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Two Currituck Patriots
Written and submitted by Charles B. Fisher

There are several men known to have served the patriotic cause from Currituck County in the Revolutionary War and helped found this Constitutional Republic and the freedom we enjoy. Two especially dear to me are Hodges Bencham (sometimes written Brinshom, etc.) and William Melson; my fifth and fourth great-grandfathers, respectively.

Both men resided in Currituck County at the start of the Revolutionary War. When war broke out they answered the call when a contingent of Currituck County Militia made their way to the Battle of Great Bridge, VA.  Documentation available at The NC Archives shows Hodges “Brinsham” as a clerk and William Melson as a private.[1] , [2] This battle was a resounding victory for the Patriots and ultimately led to the removal of Loyalist Governor Lord Dunmore of Virginia.[3]

I recently discovered Hodges Bensham’s patriotic service was more extensive and led to the ultimate sacrifice with his death reported March 30, 1778 at Valley Forge, PA while winter quartering with General Washington’s Army[4].   In a court attestation, Lt. Col. Selby Harney states: “This may certifie [sic] that I enlisted Hoges Benchham for the war above mentioned and that he served as a Sargent until his death at Valley Forge. Given from under my hand this 8^th Day of November 1797.  /s/ Shelby Harney late Lieu^t Col. in said war.”[5]  The heirs of Hodges Bencham were awarded 640 acres thru a NC Land Grant in what is now Sumner County, TN.[6]^,[7]  Willis Gallop and his wife, Mary "Polly" Bencham Gallop (daughter of Hodges) are named as “Heirs at Law.”  [see the Polly Bensham Gallop Evidence page where all the heirs are listed in 1831]

Although there are multiple spellings for Bensham, Brinshom, and Benham; there is enough documentation to prove they are the same man.  Given Hodges was a “clerk” and that he witnessed several deeds in Currituck, we can assume he was literate.[8] The deed he witnessed in 1771 has his name as Hodges Bencham and it does not include “his mark.” [see his 1792 Rev. War pay voucher]

Hodges Bensham enlisted on September 7, 1777 in the 8^th North Carolina Continental Line as a Sergeant in Captain Francis Tartanson’s Company.[9] Further, we know that he was enlisted by then Major Selby Harney who at the time served as a staff officer with the 8^th NC Regiment.  Maj. Harney was later promoted to Lt. Col. and took command of the 2^nd Regiment.[10]

The 8^th North Carolina Regiment was authorized on November 26, 1776 and then organized in the Spring and Summer of 1777 at Halifax, North Carolina and consisted of eight companies. The regiment was initially commanded by Col. James Armstrong.  The field officers at Valley Forge were Lt. Col. Levi Dawson (from who this writer is also a descendant) and Major Pinketham Eaton. Known company commanders were Capt. Francis Tartanson, Capt. John Walsh, Capt. Joseph Rhodes, Captain Michael Quinn, Captain Henry Pope and Capt. William Davis, Jr.  The regiment is known to have been engaged at both the Battle of Brandywine Creek, PA on September 11, 1777 and the Battle of Germantown, PA on October 4, 1777.

Charles B. Fisher
VP Watauga Chapter, TN; Sons of the American Revolution

Lineage
Sgt. Hodges Bensham & unknown Wife
Willis Gallop & Mary “Brinshom”		Pvt. William Melson & Jean Aydelott
William Iva Dowdy & Mary Delia Gallop		James Melson & Sally Pledger
John Aydlett Melson & Mary Polly Dowdy
John Wilson Fisher & Frances Melson
William J.B. Fisher & Alice L. Cummings
John Wilson Fisher & Ruth Traylor Nenzel
Charles B. Fisher, John Wilson Fisher, Ann Cummings Fisher

© 2020 Kay Midgett Sheppard