Semiquincentennial - - Revolutionary War - - David Faulkenberry

 -#6 in a series of posts about our family's Revolutionary War soldiers -

250 Years; 1776 - 2026

Our Family was there, from the Beginning

David and his brother, John, both served in the South Carolina Militia Information on John's service is limited.  

David Faulkenberry

c 1746 Virginia – 1841 Tennessee 

Son of Jacob Faulkenberry; Husband of Phoebe

My 6th great uncle

 

Seargent, South Carolina Militia 

David Faulkenberry was one of five sons of Jacob and Phoebe Faulkenberry who grew up in Virginia. We know little about his life but we know he served when the Colonies became the United States. 

He applied for a Revolutionary War pension in 1832. Those pension papers teach us about his service. According to David he was “eighty five or eighty six years” old when he tried to remember the details of his service so he could receive a pension.

David was living in Kershaw County, South Carolina when he entered service. 

 

[David] entered the service in behalf of the United States some time before the engagement took place at the Hanging Rock in South Carolina, but he cannot state in what year or month. At the time he entered the service, he lived in Kershaw County South Carolina. He was a drafted militia man and entered the service in Captain John Kennington’s Company*, but he cannot remember the names of any of the other of his company officers. He belonged to the regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Joseph Kershaw, and he thinks Gen. Williamson had command of the troops to which he belonged. He was in the engagement at the Hanging Rock … He served he thinks five or six months during this tour, and was then discharged and returned home. How long he remained at home he cannot state, but after some time he was again drafted and served another tour of five or six months. On this tour he was under the same Captain as in the first tour and he thinks Col. Kershaw again commanded his regiment. … during some part of his services he was in General Sumter’s army … He was in the army of Gate’s defeat … He was not directly engaged in the battle, but was detailed as guard to take care of the baggage wagons, and was Seargent of said guard.”[i]

 

David participated in The Battle of Hanging Rock which took place in Heath Springs, South Carolina on 6 August 1780, commanded by Thomas Sumter. The American troops attacked a British outpost at Hanging Rock. This helps us to know when John entered his service. 

 

Although the Americans withdrew, Hanging Rock is considered a Patriot victory. While the American forces suffered more casualties, The victory at Hanging Rock served to further embolden Patriot efforts to dislodge the British in the south.[ii] 

 

David was attacked by the enemy at his home.

 

He is a cripple in both of his hands, which affair has a connection was produced at his own house by the Tories on account of his attachment to the Whigs, by cutting him to pieces with their swords. He was also wounded by a ball at the same time which is now in his arm.[iii]

 

David moved to Rutherford County, Tennessee. He was living there at the time he applied for his Revolutionary War Pension. His son, Jacob, wrote that his father was “very old, and extremely infirm.”[iv]

 

Revolutionary War Series:

#1  William Stark Kelly, Private in the North Carolina Militia

#2 Captain John Kennington, Camden District Regiment, South Carolina Militia 

#3 Sergeant John Brumfield, Patriot & Spy South Carolina Militia 

#4 Charles Brumfield, Gave Patriotic Service

#5 Captain Johannes Ritter, Sr., Northampton Co., PA Militia

#6 Sgt. David Faulkenberruy, SC Militia 

#7 Lt. Moses Hollis, Lieutenant in the South Carolina Militia

#8 Pvt. Jeremiah Smith

#9 Richard Dillon, NC Militia 

#10 Captain Jacob Ott II, SC Militia

#11 Lt. Johann Jonas Wolf, York Co. Militia, PA

#12 Captain John Hollis, SC Militia

#13 Pvt. William Hollis, SC Militia

Read more about our family's pioneers & patriots.

This is my newest book, published in late 2024. It includes chapters on these families:

Alford, Ashely, Brown, Brumfield,

Fortenberry, Hollis, Kelly, Kennington,

Lawrence, Ott, Smith & Spurlock

Buy from me: Price: $95.00 + $10 shipping & packaging. No credit cards.

OR: use credit card & purchase through Troy Book Makers.

 

---

[i] NARA, US, Revolutionary War Pensions, 1800-1900; Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900; Record group 15; fold3 (fold3.com) accessed Feb. 2026; John Faulkenberry.

[ii] “Hanging Rock”, American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org) accessed Feb. 2026.

[iii] NARA, US, Revolutionary War Pensions, 1800-1900; Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900; Record group 15; fold3 (fold3.com) accessed Feb. 2026; John Faulkenberry.

[iv] NARA, US, Revolutionary War Pensions, 1800-1900; Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900; Record group 15; fold3 (fold3.com) accessed Feb. 2026; John Faulkenberry.

 

Additional 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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anniversary: Fortenberry & Dunn, 1945 MS

 Weldon Willis Fortenberry

b 21 June 1920 Osyka, MS

Son of Willis Franklin Fortenberry & Ivy May Smith 

 

Married 27 January 1945

Malissia Dunn Bride of Sergeant Weldon Fortenberry

 

 

Progress, Feb. 2 – A wedding of much interest in Progress and surrounding communities was that of Miss Malissia Dunn, of Bode, Miss., to Sgt. Weldon W. Fortenberry.

 

The double ring ceremony was said briefly and impressively at the First Baptist parsonage Saturday, January 27 at 6:30 o’clock in the evening, with the Rev. Wyatt R. Hunter officiating.

 

Attendants were Mrs. M. H. Blackwell of McComb, sister of the bride, and Miss Pansy Fortenberry of Jackson, Miss., sister of the bridegroom.

 

The bride was lovely in a becoming white wool crepe frock with which she wore black accessories.

 

Mrs. Fortenberry is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Dunn of Bode, Miss., and has been employed at the Gulf States Utilities in Baton Rouge during the past eighteen months.

 

Sgt. Fortenberry is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Fortenberry of Progress, is now enjoying a furlough home after serving for three years in the South Pacific.

 

After his furlough the couple will go to Miami, Florida, where Sgt. Fortenberry will be given a new assignment.

 

Source: Malissia Dunn Bride of Sergeant Weldon Fortenberry. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 2 Feb 1945) 6; digital image, Newsspapers.com: accessed March 2021.

VIntage Photographs: Brown & Fortenberry

 

Vintage photographs are like little windows looking back in time.

A Window into the Past

William M. Fortenberry 

28 Dec 1799 SC - 27 Oct 1867

Son of Isaac Fortenberry & Bethany Magee

His wife,

Christian Brown

2 Feb 1805 SC - Sep 1860 MS

Daughter of Moses Brown & Sarah Roberston

My 4th great aunt 

A few other Vintage Photographs:

• Alberta Joy Gardner Brown
• Elma Patrick
• Helen Coyle Gardner
• The Mark Family, 1930 OH
• Augustus Ceaser Gruissy
• Bruce Alford
• Hubert & Mavis Brown

Vintage Photograph: Wm. D. Fortenberry

 I know very little about the people in this photograph. It was given to me years ago. I'd like to hear from anyone who knows more.

Vintage photographs are like little windows looking back in time.

A Window into the Past

William DeLoach Fortenberry

1883 - 1961

Son of William David Fortenberry

Grandson of Isaac Edward Fortenberry 

my 3rd cousin, 2x removed 

&

Eva Stringer

A few other Vintage Photographs:

• Alberta Joy Gardner Brown
• Elma Patrick
• Helen Coyle Gardner
• The Mark Family, 1930 OH
• Augustus Ceaser Gruissy
• Bruce Alford
• Hubert & Mavis Brown
• Chickens!
• Morrison Family
• Everett Earl Brown

January Family Birthdays, January 1 - 15

 Is your birthday in January? Maybe you share your special day with someone in our family who came before. Look below and see. Happy Birthday!

I have posted this series before. This version has been updated with more information. I hope you find it as much fun as I do.

Click on the links to learn more. 

1 January   

 1796    Charles BRUMFIELD b in South Carolina

 1800    Mary Polly SPURLOCK was born in Georgia. She married Edward S. Brown &                         had 5  children.  She died 12 January 1888 in Pike Co., Mississippi. She was                     my 3rd great grandmother.  

1833    Eliza A. SMITH

1894    Euna Clarabelle FORTENBERRY, daughter of Joseph G. & Corine McDaniel                 Fortenberry. Wife of Thomas Clarence Wilson. 

1873    William Isaac MILLER

1906    Robert Rugh HILE, b in OH

1909    Bartholomew Anthony BRADY, b in NJ 

1926    William Alered HUFF

2 January    

1740    Christian DICK, b in Pennsylvania, the son of Johan Adam Dick & Ottilla                         Knack. He married Catherine Naugle. He & his wife both died on 4 May 1800.    

1823    Edwin B. RITTER, born in PA, son of Martin & Anna Margaret Bogert Ritter. 

1844    Cynthia Elizabeth ALFORD, daughter of Warren Jackson & Celia Ann Lewis                 Alford. Wife of Pierson Welch. 

1898    William Bryan SMITH, son of Walter Lorraine Smith & Emma Julia Warren. 

1899    Walter L. FORTENBERRY, son of Joseph G. & Corine McDaniel Fortenberry. 

1923     Wesley PIERCE in Mississippi, son Arlie Wesley Pierce & Lyda Mearl Brown

3 January    

1852    Claretta M. BRUMFIELD ALFORD, born in LA; daughter of John Wilson                         Brumfield & Cinderella Lanier. Wife of Willis Jacob Alford

1910    Twins: Claude & Clyde HURD were born in Michigan, children of Roy Hurd &                 Mona D. Morrison.  Sadly, the twins died the day they were born.

1914    Helen Pearl RITTER, daughter of William Isaac Ritter & Louise Sophia Schultz.             Wife of Kenneth Edward Knox. 

4 January    

1867    Tholomiah Rhodes WOLF, b in Iowa and died 28 September 1933 in                                 Kansas. He married Elizabeth Willis.

1885    Luella May WOLF

5 January

1786    Anna Margaret BOGERT

1829    William BRUMFIELD, b in Washington Parish, LA, son of Willis Brumfield &                 Nancy Virginia Holmes. William married Sarah Lewis.

1850    Lovina B. RITTER, b in OH, daughter of Isaac Ritter & Isabell Fisher. Lovinia                 d 10 Aug 1850

1867    James Hollis FORTENBERRY

1869    John G. HUFFMAN

6 January    

1835    Narcissa Izela FORTENBERRY was born in Mississippi, daughter of Gasua C.                 Fortenberry & Sarah B. Narcissa married Warren M. Huffman and had three                 children. She died in 1902.

1881    Margaret Maude MARK, b in OH, daughter of William Mark & Elidia Rebecca                 Ritter. Wife of Ralph Clayton Kauffman.

1845    Cecil Earl HALL

7 January    

1767    Maria Magdelena RITTER, b PA, daughter of Johannes Ritter, Sr. & Maria                     Elisabeth Keck. She married John Stumpf.

1869    John T. RITTER, b in PA; son of Samuel Ritter & Hannah E. Koch

1914    Richard F. WOLFF in CT

8 January    

1903    Karl Jackson MILLER b in OH and married Mellie Arlene Jolliff,                                         daughter of Samuel Martin Jolliff & Margaret Maude Mark.

1910    Lillian FORTENBERRY, daughter of Joseph Gazie Fortenberry & Corine                         McDaniel, wife of Arthur Kunberger

9 January    

1884    Annie Elizabeth OTT

1897    Helen Frances COYLE,  b in New York City, the oldest child of Michael Coyle &                 Mary Jospehine Mullane. Helen was my maternal grandmother, Nana. She                     married Nathaniel Gardner. They had one child, Alberta Joy Gardner Brown. 

1906    Ira Evie BLADES, daughter of Walter Lee Blades & Addie Angeline Cutrer. She                     lived 10 years.

10 January    

1698    Mary FALKENBERG, daughter of Hendrick Jacobs Falkenberg

1753    Andreas KECK, b in PA; son of Heinrich Keck & Hannah. Husband of Barbara                 Blanck.

1894    Charles Spurgeon ELLZEY was born in Mississippi, son of William S. Ellzey &                 Amanda A. Fortenberry. Charles married Mae McMillan.

11 January    

1752    Anna Margaret STEININGER married Martin Ritter, son of Heinrich Ritter &                 Maria Elizabeth Tutt. Anna & Martin had seven children.

1768    Johannes RITTER, son of Casper Ritter & Hanna Ottilia Hertz, husband of                     Maria Heffelfinger

1850    William Ephraim BLADES

1876    Julia Mae SMITH

12 January    

1733    Maria Christiana WOLF b in Germany, daughter of Johan Jacob Wolf & Anna                 Barbara Orth.

1911    Frank William RITTER, son of William Isaac Ritter & Louise Sophia Schultz,                 husband of Faith Elizabeth Beer

1926    Willie Jean FORTENBERRY, daughter of Lemuel Q. Fortenberry & Lillian                     Ellzey, wife of Norman Ralph Simmons

1929    Thiry Yvonne BROWN, daughter of Hubert Allen Brown & Freddie Beatrice                     Smith, wife of Robert Edward Fegan

13 January    

1880    Samuel Harvey WOLF, son of John W. S. Wolf & Elizabeth Jane Anderson

1924    Fred Allen BROWN was the son of Hubert Allen Brown & Freddie Smith.  He                 died 13 July 1932.

14 January    

1807    Margretha RITTER

1818    William Dorten SMITH

1883    Albert Edward GOOD was the son of Joel H Good & Margaret C Brown. He married Elizabeth L Moore. They had six children. Albert lived his life in Ohio. 

1885    Tate Edward FORTENBERRY

1885    George F. LOBAUGH

1896    Velma Odene SMITH

1923    Thomas Clarence WILSON Jr.

15 January    

1819    Mary MARCKS

1820    Moses BROWN Jr. was born in Mississippi, son of Moses Brown and Nancy                     Perkins. 

1826    Elizabeth HOPE

1876    Samuel Omelia BRUMFIELD

1915     Edwin MINTER

1937    James Neron SMITH

To learn more about my family's branches

order & read the Books I have Written.

Our Browns Roots

&

Remembrances

Wedding: Fortenberry & Ellzey, 2 Sept. 1932 MS

 This brief announcement tells us about a new marriage in the family that includes both our Fortenberry & Brumfield families. It also includes the Ellzey family, which often married into our direct family lines. Besides giving me their wedding date, it teaches me that Alton was a teacher, like me. 

 

 

Alton Earl Fortenberry

22 April 1907 MS – 18 September 1981 MS

Son of William Thomas Fortenberry & Clarenda Angeline McElveen

 

&

 

Beatrice E. Ellzey

10 May 1913 MS – 10 May 1992 MS

Daughter of Roger T. Ellzey & Lottie Lee Brumfield

 

Wedding Day

 2 September 1932 MS

 

 

Clarion - Ledger

Jackson, MS, 3 Sept 1932, page 3

Newspapers.com

Forget Me Not: Julius C. Alford, 1937

Julius Ceaser Alford

15 January 1855 LA – 11 April 1937

Son of Warren Jackson Alford & Celia Ann Lewis

Husband of Sarah Elizabeth Fortenberry

 

My First Cousin, 3x Removed

J. C. Alford, 82, Dies at Progress

 

Julius C. Alford, eighty – two years old, died at his home in Progress community April the eleventh. Mr. Alford was a faithful member of the Baptist Church and lived in Pike county most of his life. 

 

He leaves  his wife and seven children, 

E. C. [Elmer C. Alford], 

H. Victor [Hollis Victor Alford], 

Talmadge [Dewitt Talmadge Alford] 

and Mrs. Losia Simmons [Losia Irene Alford] of Progress;

 Mrs. Ada Ball of Osyka; 

Mrs. John Burris of Smithdale; 

and H. E. Alford [Hugh Edwin Alford] of Washington, D. C.; 

fifteen grnadchildren and four great grandchildren. One brother, the Rev. N. E. Alford [Needham Edwin Alford] of Magnolia, and one sister of McComb, [Laura Ann Alford Fortenberry] besides a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

 

He was buried in Silver Springs cemetery, with Kennedy Funeral Home in charge.

My records also show another daughter, Floy Maudlina Alford, 11 Apr 1903 - 1919.

Source: J. C. Alford, 82, Dies at Progress. (McComb, MS: McComb Daily Journal, 21 April 1937) 3; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed February 2023. 

 

 

 

Forget Me Not: Zelda Marie Alford Fortenberry, 2005

Zelda Marie Alford Fortenberry

2 March 1915 LA – 1 April 2005 MS

Daughter of Dewitt William Alford & Ina Lucille Brown

Widow of  Ray Luther Fortenberry

 

My First Cousin, Once Removed

Zelda Alford Fortenberry, 90, of the SilverSprings community, died April 1, 2005, at Beechman Memorial Hospital in Magnolia. 

 

Visitation is 5 to 8 tonight at Silver Springs Baptist Church. Services are 11 a. m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Wayne Hall and the Rev. James Thornhill officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Springs Cemetery. 

 

Mrs. Fortenberry was born March 2, 1915, in Angie, La., to William Dewitt Alford and Ina Brown Alford. She was a homemaker and a member of Silver Springs Baptist Church, where she taught children’s Sunday school for 45 years.

First Cousins: Zelda Marie Alford Fortenberry & Joseph Pershing Brown

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray Fortenberry, Sr.; a brother, Bruce Alford; and two grandchildren, Darrell Scott Fortenberry and Kelly Ray Fortenberry. 

 

Survivors include two sons and a daughter – in – law, Billy Joe and Daisy Fortenberry of Progress and Ray Fortenberry, Jr.; a daughter and son – in -law, Alice Fortenberry Overall and Charles of Progress; three sisters, Mary Alice Bennett of Folsom, La.; Louise White of Bogalusa, La., and Linda Breeland of the Improve community; six grandchildren, Tina Myers and husband Charles of Tylertown, Stacy Fortenberry of Bay St. Louis, Michael Fortenberry, Stephen Fortenberry and David Fortenberry and his wife Deanna of McComb, and Dana Nelson and husband Ricky of McComb; six great – grandchildren, Adam Myers and wife Alicia of Camp LeJeune, N. C., Rachel Meyers and Masey Meyers, both of Tylertown, Kelsi Fortenberry, Alexis Fortenberry and Blake Nelson, all of McComb; and two great – great -grandchildren, Adrianna Michelle Meyers and Caden Adam Meyers of Camp LeJeune. 

 

Pallbearers will be Mark Johnson, James Kemp, Lee Lambert, Roger Moret, David Johnson and Bart Ravencraft.

 

Source: Zelda Alford Fortenberry (McComb, MS, Enterprise – Journal, 4 Apr 2005) 3; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed Feb. 2023.