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Col. James "Jimmy" Blair, "Rebel Rider"
d.1839
- H. Col. James "Jimmy" Blair, "Rebel Rider"1761 - 1839
- W. Elizabeth Powell1765 - 1839
Facts and Events
James Blair was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Military Service
- American Revolutionary War Veteran
Revolutionary War Pension Information
Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 1, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :
Blair, James, entered [service] 1778 in Burke County, North Carolina; born 3/6/1761 in Augusta County, Virginia; granted pension 1832 in Habercham County, Georgia; query letter in file from descendant N.P. Parkman; query letter in file in 1928 states soldier died in 1839 & had daughter Anne who married Allen Elston. R257.
References
- ↑ Morton, Oren Frederic. A history of Rockbridge County, Virginia. (Staunton, Augusta, Virginia, United States|Staunton, Virginia: The McClure Company, 1920)
Pg. 303.
"Jimmy Blair" was born in Augusta in 1761, and went to the Waxhaw settlement in South Carolina. When nineteen years old he rode back as far as Fort Defiance to arouse the patriots to meet Ferguson. His father was Colbert Blair, a Quaker, who left Pennsylvania about 1750 to get away from military influence. After 1771, the family moved south, but the four sons were in the Continental Army. Colonel James Blair was known in verse and story as the "Rebel Rider". He settled in Habersham County, Georgia, and married a sister to Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland. 
- other sources show that James Blair's wife was NOT a sister of Col. Benjamin Cleveland, although the Cleveland family was close and inter-married with the Blair family.
- ↑ Geni.com: (not a reliable primary source).
James Blair served in the Revolutionary War as an Orderly Sargent, Ensign and Indian spy. He was an express rider alerting troops of the coming battle at King's Mountain. He was wounded during this ride but completed it and served with Col Benjamin Cleveland during the battle. A poem was written about this ride and he was refered to as 'Paul Reviere of the South'
He later served as a Captain during an Indian war. He eventually moved to Franklin Co., Ga and was located in Habersham Co., Ga. when it was formed even though he did not move. He served many years as a representative from Franklin and later Habersham counties. He also was a senator from Habersham. All together, he served over 20 years in the state legislature.
He became a Col while serving in an Indian War. He relocated in Pickens Co., AL in 1836 and died there 5 days after his wife in 1839. Records state he was buried in Old Mt Moriah Cemetery but no marker has been found.
The abandoned cemetery is about 400 yards out in the woods. Several stones were still readable in 2007 including James' wife, Elizabeth.
Additionally: James Blair is the person for whom the North Georgia town of Blairsville is named. Mary and James Blair also were first cousins of Daniel Boone.
https://www.geni.com/people/Colonel-James-Blair/6000000003177809982
- ↑ Find A Grave.
Col. James Hayes Blair
Birth 6 Mar 1761
Augusta County, Virginia, USA
Death 31 Mar 1839 (aged 78)
Pickens County, Alabama, USA
Burial
Old Mount Moriah Cemetery
Pickens County, Alabama, USA
James Blair served in the Revolutionary War as an Orderly Sargent, Ensign and Indian spy. He was an express rider alerting troops of the coming battle at King's Mountain. He was wounded during this ride but completed it and served with Col Benjamin Cleveland during the battle. A poem was written about this ride and he was refered to as 'Paul Reviere of the South'
He later served as a Captain during an Indian war. He eventually moved to Franklin Co., Ga and was located in Habersham Co., Ga. when it was formed even though he did not move. He served many years as a representative from Franklin and later Habersham counties. He also was a senator from Habersham. All together, he served over 20 years in the state legislature.
He became a Col while serving in an Indian War. He relocated in Pickens Co., AL in 1836 and died there 5 days after his wife in 1839. Records state he was buried in Old Mt Moriah Cemetery but no marker has been found.
The abandoned cemetery is about 400 yards out in the woods from this point. Several stones were still readable in 2007 including James' wife, Elizabeth.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42730999/james-hayes-blair
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