SPALDING FAMILY of KENTUCKY: MOSES CLARKE SPALDING - FOURTH GENERATION
Part I - MOSES CLARKE, AARON and BENNETT SPALDING
Moses Clarke Spalding, son of Thomas & Henrietta Clarke
Spalding, was born c1756 in St. Mary's Co. It is not known whom he married in Maryland
before the Revolutionary War. Courthouse records burned. All three brothers, John Aaron,
Bennett, and Moses Clarke, served as soldiers in the war. Aaron Spalding's pension is in
the Nat'l Archives. [1]
Bennett Spalding had two wives, Eleanor Fenwick & Mary French. He was a private in St. Mary's Co Militia in 1777. He took the Oath of Allegiance before Hon. Richard Barnes in 1778. He was appointed guardian of his children, Edward, Mary, Monica, Lewis and Bennett in Feb, 1797. Bennett Spalding, farmer, moved from Lower Resurrection Hundred to Washington Co, Ky. He was listed in the Ky Census of 1810. [2]
Much has been written about the Revolutionary service of John Aaron Spalding because he enlisted Jan 1, 1777 and mustered as a Sergeant, 2nd MD Line in May, 1780. His pension reads like a battle history. In Dec, 1815, the Treasurer of MD was directed to pay him during his lifetime half-pay of a sergeant. He applied for and received a pension [S37441] on Aug 10, 1819 in Washington Co, Ky, at age 67. He stated in the pension that he had enlisted in the Maryland Line. He married twice: Nellie Mattingly and Mary Moore, a widow. He died June 29, 1824, in Washington Co, Ky. [3]
A legend concerning John Aaron's service has proved to be untrue - he didn't capture the British spy Major Andre. Judge Spalding & his brother's letters on the refutation may be found in Aaron's pension file. Aaron Spalding, Sergeant in 2nd MD Regiment was granted Lot #1438 in "Land Westward of Fort Cumberland, Allegheny Co, Md. West of Ft. Cumberland was Kentucky. [4] Many Revolutionary soldiers were given land instead of pay.
Clarke Spalding was drafted into the St. Mary's Co MD militia in 1777 as a private; he was listed on "Muster Rolls of SMCo." [5] He was listed as an "Army Draught" on July 27, 1781 [6]; however, he was discharged from service circa August 4, 1781, by Colonel Uriah Forrest for "humanitarian reasons." Col. Uriah Forrest interceded with Maryland Gov. Lee. Col. Forest wrote: "Clarke Spalding & Luke Mattingly are very poor, rent land, and have a number of children who must inevitably starve if the men are not permitted to return. The men bring the recommendations from Col. Richard Barnes." [7-8]
The years of the southern campaigns to the Victory at Yorktown were not easy ones for St. Mary Countians. Drain of manpower to replenish continental troops & supplies created hardships. In July, 1780, Col. Richard Barnes reported to Gov. Lee that county officials were having difficulty filling recruitment quotas. Decision to limit time of enlistment to three years did nothing to help the situation. Col. Barnes reported many men drafted in 1781 had large families without anyone to work their farms - a situation which might lead to delinquent rent payments and financial ruin. Subsequently, deferments for new recruits were sanctioned for sickness, infirmity, indigence and dependent children. [9-10]
Children of Moses Clarke Spalding and his wife (unknown):
1. Joseph E. Spalding b. 15 Oct 1780 SMCo Md.; m. Susannah Elliott Nov 12, 1810, Washington Co Ky; d. Sept 7, 1873 Ind.
2. Aaron Spalding b. c1782 St. Mary's Co. Md.; m. Hannah Herbert Jan. 4, 1805, Campbell Co Ky.; d. bef. 25 Sept. 1856.
3. Charles Spalding b. c1784 SMCo Md.; m. Elizabeth Hampton July 10, 1802, Mercer Co Ky.; d. Oct. 1, 1856 Miller Co Mo.
4. Thomas Spalding b. c1786 SMCo Md.; m. Mary Lawrence Oct 3, 1803, Mercer Co Ky.; d. ?
5. Nancy Spalding b. c1788 SMCo Md.; m. Zachariah Peter Oct 1, 1805, Mercer Co Ky.; d. after 1820
Part II: AARON SPALDING of CAMBPELL CO, KENTUCKY - FIFTH GENERATION Return to Main Page
Footnotes & Bibliography