DECEMBER 1990 VOL 7 NO 1

THOMAS HARVEY (ca. 1760/68 - ca. 1838) Baptist Minister of Knox County, Tennessee
Compiled by Joyce P. Hervey

The origin of Rev. Thomas Harvey, Baptist minister, who died ca. 1838 in Knox Co., Tennessee, is uncertain and will not be dealt with at this time, except to say that it is highly probable that Rev. Harvey is connected with the Halifax County, North Carolina Herveys and/or the Northumberland Co., Virginia Harveys. The extremely rare given name, Onesiphorus, alternately spelled as Oney Sypress or Oney Syprett, appears in all three of these Hervey (or Harvey) families. [For a treatise on the name Onesiphorus, see HFA Bulletin Vol. 3 No. 2, Feb. 1987. GO TO

[NOTE:  For recent updates and correspondence regarding this family, press GOTO]

Rev. Thomas Harvey, born ca. 1760-1768, perhaps in North Carolina, was a Baptist minister in Knox County, Tennessee until his death ca. 1838. Various researchers on this Harvey family believe him to have come to Knox Co., Tennessee from Surry Co., North Carolina. Indeed, there appears in court house records (deeds and tax lists) of Surry Co., a Thomas Harvey/Hervey.

The earliest records that have been located on Thomas Harvey in Surry Co. are an 1800 tax list, showing a Thomas Harvey residing in Capt. Hudspeth's Dist., with 260 acres of land and 1 poll; and two deeds, dated 14 Jan. 1800, recorded in Deed Book K, pages 50-51, which show that Thomas Hervey, of Surry Co., NC, bought two tracts of land from Meshack Gentry.

Lands were on the waters of Hunting Creek in Surry Co. and were formerly lands belonging to Isaac Johnson. Some of the neighbors named in the description of the land were William ?Alsints?, Samuel ?Innis?, and Ninian Riley. One tract contained 160 acres, the other 100 acres. Witnesses to the signing and recording of the deeds were S. McLemore, Tristam Cogshall and Jas. Parks. The deeds were recorded at the Surry Co. court house in Aug. 1803. [Note: The deeds clearly show the spelling of the surname to be Hervey at the beginning of the documents; however, as the clerk repeated the name throughout the documents, the spelling was not consistent; sometimes the name was spelled Hervy and sometimes Harvey or Harvy.]

According to family records, Rev. Thomas Harvey was married twice.(1c) His first wife is said to have been Sarah Smith, by whom he had four children. After the death of Sarah, Thomas married her sister, Susannah Smith. The sisters were daughters of Elizabeth and William Smith (see will of William Smith, probated in Surry Co., 1781). There is a record of a marriage of "Sukey" Smith to Thomas Harvey, dated 27 July 1802, in Surry County, North Carolina. Presumably "Sukey" is a nickname for Susannah and the second marriage is verified. Susannah was considerably younger than Thomas, by at least 12 years but not as much as 30 years [1830 census of Tenn. shows her to be born ca. 1780-1790(13).] There does not appear to be any existing documentation of a first marriage; indeed, there is reason in the mind of at least one researcher (C. S. Harvey of Oliver Springs, TN) to doubt the existence of a first marriage, for two reasons: (1) Rev. Harvey's will named his children by Susannah Harvey but said nothing of any children by a deceased wife, and (2) it seems unusual to name two sons by the same name, i.e., in the lists of children by each of the wives, there appears the name John. [note: it is not uncommon for children of a former deceased wife to be omitted from a will, particularly if they had received their share of inheritance prior to the writing of the will. As to naming two children the same name, it was occasionally done if the elder child of the same name had died; however, in this case that does not seem to be true.] Some evidence to support the existence of a first wife is the 1800 census of North Carolina (which was taken before the "second" marriage of Rev. Harvey. The census shows a Thomas Harvy of Surry Co. with the following residents of his household: male, age 26-45 [Thomas]; female age 26-45 [could be Sarah]; 2 females ages 10-16 [could be daughters Sally and Matilda]; and 3 males age 10 or under [could be sons Thomas, John, and ? ].

It is difficult to pinpoint precisely when Rev. Harvey moved his family to Tennessee. In fact they may have moved back and forth between the two states. It is believed that Thomas and Susannah's first child, Oney Sypress Harvey, may have been born in Washington Co., Tenn. in 1804; but the census clearly shows that a Thomas Harvy was in Surry Co., NC in 1810. One researcher(1a) found a deed record, dated 1814, showing that Thomas Harvey, of Surry Co., NC, sold part of his land on Hunting Creek that he had purchased in 1800. Thus, his ties to Surry Co. were not severed completely prior to 1814. Looking at the reported birthplaces of his children, it would appear that by about 1815 the family was permanently situated in Knox County, Tennessee.

The Harveys were farmers, as were most of the people of Eastern Tennessee in the early 1800's. Farming practices in the early days of white settlement were more similar to that of the Indians than of the cotton planters in the South; thus slavery was not especially important to the economy and the slaves that were in the county were primarily found in the city of Knoxville working as household servants. Corn and beans, the chief crops, were planted in hills with such vegetables as beans, peas, pumpkins, gourds, squash, and May-apples growing between the corn hills. Meat was supplied by hunting wild game, such as buffalo, deer and bear. The game also yielded wool, hide, and leather for warmth and some utensils were made from buffalo horns. As settlement increased and game became less plentiful, farming methods and repeated plantings of crops on the same soil tended to deplete the soil after several years and became one factor in the slow growth of the county. As the soil played out, and as lands in Middle and Western Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri opened up, the settlers moved on.

For those who remained in the county, hard times were felt. The settlers who went west took much of the wealth and buying power with them. Universal education was lacking. Land was depleted. Except for a few years in the early days of the county's existence, when it functioned as the seat of government for the territory and later the state of Tennessee, Knoxville, located near the center of Knox County at the junction of the Tennessee, Holston, and French Broad Rivers, served primarily as a stopping off place for traffic heading east or west. There were no major manufacturing or unique natural resources to develop, and roads were generally bad. Real growth in the area did not get under way until the arrival of the steamboat ca. 1826. River transportation, and later railroads, allowed the development of the county as a distribution center for goods to be transported to distant markets.

The people who lived in rural Knox Co. were self-sufficient. A Baptist minister had to be if his life was as described here:(12) These were the days of long distances, poor roads and roaming Indians. Ministers were often pastors of two or three widely separated churches, without stated salaries, teaching school and farming to support themselves and families. The gospel was presumed to be free. These early Baptist ministers were grateful for being able to preach without persecution, which many of them suffered before coming to this new country. ... There were few meeting-houses in those days. When the members met for their "monthly meeting," it was often in the home of some centrally located member. Business sessions were always held on Saturday before the preaching service on the Sabbath. The business sessions were formal, their rules of behavior strict. Drinking, card playing and dancing were prohibited. Members were sometimes "churched" for unnecessary gossiping. These Baptists were loyal, law-abiding citizens and among the leaders of their community.(12)

Research into Knox Co. records should reveal more about the lives of Rev. Harvey and his family. At this writing, however, the only available information relating to the family in Tennessee are the 1830 census and Thomas Harvey's will. The census shows the following household members: male age 60-70 [Rev. Thomas Harvey], female age 40-50 [Susannah], males: one age 15-20 [James N.], two age 10-15 [John Rufus and Elkanah], two age 10-15 [William and Wilson]; females: one age 20-30 [Susannah/Anny/Mary/Amy], two age 15-20 [either this is a mistake in the census or the birthdates given for Martha and Nancy in family records are incorrect; their ages in 1830 should be, according to family records, 12 and 6], one female age 5-10 [Rebecca]. The eldest son, Oney S., was already married and living apart from the rest of the family.

On the 27th day of March, 1836, Rev. Harvey wrote his will, which was witnessed by James Frost and Oney S. Harvey. The will was probated in the November 1838 Session of the court in Knox Co. The will directed that enough of his perishable property be sold to pay his debts and funeral expenses, after which "I give to my wife Susannah Harvey, all my estate both real and personal for and during the time of her natural life and after her decease; I give to my son Oney Harvey twenty acres of my land, joining his land on the river where he now lives. I also give to James N. Harvey, ten dollars in money or property and the ballance of my land I give to be equally divided between John R. Harvey, Elkan Harvey, William Harvey and Wilson Harvey, and the balance of all of my personal property to be equally divided between my four daughters, Anny (or Mary? or Amy) Amos, Martha Scoggins, Nancy Harvey and Rebecca Harvey and the same to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever; The meeting house on my land excepted which I gave to the Baptist Church, as long as they keep Worship in it, And I do constitute and appoint my wife Susannah Harvey and James Harvey Executors of Testament. ...

From family records(1c), the following are said to be children of Rev. Thomas Harvey and his first wife, Sar(r)ah (Smith) Harvey:

From the will and family records of Thomas Harvey, the following children are identified and were born to his second wife, Susanna (Smith) Harvey [Note: The list below differs from any listing found. Several sources are used to compile the list and it may not be completely accurate. One bothersome thing is the wide gap between the birthdate of Oney S. and James N. Harvey. Wills often name living children in order of birth or name sons in order of birth followed by daughters in order of birth. Rev. Harvey's will clearly follows the latter pattern, as can be verified by looking at the recorded dates of birth of most of his children, so it is fairly certain that Susannah/Amy/Mary/Anny is the eldest daughter and probably was born during this "gap". Jennie D. Harvey(1c), in her listing of the children, uses two different children's names than those listed in the will and completely omits one name, Rebecca (youngest girl listed in the will). She named "Decie" as the girl who married a "Thomas" Hunt (actually Absolom) and moved to Texas. She named a "Betty Jane" (who does not appear in the will); and says Betty Jane died at age 4 years and was the first person buried at Shady Grove Cemetery. When two of these daughters are placed in the "gap", there seems to be a fairly consistent interval of spacing between births of the children. Why Mrs. Jennie D. Harvey omitted the name Rebecca from the list is uncertain.]:

Children of Rev. Thomas Harvey and 2nd wife, Susannah (Smith) Harvey:

I. Oney Sypress Harvey, b. 16 Aug. 1804(1c,4) (or 18 Aug 1804(3) or ca. 1806(2)) in NC or Washington Co., TN(2,4); d. 22 Jan. 1878(4) (or 1876(3)); in Knox Co., TN(4); md. 10 May 1827 in Blount Co., TN(4) to Mar(r)iah Huffman who was b. 6 Nov. 1811(1c,4) in TN(2), d. 23 or 28 Feb. 1874 in Knox Co., TN;(4) both bd. Shady Grove Cem., Knox Co., North Shore Dr, TN.(3,4).

HERVEYS OF NOTE: HERVEY ALLEN, AUTHOR (1889-1949)
[Abstracted by Joyce Hervey from The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine(1)]

William Hervey Allen (b. Dec. 8, 1889, d. Dec. 1949) was born into an old and distinguished Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania family. "Bill" Allen was the fourth generation of his family to live in Pittsburgh. His grandfather, Edward Jay Allen, journeyed to the Northwest on the Oregon Trail to take up a land claim, returned to Pittsburgh and operated an underground station for runaway slaves, raised a regiment of the Union Army which he led as a Colonel, was wounded at Gettysburg, and after the war became president of the Atlantic and Pacific Telephone Co. in Pittsburgh. Col. Allen compiled a magnificent library at his home in Pittsburgh, which his young grandson at an early age devoured and which became a major resource for much of young Allen's writing. Bill Allen's father, William H. Allen was inventor of an automatic stoker for blast furnaces while he worked at the Homestead Steel Works in Pittsburgh.

Allen's earliest memories were of horsecars in the streets of Pittsburgh and of four generations of the family living in the same household. Matriarch of the family was his great-great-grandmother, Anna Gill, who was blind for forty years, but who told him stories of early days and quoted poetry to him. Bill spent his boyhood school years in Pittsburgh with summer diversions to Bedford, Pennsylvania where his favorite pastime was an illegal method of fishing called "looping", which he did in the Juniata River.

During one of his boyhood summers at Bedford, he received a serious injury when an explosive went off in his pants pocket, severely burning him. During his confinement to his bed while his burns healed, he learned how to concentrate. In Pittsburgh he read insatiably through his grandfather's library, consuming such literature as a multi-volume set of the English poets, and he began to compose verse himself.

After graduation from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, young Bill Allen went to Werntz's school in Annapolis to prepare himself for examinations for applying to the Naval Academy, to which he was admitted with the class of 1913. Health problems forced him to receive an honorable discharge from the Academy and he returned to Pittsburgh to work for the Bell Telephone Company. He soon became involved in writing and became editor of the Telephone News. It was not long after he returned to Pittsburgh that he entered University of Pittsburgh, from which he graduated cum laude in 1915 with a B.S. from the School of Economics.

A young college age Bill Allen was described by his good friend Carlton Ketchum: Bill Allen the college student looked, in the classroom and in the registrar's records, like a young man who might be going places. On the campus and in the fraternity house he was a famous wisecracker, practical joker, reciter -- and sometimes composer -- of ribald limericks. His company was sought because he was more interesting and more fun than almost anyone then at Pitt. He had some mysterious access to tickets at the Gayety Theatre, at that time the home of burlesque in Pittsburgh, and usually contributed them to his fellow Sigma Chis, to the probable detriment of their morals and manners.

Bill Allen was tall, about 6 feet and 4 inches, but he was fleet of foot and ran the mile in track until a nervous stomach disorder due to overstrain caused him to give it up during his naval academy days.

Not given to following fashion, Bill dressed for comfort. He was a chain smoker and drank sociably, but was not considered a drinking man. He called himself a Jeffersonian democrat "with a small d". He was tireless with enormous amounts of energy and was able to accomplish more than the ordinary man.

After graduation from Pitt, young Bill Allen went back to work for the Bell Telephone Company, doing publicity and editorial tasks. Presently his National Guard unit, the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Infantry was called to service in a peacekeeping capacity, first in the city to control labor riots and then along the Mexican border where Pancho Villa was stirring up trouble. In 1917 his regiment was called to be trained in combat. The regiment was then sent to France in 1918. Now a First Lieutenant, Bill was trained in using grenades and machine guns. When his captain was killed in action he became Company Commander. Some traumatic experiences during the war formed the basis for more than one story during his prolific career as a historical novelist.

Some say that it was during the war years that Bill Allen began using the name "Hervey" as a given name. It is said that there were two lieutenants in the regiment named William H. Allen and he began to use Hervey Allen to distinguish himself from the other lieutenant; however, others believe that he adopted the name Hervey Allen at the suggestion of his friend and publisher Stanley Rinehart because it was less common and would be better remembered.

Injuries received during the war caused Hervey to be relieved from combat and he attached to the French Army as an instructor in English. When the War ended he returned to the U.S., lame and still suffering from the effects of poison gas.

Hervey's first job as a civilian was as English teacher at a military academy in Charleston, South Carolina. He made some important friendships among literary people and co-founded the Poetry Society of South Carolina. He soon published his first book, Wampum and Old Gold in 1921. In 1925 he joined the English faculty of Columbia University. While at Columbia, he published a biography of Edgar Allan Poe, which was a literary success and still serves as the standard life of Poe.

In 1926, while serving as a lecturer on American history and literature at Vassar, one of Hervey's students, a sophomore from Syracuse, New York, a young girl named Ann Hyde Andrews, was in his class. She and Hervey were engaged by December of that year and soon were married and on their way to Bermuda. Hervey had decided to go to Bermuda to devote his time and energy to writing.

The five years spent in Bermuda were an idyllic existence for the newlyweds. On a personal level, Hervey and Ann were wonderfully happy, getting to know each other and starting their family. They rented an old 17th century plantation, "Felicity Hall", built by English colonists. Hervey spent hours restoring the place, planting and nurturing fruit trees, flowers, and shrubs. He built garden paths, laid a flagstone patio, concreted cellars and built chicken houses, rabbit hutches and dovecotes. The old slave quarters were turned into a study which he filled with his own hand crafted furniture.

Hervey's most renowned literary work, Anthony Adverse, which had been taking form in his mind for a long time, was largely written at Felicity Hall in the old slave quarters study. While Hervey wrote, Ann typed and re-typed the entire novel at least three times as it was being revised. By the time five years had passed, the novel was unfinished and money had run out. They could no longer afford to rent Felicity Hall, so they packed up sadly and return to the States in 1932. Ann and Hervey were by that time parents of two daughters. They returned to Syracuse where after an exhausting time mentally, Anthony Adverse was finished and ready for publication. In 1933, America was in the depths of depression; there was no money for buying books; a novel that sold 5000 copies was considered successful. A 1224-page novel was rare indeed for the times. However, the public response to Anthony made Hervey an immediate celebrity. The book was on the best-seller list for two years and sold 275,000 copies the first month. It was translated into twelve foreign languages. Anthony marked the beginning of an era of popularity of the romantic historical novel.

After the success of Anthony the Allens bought an estate off the coast of Maryland, where they tried to recapture some of the lifestyle they had in Bermuda. They grew their own food, raised their own livestock, planted grapes for wines, milled their wheat. They purchased a second estate in Florida and divided their time between the two as the seasons changed. Their family soon grew to include a son in addition to the two girls.

It was several years before Hervey began writing again, but by 1938 he had finished a novel, Action at Aquila, based partly on his war experiences, and which was set in the Civil War. Though his success was for his literary abilities, Hervey's reputation as a historian was not un-recognized. He was invited to become editor of "The Rivers of America" series in 1945. It soon became apparent that he knew as much about history as the authors of the "Rivers" books.

By the end of the second World War, Hervey decided it was becoming too expensive to maintain two large estates, so he sold his Maryland home and settled permanently in Florida to develop "The Glades", his estate near Coral Gables. Hervey's love for the land and the continuity of families was easily recognizable throughout his writings. He lived as he wrote, putting his family and home at the center of his existence.

Hervey's final literary effort was a "tome" which he called The Disinherited. The "tome" was to cover the period 1699 to 1840 in America, which he referred to as the "old republic". He had completed the first three of the planned five separate novels of the series when he died unexpectedly during the last week of 1949.

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In an unsuccessful attempt to determine the Hervey ancestry of Hervey Allen (assuming there is such a connection) the following family history was located:

Anna Gill
(*G-G-Grandmother of William Hervey Allen)

*The article by Mr. Williams(1) states that Anna Gill was Hervey's great-great-grandmother. If the relationship is correct as stated, then a generation is missing between Anna Gill and Col. Edward Allen, since he was clearly the grandfather of Hervey Allen. Since Anna Gill was alive during Hervey's boyhood and told him stories that he was able to remember, one might suspect that she was his great-grandmother instead and that the author was mistaken about her relationship to Hervey. If she were in fact his great-great-grandmother, she would have been close to 100 years old during Hervey's childhood.

Col. Edward Jay Allen
Grand-father of William Hervey Allen

Born ca. 1830 in New York(3); married Elizabeth, who may have been a Robinson [See the 1880 Census, on which is shown a Mary E. Robinson, listed as the Colonel's mother-in-law living with him; assuming Mary E. to be Elizabeth's mother and assuming the mother had not married a second time, then Elizabeth would have been a Robinson]. Elizabeth Allen was born ca. 1839 in NY or MO(3) [soundex difficult to read]. Their children: William H. Allen, born July 1860 in VA(2); Edna Allen, born ca. 1864 in PA(3); Mary L. Allen, born ca. 1866 in PA(3); Ed H. Allen, born ca. 1868 in PA3; and Harold Allen, born ca. 1878 in PA(3).

William H. Allen
Father of William Hervey Allen

Born July 1860 in VA(2); married Helen Eby Myers(1), who was born July 1865 in PA(2); she died 1917 in Pittsburgh, PA(1); her mother was Hellen M. ( ? ) Myers(2), who was born Oct. 1834(2). Their children: William Hervey Allen, born Dec. 8, 1889 in PA(1), subject of this sketch; Winthrop Myers Allen(1) or Edwin Myers Allen(2), born June 1893 in PA(2); Edward Jay Allen II(2), born Sept. 1899 in PA; he was of Hanover, Mass. (1); Mrs. Bishop Hunt(1); and Mrs. Walter R. Baylies(1) of Taunton, Mass.

Born Dec. 8, 1889, Pittsburgh, PA(1); died Dec. 1949, Coral Gables, FL(1); married in 1927 to Ann Hyde Andrews(1), who was of Syracuse, NY; their children: Marcia Allen, born in Bermuda, studied Bryn Mawr(1); Mary Ann Allen, born in Bermuda, studied Radcliffe; Richard Allen, born ca. 1936; was professor at the University of Oregon ca. 1972. (1)

References:
(1) Williams, Ronald J., "HERVEY ALLEN A Modern Fenimore Cooper and Dr. Johnson", The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, Vol. 55, April 1972, No. 2, pp. 121-150.

(2) U.S. Census Soundex, 1900, Pennsylvania

(3) U. .S. Census Soundex, 1880, Pennsylvania

Camp near Waverly
March 15th, 1865

Dear Wife [Martha G. Joyner Hervey]
As Mr. L. C. Lockhart will get off home in a few days I will write you by him. I wrote you only a few days ago by Mr. Marchbanks. My health is good, the men are generally in good health. Wm. Stokes has been quite unwell for a week or two[;] he has been afflicted with Biles, Chills & Fever but is now quite recovered[;] he will come in camp tomorrow. I heard that his mother, Mrs. Stokes was dead. is it so. we have no news since the evacuation of Charleston and Wilmington. it seems now to be the policy of our Govt. to withdraw from the Seaboard and make a decisive stand in the interior. there is much privation and hard fighting for the troops East of the River & I think we will have much fighting to do on this side this year although it is very quiet up to this time in consequence of the wet season.

There is now a rumour in camp that Gen. Bragg is at Alexandria and that Gen. Smith has gone to meet him[.] it is further rumoured that he has called for 35,000 men to cross the Miss. River[.] if such is the fact [(]& it is credited here[)], we will in all probability be ordered in that direction very soon[.] whether we cross the river or not is left for the future to develop. It would go hard with me to leave all that is dear to me far away to the mercies & chances of a cruel war[,] yet if I am ordered I will for one obey cheerfully as far as duty is concerned[.] but it will be with a heavy heart when I think of leaving you with no prospect perhaps of seeing you again while this unnatural war continues, but we will place our trust in him who controls our destinies and hope for the best. Now this is only rumour, yet, but it is evident that there is help needed on the other side [-] that it would surprise me at any time if we were to get orders to go to the other side[.] if such should be the case it will bring new trouble upon you, but you must nerve yourself to meet with any difficulties that should arise in the future. I belong now to my country and for its good must battle wherever our assistance is called[.] if there is an order to go to the other side I will try to exchange with someone that wishes to go across. I would prefer to remain on this side, but if 35,000 troops are taken from this Dept. it will throw heavy work on those left. Be of good cheer I only write this that you may be prepared to meet such an event.

The peace prospects that I have anticipated have faded in the distance until every vestage is lost to view. The Southern people are too easily gotten by such things. The reaction is so great that it cools to some extend their patriotism, every body should now (after the manner in which our commissioners were received & the degrading conditions of Mr. Lincoln made known) nerve themselves for the struggle[.] let their motto be independence or death or free home or a bloody grave, the Soldiers expect to fight another four years perhaps longer. May the God of Battles attend us. had a light hail & some rain this morning[.] from what I hear from Navarro you must all be nearly drowned out[.] the roll call is sounded more tomorrow.

March 20th
I have not written any for several days, having no opportunity to send one off. Mr. Lockhart will not probably get off for several days. I received your ever welcome letter by Green Griggs also the tent that my dear little wife made for me for which I cannot sufficiently express my thanks, it was wrong of me to request you to make me one as you have such a hard time to clothe the family, but my dear you know that I would not have done so if there had been any possible change to have bought the goods [-] then I am broke flat[.] I have paid out about 75$ for rations which after paying some little debts leaves me with less than 100$ on hand[.] it seems that I will never be able to send you any money[.] if the Govt. would pay me up I could do so. there is now due me over $1500. You seemed to think that I would tire reading your long letter[.] if you could have seen with what eagerness I passed over each successive page you would not have thought me wearied when I came to the last[.] you cannot write them long enough to tire me, I read with eagerness but opened each successive sheet with anxiety, for what, because I expected to find a keepsake from the person of my lovely wife that I might keep it near my heart as her image is ever there, I wished some tangible memento that I could press to my lips when alone[,] and my thoughts turned to home & you[.] I opened all to the last still confident that I would find it there but alas, it was not there. You may think it was disappointment [-] nay my dear it was more, it was with anguish to my Soul that I found it not. Now I wrote you to send me one tress of those beautiful waves[;] I did not mean that you should disfigure yourself nor do I wish it. I only wished you to send me one small tress from any part of the head[.] I did not mean that you should cut them from the front. Your hair is all waves with me, one tress equally valued with another, I do think you might have granted the request that for as I should not have made it without I had sincerely desired it, but I do not renew the request but leave it to your option, as you seem to think that I treat it as I did the little widows[.] I think I would hardly throw it away for shame of its being found on my person, in case of accident as I did hers on the morning of the fight near Vanburen Mo. this other request I made at the same time was unreasonable though you had consented before I left home to grant it. I hope you will pardon me for it, now to say that I was not hurt because you did not grant the first request would be as much to say that I did not love you for if it had not been that I loved you so devotedly I would have cared nothing for it, but I cannot believe that it was because you did not love me that you refused to do so, if I was convinced that it was so I would never see my home again[.] I know that I would go raving mad, now don't think from the tenor of this that I am offended with you [-] not so[.] I am grieved but forgive you all as I don't think it intentional[.] you must remember that I am a sensitive lover.

I wrote you in the first part of this letter that there was a rumour of some troops having to go on the other side. I have heard nothing more of it. I do not think now that we will have to go. I think that we will be ordered from here to Anderson in a day or two at which point I learn that Gen. Wharton will inspect the Corps. there is a probability of our having something to do in Texas. Fed. Gen. A. J. Smith has gone down to New Orleans with 54 transports loaded with troops[.] there is a probability that their destination is Texas[.] if so we will soon be again standing in front of our hated foe[.] May God help us to punish them as they may deserve[.] I feel confident that with the firm resolve of our troops to fight to the last that we will be able to punish them severely, then will be the time for every Texan that loves his country [(]if able[)] to walk, or ride, to shoulder his rifle and fly to the rescue, as did the noble sons of South Carolina after the evacuation of Charleston, we have just received intelligence here by way of Mobile and by way of Matamora[s] Mexico that there has been a terrible battle fought near Charlotte, N.C. Sherman's army reported to have been routed[.] the 1st gives Gen. Beauregard killed, the last says Sherman killed and Beauregard wounded[.] how I hope the latter is true I would hate the loss of so great a Gen. on our side[.] he is second to none but Gen. Lee[.] there is no doubt but there has been a great battle
A. G. Hervey

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Harvey, Moses, New York, Pvt., 11 mos.,1777-78, pension issued 22 Jan. 1833. His widow, Abigail Harvey, was granted pension 28 Mar. 1854.

On the 28th Aug. 1832, Moses Harvey, aged 68 years, a resident of Granville, Washington County, NY, appeared in open Court before judges of the Court of Common Pleas for county of Washington, state of NY to declare: He was born at Ashfield, Massachusetts on 10th Feb. 1764. In 1777 he was living in Skeinsborough (now Whitehall), Washington Co., NY in his father's family. In early July of 1777 it was learned that the British were coming up Lake Champlaign and were expected to land several miles from their residence. His father hastily moved to the state of Massachusetts, town of Ashfield. During the first of Sept. of 1777, Moses Harvey volunteered to take the place of a draftee who was fearful to go into service. He entered Capt. Moses Harvey's Company in Col. Woodbridges Regt. for a term of three months. He immediately went with the company to Bennington, Vermont to join the Regiment. He was one of several chosen to remain at Bennington under Capt. Winchester to guard the prisoners, most of whom were wounded and sick, while the remainder went to Stillwater to the taking of Burgoyne. The declarant's father joined the regt. that went to Stillwater. The declarant could hear the report of cannon at Stillwater while he was at Bennington guarding prisoners. He was discharged after three months (about the first of December 1777.)

In the fall of 1777 (sic) his father moved his family back to Whitehall (then Skeinsborough) and the next spring in the year 1779 the Indians and Tories caused frequent alarms so that his father again moved from Skeinsborough to Bennington and the declarant returned to Skeinsborough for the purpose of aiding the militia in the protection of the frontier. He served part time in the militia during the spring summer and autumn, part of the time under Capt. Levi Stockwell and part of the time under his cousin, for a total of over 3 months. In the years 1780 and 81 in the winter, spring and summer the militia were rotated about every two weeks, so that some part of the militia was always on duty. The declarant, having no family, was out longer than others and more frequently guarding the lines. In March of this year the Indians and Tories came just after the declarant was relieved of duty, while the guard was small and burned the house called "the Stone house of Skein" and murdered a Mr. McCoy and his wife about one-half or two miles from the house. He was stationed at different places for different periods of time, sometimes at a place called Pritts Rock, at other times near the Landing and at other times at a place called middle of the town where the headquarters was located. Moses served at least four months and perhaps as much as half the time during the 1780 and 1781 time period. Officers of the militia under whom he served were Lt. Fidler, Lt. Gould, Lt. Stewart, under the command of Capt. Levi Stockwell. The militia captain was Elisha _______. After the war in about 1806 he went to Granville for about 5 years, then to Fort Ann, and then to Granville where he now resides. Persons known to Moses to testify to his veracity and character were Rev. Samuel C. Dillaway and John C. Parker, both of Granville, NY.

On March 7th, 1854, personally appeared Abigail Harvey, widow of Moses Harvey, aged 82 years, a resident of Aurora, Erie Co., New York, to apply for a widow's pension under the benefits of the act of 3 Feb. 1853. She declared that she married Moses Harvey on 27 Aug. 1807, that her said husband died on or about 22 Sept. 1847. She signed with a mark (X). She appeared before a Justice of the Peace inn the same county and state on 14th April 1855 to apply for bounty land. She stated she was married to Moses Harvey in the town of Pawlet, Vermont on 27th Aug. 1807 by Rev. Isaac Beall and that her name before her marriage was Abigail Stark, and that her said husband had died at Fort Ann the 22nd Sept. 1847. Witnesses for her signature were J. H. Harvey and Harriett Harvey. Accompanying the application was a certified copy of the record of her marriage at Pawlett, Rutland Co., Vermont on 27th Aug. 1807 to Moses Harvey of Westfield, Washington Co., NY.

Nathan Harvey, Conn., Pvt., pension granted 8 Nov. 1832. On the 27th July 1832 personally appeared the county of Tolland, state of Conn., in open court before the Court of Probate for the district of Tolland, Conn., Nathan Harvey, aged 84 years, resident of Tolland, co. of Tolland, state of Conn., to declare: He was born in Sunderland, Commonwealth of Mass., where he lived until four years old, then moved with his father to Tolland, in the county of Tolland, state of Conn. About the last of Dec. 1775, he enlisted as a private soldier for three months and served under Capt. Solomon Willis, then of Tolland, now dead. He was marched to Cambridge, Mass. and quartered a short time in the college buildings. Then he was marched to Roxbury, Mass and there remained until his time was up the first day of April 1776. He returned home and soon after in the same month of April 1776 again enlisted for 8 months and served under Capt. Parker, then of Wellington, Tolland Co., Conn. His regt. was commanded by Col. Sage of Middletown, Conn. He was marched to the city of NY and remained there until the British took possession of the island. He fled from the enemy with the rest of the army under brisk fire. The next day after the American troops evacuated New York, he was in an engagement at Harleam, during which Col. Knowlton was killed. He remained near New York until his time was out, which was Christmas day 1776. He returned home in May of 1778 and was twice drafted to go to New London. Once he hired as a substitute, the second time he paid five pounds and was excused. Afterward he served in the militia in a class of six or ten. Mr. Luther Eaton and Solomon S. Griggs appeared in court to testify to their acquaintance with the declarant.

Norment/Norman Harvey, Virginia, Pvt., served 3 years in the Virginia line, pension issued 12 Feb. 1819. On the 19th day of May 1818 before Wm. Brockenbrough, judge of General Court of Virginia and of Superior Court of law for Caroline Co., now in session, appeared Norment Harvey, aged 58 years, resident in county of Hanover, state of Virginia to declare: He enlisted in the Continental Cavalry with Capt. Thomas Richardson, recruiting officer, in the troop commanded by Capt. Thomas Pemberton of Sixth Troop, 1st Virginia Regt. of Light Dragoons, for three years. He was in battles of Savannah under command of Pulaski and at Monks Corner & c. and was taken prisoner on the return of the army to Virginia and detained 27 days on a Prison Ship in the James River in May 1781. Testimony was given by John Turner of Caroline Co., Virginia that he is positive of said Harvey's service as he did not return home (permanently) till his time was out.

On the 8th of Feb. 1819 appeared in open court Norman Harvey, age 57 years, resident of Caroline Co., Virginia, to make declaration: He enlisted for 3 years on the 5th of Sept. 1778 in said county in company called Light Dragoons commanded by Capt. Thos. Pemberton, regt. called Blands commanded by Col. Ben Temple in the state of Virginia, Continental Establishment. He served until he was taken prisoner. When he was paroled he was discharged from service near Petersburg, Virginia. He was in the battle of Savannah and several skirmishes. Capt. Thomas Pemberton made testimony that Norman Harvey had in fact served in his regt.

Normant Harvey, aged 59, resident of same county, appeared again in open court on 10th July 1820 to declare his service again so as to receive pension benefits under the act of 18th March 1818. He swore at this time that he had no property and no family.

Nov. 2, 1990
Dad [A. B. Hervey, Sr.-5, Herbert Hervey-4, Albert G. Hervey-3, Oney S. Hervey-2, Col. Thomas Hervey-1] purchased our subscription to "Hervey Families of America Bulletin" and its content is very enjoyable to me. . . . you will be interested to know that my parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. . My brother, Albert B. Hervey, Jr. of Pine Bluff, Ar., my sister, Betty Ann Shewmaker of Fayetteville, Ar. and I planned and held a garden party on that Sunday afternoon, July 15, 1990.

Dad's hobby is his lawn and garden and he had them in beautiful condition with a riot of color in the garden. We rented a yellow and white striped tent-awning where we received more than 125 guests. The decorations were pastel and we served a light summer buffet plus punch, tea and cake. The weather turned cool that weekend in an otherwise hot and sultry July. We felt blessed that Dad, 89 and Mother, 84 were able to be present and enjoy the entire afternoon.

Grandsons Brian Shewmaker and Brent Hervey directed parking. The great-grand daughters Mandy and Lisa Armstrong greeted guests and manned the guest book.

Family and friends traveled from Texas, Idaho, Florida and several Arkansas cities to be present. That evening Sid and I hosted a family dinner at the Holiday Inn for 26 members of the immediate family.

Glad and AB had a ball! Their son, Bud, made a video of the entire event and it is a pleasure for them to watch over and over . . . Our son Steve and his family flew in for the festivities. Our son Paul and his wife were at an Orthopedic seminar in Sun Valley where Paul was a principal speaker, so they flew in later in the week . . . . . . regarding the family of Albert Burdine Hervey, son of Herbert E. Hervey . . . Paul has been divorced and re-married and has two more children. . .

Thanks for a fine publication.

A. Joyce (Hervey) Shirley