Thomas Costner, the son of Adam Costner, the pioneer, was born in York County, Penn., in 1747. He was an early patriot and in 1776 served in Capt. Joseph Hawkins' Company, and in 1781 served in Capt. Wm. Moore's Company. He was married in 1785" (A. Nixon). He married Jensie Lowe. I think he lived on the upper waters of Big Long Creek in what is now Gaston County, N. C. In July, 1773, he purchased from James Hemphill 302 acres of land on "south side of the South Fork on a branch of Long Creek, beginning at a hickory, Wm. Froneberger's corner," etc., granted Hemphill Mch. 28, 1775. He died in 1835, aged 88 years. He drew a pension for his services as a soldier in the American Revolution.

Cephas Bell (descendant of Thomas Costner) was a Confederate soldier; enlisted Mch. 15, 1862, in Co. B, 28th Regt. (N. C.). He was discharged Sept., 1862, for disability. His comrades say of him that he was not unusually bright but that he was unusually brave. On one occasion his command was ordered to charge the enemy entrenched on a hill. The Federals scattered in confusion and Bell leading in the rush did not notice that his command had halted in the enemy's abandoned position but went on after an officer in the rear of the rout. He overtook his man and ordered him to surrender. The officer said he couldn't surrender except to an officer.

Bell swore at him and said he'd blow out his d-d brains if he didn't surrender quick and proceeded to execute his threat. He took his prisoner back and meeting some officers as he approached headquarters they told him they'd take the prisoner. He said, "No you won't; if you want to go get you one, there's plenty of them over there (pointing in the direction the enemy had gone.) You shall not have mine."

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