Maj. William Henry, Esquire

Not the child of Alexander (or Patrick) Henry & Jean Robertson

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11858469/william-henry

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM HENRY, SR.

WILLIAM HENRY, SR. was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, according to his gravestone (another family source says County Down) in 1715 and died at Henry’s Knob, York County, South Carolina, on October 22, 1819, at the advanced age of 104 years. Family tradition has it that he was descended from an excellent family in Ireland who possessed a large (questionable) estate. His mother died while he was young and his father remarried a woman with whom young William disagreed; and he left his father’s house at the age of eighteen, never to return to seek his inheritance.

Sometime after 1733, he sailed from Ireland to America, most likely landing at one of the port cities in Pennsylvania, but soon pushed inland and then, after a time, 300 miles southwest to Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with other Scotch-Irish settlers on the move. It was there, about 1747, that he married Margaret Isabella McKeown or McCown (1725-ca. 1781), of Irish birth and daughter of Francis and Margaret Isabella McKeown, natives of Donegal, Ireland. About 1751 in the vanguard of pioneers who were beginning to move from the Virginia frontier into the backcountry of the Carolinas, the couple and their first children traveled down the Great Wagon Road another 300 miles to what was then the lower section of old Anson/Mecklenburg/Tryon County, North Carolina (now Gaston County). Here he received a land grant to property “near Tuckaseegee Ford and the confluence of the [west side of the] South Fork and Catawba” rivers. About ten years later, in 1764, the Henrys moved a few miles further southwest to the headwaters of Allison Creek in present-day York County, South Carolina, a place designated in his land grant as the “little mountain,” but soon known as Henry’s Knob. This location was part of the New Acquisition – that part of York County west of the Catawba River, stretching 11 miles deep and designated a part of South Carolina by the 1772 boundary line adjustment between North Carolina and South Carolina. Various court records show William Henry obtaining several land grants between 1764 and 1773, all situated on Crowder’s and Allison Creeks. It was here that William and Margaret reared their nine children, six sons and three daughters: Mary Henry (Smith), John Henry, William Henry, Jr., Malcolm Henry, Alexander Henry, Josiah Henry, Isabella Henry (Walker), Jane Henry (Campbell) and Francis Henry. It remained the seat of the Henry family for well over a hundred and fifty years.

When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1776, William Henry was a staunch American patriot, but at the age of sixty-one was too old to fight as a soldier. However, four of his sons – John, William, Jr., Malcolm, and Alexander – actively took up the patriot cause espoused by their father. The senior Henry served as a member of the second General Assembly of South Carolina in Charleston during 1776-1778, representing the New Acquisition, which included the northern section of present-day York County and the Henry plantation at Henry’s Knob.

A family tradition, long quoted, says that William Henry, Sr., along with his sons, William, Jr., Malcom, John and Alexander, turned out on July 12, 1780, to capture the marauding Tories under Captain Christian Huck of Banastre Tarleton’s Legion. That was when an American force under General Thomas Sumter attacked Captain Huck at James Williamson’s plantation in southern York County, slaying Huck and driving off his troops with heavy loss. The engagement was known as Huck’s Defeat. Years later, in 1839, the Battle of Huck's Defeat was commemorated in a celebration at Brattonsville. The published proceedings of that occasion record that "the 26th toast of the day was drunk (with spring water) to Wm. Henry and his four sons, William, Malcolm, John, and Alexander, true patriots, brave and fearless soldiers." This information is probably the origin of the claim that William Henry, Sr. was a soldier in the Revolution. However, the pamphlet contains a clarifying note that makes it clear that the persons named in this toast did not participate in the Battle of Huck's Defeat, but "were engaged in other battles."

Nonetheless, there is strong recorded evidence (Memoirs of the Honorable Felix Walker) that links William Henry and his family in a crucial way to the Battle of King's Mountain, fought October 7, 1780, only a short distance northwest of Henry's Knob. Two Tories carrying a message from British Major Patrick Ferguson to General Lord Charles Cornwallis, 45 miles away at Charlotte, “stopped on their way at the house of Alexander Henry, disguising their true character and mission and obtaining refreshments. Renewing their journey with undue haste, the suspicions of Mr. Henry's family were excited and his sons immediately set out in pursuit. They followed the suspects closely, but the Tory messengers anticipated this by taking a circuitous route to mislead them.” In so doing, however, the dispatch was unduly delayed and did not reach Cornwallis until the morning of October 7, the day of Ferguson's defeat by patriot militia at Kings Mountain, destroying the left wing of Cornwallis’ army. We must infer that the home visited by the Tory messengers was indeed that of William Henry, Sr., not (as mentioned above) his son Alexander, as the latter’s age makes it impossible that he yet had a family of sons old enough for military service.

William Henry, Sr. lived contentedly and productively at Henry’s Knob (4.5 miles west of present-day Clover, near Bethany Church) until his death sixty-five years later, in 1819. He was recognized as a prosperous farmer, a leader of the community and a true American patriot. His remains are interred in the churchyard at Bethany Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church in York County, of which he was long a leader. There is no tombstone found for Margaret Isabella beside her husband. Census records indicate she died before 1800 and very likely before the founding of the church in 1797. Many of their descendants inhabit the region today.

Contributed by Robert A. Ragan, a descendant, January 1, 2016.

Supporting Information previously submitted: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/u/d/Marilyn-J-Hudson-m...

William Henry name was shortened from Hendry, his wife was Margaret Isabela McCown. Wm. born abt. 1715 Tyrone Co., Ireland d. Oct. 22, 1819 York Co., SC his will lists his children. It's very possible his family was orginially from Scotland, many families were forced to leave Scotland by the King.

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

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/u/d/Marilyn-J-Hudson-m...

The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research

SCMAR, Volume II

Number 3, Summer, 1974

William Henry of Henry's Knob

SCMAR, Vol. II, Summer 1974, No. 3, p.115

Mr Henry was a reputable citizen, a plain, honest, reputable character, was a member of the Legislature, and was one of the first settlers in the frontiers of the Carolinas. He raised a reputable family of sons, all of whom took an active part in the Revolutionary War, of a decided military character, invincible courage, feared no danger, and always ready for the most eventful enterprise. ***

• *

The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral ResearchSCMAR, Volume IINumber 3, Summer, 1974William Henry of Henry's KnobSCMAR, Vol. II, Summer 1974, No. 3, p.117It is stated in the Patriot Index of the Daughters of the American Revolution that William Henry served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.[21] Not only is there an utter lack of evidence for this claim: William Henry's age, at least sixty years during the Revolutionary period, strongly argues against his actively bearing arms. There is, however, excellent evidence that William Henry was a firm Whig. Bethany Church, and probably died before the churchyard began to be used for burials after 1796. In 1810, the last census of William Henry's lifetime, he was not listed. He was no doubt superannuated and enfeebled and living in the household of his son Capt. James Henry.The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral ResearchSCMAR, Volume IINumber 3, Summer, 1974William Henry of Henry's KnobSCMAR, Vol. II, Summer 1974, No. 3, p.118William Henry left a will dated 8 Apr. 1815 or 1816. Both dates are found in the autograph copy. It mentions no real property, no doubt because he had already made over his land to his sons. To his son James Henry he left three slaves. To his grandsons Francis Henry and William Henry and his granddaughter Elizabeth McKeam (sic:McCown?) Henry, describing them as the children of his son James, he left a slave each. To his son Frances Henry he left certain pewter dishes. His son James Henry and his "trusty friend" William McGill were appointed executors, and then he added his signature. But as a most fortunate afterthought, he made token beouests of $3.00, $4.00, or $5.00 to his daughter Mary, his son Allexander, his son William's heirs, his son Malcolm, his daughter Issabella, his son John, his son Frances, his daughter Jane, and his son Josiah. The will was witnessed by Hugh McWhorter, John Falls, and Daniel Turner, Junior.[27]

The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral ResearchSCMAR, Volume IINumber 3, Summer, 1974William Henry of Henry's KnobSCMAR, Vol. II, Summer 1974, No. 3, p.117In a letter from Capt. Ezekiel Polk of New Acquisition District to Henry Laurens, President of the South Carolina Council of Safety, dated 2 Oct. 1775, Polk complained, "I Flattered myself that I would Recive an answer to my Letter of 12 Sepr last by Mr. Henry." In Laurens' reply to Polk he said, "Mr. Henry who was to have called on the president neglected to do so."[22] Ezekiel Polk was a neighbor of William Henry on Allison's Creek. Although "Mr. Henry" for some reason failed to pay his respects at Laurens' Charlestown residence, certainly messages to and from the Council of Safety would have been entrusted only to a loyal patriot.

(Ezekial was a grandson of President James Knox Polk)

http://www.freehomepages.com/jjjester/gen4/1779_sc.htm

H560 HENRY William 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed

• *****************

In Reply to: WILLIAM HENRY/ISABELLA McKEOWN by DAVID HICKMAN of 5991

William Henry name was shortened from Hendry

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

The Memoirs of Felix Walker he states that William Henry was the only son of a Wealthy Irishman.After Williams Mother passed his father remarried. William not liking his new mother rand away to the new world. Felix also states that William Henry was 104 years old when he died. The book is very old and fragile and only about 28 pages long

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

WWilliam Henry, son of a wealthy Irishman, was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in 1715 and came to Augusta County, VA in 1733. There, around 1748, he married Isabella McCown, daughter of Francis and Margaret McCown. About 1750 he moved to near Charlotte, NC and about 5 years later he moved to near York, SC. He lived there about 65 years, dying Oct. 22, 1819 at the grand old age of 104 years. He is buried near there at Bethany Presbyterian Church. He and Isabella had 7 sons and 3 daughters. William Henry and 3 of his sons fought in the Revolutionary War. They were instrumental in winning the "Battle of Kings Mountain", which was near their home.In 1765 William Henry secured from King George the Third a grant for a tract of land situated about three miles south of King's Mountain, in York County, SC. This home place was known as "Henry's Knob".

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

The Robertson Genealogy Exchange

MEMOIRS OF A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

By The Honorable Felix Walker

[husband of 1265 Susan Robertson]

Editor's Note: Member of United States House of Representatives, 1808-1816 — One of the Organizers of First Government in Kentucky — First Clerk of First Court in a self-governing District called Washington now Incorporated in State of Tennessee — Born in Virginia in 1753 and Author of These Memoirs in his Seventy-fourth Year.

This chronicle of the secret struggles — the fortunes and misfortunes — of a pioneer American has been held from public scrutiny for eighty years. Not that its contents have been of a confidential nature, the revelation of which would violate a trust — for it is the frank story of an honorable man — but because the descendants of the chronicler have treasured it as a family heirloom rather than a public document.

It is the life story of a man of strong character and wide experience. It was written by Congressman Walker in hi seventy-fourth year for the entertainment of his children and for the information of his direct descendants. It is, however one of those rare "human" documents that throw back the portals that separate the yesterdays from to-day and lay before the vision a clear view of "America in the rough," when one had to "eat his way through the forests to pass from Virginia into Kentucky," matching his cunning and marksmanship with the half barbarous men, enduring hardships and sufferings that are little known to this generation, and literally moving the mountains before him.

The chronicler's posterity to-day enrolls many names distinguished in the service of his country — the Bairds of Louisiana and North Carolina, the Grants, Trichelles, Haydens, Bakers, Sawyers, Rollins.

This transcript from the original manuscript is officially presented by permission of Mrs. Estelle Trichelle Oltrogge of Jacksonville, Florida, a great-great granddaughter of Congressman Walker.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SOUTHERN CONGRESSMAN OF THE BORDERLAND WITH DANIEL BOONE

An Irish Emigrant in Delaware in the Year 1720

From the information afforded by my father and what I could collect from an old and respectable citizen, Mr. William Smart — an elder of the church in Rutherford County, North Carolina, now deceased — relative to our family descent, states, that my grandfather, John Walker, was an emigrant from Ireland about the year 1720, settled in the State of Delaware about or near a small town ealled Appaquinimey, lived and died in that State, was buried in a church called Back Creek Church on Bohemia River.

I passed the church in my travels through that country in the year 1796. Mr. Smart related that my grandfather Walker was a plain, honest man, a farmer, in moderate circumstances, of upright character and respectable in his standing. He, Mr. Smart, made one or two crops with him when a young man. We must suppose he died in the meridian of life. He left two sons and three daughters. The eldest son Thomas died young; my father, the youngest, was bound to the cooper's trade, and followed it some years within my recollection after he had a family.

One of my father's sisters married a man by the name of Humphreys, father of Colonel Ralph Humphreys, who died at or near Natehez about thirty years past, the father of George Humphreys who lives in that county. One sister married Benjamin Grubb, a respectable farmer of Pennsylvania, but removed to South Carolina and died there. The other sister married Colonel Joseph Curry, settled about five miles below Columbia on the Congaree River. I was boarded there to School in the year 1764 at eleven years old. The schoolhouse stood on the site where Granby is now situated. It was then nearly a wilderness, a sandy desert, and so thinly inhabited that a school could scarcely be made up, and now a considerable commercial town.

Adventures of a Huntsman in Virginia 150 Years Ago

My father, John Walker, after his freedom from apprenticeship, went up the country as an adventurer, settled on the south branch of the Potomac in Hampshire County, Virginia. Being a new country and game plenty, he became a hunter of the first order, famous in that profession, in which he practiced nearly to the end of his life. He was with General Washington in Braddock's Army in the year. Previous to that time he married my mother, Elizabeth Watson, of a good family from Ireland, by whom he had seven sons, daughter. I was the eldest, born nineteenth day of July 1753. The names of his sons after my own, were John, James, Thomas, Joseph, George and Jacob. I like to have forgotten William who was the eighth son, although the fourth in succession, and only now living — William, Jacob and myself. After Braddock's defeat, which happened on the ninth day of July 1755, the country exposed to the depredation of the Indians and in continual jeopardy, my father removed to North Carolina, settled in Lincoln County on Lee Creek about ten miles east of the village of Lincolnton, worked at his trade and hunted for his livelihood according to the custom of the time; game was then in abundance.

About this time the Cherokees, a powerful and war-like nation of Indians, broke out and murdered some of the inhabitants on the frontier. He went out as volunteer against the Indians, joined the army from South Carolina under Colonel Grant, a Scotch officer, marched on to the Cherokee nation — a battle was fought at Estitoa, a town on Tennessee River about fifty miles distant from my own residence — in the fall of 1762. Colonel Grant was there repulsed with considerable loss, yet in the event the Indians were partially subdued an made peace, for a time. It did not continue long; the war broke the year after.

Plantation Life in the Carolinas Before the Revolution

On his return from the expedition he purchased a beautiful spot of land on Crowder's Creek, about four miles from King's Mountain, in the same county, and removed there in the fall of 1763, being then a fresh part; he cultivated some land and raised stock in abundance and I can then remember that my mother and her assistants made as much butter in one summer as purchased a negro woman in Charleston. My father hunted and killed deer in abundance and maintained his family on wild meat in style. I remember he kept me following him on a horse to carry the venison until I was weary of the business, which also gave me a taste for the forest. He resided on Crowder Creek until the year 1768 the range began to break and the game not so plenty, his ardor for range and game still continued. He purchased a tract of land of four hundred acres from one Moses Moore, a brother hunter, for one doubleloon, which at this time could not be purchased for five thousand dollars, such is the rapid increase of the value of land in half a century. This is the farm and plantation at the mouth of Cane Creek — second Broad River — in Rutherford County, settled by my father in 1768, on which he resided until he raised his family until they all were grown, and on part of said tract I lived for seventeen years, and had six children born, Betsie Watson, Elvira, Felix Hampton, Joseph, Jefferson and Isabella.

In the year 1787 my father removed to the mouth of Green River in the same county — about ten miles distant — where he lived until he died on the twenty-fifth of January, 1796, in the sixty eighth year of his age; left that valuable inheritance of land in the Forks of Green and Broad River to his youngest son, Jacob Walker, who lives on it to this day. My mother died on Easter Sunday in April, 1808, about the age of 75, and buried by the side of my father in the family burying-ground on the plantation. I trust she was a good woman and gone to rest.

My father bore several commissions under the old government; was colonel- commandant and judge of the court for many years in the county of Rutherford, but on the commencement of the Revolutionary War he resigned all his commissions, both local and military, and united his interests and efforts in defense of his country against the oppressions of the British government and was a member of the First Public Convention held in North Carolina at Hillsborough in July 1775, on the Revolution of the American States. I was with him at that place. He took an early and decided part in the war, was appointed a regular officer in the Continental Army. His grown sons were all active in that war in defense of their country. He was in person a man of slender habit, full of energy and swift on foot; a suavity in his manners that was graceful and attractive, and a cultivated understanding for his times and his day, and proper enthusiast in his friendship. Among my acquaintances I knew no man of a more liberal, hospitable and benevolent disposition — even to a fault — which often proved injurious to his pecuniary circumstances, but have thought he was wanting in that cool, deliberate, calculating faculties, so necessary in all the occurrenees of life, to balance the scale of our existence; yet he maintained such a consistency of character as insured him the confidence and friendship of society through life and left a good reputation and inheritance to his children. This is a narrative of our ancestors down to the present generation so far as my information extends.

Early Custom of Binding Boys into Apprenticeship

At the age of sixteen my father bound me to a merchant in Charleston — Mr. George Parker, an English gentleman of high standing in trade — for five years. He had three prentices of very singular names, one Nancy Milly Stuckings, one Atlard Belin, and myself, Felix Walker — the youngest. He used to boast that he had three young men of such singular names, none such to he found in the city of Charleston in one house either for names or service. I was highly gratified with my mode of life, well approved by my master, caressed by my mistress, who treated me with the sympathy and kindness of a child. I lived most delightfully for a time while the novelties of the city arrested my mind and occupied my attention.

At length those pleasures began to lag and I became weary and satiated with the continual sameness of the eity. My restless and anxious propensities began to prevail and I thirsted and sighed for those pleasures that variety afforded. Some more than a year after being bound, I solicited my master to give me up my indentures and permit me to go home for a time, under promise to return and serve out my apprenticeship. This he absolutely and promptly refused, saying he could nor would not do without me; my father's and my own acquaintance in the country brought in a great custom. At length my father coming to town, I renewed my solicitations to go home and through the influence of my father, and he seeing I was determined to go, he let me off with seemingly great reluctance. In this I believe my father committed an error in taking me away. He ought to have compelled me to business, and have since thought that too mueh indulgence to a child, particularly in the rise or dawn of life, is the greatest injury we can do them. I have experienced something of this in my own family.

During my residence in Charleston in the Christmas of 1769 I heard the celebrated Dart Whitefield preach with great power. He was the greatest awakening preacher that perhaps ever filled the sacred desk. He had most crowded congregations. I felt the power of the awakening spirit under his preaching, but it soon went off.

Paternal Discipline in the Pioneer American Homes

On my return home my father put me to work on the farm, which did not well accord with my feelings. Yet I submitted and worked faithfully for a while. I applied myself to music, for which I had a predominant taste, and soon acquired a great proficiency in performing on the violin — then called a fiddle — in which I excelled, and although accustomed to frolic, I could never learn to dance. My father, discovering I had neither inclination or capacity for a farmer, he put me to school to Doctor Joseph Dobson of Burke County, from whom I received the best education I have ever been in possession of, although no more than the common English, so-called. I returned from school in less than a year and lived at home nearly two years without much restraint, yet I obeyed my father and mother with the greatest punctuality, but at the same time living according to the course of this world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and of the vanities of life with the greatest avidity At length, becoming weary of so limited a circle, I solicited my father to suffer me to go to Kentucky — which was then called Louvizy — with Colonel Richard Henderson, who had made a Purchase of that country from the Cherokee Indians. He consented, and accordingly my father and myself set out to a treaty held for that purpose, on Watauga in the month of Februnry, 1775, where we met with Colonel Henderson and the Indians in treaty. I there saw the celebrated Indian Chief called Atticullaculla — in our tongue "the little carpenter." He was a very small man and andd said to be then ninety years of age and had the charaeter of being the greatest politician ever known in the Cherokee Nation. He was sent as an agent or plenipotentiary from his nation to England and dined with King George the Seeond with the nobility, so I heard him declare in a public oration delivered at the treaty. The name of "little carpenter" was given him by similitude. The Indians said he would modify and connect his political views so as to make every joint fit to its place as a white carpenter can do in wood. You may find his name mentioned in "Weem's Life of General Marion."

The treaty being finished and a purchase made, there associated and collected together about thirty men. Mr. William Twitty with six men and myself were from Rutherford; and others a miscellaneous collection.

Adventures with Daniel Boone in the Wilds of Kentucky

We rendezvoused at the Long Island in Holston. Colonel Daniel Boone was our leader and pilot. Never was a company of more cheerfull and ardent spirits set out to find a new country. We proceeded and traveled, cutting our way through a wilderness of near three hundred miles, until we arrived within about twelve miles of Kentneky River when, on the twenty-fifth of March, 1775, we were fired on by the Indians while asleep in our camp; Mr. Twitty and his negro man killed, myself badly wounded, the company despondent and discouraged. We continued there for twelve days. I was carried in a litter between two horses to the bank of the Kentucky River, where we stopped and made a station and called it Booneborough. I well recollect it was a "lick." A vast number of buffaloes moved off on our appearance. I saw some running, some loping and some walking quietly as if they had been driven. It was calculated there were near two hundred.

But let me not forget, nor never shall forget, the kindness, tenderness and sympathy shown me by Colonel Daniel Boone. He was my father, my physician, and my friend; attended me, as his own child. He is no more, has gone to rest, but let me pay my tribute of gratitude to his memory and his ashes.

In a few days after we had fixed our residence, Colonel Richard Henderson, Colonel Luttrell and Colonel Slanghter — from Virginia — arrived with about fifteen men who stationed with us. This addition, our company consisted of about fifty men, well armed with good rifles. Colonel Henderson, being proprietor, acted as Governor, organized a government. We elected members, convened an assembly, formed a constitution, passed some laws regulating our little community. This assembly was held about the beginning of May 1775. This was the first feature of civilization ever attempted in that flourishing and enlightened state now called Kentucky.

From the recent occurrences of so unexpected an event, my friend and protector, Mr. Twitty, taken dead from my side, myself deeply wounded without much expectation of recovery, brought me to solemn reflections should I be taken off, what would be my destination in the world to come. I could make no favorable calculations as to my future happiness. Under these impressions I was indeed excited to make every possible exertion to meet death, prayed much and formed solemn resolutions to amend my life by repentance should I be spared; but on my recovery, my feelings wearing off, and my duties declining, I gradually slided back to my former courses and pursued my pleasures with the greatest avidity.

Experiences as a Civilizer in Forests of Tennessee

Such is the instability of all human resolutions and legal repentance, no power on earth can change the heart but the omnipotent power of the grace of Almighty God. During the time we were there we lived without bread or salt. In summer, perhaps in July, my wounds being healed, although very feeble I was able to sit on horseback by being lifted up. I set out in company with Messrs. Decker and Richard Hogan and returned by the way we came to Watauga, a dangerous route. It was a merciful providence that preserved us from being killed by the Indians, who were then in open hostilities with all the adventurers to Kentucky. However, we arrived safe to Colonel Robinson on Watauga, and from there in a few days I returned to my father's in Rutherford. I lived at home about three months, when that spirit of novelty began to prevail. I wished to be moving, but what course to pursue was undetermined. At length concluded to go to Watauga — This river is a branch of Holston, heads up in the mountains opposite to Ash County, in N. C. — where I had formed acqanintances, on my way to Kentucky. And now being my own man — but with the consent of my father — I set out in October '75 and arrived at Col. Charles Robinson's in a few days, being about ninety miles.

The country being newly settled, in a short time they organized a county and called it Washington. I was appointed Clerk of the Court. It was then a county or district of self-government, not incorporated in the State of North Carolina until some years after. It was then taken in by Act of Assembly and so remained until it was ceded to Congress in 1789, and since a part of the State of Tennessee. This was the first Court ever organized in that section of the western country. I continued in this office for nearly four years.

The war of the Revolution commencing about this time, I considered it a favorable opportunity, a fine theater, on which to distinguish myself as a young man and patriot in defense of my Country.

Accordingly I went to Mecklenburgh County, and meeting with some recruiting officers, by the recommendation of General Thomas Polk — father of Col. William Polk of Raleigh — I was appointed Lientenant in Capt. Richardson's Company in the Rifle Regiment, commanded by James Stuger — then a Colonel — and was there furnished with money for the reeruiting service. I returned to Watauga and on my way throughout that country I recruited my full proportion of men and marched them to Charlestown in May 1776, joined the Regiment, and was stationed on James Island.

Sir Peter Parker with his whole fleet arrived in the Bay while we were stationed on the Island. General Lee arrived in Charleston and took command of the troops, but did not tarry long; he went on to Savannah to assist the Americans against the British and Indians, and to regulate the troops, Sir Peter Parker commanded an attack on Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island on the twenty-eighth of June 1776, was repulsed with loss of two British men-of war and a number of men; did not succeed in the reduction of Charleston.

Ranging the Borderlands with the "Light Dragoons"

The war now becoming general through the American provinces, the British stimulating the Indians on the frontiers, the Cherokees breaking out and murdering the inhabitants of Watauga and Holston, where my property and interests lay, I was constrained to resign my commission, contrary to the wish of the commanding officer, and return home to engage against the Indians in the defense of my property and country.

I was appointed to a command of company of Light Dragoons to range on the frontiers, was stationed at Nolachuckey for a year and prevented the Indians from making any depredations on the inhabitants.

The war subsiding with the Indians, I returned to Watagua, attended to the duties of my office as Clerk of the Court. Having experienced some of bitter with the sweets of life, I became more local in my disposition. Thinking it necessary to become a citizen of the world, in its utmost latitude, concluded to marry.

Accordingly I was married to Susan Robinson, a beautiful girl of fifteen, on the 8th of January, 1778, daughter of Col. Chas. Robinson — where I had resided for 3 years past. In March ensuing, my wife and self paid a visit to my father in Rutherford, designed to spend the summer. On the 28th of June, my dear girl had a miscarriage which terminated her existence. She died on the 9th day of July, 1778, six months after our marriage.

This was the most momentous and eventful year in which I lived, through the whole period of my life. I was so shocked and impressed with so unexpected an event, that my mind was almost lost. Absorbed in grief almost insupportable, I felt so deeply afflicted that I thought all my prospects of happiness were buried with the woman I loved....

I continued at my father's as a home for about 16 months under the pressure of a wounded and broken spirit, rather in a state of despondency, spending my time without much effect. The war now raging in its utmost violence, I was occasionally with the Whig or Liberty party, though took no commission as I might have had. The county of Rutherford was at this time stricken off from Tyron — now Lincoln County — and made a new county. I was appointed Clerk of Court in October 1779, which brought me into business.

Entering Public Service in First Days of American Politics

After some time, my spirits began to revive and gradually emancipate me from my drooping situation, and viewing myself as a young man and must travel through life on some ground, thought it best to marry and become a citizen of the world once more. Accordingly, after some preliminary acquaintance, I was married to Isabella Henry on the 10th of January, 1780, in the 27th year of my age and 17th of hers, a daughter of William Henry, Esquire, of York, South Carolina. Mr. Henry was a reputable citizen, a plain, honest, reputable character; was a member of the Legislature, and was one of the first settlers in the frontiers of the Carolinas. He raised a reputable family of sons, all of whom took an active part in the Revolutionary War; of a decided military character, invincible courage, feared no danger, and always ready for the most eventful enterprise.

Grandfather Henry — it is asserted — was descended from a wealthy family in Ireland, the only son of his father, who possessed a large estate. His mother dying young, his father married a second wife, and he not liking so well his next mother, eloped from his father about 18 years of age, came to America and never returned to see for his hereditary inheritance. He settled in Augusta County in Virginia, there married your grandmother, Isabella McKown, of a good family. My acquaintance with her enables me to say she was a woman of the first class in her time and her day. She died about the age of 56. Mr. Henry removed to Carolinn about 75 or 80 years past, and resided in York District, South Carolina, for 65 years, and died at the advanced age of 102 years, a complete century, which one in ten thousand never arrive to....

I was highly gratified in my second marriage, happy in the woman of my choice, and believe I could not have selected a better had I traveled and traveled till this day. I resided at my father's and father-in-law's alternately for a while; no place a home, but in camp, the War being so severe and Tories all around.

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

HENRYS OF HENRY’S KNOB

By: Louise Pettus

Henry’s Knob, located in the Bethany community of York County not far from Kings Mountain, is a small mountain named for the Henry family. The first Henry settled in the area before there was a North Carolina-South Carolina boundary line but the site was generally considered to be in North Carolina. The original land grant was issued by Anson County, NC. A boundary adjustment in 1772 placed the land in South Carolina.

William Henry. according to family tradition, was the only son of a well-to-do Irish father. William’s mother died when he was young and his father remarried. William and his step-mother did not get along. When he was 18, in 1733, the young man left for America and never returned to claim his inheritance.

William Henry settled first in Augusta County, Virginia where he married Isabella McKown. The couple were in Carolina by 1750, first settling near Tuckaseegee Ford, a Catawba River crossing between Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. About 10 years later the Henrys were living in present-day York County, SC on the headwaters of Allison Creek. Various court records show Henry as obtaining 9 land grants between1764 and 1773. All of the land was situated on Crowder, Allison or Fishing Creeks.

When the Revolutionary War came along, William Henry was a firm Whig but at age 60 too old to fight but he had four sons who took up the patriot cause: William, Malcolm, John and Alexander. However, the senior Henry served in second General Assembly of South Carolina, 1776-1778, representing the New Acquisition. The New Acquisition was that part of York District west of the Catawba River, stretching 11 miles deep, that was designated a part of South Carolina by the boundary line adjustment of 1772.

There are two very different versions of an event that is supposed to have happened at William Henry’s home on the eve of the battle of Kings Mountain.

Lawrence Wells’ version is thoroughly researched and most likely correct. Wells says that two Tories were carrying a message from British Col. Patrick Ferguson to Lord Cornwallis on October 6, 1780, presumably requesting aid from Cornwallis. The messengers stopped at the Henry house in search of refreshments which they were given but the messengers were so hasty in leaving that Henry’s sons followed them. The messengers anticipating that they were being followed took a circuitous route. They got to Cornwallis but too late for him to send aid to Ferguson. The Tories lost the battle of Kings Mountain and Ferguson lost his life.

Robert J. Herndon, a Henry descendant, wrote in 1930 the version that he said was handed down in the family. He said it was 3 or 4 days before the battle and many of the men from the neighborhood were at the Henry house molding bullets for their Dechard rifles when two British spies were caught. The spies claimed to be innocent starving travelers.

In the Henry house, like so many others, near the fireplace was a trapdoor leading to a cellar used for storing sweet potatoes to keep the potatoes from freezing. The spies were put in the cellar and “guarded until nearly daylight when they were taken out and hanged a few hundred yards down the creek.”

Herndon said that his grandfather, Francis Henry, was 12 years old at the time of the battle and rode on a horse, side-saddle behind his mother, to the battleground the day after the battle. The boy’s wool hat served as a container to carry water from the branch to the wounded soldiers, Americans and British alike.

Herndon said that Henry’s Knob was infested with wild hogs, “great long-tusked fellows, very dangerous.” Malcomb Henry and some of his neighbors built a pine-pole pen, baited it, and captured some of the hogs. The night before the bullet-making they invited all the neighborhood soldiers to a pig roast.

There is a monument in Bethany Associate Reformed Presbyterian cemetery to Major William Henry. Born in 1715, he was 104 years of age at the time of his death in 1819.

These pages and information thereon are not to be reproduced in any form for profit

or distribution without the permission of Louise Pettus © Copyright 2005

Grave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11858469/william-henry

Burials of Children: William Henry 1753–1807, Malcolm Henry 1755–1840, John Henry 1757–1833, Isabella Henry Walker 1763–1818, Jean Henry Campbell 1767–1838, Francis Henry 1768–1867, James Henry 1774–1839

WILLIAM HENRY, SR. was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, according to his gravestone (another family source says County Down) in 1715 and died at Henry’s Knob, York County, South Carolina, on October 22, 1819, at the advanced age of 104 years. Family tradition has it that he was descended from an excellent family in Ireland who possessed a large (questionable) estate. His mother died while he was young and his father remarried a woman with whom young William disagreed; and he left his father’s house at the age of eighteen, never to return to seek his inheritance.

Sometime after 1733, he sailed from Ireland to America, most likely landing at one of the port cities in Pennsylvania, but soon pushed inland and then, after a time, 300 miles southwest to Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with other Scotch-Irish settlers on the move. It was there, about 1747, that he married Margaret Isabella McKeown or McCown (1725-ca. 1781), of Irish birth and daughter of Francis and Margaret Isabella McKeown, natives of Donegal, Ireland. About 1751 in the vanguard of pioneers who were beginning to move from the Virginia frontier into the backcountry of the Carolinas, the couple and their first children traveled down the Great Wagon Road another 300 miles to what was then the lower section of old Anson/Mecklenburg/Tryon County, North Carolina (now Gaston County). Here he received a land grant to property “near Tuckaseegee Ford and the confluence of the [west side of the] South Fork and Catawba” rivers. About ten years later, in 1764, the Henrys moved a few miles further southwest to the headwaters of Allison Creek in present-day York County, South Carolina, a place designated in his land grant as the “little mountain,” but soon known as Henry’s Knob. This location was part of the New Acquisition – that part of York County west of the Catawba River, stretching 11 miles deep and designated a part of South Carolina by the 1772 boundary line adjustment between North Carolina and South Carolina. Various court records show William Henry obtaining several land grants between 1764 and 1773, all situated on Crowder’s and Allison Creeks. It was here that William and Margaret reared their nine children, six sons and three daughters: Mary Henry (Smith), John Henry, William Henry, Jr., Malcolm Henry, Alexander Henry, Josiah Henry, Isabella Henry (Walker), Jane Henry (Campbell) and Francis Henry. It remained the seat of the Henry family for well over a hundred and fifty years.

When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1776, William Henry was a staunch American patriot, but at the age of sixty-one was too old to fight as a soldier. However, four of his sons – John, William, Jr., Malcolm, and Alexander – actively took up the patriot cause espoused by their father. The senior Henry served as a member of the second General Assembly of South Carolina in Charleston during 1776-1778, representing the New Acquisition, which included the northern section of present-day York County and the Henry plantation at Henry’s Knob.

A family tradition, long quoted, says that William Henry, Sr., along with his sons, William, Jr., Malcom, John and Alexander, turned out on July 12, 1780, to capture the marauding Tories under Captain Christian Huck of Banastre Tarleton’s Legion. That was when an American force under General Thomas Sumter attacked Captain Huck at James Williamson’s plantation in southern York County, slaying Huck and driving off his troops with heavy loss. The engagement was known as Huck’s Defeat. Years later, in 1839, the Battle of Huck's Defeat was commemorated in a celebration at Brattonsville. The published proceedings of that occasion record that "the 26th toast of the day was drunk (with spring water) to Wm. Henry and his four sons, William, Malcolm, John, and Alexander, true patriots, brave and fearless soldiers." This information is probably the origin of the claim that William Henry, Sr. was a soldier in the Revolution. However, the pamphlet contains a clarifying note that makes it clear that the persons named in this toast did not participate in the Battle of Huck's Defeat, but "were engaged in other battles."

Nonetheless, there is strong recorded evidence (Memoirs of the Honorable Felix Walker) that links William Henry and his family in a crucial way to the Battle of King's Mountain, fought October 7, 1780, only a short distance northwest of Henry's Knob. Two Tories carrying a message from British Major Patrick Ferguson to General Lord Charles Cornwallis, 45 miles away at Charlotte, “stopped on their way at the house of Alexander Henry, disguising their true character and mission and obtaining refreshments. Renewing their journey with undue haste, the suspicions of Mr. Henry's family were excited and his sons immediately set out in pursuit. They followed the suspects closely, but the Tory messengers anticipated this by taking a circuitous route to mislead them.” In so doing, however, the dispatch was unduly delayed and did not reach Cornwallis until the morning of October 7, the day of Ferguson's defeat by patriot militia at Kings Mountain, destroying the left wing of Cornwallis’ army. We must infer that the home visited by the Tory messengers was indeed that of William Henry, Sr., not (as mentioned above) his son Alexander, as the latter’s age makes it impossible that he yet had a family of sons old enough for military service.

William Henry, Sr. lived contentedly and productively at Henry’s Knob (4.5 miles west of present-day Clover, near Bethany Church) until his death sixty-five years later, in 1819. He was recognized as a prosperous farmer, a leader of the community and a true American patriot. His remains are interred in the churchyard at Bethany Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church in York County, of which he was long a leader. There is no tombstone found for Margaret Isabella beside her husband. Census records indicate she died before 1800 and very likely before the founding of the church in 1797. Many of their descendants inhabit the region today.

Contributed by Robert A. Ragan, a descendant, January 1, 2016.