Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11
GENERAL THOMAS SUMTER.
A Brother and other Members of the
Family Lived In Caldwell Co., n. q.

Family Lived In Caldwell Co., N. q.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
have recently read with much interest
an article endeavoring to trace the family
history Of General Thomas Sumter, OF
Revolutionary fame. That article was
written by Mr. Il. A. Brock, Of Rich
mond, and refers to a previous article by
Hon. r.. r. w. Duke, bearing upon the
same subject. 1t is unfortunate that SO
few family papers have been preserved,
and that the history OF the Sumter fami-
ly, like that Of many others, is so meagre
and uncertain. These family matters can
at this late aday probably be established
only by tradition, which IS always I'M
certain and conflicting. Ii sometimes
happens that by one PERSONS trying TO
correct the seeming mistakes of another
the facts OF history are brought out ana
established; 1t is in this hope that L
give what follows:
We have a tradition in our section or
country Caldwell county, -. CO. handed
down from ono generation 10 another
and in other ways substantiated, that con-
fiictS with Colonel Dukes statement In
several particulars. He states that the
Sumter family moved from Virginia to
Georgia some years before the Revolu-
ton: further, that none OF the males OF
the family remained In Virginia. But
daughter remained, VINO married a Mr..
Suddarth, and she died, leaving issue TWO
sons--Richard and James Suddarth.
1t Is a well-estabiished TACT that this
section of North Carolina was settled by
emigrants from Virginia in their migra-
among them was William Sumter. he
came from Virginia some years before
the Revolution and settled on the waters
OF Mulberry creek, then Burke county,
here, leaving one son, John Sumter, VINO
married Amelia Miller. She was the
daughter OF Rev Robert Johnson Miller,
distinguished as a soldier in the Revoiu-
tiOnArX s. nlnn9ar
lister after IL he was in the battles OF
Long Island. Brandywine. and White
Plains. and came South with Washington
when he made his famous move upon
CORVALLIS John Sumter and Amelia Mil
Ter left one son. Robert, and two daugh-
tiers. Mary Perkins and Caroline. Robert
after. the late war. He then removed 10
North Georgia, taking with him his wife
and large family OF small children.
Mary Fl married Nelson A. Powell. OF
Though 81 years OF age, he is in vigorous
health. He Is a man Of fine intellect and
high character Caroline Sumter married
Mr.. Haigler, and is still living In Cald-
well county, though very infrm from age.
From these two daughters OF John Sumter
have sprung large family connection,
George ). Powell. Esq. OF Asheville. N.
their ancestor. William Sumter, was a
brother OF General Thomas Sumter l
can hardly think that direct tradition
In a family OF such prominence can be
erroneous. Furthermore, there Is much
evidence outside OF the family TO sub
stantiate them. IL is commonly known
here. and attested by persons OF other
families contemporaneous with the Sum-
tiers. that William Sumter was brother
OF General Sumter. and that the General
used 10 come up from Camden TO visit
his brother IN. the mountains. On these
visits he would bring his brother presents
OF clothing. &C.. William Sumter being a
poor man. Colonel Duke is. perhaps, cor
rect in his statement that all the male
~. Va. But this one did not go TO Geor-
gia.
In she next place. did all OF the male
members OF the family remove from vir-
Sumter says they did not: that one
brother, John Sumter, remained In vir-
sinia- Furthermore = few years alter