Francis Turner (abt. 1739 - 1804)

Born about 3 Mar 1739 in Canonbie, Dumfries-shire, Scotland [uncertain]

Husband of Elizabeth (Gilley) Turner — married 1760 in Albermarle Co. Virginia

Descendants

Died 19 Oct 1804 at about age 65 in Patrick County, Virginia, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: John Wilson [send private message]

Biography

Francis Turner performed Patriotic Service in Virginia in the American Revolution.

Francis Turner is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A117052.

This profile is part of the Turner Name Study.

Francis Turner was probably from Scotland, and then Ireland. He was not English and his family did not come from Land's End, Cornwall, England. That was a different group of Turners that settled in Bedford County, Virginia, some of whom were Quakers. Francis was Presbyterian, as stated in his will below. He had a total dislike for the British, since he left behind 5 children and his wife, to fight against the British for three years. Being Presbyterian meant that he was probably persecuted by the British, so he left Ireland/Scotland, like a lot of other people, to free himself from the British rule, and to and start a new life. But it turned out that the British colonies were, once again, not a safe haven, because of the oppression of the British. He was not going to sit idly by and let the British make life miserable again. He and many others changed that by winning the Revolutionary War. Francis should be honored for his stand against tyranny and his willingness to sacrifice his life for what he believed. I have seen no evidence that Francis Turner's wife was Elizabeth Gilley. She was named Elizabeth as stated in many records but I think she could have been a Harris or a Lackey. Those two families have a close connection to the Turners that goes back to Albemarle County, Virginia, where Francis and Elizabeth lived before moving to Patrick County. I have much more information on Francis on my ancestry.com tree called Wilson Roots-Va. Ky. Oh. & Britain. If you would like to see it for free contact me and I will send you an invite.

Sources

Name Francis Turner Christening Date 20 Mar 1739 Christening Place Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Christening Place (Original) Canonbie, Dumfries, Scotland Birth Date 3 Father's Name James Turner Mother's Name Jannet Dixon Source Details 2:16LBXW

Baptism 20 Mar 1739 • Canonbie, Dumfries, Scotland Francis Turner Father's name James Turner Mother's name Jannet Dixon Residence Canonbie, Dumfries, Scotland Baptism date 20 Mar 1739 Record set Scotland, Parish Births & Baptisms 1564-1929

Private Francis Turner served in the Revolutionary War in Capt. Phillip Lee's Company of the Third Virginia Regiment. He enlisted February 26, 1776, and spent part of the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He re-enlisted Dec. 23, 1777, in the Light Horse Fourth Dragoons, under Capt. George Gray. He was honorably discharged February 1779. He was granted 100 acres of land for his service on September 13, 1783. ^[1]

Patrick Co. Probate Records

(26 October 1804)

The last Will and Testament of Francis Turner decd. was exhibited in Court & furthur. Proved by the Oath of Bennett Houchings & the same was O.R. by the Court. Adam Turner, John Turner & James Turner the Exortors of the last Will and Testament of Francis Turner Decd. appeared in Court and Qualified according to law and entered into bond with sufficient security for their Performance as Exortors. and acknowledged the same accordingly.

Will: October 01, 1803, BOOK 1 PAGES 73,73A,73B PATRICK CO.,VIRGINIA.

Item: Will of Francis Turner, being on perfect sense but weak in body... I give and lend unto my beloved wife during her natural lifetime, the land and plantation I now live on lying below a line beginning at a small branch south of Smith River at Thomas Flower's corner to Burnetts Santee place, also all the slaves and their increase excepting Bolin. To my daughter Esther Pilson to have the twenty two pounds her husband William Pilson owes me for a mare, also to have a hundred pounds bond due me from Rowan and Scott. If Bolin is living at my death, he is to be sold and the price of him equally divided between the children of the said daughter. Son Adam Turner, one negro, my still and all vessells and at his mother's death one negro girl. I lend him a negro boy until his son Francis arrives at the age of 21, then to him. If Francis should die, then sell him and divide the money amongst his brothers and sisters. To son James Turner, the original survey he now lives on (175 acres) also 2 tracts in Montgomery County containing 399 acres, and at his Mother's death three slaves. To my son John Turner, the part of the tract I now live on lying above the line described earlier, two negros at his mother's death, and I lend him 1 negro until his son Francis reaches age 21. To my sons Adam, James, and John Turner and my son in law Robert Rowan all that part of land lying on the Blue Ridge except 250 acres belonging to Robert Rowan. This contains 1223 acres and to be equally divided. To my daughter Betsy Rowan at her mother's death all the part of the plantation that was to my wife. To my dear wife during her natural lifetime all the house furniture, farming tools with all stock that be on hand after Ester Pilson is paid. I leave ten pounds cash to support supplies or members of the Old Presbyterian Denomination at $4.00 per year. Executors: sons Adam, James and John Turner Witness: William J. Mayo, Bennet Houchins, William Hancock, Richard Thomas, and Alexander Lackey Returned October court 1804

Francis Turner Residence 1780 uploaded.

Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants P. 539 Turner, Francis, Va. Private 13 Sept. 1783 100 acres

---1808 Jan 18 - Patrick Co, Va Will Bk 1:153 Estate sale of FRANCIS TURNER, DEC'D made by consent of ELIZABETH TURNER. Bonds on following: JOHN TURNER, Malacha Parmer, Wm. Thompson, JAMES TURNER, Wm. Harris Jr, Samuel Harris, Richard Nowlin, Richard Sharp, James Farrel, George Lackey & RICHARD PILSON. Total: 138 lbs, 6 shillings, 6 pence. ---1816 Dec Court - Patrick Co, Va - Will Bk 1:163-4: Estate Sale of FRANCIS TURNER, dec'd by Adam, James and John Turner, Executors. Balance due each legatee: $253.91; PAID ADAM TURNER FOR KEEPING HIS MOTHER 3 YEARS & 3 MONTHS, $150. ---1817 Sep Court Order Bk 2: ADAM TURNER appt. Admr. of ELIZABETH TURNER, dec'd."

Compiled by Charles Leon Harris from Abstracts of Virginia Deed Book No. 1, 1791-1801 published by T.L.C. Genealogy <tlc-gen.com>. Patrick Co., Va.

Big Spring Branch of Jill Creek 669 Thomas BONDRANT; William ROBERSON; Darby RION/RYAN; Francis TURNER Blue Ridge, also referred to as Main Mountain or The Mountain At Rock Castle Creek 264, 470 Thomas GARRISON; Thomas JORDEN; John TUGEL; Francis TURNER Goblintown Creek USGS Charity & Philpott Lake 16, 111 Richard COLLYAR; Isham CRADOCK; William MARTAIN; Abram ROUDEN/ROWDEN; TENERSON; Francis TURNER; Jill Creek USGS Woolwine 221, 348, 546, 554, 662, 669, 701 Woolman STUDHAM; Francis TURNER Marshy/Mossy Branch of Jacks Creek near Jill Creek 479, 669, 701 Thomas BONDRANT; Anney, David MORGAN/MORGIN; David, William ROBERSON; Darby RION/RYAN/RYON; Francis TURNER

Rock Castle Creek USGS Woolwine & Charity 19, 142, 143, 190, 256, 264, 282, 353, 470, 549, 653, 663, 667, 694, 695 Adam, Francis, James TURNER; Smith River USGS Woolwine, Charity & Philpott Lake 22, 30, 71, 72, 117, 157, Francis, James, John TURNER

• 1804 Francis Turner Sr. died, age 63-64, in Patrick County, Virginia, and was "Probably buried on his farm" there. Find A Grave: Memorial #185025448 ^[2]

Footnotes

1. ↑ http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/muster.asp
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/185025448/francis-turner : accessed 08 May 2021), memorial page for Francis Turner Sr. (1740–1804), Find a Grave Memorial ID 185025448, ; Maintained by Bev Golden (contributor 47513910) Non-Cemetery Burial, who reports a Probably buried on his farm in Patrick Co., VA..

Acknowledgments

Thanks to John Wilson for starting this profile.