An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

David Humphreys was born in about 1746. Dr. Samuel Masengill wrote that he was born in Londonderry, Ireland. I think he may be a son of John and Susannah Humphreys.

During the American Revolution, he served as a private on the Pennsylvania Line. According to his pension file (page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6), he joined the Continental army in 1776. He was in the First Regiment of Foot commanded by Colonel Edward Hand. He was enlisted by Captain John Holliday and Lieutenant James Holliday (killed September 11, 1777). At first he was in Captain Robert Cluggage's company of riflemen.

He served until 1778. Several times he participated in missions against the indigenous people in North Carolina. He was at Trenton and Monmouth. He received an honorable discharge from Dr. William Magaw. At one point he was in the hospital. He served 18 months under General Sineleary?

He married Elizabeth Hart in 1786. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on David and Elizabeth Humphreys.

He applied for a pension on August 10, 1818 in Carter County, Tennessee. His pension started at age 88. He was paid $376 and $96 year.

On October 30, 1823 the general assembly passed an act to pay $31 to David for being a brigade inspector of the 4th brigade of the Tenessee militia as required by the 1815 assembly. A brigade inspector was to

. . . distribute all orders from the brigadier general or commanding officer . . .
to keep an orderly book . . .
. . . keep a record of all appointments and resignations in his brigade;
he shall keep a roster of the field and staff officers. . .

On August 21, 1830, David Humphreys appeared in court in Sullivan County, Tennessee. He was 73 years old. He swore that he served in the American Revolution. He said he was no longer able to pursue his occupation of leather glove making. He said his son, John Humphreys, was settled in Carter County and that his daughter married John Smith of Sullivan County and that he lived with her.

He died June 27 1832.

Children of John and Susannah Humphreys William Humphreys David Humphreys Richard Humphreys Moses Humphreys Mary Humpreys Tullis Jesse Humphreys Elizabeth Humphreys Greenway Elisha Humphreys George Humphreys

Carter County is in northeastern Tennessee. It was part of the Washington District of North Carolina organized in 1775. In 1777, the district became Washington County, North Carolina.