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First Generation
1. Charles Tasker (Gullet\Guillette) REESE1,2
was born about 1756 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina. He died on 13
Jun 1830 in Lincoln, Tenessee.1
This is the father of Charles Tasker Reese. The bio of Charles will follow:
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Vol. 9 pages
44, 58, 189, 284, Vol. 10 pages 141, 185, Vol. 24 page 212, Vol. 50 page 131
- Ancestry.com
-----
Also Known as: Rev. David Reese
"The Reese home place was not far from present day Charlotte. A description
of the building was given by one of the grandsons of David Reese as follows:
"S plain, comfortable weather-boarded building, one and a half stories high,
having four large rooms and two attic rooms, with dormer windows, besides two
rooms in the cellar, one of which was used as a dining room. At each gable end
were immense rock chimneys, the long piazza in front, with a trellis covered
with roses at either end. The house was surrounded by majestic oaks, under which
hung the inviting swing on one side, on the other was a long row of bee-gums...
"The floors were waxed, and the furniture, some pieces of which were brought
from Wales, was polished like glass. Quaint rag carpets of the brightest hues
covered the floors in winter, except in the drawing-room the floor was covered
with a bought carpet. The flower garden was bright with all the old-fashioned
flowers. The walks were bordered with sweet pinks. In the rear of the house was
the big spring, with its clear, cold water, hard by the brick spring house, where
the mild and butter was kept. On the roadside stood the old sweep well, where
the weary traveller refreshed himself and beast....It was considered one of the
finest places in Mecklenburg County."
Being a "Born Statesman," David was to become a prominent man in North
Carolina politics and in his church. He was well educated for his day. David
was described as commanding in appearance, fine-looking, with bright black eyes.
He was chosen one of the bench of Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church elders in 1751,
a position he held until his death. He also served for many years as a magistrate
and member of the County Court. His greatest claim to fame was that he was a
signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of 20 May 1775. According
to the Historian Foote, all the 270 delegates to the Mecklenburg Convention were
Presbyterians, and ten were officers in the church.
WILL:
In the name of God, Amen. I, David Reese, of the county of Mecklenburg and State
of North Carolina, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, Do this 5th
day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1787, make and publish this my last
will and Testament in manner following, that is to say, after all my just debts
are paid:
First, I give and bequeath unto my loving son-in-law William Sharpe, of Rowan
County, and to my loving son, James Reese, all that freehold in fee simple in
the said county of Mecklenburg, on Coddle Creek, whereon I now live, with all
the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to hold to them the said William Sharpe
and James Reese, their trustees, administrators or assigns from and immediately
after my decease, together with sixty acres of thereabouts adjoining the said
manor plantation, as also an entry or claim to and for a small size piece or
land lying between and adjoining the said sixty acre tract of my said manor plantation.
Upon this special trust and confidence that the said William Sharpe and James
Reese, or the survivors of them, do and shall permit Susan Ruth my dearly and
well-beloved wife, to have, hold, and enjoy all my manor, plantation and premises,
to them denied as aforesaid during her natural life, and to take to her own use
the rents, issues and profits arising there from during her natural life aforesaid.
She making no waste nor destruction thereon, nor clearing my large quantity of
land. And upon this further condition that she shall not rent, lease, or farm
out the said land, without the advice and consent of the said William Sharpe
and James Reese, or the survivors or them, shall sell the whole of the land herein
demised, with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, on reasonable credit
for the most money that cam be obtained for the same, and that money so arising
shall as soon as may be paid in the following manner, name ten pounds per annum
to my beloved wife during her life, 30 pounds to my son Charles, 5 pounds to
my son James for his trouble in executing this will. The remainder of the money
arising as aforesaid to be equally divided between my sons George and Solomon,
but in case Solomon should choose his share in land, then his equitable share
shall be laid off by my Executors in lieu of his share of the money above mentioned.
To my grandson Sidney Reese I give and bequeath 10 Pounds to be paid out of the
above mentioned fund provided my wife and George and Solomon should agree
On the matter; then George may likewise take his share in land, they first agreeing
with my Executors to pay their mother and the other legacies hereinbefore mentioned.
I further give and bequeath to my beloved wife the largest bay mare, her choice
or a cow and calf, three sheep and five hogs, also all my beds, bed clothes,
household furniture and vessels of every kind within doors (excepting such as
is hereinafter bequeathed) to be divided equally at her decease among all my
daughters, who may then be alive. In Case they should die intestate my Executors
shall be careful in making an equal distribution of the beds and furniture which
is intended by the foregoing clause.
To my daughter Ruth I give and bequeath one feather bed and furniture, with two
Cows and two calves. To my son Solomon I give and bequeath a riding horse, saddle
and bridle. I give and bequeath that my Just debts be paid out of the residue
of my estate, and the remainder be equally divided between Solomon and Ruth.
That in Case Solomon should die without wife or issue, his share shall be equally
divided between my Sons James, David, and Charles, and my grandsons Thomas Reese
Sharpe, Edwin Reese and Thomas Henry.
And I do hereby constitute and appoint my son-in-law William Sharpe and James
Reese to be sole Executors of this my last will and Testament, strictly charging
them to execute the same according to the plain meaning thereof.
In witness whereof I, the said David Reese, have to this my last Will and Testament
set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, published
and delivered by the said David Reese, the Testator, as and for his last will
and Testament in presence of all who are present at the signing and sealing thereof.
James Campbell. David Reese Seal
Thomas Campbell, Witnesses
The last will and testament of David Reese, Esq. was proved in open court, by
the oath of Thomas Campbell, and evidence there ordered that letters testa-mentary,
with a copy of the will annexed, issue to James Reese and William Sharpe, executors
nominated in said will, who came into court and qualified.
David Allison
Robert Wylie [-John & Donna Stockard, RootsWeb] He was the grandfather
of Catherine Reese who married Tom Starr, Outlaw. Their son married Belle Starr.
Charles Tasker Reese:
[Reference: "Genealogy of the Reese Family " by Miss Mary E. Reese
1903]
Charles Gullet* Reese, son of David Reese and Susan Polk Reese; was a Revolutionary
soldier, and it is told of him "that when Cornwallis was quartered at Charlotte,
he had a very choice horse that he prized very highly, and that Charles Reese
captured this horse, and ran away with it, and when reprimanded by his brother
for such a deed, replied, "All is fair in love and war."
He was inclined to be wild, and gave his family much trouble. He was a terrible
fighter, and was known as the "Fighting Charles Reese." His life was
full of escapades, and if it could be told would equal any romance. He left home,
and went to live among the Indians, and there married an Indian princess, a daughter
of Adair, and was thus connected with the Adairs and Bondinots, two very prominent
families. He continued to live among the Indians until his death,* and amassed
a snug little fortune trading with the Indians. At his death he left a family
of children and grandchildren in the Indian nation, and at the present day there
are some of his descendants living among the Cherokees at Talequah, Indian Territory.
Mention will be made of them under Dr. David Addison Reese's line. The finest
athletes, the best educated and most responsible people among the Cherokees are
said to be the descendants of Charles Reese. So far as is known of him, he never
expressed, and doubtless never felt, a regret at having abandoned his own people
to live amid lawless, untutored, and violent savages. He was a powerful advocate
of this race of people, believing there were fine elements, and many honorable
qualities in these American Aborigines.
Reference "Fighting Charles Reese" by Parker C. Sams 1996.
Charles remained in the Cherokee county for four or five years at the most, during
his short stay he married Nancy a Cherokee Indian and through their son and daughter
started family lines that included such Cherokee leaders as Elias Boundinot
the newspaper editor and General Stand Watie of the Civil War. Once married
to a Cherokee whites, were considered full members of the tribe of Cherokee countrymen.
Charles and Nancy separated perhaps in 1788 after having lived together for only
a few years. By 1789 Charles was established in Sumner County, Tennessee.
Charles T. Reese First Lieutenant serving under Captain John McKenzie of North
Carolina. Revolutionary War Veteran, wounded in the battle at Brier Creek. Captured
at the Siege of Charleston. He fought in the Creek Indian War under General Andrew
Jackson in 1814, wounded May 1,1814.
District of West Tennessee; Charles T. Reese of the county of Maury in the state
of Tennessee came before me and claimed to be placed on the Pension List of the
United States and produced Captain John Gordan, a credible witness who being
duly sworn deposith and saith that the said Charles T. Reese was soldier in his
company of spies at the Cahawba Villages or near them after the battle of Horse
Shoe in May 1814. He received a wound from gunshot through his thigh. It appeared
to be a very serious wound.
Sworn to and Subscribed John Gordon Captain of spies before me this 19th day
of August 1817 John McNairy District Judge. Invalid Pension No. 322. Juror Sumner
County, Tennessee October Term.
Obituary from The Nashville Banner and The Nashville Whig: "Died - - - in
Lincoln County, Mr. Charles T. Reese, aged 80, a veteran of the revolution."
*Note: In reference to the book "Fighting Charles Reese" by Parker
C. Sams; statement is made that some information in the book "Genealogy
of the Reese Family" by Miss Mary E. Reese is not credible. The middle name
of Charles Reese is one detail noted here; the middle name of Charles Reese is
not Gullett as stated by Miss Reese. Another detail is that Charles only lived
a few years among the Indians. [- James Harold Muse, RootsWeb]
Charles Tasker (Gullet\Guillette) REESE and Mary (Polly) DESHA were married
on 18 Sep 1789 in Sumner, Tennessee. Mary
(Polly) DESHA1,2 (daughter of Robert DESHA and Elinor WHEELER) was born
about 1770 in Lower Wyoming Valley, Columbia, Pennsylvania.3 She died on 24 Apr 1839 in Lincoln, Tennessee.3 Charles Tasker (Gullet\Guillette)
REESE and Mary (Polly) DESHA had the following children:
Charles Tasker (Gullet\Guillette) REESE and
Nancy ADAIR were married about 1779. They were separated about 1788.
Nancy ADAIR1
(daughter of Drowning BEAR and Nannie (BEAR)) was born about 1760 in Old Cherokee
Nation, Tennessee. She died after 1792. Charles Tasker
(Gullet\Guillette) REESE and Nancy ADAIR had the following children:
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