There are a great many records concerning the Holston name in America near the time of the revolution. These records seem to concentrate in the vicinity of Sussex County, Delaware, inland through Virginia to Kentucky and Tennessee in correspondence with our oral family history. Current leads are:

September 15, 1729
Hedrick Holstein is list as an arriving passenger in Philadelphia on the Ship Allen out of Rotterdam. He is likely a Danish or German immigrant from Northern Germany or Southern Denmark.

1740
Stephen Holston built a log cabin at the headwaters of the Holston River, which he discovered. (An erroneous lead. He appears to be unrelated)

August 7, 1758
The following land grant record was found in the Record Book of Warrants C on page 318:

Bailey Holson Proprietary Warrant of 100 Acres of Land
Pennsylvania and By the Proprietaries

Counties on Delaware Whereas Bailey Holston of the County of Sussex hath requested of us that we be pleased to grant him a survey of one hundred acres more or less of land adjoining John White and William Steele including a small Improvement made by Darby Collins in the Forest of Broadkill Hundred Sussex County for which he agrees to pay to our use from the first day of March 1741 the yearly Gaib Reich of a penny sterling for every acre of the same and one whole years Reich on every alienation. These are therefore to authorize and require you to survey or cause to be surveyed unto the said Bailey Holston at the place aforesaid contiguous to surveys already made the said quantity of 100 acres of not already surveyed or appropriated and make return thereof into the secretary's office in order for confirmation for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under my hand and the seal of the land office by virtue of certain powers from the said proprietaries at Philadelphia this seventh day of August 1758.
Nicholas Scull Surveyor General (signed) William Denny

December 8, 1767
The following record was found in book 15 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 480:

Robert Holston from Benjamin Truitt

This Indenture made the eighth day of December in this year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred sixty seven. Between Benjamin Truitt of this County of Sussex yeoman of this part and Robert Holston of this County of Sussex of the other part. Witnesseth that this aforesaid Benjamin Truitt for and in consideration of this sum of Twenty pound current lawfull money of this government to him well and truly paid by aforesaid Robert Holston the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged. Hath granted, bargained, and sold and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, release, convey and confirm unto the aforesaid Robert Holston his heirs and assigns forever a certain parcel of land situated, lying and being in this County aforesaid and being part of a larger tract lain and for a certain Charles Rattlif. Beginning at a corner Red oak and then south seventy three and three quarters degrees west by six and one half paces to a corner Spanish oak then south nine and a quarter degrees east thirty seven paces to a corner post then south thirty nine degrees west seven paces to a corner white oak then south fifty one degrees east fifty three and three quarter paces to a corner red oak the n south sixty nine three quarter degrees east twenty three paces to a corner post the by a new course north twenty one degrees west one hundred and thirty paces home to this first bounder containing and laid out for forty acres of land. To have and to hold the aforesaid forty acres of land unto this said Robert Holston his heirs assigns forever together with all and singular the messages, improvements, and appurtenances thereunto belonging free and clear of and from all encumbrances the proprietaries Quit Rents only excepted and forprized and the said Benjamin Truitt doth hereby covenant for him self and his heirs to and with this aforesaid Robert Holston his heirs and assigns to warrant and forever defend the aforesaid bargained premises against the lawfull claim of him the aforesaid Benjamin Truitt and his heirs and all and every other person or persons claiming by from or under him them or any of them by virtue of these presents. In Witness whereof this aforesaid Benjamin Truitt hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above mentioned.
Sealed and delivered in this presence of (Signed) Benjamin Truitt
John Richard Rhodes Shankland (Seal)

Sussex on Delaware the within deed of sale was acknowledged in due form of law at a court of pleas held at Lusco (?) this eighth day of December 1767 by and...these parties therein named.
Fest. (Signed)Jacob Kollock Prethon

December 8, 1767
The following record was found in book 10 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 291:

Robert Holston from John Prickards
This Indenture made of: eight day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred & sixty seven. Between John Prickards late of: County of Sussex in Delaware yeoman of:one part and Robert Holston of County aforesaid of: other part. Henceforth That: John Prickards for and in consideration of:sum of seventy Town Warrant lawful money of this Government to him was and truly paid by Robert Holston receipt whereof is hereby awknowledged Hath granted, bargained and sold and by those present doth grant, bargain sell convey of Confirm unto Robert Holston his heirs and assigns for ever a certain parcel of Land situated Lying and being in: County aforesaid and convey by a document of sale from a certain Benj. Truitt unto the aforesaid. In record as by payment of: Deed may large appear bounded as follows: Beginning at a corner Spanish oak standing on: Head of Harring 1 branch being acorner of Stuarts land then down 1 branch North Forty three degrees east one hundred and forty four yards to James White. Then south eleven and three quarter degrees east one hundred ninety six paces to a post settled by agreement. Then south forty three degrees west fifty one yards Quarter to a corner Red oak. Then south sixty (?) eight degrees west forty four yards to a corner Red oak. Then south twenty five degrees east forty two yards to a corner Red oak. Then south sixty degrees west seventy yards to a corner Red oak. Then north forty degrees west one hundred and forty yards to a corner Red oak. Then north seventy degrees east one hundred yards to a corner Hickory. then with a straight line home to the aforesaid first boundary containing two hundred acres of Land. To Have and to Hold the aforesaid two hundred acres of land the aforesaid Robert Holston his heirs and assigns for ever. Together with all and singular of Messages, Improvements Rights Numbers Hereditainments and apportionments hereunto belonging free and clear from all incumbrances the properties Quit Rents only lapsed and aforesaid and the said John Prickards Doth hereby covenant for himself and his heirs to and with the aforesaid Robert Holston his heirs an assigns to warrant and defend said bargained principles against any lawfull claim of him aforesaid John Prickards and his heirs and against all and any other person or persons claiming by from or under them or any of them shall and will warrant and forever defend by virtue of these present. In Witness whereof aforesaid John Prickards hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of (Signed) John Prickards
Benj. Truitt
Sussex on Delaware. The within deed of sale was acknowledged in due form of law at a Court of Common Pleas held at Lusco (?) on the aforesaid day of December by and unto the parties therein named.
(Sealed) Jacob Kollock Prethon

December 28, 1777
A ration roll of Captain Joseph Caldwell's company in the Delaware Militia shows a James Holston who enlisted on November 11. The list shows that James received rations of beef, flour and brandy.

July 27, 1778
A muster roll of the Philadelphia Light Dragoons commanded by Captain Jacob James indicates that a James Holston deserted from the British Army on June 12, 1778.

April 3, 1782
The follow Discharge was found in Book 12 of the Sussex County Land and Deed records, page 213:

Thomas Holdston's Certificate Discharge

This certifies that the ______ Thomas Holdston soldier of this State of Delaware having been examined by me is found to be unfit for any form of duty either in the field or in Garrison by reason of a wound he received in the service of the united States which also appears by a certificate of the Army office signed by his Colonel and the surgeon of the Regiment he is at his own request recommended by his Excellency the Commander in Chief Agreeable to a resolution of Congress of the twenty third of April 1782. Given under my hand at Philadelphia this 26th day of January 1783.
(Signed) Waller Steward Col Insp ~North

March 3, 1784
William Holdston received 48.20 (£?) ($?) from the Delaware Militia including interest dating back to November 4, 1783. He signed in receipt of payment with an "X"

February 5, 1793
The following record was found in book 15 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 72:

Thomas Holstons Certificate
Sussex County in Delaware} I do hereby certify that having examined Thomas Holston late a private Soldier in the Delaware Regiment do find him still disabled from a wound he received in the service of the United States and entitled to the sum of one pound seventeen shillings and six pence per month. Witness my hand this fifth day of February 1793.
James Tilton, Esq. (Signed) Jos. Hall

May 4, 1795
The following record was found in book 15 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 444:

Thomas Holston Certificate from Doctor Joseph Hall
I do hereby certify that upon application of Thomas Holston a late soldier in the Delaware Regiment, That I have again examined him, and found him disabled from a wound he received in his right arm from a muscat ball, therefore am of the opinion that he is entitled to the sum of one pound seventeen shillings and six pence per month. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety five and in the nineteenth year of American Independence.
James Tillon, Esq. (Signed) Jos. Hall
Lewes Town.

July 22, 1795
The following record was found in book 15 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 533:

Thomas Holstons Affidavit
Sussex County. I do hereby certify that Thoms Holston in the annexed certificate mentioned personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid and made oath on the holy Evangelis of almighty God that he is the identical person who received a wound in his right arm while a soldier in the Delaware Regiment of foot in the service of the United States mentioned in the above Certificate. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five.
(Signed) J. Rollack

July 22, 1795
The following record was found in book 15 of the Land and Deed records for Sussex County, Delaware, page 480: