Vianah Green

Other Events:

• Cemetery: Woodlawn National Cemetery
• Military Service: Civil War (CSA)

Notes:

On being called to duty in the Spring of 1862, James Lee Green had his will made, had photographs taken with his children and enlisted as a private in Company H, the 30th Regiment of the NC Troops. Letters written his family have been published in "The Broad River Digest" by Irene Roach Delpino, his Great-Great-Granddaughter. In May, 1864, James Lee was captured at the Battle of Bloody Angle in Spotsylavnia Courthouse, Virginia, and transferred to the notorious Elmira, New York prisoner of war camp. In June of that year he wrote to his wife, Mary Ann, advising her of his capture, as well of his illness. On October 4, 1864, James Lee died of dysentery at Elmira. James Lee Green is buried at the Woodlawn National Cemetery, in Elmira, in lot number 600W.N.C

Military Service:
In May, 1864, James Lee was captured at the Battle of Bloody Angle in Spotsylavnia Courthouse, Virginia, and transferred to the notorious Elmira, New York prisoner of war camp.

Buried:
lot number 600W.N.C

James married Mary "Polly" Poston on 21 Dec 1841 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of Samuel Poston and Rachel King) was born on 4 Oct 1800; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A Letter of proposal of marriage was sent to Miss Mary Poston, Rutherfordton County, Brushy Creek Post Office, in 1837. It was from W.M. Edelins or Eldins who says he is living in Lincolnton. He inquired about Mary's mother's health and stated that his own was not so good. Mary married James L. Green.

Notes:

Married:
Married by Rev Drury Dobbins

Marriage fact:
Marriages performed by Reverend Drury Dobbins, Baptist Minister, and taken from his personal record book which is now in the State Archives in Raleigh: December 21, 1841 - James L. Green and Mary "Polly" Poston - his 1st marriage; s/o James Lee Green and Sarah Moss.

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:

• Occupation: Farmer

Notes:

Origional papers found by Madge Mauney (Mrs James) Harris, Hwy 226N, Shelb y, NC, include many documents that provide the following information.

1. Samuel's parents were Jonathan and Mary Poston.
2. He married Rachael King in Lincoln Co. 12 Jan 1790.
3. Tax receit paid in 1792 Rutherford Co.
4. In 1792 he purchased livestock, work tools and household furniture from Adam Stroup; Witness Willis Putnam, John pearson. (Possible family relation - brother Daniel married Hannah Stroup 1788)
5. Receipts from Francis Alexander for fees to survey land in 1797
6. Receipt for 4 shillings, 10 Feb 1792 for entering land on waters of Hickory Creek, Rutherford Co, NC. "near mill"? signed by David Miller.
7. 1799 - several government licenses for operating a distillery for the second district of NC.
8. Receipt for Government employmentfor road building. $10.25 for two months and $3 and 8 shillings for two weeks. (According to historians, this was a respectable thing to do as many leading citizens were so engaged.)
9. A document signed by Gov. James Turner appoints Samuel Poston to Capt in the First Batalion of the Second Regiment of the Militia of Rutherford Co. This form states "recognizing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour , Conduct, and Abilities do by these presents consitute and apoint you Capt ...."
10. Deed dated 14 Sept 1812, 285 acres sold by Samuel Poston to Joseph Plummer described as in Rutherford Co. on Hickory Creek joining John Wilson and William Magness where said Poston formerly lived.

Land Grant Records
Land Grant #0935 30 acres Rutherford 1782
Land Grant #2049 55 acres Rutherford 1787
Warrant #1093 55 acres Rutherford 1787

Land Enrties in Rutherford County, N.C. :
10 Feb 1792 38 acres on Both sides of north fork of Hickory Creek bordered by Crider, Perigrin Magness and John Magness.
10 Nov 1794 100 acres on the branches of Hickory Creek. Border: my own line and Grinder.
18 Feb 1797 100 acres on west side of Hickery Creek. Border: my own line, Magness and Davies.
15 Jan 1800 55 acres on Hickory Creek. Border: my own land and Daniel Camp.

Samuel married Rachel King on 12 Jan 1790 in Lincoln County, NC. Rachel (daughter of Woodrow McAbee, daughter of Marshall Dean "Lefty" Moore and Montrose Davis, daughter of John King and Rachel Margaret Young) was born about 1770; died in Dec 1853 in Cleveland County, North Carolina. [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

Notes:

Land Records
5:389 2 Dec 1762 101 acres Abbots Creek Rowan Co. from Freerick Michal & wife Christen for 12 pounds. (This is now Davidson Co)
7:63 13 Feb 1769 101 acres Abbots Creek Rowan Co. Jonathan Poston & wife Mary to Felix Clotfelter for 39 pounds 10 pense. (Same land as above)

Minutes in the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Rowan Co.
1773-1795 14 Jul 1763 Jonathan Poston on petit jury.
13 Oct 1763 Lease and release from Frederick Michael & wife Chrisrina to Jonathan Poston for 101 acres
13 April 1763 prvd by William Lynn**
16 Feb 1769 Lease and release from Jonathan Poston & wife to Felix Clotfelker for 101 acres
13-14 Feb 1769. (Deeds of lease and release were common in Colonial times to circumvent tax on the transfer of real property.)

Will probated April 1779 in Mecklenburg Co.
James Lynn of Agusta Co., Va. dated 17 Feb 1779 leaves wife Sarah; sons James, John, Adlai, William Miller; Daus Eleanor, Sarah, Prudence, Elizabeth, Jane Pritchard, MARY POSTON, Catherine Gillespie, Margaret Wallace.

Tax Receipts:
1761 Authur Oneal's district.
1763 Authur Oneal's district . Rowan County (now Davidson County area). This was signed by William Massery who was sheriff od Rowan County. (Madge Mauney Harris has found the origional tax receipt.)

Marriage Bond:
1790 John Poston Sr and John Poston Jr signed marriage bond for John Poston Jr and Rebecca Baldridge in Lincoln Co.

Jonathan poston was a chain carrier for surveyer John Frohock in Rowan County noted in a Granville Grant to Henry Sluder dated 28 Aug 1762 on Farmers Creek, a fork of Abbotts Creek.

From Rowan Co. court Records, 16 Nov. 1769: John Poston to help layout road from Salisbury Road to John Batey's ford on the Catawba River. Todays Beattie's Ford Road goes to this ford. Seems that Jonathan's surveying experience was called on to help with this road.

Jonathan married Mary Lynn before 1759. Mary (daughter of William Lynn and Sarah) and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• DAR #: A134254
• Military Service: 30 Oct 1780, North Carolina; Revolutionary War

Notes:

Juror Mecklenburg County NC. Salisbury District.
ROAD COMMISSIONER; TOOK OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO MAKE LAND ENTRY ROWAN CO NC 10 MAR 1778, 5 AUG 1778

Linn, Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Rowan Co, NC, 1775-1778, Vol III, pg 40
Priott, Abstracts of Land Entries, Rowan Co, NC, 1778, pg 48, 105

Military Service:
Battle of Kings Mountain NC
1781 in June, September and one other time he furnished sundries to himself and his company,
Military Land Warrant for heirs of Richard King for 640 acres, for 84 months service in Continental lines. No 2810

John married Rachel Margaret Young on 30 Dec 1768 in Rowan County, North Carolina. Rachel (daughter of James Franklin Wood and Deloras Jane Harrelson) was born in 1747 in Winnsboro Fairfield Co SC; died in 1827 in Iredell County, North Carolna. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]