Wilkes-Upson County GaArchives Biographies.....LINDSAY, JOHN 1750 - 1808 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Larry C. Knowles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002854 November 7, 2008, 2:45 pm Author: Larry C. Knowles PATRIOT PROFILE-MAJOR JOHN LINDSAY, WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA-- In 1973 the remains of Major John Lindsay were moved from an obscure family cemetery to the site of the Battlefield at Kettle Creek in Wilkes Co. Ironically there is no real proof that he fought in that battle, but he fought in other battles with many of the men who did. Lindsay owned land in the Kettle Creek vicinity, near Phillip Mills on Little River. After his death in 1808, deacons of the Phillip Mills Church petitioned his estate for clear title to the land recently deeded by him, but not yet conveyed-they got the parcel. Though there are conflicts in some records, there is no question that John Lindsay was a true American Patriot. He finally did receive an annual $25.00 pension after getting Elijah Clarke-and others, to intervene on his behalf-through powers-of-attorney in Wilkes, to the War department then in Philadelphia. There is also a record that indicates that he ultimately received a total of $4200.00 plus, which no doubt included his per diem benefits for being a prisoner of war aboard the British ship "Whitby" in Savannah River, near Cockspur Island. This fact was shown in a deposition Lindsay made before the Georgia General Assembly in Augusta, opposing the pending citizenship of a British doctor-Donald McCleod, who had supposedly ministered to American prisoners. The Assembly finally voted "nay" 18 to 16 for citizenship. For details see page 58 of-"Georgia Citizens and Soldiers of the American Revolution"-(at Nancy Guinn)by Robert S. Davis, one of our most recent speakers. [Note: John Lindsay received some Georgia land grants. Very early pension records were lost in a War Department fire] Edward McCrady's, 1901-"The History of South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775- 1780"-[Google books online-pg. 832]-notes that Lindsay was wounded three times, and a hand was severed by British Dragoon Captain Lang in the Battle of Long Cane, near Ninety-Six, SC. Somehow, Major Lindsay survived those wounds, and was known the rest of his life as "old Silver fist", for an attachment fixed to his wrist. Colonel(Elijah)Clarke, and Lt. Col. McCall were also wounded in that battle, while under the command of Colonel Benjamin Few-all Georgians, who had joined forces with South Carolina units to harass British Colonel Cruger in a garrison at Ninety-Six. Lindsay named one of his sons, Jackson Clarke Watkins Lindsay, and another Benjamin Few Hamilton Lindsay, no doubt for his compatriots. Later, Lindsay became a member of the General Assembly, and was appointed in session, August 4, 1782, to the Governor's Executive Council. Earlier, the Assembly had voted to award Lindsay "two good Negroes..at any public sale..that the award be over and above allowance made by law...for suffering in the cause of his country"-and that he be allowed to purchase a third for Dr. Timothy Russell, who had ministered to him.[The Revolutionary Records of Georgia--Vol III-Journal of the House of Assembly"- 1908-pp. 183-84, by Allen D. Chandler, Georgia Archives]. John Lindsay was born in Halifax Co., VA in 1750. His place of honor at Kettle Creek was nobly earned. In Wilkes Co., he and wife Clarissa(Bullock)Sims, had two sons and five daughters. A brother-Benjamin Lindsay, also lived in Wilkes Co. Some believe James M. Lindsay of Wilkes was John's son from an earlier marriage. The surname is often spelled Lindsey. [Revised 11-06-2008] [Rockdale Co. Genealogical Society Newsletter-Nov. 2008] Additional Comments: Additional comments: This brief summary was included in the RCGS newsletter as an example of Revolutionary War service in Georgia. I am not a descendant of John Lindsay; but I did extensive research with my late best friend Harry E. Alexander who was-through Major Lindsay’s son, Jackson Clarke Watkins Lindsay, who settled in Upson Co. GA. The Wilkes Co. GA records offered numerous items on John Lindsay & his estate. His will named wife Clarissa, his brother Benjamin Lindsay, father-in-law Nathaniel Bullock, oldest son from a previous marriage- James M. Lindsay of St. Mary’s(above)-and seven younger children[five daughters and two sons]. Elijah Clarke was named in an early Wilkes Co. Power of Attorney to aid in obtaining War benefits for Lindsay, which included his per diem of $2700 for his imprisonment near Savannah. He was captured there Dec 29, 1778 by the troops of Archibald Campbell. There are no conflicts in the records! Major Lindsay evidently quickly rejoined the patriot effort after his release, and was wounded at Long Cane on December 11, 1779. In the deposition noted above, Major Lindsay accused Dr. McCleod of placing ground glass in medicines for the Americans, as determined by several patriot doctors, who were imprisoned with him. [Text references “Nancy Guinn” and “NCL” indicate the local libraries in Rockdale & Newton counties] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/wilkes/bios/lindsay968gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb