MISCELLANEOUS

REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERANS OF

Union County, North Carolina

Anson County, North Carolina

Stanly County, North Carolina

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

and surrounding areas...

 

 

THOMAS ASHCRAFT

1740-1825. Buried at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Union County, NC.

 

STEPHEN BELLEW/BALLEW

Born Caswell County, NC. Died 1836 Mecklenburg Co, NC. Tombstone says: “Polks NC Regt., Rev. War.” Buried at Craig-Bellew-McWhorter Family Cemetery, Jackson Township, Union County, NC. Source: Cemetery listing in Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin XLII.3, Winter 2005-2006.

See pension application filed as Stephen Billue.

 

BRITTAIN BELK

Born 1746-Died 1780. Tombstone inscription: NC MILITIA SALISBURY DISTRICT, REV WAR. Son of John & M. A. Belk.  Buried At Old Antioch (Belk Family) Cemetery, Union County, NC.

 

REUBEN BOSWELL

Buried at Weddington Cemetery, Union County, NC. Marker says: “d.10/16/1836, Age ?? yrs. Rev. Sol.”

Source: Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney.

 

RICHARD BRASWELL

Born July 1755 Wayne County, NC-Died Aug. 20, 1839 Anson Co., NC. Tombstone inscription: PVT CONTINENTAL LINE REV WAR. Buried at Red Hill Baptist Church, Anson County, NC.  See pension application. Brother of Sampson Braswell.

 

SAMPSON BRASWELL

Born 1757-Died Sept 11, 1831. Tombstone inscription: CONTINENTAL LINE REV WAR. Buried at Red Hill Baptist Church, Anson County, NC. See widow’s pension application. Brother of Richard Braswell.

 

ABSALOM CAUDLE
Born in Halifax County, VA in 1757. Enlisted on the first occasion, became a subsitute for John Ellwell in the second

instance, and in the third and last case was a volunteer. Enlisted the first time at Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, in 1775

for twelve months under Capt. Robert Roane in the 10th Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Clark. Lived

in Bladen County, NC at the time and for a few years after the revolutionary war. Then moved to Anson County.

Applied for pension in 1832 from Anson County, NC.  See pension application.
.

GEORGE CLONTZ
Sergeant. See CLONTZ and BLAIR Family History article in the September 7, 1923 issue of  The Monroe Journal.

.

JEREMIAH CLONTZ

Born about 1756 in Mecklenburg county (now Cabarrus county) and died November 30, 1840. Served in

Capt. JACKS company in May 1771. He was in the march to Moore’s Creek and Dan River.  From Dan

River he was allowed to go home on a furlough, after which he went to South Carolina and poind (sic) the

continental troops and served as a corporal under Capt. GOODWIN, Col. LYTEL, and Gen. LINCOLN. 

He was in the Brier Creek battle in the state of Georgia.  He was a brave soldier – an upright and honorable

citizen and gentleman, and handed down to his posterity a heritage worthy of the highest esteem.  See CLONTZ

and BLAIR Family History article in the September 7, 1923 issue of  The Monroe Journal.  Also see pension

application in Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin 39.3, XXXVIV.3, WINTER 2002-2003. See tombstone

photo here. See transcription of application here.

 

WILLIAM COLLINS

Born April 1751, died 1783. Private, Continental Line. Buried at Collins Historical Cemetery, Marshville Township, Union Co, NC (see tombstone photo).

 

Col. WILLIAM RICHARDSON DAVIE

Born June 22, 175 in Egremont Parish, Cumberland County, England, William Davie immigrated to North America

in 1764 with his parents, Archibald and Mary Richardson Davie. The family soon established a farmstead in th

"Waxhaws" region, in present-day Lancaster County, South Carolina. The mounting conflict of the Revolutionary

War forced Davie to suspend his studies and immediately involve himself as a Whig partisan fighter in the North

Carolina Piedmont. Eventually, he would climb to the rank of commissary general, serving Nathaniel Greene's

Southern Army during the last years of hostilities. Also known as "Father of the University of North Carolina."

Member, U.S. Constitutional Convention, 1787; Governor of North Carolina, 1798-99. Died in Land's Ford,

Chester County, S.C., November 5, 1820. Buried at Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church, Lancaster County, SC.

Davie County, N.C. is named for him. Sources: UNC University Library, Wikipedia.org, The Political Graveyard.

SUGAR DULIN, Sr.

Was born 23 Apr 1763 in Onslow County, N.C., moved to Mecklenburg in 1791. Dr. Alexander wrote about him in "History of Mecklenburg County." He is listed by Mary Tyler Chapter, NSDAR, MEMBERS-PATRIOTS. In his own words, he described his war service, which appeared in the Mecklenburg Times, May 02, 1957. Sugars "last day of service" was 1781. Died April 10, 1848 and buried at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church-old south cemetery. Recorded on pg. 156 in "History of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church" book by Rev. Kerr. Submitted by Wan Dulin Smith.

 

HUGH FORBIS

Born about 1755 Guilford County, NC-Died after 1833 Mecklenburg County, NC.  Tombstone inscription: MORGANS RIFLE REGT CONT LINE, REVOLUTIONARY WAR (no dates). Buried at Round Top Baptist Church Cemetery, Waxhaw, Union County, NC. See pension application (Hugh Forbus).

 

MAJ. JOHN FOSTER

Emigrated from Ireland in 1765 and settled in Mecklenburg Co. (now Union Co.), NC, on Waxhaw Creek. Died

Jan. 22, 1821. Source: Heritage of Union County, NC.

.

SAMUEL GIVENS

Obituary ~ April 10, 1846, The Charlotte Democrat, (Mecklenburg County, NC)

“Died in Union County, on the 16th ultimo, Mr. Samuel GIVENS, a soldier of the Revolution, aged between

85 and 90 years. Suffice it to say that he lived and died respected and beloved by all who ever knew him.”

Buried at Price Chapel Baptist Church, Sandy Ridge Township, NW of Waxhaw, Union County, NC.

Marker says: “South Carolina Revolutionary War” (no dates).  See document from pension file. See pension application.

 

RICHARD GRIFFIN

Born 1756 Chatham County, NC-died after 1850 Union Co, NC.  Volunteered in 1780 from SC. Then moved to Mecklenburg County, NC (about 1781) and again volunteered. Applied for pension in 1832 from Mecklenburg County, NC.  See pension application.

 

THOMAS GRIFFIN

Born about 1750 in Virginia and died about 1807 in Anson County, NC (present day Union Co.).

See tombstone photo here.  His stone simply says 'THOS. GRIFFIN VA. MIL. REV. WAR'.

Per Connie Thompson: “I have read from an undocumented source that he served under Captain John Gist's

Company in Colonel Nathan Gist's 1st VA Regiment in 1777 and that he enlisted a second time and served

in the 2nd VA Regiment under Captain John Smith's Company in Colonel Gregory Smith's Regiment.”

 

WILLIAM E. HOUSTON

Captain.  Born 1750-Died 1825. Buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (McWhorter) Cemetery, Union Co, NC.

 

WILLIAM HOWARD

Obituary ~ April 27, 1843, The Charlotte Democrat, (Mecklenburg County, NC)

-Died in Union County, on the 14th of March last, Mr. William HOWARD, in the 79th year of his age. Mr.

HOWARD was a soldier in the Revolution.

.

JOHN HUBBARD

From Revolutionary War pension application of  his widow.

He was in the American Revolution, 2 terms of three months in the Militia, and a one year term with the

Continentals. He enlisted from Franklin Co, NC. He served under Gen. Green in the Battle of Guilford

Courthouse, and under Gen. Gates at Gates' Defeat. He often spoke of being with Col. Lytle, Col.

Shepperd, Col. Caswell, Capt. Sharp, Capt. Hadley, Capt. Eaves, and Capt. Richards. Discharged

near Charleston, SC. They lived in Franklin Co., then Nash Co., NC. They moved to Anson Co. in 1806.

(Pension record abstract from Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin XXXI.1, Summer 1994, p.7).

 

GEORGE KARCHER (KIKER)

Pension record (filed under George Karcher) is lengthy. It does state that he enlisted as a volunteer early in May

1778 under Captain Jack, who lived then in Charlotte N. C.  When he enlisted he lived in what was then

Mecklenburg County, now Cabarrus County, N.C.  He stated that no one could prove his service except Jacob

Miller of Cabarrus, and Jeremiah Clontz of Mecklenburg – who were in the service with him. Widow was

Francis Lee and she applied for his pension in 1854 from Tallapoosa County, Alabama. She said they were

married by Edward Windfield Esq. of Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina on April 8, 1808 and

her first child (Rachael) was born in 1809. He originally signed his name Jorge Karcher, while in Philadelphia,

but signed George Karcher while in Anson County. His second wife, Frances Lee, from Wadesboro, corrupted

his name to several spellings in her application for widow's pensions. His son Philip that came to Anson County

with him signed Kiaker. The name was corrupted to Carriker in the census records until 1910 when it was listed

as Kiker.  Submitted by Bob Johnson.  See pension application (George Karcher)

 

WILLIAM LEMMOND

Private and later Sergeant under company commanded by Capt. Charles Polk of Mecklenburg Co, NC.

Daughter Margaret Lemmond applied for pension based on her father’s service in 1857 from Lancaster

District, South Carolina, at age 67.  Pension record states that her father was married to Ann Ghent in

1788 in Mecklenburg Co, NC and that he died about 1810. Widow remarried in 1812 to Andrew Walker,

a Revolutionary war soldier who died in 1845. Widow died in 1847….

Source: Abstracts of Pensions of North Carolina Soldiers of the Revolution, War of 1812 & Indian Wars,

compiled by Annie Walker Burns.

.

JACOB LITTLE

Born in Surry County, Virginia March 28, 1755. Lived in Pitt County, NC when called into service and

continued to live there after the Revolutionary War until the year 1795 when he removed to Anson
County
. Volunteered as a private in the Militia on the Aug. 10, 1780 - for three months in Pitt County. Volunteered

again as a minute man in December 1782 in Pitt County. See transcription of pension application.

 

WILLIAM MARTIN

Born about 1760 in Caroline County, Virginia. Moved to NC in 1774 with father and entered service in 1777.

Served from Anson Co., NC under Captain John DeJarnette, Colonel Thomas Wade, Major Jonathan Jackson.  

Applied for pension from Montgomery Co, Alabama in 1833.  See transcription of pension application.

.

ELIAS MASSEY, Private.

Died Oct. 12, 1827 Anson County, NC. Married Elizabeth Gatewood (sister of Plura Gatewood Gordon). Had 15 children.

See pension application. He served 5 tours of duty at 3 months each.

-January Term of Union County, NC County Court, Pleas and Quarter Sessions, p.498. "Personally
appeared in Open Court, [blank], and on Oath Stated that Elizabeth MASSEY late of the

District of Lancaster, South Carolina departed this life intestate on the 11th day of October, 1864

leaving but one child a daughter named Sarah FARMER. That intestate was a revolutionary pensioner

and widow of Elias MASSEY deceased a private in the army of the revolution, and that she was

at the time of her death, and had been for eight years prior thereto a resident of the District & State

aforesaid with which the Court being fully Satisfied it is therefore considered by the Court that the Same

be entered upon the minutes of this Court to the end that letters of administration may issue when applied for."

.

HUGH McCAIN, Sr.

Obituary ~ March 26, 1832, Western Carolinian (Salisbury, Rowan Co, NC)

-Died: Hugh M’AIN, Sr. a soldier of the Revolution, aged 71, February 6, 1832, in Mecklenburg county.

-Son Hugh B. McCain applied for his father’s pension from Union County, NC in 1853. See pension application.

 

JOHN MCCAIN

Tombstone says: “Died 3/6/1835, Age 82 years. A soldier in Revolutionary War.” Buried at Tirzah Presbyterian Church,

near Waxhaw, Jackson Township, Union County, NC.

Source: Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney.

 

WILLIAM MCCAIN

Tombstone says: “Died 4/6/1823. Age 68 yrs. A soldier in Revolutionary War.” Buried at Tirzah Presbyterian

Church, near Waxhaw, Jackson Township, Union County, NC.

Source: Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney.

 

GEORGE McWHORTER

Born Feb. 8, 1762-died Feb. 4, 1841. Tombstone says: Kershaws SC Regt, Rev. War.  Buried at Craig Family Cemetery,

Jackson Township, Union County, NC. Source: Cemetery listing in Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin XLII.3,

Winter 2005-2006.  See transcription of pension application which gives more details.

 

Henry Tyler Medlin

Entered service as a private on  June 30 1781 at Granville Court House. He marched with his company to Charlotte,

North Carolina where he died of a disease in late July 1781.

Source: Ann Medlin Price.

 

MICHAEL NASH

Wednesday, October 27, 1841, Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)

-Died: In Anson county on the 20th, aged 84, Mr. Michael NASH, a revolutionary soldier….

See transcription of pension application which gives more details.

.

WILLIAM NESBIT

Obituary ~ March 26, 1831, N.C. SPECTATOR AND WESTERN ADVERTISER (Rutherfordton, Rutherford

County, N.C.)

-Died: At his residence in Lancaster District, S.C. on the 2d Feb. Col. William NESBIT, in the 76th year of

his age.  He has left e very extensive circle of relations and friends to mourn their irreparable loss.  He evinced

his firm attachment to the cause of Liberty, by his brave and patriotic conduct during the Revolutionary War,

in which he filled the office of Captain, with honor to himself and usefulness to his country, throughout the contest

for freedom.  He had, for many years previous to his death, been a Ruling Elder in the Associate Reformed

Church of Waxhaws; and his life, as a christian and neighbor, was ever well worthy of imitation.

 

CHARLES POLK

Captain. July 29, 1732-Mar 10, 1821. Tombstone inscription: CAPT NC MILITIA REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Was originally buried at home place in Goose Creek Township near Cabarrus Co. line, but marker was later found in the road and moved to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sandy Ridge Township, Union County, NC. Son George W. Polk applied for his father’s pension from Mecklenburg Co., NC in 1854. See pension application.

 

THOMAS POLK

Feb 28, 1757- May 3, 1842. Memorial marker placed near gravesite in 1950 states that he was a Colonel in the

4th NC Regiment, but this is more than likely in error since his uncle Thomas Polk from Mecklenburg Co. was

Colonel of that regiment and someone confused the two men of the same name. Thomas Polk of

Polk Mountain, New Salem Township, Union County, NC was more than likely a private although he was

affectionately called “Colonel” later in life out of respect. See photos of marker at Old Polk Cemetery in Union Co.

 

WILLIAM PYRON

Born 1756 in Virginia (either Henrico or Hanover County). Entered service from Orange County, NC. Moved to Mecklenburg County, NC in 1792. Died June 27, 1850 Union County, NC.  Buried at Pyron Cemetery, located about 8 miles north of Monroe near Benton's Cross Roads Baptist church, Union County, NC. Turn west at crossroads go about 1/2 mi turn left. Family cemetery located on Leander Benton farm. William Pyron Revolutionary Soldier, Government Marker. Source: Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney. See pension application.

 

EDWARD RICHARDSON

Private in Smallwood’s Brigade, NC Troops. Died 1821. Buried at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery, Union Co, NC. Tombstone photo.

.

JAMES ROSS

He was born in Martin County, NC June 8, 1761. Entered service of the United States in February 1781 in the County
of Martin. Continued to live in Martin County for many years after the Revolutionary War and removed to
Anson County. For pension Application of James Ross and his widow Lydia, see Carolinas Genealogical Society
Bulletin
40.4, XL.4, SPRING 2003-2004. 
Buried at Ennis Staton Cemetery, located 3 miles N.E. of Fairfield
Baptist Church on a hill. D.A.R. marker states the following: “James Ross, Corporal, 1 N.C. Drag. Rev. War and his
wife Elizabeth Coburn.” (per Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney.)

See transcription of pension application which gives more details.

 

WALTER ROSS

Born 1761 Caroline Co., Virginia and died 10-25-1848 Autauga Co., Alabama. At enlistment, he resided in Anson Co., NC. Moved later to Autauga Co., AL where he resided when he received a pension. Widow resided in that county in Dec. 1855. More information can be found here. See pension application.

 

PHILLIP RUSHING

Born about 1756. Lived in Anson County, NC in 1777 when he enlisted. Died after 1838 in Perry County, Tennessee. Brother of RICHARD RUSHING (below) and WILLIAM RUSHING (who died during the war). More information can be found in his pension record.

 

RICHARD RUSHING

Born in 1749 on the Roanoke in Virginia. Lived in Anson County, NC when called into service. Moved to Perry County, Tennessee about 1819. He stated in his pension record that his brother WILLIAM RUSHING was wounded at Drowning Creek and died soon after of the wounds. Brother of PHILLIP RUSHING (above). More information can be found in his pension record.

 

Maj. JOHN SECREST 

Friday, May 9, 1890, The Charlotte Democrat, (Mecklenburg County, NC)

-Rev. J.D.A. SECREST, of Monroe township [Union County], is the possessor of a relic of the Revolutionary

war; which he values very highly. It is a musket, which was captured at the Battle of King’s Mountain by Maj.

John SECREST, who was a brother of Mr. SECREST’S grandfather, and it has been in the SECREST family

ever since. When Mr. SECREST’S father, a few years ago, gave him the gun, he cautioned him particularly never

to let it go out of the family, and when Mr. SECREST started to bring it to town with him a few days ago, his son

was earnest in his request that it should not be sold. The gun is a flint and steel musket-and it never misses fire.

It is Mr. SECREST’S companion on his hunting expeditions, and he assured us that he has brought down many

a fine “gobbler” with it. It is 6 feet 7 inches long including the bayonet, and weighs 13 pounds. On the upper end

of the lock are the letters and figures E D G E -1760. On the right hand side of the lock is an engraving of a crown

and underneath it the letters G R I P.  On the left of the lock are the figures 8-30. The gun is well preserved and in

the hands of a “good shot” is just as capable of doing deadly execution as in the day when it was used to shoot

down THE PATRIOT soldiers of the Revolution. -MONROE ENQUIRER.

See transcription of pension application which gives more details.

 

GEORGE SHANKLE

Wednesday, October 27, 1841, Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)

-Died: On the 26th, in Stanly county, Rev. George SHANKLE, aged about 90, a revolutionary soldier….

 

WILLIAM SIMPSON

Born 1752 in Ireland and came to America in 1772. He served in the Revolutionary War as a soldier of the

Continental Line in the Battle of Camden 1780 and until 1783. Died in 1821 in what is now Union County, NC.

See cemetery photos here.

 

MATTHEW STEWART

Died 1808. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. He lived in Mecklenburg County near Philadelphia church, and was one of the founders of this church. Source: August 21, 1923 issue of The Monroe Journal.

 

ANDREW WALKER

-Born Dec. 5, 1756 in County Antrim, Ireland and moved to Charleston, SC when he was 11 where he lived for

5 years before moving to NC.  While living in Mecklenburg Co, NC he enlisted and served various times from

1775-1780, as private with the NC troops under Capt. William Hagen, Robert Davies, McNight, and Colonels

Ezekiel Polk, Thomas Polk, Robert Irwin and Adam Alexander and was at the Battle of Walkup’s Mills. He

enlisted in 1781 and served 2 months as quartermaster under Gen. Davidson and was commissioned Capt. In

May 1781 and served 1 year in Col. Robert Irwin’s NC Regt. He was allowed pension on his application executed

Nov. 8, 1832 while a resident of Mecklenburg Co, NC and died Sept 20, 1846 leaving a son John walker who

was age 74 in 1855 and a resident of Union Co, NCSource: Abstracts of Pensions of North Carolina Soldiers of

the Revolution, War of 1812 & Indian Wars, compiled by Annie Walker Burns.

-Captain in Irwins N.C. Regt. Rev. War. Buried at Walker Family Cemetery, located about 2 miles South of

Mineral Springs, Jackson Township, Union County, NC, on old Andrew Walker home place. Source: Union County

Cemeteries by Clara Laney.

See pension record.
Also see pension record of William Lemmond.

 

JOHN WENTZ

1751-1827. Buried at Ritch Cemetery, Union County, NC.  Revolutionary War Memorial Marker dedicated June 26, 1994 by Simon Wentz III.

 

JOSEPH WILLIAMS

Served in Mebane’s Company, 1st N.C. Regiment, Revolutionary War.  Died July 1825. Buried at

Williams-Griffin Cemetery, Union County, NC, about 5 miles east of Monroe on the old Monroe and 
Ansonville Road. See tombstone photo here.

 

PHILIP WOLFE

Tombstone says: “Born in Germany. Settled here 1765 on grant from King Geo. III. Revolutionary Soldier.

Wounded at Battle of Kings Mountain. Died May 23, 1817- age 77.” Buried at Philip Wolfe Family Cemetery.

Located about 1 mile South of Mineral Springs, Union County, NC.

Source: Union County Cemeteries by Clara Laney.

 

 

List of Union County Revolutionary Soldiers as taken from Monument on Courthouse Grounds, Monroe, N.C.

(See photo of marker)

Samuel Adams 

Thomas Ashcraft 

Stephen Bellew 

Brittan Belk 

William Blair 

Reuben Boswell 

James Bradley 

William Brewer 

Jeremiah Clontz 

Capt. John Cuthbertson 

Hugh Forbis 

Capt. John Foster 

Samuel Givens 

Richard Griffin 

Thomas Griffin 

Henry Harris 

George Helms 

William Houston 

Capt. James Huey 

John Lemmond 

William Lemmond 

Hugh McCain, Sr. 

Hugh McCain, Jr. 

James McCain 

John McCain 

William McCain 

Aaron McWhorter 

George McWhorter 

Maj. John McWhorter 

Moses McWhorter 

John Moore 

Abraham Moses 

Joseph Osborne 

Capt. Charles Polk 

John Pyron 

William Pyron 

Edward Richardson 

George Richardson 

Ned Richardson 

Valentine Richardson 

James Ross 

John Secrest 

William Simpson 

Emanuel Stevens 

Capt. Andrew Walker 

Capt. John Walker 

John Wentz 

Rev. Joseph Williams 
Philip Wolfe 

 

Other supposed patriots of Union County, N.C., although I have not researched them to find out more

information.

JOHN BELK

DARLING BELK

JAMES BELK

HENRY McNEELY

JOHN McNEELY

CAPT. JAMES POLK

JOHN THOMPSON

CAPT. JAMES WAUHUB [WALKUP]

 

 

 

 


 

I’ll be happy to add your REVOLUTIONARY WAR ancestors name here,
if he had connections to this area!

MORE Revolutionary War History

More County History!

 Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements

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This page originally created October 22, 2000 - Last updated April 26, 2016

by Julie Hampton