Revolutionary War Land Grant of Samuel Hays - Neighbor of Andrew Jackson & Col. John Donelson

North Carolina Revolutionary War Land Grants
Roll 10: Book G-7
Page 15
State of North Carolina
Grant No. 35
Know ye that we have Granted unto Samuel Hays six hundred and forty acres of land in Davidson County on the North side of Stones or Clover creek a branch of Stones River, Beginning at the spanish oak on the North bank of the Creek a corner of the land reserved for Stones lick, running thence along the line of the said land, West one hundred and twenty two poles to a large white oak, corner to Col. John Donelson, thence with said Donelson line North three hundred and twenty five poles to a hickory and hackberry, East three hundred and sixty eight poles to three small poplars, South one hundred and sixty nine poles crossing Clover Creek twice to a sugar tree and ash on the north bank thereof, down the same as it meanders to the Beginning. To Hold unto the said Samuel Hays his heirs and assigns forever dated the 17th day of April 1786.
R. Caswell
J. Glasgow, Sec.

*A little background information: This land grant is for the land between what is now know as the area of Donelson and The Hermitage. My ancestor, Samuel Hays, was a neighbor of both men: future-president Andrew Jackson and Col. John Donelson (father-in-law to Andrew Jackson). Samuel Hays' brother, Robert Hays, was also the son-in-law to Col. John Donelson. When Samuel Hays was murdered in February 1793 during an Indian massacre just outside Col. John Donelson's home, the future-president Andrew Jackson adopted the minor children of Samuel Hays.

Source:
Ancestry.com. North Carolina and Tennessee, Early Land Records, 1753-1931 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

My Genealogical Goals for 2014

With the new year quickly approaching, I decided to make a list of genealogy goals I am going to strive to achieve in the coming year. With having begun researching my family tree well over thirteen years ago, I still have a lot to research. I've intentionally left different branches of my family un-researched, so that I'd continue to have research to do as the years went on. With how much research I have completed on my Hungarian ancestry (the majority of my research), I am far from done. A vast majority of that consists of nobility resources; there's a wealth of information to be found, and I'll likely need to conduct that research on-site in Hungarian archives. With all that being said, here is my list of goals for the new year:


1. Write more. I need to write more. A lot more. I've sorely neglected my several blogs during the year due to medical issues within the family. Things have gotten much better, and I'm regaining the time I'll be able to devote to writing. Apart from my blogs, I'm going to be dedicating a very large majority of my time to writing two books. They're going to be related to Hungarian genealogy, my area of expertise, and completely unrelated to one another. I can't go into much detail about what the books will be about yet, but know that both will be extremely helpful to any research being conducted within the former Hungarian empire.

2. The most important family for me to research this year, is the family of my 3rd-great-grandmother, Martha Ann Miller. She was the wife of James Andrew J. Costilow and died fairly young; 45 years before her husband passed. I was fortunate enough to have found a record that was a crucial breakthrough in Martha's family, which then lead me to her parents and half of her grandparents. I plan to focus a lot of attention on researching these new families.

3. I plan on indexing far more records relating to Győr city and county. It's the sixth largest city in Hungary, and the largest and most important city in northwest Hungary. It's very close to the borders of both Austria and Slovakia and is situated on one of the most important roads in Central Europe. Because of this, it was a large hub for migrants and immigration. There were six Roman Catholic parishes in Győr, comprised of 27 microfilms of data. So indexing marriage records for this city would be extremely beneficial for those researching in this area.

4. There are a handful of military organizations I would like to join. The main ones including the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution), General Society of the War of 1812, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Sons of Confederate Veterans. My goal is to obtain all the documentation required to apply for membership within these organizations. I could easily piggy-back other applicants with their membership numbers and previous documentation, but I want to do it on my own.

5. My Polish roots are aching to be discovered. I'm more Polish than anything else, yet the majority of the records aren't readily available for research. My lines from Barycz and Osobnica will be extremely difficult, as I'll have to physically write to the church and request information. It's a hit or a miss and I won't make much progress. Hence why I haven't touched at all in all the years I've been researching. Two sides that I do need to focus on, are my Adas and Domagalski families. The Adas' came from the Putzig parish and I've been able to research the family back to the 1750's so far, but the records began in 1593.. so there's LOTS to be discovered! I also need to figure out the collateral line to the Adas family, the Pletzke's. They're from a neighboring parish and there's also lots to be found.

6. I need to research my Stümpges line. Previous researchers had traced the family line back to the 1540's, but I'm not content. I need to research the family in the church records myself, and verify that the direct Stümpges line is correct. Almost all of the maternal lines are completely blank, also. Those need to be researched and known. There's so much information to be found here!

Greene County, Tennessee Revolutionary War Land Grant: James Rodgers, 11 May 1792

North Carolina (Revolutionary War) Land Grants
Roll 12: Book 1
Ancestry.com image number 148 of 330
Page 284
(Greene County, Tennessee)

The State of North Carolina,
To all whom these Presents shall come. GREETING:

Know ye, that we, for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Shillings for every hundred acres hereby granted, paid into our Treasury
By James Rodgers

Have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant unto the said James Rodgers a tract of land containing two hundred acres lying and being in our county of Greene on the north side of Nolachucky on Deals Branch of Lick Creek. Begining at a Spanish oak, white oak and dogwood. Thence east one hundred and ten poles to a white oak and ewe?. Thence south two hundred and forty poles to a white oak and black oak. Thence with said Rodgers line one hundred and thirty six poles to a stake. Thence to the begining. As by the plat hereunto annexed doth appear together with all woods, waters, mines, minerals, here did with and appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said James Rodgers his heirs and assigns forever yielding and paying to us such sums of money yearly or otherwise as our General Assembly from time to time may direct provided always that the said James Rodgers shall cause this grant to be Registered in the Registers office of our said county of Greene within twelve months from the date here of other sum the same shall be void and of none effect.

In Testimony Whereof, we have caused these, our letters to be made patent and our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed.
Witness Alexander Martin
Esquire, our Governor, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief at Danbury this 11th day of May, in the 16th year of our Independence and in the year of our lord 1792.
By his Excellency's Command.
G. Glasgow, Secretary.
Alexander Martin (signed)

Surname Saturday #23: Hovis/Hoffman (Illegitimate Line)

This has been an extremely difficult line to research. But, thanks to a very helpful lead from a newly found cousin a few years ago, I was able to knock down a brick-wall and find a wealth of information. Here is what I know on this family:

1. Ellen P. Hovis
b. 04 Mar 1824, Lincoln County, North Carolina
d. 1870/1880, Carroll County, Mississippi
m1. Robert Caneda/Kenedy; 23 Jan 1840, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m2. William S. Martin; 02 Sep 1845, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Margaret E. Kenedy, b. abt 1841, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Mary C. Martin, b. abt 1846, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Elmira Terissa Martin, b. 28 Jan 1848, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Samuel Christopher Columbus Martin, b. 02 Feb 1850, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Saliana Martin, b. abt 1854, Gaston County, North Carolina
*John L. Martin, b. Feb 1856, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Nancy Martin, b. abt 1858, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Ollie M. Martin, b. abt 1860, Mississippi

2. Jonas Hoyle Hoffman
b. abt 1788, Lincoln County, North Carolina
d. 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m1. Mary Costner; abt 1813, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m2. Mary "Polly" Hovis; NOT MARRIED
*Eli Hoffman, b. 30 Feb 1814, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Michael Hoffman, b. 28 Dec 1816, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jacob W. Hoffman, b. 10 Nov 1818, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jonas Hoffman, b. 20 Jun 1820, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Ephraim Hoffman, b. 01 Jul 1822, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Ellen P. Hovis, (above) ILLEGITIMATE WITH MARY "POLLY" HOVIS
*Miles Hoffman, b. 12 Jul 1825, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*John McLean Hoffman, b. 10 May 1827, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Lanie Salena Hoffman, b. 01 Apr 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Anna Mary Hoffman, b. 01 Apr 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina

3. John Hoffman "Rich John", Revolutionary War soldier
b. abt 1760, Germany
d. 24 Sep 1832, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m. Margaret Hovis; abt 1785, probably Lincoln County, North Carolina.
*John Hoffman, b. abt 1786, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jonas Hoyle Hoffman, (above)
*Catharine Hoffman, b. Jan 1790, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jacob Hoffman, b. abt 1792, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Elizabety "Betsy" Hoffman, b. 01 Jun 1794, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Daniel Hoffman, b. 21 Jun 1797, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Joseph Hoffman, b. abt 1800, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Adam Hoffman, b. abt 1802, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Susanna Hoffman, b. abt 1804, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Peter Hoffman, b. 10 Mar 1808, Lincoln County, North Carolina

4. Jacob Hoffman (speculative information)
b. abt 1716, Germany
d. abt 1789, probably North Carolina

Surname Saturday #7: Martin

Long has this family been a mystery to me up until a few years ago, when I started to finally make some breakthroughs. Martin is the surname of my paternal great-grandmother on my mother's side of the family. Here is what I know on this line:

1. Ellen Inez Martin
b. 04 June 1902, Carrollton, Carroll County, Mississippi
d. 02 May 1991, Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
m. Fred Lamar Rodgers; 10 June 1917, Grenada County, Mississippi
*Children omitted for privacy reasons.

2. Samuel Christopher Columbus Martin
b. 02 Feb 1850, Gaston County, North Carolina
d. 16 Feb 1922, Grenada County, Mississippi
m1. Mary Britnal; 06 Dec 1873, Carroll County, Mississippi
m2. Samantha Aylene Costilow; bef. 1901, possibly Carroll County, Mississippi
m3. Evie Evelyn Rodgers; 27 Sep 1908, Carroll County, Mississippi
*Millie Martin, b. abt 1874, Carroll County, Mississippi
*Samantha "Sammie" Martin,  b. 1901/1902, Carroll County, Mississippi
*Ellen Inez Martin, (above)
*Mossie Glispie Martin, b. 28 Dec 1904, Carroll County, Mississippi
*James Gordon Martin, b. 17 Aug 1906, Carroll County, Mississippi
*Sam Hart Martin, b. 03 Jun 1907, Carroll County, Mississippi

3. William S. Martin
b. abt 1804, Lincoln County, North Carolina
d. 1860/1868, Mississippi (Civil War???)
m1. Ann L. Hannah; 04 Feb 1831, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m2. Ellen P. Hovis; 01 Sep 1845, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*George J. Martin, b. abt 1834, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Thomas H. Martin, b. abt 1837, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Mary C. Martin, b. abt 1846, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Elmira Terissa Martin, b. 28 Jan 1848, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Samuel Christopher Columbus Martin, (above)
*Saliana Martin, abt 1854, Gaston County, North Carolina
*John L. Martin, b. abt Feb 1856, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Nancy Martin, b. abt 1858, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Ollie M. Martin, b. abt 1860, Mississippi

William S. Martin's parentage is uncertain, but one there's one thing i'm positive of.. he's the grandson of Samuel Martin, a Captain during the Revolutionary War. Here is his information:

5. Samuel Martin
b. 26 Mar 1732, Ireland
d. 18 Nov 1836, Dallas, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m. Margaret McCurdy
Both are buried in the Goshen Presbyterian Cemetery in North Belmont, Gaston County, North Carolina

*Anne Martin, b. abt 1766, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*Jane Martin, b. abt 1771, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*Robert Martin, b. abt 1773, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*William Martin, b. abt 1774, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*Joseph Martin, b. abt 1774, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*Margaret Martin, b. abt 1775, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*James Martin, b. abt 1776, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*John Martin, b. abt 1780, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*Mary Martin, b. abt 1784, Tyrone County, North Carolina
*George Martin, b. abt 1781/1784, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Thomas Martin, b. unknown, North Carolina

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Honoring My Irish Roots!

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I figured I would write a post honoring one of my Irish ancestors. His name was Samuel Martin and he was my 5th-great-grandfather. He was born 26 Mar 1732 in Ireland, where he also married his wife Margaret McCurdy. She was born in 1742. They married and immigrated to America sometime before 1766. They had eleven children total, that I know of so far.. there could possibly be more. Here are the children:

Anne Martin, born 12 Jun 1766, married Rev. Thomas Newton
Jane Martin, born about 1771
Robert Martin, born about 1773
William Martin, born 15 May 1774, married Hannah Irvin
Joseph Martin, born about 1774
Margaret Martin, born about 1775, married John Kerr, Jr.
James Martin, born about 1776, married Margaret "Peggy" Kerr
Thomas Martin, never married
John Martin, born about 1780
Mary Martin, born 7 Sep 1781
George Martin, born about 1784, married Martha

Now, let's continue on Samuel. In the January term of 1772 for Tyron County, North Carolina, he was ordered to serve as constable (of the town or county?) under William Moore. In the April 1774 term, he again was ordered to serve as constable. In 1775, Samuel served as a representative for Mecklenburg County, NC to the Provincial Congress of North Carolina.

The following is a biography found in the book 'Sketches of Western North Carolina Illustrating Principally the Revolutionary Period of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln and Adjoining Counties', by C. L. Hunter and published 1877, republished 1970:
Captain Samuel Martin was a native of Ireland, and born in the year 1732. When a young man, he emigrated to America, and first settled in Pennsylvania. After remaining a short time in that State, he joined the great tide of emigration to the southern colonies. He first entered the service as a private in Captain Robert Alexander's company, in June 1776, Colonel Graham's Regiment, and marched to Fort McGaughey, in Rutherford county, and thence across the Blue Ridge Mountains against the Cherokee Indians, who were committing murders and depredations upon the frontier settlements. in January 1777, he attached himself to the command of Captain William Chronicle, and marched to the relief of the post of Ninety Six, in Abbeville county, S.C., and after this service he returned to North Carolina.
About the 1st of November, 1770, his company was ordered to Charlotte, at that time a place of rendezvous of soldiers for the sourrounding counties, and whiel there he received a special commission of captain, conferred on him by General Rutherford. With his special command he marched with other forces from Charlotte by way of Camden, to the relief of Charleston, and fell in with Col. Hampton, at the Governor's gate, near that city. Finding that place completely invested by the British army, he remained but a short time, and returned to North Carolina with Colonel Graham's regiment, about the 1st of June, 1780.
Being informed on the night of his arrival at home that he Tories were embodied in strong force at Ramsour's Mill, near the present town of Lincolnton, he immediately raised a small company and joined General Davidson's battalion, General Rutherford commanding, encamped at Colonel Dickson's plantation, three miles northwest of Tuckaseege ford. General Rutherford broke up his encampment at that place, early on the morning of the 20th of June, 1780, then sixteen miles from Ramsour's Mill, and marched with his forces, expecting to unite with Colonel Locke in making a joint attack upon the Tories, but failed to reach the scene of conflict until two hours after the battle. The Tories had been signally defeated and routed by Colonel Locke and his brave associates, and about fifty made prisoners, among the number a brother of Colonel Moore, the commander of the Tory forces.
Immediately after this battle he received orders from Colonels Johnston and Dickson to proceed with his company to Colonel's Moore's residence, six or seven miles west of the present town of Lincolnton, and arrest that Tory leader, but he had fled with about thirty of his follower's to Camden, S.C., where Cornwall's was then encamped. Soon after this service Captain Martin was ordered to proceed with his company to Rugeley's Mill, in Kershaw county, S.C. Here Colonel Rugeley, the Tory commander, had assembled a considerable force, and fortified his log barn and dwelling house. Colonel Washington, by order of General Morgan, had pursued him with his cavalry, but having no artillery, he resorted to an ingenious stratagem to capture the post without sacrificing his own men. Accordingly he mounted a pine log, fashioned as a cannon, elevated on its own limbs, and placed it in position to command the houses in which the Tories were lodged. Colonel Washington then made a formal demand for immediate surrender. Colonel Rugeley fearing the destructive consequences of the formidable cannon bearing upon his command in the log barn and dwelling house, after a stipulation as to terms, promptly surrendered his whole force, consisting of one hundred and twelve men, without a gun being fired on either side. It was upon the reception of the news of this surrender that Cornwallis wrote to Tarleton, "Rugeley will not be made a Brigadier."
After this successful stratagem, seldom equaled during the war. Captain Martin was ordered to march with his company in pursuit of Colonel Cunningham (commonly called "bloody Bill Cunningham") a Tory leader, encamped on Fishing creek, but he fled so rapidly he could not overtake him. During the latter part of ugust and the whole of September, Captain Martin was rarely at home, and then not remaining for more than two days at a time. About the last week of September he marched with his company by a circuitous route, under Colonel Graham, to Cowpens. There he united with Colonels Campbell, Shelby, Sevier, Cleaveland and other officers and marched with them to King's Mountain. In this battle Captain Martin acted a conspicious part, was in the thickest of the fight, and lost six of his company. After this battle he continued in active scouting duties wherever his services were needed.
When Cornwallis marched through Lincoln county in pursuit of General Morgan, encumbered with upwards of five hundred prisoners, captured at the Cowpens, he was ordered to harass his advance as much as possible. A short time after Cornwallis crossed the Catawba at Cowan's Ford, he marched as far as Salisbury, when he was ordered by Colonel Dickson to convey some prisoners to Charlotte. Having performed this service, he proceeded to Guilford Court house, but did not reach that place until after the battle. He then returned him, and was soon after discharged.
In October 1833, Captain Martin, when one hundred and one years old, was granted a pension by the general government. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Associate Reformed Church, and died on the 26th of November, 1836, aged one hundred and four years! He married in Ireland, Margaret McCurdy, who was also attained an extreme old age, and both are buried in Goshen grave yard, in Gaston County.