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Archiver > NCMECKLE > 1999-06 > 0929329232
From: Carol Purser <>
Subject: Re: [NCMECKLE-L] HISTORY OF THE PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 1999 23:00:32 -0400
I am a descendant of Lt. David Flenniken, if I can be of help to you.
wrote:
> Thank you so much for offering to do a lookup in this unavailable book.
> I do appreciate your help.
>
> I am interested in information on the FLENNIKEN family:
>
> JOHN FLENNIKEN was a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of
> Independance.
>
> DAVID FLENNIKEN, brother of John, fought in the Revolutionary War. I
> understand he is buried in the Providence Cemetery.
>
> I would very much appreciate any information on this family. thank you
> for your time and help with this elusive family of mine.
>
> Julie
>
> HISTORY OF THE PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1767 - 1967
> MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA - by Louise Barber Matthews
> Published by BROOKS LITHO, Publishers - Lithographers, Charlotte, N. C.
>
> Pages 65 - 68
>
> JOHN FLENNEKIN - Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
>
> About the year 1730 a colony of Scotch from Tyronne, Ulster, landed at
> the port of
> Philadelphia, and among them were three Flennekin brothers. James Flennekin,
> prior to
> leaving Ulster, married Jean Glaspy (or Jane Gillespie), and to this couple
> were born nine
> children. (45) John Flennekin, the seventh of these children, was born in
> Pennsylvania on
> March 7, 1744. The Flennekin family, along with most of their fellow
> voyagers,
> eventually moved on to Mecklenburg. (46)
> John settled on McAlpin Creek in the present Sharon Township, where he
> owned
> considerable land. (47) He was evidently active in helping organize
> Providence Church, as
> his name is included on the first roll call of 1767. (48) His youngest
> brother, David,
> settled in the Waxhaw section of the present Union County and served in the
> Revolution
> under General Irwin. (49) (David Flennekin drew pension for wounds received
> in the war,
> died at the age of seventy-eight, on April 26, 1826, and was buried in the
> Providence
> cemetery.) (50) John Flennekin was evidently regarded as a citizen of
> prominence, and he
> was well educated for his day. (51) He was fond of horses, had many blooded
> animals,
> and was considered one of the most advanced farmers of his time.
> When Colonel Thomas Polk issued orders for each company to elect and
> send two
> delegates to the convention in Charlotte in May, 1775, John Flennekin and
> Neill Morrison,
> both members of Providence, are said to have represented Captain James Jacks
> company
> and signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. (52) In the
> Revolutionary War,
> John joined a group of his fellow Mecklenburgers, who served under Colonel
> Thomas
> Sumter in order to strengthen the recently defeated South Carolina forces.
> (53)
> Many of the facts pertaining to John Flennekins life are obscure,
> particularly those
> concerning his marriage, his children, and even his burial place. Tradition
> says that he was
> killed when thrown from his horse while riding to service at Providence and
> was buried in
> the cemetery there. (54) No marker can be found except the one erected by a
> chapter of
> the Daughters of the American Revolution and which has been placed beside the
> grave of
> Mary Flennekin, wife of John O. Flennekin, who may have been a son of John,
> the
> Signer.
> John Flennekin - elder, farmer, soldier, magistrate - was a valued
> citizen of his adopted
> country. He risked his life in his stand for declaring independence; he
> fought for his
> country and afterwards continued to serve his community and church. His
> descendants
> include a number of prominent and worthy citizens scattered among the states.
> (55)
>
> 45 Alexander, History of Mecklenburg County,, p. 289
> 46 Ibed
> 47 Ibed, p. 145
> 48 Hayward, R.P.C., 32
> 49 Ray, Meklenburg Signers, p. 421
> 50 Ibid
> 51 King, Lives & Times of the 27 Signers, p. 145
> 52 Ibid
> 53 Ibid
> 54 Ibid Ibid., 140, 145, 146. (Some of the Flennekin family migrated to
> Tennessee and
> other states, and the threads of distinction among the various Johns
> have become badly
> confused. A recently discovered estate bond, however, establishes the
> fact that
> Signer John was also the Mecklenburg judge of county court.)
> 55 Ibid, p. 140. Note: The name Flennekin is the Scotch manner of spelling
> the Irish
> form of Flannagan.
>
> Cemetery Records at Providence Church, p. 294
>
> John Flennegin (M. D. I., No stone)
> Mary Flenniken, wife of John O. Flenniken 2-14-1823 Aet. 47-4-0
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