Captain Medearis Loans Government $75,000

Man of Wealth

Captain John Medearis was a man of great wealth, consisting of lands, money, and Negroes. He loaned the United States Government, through his Commander and personal friend, General Washington, the sum of $75,000 to help defray the expenses of the war. When Independence was established, he would never present a claim, saying that heritage of Freedom to his descendants was much more than riches, H was gratified to have been of double service to his beloved Country. Thus ends the Official record of Captain John Medearis, who was born on the 22d of February, 1734.

Captain John Medearis was also given a Land Grant in Hamilton County, Tennessee of more than three thousand acres. The city of Chattanooga is on this grant. The Land Grant was not renewed; so in time reverted to the United States Government.

He married a widow, Mrs. Bell, and to them two children were born (date of marriage and births of children, not known) Mary, and George Washington.

I believe this information was compiled by Mary Medearis, the great-granddaughter of Captain John Medearis. This text was transcribed into this blog from a photocopy of a type written document that provided to me by Charles Ham, the great-grandson of Mary's sister, Frances Dean Medearis.

Documentary References for Captain John Medearis

Following is a list of references by volume and page of the Documentary and other authority on which the Record of Captain John Medearis is established;

First: On file in the records of the North Carolina Society of the order of the Cincinnati, at Baltimore, Maryland. Also in the Roster of the Tennessee Regiments of North Carolina Continental Troops, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Second: Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C. 2823 Revolutionary War.

Third: Land Register's Office, Nashville, Tennessee, Book No. 1, page 3, Warrant 19.

Fourth: Secretary of State's Office, Raleigh, North Carolina, (No. 1771).

Fifth: Private letter (sworn Notary) written by General George Washington to Captain John Medearis, ordering him to Raleigh, North Carolina, to pay off troops. This letter, with other papers, Continental money, seals of the United States Government, etc., were kept in an old trunk during his life, but have been lost in recent years.

Sixth: North Carolina Troops in Continental Line. Published by direction of Secretary of State.

Seventh: Book in D.A.R. Library, Washington, D.C.

I believe this information was compiled by Mary Medearis, the great-granddaughter of Captain John Medearis. This text was transcribed into this blog from a photocopy of a type written document that provided to me by Charles Ham, the great-grandson of Mary's sister, Frances Dean Medearis.

Brief History of Revolutionary Soldier, Captain John Medearis

John T. Medearis who came to America from England prior to the war of the Revolution, and settled in Virginia is the first of the name of whom we have authentic account. He married Miss Rachel Davis, and to them were born three children -- Benjamin, Martha, and John. Benjamin married Miss Grady of Virginia; Martha, Mr. Phillips of Mississippi; of them, we have no further knowledge. John, from whom we trace our line of descent, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and shall be designated in this paper as Captain John Medearis, as a soldier and officer of the war of the American Revolution, and of services rendered by him in assisting to establish American Independence.

First: John Medearis was Lieutenant in Eaton's Company of the Third North Carolina Infantry, April 15th, 1777. Was promoted to Captain, December 23rd, of same year, in same Company. Was transferred to the First Regiment of North Carolina Continental Infantry, February 6th, 1782.

Second: Captain John Medearis was pensioned as Captain North Carolina Troops at $480.00 per annum. As his application is not on file, his services cannot be more definitely stated; on application of his daughter, Mary Medearis Smith, of Bedford County, Tennessee, March 31st, 1823, the pension was increased to $600.00 per annum as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for services of two years.

Third: Military Grant for services as an American soldier in the war of the Revolution, and for actual services rendered as a soldier in the Continental Army, for gallantry, bravery, and loyalty, Captain John Medearis of Fifth Regiment North Carolina Troops, was granted by United States Government, 3,290 acres of land in Marshall County, Tennessee, a record of this land grant appears on page three, of Warrant Number 19, Book Number One, Land Register office, Nashville, Tennessee. The following is a copy of a letter, which is self explanatory:

To the Commissioners of Specific Tax, in
Benton and Newburn Districts, North Carolina:
Halifax, N.S.,
March 13th, 1782

Gentlemen:

Captain John Medearis attends to receive
the Specific supplies ordered by his Excellency, Governor
Burke, for the use of defraying charges in the Quartermaster's
Department. He bears the several orders for that purpose,
which you will receive and take his receipt for the quantity
he may receive, and oblige,

Your Humble Servant,
Nicholas Long, D.H.

I believe this information was compiled by Mary Medearis, the great-granddaughter of Captain John Medearis. This text was transcribed into this blog from a photocopy of a type written document that provided to me by Charles Ham, the great-grandson of Mary's sister, Frances Dean Medearis.

Documentary References