Charles Medearis

1772-1790 Charles served in Captain Elisha Cain's Company from Chatham Co., NC, in the Revolutionary War.

GEDCOM Note

Charles Medaris (4) (5) (John Thomas 3, Charles 2, Domingo1) (What's in a name? Charles) was born abt. 1745, in Essex County, Virginia in the area known as Dragon Swamp. He married Elizabeth "Betsy" Gregory in 1765. Charles was Revolutionary Flaga Saddler by trade. The Medaris brothers kept close together during the 1700's and they all moved to Chatham County, North Carolina by the 1770's. By 1789 Charles and his brothers moved to the Belews Creek District of North Carolina on 200 acres purchased on 04 Nov. 1789. By the 1790 Census Charles was in Guilford County, Salisbury District.

When the American Revolution started, Charles was a member of Capt. Elisha Cain's Company of the North Carolina Militia in Chatham County, North Carolina. Although many of the records from North Carolina were burned during the war, Charles was found in a list of Militia members of 1772. He lived in Chatham County until about 1780 when he moved to Guilford County, closer to his brothers. He was in good health at the time and it is a reasonable assumption that he did serve in the war. Many of these members recieved land grants in Ohio under the "United Brethren Warrant Act" of 01 Jun. 1796. John's children moved to Ohio on land likely achieved through this grant from Charles' service. He is listed in a Reconstructed List of Participants of the Revolutionary War from Chatham County, North Carolina.

Most of what is known about Charles is found in his WILL , which was written 15 March 1793. Charles died in July or August of 1793, as that is when his will was probated. Charles apparently died from a long illness as he mentions at the writing of his will in March that he was in very poor health. He is most likely buried in Guilford County, NC. It would be amazing to be able to locate his place of burial. It is interesting to note that in his will he mentions his "Sorrel Mare" who he named "Bet". When I first read that I wondered if Betsy knew the Mare's name before the will was read? I later found out that it was common practice to name your work mule or horse after your wife during this time period.

Chatham County Court Of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1774 - 1779 Chatham County Deed Bk. A.

pg 20, 7 June 1773 Charles Medearis, Sadler, of Chatham Co., N.C. to Alburt Siers of Orange Co., N.C. (for 12 pounds), 100 acres, lying in the fork between Panter (Panther?) Creek and Middle Creek.Signed by Charles Medearis and Betty Medearis, his wife. Witnessed by Chas. Abercrumby and Wm. Campbell

Chatham County, North Carolina 1771 - 1871 A Partial List of Soldiers from Chatham County in the War of the Revolution as compiled from pension roles and militia rosters.

Page 454 Capt. Elisha Cain's Company of Chatham County, NC, Militia

Charles Medearis

pg. 62, Court of Aug, 1778

"A road be laid out the best way from Orange County line near Henry Beazleys down by Gray Barbys crossing the North East branch of Newhope above the mouth, and from thence near Archibald Cains into the road that leads by Robert Cobbs to Atkinses ferry on Cape fear and any twelve of the following persons be a Jury to lay out the same- Presely George, Henry Beazley, Lewis Wimberly, Jacob Wimberly, John Little, Elisha Cain, Gray Barby, Dunkin Bohannon, Elliot Bohannon, John Pitts Sr., Wm. Cain, John Gregory, Charles Medearis , Matthew Davis, Henry Kelley, Francis Sypart, Sr., John Dockery and James Christian, Jr."

The road being laid out went through all of the above named, lands. All the members named above were later assigned to the road crew for it's construction.

"Land Transaction N. C. Bk. 2, p. 350" 4 Nov. 1780

Charles Medearis of Chatham Co., North Carolina buys 200 acres of land on Belews Creek from William Woods of Washington Co., North Carolina. Witnesses: Justain Knott, Isham Bobbitt. Nov. 4, 1780

From the Abstract of Guilford Co., NC Deed Book 2 1779-1783 Page 30, 4 November 1783,

William Woods of Washington County, NC to Charles Medeares of Guilford, eighty pounds, two hundred acres on the waters of Balues Creek on both sides of Mill Branch (granted to sd Woods by patent date 1 March 1780), begin at white oak in the Surry County line S crossing sd branch and another branch 200 p. to Andrew Hannah'a (sic) corner white oak, E to his corner, same course crossing a branch 160 p. to a white oak, N crossing Mile (Mill) Branch 200 p. to a black jack, 160 p. to the first station. Signed William Woods; witness Juston Knott, Isham Bobbet, Hugh McKilip; proved August Court 1783 by Isham Bobbet.