Notes for Abraham Penn: COL. ABRAHAM PENN Abram Penn, Sr., son of George and Penn and Ann _____ was born 7 December 1743 in Caroline county Virginian and he spent his early childhood there. His prosperous uncles Moses Penn whose son John Penn signed the Declaration of Independence, also lived in Caroline County. after the settlement of the estate of George Penn Abram's mothers Ann Penn moved to Albemarle County (present day Amherst) where Abram grew into manhood. Abram married Ruth Stovall daughter of George Stovall Jr., and Mary Cooper, on 3 March 1767? in Amherst county, Virginia. Ruth Stovall was born 27 April 1743, in Amhusrt . courier, Virginia. History of Henry County refers to Ruth Stovall as a descendant of the first Earl of Shaftsbury.
Abram Penn served Virginia as Captain of the Militia in Dunsmore's Campaign against the Shawnee Indians. He commanded a fort at Culbertson' 5 Bottom and a company in the Battle of Point Pleasant, in which the Indians were defeated October 10 1774. He enlisted as a Captain in the Continental army, Virginia Militia 1776.
This letter from Abram Penn to Captain Joseph Martin is dated at "Smithfield," Montgomery Co. VA: "Dear Sir, I have proceeded on my journey home. As for our discharge, it will not be till November at least. The Col. won't agree that any more of my men shall go home, but I am to get three or four whilst gone, to relieve those few that necessity requires at home. Philip Cavenaugh must be employed as a spy, and pray keep them all at their constant duty, for the Indians have made four breaks on Holston, and the people are all forting with all dexterity, so that we may expect the next stroke. Be constant on your guart and keep strict in those parts. Let the people know that it is thought they are in danger, so they may be on their defence. I think that Gatliff and Clay had better move their families back again as they are in a back place, for I should be very sorry if any mischief should be done in those parts. Pray don't le one charge of powder be shot in vain, for I expect we shall be in great want before any supply can be got. Col. Preston says he will stop Alsups wages for you if it comes in his hands. I expect Col. will send a supply of provisions to you soon. No more, but I am your sincere friend and humble servant. Abram Penn" To Captain Joseph Martin at Culbertson Bottom, October 7th, 1774:
"Smithfield" was the home of Colonel William Preston, in Montgomery Co. VA. In Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, we see- "The first court of Henry Co., April 20, 1788, was composed of Edmond Lyne, Abram Penn and Peter Saunders, and George Waller Justices." March, 1799, Abram Penn was appointed Excheator for Henry County. In August, Patrick Henry, Abram Penn and John Dillard were recommended to the Governor as Comissioners of Peace for the county. In 1779 he was appointed "Burser" to receive fines, etc. On March 11, 1781, Abram Penn organized and commanded a regiment " to the Assistance of General Green," from the site of the present town of Martinsville, and served until the surrender at Yorktown. The original roster of his regiment (in his own Handwriting) ad his sword, are in the possession of his great-grandson John T. Penn of Martinsville, VA.
Abraham Penn returned to the Continental army 1779. After two years of distinguished service, he was commissioned Colonel. soon afterward he was granted a furlough and moved his family to that part of Pittsylvania County later to the organized as Henry County, settling on Beaver Creek, three miles north of present Martinsville. after the war ended, Colonel Penn was granted a large tract of land by the state of Virginia in Patrick County in recognition of his valuable services in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Patrick County and built a large home there which was called Poplar Grove as he surrounded the house with Bombardy Poplars and a few cedars.
When Henry County was established, Abraham Penn became active in its affairs. He was one of the "Gentlemen Justices" presiding over the first court of the county. He was a Delegate from Henry County to the General assembly in 1777 and 1779. One Henry County Record states that Patrick Henrys John Dillard, William Letcher, Archelaus Hughes, and Abraham Penn were recommended to serve as a Committee of Safety. This was between a gubernatorial term for Patrick Henry and during a time when he resided at his Leatherwood estate in Henry County.
As an officer in the county militias Col. Penn organized a regiment in 1780-81 as the only body of Revolutionary troops from Henry and adjoining counties to march from Beaver Crcek to Hillsborough, North Carolina, where they joined General Nathaniel Greene to fight in the Battle of Guilford Court House in March of 1781. An original document signed on 11 March 1781 by Abraham Penn, Colonel, Henry County is located in the Virginia State Library Archives.
In May 1781, Governor Thomas Jefferson wrote to Penn directing his regiment to join General Greene again in defense of the Carolinas. They fought in the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September 1781. Penn served through the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, 19 Cctober 1781. A sheathed sword and a mahogany lowboy brought back from Yorktown are in the possession of his descendants as is a mahogany sideboard. Col. Penn wrote a letter on October 7, 1774, to Capt. Joseph Martin at Culbertson's Bottom which is in possession of the descendants of Capt. (later made General) Martin.
Patrick County was formed as a new county in 1791 from Henry County. Abram Penn was commissioned by the Governor to administer State and Federal oaths to the officers of Patrick County at its first court, June 1791. One of these, Samuel Staples (later militia colonel served as county clerk for 34 years. He married Colonel Penn's daughter Lucinda and they lived in the "Stonewall House" at the county seats the present town of Stuart, formerly known as Taylorsville. During the early years of the county, Abram Penn and seven of his nine sons served the county as "Gentlemen Justices."
Colonel Penn was said to be a man of resolute purpose magnetic, with a vigorous intellect and a commanding presence.
Abram Penn was a man of prominence and influence in Henry County. This patriot died 2 June 1801, in Patrick county and he was buried in the family cemetery of Poplar Grove, in Patrick County. In June 1932 his grave was marked during a memorial service by DAR members of the Col. Abram Penn Chapter, and descendants of Abram Penn. The gravestone was provided by the United States Congress for the grave of this Revolutionary patriot.
The Poplar Grove home was one of the oldest frame houses in Patrick County before its demolition in 1977, leaving only the later brick wing standing to overlook the North Mayo River and the highway given Col. Penn 5 name by the Virginia General assembly-
Colonel Penn left many descendants who followed his example of devotion to public service. Among Abram Penn's descendants internationally known in the field of letters are Phyllis Penn Kohler (Mr.. Foy Kohler), U. S. Embassy Moscow translators Journey for our Time and Robert Penn Warren, Yale University professor of English literatures Pulitzer Prize Winner in poetry and novel, All the King's Men.
Abraham Penn (b. December 27, 1743, d. June 26, 1801)
Notes for Abraham Penn: