HARPER, Hance, and the family from Augusta Co VA, Spartanburg Co SC and Hart Co KY

Hance Harper, Jr, was born before 1765 and died after 1820 in Hart Co KY. He can be followed fairly well in various records, but the number of his children can only be guessed from the censuses. County and church records state his wife was named Nancy, possibly later a Rhoda.[1]

            Hance was from a Harper family that first was found in Augusta Co VA in the 1750s and 1760s. These references are to an earlier generation than the man who died in Hart Co after 1820.[2]

            On the first of September, 1750, in Augusta Co VA, Matthew Harper and Hans Harper were added to the list of tithables.[3] On 28 May 1751, Michael, Matthew and Hance Harper were assigned with 16 others to clear and keep a road in repair.[4] On 20 Aug 1752, Elizabeth Harper appeared in court and complained about her husband, Hans Harper, who “turned her out of doors and refused her the common necessaries.” She asked for separate maintenance. Also named in the complaint was Michael Harper, “who is bound to the peace.”[5] At about that time, James Ladyman complained of Hance Harper and his father Michael Harper, “says Hance Harper is about to leave with his effects, 1752.”[6] In the period 1753-1754, Matthew Harper was a party to a petition opposed to “ordinary keepers” who sold rum and wine at extravagant rates.[7]

            Hance Harper must have been optimistic he could straighten out his problems, since in Mar 1753 as “Haunce” Harper, he bought 175 acres on Newfoundland Creek, “cor. To Haunce Harper, also of Matthew Harper.”[8]  That is, the new land adjoined his prior land.

            On 17 May 1754, Matthew Harper bought 223 acres from John Justice for £30. This land was on Newfoundland Creek, corner to land of Samuel Dalamounthony and to “Carrolile.”[9] And on 15 Dec 1758, Matthew Harper purchased a 220-acre tract in Augusta County, Virginia, the deed signed by Francis Fauquier, the Lt Governor of Virginia. On 20 Aug 1761, Matthew and his wife Margaret sold for £40 to John Henderson, shoemaker, 200 acres, part of Beverley Manor on Christian’s Creek.[10] This land appears to have been passed around; on 15 May 1764, a deed was entered showing £80 for 200 acres from Hugh Martin to Matthew Harper, “part of 1415 surveyed for William Henderson and conveyed to John Henderson, and from him to Matthew Harper, Matthew to John Henderson, from Henderson to Hugh Martin, on Christian’s Creek.” On the same day Matthew and Margaret Harper sold for £80 a tract of 200 acres on the “Bullpasture, or Newfoundland Creek” to Hugh Martin for the same amount of money.[11]

On 16 Aug 1756, “Hanse” Harper paid £13 to James and Sarah Trimble for 180 acres on Black Thorn, a branch of South Branch of Potomac. He took possession in Nov 1760.[12]

The name of Michael’s wife was Isabel as shown by the 27 Jan 1760 registration of a deed from Michael and Isabel Harper from 16 May 1754 when they sold 224 acres to William Shannon; this was on Newfoundland Creek and was delivered in Dec 1764.[13]

In Nov 1763, Matthew Harper filed a lawsuit, possibly still arguing over the same land.[14] On 24 Nov 1764, Michael Harper, “very aged,” was exempt from the levy.[15] In 1764, Alexander Crawford sued Matthew Harper, but died before the case was decided.[16]  On 22 Aug 1766 a case came before the Augusta Co VA court in which Michael Harper sued Robt. Duffield, but this time Harper died before the case was decided.[17] On 20 May 1767, Matthew Harper filed a bond as administrator of Michael’s estate.[18] On 1 Sep 1767, a “sale bill of Michael Harper’s estate” was filed and the estate was settled, but “for going to the South Branch, where he died, 5 days.”[19] Matthew must have kept looking for old debts due Michael, in order to settle the esatte, since on Nov 1767, Matt Harper, administrator of Michael Harper, sued Capt Wm Christian. “To his bounty as a soldier, £2, 0, 0. To his pay as a soldier, 19,0.”[20] The award was apparently credited to the cost of Michael’s funeral.[21]

            In Nov 1767, Hance Harper must have been in the county since he served as a juror.[22] A land record showing the sale of 180 acres on Blackthorn, a branch of South Branch of Potomac, for £24, was registered 18 Mar 1765 in Augusta Co VA. The grantors were Hance Harper and wife Elizabeth and the land was turned over to Wm. Martin, Aug 1768.[23] And on 17 May 1768, Hance and Elizabeth sold to Samuel Black for £100, 175 acres on Bull Pasture; corner land in possession of John Brown; corner land now in possession of Matthew Harper, now William Martin’s. This property was patented to John Brown, 3 Nov 1750, and since conveyed to grantor. Delivered to Samuel Black, 3 Aug 1772.[24]

            It was probably during those turbulent years in Virginia that Hance Harper Jr was born. He was a son of Hance and Elizabeth, as is indicated by a later South Carolina deed, and thus he was a grandson of Michael and Isabel.

            Some family tree climbers identify three sons for Michael: Hanse, Matthew and Samuel. I have also been told there was a Michael Jr. Then, improbably, they say the first three Harper men in the Barren-Hart Co KY area were a Hanse Jr, a Matthew Jr, and a Samuel Jr

            What we know is that a generation earlier in Augusta Co VA, there had been two sons and their parents. One of the sons got into trouble with the law, and the other one caused trouble for others with the law. Possibly the desire for less expensive liquor and spirits was related to this situation.

            Suzy Parker of Houston TX recently sent me records of Harpers in South Carolina. She is searching for Jameson families in the same areas where our Harpers lived. These records have filled in the Harper family between the time they left Augusta Co VA and when they arrived in Kentucky. In effect, there do seem to be Hance Jr and Sr and Matthew Jr and Sr, plus a Robert a Samuel, and a John.

            There are twenty-seven Harpers listed in Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by Bobby Gilmer Moss, although several entries appear to be for the same men. By comparing their service we see that Hance Harper was a horseman in the militia from 7 Jun 1780 to 1 Jul 1781 under various officers, including Capt. Major Parson, Col. John Thomas Jr and Col. Benjamin Roebuck.[25] Also serving under the same officers were Matthew Harper (before and after the fall of Charleston, that is, May 1780), Robert Harper (from 7 Jun 1780 through 13 Nov 1781), and Samuel Harper (from 12 Aug 1780 to 1 Feb 1782).[26] The Daughters of the American Revolution have approved the lineages of descendants of Robert and Matthew,[27] but the families listed by the DAR for these men do not appear to be related to our Hance and Matthew, Samuel and Robert, unless of course, our men have a different origin than we have supposed.[28]

            In Jan 1786, Hance Harper Jr was living in York Co SC. “Ordered that a didmas [sic] potestatum[29] issued to South Carolina on behalf of Abel Lewis to take John Boid, William Boid Jr, Hance Harper Jr, all living on Fishing Creek in York Co SC. Minutes Court and Quarter Session p 314, Jan 1786, Rutherford Co NC.”[30]

            On 2 Mar 1782, Matthew Harper Jr of Ninety Six District, SC, purchased land in Rutherford Co NC that was part of a 1766 grant.[31] On 28 Jan 1794, Hance Harper—no indication whether this is the junior or senior or even a third Hance—entered 50 acres in Rutherford Co NC, bordering land owned by Matthew Harper.[32] On 7 Mar 1794, Matthew Harper of Spartanburg Co SC sold 90 acres of a 1786 grant on Holston Creek of the Pacolet River to James Fowler. John Harper was a witness, whose oath was taken 22 Aug 1799.[33]

            On 30 Mar 1793 Matthew Harper of Spartanburg Co SC sold to William Reeves 200 acres, part of a 1775 grant to Matthew Harper Sr.[34] When William Reeves in turn sold the land on 19 Aug 1795 to James Smith, Matthew Harper Sr was again named as the grantee from 1775.[35] On 22 Dec 1794 Matthew Harper of Spartanburg Co SC purchased 100 acres from Alexander Keenum.[36]

            In Feb 1795, Hance Harper Sr sold 100 acres to Hance Harper Jr for “a Spanish milled dollar.” This is stated to be part of a tract sold by John Kerconnel to Hance Harper.[37] On 29 Jul 1795, Matthew Harper of Spartanburg Co SC sold 70 acres to James Boyd. Hance Harper Jr and Nancy Harper were witnesses.[38]

            On 28 Mar 1795, Robert Harper of Spartanburg Co SC sold 100 acres of land that bordered Matthew Harper. Witnesses included Mary Harper and Nancy Harper. Since Phebe’s oath was taken on 24 Mar 1801, it appears she was Robert’s wife.[39]

            On 13 Nov 1797 Hance Harper Jr and Nancy Harper were witnesses when David Hix of Spartanburg County sold land to William Brannon. Hance’s oath was taken 8 Feb 1803. Is it possible Nancy’s maiden name was Hix, and aher inheritance is why she witnessed the sale?

            Sometime between 1784 and 1799, Hance Harper sued William Fields for slander. “By consent of the parties and assent of the Court this suit is dismissed at Equal Costs.”[40] A few years later, a Dedimus was issued for Matthew Harper to be examined in Rutherford Co NC as a witness in a case in Spartanburg Co SC.[41] About this time Matthew Harper sued Stephen Fuller for slander[42] and James Saterfield for debt.[43]

            Hance Harper Jr was called as a Petit Juror for the court session help 12 Jun 1791 in Spartanburg Co SC,[44] but when the court met he was excused.[45] On 12 Jan 1795, Matthew Harper was called as a Grand Juror for the next court session.[46] And on 12 Jan 1796, again possibly the next year, and again on 17 Jul 1797, Hance Harper was called as a Petit Juror for the next court session.[47] Hance served as a juror in two trials, the State against Daniel Evans and the State against Richard Lee.[48]

            There is one reference to Samuel Harper serving as a petit juror in 1793[49] and many references to Robert Harper in this book, but I do not yet have copies of those pages. In another compilation there is a record of a 18 Sep 1789 sale by David Clarke of Pendleton Co SC to Samuel Harper of Spartanburg Co of 270 acres; Hance Harper was one of the witnesses.[50] This may be the Samuel Harper in Pendleton Co SC in 1800: 21010/01010.[51] He was still there in 1810: 02101/01010.[52] There were other Harpers in Pendleton County in those years, but they do not resemble the family being discussed here. It is tempting to think this Samuel went to KY before 1820 with sons Silas, Samuel and one other, plus younger children who were with him in 1820.

            Matthew Harper, later of Hart Co KY, probably Matthew Jr, wrote in his Bible that he married his first wife, Elizabeth Pierce, 21 Apr 1794 in Spartanburg Co SC.

            On 15 Aug 1799, Matthew Harper of Sumner Co TN sold 200 acres south of the Pacolet River to Alexander Anderson; this land was a 640-acre land grant of 3 Feb 1775 to Matthew Harper Sr, which was sold by Matthew Harper 20 Feb 1776 to Matthew Harper (Jr?).[53]

            Seven days later, Hance Harper of Spartanburg Co SC sold 100 acres of land there to George Hughey on 22 Aug 1799, this tract adjacent to Hance Harper Jr, and another tract of 208 acres adjacent to Hance Harper Sr.[54] Albert Bruce Pruitt, in his abstract of this transaction, identifies Hance Harper Jr as a son of Hance Harper Sr.[55]

            The Harper families did not all arrive at the same time to the Barren Co KY area. By 1819 many were settled in the part of Barren County that became Hart County. By 1819, these Harpers were living in Kentucky: Isaac Harper, Hance Harper, Samuel Harper Sr, Samuel Harper Jr, Matthew Harper, James Harper, and Jonathan Harper.[56]

            Although no 1790 census for him has been found, by 1800 Hance was in Kentucky: “Second Census of Kentucky,” p 126: Hance Harper, Barren Co, listed 9/10/1800. By 1810 Matthew Harper had joined him.[57] Were they brothers of cousins? Were they sons of Matthew and Hance? Were both sons of Hance, or both sons of Matthew? As far as I can tell, no one living in this century knows.

            In 1810, Hance’s family was in Barren Co KY: 00211/12201/00. And Matthew Harper was on the same page: 22010/20100. And in 1820, the last year Hance was listed as head of household: Hart Co KY: 000011/ 00112. A Samuel Harper Sr and several younger men had also moved into the Harper family area. Interrelationships and intermarriages show the likelihood that all these men were brothers or cousins.

            On 17 Mar 1806 in Barren Co KY, Marston G Harper married Mariah Tunstall, and about that time Elizabeth Harper married Joseph Tunstall. No connection with our family is known.

            These Barren Co KY land surveys were done by Edmund ROGERS:

• 1810 Hance HARPER. Miles BROOKS-line. Tho WOODSON and Matthew CASPER, cc.
• 1811 Hance HARPER. A resurvey. Land originally owned by Robert BATES in 1798. Marker placed wrong. Bartlett REYNOLDS, Hance HARPER-lines. Jas AMOS & Wm HARPER, cc.
• HARPER, H -, 1815, Cert 535, Peach Tree Knob.
• HARPER, Hance, 19 Feb 1807, Cert 2427.
• Same, 14 Dec 1810, Commissioners Cert 2427.
• Same, 11 Jan 1810, Cert 652.
• Same, 27 Nov 1815, Cert 652.
• HARPER, Harris, Cert 652.
• HARPER, James, 7 Nov 1815, Land Warant 56, Woodson’s Ferry road
• HARPER, Samuel, 25 Oct 1815, Cert 276, 1/4 mile from Green River towards to Bald Knob.
• 1815 Samuel HARPER, 1/4 mile from the Green River in direction to the Bald Knob. James BROOKS-line. Chas OWEN, Wm BROOKS, chain carriers; Jas BROOKS, marker.
• 1815 Hance HARPER, on Peachtree Knob. David REYNOLDS & a WOODSON, cc.1815 Matthew BURD. Christopher MATTOX survey; Matthew REYNOLDS patent, Bartlett REYNOLDS line. Matthew HARPER, housekeeper; Matthew BIRD and Wm AMOS, cc.
• 1815. James HARPER “west side of the road from WOODSON’s Ferry on Green Road to Glasgow.” Hance HARPER, Bartlett REYNOLDS, Astor GOODMAN, WALALCE (now M OWENS)-lines; Matthew BIRD & Wm AMOS, cc.
• 1815. William AMOS. Hance HARPER, Johnston MONROE, John CLARK-lines; Hance & Matt HARPER, housekeepers; Jas HARPER & Matt BIRD, cc.
• 1815. George BROOKS (a re-survey), Jack LEECH’s line; Dudley ROUNDTREE & Wm HARPER, cc.
• 1815. Hance HARPER. Christopher MATTOX survey, Matthew REYNOLDS, patent. Dennis KELLY line. Chas MOSS, Matthew & Wm BIRD, cc.
• 1815 William BROOKS. Bank of the river. Frederick WOODSON, Thos LOGSDON-lines. Geo BROOKS & Henry LEECH, cc.
• 1816 William REED. CRUMP’s line claimed by Walter THOMAS.  John PULLIAM and John THROP, cc. John PULLIAM and Benj. PULLIAM, housekeepers. Benj. PULLIAM, marker.
• 1816 William REED. Green River-Peachtree Knob. Hance HARPER-line. Jonathan HARPER & no GOODBY, cc. Jonathan HARPER and Matthew REYNOLDS, housekeeper. Matthew REYNOLDS, marker.
• 1816 John Gaddy, near Green River south side Peachtree Knob. Wm REED, Dudley ROUNDTREE-lines. J HARPER & Chas REYNOLDS cc.
• 1816. Johnathan BOLLING. Mathias REYNOLDS line (patented by John GADDY), Johnathan HARPER-line. Robt WOODSON, cc; Chas REYNOLDS, marker. Hance HARPER & M REYNOLDS, HK.

 

Some of these Green River Baptist Church records are reminiscent of the Augusta Co VA court appearances:

1808:

• Feb: Hance HARPER & Thomas WOODSON to confer with William BELL for finishing the meeting house.Mar: William BELL to have his work valued by 2 workmen, Peter ROWLETT to do this

 

1809:

• Mar: Peter ROWLETT to serve as Clerk. Hance HARPER & Matthias REYNOLDS to be ordained as deacons at May meeting, Drippings Springs & Beaver Dam churches to assist.

 

• May: James RENFRO came from Beaver Dam along with Jacob LOCK for ordination. Received by letter Precilla OWEN & Matthew HARPER. Bros ROWLETT, WILSON and HARPER messengers to association.

 

• Aug: Bros MUNFORD & WOODSON appt to employ a workman to lay the floor of the meeting house, make & hang the windows and doors, make a pulpit and shingle. Received by experience Ann HARPER, Sarah DURBIN & Patsy RICHARDSON.

 

1810

• Feb: case of brother HARPER resumed, had been investigated, acquitted. Same for case against brother PORTWOOD, acquitted. Received by letter Mary LAND.

 

• Jun: Brethren PORTWOOD & MUNFORD to see Sister DURBIN to come to next meeting. Discussion re dancing – against. Recvd by experience Edith BROOKS. Bros. WILSON & H HARPER to cite sister MONROE to come to next meeting.

 

• Aug: Sister DURBIN acquitted. H HARPER & J BROOKS to labor with sister MONROE. Appt Bro. H HARPER & GADDY as trustees to employ sawyer on the best terms they can to lay the plant to finish the meeting house. Recvd by experience Ann BROOKS, Sam LOGSDON, John LOGSDON, Jin and Joseph LOGSDON.

 

• Dec: Bro S GOODMAN accused of drunkenness, referred to next meeting. Bro J LOGSDON Sr accused of same. Bro W HANKS & S PORTWOOD acused of disorder Bro R J MUNFORD to cite Bro J RICHARDSON to come to next meeting. Bro H HARPER to buy nails to finish the meeting house.

 

1813

• Apr – Thomas LOGSDON’s case dismissed – he didn’t give satisfaction, excluded. Sister REYNOLD’s case held until next meeting. Matthew HARPER acknowledged he had been in a riot, cause held.

 

• May – Received by letter Elizabeth TURPIN and by experience, Bro MUNFORD’s slave Phillip. Sister COATS returned her letter of dismission.Sister REYNOLD’s acquitted. Recvd by letter Miland REED (nee LANE). Matthew HARPER acquitted. Distress between Sister WOODSON & Sister BROOKS, settled before, came up again.

 

• Oct – Committee appt to settle business of a temporal nature – Hance HARPER, Thomas WOODSON, John WILSON, Rich’d J MUNFORD and Peter ROWLETT appt.

 

1814

• Jan – Bro PORTWOOD’s case held until next month. Bro WOODSON’s slave Peter – excluded. H HARPER applied for letter of dismission in behalf of Bro WILLIAMSON & wife, granted. G BROOKS cited to appear at next meeting along with John LOGSDON Sr, D REYNOLDS – for long absence.

 

1815

• Feb – Matthew HARPER restored. Bro WHITE applied for letter of dismission. Committee to visit Sam’l HARPER & wife re difficulty between them, Sister CANN recvd letter of dismission.

 

• Mar – Committee report on the HARPER’s report no chance of reconcilliation. Brethren DAVIDSON & ROWLETT to go back and labor with them again. Polly HUSTON proved to be (I’m omitting) – Bros SMITH & J WOODSON to cite her to next meeting. Bro CASINGER & wife granted letter of dismission.

 

• Apr – Committee report on the HARPERs – not living according to church rules – Matthias REYNOLDS to go see them for the 3rd time. Polly HUSTON excluded.

 

• May – HARPERs agreed to forgive each other and bear each other’s burdens and live together as man and wife.

 

1816:

• Apr: John LOGSDON Sr accused of attending the Free Mason’s meeting – excluded. Released Bro MUNFORD as treasurer & H HARPER appt in his stead. David REYNOLDS cited to attend next meeting for joining the Free Masons. Recvd by experience Capt Wm J WOOD’s slave Ned

 

• Jul – John LOGSDON came forward – exclded. M REYNOLDS, H HARER & J BROOKS appt trustees for laying the floor of the gallery and employee someone to do this. Received by recantation Bro WOODSON’s slave Peter.

 

1817

• Jan – Matt HARPER came before church, acknowledged he had been drunk – excluded.

 

• May – Samuel HARPER decalred non-fellowshipwith his wife, they had separated – committee of WILSON, ORCHARD & SMITH to talk to them.

 

1820

• Feb – Recvd by recantation Nathan HEATHERLY. Recvd by experience George AMOS, Isaac HARPER, Ruth BROOKS, Hester HARPER, Joseph W WILTBERGER, Johnson AMOS, Harriet WOODSON and Eunice LOGSDON. At another meeting recvd by letter Rich’d J HARDY, Henry GARDNER, Henry GARDNER and Tabitha HEATHERLY. Recvd by exp Maria WILSON, Nelly LOGSDON, John CLOSE, BUSH’s slave Henry, America RICHARDSON, Sarah WILSON and William PEERMAN.

 

• Sep – Sarah WOODSON’s case continued. Thomas WOODSON’s case held until next day. Thomas A HARDY again cited – Isham HARDY to talk to him. Joshua WOOSLEY appt. deacon. Isham HARDY & James WILSON appt trustees to superintend sawing of timber to makes seats for the church for the new addition. John WILSON Jr to cite Robert WILKINSON to the Oct meeting. He also to cite Robt BLACKWELL to the Oct meeting. Recvd byexperience Mary AMOS & Merabah? RAMSEY. Sarah WOODSON’s case taken up – postponed until Oct. Brothers ORCHARD, HEATHERLY & WHITMAN to talk to her. Thomas WOODSON’s case – he restored. Hance HARPER made application for letter of dismision for Polly LOGSON (now Polly THOMAS) – granted.

 

1821

• Sep – David REYNOLDS charged with working on the Sabbath, Bros ROUNDTREE & Maj James WILSON to cite him to next meeting. The problem between Wm WILSON & H. BUSH dropped by consent. Alexander JONES & wife applied for a letter of dismission, granted. Sister Dosity HARPER applied for same, granted. Nancy McCALL same, granted.

 

            Hance Harper of Barren [later Hart] Co KY is definitely linked to Spartanburg Co SC, according to a query posted by Van A Stilley of Wilmington NC in 1990 in the South Carolina Magazine of Genealogical Research. “On 16 Sep 1817 in Barren Co KY, a power of attorney issued from David Lock and wife Susannah, late Susannah McCoy, late wife of Edw. McCoy, whose maiden name was Oglethorpe, to Hans Harper to collect the estate of Dr. John Newman Oglethorpe of Camden, SC.”[58] The query mentions various individuals whose 1790 census records were in adjacent sequence, including Robert Harper: 1/4/4/0/0.

            These were the Harpers in Hart Co KY in 1820:

Page 159

            Isaac                        200110/00101            b 1775-1794; 1794-1796; possibly Hiram was with him.

            Stephen                        000010/40100            b 1775-1794; he possibly moved to IN by 1830 or to Floyd Co KY where there was a 1821 land grant for Stephen Harper.

Page 160

            Hance                        000011/00112            b bef 1775; 1775-1794

            Matthew            320001/31110            b bef 1775

            Saml                        100100/02010            b 1794-1796            m Sarah Smith, 1817

Page 161

            Saml                        110001/11010            b bef 1775

            Mary                        210000/21010            b 1775-1794; She was the widow of James, who recd land grant 1815; children included Willis, William, Frances (youngest ch?), Jane

            Silus                        100100/10100            b 1794-1796            m Betsy Taylor 1817

            Wm                        000010/30110            b 1775-1794            m Nancy Locke 1814

            Jonathan            200010/30010            b 1775-1794            m Dosha Reynolds, 22 Oct 1810; to Cumberland Co by 1814.

 

© 2008, Kathy Alvis Patterson

 

---

[1] Hart County KY Historical Society Quarterly, V:2, p 4f: Hance & Nancy, Matthew, ex., Ann, Samuel-E. & Elizabeth.”

[2] George W Cleek, Early Western Augusta Pioneers (Staunton VA, 1957), pages 364-366, identifies several Harper families of Augusta Co VA as brothers from Germany, sons of the Michael and Isabel studied here. “The Harpers came from Germany about 1750 and settled in Augusta County, Virginia, in what is now Pendleton County, West Virginia.” This writer believes more evidence is needed to link the family who stayed in Virginia with our family who went to South Carolina, since they apparently have nothing in common but the decade they appear in Augusta Co records and they do not use the same given names. Members of the German family were naturalized but Michael was not, or at least no record is known. One of Cleek’s sources was Oren Frederick Morton, A History of Pendleton County, West Virginia (published by the author, 1910. Original from Harvard University, Digitized Jan 30, 2008. Searched at google.com.) This book indicates a connection between the other Harpers, but not with Michael, Matthew or Hance Harper.

[3] Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County, p 42.

[4] Ibid, p 44.

[5] Ibid, p 54.

[6] Ibid, p 436.

[7] Ibid, p 441-442.

[8] Ibid, p 323.

[9] Ibid, p 326. Matthew also purchased land in 1760, p 359.

[10] Ibid, p 376. Matthew also witnessed a deed, 17 Aug 1762.

[11] Ibid, p 431.

[12] Ibid, p 350.

[13] Ibid, p 360.

[14] Ibid, p 329.

[15] Ibid, p 88.

[16] Ibid, p 118.

[17] Ibid, p 129.

[18] Ibid, p 99.

[19] Ibid, p 105.

[20] Ibid, p 344.

[21] Ibid, p 475.

[22] Ibid, p 142.

[23] Ibid, p 418.

[24] Ibid, p 476.

[25] Benjamin Roebuck was from Spartanburg Co SC. “Neal-Goddard-McNatt-McCutchen-Tennison-South ,” at Ancestry.com has this: George Jr enlisted 1775 in Henry Dixson’s Company, Regiment of Col. Nash. “Heroes of the American Revolution” lists various other commands. U. S. Bureau of Pensions issued Certificate 12-122 to George Roebuck dated 7 June 1832 paid at South Carolina Agency. According to “Carl Mays Notebook” Capt. George Roebuck Jr, his brother Capt. Benjamin Roebuck, and their father George Roebuck, all served under a brother Col. Benjamin Roebuck during the Revolutionary War. Verified by National Archives Reference Nos. R8917, 59467. DAR Patriot Index Centennial Edition Part III indicates George served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, verifies birth and death dates and spouse name.

Also: The father of Col. Roebuck removed from the North (probably Virginia) in 1777 and settled upon the Tyger River a short distance above Blackstock’s Ford. Upon the first call for soldiers after his arrival his son, Benjamin, turned out and was made First Lieutenant in the company of Capt. William Smith; was with Gen. Lincoln in Georgia and participated in the various campaigns until the fall of Charleston. Shortly after that event he fled with others into North Carolina. During his absence he was appointed a Major in the 1st Spartan Regiment, of which Col. John Thomas Jr was about that time appointed Colonel. He was Lieut. Colonel at the Battle of the Cowpens. Soon after that event Thomas received a Colonel’s commission in a different department of the service and Roebuck succeeded in command of the 1st Spartan Regiment and White rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The Battle of Mudlick was fought in the summer of 1781 by the remnant of a regiment of militia under the command of Col. Benjamin Roebuck and a garrison of British soldiers and Tories stationed at Williams’s Fort in Newberry District.

Col. Roebuck was in the Battles of Ramseur’s Mill and King’s Mountain. And the writer supposes he was also in the others in that campaign in which some of his regiments were present, viz.: Hanging Rock, Rocky Mount and Musgrove’s Mill. He was not at Blackstock’s, but near, and in the course of the succeeding night was very busy in giving notice to the Whigs round about of the impending danger, by which a number escaped capture. B ut unfortunately his aged father fell into the hands of the British and died of disease in confinement.

Battle of Cowpens (17 January 1781) When General Morgan was apprised of Tarleton’s approach he fell back a day ‘s march from his position on the Pacolet. He perhaps doubted the propriety of giving battle at all. His force was considerably inferior to that a rayed against him. The officers and men composing the entire body of his militia was almost wholly unknown to him except by report. He couldn’t know what confidence to place in their skill and courage. A retrograde movement was necessary to enable him to call in scattered detachments. On the night of Jan. 16 the last of these joined him some time after dark. He now had his entire force and the question must be decided, “Shall we fight or fly?” The South Carolina militia demanded a fight. Their general could, from past experience and common fame, commend their courage in their present position, but let them cross Broad River and he would not answer for their conduct. Here the final decision is to risk a battle. The Cols. Brandon and Roebuck, with some others, had the special charge of watching Tarleton’s movements from the time he reached the valley of the Pacolet. They sat on their horses as he approached and passed t hat stream and counted his men and sent their report to headquarters. They watched his camp on the night of the 16th until he began his march to give battle. Morgan appears to have had the most exact information of everything necessary.

Cowpens was a great victory for the Colonials and General Daniel Morgan over Banastre Tarleton’s British forces.

The militia engaged in this battle belonged to three States, the two Carolinas and Georgia. Two companies from Virginia were present, but were in line with the Maryland regiment under Howard. The North Carolina militia were led by Major McDowell. The Georgia militia were under the immediate command of Majors Cunningham and Jackson; the Captains were Samuel Hammond, George Walton and Joshua Inman. Major Jackson also acted as Brigade Major to all the militia present. The South Carolina militia were directed by Gen. Pickens. The Colonels were John Thomas, Thomas Brandon, Glenn Anderson and McCall; the Lieutenant Colonels, William Farr and Benjamin Roebuck; the Majors, Henry White and Joseph McJunkin; Captains, John Alexander, Collins, Elder, Crawford, with Lieuts. Thomas Moore and Hugh Means.

Source; South Carolina Loyalists And Rebels, Phil Norfleet, 2006

“Benjamin served in the military between 1777 and 1783-7; held the rank of Colonel. He never married. He was a real hero and is highly thought of in up-state SC. His estate was divided between his surviving brothers and sisters.”

Source: Carol Middleton Research

[26] (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1983), pages 416-417.

[27] HARPER, MATTHEW, Ancestor #: A051073. Service: SC. Rank: MILITIA. Birth: ca 1760. Death: (ANTE) 9-4-1807, SMITH CO TN. Service Source: SC ARCH, ACCTS AUD #3342A, ROLL 48.67; SALLEY & WATES, STUB ENTRIES TO INDENTS, BOOK X, PART II, PP 9,151, BOOK X #3535. Service Description: MILITIA MAN IN ROEBUCK’S REGT OF SC. Wife: Patsey. Child: Elizabeth, married Jesse West. [Gedcoms at Ancestry.com identify this man as a son of Robert and Phoebe (Bourland) Harper. Robert was a son of Josiah and Rachel (Owings) Harper of Maryland.]

HARPER, ROBERT, Ancestor #: A051090. Service: SC. Rank: SERGEANT. Birth: (CIRCA) 1742. Death: before 11-17-1801 CHESTER DIST SC. Service Description: ROEBUCK’S REGT. Residence: CAMDEN Co SC. Wife #2: Jean. Child: Daniel, married Margaret. [Gedcoms at Ancestry.com identify this Robert as a son of William and Margaret Harper from Ireland. There may be no connection at all to our VA-SC-KY family.]

[28] What we really need is a connection between the SC families and men in Augusta Co VA, in addition to just their names. That is, in addition to the lawsuits and slander accusations.

[29] Wikipedia defines this term as “In law, dedimus potestatem (Latin for “we have given the power”) is a writ whereby commission is given to one or more private persons for the expedition of some act normally performed by a judge. It is also called delegatio. It is granted most commonly upon the suggestion that a party, who is to do something before a judge or in a court, is too weak to travel. Its use is various, such as to take a personal answer to a bill in chancery, to examine witnesses, levy a fine, etc.” Hance Jr may have had problems with the law.

[30] http://www.joelrobinson.com/lewis/abellewis.html.

[31] Dr. A[lbert] B[ruce] Pruitt, Abstracts of Land Entries: Rutherford Co, NC 179-1795 (1989), p 138.

[32] Ibid, p 136.

[33] Brent Holcomb, Deed Abstracts of Tryon, Lincoln & Rutherford Counties North Carolina 1769-1786 (1977), p 187.

[34] Albert Bruce Pruitt, Spartanburg County/District South Carolina: Deed Abstracts Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) (Easley SC, 1988), p 176.

[35] Ibid, p 177.

[36] Ibid, p 122.

[37] Ibid, p 124.

[38] Ibid.

[39] Ibid, p 206. The gedcom “Family Origins IV” at Ancestry.com identifies her as Phoebe Bourland and names 12 children of the couple.

[40] Brent H Holcomb, Spartanburg County, south Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, 1785-1799 (Easley SC, 1980), p 51. The copy I received does not have the date of this action, but based on the sections of the book, it was probably about 1790. Page 53 mentions the attendance of Wells Griffith at the county court during this trial.

[41] Ibid, p 71.

[42] Ibid, p 130.

[43] Ibid, p 167.

[44] Ibid, p 147.

[45] Ibid, p 147.

[46] Ibid, p 203.

[47] Ibid, p 215, 223, 239.

[48] Ibid, p 225, 226.

[49] Ibid, p 151.

[50] Betty Willie, Pendleton District, SC Deeds 1790-1806, (ca 1982), p 184. 

[51] Pendleton District, South Carolina;  Roll: 50; Page: 139; Image: 271.

[52] 1810 Pendleton, South Carolina; Roll: 61; Page: 219; Image: 258.00.

[53] Pruitt, Spartanburg, p 217. Based on his later censuses Matthew Harper Jr (or the man we identify as Matthew Jr) was born 1765-1775.

[54] Brent H Holcomb, ed., “Some Notes on the Hughey Family,” South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research (Winter 1992), Vol XX, No 1, p 22.

[55] Pruitt, Spartanburg, p 181.

[56] Hart Co KY Historical Society Quarterly (11 Feb 1999), II, 1, p 6f: 1819.

[57] 1810 Barren, Kentucky; Roll: 5; Page: 57; Image: 36.00. Matthew’s family was 22010/20100.

[58] “Requests for Information,” Vol. XVIII, No 1 (Winter 1990), p 57.