Independence Day: Our Revolutionary War Soldiers

We are celebrating Independence Day because of our ancestors who bravely decided to stand up against the British and to form a new nation. As we cook over our BBQ grills, open picnic baskets and watch fireworks displays let's remember all those patriots who made our independence a reality.

These are a few of my family's  Revolutionary War soldiers. They can be found on my father’s side of the family tree because my mother’s family came to the USA about 100 years after the war. As I continue to research my father’s family I’m sure I will uncover more patriots. 

John Brumfield 1750 - 1845

                John first served in the light horse regiment under Col. Thompson for six months. He was a part of the Snow Campaign in December 1775. Later he was a Sergeant in Moor's company during the Battle of Sullivan's Island. He served under Col. Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, and General Sumpter in the area around Charleston, SC. He acted as a spy, took part in the battle of Scots Lake Fort and the battle at Begings Church. John was my 5th great grand uncle.

Sources: 

NARA, The Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files; Fold 3 (fold3.com:accessed June 2017) 3 – 9; John Brumfield.

Richard Dillon 1745 – 1833

            He served under Captain Faulk & General Gregory in the North Carolina militia. Later he served onboard the Greyhound commanded by Captain Daniel Butler. The vessel was captured and Richard became a prisoner of war on the English frigate Baloosa. He was a prisoner for nine months. Richard was my 5^th great grandfather.

Sources:

Patriotic Service of Richard Dillon, Ancestor #A036157; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.org: accessed 2015).

Conerly, Luke Ward, Source Records from Pike County, Mississippi, 1798 – 1910 (South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1989).

Revolutionary War Pensions; fold3 (fold3.com: accessed 2016) Richard Dillon.

David Faulkenberry 1746 – 1841

            David was drafted into service in South Carolina as a private, under Captain Canenton and was in the Battle of Hanging Rock Creek. He was discharged after six months. Later he was drafted again and served another five or six months under the same captain. At some time, he served in Sumter's brigade and was at Gate's Defeat as a baggage guard sergeant. He was crippled in both hands by Tories who raided his home and cut him with a sabre. He was also shot in the arm at the same time.

Sources:

Moss, Bobby Gilmore, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983)

White, Virgil D., Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Volume II: F-M. (Waynesboro, TN: The National Historical Publishing Co., 1991) 1163.

Gurr, C. B. and D, R. Gurr, The Ties That Bind us Together (Salt Lake City, UT).

William Stark Kelly 1739 – 1826

        William served as a private in the 1^st Regiment of the North Carolina Militia under Captain William Brinkley and Colonel Samuel Jarvis. William was my 5^th great grandfather.

Sources:

Patriotic Service of William S. Kelly, Ancestor #A064317; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.org: accessed 2015).

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Patriot Record of William Stark Kelly, Ancestor #P-228187 (patriot.sar.org: accessed June 2017).

Revolutionary War Service Records, fold3 (fold3.com: accessed 2016) William Kelly.

John Kennington bc 1745

            John served as a horseman under Colonel John Marshall in 1779 & as a foot soldier in 1781.

Sources:

Criminger, Adrianne Fortenberry, The Fortenberry Families of Southern Mississippi, 1677 – 1984 (SC: Southern Historical Press, 1984).

Casper Ritter 1747 – 1824

            Casper was a corporal  in the Infantry, 7^th Company, 4th Battalion Northampton County Militia, PA. He served under Captains Roudebush and Clater and under Colonel Siegfried. Casper was my 1^st cousin, 7x removed.

Sources:

Patriotic Service of Casper Ritter, Ancestor #A096307; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.org: accessed 2015).

Laudenslager, David R., Veterans Grave Registration Record, Revolutionary War Veterans (Pennsylvania, 1994).

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Patriot Record of Casper Ritter Kelly, Ancestor #P-279559 (patriot.sar.org: accessed June 2017).

Pennsylvania Archives, Series 5, Volume VIII, 4^th Battalion, Northampton County Militia, fold3 (fold3.com: accessed 2016) Casper Ritter.

Johannes Ritter, Sr. 1743 – 1816

        Johannes served in the Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania Militia. Johannes was my 5^th great grandfather.

Sources:

Knox, Larry. The Ritter Family (OH: Privately Printed, 1999).

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Patriot Record of Johannes Ritter Kelly, Ancestor #P-279568 (patriot.sar.org: accessed June 2017).

Martin Ritter 1749 – 1827

            Martin enlisted on 18 June 1777 as a private in the 7^th Company, 1st Battalion of the Northampton Co Militia, PA. On 14 May 1778 he enlisted as a sergeant, 1^st class in the 4^th Company, 2^nd Battalion of the Militia. Martin was my 5^th great grand uncle.

Sources:

Patriotic Service of Martin Ritter, Ancestor #A096359; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.org: accessed 2015).

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Patriot Record of Martin Ritter Kelly, Ancestor #P-279574 (patriot.sar.org: accessed June 2017).

Revolutionary War Pensions, fold3 (fold3.com: accessed 2016) Martin Ritter.

Laudenslager, David R., Veterans Grave Registration Record, Revolutionary War Veterans (Pennsylvania, 1994).

Johann Jonas Wolf 1739 – 1787

Johann was a second lieutenant in the 5^th Company, 6^th Battalion of the York Co. Militia, PA. He served under Captain Wampler in service guarding prisoners of war at Camp Security in York Co. Later he was in the 8^th Company, 7^th Battalion. He was my 5^th great grandfather.

Sources:

Young, Henry James, Genealogical Reports for the Historical Society of York County: Evidences of the Wolf Families of York County before the Year 1850 (From York County Heritage Trust, 250 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania).

Gibson, John, History of York County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: F A Battey Publishing CO., 1886).

Prowell, George R., History of York County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J H Beers & Co., 1907).

Patriotic Service of Jonas Ritter, Ancestor #A127487; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.org: accessed 2015).

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