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.   [...]

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 [...]

The continuation of the pension application of David Herron, age 103, of White County, TN in 1833. Answers to the questions prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the Justice 1st  He was born either in Orange or Albemarle he does not recollect precisely which, he thinks however in Orrange County Virginia in the [...]

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 [...]

I have spent the last couple of years researching my Civil War ancestors and applying for membership in the Civil War Families of Tennessee through the East Tennessee Historical Society.    I am almost finished with the applications and supporting papers for Lewis Bradshaw Pilkerton and his father Aaron Pilkerton of Rutherford Co, who both served [...]

L.B. Pilkerton, enlisted 15 Nov 1861, in Bowling Green, KY, in Co H, 18th Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, for a period of 6 1/3 months.    This was listed on the first card of his service record, along with “absent” and “detached to Capt. Porter’s Artillery”.     L.B. Pilkerton had only one card for his service in Capt [...]

In my last post Emma Langford admitted in a deposition on 19 Jan 1906 that, “yes I had heard that Silas James Langford had had a wife before the one, Zilpha Dunn, who died here”.    Emma continued:   “When Zilpha died there was a young man, Marion Langford, here.  I have heard that he was Silas [...]

In the continuation of the Widow’s Pension by Emma Langford for Civil War soldier Silas James Langford, the affadavits tell the story of first and second marriages and more…. 11 Aug 1905, J.M. Mitchel age 52 of Daniel, Dickson Co., TN and 56 year old P.A. Michel of same appear before a notary public of Dickson and [...]

Silas James Langford of Smith and Dickson Co., TN died in May 1905.    His widow, Emma Langford, then applied for a widow’s pension for Silas James’ service to the U.S. during the Civil War.     Following are the affidavits that were filed concerning her application. W.R. Jones, of Daniel, Dickson Co. TN, age 45, declared 23 June 1905 [...]