Bell - Edmiston Marriages

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This page was created on 28 June 2023 to help sort out the profile of John Edmiston (abt.1740-1816), which as of that date appeared to be representing both John and William Edmiston - two different people. Below are two versions of the profile, from 28 June 2023 and from before the 2023 changes, which began on 30 April 2023... (Reformatted by the WikiTreeAGC extension version 1.4.13.0, Formatting. REMOVE email address)

See notes about other Edmistons/Edmonston's below. The two daughters attached to the profile of John Edmiston-5 who married Bells:

Both Samuel and Thomas were sons of Robert Bell I (1736-1816)

The two versions of Edmiston-5 below should remain "as is" on this page for now, to be used for reference.

1 Biography as of 10 am 28 June 2023
2 profile before automated reformatting in April 2023
- 2.1 Vitals
3 Research Notes for Edmistons & Edmonstons
4 King's Mountain / Overmountain Men

Biography as of 10 am 28 June 2023

John Edmiston
Born about 1740 in Virginia
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of Sarah Edmiston — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Father of Martha (Edmiston) Bell, David Edmiston, Robert Edmiston, John Edmiston and Margaret (Edmiston) Bell
Died Jan 1816 at about age 76 in Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee, USA

Biography

Wives:

Margaret Montgomery
Elizabeth Kennedy

Children:

David Edmiston
(Martha Edmiston) Bell (wife of Thomas Bell)
Robert Edmiston
John Edmiston
(Margaret Edmiston) Bell (wife of Samuel Bell

Died: January 1816, Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee, of the "cold plague"

Col. William Edmiston was born between 1734 and 1736, probably on the 27th of April, and probably in Cecil County, Maryland.1,2

Anecdote: William's father settled the family in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was not a large landowner. Hence, as young adults, William and his younger brother Samuel decided to explore the lands of southwest Virginia. Because the Indians were a real threat to safe travel the brothers enlisted for 3 months in a British regiment whose charge was to protect the frontier. During this time William, not familiar with the formalities observed by the British soldiers, made the mistake of speaking to an officer without taking off his hat. This resulted in William being severely rebuked. William considered this degrading and after retreating to his comrades, threatened to shoot the officer who had insulted him. Samuel had great difficulty in preventing his older brother from carrying out this threat. Col. Christian, an officer who knew William, wrote to Gov. Dunmore that he had a high spirited solder in his corp, who unless he was made an officer was likely to do mischief. William's commission arrived shortly thereafter. 3

Marriage: He married first Margaret Montgomery. 4

Land - Warrant - 16 Dec 1773 William, who eventually served as an ensign, received a warrant for 2,000 acres in Fincastle County for his service during the French-Indian War. 5

Land - Patent - 5 Jul 1774 The land was patented to William as two separate 1,000 acre tracts on July 5, 1774. The parcels sat between the South and Middle Forks of the Holston River in what was then Fincastle (now Washington County). The land ran for over 5 miles in an east-west direction between the South fork and present day highway 91, placing it to the northeast and southwest of the community of Lodi. 6

Land - Sell - 27 Jul 1775 A year later, on July 27, 1775, William and Margaret sold all but 168 acres of the 2000 acres to various Buchanan or Edmiston/Edmondson individuals. The parcel they kept was on the east end of the east parcel however they do not appear to have lived on this tract. 7,8

Marriage - William married second Elizabeth Kennedy. 9,10

Land - Sell - 9 Aug 1778 On the 9th of August 1778 William sold the remaining 168 acre parcel. Elizabeth also signed the deed, establishing that they had married prior to that date. The transaction was witnessed by Thomas Edmundson, William Kennedy and James Wason. 9

Military - 7 Oct 1780 William served in the Washington County militia both before and during the Revolutionary War. He was actively involved in many of the skirmishes along the frontier. By the time the Washington Co. militia marched "over the mountain" to fight the British forces at King's Mountain in the fall of 1780, William held the rank of Major. He was second in command of the Virginia forces in the ensuing battle. On Oct. 7th a group of combined militia from southwest Virginia and present day Tennessee defeated a larger contingency of Loyalist troops under British Major Patrick Ferguson. The frontiersmens' victory turned the tide of the Southern campaign following a series of defeats at the hand of British leader Lord Cornwallis. 11

Land - Grant - 20 Jun 1785 William received a grant for 400 acres on the Middle Fork of the Holston River in Washington County in June 1785 by virtue of a certificate in right of settlement. William was an assignee of Samuel Wilson who was an assignee of Joshua Horton. The land was surveyed 28 Jan. 1783. On Sept. 29th, 1802 William received a second grant which included the first 400 acres and added an additional 200. 12,13,14 The bulk of this land sat on the north side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River just west of present day Price's Bridge Road. William's home overlooked the river about one half mile west of Price's Bridge on State Rt. 736. 15

Land - Sell - 28 Apr 1809 In 1809 William gifted his right to land on the waters of the Elk River in Tennessee to 13 of his children as tenants in common for $1. The children were listed as: Samuel, Robert, Thomas, William Jr., Andrew, General William Campbell, Margaret Harold, Esther Kenedy, Mary Mcoun [McQuown or McEwen], Patsy Gillespy [Gillespie], Elisabeth Edmiston, Sallly Edmiston and Catesy Moffet Edmiston. However the children were charged with the costs of locating and surveying the land and satisfying the claims of Joseph Loppard and Joseph Cunningham on a portion of the land. 16

Will - 29 Oct 1811 William wrote his will in the fall of 1811. He left several slaves to his wife Elizabeth as well as a third of the land on which the family lived. Upon her death or remarriage the land was to be divided between William's sons Robert, William, Andrew and General W.C. Daughter "Ketsy" M. Edmiston was also left several items, including a slave [see will abstract below for more details]. William appointed his sons Andrew and Thomas as his executors; the will was witnessed by Samuel Edmiston, Edward W. Grinstead and Andrew Patterson. 17

Death - 30 Jul 1822 William died on 30 Jul 1822. 18

Attributes - Judge Benjamin Estill, the stepson of William's brother Samuel, offered the following thoughts on William in 1845: "I knew Col. Wm Edmondson most intimately; and can say that from all I have __ of his history as well as from my knowledge of him, that few more gallant __ and honorable men ever lived in any country and that to such gallant spirits this country is indebted for its independence and to few more than to him. To such men statutes have been erected in other countries, yet his name and service are likely to pass away without notice or recollection, than that bestowed by his ___ acquaintenances."3

Research Notes

Notes from external profile

Draper Interview has

John Edmiston's daughter Margaret is the wife of Captain Robert Bell II's (RBII) son Samuel. RBI and his daughter Rebecca are staying with Edmiston while tending his son Nathaniel who is ill with the "cold plague". Edmiston, RBII and Rebecca die. Nathaniel survives.

The source above says four people die, but names only three.

Parks, Joseph Howard. «b»«i»John Bell of Tennessee«/b»«/i». Southern biography series. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1950. p. 4 had the distinction of probably being the only man in the American Revolution to be shot with a ramrod. At kings Mountain a nervous British soldier , hard pressed for time, failed to remove the ramrod from his muzzle loader before firing into the ranks of Shelby's men. Edmiston received the missile and lived to relate the experience. Two of the other three Edmiston brothers were less fortunate. One was killed and the other seriously wounded. ...

«b»[14]«/b» John Bell to ?. December 6, 1844, in Jonesborough «b»«i»Whig«/b»«/i», February 19, 1845."

Sources

↑ Death: Abbreviation: Bell, Rev. Robert interviewed by Lyman C. Draper. Title: Rev. Robert Bell interviewed by Lyman C. Draper. Author: Draper, Lyman C. Publication: Draper Manuscripts, Draper's Notes Series S, v. 31: Notebook H; pp. 321-323 Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document at the Tennessee State Library and Archives 403 Seventh Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243 from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI., Division of Archives and Manuscripts. Text: Majr. Rbt. Bell - Gen. Rutherford. (From his son, Rev. Robt. Bell of Pontotoc (county) Mis.(Mississippi). Maj. Robt. Bell was born in Penn, at 12 years of age his father moved to Amherst County, VA. Subsequently to Caswell, & in '71 to Guilford County, N.C. When he, Maj. B., was about 34 years old. At the age of 28, he had married Miss Catherine Walker, by whom he had 3 sons & 3 daughters; married a second time in Guilford County in Dec. '74 to Miss Mary Boyd, by whom he had 10 sons & 3 daughters, 19 children in all, of whom 11 were living in 1841. When the Revolution broke out, he commanded a company and served throughout the war, went with his company on Gen. Rutherford's campaign in '76 against the Cherokees, there was no fighting, for the S.C. troops had met & defeated the Indians previous to Rutherford's joining them, however the North Carolina troops burnt some Indian towns, destroyed corn. Maj. Bell fought at the battle of Eutaw Springs under Gen. Pickens, at the close of which, he was placed in command of the guard that conveyed the prisoners 22 miles to a place of security. They had marched 6 miles before engaging, making 28 miles march that day, beside the engagement. Gen. Greene in consideration of Bell's good services promoted him to a Majority in the regular service. Major Bell was in a private capacity at the siege of Ninety-Six; & was often out against the Tories. He was temporarily absent from the army after a supply of corn, or he would have taken part at Guilford battle. In 1785 Majr. Bell emigrated to Sumner county in the Cumberland Country, since Tennessee. In the fall of '92 there were ---rted at Maj. Bell's a dozen families, & when getting logs to stockade the place, 40 Indians were lurking about but did not attack the fort. Maj. Bell was much of a military man, was a professor of religion from a young man. In '98 or '99 removed from Sumner County to Mill Creek in Davidson: He died of the cold plague in January, 1816, in his 80th year, while at John Edmondson's, in the neighborhood of the Hermitage: was born in Dec. 1736. His son Nathaniel sickened with the cold plague, a terrible malignant disease, while at Edmondson's, & Maj. Bell & one of his daughters went to minister to him, he recovered , but the aged father & daughter were seized by the fearful malady & died, Edmondson also died, & there were 4 corpses in the house at the same time. Note: Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243 from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI., Division of Archives and Manuscripts. Spelling and punctuation are as they appear in the original text. These interview notes were made during a trip Lyman Copeland Draper took to the south early in his career, sometime between 1841 and 1844. They are now housed in volume 30S of the Draper Manuscripts (Drapers Notes). Draper Manuscript Collection From Genealogy (Redirected from Draper MSC) Jump to: navigation, search Email address removed. Content. Sandi Gorin has graciously given permission for the following explanation of the Draper Manuscripts to be added to this site. Sandi concentrates on KY research, but these documents can be helpful in Tennessee also. THE DRAPER MANUSCRIPTS: What are they? Where are they? We've all heard about them; will they help us in our Kentucky research?. The Draper Manuscripts (often referred to as the Draper Papers) were compiled by Lyman Copeland Draper. He had planned to do a book which he had named "Sketches of the Lives of the Pioneers". The book was never realized. But, his collection of interviews does exist. The collection is a series of interviews which he conducted (or acquired), many in person, some in letters, about the old pioneers. The time frame is expansive - from the 1740's through the War of 1812 time frame. The territory covered is just as impressive - 21 states east of the Mississippi River, Iowa, Missouri and parts of Canada!. The papers also include documents, 575 early maps and manuscripts. His interviews ranged from the heroes of the time to the unknown little settler. And, bless his historical heart, he sensed that we in later years needed more than a list of their names. He included their names, parents and grandparents; sometimes more. When Draper died in 1891, he had been working on the manuscripts for over 50 years. Draper himself, a New York man, was so intent on his research that he caught the attention of his cousin's husband, Peter Remen. Having the finances to help, Remen was a strong supporter of Draper's quest. The original collection is housed at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. You are allowed to see the originals there, but cannot photocopy them. Some of the information contained is absolutely a gold mine of information and includes information such as color of hair and eyes, where the individual was born, military service and much more. How many manuscripts are there? 491 volumes on 123 reels of microfilm which are divided into 50 separate series. The series are labeled A through ZZ (with the letter I and II not used). The George Rogers Clark Papers are Series J and are 65 volumes on 15 reels alone. The Joseph Brant Papers, Series E contained 22 volumes on 6 reels. A Guide to the Draper Papers was published by Josephine L. Harper, she the Curator of the Draper Manuscripts, gives a description of each series, an index to the people named and places cited; it includes 4 appendices. There are also Calendars to 11 of the series in the collection which give an over-view of the documents by date and an index to the actual documents. Five of these Calendars are in print and may be ordered from McDowell Publications, of Utica, KY. Printed Calendars include the Calendar of the Kentucky Papers of the Draper Collection, Calendar of the Tennessee and King's Mountain Papers of the Draper Collection, and The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection. See their web site at: http://members.aol.com/sammcpub/cat3.htm. These Calendars can be found on microfiche and may be ordered from., 623 Martense Ave., Teaneck, NJ 07666 (1984 address): Calendar of the George Rogers Clark Papers of the Draper Collection; Calendar of the Frontier War Papers; Calendar of the David Shepherd Papers; Calendar of the South Carolina Papers; Calendar of the South Carolina Papers in the Revolutions Miscellanies and Calendar of the Thomas Sumter Papers. (Unable to locate a web site). The State Historical Society of Wisconsin will loan their film out of state. You might want to check their web site. The Newberry Library in Chicago have complete collections but will not loan out the film. The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN will not loan. Paranthetical: Y. (accessed before 30 April 2023)

Acknowledgements

This person was created through the import of JDS_09_17_10.ged on 09 February 2011.

profile before automated reformatting in April 2023

This person was created through the import of JDS_09_17_10.ged on 09 February 2011. this line was at top-of-profile text on the pre-reformatted bio

Vitals

Col. William Edmiston

Parents:

born between 1734 and 1736. Probably April 27th, Cecil County, Maryland.

Wives:

Margaret Montgomery
Elizabeth Kennedy

Children:

David Edmiston
Martha (Edmiston) Bell (wife of Thomas Bell)
Robert Edmiston
John Edmiston
Margaret (Edmiston) Bell (wife of Samuel Bell

Died: January 1816, Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee, of the "cold plague"

Biography

Col. William Edmiston was born between 1734 and 1736, probably on the 27th of April, and probably in Cecil County, Maryland.1,2

Anecdote William's father settled the family in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was not a large landowner. Hence, as young adults, William and his younger brother Samuel decided to explore the lands of southwest Virginia. Because the Indians were a real threat to safe travel the brothers enlisted for 3 months in a British regiment whose charge was to protect the frontier. During this time William, not familiar with the formalities observed by the British soldiers, made the mistake of speaking to an officer without taking off his hat. This resulted in William being severely rebuked. William considered this degrading and after retreating to his comrades, threatened to shoot the officer who had insulted him. Samuel had great difficulty in preventing his older brother from carrying out this threat. Col. Christian, an officer who knew William, wrote to Gov. Dunmore that he had a high spirited solder in his corp, who unless he was made an officer was likely to do mischief. William's commission arrived shortly thereafter. 3

Marriage He married first Margaret Montgomery. 4

Land-Warrant 16 Dec 1773 William, who eventually served as an ensign, received a warrant for 2,000 acres in Fincastle County for his service during the French-Indian War. 5

Land-Patent 5 Jul 1774 The land was patented to William as two separate 1,000 acre tracts on July 5, 1774. The parcels sat between the South and Middle Forks of the Holston River in what was then Fincastle (now Washington County). The land ran for over 5 miles in an east-west direction between the South fork and present day highway 91, placing it to the northeast and southwest of the community of Lodi. 6

Land-Sell 27 Jul 1775 A year later, on July 27, 1775, William and Margaret sold all but 168 acres of the 2000 acres to various Buchanan or Edmiston/Edmondson individuals. The parcel they kept was on the east end of the east parcel however they do not appear to have lived on this tract. 7,8

Marriage William married second Elizabeth Kennedy. 9,10

Land-Sell 9 Aug 1778 On the 9th of August 1778 William sold the remaining 168 acre parcel. Elizabeth also signed the deed, establishing that they had married prior to that date. The transaction was witnessed by Thomas Edmundson, William Kennedy and James Wason. 9

Military 7 Oct 1780 William served in the Washington County militia both before and during the Revolutionary War. He was actively involved in many of the skirmishes along the frontier. By the time the Washington Co. militia marched "over the mountain" to fight the British forces at King's Mountain in the fall of 1780, William held the rank of Major. He was second in command of the Virginia forces in the ensuing battle. On Oct. 7th a group of combined militia from southwest Virginia and present day Tennessee defeated a larger contingency of Loyalist troops under British Major Patrick Ferguson. The frontiersmens' victory turned the tide of the Southern campaign following a series of defeats at the hand of British leader Lord Cornwallis. 11

Land-Grant 20 Jun 1785 William received a grant for 400 acres on the Middle Fork of the Holston River in Washington County in June 1785 by virtue of a certificate in right of settlement. William was an assignee of Samuel Wilson who was an assignee of Joshua Horton. The land was surveyed 28 Jan. 1783. On Sept. 29th, 1802 William received a second grant which included the first 400 acres and added an additional 200. 12,13,14 The bulk of this land sat on the north side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River just west of present day Price's Bridge Road. William's home overlooked the river about one half mile west of Price's Bridge on State Rt. 736. 15

Land-Sell 28 Apr 1809 In 1809 William gifted his right to land on the waters of the Elk River in Tennessee to 13 of his children as tenants in common for $1. The children were listed as: Samuel, Robert, Thomas, William Jr., Andrew, General William Campbell, Margaret Harold, Esther Kenedy, Mary Mcoun [McQuown or McEwen], Patsy Gillespy [Gillespie], Elisabeth Edmiston, Sallly Edmiston and Catesy Moffet Edmiston. However the children were charged with the costs of locating and surveying the land and satisfying the claims of Joseph Loppard and Joseph Cunningham on a portion of the land. 16

Will 29 Oct 1811 William wrote his will in the fall of 1811. He left several slaves to his wife Elizabeth as well as a third of the land on which the family lived. Upon her death or remarriage the land was to be divided between William's sons Robert, William, Andrew and General W.C. Daughter "Ketsy" M. Edmiston was also left several items, including a slave [see will abstract below for more details]. William appointed his sons Andrew and Thomas as his executors; the will was witnessed by Samuel Edmiston, Edward W. Grinstead and Andrew Patterson. 17

Death 30 Jul 1822 William died on 30 Jul 1822. 18

Attributes Judge Benjamin Estill, the stepson of William's brother Samuel, offered the following thoughts on William in 1845: "I knew Col. Wm Edmondson most intimately; and can say that from all I have __ of his history as well as from my knowledge of him, that few more gallant __ and honorable men ever lived in any country and that to such gallant spirits this country is indebted for its independence and to few more than to him. To such men statutes have been erected in other countries, yet his name and service are likely to pass away without notice or recollection, than that bestowed by his ___ acquaintenances."3

Death

Death:

Date: Jan 1816

Place: Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee, USA

Cause: "cold plague"

Source: #S601

Note: @DI7696@

Reference

Reference: 47812

User ID

User ID: 9F2B641E8E01834F9E578E9D60F2D33D2FFA

Data Changed

Data Changed:

Date: 12 Mar 2009

Time: 16:02

Prior to import, this record was last changed 16:02 12 Mar 2009.

Note

Note: @NI7696@

Source: #S601

Source: #S687

@NI7696@ NOTEDraper Interview has

The source above says four people die, but names only three.

Parks, Joseph Howard. «b»«i»John Bell of Tennessee«/b»«/i». Southern biography series. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1950. p. 4

had the distinction of probably being the only man in the American Revolution to be shot with a ramrod. At kings Mountain a nervous British soldier , hard pressed for time, failed to remove the ramrod from his muzzle loader before firing into the ranks of Shelby's men. Edmiston received the missile and lived to relate the experience. Two of the other three Edmiston brothers were less fortunate. One was killed and the other seriously wounded. ...

«b»[14]«/b» John Bell to ?. December 6, 1844, in Jonesborough «b»«i»Whig«/b»«/i», February 19, 1845."

Sources

Source: #S687

Biography - http://www.ramblingroots.com/RYB-p/p2909.htm

Source S601

Abbreviation: Bell, Rev. Robert interviewed by Lyman C. Draper

Title: Rev. Robert Bell interviewed by Lyman C. Draper

Author: Draper, Lyman C.

Publication: Draper Manuscripts, Draper's Notes Series S, v. 31: Notebook H; pp. 321-323 Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document at the Tennessee State Library and Archives 403 Seventh Avenue North Nashville, TN 37243 from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI., Division of Archives and Manuscripts

Text: Majr. Rbt. Bell - Gen. Rutherford

(From his son, Rev. Robt. Bell of Pontotoc (county) Mis.(Mississippi)

Maj. Robt. Bell was born in Penn at 12 years of age his father moved to Amherst County, VA. subsequently to Caswell, & in '71 to Guilford County, N.C. When he, Maj. B., was about 34 years old. At the age of 28, he had married Miss Catherine Walker, by whom he had 3 sons & 3 daughters; married a second time in Guilford County in Dec. '74 to Miss Mary Boyd, by whom he had 10 sons & 3 daughters 19 children in all, of whom 11 were living in 1841. When the Revolution broke out, he commanded a company and served throughout the war went with his company on Gen. Rutherford's campaign in '76 against the Cherokees there was no fighting, for the S.C. troops had met & defeated the Indians previous to Rutherford's joining them however the North Carolina troops burnt some Indian towns, destroyed corn Maj. Bell fought at the battle of Eutaw Springs under Gen. Pickens at the close of which, he was placed in command of the guard that conveyed the prisoners 22 miles to a place of security. They had marched 6 miles before engaging making 28 miles march that day, beside the engagement. Gen. Greene in consideration of Bell's good services promoted him to a Majority in the regular service. Major Bell was in a private capacity at the siege of Ninety-Six; & was often out against the Tories. He was temporarily absent from the army after a supply of corn, or he would have taken part at Guilford battle.

In 1785 Majr. Bell emigrated to Sumner county in the Cumberland Country since Tennessee. In the fall of '92 there were **rted at Maj. Bell's a dozen families, & when getting logs to stockade the place, 40 Indians were lurking about but did not attack the fort. Maj. Bell was much of a military man was a professor of religion from a young man. In '98 or '99 removed from Sumner County to Mill Creek in Davidson: He died of the cold plague in January, 1816, in his 80th year, while at John Edmondson's, in the neighborhood of the Hermitage: was born in Dec. 1736. His son Nathaniel sickened with the cold plague, a terrible malignant disease, while at Edmondson's, & Maj. Bell & one of his daughters went to minister to him he recovered , but the aged father & daughter were seized by the fearful malady & died Edmondson also died, & there were 4 corpses in the house at the same time.

Note: Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document

at the Tennessee State Library and Archives

403 Seventh Avenue North

Nashville, TN 37243 from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI., Division of Archives and Manuscripts

Spelling and punctuation are as they appear in the original text.

These interview notes were made during a trip Lyman Copeland Draper took to the south early in his career, sometime between 1841 and 1844. They are now housed in volume 30S of the Draper Manuscripts (Drapers Notes).

Draper Manuscript Collection From Genealogy (Redirected from Draper MSC) Jump to: navigation, search From: wwalker[at]iglou.com Subject: [TWWFA]: THE DRAPER MANUSCRIPTS Date: December 31, 2006 8:56:54 AM EST To: TWWFA[at]googlegroups.com Content

Sandi Gorin has graciously given permission for the following explanation of the Draper Manuscripts to be added to this site. Sandi concentrates on KY research, but these documents can be helpful in Tennessee also.

THE DRAPER MANUSCRIPTS: What are they? Where are they? We've all heard about them; will they help us in our Kentucky research?

The Draper Manuscripts (often referred to as the Draper Papers) were compiled by Lyman Copeland Draper. He had planned to do a book which he had named "Sketches of the Lives of the Pioneers". The book was never realized. But, his collection of interviews does exist. The collection is a series of interviews which he conducted (or acquired), many in person, some in letters, about the old pioneers. The time frame is expansive - from the 1740's through the War of 1812 time frame. The territory covered is just as impressive - 21 states east of the Mississippi River, Iowa, Missouri and parts of Canada!

The papers also include documents, 575 early maps and manuscripts. His interviews ranged from the heroes of the time to the unknown little settler. And, bless his historical heart, he sensed that we in later years needed more than a list of their names. He included their names, parents and grandparents; sometimes more.

When Draper died in 1891, he had been working on the manuscripts for over 50 years. Draper himself, a New York man, was so intent on his research that he caught the attention of his cousin's husband, Peter Remen. Having the finances to help, Remen was a strong supporter of Draper's quest.

The original collection is housed at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. You are allowed to see the originals there, but cannot photocopy them. Some of the information contained is absolutely a gold mine of information and includes information such as color of hair and eyes, where the individual was born, military service and much more.

How many manuscripts are there? 491 volumes on 123 reels of microfilm which are divided into 50 separate series. The series are labeled A through ZZ (with the letter I and II not used). The George Rogers Clark Papers are Series J and are 65 volumes on 15 reels alone. The Joseph Brant Papers, Series E contained 22 volumes on 6 reels.

A Guide to the Draper Papers was published by Josephine L. Harper, she the Curator of the Draper Manuscripts, gives a description of each series, an index to the people named and places cited; it includes 4 appendices. There are also Calendars to 11 of the series in the collection which give an over-view of the documents by date and an index to the actual documents. Five of these Calendars are in print and may be ordered from McDowell Publications, of Utica, KY. Printed Calendars include the Calendar of the Kentucky Papers of the Draper Collection, Calendar of the Tennessee and King's Mountain Papers of the Draper Collection, and The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection. See their web site at: http://members.aol.com/sammcpub/cat3.htm

These Calendars can be found on microfiche and may be ordered from., 623 Martense Ave., Teaneck, NJ 07666 (1984 address): Calendar of the George Rogers Clark Papers of the Draper Collection; Calendar of the Frontier War Papers; Calendar of the David Shepherd Papers; Calendar of the South Carolina Papers; Calendar of the South Carolina Papers in the Revolutions Miscellanies and Calendar of the Thomas Sumter Papers. (Unable to locate a web site).

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin will loan their film out of state. You might want to check their web site. The Newberry Library in Chicago have complete collections but will not loan out the film. The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN will not loan.

Paranthetical: Y

Source S687

Media: Book

Abbreviation: Bell, John of Tennessee

Title: John Bell of Tennessee

Author: Parks, Joseph Howard

Publication: Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 1950

Text: Parks, Joseph Howard. «b»«i»John Bell of Tennessee«/b»«/i». Southern biography series. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1950.

Chapter I, pp. 1 - 8

Comments in '«b»[ ]«/b»'s are mine.

JDS (15856)

03/08/09

«b»ON MILL CREEK

«/b»

In 1782 an invading British army was sweeping victoriously through South Carolina. At Eutaw Springs on September 8 an American force under General Nathanael Greene tried to halt the redcoats. With Greene was a company under the command of Captain Robert Bell. During the battle Bell was in effect commander of the regiment since the French regimental commander, unable to speak effective English, relied heavily on him. Following the engagement General Greene, in a letter to Governor Richard Caswell of North Carolina, made special mention of the meritorious service by Captain Bell. «b»«sup»1«/b»«/sup»

«b»

«/b» A native of Caswell County, North Carolina, Robert Bell had moved to Guilford County prior to the Revolution and settled "about nine miles" from Guilford Courthouse. He had married Catherine Walker, probably in the early 1760's, and had become the father of six children «b»«sup»2«/b»«/sup» before his wife died in the early 1770's. He later married Mary Boyd and sired thirteen more children. «b»«sup»3«/b» «/sup»Following the Revolution he and his brother Samuel joined the throng of emigrants who moved into central Tennessee. Robert's first home in Tennessee is said to have been north of the Cumberland River in Sumner County. «b»«sup»4 «/b»«/sup» Sometime during the 1790's he moved to Davidson County, settling on Mill Creek, a short distance southeast of Nashville, where he had previously located North Carolina grants for several hundred acres of land. «b»«sup»5«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/sup»[«/b»The above two paragraphs appear «i»ver batim«/i» without citation in G. G. Bell, «b»«i»The Bells and Allied Families«/b»«/i»...«b»]«/b»

«b»«sup»

«/b»«/sup»The land in the Mill Creek area was fertile and well adapted to cotton culture. A small acreage was already in cultivation. And John Hague, an enterprising Englishman, was attempting to utilize the community's new raw material by establishing a cotton factory at a point which he designated as Manchester. In an advertisement in the Knoxville «b»«i»Gazette«/b»«/i» on November 4, 1791, Hague stated that machinery had already been installed and weavers were urgently needed. «b»«sup»6«/b»«/sup» This experiment in frontier manufacturing failed, and the town of Manchester never materialized. «b»«sup»7«/b»«/sup» One cause for this failure was the Indian menace which kept settlers in constant fear. During 1792-1793, Cherokee, Creeks, and Shawnee, hundreds strong, struck the central Tennessee settlements. The principal stations on Mill Creek were able to withstand the attack but the loss of life and property was considerable. The general plight of the settlers was such that Andrew Jackson, who had recently arrived in the Cumberland section, reported that the "Country is Declining fast." Unless Congress furnished better protection "this Country will have at length to break or seek a protection from some other Source than the present." «b»«sup»8«/b»«/sup» No substantial relief came until a band of enraged settlers destroyed the lower Cherokee towns of Nickojack and Running Water in September 1794. «b»«sup»9«/b»«/sup» It is not known whether Robert Bell had moved to the Mill Creek community prior to these Indian attacks. But, regardless of his place of residence. his family was apparently spared: the murder of ancestors by Indians is not a part of the Bell family stories.

«b»[«/b»But, see «b»«i»Rev. Robert Bell interviewed by Lyman C. Draper«/b»«/i» for an account of Robert Bell's role in these events.«b»]«/b»

In 1792 a Captain Robert Bell located in the Big Harpeth River west of southwest of Nashville a North Carolina military grant for 2,560 acres of land. Whether this was the Robert Bell who had acquired land on Mill Creek has not been established. It seems unlikely that two Revolutionary captains by the same name would locate land in the same general area. Yet there is an incongruity in the dates which makes this appear probable. The owner of the Harpeth tract sold one half of it to Garret Goodlow in 1796, and the deed stated that Robert Bell was a resident of Franklin County, North Carolina. According to the family story Robert Bell of Mill Creek had migrated to Tennessee at least a decade prior to 1796. The reliability of this account is further strengthened by the fact that three of his children -- Samuel, Catherine, an Robert Jr. -- married in Tennessee Country in the early 1790's The presence of older children in this area suggests, but does not prove, that the father had also arrived. «b»«sup»10«/b»«/sup»

«b»[«/b»I don't know what to make of this. There is reference to "a land grant for2,568 acres" in G. G. Bell, «b»«i»The Bells and Allied Families«/b»«/i».... I don't know where she gets this; perhaps from G. E. Bell. Maybe she just read Parks inaccurately. It is also possible that the recorder of deeds confused Franklin County NC with Franklin County TN.«b»]«/b»

Of one thing, however, there can be no doubt -- the progeny of Robert Bell of Mill Creek was soon scattered over a wide portion of Tennessee and neighboring states. «b»«sup»11«/b»«/sup» He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five, dying at his home "near Flat Rock on the Nolensville Road" in 1816. «b»«sup»12«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/sup»[«/b»See «b»«i»Rev. Robert Bell interviewed by Lyman C. Draper«/b»«/i» for an account of Robert Bell's death with a different location.«b»]«/b»

«b»

«/b»Samuel, the eldest son of Robert Bell and the father of "John Bell of Tennessee" was born in Caswell County North Carolina, on February 11, 1766. He probably accompanied the family to Tennessee. On June 16 1791, he married Margaret Edmiston, a daughter of John Edmiston. «b»«sup»13«/b»«/sup» Edmiston had the distinction of probably being the only man in the American Revolution to be shot with a ramrod. At kings Mountain a nervous British soldier , hard pressed for time, failed to remove the ramrod from his muzzle loader before firing into the ranks of Shelby's men. Edmiston received the missile and lived to relate the experience. Two of the other three Edmiston brothers were less fortunate. One was killed and the other seriously wounded. «b»«sup»14«/b»«/sup» During the next few years following his marriage, Samuel Bell became the owner of several tracts of land on Mill Creek and probably on Stone's River. «b»«sup»15«/b»«/sup» He spent the rest of his life as a "humble mechanic and farmer" in the Mill Creek community. In addition to regular farming, he operated a blacksmith shop. In 1824, conscious of his advanced years, he entered into a contract with his son Thomas whereby the latter was made manager of his father's farm and was to receive on third of the net income from its operation. «b»«sup»16«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/b»«/sup»Samuel Bell died intestate in 1836. Seven of his nine children survived him. The five daughters married into prominent local families. Martha became the wife of James Crockett of Williamson County. Catherine married Andrew Crockett, a nephew of James. Eliza Ann married Clymer MeEwen. Mary married Littelton J. Dooley, and at the time of her father's death resided in Mississippi. Sarah, who had married William W. Gaines, died prior to 1836. «b»«sup»17«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/b»«/sup»As above noted, Thomas had been in charge of his father's farm since 1824. In the devision of the estate, he received two hundred acres of land and two slaves, and apparently considered himself as a farmer. «b»«sup»18«/b»«/sup» He never married. James married Mary Dickinson, a daughter of the affluent David Dickinson of Rutherford County. He established a mercantile business in Nashville, and when it failed in 1834, moved to Carroll County, Mississippi. In 1841, while traveling on the «b»«i»New Orleans«/b»«/i», he fell overboard and was drowned in the Mississippi River. «b»«sup»19«/b»«/sup» Robert, Samuel Bell's eldest son, born April 11, 1794, died in childhood. «b»«sup»20«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/b»«/sup»John was born on Mill Creek on February 18, 1796. «b»«sup»21«/b»«/sup» Nothing is known of his early life that distinguished him from other youths of his day. He worked on the farm and operated the bellows in his father's blacksmith shop. According to a family story, one day while young John was pumping the bellows his father suddenly asked him if he would like to go to college. John answered yes; and at the age of fourteen he entered Cumberland College, a struggling Nashville institution, the administration of which had recently passed int the capable hands of Dr. James Priestly, late of the Salem Academy of Bardstown, Kentucky. This frontier college, with its limited faculty and equipment, had little to offer, but Bell's contemporaries attested to the fact that he took his scholastic work seriously and made the most of his opportunities. «b»«sup»22«/b»«/sup» Graduation from Cumberland in 1814 concluded his formal training. Neither at college nor later in life was he distinguished for his brilliance of knowledge. A slow reasoner but diligent searcher after needed information, he was more of a plodder than a scholar. Time, plenty of it, was required in reaching conclusions. Frequently, when his more brilliant associates had already taken their stand on an issue, Bell was still considering. Throughout his public career, he showed ability as a formal speaker, a talent no doubt developed during his college days, but he always suffered when debate reached the point where quick decisions and immediate replies were necessary. Lacing in mental agility, he often became confused and then angry; at times he was not adverse to using his fists when adequate words were not forthcoming.

No contemporary left an adequate description of Bell's physical appearance. This fact itself indicates that there was nothing about him that attracted special attention. Late in his life he was inclined to obesity, and one gets the impression from his portraits that he was also large of frame. His hair was probably dark, for in 1854 an observer in the Senate gallery remarked that Bell was getting gray. Even as a young man his stiffness of bearing and his seriousness of demeanor gave him the appearance of a man of more advanced years. Usually solemn, often glum, he could smile but he had no hearty laugh. To him life, public and private, was a serious business.

The year following his graduation from Cumberland, Bell acquired 120 acres of his father's land on Mill Creek. «b»«sup»23«/b»«/sup» There is no evidence, however, that he intended returning to the life of a farmer, for he had already begun to read law in preparation for admission to the bar. In July, 1816, Ephraim H. Foster, a neighbor, assured the Davidson County that Bell was a man of good moral character, and in October, he began the practice of law in Williamson County. «b»«sup»24«/b»«/sup» He immediately formed a partnership with J. J. White in the town of Franklin, where he already had numerous family connections. A portion of the equipment of his office consisted of a desk, a chair, and a few books, including a dictionary, which he had recently acquired at the sale of his grandfather's personal property. «b»«sup»25«/b»«/sup»

«b»«sup»

«/sup»[«/b»Thus, we may infer that Robert Bell owned a dictionary and was (perhaps) able to use it for it's intended purpose.«b»]«/b»

«b»

======================================================================«/b»

«b»[1]«/b» John Bell to ?, December 8, 1844, printed in Jonesborough (Tennessee) «b»«i»Whig«/b»«/i», February 19, 1845; G. E. Bell to Tennessee Historical Commission, July 6, 1923, in Bell File, Tennessee State Library.

«b»[2]«/b» Mary (1763-1827), Samuel (1766-1836), Ann (1766-1860), Robert Jr. (1770-1853), Catherine (1770-1857) and an unnamed child who died in infancy.

«b»[3]«/b» John, James, Hugh, Thomas, Francis, William, David, Nathaniel, Daniel, Abraham, Rebecca, Sarah and Jane. Davidson County Wills and Inventories Book 7, pp. 77-78; Genealogical Records in possession of G. E. Bell, Dallas Texas.

«b»[4]«/b» There seems to be no record of the place of his residence. In 1794 a Robert Bell and his wife Margaret purchased a tract of land on Drake's Creek. This could not have been the same Bell; his wife was named Mary. Sumner County Deed Book 1, p. 80.

«b»[5]«/b» General John Bell to ?, n. d. in Richard Beard, «b»«i»Brief Biographical Sketches of Early Ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church«/b»«/i» (Nashville, 1874). 114-117; see Index to Davidson County Deeds, 1784-1871.

«b»[6]«/b» The 1791 volume of this early newspaper in the possession of the Tennessee Historical Society.

«b»[7]«/b» For interesting material on this experiment, see Samuel C. Williams "The South's First Cotton Factory." in «b»«i»Tennessee Historical Quarterly«/b»«/i» (Nashville) V (1946), 212 ff.

«b»[8]«/b» Andrew Jackson to John McKee, May 16, 1794, in John Spencer Bassett (ed.), «b»«i»The Correspondence of Andrew Jackson«/b»«/i» (Washington 1926-1935), I. 12-13.

«b»[9]«/b» James Phelan, «b»«i»History of Tennessee«/b»«/i» (Boston, 1888) 160-62.

«b»[10]«/b» Davidson County Deeds, Book E, 33, 77 con. Manuscript Marriage Bonds, in Davidson County Court Clerk's Office.

«b»[11]«/b» Robert Jr., became a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. In 1794 he married Grizzell McCutchen of Logan County, Kentucky, and moved to her home section. By 1806 he was back in Tennessee, residing in Franklin county and preaching at Goshen and Mt. Carmel. In 1820 he moved to Mississippi and became co-founder and superintendent of Charity Hall, a mission school in the Choctaw country near Aberdeen. When the school was discontinued following the removal of the Indians west of the Mississippi River, he settled in Pontotoc County, where he continued to reside until his death in 1853. Among his children was a son named John, who became Surveyor General of Mississippi. See General John Bell to ? in Beard, «b»«i»Biographical Sketches«/b»«/i», 114-17; Manuscript Marriage Bonds for 1794, in Davidson County Clerk's Office; sketch of Robert Bell Jr., by E. T. Winston in Pontotoc «b»«i»Sentinel«/b»«/i» (clipping in Tennessee State Library); John V. Stephens, «b»«i»Biographical Sketch of the Late Claiborn H. Bell«/b»«/i» (Lebanon, Tennessee, 1909), 7-11.

«b»[«/b» It appears Parks is mistaken about the location of Indians in MS. Charity Hall was a mission to the Chickasaws, located in their lands, though a few Choctaw children also attended.«b»]«/b»

Catherine, a twin sister of Robert Jr., married Samuel McCutchan. probably an uncle of Robert's wife. Ann married William Marchall and became the mother of John Marshall, a prominent Franklin lawyer and father of the late Park Marshall. Mary married Thomas Williamson. See Manuscript Marriage Bonds, in Davidson County Clerk's Office; R. H. Crockett to John Trotwood Moore, August 21, 1922, in Bell File, Tennessee State Library, Genealogical Records in possession of G. E. Bell.

«b»[«/b»MuCutchan (McCutcheon) family web pages tell us that Robert Jr was the second husband of Grizzell. Her first husband was James M. McCutchheon II (7720) Her unmarried name is unknown. It is the brother of Grizzell's first husband, Samuel (3042) that Catherine Bell (3041) marries.«b»]«/b»

Little is known of the numerous descendants of Robert Bell Sr., by his second wife. James married Mary Dean and moved to Wilson County, where he died in 1823, leaving nine children. He was the grandfather of G. E. Bell of Dallas TX. John married a cousin Sarah (Sally) Bell, a daughter of his uncle Samuel. Thomas married Martha Edmiston, and Francis married Peggy Bails. Danial and Rebecca never married. Nothing is known of the other seven. See Davidson County Wills and Inventories, Book 7, pp. 10, 79. Goodspeed Publishing Company, «b»«i»History of Tennessee...Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall Counties...«/b»«/i» (Nashville, 1886), 1080, Davidson County Marriage Records, Book 1, pp. 69, 116, 162; Genealogical Records in possession of G. E. Bell.

«b»[12]«/b» Goodspeed, «b»«i»History of Tennessee«/b»«/i», 1080; R. H. Crockett to John Trotwood Moore August 21. 1922, in Bell File.

«b»[13]«/b» Margaret was born on January 23, 1773. On the records her name is incorrectly spelled Edmondson. This fact is verified by the signature of John Edmiston on the marriage contract. Davidson County Marriage Records, Book 1p. 30; Manuscript Marriage Bonds in Davidson County Clerk's Office; Bell Family Bible, in possession of Mrs. W. H. Knox, Nashville. Mrs Knox is the granddaughter of James and Martha Bell Crockett.

«b»[14]«/b» John Bell to ?. December 6, 1844, in Jonesborough «b»«i»Whig«/b»«/i», February 19, 1845.

«b»[15]«/b» Davidson County Deeds, Book E, 241, 242, 243, 287; Book K, 61, 254. Robert Bell's brother Samuel who had married Jane Scott, also settled in Davidson County. The fact that uncle and nephew, by the same name , acquired extensive land holdings in this general area greatly complicates the problem of determining the possessions of each. And the additional fact that each Samuel had children named John, Thomas, James, Martha, and Sarah, makes a complete isolation of each family impossible.

A Samuel Bell acquired land on the main fork of Stone's River, lots in the projected town of Jefferson in Rutherford County and land on the Harpeth rivers. The owner of the Franklin lots was probably the father of our subject.; the owner of the Harpeth and at least one of the Stone's River tracts was the uncle, for this Samuel died in 1821, leaving his Harpeth estate to his son John. Previously, he had transferred a portion of the Stone's River land to his son Samuel Jr. Davidson County Wills and Inventories, Book 7, pp. 492-94: Rutherford County Deed Book O, 14; Williamson County Deeds, Book B, 16, 322, 630.

«b»[16]«/b» Davidson County Register, Book Q, 871-2.

«b»[17]«/b» «i»Ibid.«/i», Book 1, pp. 270-271; Bell Family Bible; Janie Preston Collop French and Zella Armstrong (comps.), «b»«i»The Crockett Family and Connecting Lines«/b»«/i» (Bristol, Tenn, 1928), 77-78. Andrew and Catherine Bell Crockett were the grandparents of the late Judge R. H. Crockett of Franklin.

«b»[18]«/b» Davidson County Register, Book 1, pp. 270-71; Davidson County Wills and Inventories, Book 11, p. 588.

«b»[19]«/b» Davidson County Register Book Z, 136; Book X, 174-81; «b»«i»Memphis Enquirer«/b»«/i», quoted in Nashville «b»«i»Republican Banner«/b»«/i», June 19, 1841.

son, David W. D. Bell, received from his grandfather Dickinson's estate 500 acres of land in Gibson County and slaves valued at $5,000. He apparently moved to West Tennessee. See David Dickinson's will in Rutherford County Wills, book 14. p. 411.

«b»[20]«/b» Bell Family Bible.

«b»[21]«/b» Some accounts give February 14, others February 15. The year 1797 is also frequently given. At the time of Bell's death a close friend made a public statement that Bell was born in 1796, not 1797. The date on his tomb is February 18, 1796. This is also the date in the Bell Family Bible.

house in which Bell was born was later known as the "Barnes House" and was located on Barnes Lane "two hundred yards on the left from where this lane intersects the Nolensville pike, 9«sup»1«/sup»/2 miles from Nashville." This two-story structure, built of bricks made by Samuel Bell himself, burned several years ago and was replaced by a smaller house. John W. Gaines, "Where John Bell was born and Where he Died" (manuscript in possession of G. E. Bell).

«b»[22]«/b» Statement by Judge William B. Turley, in W. Woodward Clayton, «b»«i»History of Davidson County, Tennessee«/b»«/i», (Philadelphia, 1880), 112.

«b»[23]«/b» Davidson County Deeds, Book K, 690.

«b»[24]«/b» Davidson County Court Minutes, 1814-1816, p. 619; Wiliamson County Court Minutes, 1816-1817, p. 179. The records fail to reveal the date on which Bell received his license to practice law.

«b»[25]«/b» Davidson County Wills and Inventories, Book 7, pp. 77-78.

Note: G. E. Bell is cited in the preface. Apparently this is George Emmett (8188).

The first chapter contains a thorough, well documented account of early Bells. It appears to be the source of much of G. G Bell's account (The Bells in U. S. A. and Allied Families 1650-1977), though she does not cite the material.

Italicized: Y

Paranthetical: Y

Research Notes for Edmistons & Edmonstons

From the DAR record for William Edmondson (born 1734 in Cecil County, MD; died 30 July 1822 in Washington County, VA), Patriot Ancestor #A036402. The record is flagged with the following notes:

Robert who married Susan Hannah was not the son of this Patriot. This man's son Robert married Mary Glenn.

Wife of son Thomas was Margaret Buchannan, not Martha Buchanan.

Martha was the Patriot's daughter by his 2nd wife, Elizabeth Kennedy.

See also these WikiTree profiles of Edmondsons/Edmistons at Kings Mountain:

William Edmondson (abt.1734-1780)
- DAR Patriot Ancestor #A036399
Andrew Edmundson (abt.1750-1780)

And ...

William Edmondson (1720-1789) - born in "Rockbridge, Augusta" and died in "Washington, Virginia"

Another William, with a DAR record & a transcribed pension application (rejected - unable to prove 6 months service):

#A036397 for William Edmondson - service in Virginia & North Carolina as a sergeant; born Albemarle County, Virginia c1760 & died 21 October 1847 in Wilkes County, North Carolina citing pension #R3243V
Children listed in DAR record (XX for wife):
- Emanuel married Nancy Johnson
- William married Nancy Garner
- Robert A married Mary Polly Harris
Pension application, William Edmisten (Edmiston, Edmonson), #R3243.

Genealogical information from the pension application folder, transcribed by Will Graves:

filed in Wilkesboro, Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1844: William Edmiston, age 84, a resident of Wilkes County State
the transcription names his father twice - with different names:
- "he [William] entered the service of the United States while he resided in Amherst County in State of Virginia, in the month of August 1780.... Afterwards I again entered the service on or about the first of October 1780 for three months as a substitute for my father, Robert Edmiston under Captain Samuel Higginbottom [probably Samuel Higginbotham] who was Commanded by Lieutenant Joseph Higginbottom Morrison, at Richmond on James River in State aforesaid. I do not recollect the name of the Colonel Commander. I then left the service at the expiration of this three months and returned to my father, James Edmiston's house upon the head waters of Pedlar River in Amherst County State of Virginia..."
daughter Susanah Blair [Susannah Blair] of the County of Watauga said he died "21st day of October in the year 1847 aged about 88 years at the time of his Death Leaving at the time of his Death 13 Living Children to wit"...
daughter Sally
son Robert,
daughter Lucy
son Emanuel
son William
daughter Betsy
Allen
son Abraham
son Thomas
Suthard [?]
daughter Belinda
son John

my father [Susanah's father] William Edmonson... some short time previous to his Death... I do hereby irrevocably Constitute and appoint Judan Councill & William F. Davidson Mclenburg [sic, Mecklenburg] County and city my true & lawful attorneys for me & in my name to examine into & prosecute any claim that may be due or found due to the children and legal representatives of William Edmonson in virtue of said William Edmonson's services in the Revolutionary War and the several acts and resolutions of Congress relative thereto... in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 21st day of January 1853. S/ Susannah Blair, X her mark
Signed in presence of
S/ J. W. Councill, JP

"[p 42: On March 22, 1853 in Wilkes County North Carolina, John T Edmiston executed a power of attorney in which he states he is the son of William Edmiston, a revolutionary war soldier.

"[Facts in file: Veteran died at the home of his son, John T. Edmiston in Wilkesboro, NC either on October 21, 1847 or October 14, 1848 (both dates appear in the file)]"

WikiTree search 28 June 2023:

Of interest, the pension application includes testimony on 27 August 1844 from 82-year-old "Abraham Southard [he signed his name Abraham Suddeth] a resident of" Caldwell County, NC, "saith that he was well acquainted with William Edmiston who has signed the foregoing Declaration and... that he well recollects that the aforesaid Edmiston was in the service of the United States under Capt. William Sumpter, but in what grade or how long he served he is not able to say, and he further says that having been acquainted with the aforesaid William Edmiston from childhood...." Mary Suddreth's WikiTree profile lists https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Article_186_Heritage_of_Ashe_County_North_Carolina as a source, which names her parents as William and Margaret (?) Suddreth & says she married 1st Lt James Blair, who was killed at King's Mountain.

The WikiTree profile attached as a brother to a duplicate profile for Mary is probably the Abraham who testified, but the dates are slightly off (82 in 1844 = born birth c1762).

Abraham Sudderth (1767-1853)
Sudderth-113: Mary Sudderth (1759-1827)

The Article 186" says "William Edmundson-Edmiston" was born in 1759 in Augusta County & fought at Kings Mountain with his brothers Samuel and Robert.

See also FamilySearch Person: LWK5-XX1 for Abraham Sudderth (28 December 1767–19 January 1853)

King's Mountain / Overmountain Men

See Patriots Wounded or Killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain and The Overmountain Men and their descendents, and Category: Battle of Kings Mountain.

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Bell - Edmiston Marriages

Contents

Biography as of 10 am 28 June 2023

Biography

Research Notes

Notes from external profile

Sources

Acknowledgements

profile before automated reformatting in April 2023

Vitals

Biography

Death

Reference

User ID

Data Changed

Note

Sources

Research Notes for Edmistons & Edmonstons

King's Mountain / Overmountain Men