Peter Forney (1756 - 1834)

Born 21 Apr 1756 in Anson County, Province of North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy Catherine (Abernathy) Forney — married 27 Feb 1783 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 1 Feb 1834 at age 77 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Peter Forney was born on Apr 21 1756 in Anson County (the part that later became Lincoln County) and died on Feb 1, 1834 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.^[1][2][3]

Occupations: Revolutionary War Soldiers, Congressman 1813-1815, Pioneer manufacturer in iron

Spouse: Nancy Abernathy, married Mar 4, 1783 (d. Mar 4, 1783)^[2][4]

Children listed by the DAR are those children with descendants who have joined the DAR based on their relationship to that child. It is not an exclusive list (meaning there could be additional children)^[2]:

1. Mary "Polly" Forney, married Christian Reinhardt^[2]
2. Jacob Forney, married Sarah Hoke, moved to Alabama^[2][5]
3. Sophia Graham Forney, married Cyrus Lev Hunter^[2]
4. Frances Elizabeth Forney, married Henry Young Webb^[6]
5. Daniel Morgan Forney, married Harriet Brevard^[7]
6. Susan Forney, married Bartlett Shipp^[2]
7. Eliza Forney, married (2) John Meek^[8]
8. Caroline Forney, married Ransom G. Hunley^[2]
9. Nancy Forney, married Dr. William Johnston^[2]
10. Lavinia Forney, married John Fulenwider^[2]

American Revolution

Captain Peter Forney served with 4th North Carolina Regiment, Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Peter Forney is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A041561.

Peter Forney was very active with the North Carolina Militia on the American side during the American Revolution from 1776 through 1781. He was involved in campaigns against the Cherokee and Tories in NC and SC, an expedition to Kentucky and an expedition to Charleston, SC when the British occupied Charleston. He, joined with Gen. Griffith Rutherford, narrowly missed the Battle of Ramsour's Mill (20 Jun 1780, Lincoln Co., NC), their forces arriving too late for the battle.

The War also affected him very personally. When the British marched through Lincoln County, NC, the British encamped on his father's plantation, as well as the plantation that he, himself, was living on. In an excerpt from his Pension Application^[9] he says,

"The latter part of the year 1780, I was frequently out, I may say almost in constant service in this County (Lincoln Co., NC), until all the Whigs were compelled to fly before Cornwallis across the Catawba River. I volunteered as one to reconnoiter the encampment of the British while they lay three days at my father's plantation extending their lines on to a plantation which I occupied at that time. While they laid there they destroyed everything we possessed. After they moved from this position with the Main Army to Beatties Ford, I was one of those who took post on the opposite side, endeavoring to oppose what obstructions we were able to prevent their crossing and remained there until a part of the light troops had effected a passage at a bye ford four or five miles below at the ford called Cowan's Ford (1 Feb 1781- Battle of Cowan's Ford) – and in effecting our retreat, two of the men with me were lost, one killed and the other taken prisoner – upon this I fled to the widow Torrence's (Torrence's Tavern in Iredell Co.) being pursued by Tarlton's (Banastre Tarleton's) troop of cavalry – at this place I found a considerable body of Militia, but in great confusion in consequence of the death of General Davidson (Gen. William Lee Davidson) who had been killed that morning by the British upon their crossing the (Catawba) River. Here (1 Feb 1781 - Battle of Torrence Tavern) our troops were utterly defeated and dispersed and I retreated across the Yadkin River and remained about Abbott's Creek about six weeks. During this time I had no regular command and uniting with one party at the time, then with another whenever it appeared any advantage could be afforded to our cause and served nine months to the best of my recollection."

"I returned home in the spring of 1781 and commenced repairing my plantation, which had been entirely burnt up while the British lay there."

His Pension Application runs to 53 pages. A transcript of his testimony is available from Will Grave's "Southern Campaigns American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters" website. See it at http://revwarapps.org/w4955.pdf. A concise summary of the genealogical info from the application is contained in a letter from National Archives and Records Administration to Mrs. Mary H. Kelly, 1 Apr 1938. Re: Peter Forney Rev War Pension W.4955^[9]

"Peter Forney was born in the month of April, 1756, about five miles west of the Catawba River in Lincoln County, North Carolina, and lived in that neighborhood during the Revolution. The names of his parents were not stated.

"He enlisted June 1, 1776 and served three months as 1st sergeant in Captain James Johnston's company, Colonel William Graham's North Carolina regiment. He enlisted February 1, 1777 and served four months as lieutenant inn Captain James Read's company, Captain Kirkendale's company, Colonel McLean's North Carolina regiment, this service was to suppress the Tories. He volunteered in the fall of 1779 and marched to Harrod's Station, length of this service one month and fifteen days as a private. Shortly after his return home, he volunteered and was appointed captain in Colonel Hampton's Regiment and served seven months and fifteen days. He served in 1780 seven days as a private under Lieutenant Colonel Hambright in pursuit of Tories. He enlisted in the latter part of 1780 and served one month and fifteen days as private, names of officers not given. He volunteered in 1781 and served four months as captain of a company of Dragoons in Colonel Robebrt Smith's North Carolina regiment.

"Peter Forney was allowed pension on his application executed, October 31, 1832, while a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

"It is stated that he was a Member of Congress. He died February 1, 1834 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.

"Peter Forney married March 4, 1783 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, Nancy Abernathy. She was allowed pension on her application executed, November 12, 1845, at which time she was aged seventy-nine years and living in Lincoln County, North Carolina. She died May 1, 1847

"Reference is made to the following children, all of whom survived their father:

Daniel M. Forney

Mary Reinhart

Jacob Forney

Moses Forney

Eliza Meek

Susanna Ship

Lavina Fullenwider

Nancy Johnson

Carolina Hunley

Sophia G. Hunter

James M. Forney.

"The soldier's brother, Abraham Forney, was living in 1833 in Lincoln County, North Carolina; he also was a soldier in the Revolution.

"Robert Abernathy was Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1843; it is not shown that he was related to the widow, Nancy Forney.

"Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller

Executive Assistant to the Administrator"

Peter Forney is referred to as Genl. Peter Forney in several of the Pension documents, but he was not a General during the Revolution.

Will

Will of Gen. Peter Forney, Lincoln Co., NC, 6 Feb 1832^[10]

(Researchers Note - Peter Forney's Will, as it appears in Lincoln Co. Will Book 1, bears the heading on each page "April Sessions 1834 Genl. P. Forneys Will" - a clear recognition of his rank as General. Also, Peter Forney and witness signatures appear mid-paragraph on page 310. This appears to be a clerical error and not included in this transcription.)

I Peter Forney of Lincoln County North Carolina do make this my last Will & Testament in manner & form as follows

1st I will & bequeath to my wife Nancy such part of my estate as will an ample & sufficient provision for her during her life, leaving it discretionary with her to make a selection which will be suitable to her circumstances which situation she shall have full power to make, both as to quantity & local situation But of any of the lands of which I may be seized & possessed of at the time of my death and which situation when made shall vest in her an estate for her own life it being my intention to create no greater estate than an estate for life in the lands willed to my wife, should my said wife select the lands or any part thereof willed to any of my (other) children, then & in that case the estate of such child or chilldren shall be subject to the life estate of my wife and postponed until her life estate shall terminate

I also bequeath to my wife Nancy the whole or such part of my negroes as she may choose to keep during her life with the exception of those willed to Sophia and Munroe and with respect to the negroes hereby bequeathed to my wife for life I give & bequeath two (to be selected by her) absolutely to dispose of as she may think proper. I also bequeath her the whole of any part of my household kitchen furniture she may choose to keep the whole or any part of of my stock of Horses, Cattle, Hogs, & Sheep which she may choose to keep farming utensils & tools of every kind during life

To my son Moses I will a sufficient & decent support during his life and nothing more and do for that purpose set apart and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred dollars in cash to be raised out of my estate & to be loaned out at interest and the interest annually applied to his support or so much thereof as may be necessary. I appoint my son Jacob his guardian & trustee-

To my son Munroe I will the Forge, Saw & Grist Mill where I live also dwelling house & other buildings appurtanances thereto, together with all my lands on west or opposite of the creek adjoing lands of Bartlett Shipp Jacob Forney Miles Abernathy & others - Also a certain part or portion of the lands on the east side of the creek included in the following boundaries, Beginning on the Creek Bank Bartlett Shipps (crossed out - "corner then up the branch") line & running with his line to a small maple in a bottom near the mouth of a branch, Shipps Corner, Then up the branch and a course to strike or intersect the road at the fork leading to Beatties ford, thence with the Beatties ford road & down a hollow to a branch & down the branch to Rozzells line, then with Rozzells line West or South West to a post oak corner in the new field opposite Rozzells barn and house thence a line to the creek so as not to embrase the tract of land on which Miles Abernathy formerly lived and which I purchased from him but to include the forge tract or tract on which the dwelling house is situate. I also bequeath to Munroe the following Negroes; Sam, Sandy, Tom, and Little Jes, also one waggon & team.

To my daughter Sophia Forney I give and bequeath a tract of land called & known as the Ladler Mill tract together with the Mill and appurtanances thereto belonging. I also give & bequeath her six Negroes & such increase as they or any of them may have Viz. Mariah, & her two children, also Mary, Capy & Emanuel which Negroes she is to receive as an advancement before a general division of my property is made amongst my children as herein after directed in order to make her part or portion equal to my other children who have been already advanced; provided nevertheless if I should give her the said Negroes or others in lieu thereof before my death then she is to receive a distribution as hereinafter appointed.

To my sons Daniel & Jacob Forney I give nothing having amply provided for them already & given them full shares of my estate.

All the rest of my estate both of which I may be possessed or have right for claim to at my death together with the life estate given my wife and the fund set apart for the support of my son Moses during his life, I will to be equally divided between Susan Shipp, Lavena Fullenwider, Nancy Johnson, Caroline Hunley, Sophia Forney, Polly Reinhart & Henry Webbs children or such of said children as may be living at my death_ that is to say to each of my said daughters a share and to Henry Y Webb's children a share intending for them their mothers part of my estate & including seven shares only, subject however to the deductions, restrictions and limitations hereinafter mentioned from the part devised to Susan Shipp there is to be a deduction of twelve hundred dollars for land conveyed to Bartlett Shipp. From Nancy Johnson part there is to be a deduction of one thousand dollars for lands conveyed to William Johnson. From the part given to the children of Henry Y Webb is to be a deduction of nineteen hundred dollars for lands conveyed to their father & a Negro boy given their mother Elizabeth. From the part devised to Sophia Forney there is to be a deduction of twenty five hundred dollars for the lands willed to her. From the part of Caroline & Lavina there is to be no deduction; from the part of Polly Reinhardt there is to be a deduction the full amount of all demands, Debts and Sums of money justly & equitably owing by Christian Reinhardt to me and subject to any claim I may have against Christian Reinhardt at my death, regardless of the statute of limitations.

It is my will that Polly Reinhardt only take an estate for life in that part of the estate either real or personal willed to her & after her death to be equally divided between her children then living. It is my will that my son Jacob Forney take into possession the part willed to Polly Reinhardt & hold the same In trust for her use during her life and in trust for her children with power to continue said trust for her children, with power to continue said trust hereby vested in him by deed or will if he should deem it expedient. It is my will that Christian Reinhardt take no part of my estate or the estate willed to Polly Reinhardt or her childlren in any manner whatever.

It is my will that if either Sophia or Munroe die without issue living and in possession of that part of my estate willed to them or either of them that their part of real or personal estate fall back to my executors to be divided as herein before directed. It is my will that if either of my daughters Susan, Lavina, Nancy, Caroline, or Sophia, should die before me leaving issue alive at my death then each child or children to stand in the place of his her or their parent on the general distribution of my estate. It is my will and intention that it shall operate upon the whole of my estate both real or personal of eevry description of which I may be possessed or have claim to at my death. Respecting my lands I devise the whole not herein specifically devised to my Executors in trust to sell or divide amongst my children agreeable to the previous rules regulations & provisions in the preceding parts of my will and this is left to the sound discretion of my executors.

I nominate and appoint Jacob Forney Bartlett Shipp William Johnson and John Fullenwider my Executors. I nominate & appoint Doctor James Webb of Hillsboro the Guardian & Trustee for Henry Y Webb's children. February 6th 1832

Peter Forney

Test.

Miles Abernathy

Milly P Abernathy

Notes

"Gen. Peter Forney". Hunter, CL "Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical..."^[11]

Pg 258

In 1783 Gen. Forney married Nancy, daughter of David Abernathy, a lady of great moral worth and Christian benevolence. The natural goodness of her heart made her the "cheerful giver." Her numerous acts of charity were free of all ostentation, and flowed silently forth like gentle streams from a pure fountain, imparting new vigor and refreshing everything in their course. After the close of the war, full of youthful enterprise, and anxious to engage in some useful business, he fortunately became the owner of the "Big Iron Ore Bank," seven miles east of Lincolnton. This is one of the best and most extensive deposits of iron ore, of the variety known as "magnetic," in the State. Aware of the inexhaustible supply of ore, Gen. Forney disposed of interests to other parties (Brevard and Graham) and they immediately proceeded to erect a furnace (called Vesuvius) on Anderson's creek, now owned by the heirs of the late J.M. Smith, Esq. After a few years the copartnership was dissolved, separate sites were purchased by Forney and Brevard, on Leeper's creek, additional furnaces were erected and thus the manufacture of cast metal, under its various forms, was vigorously and successfully carried into operation. Gen. Forney commenced building his ironworks in 1787, associated for several years with his brother Abram, laid in a supply of the necessary stock, (ore and coal,) as recorded in a small account book, produced hammered iron in his forge on the 28th of August, 1788. This is believed to be the first manufacture of iron in the western part of the State. Here Gen. Forney permanently settled for life, and prospered in his useful calling. His residence received the name of "Mount Welcome," an appellation appropriately bestowed, as his future history manifestly proved. The poor and needy of his own neighborhood were frequently the beneficiaries of his bounty; and the weary traveler was at all times made "welcome," and entertained beneath his hospitable roof "without money, and without price."

Gen. Forney was elected as a member to the House of Commons from 1794 to 1796 inclusively, and to the State Senate in 1801 and 1802. He was again called out from the shades of private life and elected as a Representative to Congress from 1813 to 1815. He also served as Elector in the Presidential campaigns of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jackson. With these repeated evidences of popular favor his public services ended. Frequent solicitations were tendered to him afterwards, all of which he declined. The infirmities of old age were now rapidly stealing upon him, and rendering him unfit for the proper discharge of public duties. For several years previous to his decease his mental vigor and corporeal strength greatly failed. After a short illness, without visible pain or suffering, he quietly breathed his last on February 1st, 1834, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Generosity, candor, integrity and freedom from pride or vain show were prominent traits in his character. Let his name and his deeds and his sterling virtues be duly appreciated and faithfully imitated by the rising generation.

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #8063254 for Capt Peter Forney.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9} Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 28 Mar 2018), "Record of FORNEY, PETER", Ancestor # A041561.
3. ↑ Historical sketches of North Carolina, from 1584 to 1851, Vol 1 Author; John Hill Wheeler. Publisher; Philadelphia, Lippincott 1851. Page 244 to 245.
4. ↑ Pension application for Peter Forney, W4955, transcribed by Will Graves and posted by Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.
5. ↑ Marker for Jacob Forney with information about Peter Forney in Jacksonville, Alabama, Link.
6. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 28 Mar 2018), "Record of FORNEY, PETER", Ancestor # A041561. "Eliza".
7. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 28 Mar 2018), "Record of FORNEY, PETER", Ancestor # A041561. "Violet Rebecca Harriet Brevard" in some records.
8. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 28 Mar 2018), "Record of FORNEY, PETER", Ancestor # A041561. "Eliza", several entries for Frances Elizabeth, Eliza, and Elizabeth - it appears they are the same person, married twice: (1) Henry Young Webb, (2) John Meek
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Peter Forney Rev War Pension W.4955. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, National Archives and Records Administration, Pub. M804. Record Group: 15, Roll: 1003
10. ↑ Will of Gen. Peter Forney, Lincoln Co., NC, 6 Feb 1832, Prob. April 1834, Lincoln Co. Will Book 1 (1824-1838), Pg 307. Archived on Ancestry.com- Lincoln, Film Roll: Will Records, Book 1-3, [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/004779124_00189?usePUB=true&_phsrc=QSp1136&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=2098521 Img 192].
11. ↑ Hunter, C. L., "Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical...", 1877. Available free from Google Books

See also:

• Will of David Abernathy William Perry Johnson, Wills of Tryon and Lincoln Counties, 1769-1824, copy in Gaston County, NC Library - 929.3/W/N.C.C., manuscript. Mr. Johnson's abstract of an unrecorded will listing Peter as executor.
• 1790, 1800,1820 US Fed census.
• Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots.
• Wikipedia:Peter Forney.
• Biographical directory of the US Congress-1774-2005.
• New York, Death Newspaper Extracts 1801-1890 (Barbar Collection).
• North Carolina, Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868.
• US, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Files,1800-1900.
• Dictionary of North Carolina Biography: Vol. 2, D-G. Dictionary of North Carolina Biography: Vol. 2, D-G, 'Author: William S. Powell. Publisher; Univ of North Carolina Press, 9 Nov 2000. Page 222.

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Forney-227 created through the import of Dankowski Family Tree.ged on May 28, 2012 by Laura Mercado. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Laura and others.
• Thank you to John Woolard for creating WikiTree profile Forney-245 through the import of JWtemp.GED on May 19, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by John and others.