The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
46th-55th Annual Reports DAR. Senate documents (United States Congress, Senate). Government Printing Office: Washington, DC
Spouse: Children: Members Who Share This Ancestor
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Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
William Chronicle was born in 1755 at present-day Belmont, North Carolina, which at that time was Tryon County. He was the only son of William Chronicle and Dinah McKee.
Chronicle helped organize the Tryon County Militia in 1775. His first military service was as the head of the company in the Snow Campaign at South Carolina. In 1779, he marched to Georgia, and afterwards to the relief of Charleston, then to the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill, June 20, 1780, at present-day Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Major William Chronicle was the leader of a group of militiamen known as the South Fork Boys because many of them were from the region of the South Fork of the Catawba River. Chronicle joined the Overmountain men along with twenty other men from the South Fork of the Catawba at Probit’s Place at the Broad River. Their addition was hailed with delight as the force grew in strength as they marched on the hunt for Ferguson.
The party learned Ferguson had made camp at an old hunting camp of Major Chronicle’s and Major Mattock’s at the ridge of King’s Mountain, October 7, 1780. Both knew the area well and with this knowledge, the group moved on towards King’s Mountain.
Before their arrival, Colonel William Graham, leader of the Lincoln Militia, was granted leave to see to his ailing wife. After conferring with Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Hambright, Colonel William Campbell informed Major Chronicle he would need to replace Colonel Graham.
At the base of Kings Mountain, it was decided they to split up into four columns and surround Ferguson’s camp. The Lincoln County Militia was placed under the direction of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland. Major Chronicle and Lieutenant Colonel Hambright lead their South Fork boys up the north east end of the mountain, as directed by Colonel Cleveland. Here the ascent was more abrupt than anywhere else save where Colonel Campbell’s men made their attack. As they reached the base of the ridge, Major William Chronicle was in advance of his men. He then turned toward his men and cried out to face to the hill. He had no sooner uttered his command, when a musket ball struck him and he fell where he stood. Reports place him only twenty-five feet from the British position when he died.
Major Chronicle was buried where he was killed, at present-day Kings Mountain National Military State Park. Buried along with him were Captain John Mattocks, William Rabb, John Boyd, and three other patriots who died during the battle. A neighbor of William, also in the battle, took Major Chronicle’s horse and put it in his father’s stable, saddled as in battle. The next morning, when Chronicle’s father found the horse, he knew his son had been killed. Major Chronicle’s sword, pistols, and spurs were given to his half-brother, James McKee. Major Chronicle was only twenty-five years of age when he was killed, 7 October 1780.
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