Soldiers in Franklin County, AL
War of 1812


Contributed by: Patricia Cooper, Russellville, AL.
AUG 1999

Barton, Hugh born 1775 VA; died after 1850; married to Mary Shirley. Hugh Barton was a captain in Brown's Regt. Of East Tennessee Military. He resided in Franklin County, AL, in 1850 and received BL Wt. 35856 Information form Gandrud/McLane.

Bell, John born ca 1787, East Tennessee; died 1863, Franklin County, AL; married in Lee Co. Tennessee to Mary Skidmore. He was drafted in Lincoln Co. Tennessee and discharged at Fayetteville, Tennessee. He served from 28 January 1814 to 10 May 1814 for 3 mo and 14 days as a private in Capt. John Chitwood's Co. of Infantry, Col. Robert Steele's Regt. West Tennessee Military. He applied for bounty land on 11 January 1851 from Franklin Co, AL, and received BL Wt. 38498-40-50. He applied for additional bounty land on 28 April 1855 from Franklin Co, AL and received BL Wt. 78554-120-55. His widow applied for a pension on 17 June 1878 and received land under the impression that her husband had received land only under the Act of 1850. She died ca 1885. Information from the National Archives.

Brown, Washington born (unknown) died 20 October 1852, Tishomingo Co, MS; married 9 July 1818 in Franklin Co. AL, to Patsy Roberts/Robertson. He enlisted on 28 Jan 1814 as a private in Capt. Moses Thompson's Co. of Tennessee Military and was discharged on 10 May 1814. He enlisted again on 20 September 1814 as a private in Capt. Bass' Co. of Tennessee Military and served until 20 March 1815. In 1851, the Brown's lived in Tishomingo Co., MS; in 1878 the widow lived in Prentiss Co. MS, and applied for a pension; she was placed on the rolls under WC 26772. Information form Gandrud/McLane and from the National Archives.

Chiles, Thomas born ca 1787 in Virginia, died (unknown) married 15 December 1815, Chesterfield Dist, SC, to Lucy F. Hargraves. He enlisted 13 January 1814 in Capt. Reuben Tankersley's Co. of Virginia Military and served until 11 April 1814. He received a pension under cert. no. SC 3741. In 1851 and 1855 he lived in Franklin Co, AL, in 1871 he was in Copiah Co., MS. Information from Gandrud/McLane.

Corsby, Hance born ca 1793 NC(possibly Guilford Co.); died (unknown) married to Hannah (Unknown). He was in Franklin Co., AL, for the 1830 census and received bounty land there in 1854 under BL WT 43092-40-50. The patent to the land indicated that he served as a private in Capt. Cavender's Co., Tennessee Vol. The 1850 census for Franklin Co, AL, shows Hance Causby, wife Hannah age 55 b NC, and three children, age 14, 18, and 23, all born in NC. Information from descendant Kim Carmack, 134 Charparral Drive, Florence, AL 35630.

Dickson, Abner born (unknown), died 11 Sept 1857, Franklin Co. AL; married (unknown). Enrolled on pension records in 1818 as of 4 May 1815. He was a private in the Tennessee Vol. His pension certificate was SC 8537. He left no widow or children or descendants of children when he died. Information from Gandrud/McLane.

Dickson, Hugh born 11 January 1780 in NC; died 3 or 16 January 1843, Franklin Co., AL; married 12 May 1808 or 11 May 1809 in Dickson Co, TN to Hannah Dickson. He volunteered in Humphries Co., TN and served from 10 Dec 1812 to 27 April 1813 as a private in Capt Michael Molton's Troop, Col Coffee's Regt. Of Cavalry, West Tenn Vol. The widow stated that he served again from September 1813 in defense of the frontier but this was not considered actual service by the War Department. The widow provided different dates for her marriage and her husband's death in her applications for bounty land on 9 Jan 1850 and 20 Aug 1855. The 1850 application for bounty land was suspended because she could not prove her marriage, (the Dickson Co, TN Courthouse having been destroyed by a tornado in 1830). Information from National Archives.

Downs, William born (unknown) died 17 Aug 1872, Tangipahoa Par, LA; married March 1820, Tuscumbia, Franklin Co. (now Colbert Co.) AL to Evaline McPhail. He enlisted 25 Aug 1812 as a private in Capt. Zachariah Smith's Co. S Car Mil, and served until 3 March 1813. He enlisted again on 1 Feb 1815 as a private in Capt. J. Norton's Co, S Car Mil, and served until 24 Mar 1815. In 1851, he lived in Neshoba Co, MS, in 1853 in Monroe Co. AL and 1855-1871 in Tangipahoa Par, LA. His wife died in Mississippi. Information from Ganrud/McLane.

Doxey, John Sanford born 16 August 1789 NC; died 5 Jan 1860, Pontotoc Co., MS; married 7 December 1819 in Jefferson Co. AL, to Rachel Foster Lockhart. She way born 22 May 1805 and died 19 October 1845 in Pontotoc Co. MS. At least the first four of their nine children were born in Tuscumbia, Franklin Co. (now Colbert Co.) AL, between 1820 and 1827. John S. Doxey was in Madison Co, AL, in 1822, Jefferson Co, AL, in 1825, and Franklin Co., by August 1826. He served in the War of 1812, probably in the Tenn. Mil. Information from Gandrud/McLane.

Elledge, Mark born ca 1795, SC?; died 24 April 1870, Franklin Co., AL married 1831, Jackson Co, AL, to Sarah Fannon. He was drafted into service at Pendleton Court House, SC, and was also discharged there after serving for 1 mo and 24 da from 1 Feb 1815 to 24 Mar 1815 as a private in Capt. Jephtha Norton's Co of Drafted Mil, Lt Col Austin's Regt, S Car Mil. He applied for bounty land on 5 Nov 1850 from Franklin Co, AL, and received BL 21627-40-50. He applied for additional bounty land on 28 Apr 1855 from Franklin Co, AL, and received BL Wt 56198-120-55. His widow applied for pension on 13 May 1878 from Franklin Co, AL, and received cert. no. WC 26631. Information from National Archives.

Hall, Josiah born ca 1784 SC; died 15 October 1873, Franklin Co., AL; married 25 April 1815 in Bedford Co, TN, to Elizabeth Brown. He was in Capt Benjamin Cleveland's Co of the Ga Mil in the War of 1812 and received a pension under cert. no. SC 11413. The widow also applied for a pension but it was not granted. The couple lived in Marion Co., AL, in 1851 and 1855. The widow died 18 March 1879 in Tishomingo Co. MS. Information from Gandrud/McLane.

Harris, Benjamin He testified in support of Samuel Meredith's application for bounty land (see below), stating that he served in the same unit of the Tenn Mil as Samuel Meredith. Information from National Archives.

Holland, John born ca 1796; died 25 May 1878, Franklin Co, AL; married 21 January 1816, Shelbyville, Bedford Co., TN, to Elizabeth Barrett. He volunteered at Shelbyville, TN, and was mustered in at Fayetteville, Lincoln Co., TN; he was discharged at Shelbyville, TN. He served from 28 Sept. 1814 to 27 April 1815 (7 months) as a private in Capt. Giles Burdette's Co., Col Williamson's 2nd Regt., Tenn Mtd. Gunmen. On 3 June 1851 in Franklin Co., AL, he applied for bounty land and received BL Wt 31889-80-50. Under the Act of 1855 he applied for more land on 12 May 1855 from Franklin Co., AL, and received BL Wt cert. no. SC 16732. After his death, his widow applied for a pension on 6 July 1878 and received cert. no. WC 18891. She reported they left Tennessee in Nov 1816 and went to Limestone Co., AL, and stayed for 3 years. They then moved to Lawrence Co, AL and stayed there for 17 years. About 1836, the moved to Franklin Co, AL, and were there for 42 years before her husband died. On 31 Aug 1878 birth dates of the children were reported as 4 Mar 1822 for Julia Ann (Holland) Umphries; 1 Jun 1825 for Sirene Jane (Holland) Prater, then living in Marshall Co, MS; 7 Oct 1827 for James G; 1 Oct 1830 for Mary Catherine (Holland) Thomas; 9 Sep 1833 for John E.; and 29 Nov 1835 for William T. Elizabeth (Barrett) Holland had a brother, Charles, and a sister, Sarah (Barrett) Thomas. Information from National Archives.

Hughes, Thomas born ca 1785, died before 1815, Madison Co, AL; married to Nancy (Unknown) Served in Capt. William Mosley's Co. Of Miss Mtd. Vol Mil. Some of his children buried in Old Burleson Cemetery, Franklin Co, AL. Thomas Hughes probably is buried in Madison Co, AL, but his War of 1812 tombstone has been placed in the Old Burleson Cemetery. Information from descendant Helen Shewbart, Route 8, Box 20, Russellville, AL 35653, and from Mary Ellen Thorn, Route 2, Box 570F, Red Bay, AL 35582

Kirkland, Joab Watson born ca 1796, Bedford Co?, TN. Died 30 January 1856, Franklin Co, AL; married 22 July 1819. Lawrence Co., AL to Eunice Stodgell. He was both drafted and discharged in Bedford Co., TN. He served for 3 mo 17 da from 28 Jan 1814 to 13 May 1814 in the war against the Creek Indians. He was a private in Capt. James Shinault's Co of Infantry, Col Steele's 4th Regt. of West Tenn Mil. He applied for bounty land on 21 Nov 1850 from Franklin Co., AL, and was awarded 40 acres on BL Wt. 12874-40-50. Later, on 2 July 1855 he again applied for bounty land and received BL Wt 86824-120-55. On 25 May 1878, the widow applied for a pension and was place on the rolls under WC 22144. She reported they had lived in Bedford Co., TN for 2 years, and Lawrence Co, AL for 8 years, Bedford Co, TN for 2 years, Lawrence Co., AL for 2 years, and Franklin Co., AL, near Russellville, for 36 years. She died at the home of her only son, Moses Kirkland, on 15 April 1881. Information from National Archives.

McGill, John born 1786 SC, died 15 Aug 1818, Franklin Co, AL; married 1805 in SC to Elizabeth McGuire. He served from 28 January 1814 to 23 May 1814 (3 mo 27 da) as a private in Capt. James Randal's Co of Infantry, Col Robert Steele's 4th Regt, West Tenn Mil. The widow died on 29 June 1861 in Cass Co. TX. No bounty land or pensions were awarded because of the very early death of John McGill and the death of the widow in 1861 before the act awarding pensions. They had seven children: Thomas, Mary E. , John, James, Samuel, Sallie Knox, and Sarah A. Information from TABB and from National Archives.

Meredith, Samuel born ca 1786, died 1853, Franklin Co., AL; married (unknown). Samuel Meredith testified that he volunteered in Sumner Co., TN, to serve in Capt. Baskerville's Troop of Calvary, Col John Coffee's Regt., West Tenn Vol., and was appointed to be sergeant major of the regiment when he reported for duty at Nashville, TN, on 10 Dec. 1812. He was discharged at Clover Bottom, Davidson Co., TN 27 Apr 1813. He served again from 24 Sep 1813 to 10 May 1814 as sergeant major, adjutant, pay master, and brigade major in the war against the Creek Indians and was at all the battles and on active duty during the entire war. The Third Auditor's Office of the War Dept. confirmed this service. On 10 January 1851 he applied for bounty land from Franklin Co., AL and received BL Wt. 18848-160-50. There are no pension application papers from either him or his widow. Information from National Archives.

Moore, William born (unknown) died 28 Oct 1849, Franklin Co, AL; married 2 May 1845 in Franklin Co., AL to Sarah H. Burks. He volunteered in Williamson Co. TN, and was mustered into service at Fayetteville, TN, on 28 Sept. 1814. He served as a private in Capt. Robert Moore's Co., Col Williamson's 2nd Regt. Mtd. Gunmen, Tenn Vol, until 27 April 1815. He died before bounty land was awarded but his widow applied on 12 Feb 1852 in Franklin Co, AL and received BL Wt. 43051-80-50. She applied for additional land on 10 July 1855 in Franklin Co., AL and received BL Wt. 44865-80-55. She sold this warrant to W. M. Despres but the warrant was lost and he had to apply for a replacement. The land was located in Phillips Co, AR. The widow applied for a pension on 23 July 1880 from Franklin Co., AL and received WC 31104. Sarah (Burks) Moore was born ca 1824, she died 17 Aug 1899. Information from National Archives.

Pearsall, Benjamin born 1 Aug 1790, Duplin Co., NC; died 1855 Franklin Co., AL; married (1) ca 1816 in Duplin Co, NC, to Catherine Camp, and married (2) ca 1845 in Franklin Co, AL, to Mrs. Sarah (?) Clayton. He first volunteered for service in Dickson Co., TN, and was discharged in Nashville. He was a member of the Natchez Expedition from 10 Dec 1812 to 27 April 1813 as a private in Capt. Michael Molton's Troop of Calvary, Col John Coffee's Regt. West Tenn Vol. Later he volunteered again and rendezvoused at Fayetteville, TN, to fight the Creek Indians. He served from 24 Sep 1813 to 10 May 1814 as a 2nd Lt. in Capt. Michael Molton's and Capt James William's Co, Col John Coffee's Regt., Tenn Vol Cavalry. Capt. Molton was Benjamin Pearsall's uncle and his cousin, the captain's son, Michael Clark Molton was in the same unit; Lt. Michael Molton was one of only 26 white men killed at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Benjamin Pearsall applied for bounty land on 9 Jan 1851 in Franklin Co. AL, and received 160 acres in the Military District of Arkansas under BL Wt. 10089-160-50. He sold his warrant to his neighbor, Clayton Davidson, who moved to Arkansas and occupied the land. Neither Benjamin nor his widow received a pension. Information from descendant Mary Tratumann, 2080 Cornell Road, Middleburg, FL 32068.

Russell, George born (unknown); died 17 Oct 1831, Franklin Co, AL; married 28 Dec 1820, Franklin Co., AL to Leah Jackson Hudson. He reported that he first served as a private in Capt. Francis Jone's Co of Tenn Mil from 24 Sep 1813 to 1 Dec 1813 then transferred to Capt. Wm. Russell's Spy Co, Col Blue's Regt. Tenn Vol Mil and served from 1 Dec 1813 to 4 Apr 1814. Later in 1814 he served again as a private in Capt. George Michie's Co., Maj. William Russell's Separate Battalion of Tenn Mtd Gunman. The National Archives reports only the latter service, from 28 Sept 1814 to 27 Mar 1815. George Russell was a son of Maj. William Russell under whom he served. The widow applied for and received 80 acres of bounty land under BL Wt. 48807-80-50 while living in Franklin Co., AL. She also applied for a pension on 18 Apr 1878 while living in Lawrence Co, AL, but the pension was denied. After several years of widowhood, she married Archibald Stovall and lived with him for a few years before divorcing him. Although she had cataracts on both eyes in 1879 and could not see to sigh her name, she was not eligible for a pension because of the second marriage. Information from Helen Johnson, Route 3, Box 199, Russellville, AL 35653, and National Archives.

Russell, John A. born unknown, died 8 Sept. 1846, Tishomingo Co, MS; married 18 Nov 1830 in Franklin Co, AL to Rutha Spencer. He served as a private in Capt. William A. Freeland's Co of Light Infantry, Col Gray's 7th Regt. Va Mil, from 29 Oct 1814 to 6 Feb. 1815. The widow applied for bounty land on 26 Feb 1859 from Tishomingo Co, MS, and received BL Wt. 88163-160-55. Information from National Archives.

Russell, Lewis born ca 1790; died unknown, married unknown. He served as a private in Capt. James Cowan's Co of Independent Rangers from 11 Nov 1813 to 19 Mar 1814 and as a private in Capt. John Trimble's Co of East Tenn Vol Mtd. Gunman from 28 Sept 1814 to 10 Dec 1814 when he transferred to Capt. William Russell's Co of Tenn Vol Mtd Gunmen, Maj. William Russell's Separate Battalion of Tenn Vol from 28 Sept 1814 to 27 March 1815. He applied for bounty land on 25 Nov 1850 in Franklin Co, TN, but gave his residence as Bedford Co, TN. He received 160 acres on BL Wt. 7594-160-55. Lewis Russell was a brother of Capt. Russell under whom he served and a son of Maj. Russell under whom both served. The records do not show that Lewis Russell ever lived in Franklin Co, AL, where his father lived. Information from Helen Johnson, Route 3, Box 199, Russellville, AL 35653 and from National Archives.

Russell, William (Sr.) born ca 1760, Tryon Co, NC?, died 16 Mar 1825, Franklin Co, AL; date of marriage and name of wife not known. From 4 Oct 1813 to 4 Apr 1814, William Russell was Capt of a company of Mounted Spies, Tenn Mil. This William Russell had three sons in the Creek Wars; William, Lewis and George. He received 300 acres of bounty land in 1808/11, possibly indicating service in the Revolutionary War. He also is reported to have raised a company to fight the Seminole Indians in Florida in 1817. Many of Maj. Russell's records apparently are confused with those of his son and his nephew, both named William. Russell's Valley in Colbert Co, AL and Russellville, in Franklin Co, AL are named for Maj. William Russell. Information from Helen Johnson, Route 3, Box 199, Russellville, AL 35653 and from National Archives.

Russell, William (Jr.) born 1789, Washington Co, TN; died 3 May 1860, Crawford Co, AR; married to Agnes Bean. He volunteered in Franklin Co, TN, for the Natchez Expedition but became sick in Nashville and was still there on sick furlough when the expedition returned in Apr 1813. From 4 Oct 1813 to 4 Apr 1814 he was an ensign and 2nd Lt in Capt. Mitchell's Co of Spies, Tenn Mil, and was at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Near the close of the war, he served again and was elected captain of a company of mounted spies in the Tenn Mil. In this tour of duty the company marched from Fayetteville, TN to Pensacola, FL. He applied for bounty land from Crawford Co., AR, on 22 Mar 1851 and was awarded 80 acres on BL Wt. 32947-80-50. He refused the land on the basis that he had served his country in greater capacity that the 80 acres represented and insisted that his service was being confused with that of his father, William Russell, and that of his cousin, another William Russell. He then was awarded 160 acres under BL Wt. 20288-160-50. There is no record that his wife received a pension. William Russell lived in Franklin Co, AL for a time. Information from Helen Johnson, Route 3, Box 199, Russellville, AL 35653 and from National Archives.

Sparks, Enoch He was a private in Capt. John Hodges' Co of Infantry, Lt. Col Reuben Nash's Regt. S Car Vol Mil from 20 January 1814 to 13 July 1814. Information from descendant Mary Ellen Thorn, Route 2, Box 570F, Red Bay, AL 35582, and from National Archives.

Sparks, William He was drafted in Spartanburg Dist. SC, about 1 Oct 1814 and served 5 mo 20 da until he was discharged at Orangeburg, SC on 12 Mar 1815. He was a private in Capt Manley Ford's Co, Col Hugh Mean's Regt. of S Car Mil. On 30 Nov 1850 in Franklin Co, AL he applied for bounty land and received BNL Wt. 12940-80-50. He applied for additional land on 28 Aug 1855 in Franklin Co, AL and received BL Wt. 41652-80-55. Information from descendant Mary Ellen Thorn, Route 2, Box 570F, Red Bay, AL 35582, and from National Archives.

Tharp, Hezekiah He received pension cert. no. 16413. No more information at this time.

Tubbs, Joel C. born 1794; died 20 Nov 1878, Franklin Co, AL; married 22 Oct 1822, Perry Co, AL to Sarah Huff. He was drafted for the War of 1812 in Montgomery Co, TN, and discharged at Fayetteville, TN. He served from 13 Nov 1814 to 13 May 1815 (6 months) a sergeant in Capt. Josiah Price's Co of Infantry, Col Cocke's 2nd Regt. West Tenn Mil, and was in the Battle of New Orleans. On 4 Nov 1850 in Franklin Co, AL, he applied for bounty land and received BL Wt. 355-80-50. Later, on 4 May 1855 he applied again from Franklin Co, AL and received BL Wt. 23922-80-55. On 22 May 1871 he applied for a pension and received cert. no. SC 13088. After his death, the widow applied for a pension from Franklin Co, AL, on 21 Feb 1879 and received cert. no. WC 23321. Information from National Archives.

Williams, Claiborne He served as a private in Capt. John Doak's Co of Mtd Riflemen in Col. N. T. Perkin's Mtd. Regt. Of West Tenn Mil from 20 Dec 1813 to 10 Feb 1814. Information from Helen Johnson, Route 3, Box 199, Russellville, AL 35653 and from National Archives.

Source: NATCHEZ TRACE TRAVELER

Vol. 8, No. 4, Nov. 1988 pages 133-137



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