Sarah E Green

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Crowder Cemetery, Near Polkville, NC

Family/Spouse: Andrew Anderson Crowder. Andrew (son of Allen Crowder and Phoebe Grigg) was born on 15 Nov 1813 in Rutherford County, North Carolina; died on 23 Mar 1905 in Cleveland County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William Anderson Crowder
2. Phoebe Crowder

James married Sarah (Sally) Moss on 1 Aug 1808. Sarah was born in 1779 in Cowpens, SC; died in 1863. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Bostic Brickyard Cemetery, Bostic, Rutherford County, NC
• Military Service: Revolutionary War (both sides!)

Notes:

William first became well known in the Rutherford County area during the Revolutionary War. Like many men in the area, he fought on both sides during the war. Though his mother and stepfather were strong Tories, Billy first fought for the Patriot (Whig) forces. By 1780 he was a Captain in the Whig militia when he was captured by the Tories. They held him prisoner until he was freed during the Tory defeat at the Battle of Ramsaur's Mill. His only British service was at the Battle of King's Mountain. Here he was captured by the patriots and sentenced to death. The story of his escape became a favorite of many historians.

About this time (26 Oct 1780) Capt. William Green and Lieutenant William Langum, among the Tory prisoners, were tried before Colonel Cleveland. The charge against Green seems to have been, that he had violated the oath he had taken as an officer to support the governments of the State of North Carolina and of the United States, by accepting a British commission, and fighting at King's Mountain. Some of the British officers were present, and remonstrated at the course taken, when Cleveland cut them short, saying: 'Gentlemen, you are British officers, and shall be treated accordingly -- therefore give your paroles and march off immediately; the other person is a subject of the State.' Green and Langum were condemned to be executed the next morning. 'May be so,' coolly remarked Green. "That night, as he and his comrade, Langum, were lying before the campfire, under a blanket, Green rolled over so that his hands, fastened with buckskin straps, came in contact with Langum's face, who seeming to comprehend his companion's intention, worked away with his teeth till he succeeded in unfastening the know. Green was now able to reach his pocket, containing a knife, with which he severed the remaining cords, and those of Langum. He then whispered to Langum to be ready to jump up and run when he should set the example. Green was above the ordinary size, strong and athletic. The guard who had special watch of them, was in a sitting posture, with his head resting upon his knees, and had fallen asleep. Making a sudden leap, Green knocked the sentinel over, and tried to snatch his gun from him; but the latter caught the skirt of the fleeing man's coat, and Green had to make a second effort before he could release himself from the soldier's grasp, and gladly got off with the loss of a part of his garment. In another moment both Green and Langum were dashing down a declivity, and though several shots were fired at them, they escaped unhurt, and were soon beyond the reach of their pursuers. Aided by the friendly wilderness, and sympathizing Loyalists, they in time reached their old region of Buffalo Creek, in now Cleveland County. Green at least renouncing his brief, sad experience in the Tory service, joined the Whigs, and battle manfully thereafter for his country. Both Green and Langum long survived the war, and were very worthy people.

--from History of the Battle of King's Mountain by Lyman C. Draper, 1881, reprinted 1967, pp 353-354.

According to notes by A. B. C. DePriest, Griffins' History of the Revolutionary War recounts the escape by William Green after the Battle of Kings Mountain, but his companion was a man named Mills from Rutherford Co.

After his escape, he enlisted in Captain Levi Johnston's company under Sumter for ten months in 1781 and 1782. During this service he fought for the patriots in the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

After the war Billy returned to Rutherford county. His British service did not go unpunished. Like many men in the area, he had to face a Grand Jury in July 1782 as one of the men who " 'aided and joined' the army of Major Ferguson and were convicted as Tories 'a true bill'." All his land was confiscated by the new government. After the Confiscation Act was repealed a short time later, Billy and many of the other men had their property restored to them.

When the aftermath of the war was over, Billy prospered and increased his land holdings in the Brushy Creek area of Rutherford County. By 1790 he also owned 5 slaves, which put him among the more prosperous men in the area. He and his family were active members of the Sandy Run Baptist Church in Mooresboro until 1804. At that time, they left the Sandy Run congregation to become charter members of the new Concord Baptist Church.

William Green became very active in building the new nation. In 1798 he served in the North Carolina House of Commons. He then was elected to serve fourteen terms in the North Carolina State Senate between 1800 and 1824.

William married Drucilla (Drusy) Hamrick about 1774 in York County, SC. Drucilla was born in 1755; died on 28 Mar 1828 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Bostic Brickyard Cemetery, Bostic, Rutherford County, NC

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Bostic Brickyard Cemetery, Bostic, Rutherford County, NC
• Military Service: French and Indian War (Captain)

Notes:

From LeLa Whistnant's website: Joseph was among the earliest residents west of the Catawba. There are many records of him in the area in the 1750s and early 1760s. He was at least in the Charlotte, Mecklenburg County area by 1751 or 1752 to meet and marry Mary. Strong tradition says his son William was born in 1753 at their home on Buffalo Creek near the present NC-SC line in Cleveland County. There is evidence of a settlement there on Buffalo Creek north of the Broad River in 1754 when 26 people were killed in an Indian raid. Whether he originally settled on Buffalo Creek and moved north because of Indian problems is unclear. Most evidence puts Joseph further north in the German settlement near Beaverdam Creek in the early fifties. He was on the Capt. Samuel Corbin's militia list, now thought to be from 1753. When Burill Grigg died in 1756, Joseph had an account at his trading post on the south side of the Catawba at Rocky Ford as did his friend James McAfee. In 1758 he patented about 500 acres of land between Beaverdam Creek and Indian Creek in the northern portion of present day Gaston County. If Joseph were like most settlers, he had lived and worked that land for several years before actually receiving the grant. In the 1760's he sold this land to Christy and Peter Eaker, Jr. and settled or resettled permanently in the Buffalo Creek area. The log home Mary and her second husband, James McAfee, shared on Buffalo Creek may also may have been Joseph's before his death. Still standing in the 1980s, it was typical of many prosperous settlers in the area. Unlike the modern image of a one room cabin, it was two stories tall and contained four rooms with a hallway in the middle. 1st land grant dated 1753. Listed as married man in Samuel Cobrin's militia company in 1747 (1st militia company west of the Catawba River). Joseph was a member of Cobrin's militia, was listed as a Captain during the French and Indian War, and during January, 1770 term of court (Tryon County), Joseph wa s appointed Captain of the Militia. Also listed as "Ranger" during French and Indian War. At one time lived near Crouse, NC in Gaston County. Jan 1770 term of court - Joseph Green appointed Captain of Militia for Tryon County (records in office of Secretary of State of North Carol ina). McEntire's book says he was born in 1714 in Maryland. Possibly born in Tryon Co., NC. Buried in Green family cemetery near the brick yards at Bostic, NC. Father may have been Thomas, but there is no documented evidence

Will of Joseph Green, Sr. Written 20 September 1771, Proved January 1772: In the name of God amen the twentieth Day of September one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy one Joseph Green of Tryon County and province of North Carolina Planter Being Sick and Weak of body but perfect of mind and memory thanks be to God. Therefore Calling unto mind the Mortality of my body & that it is appointed for all men once to Die do make And ordain this my last Will and testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and Decent manner at the discretion of my Executors Not Doubting but at the General Resurrection I Shall receive the Same Again by the Mighty Power of God and as touching Such Wourdly (sic) Estate Wherewith it Has Pleased God to bless me in this life I give Demise and Dispose of the same in [the following manner & form] First I Give and bequeath to Mary my Dearly Beloved wife the sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto William Green my Dearly and Well beloved Son the sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath Unto Anne Green my Dearly and well beloved Daughter the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto Abraham Green my Dearly and well beloved Son the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto Isaac Green my Dearly and well beloved Son the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto Mary Green my Dearly and well beloved Daughter the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto Jacob Green my Dearly and well beloved Son the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate likewise I Give and bequeath unto Joseph Green my Dearly and well beloved Son the Sum of One Hundred Pounds to be raised And levied out of my Estate Will that Abraham Isaac Jacob Mary & Joseph be sent to School and learnt (sic) to Read and Write a good Commendable Hand and to Cypher so far as the Rule of three and that to be paid out of my Whole Estate be valued and that the sums above mentioned be paid out of lands and tenaments and make and ordain my well beloved wife Mary Green and my Well beloved brother James McEntire my only Executors of this my last Will and testament and I Do Hearby Utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannul All and Every other former Wills and testaments and legacies and bequests & Executors by me in any Ways before this time Named Willed and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and no Other to be my last Will and testament in Witness Whereof I have Hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Day and year first above Written.

Signed Seales published pronounced and Declared by the sd. Joseph Green as his last Will and testamnet in ye precense of us the Subscribers Viz

Joseph Green (His mark) Henry Reynolds (His mark) Alaxander Mcander Robt McAfee jurrate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Tryon Co., NC (Transcribed by Roy Books, P. O. Box 661, Forest City, NC 28043)

The Will of Joseph Green being produced in open court was proved by oaths of Robert McAfee, Henry Reynolds & Alexr. McEntire. Ordered that Letters Testamentary issue to Mary Green wife and relict of said deceased, and James McEntire, Esqr. for all and singular the goods and chattles, rights and credits of the said deceased. Took oath of Executor. Ordered that James McEntire, Esquire, be appointed guardian of William Green according to his choice in open court, also guardian of Abraham Green, Isaac Green, Mary Green, Jacob Green and Joseph Green, orphans under the age of fourteen years, children of Joseph Green, deceased. The guardian proposes for seccurity Sam'l Richardson, John Standford and Robert McAfee. Bound in the sum of 1700 pounds proclamation money.

Justices present: Thomas Neel, William Moore and James McEntire, Esquires.

Joseph married Mary McEntire. Mary (daughter of Alexander McEntire and Janet) was born in 1735 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; died on 16 Apr 1817 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Bostic Brickyard Cemetery, Bostic, Rutherford County, NC

Notes:

Mary was born in Mecklenburg County, NC in 1735. She was the daughter of Alexander McEntire and Janet unknown. Mary died 17 April 1817 at 82 years of age. Her body was interred in the Green Cemetery, Old Bostic Brickyard, Rutherford County, NC. After Joseph's death, Mary married James McAfee, a signer of the Tryon Resolves who became a strong Tory during the War. Mary's marriage to James McAfee occurred sometime after Mary's brother James McEntire was appointed guardian of her children in July, 1772 and before the battle of Kings Mountain (1780) when William Green was described as McAfee's step son. James was born 1737. James died 4 March 1829 at 92 years of age. His body was interred in Rutherford Co., NC, at the Green Cemetery near the old Bostic Brick Yard. Mary and James lived along the NC-SC state line along Buffalo Creek and were strong Tories. They had at least three sons.