We saw Asheville and Boone and Blowing Rock among others. It's really beautiful country and the average temperature in July in the mountains is nothing like Mississippi which made the trip exceedingly pleasant.
High on my list of "must sees" was the Revolutionary War historic site of the Battle of Kings Mountain. It's a bit off the beaten path just west of Charlotte, North Carolina. Technically, it's across the state line just barely into South Carolina. The battlefield is a National Military Park and it's saddled up next to a South Carolina State Park. The area is well worth a visit. Naturally, my interest in it is genealogical. We had people there on October 7, 1780.
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| Monument at Battle of Kings Mountain National Military Park |
There's a good wiki page HERE if you want to learn specifics about the battle. In a nutshell, it was a decisive Patriot victory and is often credited with turning the tide of the Revolutionary War in the south. It certainly is responsible for turning the redcoats out of North Carolina. The forces involved were all Americans (Patriots and Loyalists) save the commander of the Loyalist forces who by most accounts was a decent and reputable leader of Scottish birth. He was also the only professional soldier on the field that day. There were about 100 Provincial Loyalist soldiers among the 1,200 or so Tories. They would be the only forces on Kings Mountain wearing the iconic red coats. Their leader, Major Patrick Ferguson, was felled in the thick of battle that day.
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| Monument and Cairn marking resting place of Patrick Ferguson |
Both sides were primarily composed of militia forces. The Patriots were generally backwoodsmen or frontiersmen accustomed to scraping a living out of the soil, trapping and hunting for their food. Instead of a standard issue military musket, they carried their own hunting rifles and wore handspun clothing and buckskins. The lack of uniforms was a cause of confusion on the battlefield. Loyalist militia units and Patriots looked so much alike, they had to devise a method of telling themselves apart. The custom of the day was for the Loyalists to put a pine twig in their hat band, while the Patriots put a white piece of paper or cloth.
The Patriots' formal training as soldiers was practically nil, but most had gained suitable experience chasing and being chased by hostile Indians so the concept of "kill or be killed" among the brush and brambled forests had been honed in them through their daily lives. For many, the war had run them out of their farms in the east. They had sought refuge in wilderness areas west of the Appalachian Mountains, so when the war in the east forced them back over the mountains, they became known as the "Overmountain Men."
One of these Overmountain Men was Colonel Joseph Hardin. He is a 5th great grandfather via my Kuykendall family line. His son-in-law was Adam Kuykendall who is responsible for bringing the Kuykendall clan to Arkansas. Col. Hardin is one of a surprising number of ancestors with his own wiki page (found HERE). He is credited with a number of impressive accomplishments-- a mover and shaker in colonial times. He was very active in the military serving North Carolina as a Major in the Salisbury District Minutemen, a Captain with the Tryon County Regiment, and a Captain with the 2nd Battalion of Volunteers. At the time of the Battle of Kings Mountain, 46 year old Hardin was serving as a Major in the Wilkes County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia. He and his family saw lots of action. Two of his sons were killed in various battles with Indians. His brother, Captain John Hardin, and his company of rifle marksmen earned fame at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill.
Joseph's name is found among the signers of the Tryon Resolves along with his father, Benjamin Hardin. The Tryon Resolves was signed on August 14, 1775 by residents of North Carolina who were incensed by the degradation that resulted from the policies of the English government forced on the colonists, especially after the Battle of Lexington.
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| Signers of the Tryon Resolves a year before the Declaration of Independence |
Another signer of the Tryon Resolves was the husband of Joseph Hardin's sister, Sarah. He was Lt. Col. Frederick Hambright who would distinguish himself at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Hambright was born in Bavaria and immigrated as a child with his family to Pennsylvania and then Virginia where he married Sarah. They lived very near Kings Mountain at the time of the Battle. Hambright was severely wounded during the battle, taking a musket ball in his thigh. The wound ended any future military exploits but not before he finished out the Battle of Kings Mountain, though wounded, directing his men from his horse. When the battle was won, he was taken to his nearby home where his injuries were treated. He lived another 37 years.
Hambright's marriage to Col. Hardin's sister makes him my great uncle (6x), but I also found that one of his daughters was married to a Kuykendall. James Kuykendall, who was 24 at the time of the Battle of King's Mountain, married Mary Esther "Polly" Hambright in 1779. The Kuykendall name popped up frequently in my Kings Mountain research. This James Kuykendall was first cousin to 4th great grandfather Adam Kuykendall (mentioned above), son-in-law of Col. Joseph Hardin. Both Hardin and Hambright had children married to Kuykendall's. If that's not enough. Col. Hardin had a brother and sister who both also married Kuykendall's. I'd say the families of Hardin and Kuykendall were very familiar.
Another look at the signers of the Tryon Resolves reveals yet another Kuykendall. I believe this Joseph Kuykendall is the son of Col. Hardin's sister, Rebecca Hardin and John Kuykendall, an uncle to my Adam Kuykendall. I believe he is the Joseph Kuykendall who was counted present at the Battle of King's Mountain. It seems highly likely that Adam Kuykendall who was 36 at the time was also present at the Battle, but I have found no evidence to support this.
There is a "well grounded tradition" that two men were at the base of King's Mountain in fervent prayer while the battle raged October 7, 1780. The chaplains for the men of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland's Wilkes County Militia were, Reverend George McNeil and Reverend John Cleveland. John, my 5th great grandfather, was a brother of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. John had at least two brothers in the battle and another that had been wounded on his way to the battle. Colonel Benjamin Cleveland is the most well known of the family as he led the Wilkes County men all over the Piedmont chasing Tories for most of the War, but he is most known for his important role in the victory at King's Mountain.
Recently, I was surprised to find the "King's Mountain prayer story" corroborated by a mention in the Fall 2020 edition of the Sons of the American Revolution Magazine...
I tried to contact the author hoping to get a source for his story, but I haven't had any luck.
Col. Benjamin Cleveland's exploits are memorialized in the very entertaining pension records of scores of men that served under him. HERE is his wiki page.
Unfortunately, there is no pension record for Rev. John Cleveland. He passed away about the time the federal government allowed full pension for those who fought in the Revolutionary War. It's likely, he never filed one. We do have some pay receipts that prove his service. The North Carolina Archives holds a record of a voucher number 721 from January of 1782 showing payment of 25 pounds, 12 shillings to John Cleveland for services as Chaplain. Another account paid by General McDowell of Burke County shows an amount of 18 pounds, 4 shillings, 6 pence paid to John Cleveland for militia services. Prior to his Militia service in North Carolina, he had enlisted in the 9th Virginia Regiment. He served three years and we have a copy of his discharge in June of 1780. This is where he held the rank of Ensign which, I understand is comparable to today's rank of Lieutenant.
Rev. John Cleveland definitely served Patriot duties during the Revolutionary War, but there are only a couple bits of evidence for him being at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Other than the oral tradition handed down in the McNeil family about the prayer warriors mentioned earlier, I have found only a couple references to Rev. John Cleveland being at the battle. One reference comes again from the McNeil family. The Reverend George McNeil's family celebrated him at family reunions for many years. In 1905, a hundred years after his death, a marker was erected at his gravesite. Hymns were sung and statements were read including the following written by his son, Joseph McNeil...
Another source that indicates John Cleveland was present at the battle of Kings Mountain is the pension application of Private Thomas Majors. A deposition by a man named Forbes in that pension application states the following...
Unfortunately, there is no pension record for Rev. John Cleveland. He passed away about the time the federal government allowed full pension for those who fought in the Revolutionary War. It's likely, he never filed one. We do have some pay receipts that prove his service. The North Carolina Archives holds a record of a voucher number 721 from January of 1782 showing payment of 25 pounds, 12 shillings to John Cleveland for services as Chaplain. Another account paid by General McDowell of Burke County shows an amount of 18 pounds, 4 shillings, 6 pence paid to John Cleveland for militia services. Prior to his Militia service in North Carolina, he had enlisted in the 9th Virginia Regiment. He served three years and we have a copy of his discharge in June of 1780. This is where he held the rank of Ensign which, I understand is comparable to today's rank of Lieutenant.
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| John Cleveland's discharge from 9th Virginia Reg't |
Rev. John Cleveland definitely served Patriot duties during the Revolutionary War, but there are only a couple bits of evidence for him being at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Other than the oral tradition handed down in the McNeil family about the prayer warriors mentioned earlier, I have found only a couple references to Rev. John Cleveland being at the battle. One reference comes again from the McNeil family. The Reverend George McNeil's family celebrated him at family reunions for many years. In 1905, a hundred years after his death, a marker was erected at his gravesite. Hymns were sung and statements were read including the following written by his son, Joseph McNeil...
The Rev. Mr. George McNeil was bornd on or about the year 1720 and was ordained some time before the year 1776, but the exact time I cannot tel, and he was frequently a corresponding messenger to different associations, frequently appointed a help to churches whose difficulties arose in them, and was called to ordain preachers, and constitute churches, and was Moderator of the Yadkin Association for a number of years, and he and the Rev. Mr. John Cleveland went in the Revolutionary War with the army as they went from Kings Mountain and preached to them until they got up into Burke County. Him and the Rev’d Mr. A. Baker yoused to preach a great deal together. He departed this life June the 7th, 1805. This is correct an account as I am able to give.Much of what Joseph wrote about George McNeil's experience with the Baptists in North Carolina and north Georgia would apply to John Cleveland also. They worked together to establish churches and associations. It is understood they were great friends. One of John's daughters married a son of George McNeil.
Another source that indicates John Cleveland was present at the battle of Kings Mountain is the pension application of Private Thomas Majors. A deposition by a man named Forbes in that pension application states the following...
"I was from Burke County North Carolina Majors was from Wilkes County North Carolina & served under Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. I first knew him about the 30th of September 1780, when the different forces assembled. I knew Col. Cleveland well also Major Hearn, Captain Joseph Lewis: & Ensign John Cleveland also knew Colonels Campbell & Shelby & Major Winston. From the date aforesaid up to the battle of Kings Mountain I knew Majors & some time afterwards: Majors was one who went to guard some prisoners to Burke Court house: & I was also one"Following Forbes' statement is another by a man named Isham Lane that backs up Forbes' recollection. Lane states this...
We were both from Wilkes County North Carolina he (Majors) was a regular enlisted soldier of the Revolutionary Army. He & I both drew lots from the same hat & he drew to go: He enlisted early in 1780 He was at the battle of Kings Mountain & served under Colonel Cleveland & Major Winston & Captain Joseph Lewis and Ensign John Cleveland all of whom I knew well & also Shelby and Campbell Colonels but do not remember Major Hearn.
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| Photo by Joanie Chapman |
This marker is near the I-85 South Carolina welcome center at Lake Hartwell. I looked for it when we passed through there on the way back from the Blue Ridge Parkway but couldn't find it. This photo was borrowed from Ancestry. His body is buried at another location not far away in Oconee County, South Carolina. His great great granddaughter, Sara Amanda Dickson married William Thomas Keller, they were the parents of my grandfather, William Harrison "Bill" Keller.
Two men who served as Captains in the Wilkes County Regiment of Militia and were also present at Kings Mountain are Godfrey Isbell and Moses Guest. Isbell is a 5th great grandfather while Guest is a 4th great. Both are found up the Keller line of my tree like Rev. John Cleveland.
There is a book called "The King's Mountain Men: The Story of the Battle with Sketches of the American Soldiers who Took Part" by Katherine Keogh Wright that mentions Godfrey Isbell and Moses Guest by name. The passage referring to Godfrey Isbell states:
Godfrey Isbell had a granddaughter who married a grandson of Rev. John Cleveland.
Moses Guest is the best documented of my direct ancestors at Kings Mountain. He has an excellent pension application with loads of detail. The Georgia State Archives has a copy of his Bible with names and dates for all of his children. Nearly every list I have found compiled of the soldiers at Kings Mountain include Captain Moses Guest. In 2003 the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) placed a grave maker at his burial site. The following is a succinct bio of him written in a Toccoa, Georgia newspaper describing the SAR event...
Other interesting things about the Blair family, are more closely related to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Moses' wife, Mary, had a brother at Kings Mountain. He was James Blair. James is famously credited with sounding the alarm when it was discovered that Ferguson's band of Loyalists were making their way deeper into North Carolina. James is known as the southern Paul Revere. He rode through the settlements of the Overmountain men announcing the coming threat. He was wounded during the ride by an unsympathetic Tory but completed it nonetheless.
There are Quaker records for the parents of Mary and James Blair. Fifth great grandparents Sarah and Colbert Blair were practicing Quakers living in Burke County, North Carolina at the time of the Battle of Kings Mountain. Interestingly, Colbert gets a mention in a Tory diary. Lieutenant Anthony Allaire was acting as an adjutant to Major Patrick Ferguson when they fought at Kings Mountain. Allaire survived the battle but was captured and along with 20 or so fellow Loyalists were marched toward Burke County by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. Allaire recounts a conversation with Cleveland...
Later Allaire and a few others escaped their captors. They began travelling back towards their own forces at night to avoid recapture. They hid out in the woods during daylight hours. This went on for several days and then Allaire records this...
Lt. Allaire's interaction with Benjamin Cleveland and Colbert Blair is not my only connection to the Loyalist forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Among the ranks of Patrick Ferguson and his Loyalist forces was Joseph Field. Joseph and his brothers William, Robert and Jeremiah just a few years earlier had been members of the Regulator movement in North Carolina.
The "Regulators" were a large group of colonists who had grievances with and opposed the system of taxation and fees imposed by the local British officials. In 1771 the opposition escalated into a full fledged battle waged between the regulators and the Governor's Provincial Militia. The Regulators were soundly defeated. Some were executed but most were pardoned after providing, under oath, loyalty to the King and royal government. Joseph and his brothers pledged the oath. Joseph's brother William is one of my paternal 6th great grandfathers making Joseph an uncle 7 times removed.
A few years later, when the Revolution began in earnest, a call was made from the Colonial powers for enlistment in the King's forces. William Field stated that he was bound by honor to make good on his oath and submit to the call. His brothers did the same. The brothers marched on Wilmington as Loyalist Provincials but quickly surrendered themselves at Guilford Courthouse when confronted by unfavorable odds. They spent a number of months as prisoners of the Patriots eventually gaining their freedom most likely through a prisoner exchange. Joseph and brother William show up on a payroll list in New York for North Carolina Loyalists being paid from February 5, 1776 to October 27, 1778. No documents occur for Joseph after that date.
After the war, Joseph's wife Lydia remarried. She had a son by the new husband named Joseph B Armfield. That son is quoted in Sallie Stockard's book, "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina" saying his mother's first husband was killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain. In all likelihood, Joseph would have been one of the hundred or so Provincials decked out in the red coat uniform on the mountain that day. Joseph's brother, Jeremiah, lived to 90 years old. He is quoted in the book A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. David Caldwell, D.D. by Eli Washington Caruthers. I feel like all his brothers would echo this sentiment...
So at the end of the day, October 7, 1780, I count at least 14 family members at the Battle of Kings Mountain...
Two men who served as Captains in the Wilkes County Regiment of Militia and were also present at Kings Mountain are Godfrey Isbell and Moses Guest. Isbell is a 5th great grandfather while Guest is a 4th great. Both are found up the Keller line of my tree like Rev. John Cleveland.
There is a book called "The King's Mountain Men: The Story of the Battle with Sketches of the American Soldiers who Took Part" by Katherine Keogh Wright that mentions Godfrey Isbell and Moses Guest by name. The passage referring to Godfrey Isbell states:
Godfrey was under Sevier. At a militia meeting of March 19, 1780 there were present Colonel John Sevier, Major Jonathan Tipton, Captains Godfrey Isbell, John McNabb, James Stinson, William Trimble and Joseph Wilson and Lieutenant Landon Carter, acting in the absence of Captain Valentine Sevier. It was ordered that 100 men be raised agreeable to the command of General Rutherford, to serve in South Carolina. These men were at Musgrove's Mill as well as King's Mountain.The Isbell family was from Virginia only having just migrated westerly about the time of the Revolutionary War. Godfrey had a brother who enlisted with the 1st Virginia Regiment. Pendleton Isbell was chosen along with three others within the unit to serve in the Commander and Chief's guard. Sometimes called the Life Guard, this unit served as the personal body guards of George Washington. Pendleton served 2 years in this capacity. He was at Valley Forge, Morristown, the battles of Brandywine and Germantown with George Washington. His tour ended in early 1780 at which time he took up with Godfrey's NC militia unit and was also present at King's Mountain.
Godfrey Isbell had a granddaughter who married a grandson of Rev. John Cleveland.
Moses Guest is the best documented of my direct ancestors at Kings Mountain. He has an excellent pension application with loads of detail. The Georgia State Archives has a copy of his Bible with names and dates for all of his children. Nearly every list I have found compiled of the soldiers at Kings Mountain include Captain Moses Guest. In 2003 the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) placed a grave maker at his burial site. The following is a succinct bio of him written in a Toccoa, Georgia newspaper describing the SAR event...
...The Patriot was born in January, 1750, in Fauquier County, Virginia, and died October 1, 1838, in Franklin County, Georgia. He married Mary Blair, a first cousin of Daniel Boone, in Wilkes Co., North Carolina. In 1775, he was appointed by the Governor as an Ensign in the North Carolina Militia serving under Captain Elijah Issacs in fighting an Indian uprising. From 1776 to 1780, he served as Captain of Horse under Colonel Armstrong and Colonel Cleveland. He had a company of 50 men including his brothers, Benjamin and William Guest, in the battle of Kings Mountain. After the victory, his company was chosen to take over 700 prisoners to Moravian Town, North Carolina. Moses had sixteen children by Mary Blair and one child by his second wife, Eleandor York. He served as Sheriff of Franklin County around 1786, and as Justice of Peace from 1809 to 1816...The passage mentions Moses' wife, Mary Blair. The Blair family is interesting for a couple reasons. The Daniel Boone reference is made, and I was aware of that connection. Mary's maternal grandfather was the brother of Daniel Boone's mother. So Mary's mother is the first cousin of Daniel Boone-- and so is anyone descended from Mary's mother. I am Daniel Boone's first cousin, 7 times removed.
Other interesting things about the Blair family, are more closely related to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Moses' wife, Mary, had a brother at Kings Mountain. He was James Blair. James is famously credited with sounding the alarm when it was discovered that Ferguson's band of Loyalists were making their way deeper into North Carolina. James is known as the southern Paul Revere. He rode through the settlements of the Overmountain men announcing the coming threat. He was wounded during the ride by an unsympathetic Tory but completed it nonetheless.
There are Quaker records for the parents of Mary and James Blair. Fifth great grandparents Sarah and Colbert Blair were practicing Quakers living in Burke County, North Carolina at the time of the Battle of Kings Mountain. Interestingly, Colbert gets a mention in a Tory diary. Lieutenant Anthony Allaire was acting as an adjutant to Major Patrick Ferguson when they fought at Kings Mountain. Allaire survived the battle but was captured and along with 20 or so fellow Loyalists were marched toward Burke County by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. Allaire recounts a conversation with Cleveland...
Sunday, 29th. Col. Cleveland waited on Capt. DePeyster and the rest of the officers, and asked us if we, with our men, would come and hear a sermon at ten o'clock. He marched the militia prisoners from their encampment to the town, and halted them; and sent an officer to our quarters to acquaint us they were waiting for us. We then ordered our men to fall in; marched to the front of the prisoners; the whole then proceeded on to a height about half a mile from the town. Here we heard a Presbyterian sermon, truly adapted to their principles of the times; or, rather, stuffed as full of Republicanism as their camp is of horse thieves.
Monday, 30th. A number of the inhabitants assembled at Bethabara to see a poor Tory prisoner executed for a crime of the following nature, viz: A Rebel soldier was passing the guard where the prisoners were confined, and like a brute addressed himself to those unhappy people in this style: "Ah, d--n you, you'll all be hanged." This man, with the spirit of a British subject, answered, "Never mind that, it will be your turn next." But Col. Cleveland's goodness extended so far as to reprieve him.
Later Allaire and a few others escaped their captors. They began travelling back towards their own forces at night to avoid recapture. They hid out in the woods during daylight hours. This went on for several days and then Allaire records this...
Friday, 10th. Suffered very much with the cold. At six o'clock in the evening set out again. This night saw the moon in an eclipse, and heard several wolves bark. Passed a Rebel party consisting of twelve or fourteen, who lay about twenty yards from the road by a fire; but very fortunately for us, they were all asleep. We marched thirty miles and arrived at Colbert Blair's, just at daybreak.
Saturday, 11th. It began to rain just after we got to Mr. Blair's. Lucky we were indeed. This good man secreted us in his fodder-house, and gave us the best his house afforded.
Sunday, 12th. Remained at Mr. Blair's; a rainy, disagreeable day.
Monday, 13th. Set out from this good man's fodder-house. He conducted us about three miles to a Mr. F. Rider's, who guided us seven miles farther, over the Brushy Mountains, to Catawba river. Mr. John Murray, who lived on the bank of the river, put us over in a canoe, and conducted us three miles to Mr. Ballou's. This old man was about sixty years of age; but his love for his King and his subjects induced him to get up, although very late at night, and guided us seven miles to a Mr. Hilterbrine's. On the way the old man informed us he had two sons who lay out in the woods, who were anxious to go to our army, and were also good guides. He also told us of one Williams, that was a good guide, and who would be glad to go with us. We told the old man we should be very happy to have them, as the road began to grow more dangerous, and we quite unacquainted with the way. This poor old man expressed a great deal of anxiety for our safety, and at last told us he would go the next day and endeavor to find them, and send them to us. We arrived at Hilterbrine's about six o'clock in the morning of the 14th. He received us with great caution, lest we should be treacherous; but when he found we were British officers he was very kind.By most accounts, Colbert Blair was not a Loyalist. He was simply living out the code espoused by the Quaker movement-- pacifism and love to all. It is likely he would have treated escaped Patriot prisoners in the same manner. Colbert was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He moved with his family to North Carolina around 1778. Colbert's father, James, is buried at the Alamance Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Guilford County, North Carolina. Probably, Colbert grew up Presbyterian and converted to Quaker at the time of his marriage to Sarah Morgan. The Morgans have a deeper history with the Quaker movement. Colbert and Sarah remained in North Carolina. Colbert passed away in 1805 at about 75 years old. Sarah died in 1827 at about 98 years old. They are buried in Cedar Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lenoir, North Carolina.
Lt. Allaire's interaction with Benjamin Cleveland and Colbert Blair is not my only connection to the Loyalist forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Among the ranks of Patrick Ferguson and his Loyalist forces was Joseph Field. Joseph and his brothers William, Robert and Jeremiah just a few years earlier had been members of the Regulator movement in North Carolina.
The "Regulators" were a large group of colonists who had grievances with and opposed the system of taxation and fees imposed by the local British officials. In 1771 the opposition escalated into a full fledged battle waged between the regulators and the Governor's Provincial Militia. The Regulators were soundly defeated. Some were executed but most were pardoned after providing, under oath, loyalty to the King and royal government. Joseph and his brothers pledged the oath. Joseph's brother William is one of my paternal 6th great grandfathers making Joseph an uncle 7 times removed.
A few years later, when the Revolution began in earnest, a call was made from the Colonial powers for enlistment in the King's forces. William Field stated that he was bound by honor to make good on his oath and submit to the call. His brothers did the same. The brothers marched on Wilmington as Loyalist Provincials but quickly surrendered themselves at Guilford Courthouse when confronted by unfavorable odds. They spent a number of months as prisoners of the Patriots eventually gaining their freedom most likely through a prisoner exchange. Joseph and brother William show up on a payroll list in New York for North Carolina Loyalists being paid from February 5, 1776 to October 27, 1778. No documents occur for Joseph after that date.
After the war, Joseph's wife Lydia remarried. She had a son by the new husband named Joseph B Armfield. That son is quoted in Sallie Stockard's book, "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina" saying his mother's first husband was killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain. In all likelihood, Joseph would have been one of the hundred or so Provincials decked out in the red coat uniform on the mountain that day. Joseph's brother, Jeremiah, lived to 90 years old. He is quoted in the book A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. David Caldwell, D.D. by Eli Washington Caruthers. I feel like all his brothers would echo this sentiment...
Jeremiah used frequently to say in conversation that having fought twice, once for his country and once for his king, and having been whipped both times, he would fight no more; but generally added that, if war were to arise again between England and America, though he would not fight at his age, he would be on the side of the king, because he had taken a solemn oath to be faithful to him while he lived; but he would tell all his sons to fight for their country.
So at the end of the day, October 7, 1780, I count at least 14 family members at the Battle of Kings Mountain...
- Col. Joseph Hardin - 5th great grandfather, Patriot
- Rev. Ens. John Cleveland - 5th great grandfather, Patriot
- Col. Benjamin Cleveland - 6th great uncle, Patriot
- Capt. Robert Cleveland - 6th great uncle, Patriot
- Capt. John Cleveland - 1st cousin 6x removed, Patriot
- Joseph Kuykendall - 1st cousin 6x removed, Patriot
- Lt. Col. Frederick Hambright - husband of 6th great aunt, Patriot
- Col. James Blair - 5th great uncle, Patriot
- Capt. Moses Guest - 4th great grandfather, Patriot
- Pvt. Benjamin F. Guest - 5th great uncle, Patriot
- Pvt. William Guest - 5th great uncle, Patriot
- Capt. Godfrey Isbell - 5th great grandfather, Patriot
- Capt. Pendleton Isbell - 6th great uncle, Patriot
- Capt. Joseph Field, KIA - 7th great uncle, Loyalist
