The Whole Famdamly: Patriot Ancestors

Rev. John Cleveland -

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 better known for his important role in the victory at King's Mountain.

Not long ago, I was surprised to find the "King's Mountain prayer story" corroborated by a mention in the letters to the editor section of the Fall 2020 edition of the Sons of the American Revolution Magazine...

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 George 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.

Col. Joseph Hardin-

The namesake of Hardin County, Tennessee, he is a 5th great grandfather via my maternal grandmother's 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).

Counted as an "Overmountain Man," 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.