1830 Sevier Co TN Census
William Trotter 000100001-01110011840 Sevier Co TN Census
William Trotter 0000000001-00000001 (William Trotter 77 Veteran)1850 Eastern Subdivision 12, Sevier Co TN Census
578 578 Benjamin Thomas 63 m farmer VA
, Sarah 63 f SC
, John 32 m farmer TN
Nancy Trotter 71 f NCInformation on William and the siblings of Angelina is from Elaine Hairston Baxter. Elaine lists his Revolutionary War Pension claim number as S1598. William moved to Sevier County TN about 1794. His Pension record also mentions his birth in Pennsylvania; that he lived in Augusta County VA; moved to Jefferson Co TN; moved to Sevier County TN where he lived when he gave the statement. His pension record also says that he was a substitute in the war for Richard Trotter.
SEVIER COUNTY NEWS & RECORD SECTION A - PAGE 5 THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1976
http://www.sevierlibrary.org/genealogy/linn/trotter.htm
Trotter - Revolutionary SoldierSomewhere near the waters of Flat Creek is the unmarked grave of William Trotter, Revolutionary soldier.
His will dated June 11, 1841 may help someone to recall a story which has been passed from one generation to another regarding the exact location of the grave. If found, the grave could be marked by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Trotter's Will
State of Tennessee) In the name of God Amen. Sevier County)
I, William Trotter, Sr., being far advanced in age and knowing the uncertainty of life and that it is appointed for all to die, and being of disposing mind and memory, and being also desirous to dispose of worldly goods which it has pleased God to bless me with, do ordain this Will and Testament in place of all other wills made by me previous to this date, to wit, after my death it is my will and desire to be placed in a brick tomb I have had prepared for that purpose. I wish the same finished in a workman‑like manner after which I wish a small frame house, large enough for a man to walk around the tomb inside, to be built over it -for it to be underpinned, shingle roof and the house painted block. John Catlett is to paint my name, birth and time of death on the same in large letters.
I will and ordain to my children, Clabourn, Mariah - wife of James Tooney, Diane ‑ wife of Daniel Atchley, Angelia - wife of Amos Atchley, each five dollars, to Arminta ‑ wife of Samuel Newman, fifty acres of a hundred acre entry lying adjoining the tract where I now live which I deeded to Samuel Newman to repay him for taking care of me during my life time.
I will bequeath twenty dollars to my friend, M. C. Rogers.* After my death I will and ordain that all the balance of the land and personal property of which I am possessed at my death after given due notice thereof shall be sold to the highest bidder on a credit of eighteen months and the proceeds disposed of as follows, to wit: after the expenses of my burial are satisfied and my debts paid I will and bequeath to my son James J. Trotter the sum of three hundred dollars if so much there be left. If there is any left after paying James T. Trotter, I will and ordain that Samuel Newman, my son-in-law, who I hereby appoint executor of this my last will and testament to dispose of as he may see fit and proper. In testimony whereof I have thereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of June, 1841.
Wm. Trotter (Seal)
Signed, sealed and made in presence of us and acknowledged
Samuel Pate
E. Brabson
Certified as true copy by Wilson Duggan, C&M, Sevier County, 10 Feb. 1843.Almost a year before making the will - August 1, 1840 - William Trotter had deeded a tract of land to Samuel Newman, his son-in-law, for one dollar and "in consideration of the same Samuel Newman hereby agreeing and binding himself to support myself and my wife Nancy Trotter during our natural lives in a comfortable and decent manner taking special care of us both in sickness and in health."
The deed describes the boundary lines as follows: a parcel of land on the waters of Falt Creek adjoining the lands surveyed in the name of Daniel Atchley, Joseph Campbell, the heirs of William Hedrick, dec'd, James Berdine, and Joseph Morrison, The deed was witnessed by M.C. Rodgers and Daniel Atchley. O. H. F. Hill, Clerk of the County Court acknowledged the deed on 20 November, 1840. The deed was registered by Alexander Preston on 5 December, 1845.
Perhaps some Atchley descendant will know the location of the Daniel Atchley lands. William Hedrick whose land adjoined William Trotter also was a Revolutionary soldier who was placed on the pension roll August 2, 1833 at the age of 89 years.
The rest of this article will contain data obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension S 1598 based upon the military service of William Trotter.
On September 3,1832 William Trotter appeared in open court before William C. Maples, Elijah Cate and Randle Hill who were acting Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Sevier County. William Trotter stated that he was sixty nine years old the past Christmas. (Born 1763). While living in Augusta County, Virginia, he entered war service as a substitute for Richard Trotter in May, 1781 for six months under Captain Thomas Smith in Col. Samuel Lewis Regiment of Militia and was at the siege of Yorktown and the taking of Cornwallis. He was honorably discharged at Williamsburg. However, he had no documentary evidence and knew of no person whose testimony could prove that he was in the war.
The first pension application was returned to be amended.
Almost a year later, July 23, 1833, William Trotter appeared before Isaac Love, an acting Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Sevier County, Tennessee
The amendment contains more specific information. He could not recall the exact day of his birth but he knew it was at Christmas time. He was born in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from there moved to Augusta County, Virginia. He continued to live in Augusta County for about twelve years after the Revolutionary War. His next move was to Jefferson County, Tennessee, where he lived for about three years. He moved to Sevier County, Tennessee in 1797.
ln his present neighborhood he was` 'acquainted with Col. Alexander Robertson, Capt. William Robertson, Robert Kenny, Matthew King, John Dixon, Archabald Dixon, Col. Andrew Anderson, Major James Porter, Sheriff George Rogers, Col. M. C. Rogers, and William Canterbury all of whom he believed would testify that he was a man of veracity and that he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
On both pension applications the signature is the same. It is an unusually written signature.
The second pension application was accepted as he was granted Certificate No. 22288, issued October 18, 1833, rate $20.00 per annum, retroactive to March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, East Tennessee Agency.
William Trotter continued to live on Flat Creek until his death on August 16, 1841. He has descendants living in Sevier County today
I wish to express my appreciation to the following members of the Smoky Mountain Historical Society who supplied information for this paper: Mr. David Templin of Maryville, Tennessee, who has done research on the Trotters of Jefferson County; Mr. R. M. Trentham of Walden's Creek who gave me a copy of the war records, and to Mrs. J. A. Sharp for the copy of William Trotter's will.
After the death of William Trotter, in a later Chancery court action in Sevier county TN, wife Nancy sues her son-in-law Samuel Newman, who was supposed to take care of William and Nancy in their old age, because he went into bankruptcy, moved away and sold the land to Samuel Pate. William and Nancy's daughter (the wife of Samuel Newman) had died by this time. In the court action, Nancy says "... Newman sold said home tract of land to a certain Samuel Pate who is a citizen of Sevier County and moved away leaving your oratrix who is very old and infirm and unable to work for a support, to shift on the best terms she can. Your oratrix charges that said Samuel Pate well knew the premises at the time he purchased said land of said Newman and took it subject to the claims of your oratrix for dower and support your oratrix further states that the death of her said husband (who was a revolutionary war pensioner) was hastened by the mal-treatment of the said Pate and the said Newman, said Samuel Pate came to the house of your oratrix and her husband in March or April 1841, and upon some pretense fell out with her said husband and dealt him such grievous blows as to break many of his bones, and otherwise so disabled him so that he was never able to leave his bed afaterward. Your oratrix further states that after her said husband was so mutilated and abused, she herself became disabled and the care of her said husband fell upon said Newman who instead of taking even reasonable care of him so neglected him that the flies made their inroads upon his person and he died inhabited by worms of the most offensive character. And your oratrix further charges taht said Pate well knew the fact also at the time he purchased said land from said Newman. Your oratrix further states that said Samuel Pate now threatens to put a tenant into the House with your oratrix or turn her out to make room for a tenant, so that without the assistance and protection of your honorable Court she will soon be turned over to the cold charity of the world without even a shelter for her head while others will enjoy the fruits her industry which have been gathered by more than half a century of labor and toils. Your oratrix states that said James T Trotter purchased the land sold under the will of her said husband. Your oratrix further states that she did not attend the county court within the six months after the decease of her said husband and enter her discent because she supposed that she would be provided for and taken care of according to said agreement of said Newman said Newman has since taken the benefit of the Bankrupt law as your oratrix is informed and believes, and the only remains your oratrix can no rely upon for a support is a dower of and a lean upon said lands. Her said husband at the time he had sold the home place as above stated remained in possession up to the day of his death. Your oratrix charges that the said Samuel Newman and Samuel Pate who pretends to be a minister of the gospel have most wickedly and uncharitable combined and confederated themselves together to cheat and defraud your oratrix out of her only means of support and that the said Samuel Pate well knew all the facts above stated before and at the time he purchased said land and that he well knew that said Newman was worthless and could not if had been disposed to do so make a support for your oratrix after he sold said land. Your oratrix further states that by said will part of said tract of land adjoiining the home place was given to Aramin the wife of said Newman, aid Aramin who has since died. Your oratrix charges that the said Newman became tired of the charge of your oratrix and her said husband and that he and said Pate combined themselves together by abuse and neglect to hasten the death of said William Trotter that they would get full possession of said land and be enabled to sell and dispose of the same, and leave your oratrix to the charity of the world....
She's also making James T Trotter a defendant with Samuel Newman and Samuel Pate. She's asking that the "land be held chargeable with the support of" herself during "the remainder of her natural life." She's asking for dower to be allotted out of the land and that Pate not be allowed to put anyone in the house. Filed 6 Dec 1842.
William Trotter says that his daughter Diane was married to Daniel Atchley; one of his other daughters, Angeline, was married to Amos Atchley, a brother of this Daniel Atchley, so I'm ASSUMING that THIS is the Daniel Atchley to whom Diane was married. She must have died early. In the 1860 census, 59 year old Danl is living with 70 year old Sarah. Who is she? Is she a wife? Is she Sarah Diane Trotter? Is that why the land action was taken - after Sarah/Diane died?
1870 District 7,Sevier Co TN Census
52 52 Atchley, Sarah 79 f w Keeping house 1500 429 VA
, Syntha C 45 f B houskeeping TN
, Night John 20 m w farm laborer TN1860 District 7, Sevier Co TN Census
687 686 Danl Atchley 59 m farmer 1000 1700 TN
, Sarah 70 f VA1850 Eastern Subdivision 12, Sevier Co TN Census
579 579 Daniel Atchley 54 m farmer 1000 TN
, Sarah 60 f VA
, Lucinda? 14 f TN1840 Sevier Co TN Census
Daniel Atchley 0000001-1000001 (1 male between 40 & 50)(1 female under 5, 1 female between 40&50)1830 Sevier Co TN Census
Daniel Atchley 000001-0000101 (1 male between 30 & 40) ( 1 female between 20&30, 1 female betweenn 40 &50)Sevier County TN Court Record:
Case #278
To the Honorable O P Temple Chancellor presiding at Sevierville, Tennessee.Your Orator J T Trotter, a citizen of Sevier County Tenn humbly complaining, showeth unto your Honor, that about the year 1861, Daniel Atchley departed this life, intestate, in Sevier County, seized and posessed of 22 acres of land, lying in Sevier County District No 7, comprising two small tracts of cleared land, containing about 17 acres adjoining the lands of your orator and heirs of Sarah Atchly and a small tract of wood land, of about five acres adjoining the lands of your Orator and C Hardin.
Your Orator further showeth that the following named brothers and descendants of brothers, and sisters, are the only heirs at law, of said intestate, and inherit the above described lands, viz; Seth Atchley a brother and citizen of Arkansas. The descendants of Jesse Atchley a deceased brother, to wit: two sons Enoch and Calvin, and six daughters viz: Martha who married A. Price, Derusha, who married Thos. Hawkins, Delila who is dead leaving an only child M A George, Lucinda who is dead leaving three children viz: John Trotter, Jesse Trotter, and Minerva Harris (formerly Trotter), who married Wm Harris, Rachael who is also dead leaving five children viz: Enoch Denton, G T Denton, Elizabeth Denton, Calvin Denton and Mary Bean (formerly Denton) who married _____ Bean and Minerva Davis (formerly Atchley) who married Josiah Davis, all the descendants of Jesse Atchley dec'd are citizens of Bradley Court except Calvin Atchley and Josiah Davis and wife Minerva who are non-residents.
The descendants of Joseph Atchley also a deceased brother of said intestate are as follows to wit: Wesley, William, Joseph, Martha who married Jacob Parrott, Amy O who married Thomas Langston and Rebecca who married William Atchley, all citizens of Sevier County and Penelope who married Elijah Nichols both of Jefferson County and all being sons and daughters of said Joseph Atchley dec'd.
The descendants of William Atchley also a deceased brother of said intestate are as follows to wit: three sons Pleasant, Clabourne and James and one daughter Mary H who married Benjamin Langston, all citizens of Sevier County, but the interests of said James and Clabourne in said land belong to Orator.
Mille, a deceased sister of said intestate left but one child, Minerva, whose inteerest in said land belongs to your Orator.
Mima Maples a deceased sister of said intestate left six children viz: Preston Maples, Jackson Maples and Mary Newman (formerly Maples) who married ______ Newman, who is dead, all citizens of Bradley County and two sons whose names and residences are unknown.
Joshua Atchley another deceased brother of said intestate, left the following children viz: Daniel Atchley, a citizen of Bradley County and William and Nancy, who married _____ Hickman, non residents and probably others, but their names, number and residences are unknown to your Orator.
Martin Atchley another dec'd brother of said intestate, left a son, Joshua Atchly, a citizen of James County and other children whose names and residences are unknown to your Orator.
Amos Atchley a deceased brother and Alice Moore a deceased sister of said intestate, each left children but your Orator has not been able to acertain their number, names or residences.
Your Orator has made diligent inquiry and the above are all the heirs of said Daniel Atchley, whose names and residences he has obtained.
He states, that on account of the small quantity of said land and the large number and inequality of interests therin, it will be impossible to partition the ??? in the usual way and that it will be manifestly to the interest of all parties to sell the same for partition.
........ the names are repeated etc etc.
A later paper in the file:
Be it remembered that on this 13th day of April 1874 this cause came on to be finally heard before the Hon O.P. Temple Chanceller.....
[J T Trotter bought the land!!]....