Note:  This information was sent to me by James H. Ware of El Paso, Texas.

Private/Sergeant/Lieutenant Edward M. Ware

American Patriot

 

Born: 18 September 1760 in Amherst County, Virginia

Died: 21 November 1836 in Danielsville. Madison County, Georgia.  His burial site was in a Family Plot

on his plantation.  His wife and other family members are also buried there.

 

Parents: Edward WARE\Lettice POWELL  His father had been a soldier French Indian Wars in 1755.

 

Married: Sarah THURMOND who was born on: 2 April 1764 in Virginia and died in Madison County, GA

Date of Marriage: 7 May 1782

 

Early into my research, I encountered what is a frequent problem in genealogy.  My search failed to

locate a marriage for his parents.  This was further complicated by his father’s will referring to his sons

by a family name as POWELLs.  A search through courts records indicated his mother had been charged

by church wardens in 1745 for the bringing of a bastard.  Research also indicated the penalty was 500

pounds of tobacco, 50 shillings or a whipping of five lashes. Edward Ware, as her surety, paid her fine.

In his will, 1 June 1779, he described her as “my beloved wife Lettis Ware.”

 

The executers of his will were two of his sons. William and James.  The will refers to them as Powell.

They signed the probate request as William and James Ware, alias Powell.  Many of land transfers by

Edward and Sarah used both Ware and Powell as late as 1792.

 

Copies of Edward’s military records from the National Archives indicates an active participation in the

American Revolution:

1.)    In August 1776, he enlisted as a Private in Captain Higginbotham’s Company in Amherst County, VA.

2.)  He later served three months in an expedition against Governor Dunsmore.

3.)  He was assigned for three months to Charlotte, Virginia as an Orderly/Sergeant guarding prisoners

       taken from Burgoyne’s Army which had surrendered in New York..  He was dispatched as a Sergeant     in a successful recovery of escaped prisoners.

4.)  Attached to and served with Legion of Virginia when it was called for in the Carolina Campaign               against Cornwallis.  He served under General Greene in the Battle King’s Mountain, the Battle of Guilford

      Court House, and the Battle of Cowpens.  Greene’s forces continued to harass Cornwallis as he

withdrew his army to Yorktown.  Edward was appointed as a Brevet Lieutenant during the march

north.  He served four months with General Lafayette at the Yorktown Siege and completed his

service at Williamsburg with General Washington.

 

He continued his service in the Militia in Georgia after the American Revolution, finally retiring as a Colonel.

 

His brothers William, James and John all served as officers during the American Revolution.  John’s commission is listed on the same page in court records where Edward’s marriage to Sarah is recorded.  James Ware received his commission from The Committee of Safety for the Colony of Virginia.  He was originally assigned to a company of the Militia of the County of Amherst, VA on 12 November 1775.  His commission was signed by Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia.  A copy of the commission was filed with the County Clerk Mitchell County, Texas on 17 November 1900.  Unfortunately a fire destroyed all the documents on file. James served as an aide de camp to General Lafayette.

 

This family, addition to being citizen soldiers and farmers, had extensive experience as blacksmiths and as sheriffs or marshals in Virginia, Georgia and later in Texas.  Interesting insight into the family can be seen when reviewing family wills. I find that this gives an insight into their daily lives that is missing in many other documents.  Review of these will makes one realize that life in those days was no Bed of Roses