John Rider’s (Ryder) Revolutionary War service was compiled based on the few existing records from his military service.
John likely signed up in Virginia in 1777. He probably took part in the Battle of Brandywine, Pennsylvania on Sept. 1, 1777. Brandywine was fought between the Continental Army of Gen. George Washington and the British Army of Gen. Sir William Howe. Brandywine was part of the successful British campaign to take Philadelphia, the capital city of Pennsylvania at the time, and where the Continental Congress routinely met. It was a patriot loss with many soldiers dead, wounded or taken prisoner.
Gen. Washington’s response to this loss was to launch a surprise night attack on the British garrison at Germantown, Pennsylvania. John Rider likely knew the details of why the Germantown plan failed and was probably shocked that so many of his fellow Continentals from Virginia were captured.
In 1777-78 the Continental Army spent the winter at Valley Forge. In June of 1978 John would have taken part in the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. The Battle of Monmouth did not end decisively, but the patriot force fought well and held the field. The regiments of the Virginia Line were already under strength and continued to get smaller in 1779. As regimental history became confusing, record keeping may have also suffered.
We know a little bit more about John Rider’s life after the Revolutionary War. He made his way south along the Great Wagon Road, stopping in Washington County, Virginia. It was likely there that he met and married the daughter of Virginia patriot John Bradley who had also served during the Revolution.
Elizabeth Bradley Rider and John Rider settled in Blount County and became the parents of several children. The names of their children come from John’s will:
Daughter Sally Rider was born about 1783 and married husband John Beaty in Blount County in 1800. John and Sally Beaty were among the very earliest settlers of Harrison County Texas.
The oldest son of Elizabeth and John, Alexander Rider, was born in 1786 and served in Gillespie’s Company of the Tennessee militia in the War of 1812. He and his family probably moved to Monroe County Tennessee in the 1820s where he lived until his death in the 1870s. He is buried at Tellico Plains, marked as a soldier of the War of 1812.
Another daughter, Nancy Rider, was born about 1789 and married John Black. John was the son of Blount County patriot Joseph Black, who is buried at Eusebia. John and Nancy Rider Black are buried at Bakers Creek Cemetery.
Son and namesake, John Rider Jr. was born about 1791 in Blount County. He married Dorcas Thompson in 1821 and raised a family in the Morganton area. Dorcas appears to descend from a Virginia Patriot named Zachery Taylor (no relation to the President). Dorcas’ family appears to have been in the vicinity of Washington County, Virginia before coming to Blount County. Dorcas probably died in the 1840s and John in the 1860s. It is not known where John and Dorcas Rider are buried.
Their youngest, Austin was born about 1795 and married Mary Starr, daughter of Caleb Starr and Nancy Harlan Starr. The couple lived in McMinn County where they raised a handful of children. Nancy Harlan was the granddaughter of Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Cherokee. Austin, Mary, and their family migrated to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. Their family line can be found enrolled as Cherokees by blood in the early 1900s files of the Dawes Commission.
John Rider, the patriot died in 1834 and is buried at Bakers Creek. A marker with his patriot status has been added in recent years. Wife Elizabeth died in 1844. Her burial site is unmarked.
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