Genealogy Report: Descendants of Jesse Sprouse
Descendants of Jesse Sprouse
1.JESSE5 SPROUSE(WILLIAM4, VINCENT3, ALEXANDER2, JOHN1) was born Abt. 1800, and died November 07, 1890 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.He married RACHEL HILL 1825 in South Carolina.She was born Abt. 1805, and died March 11, 1879.
Notes for JESSE SPROUSE:
Found some trees on ancestory.com with his name spelled Jessie Sprouse instead of Jesse Sprouse.
Jesse Sprouse020001-40201-0300(BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC 1820 Federal Census)
I included this in it's entirety because you may be able to use the info for further research.
YANCEY CO, NC - MILITARY - Pension Application of William S. Melson
NARA, Pension Application of William S. Melson, Revolutionary War R 7112
Penn. Sea ServiceMelson, William S.
R 7112
Privateer
S.C.
State of North Carolina, County of Yancey
On the fifth 5th day of October AD One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty
Six personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions held for the county above mentioned William S.
Melson (sometimes passes by the name of William F. Melson) aged Eighty two
years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June the 7th 1832. States he entered the Service of the United
States as a privateer about the year of 1776 in the City of Philadelphia,
Penn sailed from that city in a ship called The Three Brothers under the
command of Capt. Johannas Watson and sailed in her about twelve months. Was
in the battle near Cape Charles in which Capt. Watson was killed and
himself taken prisoner. Was taken to Philadelphia and exchanged. In that
battle received three wounds one in each leg and one the arm. Reentered the
Service at Philadelphia under the command of Capt. William Smiley and
sailed from that city in a vessel called the Rainbow. Served on that vessel
eighteen months - was again taken prisoner by the British and taken to
Charleston and exchanged. Then joined the regular Army of the United States
under the command of Col. William Washington and Capt. Will Cox. Was in the
Battles of Eutaw Springs, Guilford and Brandywine. Received a wound in the
battle of Guilford in the thigh. That time of service not recollected
supposed to be over six months was hauld <sic> from Brandywine to
Philadelphia in a Baggage wagon. Then received a regular discharge which he
states is lost.
Question 1 - Where and in what year were you born?
AnswerState of Virginia in Akamuck County. In the year 1754.
Question 2 - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
AnswerI have none.
Question 3- Where were you living when called into service, where have you
lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
AnswerIn Philadelphia (Penn) have lived in South Carolina Tennessee and
now in North Carolina Yancey County
Question 4 - How were you called into Service; were you drafted, did you
volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
AnswerAs a volunteer.
Question 5 - State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with
the troops where you served. Such Continental and Militia Regiments as you
can recollect and the general circumstances of your Service
AnswerCapt. Johanas Watson, Col. William Washington and Capt. Will Cox
and Capt. Smiley part of the time as a privateer part in the Regular
Service. The exact length of time not recollected but not less in all than
three years.
Question - Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, if so by whom
was it given and what has become of it
AnswerReceived a discharge of Capt. William Smiley which I have lost
Question--- <nothing further written>
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any
Agency in any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.Sworn to and
subscribed in open court.
William S. Melson <signed by mark>
Test.
J. W. Garland Clerk (signed>
We the undersigned have been acquainted with the applicant having lived in
his vicinity believe him to be of the age he states and performed the
services as stated in his declaration having never heard it reported to the
contrary. And we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & Subscribed.
David Honeycutt <signed>
Isaac Whitson <signed by mark>
Jacob L. Straley <signed>
I, Jacob L. Straley, A clergyman for said county do hereby certify that I
have been acquainted with Isaac Whitson.
State of North Carolina, Yancey County I J. W. Garland Clerk of the Court
of pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that the
foregoing declaration was duly sworn to in open court by William Melson the
applicant thereon named. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my
seal of office and Subscribed my name this the 12th day of December AD 1836
J. W. Garland, Clerk <signed>
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress
passed June the 7th AD 1832.
State of North Carolina, Yancey County
On this 9th day of April 1839 personally appeared in open court before the
Justices of the Peace of the Court of Pleas and Quarter-sessions for the
county of Yancey now sitting William Melson a resident of said county aged
about ninety years. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th AD 1832. That he was
born in Accomack county in Virginia in the year of 1749. But that he has
not record of his age. And, that he was living in Philadelphia when he
first entered the service the three first tours; and that when he was
enrolled into the land Service in the Army he was in Charleston South
Carolina - and that since the revolutionary war he has lived in Tennessee,
South Carolina and North Carolina in the neighborhood where he now lives in
Yancey county. His first tour he enrolled himself under Captain Watson of
the Three Brothers and went to sea. His second tour was under Captain
William Smilie of the Flying Jib. The third tour was under the same captain
William Smille of the Rainbow - In all three of these tours he served as a
common sailor - His last tour he was enrolled under Captain Wilcox of the
Army in South Carolina at Charleston soon after he landed there in this
tour he served as a private until the close of the war. When he got to the
main army Colnel <sic>Harrison and Colonel Baily was <sic> among his
commanding officers. He recollects the names of Capt. Ashby and Captain
Rily, and that General Washington was head commander when he was in the
Battle of Brandywine -And says soon after he entered the service under
Captain Watson they sailed from Philadelphia and put to sea. When they fell
in with the enemy and had an engagement in where he received a wound by a
boarding pike - and that Capt. Watson and his son was both killed and their
vessel captured and the crew made prisoners. He was sometime after
exchanged and sent to New York - from this he return to Philadelphia again.
Where he soon after entered on board the Flying Jib under Captain William
Smilie and put to sea where after cruising some time they had an engagement
with the enemy and their vessel was captured and the crew made prisoners,
where he was kept for some length of time, but at last they were exchanged
and sent to Philadelphia. Where it was not long before Capt. Smilie got the
command of the Rainbow and he put to sea once more under Capt. Smilie and
cruising sometime fell in with the enemy had an engagement and was taken
prisoner a third time and was again exchanged and landed in Charleston
South Carolina in the year of 1777.And says that he believes he commenced
his tour under Captain Watson in the year of 1775.And saith that by
reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear
positively to the precise length of his services in these three tours but
according to the best of his recollection he served not less than two years
under Capt. Watson and Capt. Smilie - Before he was landed at Charleston.
His fourth and last tour commenced in the year of 1777 - he was enrolled
under Capt. Wilcox in South Carolina to serve in the regular army this took
place soon after he was landed in Charleston and was marched up the country
where they were attacked several times by the Tories they had sixty or
seventy men under Captain Wilcox at this time. They were marched through
North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland to where the Army under General
Washington was, near the Brandywine - That they were joined by several
bodies of soldiers before they reached the army and that he had but just
arrived there a day or so before the battle of Brandywine came on where he
received two wounds one in each leg - after the battle he was hauld <sic>
in a wagon to Philadelphia but in a few days after he was taken up the
country where he was kept with a number of the wounded. And says he was not
in any more battles after this, but remain with the Army in this section of
country until the close of the war. And that he received a discharge in
Philadelphia and that his former Captain Smilie was there and attended to
see that he got it and thinks Capts. Wilcox & Smilie was both together when
he received it. The discharged <sic>was in print but that he lost his
pocketbook with his discharge in it many years ago -
And says he knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his services.
But that there are several that can testify as to his character for
veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolutionary
war - Among those whom I think can testify for my veracity and their belief
my being a soldier of the Revolutionary war, some of whom have been
acquainted with me for may years - There is James Whitson, John Whitson,
Isaac Whitson, James Howell Eqs., and Jesse Sprouse and many others that
are present - and in this county and Tennessee.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of
any agency in any state or United States.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William Melson <signed by mark>
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states
Charles Byrd Chairman
B. Hartman JP
J. B. RayJP
I John W. Garland Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the
county of Yancey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William
Melson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this
9th day of April 1839.
Test.
John W. GarlandClerk
By William J. LewisDeputy Clerk
Misters Nathan Honeycut, Esg. and John Whitson residing in the county of
Yancey and Jacob L. Straley a clergyman residing in Burnesville hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with William Melson who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be about the age
of ninety years and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution.And that we
concur in that opinion and that some of us have been acquainted with the
applicant between forty and fifty years -Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid.
Nathan Honeycut <signed>
John Whitson <signed>
Jacob L. Straby <signed>
And the court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the
matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
department that the above named applicant William Melson was a
revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further
certifies that Nathan HoneycuttEsquire, John Whitson and Jacob Straley a
clergyman who have signed the preceeding certificate - are residents of the
county of Yancy, and are creditable persons and that their statements are
entitled to credit.
Charles Byrd, Chairman <signed>
I John W. Garland Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the
county of Yancey do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the
original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of
William Melson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office at
Burnsville this 9th day of April 1839.
J. W. Garland, Clerk <signed>
The examination of William Melson in open court at the April term 1839 and
the following interrogatories propunded <sic> and answers given.
Question 1stWhere and in what year were you born?
Ansr.In Accomack county in Virginia in the year of 1749.
Question 2ndHave you any record of your age and if so where is it?
AnswerI have not, but from the best information I can obtain I was born
at the place and time above stated.
Question 3Where were you living when called into the service; where have
you lived since the Revolutionary <sic>, and where do you now live?
Answer In Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, and in Charleston in
south Carolina.And since the Revolutionary War I have lived in Tennessee,
South Carolina and North Carolina in the neighborhood near where I am now
living in the county of Yancey.
Question 4thHow were you called into service, were you drafted, did you
volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer I entered as a volunteer and served as a common sailor under Captain
Watson of the Three Brothers.The second tour was entered as a common
sailor under Captain Smilie of the Flying Jib.The third tour was under
the same Captain William Smilie of the Rainbow.My last term of service
was entered in South Carolina soon after we were exchanged at Charleston
and was enrolled under Captain Wilcox into the Army of the Revolutionary
War together with sixty or seventy more of our ship's crew.I always
served as a private while in the service on board a ship as also on land.
I never bore any commission while in the service during the Revolutionary War.
Question 5State the names of some of the regular officers who were with
the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you
can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer.My first captain was of the name of Watson and the ship was called
the Three Brothers.My second and third captain was called William Smilie.
In the first tour or trip he commanded the ship Flying Jib and the next
tour he commanded the Rainbow.In my last tour when I entered my last tour
of service under Capt. Wilcox in the land service.When we joined the army
Colonel Harrison, I think and Cols. Thomas Baily and I believe Colonel
Harrison was of the Virginia Line and there was Capt. Ashby and Capt. Riley
and Genrl. Washington was our head commander at the Battle of Brandywine.
When I first Enrolled myself into the service of my country under Captain
Watson commander of the Three Brothers I considered myself enrolled for
during the war.We went to sea and met the enemy where we engaged in
battle.Captain Watson and his son was killed and my brother Daniel Melson
and some more myself & others was wounded.I myself received a wound in my
right arm just above my wrist from a boarding pike.And after a hard
struggle was made prisoner together with the whole crew.And was retained
a prisoner for some time but at length was exchanged or released from
prison and set at liberty in the city of New York we landed.This trip I
think was some time in the year of 1775.
After being set at liberty I returned to Philadelphia again and shortly
after I went aboard the Flying Jib Captain William Smilie - and put out to
sea again and after cruising a while our ship was captured and we were all
made prisoners once more.And kept so for some time when we were exchanged
and set at liberty once and sent to Philadelphia - This was my second tour.
My third and last tour at sea --- The Rainbow was armed & fitted for sea
and Captain William Smilie commander.I went on board once more to try my
fortune at sea under Captain Smilie - And after being at sea a good while I
think it was off Cape Charles, we engaged with the enemy and our vessel was
captured we were all mad <sic> prisoners.We were afterwards exchanged
and landed at Charleston South Carolina.In these three trips or tours I
am satisfied that I did not serve less than two years.And underwent much
suffering by imprisonment besides.
My last tour commenced in the foot service sometime early in the year 1777
soon after I was released and landed in Charleston in South Carolina where
I was march up the country with about seventy more -We were enrolled
under Captain Wilcox and marched through South Carolina where we had some
little skirmishes with the tories and as we marched on to the North to join
the Army under General Washington we were joined by several small
detachments and joined the main army near Brandywine in time to be in the
engagement. Where I received two wounds one each leg -After the battle I
was taken in a wagon to Philadelphia a few days and then was taken up the
country to where all the wounded was <sic> kept where I was cured of my
wounds.I continued in this section of country until the war was over but
was in no more general engagements.
Question 6thDid you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so,
by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer I did, I received it in Philadelphia by the hands of Captain Wilcox
and my former commander Captain Wm Smilie who was kind enough to attend to
it - it was in print - But I lost it a good many years ago together with my
pocketbook.
Question 7th State the name of persons to whom you are known in your
present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity
and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer There is <sic> several.I will name two or three James Whitson,
Isaac Whitson and John Whitson, James Howell, Engs. and Jesse Sprouse an
old Revolutionary soldier besides several others that I could name.
- - -N. Carolina
William Melson
sent letters to R. C. Pearson August 1st 1839
7112
Acknowledged June 7, 1832
- - -
William S. Melson
NC
Rejected - not military service. See letter to Thomas Gardner (illegible>
G 32027 December 1836 Pension OfficeM Syl.
- - -
Burnsville
December 12, 1836
Lewis Coss, Esquire:
Sir you will pleas <sic> examine the within declaration and make your
return to Thomas Gardner at Burnsville, Yancy County, North Carolina.
Thomas Gardner <signed>
- - -
33930
William Melson
WK
June 7, 1832
- - -
Morgantown N. C.
20th April 1839
Sir:
I have just been handed the enclosed Declaration for a Pension under the
act of Congress 7th June 1832 with a request that I thence forward it for
your examination which is accordingly done.
I am entirely unacquainted with the applicant and can therefore say nothing
with regard to his merits for a pension. I can only say that the papers
attached <are" drawn up in rather bad style on all <illegible> and have
been examined by the Court of Yancy as they purport to have been.
Very respectfully,
R. C. Pearson
J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
- - -
Rejected <stamped>
7112
William Melson"
1870Census White Plains Spartanburg County, South Carolina page 610 dwelling #216 family #216 Jesse Sprouse 65 farmer b 1805, Rachel 55 b 1815, Francis 29 b 1841, George 24 b 1846, Bloomfield 20, b 1850.Next door to Jesse:
Lands, Treacy 38 b 1832, William 13 b 1857, Jessie 11 b 1859, Mary 9 b 1861.William Sprouse 32, b 1838.Next door to Lands: Alfred Sprouse 28 b 1842, Marth 21 b 1849, John 8/12 b 1869.
1880 Census White Plains Spartanburg County, South Carolina page 351b dwelling #256 family #264 Jessie Sprouse 75 self, Sally 40 daughter, Franky 38 daughter, Jesse 21 son, Mary F. 18 daughter.
1810 Census Buncombe North Carolina Jessee Sprouse 3 under 10, 2 26-44, 2 girls under 10, 2 girls 10-15, one girl 26-44
1830 Census Spartanburg South Carolina Jesse Sprouce 1 male under 30, 1 female under 5, 1 female under 30.
In 1843 Jesse sold 60 acres more or less a part of William Sprouse's that came to South Carolina from Va. with his father Vincent Sprouse born about 1720 and mother Mary (?).
More About JESSE SPROUSE:
Burial: Unknown, Sprouse Graveyard, South Carolina
More About RACHEL HILL:
Burial: Unknown, Sprouse Graveyard, South Carolina
Marriage Notes for JESSE SPROUSE and RACHEL HILL:
Jesse Sprouse married Rachael ? 1825 in South Carolina
Original source document located in Yates Publications Archive.Source #8822.194
Source Type Family group sheet FGSE, listed as parents
Number of pages: 1
Info found in Family Tree Maker Family Archives, Marriage records: 1560-1900 CD #403
More About JESSE SPROUSE and RACHEL HILL:
Marriage: 1825, South Carolina
Children of JESSE SPROUSE and RACHEL HILL are:
2. | i. | JESSIE SALLY6 SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1829; d. Bef. 1890. | |
3. | ii. | TERESA SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1831; d. Bef. 1890. | |
4. | iii. | CALVIN SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1833; d. 1864, Va.. | |
5. | iv. | MARY SPROUSE, b. 1835, Spartanburg County, South Carolina; d. Aft. 1900, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. | |
6. | v. | WILLIAM M. SPROUSE, b. March 1837; d. 1918, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. | |
7. | vi. | JAMES ALFRED SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1840; d. October 17, 1891. | |
vii. | FRANCUS SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1841; d. Unknown. | ||
8. | viii. | GEORGE WILSON SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1844; d. Unknown. | |
9. | ix. | ROBERT BLOOMFIELD SPROUSE, b. Abt. 1849; d. Aft. 1900. |