Snodgrass Family History Book
The Snodgrass Family History Book - Luginbuel Funeral Home
The Snodgrass Family History Book - Luginbuel Funeral Home
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volunteered under Capt. Gabriel Hayes to go and join<br />
General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. However before<br />
they arrived at Yorktown Cornwallis had surrendered so<br />
William was discharged and sent home. Years later (in<br />
1832) he said that he had served a combined total of two<br />
years and eleven months active duty \vith the Virginia<br />
forces.<br />
Within a few years of their marriage they 1noved from<br />
Virginia to Sullivan County. North Carolina (later part of<br />
Tennessee). In 1789/1790 William received "Purchase<br />
Grant"# 1523 (named thus because it was paid for by cash or<br />
scrip or certificates) for 100 acres of land in Sullivan<br />
County. North Carolina. Also granted land in Sullivan<br />
County six years earlier was a John <strong>Snodgrass</strong> who may<br />
have been one of his brothers and the reason why William<br />
settled in that area. A number of early land grants arc<br />
recorded to him in that county from 1790 through 1797. and<br />
there were many conveyances of land to and from William<br />
in the later county records. Over the years he was to become<br />
a man of considerable substance, as indicated by his will.<br />
William was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the<br />
Sullivan County. North Carolina (Tennessee) Militia on 25<br />
October 1790 by Territorial Governor William Blount.<br />
lie was on the Sullivan County. Tennessee tax list for 1796<br />
and was taxed on one white poll. two black polls. and 1100<br />
acres of land - which is evidence that he had rapidly<br />
increased his land holdings.<br />
On I 0 October 1796 he was commissioned a Captain in the<br />
Sullivan County Regiment, and on 16 June 1801 he was<br />
appointed First Major in the same regiment in the place of<br />
Francis Berry who had resigned.<br />
It should be noted that the census of Sullivan County for the<br />
years of 1800, 1810. and 1820 no longer exist. so nothing<br />
can be learned from these sources about the composition of<br />
his family.<br />
<strong>Snodgrass</strong> <strong>Family</strong> Documents, Stories & Articles<br />
was why he was addressed in later years as "Colonel", and<br />
that it was not the usual honorary title.<br />
During the 1830 census he was living in Sullivan Courity,<br />
Tennessee and his household then consisted of himself b<br />
between 1760-1770, one male b between 1790-1800. one<br />
female b between 1800-181 O. and two males and one female<br />
born between 1825-1830. plus 5 slaves. This was probably a<br />
son and wife and family (although it could also be a<br />
daughter and family) who lived with him then.<br />
William applied in 1832 for a pension based on his<br />
Revolutionary War service and his application and the<br />
supporting documents arc the source for much of the data set<br />
forth herein.<br />
He was ultimately in 1833 awarded a pension of $80 per<br />
year (Certificate #5,933). In various associated documents<br />
in 1834 and 1843 he gave his Post Office as Abington,<br />
Tennessee.<br />
During the 1840 census he was still living in Sullivan<br />
County, Tennessee and his household then consisted of<br />
himself as b between 1750-1760 (census error particularly<br />
since the census also identified him as a pensioner then age<br />
80). one female b between 1790-1800. one male and one<br />
female b between 1825-1830. one male and one female b<br />
between 1830-1835, and one female b between !835-I840<br />
plus 8 slaves. The other members of his family then were<br />
supposed to be the widow of his son James. Elizabeth (Gray)<br />
<strong>Snodgrass</strong>, plus their children.<br />
William is known to have owned a plantation midway<br />
between Blountville and Bristol, Tennessee and to have<br />
entertained most hospitably here. It was one of Andrev.•<br />
Jackson's favorite resting places when on his way to and<br />
from Washington.<br />
William wrote his will in Sullivan County, Tennessee on 11<br />
May 1842, seven years before his actual death. He<br />
bequeathed his son David S 1200, his daughter Nancy Meek<br />
William <strong>Snodgrass</strong> and John Tipton were Representatives in and her heirs S800, his daughter Sarah White and her heirs<br />
the Tennessee Legislature from Sullivan County in 1803- $1200. his daughter Rebecca Gillenwater and her heirs<br />
1804. When Jefferson Academy at Blountville was founded $1800, his daughter Mary Cox and her heirs S800 and his<br />
in 1806 he was made a member of the first board of trustees. New l-Iouse Plantation, the heirs of his deceased son James<br />
the two plantations on which they then lived plus stock,<br />
In the I 812 tax list of Sullivan County he was the William utensils, two wagons, six Negroes and $500, and to his<br />
<strong>Snodgrass</strong> who was listed as living in Captain <strong>Snodgrass</strong>' daughter Jenny Fleming and her heirs $550 (they had<br />
District (himself) and he was then taxed on three black polls already received a proportionate share of his estate). After<br />
and 450 acres of land. It is likely that it was also he who all the bequests were filled he stated that any overage was to<br />
was jointly taxed as "<strong>Snodgrass</strong> and Rhea" that same year on be divided between Joel Gillenwater's children and John<br />
629 acres.<br />
Fleming's children. Witnesses to his will were William<br />
Decry. David Shaver and F. Sturm.<br />
William served in the "Early Indian Wars" as Co1nmander of<br />
the Cherokee Indians at Fort Annstrong and he was Major, He commented in one letter written in May 1843 (Draper<br />
Lieutenant Colonel. and Colonel of William Lillard's 22nd MSS) that his health was then on the decline "like all old<br />
Regiment of East Tennessee Volunteers from 4 January people", and that he had lost his hearing so that he got little<br />
1814 to 18 February 1814. It should be noted here that this satisfaction in conversation with his friends.<br />
719101 The Norwood <strong>Family</strong> <strong>History</strong> Page I0-164