Michael Abraham Awalt of North Carolina and Tennessee (1755-1835) Revolutionary War Veteran

Being from New England and more familiar with my family history in this area, I am always a little awed by the fact that my father’s southern and midwest ancestors also served in the Revolutionary War.  My bad.  In fact, there are just as many (if not more) Patriots in this side of the ancestral tree as in the maternal New England branch.  Because of my unfamiliarity with this genealogy I have found these ancestors much more difficult to trace - families moved around often, as opposed to my Cape Cod ancestors who arrived in one town and stayed there forever. Michael Awalt’s pension application provides the only birth information I have found for him to date but does help to direct my future research.  What follows is some of the great information contained in the pension file for Michael Awalt -- my great great great grandfather on my father’s maternal side.  For clarification here is an image reflecting this branch of the family tree:

 

In his pension affidavit dated 3 September 1832, Michael Awalt, a 75 year old resident of Franklin County, Tennessee, shares that he was born in Pennsylvania.  He does not know the actual date he was born, and only accounts for it according to the date of his release from apprenticeship.  And while I have so far not confirmed his parents, clearly his roots are German, with ancestors settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Information currently points to his father being Johannes Alt/Awalt who arrived in Philadelphia from Germany in 1738. (Probably the spelling of the Awalt name changed slightly - possibly Ewald or Ewalt.)  

The marriage of Michael Awalt and Eva Speck is also discussed in multiple pension application affidavits providing a marriage date of 17 April 1778.  Eva's  sister Magdalena, or Mary (Molly) (Speck) Rial, was a witness to Eva’s application, and declared in her statement that she had cooked the wedding dinner for her sister and Michael Awalt on 17 April 1778 at the home of their mother. She was sure of the date because Michael and [Eve’s] first child was born one year, 7 months, and 8 days later (probably son George Awalt).  Another sister, Sophia Hise, also confirmed the marriage took place on that same day and she and/or her husband were present at the actual ceremony at the neighborhood parson’s.

Michael Awalt was appearing before the Franklin County Court Justices of Tennessee in an effort to obtain benefit of the Congressional Act passed that June.  He declared that he had entered the service in Rowan County, North Carolina where he lived and was apprenticed.  He was sent by the man to whom he was bound for two trips in pursuit of the Tories.  The first trip was under the command of Windle Miller to Ninety Six, South Carolina.  On the second, he went to Cross Creek, North Carolina.  When he turned 21 years of age he volunteered to serve again for nine months, marching under Captain Cowan to Moans Creek, North Carolina, and camping at Dan River for two months. He was ordered to return home and then marched out again about the first of September.

Questioned by the court on 3 September 1832, Michael Awalt stated the following:

        Where were you born and in what year?

A. Born in Pennsylvania but does not know in what year.  He calculates his age from the date of his freedom as an apprentice. He was living in Rowan County, North Carolina when he entered service, until two months after the Revolution when he moved to Cabarras County, North Carolina.  He lived there for approximately six years before moving to Burke County where he lived for twenty years. He then moved to Franklin County where he has lived ever since.

He marched out again the first of September to South Carolina and when below Camden he was put under the command of Major Armstrong. He was engaged in the Battle of Stoneoak(Stono?) against the British and here he fired in concert with the American army for about an hour and a half, while the enemy was entrenched. They were ordered to desist, all was silent until the enemy came in to view, firing recommenced, and as the enemy was reinforced he was commanded by General Lincoln to retreat.  The Americans carried two wagon loads of wounded men from the field of battle. He then marched to Beaufort where they stayed for a month and then started home. They laid down arms at Charleston; he was home a short time before heading out as substitute in room of Kilian Keply under the command of Captain Starnes of the Militia and General Rutherford.  He was engaged in the Battle called Gate’s Defeat (August 16 1780). They marched in the night to Rugeley’s Mill. There they lost a cannon.  Gates was the Commander in Chief, Awalt overheard Gates and General Smallwood differing in the formation of the line of Battle and the order of attack.  Awalt states he fired the first gun in the American Army at the line where he was stationed.  He fired three times and looked around, and the Company had fled, many having thrown away their guns. He made his escape and went home hungry and chagrined.  He went out again as a substitute in room of George Master for three months but was assigned to drive a wagon and did not join any regular Army.  He was within hearing of the Battle of Guilford and his wagon was taken from him by the Tories on the fourth day.  He received a discharge for the nine months from Major Armstrong. 

A great resource I discovered in my quest to know Michael Awalt was the Patriot Paths organized by the Tennessee State Library and Archives which maps all the life locations/paths of Tennessee Revolutionary War veterans through information provided in their pension and widow's applications.  It follows the lives of all men from birth, through military movements, to places of residence - any event that may have been laid out in affidavits, etc.  It is an amazing production and I highly recommend any one tracing ancestors in this area to check it out at Patriot Paths.

(https://sos.tn.gov/tsla).  

Michael Awalt's pension application included declarations from several witnesses including several by William Ryal. (William Ryal was married to Magdalena/Molly Speck (Eve Awalt's sister.) Mr. Ryal states that he knew the Awalts since childhood, that he saw Michael Awalt in the army and in service against the Tories for several scouting tours, and he had known him ever since.  Also, Zachariah H. Murrell, a near neighbor, proclaims Awalt of unsullied character. He believes everything Awalt ever said and adds that Awalt carried himself in the character of a revolutionary war solider. They had lived one mile of each other for 15 years.  

Michael's wife was Eva Speck. Eva was born approximately April 1763 at Mecklenberg County, North Carolina to David Speck (Specht) and Barbara (possibly Berrier).  From information gleaned from the pension files, we know she had at least two sisters - Sophia and Magdalena.

On 15 December 1845, Eva Awalt, age 82, appeared at Franklin County where she was a resident in an effort to receive benefits under the Act of 7 July 1838 which granted half pay and pensions to certain widows. She declared she was the widow of Michael Awalt (which she noted was sometimes spelled Michiel Awalt), and that Awalt went into service as a volunteer in the year 1778 as a private in the militia in the North Carolina line under Captain Sturnes. She states that the company marched through different parts of North Carolina until arriving in South Carolina and marching to the City of Charleston.  Her husband served against British and Tories until the end of his nine months.  He received a written discharge but sold the interest which he claimed on the government for said services to another gentlemen and delivered over the discharge to him. Consequently she did not know where it was. After service Michael Awalt returned home to Rowan County for several weeks before going into service again in the North Carolina line as a private in the militia.  She states she was married in April [1781] at Rowan County in North Carolina and that he died on the 6 day of April 1835 in Franklin County.  She was not married to him prior to him leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 (apparently a marker year for qualification). He had applied for and obtained a pension which was $50 a year.  Note that the year 1781 here does not coincide with the year 1778 offered in other affidavits.  Eva Awalt does later send a letter apologizing for her lack of memory as to dates due to her advanced age.

I have read but have not confirmed in original sources that after the Revolutionary War, Michael Awalt Sr.  settled in Mecklenberg County, NC, where in 1787 he was granted 50 acres of land on "Dutch Bufalow Creek". The area in 1792 was designated Cabarrus County, NC.  Additionally, it is noted that the Awalt Family were members of the Lutheran Church. Michael Sr. and his son Jacob served as elders of the Olive Branch Evangelical Lutheran Church in Franklin County, Tennessee.  Further research required.

Witnesses Statements:

Eve Awalt’s sister, Sophia Hise, aged 89, her husband Conrad Hise, wrote a witness statement and declared that her husband went with Michael and Eve Awalt to Parson Wertman's and saw them married in April 1778.  She confirms the month and year because she had a son born in the month of February 1779 the next February after the marriage. Conrad Hise entered as a private but ultimately served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War.

William Rial aged 85, husband to Eva’s sister Magdalane Rial had heard his wife (she apparently died two years prior to his statement) swear in an affidavit that she helped to cook the wedding dinner when “Eave” Awalt married Michael Awalt in North Carolina in April 1778. He was not present at the marriage but lived with the couple for six months after their marriage.  He also lived with Conrad Hise's family and recalls Hise say he was present at the marriage. He added that Michael and Evy Awalt from the time of their marriage until Awalt's death in Franklin County lived together in utmost peace and harmony. He further stated that Michael Awalt died 6 April 1835 and Eave never remarried.

Evy Awalt, as described in one deposition, was entirely independent and had plenty of the good things of life but once her husband died had been reduced to a state of indigence and thrown upon a cold hearted and uncharitable world for support.

 

As several depositions state, Magdalena Rial is the one and same as Molly Speck, sister of “Evy” Speck. She testifies that they were originally of North Carolina and County of Rockingham, now a resident of Franklin County TN.  Her confidence in the date of marriage was due to the fact that she had cooked the wedding dinner at her mother’s house on the day 17 April 1778. She could not say that the marriage was solemnized, as she was confined at home, but her sister Eva and [Abraham] Awalt and others went in company to a parson living in the neighborhood and were lawfully married, and returned to their mother’s for dinner.  Additionally she deposes that the birth of her sister’s first child (probably George Awalt who was born on the 25th day of November 1779) was one year seven months and eight days after their marriage.  Her sister Eva was married before she (Molly) was, and at the time of the birth of the child she was living with her sister Eva and was fully aware of the circumstances of Abraham’s service. He either was drafted or volunteered in the company of Captain John [Harns] who also married a sister and was marched from the state of North Carolina on to Gates’ defeat.  The regiment to which Captain [Harn’s] company was attached she has forgotten.

Witness Stephen Adams stated he was acquainted with Michael Awalt and that Awalt's oldest son who was between 55 and 60 years of age; that Awalt’s grandchildren were aged almost 40 years old. From his knowledge of the family he was satisfied Michael and Eva were married.

Solomon Limbaugh states that he was present on 6 April 1835 and saw Michael Awalt die.

In May 1851, Jacob Awalt, resident of Franklin county, aged 62, the son of Michael Awalt declares his father was a private and had received a pension of $50 a year. His father died 6 April 1835 leaving his mother a widow.  Jacob Awalt testified that he had no record to prove the marriage, and his mother Eva Awalt died on the second day of August 1848. She left the following children: Catherine Weber, Jacob Awalt, John Awalt, Barbary Tipps, Sophia Webb, and Nancy [Linto].

Apparently Michael Awalt’s 4th great grandson David Awalt has said that Michael Awalt Sr. is buried in an unmarked grave where he died near the Awalt bend of the Elk River in Franklin County, TN.  The stone at Winchester City Cemetery in Winchester, Tennessee is a Memorial Marker only.  Michael Awalt Sr. may also have served in the War of 1812 at age 50 with a Lincoln County Commission as a Captain in the 49th Regiment of the Tennessee Militia, Commissioned November 8, 1813 (Mrs. John Trotwood Moore's book-Record of Commissions of Officers in the Tennessee Militia 1796-1815) - Information found on Find-A-Grave. Note:  Care must be taken when differentiating between Michael Awalt Sr. and Michael Awalt Jr.’s military service.

In his Last Will and Testament dated 13 July 1827 (Codicil dated 14 July 1827) Michael Abraham Awalt (Sr.)  after paying of debts and funeral expenses, leaves to his beloved and affectionate wife Eve Awalt, all the household and kitchen furniture, two cows and all the stock of hogs provided she can manage them.  He grants her the privilege of living in the house as long as she lives.  He also requests that all loose property remaining unappreciated in the Will be sold at public auction together with all personal and mixed property and to divide up the sum equally among his daughters:  Widow Catherine Weaver, Widow Barbara Tipps, Eve Plyant wife of Jon Plyant, Polly Brunage wife of John Brunage, Elizabeth Bean wife of John Bean, Sophia Webb wife of Reuben Webb, and Nancy Limbock wife of Solomon Limbock.  He also gives to daughter Nancy all the property bequeathed to his wife at the time her mother's death. He appoints his son Jacob Awalt, and John Shelly Jr., to be sole executors.  The document is dated 13 July 1827 (and in the 52nd year of independence). He then adds that his wife Eve Awalt is to be supported while she lives by his son Jacob who is to provide her with sugar and coffee and other necessaries, and as satisfaction for his trouble, he wills him the tract of land on which Michael Awalt was living, and that Jacob shall have the deed that was dated 5 Nov 1820. The Will was ultimately recorded on 3 Oct 1835.

Michael. Abraham Awalt, Sr died 6 April 1835. His son, and my great great grandfather, Michael Abraham Await Jr. died 7 June 1835 (served in war of 1812 and also has a veteran marker). Note he was not mentioned in his father's Will nor was his son George Awalt.  Eva Speck died 2 August 1848.

Children of Michael Awalt Sr. and Eva Speck:

1.    George Henry Awalt b. 25 Nov 1778, m. Catherine Speck 24 Dec 1800, d. 22        March 1861 Arkansas;
2.    Michael Awalt b. 1785, m. Sarah Tipps 19 Sep 1811, d. 7 June 1835;
3.    Jacob Awalt b. 1787, m. ?, died 1866;
4.    John Awalt b. 1787, m. Prob. Catherine Limbaugh, died after 1850;
5.    Barbara Awalt b. 1789, m. 1 John Tipps, d. 4 March 1881 TN; 
6.    Catherine Awalt b. 1790, m. Probably John Weaver, died approximately 1874;
7.    Nancy Ann Awalt, b. 1803, m. Solomon Limbaugh, d. 1880;
8.    Eva Awalt 1790, m. possibly ____ Plyant, d. Unk.;
9.    Mary Polly Awalt, m. John Brunage, d. ___;
10.   Elizabeth Awalt b. 8 Oct 1799, m. John Bean, d. 1869;
11.   Halley Awalt, b. Approx. 1800, m. George Speck, d. 1866;
12.   Sophia Awalt m. Reuben Webb, d. ___;

Sources:

Patriot Paths, Drawing of three Revolutionary soldiers, Cornwell Dean, approx. 1940, Library Photo Collection, Tennessee State Library and Archives, ID28921, no copyright, TN Virtual Archives. Library Photograph Collection.

Tennessee, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008, Franklin, Will Books 1808-1876 - Michael Awalt, Franklin County, TN, accessed online at Ancestry.com.

North Carolina and Early Tennessee Land Registers, 1779-2008, Ancestry.com.

U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files, Ancestry.com.

 Revolutionary War Pension Files and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files, Fold3.com.

Families of Cabarrus North Carolina 1792-1815.