Lt.-Col.

One of the Patriots of the in the South who seems to have been “Lost in The Shadows of History” was Elijah Isaacs. Lyman C. Draper, a well-known historian of the 19th century, developed a vast collection of information from the mid- 1700’s and early 1800’s which are now housed at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Though Draper tried, he never uncovered any substantial information about Isaacs.

The notorious Tory mentions Colonel Isaacs in his posthumously published book (1861), The Narrative of Col. David Fanning. In the fall of 1781 Lieutenant-Colonel Elijah Isaacs was sent to present day Randolph and Chatham counties, to stop Fanning’s depredations. And in John Buchanan’s book (1997), The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the , he mentions Isaacs’ 300-man detachment of North Carolina sent to aid Colonel Thomas Sumter in August 1780, but does not mention who commanded the detachment.

There apparently are no images of Elijah Isaacs. He most likely was literate, but no letters, diaries, or journals seem to have survived. And no one has even found a written description of him. The only impression we have of the man is his signature on a handful of surviving documents.

Elijah Isaacs’ signature on his will, April 4, 1799.

It can be speculated that Elijah Isaacs’ life span was similar to George Washington’s (1732-1799). His father Samuel Isaacs, Jr.’s will suggests Elijah was older than his brother Godfrey, who is believed to have been born after 1738, and Elijah’s own will was probated on June 24, 1799.

While Elijah’s son Samuel stated in his Revolutionary War pension application that he (Samuel) was born in Frederick County, Virginia about 1759, the name “Eliash Isack” also appears on the 1759 tax list of Rowan County, North Carolina. Perhaps this was Elijah and Godfrey’s Uncle Elisha/Elijah, who was mentioned in their grandfather Samuel Isaacs, Sr.’s will. There is an Elijah/Elisha Isaacs in Augusta County, Virginia court and land records from 1750 to 1763.

The name Elijah Isaacs also appears on surviving court, land, and church records from 1758 to 1771 in Frederick County, Virginia. Present day Clarke County was part of Frederick County in 1771 when the younger Elijah sold 219 acres of land inherited from his father Samuel, Jr. immediately south of Berryville. There is even a chance Elijah met eighteen-year old George Washington when Washington assisted George W. Fairfax in surveying Samuel Isaacs, Jr.’s land on October 22, 1750. Encountering the young surveyor was nothing unusual for residents throughout Frederick County at this time.

Both Elijah and his brother Godfrey apparently followed the Great Wagon Road up the Shenandoah Valley and into northwestern North Carolina. Others who migrated from Northern Virginia in the same period were , , , and John Sevier.

One who remained in the Berryville area was Daniel Morgan, later the hero of the Battle of The Cowpens. The tavern at Berryville (Battletown) had become “The Old Waggoner’s” favorite haunt beginning in 1758. When Morgan did not appear in court at Winchester on May 3, 1758 to answer an assault and battery charge made by Thomas Conner, Elijah Isaacs posted Morgan’s bail.

By September 1775 Elijah Isaacs was a member of the Surry County, North Carolina Committee of Safety (Surry County was formed from Rowan County in 1771). Benjamin Cleveland was chairman, and Joseph Winston and Jesse Walton were also members.

Public Service

During the fall 1776 session of the North Carolina Provisional Congress among those appointed Justices of the Peace for Surry County were: Martin Armstrong, Benjamin Cleveland, Benjamin Herndon, Elijah Isaacs, and Joseph Winston. During the fall 1777 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, Benjamin Cleveland, Charles Gordon, Joseph Herndon, and Elijah Isaacs were appointed Commissioners for (the proposed) Wilkes County. “At the bend of the on the second day of March 1778” the first court of Wilkes County was held at John Brown’s house where John Brown, Benjamin Cleveland, Charles Gordon, Benjamin Herndon, Joseph Herndon, Elijah Isaacs, and were sworn in as Justices of the Peace.

During the spring 1778 session of the North Carolina General Assembly John Brown represented Wilkes County in the Senate, and Benjamin Cleveland and Elijah Isaacs represented Wilkes’ citizens in The House of Commons. Elijah Isaacs was also a Representative from Wilkes County in 1779 and 1780, and Senator from Wilkes County in 1782 and 1783 – being a Prisoner of War in 1781.

In Wilkes County Court on July 28, 1784 Justices Benjamin Cleveland, Elijah Isaacs, and James Fletcher ordered that "Rachael Bicknel, widow of Thomas Bicknel who was killed in defence [sic] of his country in the Battle at Kings Mountain, be Recommended to the General Assembly as an Object of Pity and that Twelve pounds pr. year we think would be as little as she could Subsist on with a large family of children together with her own Industry." The Recommendation was received from the House by the Senate on November 24, 1784, but no record survives of the Senate passing the Recommendation.

In 1784 Elijah Isaacs sold land in Wilkes County (present day Caldwell County). In 1785 he resigned his office of Justice of the Peace and purchased land in Franklin County, Georgia. In the 1790 federal census Elijah was in present day Anderson County, . This is also where he prepared his will in April 1799.

Military Service

From the records of the spring 1776 session of the North Carolina Provisional Congress, Martin Armstrong was the Colonel of the Surry County Militia, Joseph Williams was Lieutenant–Colonel, Joseph Winston was 1st Major, and Jesse Walton was 2nd Major. That summer during Brigadier General ’s campaign against the , Elijah Isaacs and Benjamin Cleveland were Captains in the Surry County militia and William Lenoir was Cleveland’s Ensign.

The following description of Elijah Isaacs military service is developed from Revolutionary War pension statements of over eighty veterans. These pension statements may be viewed on a web site maintained by William T. “Will” Graves and C. Leon Harris – Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Pension Statements at revwarapps.org. Graves and Harris have transcribed and posted thousands of pension applications, and their website includes some remarkable search capabilities. Additional background information is from The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas (1997) by John Buchanan.

In 1777 (possibly 1776) as Captain of militia for the “Head of the Yadkin District” in present day Caldwell County, Elijah Isaacs supervised the construction of a stockade fort on the south bank of the Yadkin River. William Lenoir later built a home on the site of the old fort and called it Fort Defiance. Even though some pension applicants referred to the stockade as Fort Isaacs, it may have been called Fort Defiance from the beginning. William Lenoir’s restored home still stands near Patterson, North Carolina.

During the 1778 spring session of the General Assembly, on April 27 Elijah Isaacs was commissioned Major of the Wilkes County militia in place of William Lewis. Benjamin Cleveland had been commissioned Colonel. By spring 1780 Isaacs was Lieutenant- Colonel of the Wilkes County militia, while Cleveland remained Colonel throughout the remainder of the American Revolution.

In the spring and summer of 1780 Patriot militia in North Carolina were trying to suppress local Tories who were encouraged by the surrender of Charleston and the British occupation of most of South Carolina. Colonel Cleveland led the initial muster of Wilkes County militia toward Ramseur’s Mill (present day Lincolnton, North Carolina), where Lieutenant–Colonel John Moore’s approximately 1,000 Tories were organizing. However, Colonel Francis Locke’s Patriot forces defeated the Tories on June 20 before Cleveland’s arrival.

Cleveland then led the Wilkes County militia in Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford’s pursuit of Colonel Samuel Bryan’s approximately 600 Tories as they moved down the Yadkin River toward South Carolina to join Cornwallis’ British army. When the term of Cleveland’s three-month militia expired during the chase, Colonel Isaacs’ subsequent muster of Wilkes County militia replaced Cleveland’s men in the pursuit of Bryan’s Tories. General Rutherford’s western North Carolina militia (Salisbury District) subsequently joined Major General ’ army.

Colonel Isaacs commanded a mixed regiment of militia in the Camden, South Carolina campaign where American General Gates was defeated by British Lieutenant General Charles Lord Cornwallis north of Camden on August 16, 1780. General Rutherford was wounded and captured. General Gates fled the battlefield and Major General Jean Baron DeKalb, commander of the Continental soldiers, was mortally wounded.

On Monday, August 14 General Gates had detached 100 Maryland Continental soldiers plus 300 militia of General Rutherford’s North Carolina brigade to reinforce Colonel Thomas Sumter. Militia veterans of this detachment stated in their pension applications that Colonel Isaacs was in command of the detachment.

Colonel Sumter’s troops had been operating north, west, and south of Camden and had captured supplies sent from Charleston intended for the British forces, as well as capturing soldiers escorting the supplies and others manning outposts. At the time of the , Sumter was west of Cornwallis’ army headed toward North Carolina. The day following his victory near Camden, Cornwallis sent Lieutenant–Colonel with approximately 350 soldiers after Colonel Sumter’s command to re-capture the British prisoners and supplies.

Leaving more than half of his men along the way in a forced march, the next day Friday, August 18 Colonel Tarleton caught up with Colonel Sumter’s forces including Colonel Isaacs’ detachment. This was over 30 miles northwest of Camden, on the west side of the Catawba River north of the mouth of Fishing Creek (between Great Falls and Fort Lawn in present day Chester County, South Carolina).

Sumter’s forces were taking a mid-day break and Tarleton surprised them in a sudden attack with approximately 100 cavalry and 60 infantry. Sumter had posted only two sentries along the approach to his camp and Tarleton’s men killed them both. Most of Sumter’s men were either relaxing or bathing in the river, and their weapons were stacked.

Tarleton routed Sumter’s force of approximately 800 soldiers, including the 100 Continentals from Maryland. Approximately 150 of Sumter’s men were killed or wounded. Colonel Isaacs was among the more than 300 prisoners taken, including all the Continentals. Colonel Sumter fled the scene, half-dressed and riding bareback. Tarleton claimed that only 16 of his men were killed or wounded. He recovered approximately 250 British and Tory prisoners along with all the supplies Sumter’s men had captured.

Militia companies reported in various pension applications as being part of Colonel Isaacs’ command during the Camden Campaign include:

Wilkes County Captain John Barton Captain Moses Guest Captain William Nall Captain Paul Patrick

Surry County Captain Absolom Bostick* Captain William Meredith*

Rowan County Captain James Huggins* Maj./Captain John Johnson Capt./Ensign John Rutledge Captain William Nash Captain Richmond Pearson (mounted) Captain James Purviance*

Lincoln County (formerly Tryon Co.) Captain William Armstrong*

Caswell County Captain George Samuel*

*Veterans from these companies specifically stated they were detached from General Gates army under Colonel Isaacs to reinforce Colonel Sumter.

Some members of Captain Moses Guest and Captain William Nall’s companies were sent home before joining General Gates army due to a lack of weapons. Another 25 to 30 armed men were sent to Burke and Wilkes counties to suppress Tories. (Captain Guest did not mention General Gates, Camden, Colonel Sumter, or Fishing Creek in his own pension application.)

In the Camden Campaign other colonels of North Carolina militia commanded various companies from the other four counties mentioned: Surry Co. – Col. Martin Armstrong, Rowan Co. – Col. Francis Locke, Lincoln Co. – Col. George Alexander (of Mecklenburg Co.), and Caswell Co. – Lt.–Col. Stephen Moore. Whether the companies listed above from these four counties were actually under Colonel Isaacs command, especially prior to August 14, cannot be conclusively proven.

By November 1780 General Rutherford and Colonel Isaacs were confined at St. Augustine, Florida. They remained prisoners of the British until exchanged in 1781 following an agreement reached on June 22 in Charleston, South Carolina. General Rutherford was exchanged at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some of the enlisted men from the North Carolina militia captured in the Camden and Fishing Creek battles who were imprisoned at Charleston were exchanged at Jamestown, Virginia on July 20th. No record has been located stating exactly when or where Colonel Isaacs was exchanged.

While Benjamin Cleveland continued as the Colonel of the Wilkes County Militia, Joseph Herndon was made Lieutenant–Colonel in Elijah Isaacs’ place. At least two pension applicants made this observation (even specifying Herndon’s rank as Lieutenant– Colonel). And based on several pension records, Francis Hardgrave was a Major of Wilkes County militia at this time.

This was the command structure of the Wilkes County militia when the , South Carolina, was fought on October 7, 1780. Just over 900 combined Whig militia from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina destroyed British Major ’s entire Tory force of approximately 950 soldiers, including a detachment of Provincial regulars from New York and New Jersey. North Carolina’s Patriot leaders at Kings Mountain included Colonel’s Benjamin Cleveland, Charles McDowell (Burke Co.), Isaac Shelby (Sullivan Co.), John Sevier (Washington Co.), Lieutenant–Colonel Frederick Hambright (Lincoln Co.), and Major Joseph Winston (Surry Co.).

A few months after his exchange, in the fall of 1781 and early winter of 1782, Colonel Isaacs led sorties through north-central North Carolina from Salem to Ramsey’s Mill, on the north side of Deep River east of the mouth of Rocky River (near present day Moncure in Chatham County). These patrols were to suppress Tories, particularly those under Colonel David Fanning. Fanning and his Loyalists had committed many depredations against the Patriots in this section of North Carolina that summer. In Colonel Fanning’s most audacious raid they captured Thomas Burke, Governor of North Carolina, on September 12.

The following militia companies were reported in various pension records as being part of Colonel Isaacs’ command. Not all these companies were mustered at the same time. Some forces were organized at Salisbury and others at Guilford Courthouse. (Refer to attached list of Pension Applicants.):

Wilkes County Captain John Beverly (mounted; Nov. & Dec. 1781) Captain Alexander Gordon (1782) Captain Pendleton Isbell (Nov. & Dec. 1781) Captain Samuel Johnson (mounted; Oct. 1781 through winter 1782)

Surry County Captain Edward Lovell (Nov. 1781 to Jan. 1782)

Randolph County Captain John Rains

Rowan County Captain James Osborne Lieutenant Benjamin Scribner Captain James Stinson (mounted; Nov. 1781 to Jan. 1782)

Guilford County Captain John Knight (Randolph County?) Captain Smith Moore (Oct. 1781 to Jan. 1782) Captain Robert Paisley

A veteran from Captain Smith Moore’s company stated that the company was organized at Guilford Courthouse and started for Yorktown, Virginia, but turned back after hearing of General Cornwallis’ surrender to General Washington (October 19, 1781). They then pursued Colonel Fanning’s Tories as part of Colonel Isaacs’ command.

Most militia pension applicants could not produce any Discharges as evidence of their service. Of the ones who served under Colonel Isaacs, only three could produce Discharges for that service as part of their pension application. Below is one of the rare Discharges provided:

[Wilkes County December 23 1781 This is To Certify that Joseph Edwards has serv'd a Soldier 33 Days in my Company under the Command of Col’o. Isaacs against the Tories S/ Pendleton Isbell]

From The Narrative of Col. David Fanning, published 1861, pps. 39-41:

“On the 10th of Dec’r [1781] Colo. Isaacs came down from the mountains, with a party of Three Hundred men; and formed his camp at Coxe’ s Mill**, in the settlement I had formerly ranged in; in order to take me; where he continued nearly three months,…

During Col’o Isaacs’s stay at Coxe’ s Mill, he ravaged the whole settlement, and burnt and distroyed [sic] a number of houses belonging to the friends of the Government. They frequently applied to me privately for advice. I recommended it to them if possible, to remain, neutral; and make their peace; as it was entirely out of my power for to protect or relieve them. A Capt. Stinson of this party took one of my men, named, David Jackson, and hung him up without ceremony [Jackson was a Loyalist Captain taken prisoner in February 1776 at the Battle of Moores Creek]. A few days before Colo. Isaac’s [sic] departure from Coxe’s Mills, he sent out notice for the friends of the government to meet him, and he would give them protection agreeable to proclamation [pardon issued by Gov. Alexander Martin on December 25, 1781]; But on their assembling, he made them prisoners of war; and marched them under a strong guard to Salisbury Goal. Not many days after they broke out, and knocking down the Sentinel, made their escape; except one, who was shot in the attempt.

Two Captains in each county were appointed by Colo. Isaacs, on his leaving Coxe’s Mill, to keep the friends of Government down; and were going with their own men, continually through the country.”

**Cox’s Mill was on the west side of Deep River near the mouth of Mill Creek, south of Ramseur in Randolph County.

There is also a diary entry by a Moravian at Salem; from Records of the Moravians in North Carolina by Adelaide Fries, published 1930, Vol. 4, p. 1787:

“6 Jan 1782 – Wilkes Militia arrived under Colonel Isaacs. Most of them camped at Petersbach [Peters Creek] overnight and had to be supplied with provisions and forage. At first they were rather wild, and the Colonel made various threats, but when they were served in friendly fashion they calmed down. Some of them attended the gemeinstunde [congregation hour] and were quiet and orderly.”

During the spring 1782 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, in the House of Commons on May 13 Charles McDowell, Elijah Isaacs, and Isaac Shelby were nominated for two positions as Colonel Commandant for the new Morgan District Brigade of Militia. And on May 16 Charles McDowell and Elijah Isaacs were also nominated for the Brigadier General for the Morgan District. Only the balloting results for the Brigadier General position are recorded (May 17) and Charles McDowell was selected.

Below are 82 pension files of veterans who either served under or their file provides information about Elijah Isaacs (from revwarapps.org):

Veteran File No. Notes

1. John ALEXANDER R89 Capt. James Stinson 2. Ephraim BANNER W3923 Capt. Edward Lovell 3. Chesley BARNES W4877 Capt. Smith Moore 4. William BOND S3027 Capt. Jones (Samuel Johnson?) 5. William BOWDEN S2388 Capt. Edward Lovell 6. Benjamin BOWEN W20743 Capt. Smith Moore 7. William BOYD S30881 Capt. Samuel Johnson 8. Benjamin BROWN S16327 Capt. Paul Patrick; Fishing Creek 9. Robert BROWN W219 Capt. Samuel Johnson 10. Daniel BRYAN S1172 Capt. James Stinson; Discharge 11. Samuel BRYAN W9366 Capt. James Stinson 12. David CARTER S16153 Capt. (Samuel?) Johnson 13. Jacob CARTER R1746 Surry Co. Militia?; Camden 14. John CHURCH W3943 Capt. Samuel Johnson 15. Job COLE S2455 Capt. James Stevenson 16. John COLLYER S16728 Capt. Benjamin Herndon; Capt. Samuel Johnson 17. Isaac COOK R2256 Wilkes Co. Militia 18. Conrad CORNELISON w1066 Lt. Benjamin Scribner 19. Richard CRABTREE W8642 Burke Co. Militia; Camden 20. Joel CRAIN W25452 Capt. Pendleton Isbell 21. Charles DAVIS S6785 Captain Henry Smith (Col. Joseph Williams) 22. Mastin DURHAM S1197 Capt. John Barton (R12277) 23. Samuel EAKIN* S3317 Capt. George Samuel; Fishing Creek 24. Joseph EDWARDS R3259 Capt. Pendleton Isbell; Discharge 25. James FLACK W1587 Capt. Smith Moore 26. Mitchel FLEMING S16810 Capt. James Stevenson (Stinson?) 27. William FLETCHER S32249 Capt., Wilkes Co. Militia 28. James FORGASON R3664 Capt. Smith Moore 29. Thomas GIBSON S8560 Capt. John Knight 30. William GLOVER W929 Capt. William Nall 31. James GRAY S6928 Wilkes Co. Militia 32. Benjamin GUESS S32283 Capt. Richmond Pearson 33. Moses GUEST W11072 Capt. Elijah Isaacs, 1775/1776 34. William GUEST W21239 Fort Defiance; Capt. Elijah Isaacs, 1777 35. John HALL S30451 Capt. Samuel Johnson 36. David HAYS* S6949 Capt. James Huggins 37. Thomas HICKMAN* S4371 Capt. William Meredith; Fishing Creek 38. Joshua HILL R5003 Capt. William Meredith 39. Martin HOFFNER S7827 Capt. (John) Beverly 40. Samuel ISAACS S5600 Capt. John Beverly; Son of Col. Elijah Isaacs 41. John ISRAEL S17510 Capt. Pendleton Isbell 42. John LOVE S8852 Capt. Moses Guest 43. John LOYD S8847 Capt. Edward Lovell 44. James MCBRIDE S4192 Capt. Robert Paisley 45. Archibald MCCURDY W7414 Teamster; Camden; Capt. James White (Col. George Armstrong ) See Matthew MILLER's affidavit Mecklenberg Co. Militia; Camden 46. James MCDANIEL W7424 Burke Co. Militia; Camden 47. Joseph MCPETERS W1303 Burke Co. Militia; Camden 48. Lawrence MAIDEN S7190 Capt. James Osborne 49. Hugh MATHEWS R7020 Capt. John Rains 50. James MEADOWS R7082 Capt. James Osborne 51. Hardy MILLS S33100 Capt. William Nall 52. Richard NALL W5401 Capt. John Beverly 53. Hanse NELSON W1462 Capt. Pendleton Isbell 54. John NORRIS R7700 Capt. William (Nall?) 55. George PARKS W27457 Fort Defiance; Capt. William Lenoir, 1775/1776 56. John PARMLY S30637 Capt. Paul Patrick 57. William PETTY* S17016 Capt. Absolom Bostick; Fishing Creek 58. Elisha REYNOLDS W4060 Capt. Samuel Johnson See Capt. Samuel JOHNSON’S affidavit 59. Amos RICHARDSON W8552 Capt. Alexander Gordon (2nd Applicant) 60. Leonard RICKART W26385 Capt. James Osborne 61. John ROSE W18824 Fort Isaacs/Defiance, 1776/1777; Capt. Pendleton Isbell, 1781 62. Sterling ROSE S4132 Capt. Jesse Walton; & George WHEATLEY W9886 Fort Isaacs/Defiance, 1776 63. Peter SCRUM* S7456 Capt. William Armstrong; Fishing Creek 64. Joseph SEWELL S31354 Capt. John Barton 65. William SHAW W127 Capt. Smith Moore 66. John SNODDY S17100 Capt. William Lenoir 67. John SNOW S17690 Capt. Edward Lovell 68. Matthew SPARKS S31385 Capt. John Beverly; also mentions Capt. Godfrey Isaacs 69. John STONECYPHER S16539 Capt./Ensign John Rutledge; Camden 70. Adam STROUP S7628 Capt. William Armstrong 71. Daniel SUTHERLAND S32545 Capt. Pendleton Isbell; Discharge 72. Elijah TAYLOR W25471 Capt. William Nash; Camden William BODENHAMMER Maj./Capt. John Johnson; Camden 73. William THOMAS* S3780 Capt. James Purviance; Fishing Creek 74. Ishmael TITUS R10623 Entered service a slave and earned freedom; Stated Col. Isaacs held at St. Augustine, FL 75. Matthew VANDIVER S9500 Capt. James Stevenson (Stinson?) 76. Isaac VERNON* S21549 Capt. Absolom Bostick 77. Elijah VICKERS W4368 Capt. Moses Guest 78. Archibald WALKER NC9 Capt. Francis Hardgrave (Recorded Washington County, Arkansas Terr., June 1833; not in National Archives) 79. John WALTERS S30771 Capt. Samuel Johnson 80. Isaac WELLBORN W6464 Capt. John Barton 81. Alexander WEST W18328 Capt. Pendleton Isbell 82. John WHITWORTH S7874 Capt. Smith Moore

The three Burke County militiamen, Crabtree, McDaniels and McPeters, were together at the Battle of Monck’s Corner (near Charleston, SC) in Capt. William Murry’s company under Col. Francis Locke, and were also at the Battle of Ramseur’s Mill before participating in the Camden campaign. None of them mentioned a Captain (company) for the Camden campaign.

*These seven veterans specifically stated they were detached from General Gates army under Colonel Isaacs to reinforce Colonel Sumter.

Author Barry Isaacs grew up in Indiana and now resides in Pennsylvania. He is a descendent of Elijah’s younger brother Godfrey. Elijah’s son Samuel moved from South Carolina to Lincoln County, Tennessee in 1807. Godfrey’s three sons Samuel, Godfrey, Jr. and Fielding migrated to Russell County, Virginia by 1797, and Samuel and Godfrey later moved to Kentucky. April 2017