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The  Ohio  State  University  Bulletin 

Volume  XXVI  October  30,  1921  Number  4 

THE  OHIO  STATE  UNIVERSITY  STUDIES 
CONTRIBUTIONS  IN  HISTORf  AND  POLITICAL  SCIENCE      NUMBER  7 


The  Journal  of  Alexander  Chesney, 

a  South  Carolina  Loyalist  in  the 

Revolution  and  After 


i^-  ^'ni'v'} 


Edited  by 
E.  ALFRED  JONES 


1#1  of 


London,  England 


WITH   AN   INTRODUCTION  BY 

PROFESSOR  WILBUR  H.  SIEBERT 


THE  OHIO  STATE  UNIVERSITY 


E 


Copyright,  1921 
By  The  Ohio  State  University 


INTRODUCTION 

By  Wilbur  Henry  Siebert 

The  Journal  of  Alexander  Chesney  may  be  divided  into  four 
parts,  namely,  (1)  the  account  of  Mr.  Chesney's  family  connections 
and  of  the  migration  of  his  father,  Robert,  with  wife  and  children, 
from  county  Antrim,  Ireland,  to  the  Pacolet  river.  South  Caro- 
lina (pp.  1  to  5)  ;  (2)  Alexander  Chesney's'  experiences  in  the  Revo- 
lution to  April  5,  1782  (pp.  5  to  28)  ;  (3)  his  life,  after  his  return 
to  Ireland,  as  a  loyalist  applicant  for  relief  and  compensation  (pp. 
27  to  36)  ;  and  (4)  his  career  as  a  revenue  officer  at  Mourne,  Ire- 
;  \  land,  to  about  1821  (pp.  36  to  56) . 

In  many  respects  the  vicissitudes  through  which  Alexander 
Chesney  passed  are  typical  of  the  experiences  of  numerous  other 
American  loyalists.  His  story,  briefly  sketched,  is  that  of  an  ad- 
herent of  the  British  crown  who,  as  a  youth,  served  as  a  guide  for 
Tory  refugees.  For  this  he  was  imprisoned  for  a  few  days  and  then 
r\\  given  the  alternative  of  joining  the  Whigs  or  standing  trial.  As  his 
i  father's  family  had  been  threatened  with  ruin  for  harboring  some 
of  these  refugees,  Alexander  joined  the  Whigs  in  the  hope,  he  says, 
of  protecting  his  kindred.  He  served  with  them  as  a  private  from 
April,  1776,  in  campaigns  against  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians 
and  was  at  Augusta,  Georgia,  with  them  in  the  summer  of  1779. 
Between  these  expeditions  he  engaged  in  conveying  produce  by 
team  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  which  was  then  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Whig  forces. 

When,  at  length,  the  British  troops  captured  Charleston,  May 
12,  1780,  and  General  Sir  Henry  Clinton  issued  a  proclamation  sum- 
moning the  king's  friends  to  embody,  Mr.  Chesney  went  within  the 
lines,  June  25,  and  became  a  lieutenant  in  the  loyal  militia.  From 
this  time  on  he  served  the  crown  faithfully  in  various  capacities 
and  quickly  won  the  confidence  of  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  who  was 
placed  in  command  of  Fort  Ninety-Six.  On  August  9,  1780,  Mr. 
Chesney  was  appointed  captain  and,  after  participating  in  a  few 
minor  engagements,  was  in  the  defeat  and  surrender  of  Ferguson's 
force  at  King's  Mountain,  October  9.  Soon  after  this  Chesney  es- 
caped and  reached  home,  October  31.  There  he  remained  for  the  next 

pi 


4M^77 


iv  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

three  weeks,  concealing  himself  in  a  cave  part  of  the  time  and  stay- 
ing with  his  father-in-law  at  intervals.  Hearing  that  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Tarleton  had  defeated  Sumter  at  Blackstock's  Hill,  Novem- 
ber 20,  Chesney  raised  a  company  of  militia  and  joined  a  strong 
party  of  Tories  under  Brigadier-General  Cunningham  on  Little 
river.  In  December  Chesney  was  placed  in  command  of  the  militia 
guard  at  the  jail  of  Ninety-Six,  but  went  with  Tarleton  when  the 
latter  came  to  that  neighborhood  and  was  with  him  in  the  defeat 
and  dispersion  of  his  force  at  the  Cowpens,  January  17,  1781. 
Chesney  again  retired  to  his  home,  only  to  find  it  despoiled  of  all  his 
personal  effects  except  two  horses,  with  which  he  was  able  to  bring 
his  wife  and  child  to  Robert  McWhorter's  place  on  the  Edisto 
river.  Leaving  them  there,  he  proceeded  to  Charleston  where  he 
was  paid  for  some  cattle  and  provisions  he  had  supplied  to  Fergu- 
son, and  was  assigned  one  of  the  sequestered  houses  and  plantations 
of  the  Whig  proprietors  of  the  Charleston  district,  together  with 
a  quantity  of  provisions  and  the  use  of  three  negroes.  Accordingly, 
in  March,  1781,  he  removed  his  family  to  comfrotable  quarters  on 
the  Ponpon  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Edisto,  and,  employing  addi- 
tional negroes,  began  to  cultivate  a  crop  of  rice  and  Indian  corn. 

On  his  return  to  Charleston  in  May  Chesney  raised  a  troop  of 
horse  by  direction  of  Colonel  Balfour  and  was  stationed  with  it  at 
the  British  post  at  Dorchester,  South  Carolina,  whither  he  now 
brought  his  family.  He  promptly  informed  Lord  Rawdon  of  the 
activity  of  the  Americans  in  that  vicinity  and  accompanied  a  de- 
tachment to  clear  them  out.  During  this  skirmish  he  was  wounded 
in  the  thigh  by  one  of  the  enemy.  Early  in  July  Chesney  went  with 
Rawdon's  force  to  relieve  Fort  Ninety-Six.  The  besieging  Ameri- 
cans withdrew,  crossed  Broad  River,  and  moved  down  the  left  bank 
towards  Charleston.  Rawdon,  fearing  for  the  safety  of  the  loyalist 
inhabitants  in  the  direction  of  Long  Cane  creek,  sent  his  light 
troops  to  bring  them  in  and  with  the  remainder  of  his  men  took  the 
road  back  to  Charleston,  but  was  soon  cut  off  by  the  enemy.  Under 
these  circumstances  Chesney  volunteered  to  carry  a  letter  from 
Rawdon  to  Balfour  at  Charleston,  asking  aid.  In  reply  to  this 
appeal  Colonel  Balfour  sent  forward  a  detachment  which  enabled 
Rawdon  to  advance. 

After  Lord  Rawdon  led  his  force  from  this  section  of  South 
Carolina,  Chesney  joined  a  corps  of  three  companies  raised  for  the 
protection  of  the  sequestered  Whig  estates  by  John  Cruden,  Esq., 


INTRODUCTION  v 

the  commissioner  "for  the  seizure,  superintendence,  custody,  and 
management  of  captured  property"  in  South  Carolina.  Meantime, 
the  Americans  had  been  rapidly  regaining  control  of  the  Province 
and  by  December,  1781,  the  British  found  themselves  confined  to 
Charleston  and  its  immediate  vicinity.  Chesney  was  now  appointed 
to  superintend  the  cutting  of  wood,  which  was  made  necessary  by 
the  winter  season,  and  took  pleasure  in  relieving  the  destitute  con- 
dition of  a  number  of  refugee  loyalists  by  employing  them  in  this 
work.  Chesney  had  lost  his  wife  at  the  close  of  November,  1781, 
and  was  compelled  by  ill  health  to  give  up  the  supervision  of  the 
wood  cutters  early  in  the  following  January.  As  he  grew  worse, 
instead  of  better,  he  sent  his  child  to  its  relatives  and  sailed  from 
Charleston,  April  5,  1782,  landing  at  Castle  Haven,  Ireland,  May  19. 

By  June  4  he  was  in  Dublin,  where  he  was  introduced  to  a  loyal- 
ist, Mr.  Philip  Henry,  who  had  been  exiled  with  others  from  South 
Carolina  in  June,  1778,  and  was  now  an  officer  in  the  Customs 
house  at  Dublin.  Mr.  Henry  advised  Mr.  Chesney  to  seek  a  posi- 
tion in  the  revenue  service  and  to  file  a  claim  for  the  losses  he  had 
suffered  in  the  American  war.  After  a  short  stay  in  Dublin  Ches- 
ney paid  a  brief  visit  to  his  relatives  in  county  Antrim  and  then 
proceeded  to  London,  where  he  submitted  a  memorial,  supported  by 
testimonials,  to  the  lords  of  the  Treasury,  August  3,  asking  for 
immediate  relief.  Having  thus  begun  this  negotiation,  he  took 
lodgings  at  58  Crown  street,  Westminster.  Through  the  kindness 
of  his  landlord  Mr.  Chesney  made  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Lewis 
Wolfe,  a  clerk  in  the  Treasury,  who  then  or  later  acted  as  the  agent 
in  London  for  those  American  refugees  who  had  returned  to  the 
north-east  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Wolfe  proved  to  be  helpful  in  various 
ways  to  our  applicant. 

Later  Mr.  Chesney  attended  a  large  meeting  of  the  Association 
of  American  Loyalists  in  London  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor  tavern 
in  the  Strand,  where  it  was  determined  to  petition  the  king's  min- 
isters, Mr.  Chesney  being  named  one  of  a  committee  of  three  to  pre- 
pare the  petition  on  behalf  of  those  loyalists  who  had  rendered  ser- 
vices to  Government  and  lost  their  property.  After  drafting  an- 
other memorial  and  copying  his  testimonials  for  Lord  North,  ar- 
ranging with  two  loyalists  to  send  him  any  word  from  the  Treasury, 
calling  on  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Lord  Comwallis  about  his  personal 
affairs,  and  authorizing  Mr.  Wolfe  to  act  for  him  in  his  absence, 
Alexander  Chesney  took  his  departure  from  London,  August  16. 


vi  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

On  his  journey  homeward  he  waited  on  Lord  Rawdon,  from  whom 
he  received  a  letter  soliciting  the  interest  of  General  Burgoyne — 
now  commander  of  the  forces  in  Ireland — in  having  the  bearer 
appointed  to  a  position  in  the  Irish  Customs.  At  length,  on  August 
30,  he  boarded  the  packet  at  Liverpool  on  his  way  to  Dublin.  Call- 
ing on  Burgoyne  in  the  latter  city,  he  was  given  little  encourage- 
ment in  regard  to  the  desired  appointment.  By  September  7  he  was 
back  in  county  Antrim  with  his  relatives.  A  few  days  later  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Wolfe  asked  for  a  sworn  statement  of  his  losses  in 
America,  accompanied  by  certificates  from  Cornwallis,  Tarleton, 
and  others.  These  documents  he  supplied  promptly,  his  estimate 
of  his  losses  totaling  £1,998.  10s. 

By  the  middle  of  December,  1782,  Chesney  heard  from  Lord 
Rawdon  and,  by  the  latter's  direction,  returned  to  Dublin  to  see 
about  the  Customs  appointment.  The  outcome  of  this  mission  was 
an  appointment  as  tide  waiter  at  Waterford,  whither  the  appointee 
betook  himself  to  remain,  as  it  turned  out,  only  two  weeks,  for 
neither  the  location  nor  the  duty  pleased  him.  He,  therefore,  got 
himself  removed  to  Belfast,  and  on  March  1  married  his  second 
wife. 

The  honeymoon  had  lasted  but  little  more  than  a  fortnight 
when  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wolfe  called  for  the  presence  of  the  bride- 
groom in  London,  in  connection  with  his  claim  as  a  distressed 
loyalist.  Obtaining  leave  of  absence  from  the  Irish  board  of  Cus- 
toms, Chesney  made  his  second  journey  to  the  British  capital,  ar- 
riving March  24,  1783.  He  spent  the  next  week  or  more  in  getting 
his  papers  ready  for  the  Treasury  office.  It  was  not,  however,  until 
May  6  that  he  was  examined  by  the  commissioners  on  Loyalist 
Claims.  He  also  served  as  a  witness  for  some  of  his  fellow  exiles 
when  their  claims  were  heard.  Additional  days  were  spent  in  call- 
ing on  his  own  witnesses  and  in  paying  occasional  visits  to  the 
Treasury.  After  spending  two  months  in  London  and  receiving  a 
temporary  allowance  of  £50  a  year,  he  returned  to  Belfast. 

On  October  13,  1783,  Chesney  found  it  necessary  to  go  to  Dub- 
lin again  to  prepare  a  new  memorial  for  the  commissioners  on 
Loyalist  Claims.  He  did  not  overlook  the  opportunity  afforded  by 
this  visit  to  apply  for  another  appointment  in  the  Customs.  After 
returning  to  Belfast  for  a  few  days  he,  in  company  with  two  loyal- 
ist friends,  journeyed  for  the  third  time  to  London,  where  he 
learned  that  he  had  been  named  coast  officer  at  Bangor,  a  post  that 


INTRODUCTION  vii 

paid  well  and  was  not  distant  from  county  Antrim.  Once  more  he 
wrote  out  his  memorial,  this  time  preparing  copies  for  all  the  Com- 
missioners. In  addition  he  got  his  claim  certified  by  other  refugees 
from  South  Carolina,  whose  claims  he  certified  in  turn.  He  then 
returned  to  Belfast  and  removed  his  family  to  Bangor  late  in 
December,  1783.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  following  the  commis- 
sioners put  him  to  the  further  trouble  of  furnishing  more  proofs 
that  his  property  had  been  confiscated. 

On  Christmas  day,  1785,  Mr.  Chesney  visited  Moume  and 
effected  an  exchange  with  the  coast  officer  at  Annalong,  which  was 
a  fishing  village  in  county  Down,  where  the  new  Customs  officer 
was  to  have  some  exciting  experiences  with  the  nest  of  desperate 
smugglers  harboring  there.  He  brought  his  family  from  Bangor 
to  Moume,  February  14,  1786,  and  in  August  received  £133.  12s.  in 
part  settlement  of  his  claim,  the  remainder  of  the  award,  namely, 
£255.  18s.  coming  to  hand  in  November.  Thus,  it  had  cost  our  South 
Carolinian  three  visits  to  London,  the  repeated  submission  of  me- 
morials and  testimonials,  and  much  correspondence  since  August 
3,  1782,  to  obtain  an  annual  allowance  of  £50  and  an  award  of  less 
than  £400  on  a  total  claim  of  £1,998.  10s.,  which  seems  to  have  been 
later  reduced  to  £1,564. 10s.  Either  at  this  time  or  later  Mr.  Ches- 
ney's  annual  pension  was  cut  down  to  £30.  Needless  to  say  the 
recipient  of  these  sums  was  not  pleased  with  the  results  of  his 
efforts,  and  alleged  that  both  his  award  and  pension  had  been  re- 
duced by  the  commissioners  on  account  of  his  employment  in  the 
Customs  which,  he  said,  they  included  as  part  compensation. 

During  the  year  1789  the  boatmen  and  smugglers  at  Annalong 
formed  a  combination  to  get  Coast  Officer  Chesney  removed  from 
his  place.  However,  he  succeeded  in  thwarting  them,  clung  to  a 
position  which  was  proving  to  be  profitable,  despite  the  risks  of  life 
and  limb  undoubtedly  connected  with  it,  and  invested  his  compen- 
sation money  in  a  town  property.  That  smuggling  was  not  declin- 
ing at  Annalong  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  Chesney  reported  to 
the  lord  lieutenant  the  arrival  in  Glassdrummond  Bay  on  Febru- 
ary 19,  1793,  of  five  vessels  engaged  in  the  contraband  trade.  Ac- 
cordingly, that  official,  in  conjunction  with  the  Irish  board  of  Cus- 
toms, sent  several  cruisers  and  two  detachments  of  troops  to  pro- 
tect the  coast.  By  this  time  Chesney's  personal  affairs  were  pros- 
pering, and  he  thanked  God  "for  health  in  the  family  and  plenty  of 
everything." 


viii         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Already  in  1791  the  Association  of  United  Irishmen  had  been 
formed,  and  in  the  fall  of  1796  its  members  in  county  Down  and 
several  neighboring  counties  were  secretly  drilling  in  preparation 
for  revolt.  This  activity  did  not  escape  the  notice  of  Mr.  Chesney, 
who  obtained  a  commission  and  embodied  the  Moume  Infantry  at 
the  end  of  January,  1797.  His  company  was  the  first  under  arms 
in  county  Down,  a  circumstance  to  which  he  was  inclined  to  attrib- 
ute the  prevention  of  a  general  insurrection  in  Mourne. 

Despite  the  pressing  nature  of  his  official  and  military  duties 
at  this  period.  Captain  Chesney  was  none  the  less  attentive  to  the 
interests  of  his  children.  His  oldest  daughter,  Eliza,  was  already 
thirteen  and  in  a  boarding  school  at  Newry,  and  he  was  applying 
for  a  cadetship  for  his  boy,  Francis,  who  was  only  a  few  months 
more  than  nine  years  of  age.  He  was  promised  an  appointment  for 
Francis,  but  was  informed  that  the  boy  would  not  be  eligible  until 
he  was  fourteen.  Nevertheless,  the  ambitious  father  obtained  a 
commission  for  this  youth  in  the  Mourne  Yeomanry  from  Lord 
Castlereagh  in  May,  1798,  attributing  his  success  to  that  nobleman's 
ignorance  of  the  appointee's  age.  At  about  the  same  time  Mr. 
Chesney  reluctantly  became  a  justice  of  the  peace. 

Late  in  May  the  Mourne  companies,  which  had  been  put  on 
permanent  duty  on  account  of  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  were 
ordered  to  Newry.  Early  in  the  following  month  Captain  Chesney 
returned  to  Mourne  with  part  of  the  cavalry,  surrounded  the 
houses  of  the  suspected  leaders  there  during  the  night,  and  carried 
them  oif  to  Newry  as  hostages  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants, 
in  case  of  a  rising  during  the  absence  of  the  corps.  After  going 
with  a  detachment  to  Dundalk  where,  according  to  report,  the 
rebels  were  under  arms,  Chesney  and  the  Mourne  Yeomanry 
marched  back  to  Mourne,  and  half  of  the  corps  were  released  from 
permanent  duty;  but  the  order  was  rescinded,  August  25,  1798, 
three  days  after  the  French  had  landed  at  Kallala  Bay. 

The  closing  pages  of  Alexander  Chesney's  Journal,  which  ends 
with  the  year  1820,  is  filled  for  the  most  part  with  items  concern- 
ing his  children.  On  March  24,  1803,  his  elder  son,  Francis,  who 
was  now  fifteen,  started  alone  on  his  way  to  London  in  the  hope  of 
being  admitted  to  the  Royal  Military  Acadamy  at  Woolwich.  Being 
found  deficient,  he  was  placed  successively  in  the  Walworth  and 
Diptford  academies  and  the  Royal  Military  College  at  Great  Mar- 
low,  Bucks,  a  preparatory  college  for  Woolwich.    Eighteen  months 


INTRODUCTION  ix 

from  the  time  of  his  first  leaving  home,  Francis  was  gazetted  to  a 
second  lieutenancy,  to  the  evident  satisfaction  of  his  father  v^ha, 
in  January,  1805,  sent  his  younger  son,  Charles,  to  follow  in  his 
brother's  footsteps,  having  obtained  for  him  the  promise  of  an  East 
India  cadetship.  The  expense  of  Charles's  schooling,  together  with 
some  trifling  debts,  proved  somewhat  embarrassing  to  his  father 
during  the  year  1806 ;  but  the  latter  rejoiced  in  the  thought  that  cer- 
tain seizures  he  had  made  would  "set  him  free."  In  1807  Charles 
was  in  the  Military  Academy  at  Woolwich,  and  Francis  was  quar- 
tered with  his  company  at  Portsmouth,  but  was  moved  in  the  open- 
ing days  of  March,  1808,  to  the  island  of  Guernsey.  In  the  follow- 
ing June  Eliza  married  Captain  John  Hopkins,  and  in  October, 
1809,  Charles,  now  a  lieutenant  in  the  artillery,  sailed  for  India, 
arriving  at  Madras,  February  1,  1910.  Jane  visited  with  her  sis- 
ter, Mrs.  Hopkins,  who  with  her  husband,  spent  part  of  this  year 
in  Dublin.  Francis  remained  in  Guernsey  until  November,  1813, 
when  he  resigned  his  staff  position  there  and  sought  for  military 
employment  on  the  continent.  Mr.  Chesney,  Sr.,  with  the  aid  of 
Francis  and  several  friends  outside  the  family,  tried  to  get  an  ap- 
pointment in  the  Customs  for  his  son  Alexander,  but  within  the 
limits  of  the  Journal  seems  not  to  have  succeeded.  The  birth  of 
still  another  son,  Thomas  Crafer  Chesney,  is  mentioned  as  having 
occurred  on  March  13,  1808,  but  no  other  entry  appears  regarding 
him.  On  February  13,  1814,  Matilda  died  of  a  fever,  which  had  at- 
tacked other  members  of  the  family.  In  the  following  September 
Francis,  who  had  been  on  "an  excurtion  to  France  and  along  the 
ports  of  Holland,"  was  assigned  to  a  company  at  Woolwich.  In 
1815  he  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy  and  in  the  next  year  was 
stationed  at  Leith  Fort  in  Scotland.  On  November  22,  1816,  Jane 
married  the  Reverend  Henry  Hayden,  while  Captain  Hopkins  re- 
tired from  the  service  on  a  good  pension.  In  the  autumn  of  1817 
the  fever  again  broke  out  in  the  Chesney  family  and  left  Mary, 
Anne,  and  Charlotte  much  debilitated.  In  February,  1918,  Mr. 
Chesney  was  greatly  surprised  at  receiving  a  letter  from  his  eldest 
son,  William,  of  whose  survival  he  was  not  even  aware,  stating  that 
he  was  living  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  but  was  not  in  flourishing 
circumstances.  The  letter  also  referred  to  his  grandfather,  Robert 
Chesney,  as  being  still  alive. 

Meantime,  Charles  had  married  in  the  island  of  St.  Helena 
and,  being  in  poor  health,  had  brought  his  wife  to  England  and 


X  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

later  to  Ireland.  Here  they  had  taken  a  lodging  at  Rosstrever  and 
were  visited  by  Charlotte,  Anne,  and  Mary,  who  had  not  yet  fully 
recovered  from  their  former  illness.  In  September,  1819,  Charlotte 
married  George  Washington  Bell.  Three  months  later  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Hayden  lost  his  curacy  in  county  Roscommon  and  brought  his 
family  to  stay  with  his  father-in-law  until  the  following  spring, 
when  he  was  sent  out  as  a  missionary  to  St.  John,  New  Brunswick, 
by  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts. 

In  January,  1820,  Mr.  Chesney  was  charged  with  neglect  of 
duty  by  Customs  officers  at  Newry,  but  was  cleared  by  the  surveyor- 
general  who  heard  the  case  fully,  and  the  matter  ended  with  the 
approval  of  the  defendant's  conduct  by  the  board  of  Customs. 

During  the  previous  dozen  years  at  least  smuggling  had  been 
going  on  at  Annalong,  as  shown  by  occasional  brief  references  in 
the  Journal,  and,  according  to  Chesney,  outside  of  Mourne  where 
he  had  been  able  to  hold  it  in  check  by  the  employment  of  a  number 
of  guards,  the  smuggling  of  tobacco  into  Ireland  had  been  much 
stimulated  by  the  close  of  the  Napoleonic  wars.  Naturally,  Ches- 
ney's  success  in  foiling  the  smugglers  had  aggravated  them  and  led 
him  into  many  quarrels  with  them.  The  marked  increase  in  the 
clandestine  trade  and  the  falling  off  in  the  import  duties  had 
aroused  the  lords  of  the  Treasury  to  try  their  hand  at  the  suppres- 
sion of  smuggling  in  the  summer  of  1820  by  sending  the  royal 
naval  inspector-general  of  the  Preventive  Water  Guard  to  survey 
the  Irish  Channel  with  a  view  to  establishing  a  preventive  force. 
The  Irish  board  of  Customs  instructed  their  revenue  officers  to  co- 
operate in  this  project  by  supplying  every  assistance  and  informa- 
tion, an  order  which  Mr.  Chesney  appears  to  have  complied  with  to 
the  best  of  his  ability,  although  he  was  to  learn  at  the  end  of  the 
year  that  the  Water  Guard,  when  established,  would  supplant  his 
office.  However,  he  had  made  many  seizures  during  the  year,  for 
which  he  had  received  a  considerable  amount  of  money,  and  he  be- 
gan at  once  to  make  arrangements  for  building  on  his  farm  at  Bal- 
lyardle. 

Not  only  is  Chesney's  record  of  thirty-five  years  in  the  Irish 
Customs  highly  creditable  to  him,  as  affirmed  by  the  surveyor-gen- 
eral and  the  board  of  Customs  in  Ireland,  but  so  also  was  Chesney's 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  his  children,  including  his  son  William, 
from  whom  he  had  been  so  long  separated.  In  the  closing  sentences 
of  the  Journal  Alexander  Chesney  notes  that  he  has  authorized 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

William  to  draw  on  Mr.  Crafer  and  thinks  it  better  that  he  should 
receive  his  portion  of  his  father's  estate  and  "turn  it  to  account 
where  he  is,"  than  spend  money  coming  to  Ireland  "where  he  would 
find  most  things  unsuited"  to  him. 

The  publication  of  this  Journal,  with  it  accompanying  docu- 
ments and  its  wealth  of  valuable  notes,  will  add  an  important  num- 
ber to  that  small  group  of  personal  records  by  American  loyalists 
which  comprises  the  Journal  and  Letters  of  Samuel  Curwen;  the 
Letters  of  James  Murray,  Loyalist;  Colonel  David  Fanning's  Nar- 
rative; the  Correspondence  of  Thomas  Barclay;  the  Recollections 
of  a  Georgia  Loyalist;  The  Journal  of  a  Voyage  from  Charlestown, 
S.  C,  to  London,  1778;  Lieutenant  Anthony  Allaire's  Diary  (printed 
in  Dr.  Lyman  C.  Draper's  King's  Mountain  and  Its  Heroes)  ;  the 
Diary  and  Letters  of  Thomas  Hutchinson;  Lieutenant  James 
Moody's  Narrative  of  His  Exertions  and  Sufferings  in  the  Cause  of 
Government  since  1776;  The  Narrative  of  the  Transactions,  Im- 
prisonment, and  Sufferings  of  John  Connelly,  an  American  Loyalist 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  His  Majesty's  Service;  J.  F.  D.  Smyth's 
Tour  in  the  United  States  of  America;  The  Case  of  Ferdinand 
Smyth  Stuart  with  His  Memorials  to  the  King,  &c.;  The  Winslow 
Papers;  Joseph  Galloway's  Letters  to  a  Nobleman  on  the  Conduct 
of  the  War  in  the  Middle  Colonies;  The  Examination  of  Joseph  Gal- 
loway before  the  House  of  Commons;  C.  Stedman's  History  of  the 
Origin,  Progress,  and  Termination  of  the  American  War,  and  Judge 
Thomas  Jones's  History  of  New  York  during  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

It  may  be  objected  that  some  of  the  above  named  publications 
are  not  diaries,  journals,  or  personal  narratives ;  that  at  least  one 
of  them  is  a  book  of  travels  and  that  others  are  historical  in  nature. 
It  would  be  futile  in  the  space  at  command  to  attempt  comparisons 
among  the  publications  listed  above.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the 
authors  of  all  of  them  were  American  loyalists  and  that  even  those 
publications  which,  according  to  their  titles,  are  most  removed  from 
the  autobiographical,  will  be  found  on  closer  inspection  to  contain 
not  a  little  of  the  distinctly  personal.  All  of  these  writings  have 
their  value  for  the  student  of  American  Revolutionary  history  and 
especially  for  the  one  who  is  interested  in  the  Tory  phase  of  the 
subject. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  speak  of  the  special  qualifications  of 
Mr.  E.  Alfred  Jones  for  the  task  of  editing  The  Journal  of  Alexan- 


xii         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

der  Chesney,  since  the  admirable  results  of  his  labors  are  manifest 
in  this  volume.  The  present  writer  can  not,  however,  deny  him- 
self the  pleasure  of  saying  that  Mr.  Jones  has  long  been  familiar 
with  the  abundant  materials  relating  to  the  American  loyalists  that 
are  to  be  found  in  the  Public  Record  Office,  the  British  Museum,  and 
other  collections  in  London.  Nor  can  he  forbear  to  add  that  the 
Editor  has  greatly  increased  the  value  of  this  volume  by  his  copious 
annotations,  many  of  which  contain  information  not  easily  avail- 
able and  some,  information  not  accessible  at  all  in  print.  Mr.  Jones 
found  Chesney's  Journal  in  the  British  Museum  (Additional  MSS., 
32627). 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Collections  of  Source  Material 

American  Archives,  Series  IV.,  Vols.  3  and  4.     Peter  Force,  ed. 

Audit  Office  Papers.     (Public  Record  Office,  London.) 

Historical  MSS.   Commission,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Institution,   Vols.  I, 

II,  III,  IV. 

Report  on  the  MSS.  of  the  Earl  of  DartTnouth,  Vol.  II. 

Report  on  the  MSS.  of  Mrs.  Stopford-SackviUe,  Vol.  11. 

Second  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Archives  for  the  Province  of  Ontario,  1904,  Part  I.  A.  Fraser,  ed. 
State  Records  of  North  Carolina,  Vol.  XIV  ;  Journal  of  the  House  of  Commons  in.  Vol.  XXVII. 
The  Royal  Commission  on  the  Losses  and  Services  of  American  Loyalists,  1783-1785.     Roxburghe 

Club,  1915.     H.  E.  Egerton,  ed. 
Third  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Archives  for  the  Province  of  Ontario,  1905,  A.  Fraser,  ed. 
Treasury  Papers.     (Public  Record  Office,  London.) 


Memoirs,  Biographies,  and  Local  Histories 

Acadiensis,  Vols.  I,  VI,  Vll. 

Appleton,  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography. 

A.  T.  Bethell,  The  Early  Settlers  of  the  Bahama  Islands.    1914. 

R.  W.  Bowers,  Sketches  of  Southwark,  Old  and  New.     1905. 

Col.  Charles  Cornwallis  Chesney,  Essays  in  Military  Biography.     1874. 

Collections  of  the  South  Carolina  Historical  Society,  Vol.  III. 

John  Cruden,  An  Address  to   the  Loyal  Part  of  the  British  Empire  and  Friends  of  Monarchy 

throughout    the   Globe.      (Report   on    the   Management   of   the   Estates   sequestered   in   South 

Carolina,  by  Order  of  Lord  Cornwallis  in  1780-1782.)    1890.     Pamphlet.     Paul  Leicester  Ford, 

ed. 
J.  Watts  DePeyster,  Local  Memorials  relating  to  the  DePeyster  and  Watts  and  affiliated  families. 

1881. 
,      "The    Affair    at    King's    Mountain,"    Magazine    of    American    History, 

Vol.  V. 
Dictionary  of  National  Biography. 
Lyman  Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes. 

William  Henry  Drayton,   Memoirs  of  the  Am.  Rev.  as  relating  to  South  Carolina,  1821,   Vol.   II. 
H.  Jones  Ford,  The  Scotch-Irish  in  America.     1915. 
C.  C.  Jones,  History  of  Georgia.     1883. 

Gen.   Henry  Lee,  Memoirs  of  the  War  in  the  Southern  Department  of  the  United  States,   Vol.   I. 
S.  Lane-Poole,  ed..  The  Life  of  the  late  General  F.  R.  Chesney.     1893. 
Lawrence  and  Stockton,  The  Judges  of  New  Brinswick  ani  their  Times. 
E.  McCrady,  The  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780. 

The  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1780-1783. 

Lieutenant  Roderick   Mackenzie,  Strictures  on  Lieut.   Col.   Tarleton's  History. 

William  Moultrie,  Memoirs,   1802,  Vol.  II. 

E.  R.  O'Callaghan,  Documents  relating  to  the  Colonial  History  of  New  York,  Vol.  VIII. 

Lorenzo  Sabine,  The  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution,  2  vols. 

A.  S.  Salley,  Jr.,  History  of  Orangeburg  County,  1898. 

W.   H.   Siebert,   "The   Loyalists   in  West  Florida  and  the   Natchez   District,"   Mississippi    Valley 

Historical  Review,  1916.    Vol.  II. 
W.  B.  Stevens,  History  of  Georgia,  Vol.  II.    1859. 
Colonel  Banistre  Tarleton,  History  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781  in  the  Southern  Provinces 

of  North  America,  1787. 
Thornbury,  Old  and  New  London,  Vols.  II  and  III. 
W.  T.  Vincent,  The  Records  of  the   Woolwich  District,  Vol.  I. 
Wheatley  and  Cunningham,  London  Past  and  Present,  Vol.  L 

xiii 


xiv  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Letters,  Diaries,  Journals,  and  Newspapers 

Carleton's  Correspondence.     (Public  Record  OflBce,  London.) 

Chatham  Papers,  Bundle  220.      (Public  Record  OflSce,  London.) 

Clinton-Cornwallis  Controversy,  2  vols.,   B.   F.   Stevens,   ed. 

Colonel  David  Fanning's  Narrative,  A.  W.  Savary,  ed.,  in  Canadian  Magazine,  1908. 

Correspondence  of  Charles,  first  Marquess  Cornwallis,  1859,  Vol.  I.    C.  Ross,  ed. 

Journal  and  Letters  of  Samuel  Curwen,  4th  ed.,  1864. 

Journal  of  Rev.  John  Wesley. 

Military  Journal  of  Colonel  John  Graves  Simcoe. 

Lieutenant  Anthony  Allaire's  Diary  in  Draper's   King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes. 

Papers  of  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall.     (Public  Record  Office,  London,  A.O.  12  and  18,) 

Morning  Chronicle  and  London  Advertiser,  April  1,   1786. 

Royal  Gazette  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  IT,  No.  108. 

South  Carolina  and  American  General  Gazette,  June  26,  1778. 


Histories  of  the  American  Revolution 

S.  G.  Fisher,  The  Struggle  for  American  Independence,   1908,  Vol    11. 
Gordon,  American  Revolution,  1788. 

C.   Stedman,   The  History  of  the   Origin,   Progress,   and   Termination   of   the   American    War,   2 
vols.,  Dublin,  1794. 


Miscellaneous 

Col.  Charles  Cornwallis  Chesney,  Essays  in  Military  Biography,  1874. 

Alexander  Garden,  Anecdotes  of  the  American  Revolution,  1828. 

Alton  and  Holland,  The  King's  Customs,  1910,  Vol    II. 

Fortescue,  History  of  the  British  Army,  Vol.  III. 

Notes  and  Queries,  8th  Series,  Vol.  III. 

Scots  Magazine,  Vol.  43. 

South  Carolina  Historical  and  Genealogical  Magazine,   Vol.   18. 

J.  Eardley  Wilmot,  Historical  View  of  the  Commission  for  inquiring  into  the  losses,  services, 
and  the  claims  of  the  American  Loyalists  at  the  close  of  the  War  in  17 8S;  with  an, 
account  of  the  compensation  granted  to  them  by  Parliament  in  1785  and  1788.     1815. 


CONTENTS 

PARTI 

PAGE 

THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 1-56 

PART  II 
ADDITIONAL  NOTES: 

Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu 59 

Colonel  John  Phillips 60 

Indians  in  the  War 63 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall 66 

Colonel  Ambrose  Mills 72 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Joseph  Robinson 74 

General  Andrew  Willlamson 76 

Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Vernon 78 

Colonel   Zacharias   Gibbs 79 

Major  Patrick  Ferguson 82 

Colonel  Alexander  Innes 83 

Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster 84 

The  Battle  of  King's  Mountain 86 

Brigadier-General  Robert  Cunningham 87 

Colonel  Daniel  Plummer 88 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Harris  Cruger 89 

The  British  Legion 90 

John    Cruden 91 

Colonel  Robert  Ballingall 94 

Colonel  Isaac  Hayne 94 

Major  John  Robinson 95 

Major  Michael  Egan 96 

James   Barber 97 

Philip   Henry 97 

James  Simpson 99 

Captain  James  Miller 100 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Evan  McLaurin 101 

Colonel  Richard  Pearis 102 

Major  Patrick  Cunningham 104 

Captain  Moses  Kirkland 105 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Fanning 108 

Captain  John  Saunders 108 

Major  Thomas   Eraser Ill 

Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bull 112 

The  Loyal  Militia  of  South  Carolina 113 

Loyalists'   Warrant 116 

XV 


xvi  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

South  Carolina  Loyalists  in  Nova  Scotia  and  Elsewhere 117 

Important    Claims    and    Awards    of     Some    South     Carolina 

Loyalists    118 

PART  III 
APPENDIXES: 

I.    Minutes  op  the  Examination  of  Alexander  Chesney  by  the 

Commissioners  of  American  Claims  in  London 125 

11.    Alexander  Chesney's  Memorial 126 

III.  An  Estimate  of  Chesney's  Property 127 

IV.  Evidence  on  Chesney's  Memorial 130 

V.    Various  Other  Papers  Relating  to  Chesney: 

A.  His  Orders  for  Wood  Cutting 138 

B.  His  Commission  as  Captain 138 

c.    His    Commission    as    Lieutenant    of    Independent 

Scouts   139 

D.  Testimonial  to  His  Services  in  Connection  with 

Sequestered    Estates 139 

E.  Other  Testimonials  to  Chesney's  Services 140 

F.  Letter  to  the  Commissioners  from  Colonel  John 

Phillips    140 

G.  Major  John  Doyle's  Certificate  to  Chesney 141 

H.    Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs's  Certificate 141 

I.    Chesney's  Letter  to  the  Commissioners 142 

J.    Lewis  Wolfe's  Letter  to  the  Commissioners 144 

K.    Lord  Cornwallis's  Letter  to  the  Commissioners.  . .     144 

VI.    Resolution   of   the   Loyalists   on    Pacolet   River,    South 

Carolina    (1775) 144 

VII.   Party  Divisions  in  South  Carolina  Families 145 

VIII.  Justification  of  Taking  the  Oath  to  the  State  by  the 
Committee  of  South  Carolina  Loyalists  in  London 
(February  21,  1785) 145 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

A  SOUTH  CAROLINA  LOYALIST  IN  THE  REVOLUTION  AND  AFTER 

I  was  born  in  the  townland  of  Dunclug  near  Ballymena  in  the 
County  of  Antrim  Ireland  the  16th  or  the  12th  of  September  1756^ 
on  Sunday;  as  appears  by  a  register  in  my  father's  Bible. ^  My 
father  Robert  Chesney^  or  McChesney  was  only  son  to  Alexander 
Chesney  of  Dunclug  aforesaid,  and  of  Jane  Fulton  his  wife;  His 
sisters  were  Ann  married  to  William  Purdy  of  Glenravil  who  was 
brother  to  my  mother  consequently  my  uncle  before  this  marriage ; 
they  are  now  with  their  family  settled  in  South  Carolina.  Second 
Martha  Chesney  married  to  Matthew  Gillespey*  who  went  to  Caro- 
lina and  died  there  shortly  after  their  arrival  about  the  year  1768 ; 
her  husband  is  married  again  and  lives  near  Enoree-River,  South 
Carolina.  Third  Sarah  Chesney  who  married  James  Archbold  a 
pensioner  and  lives  in  County  Antrim, 

My  grandfather  Chesney  had  several  brothers,  I  recollect  to 
have  seen  some  of  their  sons,  who  came  from  County  Tyrone,  and 
near  the  Bann-river. 

My  grandmother  Fulton  or  Chesney  had  many  Sisters  and  only 
one  Brother  named  (I  believe)  George  her  sister  Jenny  was  mar- 
ried to  David  Wilson  of  Dunclug  County  Antrim,  Margaret  was 
married  to  John  Symonton  near  Lough-neagh ;  Sarah  had  been  mar- 
ried to  John  Cook  who  died  in  Pensylvenna.^  She  removed  to  Pacho- 
let-River  ^  South  Carolina  where  she  died  a  few  years  ago  and 
where  her  children  are  married  and  settled,  Also  Martha  who  had 


1  The  date  of  birth  is  given  as  Sept.  16  in  The  Life  of  the  late  General  F.  R.  Chesney,  ed. 
by  S.  Lane-Poole,   1893. 

2  On  his  tombstone  in  the  Mourne  Presbyterian  churchyard,  Kilkeel,  county  Down,  Alex- 
ander Chesney  is  stated  to  have  died  Jan.   12,  1845,  at  the  age  of  88  years. 

^  A  contribution  on  the  supposed  origin  of  the  name  Chesney  is  in  Notes  and  Queries, 
8th  Series,  Vol.  Ill,  pp.  58,  135,  214,  296,  336,  490. 

*  Query :  Was  this  the  Matthew  Gillespie  who  served  in  the  American  Revolutionary 
militia  as  a  private  in  1781  and  1782,  and  who  resided  in  that  part  of  South  Carolina  now 
embraced  in  Newberry  county  7 

^  The  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

^  The  river  Paeolet  is  in  Spartanburg  county  and  forms  part  of  the  boundary  between 
Cherokee  and  Union  counties  in  South  Carolina,  and  flows  into  Broad  river  at  the  junction  of 
those  two  counties  with  York  county. 


2  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

been  married  to  Niesbet '  in  the  Waxhaws  in  South  Carolina  «  they 
are  both  dead  but  they  have  left  children  who  live  there.  My 
Grandmother  had  several  other  sisters. 

My  mother's  name  was  Elizabeth  Purdy  youngest  daughter  of 
William  Purdy  and  Martha  his  wife  of  Ballyreagh  near  Clough 
County  Antrim.  My  father  and  mother  were  married  about  two 
years  before  I  was  born.  My  grandmother  Purdy's  name  was 
Martha  Peden  daughter  of  Thomas  Peden  and  (I  believe)  of  Jane 
Grier  his  wife  of  County  Longford  she  was  born  the  same  year  in 
which  the  conditions  and  capitulations  of  Limerick «  were  made. 
Lived  to  about  to  the  year  1780  and  died  with  her  son  Wilham  Purdy 
in  Glenravil  County  Antrim. 

My  Grandfather  and  Grandmother  Purdy  had  twelve  children, 
of  which  my  mother  was  the  youngest.  I  knew  William  who  lived 
in  Glenravil  and  went  with  his  family  to  South  Carolina ;  Robert 
who  died  in  Killymorris  near  Clough ;  Jennie  who  married  Alexan- 
der Wylie  and  lived  in  my  Grandfather's  farm  in  Ballyreagh ;  Jane 
had  been  married  to  John  McCleland  she  died  in  a  few  years  and 
left  only  one  daughter  Martha  who  since  married  John  Barclay; 
Thomas  and  John  went  to  Pensylvenia  and  live  near  Carlile  ^°  if 
alive.  Margaret  who  married  Pouge  or  Pogue  hves  near  them  I 
suppose  the  other  children  had  died  young  for  I  do  not  recollect  to 
have  heard  their  names. 

My  father's  farm  in  Dunclug  being  too  small  for  his  family  he 
removed  to  Kirkinreallough  or  Kirkmareally  to  one  something 
larger,  and  having  lived  there  about  five  years  went  to  South  Caro- 
lina in  the  Snow  called  the  James  and  Mary  of  and  from  Lame; 
John  Workman  master    James  bold  mate,  Wilson   second  mate. 

My  father's  family  consisted  of  my  father  mother  Alexander 
(myself)  Ann,  Martha,  Jane,  William,^^  Robert,  John,  and  Peggy 
about  8  months  old  who  died  of  the  small  pox  on  the  passage ;  m  all 

T^^Nesbitt  family  was  prominent  in  the  early  history  of  Spartanburg  county  South 
Carolina  One  member  of  the  famiy.  Wilson  Nesbitt,  owned  and  operated  an  iron  plant  there. 
A  yaSt  name?  William  Nesbitt,  of  South  Carolina,  was  banished  and  his  -tate  confiscated 
7see  Sabine,  The  Lovalists  of  the  Am.  Rev.,  II.  119).  This  loyalist  was  one  of  «.e  100  s.gna- 
torTes  to  the  petition  that  Alexander  Constable  of  Boston.  Massachusetts,  might  be  given  com- 
mind  of  a  loyalist  regiment  to  be  raised  at  Charleston.  South  Carolina.  He  appears  to  have 
returned  to  South  Carolina  after  the  war.  u„+^„™    North 

s  Waxhaws  was  in  the  present  county  of  Lancaster,  near  the  boundary  between  North 
and  South  Carolina,  and  extended  into  Union  county.  North  Carohna. 

8  The  city  of  Limerick  capitulated  to  William  III  in  1691. 

1"  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania. 

11  WiUiam  Chesney  served  in  the  Revolutionary  militia,  though  a  mere  boy. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  3 

eight  children,  my  father  and  mother  making  ten,  went  on  board 
&  sailed  from  Larne  the  25th.  August  1772  and  arrived  safe  in  the 
Harbour  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina  after  a  passage  of  seven 
weeks  and  three  days  which  was  I  suppose  about  the  16  October 
1772. 

The  small  Pox  having  been  very  severe  in  the  Vessel  during 
the  passage,  when  the  Surgeon  came  on  board  an  reported  to  the 
Governor^^  ^j^g  g^^^^  ^f  ^^^  passengers  we  were  obliged  to  ride  Quar- 
antine first  three  weeks  and  then  a  second  three  weeks  and  8  days ; 
making  seven  weeks  and  one  day;  nearly  as  long  as  we  were  on 
the  passage. 

There  is  no  disorder  the  Americans  are  so  much  afraid  of  as 
the  small  Pox,  and  with  good  reason  as  few  of  them  have  had  it; 
We  had  a  large  house  during  the  Quarantine  allowed  for  the  sick  on 
Sullivan's  Isle,  which  was  kept  for  the  purpose  of  an  hospital ;  one 
Robinson  has  a  salary  from  government  for  living  there,  We  went 
back  and  forwards  between  the  Ship  and  hospital  which  made  a 
change,  and  beguiled  the  time  a  little ;  When  the  crew  and  passen- 
gers were  recouvered  we  landed  at  Prichard's  ship-yard  on  Town 
Creek,  1=^  a  few  miles  above  Charles-Town  from  whence  the  passen- 
gers proceeded  to  country  as  soon  as  they  could  respectively  find 
Waggons  destined  for  that  part  of  the  country  where  they  meant 
to  settle.  My  father  and  family  agreed  with  John  Miller  of  Turkey 
Creek  "  to  leave  his  family  &c  at  John  Winns  ^'  old  place  (now 
Winnsborough)  on  Jackson's  Creek  with  his  waggon  for  which  we 
paid  one  penny  per  pound  Weight.  When  we  came  near  Jackson's 
Creek  ^^  I  went  before  and  acquainted  our  relations  (by  marriage) 
Mr.  John  now  Colonel  Phillips  "  who  with  Mrs.  Phillips  his  wife 
met  them  at  Winn's  old  place,  and  brought  them  to  their  House. 
We  got  100  Acres  of  land  surveyed  there,  built  a  cabin  and  cleared 
some  of  the  land ;  when  my  father  received  a  letter  from  his  Aunt 
Sarah  Widow  Cook  (mentioned  before  as  a  sister  to  my  grand- 
mother) who  resided  Pacholet  River  about  60  miles  higher  up  in 
the  country,  inviting  them  to  settle  there,  on  which  I  proceeded  on 
foot  in  a  right  direction  for  that  place,  there  being  no  direct  road 

1=  The  governor  was  Lord  George  Greville  Montagu.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.  59). 
13  Town  creek  divides  Down   island  on  the  Cooper  river  from   Charleston. 
"  Turkey  creek  rises  in  York  county,  South  Carolina,   and  flows   into  Chester  county. 
IS  John  Winn,  founder  of  the  town  of  Winnsboro  in  Fairfield  county.  South  Carolina,  was 
a  colonel  of  South  Carolina  militia  during  the  middle  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
1"  Jackson's  creek  was  in  the  north  of  South  Carolina. 
1"  Colonel  John  Phillips    (See  Additional  Notes,  p.  60). 


4  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

but  I  was  to  enquire  for  John  Quin  blacksmith  on  Sandy-River  ^« 
about  20  miles  off  which  was  nearly  the  first  house  I  called  at ;  from 
thence  to  Ned  Neils  on  Broad-River,  but  crossed  the  river  some- 
thing lower  down  on  account  of  a  Canoe  being  there,  thence  to 
Eliza  Wells'  on  Pacholet  where  I  crossed  being  then  within  5  miles 
of  my  Aunt  Cooke's ;  she  had  two  sons  Hugh,  and  John,  and  daugh- 
ter Nancy  who  lived  with  her  unmarried.  Thomas  and  Sarah  were 
both  settled  with  their  families  in  the  neighbourhood ;  Sarah  was 
married  to  Charles  Brandon  ;^''  the  whole  family  were  remarkably 
civil  to  me,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  settlers  near  them  being  their 
relations  gave  them  w' eight ;  they  soon  found  me  a  vacant  track  of 
400  Acres  which  having  got  surveyed  for  my  father  I  returned; 
and  removed  the  family  to  Pacolet  where  we  settled  ^o  on  the  north 
side  near  Grindall's  shoal  -^  about  12  miles  from  where  it  empties 
itself  into  Broad-River  50  miles  below  where  the  Indian  line  crosses 
that  river,  and  15  miles  below  the  place  where  the  Iron  works  "  are 
now  built;  60  miles  north-east  of  Ninety-six ;23  and  250  miles  ^^ 
nearly  north  of  Charles-town;  to  which  place  I  went  in  1774  to 
hurry  the  patent  of  my  father's  lands  through  the  offices. 

My  cousins  Cooke  came  back  with  me  to  assist  in  moving  the 
family,  bringing  with  them  two  horses  which  being  put  into  a 
pasture  of  Col  Phillips'  on  Jackson's  Creek  strayed  away  and  were 
not  found  for  3  months  after. 

Our  family  lived  at  my  Aunt  Cooke's  in  the  first  instance  whilst 
a  Cabin  was  building  by  me  and  some  land  cleared  which  I  did  in 
part  without  any  assistance;  before  planting  time  in  1773,  when 

18  Sandy  river  is  in  Chester  county.  South  Carolina. 

i»  One  Charles  Brandon  served  in  the  Revolutionary  militia  which  was  commanded  durmg 
the  last  years  of  the  war  by  Colonel  Charles  Brandon. 

2«  The  Chesney  plantation  was  apparently  in  the  north  of  Union  county,  at  its  junction 
with  Spartanburg  and  Cherokee  counties.  The  name  is  commemorated  by  the  place  called 
Chesnee  in  the  north  of  Spartanburg  county. 

21  Grindal  shoals,  so-called  from  the  family  of  Grindal,  who  lived  on  the  north  side  and 
owned  the  shoal,  which  was  a  noted  fishery.  It  was  on  the  north  side  of  Pacolet  nver,  at 
Grindal  ford,  that  Morgan  camped  just  before  the  battle  of  Cowpens.  The  place  is  well 
described  by  John  Kennedy  in  his  novel.  Horse  Shoe  Robinson. 

"These  iron  works  were  probably  those  on  the  southern  side  of  Lawson's  fork  of 
Pacolet  river,  afterwards  caUed  BivingsvilJe  and  known  later  as  Glendale,  which  was  half  a 
mile  higher  up  on  the  same  bank.  The  works  were  destroyed  by  the  loyalists  and  never  rebuilt. 
(Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  85,  90,  91).  .         v.-  * 

23  The  district  of  Ninety-Six,  so  named  because  it  was  96  miles  from  Keewie,  the  chief 
viUage  of  the  Cherokee  Indians.  According  to  Lord  Comwallis,  he  had  formed  in  this  district, 
the  most  populous  in  the  province  of  South  Carolina,  seven  battalions  of  militia.  (C.  Boss, 
Correspondence  of  Charles,  first  Marquess  Comwallis,  1859.  Vol.  I,  p.  489.)  The  present  town 
of  Ninety-Six  is  in  Greenwood  county. 

2*  The  Chesney  plantation  was  somewhat  under  200  miles  in  a  straight  line  northwest  of 

Charleston. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  5 

the  family  was  established  in  the  new  residence  and  began  the  usual 
farming  occupations  increasing  stock  and  clearing  additional  land 
without  any  particular  occurrence  save  the  birth  of  my  brother 
Thomas  and  sister  Eliza  untill  1775  that  resolutions  were  presented 
for  signatures  at  the  Meeting-house  ^^  by  the  congress  party  and 
I  opposed  them. 

When  the  war  broke  out  between  England  and  America  the 
congress  party  early  in  1775  were  sending  a  quantity  of  Ammuni- 
tion and  clothing  as  presents  to  the  Indians  f^  On  which  the  loyal- 
ists who  had  not  joined  them  assembled  and  went  to  Ninety-Six  a 
wooden-fort  after  besieging  the  place  for  some  days  took  it,"  and 
the  stores ;  after  distributing  the  Ammunition  amongst  the  loyalists, 
both  parties  agreed  to  a  Cessation  of  Arms  for  some  weeks  untill 
several  of  the  leading  men  could  go  and  return  from  Charles-town 
to  receive  Lord  William  Campbell's  ^^  directions  on  the  business ; 
Colonel  Flechall  -'■  and  Captain  John  Mayfield  ^°  were  two  of  the 
delegates  sent  under  the  faith  and  sanction  of  a  treaty ;  they  were 
lodged  in  the  goal  of  Charles-town  and  the  papers  they  had  re- 
ceived from  the  Governor  Lord  William  Campbell  were  seized.  In 
the  meantime  the  congress  party  sent  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Ninety-Six  an  Army  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Richardson  ^^ 
who  seized  the  leading  men  of  the  loyalists  and  put  them  in  goal 
and  disarmed  the  rest ;  all  this  was  accomplished  before  the  expira- 
tion of  the  truce. 


-^  This  was  probably  the  occasion  when  the  Rev.  William  Tennent,  the  Congregational 
minister  and  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  held  a  meeting  and  slaughtered  a  beast  at  a 
feast,  about  five  miles  east  of  the  town  of  Spartanburg. 

=8  See  Additional  Notes,  p.  63. 

='  For  an  account  of  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six,  see  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  in  Addi- 
tional Notes,  p.   69. 

"^  Lord  William  Campbell  was  appointed  governor  of  South  Carolina,  June  8,  1773,  and 
had  married,  April  17,  1763,  a  lady  of  that  Province  in  the  person  of  Sarah,  daughter  of  Ralph 
Izard  of  Burton,  St.  George's  parish.  He  did  not,  however,  commence  his  duties  until  1775. 
As  a  former  officer  of  the  Royal  Navy,  he  served  as  a  volunteer  on  board  H.  M.  S.  Bristol  in 
the  attack  on  Charleston,  June  28,  1776.  He  died,  September  5,  1778,  from  the  effects  of  a 
wound  received  in  a  naval  engagement. 

-^  For  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchell,  see  Additional  Notes,  p.  66. 

3"  Captain  John  Mayfield  and  other  officers  of  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchell's  loyal  militia 
were  brought  as  prisonei-s  early  in  December,  1775,  to  the  camp  of  Colonel  Richard  Richardson 
near  Lieut. -Colonel  Evan  McLaurin's  store  in  Dutch  Fork.  Among  these  officers  were  Benjamin 
Wofford,  William  Hunt,  Daniel  Stagner,  and  Jacob  Stack.  (Drayton,  Memoirs  of  the  American 
Revolution  as  relating  to  South  Carolina,  1821,  Vol.  II,  pp.  125-126.) 

81  Colonel  Richard  Richardson,  the  elder,  of  the  South  Carolina  militia,  who  was  pro- 
moted to  brigadier-general  in  1778  and  died  in  September,  1780.  His  son.  Colonel  Richard 
Richardson,  the  younger,  was  subsequently  a  colonel  of  the  South  Carolina  militia  in  Camden 
district. 


6  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

I  went  down  to  Jackson's  Creek  when  Colonel  Richardson's  en- 
campment was  at  Congaree  ^^  and  piloted  Cap*.  James  Phillips  ^^ 
and  his  company^^  to  my  father's  and  provided  them  a  man  (Charles 
Brandon)  ^^  as  a  guide  to  take  them  to  CoP.  Mills'  ^'^  in  North  Caro- 
lina who  found  guides  through  the  Cherokee  and  Creek  nations  of 
Indians,  on  their  way  to  St.  Agustine  in  East  Florida  "  where  they 
were  kindly  received  by  the  Governor  ^^  and  continued  there  during 
the  greatest  part  of  the  war,  having  been  embodied  in  the  South 
Carolina  Regiment,^^  commanded  by  Major  now  CoP  Joseph  Robin- 
son *°  a  neighbour  of  mine ;  which  Regiment  distinguished  itself 
throughout  the  war  particularly  at  the  seige  of  Savanah  where  by 
their  meritorious  exertions  they  saved  the  garrison.  I  piloted  all 
the  loyalists  who  came  in  my  way  and  amongst  Cap'°  Buchanan 
supposed  to  be  of  the  Royal  Navy  who  endeavoured  to  keep  up  the 
spirits  of  the  loyalists  amongst  whom  a  regular  correspondence 
was  kept  up.  [1776]  For  which  I  was  made  a  prisoner,  my  house 
ransacked,  and  Kept  a  prisoner  *^  in  the  Snowy  Camp  on  Reedy 
River  ^^  for  about  a  week ;  CoP  Richardson  released  me,  but  the 
congress  party  held  me  at  enmity  and  forced  me  either  to  be  tryed 
at  Richardson's  camp  or  to  join  the  Rebel  Army  *^  which  latter 
alternative  I  chose  in  order  to  save  my  father's  family  from  threat- 


2-  Congaree  is  about  16  miles  southeast  of  Columbia.  Congaree  river  forms  part  of  the 
boundary  between  Richland  and  Calhoun  counties,  South  Carolina. 

^2  Captain  James  Phillips,  a  brother  of  Colonel  John  Phillips. 

^*  Captain  James  Miller  was  of  this  party    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.   100). 

^^  See  p.  4. 

^^  Colonel  Ambrose  Mills    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  72.) 

3"  St.  Augustine. 

^*  Patrick  Tonyn,  the  able  governor  of  East  Florida.  He  is  remembered  for  his  efforts  to 
make  that  Province  an  asylum  for  the  loyalist  refugees  from  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  and  for 
his  championship  of  the  military  abilities  of  the  well-known  loyalist,  Lieut.-Colonel  Thomas 
Brown,  the  brave  defender  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  in  May  and  June,  1781,  against  the  unjust 
attacks  and  criticisms  of  Brigadier-General  Augustine  Prevost.  Many  of  the  letters  and  docu- 
ments concerned  with  the  controversy  between  Tonyn  and  Prevost  are  summarized  in  the  Report 
of  the  Historical  Manuscripts  Commssion  on  the  American  MSS.   in  the  Royal  Institution. 

^°  The  formation  of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists,  which  is  the  correct  title  of  this 
regiment,  dates  from  July  20,  1778.  Alexander  Innes,  formerly  secretary  to  Lord  William  Camp- 
bell, the  governor,  was  appointed  colonel  and  Joseph  Robinson  lieut.-colonel.  It  was  to  consist 
of  eight  companies  of  50  rank  and  file,  with  one  colonel,  one  lieutenant-colonel  and  other  officers, 
whose  names  were  submitted  by  Robinson.  A  list  of  these  names  is  in  the  Royal  Institution. 
(Hist.   MSS.    Comm.,   Report  on  the   American   MSS.   in   the  Royal  Institution,   Vol.   I,   p.    274.) 

■'"Lieutenant-Colonel  Joseph  Robinson    (see  Additional  Notes,   p.   74.) 

*i  Alexander  Chesney  was  made  a  prisoner  early  in  1776  by  "a  party  of  rebels  under  Col. 
Steen,"  who  was  probably  James  Stein,  an  American  officer  who  served  with  distinction  in 
various  actions  under  Sumter.  {The  Royal  Commission  on  the  Losses  and  Services  of  American 
Loyalists,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton  ;  Roxburghe  Club,   1915,  p.  49). 

*-  Reedy  river  is  just  west  of  Greenville  in  Greenville  county.  South  Carolina. 

**  Alexander  Chesney  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  the  "rebel  army."    (See  p.  8,  n.  56). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  7 

ened  ruin,  he  had  been  made  prisoner  already  for  harbouring  some 
loyalists  ;**  and  served  from  April  1776  untill  June  1777  as  a  private 
during  which  time  I  w^as  at  Charlestown  and  Bolton's  landing  place 
opposite  Long-Island  whilst  the  British  army  was  encamped  there 
under  Sir  Henry  Clinton;  going  on  a  reconnoitring  party  one  day 
towards  the  British  lines  on  Long-Island  a  gun  with  grape  shot  was 
fired,  one  shot  of  which  was  within  a  few  inches  of  killing  me  hav- 
ing struck  the  sand  close  by  where  I  had  squatted  down  to  avoid 
the  discharge ;  I  endeavoured  with  some  others  *^  to  get  to  Gen'. 
Clinton's  Army  but  failed  for  want  of  a  boat  *^  and  returned  to  the 
Americans. 

We  then  marched  against  the  Indians,"*"  to  which  I  had  no  ob- 
jection, helped  to  destroy  32  of  their  towns  under  General  William- 
son *^  with  CoP  Sumpter.*^  We  had  a  severe  battle  with  the  Indians 
near  the  middle  settlements ;  in  the  course  of  the  engagement  five 
or  six  of  them  concealed  behind  a  log  fired  at  me  as  I  ascended  the 
hill  before  the  others,  and  one  of  their  balls  struck  a  saplin  of  about 
six  inches  diameter  opposite  my  breast ;  fortunately  the  young  tree 
broke  the  force  of  the  ball  and  saved  my  life. 

We  were  at  this  time  on  short  allowance  and  my  small  portion 
having  been  put  in  the  bag  with  the  ammunition  I  threw  it  away  to 
get  at  the  powder  &c  and  was  nearly  starved  in  consequence. 

On  returning  towards  Charles-town  we  were  encamped  at 
Tachaw  near  Nielson's  ferry  ^°  on  the  Santee ;  from  thence  marched 
to  Puriesburg  ^^  on  the  Savannah-river;  then  by  water  to  Savannah- 
town  which  time  we  killed  a  number  of  Alligators  with  rifle  guns ; 


**  A  few  extracts  from  this  Journal,  with  various  interpolations  and  free  renderings,  and 
with  several  errors  in  the  names  of  persons,  have  been  published  in  Essays  in  Military  Biography, 
by  Colonel  Charles  Cornwallis  Chesney,  1874,  pp.   135-153. 

*^  The  others  were  Charles  and  Chr.  Brandon    (see  p.  131.) 

*'^  In  evidence  before  the  commissioners  in  London,  Chesney  said  that  the  little  party, 
having  been  discovered  on  the  river,  were  obliged  to  return. 

*''  A  map  of  the  marches  of  General  Andrew  Williamson's  force  against  the  Cherokee 
Indians  is  in  Drayton's  Memoirs,  Vol.  11,  p.  343.  The  Cherokees  had  52  towns  in  Wesley's  time 
(Journal  of  Rev.  John  Wesley). 

*^  General  Andrew  Williamson    (see  Additional  Notes,   p.   76). 

*^  Colonel  Thomas  Sumter,  American  partisan  leader,  (see  Appleton,  Cyclopedia  of  Amer- 
ican Biography) . 

50  Nelson's  ferry  on  the  Santee  river  was  owned  by  one  Reason  Nelson,  a  loyalist  and 
native  of  South  Carolina,  who  died  in  August,  1781,  leaving  a  widow,  Ann,  three  sons,  William, 
Ambrose,  and  Joshua,  and  two  married  daughters,  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Martin  Struden,  and 
Frances.  The  two  elder  sons  died  before  15  December,  1787 ;  Joshua  joined  the  New  York 
Volunteers  as  a  boy  on  25  April,  1781,  afterwards  transferred  as  a  driver  to  the  Royal  Artillery, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  war  embarked  with  the  105th.  regiment  for  Ireland.  (A.O.  12/51,  fos. 
409-414;  A.O.  12/102,  fo.  110;    A.O.   13/133.) 

^'^  Purysburg,  Georgia,  a  place  visited  by  the  Rev.  John  Wesley. 


8  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

then  marched  to  Sunbury;  thence  to  Fort  Harrington  °-  on  the  Alta- 
maha  near  East  Florida  where  we  arrived  the  25th  March  [1777] 
(trees  then  beginning  to  bud) . 

A  total  eclipse  of  the  sun  ^"  happened  when  we  were  at 
Ogreechy-River  ''*  on  our  march  to  Sunbury.^^ 

While  at  Fort  Barrington  we  had  several  scrimishes  with  the 
Creek  Indians,  in  which  I  was  always  a  volunteer. 

The  Altamaha  rose  gradually  (like  the  Nile)  whilst  we  re- 
mained there. 

Returned  to  Tacaw  latter  end  of  May  and  home  in  June  1777 ; 
when  I  purchased  a  tract  of  land  on  Pacholet  River  from  Peter 
Howard  where  I  remained  some  time.  At  a  muster  soon  after  I  was 
chosen  Lieutenant  in  Cap*"  Bullock's  ^'''  company  of  Militia  by  my 
loyal  friends.  Went  with  a  party  to  Bailis'  fort  ^'  on  the  Indian 
line  at  the  head  of  Pacholet  River  about  50  miles  from  home,  and 
repaired  the  fort  continued  some  months  there — And  was  relieved 
the  May  following  1778  by  the  white  inhabitants  making  peace  with 
the  Indians  at  Duet's  corner.^^ 

This  winter  I  began  to  trade  to  Charles-Town  with  a  waggon 
at  which  I  had  success  and  realized  a  good  deal,  the  profits  being 
with  care  300  per  cent. 

In  the  summer  I  went  out  again  after  the  Indians  to  Georgia 
in  Capt''  McWhorter's  ^^  company  of  Volunteers  as  first  lieutenant, 
the  whole  under  command  of  Gen".  Williamson ;  We  were  out  as  far 


^-  Fort  Barrington,  on  the  Altamaha  river  in  Georgia,  was  erected  in  the  colonial  period 
as  a  defence  against  the  Indians.  Early  in  March,  1778,  it  was  the  scene  of  the  exploit  of  Lieut- 
Colonel  Thomas  Brown  of  the  King's  Florida  Rangers,  when  a  detachment  of  that  loyalist  corps 
with  a  few  Indians  stormed  the  fort  and  took  23  Americans  prisoners.  Captain  Andrew  Johnston 
claimed  the  honor  of  being  the  first  officer  to  enter  it.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the 
American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.,  Vol.  I,  pp.  209,  221.)  Captain  Johnson  afterwards  lost  his 
life  at  Augusta,  in  the  siege  of  May  and  June,  1781,  by  Lieut.-Colonel  Henry  Lee.  His  father, 
Dr.  Andrew  Johnston,  of  Georgia,   was  taken  prisoner  in  this  siege. 

^3  An  annular  eclipse  of  the  sun  on  January  9,  1777,  was  visible  in  South  Carolina,  as 
was  the  total  eclipse  on  June  24,  1778. 

^^  Ogeechee  river  in  Georgia. 

^^  Sunbury  in  Georgia. 

5^  Captain  Zachariah  Bullock  was  not,  as  might  be  assumed  from  Chesney's  statement,  a 
loyalist,  but  an  officer  in  the  American  militia  of  the  district  of  Ninety-Six.  (See  p.  9,  foot- 
note 62.) 

^'  Baylis  Earle's  ford  on  the  North  Pacolet  river  in  North  Carolina,  so-called  from  Baylis 
Earle,  father-in-law  of  Captain  Edward  Hampton,  a  noted  partisan  leader  on  the  Amer'can 
side.  An  action  was  fought  at  this  spot  on  July  15,  1780.  (See  Addition'al  Notes — Colonel 
Ambrose  Mills — p.  72). 

^*  The  Cherokee  Indians  signed  a  treaty  of  peace.  May  20,  1778,  at  Duet's  Corner,  a  place 
now  known  as  Due  West,  in  the  north  of  Abbeville  county.  South  Carolina. 

^'  This  may  be  Captain  Alexander  McWhorter,  deputy-commissary  of  Issues  in  the  Ameri- 
can militia  of  South  Carolina.     Several  men  of  this  name  were  in  the  American  service. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  9 

as  the  Altamaha,  during  this  excurtion  I  suffered  greatly  from  an 
attack  of  the  Flux ;  in  about  three  months  the  whole  party  returned. 
Col.  Phillips  ^°  was  there  also. 

In  the  summer  of  1779  I  was  at  Augusta  '''^  under  General  Wil- 
liamson again,  who  marched  to  join  General  Lincoln,  I  was  down  at 
Stono  for  some  weeks,  and  returned  home  on  business  '''-  before  the 
attack  was  made  on  the  British  lines  at  Stono,  by  General  Lincoln. ^^ 
I  continued  to  go  frequently  to  Charles-town  with  the  waggon  laden 
with  produce  and  returned  with  goods.  One  waggon  and  team  were 
impressed  last  summer  to  Augusta  &  left  there  when  we  marched 
to  join  Lincoln  the  Waggon  and  Horses  value  2000  currency  were 
lost. 

On  the  3"^  January  1780  I  married  Margret  Hodge  eldest 
daughter  of  Will"  Hodge  ®*  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  who  was  a 
daughter  of  Widow  Cook  a  sister  to  my  grandmother  Chesney   my 


*"  Colonel   John   Phillips,   the  loyalist.      (See   Additional  Notes,  p.   60.) 

*i  Augusta,  Georgia,  where  a  fort  was  built  in  1787:    (Journal  of  Rev.  John  Wesley). 

0-  This  business  would  seem  to  have  been  the  raising  of  a  new  division  for  the  American 
service  by  Alexander  Chesney : 

"State  of  S°  Carolina  )  Whereas  Alexander  Chesney  Lieutenant  in  Capt.  Zachariah 
Ninety  Six  District  (  Bullocks  company  came  before  me  and  made  Oath  that  on  the 
2d  day  of  June  last  being  Order'd  home  from  the  Camps  at  Stono,  in  Order  to  raise,  a  new 
Division  having  his  Waggon  and  Team  then  in  the  Service  ;  and  on  the  3d  of  June  he  came  by 
the  Quarter  House  See  his  Team,  which  he  was  obliged  to  leave  under  the  direction  of  his 
Brother,  which  Team  being  lost  before  his  return  with  the  Division,  and  have  made  diligent 
search  has  never  found  but  one  of  the  s  Team  which  consisted  of  four  Horses,  and  the  remaining 
three  he  has  never  yet  heard  off ;  and  he  likewise  says  that  about  the  middle  of  the  Day  his 
Brother  informs  him  he  went  and  see  the  Horses  and  that  they  were  all  there  together,  and  in 
two  or  three  hours  after  they  were  missing  and  could  not  be  found,  and  that  his  brother  is  of 
opinion  they  were  stole  ;  and  he  also  say  that  the  Horse  he  got,  he  found  with  M.  Wetherford, 
who  told  him  that  he  took  the  Horse  from  a  Man  who  said  he  found  him  in  an  old  field  near 
the  quarter  House. 

Sworn  before  me  this  6th.  September  1779  Wm  Wofford:  J.  P."  (From  the  Revolutionary 
Account  Audited,  Alexander  Chesney,  Office  of  the  Historical  Commission  of  South   Carolina.) 

It  may  be  said  of  William  Wofford  that  he  was  lieut.  colonel  of  militia  in  1779  and  that 
he  also  served  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  wagon  and  team  mentioned  in  the  above  affidavit  were  appraised,  August  4,  1779, 
by  Robert  McWhorter,  William  Hodge,  who  was  Alexander  Chesney's  father-in-law,  and  Meshak 
Inman.  A  claim  was  filed  by  Alexandere  Chesney  after  the  war,  but  there  is  no  record  of  its 
payment.  The  Quarter  House  here  mentioned  was  several  miles  out  of  Charleston,  to  the 
northward. 

"3  General  Benjamin  Lincoln's  abortive  attack  on  the  British  at  Stono,  June  20,  1779. 
(E.  McCrady,   The  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  382-391.) 

"*  William  Hodge,  father-in-law  of  Alexander  Chesney,  and  his  son,  William  Hodge,  served 
in  Colonel  Thomas  Brandon's  regiment  of  South  Carolina  militia  after  the  fall  of  Charleston. 
This  regiment  was  stationed  in  the  county  of  Spartanburg.  William  Hodge,  the  elder,  -and 
Alexander  Chesney  were  joint  debtors  on  a  bond  of  £235. IBs.,  dated  25  December,  1780,  to  one 
Edward  Williams,  a  schoolmaster,  of  Ninety-Six  district.  The  original  bond  with  signatures 
is  with  the  papers  of  Colonel  James  Vernon,  the  loyalist,  to  whom  all  the  assets  of  Williams 
were  bequeathed.      (Public   Record  Office:   A.  O.    13/123). 


10  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

wife  of  Margret  was  born  30^''  1759  ^^  as  appears  by  an  entry  in 
her  Bible  a  part  of  which  was  torn  by  accident. 

It  was  firmly  believed  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  that  Charles- 
town  would  be  reduced  by  the  British,  which  happened  accordingly 
on  the  12"^  May  following,''^  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton  having  issued  a 
proclamation  commanding  all  His  Majesty's  faithful  subjects  to 
embody  for  the  defence  of  his  government;  a  number  of  loyalists 
assembled  at  Sugar  Creek  ^"  and  the  waters  of  Fair  Forest  ^^  under 
the  command  of  CoP  Balfour,*'"  I  took  protection  the  25*''  of  June 
1780  ^°  from  Isaac  Grey  ^^  Captain  South  Carolina  Reg^  And  about 
the  middle  of  June  embodied  with  the  Militia  as  Lieu^  I  com- 
manded in  an  affair  at  Bullock's'  Creek  '-  where  the  rebel  Party  was 
defeated  in  attempting  to  cross  the  ford ;  My  father  was  present  on 
this  occasion  and  hearing  the  bullets  whistle  without  seeing  by 
whom  they  were  fired,  asked  me  where  are  they  ?  I  placed  him  near 
a  tree  until  the  affair  was  over,  and  resolved  he  should  not  be  so 
exposed  again. 

I  then  joined  Col'  Balfour  and  was  in  an  affair  at  James  Wood's 
house  "  above  the  Iron-works  on  Pacolet  but  not  finding  the  opposi- 
tion there  that  we  expected,  returned  again  to  fair  forest;  Col' 
Balfour  then  returned  to  Ninety-Six,  and  Major  Ferguson  "*  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  under  the  title  of  CoP  and  Inspector  General 
of  Militia.  Shortly  afterwards  he  marched  to  Thickety  Creek  ^^ 
encamped,  and  requested  me  to  carry  an  express  to  Cap*°  Paf" 


^^  The  name  of  the  month  is  not  mentioned  in  Chesney's  Journal. 

88  Charleston  capitulated  to  the  British,  May  12,   1780. 

8"  Sugar  creek  in  Ninety-Six  district.     The  number  of  loyalists  was  200.      (See  p.   131). 

88  Probably  Fair  Forest  creek  in  Spartanburg  and  Union  counties.  South  Carolina,  in  a 
district  so  named  by  the  first  settlers,  who  exclaimed  "What  a  fair  forest  is  this !"  (Draper, 
King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  p.  76).  Fair  Forest  has  been  made  famous  by  the  pen  of 
William  Gilmour  Simms,   the  Carolina  novelist. 

89  Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour,  of  the  23rd  Foot  (Royal  Welsh  Fusiliers)  was  commandant 
at  Charleston,  and  was  succeeded  in  July,  1782,  by  Lieut.-Colonel  Isaac  Allen,  of  the  New  Jersey 
Volunt€ei-s.  His  military  secretary  at  this  period  was  Captain  Geroge  Benson,  of  the  44th 
Foot,  who  married  in  1781  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Alexander  Garden,  of  Charleston,  an  eminent 
surgeon  and  botanist  and  a  loyalist.     Colonel  Balfour  is  in  the  Dictionary  of  National  Biography. 

""  A  certificate  of  allegiance  to  the  British,  dated  June  27,  1780,  and  signed  by  Colonel 
Nisbet  Balfour,  is  with  the  papers  of  John  Hopton,  loyalist,  of  Charleston,  in  the  Public  Record 
Oflice  in  London.     (A.O.  13/129.) 

''I  Captain  Isaac  Grey's  name  cannot  be  found  in  the  various  published  or  unpublished 
lists  of  loyalist  officers. 

''-  Bullocks  creek  is  in  York  county.  South  Carolina. 

■^3  This  house  has  not  been  identified. 

■^■^  Major  Patrick  Ferguson.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.  82.) 

''^  Thicketty  creek  is  a  western  tributary  of  Broad  river,  with  which  it  unites  a  few 
miles  above  the  junction  with  Pacolet  river. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  11 

Moore  ^^  then  commandant  at  Anderson's  fort  ^^  with  a  particular 
private  message  to  him  to  hold  the  fort  till  the  last  minute  and  be- 
fore I  could  return  the  army  had  decamped  about  midnight  and  re- 
treated towards  Cap*°  Lewis  Boboes  ^^  on  Tyger-River,  where  I 
joined  them,  and  we  got  an  account  that  Col  McDole  ^^  had  without 
opposition  reduced  Anderson's  fort  and  made  them  prisoners,  Moore 
having  shamefully  surrendered  it  thus  disappointing  Ferguson's 
scheme  of  bringing  the  Americans  to  battle  whilst  attacking  it. 
Major  Gibbs  *°  came  to  me  in  this  situation  of  affairs,  showed  me  a 
paper  containing  instructions  to  go  McDole's  camp  at  the  Cherokee 
ford  ®^  on  Broad-River  and  leam  there  numbers,  their  commanders 
name  what  carriages  they  had  how  many  horse  and  foot,  and  when- 
ever they  made  any  movement  towards  CoP  Ferguson  to  return  and 
let  him  know,  and  that  there  would  be  a  handsome  reward.  I  told 
Col'  Gibbs  that  what  services  I  could  do  were  not  with  any  lucra- 
tive view  and  that  I  would  undertake  this  difficult  task  for  the  good 
of  H  M  Service  since  he  could  not  procure  a  qualified  person  to  un- 
detake  it,  I  set  out  immediately  and  at  Pacolet  got  a  man  to  go  with 


"^  Captain  Patrick  Moore  was  of  Irish  descent  and  was  born  in  Virginia.  Early  in  life 
he  settled  on  Thicketty  creek,  South  Carolina.  His  force  consisted  of  a  sergeant  of  the  Ameri- 
can Volunteers  and  93  loyalists  and  was  surprised,  30  July,  1780,  by  a  body  of  American  militia, 
600  strong,  under  Colonels  Isaac  Shelby,  Elijah  Clarke,  and  Andrew  Hampton,  and  Major  Charles 
Robertson.  To  the  peremptory  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  Moore  replied  that  he 
would  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.  But  when  he  saw  the  formidable  force  in  front  of  him, 
he  relented  and  surrendered  without  firing  a  shot.  In  surrendering.  Captain  Moore  was  charged 
by  the  officer  second  in  command  with  cowardice  and  treachery.  Colonel  Charles  McDowell  was 
not  present  in  person  on  this  occasion,  as  Chesney  states,  Shelby's  force  having  been  detached 
from  the  main  force  of  McDowell  at  Cherokee  Ford,  about  20  miles  distant.  Patrick  Moore  is 
believed  to  have  been  captured  by  a  party  of  Americans  in  1781  near  Ninety-Six  and  murdered, 
as  his  remains  were  afterwards  recognised  by  his  great  height,  6  feet  7  inches.  He  left  a 
w^idow,  a  son  and  three  daughters.  Plis  brother,  a  noted  loyalist  partisan,  was  Colonel  John 
Moore.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  87-89  ;  Anthony  Allaire's  "Diary,"  printed 
in  Draper's  volume;   E.  McCrady,  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Rev.,   1775-1780,   pp.    634-635.) 

''"'  Anderson's  fort,  or  Thicketty  fort  as  it  was  more  generally  called,  was  originally  built 
as  a  defence  against  the  Cherokee  Indians  and  was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  Groucher  Creek 
and  two  and  one-half  miles  above  the  mouth  of  this  small  water  course,  which  empties  into 
Thicketty  creek. 

''^  Captain  Lewis  Bobo  was  an  officer  in  the  militia  on  the  Revolutionary  side.  His  resi- 
dence was  in  the  present  county  of  Spartanburg.  Tiger  river  runs  from  Spartanburg  county 
and  joins  Broad  river  in  the  south-east  of  Union  county,  South  Carolina. 

^^  Colonel  Charles  McDowell,  the  son  of  Joseph  McDowell,  an  emigrant  from  Ulster  in 
1780.  His  brother.  Major  Joseph  McDowell,  led  the  militia  from  Burke  and  Rutherford  counties. 
North  Carolina,  at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  where  another  brother,  William,  also  fought. 
Major  Joseph  McDowell  was  in  command  of  a  force  of  mountainmen  at  the  battle  of  Cowpens, 
17  January,  1781,  and  in  1788  was  a  member  of  the  North  Carolina  Constitutional  Convention  ; 
in  1792  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress.  (H.  Jones  Ford,  The  Scotch-Irish  in  America, 
1915,  pp.  509-510.) 

^"Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs,   the  loyalist.      (See  Additional  Notes,   p.   79.) 

^1  Cherokee  ford  is  on  Broad  river  in  Cherokee  county,  near  the  junction  of  the  present 
counties  of  Union,  York,  and  Spartanburg. 


12  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

me,  who  was  acquainted  with  the  North  CaroHna  people;  we  went 
to  McDole's  camp  at  night  without  being  noticed  counted  all  their 
tents  and  waggons  found  out  who  were  their  leaders,  and  that  500 
horsemen  were  gone  down  to  attack  Nochols'  fort,^^  with  this  news 
I  returned,  and  on  my  way  found  a  loyalist  in  whom  I  could  confide 
and  sent  him  off  with  the  particulars  by  one  route  to  Col'  Ferguson 
whilst  I  went  by  another  and  the  CoP  got  intelligence  time  enough 
to  intercept  them  at  the  Iron- Works  and  defeat  them,-^  in  returning 
I  was  taken  at  Grindall  Shoal  by  a  party  of  Rebels  under  Eusaw 
Smith  ***  and  Desmond  who  took  from  me  a  Rifle  gun  borrowed  of 
John  Heron  my  brother  in  law,  but  as  soon  as  they  set  out  for  the 
rebel  camp  I  made  my  escape  joined  Col'  Ferguson  at  Culbered*^  and 
received  his  thanks  and  friendship ;  on  the  9th  August  I  was  ap- 
pointed Cap'°  and  assistant  Adjutant  General  to  the  different  Ba- 
talions  under  Col'  Ferguson ;  and  same  day  we  attacked  the  enemy 
at  the  Iron  works  and  defeated  them  with  little  trouble  to  our- 
selves and  a  good  deal  of  loss  to  the  Americans  in  whose  hands  I 
found  some  of  our  men  prisoners  whom  I  released.*^" 

Our  next  rout  [August  12]  was  down  towards  the  Fishdam- 
ford  on  Broad-River,^^  where  there  was  a  fight  near  the  mouth  of 
Brown's  Creek  with  Neale's  Militia  when  we  made  many  prisoners 
amongst  the  rest  Esaw  Smith ;^^  who  had  taken  me  so  recently; 
after  this  we  crossed  that  River  and  formed  a  junction  with  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  Col'  Turnbull  *^"  and  the  Militia  under 


S'^  This  fort  Is  described  as  Nicholas's  fort  later  (p.  131).  Nicholas  fort  was  on  the  Tiger 
river,  seven  miles  west  of  the  present  town  of  Spartanburg  in   South  Carolina. 

^^  The  old  or  Wofford's  Iron  Works  situated  on  Lawson's  fork  of  Pacolet  river.  At  these 
iron  works  a  severe  action  was  fought,  August  8,  1780,  between  a  force  under  Colonel  Elijah 
Clarke  and  Isaac  Shelby  and  Major  James  Dunlap's  detachment  of  loyalists,  when  Major  Fergu- 
son came  up  to  the  rescue  of  the  loyalists  and  saved  them  from  defeat.  This  action,  which  is 
also  known  as  the  second  battle  of  Cedar  Springs,  was  claimed  as  a  victory  by  both  sides.  Colonel 
McDowell  was  not  present  in  person.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  89-102; 
E.   McCrady,   The  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.   636-640.) 

^*  Captain  Esaw  Smith  was  in  1779  a  member  of  Captain  David  Hopkin's  company  of 
the  3rd.  South  Carolina  regiment  of  the  Continental  Line.  In  1780  and  1781  he  served  in  the 
militia  of  the  State. 

^^  Cull  ered,  probably  the  plantation  of  Josiah  Culbertson,  a  well  known  American  parti- 
san. According  to  Allaire's  "Diary,"  it  was  at  this  plantation  that  Major  Patrick  Ferguson  was 
encamped,   August  10,   1780. 

*"  This  engagement  apparently  at  the  old  or  Wofford's  Iron  Works  is  not  recorded  In  any 
of  the  publ'shed  histories  of  the  war. 

^^  An  action  was  fought  at  Fishdam  ford  on  Broad  river,  below  the  present  town  of 
Carlisle,  near  the  junction  of  Fairfield,  Union,  and  Chester  counties,  November  9,  1780,  the 
Americans  being  victorious. 

^*  Captain   Esaw   Smith.      (See  footnote   84  above). 

*"  Lieutenant-Colonel  George  Turnbull  (c.  1734-1810),  a  Scotsman,  who  had  been  lieuten- 
ant in  1756  and  captain  in  1765  in  the  Royal  Americans  regiment  (now  the  60th.  or  King's 
Koyal   Rifles)    and   had   settled   in   New    York.      Early   in    1777    he    was   appointed    to   the    Loyal 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  13 

Col.  Phillips  '"'  and  having  received  authentic  accounts  that  Sump- 
ter  9^  had  cut  off  our  retreat  to  Lord  Cornwallis'  Army  at  Camden, 
we  had  it  in  contemplation  to  cross  Broad-River  and  retreat  to 
Charles-town  at  this  time  the  halfway  men  (as  those  not  hearty 
in  the  cause  were  called)  left  us;  we  then  marched  to  the  Rebel  Col 
Winns' "-  and  encamped  there  waiting  for  more  authentic  accounts. 
On  the  16th  we  heard  a  heavy  firing  towards  Camden,  which  kept 
us  in  the  utmost  anxiety  untill  the  18th  when  a  letter  was  received 
from  Capt''  Ross  ^^  aid  de  camp  to  Lord  Cornwallis  informing  us 
that  his  Lordship  had  attacked  &  defeated  Gates'  Army  had  killed 
or  taken  2,200  men  18  Ammunition  Waggons  and  350  waggons  with 
provisions  and  other  stores.''*  This  news  made  us  as  happy  as 
people  in  our  situation  could  possibly  be ;  until  the  next  night  when 
we  received  an  express  that  the  rebels  had  defeated  CoP  Ennis  ^^ 
at  Enoree;^*^  this  occasioned  a  rapid  march  that  way.     The  main 

American  regiment  and  was  transferred,  7  October  in  the  same  year  as  lieut. -commandant 
of  the  New  York  Volunteers.  This  corps  distinguished  itself  at  Fort  Montgomery,  16  October, 
1777,  under  the  command  of  Major  Alexander  Grant,  who  was  killed  ;  in  the  gallant  defence  of 
Savannah  in  September,  1779  ;  at  the  capture  of  Charleston  in  May,  1780  ;  at  Rocky  Mount, 
when  Sumpter  was  defeated  ;  in  the  battle  of  Camden,  16  August,  1780  ;  at  Hobkirk's  Hill,  25 
April,  1781,  when  Rawdon  defeated  Greene  ;  and  at  Eutaw  Springs,  8  September,  1781.  Turnbull 
was  not,  however,  present  at  the  two  last  engagements,  having  been  granted  leave  to  proceed  to 
New  York,  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  Clopper  of  New  York 
and  died  at  Bloomingdale,  New  Jei-sey,  in  October,  1810.  (Carleton's  Correspondence  in  the 
Public  Record  Office,  Folio  41  ;  B.  F.  Stevens,  CUnton-Cornwallis  Controversy,  Index.) 

»"  Colonel  John  Phillips.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.   60.) 

®^  Colonel  Thomas  Sumter   (1734-1832)    is  in  Appleton's  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography. 

^2  Colonel  John  Winn.  (See  p.  3,  footnote  15.)  Lieutenant  Anthony  Allaire  was 
encamped  at  his  plantation  from  August  17  to  19,  1780,  while  Colonel  Winn  was  a  prisoner 
on  James  Island. 

*^  Captain,  afterwards  General,  Alexander  Ross  (1742-1827),  the  intimate  friend  and 
aide-de-camp  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  It  was  Major  Ross  who,  with  Colonel  Thomas  Dundas,  con- 
veyed to  Washington  the  determination  of  Lord  Cornwallis  to  capitulate. 

"*  The  defeat  of  Horatio  Gates,  former  officer  of  the  British  Army,  at  Camden,  18  August, 
1780,  was  received  with  great  enthusiasm.  McCrady  quoting  Bancroft,  says  that  the  American 
casualties  are  not  known  accurately.  Anthony  Allaire,  the  loyalist,  estimated  the  number  of 
killed  at  1200  and  the  prisoners  at  1000.  Tarleton's  figures  are  70  officers  and  2000  men  as 
the  total  American  casualties.  Gates  put  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  at  only  700  and  the 
total  loss  of  the  British  at  500.  Lord  Cornwallis  gave  the  American  loss  as  between  800  and 
900  killed  and  1000  prisoners.  (Tarleton,  History,  pp.  104-9,  131-5  ;  Allaire's  "Diary"  ;  E. 
McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  666-680;  S.  G.  Fisher, 
The  Struggle  for  American  Independence,  1908,  Vol.  II,  296-9,  with  a  list  of  authorities ; 
Lord  Cornwallis's  report  in  the  Stofford-Sackville  MSS.,  Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report.,  Vol.  II,  1910, 
pp.  178-182.) 

^^  Colonel  Alexander   Innes.      (See  Additional   Notes   p.   83.) 

^^  The  battle  of  Musgrove's  Mills,  the  residence  of  the  loyalist,  Edward  Musgrove,  on  the 
Enoree  river,  on  19  August,  1780,  when  the  Americans  were  victorious.  The  Americans,  to  the 
number  of  500,  were  commanded  by  Colonels  James  Williams,  Shelby,  and  Clarke,  while  the 
loyalists  consisted  of  a  company  of  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  a  detachment  of  De  Lancey's  brigade 
and  about  100  men  of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists,  under  Major  Thomas  Eraser.  (Mackenzie, 
Strictures  on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton's  History,  1787,  pp.  24-6  ;  Draper,  King's  Mountain 
and  its  Heroes,  p.  110;  E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780, 
pp.   690-4.) 


14  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

body  having  crossed  the  Enoree,  I  was  left  behind  in  command  of 
the  rearguard  and  being  attacked  in  that  situation  [August  20] 
we  maintained  our  ground  untill  the  Main  body  re-crossed  to  our 
support ;  the  Americans  retreated  [August  21]  after  suffering  some 
loss." 

We  encamped  for  some  time  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Enoree, 
and  then  marched  up  to  Fair-forest.  Some  particular  business  hav- 
ing called  Col^  Ferguson  to  Camden  Capt°  Depeyster  who  succeed- 
ed him  to  the  command  [September,  1780,]  marched  us  up  the  Iron- 
Works  and  I  obtained  leave  to  see  my  home  and  family  whither  I 
went  for  about  two  hours  and  sent  orders  for  those  who  had  shame- 
fully abandoned  us  some  time  ago  to  join  us  at  the  Iron- Works  in 
order  to  do  three  months'  duty  in  or  on  the  borders  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  returned  to  the  camp  that  night ;  we  continued  some  time 
at  the  Iron  works  and  whilst  there  a  party  of  Loyalists  with  whom 
I  was,  defeated  CoP  Brannan  ^^  destroyed  some  of  his  party  and 
scattered  the  rest.  I  was  present  also  at  a  small  affair  at  Fair- 
Forest,  the  particulars  of  which,  as  well  as  numerous  other  skir- 
mishes having  escaped  my  memory,  scarcely  a  day  passed  without 
some  fighting. 

Col'  Ferguson  having  resumed  the  command  and  finding  him- 
self ^^  pretty  strong  he  marched  us  to  the  North  Carolina  line  and 
encamped. 

A  dissatisfaction  prevailed  at  this  moment  amongst  the 
Militia  founded  on  general  Clinton's  hand-bill  which  required 
every  man  having  but  three  children,  and  every  single  man  to  do 
six  months  duty  out  of  their  province  when  required,  this  appeared 
like  compulsion,  instead  of  acting  voluntarily  as  they  conceived 
they  were  doing,  and  they  were  in  consequence  ready  to  give  up  the 


*'  Alexander  Chesney  was  unaware  of  Tarleton's  surprise  and  defeat  of  Sumter  at 
Fishing  creek  on  August  18,  1780,  when  Sumter,  asleep  under  a  wagon,  barely  escaped  with 
his  life  and  in  the  confusion  rode  off  without  saddle,  hat,  or  coat,  reaching  Major  Davie's  camp 
at  Charlotte  two  days  later,  unattended  by  officer,  soldier  or  servant.  (E.  McCrady,  The  History 
of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  680-684.) 

"8  Colonel  Thomas  Brandon  (1741-1802),  an  American  of  Irish  descent,  of  Union  county. 
South  Carolina,  who  shared  in  the  action  at  Musgrove's  Mills  and  was  present  at  the  battles  of 
King's  Mountain,  Blackstocks  Hill,  and  Cowpens.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes, 
p.  469.)      He  was  a  relentless  foe  of  the  loyalists. 

*^  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  described  as  colonel  by  Alexander  Chesney  in  this  Journal, 
marched  on  September  12  with  40  American  volunteers  and  100  militiai  to  the  head  of  Cane 
creek  in  Burke  county.  North  Carolina,  to  surprise  a  party  of  300  of  the  enemy.  McDowell 
in  command  of  this  party,  having  received  intelligence  of  the  presence  of  Ferguson's  force, 
deemed  it  prudent  to  remove,   but  was  intercepted  and  routed.     (AUaire,   "Diary.") 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  15 

cause  ;^°°  but  owing  to  the  exertions  of  their  officers  a  great  part  of 
which  I  attribute  to  myself,  the  tumult  was  happily  appeased,  and 
same  night  we  marched  with  all  the  horse  and  some  foot  past  Gib- 
bert's  town  ^°^  towards  Col  Grimes'  ^"^  ^j^q  -^^s  raising  a  body  of 
rebels  to  oppose  us ;  whom  we  succeeded  in  dispercing  taking  many 
prisoners,  and  then  joined  the  foot  at  Gilbert's  town  and  encamped 
there  for  some  time ;  sending  away  the  old  men  to  their  houses,  and 
several  officers  to  raise  men  to  supply  their  places  and  strengthen 
us.  Col  Ferguson  soon  after  got  intelligence  that  Col  McDole  ^°^ 
was  encamped  on  Cain  and  Silver  Creeks  ;^°*  on  which  we  marched 
towards  the  enemy,  crossed  the  winding  Creek  23  times,  found  the 
rebel  party  strongly  posted  towards  the  head  of  it  near  the  moun- 
tains we  attacked  them  instantly  and  after  a  determined  resistance 
defeated  them  and  made  many  prisoners,  the  rest  fled  towards 
Turkey-Cove  ^°^  in  order  to  cross  the  mountains  and  get  to  Hol- 
stein;"*'  on  this  occasion  I  commanded  a  division,  [September,  1780,] 
and  took  the  person  prisoner  who  was  keeper  of  the  records  of  the 
county  which  I  sent  to  my  father's  as  a  place  of  safety.  We  then 
fortified  Col^  Walker's  house  "''  as  a  protection  to  the  wounded,  and 


i""  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  handbill  stipulated  service  in  the  local  militia  by  the  married  men 
with  families  and  not  elsewhere.  Young  men  without  children  were  expected  to  serve  six 
months  out  of  the  year,  but  were  not  required  to  march  beyond  North  Carolina  on  one  side  or 
Georgia  on  the  other.  (E.  McCrady,  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780, 
p.  550.) 

i"!  Gilbert  Town  is  near  the  present  town  of  Rutherfordton  in  North  Carolina. 

i''2  Colonel  Grimes,  in  command  of  some  American  troops  in  the  district  of  Catawba 
river  in  September,  1780.  (State  Records  of  North  Carolina,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  778.)  One  Richard 
Grimes  was  appointed  a  commissioner,  7  July,  1781,  to  provide  horses,  by  purchase  or  impress- 
ment, for  General  Greene's  cavalry.  (Journal  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  the  State  Records  of 
North  Carolina,  Vol.  XXVII,  p.  939.) 

103  Colonel  Charles  McDowell. 

1°^  Cane  and  Silver  creeks  are  in  Burke  county.  North  Carolina.  Cane  creek  is  so 
amazingly  crooked  that  Captain  Abraham  de  Peyster  and  Lieut.  Anthony  Allaire,  with  their 
loyalist  force,  were  obliged  to  cross  it  nineteen  times  in  a  march  of  four  miles  (Allaire,  "Diary"). 
An  indecisive  action  was  fought  on  these  creeks,  12  September,  1780,  between  Ferguson  and 
McDowell  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  147-9,  199).  According  to  a  loyalist 
veirsion  of  this  action  80  prisoners  were  taken,  one  man  killed.  Captain  White  wounded,  and 
all  the  American  ammunition  captured,  the  British  loss  being  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded. 
(AUaire,  "Diary.") 

105  Turkey  Cove  is  on  the  Catawba  river,  about  six  miles  above  the  town  of  Marion, 
North  Carolina. 

!"•'  The  Holstein  river  district,  at  that  time  a  portion  of  North  Carolina,  but  now  in  east 
Tennessee. 

^"■^  Colonel  Jacob  Walker,  whose  house  and  plantation  were  in  the  fork  of  Cane  creek 
and  Second  Broad  river  in  Rutherford  county.  North  Carolina.  Lieut.  Anthony  Allaire  was 
present  on  this  occasion,  on  13  September,  at  Colonel  Walker's  house,  where  he  met  Captain 
Ryerson,  of  the  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  Lieut.  Duncan  Fletcher,  of  the  Loyal  American 
regiment.  Allaire  also  alludes  in  his  "Diary"  on  the  14th.  to  the  large  number  of  "deluded  inhabi- 
tants" who  were  coming  in  to  proclaim  their  loyalty.  Two  miles  distant  from  the  Walker 
plantation  is  Little  Britain  Church,  where  several  loyalist  soldiers  are  buried. 


16  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

proceeded  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels  to  the  Mountains  ^"^  at  the  head 
of  Cataba-River  sending  out  detachments  to  scour  the  country  and 
search  the  Caves ;  A  fight  happened  in  the  neighbourhood  between 
a  detachment  of  ours  and  the  Americans  who  were  posted  on  a 
broken-hill  not  accessible  to  Cavalry,  which  obliged  us  to  dismount 
and  leave  our  horses  behind,  whilst  employed  in  dislodging  the 
Americans  another  party  of  them  got  round  in  the  rear  and  took 
the  horses  mine  amongst  the  rest;  but  it  was  returned  by  the  per- 
son who  was  my  prisoner  in  the  last  affair;  about  a  week  before  he 
had  been  released  as  was  usual  at  this  time  with  prisoners.  At  this 
period  the  North  Carolina  men  joined  us  fast.  Our  spies  returned 
from  beyond  the  mountains  [October]  with  intelligence  that  the 
rebels  were  embodying  rapidly;  other  spies  brought  us  word  that 
Col'  Clark  had  taken  Fort  Augusta  ^°^  with  its  stores  &c  on  which 
we  marched  towards  white  oak  and  Green  River  "°  to  intercept  him 
on  his  return  from  Georgia;  Col  Ferguson  detached  the  horse  in 
three  divisions,  one  under  my  command  with  orders  to  proceed 
along  the  Indian  line  untill  I  could  make  out  Clarke's  route  &  join 
Capt°  Taylor^"  at  Bailis  Earls  fort;"-  I  proceeded  as  far  as 
Tyger-river  "^  and  there  learning  that  Clark  was  gone  up  the  bushy 
fork  of  Seluda-river,"*  I  took  six  of  the  best  mounted  men  and  got 
on  his  track  untill  I  overtook  the  main  body  and  one  of  the  enemy 
prisoner  within  view  of  it,  whom  I  carried  to  Col'  Ferguson 
[October  4,  1780,]  who  thus  obtained  the  information  required. 

Our  spies  from  Holsteen  as  well  as  some  left  at  the  Gap  of 
the  Mountains  "=^  brought  us  word  that  the  Rebel  force  amounted 


1"*  The  Blue  Ridg^e  Mountains  in  North  Carolina. 

i''^  Colonel  Elijah  Clarke  had  laid  siege  to  Augusta  from  14  to  16  September,  but  was 
foiled  of  success  by  the  timely  arrival  of  Colonel  John  Harris  Cruger,  of  De  Lancey's  brigade, 
famous  for  his  defence  of  the  fort  of  Ninety-Six  against  Greene  in  May  and  June,  1781.  Fergn- 
son  tarried  long  in  North  Carolina  in  the  hope  of  intercepting  Clarke,  and  left  Gilbert  Town 
for  this  purpose,  27  September,  1780.     (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  199-200.) 

11"  White  Oak  is  a  creek  tributary  of  Green  river  in  Polk  and  Rutherford  counties.  North 
Carolina. 

m  Captain  John  Taylor,  of  Shrewsbury,  New  Jersey,  son  of  Thomas  Taylor,  was  born 
15  May,  1742,  and  was  appointed  lieutenant,  2  July,  1776,  and  captain,  26  August,  1780,  in  the 
New  Jersey  Volunteers.  In  July,  1776,  he  accompanied  the  British  forces  south  and  was  in 
command  of  a  small  corps  of  cavalry  until  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  where  he  distinguished 
himself.  Captain  Taylor  married,  6  August,  1786,  Eleanor  Taylor,  of  Middletown,  New  Jersey, 
the  marriage  taking  place  there.  He  died,  13  November,  1822,  leaving  a  widow,  an  unmarried 
daughter,  and  a  son,  Morris  Taylor.  (Public  Record  Office:  W.O.  42/T3 ;  A.O.  12/14,  fos. 
73-81 ;  A.  O.  12/101,  fo.  258  ;  A.  O.  12/85  ;  A.  O.  12/109  ;  A.  O.  13/109  ;  A.  O.  13/109  ;  A.  O. 
13/112;    Ind.  5606.) 

ii'' Baylis  Earle's  ford    (see  page  8,  n.  57). 

113  Tiger  river    (see  page  11,   n.  78). 

11*  Saluda  river  in  South  Carolina. 

11^  Gap  of  the  mountains,   probably  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  17 

to  3000  men ;  on  which  we  retreated  along  the  North  side  of  Broad- 
river  and  sent  the  waggons  along  the  South-side  as  far  as  Cherokee- 
ford/^^  where  they  joined  us  we  marched  to  King's  Mountain  and 
there  encamped  with  a  view  of  approaching  Lord  Cornwallis'  Army 
and  receiving  support;  by  CoP  Ferguson's  orders  I  sent  expresses 
to  the  Militia  Officers  to  join  us  here;  but  we  were  attacked  before 
any  support  arrived  by  1500  picked  men  from  Gilbert's-town  "^ 
under  the  command  of  Col'^  Cleveland,"^  Selby"^  and  CampbelP^°  all 
of  whom  were  armed  with  Rifles,  well  mounted  and  of  course  could 
move  with  the  utmost  celerity ;  so  rapid  was  their  attack  that  I  was 
in  the  act  of  dismounting  to  report  that  all  was  quiet  and  the  pickets 
on  the  alert  when  we  heard  their  firing  about  half  a  mile  off;  I 
immediately  paraded  the  men  and  posted  the  officers,  during  this 
short  interval  I  received  a  wound  which  however  did  not  prevent 
my  doing  duty;  and  on  going  towards  my  horse  I  found  he  had 
been  killed  by  the  first  discharge.  [October  9,  1780] . 

Kings  Mountain  from  its  height  would  have  enabled  us  to 
oppose  a  superior  force  with  advantage,  had  it  not  been  covered 
with  wood  which  sheltered  the  Americans  and  enabled  them  to 
fight  in  the  favorite  manner;  in  fact  after  driving  in  our  piquets 
they  were  able  to  advance  in  three  divisions  under  separate  leaders 
to  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  perfect  safety  untill  they  took  post  and 
opened  an  irregular  but  destructive  fire  ^^^  from  behind  trees  and 
other  cover:  Col  Cleaveland's  was  first  perceived  and  repulsed  by  a 
charge  made  by  Col'  Ferguson:  Col  Selly's  next  and  met  a  similar 
fate  being  driven  down  the  hill;  last  the  detachment  under  Col 
Campbell  and  by  desire  of  CoP  Ferguson  I  presented  a  new  front 
which  opposed  it  with  success ;  by  this  time  the  Americans  who  had 
been  repulsed  had  regained  their  former  stations  and  sheltered  be- 


11"  Cherokee  ford    (see  page  11,  n.   81). 

11^  Gilbert  Town    (see  page   15,   note   101). 

"s  Colonel  Benjamin  Cleveland.      (See  page   19,   n.   129). 

118  Colonel  Isaac  Shelby,  a  noted  border  leader  and  one  of  the  commanders  at  the  battle 
of  King's  Mountain,  where  he  was  conspicuous  for  valor.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its 
Heroes,  pp.  411-416.) 

i="  General  William  Campbell  (1745-81),  of  Scotch-Irish  origin,  who  was  ruthless  in  his 
methods  with  the  loyalists,  several  of  whom  he  condemned  to  death,  e.  g.,  Captain  Nathan  Read, 
who  elected  to  suffer  death  rather  than  submit  to  the  demand  that  he  should  join  the  American 
forces.  Draper  gives  other  instances  of  his  violence  to  the  loyalists.  At  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain  he  was  in  supreme  command,  Shelby  having  magnanimously  given  way  in  his 
favor.  Shelby  and  Sevier  believed  him  to  have  shrunk  from  danger  in  this  memorable  victory 
of  the  Americans,  but  Washington,  Gates,  and  Greene  expressed  their  high  sense  of  his  merits. 
(Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  378-402.) 

1-1  The  expression,  "an  irregular  but  destructive  fire,"  was  apparently  borrowed  from 
Stedman's  American  War,  Vol.  II,  p.  246. 


18  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

hind  trees  poured  in  an  irregular  destructive  fire;  in  this  manner 
the  engagement  was  mantained  near  an  hour,  the  mountaniers 
flying  whenever  there  was  danger  of  being  charged  by  the  Bay- 
onet/-- and  returning  again  so  soon  as  the  British  detachment  had 
faced  about  to  repl  another  of  their  parties.  Col  Ferguson  was  at 
last  recognized  by  his  gallantry  although  wearing  a  hunting  shirt 
and  fell  pierced  by  seven  balls  at  the  moment  he  had  killed  the 
American  Col'  Williams  ^^^  with  his  left  hand ;  (the  right  being  use- 
less ^-*)  I  had  just  rallied  the  troops  a  second  time  by  Ferguson's 
orders  when  Cap*  De  Peyster  ^^s  succeeded  to  the  command  but 
soon  after  gave  up  and  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  but  as  the  Americans 
resumed  their  fire  afterwards  ours  was  also  renewed  under  the 
supposition  that  they  would  give  no  quarter ;  and  a  dreadful  havoc 
took  place  until  the  flag  was  sent  out  a  second  time,  then  the  work 
of  destruction  ceased;  the  Americans  surrounded  us  with  double 
lines,  and  we  grounded  arms  with  the  loss  of  one  third  our  num- 
bers.^26   [October  9.] 

I  had  been  wounded  by  the  first  fire  but  was  so  much  occupied 
that  I  scarcely  felt  it  until  the  action  was  over.  We  passed  the  night 
on  the  spot  where  we  surrendered  amidst  the  dead  and  groans  of 
the  dying  who  had  not  surgical  aid,  or  water  to  quench  their  thirst ; 
Early  next  morning  [October  10]  we  marched  at  a  rapid  pace  to- 
wards Gilbert's  town  between  double  lines  of  mounted  Americans ; 
the  officers  in  the  rear  and  obliged  to  carry  two  muskets  each  which 
was  my  fate  although  wounded  and  stripped  of  my  shoes  and  silver 
buckles  in  an  inclement  season  without  covering  or  provisions  untill 
Monday  night  [October  12]  when  an  ear  of  Indian  corn  was  served 
to  each ;  at  Gilbert's  town  a  mock  tryal  was  held  and  24  sentenced 
to  death  10  of  whom  suffered  before  the  approach  of  Tarlton's 
force  ^^^  obliged  them  to  move  towards  the  Yadkin  ^^^  cutting  and 


122  -pjjg  expression,  "The  mountaineers  flying  whenever  they  were  in  danger  of  being 
charged  with  the  bayonet,"  is  apparently  borrowed  from  Stedman's  American  War,  Vol.  II,  p. 
246. 

1-3  Colonel  James  Williams,      (see  page  20,  n.  139). 

1-*  Major  Patrick  Ferguson's  right  arm  had  been  shattered  at  the  battle  of  the  Brandy- 
wine. 

1-^  Captain   Abraham  De  Peyster.      (See   Additional   Notes,   p.   84.) 
12«  The  battle  of  King's  Mountain.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.   86.) 

I-''  Colonel  Banistre  Tarleton,  who  commanded  the  British  Legion  in  South  Carolina  and 
■was  the  author  of  a  history  of  the  campaigns  of  1780  and  1781  in  the  Southern  Colonies,  wherein 
his  military  merits  are  much  exaggerated.  This  history  brought  forth  a  book  as  a  rejoinder, 
entitled.  Strictures  on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton's  History,  published  in  1787  by  Lieutenant 
Roderick  Mackenzie.  In  this  book  the  author  accuses  Tarleton  of  neglecting  to  mention  the 
bravery  of  many  South  Carolina  loyalists,   "men,  whose  integrity  was  incorruptible,   undismayed 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  19 

striking  us  by  the  road  in  a  savage  manner  CoP  Cleveland  ^^^  then 
offered  to  enlarge  me  on  condition  that  I  would  teach  his  Regiment 
for  one  month  the  exercise  practised  by  CoP  Ferguson  ^'-^  which  I 
refused,  although  he  swore  I  should  suffer  death  for  it  at  the 
Moravian  town;  luckily  his  threat  was  not  put  to  the  test  as  I 
had  the  good  fortune  to  make  my  escape  one  evening  when  close  to 
that  place ;  in  the  hurry  to  get  off  I  took  the  wrong  road  and  did  not 
discover  my  error  until  I  found  I  was  close  to  the  Moravian 
town:^^^  I  then  retraced  my  steps  until  close  to  the  pickets  I  had 
left  and  taking  a  fresh  departure  I  crossed  the  Yadkin  river  before 
morning,  proceeded  through  the  woods  toward  home,  John  Weedy- 
man  one  of  my  company  had  supplied  me  with  a  pair  of  shoes, 
which  were  of  great  use  on  this  occasion,  but  as  he  remained  a 
prisoner  I  never  had  an  opportunity  of  making  him  a  return. 

The  first  night  I  slept  in  the  woods,  next  day  I  was  supported 
by  haws  grapes  &c  as  I  could  find  them  in  the  woods :  The  second 
or  third  day  in  pushing  through  the  woods  to  get  to  a  ford  I  heard 
a  noise  of  some  people  (whom  I  knew  to  be  Americans  by  white 
paper  in  their  hats)  on  which  I  lay  down  and  was  so  close  to  them 
that  I  could  have  touched  one  of  their  horses  in  passing;  fortu- 
nately I  was  not  observed,  and  soon  after  crossed  the  Creek  after 
them :  I  then  made  for  the  Mountains  in  order  to  be  guided  by  the 
Apalachian  range  "^  and  get  over  the  rivers  with  greater  facility. 
After  crossing  Broad-river  I  met  one  Heron  who  had  been  with  me 
in  King's  Mountain  and  who  had  with  some  others  taken  flight 


in  the  hour  of  danger,  who  sacrificed  their  private  interest  to  public  good  and  who  .  .  .  fought 
and  bled  with  manly  spirit  .  .  .  and  evinced  a  probity  of  mind  under  every  reverse  of  fortune, 
which  must  endear  them  to  posterity"    (p.  29). 

1"^  The  Yadkin  river  rises  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  in  North  Carolina. 

1-^  Colonel  Benjamin  Cleveland  commanded  the  troops  from  the  Upper  Yadkin  valley 
at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  In  the  annals  of  the  war  in  South  Carolina  no  officer  on  the 
American  side  treated  his  political  enemies  with  greater  severity.  The  loyalists  were  regarded 
by  him  as  so  much  game,  or  dangerous  pests,  worthy  only  of  extermination.  At  rare  moments 
he  was  capable  of  generous  instincts.  He  it  was  who  caused  the  execution  of  Zachariah  Wells, 
on  the  plea  that  he  was  a  dangerous  Tory,  as  well  as  bringing  about  the  executions  of  the 
loyalists  after  King's  Mountain.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  425-454;  S.  G. 
Fisher,  The  Struggle  for  American  Independence,  1908,  pp.  416-419.)  Colonel  Cleveland's  brutal 
treatment  of  Dr.  Uzal  Johnson,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  who  rendered  services  to  the  wounded 
on  both  sides  in  this  battle,  was  severely  criticized.  (Allaire,  "Diary";  J.  Watts  de  Peyster,  "The 
Affair  at  King's  Mountain"  in  Magazine  of  American  History,  Vol.  5,  pp.  402-423.) 

i'"'The  younger  men  were  thoroughly  drilled  in  military  tactics  by  Major  Ferguson. 
(Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  p.  73.) 

131  Alexander  Chesney  says  elsewhere  that  he  was  marched  about  150  miles  to  Moravina 
Town.  (The  Royal  Commission  on  Loyalists  Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton ;  Rox- 
burghe  Club,  1915,  p.  50).  This  town  was  probably  the  present  Winston-Salem  in  North  Caro- 
lina, a  distance  of  about  100  miles  in  a  direct  line  from   King's  Mountain. 

1^2  The  Appalachian  Mountains,  the  general  name  for  the  great  mountain  system  in  the 
east  of  North  America,  called  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  in  North  Carolina. 


20  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

early  in  the  action,  putting  white  papers  in  their  hats,^-^^  by  which 
disgraceful  stratagem  they  got  through  the  American  lines:  I 
passed  a  night  at  Heron's  house  and  one  before  at  another  man's 
on  whom  I  could  depend,  from  both  I  took  some  provisions  all  the 
other  nights  I  slept  out ;  I  do  not  remember  the  number  exactly,  but 
must  have  been  nearly  a  fortnight.^^*  I  reached  home  on  the  31^* 
October  I  found  the  Americans  had  left  me  little.  My  wife  had  a 
son  on  the  20""  whom  I  named  William  which  was  all  the  christen- 
ing he  had. 

As  I  did  not  know  where  to  find  any  British  troops  I  continued 
about  home  some  time  [November,  1780,]  and  as  the  Americans 
were  in  possession  of  the  country  I  was  obliged  to  conceal  myself 
in  a  cave  dug  in  the  branch  of  a  creek  under  a  hollow  poplar  with 
my  cousins  Hugh  Cook  ^^^  and  Charles  Brandon  f^'''  in  which  we 
were  forced  for  want  of  room  "'^  to  lie  flat.  Cooke's  wife  brought 
us  food  and  news  every  night;  I  sometimes  staid  at  my  father-in- 
laws,  untill  I  heard  that  CoP  Tarlton  had  defeated  Sumpter  at 
Black-stocks  fort  ^^®  on  Tyger-river  on  which  I  raised  a  company 
with  great  diflSculty  and  joined  a  strong  party  at  Col  Williams' 
house  on  Little-river  ^^^  where  there  was  a  strong  party  under 
General  Cunningham.i*°  Major  Plumber  ^^^  having  been  wounded 
at  King'  Mountain  the  command  of  our  Regiment  devolved  on 
Jonathan  Frost "-  as  Major  who  directed  me  to  assemble  my  com- 
pany of  Militia  and  join  him  at  an  appointed  place  on  the  Enoree. 
When  I  came  to  that  place  on  the  day  and  time  appointed  I  found 


185  General  Francis  Marion  distinguished  his  men  from  the  Tories  by  placing  white  cockades 
on  them,  12  August,  1780.  (E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780, 
p.  652. )      A  similar  method  of  identification  may  have  been  employed  at  King's  Mountain. 

13^  The  distance  traversed  by  Alexander  Chesney  to  his  home  on  the  Pacelot  river  would 
be  about  120  miles  in  a  straight  line. 

135  Hugh  Cook   (see  p.  4). 

15"  Charles  Brandon    (see  p.   14,   n.  98.) 

15"  Room  in  the  Journal,  obviously  room. 

13S  rpjjg  American  and  British  accounts  of  the  action  at  Blackstocks  Hill  on  20  November, 
1780,  differ.  Tarleton  in  his  book  (Hist,  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781,  pp.  178,  204.)  claims 
it  as  a  victory,  while  MacKenzie  (Strictures  on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton' s  History)  disagrees 
with  this  view,  as  does  another  British  authority,  Stedman  (American  War,  Vol.  II,  pp.  228- 
236).  Compare  Gordon,  American  Revolution,  1788  edition.  Vol.  Ill,  p.  471;  Lee,  Memoirs, 
Vol.  I,  pp.  213-220 ;  Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  376-377 ;  B.  F.  Stevens, 
Clinton-CornwaWs  Controversy,  Vol.  I,  pp.  303,  307,  315  ;  E.  McCrady,  The  History  of  South 
Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  827-830  ;  and  S.  G.  Fisher,  The  Strtiggle  for  American 
Independence,  1908,  Vol.  II,  p.  370). 

158  Colonel  James  Williams  was  mortally  wounded  at  King's  Mountain. 

I''"  Brigadier -General  Robert  Cunningham   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  87). 

I'^i  Major  Daniel  Plummer   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.   88). 

1*-  Major  Jonathan  Frost  was  killed  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  loyal  militia  in  an  action 
against  the  Americans  in  December,  1780.  He  left  a  widow,  Mary.  (Public  Record  Office: 
T  50/2). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  21 

the  Americans  under  Cap'"  then  Major  Roebuck  "^  in  possession  of 
it  who  immediately  disarmed  an  marched  us  off,  It  was  a  great 
blunder  in  Major  Frost  to  alter  the  place  of  meeting:  however  he 
did  his  best  to  remedy  it;  he  pursued  and  overtook  us  about  12 
miles  higher  up  and  having  attacked  Roebuck's  party  where  they 
were  advantageously  posted  at  a  house  poor  Frost  was  killed  the 
rest  retreated.  Roebuck  who  was  acquainted  with  me  formerly: 
paroled  me  to  Ninety-six  where  I  was  exchanged  for  Captain 
Clerk  "*  a  son  to  CoP  Clerk  who  had  been  taken  after  the  attack  on 
Augusta  in  Georgia,  I  was  then  sent  to  garrison  the  goal  of  Ninety- 
Six  [December,  1780,]  which  I  fortified  and  had  the  command  of 
the  Militia  stationed  there.  CoP^  Allen  "^  and  Cruger  "'^  command- 
ed the  fort  near  the  goal;  where  I  continued  until  Tarleton  came 
into  Ninety-Six  district  to  go  in  quest  of  General  Morgan  [January, 
1781,]  and  sent  to  the  garrison  for  guides  acquainted  with  Morgan's 
situation  which  was  then  convenient  to  my  house  on  Pacholet;^*^ 
I  joined  Col  Tarleton  and  marched  to  Fair-forest  having  failed  to 
get  intelligence  of  Morgan's  situation  he  sent  me  out  [January 
16,]  to  endeavour  to  do  so  and  to  make  the  mills  grind  for  the  Army : 
when  I  reached  Pacholet-river  I  swam  my  horse  over  a  private  ford 
not  likely  to  be  guarded,  leaving  the  man  behind  me  to  go  on  more 
quietly  &  reconnoitre  the  samp.  I  found  the  fires  burning  but  no 
one  there,  on  which  I  rode  to  my  father's  who  said  Morgan  was 
gone  to  the  Old-fields  about  an  hour  before ;  my  wife  said  the  same 
and  that  they  had  used  or  destroyed  my  crop  &  took  away  almost 
every  thing.  I  immediately  returned  to  Col  Tarleton  and  found  he 
had  marched  towards  the  Old  fields.     I  overtook  them  before  10 


^*^  Benjamin  Roebuck  rose  from  the  rank  of  lieutenant  to  that  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the 
American  service  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  served  in  the  actions  at  Hanging  Rock, 
Musgrove's  Mills,  and  at  King's  Mountain,  where  he  commanded  a  company.  He  distinguished 
himself  at  the  battle  of  Cowpsns.      (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  p.  470.). 

''-**  Captain  John  Clarke,  son  of  Colonel  Elijah  Clarke. 

i*^  Lieut.-Colonel  Isaac  Allen,  (1741-1806)  lawyer,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  who  com- 
manded a  battalion  of  the  New  Jersey  Volunteers  and  served  in  the  campaign  in  the  South  with 
singular  good  conduct,  gallantry  and  reputation.  In  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six  he  was  in  com- 
mand of  a  body  of  about  200  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  in  1782  he  was  lieutenant-colonel  com- 
mandant at  Charleston.  At  the  peace  he  removed  to  New  Brunswick  in  Canada,  with  his  wife 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Campbell  of  Philadelphia,  and  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Council  and  a  puisne  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  His  only  son,  John,  was  prominent  in  the 
history  of  that  Province,  as  was  also  his  grandson.  Sir  John  Campbell  Allen,  chief  justice. 
(Second  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Archives  for  the  Province  of  Ontario,  1904,  Vol.  I,  pp.  248- 
251  ;  Lawrence  and  Stockton,  The  Judges  of  New  Brunswick  and  Their  Times,  pp.  3,  59,  77, 
141,  507;  Public  Record  Office:  Ind.  5604-5605-5606;  Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, Vol.  I,  p.  159.) 

^■•^  Lieut.-Colonel  John   Harris   Cruger    (see   Additional   Notes,   p.    89). 

^*'  General  Daniel  Morgan  had  camped  at  Grindal  ford,  on  Pacolet  river,  just  before  the 
battle  of  Cowpens.     (See  page  128,  footnote  2.) 


22  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

oclock  near  the  Cow-pens  on  Thickety  Creek  where  we  suffered  a 
total  defeat  by  some  dreadful  bad  management. ^*^  The  Americans 
were  posted  behind  a  rivulet  with  Rifle-men  as  a  front  line  and 
Cavarly  in  the  rear  so  as  to  make  a  third  line ;  Col  Tarleton  charged 
at  the  head  of  his  Regiment  of  Cavalry  called  the  British  Legion  "^ 
which  was  filled  up  from  the  prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Cam- 
den ;  the  Cavalry  supported  by  a  detachment  of  the  71^'  Reg"^  under 
Major  McArthur  ^^°  broke  the  Riflemen  without  difficulty,  but  the 
prisoners  on  seeing  their  own  Reg*  opposed  to  them  in  the  rear 
would  not  proceed  against  it  and  broke:  the  remainder  charged 
but  were  repulsed  this  gave  time  to  the  front  line  to  rally  and  form 
in  the  rear  of  their  Cavalry  which  immediately  charged  and  broke 
the  71^'  (then  unsupported)  making  many  prisoners:  the  rout  was 
almost  total.  I  was  with  Tarleton  in  the  charge  who  behaved 
bravely  but  imprudently  the  consequence  was  his  force  disperced 
in  all  directions  the  guns  and  many  prisoners  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Americans. 

The  men  being  dispersed  I  desired  them  to  meet  me  at  General 
Cunningham's, ^^^  I  proceeded  towards  home  to  bring  off  my  wife 
and  child  on  the  17  Jan""^  [,1781,]  and  found  there  was  nothing  left 
not  even  a  blanket  to  keep  off  the  inclement  weather ;  or  a  change  of 
garments ;  then  leaving  a  pleasant  situation  in  a  lamentable  state 
without  a  shilling  in  my  pocket;  proceeded  for  General  Cunning- 
ham's, sleeping  encamped  that  night  ai;  Fair-forest  i^^^  As  we  could 
not  preval  on  General  Cunningham  to  use  any  exertions  to  embody 
his  brigade  of  Militia  we  went  to  Edisto  river  "^  in  order  to  settle 
there  having  nothing  but  two  horses  and  our  clothes  left,  everthing 
else  being  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans  and  by  them  confiscated.^^* 

I  have  not  been  at  Pacholet  since  nor  am  I  likely  to  be. 

I  continued  at  Rob*  McWhorter's  ^^^  on  Edisto  for  some  days 
and  leaving  my  wife  and  child  there  proceeded  to  Charles-town 


1*8  The  battle  of  Cowpens,  January  17,  1781,  when  the  British  under  Tarleton  were 
defeated. 

i*®  British  Legion.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.  90). 

1"'°  Major  Archibald  McArthur  had  been  transferred  from  the  54th.  Foot  as  major  of  the 
71st.  Foot,  16  November,  1777.  He  was  promoted  to  lieut.-colonel  of  the  3rd  battalion  of  the 
60th.  Foot,  24  April,  1781. 

1^1  Brigadier-General  Robert   Cunningham    (see   Additional  Notes,  p.    87). 

152  Fair  Forest   (see  p.  10,  n.  68). 

15*  Edisto  river.     ?  North  or  South  fork  of  Edisto  river,  or  Edisto  river. 

15^  The  name  of  Alexander  Chesney  is  not  found  in  any  published  lists  of  confiscated 
property. 

155  Robert  McWhorter  was  one  of  the  appraisers  of  Alexander  Chesney's  wagon  and 
horses.   (See  p.  9,  n.  62.) 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  23 

where  contrary  to  my  expectations  I  met  with  several  of  the  British 
officers  who  had  been  taken  at  King's  Mountain  ;^^*^  and  who  very 
readily  assisted  me  to  get  pay  for  some  cattle  and  provisions  I  had 
furnished  Col  Ferguson  with  for  the  use  of  his  detachment,  and 
not  satisfied  with  this  they  introduced  me  to  Col  Balfour  command- 
ant of  Charles-town  who  hearing  from  them  of  my  great  activity 
and  that  I  had  lost  my  all  gave  me  an  order  to  M'"  Cruden  commis- 
sioner of  sequestered  estates  ^"  to  have  me  accomadated  with  my 
family  on  some  one  of  them ;  this  produced  an  order  to  Col'  Balling- 
al  ^^®  and  M""  Kinsay  ^^^  at  Jacksons-borough  ^^°  who  ordered  me  a 
house  and  provisions  with  the  use  of  three  negroes  to  attend  my 
family  thus  was  I  at  once  introduced  to  a  new  set  of  loyalists  and 
I  immediately  removed  my  wife  and  child  and  Charles  Brandon  '^^'^ 
with  his  family  to  Fergusons  Riverside  plantation  ^^^  near  Parker's- 
ferry  ^^^  on  Pond-Pond-river  [March]  where  I  soon  fixed  myself 
very  comfortably  having  purchased  in  Charles-town  some  bedding 
&c  to  set  up  house-keeping  a  second  time. 

I  joined  the  negroes  allowed  me  for  my  family  with  others  on 
the  Plantation  and  began  to  make  a  crop  of  Indian  com  and  rice. 

The  Rebels  increased  much  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Pond-pond 
and  a  general  rising  being  expected  I  sent  express  to  Col  Balfour 
the  commandant  of  Charles-town  to  acquaint  him  of  it  who  de- 
tached 100  men  to  bring  off  the  Militia  from  Pond-Pond:  by  his 
desire  I  sent  to  communicate  confidential  intelligence  to  Cap*'' 
McKinnon  ^^^  at  Motte's  house  ^^^  near  Nelson's  ferry  ^'^^  on  the 
Santee  River  which  journey  of  120  miles  I  performed  in  24  hours: 
I  then  returned  to  Charles-town,  [May]  and  at  the  wish  of  Col 


IS*  All  the  officers  and  men  at  King's  Mountain,  except  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  were 
loyalists. 

1^'' John  Cruden   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  91). 

1^*  Colonel  Robert  Ballingall    (see  Additional  Notes,   p.   94). 

1^*  The  name  of  Kinsey  cannot  be  traced. 

1*"  Jacksonsborough,   now   Jaeksonsboro,   is   in    Colleton  county. 

i"!  Charles  Brandon    (see  p.   14,  n.  98). 

182  This  plantation  in  St.  Paul's  parish,  in  Charleston  district,  was  that  of  Thomas  Fer- 
guson, a  wealthy  planter,  who  was  a  member  of  the  South  Carolina  Provincial  Congress  and 
of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

1*3  Parker's  ferry  is  on  the  Ponpon  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Edisto  river,  and  is  in  the 
south-east  of  Colleton  county,  a  few  miles  north  of  Jaeksonsboro. 

1**  Captain  John  McKinnon,  deputy  quartermaster-general  at  Charleston  at  this  time, 
and  who  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  lottery  raised  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  loyalist  refu- 
gees at  Charleston  in  February,  1782.     (Royal  Gazette  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  II,  No.  108.) 

1*^  Motte's  house  was  the  summer  residence  in  Calhoun  county  of  a  well  known  planter, 
Jacob  Motte,  who  was  a  strong  adherent  of  the  American  cause.  At  this  place  was  Fort  Motte, 
well  known  in  the  history  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Lee  in  his  Memoirs  gives  a  charming  pic- 
ture of  Rebecca  Motte,  the  widow  of  Jacob. 

1**  Nelson's  ferry    (see  p.  7,  n.  50). 


24  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Balfour  raised  a  troop  of  horse  and  was  stationed  at  Dorchester  ^^"^ 
a  strong  British-post  and  moved  my  wife  and  child  thither  We  had 
not  been  at  this  place  long  before  I  ascertained  that  Major  Snipes,^"^ 
Col'^  Haynes  ^'^^  and  Marrion  ^^°  had  returned,  crossed  Pond-Pond 
river  and  were  embodying  troops  [June,  1781,]  which  intelligence 
I  communicated  to  Lord  Rawdon  "^  and  His  Lordship  immediately 
ordered  out  a  detachment  of  which  I  was  one  we  crossed  Pond- 
Pond  river  at  Parker's  ferry,^^^  ^nd  the  boats  having  been  removed 
to  impede  our  march  I  swam  my  horse  over  accompanied  by  others 
and  procured  feather-beds  to  transport  those  who  could  not  swim 
across  the  River;  we  then  proceeded  rapidly  and  reached  Snipe's 
plantation  ^^^  by  day-light,  which  we  soon  cleared  of  him  and  his 
party  driving  them  out  with  loss :  on  this  occasion  I  was  wounded 
in  the  thigh  with  a  spear  by  a  man  concealed  in  a  Ha-Ha  ^^*  whilst 
in  the  act  of  leaping  my  horse  over  it ;  but  I  made  him  prisoner  and 
took  him  with  the  others  made  on  this  occasion  to  Dorchester. 
About  this  time  a  detachment  was  sent  and  succeeded  in  taking  Col' 
Hynes,^^^  who  soon  after  deservedly  suffered  for  Treason;  as  it 
was  discouvered  that  he  had  communicated  with  the  rebels  whilst 
a  British  commissary.  There  were  daily  skirmishes  at  this  period, 
the  Americans  constantly  contracting  our  posts  in  every  direction. 
In  the  beginning  of  July  I  joined  the  Army  under  Lord  Raw- 
don then  marching  towards  Ninety-Six  to  relieve  the  place  ;^^*''  on 
our  approach  the  Americans  who  were  besieging  it  broke  up, 
crossed  Broad-river,  and  proceeded  along  the  left  bank  towards 
Charles-town:  Lord  Rawdon  finding  that  the  country  must  be 
abandoned,  detached  his  light  troops  towards  Long-canes  ^"  (a 
branch  of  Savanna  River  to  bring  away  the  Loyalists  and  their 
families ;  taking  himself  with  the  main  body  the  route  of  Charles- 


es'' Dorchester  is  in  the  county  of  that  name  in  South  Carolina. 

168  William  Clay  Snipes  was  captain  of  the  Horse  Shoe  company  of  the  Colleton  county 
regiment  of  South  Carolina  in  1775  and  was  afterwards  promoted  major  of  that  regiment. 

es^  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne  (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  94). 

1'°  General  Francis  Marion. 

^^'1  Lord  Rawdon  was  born  in  1754  and  was  a  peer  in  the  Irish  peerage.  In  1783  he  was 
created  an  English  peer  under  the  style  of  Baron  Rawdon  of  Rawdon,  and  in  1793  succeeded  his 
father  as  2nd  earl  of  Moira   (see  Diet,  of  Nat.  Biog.) 

172  Parker's  ferry   (see  p.  23,  n.  163). 

173  William  Clay  Snipes   (see  note  168  above). 

17*  Ha  ha  is  a  sunk  fence    (Oxford  English  Dictionary). 

17B  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne.      (see  Additional  Notes,   p.  94). 

176  Lord  Rawdon  went  to  the  relief  of  Colonel  Cruger's  force  in  Ninety-Six  in  June,  not 
in  July,     (see  pp.  16,  n.  109;  90). 

17'  Long  Cane  creek  is  in  Abbeville  county.  South  Carolina,  where  it  joins  Little  river, 
a  tributary  of  the  Savannah  river. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         25 

town  as  far  as  Congaree;^^*  where  the  Americans  had  recrossed 
the  river  &  made  a  fruitless  effort  to  oppose  his  march  by  prevent- 
ing our  crossing  the  creek  which  we  did  without  difficulty  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Orangeburgh  ;^^^  where  we  expected  to  meet  reinforce- 
ments from  Charles-town  and  be  joined  by  the  light  troops  and 
Loyalists,  but  were  disappointed  in  both  and  soon  after  surrounded 
by  the  Americans  who  pressed  us  so  closely  that  we  had  nothing 
but  1  lb  of  wheat  in  the  straw  served  out  to  each  man  every  24 
hours.  The  parties  going  out  daily  to  forage  had  constant  skir- 
mishes with  the  enemy  and  one  day  Major  Doyle  ^^°  sent  out  with 
what  mounted  men  he  could  muster  (about  20  or  30)  to  cover  the 
foraging;  which  he  did  effectually  driving  off  the  Americans  with 
some  loss :  on  this  occasion  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald  ^^^  having 
broken  his  sword  on  the  back  of  an  American  I  supplied  him  with 
another  to  continue  the  attack  for  which  he  felt  greatly  obliged. 
A  day  or  two  afterwards  Major  Doyle  ^^^  came  to  me  with  a 
message  from  Lord  Rawdon  to  know  if  I  could  find  any  one  well 
acquainted  with  the  road  to  Charlestown  and  willing  to  go  thither 
with  a  message  of  great  importance;  as  all  the  expresses  sent 
hitherto  had  either  been  killed  of  taken  prisoners :  being  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  whole  of  the  neighbouring  country  I  immedi- 
ately went  and  offered  my  services  to  his  Lordship;  which  were 
readily  accepted ;  I  was  offered  any  horse  in  the  camp  I  might  think 
better  than  my  own,  but  I  thought  myself  the  best  mounted  officer 
there,  and  found  before  many  minutes  use  for  every  muscle  of  the 


1^^  The  Congaree  river  in  South  Carolina. 

1''*  Orangeburg,   in  the  county  of  that  name,   in  South  Carolina. 

1*"  John  Doyle  (1856-1834)  served  throughout  the  American  war  of  Independence.  In 
1778  he  vpas  attached  as  captain  to  the  Volunteers  of  Ireland,  raised  in  America  in  that  year 
and  later  as  major  of  that  corps,  which  afterwards  became  the  105th.  Foot,  reduced  in  1784.  He 
appears  to  have  been  in  command  of  South  Carolina  militia  early  in  1782.  In  1805  he  was 
created  a  baronet,  and  died  a  general. 

181  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald,  soldier,  politician,  and  conspirator  (1763-1798),  was  at  this 
time,  at  the  age  of  18,  lieutenant  in  the  Volunteers  of  Ireland,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed 
in  1778.  As  commanding  officer  of  the  54th.  Foot,  in  1791  he  signed  the  discharge  of  the  cele- 
brated politician,  William  Cobbett,  who  had  served  in  the  army  from  1784  to  1791,  and  who 
went  to  Philadelphia  in  1792  and  was  fined  for  his  attack  on  American  institutions.  In  1796  he 
joined  the  United  Irishmen  and  was  discovered  as  a  participator  in  organizing  the  ^rish 
rebellion.  On  this  occasion  hs  was  an  enemy  of  Alexander  Chesney,  who  fought  on  the  oppo- 
site side  in  this  rebellion.     (See  Dictionary  of  National  Biography.) 

1S2  This  officer  was  probably  Captain  William  Brereton,  who  was  in  command  of  a  de- 
tachment of  the  17th.  Foot  (Grenadier  company)  at  Charleston.  In  his  order  book,  preserved  in 
the  officers'  mess  of  the  1st.  battalion  of  this  regiment,  he  mentions  under  date  of  20  January, 
1782,  that  a  sergeant  and  four  privates  of  the  British  Legion  had  been  found  guilty  of  quitting 
their  posts  in  search  of  plunder  and  of  plundering  the  house  of  an  American  and  ill-treating 
his  family.  Such  conduct  met  with  no  mercy  at  Captain  Brereton's  hands ;  he  sentenced  the 
sergeant  and  one  private  to  death,  and  the  other  privates  were  punished  with  the  lash.  (E.  A.  H. 
Webb,  The  Leicestershire  Regiment,  1912,  p.  82.) 


26  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

good  animal  that  carried  me.  I  set  out  instantly  for  Charles-town 
and  was  scarcely  past  the  sentries  when  I  found  myself  pursued 
by  4  or  5  of  the  enemy  two  of  whom  kept  it  up  about  20  miles 
through  the  woods;  my  intention  was  to  come  into  the  Charles- 
town  road  where  it  crosses  the  Cypress-swamp  at  Cunningham's 
house  2  miles  above  Dorchester,  but  by  cance  I  kept  too  much  to 
the  right  and  crossed  the  swamp  by  another  path  a  little  lower 
down,  and  soon  after  I  saw  a  picket  of  the  enemy  on  the  Charles- 
town  side  of  the  swamp ;  who  must  inevitably  have  taken  or  killed 
me,  had  I  not  by  good  fortune  missed  the  common  path,  which  they 
were  carefully  guarding.  I  passed  through  Dorchester,  and  re- 
mained with  my  wife  whilst  a  fresh  horse  was  saddled,  and  I  could 
give  Cap'  Brereton  a  message  from  Lord  Rawdon  for  Col  Coates  ^^^ 
at  Monk's  Corner  ^**  of  the  19"'  Reg'  desiring  him  to  be  on  the  alert 
as  the  Americans  had  crossed  Broad  and  Santee  Rivers  in  great 
force ;  this  was  forwarded  by  express  to  the  CoP.  and  I  set  out  for 
Charles- town  wher  I  delivered  my  letter  to  Col  Balfour  (the  com- 
mandant at  4  oclock  P  M  twelve  hours  after  I  received  it  from 
Lord  Rawdon  at  Orangeburgh ;  a  distance  of  80  miles.  The  CoP 
was  walking  under  D""  Frazier's  ^^^  piazza ;  the  detachment  was 
instantly  turned  out  and  marched  immediately  to  relieve  Lord 
Moria  ^^^  from  his  uncomfortable  situation.  On  reaching  Dor- 
chester I  found  to  my  grief  that  the  Americans  had  visited  that 
place  during  my  short  absence  and  taken  away  my  horse  with  300 
others  out  of  Major  Wright's  ^"  pasture.  So  soon  as  we  joined 
Lord  Rawdon  he  found  himself  strong  enough  to  force  his  way 


1*^  James  Coates  was  appointed  brevet  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  19th.  Foot,  26  October,  1775, 
and  was  promoted  colonel  of  that  regiment,  16  May,  1782.  He  reached  the  rank  of  general, 
19  April,   1802. 

^**  Moncks   Corner   is   the   county  seat   of   Berkeley   county.    South   Carolina. 

185  j)j..  Frazier  was  probably  Dr.  James  Fraser  of  Beaufort  in  South  Carolina,  where  he 
had  settled  in  1765  as  a  medical  practitioner.  In  1773-74  he  was  a  captain-lieutenant  in  the 
Granville  county  militia,  but  in  1775  his  resignation  was  demanded  because  of  his  suspected 
Toryism.  By  his  marriage  to  Mary  Ash  he  formed  an  alliance  with  a  prominent  family  in 
South  Carolina.  Dr.  Fraser's  loyalty  took  a  practical  form  early  in  February,  1779,  when  he 
joined  the  British  forces  on  board  H.  M.  S.  Vigilant  (Captain  R.  Christian)  on  duty  off  the 
coasts  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  In  March,  1780,  he  was  appointed  commissary  of  captures 
at  Charleston  and  held  other  military  appointments  during  the  war.  Dr.  Fraser's  estate  was 
confiscated  and  sold,  and  in  the  list  of  "unjust  charges"  against  it  was  that  of  Governor  John 
Rutledge.  At  the  end  of  the  war  he  went  over  to  England,  and  in  1788  he  was  living  with 
his  large  family  at  East  Greenwich.  (Public  Record  Office:  A.  O.  12/51,  fos.  174-182;  A.  O. 
12/72,  fo.  381  ;  A.O.  12/109 ;  A.O.  13/83 ;  A.O.  13/96 ;  A.O.  13/128 ;  Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report 
on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Institution,  Vol.  H,  p.  100.)  See  page  for  his  certificate 
to  Alexander  Chesney. 

^^^  Lord  Rawdon  did  not  succeed  his  father  as  2nd.  earl  of  Moira  until  20  June,   1793. 

1*"  This  oflicer  was  perhaps  Major  James  Wright  (who  was  born  in  America  in  1748) 
of  the  Georgia  Loyalists  and  the  King's  Florida  Rangers  until  the  latter  was  absorbed  in  the 
King'.s  CaroHna  Rangers.     He  died  in   1816.      (Ind.   5605-5606). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  27 

through  the  enemy  which  he  did  immediately,  marching  towards 
Charles-town,  and  encamped  without  opposition  near  Monk's 
corner:  where  we  had  some  trifling  skirmishes  without  any  event 
of  importance. 

The  Americans  by  degrees  got  possession  of  all  the  country 
except  the  small  part  inside  the  quarter  House  where  I  was  posted. 

Lord  Rawdon  having  moved  his  force  to  some  other  part  of  the 
country,  I  then  joined  a  corps  of  three  companies  raised  for  the 
defence  of  the  sequestered  estates  by  John  Cruden  Esq.^*^  In  one  of 
our  excurtions  up  Cooper's  River  ^^^  to  procure  a  supply  of  rice, 
the  schooner  in  which  I  was  upset  and  12  men  were  drowned  the 
greater  part  belonging  to  my  company ;  being  on  deck  I  saved  my- 
self by  swimming  and  6  or  7  others  had  the  same  good  fortune. 
The  Schooner  turned  keel  up,  and  not  being  quite  filled  with  water 
immediately,  the  men  could  exist  for  a  little  time ;  we  heard  them 
crying  for  assistance  and  did  all  we  could  to  aflford  it  but  unfortu- 
nately only  one  man  could  be  got  out  in  time  to  save  his  life  and 
this  was  effected  by  cutting  a  hole  in  the  vessels  bottom.  I  lost  my 
watch,  sword  and  several  other  things. 

Soon  after  this  the  troops  were  obliged  to  abandon  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  quarter  house  and  confine  themselves  entirely  to 
Charles-town  neck  ^^°  [December,  1781]  ;  and  a  quantity  of  wood 
being  required  for  fuel  I  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  oper- 
ation in  which  a  vast  number  of  people  must  be  required  and  having 
full  power  to  employ  any  persons;  I  chose  a  number  of  loyalists 
whom  I  found  within  the  lines  in  a  destitute  condition ;  and  this 
gave  them  immeddiate  relief;  preventing  numbers  by  that  means 
from  starving.  They  were  continued  whilst  I  had  the  charge  which 
was  a  great  satisfaction  to  my  feelings,  but  ill  health  coming  with 
the  affliction  I  gave  up  the  charge  to  Cap'°  McMahon  "^  early  in 
January  [1782],  soon  after  the  death  of  my  wife  who  died  28*^ 
Nov  1781  and  is  buried  near  Gillen's  Gen's  landing  not  far  from 
Stuart's  house  on  James  Island. 


1*^  John   Cruden    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.   91) . 

1*^  Cooper  river  empties   itself  at   Charleston. 

190  'WTien  the  year  1781  began,  the  British  were  in  possession  of  almost  the  entire  State  of 
South  Carolina.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  British  rule  was  practically  confined  to  Charleston  and 
its  immediate  vicinity 

1^1  Captain  McMahon  was  Captain  John  McMahon  (son  of  John  McMahon,  comptroller 
of  the  Customs  at  Limerick),  who  was  an  officer  in  the  Volunteers  of  Ireland  and  barrack- 
master  at  Charleston  in  1781.  He  became  an  intimate  friend  of  George  IV.  when  prince  of 
Wales  and  was  keeper  of  the  prince's  privy  purse.    In  1817  he  was  created  a  baronet. 


28  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

My  illness  continued  without  much  hope  of  recovery:  I  was 
induced  to  send  the  child  to  my  relations,  in  order  to  return  to 
Europe.  I  took  my  passage  in  a  transport  called  the  Lady  Susan 
John  Gumming  master  and  sailed  from  Charles-town  the  3.^^  April 
under  convoy  of  the  Orestes  sloop  of  war  commanded  by  Sir  Jacob 
Wheate.^^^  The  fleet  consisted  of  52  sail  and  we  had  a  pleasant 
passage.  My  companions  were  Major  Robinson  ^^^  late  of  the  Cam- 
den Militia  Major  Michal  Egan,'^*  and  Lieut  James  Barber  ^°=  of 
the  Royal  Militia.  We  made  Mizen  head  on  the  Coast  of  Ireland  the 
lO'''  of  May  [1782]  and  put  into  Castlehaven  next  day  in  a  hard 
gale  of  wind  when  we  landed  and  proceeded  to  Cork  by  land :  I  got 
my  baggage  landed,  bought  a  horse  and  proceeded  to  Dublin  accom- 
panied by  Charles  Philip  Campbell  "^'-"^  and  Soloman  Smyth  ^'-'^  both 
from  Charlestown;  &  their  society  not  only  beguiled  a  long  and 
tedious  journey  but  was  the  means  of  forming  a  lasting  friendship 
with  M""  Campbell;  we  took  lodgings  together  on  reaching  Dublin, 
the  4"^  of  June  in  Peter's  row.  I  had  brought  a  letter  of  introduc- 
tion from  Cap'°  McMahon  to  his  father  ^^^  and  by  his  advice  I  drew 
up  a  memorial  to  the  Lord  Lieu^^^^  stating  my  services  and  reques- 
ting some  situation;  but  the  then  Lord-Lieu*,  being  of  the  party 
which  was  unfavourable  to  the  Americans  I  was  refused.  M"" 
Campbell  introduced  me  to  Philip  Henry  ^°°  also  a  loyalist  who  had 
obtained  a  good  situation  in  the  Custom-House  and  by  him  I  was 
advised  to  turn  my  thoughts  to  obtain  something  of  that  kind,  as 
well  as  to  establish  a  claim  for  compensation  in  lieu  of  property 
lost  or  confiscated;  but  being  anxious  to  see  my  few  remaining 


1*-  Sir  Jacob  Wheate,  5th.  baronet,  commander  in  the  Royal  Navy,  who  married  in  De- 
cember, 1782,  Maria,  daughter  of  David  Shaw  of  New  York.  After  his  death  in  1788,  his  widow 
married  Admiral  the  Hon.   Sir  Alexander  F.  I.   Cochrane.    (G.    E.   C,   Complete  Baronetage.) 

103  Major  John  Robinson    (see  Additional  Notes,   p.  95). 

1"^  Major  Michael   Egan    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  96). 

^°'' James   Barber    (see  Additional  Notes,   p.  97). 

1"^  The  name  of  Charles  Philip  Campbell  cannot  be  found  in  any  list  of  loyalist  claims 
for  compensalion. 

I"''  Solomon  Smyth  was  a  prosperous  upholsterer  at  Charleston  and  the  owner  of  a  plan- 
tation of  300  acres  fifty  miles  from  that  city.  Banished  from  South  Carolina  because  of  his 
loyalty,  he  went  first  to  Bermuda,  thence  to  the  West  Indies,  and  to  Georgia.  According  to 
certificates  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Smyth  served  with  the  British  Army  and 
"rendered  essential  services"  during  the  war.  From  1783  he  was  granted  a  pension  of  £50  a 
year  until  his  death  early  in  1824  in  England  or  Ireland.  His  son,  born  about  1766,  was  an 
apothecary  and  appears  to  have  gone  to  the  West  Indies.  (Public  Record  Oflice:  A.  O.  12/99, 
fo.  176;    T.  50/8:    T.  50/27.) 

ii's  Captain  McMahon's  father,     (see  p.  27,  or  191). 

199  The  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland  was  the  3rd.  duke  of  Portland,  who  was  appointed, 
14  April,  1782,  and  was  succeeded  by  Earl  Temple  in  September  following.  The  duke  was 
prime  minister   in   1783   and  again   in   1803. 

2»o  Philip   Henry    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.   97). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  29 

relations  in  the  Co  Antrim,  I  went  thither  before  I  had  matured 
my  plans  for  the  future. ^°^ 

My  health  having  improved  a  good  deal  since  I  left  Charles- 
town  I  found  myself  able  to  proceed  to  Ballymena  ^°^  after  a  short 
stay  in  Dublin :  I  found  my  aunt  and  uncle  Purdy  in  good  health, 
she  was  my  father's  sister  her  name  Anne,  and  perceiving  that  I 
was  much  cast  down  in  consequence  of  my  great  losses  and  bad 
prospects  she  told  me  to  take  courage  and  that  all  might  be  well 
adding  that  the  family  once  had  been  very  rich  and  were  entitled 
to  an  estate  situated  in  one  of  the  Northen  Counties  of  England. 
I  paid  but  little  attention  to  he  story  at  the  moment  and  did  not 
make  even  an  entry  at  the  time :  but  as  well  as  I  can  remember  she 
stated  in  substance  that  the  above  estate  belonged  to  a  person  called 
Richie  or  Ritchie  who  raised  a  company  on  it  and  came  over  to 
Ireland  in  the  command  and  died  leaving  an  infant  daughter  whose 
name  was  said  to  be  Anne,  &  she  married  my  paternal  great-grand- 
father Robert  Chesney  of  Grange  near  Toom-ferry  who  appears  to 
have  neglected  establishing  his  right  probably  in  consequence  of 
the  troubles  then  existing  both  in  England  and  Ireland:  but  his 
eldest  son  John  (my  grand  uncle)  went  to  Dublin  to  make  searches 
and  found  most  satisfactory  records  respecting  the  claim  but  pur- 
sued it  no  farther  nor  has  anyone  taken  up  the  business  since  until 
this  moment  when  it  is  probable  from  the  lapse  of  time  that  the 
holders  of  the  lands  in  question  coult  not  be  disturbed  after  being 
so  long  in  peacable  possession,  by  the  real  heirs.  By  way  of  making 
up  for  my  neglect  in  not  committing  to  writing  what  my  aunt  said, 
I  have  collected  in  a  book  all  the  particulars  which  came  in  my  way 
from  time  to  time  likely  to  throw  any  light  on  the  subject;  but  I 
have  never  been  able  to  hear  what  records  it  is  likely  my  grand 
uncle  searched  in  Dublin:  nor  did  he  follow  the  advice  he  then 
received  of  proceeding  to  England  on  the  business. 

The  family  must  have  been  of  Norman  extraction  originally; 
and  probably  came  to  England  with  the  Conqueror ;  the  derivation 
of  the  name  'Cheney  formerly  de  Chesnoye  from  the  Fr :  G.  Ches- 
noye,  a  place  where  the  oaks  grow,  this  from  Chesne  an  oak ;  which 
Menag  again  draws  from  the  Latin  Quercius,  skin :  from  Quernicus 
oaken,  made  of  oak'.  I  presume  the  stock  was  derived  from  Ralph 
de  Caineto  (id  est  Cheney)  who  came  into  England  with  the  Con- 


-"1  For  notes  on  the  life  of  Alexander  Chesney  in  Ireland,  see  The  Life  of  the  late  General 
F.  R.  Chesney,  ed  by  S.  Lane-Poole,   1893,  pp.  20-54. 

202  Ballymena,  a  town  in  county  Antrim.  It  was  the  scene  of  an  obstinate  battle  between 
the  yoemanry  and  the  United  Irishmen  of  the  district,  in  the  rebellion  of  1798. 


30  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

queror  and  had  large  possessions  given  him  by  that  King,  whose 
decendants  were  very  numerous  and  high  in  rank  having  peerages, 
Bishopricks  &c;  the  succeeding  branches  extended  to  the  north 
of  England  and  Scotland  from  whence  my  greatgrandfather  is  said 
to  have  removed  to  this  country  during  the  religious  troubles ;  at 
least  such  is  the  belief  of  one  of  the  branches  of  the  family  now 
residing  in  County  Tyrone. 

After  a  short  stay  with  my  relations  and  friends  in  Co  Antrim 
I  proceeded  to  Dublin  to  go  to  London  and  try  what  could  be  done 
with  the  Ministry;  to  which  step  I  was  urged  by  friends  Henry 
and  Campbell  :-"=^  on  the  28'^  [July,  1782,]  sailed  from  George's 
quay  for  Liverpool  in  the  Prince  of  Orange  packet;  next  day  we 
saw  Holly-head  "°*  and  on  the  30  landed  in  Liverpool,  this  was  my 
first  visit  to  England,  and  I  was  gratified  the  day  of  the  31^^^  in 
viewing  the  town  the  docks  and  a  64  gunship  lying  there.  In  the 
afternoon  I  set  out  by  the  stage  for  London  and  arrived  at  the 
Bull  and  Mouth  inn  -°^  on  the  2''^  [August]  and  proceeded  to  the 
golding  cross,  Charing  Cross  2°"  in  a  hackney  coach. 

On  the  3'''^  [August,  1782]  I  went  to  the  War-office,  and  to 
M'"  Townsend's  secretary  of  state  office  for  the  American  depart- 
ment, where  I  left  my  papers  and  the  following  memorial 

To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  His 
Majesty'  Treasury. 

The  humble  petition  of  Alexander  Chesney,  late  of  Charles- 
town  in  the  province  of  South  Carolina, 

Humbly  Sheweth, 

'  That  your  Petitioner  for  several  years  prior  to  the  pres- 
ent American  war,  resided  on  Broad-river  in  Ninety-six  district  in 
South  Carolina  aforesaid:  that  at  the  commencement  of  the  Re- 
bellion in  that  province  your  petitioner  took  an  active  part  in 
favour  of  the  British  government,  and  rendered  the  loyal  subjects 
in  that  country,  as  well  as  His  Majesty's  army  essential  services. 

That  soon  after  the  reduction  of  Charles-town  by  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  your  petitioner  was  appointed  Captain  of  a  company 


^os  Philip   Henry  and  Charles  Philip   Campbell    (see  p.   28). 

204  Holyhead,  North  Wales. 

205  "pj^g  By]]  Qj^^  Mouth  inn,  situated  in  St.  Martin's  Le  Grand,  was  a  celebrated  London 
office  for  coaches  to  all  parts  of  England  and  to  Scotland.  An  illustration  of  this  picturesque 
inn,  as  it  stood  about  1520,  is  in  Thornbury's  Old  and  New  London,  Vol.  II,  p.  217.  See  also 
Wheatley  and  Cunningham,   London  Past  and  Present,  1891,  Vol.  I,  p.  300. 

206  "pjjg  Golden  Cross  inn.  Charing  Cross,  was  a  famous  inn  and  coach  office,  and  is  illus- 
trated in  Thornbury's  Old  and  New  London,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  127.  See  also  Wheatley  and  Cunning- 
ham, London  Past  and  Present,  Vol.  I,  p.  300. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  31 

of  Militia,  and  Adjutant  of  the  different  batalions  of  militia,  under 
the  late  Major  Ferguson  of  the  71^'  Reg';  in  which  capacity  he 
served  until  the  defeat  of  that  officer  on  King's  Mountain,  where 
your  petitioner  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  That  your  pe- 
titioner after  he  obtained  his  liberty  again  acted  in  his  military 
capacity,  until  the  out  posts  were  drove  into  the  garrison  of 
Charlestown. 

That  your  petitioner  has  lost  all  his  lands  and  other 
property  the  same  being  confiscated  by  the  rebels. 

That  your  petitioner's  ill  state  of  health  brought  on  by 
fatigue  of  service  in  defence  of  his  King  and  Country,  is  now  in 
London  in  hopes  to  recover  strength  to  return  &  render  government 
every  assistance  in  his  power. 

That  your  petitioner  relying  on  the  certificates  hereunto 
annexed  to  corroborate  his  loyalty,  begs  to  submit  his  case  to  your 
Lordships  consideration  to  grant  him  such  relief  as  to  your  Lord- 
ships shall  seem  meet 

And  your  petitioner  as  in 

duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Alex  Chesney 

to  which  I  was  promised  an  answer  the  following  morning  at  11 
Oclock  in  the  afternoon  I  took  a  lodging  at  M""^  Crisfields  No  58 
Crownstreet  Westminster:  this  circumstance  was  beneficial  to  me 
as  M""^  Crisfield  introduced  me  to  M''  Lewis  Wolfe  ^°^  a  clerk  in  the 
Treasury  who  kindly  offered  to  render  any  assistance  in  his  power 
to  further  my  claims ;  from  which  moment  he  was  essentially  use- 
ful in  many  ways,  and  through  me  he  afterwards  became  agent  for 
all  the  Loyalists :  a  place  now  held  by  his  Brother  in  law  M""  Cra- 
f er  2°^  my  particular  friend. 

On  the  4'*^  August  called  at  M""  Townsend's  ^°^  office  but  did  not 
receive  any  answer  to  my  memorial  afterwards  at  Lord  Corn- 
wallis'  210  8  Albemarle  Street  and  found  that  his  Lordship  is  gone 


""''  Lewis  Wolfe  acted  as  agent  in  London  for  the  American  loyalists  who  had  returned 
to  the  north-east  of  Ireland. 

208  One  Thomas  Crafer  was  paymaster  of  pensions  and  allowances  to  the  American  loyalists 
and  their  children  who  were  living  in  1833-36. 

-°^  Thomas   Townsend    (afterwards   1st.   Viscount  Sydney)    was  secretary  for   war    in   1782. 

-1"  Lord  Cornwallis  was  ever  ready  to  help  the  loyalists  who  had  sought  refuge  in  the 
British  Isles,  especially  those  who  had  fought  under  him  in  America,  by  giving  them  certificates 
certifying  to  their  loyalty.  In  many  cases  he  appeared  in  person  to  urge  claims  before  the 
commissioners  for  American  Claims  in  London. 


32  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

to  Norfolk;  then  to  Lord  Huntingdons  -"  St  James  place  to  enquire 
for  Lord  Rawdon  who  is  gone  to  the  country  for  two  months :  also 
Lord  Shelburnes  ^^^  with  the  same  bad  success,  after  dinner  I  went 
to  see  Westminster  Abbey  and  wah  highly  gratified  by  a  sight  of 
that  venerable  pile,  and  hearing  an  Anthem  sung;  I  also  viewed 
Westminster-Hall  and  the  bridge  before  my  return  to  the  lodgings. 

Sunday  5"^  attended  service  at  Westminster  Abbey;  I  dined 
with  M""^  Crisfield  and  two  ladies.  The  person  who  travelled  from 
Liverpool  with  me  under  the  assumed  title  of  a  Russian  Major,  and 
who  said  he  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  some  of  the  native  powers 
in  India,  paid  his  lodging  and  took  his  departure  having  got  assist- 
ance from  the  Russian  Ambassador.^^^  It  appeared  afterwards  that 
this  man  was  but  a  Serjeant  Major  in  the  Russian  Army  so  that  he 
rather  disgraced  himself  by  assuming  a  title  which  did  not  belong 
to  him. 

Monday  6"^  on  my  way  to  M''  Townsend's  office  I  saw  the  guard 
releived  in  the  park ;  I  was  told  to  memorial  M""  Townsend  in  order 
to  get  his  assistance  in  forwarding  my  application  to  the  Treasury. 
I  gave  my  papers  to  M""  Rose,-^*  who  told  me  the  Board  are  to  sit 
tomorrow  but  will  not  enter  into  the  merits  of  claims,  as  there  is  to 
be  a  gentleman  appointed  expressly  for  that  purpose.  I  called  at 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury's  -^^  to  enquire  for  Lord  Cornwallis 
and  ascertained  that  his  Lordship  will  not  be  in  town  for  5  weeks. 

About  this  period  there  was  a  general  meeting  of  loyalists  at 
the  Crown  and  Anchor  Tavern,-^*^  General  Arnold  "^'  and  almost 
every  one  who  had  a  claim  attended ;  after  some  conversation  as  to 
the  best  plan  to  be  pursued  it  was  determined  to  draw  up  a  general 
petition  to  the  Ministers  to  take  our  case  into  consideration  for 
which  purpose  three  of  the  number  were  pitched  upon  viz  Lieu' 
Governor  Ball  ^^^  and  M""  Simpson  -^^  to  represent  those  who  had 
lost  property  or  rendered  services  to  the  government;  and  myself 


'^1  Hans  Francis,  10th.  earl  of  Huntingdon,  whose  sister,  Elizabeth,  was  the  mother  of 
Lord  Rawdon. 

-12  William,  2nd.  earl  of  Shelburne,  secretary  of  state  for  Foreign  Affairs ;  prime 
minister,   1782-83  ;  and  1st  marquis  of  Landsdowne. 

213  The  Russian   ambassador  in   London   at  this  time  was  Monsieur  Jean  Simoline. 

21*  George  Rose,  secretary  to  the  Treasury. 

21B  Frederick   Cornwallis    (1713-83),  archbishop   of  Canterbury,  uncle  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

218  The  Association  of  American  Loyalists  in  London  in  1779  first  met  at  Spring  Gardens 
coffee  house,  and  afterwards  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor  tavern  in  the  Strand,  a  historic  tavern 
which  is  described  by  Wheatley  and  Cunningham  in  London  Past  and  Present  Vol.  I,  p.  480. 

21'  General  Benedict  Arnold. 

218  Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bull     (see  Additional  Notes,   p.   112). 

21"  James  Simpson   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  99). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         33 

to  act  for  those  who  had  been  actively  engaged  in  the  war,  besides 
losing  property  the  petition  was  speedily  presented  to  Ministers, 
and  on  it  was  found  the  act  of  restitution:^^''  also  the  resolutions 
of  the  first  Lord  of  the  Treasury  classing  the  Loyalists.^^^ 

August  7'^  employed  in  preparing  a  Memorial  with  copies  of 
testimonials  for  Lord  North ;  after  dinner  went  to  the  Treasury  and 
met  two  gentlemen  (loyalists)  who  promise  to  communicate  to  me 
any  intelligence  they  may  receive  from  the  Treasury;  next  day  I 
called  there  myself  but  did  not  see  M''  Rose  nor  was  there  any 
answer ;  further  than  there  would  not  be  anything  decided  for  some 
time;  and  that  I  might  appoint  some  one  to  act  in  my  absence:  I 
ascertained  where  Major  Ross  ^^^  Aid  de  Camp  to  Lord  Cornwallis 
lives  also  the  address  of  CoP  Tarlton.^^^  On  the  9'*^  Major  Ross 
accompanied  me  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton's,224  ^^d  took  my  papers  to 
consult  Lord  Cornwallis  as  to  the  best  steps  to  be  pursued. 

11*''  or  12  my  papers  were  returned  from  Lord  Cornwallis  by 
Major  Ross'  hands  with  a  message  that  his  Lordship  would  do 
everything  to  assist  my  vews ;  and  as  my  farther  stay  would  be  ex- 
pensive without  any  immediate  utility,  I  empowered  M""  Lewis 
Wolfe  22^  to  act  in  my  absence  and  he  kindly  promised  to  write  to 
me  whenever  any  thing  interesting  should  occur  respecting  the 
claims. 

Aug*  16*''  Left  London  in  a  coach  from  Lad-Lane  ^^^  having 
taken  my  place  for  Loughborough  227  which  I  reached  next  day  and 
got  to  Cavendish,228  j^gg^j.  Lord  Huntingdons'  seat  at  Dannington 
Park.229 


^20  The  acta  of  Parliament  of  1783  and  1785,  awarding  compensation  to  the  American 
loyalists. 

'^^  The  loyalists  were  divided  into  several  classes  for  the  purpose  of  the  above  acts.  In 
the  first  were  those  who  had  rendered  exceptional  services  to  Great  Britain.  The  second  was 
composed  of  those  who  had  borne  arms  against  the  Revolution.  Loyalists  who  were  zealous  and 
uniform  were  in  the  third.  In  the  fourth  were  loyalists  resident  in  Great  Britain.  The  fifth 
embraced  those  who  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Americans  but  afterwards  joined  the 
British,  while  the  sixth  class  consisted  of  loyalists  who  bore  arms  for  the  Americans,  but  later 
joined  the  British  forces. 

222  Major  Alexander  Ross   (see  p.  13,  n.  93). 

223  Colonel  Banistre  Tarleton   (see  p.  18,  n.  127). 

22*  Sir  Henry  Clinton.     (He  is  in  the  Dictionary  of  National  Bioffraphy.) 

226  Lewis  Wolfe   (see  p.  31,  n.  207). 

22«  Lad  lane  is  now  Gresham  street.  In  this  lane  was  the  old  tavern.  The  Swan  with 
two  Necks,  the  headquarters  of  coaches  to  Chester  and  Holyhead  and  to  Liverpool,  through 
Coventry  and  Lichfield.  An  advertisement  of  the  coaches  from  this  tavern  is  in  the  Morning 
Chronicle  and  London  Advertiser  for  1  April,  1786. 

2»T  Loughborough  in  Leicestershire. 

228  The  parish  of  Cavendish,  in  Leicestershire. 

22*  Donington  park,  in  the  parish  of  Cavandish,  was  once  the  home  of  the  celebrated  Selina, 
countess  of  Huntingdon,  foundress  of  the  religious  sect  known  by  her  name.  It  was  enlarged 
in  1795  by  Francis  Rawdon,  2nd.  earl  of  Moirn  and  1st  marquis  of  Hastings. 


34  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

IS'*"  Waited  on  Lord  Rawdon  ^^^  who  gave  me  a  strong  letter  of 
recommendation  to  General  Burgoyne,^^^  soliciting  his  interest  to 
get  me  appointed  to  some  Revenue  situation  in  Ireland. 

On  the  19*''  set  out  for  Manchester  by  the  stage  and  slept  at 
the  Bell  Inn  Derby,^^^  next  night  at  the  former  place  and  on  the 
21^*  at  Liverpool;  but  could  not  get  to  sea  until  the  30'*'  when  the 
packet  sailed  for  Dublin  with  a  fair  but  very  light  wind ;  so  that  we 
made  little  way  towards  Dublin  where  we  arrived  late  the  evening 
of  the  3"^^  of  Sep*""  I  took  up  my  quarters  where  I  had  been  formerly 
(in  Peter's  Row). 

On  the  4*^''  I  waited  on  General  Burgoyne  with  Lord  Rawdon's 
letter  but  as  I  received  little  or  no  encouragement  from  him  I  de- 
termined to  go  to  Ballymena  and  endeavour  to  engage  in  some  busi- 
ness or  other  until  the  result  could  be  ascertained  of  the  London 
business :  this  day  I  called  on  M""  Henry  ^33  at  the  Custom  House  and 
gave  him  an  account  of  my  proceedings  in  London;  which  were 
interesting  to  him  as  had  also  lost  property. 

ggptr  7th  gg^  Q^j^  Q^  4  oclock  in  the  morning  by  the  Coach  for 
Newry  ^3*  where  I  slept ;  and  proceeded  on  horse-back  to  Antrim  ^^^ 
next  day,  thence  to  my  uncle  Purdy's. 

About  the  10*'^  [October,  1782]  I  received  a  letter  from  M' 
Wolfe  requiring  me  to  send  a  sworn  account  of  my  losses  in 
America  accompanied  by  certificates  from  Lord  Cornwallis  CoP 
Tarlton  &c  &c  which  I  did  soon  after ;  the  amount  being  £1998  10s 
in  which  all  the  losses  were  included  that  could  be  substantiated 
with  facility  before  the  commissioners.  I  received  a  flattering 
letter  from  Lord  Cornwallis  some  time  in  Nov""  [1782]  inclosing  one 
for  Col  Eustace  ^^'^  the  Sect^'  in  Dublin  to  facilitate  my  views  either 
by  obtaining  a  commission  in  a  Fencibble  Reg*  but  of  this  letter  I 
made  no  use  for  some  time  except  consulting  M""  Henry,  by  whose 
advice  I  sent  it  some  time  afterwards :  when  it  appeared  the  com- 


230  Lord  Rawdon  became  2nd.  earl  of  Moira  in  succession  to  his  father  in  1793. 

2"-  Genera]  John  Burgoyne,  of  Saratoga  fame,  was  conunander-in-chief  of  the  forces  in 
Ireland  from  June,  1782,  to  December,  1783. 

282  Tije  Bgu  ijjjj^  Derby,  was  a  noted  coaching  house  and  opens  on  Sadler  Gate.  In  the 
early  19th.  century  it  was  a  conspicuous  meeting  place  of  the  Whig  party.  Washington  Irving 
describes  a  wet  day  there  in  his  story  of  the  stout  man  in  Bracebridge  Hail. 

2»s  Philip  Henry   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  97). 

2**  Newry,  a  seaport  in  county  Down. 

*'^  Antrim,  in  the  county  of  that  name. 

2s«  Colonel  Charles  Eustace  became  a  member  of  the  Irish  Parliament  and  a  major- 
general  on  the  staff  in  Ireland  in  1798 ;  he  died  in  1803. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         35 

missions  were  all  given  away.     I  made  arrangements  with  M"" 
Miller  ^^  to  purchase  and  open  a  shop  in  Ballymena. 

I  remained  about  Ballymena  until  the  middle  of  Dec  [1782] 
when  Major  Robinson  ^^^  brought  a  message  for  us  to  wait  on  Lord 
Rawdon  at  Montalto.^^^ 

On  the  23'"^  [December]  Robinson  and  I  called  at  Montalto, 
where  we  did  not  find  his  Lordship  but  received  a  message  to  go  to 
Dublin  and  call  on  Counseller  Doyle  the  Major's  brother  ^^o  who 
would  endeavour  to  assist  our  views  in  the  Revenue :  that  night  we 
slept  at  Widow  Flinn's  near  Rathfuland,^"  next  at  Dundalk  the 
third  within  20  miles  of  Dublin ;  and  on  the  26'^  reached  Dublin  by 
12  oclock,  the  whole  of  which  journey  we  performed  on  foot:  the 
day  of  our  arrival  we  called  on  M""  Campbell,^*^  took  our  lodgings 
in  Pill-lane,  and  amused  ourselves  by  going  to  the  play. 

27'*'  [December]  called  at  Counseller  Doyle's  who  was  gone  to 
the  country;  I  then  waited  on  CoP  Eustace  with  Lord  Cornwallis' 
letter  who  said  the  Fencible  Regiments  are  full  of  officers. 

Robinson  ^^^  and  I  on  the  30'^''  called  at  Counsellor  Doyle  ^**  who 
gave  us  hopes  of  success,  and  said  he  would  call  on  the  Lord 
Lieut ;-*^  next  day  he  told  us  he  had  seen  the  Lord  Lieut;  but  had 
not  received  an  answer  to  his  application. 

On  the  2°''  Jan''  1783  Counsellor  Doyle  told  us  that  the  Lord 
Lieu*  had  acceded  to  the  request  would  give  us  places  in  the  Revenue 
and  required  our  names;  which  we  gladly  furnished  to  the  Sect^ 
M'"  Scrope  Bernard,^**^  who  had  been  a  loyalist  also. 

Jan'"y  3'"''.  [1783]  called  and  left  copies  of  my  papers  at  the 
Castle  ^^^ ;  and  on  the  6*''  Robinson  and  I  received  a  letter  5  Jany 


2^'' Captain  James  Miller   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.   100). 

2  3^  Major  John  Robinson    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  95). 

-^°  Montalo  was  afterwards  sold  by  the  2nd.  earl  of  Moira  to  David  Ker. 

'*"  William  Doyle,  K.  C,  master  in  Chancery,  father  of  Lieut.-General  Charles  W. 
Doyle,  K.  C.  B.,  and  of  Captain  Sir  Bentinck  C.  Doyle,  R.  N.,  and  brother  of  Major  John 
Doyle  (afterwards  General  Sir  John  Doyle,  baronet).      (See  p.  25,  n.  180.) 

^■'^  Rathfriland  in  county  Down. 

^-i^  Charles   Philip   Campbell    (see  p.   28,  n.   196). 

-■•^  Major  John  Robinson    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  95). 

-**  Major  John  Doyle    (see  p.  25,  n.  180). 

2*^  The  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland  was  Earl  Temple. 

2*8  Scrope  Bernard,  son  of  Sir  Francis  Bernard,  baronet,  (governor  of  Massachusetts, 
1760-69)  was  born,  1  October,  1758,  at  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  while  his  father  was  governor 
of  New  Jersey.  He  was  educated  at  Harrow  and  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford ;  private  secretary  to 
the  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland  in  1782  and  1787 ;  member  of  Parliament ;  and  under  secretary 
of  state  for  the  Home  Department.  He  became  fourth  baronet  and  assumed  the  additional  name 
of  Morland. 

2*'  Dublin  Castle. 


36  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

1783  from  Scrope  Barnard  from  the  Castle  notifying  our  appoint- 
ments to  Tide  waiters  places — his  at  Lame  and  mine  at  Waterford 
until  something  better  should  offer:  trifling  as  this  appointment 
was  I  was  truly  grateful  for  it,  and  found  it  in  my  present  situa- 
tion and  circumstances  a  most  timely  relief  from  idleness  and  per- 
haps the  fear  of  want ;  not  knowing  that  I  should  ever  receive  any 
thing  else  from  government. 

On  the  7'^  went  to  the  Custom-House  and  received  my  com- 
mission for  which  I  paid  the  fees ;  and  immediately  set  out  by  the 
Kilkenny  Coach,  from  whence  I  got  a  conveyance  to  Waterford  in 
a  return  chaise:  I  remained  about  a  fortnight,  and  not  liking  the 
duty  or  situation,  I  took  an  opportunity  of  getting  myself  boarded 
on  a  vessel  for  Dublin  and  on  arriving  at  the  Custom  House  I  ap- 
plied to  M""  Morgan  ^^^  who  got  me  immediately  removed  to  Bel- 
fast whither  I  soon  moved  by  land:  I  was  back  and  forwards  to 
Ballymena  until  the  1^  of  March ;  which  was  the  day  I  was  happily 
united  to  Jane  Wilson  ^^^  eldest  daughter  of  John  Wilson  ^^o  and 
Elizabeth  Kirkpatrick  his  wife  she  has  but  one  sister  (Molly)  and 
six  brothers  viz  James,  John,  Samuel,  William,  David  and  Charles : 
my  wife  was  born  the  first  Sunday  in  April  1763  and  consequently 
in  her  lO**"  year  at  the  time  of  our  marriage.  I  continued  at  the 
Birney-hill  until  the  12^*^  of  April,  then  removed  to  a  house  in  Her- 
cules-lane Belfast.251  I  was  scarcely  fixed  in  my  residence  when  a 
letter  arrived  from  M""  Wolfe  requiring  my  presence  in  London 
about  the  American  claims,  and  having  through  my  friend  Henry  ^^z 
obtained  the  Board's  leave  I  set  out  for  Dublin,^"  and  on  the  IS*'' 


2*8  Probably  Francis  L.  Morgan,  who  was  promoted  first  clerk  in  the  secretary's  oflBce  of 
the  Irish  board  of  Customs. 

2<9  Jane  Chesney  died  June  13.  1822,  and  was  buried  with  her  husband  in  the  Moume 
Presbyterian  churchyard  at  Kilkeel,  county  Down. 

2^"  John  Wilson  was  the  son  of  John  Wilson,  a  Scotsman,  and  his  wife  Jennet  Brown, 
who  was  a  conspicuous  beauty  of  the  time.  John  Wilson,  the  elder,  was  a  strict  Covenanter 
refugee  from  Scotland  and  settled  at  Birney  Hill  in  the  parish  of  Skerry  or  Braid,  near  Bally- 
mena, and  took  part  in  the  defence  of  Carrickfergus  in  1690  and  was  present  at  the  landing 
there  of  William  III.  His  sister,  Margaret  Wlison,  at  the  age  of  18,  suffered  death  in  the  Solway 
at  the  hands  of  her  persecutors,  rather  than  subscribe  to  the  hated  prelacy.  {The  Life  of  Gc»i- 
eral  F.  R.  Chesney,  ed.  by  S.  Lane-Poole,  pp.  20-23.) 

*^i  Hercules  Lane  is  believed  to  have  been  named  after  Sir  Hercules  Langford.  (Benn, 
Hist,  of  Belfast,  1877,  p.  258) . 

2S2  Philip  Henry   (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  97). 

2s«  The  experiences  in  Dublin  at  this  time  of  an  American-bom  officer  in  the  26th.  Foot, 
Lieut.  George  Inman,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  are  quoted  in  his  journal,  in  the  possession  of 
the  Cambridge  (Massachusetts)  Historical  Society,  under  date  of  10  April,  1783.  Joining  his 
regiment,  then  stationed  in  Ireland,  he  complains  of  having  had  "a  great  deal  of  trouble  and 
greatly  imposed  upon  by  the  Custom  House  people."  He  was  very  glad  to  quit  Ireland  and  his 
regiment,  which  had  been  exceedingly  expensive,  and  where  he  had  been  "meeting  with  the 
greatest  imposition  from  every  person  whom  I  had  anything  to  do  with." 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         87 

took  my  lodging  in  Pill  lane ;  next  day  I  saw  my  friends  Henry  & 
Campbell  -^*  who  both  advised  me  strongly  to  proceed  to  London : 
M""  Winder  ^^s  also  promised  me  his  support  and  friendship ;  a  thing 
of  great  importance  as  being  Secretary  to  the  Board. 

20'"  Sailed  in  the  Fly  packet  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning  for 
Liverpool,  and  reached  our  destination  the  evening  of  the  22°'*;  I 
slept  at  the  Bull  Inn,  Dale-street,  and  next  day  at  2  oclock  set  off 
by  the  Coach  for  London,  and  got  there  in  the  evening  of  the  24'''. 

On  the  25'"  I  took  a  lodging  at  M-"  Wolfe's,  and  began  to  copy 
my  papers ;  next  day  I  called  at  the  Treasury  and  at  Col  Phillip's  ^^^ : 
I  was  employed  about  a  week  at  the  papers,  and  having  finished 
them,  I  obtained  certificates  of  their  truth  from  Lord  Comwallis 
Col'*  Balfour  and  Phillips ;  and  returned  them  to  the  office. 

May  the  6'"  I  was  examined  by  the  commissioners  for  Ameri- 
can claims  who  appeared  to  be  well  satisfied  with  the  result;  next 
day  I  was  again  at  the  Treasury  to  give  evidence  for  some  of  my 
loyal  friends,  and  saw  Lords  Comwallis  &  Rawdon  there  on  the 
same  good  errand  also  Cap'°  Guest.^" 

On  the  10'"  M""  Wolfe  informed  us  it  would  be  necessary  to  at- 
tend at  the  Treasury  again  on  Monday;  which  accordingly  hap- 
pened and  we  saw  Mess"  Wilmot  &  Coke  the  commissioners,^^* 
afterwards  called  on  Lord  Comwallis  for  a  frank. 

14'"  Called  again  on  Lord  Comwallis  with  Col'  Phillips  and 
Cap'°  Miller  ^^^  also  at  Lord  Rawdon's  we  took  a  walk  in  the  park 
afterwards  and  saw  their  Majesties  going  to  S'  James':  it  gave  me 
great  pleasure  to  see  our  beloved  Monarch  in  whose  cause  I  had 
sacrificed  my  all. 

Called  at  the  Treasury  and  found  that  the  Board  had  not  yet 
taken  up  Mess""*  Wilmots  and  Coke's  report  on  our  claims;  wrote 
by  post  to  inform  M""  Henry  2"*'  of  the  state  of  our  affairs  at  the 
Treasury;  also  to  obtain  leave  of  absence  for  me:  I  sent  at  this 

2E*  Charles  Philip  Campbell  (see  28,  n.  196;  30,  35). 

SEs  Thomas  Winder,  secretary  to  the  Irish  board  of  Customs. 

''^•Colonel  John  Phillips    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  60). 

2E7  Edward  Guest,  cornet  in  the  Ist.  Beeiment  of  Horse,  21  May,  1774,  and  lieutenant, 
4  October,  1777. 

2^*  John  Eardley  Wilmot  and  Daniel  Parker  Coke,  commissioners  of  American  Claims.  (See 
Hist.  View  of  the  CoTnmission  for  inquiring  into  the  losses,  services,  and  the  claims  of  the  Am. 
Loyalists  at  the  close  of  the  War  .  .  .  in  17 8S:  with  an  account  of  the  compensation  granted  to 
them  by  Parliam.ent  in  1785  and  1788,  by  J.  Eardley-Wilmot,  1815;  Second  Report  of  the  Bureau 
of  Archives  for  the  Province  of  Ontario,  ed.  by  A.  Fraser,  1904,  pp.  13-25,  1314 — 76 ;  The  Royal 
Com,7ni88ion  on  Loyalists?  Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Eserton ;  The  Boxburghe  Club,  1916, 
pp.  xxx-xxxv.) 

^^"  Captain  James  Miller  (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  100). 

'•"Philip  Henry  (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  97). 


38         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

time  a  small  sum  of  money  but  all  I  could  spare  to  M"  Chesney  at 
the  same  time  encouraging  her  to  hope  for  better  times ;  and  that 
from  the  appearance  of  things  it  would  not  be  necessary  to  return 
to  America  as  some  were  doing  on  chance  thinking  they  could  not 
be  worse  off:  which  was  partly  my  intention  before  I  came  to 
London. 

I  remained  in  London  until  about  the  24^''  of  May  receiving 
many  acts  of  friendly  attention  from  Col  Phillips  ^^  and  M"" 
Wolfe  262 :  I  had  obtained  a  temporary  allowance  of  £50  a  year  and 
having  put  matters  in  a  favourable  train  for  the  commissioners' 
report,  I  set  out  for  Bristol  with  Col  Phillips  ^^^ ;  &  after  passing 
a  day  or  two  with  his  family  I  took  a  passage  in  a  Brig  for  Strang- 
ford  284  on  the  2°<^  of  June  we  put  into  Dublin  by  contrary  winds, 
and  next  day  I  proceeded  to  Belfast,  where  I  remained  until  the 
13"^  of  Oct--  [1783]  in  much  anxiety  about  my  London  business ;  and 
constantly  hearing  from  M--  Henry  ^^^  on  this  subject  equally  in- 
teresting to  him. 

Oct"-  13'*^  proceeded  to  Dublin  to  make  out  a  new  memorial  for 
the  Commissioners ;  also  with  a  view  of  getting  something  better, 
or  at  least  a  removal  to  the  West  of  Ireland ;  the  journey  was  per- 
formed; partly  on  foot  the  rest  in  carriages  of  different  kinds:  I 
failed  in  getting  removed,  and  whilst  employed  in  preparing  my 
papers  I  heard  of  the  death  of  M--  Harman  Coast  officer  at  Bangor; 
for  which  situation  I  immediately  applied  through  Major  Skef- 
fington  and  M--  Winder  ^^e  with  little  hopes  of  success :  and  rather 
thought  of  getting  placed  on  the  list  of  guagers— General  Luttrel  ^"^ 
exerted  himself  personally  in  my  favour,  and  I  was  every  day  at 
the  Castle  or  with  some  friend  trying  to  make  interest. 

Nov  4  my  papers  being  ready  I  set  out  for  Belfast  leaving 
things  in  an  uncertain  state  as  to  the  Coast  Officers  place:  soon 
after  I  embarked  with  Col  Phillips  and  another  loyalist  at  Dongha- 
dee  268  for  Liverpool  which  we  reached  about  the  ^'^ ;  M-"  Miller  ^^^ 
and  I  took  an  inside  and  an  outside  place  between  us  for  London 

261  Colonel  John  Phillips    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  60). 

262  Lewis  Wolfe   (see  p.  31,  n.  207). 
2»s  Colonel  John  Phillips   (see  above). 

2**  Strangford,  a  seaport  in  county  Down. 
2«B  Philip   Henry    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  97). 
28*  Thomas  Winder  (see  p.  37,  n.  255). 

2«T  General  Henry  Lawes  Luttrell  (1743-1821),  soldier  and  politician,  an  opponent  of  John 
Wilkes,  and  afterwards  2nd.  earl  of  Carhampton.    (DU:t.  of  Nat.  Biog.) 

288  Donaghadee,  county  Down. 

289  Captain  James  Miller    (see  Additional  Notes,  p.  100). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  39 

which  plan  was  both  pleasant  and  oeconomical — On  arriving  in  Lon- 
don I  found  that  General  Luttrel  had  obtained  the  Coast-ofRcers 
place  for  me  at  Lame  or  rather  Bangor,^^"  and  that  M""  Henry  "^ 
was  about  to  set  off  to  establish  his  claims  before  the  commis- 
sioners; on  the  18*^  he  arrived  with  the  pleasing  news  of  my  ap- 
pointment which  placed  me  at  once  near  County  Antrim  and  above 
want  two  most  agreeable  circumstances.  I  prepared  a  memorial  for 
each  of  the  Commissioners  and  also  the  secretary ;  and  so  soon  as 
I  had  got  my  claims  certified  by  the  other  loyalists  and  had  per- 
formed the  like  service  for  those  whose  claims  were  known  to  me 
I  set  out  for  Belfast  by  way  of  Dublin;  and  a  few  days  after  re- 
moved my  family  to  Bangor  where  we  took  a  lodging  at  M"^^  Scott's 
on  the  30'^  Dec"-  [1783]. 

Continued  at  Bangor  without  any  particular  event  all  this  year 
[1784]  improving  myself  in  writing  &  Arithmetic;  the  claims  be- 
fore the  commissioners  being  still  undecided  and  causing  constant 
correspondence  with  London,  as  well  as  with  Col  Phillips  M""  Henry 
&c. 

No  particular  event  until  the  14'''  June  [1785]  when  Eliza 
Chesney  ^^^  was  born  at  half  past  6  oclock  in  the  morning  and  was 
called  for  Lady  Moira  as  well  as  her  two  Grandmothers.  In  autumn 
the  commissioners  required  more  proofs  that  my  property  was  con- 
fiscated '^^ ;  in  consequence  of  this  I  obtained  certificates  from  Lords 
Cornwallis  and  Rawdon:  I  also  referred  the  commissioners  to  an 
act  of  the  provincial  congress  of  Jackson's  burgh  inserted  in  the 
Charlestown  papers;  which  act  confiscated  the  property  of  every 
person  under  Arms;  and  was  passed  soon  after  the  reduction  of 
Charles-town  in  1780  by  the  British."^ 


2T0  Reference  is  made  to  this  appointment  by  a  later  addition  to  the  Journal  in  these 
words:  "W.  J.  Skeffington's  letter  of  4  Nov''  1783  and  M''  Henry's  of  10  Nov'  1783  to  M'^ 
Chesney  at  Belfast" 

Written  across  page  40  of  the  Journal  in  later  handwriting  is  this  note :  "Zach  Gibbs 
one  of  the  Loyalists  writes  on  the  30  August  1784  that  he  is  setting  out  foi^  Nova  Scotia  to 
occupy  a  Grant  of  Land  there." 

^■'i  Philip  Henry   (see  p.  38,  n.  265). 

^''-  Eliza  Chesney,  eldest  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  Chesney,  married  Captain  John 
Hopkins  and  died  in  April  1822. 

^''^  The  commissioners  of  American  Claims  in  London  required  reliable  evidence  of  con- 
fiscation of  loyalists'  property. 

^''^  An  incomplete  list  of  loyalists  whose  property  was  confiscated  by  the  State  of  South 
Carolina  is  printed  in  the  Statutes  at  Large  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  6  (Cooper's  edition). 
Appendix,  pp.  629-633.  Another  list  was  printed  by  Miss  Mabel  L.  Webber  in  South  Carolina 
Historical  and  Genealogical  Magazine,  Vol.  14,  p.  40. 


40  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

22^  August  1785  My  Grandfather  John  Wilson  writes  to  make 
known  the  death  of  his  son  John.^^^ 

A  letter  of  17  July  1785  from  Robert  Lusk  gives  news  of  my 
grandfather  Chesneys  family  and  that  my  brother  William  "^  had 
been  taken  to  them  from  the  Hodges. ^^^  But  Robert  Harper's  letter 
of  10  April  1785  mentions  that  the  Law  gave  him  back  to  the 
Hodges.  29  August  this  was  reversed  by  the  Magistrates  who  gave 
him  to  his  grandfather.^^s 

On  Christmas-day  [1785]  I  visited  Moume  "^  on  my  way  to 
Dublin  to  see  how  I  should  like  an  exchange  with  the  Coast-officer 
at  Annalong  ^^°  M""  Williams  ^^^  who  was  obliged  to  leave  the  country ; 
in  consequence  of  having  killed  John  Atkinson  with  a  stone  in  re- 
turn for  a  blow  he  gave  with  a  stick ;  this  exchange  being  effected  ^^^ 
without  trouble  I  proceeded  to  Dublin  to  try  to  get  an  allowance  of 
£14  per  Annum  which  my  predecessor  had  enjoyed;  but  did  not 
succeed ;  &  returned  to  Bangor  in  order  to  prepare  for  a  removal. 

Fb'  14"^  [1786]  removed  my  family  to  Moume  &  was  placed  in 
a  house  called  the  barrack  situated  in  Ballymaiveamore  ^^^  nearly  3 
miles  from  Annalong;  there  were  two  families  in  the  house  John 
McDowell  and  James  M"=Crumb  ^^*  a  Tide  waiter ;  but  at  May  I  got 
the  whole  house  to  myself  and  began  to  put  in  some  crop :  at  this 
time  I  was  very  low  in  cash  the  consequence  of  my  repeated  jour- 
neys to  and  from  London.  The  same  anxiety  continued  about  the 
claims  until  August  when  I  received  £133.12.0  as  a  dividend;  and 
in  Nov  £255.18  being  the  remainder  of  my  small  allowance  ^^^ 
which  appeared  to  have  been  reduced  by  the  commissioners  in  con- 
sequence of  having  received  a  Revenue  employmnt. 


"'  This  paragraph  in  the  Chesney  Journal  occurs  on  page  41. 

27*  See  page  2,  n.  11. 

^^^  Robert  Hodge,   father-in-law  of  Alexander   Chesney. 

278  This  paragraph  occurs  in  the  Chesney  Journal  on  page  41. 

*■"  Mourne,  county  Down. 

*"*  Annalonc,  county  Down,  a  fishing  village  and  the  headquarters  at  that  time  of  a 
desperate  band  of  smugglers. 

281  James  Williams. 

2*2  Alexander  Chesney's  exchange  with  James  Williams  is  recorded  in  the  Minute  Book 
of  the  Irish  board  of  Customs  to  take  place  as  from  26  December,  1786. 

28»  Ballyveamore,  Ballymacveaghmore  or  Ballyvea,  where  stood  the  old  "Barracks," 
pulled  down  a  few  years  ago,  which  was  the  birthplace  of  Alexander  Chesney's  son.  General 
Francis  Rawdon  Chesney. 

28*  or  McCrum. 

28B  The  total  amount  of  Alexander  Chesney's  claim  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South 
Carolina  was  £1.664.10«.,  and  the  award  was  £894.  (Public  Record  Office:  A.  O.  12/109.) 
Included  in  this  claim  are  the  wagon  and  four  horses,  impressed  into  the  American  service 
(see  page  129).  The  following  additional  entry  is  made  in  the  Chesney  Journal  on  page  41; 
"The  property  not  aa  yet  confiscated  though  retained  for  that  purpose"   [71785]. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         41 

7"^  March  [1787]  a  daughter  bom  about  at  7  Oclock  P  M  called 
for  the  mother  (Jane)  ^^^  The  communications  with  Lady  Moira  ^^ 
by  letter  commenced  this  year  and  she  expressed  anxiety  to  give 
me  a  lift. 

Continued  at  Ballyvea  [1788]  under  M^  Savage  ^^^  and  going 
frequently  to  Dublin  in  the  Barge  to  look  for  something  better. 
Went  to  Babbriggan  ^89  to  look  at  Straw  Hall  engaged  it  and  as  the 
Board  would  not  allow  me  to  remove  in  consequence  of  the  combina- 
tion formed  against  me ;  I  lost  nearly  a  year's  rent. 

1788  Mr.  Savage  wrote  a  kind  letter  of  adieu  regarding  the 
account  he  had  received  of  my  drinking  with  low  people.  I  deter- 
mined to  avoid  all  that  might  have  this  bad  appearance  in  future. 

On  the  16'^  of  March  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney  ^^o  was  born  at 
2  Oclock  called  after  my  kind  patron  Lord  Rawdon  which  I  made 
known  by  a  letter  on  the  29  July  1789. 

In  May  the  American  claims  were  finally  settled  by  the  Com- 
missioners, who  most  unexpectedly  and  unjustly  took  into  account 
the  Revenue  employment  I  obtained  through  my  personal  friends 
Lords  Cornwallis  and  Rawdon,  and  adjudged  it  to  be  part  compen- 
sation :  this  arrangement  reduced  my  annual  pension  to  £30. 

During  this  year  there  was  a  combination  of  the  Boatmen 
backed  by  M""  Savage  ^^^  and  the  smugglers  to  get  me  removed  and 
although  they  perjured  themselves  to  gain  their  ends  I  foiled  them 
at  Rosstrevor  ^92  in  presence  of  a  Commissioner  Col  Ross,^^^  whose 
friendship  I  gained  by  their  attack. 

This  year  I  bought  Brackany  from  James  Purdy.  Was  at  Dub- 
lin after  the  tryal  endeavouring  might  and  main  to  get  removed  or 
get  something  better  or  rather  more  quiet  as  to  employment   An 


**•  Jane,  who  married  the  Rev.  Henry  Harden,  M.  A.,  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  who 
went  out  as  a  missionary  of  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  to  Foreign  Parts,  at 
Grand  Lake  in  1820,  and  in  1822  was  transferred  to  Rawdon,  Nova  Scotia. 

287  Lady  Moira,  wife  of  Francis  Rawdon,   2nd.  earl  of  Moira. 

288  Francis  Savage  was  surveyor  at  Newcastle,  county  Down.  In  a  letter  to  the  Irish 
board  of  Customs,  20  February,  1789,  he  refers  to  the  growth  of  refractoriness  among  the  people 
of  Mourne  and  to  the  frequency  of  their  attacks  upon  the  Revenue  officers  when  seizures  of 
smuggled  goods  were  made.  The  board  decided  in  consequence  to  send  a  detachment  of  military 
to  Newcastle  to  assist  the  officers  in  the  execution  of  their  duty. 

289  Balbriggan,  a  seaport  in  county  Dublin. 

280  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney,  (1789-1872),  afterwards  general,  the  explorer  of  the 
Euphrates  and  founder  of  the  overland  route  to  India.  (See  Diet,  of  Nat.  Biog.  and  The  Life 
of  the  late  General  F.  R.  Chesney,  ed.  by  S.  Lane-Poole,  1893.) 

2»i  Francis  Savage   (see  above). 

282  Rostrevor,  on  Carlingford  Lough. 

20*  Robert  Ross,  a  high  officer  in  the  Irish  board  of  Custoins. 


42  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

exchange  to  Balbreggan  was  partly  arranged  in  Dec  but  afterwards 
given  up. 

Col  Ross'  examination  took  place  end  of  July  and  in  September 
1789  The  Atkinsons  M--  Savages  ^9*  relatives  &  the  M-^Neillys  "^s 
were  censured  and  affidavits  were  taken  privately  from  the  boat- 
men against  me  by  M""  Savage. 

The  Board  of  Customs  decided  that  in  the  case  of  Seizures 
made  by  the  Barge,  the  Surveyor  when  at  sea  should  have  % :  The 
Mate  or  Deputy  acting  under  him  i/8  ^nd  the  remaining  4/8  equally 
to  the  [  ?]  &  crew.  The  Surveyor  when  out  at  Sea  to  have 

Ys  and  the  Deputy  % — The  crew  as  before  when  present. 

[1790]  Still  wishing  to  get  removed  out  of  Moume  either  to  an 
equal,  or  better  place ;  and  felling  the  ill  eff etcs  in  a  pecuniary  v/ay 
of  my  journies  to  Dublin  with  that  view. 

Tords  the  end  of  Jan^  1791  I  had  a  bad  fall  from  my  horse  & 
my  collar  bone  broken. 

May  14'''  a  son  bom  at  11  Oclock  at  night  whom  I  named 
Charles  Cornwallis,^^*'  as  a  small  token  of  gratitude  to  my  patron 

Nov  I  bought  Ballymacveamore  ^^^  from  M""  Robert  Norman 
which  appeared  likely  to  prove  a  good  way  of  employing  the  Ameri- 
can compensation  money  there  being  at  that  time  a  fair  interest 
and  a  strong  probability  of  more  by  endeavouring  to  improve  this 
Townland. 

On  the  4  Dec""  1790  The  famous  Smuggling  Lugger  Morgan 
Rattler  being  anchored  in  Glassdrummond  Bay  with  a  number  of 
Yawls  alongside  and  astern  with  goods  in  each  preparatory  to  land- 
ing the  Revenue  pinnace  was  sent  out,  and  a  part  of  officers  sta- 
tioned on  land  to  prevent  a  landing.  In  order  to  effect  this  purpose 
16  men  were  despatched  in  the  Lugger's  boat  to  chive  off  the  Reve- 
nue land  party  and  take  the  pinnace  also — The  Revenue  party  now 
opned  a  fire  on  the  assailants  who  were  not  only  deterred  from  their 
purpose  when  landed  but  cut  off  from  their  own  boat.  The  Lugger 
now  fired  a  Gun  to  cover  her  Men  and  she  sent  at  the  same  time  a 
reinforcement  of  12  men  who  landed  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the 
Revenue  party  and  attacked  them  by  firing  in  their  rear.  I  moved 
towards  the  latter  party  leaving  some  of  my  people  to  protect  our 
boat.    During  this  movement,  the  Smugglers  got  their  first  party 


-^*  Francis  Savage  (see  p.  41,  note  288). 

2DB  Probably  Henry  McNully,  coast  officer,  Moume. 

^^^  Captain  Charles  Cornwallis  Chesney,  of  the  Bengal  artillery,  who  died  in  1830. 

^^'^  Ballymacveamore   (see  p.  40,  n.  283). 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         43 

and  boat  to  sea  and  the  Revenue  party  being  obliged  to  retreat  be- 
fore the  2^  party  of  the  Lugger's  men  the  landing  was  effected.  My 
party  fired  some  10  or  12  rounds.  The  Smugglers  were  heard  to  say 
fire  at  the  man  on  horseback  meaning  myself.  I  stated  these  par- 
ticulars and  suggested  that  a  Military  party  should  be  stationed 
in  Moume  to  prevent  such  outrage  in  future. 

Towards  the  end  of  1791  I  received  an  account  (also  previously 
from  my  Father)  from  I.  Purdy  on  reaching  S  Carolina  of  the 
nominal  Sale  of  my  property  which  in  fact  made  a  debtor.  I  also 
found  that  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  get  my  son  William  brought 
over  as  I  had  hoped  to  arrange. 

Jan'"^  17'^  [1793]  Alex-"  M'^Dowell  preventive  officer  was  mur- 
dered at  Turlogh-Hill,  which  event  created  a  great  sensation;  and 
a  large  reward  was  offered  by  Government,  the  officers  and  inhabi- 
tants of  Mourne  for  the  conviction  of  the  person  or  persons  con- 
cerned in  this  atrocious  act:  but  nothing  certain  transpired.  The 
Board  at  my  recommendation  gave  a  pension  of  £6  a  year  to  his 
widow. 

Smuggling  was  so  extensive  at  this  period,  that  on  the  19  Feb 
1793  Five  vessels  namely  3  Cutters  1  Lugger  and  1  Wherry  an- 
chored in  Glassdrummond  Bay  during  the  day.  Having  made  this 
fact  duly  known  the  Lord  Lieut  caused  Capt  Drury  to  sail  immedi- 
ately in  quest  of  them  with  His  Majesty s  Ship  Squirrell.  The 
Board  ordered  the  Ross,  the  Breech  and  Mary  cruisers  to  proceed 
to  that  part  of  the  Coast  and  with  reference  to  the  possibility  of 
some  of  them  being  privateers  with  Arms,  the  Lord  Lieut  ordered 
a  Troop  of  Dragoons  to  proceed  (through  Newcastle)  to  Moume, 
and  a  party  to  proceed  from  Rathpebuid  ^^^  to  8  Mile  Bridge  to  act 
in  conjunction  with  the  Company  at  Kilkeel  ^^^:  also  that  the  Reve- 
nue party  at  Rostrevor  should  be  strengthened  from  Newry. 

24  June  [1793]  removed  to  Prospect  &c  &c 

1794  Feb"y  3  A  kind  letter  came  from  Lady  Moira  offering  my 
son  Francis  a  Commission  in  Col  Doyle's  Regiment  ^"^  if  he  is  old 
enough  to  be  appointed 

The  Brig  Surprise  was  wrecked  near  Annalong 


208  Rathfriland. 

2»»  Kilkeel,  county  Down,  where  the  Chesney  family  worshiped  in  the  Moume  Presby- 
terian Meeting  House,  and  where  Captain  Alexander  Chesney  and  his  wife  and  nine  of  his 
children  are  buried. 

»»»  Colonel  John  Doyle    (see  page  25,  n.  180). 


44         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

July  26  A  daughter  bom  at  3  Oclock  in  the  morning  named 
after  her  aunts  Molly  and  Anne.^°^ 

My  friend  M""  Wolfe  joined  partnership  with  his  brother  In  law 
M""  Crafer  ^^~  in  the  Agency  to  the  American  loyalists. 

M"  Chesney  took  Francis  to  Dublin  on  Oct  17  18  1794  with 
reference  to  his  future  and  presented  him  to  Lady  Moira  who  was 
all  kindness,  even  wishing  her  to  stay  in  the  House 

Feb""^  [1795]  Letters  passing  between  Mess"  Wolfe  and  me 
whose  advice  I  asked  about  placing  my  son  Francis  at  the  Royal 
Military  Academy. 

July  6  1795  Col.  Skeffington  ^°^  advises  an  application  to  Lord 
Moira  who  was  about  to  proceed  to  the  Continent  in  command  of 
an  Army,^"* 

During  this  summer  we  had  a  fever  in  the  house  which  at- 
tacked M'^  Chesney,  Eliza,  Francis  (slightly)  and  Mary  Anne  who 
thank  God  all  recouvered:  this  was  not  the  only  trouble,  for  some 
malicious  person  having  sent  a  general  charge  to  the  Coll""  of 
Strangford  against  me  and  the  party  for  neglect  of  duty;  an  in- 
vestigation took  place  before  the  Surveyor  General  M""  Cuthbert.  He 
pronounced  it  to  be  founded  in  malice — The  Board  afterwards 
granted  a  reward  of  £50  to  the  party  for  their  exertions  the  two 
preceeding  years  which  showed  how  well  they  were  satisfied. 

Still  making  enquiries  about  the  Woolwich  Academy  ^°^  during 
the  year  [1796]  the  country  was  a  good  deal  disturbed  by  designing 
persons  who  appeared  to  have  deep  designs  in  view 

Lord  Cornwallis  had  declined  on  the  24  Feby  96  asking  a  direct 
commission  on  account  of  the  age  ^^^ 

And  Mess"^^  Wolfe  &  Crafer  3"^  March  1796  recommended  the 
Mil  Academy ,^°^  and  to  obtain  the  Master  Gen''  nomination  thro 
Lord  Cornwallis,  age  12  to  16.  £20  a  year  to  be  given  in  addition 
to  the  Gov  allowance 


*•"■  His  daughter,  Marianne,  who  married  John  Shannon  Moore,  and  died  October  31, 
1868,  aged  66. 

^"^  Thomas  Crafer,  paymaster  of  pensions  to  the  American  loyalists,  1815-1827. 

»o«  Major  the  Hon.  W.  J.  SkefRngton  was  the  second  son  of  Clotworthy,  first  earl  of 
Massereene,  and  was  appointed  constable  of  Dublin  Castle,  19  November,  1784.    He  died  in  1811. 

*"*  Francis  Rawdon-Hastings,  2nd.  earl  of  Moira,  was  appointed,  15  July,  1795,  to  com- 
mand the  force  ordered  by  Pitt  to  proceed  to  Quiberon  and  to  act  as  auxiliary  to  the  army  of 
the  count  of  Artois. 

*°5  Royal  Military  Academy,  Woolwich  (see  W.  T.  Vincent,  The  Records  of  the  Woolwich 
District.  Vol.  I). 

»os  A  commission  for  Alexander  Chesney's  eldest  son,  Francis  Rawdon. 

'"''  The  Royal  Military  College  at  Great  Marlow,  Bucks,  a  preparatory  college  for  Wool- 
wich. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         45 

Thank  God  my  affairs  are  in  a  most  prosperous  situation ;  health 
in  the  family  with  plenty  of  everything. 

Jan^  [1797]  I  raised  a  company,  called  the  Mourne  Infantry ,3°^ 
in  order  to  put  down  the  turbulent  spirit  manifested  all  through 
the  Country  last  Autumn;  by  my  own  exertions  they  were  em- 
bodied on  the  30'^ ;  but  Mess"  Henry  M'^Neilly  ^°^  and  Thomas  Spence 
(formerly  a  quarter  master  of  Dragoons)  having  refused  commis- 
sions ;  I  got  Jack  Kilpatrick  and  Henry  M«=Neilly  son  to  the  former 
appointed  in  their  room.  Several  disturbances  in  the  County  and 
several  houses  of  those  who  would  not  join  burnt  one  of  mine 
amongst  the  rest:  Mine  was  the  first  company  under  arms  in  the 
County;  which  probably  prevented  a  general  insurrection  in 
Mourne.  A  guard  was  mounted  agreeably  to  a  letter  from  the  Cas- 
tle ^^"  E.  Coote  9  Feb.  1787,  The  augmentation  which  I  proposed 
subsequently  was  declined  (10  April  1797) ;  and  a  later  offer  of  a 
part  of  the  corps  to  serve  permanently  was  left  in  abeyance  Wel- 
brace  7  July  1797.  I  had  sent  my  Daughter  Eliza  to  Miss  Thomp- 
sons Boarding  School  in  Newry  where  her  progress  was  satis- 
factory. 

In  April  [1797]  applied  to  the  Master  general  of  the  ordinance 
for  a  cadetship  for  Francis  ;^"  and  in  June  I  received  a  notification 
of  that  appointment  but  he  cannot  be  admitted  until  14  years  of 
age:  which  will  be  6  years  hence.  I  thought  it  might  be  a  useful 
preparatory  step  to  put  him  in  the  yeomanry  for  a  little  time  there- 
fore got  him  appointed  to  a  Lieutenancy  I  had  also  obtained  the 
appointments  of  .  .  .  .^^^  in  the  Revenue  at  Annalong  which  was 
afterwards  cancelled.  I  had  rather  hopes  at  this  period  that  the 
Mourne  Yeomanry  ^^^  might  have  been  made  part  of  a  Fencible 


*"*  Although  Alexander  Chesney  was  commissioned,  31  October,  1796,  to  enrol  and  command 
the  Mourne  infantry,  the  force  was  not  actually  embodied  until  the  end  of  January  following. 
As  the  first  company  under  arms  in  county  Down,  it  was  mustered  at  a  moment  when  the 
Association  of  United  Irishmen,  formed  in  1791,  were  drilling  secretly  and  actively  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Down,  Antrim,  Derry,  and  Donegal.  The  people  of  Ulster,  proud  in  the  recollection  that 
theirs  was  the  first  Province  to  raise  the  standard  of  rebellion,  issued  an  address  in  1797,  exhort- 
ing their  fellow-countrymen  to  revolt.  (The  Life  of  the  late  General  F.  R.  Chesney,  ed.  by  S. 
Lane-Poole,  1885,  pp.  39-40.) 

soo  Probably  Henry  McNully,  coast  oflBcer  at  Mourne. 

"lo  Dublin  Castle. 

'1^  Alexander  Chesney's  eldest  son,  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney. 

512  The  word  is  not  clear  in  the  text. 

SIS  Yeomanry  were  first  established  in  Ireland  in  1796.  The  rebellious  inhabitants  of 
Belfast,  mostly  Presbyterians,  opposed  their  establishment  as  vehemently  as  the  Roman  Catho- 
lics in  Dublin.  (Sir  Richard  Musgrave,  Memoirs  of  the  different  Rebellions  in  Ireland,  1801, 
pp.  228,  290.) 

Captain  Alexander  Chesney  was  in   November,    1821,   commanding  officer  of  the  Mourne 


46  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Corps  in  which  I  could  have  had  the  rank  of  Major  but  this  was  de- 
clined. Pelham's  "*  letter  29  Jan^  1798. 

Although  not  10  years  of  age,  and  therefore  far  too  young  I 
had  obtained  a  Commission  for  my  Son  Francis,  who  accompanied 
the  Corpe  to  Newry  although  quite  unfitted  for  such  Service,  Lord 
Castlereagh  who  could  not  have  known  his  age  had  given  him  a 
Commission.   19  May  1798. 

Accepted  a  commission  of  the  peace  in  consequence  of  a  wish 
expressed  at  the  Castle;  I  had  declined  this  before  when  the  Mar- 
quis of  Downshire  ^^^  asked  me  through  Rector  Warring  ^^ 

Jan^'  [1798]  Some  trouble  about  a  stranded  Sloop  the  New 
Loyalty  of  Belfast;  Mess"  Matthews  Beers,  and  Jerry  Atkinson 
supporting  M""  H.  McNeilly  in  his  claim  as  principal  Salvager :  this 
business  was  settled  satisfactorily  in  April:  about  this  time  I  felt 
that  I  had  rather  done  injustice  to  my  family  by  spending  money 
for  the  Yeomanry  business  thereby  creating  envy;  a  less  active 
part  would  have  preserved  more  friends  with  less  need  of  them. 

The  Corps  put  on  permanent  duty  and  arrangements  were 
made  for  this  purpose  by  Gen  Nugent's  ^^^  letters  The  Rebellion  hav- 
ing broken  out.  Mourne  being  chiefly  through  my  exertions  pretty 
well  disarmed  and  quiet;  the  corps  was  ordered  to  do  duty  at 
Newry.  A  few  days  after  our  arrival  there  early  in  June  I  came 
back  to  Mourne  with  a  part  of  the  Newry  Cavalry  and  surrounded 
the  houses  of  the  suspected  people  during  the  night;  I  thus  seized 
and  carried  off  the  supposed  leaders  of  the  disaffected  and  kept 
them  as  hostages  in  Newry  for  the  safety  of  the  Mourne  people  in 
case  of  a  rising  in  our  absence.  Major  Porter  ^^^  of  the  Argyle 
Fencible  Regiment  Commanded  and  his  arrangements  appear  to 
have  been  very  judicious. 

A  detachment  being  ordered  to  go  to  Dundalk  in  consequence 
of  an  express  from  thence  mentioning  that  the  Rebels  were  under 


Yeomanry — a  corps  which  had  volunteered  to  serve  out  of  its  own  district  during  the  war  with 
the  French  in  1815.  Chesney,  in  November,  1821,  applied  for  leave  of  absence  from  his  official 
Customs  duties  to  serve  with  the  Mourne  Yeomanry  out  of  his  district,  if  required. 

^1*  Thomas  Pelham  was  appointed  a  principal  secretary  of  state  in  Ireland,  24  June, 
1796,  and  was  created  earl  of  Chichester  in  1801. 

*i^  Arthur,   2nd.   marquis  of  Downshire. 

*>■•  Rev.  Lucus  Waring,  rector  of  Kilkeel. 

'I''  Field-Marshal  Sir  George  Nugent,  baronet,  who  served  during  the  American  Revo- 
lutionary war,  was  in  command  of  the  north-eastern  district  of  Ireland.  He  married,  16 
November,  1797,  Maria,  daughter  of  Brigadier-General  Cortlandt  Skinner,  who  raised  the  well- 
known  loyalist  regiment,   the  New   Jersey   Volunteers,   in  the  American  Revolutionary   war. 

»18  Captain  John  Porter  was  promoted  major,  1  October,  1797,  in  place  of  Lieut.-Colonel 
John  Campbell  (resigned)  of  the  2nd.  battalion  of  the  Argyll  (or  Clavering)  Fencible  regi- 
ment, commanded  by  Colonel  Henry  M.  Clavering.     (W.  O.  13/3803.) 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         47 

Arms  in  that  neighbourhood  I  volunteered  to  go ;  and  on  our  march : 
having  pointed  out  to  Cap'  Campbell  the  commander,  the  roads  by 
which  we  could  be  attacked,  as  well  as  the  general  situation  of  the 
country:  as  this  convinced  him  I  had  some  knowledge  of  Military 
matters,  he  consulted  me  afterwards  on  all  occasions,  and  appointed 
me  to  do  staff  duty,  issuing  orders:  paroles  countersigns  &c  &c 
one  day  we  took  several  hundred  pikes  near  the  town,  and  the  Rebels 
having  dispersed ;  soon  after  we  were  ordered  back  to  Newry  by  the 
commandant  Major  Porter  of  the  Argyle  fencibles  ^^^  who  gave  us 
a  welcome  home  dinner  and  had  the  Right  Honb^®  Isaac  Corry  ^-^  to 
meet  us. 

The  Corps  ordered  to  return  to  Mourne  [in  July]  the  town  of 
Newry  having  become  tranquil  by  the  rebels  losing  the  battle  of 
Ballynakinch  ^-^  the  day  on  which  M""^  Chesney  (then  all  alone  at 
Prospect)  was  confined  of  a  daughter  Matilda.^^^ 

Some  of  their  leaders  who  were  forming  plans  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Newry  taken  and  executed  there. 

A  further  increase  of  the  Mourne  Yeomanry  was  declined  altho 
passed.  [Herbert  Taylor's  letter,  21  July,  1798.]  I  caused  the  Boats 
throughout  Mourne  to  be  numbered  and  Registered. 

Aug.  7*^  [1798].  half  the  Corps  ordered  off  permanent  duty. 
25*''  The  whole  corps  put  on  permanent  duty  again  in  consequence 
of  the  French  landing  in  Killala-Bay.^^^  Major  Matthews  ^^^  obtained 
an  order  from  the  Brigade  Major  Gethen  to  command  both  corps, 
as  the  right  of  Major  in  the  Army;  I  applied  to  the  Castle  and 
gained  my  point :  Lord  Castlereagh  ^^^  decided  that  I  am  the  senior 
Yeomanry  Officer 

Sep*  9*''  I  transmitted  an  address  from  the  Roman  Catholics  of 
lower  Mourne  to  the  Lord  Lieu*  and  received  a  favourable  answer. 

16**"  Mr  Moore  and  I  forwarded  a  similar  one  from  the  Dis- 
senters to  Lord  Castlereagh  to  be  also  laid  before  the  Lord  Lieu*. 


S19  Major  John  Porter  (see  p.  46,  n.  318). 

5-°  Isaac  Corry  (1755-1813),  Irish  politician;  represented  Newry  in  the  Irish  Parliament, 
1776-1800 ;  chief  Government  speaker  in  favor  of  the  union,  1799-1800 ;  fought  a  duel  with 
Henry  Grattan  in  1800.     (Diet,  of  Nat.  Biog.) 

^-1  The  battle  of  Ballynahinch,  where  the  rebels  were  defeated.  (W.  H.  Maxwell,  Hiat.  of 
the  Irish  Rebellion  in  179S,  p.  204.) 

'"-  Matilda  Chesney  died  in  1814. 

328  The  French  landed  on  the  shore  of  Killala  Bay,  four  miles  from  Killala,  22  August.  1798. 

s^*  Joseph  Matthews,  captain  in  the  8th.  (or  King's  Royal  Irish)  regiment  of  Light 
Dragoons  from  1793  to  1796. 

325  Viscount  Castlereagh,  the  statesman,  was  keeper  of  the  Irish  privy  seal  in  1797-8, 
and  chief  secretary  for  Ireland,  1799-1801. 


48  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

President  [in  1799]  of  a  Court  Martial  to  try  Major  Matthews 
for  Mai  conduct  as  a  yeomanry  officer  of  which  charge  he  was  ac- 
quitted 

July  [1800]  M"  Chesney  went  to  see  her  mother  in  County 
Antrim  taking  with  her  Eliza,  Francis  and  Charles ;  they  got  back 
safe  notwithstanding  the  still  disturbed  state  of  the  Country — At 
this  time  I  applied  to  Lord  Cornwallis  to  have  me  superannu- 
ated: in  August  saw  his  Lordship  on  the  business  at  Dundalk 
who  acceded  to  my  wish  and  desired  a  Memorial  to  be  made  out 
stating  the  value  of  my  employment;  which  was  done  and  re- 
ferred to  the  commissioners  [in  December]  stating  the  wound  I 
got  in  the  Ballagh:  but  so  many  difficulties  occurred  that  I  was 
sorry  I  had  applied :  being  uncertain  about  the  result  and  whether 
to  take  a  farm  or  not. 

Feb.  [1801]  went  to  wait  on  the  commissioners  about  my  ap- 
plication ;  found  that  their  report  was  not  favourable  to  my  wishes 
on  account  of  short  service 

March  8'^  A  Son  bom  at  3  Oclock  in  the  morning,  called  him 
Alexander  ^^^  after  myself 

April  6*'^  Took  a  deed  of  a  farm  in  Ballyardle  ^^  from  James 
Carr  for  which  I  paid  £145. 

[June]  Finding  I  could  not  be  superannuated  on  eligible  terms, 
I  determined  to  give  up  all  further  idea  of  it  for  the  present :  which 
gives  me  an  opportunity  of  pursuing  my  usual  avocations,  without 
further  interruption 

In  Oct^  [1801]  Francis  paid  a  visit  to  Lady  Moira  at  her  par- 
ticular request  going  each  morning  to  Moira  House  ^^^  and  returning 
to  sleep  at  M""  Normans 

Feb-"  [1802]  James  Purdy  ^^g  having  refused  to  go  the  post- 
office  he  was  on  my  representation  suspended,  and  a  tryal  took 
place  before  the  Collector  at  Newry;  which  ended  in  his  being 


*°^  Alexander  Chesney,  the  younger,  died  in  1832,  unmarried. 

32T  General  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney  built  a  house  at  Ballyardle  for  his  mother,  Jane 
Chesney,  and  called  it  "Pacholet,"  in  memory  of  his  father's  home  in  South  Carolina.  Here 
Captain  Alexander  Chesney  died,   12  January,   1845.    The  house  is  still  standing    (1917). 

^"^  Moira  House,  Dublin,  was  visited  by  Rev.  John  Wesley,  who  describes  it  in  his  Journal: 
it  is  now  the  "mendicity  institution"    (see  Memorable  Dublin  Houses.) 

S-*  James  Purdy,  Customs  boatman  at  Annalong,  in  succession  to  John  Boyd,  who  had 
been  maltreated  in  an  attempt  by  an  armed  mob  to  rescue  a  seizure  of  tobacco  from  three  of  the 
Customs'  boatmen. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY         49 

obliged  to  take  his  turn  of  duty:  although  M""  Beers,^^°  Purdy  and 
Wallace  swore  everthing  that  malace  could  dictate  to  injure  me 

April  7  Received  a  letter  from  Lord  Chatham  ^^^  and  another 
on  the  5  May  saying  he  would  appoint  my  son  Francis  to  a  cadetship 
when  of  the  proper  age  and  possess  the  other  qualifications  requis- 
ite: he  will  not  be  old  enough  until  next  March,  in  the  meantime 
he  must  apply  diligently  to  latin  grammar  and  the  other  studies. 

Lady  Moira  expressed  her  willingness  to  receive  him  in  Dublin 
to  acquire  French  &  Latin  &c  or  else  at  Belfast. 

M""  Crafer  5  May  1802  agreeably  to  what  is  required  in  Col 
Haddens  ^^^  letter  recommends  that  Francis  should  apply  diligently 
to  Latin  &  other  studies  for  the  Academy 

IS'*^  March  [1803]  received  a  letter  of  the  9*^  to  send  my  son 
to  Woolwich;  and  on  the  24^^  he  went  off  by  himself  by  way  of 
Liverpool  to  London,  where  I  hope  he  will  meet  every  kind  assist- 
ance from  Mess"  Wolfe  and  Crafer.  [April  19'^]  Francis  being 
found  deficient  in  height  and  English  grammar  was  placed  by  M"" 
Crafer  at  an  Academy  near  Walworth  kept  by  a  Revoult  a  French- 
man.^^^ 

In  May  I  sent  Charles  to  Dublin  to  wait  upon  Lady  Moira  with 
the  hope  that  something  might  turn  up  for  him. 

[June]  Francis  went  to  Woolwich  again  with  two  gentlemen 
sent  by  Lady  Mora:  recommended  by  Major  Phillips  to  go  to  D"" 
Towne"s  Academy  at  Deptford  ^^^  whither  he  went  immediately 

1803  Lugage  taken  by  Archbold 


**"  An  enquiry  was  held  by  Francis  Carleton,  collector  at  Newry,  into  the  allegations  of 
William  Beers,  surveyor  at  Annalong,  and  James  Purdy,  Customs  boatman  at  the  same  place, 
that  Alexander  Chesney  had  been  guilty  of  corrupt  connections  with  smugglers.  The  board  of 
Customs,  as  a  result  of  Carleton's  report,  dated  24  March,  1802,  informed  Chesney  that  the 
circumstances  of  the  spirits  being  sent  to  his  house  at  an  unseasonable  hour  was  open  to 
suspicion,  and  cautioned  him  as  to  his  future  conduct  respecting  smugglers.  James  Purdy's 
suspension  was  cancelled.  (Minute  Book  of  the  Irish  board  of  Customs,  No.  278,  p.  126 ;  in 
the  Public  Record  Office  in  London.) 

For  an  account  of  the  laxity  in  the  Irish  Customs  early  in  the  nineteenth  century,  see 
Atton  and  Holland,  The  King's  Customs,  1910,  Vol.  II.  pp.  11-14. 

231  John  Pitt,  earl  of  Chatham,  was  master-general  of  the  Ordnance  at  this  time. 

33-  Colonel   James  Haddon,  Royal  artillery,  afterwards  major-general. 

333  John  Revoult,  M.A.,  master  of  Walworth  Academy.  His  portrait  was  painted  by  Sir 
William  Beechey,  R.  A.,  and  was  presented  to  him  "by  the  gentlemen  who  had  been  educated 
under  him  as  a  token  of  their  high  respect  and  affectionate  regard  towards  him — 1798."  This 
portrait  cannot  now  be  traced.  A  mezzotint  of  it  was  done  by  James  Ward  in  1798.  He  is 
shown  holding  up  a  book,  entitled  Introduction  to  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  1798.  (R.  W. 
Bowers,  Sketches  of  Southwark  Old  and  New,  1905,  p.  488.) 

33*  Alexander  Mark  Kerr  Hamilton,  son  of  Colonel  Archibald  Hamilton,  the  loyalist,  of 
Flushing,  Long  Island,  New  York,  and  his  American  wife,  Alice  Golden,  was  at  Rev.  Dr. 
Towne's  Academy  at  Deptford  in  1785,  at  the  age  of  18.  He  subsequently  became  a  major- 
general  in  the  British  Army. 


50  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

On  the  2*^  July  1803  M""  Revoult  sent  to  me  a  satisfactory  letter 
about  Francis  who  is  now  gone  to  D"^  Townes  at  Deptford.  M""  R 
says  he  found  in  him  a  great  ingenuity,  much  natural  good  sense 
and  such  a  degree  of  docility  as  made  me  wish  that  he  had  come  to 
me  sooner.  I  am  sorry  he  staid  so  short  a  time  because  I  was  in 
hopes  he  would  have  profited  much. 

[July  13]  Francis  finally  admitted  a  cadet,  warrant  made  out, 
but  he  is  to  remain  at  Deptford  until  there  shall  be  a  vacancy  at 
Marlow. 

[September  21^^]  Francis  went  to  the  Military  College  at  Mar- 
low  ^^^  was  examined  and  admitted. 

[December  1^*]  Vacation  at  Marlow  commenced  Francis  came 
home  for  a  month  &  is  to  join  at  Woolwich  12  Jan^. 

The  Brig  Bristol  from  Lisbon  for  Liverpool  having  on  the  16'^'' 
Dec  been  stranded  at  Annalong  and  the  entire  of  her  cargo  301 
Bags  of  cotton  21  Chests  of  fruit  having  been  saved  by  me  got  the 
business  amicably  settled  and  every  charge  thereon  paid,  every  per- 
son concerned  paid  off  and  highly  pleased.  I  got  in  all  about  £300 
for  my  exertions ;  thank  God  not  an  accident  nor  any  person  hurt 
or  injured  at  her. 

Francis  set  out  for  the  Point  [January  3,  1804]  to  go  to  Wool- 
wich 

Joined  the  Academy  on  the  12'^''  M"^  Crafer  went  down  with  him. 

[April]  Francis  has  got  into  the  Medium  Academy  good  ac- 
counts of  his  progress.  He  is  acquainted  with  Oldfields  mother  who 
is  kind  to  him 

[November  9*^^]  Francis  gazetted  to  a  2^  Lieutenancy  just  18 
months  after  he  left  this  house;  but  with  a  heavy  expence,  for 
travelling  back  and  forward  and  being  placed  at  the  Walworth  and 
Deptford  Academies,  to  which  must  be  added  his  outfit.  Much  is 
due  to  M""  &  M""^  Crafer  for  their  unremitting  kindness  to  Francis 

26  Nov  1804  I  sent  a  very  particular  letter  of  advice  to  Francis 
about  his  future  conduct  as  an  Officer  and  success  in  life. 

Determined  on  sending  Charles  to  M""  Revoults  Academy  to 
qualify  him  for  any  situation  which  might  offer :  he  set  out  in  Jan^ 
&  went  to  Revoults  in  Feb^  [1805]  at  Walworth.  Francis  at  Wool- 
wich doing  duty  and  no  situation  having  been  obtained  for  Charles, 
I  determined  on  bringing  him  home  at  the  end  of  the  quarter. 

335  A  proposal  was  made  by  the  supreme  board  of  the  Royal  Military  College  at  Marlow 
in  1806  that  the  college  should  be  removed  from  Marlow  to  Winchester.  The  proposal  was, 
however,  negatived.     (W.  O.  40/37.) 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  51 

[June]  Wrote  to  Gen'  Lloyd  ^^^  and  obtained  leave  for  Francis 
to  visit  us,  and  bring  Charles — 

[June  29'^]  Francis  and  Charles  set  out  from  London  for  Pros- 
pect.^^^ 

[September  29''']  Francis  left  us  for  Woolwich  to  join  his  com- 
pany at  Portsmouth,  as  a  1^'  Lieut  of  Major  Merediths  ^^®  Compy; 
he  remained  at  M""  Crafer's  a  while  and  proceeded  to  Portsmouth 
23'"'^  Oct"" — His  company  is  under  orders  for  service — my  son  is 
much  respected  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  he  is  a  dutiful  good  son  though 
an  expensive  one. 

[1806]  Having  obtained  the  promise  of  an  East  India  cadet- 
ship  for  Charles,  I  send  him  to  Revoults :  I  hope  he  will  be  success- 
ful as  the  expence  will  be  great,  and  heavy  on  me :  but  I  have  great 
hopes  from  him  as  a  scholar  and  an  oeconomist:  My  lands  much 
improved  now  yielding  a  clear  profit  rent  of  £100  per  Annum.  This 
with  good  health  in  the  family  ought  to  silence  all  murmurs  and  dis- 
content ;  during  this  year  somewhat  embarrassed  with  trifling  debts 
and  Charles'  schooling;  but  the  seizures  I  have  luckely  made  will 
abundantly  set  me  free,  so  that  I  have  every  reason  to  be  thankful. 

[1807]  Charles  at  the  Woolwich  Academy,  Francis  still  quar- 
tered at  Portsmouth  and  come  home  by  way  of  Bristol  and  Milford 
Haven  to  see  us  in  Dec  after  a  bad  passage.  Anxious  inquires 
were  made  in  Dublin  and  answered  by  M""  Norman  26  Nov  1807. 

Francis  set  out  on  26  Jany  [1808]  and  proceeded  with  his  com- 
pany to  Guernsey  on  the  1^'  March  and  arrived  on  the  4'^". 

13  March  a  Son  Born  whom  I  afterwards  named  Tho^ 
Crafer  ^^^  after  my  kind  friend  in  the  Treasury. 

[June  16]  Eliza  married  to  Cap'  Hopkins  ^*°  with  every  pros- 
pect of  happiness. 

[October,  1809]  Charles  sailed  for  Bengal  being  made  a  Lieut 
fire  worker  in  the  Artillery;  which  appointment  has  been  expen- 
sive but  I  hope  it  will  turn  out  well. 

[November  16]  Francis  came  home  to  see  us  from  Guernsey. 
Fixed  as  Surveyor  with  the  increased  Salary  of  £120  which  I  owe 


338  Lieut.-General  Vaughan  Lloyd,  Royal  artillery. 

337  "Prospect,"  the  residence  of  Alexander  Chesney,  was  six  miles   from   Kilkeel,   and  has 
since  been  used  as  the  Annalong  Coastguard  Station. 

338  Major  David  Meredith,  Royal  artillery. 

330  Thomas  Crafer  Chesney  was  accidentally  drowned  in  1825. 
3*"  Captain  John  Hopkins. 


52  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

to  my  friends  Sack  &  J.  White  ^^^  with  Frank  Morgan's  ^^^  exertions, 
tho  being  placed  under  Newry  instead  of  Strangfor''  from  18  Dec" 
[1810]  Finding  myself  more  at  ease  on  account  of  the  encreased 
salary:  Cap'°  and  M"  Hopkins  part  of  the  year  at  Dublin;  Jane 
with  them  No  news  from  poor  Charles  since  his  arrival  in  Madras 
1st  pe^ry  last. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  succeeding  with  regard  to  a  Boatmans 
appointment  for  Francis  McDowell  whose  Father  was  murdered 
in  1793. 

The  two  Smuggling  cutters  Matchless  &  Jno  ^*^  (as  supposed) 
were  met  by  the  Resolution  ^"  Cruiser  but  she  did  not  attempt  to 
engage  them  or  either  of  them. 

April  1811  The  Hardwicke  ^*^  came  to  action  with  the  Match- 
less ^*^  and  was  eventually  beaten  off  by  her.  The  Matchless  was 
afterwards  taken  by  the  Bat  Revenue  tender  of  4  Guns. 

Francis  still  in  Guernsey  and  in  June  appointed  Aid  de  Camp 
to  Major  General  S  Albert  Gledstanes  ^^^  which  I  hope  will  con- 
tinue and  prove  very  beneficial  to  him;  in  addition  to  the  many 
blessings  we  have  received  from  Almighty  God  it  would  be  desirable 
to  have  my  pension  at  the  Treasury  continued  to  my  wife  in  case  of 
my  death ;  on  which  I  have  written  to  my  friend  M""  Craf er — 

A  particular  object  with  me  shall  be  to  get  a  situation  for  my 
son  Alex'"  either  in  the  Army  or  Revenue:  and  as  all  the  family 
like  and  wish  for  Prospect  I  ought  to  see  whether  the  promise  made 
by  M""  Needham  ^*^  can  be  realized  by  Lord  Kilmorey. 

[1812]  Writing  to  the  Custom  House  and  sending  a  Memorial 
to  the  Lord  Lieu*^  to  see  if  my  son  Alex""  could  be  joined  in  the  same 
commission  with  myself;  also  spoke  to  Lord  Killmorey  on  the  sub- 
ject and  received  a  favourable  answer. 


**i  Probably   John  White,   who  was  principal  surveyor  of  Customs   at  Ringsend  in    1813. 

^■'-  Francis  L.  Morgan,  who  succeeded  Madden  as  first  clerk  in  the  secretary's  office  of 
the  Irish  board  of  Customs. 

8*^  Juno. 

344  The  Resolution  was  stationed  at  Strangford  in  1813. 

3*5  Alexander  Chesney  in  his  letter  of  28  August,  1813,  to  the  board  of  Customs  claims  that 
he  was  the  first  person  to  give  information  to  Captain  Thomas  Lacy,  commanding  the  Hardwick 
cruiser  at  Rostrevor,  of  the  arrival  on  the  coast  of  the  Matchless  smuggling  cutter.  The  board 
accordingly  recommended  Captain  Lacy  to  pay  him  50  guineas  as  the  informer's  share  of  the 
money  paid  to  Captain  Lacy  and  his  crew.  (Minute  Book  of  the  Irish  board  of  Customs,  Vol. 
334,  p.  133;  Vol.  335,  p.  14). 

^*''  Major-General  Albert  Gledstanes  was  promoted  lieut. -general  in  1814  and  knighted  in 
the  same  year.  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney  married  in  1822  his  (Gledstanes')  niece,  a  daughter 
of  John  Forster. 

3*^  Francis  Jack  Needham,  only  brother  of  Robert,   11th.  viscount  Kilmorey. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  53 

[April]  Francis  visited  us  from  Guernsey;  numerous  applica- 
tions to  Lord  Moria  now  going  to  get  something  better  for  myself 
also  my  sons ;  writing  to  Sir  John  Doyle  ^^^  on  the  same  subject. 

[1813]  Applications  for  Alex""  to  Lord  Castlereagh  also  occu- 
pied with  the  idea  of  getting  him  Joined  with  me  in  the  commission 
as  he  is  unfit  for  an  appointment  by  himself.  I  contemplated  thro 
Lord  Castlereagh  a  rise  for  myself  to  the  post  either  of  Collector 
or  Comptroller  of  the  Customs. 

[November]  Francis  resigned  his  staff  in  favour  of  Sir  Al- 
berts ^*^  nephew,  in  a  handsome  manner  he  is  now  in  London  try- 
ing to  get  employed  on  the  Continent. 

[December]  A  bad  fever  got  into  our  house  and  attacked  sev- 
eral of  the  family.    Francis  came  to  see  us. 

[1814]  The  fever  still  in  the  house  and  of  course  in  an  uncom- 
fortable state     a  servant  girl  Mary  Fitzpatrick  died  of  it. 

[February  13]  I  lost  poor  Matilda — The  rest  recouvered :  occu- 
pied in  preparing  a  Memorial  about  the  Matchless  ^^°  which  Francis 
takes  with  him  [April]  to  London :  Francis  joined  his  company  in 
Guernsey.    Still  occupied  with  Alex""  business  but  no  success. 

19  May  The  Treasury  referred  the  question  to  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Customs  once  more  and  one  half  of  the  King's  share 
£862.6.114  having  been  awarded  to  Cap  Lacy  &  crew  I  am  trying 
to  get  the  same  sum  for  my  exertions  instead  of  the  pittance  of  £50 
received  by  me  from  Cap*  Lacy.^^^ 

[September]  Francis  is  gone  on  an  excurtion  to  France  and 
along  the  ports  of  Holland.  Francis  company  ordered  to  Jamaica^" 
and  he  to  another  at  Woolwich. 

[1815]  Francis  still  at  Woolwich  in  Aug*  he  came  to  see  us 
being  promoted  to  be  a  2°"^  Cap*  at  Gibralter;  He  as  well  as  myself 
much  occupied  about  Alex'',  making  applications  to  Lords  Killmorey 
Castlereagh  &c  &c. 

Jack  Morgans  letter  of  20  Nov  1815  mentions  the  Capture  of 
the  ....  Smuggling  Schooner  by  the  ....  near  .  .  .  .  ^^s 

[November]  Francis  is  gone  to  France  to  try  to  be  stationed 
there  instead  of  Gibralter. 


'^^  General  Sir  John  Doyle,  baronet   (see  p.  25,  n.  180). 

3^"  Lieut.-General  Sir  Albert  Gledstanes    (see  p.  52,  n.  346), 

350  iptjg  Matchless,  smuggling  cutter   (see  p.  52,  n.  345). 

^^1  Captain  Thomas  Lacy   (see  p.  52,  n.  345). 

*^^  Jamaica,  West  Indies. 

S58  "pjjg  words  omitted  are  illegible. 


54  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

[March,  1816]  Francis  exchanged  to  Leith-fort  ^^*  which  is 
preferable  to  Gibralter. 

[October]  Francis  came  from  Scotland  expressly  to  assist  me 
in  applying  to  Lord  Castlereagh  received  a  favourable  answer 
from  his  Lordship  and  the  papers  sent  to  Lord  Killmorey. 

[November  22]  Jane  married  to  the  Rev*^  Henry  Hayden  soon 
after  Hopkins  ^^^  retired  from  the  service  on  a  good  pension  by 
which  he  is  clear  of  much  trouble  under  the  Navy. 

In  March  Francis  company  ordered  from  Leith-fort,  fixed  at 
Island  Bridge  [May,  1817].  He  and  I  much  occupied  about  Alex'" 
but  no  answer  from  Lord  Killmorey  or  Lord  Castlereagh. 

[October]  The  fever  again  attacked  us  brought  by  M""  Hop- 
kins who  as  well  as  several  others  severely  attacked:  Francis  in 
England  trying  to  see  Lord  Castlereagh  about  Alex"". 

[November  and  December]  Mary  Anne  and  Charlotte  weak 
and  sickly  after  the  fever. 

In  Feb  1818  I  received  by  a  letter  from  himself  of  24  Oct  1817 
the  most  unexpected  intelligence  that  my  eldest  Son  William  ^^^  is 
still  alive  and  residing  though  not  in  flourishing  circumstances  in 
the  State  of  Tenessee.  Through  our  former  neighbour  the  Rev 
James  McMechan  William  obtained  news  of  me.  His  letter  men- 
tions that  my  aged  Father  was  still  alive  in  1817. 

[September  16]  Charles  and  his  wife  Sophia  Cauty  whom  he 
married  at  S'  Helena  reached  Weymouth  poor  Charles  in  bad 
health. 

[October]  Charles  and  Sophy  in  London  Francis  at  home 
making  out  a  Memorial  for  my  resignation. 

[November]  Lord  Killmorey  died  just  as  I  was  about  to  resign ; 
I  have  therefore  great  reason  to  be  thankful  to  God  for  his  mercy 
as  I  do  not  know  what  his  successor  will  do. 

[January  1819]  Charles  &  Sophy  came  over  from  Carmarthen 
and  have  taken  a  lodging  at  Rosstrevor  to  which  place  Mary  Anne 
&  Charlotte  are  gone  hoping  the  change  of  air  will  do  them  good : 


S81  Leith,  Scotland. 

35B  Captain  John  Hopkins    (see  p.  39,  n.  274). 

356  William,  only  son  of  Alexander  Chesney  and  his  first  wife,  Margaret  Hodge  (see  p.  20). 
Alexander  Chesney  in  his  will  of  1843  recommended  his  son,  William  in  America,  to  the 
humanity  of  the  British  Government,  as  he  was  left  without  parents  or  support  in  infancy  by 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  hoped  that  the  Government,  to  whom  he  (Alexander  Chesney)  had 
rendered  many  services  during  that  war,  would  be  pleased  to  continue  his  pension  of  £30  as  a 
loyalist  to  his  said  son,  William. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY  55 

busy  sending  estimates  to  get  the  house  raised  in  order  to  make 
more  room. 

[March]  All  came  home. 

[April]  Francis  went  to  Scotland 

[June]  began  to  unroof  the  house  Charles  and  Charlotte  in 
Roscommon     Sophy  at  Strangford. 

[July  12**>]  Busy  at  the  house. 

Charles  Crafer  came  over  for  a  few  days  &  goes  to  Scotland 
with  Francis  Charles  and  Sophy. 

[September]  Charlotte  married  to  George  W.  Bell  ^^  at  Castle- 
rea.3=^  Busy  with  the  house  and  applying  to  Lord  Killmorey  for 
Alex""     no  great  hopes. 

[November  and  December]  Busy  about  smuggling,  the  House 
finished  all  tolerably  well.  In  the  latter  end  of  this  year  M-"  Hay- 
den  2^^  lost  his  curacy  in  C°  Roscommon,  and  as  he  could  not  get 
another  he  &  family  came  to  live  with  me. 

In  January  of  this  year  [1820]  Peter  West  a  walking  Officer 
of  Newry  and  sent  some  time  ago  with  a  party  to  Kilkeel  made  a 
complaint  against  me  for  dereliction  and  neglect  of  duty  in  which 
charge  he  was  strongly  supported  by  M""  Thompson  Collector  of 
Newry  who  after  a  partial  enquiry  made  a  strong  report  against 
me ;  But  on  my  requesting  for  a  rehearing  of  the  case  a  Surveyor 
General  (Major  Crampton)^''"  was  sent  down  to  investigate.  The 
consequence  was  that  M'^  Thompson  was  obliged  to  acknowledge  the 
inaccuracy  of  his  report  and  acquiece  in  M""  Cramptons  which  was 
very  strongly  in  my  favour — The  business  ended  in  Board's  ap- 
proval of  my  conduct. 

Owing  to  the  peace  the  smuggling  of  Tobacco  into  Ireland  is 
increasing  to  a  very  considerable  extent;  tho'  from  my  exertions 
and  the  number  of  persons  I  have  employed  it  is  considerably  check- 
ed in  Mourne. 


•■"5"  Charlotte,  fourth  daughter  of  Alexander  Chesney  and  his  second  wife,  married  George 
Washington  Bell,  a  surgeon,  and  died  at  "Pacholet,"  27  April,  1857,  aged  62. 

^^*  Castlerea,  county  Roscommon. 

358  Rev.  Henry  Hayden    (see  p.  54). 

s*"  John  Crampton,  surveyor-general  of  the  Customs  in  Ireland.  His  report  of  his  ex- 
haustive investigation  into  Chesney's  alleged  negligence  not  only  exonerates  Chesney  from  all 
blame,  but  adds  that  it  was  with  infinite  satisfaction  that  during  a  service  of  35  years  in  the 
Revenue,  perhaps  unparalled  in  activity,  no  sensible  grounds  of  belief  in  the  rumors  concerning 
Alexander  Chesney  could  be  found.  This  report,  dated  18  March,  1820,  was  supported  by  the 
board  of  Irish  Customs,  which  completely  cleared  him  of  every  imputation  of  neglect  of  duty. 
(Minute  Book  of  the  Irish  board  of  Customs,  Vol.  427,  pp.  34-35.  in  the  Public  Record  Office, 
London) . 


56  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

In  consequence  of  my  so  frequently  foiling  the  smugglers  in 
their  attempts;  I  find  them  extremely  irritated  and  consequently 
have  had  many  quarrels  with  them. 

From  the  serious  falling  off  in  the  import  duties  and  the  well 
known  increase  of  smuggling  the  Government  seem  determined  to 
put  an  effectual  stop  to  smuggling  in  this  country  for  that  purpose 
(in  the  summer)  the  Lords  of  the  Treasury  directed  Lieu*  James 
Dombrain  R  N  Inspector  General  of  the  Preventive  Water  Guard 
to  survey  the  Irish  Channel  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Pre- 
ventive force :  Previous  to  M""  D's  surveying  the  coast  the  Board  of 
Customs  directed  all  their  Officers  to  give  him  every  assistance  & 
information  in  their  power — Consequently  I  made  a  general  state- 
ment of  the  extent  and  nature  of  smuggling,  and  a  proposed  plan 
for  its  abolition  on  the  Mourne  coast.  In  July  M'"  Dombrain  arrived 
and  I  handed  it  to  him  for  which  he  was  obliged  and  I  have  since 
reason  to  know  it  was  of  essential  use  to  him. 

Some  time  in  the  Spring  M""  Hayden  received  an  appointment 
as  Church  Missionary  in  New  Brunswick  and  in  the  latter  end  of 
Summer  he  went  out  from  Portaferry  to  S  John's  N:  B:  in  the 
Brig  Dorcas     Savage  Andrew  Pollock     Master. 

In  the  latter  end  of  the  year  [1820]  I  ascertained  that  on  the 
establishment  of  the  Water  Guard  this  establishment  would  be  done 
away  with  and  that  I  would  be  turned  out  of  the  Revenue  House  I 
occupy;  I  therefore  began  to  make  arrangements  for  building  on 
my  farm  in  Ballyardle. 

Francis  at  home  during  a  great  part  of  the  Year. 

During  the  year  made  considerable  seizures  for  which  I  re- 
ceived a  good  deal  of  money. 

My  Son  William  has  been  authorised  to  draw  on  M'"  Crafer. 
I  mean  to  give  him  a  child's  portion  of  what  I  have,  and  it  is  ob- 
viously better  that  he  should  receive  this  and  turn  it  to  account 
where  he  is  rather  than  spend  money  in  coming  hither  where  he 
would  find  most  things  unsuited. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES 

Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu 

Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu,  second  son  of  Robert,  third 
duke  of  Manchester,  was  appointed  governor  of  South  Carolina  in 
1766.  While  in  the  enjoyment  of  that  office  he  acquired  extensive 
tracts  of  land  in  that  Province,  amounting  to  18,138  acres,  of  which 
a  detailed  list  has  been  preserved.  (A.O.  13/133.)  Of  this  land  he 
sold  7,198  acres  for  £3,331.12.4.,  the  purchasers'  names  being  re- 
corded in  the  list  just  mentioned.  The  large  sum  of  £36,830.  10s. 
was  claimed  after  his  death  by  his  brother,  the  fourth  duke,  for 
compensation  for  the  loss  of  these  lands  in  South  Carolina,  but  the 
commissioners  of  American  Claims  in  London  rejected  the  claim 
because  of  the  absence  of  satisfactory  proof  of  loss  by  confiscation 
by  the  State  of  South  Carolina  or  by  other  causes.  (A.O.  12/109.) 

In  1780,  Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu,  although  no  longer  of- 
ficially connected  with  South  Carolina,  prepared  a  scheme  for  rais- 
ing a  regiment  of  500  men  in  that  Province,  for  service  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  The  scheme  was  not,  however,  accepted  until  1782, 
when  he  was  appointed  to  the  command,  with  the  rank  of  lieuten- 
ant-colonel. The  regiment,  which  was  called  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land's (and  also  the  Loyal  American  Rangers),  was  destined  for 
service  in  the  West  Indies.  A  second  battalion  was,  in  December, 
1782,  authorized  to  be  raised,  and  Lord  Charles  G.  Montagu  pro- 
ceeded from  Jamaica  for  that  purpose.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.  Report 
on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.  Vol.  II.  pp.  209,  245 ;  Vol. 
IIL  pp.  108,  273 ;  Vol.  IV.  p.  79.)  A  list  of  the  officers  at  the  end  of 
the  war  is  in  the  Public  Record  Office.  (Ind.  5606.) .  At  the  end  of 
the  year  1783  Lord  Charles  G.  Montagu  set  sail  with  over  300  men 
of  his  regiment  from  Jamaica  for  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  where  the 
men  proposed  to  settle.  Here  he  died,  3  February,  1784,  at  the  age  of 
45,  and  was  buried  in  the  historic  church  of  St.  Paul's,  Halifax, 
where  many  American  loyalists  have  worshiped  and  have  been 
buried.  The  inscription  on  his  monument  in  the  church  states  that 
he  was  employed  in  settling  in  Nova  Scotia  a  brave  corps  of  Caro- 
linians whom  he  had  commanded  during  the  late  war  between  Great 
Britain  and  Spain  (Acadiensis,  Vol.  5,  pp.  81-82) .  By  his  will,  Lord 
Charles  Greville  Montagu  bequeathed  the  two  brigs,  Montagu  and 

69 


60  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Industry,  to  his  son  and  daughter,  and  made  bequests  to  these  four 
officers  of  his  regiment:  Lieutenants  Angus  McDonald  and  Brian 
Meighan  (or  Meighlan),  Ensign  Robert  Barrett,  and  Thomas  Cald- 
well. A  clause  in  the  will  directs  that  the  command  of  the  three 
divisions  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  regiment  should  devolve  on 
the  above  Lieutenant  Brian  Meighan,  Ensign  Robert  Barrett,  and 
one  Cunningham,  who  may  have  been  Captain  Andrew  Cunningham 
or  Captain  Ralph  Gore  Cunningham,  both  of  whom  were  on  the 
half -pay  list  of  the  regiment. 

Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu  was  on  terms  of  friendship 
with  General  Moultrie,  to  whom  he  offered  the  command  of  his  own 
regiment  if  he  would  accompany  him  to  Jamaica,  when  Moultrie  was 
a  prisoner  on  parole  (Moultrie,  Memoirs,  Vol.  II,  pp.  158,  166-7 ;  E. 
McCrady,  Hist,  of  S.  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1780-1783,  pp.  350- 
-354. 

Colonel  John  Phillips 

John  Phillips  emigrated  with  his  wife  and  seven  children  from 
Ulster  to  South  Carolina  in  1770  and  settled  at  Jackson's  creek  in 
Camden  district. 

The  first  manifestation  of  his  loyalty  was  in  July,  1775,  when 
he  prevented  by  his  influence  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  meeting 
house  in  his  district  all  the  people  except  two  from  signing  the 
association  to  support  the  American  cause.  In  the  same  year  he  re- 
fused an  offer  of  a  commission  as  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  American 
militia.  (The  Royal  Comm.  on  Loyalist  Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H. 
E.  Egerton;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp.  48-9.)  From  this  time  John 
Phillips  was  a  marked  man  and  suffered  imprisonment  for  his  at- 
tachment to  the  crown.  Two  sons  were  also  imprisoned  for  loyalty, 
one  of  whom  died  in  the  jail  at  Orangeburg. 

In  1780  when  Lord  Comwallis  inaugurated  the  loyal  militia  in 
South  Carolina,  Phillips  was  one  of  the  first  officers  selected  and 
was  given  the  command  of  the  Jackson's  creek  militia,  with  the 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel.  His  two  sons,  just  mentioned,  and  a 
brother,  Robert,  joined  his  regiment. 

Shortly  after  Tarleton's  defeat  atCowpens  on  January  17,  1781, 
Colonel  Phillips  and  a  party  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel John  Fanning  were  detached  from  the  main  force  to  escort  to 
Camden  the  British  officers  who  had  been  wounded  in  that  battle. 
Four  days  later,  however,  this  party  was  surrounded  by  a  superior 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  61 

force  of  Americans,  which  outnumbered  the  loyalists  by  four  to 
one,  and  in  the  skirmish  several  of  the  loyalists  were  killed  or 
wounded,  Colonel  Phillips,  with  his  son  David,  and  his  brother,  Rob- 
ert, being  taken  prisoners.  In  March  of  the  same  year  Colonel 
Phillips  was  exchanged  for  Colonel  David  Hopkins  and  his  brother 
(A.O.  13/133)  was  also  exchanged  and  forthwith  rejoined  the  loy- 
alist forces. 

This  Irish  loyalist  was  ordered  by  Lord  Rawdon  to  accompany 
him  to  Charleston  in  August,  1781,  when  the  command  of  his 
regiment  devolved  temporarily  upon  his  son,  David,  who  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  captured  by  Colonel  Hampton  and  was  "inhumanly 
murdered"  by  his  captors.  Soon  afterwards,  Colonel  Phillips'  wife 
and  eight  children  were  turned  off  his  plantation  and  obliged  to 
seek  shelter  in  Charleston. 

Colonel  John  Phillips  received  150  acres  of  land  on  "Crocky 
creek,"  Catawba  river,  by  the  death  of  his  widowed  sister,  Maiy 
Dunsketh,  in  1775,  and  of  her  only  son  in  1777. 

Robert  Phillips,  his  brother,  first  bore  arms  on  the  side  of  the 
Crown  in  1775.  He  was  banished  from  South  Carolina  and  took 
refuge  in  East  Florida,  where  Governor  Patrick  Tonyn  appointed 
him  lieutenant  in  the  East  Florida  Rangers.  Anxious  to  see  his 
family  again,  he  resigned  his  commission  in  this  corps  and  joined 
the  force  of  Brigadier-General  James  Patteson,  proceeding  from 
Savannah  to  join  Sir  Henry  Clinton  at  Charleston  in  March,  1780. 
On  his  arrival  in  South  Carolina  he  joined  his  brother's  regiment, 
the  Jackson's  creek  militia,  and  was  appointed  lieutenant.  The 
original  petition  of  Robert  Phillips  bears  his  autograph  signature; 
he  died  August  25,  1782,  at  Charleston.  (T.  50/2,  fo.  85 ;  T.  50/4 ; 
T.  50/5.) 

Captain  James  Phillips,  mentioned  on  page  6,  was  another 
brother  of  Colonel  John  Phillips. 

At  one  time  in  his  military  career  Colonel  Phillips  was  sen- 
tenced to  be  hanged  for  sedition  and  loyalty,  and  was  defended  at 
the  trial  by  one  Thomas  Phepoe,  an  Irish  lawyer  who  had  emigrated 
in  1771  to  Charleston,  but  was  acquitted.    (A.O.  13/132.) 

Colonel  Phillips  was  given  the  appointment  of  muster-master 
of  the  loyal  militia  and  refugees  at  Charleston  in  1782,  when  the 
Americans  had  virtually  overrun  the  Province  of  South  Carolina 
and  the  loyalists  had  left  their  homes  in  large  numbers  without 
food  or  clothing  and  sought  shelter  at  Charleston,  taxing  the  re- 
sources of  the  British  to  provide  them  with  the  necessaries  of  life. 


62  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

During  this  anxious  time,  the  refugee  hospital,  crowded  with  un- 
happy loyalists,  was  in  charge  of  Dr.  Charles  Fyffe,  with  Dr.  Na- 
thaniel Bullein  as  assistant  surgeon.  (T.  50/2;  T.  50/4.)  Some  ef- 
fort was  made  to  provide  the  refugee  children  with  education  by  a 
schoolmaster,  one  John  Bell;  some  of  these  children's  names  have 
survived.    (T.  50/5.) 

The  original  memorial  of  Colonel  John  Phillips  is  endorsed  by 
his  fellow-countryman.  Lord  Rawdon,  that  no  man  in  South  Caro- 
lina had  exerted  himself  more  in  his  station  for  the  support  of  gov- 
ernment. (A.O.  13/79 ;  The  Royal  Comm.  on  Loyalist  Claims,  1783- 
1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton ;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp.  48-9.)  With 
this  memorial  are  (1)  a  letter  from  Lord  Cornwallis  to  the  com- 
missioners of  American  Claims,  introducing  his  as  "my  friend  Col. 
Phillips  of  South  Carolina,  who  has  as  much  merit  as  any  man  on 
the  Continent  of  America,  &  whom  I  beg  leave  very  particularly  to 
recommend  to  your  favor";  and  (2)  Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour's  cer- 
tificate of  1  July,  1782,  that  "in  his  rank  of  life  I  have  known  none 
more  worthy  of  it  [an!  allowance]  or  a  family  who  have  suffered 
more  from  their  fidelity  to  their  King  and  country."  Colonel  Bal- 
four also  gave  evidence  in  person  before  the  commissioners  and 
spoke  highly  of  the  services  of  Colonel  Phillips  in  procuring  intelli- 
gence of  enemy  movements,  describing  him  as  "honest  and  hu- 
mane," and  adding  that  he  "never  knew  an  instance  of  any  of  his 
reports  which  did  not  prove  strictly  true."  Lords  Cornwallis  and 
Rawdon  also  gave  personal  evidence  in  support  of  the  claim  of 
Colonel  John  Phillips  and  expressed  their  appreciation  of  his  serv- 
ices in  the  war,  concluding  with  the  testimony  that  they  were  more 
obliged  to  him  than  to  any  other  person  in  his  district  in  South 
Carolina. 

Colonel  John  Phillips  died  in  the  country  of  his  birth  in  1809, 
and  in  his  will,  dated  4  May,  1807,  he  is  described  as  of  Ballyloughan 
in  the  parish  of  Ahogill,  county  Antrim.  In  this  will  are  mentioned 
his  wife,  Elizabeth,  otherwise  Lurkan;  two  daughters,  Rachel  and 
Mary  Phillips ;  and  four  granddaughters,  Lilly  and  Ann  McCrearys, 
Rachel  Phillips  and  Lilly  Jean  Kirk.  To  his  son,  Robert,  "if  he 
comes  home"  (being  presumably  in  America)  he  bequeathed  his 
watch.  His  executors  were  Captain  James  Miller  (see  page  100), 
his  daughter,  Rachel  Phillips,  and  Thomas  Phillips  of  Ballyloughan. 

Jane,  mother  of  Colonel  John  Phillips,  was  a  close  family  con- 
nection of  the  Chesneys. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  63 

The  sum  of  £860  was  granted  to  Colonel  Phillips  by  the  British 
Government  as  compensation  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South 
Carolina  from  his  claim  of  £1,874.  He  also  received  a  pension  of 
£84  from  1784  until  his  death.  (A.O.  12/109;  A.O.  463/24;  T. 
50/8;  A.O.  12/46,  fos.  171-184;  A.O.  12/101,  fo.  283;  A.O.  13/133.) 

Indians  in  the  War 

Both  sides  in  the  American  Revolutionary  war  in  the  South- 
ern Colonies  attempted  to  secure  the  support  of  the  Indians. 

The  attention  of  the  Colonial  Congress  was  very  early  drawn 
to  the  importance  of  securing  the  alliance,  or  at  least  the  neutrality, 
of  the  Indian  tribes  during  the  conflict.  (E.  B.  O'Callaghan, 
Documents  relating  to  the  Colonial  History  of  New  York,  Vol. 
VIII.  p.  605.) 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall,  the  loyalist,  fearing  an  incursion  by 
the  Indians  into  his  district  in  South  Carolina,  recommended  the 
governor.  Lord  William  Campbell,  by  letter  of  19  July,  1775,  to  pro- 
tect the  frontiers  against  them.  It  was  perhaps  to  this  letter  that 
the  governor  replied,  ordering  Colonel  Fletchall  to  hold  himself  and 
his  militia  in  readiness  to  suppress  any  opposition  to  Government, 
and  if  necessary  to  seek  assistance  from  Alexander  Cameron,  dep- 
uty superintendent  of  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians.  (His-t.  MSS. 
Comm.  Report  on  the  MSS.  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.  II. 
p.  355.) 

The  powerful  influence  of  Cameron  with  the  Indians  was  rec- 
ognized by  the  Council  of  Safety  of  South  Carolina,  who  in  1775 
offered  him  many  inducements  to  join  the  Americans.  (Sabine, 
Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution,  Vol.  I,  p.  287) .  It  was  proba- 
bly after  this  failure  to  secure  Cameron's  influence  that  William 
Henry  Drayton  held  his  conference  with  the  chief  of  the  Cherokees 
on  25  September,  1775,  when  he  attempted  to  wean  them  from  their 
loyalty  by  promising  them  supplies  of  ammunition  and  other  gifts, 
both  for  trade  and  their  personal  comfort,  as  he  naively  describes  it. 
(Drayton,  Memoirs  of  the  Revolution,  Vol.  I,  pp.  407-8.)  Drayton 
at  this  conference  pictured  the  future  condition  of  the  Indians  un- 
der royal  Government  in  the  most  lurid  colors,  accusing  the  king  and 
the  English  of  claiming  to  make  laws  by  which  they  would  "have 
a  right  to  take  all  our  money,  all  our  lands,  all  our  cattle  and  horses 
and  such  things,  and  not  only  all  such  things,  but  our  wives  and 
children,  in  order  to  make  servants  of  them;  and  beside  all  these 


64  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

things,  to  put  us  in  strong  houses,  and  to  put  us  to  death,  when- 
ever they  please."  (Drayton,  ibid.,  p.  421.)  Drayton  had  taken 
with  him  a  man  of  great  influence  and  popularity  among  the  Chero- 
kees,  the  father  of  a  natural  son  by  a  Cherokee  squaw,  in  the  per- 
son of  Richard  Pearis,  a  considerable  trader  among  them,  who  was 
afterwards  the  chief  witness  against  Drayton's  denial  of  his  inten- 
tion to  persuade  the  Indians  to  fight  against  the  loyalists. 

A  vain  attempt  was  made  in  October,  1775,  to  rescue  Captain 
Robert  Cunningham  (atferwards  a  brigadier-general)  from  the 
hands  of  his  captors  by  a  party  of  loyalists  commanded  by  his 
brother.  Captain  Patrick  Cunningham  (see  page  104).  The  party 
was,  however,  compenscated  in  some  measure  for  this  failure  by 
their  seizure  of  the  ammunition  destined  for  the  Indians,  mentioned 
above.  (Drayton,  ibid.,  pp.  64,  66-7.)  The  Provincial  Congress  re- 
solved, 8  November,  1775,  by  51  votes  to  49,  to  assemble  a  force 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Richard  Richardson  to  seize  Captain 
Patrick  Cunningham  and  the  other  leading  loyalists  of  that  party, 
Henry  O'Neal,  Hugh  Brown,  David  Reese,  Henry  Green,  Nathaniel 
Howard,  and  Jacob  Bochman.  (E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Car- 
olina in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  p.  88.) 

It  is  stated  that  Richard  Pearis  was  so  disappointed  in  failing 
to  receive  the  military  command  to  which  he  is  said  to  have  aspired 
that,  in  a  spirit  of  malice  and  vengeance,  he  had  spread  a  false 
report  abroad  among  the  loyalists  of  Drayton's  intention  to  employ 
the  Indians  in  fighting  against  them.  Pearis  went  so  far  as  to  make 
a  solemn  affidavit  accusing  Drayton  of  endeavoring  to  persuade  the 
Indians  for  this  purpose.  (Drayton,  ibid.,  pp.  116-7.)  Drayton's 
denial  of  such  intention  has  been  published.  (Journal  of  the  Council 
of  Safety,  6  December,  1775,  in  Collections  of  the  South  Carolina 
Hist.  Society.,  Vol.  III.  pp.  55-6 ;  see  also  Force,  American  Archives, 
Series  IV.,  Vol.  4,  p.  29). 

A  loyalist  version  of  Drayton's  transaction  of  the  gift  of  am- 
munition to  the  Cherokees  is  furnished  by  Colonel  David  Fanning, 
at  that  time  a  sergeant  in  the  loyal  militia  of  South  Carolina.  He 
asserts  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Drayton  that  Pearis  should 
bring  down  the  Indians  to  murder  the  loyalists,  and  that  when  cap- 
tured, Pearis  confessed  his  guilt  to  the  charge  of  attempting  to  en- 
gage the  Indians  for  that  purpose.  (Colonel  David  Fanning,  "Nar- 
rative," ed.  by  A.  W.  Savary,  in  the  Canadian  Magazine,  1908.) 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  65 

Reference  is  made  elsewhere  to  the  alleviation  that  the  fear  of 
the  loyalists  of  an  attack  by  the  Indians  at  the  instigation  of  Dray- 
ton's party  was  largely  responsible  for  the  conflict  at  Ninety-Six 
in  November,  1775.     (Page  63.) 

In  the  summer  of  1776,  Major  Andrew  Williamson  organized 
an  expedition  against  the  Cherokees,  in  the  belief  that  they  had 
been  encouraged  to  hostility  by  Colonel  John  Stuart,  superintendent 
of  the  Indians,  and  by  his  deputy,  Alexander  Cameron.  Several 
loyalists,  including  Alexander  Cheseny,  Colonels  John  Phillips  and 
Ambrose  Mills,  joined  this  expedition,  whether  in  ignorance  of  this 
rumor  or  in  the  expectation  of  an  attack  on  the  white  inhabitants 
in  general,  it  is  impossible  to  hazard  an  opinion.  Chesney  himself 
offers  no  reason  for  joining  Williamson,  except  that  he  had  no  ob- 
jection to  fighting  against  the  Indians.  It  must,  however,  be  remem- 
bered that  he  was  at  this  time  a  conscript  in  the  American  forces. 

By  November,  1777,  the  revolutionists  in  Georgia  had  already 
seduced  the  northern  Creek  Indians  from  their  allegiance  to  Eng- 
land, and  were  now,  through  the  agency  of  Galphin,  threatening  the 
Cherokees  with  destruction  for  their  attachment  to  Great  Britain. 
(W.  H.  Siebert,  "The  Loyalists  in  West  Florida  and  the  Natchez 
District,"  in  The  Mississippi  Valley  Historical  Review,  1916,  Vol. 
II,  p.  467.) 

Later  attempts  were  made  by  the  British  to  encourage  the 
support  of  the  Indians.  Lord  Cornwallis,  writing  to  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton under  date  of  29  December,  1780,  says  that  when  the  men  from 
the  mountains  had  come  down  to  attack  Major  Patrick  Ferguson 
he  directed  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thomas  Brown  to  encourage  the 
Indians  to  attack  the  settlements  of  "Watogea,  Holstein,  Caentuck 
and  Nolachuckie,  all  which  are  now  encroachments  on  the  Indian 
territories."  The  mountaineers,  fearing  an  attack,  were  obliged  to 
abandon  their  projected  march  to  join  an  American  force  near 
King's  Mountain.  A  report  seems  to  have  reached  Lord  Cornwallis 
that  the  humanity  of  the  Indians  was  in  "striking  contrast  to  the 
barbarities  committed  by  the  mountaineers."  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm., 
Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Institution,  Vol.  II., 
p.  225.) 

Moultrie  in  his  Memoirs  mentions  the  efforts  made  to  secure 
the  services  of  the  warriors  of  the  Catawba  Indians  on  the  side  of 
the  Americans.   (Vol.  I.  p.  81.) 


66         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

The  activities  of  the  Indians  in  South  Carolina  had  virtually 
come  to  an  end  early  in  January,  1782,  when  Benjamin  Thompson, 
better  known  later  as  Count  Rumford  (the  Massachusetts  loyalist), 
wrote  that  very  little  was  to  be  expected  from  the  Indians  as 
friends  and  that  as  foes  they  would  not  be  by  any  means  formidable. 
(Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  Stopford-Sackville  MSS.,  Vol. 
II.  p.  251.) 

Both  Burke  and  Lord  Chatham  condemned  the  employment  of 
Indians  in  the  war  by  the  British. 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  was  probably  born  in  South  Carolina, 
where  he  was  the  owner  of  a  large  plantation  in  the  district  of 
Ninety-Six.  He  was  already  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  a  coroner 
when  in  the  year  1769  he  accepted  the  appointment  of  colonel  of 
a  militia  regiment  of  over  2,000  men,  from  the  governor.  Lord 
Charles  Greville  Montagu. 

Sabine  in  his  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution  states  that 
Colonel  Fletchall  was  of  much  consideration  in  the  Colony  before  the 
war  and  that  he  was  regarded  as  undecided  in  his  political  views, 
though  the  Whig  party  made  him  a  member  of  an  important  com- 
mittee, raised  to  carry  out  the  views  of  the  Continental  Congress 
(Moultrie,  Memoirs,  Vol.  I.).  Colonel  Fletchall,  however,  describes 
himself  as  a  loyalist  from  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary  trou- 
bles in  South  Carolina,  a  description  which  is  confirmed  by  his  let- 
ter of  19  July,  1775,  to  Lord  William  Campbell,  the  governor,  assur- 
ing him  of  the  loyalty  of  about  4000  men  in  his  district.  In  this  let- 
ter Colonel  Fletchall  informs  the  governor  of  the  seizure  of  Fort 
Charlotte  on  the  Savannah  river  by  the  "rebels,"  as  he  calls  them. 
Major  James  Mayson,  Captain  John  Caldwell  and  others,  and  of  the 
subsequent  capture  of  the  leaders  by  the  loyalists.  In  this  same 
letter  he  suggests  that  the  frontiers  should  be  protected  from  in- 
cursions not  only  from  the  "rebels"  but  also  from  the  Indians,  thus 
anticipating  William  Henry  Drayton's  alleged  attempt  to  secure 
the  services  of  the  Cherokee  Indians  for  the  Revolutionary  party 
(see  page  64) .  This  letter  brought  forth  a  reply,  1  August  follow- 
ing, expressing  the  governor's  appreciation  of  the  capture  of  the 
rebels  at  Fort  Charlotte,  authorizing  Fletchall  to  fortify  that  fort 
by  militia  and  requesting  him  to  avoid  giving  offence  to  the  in- 
habitants of  his  district  and  generally  to  preserve  peace  (Hist.  MSS. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  61 

Comm.,  Report  on  the  MSS.  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.  II.,  p. 
355).  The  seizure  of  Fort  Charlotte  by  order  of  the  Council  of 
Safety,  on  12  July,  1775,  was  the  first  overt  act  in  the  Revolutionary 
war  in  South  Carolina.  An  important  omission  from  Colonel 
Fletchall's  letter  was  that  one  of  the  officers  who  had  participated 
in  this  seizure  was  Captain  Moses  Kirkland,  who  was  soon  to  turn 
over  to  the  loyalist  side  (see  page  105),  While  alluding  in  this 
letter  to  the  capture  of  Major  Mayson  and  others,  who  had  pro- 
ceeded with  the  powder  and  stores  from  Fort  Charlotte  to  Ninety- 
Six  Court  House,  he  concealed  the  fact  that  Kirkland,  who  is  stated 
to  have  had  an  old  grudge  against  Mayson,  had  now  joined  Colonel 
Fletchall  and  had  disclosed  a  scheme  for  capturing  Mayson  and 
the  stores.  Fletchall,  on  the  authority  of  an  enemy  (Drayton, 
Memoirs,  Vol.  I,  pp.  321-3)  is  said  to  have  declined  to  appear  pub- 
licly as  a  supporter  of  ICirkland's  scheme,  but  those  more  active 
loyalists,  Robert  and  Patrick  Cunningham  and  Joseph  Robinson, 
joined  by  Major  Terry  (a  deserter  from  the  Revolutionary  party 
who  afterwards  recanted  and  became  animated  in  the  American 
cause,  ibid,  p.  384),  rode  off  with  200  mounted  men  to  Ninety-Six. 
Here  they  took  Major  Mayson  prisoner  on  17  July  and  committed 
him  to  jail  on  a  charge  of  robbing  the  king's  fort,  but  after  some 
hours  confinement  admitted  him  to  bail. 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  claims,  in  support  of  his  loyalty,  to 
have  impeded  with  the  help  of  Robert  Cunningham  and  Joseph 
Robinson,  the  raising  of  the  levies  of  American  horse  in  the  back 
country  of  South  Carolina  and  to  have  influenced  many  waverers 
against  signing  the  association  of  the  Revolutionary  party.  The 
articles  of  this  association  were  read,  13  July,  1775,  by  Major  Terry 
at  Fletchall's  plantation  to  the  men  of  his  regiment  by  his  orders, 
but  not  one  would  sign  it,  a  decision  of  which  he  approved.  His  men 
then  agreed  to  sign  an  association  of  their  own,  expressing  loyalty 
to  the  king,  which  had  been  drawn  up  by  Major  Joseph  Robinson, 
and  which  was  generally  signed  from  Broad  to  Savannah  rivers. 
(Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol.  1,  p.  312;  Hist.  Mss.  Comm.  Report  on  the 
MSS.  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.  II,  pp.  341,  351.) 

At  this  psychological  moment  Lord  William  Campbell,  the 
governor,  had  he  been  a  man  of  greater  initiative  and  of  a  more 
adventurous  spirit,  would  have  seized  the  opportunity  to  support 
Colonel  Fletchall  and  the  loyalists,  by  his  personal  presence  among 
them.    The  exercise  of  his  high  position  and  influence  would  have 


68  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

assured  the  raising  of  a  strong  armed  force,  which  he  could  have 
employed  in  what  would  probably  have  been  the  overthrow  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  (E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of 
South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  38-39). 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  came  into  conflict  with  two  ardent 
spirits  of  the  Revolutionary  party  on  17  August,  1775,  in  the  per- 
sons of  William  Henry  Drayton  and  Rev.  William  Tennent,  the  Con- 
gregational minister  and  member  of  the  committee  of  the  Provincial 
Congress,  who  in  private  conversation  with  him  for  nearly  three 
hours,  humored  him,  laughed  with  him,  remonstrated  and  en- 
treated him  to  join  his  country,  America,  against  the  mother  coun- 
try, without  shaking  his  loyalty  in  the  slightest.  The  entreaties  of 
Drayton  and  Tennent  were  met  by  this  influential  loyalist  with  the 
answer  that  he  "would  never  take  up  arms  against  his  King  or 
his  countrymen  and  that  the  proceedings  of  the  Congress  at  Phila- 
delphia were  impolitic,  disrespectful  and  irritating  to  the  King." 
(Ibid.,  pp.  44-46 ;  Force,  American  Archives,  Series  IV,  Vol.  II,  pp. 
214-217.) 

Drayton,  having  failed  to  win  Fletchall  over  to  his  side,  pro- 
ceeded to  march  out  in  the  following  month  at  the  head  of  about 
400  mounted  men  and  800  foot  to  disarm  the  loyalists  of  Ninety-Six 
district,  especially  those  in  Fletchall's  regiment.  Colonel  Fletchall 
met  this  threat  by  ordering  out  his  regiment  and  marching  to  meet 
Drayton,  who  on  the  11th.  had  written  somewhat  confidently  to  the 
Council  of  Safety  that  Colonel  Fletchall,  Colonel  Thomas  Brown, 
and  Captain  Robert  Cunningham  were  still  endeavoring  to  assem- 
ble men,  but  had  no  force  embodied,  and  assuring  the  Council  of 
the  declining  political  influence  of  these  three  prominent  loyalists 
and  of  the  terrified  state  of  their  adherents,  adding  that  they  had  no 
intention  to  fight  in  view  of  the  expected  help  promised  them  by 
the  governor.  (Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol,  1,  p.  388.)  Drayton,  how- 
ever, in  his  letter  of  the  17  September,  in  a  less  confident  tone,  esti- 
mates Fletchall's  force  at  over  1200,  while  his  own  barely  reached 
1000,  which  is  200  less  than  Fletchall's  figure  for  Drayton's  force. 
In  this  letter  Drayton  alleges  that  while  his  own  men  were  anxious 
to  fight,  he  wished  to  avoid  bloodshed,  insinuating  that  the  loyalists 
would  not  hold  long  together  because  of  their  lack  of  discipline  and 
of  supplies.  (Ibid.,  p.  389.)  A  different  version  comes  from  a  loyal- 
ist source,  David  Fanning,  who  maintains  that  the  "rebels,"  finding 
themselves  not  strong  enough  for  an  attack,  sent  an  express  to 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  69 

Fletchall,  inviting  him  to  treat  with  them.  (Colonel  David  Fanning, 
"Narrative,"  ed.  by  A.  W.  Savary,  Canadian  Magazine,  1908.)  This 
version  is  supported  by  Fletchall's  unpublished  memorial,  in  which 
he  says  that  on  advancing  within  six  miles  of  Drayton's  camp,  de- 
termined to  support  Government,  Drayton  offered  terms  of  accomo- 
dation. (A.O.  12/52,  fos.  127-141.)  A  treaty  was  now  made  by 
which  hostilities  between  the  two  parties  should  be  avoided,  Flet- 
chall stating  that  each  party  agreed  to  return  home  and  "remain 
peaceable."  This  treaty  was  signed,  16  September,  1775,  by  Dray- 
ton of  the  one  part  and  by  Fletchall,  Captains  John  Ford,  Evan  Mc- 
Laurin,  Thomas  Greer,  and  Benjamin  Wofford  of  the  other  part. 
(Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol.  I.,  pp.  399-403  ;  Force,  American  Archives, 
Series  IV,  Vol.  3,  pp.  720-1.) 

Captain  (afterwards  Brigadier-General)  Robert  Cunningham 
declined  in  his  letter  of  6  October  to  Drayton,  in  the  most  vigorous 
terms  to  be  bound  by  this  treaty,  which  he  characterized  as  false 
and  disgraceful  and  as  having  been  devised  to  take  advantage  of 
men  "half  scared  out  of  their  senses  at  the  sight  of  liberty  caps  and 
sound  of  cannon"  (Force,  Ame7'ican  Archives,  Series  IV,  Vol.  3,  p. 
755).  Cunningham's  repudiation  of  a  treaty,  made  in  his  opinion 
without  authority,  and  his  determination  not  to  disband  his  men, 
was  supported  by  other  stalwart  loyalists.  (McCrady,  The  Hist,  of 
South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  pp.  51-52.) 

Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  carried  out  the  terms  of  the  treaty 
both  in  the  letter  and  the  spirit  and  forthwith  disbanded  his  regi- 
ment, while  Drayton  and  his  followers  tacitly  ignored  it.  To 
Fletchall's  chagrin,  information  reached  him  in  November,  within 
a  few  weeks  of  making  the  treaty,  that  the  "rebels"  had  been  re- 
armed. He  instantly  embodied  his  regiment  on  the  17th  and  ordered 
an  attack  to  be  made  on  the  fort  of  Ninety-Six.  Meanwhile,  Cap- 
tain Robert  Cunningham  was  arrested  by  a  party  disguised  as  In- 
dians, under  orders  from  Major  Andrew  Williamson  upon  an  affi- 
davit of  Captain  John  Caldwell,  charging  him  with  sedition,  and  was 
committed  to  Charleston  jail,  1  November.  As  an  uncompromising 
loyalist,  Cunningham  did  not  deny  the  use  of  the  seditious  words, 
but  though  he  did  not  consider  himself  bound  by  the  Fletchall- 
Drayton  treaty,  he  had  since  behaved  himself  as  peaceably  as  any 
man.  He  had,  however,  retained  his  political  opinions,  though  he 
had  not  expressed  them  unless  asked  to  do  so.  (McCrady,  ibid.,  p. 
86). 


70        •  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Colonel  Fletchall's  militia  force,  numbering  2400,  now  besieged 
the  fort,  in  accordance  with  orders  mentioned  above.  The  com- 
mand of  the  loyalists  had  been  given  to  Major  Joseph  Robinson  by 
Fletchall,  who  was  too  heavy  in  weight  for  active  service  (Fanning, 
"Narrative"),  while  the  defenders  to  the  number  of  562  were  com- 
manded by  Majors  Andrew  Williamson  and  James  Mayson.  On  the 
second  day  of  the  siege,  which  lasted  from  the  18th.  to  the  21st.  of 
November,  the  loyalists,  represented  by  Majors  Joseph  Robinson 
and  Evan  McLaurin  and  Captain  Patrick  Cunningham,  had  a  con- 
ference with  Major  Mayson  and  Captain  Bowie  regarding  the  loy- 
alists' demand  for  the  surrender  of  Williamson  and  his  force.  While 
Williamson  was  considering  this  demand,  two  of  his  men  are  said  to 
have  been  seized  and  the  attempt  to  rescue  them  brought  about  the 
first  bloodshed  of  the  revolutionary  war.  On  the  20th,  however,  the 
ammunition  of  both  sides  was  almost  exhausted  and  by  agreement 
hostilities  ceased  for  twenty  days  (Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol.  II,  pp. 
117-122;  Force,  American  Archives,  Series  IV,  Vol.  3,  p.  1606; 
Vol.  4,  p.  216) ,  while  the  messengers  of  each  party  were  allowed  to 
proceed  to  Charleston  to  inform  the  governor  and  the  Council  of 
Safety  of  the  terms  of  the  treaty.  Major  Robinson's  loyalist  force 
was  allowed  to  return  home.  The  signatories  to  this  treaty  were 
Majors  Andrew  Williamson,  James  Mayson,  and  Joseph  Robinson, 
Captains  Patrick  Cunningham,  Richard  Pearls,  Joseph  Pickens,  and 
John  Bowie.  (A.  S.  Salley,  Jr.,  Hist,  of  Orangeburg  County,  1898, 
pp.  808-312.) 

Thus  ended  the  inglorious  siege  and  conflict  of  Ninety-Six,  a 
conflict  largely  brought  on  by  the  fear  of  the  loyalists  that  the  In- 
dians were  about  to  attack  them  at  the  instigation  of  the  Americans. 
(McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780, 
pp.  90-93.)  The  loyalists  were  without  a  capable  leader.  Robinson, 
the  nominal  commander,  appears  to  have  been  ignored  and  the  vir- 
tual command  devolved  upon  Pearis,  who  declared  his  opposition  to 
making  the  treaty,  though  it  bears  his  signature. 

For  the  second  time  the  Revolutionary  party  violated  a  solemn 
treaty  by  the  refusal  of  Colonel  Richard  Richardson  and  his  army 
to  be  bound  by  it,  despite  the  stipulation  of  Majors  Williamson  and 
Mayson  that  any  reinforcements  which  might  arrive  should  regard 
the  treaty  as  binding  equally  upon  them.  Richardson,  under  the 
government  presided  over  by  Drayton,  disregarded  the  treaty  and 
marched  upon  the  loyalists,  who  on  the  faith  of  this  same  solemn 
covenant  had  been  disbanded.     Colonel  Fletchall,  despite  the  sus- 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  71 

picion  of  his  secret  encouragement  of  further  military  activity  by 
the  loyalists,  was  scrupuously  observing  the  treaty,  and  to  his 
astonishment  and  mortification,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  12  Decem- 
ber, with  other  loyalists  of  the  "first  magnitude,"  including  Captains 
Richard  Pearis,  Jacob  Fry,  and  George  Shuberg,  who  were  sent  to 
Charleston  four  days  later.  (McCrady,  ibid.,  pp.  89-96;  Salley, 
ibid.,  p.  323).  Drayton,  in  commenting  on  the  capture  of  these 
loyalists,  avoids  any  reference  to  the  violation  of  the  treaty  and 
stigmatizes  Fletchall's  capture  as  dishonorable  to  his  military 
talents,  concealing  the  fact  that  Fletchall  had  returned  to  his  plan- 
tation and  discharged  his  force,  in  agreement  with  the  spirit  of  the 
treaty,  while  Colonel  Richardson  now  had  an  army  of  about  3000 
men.  (Drayton,  ibid..  Vol.  II,  p.  129.)  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall's 
capture  was  accomplished  at  his  own  house,  which  was  surrounded 
by  400  mounted  men  detached  from  Richardson's  main  body.  He 
was  sent  as  a  prisoner  to  Charleston  and  there  kept  in  close  con- 
finement until  10  July,  1776,  when  he  appears  to  have  set  forth  for 
his  plantation  which  had  in  the  meantime  been  plundered  and 
ruined.  Nothing  more  is  recorded  of  any  further  military  service 
by  Colonel  Fletchall.  The  corpulence  for  which  he  was  conspicu- 
ous as  well  as  his  age,  may  have  been  a  deterrent  factor.  In  July, 
1780,  he  was  visited  at  his  old  home  by  the  well-known  loyalist.  Lieu- 
tenant Anthony  Allaire,  who  records  in  his  Diary  his  interesting 
examination  of  the  Fletchall  mill,  a  curiosity  such  as  he  had  never 
seen  before.  ("Diary,"  in  Draper's  King's  Mountain  and  its  He- 
roes). The  worthy  colonel  was  not  allowed  to  remain  at  home  in 
tranquility,  for  on  10  October  in  the  same  year  he  was  obliged  to 
escape,  with  his  wife,  Leah,  and  five  children,  from  threatened  vio- 
lence and  to  seek  sanctuary  at  Charleston,  then  in  possession  of  the 
British.  Here  they  remained  until  1  December,  when  at  the  age  of 
62  he  left  South  Carolina  for  ever,  accompanied  by  his  wife,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters,  in  the  transport,  Milford  (John  May,  mas- 
ter), for  the  West  Indies,  where  he  settled  on  the  land  of  Ralph 
Montagu  in  the  parish  of  St.  James  in  Cornwall  county,  Jamaica. 
Here  also  settled  two  other  loyalist  refugees  from  South  Carolina, 
namely.  Colonel  Thomas  Edghill  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  James 
Vernon  (see  pages  78-9).  Mrs.  Fletchall's  sister,  Anne  Brown,  was 
the  second  wife  of  Colonel  Ambrose  Mills,  of  North  Carolina  (see 
page  72) . 


72  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

A  long  list  of  the  debtors  of  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall  in  South 
Carolina  and  a  list  of  the  grants  of  land  made  to  him  there  are  in 
the  Public  Record  Office.     (A.  0.  13/128). 

In  July,  1787,  Colonel  Fletchall  was  proposing  to  make  the  voy- 
age to  England  to  prosecute  his  claim  on  the  British  Government 
for  compensation  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South  Carolina, 
but  was  prevented  by  illness  from  leaving  Jamaica.  His  claim  of 
£2,181  was  met  by  a  grant  of  £1,400  (A.  O.  12/109).  Colonel 
Fletchall  died  in  1789,  apparently  in  Jamaica,  leaving  a  widow 
Leah.  Joseph  Fletchall,  a  planter,  of  St.  James's  parish,  Jamaica, 
who  had  lived  from  infancy  in  the  district  of  Ninety-Six  in  South 
Carolina,  was  probably  his  son.  (A.O.  12/52,  fos.  127-141;  A.O. 
13/128 ;  South  Carolina  Hist,  and  Gen.  Mag.,  Vol.  XVIII,  pp.  44-51) . 

Colonel  Ambrose  Mills 

Born  in  England  in  1722,  Ambrose  Mills  was  taken  in  child- 
hood to  Maryland.  There  he  married  Mourning  Stone,  a  spinster, 
and  settled  on  James  river  in  Virginia,  afterwards  removing  to  the 
frontiers  of  South  Carolina,  where  his  wife  was  killed  by  Indians 
in  the  Indian  risings  of  1755-61.  Ambrose  Mills  married  (II), 
Anne  Brown,  a  sister  of  Leah  Fletchall,  wife  of  Colonel  Thomas 
Fletchall  (see  page  71).  In  or  about  1765  he  settled  on  Green 
river.  North  Carolina.  The  issue  of  his  first  marriage  was  a  son, 
William,  born  10  November,  1746,  and  by  his  second  marriage, 
three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

The  military  services  of  Ambrose  Mills  during  the  Revolution- 
ary war  include  actions  against  the  Cherokee  Indians  in  1776,  in 
ignorance  of  the  alleged  alliance  between  the  Cherokees  and  the 
British,  an  ignorance  which  was  shared  with  the  loyalists.  Colonel 
John  Phillips  (see  p.  65)  and  Alexander  Chesney.  In  1778,  Am- 
brose Mills  and  Colonel  David  Fanning  raised  a  corps  of  500  loyal- 
ists for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  royal  standard  at  St.  Augustine 
in  East  Florida,  but  this  scheme  was  frustrated  by  the  treachery 
of  a  traitor  in  the  camp  betraying  their  plans  to  the  enemy.  Colonel 
Mills  and  sixteen  others  were  apprehended  and  taken  to  Salisbury 
jail.  On  the  way  thither,  David  Fanning  with  characteristic 
courage  endeavored  to  rescue  his  brother  loyalist,  but  his  small 
force  was  too  weak  to  break  through  the  American  guard. 

One  of  the  first  engagements  of  Colonel  Ambrose  Mills  after 
his  liberation  was  the  action  at  Baylis  Earle's  ford  on  the  North 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  73 

Pacolet  river,  North  Carolina,  when  he  surprised  and  attacked  the 
American  camp  of  Colonel  Charles  McDowell  on  the  night  of  15 
July,  1780.  In  this  action  the  loyalists  under  Mills,  and  Major 
James  Dunlap's  party  of  seventy  dragoons,  killed  Noah  Hampton, 
son  of  Colonel  Hampton,  and  wounded  Colonel  John  Jones  of  Burke 
county.  North  Carolina — an  attack  which  was  revenged  later  by 
Captain  Edward  Hampton's  exploit  in  overtaking  Dunlap's  party 
and  inflicting  defeat  upon  it.  Draper,  in  his  King's  Mountain  and  its 
Heroes,  is  very  severe  in  his  condemnation  of  the  killing  of  Noah 
Hampton  by  Dunlap  while  he  was  asleep,  an  act  which  he  rightly 
regards  as  murder,  though  a  precisely  similar  surprise,  achieved 
by  the  deception  of  Colonel  John  Jones,  is  regarded  as  almost 
heroic.  (Op.  cit.,  p.  79) .  Major  Dunlap,  who  had  been  appointed  an 
officer  in  the  Queen's  Rangers  in  1776,  and  was  one  of  the  most  ad- 
venturous spirits  among  the  loyalists,  neither  giving  nor  expecting 
quarter,  was  killed  on  or  about  25  March,  1781,  by  his  guard  after 
his  surrender  at  Beattie's  mill  on  Little  river  in  South  Carolina. 
General  Pickens  offered  a  "handsome  reward  for  the  murderers" 
(Draper,  op.  cit.,  pp.  163-4).  The  feud  between  Colonel  John  Jones 
and  the  loyalists  had  become  exceedingly  bitter  after  his  deception 
in  palming  himself  off  as  a  loyalist  and  thereby  gaining  entrance 
into  a  loyalist  camp,  with  the  object  as  he  had  averred  of  taking 
revenge  on  some  "rebels"  who  had  slain  loyalists  in  a  recent  skirm- 
ish. Arriving  at  the  camp,  which  was  in  a  state  of  self-security 
and  the  loyalists  mostly  asleep.  Colonel  Jones  ordered  an  attack  by 
his  party  and  killed  one  and  wounded  three.  (Draper,  op.  cit.,  p. 
79). 

Returning  to  the  career  of  Colonel  Ambrose  Mills,  he  com- 
manded the  North  Carolina  loyal  militia  in  the  memorable  battle 
of  King's  Mountain  and  was  taken  prisoner.  The  subsequent  se- 
verity of  his  treatment  as  a  prisoner  and  his  execution  has  been 
the  subject  of  hostile  criticism.  (Draper,  op.  cit.  p.  82).  Lord 
Comwallis  in  his  protest  against  his  execution  describes  him  as 
"always  a  fair  and  open  enemy,"  a  verdict  which  was  endorsed  by 
his  opponents.  (Correspondence  of  Lord  Comwallis,  Vol.  I,  p.  67). 
Early  in  the  military  life  of  Colonel  Ambrose  Mills,  Lord  Com- 
wallis had  experienced  some  difficulty  in  restraining  his  ardor, 
and  in  complaining  of  his  premature  activities,  desired  him  to  act 
only  on  the  defensive  until  ordered  to  act  otherwise.  (Ibid.,  op.  cit., 
p.  47.) 


74         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

William  Mills,  his  son,  was  very  popular,  and  was  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  campaign  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and 
at  King's  Mountain,  where  he  was  severely  wounded,  he  acted  as 
major  under  his  father.  He  died  in  North  Carolina,  10  November, 
1834,  aged  88. 

Colonel  Ambrose  Mills  has  been  confused  with  Colonel  William 
Henry  Mills,  an  Irishman  who  had  gone  out  to  America  as  a  sur- 
geon's mate  in  the  British  army.  Here  he  served  until  1764,  when 
he  retired  from  his  military  duties  and  settled  in  South  Carolina, 
marrying  two  years  later  an  American  lady  at  Georgetown  in  that 
Province.  Early  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  Colonel  William  Henry 
Mills  served  in  the  South  Carolina  Provincial  Congress,  but  in 
June,  1778,  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Cheraws  loyal  militia. 
He  died  at  Liverpool,  England,  7  May,  1786,  leaving  a  widow,  Eliza- 
beth, and  one  daughter.  (A.  0.  12/52,  fos.  45-46,  327-340 ;  Sted- 
man,  American  War,  Vol.  II,  p.  223;  Tarleton,  Hist  of  the  Cam- 
paigns of  1780  and  1781,  p.  127;  Draper,  King's  Mountain  and 
its  Heroes,  p.  373;  B,  F.  Stevens,  Clinton-Cornwallis  Controversy, 
Vol.  II,  pp.  236-7). 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Joseph  Robinson 

Joseph  Robinson,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  was  settled  on  a  plan- 
tation on  Broad  river  in  South  Carolina,  where  he  was  deputy  sur- 
veyor. 

In  1775  he  was  appointed  major  of  militia  and,  18  November  of 
that  year,  he  was  in  command  of  2400  loyalists  at  Ninety-Six  when 
he  surrounded  an  American  force  under  Majors  Andrew  William- 
son and  James  Mayson.  This  inglorious  affair  ended  by  the  offer 
by  Robinson  of  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  twenty  days — an  offer 
which  was  joyfully  accepted  by  Williamson  and  Mayson,  whose 
force  had  nearly  expended  their  ammunition.  A  party  to  this  treaty 
was  Lieutenant-Colonel  Evan  McLaurin  (see  pp.  69,  102). 

Colonel  Robinson's  men  were  afterwards  allowed  to  return 
home,  while  he  himself  went  among  the  friendly  Cherokee  Indians. 
In  his  absence  his  plantation  was  plundered,  his  house  and  buildings 
burnt,  and  his  family  driven  from  home  by  the  Americans.  Among 
his  possessions  destroyed  was  his  valuable  library,  which  included 
60  books  on  law,  the  destruction  being  witnessed  by  Moses  Whealley, 
a  loyalist. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  75 

In  her  petition  of  October  1,  1816,  to  Viscount  Palmerston, 
secretary  of  state  for  war,  his  wife,  Lilley  Robinson  (whom  he 
had  married  in  1760  in  Virginia)  states  that  while  a  prisoner  in  the 
hands  of  the  Americans  in  1776,  she  was  promised  restoration  to 
her  husband  on  condition  that  he  consented  to  be  neutral  in  the  war. 
Her  answer  is  not  recorded,  but  she  was  released  in  a  few  days. 
Lilley  Robinson  proceeded,  not  to  join  her  husband,  but  to  start  on 
a  painful  journey  of  300  miles,  accompanied  by  her  two  small  chil- 
dren, to  her  father's  family  in  Virginia,  traveling  mostly  by  night 
to  escape  the  vigilance  of  American  scouting  parties  and  enduring 
indescribable  sufferings.   (  W.  0.  42/R8). 

In  May,  1778,  Colonel  Robinson  was  appointed  lieutenant-col- 
onel of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists,  and  in  July  it  was  decided  that 
this  corps  should  consist  of  eight  companies  of  50  rank  and  file  each. 
With  this  regiment  he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Stono,  12  June, 
1779. 

Mrs.  Lilley  Robinson,  who  had  returned  to  South  Carolina  from 
Virginia,  accompanied  her  husband  on  the  evacuation  of  Charles- 
ton by  the  British,  to  East  Florida,  where  they  intended  to  settle, 
only  to  find  shortly  after  their  arrival  that  the  Colony  had  been 
ceded  to  Spain  and  that  they  would  be  included  in  the  10,000  loyal- 
ists in  that  Province  who  suffered  privations  in  consequence  of  its 
cession.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the 
Royal  Institution,  Vol.  IV,  p.  348.)  The  harrassed  Robinson  family, 
in  common  with  many  others  from  the  Southern  Colonies,  now 
sought  refugee  in  the  West  Indies,  but  once  again  they  were  dogged 
by  misfortune,  their  ship  having  been  wrecked  off  the  coast  of 
Florida.  Eventually,  however,  Colonel  Joseph  Robinson  and  his 
family  reached  Jamaica,  but  after  a  year's  sojourn  there,  they  were 
compelled  by  the  unhealthiness  of  the  climate  to  seek  a  home  in  a 
northern  clime.  With  this  object  in  view,  they  now  set  sail  for  that 
asylum  of  so  many  American  loyalists,  New  Brunswick,  where  they 
lived  for  three  years  until  1789,  when  Colonel  Robinson  was  invited 
to  settle  at  Charlottetown  in  Prince  Edward  Island  by  his  friend. 
Colonel  Edmund  Fanning,  lieutenant-governor  of  that  island  and 
formerly  commanding  officer  of  the  loyalist  corps,  the  King's  Ameri- 
can regiment. 

Meanwhile,  Colonel  Robinson  had  been  put  on  the  list  of 
seconded  Provincial  officers  and  received  the  half-pay  of  a  lieuten- 
ant-colonel. He  was  also  relieved  of  anxiety  by  the  grant  of  £521 


76  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

from  his  claim  of  £1,618.  10s.  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South 
Carolina  and  by  his  appointment  as  surrogate  and  judge  of  probate 
at  Charlottetown.  This  South  Carolina  loyalist  died  in  that  city,  24 
August,  1807,  leaving  a  will  (dated  19  July,  1807,  and  proved  10 
November,)  by  which  he  bequeathed  property  to  his  widow,  Lilley, 
and  his  three  daughters.  Lilley  Robinson,  widow  of  Colonel  Joseph 
Robinson,  died  at  Charlottetown,  11  July,  1823.  Elizabeth,  the 
eldest  daughter  bom  in  New  Brunswick  in  1788,  died  unmarried. 
One  daughter,  Rebecca,  married  Robert  Hodgson,  lieutenant  in  the 
Prince  Edward  Island  Fencibles  (reduced  in  1802),  member  of  the 
Legislature  and  speaker  until  his  death,  5  January,  1811,  when  he 
left  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  Rebecca  Hodgson  died,  12  May, 
1825,  aged  54.  Robert  Hodgson,  the  eldest  son  of  Robert  and  Re- 
becca Hodgson,  became  judge  of  probate,  chief  justice,  and  lieuten- 
ant-governor of  Prince  Edward  Island,  and  died  a  knight  at  the  age 
of  82,  16  September,  1880.  The  names  of  the  other  children  of  Rob- 
ert and  Rebecca  Hodgson  were:  Joseph,  Daniel,  Christopher,  and 
Jane  Deborah, 

Matilda,  third  daughter  of  Colonel  and  Lilley  Robinson,  married 
Ralph  Brecken  in  Prince  Edward  Island.  A  daughter  of  Ralph  and 
Matilda  Brecken  married  Donald  Macdonald,  president  of  the  Legis- 
lative Council  of  Prince  Edward  Island,  and  a  son  of  this  marriage 
was  Sir  William  Christopher  Macdonald  of  Montreal,  whose  muni- 
ficent gifts  to  McGill  University  and  Macdonald  College  remain  as 
monuments  to  his  memory.  (A.  O.  13/92;  A.  0.  13/138;  A.  O. 
12/109;  Ind.  5605;  Hist.  MSS.  Comm,,  Report  on  the  American 
MSS.  in  the  Royal  Institution,  Vol.  II,  pp.  274,  276,  371 ;  Second 
Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Archives,  Province  of  Ontario,  1905,  pp. 
791-801;  The  Royal  Commission  on  Loyalist  Claims,  1783-1785, 
ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton ;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp.  272-3 ;  notes  from 
Judge  ^neas  Macdonald  of  Charlottetown.) 

General  Andrew  Williamson 

Andrew  Williamson,  then  a  major  in  the  American  service, 
received  the  thanks  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  South  Carolina 
for  his  services  in  causing  the  well-known  loyalist,  Robert  Cunning- 
ham, to  be  apprehended  and  sent  to  Charleston.  He  with  Major 
James  Mayson  was  in  command  of  the  American  force  at  Ninety- 
Six  in  the  siege  of  18-21  November,  1775    (see  pp.  70,  80) .  In  1776 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  77 

Major  Williamson  was  in  command  of  the  expedition  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians.     (See  p.  7,  n.  47). 

Promotion  came  to  this  officer  in  1778  when  he  was  appointed 
brigadier-general  of  the  Upper  brigade  of  South  Carolina  militia, 
formed  in  that  year. 

According  to  Sabine  (Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution), 
Williamson  changed  sides  during  the  war  and  was  active  on  the 
side  of  the  crown  after  the  fall  of  Charleston  in  May,  1780.  There 
is  not,  however,  any  foundation  for  the  allegation  of  his  martial  ac- 
tivity for  the  British.  Believing  the  American  cause  to  be  lost,  he 
took  protection  from  his  enemies  to  save  his  large  landed  estates, 
just  as  loyalists  had  done  on  the  other  side.  He  regarded  himself 
as  a  faithful  American  and  supplied  General  Greene  with  informa- 
tion of  military  value  while  he  was  inside  the  British  lines. 

By  more  than  one  historian  he  is  described  by  the  opprobrious 
epithet  of  the  "Arnold  of  Carolina"  and  the  "Southern  Arnold" 
(Stevens,  History  of  Georgia,  Vol.  II,  p.  345).  The  actual  capitu- 
lation of  Williamson  occurred  at  Ninety-Six,  and  was  regarded  by 
the  British  as  a  good  omen.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  Stop- 
ford-Sackville  MSS.,  Vol.  II,  p.  169 ;  Bancroft,  Hist,  of  the  United 
States,  Vol.  V,  p.  378). 

James  Simpson,  the  attorney-general  for  South  Carolina,  ad- 
vised the  protection  of  his  considerable  estates  in  order  to  secure 
his  influence.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Repoj't  on  the  American  MSS. 
in  the  Royal  Inst.,  Vol.  II,  p.  150) .  One  of  the  acts  of  infamy  alleged 
against  him  was  his  advice  to  his  officers  when  encamped  near 
Augusta  to  return  to  their  homes  and  accept  royal  protection,  an 
act  of  treachery  for  which  he  is  said  to  have  been  rewarded  by  a 
colonel's  commission  in  the  British  service.  (C.  C.  Jones,  Hist,  of 
Georgia,  II,  p.  448).  General  Williamson's  name  is  included  with 
those  of  General  Isaac  Huger,  Colonels  Andrew  Pickens,  Peter 
Horry,  James  Mayson,  LeRoy  Hammond,  John  Thomas,  Sr., 
and  Isaac  Hayne,  and  Majors  John  Postell  and  John  Purvis,  in  a 
list  of  American  officers  who  unresistingly  gave  up  their  arms  and 
took  royal  protection  when  detachments  of  the  conquering  British 
troops  were  sent  among  them  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its 
Heroes,  p.  47) . 

It  is  evident  that  the  Revolutionary  party  regarded  William- 
son as  a  deserter  or  a  renegade  from  the  event  of  5  July,  1781,  when 
Colonel  Hayne  and  his  party  surrounded  his  house  near  Charles- 


78         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

ton,  seized  him,  and  carried  him  away.  The  British  thereupon  sent 
Major  Thomas  Fraser  and  90  dragoons  of  the  South  Carolina  Royal- 
ists next  day  to  rescue  him.  On  the  8th.  Fraser  surprised  Hayne's 
camp  at  Horse  Shoe  and  killed  fourteen  of  the  party  and  wounded 
several  others.  Colonel  Hayne  was  taken  prisoner  shortly  after- 
wards by  Captain  Archibald  Campbell,  of  the  South  Carolina  Royal- 
ists, known  as  "Mad  Archy."  (E.  McCrady,  Hist,  of  South  Carolina 
in  the  Revolution,  1780-1783,  pp.  319-321.) 

Although  the  belief  was  general  in  the  report  of  General  Wil- 
liamson's acceptance  of  a  commission  in  the  British  service,  the 
present  writer  has  failed  in  a  diligent  search  among  the  loyalist 
documents  to  find  any  evidence  of  the  grant  of  such  a  commission 
or  of  any  active  military  service  by  him  on  the  British  side. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Vernon 

James  Vernon  emigrated  from  Scotland  in  1760  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  resided  for  four  or  five  years  until  his  removal  to 
the  district  of  Ninety-Six  in  South  Carolina.  Here  he  bought,  in 
conjunction  with  one  John  Nicholls,  640  acres  of  land  on  Fair 
Forest  creek  in  the  present  county  of  Craven.  Part  of  this  land 
was  sold  afterwards  by  the  joint  owners  to  James  Martin,  and  sub- 
sequently John  Nicholls  disposed  of  the  whole  of  his  share  to  Aaron 
Harling.  The  original  deed  for  the  purchase  of  this  tract  of  land 
is  still  preserved.    (A.O.  13/123.) 

James  Vernon  was  granted  a  commission  as  ensign,  2  Febru- 
ary, 1774,  in  the  militia  regiment  of  his  neighbor.  Colonel  Thomas 
Fletchall,  the  original  commission  being  preserved  with  the  deed 
just  mentioned.  Called  up  for  active  service  at  the  commencement 
of  the  Revolutionary  troubles  in  his  own  district,  this  prosperous 
Scotch  settler  lost  all  his  farm  stock  in  confiscation  after  the  affair 
of  Ninety-Six  in  November,  1775.     (See  pp.  69,  70.) 

Promoted  later  by  Major  Patrick  Ferguson  to  the  rank  of 
captain  in  the  South  Carolina  loyal  militia,  James  Vernon  received 
further  promotion  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour,  2  De- 
cember, 1780,  to  lieutenant-colonel,  the  original  commission  for 
which  has  survived  with  the  deed  and  the  ensign's  commission,  men- 
tioned above.  In  this  rank  he  would  seem  to  have  taken  over  the 
command  of  Colonel  Daniel  Plummer's  regiment  of  loyal  militia. 

This  loyalist  officer  suffered  the  ignominy  of  being  taken  pris- 
oner twice  during  the  war. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  79 

According  to  a  letter  of  introduction  from  Major  James  Dun- 
lap  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour,  dated  from  Ninety-Six, 
26  January,  1781,  Vernon  is  described  as  having  been  driven  from 
home  by  the  "rebels"  and  as  "one  of  the  most  deserving  of  our  Mi- 
litia Officers."  The  letter  goes  on  to  say  that  after  "Ferguson's  af- 
fair," (presumably  his  defeat  at  King's  Mountain),  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Vernon  kept  his  company  together  and  was  of  infinite  serv- 
ice in  protecting  the  neighborhood  from  plundering  parties,  as 
well  as  doing  "very  material  service  by  killing  the  noted  Ned  Hamp- 
ton." (A.O.  13/123.)  Ned  Hampton  was  probably  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Edward  Hampton  (son  of  Anthony  Hampton)  who  defeated 
Major  James  Dunlap.  (See  p.  73.)  This  American  officer's  name 
disappears  from  the  pay  lists  in  October,  1780,  and  therefore  it  is 
assumed  that  he  was  killed  between  July,  1780 — the  date  of  the 
Dunlap  affair — and  October. 

At  the  end  of  the  war,  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Vernon  sought 
refuge  with  other  loyalists  in  the  West  Indies,  and  found  employ- 
ment in  a  subordinate  capacity  on  the  estate  of  William  Hall  (a 
brother  and  partner  of  Thomas  Hall  of  Englefield  Green,  Egham, 
in  Surrey)  in  the  parish  of  St.  James,  Jamaica,  where  also  were  his 
wife  and  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  two  of  whom  were  being 
educated  in  1790  by  the  Foundation  of  the  parish  of  St.  James.  In 
1790  he  was  in  London,  prosecuting  his  claim  for  compensation  for 
the  loss  of  his  property  in  South  Carolina. 

Alexander  Vernon,  a  near  kinsman  of  James  Vernon,  married 
Margaret  Chesney,  and  resided  about  ten  miles  west  of  Spartanburg 
in  South  Carolina.  (A.O.  12/46,  fo.  147 ;  A.O.  12/52,  fos.  387-400 ; 
A.O.  12/75,  fos.  145-147;  and  A.O.  13/128.)  (Papers  of  Colonel 
Thomas  Fletchall.) 

Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs 

Born  in  Virginia  in  1741,  Zacharias  Gibbs  migrated  to  South 
Carolina  in  or  about  1763.  Here  he  was  the  owner  of  large  planta- 
tions on  the  fork  of  Broad  river  and  Saluda  river  in  the  district  of 
Ninety-Six,  as  well  as  large  tracts  of  land  at  Camden,  bought  in 
1779  and  1780  from  two  loyalists,  Drury  Bishop  and  John  Brown.  A 
further  addition  was  made  to  his  property  by  the  purchase  in  1781 
of  100  acres  at  Orangeburg  from  George  Dykes,  a  loyalist.  These 
purchases  by  Zacharias  Gibbs  during  the  war  are  an  indication  of 


80  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

his  faith  in  the  permanence  of  the  subjugation  of  South  Carolina 
in  1780  by  the  British. 

Captain  Zacharias  Gibbs,  to  give  him  his  exact  military  rank 
at  this  time,  began  his  military  services  on  the  side  of  the  crown 
at  Ninety-Six  in  November,  1775,  the  engagement  which  caused  the 
first  bloodshed  in  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  when 
he  was  present  with  his  company  in  the  attack  by  the  loyalists  com- 
manded by  Major  Joseph  Robinson,  on  the  Americans  under  Major 
Andrew  Williamson.  (See  page  74.)  In  his  evidence  before  the 
commissioners  of  American  Claims  in  London  he  asserted  that  his 
company  took  the  fort. 

After  many  adventures  and  temporary  occupations  of  his  plan- 
tations from  time  to  time,  he  helped  Colonel  John  Boyd  to  raise 
600  men  for  the  loyalist  forces  early  in  1779,  and  marched  with 
these  men  to  Savannah,  which  they  reached  350  strong  in  Febru- 
ary, after  fighting  in  two  engagements  on  the  way.  Shortly  after- 
wards he  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Kettle  creek  in  Georgia  on 
14  February,  1779,  and  was  marched  in  irons  with  other  prisoners 
to  Ninety-Six,  a  distance  of  nearly  400  miles.  In  this  battle  the 
loyalists  under  Colonel  Bond  were  defeated,  and  Colonel  Bond  killed. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Moore,  of  North  Carolina,  was  second  in 
command,  and  Major  Spurgen  third  in  command.  (C.  C.  Jones, 
History  of  Georgia,  1883,  pp.  339-342;  W.  B.  Stevens,  History  of 
Georgia,  1859,  Vol.  II.  pp.  190-192.) 

At  Ninety-Six  Captain  Gibbs  was  put  into  prison  for  fifteen 
months  and  sentenced  to  death,  but  was  reprieved.  On  this  occasion 
twenty-two  other  loyalists  were  sentenced  to  share  the  death  pen- 
alty with  him.  Five  only  of  this  number  were  executed,  includ- 
ing his  brother-in-law,  the  remainder  having  been  reprieved  on  two 
conditions,  namely,  that  they  sign  their  own  death  warrants  and 
that  they  make  written  declarations  never  to  return  to  the 
district  of  Ninety-Six.  During  his  imprisonment,  the  gallows  and 
grave  prepared  for  him  were  ever  in  sight.  On  his  release  on  3 
April,  1780,  Colonel  Gibbs  went  to  Camden,  remaining  there  until 
the  capture  of  Charleston  by  the  British,  when  he  emerged  again 
into  military  activity,  and  was  on  6  July,  1780,  commissioned  ma- 
jor and  later  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  his  regiment. 

The  life  of  Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs  from  the  outbreak  of  hos- 
tilities in  South  Carolina  until  his  final  departure  from  the  Province 
was  full  of  adventure,  as  is  proved  by  the  loyalist  documents.   His 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  81 

military  services  were  highly  praised  by  Colonel  John  Harris  Cru- 
ger,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  successful  military  leaders 
on  the  loyalist  side,  in  an  original  certificate  which  is  still  pre- 
served. 

Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour,  sometime  commandant  at  Charleston, 
testified  in  evidence  in  London  to  his  excellent  qualities  as  a  man 
and  as  one  of  the  truest  of  loyalists,  though,  with  the  traditional 
prejudice  of  the  British  regular  officer  against  the  Provincial  or  mi- 
litia forces,  qualified  his  praise  by  adding  that  Colonel  Gibbs  was 
not  a  very  good  soldier. 

The  good-natured  Lord  Cornwallis  gave  him  a  certificate  of 
merit,  as  well  as  Colonels  Balfour  and  Cruger,  all  of  whose  original 
certificates  are  in  the  Public  Record  Office.  (A.O.  13/79.)  A 
high  opinion  of  the  loyalty  and  meritorious  conduct  of  Colonel 
Zacharias  Gibbs  was  entertained  by  the  commissioners  of  Ameri- 
can Claims. 

Captain  Alexander  Chesney  was  one  of  his  neighbors,  their 
plantations  being  separated  by  only  four  miles. 

The  name  of  Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs'  first  wife,  who  left  at 
least  two  children,  is  not  recorded.  His  second  wife  was  Jane 
Downes,  widow  of  Major  William  Downes,  an  Irish  merchant,  black- 
smith, and  turner,  who  settled  in  Camden  district.  South  Carolina, 
after  the  peace  of  1763,  having  served  in  the  "Royal  Irish  Artillery" 
in  the  war  in  America  against  the  French.  He  had  by  his  industry 
and  thrift  acquired  valuable  plantations  and  lived  in  comfort.  By 
Lord  Rawdon,  himself  an  Irishman,  William  Downes  was  appointed 
captain  of  militia.  His  military  career  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
was  cut  off  prematurely  by  his  death  on  15  April,  1781,  when,  by 
an  act  of  treachery,  his  house  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  164  Amer- 
icans. William  Downes  ended  his  life  in  a  gallant  defence  of  his 
home,  in  which  he  was  assisted  by  his  overseer,  who  was  also 
killed,  and  by  his  devoted  wife  and  children  in  loading  his  fire-arms. 
This  lady  was  a  widow  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  in  1773  to  this 
Irish  loyalist,  her  first  husband  having  been  one  William  Lindsay, 
the  elder,  whom  she  had  accompanied  in  1763  to  South  Carolina, 
where  they  settled  near  Georgetown.  William  Lindsay  died  in  1772, 
leaving  a  son,  Thomas,  and  two  daughters. 

For  the  loss  of  her  property  in  South  Carolina,  derived  from 
her  husband  William  Downes,  the  sum  of  £2,143  was  claimed  by 
Jane  Downes,  and  she  was  awarded  £955,  as  well  as  a  pension  of 


82         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

£40.  She  appears  to  have  had  seven  children  by  her  first  and  second 
marriages.  In  September,  1785,  she  was  living  with  her  children  at 
Springfield  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  and  was  about  to  join  her  hus- 
band, Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs,  in  Nova  Scotia;  but  according  to 
one  document  she  was  still  at  that  Irish  place  in  May,  1789. 

Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs  settled  in  1784  on  his  grant  of  1000 
acres  of  land  in  Rawdon  in  Nova  Scotia,  where  also  were  settled 
fifty-five  other  loyalists  from  South  Carolina.  (See  page  118.)  In 
his  letter  of  4  May,  1787,  to  Lewis  Wolfe,  a  London  agent  for  Ameri- 
can loyalists,  he  gives  a  picture  of  his  life  in  Nova  Scotia,  adding 
that  he  has  the  large  and  helpless  family  of  Richard  Fenton  with  a 
wife  and  four  children  employed  on  his  wild  uncultivated  land  at 
great  expense  to  him.  Fenton  was  a  loyalist  from  South  Carolina, 
though  he  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Whitby  in  Yorkshire. 

Among  the  other  troubles  and  trials  of  Colonel  Gibbs  were  the 
absence  of  his  wife  in  Ireland  and  the  anxiety  for  his  two  little 
children  by  a  former  wife,  in  South  Carolina.  He  had  made  two  un- 
successful attempts  to  obtain  these  children.  One  of  the  attempts 
was  made  through  the  agency  of  a  loyalist  who  was  going  on  a  visit 
or  returning  to  that  State,  but  who,  on  his  arrival  there,  was  "mal- 
treated and  much  abused"  because  of  his  loyalty.  Letters  to  South 
Carolina  were  equally  ineffectual  in  securing  them. 

A  daughter  of  Colonel  Gibbs  by  his  first  marriage,  or  of  Mrs. 
Jane  Downes  his  second  wife,  by  a  former  marriage,  was  married 
to  Robert  Cooper  or  Cowper,  a  planter,  of  Georgetown,  South  Caro- 
lina. Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs  was  awarded  £1,200  on  his  claim  of 
£2,384. 15s,  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South  Carolina.  (F.0.4/1 ; 
A.O.  12/46,  fos.  145-162,  240-252;  A.O.  12/99,  fos.  26,  225;  A.O. 
12/109 ;  A.  0.  13/79 ;  A.  O.  13/129 ;  The  Royal  Commission  on  Loy- 
alist Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton;  Roxburghe  Club, 
191.5.) 

Major  Patrick  Ferguson 

Patrick  Ferguson  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1744,  and  at  the  age 
of  15  a  commission  as  cornet  was  bought  for  him  in  the  British 
Army.  He  served  with  conspicuous  success  in  the  2nd.  Dragoons  in 
the  wars  in  Flanders  and  Germany.  From  this  regiment  he  v/as 
transferred  as  captain  to  the  70th.  Foot,  with  which  he  served  in 
the  American  war  of  Independence  until  his  appointment  to  the 
command  of  a  body  of  riflemen,  known  as  the  "American  Volun- 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  83 

teers,"  composed  mostly  of  native-born  loyalists  who  were  selected 
because  of  their  intelligence  and  skilful  marksmanship.  The  com- 
mand of  such  a  corps  was  especially  congenial  to  Major  Ferguson, 
the  best  rifle  shot  in  the  British  Army,  and  the  most  versatile  and 
brilliant  leader  in  guerilla  warfare  on  the  British  side,  as  well  as  the 
inventor  of  the  first  breech-loading  rifle  used  in  the  British  Army. 
The  officers  were  chosen  from  several  of  the  loyalist  regiments,  the 
officers  in  their  turn  selecting  their  own  men.  The  original  muster 
rolls  have  been  preserved.  (Jonas  Howe's  article  in  Acadiensis,  Vol. 
VI.  pp.  237-246  and  Vol.  VII.  pp.  30-41,  149-159.) 

Major  Patrick  Ferguson  was  appointed,  22  May,  1780,  inspec- 
tor of  militia  and  major-commandant  of  the  first  battalion  of  loyal 
militia  raised  in  South  Carolina.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the 
American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.,  Vol.  II.,  pp.  126,  129.)  During 
the  campaign  in  South  Carolina,  Ferguson,  while  yet  a  prisoner  at 
Charleston,  in  the  house  at  5  Liberty  Street,  of  a  resourceful  and 
resolute  English  woman,  one  Elizabeth  Thompson,  was  enabled  to 
view  the  works  of  the  Americans  outside,  by  a  daring  ruse  of  that 
loyalist.  Ferguson,  disguised,  was  driven  by  Elizabeth  Thompson 
in  her  own  chaise  from  Charleston  through  the  American  lines  and 
obtained  information  of  military  value.  (A.O.  12/46,  fos.  74-81; 
The  Royal  Comm.  on  Loyalist  Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Eger- 
ton,  1915;  Roxburghe  Club,  pp.  30-31.) 

The  death  of  the  gallant  officer  occurred  in  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain  (see  p.  86;  Scots  Magazine,  Vol.  43,  pp.  29-30).  He  is  in 
the  Dictionary  of  National  Biography. 

Colonel  Alexander  Innes 

Alexander  Innes  had  been  secretary  to  Lord  William  Camp- 
bell, governor  of  South  Carolina,  before  his  appointment  in  Janu- 
ary, 1777,  as  inspector-general  of  the  Provincial  forces  in  America. 
In  1779  he  was  given  the  command  of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists. 
(Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal 
Inst.,  Vols.  1-4.) 

Colonel  Rudolphus  Ritzema,  a  New  York  loyalist  who  had  pre- 
viously been  in  the  American  service,  describes  Colonel  Innes  as 
"a  man,  whose  haughty  and  supercilious  conduct  has  estranged 
more  minds  from  His  Majesty  and  the  British  Gov^  than  perhaps 
all  the  other  blunders  in  the  conduct  of  the  American  war  put  to- 


84  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

gether.  This  every  American  officer,  not  under  a  national  bias,  will 
avouch."  (Ritzema's  petition  to  Pitt,  chancellor  of  the  Exchequer: 
Chatham  Papers,  Bundle  220.) 

The  signature  of  Colonel  Alexander  Innes  appears  in  a  peti- 
tion shortly  after  1791  from  officers  of  the  late  British-American, 
regiments  on  half -pay,  now  in  England,  offering  upon  "the  present 
prospect  of  war"  with  France  their  military  services,  which  to  their 
painful  mortification  could  only  be  accepted  if  they  joined  the  Brit- 
ish Army  as  ensigns,  whatever  their  rank  may  have  been  in  the 
American  war  of  Independence.     (F.O.  4/1.) 

Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster 

Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster  was  born  in  New  York  in  1753, 
the  son  of  James  De  Peyster  and  his  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Hon. 
Joseph  Reade. 

Joining  the  British  forces,  with  other  members  of  this  well- 
known  New  York  family,  early  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  chose 
as  his  regiment  the  King's  American  regiment,  composed  of  volun- 
teers mostly  from  the  Province  of  New  York  and  formed  in  Decem- 
ber, 1776,  with.  Edmund  Fanning  as  colonel.  Abraham  de  Peyster 
was  granted  a  commission  as  captain  within  two  days  of  the  forma- 
tion of  the  regiment,  namely,  on  13  December. 

His  brothers,  Frederick  and  James,  also  joined  loyalist  corps, 
the  former  as  captain  in  the  "Nassau  Blues,"  a  New  York  corps 
which  was  raised  1  May,  1779,  with  William  Axtell  as  colonel,  and 
was  disbanded  in  December  following,  when  most  of  the  officers  and 
men  joined  the  New  York  Volunteers.  Frederick  de  Peyster  became 
a  captain-lieutenant  in  his  brother's  regiment,  the  King's  American 
regiment. 

After  serving  in  the  Northern  Colonies  for  some  time.  Captain 
Abraham  de  Peyster  was  moved  to  the  South  where  he  went  through 
much  of  the  hard  fighting  in  South  Carolina  in  the  picked  loyalist 
force  commanded  by  Major  Patrick  Ferguson.     (See  pp.  82,  83.) 

A  brave  and  enterprising  officer,  upon  him  fell  the  invidious 
duty  at  the  age  of  27  of  taking  over  the  command  of  the  loyalist 
force  at  the  death  of  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  the  most  brilliant 
leader  in  guerilla  fighting  on  the  British  side,  at  the  memorable 
battle  of  King's  Mountain — a  battle  which  was  fraught  with  such 
dire  consequences  to  the  British  in  South  Carolina.     Captain  De 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  85 

Peyster's  conduct  in  surrendering  has  been  criticised.  Tarleton, 
whose  judgments  of  his  brother  officers  and  criticisms  of  operations 
must  be  received  with  caution,  maintains  that  Captain  De  Peyster 
hoisted  the  white  flag  before  the  blood  in  Ferguson's  body  had  be- 
come cold,  but  inasmuch  as  he  was  not  present  in  the  battle,  his 
opinion  is  not  helpful.  (Tarleton,  History  of  the  Campaigns  of 
1780  and  1781,  p.  65.)  On  the  other  hand  such  competent 
eye-witnesses  as  Captains  Samuel  Ryerson  and  John  Taylor,  both 
of  the  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  Lieutenant  Anthony  Allaire,  of 
the  Loyal  American  regiment,  supported  the  decision  of  Captain 
de  Peyster  to  surrender,  acquitting  him  of  the  charge  of  timidity 
and  declaring  that  his  conduct  was  in  all  respects  proper.  (Mac- 
kenzie, Strictures  on  Lieut. -Colonel  Tarleton's  History,  1787,  pp. 
58-68) .  From  a  consideration  of  the  evidence  on  both  sides  of  the 
controversy,  it  would  seem  that  a  defeat  for  the  hard  pressed  and 
much  shaken  loyalists,  valiant  as  they  were,  was  inevitable,  and  that 
he  was  not  guilty  of  excessive  caution  in  saving  his  force  from 
further  suffering.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  p. 
479.) 

It  is  unfortunate  that  Alexander  Chesney,  a  participant  in  the 
battle,  has  not  offered  a  definite  opinion  on  the  alleged  premature 
surrender  of  the  loyalist  commander.  One  important  comment, 
however,  amounts  to  a  virtual  acquittal  of  the  odious  charge,  name- 
ly, that  the  Americans  having  resumed  fire  after  Captain  De  Pey- 
ster had  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  he  ordered  a  resumption  of  the 
battle,  in  the  belief — as  subsequent  events  proved  to  be  true — that 
no  quarter  would  be  given  to  the  loyalists,  when  a  "dreadful  havoc" 
ensued  until  the  flag  was  sent  out  a  second  time.     (See  p.  18.) 

At  the  peace.  Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster  found  an  asylum 
with  his  brother  officers  in  New  Brunswick,  where  he  became  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  treasurer  of  the  Province,  and  colonel  of  militia. 
Here  he  died,  19  February,  1798,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  young 
children.  After  his  death,  his  widow,  a  daughter  of  John  Living- 
ston of  New  York,  returned  to  New  York.  (Lawrence  and  Stockton, 
Judges  of  New  Brunswick  and  Their  Times,  p.  274;  J.W.  De  Peyster, 
Local  Memorials  relating  to  the  De  Peyster  and  Watts  and  affiliated 
families,  1881,  pp.  40-45 ;  J.  W.  De  Peyster,  "The  Affair  at  King's 
Mountain,"  in  The  Magazine  of  American  History,  Vol.  5,  pp.  401- 
404;  Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution.) 


86  the  journal  of  alexander  chesney 

The  Battle  of  King's  Mountain 

The  memorable  battle  of  King's  Mountain  was  fought  Octo- 
ber 7,  1780,  between  the  Americans  under  the  command  of  Col- 
onels Campbell,  Shelby,  Cleveland,  Sevier,  and  Williams,  and  the 
loyalists  commanded  by  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  composed  of  de- 
tachments from  the  King's  American  regiment,  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  the  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  and  South  Carolina  loyal  mi- 
litia, and  :was  one  of  the  most  desperately  fought  battles  in  the 
Southern  Colonies. 

It  is  not  proposed  to  enter  into  the  controversy  regarding  the 
numbers  of  the  forces  engaged.  Whatever  the  figures  may  have 
been,  the  combatants  on  both  sides  fought  with  unsurpassed  cour- 
age and  determination.  The  exploit  of  the  Americans  deserves  all 
the  praise  bestowed  upon  it  as  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  the 
application  of  Washington's  disregarded  advice  to  Braddock  to  seek 
cover  behind  trees,  and  of  the  splendid  marksmanship  of  the 
Americans. 

The  loyalists  had  fought  with  unwavering  bravery  until  the 
fall  of  the  intrepid  Ferguson  somewhat  early  in  the  battle,  when 
their  courage  failed  them  for  a  moment  until  their  rally  by  the  new 
leader.  Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster.  The  criticisms  of  this  of- 
ficer's alleged  premature  surrender  are  considered  under  the  notes 
on  Captain  De  Peyster. 

King's  Mountain  was  the  only  important  battle  in  the  war  in 
which  the  British  force  was  composed  entirely  of  loyalists,  except 
Major  Ferguson. 

Just  as  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga  was  a  momen- 
tous event,  not  only  in  hastening  the  alliance  of  the  Americans  with 
France,  but  also  as  a  great  turning  point  in  the  war,  so  the  battle 
of  King's  Mountain  may  be  regarded  as  the  turn  of  the  tide  in  the 
South,  leading  to  the  heartening  and  the  re-organization  of  the 
American  forces  in  South  Carolina  for  the  final  triumph  in  the 
war  of  Independence. 

It  is  regrettable  that  the  memory  of  this  signal  victory  should 
be  tarnished  by  the  cruelties  inflicted  on  the  loyalists  and  by  the 
execution  of  nine  loyalist  officers — Colonel  Ambrose  Mills,  Captains 
James  Chitwood,  Wilson,  Walker,  Gilkey,  and  Grimes,  and  Lieuten- 
ants Lafferty,  John  McFall,  John  Bibby,  and  Augustine  Hobbs. 
(Tarleton,  Hist,  of  the  Campaigns  1780  and  1781,  p.  168;  Moultrie, 
Memoirs,  pp.  242-6;  Stedman,  American  War,  Vol.  II,  pp.  245-7; 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  87 

Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  332-7 ;  Fortescue,  Hist, 
of  the  British  Army,  Vol.  Ill,  pp.  323-4 ;  E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  S. 
Carolina  in  the  Rev.,  1775-1780,  p.  805;  S.  G.  Fisher,  The  Struggle 
for  American  Independence,  Vol.  II,  pp.  349-366) . 

Brigadier-General  Robert  Cunningham 

Robert  Cunningham,  born  in  1741,  was  the  son  of  John  Cun- 
ningham, a  member  of  a  Scotch  family  which  settled  about  1681  in 
Virginia  and  removed  early  in  1769  to  the  district  of  Ninety-Six  in 
South  Carolina.  (E.  McCrady,  The  History  of  South  Carolina  in 
the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  p.  38.)  Robert  Cunningham  acquired  a 
plantation  of  his  own  at  Island  ford  on  the  Saluda  river  and  by 
energy  and  industry  became  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence. 

From  the  dawn  of  the  Revolution  Robert  Cunningham  dis- 
played the  most  uncompromising  spirit  of  loyalty.  (Hist.  MSS. 
Comm.,  Report  on  the  MSS.  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.  II,  p. 
355.)  The  treaty  of  neutrality  made  between  that  urbane  and  easy- 
going loyalist.  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall,  and  William  Henry  Dray- 
ton, September  16,  1776,  provoked  his  bitter  opposition  and  brought 
forth  his  refusal  to  be  bound  by  it,  in  a  letter  to  Drayton,  dated  Oc- 
tober 6  following  (see  p.  69  and  Drayton,  Memoirs  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, Vol.  I,  p.  418).  So  dangerous  a  foe  was  not  permitted  to  re- 
main at  large  and  on  November  1,  while  holding  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain in  the  loyal  militia,  Cunningham  was  committed  to  Charleston 
jail  on  a  charge  of  committing  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors 
against  the  liberties  of  South  Carolina,  having,  according  to  a  let- 
ter written  from  Savannah  on  the  19th.,  been  seized  by  a  party 
disguised  as  Indians.  He  was  detained  a  prisoner  until  February, 
1776.  (Force,  American  Archives,  Series  IV,  Vol.  3,  p.,  1606;  ibid., 
Vol.  4,  p.  29 ;  E.  McCrady,  The  Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revo- 
lution, 1775-1780,  p.  86;  A.  S.  Salley,  Jr.,  Hist,  of  Orangeburg 
County,  1898,  pp.  304-7;  Moultrie,  Memoirs,  Vol.  I,  p.  100.)  His 
brother.  Major  Patrick  Cunningham,  with  a  party  of  loyalists  made 
an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  rescue  him  from  the  hands  of  his  cap- 
tors.    (See  p.  104.) 

The  British  Government  awarded  him  compensation  to  the 
amount  of  £1,080  from  his  estimated  loss  of  £1,355  for  his  South 
Carolina  property  confiscated  by  the  State.    (A.O.  12/109.) 

Brigadier-General  Cunningham  at  the  conclusion  of  the  war 
in  his  own  Province  set  sail  for  the  Bahamas  with  other  com- 


88  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

patriots  and  settled  at  Nassau  in  the  island  of  New  Providence,  so 
aptly  named  as  the  harbor  of  refuge  for  the  distressed  loyalists. 
In  this  new  home  Robert  Cunningham  settled  on  the  tracts  of  valu- 
able land  which  had  been  granted  to  him  for  his  services  in  the 
American  Revolutionary  war.  Here  he  died,  9  February,  1813.  On 
his  tombstone  in  the  western  cemetery  is  inscribed :"....  exiled 
from  his  native  Country  in  the  American  Revolution  for  his  attach- 
ment to  his  King  and  the  Laws  of  his  Country."  His  wife,  Mar- 
garet, survived  him  only  a  few  weeks,  having  died  26  March  at  the 
age  of  76. 

Four  children  were  left  by  Robert  and  Margaret  Cunningham, 
namely,  John,  who  married,  5  March,  1795,  Ann  Harrold ;  Charles ; 
Margaret,  who  was  married,  22  June  1790,  to  Richard  Pearis,  son 
of  Colonel  Richard  Pearis,  a  loyalist  from  South  Carolina  (see  p. 
104)  ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  married,  1  May,  1792,  Robert  Brownlee,  a 
loyalist.  In  his  will  are  mentioned,  in  addition  to  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, the  following  family  connections :  John,  natural  son  of  John 
Cunningham  by  a  woman  named  Hannah  Ridley;  his  sister,  Mar- 
garet Cunningham,  and  her  son,  Robert  Andrew  Cunningham ;  his 
cousin,  Jean,  daughter  of  Thomas  Edwards ;  his  cousin,  Robert  Cun- 
ningham, son  of  David  Cunningham,  to  whom  was  bequeathed  300 
dollars  for  his  education ;  and  his  two  cousins,  Margaret  Fenny  and 
Elizabeth  Brown,  daughters  of  Joseph  Jefferson. 

Patrick,  David,  and  John  Cunningham,  three  loyalist  brothers 
of  Brigadier  Robert  Cunningham,  remained  in  South  Carolina  after 
the  war.  (A.O.  12/3,  fos.  8-10;  A.O.  12/48,  fo.  215;  A.O.  12/92; 
A.O.  12/109;  A.O.  13/97;  A.O.  13/127;  Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the 
American  Revolution,  Vol.  I,  346,  349;  A.  T.  Bethell,  The  Early 
Settlers  of  the  Bahama  Islands,  1914,  pp.  21-23.)  William  Cunning- 
ham, known  as  "Bloody  Bill,"  was  a  cousin  of  Brigadier-General 
Cunningham,  He  was  only  nineteen  at  the  beginning  of  the  war, 
and  was  lively  and  jovial,  open-hearted  and  generous,  and  a  remark- 
able horseman.  (E.  McCrady,  The  History  of  South  Carolina  in  the 
Revolution,  1780-1783,  pp.  467-476.) 

Colonel  Daniel  Plummer 

Daniel  Plummer,  a  planter  in  the  district  between  Fair  Forest 
and  Tiger  river  in  what  is  now  Spartanburg  county  in  South  Caro- 
lina, derives  his  military  title  from  his  command  of  one  of  the  loyal 
militia  regiments,   established  by  Lord  Cornwallis  in   1780.    His 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  89 

regiment  formed  part  of  the  brigade  of  militia  in  the  district  of 
Ninety-Six  in  South  Carolina,  commanded  by  Brigadier-General 
Robert  Cunningham,  the  loyalist.  Among  his  officers  was  Alexander 
Chesney,  who  was  appointed  adjutant  and  captain  in  the  autumn  of 
1780.  (Vide  his  original  certificate  for  pay  due  to  Chesney  in  T. 
50/2.) 

At  a  period  in  the  Revolutionary  war  when  passions  were  furi- 
ous on  both  sides.  Colonel  Plummer  was  regarded  both  by  friend 
and  foe  as  honest  and  generous.  As  an  example  of  his  humanity,  at 
a  moment  when  severe  measures  towards  enemies  were  demanded 
by  the  loyalists,  he  spared  the  life  of  young  Jonathan  Hampton,  a 
prisoner  in  his  hands  in  September,  1780,  as  well  as  giving  security 
for  his  appearance  at  trial. 

Colonel  Plummer  was  present  with  his  militia  at  the  memorable 
battle  of  King's  Mountain,  the  turning  point  in  the  war  in  the  South, 
and  is  stated  to  have  been  killed  there  (E.  McCrady,  History  of 
South  CaroliTia  in  the  Revolution,  1775-1780,  p.  798)  ;  but  there  is 
evidence  not  only  from  Chesney  (p.  20),  but  also  from  an  official 
document  in  the  Public  Record  Office  (T.  50/2)  that  he  was  alive 
at  Charleston  on  11  April,  1782.  He  appears,  however,  to  have  been 
badly  wounded  and  to  have  been  incapacitated  from  active  service 
sometime  before  the  conclusion  of  the  war. 

A  list  of  his  oflficers  and  men  who  accompanied  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel John  Harris  Cruger,  of  De  Lancey's  brigade,  to  Orangeburg 
from  June  to  December,  1780,  is  in  T.  50/1. 

Colonel  Daniel  Plummer  would  seem  to  have  found  a  temporary 
home  at  Savannah  in  Georgia  before  the  end  of  the  war.  (A.O.  13/ 
100.)   A  daughter  died  at  Charleston  in  December,  1781.    (T.  50/5.) 

It  is  assumed  from  the  absence  of  his  name  from  lists  of 
claims  and  pensions  that  this  worthy  loyalist  died  before  the  end 
of  the  war. 

(For  other  accounts  of  Colonel  Plummer,  see  Draper,  King's 
Mountain  and  its  Heroes,  pp.  142-4,  154-5,  483.) 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Harris  Cruger 

John  Harris  Cruger,  of  New  York,  was  appointed  September  6, 
1776,  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  1st  battalion  of  De  Lancey's  brigade 
of  loyalists,  raised  by  his  father-in-law,  Oliver  De  Lancey,  of  New 
York,  In  1778  he  sailed  with  the  British  force  under  Colonel  Archi- 
bald Campbell  for  Georgia  and  was  present  in  several  actions  in 


90  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

S':!uth  Carolina.  His  defence  of  Ninety-Six  was  one  of  the  immortal 
episodes  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Shut  up  with  a  small  force  of 
about  300  loyalists  of  his  own  regiment  and  of  the  New  Jersey  Vol- 
unteers, under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Isaac  Allen,  and 
150  loyal  militia  of  South  Carolina  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Richard 
King,  a  total  of  about  450  against  General  Greene's  besieging  army 
of  over  4,000  and  a  train  of  artillery,  (which  was  flushed  with  the 
conquest  of  five  successive  posts) ,  Cruger  held  on  with  indomitable 
courage  and  resource  for  28  days,  from  May  22,  1781,  until  June  19, 
when  he  was  relieved  by  Lord  Rawdon.  His  merits  as  a  leader  of 
irregular  troops  and  his  natural  abilities  have  not  received  adequate 
appreciation.  (Cruger's  original  memorial  is  in  the  Public  Record 
Office,  A.O.  13/54.) 

The  British  Legion 

The  regiment  of  the  British  Legion  was  raised  in  America  by 
Lord  Cathcart  in  1778  and  was  at  first  composed  of  six  troops  of 
cavalry  and  six  companies  of  infantry,  Banistre  Tarleton  being  ap- 
pointed lieutenant-colonel  commandant,  August  1  in  the  same  year 
at  the  age  of  24.  (Ind:  5604.)  A  detachment  of  its  cavalry  served 
under  Banistre  Tarleton  in  his  destruction  of  Colonel  Buf ord's  force 
at  the  Waxhaws  in  June,  1780.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the 
American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Institution,  Vol.  11,  p.  143.)  Lord 
Rawdon,  in  recognition  of  the  gallantry  of  the  mounted  infantry  of 
the  Legion  at  the  battle  of  Hanging  Rock  (when  by  a  ruse  of 
forty  of  their  number  spreading  themselves  out  and  creating  the 
illusion  of  being  a  formidable  force,  they  deceived  Sumter)  offered 
colors  to  the  corps  and  medals  to  the  officers,  an  offer  which  was  de- 
clined by  Tarleton.  (Carleton  Correspondence  in  the  Public  Record 
Office.)  Captain  Kenneth  McCulloch,  of  the  British  Legion,  was 
distinguished  for  his  bravery  in  this  action,  where  he  received  such 
wounds  as  caused  his  death  shortly  afterwards.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm., 
Report  on  the  MSS.  of  Mrs.  Stopford-Sackville,  Vol.  II,  p.  178.) 
Major  John  Garden,  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  American  Volunteers, 
who  was  in  command  of  a  loyalist  force  in  this  action  at  Hanging 
Rock,  was  disgraced  by  resigning  the  command  to  Captain  John 
Rousselet,  of  the  British  Legion,  in  the  heat  of  action.  (Stedman, 
American  War,  Vol.  II,  pp.  224-5.) 

The  employment  of  prisoners  of  war  as  combatants  was  a  com- 
mon practice  on  both  sides  in  the  war.   For  example,  some  of  the 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  91 

prisoners  captured  by  the  British  at  the  fall  of  Charleston,  12  May, 
1780,  and  in  the  defeat  of  Gates  at  Camden,  16  August,  1780,  were 
drafted  in  February  following  into  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  regi- 
ment (Loyal  American  Rangers),  commanded  by  Lord  Charles 
Greville  Montagu,  formerly  governor  of  South  Carolina,  who  en- 
deavored to  fill  it  with  South  Carolinians  as  officers.  These  men 
joined  the  regiment  in  the  West  Indies.  In  a  roster,  preserved  in 
the  Public  Record  Office,  these  prisoners'  names,  ages,  heights,  and 
country  of  origin,  are  given.  Of  a  total  of  187,  the  greatest  number 
hailed  from  Virginia,  namely,  54.  North  Carolina  contributed  32, 
and  England  and  Ireland  26  each,  while  7  came  each  from  South 
Carolina  and  Pennsylvania.  Six  were  Scotch  and  three  each  were 
French  and  German.  Four  were  from  Maryland  and  the  remainder 
were  from  other  American  Colonies  and  from  the  West  Indies  and 
Bermuda.    (State  Papers  Domestic,  Military,  29.) 

John  Cruden 

John  Cruden,  the  younger,  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  William 
Cruden  (1725-85),  and  his  wife,  Clementina,  and  was  bom  in  1754. 
His  father,  a  member  of  a  well-known  Aberdeenshire  family,  took 
the  degree  of  M.A.  at  the  University  of  Aberdeen  in  1743  and,  after 
acting  as  a  minister  in  Scotland  for  thirty  years,  was  appointed  min- 
ister in  1773  of  the  old  Scotch  Presbyterian  church,  in  Crown 
Court,  Covent  Garden,  London,  which  was  founded  in  1718.  This 
Scottish  minister  was  in  frequent  correspondence  with  his  son,  John, 
during  the  American  war  of  Independence,  on  the  British  side.  He 
died  in  London,  5  November,  1785,  and  was  buried  in  the  well- 
known  Puritan  burial  ground  in  Bunhill  fields.  (Dictionary  of  Na- 
tional Biography.) 

The  subject  of  this  notice  became  a  partner  in  the  house  of 
John  Cruden  and  Company,  merchants,  of  Wilmington  and  other 
places  in  North  Carolina,  which  consisted  of  his  uncle,  John  Cruden, 
and  his  younger  brother,  James,  who  was  taken  into  partnership  in 
1770.  His  uncle  had  amassed  a  considerable  fortune  in  trade  in  the 
West  Indies  and  afterwards  settled  among  his  Scottish  compatriots 
in  North  Carolina,  as  a  merchant  and  planter. 

In  a  letter  to  his  father,  dated  28  January,  1778,  from  New 
York,  John  Cruden  expresses  his  views  on  affairs  in  America,  advo- 
cating stronger  measures  in  the  restriction  of  trade  among  the 
Americans,  and  condemning  the  laxity  of  Lord  Howe,  commander- 


92  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

in-chief  of  the  British  Navy  on  the  North  American  station.  In  an- 
other letter  he  refers  to  his  visit  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  his  uncle, 
John  Cruden,  then  a  prisoner  "among  the  rebels." 

From  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  young  Cruden  was  an  ac- 
tive loyalist,  and  during  the  war  received  a  commission  as  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  a  regiment  of  volunteers.  Lord  Cornwallis,  dis- 
cerning his  merits,  offered  him  a  commission  as  commissioner  "for 
the  seizure,  superintendence,  custody  and  management  of  captured 
property"  in  South  Carolina,  the  commission  (still  preserved)  being 
dated  16  September,  1780.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  Amer- 
ican MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.,  Vol.  II,  p.  183.)  An  example  of  the 
receipts  issued  by  Cruden  for  the  rents  of  the  sequestered  property 
is  to  be  found  in  the  original  receipt  for  the  estate  of  Henry  Lau- 
rens, then  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower  of  London.  (With  the  papers  of 
Robert  Frogg  in  A.O.  13/128.) 

John  Cruden  published  in  London,  as  "President  of  the  As- 
sembly of  the  United  Loyalists,"  a  pamphlet  entitled.  An  Addr-ess 
to  the  Loyal  Part  of  the  British  Empire,  and  friends  of  Monarchy 
throughout  the  Globe.  (Report  on  the  Management  of  the  Estates 
Sequestered  in  South  Carolina,  by  Order  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  in 
1780-1782,  by  John  Cruden.  Edited  by  Paul  Leicester  Ford,  1890.) 

This  Scotch- American  loyalist  was  the  writer  of  an  interesting 
letter  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  dated  28  October,  1784,  from  St.  Mary's 
river.  East  Florida,  wherein  he  refers  to  his  plan  for  the  restora- 
tion of  America  to  England.  "America,"  he  says,  "shall  yet  be 
ours,  but  the  House  of  Brunswick  do  not  deserve  the  sovereignty 
of  it." 

In  another  letter  from  John  Cruden,  dated  12  December,  1784, 
from  the  same  place,  he  pictures  his  great  distress,  having  twice 
sacrificed  his  fortune,  and  recounts  his  services  in  the  cause  of  the 
crown.  He  had  been  paymaster  to  the  North  Carolina  Provincials 
and  had  refused  the  offers  pressingly  made  by  the  enemies  of  Great 
Britain  to  join  them.  An  address  from  the  loyalists  of  East  Flor- 
ida to  the  governor,  Patrick  Tonyn,  testified  to  John  Cruden's  great 
services  and  applauded  the  governor's  choice  of  Cruden,  who  by  h'.s 
influence,  zeal,  and  spirit  had  prevented  the  Province  from  being 
overrun  by  a  band  of  desperate  men.  His  precise  duties  are  not, 
however,  stated  in  this  address.    (Treas.  1/622.) 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  93 

During  his  duties  in  East  Florida,  Cruden  had  occasion  to  dis- 
approve strongly  of  the  actions  of  one  William  Brown,  commissioner 
for  the  evacuation  of  St.  Augustine,  whom  he  alleges  had  aided  and 
abetted  one  Dobbins,  master  of  a  transport,  in  shipping  a  cargo  of 
mahogany,  etc.  to  Charleston,  by  which  means  Dobbins  had  so  en- 
riched himself  as  to  be  able  to  buy  a  vessel.    (Treas.  1/622.) 

John  Cruden  was  a  facile  writer.  In  a  letter  to  the  lords  com- 
missioners of  the  Treasury,  dated  10  February,  1786,  he  alludes  to 
criticism,  apparently  made  in  England,  of  his  former  endeavors  to 
make  Florida  "a  gathering  spot  to  shake  in  due  time  the  baseless 
fabric  of  American  Independence,"  and  combats  the  doctrine  that 
England  was  better  off  without  the  American  or  any  other  Colonies, 
claiming  that  perhaps  he  knows  more  of  North  and  South  America 
than  any  man  attached  to  Great  Britain.  This  letter  also  contains 
an  eloquent  plea  for  the  promotion  of  trade  between  the  Bahamas, 
Bermuda,  and  Great  Britain.  A  second  letter  from  the  same  facile 
pen,  dated  7  May,  1786,  from  Nassau  in  the  island  of  Providence  in 
the  Bahamas,  mentions  his  lottery  scheme  for  the  benefit  of  the 
distressed  American  loyalists  there. 

John  Cruden  made  the  voyage  to  Nova  Scotia  later  in  the  year, 
with  the  object  of  presenting  his  claim  for  compensation  for  the 
loss  of  his  American  property,  to  the  commissioner.  Colonel  Dundas, 
to  whom  he  mentions  in  a  letter  written  from  Halifax,  30  October, 
1786,  his  "unfortunate  and  ill-fated  kinsman,  D.  Forrester  of  Dona- 
von." 

Returning  to  the  Bahamas,  John  Cruden,  the  younger,  died 
there  in  the  following  year,  on  18  September,  at  the  age  of  33,  un- 
married. Here  also  died  his  uncle,  John  Cruden,  the  elder,  in  the 
island  of  Exuma  in  1786,  leaving  a  widow  and  an  infant  son,  also 
named  John. 

James  Cruden,  the  younger  brother  and  former  partner  in  the 
business  in  North  Carolina,  made  a  claim  on  the  British  Govern- 
ment, as  sole  surviving  partner  of  John  Cruden  and  Company,  for 
the  sum  of  £9,621  and  was  awarded  £2,400.  (A.O.  12/109.)  He  was 
in  London  in  1789.  (A.O.  12/37,  fos.  9-29;  A.O.  12/73,  fos.  117-120; 
A.O.  13/28 ;  A.O.  13/97 ;  Hist.  Miss.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  Mss.  of 
the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Vol.  II.  pp.  413,  447,  448,  458,  460,  469,  480, 
481.) 


94  the  journal  of  alexander  chesney 

Colonel  Robert  Ballingall 

Robert  Ballingall  was  a  prosperous  planter  in  St.  Bartholo- 
mew's parish,  South  Carolina,  as  is  indicated  by  the  inventory  of 
his  personal  estate — furniture,  plate,  jewels,  and  300  volumes  of 
books.  His  wife,  whose  name  is  not  recorded  in  the  documents,  be- 
queathed to  him  for  his  use  during  his  life  a  plantation  in  that 
parish,  and  a  large  pew  in  the  chapel  there,  as  well  as  a  pew  at  St. 
Edmundsbury's.  All  this  property  was  to  pass  at  Robert  Balling- 
all's  death  to  her  daughter,  who  was  born  in  1775.    (A.O.  13/125.) 

Robert  Ballingall  was  appointed  by  Lord  Cornwallis  to  the 
command  of  the  Colleton  county  loyal  militia,  with  the  rank  of 
colonel,  in  1780.     (See  p.  113.) 

As  chairman  of  a  body  of  South  Carolina  loyalists,  he  signed 
the  original  address  (undated)  to  Lieutenant-General  Alexander 
Leslie,  relying  upon  Leslie's  willingness  to  adopt  such  measures  as 
would  effectually  prevent  the  execution  of  the  laws  passed  by  the 
"usurped"  Legislature  of  South  Carolina,  confiscating  the  estates 
of  the  loyalists,  and  for  the  accomplishment  of  these  measures  ten- 
dering their  services  at  the  risk  of  their  lives  and  fortunes.  (Hist. 
MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.in  the  Royal  Institution, 
Vol.  n,  p.  436.)  Colonel  Ballingall  as  secretary  of  the  committee  of 
the  South  Carolina  loyalists  signed  the  report,  dated  July  8,  1784, 
regarding  their  losses  sustained  by  the  payment  of  debts  due  to 
them  in  the  depreciated  paper  currency  of  South  Carolina  instead 
of  in  the  lawful  money  of  the  State.  The  other  signatories  to  this 
report  were:  John  Rose,  Robert  Williams,  Dr.  Alexander  Garden, 
John  Hopton,  William  Ancrum,  Robert  Williams  Powell,  Charles 
Ogilvie,  and  Gideon  Dupont.  (A.O.  12/48;  A.O.  12/99;  A.O. 
12/101.) 

Colonel  Robert  Ballingall  was  awarded  £2,070  as  compensation 
by  the  British  Government  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South 
Carolina,  from  his  claim  £3,974.  (A.O.  12/109.)  In  the  year  1788 
he  was  living  at  Montrose  in  Scotland. 

Colonel  Isaac  Hayne 

Isaac  Hayne  was  senior  captain  of  the  Round  0  company  in 
the  Colleton  county  regiment  when  it  surrendered  to  the  British 
at  the  capitulation  of  Charleston  in  May,  1780. 

His  execution  at  Charleston,  August  4,  1781,  excited  great  re- 
sentment among  the  Americans.    One  of  many  charges  made  in 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  95 

justification  of  his  execution  was  that  Hayne,  although  he  had  re- 
newed his  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  king,  had  been  found  in  arms 
agf)inst  the  British  and  therefore  deserved  death.  To  General 
Greene's  threat  of  reprisals  for  his  death,  Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour 
replied  that  at  the  moment  when  three  loyalist  officers  suffered 
death  (Lieutenant  Fulkes,  publicly  executed  at  Motte's  house;  Col- 
onel James  Grierson,  murdered  after  his  surrender  at  Augusta; 
and  Major  James  Dunlap,  put  to  death  by  his  guard;)  he  had  in 
his  hands  the  lives  of  several  American  officers  whom  he  had  spared. 
(Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Report  of  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal 
Institution,  Vol.  II,  p.  327.) 

Colonel  Isaac  Hayne's  execution  was  the  subject  of  a  motion 
for  information  by  the  duke  of  Richmond  in  the  House  of  Lords  on 
4  February,  1782,  a  motion  which  was  negatived.  Lord  Rawdon, 
considering  that  a  serious  imputation  had  been  made  on  his  hu- 
manity, demanded  and  ultimately  received  a  public  apology  from 
the  duke.   (Pari  Hist.,  Vol.  XXII.,  pp.  966-970,  n.) 

(See  Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution;  Thomas 
Jones,  Hist,  of  Neiv  York,  Vol.  II,  pp.  213-220,  473 ;  E.  McCrady, 
Hist,  of  South  Carolina  in  the  Revolution,  1780-1783,  pp.  382-398; 
S.  G.  Fisher,  The  Struggle  for  American  Independence,  1908,  Vol. 
II.  pp.  333,  432;  Roderick  Mackenzie,  Strictures  on  Lieut.-Col. 
Tarleton's  History  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781  in  the 
Southern  Provinces  of  North  America,  1787,  p.  140;  Moultrie's 
Memoirs,  Vol.  II,  pp.  241-2;  Scots  Magazine,  Vol.  43,  pp.  702-5). 

Major  John  Robinson 

John  Robinson,  an  active  loyalist,  was  a  carpenter  and  jour- 
neyman who  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1771  and  settled  on  a  plan- 
tation in  the  Waxhaws  in  South  Carolina.  In  casting  lots  for  serv- 
ing in  the  American  militia  early  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  the 
lot  fell  upon  John  Robinson  and  he  served  for  two  months.  In  his 
memorial  he  claims  to  have  joined  the  loyalist  corps  in  June,  1780, 
under  Colonel  Rugeley,  presumably  Colonel  Rowland  Rugeley  of 
Clermont,  or  Rugeley's  Mills,  in  Kershaw  county.  It  is  not  clear 
whether  Robinson  was  present  on  1  Decem.ber,  1780,  when  Colonel 
William  Washington  with  some  light  cavalry  reconnoitered  this 
home  of  Colonel  Rugeley,  which  was  occupied  by  about  100  loyalists. 
Observing  that  the  log  barn  by  which  the  place  was  protected  could 
only  be  successfully  attacked  by  artillery.  Colonel  Washington  in- 


96  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

geniously  deceived  Colonel  Rugeley  by  having  the  trunk  of  a  tree 
formed  in  the  shape  of  a  field  piece,  and  placing  it  in  a  menacing 
position  in  front  of  the  loyalists,  whose  surrender  was  thereupon 
formally  demanded.  Colonel  Rugeley,  fearing  that  his  defences 
would  be  powerless  against  the  dummy  field  piece,  surrendered  with 
his  whole  party  without  firing  a  shot,  to  the  mortification  of  the 
loyalists  and  to  the  indignation  of  Lord  Comwallis,  who  had  ap- 
parently contemplated  promoting  him  to  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
general.  (B.  E.  Stevens,  Clinton-Cornwallis  Controversy,  Vol.  I, 
pp.  205,  239,  251,  308 ;  S.  G.  Fisher,  The  Struggle  for  American 
Independence,  1908,  Vol.  II,  p.  373.) 

He  served  at  several  actions,  including  the  battle  of  Camden, 
where  he  was  a  captain,  and  was  afterwards  promoted  major  of 
the  First  regiment  of  Camden  militia,  commanded  by  Colonel  Rob- 
ert English.  In  April,  1781,  he  was  wounded  in  a  skirmish  at  Beaver 
creek,  about  twenty  miles  from  Camden.  A  loyalist  brother  of 
Major  John  Robinson  was  killed  in  action.  According  to  his  me- 
morial, he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  a  race  meeting  held  for  the 
purpose  of  collecting  together  the  loyalists  of  the  district  of  Great 
Lynch  creek  with  the  object  of  taking  the  American  magazine  at 
Camden,  but  this  ruse  to  disarm  suspicion  failed  and  the  party,  to 
the  number  of  about  seventy,  was  dispersed  and  he  was  taken 
prisoner. 

The  loyalist,  Colonel  William  Fortune,  says  that  Major  Robin- 
son was  "the  most  beloved  by  his  men  of  any  captain  except  Mr. 
McCulloch"  (probably  James  McCulloch). 

The  pay  list  of  his  company  of  Camden  militia  is  in  the  Public 
Record  Office  in  London. 

Major  John  Robinson  claimed  £751  for  the  loss  of  his  real 
property  in  South  Carolina  and  was  awarded  £240. 

He  returned  to  his  native  Ulster  at  the  end  of  the  war  and  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  tide  waiter  at  Lame. 

(Public  Record  Office:  A.O.  12/46,  fos.  262-269;  A.O.  12/99, 
fo.  228;  A.O.  12/109.  The  Royal  Commission  on  Loyalist  Claims, 
1783-1785;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp.  55-56.) 

Major  Michael  Egan 

Michael  Egan  was  one  of  many  Irish  emigrants  from  the  Prov- 
ince of  Ulster  to  South  Carolina,  where  he  had  settled  in  1771 
within  nine  miles  of  Camden  in  partnership  with  one  Inglis  in 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  97 

a  plantation,  having  saved  £500  by  industry  and  frugality  between 
that  date  and  1775. 

Early  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  Michael  Egan  bore  arms  for 
the  Americans  against  the  loyalist,  Brigadier-General  Robert  Cun- 
ningham, and  soon  afterwards  sold  his  share  in  the  plantation  for 
£500  and  settled  as  a  storekeeper  at  Charleston.  At  the  capitula- 
tion of  that  city  to  the  British  in  1780  Egan  joined  the  loyalists  and 
was  subsequently  given  a  commission  as  major  in  the  First  Camden 
militia  under  Colonel  Robert  English. 

At  the  end  of  the  war  Major  Michael  Egan  returned  with 
his  wife  to  Ireland. 

The  commissioners  of  American  Claims  expressed  their  dis- 
satisfaction with  his  conduct  in  bearing  arms  for  the  Americans, 
but  in  view  of  the  strong  certificates  to  his  merits  from  Lord 
Cornwallis,  Lord  Rawdon,  and  General  Alexander  Leslie,  he  was 
allowed  a  bounty  of  £30  a  year  and  granted  compensation  for  £110, 
from  his  estimated  loss  of  £272  for  property  in  South  Carolina. 

Major  Michael  Egan  probably  died  in  1831,  the  date  of  the 
cessation  of  his  pension.  (T.  50/8;  T.  50/28;  A.O.  12/99,  fo.  341; 
A.O.  12/109.) 

James  Barber 

James  Barber  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  America  in  1776,  at 
the  age  of  16,  first  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  worked  as  a  laborer. 
Rather  than  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Americans  he  betook 
himself  to  South  Carolina,  where  he  appears  to  have  become  the 
owner  of  a  small  plantation.  After  the  capitulation  of  Charleston 
in  May,  1780,  this  young  Irishman  joined  a  corps  of  loyal  militia 
under  Colonel  Rowland  Rugeley,  with  whom  he  was  taken  prisoner 
when  this  officer  surrendered  without  firing  a  shot,  and  thus  lost  his 
chance  of  promotion  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  (see  p.  96). 
James  Barber  served  in  more  than  one  action  in  South  Carolina  and 
rose  in  rank  from  private  to  quartermaster.  He  returned  to  his 
native  land  and  received  as  compensation  for  the  loss  of  his  little 
property  the  sum  of  £42.  (T.  50/1 ;  A.O.  12/46,  fos.  82-85 ;  A.O. 
12/109.) 

Philip  Henry 

This  loyalist  was  bom  in  London  in  1749  and  emigrated  at 
the  age  of  19  to  South  Carolina.  For  many  months  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  one  Michie,  a  Charleston  merchant.    After  the  death  of 


98  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Michie,  whose  partner  he  would  have  become,  he  started  business 
on  his  own  account  as  a  factor  and  quickly  achieved  prosperity,  his 
income  varying  from  £400  to  £800  a  year.  He  was  the  owner  of 
large  tracts  of  land  in  South  Carolina  and  was  the  agent  for  the 
estates  of  one  Bruton;  Dr.  James  Clitherall,  surgeon  to  the  South 
Carolina  Royalists,  a  loyalist  regiment;  Dr.  John  Farquharson,  a 
loyalist ;  and  others. 

Philip  Henry  in  the  early  days  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  confi- 
dent of  success  of  British  arms,  embarked  on  extensive  specula- 
tions in  land. 

As  a  loyalist  who  declined  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
Americans,  (passed  by  act  of  28  March,  1778,)  he  was  banished 
from  South  Carolina  and  was  obliged  to  embark  with  other  loyalists 
on  board  the  Providence  (Captain  Richard  Stevens) ,  bound  for  Rot- 
terdam. Among  the  fellow  exiles  of  Philip  Henry  on  board  were  his 
friends  and  part  owners  of  this  vessel,  Robert  Rowand,  Daniel  Man- 
son,  and  James  Weir.  The  warrant,  authorizing  the  master  to  take 
Philip  Henry  on  board,  was  signed  by  Rawlins  Lowndes  and  dated 
22  June,  1778.  The  Providence  was  captured  off  the  American  coast 
by  the  British  frigate  Rose  (Captain  James  Reed)  and  taken  to 
New  York,  where  she  was  libelled  in  the  Vice- Admiralty  Court  and 
the  crew  pressed  into  the  British  navy.  Both  the  vessel  and  the 
cargo  were,  however,  ordered  to  be  returned  to  the  owners  by  the 
decision  of  the  judge,  Robert  Bayard. 

Philip  Henry  advertised  in  the  South  Carolina  and  American 
General  Gazette  for  June  25,  1778,  requesting  all  his  debtors  to  dis- 
charge their  debts  and  all  his  creditors  to  call  for  payment  before 
the  date  fixed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  his  banishment.  His 
furniture  and  silver,  which  are  further  proof  of  his  prosperity,  had 
been  advertised  in  the  same  paper  for  sale  on  3  June. 

Accompanying  this  loyalist  on  his  voyage  to  Europe  on  board 
the  Sally  from  New  York  were  his  wife,  S.  M.  Henry,  and  Miss 
Thomey.  Soon  after  landing  in  England  he  was  appointed  to  a  post 
in  the  Irish  board  of  Customs.  In  a  letter  written  from  Dublin,  18 
February,  1786,  Philip  Henry  complains  bitterly  of  his  reverse  of 
fortune  by  the  war  and  gives  a  long  account  of  the  capture  of  the 
Providence. 

Philip  Henry  before  his  death  had  become  a  clerk  of  the  Sta- 
tionary at  Dublin,  as  well  as  an  officer  in  the  Customs. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  99 

He  was  awarded  £2,723. 16s.  as  compensation  for  the  loss  of  his 
property  in  South  Carolina,  from  his  claim  of  £16,351  and  a  pen- 
sion of  £100  a  year.  (A.O.  12/46;  fos.  122-143;  A.O.  12/99,  fo.  2; 
A.O.  12/109 ;  A.0.13/79 ;  A.O.  13/129 ;  The  Royal  Comm.  on  Loyal- 
ist Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton;  Roxburghe  Club, 
1915,  p.  44.) 

James  Simpson 

James  Simpson  was  the  son  of  William  Simpson,  chief  justice 
of  Georgia,  who  died  in  1768,  and  was  admitted  clerk  of  the  Council 
in  South  Carolina  in  1764  and  five  years  later  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  judge  of  the  Admirality.  In  1774  James  Simpson  was  ap- 
pointed attorney-general  for  South  Carolina.  During  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  he  took  an  active  but  judicious  part  on  the  British  side 
and  was  regarded  by  political  opponents  with  respect,  being  de- 
scribed by  one  of  these  as  a  "humane  and  just  man."  (Alexander 
Garden,  Anecdotes  of  the  American  Revolution,  1828,  p.  112.) 

As  a  member  of  the  committee  of  the  South  Carolina  loyalists 
for  investigating  the  value  of  their  property,  he  made  a  report 
to  the  commissioners  of  American  Claims  in  which  he  says:  ".  .  . 
many  well  disposed  people  [loyalists]  were  obliged  to  go  down  the 
stream  who  anxiously  desired  to  be  rescued  from  a  situation  from 
which  they  could  not  extricate  themselves  .  .  .  ,"  in  consequence 
of  the  lack  of  energetic  measures  taken  by  the  governor.  Lord 
William  Campbell,  and  of  the  "sudden  and  violent  introduction  of 
the  system  adopted  by  the  Americans"  (A.O.  12/107,  fos.  5-13,  39- 
40).  His  observations  on  the  condition  of  South  Carolina  in  July, 
1780,  when  he  wrote  as  follows  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  are  of  inter- 
est: "...  Nothing  but  the  evidence  of  my  senses  would  have 
convinced  me  that  one  half  of  the  distress  I  am  a  witness  to  could 
have  been  produced  in  so  short  a  time  in  so  rich  and  flourishing  a 
country  as  Carolina  was  when  I  left  it.  Numbers  of  families,  who, 
four  years  ago,  abounded  in  every  convenience  and  luxury  of  life, 
are  without  food  to  live  on,  clothes  to  cover  them,  or  the  means 
to  purchase  either.  It  hath  appeared  to  me  the  more  extraordinary, 
because  until  12  months  ago  it  had  not  been  exposed  to  any  other 
devastation  of  war  except  the  captures  made  at  sea  ..."  (Hist. 
MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.  Vol. 
II,  149-150.) 

James  Simpson  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Honorable  So- 
ciety of  the  Middle  Temple,  14  November,  1777,  while  occupying  the 


100         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

dignity  of  attorney-general  of  South  Carolina — an  historic  inn 
which  includes  on  its  roll  of  membership  five  signatories  to  the 
Declaration  of  American  Independence :  Edward  Rutledge,  Thomas 
Lynch,  Thomas  Heyward,  Arthur  Middleton,  and  Thomas  McKean, 
as  well  as  Peyton  Randolph,  president  of  the  Continental  Congress. 
His  eldest  son,  William,  was  admitted  to  the  same  Inn,  13  May, 
1775. 

Such  was  James  Simpson's  prosperity  in  South  Carolina  that 
of  his  claim  of  £20,608  for  the  loss  of  his  property  there  he  was 
awarded  by  the  British  Government  the  sum  of  £8,077.  In  addition 
he  received  £3,518  for  the  loss  of  his  professional  income  per  an- 
num, and  was  also  granted  a  pension  of  £860  a  year.  (A.O.  12/109.) 

Barbara  Simpson,  wife  of  James  Simpson,  died  March  2,  1795, 
and  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey,  near  Poet's  Comer.  Her 
husband  died  November  30,  1815,  aged  78,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Temple  Church. 

Mentioned  in  his  wills  and  codicil,  dated  June  9,  1809,  and 
April  26,  1815,  and  proved  December  22,  1815,  are  his  three  daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth  Loftus,  Margaret  Roadington  (who  predeceased 
him),  and  Anne,  wife  of  Henry  Trail,  his  executor,  and  his  son, 
George  Augustus,  who  died  between  June  9,  1809,  and  December 
22,  1815,  leaving  two  children,  Henry  George  and  Dorothea. 

Captain  James  Miller 

James  Miller  was  an  Irish  emigrant  who  settled  in  February, 
1775,  at  Jackson's  creek  in  Camden  district.  South  Carolina,  where 
he  bought  200  acres  of  land  from  one  James  Phillips  for  £2  an  acre. 
In  his  petition  he  states  that  in  the  spring  of  1775,  a  Mr.  Tanner, 
(probably  the  Rev.  William  Tennent)  and  one  Richardson  brought 
to  his  district  an  association  against  Great  Britain  for  signature.  In- 
cited by  this  minister  in  a  sermon  to  sign  this  association,  half  the 
congregation  signed  it,  but  James  Miller  and  other  loyalists  refused. 
In  this  same  petition.  Miller  maintains  that  the  Revolutionary  party 
in  the  spring  of  1776  issued  a  proclamation,  promising  that  all 
loyalists  who  returned  at  once  to  their  plantations  would  not  be 
molested.  This  promise  was  not  fulfilled,  however,  the  planters 
having  been  seized.  After  suffering  imprisonment  for  over  nine- 
teen weeks,  James  Miller  appears  to  have  joined  a  loyalist  force 
under  Captain  James  Phillips,  which  had  been  engaged  in  the  siege 
of  Ninety-Six  in  November,  1775,  and  was  a  member  of  the  party 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  101 

of  loyalists  piloted  up  to  Palocet  by  Alexander  Chesney  (see  page 
6).  His  steadfast  loyalty  was  rewarded  in  August,  1780,  by  his 
appointment  as  captain  in  the  Jackson's  creek  loyal  militia,  com- 
manded by  his  friend  and  neighbor.  Colonel  John  Phillips,  who 
had  known  him  from  infancy.  With  this  corps,  or  a  detachment 
of  it,  Captain  Miller  served  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  George  Turn- 
bull,  of  the  New  York  Volunteers,  some  time  during  the  war.  In  1778 
he  was  induced  to  buy  150  acres  of  land  on  Great  Beaver  creek  from 
George  Ray  for  £300,  because  the  settlers  in  his  own  district  had 
become  "so  disaffected  to  the  King  that  he  could  not  live  peacably 
among  them."  Captain  James  Miller  was  not,  however,  destined 
to  live  on  his  new  plantation,  which  was  bought  or  sequestered  by 
Captain  Hugh  Millen,  an  American  oflEicer.  He  left  South  Carolina 
before  the  end  of  the  war  and  received  an  appointment  as  Customs 
officer  in  Ireland,  and  a  pension  of  £30  a  year.  The  sum  of  £370 
was  awarded  to  him  as  compensation  by  the  British  Government 
for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South  Carolina.  His  wife  died  at 
Charleston  in  August,  1782.  (T.  50/5 ;  A.O.  12/109 ;  A.O.  12/46,  f os. 
202-210;  A.O.  13/79;  A.O.  13/133;  The  Royal  Comm.  on  Loyalists 
Claims,  1783-1785,  ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp. 
51-2.) 

Captain  James  Miller  was  an  executor  of  Colonel  John  Phillips 
(see  page  62) . 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Evan  McLaurin 

Evan  McLaurin,  a  Scotsman,  had  settled  in  the  Dutch  fork,  at 
a  place  called  Spring  Hill,  15  miles  from  the  Saluda  river  on  the 
road  from  thence  to  Kennedy's  ford  on  the  Enoree  river,  by  the 
Long  lane,  commonly  called  the  Charleston  road,  on  the  west  side  of 
Broad  river  and  3  miles  distant  from  that  river.  It  was  at  this 
spot  that  Drayton  held  a  public  meeting  early  in  the  Revolution, 
with  the  object  of  persuading  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  to  sign 
the  association  of  support  for  the  American  cause.  Ten  had  already 
signed,  when  McLaurin  appeared  on  the  scene  and  by  his  influence 
prevented  the  addition  of  another  signature.  Drayton,  chagrined 
at  the  Scotsman's  opposition,  forthwith  recommended  the  Council 
of  Safety  at  Charleston  to  stop  all  goods  destined  for  McLaurin's 
store  at  Dutch  fork,  a  method  of  coercion  by  which  it  was  hoped  to 
undermine  McLaurin's  influence  among  his  neighbors.  (Drayton 
Memoirs,  Vol.  I,  pp.  363-4,  369-370) . 


102         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Evan  McLaurin  was  one  of  the  signatories 
to  the  treaty  of  neutrality  of  September  16,  1775,  as  well  as  to  the 
later  treaty  in  November  following.  (See  Colonel  Thomas  Fletchall, 
Additional  Notes,  p.  69). 

In  December,  1779,  his  name  appears  as  lieutenant-colonel  in 
the  muster  roll  of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists,  a  rank  which  he 
shared  with  Joseph  Robinson. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  McLaurin  died  at  Charleston  in  June,  17S2, 
leaving  a  widow,  Isabella,  and  two  children.  ( A.O.  12/109 ;  T.  50/8 ; 
T.  50/27.) 

Colonel  Richard  Pearis 

Richard  Pearis  was  born  in  Ireland  and  settled  in  Frederick 
county,  Virginia,  before  1750.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolutionary 
war  he  was  a  successful  planter  and  Indian  trader  on  the  Enoree 
river  in  South  Carolina. 

An  orator  of  rude,  savage  eloquence  and  power,  he  commended 
himself  to  Governor  Dinwiddie  by  his  loyalty  and  efficiency.  He 
became  lieutenant  in  the  Virginia  Provincial  regiment  in  1755  and 
was  commissioned  captain  in  1756  to  command  a  company  of  Chero- 
kees  and  Catawbas  in  an  expedition  against  the  Shawnee  towns 
west  of  the  Ohio,  under  Major  Andrew  Lewis.  Pearis  served  under 
Generals  Forbes,  Stanwix,  Monckton,  and  Bouquet.  He  was  the 
first  to  enter  Fort  Duquesne.  His  military  ability  was  apparent  in 
his  services  on  the  borders  of  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  Vir- 
ginia, with  headquarters  at  Fort  Pitt. 

Having  married  a  Cherokee  wife.  Captain  Pearis  acquired 
great  influence  among  the  Indians,  and  was  consequently  ordered 
south.  In  1768  he  was  settled  at  the  Big  Canebrake,  on  the  Reedy 
river.  South  Carolina. 

Every  effort  was  made  by  the  Whigs  in  1775  to  induce  this 
powerful  man  and  the  Indians  to  join  them,  or  at  least  to  secure 
their  neutrality.  However,  Pearis  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Ninety- 
Six  on  the  British  side  (see  page  71)  and  many  other  actions. 

In  July,  1776,  he  was  one  of  a  party  of  260  loyal  militia  and 
Indians  which  unsuccessfully  attacked  450  "rebels"  in  a  wooden 
fort.  (Colonel  David  Fanning's  "Narrative,"  edited  by  A.  W.  Sa- 
vary,  Canadian  Magazine,  1908.) 

According  to  his  own  narrative,  his  services  to  the  crown  in 
the  same  year  include  the  dispersal  of  700  "rebels"  in  the  district 
of  Ninety-Six  (A.O.  13/93) .    By  the  turn  of  fortune  he  was  cap- 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  103 

tured  and  consigned  to  Charleston  jail,  where  he  was  a  prisoner 
in  irons  for  nine  months.  On  his  release,  Pearis  wended  his  way 
on  foot,  traversing  700  miles,  to  West  Florida,  through  the  settle- 
ments of  the  Indians,  who  supplied  him  with  food.  Arriving  at 
Pensacola,  he  was  on  13  December,  1777,  commissioned  captain  in 
the  West  Florida  loyalist  refugees,  by  Colonel  John  Stuart,  superin- 
tendent of  Indians  in  the  Southern  Colonies,  who  ordered  him  to 
capture  Manshac  on  the  Mississippi  river,  a  task  which  he  accom- 
plished. This  corps  was  also  engaged  in  the  suppression  of  the  rum 
trade  at  Mobile  Bay  with  the  northern  Creek  Indians.  (W.  H.  Sie- 
bert,  "The  Loyalists  in  West  Florida  and  the  Natchez  District,"  in 
the  Mississippi  Valley  Historical  Review,  Vol.  II,  1916,  p.  467.) 
Pearis  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Sunbury  in  Georgia. 

The  romantic  tale  of  his  exploits  includes  the  raising  of  5000 
to  6000  loyalists  and  the  disarming  of  all  rebels  from  the  Savannah 
river  to  Broad  river,  near  the  borders  of  North  Carolina,  as  well 
as  destroying  their  forts  and  capturing  men,  arms  and  ammunition. 
To  his  mortification,  this  series  of  successes  was  no  sooner  accom- 
plished than  Colonels  Innes  and  Balfour  ordered  the  arms  and  am- 
munition to  be  returned  to  the  "rebels"  and  their  leaders  released. 
Incensed  by  this  treatment,  he  returned  to  Georgia  and  settled  his 
family  near  Augusta. 

While  Pearis  was  a  prisoner  at  Charleston,  his  wife,  two 
daughters,  and  a  son  were  surprised  at  home  by  Colonel  John 
Thomas  and  400  followers,  who  subjected  them  to  abuse  and  pun- 
ishment, as  well  as  carrying  away  their  portable  property  and  burn- 
ing the  rest.  Not  content.  Colonel  Thomas  forced  the  family  to 
march  on  foot  25  miles  a  day,  without  food  and  without  protection 
for  their  heads  from  the  sun.  They  were  also  confined  for  three 
days  without  food,  and  were  afterwards  sent  off  in  an  open  wagon 
a  ditsance  of  100  miles,  to  shift  for  themselves  among  "a  parcel  of 
rebels,"  without  money  or  provisions.  For  three  years  Captain 
Pearis  was  separated  from  his  family,  who  were  in  daily  fear  of 
massacre  by  their  enemies. 

A  son  of  Captain  Pearis  was  an  ensign  in  the  West  Florida 
Rangers. 

For  the  loss  of  his  real  estate  in  South  Carolina,  Colonel  Rich- 
ard Pearis  claimed  £15,576.  18s.  and  was  awarded  £5,624.  An  ac- 
count of  his  property  has  been  published.  (  S.  C.  Hist,  and  Gen. 
Mag.,  Vol.  XVIII,  pp.  97-9 ;   Sec.  Rep.  Bur.  of  Archives,  Ontario^ 


104         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

1904,  pp.  190-4.)     The  name  appears  also  as  Paris,  whence  Paris 
Mountain,  near  Greenville  in  South  Carolina. 

After  the  war  he  settled  in  Abaco  in  the  Bahamas,  where  he 
had  a  grant  of  140  acres  of  land,  and  where  Margaret  Pearis,  pre- 
sumably his  wife,  received  a  grant  of  40  acres.  Colonel  Pearis  re- 
ceived a  military  allowance  of  £70  a  year  from  1783  to  1804,  when 
he  probably  died.  It  was  perhaps  his  son,  Richard,  who  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  General  Robert  Cunningham,  the  South  Caro- 
lina loyalist,  in  Abaco,  22  June,  1790  (see  page  88) .  (Public  Record 
Office:  A.O.  12/109;  A.  T.  Bethell,  Early  Settlers  of  the  Bahama 
Islands,  1914,  pp.  21-22;  Public  Record  Office:  Ind.  5606.) 

Major  Patrick  Cunningham 

This  officer,  a  brother  of  Brigadier-General  Robert  Cunning- 
ham, was  an  active  loyalist  from  the  outset  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  As  a  participant  in  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six  he  was  one  of  the 
signatories  to  the  treaty  of  neutrality  of  22  November,  1775  (see 
p.  70).  Major  Patrick  Cunningham  and  his  party  of  loyalists  at- 
tempted to  rescue  his  brother,  Robert,  from  his  captors  while  being 
taken  to  Charleston  as  a  prisoner,  but  failed  in  the  attempt  (see 
p.  87).  He  was,  however,  compensated  for  this  failure  by  his 
capture  of  the  ammunition  sent  as  a  gift  by  the  Americans  for  the 
Cherokee  Indians  (see  p.  64).  A  member  of  this  party  was 
William  Gist,  who  took  up  arms  "to  protect  some  loyalists  who  had 
taken  a  magazine  of  powder  which  was  sent  by  the  rebels  to  the 
Indians."  (The  Royal  Commission  on  Loyalist  Claims,  1783-1785, 
ed.  by  H.  E.  Egerton;  Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  p.  56;  Moultrie, 
Memoirs,  Vol.  I.  pp.  96-100.) 

Patrick  Cunningham  was  appointed  in  1780  to  the  command 
of  a  corps  of  loyal  militia,  consisting  of  24  officers  and  155  men, 
forming  a  part  of  the  brigade  of  militia  in  the  district  of  Ninety- 
Six,  commanded  by  his  brother,  Robert. 

Great  was  the  joy  of  the  Americans  at  the  capture  of  so  dan- 
gerous a  loyalist  as  Patrick  Cunningham,  who  was  condemned  to 
a  term  of  imprisonment  in  Charleston  jail.  Shortly  after  his  re- 
lease he  offered  his  services  to  Major  Andrew  Williamson  for  his 
expedition  against  the  Cherokee  Indians  in  July,  1776,  an  expedi- 
tion which  was  accompanied  by  Alexander  Chesney  and  other  loy- 
alists, though  the  Cherokees  at  this  time  were  supposed  to  be  allies 
of  the  British.    Williamson,  however,  refused  the  offer  of  Cunning- 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  105 

ham's  services,  as  he  did  that  of  Richard  Pearis  on  the  same  occa- 
sion (Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol.  II,  pp.  343-4).     (See  pp.  65.) 

Major  Patrick  Cunningham  in  or  about  1785  returned  to  South 
Carolina  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  dying  in 
1794  (Sabine,  Loyalists  of  the  American  Revolution,  Vol.  I,  p.  348) . 

Captain  Moses  Kirkland 

Moses  Kirkland  was  a  prosperous  planter  in  the  fertile  dis- 
trict of  Ninety-Six  in  South  Carolina.  In  1774  he  was  chosen  a 
member  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  was  regarded  as  a  warm 
supporter  of  the  American  cause  (see  p.  67).  According  to  his 
memorial,  however,  he  maintains  that  he  spoke  strongly  in  the 
House  of  Assembly  at  Charleston  in  January,  1775,  against  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  but  that  his 
side  was  defeated  by  vote,  and  after  protesting  he  returned  home. 

In  June  following,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  com- 
mand a  company  of  rangers,  and  his  commission  was  sent  to  him  in 
a  letter  which  he  refused  to  accept.    (A.O.  12/52,  fos.  209-233.) 

Kirkland's  next  step  was  to  assemble  the  inhabitants  of  his 
district  and  by  his  influence,  combined  with  the  assistance  of  Col- 
onels Thomas  Fletchall  and  Thomas  Brown,  he  opposed  Congress 
so  effectually  that  he  had  raised  over  5,000  signatures  to  a  resolu- 
tion to  support  the  king's  Government.  In  consultation  with  some 
of  his  leading  neighbors  it  was  now  decided  that,  in  view  of  the 
improbability  of  immediate  military  support  from  the  governor  and 
from  the  want  of  arms  and  ammunition,  he  should  leave  the  Prov- 
ince and  join  the  British  army  at  Boston.  In  this  scheme  Kirkland 
was  supported  by  his  friends  and  he  forthwith  left  his  home  in  dis- 
guise, accompanied  by  his  only  son,  a  boy  of  twelve  summers,  and 
eventually  reached  the  house  of  Governor  Lord  William  Campbell, 
at  Charleston,  thence  going  on  board  H.  M.  S.  Tamar.  From 
Charleston  he  proceeded  to  St.  Augustine  in  East  Florida,  armed 
with  letters  of  recommendation  from  Lord  William  Campbell  to 
Governor  Tonyn  and  others,  and  after  a  brief  stay  departed  for 
Boston,  where  he  arrived  in  September,  1775.  Kirkland's  sojourn 
at  Boston  was  of  brief  duration,  for  he  is  next  seen  in  Virginia, 
serving  under  the  governor.  Lord  Dunmore.  Returning  again  to 
Boston,  his  ship  was  captured,  10  December,  near  that  port  by  the 
American  schooner,  Lee,  commanded  by  Captain  Manly  who  was 
probably  the  American  officer  of  that  name  who  was  in  command 


106         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

of  the  American  privateer,  Hancock,  described  by  Sir  George  Col- 
lier as  the  second  officer  of  rank  in  the  American  navy,  "a  man  of 
talent  and  intrepidity"  and  more  capable  of  doing  mischief  than 
General  Lee,"  whom  it  was  "a  piece  of  good  fortune"  to  have  cap- 
tured in  June,  1777,  with  the  Hancock.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Re- 
port on  the  Mss.  of  Mrs.  Stopford-Sackville,  Vol.  II,  pp.  69-70.) 

Kirkland  was  sent  to  Washington's  headquarters  at  Cambridge, 
where  he  was  detained  for  22  days,  and  then  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia. Here  he  was  a  prisoner  until  June,  1776,  when  he  escaped,  and 
by  traveling  in  disguise  succeeded  in  getting  to  Lord  Dunmore's 
vessels  in  Chesapeake  Bay  at  the  end  of  July.  Kirkland  after- 
wards joined  General  Sir  William  Howe  on  Staten  Island,  and  was 
present  at  the  capture  of  Long  Island,  New  York,  White  Plains,  and 
Fort  Washington.  At  the  end  of  March,  1777,  Howe  requested 
Kirkland  to  carry  despatches  to  East  and  West  Florida,  and  he  ac- 
complished his  mission  without  mishap,  arriving,  1  May,  at  St. 
Augustine.  Proceeding  overland,  he  reached  Pensacola,  a  journey 
of  twenty  days,  and  delivered  the  despatches  to  Governor  Chester 
and  to  General  John  Stuart,  superintendent  of  the  Indians,  who  ap- 
pointed him  deputy  superintendent  of  Indians,  by  command  of 
General  Howe,  22  May,  1777.  He  remained  in  West  Florida  until 
January,  1778,  when  he  went  among  the  Indian  tribes,  distributing 
presents  and  endeavoring  to  persuade  them  to  be  loyal  and  to  act 
in  concert  with  the  British.  Returning  to  St.  Augustine  on  1  March, 
Kirkland  prepared  a  plan  for  an  expedition  composed  of  loyalist 
refugees  and  Indians,  against  Georgia,  which  he  submitted  for  the 
approval  of  the  governor  and  the  general,  presumably  Prevost. 
The  consent  of  the  commander-in-chief  was,  however,  necessary 
before  the  scheme  could  be  put  into  force,  and  with  this  object  in 
view,  the  indefatigable  Kirkland  set  sail  for  Philadelphia,  which 
he  reached  in  May,  only  to  find  that  Howe  had  resigned  and  was 
about  to  return  to  England.  He  succeeded,  however,  in  submitting 
his  plan  to  Howe  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  both  of  whom  approved  of 
it.  Kirkland  remained  at  Philadelphia  until  the  evacuation  of  the 
city  by  the  British  in  June,  when  he  accompanied  Clinton  to  New 
York.  Here  he  was  on  duty  until  requested  in  October  by  Clinton 
to  accompany  Colonel  Archibald  Campbell's  expedition  to  Georgia, 
and  there  to  render  every  assistance  in  his  power.  His  first  taste 
of  war  here  was  at  the  capture  of  Savannah  by  the  British.  At 
the  action  of  Brier  creek,  60  miles  from  Savannah,  Kirkland  coia- 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  107 

manded  part  of  the  Georgia  militia  and  a  party  of  loyalist  refugees. 
Later  he  accompanied  Prevost  on  the  expedition  to  Charleston. 

Kirkland  appears  to  have  returned  to  Georgia,  for  on  9  October, 
1779,  he  was  captured  with  about  100  other  loyalists  under  Captain 
French  at  Ogeechie,  15  miles  from  Savannah,  and  he  and  his  son, 
were  bound  in  irons  and  put  on  board  a  galley.  Happily,  this  vessel 
was  captured  by  the  British,  and  he  re-joined  the  British  forces  at 
Savannah. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  it  will  be  remembered,  appointed  Robert 
Cunningham  to  command  a  brigade  of  loyal  militia  in  the  district 
of  Ninety-Six  in  1780.  One  of  the  regiments  was  allotted  to  Moses 
Kirkland,  the  date  of  his  commission  being  6  July.  He  continued 
on  active  service  in  his  own  district  until  he  joined  Colonel  John 
Harris  Cruger  on  the  expedition  for  the  relief  of  the  gallant  Colonel 
Thomas  Brown  and  his  force  at  Augusta  in  the  middle  of  September. 

Major  Kirkland's  memorial  adds  but  few  details  of  his 
subsequent  career,  beyond  mentioning  that  he  was  put  in  command 
of  the  garrison  at  Augusta  after  the  relief  of  Brown,  and  that  he 
would  seem  later  to  have  settled  near  Savannah. 

After  the  evacuation  of  South  Carolina  by  the  British,  Moses 
Kirkland  sought  refuge  in  Jamaica,  where  he  settled  in  St.  George's 
parish  and  married  Catherine  Bruce.  His  life  was  ended  by  drown- 
ing while  on  a  voyage  from  the  West  Indies  to  England  in  Decem- 
ber, 1787.  Richard  Bruce  Kirkland,  his  only  son,  was  born  in  1786 
and  became  a  planter  in  Jamaica.    (A.O.  12/52,  fos.  209-233.) 

Drayton  gives  a  different  version  of  the  reasons  for  Kirkland's 
departure  from  South  Carolina,  alleging  that  after  his  (Drayton's) 
manifesto  of  30  August,  1775,  warning  all  persons  who  should  with- 
out lawful  authority  assemble  in  arms  with,  or  by  the  instigation  of 
Kirkland,  that  they  would  be  regarded  as  public  enemies,  to  be  sup- 
pressed by  the  sword,  and  that  Kirkland  was  confounded  and  his 
exertions  paralyzed.  Offering  to  surrender  on  a  promise  of  pardon, 
Drayton  demanded  his  surrender  at  discretion,  but  Kirkland  fled  in 
disguise,  with  two  trusty  friends.  (Drayton,  Memoirs,  Vol.  I,  p. 
382.) 

Kirkland  conceals  one  important  event  in  his  career,  namely, 
that  he  was  concerned  with  Major  James  Mayson  and  Captain 
John  Caldwell  in  the  seizure  of  Fort  Charlotte  and  its  stores  of 
ammunition,  which  was  the  first  overt  act  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
in  South  Carolina.  It  was  after  the  re-capture  of  the  fort  by  the 
loyalists  that  Kirkland  turned  over  to  the  other  side  (see  p.  67). 


108         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

^.lajor  Moses  Kirkland's  prosperous  position  as  a  planter  may- 
be gauged  from  the  extent- of  his  award  of  £4,000  from  his  claim  of 
£12,160  for  the  loss  of  his  property  in  South  Carolina  (A.0. 12/109) . 
This  property  was  sold  by  the  State  of  South  Carolina  and  realized 
£1,972.  2s.  (A.O.  13/36 ;  A.O.  12/92,  S.  C.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Mag.,  Vol. 
XVIII,  pp.  69-71.) 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Fanning 

John  Fanning  was  a  South  Carolinian  by  birth  and  lived  on  his 
own  property  in  Camden  district.  In  addition  to  this  property  he 
was  the  owner  of  250  acres  of  land  on  Broad  river,  received  by  deed 
of  gift  from  his  eldest  brother  after  his  father's  death,  and  of  other 
property  in  South  Carolina.  (Second  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Ar- 
chives; Province  of  Ontario,  1904,  pp.  717-719.)  John  Fanning 
first  joined  the  loyalist  militia  of  South  Carolina  in  March,  1779, 
receiving  a  commission  as  captain,  and  later  as  lieutenant-colonel. 
All  his  brothers  were  also  loyalists. 

In  an  engagement  at  Parker's  ferry  he  commanded  a  troop 
of  horse  under  Major  Thomas  Fraser,  of  the  South  Carolina 
Royalists. 

Alexander  Chesney  w^as  appointed  a  lieutenant  in  John  Fan- 
ning's  Independent  company  of  Scouts,  20  April,  1781. 

At  the  end  of  the  war,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Fanning  would 
seem  to  have  settled  in  Nova  Scotia.  For  his  property  confiscated 
at  Camden  he  was  awarded  £440  as  compensation  by  the  British 
Government,  from  his  claim  of  £1,103.    (A.O.  12/109.) 

This  loyalist  officer  must  not  be  confused  with  Colonel  David 
Fanning  (author  of  the  well-known  "Narrative,"  or  with  Colonel 
Edmund  Fanning,  of  the  King's  American  regiment,  who  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant-governor  of  Prince  Edward  Island  as  a  recom- 
pense for  his  services  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  (A.O.  12/49 ;  A.O. 
12/68;  A.O.  12/92;  A.O.  13/138.) 

Captain  John  Saunders 

John  Saunders  was  born,  1  June,  1753,  in  Princess  Anne  coun- 
ty, Virginia,  and  was  the  only  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth 
Saunders,  grandson  of  Captain  John  Saunders  of  that  county  and 
great-grandson  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Saunders,  of  Lynnhaven  par- 
ish in  the  same  county,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  recorded  in  a 
family  Bible  which  in  1834  was  in  the  possession  of  his  brother-in- 
law,  Colonel  Jacob  Ellegood  in  New  Brunswick,  Canada. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  109 

According  to  Sabine  (Loyalists  of  the  Aynerican  Revolution) , 
this  young  Virginian  was  descended  from  an  English  royalist  fam- 
ily which  had  emigrated  to  Virginia  and  there  acquired  large  es- 
tates. An  ardent  anti-Whig  in  his  youth,  his  was  the  only  voice 
raised  in  opposition  to  the  sending  of  delegates  to  attend  a  Whig 
convention  at  Williamsburg,  at  a  meeting  organized  in  his  own 
county  in  July,  1774.  John  Saunders  abandoned  his  academical 
studies  and  accepted,  against  the  entreaties  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors,  a  commission  as  captain  in  the  Queen's  Own  Loyal  Vir- 
ginian regiment,  from  the  governor,  Lord  Dunmore,  16  November, 
1775.  This  regiment,  the  only  loyalist  corps  raised  in  Virginia, 
was  commanded  by  his  brother-in-law.  Colonel  Jacob  Ellegood,  of 
Kosehall  on  Lynnhaven  river,  who  had  been  in  charge  of  the  estate 
of  John  Saunders  during  the  last  six  years  of  his  minority.  (A.O. 
13/33.) 

The  studied  contempt  of  this  youthful  loyalist  for  the  Revolu- 
tionary party  in  his  county  aroused  much  ill-feeling,  with  the  re- 
sult that  he  and  two  other  loyalists,  Benjamin  Dingley  Gray  and 
Captain  Mitchell  Phillips,  were  not  only  regarded  as  inimical  to 
the  liberties  of  America,  but  their  neighbors  were  recommended  to 
cease  commercial  intercourse  with  them,  an  act  which  virtually 
endeavored  to  stop  their  supplies  of  all  kinds,  including  food. 
(Force,  American  Archives,  Series  IV,  Vol.  2,  pp.  76-77.) 

The  Queen's  Own  Loyal  Virginian  regiment  was  incorporated, 
some  time  after  its  defeat  at  Great  Bridge,  with  the  First  American 
regiment,  better  known  as  the  Queen's  Rangers.  In  the 
dragoons  of  this  loyalist  corps,  John  Saunders  received  a  commis- 
sion as  captain  on  25  November,  1776.  From  that  time  until  the 
end  of  the  year  1780,  Captain  Saunders  served  in  every  action  of 
that  regiment,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the 
Brandy  wine,  where  his  brother-in-law.  Major  John  McKay  of 
the  same  regiment,  was  also  wounded.  Colonel  John  Graves  Sim- 
coe,  commanding  officer  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  treated 
Captain  Saunders  as  his  confidential  friend  and  described  him  as  an 
officer  of  "great  address  and  determination"  and  as  one  who  had 
performed  gallant  and  active  services  in  the  war  (Simcoe,  Military 
Journal).  An  original  certificate  of  Simcoe  states  that  from  a  sense 
of  the  merit  and  eminent  services  of  Captain  John  Saunders,  he  did 
his  utmost  to  procure  him  the  rank  of  major  (A.O.  13/133) .  These 
compliments  of  Colonel  Simcoe    were    reciprocated    by    Captain 


110  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Saunders  in  later  years  by  the  bestowal  of  the  name  of  Simcoe  on 
his  only  son,  John  Simcoe  Saunders. 

Captain  Saunders  accompanied  General  Leslie  on  the  expedi- 
tion to  Virginia  in  October,  1780,  when  he  commanded  the  cavalry 
detachment  of  his  regiment.  From  Virginia  he  was  removed  with 
the  Queen's  American  Rangers  to  South  Caloina,  where  he  was  on 
duty  until  April,  1782,  when  he  sailed  for  New  York  and  there  took 
command  of  the  remnant  of  his  regiment  saved  from  the  surrender 
at  Yorktown.  (A.O.  13/79.)  This  regiment  was  placed  on  the 
British  establishment,  25  December,  1782,  and  at  the  peace  Captain 
John  Saunders  was  granted  half-pay. 

The  Saunders  estate  on  Lynnhaven  river,  near  Kempe's  land- 
ing place  (Kempsville)  in  Princess  Anne  county,  was  confiscated 
and  sold  by  order  of  the  court  of  that  county  in  March,  1780.  The 
considerable  sum  of  £4,850  was  granted  to  Captain  John  Saunders 
as  compensation  for  the  loss  of  this  estate,  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment after  the  war.  This  sum  was  only  £238  below  the  estimated 
value  put  upon  it  by  him  or  his  advisers.  Captain  Saunders,  having 
studied  law  in  his  youth  in  Virginia,  returned  at  the  end  of  the 
war  to  the  land  of  his  English  ancestors  and  entered  the  Middle 
Temple,  being  called  to  the  bar  in  1787.  Three  years  later  he 
married  Ariana  Margaretta  Jekyll  Chalmers,  daughter  of  Colonel 
James  Chalmers,  of  the  Maryland  Loyalists,  also  an  American  refu- 
gee in  England,  and  his  wife,  Arianna  Margaretta,  daughter  of 
John  Jekyll,  the  younger,  sometime  collector  of  the  Customs  at 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Shippen,  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  marriage  having  taken  place  at  St.  Luke's  Church, 
Chelsea,  February  16,  1790.  (W.O.  42/S4.)  Immediately  after 
his  marriage  Captain  Saunders  proceeded  to  New  Brunswick, 
where  he  had  earlier  in  the  same  year  been  appointed  fourth  puisne 
judge  in  the  Province,  through  the  influence  of  Colonel  John  Graves 
Simcoe.  In  1822  he  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  chief  justice,  as 
well  as  that  of  president  of  the  Legislative  Council  of  New  Bruns- 
wick. Colonel  Jacob  Ellegood  and  Major  John  McKay,  brothers- 
in-law  of  Captain  John  Saunders,  settled  in  York  county,  New 
Brunswick,  on  half-pay. 

Ever  ready  to  defend  his  adopted  country  against  threats  of 
invasion,  by  the  French  in  1798  and  by  the  Americans  in  1808,  he 
took  an  active  part  in  the  latter  year  in  calling  out  the  militia  as  a 
defensive  measure,  and  from  his  long  and  arduous  experience  in 
the  American  war  of  Independence  he  was  chosen  commanding 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  111 

officer  of  one  of  the  two  battalions.  The  fear  of  invasion  having 
passed  away,  the  battalions  were  disbanded  in  three  months  by 
Judge  Edward  Winslow,  who  did  not  share  in  the  feelings  of  alarm 
of  his  predecessor,  Gabriel  G.  Ludlow,  president  and  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  Province. 

John  Simcoe  Saunders,  the  only  son  of  Captain  Saunders,  was 
sent  to  England  for  his  education  and  matriculated  at  Worcester 
College,  Oxford,  in  1810,  taking  the  degree  of  B.A.  in  1815.  Fol- 
lowing in  his  father's  footsteps,  he  was  called  to  the  bar,  by  Lin- 
coln's Inn,  having  previously  read  in  the  chambers  of  a  well  known 
lawyer,  Joseph  Chitty.  John  Simcoe  Saunders  became  an  eminent 
lawyer  in  New  Brunswick,  and  during  his  life  held  the  offices  of 
advocate-general,  surveyor-general,  and  lieutenant-governor  of  tJ:ie 
Province,  as  well  as  president  of  the  Legislative  Council.  As  author 
of  The  Law  of  Pleading  and  Evidence  in  Civil  Actions,  his  name  is 
remembered  in  legal  circles. 

The  arms  of  Captain  John  Saunders  and  his  son  are  illustrated 
in  an  article  on  book  plates  by  D.  R.  Jack  in  Acadiensis,  Vol.  II, 
pp.  189-197. 

Chief  Justice  Saunders  died,  24  May,  1834,  at  Fredericton,  New 
Brunswick,  where  also  his  wife  died  in  1845,  at  the  age  of  77.  (F.O. 
4/1 ;  Lawrence  and  Stockton,  The  Judges  of  New  Brunswick  and 
Their  Times',  pp.  100-1,  111,  116,  141,  274-5,  352,  423-4,  440,  509; 
notes  from  Mr.  Charles  Mcintosh;  Ind.  5604.) 

Major  Thomas  Eraser 

This  officer's  name  appears  more  than  once  in  the  course  of  the 
preparation  of  the  above  Additional  Notes.  He  was  appointed 
major  of  the  South  Carolina  Royalists,  10  August,  1780,  at  the  age 
of  25;  and  was  present  in  many  of  the  sanguinary  actions  in  South 
Carolina,  having  served  throughout  the  war  in  the  Provincial 
forces. 

At  about  the  time  that  the  British  were  preparing  for  their 
final  evacuation  of  South  Carolina,  Major  Eraser  was  married  on 
7  November,  1782,  to  Anne  Loughton  Smith  at  Charleston  by  Rev. 
Edward  Jenkins,  chaplain  to  the  South  Carolina  Royalists.  His 
wife  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Loughton  Smith,  a  prominent 
Charleston  merchant  and  a  member  of  the  Commons  House  of 
Assembly,  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Inglis, 
merchant,  of  Charleston.   Thomas  Loughton  Smith  died,  16  April, 


112  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

1778,  and  his  widow  married  in  1775  Dr.  James  Clitherall,  surgeon 
to  the  South  Carolina  Royalists. 

Major  Thomas  Fraser  died,  31  May,  1820,  at  Philadelphia  and 
was  buried  there  in  Christ  Church  burying  ground.  His  wife  died, 
6  August,  1835,  at  the  house  of  her  son-in-law.  Prince  Lucien  Murat, 
at  Bordentown,  New  Jersey.    (W.O.  42/F13;  Ind.  5604-5-6.) 

Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bull 

William  Bull,  a  South  Carolinian  by  birth  and  one  of  the  most 
beloved  of  men,  served  his  native  Province  in  public  offices  for 
thirty-five  years,  acting  as  governor  at  various  intervals  for  nine 
years. 

Attempts  were  made  in  his  behalf  by  influential  friends  at 
Charleston  to  secure  his  valuable  estate  from  confiscation  by  the 
State.  To  this  end  his  estate  was  conveyed  temporarily  to  his 
nephew  Stephen  Bull,  who,  as  will  be  shown  later,  retained  possess- 
ion of  it  by  fraudulent  means,  in  spite  of  the  determination  of  the 
commissioners,  appointed  to  sell  confiscated  estates,  to  contest  the 
validity  of  the  conveyance.  Stephen  Bull,  by  his  undoubted  polit- 
ical and  social  influence  at  Charleston,  prevented  a  suit  against 
him  for  the  recovery  of  the  property  by  the  State  by  representing 
his  devoted  attachment  to  the  American  cause,  and  by  alleging 
great  depredations  committed  by  the  British  troops  on  his  own 
property. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Bull  was  prevented  by  the  confiscation 
law  of  South  Carolina  from  bringing  a  suit  against  Stephen  Bull 
for  the  recovery  of  his  property,  but  the  Legislative  Council  went 
so  far  as  to  offer  him  the  rights  of  citizenship  upon  the  express 
condition  that  he  would  return  to  South  Carolina  and  take  the 
oaths  of  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  the  State.  His  nephew,  fearing 
that  his  uncle  might  agree  to  these  conditions,  and  thus  jeopardize 
his  possession  of  his  uncle's  property,  had  exerted  his  influence  with 
the  Legislative  Council  to  prevent  the  offer  of  these  terms,  but 
without  success.  The  deep  conscientiousness  of  William  Bull  and 
his  high-minded  character,  however,  were  insuperable  barriers  to 
his  renunciation  of  his  oaths  of  loyalty  to  the  British,  deeply  as 
he  loved  South  Carolina. 

The  134  prime  slaves  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Bull  had  been 
distributed  among  American  soldiers  as  bribes  to  induce  them  to 
re-inlist  in  the  American  forces. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  113 

His  first  four  attorneys  in  South  Carolina — Manigault,  Russell, 
Stephen  Bull  (his  nephew),  and  Robert  Williams — conveyed  the 
estate  of  William  Bull  to  Pringle,  speaker  of  the  House  of  Assem- 
bly, who  conveyed  it  to  Stephen  Bull.  These  attorneys  had  agreed 
that  the  conveyance  should  be  in  trust  and  that  Stephen  Bull's  bond 
was  to  be  taken  with  it.  Such  was  the  treachery  of  Stephen  Bull 
that  he  did  not  throw  off  the  mask  until  an  offer  of  4,000  guineas 
was  made  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Bull  for  a  piece  of  land,  when 
Stephen  Bull  refused  the  conveyance. 

William  Bull  died  in  1791  in  London,  an  exile  from  his  native 
land,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Holborn.  (Public 
Record  Office:  A.O.  12/52,  fos.  85-118.) 

The  Loyal  Militia  of  South  Carolina 

Lord  Cornwallis  in  a  despatch  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  dated  30 
June,  1780,  says  that  (1)  as  the  different  districts  submitted  he 
formed  the  inhabitants  into  militia  and  appointed  the  officers  ac- 
cording to  the  old  divisions  of  the  Province;  (2)  that  he  had  in- 
vested these  field  officers  with  civil  as  well  as  military  power;  C3) 
that  he  had  divided  the  militia  into  two  classes,  the  first  to  consist 
of  men  above  the  age  of  40  and  of  certain  property,  family,  or 
service,  to  keep  order  in  their  respective  districts  and  to  do  patrol 
duty,  but  never  to  be  called  out  for  active  service,  except  in  case  of 
an  insurrection  or  an  actual  invasion  of  the  Province.  The  second 
class  to  be  composed  of  the  younger  men,  who  would  assist  in  the 
home  duties  and  would  be  liable  to  serve  in  either  of  the  Carolinas 
or  Georgia  for  six  months  of  every  year.  This  class,  however, 
would  be  called  upon  in  such  proportions  as  to  cause  the  least  dis- 
tress possible  to  the  country;  and  (4)  that  temporary  commissions 
had  been  given  these  militia  regiments.  (Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  Re- 
port on  the  MSS.  of  Mrs.  Stopford-Sackville,  Vol.  IL,  p.  169.) 

Robert  Cunningham,  a  well-known  and  active  loyalist  (see 
page  87)  was  appointed  brigadier-general  of  the  brigade  of  militia 
of  the  district  of  Ninety-Six,  the  most  populous  and  powerful  dis- 
trict in  the  Province.  From  June  to  December,  1780,  this  brigade 
consisted  of  six  regiments  commanded  by  the  following  officers: 

Colonel  Daniel  Clary,  with  6  officers  and  45  men. 

Major  Daniel  Plummer,  with  4  officers  and  62  men. 

Major  Patrick  Cunningham,  with  24  officers  and  155  men. 

Colonel  John  Cotton,  with  26  officers  and  141  men. 


114  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Colonel  Richard  King,  with  12  officers  and  11  men.  Colonel 
King  died,  10  July,  1786. 

Major  Zacharias  Gibbs,  with  13  officers  and  50  men. 

The  loyal  militia  in  South  Carolina  from  November,  1781,  to 
July,  1782,  included: 

Jackson's  creek  regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Phillips 
(see  p.  101),  and  divided  into  two  companies  under  Captains  John 
Huey  and  James  Sharp,  one  of  the  officers  being  Lieutenant  Wil- 
liam Sharp. 

Stevenson's  creek  regiment  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
John  Cotton. 

First  Camden  regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Robert  Eng- 
lish. 

Second  Camden  regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  William 
Ballentine. 

These  two  Camden  regiments  would  seem  to  have  been  formed 
into  ten  companies,  commanded  by  Captains  Adam  Thompson, 
Joshua  English,  Hugh  Smith,  Michael  Egan,  Joseph  Holt,  John 
Robinson,  Jasper  Rogers,  James  McCulloch,  George  Piatt,  and 
Abraham  Cook. 

The  Orangeburg  militia  at  this  date  consisted  of  eight  com- 
panies under  the  command  of  Colonel  John  Fisher,  with  the  follow- 
ing captains : 

Christian  House,  Henry  Giesondanner,  Joseph  Noble,  Samuel 
Rowe,  Thomas  Pledger,  Daniel  Kelly,  L.  Stromer,  and  Elias  Buck- 
ingham. Captain  L.  Stromer  afterwards  deserted  to  the  Ameri- 
cans. Under  Colonel  Fisher's  command  was  also  Captain  John 
Sally's  company  from  the  Fork  of  Edisto  and  Orangeburg. 

Two  companies  of  militia  from  the  Dutch  fork  of  Ninety-six, 
under  Colonel  Daniel  Clary,  were  commanded  by  Captains  George 
Stroup  and  James  Wright,  while  Captain  George  Long  was  in  com- 
mand of  a  company  in  Colonel  Richard  King's  regiment. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Young  commanded  the  Little  river 
militia  at  this  period. 

Among  other  loyal  militia  regiments  included  in  the  lists  for 
the  year  1782  are  the  following : 

Colleton  county,  commanded  by  Colonel  Robert  Ballingall. 

Ninety-Six,  commanded  by  Colonel  Thomas  Pearson. 

Dragoons,  commanded  by  Major  William  Young. 

Mounted  militia,  commanded  by  Major  William  Cunningham. 

Cheraws,  commanded  by  Colonel  Robert  Gray. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  115 

Georgetown,  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Gordon. 
1st  Regiment  Camden,  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Carey. 
Santee,  commanded  by  Colonel  Samuel  Tynes. 
Rocky  Mount,  commanded  by  Colonel  William  Vernon  Turner, 
a  surgeon  at  Camden,  who  at  the  evacuation  of  South  Carolina  by 
the  British  went  to  Jamaica,  West  Indies,  with  his  wife  and  six 
children.    (A.O.  13/96.) 

Colonel  Hezekiah  Williams  was  in  command  of  a  regiment  of 
loyal  militia  in  South  Carolina  in  1782. 

The  following  officers'  names  have  been  taken  from  various 
lists: 

Lieutenant  James  Johnstone  in  Colonel  Robert  English's  Cam- 
den militia. 

Captains  Alexander  Harvey,  Andrew  Cunningham,  and  John 
Barton,  and  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Smith  Legge  in  the  Colleton  coun- 
ty militia. 

Lieutenant  James  Clatworthy  in  the  Camden  militia. 
James  Alexander,  of  St.  George's  parish,  Berkeley  county,  was 
selected,  27  May,  1780,  as  captain  of  the  Indian  Field  company  of 
foot  in  that  parish,  with  James  Shepperd  as  lieutenant  and  Silas 
Canadais  as  ensign.    It  was  Captain  Alexander  who  with  several 
other  loyalists  deemed  it  their  duty  to  capture  Captain  John  Felder, 
a  magistrate  of  Orangeburg  district,  because  of  his  cruel  oppression 
of  the  loyalists.     The  party  in  due  course  assembled  at  Captain 
Felder's   house  and   demanded   his   surrender.     Anticipating  no 
quarter.  Captain  Felder  and  his  companison,  John  Fry,  defended 
themselves  to  the  bitter  end,  and  killed  the  first  loyalist  who  knocked 
at  the  door.     Such  was  Captain  Felder's  determination  that  the 
loyalists,  finding  it  impossible  to  force  him  out  of  his  house  by  any 
other  means,  set  fire  to  it,  and  in  attempting  to  escape,  both  Cap- 
tain Felder  and  John  Fry  were  shot  dead.    (A.O.  13/125.) 
Colonel  William  Mills  is  noticed  on  page  74. 
The  pay  of  the  loyal  militia  in  1780  was  as  follows : 
Colonel,  10s.  a  day. 
Lieut.-Colonel,  7s.  6d.  a  day. 
Major,  7s.  6d.  a  day. 
Captain,  4s.  8d.  a  day. 
Lieutenant,  2s.  4d.  a  day. 
Cornet  and  Ensign,  2s.  4d.  a  day. 
Adjutant,  3s.  a  day. 
Quartermaster,  3s.  a  day. 


116  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Sergeant,  Is.  a  day. 
Corporal,  6d.  a  day. 
Private,  6d.  a  day. 

Many  muster  rolls  of  officers  and  men  of  the  South  Carolina 
loyal  militia,  with  memorials  of  widows  of  officers  and  men  who  lost 
their  lives  in  the  war,  and  other  details,  are  preserved  in  the  Public 
Record  Office.    (T.  50/1,  T.  50/2,  T.  50/3,  T.  50/4.) 

A  list  of  loyalists  in  South  Carolina  who  held  royal  commis- 
sions during  the  Revolutionary  war  is  published  as  an  appendix 
to  The  Journal  and  Letters  of  Samuel  Curwen,  4th.  edition,  1864, 
pp.  494-5. 

Lieutenant  William  Elliott,  of  Captain  Elisha  Robinson's  com- 
pany of  lower  Ninety-Six  regiment  of  militia,  fought  at  King's 
Mountain  and  was  probably  killed  there.  Here  also  fought  Lieu- 
tenant Thomas  Cunningham,  of  Major  Patrick  Cunningham's  com- 
pany, and  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  The  memorial  of 
Sergeant  James  White  of  Cotton's  Ninety  Six  militia  is  in  T.  50/2. 

Loyalists'  Warrant 

Attached  to  the  papers  of  Charles  Ogilvie,  Sr.,  is  the  orig- 
inal warrant,  dated  August  13,  1782,  authorizing  him  and  Gideon 
Dupont,  Jr.,  to  proceed  to  New  York  on  behalf  of  the  loyalists 
of  South  Carolina  for  the  purpose  of  making  representations  to  the 
commander-in-chief  of  the  British  army  of  the  true  state  of  that 
Province  and  the  distress  of  mind  of  the  inhabitants  at  the  prospect 
of  its  evacuation  by  the  British  troops  there.  (A.0. 13/133.)  These 
two  men  were  urged  to  make  every  endeavor  to  secure  such  guar- 
antees as  would  make  an  evacuation  as  little  injurious  as  possible 
to  the  loyalists,  and,  in  the  event  of  an  evacuation,  to  obtain  leave 
for  the  loyalists  to  indemnify  themselves  from  the  sequestered 
estates  within  the  British  lines  in  South  Carolina. 

The  warrant  is  signed  by  the  following  committee  of  loyalists : 

Robert  William  Powell,  chairman 
John  Champneys  James  Gordon 

Colonel  John  Phillips  Colonel  Gabriel  Capers 

William  Greenwood  Robert  Johnston 

John  Hamilton  Thomas  Inglis 

Alexander  Baron  Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs 

Colonel  Robert  Ballingall  Colonel  David  Fanning 

Colonel  William  Fortune  Colonel  Thomas  Edghill 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  117 

Charles  Ogilvie  was  an  Englishman  or  Scotsman  who  journ- 
eyed backwards  and  forwards  between  America  and  London  on 
business. 

Gideon  Dupont,  Jr.,  was  probably  the  son  of  Gideon  Dupont 
who  was  a  member  of  the  South  Carolina  Provincial  Congress  for 
the  parish  of  St.  Peter's,  Purrysburg,  in  January,  1775. 

South  Carolina  Loyalists  in  Nova  Scotia  and  Elsewhere 

Reference  has  been  made  elsewhere  (p.  75)  to  the  large  num- 
bers of  loyalists  banished  from  the  Southern  Colonies  who  sought 
refuge  first  in  Florida  and  afterwards  in  the  West  Indies.  A  me- 
morial dated  9  February,  1785,  from  seventy-two  loyalist  officers 
from  North  Carolina  was  presented  to  Lord  Sydney,  stating  that 
they  had  forfeited  their  estates  and  regretting  that  their  most 
gracious  sovereign  had  been  compelled  by  the  rigors  of  necessity 
to  cede  to  his  late  refractory  subjects  all  that  happy,  temperate,  and 
Southern  climate  in  America,  to  which  the  memorialists  and  their 
numerous  adherents  had  been  accustomed.  Many  had  gone  to  Nova 
Scotia,  but  were  unable  in  their  present  state  of  finances  to  clear 
the  ground  and  raise  the  necessaries  of  life  in  a  climate  to  Southern 
constitutions  inhospitable  and  severe.  The  memorial  suggests  the 
Bahamas  as  the  only  place  in  the  British  dominions  suitable  for 
these  loyalists  and  strongly  recommends  Colonel  John  Hamilton, 
late  of  the  Royal  North  Carolina  regiment,  as  governor  of  the 
islands,  when  that  dignified  office  should  become  vacant.  John 
Hamilton,  a  Scotsman  and  member  of  the  large  firm  of  Archibald 
Hamilton  and  Company,  merchants  and  importers  in  North  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia,  was  one  of  the  most  interesting  figures  on  the 
loyalist  side  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  An  active  partisan,  he  had 
raised  1200  men  during  the  war  and  had  seen  much  fighting  in  the 
South.  At  the  battle  of  Camden  he  fought  with  great  spirit  until 
put  out  of  action  by  wounds.  Dr.  David  Oliphant,  surgeon  in  the 
American  forces,  was  a  debtor  to  the  house  of  Hamilton  and  Com- 
pany for  the  amount  of  about  £15,000,  for  which  he  was  imprisoned 
at  Charleston  until  released  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Nisbet  Balfour 
in  the  belief  that  he  would  be  of  service  in  arranging  the  exchange 
of  prisoners  of  war.  (A.O.  13/95.)  In  1794  John  Hamilton  was 
British  consul-general  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  having  been  selected 
for  that  appointment  because  of  his  popularity,  and  while  in  dis- 


118         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

charge  of  his  duties  there,  his  loyalty  again  manifested  itself  by  his 
offer  of  active  service  in  war  against  the  French. 

It  is  estimated  that  about  500  souls  had  sailed  from  South  Car- 
olina for  Nova  Scotia  at  the  evacuation  of  Charleston  by  the  Brit- 
ish. Of  this  number  300  were  at  Halifax  in  that  Province  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1783,  when  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  British  Government 
for  further  allowances  of  provisions,  clothing,  and  farming  utensils, 
which  in  their  extreme  poverty  they  were  unable  to  procure.  (Hist. 
MSS.  Comm.,  Report  on  the  American  MSS.  in  the  Royal  Inst.  Vol. 
Ill,  p.  361.) 

In  1784  grants  of  land  were  made  at  Rawdon,  Halifax  county, 
Nova  Scotia,  to  the  following  fifty-six  South  Carolina  loyalists; 
Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs,  Captain  John  Bond,  and  Captain  William 
Meek,  who  received  1000  acres  each ;  Captain  George  Bond,  James 
Nichols,  Adam  Fralick,  John  Saunderson,  William  Bowman,  John 
McGuire,  Henry  Martindale,  Reuben  Lively,  William  Wallace,  John 
Murphy,  Henry  Green,  John  McCullum,  William  Bryson,  Samuel 
Covell,  Samuel  Meek,  John  Meek,  Richard  Attwood,  James  Fitz- 
simmonds,  William  Wier,  Eli  Hoyt,  John  Lewis,  John  Withrow,  Wil- 
liam Cunningham,  Colonel  Thomas  Pearson,  Shubal  Dimock,  Ben- 
jamin Wier,  and  Robert  Alexander,  who  were  severally  granted 
500  acres;  John  Bryson,  Samuel  McAllister,  Richard  McMullen, 
Thomas  Thornton,  Samuel  Procter,  Joseph  or  Jacob  Ellis,  Jacob 
Withrow,  David  Withrow,  William  Bryson,  Jr.,  Jeremiah  Cros- 
sian  or  McCrossian,  Henry  Martindale,  Jr.,  George  Snell,  Peter 
Ryland,  Robert  Costley,  John  Landerkin,  Daniel  Snell,  David  Snell, 
John  Bond,  Joseph  Simpson,  Eli  Thornton,  Abraham  Thornton, 
Moses  Bruce,  Philip  Murphy,  Roger  Wilson,  Thomas  Williams,  and 
Robert  Scott,  each  of  whom  received  250  acres  in  this  tract  of 
23,000  acres  of  land. 

Important  Claims  and  Awards  of  Some  South  Carolina 

Loyalists 

A  list  of  the  more  important  claims  of  South  Carolina  loyalists, 
and  the  amounts  awarded  as  compensation  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment follows : 

Colonel  Elias  Ball,  Sr.                         £23,573  £12,700 
Major  James  Ballmer                         £16,000  £400 
Thomas  Boone  (claims  for  the  Col- 
leton family)                                   £41,207.4s  £22,533.8s. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES  119 

Robert  Brailsford's  children  £15,568  £500 

James  Brisbane  £20,049  £2,274 

Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bull  £40,086  £6,400 

James  Burns  £12,350  £5,000 

John  Champneys  £20,212  £5,204 

Hugh  and  Daniel  Campbell  £11,350 

Thomas  Fenwick  £14,627  £5,000 

William  Greenwood  £49,604 
Captain  Richard  Graves  and  his 

wife  £16,852 
Philip  Henry  £16,351  £2,723.16s. 
Zephaniah  Kingsley  £16,691.12s  £785 
Moses  Kirkland  £12,160  £4,000 
Lord    Charles    Greville    Montagu, 
formerly  governor  of  the  Prov- 
ince £36,830 
Captain  John  Orde  £10,705.10s.  £l,208.14s. 
Gideon  Dupont  £14,131  £2,387.4s. 
R.  W.  Powell  and  John  Hopton  £22,644  £1,518 
Colonel  Richard  Pearis  £15,576.18s.  £5,624 
John  Rose  £40,084.10s.  £16,526.16s. 
James  Simpson  £20,608  £8,077 
Robert  Williams  £22,692  £1,705 
Alexander  Wright  £12,916  £8,121 

The  three  claims  of  Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu,  Captain 
Richard  Graves  and  his  wife,  and  of  William  Greenwood  were  disal- 
lowed because  those  claimants  failed  to  produce  documentary  or 
other  satisfactory  proof  of  the  definite  loss  of  their  property  by 
confiscation  or  other  means. 

According  to  the  report  (A.O.  13/85)  of  the  committee  of 
South  Carolina  loyalists,  dated  May  24,  1783,  the  estimated  values 
of  the  property  lost  by  the  loyalists  of  that  Province  were  as 
follows : 

Real  estate £569,631. 

Slaves £206,324. 

Debts £389,968. 

Losses  by  depreciation.  .   £155,688. 

Contingent  losses £  82,240. 

Removable  property. ...  £  22,699. 

Total £1,426,550.  sterling 


120  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Official  salaries  and  incomes  from  professions,  per  annum, 
were  estimated  at  £28,280,  and  the  total  amount  of  the  award  was 
£17,400. 

The  committee,  having  found  that  in  many  cases  the  values 
were  over-estimated,  deducted  the  sum  of  £165,314  from  the 
aggregate  amount. 

The  value  of  land  was  based  in  most  cases  on  the  personal 
knowledge  of  members  of  the  committee,  but  where  such  knowledge 
did  not  exist,  it  was  valued  at  six  shillings  sterling  per  acre. 

Slaves  were  valued  at  an  average  of  £60  sterling  each,  which 
was  the  price  realized  for  them  at  public  auction  before  the  war. 

The  report  of  the  committee  of  the  South  Carolina  loyalists 
bears  the  autograph  signatures  of  Thomas  Irving,  James  Simpson, 
Henry  Peronneau,  William  Ancrum,  Robert  Williams,  John  Hop- 
ton,  and  James  Johnston.    (A.0. 13/85.) 

The  amount  awarded  by  the  British  Government  on  the  claims 
for  compensation  was  £257,000.  In  addition,  pensions  exceeding 
£6,600  per  annum  were  granted  to  the  South  Carolina  loyalists. 
(A.O.  12/109.) 

Compensation  for  debts  (£389,968)  was  refused  on  the  ground 
that  by  the  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  articles  of  the  peace  treaty,  no 
impediments  were  to  be  put  in  the  way  of  the  recovery  of  debts  by 
the  colonists.  But  the  States  by  ignoring  these  articles  (J.  B. 
McMaster,  Hist,  of  the  People  of  the  U.  S.,  Vol.  I,  p.  107 ;  Cambridge 
Modern  History,  Vol.  VII,  1903,  p.  307.)  and  the  Congress  by  its 
helplessness  to  enforce  the  stipulations  of  its  treaties,  brought 
America  at  once  into  conflict  with  Great  Britain.  Many  loyalists, 
who  had  returned  to  their  former  homes  in  America  in  expectation 
of  receiving  payment  of  at  least  a  part  of  their  just  debts,  and  in 
many  cases  with  the  intention  of  remaining  there,  were  not  only 
refused  payment  but  were  subjected  to  such  abuse  and  ill  treat- 
ment as  to  compel  them  to  quit  the  country  forthwith. 

Evidence  of  the  refusal  of  debtors  in  South  Carolina  to  pay 
their  just  debts  to  loyalists  is  obtained  from,  among  other  sources, 
a  letter  written  from  Charleston,  4  April,  1785,  to  Colonel  John 
Hamilton.  In  this  letter  the  writer  states  that  several  loyalists  who 
had  come  there  in  consequence  of  the  peace  were  ordered  to  depart 
th  country  in  60  days,  while  others  had  only  30  days  to  remain. 
The  writer,  in  picturing  the  lawlessness  of  the  State,  mentions  the 


ADDITIOI>TAL  NOTES  121 

case  of  a  loyalist  who  was  hanged,  after  his  acquittal  by  the  cir- 
cuit judge.    (A.O.  13/85.) 

A  senator  of  South  Carolina  refused  payment  of  a  note,  dated 
1773,  due  to  Paul  Hamilton,  a  loyalist  planter  there.  (From  a  letter 
from  Alexander  Chisholm,  dated  14  February,  1787,  from  Charles- 
ton: A.O.  13/129.) 


APPENDIXES 

FROM  ORIGINAL  AND  UNPUBLISHED 

MATERIAL  IN  THE  PUBLIC  RECORD 

OFFICE,  LONDON,  ENGLAND 


APPENDIX  I 

Minutes  of  the  Examination  of  Alexander  Chesney  by  the 
Commissioners  of  American  Claims,  in  London.^ 

6th.  May  1783. 

Resided  on  broad  River  in  the  district  of  Ninety  six — lived 
with  his  Father  but  had  Plantations  of  his  own — he  married  a  Wife 
&  had  200  Acres  with  her — he  had  700  Acres  besides — he  went  there 
from  Ireland  in  1772 — He  values  the  whole  900  Acres  (70  of  which 
are  cultivated)  above  1000  at  £1516  Sterling — the  Value  is  certified 
by  Col°.  Philips  ^  &  likewise  by  Lord  Comwallis  &  Col°.  Balfour — 
his  Personal  Estate  amounted  to  £480. — he  first  joined  the  Kings 
Troops  after  Charles  Town  was  taken  in  1780 — Has  a  Wife  &  one 
Child  in  Belfast^ — he  came  home  in  April  1782 — he  married  in 
America — he  has  no  Property  of  his  own  in  Ireland  but  he  is  sup- 
ported by  his  Friends  who  advance  him  Money  when  he  wants  it — 
He  has  some  little  Support  Lord  Rawdon  gave  him  a  Supernumary 
Tidewaiters  Place  which  is  worth  about  £20  a  year — he  does  not 
wish  to  continue  in  it — he  came  over  from  Ireland  in  Order  to  at- 
tend here  which  will  be  an  Expence  to  him  of  £20. 

Certificate  very  sufficient  &  no  further  Attendance  require 

Decision.      £50  p  Ann  from  5th.  January  1783. 

This  Person  had  very  singular  Merit  in  South  Carolina — ^his 
property  was  worth  £2000.  Sterling  &  we  think  it  would  be  proper 
to  pay  him  after  the  Rate  of  £50.  p  Ann.  from  the  5  January  1783. 


1  These  minutes  are  in  A.O.  12/99,  fo.  219. 

2  Colonel  John  Phillips    (see  p.  60). 

'  Alexander  Chesney  was  married  for  the  second  time,  March  1,  1783.  The  child  here 
mentioned  was  his  son,  William,  by  his  first  wife.  He  was  in  South  Carolina  at  that  time,  not 
at  Belfast.    It  was  Alexander  Chesney's  wife  who  was  at  Belfast. 


125 


126  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

APPENDIX  II. 

Alexander  Chesney's  Memorial 

Docket:  N°  193 

Alexander  Chesney 
his  Memorial 

rceeived  21^'  November  1783 
To  the  Honourable  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  Act  of 
Parliament  for  enquiring  into  the  Losses  and  services  of  the  Ameri- 
can Loyalists. 

The  Memorial  of  Cap*  Alexander  Chesney 
Late  of  the  Province  of  South  Carolina 
Sheweth 

That  your  memorialist  for  several  years  prior  to  the  Late  un- 
happy Rebellion  in  america  resided  on  Pacolet  River  in  Ninety  six 
district  in  the  Province  of  South  Carolina  aforesaid 

That  at  the  commencement  of  the  Rebellion  in  that  Province, 
your  memorialist  took  an  active  part  in  favour  of  the  British  Gov- 
ernment and  rendered  the  Loyal  subjects  in  that  country  as  well 
as  his  Majesties  army  essential  services  as  appear  by  the  certify- 
cates  hereunto  annexed. 

That  soon  after  the  reduction  of  Charles  Town  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  your  memorialist  was  appointed  a  Captain  of  a  company  of 
militia,  and  Adjutant  of  the  different  batalions  of  militia  under  the 
late  Major  Ferguson  of  the  71^*  Regiment  in  which  capacity  he 
acted  untill  the  defeat  of  that  officer  on  Kings  Mountain  where  your 
memorialist  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 

That  your  memorialist  after  he  obtained  his  Liberty,  again 
acted  in  his  military  capacities  untill  the  out  posts  were  drove  into 
the  garison  of  Charles  Town 

That  your  memorialist  has  Lost  all  his  Lands  and  other  prop- 
erty, in  consequence  of  his  Loyalty,  and  attachment  to  the  British 
Government;  the  same  being  long  since  seized  and  confiscated  by 
the  rebels. 

Your  memorialist  therefore  prays  that  his  case  may  be  taken 
into  your  consideration,  in  order  that  your  memorialist  may  be  en- 
abled under  [your]  Report,  to  receive  such  aid  or  relief,  as  his 
Losses  and  services  may  be  found  to  deserve. 


APPENDIXES  127 

And  your  memorialist  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 
London  20*^  Nov  1783  Alex^  Chesney. 

at  31  Brownlow  Street 
Long  acre,  London. 
Witnesses  names  Places  of  Residence  of  the  witnesses 

Colonel  John  Phillips N°.  31  Brownlow  Street 

Long  Acre,  London 

Col.  Zacharias  Gibbs N°.  32  Charles  Street 

Westminster. 

Captn  James  Miller N°.  18  Drury  Lane 

London. 

APPENDIX  III 


An  Estimate  of  Alexander  Chesney's  Property 

An  estimate  of  the  Lands,  and  other  property,  of  Cap"'  Alex- 
ander Chesney,  Late  of  Pacolet  River,  in  the  Province  of  South 
Carolina,  Lost  by  his  Loyalty  and  attachment  to  Great  Britain. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LANDS 


80  Acres  situate  on  the  north  bank  of  Pacolet 
River,  being  part  of  a  tract  of  300  acres 
granted  by  Gov.  Tryon  Late  Gov^  of  North 
Carolina,  and  purchased  by  me  from  Peter 
Howard,  as  will  appear  by  conveyances 
now  in  my  possession,  on  said  tract  was 
about  40  acres  cleared  and  well  fenced  in 
convenient  fields,  with  good  houses  and 
other  improvements,  and  a  valuable  fishery 
together  with  a  commodious  seat  for  a  saw 
and  flower  mill,  greatest  part  of  the  irons 
and  other  materials  for  said  works  I  had 
provided  before  I  was  obliged  to  abandon 
said  Lands,  the  improvements  were  made 
by  me, 

150  acres  adjoining  the  above  tract,  being  part 
of  a  tract  of  400  acres,  Granted  by  Lord 
Charles  Grenville  Montague,^  Late  Gov^  of 


Sterling 

value 
pr.  acre 


40s 


160 


1  See  Additional  Notes,  p.  59. 


128 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LANDS 


South  Carolina,  to  Robert  Chesney  my 
father,  from  whom  I  received  the  same 
under  deed  of  gift  A.  D.  1778  which  con- 
veyance was  Lost  or  destroyed  at  the  time 
the  Rebel  Gen'.  Morgan  ^  took  possession 
of  my  plantation  before  Col  Tarletons  De- 
feat at  the  Cowpens  which  happened  on 
the  17'^  Jany  1781. 

200  acres  situate  on  Williams  creek  the  waters 
of  Pacolet  River  granted  by  the  Gov.  of 
North  Carolina  to  James  Cook,  from  him 
conveyed  to  William  Hodge,  from  whom 
I  received  it  by  a  contract  of  marriage 
with  his  daughter,  in  the  year  1780.  On 
said  tract  was  good  houses  and  30  acres 
or  upward  cleared  Land,  under  good  fences 
which  improvements  was  rented  out  at  the 
time  I  was  oblidged  to  leave  that  place,  for 
one  third  of  its  produce,  the  conveyance 
of  this  was  also  Lost  or  destroyed  by 
Morgans  army  when  they  encamped  at  my 
plantation 

200  Acres  situate  on  the  waters  of  Williams 
Creek  and  joining  one  square  of  the  afore- 
said tract,  surveyed  for,  and  granted  to 
me.  the  grant  of  this  is  in  the  public 
office  in  Charlestown,  there  is  a  valuable 
vein  of  copper  ore  runs  through  this  tract 

100  Acres  situate  on  Bush  River,^  granted  to 
me  on  a  bounty  warrant  during  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Lord  Charles  Granvile  Mon- 
tague the  grant  of  this  is  also  in  the  Pub- 
lic office  in  Cha^  Town 

Amount  of  my  Lands 


sterling 

value 

pr.  acre 


25s 


40s 


30s 


187.10 


400 


300 


1122.10 


*  General  Daniel  Morgan. 

■  Bush  river  is  in  Newberry  county.  South  Carolina. 


APPENDIXES 


129 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LANDS 


OTHER  PROPERTY 

One  Negro  woman  named  Moll,  taken  away 
by  the  Rebel  Captn  Vardrey  Magbee* 
Three  horses  taken  away  by  D°  same  time 
One  Waggon  and  team  with  gears  &c  &c. 
Six  Cows  taken  by  Morgans  army  40^  each 
Three  hogsheads  of  Tobaco  or  thereabouts, 
with  about  five  hundred  bushels  of  Indian 
corn,  in  store,  a  quantity  of  oats  and  other 
crop  taken  by  the  aforesaid  Morgans  army 

The  Schooner  Dolphin  which  I  left  in 
America  when  I  came  to  Europe  for  the 
recovery  of  my  health,  which  same 
schooner  cost  me  Seventy  Guineas  but  just 
She  is  by  the  most  authentic  accounts  since 
taken  by  the  Rebels. 

Cash  and  Goods  on  board  said  Schooner 


sterling 

value 

pr.  acre 


60 

40 

100 

12 


120 


70 
40 


442.0 


1564.10 


Alex:'"  Chesney 


London  20^"^  Nov.  1783. 


I  certify  that  M''  Alexander  Chesney  was  employed  by  me  in 
the  Barrack  department  as  Inspector  of  Wood  Cutters  from  the 
18'*^  November  1790  to  the  31"'^  December  following  and  that  during 
that  time  he  behaved  himself  with  the  greatest  Fidelity  &  Industry 
in  the  discharge  of  the  Trust  reposed  in  him  &  was  afterwards 
employed  by  my  Successor  in  Office  whom  he  was  obliged  to  leave 
from  his  111  state  of  Health 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Charles  Town  South  Carolina 
the  30''^  day  of  March  1782  — 
James  Fraser.^ 


*  Vadry  McBee  was  a  captain  in  Colonel  Benjamin  Roebuck's  regiment  of  South  Carolina 
militia.     The  name  is  pronounced  in  South  Carolina  to  this  day  as  if  spelled  Magbee. 

6  A.O.  13/126.     A  copy  of  the  above  claim  is  in  A.O.  12/146,  pp.  186-189. 

*  Dr.  James  Fraser  (see  p.  26,  n.  185). 


130         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

London  Aug:  11 
I  certify  that  Alexander  Chesney  was  of  use  to  the  Kings 
Troops  under  my  command  acting  between  the  Broad  River  &  the 
Mountains  S**  Carolina — in  the  beginning  of  the  year  81 

Ban:  Tarleton^ 
L'  Col :  Com^  B.  L. 

I  Certify  that  the  Bearer  Mr  Alx^  Chesney  commanded  a  Com- 
pany of  the  Royal  Militia  in  South  Carolina ;  with  which  He  acquit- 
ted himself  as  a  faithful,  zealous,  and  active  officer,  &  by  his  attach- 
ment to  the  cause  of  Great  Britain  He  lost  a  very  good  property. 

J  Doyle     Major  105^»»  Reg' » 


APPENDIX  IV 

Evidence  on  Alexander  Chesney's  Memorial.^ 

Alexander  Chesney  the  Claim'  Sworn. 

Says  he  went  from  Ireland  to  America  in  1772 — the  latter  end 
of  the  Year — Settled  on  the  Pacolet  River  in  the  district  of  Ninety- 
six  in  South  Carolina  in  1773. 

Says  at  the  time  the  Rebellion  broke  out  he  lived  with  his 
Father — Says  in  the  Summer  of  1775 — he  was  pressed  to  enter 
into  the  Associat"  against  Great  Britain  which  he  refused  to  do — 
He  then  went  to  join  the  Loyalists  who  were  collected  under  Captain 
Phillips — brother  to  Col.  Phillips  and  guided  them  up  to  Pacolet  to 
his  Fathers  This  was  in  the  Winter  the  latter  End  of  1775 — or 
beginning  of  1776 

The  Body  staid  about  a  fortnight  when  they  divided — He  was 
soon  afterwards  made  a  prisoner  for  having  lent  his  Assistance 
to  these  Loyalists — He  was  taken  off  from  his  Father's  by  a  party 
of  Rebels  under  Col:  Steen  he  remained  Prisoner  50  days-  when 
he  was  bailed  out — He  soon  after  went  home — In  the  summer  foll^ 
in  June  he  was  again  taken  into  Custody  on  the  same  Account  and 
carried  part  of  the  way  to  Charles  Town.  He  had  the  option  of 
going  to  Goal  or  joining  the  party  of  Rebels  and  take  Arms  with 
them.    He  consented  to  the  latter  as  his  Father's  Family  wo"^  other- 


■^  Banistre  Tarleton,  lieutenant-colonel  commandment  of  the  British  Legion,    (see  p.  90). 
8  Major  John  Doyle    (see  p.  25,  n.  180). 

1  Compare   with   his   evidence  published   in   The  Royal  Commission  on   Am,erican  Loyalists 
Claims:    Roxburghe  Club,  1915,  pp.  49-50. 

-  He  was  kept  in  prison  for  about  ten  days.    Ibid.,  p.  49. 


APPENDIXES  131 

wise  have  been  certainly  ruined.  He  continued  with  the  Rebels  in 
Charles  Town  till  the  16th  of  August  following.  In  the  course  of 
a  few  days  after  he  got  to  Charles  Town  he  made  an  attempt  in 
company  of  two  others  Ch^  and  Ch'^  Brandon  to  join  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton who  was  then  upon  Long  Island.  Being  discovered  upon  the 
River  they  were  obliged  to  desist  from  their  purpose  and  return. 
He  was  obliged  to  continue  serving  occasionally  with  the  Rebels  till 
June  1777 — at  wch  time  the  Reg'  was  discharged  &  he  returned 
home.  In  the  summer  of  1778  the  State  Oath  became  Gen'  and 
Claimant  with  a  party  consisting  altogether  of  30  resolved  to  go  to 
Florida  to  avoid  taking  the  Oath  they  accordingly  joined  Gen' 
Williamson  ^  who  was  marching  into  Florida  intending  to  quit  him 
upon  the  first  favorable  Opportunity  and  sent  off  one  of  their  party 
to  find  the  way  for  them  but  this  Man  (whose  name  was  David 
Bayley)  never  returned.  And  therefore  finding  themselves  unable 
to  accomplish  it  They  returned  home  at  the  end  of  the  expedition 
&  Claimant  remained  at  home  till  after  Charles  Town  was  taken. 
He  says  the  Oath  was  never  tendered  to  him  during  the  time  he 
remained  at  home — and  he  took  no  part  *  till  after  Charles  Town 
was  taken. 

When  that  Event  took  place  the  Loyalists  embodyed  themselves 
on  Sugar  Creek  in  Ninety  six  District  and  Claimant  among  the  rest. 
The  number  was  about  200 — They  dispersed  again  and  afterwards 
in  June  1780  embodied  at  Bullocks  Creek  upon  hearing  that  a 
Body  of  Rebels  was  coming  against  them.  Claimant  was  chosen  by 
this  Body  to  command  them  and  an  Action  took  place  wherein  the 
Rebels  were  beaten,  and  they  soon  afterwards  joined  Col:  Balfour 
at  Fair  Forrest. 

He  was  afterwards  put  under  the  command  of  Major  Ferguson 
who  was  Inspector  Gen'  of  the  Militia  and  continued  serving  under 
him  till  his  defeat  at  Kings  Mountain  on  the  7th  of  Oct.  1780.  He 
was  durs  this  time  entrusted  by  Major  Ferguson  with  private  In- 
structions to  a  Capt.  Moore  who  commanded  a  Post  in  Thicketty. 
He  delivered  the  Instr^'  according  to  his  orders. 

He  was  afterwards  employed  to  procure  Intelligence  of  the 
numbers  and  motions  of  a  large  party  of  the  Rebels  then  encamped 
on  Cherokee  Ford  on  Broad  River.  He  got  undiscovered  into  their 
Camp,  and  discovered  that  500  Men  were  detached  to  Nicholas's 


3  See  p.  7,  n.  48. 

*  That  is,  no  active  military  part  on  the  loyalist  side. 


132  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Fort.  He  gave  information  of  this  to  Major  Ferguson  in  conse- 
quence of  wch  he  intercepted  and  defeated  the  party  at  the  Iron 
Works  above  the  Fort  He  undertook  this  Service  in  consequence 
of  a  paper  shewn  him  by  Col.  Bibbes  wherein  a  reward  of  50  Gu'as 
was  offered  to  any  Body  who  should  perform  this  Service — Claim- 
ant tho  he  undertook  it,  yet  refused  the  reward,  and  says  he  did  it 
merely  from  a  wish  to  serve  the  Kings  Troops.  If  he  had  been 
taken  on  this  Service  he  should  have  been  hanged  as  a  Spy — Major 
Ferguson  talked  to  him  about  payment  after  his  return  but  he  per- 
sisted in  his  refusal  to  take  any  thing.  He  was  afterwards  appoint- 
ed adjutant  of  the  different  of  Militia.  He  reced  pay  for  his  Service. 
He  was  frequently  employed  by  Major  Ferguson  many  hazardous 
Services  for  procuring  Intelligence,  and  he  had  the  command  of 
various  parties  committed  to  his  charge  against  the  Enemy  in  wch 
he  was  always  fortunate  enough  to  conduct  himself  to  the  Major's 
satisfaction.  When  Major  Ferguson  was  defeated  at  Kings  Moun- 
tain, Claimant  was  with  him  and  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried 
to  Moravian  Town  in  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  offered  to  be 
restored  to  all  his  Rights  &  properties  if  he  wo^  serve  with  the 
Rebels  only  for  one  Month,  &  threatened  him  with  death  in  case  of 
refusal.  He  did  refuse,  and  was  marched  almost  naked  with  other 
prisoners  in  Moravian  Town  on  the  Gadkin  River,  in  a  course  of 
150  Miles.  He  made  his  escape  from  hence  &  returned  home,  where 
in  the  begin^  of  Dec  1780  he  raised  a  Company  of  Militia  and  joined 
Col.  Tarleton. 

Produces  a  Comm°  of  Capt.  in  Col:  Plummers  Reg*  of  foot 
under  the  Hand  of  Col.  Balfour  dated  1''  Dec-"  1780. 

Says  he  continued  with  Col.  Tarleton  sometime  &  when  the  Col 
Tarleton  marched  against  Gen'  Morgan  Claimant  was  with  him  in 
the  Action,  of  the  17'^  Janry  1781 — at  the  Cow-pens  on  Thicketty 
wherein  Col :  Tarleton  was  defeated — Claimant  then  retreated  to- 
wards Charles  Town,  and  in  his  way  endeavoured  to  persuade  Gen' 
Cunningham  to  embody  the  Militia  but  not  succeeding  in  his  appl'on 
he  went  to  Charles  Town.  He  continued  on  different  Military  ser- 
vices till  the  Evac'n  of  Charles  Town. 

Produces  certificates  of  Loyalty  and  Credibility  under  the 
Hands  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  Lord  Rawdon,  Col.  Balfour,  Colonel 
Tarleton,  Major  Doyle,  Col.  Cruden  ^  &  others. 


^  John  Cruden  had  a  lieutenant-coloner's  commission.      (See  Additional  Notes,  p.  92.) 


APPENDIXES  133 

Produces  t'ndre  dated  24  July  1777 — being  a  Lease  for  a  Year 
of  80  Acres  of  Land  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Pacolet  River  being 
part  of  a  Tract  of  300 —  Says  he  has  the  Release  at  home  in  Ire- 
land. 

Says  he  purchased  this  Tract  in  the  beginning  of  1776  and 
paid  part  of  the  Con's'on  then,  but  did  not  pay  the  rest  till  the  date 
of  the  Conveyance —  He  gave  60^  Sterl.  in  Money  and  Goods  for 
these  80  Acres.  When  he  bought  them  about  3  Acres  were  cleared. 
It  was  part  of  a  large  Plantation  whereof  100  Acres  were  under 
Cultivation.  Says  he  erected  a  good  dwelling  house  Stable  and  Corn 
House —  He  cleared  as  much  as  to  make  up  40  Acres.  They  were  on 
four  Fields  well  fenced.  Part  of  the  Goods  he  paid  for  this  Land 
were  Horses,  Salt  &c.  He  paid  £150  Currency  in  Money —  Says 
when  he  bought  this  Land  he  imagined  the  British  Cause  would 
prevail,  and  that  it  was  safer  to  invest  his  property  in  Land  than 
any  thing  else. 

He  gave  as  much  for  it  as  he  sho'd  have  given  for  it,  two  years 
before —  Lands  were  rising  in  value  every  day —  at  the  same  time  he 
thinks  he  got  a  good  bargain  of  it,  and  he  co'd  have  got  more  for  it 
a  short  time  afterwards  as  he  was  offered  more  within  a  month 
than  he  had  given  for  it. 

Says  that  £60  Sterling  wo"^  not  have  defrayed  the  expence  of 
the  Improvement,  besides  the  Iron  Work  and  Timber  for  the  Mill. 
The  Iron  work  was  worth  £8  Ster.  Says  he  values  it  upon  his  Oath 
at  40/  Sterling  an  Acre. 

Says  his  Father  Robert  Chesney  conveyed  to  him  by  Deed  of 
Gift  150  Acres  adjoining  to  the  above  in  1778.  It  was  granted  to 
his  Father  in  1773 —  He  has  not  the  Deed  in  his  poss'ion.  It  was 
taken  away  with  other  Papers  from  his  House  by  the  Rebels  Says 
there  was  little  or  no  Cultivation  upon  it.  He  considered  this  and 
the  80  Acres  as  one  Tract,  and  was  not  at  any  expence  on  this  par- 
t'lar  part :  No  Cultivat"  had  been  made  by  him  or  his  Father.  Thinks 
it  was  worth  25''  per  Acre  to  him,  as  it  lay  contiguous  to  his  other 
property  but  wo''  not  have  been  so  to  any  body  who  had  not  posse'd 
the  Tract  of  80  Acres. 

Says  the  200  Acres  sit.  on  Williams  Creek  he  rec'd  as  a  por- 
tion with  his  Wife  from  her  Father  William  Hodge  in  the  year 
1780  But  he  paid  Hodge  £25  Sterling  on  this  occasion.  It  was  con- 
veyed to  Claimant  in  fee 


134  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Says  there  were  good  Houses,  and  upwards  of  30  Acres  of 
cleared  Land  upon  this  Tract,  when  it  was  conveyed  to  him  and  he 
rented  it  out  for  one  third  of  its  produce. 

Says  his  Father  in  Law  always  took  part  with  the  Rebels,*'  but 
beP  he  is  not  in  poss'ion  of  it  at  present.  Claimant  never  rec'd  but 
one  Years  rent  for  it,  and  does  not  think  he  got  above  £6  Sterling 
for  his  Share  of  the  produce. 

Says  he  was  promised  £100  as  a  portion  with  his  wife  &  he 
looked  upon  this  Land  as  a  compensation  for  the  £100 

Says  he  thinks  it  would  really  have  sold  at  that  time  that  he 
left  it  for  35^  an  Acre  in  Cash. 

Says  in  the  year  1773 — he  bought  a  Warrant  for  200  Acres 
adjoining  to  this  Land  and  applied  for  the  Grant.  He  paid  the  Fees 
and  understood  the  Grant  was  passed  but  he  never  had  it.  There 
was  no  improvement  upon  this  Land,  and  he  never  derived  any  ad- 
vantage from  it.  He  gave  £6  for  the  Warrant,  and  the  Fees  were 
about  £4  more  Sterling,  and  a  small  sum  for  Taxes. 

Says  he  values  this  Land  and  thinks  it  wo'''  have  sold  for  30/ 
an  Acre 

Says  he  bought  a  Warrant  for  100  Acres  on  Bush  River  he 
never  had  the  Grant  He  was  at  no  other  expence  but  £6  currency 
for  the  Survey.  He  values  it  at  15^  an  Acre,  but  can't  speak  posi- 
tively to  the  value. 

Says  he  was  poss'ed  of  a  Negro  Woman  who  was  taken  away 
from  his  House  by  a  Rebel  Capt."  in  the  year  1780.  She  was  a 
valuable  Slave  both  within  and  without  Doors — And  thinks  she  was 
worth  more  than  £60. 

The  same  Man  at  the  same  time  took  away  three  Horses  one 
was  a  fine  riding  Horse  wch  he  thinks  was  worth  20' —  the  other 
two  work  Horses  wch  he  values  at  £10  each. 

Says  just  before  the  taking  of  Charles  Town  a  Waggon  &  Team 
of  4  Horses  were  taken  from  him.  The  Waggon  was  3  year  old,  and 
he  values  it  at  £30.    The  four  Horses  were  worth  70'.^ 

Says  his  Wife  told  him  Morgans  Army  had  killed  6  head  of  his 
Cattle — he  values  them  at  Forty  Shillings  a  Head. 


«  See  p.  9,  n.  64. 
'  See  p.   129,  n.  4. 

*  The  wagon  and  horses  were  impressed  into  the  American  service  while  Alexander  Chesney 
himself  was  in  that  service.     See  p.  9,  n.  62.) 


APPENDIXES  135 

At  the  same  time  (as  he  was  told)  were  taken  away  3  H'h'ds  of 
Tobacco  w'ch  were  each  1000  lb  weight.  He  values  it  at  20^  an  Cwt 
w'ch  it  had  cost  him,  and  had  paid  for  it. 

Says  at  the  same  time  were  taken  500  Bushels  of  Indian  Corn 
to  the  best  of  his  belief — he  had  the  Account  from  his  Wife,  he 
values  y^  Corn  at  10^  Currency  per  Bushel — Oats  and  Rye  worth 
£5  Sterling. 

Says  he  meant  to  include  in  this  Article  of  his  Memor^  his 
Plantation  tools  and  Household  Furniture  wch  he  values  at  £10  Ster. 

Says  he  bought  a  Schooner  in  the  year  1781  for  wch  he  paid  70 
G'as.    He  sent  her  with  Cash  and  Goods  on  board  to  the  Value  of 
£40  to  St.  Johns  in  Florida  and  to  bring  back  a  Cargo —  He  has  since 
been  informed  She  was  taken  by  the  Rebels. 
Col.  John  Phillips — Sworn 

Says  he  has  known  Claimant  since  he  was  a  year  old.  He  first 
came  to  America  in  1772 — or  1773 — They  lived  near  Witness  at 
first,  and  then  went  to  settle  on  Pacolet. 

Says  the  first  Action  of  Claimant's  Loyalty  was  after  the  Battle 
of  Ninetysix,^  when  Claimant  took  sev'  Loyalists  from  Jackson's 
Creek  to  his  Fathers  at  Pacolet  &  saved  them  from  being  taken 
prisoners.  This  was  in  the  latter  end  of  1775.  He  was  then  a  slip 
of  a  Boy  about  18 — among  these  Loyalists  were  two  Brothers  of 
Witness  ^" — Thinks  his  motives  were  his  attachment  to  Britain. 

Says  that  he  firmly  beP  Claimant  in  his  mind  a  determined 
Loyalist  from  the  beginning  tho'  he  was  obliged  to  carry  Arms  for 
the  Rebels.  Says  that  during  the  time  he  (Witness)  was  prisoner 
in  Gen'  Williamsons  Army  Claima'  took  every  opportunity  in  his 
power  to  converse  with  Wit.  and  communicated  to  him  his  inten- 
tions to  make  his  Escape  from  that  Army —  Says  he  has  known 
many  Loyalists  forced  against  their  Wills  to  serve  as  Soldiers  in 
the  Rebel  Army 

From  the  time  of  the  Reduction  of  Charles  Town  he  was  always 
most  zealous  and  active  Partizan  in  favor  of  Gov*.  Major  Fergu- 
son has  told  Wit.  that  he  never  knew  such  a  little  Boy  as  Claimant. 
He  was  particularly  Serviceable  both  to  Col.  Tarleton  and  Major 
Ferguson  and  ran  risques  w'ch  nothing  would  have  tempted  Wit.  to 


*  The  siege  of  the  fort  of  Ninety-Six,  held  by  Major  Andrew  Williamson  and  Major  James 
Mayson,  by  the  loyalists  under  Majors  Joseph  Robinson  and  Evan  McLauren,  from  November 
18  to  21,   1775.      (See  pp.  69,  70.) 

10  See  Colonel  John   Phillips,  p.   60. 


136  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

have  done.    He  does  not  know  nor  believe  that  he  ever  rec'ed  any 
reward  for  these  except  a  trifle  from  Col.  Balfour  in  Charles  Town. 

Says  he  does  not  know  enough  of  his  Lands  to  speak  to  their 
Value.  He  heard  of  his  having  purchased  Lands  on  Pacolet  River, 
and  that  his  Father  had  given  him  some  more.  He  had  likewise 
been  upon  Land  w'ch  he  was  told  had  been  given  Claimant  by  his 
Father  in  Law. 

Knew  besides  he  had  bounty  Warrant,  but  knows  nothing 
of  the  part'lars. 

Knew  Claimant  had  a  Waggon  wch  he  heard  &  beP  was  taken 
from  him  by  the  Rebels. 

Says  he  knew  Claimant  had  a  Schooner  wch  he  purchas'^  (he 
bel«)  for  £70  Ster.  in  1781.  Wit.  lent  him  £60  of  the  M^  to  pay  for 
her.  Says  he  beP  She  was  taken  by  the  Rebels,  for  the  Master  re- 
turned to  Charles  Town  and  informed  him  she  had  been  taken 
Witness  suspected  the  Master  of  her  had  behaved  treacherously  as 
he  appeared  in  Charles  Town  in  a  more  genteel  manner  afterw''^  tho 
he  pretended  the  Schooner  had  been  taken.  Knows  Claimant  had 
£40  on  board — part  in  Cash  and  part  in  Good. 

He  has  heard  and  believes  he  had  a  Negro  and  is  satisfied  that 
he  lost  her. 
Col.  Zach^  Gibbes  "  Sworn. 

Says  he  has  known  Claimant  many  Years.  He  was  a  Friend 
to  Gov*  he  and  all  his  Fathers  Family  from  the  commencement  of 
the  Troubles.  Knows  he  concealed  the  Loyalists  at  his  Father's — 
among  others  Col.  Phillip's  Brothers.  When  Wit.  returned  home 
after  being  exiled  he  went  to  the  House  of  Claimant's  Father  to 
conceal  himself  knowing  no  body  whom  he  co*^  so  securely  trust,  as 
he  knew  he  had  concealed  some  Loyalists.  Wit:  lay  concealed  there 
but  two  days,  &  found  Claimant  a  sensible  Youth  and  attached  to 
Gov*. 

Says  that  Claimant  had  been  before  forced  into  the  Rebel  Ser- 
vice— that  he  was  then  a  Youth  and  held  it  was  contrary  to  his  In- 
clinat°. 

Says  that  they  had  not  a  more  active  Oi!icer  or  Man  in  Major 
Fergusons  Army  during  that  Campaign.  Says  that  Major  Fergu- 
son sent  to  Wit.  and  desired  he  woul"^  point  out  to  him  a  faithful 
Man  who  wo'^  go  into  the  Enemy's  Camp  then  at  Cherokee  Ford  & 


11  Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs    (see  pp.  79-82). 


APPENDIXES  137 

count  the  number  of  their  Men  and  bring  Intelligence  of  their 
Movements.  Wit.  pointed  out  claimant,  who  went  and  brought  the 
desired  Intellig^®  He  did  not  get  a  Farthing  reward  for  this  Service. 
Wit.  afterwards  wrote  to  Col.  Balfour  ^-  who  gave  him  5  G'as — 
Says  he  does  not  think  he  would  have  gone  without  the  reward  as 
it  was  a  very  dangerous  Service. 

Says  that  Claim*  did  propose  to  Wit.  in  1776  for  the  Loyalists 
in  general  to  sign  a  Paper  testifying  their  abhorence  of  the  Rebel- 
lion &  their  resolution  to  support  the  British  Government. 

Reads  the  paper  produced  by  Claimant  &  beP  it  was  to  the 
effect  expressed  in  that  paper.^^ 

Says  he  beP  that  Claimant  entred  into  an  Agreement  with  other 
Loyalists  to  escape  to  Florida  from  Gen'  Williamson's  Army. 

Knows  many  instances  of  the  Active  Services  of  Claimant  both 
in  Action  and  by  procuring  Intelligence  &  had  great  Trust  reposed 
in  him. 

He  was  taken  in  the  Battle  of  Kings  Mountain  where  he  be- 
haved bravely.  He  knows  no  Man  of  whom  he  can  speak  more 
highly. 

Knows  Claimant  poss'ed  80  Acres  on  Pacolet  River — w'ch  he 
values  at  30/  an  Acre  at  least. 

Knows  he  purchased  and  paid  for  it,  and  that  he  was  offered 
30/  an  Acre  for  it.    As  to  the  offer  he  knows  it  only  by  hearing. 

Says  he  heard  he  was  poss'ed  of  a  Tract  of  Land  w'ch  had  been 
part  of  his  Father's  w'ch  he  beP  was  150  Acres.  He  values  it  at  20/ 
an  Acre. 

Says  he  knows  he  had  Lands  on  W™^  Creek  w'ch  had  been  W™ 
Hodges.  Does  not  know  part'ly  the  number  of  Acres.  He  values  it 
at  20/  an  Acre. 

Says  he  knew  the  Land  adjoining  but  not  the  Title  to  them  w'ch 
he  values  at  15/  an  Acre. 

Does  not  know  the  Land  on  Bush  River. 

Knew  Claimant  had  a  Negro  which  he  values  at  £60. 

Knew  he  had  a  Waggon  and  Team,  he  supposes  it  might  be 
worth  £70. 

Knows  he  purchased  a  good  deal  of  Tobacco — but  does  not  know 
the  part'lars  of  it. 


12  See  p.  132. 

13  The  Resolution  of  the  loyalists  is  printed  on  p.  144. 


138  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Capt.  James  Miller    Sworn 

Knows  Claimant — confirms  his  account  of  conducting  the  Loy- 
alists to  his  Father's  in  1776 — w'ch  he  did  from  Motives  of  Loyalty 
— He  s'^  so  at  the  time.  He  was  always  looked  upon  as  a  Man  in 
whom  they  might  perfectly  rely. 

Cannot  speak  positively  as  to  his  property  but  heard  he  had  a 
Tract  of  Land  from  Hodge  his  Father  in  Law.^* 

APPENDIX  V 

A.   Alexander  Chesney's  Orders  for  Wood  Cutting 

Cap'  Alexander  Chesney  is  employed  to  Superintend  the  Refu- 
gees cutting  wood  for  the  Barrack  Department.  No  wood  Cutt  by 
any  person  will  be  paid  for  unless  the  Cutter  produces  a  receipt 
sign'd  by  Cap'  Chesney — he  will  also  take  care  that  the  wood  is 
cutt  as  near  as  possible  to  the  best  Landing  &  that  the  Cords  are 
full  measure  so  that  when  they  come  to  Charlestown  they  may  hold 
out  measure  in  Case  of  any  disputes  arrizing  between  him  &  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Lands  on  the  Neck  he  will  apply  to  M'".  Hodge 
who  will  take  the  proper  measures  for  settling  them 

By  Order  of  the  Barrack  Master 
A  Montell* 

B.   Copy  of  Alexander  Chesney's  Commission  as  Captain 

South  Carolina 

By  Lieutenant  Colonel  Nesbit  Balfour      Commandant 

at  Charles  Town  &c  &c  &c 
To  Alexander  Chesney 

By  virtue  of  the  Power  &  authority  in  me  vested,  I  do  hereby 
constitute  &  appoint  you  to  be  Capt.  in  Col  Plummer's  Regiment  of 
Foot  ^ — You  are  to  take  into  your  Care  &  Charge,  and  duly  to  Exer- 
cise as  well  the  Officers  as  Soldiers  thereof  in  Arms,  &  to  use  your 
best  Endeavors  to  keep  them  in  good  Order  Discipline ;  &  I  do  here- 
by command  them  to  obey  you  as  their  Captain  respectively.  And 
you  are  to  observe  and  follow  such  orders  &  Directions  from  time 
to  Time  as  you  shall  receive  from  the  General  or  Commander  in 
Chief  of  His  Majesty's  Forces  in  North  America,  now  &  for  the 


1*  The  above  evidence  on  Alexander  Chesney's  Memorial  is  in  A.O.  12/46,   fos.   190-200. 
1  Colonel  Daniel  Plummer    (see  p.  88). 

*  Two  loyalists  of  this   name,  probably  father  and  son,  sailed  from  Charleston   and  settled 
in  the  Bahamas.      (A.O.  13/70). 


APPENDIXES  139 

Time  being,  your  Colonel  or  any  other  your  Superior  officer,  ac- 
cording to  the  Rules  &  Discipline  of  war,  in  Pursuance  of  the  Trust 
hereby  resposed  [sic]  in  you. 

Given  under  my  Hand  &  Seal  at 

the  1^'  Day  of  December  1780,  and  in  the  20"^  year 
of  the  Reign  of  Our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  3*^ 
by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  &  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith  &c. 

(Signed)   N  Balfour 

C.   Alexander  Chesney's  Commission  as  Lieutenant 
OF  Independent  Scouts 

To  M^  Alex--.  Chesney 
Reposing  especial  trust  &  confidence  in  your  Loyalty  and  Abil- 
ities, I  do  hereby  empower  you  to  act  as  Lieutenant  of  Independent 
Scouts  in  Capt  John  Fanning's-  Company — And  all  persons  what- 
ever are  hereby  required  and  directed  to  obey  you  as  Lieutenant 
of  that  Company. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Charles  Town 
20^'^  April  1781 
(  L.  S.  )  N  Balfour 

Commandant 

We  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  above  is  a  true  copy  compared 
with  the  original  this  7'^  day  of  Octo--.  1782 

J.  Mackintosh 
Lew :  Wolfe  ^ 

D.   Testimonial  to  Alexander  Chesney's  Services  in  Connec- 
tion WITH  Sequestered  Estates 

I  hereby  Certify  that  M""  Alexander  Chesney  was  Employed  by 
me  as  an  overseer  of  the  Sequestered  Estate  of  Thos  Ferguson  Esq^ 
and  withal  Capacity  he  behaved  himself  to  my  Sattisfaction — He 
was  also  Employed  by  me  as  a  Lieutenant  in  a  Corps  embodied  for 
the  Defence  of  the  Sequestered  Estates,  and  during  the  time  he  was 
so  Employed.  In  justice  to  him  I  can  not  but  acknowledge  that  he 
gave  proof  of  Zeal  &  Spirit  as  well  as  activity  &  Enterprise,  which 


2  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Fanning    (see  p.   108). 

3  Lewis  Wolfe    (see  p.   31,   n.  207).       The  above  documents   are  in   A.O.   13/126. 


140         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

I  hope  will  recommend  him  to  the  Notice  of  all  those  attachd  to  His 
Majestys  Government 

Cha^  Town  8th  Febry  1782  J.  Cruden  * 

Comm^  Loy'^  Estates 

E.  Other  Testimonials  to  the  Services  of  Alexander  Chesney 

Cherlestown,  April  1^'  1782 
Captain  Alex""  Chesney  having  an  inclination  to  return  to  Eng- 
land on  account  of  his  Health — 

I  know  him  to  be  a  very  determin'd  Loyalist,  &  that  he  has 
render'd  many  Services  to  His  Majesty's  Government  ever  since 
the  present  Rebellion — That  he  always  has  done  his  Duty  as  an 
Officer,  &  has  ever  faithfully  accomplished  every  matter  that  has 
been  entrusted  to  him 

Given  under  my  Hand  at  Charlestown  this  1"'  April  1782 

N  Balfour. 

Culford  Aur':  14'^  1782 
I  believe  the  contents  of  the  Memorial  of  M^  Alex-".  Chesney  to 
be  perfectly  just  and  recommend  him  as  a  proper  object  of  the  con- 
sideration  of  Government  Cornwallis 

To  The  Lords  Commissioners 
of  His  Majesty's  Treasury 

The  Bearer  M"".  Alexander  Chesney,  having  requested  me 
to  give  him  some  testimonial  of  his  good  conduct  in  America,  I  have 
much  pleasure  in  certifying,  that  in  the  Command  of  a  Company 
of  Royal  Militia  he  behaved  with  exemplary  zeal  &  fidelity.  Given 
under  my  hand  this  18'*^.  of  August  1782.  Rawdon 

Mansfield  Street,  Nov.  20'^^  1783 
I  know  M"".  Alexander  Chesney  to  have  been  a  deserving  Man, 
and  an  active  and  zealous  Loyalist,  and  I  have  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  his  estimate  of  his  Losses  is  perfectly  just.* 

Cornwallis 

F.  Letter  to  the  Commissioners  from  Colonel  John  Phillips.^ 

Ballymena  12'^  Dec".  1785 
Capt:  Chesney  showed  me  your  letter  of  the  28:  Novbr:  and 
Requests  me  to  write  to  the  Commis'■^   Respecting  his  property — 


*  A.O.  13/126. 
5  Ibid. 


APPENDIXES  141 

I  know  that  I  was  informed  that  after  Cap',  Chesney's  wife  and 
family  was  Drove  of  from  his  house  &  Lands  that  the  Rebell  Coil. 
Branon "  took  poseson  of  said  house  and  Lands  and  put  a  rebell 
fam.ily  in  possion  of  it  and  I  am  perfectly  Convinced  it  is  Conficated 
and  I  am  shure  it  is  irecoverably  Lost  to  him  from  the  many  serv- 
ices both  publick  and  secret  he  rendered  Goverm'. 

indeed  all  who  bore  Commisons  in  the  British  army  were  in- 
cluded in  the  Confication  act  and  as  he  was  one  of  the  most  active 
one  I  am  convinced  he  has  as  littell  Chance  to  In  joy  any  part  of 
his  property  in  Caralenia  as  any  Loyalist.  I  know  also  that  Capt 
James  Miller  Lands  "  is  sold  and  a  rebell  Capt  Hugh  Millen  ^  is  liv- 
ing on  them  and  their  is  two  Loyalists  heare  can  and  will  take  their 
oath  that  they  were  on  the  spot  in  1784  and  saw  Millen  in  possion 
of  the  same 

G.   Major  Doyle's  Certificate  to  Alexander  Chesney.^ 
Montalto— Ballynahinch  Dec.  14'^  1785 

I  Certify  that  Captain  Alexander  Chesney  late  of  the  Carolina 
Militia  was  a  very  active  zealous  officer  in  support  of  his  Majesty 
Goverment  during  the  late  War:  &  by  that  means  is  (I  am  con- 
vinced) totally  &  for  ever,  deprived  of  his  property  in  America, 
although  He  may  not  have  been  mentioned  in  a  Confiscation  List; 
which  however  must  affect  him  as  having  held  a  Commission  in 
the  British  Service. 

J:  Doyle     Major 

late  105"^  Reg-' 

H.  Colonel  Zacharias  Gibbs'  Certificate.^" 
On  an  application  made  to  me  by  Captain  Alexander  Chesney 
late  of  Ninety-six  in  his  Majesty's  Province,  now  the  State  of  S° 
Carolina  In  Justice  to  his  Charector,  and  Merit  I  think  it  my  Duty 
to  Certify  that  at  the  Commencement  of  the  unhappy  war,  he  took 
an  Early  part  for  and  in  Behalf  of  his  Majesty's  Government:  and 


"  Colonel  Thomas  Brandon. 

'Captain   James  Miller    (see  p.   100). 

*  Hugh  Milling,  of  that  part  of  South  Carolina  now  embraced  in  Fairfield  county,  en- 
listed in  Captain  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney's  company  of  the  1st  South  Carolina  regiment, 
June  16,  1775,  and  was  immediately  appointed  a  sergeant.  He  was  subsequently  promoted 
captain  in  the  6th  Regiment,  South  Carolina  line,  and  in  February,  1780,  was  transferred  to 
the  3rd  Regiment,  South  Carolina  line,  with  which  he  served  until  the  fall  of  Charleston  in 
May  following,  when  he  was  taken  prisoner.  In  1781  he  was  exchanged.  Captain  Hugh  Milling 
died  in  July,  1837. 

»A.O.  13/126. 

i»  Ibid. 


142         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

Rendered  many  essential  Services  to  Government.  More  especially 
at  the  Return  of  the  Royal  Government  in  the  year  1780,  he  joined 
the  Royal  army  and  from  his  Zeal  and  activity  was  Appointed  Adj^ 
of  a  Royal  Reg'  of  Militia,  and  Captain  of  a  Company —  And  to  my 
knowledge  remained  Singularly  active  Dureing  the  British  Troops 
Remaining  in  that  Country  which  was  near  two  years —  And  I 
must  further  say  I  know  no  man  of  Captain  Chesney's  Rank  that 
Rendered  more  Services  Dureing  that  time,  and  to  my  knowledge, 
and  By  my  Direction  he  Rendered  many  both  Publick  and  Secret 
Services,  such  as  Rideing  with  Hazardous  Expresses  &c  and  in  Par- 
ticular to  Major  Patrick  Ferguson,  of  the  71^'.  Reg*.  Lord  Rawdon, 
and  Col.  Balfour ;  and  was  taken  at  the  memorable  Battle  at  King's 
Mountain  the  8""  Oct"".  1780,  when  Major  Ferguson  was  killed,  and 
was  taken  some  Hundred  Miles  Prisoner  into  North  Carolina,  in 
Close  Confinement,  and  Treated  with  the  Utmost  Severity.  At 
length  made  his  Escape  back  and  Raised  another  Company  of  Mili- 
tia, and  Cooperated  with  the  British  Troops — In  Consequence  of 
which  I  believe  and  know  from  Circumstances  that  his  property 
both  Real  and  personal  are  Irrecoverably  lost,  as  the  americans 
Immediately  Seized  on  his  Property,  having  Drove  his  wife  and 
Child  off  and  Into  the  Britilsh  lines ;  and  I  think  his  Chance  Equally 
as  Dangerous  to  return  as  mine  or  any  other  Loyalist. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Springfield,  County  Down.  Ireland 
this  15"^  day  of  Dec-".  1785 

Zach^  Gibbs 

late  a  Col'.  Royal  Militia 

South  Carolina  Ninety-Six  District- 

I.   Letter  to  the  Commissioners  from  Alexander  Chesney." 

Bangor  Dec^  16'^  1785 
It  gave  me  infinite  pain,  to  find  by  M""  Forsters  Letter,  that 
there  remained  a  doubt  with  you,  of  the  confiscation,  and  irrecov- 
erable loss  of  my  Property  in  America.  I  was  in  hopes  that  it  had 
already  been  made  appear  to  your  satisfaction,  by  the  very  respect- 
able Witnesses  examined  on  my  case,  that  as  early  as  Jan^,  81.  the 
Rebel  Col.  Brandon, ^^  seized  all  my  Lands,  and  other  Property  un- 
der the  Confiscation  Act,  and  drove  off  my  family  into  the  Bristish 
Lines,  not  allowing  my  Wife  so  much  as  a  Blanket  to  protect  her 


"A.O.   13/126. 

12  Colonel  Thomas  Brandon. 


APPENDIXES  143 

Child  of  3  Months  old,  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather.  And 
that  he  (Brandon)  immediately  apply'd  all  my  Personal  Property 
to  his  own,  and  the  use  of  Gen'.  Morgans  ^^  army  their  encamped 
on  the  spot. 

I  also  flattered  myself  with  the  hopes  that,  from  my  uncom- 
mon exertions  in  the  field  as  an  officer,  and  from  the  many  very 
essential  secr^et  services  I  rendered  Gov\  during  the  late  War,  and 
from  the  certifycates  in  my  favour,  from  Lord  Cornwallis;  Lord 
Rawdon ;  Col.  Balfour,  Col  Tarleton  and  other  Officers,  under  whom 
I  srved  in  America;  to  be  classed  with  the  most  meritorious,  and 
deserving  men.  And  to  have  received  some  compensation  with 
them,  to  enable  me  to  support  my  family.  And  as  I  have  ever 
placed  an  unlimited  confidence  on  the  faith  of  Goverm'.  and  sacri- 
ficed my  all  for  its  support,  I  hope  you  will  see  that  my  Property 
is  confiscated,  &  for  ever  gone  from  me,  and  include  me  in  your 
next  Report.  And  be  ashured  Gentlemen,  that  I  am  one  of  the  last 
men,  that  would  be  admited  back  to  Carolina.  Shou'd  I  be  aban- 
doned by  Gov*,  and  left  in  poverty,  and  despair,  a  prey  to  the  Re- 
belion,  yet  in  that  case  I  cou'd  not  even  think  for  a  moment,  of 
soliciting  any  favours  from  the  late  Rebellious  States. 

If  it  will  give  you  any  further  satisfaction,  I  will  make  Oath 
before  Lord  Moira,"  or  a  Justice  of  Peace,  that,  all  the  Lands,  and 
other  Property,  for  which  I  gave  you  in  Claims,  are  to  the  best  of 
my  information,  and  belief,  confiscated.  And  that  I  have  not  the 
most  distant  expectation  of  ever  receiving  any  part  of  it  except 
from  Gov^,  And  that  I  never  intend  to  return  to  any  part  of  the 
United  States  unless  they  are  again  under  a  British  Gov"^ 

I  have  called  on  Col  Phillips,  and  Col  Gibbs  and  got  them  to 
certify  what  they  know  of  the  matter,  and  would  be  glad  you  wou'd 
enquire  the  oppinion  of  my  Lord  Cornwallis,  Lord  Rawdon,  Col. 
Balfour,  Col  Tarleton,  or  Major  Saunders  ^^  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, and  from  any  of  those  Gentlemen,  you  will  learn  that  from  my 
services,  it  is  impossible  I  shou'd  ever  enjoy  or  recover  any  part  of 
my  confiscated  Property.  And  as  my  situation  is  singularly  dis- 
tressing, having  been  oblig'd  to  borrow  Money  to  defray  the  ex- 
pences  of  three  different  Journeys  to  London,  on  this  business  al- 
ready.   I  hope  your  hon""^  will  see  the  merit  of  my  conduct,  and  the 


1^  General  Daniel  Morgan. 

1^  Lord  Moira,  the  father  of  Lord  Rawdon. 

'^^  Captain  John  Saunders    (see  Additional  Notes,  pp.  108-111). 


144  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

distresses  of  my  situation,  and  grant  me,  and  my  family  some  relief 
as  soon  as  in  your  Power. 

J.   Letter  to  the  Commissioners  from  Lewis  PFolfe.^^ 

College  Street 
22<J.  Dec  1785 
The  enclosed  letter  &  Certificates  I  received  by  the  Post  this 
Day  from  M"".  Chesney,  who  resides  at  Bangor  in  Ireland,  in  ans- 
wer to  your  Letter  to  him  for  further  Proofs  in  support  of  his 
Claim ;  with  a  desire  fro  him  to  lay  them  before  the  Commissioners 
for  their  Information;  &  to  request  the  favor  of  being  informed 
whether  they  are  satisfactory  or  not ;  as  M"".  Chesney  lives  at  a  great 
Distance,  the  expence  of  coming  to  Town  would  be  attended  by 
much  Inconvenience  to  him. 

K.     Letter  to  the  Commissioners  from  Lord  Cornwallis." 

Culford  Dec:  26'^  1785 
Having  received  a  letter  from  M"".  Alex"".  Chesney,  informing 
me  that  the  Commissioners  were  of  opinion  that  he  had  not  pro- 
duced satisfactory  evidence  of  the  confiscation  and  sale  or  irre- 
coverable loss  of  his  property;  I  think  it  my  duty,  in  justice  to  that 
very  deserving  Man,  to  assure  the  Commissioners,  that  I  am  per- 
fectly convinced,  from  the  active  and  very  material  services  which 
M^  Chesney  rendered  to  the  British  Troops,  and  from  the  violence 
with  which  He  and  his  family  were  persecuted,  that  his  return  to 
Carolina  is  impossible,  and  that  the  loss  of  his  property  is  irre- 
coverable. 

APPENDIX  VI 

Resolution  of  the  Loyalists  on  Pacolet  River,^ 
South  Carolina.   [1775] 

We  the  principle  inhabitants  of  the  neighbourhood  of  pacolet 
River,  beholding  with  the  utmost  abhorrence  and  detestation,  the 
dareing  proceedings  of  those  infatuated  people,  who  call  themselvs 
committee  men,  or  Liberty  boys,  feloniously  breaking  open  the 
houses  of  his  Majesties  subjects,  and  thence  carrying  away  Arms, 


18  A.O.  13/126. 

1'  Ibid. 

1  A.O.  13/126. 


APPENDIXES  145 

Ammunition,  and  other  warlike  stores;  as  well  as  putting  their 
persons  in  confinement,  which  proceedings  must  terminate  in  the 
ruin  and  misery,  of  the  poor  deluded  people  themselvs. 

In  order  therefore  to  shew  our  attachment  to  our  King  and 
country,  we  promise  goverment  and  each  other,  that  we  will  embody 
ourselves  at  the  shortest  notice,  to  support  the  rights  of  the  crown, 
as  soon  as  called  by  any  Legal  Authority  from  thence — 

APPENDIX  VII. 
Party  Divisions  in  South  Carolina  Families 

Family  divisions  in  the  war  were  many  in  South  Carolina. 
Such  well-known  families  as  Bull,  Moultrie,  Lowndes,  Pinckney, 
Drayton,  Garden,  Manigault,  Heyward,  Huger,  and  Horry  were 
represented  on  both  sides  of  the  conflict,  as  were  many  less  con- 
spicuous families  in  South  Carolina. 

Draper  mentions  the  brothers  Goforth  fighting  as  enemies  at 
the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  where  also  fought  the  four  brothers 
Logan — William  and  Joseph  on  the  Whig  side  and  John  and  Thom- 
as on  the  loyal  side.  (Draper,  King's  Mountain  and  its  Heroes, 
pp.  314-5.) 

APPENDIX  VIII. 

Justification  of  the  Taking  of  the  Oath  to  the  State  by  the 
Committee  of  the  South  Carolina  Loyalists  in  London.^ 

At 
A  Meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  South  Carolina  Loyalists 

Present 

Thomas  Irving — Chairman 

John  Rose  Robert  Williams 

Charles  Ogilvie  Gideon  Dupont 

James  Simpson  Rob*  W""  Powell 

John  Hopton 

The  Committee  having  agreed  to  the  following  Report,  M''. 
Powell  and  M^".  Dupont  are  requested  to  wait  on  the  Honourable 
William  Bull  and  Thomas  Boone  ^  Esquires ;  their  Agents,  and  to 
beg  the  favor  of  them  to  deliver  the  same  as  soon  as  possible  to 
the  Honourable  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  Act  of  Parlia- 


1  A.O.   13/85. 

2  These  gentlemen  were  former  governors  of  South  Carolina. 


146         THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

ment  for  enquiring  into  the  Losses  and  Services  of  the  American 
Loyalists. 

The  Committee  of  South  Carolina  Loyalists  being  informed 
that  the  taking  of  the  Oath  to  the  State  is  construed  to  their  pre- 
judice, on  the  investigation  of  their  Claims  for  Compensation  of 
their  Losses  and  Services  under  the  late  Act  of  Parliament,  think 
it  their  indispensable  duty  to  offer  the  following  Observations  to 
the  consideration  of  the  Honourable  Board  of  Commissioners,  in 
justification  of  their  Conduct,  through  the  intervention  of  their 
Agents. 

It  is  a  clear  proposition  that  the  King's  Subjects  born  in  any 
part  of  his  Dominions  owe  him  a  Natural  Allegiance,  which  cannot 
be  cancelled  by  any  change  of  time,  place,  or  circumstance,  without 
the  concurrence  of  the  Legislature.  This  Allegiance  is  founded 
on  principles  of  Universal  Law,  which  the  Wisdom  of  the  Nation 
has  incorporated  into  its  Jurisprudence:  And  although  the  Sub- 
ject takes  an  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  any  foreign  Power,  that  alle- 
giance is  only  local  and  temporary.  And  his  Majesty  hath  an  in- 
dubitable right  to  require  such  Subjects  to  return  to  his  Natural 
Allegiance,  under  severe  penalties. 

Natural  Allegiance  always  presupposes  Protection,  which  are 
reciprocal  duties ;  but  the  Governor  and  other  Officers  of  the  Crown 
in  South  Carolina,  having  been  early  forced  to  relinquish  the  Exer- 
cise of  their  respective  Offices,  and  afterwards  sent  off  the  Prov- 
ince, the  loyal  Inhabitants  were  totally  destitute  of  Protection,  and 
exposed  to  every  insult  and  indignity.  In  this  situation  many  of 
them  would  have  come  away  with  their  Families  and  what  little 
property  they  could  have  collected,  by  the  Sale  of  their  Estates  for 
a  depreciated  paper-Currency,  there  being  no  Gold  or  Silver  then 
in  circulation;  but  the  prohibitory  Act  passed  here,  put  a  stop  to 
all  Commercial  intercourse  between  the  two  Countries,  and  de- 
clared such  property  subject  to  Capture;  so  that  the  loyal  Inhabi- 
tants being  obliged  to  take  a  circuitous  voyage,  expected  they  and 
their  Families  would  be  utterly  ruined  in  that  event,  and  reduced 
to  a  state  of  poverty  and  wretchedness,  in  partts  of  the  world  where 
they  had  neither  Money,  Credit,  nor  Connexions.  Human  Nature 
revolts  at  the  idea  of  those  scenes  of  misery  and  distress  to  which 
they  would  have  been  liable:  and  if  the  Officers  of  the  Crown  ran 
that  hazard,  in  case  of  disappointment,  they  had  a  prospect  of 
availing  themselves  of  the  patronage  and  influence  of  those,  by 
whose  Interest  they  had  obtained  their  Offices :  and  the  restitution 


APPENDIXES  147 

of  their  captured  property  was  owing  to  a  liberal  construction  of 
the  Act  of  Parliament  in  their  favor,  contrary  to  the  express  words, 
which  could  not  be  preseen.  But  others  of  unquestionable  Loyalty 
in  private  Stations,  who  destitute  of  that  prospect,  were  induced 
to  remain  in  the  Country  to  take  care  of  their  helpless  Families, 
and  be  ready  on  every  occasion  to  promote  the  King's  Service,  when 
he  could  give  them  protection,  endured  the  severest  persecution, 
some  by  painful  Imprisonments,  others  by  being  dragged  in  chains 
to  work  on  the  Fortifications,  and  several  of  them  were  condemned 
and  executed  for  their  Attachment  to  the  British  Government. 

Hence  it  is  obvious  that  the  loyal  Inhabitants  were  compelled 
to  take  the  Oath  to  the  State,  by  the  highest  legal  necessity,  a  fear 
of  injury  to  their  lives  or  Persons ;  to  which  the  people  of  the  King- 
dom in  its  Civil  Wars  have  submitted  by  taking  an  Oath  of  Alle- 
giance to  Usurpers,  until  the  rightful  Heir  to  the  Crown  asserted 
his  Title,  rather  than  leave  their  Country,  Families  and  Fortunes. 
Besides  it  is  declared  to  be  Law,  that  in  time  of  War  or  Rebellion, 
"a  man  may  be  justified  in  doing  many  treasonable  Acts  by  compul- 
sion of  the  Enemy,  or  Rebels,"  which  would  admit  of  no  excuse  in 
time  of  Peace" ;  And  "that  if  a  person  be  under  circumstances  of 
actual  Force  and  constraint,  through  a  well-grounded  apprehension 
of  injury  to  his  life  or  person,  this  fear  or  compulsion  will  excuse 
his  even  joining  with  either  Rebels  or  Enemies  in  the  Kingdom, 
provided  he  leaves  them  whenever  he  hath  a  safe  opportunity" : 
And  Obedience  to  the  Government  de  facto,  is  so  strongly  incul- 
cated by  the  Laws,  that  Attempts  against  an  Esurper,  unless  in  de- 
fence or  aid  of  the  rightful  King,  have  been  Capitally  punished, 
after  the  true  Prince  regains  the  Sovereignty;  because  of  the 
breach  of  that  temporary  Allegiance,  which  was  due  to  the  Usurper 
as  King  de  facto,  to  whom  even  the  power  of  pardoning  Offences 
belongs,  and  not  to  the  King  de  jure. 

But  even  supposing  the  conduct  of  the  loyal  Inhabitants  of 
Carolina,  in  taking  the  Oath  to  the  State,  under  such  circumstances 
was  criminal,  of  which  they  are  not  conscious,  the  Right  of  the  King 
to  require  them  to  return  to  their  Natural  Allegiance,  in  this  in- 
stance as  well  as  that  where  a  Subject  takes  an  Oath  of  Allegiance 
to  a  foreign  Power,  is  equally  clear,  with  his  right  of  pardoning 
both  by  the  Constitution.  And  his  Majesty  having  in  pursuance  of 
an  Act  of  Parliament,  issued  a  Commission  for  that  purpose  under 
the  great  Seal,  to  certain  Persons,  who  by  their  several  Proclama- 
tions, bearing  date  the  third  day  of  March,  the  twenty-second  day 


148  THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 

of  May,  and  first  day  of  June  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1780,  not  only 
required  all  his  Subjects  in  his  American  Colonies,  under  the  se- 
verest Penalties,  to  return  to  their  Natural  Allegiance,  but  in  the 
most  solemn  manner,  explicitly  promised  pardon,  forgiveness,  and 
Oblivion  for  all  past  Off'ences,  and  effectual  Countenance,  protec- 
tion and  support  to  such  as  should  do  so  and  persevere  in  their  Loy- 
alty. With  a  few  Exceptions,  it  is  humbly  conceived,  that  all  those 
not  included  in  the  exceptions,  who,  relying  on  the  public  Faith  of 
those  Proclamations,  did  return  to  their  Natural  Allegiance,  and 
with  integrity  discharge  their  duty  to  their  King  and  Country, 
(wherein  they  were  afterwards  encouraged  to  persist,  from  time 
to  time,  by  other  Proclamations  of  the  Commanders  of  his  Forces, 
and  his  gracious  assurances  to  maintain  his  and  their  Constitutional 
Rights,  signified  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  the  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, and  communicated  by  the  King's  Order  to  the  loyal  Inhabi- 
tants;) by  all  Laws,  divine  and  human,  are  unquestionably  entitled 
to  the  benefit  of  those  Proclamations,  and  the  Act  of  Parliament 
"appointing  Commissioners  to  enquire  into  the  Losses  and  Services 
of  all  such  persons  who  have  suffered  in  their  Rights,  properties 
and  professions,  during  the  late  unhappy  dissentions  in  America, 
in  consequence  of  their  Loyalty  to  his  Majesty  and  Attachment  to 
the  British  Government;"  in  which  act  those  Proclamations  are 
expressly  recited:  especially  as  the  Commanders  of  the  King's 
Forces  advised  the  loyal  Inhabitants  of  the  Colonies  from  time  to 
time,  to  submit  to  the  Government  de  facto,  until  he  could  give  them 
such  effectual  countenance,  protection  and  support. 

Some  of  the  Persons  who  were  compelled  to  take  the  Oath  to 
the  State,  for  want  of  protection  from  their  Government,  and  when 
that  protection  was  tendered  to  them,  cheerfully  returned  to  their 
Natural  Allegiance,  pursuant  to  those  Proclamations,  died  Martyrs 
to  their  Loyalty  in  the  Field  of  Battle:  Some  have  manifested  it 
by  their  wounds  and  loss  of  Limbs ;  and  others  have  demonstrated 
it  by  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  most  important  Trusts  reposed 
in  them,  as  well  as  by  the  most  essential  Services;  for  which  they 
have  been  subjected  to  Banishment  and  Confiscation  of  Estate,  and 
even  submitted  to  the  Sacrifice  of  almost  every  thing  that  is  dear 
to  Mankind:  So  that  they  have  nothing  they  can  call  their  own 
but  their  Families  and  their  Sufferings.  The  Act  of  Attainder 
against  them  is  likewise  an  unequivocal  proof  of  their  zealous  At- 
tachment to  the  British  Government,  which  can  be  corroborated  by 
the  most  ample  testimonials  of  many  of  the  King's  Officers  Civil  and 


APPENDIXES  149 

Military;  and  by  their  Memorial  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  previous  to 
the  Evacuation :  wherein,  urged  by  a  sense  of  loyalty  to  their  King 
and  love  of  their  Country,  they  expressed  their  earnest  desire  of 
defending  their  Religious,  political  and  private  Rights,  with  all  the 
Ardor  which  a  violation  of  them  could  inspire :  And  therefore  they 
trust  that  their  taking  of  the  Oath  to  the  State,  and  temporary 
submission  to  the  Government  by  the  Usurpers,  being  legally  justi- 
fiable by  the  cruel  necessity  to  which  they  were  reduced  without 
any  misbehaviour  on  their  parts,  cannot  militate  to  their  prejudice 
on  the  investigation  of  their  Claims  for  compensation  of  their  losses 
and  Services  under  the  late  Act  of  Parliament:  and  that  in  any 
construction  of  their  conduct  the  Public  Faith,  Justice  and  honour 
of  the  Nation,  which  have  invariably  been  held  sacred  with  her 
Enemies,  will  not  be  violated  with  those  who,  actuated  by  prin- 
ciples of  the  purest  loyalty  and  encouraged  by  the  above  proclama- 
tions and  Royal  Assurances,  have  given  such  indubitable  proofs  of 
their  Zealous  Attachment  to  their  Sovereign  and  the  British  Gov- 
ernment, whereof  they  are  the  Natural  born  Subjects,  which  always 
was,  and  ever  will  be  their  greatest  Felicity. 

(Signed)     Thomas  Irving 

London,   Feb :  21^' :  1785. 


INDEX 


ABACO  :  see  Bahama  Islands. 

Abduction,  family  of  Col.  Richard  Pearis,  103. 

Abuse  of  returned  loyalist  in  South  Carolina, 
82  ;  of  Col.  Richard  Pearis's  family,  103. 

Address,  loyalists  (E.  Fla.),  to  Governor  Pat- 
rick Tonyn,  92;  loyalists  (S.  C),  to  Lieut.- 
Gen.  Alexander  Leslie,  94. 

Address  to  the  Loyal  Part  of  the  British  Em- 
pire, by  John  Cruden,   92. 

Alexander,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  captain 
Indian  Field  company,  115. 

Alexander,  Robert,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Allaire,  Lieut.  Anthony,  loyalist.  Diary,  xi; 
13,  n.  92  ;  n.  94  ;  14,  n.  104  ;  71,  85. 

Allen,  Lieut.-Col.  Isaac,  loyalist  (N.  J.),  21, 
n.  145:  at  defense  of  Ninety-Six   (S.  C),  90. 

Ancrum,  William,  loyalist  (S.  C),  94;  mem- 
ber, committee  to  estimate  losses  of  South 
Carolina   loyalists,    120. 

Anderson's  Fort   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Forts. 

Arnold,   Gen.   Benedict,    loyalist    (Conn.),   32. 

Association,  American  Loyalists,  in  London,  v. 
32,  n.  216 ;  United  Loyalists,  92.  (See  also 
Tory  association,   Whig   association.) 

Atkinson,  John,  40. 

Atwood,  Richard,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Augusta    (Ga.)  ;  see  Georgia. 

Axtell,  Col.  William,  loyalist  (N.  Y.),  forms 
Nassau  Blues,  May  1,  1779,  84. 

BAHAMA  Islands,  Brig.-Gen.  Robert  Cunning- 
ham, loyalist  (S.  C),  and  others  settle  in, 
87,  88 ;  trade  with,  advocated,  93  ;  John 
Cruden,  the  younger,  dies  in,  93  ;  Col.  and 
Mrs.  Richard  Pearis,  loyalists  (S.  C),  re- 
ceive land  grants  in  Abaco  island,  104 ; 
suggested  for  settlement  of  Southern  loyal- 
ists, 117. 

Balfour,  Col.  Nisbet,  commandant  at  Charles- 
ton, 10,  n.  69  ;  orders  Alexander  Chesney  to 
raise  troop  of  horse,  iv.  23,  24 ;  orders 
"rebels"  released,  103 ;  certificate  to  Col. 
John  Philipps,  62 ;  appoints  James  Vernon 
'lieutenant-colonel,  78  ;  letter  to,  79  ;  testifies 
for  Col.  Zacharies  Gibbs,  81 ;  replies  to  Gen. 
Greene,  95 ;  certifies  to  value  of  Alexander 
Chesney's  estate,  125 ;  joined  by  loyalists 
(S.  C),  131;  mentioned,  132;  rewards  Alex- 
ander Chesney,  136,  137  ;  issues  captain's 
commission  to  Chesney,  138,  139 ;  Chesney 
carries  expresses  to,  142  ;  testimonials  to 
Chesney,   140,   143. 


Ball,  Col.  Elias,  Jr.,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim 
and  award,   118. 

Ballingall,  Col.  Robert,  94 ;  in  command  of 
Colleton  county  (S.  C.)  loyal  militia,  114; 
member.  South  Carolina  loyalists'  commit- 
tee,  116. 

Ballmer,  Maj.  George,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim 
and  award,  118. 

Banishment,  from  South  Carolina,  Robert 
Phillips,  loyalist,  61  ;  Philip  Henry  and 
other  loyalists,  98 ;  Southern  loyalists,  117  ; 
Solomon  Smythe,  28,  n.  197. 

Barber,  Lieut.  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  goes  to 
Ireland,  28,  97. 

Barclay,  Thomas,  loyalist  (N.  Y.),  Corre- 
spondence of,  xi. 

Baron,  Alexander,  member.  South  Carolina 
loyalists'  committee,   116. 

Barrett,  Ensign  Robert,   60. 

Barton,  Capt.  Robert,  Colleton  county  (S.  C), 
loyal   militia,    115. 

Battles :  Baylis  Earle's  ford,  72,  73  ;  Beaver 
Creek  (S.  C),  96;  Blackstocks  Hill  (S.  C), 
20,  n.  138;  Bullock's  creek  (S.  C),  131; 
Camden  (S.  C),  91,  96;  Col.  John  Hamilton, 
loyalist  (N.  C),  in,  117;  Cedar  Springs  (S. 
C),  12,  n.  83;  Cowpens  (S.  C),  Jan.  17, 
1781,  11,  n.  79  ;  22,  60  ;  Col.  Banistre  Tarle- 
ton  defeated,  128,  132;  Great  Bridge  (Va.), 
109;  Hanging  Rock  (S.  C),  90;  Kettle  creek 
(Ga.),  Feb.  14,  1779,  80;  King's  Mountain, 
Oct.  7,  1780,  17,  18,  19,  n.  129;  23,  31,  65, 
73,  79,  83,  84,  85,  89,  126,  131,  132;  Alex- 
ander Chesney  taken  prisoner,  137,  142 ; 
Musgrove's  Mills,  13,  n.  96  ;  Fort  Ninety-Six 
(S.  C).  siege  of,  Nov.  18-21.  1775,  65,  100, 
135,  n.  9  ;  Col.  Thomas  Fletchall's  attack  on 
Ninety-Six,  69,  70 ;  Lieut.-Col.  J.  H.  Crug- 
er's  defense  of  Ninety-Six,  May  22-June  19, 
1781,  90;  Stono  Ferry  (S.  C),  June  12, 
1779,  75;  Waxhaws   (S.  C),  June,  1780,  90. 

Bayley,    David,    loyalist    (S.   C),    131. 

Seattle's  Mill    (S.  C),  73. 

Beechey,  Sir  William,  49,  n.  333. 

Beers,  William,  49,  n.  330. 

Bell,  Georpre  W.,   55,  n.  357. 

Bell,  John,  schoolmaster,  62. 

Benson,   Capt.   George,   10,  n.   69. 

Bermuda,  Solomon  Smyth,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
takes  refuge  in,  28,  n.  197  ;  prisoners  from, 
join  Duke  of  Cumberland's  regiment,  91 ; 
trade  with,  advocated,  93. 

Bernard,  Scrope,  loyalist  (Mass.),  35,  n.  246; 
36. 


151 


152 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


Bibby,    Lieut.   John,    loyalist,   executed,   86. 

Bibliography,   xiii,   xiv. 

Big   Canebrake    (S.   C),   102. 

Bishop,  Drury,  loyalist   (S.  C),  79. 

Blackstocks  Fort   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Forts. 

Blackstocks   Hill    (S.    C),   battle;   see   Battles. 

Bobo,  Capt.   Lewis,  11. 

Boehman,  Jacob,   loyalist,   killed,  64. 

Bond,   Col ,   loyalist,   killed,   80. 

Bond,  Capt.  George,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant  in  Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Bond,  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Boone,  Thomas,  former  governor  of  South 
Carolina,   118,  145. 

Boston    (Mass.)  ;   see   Massachusetts. 

Bouquet,   Gen.   Henry,   102. 

Bowie,  Capt.  John,  70. 

Bowman,  William,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Boyd,  Col.  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  helps  raise 
600  loyalists  in  1779,   80. 

Brailsford,  Robert,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim  and 
award  for  children  of,  119. 

Brandon,  Charles,  loyalist  (S.  C),  4,  6,  20,  23, 
131. 

Brandon,  Christian,  loyalist   (S.  C),   131. 

Brandon  ("Brannon")  Col.  Thomas,  9,  n.  64; 
14,  n.  98  ;  141,  n.  6  ;  takes  Alexander  Ches- 
ney's  property,  142. 

Brecken,  Ralph,  76. 

Brereton,  Capt.  William,  25,  n.   182  ;  26. 

Brieer  creek   (Ga.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Brisbane,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim  and 
award,   119. 

British   Legion  ;  see  Tory  corps. 

British  troops,  at  Long  Island,  S.  C,  7  ;  at 
Stono,  9 ;  take  Charleston,  10,  71  ;  at  Cam- 
den, 13  ;  restricted  in  South  Carolina,  27,  n. 
190 ;  Maj.  Patrick  Ferguson  best  rifleshot 
and  inventor  of  first  breech-loading  rifle  in 
use  by,  83  ;  all  loyalists  in  battle  of  King's 
Mountain,  86  ;  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  107. 

Broad  river   (S.   C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Brown,   Anne,  71,  72. 

Brown,  Elizabeth,   88. 

Brown,  Hugh,  loyalist   (S.  C),   64. 

Brown,  John,   loyalist   (S.   C),  79. 

Brown,  Lieut.-Col.  Thomas,  loyalist  (Ga.),  65, 
68.;  helps  form  Tory  association  in  Ninety- 
Six  district,  105 ;  needs  relief  expedition  at 
Augusta,  Ga.,  mid-Sept.,  1780,  107. 

Brownlee,   Robert,   loyalist    (S.    C),   88. 

Brucee,  Catherine,  marries  Capt.  Moses  Kirk- 
land,  Jamaica,  W.  I.,  107. 

Bryson,  John,  William,  and  William  Jr.,  loy- 
alists (S.  C),  land  grants  in  Nova  Scotia, 
118. 

Buckingham,  Capt.  Elias,  of  Orangeburg  (S. 
C.)   loyal  militia,  114. 


Bull,     Stephen,     gets     property     of     Governor 

William  Bull  by  fraud,   112,   113. 
Bull,     William,     lieutanant-governor    of    South 

Carolina,    32,    n.    218 ;    112,    113 ;    claim    and 

award,   119. 
Bullock,  Capt.  Zachariah,  8,  n.  56  ;  9,  n.  62. 
Bullock's  creek    (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 
Burgoyne,  Gen.  John,  vi,   34,   86. 
Burns,     James,     loyalist     (S.     C),     claim     and 

award,   119. 
Bush  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

CALDWELL,  Capt.  John,  66,  69;  seizure  of 
Fort  Charlotte,   S.   C,  107. 

Caldwell,  Thomas,  60. 

Cambridge    (Mass.)  ;    see   Massachusetts. 

Camden,  (S.  C),  13,  14,  60;  Col.  Zacharias 
Gibbs  goes  to,  80 ;  defeat  of  Gen.  Horatio 
Gates  at,  Aug.  16,  1780,  91  ;  battle  of,  96 ; 
Col.  James  Carey  in  command  of  1st  regi- 
ment, loyal  militia,  114 ;  Col.  John  Hamil- 
ton,   loyalist    (N   .C),    in   battle   of,    117. 

Cameron,  Alexander,  loyalist  (Ga.),  deputy- 
superintendent  of  Indians,   63. 

Campbell,    Capt 47. 

Campbell,  Col.  Archibald  and  British  force 
sail   for   Georgia,   1778,   89. 

Campbell,  Charles  Philip,  loyalist  (S.  C),  28, 
n.  196;  30,  35. 

Campbell,  Daniel  and  Hugh,  loyalists  (S.  C), 
claim  and  award,  119. 

Campbell,   Gen.   William,   17. 

Campbell,  Lord  William,  last  royal  governor  of 
South  Carolina,  5,  63,  66,  67,  83,  99;  Capt. 
Moses   Kirkland   visits,   105. 

Canadais,  Silas,  loyalist  (S.  C),  ensign  in 
Indian  Field  company,   115. 

Garden,  Maj.  John,  loyalist,  in  battle  of 
Hanging  Rock,   S.   C,   90. 

Carey,  Col.  James,  in  command  of  1st  regi- 
ment,  Camden   loyal  militia,   115. 

Carleton,  Francis,  49,  n.  330. 

Carlisle    (Pa.),   2,   n.    10. 

Carr,  James,  48. 

Castlereagh,   Lord,  viii ;  47,   n.   325  ;   53,   54. 

Catawba  Indians  ;  see  Indians. 

Cathcart,  Lord,  raises  British  Legion  (Tory 
corps)   in  1778,   90. 

Cedar    Springs    (S.    C),   battle;   see   Battles. 

Chalmers,  Ariana  M.  J.,  marries  Capt.  John 
Saunders,   loyalist    (Va.),    110. 

Chalmers,  Col.  James,  in  command  of  Mary- 
land  Loyalists    (Tory   corps),    110. 

Champneys,  John,  member.  South  Carolina 
loyalists'  committee,  116  ;  claim  and  award, 
119. 

Charleston  (S.  C),  3,  4,  5,  7.  13,  24,  26; 
Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  visits  Governor  Lord 
William  Campbell  in,  105 ;  loyalist  prison- 
ers sent  to,  71  ;  Maj.  Patrick  Ferguson,  pris- 


INDEX 


153 


oner  at,  83 ;  Capt.  Robert  Cunningham, 
prisoner  in,  87  ;  Maj.  Patrick  Cunningham, 
prisoner  in,  104  ;  Col.  Richard  Pearis,  pris- 
oner in,  103  ;  Dr.  David  Oliphant,  prisoner 
in,  117;  taken  by  British,  15,  91,  94,  97,  135; 
Alexander  Chesney  goes  to,  22,  125  ;  loyalist 
refugees  in,  27,  61,  garrison,  31  ;  confisca- 
tion act  published  in,  39 ;  refuge  of  Col. 
John  Phillips'  family,  61  ;  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
in,  61  ;  hospital  for  refugees  in,  61  ;  Col. 
Thomas  Fletchall  and  family  take  refuge  in, 
71  ;  Col.  Zacharias  Gibbs  goes  to,  80 ;  Maj. 
Michael  Egan  joins  loyalists  in,  97  ;  daugh- 
ter   of    Col.    Daniel    Plummer    dies    in,    Dec, 

1781,  89 ;    Col.    Daniel    Plummer    in,    Apr., 

1782,  89 ;  Lieut.-Col.  Evan  McLaurin  dies 
in,  June,  1872,  102 ;  wife  of  Capt.  James 
Miller  dies  in,  Aug.,  1782,  101  ;  Col.  Nisbet 
Balfour  commandant  in,  10,  n.  69 ;  81  ; 
Maj.  Thomas  Eraser  married  in.  111  ;  Brit- 
ish outposts  driven  in,  v.  126 ;  loyal  refu- 
gees employed  in  wood-cutting,  129,  138  ; 
Alexander  Chesney  in,  130,  131  ;  commis- 
sioner of  sequestered  estates  in,  139 ;  dis- 
tress of  South  Carolina  loyalists  over  evac- 
uation, 116 ;  evacuation  by  British,  75 ;  ex- 
pulsion of  returned  loyalist,  120. 

Charleston  Neck   (S.  C),  27. 

Charlotte,  Fort   (S.   C.)  ;  see  Forts. 

Chatham,  Lord,  49,  n.  331. 

Cheraws  (S.  C),  loyal  militia  regiment  com- 
manded by  Col.  Robert  Gray,   114. 

Cherokee  ford  (Broad  river,  S.  C),  11,  17,  131, 
133,   135. 

Cherokee   Indians ;   see   Indians. 

Chesney,  Alexander,  loyalist  (S.  C),  birth, 
1  ;  family  connections,  1,  2,  3 ;  arrival  in 
South  Carolina,  3  ;  settles  on  Pacolet  river, 
3,  4,  5 ;  opposes  Congress  party,  5 ;  pilots 
company  of  loyalists,  6,  130,  135,  136  ;  taken 
prisoner,  6 ;  fails  to  reach  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton's army,  7 ;  with  "rebel"  army,  iii,  6,  7, 
8,  9 ;  in  campaign  against  Indians,  iii,  7,  8, 
65,  72,  104 ;  trades  with  Whigs  in  Charles- 
ton, iii,  8,  9 ;  marries  Margaret  Hodge,  9 ; 
goes  within  British  lines  and  enlists,  iii,  10, 
11;  in  various  actions,  12,  13,  14;  in  opera- 
tions in  North  Carolina,  14,  15,  16  ;  taken 
prisoner,  16 ;  in  battle  of  King's  Mountain, 
16,  17,  18,  85,  111  ;  reports  wounding  of  Col- 
Daniel  Plummer  at  King's  Mountain,  89  ;  is 
marched  prisoner  to  Gilbert's  Town,  N.  C, 
18 ;  escapes  home  and  hides  out,  19,  20 ; 
raises  company  and  joins  Brig. -Gen.  Robert 
Cunningham,  14,  20;  captured  and  ex- 
changed, 21  ;  at  Ninety-Six,  21  ;  joins  Lieut.- 
Col.  Banistre  Tarleton,  21  ;  in  defeat  at 
Cowpens,  Jan.  17,  1781,  22  ;  brings  off  fam- 
ily, iv.  22  ;  removes  family  to  sequestered 
plantation,  23  ;  raises  troop  of  horse,  iv,  24  ; 
moves  family  to  Dorchester,  iv,  24  ;  wounded. 


iv,  24  ;  military  activities,  24,  25,  26,  27  ; 
lieutenant  in  Lieut.-Col.  John  Fanning's 
scouts,  108  ;  commissioned  captain,  138,  139  ; 
commissioned  lieutenant  in  Independent 
Scouts,  139 ;  helps  defend  sequestered  es- 
tates, 14,  139,  140 ;  experience  on  Cooper 
river,  27  ;  superintends  wood-cutters,  v,  27, 
138  ;  death  of  first  wife,  27  ;  returns  to  Ire- 
land, V,  28 ;  presents  memorial  and  meets 
Philip  Henry,  loyalist  (S.  C),  v,  28;  visits 
relatives,  29 ;  gives  family  history,  29,  30 ; 
pushes  claims  for  losses,  v,  vi,  vii,  30,  31, 
33,  34,  37,  38,  39 ;  memorial,  126,  127, 
130 ;  evidence  on  memorial,  130-138  ;  ex- 
amined by  commissioners  on  American 
Claims,  125 ;  estimate  of  property,  127-130 ; 
testimonials,  140 ;  Col.  John  Phillips'  letter, 
141  ;  certificates,  141,  142  ;  letter  to  the 
commissioners,  142-144 ;  Lewis  Wolfe's  let- 
ter, 144  ;  claims  stttled,  40,  n.  285 ;  41  ;  ap- 
pointed member  loyalists'  committee,  v,  33 ; 
employed    in    Irish    Customs,    v,    vi,    vii,    36, 

39,  40,  50,  53,  55  ;  marries  Jane  Wilson,  36  ; 
births  of  children,  30,  41,  44,  48,  51  ;  com- 
bats smuggling,  vii,  x,  41,  42,  52,  53,  55,  56  ; 
active  against  rebellion  in  Ireland,  viii,  45, 
46,  47  ;  appointed  justice  of  peace,  viii,  46  ; 
family  matters,  viii,  ix,  x,  xi,  40,  45,  48,  49, 
50,  51,  52,  53,  54,  55,  56  ;  seeks  superannua- 
tion,  48  ;  burial  place  of,  43,  n.  299. 

Chesney   Alexander,   Jr.,   ix,   48,    52. 

Chesney,  Charles  Cornwallis,  ix,  x,  42,  n.  296  ; 

48,  49,   50,  51,   54,   55. 
Chesney,   Charlotte,   ix,   x,   54,   55,   n.   357. 
Chesney,  Eliza,  viii,   ix,   39,  n.  272;  44,   48,   51. 
Chesney,  Francis  Rawdon,  viii,  41,  n.  290  ;  43, 

44,  48,  n.  327  ;  49,  50,   51,   52,  55. 
Chesney,  Jane,  ix,  41,  n.  286  ;  54. 
Chesney,  Marianne,  ix,  x,  44,  n.  301  ;  54. 
Chesney,  Matilda,  ix,  47,  53. 
Chesney,  Robert,    ix,    29,    gives    land    to    son, 

Alexander,   133. 
Chesney,  Thomas   Crafer,   ix,   51,   A,  339. 
Chesney,   Sophia,    55. 

Chesney,  William,  ix,  x,  20,  43,  54,  n.  356  ;  56. 
Chester,   Governor   Peter    (W.   Fla.),   visited  by 

Capt.  Moses  Kirkland,   106. 
Chitty,   John,   lawyer,  London,   Eng. 
Chitwood,    Capt.   James,    loyalist,   executed,    86. 
Claims    and   awards,    of   loyalists :    Col.    Robert 

Ballingall,  94  ;  Alexander  Chesney,  v,  vi,  vii, 

40,  n.  285  ;  125,  129  ;  John  Cruden  and  Co., 
93  ;  Brig. -Gen.  Robert  Cunningham,  87  ;  Maj. 
Michael  Egan,  97  ;  Lieut.-Col.  John  Fanning, 
108  ;  Col.  Thomas  Fletchall,  72  ;  Col.  Zacha- 
rias Gibbs,  82  ;  Mrs.  Zacharias  Gibbs  (nee 
Jane  Downes),  81,  82;  Philip  Henry,  99; 
Capt.  Moses  Kirkland,  108  ;  fourth  duke  of 
Manchester,  59 ;  Capt.  James  Miller,  101  ; 
Col.  Richard  Pearis,  103  ;  Col.  John  Phillips, 
63  ;  Maj.  John  Robinson,  75,  76  ;  Capt.  John 


154 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


Saunders,  110 ;  James  Simpson,  100 ;  South 
Carolina   loyalists,    118-121. 

Clarke,  Col.  Elijah,   11,  n.  76;  16,  n.   109. 

Clarke,  Capt.  John,  21. 

Clary,  Col.  Daniel,  in  command  regiment  loyal 
militia  (S.  C),  113;  in  command  two  com- 
panies loyal  militia  of  Dutch  Fork  of  Ninety- 
Six,  114. 

Clatworthy,  Lieut.  James,  of  Camden  (S.  C.) 
loyal   militia,   115. 

Clavering,  Col.  Henry  M.,   46,  n.  318. 

Clerk,    Capt.    John ;    see    Clarke,    Capt.    John. 

Cleveland,  Col.  Benjamin,  17,  19. 

Clinton,  Gen.  Sir  Henry,  called  on  by  Alex- 
ander Chesney,  v,  33  ;  at  Long  Island,  S.  C, 
7,  131  ;  takes  Cherleston,  126  ;  at  Charleston, 
10,  30,  61;  handbill,  14,  15,  n.  100;  33; 
letter  from  Lord  Conrwallis  to,  65 ;  ac- 
companied by  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  on 
evacuation    of   Philadelphia,    106. 

Clitherall,  Dr.  James,  surgeon.  South  Carolina 
Royalists,    98,    112. 

Coates,   Col.  James,  26,  n.   183. 

Cobbett,  William,  celebrated  politician,  25,  n. 
181. 

Cochrane,   Sir  Alexander  F.   I.,  28,  n.   192. 

Coke,  Daniel  Parker,  commissioner  of  Ameri- 
can Claims,   37,  n.   258. 

Colden,    Alice,    49,   n.    334. 

Colleton  county  (S.  C.)  loyal  militia,  com- 
manded by  Col.  Robert  Ballingall,  114  ;  Col- 
leton family,  loyalists  (S.  C),  claim  and 
award,   118. 

Collier,  Sir  George,  105. 

Commissioner  of  loyalists'  (or  sequestered) 
estates.  Col.  John  Cruden,   139. 

Commissioners  of  American  (or  loyalist) 
Claims,  37,  n.  258 ;  38,  39,  41,  48,  59,  62, 
93,  97,  99 ;  examine  Alexander  Chesney,  vi, 
vii,  125  ;  memorial  of  Alexander  Chesney  to, 
126,  127  ;  letters  to,  140,  142,  144  ;  report  of 
committee  of  South  Carolina  loyalists  to, 
145. 

Committee  of  South  Carolina  loyalists,  in  Lon- 
don, justify  taking  State  oath,  145-148. 

Commons  House  of  Assembly   (S.  C),  111,  113. 

Concealment  of  loyalists  by  Alexander  Ches- 
ney,  136. 

Confiscation  of  loyalist  estates,  26,  n.  185 ; 
act  mentioned,  39,  n.  274 ;  lists  published, 
39,  n.  274 ;  protests  against  South  Carolina 
laws  for,  94  ;  of  estate  of  Capt.  John  Saun- 
ders, 110  ;  of  Lieut.-Governor  William  Bull's 
estate  thwarted,  112,  113  ;  extent  of  act  (S. 
C),  141;  of  lands  of  Capt.  James  Miller, 
141 ;  of  property  of  Alexander  Chesney,  31, 
142,  143 ;  of  propert  yof  Lieut.-Col.  James 
Vernon,  78. 

Congress,  Colonial  (S.  C),  and  Indians,  63; 
Provincial    (S.   C),  resolves  to  sieze  leading 


loyalists,  64 ;  Continental,  68,  IOC  ;  Provin- 
cial (S.  C),  74. 

Connelly,  Col.  John,  loyalist  (Pa.),  Narrative 
of,  xi. 

Cook,  Capt.  Abraham,  loyalist  (S.  C),  of  Cam- 
den loyal  militia,  114. 

Cook,  Hugh,  loyalist  (S.  C),  4,  20. 

Cooper,  Robert,  82. 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  v,  13,  32,  35,  39,  41,  44,  48  ; 
loyalist  refugees  in  British  Isles  helped  by, 
31,  n.  210 ;  inauguratees  loyal  militia  in 
South  Carolina,  60,  88,  113  ;  supports  claim 
of  Col.  John  Phillips,  62  ;  letter  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  65 ;  protests  against  execution  of 
Col.  Ambrose  Mills,  73  ;  certificate  to  Col. 
Zacharias  Gibbs,  81  ;  appoints  Robert  Ball- 
ingall colonel,  94  ;  indignant  at  surrender  of 
Col.  Rowland  Rugeley  and  loyalists,  96 ; 
certificate  to  Maj.  Michael  Egan,  97  ;  certi- 
fies to  value  of  Alexander  Chesney's  prop- 
erty, 125  ;  certificate  to  Alexander  Chesney, 
132,   140,   143. 

Corry,  Isaac,  47,  n.  320. 

Costley,  Robert,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Cotton,  Col.  John,  in  command  of  regiment  of 
(S.  C.)   loyal  militia,  113,   114,  116. 

Council  of  Safety  (S.  C),  63,  68;  asked  to 
boycott   Lieut.-Col.   Evan    McLaurin,    101. 

Covell,  Samuel,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Cowpens,  battle  of,  11,  n.  79 ;  21,  n.  147  ;  22, 
n.  148  ;  60  ;  defeat  of  Col.  Banistre  Tarleton, 
Jan.   17,  1781,  iv,  22,  60,  128,  132. 

Crafer,  Thomas,  xi,  31,  n.  208  ;  44,  n.  392  ;  49, 
50,    51. 

Crampton,  Maj.  John,  55,  n.  360. 

Creek  Indians  ;  see  Indians. 

Creeks:  Beaver  (S.  C),  96;  Brandy  wine  (Pa. 
and  Del.),  109;  Brier  (Ga.),  106;  Brown's 
(S.  C),  12;  Bullock's  (S.  C),  131;  Cane 
(N.  C),  14;  Crocky  (S.  C),  61;  Fair  For- 
est (S.  C),  10,  14,  22,  78,  88,  131;  Fishing 
(S.  C),  14,  n.  97;  Great  Beaver  (S.  C), 
101;  Great  Lynch  (S.  C),  96;  Jackson's 
(S.  C),  3,  4,  6,  60,  100,  101,  114,  135;  Ket- 
tle (Ga.),  80;  Long  Cane  (S.  C),  iv,  24,  n. 
177;  Silver  (N.  C),  14;  Sugar  (S.  C),  10, 
131;  Stevenson's  (S.  C),  114;  Thicketty 
(S.  C),  11,  n.  76;  22,  132;  Town  (S.  C), 
3;  Turkey  (S.  C),  3;  Waxhaw  (S.  C), 
90;  White  Oak  (N.  C),  16,  n.  110;  Williams 
(S.  C),  128,  133,  137. 

Crossian,  Jeremiah,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Crown  and  Anchor  tavern  (London,  Eng.)  ; 
see  England. 

Cruden,   James,   loyalist    (S.   C),   93. 

Cruden,  Col.  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  iv,  v,  23, 
27  ;  career,  91-93  ;  Address  to  the  Loyal  Part 


INDEX 


155 


o/  the  British  Empire,  92 ;  certificate  to 
Alexander  Cliesney,  132  ;  testimonial  to  same, 
139. 

Cruden,  John,  the  elder,  loyalist  (S.  C),  pris- 
oner,  92. 

Cruger,  Lieut.-Col.  John  Harris,  loyalist  (N. 
Y.),  16,  n.  109;  21,  81,  89-91;  accompanied 
to  Orangeburg  by  Col.  Daniel  Plummer's 
men,  89  ;  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  accompanies 
expedition  to  Augusta,  Ga.,   107. 

Cunningham,  Capt.  Andrew,  of  Colleton  county 
(S.  C.)    loyal  militia.  60,   115. 

Cunningham,  David,  loyalist,  remains  in  South 
Carolina  after  the  Revolution,  88. 

Cunningham,  John,  loyalist,  remains  in  South 
Carolina  after  the  Revolution,  88. 

Cunningham,  Margaret,  widow  of  Brig.-Gen. 
Robert  Cunningham,  dies  in  Bahama  Islands, 
88. 

Cunningham,  Maj.  Patrick,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
20,  22,  64,  67,  68,  69,  87-89.  97;  Richard 
Pearis,  Jr.,  marries  daughter,  104  ;  not  res- 
cued from  Charleston  104 ;  commands  bri- 
gade of  loyal  militia,  104,   113. 

Cunningham,  Robert  Andrew,  88. 

Cunningham,  Lieut.  Thomas,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
in  battle  of  King's  Mountain,   116. 

Cunningham,  Maj.  William,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
88 ;  in  command  of  loyal  mounted  militia, 
114  ;  land  grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Curwen,  Judge  Samuel,  loyalist  (Mass.),  Jour- 
nal and  Letters,  xi,  116. 

Cuthbert surveyor-general,   44. 

DARTMOUTH,  Lord,   92. 

Davis,  Maj 14,  n.  97. 

De  Lancey,   Oliver,   loyalist   (N.  Y.),  raises  De 

Lancey's   brigade  ;   see  Tory   corps. 
De  Peyster,   Frederick,    loyalist    (N.  Y.),  joins 

Nassau  Blues   (Tory  corps),  84;  joins  King's 

American   regiment    (Tory   corps),   84. 
De  Peyster,  James,  Sr.,  84. 
De  Peyster,   James,   Jr.,   loyalist    (N.   Y.),   84. 
Dimock,  Shubal,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 

Nova   Scotia,   118. 
Dinwiddie,  Robert,  governor  of  Virginia,  1752- 

7,   102. 
Dombrain,  Lieut.  James,  56. 
Dorchester    (S.  C),   iv,  v,  24,   26. 
Downes,    Jane,    second    wife    of   Col.    Zacharias 

Gibbs,  81. 
Downes,   Maj.   William,    loyalist    (S.    C),    81. 
Doyle,    Capt.    Sir   Bentinck   C,   35,   n.   240. 
Doyle,   Lieut.-Gen.   Charles  W.,   35,   n.   240. 
Doyle,    Col.   John,    25,    n.    180;    35,   n.   240;    43, 

53.    n.    348  ;    certificate    regarding    Alexander 

Chesney,  130,   132,  141. 
Doyle,  William,  35,  n.   240. 
Drayton,  William  Henry.  63,  64,  65,  66,  68,  69, 

70,  71,  87  ;  version  of  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland's 

departure  from  South  Carolina,   107. 


Drury,  Capt.    ; 48. 

Dublin    (Ireland)  ;  see  Ireland. 

Duet's  Corner   (S.  C),  8. 

Duke  of  Cumberland's  regiment  (or  Loyal 
American  Rangers)  ;  see  Tory  corps. 

Duke  of  Richmond,  offers  motion  in  House 
of  Lords,   95. 

Dundas,  Col.  Thomas,  commissioner  of  Amer- 
ican Claims,  93. 

Dunlap,  Maj.  James,  loyalist,  12,  n.  83 ;  73, 
79  ;  executed,  95. 

Dunmore,  Lord  John  Murray,  last  royal  gov- 
ernor of  Virginia,  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland 
serves  under,  105  ;  Capt.  Kirkland  returns  to 
Dunmore's  ships,  106  ;  commissions  John 
Saunders  captain,   109. 

Dupont,  Gideon,  loyalist  (S.  C),  94;  claim 
and  award,  119 ;  member,  committee  of 
South   Carolina    loyalists   in   London,    145. 

Dupont,  Gideon,  Jr.,  loyalist  (S.  C),  agent. 
South  Carolina  loyalists,  116,  117. 

Dutch  Fork,  of  Ninety-Six  (S.  C),  101;  loyal 
militia  from,   114. 

Dykes,  George,  loyalist  (S.  C),  79. 

EAST  FLORIDA,  company  of  loyalists  on  way 
to  St.  Augustine,  6  ;  mentioned,  8 ;  Patrick 
Tonyn,  governor  of,  61,  105;  Robert  Phillips 
takes  refuge  in,  61  ;  John  Cruden,  the 
younger,  in,  92,  93  ;  address  of  loyalists  to 
Governor  Patrick  Tonyn,  92  ;  Cols.  Ambrose 
Mills  and  David  Fanning  try  to  lead  500  loy- 
alists to,  72  ;  St.  Mary's  river,  92 ;  Capt. 
Moses  Kirkland  visits,  105;  10,000  loyalists 
suffer  by  cession  to  Spain,  75 ;  Lieut.-Col. 
Joseph  Robinson  and  wife  take  refuge  in, 
75  ;    East   Florida   Rangers ;    see   Tory   corps. 

Edghill,  Col.  Thomas,  member,  South  Carolina 
loyalists'   committee,    116. 

Edisto  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Egan,  Maj.  Michael,  loyalist  (S.  C),  goes  to 
Ireland,  28 ;  career,  96-97  ;  in  Camden  loyal 
militia,   114. 

Ellegood,  Col.  Jacob,  loyalist  (Va.),  commands 
Queen's  Own  Loyal  Virginian  regiment, 
109 ;    in    New    Brunswick,    108,    110. 

Ellis,  Joseph  (or  Jacob),  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Elliott,  Lieut.  William,  of  lower  Ninety-Six 
loyal  militia,   116. 

Enoree  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

England,  Dr.  Frazier  (James  Eraser),  loyalist 
(S.  C),  goes  to,  26,  n.  185;  loyalist  refu- 
gees meet  in  London,  v,  32,  n.  216  ;  com- 
missioners of  American  Claims  in  London, 
vi,  vii,  37,  n.  268;  38,  39,  41,  48,  59,  62, 
93,  97,  99,  125,  126,  127,  130-138,  140,  142, 
144,  145 ;  Lieut-Col.  James  Vernon  in,  79 ; 
Phliip  Henry  and  other  loyalists  go  to,  98 ; 
Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  drowns  on  way  to, 
107 ;    Capt.    John    Saunders    goes    to,    110 ; 


156 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


John  Simcoe  Saunders  in,  111  ;  Col.  James 
Chalmers  and  family  in,  110 ;  Alexander 
Chesney  in,  v,  vi,  vii,  30,  31,  33,  34,  37,  38, 
39,  125,  130-138 ;  report  of  committee  of 
South  Carolina   loyalists   in  London,    145-149. 

English,  Capt.  Joshua,  of  Camden  loyal  militia, 
114. 

English,  Col.  Robert,  of  Camden  loyal  militia, 
96,  97,   115. 

Ennis,   Col.   Alexander ;   see  Innes. 

Estimate,  of  Alexander  Chesney's  property, 
127-130. 

Eustace,   Col.   Charles,   34,   n.    236  ;   35. 

Evidence,  on  Alexander  Chesney's  memorial, 
130-138. 

Evacuation,  of  Charleston  (S.  C),  distress  of 
loyalists  over,   116. 

Execution,  of  loyalists,  17,  n.  120  ;  25,  n.  182  ; 
18,  n.  129 ;  86,  95  ;  of  American  officer,  Col. 
Isaac  Hayne,  94,  95. 

FAIR  FOREST  (S.  C),  location,  10,  n.  68; 
Alexander  Chesney  at,  22,  n.  152  ;  loyalists 
join   Col.    Nisbet   Balfour   at,   131. 

Fair  Forest  creek   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Fanning,  Col.  David,  loyalist  (N.  C),  Narra- 
tive, xi ;  helps  raise  corps  of  500  loyalists, 
72,  108 ;  in  command  of  King's  American 
regiment,  Dec,  1776,  84 ;  member.  South 
Carolina    loyalists'    committee,    116. 

Fanning,  Col.  Edmund,  loyalist  (N.  C),  in 
command  of  King's  American  regiment, 
Dec,  1776,  84  ;  lieutenant-governor.  Prince 
Edvi^ard  Island,  108  ;  career,   108-111. 

Fanning,  Capt.  John,  loyalist,  Alexander 
Chesney  in  company  of,  139. 

Farquharson,   Dr.   John,   loyalist    (S.   C),   98. 

Felder,  Capt.  John,  oppressor  of  loyalists, 
killed,   115. 

Fenny,  Margaret,  88. 

Fenton,  Richard,  loyalist  (S.  C),  and  family 
in  Nova  Scotia,   82. 

Fenwick,  Thomas,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim  and 
award,  119. 

Ferguson,  Maj.  Patrick,  iii,  10,  14,  n.  99 ;  15, 
17,  18,  n.  124  ;  19,  23,  31,  78  ;  career,  83-93  ; 
loyal  militia  under  command  of,  126  ;  in- 
spector-general of  loyal  militia,  131  ;  Alex- 
ander Chesney  serviceable  to,  132,  135,  136  ; 
defeated  and  killed  at  King's  Mountain,  131, 
142. 

Ferguson,  Thomas,  23,  n.  162 ;  sequestered 
estate  of,   139. 

Fishdam   ford.   Broad  river    (S.   C),   12,   n.   87. 

Fishing  creek   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Fitzgerald,   Lord   Edward,   25. 

Fitzpatrick,  Mary,  53. 

Fitzsimmonds,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Fletchall,  Joseph,  loyalist  (S.  C),  planter  in 
Jamaica,   72. 


I'letchall,  Col.  Thomas,  loyalist  (S.  C),  5,  63, 
78,  87  ;  goes  with  family  to  Jamaica,  71 ; 
career,  66-72  ;  helps  form  Tory  association  in 
Ninety-Six   district,   105. 

Fletcher,  Lieut.  Duncan,  of  Loyal  American 
regiment,   14,  n.   107. 

Florida,  Southern  loyalists  seek  refuge  in,  117  ; 
South  Carolina  loyalists  attempt  escape  from 
Gen.  Williamson's  army  into,  131.  (See  also 
East  Florida  and   West  Florida.) 

Forbes,   Gen.  John,   102. 

Ford,   Capt.  John,  69. 

Forrester,  D.,  93. 

Forts:  Anderson's  (S.  C),  10,  11;  Augusta 
(Ga.),  16,  21;  Barrington  (Ga.),  8;  Black- 
stocks  (S.  C),  20;  Charlotte  (S.  C),  67, 
107;  Duquesne  (Pa.),  102;  Lawson's  (S.  C), 
12,  n.  83;  Motte  (S.  C),  93,  n.  165;  Nichols' 
(Nicholas's  or  Nochols',  (S.  C),  12,  n.  82, 
131;  Ninety-Six  (S.  C),  5,  65,  69,  70,  90, 
100;  Pitt  (Pa.),  headquarters  of  Capt. 
Richard  Pearis,  102;  Quarter  House  (S.  C), 
9,  n.  62;  27;  Thicketty  (S.  C),  (also  called 
Anderson's),   10,   11,  n.   77. 

Fortune,  Col.  William,  loyalist  (S.  C),  26,  n. 
185  ;  member.  South  Carolina  loyalists'  com- 
mittee. 116. 

Fralick,  Adam,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Fraser,  Dr.  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  26,  n.  185; 
certificate  regarding  Alexander  Chesney,  129, 
n.  6. 

Fraser,  Maj.  Thomas,  loyalist  (S.  C),  13,  n. 
96 ;  at  Parker's  ferry,  108 ;  brief  account 
of,   111-112. 

Frazier,    Dr.    James ;    see    Fraser,    Dr.    James. 

French,  war  against  the,  117  ;  land  in  Ire- 
land,  Aug.,   1798;  viii,  47,   n.  323. 

French  and  Indian  war,  102. 

Frost,  Maj.  Jonathan,  loyalist  (S.  C),  killed, 
20,   21. 

Fry,   Capt.  Jacob,   loyalist   (S.   C),  71. 

Fry,   John,   killed,    115. 

Fulkes,   Lieut ,   loyalist,   executed,   95. 

Fyffe,  Dr.  Charles,  loyalist   (S.   C),  62. 

GALLOWAY,  Joseph,  loyalist  (Pa.),  Letters 
to  a  Nobleman,  xi  ;  The  Examination  of,  xi. 

"Gadkin"  river ;  see  Yadkin  river. 

Galphin,  ,  65. 

Garden,  Dr.  Alexander,  loyalist  (S.  C),  10,  n. 
69;   94. 

Gates,  Gen.  Horatio,  13,  n.  94  ;  defeat  at  Cam- 
den, 91. 

General  Assembly  (S.  C),  fixes  date  of  Philip 
Henry's   banishment,   98. 

Georgetown  (S.  C),  loyal  militia  commanded 
by  Lieut.-Col.  James   Gordon,   115. 

Georgia,  Augusta,  9 ;  Brier  creek,  106 ;  Col. 
Bond,  loyalist,  killed  at  Kettle  creek,  80 ; 
Alexander    Cameron,    loyalist    of,    64 ;    Col. 


INDEX 


157 


Archibald  Campbell  and  British  force  sail 
for,  1778,  89 ;  expedition  planned  against, 
106  ;  expedition  for  relief  of  Col.  Thomas 
Brown,  107  ;  Fort  Augusta,  16,  21  ;  Fort 
Barrington,  8 ;  Georgia  Loyalists  (Tory 
corps),  26,  n.  187  ;  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland 
accompanies  expedition  to,  106 ;  350  loyal- 
ists march  to  Savannah,  80 ;  loyal  miilitia 
of  South  Carolina  liable  to  service  in,  113 ; 
Ogeechee  river,  8  ;  Ogeechie,  107  ;  Col.  Rich- 
ard Pearis  and  family  settle  near  Augusta, 
103  ;  Col.  Daniel  Plummer  at  Savannah,  89  ; 
Purysburg,  7,  n.  51  ;  Revolutionists  and 
Indians  in,  65  ;  Savannah  river,  24,  103  ;  Sec- 
ond Broad  river,  14,  n.  107  ;  William  Simp- 
son, chief  justice,  99 ;  Whig  militia  oper- 
ates against  Indians   in,   8,   9. 

Gibbs,  Col.  Zacharias,  11,  132  ;  career,  79-82  ; 
in  command  of  regiment  of  loyal  militia, 
114  ;  member.  South  Carolina  loya-ists*  com- 
mittee, 116  ;  land  grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118  ; 
witness  for  Alexander  Chesney,  127  ;  testi- 
mony regarding  Alexander  Chesney,  136, 
137 ;  certificate  to  Alexander  Chesney,  141- 
143. 

Giesondanner,  Capt.  Henry,  of  Orangeburg 
loyal  militia,  114. 

Gilbert  Town    (N.   C),    15,   n.    101;   17,   18. 

Gilkey,    Capt.    _ _ ,    loyalist,    executed,    86. 

Gist,   William,   loyalist    (S.   C),   104. 

Gledstanes,  Maj.-Gen.  S.  Albert,  52,  n.  346 ; 
53,  n.  349. 

Gordon,  Lieut.-Col.  James,  in  command  of 
Georgetown  (S.  C.)  loyal  militia,  115;  mem- 
ber, South  Carolina  loyalists'  committee,  116. 

Grant,  Maj.   Alexander,   loyalist,   13,   n.   89. 

Grattan,  Henry,  47,  n.  320. 

Graves,  Capt.  Richard  and  wife,  loyalists  (S. 
C),  claim  and  award,  119. 

Gray,  Benjamin  Dingley,   loyalist   (Va.),   109. 

Gray,  Col.  Robert,  in  command  of  Cheraws 
loyal  militia,   114. 

Green,  Henry,  loyalist  (S.  C),  64;  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Green  river   (N.   C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Great  Bridge   (Va.)  ;  see  Battles. 

Greene,  Gen.  Nathaniel,  loses  siege  of  Ninety- 
Six,  90  ;  threatens  reprisals,  95. 

Greenwood,  William,  member.  South  Carolina 
loyalists'  committee,  116;  claim  and  award, 
119. 

Greer,  Capt.  Thomas,   69. 

Grey,   Capt.   Isaac,   loyalist,   executed,   86. 

Grieerson,    Col.    James,    loyalist,    executed,    95. 

Grimes,   Capt -,    loyalist,   executed,    86. 

Grimes,  Col.  _ _ ,  15,  n.  102. 

Grindal  ford  (S.  C),  Gen.  Daniel  Morgan  at, 
21,   n.   147. 

Grindal  shoals    (S.  C),   4,   12. 

Guest,  Edward,  37,  n.  257. 


HADDON,  Col.  John,  49,  n.  332. 

Halifax    (Nova  Scotia)  ;  see  Nova  Scotia. 

Hamilton,  Mark  Kerr,  49,  n.  334. 

Hamilton,  Col.  Archibald,  loyalist  (N.  C),  49, 
n.   334. 

Hamilton,    Archibald   and   Co.,   merchants,   117. 

Hamilton,  John,  member.  South  Carolina  loyal- 
ists' committee,   116. 

Hamilton,  Lieut.-Col.  John,  of  Royal  North 
Carolina  regiment,  recommended  for  gov- 
ernorship of  Bahama  Islands,  117  ;  raised 
1200  men,  117. 

Hamilton,  Paul,  loyalist  (S.  C),  is  refused 
payment  of  note,  121. 

Hammond,   Col.  LeRoy,  77. 

Hampton,    Col.   Andrew,    11,   n.   76  ;   61,   73. 

Hampton,  Anthony,  79. 

Hampton,  Capt.  Edward,  73,  79. 

Hampton,  Jonathan,  89. 

Hampton,  Noah,   73. 

Hanging    Rock    (S.    C),    battle;    see    Battles. 

Harling,  Aaron,  79. 

Harper,   Robert,   40. 

Harvey,  Capt.  Alexander,  of  Colleton  county 
S.  C.)   loyal  militia,  115. 

Hayden,   Rev.   Henry,   ix,    x,    55,   56. 

Hayne,   Col.   Isaac,   24,   77,   94,   95. 

Henry  Philip,  loyalist  (S.  C),  v,  28,  30,  34, 
36,  n.  252  ;  37,  38  ;  career,  97-99  ;  claim  and 
award,   119. 

Henry,  S.  M.,  loyalist   (S.  C),  98. 

Heyward,  Thomas,   100. 

Hobbs,  Lieut.  Augustine,  loyalist,  executed, 
86. 

Hodge,  Margaret,  first  wife  of  Alexander 
Chesney,  9. 

Hodge,  Robert,  40,   n.  277. 

Hodge,   William,  9,  n.  64;   128,  133,  134,  138. 

Hodgson,  Robert,  lieutenant,  Prince  Edward 
Island  Fencibles,  76. 

Hodson,  Robert,  Jr.,  76. 

Holstein  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Holt,  Capt.  Joseph,  of  Camden  (S.  C.)  loyal 
militia,   114. 

Hopkin,   Capt.  David,   12,  n.  84  ;  61. 

Hopkins,   Capt.   John,   ix,  39,  n.   274  ;   51,   54. 

Hopton,  John,  10,  n.  70 ;  94 ;  member,  com- 
mittee to  estimate  losses  of  South  Carolina 
loyalists,   120. 

Horry,   Col.  Peter,   77. 

House,  Capt.  Christian,  of  Orangeburg  (S.  C.) 
loyal   militia,   114. 

House  of  Assembly  (S.  C),  addressed  by  Capt. 
Moses   Kirkland,   105. 

Howard,    Nathaniel,    loyalist    (S.    C),   64. 

Howard,  Peter,  8,  127. 

Howe,  Lord  Admiral,  91,   92. 

Howe,  Gen.  Sir  William,  joined  by  Capt. 
Moses  Kirkland,   106. 


158 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


Hoyt,  Eli,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in  Nova 

Scotia,    118. 
Huey,   Capt.  John,  of  Jackson's  creek    (S.   C.) 

loyal  militia,   114. 
Huger,  Gen.  Isaac,  77. 

Hunt,   William,   loyalist   (S.  C),  5,  n.   30. 
Huntingdon,  Lord,  32. 
Hutchinson,  Thomas,  Diary  and  Letters,  xi. 

INDIANS,  presents  for,  5,  6  ;  Alexander  Ches- 
ney  marches  against,  7  ;  Catawba,  65,  102  ; 
Cherokee,  6,  11,  n.  77;  63,  64,  102,  104; 
expedition  against,  65  ;  William  Henry  Dray- 
ton's alleged  attempt  to  win,  66 ;  actions 
against,  72  ;  Col.  Ambrose  Mills'  campaign 
against,  74 ;  Creek,  6,  8,  63,  65 ;  northern 
Creek,  in  rum  trade,  103 ;  under  command 
of  Capt.  Richard  Pearis,  102  ;  Col.  Richard 
Pear  is  passes  through  settlements  of,  102, 
103  ;  Maj.  Patrick  Cunningham  takes  pow- 
der sent  to,  104  ;  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland,  dep- 
uty superintendent  of,  106  ;  Indian  field 
company,  115  ;  in  the  Revolution,  63-66. 

Inglis,   George,    111. 

Inglis,  Thomas,  member.  South  Carolina  loy- 
alists'  committee   ,116. 

Inman,  Lieut.  George,  loyalist  (Mass.),  36,  n. 
253. 

Innes,  Col.  Alexander,  loyalist  (S.  C),  13,  83, 
84,    103. 

Inspector-General  of  Provincial  (loyalist) 
forces.  Col.  Alexander  Innes,  appointed, 
Jan.,  1777,  83. 

Ireland,  Alexander  Chesney  and  others  go  to, 
V.  28,  125;  Philip  Henry  in,  28,  30,  36,  n. 
252 ;  37,  38,  98 ;  Alexander  Chesney  in,  29, 
30,  36,  39,  40,  45,  46,  48,  49,  50-56, 
144 ;  smuggling  in,  vii,  x,  41,  42,  52,  53, 
55,  56  ;  rebellion  in,  viii,  25,  n.  181  ;  45,  46, 
47  ;  death  of  Col.  John  Phillip's  in,  62  ;  Jane 
Downs  (Mrs.  Zacharias  Gibbs)  in,  62 ;  Maj. 
John  Robinson  returns  to,  97  ;  Capt.  James 
Miller  in,   101  ;  Col.  Zacharias  Gibbs  in,   142. 

Irish  board  of  Customs,  loyalists  hold  offices 
under,  v,  vi,  vii,  28,  34,  35,  36,  39,  40, 
98,  101,  125. 

Iron  works  (S.  C),  location,  4,  n.  22,  skir- 
mish near,  10 ;  Maj.  Patrick  Ferguson  vic- 
torious at,  12 ;  Capt.  Abraham  de  Peyster 
marches  to,  14. 

Irving,  Thomas,  member,  committee  of  South 
Carolina  loyalists   in  London,   145. 

Island  ford    (Saluda  river,   S.   C),   87. 

JACKSONBOROUGH    (S.   C),   23,   39. 

Jamaica ;   see  West  Indies. 

James  Island    (S.   C),   27. 

Jefferson,  Joseph,   88. 

Jekyll,     John,     collector    of    Customs,     Boston, 

Mass.,   110. 
Johnson,  Dr.  Uzal,  loyalist  (N.  J.),  19,  n.  129. 


Johnston,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  member, 
committee  to  estimate  losses  of  South  Caro- 
lina loyalists,   120. 

Johnston,  Robert,  member.  South  Carolina 
loyalists'  committee,  116. 

Johnstone,  Lieut.  James,  of  Camden  county 
(S.  C.)   loyal  militia,  115. 

Jones,  E.  Alfred,  editor.  Journal  of  Alexander 
Chesney,   xi,   xii. 

Jones,  Judge  Thomas,  loyalist  (N.  Y. ),  His- 
tory of  New  York  during  the  Revolutionary 
War,  xi. 

Journal  of  a  Voyage  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  to 
London,   1778,   xi. 

KELLY,  Capt.  Daniel,  of  Orangeburg  (S.  C.) 
loyal   miliita,   114. 

Kempe's   landing  place   (Kempsville,   Va.),   110. 

Kennedy's  ford   (Enoree  river,   S.  C),  101. 

Kettle  creek   (Ga.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Killmorey,  Lord,  52,  54,  55. 

Kilpatrick,  Jack,  45. 

King,  Lieut.-Col.  Richard,  in  defense  of  Nine- 
ty-Six, 1781,  90  ;  in  command  of  South  Caro- 
lina loyal  militia,  114. 

King's  American  regiment ;  see  Tory  corps. 

King's  Carolina   Rangers  ;   see  Tory   corps. 

King's  Florida  rangers  ;  see  Tory  corps. 

King's  Mountain,   battle   of ;   see   Battles. 

Kingsley,  Zephaniah,  loyalist  (S.  C),  claim 
and  award,   119. 

Kirkland,  Capt.  Moses,  loyalist  (S.  C),  67; 
career,  105-108  ;  claim  and  award,  119. 

Kirkland,  Richard  Bruce,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
planteer  in  Jamaica,  107. 

LACY,  Capt.  Thomas,  52,  n.  345;  53,  n.  351. 

Lafferty,  Lieut.  ,  loyalist,  executed,  86. 

Landerkin,  John,   loyalist   (S.   C),   land  grants 

in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 
Land    grants,    to    56    South    Carolina    loyalists 

in  Nova   Scotia,    118. 
Lawson's   Fort    (S.   C.)  ;   see  Forts. 
Legge,     Lieut.     Benjamin     Smith,    of    Colleton 

county    (S.  C.)    loyal  militia,   115. 
Leslie,    Lieut.-Gen.    Alexander,    South    Carolina 

loyalists'   address   to,    94 ;   certificate   to   Maj. 

Michael    Egan,    97  ;    expedition    to    Virginia, 

October,    1780,   110. 
Lewis,  Maj.  Andrew,   102. 
Lewis,    John,    loyalist    (S.    C),    land    grant    in 

Nova  Scotia,   118. 
Lincoln,   Gen.   Benjamin,   9. 

Lincoln's    Inn    (London,    Eng.)  ;    see    England. 
Lindsay,  William,  81. 
Little  river  (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 
Lively,    Reuben,    loyalist    (S.    C),    land    grant 

in  Nova  Scotia,    118. 
Livingston,  John,   85. 
Lloyd,  Lieut.-Gen.  Vaughan,  51,  n.  336. 
London   (Eng.)  ;  see  England. 


INDEX 


159 


Long,  Capt.  George,  in  command  of  company 
of  South   Carolina  loyal  militia,   114. 

Long  Cane  creek   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Long  Island  (N.  Y.),  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  at 
capture  of,  106. 

Long  Island  (S.  C),  Sir  Henry  Clinton  on.  131. 

Lord  commissioners  of  the  Treasury,  attempt 
to  suppress  smuggling  in  Ireland,  x,  56 ; 
John  Cruden's  letter  to,  120. 

Losses,  of  Alexander  Chesney,  vi,  31,  34,  125, 
126,  127-130,  133-138  ;  of  South  Carolina  loy- 
alists,  119,   120. 

Lowndes,   Rawlins,   98. 

Loyal   American   regiment ;   see  Tory  corps. 

Loyal  militia,  and  Indians  attack  "rebels," 
July,  1776,  102  ;  Maj.  Patrick  Cunningham 
appointed  to  command  corps,  104  ;  Gen.  Rob- 
ert Cunningham's  brigade,  104,  107  ;  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  at  Brier 
creek  (Ga.),  106;  Capt.  Kirkland  in  charge 
of  regiment,  107  ;  John  Fanning  joins  South 
Carolina,  108;  account  of,  113-116;  Alexand- 
er Chesney  appointed  captain  and  adujtant 
of,  126,  142 ;  Alexander  Chesney  in  com- 
mand of  company,  130 ;  James  Miller  ap- 
pointed captain  in  Jackson's  creek  loyal 
militia,  101  ;  Alexander  Chesney  joins  Col. 
Banistre  Tarleton  with  company,  132  ;  Maj. 
Patrick  Ferguson,  inspector-general  of,  131  ; 
Zacharias  Gibbs  colonel  of,  142. 

Loyalist  refugees  petition  the  king,  v  ;  in  East 
Florida,  and  Indians,  to  be  sent  against 
Georgia,  106  ;  Alexander  Chesney's  wife  and 
child  driven  within  British  lines,  142,  143  ; 
in  London,  145. 

Loyalists,  exiled  from  South  Carolina,  v,  28, 
n.  197  ;  61,  98,  117  ;  early  activities  of 
South  Carolina,  5 ;  piloted  by  Alexander 
Chesney,  6  ;  harbored  by  Robert  Chesney,  7  ; 
detachment  under  Maj.  James  Dunlap,  12,  n. 
83  ;  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  23  ;  near  Long  Cane 
creek,  24  ;  in  British  Isles,  31,  n.  83  ;  meet 
at  Crown  and  Anchor  tavern,  London,  32  ;• 
association  in  London,  32,  n.  216 ;  classi- 
fication, 33 ;  some  return  to  America,  38 ; 
detachment  under  Cols.  John  Phillips  and 
John  Fanning  defeated,  60 ;  in  Charleston, 
61 ;  attempt  to  sieze  leading,  in  South  Caro- 
lina, 64 ;  in  Ninety-Six  district,  S.  C,  66 ; 
attempt  to  disarm  those  of  Ninety-Six  dis- 
trict, 68  ;  of  South  Carolina  repudiate 
treaty  of  Sept.  16,  1775,  69  ;  sent  to  Charles- 
ton as  prisoners,  71  ;  500  raised  by  Cols. 
David  Fanning  and  Ambrose  Mills,  72 ;  at- 
tack camp  of  Col.  Charles  McDowell,  July, 
1780,  73  ;  2400  at  Ninety-Six,  S.  C,  in  1775, 
74  ;  10,000  in  East  Florida  suffer  by  cession 
to  Spain,  75 ;  executed  at  Ninety-Six,  80 ; 
enlist  in  King's  American  regiment,  Dec, 
1776,  84  ;  remain  in  South  Carolina  after 
Revolution,  88  ;  address  to  Governor  Patrick 


Tonyn,  92  ;  in  house  of  Col.  Rowland  Ruge- 
ley,  95 ;  of  district  of  Great  Lynch  creek, 
S.  C,  96  ;  sail  for  Rotterdam,  98 ;  commit- 
tee of  South  Carolina  reports  on  value  of 
their  property,  99 ;  of  Camden  district,  S. 
C,  refuse  to  sign  Whig  association,  100 ; 
over  5,000  raised  by  Col.  Richard  Pearis, 
103 ;  take  part  in  Maj.  Andrew  William- 
son's expedition  against  Indians,  104  ;  slay 
Capt.  John  Felder,  115 ;  Southern,  seek  re- 
fuge in  Florida,  117  ;  send  to  British  com- 
mander about  exacuation  of  Charleston,  116  ; 
officers  of  North  Carolina  suggest  Bahama 
Islands  for  loyalist  settlement,  117  ;  1200 
raised  by  Col.  John  Hamilton  of  North 
Carolina,  117 ;  500  South  Carolina,  go  to 
Nova  Scotia,  117  ;  land  grants  to  56,  at 
Rawdon,  Nova  Scotia,  117  ;  party  piloted  by 
Alexander  Chesney,  130,  135,  136,  138 ; 
forced  to  serve  in  "rebel"  army,  135  ;  losses 
and  compensation  of  South  Carolina,  118-121 
(see  Claims  and  awards)  ;  resolution  of, 
137,  n.  13 ;  144 ;  from  South  Carolina  take 
action  in  London,   145 ;  United,  92. 

Ludlow,  Gabriel  G.,  loyalist  (N.  Y.),  holds 
offices    in   New   Brunswick,   Canada,    111. 

Lusk,  Robert,  40. 

Luttrell,  Gen.  Henry  Lawes,   38,  n.  269  ;    39. 

Lynch,   Thomas,   100. 

McAllister,   Samuel,   loyalist    (S.    C),   land 

grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 
McArthur,  Maj.   Archibald,   22. 
McBee,  Capt.  Vadry,  129,  n.  4. 
McCrumb,  James,   40. 
McCulloch,    Capt.    James,    loyalist    of    Camden 

(S.  C.)   loyal  militia,  86,  114. 
McCullom,   John,    loyalist    (S.    C),   land  grant 

in   Nova   Scotia,   118. 
McDonald,  Donald,   76. 
McDonald,  Lieut.    Angus,    loyalist,   60. 
Macdonald,    Sir    William    Christopher,    loyalist 

descent   of,    76. 
Macdonald  College,  76. 
McDoIe,     Col.     Charles ;     see     McDowell,     Col. 

Charles. 
McDowell,  Alexander,   43. 
McDowell    (not    "McDole"),    Col.    Charles,    11, 

n.  76;  12,  14,  n.  104;  73. 
McDowell,  John,  40. 
McDowell,  Maj.  Joseph,  11,  n.  79. 
McFall,    Lieut.    John,    loyalist,    executed,    86. 
McGill   University,  Montreal,   76. 
McGuire,    John,    loyalist    (S.    C),    land    grant 

in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 
McKay,    Maj.    John,    loyalist    (Va.),    in   battle 

of    the    Brandywine,     109 ;    settles    in    New 

Brunswick,   Canada,   110. 
McKean,  Thomas,   100. 
McKinnon,   Capt.  John,   22,   n.   164. 


160 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


McLaurin,    Lieut.-Col.    Evan,    loyalist    (S.    C), 
69,    70,    74,    101 ;    lays    siege    to    Ninety-Six, 
November,   1775,   135,  n.   9. 
McMahon,  Capt.  John,  loyalist,  27,  n.  191. 
McMechan,   Rev.  James,   54. 

McMillen,  Richard,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in   Nova   Scotia,    118. 

McNeilly,   Henry ;   see  McNuUy. 
McNully,    Henry,    42,    n.    295  ;   45,    46. 

McWhorter,  Capt.  Alexander,  8,  n.  59. 

McWhorter,  Robert,  iv,  22. 

Manly,  Capt __,  and  American  priva- 
teer captured,  105. 

Manson,    Daniel,    loyalist    (S.    C),   98. 

Marion,   Gen.   Francis,   20,  n.    133  ;   24. 

Martindale,  Henry,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Martindale,  Henry,  Jr.,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Maryland,  Capt.  Richard  Pearis  serves  on 
borders  of,  102  ;  Col.  James  Chalmers  in 
command  of  Maryland  Loyalists  (Tory 
corps),    110. 

Massachusetts,  Sir  Francis  Bernard,  gover- 
nor, 35,  n.  246  ;  Lieut.  George  Inman,  36,  n. 
253  ;  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  visits  Boston, 
105 ;  Capt.  Kirkland,  a  prisoner  in  Cam- 
bridge, 106  ;  John  Jekyll,  collector  of  Cus- 
toms  at  Boston,    110. 

Matthews,  Joseph,  47,  n.  324  ;  48. 

Mayfield,  Capt.  John,  loyalist,  5,  n.  30 ;  ex- 
ecuted,  86. 

Mayson  ("Maysen"),  Maj.  James,  66,  67,  70, 
74,  77,  135,  n.  9. 

Meek,  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Meek,  Samuel,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova    Scotia,    118. 

Meek,  Capt.  William,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Meigham    (or   Meighlan),    Lieut.    Brian,   60. 

Memorial,  of  Capt.  John  Phillips,  62  ;  of  Col. 
Thomas  Fletchall,  69  ;  of  Capt.  Moses  Kirk- 
land, 105,  107  ;  of  widows  of  loyalists,  116  ; 
of  Sergeant  James  White,  116  ;  of  loyalist 
officers  of  North  Carolina,  117  ;  of  Alex- 
ander Chesney,  v,  vi,  vii,  30,  31,  125 ;  evi- 
dence on  Alexander  Chesney's,   130-138. 

Meredith,   Maj.   David,    51,    n.   338. 

Middle  Temple   (London)  ;  see  England. 

Middleton,   Arthur,   100. 

Militia  ;  see  Loyal  militia. 

Millen,  Capt.  Hugh,  101  ;  in  possession  of 
Capt.   James  Miller's   lands,   141. 

Miller,  Capt.  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  35,  n. 
237  ;  37,  62  ;  settler  in  Camden  district,  100, 
101  ;  witness  for  Alexander  Chesney,  127, 
138  ;  confiscation  of  his  lands,   141. 

Miller,  John,  3. 

Milling,  Capt.   Hugh  ;  see  Millen. 


Mills,  Col.  Ambrose,  loyalist  (N.  C),  65; 
helps  raise  500  loyalists,  72 ;  career,  72-74 ; 
executed,  86. 

Mills,  Col.  William  Henry,  loyalist  (S.  C), 
74,   115. 

Moira,   Lady,   39,   41,   n.   287  ;   43,   48,  49. 

Moira,  Lord,  44,  53,  143. 

Moncks  Corner   (S.  C),  26,  n.  184. 

Monckton,   Gen.   Robert,   102. 

Montagu,  Lord  Cherles  Greville,  governor  of 
South  Carolina,  in  command  of  Duke  of 
Cumberland's  regiment  (or  Loyal  American 
Rangers),  59  ,60,  91;  comjnissions  Thomas 
Fletchall,  66  ;  claim  and  award,  119,  150. 

Montell,  Anthony,  loyalist  (S.  C),  order  for 
wood  cutting,  138. 

Moody,  Lieut.  James,  loyalist  (N.  J.),  Narra- 
tive of  His  Exertions  and  Sufferings,  xi. 

Moore,   Lieut.-Col.  John,  loyalist   (N.  C),  80. 

Moore,  Capt.  Patrick,  loyalist   (S.   C),   11,   131. 

Moravian   Town    (N.   C.)  ;   see  North   Carolina. 

Morgan,  Gen.  Daniel,  21,  n.  147  ;  occupies 
Alexander  Chesney's  land,  128,  n.  2  ;  132, 
143,   n.   13. 

Morgan,   Francis   L.,   36,   n.   248;   52,   n.   342. 

Motte,  Jacob  and  Rebecca,  23,   n.   165. 

Moultrie,   Maj. -Gen.    William,    65. 

Murat,   Prince  Lucian,   112. 

Musgrove,   Edward,   loyalist   (S.   C),    13,   n.   96. 

Musgrove,'s    Mills,    battle    of ;    see    Battles. 

Muster  rolls.  South  Carolina  loyal  militia,  116. 

NASSAU  (New  Providence)  ;  see  Bahama  Is- 
lands. 

Needham,  Francis   Jack,   52,   n.   347. 

Neils,   Ned,  4. 

Nelson,  Reason,   loyalist    (S.   C),  7    ,n.   50. 

Nelson's  ("Neilson's")  ferry  (S.  C),  7,  n.  50; 
23. 

New  Brunswick  (Canada),  missionary  to,  56; 
Lieut.-Col.  Joseph  Robinson  goes  to,  75 ; 
Capt.  Abraham  de  Peyster  and  brother  of- 
ficers find  refuge  in,  85 ;  Capt.  John  Saun- 
ders holds  offices  in,  110,  111  ;  Col.  Jacob 
Ellegood  and  Maj.  John  McKay  settle  in, 
110;  Judge  Edward  Winslow  in.  111;  John 
Simcoe  Saunders  holds  offices  in.  111. 

New  Jersey,  treatment  of  Dr.  Uzal  Johnson 
of  Newark,  19,  n.  129 ;  Lieut.-Col.  Isaac 
Allen   of  Trenton,   21,   n.   145. 

New  Jersey   Volunteers  ;   see  Tory   corps. 

New  York,  loyalists,  84 ;  Nassau  Blues,  84 ; 
New  York  Volunteers,  12,  n.  89  ;  13,  n.  84  ; 
101  ;  Prince  of  Wales  American  Volunteers, 
90 ;   Queen's   Rangers,   73,    86,   109,   110. 

New   York   Volunteers  ;   see   Tory   corps. 

Nichols   Fort    (S.   C.)  ;   see  Forts. 

Nicholls,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Nicholls,    John,    78. 


INDEX 


161 


Ninety-Six  (S.  C),  district,  4,  10;  jail,  21; 
Maj.  Patrick  Ferguson  in  command  of  Fort, 
iii,  10 ;  Lord  Rawdon  relieves,  iv,  90 ; 
siege  of  Fort,  November,  1775,  5,  69,  70,  74, 
76,  80,  100,  102,  135,  n.  9;  Thomas  Flet- 
chall's  estate,  66 ;  powder  and  stores  re- 
moved to  court  house,  67  ;  attempt  to  disarm 
loyalists,  68 ;  Fletchall's  attack  on  Fort, 
69,  70 ;  Joseph  Fletchall  reared  in,  72 ; 
2400  loyalists  under  Lieut.-Col.  Joseph 
Robinson,  1775,  74 ;  Lieut.-Col.  James  Ver- 
non, resident,  78  ;  Col.  Zacharias  Gibbs,  resi- 
dent, 79  ;  prisoners  marched  to,  80  ;  brigade 
of  loyal  militia,  89  ;  Lieut.-Col.  John  Harris 
Cruger's  defense,  1781,  90 ;  Col.  Richard 
Pear  is  active,  102  ;  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland, 
planter,  105  ;  loyal  militia  from  Dutch  Fork, 
114 ;  loyal  militia  under  Col.  Thomas  Pear- 
son,  114  ;   loyal  militia  of  lower,   116. 

Noble,  Capt.  Joseph,  of  Orangeburg  (S.  C.) 
loyal  militia,  114. 

Norfolk   (Va.)  ;  see  Virginia. 

Norman,  Robert,  42,  48. 

North,  Lord,  v,  33. 

North  Carolina,  12,  16  ;  Cane  creek,  14  ;  Con- 
stitutional Convention,  11,  n.  79;  Col.  David 
Fanning,  84,  86,  108,  116  ;  Col.  Edmund 
Fanning,  84,  86,  108-111;  Green  river,  72; 
Holstein  river,  14,  n.  105 ;  Col.  Archibald 
Hamilton,  loyalist,  49,  n.  334 ;  Lieut.-Col. 
John  Hamilton,  loyalist,  117  ;  loyal  militia  in 
battle  of  King's  Mountain,  73  ;  memorial  of 
loyalist  officers,  117  ;  men  join  Maj.  Patrick 
Ferguson,  16  ;  Lieut.-Col.  John  Moore,  80 ; 
Moravian  Town,  19,  n.  131  ;  132  ;  Royal 
North  Carolina  regiment,  117  ;  Second  Broad 
river,  14,  n.  107  ;  Silver  creek,  14  ;  Thomas 
Loughton  Smith,  merchant.  111 ;  Maj.  Wil- 
liam Spurgeon,  80 ;  William  Tryon,  gover- 
nor, 1765-71,  127  ;  Turkey  cove,  14,  n.  105 ; 
Yadkin  river,  19,  132. 

North  Carolina  Provincials  (loyalists),  John 
Cruden,  paymaster,   92. 

Northern  Creek  Indians  ;  see  Indians. 

North  Pacolet  river   (N.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Nova  Scotia,  500  loyalists  sail  from  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  to,  117  ;  South  Carolina  loyalists 
in,  117,  118;  North  Carolina  loyalists  in, 
117 ;  Lord  Charles  Greville  Montagu  and 
300  Loyal  American  Rangers  settle  in,  59 ; 
John  Cruden,  the  younger,  goes  to,  93  ; 
Richard  Fenton  and  family  in,  82 ;  Col. 
Zacharias  Gibbs  receives  land  grant  in,  82, 
118  ;  land  grants  to  South  Carolina  loyalists, 
118,   119. 

Nugent,  Gen.  Sir  George,  46,  n.  317. 

OATH  of  allegiance,  James  Barber  refuses 
American,  97 ;  Lieut.-Governor  William 
Bull  (S.  C.)  keeps  British,  112  ;  loyalists 
seek  to  avoid  State,  131 ;  loyalists'  commit- 
tee in  London  justify  taking  State,  145-149. 


Ogeechee  river   (Ga.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Ogeechie    (Ga.)  ;   see   Georgia. 

Ogilvie,    Charles,    94  ;   member.    South    Carolina 

loyalists'   committee   in    London,    145. 
Ogilvie,    Charles,    Sr.,    agent,    Sout    hCarolina 

loyalists,   116,   117. 
Old  Fields    (S.   C),   21. 
Oliphant,   Dr.   David,    imprisoned,    117. 
O'Neal,   Henry,   loyalist    (S.   C),  64. 
Orangeburg    (S.  C.)  ;  see  South  Carolina. 
Orde,   Capt.  John,   loyalist   (S.   C),   claim  and 

award,    119. 

PACOLET  river    (S.   C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Palmerston,   Viscount,   75. 

Parker's  ferry   (S.  C.)  ;  see  South  Carolina. 

Party  divisions,  in  South  Cai'olina  families, 
145. 

Patteson,  Brig.-Gen.  James,  61. 

Pearls,  Margaret,  land  grant  in  Bahama  Is- 
lands, 104. 

Pearls,  Col.  Richard,  loyalist  (S.  C),  64,  70, 
71,  88 ;  career,  102-104 ;  claim  and  award, 
119. 

Pearis,   Richard,   Jr.,    loyalist    (S.   C),   88,    104. 

Pearson,  Col.  Thomas,  in  command  of  Ninety- 
Six  (S.  C.)  loyal  militia  regiment,  114;  land 
grant   in   Nova   Scotia,    118. 

Pelham  Thomas,  46.  n.  314. 

Pennsylvania,  Carlisle,  2,  n.  10  ;  Continental 
Congress,  100;  Fort  Duquesne  (Pitt),  102; 
Maj.  Thomas  Fraser  in  Philadelphit,  112  ; 
Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  at  evacuation  of 
Philadelphia,   106. 

Pensacola    (W.   Fla.)  ;   see  West  Florida. 

Peronneau,  Henry,  loyalist  (S.  C),  member, 
committee  to  estimate  losses  of  South  Car- 
olina loyalists,  120. 

Petition,  of  loyalist  refugees  to  king's  min- 
isters, V,  32,  n.  216  ;  of  officers  of  British 
American  regiments,  84 ;  of  Capt.  James 
Miller,   100. 

Phepoe,  Thomas,   61. 

Philadelphia    (Pa.)  ;   see   Pennsylvania. 

Phillips,  David,   loyalist    (S.   C),   61. 

Phillips,  Capt.  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  6,  61; 
James  Miller  joins  loyalists  under,  100 ;  and 
loyalists    piloted    to   Pacolet   river,    130. 

Phillips,  Col.  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  3,  4,  9, 
13,  37,  n.  256  ;  38,  39,  130,  136,  143  ;  in  expe- 
dition against  Cherokee,  65,  72  ;  career,  60- 
63  ;  commands  Jackson's  creek  loyal  militia, 
101,  114 ;  member.  South  Carolina  loyalists' 
committee,  116 ;  witness  for  Alexander 
Chesney,  125,  127 ;  testimony  regarding 
Chesney,  135,  136  ;  letter  to  commissioners 
on  American  Claims,  140. 

Phillips,  Capt.  Mitchell,  loyalist  (Va.),  boy- 
cotted,  109. 

Phillips,  Robert,  loyalist  (S.  C),  60,  61;  refu- 
gee in  East  Florida,  61. 

Pickens,  Col.  Andrew,  77. 


162 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


Pickens,  Capt.  Joseph,  77. 

Pinckney,  Capt.  Charles  Cotesworth,  141,  n.  8. 

Piatt,  Capt.  George,  of  Camden  (S.  C.)  loyal 
militia,   114. 

Pledger,  Capt.  Thomas,  of  Orangeburg  loyal 
militia,  114. 

Plummer,  Col.  Daniel,  20,  78,  88,  89  ;  in  com- 
mand of  (S.  C.)  loyal  militia  regiment,  113, 
132. 

Pollock,   Savage  Andrew,   56. 

Ponpon  river  (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Porter,  Maj.  John,  46,  n.  318;  47. 

Postell.  Maj.  John,  77. 

Powell,  Robert,  William,  94 ;  chairman,  com- 
mittee of  South  Carolina  loyalists,  116 ; 
member,  committee  of  South  Carolina  loyal- 
ists in  London,  145. 

Prevost,  Col.  Augustine,  controversy  with  Gov- 
ernor Tonyn,  6,  accompanied  on  expedition 
to  Charleston  by  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland,  106. 

Prince  Edward  Island,  Lieut.-Col.  Joseph 
Robinson  invited  to,  76  ;  Legislative  Council, 
76;  Col.  Edmund  Fanning,  loyalist  (N.  C), 
lieutenant-governor,  75. 

Prince  of  Wales  American  Volunteers ;  see 
Tory   corps. 

Prisoners,  drafted  into  Duke  of  Cumberland's 
regiment  (or  Loyal  American  Volunteers), 
91. 

Proclamation,  by  Revolutionary  party  (S.  C), 
100. 

Proctor,  Samuel,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Provincial  Congress  (S.  C),  Capt.  Moses 
Kirkland,  member,  1774,  105 ;  Gideon  Dupont 
member,  January,   1775,   117. 

Publications,  by  loyalists,  xi ;  John  Cruden's 
pamphlet,  92.  Col.  David  Fanning's  Narra- 
tive, 101  ;  John  Simcoe  Saunders'  Law  of 
Pleading  and  Evidence,  111 

Purdy,  I..  48. 

Purdy,  James,  48,  n.  329 ;  49. 

Puriesburg    (Ga.)  ;    see  Purysburg. 

Purvis,  Maj.  John,  77. 

Purysburg    ("Puriesburg,"   Ga.)  ;   see  Georgia. 

QUARTER  House   (S.  C),  9,  n.   62;  27. 
Queen's  Rangers ;  see  Tory  corps. 
Quin,  John,  4. 

RANDOLPH,  Peyton.  100. 

Rawdon,  Francis,  2nd,  earl  of  Moira,  41,  n. 
287. 

Rawdon,  Lord  Francis,  iv,  vi,  24,  26,  27,  82, 
33,  35,  39,  41,  61,  62,  81 ;  relieves  Lieut.- 
Col.  John  Harris  Cruger  at  Ninety-Six,  90  ; 
offers  medals  to  British  Legion,  90  ;  receives 
apology  from  Duke  of  Richmond,  95 ;  certifi- 
cate to  Maj.  Michael  Egan,  97 ;  gives  ap- 
pointment to  Alexander  Chesney,  125 ;  cer- 
tificate to  Chesney,  132,  140,  143 ;  Chesney 
carries  expresses  to,  142. 


Ray,   George,   101. 

Read,   Capt.  Nathan,  loyalist,   17,  n.   120. 

Reade,  Joseph,  84. 

Rebellion,  in  Ireland ;  see  Ireland. 

Recollections   of   a   Georgia   Loyalist,    xi. 

Reedy  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Reese,  David,  loyalist   (S.  C),  64. 

Refugees ;  see  Loyalist  refugees. 

Report,  of  committee  of  South  Carolina  loy- 
alists on  value  of  their  property,  99 ;  of 
committee  of  South  Carolina  loyalists  in 
London,   145-149. 

Return,  of  loyalists  to  America,  38  ;  one  mal- 
treated in  South  Carolina,  82 ;  of  Mrs. 
Abraham  de  Peyster  to  New  York,  85 ;  of 
some  to  South  Carolina,  who  are  ordered 
to  depart,   85. 

Resolution,  South  Carolina  loyalists,  114,  137, 
n.  13. 

Revoult,  John,  49,  n.  333  ;  50. 

Richardson,    Col.    Richard,    5,    6,    64,    70,   71. 

Ridley,  Hannah,  88. 

Ritzema,  Col.  Rudolphus,  loyalist  (N.  Y.),  83, 
84. 

Rivers:  Altamaha  (Ga.),  8,  9;  Broad  (S.  C), 
4,  11,  12,  13,  17,  18,  24,  26,  30,  74,  79,  101, 
103,  108,  125,  130;  Bush  (S.  C),  128,  137; 
Catawba  (N.  C),  14,  n.  105;  16,  61;  Con- 
garee  (S.  C),  25;  Cooper  (S.  C),  27,  n.  189; 
Edisto  (S.  C),  114;  Enoree  (S.  C),  13,  n. 
96;  14,  102;  Green  (N.  C),  72;  Holstein  (N. 
C),  14,  n.  105;  16;  Little  (S.  C),  20.  73, 
114;  Lynnhaven  (Va.),  109;  North  Pacolet 
(N.  C).  73;  Ogeechee  (Ga.),  8;  Pacolet  (S. 
C),  3,  4,  8,  11,  21,  126,  128,  130,  133,  135. 
136,  137,  144;  Ponpon  (S.  C),  iv,  23,  24; 
Reedy  (S.  C),  6,  102;  St.  Mary's  (E.  Fla.), 
92;  Saluda  (S.  C),  16,  n.  114;  79,  87.  101; 
Sandy  (S.  C),  4;  Santee  (S.  C),  7.  24,  115; 
Savannah  (Ga.),  24,  103;  Second  Broad  (N. 
C),  14,  n.  107;  Tiger  (S.  C),  11,  16,  20,  88; 
Yadkin   ("Gadkin,"  N.  C),  19. 

Robertson,   Maj.   Charles,  11,   n.   76. 

Robinson,  Capt.  Elisha,  in  command  of  com- 
pany of  lower  Ninety-Six  loyal  militia.  116. 

Robinson,  Elizabeth.  76. 

Robinson,  Maj.  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  28,  n. 
193  ;  35,  n.  238  ;  95,  96,  114. 

Robinson,  Lieut.-Col.  Joseph,  of  South  Caro- 
lina Royalists  (Tory  corps),  6,  67,  70;  ca- 
reer, 74-78 ;  lays  siege  to  Fort  Ninety-Six, 
November,   1775,   139,  n.   9. 

Robinson,  Mrs.  Lilly,  flees  to  Virginia  with 
children.   75 ;  death  of,   76. 

Robinson,  Rebecca.  76. 

Rocky  Mount  (S.  C),  loyal  militia  under  Col. 
William   Vernon  Turner,    115. 

Roebuck,  Col.  Benjamin,  21,   129,  n.  4. 

Rogers,  Capt.  Jasper,  of  Camden  (S.  C.)  loyal 
militia,  114. 

Rose,  George,  32,  38. 


INDEX 


163 


Rose,  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  94;  claim  and 
award,  119 ;  member.  South  Carolina  loyal- 
ists' committee  in  London,  145. 

Rose,   Capt.    (later  Gen.)    Alexander,   13,   33. 

Ross,  Robert,  41,  n.  293  ;  42. 

Rotterdam  (Holland),  South  Carolina  loyalists 
sail  for,  94. 

Round  O  company  (American),  of  Colleton 
county,  S.  C,  94. 

Rousselet,  Capt.  John,  loyalist,  of  British 
Legion,  in  battle  of  Hanging  Rock  (S.  C), 
90. 

Rowand,   Robert,   loyalist    (S.   C),   98. 

Rowe,  Capt.  Samuel,  of  Orangeburg  (S.  C.) 
loyal  militia,  114. 

Rugeley,  Col.  Edward,  loyalist  (S.  C),  95,  9C 
97. 

Rugeley's  Mills   (S.  C),  95. 

Rumford,  Count  (Benjamin  Thompson),  loyal- 
ist (Mass.),  66. 

Rutledge,  Edward,  100. 

Ryerson,  Capt.  Samuel,  of  New  Jersey  Vol- 
unteers   (Tory   corps),    14,   n.    107;   85. 

Ryland,  Peter,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,  118. 

ST.  AUGUSTINE   (E.  Fla.)  ;  see  East  Florida. 

St.  Helena,  island,  ix. 

Salisbury    (S.   C.)  ;  see  South  Carolina. 

Sally,  Capt.  John,  in  command  of  company 
of  loyal  militia,   114. 

Saluda  river   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Santee  river  (S.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Saunders,  Capt.  John,  loyalist  (Va.),  143,  n. 
15;  career,  105-111. 

Saunders,  John  Simcoe,  loyalist  (S.  C),  110; 
in  New  Brunswick,  Canada,  111. 

Saunders,  Rev.  Jonathan,  108. 

Saunderson,  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Savage,  Francis,  41,  n.  288. 

Savannah   (Ga.)  ;  see  Georgia, 

Savannah  river   (Ga.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Scott,  Robert,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant  in 
Nova  Scotia,   118. 

Second  Broad  river   (N.  C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 

Sequestered  property,  in  South  Carolina,  iv, 
92 ;  of  Capt.  James  Miller,  101 ;  John  Cru- 
den,  commissioner  of,  139  ;  services  of  Alex- 
ander Chesney  in  connection  with,   139. 

Sharp,  Capt.  James,  of  Jackson's  creek  loyal 
militia,  114. 

Sharp,  Lieut.  William,  of  Jackson's  creek 
loyal  militia,   114. 

Shaw,  David,  28,  n.  192. 

Shelburne,  32. 

Shelby,  Col.  Isaac,  11,  n.  76;  17,  n.   120. 

Shepperd,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  lieutenant, 
Indian  field  company,  115. 

Shuberg,  Capt.  George,  loyalist  (S.  C),  71. 

Silver  creek   (N.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 


Simcoe,  Col.  John  Graves,  of  Queen's  Rangers 
(Tory  corps),  commends  Capt.  John  Saun- 
ders, 109. 

Simpson,  Barbara,  wife  of  James  Simpson,  100. 

Simpson,  James,  attorney-general  of  South 
Carolina,  32,  99,  100;  claim  and  award,  119; 
member,  committee  of  South  Carolina  loyal- 
ists to  estimate  their  losses,  120 ;  member, 
committee  of  South  Carolina  loyalists  in 
London,   145. 

Simpson,  William,  chief  justice  of  Georgia,  99. 

Skeffington,  Hon.  W.  J.,  39,  n.  270 ;  44,  n.  303. 

Slaves,  of  Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bull, 
112  ;  of  those  lost  by  South  Carolina  loyal- 
ists, 118,  120 ;  one  lost  by  Alexander  Ches- 
ney,  129,   134,   137. 

Smith,  Anne  Loughton,  marries  Maj.  Thomas 
Fraser,  111. 

Smith,  Capt.  Esaw,  12,  n.  84. 

Smith.  Capt.  Hugh,  loyalist  (S.  C),  of  Cam- 
den loyal  militia,  114. 

Smith,  Thomas  Loughton,  merchant  of  Charles- 
ton, 111. 

Smuggling ;  see  Ireland. 

Smyth,  J.  F.  D.,  loyalist  (Md.),  Tour  in  the 
United  States;  see  also  Stuart,  Ferdinand 
Smyth. 

Smyth,  Solomon,  loyalist  (S.  C),  28,  n.  197. 

Snell,  Daniel,  David,  and  George,  loyalists  (S. 
C),  land  grants  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Snipes,  Maj.  William  Clay,  24. 

South  Carolina,  abuse  of  returned  loyalist, 
82 ;  Assembly,  General,  98 ;  House  of,  105, 
111,  113  ;  address  of  loyalists  to  Lieut.-Gen. 
Alexander  Lesliee,  97 ;  banishment  of  loy- 
alists, 61,  98,  117 ;  battles  (see  Battles)  ; 
Seattle's  Mill,  73 ;  Big  Canebrake,  102 ; 
Blackstocks  Fort,  20 ;  Col.  John  Boyd  raises 
600  loyalists,  80  ;  British  troops,  7,  9,  10,  13, 
15,  31,  71,  75,  94,  97,  116.  126,  136;  Lieut.- 
Governor  William  Bull,  32,  n.  218  ;  112,  113, 
119;  Camden,  13,  14,  60,  80,  91,  96,  97,  114, 
115,  117  ;  Lord  William  Campbell,  last  royal 
governor  5,  63,  66,  67,  83,  99,  105  ;  Charles- 
ton (see  Charleston)  ;  Cherokee  ford,  11,  17, 
131,  133,  136 ;  claims  and  awards  of  loyal- 
ists, 118-121  (see  also  Claims  and  awards)  ; 
commissioner  of  sequestered  property,  139 ; 
loyalists'  committee  on  value  of  property,  99, 
120  ;  committee  of  loyalists  in  London,  145- 
148 ;  committee's  warrant,  116 ;  confiscation 
of  loyalists'  estates,  26,  n.  185 ;  39,  n.  274 ; 
94,  110,  112,  113,  141,  142;  Council  of 
Safety,  63,  68,  191 ;  creeks  (see  Creeks)  ; 
Duet's  Corner,  8 ;  Fishdam  ford,  12 ;  forts 
(see  Forts)  ;  Gilbert  Town,  17,  18 ;  George- 
town, 115 ;  Grindal  shoals,  4,  12  ;  Indian  field 
company,  115  ;  Iron  works,  4,  n.  22  ;  10,  12, 
14 ;  Iron  works,  Wofford's  or  "old,"  12,  n. 
83 ;  14  ;  Island  ford,  87  ;  Jacksonborough,  23, 
89 ;  James  Island,  27 ;  losses  sustained  by  loy- 


164 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


alists,  119,  120  (see  also  Claims  and  awards)  ; 
loyal  militia,  60,  66,  68,  79,  80,  88,  94,  96, 
97,  101,  102,  104,  106,  107,  108,  113-116,  126, 
131,  132  ;  loyalist  regiments,  viz.  Duke  of 
Cumberland's  or  Loyal  American  Rangers, 
26,  n.  187  ;  South  Carolina  Royalists,  6,  13, 
n.  96;  67,  70,  74-78,  80,  83,  102,  111,  112; 
loyalists,  68,  74,  80,  82,  85,  88,  96,  98,  99, 
116,  117,  119,  120,  131,  137,  145;  Monk's 
Corner,  26,  n.  184 ;  Ninety-Six  (see  Ninety- 
Six)  ;  Orangeburg,  25,  26,  79,  89 ;  Parker's 
ferry,  108 ;  Quarter  House,  9,  n.  62 ;  27 ; 
Rocky  Mount,  115 ;  Round  O  company,  94  ; 
Rugeley's  Mills,  95 ;  Salisbury,  72  ;  seques- 
tered property,  92,  101,  139  ;  slaves,  112,  118, 
120 ;  Spring  Hill,  101  ;  Sullivan's  Island,  3, 
43  ;  Tacaw,  7,  8  ;  Tory  association  in  Ninety- 
Six  district,  105 ;  Whig  associaition,  60,  67, 
100,  101,  130 ;  Whig  convention,  109,  145 ; 
Winnsborough,    3. 

South  Carolina  and  American  General  Gazette, 
98. 

South  Carolina  Royalists  ;  see  Tory  corps. 

Spain,  cession  of  East  Florida  to,  75. 

Spence,   Thomas,   45. 

Spring   Hill    (S.   C.)  ;   see  South   Carolina. 

Spring  Gardens  coffee  house  (London,  Eng.), 
loyalists  meet  at,  v,  32,  n.   216. 

Spurgeon,  Maj.   William,   loyalist    (N.   C),   80. 

Stack,  Jacob,  loyalist  (S.  C),  5,  n.  30. 

Stagner,  Daniel,  loyalist  (S.  C),  5,  n.  30. 

Stanwix,  Brig.-Gen.  John,  102. 

Stedman,  Charles,  History  of  the  American 
War,   2  vols.,    London,    1794,   xi. 

Stevenson's  creek   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Stromer,  Capt.  L.,  of  Orangeburg  (S.  C.) 
loyal  militia,   114. 

Stroup,  Capt.  George,  of  loyal  militia  from 
Dutch  Fork,  114. 

Stuart,  Ferdinand  Smyth,  loyalist  (Md.),  The 
Case  of,  xi. 

Stuart,  Col.  John,  loyalist  (S.  C),  superin- 
tendent of  Indians,  65  ;  commissions  Richard 
Pearis,  103  ;  appoints  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland 
deputy  superintendent,    106. 

Sugar  Creek   (S.  C.)  ;  see  Creeks. 

Sullivan's  Island    (S.   C.)  ;   see  South   Carolina. 

Sumter,  Col.  Thomas,   iv,  7,  13,   14,  n.  97. 

Sunbury   (Ga.)  ;  see  Georgia. 

Sydney,  Lord,  receives  memorial  from  layalist 
officers    of   North    Carolina,    117. 

TACAW  ("Tachaw,"  S.  C.)  ;  see  South  Caro- 
lina. 

Tanner,  Mr.  ,   100. 

Tarleton,  Lieut.-Col.  Banistre,  14,  n.  97  ;  18,  n. 
127  ;  20,  21,  22,  n.  148 ;  33,  34 ;  defeat  at 
Cowpens  (S.  C),  Jan.,  17,  1781,  iv,  22,  60, 
128 ;  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  British 
Legion,  90 ;  joined  by  Alexander  Chesney 
■with  company  of  loyal  militia,  1-32  ;  Chesney 


serviceable     to,     135 ;     certificate     regarding 
Chesney,   vi,   130,   132,   143. 
Taylor,  Herbert,  47. 
Taylor,  Capt.  John,  of  New  Jersey  Volunteers 

(Tory  corps),  16,  n.  Ill;  85. 
Tennent,  Rev.  William,  68,   100. 
Tennesee,    William    Chesney    in,    ix,    x,    20,    43, 
54,  n.  356;  56. 

Terry,  Maj __,  loyalist  (S.  C),  67. 

Thicketty   creek    (S.   C.)  ;   see   Creeks. 

Thicketty  Fort  (S.  C.)  ;  see  Forts. 

Thomas,   Col.  John,  77. 

Thompson,    Capt.    Adam,    loyalist     (S.    C),    of 

Camden  loyal  militia,   114. 
Thompson,     Benjamin,     loyalist     (Mass.)  ;     see 

Rumford,   Count. 
Thompson,    Elizabeth,    loyalist    (S.    C),    33. 

Thorney,  Miss  __ ,  98. 

Thornton,     Abraham,     loyalist     (S.     C),     land 

grant  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 
Thornton,   Eli,   loyalist    (S.   C),   land   grant   in 

Nova  Scotia,   118. 
Tiger   ("Tyger")    river    (S.   C.)  ;  see  Rivers. 
Tonyn,   Patrick,  governor  of  East  Florida,   61  ; 
address   of  loyalists   to,    92  ;   visited  by   Capt. 
Moses    Kirkland,    105. 
Tories  ;  see  Loyalists. 

Tory   association,    Maj.    Terry's   men   sign,    67  ; 
5,000    signers     in    Ninety-Six    district,     105 ; 
proposed    by    Alexander    Chesney,    1775,    137. 
Tory  corps : 

American    Volunteers,    under    Maj.     Patrick 
Ferguson,    11,    n.    76  ;   82,    93 ;   Capt.   Abra- 
ham de  Peyster  serves  in,  84. 
British    Legion,    Lieut.-Col.    Banistre    Tarle- 
ton of,  14,  n.  97  ;  18,  n.  127  ;  20,  21,  22,  n. 
148  ;  25,  n.   182  ;  85,  n.  182  ;  33,  34  ;  60,  90  ; 
raised    by    Lord    William    Shaw    Cathcart, 
90 ;    in   battle  of  Hanging   Rock,   90 ;   later 
history,    90,   91 ;   Capt.   John   Rousselet  of, 
90. 
De  Lancey's  brigade,   13,   n.   96  ;   16,  n.   109 ; 
Lieut.-Col.     John     Harris     Cruger,     of     1st 
battalion,    sails    for    Georgia,    89 ;    defends 
Ninety-Six,   90. 
Duke    of    Cumberland's    regiment    (or    Loyal 
American      Volunteers),      commanded      by 
Lord    Charles    Greville    Montagu,    59,    60 ; 
prisoners   drafted   into,   91. 
East  Florida  Rangers,   Robert  Phillips,   lieu- 
tenant in,   61. 
First  American  regiment ;  see  Queen's  Rang- 
ers. 
Georgia  Loyalists,   26,  n.    187. 
King's   American   regiment,   Cols.   David   and 
Edmund    Fanning    in    command    of,    Dec, 
1776,    84 ;   Frederick   de   Peyster  joins,   84 ; 
in  battle  of  King's  Mountain,   86. 
King's   Carolina  Rangers,   26, n.   187. 
King's  Florida  Rangers,  26,  n.  187. 


INDEX 


165 


Loyal  American  Rangers  ;  see  Duke  of  Cum- 
berland's regiment. 

Loyal  American  regiment,  Duncan  Fletcher 
in,  14,  n.  107  ;  Lieut.  Anthony  Allaire  of, 
85. 

Maryland    Loyalists,    110. 

Nassau  Blues,  organized  in  New  York  by 
Col.  William  Axtell,  May  1,  1779,  84; 
officers  and  men  later  join  New  York 
Volunteers,   84. 

New  Jersey  Volunteers,  14,  n.  107  ;  16,  n. 
Ill;  Lieut.-Col.  Isaac  Allen  of,  21,  n.  145; 
Cap.  Samuel  Ryerson  of,  14,  n.  107  ;  Capt. 
John  Taylor  of,  16,  n.  Ill  ;  85  ;  in  battle 
of  King's  Mountain,  86 ;  defends  Ninety- 
Six,  May  22June  19,  1781,  90. 

New  York  Volunteers,  13,  n.  89  ;  officers  and 
men  of  Nassau  Blues  join,  84  ;  Lieut.-Col. 
George  Trumbull  of,   12,  n.   89  ;   101. 

Prince  of  Wales's  American  Volunteers,  90  ; 
Maj.   John  Cruden  of,   90. 

Queen's  Rangers,  Maj.  James  Dunlap  of,  73; 
in  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  86  ;  Col.  John 
Graves  Simcoe  of,  commends  Capt.  John 
Saunders,  109 ;  moved  from.  Virginia  to 
South    Carolina,    110. 

Queen's   Own   Loyal   Virginia   regiment,    109. 

Royal  North  Carolina  rgeiment,  117. 

South  Carolina  Royalists,  Lieut.-Col.  Joseph 
Robinson  of,  6,  13,  n.  96 ;  67,  70,  74-78, 
80,  102  ;  Col.  Alexander  Innes  given  com- 
mand, 1779,  83  ;  Dr.  James  Clitherall, 
surgeon  to,  98,  112;  Evan  McLaurin,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of,  102  ;  Thomas  Fraser,  ap- 
pointed major,  Aug.,   1780,   111. 

Volunteers  of  Ireland,  25,  n.  180 ;  n.  181  ; 
27,   n.    191. 

West  Florida  Rangers,  son  of  Col.  Richard 
Pearls  ensign  in,  103. 

Towne,  Rev.   Dr.  ._ ,  49,   n.  334;   50. 

Townsend,  Thomas,   British   secretary   for  war, 

31,    32. 
Trail,  Henry,  99. 
Treaties :   treaty  of  neutrality,   Sept.   16,    1775, 

5,  69,  70,  71,  87  ;  Lieut.-Col.  Evan  McLaurin 

signatory  of,   102  ;   treaty  with   Cherokee  In- 
dians,   8,    n.    58 ;    treatiees    between    United 

States    and    Great   Britain   disregarded,    120. 
Tyron,    William,    governor   of   North    Carolina, 

1765-1771,   127. 
Turkey  cove    (N.   C.)  ;  see  North  Carolina. 
Turnbull,   Lieut.-Col.   George,   loyalist   (N.   C), 

of  New  York   Volunteers,   12,   n.   89  ;   101. 
Turner,    Col.   William   Vernon,   in   command   of 

Rocky   Mount   loyal    militia,   115. 
"Tyger"  river    (S.   C.)  ;    see  Tiger  river. 
Tyne,     Col.     Samuel,     in    command    of    Santee 

loyal  militia,   115. 


UNITED    Irishmen,    association   of,   viii,   25,   n. 

181;     45,    n.    308. 
United  Loyalists,   assembly  of,  92. 

VERNON,    Alexander,    79. 

Vernon,  Lieut.-Col.  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  9, 
n.   64;   71,   78,   79. 

Virginia,   Robert  Dinwiddle,   governor  of,   102  ; 
Lord  John  Murray  Dunmore,  last  royal  gov- 
ernor of,  1771-1776,  105,  106,  109;  Col.  Jacob 
Ellegood,   108,   109,   110  ;   Great  Bridge,  battle 
of,   109  ;  Benjamin  Dudley  Gray,   109  ;  Archi- 
bald   Hamilton   and    Co.,    117  ;    Indians,    102 ; 
Kempe's     landing    place,     110  ;    Capt.     Moses 
Kirkland  in,  105  ;  Lieut.-Gen.  Alexander  Les- 
lie's expedition   to,   110;  Norfolk,    117;   Rich- 
ard   Pearls   in    Provincial    regiment   of,    102 
Queen's   Own  Loyal   Virginia  regiment,   109 
Capt.    John    Saunders,    108-116  ;    143,    n.    15 
Mrs.  Lilly  Robinson  and  children  flee  to,  75. 

Volunteers  of  Ireland  ;  see  Tory  corps. 

WALKER,   Capt ,   executed,   86. 

Walker,  Capt.  Jacob,  loyalist  (N.  C),  15,  n. 
107. 

Wallace,  William,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land  grant 
in  Nova  Scotia,    118. 

Ward,  James,   49,   n.   107. 

Waring   ("Warring"),  Rev.  Lucus,  46. 

Washington,  Gen.  George,  headquarters  at 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  a 
prisoner  at,  106. 

Washington,   Col.  William,   95. 

Waxhaws  (S.  C).,  3,  n.  8  ;  destruction  of  Col. 
Abraham  Buford's  force  at,  June,  1780,  90  ; 
location,  2,  n.  8  ;  Maj.  John  Robinson,  resi- 
dent,  95. 

Weir,  James,  loyalist  (S.  C),  98. 

Weir,  Benjamin  and  William,  loyalists  (S.  C), 
land  grants  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 

Wells,  Eliza,  4. 

Wells,  Zachariah,  loyalist,  executed,  19,  n.  129. 

Wesley,   Rev.   John,   48,   n.   328. 

West,   Peter,  55. 

West  Florida,  Governor  Peter  Chester,  106  ; 
northern  Creek  Indians,  103  ;  Rangers,  103  ; 
Col.  Richard  Pearls  goes  to,  102,  103 ;  son 
of  Col.  Pearls  in  Rangers,  103  ;  Capt.  Kirk- 
land on  mission  to,    106. 

West  Indies,  Solomon  Smyth  takes  refuge  in, 
28,  n.  197  ;  Francis  Rawdon  Chesney's  com- 
pany ordered  to  Jamaica,  53,  n.  352  ;  Lord 
Greville  Montaku's  loyalist  corps  for  service 
in  Jamaica,  59 ;  Col.  Thomas  Fletchall  and 
family  settle  in,  71,  72  ;  Cols.  Thomas  Edg- 
hill  and  James  Vernon  settle  in,  71 ;  Joseph 
Fletchall  planter  in,  72 ;  Lieut.-Col.  Joseph 
Robinson    and    family    go    to    Jamaica,    75 ; 


166 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  CHESNEY 


Capt.  Moses  Kirkland  takes  refuge  in,  107  ; 
loyalists  take  refuge  in,  79 ;  Col.  William 
Vernon  Turner  and  family  go  to,  115 ; 
Southern  loyalists  seek  refuge  in,  117  ;  South 
Carolinians  join  Duke  of  Cumberland's  reg- 
iment in,  91 ;  John  Cruden  and  Co.  trade 
with,  91. 

Whealley,  Moses,  loyalist   (S.  C),  74. 

Wheate,  Sir  Jacob,  28,  n.   192. 

Whig  association,  opposed  in  Camden  district, 
July,  1775,  60  ;  Maj.  Terry's  men  refuse  to 
sign,  67  ;  James  Miller  and  others  refuse  to 
sign,  100  ;  William  Henry  Drayton  seeks 
signers,  101  ;  Alexander  Chesney  pressed  to 
enter,  130. 

Whig  convention,  John  Saunders  opposes  send- 
ing delegates,   109 ;   affiliations  with,   145. 

Whigs,  Alexander  Chesney  obliged  to  side  with 
(see  Chesney,  Alexander)  ;  seek  support  of 
Col.    Richard   Pearis   and   Indians,    102. 

White,  Capt. ,  15,  n.  104. 

White,  John,  52,  n.  341. 

White  Oak  creek  (N.  C.)  ;    see  Creeks. 

Williams,   Edward,  9,   n.  64. 

Williams,   James,    18,   40,    n.   281  ;   n.   282. 

Williams,  Col.  James,  18,  n.  123  ;  20. 

Williams,  Robert,  94 ;  claim  and  award,  119. 
member,  committee  to  estimate  losses  of 
South  Carolina  loyalists,  120  ;  also  of  South 
Carolina  loyalists'  committee  in  London,  145. 

Williams,  Thomas,  loyalist  (S.  C),  land 
grant    in    Nova    Scotia,    118. 

Williams,  Col.  Hezekiah,  in  command  of  regi- 
ment of  loyal  militia,  115. 

Williamson,  Gen.  Andrew,  7,  in  siege  of  Fort 
Ninety-Six,  69,  70,  74,  76,  80,  135,  n.  9  ;  ex- 
pedition against  Indians,  July,  1776,  65,  104 ; 


loyalists  attempt  escape  from  army  of,  131, 

137. 
Wilmington    (N.   C.)  ;   see  North   Carolina. 
Wilmot,  John  Eardley,  commissioner  of  Ameri- 
can  Claims,   37,   n.   258. 

Wilson,  Capt. ,  loyalist,  executed,  86. 

Wilson,  Jane,  second  wife  of  Alexander  Ches- 
ney, 36,  n.  249. 
Wilson,  John,  40. 
Wilson,  Roger,  loyalist   (S.  C),  land  grant  in 

Nova   Scotia,   118. 
Winder,  Thomas,  37,   n.  255  ;   38. 
Winn,   Col.   John,   3,  n.   15  ;   13. 
Winnsborough    (S.   C.)  ;   see   South   Carolina. 
Winslow,    Judge    Edward,    loyalist    (Mass.),    in 

New  Brunswick,  Canada,  111. 
Withrow,     David,     Jacob,     and    John,    loyalists 

(S.  C),  land  grants  in  Nova  Scotia,  118. 
Wofford,   Capt.    Benjamin,   loyalist   (S.    C),   5, 

n.  30;   69. 
Wofford,  William,  9,  n.  62. 
Wofford's     Iron     works     (S.     C.)  ;    see    South 

Carolina. 
Wolfe,  Lewis,  agent  for  loyalists,  v,  vi,  31,  34, 

36,   37,   38,   44,  49,   82,   139. 
Wright,  Alexander,  loyalist   (S.  C),  claim  and 

award,    119. 
Wright,    Maj.    James,    26,     n.     182;    of    loyal 

militia  from  Dutch  Fork  of  Ninety-Six,  S.  C, 

114. 

YADKIN  river   (N.  C.)  ;    see  North  Carolina. 
Yorktown    (Va. ),  British  surrender  at,  110. 
Young,    Lieut.-Col.    William,    in    command    of 

loyal   militia  of  Little   river,    S.    C,    114. 
Young,  Maj.  William,  in  command  of    (S.  C.) 

loyal  militia  regiment  of  Dragoons,   114. 


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