Day 84 of 110: War Record of Thomas Gaines

There appears to have been an effort early in the chapter's history - and the State Society - to document members' patriots. Following is the patriot documentation for the Revolutionary War ancestor of early chapter members Misses Minnie & Carrie Maslin and Mrs. Julius Neely.

 

WAR RECORD OF THOMAS GAINES

 

Thomas Gaines enlisted in Capt. Slaughter's Company 7th, Virginia Regiment of Infantry, August 30th, 1776. Commanded by Col. Daniel Morgan, formerly known as the eleventh, and Eleventh and Fifteenth Regiment.

 

He enlisted for three years, served three years and was discharged August 23rd, 1779. Received his pay by hands of French Strother.

 

Thomas Gaines was issued one hundred acres of land for special services February 19th, 1784. See Book 11., page 533, State Land Office,Richmond, Va.

 

Thomas Gaines was born in Culpepper, and died in Stokes County, North Carolina, January 30th, 1811.

 

Thomas Gaines md. Susan Strother, North Carolina. James Gaines md. Elizabeth Strothr, brothers and sisters.

 

James Gaines commanded a company of volunteers from Culpepper and distinguished himself in the Battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Capt. Gaines also commanded a company of Artillery at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, and was highly praised by Gen. Nathaniel Greene.

 

Thomas and James Gaines were sons of William Henry Gaines and Isabella Pendleton; were also nephews of Edmund Pendelton, the eminent jurist who was the first judge of the Court of Appeals at Richmond, Va. He was Burgess from Carolina County for many years and was elected Speaker of the House of Burgess, 1779. He died 1803, at age of 83, in Richmond, Va.

 

Having researching several of my own patriot ancestors (using modern tools...like the Internet - or an air conditioned car to drive to far away courthouses and records offices - or email and fax) I found it interesting to read an early member's summary of the ancestor that gained her membership into the DAR.