This manuscript is a compilation of various early records of Lee County, Virginia. It is suggested that you use the index liberally for your searches which starts on page 152. Surnames will appear under a variety of spellings so be sure to check them all.
Miles Price, originally from Wales, settled in Lincoln County, North Carolina, before the Revolutionary War. He married Miss Sharp, fathering Thomas, a soldier in that conflict. Thomas later married Isabella Sharp and had multiple children, eventually moving to Missouri in 1819. There, he and his wife had more children in Pike County, with several family members continuing to reside in Lincoln County. Notably, Price served as Constable and Justice of the Peace for thirty years and is remembered for his remarkable snake hunting exploits.
The genealogy of the Alexander family details the lineage beginning with John Alexander, born in Rowan County, North Carolina, who married Rachel Davidson. They moved through several counties before settling on the Harpeth River in Tennessee. Their son, James Alexander, born in 1756, fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain and married Rhoda Cunningham, later residing in Buncombe County. The narrative also includes the Foster family, tied by marriage to the Alexanders, emphasizing their contributions during the Revolutionary War and their settlement in North Carolina.
General Joseph Graham, born in Pennsylvania in 1759, moved to North Carolina as a child. Educated at Queens Museum, he became involved in the Revolutionary War by enlisting at nineteen. Notably, he participated in the battles of Stono and against British forces near Charlotte. Despite sustaining severe wounds, he continued to serve, raising troops and leading successful engagements against Tories and British. Post-war, he was elected sheriff and senator, engaged in iron manufacturing, and commanded North Carolina volunteers in 1814. He lived a long, impactful life until his death in 1836.
Ephraim Brevard, educated at Princeton College and a physician in Charlotte, became an influential figure among patriots during the Revolutionary War. His brothers, Hugh, Adam, and Alexander Brevard, also contributed significantly; Hugh served as a colonel and legislator, Adam transitioned from blacksmithing to law, and Alexander fought in key battles under General Washington. After the war, Alexander entered the iron industry with Major Davidson and became a respected community leader. Ephraim lived a devout life, passing away in 1829, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and service.
Jacob Forney Sr., born circa 1721 to a Huguenot father who fled France, became an early settler in Lincoln County around 1754. After experiencing a traumatic childhood, he immigrated to America, eventually marrying Mariah Bergner. Forney faced significant challenges, including the depredations of Cherokee Indians and the hardships of the Revolutionary War, during which he suffered considerable losses when Cornwallis’s army confiscated his property. Forney died in 1806, leaving a legacy intertwined with Huguenot and Swiss heritage, and is buried near Macpelah Church.
Gen. Peter Forney, born in April 1756 in Tyron County, was a prominent Whig leader during the American Revolution. He first served in 1776, actively participating in various military campaigns against the Tories and Indians. After the war, he married Nancy Abernathy and became a successful iron manufacturer in North Carolina, establishing the first ironworks in the western part of the state. Forney held several political offices, including Congressman and State Senator, before his death on February 1, 1834, at the age of 78.
Major Abram Forney, born in October 1758, was the youngest son of Jacob Forney, Sr. His military service began in June 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, where he participated in expeditions against both the Cherokee Indians and Tories. Notably, he fought at the crucial Battle of Kings Mountain in October 1780 and later contributed to efforts against British forces. Forney’s final military engagement was in 1782 against the Cherokee. He passed away on July 22, 1849, at the age of 91.
Joseph Brevard, the youngest son of John Brevard, served as a Lieutenant in the Continental army at seventeen, where he was appointed private secretary to a Philadelphia general. After the war, he studied law in Camden, S.C., earning distinction as a lawyer and public servant, eventually becoming a judge and later serving two terms in Congress. Brevard authored a Digest of the Statute Laws of South Carolina and reported legal cases, still referenced today. He left a respected legacy, embodying dedication to American freedom.
Colonel James Johnston, born around 1742 to a Scottish family, emerged as a key patriot in the early days of Tryon, later Lincoln County. Educated amidst the turmoil of colonial strife, he embraced revolutionary principles during the Stamp Act crisis. Starting his military career as a Captain in 1776, Johnston participated in significant battles, including the victory at Ramsours Mill and Kings Mountain. Elected to the Senate post-war, he was a respected community leader and church elder until his death in 1805, leaving a legacy of patriotism and civic duty.
Young N. Patterson, born in 1840 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, became a notable figure in Baxter County, Arkansas. He received his education in Mississippi before enlisting in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Captured and imprisoned, he eventually returned home and pursued a dual career in teaching and farming. In 1874, he moved to Baxter County, where he successfully cultivated a thriving homestead. A dedicated public servant and family man, he exemplified resilience and community spirit throughout his life.
H. E. Beam, a 3rd Class Yeoman in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force from Lincoln County, began his military service on February 2, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was stationed at St. Helena, Virginia, before being assigned to the mine sweeper U.S.S. Froelich. Beam was promoted to 3rd Class Yeoman in May 1918 and completed his service, mustering out at Operating Base Hampton Roads, Virginia, on December 18, 1918.