Nathaniel Hood Jr (1742-1809)   American Revolutionary War Patriot in NC Militia   4th Great Grandfather of Wayne K Hood III   NSSAR National No. 185292, State No. 2638   Notations by Wayne K Hood III (01/26/2014)

    It was an especially arduous period for men, women and families in the Colonies prior to and during  the
    Revolutionary  War years (1776-1783). Along with the horrors of war against Britain, there were extreme and
    bloody conflicts between the Whigs  (patriots) and the Tories (loyal citizens to the crown). For tobacco planters
    like Nathaniel Hood, including perhaps the production of naval stores such as tar and turpentine, there was 
    undoubtedly considerable anxiety  in working the land near the Neuse River in Johnston Co., North Carolina, 
    while harboring daily concerns about family safety and  basic survival. During that time, Nathaniel was in his 
    thirties with several young children and perhaps an ill wife, Elizabeth  Britton. Elizabeth died in 1782 at only 
    42 years old. Nathaniel soon remarried to Susanah Gurley and was blessed with a daughter  named  "Sally" 
    (could be short for Sarah).  

    Records are sparse but military documents and “pay vouchers” (promise  for compensation) exist for men who 
    served in the North Carolina Militia. Fortunately, Nathaniel’s service as a Militiaman is recorded in the North 
    Carolina State Archives (NCSA) Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, New Bern District, No. 2122, December 16, 1783. 
    The pay voucher shows that Nathaniel Hood was  promised compensation of £13.10.0 (13 pounds, 10 shillings, 
    0 pence) that corresponds to more than three months patriotic service in, what George Washington called, “the 
    glorious cause.” Typically, Militiamen served about three months but occasionally up to a year, and only 
    received a pay voucher upon giving verifiable testimony. Unfortunately, these testimonies are not completely 
    indexed so must be researched directly at the NCSA. The Revolutionary Army Accounts in the archives also 
    document  that Nathaniel received £4.2.2 for patriotic services and 3 shillings for a half bushel of corn, and he 
    paid £10.0 taxes for soldier’s clothing. Future research at the NCSA may help reveal more details on Nathaniel’s 
    patriotic activities and engagements.

    According to the Albemarle Parish Register-Births, Deaths & Sponsors 1717-1778 Surry & Sussex County,  VA.
    by John Bennett Boddie, Nathaniel Hood Sr had a son named Nathaniel born March 3, 1742. Nathaniel  Jr's
    siblings were named Sarah, Elizabeth, John, (Lucretia) Lucy, Henry, Frances, (Amelia) Mely, Ruth,  Sarah and 
    Peter.  It’s likely that Nathaniel Jr married and settled in Johnston County,  NC before 1765. According to the  
    book, The Heritage of Wayne Co., North Carolina (1982), “The Hoods came from England many years ago, 
    and it is said that during the Revolutionary War they would not fight their mother country.” Actually, the thought 
    of waging war against the mother country was abhorrent to many even to some who had distaste for British laws 
    and policies. However, military records at the North Carolina Archives in Raleigh prove that Nathaniel Hood Jr 
    served in the Johnston Co. Militia at least several months during the Revolutionary War. Records also show that 
    a son, Bold Robin, my 3rd great grandfather, served in the War of 1812 to protect and preserve what Nathaniel 
    and fellow Patriots gained earlier.

    It is a great honor and delight for me to elevate my 4th great grandfather Nathaniel from obscurity to properly 
    recognize his courageous and selfless service to this nation under difficult circumstances and perhaps  with 
    strong objections from his father living in Virginia during the early war years. In fact, as evidenced in Nathaniel 
    Sr’s Will probated August 17, 1780, in Sussex Co., Virginia, Nathaniel Jr is regrettably not mentioned along with 
    brothers John, Frances and Peter who may have also supported or participated in the Revolutionary War.

    Following the war, Nathaniel continued his service to country and community as an occasional juror and
    Constable (1783) in the Johnston Co., NC Court, and as an official surveyor to certify land  transactions.   
    Constables were respected and influential men in their counties who often served communities with little
    compensation. They were essentially law enforcement officers keeping the peace and attending court, serving
    warrants, collecting taxes, auctioning estates, and so on. Two of Nathaniel’s twin sons, Bold Robin and Britton,
    also were notable land surveyors in Johnston and Wayne Counties, North Carolina. As our nation reached its
    33rd anniversary in 1809, Nathaniel died leaving a sizable Estate to his heirs. Most importantly, he leaves an
    exceptional heritage for all Hood generations and kindred.