Revolutionary War Soldiers Series: Remembering James Underwood

Editor's note: Next year, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial, its 250th anniversary. The semiquincentennial marks the first nationwide celebration of America's birth since the bicentennial in 1976. Of course, America's independence cannot be celebrated without also honoring the efforts of the Revolutionary War soldiers that led to independence. The Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society will be presenting a series of articles featuring Revolutionary War soldiers who lived and died within the borders of Highland County.

By Betty F. Crum and Pat Young
Waw-wil-a-way Chapter Daughters 
of the American Revolution, 250 Project

James Underwood was born May 2, 1752 Orange County, North Carolina. He married Margaret Campbell, daughter of Revolutionary War veteran Capt. Laughlin Campbell. They had 11 children, all born in Chatham County, N.C.  
     
It is said he was a large and powerful man who could carry nine bushels of wheat. The homestead where he farmed is said to still be standing in Chatham County. 

His daughter, Mary, married Stephen Hussey Jr., son of another Highland County Revolutionary  War veteran, Stephen Hussey Sr. It is no doubt his relationship with the Husseys that brought him to Highland County. 
     
His first trip is calculated to have been about 1798, again in 1801 and then in 1815, when he stayed at an age of 63. They settled in the Clear Creek area just north of Hillsboro, probably not far from where Southern State Community College is located. 

Margaret died in 1808, so it would seem most practical for James to follow the migration of his children. There are many descendants from this Underwood/Hussey line who have lived and raised their families in Highland County.

The genealogy resource is The Underwood Families of America; compiled by Lucien Marcus Underwood; edited by Howard J. Barker; 2 Vols., 1913.  Vol. 2, pp. 429-443 and 511-513.