American Revolution - Chance Encounters

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Two hundred fifty years ago American Colonist began the struggle for self-determination that had been forged in the spirit of independence that had brought so many to the colonies to begin with. 

I have been highlighting various patriots that are believed to be ancestors of either me or my wife. These are, for the most part, people you won't find in the history books when you read or study the American Revolution. Nonetheless, they like over 200,000 people took up arms against the British serving in the Army or in State militias. 

A couple of my ancestors that moved to Ohio from Virginia in the early 1800s have deep roots in coastal Virginia and participated in the revolution there. James Terry my third great grandfather was from Amherst, VA. While I don't have anything in my possession that I know belonged to him. I do have an original receipt dated 1882 signed by James' son-in-law and my 2nd great-grandfather, Monroe McCown for an appraisement of James' estate following his death. Consequently, I have something of a tangible connection to him.

Monroe's wife, Henrietta, was the daughter of James' first wife, Sarah Robinson. James had come to Ohio sometime, but not long, after Sarah had died. Both James' father and Sarah's father had served in Virginia. James' father, Thomas, had served as a private in the Albemarle Guards Regiment. This unit was responsible for guarding the British and German prisoners of war near Charlottesville, VA beginning in January of 1779. He served as a guard for two years and afterwards was drafted into the Virginia militia where he participated in the siege of Yorktown and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis.

Sarah's father, William, was a Lieutenant and also at Albemarle and at the siege of Yorktown based upon the testimony of pension request for Thomas Vines. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) simply list him as a soldier in the militia. 

Now, I don't know for certain what brought Thomas Terry and William Robinson together, but I know Thomas moved to Amherst where the Robinson family lived.  At least three of Thomas' children, Thomas, William, and James married daughters of William Robinson.

Given the connection to the Albemarle Guards and the proximity, Thomas may have demonstrated capacities as a guard under William's watch. As a landowner and a slaveholder, William needed someone he believed was capable. Unfortunately, it probably also meant that Thomas was managing William's slave labor.  There is only circumstantial evidence of this - but it is pretty compelling.

- Thomas was a guard

- Thomas and Lucy moved to Amherst before 1810

- Thomas was accused of killing a slave in 1818 and acquitted

- There is no evidence Thomas owned slaves himself.

- James, Thomas' son, is reported to have helped manage slaves at Jenkins Plantation at Green Bottom, VA just before the Civil War.

It seems, Thomas, a commoner, had skills and sons and from that he managed to insert his family into a prominent family in the region. William, conversely, had only one son, Simeon. William had served as an officer in the Revolutionary War.  His father, John, is recognized by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as having paid a tax towards the war effort. William's grandfather, William, is also recognized as a patriot. He is described as having been a Colonel (by SAR) and as performing patriotic services (by DAR and SAR).  Given that William was born in 1709, his service as Colonel was most likely from early pre-war militia service. William's father is memorialized on a Middlesex County, VA historical marker. His father had been a representative in the House of Burgess and served as a founding trustee of the College of William and Mary.

What does all that have to do with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution? Well, seemingly, because of an encounter between two individuals during the course of the war - a relationship was born.  From that relationship between my third great grandparents was forged.  It is simply an observation about the happy interactions that random events played and play in the unknown future.