Handley History, Genealogy

HANDLEY HISTORY

Handley, an old Irish & English name, is found given to parishes and hamlets in Checheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire undervarious spellings; Hanley, Hanly, Handly, Handley; and where after the 14th to 15th century, the family bore arms in the County of Nottingham.
In Ireland as bearer of arms between the 11th and 15th Century, the name appears in Roscommon, with the Celtic profix of O'; O'Hanley. The O'Hanley's were Chiefs in Roscommon Ireland. The "d" was placed back into the name some time after the the 14th or15th Century. I believe this was done to fool the English into thinking, they were English. The Irish Hanley's knew the "d" was there in ancient times, so they were not changing their name when they added the "d" . Popular in early America under the old English spelling: Handley, Handly, Hanly and Hanley.

Record of John Handley: b. 1735-1740 Arrived on the King's Bounty ... John Handley ... 50 ac. Vacant Land in Province," as quoted from the "Council Journal, Page 603,
September 3, 1765." Record of the 60th Regt; The King's Royal Rifle Corps (60th) - (otherwise the 60th Regiment of Foot).

Raised in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, December 1755, by John Campbell, Earl of Loudon, and styled 62nd or The Royal American Regiment of Foot. Re-ranked 60th in 1756. The the 60th Regt. is a 2 vol. book set called "The War of the Revolution" by Christopher Ward. The 60th is mentioned several times, their main area of battle of involvement was in the SC/GA area.

1755
The 60th were raised locally in North America in response to the defeat of General Braddock by the French and Indians in the summer of 1755. Scarlet jackets, rigid linear formations, overburdened soldiers, ponderous movement and conventional European tactics had contributed to disaster. Though at this time they were neither a Light Infantry nor a Rifle Regiment, the 60th had a profound influence on the later development of these units.

Primarily under Lieutenant-Colonel Bouquet, a Swiss, the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, new ideas were developed. He dressed his men in buckskin and homespun dyed dark green or brown, with black horn buttons made locally. Light equipment, simple drills and open formations were used. He looked to the welfare of his men and discipline was firm but not harsh. Mobility, marksmanship, individual initiative, constant alertness and concealment were stressed, and proven successful in subsequent engagements.

Deed Book A Volume 11 Page 241 - 242 John Sevier Sr. to John Handley, 300 acres on Nolochucky River This indenture made this eigth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninty seven between John Sevier, Gov. of the manifest State of Tennessee and County of Washington of the first part and John Handley of the same County and State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John Sevier Senr. for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds to him in hand paid the Culpt whereof is handly acknowledges haveing ????? and sold and by these presents to ???? and sells unto the said John Handly his heirs and assigns forever all that tract of land lying and being in said County of Washington on the south side of Nolochucky River, ???? the primeises whereon said Handly now lies and bounded as follows.
Beginning at a stake on the mountain then north fifty west one hundred and fifty poles to stake on the White Oak and Sour Wood. Then north seventy west one hundred poles to a Sycamore on the River bank. Then down the River as it meanders including an island one hundred and thirty poles to a Sycamore then Clarks corner then with his line south twenty eight east sixty four poles to hickory, then south one hundred fifty poles to a Red Oak then east one hundred poles to maple and bush near Clarks Creek, then north one hundred and fifty poles to a stake.
Then a direct line to the beginning. Containing three hundred acres to have and to hold unto the said John Handley his heirs and assigns forever all the aforementioned land and premises against myself my heirs Executor or administrators and against all and every other person or persons having any lawfull claims unto the aforesaid lands and premisises. In witnesses whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written. Signed and Acknowledged in the presents of Reuben Payne John Sevier James Handley Washington County John Sevier February 1807. This deed was proven in Court and registered ??? it be recored. Test John Sevier (signature) State of Tennessee Washington County April 6 day, 1807
This was the written deed with the certificate registered in registers office Washington County in Book M. page 241. John Adams County Register

The Over Mountain Men" by Pat Alderman This regards the Indian Wars that took place about the years 1792. Captain Samuel Handley had been sent by Governor Blount, with a company of 42 men, to assist in the defense of Nashville. As the company approached the spring, they were met with heavy fire from the concealed warriors. Some of the unseasoned militia ran when this ambush caught them unprepared for a fight. Several horses were shot, one belonging to Leiper. Captain Handley went to his rescue and his own horse was shot from beneath him. He was captured and forced to watch while the savages brutally murdered and scalped Leiper. Handley's capture was a great event as he was one of their most wanted whites. Handley had served, as Colonel John Sevier's aid, on many Indian campaigns.
This made him a marked man in Indian country. The Captain was taken to Willstown, home of Chief John Watts. The Chief was at home recovering from the serious wounds received at Buchanan's Station. A Council of the Chieftains was held and lasted three days. Handley, condemned to death by fire, was made to run the gauntlet before being tied to the stake. Severe injuries received in this ritual caused the death-by-fire ceremony to be postponed until the Captain recovered enough to stand up. Again all was prepared for the fire death. Handley was tied to the stake, insulted, and objects of filth were thrown into his face by the squaws. The fire was lighted and Handley, hoping to taunt the warriors into shooting him, called them old women, cowards and every insult thinkable. This had no effect; the fire burned on. A sudden thunderstorm and a heavy downpour of rain put out the fire, causing the second postponement. When the weather cleared, Captain Handley was again tied to the stake for execution. The fagots were lighted around the bound man. Chief Watts, now able to leave his couch, came outside to witness the death ceremony. Handley began to talk to Watts.

Here is a quote from Brown's "Old Frontiers."
"You are a brave Chief, and the white men love a brave man, and all of them love John Watts. They regret they must fight him. I am John Sevier's aid and he often talks of the brave Chief Watts. But you have a cowardly set of warriors. They are old women; if they were not they would shoot a warrior." Watts, greatly moved, had Handley released and took him by the hand. Other headmen followed his example. Watts took Handley home with him, where he was fed, clothed and made a member of the Wolf Clan. Colonel Sevier wrote Watts that if Handley were injured by any torture, he would treat his Indian captives in the same manner. Handley was allowed to write a letter to Colonel James Scott. Watts, himself, wrote a message to Governor Blount.
A messenger took the two letters for delivery December 10, 1792. Captain Handley returned to Knoxville, January 24, 1793. He was accompanied by Middlestriker, Candy and eight warriors. Governor Blount received the group with proper ceremony and gave presents to each, consisting of a blanket, shirt, leggings, flap and match coat. Captain Handley's hair had turned white during the three months of captivity. He advised the Governor that Watts wanted peace with the Holston-Nolichucky settlements, but the Cumberland imposters must be removed or destroyed. This was but a tactful lie by Watts.

William and Margaret HANDLEY branches:
Samuel Handly born ca. 17 Sep 1751-1752 in Virginia; died 4 Aug 1840 in Belvidere, Franklin Co. TN; married 1st. Mary Adams, 2nd. Susanna Cowan on 4 Feb 1782 in South Carolina.
Parents of Samuel were: William Handley born in VA and Margaret.
Known children: by second marriage:
Sarah "Sallie" Handley born in 1783 in TN
John Handley born 22 Feb 1786
Robert Cowan Handly born 6 July 1792 Washington Co, TN
William Claiborn Handly born 25 July 1803
Samuel Handly, Jr.
Betsy Handly
Mary Handly

John and Grizel HANDLEY branches:
There was another Handley connection to East Tennessee, John Handley born ca 1752 in Augusta County , Va who married Sarah Campbell had a daughter Mary "Polly" Handley that married Fountain Livesay, son of Thomas Livesay and Margaret Walton. Fountain Livesay would have been cousin to all the Livesay's later found in Hawkins and Hancock County Tenn.
Continued in the book; "The Overmountain Men, Battle of King's Mountain, Cumberland Decade, State of Franklin, Southwest Territory" by Pat Alderman, The Overmountain Press, Johnston City, Tennessee Reprinted 1986. In 1784, Sullivan, Greene, and Washington counties formed a provisional State of Franklin in a move to secede from North Carolina. In 1785, Caswell, Sevier, Spencer and Wayne counties were created by the State of Franklin, in addition to Sullivan, Greene, and Washington. In 1788, Caswell, Sevier, Spencer, and Wayne counties were abolished. The area reverted to Hawkins, Sullivan, Greene, and Washington counties. In 1790, North Carolina ceded the Western Region (as immediately above, and it was organized as the Territory South of the Ohio River. Tennessee frontier falls after the start of American Revolution. The Tennessee Valley Frontier is an extention of Va. frontier. Shennandoah Valley frontier belongs to later times. Washington district frontier differed from Maryland frontier. Four counties in NE Tn that make up Washington District Mero District is middle TN near Nashville. Seven Counties of the Southwest District. 1791 Hawkins Sullivan, Greene and Washigton. The Washington district was settled 10 years earlier than Mero District. The WildernessRoad was main source of travel for Washington district. River travel was main source for Mero District.


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