John Hewitt (abt. 1745 - abt. 1834)

Born about 1745 in Virginia

Descendants

Died about 1834 at about age 89 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky

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Biography

John Hewitt in the Northern District of Bedford County, Virginia, in 1810 with a household that consists of 2 white boys under ten, one white man 16-26, one white man 26-45, and one white man older than 45 (presumably John). one white girl 10-16, one white woman 16-26, one white woman 26-45, and one white woman older than 45. These ages fit what little we know about John Hewitt, and would also be consistent with the John Hewitt of the Virginia militia below, but he is not in Botetourt. A Stephen Hewitt is listed three lines down, with perhaps a slightly older family structure?^[1]

John Hewitt in 1820 in the Northern District of Bedford County. Household consists of 2 white males under 10, one white male 16-18, one white male 16-26, one white male 26-45, no men older than 45 (does this mean, then, that this is the previous John Hewitt's son?). One white female under 10, one white female 10-16, one white female 16-18, one white female 18-26. This would be consistent with the John Hewitt of 1840, more or less, except his wife is too young. Stephen Hewitt is still listed 3 rows down^[2]

No John Hewitt in 1830

There is a John Hewitt in the Northern District of Bedford County, Virginia, in 1840 with a household that consists of 1 male aged 60-70, two females aged 15-20, and one female aged 60-70. This seems too young for this John Hewitt (or the John Hewitt above), unless it was his son?^[3]

May have been a relation (brother?) of Reverend Richard Hewitt, who married Elizabeth Burwell and was educated at William and Mary and in England. John had a son named Richard who was a school director, so it seems a likely connection, but I can find nothing about Reverend Richard Hewitt's family.

There was a John Hewitt in the Virginia militia in the Revolutionary War. He was from Botetourt, which is near to Lynchburgh, but not clear if this is the right person: "HEWITT, JOHN.— Botetourt, Sept. 5, 1833. Born Nov. 14, 1763, in Botetourt. Volunteered in Continental Line, Sept. 8, 1780, for six months, but order to march did not come till Oct. 27. Went out under Capt. James Robinson, Nov. 5, were joined by Capt. Alexander Handly's company, and marching under Maj. David Campbell joined Morgan two days after the battle of the Cowpens. There took the place of the Augusta and Rockbridge militia, who were about to be discharged. They acted bravely in the battle and guarded the prisoners to Virginia. Affiant's command was sent down the Catawba to act in concert with Gen. Davidson at Mc- Cowan's Ford, and by felling timber along the bank to prevent the enemy from crossing. A few hours after this preparation had been made a detachment of the enemy appeared on the opposite bank. As we were about to fire on them they retired. Before daylight next morning the British opened a heavy artillery fire on Gen. Davidson, who commanded lower down the river. After daylight they forced the passage and Davidson was killed. Meanwhile in a cold dark dash with heavy rain, the affiant's command got into the road on which Gen. Morgan was retreating and came up with it on the Yadkin, which was very much swollen by the rains. It was daybreak before the North Carolina militia got over, and took position a half mile up the river from the direct road to Salisbury. Next night they were attacked by a strong detachment of infantry supported by cavalry, and compelled to retreat. The army got over with the exception of a small part of the baggage. The last boat had put off when the British cavalry reached the river and fired on it with pistols, but without effect. In our skirmish, Capt. Hanley and John Allen were taken prisoners and a few men killed. The most of those who escaped had to cross the river in canoes. When the scattered troops assembled they marched to Guilford C. H., where they were permitted to rest a while, the enemy being detained by the flood in the Yadkin. Then they marched to Bruce's crossroad on the way where Col. was cut to pieces by the British cavalry. The retreat continued till the Dan was crossed. After the Yadkin was crossed the army was commanded by Col. Williams. From the day after the battle of Cowpens they were employed night and day in throwing every possible difficulty in the enemy's path. The men were without tents and often without provisions. The fatigue, pri- vation, and loss of sleep brought on sickness and death in that in- clement season. When the two rifle companies crossed the Dan the 111 men were reduced to 17, and there were no officers but the major, who gave the remnant a verbal discharge, affiant being one of the 17. He volunteered Aug. 6, 1781, and marched to the siege of Yorktown under Maj. Patrick Locke, and after the surrender guarded prisoners to four miles beyond Winchester, where he was discharged the middle of November."^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1810", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2Q-QXH : accessed 10 May 2016), John Hewit, 1810.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1820", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLC-Y3D : accessed 10 May 2016), John Hewit, 1820.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBM-Z17 : accessed 10 May 2016), John Hewitt, Northern District, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 282, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 550; FHL microfilm 29,683.
4. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/virginiamilitiai00mcal/virginiamilitiai00mcal_djvu.txt

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