Anyone who understands the meaning of Presbyterianism would know where to find such a man. He joined Captain Barber's company. Whenever there was a fight to be made with the British and Tories, he was ready. He and Ben Rowan, a daring and gallant soldier, would, by permission of their officers, take a squad of resolute men and raid into the Whig-deserted country on Rocky Creek, in Chester County, South Carolina, and inquire of the widows and wives of Whig soldiers for the names of any Tories who had been depredating among them. When they had learned the names of such Tories, they would say, "We will send them up to a higher court for trial," meaning they would hang them. Many soldiers on both sides were hung in Chester and York counties. I saw during the past summer, a few miles south of Richburg, the spot where a brave young man, Joseph Stroud, son of William Stroud, was hung for fighting for liberty. The British pinned a card to his clothing warning the country that if anyone took down the corpse the same would suffer a like penalty. At night a young lady of the neighborhood took with her a negro man and took down young Stroud's body and decently buried it. Honor to the memory of that brave, noble young lady. I felt like I was on sacred ground when contemplating the situation. The Strouds, descendants of this young man's family, are living in that neighborhood to this day.
On these raids, William Stephenson would visit his sister, Nancy, near where Rossville now stands. She was the widow of William Anderson, a brave and generous soldier, who fell in defense of liberty. He was fond of telling the thrilling incidents of the war to his grandchildren. He was particularly fond of relating the daring and reckless deeds of the men during the Battle of King's Mountain. William Stephenson was a very resourceful man, full of energy and perseverance. Some years after the close of the war he removed from York County to the Rocky Creek country, in Chester County. He was a farmer, owned land and negroes, and did a general merchandising business. He hauled his goods in wagons from Charleston, one hundred and seventy-five miles. Country merchants could make more money merchandising before railroads were built than now. I was, in July, 1905, on his old plantation. The land is known as the "Stinson" land to-day. He died in 1809. His last wife died in 1811. He is buried between his two wives. Rude granite headstones mark their resting place near the great falls of the Catawba River, in the Old Burnt Church Cemetery, where William Anderson, his brother-in-law, a brave and talented soldier, who was killed by the Tories, is buried, as well as other relatives. This cemetery has been the burying-ground for the relatives for the last six generations. This is a most appropriate place for the remains of so high spirited, reckless and brave a trooper to rest—a beautiful country cemetery, enclosed with granite walls, which is due to the generosity and magnanimity of another brother-in-law, Daniel Green.
The rushing, foaming, mighty waters of the Catawba, as they pass over the falls, resemble the roar of the thunder and the noise of battle raging between contending hosts. When the air is in proper condition the mist and spray generated by great waves lashing themselves into foaming fury, like the smoke of battle ascend in curling columns heavenward.
"To this grandeur and solemn scene is not wanting a dirge of nature's own music, the ceaseless roar of the great falls of the Catawba."
The wildness of the deep and noes cliffs, the grandeur of the falls, and the picturesque scenery around combine to render the spot a place of reverential awe and of splendid beauty. Yea, this is surely a peculiarly fit "place for the rest of those whose spirits were tried amid the fierce conflicts of political opinion and human passion, wilder than the strife of the boiling waters."
Requiescat in pace.
I will now speak of each child of William Stephenson, one of the Four, and the descendants of these children, respectively. Hugh W. Stephenson, who was born in Ireland, January 25, 1765, was the oldest. He came to America with his parents when he was seven years old. He was a farmer, five feet, nine inches high; his weight was 155 pounds; his eyes were blue; his hair was light or whitish; his beard was sandy; his complexion was florid; his skin was thin; he had even tempered, mild disposition; he was very domestic and industrious; he was kind and gentle in his manners, and he was a very affectionate and thoughtful husband. He was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at Rock Spring Church, Lawrence County, Alabama.
There is no difference now between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. But when the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, many Presbyterians believed that a certain part of the human family was foreordained to eternal damnation, regardless of their life and character. Those who dissented from that hard doctrine, and preached the doctrine that "whosoever will" may be saved, came, in course of time, to be called Cumberland Presbyterians. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized by those holding the broader doctrine, in Dickson County, Tennessee, February 4, 1810. The Presbyterians, U. S. A., have changed their Confession of Faith so as to meet the objections of the Cumberland Presbyterians, who are now going to unite with the mother church.
Hugh W. Stephenson married his cousin, Margaret, daughter of Capt. James Stephenson, one of the Four. She, Margaret, was born in Ireland, November 28, 1770, and married in York County, South Carolina, October 16, 1787.
The following are the children of Hugh W. and Margaret Stephenson:
Ann, born July 13, 1788, in South Carolina.
William Watson, born October 28, 1790, in South Carolina.
Elizabeth, born August 13, 1792, in South Carolina.
Mary M., born February 9, 1795, in Tennessee.
John Campbell, born August 28, 1797, in Tennessee.
Pleasant Wright, born June 9, 1800, in Tennessee.
Hodge Lawson, born June 30, 1802, in Tennessee.
Sally R., born August 12, 1807, in Tennessee.
Finis Ewing, born November 2, 1811, in Tennessee.
In 1794 Hugh W. Stephenson moved from York County, South Carolina, to Smith County, Tennessee; thence in 1806 to Maury County, Tennessee; and in 1819 all the family, married and single, moved to Lawrence County, Alabama. They bought land and settled near where the town of Mount Hope now is, about thirty miles south of the foot of the Muscle Shoals, on Tennessee River. The Stephensons reared large and respectable families in the Mount Hope country. About the year 1840 there were more voters of the Stephenson family about Mount Hope than of any two family names in the country. But now, 1905, there are very few, there being only six. These Stephensons, like their ancestors, are a pioneering people, energetic, industrious, sober, church-going. As the country began to show age, they went in search of new and richer lands. Some went to Mississippi; some to West Tennessee; some to Louisiana; some to Arkansas; some to Texas, and some to California. When the war between North and South came on, they all went in the Confederate army. There never was a deserter nor a coward of the name.
Ann, oldest daughter of Hugh W. Stephenson, was twice married. She first married William Campbell, in 1810. Of this union there were born three daughters, Eliza, Margaret (Pug) and Mary Ann. Mr. Campbell died and Ann, the widow, married Noble Osborn, in 1826, in Alabama. Of this union a son, Nelson, was born, in 1827. Mr. Osborn moved to Mississippi in 1840. Eliza, the oldest daughter of Ann, married Joseph Caruth. They reared a family at Memphis, Tennessee. Their descendants are living in Memphis now. The second daughter, Margaret, commonly called "Pug," married Stephen Threilkill. They reared a family in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. The third daughter, Mary Ann, called "Polly Ann," married Mr. Weatherall. They reared a family of much respectability, on a farm eight miles below Memphis, Tennessee. Some of their descendants are living on the farm at this time. Albert Stephenson, son of P. W. Stephenson, married one of the daughters and reared a nice family south of Memphis.
The second child of Hugh W. Stephenson was William Watson Stephenson, my father. He was named in honor of William Watson, whose name is carved on the marble monument on King's Mountain, as one who fell on that great and notable day. My great-grandfather was in that battle. His home and family were within three miles of the battle ground. His fifteen-year-old son, Hugh W., did not belong to the army, but when he heard the raging of the battle he ran away from his mother and took an active part in the fight. One of his neighbors, William Watson, was killed. It so impressed Hugh W. that he named his first son in honor of Mr. Watson.