John "Mountain John" Edwards

Mountain John Edwards

What's in a name? I've been curious why my Great, Great, Great Grandfather John Edwards is known as "Mountain John" Edwards. My imagination conjured the image of a hermit, or recluse, who with Rip Van Winkle spent his life far away from civilization resting against a giant oak. The grandpa in my story was unable to write his name and would make his mark with an X, so town folk called him "Mountain John" for want of something more official.

True life is not nearly so entertaining. As I've tried to track down details about this man, I soon discovered that John Edwards was a very common name in the 1790's. Knowing that he served in the military during the conflict of 1812, I began my search in the enlistment and pension records. 

I think the simple reason for "Mountain John" was to distinguish him from the many other men who shared his name. Take a look at just one fragment of military records during that time:

No wonder a distinguishing middle monicker was added.

We do know that he served for a short period of seven months in this conflict, enlisting in August, 1814, and being discharged in February, 1815. In his pension request it is alleged that he enlisted to serve as a substitute for Lacy Bobbitt in Captain Trimble's and Captain Shively's Companies. Lacy Bobbitt is recorded as serving during this conflict in the Virginia Militia. It is not known if Mr. Bobbitt returned home for family concerns during this time, or was on medical leave. Either way, John returned home after seven months of military substitution.

In payment for this service "Mountain John" was given a land bounty of 105 acres.