James    Lindley,Tory

James Lindley, son of Thomas Lindley,(son of James Lindley and Eleanor Parke) and Ruth Hadley was born 22 Sept 1735 London Grove, Chester County, Pa. and married Mary Cox in Kennett, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He is named in the will of his grandfather, Simon Hadley, who left will in New Castle County, Delaware and names all his grandchildren. He is named in the will of his father, Thomas Lindley, of Lindley's Mill,Orange County, N.C. Bk. A, p.22 who mentions Thomas Lindley, son of James Lindley, Sr., dec'd (will dated 15 March 1780 Aug. Ct.1782.

James Lindley married in 5-5- 1753 Mary Cox, the daughter of William Cox of Cox's Mill and Catherine Kanky/Kenky of the present Randolph County, N.C. James came to Orange County, N.C. by 1753-55 and had several land transactions. (OrangeCounty, N.C. Deeds.) An article by Lindley Butler states he had 1170 acres in Granville Grants in Orange County (Now Chatham County) on Terrel's Creek. From 1753 to 1766 he is mentioned in the county court minutes, and he was licensed to keep an ordinary in his home.

Deed Records in S.C. show he was there by 1767 when Peter Allen had 100 acres in Berkley County on a small branch of Reedy River, called the Reedy fork, bounded by vacant land. Survey cert. 9-367 granted 7-15 1768 Rec. 9-28-1768 James Lindley for the memorialist, Jno Caldwell, D.S. Butler states he acquired 200 acres in 1768 and another 200 in 1773.

On the 4-28-1768, Lindley was named as having land bounding W on Charles Quails received on a branch of Raybournes Creek which was also bounded by George Hollingsworth, S.E. on John Williams, w on JL granted 4-28-1768 Re. 9-30-1768, Ralph Humphrey-for the memoralist, Quit Rent begins in two years.

On the 21st August 1769 and rec. 1 May 1790, Jno. Box., planter sold Francis Moore, both of Berkley Co., S.C. 150 acres in Berkley Co. Probate made by Magneese Good 30 April 1769 before James Lindly, one of his majesty's justices to keep the peace. On 2 Dec. 1768 he was commissioned a crown Justice-of -the-peace for Granville County, and until the Revolution, he held crown commissions for Craven county, Ninety-Six District, and the Cheraws district. The State General Assembly appointed him a justice for Ninety-Six District in 1776, but Butler states that considering his loyalist sympathies, it is unlikely that he served the revolutionary government..

On 7&8 Sept 1772, James Lindley of Craven County, Esqr, and Mary, his wife, to John Williams merchant of same for 112 lbs. SC money land granted 12 Sept 1768 to Robert Briggs, on a branch of Rabins Creek adj. land of John Turk. Said Robert Briggs did convey to Ralph Humphries and said Ralph sold to James Linley, Esqr. 31 Jan. 1772. James Lindley(LS) MaryLindley (LS) Wit: Thos Cohune, Randal Hennesley, Rec. 15 Jan.1774.

On 15 Sept 1775, James Lindley, Esq, J.P., Lewis Dutarque, and John Boyd, witnessed deed of Ralph Humphreys Surveyor of Craven Co., Province of S.C. to John Williams planter for 300 lbs 100 ac on Durbin's Creek originally granted 15 July 1768 to John Humphreys & conveyed to Ralph Humphreys bounded on John Boyd's land (Laurens Co., Deeds).

Notice his land bounded John Boyd which was also the name of the Tory leader of the Battle of Kettle Creek.

Lindley was a captain in the Upper Saluda Regiment of the provincial militia. In 1775 a majority of the South Carolina backcounty settlers were loyal to the crown wnd were forcibly subdued by the Revolutionary forces under Charleston leadership. The regiment was mustered by the commanding officer in 1775, Colonel Thomas Fletchall of Fair Forest, for the purpose of determining the regiment's loyalty which unanimously supported the crown. None other than David Fanning, who later became a noted loyalist leader and led the Tories at Lindley's Mill in N.C., was a sergeant in Captain Lindley's company. In Fanning's Narrative, recorded in the North Carolina State records, he writes,"' the first day Of May,(1775), Capt James Lindley of Rabern's Creek,sent to me as I was a Sergeant of the said company, to have his company warned to meet at his house 15 of said month. I did accordingly, and presented two papers; there were 118 men signed in favour of the King, also declared to defend the same , at the risk of lives and property, in July 1775."

In November, civil strife began between the Whigs and Loyalists. Major Joseph Robinson,now commander of the Upper Saluda regiment defeated a Whig force force at Ninety-six on November 19-20 of 1775. A fort known as Lindley's fort, which the property was taken over by the Patriots in 1775 was used as a stronghold against Indian and Tory attacks.The Whig Militia with help from the North Carolina Militia cornered the heavily outnumbered Loyalists under Patrick Cunningham at the Great Cane Brake on December 22. Captain Lindley was among 130 Tory prisoners captured at this skirmish and sent to Charleston where they were soon released. (It is interesting to note that this writers's DAR Ancestor, Alexander Douglas from Lancaster County,was at the Battle of the Great Cane Brake also.)

On July 15 1776 a Loyalist-Cherokee party attacked Lindley's Fort in which the inhabitants along the Saluda and Rabun had taken refuge About 88 Indians and 102 white men painted and dressed as Indians made the attack. Major Jonathan Downs with about 150 men arrived the night before and and drove off the attackers. It is not known whether Lindley was there. After several hours they withdrew. James Lindley remained an active loyalist until his capture at The Battle of Kettle Creek. A letter from Governor John Rutledge dated Aug 30 1777 refers to Lindley participating in a raid and escaping capture.

Colonel John Boyd marched into the Georgia backcountry early in 1779 with a group of 600 loyalists to cooperate with the British invasion there. On 14 February 1779 at Kettle Creek in Wilkes County, Georgia, they were surprised and defeated by the Whigs commanded by Colonels Andrew Pickens, John Dooley and Elijah Clarke. James Lindley, John Anderson, Aquilla Hall, Samuel Clegg and Charles Draper were five, among those captured, who were fined 86.4.0 each and sentenced to hang.Also tried at a a special court held February 22 1779 were others, including George Hollingsworth and William Lindley, probably the son of James. Also the names of William Cunningham (Bloody Bill) and James Cunningham, all probably neighbors of Lindley. The Sheriff of Ninety-Sixth District compiled a list as part of his claim for money owed to him by S.C. State Government Audited Accounts # 5335.

"To the gaol fees on commitment of Las LinleyJohn Anderson Aquilla Hall Sm. Clegg and Charles Draper who were hanged &c …L 86 : 4: 0 each"

In Laurens County, South Carolins Wills, p. 3, Will A Estate Records, p. 16-17: An account of the appraisement of the estate of Jas. Lindley , Dec. 200 acres at 60 lbs. , 100 acres at 30 lbs. Jas. Abercrombie, George Hollingsworth, Thos. Cunningham, sold 12 Jan 1790. Thomas Lindley.

P. 28-33 Feb 1801 Administration of estate of James Lindley, dec. List of debts for Dec 1777, & Jan. 1778. Joesph Briton, proven before John Rodgers 1795 Thos Lindley, Adm. ( The S.C.Archives have informed me that the above documents are not extant.)

14 May 1785-Sept 1786 Thomas Lindley, The eldest son of James Lindley of Raborn Creek settlement and his wife, Elizabeth sold to Marmaduke Pinson for 20 shillings 100 acres lying in Craven Co., now called 96 Dist., on a small branch of Reighbon's Creek and bounded on SW by land of George Hollingsworth, on SE by land of John Williams, W. by James Lindley and all other sides vacant. Original grant to Charles Quail bearing date 16 June 1768 and conveyed by him to Ralph Humphreys who conveyed to James Lindley, father of Thomas Lindley 12 Dec. 1768. Wit: Richard Pugh, John Mitchel, Joseph Pinson.

This deed above combined with the information of Rebecca Lindley Smith, wife of Revolutionary Soldier, David Smith, who married in Abbeville County, South Carolina in 1782, and who lived in Pendleton District, S.C. for a number of years, migrating to Jackson County, then Walton County, Georgia ca. 1807 proves her father was James Lindley. Rebecca made application for a widow's pension in 1855. In it were a number of depositions given by relatives, several of whom were of the Lindley family. She never mentions that her father was a loyalist, but that he died during the Revolutionary War.

Rebecca Smith, widow of David Smith, made application for a Revolutionary Widow War Pension in 1855. Several depositions are made. One is made by Jonathan Lindley who stated he was her brother and knew of her marriage to Smith and had lived with them. A William Lindley stated he was the son of her brother, Thomas, and Mary Abercrombie, wife of Colville Abercrombie, stated she was her sister and had been present at her wedding, and a Reverend Downs had married them in 1782.

Thomas Lindley, son of James died in Lauren's County,S.C. ca. 1810. He named son, William, and also daughter, Nancy Bolt who had also testified she was a "distant relative" of Rebecca. The will of Thomas Lindley of Laurens County names son, William and Nancy Bolt as daughter and Colville Abercrombie is a witness or appraiser to his will. Jonathan Lindley who said he was a brother of Rebecca's, married Ruth Blair, and their daughter married Job Smith, born 1791 son of Benjamin Smith, of whom it is stated was a brother of David, and who also married Ruth Lindley, another daughter of James and Mary Lindley There is a deed in Pendleton District, S.C. Book I where David Smith sold Jonathan Lindley land.

Lindley Butler's article on James Lindley names as the children of James and Mary Cox::

i. Thomas m. 1. Elizabeth Hall 2. Elizabeth Ridgeway.Served in the Revolution as a Whig; left will in Laurens County, S.C. 1809; sold land as eldest son of James Lindley of Raborn Creek Settlement to Marmaduke Pinson 1790.

ii. William said by Butler to have moved back to North Carolina and settled in Chatham Co.by 1774. He was recruited with father by Col. Boyd in 1779 and was captured in the Battle of Kettle Creek. Although imprisoned at Ninety-Six and tried for treason, he was released before the execution of his father. He returned to North Carolina and was commissioned 16 July by Col. David Fanning as captain in the Chatham Count Loyalist Militia. He is the William Lindley who was murdered by three Loyalist deserters in Jan. 1782. Fanning reported that Lindley was "cut to Pieces with their Swords," and Fanning personally tracked down two of the three men and hanged them. He has been confused with Thomas Lindley's son, William, in other Lindley works;, but a check of the dates of the will of William , son of Thomas confirms that this incident happened before the will.

iii. John Lindley -probably the John Lindley who d. in S.C. ca 1821.

iv. Johnathan Lindley married Ruth Blair, moved to Georgia with the Smiths; lived for a while in Walton County, Georgia then moved to Cobb County, Ga.

v. Ruth Lindley m. Benjamin Smith, brother of David Smith.They remained in S.C. where Benjamin left a will . For a time he must have been in Georgia, and descendants to Georgia later.

vi. Catherine Lindley m. Abraham Box.

vii. Sarah Rebecca Lindley m.Revolutionary War soldier, David Smith, in Abbeville County, South Carolina 1782/3. See above

viii. Mary Lindley Abercrombie m. Colville Abercrombie; was still living in S.C. when she made deposition in 1855 that she was at wedding of her sister, Rebecca and David Smith.

The Lauren's county Historical Society did erect a marker at the site of Lindleys Fort which is located on a knoll one and 1/2 miles northeast of the junction of Dirty Creek and Rabun creek, but it was either vandalized or blown away. An article dated December 4, 1978 in the Laurens County Advertiser stated that it had been added to the national Register of Historic Places and a permanent marker was to be placed; the site now is part of a cattle ranch. Submitted by Mary Lee Barnes 6525 Deane Hill Dr #20 Knoxville, Tn. 37919. End Notes and References

1. Lindley Butler, "James Lindley," article from Laurens County Library, Laurens Co., S.C.

2. Revolutionary Pension of Rebecca Smith in Walton County, Ga. and affadavits accompanying it.(Courtesy of Bernice Spier, descendant)

3. Laurens County Deed and Will Records

4. Dan Branyon, The Laurens County Advertizer, December 4, 1972, "Fort Lindley,One of County's Least Known about Landmarks."

5. McCall, The History of Georgia, p. 399.

6. Robert S.Davis, p. 206, Georgia Citizens and Soldiers of the American Revolution.

7. Reverend Silas E. Lucas, Some South Carolina County Records, Vol. 2, P. 201, 1989

8. Mary Bondurant, Citizens & Immigrants, p. 219, 227, 207.

9. Letter from Robert Lindley, descendant of Thomas Lindley,(James, Thomas )

10. Narrative of COL'O DAVID FANNING Written by Himself, Detailing Astonishing Events in No.Ca. From 1775-1783, North Carolina State Records, Vol. XXII Miscellaneous, pp. 180-239.

11. Brent H. Holcomb, South Carolina Deed Abstracts 1773-1778, p.34, SCMAR South Carolina, 1993

12. Unfinished letter addressed to Mr. Goss, writer unknown, sent by Bernice Spier,Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

13. Will of William Cox,1766.Orange County,N. C.

14.Note: Although I state in first paragraph that James and Mary were married in Pennsylvania, I do not have proof , and Lindley Butler states they were married in Orange Co., N.C I have found a record where William Cox was there by September 1753.

From Eli Whaley of Walton County Georgia Family History and Related Families of Grace,Smith, Lindley, and Cox.

By Mary Lee Barnes


Lindley's Fort

The Laurens County Advertiser December 4, 1979

Revolutionary War Outpost………... Fort One of County's least -known -about landmarks By Dan Branyon

One of Laurens County's oldest yet least known about landmarks has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, located west of Laurens near Rabun Creek , was a Revolutionary War period outpost . Notification of its listing was given by the Department of the Interior last moneth to the south Carolina Department of Archives and history the register program in the state. Following the Revolutionary War, the fort fell into ruins and its location was forgotten for almost a century. Then in the fall of 1973, Hickory Tavern businesssman and historian Roy Christie was reading a periodical which mentioned a Lindley's Fort located in Laurens County.

The article aroused Christie's curiosity and he set out to find the site. His search took him to Sara Nash, a retired history teacher who had a tattered old Laurens County (Kyzer-Helliams map) "was a sort of like a Chamber of Commerce thing, he noted It featured the minerals in the ground ,the -----,the rivers, the type of things needed to draw industries and mills into the area"

Christi continued his search , returning to the Nash home time and time again to re-examine the map for identifiable points. He questioned the longtime residents of the area but had a hard time finding anyone who knew anything of the Fort (sentence blurred) believed to be the location in early 1975 , the history buff found someone who could verify his finding He met J.W. Tinsley who in his boyhood had lived nearby and played at the site. Now in his 80's , Tinsley recalled finding old coins and artifacts as he played there with friends.

Richard Carrillo , an archaeologist from the University of South Carolina was then called in to inspect the site. He analyzed the documentary availabe and also visited the site. The archaeologist agreed with Christie , the location of Lindley's Fort was not longer a mystery.

According to Christie, "the fort was one of a number of fortified-type plantation homes in the area. " A whole string of boundary forts ran in Greenville County," he explained. In those days, the Laurens County-Greenville county line served as border between the settlers and Cherokee Indian Nation . Whenever there was an Indian uprising, settlers would leave their home and take shelter in the fort"

When was the fort built / Christie said records from 1776 refer to it as an "old fort: therefore , It likely it served as place of Defense in the colonial times that preceded the Revolution.

It was probably built to meet the needs such as that of Feb. 8, 1761 , when it was reported that 27 persons on Rabun Creek had been killed in an Indian uprising. The property of Lindley, a Loyalist, the fort was taken over by the Patriots in 1775 for use as a defensive stronghold against Tory and Indian attack. One year later , it was to the site of a famous battle.

In July of 1776 , an Indian attack was expected and the inhabitants along the Saluda river and Rabun Creek took refuge in the fortress. About 1 A. M. on July 15, they were stormed by 88 Indians and 102 white men, many of whom were painted and dressed as Indians.

What the attackers did not know was that Major Jonathan Downs, along with 150 men , had arrived at the fort the previous evening. A fierce battle ensued, but the fire of rifles and musketry proved too much for the aggressors.

By daylight was .(sentence omitted in copy.) the garrison immediately pursued and captured 12 of the white attackers. They were transported to Ninety Six for imprisonment.

Today the fort site if part of a cattle ranch owned by Raymond Williams of Mountville. Located on a knoll one and one half miles northeast of Dirty Creek and Rabun Creek, the site looks a lot different than it did 200 years ago.

A slight indentation around the top of the knoll marks where the trench in the which the stakes for the stockade were placed upright. Piles of stone in the area mark where the fort's corners once stood

The archaeologist who inspected the finding discovered a hole in the ground which either a root cellar or a powder magazine. And three evenly spaced stones there could mark the graves of three Cherokee chiefs killed in the skirmish.

Christie said there are no plans to reconstruct the Fort at the time. The Laurens County Historical Society did erect a marker there in 1976, but either the wind or vandals did away with it , since Lindley's Fort has been added to the National Register, a permanent marker will be erected soon..

A picture of Mr. Christie in front of the marker is shown as well as an artists conception of the fort. MLB



David Smith & Rebecca Lindley

David Smith, Revolutionary War Soldier of Abbeville , Long Cane area of Old Ninety Six District South Carolina , born between 1753 and 1755 ; died 27 March 1833 at his home in Walton County Georgia where he is buried in the Smith Family Cemetery at his farm on Hog Mountain Road Route 53 near Winder, Walton County now Barrow County Georgia. David Smith married in March 1782 Rebecca Lindley, born 9 August 1762, in Ninety Six district, South Carolina. She was the daughter of James and Mary Cox Lindley. James Lindley was a Tory who was hanged in Pendleton District after being caught by the Whigs in Georgia at the Battle of Kettle Creek.

Before the Revolutionary War, he lived in the area of Ninety six District which later became Abbeville County He was most likely the son of Job Smith, Sr. born ca. 1720 who appears to have died in Pendleton district on his lands on 23 Mile Creek between 1790 and 1800.

David Smith of Laurence(Laurens District) , S.C for $300, sold to John Cross of Pendleton District 200 acres on 23 Mile Creek of Savannah River, part of two tracts, one granted to Job Smith Jr. by Wm Moultrie 1 May 1786 for 144 acres bordered by Benjamin Smith, Wilson, Rankin's Mill; the other granted to Job Smith Sr. by Benjamin Gerard 14 October 1784 for 200 acres borderd by William Rankin's Mill pond and Waggon Road. Date 29 may 1806. Wit: Benjamin Smith, John Willson, Job Smith. Benjamin Smith made oath to John Wilson, Q.U. 27 May 1806. Rebecca (X) Smith, wife of David Smith, released dower to John Wilson 27 May 1806. Rec. 28 October 1806.

There is a deed where David Smith bought the 200 acres from Job Smith, Jr. on 27 May 1806 the 144 acres which he sold two days later, but no deed exists where he got the land from Job Smith, Sr. so it is assumed Job, Sr. was his father, and it was inherited from him.

Benjamin Smith, who witnessed the above deed , married Ruth Lindley, the sister of Rebecca Lindley and David Smith's sister- in - law. Benjamin is proved to have been David's brother. In his S.C. Revolutionary War pension application Benjamin was born in 1751 and probably was several years older than David who vouched for his Revolutionary service.

Anita Quarles of Tunnel Hill Georgia, a descendant of Job Smith, Jr. believes Job Smith Sr. had sons, Benjamin, John , James David and Job, Jr. The Revolutionary application of Job Smith, Jr. stated that he was born 25 December 1748 in York County Pennsylvania which was first Lancaster County until York was established in 1749.

As early as 1745 Job Smith, Sr. lived in Fawn Township, Lancaster County near Muddy Creek on land granted to him by William Penn. It is not known whether Benjamin and David were born in York County or during the travels to the Carolinas.

In 1765 Job, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Joesph and Aaron Smith were living in the same area of the Long Cane region of Granville County, South Carolina which later became Abbeville District. Some researchers believe Job, Ebenezer and Aaron to have been brothers.

A memorial exhibited by Job Smith to be registered to the Auditors Office of a plantation or tract of land containing 250 acres , situated at a place call"d the bufflao lick on a Branch of Savanah River called the northwest fork of Long Creek , bounded on all sides by vacant land; Survey certifyed the 9 February 1765, and granted the 3rd day of June 1765 to the memorialist at the QT RT (quit rent) of 3/ster pr 4/Pr(Provincial) money per hunded acres. to Commence two Years from the date In witness whereof he hath herewith Set his hand the 4th day of July 1765. Josiah Cownen

Similiar grants were record on the same for Aaron Smith and Ebenezer Smith. The Smiths were forced to move on to St. Paul's Parish, Georgia where Job Smith was granted 200 acres 2 January 1770;surveyed 22 June 1769. Job Smith Jr. was also granted 150 acres in this area on 5 July 1774. The family moved back to the Long Canes area after the fall of Charleston according to Rev. War pension Application of Job Smith, Jr. The sale of his land is recorded in Richmond County, Ga. Deeds with his wife, Elizabeth releasing dower rights

Stub Entries to Indents Issued in Payment of claims Against South Carolina Growing out of the Revolution shows indents issued to Benjamin Smith, David Smith and Job Smith, Jr all issued 3 June 1785.

David Smith enlisted during the American Revolution and over a period of about three years, served several tours of duty in the Militia under Captain Robert Maxwell, Captain John Laurens, Captain Peter Burns, Colonel Andrew Pickens, Colonel Wade Hampton and General Sumter. He served about three years in the calvary as a "private of Horse" In 1781, 1785, and 1786 he received payments for service as proved by letters sent 32 December 1855 from the Comptroller General's Office, Columbia South Carolina to the pension office in Washington , D.C. He was then listed on the payroll of Captain Peter Burns troup in the Regiment of Light Dragoons under Colonel Wade Hampton General Sumpter"s Brigade. About 1807 David and Rebecca moved to what was then Jackson County, Georgia, later Walton County, Georgia. David died 27 March 1833 and is buried in Smith Cemetery on Hog Mountain Road near Winder, Georgia. The children of David Smith and Rebecca :

1. James Smith b. 1783 S.C. m. Sarah Ragsdale

2. Mary Smith b. 1785.

3. Ruth Smith ab. 1787; d. by age 15

4. Joesph Smith b. 1784 S.C. d. after 1854

5. Job Smith b.15 Feb 1793 m. Nancy Camp , daughter of Thomas Camp and Susan Waggoner

6. Catherine Smith b. 9 Feb. 1795 m. George W. Clack

7 Hannah Smith b. 1797 m. Joel Johnson

8. Elizabeth Smith b. 1798 m. Templeton Williams

9. John Smith b. 1800 S.C. m. 1. Nan Bowen 2. Faithy A Thompson