| Notes |
- BIOGRAPHY:
1. The book "The Ramage Family of Laurens, South Carolina," 1999, Martis D. Ramage, Jr., 4218 Ridgemont Drive, Belden MS, 38826, FHL film 2055402, Item 2, p. 10 (also found 24 Oct 2005 Rootsweb Worldconnect database "ellisong" of Georgia Ellison ): "Mary Ramage, a daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Ramage of Laurens County, South Carolina, was born during the early 1760's. Mary Ramage married James Dillard (4 February 1755-4 December 1836), who later became an American Revolutionary Captain. Capt. James Dillard was a son of George Dillard (ca. 1735-3 March 1790) and Priscilla Majors. Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard settled near the South Fork Creek in what is now Laurens County, South Carolina (the eastern section). History records that Mary Ramage Dillard was a remarkably little and beautiful woman. Mary was a member of a family who supported independence during the American Revolution. Both Mary's father, John Ramage, her maternal grandfather, Joseph Adair, and her husband, Capt. James Dillard, fought for American independence during the Revolution. Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard had a large home on the Enoree River, opposite the Musgrove plantation. On two occasions, Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard's home was burned by the British and/or Tories but this did not discourage their desire for American independence. Mary Ramage Dillard is considered an American Revolutionary Heroine because of her midnight ride to warn the Patriots of an impending attack. It seems that Mary's husband, Capt. James Dillard, was away from home serving in the militia at the time. A group of British and Tory Soldiers came to the Dillard home and ordered Mary to prepare a meal for them. While serving the meal, Mary overheard them discussing that they would attack the Americans. After they left, Mary mounted her horse not even taking the time to saddle it and carried the information to the Patriots. Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks, Tarleton's first defeat in South Carolina. Tarleton later recalled seeing a woman on horseback among the trees bordering his march and he believed that she had reported him to Sumter. The Battle at Blackstocks occurred on 20 November 1780. There have been several versions of Mary Ramage Dillard's ride. Several stories stated that Mary had warned Colonel Clarke at Green Springs of an attack by Ferguson and Dunlap. Another indicates that she warned General Greene at Musgrove Mill (19 August 1780). Historians now agree that she warned the Patriots at Blackstocks. Historians have come to this conclusion because the Tory troops were camped at Musgrove's Mill and the Patriots were in camp at Blackstock's Plantation. In a letter written to Lyman Draper in 1873, Mrs. Nancy E. Dillard Boyce, age 71, daughter of Capt. James Dillard and his second wife, stated that the first wife of her father was Mary Ramage, the daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Ramage. Mrs. Boyce's letter also identified Mary Ramage Dillard as the "Mrs. Dillard" who had warned Sumter at Blackstock's on the Tyger River that British soldiers were headed in that direction. Mrs. Boyce also stated that her older sister had been of the opinion that the warning had been to Musgrove's Mill (19 August 1780). Mr. Draper, author of Kings Mountain and Its Heroes which was published in 1881, noted on Mrs. Boyce's letter that the British were already at Musgrove's Mill at the time. One family story concerning Mary Ramage Dillard's ride has been passed down from generation to generation among her Ray descendants of northeast Mississippi. Members of the family say that Mary Ramage Dillard's son, John Dillard, was only a small child at the time. Mary could not take him with her on the ride and had no one to leave him with. She lifted up one end of the bed and set the bedpost down on the end of his nightshirt. The child remained there alone while his mother rode to warn the American Patriots. The British came to the Dillard home, and finding the child alone, took him to a nearby home before returning and burning the Dillard home. On another occasion, Mary Ramage Dillard determined the number of British troops as they marched down a road near her home. By counting the men in each file and then counting the number of files, she was able to calculate the number of British. She gave this information to her husband who conveyed it to the commander of the American Patriots. Mary Ramage Dillard died at the age of 35 in 1795. Capt. James Dillard later married Mary Puckett and they had seven children. The children of Capt. James and Mary Ramage Dillard were: John Dillard, Priscilla Ramage Dillard Garrett, Jane "Jennie" Dillard Burke, Elizabeth Dillard Harris, George W. Dillard, Samuel H. Dillard and Mary "Polly" Dillard Garrett."
Reference: "History of King's Mountain and its Heroes" James Dillard's will filed Laurens County Courthouse
2. Rootsweb Worldconnect 24 Oct 2004 database ":2493884" of Lynda Crabill:
"From: Carolina Herald, March 1990.... by Thomas L. Wallis: "Mary Ramage Dillard, a daughter of John and Jean (Jane) Adair Ramage of Laurens District, South Carolina, was born during the early 1760's. Mary was the wife of James Dillard, who was born in 1755 in Culpeper County, Virginia. James had settled in what is now Laurens County when he was seven years old. James and Mary lived near the South Fork Creek in the eastern section of Laurens County."
3. Biographical information on James Dilliard from Rootsweb Worldconnect 24 Oct 2004 database ":2493884" of Lynda Crabill:
Military Service: Oct 1780 Captain Virginia Militia at King's Mountain 1 Military Service: 1775 Private in the defense of Charleston. Military Service: 3 Feb 1777 2nd Lieutenant 10th Virginia, Continental Army 1 Military Service: 2 Jan 1778 1st Lieutenant Continental Army 1Military Service: 30 May 1778 Resigned the Continental Army 1 Military Service: 1781 Major in South Carolina Militia Note: [JCdillard.GED] Captain James Dillard is on the 1790 census of Laurens County, South Carolina, with two males over 16 years of age, two males under sixteen years of age, three females, and three slaves.
James volunteered his service as a private in the defense of his country. He served the entire war; although he was promoted to Major he is most commonly referred to as Capt. Dillard. He was in battles at Kings Mountain, William's Fort, Cowpens, siege of Ninety-six, and other battles. He received wounds at Cowpens and Basto; and he received two sabre cuts while fighting Indians. Also, his home was burned twice by the British. Once in retaliation for his wife's warning the Colonial troupes of the approaching attack of the British. Even though he received many wounds during the war, he lived to the age of 91. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, also know as the Duckett Cemetery on Duncan's Creek. This cemetery is in the eastern part of Laurens County near the Enoree River. He is buried beside his second wife Mary Puckett. American REVOLUTION: The following is a petition which was written in support of Colonel James Williams by the American Revolutionaries who served with him. You will note that Joseph Ramage (note: name spelled Rammage) and John Ramage signed the petition as did Mary Ramage's husband, James Dillard. The original item (item #5767) is housed in the Manuscript Department of the William M. Perkins Library at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. The petition pre-dates the Battle of Kings Mountain in which Colonel James Williams was killed. Signees were: McCrery Jones Atwood Bourland Craige McCrary Cunningham Robinson Atwood Craig Davis Williams Adair Filby Howerton Young Bean Finney Arther Stapleton Greer Long Whitten Watson Willson Owens Montgomery Gray Manford Goodman Dillard Ewing Goodman Glenn Huddleston Gamble Blake Jones James DILLARD, REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONER, of Laurens County, South Carolina (from Research Note: Dillards of Culpeper County, VA, ... Dorothy Dillard Hughes) The picture of these lusty farmers rushing away from home to join the army for one battle typifies the American spirit. - John Hyde Preston, "A Short History of the American Revolution" James Dillard, however, was in the War from first to last, even after the Peace of Paris in 1783; and his first wife, Mary Ramage, a Revolutionary War heroine, made an all-night ride to warn her husband's company that the British and Tories planned a surprise dawn attack. James Dillard was one of the South Carolina militia who marched into Charles Town (later Charleston) at dawn in June 1776 and then defended the half=completed palmetto log fort on Sullivan's Island (later Fort Moultrie) with such deadly result that the English fleet of twenty ships sailed away to repair itself, taking with it the last English governor of South Carolina. This was one of the bloodiest sea battles of all time. It took place six days before the Declaration of Independence was signed, 4 July 1776. He also fought in the Battle of King's Mountain on 7 October 1780, said to be the turning point in the war, as well as other battles and skirmishes. (James Dillard's pension application; DAR Magazine LXX:9, pp 933-934; Fort Sullivan Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Battle of Fort Sullivan: Events Leading to First Decisive Victory.) James Dillard was born in Culpeper County in 1755 or 1756 and died 4 December 1836. He was said to have gone to Ninety-Six District, later Laurens County, in up-state South Carolina when he was 17. In 1773 he witnessed a will in Loundoun County, created in 1757 from Fairfax County, before he left Virginia. From 1775 until 1785 he fought in many of the battles of the Revolutionary War, this last post-Revolutionary War battle against the Cherokees in northeastern Georgia. In South Carolina he married (1) Mary Ramage and (2) Mary Puckett and had seven children by each wife. In 1833 he was awarded a Revolutionary War pension. Because of errors published about wives of this James Dillard, it is necessary to set the record straight; hence this account will include information about James Dillard and his family after he left Culpeper County, VA. From Lyman C. Draper, "King's Mountain and Its Heroes, p. 468. References to Major James Dillard are on pp. 269, 468; and to his wife Mary (Ramage) Dillard on pp.74, 102, 468. The next items refer to James and Mary Ramage Dillard during the Revolution. James Dillard served as a Private in 1775 and in 1776 in the defense of Charleston. In 1778, he went on the Florida Expedition as Sergeant Major and served in the frontiers in 1779. He was chosen Captain in Williams' Regiment in August 1780, serving at Expedition against the Cherokees. His heroic wife, Mrs. Mary Dillard, gave Sumter notice of Tarleton's approach toward Blackstock's. He became a Major in the Militia and died December 4, 1836. LETTER from DAugHTER NANCY DILLARD BOYCE: The following 1873 letters to Lyman Copeland Draper from the surviving children of James and Mary Puckett Dillard from Katherine Reynolds, "The Dillard Family," Vol. 1, pp. 19-21, which also in the Draper Manuscripts, prove that James Dillard had two wives, (1) Mary Ramage and (2) Mary Puckett. VV 11-13 Rev. W.P. Jacobs - - Laurens Co., S.C.,
Dear Sir; In reply to yours of 2nd inst. and to Mr. Draper of Madison, Wisc., Mrs. Duckett and Mrs. Bird and myself, the surviving children of my father James Dillard the following facts were elicited. My father Maj. James Dillard was born in Culpeper co., Va. moved to this state and county when about 17 years of age before the war from American independence, married Mary Ramage and settled near South Fork creek in the Eastern portion of this Lauren co. He volunteered his services as a private in defense of his country. He volunteered his services as private in the army and served a good portion of the time as a major but was never commissioned as such in consequence of commission being lost before captured before it reached him. He served through the war under gen'l Sumpter and Greene was with General Sumpter at the Battle of Eutaw Springs and lost his brother William Dillard who was killed in that battle. He served Gen'l Greene as a scout in this portion of the county on one occasion he together with his friend and comrade Matthew McCrary while on a (p.20) Letter continued: scouting expedition were suddenly halted by two British officers who began to question them and in a few moments the British army made its appearance when my father and Mr. McCrary immediately drew their guns on the officers and ordered them to halt the army and to "about face" themselves which they did giving my father and Mr. McCrary an opportunity to escape. He served during the whole time of the war for American independence. Died in this, Lauren co, near the Enoree River at the advanced age of ninety years, leaving a large family of children only three of whom are now living, Mrs. Narcissa Duckett, Mrs. Sarah S. Byrd and myself. Mrs. Mary Dillard, wife of my father Maj. James Dillard born and raised in the Eastern portion of the Laurens co. and died near the place of her nativity at about the age of 35 years. While her husband was serving with Gen'l Green in the American Army at Musgroves Mill, a party of British Soldiers visited her house and ordered supper w3hile serving them she gained the information that the British army was moving on the camp at Musgroves Mill for the purpose of attacking it that night. She immediately mounted a fleet horse not even taking time to saddle it and carried the information twelve (12) miles to Gen'l Greene who immediately moved camp and made preparations for the battle which came off in a short time afterward. Mrs. Dillard upon her return found the house burned to ashes and the property destroyed. Maj. Dillard's house was burned twice during the war. At another time by the direction of her husband (who was on furlough). She numbered the British army while marching the road near the house, by counting the men in each file and then counting the men in the files. She gave this information to her husband who immediately carried it to the commander of the American army. The above are the facts as we remembered them told by our father. Yours very truly Nancy E: Boyce In addition to the above I would state the tradition that Mrs. Dillard was a beautiful young woman and remarkably little and active. My dear Sir: You will found within all the information that I have been able to gather on the subject you referred to me. Mrs. Nancy E. Boyce an aged Aunt of my wife's and daughter of Mr. James Dillard. This family are among the best in our county but as you may perhaps know up country South Carolinians are very careless about the preservation of historical records so that I cannot give you any lengthy account. I believe the within to be perfectly accurate. Yours truly Clinton, S.C. Wm. P. Jacobs (husband of Mary Jane Dillard, granddaughter of James Dillard) Another Letter dated May 22, 1873. Dear Sir: It has always been the opinion of Mrs. Boyce that it was to Blackstock on Tygen River that Mrs. Dillard carried the intelligence of the approach of the British but she gave up to the opinion of an older sister who was of the opinion that it was to Musgrove's Mill. If it was the former place the distance was 18 miles. Major Dillard was married twice and they are daughters of the 2n wife none of the children of the 1st wife being alive which accounts for the conflicting recollections they remember only what they have heard their father tell them when they were quite young. Major Dillard died December 4, 1836 on Enoree River in the Eastern portion of Laurens co. His record was burned during the war but to best of his recollection he was about ninety years of age. Mrs. Boyce begs that you be thanked for the book you sent. Yours respectfully, A. B. Byrd
[Kerry's note: The above letters are also contained in a booklet prepared by Marty Ramage, P.O. Box 35, Verona, Mississippi, 38879 entitled "Incorrect Information Concerning the Family of Joseph Ramage of Laurens County, South Carolina," FHL 929.273R14ii.] James DILLARD'S Will: Laurens Co. SC Probate Court Estate Papers (index on FHL film 1,029,341 by packet; also from Martha Eastis 6/1986) Bundle 19, #5, proved 27 Feb. 1837; State of SC, will of James Dillard Sr. of Laurens Dist., 6 Feb. 1836, weak and very much afflicted in body; all property be sold; money to: to children of my son George W. Dillard (deceased), to wit, James Dillard and Mary Dillard, $150 each; to child of my daughter Elizabeth Harris (deceased), to wit Mariah Shands, $150. Balance equally divided between wife Mary and Children: John Dillard, Priscilla Garrett, Jane Burk, Samuel Dillard, Mary Garrett, Narcissus Duckett, Nancy F. Boyce, Thomas I. Dillard, James H. Dillard, Sarah E. Dalrymple and Charles H. Dillard. The share to son John Dillard to go to son-in-law John Boyce in trust for the support of John Dillard so it does not go to pay any of the contracts already made by him or hereafter made, except a note which John Boyce my son-in-law holds on him for $84 and some cents. At the death of son John Dillard, the remainder in trust to be divided equally amongst his children to wit James Dillard, the children of William Dillard deceased, James brother, Sarah Prather, Priscilla Dillard, Charles Dillard and Amanda Dillard. Appoint two sons James H. Dillard and Samuel Dillard executors. Wit. N. C. Vance, Wm. L. Craig, Samuel H. Murell. No probate date. (FHL film 1,029,346)"
4. The book "The Ramage Family of Laurens, South Carolina," 1999, Martis D. Ramage, Jr., 4218 Ridgemont Drive, Belden MS, 38826, FHL film 2055402, Item 2, p. 10:
"John and Jean Adair Ramage's land. Joyce Packenham 'Mrs. Wallace' Ramage of Mesa, Arizona, was instrumental in researching the disposition of John and Jean Adair Ramage's land. Of the 500 acre grant which John Ramage received in 1773, all the land has been accounted for with the exception of six acres. The following disposition took place:
5 Jun 1789 - 90 acres were sold to Robert Bell.
1 Jan 1799 - 94 acres were sold to Nathan and Jane Davis.
16 Feb 1799 - 100 acres were sold to Benjamin Ramage.
16 Feb 1799 - 110 acres were sold to Josiah Ramage.
1804 - 100 acres were sold by John Hutson, Robert and Mary Hutson, and Robert and Hannah McCord. There is no record of this 100 acres being sold by John Ramage.
The second generation of Ramages in Laurens County, South Carolina. John Ramage is considered the earliest Ramage to migrate to Laurens County, SC. The next generation of Ramages in Laurens County, SC included: Capt. Joseph Ramage, James Ramage, Mary Ramage Dillard, Josiah Ramage, and Benjamin Ramage. At this time we have documented proof that Mary Ramage Dillard, Josiah Ramage and Benjamin Ramage were children of John Ramage. As for Capt. Joseph Ramage and James Ramage, it is possible that they may have been sons of John Ramage but additional documentation is needed before we can say for certain.
It has always been a family tradition that there were three Ramage brothers who settled in Livingston County, Kentucky from Laurens County, South Carolina. Two of the brothers were thought ot have been James Ramage and Josiah Ramage. We do not have documented proof of a third brother although there was a Jesse Ramage in the Kentucky Militia in 1803. This Jesse Ramage may have been a brother. Jesse Ramage would be considered in the second generation of Ramages in Laurens County, South Carolina if documentation is found to substantiate that he was in fact a brother to James Ramage and Josiah Ramage who migrated to Kentucky. At this time we have found no records in South Carolina pertaining to this Jesse Ramage.
It should also be noted that there may have been females who were part of the second generation. By having been married we have not been able to associate them with our Ramage family.
Capt. Joseph Ramage (mid 1700s-1825) was born in Pennsylvania and moved to South Carolina at an early age (reference: 'Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas,' F.A. Battey and Co., 1889, pages 95 and 96). He was an American Revolutionary patriot in Laurens District, South Carolina. He married Elizabeth Bourland, a daughter of William and Mary Bourland, who were neighbors of John and Jean/Jane Adair Ramage in Laurens County, SC. The children of Capt. Joseph and Elizabeth Bourland Ramage were: John Ramage, James Ramage, Jane 'Jennet, Jenny' Ramage Bonds, Robert Ramage, Mary 'Polly' Ramage Sparks, Elizabeth Ramage Wesson, Jesse Ramage, Joseph Ramage, Rebecca Ramage Dabage (Dobage), and J.L. Ramage. In 1990, a monument in memory of Capt. Joseph Ramage and his family was erected at the Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Laurens County, South Carolina.
James Ramage (1760s-ca. 1831), his wife, Lucy (Lydia), and their family migrated to the Livingston County area of Kentucky during the first decade of the 1800s. James and Lucy (Lydia) Ramage's children included: John Ramage, Thomas Ramage, Judah 'Judith' Ramage Phillips, Jane Ramage Stalion, Josiah Ramage, Nancy Ramage Kidd East Mitchell, Margaret Ramage Glass, and Rebecca Ramage Barlow Pickens (note: land transaction would indicate that Rebecca Ramage Barlow Pickens may have been a daughter of James Ramage but it is not fully documented at this time.)
Mary Ramage Dillard (early 1760s-ca. 1795) considered an American Revolutionary Heroine because of her late night ride to warn the American Patriots of an impending attack. Her effort is said to have prevented a Tory victory at Blackstocks (Tarleton's first defeat in South Carolina). Mary was the wife of Capt. James Dillard. Capt. James Dillard and Mary Ramage were the parents of: John Dillard, Priscella Ramage Dillard Garrett, Jane 'Jennie' Dillard Burke, Elizabeth Dillard Harris, George W. Dillard, Samuel Dillard, and Mary 'Polly' Dillard Garrett. Documentation has been found that proves Mary Ramage Dillard was a daughter of John Ramage.
Josiah Ramage (1760s-1823), his wife, Margaret, and their children migrated to the Livingston County area of Kentucky during the first decade of the 1800s. Land records in Laurens County, SC indicate that Josiah Ramage was a son of John and Jean/Jane Adair Ramage. Josiah and Margaret Ramage's children included: Joseph Francis Ramage (we believe that Joseph Francis Ramage was son of Josiah but it is not fully documented at this time), John Ramage, Mary 'Polly' Ramage McElmurry, William Benjamin Ramage, James Ramage, Jane Ramage McElmurry, Jesse Ramage, Josiah Ramage, Jr., and Sharlet (Charlotte) Ramage McElmurry.
Benjamin Ramage (4 Oct. 1773-ca. 1812) and his wife Eleanor Adair, were the parents of: John Jewel Ramage, Benjamin 'Ben' Ramage, II, and George Washington 'Wash' Ramage. Land records in Laurens Co., SC indicate that Benjamin Rambae was a son of John and Jean/Jane Adair Ramage."
BIRTH:
1. The following excerpt is from "Our Ramage Family," compiled by Martis Donald Ramage, Jr., published 1986, page 115. "Mary Ramage was born between 1760 and 1762. She is one of a number of women honored for service in the American Revolution. Her "midnight ride" warned the Continental Troops of an impending attack by the British. She lived most, if not all, of her life in the Laurens County area of South Carolina. Mary married Captain James Dillard, a Revolutionary Patriot. James Dillard's daughter, by his second wife, stated in 1873 that Mary was 35 years old at the time of her death. After Mary Ramage died between the years of 1795 and 1797, Captain James Dillard remarried. He and his second wife had seven children."
DEATH:
1. The following excerpt is from "Our Ramage Family," compiled by Martis Donald Ramage, Jr., published 1986, page 115. "Mary Ramage was born between 1760 and 1762. She is one of a number of women honored for service in the American Revolution. Her "midnight ride" warned the Continental Troops of an impending attack by the British. She lived most, if not all, of her life in the Laurens County area of South Carolina. Mary married Captain James Dillard, a Revolutionary Patriot. James Dillard's daughter, by his second wife, stated in 1873 that Mary was 35 years old at the time of her death. After Mary Ramage died between the years of 1795 and 1797, Captain James Dillard remarried. He and his second wife had seven children."
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1762 - 1797 (~ 35 years)