Sarah Erwin and Margaret O'Neal: Two Revolutionary ladies

Sarah Ann (or Anne) Robinson Erwin was born on Nov. 29, 1750, in what was then Anson County, N.C., (later, parts of the area became part of Catawba or Burke counties). She was the daughter of James Robinson and Catherine Sherrill Robinson.

On Aug. 15, 1770 (in what was then Rowan County), Sarah married Alexander Erwin The couple settled in the Burke County area, near Quaker Meadows in Morganton.

Alexander Erwin became a prominent figure: a colonel in the Revolutionary forces, landowner, and later a political leader who represented Burke County in the N.C. Legislature. Sarah managed the household and homestead, especially during her husband’s frequent absences for military and public duties.

They had several children, including:

• Catherine Erwin (who married another Erwin)
• Mary “Polly” Erwin (Wilson)
• Colonel James Erwin
• Margaret “Peggy” Erwin (Tate)
• Hannah Erwin (Baird)

During the American Revolution, the Carolina backcountry saw intense fighting between Whig (Patriot) and Tory (Loyalist) forces. While Alexander was away with Whig militias, Sarah defended their home.

A wounded Patriot neighbor and friend, Samuel Alexander (a militiaman), sought refuge at the Erwin homestead after being injured by Tories. Sarah nursed him and hid him in an outbuilding to protect him while his wounds healed.

A band of Tories soon arrived, searching for Whigs. They ransacked the house. When they approached the outbuilding, Sarah positioned herself in the doorway, refusing them entry.

The Tories forced her aside, discovered the wounded man, and one raised his sword to strike him. Sarah threw herself between the attacker and Samuel Alexander, shielding him with her body — specifically placing her right arm over his head. She received a severe sword wound that maimed her.

Some describe the wound as maiming her for life with later complications leading to death; others portray it as more immediately fatal. She died on April 7, 1785, at age 34, while her husband was again absent.

The incident is cited as patriotic service, and Sarah is recognized by both the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution as a Patriot.

Sarah died on April 7, 1785, in Burke County. She is buried in Quaker Meadows Cemetery, Morganton, alongside her husband (who remarried and lived until 1830).

MARGARET O’NEAL

Margaret O’Neal (also recorded as Mary or Margaret O’Neil) was born before 1723 in Ireland, the daughter of Samuel O’Neil and Irene Feger.

In 1739, in Ulster, Margaret married Joseph McDowell Sr., who was born in 1715. Joseph was of Scottish Presbyterian background and worked as a weaver. According to family accounts, Margaret’s brothers opposed the union, largely due to religious differences.

Not long after the marriage, Margaret and Joseph left Ireland about 1743, first settling in the Shenandoah Valley near Winchester, Va., but like many Ulster-Scots families of their generation, they gradually moved southward along the Great Wagon Road into the Carolina backcountry. They had established their home at Quaker Meadows, an important plantation site in what became Burke County.

Joseph Sr. died on 27 February 1771, leaving Margaret a widow during the most turbulent years of colonial resistance and the Revolutionary War.

Margaret lived to see her sons become leaders of the Patriot cause. Several of them — particularly Charles, John, and Joseph Jr.

Their prominence made Quaker Meadows a target during the war. In 1780, Loyalist forces under Colonel Patrick Ferguson raided the home. The Tories ransacked the property.

Following the Revolution, Margaret continued living at Quaker Meadows, remaining associated with the family estate into old age. She died after 1780 in Burke County. She was buried in Quaker Meadows Cemetery, Morganton.

• Margaret and Joseph McDowell Sr. had the following known children:
• Hugh was born about 1742 and married Jane (surname unknown).
• Charles was born on 28 October 1743 and married Grace Greenlee Bowman.
• Hannah was born in 1747 and married George Cristman.
• Elizabeth was born about 1750 and married Samuel McKennie/McKenny.
• John was born about 1751 and married Hannah Keller.
• Joseph Jr. was born on 8 August 1756 and married Margaretta Moffett.

Margaret is recognized by both the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution as a Patriot.

Both ladies will be honored during the Patriot Grave marking dedication by the Colonel Alexander Erwin Chapter Sons of the American Revolution on May 15, 2027, at Quaker Meadows Cemetery.

Check out https://colalexandererwinsar.org for more details.