TAXES: Austins of America, p. 83-102-278. 1779 Tax List, Orange Co, NC
BIRTH-DEATH-SPOUSE-BURIAL: Vittoria Baptist Cemetery, Charlotteville Twp, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada. Gravestones viewed at "Find A Grave" Website. Memorial # 45582167
RESIDENCES: Orange Co, NC; Patterson Creek (now Lynn River), Ontario, Canada "Loyalists in NC During the Rev" by Robt. O. DeMond, 1979 "Sol Austin: Praying for 600 acres of land. Granted." 27 JUN 1795. Public Records and Archives of Ontario, Buried at Vittoria Baptist Cemetery, Charlotteville Twp, Ontario. Loyalist Lineages of Canada 1783-1983
BIRTH-SPOUSE-CHILD: Records of Michele (Austin) Gardner OR 1996.
MARRIAGE: David A. Avery, Some Ancestors and Descendants of Solomon Austin 1600-2000, David A. Avery, Private Printing, Copyright 2007
BIOGRAPHY: "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Solomon Austin 1600-2000" , David A. Avery, Private Printing, Copyright 2007. "Solomon [Austin] with several hundred other courageous men "stood their ground" at Moore's Creek (editor's note: the "Battle of Moore's Creek"was fought 27 Feb 1776 near Wilmington, NC.), fought and were among those captured. At first all were imprisoned in Kingston, although the majority was soon distributed among local jails. Eventually a few were exiled, some paroled and others took an oath of allegiance. The remainder were kept in custody for various lengths of time depending on their rank and conduct and were probably released only after swearing not to take up arms against patriot forces. In Solomon's petition for land in Upper Canada he states "he was taken prisoner at Moore's Creek Bridge and ill treated."
Solomon, probably weakened by captivity, ill treatment and poor food, appears to have been released from prison early in 1778 because he is recorded as witnessing a land deed for a neighbour in Orange County on March 14, 1778 (Orange Co. NC Deed Book 2 page 41). Later he is listed as obtaining his land grant of two hundred acres of the Owen Thomas farm. The latter had probably arrived from Delaware in 1763 bringing with him his second wife, Mary and their young family. Unfortunately, Owen died in 1769, but left a detailed will enabling his widow and brother to operate the farm.
Shortly after Solomon's return he married one of the neighbouring daughters, Joanna Thomas and it is possible theat they had "waited" for each other because at the respective ages of thirty-four and twenty-six they were both late in marrying. Solomon became more involved with his wife's family when Mary, his mother-in-law died leaving two minor children. Local court records note that "Elizabeth Thomas came into the Orange Co. Court of Please and Quarter Sessions of August 1778 and chose Solomon as her guardian". At the same time Jonathan Thomas, also a minor chose William Loughlin as his guardian, the latter was probably married to a sister of Joanna.
While Solomon and [his brother] John supported the loyalist cause, another brother, Absolom chose to join and fight for the opposing patriot forces and he died in combat on March 7, 1778. As soon as he was old enough Benjamin together with his father [William] also enlisted with the patriots. This was not an unusual situation because positions hardened as a result of bloodshed and property damage, and regions, communities, neighbors and families like the Austin became divided and vengeful enemies. (It is of interest to note that contrary to the custom of the period, none of Solomon's sons were named William after his father.)
Solomon sold his farm Mar 8 1794 and petitioned for land in Upper Canada on 16 July 1794. Records indicate that twelve families left NC as a group travelling north to Philadelphia through the moutains to the Susquehannah then north to Buffalo and Upper Canada.".
LAND: Solomon Austin's Petition for Land in Upper Canada: To His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esq., Lieut.-Governor and Colonel Commanding His Majesty's forces in the Province of Upper Canada in Council
The Petition of Solomon Austin Humbly Sheweth
That you Petitioner was one of those who took up arms in defense of His Majesty's Government in the Province of North Carolina during the Rebellion in America from which place he is just arrived with his Family consisting of wife and seven children in order to settle in this Province. Proof of his Service could have been brought had it been required, but none of the people now come in are witness of the truth of his statement that he was taken prisoner at Moore's Creek Bridge and ill treated.
Your Petitioner in consequence of his known attachment to the British Constitution has ever since been obnoxious to the present government of Carolina. Therefore, humbly prays that your Excellency would be pleased to grant him such Land for himself and family in this Province as Your Excellency shall seem meet and Your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray. Newark 16 July 1794 (Upper Canada Land Records, 1792-1808, Bundle A1 doc. 14) Solomon Austin