Snodgrass Family History Book

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