John Donelson III (1755 - 1830)

Born 7 Apr 1755 in Brunswick County, VA

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Purnell — married 17 Aug 1779 in Somerset County, MD

Descendants

Died 21 Apr 1830 at age 75 in Hermitage, Nashville Davidson County, TN

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Merilee Burton [send private message] and Theresa thunderbird Coffey [send private message]

Biography

John married Mary Purnell on August 17, 1779 at Pittsylvania, Virginia^[1] The inscription at his memorial gives some of his history.

Inscription: IN MEMORY OF CAPT JOHN DONELSON WHO WAS BORN IN ACOMAC COUNTY VIRGINIA APRIL 7TH 1755 AND DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 21ST OF APRIL 1830 POSSESSED OF A TRUE MEMORY PENETRATING MIND OF SINGULAR PERSEVERANCE AND FIRMNESS HE EMIGRATED TO THE WILDS OF TENNESSEE WITH HIS FAMILY IN THE YEAR OF 1786 AND WAS ONE OF THAT HARDY BAND OF PIONEERS TO ESTABLISH THE FREE PERMANENT SETTLEMENT ON THE BANK OF THE CUMBERLAND HE LIVED TO WITNESS THE LAND HE ASSISTED TO WREST FROM BRITAIN DOMINION INHABITED BY A CIVILIZED AND FREE PEOPLE HE WAS PUNCTUAL IN ALL HIS ENGAGEMENTS AND AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND AND A KIND PARENT AND HONEST MAN.^[2]

Name

Name: John /Donelson/ Capt.

Birth

Birth:

Date: 07 APR 1755

Place: Accomac City, Accomack, VA

Death

Death:

Date: 21 APR 1830

Place: Clover Bottom, Davidson, TN

Burial

Burial:

Date: APR 1830

Place: Hermitage Churchyard Cemetery, Davidson County, Tennessee

Notes

He was with his father on the travels to Tenn. in 1779-1780.

From Sharon McPherson, The Hermitage, 4580 Rachel's Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076-1331.

HISTORY: DONELSON, TENNESSEE, Its History and Landmarks, By Leona Taylor Aiken, Page 324

(The family was moved from the Bettie (Mrs. W. A.) Donelson Farm at

Hermitage, Tenn. (SW of Cleveland Hall) on Nov. 1948 to final interment at Hermitage Church.

Family Cemetery...

Mrs. Phila Ann Consort of Capt. Stockley Donelson and daughter of Doc. William P. Lawrence. Born the 16th July 1809 Died 28th February 1851 :Emily Donelson consort of A. J. Donelson June 1807. Died 19th Dec. 1836; :Ann Handy Martin Oct. 30, 1834-FEb. 1837 and Catherine Martin July

13, 1799-April 16, 1836 (two in one grave); Mrs. Mary consort Capt. John

Donelson, May 18, 1763-Nov. 16, 1848; Catp. John Donelson Born Acomac City,

VA. April 7, 1755-21st April 1830; Elizabeth consort of William died Oct.

1841 age 31; Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson May 20, 1772-Died Apr9l 18, 1847; two

illegible; William Eastin 1784-1829; Susanna Eastin 1812-1823; Tabitha Smith

Eastin 1824-1816; Rachel Jackson Martin born Nov. 2, 1827-died Jan. 8, 1848;

Lewis Jackson Randolph son of Lewis and E. A. Randalph born Mar 10, 1836 died

June 3, 1841; Jane JRD; Rachel consort of William Donelson born April 8, 1803

died Sept. 16, 1824; Elizabeth consort of Severn born June 8, 1781 died Mar.

31, 1898; Severn consort of Elizabeth born Aug. ___ died Oct. 1818.

Set apart is a new granite headstone: Memory of Rachel Stockely Donelson born

Va. 1715-died 1794; and Jone Donelson born Va. 1718 killed by Indians in KY.

1785.

Sources

1. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5YP-NRS : 6 August 2020), John Donelson, 1779. Pg. 100
2. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #6638993

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Merilee Burton for creating WikiTree profile Donelson-107 through the import of burton[1].ged_2013-12-25.ged on Dec 26, 2013.