Capt. Abraham Cantrell

A Patriot of the American Revolution for NORTH CAROLINA. DAR Ancestor # A018927  

• ******By Judia Kemper Terry**************

Abraham Cantrell Capt. was born about 1744 in New Castle County,

Pennsylvania (now Delaware). He died in 1807 in , Spartanburg Co., South

Carolina. "Abraham Cantrell was born in New Castle County, Pennsylvania

about 1744. He married twice, but we have been unable to learn the names

of his wives. It is not unreasonable to suppose that his second wife was

a Watson (as he had a son named Watson). It has also been impossible to

get a complete list of his children, but we secured the lines of four of

his sons; the first three named were brothers and the fourth a

half-brother.

"Abraham Cantrell went with his parents to North Carolina, and served in

the Revolutionary War from the Salisbury District. His name appears on

the payrolls of North Carolina soldiers in the auditor's office in

Raleigh. Tradition says that he was a Captain, and this is probably true,

as he received more pay than others on the list.

"After the Revolution, he moved with his family to what is now known as

Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The first record of him in that

county is in the First United States census (1790), where he was given as

head of a family, having two sons over sixteen years of age, and two sons

under sixteen and a daughter.

"In 1792, he purchased 192 acres of land on Buck Creek (that joined the

Buck Creek Baptist Church Cemetery). In 1803, he was one of the

administrators of the estate of his father. He died in South Carolina.

Children: Abraham, Richard, John, Watson." (THE CANTRILL - CANTRELL

GENEALOGY, 1908, by Susan Cantrill Christie, pages 8 - 9.)

"There is some evidence that Abraham Cantrell had a twin brother, Isaac.

He had one daughter and probably other children." (CANTRELL-CANTRILL by

Horace Elbert Cantrell, 1972, page 29)

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ABRAHAM CANTRELL AND HIS TWO WIVES written by the DeKalb County Historian, Thomas G. Webb.

http://www.tngenweb.org/dekalb/fam_hist/abcantrell.htm

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1. ABRAHAM CANTRELL 5(John4, Joseph3, Richard2 Cantrill, ???1) was born Abt. 1744 in Christiana Hundred,nr Wilmington, New Castle Co, PA (now Del.), and died Abt. 1814 in Prob Spartanburg Co, SC. He married (1) Lucy? Watson. She was born Abt. 1744. He married (2) ??? ??? Bet. 1769 - 1770 in prob Orange Co, NC. She was born in prob Orange Co, NC, and died Abt. 1782.

Notes for Abraham Cantrell, Capt.:
per: #4 Cantrill-Cantrell Genealogy by Christie 1938 pages 8 & 9; DAR #608378; Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray 1966 p 548 (Fayetteville, AR library).

Abraham Cantrell was born New Castle County, Pennsylvania (now Wilmington, Delaware). He moved to Rockingham County, North Carolina as a small child with his parents. He moved later to South Carolina and died there shortly after his father leaving to will recorded. About the same time he died, most of his children settled Warren County, Tennessee from South Carolina, coming about 1804 to 1824 to that section.

Abraham Sr. moved to No Carolina with his parents. He served in the Rev. War from Salisbury District and appears on pay rolls of NC soldiers in auditor's office in Raleigh. Traditions says that he was a captain. After the Rev. War he moved with his siblings to Spartanburg County, South Carolina. the 1790 Census lists him as head of the family having 2 sons over 16, 2 sons under sixteen and one daughter. In 1792 he purchased 192 acres on Buck Creek. In 1803 he was one of the administrators of father John Cantrell's estate.

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Warren G. Cantrell sent Family Group Record to Mildred Dotterer 18 Jan 1999: 9 pages of John Caskey descendants:

Sarah Cantrell b 1794 96th Dist SC d 1870 De Kalb co, TN in the 1850-1860 1870 census of DeKalb Co, TN is the dau of CAPTAIN Abraham Cantrell b 1744 and Lucy Lovelace nee WATSON b abt 1744. She married 1810 John Durham and was apparently married to a Mr. Lovelace before she married Captain Abraham Cantrell.

Warren G. Cantrell
1913 Willowbend Dr. Killeen, TX 76543

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Marriage Notes for Abraham Cantrell and Lucy? Watson: Date of marriage to Lucy Watson of 1785 is from David Hennessee.

Children of Abraham Cantrell and Lucy? Watson are: 2i. THOMAS CANTRELL

Notes for Thomas Cantrell: Thomas may not be a son of Capt. Abraham Cantrell.

3ii. RICHARD CANTRELL, born March 10, 1771 in Orange (now Rockingham) Co, NC; died Bet. 1830 - 1840 in Warren Co, TN. He married Constance Bethel February 18, 1794 in Spartanburg Co, SC; born October 22, 1776 in Guilford (now Rockingham) Co, NC; died Bet. 1830 - 1840 in Franklin Co, IL. 4 iii. JOHN "Johnny Flathead" CANTRELL, born 1773 in VA or NC; died Aft. October 1855 in Warren Co, TN. He married Mary Adkins 1793 in Spartanburg Co, SC; born 1774 in Spartanburg Co, SC; died Aft. October 1850 in Warren Co, TN.

Notes for John "Johnny Flathead" Cantrell: "Cantrill-Cantrell Genealogy by Christie 1938 pages 15 & 16. John "Johnnie Flat" Cantrill moved to Tennessee. Records are at McMinnville in Warren County, Tenn from 1824 to 1855. Land grants are on the North side of Sink Creek.

P. 14: ...a son John ("Johnny Flat" Davis) born 1773 NC moved with parents to Spartanburg, SC where he married Mary Adkins and had a large family. He moved to Tennessee settling in Warren County, on Sink Creek in a section later called DeKalb County, Tennessee.

John "Jackie" Davis (son of John "Johnny Flat Davis and Mary Adkins), is listed in error as JACKSON. "Jack" is a nickname for John. In another account he has a middle name of LEWIS.

Occupation: farmer.

He moved with his parents to Spartanburg Co, SC near Mayo, where he married and had a large family. He moved to Tennessee by 1810 and settled in Warren County on Sink Creek which became a part of DeKalb County-Christie

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BIOGRAPHY: Settled in Spartanburg Co., SC, where he was called "Johnny Flat" to distinguish him from the other John Cantrells in the area. Moved to TN perhaps about 1810. Records at McMinnville, Warren Co., TN from 1824-1855 of grants of land made to him on the north side of Sink Creek.

John Cantrell [Parents] "Johnny Flat" 1 was born in 1773 in , , NC, USA. He died in , , TN, USA. He married Mary Adkins estimated 1793.

[Notes] Mary Adkins was born about 1775 in , Spartanburg, SC, USA. She died in , , TN, USA. She married John Cantrell estimated 1793.

They had the following children:

M i Abraham Cantrell F ii Elinda (Nellie) Cantrell F iii Melissa Cantrell was born estimated 1797. M iv Sampson Cantrell was born in 1799. F v Syrena Cantrell M vi Madison Cantrell was born about 1805. M vii William Riley Cantrell There are further notes on: Abraham, Elinda (a/k/a Elender md John Lewis Davis of DeKalb Co, TN, son of David Davis, Jr. and Rebecca McMechen, dau of William McMechen), Syrena, William Riley Cantrell Source: http:www.strutton.org/strutton_database/allfamily/pafg120.htm#3260 from William Chilton June 3, 2003

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The following letter was written by Nancy Strother Smith (Mrs. J. W. Lee), daughter of Rebecca Davis Smith, dau. of John Lewis Davis and Ellender "Nellie" Cantrell of DeKalb Co, TN.

The letter: Now John, Called "Johnny Flathead", married Mary Adkins. Their children were: Sampson, Madison, Abraham,, William Riley, Serene and Nellie, my grandmother. Sampson married and took his family to Alabama. Madison married Nellie Cantrell and went to Mississippi and had six children. They were: Jane, Nancy, Robert, John, Elizabeth, and Melissa Cantrell. Abraham married Jennie Robbs, no doubt about that! Their children were: Collins, John, Jefferson (who married ms. West), William (who married Sallie Mullican), eight children, Sallie married Mr. Wilkerson. I knew their son Cleve Wilkerson and went to school with his children. Susan married Tom Cantrell. Lissie (Melissa) married Richard Cantrell. Tom and Richard were brothers, and were sons of Peter and Polly Cantrell. They were also brothers-in-law to Alex Davis, (my mother's brother). Alex Davis and his father-in-law went with their families to Dade County, Mo., when they were young. Alex Davis made two visits back to Smithville, and died in Missouri at 100 years old.

A daughter of John and Mary Adkins Cantrell was Nellie Cantrell, my grandmother. She married John (Jackie) Lewis Davis. I never heard my grandmother called by the name you mentioned. Everyone called her Nellie. My grandparents were both born in Spartanburg, SC and Rebecca, my mother, and her sister Amanda, were both born in Tennessee. My grandparents both lived to be 87 years old, and both died in an accident. They raised 12 children to be up in years, and never had a doctor in the house. (Strong and Healthy). I have a nephew, James Carlyn Moore who is one of the men at Pepperdine College, Los Angeles. You may meet him sometime. If you should, tell him that you and he are kin. I appreciate all that you sent me. I hope that you will write again and tell me about your family. Anything you will write will be of interest to me. Give my respects to your grandfather. Sincerely, Your cousin, Mrs. J. W. Lee (Nancy Strother Smith) Author of the letter: The letter was sent to my uncle Jerry Cantrell in the early 1960s........My aunt's name is Goskini......she doesn't post anything.....But she has thousands of pieces of papers, wills. Letters etc............I found IDA married twice.....and another kid, but can't read the name... from Sandy Wainwright to Mildred I. (Seburn) Clark Oct, 2002. Sandy said her uncle Jerry had planned to do a book in the 1960's but died before he could. His papers then were divided among the family and Warren G. Cantrell received part of them.

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Rebecca Davis died in 1931. Nancy Strother Davis Lee was her daughter. John "Johnny Flathead" Cantrell was the father of Ellenor "Nellie" Cantrell. Abraham married twice. Tom, Richard and Druzilla E. Cantrell were the children of Peter Cantrell and Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Davis. I have a paper copy of a photo of Rebecca Davis and her children from John Gray Davis.

5iv. WATSON CANTRELL, born 1790 in Spartanburg Co, SC; died January 25, 1870 in DeKalb Co, TN. He married Mary Elizabeth Martin Abt. 1814 in prob Spartanburg Co, SC; born Bet. 1793 - 1795 in NC or Spartanburg Co, SC; died October 25, 1860 in DeKalb Co, TN.

Notes for Watson Cantrell: Watson Cantrell helped organize the new DeKalb county in Tennessee. Occupation: farmer, $1200 land value. Warren G. Cantrell: Watson Cantrell moved to Tenn between 1814 and 1824. In 1824 he received a grant of land on Sink Creek in a part of Warren Co, TN that is now in DeKalb Co, TN.

Watson Cantrell, 15 Jan 1870 is his date of death- Mildred I. Seburn Clark had. Watson Cantrell date of death 25 Jan 1870-date of by Sandy Wainwright

6v. ABRAHAM CANTRELL, born 1789 in SC; died 1846 in Warren Co (now DeKalb), TN. He married Sarah Durham 1813 in Spartanburg, SC.

Notes for Abraham Cantrell: http://www.dmitchelljones.org/can4.htm has a site for Cantrell, Mullican, and other lines.

7vii. ELIZABETH CANTRELL born Bet. 1791 - 1792 in SC; died 1836 in DeKalb Co, TN. She married Tilman Potter 1809 in prob DeKalb Co, TN; born Bet. 1790 - 1792 in Spartanburg Co, SC; died May 09, 1841 in DeKalb Co, TN.

Notes for Tilman Potter: Tilman may have been the son of Ephraim Potter of Mayo, Spartanburg, SC, however direct proof is lacking-Edith Whitley.Will was proven May 7, 1841 DeKalb Co, TN.

8vii. SARAH CANTRELL born 1794 in 96th Dist, SC; died Aft. 1850. She married John Caskey; born Bet. 1794 - 1796 in Chester Co, SC; died Abt. 1856 in DeKalb Co, TN.

Notes for John Caskey: William L. Bigham, 452 County Road 754, Riceville, TN 37370 www.rootsweb.com/~tnmcminn/ThomasCantrell.htm (Jan 1999): THOMAS CANTRELL INCLUDING WILLIAM HENRY COOKE DECENDANTS 5 pages, William L. Bigham lists as his source: The Cantrill-Cantrell Geneology, first pub in 1908 by Mrs. Susan Cantrill Christie; 2nd by Mrs. W. E. Benson & Mrs. Jack Slayden, Bowie, TX William L. Bigham also notes for more info on the Cantrell-Newman fam to contact him.

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1097. vii. SARAH m JOHN KASKIE. THEY MOVED TO MO. (I think this is the line of Warren G. Cantrell of Killeen, TN and they moved to De Kalb Co, TN) Thomas Kaskie prob his bro married Sarah's sister Brazaila (a note they also moved to MO-Warren in an email mentions Brazella.

Note that John Caskey had two marriages to two women of THE SAME NAME but of different parents.

Warren G. Cantrell sent 2 family group sheets of the Caskey's: Thomas Caskey and John Caskey to Mildred Dotterer Clark Mildred Clark http://genforum.genealogy.com/cantrell/messages/6767.html

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33. Abraham CANTRELL (John , Sr. CANTRIL , Joseph C. CANTRIL , Richard CANTRIL , Richard CANTRIL , Henry CANTRIL , William , Jr. CANTRILL , William , , , , , ) was born 1744 in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He died 1814 in Spartanburg county, South Carolina.

Served in the American Revolution, North Carolina.
Lucy Watson was his second wife

• ******By Judia Kemper Terry************** Abraham Cantrell Capt. was born about 1744 in New Castle County, Pennsylvania (now Delaware). He died in 1807 in , Spartanburg Co., South Carolina. "Abraham Cantrell was born in New Castle County, Pennsylvania about 1744. He married twice, but we have been unable to learn the names of his wives. It is not unreasonable to suppose that his second wife was a Watson (as he had a son named Watson). It has also been impossible to get a complete list of his children, but we secured the lines of four of his sons; the first three named were brothers and the fourth a half-brother.

"Abraham Cantrell went with his parents to North Carolina, and served in the Revolutionary War from the Salisbury District. His name appears on the payrolls of North Carolina soldiers in the auditor's office in Raleigh. Tradition says that he was a Captain, and this is probably true, as he received more pay than others on the list.

"After the Revolution, he moved with his family to what is now known as Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The first record of him in that county is in the First United States census (1790), where he was given as head of a family, having two sons over sixteen years of age, and two sons under sixteen and a daughter.

"In 1792, he purchased 192 acres of land on Buck Creek (that joined the Buck Creek Baptist Church Cemetery). In 1803, he was one of the administrators of the estate of his father. He died in South Carolina. Children: Abraham, Richard, John, Watson." (THE CANTRILL - CANTRELL GENEALOGY, 1908, by Susan Cantrill Christie, pages 8 - 9.)

"There is some evidence that Abraham Cantrell had a twin brother, Isaac. He had one daughter and probably other children." (CANTRELL-CANTRILL by Horace Elbert Cantrell, 1972, page 29)

Abraham married (1) Malissa WATSON. Malissa was born 1758. She died about 1799 in Spartanburg county, South Carolina.

They had the following children:

+ 83 M i Richard CANTRELL + 84 M ii John CANTRELL

 85 M iii Abraham CANTRELL was born 1779 in Guilford county, North Carolina. 

       Abraham married Sarah DURHAM about 1802 in Tennessee. 

 86 M iv UFN (son of Abraham) CANTRELL was born 1787. 

 87 M v Watson CANTRELL was born 1790.  + 88 F vi Elizabeth CANTRELL 

 89 F vii Sarah CANTRELL was born 1793. 

 90 M viii Hardin CANTRELL was born 1796 in Spartanburg county, South Carolina.

This may be Hardin Cantrell, no proof at the present time.

 91 F ix Milly CANTRELL was born 1798 in Spartanburg county, South Carolina.

This may possibly be Milly Cantrell, no proof yet.

He had the following children:

+ 92 M x John CANTRELL http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pattiejo/cantrell/pafg13.h...

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He was the son of John Cantrell and was born in the big valley of Virginia where his parents moved in 1737.

He accompanied them to Orange co. North Carolina in 1753 but he never appears on North Carolina county records.

Who did he marry and where? The eldest son born 1771 was deceased by 1850, but the 2nd son John "Johnny Flat" stated on the 1850 census of Warren county, Tennessee that he was born in 1773 in Virginia.

The children of the 2nd marriage were born in South Carolina. He had two sons by 1st marriage and two sons and three daughters by 2nd marriage. Lucy seens to have died ca 1798 in the old 96th District, South Carolina. Abraham never remarried, he moved to Warren county, Tennessee in 1810 and son Richard sold him land, household goods and animals in May 1810.

Abraham died within 10 months after May 1825 and was buried at the Old Bildad Baptist Church Cemetery.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 21 2016, 21:49:58 UTC

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 13 2020, 0:24:29 UTC