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Charles Colyer^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}
1757 - Abt 1840

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• Birth	1757	Fauquier Co., Virginia   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Gender	Male
  Died	ABT. 1840	Rockcastle Co., Kentucky   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Person ID	I0228	John Colyer family of Somerset Ky
  Last Modified	25 Jan 2023

  
  

  Father	John Collier,   b. 28 Feb 1706/07, king & queen county va ,   d. 1759, Colliers Creek, Augusta VA
  Mother	Elizabeth Meredith,   b. BET. 1709 - 1711, Hanover , Virginia
  Married	1739	Hanover , Virginia
  Family ID	F462	Group Sheet

  
  

  Children	1. Charles Colyer, Jr.,   b. 1787, Virginia   2. Lydia Colyer,   b. Abt 1790   3. Richard Colyer,   b. 1778, East Tennessee, Unicoi County ,   d. 31 May 1864, Pulaski county kentucky
  Last Modified	26 Jan 2023
  Family ID	F381	Group Sheet

  
  

  Children	1. Richard Colyer,   b. 1778, East Tennessee, Unicoi County ,   d. 31 May 1864, Pulaski county kentucky
  Last Modified	25 Jan 2023
  Family ID	F8093	Group Sheet

  
  

• Documents		Colyer references in east TN--related to William Colyar The connection as the Callaway Family work makes of William Colyar of Washington County Tn to father John Collier of 1707 has not been supported by proof by me. I have various raw research on Collier in Virginia and list most recent work here. Sorting out all the Colyar, Colyer and Colliers (really same fold many times as names spelled both ways on same documents at times) in Washington County and the John Colyers in particular is difficult. Here is research on John Colyers referred to Callaway Family work and also possible related Colyers in Carter and Unicoi Counties TN that both once were Washington County Tn. Status: Located
  		Charles Colyer mention in Andre Michaux’s Travels in the Tennessee Country Andrew Michaux’s Travels in the Tennessee Country contain reference to him in March 1796 arriving at Charles Collier’s 10 miles from Jonesborough. A footnote to this comment states that this Charles Collier was of the family from which descended Col. Arthur St. Clair Colyar. Status: Located
  		Charles Colyer pension Virgil White's Revolutionary War pension applications Status: Located
  		oath of allegiance The Calloway work claims that William Colyar took the oath of allegiance with his brothers John, Thomas and Charles in Henry County VA in 1777. You can see the Virginia Historic Journal listing of Henry County VA Oaths of Allegiance August 30, 1777 where the Collier men sign oath here is pdf format. Note that no men (supposed brothers by per Mrs. Hart) named James or Richard sign oaths there. Status: Located
  		Charles Colyer handwritten revolutionary war pension applicaton Note that Charles had no proof of service like muster rolls, since his service was back-woods protection against indians. Likely just like William Colyar who also signed oath of allegience with Charles in Henry County Virginia. Pension app says he served under Captain James Shelton. During the Revolutionary War most of the Pittsylvania Sheltons were in active official or military service, against Indians, Tories and the British. James Shelton and Eliphas Shelton were militia Captains in Henry County. 2 ___________________________ NOTES: 1 - Original petition in Va. State Library. 1 - Henings Statutes Vol. 7, p. 201. 2 - James, Va. Mag. 9-417; 11-90; 14-81; Eliphaz, Va. Mag. 9-263.
  		Virginia map of counties 1750-1805 Map showing historic progression of counties in late 18th century. This helps in understanding deeds, etc. on site.
  		Charles Colyer, Jr. newspaper article from grandson Mount Vernon Signal newspaper 09/15/1911 letter from grandson about Charles Colyer. Shows that Charles Colyer Sr. along with all his brothers, including William Colyar, were participants in the Revolutionary War.
  		1822 March Pulaski County Court Order: Salt Works Road (current day hwy 692) Jesse Richardson appointed surveyor of road mentioning route from Meece, to John Langdon (at pitman creek and hwy 192) to Charles Colyear (Colyer). I have not determined if this was Charles Colyer Sr. or Charles Colyer Jr. Based on 1823 deed to Charles Colyer on Pitman Creek, it appears that Charles Colyer (likely Jr.) had 67 acres closer to current Grundy Rd (hwy 692) on Pitman Creek. It appears this road order is in the direction from Pitman creek on hwy 192 to Grundy Rd hwy 692 and down the same toward where Pitman creek crosses Grundy Rd hwy 692.
  		John Langdon estate settlement 1825-1835 John Langdon died in 1825 and his widow sold his house/farm to John Colyer in 1842. Here his estate mentions Charles Colyer (Uncle to John Colyer). This puts Charles Colyer near John Langdon. See deed to Charles Colyer for 1750 acres Pulaski county on Buck Creek on site.
  		1864 Burnside area Civil War map (10 meg size) to right side, shows Ruth Ky area and John Colyer house(then occupied by Andrew Warren) at Pitman Creek. Note that down the road (currently called Clay Hill Road) that runs next to Pitman Creek, is Colyer Mill. According to deeds found under James Alexander Colyer, the mill was built by Alexander Colyer after 1854. The map also shows neighbor named Keeney whose name is referenced in a road project in Court Orders Book 5 Pulaski County starting at Widow Langdon's...ie John Colyer house. Thanks to Joe at Ky Dept of Highways Dist. 8 office Somerset for this map. Note that this map is for Burnside area. Other 1861 maps on this site for civil war seem to show current hwy 192 (formerly Sublimity rd.) Therefore this area on this Burnside map may not show it due to purpose not to show roads insignificant to Burnside...ie Sublimity toll road going to resort.
  		1805 Charles Colyer Charles Colyer, believed to be uncle to John Colyer born 1781, first appears on property tax records in Pulaski County KY.
  		Greasy Cove map Shows where Greasy cove in Tennessee is where Charles Colyer Sr. had house and relation to Bumpus Cove where brother William Colyar lived. Shows near current Erwin TN. Shows that others migrated from St. Clair Bottoms VA to this TN area like William Colyar and his wife Agnes Ann St. Clair
  		1810 deed to Charles Colyer from Andrew Jackson Pulaski county 1750 acres on Buck Creek. Andrew Jackson acting as executor of Hutchings estate. Price paid $400. Yes this is the Andrew Jackson who later became president of the United States. Thomas Hutchings was his brother in law. Hutchings was son in law of John Donelson, and with Donelson the founder of City of Nashville. Both were surveyors from Pittsylvania County VA who after arriving in Nashboro as original settler, came to Lincoln County Ky and surveyed and grabbed land in 1780-1783 before returning to Nashville. Andrew Jackson and Thomas Hutchings married Donelson sisters.
  		1805 Charles Colyer deed from Andrew Jackson Pulaski County KY deed to 1,962 acres on Brush branch of Buck Creek $400. Andrew Jackson as executor of brother in law estate of Thomas Hutchings. Both Jackson and Hutchings, married John Donelson daughters. Hutchings an original settler of Nashville with John Donelson.
  		Colyer vs. Hutchings lawsuit and Ky Court of Appeals: Andrew Jackson Here Andrew Jackson, the brother in law of Thomas Hutchings files suit against Charles Colyer to collect a $400 horse debt. Colyer claims he was ready to pay at date required and Hutchings was a no show, so not owed any more. Andrew Jackson appeals and wins suit to require Colyer to pay.
  		Bluford Colyer 1810 Pulaski County Prop tax records Shows that eldest son of John Colyer(born 1781) was named BLUFORD, not BUFORD. Wonder if this is another Bluford, since indications are that Bluford son of John was only born in 1807. Bluford son of John, had a son named Bluford Kirtley Colyer.....Ms. Bray in area in 2005 also knew of "Blufie" Colyer. Also shows Charles Colyer, brother to William Colyar, on Brush Creek. Also may show William Colyar at bottom.
  		Charles Colyar 1778 North Carolina Land Grant 640 acres on Limestone creek Washington County TN near Jonesborough. This grant appears to have been assigned to Charles Colyer from Richard Caswell who had numerous 640 acre grants continguous and nearby. See note for Charles Colyer Sr. on bio of Richard Caswell, first NC governor and Continental Congress member with John Adams. See here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Brown_Grant_Deeds for history of grants in the area.
  		1810 Rockcastle county Kentucky census Colyer, Colyar, Collier, Colliar. Charles Coyer Sr. not on 1810 census. He apparently was still in Pulaski County KY not going to Rockcastle county until after he lost court case in 1810-1811 with future U.S. President Andrew Jackson over 1900 acre land.
  		1810 U.S. census index Pulaski County KY
  		1840 census Pulaski County Charles Colyer Jr. based on age, it is believed this is Charles Colyer Jr, son of Charles Colyer Sr. This is the Charles that by 1850 was living in Rockcastle county and became a state legislator. This census shows this Charles in Pulaski County in 1840 and based on neighbor names, it appears he is in Pitman Creek/Buck Creek area of present day hwy 192. See John Landon estate settlement under John Colyer of 1781 where Charles Colyer is mentioned in John Langon estate who lived on Pitman Creek on present day hwy 192.
  		1770 Virginia County map
  		1755 Virginia county map
  		1810 Pulaski County Census: Charles Coliar and Richard Coliar
  		1820 Pulaski County census Richard Colyer Charles Colyer and Richard Colyer....may be on current hwy 461 or possible on current hwy 192.
  		1824 Charles Colyer land grant sold to Thompson at Brush creek at Buck Creek
  		1817 Charles Colyer land grant on Brush Creek at Buck creek sold
  		1833 Charles Colyer sale of land Bee Lick Creek at Rockcastle county line next to John Colyar
  		1815 Pulaski County KY property tax Charles Colyer and Richard Colyer It is shown by a Rockcastle County Ky property tax listing that Charles Colyer born 1757 lands spanned Pulaski County and Rockcastle County on Brush Creek (at current hwy 461). Note that part of Pulaski land is shown as surveyed by Thos. Hutchings who is subject of law suits and deeds on under Charles of 1757 with Andrew Jackson.
  		1819 Pulaski County KY property tax record Charles Sr and Richard Colyer Apparently, this is Charles Colyer Sr., since in 1820 prop tax record a Charles Jr. shows up without land.
  		1820 Pulaski property tax Charles Colyer Sr.
  		1820 Rockcastle prop tax. Charles Colyer Sr. This appears to be land acquired from Thomas Hutchings estate via Andrew Jackson. Also shows John Colyer, presumed to be solder born 1744 injured in Revolutionary war.
  		1823 Pulaski county tax- Charles Colyer Sr. on Brush Creek at Rockcastle county line on current hwy 461
  		1793 Washington County Tennessee TN: North Carolina land grant deed to Charles Colyer 640 acres on Limestone cove TN.
  		1798 Charles Colyer Washington County Tennessee TN deed Book 6 page 492 deed from Acton to Charles Colyer on Indian Creek
  		1801 Charles Colyer sales deed Washington County, Tennessee TN book 9 page 170 to Swingle
  		1797 Charles Colyer purchase deed Washington County, Tennessee TN Deed Acton to Charles Colyer on Indian Creek.

  
  

• Notes

  Miss Alice colyer Gala of Louisville Ky on 8/1/98 stated that she had information learned from books in the Louisville Filson club library about Virginia in Revolutionary War. She states that her info says that a Charles Colyer was born in Fauquier Co. Virginia and Enlisted in the Military in Henry Co. Virginia after the war. That he lived in Washington Co. Tn, Pulaski Co. Kentucky then Rock Castle Co. Kentucky. He applied for a pension in 1834. His revolutionary war number for pension was S30967. Alice thinks that this was Williams brother. Rock Castle is very close to Pulaski county. Genological abstracts of Revolutionary files Vol I A-D by White. White's extract as follows: "Colyer, Charles, S30967, VA Line, sol was b in Dec 1757 Fauquier Cty VA & enl in Henry Cty VA & after the war sol lived in VA & in TN that part which later became Washington Cty TN then moved to Pulaski Cty KY then to Rockcastle Cty KY & appl there 30 Jul 1834." Correspondence from National Archives re: Charles Colyer record in letter dated Aug 5, 1930 to Mr. Ben Reeves of Branesville GA from acting commissioner of archives E.W. Morgan he states that: " He enlisted in Henry County, Virginia, in 1779 or 1780, served as a private under Captain Cunningham guarding the frontiers and scouting after the Indians, and was wounded in an engagement on Holston River by a ball from a pistol passing through his left side, length of this service not less than three months. He enlisted in the summer of 1781, exact date not given, served as a private in Captains James Shelton's and Rice's Virginia Companies, was stationed as a guard at Prince Edward Court House. A part of the time, length of this service not less than four months. In the Fall of the year after the siege of Yorktown, exact date not stated, he was appointed by Colonel Love to range the frontier country near the Tennessee line against the Indians and served three months." Examination of copies of the handwritten affidavit in 1834 for pension application shows that Richard Colyer, a clergyman, testified to Charles Colyer's character and stories of his service in Revolutionary War. This Richard Colyer said that he had known Charles Colyer for some 30 years. This is same Richard Colyer, clergy , that also testifies on behalf of Grizzy Colyer (widow of John Colyer of 1744) for pension. http://www.mdslavery.net/html/research/slavebuy.html Dorchester County, MD Slave Purchasers, 1823-1836 Colyer Charles Rock Castle Co., KY DORCHESTER COUNTY COURT (Chattel Records), 1827-1833 Affidavit by Jesse Brock, dated 14 Oct, 1836, stating that he gave power of attorney to Charleton Hurt of Lexington and that his original pension certificate had been lost or stolen while in the possession of Mayor Charles Colyer of Mount Vernon. - continuation of affidavit by Jesse Brock - Affidavit by James Henderson stating he drew up the power of attorney for Jesse Brock to Charleton Hunt and gave it to Mayor Charles Colyer and that it was either lost or stolen. signed John H. Slaughter - Affidavit by Mayor Charles Colyer of Rockcastle Co., KY, date 8 Nov 1836, states: He was given the pension certificate of Jesse Brock along with the power of attorney for Charleton Hunt. Sometime after seeing Mr. Hunt his pocket book was either lost or stolen which contained the original certificate. signed John H. Slaughter See the PDF documents section of this site referenced off the home page that says this Charles Colyer is of same family as A.S. Colyar descended. This is stated in Andrew Michaux?s Travels in the Tennessee Country contain reference to him in March 1796 arriving at Charles Collier?s 10 miles from Jonesborough. A footnote to this comment states that this Charles Collier was of the family from which descended Col. Arthur St. Clair Colyar. You can see the Michaux's book in PDF section concerning John Colyers of Washington County. This connects this Charles Colyer/Colyar to William Colyar of Washington Cty TN. Therefore, since Charles' pension file shows he was from Henry County VA, it follows that the William Colyar showing up in Henry County VA signing an oath of allegience there with Charles in 1777 (see PDF section fo site) is brother to Charles. Thus it seems that the Colyer/Colyar/Coliar of Henry County VA is in fact the family of William Colyar of Washington County TN. The book "A History of Pulaski County Kentucky" by Alma Owens Tibbals pub 1952 states on page 69 where speaking of Pulaski county bountiful creeks and resulting grist mills : "At the second court, which met in August, 1799, five permits were asked to erect water gristmills: Charles Collier on Brush Fork of Buck Creek;...." It appears from Revolutionary pension app data and this court order Pulaski County 1799, that Charles Colyer was first to come to Kentucky and Pulaski County. Followed by John Colyer, his nephew who received a land grant of Buck Creek /Cumberland River in 1809. See 1864 Civil War Map associated to John Colyer that shows a Colyer's Mill on Pitman Creek at current day Clay Hill Road. Also see road orders that reference Charles Colyear (Charles Colyer) land near Pitman creek in 1824. HEAD OF FAMILY INDEX FOR THE 1840 CENSUS OF ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, KENTUCKY : Colyer, Charles Jnr. 3 Colyer, Charles Snr. 10 Colyer, Duke 8 Colyer, Micajah 5 Colyer, Richard 8 Colyer, Stephen 4 Colyer, Susanah 14 Colyer, William 4 curtisamerica.com note: From the underlying documents of various researchers beginning with the 1925 Calloway Family by Mrs. A.E Hart research paper on the family of John Colyer born 1744, I do not think it is clear whether Charles Eve Colyer, who was married to Mary Renfro is the son of John Colyer born 1744 or Charles Colyer Sr. born 1757 living per census in Mt. Vernon Ky Rockcastle county. Charles Colyer Sr. is brother of William Colyar father of John Colyer born 1781. Census records of Rockcastle county Ky show living there both a Charles Colyer Sr. and a Charles Colyer Jr. Other records may show John Colyer born 1744 having son named Charles, but many Colyer families in the area at the time had son's name Charles. 1778 tax records Henry County VA:1784 Oct 27: Deed pgs 65 and 66: Charles Colyar of Henry Co to George Sumpter of the Same for 90 pounds sells all that part of a Tract on Bowen?s Creek on of the orders of the Smith River, beg. At the whole tract patented by Jacob Adams for 295 acres and deeded out of the said 295 acres. This deed of 73 and ¾ acres and joins the old lines of Anglin: Charles Collier (X) Wit: John Salmon James Baker Absalom Adams. Proved 1784 Nov 25 Henry County André Michaux in North America: Journals and Letters, 1785?1797 "69. Charles Colyar (Colyer or Collier, 1757-ca. 1840) had a land grant of 640 acres in Lime­stone Cove, then Washington (now Unicoi) County, Tennessee. A Collier family member briefly guided the 1799 North Carolina-Tennessee boundary survey party in the Iron Mountains, memorably providing the insect-plagued surveyors with two gallons of good whiskey that eased their suffering (or made them oblivious to it). Charles Colyar and other family members later moved to Kentucky (Griffey 2000, 144; Williams 1920, 46-57; [Revolution­ary War] Pension Application of Charles Colyer, dated August 17, 1834, available at persi.heritagequestonline.com)" Charles Colyer moves near Erwin TN on Limestone Cove in about 1780 where he acquires assignment of land grant for 640 acres from Richard Caswell. Bio of Richard Caswell from historicsites.nc.gov : Richard Caswell's career began at an early age. At only the age of 17, he was appointed as an apprentice to Surveyor General James Mackilwean, and learned the art of surveying, a very profitable trade in the Eighteenth Century. Surveyors would purchase newly opened land as the frontier expanded and sell tracts to settlers at higher prices. Colonists held surveyors in suspicion but Caswell remained popular with the people throughout his political career. Today, students visiting the Richard Caswell Memorial can experience Eighteenth Century surveying with a hands-on activity with authentic instruments. Caswell's career landed him in numerous government offices and eventually into the Colonial Assembly, the North Carolina legislature under British rule. Caswell is appointed Deputy Clerk of Johnston County at the age of 18, in 1748, and then Surveyor General in 1750. He presented a bill to establish the town of Kingston, North Carolina's 20th official town, and applied his surveying skills when planning the town layout. Caswell Street in present-day Kinston links the streets' names honoring the families of his wives: Mackilwean Street for the family of the then-deceased Mary Mackilwean and Herritage Street for the family of his current wife, Sarah. In 1784, after the Revolution, Caswell initiated the new town name of Kinston to sever ties to its namesake King George III. When the relationship between the British government and the American Colonies strained, Caswell attended the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the Second Continental Congress in 1775. John Adams said of him, "We always looked to Richard Caswell for North Carolina. He was a model man and a true patriot." Royal governor Josiah Martin held a less flattering opinion of him, calling him "the most active tool of sedition." Caswell presided over the Fourth Provincial Congress, preventing him from participating in the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. In November 1776 Caswell presided over the committee that drafted the state Constitution in the Fifth Provincial Congress. He was appointed acting governor in December 1776 and elected governor in April of 1777, by the First General Assembly. This was the first of three one-year terms. He also entertained the Marquis de Lafayette and Baron Johann de Kalb in New Bern. After the Revolutionary War, Caswell served North Carolina as Controller General (Treasurer) and faced the difficult task of settling the state's post-war finances. He served again as governor for three one-year terms between 1785-1788. During the term of Caswell's predecessor Alexander Martin, North Carolina territories west of the Blue Ridge split from the state and formed the new state of Franklin. While Governor Martin had pursued an aggressive policy of intimidation, Caswell was more diplomatic towards the "Franklinites." Through delicate negotiations and peacekeeping, he prevented civil war and the state of Franklin again reunited with North Carolina. In 1789, these lands were ceded to the Union as the state of Tennessee. Illness prevented Caswell from participating in the 1786 Constitutional Convention, and he sent William Blount?who favored the adoption of the Constitution over the Articles of Confederation?in his stead. In 1789 Caswell was elected Speaker of the Senate in the North Carolina Assembly. On 5 November of that same year he suffered a stroke while in session at Fayetteville; he died five days later. http://genealogytrails.com/tenn/carter/historygoodspeed.html Source: "History of Tennessee", Volume 2; By Goodspeed Publishing Company Staff; pub 1887; tr. by C. Walters On April 9, 1795, the General Assembly divided Washington County, and erected the eastern part into Carter County, which then included all of Johnson and part of Unicoi. The court of pleas and quarter sessions was organized on the 4th of July, 1796, at the house of Samuel Tipton. The magistrates present were Andrew Greer, Landon Carter, Nathaniel Taylor, David McNabb, Lochonah Campbell, Guttredge Garland, John Vaught, Joseph Lands and Reuben Thornton. They qualified in the following manner: Landon Carter administered the oaths to Andrew Greer, who in turn administered them to Col. Carter, and the remainder of the court, The following officers were then elected: Godfrey Carriger, register; Joseph Lands, ranger; George Williams, clerk; John Macun, trustee Nathaniel Taylor, sheriff, and Charles Colyer, Aaron Cunningham, Samuel Musgrove, Thomas Whilson, Solomon Campbell and John Robertson, constables.




• Sources

  [S14494] Alice Colyer Gala. Alice Colyer Gala, Louisville KY 7/29/98. also the Work Of Richard Calloway Family by mrs. AE Hart 1934 [S05088] Collierj.ftw--Tim Jeffries, Cincinnati OH, Tim Jeffries, Cincinnatti OH. Date of Import: Aug 6, 1998 [S14494] Alice Colyer Gala. Date of Import: Sep 19, 1998 [S27813] ColyerV2.FTW. Date of Import: Sep 30, 1998 [S01733] Mike Collier - 3/96, personal genealogy files. Mike Collier - 3/96.