The Greene family history is ripe with family members fighting and leading people in the many wars and conflicts of the United States.  There are three captains who will be our topic for next several weeks as we learn more of how my ancestors affected US history.  Captain Joseph Greene, Captain William Greene and Captain Issac Greene will help carve out the history during the French and Indian & Revolutionary Wars.

Captain William Marion Greene was born on May 16, 1753 in Rutherford, North Carolina, to Joseph (Captain) Greene and Drucilla Greene.  He was my 5th Great Grand Father on my Mother’s side of the family.

Let’s Define some terms first;

• Whig – Patriot colonist and those who opposed Great Britain (England)
• Tory / Tories – Loyalist colonist who opposed the Revolution and stayed true to England
• Militia – Local army comprised on citizens and not a formal army.  Many of the people worked there fields and business and only mustered when the enemy was near or called to arms by the regular army
• Army – The official fighting body that was being paid to fight the conflict

William would be one of the many people caught up in the War with Britain and in his case, he would be involved with both armies as the conflict grew.  He joined the Whig Militia during the war where he would become a captain and would be leading the local men into conflicts.

The English often would move an army through the county side and recruit people to their cause by oppressing the people into their army.  This will become a big issue with the US in 1812 when the British would capture sailors from American vessels and make the men work for them.  During the war, many farmers and militia were captured and became part of the British army or Tory militia.  The choice was simple, join or die.  In 1780, William Greene would be captured and forced into fighting for the Tory Militia.

At the battle of Ramsour Hill, North Carolina, on 6-20-1780, two fighting militias would come to battle.  The Tory militia would have over 1200 people and this included Major Greene (new rank in the Tory army) and the Whig army would have between 200 to 300 men.  At these odds, the Whig militia should have not had a chance but the militia had people that were crack shots and they killed many a person.

Ramsour Hill would only be fought by militia of both sides.  Neither side had an uniform and both sides had to fight hand to hand and with tools during the battle.  Brother fought against Brother and in the end the battle was over and the Whigs won the field.  This would be a crushing defeat for the Tory resistance and give  significant boost to the Whig Patriots.

After the battle, William Greene was captured and sentenced to die since he had changed sides prior to the conflict.  William and one other were tied up and were going to be shot the next morning and both escaped during the night.  William would travel back to the Whig territory and would join back up with the Whig militia.

Captain Greene would fight in Kings Mountain in October, 1780.  At Kings Mountain, the English were building up men to fight and support Cornwallis flank.  The English were being led by Major Patrick Ferguson and were surprised at King Mountain.

The Whig militia surrounded the Tories and killed Major Ferguson during the one long battle.

Major William Greene / Captain Greene would be a prominent person in around North Carolina and would die in 1832.

Below is a picture of Major William Greene

For more information on the Revolutionary War, check out the following books at Amazon (Select picture to go to Amazon)

William Greene and others can be found at Ancestry and other Genealogy websites.  Select one of my Ancestry images on the side of the page to go and see my Vest / Michael / Chapman and Greene family tree.

Originally posted 2019-01-27 15:09:40.