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(Photo by Old Glory Prints)
John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. Revolutionary War Soldier by Ethelene Dyer Jones
On July 16, 1994, descendants and admirers of John Henry Stonecypher, Jr., Revolutionary war soldier, gathered for a service of dedication at the Stonecypher Family Cemetery in Eastanollee, GA, Stephens County. An historical marker was dedicated and a patriotic program conducted. Stonecypher’s service as a Revolutionary soldier was recounted. A great, great grandson of Stonecypher and Sons of American Revolution member, John Paul Souther (late) of Gainesville arranged the program and led the effort to place a fence around the graves, secure the memorial marker, and plan and implement the impressive program.
As strains of patriotic music came from an impromptu brass band assembled by 7th and 8th generation great grandchildren of the patriot, and accolades were given, we were glad to be there. We knew we were participating in history and honoring a worthy individual who had put freedom above personal safety, liberty above personal comfort. We heard these words from John Henry Stonecypher himself, quoted from his pension application of September 3, 1832: “I received no pay other than the liberties of my country.” It was a glorious afternoon beside his grave and near the house he built for his family, still standing in splendor near the family cemetery.
John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. was born in Culpepper County, Virginia in 1756, the son of German immigrant Johann Heinricus Steinseiffer who came to America in 1753, and the grandson of Johannes Steinseiffer who came to America in 1749. John Henry, Jr. lived in Virginia until his family moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1763.
John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in June, 1776 as a private in the North Carolina Militia under Colonel Cleveland and Captain Shepherd. He entered the service at the Wilkes County Court House and was made a guard over some prisoners-of-war at Salisbury under Captain Gordon Shepherd. This was a three months tour of duty.
He returned to Wilkes County Court House and was reassigned to a battalion at the Crew River where they sought to stop the Tories led by a Captain Roberts. At King’s Creek they also warded off Tories. That ended his second three-month’s enlistment.
He rejoined the service in June, 1780 at Wilkes County Court House under the leadership of Captain Rutledge in the regiment commanded by Colonels Loches and Isaacs. Commander-in-Chief was General Gates. He also served under General Rutherford. That term of service was three months.
His fourth term of duty in the North Carolina Militia began at Salisbury. The regiment marched to Charlotte Court House and then to Camden, South Carolina where he again fought under the command of General Gates. The militia (Overmountain Men) army was defeated. Stonecypher escaped and returned home to Wilkes County.
After a few days of rest, he went again to Wilkes County Court House and signed for the North Carolina Militia under Colonel Cleveland with whom he continued in service and fought in the Battle of King’s Mountain in October, 1780.
He was then placed under the command of General Davidson and engaged in the Battle of Okimish at Beattie’s Ford on the Catawba River. There they were trying to prevent the British under General Cornwallis from crossing the river. General Davidson was killed in the battle. The militia was defeated and retreated to the Widow Torrance’s house and lands. There they were attacked the next morning in her Lane and again defeated. He went home for a brief furlough.
Stonecypher returned to Wilkes Court House, again joining with Colonel Cleveland. He remained with Cleveland until the latter was assigned to the Lejis Catuce. Stonecypher was then placed under the command of Colonel Hearne with whom he continued to serve until the Battle of Guilford (Court House) in March, 1781. At Guilford he was placed among the riflemen under Colonel Campbell. He was wounded in that battle. He returned home for his wound to heal.
In October 1781 he reentered service under the command of Captain Keys, Colonel Hearne and General U. Lowell. They marched to Pleasant Gardens on the Catawba River. From thence they engaged against the Indians who were siding with the British in Cherokee territory. The militia engaged in burning Indian villages at Wautauga, Cowee and Sugar Creek. He served until December, 1781. He was honorably discharged at Wilkes County Court House by Colonel Cleveland. Altogether, John Henry Stonecypher served three years as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War.
He married in Wilkes County, NC to Nancy Ann Curtis, daughter of Joshua Curtis, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army. Stonecypher was granted 20,000 acres of land in Rabun and Franklin Counties in Georgia in payment for his service in the Revolutionary War. He and Nancy moved first to Hart County, Georgia in 1784. In 1786 they moved again to what was then Franklin County, Georgia and located on Eastanollee Creek where he built a dam and a water-operated grist mill. In 1790 he built a stately two-story house, hiring the services of an architect to plan and erect the dwelling.
He and Nancy had nine children:
Benjamin, b. 1787, Franklin County, GA, married Elizabeth Collins.
Susannah, b. 1790, Franklin County, GA, married William Nix
James Thomas, b. 1793, Franklin County, GA, married Martha Ruth Camp
Fannie, b. 1797, Franklin County, GA, married _______ Cannon.
Mary, b. 1799. Never married.
Nancy, b. Nov. 11, 1800, d. March, 1854. Never married.
Lucy, b. ca 1801, married Anderson Moseley.
Amy, b. 1803. Married Cooper B. Fuller.
Phoebe, b. April 16, 1807, d. May 10, 1865. Married Daniel Moseley who operated the old Stonecypher Mill
John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. died at age 96 on December 15, 1850 from injuries sustained in a fall from the mill house steps. Nancy Curtis Stonecypher, who was born about 1760, died July 12, 1852 (?). Both are buried in the Stonecypher Family Cemetery near the house he built at Eastanollee, GA.
Our lineage back to John Henry Stonecypher is through various family lines. Personally for me it is through my mother, Azie Collins Dyer, daughter of Francis Jasper and Georgianne Hunter Collins, Francis Jasper’s father, Frank (or Francis) Collins who married Rutha Nix; Rutha’s parents, William and Susannah Stonecypher Nix. Susannah’s father was the Revolutionary War soldier John Henry Stonecypher, Jr.
In the Souther and Dyer lines, John Paul Souther who arranged the stone placement and memorial service for John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. in 1994, was the son of Jeptha Freeman Souther and Mintie Dyer Souther. Jeptha’s father was Jesse Souther, Jr. and his mother was Malinda Nix, daughter of William and Susannah Stonecypher Nix. And Susannah’s parents were Pvt. John Henry Stonecypher, Jr. and Nancy Curtis Stonecypher. There are other ties in family lines. James “Jimmy” Nix, son of William and Susannah Stonecypher Nix, married Elizabeth “Betsy” Collins, daughter of Thompson and Celia Self Collins. Jasper “Grancer” Nix, a son of James and Betsy, married Harriet Caroline “Tina” Duckworth—thus bringing the Duckworths and another family into the lineage. John Washington Nix, a son of “Grancer” and “Tina” married Cathryn Clarenda Dyer, a daughter of Henderson Andrew Dyer and Adeline Sullivan Dyer. Henderson Dyer’s parents were Micajah Clark Dyer and Morena Owenby Dyer. Clark Dyer invented “The Apparatus for Navigating the Air” and received a patent for it in 1874. Micajah Clark Dyer was the son of Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) Dyer, the first-born of Bluford Elisha, Jr. and Elizabeth Clark Dyer, first Dyer settlers in the Choestoe Valley of Union County, Georgia.
We salute our ancestor, John Henry Stonecypher, Jr., soldier for freedom in the American Revolution. His descendants are many. His legacy shines as a beacon to liberty.
[Sketch written by descendant Ethelene Dyer Jones, compiled from Stonecypher Family History by Watson B. Dyer and others and additional family information (Collins, Nix, and online) sources. Keith Jones shortened this sketch and presented it at the Dyer-Souther Heritage Association Reunion on July 18, 2009 when the program theme was “Honoring our Revolutionary War Patriots.”]
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This sketch, written by Ethelene, is as well researched as the others I've shared with you-but one line-makes it my favorite. The quote that came directly from the mouth of John Henry Stonecyper Jr. - “I received no pay other than the liberties of my country.”
I believe that summed up the feelings of the Patriot Soldiers who fought for the birth of America. Some how-on some level of thought-they each realized what was at stake-they each realized America was an opportunity that would never come again-an oppourtunity for them and their families to live free. Although I doubt they could have envisioned the life we live in 2010-I do believe they fought for something bigger than their wants and dreams-they fought for the greater good of the new country of America-and that means they fought for me.
Tipper
p.s. Happy 4th of July from the whole Blind Pig Gang. Before you watch the video-stop the music player in the top right of this page.
The Blind Pig gang usually hangs out at Paul's every Sunday afternoon. Along with the pickin' and grinnin' there's lots of talking and sometimes lots of laughter-especially when we take time to laugh at our mistakes and mess-ups.
We all joke-that we can pick any song and play it straight through the first time-and even do a pretty good job on it-unless the camera is running. Some how when we know that camera is filming us we all get a little goofy-as you can see from the video below. (don't forget to stop the music player in top right of this page before you start the video)
I hope you enjoyed our silliness! Today's post is a Spotlight on Music in Appalachia post-so if you comment-you get an entry into the Guitar Giveaway.
In addition-today's post is a giveaway itself-3 folks can win. To be entered-all you have to do is a leave me a comment and tell me which clip from the video above was your favorite. Oh-and what do you win? A cd of the Blind Pig Gang-you even get to pick out the songs yourself. Each winner will get to pick 12 songs from the music player on this site-you can scroll down the player to see/hear more songs. Just make sure to choose songs that are by Paul Wilson, Paul Wilson and Mark Wilson, or Paul Wilson and The Pressley Girls. This giveaway ends on Saturday-June 26th.
If you'd like to see what we do when we're really silly-click here.
Tipper
p.s. To leave a comment look just below this post-below the 3 small pictures in a row. You'll see Posted At.... in Black then a bunch of other words in orange-click on the word 'comments' and fill in the info-all you need is a name and an email (no one will be able to see your email-except me). Or if you landed here through a direct link-the comment form will already be open-just scroll down till you see Post A Comment.
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Pretty nice looking guitar uh? This is the Vintage Ibanez Classical Guitar that will be given away at the end of the Blind Pig & the Acorn's Spotlight on Music in Appalachia. Of course how it sounds means a whole lot more than how it looks-so Paul picked out an old tune for you to hear. East Virginia Blues-its what you call a traditional song-meaning it's so old no one really knows who wrote it. The song has many variations-which is typical with songs that have been preserved literally by word of mouth-or maybe I should say word of singing.
It's easy to imagine how the various verses and chords came about-for example: Say-Uncle Gaylord heard the song played in a tavern he visited on his way back from working down in the flatlands. Once he was home-he couldn't remember exactly what the words were-or exactly every chord-but he remembered the jist of it-and he adjusted the words as he picked out the song sitting on the front porch after a hard days work.
A few of the songs Paul and Pap sing-have been added to or changed by them. One that comes to mind is Early One Morning. It's a song Pap remembered from his childhood-even with today's technology no amount of searching found the exact lyrics-so Paul made up what Pap couldn't remember.
Everyone from the Country Gentlemen to the Carter Family has sung East Virginia Blues. The version we like-comes by way of Flatt and Scruggs. The words are slightly different-and the tune is as well-kinda like a slowed down version of Little Maggie. See what you think about this version-and see how good the giveaway guitar sounds. (don't forget to stop the player in the top right hand of this page before you start the video)
Now that you've heard the sound-and the song-here are the giveaway details-it's only open to residents of the USA:
Leave a comment!
Tipper
Chitter and Chatter spent their spring break at Deer Camp with The Deer Hunter and Papaw Tony. See what Chatter brought back for me-a little heart of stone. She found it where we usually look for crystals in the red Georgia clay.
The first time I remember seeing a heart shaped rock-was when the girls were about 8 or 9. We were camping at Rattler's Ford near Robbinsville, NC. All the kids were playing in the creek with the Mom's watching from the bank. One Mother found the little heart shaped rock above and gave it to Chitter. I've written before about how much the girls love rocks-having the heart rock made Chitter feel like a Queen. Of course she waited till we got back to the huge gravel parking lot to loose it-the first of many times spent re-finding the heart shaped rock. Kinda like Chatter loosing Wilson and Judy.
After Chitter was given the first heart rock-it seemed every where we looked we seen other heart rocks. Chatter found the one above in our creek-it has a perfect little heart imprinted on it-like someone stamped it with a cookie cutter.
And who could forget the heart rock that resides inside the Three Indian Princesses summer camp at the creek.
One of my favorite hearts of stone isn't a rock-it's a song. Paul wrote Your Little Heart Of Stone. It has such an infectious tune-it's one of those songs that gets into your head and goes round and round. Give it a listen and see if you agree. (don't forget to stop the music player in the top right of this page before you start the video)
Hope you liked the song. If you'd like to see more heart shaped rocks check out this Flickr group.
Have you ever seen a little heart of stone?
Tipper
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Both Bluegrass and Country songs are sometimes said to be synonymous with heartache and sadness. There's even been songs written about the lonesome phenomenon related to both genres. In the country realm-David Allen Coe's You Don't Even Call Me By My Name comes to mind.
Mandolin Man teases Paul about the songs he writes-saying "ever last one of them is sad and depressing". One time Paul thought he'd take a cue from David Allen Cole and write the most depressing song he could come up with-he came up with In The Lonesome Woods Tonight which turned out to be one of my all time favorite songs.
For this week's Pickin' & Ginnin' In The Kitchen Spot-I've got a toe tapping song for you. It's an old Roy Acuff song-Write Me Sweetheart. I guess you could say it goes against the grain of the typical sad and lonesome bluegrass tune. The words surely talk about a broken heart-but I don't know how anyone could listen to Paul and Pap's version and be sad. See what you think. (don't forget to stop the player in the top right hand of this page before you start the video)
Did you tap your toes? I did-outstanding flat top picking and tight harmonies-you can't beat that.
If you'd like to hear more of Paul and Pap's music-and you live close enough-they'll be playing at the John C. Campbell Folk School on Friday night (March 5th). The concert starts at 7:30-and the whole Blind Pig Gang will be performing.
I was thrilled when we were asked to play for the Friday Night Concert Series-and I was even more excited when I was asked to write about it for the Folk School Blog. I'd be pleased if you jumped over to read about my history with the John C. Campbell Folk School.
Tipper
Subscribe for free to Blind Pig & The Acorn by EmailWhat makes a good song? Does it have to be catchy? Have a good beat? Move your emotions? For me-it varies-like most music lovers-I like slow songs, fast songs, songs that have a beating bass, songs that tell a story, songs that are silly, songs that make me mad, songs that make me cry-I'm sure by now you get the point-I like lots of songs.
Front Range is one of our favorite bands-even though they're no longer a band. Front Range was in it's hay day during the 80's and 90's, but even then they didn't seem to garner the respect and fame that we believe they deserved. I've often wondered if they'd hailed from Kentucky or North Carolina instead of Colorado, it would have made a difference in their Bluegrass Careers.
Not only was their music and vocals top notch-their songs were a cut above most. Bob Amos-their lead vocalist penned some of the songs they released. You can check out Pap and Paul performing 2 of his-The Hills I Call Home and Way Back In The Hills-2 of my all time favorite songs.
Fergus County Jail is another outstanding Front Range song. All those things it takes to make a good song-it has them: a tune that you won't be able to get out of your head, a story so real you feel like you're there when the hammer comes down or maybe you were the person who hollerd even up the score, emotions-it'll make you mad-it'll make you sad, and it's even perfect for the weather we've been having-cold and snowy and wishing we could hear the whippoorwills of spring.
For this Pickin' & Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot-check out Paul and Pap's version of the Fergus County Jail-I absolutely know you'll be glad you did-cause it still blows me away and I've seen it too many times to count. (don't forget to stop the player in the top right hand corner of this page by clicking on the round button)
So did you like it? What do you like in a song?
Tipper
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Hard Times Come Again No More was written by Stephen Foster in 1855. Since Foster was a songwriter by trade I'm sure the song was composed with monetary gain in mind-however-I've read it was also penned cause the words directly related to events that were taking place in Foster's own private life-in other words Foster had fallen on hard times himself.
We've been performing the song for the past few months-any of you that tuned in to hear Pap and Paul on the radio heard it there. I'm always amazed at the longevity of songs like this one-how it was written all those years ago-well over a 100-and still resonates in today's modern world. Foster was a masterful writer-more than a few of his songs are still popular today.
I believe Hard Times Come Again No More has hung around-cause who hasn't had hard times? The songs first lines indicate just that "Let us Pause in Life's pleasures to count its many tears for we all share sorrow with the poor". The song goes on to discuss how as humans it's natural for us to seek mirth and beauty-even though frail folks at the door are experiencing hard times and some of those hard times may be waiting for us across the troubled waves or upon the shore.
While this life is full of troubles and trials-a common thread of hard times folks in the US are experiencing at the moment-is the economic downturn. In my area of Appalachia-the current unemployment rate is 15.5%. Over the past several months, the number of friends whose homes are in foreclosure has risen from 2 to 3. Hard times indeed.
This Pickin' and Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot features Foster's song-Hard Times Come Again No More. (don't forget to stop the player in the top right hand of this page before you start the video-just click on the larger round circle with the ll marks)
Hope you enjoyed the song-and I hope hard times come around your cabin door no more. If you know what the unemployment rate is in your area-please leave a comment about it.
Tipper
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I grew up in a family of Merle Haggard fans. How can anyone deny the man's musical genius? I believe his name was uttered with deep reverence in my house full of Appalachian music-because as a musician he truly has it all. Haggard has a voice that arguably is among the best ever recorded-he has the guitar playing down too-but his appeal doesn't quite stop there.
Haggard has often been called The Poet of the Common Man. All one has to do his listen to his original songs to see the reason why. The songs Haggard pens speak directly to the everyday hard working trying to get ahead life is sometimes a pain Joe on the street. His songs are about real life-real life viewed in a way that resonates with folks.
Through the years you can trace my love of Haggard songs by the way they came packaged.
Over the past several months we've been playing around with one of my favorite Merle Haggard songs-Silver Wings. Paul joked that it almost seemed a sacrilege to put our version on youtube-cause no matter how many times we did it-our attempt would never even get near the original. I love playing it-cause it's one of my favorite songs-but mostly-I love thinking of me and Paul sitting around on the floor listening to Merle nearly 30 years ago-and here we are today playing one of those same songs-picking and grinning in the kitchen.
For this Pickin' & Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot Silver Wings written by Merle Haggard. (don't forget to pause the music player in the top right hand of this page before starting the video)
Hope you enjoyed the song. Got a favorite Merle Haggard song-leave me a comment and tell me about it. You can check this link out to hear a few of my favorites: Merle Medley.
Tipper
p.s. Next up-some humor to go along with the hog killing series.
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Are you a radio listener? If Chatter, Chitter, or The Deer Hunter are in my car-the radio is on and turned to some honky tonk country station. But if I'm alone, I'm listening to a cd-and if I do turn the radio on-it's usually to a news talk station.
Back in the day, as a teenager, I listened to the radio a lot-remember Casey Kasem's weekly top 40? I looked forward to the countdown all week and rarely missed it. If I was at home-I'd lay on the bed and listen to see who hit number one or if I was at Granny Gazzie's little house by the highway, my cousins and I would listen to see if our favorite song made it to the top of the charts.
This week my house has been all about the radio-strange for someone who seldom listens to it.
First up: Paul and Pap were invited to perform live on David Brose's radio show this coming Saturday. If you'd like to listen you can-the radio station streams live over the net. Go to: WYHG (click on WYHG and you'll see Listen Live in blue at top right of page-click that to listen) David's show "The Mountain Valley Homecoming" airs from 12:00 till 2:00pm. Paul and Pap will perform during the first hour of the show from 12-1pm. (the times mentioned are eastern standard time-so depending on where you live you may have to convert to your time zone)
Second: I was invited to be a guest on a live radio show this Sunday by Paul Ward of Saltcreek Life. Paul's promo sums it up better than I can: Tipper from "Blind Pig And The Acorn" blog joins me as co-host for a call in trivia show. We will cover her site, Appalachian heritage, and give away some prizes. Be ready to call in! The Salt Creek Life radio show starts at 6pm central time. To listen and for more details about the show go too: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/paulsw
Third: Last night I listened to the radio as one of those cousins from Granny Gazzie's did his job. Clint is anchor for the Malone Sports Network broadcast team. Last night it was all about girls basketball. Clint did such a great job announcing-I felt like I was right there on the court-wincing at the fouls, jumping to my feet with the crowd and urging my team on to win.
If you have time this weekend I hope you'll listen in to David Brose's show-I know Pap and Paul will do a great job. I also hope you'll listen to Paul Ward's great show-who knows how good I'll do-but if nothing else I'm sure the contrast between my Appalachian accent and Paul's mid-west one will be interesting.
So are you a radio listener?
Tipper
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