List of 63 Pension Application Petitioners
Copies from the original document. All spelling is Same as In Copy (sic).
BOLD has been used to highlight Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
Additional Information for each of the 63 Petitioners included with Link.
Pension Application John Wheeler - W8999 - Susanna Wheeler - f53NC
Transcribed by Will Graves revised 5/26/10& 8/22/21
State of Kentucky, Livingston County SS:
On this Sixth day of May 1833 personally appeared in open Court before P. J. Brown, C. Haynes, James Ray & James Duvall Esquires justices of the County Court of said County and state, now sitting, John Wheeler, resident of said County in, aged about Seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: In the spring of 1776 the Cherokee Indians began to show signs of hostility towards the frontiers of the Carolinas and Georgia, and on the Holston River. At this time I moved from Surry County, North Carolina out to Holston [River] with my brother & his family – my object being to aid him in making a settlement. We reached the Holston in the spring of the year (1776) and found the inhabitants busily preparing for the expected troubles from the Indians. They were forting up all on the frontiers and the men were organized into Companies under various officers. In June of that year I volunteered in this service under Captain Bohannon. The Indians were now daily expected – Some of the families had then removed up into the interior. All the force of the frontier was now about 170 men under Captains Bohannon, Cocke [perhaps Capt. William Cocke, then of the Virginia militia, later under Col. Evan Shelby, Sr. and Col. Isaac Shelby], Campbell & McFarland as well as I remember. In a short time the Indians appeared about 300 strong under a chief called Draggon Canoe [sic, Dragging Canoe]. We met them near the long Islands of Holston (where we built a fort) on the Long Islands flats where a severe battle was fought and the Indians defeated with a loss of about 100 warriors as they afterwards confessed and their chief severely wounded. These Indians had mustered a considerable force and intended a simultaneous attack on several of the forts along the frontier, and for this purpose had divided themselves into two divisions, one of which was commanded by Dragging Canoe and was directed against Long Islands fort as before stated; and the other was directed against the Watauga fort. Learning this to be the plan of the Indians, as soon as the battle just related was over, Captain Bohannon's Company marched immediately to the relief of the Watauga fort; but the party that went against this fort had heard of the defeat at the Long Islands & immediately fled. After this battle and expulsion of the Indians, we returned to the fort at Long Islands which was built on the bank near the head of the Islands. Here we remained guarding this fort and surrounding Country until the arrival of Colonel Christie [sic, William Christian] with a considerable force to our relief and for the protection of the Country. Christie was from Virginia and immediately upon his arrival I and a good many others joined him as a volunteer privates. I think he arrived at the fort in the month of October 1776. I well remember it was in the fall. The whole of my old company and the Captain himself (Bohannon) joined the forces of Christie. I still belonged to his company and remained so while we were under Christie. In a few days after Christie's arrival, we marched into the Indian Country and burnt and destroyed their towns, corn and provisions, but we had no engagement with them as they fled. After over running the Country, we returned to the fort and were discharged in the latter part of December following. Having thus been in constant and laborious service from the month of June to the latter part of December, being at least as much as six months. In one of the towns destroyed by of us we found six cannon [left] there some years before in what was called Byrd's campaign.
Myself and 29 others were selected to transport these cannon by canoes to the Fort which we did with great labor and great danger to ourselves, and were but poorly paid, though liberal pay was promised. On the day of my discharge as above mentioned, I again volunteered as a private under Captain Joseph Martin (Known as Colonel Martin) from Virginia, who had arrived for the purpose of guarding the frontiers against the Indians as hostilities were still carried on. As well as I remember Martin commanded volunteer company. We marched to a place called the Rye Coves of Clynch [sic, Clinch River], which was a frontier station and remained there on constant duty until the month of June following (1777) when a treaty was held with the Indians by Colonel Christie which was expected to restore peace to the frontiers; but a part of the Indians broke off and refused to treat for peace – this party still continued hostilities and was known as the Dragging Canoe party with whom we had fought at the Long Islands the year before; since which time they had built a fort down on the Tennessee River, and they kept up a constant warfare with the frontiers and were sometimes bold and daring in their incursions. This required a constant force and diligent watch on the frontier. Our station was still at the Rye Cove where we [sic] our service was most required and most available. Indeed we pretty well protected the Country from the depredations by keeping out spies, guards &c. We remained at this place and on this service until the month of March 1779 as well as I remember, when Colonel Evan Shelby (the father of Colonel Isaac Shelby afterwards Governor of Kentucky) raised a volunteer force to go against these Indians. The troops under Shelby assembled in March 1779 and in the same month I joined them, under Captain Henry Clark (afterwards Col. Clark and whose daughter is now my wife) and under Ben Clark [Benjamin Clark], Lieutenant of the company. We marched down the Tennessee River to a place called the Suck [? could be “Lick”], and from thence to an Indian town called Chickamauga which we destroyed, and also several Indians. This put a stop to hostilities for a while. This expedition lasted two months in which I served as a volunteer private. On our return to the fort we were discharged. After this expedition we had an interval of peace and relaxation of duty, for the spirit of the Indians seemed subdued. But this did not last a great while, for in the fall of the next year (1780) the Indians on the Hiwassee became exceedingly troublesome and to suppress them Colonels Sevier [John Sevier] and Clark each raised a volunteer Regiment and I again volunteered in this service, and was commissioned Lieutenant of the company commanded by Captain Ben Clark (then my brother-in-law). This company was attached to Colonel Clark's Regiment, which was a Regiment of horse. My recollection is (and I feel quite certain of it) that I entered this service in the month of November 1780. We arrived at the Hiwassee towns on Christmas Eve, and immediately destroyed them, and killed and took many of the Indians, and indeed almost totally destroyed the Country. This was deemed necessary as they had waged an unceasing war against the frontiers and theretofore nothing could sooth them, although terms of peace had been offered them and every exertion used to conciliate them. But this expedition answered the purpose. In this expedition I served one month as Lieutenant aforesaid.
Again in the fall of the year 1781 (but the month I cannot remember) I again entered the service as a volunteer, and was appointed Lieutenant of the company to which I belonged commanded by Captain Cavits [probably Moses Cavett of the Sullivan County NC militia under Col. Isaac Shelby] and the Regiment was commanded by the same Colonel Henry Clark (Colonel Sevier also commanded a Regiment at the same[)], both of which had been drafted to subdue the Tories about Cross Creek against whom was the object of this expedition. On our way intelligence was brought us that these Tories had been defeated already. We continued however our march to Charlottetown, and there for the first time we learned of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown [October 19, 1781]. We spent one day in rejoicing with our friends, and on the next proceeded to join General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene], then at the high hills of Santee. On arriving there Greene informed our Colonel that it would be more advantageous then to join his forces to Marion [Francis Marion], then low down on the Santee, near the swamps. Accordingly we proceeded to join him at that place. At this time the British lay at Ferguson's Swamp, but shortly afterwards broke off their camp and moved towards Charleston. A detachment under Colonels Clark and Sevier was ordered out by Marion to watch the enemies movements. My company comprised a part of this detachment – and our orders were to come to no engagement, but to cut off as many of the enemy as possible. We followed on their rear and flanks and succeeded in taking a Sergeant Major prisoner, who informed us that we were then near the enemy's picket guard. Upon this we took a circuit and came to a large brick house which had been set on fire – some of our men dismounted and saved some articles from the flames. Not far from this place we intercepted a party of the enemy consisting of ninety men, who we took prisoners, and we returned immediately to Marion's camp. We made these prisoners near a place called Monks Corner [sic, Moncks Corner]. Among them was one Tory who was killed by one of our light horse. Soon after this we were discharged I think in February 1782, having served in this last expedition three months. This was the last of my Revolutionary Services that I shall mention, though I was several expeditions afterwards against the Tories, who continued troublesome until the early part of 1783. I cannot now detail the circumstances and time of these expeditions so distinctly as required, and they may therefore go for nothing. Indeed from June 1776 to the beginning of 1783 I was almost constantly on service having various respites from duty, but not of long duration. The services for which I claim, and those for which I do think myself entitled, are the six months service under Captain Bohannon, and Colonel Christie, and for the 15 months I was under Captain Martin at the Rye Cove; and two months under Colonel Shelby and one month in the Hiwassee campaign as a Lieutenant and for the expedition of three months to Carolina as Lieutenant as aforesaid. For these surely I am
entitled, making in all as much as __ months service, four of which I was the commissioned Lieutenant of the company. Before I was commissioned Lieutenant, I had been elected by my company, and my commission was brought from Hillsborough by Col. Clark, on his return as a member of the Legislature. I declare that I have no documentary evidence in my possession (having lost my commission within the last two or three years) which would prove my service, either as a private or officer, but I have written to North Carolina for a copy of my commission, which will be sent on if it can be obtained. My memory being now very frail, I cannot say positively who signed my commission, but I think it was Governor Caswell [Richard Caswell]. My commission has often been seen by my family among my old papers, but it cannot be now found although careful search has been made. One of my sons thinks he threw it away about two years ago as useless paper – this is my misfortune, if no other proof will answer the department as my declaration has once been returned for want of proof, of having acted as an officer. I know of no person living by whom I can prove I acted as such and only one living by whom I could prove my part of any service and that is Isaac [illegible last named, looks like “Pitsworth”]
4 who moved to Arkansas about 13 years ago, then a very old man, and whether now living I do not know, and I have no means of procuring his evidence. All others who knew anything of my services are dead as far as I know. I moved to this Country many years ago, and if any are living in the South I do not know of them. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state or Territory.
And the said court propounded to the said applicant the following interrogatories as prescribed by the War Department, to which he made the subjoined answers, to wit:
1st: Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: I was born in the County of Prince Edward Virginia but the precise time I do not know, but from the tradition of my family and the best information I have received, I am now about 76 years of age, and perhaps a little more.
2nd Have you any record of you age and if so, where is it?
Answer. I have none. The family record was lost in the Revolution.
3rd Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer. As stated by me before, early in 1776 I came out to the frontier on the Holston with a brother and his family from the County of Sussex [sic, Surry?], state of North Carolina and in June following I entered service while on the frontiers near the Long Islands. After the War I lived a few years in North Carolina and moved to South Carolina on the Saluda River and remained there about 11 years. From there I moved to Shelby County Kentucky and lived there about two years, when I moved to the County (Livingston) where I have lived ever since.
4th How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if so for whom did you substitute?
Answer. I was a volunteer in all my service.
5th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. I served altogether with militia, except when in the expedition into South Carolina to serve under Greene as before mentioned. We remained so short a time with him that I do not recollect the names of any regular officers but Greene himself. I have mentioned the militia regiments with which I was acquainted.
6th Did you ever receive a commission; and if so by whom was it given; and what has become of it?
Answer: I did receive a commission as Lieutenant, signed by Governor Caswell, if I am not mistaken, but of this I am not positive – it may have been Burke. It was brought over by Col. Clark from Hillsborough. This commission was a printed one, and I kept it among my old papers until within two or three years past – but it cannot now be found for I have made diligent search. It is thought one of my sons carelessly destroyed it, supposing it useless. I also received some discharges from the service as a private and they are also long since lost.
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify to your character for veracity and good behavior and your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I am known to many – amongst them are Reverend John Travis, Robert Phillips, William Thompson, George Elder, Isaac S. Coffield, William Stewart Esq., James Cruce Esq., Colonel Joseph Hughes, General Elder and many others.
S/ John Wheeler, X his mark
[William H. Bradley, a clergyman, William Stewart & James Cruce gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
I Isaac Wheeler resident of said County of Livingston, and State aforesaid aged 32 years do declare, that about five years ago my mother and myself had occasion to look over the papers of my father, John Wheeler, who is the above applicant for a pension (for the purpose of finding a receipt) and in that search I came across a very ancient commission, appointing my said father a Lieutenant, which commission had a large seal to it under which was a ribbon. I do not remember whose name was signed to it, nor what date it, but it was very ancient and much worn. After reading it, my mother told me it was my father's Revolutionary Commission, and was now of no use to him and to throw it amongst his old papers. What I done with it I do not now remember, although I have lately reflected much on it. I have an impression that I started with [it] to my own house, and in handling it tore off the seal. What has become of it, I know not, nor do I remember of seeing it since. This is all I remember about it, and I will not be more positive.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid.
S/ Isaac Wheeler
[p 13: On May 1, 1844 in Crittenden County, Kentucky, Mrs. Nancy Wheeler, aged 82 on the 21st day of July 1843 having been born on July 21, 1761, filed for her widow's pension under the 1836 I stating that she is the widow of John Wheeler, a pensioner of the revolution; that "she had a brother, a lad like by the name of Benjamin Clark, who would go with the men, scouting & guarding the Settlements & frontier And about this time, He was at the little Fort near the Island receiving & taking care of the men's provisions & she desiring to see him & to take him some clothes did go down herself, all the way to the Fort & there bound him. The men were then mostly out on duty. She very well recollects that time Colonel Christie came along & took the men from the Fort into the Indian Country on duty. Mr. Wheeler & my father & brother went with him, they were gone some time & returned in the winter, to the best of my recollection.
Some of the men, that went out with Colonel Christie, came back, quite unwell, one man a Mr. Williams died about a mile or such as matter from her father's. She saw him buried. He died at Mr. Hoozers. After this Captain or Colonel Joseph Martin from Virginia, who she knew wanted volunteers. And Mr. Wheeler, her husband again volunteered, they were at this time still single & unmarried, ... That her father Henry Clark & Brother Benjamin Clark & Mr. Wheeler again volunteered, under Colonel Shelby. Her father went as Captain & her Brother Benjamin as Lieutenant & Mr. Wheeler as a soldier -- they were at this time still single & unmarried. That when they returned she heard her father, brother & Mr. Wheeler talk of being at a place called the "Lusk" & of what was done & there hardships, that she thinks they destroyed on this duty a town of the Indians called Chief a muanger or some such name."; that she married her husband at her father's house in North Carolina she thinks in Greene County; that they were married on December 15, 1779; that she has no record of their marriage and she arrives at the date by the age of her eldest child his name is Henry Wheeler and who was born on November 16, 1780 just 11 months lacking one day after her marriage, Henry Wheeler his birth date being set down in a Bible now in possession of her son Isaac Wheeler; that her husband died November 24, 1838 in Chittenden County Kentucky when it was Livingston County; that she had 13 children by her husband and raised 10 of them.]
[p 21: family record]
Deaths
John Wheeler Departed this life the 24th day of November 1838 aged about 86 years
Births
Henry Wheeler was born November 16 1780
James Wheeler was born October 16th 1782
John Wheeler was born December the 9th 1784
Maryann Wheeler was born December 25th 1786
Sally Wheeler was born May 10th, 1789
Benjamin was born March 22nd 1791
Polly Wheeler was born July 28th 1793
Matilda Wheeler was born June 25th 1798
Isaac Wheeler was born June 25th 1800
Susan Wheeler was born March 11th 1804
Susannah Clark was born July 21st 1762
Henry Clark Senior was born October 8th 1732
Sarah Jones was born July the 26 1737
Pension Application of Lewis Wolf - W4403 - [a/k/a Johann Ludwig Wolff] - Mary Wolf - f38NC\
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 1/26/11& 6/7/15
[p 7]
State of North Carolina, Stokes County
At the particular request of Lewis Wolf of the County aforesaid, Major Henry Smith, who now resides when at home in Cabarrus County in North Carolina was introduced before me one of the acting Justices of the peace for said County of Stokes, he being first duly sworn according to law declares that he knew Lewis Wolff formerly of Surry County (now Stokes); that the said Wolf did actually volunteer himself & served as my fifer in the Revolutionary War when I the said Smith had the command of a company of Militia in an Expedition of a three month tour against the Scotch Tories through the lower counties & to Fayetteville & back to the Moravian Towns in Surry aforesaid which was considered three months as well as memory serves him which was in the Spring of the year 1776 & in the Autumn of the same year said Lewis Wolff turned out as a volunteer fifer & served three or four weeks in the Expedition against the Cherokee Nation of Indians & marched under this Deponent's command as Captain; marched to the Mulberry fields in Wilkes County when & where this Deponent was ordered back to Surry in order to join the Virginia troops when said Wolff was sent home to nurse a sick family when he hired his brother, Daniel Wolff, as his Substitute who served the faithfully three months & upwards.
Sworn to & subscribed this 24th day December 1830 before me.
S/ Henry Smith, S his mark
[Attest:] S/ Charles Banner, JP.
North Carolina Stokes County: At the particular Instance [sic] of Lewis Wolff Henry Smith and aged old man came before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace at the time mentioned within, in the County aforesaid, that the said Smith [is a] man of Good Moral Character & Veracity, now resides in Cabarrus or Mecklenburg County's as I have reason to believe & I believe he was a Captain in the Revolution. Given under my hand 7th February 183__ [last digit missing as a result of the paper being torn and text missing]
S/ C. Banner, JP
[p 9]
State of North Carolina, Stokes County
On this Sixth day of February 1833, personally appeared before me Charles Banner one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid, Lewis Wolff, an elderly, and infirm man at his place of residence in the County aforesaid, Seventy Five years of age the 28th of last April, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th of June, 1832. Saith: that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein after stated (to wit): that in the spring of the year 1776 he entered the service as a volunteer fifer for the term of three months under Captain Henry Smith of the militia of Surry County in North Carolina in the village of Bethania & marched from thence to the to the place of rendezvous at Dobson's crossroads in said county & there joined the Main Army commanded by Colonel Joseph Williams & Major Joseph Winston; from there took up the line of march & proceeded to the town of Fayetteville [then known as Cross Creek] in North Carolina in order to subdue the Scotch Tories which encumbered that section of North Carolina. But some short time previous to the arrival of these troops at Fayetteville, the Tories had been defeated [probably a reference to the Battle of More's Creek Bridge, February 27, 1776] & taken by other United States troops from the lower part of North Carolina. Therefore the army in which this applicant served was marched home & discharged in Bethabara in the Surry County by his Captain H. Smith after serving a three months tour.
The next service this applicant entered as a volunteer in fall or Autumn of the same year, 1776, under the same Captain Henry Smith in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians & marched from Surry County in North Carolina to join the Georgia & South Carolina troops at the Mulberry fields in Wilkes County North Carolina where his Captain & Company were ordered back to join the Virginia troops commanded by Col Christy [William Christian] where this applicant remained three weeks in this service then hired his brother Daniel Wolff his substitute & after said substitute having served upwards of three months under Captain H. Smith was discharged & this applicant paid him for his service to the Cherokee Nation & back to Surry aforesaid.
The next Service the said Lewis Wolff entered the Service in the fall of the year 1777 as a volunteer Ranger under Captain William Meredith at Surry Court house in North Carolina. Ranged the mountains with said Captain & Company four weeks & [was] discharged by his Captain at said Courthouse.
The next service this applicant performed [was] when there was a call for volunteers in February 1778. He went to Salisbury in North Carolina with two others, Peter & Michl [Michael?] Moser and volunteered themselves under Captain Moseby belonging to the troops under the command of Genl Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford] & was sent to guard 32 Tory and British prisoners from Salisbury prison to Martinsville in Guilford County, North Carolina & after performing this service four weeks was discharged & returned home.
The next service this applicant entered as a volunteer horseman, found his own horse & gun in Surry County, North Carolina under Captain Joseph Phillips for three months commencing in July 1780 & marching various routes through Surry & Wilkes counties scouring, whipping & taking Tories & then through Burke & Lincoln [counties] in North Carolina then into South Carolina: the principal field officers were Cols Campbell [William Campbell], Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], Shelby [Isaac Shelby] & Major Jo. Winston [Joseph Winston] and after trailing the enemy commanded by a Colonel Ferguson [Patrick Ferguson] by forced marches day & night at length overtook them on Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780] where our little army killed & took prisoners the whole of the British & Tory force commanded by Ferguson who fell with the slain being about 355 of the enemy & 36 of our brave companions of which was my Lieutenant Richard Varner [sic, Richard Vernon, Varnum, Varnel ?] & four of my comrades or company private soldiers. We encamped that night on the Battle ground after hanging nine Tories & next morning at day break with all speed with the prisoners to keep clear of Tarleton's [Banastre Tarleton's] dragoons who were not far in our rear until we arrived with the prisoners in Bethabara, Surry County now in Stokes County by a division of Surry when & where the applicant was discharged by his Captain Phillips after a three months tour in the horse Regiment of infantry. This applicant states that he has no written discharges or documentary evidence to prove his services aforesaid, but can identify part of the services by Captain Henry Smith, Benjamin Jones and Casper Stuts's Depositions which accompany the declaration.
The questions being put according to the directions of the Department of war:
1st & 2nd: He produced a record of his age from a clergyman as it appears that he was born in York County in the State of Pennsylvania the 28th of April 1757.
3rd: He states that when a child his parents removed him to Surry County in North Carolina where he resided when he entered all of the services [&] where he has remained ever since but from the division of Surry County he fell in that part called Stokes County.
4th & 5th: He declares that on all occasions when he entered the service he entered as a volunteer & the officers he intimately knew he has named above.
6th: He never received a written discharge as he was always dismissed by his Captain in the county who where he resided.
7th: He declares that he is so infirm from pains & that it is not in his power to obtain the Certificate from his Clergyman at present as he lives at a distance. But from his numerous acquaintances with respectable Citizens among which is Casper Stults Senior, Henry Kapp, Joseph Banney Senior & Anthony Bitting Esquire who can Testify as to his Character & Veracity &c and he hereby Relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written.
S/ Lewis Wolff, W his mark
[Casper Stults Sr., Henry Kapp [could be Henry Rapp], Joseph Banner Sr., & Anthony Bitting gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[p 33]
North Carolina Stokes County: At request of Lewis Wolff personally appeared before me Charles Banner one of the Acting Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Casper Stultz who being first sworn according to law declares that he served in the Revolutionary War with the above named Lewis Wolff Expedition of service of three months against the Scotch Tories to the Sand hills & Fayetteville in North Carolina & one other small service of three weeks in the commencement of what is called the Cherokee Expedition when said Lewis Wolff hired his brother David [could be Daniel] & paid him who performed the Balance of said Expedition of three months & upwards; that said Lewis was a volunteer musician fifer. Sworn to & subscribed this 7th day of February 1833 before me
S/ Casper Stultz, Senr., X his mark
S/ C. Banner, JP
On the same day Benjamin Jones an old man came before me & being sworn as the law directs deposeth & saith that he knew & saw Lewis Wolff (who has signed his Declaration), in the Battle of Kings Mountain fighting against the British & Tories at the time we killed & took prisoners the whole of the enemy's force when there commander Colonel Ferguson fell. We were commanded by Colonel Campbell, Major Winston, Colonels Shelby & Cleveland, all mounted on horseback.
Sworn & subscribed 7th February 1833
S/ Benj. Jones, X his mark
S/ C. Banner, JP
[p 14: On June 7, 1843 in Stokes County North Carolina, Mary Wolf, 85, filed for a widow's pension under the 1836 act stating that she is the widow of Lewis Wolf, a pensioner for his service in the revolution at the rate of $32.16 per annum; that to the best of her recollection she was married to him in the year 1789; that her husband died November 8, 1842. She signed her application with her mark.]
[p 15: William A. Wolf, son of Lewis and Mary Wolf certified on December 8, 1843 that he was born February 24th 1792 according to what he has always understood.
[p 19: On December 8, 1843 in Stokes County North Carolina, Jacob Deats, 73, gave testimony that he was well acquainted with Lewis and Mary Wolf; that affiant was married 54 years ago and that at the time of his marriage Lewis and Mary Wolf were already married and settled within 1 mile of the affiant; that Lewis and Mary always lived together as man and wife until the death of Lewis. He signed his affidavit with his mark.]
[p 28: Elizabeth Butner, 75, gave testimony in Stokes County North Carolina on June 4th, 1845 that she was well acquainted with Lewis and Mary Wolf; that to affiant's best recollection and belief Lewis and Mary were married in the year 1784 or 5, shortly after the Revolutionary War; that affiant was married in 1793 and knows that Lewis and Mary were married several years previous to affiant's marriage.
[p 30-31: On June 12, 1845 in Stokes County North Carolina, Henry Moser, 77, gave testimony that he was present at the marriage of Lewis Wolf, deceased, to his sister Mary Moser in 1784, to the best of his recollection.
[p 3: family record:
William adam Wolff was borne in the year of our lort [lord] 1782 fafrevary the 2nd [?]
[p 36]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $32.16 commencing March 4th, 1831, for 7 months and 17 days service as a private in the North Carolina militia. His widow was pensioned at the rate of $25.21 commencing March 4th, 1843.]
Pension Application Thomas Wright - R11899 - Mary Wright - f98NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 7/4/17
[p 12]
State of North Carolina, Surry County: Court of pleas and quarter Sessions February Sessions A.D. 1833
On this 12th day of February A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court before William P. Dobson, Mallory Smith & William C. Martin Justices assigned to hold the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid Now Sitting – Thomas Wright Senior a resident of Surry County & State of North Carolina aged 74 years who being first duly Sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated.
That he volunteered as a Soldier in June 1776 in the County of Surry State of North Carolina under the command of Captain Jacob Ferree [Jacob Free] I am not certain who the Colonel was [sic, Col. Martin Armstrong], this enlistment was in the War with the Cherokee Indians called the War with the Cherokee Indians – we marched on through Wilkes County then South West to Johns River thence on to the head waters of the Catawba River. We ranged the Country there and the head waters of the Yadkin River – thence down the Yadkin to Fort Defiance which Fort we built. After we had built said Fort and for some time being stationed there it was believed the Indians had returned to their nation for that Cause part of the troops was discharged I was one of those thus discharged my discharge was verbal not written, from which place I returned home in August 1776 I served two months in this Tour the next day after my return from Fort defiance as above stated I volunteered again under said Captain Free to March into the Cherokee Nation Col. James Martin I think was the Colonel rendezvoused at Cub Creek in the County of Wilkes from thence marched for the Cherokee Nation passed by pleasant Gardens in the County of Burke, Crossed the Blue Ridge at the head of the Catawba River, thence down Swannanoa River – thence on to the Nation to the Overhill Towns had several skirmishes and drove the Indians from their town Burnt it, Destroyed the Cattle & Crops the command of this Army was by General Rutherford [Griffith Rutherford], Major William Sharp was his Aide [?], Parson Hall was Chaplin to the Army, the enemy being routed and driven from there, Volunteers were called for to go to the Valley towns to Join the Virginia Army who had marched there. Obeying said call I volunteered under said Captain Free Marched to the Valley towns finding the Indians at that place dispersed the town, destroyed &c we then marched back to the Army and from thence we marched to the inhabited part of the Country and were discharged again verbally not written and returned home in this Tour I served three months.
In the Revolutionary War I rendered the following Service, in the spring or forepart of the Summer in the year 1780 as well as I can recollect the war called the Tory war raged in the Western part of North Carolina until the Surrender of the British under Lord Cornwallis the Tories rose and assembled themselves into bands and bodies some went to the British who were then marching in the Southern part of the Country and some were assembling in bands Robbing, Plundering & Sometimes killing the Whigs as they called them. In this dangerous, brutal and hart [sic, heart?] appealing Crisis of the Country I performed my humble path of service in behalf of my Country. Agreeably to a regulation which was adopted by the true friends of the Revolution I volunteered myself a Minute man holding myself ready at every moment and at any time which continued up to the time of the Surrender of the British under Lord Cornwallis at York [Yorktown, October 19, 1781], being one year and four months under the orders this enlistment I served as a Soldier under several Officers to wit part of the time under Captain Horn [John Horn] – again under Captain Gibson Wooldridge and again under Captain Samuel Moseby & Colonel Joseph Phillips & Colonel Joseph Williams of Surry. The object of this service of various purposes, some times to prevent the injury the Tories were rising to do, and likewise to make preparations for attacking the British as they were marching through the Country under Cornwallis, during this Service I was kept marching and ranging various parts of the Country when we supposed or would learn the Disaffected might be assembled, having different places where we were sometimes stationed. I will mention two of those places namely the Moravian town or Salem & old town which was our head quarters, Carmichael's Ford on Dan River, Giles Hudspeth's [? Headpeth's or Heedspeth's] [ford] on Yadkin [River] at one time while stationed there, an express came from Colonel Joseph Phillips crossed over the Yadkin Joined the troops under him ranged the Country then we took some prisoners carried them to Salem old town headquarters. In the winter 1780 as well as I can recollect the General Assembly sat or made an attempt to sit in Salem I was among the soldiers there for the purpose of guarding said Legislature; while the British were in their march through the Country eastward I under the Command of Captain Gibson Wooldridge marched to the Virginia line on Dan River for the purpose of joining other troops, while remaining there an express came that the British under Lord Cornwallis had passed on, they passed into Guilford County where a battle ensued [March 15, 1781]; this was the most intense Juncture of time I mean when the British were marching through and were adjacent to the Section of the Country, the British being within such a Distance as gave the disaffected the Conveniency [sic] of reaching and joining them and to others becoming more bold and desperate in their acts of Robbing and killing. In this Situation which the Country was in during the time the Tory War raged we had to go Armed Continually even while a person would take his restless sleep it was Common to sleep with their Arms of Defense. I then have served say in the Indian war five months and in the Revolution already mentioned I volunteered my services in the Defense of my Country as a Minute man as before stated one year and four months that he has no Documentary evidence and does not know of any person who he can procure who can testify to his Service with the exception of Captain Andrew Carson of Iredell County and by him only a part of my service & Captain Carson being a Resident of another County and being Aged it would be inconvenient to procure him before this Court. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State.
In Answer to the 7 Interrogatories propounded by the Court agreeably to the Directions prescribed by the War department &c
1st I was born in Fauquier County State of Virginia on the 18th day of February 1758
2nd There is a record of my age in my family Bible
3rd I lived in the County of Surry North Carolina and have lived in said County ever since and at the same place I now live at.
4th I volunteered to the Indian War. I volunteered myself a Minute man in the Revolution.
5th I am not certain any of the officers in the Indian War were Regular. I do not know as to that. Besides officers named in Declaration I remember Colonel Martin Armstrong and a brave officer by the name of Francis [Captain Henry Francis] who was Slain at the battle with the Tories at the Shallow Ford [October 14, 1780].
6th I never received any Discharge in writing they were uniformly verbal by the commanding officer.
7th I referred to Major Joseph Williams, Josiah Cowles & the Reverend John Angel our and Court.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
S/ T. Wright, Sen.
[John Angel, a clergyman, and Joseph Williams gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[p 82]
State of North Carolina Surry County}
Personally appeared before me Joseph Cowles one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Surry Captain Andrew Carson of the County of Iredell and made oath in due form of law that Thomas Wright Esquire Senior Served in the Indian Cherokee War as a Soldier that this deponent remembers said Wright being in the Army serving as a Soldier and assisted in the building of Fort Defiance and that he also was in the said War when it was prosecuted and carried into the Cherokee nation faithfully Serving as a Soldier that this Service as Performed by him was for five months at the least. I do not Personally recollect the Service performed by said Wright in the Revolutionary War but from facts as detailed by said Wright [text obscured by an ink blot] to that War I know that must have a part of the time served together.
Sworn to and subscribed this 9th day of February 1833
Attest:
S/ J. Cowles, JP S/ Andrew Carson
[p 16: Power of attorney dated February 24, 1853 executed in Wilkes County North Carolina by William W Wright who states that he is the son of the veteran Thomas Wright.
[Veteran was allowed a pension; he died June 22, 1840 in Surry County, NC; he married January 7, 1780 in Surry County NC , Mary Clanton; she filed for a widow's pension; she died June 14, 1844 in Yadkin County, NC at age 85; the following family data is reflected in the file:
The children of Thomas and Mary Wright are as follows:
John Wright born September 23, 1781 [died sometime before 1/23/1853]
Daniel Wright born August 13, 1784
Lucy Wright born October 27, 1786 [married someone named Belt]
Amelia Wright born March 22, 1789 [married someone named Davis]
William W. Wright born February 26, 1791
Nanny Wright born April 22, 1795 [Nancy Frost or Nancy Steel or Steal]
Thomas B. Wright born August 29, 1797
Mary (Polly) Wright born July 18, 1804 [married Henry Foote]
[p 7 family record taken from a Bible in the possession of Mary Foote:
[Veteran's father (not named) died October 30, 1789; Veterans' father-in-law died September 22, 1793]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $70 per annum commencing March 4, 1831, for service as a private for 20 months in the North Carolina militia.]
Pension Application John Yates - W20142 - Jemima Yates - f32NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 2/8/17
State of North Carolina, Wilkes County: SS: In November 1834
On the 4th day of November personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county and state aforesaid now sitting, John Yates, a resident of the County of Wilkes and State of North Carolina, aged Seventy Nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the year 1776 just before the Declaration of Independence, the Cherokee Indians were very troublesome in the western and northwestern sections of North Carolina and particularly so on the western side of the Blue Ridge in that section of the country embraced within the boundaries of what is now Ashe County, but which was then a part of Wilkes County—that they had committed many depredations upon the white settlement upon the frontier, and that it became necessary to keep small bodies of the militia almost constantly under arms to repel their invasions—accordingly about the last of May or first of June 1776 this declarant volunteered his services in Wilkes County, North Carolina and joined a company of volunteer militia commanded by Captain Francis Hargrove and Lieutenant Lewis DeMoss—the company rendezvoused at a place known as Holman’s Ford on the Yadkin River, and after being organized marched forthwith to the protection of the frontier settlements on the north side of the Yadkin, and between that and the Blue Ridge—after being engaged in ranging the country between the river and the mountains for some time without being able to meet with the Indians, or any portion of them, they were stationed at an eligible position on the north side of the river about equi-distant between the river and the mountains, where they constructed a fort and where they remained a considerable time for the purpose of protecting the frontier settlements—about the last of August or first of September and while this declarant was stationed at the fort above mentioned, orders were received by Captain Hargrove to march with his company forthwith to join Genl. Griffith Rutherford at the Pleasant Gardens in Burke County, preparatory to a general expedition against the Cherokee Indians. Accordingly they set out immediately and proceeded to the Pleasant Gardens where they joined Genl. Rutherford with a large number of other troops. As soon as the whole were organized and prepared for the expedition they set out for their march on the Cherokee towns, and proceeded by the most direct route until they reached the Cowee towns. These towns they found abandoned by the Indians, and after destroying them, together with the corn, stock, &c & such other property as they could find, they proceeded to the Middle towns where they expected to meet with the South Carolina troops, but in which they were disappointed. The middle towns they found also abandoned—and after destroying them as they had done the Cowee and other towns, Genl. Rutherford divided his army, leaving a portion of it at the Middle towns to guard the baggage and provisions, and also to take care of the sick, the whole of which were left at that place—Upon arriving at the latter place, however, they found that the Indians had principally fled—there being only a few straggling men, women and children to be found. These they captured, and after destroying the towns, they proceeded on their return to the Middle towns with their prisoners, and on the way meeting with the South Carolina troops (who were proceeding to join Genl. Rutherford at the Valley towns) they delivered the prisoners up to them and what afterwards became of them this declarant does not know. Upon the return of the North Carolina troops to the Middle towns they remained there some time, resting and refreshing themselves, having suffered greatly from the exposure they were subjected to and from eating green corn and beef without salt. As soon, however, as the troops were sufficiently rested to undertake the journey they setout upon their return to North Carolina, and having marched back into the interior of the settlements, they were severally disbanded by companies and each proceeded to their respective homes. In this expedition, this declarant is satisfied he served from the time he first turned out, not less than six months—having served three months under Captain Hargrove before joining Genl. Rutherford, and three months afterwards.
In the spring of the year following (as this declarant believes), the Cherokee Indians still continuing to annoy and depredate upon the frontier settlements on the northwestern side of the Blue Ridge, this declarant again volunteered his services for three months, and joined the company of volunteer militia raised by Captain Benjamin Cleveland at Wilkes Court house, and marched direct to Carter's Fort on the Watauga River on the northwest side of the Blue Ridge, where they were stationed for a considerable time (the precise period not recollected) and where they were employed principally in scouting parties to keep the Indians in check, and to protect the frontiers. After having remained at Carter's Fort for a considerable time, Captain Cleveland was ordered with his company to repair to the Long Islands of Holstein [sic, Holston River], where this declarant understood the Indians were about entering into a treaty of peace with the whites. They set out immediately upon their march, and upon reaching the treaty ground found a considerable number of the chiefs of the Cherokee nation, together with several persons whom he understood were commissioners appointed on the part of the United States, engaged in forming a treaty—After the treaty was concluded, Captain Cleveland with his company marched back to Carter's Ford, and after remaining there a short time, set out for home, which place this declarant reached he thinks some short time before harvest, having served in this expedition not less than three months.
About the first, or in the early part of August in the year 1780, this declarant again volunteered his services for three months, and joined the company of Captain David Viars, at Wilkes Court House, and thence marched to the defense of the southwestern section of the state, and it was understood that Major Ferguson [Patrick Ferguson] was approaching from South Carolina with a large body of British and Tories. Having proceeded some distance into Burke County, they were joined by a considerable number of other troops—the whole being then placed under the command of Col. Benjamin Cleveland. While remaining in Burke organizing themselves and awaiting some expected intelligence as to the movements of Major Ferguson they were also joined by a regiment of militia from Virginia under the command of Colonel Campbell [William Campbell]. The whole body of troops then moved on towards South Carolina, but upon the way (at some point not now recollected) intelligence was received that Major Ferguson was posting himself on Kings Mountain, upon receiving which it was immediately proposed that all who had horses or who could produce them should proceed forthwith with all possible dispatch in order to attack him. This declarant having no horse and not being able to procure one, was left behind with a large number of troops and did not reach the battle ground in time. The engagement having been fought [October 7, 1780] and the Americans with their prisoners being on their return some distance when they met them. After meeting the army on its return that portion of the troops which had been left behind rejoined them and returned with them assisting in guarding the prisoners until they reached Wilkes Court House where a considerable number of fresh troops were ordered out to proceed with them and where this declarant (being nearly destitute of clothing and his feet much cut to pieces for the want of shoes) was discharged by Col. Cleveland and went home, having served during this tour not less than two and a half months. This last tour of duty closed the services performed by this declarant during the Revolution except some short tour performed in the early part of the war, for which he declines to set up any claim.
This declarant was born in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia in the month of March 1754 as he was informed by his mother, but has no record of his age nor never had. He was living in Surry County now Wilkes [County], North Carolina when he was called into service and has continued to live in the same county ever since. All the services performed by this declarant were performed as a volunteer. The answer to the fifth interrogatory is contained generally in the body of this declaration. This declarant never received a written discharge from the service, nor has he any documentary evidence of any kind to prove his services, but refers to the testimony of Moses Watters, David Laws and William Viars, hereto annexed, all of whom served with him, and who can testify to his services. He also refers to the Rev. Thomas Fletcher and Joseph McNeill, as to persons to whom he is well known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
S/ John Yates, X his mark
Wm. Mastin CCC
[p 13]
On the day and year aforesaid personally appeared in open Court before the Court aforesaid, Moses Watters [sic] Esquire who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he was with John Yates the above applicant during the whole of the six months services set forth by him as being performed under Captain Francis Hargrove, and that the said six months tour of duty as set forth and specified in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by the said John Yates during the Revolutionary war, was performed by him.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
S/ Moses Waters
[p 13]
On the day and year aforesaid personally appeared in open Court before the Court aforesaid David Laws who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he served with John Yates the above applicant during the three months tour of duty set forth in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by him on the North Western side of the Blue Ridge against the Cherokee Indians, under Captain Cleveland – and that the said three months tour of duty as set forth & specified in the foregoing declaration, as having been performed by the said John Yates, during the revolutionary war, was performed by him.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
S/ David Laws, X his mark
[p 14]
On the day and year aforesaid personally appeared in open Court before the Court aforesaid, William Viars being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he served with John Yates the above applicant during the two and a half months tour of duty set forth in the foregoing declaration as having been performed in an expedition to Kings Mountain in the company of Captain David Viars – and that the said tour of duty as set forth and specified in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by the said John Yates during the Revolutionary war, was performed by him.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
S/ William Viars, X his mark
[Thomas Fletcher, a clergyman, and Joseph McNeill gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[p 17: On May 18, 1841 in Wilkes County North Carolina Jemima Yates, about 82 or 83 years of age, made application for a widow’s pension under the 1836 act stating that she is the widow of John Yates, a revolutionary war pensioner; that she married him some 2 or 3 years before the battle of Kings Mountain in Orange County Virginia and removed a short time after their marriage to North Carolina; that her husband died in the month of December 1835. She signed her application with her mark.]
[p 5: Copy of a marriage bond dated March 8, 1779 issued to John Yeats and James Raper conditioned upon the marriage of John Yates to Jemima Raper. Certified by the clerk of court of Caswell County North Carolina.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $38.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for service as a private for 11 ½ months in the North Carolina militia. His widow was pensioned in a like amount.]