William Motherel married in Ireland into the McCulloch family (Rebecca McCulloch) who were also Scottish decent. They came to America about the year 1774.*. They first settled in the state of Pennsylvania (Fawn, York County)not far from the city of Philadelphia. Here, Robert was born on June 12, 1774 or 1775. In 1776, they moved to North Carolina and settled on Mulberry Road several miles from Guilford Courthouse. Several of his brothers remained in Pennsylvania. (Fawn Township is a township in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,099 at the 2010 census.[1] It is served by the South Eastern School District which provides a public education. The township is named after Fahan, County Donegal, Ireland, by Irish settlers of which 'fawn' is the phonetic pronunciation.

* (William Modrall's family has passed down the story that William & Rebecca married in Ireland prior to coming to America. This story was from Rebecca's manuscript which was lost in the first that consumed her son's house. This story was recounted by her grandson, Dr. Nelson Patterson Modrall, in his written memoir. Some have thought they married in Pennsylvania. If anyone can find documentation about their marriage, please let me know so that we can have the correct information. Thanks)

CAPTAIN CHARLES POLK- Company
OF LIGHT HORSE
WHO ENTERED SERVICE THE 12TH MARCH, 1776.
CHARLES POLK CAPTAIN
WILLIAM RAMSEY 1ST LIEUTENANT
JOHN LEMMOND 2ND LIEUTENANT
JOHN MONTGOMERY 1ST SERGEANT
WILLIAM GAILBRAITH 2ND SERGEANT ERASED
HUGH LINDSAY DRUMMER
JOHN SMITH JOHN POLK SR. ERASED
JOHN WYLIE JOHN FINDLEY
JOHN GAILBRAITH JAMES HALL
JOHN STANSILL

*****WILLIAM ___(believe this is William Motheral/Modrall)*****

JOHN MILLER HUMPHREY HUNTER
HENRY CARTER JAMES MAXWEL
JOHN MAXWELL ROBERT GALBRAITH
JOHN McCANDLIS NICHOLAS SILER
SAMUEL LINTON THOMAS SELBY
JAMES ALEXANDER ROBERT HARRIS JR.
JOHN FOARD JONATHAN BUCKALOE
CHARLES ALEXANDER SR. HENRY POWELL
WILLIAM REA SAMUEL HUGHES
CHARLES ALEXANDER JR. WILLIAM SHIELDS
CHARLES POLK JR. JOHN PURSER
WILLIAM LEMMOND
CLERK TO THE SAID COMPANY
AND SURGEON TO YE SAME.
William Motheral/Modrall belonged to Light Horse Henry (Henry Lee) Company of the continental army but in what particular command I have never been able to learn. He entered the service at an early period of the war. Some 6 or 8 days before the battle of Guilford Courthouse, he was out with a scouting party which camped one night within 3 miles of his residence. He obtained from his commanding officer leave to visit his family, promising his messmates a fine pig on his return. unfortunately, this arrangement, by some means, became known to a prowling party of British and Tories who waylaid the path so as to intercept him on his return. Having spent a part of the night with his family, he arose a good while before day and killed and dressed the promised pig. Placing it upon a slide and hitching his charger to it, he started, about daylight, on his return. About half way between his home and the camp he was shot from his horse by his ambush enemies. His frightened horse wheeled and dashed back to his home to his terrified wife (Rebecca) and children (Robert, Penniah and Rebecca) of the bloody catastrophe.Information from Grandson Nelson Patterson Modrall's recollections from Grandmother Rebecca McCullough Modrell Lawson.