December, 2025
Washington — A new twelve-hour documentary, "The American Revolution," is spellbinding in the sense that it continually invites viewers to ask deeper questions about the war, how it was fought, and by whom.
That would be by our own ancestors. The following list identifies several who served in the patriot cause, with research assistance from AI (in italics) when it corroborates family genealogical and other evidence from our Susan Wimer (1860-1941) ancestry line in the family tree. She was born in Virginia before the Civil War and died in Red Willow County, Nebraska, where my father was born.
After watching "The American Revolution," it is especially gratifying to see ancestors who fought with Greene and Lafayette against the brutal Tarleton and prevailed over Cornwallis at Yorktown.
John L. Smith
John L. Smith (1698-1783), seventh great-grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and served as a British officer in the French and Indian War under George Washington. Captain Smith led the defense of Fort Vause in southwest Virginia in 1756 but was captured and later exchanged in Canada for French prisoners.
In the Revolutionary War, he joined a volunteer cavalry corps under patriot General Thomas Nelson in 1777, serving as Sergeant Major for a period. He also led efforts against Tory groups in regions like Lost River, rallying about 400 men and coordinating with generals like Daniel Morgan to suppress these threats. His service primarily focused on militia command, internal security, and prisoner management during the Revolutionary War.John L. Smith served as a Major General of the 3rd Division Virginia Militia. He commanded the militia in Frederick County, Virginia, and was responsible for guarding and superintending prisoners of war sent to Winchester. This involved organizing militia drafts to provide guards, recruiting men, and ensuring the prisoners' custody according to orders from the Virginia Council of Safety and Governor Patrick Henry. He held this position throughout the war and was active in militia leadership and suppression of Tory uprisings.
Eastham contributed to provisioning campaigns, including furnishing cattle and supplies for American troops under Lafayette and Greene in 1781. His company guarded against Loyalist threats and participated in regional mobilizations.
Captain Peter Hull led troops under General Lafayette during the Virginia Campaign in 1781. Hull commanded a troop of cavalry in the Augusta County militia and participated in the Yorktown campaign, which was part of Lafayette's overall military efforts during that year. His militia company was involved in actions such as pursuing British cavalry under Tarleton and fighting at key engagements in Virginia during Lafayette's campaign to contain Cornwallis and secure victory for the American cause. Records confirm Hull's leadership role in the Augusta County militia and his active service under Lafayette's command in the final phase of the Revolutionary War in Virginia.
Captain Hull fought in the Battle of Green Springs in Virginia in 1781. His company from the Augusta County militia was involved in this engagement, which was part of the attempts to repel British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.
The Battle of Green Spring occurred on July 6, 1781, near Green Spring Plantation in James City County, Virginia. It was an ambush set by British forces under Earl Charles Cornwallis against American troops led by the Marquis de Lafayette. American advance units, commanded by Brigadier General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, were nearly trapped while attempting to harass the British rear guard during their crossing of the James River. The battle ended with an American retreat after a bold bayonet charge, but it delayed British movements and boosted American morale ahead of Yorktown.Leonard Simmons
Leonard Simmons (1738-1808), fifth great-grandfather, was a private with Captain Hull's company.
Leonard Simmons of Augusta County militia was present at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781 as part of the Virginia militia forces serving under General Nathanael Greene and Lafayette. Muster rolls from Captain Peter Hull's company, to which Leonard Simmons belonged, list him as a private, indicating his participation in the militia forces at that battle.
In March 1781, militia companies from Augusta County assembled under commander Colonel Moffett and marched through Lynchburg, Virginia, to Guilford County, North Carolina, where they fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse alongside Lafayette’s forces. These Augusta County militia units were involved in engagements to block British movements and protect Virginia during Lafayette’s efforts to contain Cornwallis’ troops. Later, Augusta County militia companies joined the larger Continental Army under Washington for the Siege of Yorktown, the final decisive campaign in Virginia.
Philip Wimer
Philip Wimer (1757-1839), fourth great-grandfather, born in Frankfurt, Germany, served in the Virginia Militia cavalry during the Revolutionary War, led by Captain Peter Hull of Augusta County. Philip Wimer was present at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse with Virginia militia forces on March 15, 1781, He participated in the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which was a decisive victory leading to the British surrender and American independence. Philip Wimer was originally sold into indentured servitude but after seven years joined the militia and fought on the Patriot side.
