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 of Micajah Clark - S30940 - fn41NC
Transcribed by Will Graves - rev'd 11/18/10
State of Kentucky, Warren County
On this 22 day of October 1833 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Micajah Clark a resident of said County aged upwards of 83 years, who from age & infirmity is unable to appear in Court, being first duly Sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That he was born in Albemarle County Virginia in the year 1749 & entered the service of the United States in August 1776 in the County of Surry N. Carolina as a volunteer for the Term of four months and served under Captain William Dobson & Colonel Joseph Williams of said Surry County N. C. & marched from thence to Long Island on Holston River where they joined the Troops of Virginia under Colonel Christie [sic, William Christian] – thence he marched to the Cherokee Nation where he assisted in burning & destroying 17 Indian Towns & their crops. The Indians fled & could not be attacked – he served this tour fully out under the aforesaid officers as a private & was marched back to Surry County & was discharged by Captain Dobson which discharge he has lost.
He further makes oath that early in the year 1777 he again entered the Service of the United States as a volunteer for during the remainder of the War & was immediately commissioned a Captain of a Company by Col. Martin Armstrong, the Colonel of Surry County N. C. where he yet resided & where he again reentered the service. Said company was termed ―Minute Men‖ & he & his company served under said Col. Armstrong – he served under said Col. Armstrong till after the taking of Cornwallis & till the close of the War when he was discharged at Richmond in the County of Surry N. C. by Colonel Armstrong which discharge is lost. He served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority from early in 1777 till the end of the war aforesaid. He was not constantly engaged in either fighting or marching & when he was not fighting or marching he was not in a public Garrison for none was provided for the troops to which he belonged but they were stationed at such places as were thought most useful to the Country. He was engaged in no civil employment by which to make his living from 1777 to the end of the war, but during the whole of said time he was, & considered himself a soldier under the control of his officers & Country. He was in more than a dozen severe skirmishes with the Tories & one occasion they robbed one Squire Blackburn of his property & he & his men pursued them for three days attacked them killed four of them & regained the property in 1780 he marched to Cryder's Fort [Crider's Fort] on the waters of Catawba [River] & joined Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland] & marched to King's Mountain, but did not get there till the day after the Battle after the battle he marched with the Prisoners as a guard to Moravian Town under the command of Colonel Campbell [William Campbell] – he does not recollect the number of the Regiment in which he served, besides officers he has mentioned he knew Colonel Sevier [John Sevier] & Colonel Shelby [Isaac Shelby] – his age is recorded in his Bible.
After the Revolution he resided in S. Carolina & Alabama till the year 1827 when he moved to this County. He knows of no documentary evidence of his service, nor of any person by whom he can prove his commission above named except Jonathan Clark & Susanna Clarke, Captain Rice Arnold, James Skeggs, Robert Dickerson & John Wheeler are his neighbors who can testify as to his veracity & their belief of his Service in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares his name
is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to & Subscribed to the day & year
aforesaid.
S/ Micajah Clark, Snr.
fifteen months will be taken of the applicant's service
S/ Geo. Work
[Zachariah Morris, a clergyman, and Rice Arnold gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
Commonwealth of Kentucky, Christian County: to wit
The Deposition of Jonathan Clarke1 a Citizen of the said County of Christian this day taken before me Daniel S. Hays an acting justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid – at my Office in the Town of Hopkinsville-- This Deponent being of lawful age and first duly sworn – states that he was born in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia – in the year 1759 and that in the year 1776, he was then a Citizen of Surry County State of North Carolina where his father & family then resided that his Brother Micajah Clark in the month of August 1776 entered the Service of the United States in the War of the Revolution under Captain Will Dobson & Colonel Jos Williams and continued therein four months or thereabouts, and that in the year 1777 he again entered the Service for during the War, and shortly after was commissioned a Captain and continued in service to the end of the War, -- This Deponent further states that if he ever saw said Clark's commission as Captain he has no recollection of it.
But most positively states that he was called Captain, acted as Captain & was so received and reputed generally in the army – and he this deponent was occasionally in service at the Same time.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th day of December – 1833.
Sworn to by the Deponent before me this 28th the sum or are 1833.
S/ D. S Hays, JP S/ Jonathn Clark
[fn p. 16: On November 39, 1833, in Warren County Kentucky, Richard Isbell gave testimony that he was well acquainted with the veteran in Surry County North Carolina and that he lived with the veteran there; that he Isbell had a brother-in-law who served under Captain Clark; that Captain Clark was so called in his County and was one of the leading man there being a justice of the court there.]
[fn p. 19: Bolin Clark testified in Warren County Kentucky on October 23, 1833, that he is aged 55 years, well acquainted with Micajah Clark, has seen his commission as a Captain but cannot recall by whom it was signed. The relationship, if any, of this affiant to the applicant is not disclosed in his affidavit.]
[fn p. 21: On October 27, 1833, in Simpson County Kentucky, Micajah Clark Junior gave testimony as to the reputation of Micajah Clark as a soldier of the revolution. The relationship, if any, of this affiant to the veteran is not stated.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $313.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for 19 months service as a Captain and private in the North Carolina militia.]
Pension Application John Crane - S3218 - fn50NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 12/17/10
State of Tennessee Robertson County: County Court November Term 1832
On this 12th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the justices of the County Court of Robertson County the same being a Court of record John Crane a resident now of the County of Stewart previously a resident of the County of Robertson State of Tennessee aged seventy-three years on the sixth of February next – who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 – That he volunteered in the year 1776 – the month not recollected at this time Colonel Christy [sic, probably a reference to Colonel William Christie and of Virginia] was the Colonel and Gilbert Christy was the Captain under which he served – declarant states that his tour of service under the foregoing officers lasted about three months – this was the first expedition that ever went against the Cherokee Indians. This expedition is known by the name of Christy's Campaign. The expedition was encamped on the banks of the French Broad [River] – expecting in a little time to have an engagement with the Indians when a flag peace was received from the Indians – and no battle took place. The Army then went into the following Indian Towns – Chota, [indecipherable], Tellico & Big Island Town. Those towns were situated on the Tennessee River – declarant states that this County was at that time in the State of North Carolina – the Army from those towns returned – they received at those Indian towns some small pieces of artillery which were carried by water to the Long Islands of Holston [River] where there was a Fort which Fort went by the name of Long Island Fort. Declarant states that in the year 1777 – he volunteered again under Colonel Montgomery & Captain Gilbert Christy – the month in which he entered as a volunteer is not now recollected – but he thinks it was in the spring Season. This was an expedition against the Chickamauga Indians who at that time lived on the Tennessee River not far from a place called the Slick – the entire Army went by water in a species of Boats called perague [sic, pirogue or piragua—a canoe made by hollowing out a tree trunk] – descending the Holston River until its junction with the French Broad – and then down the French Broad – and Tennessee rivers until we came to the Indian towns situated above the Slick on the Tennessee River where we [several indecipherable words] the Indians had fled in consequence we supposed of having been informed by the Tories of the approach of the Army – declarant states that a detachment was sent from the Army by the command of its officers to intercept the Tories who were like mice descending the [indecipherable word or words] also we arrived at the Town where a skirmish took place between the men that composed the detachment and the Tories – and several guns were fired this skirmish happened in the night. Declarant further states when they reached the Towns as above stated near the [indecipherable word or words] the Indians had fled and a detachment was then sent from the Army at the Indian towns in pursuit of the Indians in the mountains. Declarant states he composed one of the detachments. We found the Indians in a cave under a [indecipherable word] rock – where we took a few prisoners after killing two of the Indians – declarant states that he served in this Tour about four months. Declarant further states that he received a written discharge for both of those Tours but that he has [several indecipherable words] that they are not now in his possession. Hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state whatever.
Sworn to in Open court
Test: S/ W. Seal, Clk S/ John Crane, X his mark
This day personally appeared in open Court Caleb Winters [?] and states upon oath that he is acquainted with John Crane who has subscribed the foregoing declaration and he knows he enlisted under Captain Gilbert Christie as a volunteer and went as a soldier under the said Christie – and he further believes that he served as he has stated in his declaration.
S/ Caleb Winters
[Thomas Gunn, a clergyman, and Joseph Washington gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
Questions by the court
1st Where and in what year were you born?
A. I was born in 1759 in the State of North Carolina
2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans. I have – and it is [in the] possession of Caleb Winers
3rd Where were you living when called into service: where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living at the time I volunteered in the State of North Carolina – at a station called Catars [sic, Carter’s?] Station on the waters of Holston since that time I have lived in Davidson & Robertson County in the State of Tennessee and at this time reside in Stewart County State of Tennessee
Question 4th Note the names of the sum of the regular officers who were with the Troops with which you served and the general circumstances of your service
Ans. For this the Court is referred to the body of my declaration.
Ques. 6th [sic] How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if in substitute, for whom?
Ans. For this the Court is referred to the A body of my declaration in which I stated I was a volunteer –
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Ans. The court is referred to my declaration
[fn p. 20: this is an amendment to the declaration but it is in the same challenging handwriting as the original declaration. From what I could make out of its text, it does not appear that the veteran added any significant information to his declaration of services. Consequently, I chose
not to subject myself to the aggravation of trying to decipher it for transcription.]
[Facts in file: The veteran died March 23, 1838; there is no family data in this file.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $23.33 commencing March 4th, 1831, for seven months service as a private in the North Carolina militia
Pension application of Charles Davis - S6785 - fn28NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/18/10
State of North Carolina Stokes County
On this 14th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County & State aforesaid now sitting Charles Davis a resident of the County of Stokes & State of North Carolina aged eighty years who being 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 seventh 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was drafted to serve a three months tour against the Cherokee Indians some time in the year 1776 and as well as he can recollect he and in the service on or about the third day of September in that year under Richard Good a Captain in the Surry Regiment of North Carolina Militia and was marched under the command of Colonel Joseph Williams & Major Joseph Winston upon what was commonly called the Cherokee expedition, to the long Island of Holston [River] where the troops lay in camp he thinks several weeks & believes was there joined by General Christie [sic, William Christian] with the Virginia troops, under whose command the Army was marched into the Indian nation where they were employed for some time but how long he cannot recollect, in destroying the Indian towns & routing the Indians, after which he returned home and obtained a discharge from some one of his officers he thinks from Captain Richard Goode which discharge is lost or destroyed. He thinks he was discharged some time in the month of December in the year 1776 aforesaid the particular day he cannot recollect. That he was drafted for a three months tour again sometime in the year 1780. And marched from Surry County under the command of Captain Halbert about the first of July of that year and joined General Rutherford about 30 miles below Salisbury and were marched by him to the mouth of Rocky River he thinks in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina or the neighborhood of the River where he was engaged in a battle called Colson's1 in the said County of Mecklenburg as then he was told & understood. That he received a discharge for his services from General Rutherford as he now believes. That he was frequently engaged in scouting parties against the Tories under the character of a minute man in subject to be called out at any time & at all times when called upon he served in such service but he cannot now say how long he was engaged having no documentary evidence of any part of his services. That the discharge last alluded to has been lost or destroyed. That he believes that Colonel Thomas Wade who he understood was a Regular Officer was in the camps upon this occasion.
That he was born in the year 1752 in the County of Augusta State of Virginia, that he left there when he was about twelve years old & settled in the County of Surry (now Stokes) County in the said County of Mecklenburg as then he was told & understood. That he received a discharge for his services from General Rutherford as he now believes. That he was frequently engaged in scouting parties against the Tories under the character of a minute man in subject to be called out at any time & at all times when called upon he served in such service but he cannot now say how long he was engaged having no documentary evidence of any part of his services. That the discharge last alluded to has been lost or destroyed. That he believes that Colonel Thomas Wade who he understood was a Regular Officer was in the camps upon this occasion.
North Carolina. That he has no record of his age in his possession, but that there was a record in a book which is not in his possession nor does he know where it is. That he was living in Surry County North Carolina at the time when called into service and has continued to live there ever since but that the part of Surry he lives and is now called Stokes County. That he was drafted in each of the terms before stated. That he has no documentary evidence of his services & knows of no one who can testify for him except Joseph Banner & Robert Hill as far as respects the last mentioned Tour.
He is well known to Joseph Waggoner, Thomas T. Armstrong & Joseph W. Winston -- his present neighbors who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
S/ Jno. Hill, CCC S/ Charles Davis
[Joseph Waggoner, Thomas T. Armstrong & Joseph W. Winston gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
Robert Hill being duly sworn states on his oath that he knows that Charles Davis the above named applicant did serve a three months tour in the company of Captain John Halbert, that he was marched to Rocky River & was as he believes at the battle at Colson's & that this deponent was in the same expedition.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
S/ Robert Hill
Joseph Banner being duly sworn states that Charles Davis got a horse from this deponent's father to ride on an expedition as stated in Robert Hill's application above & that he believes that the said Charles Davis did serve as therein stated but does not know it of his own knowledge.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
S/ Joseph Banner
State of North Carolina Stokes County
On the 10th day of December 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the peace of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting, for the County of Stokes aforesaid Charles Davis a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged eighty-one years last February who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following additional Declaration to his formal one made in September or December Court of said County 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, for services which was omitted to be set forth for want of proof war of mission of the Clerk who drew said declaration, that in addition to the Services stated for six months only mentioned therein he entered the services of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein after stated in addition there too (to wit) that he entered in every service as well as the Tours heretofore declared, as those which was omitted, as a horseman & furnished his own horse in the troops called the light Infantry and served in addition to the six months heretofore mentioned, one Tour of duty under Captain John Halbert & Lieutenant Robert Hill, Colonel Joseph Williams was Colonel commandant & Colonel Robert Lanear [sic, Robert Lenoir or Robert Lanier] Lieutenant Colonel -- and marched through various parts of Surry County North Carolina and at Richmond then Surry Courthouse met with about two or 300 Tories who defeated our troops in a skirmish at that place, where they took Captain Wooldridge wounded & took Captain John Crouse & several others prisoners of our men & that a ball through this applicant's shot pouch & powder horn he lost his horse saddle & bridle which the Tories got into their possession the date he cannot recollect and after losing his horse as aforesaid & retreating in confusion he was permitted by his Officers to go home in the Eastern part of Surry County aforesaid after having served twenty-five days; another route he entered under Captain Samuel Hampton and marched with his company from Town fork in the then Surry County, there being a call for soldiers to suppress the Tories, on the North of Dan River & crossed & swam Dan River at a canoe landing near where little Dan River empties into big Dan, & in a Tory settlement we routed a nest of them disarmed them, & took a number of said Tories & caused them to take the oath of Allegiance & give Security for their good behavior &c. In this expedition he remained ten days & was dismissed & returned home, another call being made he entered the Service under Captain Henry Smith at old Richmond in Surry County North Carolina & marched with his Company of cross the Shallow Ford of the Yadkin [River] & commanded by Colonel Williams & Colonel Isaacs field officers marched from thence to the Settlements in the forks of the Yadkin River & captured & took a number of Tories & did so on them & marched across the River again & down the same to the Uarra River in Rowan County North Carolina, thence to Douthall Settlements on the Muddy Creek & to Salem in the then Surry County, then to the old Town with a parcel of Tories whom we brought as prisoners & guarded them in the old Town Moravian church in this Service he served one month at least & was dismissed by Captain Smith at the old Town aforesaid = the next service he was called out on and Expedition to joined the troops commanded by Major Winston who was then in Guilford County North Carolina & marched from Surry County aforesaid to Guilford & joined a Company commanded by Captain ZaZa Brasheers [sic, Asa Brashears?] of Guilford County & after marching to Martinsville & through the County Guilford in Paseley Settlement returned to Guilford County & having served two weeks was dismissed -- this was about two weeks before Guilford Battle. Another Tour of service he was called out by Captain John Halbert & served in his Company in guarding the prisoners that was taken at the Battle of King's Mountain [October 7, 1780], who was then at the old Moravian Town in this service he remained only ten days & was discharged. The dates of the following services he cannot recollect owing chiefly to the length of time that has passed since, it happened; together with the infirmities of old age & the consequent loss of memory -- a Tabular account of the additional Services above are as follows (to wit)
25 days the skirmish at Richmond under Captain Halbert
10 days under Captain Samuel Hampton
30 days under Captain Henry Smith to Rowan County
14 days under Captain Brasheers to Guilford County
10 days under Captain Halbert guarding prisoners
89, in all for which he claims an additional pension etc.
This Applicant states that it is out of his power to produce Testimony at present to prove all the items of services as enumerated in the above declaration, but believes that he can prove part if not all the old men in Stokes County if they were able to attend Court, therefore the court proceeded to as the several questions agreeable to the Rules laid down by the War department
(viz.) 1st he says he was born in Augusta County in Virginia 18th of February 1752
2nd he has no record, of his age only a Traditionary one
3rd he lived in Surry County North Carolina in the same neighborhood where he now resides, which from the division of Surry he fell in the part now called Stokes County
4th he was called on all Occasions as a volunteer whenever called on when the urgency of the times required it, which Requisitions were all times made by his officers aforesaid
5th this question he has already answered in the Declaration but was with no regular officers in the Services last above mentioned –
6th he never received any written discharges as he recollects of
7th he states that Joseph Waggoner, General Joseph Winston & Charles Banner of his County & neighborhood will certify as to his character & veracity & belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & the pension which was granted him in part for his services just above mentioned; & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State excepting the one above alluded to in North Carolina for only $20 which was not given for any part of the last mentioned services.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the date first above mentioned
S/ John Hill, CCC S/ Charles Davis
[Joseph Waggoner, Joseph Winston & Charles Banner gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
State of North Carolina Stokes County: Depositions in favor of Charles Davis
Be it known that before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Personally appeared Edmund Tilley Senior before me aged about 85 years a resident of the County aforesaid & Pensioner of the United States, he being sworn according to law to declare what he knew of Charles Davis (who is now a Pensioner in the County aforesaid) relative to his services rendered to the United States in the Revolutionary War, Deposeth & saith that he was well acquainted with said Charles Davis during the said War, that he this deponent only served in one short Tour of duty with said Davis in guarding prisoners which were taken at the Battle of King's Mountain when they were at the old Moravian Town in the then Surry County North Carolina which town from the division of Surry fell into that part now Stokes County -- But that he well remembers that said Charles Davis was a very active soldier & was often called out into service by draft or volunteer & was absent sometimes three months or perhaps more & sometimes less as he was generally called out the orders of Colonel Martin Armstrong or Major Joseph Winston, under Captains Smith, Bostick, Goode, Meredith, Halbert war Humphreys all of which Captains this deponent recollects, & he believes that said Charles Davis did serve in the Militia in Surry County aforesaid at the least 10 months during the Revolutionary War.
Sworn & subscribed this fourth day of August 1834
S/ C Banner, JP S/ Edmund Tilley, Senior,, X his mark
Ephraim Banner Senior aged about eighty years a Pensioner of the United States & a Resident in the County of Stokes in North Carolina being sworn according to law, deposeth & saith that he belonged to the same Company & Regiment of Militia that a certain Charles Davis who now draws a small pension from the United States for services he rendered during the Revolutionary War, this deponent believes & is confident from the acquaintance that he had with said Davis at that time; that he was an active Soldier & friend to the cause of Liberty, served & fought as a militia soldier and a half of the United States for at least, he thinks eleven or twelve months at different periods when ever called on by his Officers, then in Surry County North Carolina; although he did not happen to serve in the same Service at the same time with him, as they fell in different lots or classes to serve & under different captains, yet this deponent has just reason to believe; from the many calls & urgencies of the times, & they being neighbors that the said Davis was absent from home in the service of the Militia & served as aforesaid at the least the above mentioned term for which he ought to be allowed a pension instead of for only six months as this deponent is informed he only is allowed for by some Aaron in drawing his declaration in the first start of drawing declarations for pensions in this County --
Sworn & subscribed this fourth day of August 1834 before me
S/ C. Banner, JP S/ Ephraim Banner, Sr., X his mark
1 July 21, 1780. http://gaz.jrshelby.com/colson.htm
Pension application of Joseph Edwards - R3259
Transcribed by Will Graves 6/30/07 rev'd 12/17/14
State of Georgia, Franklin County: SS
On this third day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Ordinary of said County, now sitting, Joseph Edwards, resident of Captain Newell's District, in the County aforesaid, aged about seventy-seven 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 the 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, to wit. He entered the service in the year '76 as a volunteer in Surry County in the State of North Carolina, under Captain Shepherd [James Shepherd] in Colonel Armstrong's [Martin Armstrong's] Regiment, and was marched to Cross Creek, but the battle was fought the day before we got there, he remained there for some time guarding the British & Tories, he was marched from Cross Creek to Hillsboro, from thence he went home, to recruit his horse & get clothing, but was soon called into service again & continued in service with short intermissions for about three years, was in no particular engagement, but was in a great many skirmishes, he was marched at one time to the Indian nation after the Indians & Tories, does not recollect that he received any discharge from Captain Shepherd but if he did has lost it. He then moved into Wilkes County in the same State where he was drafted to serve in Captain Martin's company, under Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], & was marched down to the lower part of North Carolina after Col. Fannin [David Fanning] & the Tories – but was in no engagement, he served forty-five days, as well as he can recollect, & was discharged. He was afterwards drafted & served thirty-three days under Captain Isbell [Pendleton Isbell], and Colonel Isaacs' [Elijah Isaacs'] Regiment, was in no particular engagement, & was discharged at the end of the term by Captain Isbell, which said discharge is herewith enclose – he was again drafted, & served fifteen days under Captain Sloan [William Sloan] and Colonel Cleveland, & was marched near the Virginia line, after a Tory Captain Cox & his Company, we took Captain Cox but could not find his Company – and was then discharged & returned home.
Served under Captain Shepherd three years as a Light Horseman & found his own horse: served three or four months afterwards as a foot private. Does not know any person convenient, that knew of his services positively.
1. Was born in Maryland, and to the best of his recollection in the year 1756.
2. Does not know that there is any record of his age.
3. When he was first called into service he was living in Surry County North Carolina, and from thence removed to his present residence in the year 1784 where he has remained ever since.
4. He was a volunteer the first three years in a Light horse Company & was drafted when he served afterwards.
5. Joined the Regular Troops at Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, where they were commanded by General Armstrong. Does not recollect the names of others.
6. Received several discharges (one in closed) which are lost, and does not recollect by whom signed.
7. Is known to Dozier Thornton, a preacher of the Gospel and to John Stonecypher in his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and to their belief of his having been a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state within his knowledge or belief.
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the day & year first above written.
S/ Thos King, Clk S/ Joseph Edwards, X his mark
We Dozier Thornton a clergyman and John Stonecypher residing in the County and State first aforesaid hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Edwards who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; That we believe him to be 77 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion & the said Stonecypher saw him once on a march in the Army while in the service.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Test: S/ Thos King, Clk S/ Dozier Thornton, X his mark
S/ John Stonecypher, X his mark
[p 7]
Georgia, Franklin County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County Joseph Edwards to whose original Declaration this is attached, and who being again duly sworn on his oath saith & Deposeth, That by reason of old Age and the Consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following Grades. As a private he served in 1776 under Captain Shepherd in Colonel Armstrong's Regiment 42 days & was discharged to recruit his horse & get clothing.
In May 1776 he entered under the same officer as a private and served 15 days was marched to Chissels [Chiswell] Lead Mines and guarded some wagons loaded with Lead back to Surry Court House and was discharged.
In August 1776 under Captain Shepherd & Colonel Williams he served as a private four months and 20 days in a campaign against the Cherokee Indians to the lower Towns of the Tennessee River which we burnt.
In 1777 as a private he served one month against the Tories under Captain Shepherd & Colonel Armstrong.
In 1778 he served one month as a private under Shepherd & Armstrong.
In 1779 he done no service the Indians & Tories being quiet.
In 1780 he volunteered as a private under Captain Martin as a footman and served three months, under him and Colonel Cleveland after the British & Tories and was marched to Hickory Land Ford on the Adkin [sic, Yadkin River] & was discharged in August.
In September 1780 he was drafted and served 30 days as a private under Captain Isbell & Colonel Isaacs & was marched after a Tory Colonel Fanning to Deep River & was discharged at Moravian Town. Same year served as a private 33 days under same, & received his discharge annexed.
In March 1782 he was drafted under Captain Sloan & Colonel Cleveland and served 15 days as a private, was marched to New River after a Tory Captain Coxe & returned home & was discharged by Captain Sloan.
In 1776, 1777, and 1778 he says he served as a private Horseman under Captain Shepherd three years except about two weeks he had leave of absence to see his family, he has just above attempted to give a statement of each Tour but cannot from want of memory. When not out on duty for the three years aforesaid he was kept in Garrison of Surry Court House North Carolina aforesaid. And for such service or so much thereof as the Law will allow him he claims a pension. He served with an embodied Corps called into service by Competent authority, That he was either in the field or in Garrison, and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit, except the two weeks aforesaid.
He knows of no person (except his brother who was living in North Carolina a year ago) by whom he could prove his service, but could prove by him if he is alive, but deponent is a cripple and unable to go & see whether he is alive.
Sworn to and subscribed or made this 11th day of September 1833.
S/ C. Addison, JP
S/ Joseph Edwards, X his mark
Wilkes County December 23, 1781
This is To Certify that Joseph
Edwards has serv'd a Soldier
33 Days in my Company
under the Command of Col.
Isaacs
against the Tories
S/ Pendleton Isbell
[p 17]
State of North Carolina, Comptroller's Office
I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit:
Joseph Edwards
Book ZZ page 16 “private full pay from 10th November 1778 to 10th of August 1779 the sum of £26 S9 D6” specie Book No. 1, page 22 £1 S17, April 3rd 1781.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 2nd day of August 1853.
S/ Wm J. Clarke, Comptr.
[p 11: On May 27, 1853 in Lumpkin County Georgia, Abel Edwards of Whitfield County Georgia
executed a power of attorney in which he states he is the son of Joseph Edwards, deceased, a soldier of the revolution.
Pension Application John Fields - S8471 - f27NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 7/31/06 rev'd 2/6/15
State of Virginia, Patrick County
On this 25th day of March 1850 personally appeared in open court before the court of Patrick now sitting John Fields a resident in the County of Patrick and State of Virginia aged 89 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. He states that in the spring of the year 1776 Captain William Bobbitt came up the mountain from Big Reid Island to the County of Surry State of North Carolina, a distance of about twenty miles to raise a company to pursue the Shawnee Indians who had been committing depredations on the persons and property of the neighborhood of Reid Island River. This affiant joined his company as a volunteer; marched from the County of Surry where he then lived [indecipherable word] the Mountains to the County of Botetourt, the Indians having obtained [indecipherable word] of their near approach, took shelter in a cove [or cave] called the Big Cove [or Cave]. Capt. Bobbitt surrounded the cove with the determination to starve the Indians into surrender. He remained encamped at the mouth of the cove forty days. The Indians would not surrender but starved to Death in the cove, all except one which undertook to make his escape and was fired upon and killed. The company marched back to Reid Island, the abode of Capt. Bobbitt and was discharged. He was engaged in this expedition three months. He states that Capt. Bobbitt's company was the only company engaged in this expedition and that he started the expedition on the 3rd day of May 1776—he states that in the month of August 1776 shortly after his return from the above expedition he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain George Deatheridge [Daughtridge?]; joined a regiment under the command of Colonel Joseph Williams destined against the Cherokee Indians. The regiment rendezvoused at Dobson's Cross Roads in the County of Surry State of N. C. now the County of Stokes. At this place the company became dissatisfied with Capt. Deatheridge and voted in Captain William Dobson under whom this affiant marched from that place to the Cherokee towns a distance of about three hundred miles. On their way they were joined by a regiment from Virginia under the command of Col. Christie [William Christian]. They destroyed some of the Indian towns but could not bring them to a fight; agreed on terms of peace; the regiment to which he belonged was marched back to the long Islands of [the] Holston [River]; the larger portion of which was there discharged; the remainder was stationed there to keep the Indians in subjection until the treaty agreed upon could be ratified. This affiant was among the retained who remained there for some time when they commenced their march homeward where he arrived about the first of March having been engaged in this expedition Seven months. This affiant states that shortly after his return from the above tour he joined Captain David Roark's company of minute men for the term of six months during which term Capt. Roark with his company was ordered to march against the Tories who had collected together near the head of the Yadkin River; they marched up the Yadkin [River] to near its head; the Tories hearing of their approach dispersed; they then returned home having been engaged in this expedition 21 days. This was the only time he was called on during his six months engagement, which he believes ended in the fall of 1777. He then joined Captain Joshua Case's company of minute men for six months. During this engagement he believes in the spring of 1778, he was called on to march against the Tories up the Yadkin [River]. They marched up said river nearly to its head not coming in contact with the Tories. They returned home through Guilford County having been engaged forty days. His term of enlistment or engagement under Case having terminated, he volunteered under Captain William Shepherd in the month of June 1788 [sic, 1778] in an expedition against the Tories who it was reported had collected in a body near the Long Swamp down on or near Rocky River. They commenced their march in June 1778; marched to Rocky River to a place called the Stone House and then to the Long Swamp. Before they reached the Long Swamp they were joined by several other companies. They found the Tories collected and engaged them in battle, which continued but a short time before the Tories gave way and fled into the Swamp where it was thought not advisable to follow them. In this battle this affiant was wounded by a rifle Ball passing through his leg but fortunately did not break a bone. Being now unable to ride he was left in the care and under the protection of Captain John Johnson who resided not far off; his captain and the rest of the company returned home, this affiant remained about a month and then returned home having been engaged three months in actual service and one month detained by his wound for which he claims four months. This affiant again entered the service as a volunteer under Captain Joseph Cloud in March 1779; marched to 96 [Ninety Six] in South Carolina; was there stationed for a short time; hearing that a party of Tories had collected together on a river or swamp near Wilmington, they were ordered to march against them. After marching a considerable distance, they came upon a band of Tories; had a recontre [rencountre] in which this affiant received a shot through his wrist—they then commenced their march home having been engaged in this expedition at least three months. The next tour of duty this affiant performed was in the year 1780. He volunteered under Captain John Smith in the County of Surry [North Carolina]. Marched under him to join a regiment under Colonel Williams [James Williams] destined against the British and Tories in the South they proceeded to a place called the Cowpens (spelled, "cowpings") near which place they joined Colonel Williams' regiment who had previously joined Cols. Campbell [spelled, "Cambell", William Campbell], Cleveland [spelled, "Cleavland", Benjamin Cleveland] and others and was in hot pursuit of the British under the command of Ferguson [spelled, "Firrgerson", Patrick Ferguson]. They pursued him to Kings Mountain on the top of which place we battled [October 7, 1780] and the combined forces of Williams, Cleveland and Campbell attacked him on the Mountain. A dreadful Battle ensued in which the combined forces of Williams, &c. proved successful in this battle. Col. Williams was killed and also the British commander in the battle. Your affiant received three wounds from the bayonet of the enemy, one in the thigh, one in the hip and one in the left breast but not so as to disable him. This affiant was retained a few days after the battle to aid guarding prisoners. His three months having expired, he was discharged and returned home. He entered service again under Captain William Lewis of Surry [?] County; marched under him to join General Morgan [Daniel Morgan] who at that time was in imminent danger being as it so was said surrounded by the enemy; they reached him in time to be engaged in the Battle of the Cowpens [January 17, 1781] in which general Tarleton [Banastre Tarleton] was defeated; he remained with the army until the expiration of his tour which was three months; was discharged and returned home about the first of March 1781. In this battle at the Cowpens this affiant received a blow on the head with a sword from one of the enemy which felled him to the ground, the scar of which as well as the scars from other wounds above mentioned are now visible. He states during the war he performed several other short tours against the Tories but has neglected to mention them in their proper place. One of those short tours was under Capt. Bland, Capt. Case and Capt. Blackburn, all in company, after the Tories in Chesnutt Ridges in Surry County [February 1781]. This engagement did not last more than two weeks. In this expedition they killed four Tories and recaptured property that they, the Tories, had robbed [from] the citizens of Fork Town, Fork is a branch of [the] Dan River. The other small tours he declines claiming for; he states he received discharges for the regular tours performed by him signed principally by the captains under whom he served, with one exception which was signed by Col. Leadbetter , all of which has long since been lost or destroyed; that he has no documentary evidence of service and knows of no person living by whom he can prove service except by Edwin Hickman of Stokes County North Carolina and Thomas Ayres of Surry County same State by whom he can prove part of his service if they are living and he has not heard of their Death -- he will endeavor to procure their affidavits and forward them . He states that he was born in the County of Bedford, Virginia on the first day of October 1761 according to a transcript of his age now in his possession taken from a register of his age in his mother's Bible. He stated that his father moved to Roan [Rowan] County State of North Carolina when this affiant was about five years old this County being divided and Surry taken off, he resided in Surry during the Revolution from which Stokes County was formed out of Surry where he resided until about 15 years past. He took up his abode in Patrick County State of Virginia where [he] now resides, Patrick and Stokes Counties joins one on each side of the State line—state the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a Soldier of the revolution and the name of the clergyman of your neighborhood if any there are. Answer—there is no clergyman in my immediate neighborhood. Edmond Collins and Joseph Brown and Martin Cloud who are the only persons present in Court from my neighbor[hood].
This affiant be interrogated [as to] why he had not made earlier application for a pension stated that he was always been of [the] opinion that no man, notwithstanding he may have fought for liberty, should apply to his government for support so long as he is able to support himself, but that he has now become so infirm that he is not able to procure a living by his labor—and having nothing to support himself upon, he deems it now right and proper to apply for and demand the provisions made by the government for those who served their Country in the Revolutionary war. 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 & year aforesaid.
S/ John Fields, X his mark
[Edmond Collins, Joseph Brim and Martin Cloud gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[p 11]
State of Virginia Patrick County
This day Thomas Ayres of Surry County State of North Carolina a credible witness who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that his Father resided on the [2 indecipherable words]4 in Surry County in time of the revolution, and that a few days after the Battle at Kings Mountain among the soldiers returning from that Battle he saw John Fields the above applicant his attention was particularly drawn to him on account of his being equipped differently from the rest of the soldiers, he carried a large gun on his shoulder [?]5, a small one swinging to his buck [?]6 and a large sword being by his side, that [affiant] heard him converse about the battle and speak of having been slightly wounded – he states that he saw the said Fields at another [time] in the Army when [he] returned from the battle of the Cowpens, that [affiant] has been acquainted with John Fields ever since, that he has frequently heard his Brother speak of having served with the above applicant – this affiant declares that he was about Eleven or twelve years old when he saw John Fields at the times spoken of above.
S/ Thomas Ayres, X his mark
[p 13]
State of Virginia Patrick County SS
The deposition of William Moore Esq. of Stokes County North Carolina aged 76 years taken before me Martin Cloud a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Patrick this 14th day of June 1850 to be read as evidence in support of the Claim of John Fields to a Pension the said William Moore being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that [he] became acquainted with John Fields the applicant for a pension when the affiant was about fifteen years of age it was then said that John Fields had been a Soldier in the revolutionary war. [Affiant] Frequently saw Fields in companies where he was [indecipherable word]7 as a Whig of the revolution, he has heard many conversations between his, this affiant's Brother Samuel (who is now dead) and John Fields in relation to their services together in the War of the revolution they having served in the same tours together, he further declares that he has heard Capt. Joseph Cloud who was a Captain in the revolution and who has been dead many years speak of the services of John Fields he said John Fields served under him and was a willing and valiant soldier and was always willing and ready to serve his Country whenever called on that they had served together as privates at the long Islands of the Holston before he got the appointment of Captain, he used to say that Fields ought to be highly respected for the manly course he pursued in fighting for liberty when his Father and Elder Brothers were Tories, he states that he has been acquainted with applicant for Sixty years or more and he has always bore the name of a Whig of the revolution.
S/ Wm Moore
[p 26]
State of North Carolina Stokes County SS
Be it known that on the 15th day of April 1850 before me John W Billing a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Edwin Hickman of Stokes County aged 88 [?] years a credible witness who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John Fields of the County of Patrick and State of Virginia. That he was acquainted with him in time of the revolutionary war and since that time, he states that he saw said Fields in the Army a short time before Gates defeat [Battle of Camden, August 15-16, 1780]; that he knows of his being discharged and returning home, said Fields was in the Horse but what officers he was with he does not recollect if he ever knew, he further states he knew many of the officers under whom John Fields states in his declaration that he served [under], his declaration having just been read to him. He further states that said Fields has always been reputed and believed in this neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that he declares the said Fields be 89 years of age – this deponent further saith not.
S/ Edwin Hickman
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum for service as a private for 12 months in the North Carolina Continental line.]