|
|
Col. James "Jimmy" Blair, "Rebel Rider"
Facts and Events
James Blair was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
__________________________
Disputed Parentage
James Blair has disputed parentage. Some researchers believe he was a son of James Blair and Kitty Eustice and others have placed him as a son of Colbert Blair (14730-1805) and Sarah Morgan (1732-1827) [which appears unlikely as they had a different son named James ]. Additional research and sources are needed to determine which [or if either] is correct.
Multiple Disputed Wives
James Blair appears to have had multiple and overlapping wives. He apparently married Elizabeth Powell, daughter of Elias Powell and Elizabeth Blair, although some researchers claim that he married a sister of his friend Gen. Benjamin Cleveland, without naming her. His other wife was said to have been a Cherokee woman named Sarah "Se-lie" Watie who bore him at least three [half Cherokee] children including George Blair, known as "Oo-di-qua-no-si". Additional research is needed to determine the complete information regarding James Blair's wives and children. Unfortunately it does not appear that James Blair left a will, making the research into his life more complicated.
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.
Deed Records
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Samuel Ward, Dated 6 Oct 1819, Recorded 18 Apr 1820. Deed Book A, pg. 9
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From John & Nancy Bryant to James Blair, Deed, Dated 1 June 1822, recorded 10 June 1822. Deed Book A, pg. 218
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From John Mays to James Blair, Deed, Dated 3 June 1822, Recorded 10 June 1822. Deed Book A, pg. 220
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Benjamin Cleveland, Dated 3 June 1822, Recorded 7 Aug 1822. Deed Book A, pg. 242
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From William Steadley to James Blair, Deed, Dated 20 Dec 1821, Recorded 7 Aug 1822. Deed Book A, pg. 241
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Lernsey Ward, Bill of Sale, Dated 26 June 1823, Recorded 17 July 1823. Deed Book B, pg. 49.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to George Ward, Bill of Sale, Dated 27 June 1823, Recorded 17 July 1823. Deed Book B, pg. 49.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Edward Adair, Bill of Sale, Dated 8 July 1823, Recorded Aut. 4, 1823, Deed Book B, pg. 53.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair, Sr. to James Blair, Jr., Powell Blair & George Blair [et al.], Deed, Dated 23 March 1825, Recorded 9 Aug 1825, Deed Book C, pg. 116.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Hinton A. Hill, Deed, Dated 17 Jan 1827, Recorded 27 Apr 1827, Deed Book F, pg. 17.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Charies Ritchie, Deed, Dated 18 Apr 1827, Recorded 8 Aug 1827. Deed Book F, pg. 36.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Daniel Young, Deed, Dated 16 Oct 1827, Recorded 22 Dec 1827. Deed Book F, pg. 66.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Benjamin Simons to James Blair, Sr., Deed, Dated 20 Dec 1828, Recorded 30 Jan 1828. Deed Book G, pg. 105.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair, Sr. to Elijah Clark, Bill of Sale, Recorded 5 My 1826, Recorded 10 Oct 1828. Deed Book G, pg. 79.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Abel Taylor, Deed, Dated 5 Jan 1829, Recorded 30 Jan 1829. Deed Book G, pg. 105
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair (Atty) to T.J. Rusk, Deed, Dated 23 Dec 1829, Recorded 298 Oct 1830. Deed Book L, pg. 10
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Joshua Holden, Deed, Dated 30 Jan 1830, Recorded 8 Dec 1830. Deed Book L, pg. 28,
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Thomas J. Rusk, Deed, Dated 17 Jan 1830, Recorded 18 Jan 1831, Deed Book L, pg. 49.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Jeremiah Taylor to James Blair, Sr., Deed, Dated 23 Oct 1827, Recorded 23 May 1832. Deed Book L.L., pg. 138.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to William Dixon, Deed, Dated 31 Oct 1827, Recorded 23 May 1832. Deed Book L.L. pg. 138.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Adam Pitner et al, Deed, Dated 20 Jan 1832, Recorded 13 July 1832. Deed Book M, pg. 3
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Amos Chaffin, Sr. to James Blair, Sr., Deed, Dated 5 Feb 1833, Recorded 10 Oct 1834. Deed Book N, pg. 125.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair (by Shf.) to James R. Wyly, Deed, Dated 1 March 1836, Recorded 7 March 1836. Deed Book N, pg. 533
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair (by Shf.) to Elisha Harris, Deed, Dated 28 Feb 1835, Recorded 14 March 1836. Deed Book N, pg. 544
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair to Larkin Holt, B/ber/J, Dated 30 Oct 1811, Recorded 3 Oct 1836. Deed Book O, pg. 53.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From John Pulliam to James Blair, Sr., Power of Attorney, Dated 27 Sep 1837, Recorded 10 Oct 1842. Deed Book Q, pg. 172.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Heirs of James Blair to Benjamin Cleveland, Power of Attorney, Dated 25 Oct 1839, Recorded 25 Sep 1854. Deed Book S, pg. 289 & 290.
- Allen Elston et al. to Benjamin Cleveland, Alabama, Telledego County} Power of Attorney. Know all men by these presents that we Allen Elston and Mary Dobson both of the County and State aforesand, and Tilghman Powell, Jane Driver, George Blair and James Blair of the County of Pickens and state aforesaid, all the legal heirs of James Blair deceased, to by these presents nominate, constitute and appoint Benjamin cleveland of the County of Habersham and State of Georgia our true and lawful attorney in fact for us and in our names as the heirs of the said James Blair deceased, to Sell all the Estate both real and personal of the said deceased and to Settle all the just debts that the said deceased was owing in the State of Georgia and make a true return of the residue of said Estate to the heirs of the said deceased, and we do by these presents further authorise our said attorney to make and execute good and lawful titles to any real Estate that said deceased was possessed of in the State of Georgia in as full and ample a manner as if we were personally present at the Signing and delivery of the same agreeable to the Laws of the State of Georgia ~ In witness whereof we have hereunto Set our hands and Seals this 25th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine.
- [Signed] Allen Elston [Seal], Mary Dobson [Seal], T. Powell [Seal], Jane Driver [Seal], George Blair [Seal], James Blair [Seal]
- In presence of: Allen Elston, Justice of the peace in for the County of Talladega State aforesaid. Riley Tate [Seal] Justice of the peace in and for the County of Pickens State of Alabama.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Heirs of James Blair to Benjamin Cleveland, Power of Attorney, Dated 25 Oct 1839, Recorded 25 Sep 1854. Deed Book S, pg. 291 & 292.
- Powell Biair et al. to Benjamin Cleveland, Power of Attorney, Georgia, Habersham County. Know all men by these presents that we Powell Blair, Elizabeth Watson of the County and State aforesaid and Henry Albright of the County of Fluyd and Larkin Holt of the County of Gilmer, both of the State aforesaid, and all the legal heirs of James Blair now deceased, do by these presents nominate constitute and appoint Benjamin Cleveland of the County and State aforesaid our Lawful attorney in fact, for us and in our names as the heirs of the said James Blair deceaased, to Sell all the Estate both real and personal and also to collect all the debts that may be due the Said deceased in the state of Georgia, and to Settle all lawful debts that may be owing by said deceased in said Satat, and after settling the debts of said deceased, if then should be any remnant our said attorney is to make a true return to the whole of the heirs of the said deceased both in this State and the State of Alabama, and we do by these presents authorise our said attorney to Execute titles to all and any land that may be owned by said deceased in this State or eleswhere, in as full and ample a manner as we and Each of us could do as the heirs of said deceased as if we was personally present at the Signing and delivery of the same, ans to act and do all and every lawful transction touching the Settlement of said Estate in the State of Georgia ~ In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals this 14th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine.
- [Signed] Powell Blair [Seal], Elizabeth Watson [Seal], Henry Albright [Seal], Larkin Holt [Seal]
- In presence of: Jesse Dooly, J.P. of Habersham County, G.W. Harrmon J.P. Floyd Cop[un]ty, William Erwin, J.P. Gilmer County.
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From Heirs of James Blair (by Atty.) to Jesse Dooly, Deed, Dated 11 Dec 1854, Recorded 14 Dec 1854. Deed Book S, pg. 346
- Habersham County, GA Deeds: From James Blair (by Shf.) to Benjamin Cleveland, Deed, Dated 2 May 1855, Recorded 15 May 1855. Deed Book S, pg. 427.
Court Records
- Franklin Co., Georgia Court Records, 5 January 1813, pg. 146.
- Rule Absolute?. On motion of J. Smith usling? B. Franklin and Catharine Cleveland amr. & admrx. of the estate of John Cleveland Dec'd. has had published a monthly notice for the space of nine months in the Augusta Chronicle previous to this time, that they could apply to this Court for leave to sell 287½ acres of land granted to Marbury on Trecoa Creek adjoining Jas. Blair, being part of the real estate of said John Cleveland Deceased ~ to be sold for the benefit of his heirs & creditors of said Estate ~ It is therefore ordered that upon their giving the necessary notice they proceed to sell the said tract of land in terms of the actr. in such case made & provided.
- Habersham Co. Georgia Court Minutes, Superior Court, October Term, 1832: Thos. J. Murray vs. Benjamin Cleveland. James Blair & Thomas J. Rusk the Same vs. The Same. } Ordered that Alexander Mauldin Shff pay over to plaintiff or his attorney the amt. of the above Fe Fa's or show cause why he does not tomorrow morning at the opening of the Court.
- Habersham Co. Georgia Court Minutes, Superior Court, October Term, 1832: Allen Matthews for James Banks vs. James Blair] Debt. I confess Judgment to plaintiff for forty dollar with costs & interest and liberty of appeal. Terrell & Ruck Defts atto.
- Habersham Co. Georgia Court Minutes, Superior Court, October Term, 1832: Robert Mitchell Indorsee vs. Francis Bird maker & Thos. J. Rusk, Benja. Cleveland & James Blair Indorsers} Case in assumpset. I confess Judgement to the Plaintiff for five hundred dollars with interest & cost of suit & leave to appeal. S. A. Wales Defts. atto.
- Habersham Co. Georgia Court Minutes, Superior Court, October Term, 1832: Robert Mitchell vs. Francis Birdmaker, Thos. J. Rusk, Benj. Cleveland & James Blair Indorsers} Case in Assumpset. Judgement confessed for five hundred dollars with interest & cost of Suit with leave to appeal.
- The defendants pay the Cost & demand an appeal and at the same time brings Amos Jackson and tenders him as security and they the defendants & Amos Jackson acknowledge themselves jointly and severally bound unto the Plaintiff for the eventuall condemnation money in said cause.
- In testimony whereof they have hereunto set their hands and seals this 30th day of October 1832. Attest: J. Harter C.S.C.
Image Gallery
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.
- ↑ 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
- Alabama, U.S., Revolutionary War Residents, 1776-1783.
Name James Blair
Birth Date 1761
Birth Place Augusta County, Virginia
Residence Place Pickens, Alabama, USA
Death Date 1839
Death Place Pickens County, Alabama
Number of Cards 2
- United States. 1790 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M637).
Name James Blair
Home in 1790 (City, County, State) Pendleton, South Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over 3
Free White Persons - Females 5
Number of Household Members 8
Living nearby [listed on same Census page]: Mary Blair, George Blair [listed immediately after James Blair]
- United States. 1820 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M33).
Name James Blair Senior
Enumeration Date 7 Aug 1820
Home in 1820 (City, County, State) Habersham, Georgia, USA
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15 3
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over 1 [b. 1775 or before]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over 1 [b. 1775 or before]
Slaves - Males - Under 14 1
Slaves - Males - 26 thru 44 3
Slaves - Males - 45 and over 2
Slaves - Females - Under 14 7
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25 1
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44 3
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture 10
Free White Persons - Under 16 5
Free White Persons - Over 25 2
Total Free White Persons 9
Total Slaves 17
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other 26
- United States. 1830 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M19).
Name James Blaer Senior [James Blair Senior]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Habersham, Georgia
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69 1 [b. bet. 1761-1770]
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19 1
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69 1 [b. bet. 1761-1770]
Slaves - Males - Under 10 2
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 4
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23 2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 1
Free White Persons - Under 20 1
Total Free White Persons 3
Total Slaves 11
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored) 14
- Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.
Pension application of James Blair S22125 f56NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 9/19/06 revd 8/31/10 & 8/14/14
[p 50]
State of Georgia Habersham County: SS
On this fifth day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of ordinary now sitting James Blair a resident of said County of Habersham and State of Georgia aged Seventy-one years and eight months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he was born as he has been informed by his parents in Augusta County Virginia on the 6th day of March 1761 that he first entered the service of the United States in Burke County North Carolina where he resided at that time of entering the service under Captain James Richardson as a volunteer under General Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] that he remained in the service at that time for the term of five months at the end of which time he was regularly discharged by Captain James Richardson at the Two Sisters Ferry on Savannah River in South Carolina, the precise time of entering the service he cannot recollect the next time he entered the service was in Burke County North Carolina under Peter Foard [Peter Foard] Captain Hampton [Adam Hampton] & Hambright [Frederick Hambright] Colonels & General Lennington [John Alexander Lillington] that during that term of service he was with Colonel Lytle [Archibald Lytle] a Continental officer he marched through South Carolina at the end of three months was regularly discharged in Charleston by Lieutenant Benjamin White Captain Ford having deserted that he next entered the service in Burke County North Carolina under Captain Barnett under General Sumpter [Thomas Sumter] for ten months that he served under that term for seven months and twenty-six days that he was during that time in a skirmish with the British at a place called Blackstock's [November 20, 1780] where General Sumter got wounded that he was also in a skirmish in South Carolina called Sumter's Surprise [Battle of fishing Creek, August 18, 1780] where General Rutherford & Colonel Isaacs [Elijah Isaacks]1 were taken prisoners he was discharged by Captain John Sumter next entered the service in Burke County North [Carolina] under Captain John Boman [sic, Joshua Bowman] who was afterwards killed at the battle of Ram Sours [sic, Ramsour's Mill, June 20, 1780] and under General Charles McDowell, Joseph McDowell was Colonel – that during that time he was in a battle with the British at Pacolet in South Carolina our forces were commanded by General McDowell the British were commanded by Dunlap [James Dunlap] he was also in another skirmish at the head of Cane Creek in Rutherford County he was also in the battle at Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] under Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland] that he was regularly discharged by Benjamin Hearn after having served under that term 6 months. That he next entered the service in North Carolina under Captain Gray and James Dugan [James Dougan] Major & Thomas Dugan [Thomas Dougan] Colonel that he served them for 6 months and was regularly discharged by Captain Gray [William Gray] in Randolph County in North Carolina that he also entered the service in North Carolina under Captain Price & came on the Siege of Augusta that he served during that time three months and was verbally discharged by the commanding officers –
That he afterwards served seven months as an Indian spy part of the time under Captain Norwood & part of the time under Captain Wellborn. He then had the command of the line during the Indian War as Captain for the term of 11 months and was regularly discharged by Generals Pickens [Andrew Pickens] and Anderson [perhaps Robert Anderson]
– That he has no record of his age that all his discharges were burned but recently by the
accidental burning of his house that he now resides in the County of Habersham State of Georgia where [indecipherable word] in Franklin County Georgia and Pendleton South Carolina he has resided for about 40 years that he could refer to many persons of his neighborhood & acquaintance that would testify as to their belief of his service but as submits here with other proof he deems that unnecessary.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed this 5th day of November 1832
S/ Jonathan D Chastain, CC
S/ James Blair
[p 53]
In open court personally appeared James Starritt2 who being duly sworn deposeth and saith on oath that he saw the aforesaid James Blair very frequently in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War he saw the said James in almost all the tours that this deponent was out that he saw him during the Raft Swamp campaign and that his general character was that of a useful man and very good soldier. Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 5th day of November 1832
S/ James Starritt
[Evan Pearson, a clergyman, and John Holcomb gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[p 3]
State of Georgia, Habersham County
On this 18th day of October 1837 personally appeared before the Superior Court of said County now sitting, Col James Blair, a resident of Captain Murphey's District in the County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy six years, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States in the Summer of 1778 in Burke County in the State of North Carolina as a volunteer for five months under Captain James Richardson, and Colonel Andrew Hampton.
Soon after he entered the Service he was appointed Orderly Sergeant in which capacity he served during the five months. From Burke County he was marched to the Sisters Ferry on the Savannah River on the South Carolina side of said River, and was placed under the command of General Rutherford. He remained at the ferry scouting in various directions for three or four months, when he was marched up the River opposite the mouth of Bryer [sic, Briar or Brier] Creek, where he remained until after Ashe's defeat [March 3, 1779] when he was marched back to the ferry where he remained until his time was out; when he was discharged by Major Anthony Sharp [sic, Sharpe?]; [he] served this tour five months as an Orderly Sergeant. He again volunteered in the forepart of the year 1779 -- in the said County of Burke under Captain Peter Foard, and Colonel Hambright, for three months. When he entered the service he was appointed by the last named officers Ensign to the Company in which capacity he served during this tour. He was marched from Burke County through Camden and crossed the Santee River at Nelson's Ferry and went on to the Smokey Camps near Charleston in the State of South Carolina, where he remained for sometime and was then marched into Charleston and was stationed in General Moultrie's Houses -- where he remained until his time was out, when he was discharged by his Captain Anthony Sharpe; served this term three months, both these two tours in the foot service. He again entered the service as a volunteer light horsemen in the said County of Burke, for three months in July or August 1781, under Captain Adam Hampton (son of Colonel Hampton), Col. McDowell & General Charles McDowell and was marched to the ahead of Cane Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina, where he had a fight with the British & Tories under Colonel Dunlap. From there he was marched to Gilbert Town, where he was joined by other companies. He was then marched to Ned Hampton's place on Pacolet [River] in South Carolina where he had another fight with the British & Tories under Colonel Cunningham, where he was compelled to retreat, to the head of the Catawba River to a place called Cathey's Fort. There he was sent by General McDowell with an express in company with two others to Col. Lenear [sic, William Lenoir3] but before he reached the Colonel he was fired upon by some Tories and was wounded in the shoulder. He continued on the express to Col Lenoir, and on his way back, finding that he could not get back to his old company, he joined Genl Cleveland who was on his way to the Battle of King's Mountain and was placed under the command of Captain Barlow [sic, John Barton]. He then went on in said company & was in the battle at King's Mountain. From there he was sent as one of the guard with the prisoners to Moravian Towns, where he was discharged; served this time as a light horsemen, and found his own horse, three months. He again entered the service as a volunteer light horsemen in the said County of Burke for three months in 1782 under Captain William Gray & Colonel James Dugan and was marched to the Cross Roads in Randolph County, where he was stationed and was employed in scouting after Fannin [sic, David Fanning] & his men & was in several skirmishes. When his time was out he was discharged by Major Thomas Dugan. [He] Served in all 14 months. He is known to Captain John Stonecypher4 of Franklin County, Georgia & to James Starrett of the said County of Habersham whose affidavits he will endeavor to obtain. This declarant has once before made a declaration of his services. It was sent back to Col. Rusk but he is advised that it is so informal that he had better make a new one.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except for the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Answers to the interrogatories propounded by the Court:
1st: Was born in Augusta County in the State of Virginia in the year 1761.
2. Has no record of his age that he knows of.
3. Was living in Burke County and the State of North Carolina; has lived in Burke County
North Carolina and Ray County Tennessee & in Pendleton District South Carolina & in Franklin and Habersham Counties in the State of Georgia; he now lives in the County of Habersham, Georgia.
4. He volunteered & never served as a substitute.
5. He recollects Colonel Archibald Little [sic, Lytle], General Lincoln & Cols Shelby &
Williams [probably Col. James Williams who mortally wounded at Kings Mountain] in addition to those mentioned in his declaration. As stated the general circumstances of his services in the body of this declaration.
6. Did receive a written discharge for his first five months service from Major Anthony Sharpe, one from Colonel Hambright for his next tour of three months & one from Major Thomas Dugan for his last tour of duty. These discharges were burnt when his house was burnt in the County where he now lives.
7. Is known to James West, Absalom Holcombe and Stephen Cobb who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief in my services as a soldier of the revolution.
He was in the battle at Ramsour's Mill but was out so short a time that he does not
claim anything for that service.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
S/ James Blair
S/J. T. Carter, Clerk
[James West, a clergyman, and Abraham Holcombe & Stephen Cobb gave the standard
supporting affidavit.]
[p 16]
State of Georgia Franklin County: SS
Personally appeared before me Christopher Addison a Justice of the peace in and for the said County, James Starritt and Marmaduke Vickery5 of the County of Habersham who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, as follows to wit, the said James Sterrett says that he is well acquainted with Colonel James Blair who he is informed is now applying for a Pension in the County of Habersham. He was also acquainted with said Blair in the time of the Revolutionary war in Burke County in the State of North Carolina, and frequently saw the said Blair in the service of the United States he recollects particularly to have seen him at what was called the Raft Swamp, and at various other places – but cannot now state particularly what officers the said Blair was under, but knows that he was a considerable time in the service of his Country –
The said Vickery says that he also was well acquainted with the said Blair in the Revolutionary War – and served a three months tour with him in the year 1782 – under Captain William Gray and Colonel James Dougan, and saw the said Blair at various other times in the service, but does not recollect at this time under what officers, or in what particular year, but thinks it was before the tour stated above.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 20th day of October 1837
S/ C. Addison, JP S/ James Starritt
S/ Marmaduke Vickery, X his mark
[p 19]
State of Georgia Franklin County: Personally appeared before me Christopher Addison a
Justice of the peace in and for the said County, Captain John Stonecypher of said County,
who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, That he is well acquainted with Colonel James
Blair of Habersham County (State aforesaid) who he is informed is now applying for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832. That he deponent was well acquainted with James Blair, when he the said Blair lived in Burke County in the State of North Carolina previous to his entering the Service of the United States in the War of the Revolution. That he saw the said James Blair in the service under Captain Richardson & Colonel Joseph McDowell & General Rutherford in the said County of Burke North Carolina, which was a five months tour, He deponent also saw the said James Blair in the service at the Battle of Kings Mountain as a light horseman under Captain Barton in Colonel Cleveland's Regiment, and saw the said Blair start to Moravian town in charge of some prisoners. He Deponent understood from various persons who served with the said Blair, that he the said Blair, performed various other tours of duty, during the Revolutionary war – the said Blair was esteemed a variable soldier at that time – and he has been so considered ever since. This deponent being well acquainted with the said Blair ever since the Revolutionary War –
Sworn to and subscribed before made this day of October 1837
S/ C Addison, JP
S/ John Stonecypher, X his mark
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for 12
months service as a private in the North Carolina militia].
_________
1 Griffith Rutherford was taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden, August 15-16 1780. He was not at the battle of Fishing Creek on August 18, 1780. It is unclear whether or not Colonel Elijah Isaacks was at the Battle of Camden or the Battle of Fishing Creek
2 James Starritt R10084
3 William Lenoir S7137
4 John Stonecypher S16539
5 I could not find any evidence that a man by this name filed for a federal pension for his services in the revolution. This may be the only record of such service.
https://revwarapps.org/s22125.pdf
- United States. U.S., Revolutionary War Pensioners, 1801-1815, 1818-1872. (Ancestry.com [database online]).
Name James Blair
Year range 1833-1849
Pension Office Place Georgia, USA
Last Pension Payment: Sept. 1838
- HABERSHAM CO., GA - BIOGRAPHIES - JAMES and ELIZABETH (POWELL) BLAIR , in USGenweb Archives.
James “Jimmy” Blair was born 06 March 1761 in (Augusta) Virginia to Colbert and Sarah (Morgan) Blair. In 1778, when James was 17, he enlisted in the American Revolution in (Burke) North Carolina. He served as an orderly, ensign, sergeant, and Indian scout. Among others, he fought in The Battle of Sumter’s Defeat, The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill, and served as a spy in The Raft Swamp Campaign. At 19, he was badly wounded while serving as an “Express Rider”, alerting the patriots that Ferguson was approaching. The gathering of The Kings’ Mountain Men was made possible by sending these riders in all directions to notify patriots of the place of rendezvous. This seven stanza poem, “The Ride of the Rebel”, written by John Trotwood Moore, describes James as an historic horseback courier.
The Ride of the Rebel
The race of the rebel, wilderness run –
Hark to the time and when –
The race for a nation just begun
In the scattered homes of men,
You will find it not on the gilded page
To the pampered steed of fame,
You will find it not in this hireling age
Where they run for money and shame,
But on King’s Mountain’s starlit stage
‘Twill live in deathless name.
Over the border the British came,
Their jackets red as the sun,
City and hamlet had felt the flame
From the flash of the Red Coat’s gun.
Over the border Ferguson rode –
He never rode back again,
For Jimmy Blair his horse bestrode
And galloped with might and main.
To Cleveland and to Campbell’s tent,
O’er hill and o’er valley he sped,
And he roused the patriots as he went
As Gabriel will rouse the dead:
“Go! For your country’s life!” he said
And away like a ghost he was gone,
Riding from morn to midnight deep,
From midnight on to the morn –
O, never was a race like that,
Since gallant steed was born!
The moon rose up to see it,
And the great red-yellow eye
Of the morning star new lustre took
As the game boy galloped by.
The lurking savage hid in his path,
The Tory lay in his road –
He swam the river with a ball in his breast
And gained the fort* at the ford.
And Shelby came, and Williams,
And Cleveland, and Sevier,
Fifteen hundred rifles
In the morning answered – “Here!”
And Ferguson was routed
With all his Tory clan;
The rebels rushed their crested heights
And took them to a man,
They turned the tide of war that day,
Which, turning, swept the land
Of every British musket,
Of every Tory band.
The race of the rebel, wilderness run –
Hark to the time and when –
The race for a nation just begun
In the scattered homes of men,
For Fame that day rode horse of gray
And Glory guided the rein –
The purse? Our glorious country – say,
Will it ever be run again?
- John Trotwood Moore
*Fort Defiance – The ruins of Fort Defiance are in Augusta County, Virginia.
After the war, James was appointed Indian agent for the Cherokee Nation. Also, as a surveyor, he was responsible for settling some boundary lines with the Indians; in The Treaty of July 8, 1817, he surveyed the line that separated (Habersham) from Indian Lands, which became known as “The Blair Line”. He was credited with helping settle and lay out (Union) Georgia, where the county seat of Blairsville is named for him.
He had moved first to (Rhea) Tennessee, then to the Pendleton District of South Carolina, then to (Franklin) Georgia, finally settling near Clarkesville (Habersham) Georgia, where he was a Senator and Representative in the Legislature for twenty-seven years in succession.
In about 1782, James married Elizabeth Blair, born 16 April 1765 in (Orange) North Carolina. She is said to be the daughter of Elias Powell. They moved to (Pickens) Alabama in 1838, where she died 26 March 1839 and he, five days later, on 31 March 1839. She is buried in Old Mt. Moriah Cemetery in (Pickens) Alabama, but his gravesite has not been discovered. Devout Baptists, they raised a large family.
CLEVELAND, born about 1783, died in 1858.
ARGIN, born about 1784 in North Carolina, died 29 July 1867 in Mississippi. She was buried in Clarkesville (Habersham) Georgia. She married BENJAMIN CLEVELAND, II, grandson of Col. Benjamin Cleveland in (Franklin) Georgia in 1802.
MAHALA, born about 1791 in the Pendleton District of South Carolina, died about 1872 in (Gilmer) Georgia. She married LARKIN HOLT 23 April 1805 in (Franklin) Georgia. A veteran of The War of 1812, he was born about 1786 in North Carolina, and died 22 January 1855 in (Gilmer) Georgia. Their children were Lucy A., Elizabeth, Seaborn, Osborn B., Elijah, Mary, Martha Ann, William, James, and John L. Holt.
ANNE, born 15 March 1792 in the Pendleton District of South Carolina, died 19 October 1854 in Estaboga (Talladega) Alabama. She married JOSEPH TERRELL 02 October 1808, then married OLIVER ALLEN ELSTON 21 January 1813 in (Franklin) Georgia.
ELIZABETH, born about 1795, died after 14 Oct. 1839. She married ? WATSON.
JAMES, born 17 February 1796 in the Pendleton District of South Carolina, died 09 March 1859. He married ARSINA TRIMMIER 26 January 1819.
JANE, born 31 March 1798, died after 25 October 1839. She married JAMES F. DRIVER.
POWELL, born 03 September 1800, died 07 April 1844 in (Habersham) Georgia. He married SARAH A. DICKSON 27 February 1825 in (Madison) Georgia.
MEEKIE, born about 1804 in (Franklin) Georgia, died about 1875 in (Yell) Arkansas. She married HENRY ALBRIGHT.
GEORGE, born about 1806, died after 25 October 1839. He married MARIA TRIMMIER
MARY died after 25 October 1839. She married ? DOBSON.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/habersham/bios/b4600001.txt
- National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970.
Name Colonel James Blair
Birth Date 1761
Birth Place Augusta, Virginia
Death Date 1839
Death Place Habersham, Georgia
SAR Membership 86368
Role Ancestor
Application Date 14 Apr 1961
Father James Blair
Mother Kitty Eustice
Spouse Elizabeth Powell
Children Anna Blair
- Georgia. Surveyor General. 1832 land lottery surveys, Cherokee County. (Atlanta [Georgia]: Georgia Department of State, Microfilm Division, 1953).
Name James Blair
Number 97
District 20th DISTRICT, SECOND SECTION, CHEROKEE
Residence Whitehead's
County Habersham
Comment revolutionary soldier.
|
|
