What is the NSDAR?
No simple terms could do justice to what the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) represents. These links will help answer any general questions you might have.
Helpful Links:
What are the members’ interests?
How can I find a local chapter?
What is the Major Jacob Gray Chapter, NSDAR?
The Major Jacob Gray Chapter, NSDAR, is named after an American Revolutionary War soldier. Located in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the chapter was organized on February 1, 1980, by Charlotte Huntley and had fourteen charter members. The Prudence Hall Chapter, NSDAR, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, sponsored the new chapter.
Who is Jacob Gray, Sr.?
Jacob Gray was born in North Carolina in 1762. In January 1834, he appeared before the Superior Court of the Territory of Arkansas.
In his pension statement, he stated that he was “engaged in the State of North Carolina as a private in two companies of Rangers commanded by Captain John Foster and Robert Davis, serving alternately, sometime in one company and then in the other.” He then left the service for a few months. When he rejoined, he “enlisted again under Captain John Foster…in the Regiment of Colonel Henry Hampton commissioned by General Sumpter [sic] to raise troops for the service in South Carolina.” He fought in the Battle at the Eutaw Springs.
In 1782, he returned to North Carolina. However, his brother Shared, was drafted to perform a three month tour in the “Militia of that State (South Carolina) as a private soldier”. Shared’s affairs were not where he could leave, so Jacob took Shared’s place and served a tour of three months in the South Carolina Militia. He was commanded by Captain Benjamin Hale.
One of the character references he lists is General Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, who he knew in Tennessee and at New Orleans.
A veteran was pensioned at the rate of $56.66 per year as of 1831.
After the war, Jacob and his brother Shared, moved to Tennessee. In approximately 1820 or 1821, the brothers uprooted their families again and are believed to be one of the first known settlers to move into the Bayou Meto area (current day Jacksonville/North Pulaski County) – approximately twelve miles northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas. The migration party included Samson Gray (Jacob’s eldest son), Nancy Gray, Sarah Gray Legate, her husband Charles, and their six children.
Jacob Gray died in 1837, in Jacksonville Arkansas. Unfortunately, their graves were destroyed years ago.
Source for the above: Southern Campaigns American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters. Pension application of Jacob Gray S31709.
In 2007, the Major Jacob Gray Chapter, NSDAR, placed a historic marker near the gravesite.