Col. William Albertus Spurgin

Colonel William Spurgin, Esquire

Colonel WILLIAM SPURGIN, ESQUIRE was born June 06, 1734, in Fredericks County, Maryland, and died August 13, 1806, in Charlottesville, Ontario Province, Canada. He married (1) MARY JANE WELBORN or SELLERS Abt. 1752 in Maryland or Virginia, daughter of JOHN WELBORN and ANN CRABTREE. She was born June 20, 1736, in Chatham County, Maryland, and died August 03, 1803, in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married (2) ANN Bedsaul Reddick Abt. 1787 in Virginia/Pennsylvania. She was born in Virginia/Pennsylvania.
Notes for COLONEL, WILLIAM SPURGIN, ESQUIRE:
From "Pathfinders Past and Present, a History of Davidson County, North Carolina" p. 15:
"Abbots Creek Settlement
From gravestones and other records, it appears that the first settlers of the Abbots Creek community were English, Welsh, Irish and German. The earliest deeds were dated around 1758 but it is known that several families were living in this community some years before that date.
One of the first settlers was William Spurgeon in possession of whose family today are some interesting documents relating to his life. Of a noted Spurgeon family in England, he had come from the Maryland side of the Potomac early in the 1750's to fertile land on the headwaters of Abbots Creek. There he purchased a large acreage, persuaded his brother John and Mother to come and buy a plantation near his, and became an influential figure in the county. He was one of the first Justices of Rowan County. His family, too, as other chapters will show, played important roles in later years. In Volume I of the Moravian Records it is noted that [the early part of the year 1767 was marked by a good deal of missionary work on the part of Richard Uttley, English minister of Wachovia.] Frequently on Saturday a messenger would arrive from one of the adjacent settlements and would take Br. Uttly back to preach for them on the following Sunday. Among the places mentioned more or less frequently was Justice William Sporgin's (sic) house on Abbots Creek..."{1}
During the turmoil of the French and Indian War, William sold his father's property at Packhorse Ford on the headwaters of the Potomac River and on the west side of the Shenandoah River. William, his wife Mary Jane, mother Mary, and brothers, John and Samuel moved near Abbott's Creek, North Carolina.
William bought 310 acres from John Fullerlane on October 2, 1759. From July 6, 1771, on through August of 1772, William buys and sells properties and gives property to the Welborn family, suggesting relationship of the Welborn's to William's family.{2} Some researchers of the Welborn family claim Mary Jane's maiden name to be Welborn, and because of the above described buying and selling, many of the Spurgeon researchers believe Mary Jane Sellers maiden name to be Welborn. Son Joseph Spurgin stated that his mother's name before marrying William was Mary Jane Sellers, so she very possibly was married previously to a Mr. Sellers or Sellers could have been her maiden name.
From the earliest surviving Rowan County court records, William appears as Justice of the Peace of that county from1764 to 1775.{3} He had full judicial, executive and legislative powers in his jurisdiction. Family sources say, the "first court ever held in Rowan County was under an oak tree, and William Spurgin was a Justice of the Peace under King George III and helped hold that court".{4} No Doubt, William received a good education (probably a credit to his parents) before arriving in North Carolina.
On January 10, 1776, William and other Justices were directed by Governor Josiah Martin "to erect the King's standards to raise, levy, muster, and array in arms all his Majesty's loyal and Faithful subjects within your respective counties..." {5} America's revolt against England had begun. William did as he was commissioned. He fought with Boyd's Provincials of North Carolina, and in North Carolina, the fighting was described as, "bands of Whigs and Tories raiding each other’s areas, plundering, burning and killing. Whatever their origin, whoever their leaders, civil war was being fought in the Carolinas. Bloody combats and bitter violent brutal fighting flared from both sides with quarter unknown."{6}
In late 1778, the British sailed onto the South Carolina and Georga coast. There were British, Hessians and Tory units. The Tory units were under Lt. Col. Archibald Cambell. They landed at Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River. As this occurred, British General Augustive Prevost moved up the coast from British Florida with his command. American General Robert Howe tried to stop the union of the two units to no avail. By January of 1779, the British had captured Sunbury, Georgia and all the Savannah River up to Augusta.{7}

From Wikipedia Encyclopedia on the internet:
"The British began their "southern strategy" by sending expeditions from New York City and Saint Augustine, East Florida to capture Savannah, Georgia late in 1778. The New York expedition, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, arrived first, and successfully captured the town on December 29, 1778.
British recruitment
When Brigadier General Augustine Prevost arrived from Saint Augustine in mid-January, he assumed command of the garrison there, and sent Campbell on an expedition to take control of Augusta and raise Loyalist militia companies.
Leaving Savannah on January 24, Campbell and more than 1,000 men arrived near Augusta a week later, with only minimal harassment from Georgia Patriot militia on the way. Augusta had been defended by South Carolina General Andrew Williamson leading about 1,000 militia from Georgia and South Carolina, but he withdrew most of his men when Campbell approached. This rear guard skirmished with Campbell's men before withdrawing across the Savannah River into South Carolina.[2]
Campbell then began recruiting Loyalists. About 1,100 men signed up, but relatively few formed militia companies. Campbell then began requiring oaths of loyalty, on pain of forfeiture of property; many took this oath insincerely, quickly letting Williamson know their true feelings. An expedition by James Boyd went all the way into North Carolina, where he met with success, and recruited several hundred men. As he traveled south back toward Augusta, more Loyalists joined his company, until it numbered over 600 men in central South Carolina. As this column moved on, the men plundered and pillaged along the way, predictably drawing angered Patriot supporters to take up arms.
South Carolina militia Colonel Andrew Pickens raised 350 men and headed toward Augusta to join Williamson. When he learned of Boyd's passage through Ninety-Six, he moved to intercept before Boyd could reach Savannah. Boyd reached Cherokee Ford, where eight Patriots with small swivel guns in an entrenched position repulsed Boyd's approach. Boyd moved north about 5 miles (8.0 km) and crossed the river there. Pickens crossed into Georgia after Boyd and began following him toward Augusta. On February 14, he caught up with Boyd when he was encamped near Kettle Creek.
Battle.
Boyd was apparently unaware that he was being followed so closely, and his camp, while guards were posted, was not particularly alert. Pickens advanced, leading the center, while his left flank was under the command of Elijah Clarke and the right was under John Dooly. Gunfire between Patriot scouts and the camp guards alerted Boyd to the situation, who managed to form a defensive position atop a hill, and surprise Pickens. Flanking maneuvers by Clarke and Dooly were slowed by the swampy conditions, so they did not immediately arrive on the battlefield."
Things at first went badly for Pickens, but then a lucky musket shot hit Boyd, mortally wounding him, and the Patriot flanks began to emerge from the swamps. The Loyalists, led by Boyd's second in command, William Spurgen, fell back, but the disorganized retreat rapidly became a rout. {7a}
From "Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution", by Lorenzo Sabine (Boston: Little, Brown& Company, 1864), "Boyd", page246, "Spurgeon", page 325:
"Boyd,

---

, Of Carolina. Colonel, and in command of a corps of Tories, who were robbers rather than soldiers. What they could not consume or carry off, they burned. Boyd himself was bold, enterprising, and famed for his dishonesty. He had a conference with Sir Henry Clinton at New York and planned an insurrection in the back part of South Carolina, to be executed as soon as the Royal Army should obtain possession of Savannah. In 1779, at the head of eight hundred men, he passed through the district of Ninety-Six on his way to Georga, and destroyed life and property by sword and fire, along his whole route. In a skirmish with a party of Whigs, under Anderson, of Picken's corps, he acknowledged a loss of one eight of his command in killed, wounded and missing. He endeavored to avoid Pickens himself, but, overtaken by that officer, when unapprehensive of danger, was surprised and defeated. He received three wounds, which proved mortal..." "Neighbor had fought against neighbor; and in the exasperation of the moment, the Whigs doomed seventy of their prisoners to death; but they executed only five. About three hundred escaped and formed the intended junction with the British troops in Georgia."
"Spurgeon, William. Of North Carolina. Major in Boyd's corps. Authorized by Governor Martin, January 1776, to erect the King's standards, to enlist and array in arms the loyal subjects of Rowan County, and [to oppose all rebels and traitors.] In 1779, in the battle of Kettle Creek, when Boyd was mortally wounded, and Moore, the Lieutenant-Colonel, exhibited a want of military skill, Spurgeon conducted with spirit, and maintained his ground until overpowered. Estate confiscated."
Major William Spurgeon escaped, , with the about 300 men of what was left of Boyd's Provincials and formed the junction with Lt. Colonel Campell and the British troops.

From www.georgiasocietysar.org/.../pdf/brochure_kettlecreek.pdf:
Clarke and Dooly became bogged down in swampy land on both flanks and provided limited support for Pickens' attack. Boyd directed Maj. William Spurgen to move most of the Loyalists across the swollen creek, and then Boyd personally led about 100 men up the hill to hold off Pickens. When three shots tore into Boyd, he fell mortally wounded; his troops panicked and fled toward the creek. Spurgen crossed the creek and regrouped the Loyalists where fighting became very intense for over an hour. Clarke, freed from the swamp, was able to enter the fight with Spurgen during which Clarke's horse was shot; but quickly mounted another. The Loyalists were routed with a loss of 70 killed or wounded, and 150 captured. Boyd died on the battlefield a few hours later. The Patriots reported 9 killed and 23 wounded or missing. Several Loyalist prisoners were later convicted of treason and five hanged, but the rest were pardoned. Spurgen was able to escape with about 270 men and rejoin Lt. Col. Campbell, the remainder probably returned to their homes.

The following is a rebel account of an incident concerning the participation of Major William Spurgin and, a false claim that Major Spurgin was killed. This letter written by General Williamson under the heading of Charlestown, April 7, 1779:
"David Tait Esq; one of Mr. John Stuart's indefatigable deputies in the Creek nations (and now called General, by the enemy) Cherokees and several as savage white men, as far as Fulson's fort on Ogeechee, to join enemy in Georgia... General Williamson having ordered a detachment of horse under the command of Lieut. Col. Ely Kershaw, acting in conjunction with Col. _____ of Georgia, (in all about 200 men) to cross the Savannah River at Beach Island, in order to facilitate the operations of Colonels Hammond and Pickens in Upper parts of that state; he crossed the river accordingly, but not without being discovered by some persons who gave notice thereof to the enemy; Lieut. Col. Prevost ordered Major Spurgin of the Carolina Loyalists, with Major Sharp of the Georgia militia, to attack our detachment. On the 31st of March, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the enemy, amounting to about 200 attacked our people and to it they went. The engagement lasted two hours, when the enemy gave way, leaving Spurgon and several others dead on the field. Our party pursued them two miles, and till they were within seven of the enemy's main body, and after destroying a stockade fort which the enemy had occupied, returned with Sharp, mortally wounded and several other prisoners. Sharp is since dead."{8}
On June 08, 1780, Lord Cornwallis was put in charge of the British Southern Campaign. He turned his troops north to battle at Camden {tradition says William received the commission of Colonel, and John that of Captain} and Wateree and West to Area "96". In Wateree, Cornwallis established a chain of forts. Then by August 15, 1780, Cornwallis' troops defeated the Commands of Gates and Barron de Kalb. Gates' army was reduced from 3,000 men to 700. What was left of these two units was then put under the charge of General Greene who was then joined by Light-horse Harry Lee (the father of Robert E. Lee) and others. The battle of Kings Mountain was fought. Cornwallis engaged Greene at Cowpens in January 1781. Then, Cornwallis pursued Greene to the Dan River {9}, passing by the home of Colonel William Spurgin, Esquire. (One version of this story states that Joseph is the rider another that John is the rider. This is quoted using William as the rider instead of John or Joseph. See footnote #10 for my rational.

"When General Green came to Abbott's Creek Meeting House, he halted for two or three days to rest his troops. He made his headquarters at the home of Colonel Spurgin, who was in good circumstances, and lived about a mile from the church.
He was a Tory Colonel, one commissioned by Gov. Martin about the beginning of 1776 and had taken quite an active part in favor of the royal cause. Of course, he was not at home to receive his guest, but his wife Mary Spurgin, was as true a Whig as her husband was a Tory and showed General Green all the kindness and gave him all the encouragement in her power.
Immediately, he selected his ground for battle should it be needed. He told Mrs. Spurgin, should Cornwallis overtake him and there be a battle, she must take all the children in the cellar and remain until fighting was over.
Not having heard a word of Cornwallis' movements since he left the trading ford, he felt very anxious to know if he might cross there. Having no other means of information, and knowing Mrs. Spurgin's patriotic spirit, he asked her if she knew of anyone in whom he could confide as he wished to send such a one back to the river to secure information regarding Cornwallis' movements. She told him her son William was reliable, but like a cautious man he repeated his question, whereupon Mrs. Spurgin insisted her son William could be trusted if he would consent to go and she thought he would.
William promptly consented, was put on his horse, and told to go back to the trading ford and if he saw nothing of the British to go up the river a few miles. William rode a fine horse with proper vigilance and had not much to dread. On going to the river, he Could not see or hear anything so went upriver as ordered.
He reported to General Green, but the General told him he must set out again, that he must have information and at once, and if he saw nothing to continue up to Shallow Ford. So young Spurgin set out again and reaching Shallow Ford about thirty miles from home he found the (Cornwallis) man crossing. He turned his horse and rode as fast as he could and reported again to General Green.
Instantly, General Green ordered his horse and was off to Martinville. General Green had only 2000 men of whom five or six hundred were militia. Cornwallis had between twenty-five hundred or three thousand veteran troops, well fed, clothed and equipped.
In Martinville, a council of war was held, and it was determined not to risk a battle with their inferiority of numbers but get over the Dan River where they expected re-enforcement and would be safe at present.
But we ought to observe how much service the wife and son of a Tory Colonel rendered at this junction of affairs."{10}
One might wonder if William knew of this "junction of affairs". Mary not only supported the enemy of her husband but put her son in danger of being hung as a spy by the government that was rightly in charge of the country. William Jr. was surely strongly influenced by his mother in her view of the war.
Cornwallis now headed east for Wilmington, then to Yorktown. The Southern Campaign was over, so here, I believe Colonel Spurgin parted company with Cornwallis. Tradition says that he was hiding with a company of Tories. Could he have recruited Tories to regain control of the colonies? Or leading organized raids against them? Or both? I believe that this is the case!

In a petition (Upper Canada Land Petitions "S" Bundle 1, 1792-1796 - RG1, L3, Vol. 448) to his Excellency John Graves Lismore? Willam Spurgin stated he left his property to join Cornwallis through the Carolina's to near Virginia. Then was sent back to Lord Rawdon. When he had completed his mission with Rawdon he could not get back to Cornwallis. Wm Spurgeon was granted well over 1000 acres for his grant.

 From 

"The Southern Theater of the American Revolution"
"Unable to trap and destroy Greene, Cornwallis decided to invade Virginia, still untouched by the war, and cut American supplies to the Carolinas. Cornwallis' initial actions in Virginia were successful; American forces under Lafayette were able to slow, but not stop, Cornwallis' campaign.
Meanwhile, Greene returned to the Carolinas. The armies met again outside Camden, at the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill on April 25, 1781, where the British won the field, but withdrew to Charleston. Afterwards, Greene besieged the British garrison at Ninety-Six American Battlefield, Trust - article: but the British were able to lift the siege with reinforcements from Charleston.
from The American Revolution in South Carolina:
[Lord Rawdon took an active part in the campaign through the remainder of 1780, and assumed command as Cornwallis's deputy when the Earl was ill. When Cornwallis advanced north after Cowpens, Rawdon was left behind to defend SC and Georgia with a small independent force. (In William Spurgin's petition he was with Lord Rawdon after Cornwallis went into Virginia)
In April 1781, he attacked and defeated a superior rebel force under Major General Nathanael Greene at the battle of Hobkirk's Hill. Cornwallis described his victory as "by far the most splendid of this war," and said that "His lordship's great abilities, courage, and firmness of mind, cannot be sufficiently admired and applauded." Boatner also gives the action a glowing assessment:
"As Green marched against him at Camden the 26-year-old British commander showed outstanding generalship...Instead of remaining on the defensive, Rawdon scraped together every able-bodied man and attacked Greene at Hobkirk's Hill, 25 Apr '81, where his audacity and skill, and the good performance of his own Vols. of Ireland, were rewarded with victory. Furthermore, he had the good strategic sense and the moral courage to order the evacuation of the most exposed posts."
Unfortunately, the victory produced no lasting effect, and Rawdon was forced to begin a gradual retreat to Charleston. By 24 May he had withdrawn from Camden to Moncks Corner, where he joined a relief column and marched to the rescue of Ninety-Six, which was under siege by Greene's army. He arrived barely in time to save the harassed garrison, and after evacuating Ninety-Six, he withdrew to the area between the Santee and Edisto rivers.

It was a long, miserable retreat, as Tarleton vividly describes:
"It is impossible to do justice to the spirit, patience, and invincible fortitude, displayed by the commanders, officers, and soldiers, during these dreadful campaigns in the two Carolinas. They were not only to contend with men, and these by no means deficient in bravery and enterprise, but they encountered and surmounted difficulties and fatigues from the climate and the country, which would appear insuperable in theory, and almost incredible in the relation. They displayed military, and, we may add, moral virtues, far above all praise. During renewed successions of forced marches, under the rage of a burning sun, and in a climate, at that season, peculiarly inimical to man, they were frequently, when sinking under the most excessive fatigue, not only destitute of every comfort, but almost of every necessary which seems essential to his existence. During the greater part of the time, they were destitute of bread, and the country afforded no vegetables for a substitute. Salt at length failed; and their only resources were water, and the wild cattle which they found in the woods. Above fifty men, in this last expedition, sunk under the vigor of their exertions, and perished through mere fatigue."
The combination of fatigue and recurring bouts of malaria had ruined Rawdon's health. In July, he passed on his command, and, on 20 July '81 sailed for England.]
Despite the victory at Ninety-Six, the efforts of Greene and patriot militia leaders forced the British to withdraw. Greene attacked the British again at Eutaw Springs on September 8, 1781, where despite retreating, Greene inflicted enough casualties to compel the British to withdraw toward Charleston. With American forces under Lieutenant Colonel Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee driving the British back to Savannah, and Greene pinning the British in Charleston, the patriots were rapidly solidifying control of Georgia and South Carolina."
Captain John Spurgin became a Major and was killed in South Carolina (see Major John Spurgin's notes). In the South well into 1782, there would be scuffles, raids, and savage encounters largely between Whigs and Tories - extensions of conflicts that had existed before the war and would continue after it. The same was true in the far reaches of the bloody Mohawk Valley, while beyond the Allegheny mountains the fighting would go on for thirteen more years, during which more Americans were killed than in all the major Revolutionary battles combined."{11}
Sometime before 1787, William met and married Ann Bedsaul while in the New River area of Virginia. Being loyal to King George he did not secure a divorce from Mary Jane through the fledgling American government. In his will he indicated his belief the new government stole his property in North Carolina. He did not respect the newly formed government's authority. A warrant for his arrest was issued for his actions aligned with the king's cause. Afterward, he moved to Canada, obtained land grants from the king and became Justice of the Peace at his new home. His first petition states that William had left his property and joined Lord Cornwallis in the last war. He asked for 200 acres of land near Long Point. His order was granted.{12} A second petition was made stating his many services rendered to His Majesty's troops during the American War. He was ordered 1,200 acres.{13} One Thousand acres are recorded in his will. William's will, recorded in the London District, Upper Canada, Surrogate Court, Register "A", 1800 - 1817, PAGES 67 - 71, Will #12:

Mary Jane Welborn Spurgin

Mary Jane married William Spurgin possibly in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Documentation of land sales and historical documents indicate that Mary Jane,
William and others of their family relocated from Maryland and Virginia to the Abbotts Creek settlement of North Carolina in the early 1750’s. No doubt, the smoldering sparks of the French and Indian War played a role in the Spurgin Family’s decision to relocate. Her husband was appointed a justice of the peace with executive, legislative and judicial powers in 1764 in Rowan County, North Carolina. Later in 1776, he was commissioned by Gov. Josiah Martin of North Carolina to raise troops and suppress the insurrection. William had sworn allegiance to the King of England and honored his word. He joined the Kings cause in the American Revolutionary War serving with Colonel Boyd as a major, then later with General Cornwallis as a colonel. Mary Jane did not support the views of her husband. She was said to have been as true a Whig as her husband was a Tory.

About 1780 or 1781, General Greene leader in the Continental Army was being pursued by the army of General Cornwallis. William Spurgin was under the command of General Cornwallis. Gen. Greene led his men through North Carolina, stopping to rest near the Plantation of Colonel Spurgin. Mary Jane a strong patriot for the American cause welcomed General Greene. Greene indicated that he needed assistance, needing aid for the American cause. She sent one of her sons on a scouting mission to get information on Cornwallis’ troop movements (From “The Old North State in 1776” Caruthers Addition 2nd Series, pages 39-45). Recorded in her bible according to an accepted application of membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, she indicated that she sent her sons John, William and Joseph on missions for General Greene. Also, it stated that she sent her son John with a message from Greene to George Washington. Differences in the political views of Mary Jane and her husband led to their separation. Her actions were considered heroic by some. Several descendants of Mary Jane Spurgin have been accepted as members of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. The courageous example of her resolve and her independent thinking has been used in women’s rights lectures.

The property of Colonel William Spurgin Esquire was confiscated. Mary Jane partitioned the newly formed government for her home to no avail and the property upon which she lived was sold to others. She died August 3, 1803, at Abbotts Creek, North Carolina. She is buried in the Abbotts Creek Primitive
Baptist Church Cemetery. Her memorial given in love by her children is inscribed with her name, JANE SPURGIN.

Family tradition from Col. William Spurgin's son Joseph:
1. William was Justice of the Peace in the first court held in Rowan County, North Carolina.
2. William went to meet and see Lord Cornwallis near Charleston, South Carolina and afterward went with his brother John Spurgin to Camden, South Carolina, where William obtained a commission of Colonel and John that of Captain.
3. Colonel William Spurgin was offered two important offices by the Whig party if he would join them and was finally offered the office of Governor, and his wife and family desired him to join the Liberty party, but he insisted that he could not conscientiously, after having sworn allegiance to the King.
4. William Spurgin with a company, went with Daniel Boone and his company to Kentucky and formed two settlements. William procured the land himself by ax entry where Lexington is now located, and made his settlement there, and Boone about 60 miles off. The Indians became so troublesome that John Spurgin went and sold the land where Lexington stands for a remarkable fine dark chestnut sorrel horse and brought him to his father, who rode him all the remainder of the time that he spent in this country.
{Boone formed a settlement in 1777, so this is probably the time that William Spurgin made his claim of land where Lexington, Ky would develop if this story proved true. Mary Jane's cousin's son, Issac Crabtree was with Boone's son when he was captured and tortured to death by the Indians in 1775. All this causes me to wonder what the ties or relationship between Boone and the Colonel were. Boone was accused of sided with the Tories. Could his relationship with the Colonel give fuel to this belief? William's son Joseph's descendants married into the Boone line. Grandson of the Colonel, William Spurgin, was next door neighbor to Boone's friend, Micajah Callaway in Washington County, Indiana. William’s grandson Cadwallader Jones was a hunting companion of Callaway. Were Boone and the Colonel friends, business partners or acquaintances?}
5. When Colonel Spurgin was remaining in the woods concealed, son Joseph took provisions to his father and a company of Tories and to tell him if he could not join the Liberty Party to have nothing to do with the Tory cause. Joseph was chased but not caught by the Whigs on this errand.
6. After peace, William hid in the woods for several years before going to the New River area of Virginia. He returned home in 1792, then went to Canada.{14}
Although compensation of Tory Lands was agreed to by the American government to England at the close of the war, our family did not receive any at all.{15} Mary Jane tried to get the confiscated land back but was refused. Mary Jane died in Rowan County on August 3, 1803, and was buried in the Abbot's Creek Primitive Baptist Cemetery. William died at Charlottesville, Ontario, Canada on August 13, 1806.

For more information on the children of Colonel William Spurgin Esquire, see the Spurgeon Quarterly, Issue 20, "Four Generations of the William Spurgeon Family.

{1. "Abbots Creek Settlement", Pathfinders Past and Present, A History of Davidson County, N.C. p.15
{2. "The Spurgeon Quarterly", Issue 20, pages 491-193.
{3. "The Spurgeon Quarterly", Issue 20, pages 491-493.
{4. "The Spurgeon Quarterly", Issue 18, page 435.
{5. "The Spurgeon Quarterly", Issue 15, page 372.
{6. "History of the American Revolution", The American Heritage, by Bruce Lancaster, page 311.
{7. "History of the American Revolution", The American Heritage, by Bruce Lancaster, page 322.
{7a "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" The Battle of Kettle Creek.
{8. "The Virginia Gazette", May1, 1779, Number 12, Williamsburg: printed by Dixon & Nicolson.
{9. "History of the American Revolution,” The American Heritage, by Bruce Lancaster, pages324-330.
{10. "The Old North State of 1776", Caruthers Addition of, second series, pages 39-45. Note: William A. Spurgeon of Muncie, founder of the Spurgeon Quarterly made a statement about the Spurgin Rider. The history was found in the Caruthers Addition, "The Old North State in 1776", second series, pages 39-45. John, Joseph, and William were disputed as to have been the rider. William A. Spurgeon's rationale is: "The year was 1780-81. Reference A3 states John was sent on the mission, but also states he was but a "mere youth". John was born in 1775 so would have been about 25 years old. Son William was born about 1763 and would have been about 17 years old, the next son, Joseph, would have been about 11 years old, so I suggest William is the one to have gone on the mission. William A. Spurgeon, Muncie, Indiana 1979". His rationality satisfies me. The Boone family history book claims the rider to have been Joseph. Seems that in all cases the rider is the one most believed to be the rider by the one writing about the story. A descendant who joined the DAR indicated that all three sons rode missions for Gen. Green, John having taken a message to Gen. George Washington.
{11. "History of the American Revolution", The American Heritage, by Bruce Lancaster, page 312.
{12. Ontario, Canada, Dept. of Public Records & Archives, Toronto, Canada, Land Book A 7/15/1794.
{13. Ontario, Canada, Dept. of Public Records & Archives, Toronto, Canada, Land Book B 1/24/1794.
{14. "The Spurgeon Quarterly", Issue 18, page 435.
{15. "America Past and Present", by Divine, Breen, Fredrickson and Williams, page 148.
Children of WILLIAM SPURGIN and MARY WELBORN are:
8. i. WILLIAM5 SPURGIN, b. Abt. 1763, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1805, Rowan County, North Carolina.
9. ii. JOHN SPURGIN, b. February 07, 1753; d. March 20, 1803, Near Blountsville, Sullivan County, Tennessee.
iii. MARGARET SPURGIN, b. Abt. 1755; m. MR. JONES.
iv. REBECCA SPURGIN, b. May 25, 1757, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1787; m. MICHAEL HINKLE; b. September 07, 1749; d. 1789.
v. MARY SPURGIN, b. Abt. 1759.
vi. AGNES SPURGIN, b. February 07, 1763; d. 1847; m. PETER BOTTENHEIMER, January 19, 1793, Rowan County, North Carolina.

More About PETER BOTTENHEIMER and AGNES SPURGIN:
Marriage: January 19, 1793, Rowan County, North Carolina

10. vii. JENNETTE (JANE) SPURGIN, b. Abt. 1768, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1831. m. Aquila Jones (parents of Cadwallader Jones)
11. viii. JOSEPH SPURGIN, b. April 20, 1770, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. May 26, 1859, Davidson County, North Carolina.
ix. ELIZABETH SPURGIN, b. June 02, 1772, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. August 12, 1803, Rowan County, North Carolina; m. JACOB BOTTENHEIMER, June 01, 1792, Rowan County, North Carolina.

More About JACOB BOTTENHEIMER and ELIZABETH SPURGIN:
Marriage: June 01, 1792, Rowan County, North Carolina

12. x. ISAIAH SPURGIN, b. Abt. 1774, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. 1816, Washington County, Indiana.
13. xi. JOSIAH SPURGIN, b. November 13, 1777, Rowan County, North Carolina; d. January 15, 1857, Salem, Washington County, Indiana.
14. xii. DR./JUDGE JESSE SPURGIN, b. June 30, 1780, Rowan County, North Carolina.
Children of WILLIAM SPURGIN and ANN BEDSAUL are:
15. xiii. AARON5 SPURGIN, b. 1787, North Carolina; d. April 11, 1855, Columbus Twp., Bartholomew Co., Indiana.
16. xiv. SAMUEL SPURGIN, b. February 08, 1794, Canada; d. July 1849, Bartholomew Co. Indiana.
xv. ANNE (NANCY) SPURGIN, b. 1796.
xvi. SARAH SPURGIN, b. 1799.
Some researchers have indicated that Col. Wm Spurgin Esquire's middle name is Alburtus. I have yet to see documentation of it.
Compiled and written by Roger G. Spurgeon

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=henryjj&i...

1. ID: I01083
2. Name: William SPURGEON Jr.
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: 6 JUN 1734 in , Frederick Co., MD 1
5. Death: 13 AUG 1806 in Charlottesville, Ontario, Canada
6. Event: AFN: 1ZXJ-M98
7. Reference Number: 1083
8. Note:

William Spurgeon Jr. was born in Frederick County, Maryland, grew up in Augusta County, Virginia near Packhorse Ford where the Philadelphia Wagon road crossed the Potomac river. This was the principal route for frontier settlers who came from Maryland and Pennsylvania and traveled down the Shenandoah Valley to the vicinity of present day Roanoke, Virginia and from there went back through the blue ridge to the Piedmont region of Virginia and North Carolina. The four Spurgeon brothers were well established in Rowan County, North Carolina before 1753. It is said that the first Court in Rowan County (probably about 1756) was held under an Oak Tree on land owned by William Spurgeon Jr., William Spurgin is listed in the 1759 Rowan County Tax List.

William Jr. married Jane Welborn in Frederick County, Virginia about 1752, and his first child was born there. The next child was born in Rowan County, North Carolina. He was somewhat prominent in North Carolina and owned more than 1,000 acres at Abbot's Creek near Salisbury, North Carolina (then in Rowan County, now in Davidson County, North Carolina)

William Spurgeon Jr. accompanied by his son John, joined Daniel Boone to lead a group of settlers into Kentucky for the Transylvania Company in 1775. William Jr's. group settled at the present site of Lexington, KY, while Daniel Boone and his group settled about 60 miles East of Lexington at Boonesborough. After clearing some land, William Jr. left his son John (20 years old) in charge and returned to Rowan Co., NC. Before a year was out the Indians (probably Shawnees) became very hostile and young John took the opportunity to trade their cleared land for a particularly fine sorrel horse and returned to Rowan Co. William Jr. approved of the trade and rode that horse until after he went to Canad

William Spurgeon Jr. and his brother John were known to have served on the Tory (British) side in the American Revolution, while apparently their brothers, Samuel and Jesse and William Jr.'s wife, Jane and her family were loyal to the Whig (Colonies) cause. William Spurgeon Jr. had been made a Justice of the Peace several years before and would not go back on his oath of loyalty to the King, sworn then. His brother John agreed with William Jr. and both became soldiers in the King's Militia under the Royal Governor of North Carolina. William Jr. became a Colonel and John became a Captain. John was captured and killed, at Camden, South Carolina, on 31 March 1779.

After the war, William had to hide out and could not show himself in public in Rowan County, North Carolina for fear of arrest. They started for Canada about 1787/88, but then Jane changed her mind. The tension was too great, so William Jr. left for Canada in late 1788. On the way William took up with Anne (Bedsaul) Ruddick, a married woman, in Virginia. I can find no record of a divorce for either William or Anne but she accompanied him to Canada, supposedly as his wife, and they had five more children. When Anne died about 1838, several years after William, she was living with a son in Indiana. Jane stayed with her children in Rowan County, North Carolina.

William Spurgeon Jr. has two Ancestral file numbers; 1ZXJ-M98 where his wife is listed as Jane Sellers and 18NB-ZC9 where his wife is listed as Jane Welborn. -- J. J. Henry

Father: William SPURGEON b: 7 MAY 1704 in Mile End, New Town, Sussex, England
Mother: Mary STYLES b: About 1704 in Sussex, England

Marriage 1 Jane WELBORN b: 28 JAN 1731/32 in Deer Creek, Baltimore County, Maryland

Married: About 1752 in Frederick County, Virginia 2

• Divorced:

   * Note: William and Jane remained married all through the Revolutionary War, even though she was a Patriot and he was a Loyalist Colonel. It was about 1787 when the strain of this relationship finally broke up the marriage. Jane and her children stayed on the family home place at Abbots Creek, Rowan County, NC and William remarried Ann (Bedsol) Reddick and by 1792 was established in Ontario, Canada.

Children

  1. Has Children John SPURGEON b: 7 FEB 1753 in , Frederick County, VA

2. Has No Children Rebecca SPURGEON b: 25 MAY 1757 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
3. Has No Children Margaret SPURGEON b: ABT 1758 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
4. Has No Children Mary SPURGEON b: ABT 1760 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
5. Has No Children William SPURGEON III b: ABT 1762 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
6. Has Children Agnes SPURGEON b: 7 FEB 1766 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
7. Has No Children Jeanette SPURGEON b: ABT 1768 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
8. Has Children Joseph SPURGEON b: 29 APR 1770 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
9. Has No Children Elizabeth SPURGEON b: 2 JUN 1772 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
10. Has No Children David SPURGEON b: 1773 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
11. Has Children Israel Isaiah SPURGEON b: ABT 1775 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
12. Has Children Josiah SPURGEON b: 13 NOV 1777 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
13. Has Children Jesse SPURGEON b: 30 JUN 1780 in Abbott's Creek, Rowan County, NC
____________________________
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~thesimsfamily/sims/tree/16...

Col. William Spurgin, Jr. 2 5 6

Born: Jun 6, 1734, Frederick Co., Maryland 6 7

Marriage (1): Mary Jane Sellars Welborn in Jul 1753 in Rowan, Bladen County, North Carolina 1 2 3

Marriage (2): Anne Bedsaul in 1790 in Wythe/Patrick (now Grayson) County, Virginia 4

Died: Aug 13, 1806, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada at age 72 2 6 9 10

Buried: Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada 8

General Notes:

m1: Jane Welborn m2: Ann Bedsaul Reddick

Residence: Abbotts Creek, Rowan Co., North Carolina; Grayson Co., Virginia; Long Point, Ontario, Canada

Buried: Canada

---

William Spurgeon Jr. was born in Frederick County, Maryland, grew up in Augusta County, Virginia near Packhorse Ford where the Philadelphia Wagon road crossed the Potomac river. This was the principal route for frontier settlers who came from Maryland and Pennsylvania and traveled down the Shenandoah Valley to the vicinity of present day Roanoke, Virginia and from there went back through the blue ridge to the Piedmont region of Virginia and North Carolina. The four Spurgeon brothers were well established in Rowan County, North Carolina before 1753. It is said that the first Court in Rowan County (probably about 1756) was held under an Oak Tree on land owned by William Spurgeon Jr.

William Jr. married Jane Welborn in Frederick County, Virginia about 1752, and his first child was born there. The next child was born in Rowan County, North Carolina. He was somewhat prominent in North Carolina and owned more than 1000 acres at Abbot's Creek near Salisbury, North Carolina (then in Rowan County, now in Davidson County, North Carolina)

William Spurgeon Jr. accompanied by his son John, joined Daniel Boone to lead a group of settlers into Kentucky for the Transylvania Company in 1775. William Jr's. group settled at the present site of Lexington, Kentucky, while Daniel Boone and his group settled about 60 miles East of Lexington at Boonesborough.

After clearing some land, William Jr. left his son John (20 years old) in charge and returned to Rowan County, North Carolina. Before a year was out the Indians (probably Shawnees) became very hostile and young John took the opportunity to trade their cleared land for a particularly fine sorrel horse and returned to Rowan County. William Jr. approved of the trade and rode that horse until after he went to Canada.

William Spurgeon Jr. and his brother John were known to have served on the Tory (British) side in the American Revolution, while apparently their brothers, Samuel and Jesse and William Jr.'s wife, Jane and her family were loyal to the Whig (Colonies) cause. William Spurgeon Jr. had been made a Justice of the Peace several years before and would not go back on his oath of loyalty to the King, sworn then. His brother John agreed with William Jr. and both became soldiers in the King's Militia under the Royal Governor of North Carolina. William Jr. became a Colonel and John became a Captain. John was captured and killed, at Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina, on 31 March 1779.

After the war, William had to hide out and could not show himself in public in Rowan County, North Carolina for fear of arrest. They started for Canada about 1787/88, but then Jane changed her mind. The tension was too great, so William Jr. left for Canada in late 1788. On the way William took up with Anne Bedsaul Ruddick in Virginia. I can find no record of a divorce for either William or Anne but she accompanied him to Canada, supposedly as his wife, and they had five more children. Anne died several years after William in Indiana. Jane stayed with her children in Rowan County, North Carolina.

Sources : Spurgeon Quarterly, Issue 47, p. 373

Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, May 1985, p74

Spurgeon Fam. Hist.,p5, by Dr. Gary Alan Dickey

Rita (Alexander) Abair-Apr.,1997

Betty Spurgin, Jan 1996

Janice janice@ee.urm.edu -Oct 13/1997

His will is listed: Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, May 1985, p59 and also Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, p96

JohnSpur.RTF Barbara Spurgeon Lamb Jones-Dec 2001

---

Served in the Revolutionary War for the King. He fought in the battle of Kettle Creek in Georgia under Boyd in 1779. His lands in North Carolina were confiscated and he moved to Canada by 1792.

I do not know where, when, or by whom he was commissioned, Colonel William has been referred to as Spurgeon/Spurgin/various other spellings (1734-1806). RAS

Spurgeon, William of North Carolina. Major in Boyd's corps (for Boyd see Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, May 1985, p74) Authorized by Governor Martin, January 1776, to erect the King's standard, to enlist and array in arms the loyal subjects of Rowan County, and to "oppose all rebels and traitors." In 1779, in the battle of Kettle Creek, when Boyd was mortally wounded, and Moore, the Lietenant-Colonel, exhibited a want of military skill, Spurgeon conducted with spirit and maintained his ground until overpowered. Estate confiscated.

Other Sources: Spurgeon Quarterly, Issue 47, p. 373 Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, May 1985, p74

---

Col William Spurgin was married to Jane in mid 1750 and had twelve children. Most records have the maiden name of Jane as Mary Jane Sellers. There has been no solid proof of this claim. Mrs. Carolyn Wellborn Haskins has been researching the Wellborn and related families for the past forty-five years and has always lived in the area of the Spurgin and Wellborn families. From her research of deeds, court records and Welborn family stories it has always been a fact that Jane's maiden name was Welborn. It is a fact that they already had children when they moved from VA/MD area with the Teague and Welborn families. It seems to me that the contention of Mrs. Haskins carries more weight than anything else I have seen. They moved from Maryland/Virginia border to North Carolina where Col. William became a Justice of the Peace and a member of the State Supreme Court. When the Revolutionary War became a reality, Col. William chose to support King George while his wife chose to support the Rebels and some of the children also. When he was branded a traitor to Independence, he was run out of North Carolina and his properties confiscated. He met Ann Reddick Bedsaul in Southern Virginia where she divorced her husband and left him with five children and chose to go with Col. William to Pennsylvania. There he wrote to the authorities in Canada for land for having supported the King. He was granted land in Ontario and with his new family took up residence there where he again was elected to serve in the court of that time period. They had four children. Two boys and two girls. The girls married and stayed in Canada to raise their families. The boys immigrated to Indiana and raised their families there. It appears from Census records that some of their half brothers were in the area and also some cousins. After Samuel died , his family moved to Iowa. Samuel's brother, Aaron also went with his children to Iowa. It is not clear whether he died in Iowa or whether he returned to Canada. I suspect he is buried in Iowa.

Source: Mary W. Glenn Sep 1999

---

A pioneer settler of Rowan County in the 1750s and a justice of the peace before the Revolution, William Spurgin was a consistent loyalist throughout the conflict. After the war, his wife struggled in the courts to keep some of his estate out of the hands of suitors. Apparently Spurgin returned to Rowan County, for tax lists include someone by his name in 1784 and 1785. This William Spurgin had been assessed L450 taxes in 1778. In 1784 he was listed as owning twelve slaves but no land. In 1785 he was listed as an insolvent. The 1784 and 1785 assessments may reflect confiscation, for Spurgin had owned six tracts and had sold only five of them prior to 1785. He sold the last tract in 1789. In 1785 William Spurgin and another returned loyalist were convicted of horsetheft and sentenced to be hanged, but Spurgin was still living in Rowan County in 1790. A North Carolina loyalist named William Spurgin was in Upper Canada by 1796. He used the title "colonel" which the Rowan County former justice of the peace bore during much of the war, and the North Carolinians where he settled said they had known him in North Carolina during the war. He received 1,200 acres for his loyalist service, a generous allotment even in view of Spurgin's seven-member family.

(From Carole Watterson Troxler, The Loyalist Experience in North Carolina, Raleigh, NC: NC Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1976, p. 55).

---

Rev. Jethro Rumble, A History of Rowan Co, NC (Salisbury, NC: 1881; reprint ed., Baltimore: Reg. Pub. Co, 1978), pp. 153-4. "From Trading Ford, General (Nathaniel) Greene moved on to Abbott's Creek meeting-house, still in Old Rowan (Co), and halted for two or three days to rest his troops and await further developments (movement of Cornwallis' Army). During his stay there he made his headquarters at the house of Col. Spurgen, a Tory, who of course was not at home to receive him."

---

Battle of Kettle Creek:

After many adventures and temporary occupations of his plan­tations from time to time, he helped Colonel John Boyd to raise 600 men for the loyalist forces early in 1779, and marched with these men to Savannah, which they reached 350 strong in February, after fighting in two engagements on the way. Shortly after­wards he was captured at the battle of Kettle Creek in Georgia on 14 February 1779, and was marched in irons with other prisoners to Ninety-Six, a distance of nearly 400 miles. In this battle the loyalists under Colonel Boyd were defeated, and Colonel Boyd killed. Lieutenant-Colonel John Moore, of North Carolina, was second in command, and Major Spurgen third in command. (C. C. Jones, History of Georgia, 1883, pp. 339-342; W. B. Stevens, History of Georgia, 1859, Vol. II. pp. 190-192.)

---

The American Revolution in Georgia

Battle of Kettle Creek

http://ngeorgia.com/revolution/amrev11.html

The backwoods of Georgia holds challenges for the British Army in Georgia. Many people in Georgia are strongly anti-British, so when Colonel James(?) Boyd and 700 loyalists set up camp along Kettle Creek on February 14, 1779, they know to be prepared for an attack. Only a couple of days before, on February 11, 100 Patriots attack them while crossing Van(n)'s Creek in spite of being outnumbered.

Things were not going well for these Loyalists. Boyd is expecting additional men to assist in a strike against the Patriots. His men are not regulars and dissention fills the ranks. And the skirmish at Vann's Creek alert Colonels John Dooly and Andrew Pickens to the Loyalist's presence in Wilkes County. As was the custom, the Loyalist send scavengers out to find food. This morning about 150 men are out searching for food when Pickens attacks.

With a combined total of 340 men, the Patriots attack in three columns, Col. Dooly on the right, Pickens in the middle and Elijah Clark, Dooly's second in command on the left. A small advance guard is sent in front of the columns to scout the enemy. Col. Pickens scouts are surprised by Boyd's Loyalist sentries and open fire.

Alerted to the attack by the sound of gunfire, Boyd rallies his men and advances with a small group to the top of a nearby hill, where they wait behind rocks and fallen trees for the Patriots. To the left and right the men under command of Dooly and Clarke have problems crossing the high water of the creek and nearby swamps.

Pickens continues his advance to the fence on top of the hill, where Boyd's men await the advancing Americans. On the approach of Pickens, the Loyalists open fire. Men at the lead of the column fall victim to the first rounds. Clarke and Dooly, unable to advance quickly through the cane, are helpless. By all accounts, outnumbered and caught by surprise, the Patriots are losing the battle.

After the successful ambush, Boyd orders his men to retreat to the camp by Kettle Creek. In one of those events frequently labeled as fate, Boyd falls to the ground, dying from a musket ball. Seeing this, his troops panic and an orderly withdrawal turns into a nightmare for the 600 men under his command.

Pickens rallies and advances his men towards the Loyalist camp. At the same time Dooly's men emerge from the swamp. Surrounded on three fronts, with the creek to their back, about 450 Tories follow Boyd's second in command, Major Spurgen, across Kettle Creek.

While they are crossing the creek, Lt. Col Elijah Clarke emerges on the other side and charges with 50 men. The Loyalists flee, soundly defeated. Total losses: Loyalist 40-70 dead, 70 captured, Patriots 9 dead, 23 wounded. a

The men who flee the battlefield eventually make their way back to Wrightsville, although some are captured and hang later that year. Pickens, who became famous for his many battles in the Revolution would later write that Kettle Creek was the "severest chastisement" for the Loyalists in South Carolina and Georgia. Dooly is later brutally murdered by British Regulars.

---

See also "Stephen Westbrook of Wilkes County and His Revoluationary War Service" by William A. Bell.

http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ga/franklin/bios/westbrook.txt

---

See also "Savannah Under Siege: the Bloodiest Hour of the Revolution" by H. Ronald Freeman, p. 34-39.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/5369/kettlecreek.html

The Americans emerge quickly from the woods and swoop down upon Boyd's pickets. The first notice of attack is given by a volley from the pickets as they open fire on the Americans rapidly drawing near.

The American troops have been ordered not to fire until they are within at least thirty-five paces of the enemy. In the excitement of the moment they disobey their orders and return fire.

Boyd's camp is startled by the sudden sound of rifle fire and initially swarms in a state of confusion. Still, they attempt to rally and mount a defense.

The American army advances steadily with the right flank under Dooley, the left under Elijah Clarke and Pickens commanding the center. There are about a hundred men on each flank and two hundred in the center Boyd is able to gather and deploy about a hundred of his men behind a fence that is filled in with fallen timbers. From there he has a good vantage point.

Observing this half-formed abatis (barricade). Pickens files off to the right to a rise in the ground. From this position he is able to flank Boyd, rushing down upon him as he flees. Reacting to Pickens flanking movement, Boyd orders his men to fall back and unite with the main force.

During this retreat, Col. Boyd is mortally wounded with three musket balls in his body; two through the chest and one in the leg.

Clarke and Dooley both have been impeded in their advances while picking their way through the canebrakes. After slow progress, they are finally united again with the center and bloody fighting ensues over the entire field. The loyalists, now under the command of Maj. Spurgeon, begin to give ground. They fall back across the creek leaving behind many firearms, horses and baggage.

To the rear is a small hill that Clarke is quick to recognize as a point that will undoubtedly be chosen by the Tories as a rallying ground. He discovers a path leading to a ford across the creek where he will be able to pursue.

Ordering his men to follow, Clarke spurs his horse forward and it is immediately shot from beneath him. Promptly, he remounts and dashes through the water, but with only about a quarter of his force. He seizes one side of the hill as the loyalists take possession of the other. Clarke follows a circuitous route and emerges on the other side of the hill in the rear of Spurgeon. The enemy is now hemmed in on both sides. Pickens and Dooley press forward and the fighting is continued with renewed vigor.

The battle continues for almost two confused hours that sees the combatants break into smaller skirmishes and even individual encounters. The fighting is hand to hand with bayonets, rifle butts and fists. At last the Tories gave way in confusion and flee from the field, a routed and defeated force. Never again will Boyd's Bandits assemble as an organized body during the remainder or the war. The encounter, though small, is savage and its aftermath is one of bitter recrimination.

---

He fought with Loyalist forces during Revolutionary War.

Source: Spurgeon Quarterly, Issue 46, Sept 1996, p357

Other Source: Spurgeon Quarterly Issue 3, p 82 -- A lengthy article by Charles H. Spurgeon about William and descensents

---

Lee Minnis:

1755 COURT: Frederick Co, VA, 11 Dec. William Spurgen on a list of voters.

William left Maryland and spent time here in Frederick and in Orange Counties in Virginia before moving on to Rowan Co, NC, about 1759 ( Jo White Linn, "Rowan County, North Carolina Tax Lists 1757-1800, p. 353").

1759 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, DB 4-329/333, 2 Oct. John Fullerlane and wife Elizabeth sold Mary Spurgin 166 acres on Abbotts Creek and also 310 acres on the same creek to her son William Spurgin.

1759 TAX: Rowan Co, NC. Wm Spurgin 1 poll.

1765 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, 11 Jul. William Spurgin Esq. and 13 Jul, Justice, Capt Harmon's Dist.

1768 TAX: Rowan Co, NC. Taken by William Spurgin. On the list besides him of interest are Samuel Spurgin (brother), John Sellers (father-in-law?) and Dilmaunus Criddlebaugh (son John's father-in-law?).

1772 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, 3 May. Mary Spurgin, widow, sold her 166 acres to Samuel Spurgin as proved by William Spurgin.

1772 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, DB 8-79, 29 Jul. Deeds to be registered William and wife Jane to James Wellburn.

1772 DEED: Rowan Co, NC, DB 8-64, 18 Dec. William Spurgin witness to purchase of slaves, proved Feb Court 1773.

1774 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, 5 Nov. William Spurgin Magistrate.

1776 MIL: Rowan Co, NC. Governor Martin sent Loyalist commissions to his leaders in the back country. One of these was our William Spurgin, Esq. (See Robert O. DeMond, "The Loyalists in North Carolina During Revolution," Durham: Duke University Press, 1940; reprint ed., Baltimoe: GPC Co., Inc., 1979).

1778 LAND: Rowan Co, NC. Vacated land entry of William Spurgin adjacent to 400 acres issued to Jane Spurgeon on Spurgeon's Creek of Abbott's Creek near Wachovia.

1778 TAX: Rowan Co, NC. William Spurgin subject to fourfold tax of L450 ( probably as he was a Tory).

1782 P&Q: Rowan Co, NC, 6 Nov. Will Spurgin and John Spurgin owed money (probably back taxes).

1782 DEED: Rowan Co, NC, 21 Dec. Sheriff sold land of William Spurgin, 396 acres and 310 acres, at public vendue, proved Nov Court 1785.

1782 COURT: Old Guilford Co, NC, Minutes 1781-1788, #21. William Spurgin's former property to be returned to state from hands of Commissioner of Confiscation in County of Rowan by Maj. Thomas Owen; items: 1 feather bed, 2 sides of tanned leather, 1 axe, 1 hoe, 2 wagon loads of corn, 2 sheep, and 1 pewter plate.

1782 COURT: Old Guilford Co, NC, Minutes 1781-1788, #50. Charles Bruce, Esq. vs William Spurgin; Bruce's damage found to be L250 value of 625 Spanish milled dollars.

1785 TAX: Rowan Co, NC, List of Capt. Henry Davis (now in Davidson Co). William Spurgeon: no land listed as for others.

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Ann Beason Gahan (GenForum Posting):

On 30 Aug 1793, Spurgin petitioned the Lt. Governor for a lot of land No. 11, which he had visited near Long Point. The lot had a spring and a good stream on which he could erect a still and a grist mill. He apologized for failing to wait to see the Governor, as it was urgent for him to return home.

On 17 July 1794, Spurgin again petitioned the Governor. He recounted his continued opposition to the Revolters in their endeavors to subvert the British constitution; that he had ever adhered to that government; that he had left his property and joined Lord Cornwallis and had been sent back from VA to deliver an express to Lord Rawdon and was not able to join Cornwallis again. He reported that everything he possessed had been taken from him and that he had come to Upper Canada twelve months before the date of the petition and that he had no doubt the Governor would grant him an allotment of land. On the reverse of this petition, it was noted that the petition was granted Spurgin to take 200 acres, for the present.

On 22 Aug 1795, Spurgin petitioned the Governor to lay his grant of 200 acres on a lot in the Long Point area. This petition is marked "granted."

On 3 May 1796, Spurgin sent a long petition to the Governor saying he had, in the previous August, found in the surveyed area of Long Point a lot No. 11, which contained a fine spring of water suitable for a still. He also hoped to set up a small mill. He sought an additional lot as compensation for his services during the Rebellion, having given up hopes of monetary compensation. The endorsements show he was granted the whole of lot No. 11 and recommended for an additional 1,000 acres. His will suggests that he received the additional land in Walpole township in Haldimand County.

On 2 Aug 1806, William Spurgin made his last will and testament, leaving 5 shillings to each of 10 children: John, Margaret, Mary, William, Jennett, Joseph, Elizabeth, Isaiah, Josiah, and Jesse--all presumably living in NC. He also left all his real and personal property, which might be recovered in that state, to be divided according to the laws of NC, amongst the above-named family. "He left his property in Upper Canada to his four children there: Aaron, Samuel, Anne, and Sarah--with a life interest in the homestead to his wife, Anne." "The daughter, Anne, was known as Nancy and was my great grandmother." (Pickersgill)

Aaron Spurgin, the eldest of the children in Upper Canada, was married on 31 Jan 1808. If he was 20 years old when he married, he would have been born in 1788. Both Aaron and Samuel Spurgin migrated to the midwest of the U.S. Samuel was living in Indiana in 1844; and Aaron, in Iowa in 1868, according to documents in his possession. It was indicated that the name Spurgin has long been extinct in the Long Point Settlement.

---

Text from a display by the Norfolk Historical Society at the Eva Brook Donly Museum

http://www.grandriveruel.ca/simcoe01.htm

TROUBLE IN THE COLONIES

Over 200 years ago the American Revolution shattered the British Empire in North America. Not all inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies were in favour of Independence and sought to continue to live under the British flag. Some believed the differences would be resolved between the Colonies and Britain and order restored.

In the Thirteen Colonies, the Loyalists were branded as traitors, and

and persecuted by their Rebel neighbours. Loyalists could not vote,

sell land, sue debtors or work as lawyers, doctors or school teachers.

Farm buildings were burned or confiscated. Some Loyalists were

mistreated, tarred and feathered or tortured, and others lived in mortal

fear for their lives. They were stripped of their property and goods and

banished upon pain of death should they ever return.

The Loyalists who remained faithful to the Crown were North American by experience. Those who wished to live in the New World left, or were forced to leave, their homes and settle in the remaining British territory, Canada.

WHO WERE THE LOYALISTS?

The Loyalists came from every class and walk in life. Some depended on the Crown for their livelihood and status and had considerable wealth and property. Many were farmers, craftsmen, clerks, clergymen, lawyers, blacksmiths, labourers, soldiers and slaves. They were a diverse multicultural group with different religions and ethnic backgrounds: English, Scottish, French, Welch, Dutch, German, Native North American, Black American and etc.. Some were newcomers. Others had been in America for generations. The common denominator was that they were British subjects living in the Thirteen Colonies who lost everything: they lost homes, possessions, occupations and a way of life.

It is estimated 70,000, or perhaps 100,000 or more, Loyalists fled the Thirteen Colonies. Of these, roughly 50,000 came to Canada. Some, with connections still, returned to Britain. Others went to the Caribbean.

In 1789, Guy Carleton, as Lord Dorchester, Governor-in-Chief of Canada, knew first-hand of the suffering and losses of the Loyalists. Since other newcomers were receiving free grants of land, he wished to honour the Loyalists for their sacrifices and therefore decreed:

"Those Loyalists who have adhered to the unity of the Empire, and

joined the Royal Standard before the Treaty of Separation in 1783,

and all their Children, and their Descendants by either sex, are to be

distinguished by the following capitals affixed to their names U.E....."

ESCAPE TO CANADA

Some Loyalists and their families, fearing for their safety or having lost their homes, fled to Canada during the Revolution. The Six Nations Indians were allies of Britain and when their forty-one Villages in the Mohawk Valley were burned, they camped in Niagara and assisted other Loyalists as they arrived.

After the surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the major exodus occurred. Some escaped to safety in New York City, which was still held by the British and great fleets of sailing ships transported them to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Some escaped by canoe up the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. Others followed the Mohawk River and crossed at Niagara. Loyalists settlements were created in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, along the St Lawrence River, Bay of Quinte, the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Niagara, the Long Point Settlement and across the border at Windsor and Lake Erie. The loyal Six Nations were granted, by the Haldimand Deed of 1784, six miles on either side of the Grand River from its source to its mouth, comprising approximately 675,000 acres.

The Loyalists journeyed for weeks by boat, wagon and on foot with few possessions and little food or shelter, and often through hostile territory. More fortunate refugees had a yoke of oxen, or a cow tethered at the rear of the wagon. Children of all ages rode or walked alongside wagons until they too made their way to safety in Canada.

SETTLEMENT

The Loyalists who settled in the Long Point area were part of this large migration. Most journeyed to Niagara, crossed the River on rafts and made their way through unbroken wilderness to Norfolk County know then as the Long Point Settlement. Some followed the Lake Erie shoreline to Port Ryerse where Samuel and Joseph Ryerse, who had previously settled in New Brunswick, were enticed with a large grant of land by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe to create a settlement and encourage other New Brunswick Loyalists to settle. Simcoe desired a loyal population on the north side of Lake Erie as he believed the Americans would attack one day.

Many Long Point Loyalists fought in one of fifty Loyalist regiments such as: The King's Royal Regiment of New York, The Queen's Rangers, New Jersey Volunteers, Rogers' Rangers, Jessup's Corps, Butler's Rangers and Loyal Guides and Pioneers. They were from all walks of life and, whether or not they were experienced frontier farmers, craftsmen or professionals from the Thirteen Colonies, they found themselves isolated in a virgin forest on a land grant with regulations to clear it and build buildings.

Among the terms of the free grant of land, usually two hundred acres for Privates and larger for officers, three acres had to be cleared of trees, a habitation 16' x 24' erected and a road cleared and maintained along the front boundary. Then they could apply to have the deed registered in their names. They were given an axe, spade, tent, seeds, flour and a kettle to cook in. They built rude buildings for immediate shelter and helped each other.

LOYALIST LEGACY

At the time of the arrival of the Loyalists, this part of Ontario was known as Quebec. On June 19, 1791 the British Parliament passed the Canada Act, known as the Constitutional Act, which divided Quebec into Lower and Upper Canada. Upper Canada (now Ontario) was granted an elected assembly and the freehold system of land tenure. John Graves Simcoe, who had commanded the Queen's Rangers in the Revolution, was appointed as the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. He called the first Parliament at Newark (Niagara on the Lake) in 1792,

Lumber, grist and carding mills were built including the Austin, Bakus and Ryerse mills. All of the mills in the settlement, except two, were burned when an American force under Captain Campbell sailed across Lake Erie and raided, plundered and burned the Long Point Settlement in the War of 1812-14.

The Van Norman Foundry was built. Churches were founded. An education system was established under the guidance of Egerton Ryerson and schools were built. Vittoria was named as the first capital and courts were held there until the court house burned and the Capital of the District was moved to London.

The fame of the Norfolk area's good soil and moderate climate soon spread, and other pioneers arrived and joined the Loyalists of the Long Point Settlement. The settlement of the Loyalists created an English-speaking, multi-cultural society based on a Constitutional Monarchy with a motto of "law, order and good government" and maintained a British Colony in North America.

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2 6 10 11 12 13

 Noted events in his life were:

• Residence, Young, Augusta Co., Virginia. Grew up near Packhorse Ford where the Philadelphia Wagon road crossed the Potomac river

• Alt. Birth, Jun 6, 1734, Spotsylvania Co., Virginia. 2

• Court, Dec 11, 1755, Frederick Co., Virginia. 2 William Spurgen on a list of voters.

• Land Patent, May 1, 1758, Orange (now Frederick) Co., Virginia. 2 On 1 May 1758, Mary Spurgin, her son William and his wife Jane, sold the 200 acre Orange Co. VA tract now part of Frederick Co. VA.

• Land Patent, Jul 7, 1758, Frederick Co., Maryland. 2 On 6 Jul 1758, the group sold the 50 acre Frederick Co. MD tract to Thomas Swearingen (F,504)

• Tax List, 1759, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 14

• Residence, Abt 1759, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2

• P&Q, Oct 2, 1759, Abbot's Creek, near Salisbury, Rowan (now Davidson) Co., North Carolina. 2 John Fullerlane and wife Elizabeth sold Mary Spurgin 166 acres on Abbotts Creek and also 310 acres on the same creek to her son William Spurgin.

Mary Spurgin purchased 166 acres on Abbotts Creek, 2 Oct 1759, from John and Elizabeth Fullerlane. Mary's son, William, and one Isaac Wilborn, purchased tracts from Fullerlane at the same time.

• Land Patent, After 1759, Abbot's Creek, near Salisbury, Rowan (now Davidson) Co., North Carolina. 1000 acres

• P&Q, Jul 11, 1765, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 William Spurgin Esq.

• P&Q, Jul 13, 1765, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Justice, Capt Harmon's Dist.

• Tax List, 1768, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Taken by William Spurgin. On the list besides him of interest are Samuel Spurgin (brother), John Sellers (father-in-law?) and Dilmaunus Criddlebaugh (son John's father-in-law?).

• P&Q, May 3, 1772, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Mary Spurgin, widow, sold her 166 acres to Samuel Spurgin as proved by William Spurgin.

• P&Q, Jul 29, 1772, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 DB 8-79, Deeds to be registered William and wife Jane to James Wellburn.

• Deed, Dec 18, 1772, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 DB 8-64, William Spurgin witness to purchase of slaves, proved Feb Court 1773.

• P&Q, Nov 5, 1774, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 William Spurgin Magistrate.

• Residence, 1775, Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. William Spurgeon Jr. accompanied by his son John, joined Daniel Boone to lead a group of settlers into Kentucky for the Transylvania Company in 1775. William Jr's. group settled at the present site of Lexington, Kentucky, while Daniel Boone and his group settled about 60 miles East of Lexington at Boonesborough

• Military: Revolutionary War, 1776, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Fought for the British Loyalists. Governor Martin sent Loyalist commissions to his leaders in the back country. One of these was our William Spurgin, Esq. (See Robert O. DeMond, "The Loyalists in North Carolina During Revolution," Durham: Duke University Press, 1940; reprint ed., Baltimore: GPC Co., Inc., 1979).

• Land Patent, 1778, Abbot's Creek, near Salisbury, Rowan (now Davidson) Co., North Carolina. 2 Vacated land entry of William Spurgin adjacent to 400 acres issued to Jane Spurgeon on Spurgeon's Creek of Abbott's Creek near Wachovia.

• Tax List, 1778, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 William Spurgin subject to four-fold tax of L450 (probably as he was a Tory).

• Military, Feb 14, 1779, Battle of Kettle Creek, Georgia. Major in Boyd's Corp.

• Court, 1782, Guilford Co., North Carolina. 2 Old Guilford Co, NC, Minutes 1781-1788, #21. William Spurgin's former property to be returned to state from hands of Commissioner of Confiscation in County of Rowan by Maj. Thomas Owen; items: 1 feather bed, 2 sides of tanned leather, 1 axe, 1 hoe, 2 wagon loads of corn, 2 sheep, and 1 pewter plate.

• Court, 1782, Guilford Co., North Carolina. 2 Old Guilford Co, NC, Minutes 1781-1788, #50. Charles Bruce, Esq. vs William Spurgin; Bruce's damage found to be L250 value of 625 Spanish milled dollars.

• P&Q, Nov 6, 1782, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Will Spurgin and John Spurgin owed money (probably back taxes).

• Deed, Dec 21, 1782, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 Sheriff sold land of William Spurgin, 396 acres and 310 acres, at public vendue, proved Nov Court 1785.

• Tax List, 1784, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 15 May be our WIlliam Spurgin. 12 slaves, no land.

• Tax List, 1785, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 2 15 May be our WIlliam Spurgin. Listed as insolvent. List of Capt. Henry Davis (now in Davidson Co). William Spurgeon: no land listed as for others.

• Tax List, 1788, Rowan Co., North Carolina. 15 May be our WIlliam Spurgin. Assessed L450.

• Residence, Bef 1792, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada.

• Letter, Sep 10, 1792, Pennsylvania. 16 With a petition to the Lt. Governor, he sent receipts from Military officers for horses and provisions supplied to Lord Cornwallis' army for which he had received no compensation. He reported that he had lost all his property to the rebels. He said he had gotten his family as far as PA and was seeking to bring them to the Long Point Settlement in Upper Canada (now Ontario), along with several other families. He asked whether assistaance could be provided for the first year until they could raise some small credit. (Mr. Pickersgill indicated he had seen no written acknowledgement of this first petition.)

• Letter, Aug 30, 1793, Long Point Settlement, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 16 Spurgin petitioned the Lt. Governor for a lot of land No. 11, which he had visited near Long Point. The lot had a spring and a good stream on which he could erect a still and a grist mill. He apologized for failing to wait to see the Governor, as it was urgent for him to return home.

• Land Patent: 200 acres, Lot No. 11, Aug 30, 1793, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 10 Willed to his son Aaron

• Letter, Jul 17, 1794, Long Point Settlement, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 16 Spurgin again petitioned the Governor. He recounted his continued opposition to the Revolters in their endeavors to subvert the British constitution; that he had ever adhered to that government; that he had left his property and joined Lord Cornwallis and had been sent back from VA to deliver an express to Lord Rawdon and was not able to join Cornwallis again. He reported that everything he possessed had been taken from him and that he had come to Upper Canada (now Ontario) twelve months before the date of the petition and that he had no doubt the Governor would grant him an allotment of land. On the reverse of this petition, it was noted that the petition was granted Spurgin to take 200 acres, for the present.

• Letter, Aug 22, 1795, Long Point Settlement, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 16 Spurgin petitioned the Governor to lay his grant of 200 acres on a lot in the Long Point area. This petition is marked "granted."

• Residence, Bef 1796, Canada. 15

• Letter, May 3, 1796, Long Point Settlement, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 16 Spurgin sent a long petition to the Governor saying he had, in the previous August, found in the surveyed area of Long Point a lot No. 11, which contained a fine spring of water suitable for a still. He also hoped to set up a small mill. He sought an additional lot as compensation for his services during the Rebellion, having given up hopes of monetary compensation. The endorsements show he was granted the whole of lot No. 11 and recommended for an additional 1,000 acres.

• Will, Aug 2, 1806, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 10

• Land Patent: 200 acres, Lot No. 1, 11th concession: Walpole Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 10 Willed to son Samuel

• Land Patent: 200 acres, Lot No. 1, 10th concession: Walpole Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 10 Willed to daughter Anne

• Land Patent: 200 acres, Lot No. 2, 10th concession: Walpole Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario, Canada. 10 Willed to daughter Sarah

William married Mary Jane Sellars Welborn, daughter of William Welborn, Sr. and Ann Crabtree, in Jul 1753 in Rowan, Bladen Co., North Carolina.1 2 3 (Mary Jane Sellars Welborn was born on Jan 28, 1731/32 in Deer Creek, St. George Parish, Baltimore (now Harford) Co., Maryland,2 6 9 17 18 died on Aug 3, 1803 in Abbot's Creek, near Salisbury, Rowan (now Davidson) Co., North Carolina 2 6 9 17 18 and was buried in Abbott's Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Davidson Co., North Carolina 2 6.)

 Noted events in their marriage were:

• Divorced, 1796, Virginia. 3 Divorced in courts of Virginia while married to second wife

• Alt. Marriage, Abt 1752, Frederick Co., Virginia.

William next married Anne Bedsaul, daughter of Elisha Bedsaul and Unknown, in 1790 in Wythe/Patrick (now Grayson) Co., Virginia.4 (Anne Bedsaul was born about 1759 in Frederick Co., Virginia 2 9 and died in 1838 in Norfolk Co., Ontario Province, Canada 2 3.)

 Noted events in their marriage were:

• Alt. Marriage, 1786, Wythe/Patrick (now Grayson) Co., Virginia. 2 19

Sources

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Barbara Lamb Jones, Lamb, Rutherford, Jones, Orsborn, Van Dusen, Spurgeon Family Trees. Descendant of Samuel and Sally Ledford Spurgeon

2 Lee Minnis, Minnis-Yates (Ancestry.com Database).

3 Mary W. Glenn.

4 Carolyn Wellborn Haskins (GenForum: http://genforum.genealogy.com/welborn/messages/379.html).

5 Spurgeon, Bob.

6 Larry D. Kingsley (http://www.thekingsmeadow.com/EdwardWELBORN.htm). Descendant of James Welborn & Mary Isabella Teague Welborn

7 Dr. Gary Alan Dickey, Spurgeon Family History. p. 4

James Spurgin late of [the parish of] St. Mary Matfallon alias Whitechapel, County Middx [Middlesex] labourer, on 6 February, 5 George I [1718/19] at 4 at night burgled the house of Mary Fletcher, a spinster, and stole cloth coats worth 52s; Shag breeches worth 6s; one camel coat worth 2s; one camel waistcoat worth 1s; one furstian frock worth 2s; one furstian waistcoat worth 6s; five druggett coats worth 10s.

8 Spurgeon Quarterly (Issue 51, Dec 1997).

9 Rita Alexander Abair. Granddaughter of Peter and Bertha Edmondson

10 Will of Col. William Spurgin, 1806 (Spurgeon Spurgin Searchings, Vol. 1, No 1, Spring 1983). Highlights of the will of William Spurgin 1806 from an undated paper of William A. Spurgeon of Muncie, IN., published in Spurgeon Spurgin Searchings, Vol. 1, No 1, Spring 1983.

LONDON DISTRICT, UPPER CANADA, SURROGATE COURT, REGISTER "A", 1800-1817 - original in the University of Western Ontario Library - p.p. 67-71, will # 12.

Lib. A or First Book

In the Name of God Amen I William Spurgin of the District of Lon(d)n and County of Norfolk in the Province of Upper Canada and township of Charlotteville Being weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks Be given unto god Caulliing unto mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die Doo make and ordain this my Last will and Testament that is to Say Principally and first of all I Gave and Recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buryed in a Decent Christian like manner at the Descression of my Executors, Nothing Doubting But at the General Resurrection I shall receive the Same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased god to Bless me with in this Life I Gave Devise and Dispence with the Same in the following manner and form --- that is to Say first it is my Desire that all my Just Debts Should Be Lawfully paid and Discharged.

Item - I will and Bequeath unto my oldest Son John Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

Item - I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter Margret the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of great Britan.

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary the Sum of five Shilling Starling money of great Britan.

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Son William Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britain .

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter Agness the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter Jennete the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Son Joseph Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item - I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elisabeth the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item -I will and Bequeath unto my son Isaiah Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item -I will and Bequeath unto my Son Josiah Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

item -I will and Bequeath unto my son Jessee Spurgin the Sum of five Shillings Starling money of Great Britan.

also -I will and Bequeath all and Singular my proprty Rail and personal Lying and Being the State or province of North Carolina in Roan County Recovered or to be Recovered Thereafter to Be D(i)vided as the Laws of that Province Directs amongst the above named famaly

As to Touching and Concerning my Estate in the Province of Upper Canada --- I will and Bequeath unto my son Aron Spurgin one Lot of Land Containing two Hundred akers more Lying and Being in the township of Charlotteville Being Lot No. 11 in the Concession together with a Sorel Horse with a Blase face Name of fidler and a Bay Horse Named Smoker a year old Horse Colt Named Bird. I will and Bequeath to my Son Samuel one lot of Land Containing two Hundred akers more or Less Being Number 1 in the eleventh Concession of the township of wallpool one Sorel mare Cauled Snip and a Bay more Colt Sucking of (H). I will and Bequeath to my Daugter Anne Spurgin one Lot of Land of two Hundred akers more or so Being Lot No . 1 in the tenth Concession of the township of wallpool and one Large Brown Mare Cauled ple(sls). I will and Beqvisath to my yongest Daughter Sarah Spurgin one Lot of Land No. two in the tenth Concession or the township of Wallpool Containing two Hundred akers more or Less and one Bay mare Cauled Boney and a Colt Sucking Her. I will and Bequeath unto my Beloved wife ann Spurgin one Horse her Bed and Bed Cloathe(s) one Chest one Cloath Lume to Be Her own property ---

furthermore it is my will and Desire that one yoke of working Cattle together with all the Remanding part of my Cattle Sheep and Swine one wagon together with all my House hold goods and farming UtenciIs to Be and Remain on my Homestead place together with all my moveble property that I Shall Die Legally possessed of after Discharging the several Legacies Herein mentioned and to Be mentioned and the payment of all my Just Debts and funeral Charges for the Use and Bringing up of my famaly of Children to be Left in the Care of my Said Beloved wife ann Sputgin as Long as She my said Loving wife Shall Continue to Be my widow. and on the Day of Her marring to another then and in that Case I Devise that my Executors Shall take an Enventory of all and Singular the goods and Chattes that or may Be found Remainding and Continue in the Hands of Her my said Loving wife at the Desceretion of my Said Executors and after the marrage or Death of Her my Loving wife the place whereon I now live in p(urs)ession of Being Lot No. Eleven Begin the front Concession of the township of Charlotteville in the County of Norfolk and District of London and the Province of Upper Canada to Be Equally Divided Between my two Sons and my two Dauchters Aaron Spurgin Samuel Spurgin anne Spurgin and Sarah Spurgin, Hereby Revoking all former wllls by me made and I Do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint Silas Secord John Curn framers together with my Son Aaron Spurgin To Be Executors of this my Last will and testament. In witness whereof I Have Hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Second Day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Six and in the forty Sixth year of His Majestys Reign.

Signed William Spurgin

We Silas Secord and Aaron Spurgin Do Solemly and Sincerely make oath and declare that we will and truly administer all and Singular the Goods and Chattels Rights and Credits of William Spurgln late of the Township of Charlotteville ... Esquire Deceased who departed this life on the Thirteenth day of August in the Year of Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Six...

11 Marie Keeler, The Keeler, Mitsky, Pottorf, Doty, Carnahan, Ash, White, Families.

12 Spurgeon Quarterly (Issue 53, June 1998).

13 John James Henry. Descendant of Joseph and Susanna Hawk Spurgeon, through their son Elkanah

14 1759 Tax List, Rowan Co., North Carolina (http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/rowan/taxlists/tax1759.txt). James SMITH.....Jacob SUREST.....Wm. SPRIN (SPRIU).....Moses SHORT..... Sam'l. STEWART.....David STEWART.....John STEWART.....Henry SKIDMORE..... David SMITH.....Casper SMITH.....Fred'k SMITH.....Philip SOUR.....Peter SPENGLER.....Wm. SHANNON.....Adam SPACH.....George SPROACH.....Wm. SPURGIN ..... Isens STEFFINS.....Aaron SHORT.....John SUMMERS.....Thos. SUMMERS..... Wm. SILVERS.....Henry SLOAN & son John.....Patrick SILVERS & son.....Solomon SPARKS.....Sam'l. SHINN.....Silas SHINN.....Anthony SIDES.....Andw. SMITH .....George SLOAN.....James SCOTT.....Wm. SLEVIN.....Wm. SIMONTON & Negroes, Rachel & Peter.....John SMITH, Constable & his son......John SCOTT .....George SPRINGER.....Benj. STARRETT.....Elisha SKIDMORE.....Rich'd SMITH .....John STIDWELL.....Jonas SPARKS.....Peter SMITH....John STEVENS...... Daniel SANDERS (could be LANDERS).....Samuel SPURGON.....Wm. SHANNON..... Barnett STAGNER.....Jacob SMITH....George SMITH------Mathew SHIN-----Robert SUMNER.....Evan STEPHENS.....

. This tax list was found between the walls of the old court house by Wm. D. Kizziah, Register of Deeds. When found, it was but scraps of paper, but was fitted together and transcribed by him. This list was made before Rowan Co, NC was divided into other counties and is the oldest tax list ever found in Rowan (to my knowledge). It contains no figures and is not typed here as copied. I have put the "a's" together, the "b's together, etc. When a slave or negro is listed with another's name, I left those names as they appeared on the typed list. Some names in the "b's" were torn off or could not be read. They are listed at the end of this page. There is a copy of this list, as transcribed by Mr. Kizziah, in the Rowan County Library, Salisbury, NC.

15 Carole Watterson Troxler, The Loyalist Experience in North Carolina (Raleigh, NC: NC Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1976

). p. 55

16 Ann Beason Gahan.

17 Wendy Roberts-Craft, WorldConnect: Some Noteworthy Southern Genealogies (http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=robcraft...).

18 Gene Welborn, Welborns and Related Families With Roots In North and South Carolina (1994, Greenwood South Carolina).

19 Spurgeon Quarterly (Issue 6, Feb 1986).

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findagrave.com

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=113233665 - this includes a very detailed record of Col. William Spurgin

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• Created from MyHeritage Match via wife Ann Ruddick (born Bedsaul) by SmartCopy: Sep 2 2014, 23:09:23 UTC

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Birth: June 6 1734

 Frederick Co., MD

Ancestral File Number: 1ZXJ-M98 Marriage: Marriage to: Jane Welborn

Circa 1752

 Frederick Co., VA

Marriage to second wife

Marriage to: Ann Spurgin

Sep 26 1778

 Old Town, Grayson County, Virginia, United States

Death: Aug 13 1806

 Charlottesville, Ontario, Canada

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5. COLONEL, WILLIAM SPURGIN, ESQUIRE was born June 06, 1734 in Fredericks County, Maryland, and died August 13, 1806 in Charlottesville, Ontario Province, Canada. He married (1) MARY JANE WELBORN or SELLERS Abt. 1752 in Maryland or Virginia, daughter of JOHN WELBORN and ANN CRABTREE. She was born June 20, 1736 in Chatham County, Maryland, and died August 03, 1803 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He married (2) ANN Bedsaul Reddick Abt. 1787 in Virginia/Pennsylvania. She was born in Virginia/Pennsylvania.

Notes for COLONEL, WILLIAM SPURGIN, ESQUIRE: From "Pathfinders Past and Present, a History of Davidson County, North Carolina" p. 15:

"Abbots Creek Settlement

    From gravestones and other records, it appears that the first settlers of the Abbots Creek community were English, Welsh, Irish and German.  The earliest deeds were dated around 1758 but it is known that several families were living in this community some years before that date.

    One of the first settlers was William Spurgeon in possession of whose family today are some interesting documents relating to his life.  Of a noted Spurgeon family in England, he had come from the Maryland side of the Potomac early in the 1750's to fertile land on the headwaters of Abbots Creek.  There he purchased a large acreage, persuaded his brother John and Mother to come and buy a plantation near his, and became an influential figure in the county.  He was one of the first Justices of Rowan County.  His family, too, as other chapters will show, played important roles in later years.  In Volume I of the Moravian Records it is noted that [the early part of the year 1767 was marked by a good deal of missionary work on the part of Richard Uttley, English minister of Wachovia.]  Frequently on Saturday a messenger would arrive from one of the adjacent settlements and would take Br. Uttly back to preach for them on the following Sunday.  Among the places mentioned more or less frequently was Justice William Sporgin's (sic) house on Abbots Creek..."{1}

    During the turmoil of the French and Indian War, William sold his father's property at Packhorse Ford on the headwaters of the Potomac River and on the west side of the Shenandoah River.  William, his wife Mary Jane, mother Mary, and brothers, John and Samuel moved near Abbott's Creek, North Carolina. 

     William bought 310 acres from John Fullerlane on October 2, 1759.  From July 6, 1771 on through August of 1772, William buys and sells properties and gives property to the Welborn family, suggesting relationship of the Welborn's to William's family.{2}  Some researchers of the Welborn family claim Mary Jane's maiden name to be Welborn, and because of the above described buying and selling, many of the Spurgeon researchers believe Mary Jane Sellers maiden name to be Welborn. Son Joseph Spurgin stated that his mother's name before marrying William was Mary Jane Sellers, so she very possibly was married previously to a Mr. Sellers or Sellers could have been her maiden name. 

    From the earliest surviving Rowan County court records, William appears as Justice of the Peace of that county from1764 to 1775.{3} He had full judicial, executive and legislative powers in his jurisdiction. Family sources say, the "first court ever held in Rowan County was under an oak tree, and William Spurgin was a Justice of the Peace under King George III, and helped hold that court".{4}  No Doubt, William received a good education (probably a credit to his parents) before arriving in North Carolina. 

    On January 10, 1776, William and other Justices were directed by Governor Josiah Martin "to erect the King's standards to raise, levy, muster , and array in arms all his Majesty's loyal and Faithful subjects within your respective counties..." {5}   America's revolt against England had begun.  William did as he was commissioned.  He fought with Boyd's Provincials of North Carolina, and in North Carolina, the fighting was described as, "bands of Whigs and Tories raiding each others areas, plundering, burning and killing.  Whatever their origin, whoever their leaders, civil war was being fought in the Carolinas.  Bloody combats and bitter violent brutal fighting flared from both sides with quarter unknown."{6}    

     In late 1778, the British sailed onto the South Carolina and Georga coast.  There were British, Hessians and Tory units.  The Tory units were under Lt. Col. Archibald Cambell.  They landed at Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River.  As this occurred, British General Augustive Prevost moved up the coast from British Florida with his command.  American General Robert Howe tried to stop the union of the two units to no avail.  By January of 1779, the British had captured Sunbury, Georgia and all of the Savannah River up to Augusta.{7}  

From Wikipedia Encyclopedia on the internet:

    "The British began their "southern strategy" by sending expeditions from New York City and Saint Augustine, East Florida to capture Savannah, Georgia late in 1778. The New York expedition, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, arrived first, and successfully captured the town on December 29, 1778. [edit] British recruitment When Brigadier General Augustine Prevost arrived from Saint Augustine in mid-January, he assumed command of the garrison there, and sent Campbell on an expedition to take control of Augusta and raise Loyalist militia companies. Leaving Savannah on January 24, Campbell and more than 1,000 men arrived near Augusta a week later, with only minimal harassment from Georgia Patriot militia on the way. Augusta had been defended by South Carolina General Andrew Williamson leading about 1,000 militia from Georgia and South Carolina, but he withdrew most of his men when Campbell approached. This rear guard skirmished with Campbell's men before withdrawing across the Savannah River into South Carolina.[2] Campbell then began recruiting Loyalists. About 1,100 men signed up, but relatively few actually formed militia companies. Campbell then began requiring oaths of loyalty, on pain of forfeiture of property; many took this oath insincerely, quickly letting Williamson know their true feelings. An expedition by James Boyd went all the way into North Carolina, where he met with success, and recruited several hundred men. As he traveled south back toward Augusta, more Loyalists joined his company, until it numbered over 600 men in central South Carolina. As this column moved on, the men plundered and pillaged along the way, predictably drawing angered Patriot supporters to take up arms. South Carolina militia Colonel Andrew Pickens raised 350 men and headed toward Augusta to join Williamson. When he learned of Boyd's passage through Ninety Six, he moved to intercept before Boyd could reach Savannah. Boyd reached Cherokee Ford, where eight Patriots with small swivel guns in an entrenched position repulsed Boyd's approach. Boyd moved north about 5 miles (8.0 km) and crossed the river there. Pickens crossed into Georgia after Boyd, and began following him toward Augusta. On February 14, he caught up with Boyd when he was encamped near Kettle Creek. [edit] Battle Boyd was apparently unaware that he was being followed so closely, and his camp, while guards were posted, was not particularly alert. Pickens advanced, leading the center, while his left flank was under the command of Elijah Clarke and the right was under John Dooly. Gunfire between Patriot scouts and the camp guards alerted Boyd to the situation, who managed to form a defensive position atop a hill, and surprise Pickens. Flanking maneuvers by Clarke and Dooly were slowed by the swampy conditions, so they did not immediately arrive on the battlefield." Things at first went badly for Pickens, but then a lucky musket shot hit Boyd, mortally wounding him, and the Patriot flanks began to emerge from the swamps. The Loyalists, led by Boyd's second in command, William Spurgen, fell back, but the disorganized retreat rapidly became a rout. {7a}

From "Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution", by Lorenzo Sabine (Boston: Little, Brown& Company, 1864), "Boyd", page246, "Spurgeon", page 325:

    "Boyd, -----, Of Carolina.  Colonel, and in command of a corps of Tories, who were robbers rather than soldiers.  What they could not consume or carry off, they burned.  Boyd himself was bold, enterprising, and famed for his dishonesty.  He had a conference with Sir Henry Clinton at New York, and planned an insurrection in the back part of South Carolina, to be executed as soon as the Royal Army should obtain possession of Savannah.  In 1779, at the head of eight hundred men, he passed through the district of Ninety-Six on his way  to Georga, and destroyed life and property by sword and fire, along his whole route.  In a skirmish with a party of Whigs, under Anderson, of Picken's corps, he acknowledged a loss of one eight of his command in killed, wounded and missing.  He endeavored to avoid Pickens himself, but, overtaken by that officer, when un apprehensive of danger, was surprised and defeated.  He received three wounds, which proved mortal..."  "Neighbor had fought against neighbor; and in the exasperation of the moment, the Whigs doomed seventy of their prisoners to death; but they executed only five.  About three hundred escaped, and formed the intended junction with the British troops in Georgia."

    "Spurgeon, William. Of North Carolina.  Major in Boyd's corps.  Authorized by Governor Martin, January, 1776, to erect the King's standards, to enlist and array in arms the loyal subjects of Rowan County, and [to oppose all rebels and traitors.] In 1779, in the battle of Kettle Creek, when Boyd was mortally wounded, and Moore, the Lieutenant-Colonel, exhibited a want of military skill, Spurgeon conducted with spirit, and maintained his ground until overpowered.  Estate confiscated."

    Major William Spurgeon escaped, , with the about 300 men of what was left of Boyd's Provincials and formed the junction with Lt. Colonel Campell and the British troops. 

From www.georgiasocietysar.org/.../pdf/brochure_kettlecreek.pdf:

Clarke and Dooly became bogged down in swampy land on both flanks and provided limited support for Pickens' attack. Boyd directed Maj. William Spurgen to move most of the Loyalists across the swollen creek, and then Boyd personally led about 100 men up the hill to hold off Pickens. When three shots tore into Boyd, he fell mortally wounded; his troops panicked and fled toward the creek. Spurgen crossed the creek and regrouped the Loyalists where fighting became very intense for over an hour. Clarke, freed from the swamp, was able to enter the fight with Spurgen during which Clarke's horse was shot; but quickly mounted another. The Loyalists were routed with a loss of 70 killed or wounded, and 150 captured. Boyd died on the battlefield a few hours later. The Patriots reported 9 killed and 23 wounded or missing. Several Loyalist prisoners were later convicted of treason and five hanged, but the rest were pardoned. Spurgen was able to escape with about 270 men and rejoin Lt. Col. Campbell, the remainder probably returned to their homes.

    The following is a rebel account of an incident concerning the participation of Major William Spurgin and, a false claim that Major Spurgin was killed.  This letter written by General Williamson under the heading of Charlestown, April 7, 1779: 

     "David Tait Esq; one of Mr. John Stuart's indefatigable deputies in the Creek nations (and now called General, by the enemy) Cherokees and several as savage white men, as far as Fulson's fort on Ogeachie, to join enemy in Georgia...  General Williamson having ordered a detachment of horse under the command of Lieut. Col. Ely Kershaw, acting in conjunction with Col. _____ of Georgia, (in all about 200 men) to cross the Savannah River at Beach Island, in order to facilitate the operations of Colonels Hammond and Pickens in Upper parts of that state;  he crossed the river accordingly, but not without being discovered by some persons who gave notice thereof to the enemy;  Lieut. Col. Prevost ordered Major Spurgin of the Carolina Loyalists, with Major Sharp of the Georgia militia, to attack our detachment.  On the 31st of March, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the enemy, amounting to about 200 attacked our people and to it they went.  The engagement lasted two hours, when the enemy gave way, leaving Spurgon and several others dead on the field.  Our party pursued them two miles, and till they were within seven of the  enemy's main body, and after destroying a stockade fort which the enemy had occupied, returned with Sharp, mortally wounded and several other prisoners.  Sharp is since dead."{8}

     On June 08, 1780, Lord Cornwallis was