Beech Tree News Network

David Engler performed his service in the American Revolution as a Soldier in New Jersey. He served in the New Jersey Militia, the “Jersey Blues”. They were acting as the rearguard for General Nathaniel Greene when they were attacked by surprise, according to pension papers, R3353V, filed by his wife in 1855 in Muhlenburg County, KY. They are referenced in the County Court Order Book 2, P 320, on FHL Roll #8338998. The documents say he only served 14 days and was injured after Philadelphia was taken in the Battle of Brandywine through the Battle of Germantown. According to pension documents he was injured in the leg and continued to use a cane throughout his life, his first being a cane he carved from the remnants of a shattered cherry tree from the location of the battle in which he was serving. After his service David Engler moved to North Carolina then proceeded from there through the Cumberland Gap into what is now Kentucky and settled in Muhlenburg County. He received a land bounty of 175 acres.

David Whitaker Engler, my 6th great grandfather, was the son of Joshua Engler and Lydia Harris of New Jersey. He was born in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America circa 1755 and died in Muhlenburg County, KY in 1827. He married Sarah Lydia Harper (1756-1819) in 1780 in New Jersey. One of their children, Sarah Engler, my 5th great grandmother was born in July 1784 in New Jersey and died in February 1877 in Oatsville, Indiana. Sarah married William Christmas Jenkins (1779-1850) in March 1800 in North Carolina. They had moved to Kentucky where he died in Butler County. Their daughter Ann Jenkins, my 4th great grandmother was born in 1805 in North Carolina and died in 1890 in Butler County, KY. She married John M. Hunt, (1802-1890), in November 1821 in Butler County. John and Ann had a daughter, Elizabeth Wade Hunt, my 3rd great grandmother, born in November 1825 in Huntsville, Butler County, KY and died there in 1901. Elizabeth married Leander Bunch (1821-1902) in January 1843 in Butler County. They had a daughter, Frances Ann Bunch, my 2nd great grandmother, born in December 1843 in Rochester, KY who died in November 1931 in Butler County. Frances married Joseph Robinson Dabbs (1839-1917) of Butler County on July 9, 1865, in Butler County. Their daughter, Sibyl M Dabbs, my great grandmother, was born in April 1879 in Huntsville, KY and died in August 1970 in Butler County. Sybil married Benjamin Hampton Moore (1879-1937) of Morgantown, KY on August 20, 1901. Dorothy Moore, my grandmother, was born in July 1912 and died in February 1991 in Kentucky. Dorothy married Sam Kent (1908-1970) of Kentucky on June 14, 1939, in Morgantown, KY.  Their daughter, my mother, Jane Kent married Ronald Dean Smith.

 As part of America 250, 1776-2026, the Butler County Chapter NSDAR members will continue our series of articles about our Patriots of the American Revolution. If you have a Revolutionary Patriot in your family line and are interested in joining our DAR chapter please contact the Regent, Lynda O’Driscoll at 270.734.5137 or any chapter member.