Joseph Nation, son of Christopher and Elizabeth Swaim Nation was born around 1750 in Randolph County, N. Car. and was married to Jeretta Vickroy 25 December 1770 in Rowan County, N. C. He died the 12 April 1803 in Claiborne County, Tenn. He served in the Revolutionary War. Jeretta Vickroy was born the 6 August (May) 1754, in Rowan Co. N. C. and died 30 July 1849 in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Marmaduke and Elizabeth (Nation) Vickroy. They were the parents of ten children:
Joseph volunteered for, and served a six-months' tour of duty in the Cavalry under Capt. William Gray, Randolph Regiment of the North Carolina militia. This was during the latter part of the year 1779, and the first part of the year 1780. Later, he served a three-months' tour of duty in 1780 or 1781 under Captain John Gillespy in Col. Dugan's Regiment of the North Carolina militia. He received honorable discharges for both periods of service.
Joseph Witnessed a marriage in New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina, on 1 February, 1766. His uncles John Nation, Jr., and Christopher Nation had witnessed weddings there as early as 1761. It may be therefore, that Joseph was younger than they were. He was married shortly before Christmas in the year 1770, to a Miss Jereter Vickery, and they had eleven children, the first of whom was born in the fall of 1771. His wife was fifteen years and eight months old when they were married. She was born about 8 May, 1754. The marriage ceremony was performed by Samuel Loother, a Lutheran preacher.
Joseph's name appears on the tax rolls of Randolph County, North Carolina in 1779. He was chosen to serve on the Jury from Surry County, NC., when court convened June 1, 1775, but failed to appear, and was fined three pounds sterling by the court. (Colonial Records of NC., Vol. 10, p. 2). His name appears in the Federal census of 1790 for the Morgan district, Burke County, NC. It is indicated that there were two free white males in his family who were 16 or over, four free white males under 16, and four white females. it would appear that he had one son 16 or over, four sons under 16, and three daughters in 1790.
The family moved from North Carolina to Tennessee, where Joseph died in 1803 in the county of Clayborn, on 12 April, 1803. His widow finally moved to Preble county, Ohio, where she died 30 July, 1849 at the age of ninety-five years, two months and twenty-two days.
The names of three of their children were Anna (Ann), Joel and Thomas. these were perhaps the youngest of the eleven as they were the last to die. On 13 September, 1852, all three were living. By 3 March, 1855, Thomas, who was born about 1791, had died. By 14 March, 1855 Anna had died, as Joel was certified to be the only living heir of Jereter Nation. He appears to have been living in Preble County, Ohio, at that time. Talley-Nation report 11 September 1974:
The only Revolutionary War PENSION on file is that of Joseph Nation (file #W-5398) whose pension was applied for by his widow Jereter, age 86 in or on 22 April 1840, at Preble County, Ohio. She stated that Joseph was of Randolph County, N. C. and served six months in 1779-80. She married Joseph in the fall of 1770 about Christmas time. She stated that she was about 16 years old at that time. She stated that she was born on or about 8 May 1754. 'The marriage toot:. place in Rowan County, N. C. with a Lutheran minister. She and her husband had eleven children, Six were dead in 1840, first child was born in the fall of 1771. Joseph, the pensioner, died 12 April 1803 in Clayborne County, Tenn.
In this same file, Preble County, Ohio, Thomas Nation age 61, son of Jereter Nation, widow of Joseph, says that she died at Eaton, Preble County, Ohio 30 July 1849. His statement was made 13 September 1852.
Again, 3 March 1855, Anne Nation applied for pension as a daughter, Jacob Nation was a witness to her application.
Again, on this same pension application, in Preble County, Ohio, 14 March 1855, William J. Albright and Isaac Nation testify that Joel Nation is the only surviving child of Jereter Nation, widow of Joseph.