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Capt. Lindley, a Loyalist, was captured at the Battle of Kettle Creek, Georgia, was tried for Treason and hung at Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He was buried along with four others near the place of execution.
Ref: "Executed Loyalists I: Two Quakers -- © Stephen Davidson. Zacharias Gibbs, one of those loyalists who had his sentence commuted, later wrote about being imprisoned with Anderson, Clegg, Draper, Hall, and Lindley. He remembered that the "gallows was built within sight of the jail and graves prepared for the bodies". The five loyalists were hanged on April 17, 1779 in Ninety-Six, South Carolina."
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Capt. Lindley, a Loyalist, was captured at the Battle of Kettle Creek, Georgia, was tried for Treason and hung at Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He was buried along with four others near the place of execution.
Ref: "Executed Loyalists I: Two Quakers -- © Stephen Davidson. Zacharias Gibbs, one of those loyalists who had his sentence commuted, later wrote about being imprisoned with Anderson, Clegg, Draper, Hall, and Lindley. He remembered that the "gallows was built within sight of the jail and graves prepared for the bodies". The five loyalists were hanged on April 17, 1779 in Ninety-Six, South Carolina."
This record was duplicated by Milisia Hanlin. Additional biographical data was entered along with another place of burial. Source of the burial data is not listed; therefore, I will continue to list the burial site as reported by eyewitnesses to the executions and burials.
To view the duplicate record, see Find A Grave Memorial# 77220515.∼James Lindley, son of Thomas Lindley,(son of James Lindley and Eleanor Parke) and Ruth Hadley was born 22 Sept 1735 London Grove Township, Chester County, Pa. He is named in the will of his grandfather, Simon Hadley, who left will in New Castle County, Delaware and names all his grandchildren. He is named in the will of his father, Thomas Lindley, of Lindley's Mill, Orange County, N.C. Bk. A, p.22 who mentions Thomas Lindley, son of James Lindley, Sr., dec'd (will dated 15 March 1780 Aug. Ct.1782.
James LINDLEY, 1735-1779, married May 5, 1753, Mary COX, daughter of William Cox of Cox's Mill and Catherine Kanky/Kenky of the present Randolph County, N.C.
James came to Orange County, N.C. by 1753-55 and had several land transactions, as noted in Orange County, North Carolina land deeds. An article by Lindley Butler states he had 1170 acres in Granville Grants in Orange County, now Chatham County, on Terrel's Creek.
From 1753 to 1766 he is mentioned in the Orange county court minutes, and he was licensed to keep an ordinary in his home.
By 1767, James LINDLEY, 1735-1779, had moved to South Carolina; he was involved in a land transaction with Peter Allen. Deed Records in South Carolina show he was there by 1767 when Peter Allen had 100 acres in Berkley County on a small branch of Reedy River, called the Reedy fork, bounded by vacant land. Survey cert. 9-367 granted 7-15 1768 Rec. 9-28-1768 James Lindley for the memorialist, Jno Caldwell, D.S. Butler states he acquired 200 acres in 1768 and another 200 in 1773.
On April 28, 1768, James Lindley was named as having land bounding W on Charles Quails received on a branch of Raybournes Creek which was also bounded by George Hollingsworth, S.E. on John Williams, W on JL granted 4-28-1768 Re. 9-30-1768, Ralph Humphrey-for the memoralist, Quit Rent begins in two years.
On December 2, 1768, he was commissioned a crown Justice-of -the-peace for Granville County, and until the Revolution, he held crown commissions for Craven county, Ninety-Six District, and the Cheraws District.
On September 7, 1772, James Lindley of Craven County, Esqr, and Mary, his wife, to John Williams merchant of same for 112 lbs. SC money land granted 12 Sept 1768 to Robert Briggs, on a branch of Rabins Creek adj. land of John Turk. Said Robert Briggs did convey to Ralph Humphries and said Ralph sold to James Linley, Esqr. 31 Jan. 1772. James Lindley(LS) MaryLindley (LS) Wit: Thos Cohune, Randal Hennesley, Rec. 15 Jan.1774.
On 15 Sept 1775, James Lindley, Esq, J.P., Lewis Dutarque, and John Boyd, witnessed deed of Ralph Humphreys Surveyor of Craven Co., Province of S.C. to John Williams planter for 300 lbs 100 ac on Durbin's Creek originally granted 15 July 1768 to John Humphreys & conveyed to Ralph Humphreys bounded on John Boyd's land (Laurens Co., Deeds).
Lindley was a captain in the Upper Saluda Regiment of the provincial militia. In 1775 a majority of the South Carolina backcounty settlers were loyal to the crown were forcibly subdued by the Revolutionary forces under Charleston leadership. The regiment was mustered by the commanding officer in 1775, Colonel Thomas Fletchall of Fair Forest, for the purpose of determining the regiment's loyalty which unanimously supported the crown. None other than David Fanning, who later became a noted loyalist leader and led the Tories at Lindley's Mill in N.C., was a sergeant in Captain Lindley's company. In Fanning's Narrative, recorded in the North Carolina State records, he writes,"' the first day Of May,(1775), Capt James Lindley of Rabern's Creek,sent to me as I was a Sergeant of the said company, to have his company warned to meet at his house 15 of said month. I did accordingly, and presented two papers; there were 118 men signed in favour of the King, also declared to defend the same , at the risk of lives and property, in July 1775."
In November, civil strife began between the Whigs and Loyalists. Major Joseph Robinson, now commander of the Upper Saluda regiment defeated a Whig force force at Ninety-six on November 19-20 of 1775.
A fort known as Lindley's fort, which the property was taken over by the Patriots in 1775 was used as a stronghold against Indian and Tory attacks. The Whig Militia with help from the North Carolina Militia cornered the heavily outnumbered Loyalists under Patrick Cunningham at the Great Cane Brake on December 22. Captain Lindley was among 130 Tory prisoners captured at this skirmish and sent to Charleston where they were soon released.
The [South Carolina] State General Assembly appointed him a justice for Ninety-Six District in 1776, but Butler states that considering his loyalist sympathies, it is unlikely that he served the revolutionary government. Until the Revolution James LINDLEY, 1735-1779, held several other crown commissions.
On July 15 1776 a Loyalist-Cherokee party attacked Lindley's Fort in which the inhabitants along the Saluda and Rabun had taken refuge About 88 Indians and 102 white men painted and dressed as Indians made the attack. Major Jonathan Downs with about 150 men arrived the night before and and drove off the attackers. It is not known whether Lindley was there. After several hours they withdrew.
A letter from Governor John Rutledge dated Aug 30 1777 refers to Lindley participating in a raid and escaping capture.
James Lindley remained an active loyalist until his capture at The Battle of Kettle Creek. James LINDLEY's land bounded John BOYD, also the name of the Tory Leader in the Battle of Kettle Creek. Colonel John Boyd marched into the Georgia backcountry early in 1779 with a group of 600 loyalists to cooperate with the British invasion there. On 14 February 1779 at Kettle Creek in Wilkes County, Georgia, they were surprised and defeated by the Whigs commanded by Colonels Andrew Pickens, John Dooley and Elijah Clarke. James Lindley, John Anderson, Aquilla Hall, Samuel Clegg and Charles Draper were five, among those captured, who were fined 86.4.0 each and sentenced to hang. Also tried at a special court held February 22 1779 were others, including George Hollingsworth and William Lindley, probably the son of James. The names of William Cunningham (Bloody Bill) and James Cunningham, were all probably neighbors of Lindley. The Sheriff of Ninety-Sixth District compiled a list as part of his claim for money owed to him by S.C. State Government Audited Accounts # 5335.
"To the gaol fees on commitment of Las Linley John Anderson Aquilla Hall Sm. Clegg and Charles Draper who were hanged &c …L 86 : 4: 0 each"
On August 21, 1779, and rec. 1 May 1790, Jno. Box., planter sold Francis Moore, both of Berkley Co., S.C. 150 acres in Berkley Co. Probate made by Magneese Good 30 April 1769 before James Lindly, one of his majesty's justices to keep the peace. On 2 Dec. 1768 he was commissioned a crown Justice-of -the-peace for Granville County, and until the Revolution, he held crown commissions for Craven county, Ninety-Six District, and the Cheraws district. The State General Assembly appointed him a justice for Ninety-Six District in 1776, but Butler states that considering his loyalist sympathies, it is unlikely that he served the revolutionary government..
14 May 1785-Sept 1786 Thomas Lindley, The eldest son of James Lindley of Raborn Creek settlement and his wife, Elizabeth sold to Marmaduke Pinson for 20 shillings 100 acres lying in Craven Co., now called 96 Dist., on a small branch of Reighbon's Creek and bounded on SW by land of George Hollingsworth, on SE by land of John Williams, W. by James Lindley and all other sides vacant. Original grant to Charles Quail bearing date 16 June 1768 and conveyed by him to Ralph Humphreys who conveyed to James Lindley, father of Thomas Lindley 12 Dec. 1768. Wit: Richard Pugh, John Mitchel, Joseph Pinson.
In Laurens County, South Carolins Wills, p. 3, Will A Estate Records, p. 16-17: An account of the appraisement of the estate of Jas. Lindley , Dec. 200 acres at 60 lbs. , 100 acres at 30 lbs. Jas. Abercrombie, George Hollingsworth, Thos. Cunningham, sold 12 Jan 1790. Thomas Lindley.
P. 28-33 Feb 1801 Administration of estate of James Lindley, dec. List of debts for Dec 1777, & Jan. 1778. Joesph Briton, proven before John Rodgers 1795 Thos Lindley, Adm.
Lindley's fort was built on his land. Ruins of the fort have recently been found and a [National Historical] marker placed.
Known children of James LINDLEY and Mary Cox include:
i. Thomas LINDLEY, md. 1st Elizabeth Hall; md. second, Elizabeth Ridgeway. Served in the Revolution as a Whig; left will in Laurens County, S.C. 1809; sold land as eldest son of James Lindley of Raborn Creek Settlement to Marmaduke PINSON, in 1790. Will located Laurens County, South Carolina.
ii. William LINDLEY, 1760-January 1782, said to have moved back to North Carolina and settled in Chatham Co by 1774. He was recruited with father by Col. Boyd in 1779 and was captured in the Battle of Kettle Creek. Although imprisoned at Ninety-Six and tried for treason, he was released before the execution of his father. He returned to North Carolina and was commissioned 16 July by Col. David Fanning as captain in the Chatham County Loyalist Militia. He is the William Lindley who was murdered by three Loyalist deserters in Jan. 1782. Fanning reported that Lindley was "cut to Pieces with their Swords," and Fanning personally tracked down two of the three men and hanged them.
iii. John LINDLEY, 1766-1821, died Laurens, Laurens District, South Carolina;
iv. Johnathan LINDLEY, md. Nancy Ruth BLAIR, moved to Georgia, along with the SMITHS; lived for a while in Walton County, Georgia then moved to Powder Springs, Cobb County, Ga, buried Powder Spring United Methodist Church Cemetery, Powder Springs, Cobb County, Georgia, Find-A-Grave memorial # 72256885;
v. Ruth LINDLEY, 1756-1845, md. ARW Veteran Benjamin SMITH, 1751-1834, brother of David SMITH. Ruth LINDLEY, 1756-1845, is believe to have been his second wife; he married first, Elizabeth SIMMONS. They remained in South Carolina, where Benjamin SMITH left a will; for some time, he was in Georgia. Both Ruth LINDLEY SMITH, 1756-1845, and Benjamin SMITH, are buried Pickens Family Cemetery, also known as Pickens Chapel Cemetery, located on Three and Twenty Roads, in Anderson County, South Carolina--Ruth LINDLEY SMITH, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 51075953 and ARW S.C. Militia Private Benjamin SMITH, 1751-1834, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 12913373.
vi. Catherine LINDLEY, md. Abraham BOX;
vii. Sarah Rebecca LINDLEY, b. 6 Aug 1763, d. 19 May 1857, walton County, Georgia; md. circa 1782, Abbeville County, South Carolina, ARW Veteran David SMITH, brother of Benjamin SMITH, above.
viii. Mary Ruth LINDLEY, b. 17 Aug 1764, d. 20 Nov 185-; md. Colville Abercrombie; was still living in S.C. when she made deposition in 1855 that she was at wedding of her sister, Rebecca LINDLEY and David SMITH.
The Lauren's County [South Carolina] Historical Society did erect a marker at the site of Lindley's Fort which is located on a knoll one and 1/2 miles northeast of the junction of Dirty Creek and Rabun creek, in today's Hickory Tavern, but it was either vandalized or blown away. An article dated December 4, 1978 in the Laurens County Advertiser stated that it had been added to the National Register of Historic Places and a permanent marker was to be placed; the site now is part of a privately owned cattle ranch.
For more information about Lindley's Fort Site, see the South Carolina Department of Archives and History's National Register of Historical Properties in South Carolina, Lindley's Fort Site, in Laurens County, South Carolina, including three (3) photographs of the national historic site, http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/laurens/S10817730009/index.htm. |
