Nathan Lankford: Patriotism Beyond the Battlefield

With the 250th anniversary of American independence on the horizon, I decided to explore the Revolutionary War period through the lives of the men and women in my own family tree. I began with my 5th great‑grandfather, Nathan Lankford—a man long assumed to have been a soldier. What I discovered instead was a story of civic duty, community leadership, and patriotic service that unfolded not on the battlefield, but in everyday work.

Born in 1764 in either Mecklenburg or Rutherford County, North Carolina, Nathan is connected to me through his daughter—my 4th great‑grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Lankford. Although he never enlisted, he is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for his Patriotic Service to the cause. His contribution is documented through two Revolutionary War pay vouchers issued by the State of North Carolina, official records showing he was compensated for services rendered. While the vouchers don’t specify the exact nature of his support, they indicate that he aided the Patriot effort, likely by furnishing supplies or labor. This kind of civil service was essential to sustaining the war, and Nathan’s inclusion in the DAR database affirms his role in the struggle for independence, even if he never wore a uniform.

Nathan as shown in the DAR Index

Nathan is sometimes described in online trees as having fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780) at age 16 and later helping build the first White House (construction began in 1792), but I find no evidence to support either claim. His name does not appear on the Kings Mountain lists I’ve seen, he left no pension application documenting combat service, and his verified Revolutionary War involvement consists only of North Carolina pay vouchers for patriotic service in 1782. Given that he was born in 1764, he would have been too young for most early‑war military service but old enough by the final years of the conflict to contribute in non‑combat or local support roles, which aligns with the type of service reflected in his voucher. These stories are best treated as unproven family lore.

In June 1782, Nathan was formally compensated by the State of North Carolina for his contributions to the Revolutionary War effort. A pay voucher issued in the Salisbury District records that he was allowed 17 pounds, 10 shillings, and 5 pence in specie (gold or silver) for a public claim—an official acknowledgment by the Board of Auditors that he had either furnished supplies, performed services, or otherwise supported the Patriot cause. A second voucher, issued on September 6, 1782, allowed him one pound specie for another public claim. Although neither document specifies the nature of his contribution, both confirm that Nathan was actively involved in the war’s final year and recognized by the state for his role.

Pay voucher (June 1782)

 

Pay voucher (September 1782)

Around 1790, Nathan married Meron (or Marion) Caldwell, daughter of Curtis Caldwell and Sarah W. Fondren, in Rutherford County. Together they had 11 children that I can document: John, Curtis C., Robert S., Elizabeth, Meron, Mary, Sarah “Sally,” Sibby, Rhoda, Martha, and Minor S. Lankford.

Nathan appears in Rutherford County records as early as April 1794, when the court appointed him overseer of the public road from John Cummins’ place on White Oak to the Block House. Road overseers were typically established householders entrusted with maintaining important transportation routes, so this appointment indicates that Nathan was settled in the area, likely owned or occupied land along the road, and was actively participating in local civic duties. In July 1795, he served as a juror tasked with laying out a new public road, further demonstrating his involvement in community affairs.

By 1800, Nathan was living in the Morgan District of Rutherford County with his wife, seven children under 16, and one enslaved person. His census entry places him in the 26–44 age bracket. The presence of multiple young children and an enslaved laborer suggest a growing farm and a household firmly rooted in the community known as Skywicker.

Nathan’s status as a landowner is well documented. In January 1802, the court appointed him—identified as a freeholder—to help set aside a year’s support for Rebekah Earle, widow of John Earle. This role was reserved for trusted, established men. Between 1804 and 1805, Nathan purchased at least 255 acres in Rutherford County: 100 acres from the administrators of John Earle’s estate on Skyuka and 155 acres from the estate of James Logan on the Long Branch of the Pacolet River. The Logan deed was witnessed by Charles Lankford, highlighting early ties between the Lankford and Logan families—connections that later deepened when Nathan’s daughter Sarah married James Logan Jr. Both deeds were formally proved in court in October 1809.

Despite claims found online, there is no evidence that Nathan Lankford of Rutherford County served in the War of 1812. A reference card does exist for a man of the same name in Pearson’s 7th Regiment, but the full pension file shows that soldier was a different individual—one who lived in Polk County, married Mary Brock in 1862, and died in 1873. Rutherford County’s Nathan died in early 1826 and was married to Meron, not Mary Brock. Based on naming patterns and family proximity, the Polk County Nathan was likely a younger relative, possibly a first cousin (son of Robert Lankford and Sybil Taylor), but the two men should not be mistaken for one another.

Nathan’s daughter Sarah “Sally” married James Logan in Rutherford County on December 2, 1813. In 1816, his son John received a 50‑acre land grant adjoining Nathan’s property on Skyuka. Nathan’s 1825 will later bequeathed John the tract “below the mill,” matching the location of the 1816 grant. On December 15, 1816, Nathan signed the £500 marriage bond for his daughter Sibby, who married Leeroy Caruth. In October 1817, he was appointed constable, entering into a £500 bond and taking the oath of office—a position reflecting trust and responsibility.

Nathan’s 1820 census entry lists 11 individuals in his household: 8 free white persons and 3 enslaved people. He and an adult woman—presumably Meron—were both over 45. The household included several children and young adults, and five individuals were engaged in agriculture, indicating a working farm. Nearby lived Robert Lankford, John Lankford, and Nathan Hobbs (husband of Nathan’s daughter Mary), showing the family’s close geographic clustering.

In April 1822, Nathan appeared in court to prove a deed from Isaac Cloud Sr. to Jonathan Williams. Isaac Cloud was married to Nathan’s aunt, Sarah “Sally” Lankford. Between 1824 and 1825, court executions against Braxton Lankford repeatedly described his 200‑acre tract as adjoining the lands of Robert Lankford, Nathan Lankford, and Watson Collins, confirming Nathan’s property boundaries and his proximity to other Lankford relatives. One case involved a debt originally owed to Nathan, showing his financial dealings within the family.

On December 28, 1825, Nathan wrote his will, describing himself as “sick and afflicted in body” but of sound mind. He provided generously for his wife Meron, granting her the use of all land and personal property during her lifetime or widowhood so she could support herself and the unmarried children still at home. After her death or remarriage, he directed that John receive the Skyuka tract below the mill; Curtis inherit the Long Branch “Piece Place;” and Robert, still underage, receive the home tract under John’s guardianship. He also made provisions for his daughters, including livestock and the future increase of enslaved people, or monetary compensation if no increase occurred. The remainder of the estate was to be sold and divided among his children and the heirs of any who had predeceased him. Nathan named Meron and John as executors, excusing John from commissions.

Just weeks before his death, on January 9, 1826, Nathan completed a final land purchase from George Williams: 100 acres on the North Pacolet River and both sides of Skyuka Creek. Although the deed was not recorded until 1835, the transaction itself occurred during Nathan’s lifetime. Nathan died sometime between January 9, 1826, when he executed the Williams deed, and February 13, 1826, when the deed was proved in court. His son John submitted the estate inventory in April 1826, marking the close of Nathan’s long and active life in Rutherford County.

References

• Births, Delayed Births, Divorces, Marriage Bonds, Licenses, Certificates, Registers, Cohabitations, and Grave Removals: Rutherford County, North Carolina, Birth Records 1779–1868, Divorce Records 1779–1868, Delayed Birth Records 1779–1868, Grave Registers 1779–1868, Licenses 1779–1868, Marriage Bonds 1779–1868, image 94, FamilySearch.
• Nathan Langford, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ancestor Search; https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A068974. 
• Nathan Lankford, North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779–1782.
• Nathan Lankford, North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665–1998.
• North Carolina, Military Records 1779–1792, image 503, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford Co. File No. 3009, Capt. John Lankford, NC Land Grant Images and Data; https://www.nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.108.3013&qid=1233707&rn=1. 
• Rutherford County Land Grant File No. 3009, Capt. John Lankford, NC Land Grant Images and Data; https://www.nclandgrants.com/frame/?fdr=547&frm=1050&mars=12.14.108.3013. 
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Marriage Bonds 1810–1859, image 98, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Court Minutes 1786–1789, 1789–1793, 1779–1786, 1781–1786, 1794–1798, images 700 and 754, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Court Minutes 1799–1802, 1803–1806, 1813–1817, 1806–1810, 1810–1813, images 142, 491, and 810, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Court Minutes 1825–1830, 1818–1819, 1821–1825, 1820–1821, 1831–1837, images 268, 398, 440, and 444, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Deeds 1807–1816, image 417, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Deeds 1835–1840, image 31, FamilySearch.
• Rutherford County, North Carolina, Wills 1782–1868, images 367–368, FamilySearch.
• U.S. Federal Census, Morgan, Rutherford, North Carolina, 1800.
• U.S. Federal Census, Rutherford County, North Carolina, 1820.