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Thomas Cadet Young- Brief Life Synopsis
Thomas Young of what is now Iredell Co, NC was a wealthy farmer who was a patriot who contributed liberally to the American cause. He converted his log house into a fort or block-house for the Whigs. He acted as Commissary and between times with several others manufactured powder for the American army. His four daughters married Revolutionary soldiers.
In the year 1778, Thomas Young removed from Mecklenburg, Virginia, to North Carolina, and settled on Hunting Creek, within three miles of the place where the counties of Yadkin, Davie, and Iredell now form a common corner. He had then passed the age for military service, but had furnished three sons-in-law and two sons to the army of General Washington, and a third son, at sixteen years of age, to the army at Norfolk, Va.
With a country thus engaged in the defense of their country, it will be readily understood that their parental home was no ordinary rendezvous for sympathizers in its vicinity. When Mr. Young settled in an almost unbroken forest on the banks of Hunting Creek, he located and constructed his improvements with the view of defense in cases of emergency. He built two substantial log houses, about forty feet apart, fronting each other, and closed the end openings with strong stockades. Port holes were provided to be used for observation, or otherwise, as occasion might demand. The buildings are yet standing, in a good state of preservation. (This was written in a local newspaper many years ago. Buildings are not now standing) This was headquarters for the Whigs for many miles around. It was the point for receiving and distributing information, as well as for concerting measures for the aid of the cause of freedom, and for depositing supplies for friends in the field. The Brushy Mountains were but a few miles distant, and were infested with Tories, who made predatory incursions into this part of Iredell, carrying off stock, devastating farms, and ambuscading and shooting Whigs, who were especially obnoxious to them.
Mr Young’s fortifications presented a rallying point for defense against such invasions, as Fort Dobbs did four miles north of Statesville.
The Statesville Sentinel - North Carolina 1916
WILL OF THOMAS CADET YOUNG
Thomas Cadet Young Will July 30, 1818
In the name of God amen, I, Thomas Young of the County of Iredell and State of North Carolina, calling to mind the mortality which is the lot of all men, and being disposed to devise the property God has been pleased to bless me with to those that are nearest to me in lfe, and at this time enjoying a sound, disposing mind and memory, do constitute, ordain and publish this as my last will and Testament in manner and form following: hereby revoking and declaring void all former wills, viz ..
To the heirs of my son Henry Young dec’d, I give and bequeath five shillings, having already given my said son Henry a full proportion of my property.
To my son William Young, I give and bequeath five shillings, having already given my said son William a full proportion of my property.
To my son Archibald Young, I give and bequeath to him, and his Heirs forever, my negro man Bellmore, his youngest son William , and my negro girl Rebecca which negroes my said son Archibald is now in possession of.
To my son Thomas Young, I give and bequeath five shillings, having already given my said son Thomas a full proportion of my property.
To my daughter Susanah [sic] Gill, I give and bequeath five shillings, having already given my said daughter Susanah [sic] a full proportion of my property.
To my daughter Mary Moody, I give and bequeath to her, and her Heirs forever, my negro man Sam and my negro woman Phillis, which negroes my daughter Mary has been put in possession of.
To my daughter Ann Wright, I give and bequeath to her, and her Heirs forever, my negro woman Sarah.
To my daughter Temperance Carson, I give and bequeath to her, and her Heirs forever, my negro woman Delsey & Charity with their children which negroes my said daughter is now in possession of.
To my son John May Young, I give and bequeath to him, and his Heirs forever, [line crossed out] my negro boys Aleander, Lewis and Rufus, which he is in possession of, and my negro girl Miley at my decease.
To my son Francis Young, I give and bequeath forever, one half of three Tracts of Land in the Roughs containing the whole eleven hundred and ninety nine acres divided by a line due North and South, all the parcel quantity on the East side I give to my aforesaid son; also my negro boys, Robert and Castitor [?] and girl Lucinda, which he is now in possession of.
To my son Samuel Young, I give and bequeath to him, and his Heirs forever, all the remainder of the three Tracts of Land in the Roughs, that is to say the one half that lies on the west side of the above described line that is to be run for the purpose of ascertaining the piece to my son Francis Young and also the remaining part of the tract of land on Hunting Creek which I now live on together with all the farming utentials [sic], including my wagon cart & tools of every description, Stocks of Horses, Cattle, Sheep & Hogs, books, debts and accounts due of every description, provided my said son Samuel is to pay all my debts of every description that are bona fidely [sic] due; also a negro girl named Clary, negro man Paul and four boys, viz David, Amos, Hiram, bner & a small girl named Caly [?] and also all my Household & Kitchen furnature [sic] not otherwise disposed of. To my daughter Elizabeth Houston, I give and bequeath to her, and her Heirs forever, my negro woman Luvina and her children viz Melinda, Silas, Osborn, Meriman, Anna [Ama?] & Cinda, which my said daughter Elizabeth is in possession of and also my negro woman Easther at my decease; and one small chest of drawers together with all my Household & Kitchen furnature [sic] I have heretofore put her in possession of. In addition to the division to my son Samuel, should my decease take place after the crop on the plantation I now live is planted, it is farther [sic] my will that my hands be kept together untill [sic] it is housed and that my said son Samuel be entitled to the whole of said crop.
I do farther [sic] constitute and appoint my two sons Francis Young & Samuel Young Executors of this my las will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of July 1818. [signature Thomas Young] In presence of us Samuel King, Samuel Wales, Isham Welch. [Attached to the copy of the will I have is a two page account of inter vivos gifts to Thomas Young’s children dated February 3rd 1811. I assume these pages were originally attached to Thomas Young’s will dated 18 February 1811. All of the sons received land — some more than others — the daughters did not.]
This paper was found in Grandma Lundeen’s family history papers.