Display Patriot - P-156197 - Alexander FAIRES/FARIS

Alexander FAIRES/FARIS

SAR Patriot #: P-156197

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.
 

State of Service: SC      Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service / Soldier
DAR #: A038551

Birth: 1740 / / Ireland
Death: 05 Jun 1824 India Hook / York / SC

Qualifying Service Description:
  1. Furnished Supplies
  2. Also, Soldier, Gen. Thomas Sumter during the Southern campaign of the Revolutionary War.
  3. Captured at the Battle of Fishing Creek, 18 Aug 1780

Additional References:
  1. NSDAR cites SC ARCH, ACCTS AUD #2291, ROLL #4
  2. Last Will of Alexander Faries, SC Warrant of Appraisement - York Dist., 16 Feb 1842

Spouse: Jennet James
Children: Thomas; William; Samuel; Alexander; Jesse; Walter; Ann; Mary;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
Date Approved Society ACN SAR Member Info Lineage via Child View Application Detail
1972-04-21 SC Unassigned Thomas Murray Faris (102583) Jesse   
2015-06-11 GA 63678 Ryan Helms Bassett (175739) William   
2015-06-11 GA 63679 Timothy Frank Bassett (175738) William   
Burial:
Old Unity (aka Revolutionary) Cemetery (C-0138679)
Location:
Fort Mill / York / SC / USA
Find A Grave Cemetery #:
2306111
Grave Plot #:
Grave GPS Coordinates:
35.015636 / -80.936115
Find A Grave Memorial #:
37299318
Marker Type:

SAR Grave Dedication Date:

Comments:
  • The new marker is a modern stone has a sloped, pointed top. It stands directly in front of the older, presumably original marker which has a curved top.
  • Images taken and submitted with permission from compatriot Gerald Adams (SC) member 195444.


Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
  • From the intersection of SC Hwy 160 and SC Hwy 460, take Hwy 160 west for roughly 1.2 miles to Unity Street on the right. Turn right onto Unity and go roughly .4 miles You will go past the Unity church and adjacent cemetery and continue down the street. This cemetery is NOT at the current church building / complex, but at the opposite end of Unity Street. Unity will make a bend to the left, and then will bear right at East Close St. The cemetery is ahead on the right at roughly 650 feet. There is a small area at the southwest corner of the cemetery perimeter wall for parking.
  • From the cemetery gate, on the left of the pathway, the second row back and the sixth stone from the gate.


Author: Timothy F Bassett
In 1740, Alexander Faires was born in County Antrim, Ireland and came to the United States in his early childhood settling in Delaware. He married Jennet James on September 5, 1765, according to the Immanuel Church records in the Delaware Archives. Very little else is known about his early years except that he arrived in the York District of South Carolina in 1776.

Tradition has it, Alexander, was among those captured by Tarleton at the Battle of Fishing Creek, when he surprised General Sumter at the mouth of Fishing Creek on August 17, 1780 and cut his army to pieces. The story goes that Alexander had turned his horse into an enclosed field to graze when he heard a shout in the canes. He then ran to the gate of the field where he had leaned his musket. By the time he could grasp it, two British soldiers came charging up. He fired his musket at them killing one while he suffered a severe blow across the side of his face with a broad saber from the other soldier. He was subsequently captured along with some two hundred other prisoners that were that night marched to the British Prison at Camden.

On the second night after his capture, Alexander escaped and hid at a spring in the India Hook Hills, on the Catawba River in York County, for several days while his wife nursed him back to health.

In the Revolutionary War Records for South Carolina, Alexander submitted a claim for a lost rifle, saddle and bridle, which gives credence to the fact that story is true. He was also paid for supplying sundries and serving as a Farrier to the General Sumter’s troops.

Alexander wrote a will on February 16, 1824, in which he names his children, sons Thomas, Alexander, William, Jesse, and daughter Jennet. He also states to his other children (possibly John and Mary Ann) that he has divided his property and has already given them their fair share.

His tombstone records his death as June 6, 1834 but according to his estate files and probate date of his will, which were probated in August 10, 1824, we know his death actually occurred on June 6, 1824. He is buried in Old Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Fort Mill, South Carolina along with his wife Jennet who died on February 6, 1837.

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Additional Information:
  • DAR NOTE: (there are potential issues) regarding this man's service and lineage
    • NO EVIDENCE THAT JANNET HALL WAS THE WIFE OF THIS PATRIOT
    • MULTIPLE MEN OF THIS NAME. 4/2015


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