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Capt. John Dickey, Hero of Battle of Ramsour's Mill
b.1724 Londonderry, Ireland
d.20 Mar 1808 Statesville, Iredell, North Carolina
Family tree▼ (edit)
m. Abt 1711
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m. Abt 1748
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m. 18 Nov 1793
Facts and Events
[edit] Advisory on John DickeySome "family tradition" claims that Capt. John Dickey married Mary Looney as his first wife. There is no evidence to support this. John Dickey's first proven wife was Rachel Tanner, daughter of Phillip Tanner of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. John Dickey and Rachel Tanner were married abt. 1748, prob. in Chester County, Pennsylvania. John Dickey was named as the wife of Rachel Tanner in the will of her father, Phillip Tanner, which was written January 26, 1750/1, proving their marriage prior to that date. Rachel (Tanner) Dickey died in 1789, in Rowan County, North Carolina. After the death of Rachel, Capt. John Dickey married 2nd, Elizabeth Leasey on 18 November 1793 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Elizabeth outlived Capt. John Dickey by 37 years. [edit] Will Transcript
[edit] Information on John Dickey1740 - First Scotch-Irish came down the "Great Road" from Pennsylvania through the valley of Virginia to Bladen County (later Anson and Rowan, and now Iredell County) N.C., a distance of 435 miles. 1748 - John Dickey may have married Rachel Tanner about now. Probably Chester Co., PA. 1749 - Anson County NC formed from Bladen County, 12 June. 1750 - Daughter, Elizabeth Dickey, born in Pennsylvania. 1751 - Presbyterians began congregating in western North Carolina. 1753 - Rowan County (part of which is now Iredell Co.) formed from Anson Co., which was taken from Bladen Co. 1754 - Feb. 23, John Dickey was granted 200 acres in Anson Co. on the south side of Fairforrest on Sugar Creek above John Hitchcock's survey. The original abstract is available from the Land Grant Office, New Legislative Office Bldg., Room 302, 300 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC. Anson County, North Carolina Warrants, Surveys, and Related Documents 1-909 Secretary of State, Land Grant Office North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina No. 299 - John Dickey, 200 Acres, Grant No. 656, Issued February 23, 1754, Book No. 2, Page No. 95. entry No. 489. Entered Sept. 4, 1753. Location: S side of Fairforest on Sugar Creek. John Dickey 200 Acres on the So. side of Fairforrest on Sugar Creek, above John Hitchcock's survey. Beginning at a White Oak and running No. 41, E, 30 chains to a White Oak, then No. 49, W 67 chains to a Black Oak, then So. 41, W 30 chains to a stake thence to the first station. February 23rd 1754. Matt Rowan. 1755 - 18 April. Doctor John Lynn of SC gave power of attorney to Major James Carter to sell a tract on Grant's Creek adjacent to John Todd on Reedy Branch to John Dickey... Fourth Creek Meeting Place (Presbyterian) became the first fixed place of worship in Iredell Co. John Dickey was a silversmith by trade, a strict Presbyerian, and he eventually owned large estates in Rowan Co., NC. One of his daughters (Mary) married William Davidson, son of George Davidson & Catherine Penelope Reese. It was not Gen. William Lee Davidson, who was killed during the pursuit of Cornwallis in the War of Independence. Gen. Davidson was a first cousin to George Davidson. A descendant of this line writes that "the family were married into the best families of America." The family was connected with the ancient Witten (or Whiten) family, the Pickens[related to Lord Baltimore--Lairds and Calverts of Maryland. 1756 - John Dickey applied for a land grant in the Granville Dist. of NC. Description of the land was "543 acres in Rowan Co. in the Parish of St. Luke in a Fork of the Beaver Dam Branch of Grants Creek, joining Mr. McCulloch's Land, a Thicket in the said McCulloch's line, and both sides of the said Branch. /s/ John Dickey. Wits: W. Churton, Michael Robinson entered 26 May 1756. Surveyed 12 October 1758. SCC (i.e., sworn chain carrier): John Todd, Robert Luckie, W. Churton Surveyor. A notation on the plat mentions "John Todd's Land" and "Robt. Bell's Claim." 1757 - 26 May. John Dickey served on jury. 1759 - John Dickey was granted 543 acres in Rowan Co. on Beaver Dam Branch of Grant's Creek, joining Alexander McCullock's line. Original Granville Grant Indenture is available from NC State Archives, 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 17601-1807, on microfilm reel S.108.255,S.S.L.G. 116-I, 4519 & McCubbins Collection, North Carolina, Roll 23. 1760 - Area's first school was established in the southern parts of Rowan (now Iredell) Co., near Centre Church. 1760- 3 Nov. Mecklinburg Co. (seat, Charlotte) formed from Anson Co. 1761 - 21 April, John Dickey served on Grand Jury. 1761 - 4 April: Book 4, pg. 551, Earl Granville lets John Dickey of Rowan Co., NC have 390 acres vacant land on both sides Rocky River next John Brevard & Robert Brevard, for 10 shillings...Oct. 1761. 1761 - 22 Oct.: Deed from Earl of Granville to John Dickie(sic) for 390 acres, April 4, 1761, is approved by Esq. John Frohock. 1761 - 28 Nov., John Dickey served on jury. 1765 - 29 August, son, Samuel Dickey, born. 1765 - Stamp Act passed. Many colonists resented taxation without representation. sons of Liberty formed and successfully resisted the Act. A thousand wagons crossed the river at Salisbury, NC, and most of them stopped in the rich valley land between the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers. 1765 - 11 July, John Dickey called for jury duty. 1765 - 22 Sept., Petit jury included John Dickey. 1765 - 9 Oct., John and Rachel Dickey sold 543 acres to Hugh Montgomery on a fork of Beaverdam Branch of Grant's Creek. Proved Oct. Court 1765. Transcription of the original deed: Rowan Deeds, Book 6, pg. 208. 1773 - John Dickey petitioned that Presbyterian ministers be allowed to marry from their own congregation by publication. 1775 - Bethany Church (site of John Dickey's burial) and Concord Church established as daughters of Fourth Creek(?). 1776 - 7 May. John Dickey (Safety Committee of Rowan Co., NC)...among the number was John Dickey, who was present Oct. 17, 1775, Nov. 8, 1775, and Nov. 27, 1775.... 1778 - Iredell County formed out of Rowan Co., NC. ROWAN COUNTY LAND ENTRYS 1778: 69. Feb. 4, 1778, Richard Graham enters 145 ac on waters of Second Cr.; between JOHN DICKEY, JAMES PATTERSON, John Cowan & John Lowrance. (Pg. 8 of book, R929.37567) Ibid: 92. Claim set up by THOMAS DICKEY, Feb. 5, 1778, James Simpson enters 300 ac in Rowan Co. "in" Third Cr.; border: JAMES PATTERSON on one sside and John Cowan (gun smith) on other side. (pg. 10 of book) Ibid: 96. Feb. 5, 1778 JAMES DICKEY "for himself wife & five children viz" for JOHN, SAMUEL, DAVID, JAMES & WILLIAM DICKEY enter 600 ac in Rowan Co. on Beaverdam Br waters of Fourth Cr.; border: Michael Anderson, George Niblock, Thomas Johnson, James and Charles Bailey, & John Dobbins; includes three improvements "between above mentioned land." (pg. 10 of book Rowan County Land Entrys 1778) Ibid: 220. Feb. 5 1778, Elizabeth Brown enters s320 ac in Rowan Co on head waters of Rocky River; border: JOHN DICKEY, William Brown, Robert Brown & James Haynes; included improvement where she lives. (pg. 20) Ibid: 300. Feb. 6, 1778, JOHN DICKEY enters 200 ac in Rowan Co. on E side of Ridge road between John Brevard's Cr & Robert Brown's Cr; includes "the" crossroads, some head waters of Brevards Cr. & branches of Davidson's Cr. (pg. 26) Ibid: 1714. Nov. 3, 1778. JOHN DICKEY enters 100 ac in Rowan Co. on waters of Joshua's Br. of S. Yadkin R. on N side of Round Top Mountain; includes "a piece of ground" above soslomon Kelly's entry "lik an old field." (pg. 136) Ibid 1715. Nov. 3, 1778. JOHN DICKEY enters 60 ac in Rowan Co. on NE side of Round Top Mountain; includes "a piece of Chesnut land" near Hunting Cr. (pg. 136) 1780 - JOHN DICKEY fought in battle of Ramsours Mill, serving under Colonel Locke. It is believed John Dickey received the commission of Captain from this event. (Although 55 years old at the beginning of the Rev. War, John Dickey volunteered to serve.) 1780 - At the Battle of Camden (in which John Dickey fought), Lord Cornwallis routed the American Army in an ignominous defeat that cost the patriotss 800 killed and 1,000 captured--including Griffith Rutherford--out of a force numbering 3,000. 1780 - JOHN DICKEY fought in the Battle of King's Mountain. {In 1844, his widow (second wife--or third?) Elizabeth Leasey (1765-1845) applied for a pension which was allowed for seventeen months' actual service as captain, North Carolina Line.} Children mentioned: Samuel, Elizabeth and Mary Dickey. Children born to JOHN and RACHEL not mentioned. 1787 - Among the people of Capt. Morrison's Company in 1787 were DAVID DICKEY with 1 white male between 21 & 60 yrs., 2 under 16 or above 60 yrs, & 1 white femal (adjoining names are Thomas Morrison & John Andrew). 1787 - 15 April. Wm. Ireland, Sr., lets DAVID DICKEY (both yeomen of North Carolina) have 50 acres on Elk Shoal Creek for 40 Pounds. 1789 - Wife, Rachel died. Buried Centre (Presbyterian) Church graveyard, Mt. Mourne, Rowan (Iredell) NC. 1793 - 12 July. JOHN DICKEY sold to SAMUEL DICKEY (his son by Rachel) 200 acres for 100 Pounds (Sterling) on head branch of Rocky River on branch of Davidson's Creek including cross roads adjacent Wallings Corner, Brevard Creek. 1793 - 10 Nov. Marriage bond of JOHN DICKEY and Elizabeth Leasey signed and registered in Mecklenburg Co., NC. 1793 - 18 Nov. JOHN DICKEY married Elizabeth Leasey in Iredell Co., NC. 1794 - 28 Aug. Deed recorded in the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Iredell Co., for the sale of 200 acres by JOHN DICKEY to SAMUEL DICKEY (son). 1796 - 22 Nov. Deed recorded for sale of 200 acres by JOHN DICKEY to SAMUEL DICKEY was proven. 1790 - Rowan Co., NC, Poll Tax lists included:
Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Iredell Co., NC, 1799-1800: I:314 22 Nov 1797...JOHN DICKEY, Jas Bowman, Joshua Wilson, Hugh McKnight, Thos Beatty, Joe Cook, Thos Cook, SAML DICKEY, Jas Byers...which jury have laid off his dower as follows...(dower of the widow of Jos Hughes, decd). JOHN DICKEY and SAMUEL DICKEY, father and son. Also mentioned more than once in this court record was JAMES PATTERSON, SAMUEL DICKEY's father-in-law. 1793 - 27 Nov. Book 25, pg. 884. The State (NC) grants #2171 at 50 shillings the 100 acres, to JOHN & Elizabeth (Leasey) DICKEY, 143 acres next Stiller,Richard Graham, JOHN DICKEY, JAS PATTERSON, crossing a branch & widow McNeeley. 1806 - 22 Aug. Book F, pg. 391, Iredell Co., NC: JOHN DICKEY, Sr. (no wife signs) lets James Braly have 337 acres on Rocky River on a branch on the west bank of the creek for $800. (This is part of the land from Earl Granville to JOHN DICKEY.) (James C. Braly sold this land to John Sumray of Iredell Co., May 23, 1818.) 1807 - 2 Nov. Ordered that Eliza DICKEY and two JOHN DICKEY'S (orphans of Elizabeth Dickey) be brought to next court to be dealtl with by law. 1808 - 9 Jan. Book 1, pg. 30, will of JOHN DICKEY. Wife, Elizabeth, son, John, daughter, Peggy. Appoints John Johnston & Robert Johnston guardians of his two children, John and Peggy. 1808 - 2 Feb. Thomas Cowan (a fuller) appointed guardian of John Dickey, a baseborn child, gave bond with John Cowan in 100 Pounds. 1844 - 12 Sept. Elizabeth Leasey Dickey applied for a widow's pension. She was 79. This was on the application: "...John Dickey was a captain in the militia of North Carolina and served under General Rutherford on the border of South Carolina. He served a tour under General Davidson and was nearby when General Davidson was killed in the skirmish with the British when they tried to cross the Catawba River at Crown's Ford. He served as Captain of a company under Col. Lock in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill during which he courageously led the attack in that battle, refusing to retreat when ordered by the commander, bravely fighting, sword in hand, until the line was restored and the battle gained." Elizabeth Leasey Dickey was only 43 when her husband died. The record shows that she never remarried. She died Sept. 27, 1845, at the age of 80. Pension application filed by widow to commence 4 March 1843 thru 27 Sept. 1845. Book A, vol. 2, pg. 153. Claim No. W.3962. Rowan Co. Register (R929.37567 R877, 19987, v.2) pg. 397: 1782 Legislative Petition, Rowan County April 11th 1782, To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, The petition of William McClean Humbly sheweth...(Mr. McClean tells the story of his being wounded at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill. Below were signatures of character witnesses for Mr. McClean. Among those signing were JOHN DICKEY. Mr. Wm. Maclaine(sic) was allowed L25 specie annual for life as recompense for having been disabled by a wound received in the service of his State from procuring his own subsistence... Mr. John R. Dickey, of the Wholesale Manufacturing Company of Druggists, known as the Dickey Drug Co., Bristol, VA, whose ancestor, Matthew, would appear to be related to one or other of the above families, says: "My grandmother was a Bourne, a descendant of Paul Jones." (We have a Thomas Borune and daughter Elizabeth who married Robert Waterman.) John R. Dickey said his ancestor, John Dickey, was married to Rachel Pinkney. "Know all men by these presents that I John Dickey of Iredell County & Thomas Harris of Mecklenburg County...firmly bound to Richard Dobb...Governor & Commander in Chief of the State of North Carolina...his succession in office in the penal sum of Five Hundred Pounds. Conditions as follows: Whereas the above John Dickey & Elizabeth Leasey is about to enter into the state of Marriage, now if there is no lawful cause why they may not marry then the above obligation is to be void. Otherwise to remain in...force...given under our hands this 10th Nov. 1790. Signed: John Dickey; Thomas Harris. "State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. I C. T. Alexander, Clerk of Mecklenburg County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true & correct copy of the...found (filed?) in my office. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my name & seal of office at Charlotte this second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred fortyfive. C.T. Alexander CCC" See Rev. War Pension application W3962, filed by widow (2nd/3rd? wife) Elizabeth. She evidently died before it was processed for pension. (Sept. 27, 1845, aged 79 years.) She and John married Nov. 18, 1793, and had Peggy, b. Sept. 21, 1795, & John, born Oct. 8, 1799. Nowhere in pension documents does it say where John was born or who his first wife was. The Draper Manuscripts, 26 Sept. 1844, Deposition of John Cochran (excerpts): "The said JOHN DICKEY was engaged as a volunteer in various services pretty much during the whole of the war from first to last and was accounted to several in his neighborhood as a brave captain of the Revolution up to the time of his death which took place about the year 1808 in the spring. That said Dickey was about 50 years of age or upwards of fifty when he quit the service, that he, the said Dickey & Elizabeth Leazy(sic) were married in the fall or winter of 1793 and that they lived together as man & wife up to the period of said Dickey's death. That he was ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for a long time before & up to the time of his death. Further, deponent sayeth not. Sworn to and subscribed to efore me the day and year above. John Cochran Witness: W. F. Cowan, J.P." Rowan Co., NC, 14 April 1852. Deposition of Alfred D. Kerr (excerpts): "Son of James Kerr, late of Rowan Co., NC, who was lieutenant under Capt. Falls who fell at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill in the Rev. war in 1780...He was in his youth well acquainted with Capt. JOHN DICKEY who resides within two miles of said crossroads. His father and said Capt. Dickey lived in the same neighborhood and were elders in the same church...(after Capt. Fall's fell) Capt. Dickey being in command of the infantry marched up immediately in the rear using the following words, to wit, 'Huzza boys. Fight on, take good aim. I see some of them falling every time we shoot.'...He was among the first in said Rowan Co. to resist the oppression of Great Britain...nor does affiant now recollelct who are his living children. Alfred D. Kerr" Sate of North Carolina} Iredell Co. } On the 19th day of November 1846 personally appeared...Margaret Anderson...age about 52 years...that she is the child of Elizabeth Dickey, deceased, late of Rowan County, and of JOHN DICKEY, who was a soldier in the army during the Rev. War in the N.C. militia. John Dickey served as a private in one or more tours in the borders and in S.C. under Gen'l Rutherford, and one or more tours as a Minute Man of a confidential nature under Gen'l Davidson and was with Davidson when he was killed at Cowan's Ford on the Catauba River...He was generally serving in the army in some way or another from the time the British landed in Charleston, S.C. to the close of the war.... Margaret Anderson" 1808 - 15 Jan. Two months before his death on March 20, John bought 99 acres on Fifth Creek joining John Hall and Andrew Morrison, from William White. His second? wife, Elizabeth (Leasey) Dickey and their two minor children, Margaret and John L. Dickey, inherited it. (Information from Joe Harvey Howard, Sept. 1995.) A lot of information from Donald E. Maring, 206 Chatham Ct., Maple Glen, PA 19002-2866, kmaring@@mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us...(See George Dickey and wife, Mary, notes) And: "If we are right, then your Captain John had cousin John (d. 1772) son of William, who retired late in life to Wilmington, DE. Raymound Bell believes some of his children went to Rowan Co., NC. We accepted what we were told about Rowan Co. without extensive original research. That was a popular place for Pennsylvanians to relocate.
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