William Stephens
Born about 1711 in York county, VA
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
Husband of Mary (Sampson) Stephens — married about 1733 in North Carolina
Father of John Stephens
Died 1781 in Prison ship FORSHAY, Charleston, SC
Biography
William Stephens spent the early part of his life on the frontiers of Virginia. He was with his brothers at Edgecombe, NC about 1748, but rarely remained long in any place. In 1753 he bought land of Lord Fairfax at Winchester, VA where his brother Samuel Peter lived, but he did not complete the sale owing to a call for troops in the French and Indian War. The name of his wife, Mary, and son, Sampson, appear in this deed. He went to Staunton, VA and raised a body of militia which he commanded first as a lieutenant and afterwards as a colonel. He was later made Lt. Colonel and Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War. He was at the siege of Charleston, SC. He died on the prison ship FORSHAY with his son or nephew Daniel. For his military service his heirs received a land grant of 2,260 acres in 1783. This was located in Anderson county, TN by his son William and nephew Lewis who had a grant of 1500 acres adjoining. This Lewis was the son of Samuel Peter and an orange Regulator and in the battle of Alamance.
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Stephens-9350
