Fleming Smith, A Revolutionary War Hero

Fleming Smith’s grave
Old Mulkey Meeting House Cemetery 

July 4, also known as Independence Day, is a day when we claimed our independence from England. Typically you will see family and friends around the US gather together to barbecue, shoot off fireworks and enjoy each other. This year, 2020, has been a little different with COVID 19 still running rampant, but we did manage to have a small party of family and a few close friends. This year was extra special as the week leading up to Independence Day I started the process of becoming a member of D.A.R., Daughters of the American Revolution, something I’m extremely proud to be a part of. My 5th great grandfather, Fleming Smith was a Private who enlisted while living in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Fleming was the son of Thomas Smith and Elizabeth Fleming, immigrants who were said to have met on the ship on their way to the United States. Thomas, a Baptist minister, and Elizabeth eventually married and thought to have had nine children including Fleming who was born in 1745 in Fairfax County, Virginia. Right before the War five of the brothers including Fleming moved from Bull Run, Virginia to Glenn’s Springs in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Around 1770 Fleming married 20 yr-old Prudence Bland, the daughter of John Bland Jr and Margaret Osborne in Prince William County, Virginia. Family History shows them having seven children including my 4th great grandfather James Smith.

• Dorcas Smith b. 1771
• John Smith b. 1773
• James Smith b. 1777.  **My 4th Great Grandfather**
• Margaret Smith b. 1782
• Samuel Smith b. 1785
• Malinda Smith b. 1786
• Prudence Smith b. 1790

Their first two children were born in Prince William County, Virginia. They then moved to Spartanburg Co where the rest of the kids were born. 

It was while living in Spartanburg County that my 5th great grandfather Fleming Smith first enlisted in Oct 1780. He served as a Private for 3 months under Captains James and Thomas. Next he enlisted in Jan of  1781 for 3 months as a Private again under Captains James and Thomas along with General Pickins. It was then that he participated in the Battle of  Cowpens, an important battle which was a turning point for America in regaining South Carolina from the British. It went down as a win for the Americans. He also fought against the Tories at Bush River. After this he enlisted one last time in September of 1781 in Spartanburg County and served under Captain John Mass. This unit was attached to Elijah Clark’s regiment from Georgia.

In 1802 Fleming and his family moved to Cumberland County, Kentucky. An interesting note is that Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, served two terms as Constable of Cumberland County 1802-1804. My family has another connection to Abraham Lincoln which can be found in this blog post.

While living in Cumberland County Fleming continued to live in the same home. The county divided and the section he was living in became Monroe County. Prudence would pass away there in 1815 and Fleming eventually went to live with his daughter Dorcas. Fleming continued to receive his war pension til he passed away in 1847 at the age of 102. He is buried in the Old Mulkey Meeting House Cemetery. He had been a founding member of the Old Mulkey Meeting House in Tompkinsville, Kentucky.

Death Notice
1847

Fleming Smith - Prudence Bland

James Smith - Nancy Hughes

Fleming K Smith - Mary (Polly) Hoge

James Zachariah Smith - Sallie Oldham

Gardner Smith - Helen Morgan

Gene Turner - Melba Smith

Larry Immekus - Donna Turner

Henry Morgan - Me, Michelle Morgan