Manuscript of membership application for National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, by Joseph Franklin Orr (member # 69311):

"I, Joseph Franklin Orr being of the age of 68 years hereby apply for membership in this Society by right of lineal descent in the following line from Jacob Lowrance (Larance, Laurence) who was born in Rowan Co. N.C. on the 7th day of Aug. 1759 and died in Maury Co. Tenn. on the 24th day of May 1855 and who assisted in establishing American Independence.

I was born in Diana County of Giles State of Tennessee on the 30th day of November 1879.

(1) I am the son of Calvin Jefferson Orr, born 8-6-1836, died 10-19-1927, and his wife Rebecca Jane Lowrance born 1-13-1846, died 11-9-1909, married 2-7-1867

(2) grandson of Wm. Donnell Orr, born May 26, 1814, died 9-8-1890, and his wife Fannie Eleanor Kerr, born Nov. 1, 1813, died Dec. 2, 1872, married 11-20-1833

(3) great-grandson of James Orr, born Nov. 5, 1787, died Oct. 13, 1876 and his wife Elizabeth Lowrance, born Nov. 20,1789, died 2-27-1863, married 8-10-1809

(4) great-grandson of Jacob Lowrance, born Aug. 7, 1759, died 5-24-1855, and his wife Rebecca Beard, born __________, died after 1805, married 11-17-1783

(5) great grandson of John Lowrance, born 2-16-1716 (?), died 4-23-1781 (?), and his wife Mary Perkins, born 2-16-1716, died 4-23-1760

and he, the said Jacob Lowrance (No. 4) is the ancestor who assisted in establishing American Independence, while acting in the capacity of Private and orderly Sergeant, N.C. militia.

My ancestor's services in assisting in the establishment of American Independence during the War of the Revolution were as follows:

Three months as private in Capt. White's Co. of horse. Private in Capt. Thomas Cowan's Co. Col. Locke and Geo. Davidson's Regiments. Was in battle of Ramsour's Hill; in 1781 three months as orderly sergeant in Capt. Bell's Co., Col. McDowels regiment; six weeks under Capt. Craig and Col. Locke; was in an engagement with Torries at Colestone; six weeks under Capt. Thos. Cowan and Col. Locke.

Jacob Lowrance moved to Oglethorpe Co., Ga. and in 1806 moved to Maury Co. Tenn. - was allowed pension on application executed Sept. 18, 1832, then resident of Maury Co., Tenn. Pension Record S-1682.

Note: Reference may be made to the application and acceptance of Rebecca Jean Orr, daughter of my brother, Thaddeus B. Orr, for membership in "Children of the American Revolution", such application having been recieved [sic] by the National Society on May 17, 1939, and accepted by the National Board of Management on Feb. 11, 1941 - her National Number being 49641.

Full maiden name of applicant's wife Mary Ann Lackland, born July 4, 1902, married April 10, 1929.

Names of children and grandchildren of applicant: Name Joseph Lackland Orr Date of Birth May 20, 1930 Residence 1209 Virginia Place, Fort Worth, Texas

The following are references to the authorities for the record of my ancestor's service and for the genealogical data contained in this application: The record of Jacob Lowrance was obtained from same record made by my neice [sic] Rebecca Jean Orr, referred to above, being from papers on fie in pension claim, S-1682 based on the service of the said Jacob Lowrance in the Revolutionary War. The name is shown also as "Lorance" and "Laurence" S-1682 - see Vol. 142 D.A.R. Pension Records; Rowan Co. N.C. Marriage Bonds, Vol. 2, page 271. Jacob Lowrance (as he was pensioned) Certificate No. 19512, issued Sept. 113, 1833. Rate $39.66 per annum, commensed [sic] March 4, 1831, act of June 7, 1832 - West Tennessee Agency"

Feb 1, 1948