Week 38 – Adversity

 

My roots in the United States runs deep. I’m a proud American. I fly a flag in my yard; I put my hand over my heart when the Pledge of Allegiance is recited; and I get teary when the Star-Spangled Banner is played. It’s just who I am and I’ve always been this way. In case you haven’t kept up, I’m a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. That means that I have proven my direct, lineal descent from a man or woman who aided in the cause for American Independence during the Revolutionary War. In fact, I’ve proven my lineage to several men and one woman. Some of them served with great distinction and others in a small way, but regardless, I am extremely proud of each of them. A few of you will know the joy I’ve felt when finding that last little piece of documentation that connects one to a Revolutionary Patriot who had been unproven until that time. Now, imagine that feeling in reverse when I’ve discovered a direct ancestor who maintained his loyalty to King George until it caused his demise…

The book “Descendants of Matthias Chitwood” compiled by I.O. Chitwood tells us Matthias Chitwood was born 1681 in Herefordshire, England and immigrated from England to Virginia sometime prior to 1711. It was at that time he married Mary Key. They had five documented sons and one daughter.  Their son, James Chitwood, was born in circa 1720 in Cumberland County, Virginia. He would later become my fifth great-grandfather, and the only Loyalist I’ve come across in my family tree.

Little can be found regarding James Chitwood before he became Captain James Chitwood, a member of the Loyalist militia. What we do know is that his wife’s name was Alice whose surname was likely Carpenter.  She was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, in 1724.  James and Alice had seven sons, all born between 1752 and 1768 in Virginia. One other thing we can be sure of is that James Chitwood was a steadfast supporter of King George.

James’ brother, Richard, had married Winnie Randolph and left Virginia for Rutherford County, North Carolina. His son, James, was born in 1751. This James would side with the rebels and serve as Private James Chitwood of the South Carolina militia.  He married Marthy White and remained in the area near his father.  John Chitwood, another brother of James and Richard, had remained in Virginia, near Captain James.  John’s sons, Joel and John Junior, both served with the patriot militia in Virginia. We have no record that Joel and John Junior were present, but we know that Captain James Chitwood, and his nephew and namesake, Private James Chitwood, met on 7 October 1780, at the Battle of Kings Mountain, on opposing sides.

Kings Mountain is located just south of the North Carolina border in present-day York County, South Carolina.  In early September 1780, British Major Patrick Ferguson of the 71^st Regiment of Foot arrived in North Carolina on a recruiting mission for the Loyalist militia, and to aid in protecting Lord Cornwallis’ forces. As Ferguson challenged the Patriot militias to lay down their arms, their leaders, Benjamin Cleveland, James Johnston, William Campbell, John Sevier, Joseph McDowell and Isaac Shelby rallied together.

Ferguson, upon hearing of the approaching assault, decided to withdraw his reported 1200 troops to the safety of Lord Cornwallis’ army. In haste, the Patriot militia assembled 900 men on horseback, which included John Crocket (David’s father), and rode for Kings Mountain to confront Ferguson before he had an opportunity to escape. As a complete surprise, the Patriot militia caught up with the Loyalists around 3:00 p.m. at Kings Mountain, where they surrounded Ferguson and his men, and the battle ensued.  Within an hour, Ferguson was killed trying to break the line. Casualties to the Loyalist army were severe. His men then surrendered.

Captain de Peyster, the Loyalist in command after Ferguson fell, raised the white flag, and asked for quarters. The Patriots, still reeling from the alleged murder by British Calvary officer, Banestre Tarleton’s militiamen at the Battle of Waxhaws, who had refused to give quarters to their Patriot captives.  They retaliated with the refrain, “Remember Tartleton’s Quarters.”  The celebration by the Patriots was short lived, as the Patriot militia had to retreat quickly to escape the army of Lord Cornwallis.  The Overmountain Men took more than 600 prisoners and began marching to the west. On October 13^th, they arrived at the home of Captain Aaron Biggerstaff, a Loyalist who was killed during the battle. That night, the militia held a court marshal and convicted over 30 Tories for crimes committed. A large oak tree on the property was used to throw an executioner’s knot. Hangings were conducted three at a time, but only nine were carried out, as the others were given a reprieve. The hangings were conducted to send a message to the Loyalists about what could happen should they continue; and to satisfy the complaints of the citizens regarding the alleged atrocities that the Loyalists had administered.

Martha Biggerstaff, widow of Aaron, along with a farm hard, cut down eight of the bodies and buried them. The ninth, my fifth great-grandfather, Captain James Chitwood, was taken down and buried privately by friends.  Two of Captain James’ sons, Moses, and Shadrach (my fourth great-grandfather) were among the remaining men who were given pardons. Both would go on to sign Oaths of Allegiance in support of the American Revolution.

The battle of Kings Mountain became a pivotal event in the Revolutionary War.  The morale of the Patriot militia was greatly increased with the sounding defeat that caused Lord Cornwallis to retreat to South Carolina. The Tories who resided in the back country of the Carolinas were fragmented.  A visit by President Herbert Hoover on the 150^th anniversary of the battle said this of Kings Mountain in 1930, caused him to write, “This is a place of inspiring memories. Here less than a thousand men, inspired by the urge of freedom, defeated a superior force entrenched in this strategic position. This small band of Patriots turned back a dangerous invasion well designed to separate and dismember the united Colonies. It was a little army and a little battle, but it was of mighty portent. History has done scan justice to its significance, which rightly should place it besides, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton and Yorktown.”

The Biggerstaff Hanging Tree was cut down in the late 1900’s and a marker now stands in its stead. I’m at a loss of how to feel about Captain James Chitwood. I do descend from him, but even his sons took up the cause for American Independence, eventually. Had he done so, he may well have been fighting on the other side that day.  Another piece of luck in my family tree – had the reprieve not been given to Captain James’ two sons, I wouldn’t be here write their story.