Descendants of John Slaughter of Virginia

Generation #1

Sgt. John (0Research) Slaughter of Kentucky

Researching our John Slaughter provides a unique problem. In many instances, there are few records of individuals and their families from the Revolutionary Period. However, our John Slaughter is famous for having fought with Col. George Rogers Clark and the Illinois Regiment of Virginia Volunteers from 2/1779 to 7/1780. And, several members of the Slaughter Family of Culpeper Co VA commanded fortifications and fought battles during the Revolutionary War, leaving a bevy of records--Lt. Lawrence Slaughter fought in Lord Dunmore's War and was killed at the Battle of Point Pleasant (W) VA fighting under Col. Andrew Lewis; Col. George Slaughter commanded at the Falls of the Ohio (now Louisville KY); Col. James Slaughter commanded troops at the Battle of Great Bridge near Suffolk VA; and Col. Thomas Slaughter commanded troops in Virginia and Kentucky. Serving under Col. Thomas Slaughter were Lieutenant Francis Slaughter and Ensigns John, James, and Francis Slaughter, Jr. The challenge is to separate our John Slaughter from these other Slaughter Revolutionary War veterans.

John Slaughter, referred to as "Old John," was born in about 1755, probably in Orange Co VA. Proof of his birth in Virginia comes in part from his service in the Virginia Line of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

John possibly enlisted as early as 1/1777 for service in the 11th Virginia Regiment. This enlistment would have been for about 18 months. After the Battle of Princeton NJ, officers and men from this unit were selected for service in Morgan's Rangers. There is a record for a Pvt. John Slaughter of Virginia with Col. Morgan's Regiment who fought at Saratoga NY in 10/1777 and wintered at Valley Forge in 1778. And, soldiers with Morgan's Rangers were discharged in the Fall of 1778.

In the Fall of 1778 probably in Washington Co VA, John married Phoebe Crosthwait b. c. 1763 Orange Co VA. And, he sired his first son.

John enlisted on 1/4/1779, probably in Montgomery Co VA, in the Virginia Continental Line. And, John and his new messmates were to march to Kentucky to fight with the Illinois Regiment of Virginia Volunteers. This new unit of about 150 men marched in support of Col. Shelby and are counted as part of the 500 volunteers who fought in the Chickamauga Expedition of April 1779 with Cpt. Isaac Shelby, the future first Governor of Kentucky. During this expedition, John would have seen the the Holston and Watagua region of what would become Tennessee. And having seen the lay of the land firsthand, these veterans returned in droves after the war to settle the lands of Eastern Tennessee.

After the successful completion of the Chickamauga Expedition, most of the soldiers marched north to the Holston. However, Cpt. Montgomery and his new company of the Illinois Regiment continued down the Tennessee to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

John's second enlistment with the Illinois Regiment of Virginia Volunteers was under Col. George Rogers Clark. This tem of service was for 18 months during which John saw action from the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville KY) to the Mississippi River below St. Louis. And, John was discharged on 7/1/1780, probably at the Falls of the Ohio.

James Potter's War Records S. 17023:

Sometime in September 1779 as near as he can recollect - and from the Long Islands [Kingsport TN] they marched by water down the Holston to the Tennessee River and down the River to the junction with the Ohio and down the Ohio to the Mississippi and up the Mississippi to the Kaskaskia and stationed about two months from whence he marched by water down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Ohio and up the Ohio to Fort Vangant [Ft. Sackville, Vincennes IN]- where they were stationed during the winter of 1779 - and were marched from thence down to the mouth of the Ohio and from thence to Fort Yellow Back on the Mississippi. During all which ____ they had no engagement except as they went down the Tennessee some Indians fired on them in their canoes in what is now called the _____ in se, River but didn't execution nor were they able to find them on pursuit - but some miles below they found six Indians and after a hard row caught them - kept them as prisoners. And after being stationed at Fort Yellow Back during the summer of 80 they were ordered to Kaskaskia [IL] where he was honorable discharged by Col. Montgomery sometime in September as he believes, making a term of twelve months being his term of enlistment.

Declarent does not now recollect the number of the Regiment to which he belonged nor does he know whether it was considered as belonging to Virginia or North Carolina line - as he was young and inexperienced - He states that the Regulars in company amounted to about 150 men - he also recollects that Capt. Thomas Shelby - Capt. Quirk commanded companies in D Regiment. During this campaign he messed with Leonard Shoemaker and John Slaughter and others. . . .

This was sworn before Geo. M. Porter Clerk on August 29, 1835 in Open Court in Cocke County, Tennessee.

    "James Potter," RootsWeb Longhunters Archive, 9 January 1999 <http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/LONGHUNTERS/1999-01/0915905064> 29 May 2005.

This connection to Leonard Shoemaker is critical; as through Leonard, we trace John from the Revolution to Knox Co KY. Can we also trace John back to Virginia through Leonard?

Leonard Claiborne Shewmaker, Judge, was born on 19 May 1757 in Goochland County VA. He was the son of Evan Shewmaker and Sarah Claiborne. His father was said to have been a fur-trader of Welsh descent. Leonard served in the Rev War from Augusta County VA and later went on an expedition to Kaskaskia (IL) and the Northwest Territory.

On 7 Apr 1787 he married Eunice Ritchie born in 1770. The Couple lived in Botetourt County for four years before going to East TN and settling near Duck River. However, by 1797 the family had moved to Knox County KY and remained for several years. Here, Leonard acquired 500 acres of land on the waters of the Cumberland River and Flat Creek.

"Shewmaker, Henrico County VA," GenForum Gen Web Page, <http://genforum.genealogy.com/shewmaker/messages/12.html> 22 March 2009.

Further proof of John's Revolutionary War Service comes from the land grants he received in 1783 and 1788 on the Cumberland River in what would become Knox Co KY and was recorded in Jillson's The Kentucky Grants (1782-1924). Additionally, the State of Virginia recorded Revolutionary War Bounty Land recipients. And, from the 1883 record, we learn that John was a Sergeant during the Revolutionary War:

A LIST OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND  SOLDIERS OF THE ILLINOIS REGIMENT AND THE WESTERN ARMY
Under the command of General G. R. Clarke, who are entitled to Bounty in Land
"Reproduced from the 1833 Virginia House of Delegates Journal"
Slaughter John Sergeant Entitled to land for 3 years
Shoemaker Leonard Private Entitled to land for 3 years

After John's last discharge, the family migrated west to the newly opened lands on the Holston in what was then Washington Co NC. Of note, daughter Phoebe stated in the 1850 Census that she was born in 1785 in Virginia. This is not that farfetched; as prior to the 1780 boundary survey, the Holston all the way down to Kingsport was considered part of Virginia.

John is recorded purchasing a plow in Washington Co NC (now Greene Co TN) in 1782 and land along Meadow Creek of Greene Co NC (now TN) a year later. While living in Greene County, John was awarded his bounty land in what would become Knox Co KY. And in about 1796, the Slaughter Family migrated to Flat Creek in Lincoln (now Knox) Co KY.

Sometime before 1798, John's first wife died. And, John married Sarah Slaughter b. c. 1778. While in Knox County, John reunited with his messmate Leonard Shoemaker from the Illinois Campaign. Both John and Leonard received their bounty land on Flat Creek. And, son James sold the Slaughter land to Leonard as part of John's estate in 1812.

In 1809, the Slaughter Family migrated to Madison Co, Mississippi Territory. Reportedly, son-in-law Joseph Ball and wife Phoebe preceded them by two years. Their easiest migration route would have taken them back through the Cumberland Gap to the Virginia Pike and then down the Clinch River to the Tennessee and then to Alabama. However, the Slaughters are not found in the Ft. Southwest Point records. Evidently, their migration route took them directly down the Cumberland River from Permon KY to the vicinity of Nashville TN and then overland south to the Tennessee.

Two sons, William and James, joined the Sims Settlement of Giles Co TN while John settled near the Tennessee River in Madison Co (now Alabama). At the time, the perceived border between Tennessee and the Mississippi Territory was considerably farther north than it is today. In 1806 James Bright conducted a survey of the newly opened lands from the Chickasaw Purchase of 1805. Bright was to establish a northwest to southeast line which was fixed on the intersection of the southern boundary of the State of Tennessee and the Elk River in what is now Giles Co TN. Because Bright located the southern boundary too far north, the north-south reservation boundary was set too far east. Thousands of new settlers in the territory, having been issued legal land grants, were evicted by the US Army in accordance with the boundary based on Bright's inaccurate survey. Along with over four hundred other settlers, two of John Slaughter's sons signed the Intruder's Petition to the US Government for redress of grievances.

These records fix the Slaughter Family at their settlements in a northwest to southeast line within about twenty miles of each other. James and William Slaughter settled in Giles County south of the Elk River and were subsequently evicted. And, John Slaughter settled further south and east in Madison Co AL.

John wrote his will in Madison Co Miss Ter. and died shortly thereafter. [Will of John Slaughter] In the will, John stated that he had already provided a legacy to his four oldest children. And, he speaks of two boys and Betey being under age. This leads to the belief that there was indeed two groups of children by two different mothers. Additionally, he made provisions for wife Sarah to use the estate for her maintenance in her widowhood. On 3/13/1824 Sarah relinquished her dower right so that the three youngest boys could sell their lands from John's estate. From this we know that Sarah was not remarried before 3/1824. Did she migrate in the company of her children to Tennessee? Her fate is unknown.

John Rogers Clark and His Men: Military Records, 1778-1784, the Kentucky Genealogy Society:
Pay Roll of Capt. Jesse Evans's Company of Infantry of the Virginia Illinois Regiment:
John Slaughter enlisted January 4, 1779, for 18 months. . .Sgt. John Slaughter discharged July 13, 1780.
Service for 18 months and nine days. Pay rate of $8.00 per month. Total pay $43 in "Virginia Currency."
1782 John Slaughter purchased a plow at an estate sale.
1783 John Slaughter purchased land on Meadow Creek (vic. Saint James TN). 
Old Kentucky Entries & Deeds, Ch V, Military Warrants, 1782-1793, p. 36:
5/26/1783 Slaughter, John; 100a;  #644 3 years service Virginia Line 
2/11/1788 Slaughter, John; 100a; #4387 3 years service Virginia Line
Tennessee's First Settlers and Soldiers, p. 581:
"Slaughter, John, An early settler to today's Gr. TN. was appointed as a Lieut. of Militia for Greene Co., State of Franklin (now TN) in the year 1790.
Greene County, Tennessee Court of Common Pleas and Deed Abstracts 1785-1810:
1795. Greene County, TN. John Slaughter sold David Wager 180 acres.
Joseph Porter "gave his oath."
Greene County, Tennessee Court of Common Pleas and Deed Abstracts 1785-1810:
1796. Greene County, TN. John Slaughter sold David Wager 60 acres.
Joseph Porter "gave his oath."
South of the Green River Series Survey #2107:
11/13/1799 Surveyed for John Slaughter two hundred acres of land. . .laying in and being in the county of Lincoln on the North side of Cumberland River. . .along a conditional line with William White. . . .
Surveyed Nov. 13, 1799 William Henderson, Deputy Surveyor
William White
William Slaughter C.C.
Greene County Tennessee Wills (1783-1890), p. 5:
Abraham Crosswhite  6 December 1801
Wife: Mary. Children: John, George, Sary Moser, Milly Wheeler, Lucy McReynolds, Polly Phillips, French Eller. John Slaughter to be paid $1.
Executors: Wife Mary, Joseph Porter, John Carder. 
Witnesses: Samuel Gragg, Joseph Porter, Elizabeth Porter.
Signed: Abraham Crosswhite
11/13/1812 John and Sarah Slaughter give power of attorney to James Slaughter for sale of land in Knox Co KY.
1812 James Slaughter (by power of attorney) sold 60 acres to Leonard Shewmaker and 140 acres to John Black of the 200 acre John Slaughter survey on the Cumberland River in 1799.
13 March 1824 Sale of property from the estate of John Slaughter by James Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. Sarah Slaughter relinquished her dower right.

    Children with Phoebe Crosthwait

    1. William Slaughter (Ancestor of W. F. "Ricky" Evans)

South of the Green River Series Survey #2107:
11/13/1799 Surveyed for John Slaughter two hundred acres of land. . .laying in and being in the county of Lincoln on the North side of Cumberland River. . .along a conditional line with William White. . . .
Surveyed Nov. 13, 1799 William Henderson, Deputy Surveyor
William White, William Slaughter C.C.
Greene County, Tennessee, Marriages (1783-1868):
3/2/1801 William Slaughter, Peggy Carder. Surity Samuel Gragg.
PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
BY INTRUDERS ON CHICKASAW LANDS:
James Slaughter
William Slaughter

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . .Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
my son William Slaughter three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore. . .

    2. Phoebe Slaughter (Ancestor of Shirley Brungardt)

        Note: From her obituary, Phoebe's DOB is determined from her DOD minus 89 years.

Early Marriages Knox County, Kentucky, 1800-1819:
Joseph Ball and Phoebe Slaughter January 6, 1803 BY: Alex Stewart
http://www.kcsolutions.com/botron/GenAll/Balls.html

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . .Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
my daughter Phiby Slaughter, now Phiby Ball, three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore. . .

 
1850 Federal Census: Ray County, Missouri
FN  DN  Last    First    Age Sex Occup     POB
===============================================
291 291 Snowden David    46  M   Farmer    Ky 
        Snowden Nancy    40  F             Ky 
        Ball    Pheba    65  F             Va 
1870 Federal Census: Ray County, Missouri
FN  DN  Last    First    Age Sex Occup     POB
===============================================
        Shreve  W. B.        M
        Ball    Pheba    85  F             Va
Published April 25, 1874 in the Richmond Conservator (MO). "Mrs. Phebia Ball, consort of Rev. Joseph H. Ball, was born in Knox county, Tennessee [Kentucky], January 7th, 1789. She emigrated with her father, (John Slaughter,) to Kentucky when quite young, and was married to Rev. Joseph H. Ball, A. D. 1803. Afterwards emigrated with a large family of relatives to Limestone county, Alabama, in 1810. While living in Alabama she united with the M. E. Church South, and has proved faithful to her trust up to the day of her death. She emigrated from their (sic) to Missouri, near Richmond, Ray county in 1824. Died April 17th, 1874, at her daughter's (Mrs. M. Shreve's) residence near Albany, Ray county, Mo."

    3. Polly Slaughter b. c. 1787 Greene Co NC (now TN)

    4. James Slaughter

PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS BY
BY INTRUDERS ON CHICKASAW LANDS:
James Slaughter
William Slaughter
Madison Co AL Marriage Records:
Slaughter, James; Murrill, Nancy Vol. 1 p. 50, 19 Nov 1811

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . .Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
land to be equally divided between my three sons James Slaughter, John Slaughter, Samuel Slaughter. . .that the younger boys shall have common schooling out of the general stock of money coming to the estate. . 
11/13/1812 John and Sarah Slaughter gave power of attorney to James Slaughter for sale of land in Knox Co KY.
13 March 1824 Sale of property from the estate of John Slaughter by James Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. Sarah Slaughter relinquished her dower right.
Will of Benjamin MERRILL
In the name of God, Amen. I, BENJAMIN MERRILL of the County of Weakley and State of Tennessee. . .I also give and bequeath unto the heirs of JAMES SLAUTER and JOSEPH RUTH one dollar each. . .the 10TH of May, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Five.
BENJAMIN MERRILL, (Seal)

    5. Nancy Slaughter

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . .Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
my daughter Nancy Slaughter, now Nancy McClusky, three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore. . .

 
1850 Federal Census: Ray County, Missouri
FN  DN  Last     First  Age Sex Occup      POB
===============================================
599     McClusky David  56  m   Wagonmaker SC 
                 Nancy  53  f              Tn 
                 Eliza  16  f              Al 
                 Emily  13  f              Al 
                 James  22  m   Laborer    Tn 
                 Lucy   25  f              Va

    Children with Sarah Slaughter

    6. Elizabeth Slaughter

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . . Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
to my daughter Betey Slaughter one bed and furniture, one [cow] and calf, one pot, four pewter plates, four tin cups, four knives and forks, one tumbler and one small bowl, also twenty-five dollars in cash when collected for the estate. . .at the death of my wife that the household and kitchen furniture given her during her lifetime shall be equally divided between my three children viz. Betey Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter.
McNAIRY COUNTY DEED BOOK VOL. A (1823 TO 1838), p. 113: John Jones 
1850 Federal Census: McNary County, Tennessee
FN  DN  Last  First     Age Sex Occup    POB
==============================================
442     Jones John A.   50  m   farmer   SC
              Elizabeth 53  f            KY
              John      20  m   farmer   AL
              Lucy      18  f            TN
              Garries   16  m   laborer  TN
              Elizabeth 14  f            TN
              James     12  m            TN

   7. John Slaughter

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . . Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
at the death of my wife that the household and kitchen furniture given her during her lifetime shall be equally divided between my three children viz. Betey Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. . .
to my son John Slaughter one sorrel mare four years, the said mare is not to be traded in any way until John Slaughter come to the age of 20 years. . .land to be equally divided between my three sons James Slaughter, John Slaughter, Samuel Slaughter. . . that the younger boys shall have common schooling out of the general stock of money coming to the estate. . 
Madison Co AL Marriage Records:
Slaughter, John; Murrell, Matilda Vol. 1 p. 262, 30 Aug 1816
13 March 1824 Sale of property from the estate of John Slaughter by James Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. Sarah Slaughter relinquished her dower right 

    8. Samuel Slaughter (Ancestor of Jan Brown)

Madison Co Mississippi Territory Wills:
7/25/1812. Will of John Slaughter.
I, John Slaughter. . .Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.. . .
at the death of my wife that the household and kitchen furniture given her during her lifetime shall be equally divided between my three children viz. Betey Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. . .
land to be equally divided between my three sons James Slaughter, John Slaughter, Samuel Slaughter. . .that the younger boys shall have common schooling out of the general stock of money coming to the estate. . 
8/8/1820 Samuel Slaughter was commissioned Lieutenant of the 5th Regiment of Alabama Militia.
13 March 1824 Sale of property from the estate of John Slaughter by James Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter. Sarah Slaughter relinquished her dower right 

Generation #2

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This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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