Display Patriot - P-244925 - John MCKENNEY/MCKINNEY Jr
John MCKENNEY/MCKINNEY Jr
SAR Patriot #:
P-244925
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.
Author: Jerald Marshall Cope
John McKinney Jr. was born Sept. 02, 1760 Bullocks Creek, Camden District, South Carolina and died October 10, 1841 at Macoupin Co., Illinois. He was the firstborn son of John McKinney Sr. and Jean Jenny Duncan. Cir 1768, he moved with his family to Tryon County, North Carolina, which later became Rutherford County, North Carolina. He married Catherine Eaves November 18. 1796 in Rutherford Co., North Carolina and died November 8, 1846 in Macoupin Co., Illinois. Catherine was the daughter of William Eaves and Susannah Hampton.
John Jr. appears in 1780 in The Second Brigade of Militia commanded by Brigadier General Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”. John Jr. was in the Kershaw Regiment of Militia under the command of Col. James Postell and Capt. Thomas Ballard. Known battles at this time are “Hobkirk’s Hill”, April 25,1781 with the British forces numbering up to 950, and the Patriots numbering 1,500 troops. The British were forced to withdraw. “St. James Goose Greek Church” battle took place July 15, 1781. Col. Wade Hampton led his men to surround the church, captured the congregation, paroled the men, and confiscated their horses for his cavalry troops. December 29, 1899 at Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas, Mrs. Helen V. Marshall appeared and swore under oath the following Affidavit of John McKinney Jr. Near General Francis Marion’s camp lived a certain influential and wealthy family who made frequent calls at Marion’s camp and pretended great friendship for Marion and the Colonists. But Marion suspected him of duplicity, and of real sympathy and friendship for the British, whereupon he called for someone who would undertake the task of a spy in order that the true attitude of the suspected might be ascertained. John Jr. volunteered to act out the roll, and was chosen. He dressed in ragged citizens clothes and at night was carried to a creek bottom some twenty miles from camp. John Jr. worked his way towards the farm, and in a few days, he reached their house. He begged the family for something to eat and a place to sleep. They took him in and fed him and let him stay to help with the chores. After two weeks, John Jr. learned for certain of the Tory’s disloyalty to the colonists when British Officers and soldiers showed up one day. Under the pretext of watering the horses, John was able to get word to General Marion. The next day Marion led his forces and succeeded in capturing the entire British force and the Tory family.
After the War, General Marion sent a letter and a pair of sliver spurs. Dear Johnnie, That it was not the largest men that did the most to accomplish our Liberty for you were one of the smallest men in my command and did more to trap the old Tory than any dozen men had done. You richly deserve the spurs I gave you. I wish they were gold.
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