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Henry Francis was born ca. 1725. His birthplace is unknown. Some of his descendants have suggested that he may have been the son of William and Mary Savoy Francis. He married Leah (last name unknown). He was killed between May and 7 November, 1780 in Shallow Ford, North Carolina.
The first record concerning Henry Francis is in the Payroll Records of the Colonial Soldiers. 13 July, 1756 the following information was recorded: "Henry Francis, Private in Captain Gist's Company, enlisted on 1 February, 1756, age 22, 5'7" tall, & dark complexion. He was from Maryland and his trade was shoemaker. He enlisted in Fredericksburg, Virginia."
The October 4/7, 1757 Payroll Records state that Henry Francis was in Captain Robert Spotswood's Company as a Corporal. His occupation was given as a Planter from Virginia, Prince William County. He was age 24, 5'7", dark complexion, well set and had black hair.
According to an aricle in Glimpses Of Wythe County, Virginia, compiled by Mary B. Kegley, Volume 2, Pages 41-44, Henry Francis was one of the earliest settlers on Cripple Creek, about 1768. In 1770 he was appointed Constable for the area, and he served on the jury several times. He was also called upon to be overseer of the first road along Cripple Creek which connected Newlands with the Lead Mines at the New River. In 1773 he was given permission to build a mill on the land where he lived.
In 1779 he proved to the court that he was entitled to 200 acres of land under the Proclamation of 1763 for his services in the French and Indian War, in which he had served as Sergeant in the First Virginia Regiment for about 6 1/2 years. The little creek which flows through the town of Cripple Creek is named Francis Mill Creek in his honor.
Henry Francis had at least two brothers. Their names were John Francis, and William Francis. In May, 1780 he filed for and received a grant of 50 acres for his brothers (named in the document). Henry was the eldest brother and heir-at-law.
Henry and Leah Francis probably had the following children: Henry Francis, Jr., John Francis, Samuel Francis, possibly William Francis, and Charles Francis. Henry Francis, Jr. was also in the Battle of Shallow Ford. He married Elizabeth Pearl 2 January, 1798. This was probably his second marriage. In 1810 he was living in Pulaski County, Kentucky. In his household there were 5 male children, and 7 females. Names of three of his children were Elizabeth Francis, Pearl Francis, and charity Francis. On his pension application dated 12 September, 1837 he stated that his age was 82 years. He died 28 June, 1840 in Johnson County, Arkansas.
Pearl Francis was born in Kentucky, and died in 1850 in Wyoming. He married Elizabeth Taylor. The names of the children of Pearl and Elizabeth Francis were Lunsford Francis, Granville Francis, Henry Francis, William Francis, Amanda Francis, Sophie Francis, Ebenezer Francis, Mary F. Francis, Adeline Francis, Robert Francis, and Pearl Francis.
John Francis married Nancy Ann Mounts 15 May, 1784. The couple moved to Wayne County, Kentucky. John Francis died there in 1829. John and Nancy Francis had at least eleven children: Henry Francis, Leah Francis, Tabitha Francis, Elizabeth Francis, Nancy Francis, John Francis, Elisha Francis, Peggy Francis, George W. Francis, and Mahaley Francis.