CHAPTER 1

Patriot Biographies

Presentation of the Declaration ofIndependence, Philadelphia, PA, July 4, 1776Artist: John Trumbull, Oil on canvas, 12' x 18'Commissioned 1817, purchased 1819, placed in theCapitol Rotunda 1826, Washington, D.C.

Many members in the DAR can trace their family heritage back toancestors which included signers of the Declaration of Independence.Yet most members' ancestors include the many thousands of rankand file soldiers, the privates, the officers, supply and logisticssupporters, who together made the founding of our country possible.Moreover, this wide variety of individual histories, when taken in fullcontext with the biographies of their wives, children and other familymembers, reveals a rich tapestry of lives and personal struggleswhich collectively made such a great history and birth of our nationpossible.

This book is a collection of the individual patriot biographies fromour current active members, compiled into this one document. Wehope seeing the wide ranging stories of all these patriots and theirdescendants can also help reveal how important it is to preserve ourhistory and pass it on to the next generation. At the same time, wewish to illuminate how even a small collection of biographies fromour one chapter provides a useful snapshot of the types of characterand dedication that were needed at the founding of our country.Ours is a rich and diverse history, and as with all history we are stilllearning about our past so as to inform ourselves more completely increating a better future. Perhaps current and future generations canreflect on these stories to find the unique essence of the Americancharacter that can continue to inspire us to strive in making ours agreat country for current and future generations.

Sias Billingsley

By Robin Alice LaCroix Kamradt andJennifer Robin Kamradt Allen

Sias Billingsley, Private, War Committee 1775 & Association ofFreemen 1776, Harford County, MD

b. 1737/38, St. Mary's County, MD, d. Dec. 1818, Monongalia Co., VA(now WV)

Summary of Sias Billingsley Biography

Sias Billingsley, Harford County, Maryland, (PS):

—Elected to War Committee, Deer Creek Upper Hundred,Harford County, Feb 10, 1775, at about age 37;

—Signer, Association of Freemen, Deer Creek Upper Hundred,Harford County, 1776, at about age 38;

—Petit Juror, Harford County, 1783, at about age 45;

—1783 Harford County, Maryland, Tax List: Assessment to raisemoney for the war effort against Great Britain; Deer CreekMiddle Hundred, Harford County, MD, Sias's Range, 166acres, at about age 45.

Sias Billingsley was born about 1737/38 in St. Mary's County,Maryland, the fourth son and the eighth child of William and MarySumner Billingsley, who had married about 1716 in Calvert County,Maryland. Sias' mother died in December 1740 when her ninth child,her fifth daughter, was born; Sias was 2-3 years old. Sias' father diedbefore December 16, 1745, when Sias was 7-8 years old. Sias' oldestsiblings were in their early 20's; I imagine that either the oldestsiblings or close-by relatives took care of the younger children.

About 1758 at about age 20, Sias and his next older brother movedto Baltimore County, part of which became Harford County in 1773.

Before 1762, Sias Billingsley, about 24, and Hannah Webster, about20, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Dallam Webster, married.They acquired land and over the next 20 years, Sias and Hannahhad eight children, four boys and four girls. Our ancestor, FrancisBillingsley, the fourth son and baby of the family, was born on May16, 1781, when Sias was about 43.

Sometime after the American Revolution had been won, about1790, Sias and Hannah Billingsley, then about 52 and 48 years old,respectively, moved with their family to Morgantown, MonongaliaCounty, Virginia (now West Virginia). About 30 years later aroundDecember 1818, Sias died when he was about 80 years old. SiasBillingsley left a Will which names his wife, children and grandchildren;there is also an estate Inventory and Sale Bill.

Sias Billingsley is not a household name, but Sias Billingsley was oneof the thousands of patriots who took care of business in very difficulttimes and contributed to the success of the American Revolution.

Summary of Lineage:

1) Sias & Hannah Webster Billingsley (m. Before 1762, BaltimoreCo., MD; moved to Monongalia Co., VA (now WV) about1790)

2) Sias Billingsley (b. 1737/38, St. Mary's Co., MD; d. Dec. 1818,Monongalia Co., VA (now WV))

3) Hannah Webster (b. Feb. 25, 1741/42, St. George's Parish,Baltimore Co., MD; d. Abt. 1819, Monongalia Co., VA (nowWV))

4) Francis & Mary Clark Billingsley (m. Feb. 3, 1805, MonongaliaCo., VA (now WV); moved to MO about 1840)

5) Francis Billingsley (b. May 16, 1781, Harford Co., MD; d. Oct.28 1865, Howard Co., MO)

6) Mary Clark (b. Bet. 1781-1782, MD; d. July 29, 1844, CooperCo., MD)

7) Norval & Angeline Carter Billingsley (m. Jan. 14, 1844, MorganCo., MO)

8) Norval Billingsley (b. April 9, 1807, Monongalia Co., VA (nowWV); d. July 2, 1859, Moniteau Co., MO; moved to MO about1840)

9) Angeline Carter (b. Abt. 1818, Prob. Fauquier Co., VA; d. Oct.1844, MO)

10) Urban Clark Sr. & Mary Frances Trafton Billingsley (m. Nov.13, 1872, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., CA)

11) Urban Clark Billingsley Sr. (b. Oct. 18, 1844, Cooper Co., MO;d. April 22, 1925, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., CA; moved toCA 1867)

12) Mary Frances Trafton (b. March 31, 1851, Nr Placerville, ElDorado Co., CA; d. Sept. 22, 1933, Hayward, Alameda Co., CA)

13) Urban Clark Jr. & Florence Tootell Billingsley (m. Nov. 1, 1906,Florin, Sacramento Co., CA; lived in San Francisco, CA; movedto Hayward, Alameda Co., CA about 1910)

14) Urban Clark Billingsley, Jr. MD (b. July 11, 1875, Sacramento,Sacramento Co., CA; d. Nov. 15, 1942, Gold Run, PlacerCo., CA)

15) Florence Harrison Tootell (b. April 11, 1883, Florin, SacramentoCo., CA; d. Jan. 12, 1977, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., CA)

16) Alice Christelle Billingsley LaCroix Taylor (b. June 21, 1912,Hayward, Alameda Co., CA; d. Feb. 11, 1985, Carmel, MontereyCo., CA)

17) Mother of Robin Alice LaCroix Kamradt (b. Jan. 5, 1935, SanFrancisco, CA); and Grandmother of Jennifer Robin KamradtAllen (b. Dec. 9, 1961, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., CA).

References and Documentation for Sias Billingsley:

Davis, Harry Alexander, "The Billingsley Family in America",(Washington, D.C. 1936; Copyright 1936; The Tuttle PublishingCompany, Inc.; Rutland, Vermont). #22: p. 29-31.

Davis, Harry Alexander, "The Billingsley Family in America",(Washington, D.C. 1936; Copyright 1936; The Tuttle PublishingCompany, Inc.; Rutland, Vermont). #22: p. 38-44.

Davis, John, "Baltimore County, Maryland: Deed Records", VolumeThree: 1755-1767. (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, Maryland 20716.1996.), p. 241.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Land Records, Book L, Folio 481.

Coldham, Peter Wilson, "Settlers of Maryland: 1766-1783".(Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21202.1996.), p. 13.

Harford County, Maryland, Land Records, Liber AL, No. 1, Folio 85.

"Maryland Calendar of Wills: 1772-1774, Volume 15", (Family LinePublications, Westminster, Maryland, 1994.), p. 158.

Abstracted by Morgan, Ralph H. Jr., "Harford County Wills, 1774-1800,Harford County, Maryland", (Family Line Publications, SilverSpring, Maryland, 1990.), p. 66.

Preston, Walter W., A.M., Bel Air, Maryland, "History of HarfordCounty, Maryland: From 1608 (The Year of Smith's Expedition)To The Close of the War of 1812", (Press of Sun Book Office,Baltimore, Maryland, 1901), p. 77, 286, 295.

Peden, Henry C., Jr., "Revolutionary Patriots of Harford County,Maryland 1775-1783", (Bel Air Copy Center, Bel Air, Maryland.1985.), p. 19.

Wright, C. Milton, "Our Harford Heritage: A History of HarfordCounty, Maryland", (French-Bray Printing Company, Glen Burnie,Maryland, 1967), p. 358-359.

Submitted by Rowe, Ella, & Hopkins, Joseph Carroll, "MarylandGenealogical Bulletin", Volume 25, Number 3, Summer 1984:Article Pages 312-329,

Citation Page 322, Signer, Association of the Freemen of Maryland,Deer Creek Upper Hundred, Harford County, Maryland, 1776.

Compiled by Carothers, Bettie, "1783 Tax List of Maryland, Part I,Cecil, Talbot, Harford & Calvert Counties", (Lutherville, Maryland21093, 1977), p. 161, 166.

Harford County, Maryland, Land Records, Liber HD, No. 9, Folio 141.

Monongalia County, VA (WV), Index to Marriage Bonds, 31 Jan 1805,p. 7. Marriage Bond, Volume 1, Page 182.

Compiled by Johnston, Ross B., "West Virginia Estate Settlements",(Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland,1977), p. 69.

Ezekiel Billington

By Yvonne Russell

Ezekiel Billington, Private, New Jersey Militia, enlisted Spring, 1776, atElizabeth Town Point, NJ; b. 22 Mar 1759, New Ark of the Covenant(Newark), NJ; d. 26 Sep 1848, Marshall County, TN

Ezekiel was born in 1759 in what is now Newark, Essex County, NJ, toparents James Billington, a schoolmaster, and his wife, Anna America(Garner) Billington. According to my ancestor's declaration of servicegiven in order to receive a military pension in Bedford County, TN, in1832, he entered the service as a private under Captain Thomas Segler,Lieutenant Abram Garrabrant, and Col. Joseph Allen in the Spring of1776 at Elizabeth Town Point, NJ, as a volunteer. General Washingtoncame to their camp in November from White Plains and informed Capt.Segler that the British Army was after them and the balance of the NewJersey Militia, whereupon they were dismissed and sent home.

Ezekiel again volunteered in December under the leadership of Capt.Bill Camp of Newark, and was taken prisoner after a heated exchangeof fire with British cavalry near the Passaic River. He and severalothers, including his captain, were marched to New York City, wherethey were imprisoned in a sugar house without food or heat. Manyof his companions died. In April of 1777, he was removed to one ofthe prison ships that were anchored in the Bay, where the prisonerswere given a choice by the British; to remain a prisoner or join theBritish and be located on Staten Island. He decided to join them,planning to desert and swim across the Bay, but was betrayed by afellow captive. He was then put on the British man-o-war Experienceas a British soldier, then the Badger, then to a transport named theWilliam, sailing to Savannah, GA.

The ship was blown off course and separated from the fleet in asevere storm, landing in the West Indies. From there he was sent toCape Augustine, where the British general sailed to Savannah. Whilein Savannah, British General Prevost was able to fend off attacks bythe French who had come to the aid of Savannah. Ezekiel was thenmarched to Augusta, then to District 96 in South Carolina where theContinental Army's Major General Nathanael Greene had just wonan important engagement at the Battle of Cowpens.

While on a foraging expedition under guard by a British light horsedetail, Ezekiel made his escape under fire. He ran to where GeneralGreene's men were patrolling and one of them took him up behindhim on his horse and effected his escape from the British. One ofGreene's officers, Major William Burnett, knew Ezekiel from Newarkdays, and vouched for him. He joined General Greene's men andserved with them until April 1781, when he fought in the Battle ofEutaw Springs.

In the Spring of 1782, Ezekiel desired a discharge, which was granted,and headed home to Newark. He stopped in Cumberland County,North Carolina, to work as a plantation overseer because he had nomoney or supplies, liked what he found, and remained in North Carolinafor about 28 years, marrying Elizabeth Penny in Johnston County whenhe was 26 years old. After this time he sold his land and other propertyand, with many of his large family, moved to Bedford (Marshall) County,TN, about 1810, where he resided until his death in 1848.

Ezekiel's son, James, married Sally Walker, whose father was also aPatriot. Their daughter, Elizabeth, married Hiram Hogue, whose familymigrating west from York County, South Carolina. About 1845, Hiramand Elizabeth and their family moved to Saline County, AR, wheresucceeding generations of my ancestors were born. All ancestors inthis line were farmers, and were active in rural community affairs.Each generation also participated as soldiers in the War of 1812, theCivil War, World War I and my father in World War II and Korea, whichrenewed the mobility of earlier generations. Yvonne (Smith) Russellsettled and married in Cupertino, California, and joined the El PaloAlto DAR Chapter in 2008.

Richard Brandon

By Lynn Eisberg

Richard Brandon, South Carolina, 1775-1781, Private in Capt. Jolly'sCo, Sgt in his brother Col. Thomas Brandon's Regiment.b. circa 1752 d. 25 Jun 1781 Ninety Six Dist, South Carolina

Patriot biography

According to the Southern Campaign American Revolution PensionStatement, Richard Brandon was an officer and private soldier inthe Army of the Revolution from the commencement of hostilitiesuntil he was killed in June 1781. He entered service as a privatehorseman in Capt. Jolly's Company, Col. Brandon's Regiment andwas afterwards promoted to rank of Sergeant or Quartermaster inhis brother Col. Brandon's Regiment until he was killed at Brandon'sdefeat in Union Dist, SC. He was in the battles of Blackstock's,Kings Mountain, Cowpens, the Snow Campaign and the FloridaCampaign.

Editor's note: Below is a summary of two battles Sgt. Brandonparticipated in during the War.

Battle of Blackstock's (Reference: South Carolina Department ofArchives and History) http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/union/S10817744013/index.htmolina

(Blackstock's Plantation) At Blackstock's tobacco barn on the TygerRiver, British troops under Colonel Banastre Tarleton battled withAmerican militiamen under General Thomas Sumter on November20, 1780. The Americans drove off the attacking British infantryand cavalry. Although the Americans dispersed and were unableto attack the British post at Ninety-Six as originally planned, theydid serious damage to the morale of Tarleton's Legion, as well asinflicting heavy casualties, demonstrating that the British did nothave as firm a hold in South Carolina as believed.

The Blackstock's battlefield is located south of the Tyger River,immediately east of the Spartanburg County line, in a hilly, woodedregion. In the eighteenth century much of the land of the battlefieldwas cleared, but has since overgrown with small pines and brush. Noabove-the-surface evidence remains of Blackstock's barn or house,which were located in the area of the historical marker that designatesthe battle site, and there are no modern buildings in the area of thebattlefield. Listed in the National Register December 16, 1974.

Further background on the Siege of Ninety Six

The Siege of Ninety Six was a siege late in the American RevolutionaryWar. From May 22 to June 18, 1781, Continental Army Major GeneralNathanael Greene led 1,000 troops in a siege against the 550 Loyalistsin the fortified village of Ninety Six, South Carolina. The 28-day siegecentered on an earthen fortification known as Star Fort. Despitehaving more troops, Greene was unsuccessful in taking the town,and was forced to lift the siege when Lord Rawdon approached fromCharleston with British troops.

Greene's losses amounted to 150 men, while Cruger's were under 100.Greene retreated toward Charlotte, North Carolina, allowing Rawdonto join forces with Cruger. Rawdon sent a sizable force after Greene,but heat and the toll of the long forced marches took their toll. Theforce was recalled to Ninety Six, which Rawdon then abandoned.

Aftermath of the Battle of Ninety Six

General Greene blamed the failure of the operations against NinetySix in part on Sumter and Marion, who failed to act in support of hisoperations in a timely manner. Later, other officers blamed Greeneand Lee for failing to cut off the defenders' water supply at theSpring Branch.

Lee, writing in his memoirs, singled out Col. Kosciuszko for much ofthe defeat. This may be due to the engineer's mistake of beginningthe first parallel too close to the Star Fort, as well as underestimatingthe lengthy amount of time his undermanned and ill-equippedsappers needed to excavate the rock-hard soil enough for the siegeto work. Though these issues did indeed contribute to the failure ofthe operation as a whole, Greene commended Kosciuszko's effortsin carrying out his orders, noting that given more time, his chiefengineer's plan may well have succeeded.