17th REGIMENT, MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY MILITIA
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY (founded 1812)

As I understand it, (from reading the below),
Bilbo, Ware and Bates lived in Jackson County, M.T. in 1812 and were involved as members of the Justices of the Quorum of Jackson County.
Pascagoula, M.T. became the seat of justice for Jackson County following that area's removal from control by the government of Mobile County in 1812.
Each of these men later became officers in the 17th Regiment, Mississippi Territory Militia during the War of 1812, likely serving against the Creek Indians over in Alabama (was then Mississippi Territory).
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Below copied From, "The History of Jackson County, Miss."
copyright 1989 by Jackson County Genealogical Society

http://www.rootsweb.com/~jecain/ware080.htm

Art.# C1, pg. 1, col. 2, par. 6

"Jackson County, Mississippi A Chronology"(by Jean Strickland)
(verbatim) "The first courthouse was at Thomas Bilbo's house on the west side of the Pascagoula near what is now Benndale in George County. The first Justices of the Quorum (forerunners of the Board of Supervisors) were Thomas BILBO, JAMES WARE, Wheeler Gresham, Benjamin Youngblood and Robert Williamson. Justices of the Peace were Malcolm Monroe, George Davis and Moses Collins. John Dease was Coroner and William BATES was Clerk of
Court." ....1812
The above paragraph is in the 1812 timeline of the chronology.
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SOURCE1: "FOUR CENTURIES ON THE PASCAGOULA" Vol I and II
AUTHOR: Dr. Cyril E. Cain (Reprint 1983)

"When the organization of Jackson and Hancock Counties (M.T.) took place, four officers of the 14th Regiment, M.T., which had been organized while they were a part of Mobile County, were brought over into the 17th Regiment in Jackson Co., probably because they lived in that area.
These were: Lt. Benj. Youngblood, and Ensign LARD WARE, Benj. Williamson, and Wm Mills.
The 17th Regiment, when its organization was completed late in 1812 or early 1813, had the following officers:
Lt. Col. William Bates; Maj. Thomas Bilbo; CAPT. JAMES WARE*, John Dease, and Benjamin Gresham; Lt. LARD WARE, Benjamin Williamson, and William Mills."
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Thomas Bilbo, 17th Regiment, Mississippi Territory Militia, Jackson County
http://members.tripod.com/~mallen4896/Bilbo.html

Thomas Bilbo, Son of John and Ann Bilbo
Thomas Bilbo was born 20 June, 1776 in Lunenburg Co. VA. He married 12 July, 1804 in Columbus, Mississippi Territory to Anna Marie Lawrence, daughter of Richard Lawrence. Anna was born 7 April, 1788 in VA., and died 1870 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, LA.

It is known from the will of John Bilbo that he left his son, Thomas Bilbo a horse, saddle and bridle and nothing more.
Thomas Bilbo was still living in Mecklenburg Co. VA. in 1799 as he witnessed the will of his Uncle, James Bilbo.
Shortly after this time he left for the Mississippi Territory. He is found in the Territory in the early 1800's as a surveyor.
During the year 1812 Jackson County was formed and the County seat was established at Thomas Bilbo's house.
Thomas Bilbo served as a Judge for Jackson County.
The War of 1812 had started and the 17th Regiment was formed with Bilbo elected as Major.
The Unit fought the Creek Indians and served with Andrew Jackson at New Orleans.
Thomas Bilbo is found to have signed numerous petitions to Congress requesting assistance for the Territory.
He was elected to represent Jackson County at a Constitutional Convention and was an original drafter of the Constitution for the State of Mississippi.

The first School in the Mississippi Territory was established at the home of Thomas Bilbo.
He was elected as Justice to the Quorum Court, the highest court in the Territory for 1812, 1819 and 1823.
Thomas served in the Mississippi House as a Legislator in 1821,1823,1825 and 1829.
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WITHERINGTON, William (Jr.) Ensign, M.T. Research
Ensign, 17th Regiment, Mississippi Territory Militia
Sworn to duty in September 1813 in Jackson County, M.T. by Captain James Ware.
Thought to have served in the Creek Indian activities in Alabama.
He resided in Feliciana Parish at the time

Seeking muster rolls and engagements of the 17th Regiment, M.T. Militia.
Lt. Colonel William Bates, and Captain James Ware, Commanding
Also, any info on Ensign William Witherington, Jr.

Please contact me,
ENSIGN WILLIAM WITHERINGTON, Jr.
was my 4th Great-Grandfather

Bill King
Houston, Texas
281-493-6767
BillKing@houston.rr.com