FRANCIS HUGHES AND THE HUGHES FAMILY By Johnnie King Tate Watson, Joyce Disharoon and Paul King RELATIONSHIP TO KING FAMILY Francis Hughes married Elizabeth Long on 21 Jul 1802 in Greene County, TN according to Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002, Number 824. Marriage was witnessed by Dan Kennedy. Ingobo Hughes, their daughter, married William Hixson Nancy Hixson, their daughter, married William Grayson Pleasant Carroll Grayson, their son, married Vashta (Vashtie) Pickett Tennessee Jane Grayson, their daughter, married William Walker King MIGRATION TO VIRGINIA FROM LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Source: Historical Papers and Addresses of Lancaster County, Volume 25 by Lancaster County Francis Hughes late of Lancaster County, Pa. bought from John Miller 200 acres of land on North River, in Augusta County, Va., Sept. 4, 1747, Deed Book 2, p 11 Source: Some Tennessee Heroes of the Revolution by Zella Armstrong Francis Hughes, our ancestor, was born in Augusta County, Virginia in 1759. His father’s name was also Francis and his father moved his family to Augusta County, Virginia from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. One of his brothers was named John and he was born in 1752. Source: Settlers by the Long Grey Trail: Some Pioneers to Old Augusta County by John Houston Harrison “On the 8th of March, following, Daniel Harrison and Morgan Bryan, in brief, reported: ‘Processioned for Samuel Harrison, present Daniel Love, John Wright. Processioned for Robert Cravens, present Daniel Love, John Wright; processioned for Daniel Harrison, present John Rutlege, Richard Wainscot; Daniel Harrison not processioned, there being a dispute; processioned for James Anderson, lines unknown; processioned for Col. James Wood; processioned for Daniel Harrison, present Archibald Hopkins; processioned for Daniel Harrison, present Jacob Dye, Richard Wincot…processioned for Thomas Moore, present Francis Hughs; processioned for John Miller, present Thomas Hughes, Thomas Moore; processioned for Thomas Moore, present Francis Hughes;…processioned for Jacob Chrisman, present David Stuart, Sam’l Harrison; processioned for Robert McKay, present Thomas Bryan,’ etc.” Source: Augusta County [Virginia] Road Orders, 1745-1769 by Virginia Genealogical Society "20 May 1752 O.S., p. 247, On the Petition of Sundry the Inhabitants of Linvells Creek It is Ordered that Jonathan Duglass, William Smith, John Miller, James Claypole, Willm. Claypole, Robert Williams & Rees Thomas Clear a Road from Brockes Creek to Francis Hughes & from thence to the Main Road that leads to Fredericksburg and that they keep the Same in repair According to Law." REVOLUTIONARY WAR When Francis (the son) enlisted in the Revolutionary War he was living in Burke County, North Carolina. When he applied for his pension in 1833 he was living in Bledsoe County, Tennessee. Francis began his military service with the 3rd North Carolina Regiment. In 1777 he moved to the Tennessee area, which was not yet a state, and joined with Col. John Sevier. In 1780 he again volunteered and was at the Battle of King’s Mountain under Capt. Samuel Williams. He joined Col Sevier again for the Cherokee Expedition. Brother John's military service in some ways was similar to that of Francis. He was also living in Burke County when he enlisted. He also joined with Sevier's North Carolina Company. He fought in the Watauga River battle. He was also in the battle of St. Clair's Defeat. Whereas Francis appears to have settled in Bledsoe County after the war, his brother settled in Blount County and then McMinn County. He named a son Francis, and it is from John and son Francis that many East Tennessee Hughes’ came. Pension Declaration by Francis Hughes, Jr. Sources: Wikipedia, a Free Encyclopedia; Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements: Francis Hughes S3075, transcribed by Will Graves; The American Revolution, the Battle of King's Mountain, author unknown On July 21, 1833, Francis Hughes swore, in open court, that he was 74 years old, and resided in Bledsoe County, Tennessee. That would indicate he was born in the 1759-1760 timeframe. Further, on his oath, he made the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress on June 7, 1821, to draw pension for service in the Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary War, he resided in Burke County, North Carolina. The soldiers were known as the "Nolichucky Settlers." He enlisted June, 1776, as a Ranger in the Third North Carolina Regiment, under Captain Penland and General Charles McDowell's command. He was with them for two and a half months, and fought against the Cherokees and Creeks. After that, he was verbally discharged and returned part of the way home, where he met the troops under General Griffith Rutherford in August 1776. He volunteered, under Griffith and they marched to the Cherokee Nation and in the Overhill towns, where the Indians gathered, and an engagement was made with them. The Indians were defeated, and eighteen of the Indians were killed. Francis said he was on this expedition for four months. When the Indians were driven back, he
was discharged by General Rutherford. Note: Most of the soldiers were from
North Carolina, with some from South Carolina and Virginia. They were known as
Over the Mountain men. The term Overhill Cherokee refers to the former Cherokee
settlements located in what is now Tennessee, in the Southwestern United
States. These settlements were located along the lower Little Tennessee, lower
Tellico and lower Hiwassee rivers. Overhill towns, a remote location at the far
end of the Trading Path, rose to prominence with the Cherokee Nation, in the
early 1700s, when trade with the British was standardized. It was only
accessible to those traders and explorers adventurous enough to make the
treacherous journey inland, and over the mountains. We can only imagine how
long it would have taken to reach the towns.
 By the middle of the century, the Overhill towns were consistently courted by both British and French emissaries, as the two powers struggled for the control of the continent. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the westward thrust of Euro-American settlement led to the decline of the Overhill towns, as the Cherokee were induced to sign away the bulk of their lands in the east in a series of unfavorable treaties. Quite a few of these villages now lie beneath the Tennessee River. Before the river was flooded by the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority), attempts were made by geologists to collect as much information as possible. A few of the prominent Overhill Villages, which were settlements established sometime between the late 1500s and 1600s, include: Great Tellico, located in Tellico Plains, and was under the Indian Chief Moytop II. They were reported to be the fiercest warriors of all the Overhill towns. Chota, sometimes spelled Echota, located along the Little Tennessee River, about 10 miles south of modern-day Vonore, was the defacto Cherokee Capital in the mid-1700s, and birthplace of several prominent chiefs. Special Note: Tansi, located adjacent to Chota along the Little Tennessee River, was the capital of the Overhill Cherokee about 1721-1730. The little Tennessee River, was the capital of the Overhill Cherokee about 1721-1730. The Little Tennessee was originally simply called the "Tennessee," which was alternate spelling of "Tanasi". The name was eventually applied to the entire state, Tennessee. In January, 1778, Francis Hughes volunteered under Col. John Sevier, to retake the Western settlements on Watauga River. They built a fort for defense at Gallagher's on the Nolichucky River, now the Tennessee River. There, they guarded, spied and worked on the fort for twelve months under the New Act of North Carolina, commonly called the New Levies. Note: The Watauga Association, sometimes referred to as the Republic of Watauga, was created in 1772 by frontier settlers along the Watauga River. Although it lasted less than a decade, the Association provided a basis for what later developed into the state of Tennessee. Historians have often cited the Association as the earliest attempt by American-born colonists to form an independent democratic government. In 1774, Virginia governor Lord Dunmore called the association a dangerous example of "Americans forming a government distinct from and independent of his majesty's authority.” President Theodore Roosevelt later wrote that the Watauga settlers were the first men of American birth to establish a free and independent community on the continent. In September 1780, Francis again volunteered under Col. Sevier for an expedition against Patrick Ferguson to King's Mountain, under Captain Sam Williams. In October, 1780, he marched with Colonel Campbell's forces from Virginia, across the Yellow Mountain, into North Carolina. There, they met the Militia led by the chief Commander, Col. Joseph McDowell, who led them into the memorable Battles of King's Mountain. Major Ferguson, their leader. was killed and all of his men were either killed or taken prisoners. After three months, Francis was verbally discharged by Col. Sevier, and returned home. Note: Major Ferguson was patrolling with over 1,000 Troy (British) supporters when 1,200 militia (Americans), most from North Carolina, some Virginians and South Carolinians, gathered to stop Ferguson and his troops. Note: The milita men marched from the Holston, Watauga and Nolichucky River settlements. When Ferguson became aware of the large contingent of militia, he decided to move back towards Cornwallis' larger forces. He organized his defenses atop King's Mountain, a wooded hill with a clear top. On October 7, 1780, a cold 22 degrees, with the wind blowing about 13 knots, the militia arrived at the base of the mountain and surrounded it. They began scaling it on all sides. The Patriots had the advantage because the slopes of the mountain were wooded, while the summit was not. The exposed Troy troops were attacked by the concealed Americans. Ferguson was killed, 157 of his troops were killed, and 163 were severely wounded, and 698 were captured. The Patriot militia lost only 28 and 62 wounded. It was later recalled by numerous Patriot fighters that the sound of Ferguson's whistle over the sound of the rifle, and his checkered shirt made the Scottish commander quite noticeable on the battlefield. After nearly an hour of fighting, Ferguson suddenly fell from his horse. One foot was hanging in his stirrup -- several, perhaps as many as eight bullets were in his body. Some say he died before he hit the ground. Other accounts say that his men propped him against a tree, where he died. He was the only British soldier in the battle -- all others were Americans, either Loyalist or Patriot. Ferguson's second in command then ordered that a white flag of surrender be hoisted. Historians consider the Battle of King's Mountain to be the turning point in the south in American's War for Independence. The victory of Patriots over Loyalists troops destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis' Army. The battle also effectively ended, at least temporarily, the British advance into North Carolina. Lord Cornwallis was forced to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina to wait for reinforcements. The victory of the Over Mountain Men allowed General Nathaniel Greene the opportunity to recognize the American Army. In the winter of 1780, Francis again volunteered, under Col. Sevier, for a campaign against the Cherokee Indians. They marched to the borders of the Cherokee Nation, and hearing that the Indians had retreated to the interior of their country, he was allowed to return home after one month. Note: In between some of the battles, the men were discharged to go home and rest before the next battle. Francis Hughes stated he served much more, but could not state the times and periods, due to their being irregular. He relinquished every claim to a pension or annuity, except the present. Further, he declared that his name was not on the pension roll of the agency of any state, that he had recorded evidence of his age in the family record, which from his unsettled situation, was not then in his possession, nor did he know where it was located. He also stated that he was living in Shenandoah County, Virginia in 1759, though he could not recollect the month. He stated that the Reverend Felix Earnest, John Clark and Nathan Mann had some knowledge of his Revolutionary War service. He said the former resided in Washington County and the latter in Greene County, though he was so infirmed as to be unable to travel to court, that he had no documentary evidence, having lost his discharge papers. Actual Transcription from Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements Pension application of Francis Hughes S3075 DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Following is a confirmation e-mail from
the DAR Association, to Johnnie King Tate, confirming Francis Hughes as a
Revolutionary War Patriot. DAR MEMBERSHIP Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. SONS OF THE REVOLUTION (SAR) MEMBERSHIP The SAR is a "lineage" society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. FIRST TENNESSEANS Over 13,000 members with a direct ancestor living in Tennessee before or by the time of statehood in 1796 are eligible. Francis Hughes is recognized as a First Tennessean. He was living in Washington County, TN when Tennessee became a state. FRANCIS HUGHES HOME AND STAGECOACH STOP Francis Hughes' home and stagecoach stop in Greene County, Tennessee has unfortunately fallen into disrepair as these pictures indicate. The pictures were taken by Paul King. This combination stage coach stop, inn and state ranger’s home is located where the Jonesborough Road crosses over Camp Creek. The land was situated at the mouth of Camp Creek and on the south side of the Nolichuckey River (now Tennessee River). The chain of title for this property is as follows: 1. Original Grant was to Robert Caldwell for 300 acres and was issued on 20 Sep 1787 and entered into the records on 2 Sep 1778. 2. Robert Caldwell died and William Caldwell sold 284 of the acres on 3 Aug 1790 for 320£ Virginia currency. 3. Caldwell must have sold the property to Francis Hughes because on 6 Feb 1792 Francis sold 284 acres to Thomas Hardwick for 500£ Virginia currency. 4. Hardwick then sold 284 acres on 21 May 1793 to Richard Pryor for the amount of 650£ Virginia currency. 5. On 20 Sep 1785 Pryor sold 175 acres to James Penny for $1,000. The remaining 109 acres went to Daniel Kennedy who now owned the original grant which adjoins the property. 6. In 1800 Penny sold 175 acres to Philip Snapp for $2,000. We only went as far as 1800 with the land transactions. As you can see, Francis owned the property from 3 Aug 1790 to 6 Feb 1792. He lived on the property and ran the inn and the stagecoach stop. Goldene Fillers Burgner wrote a booklet entitled The Southside and in it she states that the stagecoach inn operated by Francis Hughes was part of the Jonesborough Road stagecoach stops that operated until 1885. Francis was the first Greene County Ranger and lived at the Stagecoach Inn. “As the coach approached, the driver blew on a horn – a toot for every passenger to be served. There was also feed and water for the horses. Inside is a beautiful fireplace of hewed limestone rocks, walls are plastered over real horse hair. There is a narrow winding staircase inside.” COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Source: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1887 “In 1783, the General Assembly of North Carolina passed an act dividing Washington County for the second time, and establishing the county of Greene. On the third Monday of August, the court of pleas and quarter sessions met at the house of Robert Carr, which stood near to what is known as the Big Spring in Greeneville. The magistrates present were Joseph Hardin, John Newman, George Doherty, James Houston, Amos Bird and Asahel Rawlings. Daniel Kennedy was elected clerk, James Wilson, sheriff, William Cocke, attorney for the State, Joseph Hardin, Jr., entry taker, Issac Taylor, surveyor, Richard Woods, register, and Francis Hughes, ranger.” “In May, 1785, the county was reorganized under the State of Franklin, and all the officers who were reappointed were required to take a new oath of office. The magistrates who appeared and qualified were Joseph Hardin, George Doherty, Benjamin and John Gist, John Newan, Asabel Rawlings, John Maughon, James Patterson, John Weir and David Craig. The old county officers were removed except Daniel Kennedy, clerk and Francis Hughes, ranger.” IMMEDIATE FAMILY Francis was born about 1759 in Shenandoah, Virginia, USA. He died at the home of his daughter, Margaret, in Bledsoe County, Tennessee. He was married to (1) Rebecca Allen who was Ingobo’s mother. Rebecca was born about 1750 and died before 1802 in Greene County, TN. Francis and Rebecca had five children: Clarissa, Ingabo, John, Rebecca, and Francis, Jr. Clarissa Hughes married John Lovelady. Ingabo Hughes, born 5 Sept 1775, married William Hixson on 8 Sep 1789 and died 4 Aug 1827. John Hughes, Sr., married Jane Skiles and died on 15 Mar 1871. Rebecca Hughes married Timothy Stringfield on 3 Feb 1796. Their son, Francis, joined Captain Terry’s Company during the Cherokee War, and mustered in Bledsoe County, Tennessee in May, 1836. After Rebecca died, Francis Sr. married (2) Elizabeth Long on 21 Jul 1802. They were divorced on 27 Feb 1816. They had one child, Mary Ann Hughes, who married William Colewell (Caldwell?). EARLY TENNESSEE LAND ENTRIES INVOLVING FRANCIS HUGHES OR FAMILY 22 Feb 1778: Jacob Brown to Elijah Nelson; 460 acres on Big Limestone. Cons [consideration] 100£. Signed by Jacob Brown. Witnessed by Francis Hughs [Hughes] and Jese Bond. 25 Feb 1778: Francis Hughs 300 acres on Camp Cr; border: joins above Peter McKime’s line, entered per John Hughes who transferred to F Hughes; warrant issued 18 Mar 1783 by Landon Carter; 300 ac surveyed 5 Aug 1782 for Francis Hughes by James Stuart CS: 300 ac entered by John Hughes on entry taker report. 10 Jul 1778: Joseph Buler to Michael Bacon; 143 acres at the mouth of Little Limestone. Cons: 100 £. Adj: Duncan/Dunkan. Signed by Joseph (X, his mark) Buler. Witnessed by Matthew Tabbot, Edward Hughs [Hughes], and James Graham. Source: Grant on file in Washington County, TN #612 MARS 12.14.20.615. 20 Nov. 1778: Jacob Brown to William Nelson; 389 acres and 200 acres on a branch entering the north side of Nolachucky. Cons: 100£ each. Signed Jacob Brown. Witnessed by Francis Hughs [Hughes] and Jese Bond. 7 Dec 1778: Samuel Sherrell 400 ac in Washington Co; border, joins John Waddell, Francis Hughs [Hughes], & runs up Nolechuckey R; includes the “plantation” where said Sherrell lives; warrant issued Apr. 23, 1779 by John Carter, 312 ac surveyed Jul. 19, 1779 for Saml Sherrell by James Stuart CS; 400 ac entered by Samuel Sherrel on entry taker’s report. [for grant see file #272 in Washington Co; MARS 12.14.20.272]. Source: Tennessee Land Entries: Washington County (Part 1) p 200, 660. 2 Jan 1779: Francis Hughes 100 ac in Washington Co on a branch of Sinking Cr waters of Nolechugah R; border, joins below Joseph Martin’s land; warrant issued Jun. 2, 1779 by John Carter; 99 ac surveyed Nov. 16, 1779 for Francis Hughs [Hughes] by James Stuart CS. [for grant see file #94 in Washington Co; MARS 12.14.20.94] Source: Tennessee Land Entries: Washington County (Part 1) p 285, 976. 31 Aug 1779: Matthias “Broils” and Coonrod [Conrad] Willhight 200 ac in Washington Co; border; joins the place where Francis Hughes lives on S side of Nolechuckey R; entered “per” Francis “Hughs”[Hughes] who transferred to M Broils and C Willhight; warrant issued Apr 8, 1783 by Landon Carter; 200 ac surveyed May 17, 1783 for Matthias Broils and Conrod “Woolheight” [Conrad Willhight[ by John “Shield” DS; 200 ac entered by Francis Hughes on entry taker’s report. [for grant see file #612 in Washington Co; MARS 12.14.20.615] Source Tennessee Land Entries: Washington County (Part 2) #1567 4 Dec 1779: Isaac Taylor 300 ac in Washington Co; border; joins Frank Hughes’ land on Camp Cr waters of Nolichuckey R; duplicate warrant issued Jul. 17, 1790 by J Carter; 300 ac surveyed Jan. 26, 1791 for “Spurling Bowman” by Jas W Lackey DS; 300 ac entered by Isaac “Tailer” on entry taker’s report. [for grant see file #1164 in Greene Co; MARS 12.14.6.1164] Source: Tennessee Land Entrres: Washington County (Part 1), p 253, 2330. 1783: For 50 shillings per 100 acres, to Francis Hues [Hughes] 300 acres in Washington County on Camp Creek, joining Robert Culwell, Isaac Taylor, east side of Camp Creek, Samuel Begham’s spring, Nance, Nolichuckey River. 13 Oct 1783: For 50 shillings per 100 acres, to William Bigham 600 acres in Washington County on north side of Nolichuckey River, bounded by Thomas Gillispie, to north side of Middle Creek, Hue’s [Hughes] 20 Sep 1787: For 10 pounds per 100 acres – to William Morrow 170 acres in Greene County on south side of Nolichucky River, adjoining Francis Hues [Hughes], William Haile, including island in river and plantation Benjamin William lives on. Richard Caswell at Kingston, 20 Sep 1787.
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