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ID: J-37
Marker Text:
WEITZEL'S MILL
Site of a skirmish between American forces under Col. O. H. Williams and British troops under Col. James
Webster, Mar. 6, 1781, is 6 mi. E.
Essay:
On March 6, 1781, Cornwallis’s army clashed at Adam Weitzell’s Mill with advance elements of
Nathanael Greene’s Southern Army commanded by Col. Otho Holland Williams. Greene had crossed the Dan
River back into North Carolina in the third week of February. He dispatched Williams with the army’s light
infantry, mostly Maryland and Delaware Continentals, as well as several hundred Virginia riflemen led by
William Preston and Hugh Crockett, to reconnoiter Cornwallis’s location. Cornwallis similarly dispatched a
light corps, consisting of 1,000 infantry and cavalry jointly led by Lt. Col. James Webster and Lt. Col.
Banastre Tarleton.
The British determined Williams’s position on March 4, after the engagement at Clapp’s Mill.
Cornwallis’s men realized that Williams was separated from Greene’s army by the waters of Reedy Fork
Creek. If the British positioned their forces between Williams and the ford at Weitzell’s Mill, they could
effectively eliminate a large portion of Greene’s force.
In the early morning hours of March 6, under the cover of a thick fog, Stewart and Tarleton advanced on
Williams’s position. However, alert sentries spotted the enemy movement, and Williams began a race with
the British for the ford. “Light Horse Harry” Lee’s Legion and the Virginia riflemen provided covering fire
for Williams, allowing his Continentals to retreat the ten miles to the ford from their starting position.
Having crossed the ford, Williams decided to make a defensive stand. The Continentals provided the main
line of defense while the Virginia riflemen and dragoons from Lee’s Legion and the 3rd Continental Light
Dragoons protected the flanks. The first British assault across the creek failed, but a second, personally led by
Lt. Col. Webster, forced the Americans to retreat. In his memoirs, Lee stated that the Virginia riflemen, who
could “hit an apple on a ramrod at 150 yards,” fired multiple times at Webster at only thirty paces without
killing him. The fighting left thirty British soldiers lying wounded or killed. Lee’s Legion lost two killed and
three wounded, while eight Virginians died and seventeen were wounded.
In the aftermath of the skirmish, the Virginia militia, who felt they had been used as cannon fodder simply
to save the Continentals, began leaving Greene’s army in droves. Their claims appear justified, as eight of the
ten dead Americans were Virginia riflemen. However, Williams followed express orders from Greene to
protect his Continentals at all costs. Nevertheless, William Preston and Hugh Crockett’s Virginia riflemen, as
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Marker: J-37
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protect his Continentals at all costs. Nevertheless, William Preston and Hugh Crockett’s Virginia riflemen, as
well as a party of South Carolina and Georgia militia under Andrew Pickens went home in the two days after
the engagement.
Nine days later, Williams and Webster met again on the field at Guilford Courthouse. In the decisive final
moments of the battle, Williams’s Maryland Continentals and Webster’s 33rd Regiment of Foot engaged in
hand-to-hand combat before the American forces withdrew. Webster received severe wounds to both his thigh
and chest from which he died two weeks later. Williams survived the battle and the war, and served as a naval
customs officer in Baltimore until his death in 1794.
There has been considerable debate over the correct spelling of the mill owner’s name. Although Lee gave
the name as Wetzell, all other sources refer to the family as Weitzell or Weitzel. The name was later
Anglicized to Whitesell. Henry Weitzell, Adam’s son, commanded a company of Guilford County militia
during the Revolution, and owned the mill after the war.
References:
William S. Powell, ed., Encyclopedia of North Carolina History (2006)
William H. Hoyt, ed., Papers of Archibald D. Murphey, II, 289-294
Henry Lee, Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States (1827)
Walter Clark, ed., State Records of North Carolina, XVII, 1000-1001
David Schenck, North Carolina, 1780-1781 (1889)
John Buchanan, The Road to Guilford Courthouse (1997)
Location:
US 29 north of Greensboro
County: Guilford
Original Date Cast: 1952-P
© 2009 North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources [16]

================================

Battle of Whitesell's Mill
6 Mar 1781 , Guilford Co., NC
The American Revolution in North Carolina - The Battle of Whitesell's Mill The American Revolution in North Carolina The Battle of Whitesell's Mill March 6, 1781 Patriot Cdr:Col. Otho Williams British Cdr:Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton Killed:8 Killed:30 Wounded:12 Wounded:included in above Captured:Unk Captured:Unk Original County: Guilford County Present County:Guilford County The location name for this battle has been incorrectly identified as Whitsell's Mill, Weitzall's Mill, Weitzell's Mill, Wetzall's Mill and Wetzell's Mill, but the correct name is Whitesell's Mill - owned by Capt. Henry Whitesell of Guilford County Regiment of Militia, and was fought in what was then and is present-day Guilford County, North Carolina. Capt. Whitesell was of German descent, therefore the corruption of the spelling of his name. The situation of Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis in early 1781 was full of peril. The country around Hillsborough was speedily stripped of provisions by his army, and he found it expedient to fall back and take a new position upon the south side of the Alamance River, west of the Haw River on February 27, 1781. On the same day, Lt. Col. Henry Lee and Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens, with their respective forces, joined the main body of the American light infantry, and the whole corps crossed the Haw River, a little below the mouth of Buffalo Creek. Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, with the main Continental Army augmented by some of the North Carolina Militia, crossed above Buffalo Creek the next morning (Feb. 28), and encamped between Troublesome Creek and Reedy Fork. It was an ineligible place; and, hoping to gain time for all his expected reinforcements to come in, Maj. Gen. Greene constantly changed his position, and placed Col. Otho Williams and his Light Corps between the two armies, now within twenty of miles of each other. Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton occupied the same relative position to the British army, and he and Col. Williams frequently menaced each other. Finally, the latter having approached to within a mile of the British camp, Lt. Col. Tarleton attacked him on March 2, 1781, and a brief but warm skirmish ensued. This encounter was sustained, on the part of the Americans, chiefly by Lt. Col. Lee’s legion and Col. William Preston’s Botetourt Riflemen. About thirty of the enemy were killed and wounded. The Americans sustained no loss. In the meantime, Maj. Gen. Greene’s constant change of position, sometimes seen on Troublesome Creek, and sometimes appearing near Guilford Court House, gave the impression that his force was larger than it really was, and Lt. Gen. Cornwallis was much perplexed. Knowing well that the American army was being augmented by the arrival of various militias, he resolved to bring Maj. Gen. Greene to action at once. Under cover of a thick fog, he crossed the Alamance River on March 6, hoping to beat up Col. Williams’s quarters, then between that stream and Reedy Fork to surprise Maj. Gen. Greene. Col. Otho Williams’s vigilant patrols discovered the approach of the enemy at about eight o’clock in the morning, on the road to Whitesell’s Mill, an important pass on the Reedy Fork. Lt. Col. Lee’s Legion immediately maneuvered in front of the enemy, while Col. Williams withdrew his light troops and other corps of regulars and militia across the stream. A covering party, composed of one hundred and fifty Virginia militia, were attacked by Lt. Col. Webster, with one thousand British infantry and a portion of Lt. Col. Tarleton’s cavalry. The militia boldly returned fire, and then fled across the creek. The British infantry followed, and met with a severe attack from Col. William Campbell’s riflemen (VA) and Lt. Col. Lee’s infantry. Lt. Col. Webster was quickly reinforced by some Hessians and chasseurs, and the whole were supported by four field pieces planted by Lt. Gen. Cornwallis upon an eminence near the banks of the stream. The artillery dismayed the North Carolina militia, which Col. Williams ordered to retire. He followed with Howard’s battalion, flanked by Kirkwood’s Delaware infantry and the infantry of Lt. Col. Lee’s Legion, the whole covered by Lt. Col. William Washington’s cavalry. The day was far spent, and Lt. Gen. Cornwallis did not pursue. In this skirmish the Americans lost eight killed and twelve wounded. The enemy lost about thirty killed and/or wounded. Known Patriot ParticipantsKnown British/Loyalist Participants Col. Otho Williams - Commanding Officer Lee's Legion, led by Lt. Col. Henry Lee, with six (6) known companies, led by: - Capt. James Armstrong - 1st Mounted Troop - Capt. Joseph Eggleston - 2nd Mounted Troop - Capt. Michael Rudolph - 3rd Mounted Troop - Capt. Allen McClane - 4th Dismounted Troop - Capt. Henry Archer - 5th Mounted Troop - Capt. James Tate - 6th Mounted Troop 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, led by Lt. Col. William Washington, Maj. Richard Call, with three (3) known companies, led by: - Capt. Walker Baylor - Capt. William Parsons - Capt. William Barrett 1st Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons detachment of one (1) known company, led by: - Capt. Griffin Fauntleroy Washington County Militia (VA) led by Col. William Campbell, with two (2) known companies, led by: - Capt. Joseph Black - Capt. James Dysart Boutetourt County Militia (VA) led by Col. William Preston, with 300 men in five (5) known companies. led by: - Capt. Mays - Capt. John Cartmill - Capt. Matthew Wilson - Capt. Bollar - Capt. William McClenahan SC 3rd Brigade of Militia/State Troops led by Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens, with detachments from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina Militia in the following units: Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment (SC) detachment led by Maj. James McCall with unknown number of men GA Militia, led by Unknown with unknown number of men Surry County Regiment of Militia (NC) led by Lt. Col. Joseph Winston, with eight (8) known companies led by: - Capt. Joseph Cloud - Capt. James Gains - Capt. Edwin Hickman - Capt. Joel Lewis - Capt. Edward Lovell - Capt. Salathiel Martin - Capt. Arthur Scott - Capt. William Underwood Wilkes County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment of one (1) known company, led by: - Capt. Jesse Hardin Franklin Lincoln County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment of one (1) known company, led by: - Capt. Thomas Lofton Mecklenburg County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment of one (1) known company, led by: - Capt. Joseph Graham Guilford County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment of one (1) known company, led by: - Capt. Daniel Gillespie Caswell County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment led by Col. William Moore, with four (4) known companies, led by: - Capt. Herndon Haralson - Capt. John Oldham - Capt. Dudley Reynolds - Capt. Richard Saunders Orange County Regiment of Militia (NC) detachment of two (2) known companies, led by: - Capt. Matthew McCauley - Capt. Adam Sanders Total Patriot Forces - ~ 700 Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton - Commanding Officer British Legion, led by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, with 75 men 33rd Regiment of Foot led by Lt. Col. James Webster, Maj. William Dansey, with 322 men in three (3) known companies, led by: - Capt. Frederick Cornwallis - Capt. James Ingram - Capt. William Gore III Feld Jäger Regiment Anspach-Beyreuth detachment of 97 men led by Capt. Friedrich Wilhelm von Röder 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) detachment of 258 men in two (2) known companies, led by: - Capt. Forbes Champagne - Capt. Thomas Peter 71st Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), 2nd Battalion detachment led by Capt. Dugald Stuart, with unknown number of men Brigade of Guards led by Lt. Col. John Goodricke, with 200 men in three (3) known companies, led by: - Lt. Col. John Goodricke - 3rd Scots Guards - Capt. William Maynard - Coldstream Guards - 1st Foot Guards - Lt. Col. Francis Dundas Royal Regiment of Artillery, 3rd Battalion, Number 1 Company, led by Lt. John MacLeod with two 3-pounders and two 6-pounders Total British Forces - ~1,000http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_battle_of _weitzells_mill.html© 2011 - J.D. Lewis - PO Box 1188 - Little River, SC 29566 - All Rights Reserved [24] }

I have lots more but this is the notes I have in Adam’s enter on my family program. Again I have more included the courts, the lawsuit for by his grandchildren, bill of sale. The lady’s response at the bottom is when I first started researching.

1821 Orange County, North Carolina Will Book E 1 and E 7 -
Will of Adam Whitsel The will at ancestry dot com is not complete version. I found additional two pages of the will or first recorded will or perhaps a codicil at Family dot org site in the estate records of Orange county. The Family org extra pages included 3 daughters left out in the ancestry dot com. It appears the will is fragmented and rewriting attempts were made by courthouse people at later times record all the information or maybe there were two simple wills written about the same time. I am not certain with the additional pages it is complete as there is reference in both version with no information contained within the will stated the information mentioned. This is the reference “Elizabeth has received nothing (only Luck as is before mentioned)” The before mentioned is not in either version source. I am thinking the will is piece togather at various times during the 1820’s because the orginal was damage or fragmented. Elizabeth Whitsel Summers three children sued their Uncles Christian Whitsel and John Whitsel concerning the estate. The compliant indicated they did not get their full inheritance and John and Christian cheated the value of the estate.

North Carolina Orange County In the name of God amen, I Adam Whitsall of the county and state above mentioned being in perfect health mind and memory calling to mine that all men has once to die do make this my last will and testimony hereby revoking and denouncing all other wills by me heretofore made and do declare this my last will and testament and first of all I wish my body to be ----------------and my estate duly affairs which it hath please God to bestow upon me I wish to be disposed of in the following manner and form to wit As I have heretofore assigned given divided or conveyed or caused to be done to hath of my sons Ludwick (deceased), Adam, Jacob, Daniel, John, Henry, and Christian one tract of land as nearly equal as hereinto and also to each them one horse saddle and bridle one cow and calf, plough and gears also as near equal as hereunto; Then I also give and bequest unto my daughter Barbary now living with me one horse and saddle and bridle two cows and calves one feather bed and furniture two iron, six plates, -- knives and forks six plates one dish and basin one flax wheel and one chest if those articles not giving during my lifetime then one to given out of my estate afterwards as to make her equal to my other daughters now married and left me to her and her heirs forever. I also give unto my daughter Barbary my plantation of land on which I now live and which of which I have not divided to any of my children containing two hundred and fifty acres more or less upon the following Conditions that if she lives with me during my natural life but if she does that and moves to on other during my life she shall belong to my ------------ of estate of my death to be equally divided among all my children. But if she lives with me long as I live at my death it shall be to her and her heirs forever Then to wit my will rest of the remainder of my estate give to each my daughters the sum of three hundred dollars left to amount to what if will at my death over that sum, Caty has received one negro girl named Lil which I charge her two hundred dollars for, Mary one boy named Tom at three hundred dollars Turley one boy named Albert at two hundred dollars. Elizabeth has received nothing (only Luck as is before mentioned) as Barbary is to have my plantation at my death if she stays with me and do not will her any of the three hundred dollars wit to to the others if she leaves me before my death she forfeits the land and other in that case she is to have the three hundred dollars mentioned have worth the rest of my daughters. In the name of God amen!

This 18th day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.

I now in my perfect mind and memory do make my last will and testimony - I wish to depose of my property in the following manner viz. I will my dear beloved wife a negro woman by the name Effie and one negro boy by this name Ned to her her lifetime and at her death to fall to her heirs all the balance of this negroes to be equally divided between my three daughters Elizabeth, Polly, and Nancy to them their heirs and I will my wife Margaret one horse by name of Jack and one wagon and team two cows and all the household furniture only Nancy is to have her part of the household property as the rest of my daughters and the next choice horses. I have a note on John Troxler for three hundred dollars and he may have his to pay back to my other daughters one hundred dollars or rest that and reduce as much in value of the Negros my stock of hogs and sheep I leave to my wife and she can sell all the property that has no use for our plantation and I do appoint John Boon and John Troxler Executors in my will and here unto seal my hand seal witness John Boon David Troxler, Seal and signed Adam Whitsel. John Boon Qualified. Adam Whitsel Will recorded February 1822

I nominate and appoint my two sons John and Christian Whitsel my executors to this my last will and testimony in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen this 3 day of January 1818 in presents of William Montgomery and J. Boon, signed and sealed by Adam Whitsel.

Christian Whitsel qualified Orange County February term 1821 The execution of the foregoing last will testament of Adam Whitsel was duly proved in open court by the oath of John Boon a subscribing witness thereto order to be recorded as proven --- John Boon qualified as executor thereto testify.

1821 Orange County, North Carolina Will Book E 1 - Will dated 18 Nov 1821, proved Feb 1822 court; Daughters Elizabeth Polly, Nancy. Executors John Boon Esq, John Troxler; Witness, John Boon, David Troxler;
1821 Orange County, North Carolina Will Book E 7 - will dated 3 Jan 1818, proved Feb 1822 cours; Adam Whitsel; Sons Ludowick (deceased), Jacob, Daniel, John, Henry, and Christian Whitsel have had land deed to them; Daughter Barbara is to have an amount equal to my other daughters now married and have left me” Daughters Cat, Mary and Elizabeth, Turley. Witnesses William Montgomery, John Boon.
1820 Orange County, North Carolina census - Adam Whitsel household, 1 male over 45 years old, 3 females 16 to 25 years old, 1 female over 45 years old, 2 male slaves under 14 years old, 4 females salves under 14 years old, 1 female slave over14 to 25 years old
1810 Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina census - Adam Whitsell household, 1 male 26 to 44 years old, 1 female over 45 years old, 1 female 16 to 25 years old, 1 female 10 to 15 years old, 1 female under 10 years old;
1810 Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina census - A. Whitsel male over 45 years old; female over 45 years old, 2 females 16 to 25 years old;
1800 Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina census - Adam Whitsell household; 2 males over 45 years old, 3 males 16 to 25 years old; 2 females 10 to 15 years olds; 2 females 16 to 25 years old, 1 female over 45 years, 4 slaves.
1790 Guilford County, North Carolina census - Adam Whitsel household, 1 male over 16 years, 3 males under 16 years, 4 free white females.


I have been doing what research I could. It appears that Henrich Weutsel (Weitzel) was born about 1700 in Germany. He traveled aboard the HMS Elizabeth from Rotterdam and arrived in Philadelphia on Sep 16, 1738. According to those ship documents he was 38 years old at that time thus his birth being 1700. He and wife are likely the parents of Henrich (Henry who married Anna Maria Fronich also spelled Froney and Fronea) and Adam. As you stated earlier there is not a Nancy that I can find attached to Henry so it seems very likely that our Nancy is the daughter of Adam and Anne Margaret Boon. Since the elder Henrich was born about 1700 and Henry was born about 1728, I tend to think Adam's birth of 1734 as found on headstone is likely correct. That would make him about 6 years younger than Henry. Seems very reasonable as a child or two could have been born between them. This would also match the information that he was born in Germany since they did not arrive in PA until 1838. What do you think?

Weitzel, Weitzelin, Weitzelsin, Whitzel, Wethsel, Reitzel (German)–> Whitesell, Whitsell [25]