Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes) (1753-1847)
A True American Hero - Revolutionary War Soldier

By Kevin E. Graham, B.S., Genealogist & Historian
3rd Great Grandson of Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes)


Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes) was born a free man of color of both African and Native American ancestry. He was born in New Hanover County, North Carolina, on April 10, 1753, to Esther Jacobs. Based upon genealogical research, it is strongly believed that his father’s surname may have been Holmes. After 1820, records indicate that Zachariah alternated between the surnames Jacobs and Holmes. Several of his known children retained the Holmes surname and passed it down to their descendants.

Zachariah proudly served his nation during the American Revolutionary War with at least three known tours of duty and was wounded during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina.

In 1778, Zachariah was drafted into the Brunswick County, North Carolina Militia. He served three months in the Brunswick County Militia under General John Ashe, Colonel John Alexander, and Captain Joseph Wood.

At the time of his first tour of duty, Zachariah resided in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Within months of being drafted, he would see combat. On March 3, 1779, he fought at the Battle of Brier Creek in Georgia. Zachariah’s militia unit marched from Brunswick County, North Carolina, through South Carolina and into Georgia. There, his unit was surprised and defeated by British forces. Zachariah managed to escape and return home to Brunswick County, North Carolina. Tragically, many of his fellow soldiers drowned while attempting to cross Brier Creek.

In October 1780, Zachariah enlisted for a second time for a period of nine months in the Brunswick County, North Carolina Militia. He served in Captain James Mills’ 8th Regiment under the following officers: General Nathanael Greene, Colonel Archibald Lytle, Major Robert Raiford, Major Griffith McKee, Captain James Mills, Captain Richard Fenner, First Lieutenant John Slade, Second Lieutenant Curtis Ivey, and Major Blount.

During this tour of duty, Zachariah’s unit marched from Brunswick County through Bladen County, North Carolina, westward toward Guilford Courthouse. On March 15, 1781, Zachariah and other American patriots fought in what is now recognized as one of the most influential battles of the American Revolutionary War—the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. During this fierce engagement, Zachariah was severely wounded.

After recovering from his injuries in the hospital, Zachariah began the journey back home. He left what is now Greensboro, North Carolina, traveling toward Brunswick County. The location of his homeplace was later re-zoned and is now within present-day Columbus County, North Carolina. Columbus County was formed in 1808 from portions of Brunswick and Bladen Counties. Zachariah’s home was located near the present-day communities of Buckhead and East Arcadia, North Carolina.

Shortly after completing his approximately 160-mile journey home, Zachariah was captured by Tories—colonial citizens who supported the British Crown. He was kept tied up and forced to travel with them for nearly two weeks. Eventually, Zachariah was delivered to British forces at Colonel Brown’s location in Bladen County near Carvers Creek, North Carolina. Facing the possibility of execution or imprisonment in the provost at Wilmington, Zachariah accepted parole from Major James Henry Craig, promising not to take up arms again against the British Crown.

However, Zachariah would later break this promise and enlist once again, this time serving in the Continental Line for twelve months. During this final tour, he saw action in South Carolina. In his 1832 pension hearing, Zachariah testified that he departed Wilmington, North Carolina, on March 10, 1782. His unit marched through Brunswick County into Georgetown, South Carolina, crossing the Santee River at Strawberry Ferry and continuing toward Eutaw Springs.

On March 19, 1782, Zachariah and his unit captured and destroyed a British Row Galley and its crew on the Ashley River near Dorchester, South Carolina. The operation was led by Major Michael Rudolph of Virginia, who organized a concealed group of soldiers that included Lieutenant Ballard Smith, Sergeant Du Coin, Zachariah Jacobs, and three other unidentified soldiers of color. Major Rudolph, Lieutenant Smith, and Sergeant Du Coin disguised themselves as white farmers, while Zachariah and the other soldiers of color were disguised as enslaved men. Together, they posed as a group transporting vegetables to the Charleston market.

While traveling down the Ashley River around 10:00 p.m., their boat was stopped by a sentry from the British galley Alligator, which was patrolling the river. Major Rudolph and his six soldiers quickly boarded the Row Galley. In the engagement that followed, they killed five sailors and captured the vessel along with the captain and twenty-eight additional crew members. Many British sailors, fearing for their lives, jumped into the river in an attempt to escape. After seizing the necessary provisions, Zachariah and his unit burned the galley and withdrew swiftly upriver in their boat.

Zachariah and his unit remained stationed approximately fifteen miles outside of Charleston, South Carolina, until the completion of his twelve-month enlistment. He ultimately served an additional two months beyond that term. Afterward, Zachariah marched back to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was discharged from military service during the week before Christmas in 1782.

On October 4, 1847, at the age of ninety-four, American patriot Zachariah Jacobs passed away at his home in the Long Creek area of New Hanover County, North Carolina, which is now part of present-day Pender County. The sacrifices made by Zachariah, along with those of his brothers, uncles, cousins, and countless other brave patriots, deserve profound gratitude for their role in securing the independence of the United States of America.

As I reflect upon my third great-grandfather’s legacy, I take great pride in being connected to such a courageous patriot. It is one of my greatest honors to help preserve and share his remarkable story.
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Source: zachariahjacobs.com
Kevin E. Graham, B.S.
Genealogist & Historian
3rd Great Grandson of Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes)
Former President – Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
Lower Cape Fear Chapter Genealogist/Historian
President - Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes) Heritage Foundation Inc.