My Ancestors in the American Revolution: Pvt MATTHIAS FENTON

 

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 Revolution: Ensign ABRAHAM BROWN II

 

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

(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 

 -"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

 **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

© Betty Tartas  2025