Tennessee Genealogy Research by Debbie W. Spero

In my continuing research for Revolutionary War soldiers in my family tree, I have found two ancestors who are listed as Revolutionary War Patriots.   I am descended from Charles Dillehay, born ca 1717 died after 1784, married to Elizabeth or Eliza through his son Arthur Dillehay, b. 13 July 1741.   Arthur married Sarah and my [...]

The pension papers of Revolutionary War soldier William Dorris continue with the widow’s pension application of his widow, Eleanor Dorris. State of Tennessee Sumner Co   On this day personally appeared Ellenor Dorris widow of William Dorris deceased before me James Butler one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid.   [...]

My latest discovery in the hunt for Revolutionary War ancestors is William Dorris of New Jersey and Sumner County, Tennessee.   His file is W 916.  William Dorris is my 4th great grandfather on my grandmother Ellen Geneva Dorris Saddler’s side.    Ellen Geneva Dorris Saddler, age 94, is the daughter of John Anderson Dorris.   John Anderson [...]

On the same day in August 1832 that John Knight filed his application for a Revolutionary War Pension, William Jones and Phillip Day, both citizens of Smith County, Tennessee appeared in and before the justices of the court of Smith Co, TN and stated that Day was in the service of the United States with [...]

John Knight of Smith County, Tennessee is my great-great-great-great-great grandfather on my grandmother’s side:  Ivorene West, daugther of Leatha Florence Sutton, daugther of Martha Eveline Russell, daugther of Eliza Knight, daughter of Henry M. Knight, who was son of John Knight.   John Knight was married to Martha Montague.   The soldier’s application, S1992, John Knight, NC [...]

Jemima Williams, my 5th great grandmother, was the widow of Revolutionary War Soldier, Tobias Williams of NC and Smith County, TN.  Tobias Williams was granted a pension in 1833, and died in April 1834.    Following is the penison application of widow, Jemima Williams… Smith Co. TN:  On this 21st day of November in the year [...]

Tobias Williams of Smith County, TN was my great, great, great, great, great (5) grandfather, who served 6 months as a Private in the Revolutionary War. I am descended from Tobias through my grandmother, Ivorene Cleveland West, daughter of Irl Cleveland West, son of Ira Stokes West, son of Claiborne Wright West and Frances Williams, [...]

I found the answer to my 5th great grandfather’s Revolutionary War Service faster than I thought.   I already had a copy of his Revolutionary War pension application buried in my files of family research. My grandfather was Morgan Jackson Saddler 1917-1986.  His mother was Mai Bell Tomberlain of Rutherford and Davidson Counties, TN, 1892-1972.  Her [...]

For almost 2 years now I have been researching my own family lines for Civil War soldiers.   So far, I have found one Union soldier, three Confederate soldiers who fought and lived, one Confederate soldier who died a prisoner of war in Ohio, one Confederate soldier who fought, was imprisoned, then re-enlisted as a Union [...]