Carson in VA

The Carson Family

From Washington County, Virginia
To Rockcastle County, Kentucky
To Jellico, Tennessee
To Davie, Broward County, Florida

The Revolutionary War

Family Members who Served

David Carson, the earliest documented person in our Carson family, served under Colonel William Christian and Major Evan Shelby in the attack on the Cherokee Over-Hill towns (allies of the British) and under Colonel William Campbell of Washington County, Virginia in the Battle of King's Mountain.

William Lawrence, the father-in-law of Preacher David Carson, and William's father John Lawrence both served in the Duchess County, New York Militia during the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Fish (1755 in North Carolina - August 13, 1840 in Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky), the grandfather of Marcinda W. Fish (first wife of Judge John Evans Carson), served in the Revolutionary War and was a Justice of the Peace in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. His son, Jesse Fish, in a 1869 letter said Thomas Fish joined the army as a volunteer and served a tour of duty on an expedition against the Tories and Indians who were being very troublesome to the frontier settlers in that part of the country during the time of the old Revolutionary war. After his return from the army he frequently was speaking of having marched through a village then in North Carolina called Moravian Town where he saw a Tory man hanging by the neck and from appearance had been in that condition for a day or two and the soldiers were not permitted to take him down in order that he might be buried.

Thomas Fish, after he moved to Kentucky, his sons, William Fish and Thomas Fish fought the Indians with General Shelby in Indiana in the War of 1812.

Jesse Fish, son of Thomas Fish and Winaford Birney, also wrote a history of the Fish family. In it he says that the father of Winaford Birney, William Berney of Gilford County, North Carolina, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

David Owen, the grandfather of Mahala Jane Owens, served for three years in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War. He was in Col. Benjamin Cleveland's Company at the Battle of King's Mountain and served under Col. Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. David Owen is also a direct ancestor of Susan Ellen Sowder (Grandma Carson) two different ways: through her father Lewis Sowder (Lewis Sowder's mother Sibbie Jane Owens, born June 1, 1806 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky, and Sibbie Jane Owens' father Elisha Owen, born January 9, 1782 in Wilkes Co., North Carolina); and through her mother Malvina Owens (Malvina Owens' father Burton Owen, born December 1, 1798 Wilkes Co., North Carolina).

Henry Kilbourn, the grandfather of Mahala Jane Owens, enlisted in Capt. James Newell's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia and then went to Lincoln County, Kentucky and enlisted in Col . William Whitley's Company of Militia to fight the Shawnee Indians.

Thomas Ramsey, the grandfather of Martha Ramsey and the great grandfather of Samuel David Holman, served in the Second Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and received his discharge at Valley Forge.

Joseph Laswell [Lasswell, Lacefield, Lassfield] (born 1758 in Cameron, Loudon Co., VA; died 1816 in Rockcastle Co., KY) served in the British Provincial Service as a Loyalist in North Carolina. Joseph Laswell's daughter, Lucy Laswell (born about 1785 in Wilkes Co., NC and died before 1818 in Rockcastle Co., KY) about 1802 in Wilkes Co., NC married Elisha Owen (born 09 Jan 1782 in Wilkes Co., NC and died before 1860 in Rockcastle Co., KY). Susan Ellen Sowder (Grandma Carson) is a direct descendant of Joseph Laswell through her father Lewis Sowder (Lewis Sowder's mother Sibbie Jane Owens, born June 1, 1806 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky is the daughter of Lucy Laswell and Elisha Owen.

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In 1775, the colonists by force rejected British rule. The rebels seized control of each of the thirteen colonial governments, set up the Second Continental Congress, and formed a Continental Army. The US Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia in July 1776.

King George III of England used force to try to regain control of the colonies. The fighting started in New England and worked its way down to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The British captured Fort Washington on Northern Manhattan Island on November 16, 1776. General George Washington, the head of the Continental Army, proceeded into New Jersey. He was pursued by British General Howe all the way south until Washington successfully crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.

On December 26, 1776 Washington's Army crossed the Delaware and surprised the British at Trenton, New Jersey. The main attack was made by 2,400 troops under Washington. Washington's troops achieved total surprise and defeated the British forces. The American victory was the first of the war, and helped to restore American morale.

In December 1776, the Second Virginia Regiment was ordered to join Washington's Main Army in New Jersey. The regiment marched to Baltimore, Maryland where it was equipped and then dispatched to Maryland's Eastern Shore to suppress local Loyalists, before making their way to Philadelphia for clothing, and finally joined the Main Army as part of Weedon's Brigade in Greene's Division.

At the end of August 1777, British General Howe brought his army south by sea, threatening Philadelphia. On September 11th, Howe's larger force fought the 11,000 American troops blocking his way to Philadelphia. In the day-long battle of Brandywine, the British vanquished the American forces. The Americans, however, were able to extract their army. [It was one of the largest land battles of the Revolutionary War and the 10 square miles surrounding the park in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania is now a National Historic Landmark.]

After Howe had occupied Philadelphia, General Washington attacked British troops at Germantown, Pennsylvania. The attack failed, and the American troops were forced to withdraw. With the British Army secure in Philadelphia, the American army settled into 1777-1778 winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

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On June 16, 1819 in Washington County, Virginia, (Preacher) David Carson married Catherine Lawrence.

Catherine Lawrence was the daughter of William Lawrence and Sarah Booth.

Catherine "Katy" Lawrence's grandfather, John Lawrence, a Baptist minister in Dutchess County, New York, served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. After this John Lawrence went to live with his son(s) in Montgomery Co., Virginia, where he died. One of the sons of Elder John Lawrence was William Lawrence, the father of Catherine "Katy" Lawrence.

The DAR Patriot Index - Centennial Edition - Part 2, page 1755, lists William Lawrence as a private in the Duchess Co., New York Militia during the Revolutionary War. He applied for a pension on 25 January 1834, in Rockcastle Co., KY.

Lawrence, William Pvt. VA militia; 11 June 1834; $58.76; age at time of application, 70; on Rockcastle County, Kentucky pension roll.

"Laurence, Wm" in Rockcastle County, Kentucky is listed on page 279 in Part V: Virginia Pensioners Living Outside Virginia in 1835 in "Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War" by J. T. McAllister, 1913.

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Meanwhile, back in Virginia, Patrick Henry was elected Governor of Virginia in June 1776. (The British-appointed Governor Dunmore had fled.)
Source: Page 212 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

The British recruited the Indians as their allies. Expecting an Indian attack, the settlers in southwest Virginia went to the forts, including Fort Edmiston (located on Snodgrass’s farm at Lodi, VA). A militia of 175 men was raised under the command of captains: James Thompsom, William Buchanan, William Cocke, James Shelby, John Campbell, and Thomas Madison. In July of 1776, a major battle was fought at Long Island Flats, where Lieutenant William Moore defeated an Indian chief in hand-to-hand combat. During the battle, Robert Edminston used profane language, which got him in trouble with the Ebbing Spring Presbyterian congregation.
Source: Page 218 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

In October of 1776, a militia, formed under Col William Christian and Major Evan Shelby, attacked the Cherokee Over-Hill towns (allies of the British). Some of the captains were: John Campbell, James Thompson, Isaac Bledsoe, John Montgomery, Aaron Lewis, and William Preston. Some of the privates were: James Campbell, Robert Campbell, Samuel Campbell, Ephraim Dunlap, Robert Preston, David English, William Edmiston, David Carson, Robert Gambell, William Brown, John Craig, James M’Farland, John M'Farland, John Gibson, Anthony Bledsoe, Robert McNutt, William Ramsay, and Thomas Ramsay. John Beatie was one of the persons requesting reimbursement for providing provisions to the militia.
Source: Page 237 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

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1776 Aug. 1 Page, John, President of the Council. Williamsburg, [Va.] Letter to Col. William Preston, Fincastle County, [Va.] Withdrawing the offer made him to act as commissary for troops to be sent on expedition against the Overhill Cherokee, Thomas Madison having been already appointed by the convention.
Source: The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts, by M M Quaife, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915. Preston Manuscripts, page 114, 4QQ63.

1776 Aug. 9 Preston, William. Fincastle. Letter to _____. Preparations for expedition against the Cherokee; Capt. [Thomas] Madison to act as commissary;
Source: The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts, by M M Quaife, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915. Preston Manuscripts, page 115, 4QQ68.

1776 Sept. 20, Crabtree [?], Nicholas. Receipt to Thomas Madison for 2 pounds 12 s. 6 d. for one steer sold to David Carson for Cherokee expedition. Witnessed by James McCorkle. D.S. 1 p.
Source: The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts, by M M Quaife, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915. Virginia Manuscripts, page 180, 5ZZ5.

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The British move the fighting further south when in December 1779, British Gen. Clinton sets sail from New York with 8000 men and heads for Charleston, South Carolina. The worst American defeat of the Revolutionary War occurred in May 1780 as the British captured Charleston and its 5400-man garrison (the entire southern American Army) along with four ships and a military arsenal.

In 1780, the British forces were having great success in Georgia and the Carolinas and were planning to move north. Col Isaac Shelby (now of North Carolina) asked Col William Campbell of Washington County for assistance. Col William Campbell agreed and his militia of 400 men joined in the march to King’s Mountain, South Carolina. (Col Arthur Campbell stayed in Abingdon to guard against an Indian attack.) The Washington County, VA militia fought the Tories, who were under the command of British Col Patrick Ferguson.
Source: Page 308 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

Some Washington County Virginia men who fought at the battle of King’s Mountain: Michael Brown, Ensign John Beattie, Captain David Beattie, Francis Beattie, William Beattie, Samuel Buchanan, Robert Buchanan, David Craig, Captain John Craig, Captain Robert Craig, Robert Craig, Jr., James Craig, David Carson, David Campbell, Col William Campbell, William Campbell, Jr., Ensign Robert Campbell, Hugh Campbell, Lieutenant Patrick Campbell, Captain John Campbell, Captain James Dysart, Captain William Edmiston, Lieutenant Robert Edmiston, Jr., Captain Andrew Edmiston, Samuel Edmiston, John Edmiston, Thomas Edmiston, Robert Edmiston, Major William Edmiston, Evan Evans, Andrew Evans, Samuel Evans, John Gibson, George Gibson, Thomas Gibson, Ensign James Houston, James Logan, Alexander McNutt, Richard Montgomery, Robert Montgomery, Alexander Montgomery, William Moore, Robert McFarland, Robert Owens, Walter Preston, James Roberts, William Stewart, John Skaggs, William Snodgrass, James Snodgrass, Captain James Thompson, and David Watson.
Source: Page 855 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

Among the thirty mountain men killed were: Captain William Edmiston, Lieutenant Robert Edmiston, Sr, ensign Andrew Edmiston, and ensign John Beattie. Among the sixty wounded were: Captain James Dysart, Lieutenant Robert Edmiston, Jr, private John Scaggs, and private William Moore.
Source: Page 326 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

In returning home from the battle of King’s Mountain, the mountain men left some of the wounded, including private William Moore, in Bickerstaff, North Carolina. Once Mrs. Moore learned of this she traveled alone from Washington County, Virginia to Bickerstaff, found her husband, and brought him home. Family legend is that he received contributions on a regular basis from the congregation of the Ebbing Springs Presbyterian Church.
Source: Page 341 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”

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November 24, 1780, Minutes of Washington County Court, Ordered that David Carson, Alexander McNutt, James Berry, and James Montgomery or any three of them appraise the estate of Robert Edmondson.
Source: "Annals of Southwest Virginia" by Lewis Preston Summers, Page 1064

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September 18, 1782, Washington County, Virginia Court, Present: Robert Craig, James Fulkason, John Lathim, Robert Campbell
“Agreeable to an Act for adjusting claims for property impressed or taken for public service – the following claims was ordered to be reported to the General Assembly:
David Carson for Diets and forage - 10 shillings”
Source: "Annals of Southwest Virginia" by Lewis Preston Summers, Pages 1116 - 1117

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The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) recognizes David Carson for his Patriotic Service and Civil Service (NSDAR # 744342; NSDAR # 764597; NSDAR # 580043; NSDAR # 546136; NSDAR # 531972; NSDAR # 183422; NSDAR # 580043; NSDAR # 529769; and NSDAR # 183422 Add 262) The DAR recognition is based on Compiled Military Service Records (CMSR). CARSON, DAVID Rank - Induction: PRIVATE (Record Group 93; M246; Roll Box: 59; Roll Description: NJ in the National Archives)

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David Carson is listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution : commemoration of the United States of America bicentennial, July 4, 1976, Unigraphic, 1976, Volume I, pages 105 and 106. The information on his date of birth, date of death, and family members appear to be correct, but the information on military service is not consistent with other sources. It says that this David Carson enlisted in the Continental Army (Captain David Watsen's Company) at Lancaster, York County, Pennsylvania on November 8, 1777 and served one year.

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"The King's Mountain Men" by Kathrine Keogh White, 1924
Page 139: "If a given soldier was 'under Campbell' he was presumed to be a resident of Virginia, the same as Campbell himself."
Page 156: "David Carson was under Colonel Campbell and was pensioned in 1835."
Page 170: "Dysart. James was born in Ireland and was a Long Hunter in 1761. He settled on the Holston, marrying Nancy, daughter of David Beattie. As a captain under Campbell he was wounded at King's Mountain. Major Dysart saw active service in the Revolution and was a prominent factor in Washington county, Virginia. He died at Rockcastle, Kentucky, 1831, aged seventy-four."
Question: The statement about "pensioned in 1835" is confusing since the David Carson of Washington County, Virginia who served under Campbell died in 1803.

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Mahala Jane Owens, the daughter of Allen Owen and Mary Kilbourn married Joseph Carson of Rockcastle County, Kentucky, the great grandson of David Carson.

Mahala Jane Owens' father's father was David Owen. David Owen served for three years in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War. He was in Col. Benjamin Cleveland's Company at the Battle of King's Mountain on October 7, 1780. He served under Col. Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. He also served with Captain William Lenoir in and around Wilkes County, NC. (National Archives Rev. War Pension Records, M-804, Roll 1855.) David Owen is also a direct ancestor of Susan Ellen Sowder (Grandma Carson) two different ways: through her father Lewis Sowder (Lewis Sowder's mother Sibbie Jane Owens, born June 1, 1806 in Lincoln Co., Kentucky, and Sibbie Jane Owens' father Elisha Owen, born January 9, 1782 in Wilkes Co., North Carolina); and through her mother Malvina Owens (Malvina Owens' father Burton Owen, born December 1, 1798 Wilkes Co., North Carolina).

Mahala Jane Owens' mother's father was Henry Kilbourn. In his Revolutionary War pension application, Henry Kilbourn stated that he enlisted in Capt. James Newell's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia in February 1781, and served until late November 1781. In 1785, Henry Kilbourn went to Lincoln County, Kentucky and enlisted in Col . William Whitley's Company of Militia to fight the Shawnee Indians. He served under Lt. Nathan McClure and was with McClure when he was killed in a skirmish with the Shawnee near the Rockcastle River. In 1786, Henry Kilbourn was with Gen. George Rogers Clark's expedition up the Wabash River. (Revolutionary War Pension Records - M-804, Roll 1481.)

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Joseph Laswell served in the British Provincial Service as a Loyalist in North Carolina.

Joseph Laswell [Lasswell, Lacefield, Lassfield] was born 1758 in Cameron, Loudon Co., Virginia (son of William B. Laswell and Mary Ann); he died 1816, Rockcastle Co., Kentucky. Joseph Laswell married Eunice Riggs about 1777 in North Carolina. Eunice (daughter of Samuel Riggs and Elizabeth Thompkins) was born about 1760, Morris County, New Jersey and died about 1829 in Skegg Creek, Rockcastle Co., Kentucky. Joseph and Eunice (Riggs) Laswell were the great, great grandparents of Susan Ellen Sowder (Grandma Carson)

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King's Mountain and its heroes: history of the Battle of King's Mountain ... By Lyman Copeland Draper, Anthony Allaire, Isaac Shelby
Publisher P.G. Thomson, 1881
Page 458

Jesse Franklin, a Captain and Adjutant in the regiment of his uncle, Colonel Cleveland, was born in Orange County, Virginia, March twenty-fourth, 1760. He settled in Surry County, North Carolina, about 1777, and shared largely with his uncle in the Tory warfare of the times. On one occasion, a Tory party under Jo. Lasefield captured him, and had him ready to swing off, when he said. "You have me completely in your power; but if you hang me, it will prove the dearest day's work you ever performed ; for uncle Ben. Cleveland will pursue you like a blood-hound, and he will never cease the chase while a solitary one of you survives." Though they hung him, the bridle with which they did it broke, and he fortunately dropped into the saddle of his horse, bounded away and escaped. Besides his service at King's Mountain, he participated in Guilford battle, and attained to the rank of Major before the close of the war. He was ten years a member of the House of Commons, and two of the State Senate; two years in the lower house of Congress, and twelve in the Senate, retiring in 1813. In 1816, he was appointed by President Madison a Commissioner to hold a treaty with the Chickasaws; and, in 1820, he was elected Governor of North Carolina, serving one term, when his health failing, he declined further public service, and died September twentyninth, 1823, in his sixty-fourth year. "He was distinguished." says Wheeler. "for his sincere patriotism, sound sense, and unassuming deportment."

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Letter from Alexander Martin to the North Carolina General Assembly;
GOV. MARTIN TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [From Executive Letter Book.]
Page 777
Gentlemen: I send herewith sundry petitions in favor of persons under sentence of death for high Treason, to-wit: from Burke & Rutherford Counties, in behalf of Joseph Lacefield & John Thomson, convicted at Morgan Superior Court, March term last, to be executed the 16th of May; from Salisbury, in behalf of Azil Cross, convicted at Salisbury, March term last; from Orange, in behalf of John Johnston, convicted at Hillsboro, last April term, together with a petition of Dennis Trammel under sentence of death in Salisbury Gaol for robbery, to be executed the time aforesaid.
The executive have been distressed with a number of wretches condemned heretofore for Treason, who, on enquiry into their particular cases, have thought them beneath the notice of public justice, and have generally pardoned them on their enlisting into the Continental Service for eighteen months.
As prosecutions of this kind are daily carried on, and the Courts of Justice worried with them, I beg the sense of the Honorable, the Legislature, as the Supreme Council of the State, with regard to the above persons; also request that some Law be passed, that the Judicial and Executive powers of Government be directed how to conduct themselves in future towards this Class of people. I am, &c.,
ALEX. MARTIN. April 21st, 1783

Minutes of the North Carolina House of Commons
North Carolina. General Assembly
April 18, 1783 - May 17, 1783
Volume 19, Pages 233-368
HOUSE JOURNAL—1783.
HOUSE JOURNAL FROM 18 APRIL, 1783, TO 17 MAY, 1783.
State of North Carolina,
In the House of Commons

Page 244
Monday, 21 April, 1783
The House met according to adjournment.
Mr. Micajah Thomas, one of the members for Nash County, Mr. Phil. Hawkins, one of
the members for Granville County, Mr. Benjamin Herndon & Mr. Wm. Lenoir, the
members for Wilkes County, Mr. Patrick Travis one of the members for Cumberland
County, Mr. Samuel Cain, one of the members for Bladen County, appeared, were
qualified and took their seats.

Received from His Excellency the Governor the following message:
To the Honourable the General Assembly:
Gentlemen:
I send you herewith sundry Petitions in favour of persons under sentence of death for
high Treason, to-wit, from Burke and Rutherford Counties, in behalf of Joseph Lacefield
& John Thompson convicted at Morgan Superior Court, March term last 1782, to be
executed the 16th of May 1783; from Salisbury, in behalf of Azel Cross, convicted at
Salisbury in March Term last; from Orange, in behalf of John Johnston, convicted at
Hillsborough last April sent term, together with a Petition in behalf of Dennis Trammel
under sentence of Death in Salisbury Gaol for robbery, to be executed the time aforesaid.
The Executive has been distressed with a number of wretches condemned heretofore for
Treason, who, on enquiring into their particular cases, have thought them beneath the
notice of public justice and have generally pardoned them on their enlisting into the
Continental service for Eighteen months. As prosecutions of this kind are daily carried
on and the Courts of Justice worried with them, I beg the sense of the Honorable the
Legislature, as the Supreme Council of the State, with regard to the above persons, also
request that some Law be passed that the Judicial and Executive powers of Government
be directed how to conduct themselves in future towards this class of People.
ALEX. MARTIN

Page 245
Monday, 21 April, 1783
Resolved, that it be recommended to His Excellency the Governor to grant a pardon of their several offences to Joseph Lacefield, Asel Cross, Dennis Trammel, Isham Young, John Walbert, John Thompson, William Simpson and John Johnston, who are each of them now under sentence of death, and who have been severally recommended to his Excellency as objects deserving of Clemency, some of them by the judges and Juries present at their conviction and others by sundry Gentlemen of reputable characters who are personally acquainted with them and their former conduct in life. Ordered that the above resolve be sent to the Senate for concurrence. Ordered that the message from His Excellency the Governor be also sent to the Senate.

Page 247
Monday, 21 April, 1783
Received from the Senate the following message: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: The resolve of your House of this day recommending to his Excellency the Governor to grant pardons to certain persons therein named, now under sentence of death, we have concurred with and caused the same to be handed the Governor.

Page 489
1783; Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly; CHAPTER VI; An Act of Pardon and Oblivion;
Whereas, it is the policy of all wise states on the termination of civil wars, to grant an act of pardon and oblivion for past offenses, and as divers of the citizens of this state, and others the inhabitants thereof, in the course of the late unhappy war, have become liable to great pains and penalties for offenses committed against the peace and government of the state, and the general assembly out of an earnest desire to observe the articles of peace, and on all occasions disposed to forgive offences rather than punish where the necessity for exemplary punishment has ceased.

II. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That all and all manner of treasons, misprision of treason, felony or misdemeanor, committed or done since the fourth day of July, seventeen hundred and seventy-six, by any person or persons whatsoever, be pardoned, released, and put in total oblivion.

III. Provided always, That this act, or anything therein contained, shall not extend to pardon or discharge, or give any benefit whatsoever to persons who have taken commissions, or have been denominated officers, and acted as such under the King of Great Britain, or to such as are named in any of the laws commonly called confiscation laws, or such as have attached themselves to the British and continued without the limits of this state, and not returned within twelve months previous to the passing of this act. Provided further, That nothing herein contained shall extend to pardon Peter Mallette, David Fanning and Samuel Andrews, or any person or persons guilty of deliberate and wilful murder, robbery, rape, or house burning, or any of them, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided nevertheless, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to bar any citizen of this state from their civil action for the recovery of debts and other damages. Provided also, That nothing herein contained shall intitle any person by this law to be received, to elect or be elected, to any office or trust in this state, or to hold any office civil or military.

Page 851
July 28, 1783
Proclamation by Gov Alexander Martin concerning loyalists; BY HIS EXCELLENCY ALEXANDER MARTIN, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR, CAPTAIN GENERAL AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE SAID STATE. [From Executive Letter Book.] State of North Carolina. A Proclamation.
Whereas, The Honorable the General Assembly passed an act of Pardon & Oblivion, at their last session, wherein it is enacted "That the said Act shall not extend to pardon or discharge, or give any benefit whatsoever to such persons (being citizens of this State) who have taken Commissions, or have been denominated officers, and acted on such, under the King of Great Britain, or to such as are named in any of the laws commonly called confiscation laws, or such who have attached themselves to the British, and continued without the limits of this State and not returned within twelve months previous to the passing the said act, or to Peter Mallet, David Fanning, and Samuel Andrews, or to any person or persons guilty of deliberate and wilful murder, robbery, rape and house burning; but that they be precluded from the said Act of Pardon and Oblivion notwithstanding." In order to bring such offenders to justice as are excepted out of said Act, I have thought proper, by and with the advice of the Council of State to issue this my Proclamation, requiring and commanding all officers, civil and military, in this State to use their endeavours to apprehend such persons of the above description that they may be dealt with according to Law, (those who have been acquitted in the Courts of Justice or been pardoned, excepted;) and all the good Citizens of this State are hereby required to be aiding and assisting in this service, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.
And, whereas, divers ill disposed persons, late inhabitants of this State, or some one of the United States, who withdrew from the same and attached themselves to the King of Great Britain in the late war, or were expelled fro being obnoxious to the Laws, since the suspension of hostilities between Britain and America, are daily intruding themselves into this State without any authority, under colour of carrying on trade and various other pretences, to the great uneasiness and disturbance of the good and virtuous Citizens thereof; that the public peace be supported, now happily restored, and a general harmony diffused, I do further order and command all such persons who have arrived into this State since the first day of May last, or who shall arrive without having first obtained leave from the executive, immediately to depart the same; and I do strictly prohibit the return of all and every the said persons until the Legislature shall please to determine on the subject, on the pains and penalties that shall ensue, and that this Proclamation be not evaded, but strictly complied with, I hereby require all officers, and the good Citizens of this State as aforesaid, to enforce the due observance of, and obedience thereto.
Given under my hand and the great Seal of the State, at Halifax, the Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, and eighth year of the independence of the said State. ALEXANDER MARTIN. By His Excellency's command. JAMES GLASGOW, Secretary. God Save the State.

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Kentucky Secretary of State

Jacob Myers Treasury Warrant Sept 25, 1786
To Joseph Laswell Aug 29, 1788 100 acres in Lincoln County on Dicks Run

Jacob Myers Treasury Warrant April 2, 1787
To Joseph Laswell May 16, 1800 178 acres in Lincoln County on Round Stone fork of Rockcastle and west fork of Scaggs Creek

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"Rockcastle Co., Kentucky and It's People", 1992, 'Laswell to Atkinson' submitted by William Prescott Wise, Anaheim, CA
In the year 1802, Joseph Laswell was granted 178 acres of land located on the waters of Skeggs Creek in that area of Lincoln County that would, in 1810, become a part of newly established Rockcastle County.

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