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: NC
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service / Soldier
Author: Frank Grady Hall III
Francis Neely knew the personal commitment and sacrifice that was required to establish our independence from the British. Richard Neely, Francis Neely’s father, emigrated from Ireland in 1760 and landed in Philadelphia. His wife, being sick, traveled from Philadelphia to Rowan County in a litter strapped between two horses.
Francis was a wagoner in the Continental Army and served with Carson Guffey as they collected horses for the Army. In 1925, Francis’ daughter, Temperance Neely Smoot, at 85, gave this account.
“The battle of Cowpens, SC happened on January 17, 1781. General Greene was going to {present day} Greensboro with Cornwallis in hot pursuit. General Greene came through Salisbury, NC. He crossed the South Yadkin River at Rencher’s Ford on January 19, 1781. Cornwallis had captured almost all of General Greene’s cavalry horses, wagons, ammunition, etc. These were turned over to the soldiers and they rushed on toward Guilford Courthouse.
Francis Neely and Carson Guffey collected three droves of cavalry horses. They ran into Cornwallis’ Army at Renchers’ Ford where Guffey was killed. They shot at Francis but he jumped a ditch, ran down the bank, and through a cane break, and finally pulling a shock of hay over himself, thus saving his life. The river was floating with driftwood that delayed Cornwallis’ army for twenty-four hours, providing a blessing for General Greene as it gave him the opportunity to rush on to Guilford Court House. During this time, he had the opportunity to rest and feed his hungry men as they advanced 150 miles across country to join General Morgan where God gave the Americans the victory at Guilford Courthouse.”
Another account of the event … states that Francis hid in a cane break until midnight, discarded his clothes, and swam across the South Yadkin about midnight to his father’s home. For his service he was paid £150 which included payment for the wagon that was lost when the Americans crossed the Yadkin…due to weather.
In later years, Francis served as a Magistrate of District Court in Rowan County and was serving in that capacity during the War of 1812. He died in Rowan County, NC and is buried in the Van Eaton graveyard which in 2002 was known as Byerly’s Chapel.
By his will dated November 10, 1828, he bequeathed to his daughter, Temperance Neely Smoot, “Harden Orton” and Beard’s Place”, containing 600 acres in the North side of the South Yadkin River adjacent to the lands of Samuel Thomas.
References: Newman, Harry Wright, “The Smoots of Maryland and Virginia, Washington, DC, 1936 “The Old North State”, Volume VIII, Number 2, pp 2 and 4.
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