A Light in our Family: American Patriot, Abraham Wainscot

Our family ancestor, Abraham Wainscot, an American Revolutionary Patriot, was one of

many thousands of brave Americans who fought not only on the major battlefields but also

defended their home counties amid local skirmishes. (1) As sure as I write this I believe they

would have been modest and shun attention or the thought of a light being shone on their acts of

bravery and sacrifice. They did what was right defending their homes and families against the

British. Without thought of fame or glory they fought for the future of our country. Many of

those fighting along side the regular soldiers included ragtag militias made up of local farmers

and merchants. Abraham Wainscot was one of the local farmers from Rowan County, North

Carolina who stepped up to defend his country.

The original Wainscot patriarch, Abraham's father, Richard came to this country in the early

1700's from Surry, England under unfavorable circumstances. (2) Let's just say the King wasn't

happy and put him on a ship to be deported to the colonies. It probably could be assumed he

would not have wanted a future descendant to write an essay to shine a light on him! Around

1750, Richard's son, Abraham and his family settled in North Carolina on 292 acres of land

purchased from Lord Earl Granville for 10 shilling sterling or also cited 120 pounds. (3) The

acreage was located in Rowan County along the Yadkin River near Shallow Ford.

In 1780 the well known Battle of Shallow Ford took place near the property of the

Wainscot's. (4) The Patriot militia, including Abraham Wainscot, rose to the occasion to "Rise
and Shine" their long rifles and ambushed the Loyalists as they were trying to cross the river to

join British forces led by General Cornwallis. The Loyalist fled after several were killed. A

Tombstone monument shines on this Shallow Ford location today.

The Wainscot's family farm was located on the west side along the banks of the Yadkin

River. Their farm was a typical modest homestead with cows, sheep, hogs, horses. The

Wainscot's had seven children who helped at the farm and several relatives who lived nearby.

God's light was truly shining down on the river bank of this family farm as they worked the

fields and tended their animals and crops. This tranquility did not last forever.

During the time of the Revolutionary War, many local farmers and their families faced

harassment, disruption, and terror as their homes, livestock, and way of life was constantly

threatened. Those living along the river were regularly challenged. Residents were in the

dangerous path of scattered militias trying to cross the river during this perilous time. We do not

have diaries from our distant relatives to shine their light on the daily provocations and adversity,

but it does not take much imagination to understand unsettling fear was their constant

companion. These brave families including our very own Wainscot ancestors endured the

harassment, terror, and reality of war.

Thankfully, everyone in this family survived the war. The Yadkin River Patriots did rise and

shine their light for the future of their descendants. Years later Patriot Wainscot died in 1820. He

was survived by his wife Catherine and children Isaac, Elizabeth, Rachel, Zebulon, Catherine,

Abraham, and Andrew. In his will he bequeathed his property to his wife and children. The

estate included cattle, sheep, cows, hogs, chickens, his brown horse called Jack, farm tools, his

rifle, household furniture, and the land. (5)

 War time is unsettling and cruel. Family members of all Patriots who lived along the mighty

Yadkin River were every bit as brave as the Patriot militia. They supported those dear to them

who sacrificed their lives for home and country. We will never forget family Patriots like

Abraham Wainscot who gave so much to stand up to protect our country's liberty and

Constitution. It is a great honor to share Abraham Wainscot's story. It is a privilege to shine this

light on our family's Revolutionary War Patriot.

Works Cited

1. American Battlefield Trust, Revolutionary War Facts. "How Many Soldiers

Served in the War", 2021

2. Wikitree Profile, 2018 "Richard Wainscott (1711-1762)

3. Deeds for Rowan County, NC; 15 April 1762

4. Casstevens, Francis Harding. The Heritage of Yadkin County, Hunter

Publishing, 1981

5. Owen County Will Book A. Page 1