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Thomas Kirk
In the mid 1780's, John and Elizabeth O'Briant Kirk settled
in Green Valley , Montgomery County, Virginia, in an area that later became
part of Giles county. They lived there the rest of their lives. Thomas Kirk,
their eldest son, was born there on March 18, 1791. He served as a Private
on active duty in a local militia company from September 15, 1813, to March
10, 1814. After he came back from the war, on New Years Day, 1816, he
married Rutha Howe, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Haven Howe, and continued
to serve in the local (inactive) militia, as noted in a sketch written by a
granddaughter, Lena E. Anderson, in 1924:
"So Ruth was wooed and won
by Captain Thomas Kirk, who had charge of several counties of what is known
today as the Reserves. Being known for his wonderful voice which could be
heard a great distance away in giving orders to his companies."
Thomas and Rutha Kirk took their family from Virginia to
Livingston County, Missouri, in 1843. Following the California Gold Rush, he
and two sons went to live in California, while Rutha stayed in Missouri with
three daughters and another son. He died in Sutter County, California, on
April 27, 1875; the name on his tombstone in Knights Landing Cemetery, Yolo
County, reads: Major Thomas Kirk.
In A History of New River Settlements, 1906, David E.
Johnston says on page 426, "He [John Kirk] had a son, Thomas, who was also
an American soldier, and had received, in one of the battles of the War of
1812, a severe wound in the hand."
Thomas Kirk applied and received a War of 1812 Bounty Land
Warrant, #78051-160-55, for 160 acres by his application #SO29833 dated 26
December, 1857. He stated that he was aged 66, was a resident of California,
and was a private in the company commanded by Captain Kemp in the fourth
regiment of Virginia Volunteers commanded by Col. Koontz in the war against
Great Britain Ireland in 1812 - and that he was drafted at Giles Court House
in the State of Virginia on or about the 19th day of September 1813, for the
term of six months... and discharged at Norfolk Virginia on or about the
13th day of March, AD 1814. His residence at the time was Yolo County,
California.
On 4 April, 1874, he filed for a pension by application
#SC21495: ---aged eighty three, resident of Rome, Sutter County,--- he was
married and his wife's name was Rutha Howe Kirk to whom he was married at
Montgomery County, Virginia on -- January 1816. ----"Captain Kemp received
our company and that was all I ever saw of him. Major Washington signed our
discharges on account of Colonel Koontz being under arrest. I lost my
discharge, the last I remember seeing it was after I moved to Missouri in
1843. Was a private."
His pay and muster records show:
15 Sept. to 15 Oct. 1813, roll dated at Norfolk; in Lieut. Ralph Lucas'
Company of Infantry, 4th Reg't Virginia Militia.
15 Oct. to 30 Nov. 1813, Roll dated camp on east side of Lyn Haven Bay Inlet
Dec. 18, 1813, Capt. George W. Camp's Company of Militia Infantry, detached
from 86 and 72 Reg'ts Virginia Militia and now attached to 4 Reg't Virginia
Militia.
30 Nov. 1813 to 10 March 1814, roll dated rear of Fort Norfolk, Va., Capt.
George W. Camp's Company of Infantry of the Line, 4 Reg't Virginia Militia.
Distance from place of discharge home, 400 miles.
All of the pay and muster cards also indicate, Lt. Col. McDowell, Lt. Col.
Koontz, Lt. Col. Chilton.
Lt. Ralph Lucas' Company of Infantry, 4th Regiment,
Virginia Militia:
Lieut Ralph Lucas' biography is on page 19 of Giles County,
Virginia, History - Families, 1982. He was born in 1788, son of William and
Elizabeth (Price) Lucas, and he died in 1854. He was married in Giles County
to Agnes Marshall, daughter of Thomas and Sallie (Johnston) Marshall, on
March 1, 1810. Ralph was a school teacher and sheriff of Giles Co. Ralph and
Thomas remained close for a number of years, as Thomas Kirk's letter to his
father, John, dated February 9, 1846 states in part: Notes I left in the
hands of Joseph are John Henderson, Ralph Lucas and son and perhaps some
others. I wish him to take steps to collect them immediately.
On June 29, 1995, at the National Archives the author saw
the original muster rolls of Capt. Camp's company and the original pension
application files of several of the members of that company. There were
about six muster rolls; they consisted of a list of all the men in the
company, their signatures and countersignatures of an officer, possibly used
to give out pay. Next to some of the names there were miscellaneous notes,
such as in hospital or when they joined the company. 124 names were copied
from the roll dated October 30, 1813; the names varied very little from roll
to roll, possibly not more than 6 or 8 different.
The company was in existence only six months, from
mid-September, 1813, to mid March, 1814. It was formed in Giles County, and
under Lieut. Lucas they marched over 200 miles to Norfolk. It appears that
they camped in Fort Norfolk or in the Peach Orchard at its rear for the
entire term of the enlistment except for 40 days Lynnhaven Bay. The company
was discharged at Fort Norfolk; the men apparently then walked home. All the
muster rolls identified the company as Capt. George W. Camp's Company, 4th
Regiment, Virginia Militia. The note beside Camp's name (listed first) was
that he was detached to be Regimental Inspector, which accounts for Kirk's
note that he did not see Camp after the first day, and several men
identified Lieut. Ralph Lucas as their commander. Lieut. Andrew Caldwell was
listed second, followed by Ensign John Peters.
The winter of 1813/1814, the time the company existed, was
unusually cold so that military activity was minor. A pitched battle had
occurred the previous June at Craney Island across the Elizabeth estuary
from Norfolk, and several significant engagements culminating in the sack of
Washington would occur the following summer. That winter, however, things
were at a stand-off in the Chesapeake. The British fleet maintained ships
throughout that time in Lynnhaven Bay and in Hampton Roads and only a few
American ships were able to run the blockade. The British frequently came
ashore in small boats to obtain fresh water and provisions and to harass the
populace in general. It is likely that Lucas' company met the British in one
of these excursions, but the precise action has not been identified.
The muster rolls of the 4th Regiment at the National
Archives were grouped together by Company. There was also a group for
headquarters staff. On one of those there was a note by the name of Lt. Col.
James McDowell which indicated that he was discharged on 18 January, 1814.
Similarly, it was noted that Lt. Col. Thomas Chilton was discharged on 12
January, 1814, and that Lt. Col. John Koontz was Dismissed the service by
sentence of a general court martial 21 March, 1814.
Muster Roll, October 30,
1813
Capt. George W. Camp's
Company, 4th Regiment, Virginia Militia
Lieutenant Ralph Lucas
Lieutenant Andrew
Caldwell
Ensign John Peters
Sergeants:
Corporals:
John Beckley
Jeremiah Jones
Jeremiah
Coburn
Isaac Law
Chrispi Anos
Walker
Isaac Kirk
William
Beckley
Nimrod Taylor
James Waddle
Thomas Clark
William
Carter
Davis Murphy
Buglers
Charles Hull
John Spangler
Privates
Bartholomew
Adam
Fred Albert
Parker Athim
William Aldredge
Isam Allen
Andrew Brown
Hilvy
Blankenship
John Black
Arthur
Blankenship
John Boyle
Noah
Blankenship
John Berry
Edmund Balden James
Burk
Moses Ball
Bird Collins
Henry Clay
Charles Collins
Henry Curry
James Coplea
Jacob Collins
James Cox
Jacob
Caldwell
Randal Collins
Levi Cox
Thomas Crumpton
John Cole
Charlees Caes
Joshua Davis
Jesse Diamond
Lawson Duncan
William Duncan
John Duncan
Edmund Dickenson
Henry Davis
Michael Elliot
Daniel Fry
Roland Fletcher
John Fry
Adam Ferrel
Benjamin
Fugate
Reuben Fraley
Isaac Garnes
Jesse Gilliam
Samuel Gentry
Abraham Harless
John Hughes
Thomas Hughes
Joseph
Hetherton
John Harris
William
Hinckle
Charles Hicks
James Huff
John Hicks
James
Johnston
Hiram Jackson
Sam James
Isaac Jackson
Joseph Kirk
Thomas Kirk
Isaac Keen
John Keen
Ephriam Kiser
William Lucas
Samuel Lane
William Manning
Denis McGrady
Samuel McDavid
James McDavid
Alexander Montgomery
John May
John Montgomery
Samuel
Montgomery
David McClanahan
Thomas
McClaland
William McMillan
George
Marchal
Jacob Manor
Joshua Martin James
Osburn
Samuel Porter
William Prince
Samuel Porter
Jr.
Thomas Rock
Alexander
Ropberson
Ezekiel Smith
George Scott
John Straley
Joseph
Stafford
Ralph Stafford
Ralph
Stafford
Ralph Stafford
William
Stafford
Peter Shaver
Henry Sterns
John Smith
Nathan
Swinney
Samuel Sage
James Todd
Thomas Vermillion
David
Williams
John Walker
Julius Walker
William Walker
John Watson
Among the members of Capt. Camp's Company were Thomas,
Isaac and Joseph Kirk. Thomas had a brother, Joseph, who was born October 4,
1800, so it is unlikely that he was the soldier. The soldier Joseph was
probably the father of Isaac. [See below.] There were also three men named
Ralph Stafford, one of whom later married Alcey Duncan, first cousin of
Thomas Kirk. The name Andrew Brown also appeared and is probably the man who
later married Alcey's sister, Judith Duncan.
Bounty Land Warrant and Pension Applications
In an attempt to learn more about the activities of the
company and to identify some of the men named above, the author looked at
and abstracted the pension application files of ten other members of the
company. Only a few of the members of this company have pension applications
on file, probably because of their age. Bounty Land Warrants for this
service were issued under acts of Congress dated 1851 and March 3, 1855, and
pensions under an act dated February 14, 1871. After passage of such time,
it is not surprising to find that some of the names and dates in the files
are inaccurate.
RALPH "KENTUCKY" STAFFORD; SO 23215, SC 19383; WO 36218, WC
26741.
Note says that he used the "Kentucky" to distinguish himself from the others
when they applied for a pension in 1871; he had lived some in KY after the
War of 1812. He said that the other two used the middle intial C or S, but
didn't say which was which. He married (i) Alcey Duncan. A note dated 22
June 1879, signed by Judith Brown and witnessed by C. F. Brown and John H.
Ducham[?] says, ..he was married to Alcey Duncan, a sister of this affiant,
about May, 1822, and that her said sister died on or about the 29th day of
December, 1832. He married (ii) Mary "Polly" Terpin in Garrard County, KY,
in April, 1835. Their marriage bond is quoted and the name James Terpin is
on it. Ralph was a resident of Staffordsville, Giles County, VA, in 1871
when he applied for the pension.
[Alcey Duncan was a first cousin of Thomas Kirk. Her
sister, Judith Duncan, had married Andrew Brown, who appears on the muster
roll. Alcey and Judith were daughters of Charles and Margaret Kirk Duncan.
The marriage bond for Alcey and Ralph was dated 15 May 1822; consent Charles
Duncan, father; wit. Epram Emmons, Blueford Duncan, Ezekiel Duncan and
Thomas Kirk. This Ralph was son of Ralph and Jane (Kane) Stafford.]
RALPH STAFFORD; SO 19460, SC 12255; WO 37478, WC 27343.
His original application noted that he was sent to defend Lynnhaven during
the blockade and was there for 40 days. Also, .....rendered assistance in
securing two valuable prizes consisting of the cargo of two vessels. He
married Margaret Orr at Kimberling Church on 15 Sept. 1815. The marriage
bond is quoted and includes the names Alexander Orr and John Orr. This Ralph
was born in Montgomery Co., VA, and was 18 when drafted. He lived later at
Mechanicsburg, Bland Co., where he died 24 Jan. 1879. The name William G.
Stafford is on the widow's application. The file contains an affidavit by
Ralph "Kentucky" Stafford to distinguish them, and says that there were
three men with the same name and who served identical times; one was
deceased (1871).
[Born 1793, this Ralph was the son of John and Elizabeth
(Brown) Stafford who was born about 1760 in Ireland. This John and the elder
Ralph Stafford above were brothers, sons of John and Margaret (Brunt)
Stafford of Staffordshire, England.]
ISAAC KIRK; SO 22623 and SC 20512. He was a corporal in
Capt. George W. Camp's and Lt. Lucas Co. His wife was Sarah Hunter. Drafted
Oct. 1 1813; discharged at Norfolk April 1, 1814. Age 65 on 13 Aug. 1853 and
85 on 5 July 1871 [so born 1786-1788]. Residence in 1853 and 1871: Peytona,
Boone Co., WVA. Letter 1875 to Isaac Kirk Jr., Charlestown, Kanawha Co.
Pension test. 1871 by Frederick G. Kirk. Died before 22 April 1875. ....was
under Lucas, marched to Norfolk....
[Note Giles County marriage bond dated 25 June 1811 - Isaac
Kirk and Sarah Hunter; bond John Tawney; parents Robert and Milly Hunter;
wit. Thomas Hunter and Michael Harless. Believe that Isaac was a son of
Joseph and Martha (Harless) Kirk; their relationship to Thomas Kirk is not
known. but clearly not close. Thomas is from Green Valley; Isaac and Joseph
are of the Kirks of the Sinking Creek area.]
ABRAHAM HARLESS; SO 8667, SC 8825, WO 21075, WC 27221.
He was married to Lucy Davenport by Rev. William Necessary on 5 May 1816 in
Russell County, per affidavit Wesley Gilmer and Charles Gilmer. In 1871 was
a resident of Carter Depot, Carter Co., TN. Died 26 May 1877 at
Stickleyville, Lee Co. His widow filed her claim in 1879 and a mother's
claim 1887. Son Alfred P. Harless was captured at Mt. Sterling, KY, 4 Dec.
1863; taken to Andersonville, GA, where he died on 1 April 1864. Other sons
named: Philip Harless of Sullivan Co., TN, William P. Harless of Bristol,
TN, and John Harless. Also 1902 letter from Abram Harless of Craig Mills,
VA.
WILLIAM LUCAS; SO 13160, SC 16276.
He married Kezia Fry on 17 Oct. 1815 in Giles Co. He was drafted at Sinking
Creek, Giles Co., and was discharged at Peach Orchard Camp. He was of age 57
in 1851, and died 30 Oct. 1884. He was a resident of Kanawha Co, VA (WVA) in
1851, 1855 and 1871.
JOSHUA DAVIS; WO 26818, WC 24570.
He was married by Landon Duncan to Sarah French on 19 Dec. 1822 at Wolf
Creek, Giles Co. She was a sister of John L. French, who testified to her
marriage in the file. An affidavit regarding the marriage was provided by
Mary Williams, age 79 in 1879, with test. by John H. Williams. The marriage
bond was posted by John French and Joshua Davis. He was born about 1793 in
Buckingham Co., VA, and moved to East River, Mercer Co., in 1852, where he
died 28 Nov. 1861. Children named were Hiram Davis, born 7 April 1824, and
Green Davis, born 3 March 1826.
JACOB COLLINS; WO 15770, WC 20567.
He said that he marched from Giles to Norfolk; on arrival company divided to
Capt. Camp and Capt. Hogue. Spent first two months at Peach Orchard. 18
years old when drafted. Married Elizabeth Fisher in 1825 in Miami Co., OH.
He died 21 April 1859. Had a brother Charles Collins.
CHRISPI ANOS WALKER; SO 13325, SC 17747, WO 27163, WC
21980.
Born Rockingham Co.; died 28 Feb. 1877 (in Mercer Co., WVA?) Married ca 1810
Frances Peters. She was 78 years old in an 1878 letter; resident of Flat
Top, Mercer Co. in 1879. Son Neuma(?) Walker.
HENRY CLAY; WO 38949, WC 30364.
He married his second wife, Martha Miller, 9 Jan. 1838 in Logan Co. Widow
filed in 1880 from Pineville, Wyoming Co., WVA. Was 70 years old when made
BLW claim 27 Jan. 1851; born ca 1780.
ISAM ALLEN; WO 30577, WC 26289.
He married Martha Montgomery on 22 Oct. 1816 in Scott Co., VA. He died 23
Feb. 1862; she filed a claim 24 July 1879 from Forest Home, Powesheik Co.,
IA. The file named children Samuel A. Allen, Isaac Allen and Sarah A. Allen.
The three Duncans in this company may be identified:
Lawson; probably John Lawson Duncan b. 1789; wife Hannah Tillet. Note deed
24 April 1821 for land on Sinking Creek, William Duncan Sr. to John Lawson
Duncan. William; probably Lawson's father, William Sr. John; probably John
K. Duncan, born 1789, son of Charles and Margaret (Kirk) Duncan. He would
then be a first cousin of Thomas Kirk.
4th Regiment, Virginia Militia
Commanders and companies of this regiment are listed on
pages 231-235 of A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 by
Stuart Lee Butler, 1988. This regiment was formed under authority of General
Orders issued by the Adjutant General on March 24, 1813, and continued as a
unit until February, 1815, under six successive regimental commanders.
General Orders issued by the 5th Military District on May 5, 1815, organized
the regiment at Portsmouth. The unit later was removed to Norfolk. Later,
units were stationed at Fort Norfolk in March, 1814, and at the Peach
Orchard in the rear of Fort Norfolk in June, 1814. General Orders of August,
1814, directed that the 4th Regiment occupy the lines from Lindsay's Garden
to the Peach Orchard and the nearby bridge. It occupied Armistead's Rope
Walk when the 9th Regiment was discharged.
The 4th Regiment reported to Brigadier General Robert
Taylor, commander of the Norfolk Military District. Regimental commanders
were:
Lt. Col. Henry Beatty (Frederick), April - October 1813.
Lt. Col. James McDowell (Rockbridge) October 1813 - January 1814.
Lt. Col. Thomas Chilton (Fauquier) January - April 1814.
Lt. Col. John Koontz (Rockingham) April 1814.
Lt. Col. Elisha Boyd (Berkeley) April - August 1814.
Lt. Col. George Huston (Rockingham) August - September 1814.
Lt. Col. Thomas H. Wooding (Pittsylvania) September 1814 - March 1815.
The Captains (or Lieutenants) of 80 companies are listed,
along with the names of the counties from which they came. Companies
generally served for only three or six months. There were 37 companies in
the 4th Regiment during the six month period that Ralph Lucas' company
served. Captains from counties near Giles who served then included:
William Pepper, Henry
Wysor (Montgomery Co.)
Joseph Hannah, Griffin Lampkin, Andrew Lewis (Botetourt Co.)
Rees B. Thompson (Tazewell Co.)
Samuel Graham, Joseph Steffey (Wythe Co.)
An interesting sidelight is that John Kirk, the father of
Thomas Kirk, grew up in Fauquier County and had migrated from there to
Montgomery County in the 1780's. He served two years in the Revolutionary
War in a company commanded by Capt. John Chilton, who became the father of
Lt. Col. Thomas Chilton.
As noted above, Thomas Kirk said that, Major Washington
signed our discharges on account of Colonel Koontz being under arrest. On
March 23, 1814, the Norfolk Gazette reported the results of the court
martial of Col. John Koontz. Charges were:
1. For exciting discontent
among the troops.
2. For unofficerlike conduct in exciting jealousies among the officers.
3. For disrespect to his commander.
He was acquitted on #1, convicted of #2 and #3 and
sentenced to be dismissed from the service. His second in command, Major
Washington J. Washington, signed the discharges. (He was a distant cousin of
Gen. George Washington as both descended from Rev. Lawrence Washington.)
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