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The
James Billingsley Chapter, NSDAR, was organized March 19, 1963 with
twelve charter members. Frances Tidmore is the last original charter
member still active in the chapter. The Chapter is named for JAMES
BILLINGSLEY, a patriot who lost his life when loyalists to the British
cause invaded his home in April 1776. He had been continually harassed
by these Tories, when they invaded his home and asked for money. On
being told he had none, they took him to a near by tree and hung him.
(This statement came from his wife, Elizabeth Crabtree, who made notes
of his death in the family bible. As she lived to know many of her
great-grand children, she often spoke and repeated the tragic death of
her husband to them.) Born in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, in 1726, he
was the son of William and Mary Sumner Billingsley. He married
Elizabeth Crabtree in 1747. They moved to Guilford County, North
Carolina, about 1768. His sons Samuel, James, and John served as
soldiers in the American Revolution. One of his descendants, Captain
Jesse Billingsley, fought with General Sam Houston at the Battle of San
Jacinto and is credited by the historian, Frank Dobie, with having
given Texas her battle cry:
“Remember
the Alamo!”
Children
of James Billingsley and Elizabeth Crabtree
Samuel Billingsley (1747-1816,TN) m. Mary Griffith (1753-1838)
James Billingsley (1749-?)
Elizabeth Billingsley (1751-?) m. Teldeau Lane
John Billingsley (1754, St. Mary's County, MD-1844, KY) m. Jean Milsap
(?-1842, KY)
Claranna Billingsley (1756-?) m. William Hamer
William Henry Billingsley (1758-?)
Martha Billingsley (1760-1786) was second wife to William Hamer
Walter Billingsley (1761-aft.1838)
Bazil Billingsley (1764-?) |
