Display Patriot - P-147416 - Nicholas A DEVORE/DEVOR
Nicholas A DEVORE/DEVOR
SAR Patriot #:
P-147416
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.
This biography was written by PRS staff, including some information provided by Mike Gunn.
Nicholas Devore (Devour, Deveaux) is thought to have been born on 22 February 1732. It’s been alleged that he was born in France, and indeed, DNA research links him to the French lines that settled on the eastern coast of America. However, there are no contemporary records that state where he was born. The idea that he was born in France didn’t appear until Annie Sansberry stated it in her DAR application in the first part of the 20th century.
From 1777 to 1778, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Van Swearingin of Pennsylvania, detached to the independent rifle regiment commanded by Colonel Daniel Morgan of the Continental Army.
He married Sarah Decker, possibly on 5 March 1751, in Sussex County, New Jersey, although likely as late as 1764, when their first known child was born. They had several known children, most born in Pennsylvania, including:
Naomi “Amey” was born about 1765 and married Benjamin Calvin.
Sarah was born about 1772 in New Jersey and married James Sansberry.
David was born on 10 February 1775 and married Alice Mann.
Nancy was born about 1777 and married Daniel Sherry.
Abigail was born in 1778 and married John Mann.
An 1831 deed in Brown County, Ohio, deals with a disagreement over the ownership of land. It appears to list the heirs of Nicholas without actually spelling out the relationship:
Benjamin Calvin and his wife, Naomi.
James Sargent and Susannah, his wife.
Aaron Hogland and Elizabeth, his wife.
Daniel Sherry and Nancy, his wife.
John Mann and Abigail, his wife.
James Sansbury and Sarah, his wife.
Nicholas Devore
Abner Devore
Benjamin Devore.
Nicholas moved to Kentucky after the war, and we find him and his wife Sarah living in and selling land in Mason County, Kentucky, in 1810. However, earlier records place him in Mason County as early as 1791. Prior to this, his name appeared in the deeds and land records of Washington County, Pennsylvania.
By 1812, he was living in Ohio when he sold land “Nicholas Devore of the State of Ohio of the one part and Joseph Forman of the County of Mason and State of Kentucky of the other part.” This was found in the Deed Books of Mason County. However, another deed, this time in Adams County, Ohio, on 25 July 1814, Nicholas and Sarah of Adams County sold land to William Huggins.
It’s been alleged that the Patriot died on 30 March 1815 at Red Oak, Brown County, Ohio, and he is thought to have been buried at Devore Cemetery. However, in the records of Brown County, Ohio, we find his Last Will and Testament, dated 29 April 1828. In it, he lists his wife, Sarah, and the following children: Amey, Susanna, Elizabeth, Nancy, David, Nicholas, Abigail, Abner, Benjamin, and Sally. On 21 April 1829, Sarah Devore appears in court to relinquish her rights as executor of the estate. Later that year, we find a receipt to William Torrence for making a coffin for Sarah Devor, late wife of said Nicholas Devore. It is unclear why other children were not among those listed.
Sources:
Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War. Micropublication M881, roll 101. Washington: National Archives.
Brown. Deed Books 1828–1831, pages 458-460
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