Michael Lorance (1749 - 1834)

Born 18 Nov 1749 in Bavaria, Germany

Husband of Esther (Moore) Lorance — married 1786 in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 8 Feb 1834 at age 84 in Rutherford, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Peggy Herriage [send private message]

Biography

Came from Germany as a mercenary to fight in the Rev. War for the British. He deserted and crossed lines and fought for the colonies and remained in America.^[1]

He was born Michael LORENZ on 18 NOV. 1749 (as appeared from his father's record which he brought to America with him & lost it during the Revolutionary War) in Germany and He was living in or near the town of Bayreuth at the time Charles Alexander HOHENZOLLERN (1736-1806) the Margrave of both Anspach & Bayreuth had signed a Treaty with the British to provide soldiers for the English cause.

All the troops were gathered at Anspach before marching on 7 MAR. 1777 to Ochsenfurth where they embarked down the Main and arrived at the city Mainz, then they embarked down the Rhine untill they arrived in Holland and was then mustered into English service. It was in Holland that he was made a Gemeiner [= Private] in Colonel (Franz Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Christian) von SEYBOTHEN's Company 1, Bayreuth (Fusilier) Infantry Regiment (this Regiment wore medium blue coats with black facings and white small clothes).

{ 28 Feb. 1777 - The date men from Bayreuth were gathered to march to Anspach

07 March 1777 - The date they began their journey from Anspach to Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

25 March 1777 - The date they arrived in Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands & were "Sworn to King George III of England"

31 March 1777 - The date they left Dordrecht, South Holland, Netherlands for Portsmouth, England

07 April 1777 - The date they left Portsmouth, England for Staten Island, New York

03 June 1777 - The date they arrived in New York harbor at anchor

05 June 1777 - The date they landed on Staten Island, New York }

The troops arrived at Staten Island, N.Y. on 3 JUNE 1777 where they was placed under the British General Sir William HOWE's command.They were sent to Sandy Hook, N.J. across from Staten Island where Gen. HOWE had 17,000 soldiers placed in 265 ships (the largest Armada ever assembled in America) and they embarked on 23 JULY 1777 and endured a dibilitating six week sea-trek of 34 days arriving on 25 AUG.1777 at the head of Maryland's Elk River. They were in the following Battles during the Philadelphia Campaign........................................................... The Battle of Brandywine, PA. on 11 SEP.1777 The Battle of the Clouds, PA. on 16 SEP.1777 The Battle of Germantown, PA. on 4 OCT.1777 The Capture of Fort Mifflin, PA. on 16 NOV.1777 Was Repulsed at Whitemarsh, PA. on 5-7 DEC.1777. They wintered in Philadelphia, PA. while the American General George WASHIGTON and his troops suffered at Valley Forge, PA. Meanwhile Gen. HOWE was replaced on 7 MAR.1778 by the British General Sir Henry CLINTON. They were in the Battle of Barren Hill, PA. on 20 MAY 1778. Gen. CLINTON then abandons Philadelphia and goes to N.Y. where the Anspach & Bayreuth Regiments were placed under General PRESCOTT and they left for Rhode Island and arrived at Newport on 15 JULY 1778. It was on 8 AUG. 1778 that the French by Sea (commanded by the Admiral Count d'ESTAING) & American by Land (commanded by General John SULLIVAN) forces besieged Newport, R.I. and the British & German soldiers were crowded like sheep in the town. They were worn out with continual toil, for ever since the appearance of the French fleet on the 29th of JULY 1778 every available man had been busy in the intrenchments burning & sinking frigates and smaller vessels, to keep them from falling into enemy hands. There was great anxiety in Newport, but on 9 AUG. 1778 came reief for the American's as an English fleet under Lord HOWE appeared off Point Judith. The 10th was a suspenseful day and on the 11th a violent storm arose causeing both English & French fleets to be scttered before it. It was at night time on the 12th of AUG.1778 that Michael LORENZ deserted and made his escape over to Gen. SULLIVAN's Army and personaly made himself known as a deserter to Gen. SULLIVAN, who permitted him to pass on to Pennsylvania (he most likely took the Boston Post Road from R.I. passing through Connecticut to N.Y.,then he got on the New York / Philadephia Post Road leading on into Philadelphia, PA.). Once in Philly, he made his way to Spring House Tavern (this Tavern is still there and in use to this day) 18 miles from Philadelphia where he (resided &) worked as a Barkeeper (at Spring House Tavern, 1032 North Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania 19477 ) for 18 months (from about September 1778 to about March 1780). He then moved to Rowan Co., N.C. in 1780 (he most likely took the Southern Road from Philly passing through Delaware & Maryland to Virginia, then he got on the Occaneechi Path leading on into Rowan, N.C.) where he resided for about 7 years. The county of Iredell (created on 3 NOV. 1788 from Rowan) was in the meantime laid off and comprehended his residence. He entered the service of the United States about the 20th of JUNE 1780 immediately after the Battle of Ramsour's Mill, N.C. (20 JUNE 1780) in a volunteer company that went in pursuit of Colnel BRYANT, who had collected a company of Tories (enemies of the U.S.) on the Yadkin River, N.C. . The company of Whigs (supporters of the U.S.) started from Third Creek, a branch of the Yadkin River, thence down to the Pee Dee River, thence returned home. Col. BRYANT having made his retreat into S.C. . In this pursuit, Michael served at least one month (to about the 11th of JULY 1780). He entered the service agin the 1st week of SEP. 1780 shortly after General Horattio GATE's defeat at the Battle of Camden, S.C. (16 AUG. 1780),under Colonel DAVIS in Captain Joseph DICKENSON's company, the regiment containing about five companies with a Captain COLDWELL and a Captain Thomas COWAN. They rendezvoused about 3 miles below Salisbury, N.C., thence they marched to Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C., thence to Six Miles Creek where they remained a few days, thence to the Waxhaw settlement, S.C. (a tribe of Indians who are now considered extinct) and remained there about 2 weeks. The British under General Lord Charles CORNWALLIS had left Charlotte, N.C. (14 OCT. 1780) a few days before Col. DAVIS arrived there and they made their way through the Waxhaw settlement to Camden, S.C. . The Americans returned home. In this campaign, Michael served at least 2 months (to about the 1st week of NOV. 1780). He entered agin about the 18th of JAN. 1781 soon after Brigadier General Daniel MORGAN had defeated Lieutenant Colonel Banastre TARLETON at the Battle of Cowpens, S.C. (17 JAN. 1781), under Brigadier General William Lee DAVIDSON in Captain Thomas COWAN's company and Colonel Francis LOCKE at Beattie's Ford on the Catawba River, N.C. . From this Ford they marched down to Cowan's Ford where B.-Gen. DAVIDSON was killed (this being the Battle of Cowan's Ford, N.C. on 1 FEB. 1781) in opposing the passage of the British under Gen. CORNWALLIS. The Americans were scattered at this place and collected agin above Second Creek where they destroyed a bridge to prevent the crossing of the British. The British came to the place (this being the Skirmish at Torrence's Tavern, N.C. on 1 FEB. 1781) and were fired upon by the American's. The British went below and crossed the Creek at some Ford and the Americans were agin dispersed. In this campaign, Michael served at least 3 weeks (to about the 1st of FEB. 1781). He entered agin about the 1st of APR. 1781, under Captain John READ and Lieutenant Daniel CARTER in Rowan, N.C. .They marched to the Congaree River, S.C. where they joined Brigadier General Thomas SUMPTER (the Carolina Gamecock) in Lieutenant Colonel Wade HAMPTON's regiment, thence to Orangeburg, S.C. then in possession of the enemy (11 MAY 1781), The British fired on the Americans as they approached the town, but soon surrendered as prisoners to B.-Gen. SUMPTER to the number of about 100 or 150 men, thence they marched in the direction of Ninety Six, S.C. and was about 3 or 4 miles from that place when an express arriving said that General Nathanael GREENE had left Ninety Six (this being the Siege of Ninety Six, S.C. from 22 MAY to 19 JUNE 1781 that Gen. GREENE had left). They changed their course and crossed Broad River, S.C. at the Fish Dam Ford (an old Dam constructed by the Indians to catch fish) and joined Gen. GREENE. Michael was sent along with about 50 other men under Major RUTHERFORD (this could actually be Brigadier General Griffith RUTHERFORD) about the 23rd of JUNE 1781 and recrossed the Ford and marched in the direction to Ninety Six to the Saluda River, S.C., thence down the Saluda River on one side while a party of the British marched down the opposite side. The Americans crossed the River about 2 miles above it's mouth, and made a circuit surrounding the enemy at the head of the Congaree River where they made about 40 or 50 prisoners, thence they returned to B.-Gen. SUMPTER on the Congaree River, joined Gen. GREENE and went down to the Eutaw Springs where the Battle of Eutaw Springs, S.C. was fought (8 SEP. 1781). He then went to Georgia under Major MOORE and they swam their horses across the Savannah River about 3 miles below Augusta, thence down to Ebenezer, GA. and joined Colonel WHITE, thence down towards Savannah, then in possession of the British. They ranged in the neighborhood of Savannah about 3 months, but without any engagement. In this campaign, Michael served at least 10 months (to about the 1st of FEB. 1782).

In all of the campains (while serving for the U.S.) before mentioned, Micheal was a volunteer and served only as a Private and was always in the Cavalry and furnished a horse. (Michael stated that on account of Palsy & the inability to speak the English language intelligibly together with old age & defect of memory, he fears the circumstances of his services, their duration, & the names of more of his officers are not so fully set out as the rules of the War Department require. He believes that he served several months longer than he has stated above.

{ From 1 April 1782 to 1 October 1784 -- Private, Capt. John Reid's Company, Lt.-Col. Wade Hampton's Regiment, Brig.-Gen. Thomas Sumpter's "the Carolina Gamecock" Brigade, South Carolina Cavalry, American Forces }

But he could not precisely state the length of his services & thereupon does not claim a pension for more than the services before stated amounting in all to one year, one month, & three weeks (21 days) to which he can safely swear.)

After returning home in N.C. he made friends and neighbors there and later he married about the month of DEC. 1786 in Rowan, N.C. to Esther MOORE, dau. of Abraham MOORE a half mile from the house of Mary (MOORE) FORD's brother (Adam MOORE located in Rowan {now Iredell} Co., N.C.) where she at about 10 years of age was taking care of the children while the older part of her brother's family was at the wedding. After the wedding was over, the married couple and the company went over to her brother's house to play and dance. He then moved sometime before 3 NOV. 1788 to Mecklenburg Co., N.C. where he resided until 1812. He then moved to Rutherford Co., TN. in 1812 to the Raleigh (22nd) District near Milton, where he resided until his death on 8 FEB. 1834. He applied for a pension on 6 APR. 1833 in Rutherford, TN. at age 83 for his service in the American Revolutionary War and he was issued a Certificate of Pension (#13820) on 22 JUNE 1833 and was placed on the 1832 Pension List. (As to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, Michael refered to his present neighbors Nace OVERALL (c1790-1870), Robert OVERALL (1785-1862), William NORTHCUT (c1782-1850's), Jordan WILLIFORD (1759-c1858), Arthur TOTTY (c1758-1850's), Robert THOMPSON (1774-1844), & James TUCKER (1760/'65-1842), to all of whom he is well known & can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services aforesaid. ------- Nace OVERALL, a clergyman (Methodist) & Jordan WILLIFORD both residing in Rutherford Co., TN., certified that they are well acquainted with Michael LORANCE, that they believed him to be 83 years old, that he is believed & reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and they concured in that opinion.)

• --Researched, Compiled and Writen By: Nathan Meredith LORANCE (13 OCT.1994)-(Updated on 25 JULY 2001)-(2nd Update in 2012)-*^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Peg Herriage.
2. ↑ Entered by Nathan Lorance.

• "US Census, 1790" , Salisbury District , Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina Michael Lowrance.....1 male age 16yrs. & upwards; 1 male aged under 16 yrs.; 2 females aged all ages; 0 free persons; 0 slaves
• "US Census, 1800" , Salisbury District , Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina Michael Lowrance.....1 male aged 45 yrs. & upwards; 1 female aged 26-45 yrs.; 1 female aged 16-26 yrs.; 1 male aged 10-16 yrs.; 2 males & 2 females aged under 10 yrs.; 0 free persons of color; 0 slaves
• "US Census, 1810" , Capt. McKINLEY's Company, 7th District, Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina Micheal Lowrance.....1 male aged 45 yrs. & upwards; 1 female aged 26-45 yrs.; 1 male & 2 females aged 16-26 yrs.; 2 males aged 10-16 yrs.; 1 male & 3 females aged under 10 yrs.; 0 free persons of color; 0 slaves; 1 Loom; 150 yards of Cloth made
• "US Census, 1820" , Rutherford Co., Tennessee Michael Llorance.....1 male & 2 females aged 45 yrs. & upwards; 1 female aged 26-45 yrs.; 1 male & 2 females aged 16-26 yrs.; 1 male & 1 female aged 10-16 yrs.; 1 person engaged in Agriculture; 0 slaves; 0 free colored persons; 0 other persons not taxed
• "US Census, 1830" , Rutherford Co., Tennessee Michael Lowrance.....1 male aged 80-90 yrs.; 1 female aged 60-70 yrs.; 1 female aged 30-40 yrs.; 1 female aged 15-20 yrs.; 0 slaves; 0 free colored persons; 4 Total ^[3]

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102095016/michael-lorenz_(now_lorance): accessed 18 May 2023), memorial page for Michael Lorenz (Now Lorance) (18 Nov 1749–8 Feb 1834), Find a Grave Memorial ID 102095016, citing Family Graveyard, Browns Mill, Rutherford County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Nathan LORANCE (contributor 47999651).

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Peg Herriage for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Peg and others.