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Second Generation
4. Charnel
Hightower DURHAM was born on 29 Jun 1753 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond
County, Virginia.1 He died
on 13 Apr 1836 in Fairfield County, South Carolina.1 Information provided by Donald Durham - Rootsweb
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ourtexasfamily&id=I14170
Buried in family burial ground south of Winnsboro, near Ridgeway. His tombstone
is inscribed, In Memory of Capt. Charnel Durham, an officer and soldier
of the American Revolution. Born 2nd July 1754, died 13th April 1836. Aged 81
years, 9 mo., 11 days." Next to him is buried his wife Nancy Winfield Eckles,
and nearby are their son and grandson, Robert Winfield Durham and Joel Ross Durham.
Story on it by Miss Marion Durham dated 1901.
Information provided by Donald Durham - Rootsweb
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ourtexasfamily&id=I14170
American Revolutionary War Soldier, carried dispatches numerous times across
British lines (Perilous duty). Achieved the rank of Captain before military discharge.
Application to DAR by Elizabeth Wardlaw Durham Culler states that Charnel Durham
was "acting in the capacity of private and captain with the Army of the
Revolution. Great great great grandson Hal Hughes writes that "Charnel Durham
was a Captain at the Orangeburg and Four-Hold Bridge. He was in prison a year
at Charleston and while waiting on a British prison ship to sail for Nova Scotia,
he made his escape." Hal cites "Spirit of Patriotism", p. 358
and "DAR Lineages" 14-430. [Note by Donny Durham: Nova Scotia should
probably have been Halifax]
------------------------------------
From Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution
Page 277
Durham, Charnel (Charad, Charnal), W 9418
b. 1 July 1753, Rappahannock River, Va.
d. 13 April 1836
m. Nancy _________
While living in Fairfield District (Craven Country), he enlisted in the Rangers
under Capt. Thomas Woodward on 1 July 1774 and served six months. Woodward resigned
and Lt. Winn became captain. Durham served two years and six months under him.
He was engaged in building Fort Moultrie. He was sent under Capt. Eli Charlton
to guard a wagon train to Ninety Six. The wagon train was attacked and the guards
were made prisoners. When released, he went on to Ninety Six and joined Gen.
Williamson. Next he was under Col. David Hopkins. Three months later he was
a captain under Cols. Bratton, Hopkins, Peirson (?) and Winn. He was in the battles
at Orangeburg and Four Hole Bridge. S.C.H.&G., I, 123; II, 184; N.A. 853.
-----------------------------------------
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of Charnel Durham W9418 Nancy fn52SC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 2/13/10
http://revwarapps.org/w9418.pdf
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some
instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also,
the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations.
Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision
as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing
in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial
use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy
of acknowledging the transcriber-besides, if it turns out the transcript contains
mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
[NOTE: I think the pages of this veteran's application were badly scrambled.
What appears to be the body of his application is set out in Footnote.com pp.
7-12, but is missing two pages which don't appear in Footnote.com until pp 45
and 46 [in reverse order, even then]. I have put the application in what I think
is proper order below. The two pages which I think are out of place on Footnote.com
are missing altogether from the HeritageQuest.com version of this application.
To help folks using this transcription to track my rearrangement of the pages,
I have numbered each page of the application.]
[fn p. 7
State of South Carolina, District of Fairfield
On this 30th day of October in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before me William D. Martin one of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas & General Sessions of the State of South Carolina now in session Captain
Charnal [sic] Durham a resident of the District of Fairfield in the State aforesaid,
aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on
his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
Deponent was born on Rappahannock River, Marratica [sic, no such county1 ] County,
northern neck in Virginia, on the first day of July A.D. 1753. His age was recorded
in his father John Durham's family Bible. The Bible fell into the hands of Deponent's
oldest brother Joshua Durham, and was burnt when his brother's house was burned
before the Revolutionary War in Amelia County Virginia.
1 Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland are the counties which
constitute what is today called the "Northern Neck" of Virginia. There
is a small fishing village named Morattico in Lancaster County.
Deponent was living in Fairfield District then known as Craven County within
one mile of a little village that now is called Monticello when first called
into service, removed from that place during the revolutionary war and settled
about half mile below Monticello, and lived there until one or two years after
the war closed, and then removed to Dutchman's Creek about seven miles South
East from Winnsborough in Fairfield District where he has lived ever since and
still lives.
Deponent enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Thomas Woodward's company 3rd
Regiment, Colonel William Thompson [sic, William Thomson], South Carolina
Rangers on the first July 1774 for six months certain & for three years if
services called for. At the end of the six months, Captain Thomas Woodward resigned
and Lieutenant
[fn p. 8]
Richard Winn of same company took the command as Captain, and Deponent was again
enlisted for the remaining two years and six months. Deponent was first marched
under Captain Woodward to the Congaree above Columbia, thence to Amelia Township,
the whole Regiment was at this place. Lieutenant Colonel Mason [sic, James Mayson]
second in command Major Wise [Thomas Wise], Captains Eli Kershaw, Samuel Boykin,
Robert Goodwyn [Robert Goodwin?], Moses Kirkland (who afterwards deserted and
as was said joined the British at Augustine), Robert Lile [sic, Robert Lyle]
and Felix Warley, Francis Taylor, Oliver Tolls [sic, Oliver Towels] & others
not now recollected. The Regiment laid there some time, marched to the ten mile
house next to Sullivan's Island (part of the Regiment only went there as Deponent
believes) where the troops commenced the building of Fort Moultrie. We were engaged
in this about three months. Left the Island, the Regiment went to Granby. Deponent
was one of a detachment of 21 under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Charlton,
an officer under Captain Eli Charlton, to guard ammunition wagons to ninety six,
was attacked by a body of Tories near 600 Colonel Fletcher [sic, Thomas Fletchall],
and some of the Cunninghams commanding and the wagons captured and the guard
made prisoners for one day & night. Guard were then released and went into
Ninety Six and joined General Andrew Williamson who there commanded about five
hundred of the Militia, and stayed there for some months before the Regiment
joined. During this time General Williamson had intimation of the approach of
a large body of Tories four [could be 'five'] thousand strong as supposed
[fn p. 46]
He threw up a temporary Fort, made of fence rails stuck in the ground for post,
tied together with rawhide, and filled up with rails. The Tories commanded by
Robert Cunningham (their General as said) surrounded and attacked the Fort on
Sunday afternoon and continued the siege until Tuesday night about 11 o'clock
one man killed and several wounded when a cessation of hostilities was concluded
for twenty days, in the meantime Colonel Thomson's Regiment, and other troops
arrived. The Army then marched up 40 or 50 miles to the Big cane Creek Indian
land, attack a large body of Tories, took a good many prisoners and dispersed
the balance. This expedition known as "the Snowy Camps," Deponent was
one of the guard that took the prisoners to Charleston. After the Regiment with
the prisoners got to Charleston in the year 1776 the Fleet of Sir Peter Parker
arrived. The Regiment was stationed at Sullivan's Island before and during the
attack in Fort Moultrie, with some other troops. The Deponent was in the Fort
part of the engagement. The battle began about 10:00 AM lasted until night, and
called off next morning. The British Admiral's flag ship then ran aground and
burnt. The Regiment was then sent to Charleston. General Lee ordered a detachment
from each Regiment (if not obtain by volunteers then by draft) to be marched
to Savannah. Deponent volunteered and Captain Frank Boykin commanded the Company
deponent was then. Stayed in Savannah some time, placed under command of General
Habersham Georgia. It was late in the summer and very sickly and General Habersham
ordered the troops to Augusta Georgia
[fn p. 45]
After lying some time in Augusta, news arrived of a large body of Indians and
Tories supposed 2700 at Rogers fort in Ogeechee. Deponent went in a detachment
commanded by Colonel Leroy Hammond. The enemy had information of the approach
of the Detachment, burnt the Fort and fled, were pursued and overtook them at
a swamp between the Ogeechee & Rocky Comfort.2Took 29 scalps, 8 white men
killed, 3 Indian prisoners and 5 white men. The Americans lost one in wounded
Major Ross [John Ross] who died the 3rd day after the battle. Returned to Augusta
stayed there some time, marched into the low country to many goes ferry and after
performing various excursions were discharged at headquarters, Williamson's branch
above the Eutaw on the 1st July 1777. Colonel Thompson gave the Deponent a written
Discharge, stating that deponent was honorably discharged after having served
his term of enlistment three years as a faithful and brave soldier. This discharge
has been lost or destroyed by time or accident. It was in being until within
some 6 or 7 years as deponent believes and has been same by several persons.
After Deponent's discharge he was sometimes engaged in assisting the American
Officers in recruiting once in Virginia, he recruited 15 men for Captain Liol
or Lill and otherwise engaged in the service of the Country until about the fall
of Charleston in 1780. The deponent was taken prisoner by the Tories about this
time and carried to Ninety Six, and then sent to Charleston, and placed in the
British dungeon under the Exchange, there confined 8 months and 7 days, (there
had the smallpox and [4 indecipherable words] and then removed on board a British
prison ship 5 months lacking [?] a few days confined in all 13 months & one
day
2 The engagement at Rocky Comfort Creek occurred on March 22, 1779.
3 John Hollis S21827
[fn p. 9]
made his escape in the night by means of an [illegible word] boat, passed near
the Bologue [?] frigate 50 Gun guard ship and escaped to land, and arrived safe
at home (near [illegible word] as now call) was then elected Captain of a Beat
[?] Company and duly commissioned in 1781.
First time deponent performed as Captain was to the Four Holes. Colonel David
Hopkins commanded the Regiment. This detachment was designed to keep a watch
on the movements of the British at Charleston. This tour lasted three months.
The next tour as Captain was also to the Four Holes for the same purpose, but
William Bratton commanded the Regiment. This tour was also for three months each.
Was also in a tour of militia duty to Augusta Georgia. Colonel John Pearson [?]
Commanded the Regiment, thinks Captain Raiford [Philip Raiford] was along with
his company. Deponent and his company were out five months in this tour. Intended
to keep in check the Tories and Indians.
Was out in several other tours as Captain. [Illegible word] not particularly
recollect the time out in duty. Was out as Captain and commanding his company
he is certain more than eleven months during the Revolutionary War. His commission
has as well as his discharge been lost or destroyed but has been seen by several
persons now alive. The commission was signed by Colonel John Pearson.
Deponent does not now know any of his fellow soldiers who live within his reach
now remaining that can testify of his services from personal knowledge excepting
Captain John Hillis3 & Thomas Parrott.4 He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present
4 Thomas Parrott S21918
[fn p. 10]
and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
S/ Charnel Durham, C his mark
Sworn to in open Court
S/ J. Elliott, CCp QU Exo
I Thomas Parrott residing in Richland District in the State of South Carolina
do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Captain Charnal Durham who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that I am seventy two years old
since July 1, 1832, and believe Captain Durham to be seventy nine years of age.
That I first became acquainted with Captain Durham about the year 1773 in Fairfield
District, then Craven County, near a place now known as Monticello. That deponent
always understood and such was the universal belief in the neighborhood, that
he had enlisted as a soldier in Colonel Thomson's Regiment 3rd So. Ca. Rangers.
Deponent saw Captain Durham once whilst in the service when in his return from
ninety six during the cessation [?] of arms for twenty days spoken of above.
He had his uniform, and deponent recollects a plate in his cap having the motto
inscribed "Liberty or Death." Deponent knows that the belief of the
neighborhood was that he served out his three years faithfully and was honorably
discharged.
Deponent afterwards understood and such was the belief of the neighborhood that
Captain Durham was taken prisoner by the Tories and taken to Charleston and their
kept as prisoner for more than one year, knew when he was taken
[fn p. 11]
prisoner and saw him return home. And from his knowledge of the circumstances
has no doubt that Captain Durham's statement is correct.
Deponent was present when Captain Durham was elected Captain of the Militia Company
previously commanded by deponent's father Thomas Parrott, afterwards by William
Rabb and then by Captain Durham. He is very sure he was commissioned by Colonel
John Pearson as Captain.
Deponent was at the four holes on one tour of Militia duty under Captain Durham
when commanding his Company. This was deponent thinks in 1781.
Was out in another tour of militia duty under Captain Durham acting as Captain.
Deponent is satisfied that Captain Durham was in actual duty more than eleven
months as Captain in the Revolutionary War. He always sustained the reputation
of an active brave and zealous soldier. And his reputation in that respect has
ever stood unimpeached and is still unimpeached. Deponent lived in the same neighborhood
with Captain Durham during all the period testified to.
S/ Thomas Parrott
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year first aforesaid in open Court
S/ J. Elliott, CCp Qu Exo
I John Hollis of the District of Fairfield in the State of South Carolina do
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Captain Charnal Durham, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that he believes him to be seventy-nine
years of age.
That he first became acquainted with him in Colonel William Thomson's Regiment
3rd South Carolina Rangers in the year 1775 December. Captain Durham was then
serving as a private soldier in Captain Richard Winn's company and continued
to serve during
[fn p. 12]
three months together when Captain Durham was detached under Captain Frank Boykin
to Savannah. Heard of his being in the Regiment afterwards, but never were again
united whilst deponent belonged to the Regiment. Deponent was discharged from
the Regiment June first 1777.
Deponent always understood that Captain Durham served out his 3 years of enlistment
and that he was afterwards taken prisoner by the Tories and detained in prison
by the British in Charleston for a long time, and that he afterwards was made
Captain of a militia Company and served several tours of duty during the Revolutionary
war as Captain. Such has been the report and belief of all the old revolutionary
soldiers that deponent has conversed with, and such the belief of the neighborhood
ever since the revolutionary war, and never doubted that deponent ever heard
of. That Captain Durham's declaration above is entitled to every credit, being
a respectable citizen. Deponent was born in December 3rd 1751 and has lived in
Fairfield District ever since the year 1763 or 4. Deponent and Captain Durham
were together in the battle of Sullivan's Island.
S/ John Hollis
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year above first written in open
Court
S/ J. Elliott
[fn p. 22: on October 29, 1847 in Fairfield district South Carolina, Robert W.
Durham, 63, son of Charnel and Nancy Durham filed a claim in which he states
that his father was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $190 per
annum for his services in the revolution; that his father married Nancy Eckles
January 2, 1777; that they lived together as man and wife until his death in
Fairfield district South Carolina April 13, 1836; that his mother died June 1,
1840 having never intermarried after the death of her husband; that the record
of their marriage appears in the family register or record giving the date of
their marriage together with the ages of their children viz. Lucretia, John and
Robert W. Durham, issue of said marriage; that Robert W. Durham is the only surviving
child of his parents.]
[fn . 20: on February 7th, 1851 in Fairfield District South Carolina, Robert
W. Durham, filed a claim as the son of Charnel Durham and Nancy Durham stating
that his father was a pensioner at the rate of $263.33 per annum for his services
in the revolution; that his father died April 13, 1836; that his mother Nancy
Durham was placed on the pension roll at the rate of $93.88 per annum which he
received until her death on June 1, 1840; that he is his parents only surviving
child.]
[fn p. 32: certificate dated February 7th, 185_ [last digit missing] issued by
the South Carolina Comptroller Generals office detailing the indents reflecting
payments to Charnel Durham for military services during the revolution.]
[fn p. 47-labelled "Capt. Durham Sheet 3"]
I Robert Durham a resident of the District of Fairfield in the State of South
Carolina do hereby testify that I am well acquainted with Captain Charnal Durham
who has subscribed the above declaration, that deponent is the son of Captain
Durham and is in his forty ninth year. Deponent well recollects to have seen
a Commission in his father's possession some eight or ten years since. The Commission
was in his father's name, recognizing him as Captain of a Militia Company in
Craven County now Fairfield District. The deponent cannot say by whom the Commission
was signed. It was always understood in the family that the Commission covered
part of his father's services during the revolutionary war. Never heard of his
acting as Captain afterwards. Does not recollect the date of the Commission.
Has seen it several times. The last time Deponent saw it, he had been called
in by his father to arrange and sort his papers, and to preserve such as were
useful and to destroy the others. The Commission was then examined and some altercation
arose about the propriety of destroying it, when his father contrary to the wish
of his family threw it in the fire, saying it would no longer be of any use to
him. A list of members of the Company was either attached to or folded up with
the Commission. Such persons as deponent knew, that were in the list were then
old men.
Deponent may have seen the discharge spoken of in the declaration but cannot
now say with any certainty at this time whether he did or not. Thinks he has
seen the name of William Thompson on some paper, but has no distinct recollection
of the contents but supposes that it was at some time destroyed as was the Commission,
as his father did not appear careful of any paper unless he supposed it of use.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year first aforesaid in open court
S/ J. Elliott S/ Robt. M Durham
I William Strother late Major General of the 3rd Division South Carolina Militia,
residing about six miles from Winnsborough in Fairfield District in State of
South Carolina do hereby Certify that I am and have since a boy been acquainted
with Captain Charnal Durham who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration,
that I believe him to be seventy-nine years of age, and that he is respected
and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the
Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. That he has always been entitled
Captain and Deponent never heard of his being or having any command since the
revolution from which that title might arise. That Thomas Parrett, John Hollis
and Robert Durham who appear to have subscribed the above Certificates are credible
witnesses.
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year above first written in open
Court
S/ J. Elliott S/ Wm Strother
[fn p. 45]
After lying some time in Augusta, news arrived of a large body of Indians and
Tories supposed 2700 at Rogers fort in Ogeechee. Deponent went in a detachment
commanded by Colonel Leroy Hammond. The enemy had information of the approach
of the Detachment, burnt the Fort and fled, were pursued and overtook them at
a swamp between the Ogeechee & Rocky Comfort.5 Took 29 scalps, 8 white men
killed, 3 Indian prisoners and 5 white men. The Americans lost one in wounded
Major Ross [John Ross]
5 The engagement at Rocky Comfort Creek occurred on March 22, 1779. who died
the 3rd day after the battle. Returned to Augusta stayed there some time, marched
into the low country to many goes ferry and after performing various excursions
were discharged at headquarters, Williamson's branch above the Eutaw on the 1st
July 1777. Colonel Thompson gave the Deponent a written Discharge, stating that
deponent was honorably discharged after having served his term of enlistment
three years as a faithful and brave soldier. This discharge has been lost or
destroyed by time or accident. It was in being until within some 6 or 7 years
as deponent believes and has been same by several persons. After Deponent's discharge
he was sometimes engaged in assisting the American Officers in recruiting once
in Virginia, he recruited 15 men for Captain Liol or Lill and otherwise engaged
in the service of the Country until about the fall of Charleston in 1780. The
deponent was taken prisoner by the Tories about this time and carried to Ninety
Six, and then sent to Charleston, and placed in the British dungeon under the
Exchange, there confined 8 months and 7 days, (there had the smallpox and [4
indecipherable words] and then removed on board a British prison ship 5 months
lacking [?] a few days confined in all 13 months & one day
[fn p. 5 family record-very faint]
Charnal Durham and Nancy Eckels [sic] Were Joined in Holy Matrimony January the
2nd in Year of our Lord Christ Anno Domini 1777
Lucracy Durham Daughter of Charnal Durham Was born the 30th day of September
1778
John Durham Was born August the 2nd day Anno 1782
Robert winfield Durham was born September the 10 Day Anno 1784
John Ford and Creacy Durham was join'd in Holy Matrimony January 12th in the
year of our Lord Christ Anno Domini 1802
Henry Kenedy and Martha Hughes was Joined in holy matrimony September 20th in
the year of our Lord Christ Anno domini 1810 in the 23rd year of her Adge
Lucrecy Ford wife of John Ford was Delivered of two sons Oct. 27th 1816 Nam'd
George Washington and John Packson Ford and she Departed this life November 4,
1816 Charnel Hightower DURHAM and Nancy Winfield ECKLES were married on 2
Jan 1777 in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Nancy
Winfield ECKLES was born on 2 Jan 1756 in place unknown.1 She died on 1 Jun 1840 in Fairfield County, South Carolina.
Charnel Hightower DURHAM and Nancy Winfield ECKLES had the following children:
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