Thomas Morrell testified he was born about 1760 in New Jersey but didn't know exactly. While living in Sullivan County, Tennessee, he enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary war in September 1780. He was in Col. Shelby's North Carolina regiment (Sullivan County was part of North Carolina at that time). He participated in the battle of King's Mountain. A few weeks after his return home, he reenlisted as a substitute for one Jonathan Morrell, probably his brother. At this time, he went to Bigcreek Station and became an Indian spy against the Cherokee Indians, who had sided with the British in order to prevent encroachment on the frontier by the Europeans. He continued in this capacity as a spy for the remainder of the war. There is no mention of a wife or children in his pension application. [8]

[1]Ann Lisa Pearson, Morrill/Morrell Families Association Newsletter , VI(1): 235.

[2]Pearson, Morrill/Morrell Newsletter [note 1], VI(1): 235.

[3]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[4]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[5]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[6]Date and place derived from Revolutionary War Pension Application.

[7]Pearson, Morrill/Morrell Newsletter [note 1], VI(1): 235.

[8]Records of the Veterans Administration, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application (National Archives Microfilm Publication M805), Roll 599, File S4241.

[9]Pearson, Morrill/Morrell Newsletter [note 1], VI(1): 235.

[10]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[11]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[12]ibid., VI(1): 235.

[13]ibid., VI(1): 235.