Captain John Linton – Loudoun County Virginia Militia

Who departed this life December 4, 1836, in the 86th year of his age.

Linton Family Graveyard, Washington County, Kentucky

As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, in the midst of fireworks, hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie, let’s remember those who made this day possible.  Along with all the red, white and blue banners, flags and bunting, think about that first flag – with thirteen original stripes and thirteen original stars – one for each of the colonies that broke away from mother England.

Our country began on this date 237 years ago – think what has happened since then!  Participants in this war were born AT LEAST 250 years ago!  These are the men who fought, what was then, the greatest country on the globe – and won!  Even though they had their differences they all worked towards a common goal – to be free.  Let us not take that freedom lightly – let us work to continue to make this a great nation.

I have two Revolutionary War soldiers in my ancestry – at least that I am aware of.  Captain John Linton fought in the Loudoun County, Virginia, Milita. He was born there in 1750 – a young 26 year old when the war began.  He was the son of Moses Linton and Susanna Hancock.  John married Ann Nancy Mason, the daughter of Benjamin Mason and Elizabeth Berkeley.  They raised ten children.  In 1818 John and Ann moved to Washington County, Kentucky, with their children and grandchildren!

John Estes Yates was a Lieutenant in the Virginia Line, entering service in Culpeper County.  He was born in 1752, the son of George Yates, IV, and Frances Fielding Lewis.  He married Elizabeth Gaines, the daughter of Francis and Dorothy Gaines, in 1772.  He moved his family to Adair County, Kentucky, before 1810.  I have yet to find where he is buried.

I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through Captain Linton.