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Patriot James Waldrop History
James Waldrop was born 8 February 1751, to James and Sarah Waldrop of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. As the call for able-bodied men went out to support the colonies’ efforts to gain their independence, James Jr enlisted 12 March 1776, and served a term of two years as a private in Captain Thomas Hudgin’s Company, Colonel James Hendricks’ Virginia Regiment. He was discharged at Valley Forge.
He married Mary Morrison on 29 September 1788, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Their children were John, Violet, Belamy, Mary Dicey, David, Margaret, Nancy and Charity.
The Georgia Land Lottery, held in 1821, brought the early American settlers to the area, which had formerly been land of the Creek Indians. Fayetteville, the county seat of Fayette County, was established in 1823. James Waldrop resided in Fayette County in 1827 on 101 1⁄4 acres, land lot 149, District 5, Fayette Flint River, and also participated in the Land Lottery of 1827, receiving 202 1⁄2 acres in Carroll County, land that is now Haralson County.
In February 1828, at the age of 72, James applied for his war pension. His pensions states he provided for only himself and his wife. He furthermore stated he was old and feeble and unable to work. He was granted $8.00 a month.
At the time of his death 3 December 1846, James was living in his son David’s household. James’s will is on record in the Fayette County Probate Office.
James was the great-grandfather of Henry Simpson, the first baby born in Fayette County of permanent record. James’s wife, Mary, died before 2 September 1850, and is buried beside her husband in the Bottoms Family Cemetery on Hewell Rd in Fayette County.
On Sunday 5 May 1935, the Atlanta Chapter of the DAR placed and dedicated a marker. Subsequently, the Sons of the American Revolution have also marked his grave. The James Waldrop Chapter DAR marked his grave in 2010.
REFERENCES
Arnold, Ross and Burnham, Hank, GA Revolutionary Soldiers & Sailors, Patriots and Pioneers, 2001, p 239.
Fayette County Historical Society Inc., A History of Fayette County, GA 1821-1971, 1991, p 338.
Moore, Joseph Henry, A History of Clayton County, GA 1821-1983, 1983, pp 520-521.
“The Fayetteville Enterprise”, May 3, 1935, Vol. 7 No. 9
Pension Record of James Waldrop, July 7, 1838, NARA
Will of James Waldrop, November 22, 1827, Fayette County Probate Court Records, Fayette County, GA
Will of James Waldrop, SR, D&W Bk 5, p 386, Pittsylvania County, VA
The chapter wishes to acknowledge our first regent and descendant of Patriot James Waldrop, Betty B Harrah. We wholeheartedly agree with her sentiment: “This is a wonderful chapter full of long time friends and some new friends working toward the goals of the National Society.” Thanks, Betty, for your guidance over the years.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The NSDAR, the world’s largest women’s service organization, motto is “God, Home and Country.” With over 177,000 members and 3000 chapters in the United States, the NSDAR seeks to promote education, patriotism, historic preservation, and honoring the patriots of the American Revolution. THE NSDAR members have donated over 10 million volunteer hours since 2013. We are today’s DAR!
Want to learn more? Contact the NSDAR.
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Local DAR Schools
supported by the chapter
Kate Duncan Smith DAR School
Gunter Mountain, AL
Chapter History
The journey to create a new chapter was a long time dream of organizing regent, Betty B Harrah. The dream came to pass on April 21, 2007, as Georgia’s newest DAR chapter was organized in Fayetteville, GA. 42 ladies who were members of the DAR banded together in this new chapter to share the dream of dedicating their time and talents to preserving American history, promoting patriotism and education: the goals of the National Society. The patriot for which the chapter is named is a direct blood ancestor of the organizing regent.
The chapter has doubled since the day of organization. The chapter is also thrilled to have been able to speak to over 1600 elementary school children in Fayette County, Georgia, on the history of the United States Constitution. The questions the children ask show us that American Patriotism is still in vogue.
For information on becoming a member of the James Waldrop Chapter, NSDAR, contact Membership
