Francis Munnerlyn
(ca.1764 -  ca.1780)

All the information about Francis Munnerlyn that is available may be classified as tradition.  One genealogist has written that there was a “story in the family always of a sixth brother, Francis, killed in the (Revolution) war.”  The South Carolina Department of Archives reports that there are no audited Accounts of Revolutionary Services under Francis’ name.  This refers to remuneration.

It is difficult to get a clear picture of Francis’ life and war experiences, of his age, personal interests and characteristics, or civil records.  We know that there were many skirmishes between the Tories and Whigs even before the beginning of the Revolution as well as during it.  Some of the conflicts were in the form of raids, sabotage, and commando tactics rather than full size battles.  Much of this took place in the area in which the Munnerlyn plantation was located.  In fact, the home of James Munnerlyn, father of Francis, was raided and damaged by the Tories and he and his wife were taken prisoners.  Also, battles of the Revolution were fought near the plantation.

At one time the great niece of Francis told her grandchildren, of which I was one, that one of the men of the Munnerlyn family was shot and killed “almost in sight of the house.”  She could not have been referring to the Civil War because only on of her family was killed in that conflict and that happened in the battle of Atlanta. 

It is reasonable to assume that the person she told about was her great uncle, Francis, who may have been killed in defending his parent’s home from a Tory raid, or was killed in one of the battles of the revolution.  Tradition as well as genealogical reference in documents indicate that he was fighting under General Francis Marion.

Written by Dr. Horace W. Williams about 1980.

 

Note:  James D. Munnerlyn speculated the dates for Francis Munnerlyn.  Following his brother's Revolutionary War Pension application, Loftis Redlee Munnerlyn, it can be determined that a possible time frame for when his fathers house was attacked by Tories was just before the Battle of Blue Savannah. Based on the date of the battle of Blue Savannah, September 4, 1780 and taking the rumored assumption that Francis was about sixteen at the time of his death gives the years (1764/65 - 1780). These dates may not be correct for there could have been another time when the house was attacked, or a second Battle of Blue Savannah other than the dates recorded in the history books.

 

Descendant Relation:
James Sr.> Francis MUNNERLYN

Documents: