The past is the present for future generations who do not know their history

Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin…

there were so many of you, and George, and William, and John, and the ands could go on and on.

Benjamin Birdwell born 21 Dec 1765 in Virginia. He died 17 Oct 1840 in Sullivan County, Tennessee. He is the son of  George Birdwell and Mary Looney Birdwell.

Benjamin Birdwell married Mary Perry on 3 March 1791 in Sullivan County, Tennessee[1]

Children
  1. George Birdwell born 12 Feb 1792, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  2. David Birdwell born 26 Sep 1794, Washington County, Tennessee
  3. Jesse Birdwell born 17 Dec 1796, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  4. Elizabeth Birdwell born 22 Jan 1799, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  5. Mary Birdwell born 13 Dec 1800, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  6. Benjamin Birdwell born 8 Feb 1803, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  7. Jane Birdwell born 16 Jan 1805, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  8. Nancy Birdwell born 16 Jan 1805, Sullivan County, Tennessee
  9. Joseph Birdwell born 1 Sep 1809, Washington County, Tennessee
  10. Rowell Perry Birdwell born 20 March 1812. Washington County, Tennessee
  11. Ruell Allen Birdwell born 30 March 1814, Sullivan County, Tennessee[2]

Benjamin Birdwell was a patriot lending service on at least two tours of duty during the Revolutionary War. His service is documented by the Daughters of American Revolution as follows:

Ancestor #: A010379
Service: NORTH CAROLINA Rank(s): PRIVATE
Birth: 12-21-1765 VIRGINIA
Death: 10-17-1840 SULLIVAN CO TENNESSEE
Pension Number: S*W218
Service Source: S*W218
Service Description: 1) CAPT CAVIT, COL SHELBY

The pension files for Benjamin Birdwell’s widow gives us information, some she recollects from hearing her husband give an oral recitation, some from the bible record and some from Interrogatories she underwent during the application process. We know these facts:

1781– they were residents of the county of Sullivan, then in the state of North Carolina, now in Tennessee

Revolutionary War – Benjamin Birdwell served under the immediate command of Col. Isaac Shelby and Mahan; who were under Capt Cavit in the Army under the Division of General Frances Marion

1782 – Benjamin was discharged from that tour and volunteered again under Col John Sevier to go against Cherokee Indians, then the Chickamaugas – on arrival of the Army the indians retreated

– The British stationed themselves among the indians

1791 -Mary Perry and Benjamin Birdwell married on 3 March 1791 in Sullivan County, North Carolina, now Tennessee

1845 – In the Interrogatories on 6 Feb 1845, Mary Perry Birdwell stated she was 73 years old

– She stated that the bible record, in great part, was in her husband’s own handwriting
– She stated that there was no original record of marriage can be found due to the imperfect manner in which the records have been kept
– She also stated that the couple had lived in Sullivan County, North Carolina, now Tennessee most of their lives together[3]

It appears that this Benjamin Birdwell may have also served in the War of 1812, but needs documentation if true.

Sources

  1. Application for Revolutionary War Pension by widow, Mary Perry Birdwell 1840s
  2. Children named in George and Mary Perry Birdwell’s bible record
  3. Application for Revolutionary War Pension by widow, Mary Perry Birdwell 1840s

This entry was posted on July 5, 2017 by . It was filed under Benjamin Birdwell 1765-1840, Carolyn Murray Greer, Notable Ancestors, Remembering the Shoals, Revolutionary War .

Comments are closed.