Rose Dove Dalton and Albert Lee Dalton Homeplace

Rose Dove Dalton and Albert Lee Dalton Homeplace
This house and property belonged to John Ward, Jr At his death he willed the property to his nephew William Ward

Friday, January 28, 2011

January 28, 2011 Robert Adams 1754-1790

Seal of Bedford County, VirginiaImage via Wikipedia


Some References to Robert Adams which I have found during my research:

Calendar of Virginia State Papers Volume VII page 147  May 19, 1794  John Clark to the Governor
Quary:  whether or not is the act of 1787, Intitled "an act for the more speedy recovery of the debts due the Commonwealth," appointing the mode for the Sheriffs selling of lands, in force and to be attended to, as well as the one appointing the agents.
About the 7th of April I received by Mr. Richardson the following papers, to-wit:  A sup'a vs. the Clerk of Campbell, for a Default in his officer; Two Ex'ons vs. Wm. Ward, Ex'or of Rob. Adams Sh'ff Campbell, for the Revenue of 1786 and 1787.

*If you will notice Robert Adams died in 1790 and they have William Ward as his executor.  They apparently had to sell some of his property due to debts due to the Commonwealth.

Henings Volume XI  page 250  May 7, 1783
I.  Whereas extending the navigation of the river Roanoke from the falls, upwards to the fork of Staunton and Dan Rivers, and up the said rivers Staunton and Dan to the head thereof, will be of great benefit and advantage, as well to the inhabitants of the interior part of this state as to the public in general, and it is represented to this present general assembly that many persons are willing and desirous to subscribe and contribute thereto, for the encouragement thereof: For such laudable and useful undertaking,
II. Be it enacted by the present General Assembly, That Patrick Henry, Paul Carrington, Joel Watkins, Isaac Coles, Samuel Goode, Robert Wooding, James Callaway, Charles Lynch, Henry Walker, Robert Adams, John Wilson, Peter Perkins, William Harrison, John Marr and Edward Moseley, gentlemen, be, and they are hereby nominated, constituted, and appointed, trustees, for clearing so much of the said rives as shall be within this state; and they are hereby respectively authorized and empowered to take and receive subscriptions for that purpose; and if any person or persons shall neglect, fail, or refuse to pay the several sums of money respectively subscribed, for the purpose of this act, it shall and may be lawful for the said trustees respectively, or undertaker, to sue for and recover the same, in the name of the trustees, or undertaker for clearing the rivers, whereof they are by this act respectively appointed trustees; by petition where the subscription shall not exceed five pounds, and where the same shall be above that sum, by action of debt.
(Note III, IV, V, VI  describes their duties and replacement in case of death, etc.)

I have been reading articles and books which tell the story of 1780. I have taken the below narrative from the following articles.
The Many Faces of Judge Lynch: Extralegal Violence and Punishment in America by Christopher Waldrep
Current Opinion Volume 31 page 768
The Green Bag -The Origin and History of Lynch Law by Howell Colston Featherston of the Lynchburg Virginia Bar
March 1900 Volume XII No. 3  page 155 and 156
Dr. T. W. Page's The Real Judge Lynch Atlantic Monthly Volume 88 page 731-743

  On May 12, 1780, General Lincoln surrendered the town of Charles Town  (now Charleston) to Lord Cornwallis and on May 29, American Soldiers under Colonel Buford were massacred at Waxhaw, NC.  The Virginians are besieged by Indians, British, Tories, Thieves and the circumstances are grim.

At that time the whole of the mountainous section of Virginia was infested with Tories and desperadoes of the worst character, who burned and plundered the unprotected homes and property of the Continentals without mercy.  Horse-stealing, too, owing to the fine prices paid by both armies for this class of property, had gained a marvelous popularity, and the unsettled condition of the time gave the thieves practical immunity from punishment.  They were frequently caught red-handed in the act, but there was at that time but one court in the State for the final trial of felonies.  The county courts were merely examining courts in all such cases.  The trial court sat at Williamsburg, some two hundred miles from Campbell County, and the war rendered the transmission of prisoners thither, and the attendance of the necessary witnesses to convict them, next to impossible.  The officers in charge of the prisoners would often be attacked by outlaws and forced to release their men, or be captured by British Troops and themselves made prisoners of war.  The eficfacious operation of the civil laws was thus rendered out of question.
In 1780 the British determined to shift the war to the South and to roll up the American line from Georgia to the River Dan, and then to co-operate with General Philips and Benedict Arnold who were sent to Norfolk, in subjugating Virginia.
Now the Bedford Tories believed that the time had come when they might do something for their cause.  They therefore entered into a conspiracy to upset the county organization and to seize for the use of Cornwallis on his arrival the stores that Lynch had collected for Green's army in North Carolina.  Tradition says that Colonel Lynch was made aware of the conspirator's plans by one of their own number. Colonel Lynch, therefore, in conjunction with his neighbors, Capt. William Preston, Capt. Robert Adams, jr., Lynch's brother in law and also his nephew, and Col James Calloway, decided to take steps to frustrate the objects of the conspirators, and, in fact, to punish lawlessness of every kind, and restore, as far as posible, quiet to their harrassed community.  No one knew better than they the risks they were assuming, yet they made no attempt at secrecy.  They organized a company for the purpose of effectiving their objects, and, whenever practicable, called in to their aid such military volunteers as were accessible.
Under his direction, suspected persons were arrested and brought to his house, where they were tried by a court composed of himself, and associate judges Preston, Adams and Calloway.   The accused was brought face to face with his accusers, heard the testimony against him, and was allowed to defend himself, to call witnesses in his behalf, and to show mitigating or extenuating circumstances.  If acquitted, he was allowed to go, "often with apologies and reparation."  If convicted, he was sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, and if he did not then shout  "Liberty Forever" to be hanged up by the thumbs until he gave vociferous utterance to that patriotic sentiment.  The death penalty was never imposed.  When the accused was found guilty, he was tied to a large walnut tree standing in Mr. Lynch's yard, and the stripes inflicted without delay.  It is said that they were laid on with such vigor that as a rule even the stoutest hearted Tory willingly, and even eagerly, yelled for "Liberty".  He had all the conspirators arrested and found among them some of the leading men of the county; two of them, indeed, Robert Cowan and Thomas Watts, had formerly been his fellow justices on the bench of the county court. This was a very serious situation.  Lynch was himself on the point of setting out with his regiment to oppose the British.   To leave these domestic foes at large was to invite disaster; to be hampered with them as prisoners on the rapid march he was forced to make was out of the question.
What was to be done with them?  It appears that both custom and sentiment were violently opposed to visiting capital punishment upon the detected Tory conspirators.  But fines and warning would evidently be indequate for they had already be imposed to little purpose for numerous minor offenses in aiding the enemy.  So he leveled a fine of 20,000 pounds and a year's imprisonment on some of the Tories.
So this may seem like what he had to do, it was not within the confines of the law, hence, the indemificaton noted in the Hemings Statutes that I reported this week on January 24th protecting Colonel Lynch, Robert Adams and James Calloway.





North Carolina, 1780-81: Being A History Of The Invasion Of The Carolinas By The British Army Under Lord Cornwallis In 1780-81 (1889)
Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia 
(Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture)
Revolution in Virginia, with a new Foreword
Give Me Liberty - The Struggle for Self-Government in Virginia
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

January 27, 2011 Grave Matters

Welcome to another addition of Grave Matters.  Today I was going to post the Pioneer Cemetery at Hohenwald, TN and I will publish a few.  But I have been looking at the internet and there are quite a few sites posted for that graveyard.  It is the death and burial site for Meriwether Lewis.  He was said to have committed suicide at this location, but more information has come to light recently that he was murdered.

The site is on the Nachez Trace which is a wonderful drive.   That is a picture of my dog Bonnie and my husband in the background.   We are at the entrance to the Nachez Trace right outside of Nashville. Milemarker 444.

You will find the Meriwether Lewis site at mile marker 385.9.  This is also the site of a pioneer graveyard.  According to what I have been reading these are not the original markers, but rather new ones that replaced the small markers.  They put the flat ones down because it was easier to mow.  Oh, my.
 George Grove
 Lucy Mathis
 Delia Himes
 Infant of jim Himes
 Virgil Himes
 M.L.Hale
C.V. Hale, Jr.

This isn't all of the grave markers.  I have only shown a few.  If you need to see more, please comment and I will be glad to post.
Also there is a website that provides information about the people buried here.  It is http://www.tngennet.org/lewis/pioneer_cemetery.htm.
There is also a book called Cemeteries of Lewis County, TN that has pictures and obituaries of some of the people buried here.

The next markers I found in Shelby County, Ky. near Peewee Valley right across from the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women.

Memory of Harrison Wood 5 yrs a U.S. soldier in the War of 1812.Born March 18, 1782
died November 8, 1852
aged 69 years 8 months 10 days

 James G. Shanks who was born July 24, 1790 and departed this life November 8, 1845  age 55 yrs. 5 months 14 days.


Isaac Hawes Born October 27, 1768 Died April 6, 1832

 Ann Hawes Born March 8, 1773
Died July 15, 1853
erected by her grandson David Enochs

This is the last addition for Grave Matters for the month of January, 2011.  See you in February.  Hope this has helped in your genealogical search.

Lewis County, Tn
Lewis County cemeteries
The Death of Meriwether Lewis: A Historic Crime Scene Investigation
In Search of History: Meriwether Lewis - Murder or Suicide? [VHS]
The Suppressed History of America: The Murder of Meriwether Lewis and the Mysterious Discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Suicide or Murder? : The Strange Death of Governor Meriwether Lewis
Soldiers of the War of 1812 (Americans at War-the War of 1812)

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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

January 26, 2011 Robert Adams 1754-1790

Bedford County CourthouseImage by jimmywayne via Flickr


Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War  J. T. McAllister

page 153  William King -  Enlisted in Bedford, 1778, for two months as guard at the lead mines in Wythe under Capt. Robert Adams, Lt. M. Reynolds and Col. Charles Lynch.

page 185
Bedford County
Adams, Robert  Captain Recommended by County Court  Nominated  February 24, 1778
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In my constant search for information I provided the reader with a website on January 25, 2011. In it is many pension applications for militia and soldiers in the Revolutionary War.  I am trying to search through them to ascertain information on who served at the lead mines and what actions were taken.  It is rather slow going.  Anyway, today I found some information on the Battle of Shallow Ford in North Carolina between Tories and Whigs which occurred right after the Battle of Kings Mountain.  You might enjoy reading this article.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/spring97/shallowford.html

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I was reading the History of Southwest Virginia by Lewis Preston Summers on page 69 he explains the ownership of the lead mines at Fort Chiswell.
In the year 1756 the New River Lead Mines were discovered by Col. John Chiswell, at which time operations were begun.
Col. Chiswell had been engaged in mining operations near Fredericksburg, Virginia for some time previous to this time, and was an intimate friend of Col. Wm. Byrd.
About this time the lead mines were discovered, and four hundred acres of land, including the mines, were surveyed on October 1, 1781, and a patent was issued to Chas. Lynch, trustee for the lead mine company, by Beverly Randolph, governor of Virginia, on the 7th day of May 1791, in consideration of 3 pounds, 10 sterling paid by Chas. Lynch, and of pre-emption Treasury warrants Nos. 2393 and 2356.  As far as I can ascertain this property was owned originally by Col. Wm. Byrd, Col. John Chiswell and John Robinson, afterwards Treasurer of Virginia.  Col John Chiswell, some time previous to 1775, killed a man in Cumberland county, Virginia, and while awaiting trial he committed suicide.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Legislature of Virginia directed the Committee of Safety for Fincastle county to lease these mines, at a reasonable rent, and if they could not lease them, to impress them for the use of the State.  The committee, acting according to their authority, took possession of the lead mines, whether by lease or by impressment I cannot say, and the State of Virginia, through her agents, Chas. Lynch and Capt. Calloway, operated these mines during the Revolutionary War, and paid rent therefor to the representative of John Robinson and Wm. Byrd.

So we can see by the information we found that Captain Calloway and Charles Lynch were agents for the Commonwealth of Virginia to operate the mines during the War.

This is a great book to read.  There is so much information provided and resources.  You can find it on the Library of Congress Internet Archives.  If you remember, I found a story told by an patriot about Campbell hanging a tory on a Sycamore Tree after he chased him down.  I found out the name of the Tory Francis Hopkins in this novel.  This is a great book for genealogist that are looking for information on relatives in that area.  He gives names and places.  Some of the stories about Indian raids and Wars are gripping.  During the Revolutionary War, Patriots had their hands full of fighting off attacks from Indians and Tories.  Some Continental Army soldiers had to leave their service in the army to come back and stop the threat at home.
If you have the time, this is an informative and enthralling book.

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The Many Faces of Judge Lynch  by Christopher Waldrep
page 15 and 16
Bedford County narratives normally present Charles Lynch as a leading citizen and stalwart patriot, who responded to a Tory plot to seize Virginia's lead mines in the summer of 1780.  Since the mines provided the bullets necessary to save Virginia from the British, the emergency preempted defendant's rights.  When the Tories mounted their insurgency, moreover, the General Court in Williamsburg had practiacally ceased to exist because of  the war.  According to another version of the story, the court did function, but the Tories defeated their prosecutions by providing false alibi witnesses.
Parts of the legend are correct.  Charles Lynch really was a member of the Bedford County, elite, a colonel in the militia, a magistrate, and a legislator.  Lynch and other Virginia militia officers brutally put down sporadic outbreaks of Troy sentiment in Virginia's southwestern counties, Colonel William Campbell of Washington County, hearing that Tories conspired to seize the lead mines in Montgomery County and murder county leaders, marched his soldiers to the rescue.  His laconic report after a hunt for disaffected Virginians survives today:  "Shot one, Hanged one, and whipt serveral."
In June of 1780 word circulated among Virginia militia officers that Tories had organized around New River and had already committed murders and various other outrages.  In August new reports of murders and horse thefts perpetuated by Tories spread through Virginia.  In response to news of this "horrid conspiracy,"
Colonel Lynch marched his soldiers from Bedford County into Montgomery County to protect the lead mines.
According to the most detailed account of Lynch's work, he and his fellow justices of the peace tried accused Tory conspirators, carefully following proper due process, even as they violated the letter of the law denying them jurisdiction over felonies.  According to legend, convicted defendants received thirty-nine lashes administered at the base of a tree in Lynch's yard.  As he began arresting alleged traitors, Lynch received a letter from Preston expressing the worry that Lynch did not give his prisoners proper trials.  Lynch wrote back, "What sort of tryals you have been inform'd I have given them I know not, but I can assure you I only Examine them strictly and such as I believe not Very Criminal I set at Liberty."  The others, Lynch assured Preston, received "a proper tryal."

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According to the Adams Family Genealogy written by Thomas Tunstall Adams  page 23

An old song relating to the deeds of Lynch, Adams and Callaway is still remembered and repeated in party by some of the old people in Campbell County, the refrain was:
Hurray for Colonel Lynch, Captain Bob, and Callaway,
They never turned a Tory loose until he shouted,
Liberty!

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Robert Adams was closely involved with his family.  We know that he was nominated as a Captain in the Bedford Militia, that he helped guard the mines at Fort Chiswell which his Uncle  Charles Lynch managed, that he was closely involved with any Tory suppression in the years from 1778 to 1781. He was appointed as a representative for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1781 for Campbell County.  Whether he was with his Uncle Charles at Guilford Courthouse, I have yet to determine.
Breaking The Backcountry: Seven Years War In Virginia And Pennsylvania 1754-1765
The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts: -1915The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts: -1915



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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

January 25, 2011 Robert Adams 1754-1790

The Virginia highlands in Southwest VirginiaImage via Wikipedia

First I would like to write about little co-incidences in life. Last summer my husband and I started touring Nashville to see the sights. One of the first places we toured was Carnton Plantation.  It's a beautiful place and so full of history.  We enjoyed the tour so much that we have been back over three times and participated in the illumination ceremony in November.  As you know, I have been researching Ft. Chiswell and the Lead Mines.  As we have discovered, Robert Adams my ggggg grandfather was a Captain in charge of guarding the Lead Mines which is a few miles from Ft. Chiswell and  at the time of the Revolution under James McGavock.  He also owned the land.  I don't know whether he owned the Fort as I have not researched the ownership of the Fort.  If you read my excerpt from the Preston Papers, you will see where McGavock was mentioned.  Now because of this close relationship I believe that That Robert Adams and James McGavock knew each other and may have been passing friends.  Who knows what adventures they may have shared.  Maybe that is the romantic in me dreaming.  Anyway, as it happens, James McGavock's sons Randall and David migrated to Nashville and became prominent citizens.  In 1824/25 Randall moved to Williamson County, Tn and built the plantation Carnton.  After his death his son John inherited Carnton.  That was very thrilling for me to discover that relationship.  This is one of the many benefits of genealogy that connection with your forebears.

Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
Volume V
page 217
Virginia House of Delegates in 1781
Representing Campbell County-  Robert Adams jr and William Browne

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Annals of Southwest Virginia  1769-1800
By Lewis Preston Summers
Part 2 page 1379
names Robert Adams as a lst lieutenant.  Is this is our Robert Adams?  If anyone has more information, please let me know.

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I found a site that everyone may find very useful.
http://southerncampaign.org/pen/#a

That is all for today.  Will have more tomorrow.
The McGavocks of Carnton Plantation: A Southern History
Southwest Virginia Crossroads: An Almanac of Place Names and Places to See
Glen Neaves and the Virginia Mountain Boys: Country Bluegrass from Southwest Virginia
The Conquest of the Old Southwest: The Romantic Story of the Early Pioneers into Virginia, The Carolinas, Tennessee, & Kentucky
Old-Time Music From Southwest Virginia
History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870



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Monday, January 24, 2011

January 24, 2010 Robert Adams 1754-1790

Seal of Wythe County, VirginiaImage via Wikipedia


Historical Collections of Virginia  By Henry Howe
page 212
Lynch Law - Col. Charles Lynch, a brother of the founder of Lynchburg, was an officer of the American Revolution.  His residence was on the Staunton, in the southwest part of Campbell County, now the seat of his grandson, Chas. Henry Lynch, Esq.  At that time, this country was very thinly settled, and infested by a lawless band of Tories and desperadoes.  The necessity of the case involved desperate measures, and Col. Lynch, then a leading Whig, apprehended and had them punished, without any superfluous legal ceremony.  Hence the origin of the term "Lynch law".

I included this excerpt because I am attempting to describe the temperament of the area at the time of Robert Adams.  As you remember Charles Lynch is Robert Adams' uncle.

See below
Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume 26  page 371
Walter Crockett to William Preston
McGavocks April 7, 1779
Dear Sir,
We are alarmed with Tories (6) two men on oath have informed that their plan is ripe for Execution they are immediately to proceed in Parties to Disarm the Friends of the Country, some they are to kill and Destroy, and proceed to Destroy the Lead Mines they inform us of the names of near twenty, some of which are to be Commanders in Executing this Diabolical Plot, one on Oath says that a certain Duncan Ogullian said he would scalp Preston and McGavock before he joined the Indians and with them proceed to kill and Destroy all before them, they promised their followers 20s. 6d. Sterling p day and 450 acres of Land clear of Quit Rents for twenty one years.  Now Sir, on this alarming news, I have with advice ordered about fifty men to assist the Sheriff in bringing those villians to Justice in hopes it may stop them.  I thought it my duty to inform you immediately of this, have therefore sent express in the meantime shall do everything in my power, you will please to give your advice and instructions.
I am Sir, with great respect
Your most Obedient
Walter Crockett
footnote on page 372
Early in the summer of  1779 the Tories living near the head of the Yadkin River, North Carolina, and on New River and Walkers Creek, Montgomery County, Virginia, began to form into a body with the intention of destroying the lead mines on New River (now in Wythe county), robbing loyal citizens and afterwards joining Cornwallis.  Colonel Preston and the other officers of Montgomery made every effort to quiet the disaffected and protect the citizens; but had to call on the authorities of Washington County for aid. Col. William Campbell with 150 mounted militia from that county came to the rescue and dividing into small parties, together with the loyal militia of Montgomery, after several weeks active pursuit dispersed or captured the insurgents.  Col. Walter Crockett, Capt. Charles Lynch, Capt Robert Sayers and Capt. Isaac Campbell were equally active and successful.  After the suppression of the outbreak in Virginia Isaac Campbell and Sayers assisted with their companies in suppressing a Tory revolt in Surrey and Wilkes counties, N.C.  A little valley called Black Lick, in the present Wythe County, was a shelter from which Tories made raids.  They were captured by William Campbell's men and a number were hung on two oaks, long afterwards known as the "Tory Trees".  The necessary, but rough handling of the Tories compelled the legislature in October, 1779 to pass a law justifying the acts of Campbell, Crockett and others and indemnifying them for any illegal actions.

I found the above Statute at Hemings in Volume X  Chapter XXXIV page 195.  Now this is not the indemnification of Robert Adams Statutes.  His indemnification was in Volume XI.  However, it is my belief that he was probably involved.

I also found Southern campaign American Revolution pension Statement for John Pribble:S5951
Paraphrased
John Pribble filed for pension on August 14, 1832
He cannot recollect the year that he was detailed by Waggon master James Talbot from Capt Robert Adams company as waggoner to the Long Island on Holstein River (Holsten River at present Kingsport Tn) and that he brought a load of lead from the Lead mines (near Fort Chiswell in Wythe County) back to (illegible word) near the Blue Ridge.
In September of 1779 I was drafted and marched to the Lead mines under the command of Robert Adams, Lieutenant Thomas McReynolds and I believe James McReynolds Ensign at which place I served three months, Colonel Charles Lynch commanded the greater part of the time while I was there.
Mr. John Pribble was living at the Peaks of Otter during the time of the Revolution.
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The lead mines at Fort Chiswell.

After the death Chiswell, the mines were operated for the benefit of his heirs, but at the beginning of the Revolution, the colony of Virginia took over the operation and one of the major managers of the mines was Charles Lynch.  It would be natural for Charles Lynch to convey some of that responsible to his nephew Robert Adams.

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These Tories were offering loyal citizens of the king  450 acres of land with no land tax (quit rents) for 21 years.  Now I don't know whose land that they were offering to give away, but I am assuming that all the Patriots would be loosing their land and maybe their life.  Not only that but they were telling  Loyalist that the patriots were giving land to the French for their assistance.  It was definitely a rough and tumble time.  With one third of the country apathetic, one third Tories or Loyalist to the King and the other half rebels, patriots, lovers of freedom challenged everyday with the protection of Virginia and the cause of freedom.

It 's not hard to understand the importance of the Fort Chiswell Mines. Take a look at the Wythe County Seal above and you will see the Shot Tower for the Lead Mines which still stands today.
Wythe County Virginia USGS Topographic Maps on CD
A Short Historical and Physical Description of Wythe County, Virginia
Wythe County Virginia: Bicentennial History




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Friday, January 21, 2011

January 21, 2011 Robert Adams 1754-1790

Battle of Kings Mountain MuralImage by jimmywayne via Flickr


I would like to add before I begin with Robert Adams that it is important to not just look for the names of your ancestors in reference materials, but to read as much of the book as you can.  For instance,  the other day I picked up Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches by Ruth Hairston Early.   In her book she speaks about Conrad Speece.  He was a poet and writer at the beginning of the 19th century.  On page 40 she mentions Augustine Leftwich, One of Speece's few intimates was Augustine Leftwich through whose assistance the poems were printed.  At the death of Leftwich's beautiful first wife, Speece wrote a touching poem to her memory.

This is the gravemarker I found at the Ward Cemetery at Brights, Virginia.  It says Sacred to the memory of Mildred A. Leftwich consort of Augustine Leftwich.   Could this be the beautiful lady that the poem was written about so many years ago.  I believe that it is.  Mildred was the daughter of John and Tabitha Walden Ward.  If you remember, John Ward was the son of William Ward and Mildred Adams and Mildred Adams was the sister of Robert Adams.  This would have been Robert Adams' niece.  Mildred Adams Ward Leftwich died at the very young age of 23.  I looked everywhere on the computer for this poem, but to no avail.  However, another trip to the Ward cemetery is now necessary because I believe the long inscription on the marker is the poem.  I will find out when I go again.

So how thrilling is that.  I'm just a romantic at heart, but I believe that most genealogist have to be little romantic.

The years 1750 through 1820 were rough and woolly times for Virginians.  I have been searching for more evidence of Robert Adams and the times in which he lived.  I found the book The Life and Adventures of Wilburn Waters The Famous Hunter and Trapper of White Top Mountain by Charles B. Coale.  There is no mention of Robert Adams or Charles Lynch.  But they were close associates with General Campbell and Colonel Preston.  On page 116 through 118, I found some information that you might find informative and interesting.  I will be paraphrasing some of the material.

Sometime during the Spring 1780 on a quiet Sabbath, General Campbell and his wife and several of their neighbors were returning from Sunday service at the nearby Presbyterian Church.  They were discussing the matters of the day and especially a notorious Tory.  He was known to steal horses, post notices about defying King George and threatening the life and limb of Patriots.  And just as they crested the hill they saw a rider and it was the Tory they had been discussing. General Preston immediately handed over his baby to his wife.  (He had been riding and holding the child) and took off after the Tory.  The Tory immediately wheeled around and was pursued at rapid pace by General Preston and another of Preston's company by the name of Thompson.  As they reached the branch at the base of the hill, General Preston was close to catching the Tory.  The Tory plunged into the river. General Preston leaped into the River, grasped the Tory's holsters and threw them into the stream and then dragged him from his horse into the water.
Then Mr. Thompson arrived and they held what may be termed a drum court right on the banks of the river.   The Tory was no coward and admitted to all that he had done and in less than ten minutes he was dangling by the halter from the limb of a sycamore.
Now that is what you call frontier justice.
Still from the same book page 117 and 118, there is a small article about Squire John McCulloch, who fought alongside his father at the Battle of Kings Mountain.  His father was killed at the battle right by his side.  General Francis Preston sent his only son Thomas to speak to Squire McCulloch and to write out his impression of the battle.  He wrote a written statement and handed it to Thomas.  Thomas asked him if he didn't feel frightened and his reply was,   "Well, Tom, I don't remember exactly how I felt, but if I wasn't frightened, I was mightily excited.  I kept my bullets in my mouth so as to load quick, and when the fight was over there was one left, and I had chawed it till it was as flat as a ninepence.  I don't know whether it was fear or excitement-may be, a little of both."  The Battle of King's Mountain was in October of 1780 just a few months after the above incident with the Tory.  Colonel Preston and General Campbell fought at King's Mountain with men from the Virginia Militia.
Marker on Kings Mountain Historic Park

Commemorative Statue at the top of King's Mountain

This is on the side of the Statue.  It has names of Killed and Wounded at the battle


According to Maude Clement and other historians, Charles Lynch, Adams, Calloway and militia never put a man to his death, but rather hung him by his thumbs.  Do you believe this?  I haven't found anything to the contrary.
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Robert Adams

The Statutes at Large Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia Volume XI page 134, 1782
Chapter XV
An act to indemnify certain persons in suppressing a conspiracy against this state.
I.  WHEREAS divers evil disposed persons in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, formed a conspiracy and did actually attempt to levy war against the Commonwealth; and it is represented to the present general assembly, that William Preston, Robert Adams, junior, James Calloway, and Charles Lynch, and other faithful citizens, aided by detachments of volunteers from different parts of the state did, by timely and effectual measures, suppress such conspiracy; And whereas the measures taken for that purpose may not be strictly warranted by law, although justifiable from the imminence of the danger;
II. Be it therefore enacted, That the said William Preston, Robert Adams, junior, James Calloway and Charles Lynch, and all other persons whatsoever, concerned in suppressing the said conspiracy, or in advising, issuing, or executing any orders, or measures taken for that purpose, stand indemnified and exonerated of and from all pains, penalties, prosecutions, actions, suits, and damages, on account thereof.  And that if any indictment, prosecution, action, or suit, shall be laid or brought against them, or any of them, for any act or thing done therein, the defendant, or defendants may plead in bar, or the general issue and give this act in evidence.

Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Embracing the History of Campbell County, Virginia, 1782-1926








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