Individual Details

I believe the dates of the Porter family came from a family Bible in the hands of a descendant. Reese was probably born in Lancaster Co, PA.

There is a North Carolina marriage Bond that may be this couple's. It is almost unreadable, but dated 1 Dec 1769 in Rowan Co NC.

Guilford Co NC DB 1, p.206 ____ 1772 James Brown and Jane his wife of Surry Co to William Jackson for 60£. Tract in Guilford part of tract purchased by William Brown from Earl of Granville on 11 May 1757. South side North Buffalo Creek, 220 acres. Signed: James Brown, Jane Brown. Wit: Rees Porter, William ?Kelly. Proved Feb 1773.
[James Brown was a brother-in-law to Reese, brother of his wife Jane Brown.]

Guilford Co NC DB 1, p.528 27 May 1778 John Duffel of Guilford, Farmer, to Reese Porter, Farmer for 220£, tract formerly in Orange but now Guilford on South side Buffalo Creek part of tract granted Wm Blackwood from Earl of Granville 14 Mar 1755. 217 acres. Signed: John Duffell, Elisabeth [x] Duffell. Wit: James Brown, William Peasley, David Hamilton. Ack May Court 1779.
[John Duffel was a brother-in-law to Reese. Duffel's wife was a sister to Reese's wife.]

Guilford County, Fred Hughes, The custom House, 1988, p.109
"Muster Roll of the Guilford Militia" 26 Mar 1779
Lt. Rees Porter served under Capt Robert Hall.

The annals of the Buffalo Creek Presbyterian Church, p.198 state that Reece Porter belonged to Capt Robert Bell's Company. "In 1787 he sold his farm here and went to that territory in Tennessee reserved for North Carolina service. Bell was a Captain in the 2nd NC Regiment. Reese Porter was an English prisoner for a time, but exchanged.

Reese Porter in Guilford Co NC in 1787: Deed Book 4, p.218. 80 acres on branch waters of the Buffalo River; NC State Grant to Rees Porter; 16 May 1787 DB 4, p.357; this tract of 80 acres sold to Thomas West 15 Sep 1787. DB 4, p.336 Rees Porter, Farmer, sold to Watson Wharton, Farmer, 217 acres of land formerly in Orange but now Guilford on the South side of the Buffalo, part of Earl of Granville grant to William Blackwood. This deed acknowledged in open court Aug 1787 by Porter. [Bought from John Duffel]

GUILFORD CO NC LAND GRANTS 1778-1934, Elizabeth Shaw Bailey
Reese Porter, Grant #1185, Entry 2102 on 20 Jun 1780; issued 16 May 1787; recorded Bk 65, p.51. 80 acres on Black Woods Branch of Buffalo; William Montgomery, Alexander Gray.

The Porters moved to Tennessee about this time, settling about 6 miles northeast of what is now Nashville. About 1807 they moved on to Giles Co in the neighborhood of the Mount Moriah Church.

Rees Porter is said to have married a widow in his old age; his will bears this out.

A copy of Rees Porter's will was found in the Maury County Courthouse.
Named was son William Porter. Also William's children Nimrod, Reese, Hugh, John & Jane B. Porter who had received 540 acres on little Tombigby that was to be kept in support of William and his wife Jane during their lifetime.. Sons Joseph B. Porter, David W. Porter, James B. Porter, and Thomas C. Porter and heirs of Reese Porter Jr. dec'd all to receive lots from a tract of 2000 acres on Richland Creek in Giles Co. Reese's plantation in Davidson Co where he formerly to be sold and proceeds divided among sons William, Joseph, John, David, James, David and Thomas and the heirs of son Rees in right of their father. A granddaughter Jane B. Porter was named. Beloved wife Lucy. Executors: sons John, James B. & Thomas C. Signed 27 Sep 1817, Rees Porter. Wit: John S. Brandon, Jno M. Hobson, Jno M. Duff. Signature proved Nov 1822. Rec. 4 Feb 1832.


Reese is buried at Mount Moriah Presbyterian Church on Weakley Creek near Pulaski, TN.

Birth	26 Feb 1745	Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Marriage	Abt 1768	Rowan County, North Carolina - Jane Brown
Death	15 Feb 1821	Giles County, Tennessee

Spouse	Jane Brown (1745 - 1806)
Child	William Porter ( - )
Child	Joseph B. Porter ( - )
Child	John B. Porter ( - )
Child	Reese Porter (1776 - 1811)
Child	James Porter ( - )
Child	David Washington Porter ( - )
Child	Elias Porter ( - )
Child	Thomas Craighead Porter ( - )

Father	Hugh Porter (1715 - 1795)
Mother	Violet Mackey (1717 - 1791)
Sibling	Mary Porter (1737 - )