http://www.texasdar.org/chapters/JamesBillingsley/history.htm

James Billingsley Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Richardson, (DallasCounty) Texas

Chapter History

The James Billingsley Chapter, NSDAR, was organized March 19, 1963 with twelve charter members. Frances Tidmore is the last original charter member still active in the chapter. The Chapter is named for JAMES BILLINGSLEY, a patriot who lost his life when loyalists to the British cause invaded his home in April 1776. He had been continually harassed by these Tories, when they invaded his home and asked for money. On being told he had none, they took him to a near by tree and hung him. (This statement came from his wife, Elizabeth Crabtree, who made notes of his death in the family bible. As she lived to know many of her great-grand children, she often spoke and repeated the tragic death of her husband to them.) Born in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, in 1726, he was the son of William and Mary Sumner Billingsley. He married Elizabeth Crabtree in 1747. They moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, about 1768. His sons Samuel, James, and John served as soldiers in the American Revolution. One of his descendants, Captain Jesse Billingsley, fought with General Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto and is credited by the historian, Frank Dobie, with having given Texas her battle cry:

"Remember the Alamo!"

 Children of James Billingsley and Elizabeth Crabtree

Samuel Billingsley (1747-1816,TN) m. Mary Griffith (1753-1838)

James Billingsley (1749-?)

Elizabeth Billingsley (1751-?) m. Teldeau Lane

John Billingsley (1754, St. Mary's County, MD-1844, KY) m. Jean Milsap (?-1842, KY)

Claranna Billingsley (1756-?) m. William Hamer

William Henry Billingsley (1758-?)

Martha Billingsley (1760-1786) was second wife to William Hamer

Walter Billingsley (1761-aft.1838)

Bazil Billingsley (1764-?)

The organizing regent of the James Billingsley Chapter, Mrs. Harvey Shead, (Deceased) was a descendant of James Billingsley.