Gen. George Stovall HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#26, b. 20 September 1750, d. 5 March 1827
Father*Robert HAIRSTON1,2 b. b 1724, d. b 2 Jun 1791
Mother*Ruth STOVALL3 b. a 1731, d. 3 Mar 1808
Birth*Gen. George Stovall HAIRSTON was born on 20 September 1750 in Virginia.3,4,5,6,7

 
He was the son of Robert HAIRSTON and Ruth STOVALL.1,2,3 
MilitaryOn 23 March 1770, George Stoval Hairstone was sworn Lieutenant of County Militia under Capt. Robert Hairstone. - pages 185-186.8 
DeedGen. George Stovall HAIRSTON witnessed the deed of Lt. Col. Peter Hyde SAUNDERS on 9 June 1770 in Pittsylvania, Virginia; 1770 - Robert Hairston and his sons George and Peter witness a deed between Peter Saunders and Daniel Smith for land in Pittslyvania County, Virginia. - Pittsylvania Deed Book 1, page 62. FSL #7672664 image 246-247.9 
Court RecordOn 25 September 1771, George Hairston, Hugh Brown and James Cozby are witnesses to a deed between James Boyle and Patrick Cuningham, both of Berkeley County, South Carolina. The land is said to be 100 acres in Berkeley County that James Boyle received by Patent on 22 February 1771. The deed was filed in Craven County, South Carolina 16 December 1772. - Charleston County Courthouse Deed Book 4B, pages 70-72. FSL #8139622 image 206.10
Survey1774 Botetourt County - 200 acres surveyed on South Fork Little River.11 
War*American Revolutionary War - 1775 - 1783. 
MilitaryOn 27 Septemeber 1775, the Committee of Pittsylvania County nominated Robert Hairstone as a Captain and George Hairstone as a Lieutenant. Deed Book 4, page 293. FSL #7646055 image 450.8,12,13

Oath to Virginia*George Hairston took the Oath Of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia and renounced allegiance to Great Britian in 1776.4 
County Name*1777 - Henry County formed from Pittsylvania County. 
MilitaryGeorge Hairston is appointed Captain of the Militia in the room of Robert Hairston, 21 Jan 1777. James Poteet appointed Lieutenant and Peter Hairston, Ensign. - Henry County Court Order Book 1, page 3. FSL #7898572 image 9.14 
Deed17 February 1777 - George Hairston purchased 228 acres on Nicholas Creek in Henry County from Robert Jones. - Henry County Deed Book 1, page 11. FSL #7898570 image 25.15
DeedOn 28 May 1778 - John and Mary Rowland sell 153 acres on the south side of Smith River to George Hairston. Witnessed by Baldwin Rowland. - Henry County Deed Book 1, p. 186. FSL #7898570 image 114.16
DeedOn 21 September 1778, Charles Finch an his wife Joyce, sell 180 acres on north side of Irvin river, to George Hairston. - Henry County Deed Book 1, p. 159. FSL #7898570 image 100.
Court Record*The new United States government required all citizens to turn in their bank notes issued by the Continental Congress during the revolution. George Hairston, of Henry County, turned in $542 in 1779.17 
Deed*29 April 1779 - George Hairston to Samuel Hairston, for 100 pounds, 228 acres on Nicholas's Creek a branch of the north side of Irvine Mead, Darby Ryan. Being the survey which was conveyed by Robert Jones, Jr. to George Hairston. - Henry County Deed Book 1, p.211-212. FSL #7898570 image 127.16
Military*2 June 1780 in Henry, Virginia, Revolutionary War - Thomas Hale, George Hairston, John Fontaine, James Cowden and Owen Ruble were commissioned Captains in the Virginia Militia. Henry County Court Order Book 2, page 9. FSL #7898572 image 79.



Col. George Hairston is recognized as a Patriot by the DAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) and the SAR (National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.)4,18,19 
ProbateGen. George Stovall HAIRSTON was mentioned in the probate of the estate of John ROWLAND on 29 September 1780 in Henry, Virginia; The will was presented to the court on 29 September 1780 by William Tunstall and Peter Saunders who gave bond with John Fountain and George Hairston. - Henry County Court Order Book 2, page 121. FSL #7898572 image 90.20,21
DeedOn 11 December 1780, John Marr and Thomas Bedford sold 260 acres on Smith's River, called the Horse Shoe, to George Hairston 30,000 pounds current money of Virginia. Witnessed by Peter Hairston, Mordecai Horde and Christopher Owens. - Henry County Deed Book 2, p. 115-116. FSL #7898570 image 272.
Marriage*Gen. George Stovall HAIRSTON married Elizabeth PERKINS, daughter of Nicholas PERKINS and Bethenia HARDING, on 1 January 1781 in Virginia. Widow of William Letcher who was shot by Tories on 2 August 1780. HAIRSTON FAMILY BIBLE.4,5,6,7

 
Patent/Warrant 1 February 1781 - George Harston & Co.: John Marr and Thomas Bedford, 584 acres. By survey 6 April 1780 in Henry County at a place called the Timber Level, crossing a branch and a road; adjacent Powers and Company, & Mordecai Hord's corner formerly Randolphs and Companys Line. - Virginia Land Office Patents Book D, p. 533. FSL #8570229 image 559 - Survey FSL #8151702 image 83.22,23
Patent/Warrant 1781 Henry County - George Harston ass'ee of Elisha Waling, 467 acs. By Survey 24 November 1779 in Henry County on the North side of Smiths river Crossing Mill creek. Adjacent to Randolphs order otherwise the said Harstons old line & Copelands line. - Virginia Patents Book D, p. 647. FSL #8570229 image 673.
Patent/Warrant 1781 Henry County - John Marr, George Hairston & Thomas Bedford, 126 acs. By survey Dec 1773 in Henry County formerly Pittsylvania on the S side Smiths Riv., Crossing a bold br; 1 Mar 1781, p.494. A.C. of 15 Shill. Sterl.
Source: Land Office Grants C, 1780-1781, p. 494 (Reel 44). Library of Virginia.22,23 
Patent/Warrant 1781 Henry County - 442 acs. By Survey 24 Nov 1779 on the waters of Smith's River Beginning at a Road; 1 Mar 1781, p.585. A.C. of 45 Shill. Sterl.
Source: Land Office Grants D, 1780-1781 (v.1 & 2 p.1-930), p. 585 (Reel 45). Library of Virginia.22,23 
Patent/Warrant 1781 Halifax County - 354 acs. By Survey 3 Nov 1753 on both sides join crack creek; 1 Mar 1781, p.356. A.C. of 35 shillings sterling - Source: Land Office Grants C, 1780-1781, p. 356 (Reel 44). Library of Virginia.24,23 
Tax Rolls1782 - George Hairston was listed on the property tax rolls of Henry County, paying 1 pound 29 shillings.25 
Elected*"1782, Jan'y -- Robert Hairston produced a commission from his Excellency Thomas Nelson, Jr., appointing him Sheriff of this county, and took the oath, and George Hairston, Peter Hairston & Samuel Hairston qualified as his under sheriffs." Stokes County.26 
WillIn Samuel HAIRSTON's will dated 9 February 1782 in Campbell, Virginia, Gen. George Stovall HAIRSTON was named as an heir.2
Court RecordHenry County Court records, dated 2 March 1782, show that George Hairston provided beef and grain for United States during the Revolutionary War. Family Search Libraray Film #78622504 images 531, 535, 539 and 540. Also #8570992 image 45.
Survey*On 5 April 1782, George Hairston has 1,473 acres surveyed on South Fork Little River in Botetourt County.11 
SurveyOn 1 May 1782, George Hairston has 4 parcels of land containing 423, 200, 400, 400 acres each, surveyed on South Fork Little River in Botetourt County.11 
Tax Rolls1783 - George Hairston is listed as a tax payer in Henry County, Virginia. Slaves were Johnson, Ben, David, Patrick, randall, Abraham, Mary, Patt, Nann, Sukey, Lucy, Craft, Abraham, Yugy, Matt, Will, Hannah, Shadrack, Aggy, Dick and Aberdeen. - FSL #7849140 image 50. 
Patent/Warrant 1784 Henry County - 219 acres on the branches of Little Marrowbone Creek adjoining Grays line. - Source: Land Office Grants K, 1783-1784, p. 210 (Reel 51). Library of Virginia.23 
Patent/Warrant 1784 Henry County - 400 acres on the south side of Smith’s River, and adjoining his own land. - Source: Land Office Grants I, 1783-1784, p. 443 (Reel 50). Library of Virginia.23 
Patent/Warrant 1784 Fayette County, Virginia (later part of Kentucky) - 1,000 acres adjoining James Parberrys Settlement. This land was surveyed 25 January 1783, book 2, page 96. - Land Office Grants K, 1783-1784, p. 386 (Reel 51). Library of Virginia.23 
Patent/Warrant* 1784 Botetourt County - 147 1/2 acres on the south fork of Little River adjoining the land of Griffith Dickinson.
Source: Land Office Grants N, 1784-1785, p. 196 (Reel 54).
Library of Virginia.23 
ElectedGeorge Hairston and John Marr were elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry County for the October 16, 1786 - January 11, 1787 session.27 
DeedOn 27 April 1786 (deed book has 1768), George Hairston purchased 256 acres from Joseph Chandler for 127 pounds. Deed was recorded 27 April 1786. - Henry County Deed Book 3, page 214-215. FSL #7846266 image 115-116. 
Grant George Hairston was granted 2,000 acres on the water of the Beach fork beginning where Powells Trace crosses Long Lick Creek in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia issued this land warrant #7850 on 2 June 1786. This land was surveyed on 6 March 1783 to George Harston. Book 6, page 322.28 
Deed13 August 1787 - Deed of Trust is recorded stating "Michael Rowland of Henry County being indebted to George Hairston in amount of 150 pounds offers security 6 negros, Ned, a mulatto man, Bob, Cloe, Jesse a yellow boy, the girl Aggy, one horse, all stocks, cattle, hogs, kitchen furniture, three feather beds, and furniture, chairs, tables, desk, pewter pots, skillets. All crops now growing. This indebtedness may be redemed until December 25, 1788." Witnessed by Samuel Hairston, John Staples and Jacob McCraw. - Henry County, Virginia Deed Book 3, pages 332-33. FSL #7898570, image 647.29
Deed"There is also a deed of record in Henry County dated 8th September 1788 pages 452-453 which reads.: George Hairston and Elizabeth his wife of Henry County to John Redd of the same for the sum of 400 pounds conveys land on Ready Creek being a branch of Smith River containing 570 acres, the land conveyed from Peter Copeland to Michael Rowland, bought by Brady Meredith from Copeland 8 Sept 1788. Signed: George Hairston, Elizabeth Hairston." - Henry County Deed Book 3, page 452. FSL #7898570 image 710.29
Deed1789 Rockingham County, North Carolina - James Going, Patrick Neely and W. Hamilton were witnesses to a Rockingham County deed in which Hance McKeen of Guilford County, North Carolina sold land to George Harston of Henry County, Virginia. Conveyed for £25 was 155 acres on Paw Paw Creek of Mayo River, adjoining the Virginia line. James Goings was mentioned as the owner of adjoining land. - February 21, 1789, Rockingham County Deed Book C, Page 37. 
Census 1790* The 1790 Federal Census of Virginia was burned by the British in 1814.30 
PropertyIn 1790, George Hairston and James Anthony donated fifty acres of land for a courthouse and public buildings, which later became the center of Martinsville, Virginia.
1791 - Sect. 4. That fifty acres of land, belonging to the county of Henry, and lying around the courthouse of the said county shall be, and the same are hereby vested in George Waller, George Hairston, John Fontain, David Lanier, Alexander Hunter, Thomas Stovall, John Redd, Joseph Anthony, William Shelton, James Baker, and Joseph Bouldin, gentlemen, trustees, to be by them, or a majority of them, laid off into lots of half an acre each, with convenient streets, and established a town, by the name of Martinsville. Laws of Virginia, October 1791-- Hening page 297.26,31 
WillIn Robert HAIRSTON's will dated 26 May 1790 in Franklin, Virginia, Gen. George Stovall HAIRSTON was named as an heir; Robert's daughter Sarah "Sally" Hairston died before his will was written.1,32
Tax Rolls* 26 May 1790 - White males over 16+ 2, Black males over 16+ 27, Black males 12-15 5, Horses 59, Stud horses 1 in Henry, Virginia.33 
Tax Rolls1791 - George Hairston is listed as a tax payer in Henry County, Virginia. 2 white, 36 blacks, 65 horses. - FSL #7849140 image 378. 
Death Father*George's father, Capt. Robert Hairston, died about June 1, 1791. George inherited Marrowbone Plantation. 
Tax Rolls1792 - George Hairston pays tax on 500, 270 and 257 acres in Patrick County. FSL #7834306 images 36-37.
Tax Rolls1792 - George Hairston Esq. is listed as a tax payer in Henry County, Virginia. 2 white, 38 black, 92 horses. - FSL #7849140 image 388. 
Deed*28 July 1795 - Abram Penn sold George Hairston 350 acres of land on Beaver Creek, Henry County.4 
Grant On 1 August 1796, Virginia Governor Robert Brooke granted George Hairston 362 acres. Warrant #10637 and #11265. Land had been surveyed on 29 March 1793.34
DeedOn 26 March 1798, John Hord and his wife Ruth convey 400 acres on Horsepasture Creek to George Hairston, Sr.. This is the land George Hairston Jr. built the Hordsville Plantation home. - Henry County Deed Book 6, pages 457-458. FSL #7898571 image 457.35
Census 1800* The 1800 Federal Census of Virginia was burned by the British in 1814.36 
Tax Rolls1800 Henry County tax rolls of 14 June 1800 for George Hairston - White males 16+ 2, Black males 16+ 82, Black males 12-15 15, Horses 101, Ordinary license 1, Tax $67.30.33 
DeedOn 16 December 1801, Michael and Elizabeth Rowland sell to George Hairston a tract of land in Franklin County that was willed to Michael and Elizabeth Rowland by Elizabeth's father Robert Hairston. John Rowland and George Hairston Jr. witnessed the deed. - Franklin County Deed Book 5, page 63. FSL #7898085 image 44.
DeedOn 16 December 1801, Michael Rowland sells to George Hairston the following items; 5 horses, 1 wagon, 3 feather beds, furniture, pewter and pots. Witnessed by John Rowland Jr. and George Hairston Jr.. - Henry County Deed Book 6, p. 356. FSL #7898571 image 192. 
ElectedGeorge Hairston and Joseph Bouldin were elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry County for the December 1, 1806 - January 22, 1807 session.27 
ElectedGeorge Hairston and Joseph Martin, Jr. were elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry County for the December 5, 1808 - February 18, 1809 session.27 
Court Record*On September 21, 1808 in the Superior Court in Franklin County, George Hairston and Abraham Penn are defendants being sued for 4,000 pounds by the widow and estate of Jacob Lindsey regarding a property dispute that started in 1778 in Patrick County. Land suits, 1805-1818, 1821-1822, FSL 8141191-123. 
Grant* George Hairston acquires 4,300 acres in Patrick County on the waters of Goblington Creek, North Mayo River, Blackberry Creek & Bowings Creek on 10 November 1808. Grant #299, Book 57, page 447.37 
Census 1810* 1810 Henry County Census was destroyed by the British in 1814 when they burned Washington.38 
MilitaryGeorge Hairston was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War and a General in the War of 1812. 
Will*He left a will on 7 March 1820 in Henry, Virginia. Henry County Will Book 3 page 159. FSL #7645134 image 455.39
Census 1820*He appeared on the census of 7 August 1820 in Henry, Virginia, George Hairston Sr., males 16-18 1, 16-25 1, 26-44 1, 45+ 2, females 10-15 1, 16-25 1, slaves 162.40
Tax Rolls1821 - George Hairston Sr. is listed as a tax payer in Henry County, Virginia. 96 slaves, 57 horses. - FSL #7849140 image 530. 
Death DaughterHis daughter, America Hairston Callaway, died before 7 March 1826. 
WillOn 7 March 1826, George added a codicil to his will regarding the death of his daughter America. George gives America's share of his estate to her son George Callawy. In this document he also mentions John Callaway, Ruth Callaway.39 
Death*He died on 5 March 1827 in Henry, Virginia, at age 76, "Died - At his residence in Henry County, on Monday, April 5, in his 77th year, Col. George Hairston, leaving six sons and a daughter." Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, Va. Tuesday, April 10, 1827, page3


Hairston Family Bible.3,5,6,41,7 
Burial*He was buried in Beaver Creek Plantation, Henry, Virginia;


Photo: Find A Grave by shakestheground.42 
Probate*His estate was probated on 8 April 1827. 
SARSAR Patriot Index Edition III (CD: PP2210, Progeny Publ., 2002) plus data to 2004.43 
Obituary*Published in the Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, Virginia, April 10, 1827, Page 3. - "---------, at his late residence in the county of Henry, on Monday the 5th inst. half after 12 o'clock, in the 77th year of his age, Col. Geo. Hairston, after a painful illness of 31 days, which he bore with patience and resignation to his Maker's will. As obituary notices are but too frequently the effusions of the imagination, I shall in relation to this distinguished citizen patriot, fearlessly remark; that being blessed with an uncommon strength, activity and industry, possessed of a mind clear, strong and penetrating; in the arrangements of his extensive concerns, he was judicious and prudent in personal attention, promptness of execution, candour and prosperity, few were his equal; as a citizen eminently useful; to the poor indulgent, and his family affectionate. He has left six sons and a daughter, together with a large number of relatives and friends to lament his loss." 
NOTE*The following is the text of a speech by Judge Peter W. Hairston at Beaver Creek Plantation, when the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) dedicated a plaque to Captain George Hairston in 1987.

George Hairston: (1750-1327) Soldier of the Revolution

Would anyone among us choose to live in any country but ours? I think not. For all the changes we may want to make, indeed should make, our America is still the most beautiful, the greatest land on earth. Among the patriots of Henry County, few did more to make the United States possible than the first George Hairston.

He was born in 1750 in that part of Virginia which is now Campbell County. His father, Robert Hairston, was born in Ireland of Scottish ancestry. He came to this country settling first in Pennsylvania and later near Charlottesville. In 1748 Robert married Ruth Stovall whose father was Clerk to the House of Burgesses. They had eight children, three sons and five daughters. George, the first born, was followed by Peter, who eventually settled Upper Saura Town, and Samuel. When George was five years old, his father, Robert, was named County Lieutenant of Bedford County. Soon afterward, the French-Indian War broke out. The father with his two brothers, Samuel and Andrew, all officers in the Bedford militia became active in that combat.

George must have found himself at a very early age shouldering many responsibilities of the home. How he received an education, we do not know; but there seem to have been no schools in the neighborhood during this early period. Perhaps his mother found time to teach him or a tutor was brought in. Whatever instruction he received must have ended fairly early, because he was a mere twenty years old when he bought Beaver Creek, then a plantation of 20,000 or more acres. It is said that he paid ten cents an acre for it, thereby establishing the foundation of a considerable fortune.

Six years later he built the first house on this hill, a house which unfortunately burned to be replaced by George's youngest son Marshall who built the one we see about 1827.

We have only to look around us to see that George had an eye for beauty as well as a knowledge of real estate. With these qualities and incredible energy, he eventually amassed a holding of 238,795 acres in Virginia as well as valuable holdings in Mississippi and North Carolina. To cultivate this property, he eventually acquired 2,960 slaves. From such extensive property, George’s was legendary. To each of his twelve children he gave as a wedding gift land and slaves worth $500,000.00. To Henry County he gave the site for its Courthouse.

As the Revolution approached, George and his father were among the first citizens of Henry County to subscribe to the oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The records show that in 1776 he furnished corn to the troops of militia. His brother, Peter, led a company to the Holston against the Overhill Cherokees in that year; and George in the following year was commissioned a captain of Militia. What he did to earn this promotion has not come down in the records but it is evident that he was occupied in the business of his new rank for he found it necessary to get leave from his military duties when a personal emergency arose in 1780.

On August 2, 1780, a Tory named John Nicholds shot through a crack in the cabin of George's friend William Letcher. Captain Letcher was at home for a brief furlough to visit his wife, the former Elizabeth Perkins. In his own home and in the horrified presence of his wife and baby daughter, Captain Letcher died from the wound. Militia was sent to protect the family and catch the Tory, but the first mission was unsuccessful. George Hairston, whose second commission as captain of militia was dated in June of the same year, had more success. He caught Nicholds, tried and executed him for his crime.

Lest Elizabeth and her daughter Bethenia be left to the mercy of marauders, they were escorted back across the mountain to Henry County.

George and Elizabeth were married the following New Years Day. Their lives were interrupted by the British invasion of the South by Lord Cornwallis. This general had captured Charleston and followed up that victory by administering a severe defeat to the Americans under General Gates. The Battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, was a disaster so complete that the conquest of North Carolina and Virginia seemed certain. Some hope was restored by the victory of the overmountain boys, with whom George's brother Peter may have served, wiped out Colonel Ferguson's command at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The delay which this caused in the British advance gave enough time for Gates' replacement, General Nathaniel Greene to arrive and save the remnants of the American forces by a masterful retreat through North Carolina and across the Dan River into Virginia. When Greene's hopes of being reinforced by Virginia Militia were realized and he recrossed the Dan to meet Cornwallis, Colonel Penn issued an order that the Henry County Regiment should march from Beaver Creek to the assistance of the patriots. His order was dated March 11, 1781, just in time for the militia of Henry County to reach General Greene and take part in the Battle of Guilford Court House.

The brave men who marched with the regiment in Hairston's company were Richard Parsley, Joseph Blackley, Samuel Jamerson, Arristiphus Baughn, John Kitchen, John Jamerson, John Rivers, John Crouch, John Jones, Lewis Bradbury, Thomas Finch, Jesse Elkins and James Davis. The other officers of the company were Joshua Rentfro, Lieutenant, Jesse Corn, Ensign and John Smith, Sergeant.

The Henry County militia after leaving Beaver Creek first crossed at Rowland's 'Ford, just below Fontaine's , they then followed an old road, still visible in 1925, and thence up the Marrowbone valley crossing the creek west of where Ridgeway stands. Thence they marched along the ridge for two miles and crossed Matrimony Creek. From there it was a half mile to the State line. The regiment arrived at Guilford Court House in time to fight in the Battle of March 15th.

General Greene's plan of battle, worked out earlier, was to post the North Carolina militia in the front rank behind a brush covered fence. They faced the British who had to march up a long open hill to reach the village. The orders for the Carolina men were to fire two rounds and then retreat.

The greatest danger of the plan was that the front line fled from the enemy's bayonets a panic would commence and the
Virginians in the next line behind would take fright and run. General Edward Stevens commanding the Virginia line skillfully prevented this contagion by ordering his troops to open up and let the front line through. By the time the crack 23rd Regiment of English guards and the 71st Highlanders approached the Virginians these had their lines redrawn and put up a protracted and stubborn fight. They were finally forced to retire as Greene had anticipated, but it took a charge from Tarleton’s Calvary to gain this.

In the end, although General Greene prudently withdrew, to insure saving the only American forces left in the South, the battle had so weakened Cornwallis that the British were forced to retreat to the coast. They had lost a third of their men and many of their best officers.

Abram Penn's regiment stayed with Greene as he pursued the British past Deep River, then with Greene they turned south to reconquer South Carolina. They were with the American forces in the bloody battle of Eutaw Springs which forced Lord Rawdon, the British Commander to retreat to Charleston.

Our Virginians then returned to their home state in time to take part in the siege of Yorktown. Their attitude shows in George Hairston's often quoted statement, "I came here to fight”. On October 17, 1781 Cornwallis' army marched out to the tune of "The World Turned Upside Down." They stacked their arms in surrender. Fighting ended, but no treaty of peace was signed until November 11, 1782.

In the meantime, George had returned home and in March of 1782 his heroic deeds were recognized and he was recommended for promotion to Colonel, a recommendation which was followed in June of that year by his appointment to that position.

Most of the next twenty years he spent at Beaver Creek. During this time twelve children were born to George and Elizabeth: Robert, George, Jr., Harden, Samuel, Nicholas Perkins, Henry, Peter Constantine, John Adams, America, Marshall and Ruth Stovall. But not all of George's life was spent during these years in domestic pursuits. His father was named High Sheriff of the county and George with his two brothers became his under sheriffs. George was named one of the justices of the county and after Robert's death in 1783 George became sheriff of Henry County.

The management of his vast estates was an (increasing burden. He wrote his brother Peter that his sons did not help him and “I have no such slaves to help me as you have." At one time, there was reason to believe that he was the object of a slave plot to poison him. Some idea of the cares which came upon him can be learned from his correspondence. There was one sale of 87 deer skins he kept strict accounts of the bill for recapturing one of his brother's slaves, including seventeen cents a day jail fees, and had to advertise for one of his who ran away. He wrote in detail to Peter the state of the markets for hogs and cattle, not only giving the prices and supply and demand both in Petersburg and Lynchburg, but even the numbers en route to these places from the west.

He was called upon to layout the Town of Martinsville and to supervise the clearing of the Dan and Roanoke rivers. As Colonel he travelled at least twice deep into hostile Indian Territory as far as Lookout Mountain.

All of these activities stopped abruptly when he was called into active service during the War of 1812. The City of Norfolk was threatened with invasion in the winter of 1814. The hard earned freedom from Great Britain was at stake a second time. The official actions of his deeds in this crisis were found in three large volumes, leather-bound, of his order books.

Under March 26, 1814 I found "Lt. Col. Hairston has arrived and being the senior officer will take command of t he Brigade." The command consisted of the 3, 4, 5, and 6th Virginia Militia Regiments and the North Carolina 23rd. This constituted a brigade and it was from this command that George's rank as an acting brigadier general was justified.

While he was there in command, the British endeavored to attack Norfolk but failed in the attempt and Richmond as well as Norfolk was protected by t his defense. They were however to sail up the Chesapeake Bay, burn Norfolk and assault, though unsuccessfully, Baltimore.

The order books tell of the efforts necessary to discipline the raw militia and set forth the careful orders for the protection of Craney's Island. This 35 acre tract of low lying land commanded the entrance into Elizabeth River and Norfolk. The expected attack finally came on Jun e 22nd. Fifteen hundred attackers approached the island, today occupied by the U. S. Refueling Station. They were repelled by 730 defenders.

The hard work in training the soldiers in George's force had paid off. The books are full of punishments for all sorts of transgressions. They range from a stoppage of whiskey for ten days imposed on a sentry who fell asleep on his post to twenty days hard labor for a soldier caught drunk on duty. Appeals to patriotism appear too: "It is not believed," reads one order, "that any man of Virginia particularly will be disposed to abandon his post when danger threatens and at this time an attack by t he enemy is apprehended in a few days."

Five days after the attack was repulsed it appears "Col. George Hairston from Henry County left the service after having served his tour of duty."

Three years after the Battle of Norfolk, General George Izard, who was travelling through Pittsylvania County, kept a diary of his journey. He tells of a dinner at Berry Hill, the home of Robert Hairston, George's oldest son and his wife. George, himself, and his party, were there too. The entry reads, "Old H. a devilish shrewd old Fellow - was a tower of Duty at Norfolk at the close of the War- has just discovered a lead mine on his estate in Henry County, Virga- said to be very rich- Immediately after Dinner (which was at 2) old and young guests mounted their horses and set out for their homes." He adds that Mrs . H.- "Is much less of a Bear than her husband or his father."

George's wife died in 1818 and he lived on until 1827. Both buried near us.

His epitaph may best be stated in his own language written into his 1814 order book and signed G. H. "To remember your Creator in the days of your youth; he has decreed that they only who seek after wisdom shall find it, that fools shall be afflicted, Because of their transgressions and that whoever Refuseth Instruction, shall destroy his own soul. By listening to this admonition and temporizing the vivacity of youth with a proper mixture of serious thought you may ensure cheerfulness for the rest of your life; but by delivering yourselves up to giddiness and levity, you lay the foundation of lasting heaviness of heart.”

These words may well have been written to instruct his children, but he abided by them. It is altogether fitting that for such a man the Daughters of the American Revolution should establish a marker of their and our respects and gratefully remember him in this way. 

Family

Elizabeth PERKINS b. 13 May 1759, d. 26 Jan 1819
Children
ChartsDescendant Chart
Descendant Chart Box

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S121] Will of Robert Hairston 26 May 1790, Franklin County, Virginia Will Book #1, pages 70-71. Family History Search Film #7644994, images 69-70. Inventory & Appraisel record February 1793. Will Book #1, pages 85-87, 1786-1812. Family Search Library Film #7644994, images 77-78. Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  2. [S101] Will & Probate of Samuel Hairston - 1782, Campbell County Will Book #1, page 6, Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  3. [S55] Harden Hairston Family Bible, 1750-1908. The Holy Bible containing The Old & New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues,.....J. Holbrook's Sterotype Copy., Eighth Edition, Brattleborough, (Vt.), 1817, Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  4. [S22] Hairston, Elizabeth Seawell, The Hairstons and the Penns and Their Relations, Roanoke, Virginia 1940 https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=13164, Ancestry.com.
  5. [S142] Hairston Family, Peter Hairston Bible - 1750-1928, The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Translated Out of the Original Greek: and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Boston, Published by C. Ewer, T. Bedlington, and J. H. A. Frost. 1828., North Carolina, State Archives of North Carolina.
  6. [S249] George Hairston Family Bible - 1750-1916, Peter Hairston Bible - 1750-1928, The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Translated Out of the Original Greek: and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Cooperstown, (N.Y.) Sterotyped, Printed and Published by H. & E. Phinney, 1829., Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  7. [S3500] Bible - Marshall Hairston 1750, owned by Mrs. Anne Covington of "Beavercreek" transcribed by Mrs. Lillian Schwertz and printed in "Local History & Genealogical Society" Volume VII, March 1961, Number 1. (NOTE: There are several errors in this transcription.), Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  8. [S3102] White, Elizabeth T. Military Records of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, 1767-1783: Taken from Judgment Books, 1-2-and 4 and Deed Book 4. Danville, Va: VA-NC Piedmont Genealogical Society, 1983. Print., Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  9. [S3061] Deed between Peter Saunders and Daniel Smith in Pittslvania, Virginia - 9 June 1770. MSS1H1274b5, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia, unknown repository address.
  10. [S3540] Langley, Clara A. South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1719-1772 - Vol. I - IV. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1983, unknown repository.
  11. [S3183] Summers, L. Preston., Coale, C. B., Bickley, G. W. L. (1929). Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800. Abingdon, Va.: L. P. Summers., Ancestry.com.
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  13. [S3618] The Virginia Genealogical Society. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Volume 23, May 1985, Number 2, page 70, Ancestry.com.
  14. [S3419] Blunt, Charles P. IV. Complete Index and Abstract of the Henry County Order Books #1 and #2 (1777-1782)., Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  15. [S149] McAllister, J T. Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War: Mcallister's Data. Hot Springs, Va: McAllister Pub. Co, 1913. Print. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/njp.32101013939630, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  16. [S3129] Adams, Lela C. Abstracts of Henry County, Virginia Deed Books I and II, 1776-1784. Easley, S.C: Southern Historical Press, 1983. Print., Personal Collection - printed book.
  17. [S3702] National Gea Soc Qtr National Genealogical Society., National Genealogical Society. National Genealogical Society quarterly #46 1958 #4 P182. Arlington, Va. etc: National Genealogical Society., National Genealogical Society.
  18. [S111] Virginia Historical Magazine, Henry County, VA Vol. 9, June 1902 page 417.
  19. [S3074] Hale, Nathaniel Claiborne, Roots In Virginia: an Account of Captain Thomas Hale, Virginia Frontiersman, His Descendants And Related Families. With Genealogies And Sketches of Hale, Saunders, Lucke, Claiborne, Lacy, Tobin And Contributing Ancestral Lines. Philadelphia?, 1948.
    https://hdl.handle.net/2027/wu.89066151580, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  20. [S3068] Will of John Rowland - 1780 - Henry County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 37-39. Family Search Library Film #7645134, images 29-30.,Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  21. [S3781] Henry County Virginia Will Book 1-3 1777-1831 - Family Search Library Film 7645134., Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  22. [S3124] Hudgins, Dennis R. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants : Volume Seven, 1762-1776. Richmond, Va: Virginia Genealogical Society, 1999. Print., Personal Collection - printed book.
  23. [S2] Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
  24. [S81] Virginia Land Records, Volume VIII: 1779-1782 - Edited by Dennis Hudgins, Virginia Genealogical Society, Richmond VA, 2005.
  25. [S3315] Fothergill, Augusta Bridgland (Middleton). Virginia Tax Payers, 1782-87: Other Than Those Published by the United States Census Bureau. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1971., Personal Collection - printed book.
  26. [S3046] Virginia Historical Society. The Virginia Magazine of History And Biography. Richmond: Virginia Historical Society, June 1902, Volume IX., Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  27. [S3579] Fourteenth Annual Report of the Library Board of the Virginia State Library 1916 - 1917 , Richmond: Virginia State Library, Division of Purchase and Printing, 1917 https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435031019854, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  28. [S3420] LVA - Harston, George land grant 1786 http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl Grant, Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  29. [S3047] Meador, George H. - Dunbar Rowland et al. : Adams, Alexander, Beard, Brewer, Bryan, Burton, Clark, Cooper, Hairston, Hampton, Hatcher, Lewis, Moorman, Norman, Smith, Stovall, Reynolds, Taylor and Wade : Mississippi census of 1850, Rolen, Roland, Rolland and Rowland. Call #929.2/R883m, Mississippi Department of Archives & History, Jackson, Mississippi.
  30. [S1790] 1790 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  31. [S3038] Hening, William Waller - The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia from the First Session of the Legislature in the year 1619. Richmond, 1810-1823. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.31210002606166, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  32. [S3131] Salmon, John S, and Emily J. Salmon. Franklin County, Virginia, 1786-1986: A Bicentennial History. Rocky Mount, Va: Franklin County Bicentennial Commission, 1993. Print., Personal Collection - printed book.
  33. [S278] Early Virginia Tax Rolls - Binns Genealogy
    http://www.binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensuses/…
  34. [S3732] Hairston-Perkins-Watkins Family 1796-1909, Archives and manuscripts Room. Library of Virginia, Call Number 40033 - Family genealogy notebooks by Robert Gray sent to a decendant of Robert Hairston on 10 December 1909 from Dublin, Virginia., Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  35. [S258] The Hord Family of Virginia: A Supplement to the Genealogy of the Hord Family, Compliled by Reverend Arnold Hord, (1915).
  36. [S1800] 1800 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  37. [S3599] Nugent, Nell M., Commonwealth's Grants or Patents, Patrick & Chesterfield Counties, Virginia, 1793-1925 1748-1925 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/76656, Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  38. [S1810] 1810 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  39. [S3296] Will of George Stovall Hairston -1820 - copy of will recorded in case #1833-008, Amos A. Atkinson & Wife vs. Exrs. of George Hairston, Chancery Records, Library of Virginia, Library of Virginia - http://www.lva.virginia.gov
  40. [S1820] 1820 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  41. [S3311] Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, Va. Tuesday, April 10, 1827, p. 3, c. 6 - From the marriage and obituary citations compiled by Bernard J. Henley from Virginia newspapers on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 23a).
  42. [S15] Beaver Creek Plantation Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia.
  43. [S113] Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications.
  44. [S3028] Virginia Reports - Jefferson---33 Grattan, 1730-1880, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, Thomas Johnson Michie, (The Michie Company, Law Publishers, Charlottesville, Va. 1902).
Last Edited27 Jun 2024