT WILSON & SARAH "SALLY" MACKEY. 

 SINA THOMPSON WILSON and her husband MICHAEL WILSON settled in Medecino County, California by 1880. SARAH SALLY THOMPSON WILSON died before 1860, but her husband SAMUEL WILSON and their children also migrated to California, living in Sacramento by 1860, and Placer County by 1870.

In the 1830 census, at age 76,   ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON was living with his 3rd wife who was age 60-69. It appeared they had a son or grandson living with them, about age 19.  On 7 March 1833,  ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON  applied for his Revolutionary War Pension in Burke County, North Carolina. His wife was not mentioned in the application file. ISAAC did receive his pension, however.  According to the pension file, he died 9 June 1838

ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON is in the lineage of my paternal grandmother MINTTIE MAE BRUTON HUBER

Sources:

--Revolutionary War Soldiers of Western North Carolina Vol 1 by Emmet R White

--Burke County North Carolina Land Records 1778 Vol 1 by Edith Warren Huggins

--Burke County North Carolina Records 1755-1821 Vol IV by Edith Warren Huggins

--Revolutionary War Pension File of ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON 

Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Applications Website

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: ELEAZER SLASON Sr: Battle of Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York

Revolutionary War Militiaman

 **ELEAZER SLASON Sr is a new Revolutionary War Ancestor discovery for 2025**

ELEAZER SLASON Sr was born 24 April 1726, in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, the son of ELIPHALET SLASON and MERCY BOUTON.  He married SARAH RAYMOND on 20 August 1745 in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut.  While I have not found definitive records, such as land deeds,  indicating exactly where the couple lived after their marriage,  it is highly likely they  made their home in New Canaan, where several of their  children were born.  One of their daughters, RACHEL, married my ancestor JONATHAN DIBBLE (see previous post).

ELEAZER SLASON Sr is one of the few of my ancestors who fought in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary war.  In 1762, during the French and Indian war, he served in the 8th Company, 2nd Regiment of the Connecticut Militia with  Col NATHAN WHITING, under Capt SAMUEL ELMOR, and attained the rank of Sergeant.  I was unable to find further records showing how long he served during this conflict.

After the death of his wife SARAH on 25 September 1773,   ELEAZER Sr moved with most of his children to the village of Pound Ridge, Westchester, New York. He can be found on a tax list for that location in 1779--the year that the Battle of Pound Ridge took place. It is highly likely that, as a resident,  he took part in that battle as a militiaman.  His name appears on a 1780 roster of enlisted men for the Westchester Militia, 4th Regiment, under THADDEUS CRANE along with his sons NATHAN,  ISRAEL & ELEAZER SLASON Jr, as well as his son-in-law JONATHAN DIBBLE.   Another ancestor SOLOMON BROWN, also served with THADDEUS CRANE.

ELEAZER Sr would have been 54 years old at the time of the Battle of Pound Ridge. 

So far, I have not found records indicating  that ELEAZER SLASON Sr ever remarried. The last record I have found for him, so far,  is the 1790 census, showing that he lived in  the village of Salem in Westchester County, New York.   He likely died before 1800, as he does not appear in census records.

(The SLASON surname has several spelling variations in records: SLAWSON, SLOSSON and SLAUSON)

ELEAZER SLASON Sr is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE

Sources:

--DAR Patriot Index

-- Connecticut Soldiers in the French and Indian War 1755-1762

--God's Country: a History of Pound Ridge, New York by Jay Harris

--New York in the Revolution by  Bethold Fernow

--The Slason (Slawson/Slosson/Slauson) Family by George Slawson

--Abstracts of the Land Records of Westchester County, New York 1774-1801 by  Brendan S Burns

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: JONATHAN DIBBLE: Battle of Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York

Summer Mill River by Sansan Harashima

Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York

JONATHAN DIBBLE was born about 1747 in Fairfield County, Connecticut.  I have not yet been able to connect him with other DIBBLE families from that area, but I suspect he may have been the son of REUBEN DIBBLE & ANN/HANNAH WATERBURY from Stamford.  

JONATHAN married RACHEL SLASON on the 27 August 1767 in New Canaan, Fairfield County Connecticut.  She was the daughter of ELEAZER SLASON Sr and SARAH RAYMOND. Shortly after their marriage, JONATHAN and RACHEL moved to the village of Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York.  ELEAZER Sr also moved his family to Pound Ridge in about 1773, after the death of his wife. 

(The SLASON surname has several spelling variations in records: SLAWSON, SLOSSON and SLAUSON)

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, JONATHAN DIBBLE enlisted first in Capt EBENEZER SLASON's 1st Company of Minute Men, under Colonel SAMUEL DRAKE, from 1775-1776. My ancestor SOLOMON BROWN also enlisted in this company of Minute Men during that time period (see previous post).

On 31 January 1777, Capt  EBENEZER LOCKWOOD, 2nd Regiment, Westchester County Militia administered oath of Allegiance. JONATHAN DIBBLE was on the list of men who signed the oath.

Two years later, on 15 February 1779, while he was still with the 2nd Regiment of the Westchester County Militia,  JONATHAN DIBBLE and four other enlisted men were subject to a Court Martial, charged with disobeying orders. Capt TRUESDALE presided, and other members of the tribunal included Capt SCOFIELD, Capt (EBENEZER) LOCKWOOD,  Lt REYNOLDS,  Lt LODER,  Lt HAYES and Ens BENEDICT. The four other men, MICHAEL HALSTED, ETHAN MEAD, EPHRAIM GUMMAN and JACOB LOCKWOOD, were found not guilty.  JONATHAN DIBBLE was found guilty of "paying 15 dollars"--for what or to whom, is not clear.  There is no indication of what kind of punishment- if any- was agreed upon for this infraction.  

There was also no indication that JONATHAN was ever discharged from duty.  In fact, he appears on a roster of enlisted men in the 4th Regiment, Westchester County Militia under  Col THADDEUS CRANE from 1779-1780.   His father-in-law ELEAZER SLASON Sr and his brothers-in-law NATHAN, ISRAEL & ELEAZER SLASON Jr also  fought in this Regiment, as well as my ancestor SOLOMON BROWN and many of their neighbors.   It is highly likely that, as residents, many or perhaps even all of them took part in the Battle of Pound Ridge.

After the Revolutionary War, JONATHAN DIBBLE and his family  continued to live in the village of Pound Ridge, according to census, tax lists and other records.  His wife RACHEL died 1 Mar 1788--only two years after the birth of their two youngest sons (twins) SIMEON & REUBEN DIBBLE. 

JONATHAN DIBBLE  died on  27 June 1827. As he left no will, his son SOLOMON DIBBLE was appointed his executor.

JONATHAN DIBBLE is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE

Sources:

--DAR Patriot Index

--God's Country: a History of Pound Ridge, New York by Jay Harris

--New York in the Revolution by  Bethold Fernow

--The Slason (Slawson/Slosson/Slauson) Family by George Slawson

--Abstracts of the Land Records of Westchester County, New York 1774-1801 by  Brendan S Burns

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: SOLOMON BROWN I: The Battle of Pound Ridge and the Burning of Bedford in Westchester County, New York

Artist interpretation of  Soldiers raiding in Westchester County NY

 SOLOMON BROWN I was born about 1746 in Westchester County, New York, the son of ELIPHALET BROWN I and THANKFUL WOOD.  ELIPHALET I migrated from Fairfield County, Connecticut to Westchester County  sometime before October 1744; his marriage to THANKFUL WOOD was recorded 4 October 1744 in Darien, Fairfield, Connecticut, and the record notes that ELIPHALET I was of North Castle (later called Pound Ridge) Westchester, New York, and THANKFUL was from Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

SOLOMON BROWN I married SARAH "SALLY" SLASON in about 1772, in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut.  She was born 22 October 1750 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, the daughter of THOMAS SLASON & MARY BATES of Stamford.  The couple had nine children, and lived their entire adult lives in Pound Ridge.

During the Revolutionary War,  SOLOMON BROWN I enlisted first in  Capt EBENEZER SLASON's  1st company of Minute Men, under Col SAMUEL DRAKE, for two short terms of duty, Nov-Dec 1775, and Jan-Feb 1776, a total of 66 days

He again enlisted in 1779-1781 in the  Westchester  Militia, 4th  Regiment  under Col THADDEUS CRANE. His brothers TIMOTHY, BENIJAH and ELIPHALET BROWN II also served in this regiment, as did his brother-in-law STEPHEN SLASON (married THANKFUL BROWN), and his friend and neighbor JESSE BOUTON. Several of JESSE BOUTON's children married SOLOMON BROWN's children. As residents and militiamen,  it is highly likely they all  fought against the British at the Battle of Pound Ridge.  on July 2, 1779.

British Col BANASTRE TARLTETON was ordered to attack  Pound Ridge, where it was believed that Capt EBENEZER LOCKWOOD and his rebel militia were encamped. LUTHER KINNICUTT, a rebel spy, warned the Americans that the British were about to attack.  TARLETON  raided the town   on July 2, 1779. A rebel Cavalry unit, Sheldon's Dragoons,  and local Militia attempted to fend off the British, who pillaged the town.  Unable to find or capture LOCKWOOD or Col ELISHA SHELDON,  they retreated to the nearby town of Bedford, where they encountered rebels  who fired upon them. In response, the British burnt several houses. The British returned to Bedford on July 11, 1779, and burned all the houses to the ground except one--the home of a Loyalist.

The Burning of Bedford--Westchester County Revolutionary War Sites

SOLOMON BROWN I wrote his will 19 April 1815, which names his wife SARAH and most of his nine children: sons SAMUEL, ISAAC & SOLOMON BROWN II; daughters RHODA, ELIZABETH "BETSY", THANKFUL, SARAH, MATILDA & NANCY.

 SOLOMON BROWN I  died in 1821 in Pound Ridge, Westchester, New York.  His gravesite has not yet been found.

SOLOMON BROWN I is in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE

Sources:

--DAR Patriot Index

--God's Country: a History of Pound Ridge, New York by Jay Harris

--The Slason (Slawson/Slosson/Slauson) Family by George Slawson

--Abstracts of the Land Records of Westchester County, New York 1774-1801 by  Brendan S Burns

--New York in the Revolution by Bethold Fernow

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Pvt SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE Sr of Bucks County, Pennsylvania

 

DAR marker, Doylestown, Bucks, Pennsylvania 

SIMON SIMONSE (son of Simon) VAN ARSDALE was born 18 April 1726 in New York or New Jersey, the son of SIMON JANSE (son of Jan) VAN ARSDALE and JANNETJE ROMINE/ROMEYN.  SIMON JANSE married JANNETJE ROMINE on 30 October 1716 in New York, likely in the Dutch Reformed Church. They  may have lived in Flatlands, Kings County, New York, and for a time in New Jersey between 1720 and 1730, before migrating to Southampton twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania where SIMON JANSE made his will on 8 September 1766.  

This surname has an incredible array of variant spellings in records, including VAN ARTSDALEN,  VAN ARSDALEN,  VANARTSDALEN, VANARSDALE, VANAUSDAUL and more, making it at times difficult to trace the family.

SIMON SIMONSE Sr married on 24 January 1751 ELSJE KROESEN/KREWSON, likely in the Dutch Reformed Church in Philadelphia (listed in records as the German Reformed Church?).  They had at least ten children. The couple lived solely  in Southampton twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and never moved or migrated.  Three of their children, JOHN, ELIZABETH and MARY,  married the orphaned children of MATTHIAS FENTON (see previous blogpost).

On 19 August 1775, SIMON SIMONSE enlisted as a private in the Southampton, Bucks County Pennsylvania Milita, rank of Pvt, under Capt JOHN FOLWELL.  His son SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE Jr and son-in-law JOSHUA PRAUL also enlisted on that date, under Capt JOHN FOLWELL.  This was the same regiment that MATTHIAS FENTON enlisted in, on that same date. 

I was unable to find information about when exactly SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARDSALE Sr was mustered out, or if he re-enlisted at any time during the war. 

However, while researching, I did discover that SIMON SIMONSE Sr was a slave holder.  He was taxed on 3 "servants" i.e. slaves between 1779-1790. As I said in my previous post, this was a surprise.  Apparently in the 1700s the Dutch Reformed Church turned a blind eye to the fact that their parishioners (and indeed some of their ministers) owned slaves. His father SIMON JANSE also owned slaves.

SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE Sr died 17 March 1795 in Southhampton, twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Apparently he died intestate, and there was no will. However, on 1 August 1796 the Bucks County Orphans Court recorded that his estate had been settled, listing his surviving children and their spouses: 

Jacob and CORNELIA Vandergrift

SIMON Vanartsdalen Jr 

Joshua and JANE Praul,

Abraham  and MARGARET Lefferts,

JOHN  Vanartsdalen, 

ELIZABETH Vanartsdalen 

MARY  Vanartsdalen

Heirs of SIMON Vanartsdalen, late of Southampton twp, agree to settlement of estate.

SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE Sr is in the lineage of my paternal grandfather, ALONZO COX HUBER

Sources:

--History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania by William Wiatts Hart Davis

--Bucks County Pennsylvania Orphan Court Records 1685-1852 by Thomas G Myers

--Pennsylvannia in the War of the Revolution by William Henry Egle

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Pvt MATTHIAS FENTON of Bucks County, Pennsylvania

 

Old Red Lion Inn, Bensalem twp, Bucks Pennsylvania 

MATTHIAS FENTON was born about 1745 in Northampton twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of JOSEPH FENTON III and MARYTE (MARIA, MARY) VAN DYCK, both of whom were born  in Brooklyn, New York, and migrated to Northampton twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania by about 1759,  when they were listed in Dutch Reformed Church records there.

MATTHIAS married RACHEL HARDING on 27 August 1770 at the Southampton Dutch Reformed Church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  RACHEL was the daughter of JOHN THOMAS HARDING and JANE SCOTT, who were Quakers; both died by about 1761 leaving  RACHEL and her older sister MARTHA  orphans.

On 19 August 1775, MATTHIAS FENTON enlisted in the  Sixth Company,  Southampton, Bucks, Pennsylvania Militia, under Capt JOHN FOLWELL,  rank of Pvt.  His brothers JOSEPH FENTON IV, JOHN/JAN FENTON and CORNELIUS FENTON also served, but in Capt HENRY LOTT's regiment from Northampton twp, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  I have not yet found records indicating when MATTHIAS FENTON was mustered out. 

In 1779, MATTHIAS FENTON and his wife RACHEL purchased and ran the Red Lion Inn in Bensalem twp,  Bucks County Pennsylvania.   The Inn was built in 1730 near the Poquessing Creek, on a main highway between Massachusetts and Philadelphia.  Delegates to the First Continental Congress, such as JOHN ADAMS were known to have stopped there to dine, and many meetings were held there  during the Revolutionary War. General GEORGE WASHINGTON and the Contintental Army camped along the Poquessing Creek, just behind the Inn, on their way to the Battle of Yorktown. Sadly, this historic Inn burnt to the ground in 1991.

MATTHIAS and RACHEL were not destined to own the Red Lion Inn for long.  Both of them died in the winter of 1781, leaving four young children orphaned: MARY, MARTHA, JOSEPH and THOMAS HARDING FENTON. The Red Lion Inn was leased to ABRAHAM DUFFIELD by their guardians for a term of three years. On  8 September 1783, DUFFIELD petitioned the Bucks County Orphans' Court, along with the guardians of the FENTON children to reduce the rent "being hard and ruinous owing to Peace taking place". 

MATTHIAS FENTON and his wife RACHEL HARDING FENTON were buried at the Byberry Friends Burying Ground in Philadelphia--where her parents were buried.

Two interesting things about this family:  

1) While researching, I discovered that MATTHIAS FENTON owned and was taxed on two slaves in 1780.  His father JOSEPH FENTON III also owned slaves. Apparently in the 1700s the Dutch Reformed Church turned a blind eye to the fact that their parishioners (and indeed some of their ministers) owned slaves.  I am very surprised that RACHEL, who was raised a Quaker, would accept the purchase of slaves in her household.  Perhaps the Pennsylvania Quakers did not yet share the radical abolitionist views of my North Carolina Quaker ancestors.  

2) Three of the children of MATTHIAS FENTON and RACHEL HARDING married children  of SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE and his wife ELSE KROESEN of Southampton twp, Bucks County Pennsylvania. See the next blogpost for SIMON's biography.

MATTHIAS FENTON is in the lineage of my paternal grandfather ALONZO COX HUBER.

Sources:

--Bucks County Orphans Court Records 1685-1852 by Thomas G Myers

--Family History of Jeremiah Fenton of Adams County Ohio by William Bartholomew Brown

--History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania by William Wiatts Hart Davis

--Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution by William Henry Egle

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: Ensign ABRAHAM BROWN II of Epping, New Hampshire

 

Abraham Brown II gravestone

Arch Hill Cemetery Northfield NH   

ABRAHAM BROWN II was born 8 May 1754 in Epping, Rockingham, New Hampshire. He was the son of ABRAHAM BROWN I and HANNAH OSGOOD, both of whom died before 1760.  I have not yet found records indicating who raised  ABRAHAM BROWN II aft 1760.   He would have been six years old at the time of his father's death.  His father may have married again after the death of his first wife, HANNAH OSGOOD, in 1755.  ABRAHAM may have had siblings, but at this time I am not certain that they survived to adulthood.  

In 1775,  at age 21, ABRAHAM  enlisted with the New Hampshire Militia as a drummer, under several different commanders, for a period of three years.  Then, in 1780, he was commissioned as Ensign and Adjutant in Capt DANIEL GORDON's regiment, under Gen THOMAS BARTLETT and served until the end of the war.  An Adjutant is an officer who serves as chief administrative assistant to a Commander, in charge of managing correspondence, records, reports, and other administrative duties. The order came from (then Colonel)  THOMAS BARTLETT, at West Point.

ABRAHAM married MARY "POLLY" BUTLER on 27 May 1777 in Epping, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.  MARY was the daughter of Rev BENJAMIN BUTLER, a Harvard Graduate (and Mayflower descendant), and his wife DORCAS ABBOTT.  They lived in Nottingham, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, where Rev BENJAMIN BUTLER was the minister of the town's Congregational Church for twelve years, then a Civil Magistrate until his death in 1804

ABRAHAM and MARY had a large family of nine children.  They lived first in the town of Epping, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and then in Northfield, which later was in Merrimack County. 

ABRAHAM BROWN II died 8 March 1824 in Northfield, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He is buried in Arch Hill Cemetery. 

 MARY, his wife,  received his Revolutionary War Pension in 1832. She survived him by over 20 years, dying 13 July 1846. She is also buried in Arch Hill Cemetery. 

ABRAHAM BROWN II is in the lineage of my maternal grandmother RUBY BOLTON BROWN MARTINE.

 SOURCES: 

Abraham Brown II's Rev War Pension File 

DAR Patriot Index 

"History of Northfield NH" by Lucy Rogers Cross Hill;  publ 1905

"History of Town of Canterbury NH" by James Otis Lyford;  publ 1912

"History of the Town of Andover, NH" by John R Eastman

Have a great day!

Betty 

© Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: JAMES WHITECOTTON I of Virginia and Kentucky

(This post was originally published on this blog in May 2010. It has been updated with new information)

 I have a great number of ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, but Pvt JAMES WHITECOTTON I is one of my favorites. He was born 14 March 1750 in Overwharton Parish, Stafford County, Virginia, the son of GEORGE WHITECOTTON II and MARY HARRIS/HARRISON.    

In 1775 JAMES enlisted in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, Capt WILLIAM FOUNTAIN's company, which marched to Charlottesville, Virginia to join the Regiment commanded by Col WOODFORD and Lt Col CHARLES SCOTT. This combined unit marched to Williamsburg, and "Long Bridge"(Great Bridge), where they met and defeated the British in Dec 1775, in one of the first major battles of the Revolution, this according to JAMES' Revolutionary War Pension Application, and several other sources. 

JAMES WHITECOTTON I re-enlisted in 1778, when he served in Capt LEONARD HELMS'Regiment, under Col GEORGE ROGERS CLARK in Kaskaskia, Illinois to help defend settlers against the Indians. In 1779 he re-enlisted, serving in Capt JOSEPH BOWMAN's regiment, under Col GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. JAMES was mustered out in 1782, having served two years and nine months. In 1787 he received a land bounty grant in Illinois, but "the hundred acres were sold before the deed could be issued." 

At one point, his Captain was ABRAHAM CHAPLINE, who became a lifelong friend. According to a letter on the life of ABRAHAM CHAPLINE, written by W B HARRISON in 1884:

 "Having been a Captain in the Revolutionary War, after its conclusion he (ABRAHAM CHAPLINE) was sent with a company of men  to Kaskaskia, which is now in the state of Illinois to operate as a check upon the Indians. While therein a fortification consisting of a number of cabins called block-houses, he gave some order to which JAMES WHITECOTTON, one of his men, took exception, and said to some of the men if he was on equal terms with his Captain, he would whip him for certain for that order. The Captain (ABRAHAM CHAPLINE), having learned that WHITECOTTON was chafing under the supposed injury, called his men up and said to WHITECOTTON--I learn you take exception to my order and resent that you are not on equal terms with me so as to obtain satisfaction; now if the men of this company will pledge their honor to keep the matter a perfect secret until we shall be mustered out of the service, I will cheerfully lay down my commission long enough to give you the desired satisfaction--. 

 "Of course the promise of secrecy was quickly given, and the two men, each weighing about 145 pounds went easily into the settlement with their fists. Finally the Captain threw WHITECOTTON who, finding he was overpowered spoke the word "enough", and the affair was ended. From that time forth so long as those men lived, they were the most devoted friends. 

 "WHITECOTTON was a poor thriftless man, and I knew him to be over 99 years of age. He and his Captain (ABRAHAM CHAPLINE) resided more than thirty miles apart, but once a year WHITECOTTON walked that distance to spend a week or two with his Captain, who was always glad to see him." (Letter of W B HARRISON 1884) 

 JAMES WHITECOTTON was married twice; the name of his first wife is unknown but they married about 1768 in Stafford or Fauquier County, Virginia. They had eight children;  his first wife died in Hampshire County Virginia sometime around 1788. JAMES and many of his children moved after 1788 to Washington County, Kentucky, where he married in 1795 a much younger woman, RUTH NEWTON HUDSPETH.   RUTH was definitely the 2nd wife of JAMES WHITECOTTON I as she wrote in a deposition dated 18 August 1840 that she came to Kentucky with her father in 1780. JAMES WHITECOTTON states in the same deposition that he was still in the military in Illinois in 1780. 

 After marrying RUTH, JAMES WHITECOTTON I moved with their five children to Mercer County, Kentucky where his friend ABRAHAM CHAPLINE lived. He applied for his Revolutionary War Pension in about 1833 while living in that county, at age 80. By 1840, JAMES WHITECOTTON was living in Marion County, Kentucky where died at age 94 on 1 March 1845 (gravestone has incorrect date as per pension records). 

JAMES WHITECOTTON I is in the lineage of my paternal grandmother MINTTIE MAE BRUTON HUBER. 

 Sources: 

 -JAMES WHITECOTTON I's Revolutionary War Pension Record May 1833 

Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Applications Website

 -"Conquest of the Country Northwest of the Ohio River 1778-1783 and the Life of George Rogers Clark" by William Hayden; publ 1896 

 -"Abstracts of Court Minute Books Fauquier Co Virginia" Sparacio & Sparacio publ 1995 Antient Press

-DAR Patriot Index

 

 Have a great day! 

 Betty 

 © Betty Tartas 2025

My Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War: NATHAN EDSON II: Battle of Lexington & Concord, Massachusetts

 **This is the first of a series of posts I'll be making leading up to the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolutionary War on July 4, 2026.**

Nathan Edson II's Gravestone
Strip Road Cemetery
Madison County, New York

NATHAN EDSON II /MARY HALL of BRIDGEMATER & PETERSHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, and STOCKBRIGE, MADISON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

I'm beginning this series of posts with NATHAN EDSON II as he was the only one of my ancestors actually enlisted in the Continental Army at the very beginning of the Revolutionary War.  

He was born 14 March 1739 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the son of NATHAN EDSON I and MARY SPRAGUE.  

As a  young man, NATHAN EDSON II served during the French and Indian War; he enlisted first on 16 May 1761 with Capt LEMUEL DUNBAR of Bridgewater; then re-enlisted with Capt JOSEPH DUNBAR on 23 March 1762. He was mustered out in November of 1762, having served a total of 8 months.

On 2 Sept 1766 NATHAN EDSON II married MARY HALL, who was possibly from Raynham, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, very little is known about MARY's family.  Her sister ANNA HALL married SAMUEL EDSON, who was NATHAN's cousin. 

Shortly after marriage, the couple moved to a farm in Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where all their children were born. 

NATHAN's first enlistment was as a "Minute Man" at the Battle of Lexington & Concord on 19 April 1775, under Capt JOSEPH HAYDEN, in Col Bailey's Regiment. He served for twelve days.  On May 1, 1775, he re-enlisted for a term of three months and eight days, again under Capt JOSEPH HAYDEN, in Lt Gen. JOHN THOMAS' Regiment. NATHAN was a Continental Soldier during the Siege of Boston; some references indicate he fought during the Battle of Bunker Hill, but I have not been able to verify this.  NATHAN re-enlisted  in Sep-Oct 1775, again with Capt JOSEPH HAYDEN, under Lt Gen JOHN THOMAS.

NATHAN's next term of enlistment with the Continental Army was in 1777-1778. He enlisted 21 April 1777, under under EDWARD COBB, in Col TITCOMB's Regiment, defending Bristol, Rhode Island, for a term of two month/four ½  days; he re-enlisted 9 July 1777 with JOSEPH COLE, under Col ROBINSON, defending Rhode Island for a term of five months/twenty two days.  He enlisted again with JOSEPH COLE on 2 January 1778, in JOHN JACOBS' Regiment, defending Rhode Island for a term of nine months/ two days.

His final term of enlistment began on 2 August 1780 under NATHAN PACKARD, in ELIPHALET CARY's Regiment, for a term of seven days, again defending Rhode Island.

NATHAN EDSON II and wife MARY HALL and their children remained in Petersham, Worcester County Massachusetts until 1791, when the entire family migrated to Stockbridge, Madison County, New York.   NATHAN EDSON II died there 16 August 1825. His wife MARY died there 13 December 1836. I have not found any indication that she applied for his Revolutionary War Pension.

NATHAN EDSON ll/MARY HALL are in the lineage of my maternal grandfather R B MARTINE.

Sources: 

"Nathan Edson and His Descendants" by George Thomas Edson, publ 1926 Filey, Nebraska

"Edson Family History & Genealogy: Descendants of Samuel Edson of Salem & Bridgewater, Massachusetts" by Carroll Andrew Edson; publ 1969 Ann Arbor, Michigan

"History of Chenango & Madison Counties, New York" by James H Smith, publ 1880 Syracuse, New York 

DAR Patriot Index 

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas  2025

Happy 4th of July 2025: My Revolutionary War Ancestors

 Here is a list of my 35 Revolutionary War Ancestors, updated  from 2023!

Revolutionary War 1776-1783



Mother's lineage
JEREMIAH MARTINE b 1734 Tarrytown, Westchester Co New York;  died bef 1797 in New Hempstead, Orange Co New York; lived mainly in Haverstraw, Orange Co NY. Married in abt 1760 Rachel BAREE or BARRE. Signed the Association petition against taxation without representation. Supposedly fought in Rev War, but so far no records have been found. Was not present in 1790 census, but his sons were still in Haverstraw, NY. Source: New York Historical Manuscripts: Revolutionary Papers, Volume 1, p 5-7. My great x4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ABRAHAM BROWN II b May 8, 1753 Nottingham or Epping, New Hampshire; died March 8, 1824 Northfield, NH; married on May 27, 1777 in Epping NH, Mary BUTLER born March 30, 1760 Nottingham, NH, (Mayflower descendant) daughter of Rev Benjamin BUTLER & Dorcas ABBOTT of Andover, MA & Nottingham, NH. Abraham Brown II served several terms of duty; defended West Point under Capt. Daniel Gordon in 1780. His widow Mary received his Rev War Pension in 1832; she survived him by over 20 years dying in 1846. Source: Abraham Brown II's Rev War Pension Record (Footnote.com), DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966) & bios/genealogies from "History of Northfield NH" by Lucy Cross; "History of Town of Canterbury NH" by James Otis Lyford; "History of the Town of Andover, NH" by John R Eastman, and more. My great x4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS MILLER b March 20, 1754, Goochland Co Virginia, d 1819 LaVallee Plantation, Goochland co Virginia as per his will. Married Constance MASSIE. Was a prominent and very wealthy landowner, often listed in records as "gentleman". At his death he owned numerous plantations in Goochland, Prince William, and Spotsylvania Co VA, according to his will. Over 159 slaves were listed by name in the estate records (see link below). He was said to have been a Lieutenant in Revolutionary Army. Stlll searching for records. DAR Patriot index (1966) shows only his father William Miller who married Mary Heath, and who would have likely been too old to fight in the Rev War. My great x4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant) 

Slaves named in the estate papers of THOMAS MILLER of LaVallee Plantation, Goochland Co VA

https://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/african-american-slave-names-in-estate.html

Capt CHARLES WOODSON b Dec 30, 1759 Cumberland Co Virginia; Capt Charles Woodson was at the battle of Charleston SC, and apparently was captured and imprisoned. He and 30 of his comrades escaped and walked home to Virginia, an extremely slow and hazardous endeavor. Upon his return home, he married Judith LEAKE, daughter of Josiah Leake below. They settled at "Rosebank" Plantation, Cumberland Co VA, a large tract of land given to him by his father "three miles in circuit, skirted by the Willis River". He died 1 Dec 1830. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966), and "History & Genealogy of the Woodsons" by Henry Morton Woodson, which has a large section on Capt Charles Woodson including several interesting stories & letters. His wife Judith applied for his Rev War pension in 1843.  My great X 4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOSIAH LEAKE b March 19 1730  Rocky Springs Plantation, Goochland Co Virginia; died Sept 21, 1795; married 1st) Ann FENTON; 2nd) Ann Minter, 3rd) Mrs Anne Foster. Joined the VA Militia, and attained rank of Captain in July 1777. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966) and "Virginia Militias in the Revolutionary War" by McAllister. My great x 5 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Lt ROBERT PETER MOSELEY my great x4 grandfather b 14 Feb 1731  Henrico Co Virginia; died 30 Jan 1804 Willow Lake Plantation, Buckingham Co Virginia. Married Mary Magdalene GUERRANT on 23 Sep 1756. Served as Lt. in the Rev Army along with his two sons Thomas and Capt Arthur Moseley, and his wife's brothers, Jean John Guerrant and Pierre Peter Guerrant. All survived. Source: Moseley family records, and DAR Patriot Index (1966) (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS SAUNDERS/SANDERS b abt 1735 Goochland or Cumberland Co Virginia; lived Buckingham Co Virginia, then late in life moved to Tennessee; married Mary MITCHELL; died Nov 28, 1812 Davidson Co TN as per his will.  Father of Mary "Polly" Saunders b 1774 VA who married William Francis Moseley (my great x3 grandparents) DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 4 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NATHANIEL MASSIE Sr  b Aug 2, 1727 New Kent Co Virginia d 1802 Goochland Co Virginia; married Elizabeth "Betsey" WATKINS. Served as a Captain in the Goochland Co VA Militia in the Revolutionary War, alongside his son Nathaniel Massie Jr, who in 1796 founded the town of Chillicothe, Ohio. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966), The Story of Goochland, by Wight publ 1935; and "A Catalogue of Descendents of Thomas Watkins of Chicohominy" by Francis Watkins. My great X 5 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JONATHAN SCOFIELD Jr b abt 1748 Stamford, Fairfield Co Connecticut; died Feb 15, 1788 Stamford Fairfield Co Connecticut. Married Jemima FINCH. Was a private in Rev War, Connecticut Militia, under Capt Silvanus Brown, in Col David Waterbury's Regiment. Jonathan Scofield died at age 40, and in 1799 his son Reynolds Finch SCOFIELD chose Selleck SCOFIELD as guardian. Source: Stamford, Fairfield Co CT records, copy of muster rolls (Footnote.com) and "A Scofield History". My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JONATHAN DIBBLE b abt 1747 Fairfield Co Connecticut; died aft 1820 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co New York. Married Rachel SLASON. Revolutionary War Soldier, private in Poundridge, Westchester Co New York Militia, under Capt Stephen Delavan. Gave an account of the attack on Ward's house by Major Campbell to J.M McDonald, which was subsequently quoted in Bolton's "History of Westchester" and later in Otto Schufeld's "Westchester During the Revolutionary War". Source: copy of muster rolls (Footnote.com); DAR Patriot Index (1966). ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Maj STEPHEN GALE II b 1736 New Hampshire, grandfather of Phebe Gale my great x3 grandmother. Married Mrs Phebe PAGE; 2nd) Mehitable PLUMER . He was one of the first men to scale the walls at Fort Ticonderoga, and was promoted to the rank of Major for his gallantry. Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 5 grandfather.   ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ANDREW JEWETT: b abt 1750 Stratham, Rockingham Co New Hampshire, Married Mary PIPER. He served on the Safety Committee of Sanbornton, New Hampshire Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966) My great X 5 grandfather

Rev BENJAMIN BUTLER: b 6 Apr 1729 Windham, Connecticut (his great great grandfather Nicholas Butler originally settled at Martha's Vineyard); died 29 Dec 1804 Nottingham, New Hampshire: father of Mary Butler who married Abraham Brown listed above. Rev Benjamin Butler was a graduate of Harvard, and a descendent of John Howland, a Mayflower passenger. He married Dorcas ABBOTT of Andover, Massachusetts. Rev Benjamin Butler signed the Association Test of Nottingham NH against taxation without representation and was on the committee to hire soldiers for the Revolution. Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966), and "A History of Martha's Vineyard" by Dr Charles Banks. My great X 5 grandfather.   ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NOT the father of IGNATIUS BUTLER b 1755 Monongalia County, Virginia. https://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/ignatious-butler-born-oct-2-1755.html

DANIEL BOLTON Sr b July 1, 1747 Reading, Middlesex Co Massachusetts; died aft 1790 Maine. Fought in Rev War Lincoln Co Massachusetts, which later became Lincoln Co Maine. Enlisted in Maj Lithgo's Detachment,  Capt Timothy Foster's Co from Sep 1, 1779-Nov 1 1779, "2 months defending the frontiers of Lincoln County".   Daniel Bolton married Reliance (Pratt) HOVEY, widow of Ebenezer Hovey who died 1777 in the Revolutionary War. Daniel Bolton was also administrator of the will of Ebenezer Hovey, which was probated 1785 in Hallowell, Lincoln Co Maine. Source: Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolutionary War Ancestry.com (NOTE: I have not completely verified this individual as grandfather of my gg grandmother, Sarah Jane Bolton of Cumberland Co Maine, but it seems quite likely. Use at your own risk!).

EBENEZER MORTON b abt 1758 Gorham, Cumberland Co Maine; died before 1820 Standish, Cumberland Co Maine, married Susannah IRISH. As per book, "History of Gorham Maine" by McClellan; Served in the Revolutionary Army Capt Jenkins' company, 12th Massachusetts. McClellan notes that when he enlisted, he was little more than a boy. Also enlisted in Col Edmund Phinney's 31st Regiment of Foot, 29 September 1775, rank of Sergeant, under Capt Wentworth Stuart, as per "History of Col Edmund Phinney's 31st Regiment of Foot" by Charles Edwin Allen. Numerous other enlistments followed, according to "Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors in the Revolutionary War".  Finally mustered out 31 Dec 1779. Apparently lived all of his life on Standish Neck. My great X 4 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS IRISH b Jan 29, 1737 Falmouth, Cumberland Co Maine, died Aug 14, 1832 Gorham, Cumberland Co Maine; married Deliverance SKILLINGS. DAR Patriot Indexs hows him as a Sgt in Massachusetts, wife Deliverance Skillings. Thomas was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, enlisting in 1775. In 1779 he was a sergeant in Capt. McLellan's Company, Col. Mitchell's Regiment and took part in the Penobscot Expedition. My great x 5 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ALBERT CAMPBELL b abt 1748 Clarkstown, Rockland Co New York; died aft 1799 Rockland Co, New York; married Catharina VAN HOUTEN. Albert is named on list of enlisted men from Clarkstown, Rockland Co, New York--as were all three of his brothers: WILLIAM, STEPHEN & LUCAS. He was listed as "Albert Cammel "(Cammel being a common Dutch phonetic spelling of Campbell). His brothers were also listed with surname "Cammel". All of them were in Onderdonk's 2nd regiment, Orange County, New York.  Source "History of Rockland Co New York".  NOT to be confused with OLIVER CAMPBELL, a United Empire Loyalist who emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada in 1783.  My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

https://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/albert-campbell-1748-orangerockland-co.html

ELEAZER SLAUSON/Slason/Slosson/Slawson b abt 1728 Stamford, Fairfield Co Connecticut; died abt 1790 Salem, Westchester Co New York; married Sarah RAYMOND. Served in the Westchester Militia, 4th Regiment, during the Rev War, along with his son Eleazer Jr. DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 6 grandfather.

SOLOMON BROWN b abt 1746 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co New York; died abt 1821 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co NY; married Sarah SLASON. Revolutionary War Westchester NY Militia, listed in 3rd Regiment. DAR Patriot Index (1966) My great X 5 grandfather.

GABRIEL PALMER  b 1752 Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut; died bef 1800 Dutchess county, New York; married Abigail LOUNSBURY. Unverified as yet by me, but his service was mentioned in later bio of his grandson, SHERWOOD HANMER PALMER.  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NATHAN EDSON II  b 14 March 1759  Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts; died 16 Aug 1825 Stockbridge, Madison county, New York; married Mary HALL;   NATHAN EDSON II was a minuteman from Bridgewater at the Lexington Alarm. He served several enlistments as private and sergeant. Source: DAR Patriot Index & records  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOHN FELTON Sr  b 9 Nov 1741  Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died 1820 Clarence Hollow, Erie County,  New York; married Persis ROGERS;   moved to Marlborough, New Hampshire and served as Corporal in 1777. Source: SAR Application records, "A Genealogical History  of the Felton Family" by Cyrus Felton  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Father's lineage
JAMES WHITECOTTON  b 1755 Stafford Co Virginia; married about 1770 an unknown 1st wife; married 2nd  after 1795 in Kentucky (as per court deposition records)  Ruth Newton HUDSPETH; he died age 99 years on June 7, 1849 Pleasant Run, Marion Co Kentucky. Enlisted 1776 in Captain William Fountain's company, which marched to Charlottesville Virginia to join the regiment commanded by Col Woodford & Lt Col Charles Scott. This unit marched to Williamsburg VA and on to "Long Bridge" where the regiment met & defeated the British. James re-enlisted in 1778. Later was posted at Kaskaskia, Illinois to help defend settlers from Indians, under George Rogers Clark. Later lived Hampshire Co Virginia, which part became Hardy Co West Virginia, then later still migrated to Washington, Mercer and Marion Co Kentucky. Source: James' Rev War pension records; DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

MICHAEL STUMP II b 8 April 1744 Tulpehocken, Lancaster Co Pennsylvania;  Moved to Hampshire Co Virginia bef 1763 where he married Sarah HUGHES., was a Lt Col in the VA Militia, but resigned this post and was commissioned as Captain in the Continental Army. He raised a company of soldiers and marched them to join the forces fighting Cornwallis. He was in the final battle of Yorktown. By 1782 he lived in Hampshire Co Virginia, which part eventually became Hardy Co West Virginia. Died 1799 Hardy Co WV. Source: JW Neff Research, DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE b April 18, 1726 New York or New Jersey;  died March 17, 1791 Southampton, Bucks Co Pennsylvania; married Elsje KROESEN;  enlisted 19 August 1775 as a private in Captain JOHN FOLWELL's regiment, Southampton, Bucks County Pennsylvania; his son SIMON SIMONSE VANARSDALEN Jr and his son in law JOSHUA PRAUL were in the same regiment. Source: "Pennsylvania in War of The Revolution" by William Henry Egle publ 1896 and  "History of Bucks Co Pennsylvania" by Davis publ 1905. Great grandfather of Nancy Van Arsdale Frazier. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

MATTHIAS FENTON b 1745 Bucks Co Pennsylvania;  married  23 Aug 1770 Rachel HARDING; enlisted  19 Aug 1775 as private in Captain JOHN FOLWELL's regiment, Southampton, Bucks Co Pennsylvania; by 1779 owned the Red Lion Inn in Bensalem. Died 10 Dec 1781 Bensalem, Bucks, Pennsylvania. Source: DAR Patriot Index, which shows wife incorrectly as "Rachel Hardy";  "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution" by William Henry Egle, publ 1896; "History of Bucks Co PA" by Davis publ 1905.  Great grandfather of Nancy Van Arsdale Frazier. My great x 5 grandfather.

ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON b abt 1750 near the Dan River in Virginia (possibly Pittsylvania Co); moved to Rowan (later Burke) Co North Carolina with his family as a very young child. Isaac is the father of my ggg grandfather Joseph Thompson b abt 1797  Burke Co North Carolina, as per recent DNA evidence. Isaac fought in Rowan Co North Carolina which part became Burke Co North Carolina, and lived in the same area all of his life. Several spouses, as yet unknown, but census shows many children. Rev War pension applied for March 7, 1833 in Burke Co NC, age 79, showing that Isaac was a private in the North Carolina militia. Pension records indicate he died June 1, 1839 in Burke Co North Carolina. "Revolutionary Soldiers of Western North Carolina:Burke Co Volume I" by Emmett White, p 278 indicates birthplace & death date, and that Isaac was living in Rowan Co NC in 1776 at beginning of Rev War; three tours of duty during the Rev War 1) in John Hardin's company of Col Christopher Beekman's regiment from Rowan (later Burke) Co NC. 2) Capt Thomas Lytle's Co of McDowell's Burke Co NC regiment;  3) Capt Thomas Kennedy's company of McDowell's Regime. My great x 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOSEPH BALLEW II; b abt 1756 Buckingham or Albemarle Co Virginia; d 1845 White Co Arkansas; married abt 1771 Elizabeth CONNELLY in Rowan (later Burke) Co North Carolina; served in Burke Co North Carolina; 1780 Capt Thomas Kennedy's company of McDowell's Regiment; summer 1780 Capt James McFarland, McDowell's Regiment, including Battle of Kings Mountain Oct 7, 1780; March 1782  Henry Highland's Co of Col Joseph McDowell's Regiment. Source: his Rev War Pension Application. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

DAVID BRUTON Sr b abt 1736 Virginia or North Carolina; died 1816 Spartanburg, South Carolina; married bef 1760 in Anson Co North Carolina a 1st wife, name unknown; married 2nd abt 1770 in Anson Co North Carolina Susannah Unknown, who had been previously married. He was said to have fought in the Rev. War in South Carolina, along with his son Major George Bruton who married Sarah Addington. No verification or documentation as yet. David lived in Anson Co North Carolina prior to and at the time of the Revolution; and by 1785 purchased land on the Tyger River, which area became Spartanburg Co, South Carolina. Actually it appears he may have been living in the same place all along, and the state/county changed around him. The area in which he settled endured many name changes in the 1700s. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ROBERT SCOTT b abt 1760 York Co Pennsylvania or Virginia, died 1835 Connersville, Fayette Co, Indiana. Lived for many years in Fayette and Pulaski Co Kentucky, owning land along Pitman Creek in the latter county. He married Grace, whose maiden name may have been Allen. He was grandfather of Lavina Scott Bruton, my gg grandmother, as per bio of her brother William W Scott. Robert Scott signed the marriage license of Thomas Scott & Elizabeth Jones (1802 Pulaski Co KY) Fought as private in Virginia.Source: Rev War Pension. My great x 4 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NICHOLAS JONES b abt 1761 Bertie Co North Carolina, died bef 1830 Lincoln Co Tennessee; married 8 Aug 1782 Martha "Patsy" MOORE in Granville Co North Carolina;  then lived in Caswell Co North Carolina, Madison & Pulaski Co Kentucky, and Rutherford Co Tennessee. He was the  grandfather of Lavina Scott Bruton, my gg grandmother, as per bio of her brother William W Scott, and the marriage license of Thomas Scott & Elizabeth Jones (1802 Pulaski Co Kentucky). Apparently fought in Virginia, unverified by me. Source: Moore family records. My great x 4 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOHN WOFFORD Sr b 1730 Prince Georges Co Maryland, m Eleanor Sarah BUSHROD (maiden name unverified); settled in Spartanburg, South Carolina; father of Dorcas Wofford who married Enoch Bruton, my gx4 grandfather b 1766 SC. .John was said to have served as an enlisted man in the 6th Carolina Regiment, enlisted June 1, 1778--Sept 11, 1778 in W Henderson's & Capt John Buchanan's Company. Several of his brothers also enlisted. He was called "Stompin' John" because he was a preacher who would stomp his feet to emphasize points from the Bible in his sermon. Source: "History of Spartanburg SC " by Dr. J.B. O Landrum, published 1900, DAR Patriot Index (1966), and website/research of David Foster. My great x 5 grandfather

JACOB HUBER b abt 1750, Pennsylvania or  Germany;  died Oct 8, 1803, Berlin, Somerset Co Pennsylvania; married (possible 2nd wife) Magdalena unknown. Lived possibly in Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland or Western Virginia prior to 1790; migrated to Berlin, Brother's Valley twp, Bedford (later Somerset) Co Pennsylvania by 1793, when he begins to show up in Lutheran church records there. Also listed in the 1800 census there.   Father of William/Wilhelm Huber b abt 1779-1780 Hampshire Co Virginia who married Anna Elizabeth Keffer in Somerset Co Pennsylvania. Unverified as yet, no Rev War records. My great x 4 grandfather  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant of his son WILLIAM/WILHELM HUBER)

JOHANN JACOB KEFFER/Keefer/Keifer b June 3, 1734 Zeselberg, Germany; died May 1802, Berlin, Brother's Valley Twp, Bedford (later Somerset) Co Pennsylvania; married Anna Maria "Mary" NASS in Germany. Listed in the DAR Patriot Index as "Jacob Keefer" Pvt Pennsylvania (1966 edition). My great X 5 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

FREDERICK WILLIAM SHRIVER (Friedrich Wilhelm Schreiber) b Feb 8, 1744  Anne Arundel Co Maryland; married in 1770 Frederick Co Maryland Maria Elizabeth BIERLE/BEYERLE; died Feb 27, 1820 , buried St John's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Creagerstown, Frederick Co Maryland. According to land deed records, he was living in York Co Pennsylvania near the time of the Revolution. Later lived at Thurmont, Emmitsburg and possibly Creagerstown, Frederick Maryland, as per census, Lutheran church, land and other records. Unverified as yet, no Rev War records, but it seems highly likely, since other siblings in his family did fight in the Revolutionary War. My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Have a great day!

Betty

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