The Cantrill - Cantrell Genealogy
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23. Thomas Cantrell 4 (John 3, Joseph 2, Richard 1) was
born Jan. 23, 1761. About 1780 he married Elizabeth Norris,
daughter of Thomas Norris, who served in the Revolutionary War
from Pennsylvania. She was born March 10, 1765. After their
marriage they first settled in Greenville district, S.C., but later
moved to Tennessee. It has been said that he was the first of the
name to migrate to that state. He settled on Sink Creek, DeKalb
county, where he operated an iron forge, whidh is still called the
"Old Forge," and where one of his descendants now lives.
The War records, at Washington, D.C., show that "Thomas
Cantrell served as s amember, rank and company not stated, of
Lieutenant Coloner Lytle's command, Caswell county, North
Carolina, Revolutionary War." His name has been found only
on a list, not dated, of men "enrolled for Captain Robert Moore,
from Caswell county.
There is a tradition, which comes from William Magness Can-
trell, that: "Thomas Cantrell, in company with Mr. Adcock, who
was an uncle of his grandmother, were captured at the battle
of the Cowpens, S.C., and placed on a British ship to be sent to
England. After getting some four miles from land, they escaped
by jumping overboard and swimming to shore, having to escape
not only the dangers of the sea, but also the fire of the British."
He was a deacon in the Baptist church. He and his wife are
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buried in the old cemetery at Grady, Tenn. This town was first
known as Cantrell's Cross Roads; later the name was changed to
Williamsburg, and to-day is known as Grady. The inscription on
his tombstone reads:
"Here lies the body of Thomas Cantrelle, Born January 23,
1761. Died September 25, 1830."